http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/ en http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification PHP/5.3.24 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/can-raspberry-ketones-really-help-burn-fat- Can raspberry ketones really help burn fat? 29 November 2012 Over the past six months, I have had numerous inquiries about raspberry ketones. This supplement has gained popularity recently, and is available through several major vendors. These supplements have been popularized following the endorsement of Dr. Oz and other health professionals. These supplements claim to assist with the loss of excess body weight and the ability to target body fat specifically. Little research has been done on this supplement at this time, and the majority of research done has been with laboratory animals. Ketones, or ketone bodies, are water-soluble compounds formed as waste products when fatty acids are broken down by the liver for energy. Raspberry ketones are an enzyme derived from red raspberries. This aromatic compound has traditionally been used in the cosmetic and perfume industry. Several studies have shown that this supplement is helpful with weight loss; again, these studies have been conducted on rodents. While humans and rodents have similar metabolic processes, this does not mean that humans will produce similar results. As with all supplements, it is important to discuss with a licensed medical professional prior to use, as they are aware of your individual constitution and needs. Raspberry ketones increase the secretion of adiponectin, an adipocyte-specific protein that has been shown to be lower in obese individuals. Low levels of adiponectin are seen in insulin resistance and type II diabetes. Adiponectin is a protein that the body uses to regulate body metabolism. A higher amount of adiponectin is associated with fewer fat stores, or less body fat. While the exact mechanism is not understood, there seems to be a correlation of the action of raspberry ketone in altering the lipid metabolism, or more specifically, in increasing norepinephrine-induced lipolysis in white adipocytes, more commonly known as fat cells. Individuals who are considered to be 'thin' generally have a higher concentration of adiponectin, as opposed to heavier individuals. Excessive body weight has been associated with a higher risk for specific health conditions, including hypertension and other heart conditions, type II diabetes and certain cancers. This supplement is regarded as safe, with the exception of individuals who may be allergic to raspberries. As with all supplements, it is most effective when used in conjuncture with proper diet and exercise. Raspberries have long been considered to be one of the 'super foods,' and eating a diet high in antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables decreases the chance of weight gain and other health complications. It is always beneficial to supplement with whole foods when available. Supplementation allows the individual to obtain nutrients that they may be lacking in the diet. Proper lifestyle adjustments can ensure weight loss, especially when used in conjunction with a nutritionist or qualified health professional. Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/can-raspberry-ketones-really-help-burn-fat- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/gwyneth-paltrow-dishes-on-her-favourite-natural-beauty Gwyneth Paltrow has turned her trend-setting eye on natural beauty in the latest instalment of her Goop lifestyle newsletter. The Hollywood superstar said: "Some of our readers were curious about good organic skin products so we did our due diligence and tried and tested many great brands." Some of the favourites? Bentley Organic for one. She says: "At home, we've recently made the change to organic hand sanitiser, which we always have in the car for the trip back from school and from play dates." Good to know little Apple and Moses are getting sanitised safely. Gwynnie also has a good word for Dr. Bronner's. "An all-around good soap for the shower, Dr. Bronner's has been around since the 70s and is organic and Fair Trade," Gwyneth said. "The claim is that the Pure Castile Liquid soaps can be used even as shampoo, and as toothpaste (!) but I stop at body soap for the shower. The lavender is great for a relaxing end of day bath." Sun, 16 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/gwyneth-paltrow-dishes-on-her-favourite-natural-beauty http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/difference-between-synthetic-vitamins-and-green-vitamins Difference between synthetic vitamins and green vitamins 3 August 2011 What is synthetic vitamin? Chemical Vitamins are synthesized from labs and it is an isomeric form of natural substance, i.e. its structurally the same but is not compatible with other natural ingredient. For example, when we eat green vegetables or fruits such as grapefruit, its rich source of vitamins and flavonoid work in sync to enhance a better utilization, whereas synthetic vitamin C alone cannot achieve the same level of efficacy. In addition, it is easy to overdose synthesized vitamins C, long term intake of vitamin C might increase the risk of oxalate stones in the kidney, cause pain and discomfort What is green vitamin? Green vitamins refer to the natural food that contains chlorophyll (gives vegetables the green color). The 2010 USDA myplate recommends taking 1/2 of the plates with vegetables and fruits, however we are consuming a lot of calories with no few or no nutrition values from sugar-added food that only has empty calories. Green vitamins such as alfalfa, barley grass, chlorella and spirulina have dietary fibers and vitamins from natural vegetables and no ingredients is chemically altered or derived. Out of all the green vitamins, spirulina and chlorella are the superb green food because of its nutrition diverse profile that can supplement the malnutrition diet we have. Spirulina and chlorella are ideal whole foods which provides 200% more proteins than chicken or milk on a gram by gram basis, and a very rich source of zinc, iron, vitamins B12 to really improve the health of your body. How is the manufacturing process different between synthetic vitamins and green vitamins? Synthesized vitamin E is obtained from the byproduct of petrochemstry, the very same production as petroleum oil, whereas naturally we can intake vitamin E from vegetable oils, nuts, or fortified cereals. Most of other vitamins are organically synthesized with various organic solvent and different chemical method. To preserve the integrity of the synthesized vitamins, stabilizers are added to protect from high temperature or sunlight; therefore it makes them harder to dissolve in the water. Green vitamins such as spirulina and chlorella are cultivated outdoor under plenty of sunlight and clean water source. With good manufacturing control (HACCP, ISO9001 or ISO22000) and USDA organic certifications, we can be ensure there is no use of chemicals during the entire process and cause less chemical waste to protect the environment. How do I pick good green vitamins? Good green vitamins should compose the following attributes: Natural Natural health products can help you in many ways. They contain no artificial preservatives and chemicals that could harm your body. If you can find the best natural products, then you can make your body healthier. Organic USDA organic refers to how the food is produced, processed and handled without chemicals. Organic certification guarantees no pesticides and practice natural way of cultivation; minimize the damages on the environment. Health benefits Chlorophyll to plants is what red blood cells to humans. Studies have shown that chlorophyll might remove the toxins found in the body. Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/difference-between-synthetic-vitamins-and-green-vitamins http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/can-vitamins-help-boost-your-memory- Can vitamins help boost your memory? 3 August 2011 Adults who took vitamin and mineral supplements for almost a decade performed better on one type of memory test than those who didn't take the supplements, according to a new study from France. The researchers say the findings suggest that getting enough nutrients could aid thinking and memory skills as people get older. But further studies are needed to confirm the results, they add. The effect was "nothing wild that you'd say, 'Everybody should take these,'" said Geraldine McNeill, a nutritionist at the University of Aberdeen in the UK. But McNeill, who wasn't involved in the new study, said some people -- especially those who are deficient in vitamins and minerals -- might get a memory benefit from boosting the nutrients in their diet. Emmanuelle Kesse-Guyot of the University of Paris XIII in France and colleagues write that the link between a higher intake of some nutrients and thinking and memory skills has been shown before in so-called observational studies. But those studies can't get at a cause-and-effect relationship. "The question is, does the cognitive performance depend on the diet, or does the diet depend on the cognitive performance?" McNeill told Reuters Health. It's possible that people who have better thinking and memory skills might pay closer attention to what they're eating, she explained. To try to get a clearer picture of the association, Kesse-Guyot and her colleagues conducted a study of close to 4,500 French men and women. In 1994, when the study participants were 45 to 60 years old, researchers split them randomly into two groups. Half of them took a daily supplement that included vitamins C and E, selenium, zinc, and beta-carotene for eight years. The others took a nutrient-free placebo pill each day. None of the participants knew whether they were taking the vitamin or the sham pills. When the eight years were up, researchers stopped giving participants their assigned pills, and they could choose on their own whether or not to take vitamin supplements. Six years after that, the investigators brought them back to the lab for a round of memory tests. The tests included word and number problems to measure different types of memory and "mental flexibility." While the supplement and placebo groups performed similarly on most tests, the nutrient-boosted participants beat their peers on one test of long-term memory in which participants had to recall words in different categories. "Our results have to be considered carefully," the authors wrote in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Because they did several tests, it's more likely that the one difference they found was due to chance. Still, they added, the "findings support a beneficial effect of a well-balanced intake of antioxidant nutrients at nutritional doses for maintaining cognitive performance, especially verbal memory." McNeill said that most people could probably get the vitamin and nutrient doses used in the study through tweaks in their diet -- for example, drinking fruit juice to get Vitamin C and using plant oil, which is a good source of Vitamin E. "Taking supplements for me is a last resort," she said. Barbara Shukitt-Hale, a nutrition researcher at Tufts University in Boston, said it's important for people to know that boosting brainpower requires more than just taking a vitamin pill every day. "Vitamins and minerals are important for memory, but they're not the only thing that's important," she told Reuters Health. "The most important thing is eating a healthy diet, being active, and keeping your brain sharp." SOURCE: bit.ly/ntXIcp American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, online July 20, 2011.   Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/can-vitamins-help-boost-your-memory- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/co-enzyme-q10-the-energy-spark-plug- Co-Enzyme Q10: The energy spark plug! 3 August 2011 Co-Enzyme Q10 is a vitamin-like substance that exists in cells within special structures called mitochondria (the energy generators of the cells). It is essential for the health of all the tissues and organs of the body as it helps release energy from food. It also plays an enormous role in controlling cell metabolism. The heart contains the highest concentrations of Co-Enzyme Q10 and is highly reliant upon it. Although our bodies can make Co-Enzyme Q-10, as we age, so our ability to produce the substance declines and so its presence in the diet then becomes an increasingly important source. Food sources Foods highest in Co-Enzyme Q-10 include beef, spinach, sardines, tuna and peanuts. The possible benefits of Co-Enzyme Q-10 Energy: Co-Enzyme Q-10 is essential for the production of energy in the body. Cardiovascular disease: It is known as the heart-health supplement because in studies published in the American Journal of Cardiology it has shown to be effective in the treatment of congestive heart failure. A 75 percent reduction in the body's Co-Enzyme Q-10 level leads to the heart ceasing to function properly. If you have heart problems you should only take this supplement on the advice of your doctor. Do not take this nutrient in place of heart drugs or other prescribed medications Blood pressure: It complements the action of blood pressure reducing drugs. Again, it would be advisable if taking blood pressure drugs to discuss taking Co-Enzyme Q-10 with your Doctor. Gum disease: Gum disease has been the bane of the baby boomers and researchers at Osaka University in Japan, who gave patients with gum disease 60 mg a day of Co-Enzyme Q-10, found a marked improvement in 8 weeks. It has been shown to restore gum health; by preventing the progress of gum diseases such as Pyorrhoea and gingivitis, and increasing the rate of gum healing. Research has shown that diseased gums tend to have lower levels of Co-Enzyme Q-10 than healthy gums. If you have gum problems see your dentist but ask about Co-Enzyme Q-10. Weight loss: Research has shown that some overweight people have low Co-Enzyme Q-10 levels. Tissue hypoxia: A condition leading to ailments such as stomachs ulcers. Co-Enzyme Q-10 has been shown to be effective against this condition. Aging and the immune system: Studies with mice increased their life span by 50 percent with Co-Enzyme Q-10 supplementation, and extended their youthfulness and ability to ward off infection. Energy booster: Co-Enzyme Q-10 has been shown to stimulate energy production in people feeling tired or run down. Research There has been extensive research conducted into the effects of Co-Enzyme Q-10 since the early 1960s, and particularly in Japan from the mid-seventies. It was recognized early on as an important supplement, but it could not be produced economically until the late 1970s. Today, 10 percent of the Japanese population take this supplement. Therapeutic uses Supplementation is often recommended to people who are obese, lacking in energy or on cholesterol-lowering medication. Research has shown that these people all have lower than normal levels of Co-Enzyme Q-10 in their tissue cells. Normal dosage It is important to have a good level of this nutrient is present in our diets. Levels of the compound are usually high in the body until the age of 40, so this is really something that the over 40s could consider taking. The general dosage is 50mg taken with food twice per day morning and evening. Any higher dosage should be discussed with your doctor. It is generally quite expensive so you would need to shop around and discuss with your doctor whether you really need to take it. The benefits of taking Co-Enzyme Q-10 are seen after about eight weeks, Co-Enzyme Q-10 is available in most pharmacies. Precautions: Not to be taken by pregnant women or while breastfeeding. Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/co-enzyme-q10-the-energy-spark-plug- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-ideal-shopping-list-for-vibrant-lifelong-health- The Ideal Shopping List For Vibrant Lifelong Health! Source: Althealth News When first making the change to an Alkalarian diet, one might feel confused or unsure about how to start and what kinds of foods to buy. This sample shopping list will help you know what kinds of foods to stock so you can't help but build your health every time you eat! Almost everything on this list can be found at your local supermarket. As you start preparing your own meals you will learn what alkaline foods you enjoy more than others. Enjoy! Produce Section Avocado Beets Bell Peppers Broccoli Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Celery Chard Cucumber Dark Lettuce Eggplant Garlic Herbs (fresh) Jicama Kale Leeks Lemon Lime Onion Parsley Red, New Potatoes Seasonal fruit (once you are in balance) Spinach Squash Tomato Zucchini Refrigerated Section Borage Oil Fresh salsa (no vinegar) Flax Seed Oil Hummus Sprouted Wheat Tortillas (by Alvarado Street) Tofu Udo's Choice- Perfected Oil Blend Freezer Section Boca burgers (vegan) Manna Bread (Sun seed or Whole Wheat) Seafood/Meat Section Salmon Trout Free Range Turkey (to be eaten on rare occasions) Water Alkaline Water Spices These are all Spice Hunter brand: All Purpose Blend California Pizza Cowboy BBQ Rub Curry Seasoning Deliciously Dill Garam Masala Herbes de Provence Italian Spice Jamaican Jerk Mexican Pasta Seasoning Spicy Garlic Bread Szechwan Thai Seasoning The Zip Cinnamon Cumin Garlic Ginger Onion Parsley Thyme Fri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-ideal-shopping-list-for-vibrant-lifelong-health- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-truth-about-ph-miracle-diet The Truth About pH Miracle Diet Source: Althealth News If you want to know more about pH Miracle diet, read more from this article. The latest dieting phenomenon which has taken the health and nutrition sector by storm is the pH miracle diet. Diets are essential fads which come and go, but more often than not, after the initial hype, people become frustrated with the diets because they do not produce the promised result. Examples of such diets would be the low-fat diet in the 90s, which gave way to low-carbohydrate diets such as Protein Power, Sugarbusters and Atkins, the South Beach Diet. The pH miracle diet, or the alkaline diet or Young diet, named after its founder Robert Young, has been at the centre of attention since it was first introduced, because it does not follow the high protein, low carbohydrate diet advocated by dieticians for the past few years. How does a pH miracle diet work? The theory behind this is that our body is slightly alkaline. Since our body's mechanism functions best at the alkaline medium, it only makes sense for our diet to be mostly made up of alkaline foods. However, the food that we eat are considered acidic. Foods such as sugar, animal protein, caffeine and packaged food will introduce acids into our body, and thus interfering with the alkaline minerals in our body. Alkaline minerals are magnesium, potassium, sodium and calcium, which protect our body from chronic illnesses. Essentially, the idea behind the pH diet is to prevent us from falling prey to a host of diseases when these minerals are depleted from the incorrect pH balance in your body. Do not go away with the notion that the acidic foods you consume are only in small quantities. In fact, what you put in your mouth is significant enough to affect your overall health. Even though the usual balanced diet and the food pyramid recommended by doctors may seem sufficient, an inclusion of the pH diet will ensure avoidance of food that is detrimental to your health. FDA often makes recommendations on food that are good for our health, and whole-wheat grain products is one such example. Going strictly by the pH diet theory, however, it falls into the category of "acidic foods" which we should avoid, together with millet, oats and rice. Instead, alkaline grains such as quinoa, spelt and buckwheat are better replacements due to the alkaline properties. Thus, many of the foods that are supposedly recommended violate the pH miracle diet. Besides wheat, all meats and dairy products are also on the exclusion list. Alternative sources of protein can come from goat milk or vegetables like tofu, beans certain nuts and seeds, except for mushrooms. Fruits that are in the inclusion list are grapefruit, coconut, lemon and lime. You will only be able to experience the difference after you've embarked on the pH miracle diet. Mind you, it's not just a slight improvement in your health, the effect is revolutionary! The rule of the thumb in any diet is to include more vegetables and fruits and lower the consumption of processed food. This is why opponents of the pH miracle diet claims that pH balance does not play a vital part in maintaining our health since we are already eating healthily. Moreover, there is no solid scientific research to testify that this diet is beneficial to our health. On the other hand, many believe in its potential are it is currently being researched by John Hopkins' University and by Neil Solomon from the United Nations. Having its grounds firm in Chinese medicine and holistic medicine, it is hoped these new findings will prove the effectiveness of the pH miracle diet to its critics, and gain a new following on a quest to better health. Emma Deangela is the author of detox and fasting site at pH Miracle Diet and Fasting. Combining both Asian and Western philosophy, Emma Deangela has helped many people by giving them health consultation to make their lives better and healthier through natural health philosophy. Visit Body Detox to discover the health philosophy that lead many people to a healthy life. Fri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-truth-about-ph-miracle-diet http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/frozen-vegetables-are-nutritious Frozen vegetables are nutritiousSource: www.newstimes.comQ: I'm a senior and live alone. I try to eat properly, and like veggies. But you told me once that fresh vegetables lose their vitamins after three or four days in the fridge. If I buy fresh, I get a small amount but end up eating the same vegetable every day until it is gone. I can buy frozen organic and have a variety, without them spoiling, which makes it nice and more economical. But, am I getting the vitamins from the frozen? A: You may be getting more vitamins from frozen vegetables than you think. Nutritional value is at its peak right when vegetables are harvested. And that's when frozen vegetables get frozen. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the freezing process itself does not destroy nutrients. Fresh-picked vegetables are packed with nutrients, but quickly lose them (especially the water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C) if they are stored for any length of time. Fresh is still best, especially if you eat veggies straight from your garden or a farmers market. But frozen vegetables have merit, too! Just remember not to cook them to death. By the way, Myrtle, you can find a great list of recommended food storage times online from the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension: http://ces.ca.uky.edu/oldham-files/FN-SSB.085.pdf . Fri, 02 Apr 2010 16:49:55 +0100 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/frozen-vegetables-are-nutritious http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-b-3-could-help-stroke-patients Vitamin B-3 Could Help Stroke PatientsSource: www.wbaltv.comEarly research shows vitamin B-3, or niacin, may improve brain function after a stroke.When scientists at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit gave vitamin B-3 to rats with ischemic stroke, their brains showed growth of new blood vessels and nerve cells.Doctors said 87 percent of strokes are ischemic, meaning they're caused by a blocked blood vessel to the brain.Researchers are currently testing extended-release niacin on human stroke patients.They said they believe niacin increases good cholesterol, reducing the fatty deposits that block vessel walls, leading to substantial improvement in neurological function. Fri, 02 Apr 2010 16:47:59 +0100 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-b-3-could-help-stroke-patients http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/simple-habits-improve-mind Simple habits improve mindSource: www.dailygamecock.comOne of the beneficial outcomes of neuroscience research for the general public is to give a better understanding of the brain in order to shape one’s lifestyle. There are numerous measures that one can take in order to improve their mental health or to get more out of studying. An important lifestyle change that will improve brain functioning is increasing hydration and blood flow to the brain. Exercise, especially cardiovascular exercise, is beneficial to any person’s mental health because it significantly increases blood flow to the brain, allowing it to function properly. It is important to stay hydrated because a large percentage of the brain’s mass is water, which is essential for the biochemical processes to take place. Having a healthy sex life also improves brain functioning, as oxytocin is produced, which improves one’s ability to think of original solutions. Also, serotonin and dopamine are produced, which help a person’s creative thinking and calm, logical decision-making. Eating appropriate foods has also been shown to be beneficial for cognitive abilities. Some essential nutrients include vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, magnesium, zinc and amino acids. There are also numerous beneficial dietary supplements such as fish oil, ginkgo biloba and ginseng. Most college students fall prey to late nights, but getting a full night’s rest is one of the most beneficial things one can do for their mental health. A full night of sleep increases attentiveness and the ability to learn new information. Also resist the urge to pull an all-nighter, as a Harvard study showed that subjects tested were able to recall information better after 24 hours and a full night of sleep than those tested after only 20 minutes or 12 hours since information encoding. Sleep helps to prevent a person from being depressed and stressed, which inhibit a person’s ability to recall or encode new information. Other activities which are shown to be detrimental to one’s mental health include drinking, smoking and illegal drugs. All tobacco products have 4-methylnitrosamino-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), which causes neuronal death and is even detrimental in the form of second hand smoke. Drinking alcohol in excess can cause a great deal of cognitive defects such as brain damage, Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) and memory loss. In order to stay at your mental best, it is important to keep a positive mental attitude and stay away from toxins. It was once thought that a person could not grow new nerve cells, but it has been shown that through activity one can form new neuronal connections and grow new nerve cells. Therefore, it is beneficial for one to learn new skills such a playing a musical instrument, or playing challenging games such as Chess or Risk. Dementia patients have shown that playing word games and puzzles can eventually repair cognitive abilities. Also, surfing the Internet has been shown to be more actively engaging and stimulating in areas that control decision-making and complex reasoning than reading a book. Another way to improve stimulation is taking notes by hand instead of typing, as the act of writing with a pen or pencil has shown to more effectively stimulate the creative and memory centers of the brain. Studies have shown that most cognitive abilities constantly decrease from a person’s 20s on out, but this is activity-dependent: it is either use it or lose it. Lifestyle changes are hard to make and take a constant struggle, but there are a few quick tips one can use to improve their ability to learn. Know your learning style: If you are a kinesthetic learner, write everything down, keep a journal or make outlines. If you are an auditory learner, say things out loud, use mnemonic devices or word links and explain things out loud to someone else. If you are a visual learner, write down explanations of the material, use color-coded highlighting and use flashcards. No matter who you are, find a quiet place free of distractions and have a schedule of what you plan to do. It is important to stay focused and free from distractions, but it is also beneficial to take breaks in order to prevent getting burnt out and to be sure that you get a good night of rest. Every person is different and learns differently, but the most beneficial thing a person can do for their mental health is to be active and engagin Fri, 02 Apr 2010 16:45:27 +0100 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/simple-habits-improve-mind http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-helps-stave-off-winter-flu-asthma Vitamin D helps stave off winter flu, asthmaSource: www.nbr.co.nzTaking vitamin D supplements during the months when we're most likely to be deficient could reduce the risk of seasonal flu and asthma flare-ups, a new study suggests.During an earlier study into whether vitamin D could prevent osteoporosis, the researchers in that study noticed that people taking vitamin D were three times less likely to report cold and flu symptoms.This prompted Japanese researchers to look into the issue more closely, studying children aged between 6 and 15 years old who were given either vitamin D3 supplements or a placebo during the cold and flu season.Vitamin D3 is more effective as a supplement than the commonly used vitamin D2, which is less potent and more difficult for the body to absorb.The researchers found that while 31 of 167 taking the placebo caught influenza A during the study period (December 2008 to March 2009), only 18 of 167 children taking vitamin D caught the virus.They reported that those in the vitamin D group were 58% less likely to catch the flu.Another finding from the study was that vitamin D appeared to reduce the risk of asthma attacks in children with the condition.Only two children taking vitamin D had asthma attacks during the study, compared to 12 in the placebo group.Vitamin D, the "sunshine vitamin", is produced when the skin comes into contact with UVB ultraviolet rays.Another source is foods such as eggs, mushrooms and some types of fish. Fri, 02 Apr 2010 16:44:18 +0100 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-helps-stave-off-winter-flu-asthma http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-deficiency-may-be-bigger-than-statistics-indicate Vitamin D deficiency may be bigger than statistics indicateSource: calgary.ctv.caA new report from Statistics Canada says 10 percent of Canadians don't get enough vitamin D but experts think the problem is much larger. "If we look for the optimum level of vitamin D for health, 60 percent – or more – of the population is below that," says Dr. David Hanley, an endocrinologist at the U of C. Dr. Hanley says the discrepancy exists because old standards were used by Statistics Canada. Vitamin D is important because it's been linked to reducing the risk of multiple sclerosis and various types of cancer. Canadians have always struggled to get enough of the vitamin because the country's latitude doesn't allow for enough sun year round. Most people living in Alberta need supplements because our bodies are unable to make enough vitamin D. Without sufficient vitamin D, children can develop rickets. In adults, it leads to a softening of bones. Fri, 02 Apr 2010 16:40:44 +0100 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-deficiency-may-be-bigger-than-statistics-indicate http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/more-sunlight-vitamin-d-and-multiple-sclerosis-research More sunlight, vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis research Source: www.examiner.com Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison designed a study distinguishing the role vitamin D and UV light play in explaining the high rate of MS in people who live away from the equator. The results of this study, published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has the researchers looking to see if the immune regulation is resulted directly from the UV, indirectly from the creation of vitamin D, or both. Vitamin D may reduce the symptoms of MS, says Hector DeLuca, Steenbock Research Professor of Biochemistry at University of Wisconsin-Madison, but he and author of the study, Bryan Beckland, are wondering if sunlight plays a bigger role. "Since the 1970s, a lot of people have believed that sunlight worked through vitamin D to reduce MS. It's true that large doses of the active form of vitamin D can block the disease in the animal model. That causes an unacceptably high level of calcium in the blood, but we know that people at the equator don't have this high blood calcium, even though they have a low incidence of MS. So it seems that something other than vitamin D could explain this geographic relationship," says DeLuca. Researchers exposed mice to moderate levels of UV radiation for a week and then initiated the disease by injecting the protein. Afterword, they irradiated the mice every day or second or third day. The exposure was the equivalent to two hours of direct summer sun. This exposure to UV didn't change how many mice got a MS like disease, but it did help with the symptoms of the disease. It was shown, especially, in the mice that were treated with UV every other day. The researchers also were able to find that, although the UV exposure did increase the level of vitamin D, this did not, by itself, explain the reduced MS symptoms. It is still not clear what role it might play in their current study. "We are looking to identify what compounds are produced in the skin that might play a role, but we honestly don't know what is going on. Somehow it makes the animal either tolerate what's going on, or have some reactive mechanism that blocks the autoimmune damage," said DeLuca. DeLuca is stressing that the study may or may not lead to a new way towards treatment. "There are several ways this could go. If we can find out what the UV is producing, maybe we could give that as a medicine. In the short term, if we can define a specific wavelength of light that is active, and it does not overlap with the wavelengths that cause cancer, we could expose patients who have been diagnosed with MS to that wavelength." A question asked regarding the normal avoiding of excessive sun exposure should be changed and DeLuca said, "If you have an early bout with MS, then you have to think about your options. Remember, this is just experimental work at this stage. Whether it can be translated into practical applications on MS remains to be seen." "During the summer, I spend a lot of time outdoors. Camping, swimming, boating, laying in the sun a lot," says Linda Haven of Lima, Ohio. "It's just that I have to have access to water so that I can cool off or I would useless to my family. As it is, I have to rest for a few hours after it's all over for the day." "We let her rest for awhile, while me and our girls take care of whatever needs done, " says Brad Haven, her husband. "But after she rests, she is ready to "go" again and is in a great mood, so who knows, maybe there is something to this." Fri, 02 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/more-sunlight-vitamin-d-and-multiple-sclerosis-research http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/sprouts-for-life Sprouts for Life Source: www.theepochtimes.com Whether you are experiencing less than peak health or just like to take care of yourself, then sprouted seeds from edible grains are one of the simplest and most economical ways to ensure you are giving your body the peak nutrition it requires to achieve a healthy state of balance. Seeds, nuts and beans can be easily sprouted from the comfort of your own home. They will be ready to eat within a few days and unlike fruit and vegetables, don't require that you become an overnight expert in organic gardening and composting techniques as rewarding as these pastimes may be. The dormant seed is a storehouse of goodness just waiting to burst into life. Water, air and a suitable temperature trigger complex biochemical processes by which an astonishing amount of energy is released. When the shoot appears, we know that vitamin C is present and when those first two leaves sprout, chlorophyll has arrived on the scene. At this stage, the sprout is a perfectly balanced food, full of living energy, with the goodness of both seeds and vegetables. Sprouting Through The Ages Iranians germinate seeds as a symbol of renewal during Norooz. (Behrouz MehriI/AFP/Getty Images) Sprouts, both as food and medicine, have been documented in cultures all over the world. They predate the Bible and ancient manuscripts record that by 3000BC, the use of sprouts was common place in Chinese cuisine. Li Shih Chen's Pen Ts'ao Kang is a classic work of Chinese herbal medicine dating back to the 16th century. Mr Chen recommends sprouts for various conditions, including rheumatism and dropsy. He also prescribes them as an anti-inflammatory and general tonic. The Hunzas, who live in the harsh Himalayan mountain region and who routinely live past 100 years of age in good health, also reputedly rely on sprouts as a vital source of vitamins and minerals. They are also important when food stores run out at the end of a long, cold winter and before crops can be harvested in Spring. In the 18th century, Captain Cook introduced sprouts to British Naval ships to prevent scurvy on long journeys, which up until that time could claim the lives of approximately half of their crews. British and Indian forces in World War I also prevented outbreaks of scurvy with the inclusion of sprouts, which unlike fresh vegetables and citrus, were easily transported to the frontline. Similarly, in World War II, the American Government initiated and funded a campaign to encourage the use of sprouts among the populace so as to prevent protein shortages like those that were occurring in Europe at the time. How To Sprout Seeds for sprouting are available in most supermarkets and health food stores. Fresh seeds should germinate at a rate upwards of 80 per cent. If a large amount of the seeds you are using don't germinate, then they probably aren't fresh. Most varieties of seeds are best sprouted in a glass jar. Simply drop a handful of seeds into the jar, then cover with a piece of non-toxic mesh or cheese cloth. Soak them overnight and in the morning rinse them out and place the jar on a slope to drain. Continue to rinse thoroughly 2-3 times a day, leaving the jar on an angle so the water drains and air can circulate. You can also sprout your own seeds at home by planting them in a seed raising tray filled with high quality organic soil mix. This method is especially good for wheatgrass. There are many seeds that lend themselves well to sprouting. Some of the most popular types are: Alfalfa - Has an abundance of vitamins, minerals and chlorophyll. It is alkalising so it is good for counteracting diets high in white bread and sugar, and for people suffering from arthritic-type disease processes. Buckwheat - High in vitamins A and C, calcium, lecithin and chlorophyll. Useful for adding to soups, salads and as a base for a delicious pancake mix. Wheatgrass - An excellent source of vitamin E, vitamins, minerals and also has the ability to purify chemical impurities in water! Mung beans - A rich source of protein, vitamin C, potassium and iron. Great in sandwiches, salads, soups and green smoothies. You can sprout most types of beans and peas, and many varieties of seeds, including pumpkin, sunflower, sesame and fenugreek. If you are feeling adventurous, then sprouted almonds and cabbage are tasty additions to any meal. Fri, 02 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/sprouts-for-life http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/more-good-news-about-vitamin-d More Good News About Vitamin DSource: www.newsweek.comFor more than 80 years, scientists have known that vitamin D is important for building bones. And for most of those 80 years, people thought this was the only thing it was good for. In the past decade, however, we've learned two important things about vitamin D: it appears to have many other important health effects, and many Americans don't get enough of it. In 2008, new research pointed to a vitamin D deficiency as a possible contributing factor in heart disease. And the suspected link between vitamin D deficiency and cancer grew even stronger. This surely will spur much new research in 2009.Why is vitamin D deficiency so common? The vitamin is made in our skin when sunlight strikes it. Many Americans—especially those who live in the northern part of the country, are elderly or have dark skin—don't soak up enough sun. And the vitamin isn't found in many foods. The main sources are fatty fish (such as salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines) and milk, cereal and juices that have been fortified with it. Vitamin D deficiency often is unsuspected because it causes no direct symptoms; like high blood pressure, it does its damage silently.So far, the new findings about vitamin D come mostly from observational studies, which look for correlations between blood levels of the vitamin and the development of certain diseases. Such studies don't prove that the deficiency actually causes a disease nor can they prove that correcting the deficiency will prevent or treat it. But they can provide useful clues; after all, it was in observational studies that researchers first made the link between smoking and lung cancer.Here's the latest on the vitamin's role in some common health problems:Fractures. Broken bones—the bane of the elderly—are less common among people with sufficient levels of vitamin D. And randomized trials suggest that taking vitamin D with calcium can boost bone mineral density and make fractures less likely. Vitamin D deficiency can also weaken muscles, making falls (particularly in frail older folks) more likely. Cancer. Vitamin D suppresses uncontrolled cell growth, and higher blood levels appear to be associated with a lower risk of colon cancer, and perhaps other cancers as well. In a small trial, postmenopausal women who received 1,100 IU of vitamin D plus 1,400 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium per day reduced their risk of developing nonskin cancers by 60 percent over four years, compared with a placebo. Depression. Several studies reveal links between low vitamin D levels and depression in older adults. A study of overweight people (who tend to have low vitamin D levels) found that taking high doses of the vitamin over one year improved their mood. Autoimmune and infectious diseases. Multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, asthma, and even influenza all appear to be more prevalent among the vitamin D deprived. Heart disease. Earlier this year, at least four studies found a connection between low vitamin D and heart disease. People with low blood levels were twice as likely to have a heart attack or to die of cardiovascular disease as those with normal levels of the vitamin. The risks were greatest in those with deficient levels, and less extreme in those with insufficient levels. It makes biological sense that vitamin D could protect against heart disease: it slows the development of atherosclerosis, lowers blood pressure and blood sugar and reduces inflammation within the artery wall (which, in turn, reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes). These studies aren't conclusive, of course. Other factors could be at work—for example, people who rarely exercise may spend less time outdoors and produce less vitamin D, but the lack of activity may be the true culprit rather than the vitamin levels. Randomized trials, in which people are given pills or placebos and followed for years, offer more convincing proof. There have been few randomized trials of vitamin D supplements, and most were small or tested relatively low doses of the vitamin.Even so, the trials have found evidence that vitamin D supplements may protect against cancer, heart disease and premature death. But larger trials using larger doses are needed to definitively answer these questions.So should the average person take a vitamin D supplement? A daily dose of 400 IU of vitamin D (the amount in most multivitamin pills) is valuable for its bone-building effects. Many physicians, however, now recommend a higher daily dose of vitamin D (1,000 IU). The evidence that it might help is strong, if not definitive, and the risks are minimal. If in the future large randomized trials confirm the value of a higher dose, starting now will give you a head start on the benefits. If the trials show no benefit, there will be one less pill to take each day. Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:10:05 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/more-good-news-about-vitamin-d http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/study-vitamin-c-and-blood-pressure Study: Vitamin C and Blood PressureSource: www.naturalproductsinsider.comBERKELEY, Calif.—Plasma vitamin C is inversely associated with blood pressure and change in blood pressure in healthy young adults according to a recent study (Nutr. J 2008;7:35) (DOI:10.1186/1475-2891-7-35). Participants were 242 black and white women aged 18 to 21 years from the Richmond, Calif., cohort of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study. In cross-sectional analysis, plasma ascorbic acid at year 10 was inversely associated with systolic BP and diastolic BP after adjusting for race, body mass index, education and dietary intake of fat and sodium. Persons in the highest one-fourth of the plasma ascorbic acid distribution had 4.66 mmHg lower systolic BP (P=0.005) and 6.04 mmHg lower diastolic BP (P=0.0002) than those in the lowest one-fourth of the distribution. Plasma ascorbic acid was also inversely associated with change in systolic BP and diastolic BP during the previous year. While diastolic blood pressure among persons in the lowest quartile of plasma ascorbic acid increased by 5.97 mmHg from year nine to year 10, those in the highest quartile of plasma vitamin C increased by only 0.23 mmHg. A similar effect was seen for change in systolic BP (P=0.005).Researchers concluded, since lower BP in young adulthood may lead to lower BP and decreased incidence of age-associated vascular events in older adults, further investigation of treatment effects of vitamin C on BP regulation in young adults is warranted. Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:08:19 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/study-vitamin-c-and-blood-pressure http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/adults-might-need-10-times-more-vitamin-d Adults might need 10 times more vitamin DSource: www.dailypress.comPediatrics doubled its recommendation last month of how much vitamin D children should take daily and as other groups are pushing for adults to get up to 10 times more than is currently recommended in their diets.As many as half of Americans, middle-age and older, are believed to get an inadequate amount of vitamin D."That's quite sobering and it really says we've got to do better with vitamin D nutrition," said Dr. Anthony W. Norman, a biochemist at the University of California, Riverside who has studied vitamin D for decades.It isn't easy to get enough vitamin D in the diet. It is found in fortified milk, juice and cereals as well as oily fish such as mackerel, sardines and wild salmon.Vitamin D is commonly referred to as the sunshine vitamin, because our bodies make it when we are exposed to the sun. In northern climes, however, the sun isn't strong enough in the winter months. In the summer months, just 10 to 15 minutes a day would provide enough vitamin D, but fear of skin cancer means many people are wearing sunscreen when they go out, which blocks the beneficial rays.Many people get their vitamin D from supplements.Vitamin D levels are checked by taking a patient's blood and testing for the level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D circulating in it. More than 30 nanograms per milliliter is generally considered a healthy level of vitamin D, and any less than 20 is considered deficient.At the North Carolina-based LabCorp, spokesman Eric Lindblom said the vitamin D test is "one of our fastest-growing tests" and that the number ordered has not only doubled this year, but each of the last four years. At New Jersey-based Quest Diagnostics, the total number of tests has grown "by approximately 80 percent compared to last year," said spokeswoman Wendy Bost.In September, Mount Washington resident Shannon Wollman had a routine physical and, for the first time, her vitamin D level was checked."Everything about my blood work was perfect," she said, "except for the vitamin D deficiency." Her doctor at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore put her on a serious regimen of vitamin D — one prescription pill of 50,000 international units a week for eight weeks to be followed by an over-the-counter vitamin D dose of about 1,000 IU every day.Wollman, who works as a major gifts officer in Sinai's development office and as an actress and singer, said she had never thought much about vitamin D until she was given those results. Then, she said, she brought it up with one of her friends at a Rosh Hashana dinner."She said, 'The exact same thing happened to me and now I'm on a prescription,' " said Wollman, 40. "It's more common than you realize, and people hadn't been discussing it."This was never something I paid any attention to, and now I take it every day."While 2,000 IU a day has long been considered the upper limit of what is safe, 200 IU a day is what has been recommended for people younger than 50, 400 IU for those 50 to 70 and 600 IU for those older than 70. Norman and a group of other University of California researchers are pushing to increase the government's recommended daily intake to 2,000 IU. And the American Medical Association has asked the Institute of Medicine to review and update its recommendation.Dr. Jennifer Caudle, an internist at Sinai, has read the new research, but she cautions that people shouldn't just run out and take more vitamin D without first discussing it with their doctors. The enthusiasm and hype for vitamin D now must be tempered until more is known. She said not enough is known about what would happen if someone took too much."Is vitamin D important for people? Sure," she said. But, she said, "the information is still being gathered. I'm not sure there's a consensus on exactly how much we should be taking."Norman says he takes 2,000 IU a day. He said vitamin D has receptors in more than 36 organs in the body, meaning a deficiency causes those organs not to work as well as they could. What he knows now tells him "this is the real deal.""There's no reason to wait for all this evidencebased research," he said. "You don't want to go a whole decade only being one-half vitamin D supplemented or one-third vitamin D supplemented. You'll be a much healthier person."At her Annapolis practice, Czapp is thinking about no longer testing all of her patients and telling them they need vitamin D supplements. The test can be expensive — $260, she said — and she sees health-care costs rising. But she worries her patients won't start upping their vitamin D intake unless they have the negative test results in their hands.Meanwhile, she and her colleagues were spending so many hours explaining to patients what the deficiency was and what they should do to treat it that they came up with a form letter and a protocol to send to people when their results come in."We got tired of saying it," she said. "It was easier to hand out a letter that explained all of this."Carole Baggerly started a group called GrassrootsHealth last year in California, which focuses solely on promoting information about vitamin D. She started it after a bout with breast cancer that was followed by a diagnosis of osteoporosis. She learned she was vitamin D deficient.This led to a whole list of discoveries about vitamin D. She read research that suggested raising vitamin D levels may prevent up to half of all breast cancer and two-thirds of colorectal cancer cases in the United States. She read a study showing women with the lowest levels of vitamin D had nearly double the risk of their breast cancer progressing, and a 73 percent greater risk of death compared to women with adequate vitamin D. She found out that the first study linking colorectal cancer and vitamin D was published in 1941."It's been an ignored thing," she said. "There's a tremendous disbelief that the problem exists."Now she spreads the word however she can. She recently held a seminar with 160 doctors discussing the virtues of vitamin D — and the real health advances that she says could be made if everyone got their levels up. She advocates for vitamin D levels between 40 and 60 ng/ml — higher than what is currently considered adequate.She traveled to many cities over the summer talking about vitamin D."The biggest question I got," Baggerly said, "was: 'How do I get my doctor to order the test? He said, 'Oh you don't need it. You're outside a lot.' The statistics say the doctors are wrong." Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:06:41 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/adults-might-need-10-times-more-vitamin-d http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/rainy-days-can-be-cool-but-you-need-sun-for-vitamin-d Rainy days can be cool, but you need sun for vitamin DSource: www.azcentral.comDid you have a good holiday week? I hope so. Mine was pretty good, I guess. I liked the cool, rainy weather.My girls were here and the son-in-law, and while I didn't get to see as much of them as I might have liked, it was all good anyway.You always want the holidays to be just right, to be as great as your greatest holidays ever. Of course, things never work out that well, and it probably is just as well. You wouldn't really want to just repeat things over and over again every year, would you? You need to mix things up a bit sometimes.OK, I guess it's time to get back to work: The tote bags and bathrobes some of you earned with your gifts to the Valley 101 Anti-Gooberism arm of the Season for Sharing are one by one being injected into the mail system. These things take time, so don't worry if yours hasn't arrived yet. It will be along.The campaign still has a week or so to go, so it's not too late for you to chip in a gift of $1,000 or up, which would qualify you for a drawing for a role in the next Valley 101 video.Send your grand to Ain't No Goobers Here, Valley 101, Arizona Republic, NM, 200 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix AZ 85004.I don't know the totals yet, but I gather that the Anti- Gooberism arm of the campaign is doing pretty well. Can a person's body get the vitamin-D benefit of sunlight from sun shining through a glass window?I'm afraid not. You have to get the real stuff, while at the same time being careful not to get too much.The glass filters out almost all of the ultraviolet part of the sunlight and that's where the vitamin D comes from. Reach Thompson at clay.thompson Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:05:09 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/rainy-days-can-be-cool-but-you-need-sun-for-vitamin-d http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/binge-eating-can-be-blamed-on-a-defective-gene Binge eating can be blamed on a defective geneSource: www.theage.com.auBinge eating can be traced to a gene, researchers say, in a sharp departure from the long-accepted idea that it is due to a psychological disturbance.The new analysis is one of two reports in the New England Journal of Medicine, published today, on severe obesity and genetic defects in the appetite-regulating gene, the mela-nocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), which makes a protein involved in appetite function in the brain. "This should help to create some compassion," said John Kral, an obesity expert at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Centre, Brooklyn, and a member of the team that conducted the study."I think it will help lead to the legitimacy of this disease as having a genetic background in at least a percentage of the population," Dr Kral said. He and colleagues in Switzerland and Germany estimate the defect is probably the villain in many severely obese binge eaters. Believed to be the most common eating disorder, bingeing affects about 4 million people in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health. And although binge eaters are often severely overweight, some are not, doctors say. The study examined 469 severely obese white adults and found bingeing was most common in the 5 per cent bearing the genetic mistake. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/binge-eating-can-be-blamed-on-a-defective-gene http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/does-what-you-eat-play-a-role-in-whether-you-ll-end-up-with-breast-cancer- Does what you eat play a role in whether you’ll end up with breast cancer?Source: www.ivanhoe.comDoes what you eat play a role in whether you’ll end up with breast cancer?Maybe, find researchers who studied about 200 healthy women between ages 20 and 40 for one year. Their research finds those who ate a low-fat, high-fiber diet containing at least eight servings of fruits or vegetables a day had lower levels of the hormone estradiol in their blood than those who ate their usual diets.The study stemmed from previous research indicating lifetime exposure to ovarian hormones may play a role in the development of breast cancer. Doctors know, for example, that earlier menarche, later menopause, fewer children, and delayed childbirth all increase a woman’s risk of getting breast cancer. The role diet plays in the process, however, has been less clear, although studies do suggest low-fat, high-fiber diets might reduce the amount of hormones in a women’s system.The current study measured several factors related to ovarian hormones, including estradiol and progesterone. A link between diet and the hormones was seen only for estradiol.The authors write, “The results of this randomized trial indicate that an isocaloric diet (characterized by low-fat, high-fiber, and a high fruit and vegetable content) did not produce substantial changes in ... ovarian hormone levels in premenopausal women ... However, the observed 7.5 percent reduction in estradiol could have biologic significance if it persisted over many years.” Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/does-what-you-eat-play-a-role-in-whether-you-ll-end-up-with-breast-cancer- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/natural-vitamin-a-found-in-these-foods-is-superior-to-synthetic-form Natural Vitamin A Found in These Foods is Superior to Synthetic FormSource: www.mercola.comVitamin A is an important nutrient yet there is much confusion surrounding its appropriate form, dosage and source. Many people do not receive enough of this nutrient, particularly those in developing countries, however, many people are afraid of taking too much due to the commonly heard warnings that too much vitamin A is toxic and can result in birth defects, liver abnormalities, and reduced bone mineral density, which could result in osteoporosis. Unfortunately, what is rarely addressed along with these warnings is the TYPE of vitamin A. There is a big difference between synthetic vitamin A and vitamin A from natural sources. Most cases of vitamin A toxicity result from an excess intake of synthetic vitamin A in supplements, NOT the natural form of retinol (vitamin A) found in liver or cod liver oil. In fact, vitamin A, an anti-infective vitamin, is useful for many conditions including vision problems, poor thyroid function, a weakened immune system, and fighting off infections, especially those that involve mucous membranes as vitamin A is used to form the cells lining the digestive, respiratory, reproductive and urinary tracts and all tissue linings of the body. It is also required for the digestion of protein, lactation, reproduction, healthy skin and eyes, and the formation of steroid hormones. Vitamin A deficiency can result in a number of problems including night blindness, dry eyes, eye infections and skin problems.There are no plant sources of vitamin A (carrots and other yellow/orange vegetables and dark-green leafy vegetables such as spinach and lettuce contain beta-carotene, not vitamin A); it is only present in animal products. If you follow my newsletter then you’ll know that I recommend cod liver oil as the best source of vitamin D (other than the sun, of course), but what you may not know is that it is also one of the best sources of vitamin A. There is no need to worry about vitamin A toxicity if you take it in cod liver oil, and there are several reasons for this. First of all, as I mentioned earlier the main toxicity that can result from vitamin A is due to SYNTHETIC vitamin A, NOT the natural form found in cod liver oil. Secondly, cod liver oil has vitamin D in it, and it is virtually impossible to become toxic on vitamin A if you take it along with vitamin D. As you can see in a study published in the December 2003 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vitamin D is associated with reduced vitamin A toxicity, and the vitamin D appears to protect against retinal toxicity. This study also found that the safe upper single dose of retinol IN OIL seems to be 12,000 to 18,000 units of vitamin A per kilogram of body weight. The cod liver oil that I recommend has 1,000 to 1,250 units in a one-teaspoon serving, which means that you will be way under this limit if you follow my recommended dose (one teaspoon for every 50 pounds of body weight per day). Relying on plant foods containing beta-carotene as your sole source of vitamin A is not a wise choice, and vitamin A deficiency is a major concern for people who choose to have a strictly vegetarian diet. Beta-carotene is the metabolic precursor of vitamin A, which means that it must be converted into vitamin A in the body. However, it takes bile salts, thyroid hormone and dietary fat to facilitate this conversion, and even then the conversion of beta-carotene into vitamin A is poor (it takes about six units of beta-carotene to make one unit of vitamin A). Further, people with liver or gall bladder problems, hypothyroidism, alcoholism (heavy alcohol intake can impair storage of vitamin A in the liver), or diabetes, and infants, cannot adequately convert beta-carotene to vitamin A, so it is especially important for this large group of the population to consume animal sources of vitamin A like cod liver oil. If you are consuming a healthy diet, there is no need to supplement with vitamin A. Some excellent sources of natural and beneficial vitamin A include:Cod liver oil (this will also give you beneficial omega-3 fats and vitamin D) Egg yolks Butter Raw, whole milk Liver (beef, chicken) Including these foods in your diet should give you adequate vitamin A with no need for supplementation and little to no risk of overdosing. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means that it needs to be eaten with fat in order to be optimally absorbed. One of the great things about natural foods is that they almost always account for these types of conditions. You’ll notice that all of the foods above also contain fats, so the environment is automatically right for the vitamin A to be utilized by your body. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/natural-vitamin-a-found-in-these-foods-is-superior-to-synthetic-form http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/will-health-shops-suffer-a-vitamin-deficiency- Will health shops suffer a vitamin deficiency?Source: www.timesonline.co.ukNEW figures from the market researchers Mintel this week show that we are becoming a nation rightly preoccupied with prevention rather than cure. While the past ten years have seen us using fewer cold, cough and indigestion “remedies” — which only alleviate symptoms anyway — we have been using more vitamins and supplements in the same period. Mintel’s analysts say this shows people’s increasing interest in countering ageing and the effects on health of modern lifestyles. But how will the forthcoming European directive on the sale of food supplements affect this? If celebrity campaigners such as Jenny Seagrove, Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Cliff Richard are to be believed, the regulations, due to come into effect here in the summer of 2005, will take many of our favourite supplements off the shelves. This, they say, will thwart our efforts to prevent and treat illness through supplements. Not so, according to the Consumers’ Association, which believes that the debate about the new laws has become so heated that basic facts have been lost. “We are very concerned that there has been so much misinformation about the legislation,” says Sue Davies, a principal policy officer. “It is very unlikely to have an impact on the consumer.” The association has campaigned for new laws on vitamins and supplements since the early 1990s. Currently, their quality and constituents are uncontrolled. The association says that the legislation will set upper levels of safety for vitamins and supplements that have proved to be harmful at high doses. But high-dose formulations of these vitamins will still be available through pharmacists and doctors — just not from health shops. “We really don’t see what the concern is,” Davies says. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/will-health-shops-suffer-a-vitamin-deficiency- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/some-elderly-people-vulnerable-to-low-vitamin-b12-levels-on-mental-function Some elderly people vulnerable to low vitamin B12 levels on mental functionSource: www.medicalnewstoday.comSome elderly people who have a variant of a lipid gene (APOE4), which is known to increase a person chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease, are more vulnerable to the detrimental effects of low vitamin B12 on mental function. Researchers found that healthy people over the age of 75 who carried the APOE4 gene had worse memories when their B12 vitamin levels dropped below normal levels. The team, lead by David Bunce, London University, monitored 167 people aged over 75, some of whom had the APOE4 gene and others did not. They had to do a series of cognitive tests. 28 people in the group were APOE4-positive and had low B2 levels, another 21 were APOE4-positive and had normal B12 levels. In another group (within those 167 people) 54 were APOE4-negative with low B12 levels and 64 were APOE4-negative with normal B12 levels. They then had to do various tests. One of the tests consisted of being presented with 12 unrelated nouns coming in at one per two seconds. Then they had two minutes to recall them. The results were as follows: --- APOE4-positive group low B12 average score was 3.68 --- APOE4-positive group normal B12 average score was 6.48 --- APOE4-negative group low B12 average score was 4.78 --- APOE4-negative group normal B12 average score was 5.32 The APOE4-positive group with low B12 scored significantly lower than all the others. The researchers then did the same, but this time looking at folate levels in the volunteers. They found some difference, similar to the one above, but less noticeable. They concluded that elderly people who are APOE4-positive would benefit from B12 and folate supplements. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/some-elderly-people-vulnerable-to-low-vitamin-b12-levels-on-mental-function http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/fighting-fit Fighting FitSource: icteesside.icnetwork.co.ukOur next topic in the health and weight management series is to look at what vitamins and minerals do and why we need them.Vitamins and minerals are vital for good health, without them we would be unable to fight illnesses and infections. They protect us from deficiency diseases such as scurvy and beriberi, and many vitamins have been scientifically proven to protect against major illnesses such as cancer and coronary heart disease. Vitamins have also been proven to boost our immune systems, increase IQ, reduce birth defects and improve childhood development.There are two types of vitamins fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) and water-soluble vitamins (C and B).Fat-soluble vitamins are found in fatty or oily foods. Our bodies can store these vitamins in the liver, or around the body. The body can not excrete fat soluble vitamins in the urine and they can accumulate. It is important not to take high quantities as they may be harmful.Vitamin A gives us healthy skin and protection against infections, good sources are dairy products , liver, fatty fish, carrots, tomatoes and dark green vegetables. Deficiency can lead to reduced resistance to infection, excess leads to toxicity.Vitamin D promotes calcium and phosphate absorption essential for bones and teeth, found in oily fish, egg yolk, milk, meat, fortified food such as cereals and margarine and absorbed by exposure to the sun. Deficiency can lead to failing bone growth, osteomalacia or rickets. Excess leads to toxicity.Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant and is used in blood clotting, good sources are vegetable oils, nuts, vegetables and cereals. Deficiencies may occur in premature infants.Vitamin K is used in blood clotting , good sources are from dark green leafy vegetables and is produced by bacteria in the gut. Deficiencies lead to longer blood clotting time.Water-soluble vitamins (C and B). If these vitamins are consumed in excess they are excreted in the urine, and therefore have a very limited storage life in the body (vitamin B12 being the exception) and are required on a daily basis.Vitamin C is used in production of collagen used in connective tissue and bone, wound healing and fighting infection, iron absorption and an anti-oxidant. Fresh fruits, especially citrus fruits, and vegetables, especially green, are excellent sources. Deficiency leads to scurvy, excess to kidney stones.Vitamin B (complex) is used in energy metabolism, biological reactions and production of blood cells. Found in liver, eggs, cereals, dairy products, green vegetables, nuts and wholemeal foods. Deficiency leads to beriberi, flaky skin, nerve and muscular system problems and hair loss, excess to sensory nerve pathways damage.How to get enough vitamins:Eat more fresh fruit, unprocessed foods and raw vegetables.Avoid lengthy cooking techniques and deep-frying as it perishes the vitamins, try microwaving and steaming as this helps to preserve the vitamins.Keep fruit and vegetables in the fridge where it is cold and dark.NFor further information on our weight management courses call Greens, Gosforth: (0191) 213 0070. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/fighting-fit http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/red-wine-may-reduce-risk-of-lung-cancer Red wine may reduce risk of lung cancerSource: www.naturalproductsonline.co.ukResearch from the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain suggests there are benefits to lung health from drinking moderate quantities of red wine. In a hospital-based case study, 319 subjects were interviewed about their lifestyles including alcohol consumption and tobacco use. White wine appeared to contribute to an increased risk of lung cancer while red wine showed a slight reduction. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/red-wine-may-reduce-risk-of-lung-cancer http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamins-before-pregnancy-may-prevent-prematurity Vitamins before pregnancy may prevent prematuritySource: www.naturalproductsonline.co.ukWomen who take multivitamins before conceiving are half as likely to encounter premature births, suggests a new study by University of North Carolina published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Data based on 2000 women at 24-29 weeks of pregnancy showed that vitamin use before conception reduced the risk of premature birth, although continued use through the early months of pregnancy did not seem to influence the risk of prematurity. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamins-before-pregnancy-may-prevent-prematurity http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/winter-skin-doesnt-have-to-resemble-the-landscape Winter skin doesn't have to resemble the landscapeSource: www.peninsulaclarion.comRugged terrain and deep valleys are words that should be used to describe Alaska's vast wilds and not its residents facial features. However, due to the extreme weather conditions here, that is exactly what the biting winds and dry climate can do to unprotected skin.Winter skin care is more than just taking precautions against frostbite. While frostbite is an important medical condition to worry about when trekking outside, winter skin care is literally the care and feeding of the largest organ of your body under winters harsh conditions.Chapped lips, red raw hands, dry flaky skin and cracked feet that resemble ice breaking up on the river, are equal-opportunity side effects of "old man winter." They affect both men and women and can happen whether you are out riding the fresh powder for hours or hibernating indoors with a good book.But by following a some basic steps and tweaking a few habits, men and women should be able to make it through the winter without a serious case of "winter itch."Rikki Burns, owner of About Face Skin Care Clinic in Kenai, suggests a four-step approach to caring for your skin: protect, hydrate, cleanse, and exercise.To protect your skin, Burns suggests that the best defense is a good offense - cover it up. Dress in layers made out of natural fibers to help minimize chafing. By dressing in layers, you will be able to add or remove clothing for comfort and your skin will be able to regulate its temperature more efficiently.Anything left exposed should be covered, liberally and often, with a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of a least 15 to minimize the aging effects of the sun. When protecting the skin on your face, remember your lips. A protective barrier of lip balm or even petroleum jelly will help ward off painful chapped lips or lip cancer."When people are outside in the cold, the farthest thing from their mind is sun-damage, but it happens." Burns said. "The sun reflecting off the snow helps to magnify its effects, and at the end of a day of outdoor activity a sunburn is the end result and the damage is already done."The low humidity conditions that rob the skin of moisture outside can be compounded when you crank up the heat inside to counteract the cold. Your skin is taking a beating coming and going, making moisture replacement crucial inside and out.Drinking plenty of water or low sugar sports drinks and eating fruits and vegetables high in water are good ways to help hydrate from within. To fight the environmental effects, keep the thermostat as low as you can comfortably handle and use a humidifier to put moisture back in the air.Burns stresses the need to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize to help replace the natural skin lubricant, sebum, that is lost with the dryer air.She suggests as one of the easier and more productive ways to moisturize is after a shower. Step out and before you completely dry off and use a moisturizer from head-to-toe to seal the water in."It is the lack of water, not the cold that causes dry skin." Burns said. "One habit people should break is taking hot showers. It damages the skin. Opt for warm ones instead."Burns said the most misunderstood step of moisturizing is that people tend to rub it in when they should just let the body absorb what it needs. Start by applying a thick enough layer to see and then let your body take what it needs. As for the type of moisturizer to use, Burns suggest one with hyaluronic acid in it, as it can hold up to 400 times its weight in water and possibly seal in moister longer.At the end of the day, it's time to cleanse your skin and prepare it for the next round. It doesn't matter if you have been outside or at the office, your face has been expose to natural and man-made impurities in the air that must be removed.Burns recommended a cleansing regime consisting of gently and carefully exfoliating your skin two to three times a week to slough off the dead skin cells and help to new skin appear."People tend to forget that their skin is a living, breathing organ and that it is constantly regenerating new cells." Burns said. "Be sure to use a gentle cleaner every day made for your skin type."Clay masks, regular facials and homemade concoctions are all good ways to keep your skin in-the-pink. She said while men tend to have better skin than women due to regular shaving, they usually have a more difficult time seeking advice on skin care. Her remedy for that is to ask your mom, wife, girlfriend or to seek professional advice."No one should be intimidated by the myriad of choices. Seek out someone with good skin that you trust and get a home facial if you can't face going to a salon," she said.Burns home facial scrub recipe uses ingredients that are available in the kitchen: Blend 1 cup of rock salt in a blender until finely ground;Place in a bowl and add 4 tablespoons olive oil and blend together;Wet face and apply scrub gently, rinse off. Next to a healthy diet, plenty of sleep and luck-of-the-draw on good genes, the last defense to help your face from looking like the "crypt-keeper" is to exercise. Exercise helps the skin to rejuvenate itself through better circulation, and the new skin keeps you younger looking longer. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/winter-skin-doesnt-have-to-resemble-the-landscape http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/nicholas-cage-uses-gemstone-therapy-for-good-sex- Nicholas Cage uses gemstone therapy for good sex:Source: www.newkerala.comOscar winner Nicholas Cage is reportedly using gemstone therapy to add a zing to his sex life. The 'Connair' actor recently had his wedding ring reset in the mystical carnelian rock and says that it is working wonders for his libido. "It's good for my sex life. I'm very much into stones," the Sun quoted him as saying. (ANI) Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/nicholas-cage-uses-gemstone-therapy-for-good-sex- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/acne-alternative-treatment-herbal-treatment-acne Acne Alternative Treatment, Herbal Treatment AcneSource: www.expressnewsline.comThe ever-popular world of "alternative" medicine - be it old or new, Western or Eastern - has a lot to offer for the acne sufferer. This is good news for everybody, but adult sufferers who find their skin no longer responds to treatments designed for people in their teens will be especially interested in new ways to handle skin problems. Although the dietary connections to acne have been widely discredited (with the exception of food allergies), most alternative practioners look here first: while chocolate and French fries do not cause pimples, a diet lacking in essential nutrients will not do troubled skin any favors. Essential fatty acids are major components of all cellular formations and they are critical for a healthy complexion, but are frequently noted as an item lacking in most North American diets. EFAs can be easily found in the form of flax or evening primrose oil supplements, along with a diet high in vegetables, seeds and grains. In a perfect world, nobody would need one, but - a daily multivitamin also has a lot to recommend it, for the reasons mentioned above. "Megadoses" of vitamins should be avoided unless prescribed by a reputable health care practioner; many people are aware that vitamin A is critical for skin health, but few people are aware that an overdose leads to severe liver damage. More innovative supplements include saw palmetto. The saw palmetto plant is recognized as a treatment for prostate disorders, because it interferes with the production of certain male hormones. The same process which helps with prostate disorders has also been seen to be useful for acne patients, especially for those whose troubles are obviously linked to hormone production; pre-menstrual acne responds particularly well. Topical treatments for acne that are "natural" are legion in health-food stores. It is useful to remember what is considered "natural" - salicylic acid, the main ingredient in many over-the-counter drugstore remedies, is derived from willow bark. There are also a lot of bits of advice floating around that are nothing more than "old wives' tales": we've seen a lot of alternative health gurus suggesting lemon juice as a topical treatment, but there is nothing to support the idea that disrupting the skin's acid balance will be beneficial. Your job here, then, is to sort out the useful from the simply silly (and overpriced). Obvious as it may seem, effective treatments tend to be the most popular one: the use of tea tree oil in personal care preparations has skyrocketed in recent years, and for good reason. Tea tree oil is a natural antibiotic and antibacterial agent, and has a drying effect on the skin. Keeping the P. Acnes bacteria at bay along with decreasing facial oiliness makes this oil a worthwhile investment indeed. You can try prepared remedies, small applications of undiluted oil, or, in a frequently overlooked option, you can simply add the tea tree oil to the skin preparations you are already using. A less widely seen but increasingly popular option involves the topical application of zinc, long believed to be useful for acne when taken internally but only recently recognized as a topical treatment that may help with skin oiliness. Herbs categorized as "calming" such as chamomile and lavender are also useful, particularly if the skin is inflamed from overly aggressive anti-acne treatment. The standard "consult your local library for more information" is particularly relevant here. Reputable books on herbal healing, nutrition, and, increasingly, essential oils are good sources for more information on acne treatments. Mainstream acne advice is also more and more likely to include non-mainstream therapies, so make sure your sources are as up-to-date as possible. As with any lifestyle change, you should consult your health care provider before making any dramatic changes to your diet. Good luck! Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/acne-alternative-treatment-herbal-treatment-acne http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/oils-aint-oils-say-olive-experts Oils ain't oils, say olive expertsSource: www.abc.net.auOlive oil that contains too much of a particular fatty acid may not meet new international standards, potentially forcing exporters to sell their oil as cheaper vegetable oil.A meeting of the world food standard-setting body Codex Alimentarius in London is this week considering requests by the International Olive Oil Council (IOOC) to lower maximum levels of linolenic acid.The meeting comes as a paper published in the latest issue of the Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture shows 5% to 15% of Australian virgin olive oils contain higher levels of linolenic acid than the standard sought by the IOOC.While linolenic acid does not largely affect the oil's taste or nutritional benefits, high levels may mean it has been adulterated with other edible oils.Australian growers say linolenic acid, a minor component of olive oil, is present in Australian-grown olive oil to a relatively high degree because of regional and climate conditions that don't exist in other countries.Secretary of the Australian Olive Association Chuck L'Huereux says in some seasons up to a fifth of the country's extra virgin oils exceed the proposed limit."If they're sent overseas and tested people can say it isn't extra virgin olive oil but vegetable oil, which sells for a lot less," he says.L'Heureux says the new standard, proposed mainly by Mediterranean countries, is unrealistically low.Which level is best?Extra virgin olive oil can currently contain up to 1.5% of linolenic acid.The IOOC wants that standard reduced to 1.0%, but Codex is yet to ratify the change.L'Huereux says depending on the season, up to 20% of Australian extra virgin olive oils have linolenic levels between 1.0% and 1.5%."Because of our climate a lot of our oil can be between 1.0% and 1.5%," he says."We're not trying to increase the limit, we're trying to stop it being lowered."He says some Australian olive growers believe the move is an attempt to lock smaller olive growers out of the Mediterranean-dominated market.Australia isn't the only country with the problem, he says. In Argentina up to 45% of oils have linolenic acid levels between 1.0% and 1.5%.Oil in AustraliaScientists from the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries analysed more than 800 Australian extra virgin olive oils between 2002 and 2003.They found linolenic acid levels ranged from 0.42% to 1.91%, with 29 oils above the proposed 1.0% limit.But Australian product stacks up well against international standards overall, the report says."The results ... provide evidence of the high quality of oils being produced and of the compliance with international standards," it says.Professor Peter Clifton, team leader at CSIRO Health Sciences and Nutrition, says the report shows Australian olive oil compares well with oils from France, Argentina and New Zealand and the proposed new standard is "very low". Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/oils-aint-oils-say-olive-experts http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-benefits-of-bergamot Herbal benefits of BergamotSource: www.kntimes.comBergamot got its name from the city, Bergamot in Italy, where it was first cultivated. Though it is believed that Christopher Columbus brought the tree from the Canary Islands to Spain and Italy. Bergamot is a small tree with long, oval green leaves with white flowers. The bergamot bears a small round fruit that is yellow when ripe. Bergamot's essential oil is extracted by cold expression from the fruit peel. It has a spicy, delicate scent that is light and refreshing. Bergamot?s essential oil is used for fairly different purposes as it has many beneficial properties.. 1. During the 15th to 16th century was used in teas and perfumes. In voodoo it is thought to ward off evil and danger. 2. Bergamot is used as an antidepressant. It is calming and refreshing for the nervous system. 3. It is also used as an antiseptic. It aids in the digestion process. 4. It is also used as an insect repellent. When using as an insect repellent use caution and avoid strong sunlight, bergamot contains furocoumarins, which can cause photosensitivity. 5. Bergamot is also used to treat urinary tract infections. 6. The essential oil of Bergamot works good on acne, eczema, varicose ulcers and seborrhea of the skin and scalp. For people with sensitive skin it is advised to use in moderation because if used in excess may irritate the skin. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-benefits-of-bergamot http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/diet-is-important-to-diabetic-weight-management Diet is important to diabetic weight managementSource: Diet is the key component in weight management for any diabetic. Officials recommend working with your health care provider to find the right balance of diet, medication, and exercise to meet your weight goals. Overview:Whether you need to lose weight, gain weight or stay where you are, if you're diabetic, eating the right food can help you manage the disease. People with diabetes must take extra care to make sure that their diet is balanced with insulin and oral medications, and to exercise to help manage their blood glucose levels, says the American Diabetes Association. Sticking to a meal plan can help you improve your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol numbers, and also help keep your weight on track. This might sound like a lot of work, but your doctor or dietitian can help you create a meal plan that is best for you, one that fits into your schedule and lifestyle. When you make healthy food choices, you will improve your overall health, and you can even help prevent complications such as heart disease, some cancers, and hypertension. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/diet-is-important-to-diabetic-weight-management http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-is-life-insurance-against-falls-and-fractures Vitamin D is “life insurance” against falls and fracturesSource: www.naturalproductsonline.co.ukFalls and fractures could be a thing of the past if everyone aged 65 and older were to take vitamin D supplements, reports the BBC. Hip fractures related to falls cost the NHS about £1.7bn in England alone and kill up to 14,000 people with osteoporosis in the UK each year. A number of studies have shown elderly people who take vitamin D supplements are more stable on their legs and less likely to fall and hurt themselves.Recently Dr Heike Bischoff-Ferrari from Harvard University began looking at available trial data on vitamin D and falls spanning more than 30 years and involving more than 10,000 people.From this, she estimates that taking daily vitamin D supplements would reduce an elderly person's risk of falling by at least a fifth. "If you realise that 30% of all people 65 years of age report at least one fall per year, that's a lot of falls. If you are 80, that rises to 50%. And if you are in a nursing home the rate is even higher," she said. “We know that 90% of all [hip] fractures are caused by a fall and of course falling itself causes other injuries and problems."She said many elderly people who have fallen are afraid that they will fall again and can become housebound, for example."Many experts in the field are recommending that people older than 65 should take 800 units (20 micrograms) of vitamin D per day as a life insurance against falls and fractures," she said. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-is-life-insurance-against-falls-and-fractures http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/fsa-outlines-food-supplement-directive-scenarios- FSA outlines Food Supplement Directive “scenarios”Source: www.naturalproductsonline.co.ukFollowing the recent announcement by the Advocate General at the European Court of Justice that the Food Supplements Directive is “invalid”, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has outlined three possible “scenarios” that may arise from his legal Opinion.The fist scenario allows for a partial upholding of the Directive, which may mean that dossier submission is still important and that products may still be banned from August 1 2005. The second scenario is that the Court overturns the Directive in full, requiring the UK regulations to be revoked. Scenario three would involve the Court upholding the Directive. The FSA’s announcement comes after industry groups put pressure on the Agency to clarify the situation. John McKee, chairman of the National Association of Health Stores (NAHS) commented: “This advice was issued following pressure from the NAHS on the FSA to clear up the uncertainty on this area. Many retailers feel that it is a certainty that the Court will overturn the Food Supplements Directive, but this is by no means a certainty and it is important for retailers to plan for the future taking into account all the potential outcomes.” Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/fsa-outlines-food-supplement-directive-scenarios- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/rice-contains-less-zinc-people-need-supplement Rice contains less zinc, people need supplementSource: Althealth NewsICDDR,B 'SUZY' Project Director Charles P Larson said different researches show that the soil of every district of the country is severely deficient in zinc. Its staple food rice contains very small amount of zinc. So people need zinc supplement. He was delivering the keynote speech at a seminar on pediatric use of zinc at Dhaka Shishu Hospital auditorium in the city recently. Dhaka Shishu Hospital (BICH) and the 'SUZY' Project of ICDDR,B jointly arranged the seminar with Orion Laboratories Ltd. sponsoring the event. About 300 doctors and specialists participated in the seminar. Larson said zinc is a very essential element for the human body and its deficiency leads to diarrhoea, pneumonia, diabetes, impaired immune function and skin diseases. He also focused on the need of zinc in child health and said it is essential to give zinc supplement in all types of diarrhoea children suffer from. The Orion Laboratories Ltd. is marketing their zinc syrup as 'Pep' and 'Pep-2' which are meeting zinc deficiency of the people in the country for a long time. They have also launched zinc tablets under the brand name 'Pep-20' for adults. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/rice-contains-less-zinc-people-need-supplement http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/please-email-your-mp-to-save-our-supplements Please Email Your MP to Save our SupplementsSource: Althealth NewsConsumers for Health Choice (CHC) have asked us to help with a last minute urgent appeal for assistance in relation to the European Court of Justice ruling on the legality of the Food Supplements Directive - which will be delivered on 12th July at 9.30 a.m.As I’m sure you are aware, the Food Supplements Directive brings in draconian new rules on the ingredients that may be used in vitamin & mineral food supplements and the dose levels at which they may be present. CHC are rightly worried that unless the Directive is over-turned, it will lead to the banning of several thousand of safe and popular vitamin and mineral supplements. We are asking you on their behalf to please consider e-mailing your MP today.The Advocate General of the European Court has already delivered his opinion that the legislation "infringes the principle of proportionality, because basic principles of Community law, such as the requirements of legal protection of legal certainty and of sound administration have not been properly taken into account". He concluded that the Directive is invalid.If the full Court takes the same view in a few days time, the Directive will be annulled. But it will be rewritten so we must make sure NOW that it favours the existing British market and keeps our supplements available to all.The Food Standards Agency squandered every opportunity to influence the Commission prior to the ECJ ruling, but now the Prime Minister has a unique opportunity to influence the redrafting of the legislation whilst the UK holds the Presidency of the European Union for six months from 1st July. CHC believes it essential that the Prime Minister uses his position to ensure that the legislation is amended to allow individual countries to continue to permit onto their domestic markets those safe and effective vitamin and mineral supplements which lie outside the otherwise restrictive provisions of this legislation. Only this action can guarantee your future access to such products.Please help us to help you by e-mailing your MP today:1). Explain to your MP why supplements are important to you 2). Warn your MP that thousands of products are under immediate threat from the Food Supplements Directive 3). Ask your MP to alert the Prime Minister to the importance of "hitting the ground running" immediately the verdict is announced on 12th July 4). Ask for a commitment that the Prime Minister will deliver this solution to overcome the UK's problems with the legislation.You can find out your MP's name and contact details from www.locata.co.uk/commons.Please help CHC Save-Our-Supplements. THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW – PLEASE E-MAIL YOUR MP TODAYYou can find out more about this issue from:Sue Croft Director, Consumers for Health Choice Southbank House Black Prince Road London SE1 7SJ www.healthchoice.org.uk Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/please-email-your-mp-to-save-our-supplements http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/study-backs-up-claims-over-vitamin-e-and-anti-aging Study backs up claims over vitamin E and anti-agingSource: www.cosmeticsdesign.comA new study confirms the efficacy of vitamin E skin care formulations under exposure to ultraviolet radiation, claiming that it can help to prevent or minimize free radical-induced damage.With skin care specialists increasingly emphasizing that prevention, rather than repair, is the key to maintaining young-looking skin. This means that formulators are constantly looking for proven ways of incorporating natural ingredients to help protect skin.Vitamin E has been increasingly incorporated into both anti-aging and sun screen formulations as a means of upping a product's anti-oxidant efficacy. For this reason, and the fact that is easy to manufacture, readily available and inexpensive, it has now become the number one selling anti-oxidant ingredient.The study, which was published online in the September issue of Skin Pharmacology Physiology, shows that supplying topical exogenous antioxidants to the skin may prevent or minimize free radical-induced damage.Researchers determined the antioxidative capacity of a topical skin care treatment - an oil-in-water vitamin E-containing formula – on human skin exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) by using a photochemiluminescence device and biophysical methods.In a randomized, double blind study, either a pH-balanced vitamin E emulsion or a control lotion was applied onto the forearm skin of 10 healthy Caucasian participants.Thirty minutes after application, test sites were exposed to a UV light to induce erythema; one untreated site served as a control. Visual scoring and instrumental measurements were recorded at baseline and thereafter at 24 hours and 48 hours to determine antioxidant capacity.At day two and day three after UV exposure, vitamin E emulsion and the vehicle control significantly suppressed visual scores when compared with the blank control.More specifically, vitamin E emulsion showed significantly lower visual scores when compared with vehicle control; and vitamin E emulsion and its vehicle control significantly diminished skin color measurement values when compared with a blank control, the researchers reported.Furthermore, vitamin E emulsion significantly reduced skin blood flow volume when compared with blank control at day two; and at day three, vitamin E emulsion and its vehicle control showed significant reduction of blood flow volume when compared with blank control.From the test results the researchers concluded, vitamin E emulsion and its vehicle control proved effective in preventing induction of erythema and reducing inflammatory damage caused by UV exposure, and the effect of vitamin E emulsion exceeded that of an 'active control'.The results lend further credence to the belief that vitamin E is a valuable antioxidant, which in turn makes it a good means of providing protection to the skin and preventing visible signs of skin aging. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/study-backs-up-claims-over-vitamin-e-and-anti-aging http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/theres-nothing-rotten-about-eggs There's nothing rotten about eggsSource: www.smh.com.auThey're heavy on cholesterol and devoid of dietary fibre. But from today, eggs can carry the Heart Foundation's Tick of approval, denoting them a healthy choice.The award - for which the egg industry pays an undisclosed fee - does not necessarily mean eggs are good for your heart. The research the award is based on concludes only that there is no proven reason for healthy people to stop eating them.Critics say moves to reposition the image of certain foods will become an important trend, as producers and manufacturers prepare for proposed changes to food labelling laws that will allow them to make specific health claims about ingredients.The egg industry chose an expert to help build its profile - Manny Noakes, co-author of the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet, the best-selling book that has helped reverse the fortunes of the meat industry. She is also chairwoman of the Heart Foundation's Nutrition and Metabolism Advisory Committee, although she stresses she had nothing to do with the Tick decision.The Australian Egg Corpora-tion appointed Dr Noakes, along with a cardiologist, endocrino-logist, GP and dietitian, to its newly created Egg Nutrition Advisory Group to review the scientific literature on eggs. AdvertisementAdvertisement"There has been a misunder-standing of cholesterol in food and cholesterol in the blood," Dr Noakes said. "Because of that, people have been avoiding eggs." She said the panel wanted to set "the record straight, to allay those misconceptions [that have] permeated our culture".Dr Noakes said that for healthy people, there was no evidence that eating eggs in moderation raised blood cholesterol. Eggs also contained beneficial nutrients and because they helped promote a feeling of fullness assisted in weight control. Dr Noakes said a separate group had been responsible for the Tick, but the issue had been debated by the nutrition committee. "There were differing points of view about the role of cholesterol in cardiovascular health," she said.Susan Anderson, the Tick program's manager, said the public understood the Tick meant only that a food was healthier than possible alternatives.Fees paid by food industry funded the administration of the Tick program, including spot-check analysis of ingredients in packaged foods to ensure they met Tick criteria.James Kellaway, managing director of the Australian Egg Corporation, said egg consumption had fallen to 154 eggs per person a year. He said health messages would be instrumental in bringing the rate up to the industry goal of 200 eggs per person.Dr Noakes said she was paid by the egg industry to attend meetings of the Egg Nutrition Advisory Group, but was not retained as a spokeswoman. She hoped the industry would sponsor further CSIRO research into where eggs fitted into a healthy diet.Clare Hughes, food policy officer at the Australian Consumers Association, said the food industry needed to employ dietitians, but some campaigns exploited the public's trust.She cited community service announcements promoting breakfast as the most important meal of the day, followed swiftly by ads for a particular breakfast cereal.Ms Hughes said a new food labelling standard would increase companies' eagerness to put scientists on the payroll.It was up to scientists to declare who was funding them, she said. GOOD EGG, BAD EGG - Two eggs a day provide a quarter of the daily recommended intake of folate and 10 per cent of vitamin E.- Eggs may raise levels of HDL, the "good" cholesterol.- Eating four eggs a week could raise the risk of a heart attack by up to 1.5 per cent. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/theres-nothing-rotten-about-eggs http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-taxotere-combination-extends-the-lives-of-men-with-advanced-prostate-cancer Vitamin D, Taxotere Combination Extends the Lives of Men with Advanced Prostate CancerSource: www.docguide.comCombination also protects against major chemotherapy side effectsPORTLAND, OR -- November 3, 2005 -- Men with advanced prostate cancer who take an experimental, high-dose vitamin D pill with chemotherapy live about 8 months longer than those receiving chemotherapy and placebo, according to a new study.The pill is DN-101. Designed specifically as a cancer therapy, it is a unique form of calcitriol, a naturally occurring hormone and the biologically active form of vitamin D. Research also shows that DN-101 may protect against major side effects of chemotherapy."When DN-101 is added to chemotherapy, it provides a significant improvement in survival for advanced prostate cancer patients," said Tomasz Beer, MD, national leader of the clinical trial and director of the Prostate Cancer Program in the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Cancer Institute. "DN-101 extends lives and it may also protect against side effects of chemotherapy, providing a kind of one-two punch in cancer therapy."Beer presented results from the AIPC Study of Calcitriol Enhancing Taxotere (ASCENT) on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the 13th annual meeting of the European Cancer Conference (ECCO) in Paris. Christopher Ryan, MD, member of the OHSU Cancer Institute, served as principal investigator at the OHSU study site.ASCENT is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate DN-101 given with docetaxel (Taxotere) for advanced prostate cancer research subjects who are no longer responding to hormonal therapy, a condition known as androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC). Two hundred and fifty subjects participated in the study at 48 sites between September 2002 and January 2004.The estimated survival of subjects receiving DN-101 with docetaxel is 24.5 months. Those receiving placebo with docetaxel had a median survival of 16.4 months."We have not yet reached an observed median survival in the DN-101 study arm for a very good reason," Dr. Beer said. "More than half of these subjects are still living, which is very good news."Subjects taking DN-101 with docetaxel have a 49% increase in survival. This benefit was statistically significant (p=0.035) with a hazard ratio of 0.67.DN-101 also appears to protect against side effects of chemotherapy. In an exploratory analysis of safety data, researchers found that serious adverse events, primarily those requiring hospitalization, occurred in 28% of subjects taking DN-101 with docetaxel compared to 41% of subjects receiving placebo and docetaxel. This difference was statistically significant. Subjects in the DN-101 study arm experienced fewer gastrointestinal and thromboembolic events."This is both surprising and pleasing," Dr. Beer said. "A cancer treatment that improves survival and decreases toxicity is exceedingly rare."Overall survival was a secondary endpoint. ASCENT's primary endpoint was a 50% or more reduction of prostate specific antigen (PSA), a protein made only by prostate cells. Certain prostate conditions, including prostate cancer, are associated with high levels of PSA in the blood.Overall PSA responses occurred more frequently in subjects receiving DN-101 plus docetaxel (63%) versus docetaxel alone (52%). While the difference between the two arms did not reach statistical significance (p=0.07), the combination results represent an historically strong PSA response."During the past year, new work done by colleagues in the field has shown that only about half of survival can be explained by changes in PSA," Dr. Beer said. "Though PSA remains important, it has turned out to be a middle-of-the-road predictor of survival."DN-101 works by producing much higher blood levels of calcitriol than the body can produce from dietary vitamin D or vitamin D supplements. In high doses, it enhances many commonly used chemotherapeutic agents, producing anti-tumor activity in laboratory and animal models.ASCENT was designed to confirm results from a small, phase II OHSU study led by Dr. Beer that showed dramatic PSA reductions in subjects who took high doses of calcitriol with chemotherapy. In the phase II study, subjects were taking as many as several hundred pills within a few hours to achieve the right concentration of calcitriol. Beer and former OHSU faculty member W. David Henner, MD, invented a technology to develop a highly concentrated form of the vitamin.OHSU licensed this technology to Novacea Inc., the company formed to develop DN-101. Henner, a former OHSU faculty member, has since joined Novacea to play a key role in the development of the drug. ASCENT was sponsored by Novacea, maker of DN-101, with support from Sanofi-Aventis, maker of Taxotere.Based on ASCENT results, Novacea plans to begin a phase III clinical trial in early 2006.Dr. Beer and OHSU have a significant financial interest in Novacea, a company that may have a commercial interest in the results of this research and technology. This potential conflict was reviewed and a management plan approved by the OHSU Conflict of Interest in Research Committee, and the Integrity Program Oversight Council was implemented.[ASCENT: A double-blinded randomized study of DN-101 (high-dose calcitriol) plus docetaxel vs. placebo plus docetaxel in androgen independent prostate cancer (AIPC). Abstract 811] SOURCE: Oregon Health & Science University Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-taxotere-combination-extends-the-lives-of-men-with-advanced-prostate-cancer http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/praise-for-jamie-diet PRAISE FOR JAMIE DIETSource: www.mirror.co.ukCHEF Jamie Oliver has been praised for boosting the nation's health after a report claimed 30 million Brits have better diets than a year ago.Nearly two-thirds of adults now exercise, eat fruit and vegetables and eat less junk food according to the National Consumer Council report.Its survey of more than 2,000 adults found women with kids are most likely to make improvements while men over 55 are least inclined to change.Jamie has highlighted the importance of healthy meals such as school dinners. Sue Dibb from the NCC said: "Jamie Oliver's work has really encouraged people to change." Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/praise-for-jamie-diet http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/diabetic-recipes-are-good-fit-with-everyones-diet Diabetic recipes are good fit with everyone's dietSource: www.sun-sentinel.comThe news has been filled with frightening statistics on the prevalence of diabetes in our population. It is estimated that 18.2 million Americans now have the disease and of those, 90 percent have Type 2 diabetes, previously known as adult-onset diabetes.In response to that news, chefs and authors have been busy working on a collection of new cookbooks filled with healthful recipes designed for people with diabetes.Perusing these cookbooks, it's apparent that even those who do not have diabetes would do well by following a diabetic diet.The overall diabetic diet is based on eating meals and snacks at regular times, eating a balanced diet, choosing low-fat foods and staying aware of portions, says Roseville dietitian Jeannie Moloo, the national spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association."If a person has diabetes, their food plan does not need to be strict or rigid," says Moloo. "They should be able to continue eating foods they like to eat, but they may need to modify their usual eating pattern."Guidelines for diabetes meal planning include eating meals and snacks at regular times every day, not skipping meals, and eating about the same amount of food each day," she says.For diabetic people, though, keeping track of carbohydrate consumption is important because it can cause blood sugar to go too high, which leads to complications."Carbohydrate counting can be useful for anyone with diabetes, especially if it encourages consistency in carbohydrate intake at meals and snacks," says Moloo. She adds that a typical food plan for an adult with Type 2 Diabetes would include about 3-4 carbohydrate servings (45-60 grams of carbohydrate) at each meal and 1-2 carbohydrate servings (15-30 grams) for one snack.A carbohydrate serving is based on the amount of food that contains 15 grams of carbohydrate. For example, one small piece of fruit, one cup of nonfat milk, one-third cup cooked pasta or one slice of whole grain bread each contains about 15 grams of carbohydrate, says Moloo."It is also important to eat a variety of foods and to try new foods to keep the eating plan interesting," she says.That's where these new cookbooks, at right, come in handy. They are loaded with a variety of interesting recipes, many of which can be prepared in 30 minutes or less. The recipes include a nutritional breakdown as well as the diabetic exchanges for people who follow the American Diabetes Association's exchange plan. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/diabetic-recipes-are-good-fit-with-everyones-diet http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-deficiency-drives-immune-responses-in-plant Vitamin deficiency drives immune responses in plantSource: www.checkbiotech.orgBoth plants and animals are subject to programmed cell death (PCD), a phenomenon which allows a living body to eliminate unneeded cells, and which can allow it to develop the correct morphology, or even respond to environmental stress. PCD is triggered by intrinsic factors or extrinsic defense cues, and is initiated through genetic signals which move cells through a specific suicide program. A plant may also undergo PCD when faced with pathogens, where infected cells die to prevent the spread of a disease. In the latest issue of Plant Physiology, Valeria Pavet, of the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, and colleagues demonstrate that “Ascorbic Acid Deficiency Activates Cell Death and Disease Resistance Responses in Arabidopsis.” By studying the Arabidopsis low vitamin C mutants vtc1 and vtc2, researchers found that such low levels of the vitamin retard plant growth and senescence, and may even limit the proliferation of bacteria through the plant. By tracking certain plant molecules known to be involved in senescence, researchers also found that the levels of vitamin C affect how plants arm themselves against pathogens, and in a pathway independent from the natural senescence or cell death programs. Subscribers to Plant Physiology may access the complete article at: http://www.plantphysiol.org/cgi/content/full/139/3/1291 Other readers may view the abstract at: http://www.plantphysiol.org/cgi/content/abstract/139/3/1291 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-deficiency-drives-immune-responses-in-plant http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vegetarians-should-take-supplements-of-the-omega-3-fatty-acid-dha Vegetarians should take supplements of the omega-3 fatty acid DHASource: www.nutraingredients.comVegetarians should take supplements of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) to reduce their risk of heart disease, says German firm Nutrinova, manufacturer of vegetarian DHA. A study commissioned by the company suggests vegetarians are unlikely to gain a sufficient level of omega-3s from a non-fish diet. Omega-3 fatty acids as well as fish consumption have been linked to reduced risk of heart disease. But people that eat no fish rely on vegetable sources of omega-3 fatty acids, such as plants rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is converted by the body to DHA but this makes it a less efficient source of the key omega-3 fats and means that vegetarians could be missing out on the fatty acids thought to protect the heart. Nevertheless, producers of algae-derived DHA or fish oils are under pressure from makers of flaxseed oil or other vegetable oils rich in ALA, who offer a cheaper product. And a recent Mintel survey suggests that most companies launching products said to be rich in omega-3 are using vegetable sources to make these claims, rather than the DHA-rich options. The new study investigated how Nutrinova's DHA from microalgae could boost the omega-3 index of vegetarians. The omega-3 index indicates the blood level of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA. A low omega-3 index has recently been described as an indicator for increased risk of coronary heart disease. For the double-blind, randomized, intervention study, the researchers gave 104 healthy vegetarians a DHA supplement (0.94 g DHA) or an olive oil placebo for eight weeks. Although most of the participants reached recommended intakes for essential fatty acids, such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), none of them reached a recommended omega-3 index of at least 8 per cent, shows the study reported in the August issue of Lipids (vol 40, issue 8, pp807-14). At the end of the study, the omega-3 index increased significantly in the supplement group, with 69 per cent of these subjects reaching an omega-3 index above 8 per cent. None of those in the placebo group attained this level. "This suggests that the in vivo conversion of ALA (as available from plant sources such as flax) to EPA and DHA is not adequate to reach a desirable EPA and DHA status," said Nutrinova in a statement. There was also a significant increase in the EPA level after DHA supplementation, suggesting that the firm's DHA is also suitable for enhancing levels of both fatty acids. "We conclude that an 8-wk supplementation with 0.94g DHA per day from microalgae oil achieves a beneficial omega-3 index of at least 8 per cent in most subjects with low basal EPA + DHA status," write the researchers. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vegetarians-should-take-supplements-of-the-omega-3-fatty-acid-dha http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-makes-tumors-light-up-for-removal Vitamin Makes Tumors Light Up for RemovalSource: www.ksl.comA Utah chemist and a surgeon have teamed up to develop a way to make cancer, anywhere in the body, glow! With that kind of illumination, surgeons will be able to see precisely where a tumor begins, where it ends, and how much to remove. Glowing blue tissue causes cancer to be clearly identified. Enhance it with a light, as a surgeon would do, and it glows red. What's really neat about this new development is the stuff that actually makes the tumor glow. It's a derivative of vitamin B-12, very effective in identifying the cancer, but harmless to the patient. Dr. James Grissom, University of Utah Dept. of Chemistry: "All types of cancers need vitamin B-12 to replicate so tumors take up more vitamin B-12 than normal tissue." How much? Compared to the miniscule six micrograms normal cells take in daily, tumors need hundreds of times that amount. So they suck it all in, glowing conspicuously, no longer able to hide from the surgeon's knife. James McGreevy, M.D., University of Utah Surgeon: "We're actually hoping that with this fluorescent, if we can see the edge and go beyond it, that we can ensure that we can get the whole tumor out, regardless of what the tumor is." James McGreevy is a flight surgeon in Iraq, who will soon end his tour there and resume his duties at University Hospital. He and Charles Grissom, a U of U chemist, came up with the glowing compound. Together the two have formed a spinoff company. Combine this vitamin B-12 luminator with the development of instruments that could be used along with conventional laproscopic tools and you've given surgeons a new way to seek out and destroy these cancerous villains. Pending FDA approval, human clinical trials on patients, say with breast cancer, could be just around the corner. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-makes-tumors-light-up-for-removal http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/doctors-fish-oil-helpful-but-not-for-cancer Doctors: Fish oil helpful but not for cancerSource: www.bristolpress.com Omega-3 fatty acids are touted as anti-cancer supplements, but an analysis of studies from around the world shows that the fish oil is useless.However, cardiologists still want people to eat salmon and swallow omega-3 capsules because the lipids protect the heart and vascular system from disease."These supplements are good at reducing heart disease risk, so people shouldn’t stop taking them," said Dr. JoAnne Foody, director of cardiovascular education and training at Yale-New Haven Hospital.People who have been gulping the supplements to prevent cancer are inadvertently decreasing their risk of abnormal heart rhythms and high triglyceride blood levels, Foody said.The study is in the Journal of the American Medical Association and was performed by Rand Health of Santa Monica, Calif., which is a unit of the Rand Corp. think tank.Researchers examined 38 articles on 20 studies dating back to 1966 on 11 different types of cancer. The studies employed a range of methodologies, numbers of subjects, and length.Some showed a protective effect, others revealed no relevance to cancer and a few suggested that omega-3 fatty acids may increase the risk of cancer.Taken together, the articles suggest that "dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids is unlikely to prevent cancer," the authors wrote. The studies also did not provide evidence of a significant association between omega-3 fatty acids from all sources and cancer incidence.Fatty acids are long chains of carbon linked to hydrogen atoms. The molecules have a water-soluble acid end, called the delta end, and an oil-soluble methyl group of one carbon atoms and three hydrogens at the opposite, or omega end.In certain fatty acids there are three carbons between the omega end and the first double bond between carbon atoms -- hence omega-3.The body cannot produce omega-3 because human metabolism is unable to forge double bonds more than nine carbons from the fatty acid’s delta end.Foody said this biochemistry suggests why omega-3 fatty acids can reduce heart disease. However, there does not seem to be a biological explanation for why omega-3 fatty acids would reduce the incidence of cancers.Salmon is high in omega-3, but most Americans will not eat salmon the necessary three times a week to achieve any cardiac benefit. Omega-3 supplements are useful, but consumers should be aware that the capsules may contain traces of mercury, as do the salmon, Foody said."It’s always best to be on a heart-healthy diet," Foody said, which means reduced fat and sodium. Salmon is the best source of omega-3, although almonds and certain vegetables contain lower amounts.Foody said that people should tell their doctors if they are taking omega-3 supplements. Talking to a doctor before starting any supplement is also a good idea, she said. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/doctors-fish-oil-helpful-but-not-for-cancer http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/british-blackcurrants-may-beat-alzheimers British blackcurrants may beat Alzheimer'sSource: www.foodconsumer.orgResearch news in the Journal of the Science of Food and AgricultureCompounds in blackcurrants could prevent Alzheimer's disease and the characteristics of British berries suggest they do it best, writes Jennifer Rohn in Chemistry & Industry magazine.New research led by Dilip Ghosh of the Horticulture and Food Research Institute in New Zealand, shows that compounds in blackcurrants have a potent protective effect in cultured neuronal cells against the types of stress caused by dopamine and amyloid-b, a peptide associated with Alzheimer's disease. 'These compounds also work in hippocampal cells taken straight from the brain,' researcher James Joseph of Tufts University told Chemistry & Industry. Joseph says that the effect will likely be reproduced in the human body and that blackcurrants could help prevent or significantly delay the onset of Alzheimer's.Blackcurrants and boysenberries, more common in the US, both contain anthocyanins and polyphenolics. British blackcurrants are bred to be darker, which means they have more anthocyanins and are likely to be more potent.Compounds from these berries are already known to act as antioxidants, but a role in neuroprotection has not been demonstrated previously, according to the researchers.The mechanism of action is unclear. But James said: 'We have evidence that the compounds protect against Alzheimer's by influencing the early gene expression in learning and memory, which influences cell signaling pathways that help neuronal cells communicate with each other.'Dilip's team recently demonstrated the potent protective effect of blackcurrant compounds on cultured human promyeloyte and neuroblastoma cells assaulted by hydrogen peroxide (JSFA doi: 10.1002/jsfa.0247).###Article: "Effects of anthocyanins and other phenolics of boysenberry and blackcurrant as inhibitors of oxidative stress and damage to cellular DNA in SY-SY5Y and HY-60 cells" by D. Ghosh et. al JSFA, 10.1002/jsfa.2409.About The Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture The Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture (JSFA) publishes peer-reviewed original research and critical reviews in these areas, with particular emphasis on interdisciplinary studies at the agriculture/food interface. This international journal covers fundamental and applied research.JSFA is an SCI journal, published by John Wiley & Sons, on behalf of the Society of Chemical Industry, and is available in print (ISSN: 0022-5142) and online (ISSN: 1097-0010) via Wiley InterScience http://www.interscience.wiley.comFor further information about the journal go to http://interscience.wiley.com/jsfaAbout SCI SCI is a unique international forum where science meets business on independent, impartial ground. Anyone can join, and the Society offers a chance to share information between sectors as diverse as food and agriculture, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental science and safety. As well as publishing new research and running events, SCI has a growing database of member specialists who can give background information on a wide range of scientific issues. Originally established in 1881, SCI is a registered charity with members in over 70 countries.Contact: Amy Molnar amolnar@wiley.com 201-748-8844 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.--------------------------------- Background of blackcurrants From wikipedia.orgThe blackcurrant is a temperate shrub which produces small edible berries with a high natural vitamin C content, which are very dark purple/blue in colour—almost black—hence the name. Like the other true currants (not to be confused with the Zante currant, a type of grape which is often dried), it is classified in the genus Ribes.Blackcurrants have a slightly bitter taste. They are made into jelly, jam, ice cream, cordial and liqueur. In the UK, Europe and Commonwealth countries, some types of confectionery include a blackcurrant flavour, but this is generally missing in the United States, even within the same brand.In the USA, grape flavour in candy (including grape jelly) almost mirrors the use of blackcurrant in both its ubiquity there, and its rarity on the opposing side of the Atlantic.In UK bars, the blackcurrant cordial is referred to simply as "black", as in "vodka and black", "snakebite and black", "Pernod and black", or "black and lemonade". In North America, blackcurrant cordial is more commonly known as crème de cassis whilst in Britain and France crème de cassis is an alcoholic blackcurrant liqueur, used for making the popular apéritif Kir; the city of Dijon in France particularly known for this liqueur. In the Netherlands, cassis is a popular, red-coloured, soft drink with a blackcurrant flavour.When not in fruit, the aspect of the plant is very similar to the redcurrant; however, there is a way to distinguish them. The leaves and stems of the blackcurrant have a strong odour reminiscent of cat's urine.Blackcurrants are a rich source of vitamin C. During World War II other fruits rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, became almost impossible to obtain in the United Kingdom. Blackcurrant cultivation was encouraged by the Government and the yield of the nation's crop increased significantly. From 1942 almost the entire British blackcurrant crop was made into blackcurrant syrup (or cordial) and distributed to the nation's children for free, giving rise to the lasting popularity of blackcurrant flavourings in Britain.In Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, a blackcurrant cordial under the brand name of Ribena (from the genus name) is principally marketed as a 'healthy' (if extremely sweet) drink for children.Blackcurrant seed oil is a rich source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a very rare essential fatty acid.Blackcurrants are rare in the United States because, in the early 1900s, currant farming was banned due to its ability to spread disease among white pines which threatened the then-booming lumber industry. Currant growing is now making a comeback in the United States; however, the fruit is not well-known and so has not reached the popularity that it has seen in Europe.Studies have also shown concentrated blackcurrant to be an effective Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (Bormann, et al. 1993.) 50 grams of 5.5X concentrate was found to inhibit 92% of the Monoamine oxidase enzymes. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/british-blackcurrants-may-beat-alzheimers http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/theres-something-fishy-about-human-brain-evolution There's something fishy about human brain evolutionSource: www.eurekalert.orgForget the textbook story about tool use and language sparking the dramatic evolutionary growth of the human brain. Instead, imagine ancient hominid children chasing frogs. Not for fun, but for food.According to Dr. Stephen Cunnane it was a rich and secure shore-based diet that fuelled and provided the essential nutrients to make our brains what they are today. Controversially, according to Dr. Cunnane our initial brain boost didn't happen by adaptation, but by exaptation, or chance."Anthropologists and evolutionary biologists usually point to things like the rise of language and tool making to explain the massive expansion of early hominid brains. But this is a Catch-22. Something had to start the process of brain expansion and I think it was early humans eating clams, frogs, bird eggs and fish from shoreline environments. This is what created the necessary physiological conditions for explosive brain growth," says Dr. Cunnane, a metabolic physiologist at the University of Sherbrooke in Sherbrooke, Quebec.The evolutionary growth in hominid brain size remains a mystery and a major point of contention among anthropologists. Our brains weigh roughly twice as much as our similarly sized earliest human relative, Homo habilis two million years ago. The big question is which came first – the bigger brain or the social, linguistic and tool-making skills we associate with it?But, Dr. Cunnane argues that most anthropologists are ignorant or dismissive of the key missing link to help answer this question: the metabolic constraints that are critical for healthy human brain development today, and for its evolution.Human brains aren't just comparatively big, they're hungry. The average newborn's brain consumes an amazing 75-per cent of an infant's daily energy needs. According to Dr. Cunnane, to fuel this neural demand, human babies are born with a built-in energy reservoir – that cute baby fat. Human infants are the only primate babies born with excess fat. It accounts for about 14 per cent of their birth weight, similar to that of their brains.It's this baby fat, says Dr. Cunnane, that provided the physiological winning conditions for hominids' evolutionary brain expansion. And how were hominid babies able to pack on the extra pounds? According to Cunnane their moms were dining on shoreline delicacies like clams and catfish."The shores gave us food security and higher nutrient density. My hypothesis is that to permit the brain to start to increase in size, the fittest early humans were those with the fattest infants," says Dr. Cunnane, author of the book Survival of the Fattest, published in 2005.Unlike the prehistoric savannahs or forests, argues Dr. Cunnane, ancient shoreline environments provided a year-round, accessible and rich food supply. Such an environment was found in the wetlands and river and lake shorelines that dominated east Africa's prehistoric Rift Valley in which early humans evolved.Dr. Cunnane points to the table scrap fossil evidence collected by his symposium co-organizer Dr. Kathy Stewart from the Canadian Museum of Nature, in Ottawa. Her study of fossil material excavated from numerous Homo habilis sites in eastern Africa revealed a bevy of chewed fish bones, particularly catfish.More than just filling the larder, shorelines provided essential brain boosting nutrients and minerals that launched Homo sapiens brains past their primate peers, says Dr. Cunnane, the Canada Research Chair in Brain Metabolism and Aging.Brain development and function requires ample supplies of a particular polyunsaturated fatty acid: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA is critical to proper neuron function. Human baby fat provides both an energy source for the rapidly growing infant grey matter, and also, says Dr. Cunnane, a greater concentration of DHA per pound than at any other time in life.Aquatic foods are also rich in iodine, a key brain nutrient. Iodine is present in much lower amounts from terrestrial food sources such as mammals and plants.It was this combination of abundant shoreline food and the "brain selective nutrients" that sparked the growth of the human brain, he says."Initially there wasn't selection for a larger brain," argues Dr. Cunnane. "The genetic possibility was there, but it remained silent until it was catalyzed by this shore-based diet."Dr. Cunnane acknowledges that for the past 20 years he's been swimming upstream when it comes to convincing anthropologists of his position, especially that initial hominid brain expansion happened by chance rather than adaptation.But, he says, the evidence of the importance of key shoreline nutrients to brain development is still with us – painfully so. Iodine deficiency is the world's leading nutrient deficiency. It affects more than a 1.5 billion people, mostly in inland areas, and causes sub-optimal brain function. Iodine is legally required to be added to salt in more than 100 countries.Says Dr. Cunnane: "We've created an artificial shore-based food supply in our salt." Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/theres-something-fishy-about-human-brain-evolution http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-may-slow-prostate-cancer Vitamin D May slow prostate cancerSource: www.mydna.comEvidence from the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) in New York reveals that vitamin D may stop the progression - or possibly even destroy - prostate cancer cells."Vitamin D significantly limits the ability of prostate cancer cells to invade healthy cells," said Yi-Fen Lee, Ph.D., assistant professor of urology at URMC. "We put prostate cancer cells in a test tube, then added vitamin D. Essentially, it kept the cancerous cells from spreading.""Vitamin D does this because it keeps prostate cancer cells from growing, so it can keep cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. This is very promising because prostate cancer can migrate to the lymph nodes and then to the bones. Prostate cancer, in particular, likes to go to bones, making it more serious and causing patients a lot of pain," Lee noted.Lee's most recent research proves that the vitamin can stop prostate cancer tumors from getting larger."We found that vitamin D inhibits angiogenesis, which is the forming of new blood vessels inside a tumor. Tumors need blood and nutrition to grow bigger and bigger, so if you can block more blood vessels from forming, you can basically stop the tumor from growing," she said.The link between the vitamin and cancer has been studied by researchers for quite a while."We've known for awhile that men who have less vitamin D in their blood are at higher risk for prostate cancer," Lee said.For the clinical trials, researchers gave high doses of the vitamin in pill form. Lee stressed the importance of having patients speak with their doctors - before popping any pills - because high doses of vitamin D can also disrupt calcium absorption.For this reason, scientists are still working on finding safe ways to administer high doses of vitamin D without causing consequent side effects.Men can still meet their needs for vitamin D through daily exposure to sunlight. Research has shown that lighter-skinned men in Southern states have a lower incidence of prostate cancer than men who live in colder climates or have darker skin because they get less vitamin D from the sun.To get adequate amounts of vitamin D, experts recommend 20 minutes of sun exposure each day without the use of sunscreen. But it is also found in vegetables like spinach and broccoli and in vitamin supplements, and is added to fortified milk and cereals.Getting vitamin D from food is important, doctors say, but exposure to sunlight is key to stimulating production of the vitamin into a form our bodies can use.Maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D at all times is important for the prevention of prostate cancer, especially for men at higher risk for the disease. This includes African-Americans and those with a family history of it."It is our hope that in the future, doctors will be able to combine vitamin D therapy with other traditional cancer treatments like radiation. We just need to find a safe method of delivering it," Lee said. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-may-slow-prostate-cancer http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/how-much-and-what-type-of-omega-3-fatty-acid-is-correct- How much and what type of omega-3 fatty acid is correct?Source: www.fortwayne.comQ: I'm thinking of taking omega-3 fatty acids (as in fish oil) to reduce my cholesterol. How large a dose can be safely taken and what are the side effects? Also, are omega-3-6 fatty acids something different?A: Fish oil supplements contain the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.Fish oils from supplements or dietary sources can reduce triglycerides by 20-50 percent, as well as provide other heart-healthy benefits.Studies have used triglycerides-lowering doses of 1 to 4 grams (1,000 mg to 4,000 mg) daily.You mentioned cholesterol, but fish oil has little effect on LDL cholesterol (the bad kind), other than perhaps pushing it up a bit if you have high triglycerides to begin with, though this effect seems to be temporary.A possible benefit is that long-term intake of fish oil might nudge up your HDL cholesterol (the good kind).Fish oil supplements are generally safe and well-tolerated at doses of 3 grams or less daily.Nausea, heartburn, or loose stools occasionally occur. Taking the capsules with meals may help.There's some concern that fish oil at higher doses (e.g., more than 3 grams daily) might blunt the immune response. That could be a problem for elderly individuals and those with suppressed immune function related to medications or diseases such as HIV infection.Doses greater than 3 grams daily can thin the blood. Combining fish oil supplements with other blood-thinning drugs or supplements merits caution due to the potential risk of excessive bleeding.Such drugs include aspirin, NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen), clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), and warfarin (Coumadin).Supplements include angelica, clove, danshen, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, red clover, turmeric, willow, flaxseed oil, phosphatidylserine, policosanol, and high-dose vitamin E.One sign of abnormal bleeding is unusual bruising. Other signs are nosebleeds, coughed up blood that resembles coffee grounds, and black or tarry stools.As to your other question: "Omega-3-6" fatty acids likely refers to flaxseed oil supplements, which contain both an omega-3 fatty acid (alpha-linolenic acid) and an omega-6 fatty acid (linoleic acid).The body can convert the omega-3 fatty acid in flaxseed oil to EPA and DHA (as in fish oil) in limited amounts.Keep in mind that flaxseed oil does not appear to lower triglycerides, so it's not a substitute for fish oil in this respect. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/how-much-and-what-type-of-omega-3-fatty-acid-is-correct- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/hot-chilli-peppers-a-remedy-for-prostate-cancer-a-study-claims Hot chilli peppers a remedy for prostate cancer a study claimsSource: www.enjoyfrance.comThe ingredient in jalapeno peppers, which makes them hot also destroys prostate cancer cells, according to a study.Tests showed that capsaicin in the peppers triggered 80% of the cells to start to die.The US research in the journal Cancer Research also found tumours treated with capsaicin diminished and capsaicin was also found to reduce the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein produced by cancer cells.UK prostate experts agreed that capsaicin could be the basis for a future drug but they cautioned against eating too many hot peppers because of a link with stomach cancer.In the study at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre mice genetically modified to have human prostate cancer cells were investigated.The animals were given a dose of pepper extract that would be equal a man of 200 pounds (90.7kg) taking 400 milligrams of capsaicin three times weekly.This would be the equivalent of having between three and eight fresh habanera peppers, which are the highest rated peppers for capsicum content.Dr Soren Lehmann, who led the research, said: "Capsaicin had a profound anti-proliferative effect on human prostate cancer cells in culture."It also dramatically slowed the development of prostate tumours."Chris Hiley, head of policy and research at The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: "This is interesting laboratory-based work on cells but we don't yet know how, if at all, it might help men with prostate cancer."Eventually, it may be possible to extract the capsaicin and make it available as a drug treatment," he added. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/hot-chilli-peppers-a-remedy-for-prostate-cancer-a-study-claims http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/genetic-therapy-for-a-troubled-sex-life Genetic therapy for a troubled sex lifeSource: www.timesonline.co.ukA NEW form of gene therapy could be used to treat impotence in diabetic men. Research in the US has shown that replacing a faulty gene in rats with the equivalent of diabetes can improve their erectile function, suggesting that a similar approach might be useful in diabetic men. About 70 per cent of diabetic men suffer from impotence at some point, and about half of them do not respond well to standard drug treatments such as Viagra. An effective gene therapy could be given as an injection, which might last about a month. In the study, a team led by Jesse Mills, of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Centre, in Denver, first induced diabetes-like symptoms in male rats, which developed erection problems as a result. The researchers then injected the animals’ penises with extra copies of a gene involved in the growth of a key signalling chemical that is important to erections. Diabetic rats that were given the gene therapy showed a significant increase in erectile pressure, compared with control animals. Dr Mills is now planning to conduct human trials of the technique, which he hopes will be ready for treating patients within five years. Dr Mills told the American Society for Reproductive Medicine conference that the gene therapy coupled with Viagra could restore 92 to 93 per cent of erectile function. He said: “We envision that diabetic men will be able to visit the clinic for an injection and for a month after they’ll be ready to go.” Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/genetic-therapy-for-a-troubled-sex-life http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/victoria-beckham-says-shes-thin-from-diet-not-disorder Victoria Beckham Says She's Thin From Diet, Not DisorderSource: www.andpop.com Former Spice Girl Victoria "Posh" Beckham says she's thin because of her diet, not because of an eating disorder.The super skinny wife of English soccer stud David Beckham insists she isn't suffering from a disorder like many other thin Hollywood starlets are."I eat really healthy, I love Japanese food, lots of fish, any sort of fish, any sort of vegetable, lots of fruit, that kind of thing," said Beckham during an appearance recently on a BBC Radio program."I think there's a big difference between someone having an eating disorder and someone who is controlled about what they eat. There's a big difference, and every now and then of course I go out and eat what I like. But I do try to be quite disciplined in the way that I eat." After taking heat for her thin appearance, friends have gone to People magazine to say she "eats healthily" – yet, "she doesn't exercise at all." Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/victoria-beckham-says-shes-thin-from-diet-not-disorder http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/folate-and-vitamin-b12-enhance-cognitive-function-among-seniors Folate and vitamin B12 enhance cognitive function among seniorsSource: www.dailyindia.comA new epidemiological study has revealed that Folate and vitamin B12, two important nutrients for the development of healthy nerves and blood cells, may work together to protect cognitive function among seniors. The Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (USDA HNRCA) have stated that they found a connection between good cognitive function and high folate status."We found a strong relationship between high folate status and good cognitive function among people 60 and older who also had adequate levels of vitamin B12," Martha Savaria Morris, PhD, epidemiologist at the USDA HNRCA.Morris explained that people with normal vitamin B12 status performed better if their serum folate was high."But for people with low vitamin B12 status, high serum folate was associated with poor performance on the cognitive test, " Morris said.Seniors with low vitamin B12 status and high serum folate were also significantly more likely than seniors in other categories to have anemia, a condition caused by reduced amounts of hemoglobin in oxygen-carrying red blood cells, or by a deficiency in the number or volume of such cells. "For seniors, low vitamin B12 status and high serum folate was the worst combination," says Morris. "Specifically, anemia and cognitive impairment were observed nearly five times as often for people with this combination than among people with normal vitamin B12 and normal folate." Vitamin B12 deficiency, which affects many seniors due to age-related decreases in absorption, can impact the production of DNA needed for new cells, as well as neurological function.Vitamin B12 is normally consumed in meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products, and folate is found in leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, and beans. Although folate occurs naturally in many foods, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1998 required that all enriched cereal-grain products be fortified with folic acid, the synthetic form of folate, in order to help prevent birth defects in infants.Morris notes that the study's results are inconsistent with the idea that high folate status delays detection of vitamin B12 by masking one of its key signs: anemia. "When folate fortification was considered, opponents raised the possibility that because more folate might mask anemia, many cases of vitamin B12 deficiency would go undetected, causing people with the condition to suffer neuropsychiatric consequences, " she said."But in our study, the people with low vitamin B12 who also had high serum folate were more likely to exhibit anemia and cognitive impairment than subjects with low vitamin B12 status and normal serum folate. So although having high serum folate had an impact on cognitive function in our study, it did not cure anemia, as opponents of food fortification have suggested, " she added.According to senior author Jacob Selhub, PhD, director of the Vitamin Metabolism Laboratory at the USDA HNRCA and professor at the Friedman School, the findings support the often-expressed idea that many seniors would benefit from more folate, but the research shows that we must look at the effects this would have on seniors with age-related vitamin B12 deficiency, who may be more numerous than once realized.There are also indications that too much folic acid and too little B12 is a general phenomenon that affects other systems in the body, and might be a factor in some other diseases.As with any epidemiological study, Morris cautions that the results show association and not causation. She also notes that because the study only measured levels of total folate in the blood, it is uncertain whether the results were due to unmetabolized folic acid in the body. "We encourage further studies of these relationships and their underlying mechanisms. We hope our findings both inform the continuing debate about folic acid fortification and influence future efforts to detect and treat low vitamin B12 status among seniors," the authors wrote.The study is published in the January 2007 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (ANI) Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/folate-and-vitamin-b12-enhance-cognitive-function-among-seniors http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-c-could-help-in-curbing-cancer Vitamin C Could Help in Curbing CancerSource: www.medindia.net New Zealand researchers claimed Friday that vitamin C was vital for good health and could even help beat cancer by making chemotherapy treatment more effective. Dr Margret Vissers, from Otago University's Free Radical Research Group, said laboratory experiments showed for the first time that vitamin C was a vital part of healthy living and not just a health supplement to be taken when people had a cold. "I've found that vitamin C is absolutely fundamental in controlling many cell activities, cell death and the growth of cancer cells in tumors," she said. "Without it our cells don't work properly. "Without it you're in big trouble, and with low levels you're not healthy." Vissers said that ever since the voyages of British explorer Captain James Cook, who kept his crew relatively free of the disease scurvy with citrus fruit, in the late 18th century, the importance of fruit and vegetables for the body's health had been recognized. But no one had determined the processes in the body, which made the active ingredient vitamin C so important. Vissers said a series of experiments had shown that vitamin C played a key role in all healthy cells and had a major function in controlling cell activity throughout the body. She said it was not a cure for cancer, but the research showed that when vitamin C was low or absent in the body, cancer cells in tumors could make more blood vessels grow well and resist chemotherapy. Diet Related News Eat Fruits- Keep Diseases at Bay Garlic Plus Vitamin C may Reduce Blood Pressure Salt Consumption Needs To Drop Further Vitamin C Could Help in Curbing Cancer Americans Consume Very Little Of Vegetables And Fruits Read More Post Your Comment Here * Name * Comment * Your comment can be maximum of 1000 characters * Email * Country Select Country Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Coco (Keeling Islands) Colombia Comoros Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Croatia (Hrvatska) Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic East Timor Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Island (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France France (Metropolitan) French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard and McDonald Islands Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea (North) Korea (South) Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda S. Georgia and S. Sandwich Isls Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and The Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovak Republic Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka St. Helena St. Pierre and Miquelon Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay US Minor Outlying Islands Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City State (Holy See) Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Island (British) Virgin Island (US) Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Yugoslavia Zaire Zambia Zimbabwe Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-c-could-help-in-curbing-cancer http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/good-nutrition-to-age-well Good nutrition to age wellSource: thestar.com.myFood is key to providing the nutrients that fuel life. FROM preconception to death, people have special nutritional requirements to assure health and growth. These requirements are translated into food choices and dietary patterns that incorporate current knowledge of nutrition’s role in health and disease, and reflect a person’s individual culture and genetic heritage. Good nutrition in all stages of life can have a positive impact on ageing. For example, the earlier you start saving, the larger will your reserves be when you retire. Another good example is when you purchase a new car and follow the maintenance compliance and drive with care – your car will last longer. It is important that we adhere to some practical guidelines to help us maintain our body throughout our life so that we age gracefully. Eat a variety of food in balance and moderation Remember there is no such thing as good or bad food, only bad eating habits. All food can fit into your eating plan. Foods contain combinations of nutrients and other healthful substances. No single food can supply all nutrients in the amounts you need. For example, oranges provide vitamin C, but no vitamin B12; cheese provides vitamin B12, but no vitamin C. The mineral iron is an essential part of haemoglobin that carries oxygen for blood to work efficiently. Besides this, iron is required for normal function of the immune system. Iron from animal products is presented as haem iron whole plant-based iron is known as non-haem iron. Haem iron is better absorbed by the body, and to enhance non-haem absorption, vitamin C is required. Calcium, along with vitamin D, is critical at all ages to maintain healthy bones. Adequate calcium can be obtained from foods such as low fat milk, cheese and other dairy products. You may consult your doctor or dietitian on calcium supplements. Increasing older adults’ intake of dietary calcium to at least 1,200mg/day and vitamin D intake to at least the recommended levels (10µg/day for 51–70 year olds and 15mg/day for adults more than 70 years old) lower their risk of bone mineral loss and osteoporotic fractures. Balance food intake with physical activity If you are sedentary, try to become more active. If you are already very active, try to continue the same level of activity as you age. More physical activity is better than less, and any is better than none. If your weight is not in the healthy range, try to reduce health risks through better eating and exercise habits. Take steps to keep your weight within the healthy range (neither too high nor too low) Choose foods low in fat, saturated fats and cholesterol. Eat a variety of foods that are low in calories, fat and high in nutrients – check the nutrition facts label. Eat smaller portions and limit second helpings of foods high in fat and calories. Choose low fat milk products, lean meats, fish, poultry, beans, and peas to get essential nutrients without substantially increasing calorie and saturated fat intakes. Choose a diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits and whole grain products. Eat more grain products (breads, cereals, pasta, and rice), vegetables, and fruits. Eat dry beans, lentils, and peas more often. Increase your fibre intake by eating more of a variety of whole grains, whole-grain products, dry beans, fibre-rich vegetables and fruits such as carrots, corn, lady fingers, long beans, peas, green leafy vegetables, papaya, watermelon, pears and pears. Most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and provide many essential nutrients and other food components important for health. These foods are excellent sources of vitamin C, vitamin B6, carotenoids, including those that form vitamin A and folate. Choose a diet moderate in sugar and salt Sugars are carbohydrates. Dietary carbohydrates also include the complex carbohydrates starch and fibre. During digestion all carbohydrates except fibre break down into sugars. Sugars and starches occur naturally in many foods that also supply other nutrients. Examples of these foods include milk, fruits, some vegetables, breads, cereals, and grains. For flavour, go slow on salt Sodium and sodium chloride known commonly as salt – occur naturally in foods, usually in small amounts. Salt and other sodium-containing ingredients are often used in food processing. Some people add salt and salty sauces, such as soy sauce, to their food at the table, but most dietary sodium or salt comes from foods to which salt has already been added during processing or preparation. Fresh fruits and vegetables have very little sodium. Read the nutrition facts label to compare and help identify foods lower in sodium within each group. Use herbs and spices to flavour food. Try to choose forms of foods that you frequently consume that are lower in sodium and salt. It’s a matter of educating your taste buds. In conclusion, it is important that you build up your nutrition from childhood to reap the benefits when you are an older adult. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:14 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/good-nutrition-to-age-well http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/coriander-indigestion Coriander & IndigestionCorriander is an effective remedy for wind and indigestion and is also known to have and aphrodisiac effect. Corriander contains coriandrol and psoralen Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/coriander-indigestion http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/parsely-fluid-retention Parsely & Fluid retentionParsley is one of the best herbs around for dealing with fluid retention. It is also good for loosening chesty coughs. Used by the Ancient Greeks as a cleanser and detoxifier. Parsley is rich in vitamins, iron and carotenoids and like nutmeg contains myristiein the mood enhancing substance. Parsley helps reduce swollen breasts, fingers and ankles commonly identified with the symptoms of PMT. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/parsely-fluid-retention http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/mint-and-headaches Mint and HeadachesThe principle components of mint are menthol and menthone and are best of all remedies for digestive problems. It is also said that an ice-cold mint tea compress on the forehead can relieve headaches and migraine. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/mint-and-headaches http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/menopause-vitex-angnus-castus Menopause & Vitex Angnus-CastusSource: Jean Williams, You MagazineVitex Agnus-Castus is prescribed for heavy periods, bloating, hot flushes, headaches and breast tenderness it is said to have a claming effect. This herb helps balance hormones by acting on the pituitary gland. This herb should be taken daily in tinctures until symptoms improve. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/menopause-vitex-angnus-castus http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/menopause-dong-quai Menopause & Dong QuaiSource: Jean Williams, You MagazineStudies have shown this herb is useful in gynaecological problems; these include heavy bleeding, and painful periods. It is a strong painkiller with a tranquillising action. Dong Quai is a Chinese tonic herb and should be taken daily in tinctures until symptoms improve. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/menopause-dong-quai http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/anger-bach-flowers Anger & Bach FlowersSource: Lucy Shakeshaft, Daily MailIf you fear loss of control, excessive reactions, irritablility or impatience why not try this remedy. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/anger-bach-flowers http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/insomnia-valerian Insomnia & ValerianSource: Lucy Shakeshaft, Daily MailA traditional herbal remedy take in tincture form. One teaspoon half an hour before bedtime. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/insomnia-valerian http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/sight-enhancer-lutein Sight Enhancer & LuteinNew medical research indicates that lutein is one of the most powerful protectors of eye health. Concentrated in the retina, it appears to reduce the risk of eye disorders such as gloucoma and cataracts. It also protects the fragile back of the eye from harmful blue light. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/sight-enhancer-lutein http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/stress-l-tyrosine Stress & L-TyrosineIf you suffer chronic fatigue or you are under extreme pressure, tyrosine could be the answer. Tyrosine is an amino acid and is found in dairy products and white meat. It is available in tablet form and plays an important role in ensuring our nervous system runs properly Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/stress-l-tyrosine http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/could-a-copper-patch-cure-my-arthritis- Could a Copper patch cure my Arthritis?Source: John Biffa, The Daily MailI heard something on TV today about some kind of copper patch that helps with rheumatoid arthritis. Can you throw any light on the subject please? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------John says... Copper is a nutrient which is known to have anti-inflammatory properties in the body. The theory is that the absorption of copper from a bracelet or something similar may reduce the symptoms of arthritis. In a study published in 1976, researchers compared individuals wearing copper bracelets with those wearing identical looking copper-coloured bracelets made of aluminium. By measuring the weight of the copper bracelet before and after the study, the researchers found that an average of 13mg of copper had been lost from the bracelet in a month (believed to have been absorbed through the skin). What is more, those wearing the real copper bracelet reported less arthritic symptoms compared to those wearing the mock aluminium variety. It seems as though copper bracelets may indeed be effective in helping control the symptoms of inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. These can be found in most pharmacies and health food stores. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/could-a-copper-patch-cure-my-arthritis- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/what-are-the-symptoms-of-chlamydia- What are the symptoms of Chlamydia?Chlamydia is now the most common sexually transmitted infection in most developed countries. Sometimes infection stays limited to the cervix, but in others the infection goes up to the uterus and fallopian tubes. The common symptoms include an altered, or smelly, vaginal discharge, and where the infection is more severe there might be an aching pain in the pelvis, tenderness over the lower abdomen, pain on intercourse, irregular bleeding, or a temperature and systemic illness. When these more severe symptoms are present it is known as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, or PID. Although there are other infections that can cause PID, chlamydia is the most common. Less than half of chlamydia infections actually cause symptoms, however, and silent infection is very common. Chlamydia is more common in sexually active young women under the age of 25, and if you are not using condoms. Women who use the Pill are about twice as likely to get chlamydia, but less likely to get PID with all its symptoms. In the long-term, chlamydia infection is responsible for a significant proportion of infertility due to the damage the it does to the fallopian tubes. The greatest risk is when a woman has severe or multiple episodes of PID. The chance of having a pregnancy in the tubes - an ectopic pregnancy - is also increased after chlamydia infection. Treatment is by a course of antibiotics, however for moderate or severe PID, it may mean a short stay in hospital. A very important aspect is screening and treatment of your partner, otherwise re-infection will occur. Only around half of men with the infection will get symptoms, which are usually a discharge and stinging on passing urine. Prevention is by using condoms. Since chlamydia is so common now, it is important not to think that you will be judged or assumed to be promiscuous if you are diagnosed with it - you only need to have sex once to catch it. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/what-are-the-symptoms-of-chlamydia- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/is-there-an-alternative-cure-for-cold-sores- Is there an alternative cure for Cold Sores?Source: Dr John Briffa, The Daily MailHello Dr Briffa, I wonder if you can help me with an annoying health problem. I suffer from cold sores - particularly at this time of year. Is there any alternative method for preventing outbreaks of cold sores? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------John says... Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Once it has infected the body, the virus lies dormant, but may reactivate and cause a cold sore at any time, especially when the immune system is weak or run-down. Cold sores typically last for seven to ten days, are unsightly, and can cause considerable discomfort. Fortunately, there is much you can do to prevent and treat attacks. The HSV virus needs an amino acid called arginine to multiply in the body. Arginine is found in high concentration in nuts especially peanuts and cashews and chocolate, and many individuals report that eating these foods can bring on a flare-up of symptoms. Avoiding these foods, especially at the first sign of an attack, is likely to help prevent problems. While arginine encourages growth of the HSV, another amino acid, lysine, actually inhibits it. Studies show that lysine can reduce the frequency and severity of cold sore attacks. Take 500 mg per day, and increase this to 1g, two to three times a day during an acute attack. To this regime I would also add vitamin C and bioflavonoids, a combination of which has also been found to help in the treatment of cold sores. Take 1g of vitamin C and 500mg of biofavonoids each day, increasing to a twice or three times daily dose during an attack. Finally, for topical relief I recommend vitamin E. Take a soft gelatine vitamin E capsule and soak a small piece of tissue with its contents. Apply this to the cold sore for a full fifteen minutes. Do this twice during the day. Quite often, this approach can resolve a cold sore within a day or two. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/is-there-an-alternative-cure-for-cold-sores- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/is-there-a-natural-way-to-improve-eyesight- Is there a natural way to improve Eyesight?Source: Dr John Briffa, The Daily MailI am writing on behalf of my 76-year-old mother. Are there any alternative health products to slow down her failing eyesight caused by macular degeneration? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------John says... Light from the outside world is focused onto a structure at the back of the eye called the retina. The central part of the retina - known as the macula - is crucial for vision. In some individuals the macula gradually deteriorates leading to visual problems. This condition is called macular degeneration and approximately a quarter of individuals over the age of 65 have at least the beginnings of this disease. Macular degeneration is triggered by damaging, destructive molecules called free radicals. In the body, free radicals are neutralised by substances called anti-oxidants such as the nutrient beta-carotene. One study showed that eating beta-carotene rich foods such as red and orange peppers, apricots, cantaloupe melon, kale and spinach helped reduce risk of macular degeneration. Other nutrients that have been found to help slow degeneration of the macula include lutein (a good source of which is spinach), and zinc. I recommend that you take a supplement called Ocu-Plus. This contains all the above nutrients along with some others such as bilberry that are known to have beneficial properties for the eyes. This is only anecdotal evidence I know, but I have seen several patients who report that taking this supplement has significantly slowed visual deterioration due to macular degeneration. Ocu-Plus can be obtained from Panacea on 020 8795 3730. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/is-there-a-natural-way-to-improve-eyesight- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/most-herbs-for-menopause-lack-punch-study-casts-doubt-on-popular-treatment-alternatives Most herbs for menopause lack punch Study casts doubt on popular treatment alternativesSource: Associated PressALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS for hot flashes, vaginal dryness and other menopause symptoms have gotten additional attention since July, when researchers found evidence linking estrogen-progestin hormone supplements with breast cancer and heart disease. Researchers at Columbia University and George Washington University examined the results of 29 independent studies on alternative treatments for hot flashes and found that only the herb black cohosh appeared to work. Three of four trials found the herb had a benefit, according to the review in Tuesday’s issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. Black cohosh, a member of the buttercup family, is among the most popular of alternative treatments for menopause. Most clinical studies involved a concentrated brand called Remifemin, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. Other popular herbal treatments, including ginseng, red clover, dong quai and oil of evening primrose, were found to have no discernible effect on such symptoms as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sleeplessness and other ills blamed on menopause. Researchers said studies have also found few documented benefits from acupuncture, vitamin E, relaxation techniques and progesterone creams. The study said a few alternative treatments showed promise. Women who ate soybean dietary supplements reported hot flashes that were less intense, though in many cases the benefits disappeared after a few weeks. Study authors Fredi Kronenberg and Adriane Fugh-Berman noted, however, that most of the trials examining the benefits of alternative treatments were small and inconclusive. Few looked at the benefits or harm of using herbal remedies for many months or years. “Product advertising hype far exceeds scientific knowledge,” they wrote. Dr. Margery Gass, director of the University Hospital Menopause and Osteoporosis Center in Cincinnati and president of the North American Menopause Society, said the review points to a need for further study. “We’re seeing pharmaceutical companies get interested in these products. We are seeing the government get interested,” she said. “It would be wonderful if we could see some bigger clinical trials before people start spending millions of dollars on nontraditional therapies.” Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/most-herbs-for-menopause-lack-punch-study-casts-doubt-on-popular-treatment-alternatives http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/antioxidant-vitamin-e-can-thin-blood Antioxidant vitamin E can thin bloodSource: Salem Statesman Journal Susan TomVitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect cell walls and other structures from damage. At high levels, it can have blood-thinning effects, decreasing the tendency for blood to clot.But there is no research supporting the assumption that vitamin E supplements protect against heart disease and cancer or provide other heart-health benefits, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research. While it is important for preventative health, the jury is out on whether we need amounts beyond what we get from a balanced, mostly plant-based diet. If you have surgery planned, talk with your physician about discontinuing it before the procedure. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/antioxidant-vitamin-e-can-thin-blood http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/oj-loses-vitamin-c-punch OJ loses Vitamin C punchSource: Arizona State University studyOrange juice loses much of its vitamin C zing the longer it sits in your refrigerator, new research suggests. According to an Arizona State University study, the closer a carton of orange juice gets to its expiration date, the less vitamin C it contains. How much less, depends on the container.Over a period of 30 days, researchers periodically tested brands with screw-on caps, brands in milk-carton style containers, and orange juice made from frozen concentrate. At all points, the frozen variety had the most vitamin C, while the juice in the carton had the least.But as the days passed, the level of the nutrient kept falling in all three brands. For example, orange juice made from a fresh batch of frozen concentrate has 65 milligrams of vitamin C per 165 gram serving. Researchers found that after two weeks this fell to 45 milligrams, and to 36 milligrams after four weeks. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/oj-loses-vitamin-c-punch http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-pharmacy Herbal PharmacySource: Bt Elisa Kronish Ski LifeWhen freeskiing national champion Cat Smiley paused for an off-mountain minute to consider the herbs she uses to energize her body for skiing every day, she quickly came up with eight of them. "I didn’t realize how many herbs I was taking daily to help my ski performance," she says. And she’s not alone. Despite the reluctance of many Western physicians to acknowledge the benefits of herbs, they are gaining clout—and market share, to the tune of about $4 billion per year. But this steep growth in herbal options can be overwhelming for the natural newbie. And to further complicate matters, federal regulations on herbs are loose. In 1994, the Food and Drug Administration threatened to reclassify herbs from "food" to "drug," which would have required an intense approval process for each product. Instead, it passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), which attempts to balance the need for consumer access to information with the government’s ability to protect the public from unsafe products and false or misleading product claims. While this kept the market open, it also created confusing information. The FDA requires an herb be approved as a drug to be allowed to tout medical or therapeutic use, but most herb companies can’t spend the millions of dollars required to prove medicinal properties. Instead, they list vague—and often solely anecdotal—claims about how an herb can affect the body. The label must indicate that these claims are not approved by the FDA, but such statements are typically buried in fine print—or largely ignored by consumers. Another problem is that there are no official standards for herb preparations, so products on shelves might contain contaminants or inaccurate ingredient levels. So what do you do? Be informed. Take this tip from Groucho Marx, quoted in The Best Alternative Medicine by Dr. Kenneth Pelletier: "Be open-minded, but not so open-minded that your brains fall out." In other words, don’t believe everything you hear or read. Consult the experts—no, that doesn’t mean the local grocery store or pharmacy clerk. Seek out an herbalist at a health food store, suggests Rowan Hamilton, a cross-country skier, medical herbalist and natural health sciences professor at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Wash. "Or talk to a naturopathic physician, and find out what your own body needs," he says. Hamilton also warns against choosing solely on price. Herbs come in a variety of forms, including capsules or tablets, teas, tinctures, extracts, and topical ointments and oils. Capsules and tablets are convenient, without the often-bitter taste, but they sometimes contain binding ingredients that don’t break down easily. Because teas and tinctures are in solution, it’s easier for your body to absorb the active ingredient. But teas take longer to consume, and tinctures are often more expensive than capsules or tablets. Ointments are easy to use because they’re topical. Oils are highly concentrated but can be diluted. Dosages vary with the form and should be discussed with a professional. Although few long-term studies have been done on safety during pregnancy, experts recommend avoiding most herbs while pregnant. And before starting any herbal program, talk to your primary care physician, who can likely refer you to a reputable alternative medicine doctor and who, more importantly, should be informed of any herbs you take. To help you get started, here are five herbs that experts say can make you stronger on the slopes. Arnica Upside Eases pain and may speed recovery of strains, sprains and bruises. Vacation warriors who drop in from New York or Chicago, hellbent on proving their mettle, often end up bruised and battered in the process. Deborah Wiancek, N.D., author of The Natural Healing Companion and a homeopathic physician in Vail, Colo., recommends arnica. "It can get them back out on the slopes quickly," she says. Take a hint from Smiley, who’s on the slopes nearly every day. She rubs on arnica oil immediately after any injuries to "help reduce swelling and pain." You can also get arnica in a cream or gel for general soreness, or pellets for inflammation and bruising. There’s debate over whether arnica is effective as a preventive measure to minimize injury. Wiancek says it isn’t. Downside The tincture form of arnica can cause blistering, and overuse can actually increase pain, because it’s such a powerful herb. In fact, straight arnica is so strong that its growers wear protective clothing when harvesting it in order to prevent stiffness and fatigue. Astragalus Upside Boosts energy, stimulates the immune system. "This is the energy herb," Hamilton says. "It is well-researched, well- understood." It is also one of the most widely used herbs in China. Recent studies in China and the U.S. confirm the immunity-boosting qualities of astragalus, and Hamilton favors it over the better-marketed echinacea for warding off colds and flus. Downside Nothing has been reported yet. Bromelain Upside Reduces inflammation. Wiancek recommends bromelain after surgery, for any swelling or for leg cramps you might get at night after skiing. You say you’re well-stocked on ibuprofen? Well, bromelain has no reported side effects, whereas "ibuprofen and other anti- inflammatories can cause stomach pain," Wiancek says. Downside Bromelain is generally side-effect-free, but it does act as a blood thinner and so should not be combined with any prescribed blood-thinning drugs. Also, some people might be allergic to it. Ginger (and marsh mallow) Upside Warms the body. You’ve got all the right layers keeping you nice and toasty, except for your fingers and toes, which are uncomfortably numb. Among ginger’s many claims to alternative-remedy fame (Smiley uses ginger for endurance and cramps), this spice-rack herb can help keep your extremities warm. In his book, The Green Pharmacy, James Duke, a leading authority on healing herbs, explains, "Ginger lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and both effects help normalize blood flow all over the body, including the fingers." Hamilton mixes it with marsh mallow—not the hot chocolate kind, the herb—and creates a tea that he packs when cross-country skiing. "Marsh mallow stops the drying effect of the air on the lungs’ mucous membrane," he says. Downside Ginger can cause heartburn, but marsh mallow has no known side effects. Ginseng (Asian) Upside Increases stamina. Smiley calls Asian ginseng a "wicked energy boost" that gives her "the same kind of smooth buzz as coffee." According to University of Illinois researchers, clinical studies have indeed shown that ginseng improves the use of oxygen by the exercising muscle, which means you can make that extra run. Downside It can take up to one month of regular use to feel the effects. If you’re already hyped up on caffeine, taking ginseng will likely make you extra-jittery, as it’s also a stimulant. Health Hit Herbs often have dozens, even hundreds, of active ingredients, compared to one or two in most pharmaceuticals. This blend helps prevent side effects. Read Up For an even better understanding of herbs, educate yourself with these reliable resources. The Best Alternative Medicine, by Dr. Kenneth R. Pelletier, former director of the NIH-funded Complementary and Alternative Medicine Program. Evaluates all major forms of alternative medicine from a mainstream scientific perspective. The Green Pharmacy, by James A. Duke, Ph.D. An encyclopedia of ailments and herbs that heal them, with caveats. Herb Research Foundation, herbs.org. Offers science-based information on the health benefits and safety of herbal medicines, plus a research library with more than 300,000 scientific articles on thousands of herbs. New Hope Natural Media, healthwell.com. A leading publisher of natural-products magazines. The website offers updated information on herbs, vitamins and supplements, homeopathy, and foods. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-pharmacy http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/doctors-using-vitamin-d-in-the-fight-against-cancer Doctors Using Vitamin D in the Fight Against CancerSource: Dr. Candace JohnsonMost doctors will tell you that too much sun exposure can increase your risk of getting skin cancer, but could the sun actually help patients with other kinds of cancer? Doctors say the body creates vitamin d when exposed to sunlight, and vitamin D can be a cancer killer. But instead of basking in the sun, patients are starting to take high dose vitamin D pills. "It can cause the cells to either stop growing and just arrest or sit and not grow and divide, or it can actually kill tumor cells very specifically," said cancer expert Dr. Candace Johnson.Doctors are trying to treat prostate cancer and leukemia patients with vitamin D during chemotherapy sessions. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/doctors-using-vitamin-d-in-the-fight-against-cancer http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-dose-may-help-battle-cancer Vitamin dose may help battle cancerSource: news.statesmanjournal.comPORTLAND — Oregon Health & Science University doctors are testing a vitamin dose that could dramatically increase the effectiveness of prostate cancer treatments, according to a study published this week.If borne out by further research, experts said, the megadose of vitamins would be a significant advance in the treatment of prostate cancer, the most common malignancy in men.Doctors have little to offer patients with advanced, inoperable cases that resist hormone-blocking drugs. Most patients die within 12 to 18 months.The vitamin appears to boost the cancer-killing impact of chemotherapy drugs, the study shows.“There is a huge need out there,” said Portland urologist Dr. Brian Shaffer, who is based at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. “We don’t have any good chemotherapy agents that are effective against prostate cancer.”The treatment pioneered by Dr. Tomasz Beer and colleagues at OHSU consists of high doses of a form of vitamin D, called calcitriol. Laboratory tests suggest the vitamin could work against a variety of cancers, but this study focused on prostate disease.Last year, OHSU licensed the invention to Novacea, a biotechnology startup in San Francisco. The privately held firm raised $36 million to support large-scale clinical trials, which recently began enrolling patients.OHSU owns shares in Novacea and will receive payments if the technology meets undisclosed development milestones and royalties on sales if the treatment makes it to market.The deal is part of the university’s recently invigorated efforts to commercialize faculty inventions.In the study published Wednesday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, researchers gave patients weekly doses of calcitriol followed by intravenous infusions of the chemotherapy drug Taxotere. Men receiving the combination were about twice as likely to respond to treatment than men in previous studies given the chemotherapy drug alone, researchers reported.Whether the combination will relieve symptoms or improve survival remains unknown. The study included 37 men, too few to answer questions about survival. To gauge the impact of treatment, the study relied on measures of a protein in the blood called prostate specific antigen, or PSA, which tends to increase as prostate cancer advances.The combination treatment cut PSA levels by more than half in 30 of the 37 patients, a response rate of 81 percent. That compares with a response rate of 42 percent in an earlier study of Taxotere alone, Beer said.The OHSU oncologist said vitamin D has attracted the interest of cancer researchers for more than a decade. Laboratory tests and animal experiments have shown that high doses can inhibit tumors and enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy agents. Beer’s advance was to develop a dosing schedule to safely give patients the massive doses of calcitriol needed to duplicate the animal results. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-dose-may-help-battle-cancer http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamins-may-boost-cancer-treatments Vitamins May Boost Cancer TreatmentsSource: www.koin.comA study published this week suggests that a megadose of vitamins developed at Oregon Health and Science University could increase the effectiveness of cancer treatments. Experts say the vitamins would be a significant advance in the treatment of prostate cancer, the most common malignancy in men. Doctors currently have little to offer patients with advanced, inoperable cases that resist hormone-blocking drugs. Most patients die within 12 to 18 months. The study shows the vitamins appears to boost the cancer-killing impact of chemotherapy drugs. The vitamin treatment pioneered by Dr. Tomasz Beer and colleagues at OHSU consists of very high doses of a form of vitamin D, called calcitriol. Laboratory tests suggest the vitamin could work against a variety of cancers, but this study focused on prostate disease. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamins-may-boost-cancer-treatments http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/supplement-use-is-widespread-among-us-population Supplement use is widespread among US populationSource: www.healthandage.comMore than 75 per cent of those in a recent survey were taking a vitamin or mineral supplement. Researchers at the University of North Carolina have been looking into supplement use as part of a study on cancer risk. They studied a group of nearly 46,000 men and women aged between 50 and 75 and learned that more than 75 per cent took some kind of supplement. The most popular supplements are vitamins C and E, calcium, folate and selenium. Use is most popular among those who are older, female, highly educated and with normal body weight. Some people with medical conditions take supplements, perhaps to self-treat. For instance, folate and vitamin E are popular among those with heart problems, while those with high cholesterol favor niacin. There is some evidence from the survey that women take supplements to prevent disease, while men are more likely to take them for treating an existing condition. The survey underlines the importance of healthcare providers finding out what supplements patients are on, and ensuring these are likely to help rather than harm them or be ineffective. Source American Journal of Preventive Medicine January 2003 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/supplement-use-is-widespread-among-us-population http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/cloth-filter-cuts-cholera-cases CLOTH FILTER CUTS CHOLERA CASESSource: www.upi.comResearchers in Bangladesh reduced new cholera cases by half by simply filtering water through cloth from old clothes. The studies, reported in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, may point to an inexpensive and easy method for preventing the deadly, waterborne disease in developing countries, investigators say. Cholera, which causes severe diarrhea, kills tens of thousands of humans each year. Scientists long have known the responsible bacteria live in a symbiotic relationship with tiny aquatic organisms called plankton. The National Science Foundation team led by Rita Colwell theorized filtering plankton out of drinking water would also remove the endemic cholera bacteria. Indeed, the researchers found old sari cloth, folded at least four times, was as effective as specially designed nylon filters at removing plankton from water. In the 18-month study, villages using the cloth filtering method suffered half the historic average of new cholera cases, the researchers found. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/cloth-filter-cuts-cholera-cases http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/antioxidants-may-protect-blood-vessels ANTIOXIDANTS MAY PROTECT BLOOD VESSELSSource: www.upi.comAntioxidants, touted as fighters of disease and aging, may protect blood vessel walls from cholesterol buildup, and atherosclerosis, scientists say. The vessels are under constant stress as the blood rushes through them, particularly at branch points, where the cells lining the walls are exposed to a greater rush of fluid -- and where the first lesions and cholesterol deposits settle in early atherosclerosis. Blood surging around tight corners exposes cells in these areas to a shearing force, resulting in cell damage and inflammation that can build up on the vessel wall, said lead researcher Louis Ignarro of the University of California, Los Angeles. These atherosclerotic plaques impede the blood flow, leading to sometimes fatal consequences, he added. Ignarro and colleagues showed treatment with antioxidants and L-arginine, an amino acid, may prevent the inflammation and damage. The results are published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/antioxidants-may-protect-blood-vessels http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/poor-amino-acid-breakdown-increases-the-risk-of-heart-disease Poor amino acid breakdown increases the risk of heart diseaseSource: www.eurekalert.orgPeople with a genetically determined, reduced breakdown of the amino acid homocysteine have an increased risk of coronary heart disease compared to healthy people. This is revealed in doctoral research carried out by Mariska Klerk at Wageningen University. The researchers from Wageningen have demonstrated that people with a genetically determined, specific form of reduced homocysteine breakdown have a 16 percent higher risk of developing coronary heart disease. People with the aforementioned reduced breakdown have on average a 25 percent higher homocysteine concentration in their blood from birth onwards, compared to other people. Homocysteine has been associated with cardiovascular disease for a long time. However, until recently it was not clear whether an increased concentration of this amino acid in the blood was the cause or consequence of cardiovascular disease. This research into people with a genetic predisposition for a high homocysteine concentration in the blood supports the argument that this high concentration is a cause of cardiovascular disease. Homocysteine is an amino acid (protein building block) which is formed in the body during the breakdown of another amino acid (methionine) obtained from food. The body regulates the homocysteine concentration in the blood with the aid of several B vitamins, including folic acid. Apart from a genetic predisposition, a shortage of these vitamins can also lead to an increased concentration of homocysteine in the blood. Folic acid supplementation is therefore an effective strategy to reduce the quantity of homocysteine in the blood. The research has also revealed that people with genetically determined, reduced homocysteine breakdown only had an increased risk of heart disease when the folic acid concentration in the blood was low. This result suggests that reducing the homocysteine concentration in the blood by means of folic acid supplementation will reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease. The researchers also investigated whether a reduction in the homocysteine concentration in the blood as a result of vitamin B supplementation had a favourable effect on blood clotting in healthy volunteers. The assumption was that homocysteine increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by overstimulating blood clotting (which could eventually result in thrombosis). Despite a considerable reduction in the homocysteine concentration in the blood of people who had received extra vitamin B, no clear effect on blood clotting could be demonstrated. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/poor-amino-acid-breakdown-increases-the-risk-of-heart-disease http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/antioxidant-amino-acid-mix-shields-blood-vessels Antioxidant-Amino Acid Mix Shields Blood VesselsSource: asia.reuters.comA cocktail of antioxidants mixed with an amino acid may protect blood vessels from inflammation and the buildup of plaque, a preliminary study suggests. According to the report, antioxidants and L-arginine, an amino acid, protected the cells of human blood vessels from the wear and tear of fluid rushing by.Branch points, areas where two vessels meet, are particularly vulnerable because they are exposed to turbulent shear-stress, a type of force imposed by the flow of blood that can cause inflammation and plaque build up leading to atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.Shear-stress can also increase damage from free radicals, compounds that can cause varying degrees of damage to cells, researchers report in the online early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.To investigate if antioxidants and L-arginine might prevent this type of damage, researchers exposed human cells to different fluid flow forces inside a culture dish.High shear-stress caused cells to produce inflammatory compounds. However, fewer dangerous compounds were produced when cells were coated with antioxidants and L-arginine. These substances also caused the cells to produce eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase), an enzyme that allows vessels to expand and prevents blood from clotting.Antioxidants have been shown to squelch free radicals while L-arginine is a precursor of nitric oxide, a compound that helps the inner lining of blood vessels to dilate.In a second experiment, researchers demonstrated that these compounds reduced the damage caused by shear-stress in mice bred to have high cholesterol."These results demonstrate that atherogenic effects induced by turbulent shear-stress can be prevented by co-treatment with antioxidants and L-arginine," Dr. Louis J. Ignarro from the University of California in Los Angeles and colleagues conclude.SOURCE: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2003;10.1073. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/antioxidant-amino-acid-mix-shields-blood-vessels http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/getting-the-best-out-of-herbs-the-healing-value-of-chickweed Getting the best out of herbs: The healing value of chickweedSource: www.vanguardngr.com CHICKWEED belongs to the family of plants called caryophyllaceae. Botanically, it is known as stellaria media.In the West Coast of Africa, chickweed grows in humid soils as troublesome weeds. What the Yorubas called "Awede" (Dissotis rotundifolia) is the local equivalent of chickweed and it has similar healing properties with the Stellaria media that usually grows in the temprate climate. Analysis has shown that the leaves of chickweed are very rich in Vitamin C, traces of other vitamins especially the B-Vitamins. Also present in the plant are minerals like iron, silicon, potassium, magnesium, copper and other trace elements. Yet another constituents of chickweed is the saponin glycoside, which is now thought to be responsible for most of its healing properties. Saponin glycosides gives most plants their ability to foam like soap in water.From clinical experience and studies, chickweed is known to exhibit a very strong anti-inflammatory action - other secondary physiological actions of chickweed include: Expectorant (anti-tussive), anti-pyretic, alterative (blood cleansing), emollient, astringent, etc.The aerial part of the plant is commonly used in preparing a herbal decoction (i.e. boiling 2-3 teaspoonful of the shreded dried herb in 1 tea cup of water which will then be allowed to simmer for up to 15 minutes).After filtering, the preparation is normally taken 3 times daily. The herb could also be prepared and taken in tea form (i.e. as a herbal infusion).1) As an anti-inflammatory herb, the decoction or the infusion of chickweed when taken orally helps in the treatment of gastritis, peptic ulcers, colitis, and other kinds of internal inflammations. The anti-inflammatory actions of chickweed are enhanced when it is combined with other herbs like fleabane, stinging nettle, etc. With these combinations, chickweed also becomes a very potent blood purifier - cleansing some of the accumulated morbid wastes from the blood.2) An infusion of chickweed is taken orally to ease the pains of arthritis, gout, aching joints and other rheumatic afflictions.3) In natural medical practice, it is known that over-eating of rich spicy foods often overburdens the liver and the kidneys - taking an infusion made from chickweed will help in enhancing the eliminatory functions of these two important organs.4) A regular intake of the herbal tea made from chickweed helps in checking excessive body weight. This remedy becomes highly effective when the tea is combined with cornsilk or when it is combined with the regular oral intake of lemon juice sweetened with pure natural honey.5) An infusion of the herb acts as a mild laxative. It moves the bowels, when it is taken for up to 3 times daily.6) When the herb is combined with ginkgo biloba or mistletoe, it becomes an effective tonic that restores strength and enhances the retentive capacity of the brain. This combination (i.e. chickweed/ginkgo biloba or mistletoe) is very useful in the treatment of fatigue and mental exhaustion.7) Chickweed combines anti-inflammatory and anti-tussive (expectorant) actions in one and this makes a very useful agent in the treatment of all the diseases affecting the respiratory system such as: Asthma, bronchial problems, colds, coughs, etc. The anti-tussive action of chickweed could be enhanced when it is combined with herbs such as lemon grass, eucalyptus, mistletoe, thyme, etc.External uses of chickweed1) Chickweed is often incorporated into creams or ointments used in the treatment of eczema, irritant skin rashes, dermatitis, minor burns, bruises and cuts.2) A strong infusion or decoction of chickweed could be applied externally as compresses in the following cases:i) To reduce the inflammation of the testicles, itching and pains around the genitals.ii) To ease the pains of an inflammed appendixiii) To treat skin ulcers, rashes, varicose ulcers and most importantly to reduce the puffiness around the eyes. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/getting-the-best-out-of-herbs-the-healing-value-of-chickweed http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/folic-acid-supplements-and-twin-pregnancies Folic acid supplements and twin pregnanciesSource: www.clinnix.netNew study finds no linkWomen planning a pregnancy are advised to take folic acid supplements for around three months before they get pregnant and for the first three months of pregnancy, in order to reduce the risk of the baby having spina bifida. However, some researchers have suggested that taking folic acid in this way can increase the chances of having a multiple pregnancy. US and Chinese researchers now report the results of a study which found that, in Chinese women at least, women who take folic acid supplements are not at increased risk of having twins or triplets. The researchers arrived at this conclusion after studying the number of twins and triplets born to more than 100,000 women who took folic acid before and in early pregnancy, and 100,000 who had taken no supplements. They found that, if anything, women who had taken folic acid were slightly less likely than those who had not to have twins, although the difference was not statistically significant. Full review: The results of some studies have suggested that women who take folic acid supplements in early pregnancy are at increased risk of having a multiple pregnancy. However, US and Chinese researchers have conducted a population-based cohort study study which found no such association. Their results are published in The Lancet. Subjects were 127,018 Chinese women who had taken folic acid supplements (400 µg daily) before and during the first trimester of pregnancy, and 114,997 who had not, and who delivered between October 1993 and December 1995. The supplements were given out by village health workers, whose records were used to identify who had taken folic acid and for how long. Multiple births were identified from birth records, and the rate of monozygotic and dizygotic twinning was estimated. The researchers found: There were 1,496 multiple births, of which 1,488 were twins The estimated rate of monozygotic twinning was 2.5 per 1,000 pregnancies, and the rate of dizygotic twinning was 3.6 per 1,000 pregnancies The multiple birth rate was 0.59% among women who took folic acid supplements and 0.65% among women who did not take folic acid. This difference was not statistically significant. REF: Zhu L et al. Folic acid supplements during early pregnancy and likelihood of multiple births: a population-based cohort study. Lancet 2003; 361: 380-84 The Lancet website is not responsible for the accuracy or availability of information on external websites. Additional search terms: obstetrics paediatrics vitamin neural tube defect Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/folic-acid-supplements-and-twin-pregnancies http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-c-combats-hypertension Vitamin C combats hypertensionSource: paktribune.comThere is increasing evidence that free radicals (reactive oxygen species) play a significant role in essential hypertension (high blood pressure). Now researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine report that daily supplementation with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) can significantly reduce blood pressure in people suffering from hypertension. Their randomized, placebo-controlled study involved 39 patients (average age of 49 years) 29 of whom were taking antihypertensive medication. The study participants had diastolic blood pressure between 90 and 110 mm Hg and did not suffer from diabetes, coronary artery disease or heart failure. They also did not take estrogens or antioxidants within one month of the start of the study. After fasting overnight the patients had their blood pressures (systolic, mean, and diastolic) measured and had urine and blood samples collected. The measurements were repeated two hours after receiving a 2-gram oral dose of ascorbic acid or placebo and again after 30 days of oral supplementation with 500 mg/day of ascorbic acid or placebo. The researchers found that blood pressures were similar at baseline and after the acute treatment (2-gram dose). At the end of the 30-day period, however, the average systolic pressure in the vitamin C group had decreased from 155 mm Hg to 142 mm Hg and the mean pressure had decreased from 110 to 100 mm Hg. No changes were observed in the placebo group. The average diastolic pressure in the vitamin C group also decreased, but the difference from the placebo group was not statistically significant. Blood plasma levels of ascorbic acid increased significantly in the vitamin C group during the study; from 50 micromol/L to 149 micromol/L two hours after ingesting the 2-gram dose and levelling out at 99 micromol/L at the end of the 30-day test period. The researchers conclude that oral supplementation with 500 mg/day of ascorbic acid is useful for blood pressure control in patients with high blood pressure. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-c-combats-hypertension http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/britons-keen-on-complementary-medicine Britons keen on complementary medicineSource: news.bbc.co.ukBritons are spending more money on complementary medicines than ever before. Researchers say British consumers now spend £130m on herbal remedies, aromatherapy oils and other alternative treatments each year. They predict that figure will rise sharply over the next few years and the market will be worth almost £200m by 2008. The findings come as the European Union prepares to introduce tough new rules on complementary medicines. Under the proposals, manufacturers will have to show herbal medicines are not a threat to public health. Opponents say the policy, which has yet to be approved by EU health ministers, will cause some remedies to disappear from the shelves. Safety fears But research by consumer analysts Mintel has found many people are concerned about the safety of complementary medicines. Their survey of 25,000 people found one in five worry about possible side-effects. One in four said they would like pharmacists to provide more information on complementary medicines. Nevertheless, the survey shows an increasing number of people choose complementary therapies when they get ill. It found one in two Britons has visited an alternative health practitioner, such as an osteopath, aromatherapist or acupuncturist. The figure is even higher for men - two out of three have turned to alternative health practitioners for help. It also found one in four people believe alternative remedies can help to relieve common ailments like back pain, stress and coughs and colds. The survey suggests people are often prepared to take complementary medicines in tandem with pharmaceutical drugs. Doctors have warned in the past that patients who do this could be putting themselves at risk. Some complementary therapies are known to interact with conventional medication. The survey found one in three people believe taking both complementary and conventional medication can speed up recovery from some conditions. Researchers also found one in three Britons would like more doctors to advise patients to take complementary medicines. A similar proportion said they would like to see these remedies available for free on the NHS. One in three said they would consider taking complementary treatments if they were recommended to do so by their doctor or pharmacist. Overall, one in five said they prefer to take natural products to treat ailments. The analysts said the proposed EU changes could have a major impact on the manufacturers. Amanda Lintott, consumer analyst for Mintel, said: "It will bring them into competition and perhaps conflict with highly researched conventional medicines which have far greater financial backing." Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/britons-keen-on-complementary-medicine http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/calcium-supplements-important Calcium supplements importantSource: goerie.comFor example, there is evidence that women who enter menopause with well-calcified, strong bones are less likely to experience osteoporosis than are women whose bones were calcium-deficient during the reproductive years. Thus, prevention of bone brittleness may really begin in the teen years. A woman who enjoys a calcium-rich diet in her youth — and who takes calcium supplements during pregnancy — may actually deter the excessive bone loss of old age.Osteoporosis runs in families. The cause of this genetic predisposition remains a mystery.Also, regular exercise encourages an inflow of calcium to the bones. Therefore, women who remain physically active in mid-life and beyond are less likely to suffer from severe osteoporosis. The benefits of exercise appear to be related to weight-bearing activities — such as walking, running and cross-country skiing — and not to sports such as swimming and bicycling. Consistent exercise "on your feet" seems to strengthen the hips and back, the bones that are most commonly affected by osteoporosis.This common bone disorder affects all men and women, to one degree or another, as they age. However, it is most pronounced in women with low levels of estrogen, the basis of menopause. The estrogen/osteoporosis relation probably has a genetic basis.Nonetheless, the use of supplemental female hormone, in prescription pill or patch form, will retard the loss of bone calcium. Women, especially those with a family history of osteoporosis (or bone-calcium deficiency at an early age) often benefit from estrogen therapy. This treatment is not without risk, however. Women taking estrogen supplements have a higher incidence of certain cancers, so the estrogen issue must be carefully considered; that is, before a woman agrees to this therapy, she must carefully weigh the risks versus the benefits. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/calcium-supplements-important http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/male-hormone-supplement-potentially-harmful- Male hormone supplement “potentially harmful”Source: www.health-news.co.ukAn anabolic steroid used by athletes to boost their performance and promoted to middle-aged men as an anti-ageing hormone supplement could be potentially harmful, warn US researchers.It had been suggested that elevated androstenedione – a precursor to testosterone – concentrations could result in increased conversion of the supplement into testosterone, especially in an ageing population.But according to a team from the University of Texas and the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research in Texas, androstenedione does not significantly boost testosterone levels and may result in potentially dangerous changes in hormonal balance. In addition, there is no evidence to support claims that it enhances athletic or sexual performance, increases muscle mass or promotes any other physical indicators of good health, say the researchers, led by Professor Susan Beckham. Their study involved eight men in their mid-40s who took a daily dose of 200mg of androstenedione for four weeks, followed by the same dose of a placebo. Hormone levels were tested for three hours after the first and last day of each monthly schedule.Compared with the placebo, androstenedione levels increased significantly in the first three hours after the supplement was taken on the first day. However, a month after taking the agent, levels dropped by 60 per cent. In addition, the supplement appeared to “interfere” with innate hormonal balance. Levels of the weaker androgen DHEAS – of which the long-term effects are unknown – rose.Other factors likely to be associated with a changed hormonal profile were also assessed, such as body fat, blood pressure and heart rate. But these were not found to be affected by the supplement.Although two subjects reported an increase in mood swings and aggression, and another reported an increase in hair growth, there were otherwise no personal reports of changes associated with steroids, such as acne or sex drive.“This study raises further concerns that androstenedione supplementation may lead to alterations in the hormonal profile,” say the study’s authors in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. They add, “Androgen/pro hormone supplements have not been shown to enhance performance, favourably alter body composition or positively affect various parameters associated with good health in younger or middle-aged men.” Source: British Journal of Sports Medicine Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/male-hormone-supplement-potentially-harmful- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-c-may-prevent-stomach-ulcers Vitamin C may Prevent Stomach UlcersSource: drkoop.comResearchers say high levels of vitamin C in the blood have the potential to prevent peptic ulcers and stomach cancer.A study led by researchers from the San Francisco VA Medical Center analyzed the relationship between vitamin C levels and infection by Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that causes peptic ulcers, and found those individuals with lower levels of vitamin C in their blood were more likely to become infected by the bacteria.Researchers tested blood samples of more than 7,000 adults for H. pylori infection. Joel A. Simon, M.D., of San Francisco VA Medical Center and the University of California- San Francisco, found more than half of those who tested positive showed evidence of infection. Vitamin C levels were also analyzed and Dr. Simon says, "Participants with the highest blood levels of vitamin C had a 25-percent lower prevalence of infection."It is unclear whether the infection lowers vitamin C levels in the blood or if higher blood levels of vitamin C protect against infection, but Dr. Simon says, "It would still be prudent for people who test positive for H. pylori infection to increase their intake of vitamin C," because it mitigates the effects of the infection. Experts say about one in 10 Americans will develop an ulcer at some time in their lives..SOURCE: Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 2003;22:283-289 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-c-may-prevent-stomach-ulcers http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/diet-supplement-fails-to-show-positive-effect Diet supplement fails to show positive effectSource: www.foodingredientsfirst.comGuggul may do more harm than good. 13/08/2003 Extract of the ancient plant myrrh has been touted as a "natural" alternative to cholesterol-lowering drugs. But a new study has found the diet supplement, called guggul, fails to lower cholesterol. Worse yet, it may increase levels of the most harmful blood fat, low-density lipoprotein (LDL). If that weren`t enough, some people also developed skin allergies to the substance, which disappeared when they stopped taking the plant. A 1-percentage point drop in LDL leads to a 1 percent decline in a person`s risk of coronary heart disease, says the National Cholesterol Education Program. About one in four American adults has high cholesterol.Guggul, which comes from the resin of the Commiphora mukul tree, has been used in Eastern medicine for more than 2,000 years to treat obesity, arthritis and other conditions.In the latest research -- the first trial in the United States to pit guggul against dummy pills -- researchers gave the supplements to 67 men and women with moderately high LDL cholesterol. Of those, 33 took the conventional dose of a gram a day, and 34 took twice that amount. Another 36 took sugar pills.Over the next eight weeks the people taking sugar tablets saw their LDL cholesterol fall by an average of 5 percent. But LDL rose by 4 percent and 5 percent in those taking the standard or high dose of guggul, respectively -- a 9 percent or 10 percent swing the wrong way when compared with doing nothing.Although the researchers saw hints the supplement might reduce another form of blood fat called triglycerides, the effect wasn`t strong. The supplements had no effect on high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good" cholesterol that protects the heart.Most people tolerated the supplements well. However, six volunteers developed skin rashes that resolved after they stopped taking guggul.The Pennsylvania study looked at guggul in people with elevated cholesterol, so the work leaves open the possibility that the supplement might help keep LDL low in people without unhealthy blood fats."Cardiovascular disease is currently seen as a process where multiple lipid fractions, not only LDL, play an important role," reads a statement from Dr. Vladimir Badmaev, Sabinsa`s vice president of medical and scientific affairs. "In fact, there are known cholesterol-lowering drugs which actually increase LDL, while lowering other important lipids, like triglycerides." Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/diet-supplement-fails-to-show-positive-effect http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/fish-oil-helps-cancer-patients Fish Oil Helps Cancer PatientsSource: story.news.yahoo.comFish oil may help prevent cachexia, the severe wasting and weight loss experienced by people with some types of advanced cancer, says a British study in the current issue of Gut.Cachexia, a result of changes in metabolism and loss of appetite, is a major factor in the illness and death of patients with advanced cancer. This study included 200 people with pancreatic cancer. A high-calorie, high-protein supplement was given to 105 of the patients, while 95 of them received an energy-dense, high-protein supplement enriched with omega 3 essential fatty acid and vitamins E and C. Each group drank 480 milligrams a day for eight weeks. Omega 3 essential fatty acids are found in fatty fish such as salmon and herring. Before the study, the patients had lost about 17 percent of their body weight and were losing more than 3 kilograms of weight a month. After eight weeks of taking the supplements, weight loss had stopped in both groups. When they examined the data more closely, the researchers found a direct and significant association between the amount of weight and muscle bulk gained and the amount of fish oil supplement consumed by patients. This association was not found in the patients taking the supplement without the fish oil. Patients taking the fish oil supplement also reported a much improved quality of life. The authors write that further research is necessary to confirm their findings. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/fish-oil-helps-cancer-patients http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herb-suspected-as-tea-leaves-tots-sick Herb suspected as tea leaves tots sickSource: www.smh.com.auUnited States consumers have been warned not to drink teas brewed from the herb star anise, following reports of seizures in 15 babies. The US Food and Drug Administration said it was investigating whether there had been a mix-up between Chinese star anise, a safe and popular spice, and Japanese star anise, a poison. In dried and ground-up form the leaves look identical. Star anise tea is sometimes used as a folk remedy for infants with colic, but the FDA said it should not be brewed until the seizure question is resolved. The agency is investigating whether tea importers or consumers got the herbs mixed up. A Miami doctor alerted the FDA after a spate of infants suffered seizures. When the FDA alerted poison control centres it discovered about 40 reports of seizures among tea drinkers - adults and children - in recent years. Similar outbreaks occurred in Europe several years ago, prompting controls to make sure only safe Chinese star anise was imported for food. The FDA is about to monitor imports to see if the toxic Japanese form has been inappropriately labelled as food Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herb-suspected-as-tea-leaves-tots-sick http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/spotlight-falls-on-health-therapy Spotlight falls on health therapySource: www.expressandstar.comHundreds of visitors are set to flock to a complementary health show which starts tomorrow. Experts in aromatherapy, baby massage, meditation, reiki, and reflexology and other therapies will be offering taster sessions during the two-day show at Stourbridge Town Hall (Crown Centre). Gornal-based complementary therapist and mother of two Debbie Price, aged 36, will be attending. Her mother, Delpheen Bates, of Penn, Wolverhampton, died of cancer in January this year. But her suffering was eased after receiving regular reiki treatments. Reiki is an ancient Japanese therapy which involves laying hands on the body. Mrs Price said: "Mum had just had surgery to remove a cancerous tumour, but the disease spread and she had liver cancer. "She went in to have her first reiki treatment in May last year in a confused state of mind, knowing she was terminally ill. When she came out she was smiling, at peace with herself and with a renewed positive attitude." Show organisers say that although they do not provide a cure for serious illnesses the benefits on the mind and body of therapies like reiki are leading to a clamour for more information. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/spotlight-falls-on-health-therapy http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/nutrition-and-asthma Nutrition and AsthmaSource: www.ivanhoe.comNew research shows certain foods, but not necessarily nutrients, are associated with an increased risk of asthma.Researchers in Australia studied more than 1,600 young adults. Patients completed questionnaires and underwent skin-pricking, lung functioning, and bronchial hyperreactivity tests. The study was conducted to determine if foods and nutrients consumed by adults with asthma differed from those consumed by adults without asthma. Twenty-five nutrients and 47 food groups were tested.Results of the study show certain foods did affect a person’s asthma disposition. Researchers say whole milk and butter along with apples and pears appeared to protect against asthma. However, soy drinks were associated with an increased risk of the condition. Although these foods were clearly associated with asthma, researchers found no link between nutrients and the condition.Researchers say their results were surprising. Authors of the study write, “We did not expect to find that whole milk and butter would be negatively associated with asthma, nor did we expect that the consumption of soy beverage, ricotta cheese, and low-fat cheese would be positively associated with asthma.” They say a possible explanation for this could be that asthmatic individuals may change their diets after being diagnosed.Authors of the study say future research is needed to confirm that diet modification may prevent asthma. They conclude: “We found evidence that food but not nutrient intake is associated with current asthma and alternate definitions of asthma and atopy in young adults ... We were unable to establish a cause-and-effect relation for the food-asthma associations that were found.” Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/nutrition-and-asthma http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/high-doses-of-vitamin-c-lower-indinavir-levels High doses of vitamin C lower indinavir levelsSource: www.aidsmap.comTaking high doses of vitamin C reduces indinavir concentrations in the blood, according to research conducted amongst HIV-negative volunteers and presented as a poster to the 43rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy in Chicago on 17th September. It has been suggested that large doses of vitamin C (one gramme or more a day) could have an effect on the P-450 enzymes, particularly CYP3A, which play a key role in the metabolising of protease inhibitors. As vitamin C is a widely used nutritional supplement by patients taking HAART, this could have implications for the success of their therapy. Other nutritional and herbal supplements, most notably St John’s wort and large doses of garlic have been shown to reduce concentrations of several anti-HIV drugs. Seven healthy volunteers took 800mg of indinavir every eight hours, receiving a total of four doses in a day. Blood samples were obtained pre-dose, and at the following intervals after receiving indinavir: thirty minutes, one hour, and then at hours two, three, four and five hours after the fifth dose. After a wash out period the procedure was repeated for seven days, except that all the volunteers received a daily one gramme dose of vitamin C concluding on the day that blood was collected for indinavir concentrations. Diet was controlled for the duration of the study to ensure that there were no nutrition-related confounding factors. It was found that vitamin C caused a fall of 20% in maximum indinavir concentrations (p=0.04) and a 14% reduction in steady-state eight hour concentrations (p Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/high-doses-of-vitamin-c-lower-indinavir-levels http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/pets-relax-with-touch-therapy Pets relax with touch therapySource: www.nashvillecitypaper.comOur animal companions get stressed living on the human planet. Some react with serious behavioral issues or training blocks, and some develop chronic health problems. Many of these issues can be improved or healed with therapeutic touch.Linda Tellington-Jones, creator of TTouch, is a pioneer in the field. She developed the technique after discovering that resistance and behavioral issues with horses were often caused by pain, soreness or a fear of tension in their bodies. Her touch therapy addressed these underlying causes while developing a deeper rapport that respected the mind, body and spirit of the animal. The results from Tellington-Jones’ TTEAM (Tellington TTouch Equine Awareness Method) were so astounding, she adapted the techniques for companion animals (including dogs, cats, birds and rabbits), zoo animals and wildlife. “Touch works with the nervous system,” said Penny Case, a TTouch practioner in the Nashville area. “It creates an entire new awareness of the body.”Pets can misuse muscles and harbor tension or stiffness just like humans; for extremely anxious or sensitive animals, a simple grooming session can be torture. TTouch combines specific touches, soft lifts, and movement exercises that help release tension and increase body awareness, according to ttouch.com. The gentle movements, rooted in the Feldenkris method for human pain relief, address a wide range of problems. But they also help animals gain self-confidence (the method doesn’t provoke typical fear responses) and help them feel differently about themselves, Case said. “It allows the body to release pain and negative energy on a cellular level,” she said. Key areas are the mouth and hindquarters, Case said. In a typical session, she starts with a gentle exploration of the whole body, letting the animal be the guide. She feels for tense, tight or hot areas — where there’s pain, there’s often heat — and notes where the animal avoids her touch. Then she selects an approach for that particular pet and its combination of issues. Obviously, it’s beneficial if an experienced practioner demonstrates the movements (Case gives demos and workshops for small groups of pet owners at their request). But each simple TTouch movement is complete in itself, and it’s not necessary for pet owners to understand anatomy to be successful in speeding up the healing of injuries or ailments or changing undesirable habits or behavior, according to ttouch.com.TTouch sessions are equally effective for humans and pets, deepening their bond and improving communication.“Applying massage helps you relax,” said TTouch practioner and program coordinator Janice Fron. “[It] helps the animal … and the person.”Penny Case charges $65 per TTouch session; three sessions can address many problems. For more information (Case will be on vacation until Sept. 21) call 299-9738 or e-mail star9fish@aol.com. Linda Tellington-Jones has written many books on the TTEAM and TTouch methods. Diagrams of the techniques, as well as the books and videos demonstrating the movements, can be found at ttouch.com. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/pets-relax-with-touch-therapy http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/diet-change-at-middle-age-might-mean-longer-life-study-suggests Diet change at middle age might mean longer life, study suggestsSource: www.charleston.netIt has long been known that laboratory animals live longer on a low-calorie diet. Now a study suggests that even if sensible eating is delayed until middle age, health can be improved and life extended.A study on diet and life in the journal Science dealt only with laboratory fruit flies, but researchers said some of the same effects might apply to mammals, perhaps even humans.British researchers compared the effects of different diets on the mortality of fruit flies. They found that fruit flies on restricted diets lived about 90 days, twice as long as those fed on a normal diet.But the scientists found that when heavily fed fruit flies were switched at middle age to leaner diets, the animals converted from the shorter life pattern to the longer-lived pattern of flies that had been on a restricted diet.The message from the study, said Linda Partridge of University College London is that it is never too late to improve health by switching to sensible eating habits.James R. Carey, a University of California, Davis, researcher said fruit flies and other animals on restricted diets tend to stop reproducing. Animals on restricted diets might live longer simply because they are not expending energy and stress in the rigors of reproduction, he said Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/diet-change-at-middle-age-might-mean-longer-life-study-suggests http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/who-should-take-vitamin-supplements- Who should take vitamin supplements?Source: www.mb.com.phPlease write about vitamins. Is it advisable for me to take a multivitamin supplement? In fact I’m taking one regularly. I consider myself to be a healthy 36-year-old. — Ver S., Makati City The term vitamin comes from the words vital and amine because vitamins are needed for life and were originally thought to be amines (class of organic compounds derived from ammonia). Not all vitamins are amines but they are all organic or carbon-containing compounds and are essential for normal health, growth, development, and reproduction. Presently, there are 14 known essential vitamins. They comprise two groups based on their solubility property: fat-soluble and water-soluble. In addition, there are several organic compounds, called vitamin-like substances, which are now under study. These vitamin-like substances include carnitine (vitamin BT), the bioflavonoids, inositol, laetrile (vitamin B17), lipoic acid, pangamic acid (vitamin B15), para-amino benzoic acid (PABA) and orotic acid (vitamin B13). Any of these substances has the potential of ultimately being classified as a true vitamin if its vital role in human nutrition is established. The fat-soluble vitamins are vitamins A, D, E and K. The water-soluble vitamins are vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and the substances that form the vitamin B complex group, namely: vitamin B1 or thiamine, vitamin B2 or riboflavin, vitamin B3 or niacin, vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid, vitamin B6 or pyridoxine, vitamin B12 or cobalamin, biotin, choline and folacin or folic acid. Vitamins perform a wide variety of functions within the body. Most serve as co-factors for enzymatic reactions. The absence of any vitamin is not compatible with normal health and a deficiency in any results in illness. Except for vitamin D, which can be synthesized by the skin (provided the skin gets enough exposure to sunlight), the vitamins cannot be produced by the body in adequate amounts and therefore, they have to be provided for in the diet. The body needs only minute amounts of each vitamin. The daily requirements of the body for the different vitamins range from just millionths of a gram (microgram) to thousandths of a gram (milligram). Ordinarily, a well-balanced diet provides all the micronutrients needed by the normal adult. Hence, a healthy adult, like you, who regularly partakes of a balanced diet, need not take any vitamin supplement. Who then needs vitamin supplements? 1. People who are on a reducing diet because their low calorie diet is also, most likely, deficient in certain vitamins. 2. Vegans (total vegetarians), because vitamin B12 is present only in minimal amounts in plant products. 3. People belonging to population groups that have been identified as having deficient micronutrients in their diet. 4. People with chronic illness. 5. People convalescing from an illness. 6. Children. 7. The very old, because they usually have poor eating habits. 8. Pregnant and lactating women. 9. People with irregular eating habits. 10. Alcoholics People with a deficiency of any vitamin (e.g., children with night-blindness because of vitamin A deficiency) initially need not just supplementary doses, but therapeutic doses of the deficient vitamin. This also holds true for people with absorption disorders. Should normal adults, like you, who are presently taking vitamin preparations on a regular basis stop the practice? Remarkably, vitamins have a wide margin of safety. In general, doses that are just two to three times the daily recommended allowance, even if taken for a long period of time, do not lead to adverse effects. If money, then, is not an issue (vitamin preparations are expensive, too), a multivitamin pill a day could serve as an insurance against any faulty eating habit. Hence, normal adults who are presently taking vitamin preparations need not stop doing so, provided they do not take more than the recommended daily supplementary dose. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/who-should-take-vitamin-supplements- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/a-folk-remedy-updated-for-the-21st-century A folk remedy updated for the 21st centurySource: www.manilatimes.netCoconut oil has always held an esteemed place in the roster of Filipino folk remedies, with arbularyos (traditional herbalists) prescribing it by the spoonful for a wide range of ailments ranging from stomachache to intestinal parasites, and even using it as a massage oil for treating minor sprains and skin ailments. However, it is only recently that the medical community is catching on, thanks to the relatively new product that is called virgin coconut oil. Virgin Coconut oil produced at the farm at San Benito Virgin coconut oil is different from the more readily available, commercial grade coconut oil, which is derived from copra, or dried coconut meat. Commercial coconut oil is extracted at high temperatures, after which it is refined, bleached and deodorized. Virgin coconut oil, on the other hand, is cold pressed from fresh coconut meat with little or no heat applied; it is not refined, bleached, or deodorized. Virgin coconut oil can be differentiated from commercial coconut oil by its taste and aroma. Whereas virgin coconut oil retains the fresh scent and taste of coconuts, copra-based refined coconut oils are odorless and tasteless due to the refining process. Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFAs) Coconut oil, along with other palm oils, was unjustly defamed in the early eighties when the US soybean industry capitalized on the public’s fear of saturated fats (and its perceived link to heart disease) to carve out a market for soybean oil. Studies were done to show that coconut oils, and all saturated fats, were bad for one’s health because they raised blood cholesterol levels. However, these studies were done on hydrogenated coconut oil, which skewed the results since all “hydrogenated” oils raised blood cholesterol levels whether they are saturated or not (Villanueva, M.A., Frequently Asked Questions About Virgin Coconut Oil, ITDI-DOST, 2003). These studies have already been disproved in many scientific studies and journals, but unfortunately, this false perception of coconut oil still lingers. Like other plant oils, coconut oil is made up of a combination of different types of fatty acids. On average, virgin coconut oil has the following fatty acid compositions: Caproic, 0.5 percent; Caprylic, 8.0 percent; Capric, 7.0 percent; Lauric, 48.0 percent; Myristic, 17.0 percent; Palmitic, 9.0 percent; Stearic, 2.0 percent, Palmitoleic, 0.2 percent; Oleic, 6.0 percent; and Linoleic, 2.3 percent. Coconut oil is uniquely rich in Lauric acid, which is classified as a “medium chain” fatty acid (MCFA). (It is worth noting that human breast milk is the only other substance in nature that has a comparable level of Lauric acid.) MCFAs differ from long chain fatty acids, since they are more readily absorbed by the body and are easily converted to energy. Thus, MCFAs such as coconut oil have a high turnover rate inside the body and are not readily converted into body fat. The use of MCFAs has even been suggested as a treatment for weight reduction (Bach and Babayan, Medium-Chain Triglycerides: An Update, The American Journal of Chemical Nutrition, 36: November 1982.). Compared to the long chain triglycerides found in soybean oil, corn oil, butterfat and other animal fats, eating a meal containing MCFAs results in a higher resting metabolic rate for the individual, indicating greater consumption of energy in calories, thus preventing the deposition of fat (Mascioli et al, Serum Fatty Acid After Intravenous Medium Chain Triglyceride Administration, Lipids, XXIV, No. 9, 1989.). More health benefits Coconut oil is cholesterol and aflatoxin-free, and recent studies have shown that it can reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis, coronary and cerebrovascular disease, and cancer due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Coconut oil also supports the healthy functioning of the immune system, thus helping the body fight off viruses that cause flu, herpes, and AIDS. Virgin coconut oil imparts the pleasant taste of fresh coconuts when used raw, as a salad dressing. And unlike other plant oils, the MCFAs in coconut oil are very resistant to heat, making it one of the best oils for cooking since it does not break down easily. The high antioxidant levels of coconut oil also give it one of the longest shelf life among the plant oils. It can be stored unrefrigerated, sometimes for as long as two years, without going rancid. When applied directly to the skin, coconut oil’s potent antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties make it effective against a host of skin problems such as eczema, diaper rash, and dandruff. This, coupled with coconut oil’s Vitamin E content, makes it an ideal lotion or massage oil. And so, whether taken as a food supplement or applied topically, virgin coconut oil has numerous health benefits, which has elevated it from a simple folk remedy to a legitimate medical marvel. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/a-folk-remedy-updated-for-the-21st-century http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/for-spondylitis-rest-therapy-drugs-exercise For Spondylitis, Rest, Therapy, Drugs, ExerciseSource: www.newsday.comQ. My son, who is 42, has spondylitis. Can you give me information about treatments? - D.K.A. Cervical spondylosis, also called degenerative arthritis of the spine, is characterized by gradual disintegration of the disks between the vertebrae. It typically occurs in the neck and upper spine and is most commonly seen in middle-aged and older adults. This degeneration can result in compression of the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots.Symptoms include neck pain, restricted neck movement, headaches, tingling, and weakness in the shoulders and arms. CT scans and magnetic resonance imaging can confirm the diagnosis.Anti-inflammatory drugs, mild analgesics and muscle relaxants are often recommended for control of pain. A cervical collar can restrict head and neck movement; neck traction can also help. Surgery to prevent further deterioration may be required. Such surgery may include stabilization of the spine. In the most severe cases, problems may not be reversed because nerves may have been permanently damaged.Another condition, ankylosing spondylitis, is a long-term inflammatory disease of all the joints. Typically, the first joint involved is the last joint of the spine, the sacroiliac joint. Pain in the lower back also may be felt through the hip and legs.Over time, inflammation moves up the spine, causing pain. The spinal joints also begin to fuse so that the curve in the lower back starts to straighten out and the upper back starts to bend forward.About half of the people with this disease also will develop inflammation of joints in the arms and legs. The incidence of ankylosing spondylitis is greater and the symptoms more prominent in men.There are no quick fixes, but there is much that can be done. The basic treatment program includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical and occupational therapy, exercise and rest.For more severe cases, the drugs indomethacin and sulfasalazine have been used with some benefit, but the side effects can be severe.A new type of medication has been shown to provide good results for some people with ankylosing spondylitis. The drug, infliximab, caused improvement in 50 percent of people taking it. But in 10 percent, the side effects were bad enough to stop them from taking it. The outcome or prognosis is variable. A few people will not have symptoms for a long time. But about 10 percent of those with this disease will develop a disability within 10 years.Both of these spinal diseases cause similar symptoms and both can be serious. Make sure you have the correct diagnosis and discuss treatment options with the doctor. There are many health organizations, such as the Arthritis Foundation, that can provide information and referral for these problems. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/for-spondylitis-rest-therapy-drugs-exercise http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-b12-improves-homocysteine-levels-and-lipid-profiles-in-patients-with-end-stage-renal-disease Vitamin B12 Improves Homocysteine Levels and Lipid Profiles in Patients With End-Stage Renal DiseaseSource: www.docguide.comBy Eurona Earl TilleyKYOTO, JAPAN -- October 6, 2003 -- Intravenous administration of vitamin B12 reduced elevated total homocysteine (tHcy) levels, and improved the lipid profile of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who were on dialysis, according to findings presented here September 30th at the 13th International Symposium on Atherosclerosis.Dr. John Papadakis, department of internal medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, Greece, who presented these findings, explained that patients with end-stage renal disease often have high serum levels of tHcy and dyslipidaemia while on dialysis.He and his associates evaluated the efficacy of the administration of intravenous vitamin B12 on serum tHcy, folic acid (FOL), and lipid levels in 16 women and 21 men with end-stage renal disease.This study was divided into 2 separate phases, each lasting 3 months. During Phase 1, patients were prescribed oral doses of folic acid 5 mg/day and vitamin B12 0.6mg/day. Through out Phase 2, participants were given intravenous doses of vitamin B12 1mg every other day in addition to folic acid 5 mg/day.Patients were evaluated for serum levels of tHcy, folic acid, vitamin B12, and lipid concentrations at the end of each phase. Serum levels at Phase 1 were compared to those at Phase 2.By the completion of the study, patients exhibited significantly lower serum tHcy (29.4 verses 21.1 mg/dL), total cholesterol (222 verses 196 mg/dL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (139 versus 109 mg/dL). Serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels increased significantly among the participants. Mean HDL at the end of Phase 1 was 37 mg/dL, and 40 mg/dL at the end of Phase 2. There were no appreciable changes in serum concentrations of folic acid, vitamin B12, or triglycerides.Dr. Papadakis showed that there was a significant correlation in the data between tHcy, triglycerides, and folic acid. His results indicate that total homocysteine levels inversely correlated with serum folic acid levels, and total homocysteine levels were proportional to serum triglycerides, he concluded. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-b12-improves-homocysteine-levels-and-lipid-profiles-in-patients-with-end-stage-renal-disease http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-remedies-echinacea Herbal Remedies EchinaceaSource: www.bhg.comThe herbal remedy echinacea is getting a lot of attention for its claims to prevent cold and flu symptoms. Some studies have found benefits; other studies have found none. Because there are no standards or quality controls available for echinacea (including what part of the plant to use) or any other herbal remedies, and some of the medications can cause toxic side effects in large doses, you should always discuss natural remedies with your health care professional before taking them.Large doses of vitamin C have not been proven to effectively prevent or cure colds. It is important, however, to take the minimum daily requirement. Ask your health care professional what he/or she recommends.Various brands of zinc lozenges that claim quicker recovery time for people suffering from colds have appeared on pharmacy shelves, but evidence from studies completed so far has been inconclusive. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-remedies-echinacea http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-c-may-halt-stomach-ailment Vitamin C may halt stomach ailmentSource: www.detnews.comI ncreasing your consumption of vitamin-C rich fruits and vegetables may protect you against ulcers and stomach cancer. In a random sample of 7,000 Americans, ages 20 to 90, researchers found that the prevalence of infection with Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium associated with ulcers, was 25 percent lower in those who had high levels of vitamin C in the blood than in those who had less than normal levels of the nutrient. One-third of the participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey had antibodies to H. pylori, which indicates that they had been infected at one time. Whether H. pylori somehow lowers the level of vitamin C or a low level of C allows the bacteria to thrive is an unanswered question. "Americans should be eating five or more fruits and vegetables a day to get adequate amounts of vitamin C," says researcher Dr. Joel A. Simon at the University of California at San Francisco. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-c-may-halt-stomach-ailment http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/10-ways-to-put-more-fruit-in-your-diet 10 ways to put more fruit in your dietSource: www.dailytimes.com.pk* Top your cereal with apples, bananas, berries or raisins. * Bulk up chicken salad by tossing in grapes and sliced apples. * Apples won’t weigh you down; take one with you to work for a snack. * Add berries or sliced bananas to low-fat or fat-free yogurt. * Citrus segments - oranges, clementines, tangerines and even grapefruit - are refreshing ingredients in green salads. * Instead of a candy bar, munch on mixed dried fruit (raisins, apricots, cherries, prunes). * Fruit slushies and smoothies are low in calories, delicious and satisfying. * Serve fruit wedges with a low-fat yogurt dip. * Make a “baked” apple in the microwave: Put a cored apple on a microwaveable plate. Pour a couple of tablespoons of orange or lemon juice around it, and put two teaspoons of raisins inside. Sprinkle with cinnamon, pierce and cook on high for five minutes. * Work melons into the beginning or end of your meal. Perfectly ripened melon slices make a tasty first course. Melon balls mixed with berries are a luscious dessert. Buy melons that feel heavy in your hand; check for a distinctive, sweet fragrance. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/10-ways-to-put-more-fruit-in-your-diet http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/britney-spears-unauthorized-product-pitch Britney Spears’ unauthorized product pitchSource: www.msnbc.comBritney Spears has shilled for everything from Pepsi to sneakers, but there’s one product she’s not ready to tout: diet pills. The singer made headlines recently when she dropped a bottle of pills at an airport that one tabloid identified as Zantrex-3, a popular over-the-counter “fat burner.” Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/britney-spears-unauthorized-product-pitch http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/exercise-cuts-your-risk-of-stroke Exercise Cuts Your Risk of StrokeSource: www.healthcentral.comNeed another reason to make good on that long overdue promise to get more exercise? It can dramatically cut your risk of stroke."Highly active" people had a 27 percent lower risk of having a stroke or dying if they had one, compared with sedentary folks. And people who were "moderately active" had a 20 percent lower risk.The findings are based on a review of 23 international studies that appear in the October issue of the journal Stroke, the Associated Press reports.Jogging 15 to 20 minutes a day most days would qualify as highly active. Brisk walks of 30 minutes a day on most days would qualify as moderate activity, the AP says. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/exercise-cuts-your-risk-of-stroke http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-fast-road-to-heart-disease The fast road to heart diseaseSource: www.news.scotsman.comHow does the heart wear out? Despite its massive workload, the heart shouldn’t wear out under normal conditions. But the most common problem affecting the heart is the furring up of the arteries (the coronaries) supplying the high demands of the muscular heart wall. Smoking, diabetes, lack of exercise, high cholesterol levels and poor diet all accelerate this natural process, leading to dangerous narrowing. A heart attack occurs where a clot forms in an already narrowed section of a coronary artery, starving the muscle beyond of essential nutrients. This causes severe pain and can disrupt the natural electrical activity responsible for synchronised beats, causing the heart to become a quivering mass or to stop altogether - a cardiac arrest, which leads to certain death unless normal rhythm is restored rapidly. Less serious disturbances in the rhythm of the heart are common - hardly surprising given the complexity of the pump. Some are harmless but others can seriously interfere with the heart’s efficiency. In some cases the heart can start to fail - particularly in people with the double-whammy of high blood pressure (this increases the load on the heart wall) and restricted coronary blood flow. Symptoms include fatigue, fluid retention and breathlessness. ‘A heart attack occurs where a clot forms in an already narrowed section of a coronary artery’ A fast way to trouble IS OUR 21st-century fast-food diet leading to increasing behavioural problems in children? And could something as simple as a daily supplement help keep them on the straight and narrow? These are the questions being asked by nutritionists researching the link between diet and behaviour, and their work has produced some startling results. Researchers at the University of Surrey have recently shown that a simple daily supplement containing vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids can significantly improve behaviour in young offenders. Those given the supplement showed a 25 per cent reduction in recorded offences during the study period. Elsewhere, there is increasing interest in the role of fatty acids in brain function, and evidence to suggest that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia may be linked to dietary fatty acid deficiency. Nutritional deficiencies are surprisingly common. One in ten primary school children in Britain doesn’t get enough iron in their diet. Few eat the recommended weekly minimum of two portions of oily fish (the best natural source of fatty acids) and most get nowhere near their five portions of fruit and veg a day. It’s well known that iron deficiency can slow mental and physical development; what effects are the other deficiencies having? So, should we be supplementing our children’s diets? Researchers say it is too early to recommend mass supplementation and, anyway, "a healthy, balanced diet contains all the nutrients that children need". Of course they are right - but how many children do you know who eat five helpings of fruit and veg every day - let alone two portions of oily fish a week? Food for thought. The measure of a child MEASURING your child’s fingers could predict how they behave, according to British researchers who have discovered that naughty children are more likely to have ring fingers longer than their index fingers. This isn’t the first time the significance of finger length has been highlighted. Scientists in Liverpool found that boys with a ring finger shorter than their index finger are more likely to suffer an early heart attack, while researchers in California have shown that finger length offers clues to a person’s sexuality. Lesbians, they found, are more likely to have an index finger shorter than their ring finger. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-fast-road-to-heart-disease http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-six-things-you-can-do-to-have-truly-younger-looking-skin The Six Things You Can do to Have Truly Younger Looking SkinSource: www.mercola.comIf you want to have soft, smooth, younger looking skin, then read on. The following information is just what you need to get the skin you’ve always wanted, no matter what your age. Limit Intense Sun Exposure Exposing your skin to intense sunlight for an extended period of time may result in sunburn, which you always want to avoid. Sunburned skin is more susceptible to damage and may age more quickly. During the hottest hours of the day, typically this is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., be sure to limit your sun exposure by wearing a wide-brimmed hat or other protective clothing, particularly during the summer months. Using sunscreen is not a good way to limit your sun exposure; in fact, sunscreen is one of the LAST things you want to put on your body. Sunscreen is a toxic chemical that can cause problems in your system and increase your risk of disease. Remember that sunlight is not something to be avoided. You need sunlight in order to stay healthy. The key is to gradually build up your resistance to the sun by going out slowly in the beginning of the season, perhaps 10 minutes at a time to start, and always avoid getting burned. Avoid “Yo-Yo” Dieting A recurrent cycle of gaining and losing weight will cause your skin to stretch and become less elastic. As you age, this loose skin will be more prone to sagging and wrinkles simply by the force of gravity. However, remaining overweight will also contribute to older looking skin, as excess fat can accumulate around your chin, neck and cheeks as you age. Maintaining your ideal weight will keep your skin firm and If you need to lose weight, my book, The No-Grain Diet, can help you to keep the weight off for good. Coconut OilUsing virgin coconut oil as you would any lotion is an ideal way to rejuvenate skin. Not only does it prevent the formation of damaging free radicals and protect against them, but also it can help to keep the skin from developing liver spots and other blemishes caused by aging and overexposure to sunlight. Coconut oil keeps the skin’s connective tissues strong and supple, which helps to prevent sagging and wrinkles, and in some cases it might even restore damaged or diseased skin. Coconut oil will not only bring temporary relief to the skin, but it will aid in healing and repairing, unlike most lotions. The coconut oil can help bring back a youthful appearance to your skin by removing the outer layer of dead skin cells, making the skin smoother. The skin will become more evenly textured with a healthy "shine." And the coconut oil will penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and strengthen the underlying tissues.Naturally, you need to choose a high-quality coconut oil that is free of chemicals and is not bleached or hydrogenated, all of which can irritate your skin, if you want to experience the maximum healing effects. My team and I here researched coconut oil extensively until we found the ideal source--one that is certified organic and made from the freshest coconuts. I now highly recommend and offer you what is clearly the premier brand of virgin coconut oil in the United States, Tropical Traditions.If you decide to use another brand of virgin coconut oil, be sure it meets these requirements.Relax Your Facial Muscles If you frown (or smile broadly) often, over time lines will form where the muscles tend to contract. Try to become aware of any tense muscles in your face and make a conscious effort to relax them. Similarly, sleeping on your face may cause wrinkles to appear over time because of the continuous pressure and pulling of your facial skin. Try sleeping on your back or varying your sleeping positions so that you don’t create permanent creases in your skin. Get Plenty of Omega-3 Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to healthy skin, but unfortunately most people are seriously deficient. Making sure you get enough omega-3 in your diet, by taking fish oil or cod liver oil regularly, will help to keep your skin looking vibrant, young and healthy. Omega-3 fats help to normalize skin lipids and prevent dehydration in the cells. This keeps skin cells strong and full of moisture, which can help to decrease the appearance of fine lines. Fatty acid deficiency can manifest in a variety of ways, but skin problems such as eczema, thick patches of skin, and cracked heels are common. Plus, omega-3 fats may have an anti-inflammatory effect that can help to calm irritated skin, giving you a clear, smooth complexion. Aside from taking a high-quality fish oil or cod liver oil (now is the time when most will want to switch to cod liver oil, click here for details), you can also indulge in delicious, omega-3-packed Vital Choice salmon--the only fish I’ll now eat. Although I don’t recommend eating most commercial fish due to mercury contamination, the Vital Choice brand of salmon, which comes from the cold, pristine waters of Alaska, proved to be free from harmful levels of mercury and other toxins when we had it lab tested. If you choose to eat fish from another source, please be sure it has been independently lab-tested and found to be safe to eat. Avoid Cigarette Smoke Whether you smoke yourself or are around people who do, cigarette smoke exposes you to damaging free radicals that will accelerate the aging process by damaging the microcapillaries in the skin. This limits the skin’s ability to absorb nutrients, which accelerates wrinkling and aging. Antioxidants, such as those found in fresh vegetables and fruit like organic blueberries, can help to fight free-radical damage and will naturally promote healthy, young-looking skin. A diet with plenty of vegetables will also provide plenty of micronutrients and antioxidants, which will limit damage from the sun and accelerate the skin’s repair processes. Although you should strive to get your nutrients from whole foods, if you want to fortify your diet with antioxidants but find that your lifestyle makes it difficult to get enough fresh veggies, Living Fuel Rx Super Greens, rich in healthy greens, and Living Fuel Rx Super Berry, very high in antioxidant berries, make excellent alternatives. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-six-things-you-can-do-to-have-truly-younger-looking-skin http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/high-fat-diet-may-protect-liver-in-morbidly-obese-patients High-Fat Diet May Protect Liver in Morbidly Obese PatientsSource: www.docguide.comHigh carbohydrate, low-fat diets were associated with an increased risk of liver inflammation in a series of 74 morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery, according to findings reported October 26th at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.The study also found that high-fat diets were associated with a reduced risk of inflammation. These findings suggest that "advising patients to pursue low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets could actually worsen non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)," said investigator Jeanne M. Clark, MD, MPH, assistant professor of medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.Since the study is a retrospective analysis, Dr. Clark said the results "support the need for a large, prospective study. But meanwhile, once again we are faced with results that suggest we need to be very cautious in our dietary recommendations."While the results appear to support diets such as the Atkins Diet, Dr. Clark said any recommendations are premature.Liver-biopsy results from 74 consecutive morbidly obesity patients were studied. The patients presented for bariatric surgery between January 2001 and March 2002. All patients underwent a pre-operative dietary evaluation and a 24-hour food-recall questionnaire. Intra-operative liver biopsy was performed during gastric bypass surgery, she said. The biopsy samples were reviewed and scored for steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis by a pathologist blinded to clinical and dietary information.Using the diet-recall data, Dr. Clark and colleagues estimated the total calories as well as carbohydrate, protein and total fat consumption. The patients were divided into low, medium or high categories for total fat, carbohydrates and protein consumption.The mean age of the patients was 44 years; 86% were white and 88% were female. The median body mass index was 55 kg/m2 (range 41-97). A total of 89% of patients had at least some degree of steatosis, with 30% having moderate to severe steatosis involving more than 33% of hepatocytes. Sixty-nine percent of the patients had inflammation, and 41% had fibrosis.Compared with patients with the lowest carbohydrate intake, a high-carbohydrate diet was associated with a seven-fold increase in risk for liver inflammation, while a high-fat diet appeared to be protective: Those with the highest fat intake had an OR of 0.17. [Study Title: Dietary Composition and Fatty Liver Disease. Abstract 734] Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/high-fat-diet-may-protect-liver-in-morbidly-obese-patients http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-k-a-possible-help-for-bone-health Vitamin K -- A Possible Help For Bone HealthSource: www.newswise.comVitamin K, known for its ability to help coagulate blood, has traditionally had a low profile in the world of vitamins. That’s starting to change because of information that shows Vitamin K might be important in keeping bones strong and healthy. The November issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter explains that while results aren’t conclusive, some studies have found a positive relationship between Vitamin K and bone health. Low Vitamin K has been associated with increased incidence of hip fractures in the elderly. Likewise, women on Vitamins D and K for two years experienced increased levels of bone density. Vitamin K is found in many food sources including spinach, broccoli and brussels sprouts. It’s in multivitamins and some calcium supplements. For women, the recommended daily dose is 90 micrograms (mcg); for men, it’s 120 mcg. People who take blood-thinning medications such as warfarin (Coumadin) should take Vitamin K with caution. It can thwart the effectiveness of the medication. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-k-a-possible-help-for-bone-health http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/osteoarthritis-work-and-chopsticks-identified-as-risk-factors Osteoarthritis: work and chopsticks identified as risk factorsSource: www.commentwire.comResearchers in the US and China have found that even light repetitive movements, such as typing or using chopsticks, may increase the risk of osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal diseases. Experts have been divided over whether repetitive tasks like typing can cause musculoskeletal damage, but this evidence suggests that daily tasks do indeed pose a risk. Although 65% of all occupational illnesses in US private industry are attributed to musculoskeletal disorders arising from repeated motion, little has been known about the precise way in which such disorders are caused. A new study by US researchers, published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, provides evidence that highly repetitive work tasks are enough to cause physical problems. Investigators at Temple University in Philadelphia studied changes in upper extremity bone tissues resulting from performance of a highly repetitive, negligible force task in rats. The researchers found that the task did cause damage to the rats, specifically the inflammation of muscles, bones, nerves, and connective tissues. The study also noted that the rats appeared to pick up injuries relatively quickly, with evidence of tissue damage within three to six weeks. In a separate study in humans, researchers found that osteoarthritis is more common in the hand used to operate chopsticks. Investigators from US and Chinese institutions interviewed 2,507 60-year old residents of Beijing. They asked them whether they were left-handed or right-handed, and studied how they handled their chopsticks. X-rays were also taken, allowing each joint to be checked for signs of osteoarthritis. The researchers then examined the number of people who had osteoarthritis in the chopstick using hand as opposed to the other hand. Osteoarthritis was more common in the chopstick using hand, and specifically in the fingers used to operate chopsticks. These recently reported studies add to evidence that using the hands repetitively, whether at work or in the home, can put extra stress on joints and cause osteoarthritis. Both employers and employees are likely to require increased education emphasizing that action can be taken to avert such injuries. These studies suggest that earlier intervention in the development of osteoarthritis can help prevent further, more severe damage. Such information will prove valuable in helping companies and physicians establish guidelines to prevent work related and other musculoskeletal disorders. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/osteoarthritis-work-and-chopsticks-identified-as-risk-factors http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/go-nuts-for-nutrition-pecans-on-parade Go nuts for nutrition Pecans on ParadeSource: www.easttexasreview.comthe “Pecans on Parade” here is some great information about pecans. With the holidays fast approaching, many individuals are searching their cookbooks and favorite recipes which sometimes contain pecans. Pecans, like many nuts, are packed with important nutrients. A one-ounce serving (about 20 pecan halves) of unroasted pecans provides 195 calories, 2.6 grams of protein, 20 grams of fat, and 2.7 grams of fiber. In addition, pecans provide about 10% of the recommended amount of magnesium, a mineral that plays important roles in energy metabolism, protein synthesis, and normal muscle and nerve function. Other nutrients, including vitamin E and zinc are also found in pecans. Pecans are naturally sodium and cholesterol free. Compared to other foods, pecans are high in calories. For those reasons, some individuals may be reluctant to include them in their diets. However, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, most of the fat in pecans is either monoun-saturated or ployunsaturated. In fact, less than 10% of the fatty acids found in pecans are of the saturated variety. Monounsaturated fat has been shown in several research studies to be beneficial in promoting healthy blood cholesterol levels. According to the Texas Department of Agriculture, pecans are available year around. Fresh pecans, however, are typically available between October and January. When buying fresh pecans that have been shelled, look for clean nuts that are plump, and uniform in size and color. Unshelled pecans should be heavy for their size, smooth, clean, free from scars, cracks, holes, and mold. If unshelled pecans rattle when they are shaken, this may indicate that the pecan is not well-filled. If purchasing shelled, pre-bagged pecans from a grocery store or supermarket, be sure to check the “sell by” date stamped on the package. For best quality, store unshelled pecans in a cool, dry place. Use within four months. Once shelled, the pecans need to be refrigerated or frozen. Storing shelled pecans at room temperature is not recommended because they can become rancid. Refrigerate shelled pecans in an airtight container and use within 9 months for best quality. For longer storage, freeze pecans in a self-sealing bag designed for freezer storage and store at 0 degrees F. Use within two years. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/go-nuts-for-nutrition-pecans-on-parade http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-trial-stroke-hope Vitamin trial stroke hopeSource: www.news.scotsman.comRESEARCHERS are to investigate whether vitamin supplements can prevent strokes with the help of up to 1000 British patients. The Medical Research Council has awarded £280,000 to fund the UK arm of the international study. Recent research has linked strokes to raised amounts of a substance called homocysteine in the blood. Homocysteine levels can be lowered effectively with small doses of folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 which are present in standard multivitamin pills. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-trial-stroke-hope http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-e-may-improve-omeprazole-treatment-of-moderate-to-severe-erosive-oesophagitis Vitamin E May Improve Omeprazole Treatment of Moderate to Severe Erosive OesophagitisSource: www.docguide.comVitamin E may improve the results of alternate day omeprazole 20 mg maintenance treatment for moderate to severe erosive oesophagitis. This finding was from an Iranian study, presented here November 5th at the 11th United European Gastroenterology WeekOver 80% of patients with moderate to severe erosive oesophagitis relapse on currently available treatment, so improved therapeutic strategies are needed."There are studies showing that the mucosal damage in oesophagitis is mediated primarily by free radicals," explained Shahram Mirmomen, MD, Associate Professor in Gastroenterology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran. "And vitamin E has antioxidant properties. This was [our] basis for using vitamin E to increase the mucosal resistance in reflux."Fifty-eight patients with moderate to severe erosive oesophagitis were enrolled in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial, in which 29 participants received omeprazole 20 mg every other day plus vitamin E 800 mg/day, and 29 received omeprazole 20 mg every other day plus a daily placebo. The groups were age and sex matched. At entry, all patients had been cured of endoscopically confirmed oesophagitis (Grade 2 or 3 on the Los Angeles scale) by anti-secretory therapy.All patients underwent endoscopic control to assess relapse rates at 24 and 48 weeks, or when they presented with symptoms.At 24 weeks, 82.8% of the vitamin-E-group patients were still in remission compared to only 58.6% in the placebo group (P = .04). Similarly, at 48 weeks, 79.3% and 55.2% were in remission (P = .04). Further, 68.9% of patients in the vitamin E group were symptom-free, compared to 48.2% in the placebo group."This study shows that vitamin E plus low-dose omeprazole is more effective than omeprazole alone for maintenance of moderate to severe osophagitis. But this is a very preliminary study, and I think a larger one is necessary to confirm this," said Dr. Mirmomen.The results could be of immediate use to physicians treating patients with recurrent oesophagitis, however. Vitamin E is cheap, widely available, safe, and may even help prevent other diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia -- so nothing would be lost by adding it to the treatment regimen.Such treatment might also allow the dose of proton pump inhibitor used to be lowered. [Study Title: Combination of Omeprazole 20 mg Every Other Day and Vitamin E in Preventing Endoscopic Relapse of Erosive Esophagitis: A Placebo-Controlled Double-Blind Study. Abstract Wed-OP-G-228] Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-e-may-improve-omeprazole-treatment-of-moderate-to-severe-erosive-oesophagitis http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-supplements-may-prevent-progression Vitamin supplements may prevent progressionSource: www.timesstar.comThe question: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in people 65 and older. Can vitamin supplements help prevent the disease? This study examined the results of an earlier study showing that supplements of zinc and high-dose antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene) were beneficial for people with some vision loss from AMD. The researchers in this study estimated that 8 million people in the United States have AMD that has not yet reached an advanced stage. Of this group, they calculated, 1.3 million would develop advanced disease within five years if they did not use the supplements. This number would decline by more than 300,000 if everyone in the group adopted the treatment. Who may be affected by these findings? People with risk factors such as a family history of the disease. Caveats: Bausch & Lomb Inc., a manufacturer of the supplement mix, partially funded the study. In addition, large doses of supplements may not be safe for all people. Finally, compliance is difficult to achieve, because several pills must be taken each day. Bottom line: People with risk factors for AMD may wish to make sure they eat a diet rich in fruit and green vegetables, take a daily multivitamin and receive regular eye examinations. Those already experiencing vision loss from AMD may wish to consult their physician about taking high-dose vitamins. Find this study: November issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology; available online at http://archopht.ama-assn.org/ Learn more about the role of nutrition in AMD at www.nei.nih.gov/amd/faqs.htm and http://amd.org OsteoarthritisThe question: An estimated 16 percent of the elderly have depression at a given time; this may contribute to other health problems, especially when the mental illness goes untreated. Does addressing depression have affect on osteoarthritis of the knee -- a condition common in older people? This study involved 1,001 depressed adults with osteoarthritis. The participants, age 60 and older, were randomly assigned to usual care for depression -- routinely available treatment in a primary-care setting -- or enhanced care -- which offered closer supervision by practitioners, greater access to antidepressants, plus other measures including the option of up to eight sessions of psychotherapy. At the beginning of the study, those in the usual-care group estimated the pain at the site of their osteoarthritis at an average of 6.32 on a scale of 10; in the other group, the average was 6.04. After a year, the average usual-care score had declined to 6.15, compared with 5.62 for those receiving the extra care. The researchers concluded that people receiving treatment for depression can cope better with pain. Who may be affected by these findings? People 60 and older with depression and osteoarthritis. Caveats: The authors received money from companies that make antidepressants. In addition, osteoarthritis and levels of pain were self-reported. Finally, it is not known whether pain scores were affected by other treatments that the participants may have been receiving. Bottom line: Elderly people with depression and osteoarthritis, or their caregivers, may wish to consult their physician about receiving treatment for depression. Find this study: Nov. 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association; abstract online at http://jama.ama-assn.org/ Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-supplements-may-prevent-progression http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/western-diet-link-to-intestinal-cancer-studied Western Diet Link to Intestinal Cancer StudiedSource: story.news.yahoo.comA $10-million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (news - web sites) will be used by researchers at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City to investigate how a diet high in fat and phosphorus and low in calcium and vitamin D may predispose people with genetic mutations to develop cancer of the intestine.This is the first major national study to explore how a Western-style diet that mimics the key risk factors for colon cancer interacts with genetic factors and molecular pathways to increase the risk of intestinal cancer. Researchers will use a genetic research tool called microarray analysis and other technologies designed to image gene expression and analyze protein structure. They plan to determine on a molecular level how each component of the Western diet by itself, and in combination with genetic mutations known to initiate tumor formation, influences 27,000 specific genes and the mechanisms of intestinal cell growth that can lead to tumor formation. The study will link data from both animal research and human clinical trials.As scientific research progresses, the evidence that dietary patterns, foods, nutrients, and other dietary constituents are closely associated with the risk for several types of cancer becomes more compelling. And while it is not yet possible to provide quantitative estimates of the overall risks, it has been estimated that 35 percent of cancer deaths may be related to dietary factors (Doll and Peto, 1981). The recommendations for dietary change currently before the American public are based on years of scientific research and offer potential for an effective public health approach to cancer prevention. Currently available research shows that diets low in fat and high in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and grain products are associated with reduced risks for many cancers.Dietary FatsDiets high in fat have been linked to increased risk of various cancers, particularly breast, colon, prostate, and possibly pancreas, ovary, and endometrium (USDHHS, 1988; National Research Council, 1989). Studies of populations in countries consuming high-fat diets compared to low-fat diets have consistently shown higher incidence and mortality rates for breast, colon, and prostate cancer. There is substantial, but not conclusive, evidence that the international association between fat intake and the risk of breast and colon cancer is much stronger for total fat intake compared to the specific type of fat, i.e., saturated, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated fat (Hursting et al., 1990). However, a combined analysis of 12 case-control studies showed a significant positive association between breast cancer risk and saturated fat intake in postmenopausal women (Howe et al., 1990). Recent studies in the same population of U.S. women reported that increased intakes of total saturated and monounsaturated fats were associated with increased colon cancer but not breast cancer (Willett et al., 1990, 1992).Fat consumption in the United States is much higher than that needed to meet the physiological needs for energy and essential fatty acids. The average U.S. diet is estimated to contain approximately 37 percent of calories from fat. Dietary recommendations are to decrease total fat intake to 30 percent of calories. The major sources of fat in the American diet are added fats and oils used as spreads, cooking fats, and salad oils as well as the fat in meats and whole milk dairy products. Because dietary fat intake is highly correlated with calorie intake, the question has been raised as to whether fat intake or calorie intake is the major dietary factor affecting cancer risk. However, the few studies that have addressed the relative importance of fat intake versus calorie intake suggest that both fat and calorie intake have independent effects. Dietary fat is the most concentrated source of energy of all the nutrients and supplies nine calories per gram compared to four calories per gram from either carbohydrate or protein. In general, a reduction in dietary fat intake is accompanied by a decrease in total calorie intake and body weight (Boyd et al., 1990; Henderson et al., 1990).Dietary FiberDietary fiber falls into two categories, water-soluble fiber and water-insoluble fiber, and is generally defined as those components of food plants resistant to the enzymes produced by the human digestive tract.Increasing evidence suggests that diets high in fiber-containing foods are associated with a reduced risk for cancer, especially cancer of the colon (Trock et al., 1990). A few studies have also shown a reduced risk for cancers of the breast, rectum, oral cavity, pharynx, stomach, and other sites with diets rich in fruits, vegetables and grain products (Lanza et al., 1992). Because these foods contain other nutrients as well as fiber, and are usually lower in fat, it has not been possible to determine whether the protective effect is attributable to dietary fiber.Fruits and VegetablesPopulations consuming diets high in fruits and vegetables tend to have a lower cancer risk. Fruits, vegetables, and grains contain a number of nutrients, including carotenoids, vitamin A, and vitamin C. The cancers for which there is evidence of a protective effect include those of the lung, colon and rectum, breast, oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, uterine cervix, and ovary. For most cancer sites, especially epithelial cancers of the respiratory and digestive tracts, persons with low fruit and vegetable intake had about twice the risk of cancer as those with high intake (Block et al., 1992).Carotenoids and Vitamin ANumerous studies have found evidence that carotenoids reduce the risk of some cancers. The evidence is particularly strong for lung cancer (Ziegler, 1989), even after taking smoking into account. Every study that examined the role of carotene-rich foods found reduced lung cancer risk with higher intake, and about 20 of 25 studies yielded statistically significant results. Five of six studies of blood carotenoids found that persons with higher levels had reduced risk. There is no question that smoking is the strongest risk factor, and quitting smoking is the most important step to reduce risk. It appears, however, that there may be additional benefit to increasing the consumption of foods containing carotenoids.Carotenoids are found in dark yellow/orange vegetables and fruits such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and cantaloupe and in deep green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, and collard greens. There are many different carotenoids in such foods, including beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and lutein. While the current dietary recommendation is for five servings of fruit and vegetables a day, Americans fall somewhat short of this goal. A recent survey showed that only 23 percent of the population is achieving this goal; the average daily intake is about three and a half servings of fruits and vegetables (Subar et al., 1992).Vitamin CVitamin C is found in fruits, particularly citrus fruits and juices, and in green vegetables, as well as in some fortified foods. Of a group of epidemiologic studies investigating the role of vitamin C, three-fourths found that vitamin C, or fruit rich in vitamin C, provides significant protection (Block 1991). The evidence is most consistent for cancers of the esophagus, oral cavity, and stomach, but protective effects have been reported for cancers of the pancreas, rectum, and cervix. There is increasing evidence for a role in lung cancer, and an analysis combining results of studies of diet and breast cancer found that vitamin C had a strong and significant negative association (Howe et al., 1990).Other NutrientsFruits, vegetables, and grains contain other vitamins and minerals associated with a protective effect against cancer.Vitamin E has inhibited tumors in experimental animals and been linked to reduced risks of oral, stomach, and other cancer in epidemiologic studies. Selenium also may have a protective effect. In a recent randomized large-population trial testing the effectiveness of vitamin/mineral supplementation among persons in high risk areas of China, those who received daily supplements with a combination of beta-carotene, vitamin E, and selenium for 5 years had a significantly lower cancer death rate (Blot et al., 1993). The findings do not automatically translate to Western populations--in that the Chinese population studied was chronically deficient in a number of nutrients--but offer a hopeful sign that certain vitamins and minerals may lower risk of some cancers. However, two other recent large randomized trials of supplements, one testing the effect of supplemental beta-carotene or alpha-tocopherol in the prevention of lung cancer among smokers and the other testing the effect of supplemental beta-carotene and vitamins C and E in the prevention of adenomatous polyps (a precursor lesion for colorectal cancer), suggest that supplemental use of these nutrients does not reduce the risk of either lung or colorectal cancer (The ATBC Study Group, 1994; Greenberg et al., 1994). In the study of the effect of beta-carotene or alpha-tocopherol on lung cancer among smokers, dietary intake of these nutrients from foods was associated with a reduced risk for lung cancer (The ATBC Study Group, 1994). Some studies suggest that calcium may play a protective role in colon cancer. A 19-year prospective study in men showed the risk for colon cancer was lower in those with the highest calcium intake (Garland, 1985). In addition to dairy products, certain vegetables are good sources of calcium, notably roots, okra, and dark green leafy vegetables such as collard greens. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/western-diet-link-to-intestinal-cancer-studied http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/a-healthy-diet-key-to-longevity A Healthy Diet Key to LongevitySource: altmedicine.about.comA diet rich in fruit, vegetables, fish, beans, low-fat dairy, and whole grains is the foundation of longevity, a new study suggests. The study, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, examined the diets of 59, 038 Swedish women. Researchers were interested in the influence of healthy and less healthy foods on mortality. Sixty foods commonly consumed in Sweden were classified as healthy or less healthy. Foods Considered Healthy Foods Considered Less Healthy apples, pears citrus, banana lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, spinach, kale cabbage, root vegetables (carrots, beets, etc.) beans, peas milk with 0.5% or 1.5% fat, yogurt with 1.5% fat whole grain bread, crisp bread, oats salmon, herring, tuna, other fish excluding shellfish meat, meat stew, minced meat bacon, sausages, blood pudding cold cuts, pate, liver, kidney fried potatoes, French fries, chips cheese, butter, margarine white bread pancakes/Belgian waffles cookies, ice cream, candy, sugar Regular consumption of a high variety of healthy foods was associated with longevity and lower mortality rates from cardiovascular disease and cancer. In contrast, a diet with a high variety of less healthy foods such as red meat, refined carbohydrates, sugars, and foods rich in saturated fats was associated with increased mortality rates from cancer. While this finding may seem like common sense, it emphasizes the importance of a balanced, healthy diet. Foods in the healthy group are rich in vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, probiotics (the "good" bacteria), fiber, and essential fatty acids. Nutritional supplements should not be viewed as a substitute for a healthy diet.It should be noted that this study did not adjust for smoking, physical activity, and use of dietary supplements, all factors which may influence mortality.Reference 1. Michels KB, Wolk A. A prospective study of a variety of health foods and mortality in women. International Journal of Epidemiology. 2002; 31:847-54 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/a-healthy-diet-key-to-longevity http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/basics-of-a-detoxification-diet Basics of a Detoxification DietSource: altmedicine.about.comHow do I choose a detox method?If you are trying a detox for the first time, it is best to start with a gentle cleanse. Detox diets can target the different organ systems involved in detoxification: the skin, liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs, and lymphatic system. In general, it is usually recommended that you begin with the intestines. The reason for this is if you focus on the liver first, the stored toxic substances that are released from the body tissues may become reabsorbed if the bowels are not moving adequately enough to expel them and can monitor your progress throughout the program. A natural health care practitioner can design a program that suits your needs by targeting specific organ systems. For example, a person with a skin condition may benefit from a program that addresses the liver, intestines, and skin. How frequently should I detox?Detox diets are generally recommended 1 to 2 times a year for general health improvement and prevention. For treatment of a specific condition, health practitioners may recommend it more frequently or may recommend a prolonged, supervised detox program. Detoxification diets are best done in the warmer months, and they are usually not recommended more than three times per year. What results will I notice?In general, people notice improved energy, improved skin condition, regular bowel movements, improved digestion, and increased concentration and clarity. Improvement can also be assessed by measuring markers of disease, severity of symptoms, and laboratory tests. What should I do after I finish the diet?A detox is a cleansing and eliminating process. After it is over, it is beneficial to rebuild and tonify your body with nutrients that support the function of the organs that have been cleansed. In addition, some of the practices that you learn during the program can be continued as a regular part of your lifestyle. Is there anyone who should not try a detox diet?People with kidney disease, liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, heart disease, cancer or other serious disease should only attempt a new program with the supervision of a qualified health practitioner. Should I stop my medication during a detox?No. Do not stop taking any medication without consulting the prescribing doctor or your family physician. Are there any side effects of this diet?Some people may experience headache, acne, weight loss, or fatigue during a detox. These symptoms usually diminish after a few days. For this reason, many people take time off work to begin a detox or start the diet on a Friday night. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/basics-of-a-detoxification-diet http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/dha-supplements-could-reduce-postnatal-depression DHA supplements could reduce postnatal depressionSource: www.foodnavigator.comLow levels of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) after pregnancy are associated with postnatal depression, report researchers in a new study.The results suggest that supplementing with DHA could reduce women’s chances of the often debilitating symptoms. Researchers from Maastricht University in the Netherlands measured DHA levels in the plasma phospholipids of 112 women at delivery and 32 weeks postpartum. Depression was measured at this point using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) questionnaire. The results demonstrated that slower postpartum recovery of the functional DHA status is related to a higher risk for the development of postpartum depression. Writing in the journal Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids (vol 69, issue 4 , pp 237-243), the authors note: "Although further studies are needed for confirmation, increasing dietary DHA intake during pregnancy and postpartum seems prudent."This study is consistent with other studies that show that populations with high intakes of omega-3 fatty acids have lower rates of depression than populations with low consumption of those fatty acids. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/dha-supplements-could-reduce-postnatal-depression http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/uk-backs-vitamin-supplement-trial UK backs vitamin supplement trialSource: www.foodnavigator.comA major international trial to investigate whether supplements of B vitamins can protect people from a second stroke received funding from the UK this month, one of the 14 countries to participate.The UK’s Medical Research Council has awarded £280,000 (€403, 000) to fund the UK arm of the Vitatops study that will see up to 1,000 stroke patients recruited from the UK. The trial aims to gather 8000 patients by the end of the year. The patients will be randomised in a double-blind study to receive either supplements including vitamin B12, B6 and folic acid or a placebo daily for five years. Recent research has suggested that raised levels of homocysteine in the blood may be a treatable cause of the most common types of stroke. Small doses of B vitamins have been shown to lower these raised homocysteine levels. If the study shows that vitamin supplements are effective, they will be a safe and inexpensive treatment that can be given to virtually every patient at risk of stroke. First-time stroke afflicts some 100,000 people every year in the UK. People who have already had a stroke are more likely than average to have another. Conventional treatments to prevent further strokes are targeted at lowering blood pressure and include aspirin and cholesterol-lowering drugs. For some patients, however, these drugs are not cost-effective and for others their side-effects make them unsuitable. The UK’s coordinator Professor Kennedy Lees, from the university of Glasgow’s Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, said: “Stroke is the main cause of disability and one of the main causes of death in the UK. Affecting young people as well as the elderly, stroke remains a substantial burden for the patient, carers and society.""This study is one of major public health importance as the findings will have the potential to benefit the lives of thousands and to reduce costs to an already over-burdened NHS [National Health Service].”The study should help to clarify the role of supplements in heart health. Numerous studies have investigated whether folic acid can prevent heart attacks but so far results have been inconclusive.Other countries participating in the trial include Australia, Austria, Brazil, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Georgia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, US and Yugoslavia. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/uk-backs-vitamin-supplement-trial http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-b12-may-help-with-depression Vitamin B12 May Help With DepressionSource: altmedicine.about.comVitamin B12 May Help With Depression Vitamin B12 may help people fight depression, a new study published in the journal BMC suggests.Researchers found that people with depression responded better to anti-depressants if they had higher blood levels of vitamin B12. They monitored 115 outpatients receiving treatment for depression over a six-month period, taking into consideration additional factors such as smoking, drinking habits, type of treatment received, and family history of depression. One theory on the benefit of vitamin B12 is that it helps manufacture compounds called monoamines in the central nervous system. A shortage is believed to be linked to depression. Another theory is that when there is a deficiency of B vitamins such as vitamin B12, another compound called homocysteine accumulates which may enhance depression. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-b12-may-help-with-depression http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/plant-oil-does-not-help-with-eczema Plant oil does not help with eczemaSource: www.healthandage.comA study of borage oil shows that it is not an effective treatment for eczema. Borage oil - or starflower oil - contains a minimum of 23 per cent gamma linolenic acid (GLA), a fatty acid that is essential for normal skin function. It has been thought that borage oil might be helpful for those with eczema. Researchers at George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton, England, identified 151 patients with eczema. Each day for 12 weeks they received either high dose borage oil, containing 920 milligrams of GLA, or a placebo. Symptoms and signs of eczema improved to the same degree in each group. This suggests there is no benefit to using borage oil as a treatment for eczema. Source British Medical Journal 13th December 2003 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/plant-oil-does-not-help-with-eczema http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/pimp-plant-may-cure-erectile-dysfunction Pimp Plant May Cure Erectile DysfunctionSource: www.laksamana.netResearchers at Diponegoro University in Central Java province have applied for a patent on a locally made herbal aphrodisiac they claim can cure erectile dysfunction. The aphrodisiac is made from the leaves and roots of the purwaceng (pimpinella pruacen) plant, which is similar to ginseng and grows only in the Dieng Plateau of Wonosobo regency. Locals have for years used the plant as a traditional herbal medicine (jamu) to boost the male sex drive, but few scientific studies have been carried out to determine its effectiveness. Diponegoro University’s Professor Susilo Wibowo on Monday (10/12/03) said his research team has applied to the Justice and Human Rights Ministry’s directorate general of intellectual property rights for a patent on the aphrodisiac. He said the team had already experimented with the herb on rats and would start experiments on people in April 2004. Dieng villagers are said keep a close guard on their supplies of purwaceng, which is often touted as “the Indonesian Viagra” and used by several major jamu companies. One enterprising local woman, Ibu Salim, uses the plant to make a ginger-flavored aphrodisiac coffee. According to a report in The Jakarta Post in July 2000, Salim has been producing her unique coffee since the early 1980s, making about 50 kilograms every month. Each month she sells up to 10,000 small packs of the coffee for Rp1,250 apiece. She has not registered her product at the Health Ministry, apparently due to the high cost of gaining the official seal of approval. But many other jamu producers have registered with the Health Ministry – 1,135 to be precise. The jamu industry is now worth $200 million annually, with most of the traditional medicines being marketed as aphrodisiacs, slimming products and breast size enhancers. The only possible threats to the purwaceng plant and its popularity are rampant deforestation in the Dieng Plateau, and efforts by radical Islamic groups to introduce shariah law and ban aphrodisiacs. In addition to traditional aphrodisiacs, internationally popular stimulants such as Viagra and Levitra are also big sellers in Indonesia, although they cost far more than a packet of jamu. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/pimp-plant-may-cure-erectile-dysfunction http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-b12-for-the-blues Vitamin B12 For the BluesSource: www.psychologytoday.comHere is something good for your heart and for your smile. Vitamin B12 appears to aid the treatment of depression. People with higher concentrations of the essential vitamin in their blood may have more success in overcoming the blues, according to research published this December in the journal BMC Psychiatry. Jukka Hintikka, a professor of psychiatry at Kuopio University in Finland, and colleagues measured vitamin B12 levels in 115 subjects with major depressive disorder. Measurements were taken at the beginning of treatment and then again six months later. A variety of antidepressants were used in treatment, and most participants also saw a therapist throughout the study. At the end of the study, participants were grouped according to treatment success. Those who improved the most had higher vitamin B12 levels. This was the case even when other major factors—such as smoking and drinking habits, type of treatment and a family history of depression—were taken into account. Hintikka notes that further research is needed to explain how B12 makes antidepressants work more effectively and why some depressed people have lower B12 levels. The vitamin is found naturally in foods like fish, milk, eggs and meat, and is also usually included in fortified cereals. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-b12-for-the-blues http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/rye-the-next-prebiotic- Rye, the next prebiotic?Source: www.foodnavigator.comThe rye grain, and rye bran in particular, is rich in dietary fibre and also contains a significant fructan concentration, which may have important prebiotic properties, suggests a new publication.Dietary fibre plays an important role in health and has been linked to prevention of heart disease and cancer, as well as protecting against obesity. Many of its health effects are a result of the microbial fermentation of dietary fibre in the large intestine, notes author Sirpa Karppinen from VTT. While the macronutrients in rye are the same as in other cereals - starch, dietary fibre, and protein - rye generally contains less starch and crude protein than wheat, but more free sugars and dietary fibre. Of the free sugars, sucrose and fructo-oligosaccharides dominate. The researcher studied the effect of solubility and processing on the fermentability of rye bran from different rye bran fractions. Before fermentation, substrates were enzymatically digested simulating conditions within the small intestine in order to remove starch and protein. Fermentability was studied in vitro. Three groups of dietary fibre polysaccharides were identified - fermentable, soluble polysaccharides that are rapidly fermented; fermentable cell-wall associated polysaccharides that are gradually released from the cell-wall matrix and then fermented; and polysaccharides and cell-wall structures that are not fermented at all. The process led to production of short-chain fatty acids, which was related to the consumption of carbohydrates: the higher the rate and quantity of carbohydrate consumption the higher the rate and quantity of the fatty acid production. Butyric and propionic acids were produced in all rye fermentations, according to Karppinen. The partly soluble fibre arabinoxylan was found to be fermented in vitro by Bifidobacterium longum, a dominant Bifidobacterium species in the adult human colon. Arabinoxylan may have positive health effects similar to another soluble fibre, beta-glucan, found in high quantities in oats. Beta-glucan has been shown to help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Rye could therefore be considered a candidate prebiotic. Rye is also rich in plant lignans. Intestinal microflora in the gut converts plant lignans into their mammalian derivatives, enterodiol and enterolactone, which may have a number of biological properties significant to human health. Fermentation of carbohydrates also had an impact on this conversion process, reports the author. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/rye-the-next-prebiotic- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-e-research-claim Vitamin E research claimSource: www.utvlive.comVitamin E pills, one of the most popular supplements on the market, appear to be largely useless, new research suggests. For the vitamin to enter the body effectively it must be incorporated into food, the study showed.Volunteers who ate a breakfast cereal laced with vitamin E absorbed it efficiently into their bloodstream.But they got almost no benefit from swallowing vitamin E pills with a glass of milk.When they ate the cereal and took the vitamin separately, the results were inconsistent.The findings highlighted the importance of finding more natural ways to take vitamin E, a powerful anti-oxidant believed to protect against heart disease and cancer.One answer might be to consider routine vitamin E fortification of foods, said the scientists.Vitamin E is one of the most commonly taken supplements in the world, and is included in virtually every multivitamin pill.It is found naturally in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, soy beans, whole grains and green vegetables.However the average low-fat diet provides only about five to eight international units (iu) of vitamin E - far less than the recommended daily allowance of 30iu.The research team from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University in Corvallis tested four different types of breakfast on a group of volunteers.One consisted of a 400iu vitamin E pill taken with skimmed milk. Two others comprised servings of wheat breakfast cereal fortified with 30iu and 400iu of vitamin E.For the fourth breakfast, the volunteers ate a serving of cereal and took a 400iu vitamin E pill separately.In theory, the 400iu pill taken with just a glass of milk should have provided more than 13 times the recommended daily allowance of vitamin E. But the researchers found it raised blood levels of the nutrient by only 3%.Fortified cereal, in contrast, produced a big boost in vitamin E levels. The 30iu cereal raised them by 15%, and the 400iu cereal by 90%.When the volunteers took both the 400iu vitamin E capsules and cereal but separately, some showed significantly raised blood levels of the vitamin, and others almost none.Professor Maret Traber, who led the study, said: ``If people are getting all the vitamin E they need through a healthy, balanced diet, that is great.``But we really don`t want to be telling people to eat more fat, and that`s generally where vitamin E is found. That is why it is appealing to find an effective way of obtaining this nutrient, such as vitamin E fortification of what is essentially a low-fat food.``The scientists, whose findings were reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, said people taking vitamin E supplements only with liquids on an empty stomach were ``accomplishing nothing``.Prof Traber added: ``It is now clear that vitamin E must be taken in a certain way to be effective, either in a food containing vitamin E or in a supplement properly associated with a food.``So anyone studying vitamin E for a clinical response must now be sure they are using it in a regimen that works.``The results could explain why many previous vitamin E studies have produced inconsistent findings, said the scientists.They may have depended on the way people took the vitamin, and biological variations in their ability to absorb it. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-e-research-claim http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/feel-good-herb-may-offer-hrt-alternative Feel-good herb may offer HRT alternativeSource: www.telegraph.co.ukBlack cohosh, a herb used to treat the menopause, may be a safe alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) despite earlier studies linking it to breast cancer.A study has shown that the plant, a relative of the buttercup, does not mimic the effects of the female sex hormone oestrogen as had been assumed. Instead, it appears to stimulate "feel-good" brain chemicals in the same way as anti-depressants.Medical herbalists said the findings would reassure women concerned about the dangers of the plant. However, some urged caution, saying that more research was needed before giving it the all clear.Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) grows wild in North America, where it has been used in folk medicine for centuries. It has been cultivated in Britain since the 1700s.Its roots and stems are used to relieve menopause symptoms. It has also been used to treat labour pains, malaria, colds, asthma, arthritis and rheumatism. It can serve as an insect repellent - hence its alternative name of bugbane.Following the concerns about the links between HRT and breast cancer, many women have used it as an alternative to oestrogen. But the plant was at the centre of a health scare when studies suggested that it might increase the toxicity of breast cancer chemotherapy drugs and make the cancer spread more quickly. It was assumed the herb had an oestrogen-like effect on the body.But research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found no hormonal effect. Teams at the University of Illinois in Chicago and Purdue University, Indiana, studied the reaction of rats to the plant. Black cohosh had no detectable hormonal effect but did stimulate receptors in the brain for serotonin, the feel-good chemical.Prof Edzard Ernst, of Exeter University, a specialist in complementary medicine, said: "Previously, the criticism was that herbs act in more or less the same way as oestrogens and thus carry the same risks. This study suggests that is not true." Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/feel-good-herb-may-offer-hrt-alternative http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/weight-loss-and-exercise-improve-liver-disease Weight Loss and Exercise Improve Liver DiseaseSource: www.reuters.comFor people with chronic liver disease, losing weight and getting more exercise helps their liver function better and improves their quality of life, new research shows. The findings, which are reported in the medical journal Gut, are based on a study of 31 overweight patients with liver disease who completed a 15-month weight loss and exercise program. Eighteen patients had hepatitis C and 13 had other types of chronic liver disease. The program included regular meetings with a dietitian and 2.5 hours of aerobic exercise each week. During the study period, 21 patients successfully dropped a few pounds and kept the weight off. On average, patients lost about 9 percent of their body weight, Dr. E. Powell, from Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, Australia, and colleagues note. The amount of weight loss matched the degree of improvement in liver enzyme levels, a measure of how well the liver is functioning. However, maintaining weight loss was critical, as these enzyme levels rose again in 10 patients who were unable to keep the weight off. Weight loss also had a beneficial effect on fasting serum insulin levels. Once again, this effect disappeared in subjects who regained their weight, the authors report. Successful weight loss was linked to significant improvements in both physical and mental components of quality of life, the researchers report. "This study demonstrates that investment in weight reduction has the ability to reduce risk factors associated with progression of liver disease," the authors note. "These results suggest that treatment of overweight patients should form an important component of management of those with chronic liver disease." Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/weight-loss-and-exercise-improve-liver-disease http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/fda-approved-omega-3-rich-oil-is-a-good-fat-found-in-fish FDA-approved Omega-3-rich oil is a ‘good fat’ found in fishSource: www.valleystar.comA local company hopes to make some school menu items healthier by preparing them with fish oil. All they need is a buyer.Mercedes-based H&H Foods is ready to add OmegaPure — a taste-free, odorless, Omega-3-rich oil approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration — to cheese sauce, breakfast tacos and tamales, said Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, vice president of H&H Foods, South Texas’ largest meat processing plant and distribution center.The three enriched foods are available only to schools in Region One Education Service Center, which spans seven counties. Region One will serve as a test market for the rest of the state, Hinojosa said. H&H Foods will also continue to sell unenhanced products, he said.Each district in the region can decide whether to purchase the enhanced products. The Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District decided not to purchase fortified foods for a few reasons, said Toni Lopez, the district’s child nutrition area supervisor and dietician. Enhanced foods cost more; the district only occasionally serves the three items that include Omega-3; and the foods it serves are nutritionally balanced, she said.So far, no districts have bought them, Hinojosa said. He expects some districts to express interest following today’s meeting for districts’ nutrition directors, where they will learn about and sample fortified products."If you don’t give it (Omega-3) to children, they’re not going to get it," Hinojosa said.Omega-3s are "good fats" found in fish, said Margaret Lopez, child nutrition program specialist and registered dietician for Region One. Omega-3s help to raise good cholestoral levels while lowering bad cholestoral levels, she said. They prevent the kind of blockages that causes strokes and heart attacks, but they don’t prevent obesity, she said.Ailments that more commonly plague older people, including high blood pressure, diabetes and atherosclerosis, the fatty buildup on artery linings, are being seen more often in children today, Lopez said. She said Omega-3 can help to prevent those conditions.Despite the Rio Grande Valley’s proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, most local diets lack fish and, therefore, run short on Omega-3s, officials and nutritionists said. Children rarely get fish at school, said Mark Wallace, Region One child nutrition program purchasing specialist.The fortified foods cost one or two cents more per serving, Wallace said.Some districts serve the foods only occasionally, he said. The benefits for children are worth the cost, Hinojosa said. Wallace expects some districts to wait to see whether fortified foods work for other districts and whether Omega-3 is added to other products. H&H Foods is working on adding OmegaPure to spaghetti sauce, macaroni and cheese, chicken fried chicken and hamburger patties, Hinojosa said.The fortification process starts with Omega Protein Corporation, a Houston-based company that extracts the long-chain fatty acid from menhaden, a type of fish, Hinojosa said. H&H Foods then adds Omega-3 to food in oil or powder form. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/fda-approved-omega-3-rich-oil-is-a-good-fat-found-in-fish http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/getting-well-oiled Getting well oiledSource: www.timesonline.co.ukA recent BBC programme with Professor Robert Winston said that increased consumption of oily fish in a child’s diet could help them with concentration and learning. I have two children, aged 7 and 9, who struggle to concentrate when reading. They don’t like fish. Would a supplement containing fish oils help?Louise Rowlands, Maida Vale, London The BBC programme you mention featured research being carried out by Durham Local Education Authority. It was set up to look at whether children with learning problems, such as dyslexia, dysphasia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) might benefit from the inclusion of particular fatty acid supplements in their diet. It looks promising in that some children have been reported to have made good progress in terms of reading and improved concentration, although t he full results of the study have not yet been published. The study examined omega 3 fatty acids which are found in oily fish and in rapeseed and linseed oils. Their effect on learning has not been investigated in detail, but it is known that fatty acids play several roles in the brain. When electrical signals are sent through the brain, they pass through neuron cells. The walls of neurons are made up of around 20 per cent essential fatty acids, which may help the transfer of electrical signals from cell to cell. Western diets tend to contain only a limited amount of omega 3 fatty acids. So if omega 3 supplements can be helpful for some children with particular learning difficulties, it is good news. But they would need to be part of an overall treatment plan. There is also disagreement among experts about which omega 3 fatty acid is most effective. If your children can manage to eat some oily fish — mackerel, herring, salmon or sardines — each week, this would be a good source of the fatty acids they need and it doesn’t matter whether the fish is fresh, frozen, tinned or smoked. If they don’t like fish, switch to cooking with rapeseed or linseed oil. For fish oil supplements, always follow the dose given on the label. Further information: www.durhamtrial.org or www.fish-foundation.org.uk. HELP FOR HIP My 18-month-old son has been diagnosed with a clicky left hip. We are waiting to see a paediatrician. What sort of treatment, if any, might he need? Audrey Derry, Chard, Somerset A clicky hip means that the top of your son’s thigh bone (femur) may not be completely stable in its socket. The joint will probably feel more mobile than it should be and may be at risk of slipping out of its socket. As this condition is routinely screened for at birth, most cases are picked up then.Sometimes in mild cases it is not noticed until later. Your son will need an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis. Depending on the severity of the condition, he might need a splint for two to four months to keep the joint stable. When it’s removed, the joint should work normally. Occasionally operations are necessary to correct this, following which he will probably need to wear a splint or plaster cast. There is also a condition known as hyper mobility, which can lead to clicky hips. If this is the case, no treatment would be needed at this stage and it should not affect his development. He should be able to walk normally. MYSTERY RASH My three year old son has a mysterious rash all over his body. It started when he had a mild “bug” which has gone. It looks like nettle stings, blanches when pressed with a glass and isn’t itchy and doesn’t seem to bother him. But it is unsightly. Two doctors have said that they think it is viral and there is not much they can do. Can you tell me any more? Name and address supplied Rashes are common in young children, but it can be difficult to pinpoint a cause. Your son sounds as though he has quite a severe, but benign, rash. It will probably improve and clear in time and you may never know the cause. Treatment might include applying moisturising lotion to soothe the affected skin. Go back to your doctor if your son’s rash fails to improve, becomes itchy, painful, or infected (oozing yellow crusts/painful blisters) and also if it is accompanied by fever or swollen lymph glands. If at any point the rash does not blanch (disappear when you press a glass on to its surface) and/or your son starts to display symptoms such as a fever, stiff neck, headache or drowsiness, call an ambulance or NHS Direct (0845 4647) for immediate advice. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/getting-well-oiled http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/us-grants-patents-for-medical-use-of-coconut-oil US grants patents for medical use of coconut oilSource: www.ghanaweb.comThe United States of America has granted a number of patents for the medical uses of coconut oil and its derivatives, Dr Mary G Enig, President of the Maryland Nutritionists Association of the United States (US) has said.A statement by Dr Enig, who is also a fellow of the American College of Nutrition and Vice President of the Weston Price Foundation in the US, said thirty years ago, Professor Jon J Kabara was granted the first patent.The statement said this resulted in the production of lauricidin from lauric acid, adding, "lauricidin is being tested in clinical trials for the treatment of genital herpes and hepatitis c"."In 1989, New England Deaconess Hospital was issued with a patent for "kernel oils and disease treatment", adding that the treatment required lauric acid as the primary fatty acid source."In 1991 a patent was issued to C E Isaacs and others for "a method of killing enveloped viruses in a host human..." "In 1995, another patent was issued to Isaacs and others for the use of the mono glycerides and the acids of coconut oil for the inactivation of enveloped viruses.The statement said the patents provided the owners the licence to extract royalties from commercial manufacturers of mono-glycerides and fatty acids, which are normally derived from coconut oil."It is interesting to note that these health promoting medium chain saturated fatty acids are naturally produced in the body when coconut oil is eating in the ordinary daily food", the statement said. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/us-grants-patents-for-medical-use-of-coconut-oil http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/low-fat-diet-increases-insulin-sensitivity Low-fat diet increases insulin sensitivitySource: www.foodproductiondaily.comDutch scientists reveal that low-fat product diet is better than smaller portions of normal high-fat food for preventing diabetes in obese people.Lead researcher Martin Muurling at the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research put obese mice on different diets in which the total energy intake and the final body weight were the same. He then studied the impact of these diets on insulin sensitivity. He found that mice that only received low-fat products were more sensitive to insulin than mice that ate small portions of high-fat food. A low-fat diet is a more effective remedy for diabetes than eating less calories, concluded the researcher. He also reports that the consumption of fish oil had no positive effects on reduced insulin sensitivity in the mice, and notes that a diet with fish oil "cannot prevent or remedy diabetes in the case of somebody who is already less sensitive to insulin due to a high-fat diet".Clinically obese people sometimes suffer from a certain form of diabetes, type II diabetes mellitus, because more fatty acids are released from the adipose tissue during obesity. These fatty acids can reduce the functioning of the beta cells in the pancreas as well as the sensitivity of various tissues to insulin. Fat accumulation in adipose tissue is less harmful than fat accumulation in organs such as the liver and muscles and treatment methods that lead to a reduction of fat accumulation in these organs coul also remedy type II diabetes mellitus in obese patients, conclude the scientists. Numbers of diabetics across the globe are rapidly rising, intimately linked to the growing incidence of obesity. Diabetes is the fourth main cause of death in most developed countries and the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in adults in these countries, according to the International Diabetes Federation. Incidence of the disease increased by one-third during the 1990s, due to the prevalence of obesity and an ageing population. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/low-fat-diet-increases-insulin-sensitivity http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/low-fat-lamb-with-cancer-fighting-value Low fat lamb with cancer-fighting valueSource: www.foodnavigator.comWorking to bring low fat lamb products to the European marketplace scientists in Spain are set to add value to the end product with new research focusing on boosting the presence of the disease fighting ‘friendly fat’, conjugated linoleic acid, in the end product. A two-pronged attack the research team at the Navarre Public university in Spain is analysing the effect on the development of fatty tissue in lambs of two substances which are common ingredients in their diet: vitamin A (retinol) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). ‘On administering CLA directly to live lambs, a double benefit can be obtained: apart from reducing the quantity of fat, the fat that is incorporated contains a higher amount of this anti-cancerous substance,’ said the scientists this week. Conjugated linoleic acid, the common name of a group of fatty acids found in dairy products and meat, is gaining in favour as more studies reveal its action on a range of diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis, obesity, and immune function. As scientists begin to reveal its impact on the reduction of body fat, food makers are also increasingly looking at the ingredient for the applications in the weight loss market.One of the main aims of the Spanish project, due to end in 2006, is to modulate the quantity of fat accumulated in the animal through the regulation of adipogenesis or the process by which fat is deposited in different parts of the body. To this end, the resesarchers were looking at the effect on the deposition of fat in animals of vitamin A and CLA, two natural substances found fundamentally in vegetables. ‘The starting hypothesis is that these substances diminish fat deposition, but the concentrations of these substances have to be known in order to obtain the desired results,’ say the researchers this week.‘Experiments are being carried out to augment the content of this element in the animal-based foodstuffs in the diet such as, for example, milk: The more grass or forage the animals eat, the more CLA in their milk and, so, the more benefit to humans,’ they add. The study will be carried out firstly in vitro, cell cultures will be used to summarise the adipogenesis process and to see if differences between sexes, breeds and fatty deposits are due to intrinsic cellular differences or to external factors.Leading suppliers of the fatty acid CLA to the European marketplace include nutritional ingredients company Cognis and healthy fats and oils supplier Loders Croklaan. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/low-fat-lamb-with-cancer-fighting-value http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-kills-prostate-cancer-cells Vitamin D kills prostate cancer cellsSource: www.bordermail.com.auTASMANIAN researchers are set to examine the links between sun exposure and prostate cancer in an effort to identify men most at risk of contracting the disease. The three-year study, which could pave the way for earlier intervention and treatment, was announced yesterday in Hobart by Menzies Research Institute director Prof Terry Dwyer. It will investigate the possibility that several candidate genes important in the bodys response to sun exposure may interact with vitamin D and influence the likelihood of a person developing the disease. “Prostate cancer is the commonest cancer now in men, if you set aside skin cancers, but there is not much known about how to prevent it,” Prof Dwyer said. “The Menzies Institute has had a focus on finding preventable causes of disease things that we can do to stop the disease occurring. “We have been looking at prostate cancer, looking at what leads there might be for doing research to find causes. “One of the leads is that vitamin D does seem to reduce the growth of cancer cells, including prostate cancer cells.” He said scientists also knew that ultra-violet radiation and skin type seemed to play some role in determining the risk of prostate cancer. “For example, in America, dark skinned men have a higher risk of prostate cancer than white Americans,” Prof Dwyer said. “This is quite an important lead we think. “We have put forward the view that if vitamin D is important and if ultra-violet may be, lets try to find out more about this causal pathway by looking at genes that actually influence vitamin D in the body, influence the way vitamin D is used, and genes that relate to the skin type of the individual that determine how their skin produces vitamin D. “In our population, about 90 per cent of the vitamin D thats there is actually produced by the action of sun on the skin. “So we are focusing on that area and we are looking at several different genes that we think have the potential to tell us something.” According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, about 10,000 Australian men are diagnosed and more than 2500 die of the disease each year. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-kills-prostate-cancer-cells http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/prince-urges-more-alternative-medicine-on-nhs Prince Urges More Alternative Medicine on NHSSource: news.scotsman.comThe Prince of Wales today called for far more alternative medicine to be available on the Health Service.The Prince, long a supporter of homeopathic and similar remedies, believes they may hold the key to stemming the growing number of people afflicted by allergies.Writing in today’s Guardian he says: “Clearly, something dramatic is happening. The rising trends in allergy seen in developing countries, as they adopt our western habits, point strongly to factors in the way we live.”The paper says Charles wrote the article in response to its story earlier this month warning that half of Europe would suffer from some type of allergy by 2015.He says: “It seems extraordinary to me that despite a recent poll indicating that 75% of people want complementary medicine available to all on the NHS, that very few such clinics exist.“I am led to believe that 90% of complementary medicine is currently only available to those who can afford to pay for it.”Charles cites big increases in conditions such as asthma and peanut allergies as an increasing cause for concern.“In the UK 34% of 13 to 14-year-olds now have active asthma, the highest prevalence in the world,” he writes, adding that he believes modern lifestyles are the most likely explanation.“Factors associated with Western society, such as overeating, lack of exercise and an obsession with hygiene, as well as our exposure to a myriad of chemicals from products whose effects we are only just learning about, are conspiring to weaken our defence against the environment.“Our children are paying the price.” Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/prince-urges-more-alternative-medicine-on-nhs http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/food-fats-against-depression Food Fats against DepressionSource: www.innovations-report.comDepression is the most prevalent psychiatric disease. The number of new cases rises and the disease manifests itself at an earlier age. Depression is lower in populations with higher fish consumption. This leads to the question whether there might be something in fish that prevents depression or more general that is required for proper functioning of the brain. Fats are major structural components of brain tissue. These fats are special in that they contain DHA. DHA is a fatty acid that can be made in the body only in limited quantities and only if special conditions are met. These conditions depend amongst others on the type of diet. A Western type of diet does not favour the formation of DHA. So it was considered possible that intake of preformed DHA is required for proper functioning of the brain. This brings us back to the association between fish consumption and depression: fish is main source of DHA and other ’higher omega-3 fatty acids’ in the diet. Instead of estimating fish intake, higher omega-3 fatty acids can be measured in blood. This is what was done at Ghent University. In a first type of study (’case-control study’) it was found that patients with depression have lower levels of higher omega-3 fatty acids than patients without depression. In a second type of study (’follow-up study’) individuals with low and with normal levels of higher omega-3 fatty acids were followed up and the numbers of new cases of depression were measured. The study group consisted of women whose blood was drawn just after delivery. It was found that when EPA, one of the higher omega-3 fish fatty acids was lower, the probability to develop a postpartum depression was higher. We could further demonstrate that relatives of patients with depression also had reduced levels of higher omega-3 fatty acids pointing to a genetic predisposition. The finding of reduced EPA in maternal blood at delivery was associated with more postpartum depression suggests that the previously found association between high fish consumption and low rate of depression was not due to DHA as first thought but to EPA. Indeed research groups in the UK and in Israel recently reported that beneficial results were obtained when patients with depression were supplemented with EPA but not with DHA. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/food-fats-against-depression http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/palm-oil-programme-to-drive-vitamin-a-consumption Palm oil programme to drive vitamin A consumptionSource: www.foodproductiondaily.comRich red palm oil could be an efficient and cost effective way of increasing vitamin A levels in the regions south of the Sahara in Africa, suggests new research.A two-year study, carried out by researchers from Canada and Burkino Faso, found a clear increase in vitamin A levels among mothers and children that had consumed red palm oil either directly or through breast feeding. More than 250 million children under the age of five around the world are at risk of vitamin A deficiency. Deficiency in this vitamin is said to be the leading avoidable cause of blindness, and it also leads to fatal disease among young children. The researchers set up a pilot project to promote unrefined red palm oil in a region of Burkina Faso where it is not traditionally consumed. The oil, known to be rich in the vitamin A precursor beta-carotene, is widely used in another region of Burkina Faso, situated in the south west of the country. It is extracted from the Elaeis guineensis palm. The oils was transported and sold as a dietary supplement on study locations in 10 villages and an urban area in east-central Burkina Faso, targeting approximately 10,000 women and children aged under five years old. The study was designed to be realistic : women were informed of the benefits of the oil but they were required to purchase the product themselves. Researchers measured retinol in blood plasma at the beginning and end of the study on a random sample of 210 mother and child pairs, selected from seven out of the 11 pilot sites. After 24 months, red palm oil was reportedly consumed by nearly 45 per cent of mothers and children in the previous week. The number of women and children with a retinol level below the recommended threshold (0,70 µmol/l) dropped from 62 to 30 per cent for women and from 84.5 to 67 per cent among children. Given that the oil was only available through this project, the results can be attributed to the product, say the researchers. They add that half of the women involved in the project changed their consumption patterns intentionally adding this oil to their diets. This underlines the ease with which such a food could be added to the diet in the long-term and also its potential for commercial distribution. The palm oil could also be integrated in national programmes against vitamin A deficiency in Burkina Faso and extended to other areas in the Sahel region of north central Africa, south of the Sahara desert. Further studies on use of the oil in meals served in schools are underway. Researchers will also investigate other benefits from the commercialisation of palm oil outside the project’s designated area, such as for creation of jobs, particularly for women. The results are reported in Public Health Nutrition, 6 (8), 733-742. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/palm-oil-programme-to-drive-vitamin-a-consumption http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/nuts-for-nutrition Nuts for nutritionSource: www.indystar.comSome say an apple a day will keep the doctor away, but what about nuts? At one time, nuts were frowned upon because they were believed to be high in fat.But studies show eating nuts on a regular basis may decrease risk of heart disease and lower cholesterol without packing on the pounds, said Sara Blackburn, clinical associate professor in the Dietetics and Nutrition Department at the Indiana University School of Medicine."People are looking at nuts in a different way altogether," she said. "They are a good choice, because they have a large amount of protein and good fats (unsaturated)," she said.Nuts and peanuts (really a legume) are nutrition-rich foods, especially rich in magnesium and essential fatty acids.And magnesium benefits the heart and muscles, Blackburn added.Since nuts have a new lease on life, she said people have changed the way they eat them."They used to eat them sautéed in lots of butter; now, we eat more of them raw," she said.Combined with other things, nuts can become a well-rounded meal."Think about a peanut butter sandwich -- two slices of wheat bread and some milk. Inexpensive meal, easy to digest. And you can eat on the go," she said.Nuts are also a good concentrated energy source."(Nuts provide) a nice pick-me-up at the end of the workday to hold you over until dinner," Blackburn said.Health benefits (by the ounce)Walnuts190 calories, 4 grams of protein, 19 grams of fat, 17 of which are unsaturated.Peanuts161 calories, 7.3 grams of protein and 14 grams of fat, 11 of which are unsaturated.Almonds (raw)170 calories, 6 grams of protein, 14 grams of fat, one of which is unsaturated.Cashews163 calories, 4 grams of protein, 13 grams of fat, 10 of which are unsaturated.Chestnuts37 calories, .6 grams of protein, less than 1 gram of fat. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/nuts-for-nutrition http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/cystic-fibrosis-gene-linked-to-fatty-acids Cystic Fibrosis Gene Linked to Fatty AcidsSource: www.genomenewsnetwork.orgNew research suggests that the gene that causes cystic fibrosis may affect a person’s ability to metabolize ordinary fatty acids. The new information adds another piece to the complex puzzle of a devastating disease that has eluded a cure since the discovery of the cystic fibrosis (CF) gene more than a decade ago.The recent study shows that people with the CF gene have increased levels of a fatty acid that causes inflammation and decreased levels of another that reduces inflammation. The two fatty acids in question, arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are involved in many biological functions, including inflammation.Scientists have long known that inflammation is an important factor in CF. Inflammation promotes production of mucous in the lungs of people with the disease, where it impairs breathing and makes it hard to fight infections. It also affects the pancreas, where the thick secretions prevent digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines to help break down and absorb food.“There is some basic problem with the CF gene that affects the types of fat in a person’s cells,” says Brian O’Sullivan, who directs the Cystic Fibrosis Center at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, where the study was done. He worked with Steven Freedman of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and his colleagues.They find that some CF patients have a fatty acid imbalance similar to one that Freedman discovered a few years ago in mice.The findings, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggest a possible new avenue for treatment: Doses of the fatty acid DHA. Mice with CF improved after taking large amounts of DHA, but the amount of fatty acids needed to make a dent in the disease is “enormous” relative to what a person could ingest and absorb, O’Sullivan says.Genzyme Corporation of Cambridge, Massachusetts, which holds a license for the patent on the use of DHA in CF patients, is meeting with the researchers to explore ways to deliver more DHA to CF patients and possibly correct the imbalance.Freedman’s finding that mice with the CF gene don’t become sick until they are weaned from their mother’s milk also suggests a fatty acid link. Human breast milk, like the milk from mice, is rich in DHA as well as other beneficial substances such as antimicrobial proteins. O’Sullivan has conducted a survey of mothers whose children are treated in cystic fibrosis clinics. He says there are “tantalizing hints” that breast feeding might also be beneficial for human babies who will develop cystic fibrosis. Thus, at his clinic and others, mothers of babies with the cystic fibrosis gene are strongly encouraged to breast feed. In future studies, the researchers will try to determine whether adding DHA to infant formula is equally beneficial and whether nursing mothers should take supplemental DHA. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/cystic-fibrosis-gene-linked-to-fatty-acids http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/health-fears-raised-over-vitamin-deficiency Health fears raised over vitamin deficiencySource: www.swissinfo.orgA lobby group is stepping up pressure for increased consumption of vitamin B9 or folic acid in Switzerland. According to campaigners, people are not getting enough in their diet to prevent spina bifida, cardiovascular problems, depression, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. They say babies are particularly at risk of being born with “open” spinal chords, known as spina bifida, if women do not double their intake of B9 during pregnancy.“Around 70 per cent of all cases of spina bifida can be prevented through an adequate intake of folic acid,” states the lobby group, Folic Acid Offensive Switzerland.Campaigners want the government to force Swiss bakers to add vitamin B9 to bread by adding cold-pressed wheatgerm to flour.They are being backed by the Swiss Foundation for Consumer Protection, which has been running a letter campaign to pressure food suppliers into adding folic acid to their products. Bakers rise However, the consumer protection agency has met with plenty of resistance from bakers. It says the reaction from the industry has generally been “patronising”.But the Federal Health Office says it is taking the bakers’ objections “very seriously”.Michael Beer, head of the foodstuffs section, told swissinfo that the government was investigating the legal prerequisites for introducing such a measure, as well as looking at alternatives.“It remains unknown what will come of the campaign to add folic acid to flour used in baking,” Beer added.Beer, who personally considers the “Folic Acid Offensive” a good idea, said that once recommendations had been formulated by a committee of experts, they would then be put through a consultation process. Too little B9 can lead to anaemia. Professor Otmar Tönz Daily dose In Switzerland, the daily recommended dose of B9 is set at two milligrams – much less than in Germany (three milligrams) and the United States (four milligrams).While pregnant women require double that amount (eight milligrams), Swiss people in general only have a consumption rate of 0.25 milligrams of folic acid daily.This is despite the attention spina bifida received around ten years ago, when the Swiss skiing star, Maria Walliser, gave birth to a baby with an open spinal chord.Walliser became the patron and driving force behind the campaign to increase the level of B9 in people’s diets.She is backed by Professor Otmar Tönz, the former chief surgeon at Lucerne’s Children’s Hospital, who appears on the lobby group’s website to elaborate on the medical aspects of the disease.“The formation of blood cells is the most sensitive part of the body to react to a lack of folic acid,” he points out. “Too little B9 can lead to anaemia [deficiency of red blood cells].” Pregnancy fears Tönz said that when women consume the correct level of B9 before and at the beginning of pregnancy, this helps the unborn child to develop a normal, healthy neural tube as well as a proper spinal chord.Erich Meyer, co-founder of the B9 initiative, has already convinced some food producers and suppliers, such as Nestlé, and food retailers Coop and Migros, to offer products with an increased level of folic acid.But Meyer, like his government counterpart, Beer, is still far from optimistic about increased folic acid content becoming the norm in Switzerland. Critics have sought to fuel public fears by arguing that it may be possible to overdose on B9 – a claim refuted by Meyer as “unfounded”.“The vitamin is water soluble, which means it can pass through people’s system quite normally,” he said. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/health-fears-raised-over-vitamin-deficiency http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-e-the-key-to-avoiding-diabetes Vitamin E the Key to Avoiding DiabetesSource: news.scotsman.comEating foods rich in vitamin E, such as nuts and wheat germ, could help reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, research has revealed.Researchers in Finland found that people with a greater intake of vitamin E and alpha-tocopherol – one of the forms of vitamin E – were less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those who consumed less of the powerful anti-oxidant.There are eight forms of vitamin E of which alpha-tocopherol is the most useful to the body as it circulates throughout the blood to reach all the body’s tissue.Good sources of vitamin E include wheat germ oil, soya bean oil, almonds, walnuts, cashew nuts, shrimps and brown rice.Charity Diabetes UK said boosting vitamin E intake may help but the best way to avoid Type 2 diabetes was to eat a balanced, healthy diet and take regular exercise.Around 1.4 million people in UK have Type 2 diabetes, a further million are thought to have it without realising and the number of cases is set to double by 2010.It occurs when the body’s insulin is insufficient or does not work properly and is treated by various combinations of diet, exercise, tablets and insulin injections.An increase in the numbers being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes has been linked to rising cases of obesity, with one in five British adults now classed as obese.Type 2 diabetes, associated with poor diet and a lack of exercise, was once only seen in adults but is now increasingly being diagnosed in children.Recent research by the University of Surrey found that patients with Type 2 diabetes who are obese could be wiping eight years off their life expectancy.Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, Olympic gold medallist rower Sir Steve Redgrave and broadcaster John Peel have all been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-e-the-key-to-avoiding-diabetes http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/acupuncture-gives-migraine-therapy-a-lift Acupuncture gives migraine therapy a liftSource: abc.net.auAcupuncture is a useful, cost-effective treatment for chronic headaches or migraines, U.S. and U.K. researchers have found.In one of the largest randomised studies to assess the effectiveness of this ancient Chinese treatment, scientists found adding acupuncture to standard treatment worked better than using standard treatment alone. The scientists published their study online ahead of print in the British Medical Journal."People using acupuncture had fewer headaches, less severe headaches and they used less health resources over the course of the following year," said one of the authors Dr Andrew Vickers, of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.The scientists compared acupuncture plus standard treatment to standard treatment alone in 401 patients in England and Wales who suffered from headaches several days each week. Most patients in the trial had migraines.Patients who were assigned acupuncture plus standard treatment had up to 12 acupuncture treatments over three months from an experienced practitioner.Each patient completed a diary, detailing the frequency and severity of their headaches and medicine use, for four weeks at the start of the study, again at three months, and finally at one year.Initially there was not much difference between the two groups but at the end of the year-long trial the scientists noticed a big change. Patients receiving acupuncture had 22 fewer days of headaches a year, used 15% less medication, made 25% fewer visits to their family doctors and took 15% fewer days off sick than the other group. There were not many side-effects. Vickers and his colleagues also found the treatment cost-effective."For severely affected patients, acupuncture reduced the severity and the frequency of their headaches to make a real difference in their lives," Vickers said.The researchers said they could not rule out a placebo affect of acupuncture, which can occur when no treatment (or pretend treatment) is given but the patient feels it is working.And as the patients knew which treatment group they were in, the researchers said patients could have given biased assessments of their treatments.But the researchers said their results were in line with previous work.Acupuncture was first used in China about 2000 years ago, according to Vickers. It involves inserting very fine needles into the skin at specific points in the body. It is one of the most popular forms of complementary medicine and has been shown to relieve nausea and pain. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/acupuncture-gives-migraine-therapy-a-lift http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-b-12-levels-linked-to-bone-loss-in-aging-women Vitamin B-12 levels linked to bone loss in aging womenSource: www.innovations-report.comResearch suggests that Vitamin supplements may slow bone loss Older women with low levels of vitamin B-12 are more likely to experience rapid bone loss, according to new research published this month in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. The new findings help to establish the importance of vitamin B-12 in the bone health of women as they age. Vitamin B-12, which is found in animal products, such as meat, shellfish, milk, cheese and eggs, is needed to produce red blood cells and maintain a healthy nervous system. Still, little is known about the vitamin’s affects on skeletal health, specifically among aging women. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, led by Dr. Katie Stone, studied whether elderly women with low levels of vitamin B-12 suffer from more rapid bone loss. Through a random, cohort study of 83 women over the age of 64 who participated in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures, researchers archived baseline serum samples and measured hip bone mineral density in study subjects during two and six year follow-up examinations. Test results demonstrated that after adjusting for age, weight and clinic site, women with the lowest levels of B-12 (below 280 pg/ml) experienced significantly more rapid hip bone loss than women with higher levels of B-12 (above 280 pg/ml). "While deficiencies in vitamin B-12 are uncommon among younger women, many older women suffer from vitamin B-12 deficiency," explains Dr. Stone. "Our research shows that the women with the lowest levels of vitamin B-12 are at an increased risk for bone loss in their hips, which could lead to fractures. We knew that vitamin B-12 benefited the nervous system, but our findings suggest that it may also benefit bone health." The authors note that these results indicate that for some elderly women, simple dietary supplements of vitamin B-12 or multivitamins or dietary modification may slow the rates of bone loss. "A larger, randomized trial would be needed to determine whether treatment with supplemental vitamin B-12 could reduce rates of bone loss in elderly women," notes Dr. Steve Cummings, one of the investigators on the study. JCEM is one of four journals published by The Endocrine Society. Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world’s oldest, largest, and most active organization devoted to research on hormones, and the clinical practice of endocrinology. Endocrinologists are specially trained doctors who diagnose, treat and conduct basic and clinical research on complex hormonal disorders such as diabetes, thyroid disease, osteoporosis, obesity, hypertension, cholesterol and reproductive disorders. Today, The Endocrine Society’s membership consists of over 11,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students, in more than 80 countries. Together, these members represent all basic, applied, and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, Maryland. To learn more about the Society, and the field of endocrinology, visit the Society’s web site at http://www.endo-society.org. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-b-12-levels-linked-to-bone-loss-in-aging-women http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/zinc-speeds-recovery-from-pneumonia-in-boys Zinc Speeds Recovery from Pneumonia in BoysSource: www.reuters.comTreatment with zinc reduces the duration of fever and severity of illness in boys with pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections, new research indicates. In contrast, such therapy does not benefit girls, and may actually slow their recovery from such infections. The findings also indicate that vitamin A supplementation does not improve recovery rates in either sex, according to a report published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Although zinc use has been shown to prevent respiratory infections, whether it offered any benefits after the onset of such diseases has been unclear, lead author Dr. Dilip Mahalanabis, from the Society for Applied Sciences in Kolkata, India, and colleagues note. Also, reports have linked vitamin A with a reduced risk of death in children, but it was unclear whether this applied specifically to respiratory infections. To investigate, the researchers assessed the outcomes of 153 young children who were hospitalized with lower respiratory infections and were treated with vitamin A, zinc, both agents, or neither. The subjects included 97 boys and 56 girls, who ranged in age from 2 to 24 months. Boys treated with zinc were more likely to recovery from fever and severe illness within a given time frame than boys not treated with zinc. In contrast, among girls, zinc use was actually associated with lower recovery rates. Vitamin A treatment did not seem to influence recovery rates, but was linked to an increased risk of diarrhea. Exactly why boys, but not girls, benefitted from zinc is unclear, the authors note. Hopefully, the findings will stimulate researchers of previous zinc trials to re-analyze their data for gender-based differences, they add. SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 2004. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/zinc-speeds-recovery-from-pneumonia-in-boys http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/omega-3-influence-on-epilepsy Omega-3 influence on epilepsySource: www.foodnavigator.comOmega-3 fatty acids have been associated with numerous health benefits, from brain development and preventing memory loss to suppressing tumours and cutting heart disease. But according to new findings in the US, one particular fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is found at abnormallylow levels in patients with uncontrolled epilepsy, suggesting DHA supplementation in the diet could potentially help control seizures. Demand for omega-3 fatty acids – notably found in fish - has surged in recent months on the back of increasing scientific evidence for the benefits to consumer health. Key suppliers of omega 3 ingredients – both derived from microalgae - are US firm Martek and European company Nutrinova.DHA is essential for the development of the nervous system and visual abilities in babies and for the proper functioning of the brain in adults. The human body cannot produce sufficient amounts of DHA for the needs of the eye and brain consequently it must be consumed through foods, such as cold water fatty fish, or in supplemental form. The small US study, carried out by researchers at Emory University School of Medicine, was based on 41 people with ‘refractory complex partial seizures’ - a common type of seizure that develops in one brain region and is resistant to antiepileptic medication - compared to a control group of 57 healthy participants. Both groups had blood drawn and analysed for levels of DHA. After complete analyses, the researchers report that they found ‘significantly lower levels of DHA’ in the red blood cell membranes of the group with uncontrolled epilepsy - 2.74 per cent - when compared to DHA levels in the healthy group - 3.46 per cent. "By determining a deficiency in the red blood cell membranes in these patients, we infer that brain cell membranes are also depleted of this normal fatty acid," said researcher Dr.Thomas Henry at Emory. "Future studies are needed to determine if DHA supplementation can help control seizures in this patient population," he concluded. According to the World Health Organisation, it is likely that around 50 million people in the world have epilepsy at any one time. The lifetime prevalence of epilepsy - the number of people presently in the world who have epilepsy now or have had it in the past or will experience it in the future - is approximately 100 million people.The results of the study was presented at the American Academy of Neurology last week in San Francisco.Omega-3 fortified foods currently represent a €38 million opportunity for food manufacturers, according to recent data from Frost & Sullivan, and this is expected to grow by 10 per cent per year for the next three years before reaching a plateau. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/omega-3-influence-on-epilepsy http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-gets-a-for-effort Vitamin D Gets A For EffortSource: www.thepittsburghchannel.comVitamin D is made in the body and holds dual roles. It helps deposit calcium in your bones and helps protect you from bone disease by keeping bones strong. Vitamin D is found in canned salmon, fortified milk, fortified orange juice and fortified cereals. It is also known as the "sunshine vitamin" because your body makes it after sunlight hits your skin. Just a few minutes of sun three times a week can help the body activate vitamin D in the skin. In addition to bone health, new studies from Dartmouth Medical School show that along with calcium, vitamin D may help reduce colon polyps, a common precursor to colon cancer. Also, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health suggest women who consume 400 International Units of vitamin D every day have a 40 percent less risk of developing multiple sclerosis. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-gets-a-for-effort http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/red-palm-oil-as-means-of-combating-vitamin-a-deficiency Red palm oil as means of combating Vitamin A deficiencySource: www.webindia123.comVitamin A deficiency leads to eye malfunction and increases infant mortality. As the problem is especially prevalent in Africa, diet diversification by using locally available products is one of the possible means for alleviating these deficiencies. Focusing on this option, a project is under way to promote unrefined red palm oil in Burkina Faso. It has included a study, by scientists from the IRD, the University of Montreal and the IRSS of Ouagadougou on the impact of the introduction of this oil, produced in the South-West of the country, into the diet of women and children of another region where it is not normally used. They provided the first demonstration of the effectiveness of free voluntary consumption of this vegetable oil, rich in the precursor of vitamin A, beta-carotene, in reducing deficiencies of this vitamin in women and children. This long-term food-supplement strategy, effective in public health management, could also contribute to local economic development by stimulating production and creating jobs, especially for women. (ANI) Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/red-palm-oil-as-means-of-combating-vitamin-a-deficiency http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/coconut-oil-as-medicine Coconut oil as medicineSource: www.abs-cbnnews.comWith each passing year, the demand for reliable information about natural medicine grows greater and greater. Quite a number of medical practitioners and big pharmaceutical companies join the ranks of those recommending and manufacturing natural medi­cine. And drugstores now routinely offer a wide selection of natural remedies such as herbs, vitamins and minerals. The growth of natural medicine has resulted from the limitations of conventional medicine, much of which offers little in terms of prevention. One good example is in the treatment of common colds and flue. Over-the-counter cold-relief medications may do more harm than good, especially among seniors. Even more alarming, a recent survey found that half of patients with colds and other respiratory infections were given prescriptions for antibiotics. Inappropriately issued prescriptions, particularly antibiotics, are worthless against the majority of these infections because they are usually viruses, not bacteria. Antibiotics not only hamper and weaken the immune system but may also create disease-resistant strains of bacteria that are more and more difficult to eliminate. What’s the solution? Coconut oil. Yes, coconut oil may provide a vital role in the diet as an important physiologically functional food. Functional food provides health benefits beyond its nutritional content. The health and nutritional benefits of coconut oil have been recognized in many parts of the world for centuries. Research has shown that coconut oil is a valuable source of lauric acid, the medium chain saturated fatty acid precursor to the antimicrobial lipid monolaurin, which has important functional benefits for individuals with compromised immune systems. Currently, studies are being made on the effectiveness of coconut oil to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/Aids). Coconut oil is unique. While it is true that coconut oil is primarily saturated fat, which has been largely regarded as bad for the health, it must be pointed out that there are many different types of saturated fat which affect the body differently. The type of saturated fat in coconut oil, a plant source, is different from the type found in animal products. The therapeutic benefits of the oil found in coconut help protect against heart diseases, cancer, diabetes and other degenerative illnesses. It is unique among oils in that it promotes weight loss, which earns the reputation as the world’s only low-calorie fat. There are many different methods of processing coconut oil which affect the quality, appearance, flavor and aroma of the finished product. Coconut oil is commonly divided into two categories -- RBD and Virgin. RBD stands for “Refined, bleached, deodorized,” usually from copra (matured coconut). The term “Virgin” simply signifies oil made from fresh young coconut and has been subjected to less intense refining without chemicals. The oil is extracted by any of the following methods: boiling, fermentation, refrigeration, mechanical press, or centrifuge. One such product is Pro Source Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. It is made from fresh coconuts and is pure white when the oil is solidified, or crystal clear like water when liquefied. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/coconut-oil-as-medicine http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/fertility-herbal-supplement-sprouts-promising-results-in-stanford-pilot-study Fertility herbal supplement sprouts promising results in Stanford pilot studySource: www.innovations-report.comA researcher at the Stanford University School of Medicine says a small study shows promise for a nutritional supplement that may help boost fertility in women who have difficulty conceiving. Initial results indicate that of the women who took the supplement, one-third became pregnant after five months. "This was a small, pilot study but if the findings hold up in a larger trial, the supplement may be a feasible treatment for some women," said Lynn Westphal, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology, whose study results appear in the April issue of the Journal of Reproductive Medicine. One in six couples in the United States has trouble conceiving, Westphal said. The possible culprits include endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, male factor infertility and irregular menstrual cycles, among others. Treatments vary, and she said a growing number of patients have expressed interest in pursuing alternative therapies before taking more aggressive routes such as in vitro fertilization. Despite this, little research has been done on the benefit of a pre-pregnancy supplement to optimize fertility health. "There’s not a lot of work in this area but it’s an important one," she said. "Many women are interested in avenues aside from aggressive infertility treatment. If we can find an effective way to treat patients less invasively, it would be a great benefit." The supplement she studied, marketed as "FertilityBlend," contains chasteberry (an herb that has been shown to improve ovulation and restore progesterone balance, which can be skewed in women having difficulty conceiving), L-arginine (an amino acid that improves circulation to the reproductive organs), green tea and numerous vitamins and minerals. To study the effects of FertilityBlend, Westphal recruited 30 volunteers who had tried unsuccessfully to conceive for six to 36 months. The women ranged in age from 24 to 46; some had been tested and diagnosed with a particular disorder that hindered their fertility while others fell into the category of "unexplained" infertility. During the double-blind study, the women were randomly assigned to take the supplement or a placebo three times a day. Changes in progesterone levels, basal body temperatures and menstrual cycles were then monitored. After three months, the supplement group had an increased progesterone level and a significant increase in the average number of days in their menstrual cycle in which they had basal temperatures above 37 degrees Celsius, which indicates better ovulation, Westphal said. The placebo group, meanwhile, showed no notable changes. After five months, five of the 15 supplement participants were pregnant and none of the 15 women on placebo were. The pregnancies resulted in four healthy babies; one woman miscarried. "I was definitely skeptical before the study, but the results are promising," said Westphal, adding that she believes the chasteberry component of the supplement most likely played the biggest role in boosting fertility. Westphal said she considers the supplement a good option for younger women who choose to forego or postpone aggressive treatment. However, she encouraged women over the age of 35 who have been trying to get pregnant for more than six months to get a full evaluation from their physicians. Based on its promising findings, Westphal’s pilot study has been expanded to a larger multicenter study. She is currently enrolling women ages 18 to 43 who have been trying to get pregnant for six to 36 months and have abnormal menstrual cycles. She is also looking for men to enroll in a separate study on FertilityBlend for Men, a supplement containing L-carnitine (an amino acid that can improve sperm function) and ferulic acid (an antioxidant that has shown to improve sperm quality). Interested volunteers should call (650) 498-7911. The study was funded by the Asian Cultural Teaching Foundation and the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Daily Wellness Co., which manufactures FertilityBlend. Westphal’s Stanford colleague on the study was Mary Lake Polan, MD, PhD, who serves on the scientific advisory board of Daily Wellness. Stanford University Medical Center integrates research, medical education and patient care at its three institutions - Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford Hospital & Clinics and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford. For more information, please visit the Web site of the medical center’s Office of Communication & Public Affairs at http://mednews.stanford.edu. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/fertility-herbal-supplement-sprouts-promising-results-in-stanford-pilot-study http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/cod-liver-oil-the-facts Cod liver oil: the factsSource: www.timesonline.co.ukDon’t believe the hype — believe the many independent research results, says Simon Crompton So now that we’ve created our own hype about cod liver oil — is it actually true? Can something that simple really be that good? Science rarely provides simplicity, but the facts behind the health-giving qualities of cod liver oil are powerful — as long as you look at reputable research. Some of its benefits have been established through authoritative studies, others are supported by encouraging but inconclusive evidence. Its potential mainly revolves around its constituent fatty acids — eicosapentaeonoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). High levels of vitamins A and D bring additional benefits. Deficiencies in these oils and vitamins, which occur all too readily in modern diets, affect many of the body’s main systems. In three fields in particular, cod liver oil makes a unique impact: heart disease, joint pain and brain performance. There’s been excitement at the potential of cod liver oil in all these fields for some time — it’s just that recent research has provided convincing backing. Sold by pharmacists since the early 20th century, cod liver oil first gained its reputation as a protector against rickets because of its high vitamin D content. Our grandparents swore it was good for aching bones and, in the 1950s, the first evidence that this was true started to emerge as research began into its properties. Its key ingredients, DHA and EPA, are types of omega-3 fatty acid. These are found in oil extracted from fish liver or the flesh of oily fish — but unless you eat salmon, mackerel or herring several times a week, you’re unlikely to be getting enough. That’s why a daily supplement of omega-3 rich cod liver oil offers such a convenient option. Research has shown that these fish oils reduce the levels of unhealthy blood fats (triglycerides), raise levels of the healthy variety of cholesterol (high density lipoprotein), lower blood pressure, decrease the likelihood of blood clots and reduce inflammation. This is good news for preventing stroke, heart disease and arthritis. HEART DISEASE The effect on heart disease was demonstrated vividly in a series of papers published in the 1970s which showed that the Inuit people of Greenland, who eat salmon and whale meat — sources of omega-3 — had heart disease rates ten times lower than their Danish neighbours. More recently, a trial of 2,033 Welsh men who had suffered heart attacks was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The researchers found that the death rate in those subsequently advised to eat oily fish was 29 per cent lower than the others. INFLAMMATORY CONDITIONS There is also evidence that fish oil supplements help people with inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. This may not be unconnected with its benefits for heart disease because scientists believe that inflammation in the arteries is linked to heart attacks. Many studies have shown that omega-3 acids reduce joint pain and stiffness in people with rheumatoid arthritis, reducing the need for drugs. Ten trials in 1995 concluded that fish oil taken for three months brought a reduction in joint tenderness and stiffness. There is some less convincing evidence of the benefits of treating inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, with fish oils. OSTEOARTHRITIS New research from Cardiff University indicates that cod liver oil also helps people with the non-inflammatory form of arthritis — osteoarthritis. It can actually slow the destruction of joint cartilage, the researchers say. In their trial, they measured the levels of the enzymes that cause joint damage in a group of arthritis patients taking cod liver oil daily and a group taking nothing. Nearly nine out of ten of the cod liver oil group showed reduced or non- existent enzyme levels, while only a quarter of the non-cod liver oil group showed a reduction. BRAIN DEVELOPMENT AND MEMORY Omega-3 acids are important structural components of cell membranes — particularly in the brain and retina. So they are essential for the formation of new tissue; for example, in infant and child development. However, researchers are as yet unclear about the optimum levels of omega-3 in young children’s diets. There are clear signs from animal experiments, however, that if your brain is deprived of these vital fatty acids, your memory could be impaired. One study showed that when fish-oil deficient rats are transferred to a diet supplemented with DHA, they demonstrate dramatic improvement in learning and memory. BRAIN AND LEARNING DISORDERS Studies have shown that patients with depression, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease all have low levels of omega-3 fatty acids in cell membranes. Whether this is a cause or effect of the illness has yet to be established. But there is growing excitement among scientists that cod liver oil supplementation really might have a significant impact on young people with learning and behavioural disorders. In 1996 Purdue University researchers found that boys with low blood levels of essential omega-3 fatty acids have a greater tendency to have problems with behaviour, learning and health consistent with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). And there is a wealth of exciting anecdotal evidence that omega-3 supplementation produces dramatic improvements in children and young people with other problems, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia (co-ordination problems) and autistic-type disorders. VITAMINS It isn’t just the fatty acids in cod liver oil that are good for you. It provides high levels of vitamin D, essential for healthy bones and joints. Recent research has linked vitamin D deficiency with breast and colon cancer. It also provides vitamin A, which stimulates the immune system, keeps the eyes and skin healthy, protects against infections and some studies have indicated that it may protect against cancer. Lack of the particular form of vitamin A in cod liver oil may have a dramatic effect on some children. The American researcher Mary Megson says it causes blockages in vital visual, sensory, language and attention pathways in the brain. Her theory has been backed by a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 38 children with autism, which found that those taking cod liver oil showed significant improvements in their abilities over six months. CHOOSING AN OIL So how much cod liver oil should you take and are there any types that are better than others? How rich the cod’s liver is in omega-3 and vitamins depends on its stage in the breeding cycle but all brands of oil are blended so they achieve a consistent level of omega-3 and vitamin constituents. It makes no difference where the cod comes from. What you do need to consider carefully when choosing your oil is how likely it is to include contaminants (see panel right). Ann Walker, the senior lecturer in human nutrition at the University of Reading, says it is always best to go with a specialist manufacturer, and never stint on the grounds of cost. “A lot of big shops’ own-brand cod liver oil is of a lower quality,” she says. DOSAGE According to Dr Walker, cod liver oil capsule manufacturers’ recommendation of “one a day” is meaningless and the UK Government’s recommended daily intake of 100mg is far too low. In fact, she says, consumers shouldn’t be looking at total capsule size; they should be looking at is the EPA and DHA content listed on the side of jar or bottle. In some cod liver oil products, the fatty acids are concentrated. For example, EPA ranges between 40mg to 250mg in capsules. All the trial data on the benefits of cod liver oil has been based on high dosage of EPA and DHA, Dr Walker says. So even for a purely protective effect against joint pain, heart disease, and other inflammatory conditions, she recommends that an adult should be looking at a daily intake of 1g of EPA and DHA combined — that would mean taking up to ten low-dose capsules. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/cod-liver-oil-the-facts http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/alzheimers-vitamin-link Alzheimers, vitamin linkSource: www.bordermail.com.auALZHEIMERS disease could be related to a deficiency of key nutrients such as iron and Vitamin E, a new study has suggested. The Australian Centre for Neuropsychotherapy conducted a year-long study using American medical library resources to analyse and collect results from other research projects. It concluded there was a strong link between Vitamin E and folate deficiencies and the prevention of brain degeneration. The study found that the rural community of Chandra in northern India had the lowest rate of Alzheimers disease in the world. This may be due to the communitys high intake of the spice tumeric, an active component of curcumin, believed to have brain cell protective qualities. The Monogahela Valley in Pennsylvania was found to have the highest rate in the world. Mr Rod Markham, director of the Australian Centre for Neuropsychotherapy, said there was a growing amount of clinical research suggesting the link between Alzheimers and nutrients. He said the reason for the research was to determine whether a brain patch could be developed, which would be stuck on the back of the neck to improve long-term memory. Based on the findings, Mr Markham recommended people increase their intake of Vitamin E and folate, found in vegetable oils, wheat germ, whole-grain products, avocados and nuts. “Prevention of Alzheimers disease should start early in life with proper nutrition,” Mr Markham said. There could also be a link between Alzheimers and lack of amino acids. Alzheimers was becoming more common because the population was ageing and living longer. Exercise could also help preserve the brain. “If you dont use it you lose it,” he said. One study had suggested academics were less likely to develop Alzheimers because they exercised their brains more effectively and for longer periods of time. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/alzheimers-vitamin-link http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-b-may-reduce-fractures Vitamin B may reduce fracturesSource: news.statesmanjournal.comFolate and other B vitamins seem even more of a wonder drug than anyone suspected. Already known to prevent severe birth defects and heart attacks, they also may ward off broken bones from osteoporosis, two major studies suggest.The findings underscore doctors’ longstanding recommendation that people take multivitamins. They also could further support the government’s decision to require bread and cereal makers to fortify their products with folate, also known as folic acid.B vitamins are known to reduce levels of homocysteine, an amino acid already linked, at high levels, to an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and Alzheimer’s disease. Now research shows high levels of homocysteine double the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures.A report from Holland found that the risk of such fractures was twice as high in men and women with homocysteine levels in the top 25 percent, compared with those with lower levels. Similarly, a U.S. study found the risk nearly quadrupled in the top 25 percent of men and nearly doubled in the top 25 percent of women, compared with the 25 percent with the lowest levels.The studies were reported in today’s New England Journal of Medicine.Kiel said a standard multivitamin, taken once daily, would bring a person’s homocysteine levels below the danger point. Foods naturally rich in B vitamins and calcium — including dairy products, broccoli, carrots, avocados, cantaloupes, apricots, almonds and peanuts — also can reduce the broken-bone risks.Since 1998, when the U.S. government began requiring that folate be added to bread, cereal and other flour products, the resulting drop in Americans’ homocysteine levels has been credited with preventing about 48,000 deaths from heart attacks and strokes each year. Also, severe brain and spinal birth defects have dropped 27 percent — the strategy’s original purpose. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-b-may-reduce-fractures http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/form-of-vitamin-e-may-reduce-bladder-cancer Form of Vitamin E May Reduce Bladder CancerSource: www.cancerwise.orgDiet High in Certain Fruits, Vegetables, Oils SuggestedOne form of vitamin E appears to offer protection against development of bladder cancer, while a second form has no beneficial effect, say a team of researchers led by M. D. Anderson. In a five-year study, which included 468 newly diagnosed bladder cancer patients and 534 people without cancer, researchers found that high dietary intake of alpha-tocopherol, one form of vitamin E, significantly reduced the risk of developing bladder cancer. But gamma-tocopherol, which is consumed in greater amounts than alpha-tocopherol in the United States, offered no protection, say the researchers led by Xifeng Wu, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology at M. D. Anderson. The research, which was conducted by M. D. Anderson epidemiologists and nutritionists from Texas Woman’s University, was presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research March 27-31.Diet tips“High intake of vitamin E from dietary sources was associated with a 42% reduced risk of bladder cancer, whereas a high intake of vitamin E from diet and supplements combined reduced the risk by 44%,” says the study’s first author, Ladia Hernandez, research dietitian in the Department of Epidemiology at M. D. Anderson.While the study is not over, researchers are recommending that people eat a healthy diet that includes fruit, vegetables and nuts. Many people do not eat the current recommended dietary allowance of 15 milligrams of vitamin E from their diet.Many foods include both forms of vitamin E, including some vegetables, nuts, fruits and oils. Researchers say foods richest in alpha-tocopherol include:Almonds Red and green peppers Spinach Mustard greens Sunflower seeds Vegetable oils (including cottonseed and safflower oils) Those high in gamma-tocopherol include:Walnuts Pecans Garbanzo beans Soybean oil Previous research tentatively linked low intake of vitamin E to bladder cancer, but those studies did not distinguish between the different forms of vitamin E, which include four tocopherols. Only the alpha and gamma forms of tocopherol are predominately found in food, and because they are metabolized differently, a recent Institute of Medicine report suggested they should be studied separately.Research processTo do that, the researchers had to develop a database for the alpha- and gamma-tocopherol contents of 200 different foods, based on an extensive review of published values and their own analytical values for foods like cornbread and french fries. These values were used to estimate the intakes of the two tocopherols in an ongoing study. Participants answered a detailed food-frequency questionnaire that summed up their dietary habits the year before they were diagnosed with bladder cancer or, in participants without cancer, the year before they agreed to participate in the study. Researchers then factored out other known bladder cancer risks, such as smoking, age, ethnicity and gender, to determine the benefits of the two forms of vitamin E.“Our long-term goal is to identify risk factors that are important for bladder cancer development,” Wu says. More studies are suggesting that different vitamins protect against different forms of cancer, and some point to a benefit from gamma-tocopherol in reducing the risk of developing prostate cancer. Scientists say, however, that more research is needed. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/form-of-vitamin-e-may-reduce-bladder-cancer http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-e-cancer VITAMIN E & CANCERSource: www.mensnewsdaily.comIn theory, vitamins and other nutrients with antioxidant activity might be able to reduce the incidence of both cancer and cardiovascular disease. Free radicals in our bodies are unstable atoms or molecules formed by normal metabolic chemical reactions. These substances are highly reactive against other atoms and molecules in the body, and are capable of causing damage to DNA, proteins, and fats throughout the body. Cellular damage caused by circulating free radicals in the body have been linked to many of the effects of aging, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other serious illnesses. For many years, nutrients with antioxidant properties, including vitamins E, C, and beta-carotene, have been studied as possible weapons against the harmful effects of free radicals. Unfortunately, the scientific evidence for any beneficial effect of large doses of these—and other—antioxidant nutrients is, at best, limited and contradictory. Multiple studies have looked at the impact of antioxidant vitamins on the incidence of cancer and cardiovascular disease, and most have shown no significant benefit. One such study suggested that active smokers who take beta-carotene supplements may actually experience an increase in the risk of developing lung cancer.The largely unregulated “nutritional supplements” industry, which is expected to reach $11 billion dollars in sales in the US this year, has an enormous stake in any research related to the effects of vitamins on health. This huge industry has, understandably, seized upon every scientific study showing potential health benefits associated with vitamins and other dietary supplements, while ignoring numerous studies that have failed to identify any such benefits. Caught in the middle between the “nutritional supplements” industry (an oxymoronic term, if there ever was one) and a large body of contradictory scientific research, the American consumer is basically left to figure out the indications for taking these supplements on his or her own.Most of the studies looking at the disease prevention effects of vitamins and other dietary supplements rely upon either dietary surveys or randomized trials in which volunteers take either supplement pills or placebo pills. The dietary survey method is more common than the randomized, prospective, double-blinded method of study, and for several reasons. The dietary survey method is a simple and inexpensive means of studying the impact of dietary factor on public health, and enables researchers to efficiently study large numbers of people. Unfortunately, studies that rely upon dietary surveys are less powerful than prospective randomized studies, as dietary surveys rely upon the memories of study participants, and so the retrospective data derived from this type of study is far more subjective than prospectively acquired data. An additional problem with the dietary survey model of research is that confounding factors among the study participants might not be uncovered by the research team managing the study, resulting in skewed data that does not actually explain the effects of diet, or dietary supplements, on the disease processes being evaluated. For example, if a group of study participants is divided into sub-groups defined by the level of their self-reported intake of, say, vitamin C, the research team will then statistically analyze the incidence of certain diseases in this group of volunteers as a function of their vitamin C intake. But if the research team fails to recognize, for example, that the study participants with the highest self-reported intake of vitamin C also exercise more regularly than the people who consume the lowest levels of vitamin C, an attempt to correlate a reduction in cardiovascular disease incidence with high levels of dietary vitamin C might be completely erroneous. In this example, differences in exercise habits between volunteers with the highest levels of vitamin C in their diets and those with the lowest levels would be a confounding factor. In my example, I have used a glaringly obvious potential confounding factor, exercise levels, to illustrate my point. However, the interactions of various dietary factors, genetic predispositions, lifestyle behaviors, the side effects of medications, gender, age, environmental factors, emotional and mental health issues, and numerous other simple and complex factors (and all of them potentially interacting with each other at multiple different levels), make it extremely difficult for researchers to identify and correct for every conceivable confounding factor. On the other hand, matching study participants as carefully as possible prior to beginning a new study, and then giving them either a nutritional supplement or a placebo pill (and not allowing either the research team or the study volunteers to know which pill they are actually receiving), bypasses many of the potential weaknesses of retrospective dietary survey studies.When I review studies that look at the potential health impact of a specific dietary supplement, I am looking for simplicity, power, and accuracy. The more focused the study is on a specific endpoint (for example, what is the effect of garlic supplementation, within a controlled prospective study, on blood cholesterol levels?), the more likely that the study’s conclusions are going to be accurate. A new study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute has piqued my interest, particularly in view of the very contradictory scientific evidence available that vitamin E might reduce the risk of certain cancers. Up front, one potential limitation of this study is that it uses a mouse model instead of a human model, and we know that what works in a mouse doesn’t always work in a human being. Having made this disclaimer, this study, at a minimum, demonstrates a biochemical mechanism whereby a specific form of vitamin E might actually reduce the risk of tumor formation and progression. In this study, an established and validated test for detecting DNA mutations was used to assess the impact of two different chemical forms of vitamin E on the presence of two tumor-associated DNA mutations in mice with experimentally induced tumors. Two different groups of tumor-bearing mice were fed diets high in either alpha-tocopherol or gamma-tocopherol, two different forms of vitamin E that are found in natural sources of this fat soluble vitamin. A third group of mice received normal mice chow, without vitamin E supplementation. The authors found that the tumors in the mice fed high levels of alpha-tocopherol, but not gamma tocopherol, underwent a significant reduction in the expression of two mutated genes associated with genetic instability in their tumors. Interestingly, the 28 mice that were fed 50 mg or less per kg of body weight of alpha-tocopherol per day all experienced a significant reduction in the function of one of the two mutated tumor-associated genes that were studied. Among the 18 mice that received 100 mg/kg body weight of alpha-tocopherol per day, 7 (39%) had evidence of suppressed function of this same tumor-associated mutant gene (these results, in both groups of mice, were based upon comparison with the third group of mice who did not receive any dietary supplementation with any form of vitamin E). Although the small numbers of mice in each group may limit conclusions regarding a dose-response effect, these results at least suggest that there may be an optimal dose of supplemental alpha-tocopherol necessary to shutdown the function of, at least, this one tumor-associated mutant gene (at least in mice…). This is a very intriguing study, and demonstrates a specific biochemical mechanism whereby alpha-tocopherol is able to reduce, or down-regulate, the function of mutant genes associated with genetic instability in tumors. Of course, this same mechanism of alpha-tocopherol anti-tumor function must be demonstrated in humans before the results of this study can be generalized to human beings. However, this elegant and focused research study provides powerful evidence that at least one form of the vitamin E that we consume from natural dietary sources can, at least in mice, reverse the function of tumor-associated mutant genes.BRIEFLY…Cancer Journal: Previous studies have shown contradictory effects of the popular cholesterol-reducing statin drugs on the risk of developing cancer. In an age-matched study of 975 women with a history of breast cancer and 1,007 women without breast cancer, current or prior use of statin drugs was not associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Among women who used statin drugs for more than 5 years, there was actually a 30% reduction in the relative risk of developing breast cancer when compared to women who had never taken statin drugs.Cancer Journal: A total of 23,618 postmenopausal Danish women were followed for an average of 4.8 years, and the incidence of breast cancer in this group of women was correlated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use. Overall, the women who reported prior or current HRT use experienced a 222% increase in the relative risk of developing breast cancer when compared to women who reported no current or prior HRT use. The women who reported continuous long-term HRT use, not surprisingly, had the highest risk of developing breast cancer, and breast tumors sensitive to estrogen stimulation in particular. More evidence that chronic HRT is associated with a significantly increased risk of breast cancer….Journal of Urology: The relationship, if any, between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and nighttime bed-wetting (enuresis) has not previously been well studied. A total of 120 children, age 6 to 12 years, with a history of enuresis were evaluated. Among these 120 children, 15% were diagnosed with the full ADHD syndrome, while 22.5% met the diagnostic criteria for the ADHD inattentive subtype (i.e., attention deficit disorder, but without hyperactivity). This is much higher than the generally accepted incidence of ADHD in the general population, which is estimated to be 3 to 5%. Moreover, the study determined that the older children (those 9 to 12 years of age) with enuresis in this study were more likely than the younger children to have ADHD. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-e-cancer http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/dandelions-have-health-benefits-other-uses Dandelions have health benefits, other usesSource: www.indystar.comIf there ever was a plant that jumped in and out of the role of "weed," it is dandelion. Lawn-lovers, gardeners, even fruit farmers despise the plant for its appearance and the way it grabs for nutrients and water and distracts bees. The plant is perennial, tough, and spreads its seeds all summer long. What a weed!Hoeing or mowing hardly fazes dandelion. The thick, deep roots are a storehouse of energy that fuels growth of new leaves each time you lop off the old ones. The seeds are well adapted to hitchhiking a ride on the slightest breeze.Weed killers are effective against dandelion, but digging out whole roots is a satisfying, nontoxic way of getting rid of the plants. Just slide a shovel into the ground next to the plant, then lever the root up as you pull on the crown.Easier than eradicating dandelion might be to change your perception of it. For centuries, this plant has been praised for its health-promoting properties. The leaves are richer in calcium than milk, richer in vitamin A than carrots, and compare with spinach in iron, as well as with oranges in vitamin C.Recognizing the healthful properties, the ease of growth, and the good flavor (when grown well) of dandelion, gardeners in various parts of the world started cultivating the plant about 150 years ago. Some of these varieties are still available today.Whether you grow dandelion in the garden or just harvest it from the wild, the plant has many uses. (Make sure any plants that you eat are not from lawns or fields treated with pesticide.) The youngest leaves in the center of the rosette are tasty enough for fresh salads or to boil up as "greens."To make the leaves more tender and less bitter, keep them in the dark under an inverted flowerpot for a week before harvest. The roots can be cooked as a vegetable or roasted as a coffee substitute. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/dandelions-have-health-benefits-other-uses http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-c-can-save-your-life Vitamin C Can Save Your LifeSource: www.lewrockwell.comIn the hopes of not typecasting myself as simply an attacker of the Bush administration, I think it is time to break ground on a new topic: vitamins and supplements. Yes, while an immoral war rages miles away from home and the administration scurries around trying to stop the bleeding at home, I think it is time to discuss an issue that will probably fly underneath the radar screen of most observers. On January 20th, 1985, the Dan Marino-led Miami Dolphins were defeated soundly in Super Bowl XIX by the San Francisco 49ers and Joe Montana. While I can not remember the exact score, I can remember that I was sick with the flu. That was nineteen years ago and is not too big of a deal in and of itself. What I do believe is somewhat interesting, is that I have not had the flu since. There is but one reason for this in my opinion: vitamin C. I am not talking about a couple hundred milligrams that come as part of a multi-vitamin. I am talking about thousands of milligrams per day.The merits of vitamin C have been well known for some time. In 1747, Scottish naval surgeon James Lind discovered that a nutrient (now known to be vitamin C) in citrus foods prevented scurvy. It was rediscovered by Norwegians, A. Hoist and T. Froelich in 1912. Vitamin C was the first vitamin to be artificially synthesized in 1935. A process invented by Dr. Tadeusz Reichstein, of the Swiss Institute of Technology in Zurich. The most recent studies have shown that it may fend off everything from Alzheimer’s to stress. In short, there is credible evidence to support my claim that I have not been sick in nearly 20 years due to my taking high doses of vitamin C. Additional proof of the healing powers of vitamin C was shown to me when a former neighbor of mine told me that as a young boy, (prior to the days of polio vaccines), he was treated with vitamin C at Duke University while suffering from the disease. He was completely cured. A good source of information on the topic of vitamins and supplements is MaryClinic.com. Dr. Charles C. Mary, himself a colon cancer survivor based only on the intravenous taking of vitamin C, heads this New Orleans based clinic which has become a haven for those who have been failed (or fooled) by traditional medicine.While discussing the value of vitamins and supplements is probably an issue only a handful of LRC readers might wish to discuss, the pending legislation that would call for stricter monitoring of the industry should be important to freedom lovers who are tired of governmental interference. Currently, I pay about $5 online for 100 capsules of 1000 mg vitamin C. In addition, I take several other supplements that give my knees and back much more relief than would ibuprofen. These additional supplements are a bit more expensive, so I spend about $30 a month on vitamins and supplements. Senate Bill 722 seeks to end that, calling for more FDA oversight, and consequently an estimated increase of 70% to consumers of these products. This oversight is necessary in the eyes of some lawmakers because apparently, some people who use the Internet and shop at health food stores can not read. On the bottle of every supplement made, packed, and shipped, read words similar to this: "WARNING: This product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease. Consumers are cautioned to read all labels and follow all directions. You should always consult with your physician before using this or any such products." In other words, "Use at your own risk." Unfortunately, we now live in a time in which individuals can not make decisions for themselves. We are living in a time in which seemingly normal adults are not considered competent enough to discern whether a little bit of St. John’s Wort might be good for them. It is incredible that there are some who think that "pro choice" should mean the ability to abort an unborn child at any time, but not the ability to choose what vitamins to take. It should not come as any surprise that this bill was co-sponsored by none other than Hillary Clinton, Dianne Feinstein, and Charles Schumer after having been sponsored by Illinois Democrat Richard Durbin.Recent data show that 16 deaths were attributed to dietary supplements in 2002. The American Medical Association has reported that approximately 106,000 deaths a year can be attributed to prescription drugs while thousands more have been caused by over the counter drugs. It seems that America, instead of being called the "Land of the Free," is now the "Land of the Over Reaction," for just like 9-11 brought knee-jerk reactions from those in Washington, so did the deaths that were only partially linked to ephedra. Apparently, that is what those in Washington are sent there to do: ensure that no one dies of ephedra, or no student gets left behind, or perhaps no small business owner gets ahead. Currently, the bill is in committee. While I am no parliamentarian, I realize that this bill becomes an easy insert into all manner of other legislation. For example, President Bush ran into problems when he tried to hammer home Patriot Act II. Instead of passing the entire bill, bits of it have been incorporated into other similar pieces of legislation like H.R. 3037, "The Antiterrorism Tools Enhancement Act of 2003"; H.R. 3040 and S. 1606, "The Pretrial Detention and Lifetime Supervision of Terrorists Acts of 2003"; and H.R. 2934 and S. 1604, the "Terrorist Penalties Enhancement Act of 2003." With Senate Bill 722, it is an easy fit into the Agricultural Appropriations Bill. The smokescreen of choice for all of this legislation is "safety," but the true intention is the power grab that typifies Washington.While it is always entertaining to discuss when it was that the American politician lost his grasp of the Constitution, I think some attention needs to be paid to what it is that they are called by the media. I can remember a time in which politicians were called just that: politicians. It seems that over night, they became "law makers," as though they produce corvettes, curtains, or cocktails. Evidently, the word politician had far too many negative overtones. Now that the much more benign label of law maker is being used, it seems the goal of every congressman is to pass legislation. It is not important whether the legislation deals with spam or supplements. Sadly, the politicians only have the power because "we the sheeple" have given it to them.If you are interested in combating this bit of legislation, you can go to Puritan.com to get more information. There is a form letter that you can tweak to your liking and send to your representative or senator.May 18, 2004 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-c-can-save-your-life http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/low-vitamin-d-linked-to-insulin-resistance Low Vitamin D Linked to Insulin ResistanceSource: www.reuters.comPeople with a low level of vitamin D in the blood have poorly functioning insulin-producing cells and show a poor response to insulin, even when their blood sugar levels are normal, according to California-based researchers. "Low vitamin D is extremely common," lead investigator Dr. Ken C. Chiu told Reuters Health. Moreover, "our observations indicate that low vitamin D has a small but significant impact" on blood glucose metabolism and diabetes, he said. Chiu and colleagues at the University of California, Los Angeles came to this conclusion after a study involving 126 healthy, glucose-tolerant subjects. As reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the team found that the lower the vitamin D concentration, the longer it took for blood glucose levels to decline during oral glucose testing. Overall, subjects with low levels of vitamin D were more likely than did those with higher concentrations to exhibit components of the so-called metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, high blood pressure and insulin resistance. In particular, 14 of 49 participants classified as having vitamin D were deemed at risk of the syndrome versus 9 of 79 without such deficiency. "Now, we have one more reason to keep up vitamin D," Chiu added. However, he also emphasized that "correction of low vitamin D itself is not sufficient in the treatment of these conditions and too much vitamin D could also be harmful." SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, May 2004. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/low-vitamin-d-linked-to-insulin-resistance http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/what-s-in-your-vitamin-e- What’s in Your Vitamin E?Source: www.newswise.comVitamin E in foods may offer more health benefits than vitamin E supplements. How to know if you’re getting your vitamin E’s worth? The July issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers guidance: * Vitamin E comes in many forms. Foods contain the alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, and delta-tocopherol forms of vitamin E. Research suggests that these forms -- when obtained from foods such as nuts, vegetable oils, whole grains, tomato products and dark-green leafy vegetables, may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancers. * Supplements appear less beneficial. Studies haven’t consistently shown that supplemental vitamin E provides the same risk-reducing effect as does vitamin E in foods. It could be because supplements typically contain only the alpha-tocopherol form, or have it in high amounts. * Some supplements could be better than others. Supplements that contain mixed tocopherols -- including natural alpha-tocopherol and other forms such as gamma- and delta-tocopherol, may provide better health benefits. * Food offers other benefits. Foods high in vitamin E also are rich in other compounds that can protect against disease. Even if you take a supplement, don’t neglect rich dietary sources of vitamin E. Mayo Clinic Health Letter is an eight-page monthly newsletter of reliable, accurate and practical information on today’s health and medical news. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/what-s-in-your-vitamin-e- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/dietary-supplement-with-plant-extract-may-ease-hangover Dietary Supplement with Plant Extract May Ease HangoverSource: www.innovations-report.comIndividuals who took a dietary supplement containing extracts of Opuntia ficus indica, a type of prickly pear cactus, before consuming alcohol, had reduced symptoms of alcohol hangover compared to individuals who drank but took placebo, according to an article in the June 28 issue of The Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Alcohol hangovers cause substantial economic and health consequences, the article states. The severity of alcohol hangovers may be related to inflammation caused by impurities in alcoholic beverages and byproducts of alcohol metabolism. C-reactive protein, a protein produced by the liver, becomes elevated after injury or trauma and is thought to be involved in inflammation and alcohol hangovers. An extract from the skin of the prickly pear fruit, Opuntia ficus indica (OFI) has been shown to reduce inflammation, the article states. Jeff Wiese, M.D., of Tulane University, New Orleans, and colleagues investigated the effect of OFI on the symptoms of alcohol hangover. The researchers randomly assigned 55 young adult volunteers (aged 21 to 35 years) to receive either OFI or placebo five hours before alcohol consumption. The study participants were given dinner (cheeseburger, fries and soda) four hours before alcohol consumption started, and were able to choose a single type of alcohol to drink for the study: vodka, gin, rum, bourbon, scotch, or tequila. Over four hours of drinking, volunteers consumed up to 1.75 grams of alcohol per kilogram of body weight, a quantity that has produced hangovers in previous studies. One hour after alcohol consumption ended, the researchers measured blood alcohol levels, and the volunteers were driven home. The next morning, volunteers returned to the study site and had their vital signs measured, and blood and urine samples were taken. Hangover severity (based on nine symptoms) and overall well-being were assessed on a scale (zero to six points, with six points indicating the worst well-being). Two weeks later, the study was repeated with the same volunteers except those that were previously given OFI were given placebo and vice versa. The researchers found that three of the nine symptoms of hangover – nausea, dry mouth, and loss of appetite – were significantly reduced after taking OFI. The average score for well-being the next morning was 2.75 for volunteers who took OFI and 3.10 for volunteers who took placebo. The researchers also found that levels of C-reactive protein were strongly associated with hangover severity, and C-reactive protein levels were 40 percent higher in volunteers who took placebo compared with OFI. “In this randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, we found hangover symptom severity to be moderately reduced by an extract of the prickly pear plant, Opuntia ficus indica,” the authors write. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/dietary-supplement-with-plant-extract-may-ease-hangover http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/trial-proves-vitamins-slow-down-hiv-aids Trial Proves Vitamins Slow Down HIV/AidsSource: allafrica.comTAKING the right vitamins has been proved to slow down the progression of HIV.A study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine this week, is one of the first to prove the benefits of vitamins for HIV-positive patients.In South Africa, many doctors recommend vitamin supplements for HIV-positive patients, but they are not always available in public hospitals.During a two-year trial, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 1 078 HIV-positive pregnant women were given vitamin supplements or placebos. The researchers reported that women in the multivitamin group were "significantly less likely to progress to [Aids] or die of Aids-related causes"."In addition to enhancing immunity, multivitamins may also reduce HIV replication, as indicated by a significant reduction in viral load," they said.The women who took a combination of vitamins B, C and E were 30% less likely to progress to Aids or die; they were also less at risk for rashes, inflammation and fatigue.Vitamin A alone seemed to have some negative effects and when taken with other vitamins reduce their benefits.Dr Barbara Marston and Dr Kevin de Cock said in the journal that there was now a need to evaluate the effect of multi vitamins in larger populations, "particularly among persons with more advanced HIV disease or more serious nutritional deficiencies".HIV specialists in South Africa said the findings were significant.Dr Des Martin, head of the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society, said: "This makes me prick up my ears. It is very significant. We have always thought malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies accelerate the progression towards Aids."Johannesburg Hospital's Dr Francois Venter said it was interesting that multivitamins helped irrespective of the CD4 count or clinical stage.In the Western Cape, almost all HIV-positive patients received multivitamins, said HIV/Aids head Dr Fareed Abdullah.In Gauteng, only some patients have access to multi vitamins.Dr Alan Karstaedt, who runs the HIV clinic at Chris Hani Bara gwanath Hospital, in Soweto, said it had no multivitamins at the moment.At the HIV clinic in Kalafong, near Pretoria, patients get a B-complex supplement.Dr Mariette Botes said: "We are lucky that many of our patients are employed and have [nutritious] food. But nutrition is an extremely big problem in rural areas."Dr Leon Regensberg, clinical director of Aid for Aids, South Africa's biggest managed-treatment programme, said patients on medical aid were routinely advised to take vitamins.Relevant Links East Africa AIDS Tanzania Health and Medicine "We had the view all along that micronutrients do have value but we have been waiting for scientific evidence to back this up.He warned, however, that excessive doses of vitamins could be harmful. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/trial-proves-vitamins-slow-down-hiv-aids http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/from-prayer-to-herbs From prayer to herbsSource: www.usnews.comAlternative medicine is looking more mainstream than alternative. According to a new government survey, over a third of American adults use some form of nontraditional medicine.What the researchers wanted to know: How many Americans use complementary and alternative medicine? What therapies do they use? And why?What they did: This is government work, so there are a lot of long titles involved. Researchers at the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (part of the National Institutes of Health) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed part of the 2002 data from the National Health Interview Survey, for which more than 30,000 adults answered questions about their health and healthcare. The survey, which is designed to get a representative sample of Americans, has been going on for decades, collecting reams of data on the health of Americans.What they found: Over a third of adults had used some form of nontraditional medicine in the previous 12 months. If you count people who use prayer specifically for better health, the proportion goes up to 62 percent. Forty-three percent of adults pray specifically for their own health, and nearly 25 percent have someone else pray for them. After prayer, the most commonly used therapies were natural products (including herbs), 19 percent; deep breathing, 12 percent; taking part in a health prayer group, 10 percent; meditation, 8 percent; chiropractic, 8 percent; yoga, 5 percent; massage, 5 percent; and diet-based therapies (including Atkins and Zone diets), 4 percent. Most people who use complementary and alternative therapies say they do so because they think that combining those therapies with conventional medicine will help; half of all people try alternative medicine because they think it's interesting to try.Who cares: I do. Don't you? Doctors should care that nearly 20 percent of U.S. adults are taking "natural products"—and remember to ask their patients if they're taking any dietary supplements, which may interact with prescription or over-the-counter drugs.The caveats: The data come from a survey, so people could be lying about the treatments they've tried. Also, these data are only about one point in time; they don't say anything about how alternative medicine usage is changing over time.Find out more: The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (http://nccam.nih.gov) has this study and health resources on complementary and alternative medicine.Information about the National Health Interview Survey is at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm. This study is posted there, too.Retired psychiatrist Stephen Barrett is extremely skeptical about alternative medicine and has the website to prove it: www.quackwatch.com. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/from-prayer-to-herbs http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/orange-colored-bananas-could-help-prevent-blindness Orange colored bananas could help prevent blindnessSource: www.webindia123.comAn orange colored banana called 'karat', which is a native fruit of the Pacific islands of Micronesia, has been found to be so rich in vitamin A that it could help prevent certain types of blindness in children suggests a new study, which was presented at an international conference on bananas and plantains, in Penang, Malaysia, this week.According to New Scientist, the study conducted by the agriculture ministry of Pohnpei, a Micronesian island, has indicated that karat is unusually rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. Beta-carotene is also responsible for the banana's orange color.Karat is one the 21 types of native bananas found on the islands. They were earlier given to children on the islands in order to make them start taking solid foods after they stop getting their mother's milk.Researchers have now found that 15 of the 21 types of bananas had enough carotenoids content to make up for half of the required daily intake of vitamin A, when combined with a good diet.The karat had the maximum carotenoid content, which was found to be 25 times as much beta-carotene as the traditional Cavendish banana."Steam-boiling karats makes more arytenoids available to the body. But they can also be eaten ripe and raw," said Lois Englberger of the Island Food Community of Pohnpei, who authored the study. (ANI) Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/orange-colored-bananas-could-help-prevent-blindness http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/cancer-survivors-may-benefit-from-nutrition-plan Cancer survivors may benefit from nutrition planSource: www.chron.comAfter her third battle with cancer, Diana Dyer decided she needed something more than surgery and chemotherapy to keep the disease at bay. During treatment, she ate whatever she could tolerate to get the calories her body needed. But afterward, her goal was to use diet to minimize the risk of recurrence.She increased her exercise; reduced her alcohol intake; avoided saturated fats in animal foods and trans and hydrogenated fats in processed foods; switched to olive and canola oils; gave up red meats and poultry and ate more soy foods, fatty fish and eggs, rich in omega-3 fatty acids; doubled her fiber intake through whole grains, legumes and nine or more servings a day of fruits and vegetables; replaced diet sodas with tomato and orange juice and green tea; stuck to low-fat dairy products; and added nuts and flax seeds to her diet.She describes her plan, including what to do when eating out, in A Dietitian's Cancer Story (Swan Press, $15.95) and offers two weeks of menus and recipes on her Web site, at www.cancerrd.com. Part of the sales proceeds from the book benefit the American Institute for Cancer Research. The book can be ordered through the institute at 800-843-8114.Also helpful on the subject is the American Cancer Society's publication "Nutrition for the Person With Cancer: A Guide for Patients and Families," available by calling 800-227-2345.Will Dyer's approach help keep her free of cancer? So far she has been healthy. And the diet will lower her risk of heart disease.To help health-care providers and their patients make the best choices based on the best available evidence, three years ago the American Cancer Society published a guide on nutrition during and after cancer treatment. It was designed to help the more than 1.2 million Americans who each year receive cancer diagnoses and the more than 9 million who have thus far survived cancer. The article can be found online at caonline.amcancersoc.org and in the May/June 2001 issue of the journal CA. During treatment Current approaches to cancer treatment — surgery, radiation and chemotherapy — may not only change a person's nutritional needs but also interfere with the ability to consume, digest, absorb and assimilate food. In most cases, cancer treatment increases a person's caloric needs while making it more challenging to meet them. Small, frequent, appealing meals and snacks and foods that are easy to chew, swallow, digest and absorb are recommended, even if they are high in calories or fat. This is not a time to try to lose weight or worry about how healthful foods might be. Meeting one's caloric needs is the primary goal; during treatment, it is often helpful to add beverages such as Ensure or Boost as temporary aids.But the cancer society's experts warn against consuming high levels of certain supplements that may do more harm than good. Folic acid, for example, can interfere with the action of some chemotherapeutic drugs, such as methotrexate, that act as folic-acid antagonists. And high doses of antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, which patients sometimes take in hopes of protecting normal cells, may reduce the effectiveness of therapies that work by causing oxidative damage to cancer cells.As a prudent approach during treatment, experts recommend "not to exceed the upper limits of the Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamin supplements and to avoid other nutritional supplements that contain antioxidant compounds."Cancer treatment often suppresses immune responses, so it is also important to pay particular attention to food safety. Do not eat raw fish or undercooked meats and poultry or drink unpasteurized juices; rinse all fruits and vegetables; and protect foods eaten uncooked from drippings or utensils used on raw meats, poultry and seafood.Once active treatment ends, the goal is to rebuild muscle strength and correct problems that may have been caused by treatment, such as anemia. Again, this is not a time to diet; the emphasis should be on eating healthful foods. Eating for good health The cancer society experts say, "There is no evidence to support fasting as a healthy practice during cancer treatment or beyond." Vegetarian diets and macrobiotic diets based on whole grains, fruits and vegetables, beans, fermented soy products, nuts, seeds and teas "can be consistent with a healthy diet" as long as consumers are careful to take in enough calories and essential nutrients.But the experts found "no data to support the claim that a macrobiotic diet reduces cancer incidence or recurrence" any more than the less restricted regimen the society recommends, which includes animal-protein foods in moderation.Although a one-a-day type of multivitamin-mineral supplement can help compensate for nutrient shortfalls, the experts advise against doses above the recommended intake for any nutrient.Alcohol is best avoided or consumed in moderation — at most one drink a day for women, two for men — since it is associated with an increased risk of breast, lung and digestive cancers. Purple grape juice helps protect against heart disease. Teas are all right for cancer survivors, as long as they are made from plants that are ordinarily used for foods or beverages. Caffeine is all right, too; it has no link to cancer.As Dyer discovered, until there is evidence to the contrary, eating lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains rich in potentially protective fiber and phytochemicals should be the goal for all cancer survivors — and for everyone else. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/cancer-survivors-may-benefit-from-nutrition-plan http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/organic-foods-in-relation-to-nutrition-and-health-key-facts Organic foods in relation to nutrition and health key factsSource: www.medicalnewstoday.comThis factsheet is a summary of an article published in “Coronary and Diabetic Care in the UK 2004” by the Association of Primary Care Groups and Trusts (UK). It was written by James Cleeton, Policy Projects Co-ordinator at the Soil Association. The article concluded that a predominantly organic diet: • reduces the amount of toxic chemicals ingested; • totally avoids GMOs [genetically modified organisms]; • reduces the amount of food additives and colourings; • increases the amount of beneficial vitamins, minerals, EFAs [essential fatty acids] and antioxidants consumed; • appears to have the potential to lower the incidence of common conditions such as cancer, coronary heart disease, allergies and hyperactivity in children. 1) PESTICIDESThe routine use of synthetic pesticides is not allowed under organic standards. Currently, over 400 chemicals can be regularly used in conventional farming to kill weeds, insects and other pests that attack crops. For example, Cox’s apples can be sprayed up to 16 times with 36 different pesticides. 7 Only four chemicals are allowed in restricted circumstances under Soil Association standards. “Organic food contains fewer residues of pesticides used in conventional agriculture, so buying organic is one way to reduce the chances that your food contains these pesticides” (Sir John Krebs, Chair, Food Standards Agency, Cheltenham Science Festival debate, 5th June 2003). “Consumers who wish to minimise their dietary pesticide exposure can do so with confidence by buying organically grown food” (Baker et al 2002). OrganophosphatesThe most dangerous chemicals used in farming such as organophosphates [pesticides] have been linked with a range of conditions such as cancer, decreasing male fertility, foetal abnormalities, chronic fatigue syndrome in children and Parkinson’s disease. 8,9 Pesticide residues have been ranked among the top three environmental cancer risks by the American Government. 10Pesticide residues in foodIn recent years, UK Government research has consistently found pesticide residues in a third of food, including residues of more than one chemical in apples, baby food, bread, cereal bars, fresh salmon, lemons, lettuces, peaches, nectarines, potatoes and strawberries. 11 Not all foodstuffs are checked; instead a small number of different products is tested every 3 months and the results published by the Pesticide Safety Directorate (PSD). Residues of multiple pesticides: the cocktail effectAfter pressure from NGOs [non-governmental organisations] such as the Soil Association, the PSD has begun testing for multiple pesticide residues in its samples because evidence suggests that when acting in combination, harmful effects of pesticide residues may be increased. The Government has recognised that “….ignoring the cocktail effects during risk assessment will lead to significant under-estimations of risk”.12Combinations of low-level insecticides, herbicides and nitrates have been shown to be toxic at levels that individual chemicals are not.13 - 16 It is clearly an enormous task to test all possible combinations of the 400 permitted pesticides currently in use. It is clear that not enough is known about how combinations of pesticides affect our health, and the Government’s Committee on Toxicity has expressed disquiet about the risks involved.17Pesticides and cancerWomen with breast cancer are five to nine times more likely to have pesticide residues in their blood than those who do not.18 Previous studies have shown that those with occupational exposure to pesticides have higher rates of cancer.19 - 21 The apparent link between hormone dependent cancers, such as those of the breast and prostate, may be via endocrine disrupting chemicals [compounds that artificially affect the hormone system] such as 2,4D and Atrazine (both herbicides, now banned or about to be banned). The Royal Society [the UK’s main scientific organisation] recommends that human exposure to EDCs (especially during pregnancy) should be minimised on grounds of prudence.63 Effects of pesticides on childrenChildren may be particularly susceptible to pesticide residues as they have a higher intake of food and water per unit of body weight than adults and their relatively immature organ systems may have limited ability to detoxify these substances.22In a study of children aged 2 –4 living in Seattle, concentrations of pesticide residues up to six times higher were found in children eating conventionally farmed fruit and vegetables compared with those eating organic food.23 Whilst the presence of pesticide residues in children eating conventional food has been confirmed, the full effect of such pesticides are unknown. 2) FOOD ADDITIVESFood colourings and additives can cause a range of health problems in adults and children. For example, tartrazine (the yellow food colouring E102) and other additives have been linked to allergic reactions, headaches, asthma, growth retardation and hyperactivity in children.24 - 27Although around 300 additives are permitted in conventional food only 30 are allowed under Soil Association standards. Some additives found in organic food are added for legal reasons including iron, thiamine (vitamin B) and nicotinic acid (vitamin B3) in white flour, and various vitamins and minerals in different types of baby foods. All artificial colourings and artificial sweeteners are banned in organic food. Specific ingredients and additives not allowed in organic food are monosodium glutamate, aspartame, phosphoric acid and hydrogenated fats. In each case their use has been banned because of evidence that they can be damaging to health. For example, hydrogenated fats (also known as trans fats) have been directly linked with increased rates of heart disease, cancer and skin disease. 28,29,30,31 The FSA [Food Standards Agency] acknowledges that they have no known nutritional benefits and increase the risk of coronary heart disease. The FSA website advises that people should try to cut down their consumption of hydrogenated fat. 323) GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS Genetically modified organisms are banned from organic food. The potential health effects of GM foods are unknown. Michael Meacher the former Minister for the Environment recently stated that “We have had no systematic clinical or biochemical trials of the effects on human beings of eating GM food”. A paper in Nutrition and Health 33 supports Mr Meacher’s position. The authors state that there have only been ten published studies of the health effects of GM food and that the quality of some of these was inadequate. Over half were done in collaboration with companies (fully or partially), and these found no negative effects on body organs. The others were done independently and looked more closely at the effects on the gut lining; in several, evidence of harmful effects were found which remain unexplained. 33Similar effects on the gut lining were found in an unpublished animal feeding study on a GM tomato. In addition, a study by Newcastle University sponsored by the FSA found that the transgenes [genetically modified organisms] transfer into gut bacteria at detectable levels after only one GM meal. The health effects of these transgenes are unknown and until they have been properly tested people are, in our opinion, wise to avoid eating GM food. 4) ESSENTIAL VITAMINS AND MINERALSUK and US government statistics indicate that levels of trace minerals in fruit and vegetables fell by up to 76% between 1940 and 1991. 34,35 In contrast there is growing evidence that organic fruit and vegetables generally contain more nutrients than non-organic food. The Soil Association conducted a systematic review of the evidence comparing the vitamin and mineral content of organic and conventionally grown food. It was found that, on average, organic food contains higher levels of vitamin C and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium. 36An independent review of the evidence found that organic crops had significantly higher levels of all 21 nutrients analysed compared with conventional produce including vitamin C (27% more), magnesium (29% more), iron (21% more) and phosphorous (14% more). Organic spinach, lettuce, cabbage and potatoes showed particularly high levels of minerals. 375) ANTIOXIDANTSA high antioxidant intake has been shown to be associated with a reduced incidence of coronary heart disease and some cancers. Such antioxidants include certain vitamins (vitamin E and beta-carotene) and substances known as phenolics. Researchers have recognised the growing concern that levels of some phenolics may be lower than is optimal for human health in conventionally grown foods. 38Phenolics are generated by a plant when attacked by pests. Generally, organic crops are not protected by pesticides and research has shown that organically produced fruit contains higher levels of phenolic compounds than conventionally grown fruit. 38,39 Danish researchers have found that organic crops contain 10% to 50% more antioxidants than conventional crops. 406) ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS The essential fatty acids (EFA), omega 3 and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) play an essential role in metabolism [chemical changes which take place in our bodies to utilise food and eliminate waste materials] and especially in the prevention of coronary heart disease and high blood pressure 41,42,43. Omega 3s also reduce the risk of neurological disorders including depression 44,45,46 and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in children 47,48,49,50, 51,52. Furthermore, CLA has been demonstrated to help prevent cancer and degenerative changes in the walls of the arteries 53,54 enhance growth promotion and reduce body fat 54, 55, 56. Forage based diets [a diet based on fresh or dried food as opposed to processed feed] form the basis of organic livestock production systems and have the potential to decrease saturated fat concentrations and to increase the concentrations of omega-3 57, 58 and CLA 59,50,61 in beef. Milk taken from animals fed on a forage-based diet also display improved levels of EFAs, including CLA and omega 3. 61, 627) ALLERGIESIn a study of Swedish children, the prevalence of atopic disorders [allergies] from two different groups of children was measured. The study compared 295 children aged 5 – 13 years from two anthroposophic schools [schools with an alternative approach to education] with 380 children from two neighbouring state schools. The anthroposophical school children ate a predominantly organic diet, used antibiotics restrictively, had few vaccinations and their diet usually contained live lactobacilli [a friendly bacteria found in the upper intestinal tract of humans and in some yoghurts and in unpasteurised milk]. It was found that the anthroposophic way of life is associated with a lowered prevalence of atopy in children. 4The reduced incidence of atopic disorders is likely to be the result of a combination of lifestyle differences between the two groups of children so that the contribution of organic food consumption is unclear. However, consumption of organic food is the single most common factor unifying the anthroposophic children. 8) FERTILITYA steady deterioration in male reproductive health has been reported throughout Europe. Sperm concentrations have declined and abnormalities in sperm development have been recorded. Danish research compared the sperm density of members of an organic farming association (OFA) with that of three different occupational groups and found that that the former had significantly higher sperm counts 2. This research was corroborated in 1996 when members of another Danish OFA were compared with a control group of 797 healthy men. It was found that “…sperm concentration was higher among men eating organically produced food” 3. “A biological plausible hypothesis has suggested that man-made chemicals act as endocrine disrupters (EDC) resulting in altered development of the reproductive tract causing the observed effects”5. A number of pesticides regularly used in conventional agriculture are known to be EDCs. Therefore, if an individual’s diet does not contain pesticide residues, it can be hypothesised that the above abnormalities of sperm would be less likely. 9) POSITION OF THE FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY AND THE GOVERNMENTThe Food Standards Agency responded to the Soil Association’s report “Organic farming, food quality and human health’ (2001) by stating that: On the basis of current evidence, the Agency's assessment is that organic food is not significantly different in terms of food safety and nutrition from food produced conventionally. 1The Government has taken a more open-minded view. At a meeting between members of the Government’s Organic Action Plan and the FSA, the then Organic Farming Minister, Elliot Morley, suggested to the FSA that: "….while the FSA is clear that all conventionally produced food is safe, the FSA could also recognise that some consumers want less pesticide residues, less use of veterinary medicines, no routine use of antibiotics, and no use of GM ingredients, and that in all these areas organic food delivers what the consumers want." At that time, Sir John Krebs the Chair of the FSA, was unwilling to change its stance on organic food. However, in recent months Sir John has endorsed one of the organic sector’s findings, namely that organic food contains less pesticide residues. “Organic food contains fewer residues of pesticides used in conventional agriculture, so buying organic is one way to reduce the chances that your food contains these pesticides” (Sir John Krebs, Cheltenham Science Festival debate, 5th June 2003). Footnotes: References1) http://www.foodstandards.gov.uk/science/ sciencetopics/organicfood/2) Abel A et al (1994) High sperm density amongst members of organic farmers’ association, The Lancet, 343, p. 1498. 3) Jensen TK et al (1996) Semen quality among members of organic food associations in Zealand, Denmark, The Lancet, 347, p. 18444) Alm JS et al (1999) Atopy in children of families with an anthroposophic lifestyle, The Lancet, 353, p. 1485 – 1488. 5) Chia SE. (2000) Endocrine disruptors and male reproductive function--a short review. International Journal of Andrology, 23 Suppl 2:45-6. 6) Baker BP, Benbrook CM, Groth E, and Benbrook KL (2002) Pesticide residues in conventional, IPM-grown and organic foods: Insights from three U.S. data sets. Food Additives and Contaminants, 19, (5), p. 427-446. 7) MAFF (1998) 'Orchards and fruit stores in Great Britain 1996', Pesticide Usage Survey Report 142, MAFF publications, London. 8) BMA (1992) The BMA guide to pesticides, chemicals and health, Report of the Board of Science and Education, British Medical Association. 9) Robbins C (1991) Poisoned harvest: A consumer’s guide to pesticide use and abuse, Victor Gollancz Ltd, p. 300 – 313. 10) Balch JF and Balch PA, 1997, Prescriptions for nutritional healing, 2nd edition, Avery publishers, USA p. 176-183. 11) Pesticides Residues Committee (various years), Annual Report of the Pesticides Residues Committee, Pesticide Safety Directorate, DEFRA. 12) www.foodstandards.gov.uk/ science/ouradvisors/toxicity/COTwg/wigramp/ Stakeholder13) Porter et al (1993) Groundwater pesticides: interactive effects of low concentrations of carbamates aldicarb and methomyl and the triazine metribuzin on thyroxine and somatrophin levels in white rats, Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, (40) p. 15 – 34. 14) Boyd et al (1990) Behavioural and neurochemical changes associated with chronic exposure to low level concentrations of pesticide mixtures, Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, (30) p. 209 – 221. 15) Porter et al (1999) Endochrine immune and behavioural effects of aldicarb (carbamate), atrazine (triazine) and nitrate (fertiliser) mixtures at groundwater concentrations, Toxicology and Industrial health, (15) p. 133 – 150. 16) Thiruchelvam M et al (2000) The nigrostriatal dopaminergic system as a preferential target of repeated exposures to combined paraquat and maneb: implications for Parkinson’s Disease, Journal of Neuroscience, 20 (24) p. 2907 – 9214. 17) Committee on Toxicity (2002) Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment: Risk assessment of mixtures of pesticides and similar substances, Crown Copyright, September 2002. 18) Charlier G et al (2003) Breast cancer and serum organochlorine residues, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 60 (5), p. 348 - 35119) Schreinemachers DM (2000) Cancer mortality in four Northern wheat producing states, Environmental Health Perspectives, 108 (9), p. 873 – 881. 20) Alavanja MCR et al (2003) Use of agricultural pesticides and prostate cancer risks in the agricultural health study cohort, American Journal of Epidemeology, 157 (9), p. 800 – 814. 21) Ohio G. (1999) Endocrine disrupting chemicals and carcinogenicity Gan To Kagaku Ryoho, 26 (3), p. 263-8. (Japanese) 22) Eskenazi B, Bradman A and Castorina R, ‘Exposures of children to rganophosphate pesticides and their potential adverse health effects’, Environmental Health Perspectives, 107 (supp 3) p. 409 – 418. 23) Curl CL , RA Fenske and K Elgethun (2003) Organophosphorus pesticide exposure of urban and suburban pre-school children with organic and conventional diets, Environmental Health Perspectives, 111 (3) p. 377 – 382. 24) Hanssen M and Marsden J (1987) E for additives, 2nd edition, Harper Collins, UK25) Holford P (1998) 100% Health, Piatkus, London, p. 128 – 132. 26) Ward NI, Soulsbury KA, Zettel VH, Colquhoun ID, Bunday S and Barnes B (1990) ‘The influence of the chemical additive tartrazine on the zinc status of hyperkinetic children. Double blind placebo-controlled study’, Journal of Nutritional Medicine 1, p. 51 – 57. 27) Food Standards Agency (2000) ‘Do food additives cause hyperactivity and behaviour problems in a geographically defined population of 3 year old?’ MAFF/DEFRA project code FS3015. 28) EC Multicentre Study on Antioxidants, 1997. 29) Willet W et al (1993) ‘Intake of transfatty acids and risk of coronary heart disease amongst women’, The Lancet 341 (8845), p. 581 – 585. 30) Triosi R et al (1992) Trans-fatty acid intake in relation to serum lipid concentrations in adult men, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, , 56, p. 1010 – 1024. 31) Erasmus U (1999) Fats that heal, fats that kill, 2nd edition, Alive Books, Canada. 32) http://www.foodstandards.gov.uk/healthiereating/asktheexpert/fatsoils/hydrogenatedfat33) Pryme IF & Lembcke R (2003) In vivo studies on possible health consequences of genetically modified food and feed - with partifular regard to ingredients consisting of genetically modified plant materials. Nutrition and Health, 2003, Vol 17, p. 1-834) McCance & Widdowson (1991) The composition of foods. MAFF and the Royal Society of Chemistry. 35) Bergner P (1997) The healing power of minerals, special nutrients and trace elements, p. 312. Prima Publishing, Rocklin, CA. 36) Soil Association (2001) Organic Farming, food quality and human health: a review of the evidence. 37) Worthington V (2001) Nutritional quality of organic versus conventional fruits, vegetables, and grains. The Journal of Complimentary Medicine, vol. 7, No. 2, p. 161 – 173. 38) Asami et al (2003) Comparison of the Total Phenolic and Ascorbic Acid content of freeze-dried and Air Dried Marionberry, Strawberry and Corn Using Conventional, Organic, and Sustainable Agricultural Practices. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2003, 51, p. 1237 – 1241; 39) Carbonaro et al M (2003) Modulation of Antioxidant Compounds in Organic vs Conventional Fruit (Peach, Prunus persica L., and Pear, Pyrus communis L.). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2002, 50, p. 5458 – 5462). 40) Brandt K and Molgaard JP (2001), ‘Organic Agriculture: Does it enhance or reduce the nutritional value of food plants’, Journal of Science in Food and Agriculture, 81, p. 924 - 93141) Siscovick, D. S., T. E. Raghunathan, et al. (1995). Dietary Intake and Cell Membrane Levels of Long-Chain n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and the Risk of Primary Cardiac Arrest. Journal American Medical Association, 274(17): p. 1363 - 1367) 42) Department of Health (2000) National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease. 43) Lichtenstein AH (2003) Dietary fat and cardiovascular disease risk: quantity or quality? Journal of Womens Health (Larchmt), 12(2), p. 109 - 14. 44) Stoll A L (2001) The Omega-3 Connection: The Groundbreaking Anti-depression Diet and Brain Program. 45) Haag M (2003) Essential fatty acids and the brain. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 48, (3), p. 195-203. 46) Colin A, Reggers J, Castronovo V, Ansseau M. (2003) Lipids, depression and suicide Encephale 2003 Jan-Feb, 29(Pt 1): p. 49-58. 47) Richardson AJ, Puri BK.(2002) A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the effects of supplementation with highly unsaturated fatty acids on ADHD-related symptoms in children with specific learning difficulties. Prog Neuropsychopharm Biol Psychiat, 2002, 26(2) p. 233 - 239. 48) Kidd PM (2000) Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children: rationale for its integrative management. Altern Med Rev. Oct;5(5): p. 401. 49) Bruce, AW and Oakland, TD (2002) Alternative Treatments for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Does Evidence Support Their Use? Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. January 2002. 50) Romm, A and Romm, T. (2000) ADHD Alternatives: A Natural Approach to Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Storey Books. 51) Stengler, Mark and Stengler, Angela (2001) Your Vital Child. Rodale Press. 52) Weintraub, S. (1997) Natural Treatments for ADD and Hyperactivity. Pleasant Grove, Utah:Woodland Publishing. 53) Scimeca, J.A et al (1994) Conjugated linoleic acid. A powerful anti-carcinogen from animal fat sources." p. 1053. Cancer, 74 (3 suppl), p. 1050-4. 54) Martin JC, Valeille K (2002) Conjugated linoleic acids: all the same or to everyone its own function? Reprod Nutr Dev, 42(6), 525 – 536. 55) Belury MA. (2002) Dietary conjugated linoleic acid in health: physiological effects and mechanisms of action. Annual Review of Nutrition, 22, 505 - 53156) Banni, S. et al (1999). Influence of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on lipid metabolism in relation to its anticarcinogenic activity. Chpt 23. in Advances in Conjugated Linoleic Acid Research. M.P. Yurawecz, M.M. Mossoba, J.K.G. Kramer, M.W. Pariza, G.J. Nelson, eds. Vol.1. AOCS press. Champaign. Illinois. 57) Warren, H, Scollan, N.D, Hallett, K, Enser, M, Richardson, I, Nute, G and Wood, J.D (2002) The effects of breed and diet on the lipid composition and meat quality of bovine muscle. Proceedings of the 48th International Congress of Meat Science and Technology, Rome. 58) French P et al (2000) Fatty acid composition, including conjugated linoleic acid, of intramuscular fat from steers offered grazed grass, grass silage, or concentrate-based diets. Journal of Animal Science, 78 (11), p. 2849 – 2855. 59) Dhiman, T. R., G. R. Anand, et al. (1999). "Conjugated linoleic acid content of milk from cows fed different diets." Journal of Dairy Science, 82(10), p. 2146 - 2156. 60) www.agrsci.dk/index_uk.shtml61) Jahreis, G., J. Fritsche and H. Steinhart. (1997) Conjugated linoleic acid in milk fat: High variation depending on production system. Nutr. Res, 17, p. 1479 - 1484. 62) Bergamo P, Fedel E, Iannibelli L, & Marzillo G (2003) Fat soluble vitamin contents and fatty acid composition in organic and conventional dairy products. Food Chemistry, 82, p. 625 – 631. 63) The Royal Society (2000) Endocrine disrupting chemicals, June 2000 http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/ files/statfiles/document-111.pdfPlease see the Soil Association website library, http://www.soilassociation.org/library, for more information Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/organic-foods-in-relation-to-nutrition-and-health-key-facts http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-cigarettes-to-boost-your-health Herbal cigarettes to boost your healthSource: timesofindia.indiatimes.comIf practitioners of Ayurveda are to be believed, the periodic inhalation of herbal cigarettes enhances your memory power, your IQ and can prevent onset of respiratory tract-related diseases, specifically those connected with the nose, the sinuses and your eyesight. "As we are all aware, smoking is highly injurious to health because of the presence of nicotine. But herbal cigarettes are absolutely nicotine free. They contain ingredients like basil, cloves, cinnamon, liquorice and herbs like turmeric that have anti-effective properties. These type of cigarettes also increases appetite and is good in reducing bronchitis and sinusitis," said Uma, an Ayurvedic doctor. According to WHO estimates, over 500,000 people die annually due to tobacco consumption, and given the current trend, the number will rise to 10 million in 2030. Indians accounted for one-fifth of the four million people who die every year owing to tobacco-related diseases. Those who have shifted to smoking herbal cigarettes say they are feeling much better now. "I have been smoking for the past 10 years. To avoid using cigarettes, I consulted a doctor. He advised me to use herbal cigarettes. Now, for the past five months I am using herbal cigarettes only," claimed Ramachandra, a chain smoker. "Now, I can find good results and am confident about quitting the habit," he added. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-cigarettes-to-boost-your-health http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/ginseng-conflicts-with-warfarin Ginseng conflicts with warfarinSource: www.theglobeandmail.comThe popular herbal elixir ginseng can interfere with the effectiveness of warfarin, a widely used blood-thinning medication, scientists warned this week. Warfarin, also known by the brand name of Coumadin, reduces the risks of blood clots forming in the body and is often given to patients who have irregular heartbeats, have recently had a heart attack or have undergone heart-valve replacement surgery."Precise dosing is crucial," Dr. Chun-Su Yuan of the University of Chicago said in a prepared statement. "With too small a dose, the risk of clots increases, but too much can cause serious bleeding." In a study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, his research team found that ginseng significantly reduced the levels of warfarin in blood and its anti-clotting effects."A substance, such as ginseng, that alters warfarin's effects, even slightly, can have significant consequences."He speculates that ginseng, a traditional Chinese medicine which many people take as a general tonic and energy booster, may be speeding up the actions of enzymes which break down warfarin in the blood stream. Give soy a chanceSoy products are often touted as natural alternatives to hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women. They contain isoflavones, substances that are similar to the female hormone estrogen. Some researchers have thought that soy could act like an estrogen substitute and forestall the effects of aging as a woman's own production of estrogen declines. But a Dutch study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, has cast some doubt on the merits of soy. The study indicated that taking soy protein supplements for one year did little to improve cholesterol levels or slow the decline in mineral bone density and mental function. However, there was one serious drawback to the research: The 202 women who took part in the study were all over the age of 60. These women were well past the age when menopause commences -- which is usually around 51. Women might benefit more if they start soy supplements sooner. For instance, there tends to be a rapid decline in bone density at the beginning of menopause and it's hard to reverse this process once it has taken place.Even the researchers acknowledge this shortcoming. As they write in their study: "The influence of the timing of supplementation needs to be elucidated in further research."White wonderDrinking milk appears to reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer, according to a study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Researchers have long suspected that diet, including calcium intake, plays a role in colorectal cancer, the third most common cancer worldwide. So researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston decided to take a closer look at the issue.Among all of the food sources of calcium they examined, only milk was clearly associated with a decreased risk for the cancer. For every two eight-ounce glasses of milk consumed each day, the chance of getting the cancer dropped by 12 per cent.Researchers speculate that vitamin D, which is often added to milk, could aid with calcium absorption.Other calcium-rich foods might still be of benefit simply by adding to total calcium consumption. For example, the researchers also found that higher overall calcium intake -- from all food sources as well as supplements -- reduced the cancer risk. Fat rats Could the increasing use of artificial sweeteners be contributing to the expanding obesity epidemic? For 10 days, researchers at Purdue University in Indianapolis gave one group of rats liquids sweetened with sugar and another group was given liquids sweetened with both sugar and saccharin.At the end of that period, the rats given the combination of sugar and saccharine ate three times as many calories in chow as the other rats, Associated Press reported. The researchers speculate that artificial sweeteners, which are added to many soft drinks, could be interfering with people's natural ability to regulate how much they eat. People might no longer be able to distinguish between high- and low-calorie sweets. However, other scientists dismissed the conclusions of the research. They said the results of the rat study shouldn't be automatically extended to people, or to other sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose.ptaylor@globeandmail.ca Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/ginseng-conflicts-with-warfarin http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/l-carnitine-supplement-may-help-infertile-men L-carnitine supplement may help infertile menSource: www.foodnavigator.comThe widely-used dietary supplement, L-carnitine when combined with L-acetyl-carnitine, a related chemical, may improve sperm motility in men with fertility problems, according to new research by scientists at the University of Rome.The researchers chose 60 infertile men between the ages of 20 and 40 to take a combination of L-carnitine and L-acetyl-carnitine or a placebo for six months. The group, led by Dr Andrea Lenzi, reported in the medical journal Fertility and Sterility, that two months after the patients had completed their course of supplements, the men who had taken L-carnitine and L-acetyl-carnitine had increased sperm concentration and movement. The most significant improvements in sperm motility, both forward and total, were observed in men who had the lowest levels of moving sperm when the study began. The researchers noted that four spontaneous pregnancies were achieved during the study by men who had taken the combination therapy. "Combined treatment with L-carnitine and L-acetyl-carnitine was effective in increasing sperm motility, especially in groups with lower baseline levels (of moving sperm)," they concluded. Many food supplements and dietary products across Europe contain L-carnitine. L-Carnitine, a vitamin-like nutrient, occurs naturally in the human body and is essential for turning fat into energy. It is frequently used as a dietary supplement by physically active people to help with post-exercise recovery. Lonza, which claims to be the world's largest manufacturer of L-Carnitine, has said that extensive scientific research shows the supplement promotes cardiovascular health and that other studies suggest the nutrient may be useful in weight management. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/l-carnitine-supplement-may-help-infertile-men http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/loving-lavender-washingtons-favorite-herb-has-unlimited-uses Loving lavender: Washington's favorite herb has unlimited usesSource: www.zwire.comLavender. Its scent is known for evoking relaxation and healing in the world of aromatherapy. Its hue has long been a favorite of brides, babies and boutiques.Its popularity has produced annual festivals in its honor and an ever-expanding list of uses from cooking to cleaning. It has even been known to cause a born and bred city girl like me to consider abandoning the urban life for a five-acre farm in the country where I could tend fields of purple forever more. Lavender grows extremely well in Western Washington and is in full bloom in July, when a plethora of lavender festivals take place. The largest of these is the Sequim Lavender Festival, which last year drew and estimated 40,000 people. This year's festival will be held July 16-18.Purple Haze Lavender Farm owner Mike Reichner says Sequim's unique microclimate is ideal for growing lavender."We only get 10 to 15 inches of rain per year, and it's a very drought tolerant plant. It likes dry conditions. Combined with the marine breezes and alkalized soil here, it's perfect for growing," Mike said. But you don't have to live in Sequim to grow lavender, just about anyone can cultivate this hardy plant."It requires no nutrition, no water, has no pests, no insects...deer won't touch it," Mike explains.With 18,000 plants and more than 40 varieties, Mike has a bit of work in his hands, but it's all worth it, he says, when he sits on his porch and looks out over the fields. "It's just the most beautiful sight in the world."Hard-pressed to choose a favorite type of lavender, Mike says his top choices would be Royal Velvet, which produces very dark blue blossoms with a velvety finish, and Hidcote Giant, named for its blossom size. An herb with uses dating back to ancient Egypt and Rome, and a traditional cottage garden plant, lavender is a welcome addition to any garden."There are so many applications for each different variety," Mike explains. One simply needs to gather a few bunches from any number of local farms, or try your hand at growing your own.To dry your own lavender, cut in bunches just before the buds begin to open, bind with a rubber band, and hang upside down in a well-ventilated area until dry. Cooking with lavender English lavender is considered the best for culinary use. Try adding some to sugar for use in tea. The folks at Purple Haze sell a recipe folder with 10 different recipes and a sample of the herb. Recipes can also be found on their Web site (www.purplehazelavender.com/recipes.html) with a ton of tasty, creative ideas for cooking with lavender. Here are a they agreed to let us share.Lavender Ice Cream 3/4 cup honey 1 teaspoon dried lavender placed in a tea ball or gauze 1 cup half and half 2 cups heavy cream 7 egg yolks Pour the half and half and the cream into a heavy saucepan. Add the lavender to this mixture and warm for about 5 minutes. Remove the lavender flowers. Whisk the egg yolks in a bowl until they are frothy. Slowly pour the about half of the warm cream into the mixture of egg yolks as you whisk continuously. Combine the remainder of the yolk and cream mixture into the saucepan and continue to heat on low (stirring constantly) for about 5 minutes. Strain the mixture into a bowl and whisk in the honey. Chill the mixture and then freeze according to the instructions on your ice cream maker. Lavender Pistachio Lamb Chops Ingredients: 8 lamb chops (or a rack of lamb) 2/3 cup pistachios, toasted 1/2 cup honey 2 Tbsp culinary lavender olive oil Serve with parsnips or any root vegetable accompanied by a green salad. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a food processor pulse the pistachios and lavender until all nuts are broken up but not powdered. Season lamb with salt and pepper. Heat a heavy gauge or cast iron pan to medium high. Add enough oil to coat pan well. Add chops and sear well, turning once. Set aside. In a small saucepan heat honey just to warm. Dredge each chop in honey then in lavender/pistachio mixture. Place on sheet pan and finish cooking in oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes for chops or 10 minutes for rack before carving. Serves 4 Lavender MargaritasIngredients: 3/4 - 1 cup tequila 1/3 - 1/2 cup blue Curacao or other orange flavor liqueur 3/4 - 1 cup canned coconut milk 1/4 - 1/3 cup lime juice 1 1/2 - 2 cuts frozen unsweetened raspberries 1 1/2 - 2 cuts frozen unsweetened blueberries 3-4 ice cubes 1 t. lavender In a blender, combine the tequila, Curacao, coconut milk and lime juice. Cover and turn to high speed, then gradually add berries and ice. Whirl until smooth and slushy. Pour into glasses. You can rub glass rims with lime and dip the rim in lavender sugar or salt. Add a lavender sprig for garnish!Celebrate lavender There are a host of festivals in July, so depending on your schedule, you'll more than likely be able to find one that works. Make it a day trip or an overnight getaway. Third Annual Pelindaba Lavender Harvest Festival This year's festival, held July 10 and 11 on picturesque San Juan Island, focuses on lavender's 2,500-year history with its theme "Lavender in History and Lore." Susan Robins, co-owner of the Farm will give a version of the talk she gave this year at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show highlighting the historical figures and events that have given lavender its well-deserved reputation as a healing and restorative plant. Tour the farm, see demonstrations of essential oil distillation, enjoy music, picnic in the fields, make crafts with your kids and cut your own lavender from the cutting fields. The festival runs from 10-5 both days and admission is free. For more information call 1-866-819-1911 or visit www.pelindaba.com. Lavender Hills Farm Festival (Marysville) Saturday, July 10, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Stroll through fields and cut your own bundles, then visit 21 vendors selling arts and crafts, berries and live plants. Take in music, food and lavender ice cream. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and BeeHaven will have live demonstrations with bees and honey for sale. Admission is free. Parking is $1 with half the proceeds going to the Everett Humane Society. Visit www.laven derhillsfarm.com.Sequim Lavender Festival. With 36 lavender growers throughout the Dungeness Valley, Sequim is the Lavender Capital of North America. Tour eight of these farms July 16-18 during the town's 8th annual lavender festival. These farms open their fields to visitors, offering music, food and lavender-centered activities. Farms are open 10-6 each day of the festival. Admission to all the farms is by a $6 Festival Support Button, with children under 12 admitted free. Festivities extend into downtown Sequim where a huge street fair features more than 125 vendors of lavender and other Olympic Peninsula specialties.For more information, visit www.lavenderfestival.com.Vashon Lavender Harvest Celebration. The Vashon Island Lavender Growers invite the public to tour four lavender farms on the island on Saturday, July 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Growers will share their techniques for growing, harvesting and using lavender. See more than 28 different varieties of lavender. Bring a picnic lunch, stroll around the gardens, and pick your own lavender. Admission is $3 per person, with children 18 and under free, and provides access to all four farms. For more information, visit www.vashonlavender.com/festival.html. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/loving-lavender-washingtons-favorite-herb-has-unlimited-uses http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-supplements-damage-kidneys-and-liver Herbal supplements damage kidneys and liverSource: www.webindia123.comConsumers should remain cautious about trying other herbal supplements for according to doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, substances such as bitter orange, germander, jin bu huan and usnic acid ", ingredients in weight-loss products have been associated with kidney and liver problems. According to Dr. William Lee, "A number of herbal preparations have been implicated in causing liver damage, some even leading to the need for a liver transplant or to death. Herbal products are not under any specific supervision by the Food and Drug Administration, so there is no quality control, no proof of efficacy and no tests of safety.""The herbal industry is largely satisfying a need for self-remedies for patients who are unwilling to seek conventional medical attention or are wary of doctors. Most supplements are indeed harmless and only injure the pocketbook. Many people, however, take these compounds in any amount, never limiting themselves to what is advised regarding dosing," he added. (ANI) Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-supplements-damage-kidneys-and-liver http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/gwyneth-snapped-covered-in-bruises Gwyneth snapped covered in bruisesSource: icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.ukGwyneth Paltrow has been pictured with her back covered in strange circular bruises.But don't panic, she's not been the victim of a mugging or violent assault - the marks have come from a form of alternative medicine.The Hollywood actress arrived at a New York film premiere in backless dress which revealed the bruises on her back.According to the Daily Mirror, Gwyneth - who is married to Coldplay singer Chris Martin and gave birth to their first child, Apple, seven weeks ago - is the latest celebrity to take up the health craze of Cupping.The ancient Chinese treatment involves heating glass cups with a candle and placing them on the body to create a vacuum that sucks up the skin.The process is believed to eliminate toxins and energise the body's "chi" - or life force.The only problem is it leaves big marks on the skin which take a few days to disappear.Health conscious Gwnyeth, 31, and 27-year-old Chris are known to be big fans of alternative medicine, regularly attend yoga classes and follow a strict diet.And it seems Gwynie wants the world to know it! Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/gwyneth-snapped-covered-in-bruises http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-k2-may-help-prevent-liver-cancer-in-women-with-cirrhosis Vitamin K2 May Help Prevent Liver Cancer in Women with CirrhosisSource: patient.cancerconsultants.comAccording to results recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, daily supplementation with vitamin K2 appears to significantly reduce the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma in women with viral cirrhosis of the liver.The liver is the largest organ in the body and is responsible for over 500 functions, including the secretion of glucose, proteins, vitamins and fats; the production of bile; the processing of hemoglobin and detoxification of numerous substances. Primary liver cancer starts in the cells of the liver and can spread, through blood or lymph vessels, to different parts of the body. Approximately 85% of all liver cancers that start in the liver (primary liver cancer) are classified as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Viral cirrhosis of the liver is a viral infection that causes scarring of the liver. Individuals with viral cirrhosis of the liver may be at an increased risk of developing HCC. Researchers are evaluating ways to prevent HCC in patients who are at a high risk of its development.Researchers from Japan recently conducted a clinical study to evaluate the effects of vitamin K2 on the development of HCC in women who had been diagnosed with viral cirrhosis. This trial included 40 women, 21 who received vitamin K2 supplementation daily and 19 who did not receive vitamin K2 (control group). Overall, only 2 of the 21 patients (approximately 9%) who received vitamin K2 developed HCC, while 9 of the 19 patients (approximately 46%) who did not receive vitamin K2 developed HCC.The researchers concluded that daily vitamin K2 supplementation significantly decreases the risk of developing HCC in women diagnosed with viral cirrhosis of the liver. Patients who have been diagnosed with viral cirrhosis of the liver may wish to speak with their physician about their risks and benefits of daily K2 supplementation.Reference: Habu D, Shiomi S, Tamori A, et al. Role of Vitamin K2 in the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Women With Viral Cirrhosis of the Liver. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2004;292:358-361. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-k2-may-help-prevent-liver-cancer-in-women-with-cirrhosis http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/prebiotics-carnitine-help-lose-weight-eating-and-polycystic-ovary-syndrome Prebiotics, Carnitine Help Lose Weight, Eating and Polycystic Ovary SyndromeSource: www.infozine.comby Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN - Q: What are prebiotics? Q: Will carnitine help me lose weight? Q: Do eating habits affect polycystic ovary syndrome?Q: What are prebiotics? A: Prebiotics are carbohydrates that pass through the upper part of your digestive system without breaking down, unlike most carbohydrates. There are two major types of prebiotics. Fructooligosaccharides are found in whole grains (like barley and oatmeal), dried beans, flaxseeds and several vegetables and fruits (especially onions, spinach, kale, berries and bananas). The other type of prebiotics, inulin, is found naturally in many fruits and vegetables. It is also sometimes added to yogurt, milk and nondairy frozen desserts as a fat substitute. After arriving in the large intestine intact, these two kinds of carbohydrates are fermented by bacteria. This fermentation produces short-chain fatty acids that seem to protect against colon cancer. In addition to this possible benefit, these carbohydrates provide nutrients for healthy bacteria to grow. That's why they're called prebiotics. Although some people are concerned about the intestinal gas that accompanies their fermentation - and excessive amounts of prebiotics can have a laxative effect - these are often natural consequences of a healthy diet.Q: Will carnitine help me lose weight? A: In theory, carnitine, a derivative of the amino acid, lysine, seems like a good supplement to aid weight loss efforts. It helps move building blocks of fat into the area in cells where they are burned. This ability to speed up fat burning would seem to help increase weight loss. However, there is no good evidence that carnitine creates a weight-loss effect. In one animal study, carnitine supplements had no effect upon weight loss. In a small study of overweight women, the supplement made no difference in weight loss, fat loss or fat burning. In fact, studies suggest that raising the blood levels of carnitine does not necessarily raise the levels of the enzyme system in which it works. Furthermore, some supplements contain the inactive form, which could actually displace the body's own active carnitine, which could lead to undesirable effects. More research is also needed to see whether carnitine can help certain heart conditions. If you're trying to lose weight, instead of a carnitine supplement, you would benefit more from reducing your food portions and investing in a good pair of walking shoes.Q: Do eating habits affect polycystic ovary syndrome? A: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a relatively common hormonal disorder that can cause irregular menstrual cycles, infertility and hirsutism, which is excessive hair growth that often appears on the lips, chin or chest. Teens and women who develop PCOS, also called Stein-Leventhal syndrome, tend to become overweight and suffer an increased risk of developing diabetes. Research now ties this condition to a whole group of hormonal changes that center around insulin resistance. Treatment may include medications, but scientists now emphasize weight loss, regular exercise and healthy eating patterns as vital elements to reduce insulin resistance. Nutrition recommendations include avoiding excessive amounts of carbohydrates (especially large amounts at one time); choosing primarily high-fiber carbohydrates such as whole grains, beans, vegetables and fruits; and limiting saturated fat. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/prebiotics-carnitine-help-lose-weight-eating-and-polycystic-ovary-syndrome http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/3-500-year-old-holistic-remedy-said-to-extract-ear-wax 3,500-year-old holistic remedy said to extract ear waxSource: www.pittsburghlive.comThat's what some Armstrong County residents are doing much better thanks to a 3,500-year-old holistic therapy called ear candling. Touted as a natural therapy, ear candling was practiced by the ancient Egyptians and Chinese. In centuries past, however, the practice most often was reserved for royalty and renowned warriors. Today, ear candling is practiced by such groups as the Amish and other believers in home remedies and natural healing methods. Unlike the common everyday-style candle, ear candles are made from a cotton cloth that has been soaked in pure beeswax and rolled to form a hollow tube. The tube is narrowed at one end to fit in the ear canal. Armstrong County residents Kathy Dreyer and Cathy Hufhand became interested in ear candling several years ago, and now are confirmed devotees. "I heard some friends talking about it," Hufhand said, "but they didn't know much about it or where to get supplies. So my daughter and I went to some Amish families and asked them. We obtained an address where we could buy ear candles. After getting a few sets of candles we tried the procedure on each other." At about the same time, Dreyer's son became interested in ear candling. "Cathy and I are co-workers and to my surprise, I learned that she had already started practicing ear candling. We got together and at first we tried making candles, but later we found it was better to buy commercially made candles." "We buy them in bulk and package them," she added. "We make up our own labels and each label has a different saying." Some labels contain a birthday greeting, "Hear are two candles for your birthday, but not for your cake, one for each ear." Other labels might bear the "Hear ye, hear ye" message, or during the winter holiday season labels might read "Hear the bells of Christmas a little clearer this year." A typical ear candling session takes 30 to 45 minutes, and can be very relaxing. "It can be done in a variety of ways," Hufhand said. "Some folks like to put on soft, soothing music, and some may even burn incense to add to the mood. However, ear candling is a two-person procedure, you should never try it by yourself." "It's very relaxing and soothing" Dreyer said, "and because of that there is a danger that you might fall asleep and could be burned by the candle." Ear candles are mounted in a hole cut into a paper plate or small metal pie pan to prevent hot wax from spilling onto the person having their ears done. Good quality ear candles are made from pure beeswax, and because of the candle's construction there is little if any wax drip. As a precaution, a glass of water is kept handy to extinguish the flame. A small, soft towel is placed around the person's ear while he lies on his side. The person performing the procedure gently places the narrow cone end of the candle into the entrance of the ear canal. The tube-shaped candles are made from unbleached cotton cloth soaked in beeswax. The candle is lit and through a process called convection, softer ear waxes will be drawn into the base of the candle. Ear candlers believe the softer waxes may contain trapped pollen, airborne dust and dirt, and even ear mites or small insects. When excess wax is removed, the trapped impurities go with it. Although Dreyer or Hufhand do not make any claims regarding ear candling benefits, some ear candling advocates claim the procedure will cleanse the ear canal, improve hearing, relieve ear aches and relieve sinus pressure. A few ear candling practitioners go so far as to claim the method may clear the eyes, fortify the central nervous system, release blocked energy and help stabilize emotions. Controversy over ear candling is a burning issue. None of the above claims have been proven scientifically. Moreover, according to Food and Drug Administration regulations, ear candles may not be sold or advertised as medical devices. In September 1998, the Food and Drug Administration issued an alert against and prohibited the importation of ear candles from Canada, primarily due to advertising claims of supposed medical benefits included in their packaging. While some government agencies may throw cold water on ear candling, the ancient art form continues to have its share of holistic therapy devotees. To ear candlers, the big ball of wax that accumulates in the end of an ear candle after a candling session is all the proof they need that excess wax has been purged from the ear canal. Although Hufhand and Dreyer are not in the ear candling business, nor are they ear candling practitioners, they do offer their ear candle packages at craft shows. Each package comes with a set of instructions explaining the procedure. They caution that there are some people who should not practice ear candling, namely anyone with a perforated ear drum, an ear tube or serious ear problems. Whether ear candling benefits are real or imagined, most all who have had their ears candled agree that candling is soothing and relaxing. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/3-500-year-old-holistic-remedy-said-to-extract-ear-wax http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/pregnant-omega-3-essential-for-babys-brain Pregnant? Omega-3 Essential for Baby's BrainSource: my.webmd.comResearch has suggested that increasing intake of dietary omega-3 fatty acids may have a number of health benefits. And babies whose diets include an abundance of essential fats seem to have an edge in terms of early development. Now new research shows that the same is true for infants born to mothers whose diets contain plenty of this essential fatty acid.Researchers found that infants born to mothers with higher blood levels of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) at delivery had advanced levels of attention spans well into their second year of life. During the first six months of life, these infants were two months ahead of those babies whose mothers had lower DHA levels.Attention is considered an important, but not the only, component of intelligence early in life, lead researcher John Colombo, PhD, tells WebMD."This adds to the mounting evidence that DHA plays an important part in brain development," he says.DHA is important for the developing brain, which accumulates large amounts of it during the first two years of life. Compared to the rest of the body, the brain and nervous system contains very high levels of DHA but its exact role in the brain is not fully known.Advantages LastedDHA is found naturally in breast milk and is now available in infant formulas and some baby foods. Atlantic salmon, Pacific cod fish, and tuna are some of the best food sources of the omega- 3 fatty acid, but algae-derived DHA supplements are also now available.The study involved some 70 mothers and infants. At the ages of 4-, 6-, and 8-months of age, the babies were tested for visual learning ability. The testing involved showing them pictures and recording their reactions."We know from past research that when we show babies pictures during the first year of life, as they get older they look less and less," Colombo says. "The reason is that they are taking in the information faster as they develop."Babies born to mothers who had higher blood levels of DHA scored better on the attention tests until 6 months of age, and they scored better on different tests designed to measure visual learning in older babies at 1 year and 18 months. The findings are reported in the July/August issue of the journal Child Development.Not So Fishy Food SourcesWhile Colombo says he encourages his pregnant friends to add salmon to their diets, he adds that it is not yet clear how much DHA a woman needs during pregnancy. He hopes to answer this question in future studies with nutritionist and co-author Susan Carlson, PhD."What we can say right now is that authorities are concerned that pregnant women are not getting enough omega-3 in their diets," Carlson tells WebMD. "A number of observational studies suggests a link between DHA levels during pregnancy and a baby's behavioral performance."But getting DHA from food sources can be problematic for pregnant women. The FDA recommends eating up to 12 ounces (two average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are low in mercury, such as shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.Mercury is less of an issue with salmon than tuna, but concerns have been raised about unsafe levels of the toxic chemical dioxin and polychlorinated byphenols (PCBs) in farmed salmon. PCBs have been linked to cancer and birth defects.Nutritionist Barbara Levine, PhD, recommends that pregnant women get their DHA through algae-derived supplements, available in health food stores. Omega-3-fortified eggs are another good source of DHA.Levine says studies suggest that women need about 250 mg of DHA daily during pregnancy, but very few are getting it."It is true that we don't get a lot of DHA in our diets," she says. "It took forever to get the message across about the importance of folic acid early in pregnancy, but now it is in our wheat products and most women get what they need. Now we are trying to get the message out about DHA." Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/pregnant-omega-3-essential-for-babys-brain http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/radish-fans-have-lots-to-root-for Radish fans have lots to root forSource: www.newsday.comRadishes aren't everybody's natural passion. To tell the truth, the hothouse ones seen year-round aren't particularly exciting.But in season - and several varieties are in season right now - these root vegetables with ancient origins have a lively flavor, a fine, firm texture and a bright complexion.Used in cooking from the Orient to the Mediterranean, radishes have been around so long, there's been speculation they were used by the Egyptians to feed their slaves.The Chinese are thought to have cultivated radishes even earlier. The ancient Greeks grew radishes, too, though the familiar round ones are thought to have been developed in the 18th century.Today, many varieties of radishes are grown, some shaped like globes, others like icicles, and they come in a range of sizes from tiny to substantial. Colors vary from white to red to red-and-white to pink to mauve to almost black.Radishes are high in potassium, extremely low in fat and calories, and an unexpected source of Vitamin C.HOW TO SELECT: The freshly bunched red radishes of summer should be bright and firm. Bypass radishes with cracks or a spongy feel. Radish tops should be dark green - yellowing leaves are an indication of age. Varieties such as French breakfast radishes, which are long and cylindrical with oval ends, may be available now.HOW TO STORE: Radishes should be eaten relatively soon after purchase, or they will become bitter. They can be stored for several days in the refrigerator wrapped loosely in plastic with their tops removed. HOW TO PREPARE: Radishes are ordinarily eaten raw after they are washed, cleaned with a stiff vegetable brush and drained. They usually are not peeled, but taste milder if they have been. The leaves can be either sliced off completely or pared down to a decorative tuft. The radishes can be eaten whole, dipped in salt, sliced, chopped or grated.Radishes also can be roasted, sliced and served with olive oil, salt and pepper, or treated like turnips (to which they are related). They can also be pickled.The French serve them with bread, butter and salt. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/radish-fans-have-lots-to-root-for http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/now-use-red-wine-for-tightening-stomach-and-firming-breasts- Now, use red wine for tightening stomach and firming breasts!Source: www.webindia123.comRed wine is the latest rage in the beauty salons of Buenos Aires, where it is believed that it can tighten the stomach and firm sagging breasts.According to Ananova, creams made with red wine or even a glass of pure wine, when applied directly to the person's skin are bringing in dramatic results, and beauty clinics all over Buenos Aires are reporting a huge demand for wine therapy by women."After cleansing, the skin receives a special wine mask that is rich in vitamin E. It brings firmness and nutrition to the skin, making it healthy and elastic," said wine therapy expert Diego Barberan."It is fantastic. It does what it promises. I can say with no fear that I am addicted," added Mary Andres, a regular wine therapy customer. (ANI) Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/now-use-red-wine-for-tightening-stomach-and-firming-breasts- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/osteoporosis-on-rise-in-men Osteoporosis On Rise In MenSource: www.cbsnews.comOsteoporosis is a condition win which bones gradually weaken and lose density, putting patients at a much higher risk of fracture. Efforts to fight osteoporosis have traditionally focused on women, but more and more attention is now being focused on the millions of men who also suffer, The Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay reports. Like many men who suffer from osteoporosis, Don Traunstein's diagnosis came late in the game. He says, “I've broken bones all throughout my life, maybe as many as twenty. You have to suspect something, but osteoporosis was just not on the radar screen.” A debilitating shoulder fracture that wasn't healing properly plagued him for seven years, but it wasn't until a year-and-a-half ago that he was referred to osteoporosis specialist Dr. Carolyn Becker. Dr. Becker says, “I think that's one of the biggest oversights in this field. We're just now starting to come around to recognize that men get osteoporosis - a third of hip fractures are in men.” Now Traunstein takes a new drug to help his bones heal, along with calcium and vitamin D to help prevent further bone loss. To her patient Dr. Becker says, “The key is that you've got new bone forming, things are healing after six or seven years of living with this." Although osteoporosis in men is usually a condition that develops with age, it can occur much earlier for some. “Unfortunately, many men don't know they have it until they break a bone,” Dr. Becker notes, “We've been very good about screening women for osteoporosis by doing a bone density test but unfortunately men are not getting that advantage.” Traunstein says, “I've advised my son and my son-in-law to have a bone density test. I don't think it's ever too early.” Many doctors are now starting to recommend bone density screening for men at age 70 and over. Doctors can be on the lookout for other telltale signs besides bone fractures. Loss of height or a rounded spine can also be symptoms of osteoporosis. For older men, low testosterone can be a risk factor as their levels decline with age. The good news is that along with a healthy lifestyle, many of the same drugs given to women to treat and prevent osteoporosis are also approved for men. But all men should be getting calcium and vitamin D because they're the building blocks of your bones. Exercise is also critical. The causes of osteoporosis in men include family history or genetics in some cases; other factors are tobacco use, alcohol use, and steroid use. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/osteoporosis-on-rise-in-men http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-cornflake-vitamin-that-beats-migraines The cornflake vitamin that beats migrainesSource: www.dailymail.co.ukA vitamin that appears in many popular breakfast cereals could be a powerful new treatment for migraine. Scientists have discovered that riboflavin - also known as vitamin B2 - can halve the number of attacks and significantly reduce the number of pills needed to control the pain. Vitamin B2 is routinely added to cornflakes and other cereals in small doses to provide nourishment for the skin, eyes and nervous system. But the latest research suggests that in much larger doses it is not only safe but also highly effective at curbing migraines. Daily dose Migraine is a debilitating condition characterised by blinding headaches and, in some cases, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhoea. It affects an estimated 10 per cent of the UK population. The majority of sufferers are women. The exact cause is still unknown, but experts think migraines may be related to a shortage in the brain of the mood-related chemical serotonin. It's also thought that certain blood vessels and nerve cells in the head are involved. Over-the-counter painkillers such as aspirin or paracetamol may be used to treat the headaches, but if these fail to work special anti-migraine drugs called triptans can be prescribed by doctors. But although they can provide relief, they seldom banish attacks completely. It has been estimated that migraine attacks cost companies several thousand pounds a year each in lost production due to staff absence. In the search for ways to prevent or reduce the number of attacks, riboflavin could be crucial. Experts believe that most healthy men need no more than 1.3mg of the vitamin a day, and women 1.1mg. Most of us get what we need from foods rich in riboflavin, such as milk, eggs, breakfast cereals, rice and mushrooms. But because our bodies cannot store it, we need to have it in our diet every day. As well as being good for the eyes, skin and nerves, riboflavin is known to help produce steroids and red blood cells. It also helps us to absorb iron from the food we eat. 'Worth trying' The Food Standards Agency says that anyone taking supplements should limit their daily intake to about 40mg. But to see if riboflavin could prevent migraines, researchers at the University of Berlin recruited a group of regular sufferers and gave them a much higher dose - 400mg a day - contained in a capsule. They recorded the number of migraine attacks and the amount of drugs that each patient used at the beginning of the study. Further checks were made after three and six months. The results, published in the latest European Journal of Neurology, revealed that the number of headaches fell from an average of four days a month to just two days a month after using riboflavin. The number of anti-migraine pills that patients needed fell, with some sufferers taking 35 per cent fewer tablets. And researchers found that no ill- effects were caused by riboflavin, despite the high doses. In a report, they said: "We could demonstrate a significant reduction of headache frequency following riboflavin treatment. It is a safe and welltolerated alternative in migraine prevention." Ann Turner, director of the Migraine Action Association, said: "Evidence is mounting that riboflavin could help some sufferers. "We have had feedback from some members who have tried it and this shows that it works for some but not others. "We are not exactly sure why it works, but it may be that it is increasing the brain's capacity to cope with the stresses and strains of life. "It's certainly worth trying, but you need to take it in the very high doses that were used in the trial." This story first appeared in the Daily Mail For more great stories like this, buy the Daily Mail every day. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-cornflake-vitamin-that-beats-migraines http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/behold-the-mighty-blueberry Behold the mighty blueberrySource: www.sunherald.comGo blue for a true burst of health wrapped in a tasty package.The blueberry, one of summer's most abundant crops, contains high levels of disease-fighting chemicals. When scientists compared antioxidant levels in 40 fruits and vegetables, the blueberry came out on top, according to Kathy Blake, spokeswoman for the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.This is a significant finding because antioxidants can help ward off cancer and heart disease. As people age and are exposed to dangerous chemicals from pollution, cells oxidize, making the body susceptible to disease, she said. Chemical antioxidants found plentifully in fruits and vegetables and to lesser degrees in red wine and chocolate can slow this process. Anthocyanin, the pigment which colors blueberries, is what makes them so healthy.In recent years, researchers have discovered several links between blueberries and health. A study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Human Nutrition Center found that eating blueberries may stop age-related loss of mental ability. Laboratory rats that daily consumed blueberry extract displayed improvements in short-term memory, coordination and balance, according to the study.The University of California at Davis found that chemicals in blueberries may reduce the buildup of the type of cholesterol that causes heart disease and strokes.Researchers at Rutgers University in New Jersey say blueberries could prevent urinary tract infections. A compound in the berry can stop bacteria from building up on the urinary tract wall.Japanese and Israeli research has shown blueberries might improve night vision and ease eye fatigue.The blueberry has a long history in healing. American Indians, who called the fruit star berries for their five pointed blossom, made medicine from the plants' leaves and used blueberry juice to treat coughs. One of the few fruits native to North America, blueberries grew wild for years before being domesticated in the 1900s. Today, 90 percent of the world's blueberry crop is grown in the United States and Canada, according to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. More than 42,000 metric tons are harvested from April to October, and half of the crop is sold fresh.You'll get the same amount of healthy chemicals whether you eat fresh, frozen, canned or dried berries.Easy add -insHere are some quick tricks for making the most of the season's blueberry crop.Chop peaches or pineapple chunks and toss in blueberries. Add a bit of crystallized ginger for extra zing.Stir fresh blueberries into partially set sugar-free lemon gelatin and chill until firm for a low-calorie treat.Top peach ice cream with partially thawed frozen blueberries.Ladle pancake batter onto a hot griddle and scatter frozen blueberries over batter. Finish cooking as usual.Try canned blueberries over ice cream, yogurt or rice pudding.Scatter dried blueberries, toasted nuts and crumbled blue cheese over spinach salad.Source: U.S. Highbush Blueberry CouncilBlueberry tipsHow to select: Look for fresh berries that are firm, dry, plump, smooth-skinned and relatively free of leaves and stems. Color should be deep purplish blue to blue-black. Reddish berries aren't ripe but can be used in cooking.Stay away from containers of berries with juice stains. This could be a sign berries are crushed and possibly moldy. The berries are overripe if they're watery and soft. Wrinkled berries have been stored too long.When buying frozen berries, the fruit should feel loose, not clumped together.How to store: Keep in refrigerator for up to two weeks. Don't wash until just before using.How to freeze: Arrange in a single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze. After berries are frozen, transfer to airtight freezer containers or sealed plastic bags.The color blue: Blueberries may change color when cooked. Acids, such as lemon juice and vinegar, cause the blue pigment in the berries to turn reddish. Blueberries also contain a yellow pigment which, in an environment such as a batter with too much baking soda, may give a greenish-blue color.Too much blue? To reduce the amount of color streaking in batters, carefully fold blueberries into your cake or muffin batter last. For pancakes and waffles, add the blueberries as soon as the batter has been poured on the griddle or waffle iron. This will make the pancakes prettier and they'll be easier to flip.When using frozen blueberries, cooking time may have to be increased to make sure the berries are heated through.Sources: N.C. Blueberry Council, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/behold-the-mighty-blueberry http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/first-herb-based-cancer-cure First herb-based Cancer cureSource: nation.ittefaq.comA group of scientists in this eastern Indian city have claimed to have made a major breakthrough in cancer studies when they struck upon a molecule in betel (paan) leaf that targets and kills leukemia cells and holds the promise of becoming the world's first herb-based, cheap therapeutic drug for blood cancer. A multi-disciplinary team from Council for Scientific and Industrial Research's premier lab Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB) here is ecstatic over the serendipitous find since there is just one prohibitively expensive drug currently available world for the treatment of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML), a severe type of blood cancer. The molecule, identified as chlorogenic acid, code-named icb- 101 throughout the three-year hush-hush study, came as a chance discovery while the team was conducting immuno-modulatory studies on betel leaf and its effect on human cell lines. "We found that chlorogenic acid induced programmed cell death in human cancer cells transplated in experimental nude mice," immunologist and team leader Santu Bandyopadhaya told PTI here on Friday. The 12-member team, comprising IICB Director and cell biologist Prof Samir Bhattacharya, drug designer Chhabinath Mandal, medical chemist Bikas Pal, animal scientist Aditya Konar, haematologists Dillip Bhattacharya and Utpal Chaudhuri and a number of laboratory aides, has applied for US and global patents for the molecule. The pathbreaking work, to be published in the journal 'Blood' in October, has been given a verbal go-ahead for immediate multi- centric human trials in the country by Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr NK Ganguly, the team disclosed.The molecule, tested on human cancer cell lines obtained from America, Milan-based Instituto Nazionale Tumori and Meikai University School of Dentistry in Japan, showed no effect on the growth of non-cancerous cells. "This has a major implication in terms of development of a target-specific drug delivery system," Bhattacharya said. Chlorogenic acid was also tested successfully on fresh blood samples donated by four CML patients admitted to the Medical College, Kolkata. The molecule extracted and purified from leaves of Piper betel (Piperaceae) procured from various areas of West Bengal state, of which Kolkata is the capital, was administered to nude mice already made malignant by injecting cancerous cells, Dr Pal said. In their search for anti-leukimic activity in the leaf extract, the scientists experimented the molecule on human squamous cell carcinoma, salivary gland tumor cell lines and oral tumor cell lines. The herbal source, found in 'paan' widely consumed across the sub-continent as a mouth freshner and digestive, was easily available and could be tapped to make the cheapest-ever drug for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, the team observed. Earlier, anti-cancer properties of 'vinblastine', a molecule extracted from Nayantara plant (Vinca rosa) as well as 'curcumin' from haldi had been established but could not stand their ground as the former showed high toxic side effects while the later was not target-specific.The project, entirely funded by CSIR, was being considered as one of the pet projects of its Director General RA Mashelkar, under whose direct patronage the team is on the verge of developing India's first probable anti-cancer drug. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/first-herb-based-cancer-cure http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/red-palm-oil-the-answer-to-healthy-living-in-america-today Red Palm Oil: The Answer to Healthy Living in America TodaySource: biz.yahoo.comSafari Group Inc. has emerged as the leading wholesaler and retailer of Red Palm Oil; a dietary additive with amazing health benefits that until now was unknown to most people in North America. Red palm oil is the second most consumed vegetable oil across the globe and has been used for cooking in Asia and Africa for generations. This cooking oil is rich in vitamin A, beta-carotenes, vitamin E, retinol, and antioxidants: tocotrienol and tocopherol.Booker Gompah, President of Safari Group said, "We can barely keep this product in stock, everyone seems to be saying they read about or were told about the extraordinary health benefits of this product." Research has shown that cooking with red palm oil will lower cholesterol and blood pressure; and also protect against heart disease, stroke, breast cancer and other cancers. In terms of protection from heart disease and arteriosclerosis, it is a natural and potent alternative to aspirin which is prone to cause "leaky gut syndrome" due to continual usage. Red palm oil will also strengthen the immune system and is an excellent blood thinner for heart attack and stroke victims. Red palm oil aids in strengthening weak vision and weight loss. Additionally, red palm oil is highly recommended for the diet of tropical bird like parrots.According to a Woman's World magazine March 9, 2004 article titled "The Miracle Oil That Can Make You Thin," preliminary studies at Michigan's Wayne State University show using red palm oil can reduce your body fat by 27%, plus help boost your ability to use sugar controlled insulin; two keys to keeping weight under control and delaying or even preventing the onset of diabetes. In fact, UCLA doctors say making this single switch could cut your diabetes risk by 58%."New data shows that people who substitute just 5% of the fat in their diets with red palm oil lower their total cholesterol by 9% and artery clogging LDL cholesterol by 11% -- sufficient to slash their risk of heart disease a full 20%.One tablespoon each day of red palm oil contains 10,000 IU of immunity boosting vitamin A -- enough to slash a woman's risk of colds and flu by 67%. According to Harvard research, people who enjoy vitamin A-rich diets also enjoy a 70% lower risk of all types of cancer."Red palm oil's antioxidants slow the cellular aging that often leads to cancerous changes," explains Los Angeles physiologist Robert Kowalski, M.S., author of "The New 8-Week Cholesterol Cure."Mr. Gompah states that the main consumers of red palm oil are: older adults with a variety of health issues, health conscious individuals, people trying to lose weight and bird owners. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/red-palm-oil-the-answer-to-healthy-living-in-america-today http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/more-fruit-boosts-brits-vitamin-c-levels-but-vitamin-e-down More Fruit boosts Brits' vitamin C levels but vitamin E downSource: www.foodnavigator.comConsumption of fresh fruit is on the rise in the UK, shows new government data, leading to a notable increase in intake of vitamin C. But a decline in other foods such as milk means calcium, iron and other nutrients are still lacking in the average consumer.The Family Food Survey, published yesterday by the UK's Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), asked one person over the age of seven in 6,927 households in the country to record the food they bought over a fortnight. The results for 2002-2003 show a good increase in fruit consumption - up 4.3 per cent to around 4 portions (including fruit juice) per person each day - but a decline in purchasing of certain vegetables appears to be hitting intake of beta-carotene, which dropped almost 3 per cent last year. And while there were significant decreases in intake of saturated fats and salt, levels of beta-carotene and vitamin E are also going down. The results seem to support a growing need for supplementation of certain nutrients as British diets favour convenience foods and eating out. Eating out, making up 9 per cent of all energy and nutrient intake, has important implications for intake of vitamins and minerals. The amount of calcium, iron, fibre, vitamin B12 and vitamin D gained from food eaten in restaurants is less than that gained from food prepared at home, showed the estimates. Unsurprisingly, food eaten out also provides a higher proportion of energy from fat than household food. A look at the long-term trends of the survey shows that many minerals have fallen in line with falling energy intake among UK populations. Calcium from household food dropped 24 per cent between 1975 and 1991. “Since 1992, calcium intake levels have varied between 880 and 970 milligrams per person per day with little sign of an increasing or decreasing long-term trend,” notes the report. This is backed up by the yearly decline in consumption of milk and cream, important calcium sources. Iron intake from food eaten at home is down 15 per cent since 1975 to an average 11.1mg per person per day in 2002-03. By contrast there has been little change in zinc and magnesium since figures were first collected in 1992. The survey also revealed that consumption of potatoes fell by 4.4 per cent during the 2002-03 period, likely due to the impact of the Atkins diet, with its estimated 3 million fans in the UK last year. However the vegetable’s popularity has been going down over the years, and is 50 per cent lower than 1975. As expected, there were financial as well as regional variations in food and drink consumption. Those in top 20 per cent income bracket devoured the most cheese, vegetables, fruit and alcohol and the least milk, cream, fats, sugar, potatoes, cereals and confectionery. Correspondingly, those in the lower income brackets ate more saturated and monosaturated fats and carbohydrates. People in Scotland were shown to consume the highest amount of soft drinks. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/more-fruit-boosts-brits-vitamin-c-levels-but-vitamin-e-down http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/high-fiber-diet-helps-spare-gallbladder High-Fiber Diet Helps Spare GallbladderSource: www.reuters.co.ukReducing the risk of gallstones by eating a diet high in fiber, particularly the "insoluble" type found in whole-wheat products and corn bran, may help women avoid gallbladder surgery, new research suggests.In fact, the protective effect of a high-fiber diet remains even after taking into account other risk factors for gallstones, Dr. Chung-Jyi Tsai, at Harvard Medical School in Boston, and colleagues found.These findings, published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, appear shortly after a report from the same research team showing that consumption of vegetable protein also seems to block gallstone formation.Tsai's group analyzed data from approximately 70,000 women who completed food-frequency questionnaires starting in 1984. The women were apparently free from gallbladder disease when the study began.By 2000, nearly 6000 of the women had undergone gallbladder removal, also called cholecystectomy. Women who consumed the highest amounts of fiber were 13 percent less likely to undergo cholecystectomy than those who consumed the lowest amounts. The reduction in risk was even more pronounced for the highest levels of insoluble fiber intake --17 percent.The authors note that fiber has a number of biochemical effects that may reduce gallstone formation."Our findings support the notion that the public should consume adequate amounts of dietary fiber," Tsai and associates conclude.SOURCE: American Journal of Gastroenterology, July, 2004. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/high-fiber-diet-helps-spare-gallbladder http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/high-carbohydrate-diet-may-lead-to-breast-cancer-study High carbohydrate diet may lead to breast cancer: StudySource: www.webindia123.comResearchers at the Instituto de Salud Pzblica in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston have found that the risk of developing breast cancer is twice as high in Mexican women, for whom carbohydrates represent more than half the daily diet, than those who take a more balanced diet.Researchers suggested that the association between carbohydrates and breast cancer might be related to elevated levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in the blood. "Scientists have long suspected that diet was among the factors contributing to breast cancer. Now, with studies like ours, we are beginning gradually to understand what elements of diet specifically are associated with the disease, and to grasp the chemical and biological processes that contribute to it at the cellular level," said study co-author Walter Willett.Of all the carbohydrate compounds, sucrose and fructose demonstrated the strongest association with breast cancer risk. Sucrose is derived from sugar cane, sorghum and the sugar beet and is most commonly found in table sugar and sweetened prepared foods and beverages. Fructose is a component of sucrose and is also found in fruit. Eating sweets and starches causes a rapid rise in the body's blood sugar levels, which in turn cues the production of insulin that ultimately poses a risk factor for breast cancer in pre-menopausal women. However, dietary fat, which certainly contributor to obesity, showed no significant association with breast cancer risk in the study. (ANI) Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/high-carbohydrate-diet-may-lead-to-breast-cancer-study http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/antioxidants-dont-protect-heart-of-male-smokers Antioxidants Don't Protect Heart of Male SmokersSource: www.reuters.co.ukNeither vitamin E nor beta-carotene supplements protect male smokers against heart disease. The antioxidants may actually be harmful, cardiologists report in the European Heart Journal.The findings come from a follow-up study of a Finnish trial that originally looked into the prevention of cancer using vitamin E and/or beta-carotene in men who smoked.Specifically, over 29,000 male smokers between 50 and 69 years of age were randomly assigned to take one or other of the antioxidants or both or a placebo for 5 to 8 years.At the end of the trial 23,000 of the men remained at risk for a first-ever major coronary "event," while another 1255 had had heart attack and were at risk for a second event.During the 6-year period after the trial ended, a total of 2059 first-ever major coronary events were recorded, about half of which were fatal.According to the trial investigators, vitamin E supplementation had no significant impact during the post-trial period on first-ever major coronary events, similar to observations made during the trial period.Beta-carotene supplementation, on the other hand, increased the risk for major coronary events by 14 percent."These findings of beta-carotene were unexpected," the team points out, "since no increased risk was observed during the trial period." This may be a chance finding, they suggest.Nonetheless, the researchers say these data on the late effects of vitamin E and beta-carotene argue against their use by male smokers for the prevention of coronary heart disease.SOURCE: European Heart Journal, July 2004. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/antioxidants-dont-protect-heart-of-male-smokers http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/soy-protein-may-benefit-diabetics-kidneys Soy Protein May Benefit Diabetics' KidneysSource: www.reuters.comThe kidney function of people with type 2 diabetes seems to be improved by dietary soy protein, with the added benefit that their levels of "good" cholesterol also go up a bit, preliminary research suggests. Kidney function often becomes impaired with long-standing diabetes. The study of 14 older men with diabetes-related kidney disease found that adding a soy product to their diets reduced the amount of protein in their urine -- an indicator of improved kidney function. The study is too small to draw conclusions, but the results provide "initial evidence" that isolated soy protein may help reduce diabetics' risk of kidney and heart disease, the researchers say. Dr. John W. Erdman Jr., one of the study's authors, told Reuters Health he hopes the work will spur larger studies. It's unclear why soy protein might aid in diabetic kidney disease, but estrogen-like plant compounds called isoflavones could be involved, said Erdman, a professor of food science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He and his colleagues there and with the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System in Danville, Illinois, report the findings in the Journal of Nutrition. For eight weeks, men in the study used an isolated soy protein powder that could be added to a drink or food. For another eight weeks, they used a milk-based protein powder. The goal, Erdman explained, was to have the men replace part of their usual protein intake with the soy or milk protein; however, the patients failed to follow the diet instructions and instead added the protein powders to their normal routine. Yet even with the extra protein intake, the men's excretion of protein in urine fell an average of nearly 10 percent when they consumed the soy product, the researchers found. In contrast, protein levels in the urine increased with the milk-based powder. < In addition, eight weeks on the soy powder boosted the men's levels of heart-healthy HDL cholesterol by about four percent, while it tended to dip while the men were on the milk protein. It's possible, Erdman and his colleagues note, that the estrogen-like activity of soy isoflavones explain the kidney effects they found, because kidney disease seems to progress more slowly in women than men, and estrogen may be a factor. In this study, blood tests showed that as the men's isoflavone levels increased, their protein excretion declined. Another possibility, Erdman said, is related to the fact that soy protein and animal protein have different compositions. While using the soy powder, the men's blood levels of amino acid called arginine increased; arginine is a precursor to nitric oxide, a compound that helps dilate blood vessels. The study received partial funding from Protein Technologies International, maker of the soy- and milk-based protein powders used in the research. SOURCE: Journal of Nutrition, August 2004. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/soy-protein-may-benefit-diabetics-kidneys http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/how-herbs-really-can-help How herbs really can helpSource: news.independent.co.ukNatural remedies can't cure cancer, but they can treat the symptoms, says Dr Jo Walker. If only her colleagues knew more about their uses. By Clare Dwyer Hogg 09 August 2004 A few years ago, a young man in his twenties came to see Dr Jo Walker, his GP. He had recovered from testicular cancer, and stopped taking his cocktail of anti-cancer drugs without realising that one of the tablets he had been prescribed was Valium. "Because he just stopped, he went totally off the rails," Dr Walker says. He had a psychotic episode, was deported from abroad where he was living at the time, and put into a psychiatric unit. Fortunately, the doctors in Britain realised what had happened, put him back on Valium, and he went to Dr Walker to try to come off it gradually. "It was a long, slow process: we substituted herbs like valerian for Valium, and it was successful," she says.Dr Walker is particularly interested in using herbs to help treat symptoms that are associated with cancer, but emphasises that herbs are not a cure. Last week, scientists warned of the health risks for cancer patients who place their faith in alternative "cures", mostly bought over the internet. But while herbs cannot cure cancer patients, says Dr Walker, they can help to treat them - not least for the side effects of mainstream medical treatments. "It's really about the concomitant effects of having cancer," she says. "Most people who are taking a cancer cure take it by mouth. If they have indigestion, they'll have nausea, which is going to affect their recovery because they can't take the drug or it's not being absorbed properly."Depression, too, is a natural and common reaction when people discover they have cancer. Dr Walker has used lemon balm, St John's wort and vervain to help patients, and has found they work. "I see people who are anxious, depressed, having PMT or prostate problems," she says. "If you've got lung cancer, say, it doesn't stop you getting prostatitis." And if she can help with herbs, she will. "They work very well, and the side effects of natural pharmaceuticals appear to be a lot fewer than with synthetics."It's not a field with which many doctors are familiar, and Dr Walker admits that her feet were also once firmly in the sceptics' camp. "I was a traditional GP," she says, "and if I was asked about herbs, I tended to say, 'Mmm, yes, they probably don't do you any good'." But she's not a traditional GP now. She had a stroke in 1997 that stopped her working for two years. While she was recovering, she began to study herbal remedies: "It's my biggest qualification, being a patient. I know what it's like to be unwell and worried," she says.As Dr Walker recuperated, she did a course in herbal medicine, helping out friends along the way who had various ailments. Word of mouth spread, and people began to pop in to her for advice about which natural remedies they should try. "Amazingly, people started to get better," she says. It was all very low-key, until her local palliative-care team asked her to come and speak about her work. "The nurses were very interested," she remembers, "but threw their hands up in despair when I started talking about what to mix with what, and what to avoid. They asked me where they could get the information, and there wasn't anywhere really, so I started to make up hand-outs." This was the genesis of her book, which shows how herbal remedies and pharmaceutical drugs can work together if properly researched and handled.What Dr Walker is especially concerned about is the ease with which patients can gulp down concoctions of prescription drugs without knowing what they are. The effects of high-octane drugs are, of course, an evil with which people are prepared to deal in order to eradicate their disease. The side effects sometimes have to be treated with even more drugs. What is not so well known, however, are the exact ways in which herbal remedies can be used as a substitute for pharmaceutical drugs. "Don't think of them as herbs," Dr Walker says. "Think of them as natural pharmaceuticals." And with any pharmaceutical, natural or otherwise, it pays to be careful - 800mg of St John's wort is, for example, equivalent to 800mg of Prozac, so the dosage should be as strictly monitored as prescribed drugs. Dr Walker was horrified when she saw 1,200mg St John's wort tablets in a health-food shop recently. "The dose is crucial," she says.But the lack of understanding of the power of herbal medicine is the reason many patients don't tell their doctors they're taking natural remedies, or why some doctors might not take the information into account even if they are told. But some complementary medicines can interfere with cancer, and other, treatments. Dr Walker has this advice: "If someone is pregnant, I tell them not to take anything, natural or synthetic." She adds that some cancer treatments are so strong, Warfarin in particular, that they must be taken alone. "No one taking Warfarin should take a herbal product," she says, "because it interferes with anything, cranberry juice even."While Dr Walker still prescribes conventional drugs, she is convinced that herbal remedies are having the desired effect. She has, however, had mixed reactions from her fellow-professionals. "Some are supportive and interested. Some are sceptical, and a few are downright antagonistic," she laughs. But she's not fazed. "I believe what patients tell me. If they came back saying it was a load of rubbish, I'd re-evaluate what I'm doing. But I've been doing this for nearly 10 years. Even today, I've seen a number of people, and they have all come in smiling."'Cancer: Herbs in Holistic Healthcare', by Dr J Walker, is available from Amberwood Publishing (01634 290115), £15.99 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/how-herbs-really-can-help http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/exercise-during-pregnancy-keeps-cholesterol-down Exercise During Pregnancy Keeps Cholesterol DownSource: www.reuters.co.ukWomen who stay active early in pregnancy may have lower cholesterol than those who take it easy, new research suggests.Investigators found that among 925 pregnant women evaluated at the end of the first trimester, levels of total cholesterol and blood fats called triglycerides declined as exercise levels increased.It is normal for a woman's cholesterol and triglycerides to go up during pregnancy, lead study author Carole L. Butler told Reuters Health, but particularly large increases have been linked to the pregnancy complications gestational diabetes and preeclampsia -- a potential dangerous condition marked by high blood pressure, fluid retention and protein in the urine.Some studies have found evidence that exercise lowers a woman's risk of both of these complications. The new findings suggest that effects on cholesterol could be one reason, said Butler, a researcher at the University of Washington in Seattle.She and her colleagues report the findings in the American Journal of Epidemiology.The study included women who were interviewed around their 13th week of pregnancy about their exercise habits over the previous week, as well as other lifestyle and health factors. The researchers found that women who spent the most time being active -- about 13 or more hours a week -- had the lowest total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while sedentary women had the highest. More moderate exercisers fell somewhere in between.Similarly, women who reported vigorous activities such as jogging had lower cholesterol and triglycerides than women who engaged in moderate exercise such as "casual" swimming and biking. Again, sedentary women had the highest levels.However, it seems a woman need not exercise intensely to see the most cholesterol benefits. According to Butler, time spent exercising, whatever the activity, was just as strongly related to cholesterol levels as exercise intensity was.She said the findings should encourage research into the effects of exercise later in pregnancy as well.SOURCE: American Journal of Epidemiology, August 15, 2004. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/exercise-during-pregnancy-keeps-cholesterol-down http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/diet-new-guidelines-call-for-more-whole-grains-exercise DIET: New guidelines call for more whole grains, exerciseSource: www.sfgate.comNot just any bread will do: Americans need more fiber, and whole wheat is better than white bread for getting it, a panel of scientists and doctors said Friday. The federal advisory panel was offering its final recommendations for making the government's food pyramid a better guide to proper eating. But diet alone is not enough. The guidelines should put a new emphasis on exercise and other physical activity, the committee said. It explained that most people seeking to control their weight need 60 to 90 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity daily. About two-thirds of the nation's population is overweight or obese, according to the latest government figures. The recommendations play down the current guidelines' highlighted advice to "choose beverages and foods to moderate your intake of sugars." Americans still should control their intake of sugar-sweetened foods and drinks, particularly people who need to watch their weight, the guidelines say, but they do not include advice among nine major points the new proposals stress. The panel's report goes to government officials who will prepare a final version for the secretaries of Agriculture and of Health and Human Services. The final dietary guidelines and the updated food pyramid are due out early next year. The guidelines also will be used in decision-making for other federal programs such as planning menus for school lunches. To get more fiber, people should eat at least three one-ounce servings of whole grains, such as whole wheat bread, preferably as a substitute for refined grains such as white bread, according to the recommendations. Whole grains are rich in 14 nutrients including fiber, which has been shown to lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes. "We need more fiber," said Eric Hentges, executive director of the Agriculture Department's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. "It's getting a balance of our enriched grains and our whole grains, and the whole grains are the ones that are out of balance and lacking right now." The new report puts a strong emphasis on getting calories under control and pays no heed to popular diets that focus on specific nutrients, such as counting carbohydrates. "To stem the obesity epidemic, most Americans need to reduce the amount of calories they consume," the report said. "When it comes to weight control, calories do count -- not the proportions of carbohydrate, fat and protein in the diet." The new proposals allow "discretionary calories," including sweet treats, for the minority of Americans who eat and exercise right and get their nutrients without exceeding their calorie limits. The change on sweeteners was welcomed by the sugar industry, which had argued that the committee should focus on total calories, not specific nutrients. "Sugar is part of many, many healthful foods," said Cheryl Digges, director of public policy and education at the Sugar Association, an industry group. "The previous message was too simplistic." The Sugar Association gave the committee its position as the experts developed their report, but it's hard to say how much influence the association had, Digges said. Panel members also considered comments from groups that wanted limits on sugar calories. David Schardt, a nutrition specialist for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, one of the groups favoring limits on sugar consumption, said some members of the advisory committee were food industry consultants who "could have been pushing the industry point of view." The report, however, does advise people to limit their added sugar, and the final government guidelines may make the advice more clear, Schardt said. The report also said people should put tight limits on fats that can clog arteries and lead to heart disease. Trans fats found in many processed foods such as baked and fried products should be kept below one percent of calories, it said. People also should eat more fruits and vegetables as a low-calorie way to get nutrients, including vitamin C, as well as fiber, the report said. Servings could range from 21/2 cups to 61/2 cups a day, depending on how many calories a person burns, it said. For stronger bones, people should use lowfat or nonfat milk or milk products, such as skim milk or yogurt, the panel said. It recommended three cups of milk a day or the equivalent in other dairy foods. Advice on salt also should be revised to deal with high blood pressure, the panel said. It recommended salt intake of no more than 2,300 milligrams a day, the equivalent of one teaspoon and 100 milligrams below the current guidelines. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/diet-new-guidelines-call-for-more-whole-grains-exercise http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/diet-with-the-right-carbs-seems-to-boost-health Diet With the 'Right Carbs' Seems to Boost HealthSource: story.news.yahoo.comPopular diets such as Atkins and South Beach recommend eating low or no carbohydrates to lose weight. But not all carbs are created equal, and now evidence suggests that using the "glycemic index" may be the way to shed pounds and boost health. Results of a new animal study found that a low-glycemic-index diet can lead to weight loss, reduce body fat, and trim risk factors for diabetes and heart disease. The glycemic index ranks carbohydrates based on their immediate effect on blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates that break down quickly during digestion have the highest glycemic index. Carbohydrates that break down slowly, releasing sugar gradually into the blood stream, have a low glycemic index. The theory is that the rapid increase in blood sugar makes you hungry and causes you to eat more and gain weight. Meanwhile, carbs that release their sugar more slowly keep your hunger in check. "Contrary to popular belief, starchy foods can be broken down to sugar very quickly," said lead researcher Dr. David Ludwig, director of the Optimal Weight for Life Program at Children's Hospital Boston. "White bread, breakfast cereals, potatoes, have a very high glycemic index, whereas fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes have a low glycemic index," he added. According to Ludwig, previous studies in humans have suggested that low-glycemic-index diets can have important health benefits. "But these studies have had difficulty in distinguishing the effects of glycemic index from those of other dietary factors like protein and fiber," he said. Partly for this reason, no agency in the United States recognizes the glycemic index in human nutrition, Ludwig said. The glycemic index is recognized by many other countries and by the World Health Organization (news - web sites), he said. To determine the effect of a low-glycemic-index diet in a controlled setting where the diet could be tested without interference from other factors, Ludwig's team experimented with rats. In the experiment, rats were fed a diet of 69 percent carbohydrates. Eleven rats were randomly assigned to a high-glycemic-index diet and 10 to a low-glycemic-index diet, according to the report in the Aug. 28 issue of The Lancet. After two to four months, the researchers found that the rats given the high-glycemic-index diet had 71 percent more body fat and 8 percent less lean muscle mass, compared with rats on the low-glycemic-index diet. In addition, the high-glycemic-index group had significantly higher blood sugar and insulin levels and higher triglyceride levels, compared with the low-glycemic-index group. In further experiments, rats were switched from a low- to a high-glycemic-index diet. These rats had greater increases in blood sugar and insulin, compared with animals switched from a high- to low-glycemic-index diet. "These findings suggest that low-glycemic-index diets might help prevent and treat obesity, diabetes and heart disease," Ludwig said. A healthful diet, according to Ludwig, includes adequate protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates that have a low-glycemic-index -- such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains and legumes. There have never been any adverse effects from a low-glycemic-index diet, Ludwig added. "In contrast, low-fat diets can raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol," he said. "A low-glycemic-index diet is the perfect compromise between a low-fat diet and an Atkins-type, very low carbohydrate diet," Ludwig said. Dr. Mary Vernon, a spokeswoman for Atkins Nutritionals Inc., and co-author of the Atkins Diabetes Revolution, said, "The Atkins diet doesn't say eat meat and eat a candy bar to get your carbohydrates."Vernon said the diet recommends limiting carbohydrates to 20 grams per day until you lose the weight you want, and then increasing your intake of carbohydrates until you see that you are starting to gain weight."The Atkins diet recommends certain carbohydrate sources, which are all low-glycemic-index sources," Vernon said. "Carbohydrates with a low glycemic index are healthy carbs with nutritional value, not just energy value," she added.More informationTo learn more about the glycemic index, visit the Joslin Diabetes Center. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/diet-with-the-right-carbs-seems-to-boost-health http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/health-tip-make-sure-you-get-enough-b12 Health Tip: Make Sure You Get Enough B12Source: drkoop.comIt will help keep you healthy Advertisement From Our Sponsors: Related Slides Angioplasty Atrial Fibrillation Congestive Heart Failure Related Videos Get More Calcium Transfusion Alternative Vacuum Out Blood Clots Related Stories • Angina Drug Safe for Long-Term Use • Catching Clots in Legs • Most Kids Have Dieted by 10th Grade Related Breakthroughs • Cool Caps Prevent Brain Damage • Computer-Assisted Knee Surgery • Solution for Emphysema Other Stories • Preschoolers Are Eating Better -- and More • Link Between Hypothyroidism, Glaucoma Found • Virtual Colonoscopy Shows Promise • Fatty Acid in Fish May Arrest Alzheimer's (HealthDayNews) -- Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. It's also needed to make DNA, the genetic material in all cells, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.Vitamin B12 is bound to the protein in food. Hydrochloric acid produced in the stomach releases B12 from the protein during digestion.The vitamin is found in animal foods including fish, milk and milk products, eggs, meat and poultry. Fortified breakfast cereals are an excellent source, especially for vegetarians who might otherwise get too little. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/health-tip-make-sure-you-get-enough-b12 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/blueberries-are-a-powerhouse-of-nutrition Blueberries are a powerhouse of nutritionSource: www.lacanadaonline.comIn searching for information about the human brain, researchers commonly use rats. While studying the effects of various fruit and vegetables on aging rats, scientists made some startling discoveries relative to the field of nutrition. For one early project, in the mid-'90s, three groups of aging rats were studied. The first group of rats ate their usual grain diet. The second group had spinach added and the third ate a diet enriched with blueberries.Rats can swim, but they dislike water. The old rats were put into tanks of water with raised platforms. All three groups of rats swam around in the tank, looking for a way out. After awhile they discovered the raised platforms, and climbed out of the water.When the rats were returned to the tanks for another swimming session, the first group of rats did not remember that the tank held platforms, they swam around for the same length of time looking for a way out, eventually climbing up on the platforms. The second group, the spinach-eaters, remembered the existence of platforms, but not their exact locations, it took them a shorter time to find the platforms and climb up. The third group of blueberry rats swam directly to the platforms. The research team concluded that both spinach and blueberries could help aging humans recover from short-term memory loss, although they did not know why the blueberriy diet had better results.Over the past eight years, hundreds of projects have sprung up throughout the United States and Europe looking to find the answers to questions provoked by earlier studies. Some researchers have evolved a system using test tubes, blood and oxygen. They can measure the effect that certain foods, known to be high in anti-oxidants, have on human blood. They know, for example, that consuming 12 ounces of fresh spinach will raise a woman's blood plasma's anti-oxidant level significantly.Another study showed that raising the number of daily servings of fruit and vegetables from five servings to 10 also raised anti-oxidant blood levels significantly, even though the participants were allowed to eat whatever fruits or vegetables they preferred. There was no increase beyond the 10 servings. (This is why I agree with AICR's 10 serving recommendation and passed it along to readers.)Today, much more is known about the chemical content of blueberries. Along with the anthocyanin, studied with the swimming rats, which seems to aid in memory loss, balance and eyesight, blueberries contain other phytochemicals such as ellagic acid, a cancer- fighter.Blueberries' guercetin may help raise HDL levels (good cholesterol). It also has high levels of pectin, which lowers bad cholesterol and reduces aging-related nerve disorders.Subsequent rat brain studies showed exactly where the brain cells are located that control balance. In humans, those cells begin to deteriorate around age 50. Spinach seems to improve middle-aged rats' ability to balance on beams. That study did not use blueberries, but another one did, with moderate results in improved motor skills for elderly rats. Earlier this year, a European team found that blueberries played a role in good eyesight.Through their reseach division, the United States Department of Agriculture funds scientists in anti-aging research. The USDA also supports programs directed at helping blueberry growers improve their crops. Commercial blueberry breeders need to replicate the high levels of the anthocyanin found in wild blueberries. Commercial berries, like so many fruits, have been bred to be easily harvested and shipped, to have a longer shelf lives, to be bigger and prettier. In the process, the level of anthocyanin in commercial berries has dropped to as low as one-twentieth the level in a wild berry. Commercial crops' anthocyanin levels vary widely from season to season, from field to field.The wild blueberry is one of the few fruits native to North America. Native Americans dried the berries and some tribes used them in making jerky. Others used the berries as a medicine. The USDA also supports research with cranberries, another native American fruit.Even though scientists have yet to determine exactly how the chemicals in blueberries work their magic in the human body, they have built a growing body of evidence supporting the importance of blueberries in the diet. The Atkins Diet describes blueberries as "a nutritional powerhouse" with a low glycemic index and recommends incorporating them into menus at the start the ongoing weight loss phase of the diet. Atkins suggests raw blueberries. My research indicates that frozen or dried blueberries are fine, too. Heat destroys some nutrients, so blueberry jam or blueberry muffins would not be as nutritious as a 1/2 cup of blueberries mixed into your morning yogurt or cereal. Today's recipes present three new ways to incorporate the nutritional power of blueberries into your diet.Write Lynn Duvall at boblynn@ix.netcom.com.Grilled Chicken with Blueberry-Onion Relish ]4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about one pound)Marinade:1/2 cup orange juice1/2 Tablespoon canola oil1 small bay leaf2 sprigs fresh rosemary, thyme or oregano (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)2 cloves garlic, finely mincedRelish:Canola oil spray2 medium onions1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper1/4 cup sherry2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries1 cup chopped cherry tomatoesMake marinade for the chicken by mixing together (in a non-metal container) the orange juice, oil, bay leaf, herbs and garlic. Add chicken, cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to 3 hours.Turn chicken occasionally to distribute flavors evenly. When ready to grill, drain chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Discard marinade.While chicken is marinating, make relish by cutting onions in half, then cut each half crosswise in thirds, cut each third into thin slices. Spray a large skillet with canola oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add onions, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes or until onions are golden, stirring occasionally. Add sherry, vinegar, blueberries and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, immediately reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to serving bowl.Prepare grill for cooking, rinse chicken, pat dry. Spray chicken lightly with canola oil spray and season with salt and pepper. Grill about 5 to 6 inches from heat source until cooked though, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Serve with blueberry relish. Serves 4. (low carb, low fat, high protein)Adapted from AICR recipe files.Blueberry Sangria ]1-1/2 cups ready-to-serve blueberry juice1-1/2 cups chilled white wine or apple juice1/4 cup orange-flavored liqueur, optional1 orange, sliced1 lemon, sliced1 cup fresh blueberries1-1/2 cups chilled lemon-lime soda, such as SpriteCombine blueberry juice, wine or apple juice and liqueur, if used, in a 2-quart pitcher. Add orange and lemon slices and fresh blueberries. Chill until ready to serve. Just before serving stir in soda. Serve in tall glasses over ice cubes, if desired.Serves 6. (Makes about 1 quart liquid)Courtesy: U.S. Highbush Blueberry CouncilBlueberry & Citrus Sorbet 'Layer Cake' ]1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons blueberry preserves or jam, divided1 pint orange sorbet, slightly softened1 pint lemon or other citrus sorbet, slightly softened1 cup fresh blueberriesLine the bottom and sides of an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan with a double layer of waxed paper, folding the paper to fit smoothly. In a small bowl, stir together walnuts and 1/4 cup of the blueberry preserves; set aside. Spoon orange sorbet into the lined pan, smoothing the top to make an even layer. Spread the reserved walnut-preserves mixture evenly over the orange sorbet. Spoon the lemon sorbet evenly over the preserves and smooth the top. Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Freeze several hours or overnight.Just before serving, in a medium bowl, stir remaining 2 tablespoons preserves until smooth; fold in fresh blueberries. Invert the cake onto a chilled serving plate. Remove the pan and waxed paper; spoon about one-fourth of the blueberry mixture down the center of the cake. Cut the cake into 8 (1-inch) slices. Serve on chilled dessert plates; top each slice with a spoonful of the remaining fresh berry mixture. Serve immediately. Serves 8. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/blueberries-are-a-powerhouse-of-nutrition http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/avoiding-alzheimer-s-it-s-all-in-the-diet Avoiding Alzheimer’s: It’s all in the DietSource: www.ivanhoe.comA new study shows consuming foods or supplements containing the omega-3 fatty acid known as DHA may be the best way to avoid Alzheimer’s disease -- even if you carry a gene that makes you susceptible to the condition.That surprising finding comes from researchers at University of California in Los Angeles who studied Alzheimer’s in mice. First they bred mice to carry the gene known to cause the brain lesions characteristic of the disease. The original intention was to see how various environmental factors affect symptoms over time. But the mice only showed minimal memory or other brain-related problems.The investigators wondered if the reason was because they were living on a diet rich in soy and fish, two foods high in DHA, which has been shown in other studies to help prevent the development of Alzheimer’s. To test their hypothesis, they placed the mice on an unhealthy diet with no DHA. About half were fed this diet alone. The other half was given DHA supplements along with the unhealthy food.Mice that ate the unhealthy diet without the DHA supplements went on to develop the kind of brain changes typically seen in Alzheimer’s patients. Those that received DHA supplements, however, maintained much of their brain functioning, even though they, too, carried the Alzheimer’s gene.“After adjusting for all possible variables, DHA was the only factor remaining that protected the mice against the synaptic damage and memory loss that should have resulted from their Alzheimer’s genes,” says study author Greg Cole, Ph.D. “We concluded that the DHA-enriched diet was holding their genetic disease at bay.”The investigators note DHA is easy to add to the diet and can be found in oily fish such as salmon and sardines or can be taken in supplement form. They suggest more people consider increasing their DHA consumption.This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.SOURCE: Neuron, 2004;43:633-645 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/avoiding-alzheimer-s-it-s-all-in-the-diet http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/children-in-crisis-dylan-nutritional-therapy-gives-youngster-a-weapon-in-battle-against-rage CHILDREN IN CRISIS: Dylan -- Nutritional therapy gives youngster a weapon in battle against rageSource: www.freep.comLike a child reciting his favorite video game titles, Dylan DeGlopper meticulously lists the foods he can't have: anything with wheat or white flour; flavored popcorn and potato chips; anything enhanced with smoky seasoning. The no-nos go on and on. But breads, cookies, beef jerky and more aren't off limits for weight-control reasons. For Dylan, the foods fuel his aggression, anger, irritability and instability. If the Kalamazoo 12-year-old eats ordinary foods that contain wheat, MSG or other common ingredients, he said his "head feels tingly and lightheaded, and then it's like a big burst of feeling everything." "I was ornery and cranky," he said recently, four months after starting a gluten-free diet. "I feel a lot better than I did when I was eating normal stuff. Now with this, I feel a lot more mellow." As advances are made into understanding children's emotional and mental disorders, some experts are espousing nontraditional, holistic approaches to treatment, such as the nutritional therapy Dylan is trying. "It's easy to throw a medication at something but understanding what the real, underlying cause is takes a lot more legwork," said Constantine Bitsas, executive director of the Health Research Institute Pfeiffer Treatment Center in Warrenville, Ill. The nonprofit research and treatment facility specializes in researching biochemical imbalances that affect mental health. It purports to have treated more than 16,000 patients with behavior dysfunctions, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism, learning disorders or anxiety by balancing body and brain chemistry. RELATED CONTENT ZACK: Family of boy overcoming abuse makes tough choice to get him help he needsPHOTO GALLERY More stories in the series Bitsas, who has a degree in psychology Portland State University in Oregon and was a mental health therapist for eight years, said most people's bodies have no problem breaking down glutens. But for those like Dylan who can't, the proteins act like opiates, causing a lack of focus and an inability to pay attention, stay on task and think clearly. Glutens also can cause sugar levels to go up and down, leading to irritability and aggression, he said. "Our position is not that medications are bad for you. You may need a combination of" a gluten-free diet and drugs, Bitsas said. "If we get them on the proper nutrient-based program, they might be able to reduce the amount of medications they're on." The diet has been a miracle for Dylan and his family, said his grandmother Emily DeGlopper. Life is much calmer and more pleasant in their home, where Dylan has punched holes in walls, destroyed aluminum siding and smashed a glass oven door during his fits of rage. "For a while, it was a real bad roller-coaster. You could never know what mood Dyl would be in," said DeGlopper, who has cared for Dylan most of his life. But since he started the gluten-free diet, "it's been a world of difference," she said. "He's a dream," she said. "It's nicer here." Dating back to the first grade, Dylan has been charged six times with assault, treated in psychiatric hospitals nearly a dozen times and has alienated his fellow students and neighbors. He's been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and also deals with abandonment issues, anxiety and learning disabilities. At least once a week, Dylan would have a violent outburst, and it would take him hours to calm down. Regular work with an anger-management counselor, therapist and psychiatrist helped, but his explosions were unpredictable and -- as he is growing bigger and stronger -- dangerous. DeGlopper was afraid another criminal charge would send Dylan to juvenile detention, or that he would seriously injure someone. On his new diet, Dylan may still erupt, but the episodes only last a few minutes and occur much less frequently, DeGlopper said. Afterward, Dylan realizes what he's done, and is apologetic and cooperative, cleaning up any mess he makes, she said. He's also taking about half the 12 or so daily medications he was on four months ago. Preparing meals with hard-to-find rice flour and potato flour and making sure meats and other foods haven't been tainted with wheat products or MSG can be costly and time-consuming. DeGlopper is trying to shake up the recipes so she's not always feeding Dylan a plain hamburger, cheese and rice. Many mental health practitioners are skeptical of nontraditional therapies, such as acupuncture, reflexology and diet and nutritional treatments. But DeGlopper said she was open to trying nearly anything that could help Dylan. Dr. Preeti Venkataraman, a Bloomfield Hills child and adolescent psychiatrist, said, "It's tough to say" if such alternative treatments are truly effective "because there isn't a lot of data out there backing these things up." She said she doesn't discourage patients from exploring dietary alternatives, but said they should be very cautious about nutritional supplements or herbal remedies, which can interfere with prescription drugs and impact the body. "When you're treating children you want to be very cautious and careful and go with treatments that have been proven and that have data that's backing up what you're doing," she said. The diet hasn't been fail-safe. A few weeks ago, Dylan snapped, slamming his fists into a tree and then into the steering wheel of his grandmother's minivan, which he wanted to drive away. "He wanted me to choke him, put him out of his misery. He explodes, the anger is just horrible," DeGlopper said. She suspects Dylan -- who has learned to carefully read food packaging labels -- accidentally ate or drank something containing gluten. This time, though, Dylan's fit didn't last as long, and he let his anger-management counselor help talk him down. Afterward, he apologized, telling his grandmother, "I'm so sorry I could have hurt you." "There are some days that are harder than others," he said. Still, while Dylan and his grandmother know they face hurdles, they're committed to him becoming a happy, healthy young man who recognizes what triggers his anger and knows how to deal with it. "I'm hoping in the long run Dylan's going to do things on his own," DeGlopper said. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/children-in-crisis-dylan-nutritional-therapy-gives-youngster-a-weapon-in-battle-against-rage http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/bad-news-on-eye-disease Bad News on Eye DiseaseSource: www.forbes.comA combination treatment of vitamin A and the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) do not slow the progression of retinitis pigmentosa.The bad news comes in two articles in the latest issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.Rentinitis pigmentosa is a progressive eye disease that can cause vision loss. It affects about one in 4,000 people worldwide. Previous studies had found that taking vitamin A slows the decline in retinal function and vision loss.Harvard Medical School researchers tracked 221 people with retinitis pigmentosa, aged 18 to 55, for four years. Some took 1,200 milligrams per day of DHA and others took a placebo. All the patients took 15,000 international units per day of vitamin A, according to the researchers.The study found that, at four years, progression of the eye disease hadn't slowed in any of the patients.In a separate analysis, the researchers did find an impact on patients who were not taking vitamin A before the study."Among patients not taking vitamin A prior to entry, those in the DHA+A group (30 patients) had a slower decline in (vision loss) than those in the control +A group (35 patients) over the first two years; these differences were not observed in years three and four of follow-up or among patients taking vitamin A prior to entry," the study authors wrote.The study findings support "a previous recommendation that most adults with the typical forms of retinitis pigmentosa should continue to take 15,000 IU/d of vitamin A palmitate under medical supervision to slow the course of their condition," the authors concluded.More informationThe U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about retinitis pigmentosa. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/bad-news-on-eye-disease http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-b-may-prevent-migraines Vitamin B may prevent migrainesSource: www.nutraingredients.comSupplementing with high-dose vitamin B2 (riboflavin) may help prevent migraines, according to recent research.The study - published in the European Journal of Neurology (2004;11:475–7)- investigated the effect of high-dose riboflavin on migraine frequency, duration, and intensity in 23 people aged 20 to 65. Each participant received 400 mg of riboflavin per day for three months and kept a diary recording the number of migraine attacks, duration of each migraine, headache intensity and the use of pain relievers during a migraine. Participants suffered significantly fewer migraines while taking riboflavin. The average number of headaches decreased from four per month prior to the study, to two per month during treatment with riboflavin. Participants also used significantly less pain-relieving medication while taking riboflavin than before the study. Headache duration also decreased during the treatment period, though headache intensity was unchanged. Only mild adverse reactions were reported, including diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and facial redness. As there are no known interactions between riboflavin and pain relievers, riboflavin appears to be a safe and effective therapy for the prevention of migraine headaches, concluded the researchers. About 12 - 15 per cent of people in the UK, (around nine million people), suffer from migraines, with twice as many women as men affected by the complaint. The headaches are sometimes preceded by flashes of light, blind spots, tingling in the arms or legs, or anxiety. Suffers generally experience a pounding sensation in one side of the head and many undergo nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and noise. The symptoms are often severe and debilitating, lasting anywhere between four and 72 hours. Migraine pain is believed to originate from inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain. Theories about the exact cause of inflammation range from nervous system malfunctions to an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain. Known migraine triggers include hormonal fluctuations, emotions, changes in weather, strong odours, and some foods. Alcohol, aged cheeses, monosodium glutamate (MSG), chocolate, and fermented foods are also frequently held responsible for initiating migraines. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-b-may-prevent-migraines http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-e-boosts-bodys-defence-system Vitamin E boosts body's defence systemSource: www.nutraingredients.comScientists have found that vitamin E improves the function of the liver and thereby strengthens the body’s defence system.Researchers working for DSM Nutritional Products (DNP) have discovered that dietary vitamin E significantly stimulates the hepatic (liver) production of glutathione, which is the body’s major line of defence against free radicals and potentially harmful agents and metabolites. Free radicals and metabolites are produced continuously in the human body, as – for example - a consequence of normal metabolic processes and a result of physical activities, diseases, smoking, alcohol consumption and from the exposure to environmental pollution and UV-light. They are also negatively involved in the aging process. If these free radicals are not inactivated they can damage the body. Glutathion, which is produced in the liver, protects the body by neutralizing these aggressive agents. In the DNP study, rats were fed a diet supplemented with or without vitamin E for nine months. Using nutrigenomics, that enable scientists to monitor the activity of thousands of genes, scientists revealed, among other things, that vitamin E stimulates the activity of two key enzymes - glutamyl-cysteinyl-synthase and glutathione synthetase - both important for the production of gluthatione, the body’s defense system. Further analysis of the glutathione concentration in the liver confirmed that animals supplemented with vitamin E had significantly enhanced production of glutathione - thereby increasing the body’s major line of defense against toxic substances. These results reveal that the well recognized antioxidant and protective activities of vitamin E are not only dependent on its own chemical properties but also on its ability to enhance the body’s own antioxidant network by glutathione synthesis. In addition this study illustrates the importance of vitamin E for the correct functioning of the liver. This study was published in the BBA Molecular Basis of Disease (05/04). Last week, NutraIngredients reported that DSM had lifted its vitamin E capacity to 25,000 tons, making it the world’s largest producer of the vitamin. At an official opening at the former Roche site in Sisseln, Switzerland, the company said the investment of some SF180 million (€117m), would allow it to meet rising global demand for vitamin E and considerably improve its competitiveness. Vitamin production by the two leading European players, DSM and BASF, has come under significant price pressure from lower cost production and ready supply from China in recent years. But recent investments by both firms in vitamin E plants in Europe suggests that they have identified cost-savings in current production that will allow them to hold onto a majority share of the world’s vitamin E capacity. BASF has capacity of around 20,000 tons, with two Chinese firms holding much of the rest. DSM believes its new plant offers the lowest production costs of its competitors, giving it a stronger market position and benefits for customers. Demand for vitamin E is being driven by the feed market (70 per cent of global supply goes to animal nutrition) but also by new research supporting its use in dietary supplements and increasing cosmetic applications. Current growth is expected to be sustained for “at least the next five years,” noted Bob Hartmayer, chief operating officer of DSM Nutritional Products. He said vitamin E is growing faster than the overall food ingredients market at 5-7 per cent on average and is DNP’s most important product after vitamin C. The plant, which began production last November and took over entire vitamin E production in May this year, is currently running at 50 per cent of its full capacity. It can produce 3 tonnes per hour of the highest purity vitamin E. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-e-boosts-bodys-defence-system http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/britons-suffering-from-lack-of-sunshine Britons suffering from lack of sunshineSource: www.nutraingredients.comHealth experts said at a news briefing last week in London that a quarter of Britons may suffer from a winter deficiency of vitamin D and that supplementation and further fortification of foods may be the answer.Britain's northern location and lack of sunshine means that during the winter months many people do not get enough of the vitamin made by the body when it is exposed to sunlight. This lack can be serious, increasing the risk of muscle weakness, autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis and certain types of cancer. "About 25 per cent of adults are deficient in vitamin D in winter," Dr Birgit Teucher, of the Institute of Food Research, said during the briefing at the Science Media Centre. Graham Bentham, a professor of environmental science at the University of East Anglia, said 80 per cent of vitamin D comes from exposure to sunlight, but during the months of October to March sunlight exposure in Britain is not be sufficient for the body to produce any vitamin D. During the winter months, the body relies on stores of vitamin D built up from summer exposure to the sun and that obtained from food. However, increased time spent indoors and fears about the risks of cancer from too much sun now limit many people's exposure to sunlight, leaving them with depleted winter reserves. The health experts concluded that more research is needed but suggested vitamin D supplements such as cod liver oil and fortifying more foods could be a solution – at present foods such as breakfast cereals and margarine are fortified with the vitamin. The food industry could help by fortifying milk, bread and even orange juice with vitamin D. A number of scientists have raised the profile of vitamin D deficiency in recent months, demonstrating an association with cancers, autoimmune diseases as well as fractures. A US cancer prevention expert recently called for action to raise vitamin D levels, inciting the government to require calcium and vitamin D to be added to foods. He argued this could achieve a 20 per cent reduction in colon cancer deaths and osteoporosis-related fractures. Most recently, a study propsed that vitamin D could be important for oral health. Researchers led by Bess Dawson-Hughes, director of the Bone Metabolism Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston demonstrated that the higher the levels of vitamin D in volunteers' blood, the better their gum health. Among men and women aged 50 and older, those with the lowest vitamin D levels had 25 to 27 per cent more tooth loss than had those in the highest range. An adequate intake for dietary vitamin D has been established as a range from 200 to 600 international units (IU) daily, depending upon age group, although recent evidence suggests that more vitamin D may be needed. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/britons-suffering-from-lack-of-sunshine http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/a-herbal-anti-ageing-cream-for-everlasting-beauty A herbal anti-ageing cream for everlasting beautySource: www.hindustantimes.com new cream developed by researchers at Thailand's Government Pharmaceutical Organisation is all set to take the cosmetic industry by storm.According to The Straits Times, the anti-ageing cream combines traditional herbal ingredients with nanotechnology and has chalked up sales of 10,000 jars in just five days at Bangkok's recent Herbal Fair.The cosmetic cream took three years to develop by the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO), which has 40 researchers working on a range of products.The cream is priced at 1,300 baht or 50 Singapore dollars for a 50g jar and it's main ingredient is turmeric, used for centuries in South Asia and Thailand as a flavouring agent in curries - and as a beautifying skin application and internal herbal medicine.According to GPO managing director Thongchai Thavichachart, 'We first have to be strong in the local market, then we will go overseas'. He calls the cream the 'national champion' of Thai herbal products and is ready to franchise marketing plans. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/a-herbal-anti-ageing-cream-for-everlasting-beauty http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-boosts-muscle-strength-in-elders Vitamin D boosts muscle strength in eldersSource: www.webindia123.comA new research has revealed that a supplement of Vitamin D not only builds stronger bones, but may also improve muscle strength in older adults.Vitamin D is already known to boost calcium absorption and help to build and maintain bone strength, but it also acts as a hormone in the body that may regulate the growth and development of other tissues, such as muscles, claimed the researchers.Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, their study compared Vitamin D levels and the lower-body mobility of older adults, aged between 60 and 90, using an eight-foot walk and sit-to-stand test. It found that elder adults with a higher level of Vitamin D in their blood scored better on tests of mobility, such as walking and getting up from a seated position, regardless of their levels of activity, use of a walking device or arthritis etc. (ANI) Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-boosts-muscle-strength-in-elders http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/mediterranean-diet-may-lower-risk-of-gallstones Mediterranean diet may lower risk of gallstonesSource: msnbc.msn.comA Mediterranean diet rich in vegetable oil, nuts and fish may help fend off more than heart disease and diabetes: It appears to prevent gallstones, too.advertisement Men who ate more of the unsaturated fats found in such foods lowered their risk of gallstones by nearly one-fifth, according to a 14-year study published in Tuesday’s Annals of Internal Medicine.Gallstones affect up to one in four Americans at some time in their lives. In some cases, the stones can cause abdominal pain and vomiting, and the gall bladder has to be removed.Other research has suggested that diets high in saturated fat and refined carbohydrates increase the risk of gallstones, said Dr. Edward L. Giovannucci, a co-author and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School.“It’s probably not entirely an accident that some of the same mechanisms that relate to gallstones relate to having diabetes, or heart disease,” he said. “The same diet that is good for some of the Western diseases is good for gallstones.”Thousands of men tracked in study The study tracked the eating habits and medical histories of 45,756 men — dentists, veterinarians, optometrists, osteopaths and podiatrists — from 1986 to 2000. Whether such a diet would also prevent gallstones in women is not clear.The way gallstones form “is not exactly same between men and women,” said Dr. Chung-Jyi Tsai, associate professor of medicine at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Ky., the lead author of the study. “The study in women is ongoing.”Doctors in recent years have come to recognize the heart-healthy benefits of the so-called Mediterranean diet, which is rich in unsaturated fats from vegetable oils, nuts and fish such as salmon and tuna.In the study, 2,323 of the participants reported new cases of gallstone disease during the 14 years. Those in the highest one-fifth of the group in unsaturated fat consumption had an 18 percent lower risk of gallstones than those in the lowest one-fifth. Those in the highest group ate about twice as much unsaturated fat as the lowest group.In the United States, 639,000 people are hospitalized each year because of gallstones, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.Dr. Keith D. Lillemoe, chairman of surgery at the Indiana University School of Medicine, noted that diet is not the only factor that contributes to gallstones. But he said he and many other researchers have long thought that fat consumption must play a role.“So the results don’t surprise me, that there was some correlation,” he said. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/mediterranean-diet-may-lower-risk-of-gallstones http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/women-who-ate-red-meat-ham-more-prone-to-endometriosis-study-finds Women Who Ate Red Meat, Ham More Prone To Endometriosis, Study FindsSource: www.wnep.comAt age 30 Eric Labrant was diagnosed with bladder cancer. "No family history of bladder cancer," he says. "I didn't smoke. I didn't work in industries that would lend itself toward that," LaBrant insists. Now, a new study shows Vitamin E may have helped prevent the cancer. "Basically, the results show that individuals with a higher intake of Vitamin E showed a 42-percent reduced risk in bladder cancer," Research Eietician Ladia Hernandez, of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston finds. But beware, not all Vitamin E is the same. M.D. Anderson Epidemiologist Xifeng Wu finds, "Foods containing high levels of the alpha-tocopherol form of Vitamin E offer better protection. Those foods include red and green bell peppers, spinach, mustard greens, almonds, sunflower seeds, and vegetable oils." The Vitamin E is an antioxidant that can reduce DNA damage. Dr. Wu says 15-milligrams a day is all you need. Ladia hernadez, "it's definitely attainable is someone eats 5-servings of fruits and vegetables a day. " Walnuts, pecans, and garbanzo beans contain a different form of Vitamin E and don't offer the same protection against bladder cancer. Another natural helper is folate, which studies show can cut the risk of bladder cancer nearly in half. Folate is found in fruits and veggies is crucial for DNA repair. Eric's bladder cancer is in now remission now, but he says he's changing his diet, "Especially now that I know I'm at risk for cancer in the future." He thinks the new diet will give him the extra protection -- and security -- he needs. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/women-who-ate-red-meat-ham-more-prone-to-endometriosis-study-finds http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/coping-with-the-common-cold Coping With the Common ColdSource: www.ajc.comDetermined this cold season to nip your sneezing, runny nose and scratchy throat in the bud before those nasty respiratory symptoms sideline you?There's a broad array of cold remedies you might want to try, ranging from over-the-counter preparations to basic ingredients tucked away in your kitchen pantry.So what'll it be? A combination pain reliever and nasal decongestant? Vitamin C and echinacea? Tea with honey? A brimming bowl of chicken soup? It turns out the best advice for dealing with the misery of a cold is the same principle mothers often apply when trying to coax their unruly toddlers to take a nap: Whatever works.After all these years, scientists still have not nailed down a cure-all for the 200 different viruses known to cause symptoms of the common cold. And while nutritionally oriented doctors often tout the cold-fighting properties of certain vitamins, minerals and herbs, others say the evidence is mixed.Dr. Norman H. Edelman, a consultant for scientific affairs for the American Lung Association, lumps vitamin C and the herb echinacea into the category of "the unprovens." They might work, he said, but there's a lack of scientific evidence to demonstrate their effectiveness."We advise patients to do the sensible things," he offered. "The most important thing is to try to avoid a cold." Frequent hand washing, for instance, is a must.That's little comfort to the Americans who collectively suffer an estimated 1 billion colds a year, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Colds are particularly prevalent among children, who get six to 10 a year. Adults have about two to four colds a year, mostly between September and May, the American Lung Association reports.While the typical cold is little more than an annoyance, lasting a week or two, its societal toll is huge. Nearly 22 million school days are lost each year due to the common cold, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.With so many people desperate for relief, researchers continue to grasp for evidence to substantiate or dismiss potential cold remedies.Several years ago, experts tapped by the Cochrane Collaboration, a United Kingdom-based nonprofit that disseminates medical evidence, reviewed 30 trials involving long-term vitamin C supplementation. Taking large daily doses doesn't prevent colds, they found, but it does appear to modestly reduce the duration of cold symptoms."For people who have vitamin C-deficient diets, it very likely works as both a treatment and a preventive," said Dr. Bruce Barrett, an assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.As for echinacea's medicinal properties, "I think the jury's still out," said Barrett, who was the lead author of a 2002 Annals of Internal Medicine study of the popular herb. It's no better than a placebo for shortening a cold's duration or reducing the severity of symptoms, he found.And then there's zinc, an essential mineral purported to have some benefit as a cold remedy. But the evidence is equivocal, Barrett said. Of the 14 trials conducted to date, eight reported positive results and six found no benefit, he noted.Zicam, an over-the-counter zinc-containing nasal gel, is one way to get the benefit of that mineral without having to endure its unpleasant metallic taste. A study reported last year, paid for by the makers of Zicam, found it can cut the length and severity of a cold by half when the patient begins treatment within 48 hours after symptoms have begun."I wouldn't discount it at all," Barrett said, "but when you just have a couple of studies that are pretty much embedded in one corporate research structure, I don't think it's proven yet." In the throes of a miserable cold, many Americans still reach for familiar pain relievers, decongestants and antihistamines in the cold-and-flu aisle of their local drugstore. These products can't cure a cold but may provide instant relief from symptoms.Antihistamines, such as Benadryl, will dry up a runny nose, but virtually all of the over-the-counter products cause drowsiness, Edelman cautioned. Non-drowsy exceptions include Alavert and Claritin, which contain the antihistamine loratadine, he said."If you have to drive, then you probably ought to take a non-sedating antihistamine," he advised.Cold products that relieve nasal congestion without sleep-inducing antihistamines often contain pseudoephedrine, a type of decongestant that can cause nervousness, dizziness or restlessness. People with heart conditions or high blood pressure should consult a doctor before taking products with this ingredient."In general, I would steer people away from the decongestants because they work like adrenaline, like a stimulant," Barrett said.To reduce a fever or ease body aches, try taking aspirin or acetaminophen.Got an irritating cough? There's little evidence that cough-suppressing anti-tussive medications actually work, yet there appears to be a strong placebo effect, Barrett noted.In fact, as with many cold-relieving strategies, if you think it works, it probably will, said Barrett, who finds evidence in support of the placebo effect too strong to ignore. Over the next three years, he hopes to enroll 800 cold sufferers in a trial that will examine the healing power of suggestion using echinacea versus a placebo.It will be several years before those results are in. In the meantime, Barrett has a health tip for those who feel the sniffles coming on."Without any scientific evidence whatsoever, I can recommend that people drink their favorite herbal teas or chicken soups," he said. "It helps because people believe in it; it helps trigger your own innate system of healing." Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/coping-with-the-common-cold http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/traditional-diabetes-remedy-offers-hope Traditional diabetes remedy offers hopeSource: timesofindia.indiatimes.comIndia's traditional diabetes remedy from its native curry-leaf tree really does work, and could potentially be the making of a multi-billion dollar alternative drug, a landmark British pharmaceutical conference heard on Wednesday. The claims for the curry leaf tree (Murraya koenigii) are made on the basis of research hailed by complementary medicine specialists as good and qualitative. The research, led by Professor Peter Houghton of King's College London, is significantly supported by a grant from a leading US drug company, Merck Research Laboratories. On Wednesday, Edzard Ernst, a British complementary medicine professor, who has long argued for greater and closer links between Western researchers and Indian Ayurvedic producers, told The Times of India he was very encouraged by the curry-leaf tree research. Houghton, who presented his findings to the British pharmaceutical industry's premier gathering, said extracts from the curry-leaf tree appeared to restrict the action of a digestive enzyme called pancreatic alpha-amylase. The enzyme is involved in the breakdown of dietary starch to glucose. A patient with diabetes does not produce enough insulin to cope with rapid rises in blood glucose levels, Houghton explained. That is why slowing the rate of starch breakdown, by blocking alpha-amylase, can lead to a more even trickle of glucose into the bloodstream from the intestine. This is what the curry-leaf tree appears to do. Using folksy analogy, Houghton said it was rather like restricting people coming out of a station gate in the rush hour so that they come out one at a time rather than seven at a time. Complementary medicine experts said the new research was one of the first serious, big business-supported initiatives to try and unlock the treasures of Indian and Chinese plants. Ernst's remarks about the curry-leaf tree's remarkable, untapped potential are seen as especially significant because just three weeks ago, he publicly described as irresponsible the miracle cure claims about the Ayurveda-based herbal remedy Carctol. Carctol, a mixture of eight remedies, was devised by Dr Nandlal Tiwari from Rajasthan, who has been giving it to patients for 25 years. Houghton's research also covered a wound-healing agent from the African climbing dayflower, which is traditionally used by Ghana's Ashanti tribe for its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal properties Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/traditional-diabetes-remedy-offers-hope http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-power-of-garlic The Power of GarlicSource: www.zwire.comSome yearn for its robust aroma and savory, often creamy taste; others look to it as a cure for ailments. Garlic has long been shrouded in mystery. Whether it is used for medicinal purposes, to lure love interests or as an enhancement to any dish, it plays a significant role in dining, cooking and culture. Appropriately, the world's largest Chinese restaurant chain, Panda Express, is offering a special garlic menu promotion. The earliest documentation of garlic's use was in 3,000 B.C.; it was mentioned in the Bible and Chinese Sanskrit writings. The Egyptians fed it to workers building the Great Pyramid of Gaza; its robustness was thought to increase the efficiency and endurance of men. More recently, garlic production tripled during the 1990s, positioning China as the top garlic producer in the world. Many cultures have used garlic for its health benefits as a cure for the common cold, high blood pressure, rheumatism, tuberculosis and cancer. It has also been thought to increase energy and endurance. In garlic-growing regions throughout the world, experts have linked life longevity to garlic consumption. Chef Andy Kao of Panda Express believes in the healing properties of garlic. His father used to tell stories of the Chinese soldiers during World War II who drank river water after running out of fresh water and food. The soldiers chewed on garlic to kill the bacteria and give them strength after drinking from the river. Chef Kao continues the practice of eating garlic regularly to kill germs and strengthen his immune system. In addition to its curing properties, the herb is beneficial to the body's overall maintenance. It is rich in protein; vitamins A, B-1 and C; and essential minerals including calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and selenium. It also contains 17 different amino acids. Chinese culture has been particularly influenced by garlic. A compilation of poems by Confucius -- Shi-ching, the book of songs -- even mentions garlic and its importance to China's development. The herb is believed to have originated in Asia and is probably one of the oldest cultivated plants. In China, ancient medical books say garlic bulbs can scare off chills, reduce swelling and increase the efficiency of the spleen and stomach. The Chinese include it in many everyday dishes and because of the herb's ability to improve the body's circulation it is also thought to act as an aphrodisiac. Selecting, preparing and storing the perfect clove Garlic's intoxicating fragrance and flavor is a prominent characteristic in Szechwan and northern-style Chinese cooking. Not only in China, but across the world, this kitchen staple adds a wonderful aroma and creates a delicious entrée. The first step to incorporating it into meals is selecting the perfect bulb. Chef Kao has been using garlic to enhance his cooking since his childhood in China, and makes the following recommendations: * Perfect cloves are plump, firm and have a dry skin. Each bulb should have eight to 12 pieces. * Garlic should not be refrigerated or stored in a moist environment. If properly stored, garlic can be kept for about six months. If the bulb sprouts it has not gone bad, but the sprouts should be removed before cooking. * To enjoy garlic's flavor to the fullest, don't buy garlic that has been pre-minced, chopped or diced. These varieties have been bred for a long shelf life and can have a diluted taste. Cooking with garlic Garlic is classified as both an herb and a vegetable. It can be found in products ranging from ice cream to dry rubs; the versatility of this herb is seemingly endless. Chef Kao adds garlic to everything from hot meat sauces to cold vegetable dishes. He learned the culture and traditions behind Chinese cuisine while cooking for his family as a young boy. He suggests these tips for cooking with garlic: 1. Before cooking, remove the exterior skin of the clove. There are many ways to do this: strike the bulb with the broad side of a kitchen knife, use a rubber garlic rolling tube, soak the garlic in lukewarm water for 30 minutes or dip the cloves into boiling water for 30 seconds. 2. After skinning the garlic, select a cooking method that will result in the appropriate flavor. It can be sautéed to create a nutty, savory taste; poached to create a mild flavor; oven-roasted to bring out the nutty flavor with a caramelized quality; fried to create a crisp exterior; or grilled to create a soft, smoky flavor. 3. Garlic is very sensitive to heat and will burn easily, especially when sautéing. Expose the garlic to heat just until the oil sizzles and then remove it. When cooking garlic with onions, start the onions first. They will take longer to cook. If you would rather leave it to the pros, Panda Express is paying tribute to garlic with a promotion called "Panda Chefs Celebrate Garlic." From July 11 through Sept. 18 Panda Express offers four tasty garlic entrées featuring shrimp, chicken, beef and vegetables. Chef Kao has experimented with many ingredients to create his favorite garlic entrées: Chicken Breast with Asparagus in Garlic Sauce; Spicy Shrimp with Cashews in Garlic Sauce; Beef with Mushrooms in Garlic Sauce; and Spicy Chicken Breast with String Beans in Garlic Black Bean Sauce. These dishes can be found at more than 650 Panda Express restaurant locations nationwide. During the promotion these dishes are also available on the restaurant's catering menu -- the perfect way to make get-togethers unforgettable (and fast and easy)! People all over the world recognize garlic as a source of health and good flavor. Whether at Panda Express or in your own kitchen, take some time to enjoy it! Courtesy of ARA Content Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-power-of-garlic http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/cholesterol-cutting-herb-interferes-with-prescription-dugs-researchers Cholesterol-cutting herb interferes with prescription dugs- researchersSource: www.foodingredientsfirst.comResearchers say the over-the-counter herbal drug, Gugulipid, can break down prescription drugs. 29/09/2004 Gugulipid has been shown to lower cholesterol but now appears to have some unwanted side effects. Researchers say the over-the-counter herbal drug can break down prescription drugs, such as those used to fight AIDS and cancer.As a result, researcher Jeff Staudinger, PhD, of the pharmacology and toxicology department at the University of Kansas, and colleagues say people taking prescription medications should use caution when taking gugulipid.Staudinger`s team performed lab experiments with gugulipid bought at a local health food store, as well as a pure version of the herbal drug`s active ingredient, guggulsterone. They tested guggulsterone`s effects on cell receptors taken from mouse and human liver cells.They found that guggulsterone stimulates a cell`s drug metabolism machinery -- enzymes that break down prescription medicines. This action of the herbal supplement would affect medications such as the AIDS drug AZT, anticancer agents, and cholesterol-lowering statins, according to a news release.In addition, guggulsterone stimulates two other cell receptors: one for the hormone estrogen and another for the hormone progesterone, according to the researchers.Gugulipid is not the only herbal drug that can interfere with prescription medications.The study recently appeared in The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/cholesterol-cutting-herb-interferes-with-prescription-dugs-researchers http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/how-to-keep-your-veggies-vitamin-packed How to keep your veggies vitamin-packedSource: www.brudirect.comMost of us are confused and overwhelmed by all of the tips and information out there about how to cook and care for vegetables. Is it healthier to eat your tomatoes raw, or enjoy them in a slow-cooked sauce? Should you refrigerate leafy greens? Unless you're Popeye, you're probably not going to bulk up overnight by eating a can of spinach, no matter how it's prepared. But there are plenty of health benefits that you'll enjoy from careful care and preparation of your veggies. The most striking benefit of plant foods is their disease-fighting potential, says Amy Joy Lanou, PhD, a nutritionist and the nutritional director of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. "Across the board, fruits and vegetables are beneficial for reducing chronic disease risk," she says. That's why we asked Lanou and nutritionist Christine Filardo to give us the scoop on proper veggie handling, so something insignificant doesn't come between you, your health, and your veggies. Here's a little food for thought. There's plenty of conflicting information about whether vegetables and fruits are better enjoyed cooked or raw, and that's because there is no single answer. Some active nutrients in vegetables and fruits are more readily available when cooked, others are more prevalent when foods are eaten raw, says Lanou. For example, lycopene, an antioxidant, which may help prevent against prostate cancer, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses, is more prevalent in cooked forms of tomatoes -- even ketchup. On the flip side, many of the nutrients from vegetables can get leached during cooking. The key is to watch out for cooking vegetables too long, and with too much water, says Filardo. If you cook vegetables gently -- and without a great deal of water -- you will help protect the water-soluble vitamins. Filardo recommends blanching your veggies, which is when you quickly cook vegetables in boiling water, and remove them when they're still very crisp, to help preserve the color and nutrients. The same principle applies if you're going to steam or microwave vegetables. Not all water is bad, however; it's only when you aren't consuming the liquids that the nutrients are leached into. That's the great thing about soup, says Lanou. "You consume the water-soluble vitamins that go into the broth," she says. For the most part, it's the leaching that causes the problem, not the heat. Time is the most important factor when it comes to the nutrient breakdown of fruits and vegetables. You can slow down the process of nutrient depletion by your storage methods, but getting produce fresh to begin with is very important. Try finding markets that sell locally grown produce. "Farmers' markets are great, because usually you get produce the day after it was harvested," says Lanou. The sooner you eat a fruit or vegetable after it's picked, the better. If the vegetable stays on the plant until it's ripe, it will have more nutrients in it than if it's picked early and allowed to ripen off the vine, says Lanou. It will often taste better as well, she says. "For example, sweet corn is super sweet the day it's picked, but a week later it tastes kind of like a potato, because the sugar has broken down." The same thing happens with other nutrients that you can't detect with taste. You need to take proper care when it comes to cooking and serving your veggies. Here are some tips: Keep your cool. Don't keep vegetables in very hot environments -- like your car -- for a long time. Remember that certain vegetables should get stored on your counter, while others should get refrigerated. Onions, potatoes, and other root vegetables do better in cool, dry places, and the refrigerator is too wet for them. Most fruits -- including tomatoes -- are best kept on the counter and consumed once ripe. Most greens, mushrooms, and almost all other produce should get refrigerated. Take a breath. Some vegetables do a little better with air, says Lanou. Try storing mushrooms in a paper bag, instead of a plastic one. If the mushrooms came in a plastic or cellophane container, use a fork to poke some air holes in the lid. Go for frozen. Frozen vegetables are often just as healthy as fresh veggies, especially if the fresh ones have been collecting dust for a few days in your fridge. Filardo says frozen vegetables are still nutritious, because they often come right out of the field, and are blanched and frozen immediately. Dress it up. Use a little fat or salad dressing on your vegetables. Filardo says a little fat will improve the uptake of lycopene. "But that doesn't give people the license to put huge amounts of salad dressings on their foods." Try precooking. Blanch veggies before you pop them in the fridge, and you will save time. "It will also help kill some of the enzymes that can cause deterioration," says Filardo. Just don't overdue the reheating. Slow down. Take more time to chew and enjoy your vegetables. Filardo says the more you chew, the more you will break down vegetables, and that will result in better absorption of nutrients from the gut. "Sometimes people stuff things into their mouths without paying attention, and you can eat a lot that way," she says. "If you slow down, and savor the taste of foods, you are likely to eat less." You are also allowing more time for the message to get from your stomach to your brain that you're full. Spice things up. "People tend to eat the same fruits and vegetables over and over again. Every fruit and vegetable has a unique footprint -- a unique assortment of nutrients and phytochemicals," says Filardo. Variety will increase your enjoyment of fruits and vegetables, while also giving you more nutrients. She suggests that you use color as a guide when planning your meals. Instead of worrying about getting specific vitamins, for example, worry about getting your oranges, greens, and reds. It will also make for a more appetizing plate. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/how-to-keep-your-veggies-vitamin-packed http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/lack-of-vitamin-d-linked-to-diabetes- Lack of vitamin D linked to diabetes?Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comMany adults could be short of Vitamin D, putting them at greater risk of developing conditions such as diabetes, research suggests. In a review of research into diabetes and Vitamin D, three separate studies showed that breastfeeding mothers and children who received Vitamin D supplements were 60% less likely to develop Type 1 diabetes. More black and Asian people may be getting Type 2 diabetes because if you have darker skin you are less able to make your own Vitamin D from the sun. Phil Casey, Care Advisor for Diabetes UK stressed more research is needed before we know for sure whether a lack of vitamin D can trigger diabetes. Scientists need to rule out the chance that something else - rather than Vitamin D - is raising the risk of diabetes in these people."Diabetes UK does not recommend that people take supplements unless clinically diagnosed with a deficiency," he added. "The safety of taking various dosages of supplements, such as vitamin D, and taking them for a prolonged period of time must be rigorously tested."http://www.diabetes.org.uk Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/lack-of-vitamin-d-linked-to-diabetes- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-e-may-restore-sudden-hearing-loss Vitamin E may Restore Sudden Hearing LossSource: www.ivanhoe.comA preliminary study from Israel shows vitamin E may be effective in restoring sudden onset hearing loss.Researchers say about 4,000 Americans each year experience sudden hearing loss, which occurs within three days or less. The cause of the sudden hearing loss can be identified in only 10 percent to 15 percent of the cases, which includes viral and bacterial diseases, and metabolic, neurologic and immunologic sources. The rest of the cases are termed idiopathic, which means there is no known cause.Previous research shows antioxidants could prevent consequences of damage in the inner ears of animals. With this evidence, the study authors assumed antioxidants could reduce the damage and enhance recovery of idiopathic sudden hearing loss.Sixty-six participants were enrolled in the study within eight days from onset of the hearing loss. They were all treated with bed rest, magnesium, inhalation of carbogen and steroids, and the patients in the study group received 400 milligrams of twice-daily vitamin E in addition.The success of the treatment, defined as improvement of 75 percent or more, was better in the study group (about 78 percent vs. about 45 percent). This was also true at follow-up. However, the difference in complete recovery between the groups was insignificant.The study authors call for further studies to be directed toward a better understanding of the role of antioxidants in idiopathic sudden hearing loss. They add this should include determining the most effective antioxidant and its optimal dose.This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.SOURCE: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting in New York City, Sept. 19-22, 2004 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-e-may-restore-sudden-hearing-loss http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-is-good-for-your-gums- Vitamin D Is Good for Your Gums?Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comThe Agriculture Research Service, the research arm of the US Department of Agriculture has recently reported that getting enough vitamin D, either through the diet or from sunlight, could be important for oral health. The analytical study looked at a possible connection between vitamin D levels in the blood and periodontal disease, a widespread chronic inflammatory condition marked by a loss of attachment of the thin ligaments that connect teeth with their surrounding bone sockets. Periodontal disease is a primary cause of tooth loss, particularly among the elderly.The study was conducted by Bess Dawson-Hughes, a physician specializing in bone health and nutrition, together with colleagues in academia and medicine. The scientists studied relevant data on 11,202 men and women aged 20 or older who participated in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The scientists analysed data on periodontal attachment loss and blood levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3, a biomarker indicating vitamin D levels accumulated from both dietary intake and exposure to sunlight.The population was ranked into five groups from lowest to highest in terms of blood levels of vitamin D. Four out of the five groups--80 percent of those studied--had lower-than-desired vitamin D levels. The scientists found that the higher the levels in volunteers' blood serum, the better their periodontal health. Among men and women aged 50 and older, on average, those in the groups at the low range of vitamin D levels had 25 to 27 percent more attachment loss than had those in the highest range.The scientists suspect that vitamin D cuts down on the inflammatory response that leads to periodontal disease. Conformational studies are needed, but the findings suggest important oral health implications related to vitamin D intake. An adequate intake for dietary vitamin D has been established as a range from 200 to 600 international units (IU) daily, depending upon age group, although recent evidence suggests that more vitamin D may be needed. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-is-good-for-your-gums- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-supplement-to-prevent-prostate-cancer- Herbal supplement to prevent prostate cancer?Source: www.foodnavigator.comColumbia University Medical Center has launched the first clinical trial of a possible herbal preventative for prostate cancer.The phase I study will determine whether Zyflamend, a herbal supplement commonly used as an anti-inflammatory, can prevent prostate cancer in patients with prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN). PIN - meaning that the top layer of cells or epithelial cells of the prostate are dividing more rapidly than normal epithelial cells - is a clinical precursor for prostate cancer.Without intervention, men diagnosed with PIN have a 50 to 70 per cent likelihood of developing prostate cancer. "Zyflamend has shown the ability, in vitro, to reduce prostate cancer cell proliferation by as much as 78 per cent and to induce cancer cell death or apoptosis," said Aaron Katz, principal investigator of the study. "These results are exceptionally promising and have led us to initiate this clinical trial." The herbal, made by the nutritional supplements manufacturer New Chapter, is composed of 10 herbs – including rosemary, turmeric, ginger, holy basil, green tea, hu zhang, Chinese goldthread, barberry, oregano, and Baikal skullcap - that inhibit the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inflammation pathway. Long-term chronic inflammation contributes to carcinogenesis in many organ systems (the origin of certain cancers); inhibiting this pathway appears to be key to preventing cancers like prostate and colon cancer. A herbal supplement may inhibit this pathway without causing the adverse gastrointestinal side effects associated with the long-term use of other COX-2 inhibitors. The preparation of this supplement differs from many herbal products in that it is not standardized to isolated chemicals. It delivers herbs in concentrated form, but the herbs retain their "food" status. "We know more people are using herbal supplements as either their primary treatment or in tandem with their prescribed therapies, which is why it is important to study the safety and efficacy of herbal therapies," said Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of the American Botanical Council. The Phase I study will evaluate the safety and tolerability of the herbal supplement in patients with PIN. Up to 48 men, between the ages of 40 and 75, will receive the herbal supplement three times a day for 18 months. Prostate cancer is one of the biggest cancer killers in industrial countries and affects more than 500,000 men worldwide every year. This number is expected to increase with the ageing population. In the US it is known that at least a quarter of all prostate cancer patients use alternative therapies, such as green tea. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-supplement-to-prevent-prostate-cancer- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-e-antioxidants-may-prevent-hearing-loss Vitamin E, antioxidants may prevent hearing lossSource: www.nutraingredients.comVitamin E may be effective in restoring sudden onset hearing loss of unknown origin, Israeli researchers will report this weekend.The results, which found the vitamin to improve recovery of the disease, suggest that antioxidants may play a role in the prevention and restoration of hearing loss. Each year some 4,000 Americans report the onset of sudden hearing loss but little is known about the cause of the disease. About two thirds of patients with ISHL recover without treatment within days but for those who do not, there is no consistently supported treatment. But there is some preliminary evidence to suggest that antioxidants may help treat the disease. Previous research has shown that superoxide anion radicals (O2-) appear in the inner ear of experimental animals after damage caused by noise-induced trauma, administration of ototoxic drugs (those that damage the ears), and inflammatory disease. Other studies have shown that antioxidants could prevent the ototoxicity of cisplatin, a common chemotherapy drug. To find out whether antioxidants may have a restorative or protective role in the inner ear, researchers from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel, randomly divided 66 patients, with an average age of 41, with sudden hearing loss into two groups. The basic treatment of both groups was identical (including bed rest and steroids) except for the addition of 800 mg of vitamin E per day taken by the study group. The severity of hearing loss was only marginally significant in the rate of recovery but the success of treatment, defined as improvement of 75 per cent or more at the time of discharge, was significantly better in the study group. The recovery rate of more than 75 per cent was achieved in 26 (more than three quarters) patients in the vitamin E group compared with 15 (45 per cent) patients in the control group. The antioxidant properties of vitamin E have been known for many years. Since its discovery, vitamin E has been recognized as an essential factor in neurologic function. It has also been associated with prevention of cardiovascular diseases, reduction of risk of cancer, and functioning of the immune system. "Further studies should be directed toward a better understanding of the role of antioxidants in idiopathic sudden hearing loss," said the researchers. Their findings are being presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in New York this weekend. The research is also discussed in the July 2003 issue of Otology & Neurotology (24(4):572-5). Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-e-antioxidants-may-prevent-hearing-loss http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-b12-helps-relieve-the-severity-and-duration-of-atopic-dermatitis vitamin B12 helps relieve the severity and duration of atopic dermatitisSource: www.soap-wire.comTopical vitamin B12 helps relieve the severity and duration of atopic dermatitis, according to a study published in the British Journal of Dermatology (150, 5:977-83 May 2004) (www.blackwell-synergy.com). Researchers from Ruhr University, Bochum, evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of topical vitamin B12 and its effects on atopic dermatitis--also known as eczema.The prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase III, multicenter, clinical trial treated 49 patients for eight weeks. Each patient applied the vitamin B12-containing active preparation twice daily to affected skin areas of one side of the body and a placebo preparation to the other side, according to a randomization scheme. On the side treated with the vitamin B12 cream, the modified Six Area, Six Sign, Atopic Dermatitis score (SEM) dropped to a significantly greater extent than that of the placebo-treated side (55•34 SEM versus 28•87 SEM for B12 and placebo, respectively). The scientists concluded topical vitamin B12 cream, as a new therapeutic approach in atopic dermatitis, may be effective in the reduced extent and severity of atopic dermatitis. Source: British Journal of Dermatology Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-b12-helps-relieve-the-severity-and-duration-of-atopic-dermatitis http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/quercetin-levels-high-in-mauritian-vegetables Quercetin levels high in Mauritian vegetablesSource: www.foodnavigator.comFurther evidence to support the antioxidant power of broccoli and cabbage revealed this week following a small investigation into the phenol and flavonoid levels of ten common vegetables.In a small study between an Indian island and a London university, scientists conclude that Mauriitan vegetables represent a significant source of phenolic antioxidants. “Quercetin derivatives were the most abundant, and this may contribute to their potential health benefits,” report the researchers this week in the September issue of Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.A raft of recent science has uncovered the role polyphenols, to which quercetin belongs, can play in preventing the onset of various diseases, notably certain cancers and cardiovascular disease, that annually kills 17 million people in the world.“Quercetin was the dominant flavonoid aglycone in the hydrolysed vegetable extracts, with values in the range of 15–390 µg g-1 fresh weight,” say the researchers from the Imperial College London, the University of Mauritius and the University of Glasgow. They analysed ten Mauritian vegetables - broccoli, cauliflower, white cabbage, lettuce, Chinese cabbage, mugwort, carrot, onion, tomato and chilli pepper - for their total phenol, flavonoid, proanthocyanidin and vitamin C contents and antioxidant capacity. Levels of total phenols in the vegetables varied quite considerably, between 132 and 1189 µg g-1 fresh weight and those of total flavonoids between 45 and 944 µg g-1, write the scientists. Vitamin C also varied considerably, between 25 and 748 µg g-1 fresh weight while the antioxidant compounds, proanthocyanidins, were detected at very low levels in only a few vegetables.Proanthocyanidins have been linked to helping to prevent disease-causing organisms from causing infection. “Mauritian vegetables therefore represent a significant source of phenolic antioxidants,” conclude the scientists. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/quercetin-levels-high-in-mauritian-vegetables http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-myths-and-facts-about-salt The myths and facts about saltSource: www.dailymail.co.ukA new report shows half of Britons eat dangerous amounts of salt, risking heart problems, strokes, kidney disease and cancer. Our nutrition expert Angela Dowden takes a look at some of the myths, and truths about salt. Fact: We eat far more salt than we need At least 26 million people in the UK are eating more than the recommended adult daily salt intake of six grammes. Men eat an average of 11g of salt a day, equivalent to almost two level teaspoons, while women consume around 8.1g. Children also have more salt than recommended. Babies below the age of six months should have less than 1g of salt per day and seven to 12-month-olds should have no more than 1g per day. For ages one to three, the recommendation is 2g; for four to six-year-olds it is 3g; and for seven to ten-year-olds it is 5g. Children over 11 have adult requirements. Myth: Sodium and salt are the same Chemically, salt is sodium chloride - and every 1g of salt contains just 0.4g sodium. This means that if a food label gives only sodium information, you need to multiply it by two-and-a-half to get the salt content. While we cannot live without sodium - it regulates the body's fluid balance and is crucial for nerve and muscle function - too much is harmful. The chloride part of salt isn't deemed harmful, though. Fact: Salt isn't the only source of sodium Sodium is also found in additives including sodium nitrite, sodium bicarbonate and monosodium glutamate. So read the label of processed foods and medicines. Myth: Salt is the primary cause of high blood pressure Too much salt can cause cause blood pressure rises in people who are already prone to hypertension (high blood pressure). But whether healthy people who don't have blood pressure problems need to reduce their salt intake is a matter of controversy. In launching its latest campaign, however, The Food Standards Agency has decided that population-wide reductions in salt are to be recommended, citing the Intersalt trial - the world's largest salt investigation - as evidence. This study involved more than 10,000 people from 32 countries and showed a general correlation between sodium consumption and blood pressure - a pattern which was strongest in the middle-aged, but also persisted weakly across the whole age and blood pressure range. Experts involved in the study estimate that a blanket reduction by one third in sodium intake could reduce strokes in the UK by 22 per cent, and heart attacks by 16 per cent. Fact: salt can make you heavier According to Professor Graham MacGregor, of St George's Hospital in London, salt consumption results in us carrying around 3lb of excess fluid (salt attracts water like a sponge, and this can be especially troublesome for women before their period). High salt intakes are also associated with a greater excretion of calcium in the urine - which some researchers think may compromise bone strength and increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. A correlation has also been found between salt and asthma, and salty foods and stomach cancer. Fact: Some people may not need to reduce their salt consumption This is possibly the case - a review in the Journal Of The American Medical Association concluded that salt reduction has little benefit for many healthy individuals with normal blood pressure. Other, arguably more important factors in keeping blood pressure healthy are reducing weight and alcohol intake. In the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hyper-tension) trial in the U.S., those who ate more potassium, calcium and magnesium through a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and low-fat dairy products showed significant reductions in blood pressure even if they didn't restrict salt. However, the effects were better still when salt was minimised as well. One estimate is that ten to 25 per cent of those with normal blood pressure are sensitive to the effects of salt, but what's incontrovertible is that most of us eat far more salt than we need, so reducing intake is probably wise for all of us. This is especially so if there is a history of high blood pressure in your family. Myth: You should not cut down on salt if you sweat a lot It's often been suggested that manual workers and athletes need extra salt, or that it's dangerous to cut down on salt when the weather is hot. But you need very little salt to be healthy - and many people in tropical countries eat far less salt than we do. The Salt Manufacturers' Association argues that at-risk groups for low salt include the elderly and pregnant women. But if you're in one of these groups you'd have to be eating a very low salt diet indeed (and in the hottest weather) to run into problems. In practice, it's extremely unlikely to happen. Myth: Most salt is added at the table About 80 per cent of the salt we eat comes from processed foods. Supermarkets and manu-facturers have pledged to reduce salt, but they aren't doing it quickly enough for either the Government or Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH), which represents the views of the leading medical experts on salt in the UK. The food industry has been asked by both the Food Standards Agency and the Department of Health to come up with plans to make a 40 to 50 per cent reduction. Fact: There's a commercial interest in keeping our food salty According to Professor MacGregor, salt is by far the cheapest flavour enhancer and can make cheaper foods more palatable. "Salt also helps food to retain water and bulks up products extremely cheaply," he says. "Salt intake is the main driver to thirst and, therefore, soft drink consumption. It is, therefore, of huge commercial interest to many companies." Myth: Eating just 6g a day is impossible No - there's a lot you can do while manufacturers plan to make salt reductions. Start by checking the label on processed foods to see how much sodium they contain. More than 0.5g sodium (1.25g salt) is "a lot"; less than 0.1g sodium (0.25g salt) is a little. Also try following these tips, from Sam Church, a nutritionist at the Food Standards Agency: Be sparing with sauces, especially soy sauce, because they are usually very high in salt. Cut down on salty snacks such as crisps - go for low-salt snacks such as dried fruit, sticks of vegetables and unsalted nuts instead. Try to eat less of heavily salted foods such as bacon, cheese, pickles, smoked fish and many ready-prepared meals. Choose canned vegetables and pulses that are marked "no added salt". Make your own stock or choose lower salt stock cubes, because stock cubes tend to be high in salt. Add less salt to cooking - use herbs and spices to add flavour to cooking, instead of salt. Get out of the habit of adding salt at the table - try to remember to taste food first. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-myths-and-facts-about-salt http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/new-fears-over-lead-poison-risk-to-children New fears over lead poison risk to childrenSource: www.dailymail.co.ukLead poisoning among children may be a bigger public health issue in this country than previously thought, experts have warned today. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said that even low levels of lead exposure, such as peeling paint in dilapidated homes and school buildings, could be damaging the health of children in the UK. The HPA has now called for more research to find out what effect relatively low levels of lead in the blood may have on children's development. Look here too...Skip gossip links to more articles Archive: Hazardous chemicals in everyday products News: Tobacco smoke toxins 'poison air' Story: Children inherit health anxieties Article: One in ten children are obese Many children could be inadvertently exposed to low levels of lead in buildings where lead-based paint remains. Neurological damage The sale of lead paint was prohibited in the late 1980s but in older buildings where it remains it can deteriorate and peel or be disturbed during decoration work. At the moment the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that attempts are made to make sure at least 98% of children have blood-lead levels of less that 100 micrograms per litre. Experts fear that levels higher than this may lead to neurological and behavioural damage in youngsters. But toxicologists at the HPA's Chemical Hazards and Poisons Division said this level may not be appropriate in the UK and children may be damaged by much lower concentrations. Experts at the HPA's scientific conference at Warwick University said that more research needed to focus on the effects of lower levels of lead exposure on British children. Toxicologist Prof Virginia Murray said their main concern was exposure to lead from paint in buildings built before 1960. "Lead paint was ubiquitous in this country, it was everywhere," she said. The researcher said children were most likely to be exposed to lead paint in their own home, but other public buildings such as schools could also still have lead paint inside. Other sources of lead exposure include lead toys, lead pipes, soil contamination, industrial pollution and traditional remedies. Worrying cases Prof Murray said they had seen worrying cases of children falling ill after eating flakes of lead paint. She said children exhibiting this so-called pica behaviour - eating non-food substances - were at an even greater risk than those who might inhale lead paint dust or pass it from their hands to their mouth inadvertently. "We are concerned that lead may pose a bigger problem in this country than is realised. "Currently we are only alerted of cases by doctors where lead has made children very ill. "Yet we fear that lower levels of exposure in this country could also be damaging our children," Prof Murray said. Research in the US has suggested that low levels of lead in the blood could cause subtle impairments including a possible decrease in intelligence and subtle neurological changes. There is no routine programme to monitor the effects of low lead exposure in the UK and the HPA is only notified of severe cases where a patient becomes particularly ill. Prof Murray said that research was needed to establish the effects of low blood-lead levels in children and take any action necessary. 'Tip of the iceberg' Prof Pat Troop, chief executive of the HPA, added: "One of the new roles of the HPA is to look at some of the effects of long-term chemical exposures as well as the effects from acute incidents. "Children are particularly vulnerable and are therefore one of our top priorities. "We are working with partners to establish the levels of threat that chemicals such as lead may pose to their health." The HPA has been notified of five cases of lead poisoning in children this year, but Prof Murray said this could be "just the tip of the iceberg". "This is a Europe-wide issue and we need a system to monitor what effects these low levels of exposure might be having," she added. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/new-fears-over-lead-poison-risk-to-children http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/coq10-boosts-vitamin-es-anti-inflammatory-action CoQ10 boosts vitamin E's anti-inflammatory actionSource: www.foodnavigator.comSupplements of coenzyme Q10 significantly enhanced the anti-inflammatory effect of vitamin E in a new animal study. The findings underline the potential protective effect of vitamin E on heart health, which remains disputed by inconsistent findings. But they also found the vitamin-like substance CoQ10 to reduce an inflammation marker by a further 20 per cent. Inflammation and oxidative stress are key factors in the development and progression of vascular diseases, including heart disease, the world’s biggest killer. The US and Australian researchers tested the combination supplement over a two-week period on 21 baboons that had previously been fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet for seven weeks. The vitamin E (DL-alpha tocopheryl acetate) reduced blood levels of C-reactive protein, a well-established marker for inflammation, from 0.91 to 0.43 mg/dL, a 53 per cent reduction. Additional supplementation of 2g CoQ10 per kg diet, donated by the leading supplier Kaneka, further reduced serum CRP by nearly 70 per cent, reveals the study in this month’s American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (vol 80, no 3, pp 649-655). Such findings have also been shown in a trial on mice. “This result is remarkable given that the baboons did not have any inflammatory condition at the time of the study and the two-week high-fat, high cholesterol diet did not initiate a significant inflammatory response,” reported the researchers. “In light of the fact that elevated CRP has been associated with vascular dysfunction which is in turn associated with cardiovascular disease, the results from our study suggest an anti-inflammatory effect of dietary supplementation with vitamin E plus CoQ10," they added.The study is limited by the small number of animals involved. In addition, extrapolation of the results to humans is problematic : there are some differences in metabolic profiles, noted the researchers.However it is one of the first to show that co-supplementation of vitamin E with CoQ10 may achieve better protection against inflammation-related vascular diseases. The body’s manufacture of CoQ10 begins to drop after the age of about 20, leading to its investigation in age-related disease. It has been shown to help prevent Parkinson’s and is also thought to prevent skin ageing, significantly boosting demand in recent years to more than $200 million across the US alone. DSM Nutritional Products yesterday presented an Innovation Award to a group of scientists involved in developing what it claimed was the world's first formulation of CoQ10 that can be pressed into tablets. US multivitamin brand One-Source was first to use the product, followed by Perrigo and Walmart in May 2004. Additional formulations for food are in the pipeline. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/coq10-boosts-vitamin-es-anti-inflammatory-action http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/diet-may-ward-off-metabolic-syndrome Diet may ward off metabolic syndromeSource: www.southbendtribune.comThe so-called Mediterranean diet was put to the test recently to see if it benefited people with metabolic syndrome -- a risky combination of excess weight, high blood pressure and glucose intolerance.A total of 180 adults with metabolic syndrome followed either a normal healthy diet or a Mediterranean-style diet, which emphasizes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and olive oil.After two years, those on the Mediterranean diet had lost more weight, increased their "good" cholesterol, lowered their blood pressure, and improved their glucose, insulin, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels more than the other group.In the Mediterranean group, only 40 people still had metabolic syndrome, compared with 78 people on the other diet.You can read about this study online at www.jama.com, the Web site of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/diet-may-ward-off-metabolic-syndrome http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/exercise-and-menopause Exercise and MenopauseSource: www.fitcommerce.com(10/07/04) Recent findings published in the American Journal of Epidemiology find that active exercise can reduce the normal strength loss caused by a drop in estrogen during menopause. In a previous study exercise, in general, was found to have a greater positive impact on women than men. October 7, 2004 Chicago, IL -- Probably no surprise for women that are either currently experiencing menopause or are in post-menopause, that there have been several changes to their body, one of which is a lessening of muscular strength. However, recent research has found that active exercise during menopause triggers metabolic and neurologic mechanisms that can mitigate such strength loss. "I know (women) keep hearing this, that exercise is good for you, now we have some solid proof." -- Dr. Martha Gulati, Researcher at Rush University Medical Center Postmenopausal women were found to be weaker, as measured by grip and pinch tests, than women who have not entered menopause, according to a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. However, the researchers found that physical activity protected women from losing strength as they progress through menopause. Researchers at Rush University Medical Center and the University of Chicago Hospitals followed 563 Chicago-area women for five years. Strength were periodically given. The results of these tests were assessed against the women's age, state of menopause, ethnicity, income and use of hormone replacement therapy. "Previous studies examining the relation between menopausal status and physical function have been inconsistent," said Dr. Martha Gulati, one of the principal investigators of the study. Reduced Estrogen Responsible for Decline in Strength Gulati said that it is possible that reduced levels of estrogen or changes in other reproductive hormones are responsible for the decline in strength. Active exercise can mitigate muscular strength loss that occurs with a drop in estrogen during menopause. Related Stories: (5/27/2004) Aspirin May Help Reduce Certain Breast Cancer Risks (9/21/2004) Running Shown to Improve Health, Especially of 50+ Women (6/11/2004) Exercise Best For Young Adult Female Bone Density (10/20/2002) Fitness Can Help Fight Osteoporosis "The good news for women is that being physically active -- whether it is a formal exercise program or doing work around the house -- may help stave off a decline in strength brought on by going through menopause," Gulati said. The authors theorized that physical activity may influence one's performance own on grip and pinch testing through a variety of metabolic and neurologic mechanisms. Exercise Overall Has Greater Positive Impact on Women Than Men Gulati has conducted several similar research projects on women. From a previous Reuters report, one study found that physically unfit women were three times more likely to die than women who were physically fit. But even women in the middle range of physical fitness were twice as likely to die as women who were in the best shape. For each additional unit of exercise a woman could perform, her risk of dying was reduced 17 %, Gulati told Reuters. Although the study did not include men, she said that in previous studies, each extra unit of exercise for men reduced the risk of dying by only 8 % or 9 %. "It may be that physical fitness is even more important in women," according to Gulati, "since the reduction in mortality was significantly greater than what has been previously demonstrated in men." "I know (women) keep hearing this, that exercise is good for you," Gulati told Reuters. "Now we have some solid proof." Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/exercise-and-menopause http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/acupuncture-herbs-ease-hay-fever Acupuncture, Herbs Ease Hay FeverSource: www.reuters.co.ukRegular sessions of acupuncture and daily doses of Chinese herbal medicine may help ease the burden of seasonal allergies, new research indicates.A group of German investigators found that hay fever sufferers who received weekly acupuncture treatments and took three doses of a Chinese herbal formula per day showed fewer symptoms and were less likely to say their allergy was infringing on their daily activities than people who received a placebo treatment."There are additional options to conventional medicine," lead author Dr. Benno Brinkhaus of the Charite University Medical Center in Berlin told Reuters Health.Brinkhaus suggested that people with seasonal allergies should consider acupuncture and herbs, but added that they should use it with caution, given that every treatment has side effects.According to the report, published in the journal Allergy, the number of people with hay fever is growing in industrialized countries, affecting between 10 and 20 percent of the population.Many of these patients are now opting for alternative medicine, including Chinese remedies, but few studies have rigorously examined their effects, Brinkhaus and colleagues note.To investigate, the researchers asked 52 adults with moderate hay fever to try a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbs or a placebo treatment. People given the placebo regimen had needles applied to non-acupuncture sites, and were given a non-specific Chinese herbal formula.After 6 weeks, Brinkhaus and colleagues found that 85 percent of treated participants showed overall improvements in their hay fever, compared with only 40 percent of the comparison group.More specifically, subjects who received the real treatment were more likely to report that their symptoms had decreased. They also tended to say their allergies were having less of an impact on their daily activities, such as sleep, everyday problems and general health.People who got the genuine treatment were also twice as likely to experience a remission of their allergy, and had a bigger decrease in the number of drugs they took to relieve hay fever symptoms during the study period.Patients given the real and sham treatment were equally likely to report side effects.Brinkhaus noted that this study focused on people who already had symptoms, and acupuncture and herbs may be more effective when used before hay fever kicks in.SOURCE: Allergy, September 2004. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/acupuncture-herbs-ease-hay-fever http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-may-help-arthritic-knees-function-better Vitamin D May Help Arthritic Knees Function BetterSource: story.news.yahoo.comBoston researchers report a link between low serum levels of vitamin D and decreased knee function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. At the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in San Antonio, Dr. David Felson of Boston University presented his team's findings from 221 subjects recruited from the Boston VA Medical Center. All had knee arthritis and reported knee pain on most days in the month before they joined the study. The investigators measured blood levels of vitamin D at the start and again after 15 and 30 months. They compared change in vitamin D levels with changes in knee pain, physical function and muscle strength during the 30-month study period. "We found a relationship between serum levels of vitamin D and knee function," lead investigator Dr. Kristin Baker told Reuters Health. Low levels were associated with higher levels of pain and disability and to a lesser extent muscle weakness. "We also found that about 50 percent of the population were deficient in vitamin D," Baker commented. In previous studies conducted in Minnesota, "almost 100 percent of the subjects with muscle pain were vitamin D deficient," she added. "It may be that vitamin D increases muscle strength or decreases postural sway, we don't really know." Baker pointed out that this was not a study of vitamin D as a treatment for osteoarthritis, but she speculated that "we may need higher serum levels of vitamin D than we originally thought...This is one more piece of evidence that vitamin D intake should be increased." Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-may-help-arthritic-knees-function-better http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/folic-acid-and-coronary-disease Folic acid and coronary diseaseSource: www.sunherald.comDear Dr. Sangani: I have a strong family history of heart disease and am the only sibling who has not had a heart attack, bypass surgery or stent. I was wondering if taking folic acid would help decrease the risk of heart disease?- Fit as a FiddleDear Fit:As society is maturing and we understand more about disease patterns and causes, largely due to free and abundant availability of information, we are now tending more toward prevention than cure. This certainly is a good thing. We all are trying to find ways of preventiing heart disease and folic acid is one of the gentle attempts to do so. Let us now understand your question in more detail.Q: What is folic acid?A: Folic acid and folate are B vitamins important in the synthesis of DNA and in the breakdown of homocysteine. Folic acid is more easily absorbed than folate. Therefore, folic acid rather than folate is used in vitamin supplements and is added to cereals, breads and pasta.Q: What is the relationship between folic acid and elevated homocysteine levels?A: Folic acid lowers the homocysteine level and improves blood vessel lining (endothelial) function. Early data on the relationship between elevated blood homosysteine and coronary artery disease and stroke have been inconsistent. High homocysteine levels appear to be clearly associated with increased risk of heart, blood vessel and brain disease. Homocysteine does not appear to be as important as other risk factors such as high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes and hypertension.Q: What is homocysteine and what does high levels in the blood mean?A: Homocysteine is an amino acid. Elevated levels of homocysteine can cause osteoporosis, thromboembolic disease and severe premature clogging of the arteries. Homocysteine has primary blood clotting (atherogenic, prothrombotic) properties and can cause vascular injury. High levels of homocysteine increase blood clotting effects and platelet accumulation.Q: How is hyperhomocysteinemia treated?A: The physician will need to order a homocysteine blood test. Hyperhomocysteinemia or elevated levels of homocysteine is classified into moderate, intermediate and severe.The treatment involves vitamin supplementation with folic acid, vitamin B-12, and vitamin B-6. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products and low in saturated and total fat also can lower fasting serum homocysteine.Q: What is the toxicity of folic acid?A: Folic acid is water soluble and rapidly excreted in the urine, and has no toxicity.Q: Who should consider taking folic acid supplements?A: Adequate folate level in the body is important in early pregnancy to prevent neural-tube birth defects, so women of childbearing age are recommended to take a supplement. All healthy adults are recommended to take a multivitamin that contains 400 mcg of folic acid daily.Although there is not yet conclusive proof that taking folic acid supplements prevent heart attacks or strokes, taking one multivitamin a day is safe long-term. The potential lowering of homocysteine levels outweighs the risk.Patients with early onset of heart attacks and other forms of heart disease associated with elevated blood homocysteine levels should consult their doctors. These patients may need higher doses of folic acid supplements as well as vitamin B-6 and B-12 supplements to lower homocysteine levels. Also, patients with folic acid deficiency related to alcoholism or a form of anemia due to destruction of red blood cells may need higher doses of folic acid. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/folic-acid-and-coronary-disease http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/high-soy-diet-doesnt-affect-fertility-monkey-study-suggests High-Soy Diet Doesn't Affect Fertility, Monkey Study SuggestsSource: www.sciam.comRates of breast cancer among Asian women, who consume more soy protein on average than Americans do, are much lower than they are for women in the U.S. Scientists have hypothesized that plant estrogens called isoflavones confer this protection by reducing ovarian hormone levels. If so, some researchers have reasoned, they could also impair fertility. The results of a new monkey study presented yesterday at the annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, however, indicate that a high-soy diet does not affect fertility. Jay R. Kaplan of Wake Forest University School of Medicine and his colleagues studied 96 female monkeys approximately equivalent in age to 30-year-old women. The animals had not eaten soy before the experiment began. For six months, they all ate the same animal-protein-based diet. For the next year, half the monkeys remained on that diet while the other half consumed only soy protein, about twice as much as a typical Asian woman eats. “Soy treatment did not change any characteristics of the menstrual cycle, including length, amount of bleeding or hormone levels,” Kaplan reports. “This suggests that any protection that soy may provide against breast cancer does not come from changes in the menstrual cycle.” Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/high-soy-diet-doesnt-affect-fertility-monkey-study-suggests http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-b-12-supplements-effective-in-combating-depression Vitamin B 12 Supplements Effective In Combating DepressionSource: www.onlypunjab.comNew research reports, patients who were treated for depression responded better if they had a higher level of vitamin B12 in their blood. An increasing amount of research is looking at the association between vitamin B and depression, but the specifics have not been understood. Researchers conducted a study to look at the relationship of vitamin B12 and the treatment of depression.The study included 115 patients who suffered from depression. Over a six-month period, researcher grouped them as to how well they responded to treatment including not at all, partially or fully. Investigators also measured the level of vitamin B12 in the patients' blood when they first came to the clinic and again at their six-month check up. Researchers then determined if the level of vitamin B12 played a role in the patients' outcomes.Researchers report the patients who responded fully to treatment had higher concentrations of vitamin B12 in their blood at the start and end of the study when compared to those who did not respond to treatment. The study also found the association between vitamin B12 and the response to treatment remained even after other factors were considered such as type of treatment received, smoking and drinking habits, and if other family members suffered from depression.Researchers say, there have been no previous studies that have suggested a positive relationship between vitamin B12 and the treatment outcome in patients with major depressive disorder who have normal or high vitamin B12 levels. However researchers say the new study supports previous research that showed patients responded better to treatment if they took vitamins B1, B2 and B6. These vitamins indirectly increase the level of vitamin B12 in these patients' blood. Therefore, they say it appears taking vitamin B supplements may help people respond positively to antidepressants. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-b-12-supplements-effective-in-combating-depression http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/womens-health-forum-highlights-nutrition-as-cancer-preventive Women's Health Forum highlights nutrition as cancer preventiveSource: www.juneauempire.comOrthopedist says cancer-prevention diet is also best for heart, staving off osteoporosis By ERIC FRY JUNEAU EMPIRE Michael Penn / Juneau Empire Stephanie Yates serves lunch at the Women's Health Forum on Saturday at Centennial Hall. Good nutrition as a preventive against cancer and osteoporosis was the main topic at this year's forum. The free lunch included Alaska salmon chowder, broccoli and garbanzo bean salad, Silverbow multigrain bread and chocolate tofu mousse. After Tish Griffin-Satre was diagnosed with cancer for the third time, she recalled Saturday at the Women's Health Forum, it was a "wake up moment" that she needed to change her lifestyle."I tried to take control of what I could control," Griffin-Satre told about 350 women assembled at Centennial Hall for the fourth annual forum.Griffin-Satre lost 100 pounds, meditated, prayed, drank plenty of water, worked less, went fishing, and got married. And she ate differently."I take my vitamins, and dark-colored vegetables have become my friends," she said.The health forum was about how to use nutrition to prevent and survive cancer and osteoporosis, a bone disease. It was sponsored by the Cancer Connection, a local nonprofit that provides information, support groups and travel assistance for patients and their families.Diana Dyer, a Michigan dietitian and a survivor of multiple cancers, said 1,500 Americans die every day from cancer. One in three women and one in two men will be diagnosed with cancer.But up to 70 percent of cancer cases are preventable with the proper nutrition, exercise and weight control, she said. And about 9.6 million Americans alive today have survived cancer.Dyer said she was diagnosed at 6 months with a type of cancer called neuroblastoma, for which she was successfully treated. When she was 34, and again 10 years later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The body goes cold when it hears the diagnosis, she said."When you hear that word, 'cancer,' you hear nothing else for a while," Dyer said.Her cancers were treated, but she didn't have peace."Logic told me my old ways of doing things, coping, living, weren't enough to prevent this from happening again and again," Dyer said.Her goals were to directly change her body's biochemistry to reduce the risk of cancer recurring, and to indirectly change her body's biochemistry by rebuilding her life spiritually, mentally and emotionally.She knew she had to eat mindfully. Most of what you eat should be vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grain, she advised."Plants have the ability to optimize our health," said Dyer, the author of "A Dietitian's Cancer Story." Some of her suggested meals are at www.CancerRD.com.Dr. Jon Reiswig, an orthopedic surgeon in Juneau who spoke about osteoporosis, said he wished all of his patients could have heard Dyer's talk."I agree with her that the diet for cancer (prevention) is the best diet for your heart and the best diet for your overall health, including your bones," he said.Tiffany Andres, a dietitian at the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, was busy at the forum blending "supersoy and phytochemical" smoothies from a Dyer recipe.The recipe calls for soft tofu, carrots, fruit, wheat germ, wheat or oat bran, flaxseed, soymilk and orange juice.The nutrients from plants fight cancer, and the phytoestrogens in soy, fruits and vegetables help regulate hormones, Andres said. The drink also is high in fiber, which helps reduce cholesterol and modulate blood sugar levels, she said. The flax is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which may protect against heart disease and cancer."And it tastes good, too," Andres told women lined up for a taste.Attendees at the free event were served Alaska salmon chowder, broccoli and garbanzo bean salad, multigrain bread from the Silverbow, and chocolate tofu mousse - the latter of which even a teenager said was OK, claimed Linda Wild, a dietitian at Bartlett Regional Hospital.Food is much more than food, Wild asked the women to remember as she ticked off the health benefits of their meal.• Eric Fry can be reached at eric.fry@juneauempire.com. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/womens-health-forum-highlights-nutrition-as-cancer-preventive http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/asthma-alternative-therapy- Asthma "Alternative Therapy"Source: asthma.about.comThe last in a series of articles on so-called "Alternative" or "Complimentary" treatments in regards to asthma. Our series on Quack Asthma Cures has touched on just a few of the high profile "Alternative" therapies promoted for the treatment asthma. Chiropractic, homeopathic, and acupuncture are probably the best known. Others range from the benign to the ridiculous, including colloidal silver, colostrum, dried lizards, live fish, royal jelly, touch therapy, urine, and various eastern philosophies. Most seem to use similar tactics to recruit believers. The most pervasive is the use of testimonials, accusations of conspiracy by physicians, pharmaceutical companies, government, etc. to suppress information on new "cures," and baseless pseudo-scientific mumbo-jumbo to support claims. Others have set up Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes to make the most money for the most aggressive sales people. Some customers that complain and take action for adverse reactions have been harassed. Many are "spiritually" based, where a belief system is fundamental to the success of treatment. Frequently used keywords such as essence, ch'i, vitalism, psora, lines of force, and other New Age titles given to old ideas based in magic and mysticism are popular. Shamanism and current "Alternative" therapies have a lot in common. A strong belief in the curative effects of the treatment are crucial to a successful outcome. Part of what science calls the "Placebo Effect," this belief in the treatment has for centuries been the basis for treating illness in primitive societies. Asthma is by nature an extremely complex disease, it can change severity from wild to severe and back, it can go into remission and reemerge later in life. The effects of stress (physical and mental), environment, lifestyle, even family and friends can change asthma severity and effectiveness of medication. Asthma's habit of presenting itself differently with each individual also makes it difficult to treat. This leads confusion and frustration for many asthmatics and their physicians. In their attempt to gain some control over their lives some asthmatics turn to alternative treatments. Some may find solace in alternatives therapies that modern medicine has left behind in the attempt to weigh quality care and cost. It remains vitally important to separate the scams from honest attempts to help. Research remains the key to finding whatever grains of truth are to be found in alternative therapies. At the moment the truth remains; asthma is not curable, and claims to a cure is a lie until proven otherwise. Here are the signs of a rip-off asthma cure as published by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission: Phrases like "scientific breakthrough," "miraculous cure," "exclusive product," "secret formula," and "ancient ingredient." Use of "medicalese" - impressive terminology to disguise a lack of good science. Case histories from "cured" consumers claiming amazing results. Their testimonials also imply that their experience is typical for consumers using the product or service. When you see a testimonial, ask for proof of its 'typical' nature. A laundry list of symptoms the product cures or treats. The latest trendy ingredient touted in the headlines. A claim that the product is available from only one source, for a limited time. Testimonials from "famous" medical experts. A claim that the government, the medical profession or research scientists have conspired to suppress the product. The science of evidence based medicine thrives and grows not on established dogma but on its own mistakes, review by peers, procedurally correct experimentation, and reproducible proof. Any system that suppresses the questioning of it's own practices at best stagnates, at its worst, eventually becomes corrupt. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/asthma-alternative-therapy- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/regardless-of-diet-calories-still-count Regardless of diet, calories still countSource: www.bradenton.comSome issues were not up for debate. Americans are too fat. We don't eat enough fruits and vegetables. And we have no idea what a normal "portion" looks like. Other topics were the right news at the right time: We need to get off our duffs and exercise at least 30 minutes five to seven days a week. We could save this nation a heck of a lot of money and health woes if we would better integrate nutrition therapies into medical care.Still, there was much to be debated at the recent Food and Nutrition Conference sponsored by the American Dietetic Association - the largest organization of nutrition professionals in the world.• This country is currently engaged in a low-carb craze. Based on what we know now, what would you say to Americans who struggle to lose weight?Read my lips: "Calories still count." Problem is, very few people in this great country seem to know what a calorie IS. For the record, calories are units of energy your body derives from food. Calories are found in protein, fat, carbohydrates and alcohol. If you put more calories into your body than it needs for energy, the excess will be converted to fat.• You make the point that calories count. Yet even experts agree that after three to six months on any type of diet, most people "plateau" and find it difficult to lose more weight. Is this a vast right-wing conspiracy?Blame your body. After a certain period of weight loss, it tries to compensate by trying to hold on to whatever fat it has left. If you give up at this point, you'll probably regain the weight you lost. Stay on course with your diet and shake up your exercise routine a bit (like adding weight lifting) to convince your fat to surrender.• Researchers at the recent Food and Nutrition Conference told pregnant women to eat more fish to enhance the brain development of their offspring. Yet mercury poisoning is a very real threat from fish. How do you justify this recommendation?Fish is the best source of DHA - an omega-3 fatty acid necessary for brain and eye development in growing babies. You can also get omega-3 fats in plant foods like flax seed, flax oil and walnuts. Fish, however, is the best source of pre-formed DHA, the type best incorporated into growing brains. Fish like salmon, tuna, trout, sardines and halibut are good sources of DHA. It is true that pregnant women should not eat big fish like shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish, according to the latest warning by the Food and Drug Administration (bigger fish accumulate more mercury). However, women can safely eat up to 12 ounces of other fish each week.• Do you believe this country needs more nuts? If so, how many and what kind?Research has found that a handful of nuts like almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts and even peanuts a few times a week can help control blood pressure, lower cholesterol and may even help reduce the risk for some cancers. Walnuts are particularly high in linolenic acid - the healthful omega-3 fat found in fish. A coalition of experts recommend we eat about an ounce of nuts four or five times a week for the health benefits. One ounce is about 23 almonds, 28 peanuts, or eight walnut halves. And don't forget to count the calories! Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/regardless-of-diet-calories-still-count http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/glucosamine-an-effective-natural-remedy Glucosamine: An Effective Natural RemedySource: www.cnw.caThere has been recent media coverage about a Canadian study from The University of British Columbia researchers stating that glucosamine has no long-term advantages for treating arthritis knee pain. Jamieson Laboratories is concerned that this study may cause unnecessary worry among Canadians currently taking glucosamine for their wide range of health benefits. Glucosamine has been proven in many other studies to be an effective natural remedy for promoting cartilage formation and joint repair associated with osteoarthritis. There has been a great deal of research on glucosamine that indicates positive reactions and efficacy in treating arthritis with no side effects than there are with pharmaceutical drugs used for arthritis. Double blind placebo controlled studies compared glucosamine to ibuprofen and showed that at the end of the eight week study, patients reported a better reduction in pain from glucosamine than they did from ibuprofen and with no side effects. One study that reviewed sixteen studies and summarized that in 12 out of 13 reviewed studies glucosamine was better for pain control than the placebo and more effective than NSAIDS. Another study published in the Lancet Journal demonstrated follow up x-rays of arthritic joints after 1-3 years of glucosamine supplementation. They found that out of 1060 patients taking placebo and those taking glucosamine had similar changes in joint space, but only the glucosamine group had a reduction in pain, stiffness and range of motion. Jamieson has been dedicated to the health and safety of our consumers for over eighty years. We are recognized as a leader in the vitamin and nutrition industry, with state-of-the-art manufacturing laboratories and significant commitment to research, development and quality control. (*) Lopez, D, Double blind clinical evaluation of the relative efficacy of ibuprofen and glucosamine sulphate in the management of OA of the knee in out-patients Curr Med Res OPIN 1982: 8(3):154-49 (*) Piperno M et al Glucosamine sulfate on OA progression: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Lancet 2001 (Jan):357 (9252):247 (*) Setnikar I, and Rovati, Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of glucosamine sulfate, Arzneimittelforschung, 2001 (*) Tapadinhas et al Oral glucosamine sulfate in management of arthrosis: report on multicentre open investigation in Portugal. Pharmatherapeutica 1982:3(2) (*) Towheed TE, et al, Glucosamine therapy for treating arthritis from the community. Health and epidemiology, Queen's University Cochrane DatabaseFor further information: please contact Stephanie Blok, Public Relations, Jamieson Laboratories at 416-960-0052 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/glucosamine-an-effective-natural-remedy http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-dna-diet The DNA DietSource: www.news.com.auYour personal food plan Can't fit into your jeans? Well, it's all in the genes, according to the latest scientific research, says Elisabeth King. `You've probably read hundreds of articles in which nutritionists offer strategies to fend off unwanted kilos. And you've probably taken on board all kinds of tips, such as eat before cocktail parties so you don't raid the canapes like a famine victim, and don't eat in front of the TV as you're likely to overeat. So what's with those women who are slimmer than Paris Hilton yet can attack a buffet like a lioness scavenging for her young? You, on the other hand, have to shoulder the brunt of the curse of dieting - any lost weight always seems to find its way home again. An explanation is now at hand thanks to the new science of nutrigenomics. A blend of the words nutritional and genomics, nutrigenomics is the science of analysing your genes to determine which foods in particular your body metabolises best and needs for optimum health. But this is not only handy for working out which foods your body won't store as unwanted fat. Nutrigenomics may well be the key behind finding diets to prevent some of the world's most common diseases. This is because researchers now know that diet is the main culprit behind many chronic diseases - and that up to 30 per cent of all cancers can be triggered by wrong food choices. Nutrigenomics, however, is discovering that if you eat the right foods, you can stop or repair the cell damage that leads to these diseases. At the recently founded Centre of Excellence for Nutritional Genomics at the University of California, scientists are already predicting that the day will come when you can send away a blood sample to a laboratory and receive a "diet design" for life based on your DNA. If you are Greek, for instance, you'd probably get a report suggesting you eat seafood and extra-virgin olive oil - key ingredients in the healthy Meditteranean diet. Those of Asian descent will be warned off dairy foods, as their DNA will show they weren't built to metabolise things like milk and ice-cream. A lucky minority will be told to throw all caution to the wind and eat anything they want, as their DNA will show that their bodies can metabolise fat at the speed of a 100 metre sprinter. Basically, the aim is to provide an eating plan specifically for your own unique genetic makeup, right down to the precise levels of vitamins and minerals.striking a balance Until recently, popular scientific wisdom was that our bodies metabolised everything we ate to produce energy for the cells. That theory still holds sway for most of the meals we eat, but some dietary chemicals and ingredients aren't digested at all and they aren't flushed from our systems. Instead, they convert to what is known as ligands, molecules that attach themselves to cells and then change the way they operate. An unbalanced diet that produces too many ligands, say nutrigenomic scientists, can be the major cause of common chronic diseases like diabetes and many types of cancer. But the situation is not completely clear-cut because science is still finding its way. Take the soy debate. Some experts say soy protein can extend your life. Others say that soy products are bad for us as they produce oestrogen overload that is harmful to both sexes. Both viewpoints could be correct, depending on the individual. How? Genestein, a chemical in soy, attaches itself to oestrogen receptors and starts to affect how the genes work. But each person's oestrogen receptors respond differently to genestein, and therefore you get widely disparate results. Without being too specific, that's the reason why some people can live on pizza and bread rolls and stay whippet-thin, and others would start thinking of liposuction to rectify the damage. These genetic differences have existed since our earliest ancestors left Africa to populate the other six continents - only now researchers can identify them. The genetic makeup of each sub-population adapted to the diet and environmental conditions of their new homelands. But the fly-in-the-ointment of this argument is that a lot of foods that we think of as traditional to certain cultures - such as tomatoes in Italian cooking - are fairly recent introductions. Tomatoes are from South America and didn't reach the general population in Europe until the 17th and 18th century. The Irish and the Germans didn't become potato eaters until the 18th century. Cornmeal porridge is the main food of many nations in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet again, it's a South American import that was introduced by European colonisers in the 19th century.whatever suits But there's no denying that certain foods agree more with some ethnic groups than others - with good reason. The most significant example is milk products. Asian people suffer more from lactose intolerance because human beings, like all mammals, are programmed to turn off the gene responsible for digesting milk when we reach maturity. What we think of as a global appetite for ice-cream and milkshakes stems from a mutation in the DNA of northern Europeans about 10,000 years ago which allows so many of us to enjoy nutrient-rich milk. The Western diet has now spread all over the world, causing immense problems along the way. Obesity wasn't a problem in the South Pacific islands until the introduction of imported, processed foods. The Inuit peoples of Canada and Greenland are also plagued by obesity. Although their bodies are designed to digest high fat foods like whale meat, the advent of snowmobiles and cars mean they don't have to do the physical work to hunt for food. There was little incidence of heart disease in Japan and south-east Asia until the introduction of Western-style foods after World War II. If you're already thinking, like many Australians, what should I do because I'm half Italian/half Scottish, Greek/Irish or English/Chinese, relax. The wizards behind nutrigenomics say that about 65 per cent of us should stick with the fruits, vegetables and proteins that form the basis of good nutrition. Those with the most to gain from gene-determined diets are the fortunate few who will discover they really can eat what they want with no ill effects (just remember to close your eyes as they polish off an entire block of chocolate). And it will also benefit the 15 to 20 per cent of people whose health is truly governed by what they eat. When will this eat-for-your-genes technology be available? About 20 years from now, say optimists. But a handful of American health companies are already pushing the boundaries and offering genomic profiles and supplements at about US$2500 a pop. So while the future might bring a brave new world of being able to eat your way to a good memory or curing your hayfever, right now the best way to dine healthy is to stick with salads, fish, whole grains, extra-virgin olive oil, fruit and vegetables - and the occasional piece of chocolate. Medical research has also recently discovered that a little indulgence is fine as long as you know when to stop. What took them so long?you are what you eat Eat a diet high in folate and B12 if you want to protect your DNA and reduce your risk of contracting conditions such as cancer, say scientists at Australia's CSIRO. Rich sources of folate include leafy green vegies and whole grains, while B12 is found in meat, especially pork, chicken, fish, liver and kidneys. And many of us could do with higher levels of both, says CSIRO Health Sciences and Nutrition scientist Dr Michael Fenech who is leading Australia's only study into diet and DNA. "Even when people have a normal range of folate in their blood, it's possible to see damage to DNA of a similar magnitude as you'd see after a significant dose of radiation," he says. "People might be aware of the dangers of radiation but have no idea of how they're damaging their DNA by not eating enough of certain things." Dr Fenech says his findings are quite concerning, because DNA damage - caused mainly by bad diet and carcinogens - has been directly linked to such conditions as cancer, Alzheimers, immune deficiencies and infertility. "Many people are flippant about the effects of diet and alcohol but from what we see in our studies the effects on our bodies of what we eat is significant." Other key nutrients involved in DNA repair are zinc, niacin, magnesium and carotenoids, Dr Fenech says. So, what's the answer? Eat a variety of foods in order to get enough protective doses of nutrients. As Dr Fenech explains, "Let's say you were eating six or seven serves of fruit a day. Some people would think that was healthy, but the reality is, if you're eating fruit in exclusion of other foods like vegetables, you're only getting 140mcg of folate a day when your requirement is actually 400mcg." The good news, says Dr Fenech, is that we're definitely on the way to prescribing diets based on DNA for people. "This field is now mushrooming - the European Union has just funded a $29 million study in this area," he says. • Sources of folate: whole grains, oats, chickpeas, lentils, almonds, chicken and lamb's liver, a wide range of vegies especially dark leafy greens, and yeast extracts such as good old Vegemite. • Sources of B12: liver, fish such as whole sardines, poultry, meat, dairy food and eggs. Bronwen Gora Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-dna-diet http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/supplement-could-ease-ms-symptoms Supplement Could Ease MS SymptomsSource: cbs2chicago.comCould an inexpensive, widely available supplement help ease the debilitating symptoms of multiple sclerosis? Some doctors are trying it out.Forty-one-year-old Elizabeth Steiner lives with a mild form of MS. The disease affects her eyesight, her balance and her energy level."The worst one for me is my fatigue. And, that's hard because people can't see it. If you look at me, you can't tell that I have MS. And the fatigue is really hard," Steiner said.Recently, Steiner, a doctor herself, was one of 37 people to participate in a small study testing a common dietary supplement, alpha lipoic acid or ALA.Neurolgoist Vijayshree Yadav gave varying doses of ALA to MS patients, up to 1,200 milligrams twice a day."Yes, we have found that it was safe in high doses. Yes, it was tolerable in high doses and yes, we were able to achieve good peak levels when it was given in high doses," said Yadav, a neurologist at Oregon Health Sciences University. Scientists think ALA works by inhibiting the activity of proteins that help bad T-cells migrate into the brain and spinal cord. It's the abnormally activated T-cells that may cause MS symptoms.Steiner, who currently spends $2,000 a month on three different medicines for her disease, welcomes a cheaper solution."I really hope that we can find ways to suppress or cure this disease without taking medications that are as expensive or as toxic as some of the ones that we have now," Steiner said. Now, although Steiner says she doesn't seem to be as tired after taking the ALA, scientists warn it's too soon to say whether the supplement is truly beneficial in the treatment of MS.Researchers plan to boost the dosage by giving it to patients intravenously in the next phase of the trial. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/supplement-could-ease-ms-symptoms http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-first-pasta-the-post- The first pasta the post. . .Source: www.timesonline.co.ukChocolate and biscuits may give a quick fix, but for a lasting boost in serotonin levels, stick to starches and high-protein foods I HAVE BEEN told that I have low serotonin levels as a result of frequent business travel. I am often over tired and have a form of myalgia, which presents itself as lower back tension and hypersensitivity in my thighs. It has been suggested that I take SSRIs but I would rather find a natural way of increasing serotonin. Any advice? Peter Wilson, by e-mail You are not alone — low serotonin levels are common not only in people who travel through time zones frequently, but also in those who suffer from lack of sunlight at this gloomy time of the year. Serotonin, also known as the “happy hormone”, regulates mood. The first nutrient to boost is tryptophan, an amino acid converted by the brain into serotonin. Tryptophan can be found in bananas, high-protein foods such as eggs, lean meat, milk (full, semi-skimmed or skimmed), chicken, game, and oily fish (wild salmon, fresh tuna, sardines and mackerel are also rich in omega 3 fatty acids which can help if you are feeling low). The story with starches and sugars is more complex, but, put simply, if you eat a starchy meal, the production of insulin that follows enables the trytophan in the blood to be absorbed into the brain where serotonin is manufactured — and your mood is improved. So eating porridge, pasta, bread, rice, potatoes, fruits and root vegetables, such as carrots, swede and parsnips should keep serotonin levels high. That said, if you eat a large portion of starchy food, such as a bowl of pasta, over and above the serotonin level to the happy, contented zone, you can tip into the contented sleep stratosphere. So you can starch-load in the evening for a good night’s sleep, but watch the quantities at lunchtime. I should point out that diet can only correct low serotonin levels and bring them up to normal. It doesn’t mean that the more you eat, the happier and less fatigued you’ll feel. Chocolates and biscuits tend to boost serotonin levels quickly but it can drop fast too so I don’t suggest you sweet-food load, apart from fresh and dried fruit. Also eat plenty of fresh fruit, especially those rich in vitamin C — berries, kiwis, citrus — as it can help the body manufacture serotonin. If you’re not a fruit person, then look to green-leaf vegetables such as spinach, kale, purple-sprouting broccoli and peppers of all colours. Try to keep the cooking minimal — steam or microwave in a small amount of water — as vitamin C leaks out into the water and is zapped by heat. Keep your water intake up (2.5l a day) but alcohol and caffeine levels down, and, finally, with your myalgia, exercise such as pilates or yoga, even walking, is a good idea. I have been a vegetarian for about 8 years (I am a pensioner and mother of four) and wonder if I am getting enough protein and essential vitamins, in particular B5 and B12. I am nervous about taking supplements without knowing what I am doing although I do take the occasional flaxseed oil tablet to get my omega 3 vitamins, as I don’t eat fish. I have also been advised to take vitamin C every day because I smoke. Clare Fordham, by e-mail You’re right to look at the finer details of your diet, because, as a vegetarian, you can easily fall down on the B vitamins, protein and iron — especially as there are so many variations on what being a vegetarian means. I am assuming you don’t eat animal flesh, but will eat eggs and dairy. First, as a smoker, your requirement for vitamin C escalates from the usual 60mg per day to 2000mg per day — which is virtually impossible, bar becoming a fruit fiend, to find food-wise. So I’d take a 2000mg supplement. You could split it 1000mg in the morning and 1000mg in the evening as sometimes the supplement can irritate sensitive stomachs. Straight, cheap vitamin C is fine — you don’t need to spend a fortune on the slow-release forms of vitamin C. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-first-pasta-the-post- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-medicine-eases-dementia Herbal Medicine Eases DementiaSource: www.reuters.comAn herbal medicine used in Asia for 2,000 years can reduce the impact of dementia, a small study suggests. After 16 people took the Chinese herbal preparation ba wei di huang wan (BDW) for 8 weeks, they showed a boost in mental functioning, and had less trouble doing their day-to-day activities. In contrast, people who took an inactive (placebo) pill experienced no improvements over the same time period. "These results argue the benefits of BDW in the treatment of dementia," the authors, led by Dr. Koh Iwasaki of Tohoku University School of Medicine in Miyagi, Japan, write. The National Institute of Aging recommends that elderly people use caution when taking herbal treatments, since many can interfere with other medicines. According to the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society report, BDW has been used for centuries by older adults throughout China, Japan and Korea. Evidence also suggests the herbal treatment may ease fatigue, cold sensation, and muscle weakness. To investigate whether BDW helps improve the mental abilities of people with dementia, Iwasaki and colleagues asked 33 patients with mild to severe forms of the condition to try either the treatment or a placebo for 8 weeks. None of the patients, who were an average of 84 years old, were told which they were taking. Participants had dementia for an average of 5 years. By the end of the study period, the authors noted that people who were given BDW showed a significant improvement in their mental functioning, and in their ability to complete day-to-day activities. Even participants who showed minor improvements in mental functioning "became quick in their action and response to caregivers," the authors write. "Nurses and families felt that the patients looked cheerful." People taking the placebo showed no significant improvement in either daily activities or mental functioning, the authors note. None of the patients taking BDW experienced any side effects. The reasons why BDW may improve dementia remain unclear, Iwasaki and his colleagues write. Some research suggests the treatment may boost the activity of important proteins in the brain, increase the amount of brain substances associated with learning and memory, or improve blood flow to the brain. "A traditional Chinese medicine is not simply a purified substance but contains many ingredients, and the interaction of these ingredients is important," the authors write. "Eight herbs in BDW were carefully devised to interlock according to the traditional rules." SOURCE: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, September 2004. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-medicine-eases-dementia http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/multivamins-vitamin-e-supplements-help-breast-cancer-chemotherapy-patients-maintain-immune-cells Multivamins, vitamin E supplements help breast cancer chemotherapy patients maintain immune cellsSource: www.newstarget.comOverview: Breast cancer patients who take a multivitamin or extra vitamin E experience a smaller decrease in important immune cells, a common side effect of chemotherapy, new research suggests. Women who took a nutritional supplement, a multivitamin or extra vitamin E had a smaller drop in neutrophils, white blood cells that help fight bacterial infections. Study author Dr. Richard F. Branda cautioned that chemotherapy patients should first discuss taking supplements with their doctors, because some supplements may interfere with treatment. For instance, cod liver oil and St. John's Wort may interfere with blood thinning drugs, hormone treatment or chemotherapy. Previous research has also shown that an herbal dietary supplement that some men use to treat prostate cancer, called PC-SPES, may interfere with the anti-cancer activity of the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel, making it less effective. However, studies have also shown that vitamin E may enhance the benefits and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, and many doctors now recommend vitamin therapy during treatment. To investigate whether supplements help reduce side effects from chemotherapy, Branda and his colleagues asked 49 women with breast cancer to complete questionnaires detailing their use of supplements during chemotherapy. Women who took multivitamins or vitamin E alone experienced a smaller decrease in their neutrophils during chemotherapy. However, women with relatively high levels of the B-vitamin folate in their blood had a larger-than-average decrease in neutrophils, the authors report in the journal Cancer. Branda, who is based at the University of Vermont in Burlington, explained that many cancer patients -- and people without cancer -- take supplements because they believe they are "natural," and could therefore only help them. However, Branda noted that supplements typically consist of complex chemicals, which can have many possible effects on the metabolism of drugs and the functioning of cells. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/multivamins-vitamin-e-supplements-help-breast-cancer-chemotherapy-patients-maintain-immune-cells http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/tea-supplement-focuses-on-alzheimers-research Tea supplement focuses on Alzheimer's researchSource: www.nutraingredientsusa.comNashai Biotech is using English research to draw attention to its tea-supplement product TeaFlavin.Nashai Biotech has sent out a news release highlighting research by the University of Newcastle, England that found that green and black teas may inhibit certain brain enzymes linked to Alzheimer’s disease, (Phytotherapy Research, 10/04). TeaFlavin is a natural, caffeine-free supplement made from enriched green tea extracts and, according to Nashai, its daily 375 mg capsule is a way to achieve the benefits of 35 cups of tea. “The report states that green and black tea act in a similar way to prescription drugs and demonstrates that an individual can achieve desired anti-Alzheimer’s results from non-prescription alternatives,” said Jim Zhao, the company’s chief science officer. He added that: "We hope this report, coupled with clinical results that document that TeaFlavin reduces “bad” cholesterol by up to 16 percent, will encourage more Americans to consider adding non-prescription supplements like TeaFlavin to their daily routine.” Crom Carmichael, the CEO of Nashai, explained to NutraIngredientsUSA.com that most of the research carried out by his company has focussed on the effects of the tea supplement on cardiovascular problems. While as yet the company has no clinical proof that its product could aid the prevention of other diseases such as Alzheimer’s, is it pretty sure this would be the case. He said the company was planning to spend the next six months concentrating on marketing its supplement for cardio-vascular reasons, but that its longer term goal, over the next 18-24 months, is for more research, which could include that into Alzheimer’s. "We are working with a university in the North-East that wants to use our product with diabetes patients and people who have a genetic pre-disposition to diabetes," he added. TeaFlanvin was launched on the market about 18 months ago, but it was only when Carmichael became the CEO in January this year that Nashai started to market it more aggresively. Since then, the company has begun talking to firms about adding it to beverages and food products, and with organisations who deal with health professionals who work with cardio-vascular patients. Carmichael believes his product is at present the most efficicent natural cholestoral lowering product on the market, having been proven in a 12 week trial to lower cholesterol by 16-17 percent. The plan now it to launch a 24-week trial in the first quarter of 2005. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/tea-supplement-focuses-on-alzheimers-research http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/ala-may-protect-against-sudden-cardiac-death ALA may protect against sudden cardiac deathSource: www.nutraingredients.comWomen who reported eating diets rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) had a lower risk of dying from heart disease and sudden cardiac death than those whose diets are low in the plant-derived fatty acid, researchers reported this week. Women in the highest intake group had a 46 per cent reduced risk of dying from sudden cardiac death compared to women in the lowest intake group, said researchers at the American Heart Association's annual meeting (poster 3604). And women who consumed the most ALA were 21 per cent less likely to die from coronary heart disease than women in the lowest ALA intake group. The study supports the heart health benefits of ALA, a form of omega-3 found in green leafy vegetables, some nuts, canola and flaxseed oil. It is converted by the body into DHA and EPA but some scientists have questioned whether it is as valuable in supplement form as the concentrated DHA and EPA gained from fish oils. However the new results seem to confirm that ALA, like fish oils, does protect people from dying from heart disease, possibly by preventing life-threatening rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias). "Sudden cardiac death is usually the result of a fatal rhythm disturbance. So, if this fat were to prevent sudden cardiac death, it would support the hypothesis that these oils were preventing fatal arrhythmias,” suggested the study's lead author Christine M. Albert, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard University Medical School, Boston. Two recent studies have also suggested that taking fish oil supplements and eating fatty fish can reduce the risk of developing abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). However Albert noted: "A clinical trial that randomly assigns people to ALA supplements or to a diet high in ALA would be needed to know for sure that ALA lowers risk of coronary heart disease and sudden cardiac death.” The new study included 76,763 women participating in the Nurse's Health Study who had completed a food questionnaire in 1984. The food questionnaire was updated every four years during a 16-year follow-up period. Researchers separated the women studied into five categories of increasing ALA intake. The average intake varied from 0.7 grams a day in the lowest intake category to a high of 1.5 grams each day in the highest. According to Albert, the study suggests that the higher a woman's ALA intake, the greater the benefit. However, she underlined that this is an observational study and further studies are needed before recommending certain amounts of dietary ALA. But the study may help to boost the market for plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids, such as flax, which still only makes up 4 per cent of the €160 million European omega-3 market. Another study out this month found that a diet rich in alpha-linolenic acid from walnuts, walnut oil and flaxseed oil not only lowered bad cholesterol but also decreased markers for blood vessel inflammation in men and women at risk of heart disease. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/ala-may-protect-against-sudden-cardiac-death http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/carnitine-a-new-weapon-against-america-s-no-1-killer- Carnitine: A New Weapon Against America’S No. 1 Killer?Source: www.rednova.comHeart disease is the leading killer of Americans today, according to the American Heart Association. Researchers and cardiologists are constantly looking for new ways to both treat and prevent heart disease. One such researcher is developing a method he believes can do both. Nutricise recently spoke with Stephen L. DeFelice, M.D., author of the new book, The Carnitine Defense (Rodale, 1999). DeFelice has been studying and recommending what he calls nutraceuticals (from nutra, meaning blend, and ceutical from the word pharmaceutical). They're basically combinations of foods and dietary supplements thought to have disease-fighting properties. However, nutraceuticals have not been officially classified by any government organization. DeFelice is most enthusiastic about one particular nutraceutical he developed, which he calls the carnitine elixir. It's a main ingredient in his prescription for fighting heart disease, whether you have it or not. These are the ingredients: carnitine vitamin E vitamin B6 vitamin B12 folic acid magnesium alcohol Chances are, you've seen every word in this list except, perhaps, the first. Carnitine, a protein that naturally exists in our bodies, is the cornerstone of the elixir because of the way it attacks heart disease. "Carnitine is the world's best-kept nutraceutical secret. There are numerous well-conducted clinical studies that clearly demonstrate its beneficial effects both in treating patients with heart disease and in preventing heart disease. Carnitine is so important to cardiac health because without it, fatty acids can't cross into the mitochondria," says DeFelice. You may remember mitochondria from your high school biology class. They're the bean-shaped "powerhouses" of the cells. DeFelice says carnitine brings fat to the mitochondria to use for energy. So it actually takes fat away from the body, including clogged arteries. This is why DeFelice says carnitine is so good for heart disease, because it attacks existing fat in and around the heart and arteries. Others are not so sure about nutraceuticals. Barbara V. Howard, Ph.D., president of the MedStar Research Institute, part of the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., studies heart disease and its risk factors. She says, "The whole idea of nutraceuticals came up when we knew that there were beneficial components in food that you could use to supplement your diet. These natural products would act like a drug. The problem is there are no proven nutraceuticals. The laws are so loose now that a person can put 'whale oil' in cookies and say that it can promote a healthy heart, and they don't need evidence. That's how the law is written. The public is being swindled. There are health food stores with products that have tons of claims that don't have to prove it, and people misinterpret it. And this goes for carnitine. I have seen no data that prove it increases fat metabolism when it is dumped into the body. I hope nutraceuticals will eventually be registered, and we can determine things that can be truly effective."Howard also says the most important and most effective way to treat and prevent heart disease is to make serious lifestyle changes. "There is not one elixir or potion that will solve problems. There is no substitute for diet, physical activity and refraining from smoking."In our discussion with DeFelice, he admits more testing must be done, and he hopes his book will raise the money needed to conduct clinical trials and prove his elixir works. Nutricise: What's good and what's bad about the way we treat heart disease today? DeFelice: The good aspect is the pharmaceutical side. They decrease death. The bad thing is we aren't doing anything to prevent it. We have an epidemic. We have good ammunition for after we have the heart attack. We have a lot of what we call silent heart disease because the arteries are clogging up or the heart isn't getting enough oxygen. What we have tried has failed. The only way to correct that is to do something rational. Nutricise: How were you first introduced to carnitine? DeFelice: As a young endocrinologist in 1965 at St. Vincents Hospital in New York, Pfizer came to me with some studies that carnitine helped hyperthyroid problems. I smelled something. I did a study, and people got remarkably better very quickly. It helped in a patient with a hyperactive thyroid condition. We gave him carnitine, he had also had angina [a condition in which the heart muscle doesn't receive enough blood, resulting in pain in the chest]. The carnitine helped his heart. It was definitely by accident, but that's how I began my long journey. Nutricise: What is carnitine's role in the treatment of heart disease? DeFelice: Heart disease is rarely heart disease. It's usually really vessel disease. It's artery disease that results in heart attacks. Heart disease is multi-factorial. You have clotting, inflammation, artery constriction and other things. You're alive now because carnitine is in your heart. High-energy organs use fatty acid to power themselves, and the heart is a high-energy organ. Carnitine drives fatty acids out of the blood to power the heart. Nutricise: How have you seen carnitine's effectiveness as a treatment firsthand? DeFelice: Our clinical research has shown it clearly. We created false heart attacks in animals, and giving carnitine actually worked against the induced heart attack, on isolated hearts. Treatment is a larger issue. Everyone should be taking carnitine. Your body makes it, but you can get it from meat and at pharmacies. I want to stress that you can't get enough in the diet; you need to supplement your diet. Everyone says diet, diet, diet. I don't care what your diet is, you need to supplement it with vitamins, fish oil, whatever, this is what nutraceuticals are all about. Nutricise: How many cardiologists are using carnitine these days? DeFelice: Eight out of 10 cardiologists are prescribing and taking vitamin E. Carnitine, on the other hand, is the best-kept secret in medicine. I don't know if it's ever going to be approved as a heart drug. Doctors are not under Food and Drug Administration (FDA) control. It's the industry that's under FDA control because the pharmaceutical industry influences the doctors. The doctors only know from clinical data, and I don't have enough clinical data on carnitine yet. That's why we are raising the money to get that clinical data. What I've done in the book is pulled the clearest data that I have that show what the elixir does to the vessel. Carnitine is cardiac insurance. It reduces the amount of heart cells that are killed by a lack of oxygen. Nutricise: How do you hope nutraceuticals will change medicine in general? DeFelice: Nutraceuticals are enormously important. Folic acid plus alcohol can affect heart disease in some way. With carnitine it can help it more. We are raising funds to run the clinical test so that we can prove to the medical committee that this works. The American Heart Association Provides more information on Heart Disease American Heart Association Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/carnitine-a-new-weapon-against-america-s-no-1-killer- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-treatments-can-soothe-cancer-effects Herbal treatments can soothe cancer effectsSource: www.marinij.comIf you have cancer - or have a friend or relative who does - you may be feeling at a loss. So many directions to go; so few clear choices.Earlier this fall, Sylvie Beljanski, daughter of the late Louis Pasteur Institute researcher Mirko Beljanski, told a crowd in San Rafael about a cancer treatment using herbs extracted from Amazonian rainforest tree bark.Research was promising, she said to about 150 people at the event, sponsored by San Anselmo's Pine Street Foundation, an Oriental medicine clinic and research facility.Does that mean we should we tell all our friends who have cancer to rush out and buy Beljanski's herbs? "It's really exciting stuff, and the philosophy behind it's great," said Nicholas Broffman, Pine Street's executive director. "But I think you still have to work with your health care practitioner to see if it's right for you - cancer is such a specific thing, treatment must be tailored to you; it's not a one-size-fits-all approach."So, what now? Although anti-cancer treatment and prevention programs are beyond the scope of this column, there are some common-sense ideas circulating in Marin's alternative medicine community. We've heard:- Screen your cosmetics - even face creams or shampoo - for toxic chemicals. A list of the better choices is at www.safecosmetics.org.- Try not to eat non-foods - such as diet soda, for example. Non-foods add digestive processing stress to the body that is already stressed from fighting off cancer.- Reduce cooking with fruit and vegetable rinds - such as orange zest, a condiment made from orange skins - that could carry chemical residues.- Reduce consumption of fish with high mercury content, such as canned albacore tuna. Try cutting your frequency by half or less.The rule of thumb is, as a chiropractor friend said recently: "If it's not food, don't eat it."Simple, perhaps, but our world is becoming increasingly complex in every way. Simplifying may help your body cope - whether with cancer or just with life as we know it in the 21st century.For more information on the Beljanskis' botanicals, see www.natural-source.com. For Pine Street Foundation, call 455-5878. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-treatments-can-soothe-cancer-effects http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/a-herbal-hit-you-really-dont-need A herbal hit you really don't needSource: www.timesonline.co.ukIt is important that the potency of herbs is recognised in relation to prescription drugs WHEN I READ the specialist’s report about a former patient of mine, my mind returned to my childhood and the senna tree in one corner of the family garden where we always had tea. The senna flowers were a brilliant yellow, and as toddlers we would delight in popping the seed pods that followed. When my parents married, they were surprised as they came out of the church to be greeted by an elderly bystander, who thrust a small shrub into my father’s hands. “It’s a senna bush,” he said. “No doctor’s garden is complete without one”. Later, when I was a junior doctor on maternity wards, a sinister brew of senna pods was made by the sister. This was described inaccurately as senna tea — but it had a kick. It emptied the patient’s bowels before the baby was delivered, or kept the mother regular if she had to spend a long time languishing in an antenatal ward. My former patient had recently come in to my office for a chat. She had been having rectal bleeding and, as her father and all four of her grandparents had died from colorectal cancer, she, very wisely, didn’t want to waste any time getting it checked out. People with a strong family history need to have their colons checked for polyps every five years from the age of 30 or more often if they have ever had polyps previously. Fortunately, there was a cancellation at the London Clinic Endoscopy Centre, and the patient was able to have a colonoscopy within a day or two. The colonoscopy expert, an internationally famous specialist, was able to peer into the patient’s colon, and had a clear view of it throughout its length. He took colour photographs as a record and pronounced that all was clear. The patient’s only lasting problem was that she had a congenitally abnormal colon that would predispose her to developing recurrent constipation. The specialist recommended two sachets of Fybogel — a bulking agent — daily, and a Senokot laxative at night: a pleasantly bland mixture, and one whose origins are based entirely on ancient herbalism. Fybogel is made of ispaghula husk, and is prepared from the coats of its dried seeds. Once it has been taken by mouth, with water, it reaches the guts, where it rapidly absorbs more water. As a result it swells so as to become a bulk laxative. The Senokot is a preparation made from the anthraquinone glycosides found in senna pods. These two preparations illustrate that herbal medicine, rather than being a complementary or even an alternative form of medicine, has been, for thousands of years, part of mainstream therapeutics. The Senokot, just like the pods on the tree in the garden of my childhood, is used as a laxative. The modern patient is fortunate in that these medicinally effective remedies can now have their potent constituents extracted, refined and measured so that standard doses can be given. Herbs work, but their effects can be powerful. Even those apparently innocuous strings of black liquorice (the ones that look like bootlaces and are available in old-fashioned sweet shops) can cause a marked increase in blood pressure. It is important that the potency of herbs is recognised and that, when a patient is taking them, they should warn their GP, because some of the homely remedies may increase the action of pills obtained on prescription from chemists, while others may limit their effect. Many doctors now have a copy of Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals (published by Pharmaceutical Press) at hand to check out possible interactions between natural herbs and prescription drugs. Young women of reproductive age should be careful, particularly if they have been conscientiously taking the contraceptive pill and are also feeling depressed. Whether you are a young woman suffering an attack of SAD (seasonal affective disorder) as the winter evenings close in, or are just feeling a bit miserable, don’t be tempted to treat any mild depressive feelings with St John’s wort (pictured left). This reduces blood levels of the hormone derived from the Pill in the blood, increasing the risk of an unintended pregnancy. In some cases it may cause breakthrough bleeding. For those who are that little bit older, avoid using ginkgo biloba to treat Alzheimer’s if you are also taking warfarin to prevent blood clotting and coronary thrombosis. Ginkgo biloba makes bleeding more likely, as does cranberry juice — and either could cause serious haemorrhage, even a stroke. Conversely, St John’s wort and ginseng may precipitate a heart attack by reducing the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. Watch out for the SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, if you are also taking St John’s wort, it can increase the action of the SSRIs and could even induce hypomania. If you are not careful, you’ll end up as a guest on Panorama next time the programme discusses the potential side-effects of antidepressants. This is Ask About Medicines Week. Part of the organisers’ campaign this year is to increase awareness of these interactions between herbal remedies and prescription drugs. Two booklets have been produced by the organisation Developing Patient Partnerships (www.dpp.org.uk), which explain the potential risks to doctors and their patients. The booklets are available from some GPs’ surgeries. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/a-herbal-hit-you-really-dont-need http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/fruits-and-veggies-diet-can-reduce-heart-diseases-but-not-cancer- Fruits and Veggies diet can reduce heart diseases but not cancer:Source: news.newkerala.com According to a new study conducted by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, although fruit and vegetable consumption can decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease but it does not reduce the chances of cancer. Earlier studies have evaluated the association of fruit and vegetable consumption with the reduction of risk of specific diseases, but their overall associations with cardiovascular disease and cancer have rarely been evaluated in large cohort studies. To evaluate the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and the incidence of cardiovascular disease and cancer, Walter C. Willett, M.D., of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, and colleagues analyzed data from more than 100,000 participants. The researchers found an inverse association between total fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease but no relationship with cancer incidence. "Consumption of five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day has been recommended in the National 5 A Day for Better Health Program for cancer prevention, but the protective effect of fruit and vegetable intake may have been overstated," the authors write. However, "our findings for cardiovascular disease still support the recommendations of the American Heart Association of consuming at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day," they added. (ANI) Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/fruits-and-veggies-diet-can-reduce-heart-diseases-but-not-cancer- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/fish-oil-wards-off-asthma Fish oil 'wards off asthma'Source: www.heraldsun.news.com.auFISH oil supplements appear to ward off asthma symptoms in young children with a family history of allergies, Australian researchers have found.Children who consumed higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids from birth were 10 per cent less likely to experience coughing and wheezing at the age of three, Sydney University's Professor Craig Mellis and colleagues found. "It's very hard to know who's got asthma and who hasn't in preschoolers," Prof Mellis told AAP."But we are starting to see a reduction in respiratory or asthma-like symptoms in the group that took the fish oil."In a study of 616 children with a family history of asthma and allergies, one-quarter was exposed to increased omega-3 fatty acid from birth, one-quarter lived in households where anti-dust mite measures were taken, one-quarter did both and the remainder did neither. "The dust mite avoidance group didn't have any reduction in any of their respiratory symptoms at the age of three, but the fish oil supplement is looking promising," Prof Mellis said."If dust mite avoidance doesn't work, then at least we can tell people that it doesn't work and therefore we shouldn't be using it as a treatment."Asthma usually cannot be diagnosed before children reach primary school age, and Prof Mellis said the group in this study would be followed up at age seven to obtain more definitive results."It may well be when we look at them next time that the ones who got the intervention are even more different from the control group," he said.peThe children were recruited before they were born, he said, and started on increased omega-3 fatty acid, obtained from fish oil, from their first day after birth."If they were not being breastfed it was added to their formula from day one and if they were being breastfed the mother took the supplement – there's plenty of omega three fatty acid in breastmilk anyway," Prof Mellis said."We wanted the children as they were weaned and taking solids to continue having a fair bit of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet and little kids don't like fish so we were giving the parents special margarine that had omega-3 fatty acid supplement in it. "We were measuring the omega-3 fatty acid in their blood and there was a fair separation between those that were on the supplement and those that were on the control."The study, published in the latest issue of the United States-based Journal of Allergyand Clinical Immunology, was prompted by an earlier survey of NSW school children in which those who ate fish at least once a week were found to have a much lower rate of asthma."Omega-3 fatty acid is incorporated into cell membranes and it makes them more stable so, given that asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways, it makes them less likely to get inflamed," Prof Mellis explained. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/fish-oil-wards-off-asthma http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/uk-launch-of-herbal-skincare-treatment UK launch of herbal skincare treatmentSource: www.yorkshiretoday.co.ukA CENTURIES-old aboriginal herbal remedy, which claims to combat the ageing process, is being used in skin creams manufactured and supplied throughout the UK by a South Yorkshire company. Plantolin (UK), based in Sheffield and headed by managing director, Mark Lythe, has launched eight products with the Plantolin name targeting big store chains, ranging from skin creams to foot gel. "Actor Jude Law's partner, Sienna Miller, along with Geri Halliwell, Rachel Stevens and Jamie Oliver have all discovered the power of Plantolin," said Mr Lythe. Plantolin, previously only sold in Australia and throughout South East Asia, is an extract from the Australian native plant known as Centipeda Cunninghamii. "The plant has been used in aboriginal medicine to treat a variety of ailments," added Mr Lythe. The company, whose business plan for the UK market was prepared by the Sheffield office of accountants and business advisers PKF, has exclusive rights to manufacture and supply Plantolin products in the UK, Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Africa. "Our products will be launched in the large supermarket and pharmacy chains in February, 2005. In the meantime, they are available in our region at selected Boyes Stores and from our website at www.plantolin.co.uk," said Mr Lythe. He said Plantolin offered a natural solution to skincare problems and represented great value for consumers. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/uk-launch-of-herbal-skincare-treatment http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/poor-nutrition-leads-to-low-iq Poor Nutrition Leads To Low IQSource: www.scienceagogo.comResearchers at the University of Southern California say malnutrition in the first few years of life leads to antisocial and aggressive behavior throughout childhood and late adolescence. "These are the first findings to show that malnutrition in the early postnatal years is associated with behavior problems through age 17," said Jianghong Liu, lead author of the study which appears in the American Journal of Psychiatry. "Identifying the early risk factors for this behavior in childhood and adolescence is an important first step for developing successful prevention programs for adult violence," she said. For 14 years, researchers followed the nutritional, behavioral and cognitive development of more than 1,000 children who lived on Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. The children's intelligence level and cognitive ability were also tested, and social workers visited their homes to come up with a so-called adversity score that summarized factors such as the income, occupation, health, age and education levels of their parents and their overall living conditions. At ages 8, 11 and 17 years, the researchers looked at how the children were behaving in school and at home. Over time, a link became evident between malnourishment and antisocial or aggressive behavior, said Adrian Raine, a co-author of the study. Compared to those in the control group - the group that did not suffer from nutritional deficiencies - malnourished children showed a 41 percent increase in aggression at age 8 and a 51 percent increase in violent and antisocial behavior at age 17. While social class did not play a significant factor in behavior, intelligence level did, Raine said. "Poor nutrition, characterized by zinc, iron, vitamin B and protein deficiencies, leads to low IQ, which leads to later antisocial behavior," he said. "These are all nutrients linked to brain development." Researchers also found that the more indicators of malnutrition there were, the greater the antisocial behavior. "There's more to antisocial behavior than nutrition, but we argue that it is an important missing link," Raine said. "Biology is not destiny. We can change the biological disposition to antisocial and aggressive behavior." Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/poor-nutrition-leads-to-low-iq http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/blood-sugar-based-diet-shows-tentative-benefits Blood sugar-based diet shows tentative benefitsSource: springfield.news-leader.comAdvances in Medicine "Glycemic index" diet is less restrictive than Atkins or standard low-fat regimens.On the Web Journal of the American Medical Association: jama.ama-assn.org By Lindsey Tanner Associated PressChicago — A diet favoring "good" over "bad" carbohydrates is better for the heart and less likely to slow down metabolism than a conventional low-fat diet, a small, preliminary study suggests. The "glycemic index" diet recommends carbohydrates that do not cause a sharp rise in blood sugar levels after meals, such as old-fashioned oatmeal rather than highly processed sugared breakfast cereal. It is not as anti-carb as Atkins-style regimens, nor as fat-restrictive as standard low-fat diets.Proponents call it a happy medium, though skeptics say the science — including the new study — doesn't prove that low-glycemic diets are superior.The study involved 39 overweight people ages 18 to 40 who were paid $1,500 to eat hospital-prepared diets for about 10 weeks.Low-glycemic foods were given to 22 participants, while 17 got the low-fat option.Participants in both groups lost an average of about 20 pounds. But glycemic-index dieters fared better on two risk factors for heart disease: They had a slight decrease in fats in the blood called triglycerides, versus an increase in the low-fat group, and they had a much greater reduction in levels of an inflammation-related substance called C-reactive protein.The number of calories burned while resting decreased in both groups — a metabolism slowdown that commonly occurs while dieting. But the average decrease was smaller in the low-glycemic group — 96 calories per day versus 176 in the low-fat group.Hunger pangs were less common among low-glycemic dieters.The study's leader, Dr. David Ludwig, director of an obesity program at Boston's Children's Hospital, said that because of those differences, people on the low-glycemic regimen are more likely to stay on their diet and less likely to put the weight back on. But he said longer studies are needed to show if that really is true.The study appeared in the Nov. 24 Journal of the American Medical Association.Dr. Robert Eckel, an American Heart Association spokesman, called the results "underwhelming."Participants' triglyceride and CRP levels already were in a healthful range when the study began, and there is no evidence that decreasing them further would be more beneficial, Eckel said.Also, he said, if the metabolism changes had been meaningful, the glycemic-index dieters should have lost more weight than the other group.Both diets involved 1,500 calories per day, but they differed in nutrient content.In the low-fat diet, 65 percent of calories came from carbohydrates, including foods like instant oatmeal, raisins and tortilla chips — all with a relatively high glycemic index.In the glycemic index diet, 43 percent of daily calories came from carbs and they included steel-cut oatmeal, blueberries and peanuts — all foods that are more slowly broken down into sugar than foods in the low-fat diet.In the low-fat diet, 18 percent of calories came from fat. In glycemic index diet, 30 percent came from fat — the limit recommended by U.S. government dietary guidelines and many nutritionists. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/blood-sugar-based-diet-shows-tentative-benefits http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/ovarian-cancer-is-tied-to-milk OVARIAN CANCER IS TIED TO MILKSource: www.nypost.comWomen who drink large amounts of milk may increase their risk of developing ovarian cancer, new research reveals. A study of 61,000 women age 38 to 76 found those who consumed more than two glasses a day significantly increased their chance of developing the most serious form of the disease. Scientists at Sweden's Karolinska Institute found a total of 266 women from the group were diagnosed with ovarian cancer over a 13-year period and 125 of those had serious ovarian cancer. Those who consumed more than four servings of dairy products a day had twice the risk of serious ovarian cancer than women who had fewer than two, they discovered. The researchers found the strongest ovarian-cancer link for those who drank two or more glasses of milk a day. Their risk was double that of those who drank it in small amounts or not at all. The study is published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Why milk can increase the risk of ovarian cancer is unclear, but one theory is that lactose, a type of sugar found in milk, may overstimulate production of hormones which encourage the growth of tumors. "The picture is far from clear, as other evidence suggests that women who drink skim or low-fat milk might have a lower risk of ovarian cancer," said researcher Dr. Kate Law. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/ovarian-cancer-is-tied-to-milk http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/dhea-supplementation-may-be-ammo-for-the-elderly-in-fat-war DHEA supplementation may be ammo for the elderly in fat warSource: www.miami.comAll right, it's not the fountain of youth. But a study published in the Nov. 10 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association has found that DHEA, a hormone widely marketed as a nutritional supplement, decreases belly fat and improves the body's use of insulin among the elderly when taken daily for six months. Earlier studies have shown that DHEA supplementation led to improved bone density.''We were surprised that there was such an effect,'' said Dr. Dennis Villareal, one of the study's authors. ``It's not snake oil.''Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands. When broken down by the body, it becomes an active sex hormone, such as testosterone or estrogen. But production of DHEA peaks at about age 20, then declines gradually as one ages.In a six-month study of 56 men and women, average age 71, researchers at Washington University had half the participants take 50 milligrams daily of DHEA as a supplement. The other half of the participants took dummy pills. In women who took the DHEA, levels of belly fat fell by 10.2 percent, while men's belly fat decreased by 7.4 percent. In both men and women taking DHEA, subcutaneous fat -- stores of fat carried just below the skin's surface -- went down by 6 percent. At the end of the study period, subjects receiving the DHEA supplement also had lower insulin levels in response to glucose tolerance tests, while their glucose levels remained unchanged. That's an indication that they had improved ''insulin action,'' a measure of metabolic health that tends to decline with age. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/dhea-supplementation-may-be-ammo-for-the-elderly-in-fat-war http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/fight-ageing-from-the-inside-out Fight Ageing From the Inside OutSource: biz.yahoo.comRepair, Hydrate and Protect With Dr. Murad's NEW Wrinkle Reducing Dietary Supplement Pack It's finally here, an all-in-one supplement pack to combat the signs of aging! Dr. Howard Murad, dermatologist, CEO and founder of Murad, Inc., and author of "Wrinkle Free Forever" offers the Wrinkle Reducing Dietary Supplement Pack, a combination of his best internal skincare supplements. Blending the powers of Youth Builder®, Wet Suit®, Pomphenol® Sunguard and Essential Fatty Acid supplements in daily, pre-measured packets, getting the right dose and reducing the signs of aging has never been easier or more effective. With an optimum mix of key vitamins, minerals and anti-aging ingredients, the Wrinkle Reducing Dietary Supplement Pack fights signs of aging and is scientifically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines up to 34% in only five weeks! ADVERTISEMENT "Each supplement provides individual benefits, but used together, the Wrinkle Reducing Dietary Supplement Pack provides an unmatched way to repair, hydrate and protect skin from free radical damage, the main cause of premature signs of aging," says Dr. Murad "As we age, loss of water directly translates into sagging, wrinkled and damaged skin. It is essential to maintain an healthy internal balance by constantly improving cells and connective tissue."Revolutionizing skincare practices, Dr. Murad holds 16 patents and was the first dermatologist, to introduce the idea of Internal Skincare(TM) in 1996 with a supplement line. His independent scientific studies prove that a 34% reduction in wrinkles and 15% increase in elasticity can be seen in 4-6 weeks of supplement use. The Wrinkle Reducing Dietary Supplement Pack is comprised of four of Dr. Murad's skincare supplements.Youth Builder increases hydration in the dermal layer of the skin that reduces fine lines and wrinkles by 34%, and increases skin elasticity by 18% with a unique blend of Glucosamine and Amino Acids, which are essential to healthy collagen and elastin formation. Wet Suit strengthens cell membranes and locks in cellular water by supplying phosphatidylcholine, the building block for lecithin, which makes up the cell membrane, and encourages the maintenance of water levels. Also contained in Wet Suit are Gamma Linoleic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to reduce inflammation and free radicals that cause water loss. Pomphenol Sunguard, the first supplement ever created, with pure pomegranate extract that contains an antioxidant-rich, protective formula, serves as an environmental defense booster increasing the SPF of topical sunscreens by up to 25%. In addition, pomegranate extract is studied worldwide for its benefits as an anti-cancer agent.Dr. Murad explains his scientifically proven "Water Principle," "If you have a sufficient amount of water in the skin, it will be thicker and smoother. There's a new resiliency and firmness to skin after using the Wrinkle Reducing Dietary Supplement Pack. Damaged collagen and skin cells are repaired, your skin's ability to hold onto water improves, new collagen and elastin are formed and protected, all from the inside out."The Wrinkle Reducing Dietary Supplement Pack (30 packettes / 4 week supply) will be available for $115.00, suggested retail. Murad products are available at the Murad Center for Inclusive Health, Los Angeles, Sephora stores nationwide and other Murad selected salons and spas. For locations offering Murad professional services, please call 800-33-MURAD or visit www.murad.com. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/fight-ageing-from-the-inside-out http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/zotrim-natural-herbal-diet-pill Zotrim Natural Herbal Diet PillSource: www.onlypunjab.comHealth News Onlypunjab.com Clinical Trials: In clinical trials with overweight but otherwise healthy people on no special diet half of them took a placebo before meals for 45 days. The half that took Zotrim lost an average of 11 pounds over 45 days compared with less than a pound for the placebo group. Better still continuing with Zotrim was shown to maintain this weight loss over 12 months! That means that once you have reached your target weight ZOTRIM stops the fat creeping back by helping to limit food intake and re-educating the body’s eating habits preventing the infuriating yo yo effect of many weight loss regimes. Why Zotrim? Containing a combination of extracts of three South American herbs – Guarana, Yerba Mate and Damian ZOTRIM speeds up and extends the feeling of fullness whilst giving a natural energy that encourages calorie burning. Ultrasound scanning shows ZOTRIM slows the rate at which the stomach empties by about 20 minutes. As food stays in the stomach longer you feel full for longer. This combination of reduced food intake coupled with a sensible eating and exercise programme encourages lifestyle change allowing you to achieve a healthy weight over a long period of time with lasting results. What customers are saying about Zotrim: “By following a low fat diet and taking these tablets I have lost an amazing 10lbs in just three weeks!” Mrs JMP South Wales “I’ve been on Zotrim for 8 weeks and I’ve lost 10lbs in weight in such a short time”. Mrs MF Swansea Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/zotrim-natural-herbal-diet-pill http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/nourkrin-hair-loss-remedy-product Nourkrin Hair Loss Remedy ProductSource: www.onlypunjab.comHealth News Onlypunjab.com Losing your hair? Hair loss is not just a male problem. Did you know that nearly 50% of all women now suffer from some form of thinning hair or hair loss? The effects that hair loss has on a persons well being are often dismissed as trivial but it’s true to say that it affects people in different ways no matter what their age or sex. Many suffer in silence convinced there is nothing that can be done. Well now there is! NOURKRIN. Recently voted the Leading Brand for Hair Loss by the European Medical Journal ECM. In a number of studies carried out on NOURKRIN results show an improvement in 75% of cases! Why Nourkrin? NOURKRIN is a natural food supplement whose key ingredient is a protein of marine extracts including the cartilage of deep sea fish with Acerola Cherry – the richest source of Vitamin C you can get, Silica which is an important mineral for reducing hair loss and maintaining strong healthy hair, Horsetail Extract – organic form of silica which increases the strength of the hair and re-vitalises lifeless hair and IgG and IGF-1 speeds up absorption of tablets into the blood stream. How does Nourkrin work? NOURKRIN is designed to stop excess thinning hair, improve the strength of existing hair and supply the body with the specific compounds needed to stimulate the re-growth of dorment hair follicles. Working in stages, NOURKRIN first slows and stops thinning hair, then strengthens existing hair and then begins to promote the growth of dorment hair follicles whilst finally strengthening the new hair. What they are saying TV Presenter Cheryl Baker is among the many women who have experienced hair loss and has been using NOURKRIN. “I can measure the effectiveness of NOURKRIN by the size of my pony tail. It now fills a 10p sized elastic band instead of a 5p sized one. I am now menopausal and that is another time in your life when thinning hair can be a problem so I will continue taking NOURKRIN”. Instructions for use For best results take two tablets per day over a period of six months. At the end of the six month hair recovery program, continue taking one tablet a day to maintain the improvements. Most users notice a difference after three months. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/nourkrin-hair-loss-remedy-product http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamins-before-pregnancy-may-prevent-prematurity Vitamins before pregnancy may prevent prematuritySource: www.naturalproductsonline.co.ukWomen who take multivitamins before conceiving are half as likely to encounter premature births, suggests a new study by University of North Carolina published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Data based on 2000 women at 24-29 weeks of pregnancy showed that vitamin use before conception reduced the risk of premature birth, although continued use through the early months of pregnancy did not seem to influence the risk of prematurity. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamins-before-pregnancy-may-prevent-prematurity http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/jack-challem-s-worldwide-research Jack Challem’s Worldwide ResearchSource: www.naturalproductsonline.co.ukJack Challem, editor of The Nutrition Reporter, is a well known health journalist who has been reporting on vitamin, mineral and supplement research for more than 20 years. www.nutritionreporter.comWith the extreme shortage of flu vaccines this year in the UK and US, I’ve decided to share my personal supplement regimen for both preventing and fighting cold and flu symptoms. My suggestions fall into two areas, covering general prevention and the suppression and reversal of symptoms. Research suggests that all of these supplements work best preventively and on the first day of an apparent cold or flu infection. If you wait until the second or third day, the supplements will be of less, and possibly no, benefit. The reason is that viral concentrations increase sharply after the first day, and they become more difficult for the body to control. Vitamin C More than 24 clinical studies have found that vitamin C can reduce the symptoms and severity of the common cold (and presumably the flu). The most effective dosages range from 2,000 to 6,000 mg daily. What to take In general, your body’s optimal level of vitamin C is based on bowel tolerance — that is, the amount (divided up two or three times a day) just below what causes loose stools. When you’re fighting a cold or flu, your vitamin C requirements increase sharply. If you follow the bowel-tolerance concept, you may find yourself temporarily taking 10 or 20 grams of vitamin C daily. As you recover, your vitamin C requirements will decrease.Vitamin E A recent study found that seniors who took vitamin E supplements were less likely to suffer colds and other upper respiratory infections. What to take 200 IU to 400 IU of natural source vitamin E daily.Selenium This mineral is a component of the body’s four glutathione peroxide compounds, potent antioxidants and immune stimulants. Clinical studies have found that selenium deficiencies increase the likelihood of mutations in flu and coxsackie viruses, leading to more severe infections. What to take 200 mcg daily, 400 mcg if you are actually fighting cold or flu.Lysine This amino acid inhibits the growth of many viruses, including those that cause herpes infections. What to take To fight a cold or flu, take 500 to 1,000 mcg daily with the other supplements recommended here.Zinc This mineral inhibits the replication of the virus that causes colds. Although some studies have yielded conflicting results, zinc lozenges can often reduce the severity and length of cold and flu symptoms. The most tested brand (Cold-Eeze) provides about 13 mg of zinc per lozenge. What to take Follow label directions, taking one zinc lozenge every couple of hours, starting at the first sign of symptoms. Vitamin A Several studies have found that large amounts of vitamin A can reduce the severity and risk of death in vitamin-deficient children with measles, chicken pox, and respiratory viral infections. In addition, very high dosages of pure vitamin A (not beta-carotene) have been used in developing nations to reduce the risk of death from pneumonia in children. These dosages are 100,000 IU daily, but for only two days over a month. What to take Lower regular dosages should be helpful, such as 10,000 IU daily. When fighting a cold or flu, consider taking 25,000 to 50,000 IU daily — but not for more than three days. If you are pregnant, do not take more than 5,000 IU of pure vitamin A daily. Echinacea Again, much of the research is conflicting, but there’s sufficient evidence to take echinacea to help prevent colds and flus. The herb boosts activity of various immune cells, in a sense putting the body on a “yellow alert,” ready to quickly fight an infection. What to take Because of the many different forms (capsules, tablets, tinctures, liquids), follow label directions.Oscillococcinum Whatever the rationale, it does seem to work (at least in this instance). Recent medical reviews have conceded that oscillococcinum (pronounced os-sill-uh-cos-sih-num), a homeopathic remedy containing extremely minute extracts of duck heart and liver, can reduce flu symptoms. A medical review cautiously acknowledged that oscillococcinum “probably reduces the duration of illness in patients presenting with influenza symptoms.” What to take One dose at the first onset of symptoms, with additional doses six and 12 hours later.A reminder…again, it is important to ramp up the dosages of these supplements at the first sign of symptoms. That ticklish nose or cough may not be from an infection, but given the potential consequences of a serious infection, it is better to err on the side of caution. If the symptoms completely disappear by the second day, you can resume your preventative dosages. If you still have any symptoms at all, continue taking the supplements for three to seven days. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/jack-challem-s-worldwide-research http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/tea-improves-memory Tea improves memorySource: www.naturalproductsonline.co.ukResearchers at the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne found that green and black tea inhibit the activity of enzymes in the brain which are associated with memory loss and the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Green tea in particular was found to inhibit harmful enzymes by as much as 38% with its effects lasting for a week, as compared to one day for black tea. The findings suggest tea could be used in the development of treatments for Alzheimer's, which currently affects 10 million people worldwide and for which there is currently no known cure. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/tea-improves-memory http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/antioxidant-b-vitamin-combo-to-slow-dementia- Antioxidant, B vitamin combo to slow dementia?Source: www.nutraingredients.comCombining B vitamins with a powerful antioxidant could lower blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine enough to prevent dementia, claims a UK research firm preparing to test the theory in clinical trials. High blood levels of homocysteine are a known risk factor for stroke and dementia but although homocysteine can be lowered by standard B vitamin supplements it is not yet known whether these can be used to treat or prevent dementia. So far, the small studies on this effect have been disappointing. However homocysteine research company Cobalz says that clinical trials starting in January could confirm that adding B vitamins to the powerful antioxidant N-acetylcysteine is superior to standard B vitamins in slowing the rate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease patients. Dementia already affects millions around the world and the threat is increasing with the growing numbers of elderly. Alzheimer's disease, the leading cause of dementia in the elderly, afflicts an estimated 4.5 million people in the US alone. The condition is not only associated with homocysteine levels but also with ‘free radicals’ that oxidise and damage an enzyme that breaks down homocysteine. Cobalz has found that adding a powerful antioxidant to B vitamins lowers homocysteine levels even further and results in prompt, striking and sustained clinical improvement in patients. Cobalz claims that the glutathione precursor N-acetylcysteine (NAC)is not only a potent antioxidant but also a source of cysteine. Cysteine is required to generate hydrogen sulphide - an important neuromodulator and vasorelaxant. Levels of hydrogen sulphide levels are severely decreased in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients. Last week the firm signed a licensing agreement with US pharmaceutical firm Pamlab to produce the product scheduled for use in the trial by researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Neil McCaddon, global head of licensing and corporate development at Cobalz, said: “We are very excited about the possibilities, and hope to announce some real breakthroughs for sufferers of dementia, and their carers.” Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/antioxidant-b-vitamin-combo-to-slow-dementia- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/lutein-zeaxanthin-offer-cataract-protection-new-research Lutein, zeaxanthin offer cataract protection, new researchSource: www.nutraingredients.comLutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids found in dark leafy green vegetables, were nearly 10 times more powerful than the antioxidant vitamin E in protecting human eye cells from UV-induced damage, report US researchers.Their findings support previous evidence suggesting that the natural compounds could help prevent cataracts, which affect nearly 20 million people in the United States alone and require expensive, surgical treatment. The researchers from Ohio State University say theirs is the first laboratory evidence that these carotenoids help protect the eyes. "Along with the many environmental, lifestyle and genetic risk factors associated with cataracts, exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and oxidative stress appear to be the most relevant in this disease," said study co-author Joshua Bomser. "Our results are the first to provide physical evidence suggesting that lutein and zeaxanthin decrease damage caused by ultraviolet radiation." The Ohio researchers treated human eye lens cells with varying concentrations of lutein, zeaxanthin or vitamin E. They then exposed these cells, along with a batch of untreated cells, to doses of ultraviolet-beta radiation for 10 seconds. UVB radiation is thought to be the primary environmental culprit in causing skin cancer as well as initiating cataract disease. "The dose of UVB radiation we used on the cells is about the same amount a person receives when they get a mild tan," Bomser said. Adding lutein and zeaxanthin to the cell cultures provided double the protection from UVB damage – the antioxidants reduced signs of damage by 50 to 60 per cent, while vitamin E only reduced the same signs of damage by 25 to 32 per cent, according to the study in this month’s issue of the Journal of Nutrition. The researchers also found that it took far less lutein and zeaxanthin as vitamin E – about 10 times less – to get this protective effect. "The lens is equipped with antioxidant defense mechanisms designed to guard against the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation and oxidative stress," Bomser said. "In addition to protective enzymes and compounds like vitamins C and E, we think that low concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin in the eye lens help shield the eye from the harmful effects of UVB radiation." Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/lutein-zeaxanthin-offer-cataract-protection-new-research http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/non-hodgkins-lymphoma-risk-reduced-by-exposure-to-sunlight Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma risk reduced by exposure to sunlightSource: www.medicalnewstoday.comResearchers from Sydney University, Australia, have found that your risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is reduced after high exposure to sunlight. NHL is a type of blood cancer. Dr Anne Kricker, team leader, was looking at whether high exposure to sunlight would increase NHS risk - the researchers were surprised to find that, in fact, the opposite seems to be the case. You can read about this study in the International Journal of Cancer. The researchers looked at 704 patients with NHL and 694 randomly selected matched controls. They were aged 20-74. People's exposure to sunlight over up to sixty years was assessed by means of a questionnaire and phone interviews. Such factors as working and non working days as well as vacation periods were taken into account. They found that the more hours people were exposed to the sun the lower their risk of NHL was. Those at the top end of sun exposure were 35% less likely to get NHL than those at the bottom end. It is possible that the increased production of vitamin D, due to more sun exposure, offered people more protection from NHL. Dr Kricker and team suggested that “increasing evidence that vitamin D may protect against cancer makes ultraviolet-mediated synthesis of vitamin D a plausible mechanism whereby sun exposure might protect against NHL." Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/non-hodgkins-lymphoma-risk-reduced-by-exposure-to-sunlight http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/ethnicity-affects-impact-of-vitamin-d-on-diabetes Ethnicity Affects Impact of Vitamin D on DiabetesSource: story.news.yahoo.comAs blood levels of vitamin D increase, the risk of diabetes decreases in non-Hispanic whites and Mexican Americans -- but not in blacks -- researchers have found. Yahoo! Health Have questions about your health? Find answers here. The findings may "offer an explanation, in part, for the generally lower prevalence of type 2 diabetes observed in Caucasian populations around the world compared with other ethnicities," Dr. Robert Scragg, from the University of Auckland in New Zealand, and colleagues suggest in the medical journal Diabetes Care. The results are based on a study of 6228 subjects, representative of the US population, who participated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III, so-called). Whites with the highest vitamin D levels had only one quarter the risk of having diabetes compared to those with the lowest levels. For Mexican Americans, the comparative risk dropped even further. The reason why this pattern was not seen in blacks is unclear, but the researchers believe it may "reflect decreased sensitivity to vitamin D and/or related hormones" in this group. The team calls for further research to confirm the findings and to pinpoint underlying mechanisms, but notes that simple and cheap ways to increase vitamin D levels are readily available. SOURCE: Diabetes Care, December 2004. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/ethnicity-affects-impact-of-vitamin-d-on-diabetes http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/schiff-product-users-can-move-freer-with-hyaluronic-acid Schiff product users can Move Freer with hyaluronic acidSource: www.nutraingredients-usa.comSalt Lake City based Weider Nutrition said yesterday it had boosted its Schiff-branded joint care supplements by adding hyaluronic acid to the Move Free product line.Hyaluronic acid, or joint fluid, helps joints glide easily and smoothly and assists in nutrient delivery to joint tissues “Based on considerable research and study of the oral delivery and absorption of HA commissioned by our company and published in the FASEB Journal, we have added joint fluid to our Move Free formula,” said Dr. Luke Bucci, vice president of research for Schiff. The 1500 milligrams glucosamine/1200 milligrams chondroitin blend in Move Free products is designed to support joint cartilage and maintain healthy joint function. The company was also keen to note that all Move Free products were recently verified by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Dietary Supplement Verification Program for quality, purity and potency. Last month, Weider Nutrition launched a new Schiff-branded joint care supplement that combines an antioxidant, hyaluronic acid and glucosamine for faster-acting relief. The supplement, marketed as Lubriflex, is a triple action formula combining Uniflex, an antioxidant designed to protect cartilage and joints, HA and glucosamine. However, not everybody is enthusiatic about the effect of glucosamine on joint health. A study by a group of researchers in Canada, published in October, suggested that glucosamine had no long-term beneficial effect. Their study investigated whether the food supplement could prevent painful flare-ups in patients who had already been taking it for two years on average, with some signs of benefit. The results showed that there was little difference with placebo: 42 percent of placebo patients experienced flare-ups in the six-month follow-up, compared with 45 percent in the glucosamine group. In addition, subjects using glucosamine flared as quickly and as severely as those using a placebo, reported the researchers in Arthritis and Rheumatism (15;51(5), pp738-45). Lead investigator Dr Jolanda Cibere, from the University of British Columbia, said: “Our study shows that even if the supplement was initially perceived by study participants to be helpful, it has no benefit for maintenance and continued use is not effective to control flare-ups”. However the supplement continues to see annual growth of around 10 percent in the joint health category, with consumption of between 4,000-6,000 tons annually. A major US government-funded trial, called GAIT, investigating at a cost of $14 million the efficacy of glucosamine and chondroitin as natural remedies for osteoarthritis, may help to clear up some of the confusion when it releases results next year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are among the most common chronic diseases, affecting 70 million adults in the US in 2001, and are the leading cause of disability among US adults. Research by the CDC has shown that if arthritis prevalence rates remain stable, the number of affected persons aged 65 and under will nearly double by 2030, meaning that as many as 41 million people in this age group could be afflicted by arthritis or chronic joint symptoms (CJS). Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/schiff-product-users-can-move-freer-with-hyaluronic-acid http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/over-the-counter-wrinkle-creams-miracle-or-marketing-myth- Over-the-counter wrinkle creams: Miracle or marketing myth?Source: www.mayoclinic.com Many of today's over-the-counter (OTC) skin creams and lotions promise to do more than moisturize the skin. They also claim to reduce wrinkles and prevent or reverse damage caused by aging and sun exposure.Do they work? Some research suggests that wrinkle creams contain ingredients that may improve wrinkles. But many of these ingredients haven't been subjected to intensive research that proves this benefit.Here are some of the most common types of ingredients found in OTC wrinkle creams, organized by known effectiveness. Modestly effective ingredients Vitamin A (retinol) Retinol is a vitamin A derivative and is the first antioxidant to be widely used in OTC wrinkle creams. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals — unstable oxygen molecules that break down skin cells and cause wrinkles. Retinol is less potent than the vitamin A derivative tretinoin, the only prescription topical treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating wrinkles. Both retinol and tretinoin can cause redness and irritation, but retinol's side effects are usually milder.Claim. Works deep below the skin's surface to smooth wrinkles. Brand examples. RoC Retinol Actif Pur Anti-Wrinkle Treatment, L'Oreal Dermo-Expertise Line Eraser Pure Retinol Night Treatment. The facts. Retinol concentration varies from product to product, and the FDA warns that some OTC preparations may contain almost no retinol. Avoid Vitamin A derivatives if you're pregnant or may become pregnant because they increase the risk of birth defects. Hydroxy acids Alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids and poly hydroxy acids are all synthetic versions of acids derived from sugar-containing fruits. These acids are exfoliants, substances that remove the upper layer of old, dead skin and stimulate the growth of smooth, evenly pigmented new skin.Claim. Improve the look of deeper lines and wrinkles while increasing skin hydration. Brand examples. Kiss My Face Peaches & Creme Moisturizer with 8% Alpha Hydroxy Acids, M.D. Forte Facial Cream III with Glycolic Acid. The facts. Hydroxy acids stimulate production of collagen, a protein that thickens skin and prevents water loss. Use of these acids may lead to modest improvements in fine lines and wrinkles. Side effects may include burning, itching, pain and possible scarring. Since hydroxy acids increase your susceptibility to sun damage, apply sun protection during use and for at least one week afterward. Sun exposure and skin protection: An interview with a Mayo Clinic specialist Possibly effective ingredients Alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA) Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that penetrates skin cell membranes, where it neutralizes free radicals and increases the effectiveness of other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E. It may also work as a superficial chemical peel to exfoliate dead skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.Claim. Diminishes fine lines, wrinkles, brown spots and other skin irregularities. Produces firm, toned skin and a smoother complexion. Brand examples. Derma e Alpha Lipoderm Alpha Lipoic/Green Tea Advanced Repair Complex, Zia Natural Skincare Ultimate Oil-Free Moisture. The facts. Alpha-lipoic acid appears to reduce fine wrinkles and brown spots. Because side effects include inflammation, however, it's possible that inflammation is responsible for this effect. Larger studies are needed. Coenzyme Q-10 Coenzyme Q-10 is a nutrient that helps regulate energy production in cells.Claim. Improves the skin's ability to fight wrinkles. Brand examples. Avalon Organic Botanicals CoQ10 Wrinkle Defense Creme, Nivea Visage Q10 Plus Wrinkle Control Night Creme. The facts. Two human (clinical) trials show significant reduction in fine wrinkles around the eyes with no side effects. Other studies show that application before sun exposure protects against sun damage. More research is needed to examine the long-term effects. Copper peptides Copper is a trace element found in every cell. In topical products, it's combined with small protein fragments called peptides. Copper peptides enhance wound healing. They also stimulate production of collagen and may enhance the action of antioxidants.Claim. Improve the skin's elasticity and hydration to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Brand examples. Neutrogena Visibly Firm Night Cream with Active Copper Formula, Neova Night Therapy with Copper Peptide Repair Complex. The facts. Some small studies show that copper peptides may modestly improve fine wrinkling, age spots and sun damage with no side effects. More research is needed, however. Growth factors Growth factors are naturally occurring hormones found in plants and animals. They act as chemical messengers between cells. Kinetin, a plant growth factor, is the one most often used in cosmetics.Claim. Reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles and uneven skin tone. Brand examples. Almay Kinetin Skincare, Kinerase Cream. The facts. Kinetin may improve wrinkles and uneven pigmentation with minimal irritation. It's unclear how it works, but it may help reduce wrinkles by helping skin retain moisture and by stimulating the production of collagen. It also may be a potent antioxidant. Large-scale studies are needed to determine its long-term safety and effectiveness. Soy isoflavones Protein extracts of soybean and soymilk contain several different estrogen-like substances called isoflavones. Because they may mimic the effects of estrogen, they're sometimes called phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens may produce wrinkle-reducing effects on skin that are similar to those resulting from hormone therapy.Claim. Reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Brand examples. Aveeno Positively Radiant Anti-Wrinkle Cream, Archipelago Botanicals Milk Soy Cream. The facts. Animal studies show that soy isoflavones protect skin against sun damage and may increase production of hyaluronic acid, a substance that thickens skin and reduces wrinkles by binding to water molecules in skin. A small clinical study of soy isoflavones shows that they may lighten age spots. Although oral soy isoflavones may increase the risk of some cancers, it's unknown if topical products do the same. Researchers believe that soy isoflavones may help reduce wrinkles, but caution that more human research is needed to determine their safety and effectiveness. Tea extracts Green, black and oolong tea contain compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea extracts are the ones most commonly found in wrinkle creams.Claim. Repair sun damage, leaving skin toned and refined. Brand examples. Derma e Retinol and Green Tea Advanced Renewal Creme, Sudden Change Eye Gel with Green Tea. The facts. Animal studies of topical tea extracts show that they protect against skin cancer and prevent sun damage. Human studies of topical green tea extracts also show that they protect against sun damage with no side effects. But it's not clear if extracts in creams and lotions degrade over time. Although preliminary research shows that tea extracts may reduce wrinkles, larger human studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness. Vitamin C Vitamin C is an antioxidant nutrient that helps recycle vitamin E. It also promotes collagen formation.Claim. Repairs and protects skin by stimulating cell renewal and increasing healthy circulation. Brand examples. Avalon Active Organics Vitamin C Moisture Plus Lotion with SPF 15, ShiKai Dermaceutical Formulation Nighttime Renewal Cream with Bio-Active Vitamin C. The facts. Topical vitamin C may reduce wrinkles, thicken skin and protect against sun damage. It's difficult to manufacture and degrades rapidly, however, so it must be stored in airtight, light-resistant containers. Many of the first vitamin C products couldn't penetrate the skin deeply enough to be effective, but newer products may be more absorbent. Side effects may include stinging and irritation. Larger studies are needed to prove whether topical vitamin C can reduce wrinkles. Vitamin E Vitamin E, an antioxidant nutrient, is the major antioxidant found in human skin. Declining levels in skin are associated with wrinkles.Claim. Neutralizes free radicals for a soft, smooth, radiant complexion. Brand examples. Nutra-E Pure Vitamin E Skin Cream, Olay Moisture-Rich Cream Cleanser with Olay Moisture and Vitamin E. The facts. Animal studies show that topical vitamin E may reduce wrinkling. One of the few human studies shows a slight reduction in wrinkling, skin roughness, length of facial lines and wrinkle depth. Side effects may include swollen, reddened and itchy skin (contact dermatitis). Tocopherols and tocopherol acetate are the most common forms of vitamin E found in cosmetics, but they may be poorly absorbed by skin. More research is needed to determine if vitamin E reduces wrinkles effectively by itself or in combination with other antioxidants. Dermatitis/Eczema Possibly ineffective ingredients Collagen Collagen is a large, fibrous protein that keeps your skin supple and elastic. Collagen diminishes with age, contributing to wrinkling and sagging.Claim. Firms the skin while minimizing the appearance of fine lines. Brand examples. St. Ives Collagen Elastin Essential Moisturizer, University Medical Face Lift Collagen 5 Cell Regeneration Cream. The facts. Many skin creams contain collagen, which supposedly nourishes the skin and reverses the signs of aging. But collagen isn't absorbed through the skin and doesn't increase the body's production of collagen. Applying a collagen cream may give the sensation of firmness, but it's probably due to skin hydration that could be achieved by using any moisturizer. Light regulation means no guarantees The FDA considers these creams and lotions to be cosmetics, which are defined as having no medical value. So the FDA regulates them more lightly than it does drugs, which are defined as "products that cure, treat, mitigate or prevent disease, or that affect the structure or function of the human body."The FDA steps in, however, when advertisements portray cosmetics as drugs. In 2004, for example, the FDA ordered a manufacturer to stop advertising its wrinkle cream as "proven to reduce deep wrinkles up to 70 percent."The FDA also intervenes when cosmetics contain ingredients that may pose a potential health hazard to consumers. For example, in 2002, the FDA ordered manufacturers of products containing alpha hydroxy acids to include a warning label stating that the acids may increase the risk of sunburn.Because the FDA doesn't regulate cosmetic products for effectiveness, there's no guarantee that any OTC product will reduce your wrinkles or even contain any of its advertised ingredients. Sorting through the hype If you shop for such products in a department store or pharmacy or on the Internet, you'll find hundreds of different brands containing a confusing array of ingredients. You may be tempted to experiment with different brands until you find one that works. But this approach may be expensive. It also may cause skin irritation and deprive you of the benefits of an effective skin-care regimen.Different skin creams and lotions may be more effective on dry, oily or sensitive skin. A dermatologist can help you take the guesswork out of selecting a wrinkle cream or lotion by assessing your skin type, evaluating your skin's condition, and determining if you're allergic to certain ingredients.If you're looking for a face-lift in a bottle, you probably won't find it in an anti-aging skin cream. Still, the use of such products may result in slight to modest improvements in wrinkles. Combining the right product with a proven medical or surgical treatment for wrinkles may be the most effective way of achieving a younger-looking face. Related Information Smooth moves: Medical treatments for facial wrinkles Slide show: How aging affects your skin Caring for your skin: What to do Saving face: The nips and tucks of face-lifts Anti-aging therapies: Youth in a bottle? Skin Center November 12, 2004 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/over-the-counter-wrinkle-creams-miracle-or-marketing-myth- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/bra-gives-go-ahead-for-three-projects BRA gives go-ahead for three projectsSource: www.boston.comThe Boston Redevelopment Authority approved projects that could add nearly 400 residences in the city, including an expansion in Charles River Park. The BRA gave the green light to developer Equity Residential to move forward with the West End Residences at Emerson Place. The residences plan 306 rental apartments, 15 percent of which will be affordable. Equity said the project will be the first residential development in the West End in 20 years. At 131 Green St. in Jamaica Plain, the BRA approved a ''transit-oriented development project" with 21 town house condos near the MBTA Green Street station. Another project that got BRA approval was one with 29 town houses at 131 Brookley Road in the same neighborhood. (Chris Reidy)ADVERTISEMENT Hub company loses ruling in GermanyA German court has ruled that Energizer Holdings Inc.'s four-bladed Quattro razor does not infringe on Gillette Co.'s European patent on a three-bladed design, Energizer said. In the latest development in a feud between the world's largest makers of wet-shave products, the court also ordered Gillette, the market leader, to reimburse Energizer's unspecified court costs. The ruling came 11 months after a federal judge in Massachusetts issued a similar finding, denying Boston-based Gillette's request for a preliminary injunction in the United States. Gillette spokesman Eric Kraus said the company would appeal, adding, ''We have been consistent in our rigorous defense of our intellectual property and we do not intend to abandon the claim based on this ruling." (AP)Gaiety Theatre owner seeks demolitionThe owner of the defunct Gaiety Theatre has asked the City of Boston for a demolition permit, but a group of preservationists wants to save the nearly 100-year-old building. Kensington Investment Co. wants to tear down the structure and put up an apartment building nearly 300 feet tall. Kensington already has its major approvals from the Boston Redevelopment Authority for the project, at the corner of Washington and LaGrange streets near Chinatown. (Chris Reidy)Genzyme, partner get OK for wrinkle gelInamed Corp. and its partner Genzyme Corp. won US approval to sell the Captique wrinkle gel, a dermal filler product based on Genzyme's nonanimal stabilized hyaluronic acid technology. The treatment is Inamed's first wrinkle filler that is not derived from animals. The Food and Drug Administration cleared Captique to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles, Inamed said. Genzyme and Inamed disclosed the clearance after US markets closed. (Bloomberg)Inverness Medical to restate earningsInverness Medical Innovations Inc. will restate earnings downward for all previous periods through 2002 because of an error in calculating deferred taxes. Waltham-based Inverness, which restated 2002 earnings this year following a Securities and Exchange Commission review of an intercompany loan, also cut its earnings outlook for 2005 by 12 cents a share, citing the error. The diagnostics company said restatements will widen its 2002 loss of $4.63 a share by 8 cents, and decrease 2003 earnings of 64 cents a share by 10 cents. The adjustments will widen the loss in each of the first two quarters of 2004 by 4 cents a share, and by 3 cents in the third quarter. (Dow Jones) Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/bra-gives-go-ahead-for-three-projects http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/supplement-boosts-depression-treatment Supplement Boosts Depression TreatmentSource: www.betterhumans.comSmall study shows that SAMe can relieve symptoms when antidepressant drugs aren't enough Betterhumans Staff 12/1/2004 3:51 PM Advertisement The purported mood-boosting supplement SAMe has received support from a small study that found combining it with standard antidepressants can help people who fail to respond to drugs alone. The pilot study by American researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston found that SAMe improved symptoms in half of subjects and provided complete relief of symptoms in 43%."One of the most common problems in treating depression is the number of people who are left with symptoms after initial treatment with a first-line antidepressant," says study leader Jonathan Alpert. "Some previous trials have suggested that SAMe might have effects comparable to some antidepressants, but there has not been sufficient research on oral SAMe preparations or comparisons with available antidepressants."Combined treatmentSAMe (S-Adenosy-L-Methionine) is found in every human cell, especially in the brain and liver. It is a metabolite of the essential amino acid methionine. Among other things, it helps the body grow and repair cells and helps maintain the action of neurotransmitters that affect mood such as dopamine and serotonin. It is therefore widely sold as a mood-booster, with several reports supporting its efficacy.For the latest study, Alpert and colleagues looked at whether adding SAMe to antidepressant treatments could improve results for people who failed to get relief from a single medication. Thirty people participated. All had significant depression after more than a month of treatment with such drugs as Prozac. For six weeks, they received SAMe along with their antidepressant, beginning at 400 mg twice a day and increasing to 800 mg twice a day after two weeks. After the study period, analysis of symptoms showed that 50% of the participants had improvements in their symptoms and 43% had remission of their depression.Two participants dropped out because of treatment side-effects, but none were considered serious.Larger trials comingWhile the results are considered promising, the study has acknowledged limitations: It was small, there was no control group and participants knew they were taking SAMe. The study was also sponsored by Pharmavite LLC of Mission Hills, California, which manufactures Nature Made vitamins and supplements.But the researchers consider it a good stepping stone to larger trials. "This is the first study to look at the safety and efficacy of combining SAMe with antidepressant treatment after antidepressants had proven insufficient on their own," says Alpert. "Patients and physicians have been using these combinations without good supporting data, and these results are an initial step toward compiling the necessary scientific evidence."The researchers have now begun a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-sponsored, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of SAMe combined with antidepressants. Another NIH-supported study will compare SAMe alone with standard antidepressants and placebo.The research is reported in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/supplement-boosts-depression-treatment http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/spectrum-organic-products-alpha-linolenic-acid-is-proven-to-be-heart-healthy Spectrum Organic Products: Alpha-Linolenic Acid Is Proven to Be Heart HealthySource: home.businesswire.comSeparate research studies reveal that a diet rich in the omega-3 essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and sudden cardiac death Spectrum Organic Products, a leading manufacturer of natural and organic fats and oils, is endorsing new studies that demonstrate the cardiovascular benefits of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a form of omega-3 unsaturated essential fatty acid found in flaxseed oil, flax seed, canola oil, walnuts and walnut oil, plus certain green leafy vegetables. A Harvard University School of Medicine study, presented in November at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association in New Orleans, suggested that women who reported eating diets rich in ALA had a lower risk of dying from heart disease and sudden cardiac death than those whose diets are low in the plant-derived fatty acid. The study tracked 76,763 women who completed a food questionnaire every four years over a 16-year period beginning in 1984. According to the study's lead author, Christine M. Albert, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard University's Medical School in Boston, the study suggests that the higher a woman's ALA intake, the greater the benefit in preventing life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. In related news, researchers at Pennsylvania State University reported in the latest issue of the Journal of Nutrition that a diet rich in ALA not only lowered bad cholesterol but also decreased markers for blood vessel inflammation in men and women representative of typical Americans at cardiovascular risk. According to the results of the Penn State study, compared to the average American diet, an ALA diet lowered total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Additionally, C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation strongly associated with heart disease, declined after six weeks on the alpha-linolenic acid diet. "The real news behind these two studies is that ALA by itself has been reaffirmed as a healthy dietary fat that can significantly reduce coronary heart disease (CHD) risk," says Dr. Richard Delany, M.D., F.A.C.C., and president of Personalized Preventive Medicine in Milton, Mass. "ALA works not only by preventing lethal arrhythmias (and thus sudden death) but also by acting directly in preventing the body from making pro-inflammatory compounds, thus helping in the prevention of plaque formation, heart attacks and CHD death. This anti-inflammatory action of ALA illustrates the multiple ways that ALA is able to reduce coronary heart disease risk," he says. "By simply adding a little flax oil to your cooked foods you can add a wonderful flavor while adding a heart-healthy fat to your diet," says Claire Criscuolo, owner of Claire's Corner Copia Restaurant in New Haven, Conn., the nation's longest-running vegetarian restaurant. Criscuolo further counsels people to use the right cooking oil for the right reasons. "The folks at Spectrum have created an easy-to-understand method for people to correctly cook with the right oils, called 'Cooking 1-2-3,'" added Criscuolo. Here's how "Cooking 1-2-3" works: 1) Refined for High Heat High heat cooking, such as frying or sauteing, requires refined oils that won't burn at high temperatures. When cooking oil burns or reaches its "smoke point," it begins to decompose, which can cause a loss in nutritional integrity and the healthful properties of the oil. Spectrum recommends almond, avocado, or high heat canola oil. 2) Unrefined for Flavor Unrefined oils are best used for short-term, medium heat cooking, such as sauteing or baking, or for adding a flavor component to a prepared dish. Spectrum recommends extra virgin olive, peanut, toasted sesame, corn, walnut or coconut oil. 3) Nutriments for Health Oils with nutriment qualities complement a dish by providing nutrients that nourish, promote growth or repair cell damage. These oils are best used in finished dishes, including soups, grains, hot cereals and salads or blended into dressings. They can also be taken without food, as a dietary supplement. Spectrum recommends flax, flax/borage and wheat germ oil. For more information, please visit www.spectrumorganics.com. Spectrum Organic Products Inc. (OTCBB:SPOP), the leading manufacturer and marketer of organic and natural oils and condiments in North America, was founded in 1986 by Jethren Phillips. Today, the company sells more than 175 products under the Spectrum Naturals(R) and Spectrum Essentials(R) brands, as well as industrial sizes of oils and condiments through its Spectrum Ingredients(R) division. 'Safe Harbor' Statements under the Private Securities Act of 1995: The statements contained in this release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks are described in SPOP's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Content provided by Compass Natural Marketing, Boulder, CO, www.compassnaturalmarketing.com. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/spectrum-organic-products-alpha-linolenic-acid-is-proven-to-be-heart-healthy http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-c-protects-against-stomach-cancer Vitamin C protects against stomach cancerSource: www.naturalproductsonline.co.ukVitamin C intake and fruit consumption may be linked to reduced risk of stomach cancer according to new research form the US National Cancer Institute and the Public Health Institute of Finland. The association between fruit and vegetable consumption and the risk of stomach cancer was assessed in 29,000 male smoker participants aged 50-69. The US and Finnish scientists said they had found fruit and vitamin C intake, but not vegetable consumption, reduced the risk of stomach cancer by 45 per cent. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-c-protects-against-stomach-cancer http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/red-wine-may-reduce-risk-of-lung-cancer Red wine may reduce risk of lung cancerSource: www.naturalproductsonline.co.ukResearch from the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain suggests there are benefits to lung health from drinking moderate quantities of red wine. In a hospital-based case study, 319 subjects were interviewed about their lifestyles including alcohol consumption and tobacco use. White wine appeared to contribute to an increased risk of lung cancer while red wine showed a slight reduction. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/red-wine-may-reduce-risk-of-lung-cancer http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/study-acupuncture-effective-for-arthritis Study: Acupuncture Effective for ArthritisSource: my.webmd.comAncient Practice Relieves Pain, Improves Function in Knee OsteoarthritisAn ancient Chinese medical treatment that has been used by millions of Americans finally has a stamp of approval from western medicine. In what investigators are calling a "landmark" study, acupuncture was found to reduce pain and improve movement among patients with osteoarthritis of the knee when used with other treatments.Findings from the study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, were reported at a Monday news conference and are published in the Dec. 21 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.The director of the NIH's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) called the investigation the "largest, longest, and most rigorous study of acupuncture" ever conducted. He said the 2,000-year-old practice can now be considered a "new" addition to therapies for degenerative osteoarthritis.Principal investigator Brian M. Berman, MD, of the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Maryland, said osteoarthritis of the knee was a logical choice for the large, government-funded acupuncture study because so many people with the condition have already turned to alternative medicines."(Osteoarthritis) is a big public health problem affecting many millions of people in the U.S.," he said. "It is associated with a significant reduction in quality of life and is an area where traditional medicine does not have all the answers. Adequate pain relief is often not achieved, and many drugs have undesirable side effects, especially in the elderly."Traditional Treatments Under FireThe safety of the most widely prescribed of the traditional medicines -- the pain relievers known as Cox-2 inhibitors -- has been much in the news lately. The arthritis drug Vioxx was voluntarily pulled from the market earlier this fall after a large trial linked its use to an increase in heart attacks and strokes. In another trial, reported last week, Pfizer's popular Cox-2 inhibitor Celebrex was also found to increase heart attack risk. The company says it has no plans to pull Celebrex from the market until it studies the data.Just under a third of the patients in the acupuncture trial were also taking a Cox-2 inhibitor. But study co-investigator Marc Hochberg, MD, PhD, said Monday that the Cox-2 inhibitors have not been shown to be superior to other pain relievers for the treatment of osteoarthritis.He added that recent studies suggest that side effects such as ulcers and bleeding that result from the prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen can be minimized by also taking ulcer drugs, known as proton-pump inhibitors or H2 blockers."There is actually very little indication for the use of Cox-2 selective inhibitors in managing patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis," Hochberg said. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/study-acupuncture-effective-for-arthritis http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/facial-acupuncture-gaining-ground Facial Acupuncture Gaining GroundSource: www.kansascity.comPaula Scardamalia has pins in her face - nine tiny ones angling out near her eyes, mouth and jaw. The pins were poked in to tighten chin skin and erase lines on the 52-year-old woman's face. The practice, called facial acupuncture, is becoming popular as a sort of holistic alternative to trying to turn back time through toxins or surgery."This has got to be healthier than Botox or a surgical facelift," said Scardamalia, the little needles wagging slightly.Interest in facial acupuncture might be connected to the rising popularity of alternative medicine, or to society's obsession with youth and beauty, or to the mass of aging baby boomers. Whatever the reason, acupuncturists report a wave of interest in the ancient Chinese practice."It's very hot," said Mary Elizabeth Wakefield, a New York City practitioner whose facial work now consumes about three-quarters of her practice.Acupuncturists typically stimulate selected points on the body with hair-thin pins to promote good health and alleviate pain. They view it as correcting energy imbalances along the body's "meridians," which carry an energy flow called Qi (pronounced "chee") - a concept many mainstream physicians say lacks scientific evidence.In facial acupuncture, needles are usually stuck in wrinkles and sags to bring more blood, Qi and muscle tone to an area. The theory, in a nutshell, is that a healthy face is a better-looking face."As you might imagine, facial acupuncture for, shall we say, cosmetic purposes, was not one of the core issues in ancient Chinese medicine," said Michael McCoy, executive director of the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance. "It just turns out to be an interesting application that fits a lot of cultural values of the present."Some practitioners advertise the process as an "acupuncture facelift," though more tradition-minded practitioners blanch at the term. Wakefield says that's an improper label for what amounts to an organic healing process .Marion Bergan, the licensed acupuncturist who treated Scardamalia for a demonstration, offers "facial rejuvenation acupuncture" in addition to her medical acupuncture. The 90-minute procedure includes an herbal face mask, a massage and a mild electrical stimulation. But the underpinning, so to speak, remains acupuncture.Most of Bergan's facial customers are women in their 50s and 60s. But Wakefield said her practice gets a fair share of men, too."They realize in order to keep their jobs and to get jobs, they need to look younger," Wakefield said.Patients who get over any aversion to having needles stuck in their face find out it doesn't hurt, at least not much.Bergan stuck eight needles in my face and neck with little discomfort. A needle was jabbed into the furrow between my eyes. No pain. Then laugh lines. No pain. Then my cheeks. OK, felt those. But the needles were thin and the jabs shallow.The needles were out within a half-hour, leaving no trace of pinprick wounds. Facial lines, such as they are for someone in his late 30s, were still there after a single treatment.Mary O'Connell, a 60-year-old treated by Bergan last year, said she noticed a tighter face after her sixth of 10 weekly treatments."It didn't put me back to age 16," she said. "... What it did do is take out the heavy, deep, deep lines around my cheeks and mouth and has sort of eliminated the drawn, tired look."Ten treatments ran O'Connell about $1,300. That's cheaper than a facelift. A treatment with Botox, the wrinkle-smoothing agent derived from the toxin that causes botulism, can cost around $400.While millions of Americans have had acupuncture treatments, the practice has never been fully embraced by the American medical establishment.The American Medical Association has no position on it. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health, cites on its Web site research that found evidence acupuncture is useful for managing pain, depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Proponents cite an 8-year-old study in the International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture that found a 90 percent success rate for facial acupuncture.Still, some medical professionals are dubious. Stephen Barrett, a retired psychiatrist who runs the Quackwatch Web site, compares faith in Qi and meridians to believing in ghosts."I can't think of any anatomical reason why needles in the face would affect wrinkles," he said.O'Connell said that besides making her face look younger, the process just made her feel good.Which is part of the point. Bergan said many clients are starting to visibly age and the acupuncture helps them deal with it in a healthy way."The women just need a little lift," she said. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/facial-acupuncture-gaining-ground http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/epilepsy-alternative-medicine-may-not-mix Epilepsy, Alternative Medicine May Not MixSource: my.webmd.comSome Products May Be Risky When Taken With Epilepsy TreatmentsMany people with epilepsy use complementary and alternative medical products, but some of those items may conflict with traditional epilepsy treatments. Such products can include vitamin/mineral supplements as well as herbal and natural products. They're available over the counter and are widely used for a variety of health concerns. However, those products aren't necessarily proven remedies and may have unwanted side effects. To be on the safe side, patients are encouraged to tell their doctors about any products they're taking. But that doesn't always happen, as a recent survey of 187 people with epilepsy (or their caregivers) showed. The survey was conducted by Marie Plunkett and colleagues from the University of California at San Francisco. They reported their findings in New Orleans at the American Epilepsy Society's annual meeting. More than half (56%) reported using some sort of complementary or alternative medical product. But only 68% of those patients had let their doctors know about it. They would probably be surprised to learn that some complementary and alternative medicine products might cause an increase in seizures or affect the metabolism of seizure medication. "Over one quarter of these persons used products containing ingredients with the potential to either increase the occurrence of seizures or alter hepatic drug clearance [liver metabolism]," say the researchers. Almost 14% of complementary and alternative users took products containing ingredients that had the potential to increase seizure occurrence. Those ingredients include ephedra, ginseng, evening primrose, and ginkgo, the researchers report. In addition, almost a fifth of complementary and alternative medicine users took products that could interfere with the metabolism of their epilepsy medication. St. John's wort, echinacea, and garlic might affect liver enzymes that influence the body's response to medicine, say the researchers. Vitamin/mineral supplements were the most popular products, with 83 users in the survey group. Those products weren't flagged by the researchers for possible epilepsy interactions. Most people said they took complementary and alternative products to improve general health, supplement their diet, or follow their doctor's recommendations. Only six patients said they used complementary and alternative medicine specifically to improve their epilepsy or to counteract side effects from their epilepsy medications. No life-threatening events due to complementary and alternative medicine were reported in the survey. Patients using those products weren't more likely to have frequent seizures or negative side effects from their antiepileptic drugs. Still, there is reason for caution, say the researchers. They call for more studies to weigh the risks and benefits of complementary and alternative medicine for people with epilepsy. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/epilepsy-alternative-medicine-may-not-mix http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-10-arthritis-advances-of-2004 Top 10 Arthritis Advances of 2004Source: my.webmd.comNew therapies designed to fight the biology behind rheumatoid arthritis lead the list of the top 10 arthritis advances of 2004, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Recent clinical trials show the biologic drug Rituxan, which is currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, shows promise in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Another biologic drug, known as abatacept, also appears to help those who don't respond to other rheumatoid arthritis treatments. Also high on the list of arthritis advances is the discovery of a common genetic link between immune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, diabetes, and thyroid disease. "Breakthrough advances in 2004 offer hope to people with arthritis and provide a glimpse of what is possible in the future," says John H. Klippel, MD, president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation, in a news release. "As the number of people with arthritis reaches epidemic proportions, advances in research, public health, and public policy are more important than ever to preventing, controlling, and eventually curing the nation's No. 1 cause of disability." Top Arthritis Advances In compiling its list of the top arthritis advances of 2004, the Arthritis Foundation sought input from physicians and researchers in a variety of different arthritis specialties, as well as the American College of Rheumatology, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the CDC. Here's a brief summary of their top 10 choices: New Biologic Drugs Show Promise in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Two experimental drugs that selectively target harmful immune cells involved in rheumatoid arthritis have been successful in recent clinical trials. Researchers say these drugs bring them closer to stopping the progression of the disease. In 2004, researchers showed that a brief course of treatment with Rituxan, either alone or in combination with methotrexate or cyclophosphamide, was safe and effective in relieving rheumatoid arthritis symptoms for at least six months. Other research suggested the value of using abatacept, part of a new class of drugs known as co-stimulation modulators that block the activation of a type of immune cell known as T-cells. Abatacept appears to be a useful alternative therapy for people with rheumatoid arthritis who have failed on methotrexate and/or other medications called biologic agents, which specifically target parts of the immune system that lead to inflammation, as well as joint and tissue damage. Gene Variation Linked to Autoimmune Disorders. Scientists discovered a variation in a gene linked with an increased risk for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other disorders that affect the immune system, which may explain why these conditions tend to group in families. This discovery may eventually lead to new treatments for immune disorders. Biological Marker for Rheumatoid Arthritis Found. Researchers demonstrated that more than 90% of a group of people with "undifferentiated arthritis" who tested positive on a simple "anti-CCP2" antibody blood test developed rheumatoid arthritis within three years. Such a tool may help alert physicians to those patients who may require more intensive monitoring, screening, and early treatment. Medicare Coverage of Self-Injected Medications Secured. A new law implemented in 2004 allows up to 50,000 people with Medicare who have serious and life-threatening conditions, including rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, to obtain medications at a reduced cost. The new Medicare legislation means patients who take self-injected medications, such as the biologics Enbrel, Humira, and Kineret, can save thousands of dollars on medications to improve their arthritis. Effectiveness of Weight Loss and Physical Activity Confirmed. New research showed that exercise and diet together significantly improve physical function and reduce knee pain from osteoarthritis of the knee in people over age 60 that are overweight or obese compared with either therapy alone. Antibiotic Slows Osteoarthritis Progression. Research showed that an antibiotic, doxycycline, which is used to treat a variety of infections, also inhibits the breakdown of joint cartilage in osteoarthritis. Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act of 2004 Introduced. The first arthritis-specific legislation in more than 30 years expands the federal government's efforts to prevent, treat, and find a cure for arthritis. First Set of Quality Indicators for Arthritis Pain Treatment Introduced. Fifty-one measures of quality health care for people with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or anyone using pain medication were introduced in 2004 by a multidisciplinary panel of nationally recognized experts New Treatment Effective in Slowing Bone Erosion. Data reported in 2004 show the potential value of a new drug based on new insights about bone biology. AMG 162 is a human antibody designed to block an inflammatory chemical (RANKL) that contributes to the destruction of bone in people with a variety of conditions including osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and those taking corticosteroids. Measures Mandated to Prevent Wrong-Site Surgery. It is estimated that one in five orthopaedic surgeons will operate on the wrong site in his or her career. To improve patient safety, preoperative surgical site marking became mandatory in U.S. hospitals and surgical centers. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-10-arthritis-advances-of-2004 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/wonderful-walnuts Wonderful WalnutsSource: www.50connect.co.ukWalnuts offer a natural source of omega-3s, which are good for heart health and linked to a reduced risk of cancer.More...Walnut RecipesA Handful Of Nuts A DayPeanuts Keep The Heart HealthyNutritious Pecans Walnuts are one of the most nutritious whole food sources of alpha-linolenic acid, an essential omega-3 fatty acid. Research shows including walnuts in the diet can improve vascular, or blood vessel, function which can aid in the prevention of heart disease and stroke, and walnuts can lower cholesterol levels, including LDL or "bad" cholesterol.Walnuts are one of the few foods, and the only nut that fulfils the daily requirement of omega-3s. Omega-3s are essential for optimal function of every cell in our bodies but since our bodies can't produce this 'good' fat, we have to get it from the foods we eat. A daily intake of 1.6 and 1.1 grams of omega-3s for men and women respectively is recommended. With 2.5 grams of omega-3s, just one ounce, or a handful, of walnuts more than fulfils this requirement. Promising research from Penn State University showing that a diet rich in alpha-linolenic acid improves blood vessel function was reported recently at the American Heart Association's 5th Annual Conference on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. Lead author Dr. Sheila G. West suggested that "the special kind of fatty acids that are present in walnuts can improve the function of arteries and allow them to dilate better."Walnut consumption has been proven to significantly lower total cholesterol levels as well as LDL or "bad" cholesterol levels, and clinical studies have already proved that omega-3s reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Several studies, including the Nurses' Health Study, have shown that eating nuts reduces the risk of myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death, and omega-3s seem to protect against developing irregular heart rhythms.Other studies suggest omega-3s may also help prevent certain cancers and ease some of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Omega-3s are also good for the brain, and eating nuts helps lower the risk of developing gallstones.Walnuts are an easy way to incorporate omega-3 fatty acids into a daily diet since they can conveniently be included in any meal, from breakfast to dessert, and they taste good. You can enjoy them as a healthy snack, add them to salads or toss them in your yogurt. You can lightly roast them, add them to cooked vegetable dishes, use them in stuffing recipes or incorporate them into home-made breads and cakes. Many researchers cite the special combination of nutrients in walnuts as accounting for these beneficial effects. In addition to providing a significant concentration of omega-3s, walnuts are packed with many vitamins, minerals, protein, fibre, melatonin, L-arginine and several other important nutrients, which fight disease. A U.S. Department of Agriculture study of food antioxidants noted that walnuts have a particularly high concentration of antioxidants. Walnuts are not a low-calorie food, but they are protein-rich and have no cholesterol or trans fat.Considered an essential food for good health because they contain so many vital nutrients, walnuts are a great alternative omega-3 source if you're a vegetarian or simply don't want to eat fish as frequently as recommended. "Walnuts are an excellent plant source for omega-3 fatty acids, which makes them a good addition to your diet if you are interested in reducing risk of cancer and other chronic diseases," said Jeff Prince, vice president for education at the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR). With recent news about toxins in certain fish sources of omega-3s, the AICR recommends walnuts as an alternative beneficial source of this critical nutrient that is deficient in many diets. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/wonderful-walnuts http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/an-omega-3-and-omega-6-diet-could-enhance-breast-cancer-treatment An Omega-3 and Omega-6 Diet Could Enhance Breast Cancer TreatmentSource: www.medindia.netA new study shows a diet rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may enhance response to the drug tamoxifen in breast cancer patients. Researchers say they studied mice to determine the effects of a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids.For the study the animals were divided into four groups. The first received a diet rich in omega-6 fatty acids with a placebo. The second received a diet rich in omega-6 fatty acids along with the drug tamoxifen. The third received a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids along with a placebo. The fourth received a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids along with tamoxifen treatment.It was observed that the animals that received a diet rich in omega-6 fatty acids and tamoxifen had a 66-percent tumor growth inhibition when compared to those on placebo. Mice on the diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and a placebo had about a 48-percent tumor growth inhibition. Those that received a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids along with tamoxifen had a nearly 80-percent tumor growth inhibition.Researchers say the results of their study have significant clinical implications, suggesting that dietary interventions could be effective at enhancing therapeutic response to a subset of breast cancer tumors resistant to endocrine therapy due to aberrant growth factor signaling. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/an-omega-3-and-omega-6-diet-could-enhance-breast-cancer-treatment http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/diet-is-key-if-you-want-to-avoid-prostate-cancer- Diet is key if you want to avoid prostate cancer.Source: www.50connect.co.ukFive times more men die of prostate cancer in the United States than in Japan. In fact, the incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer are significantly higher in the United States when compared to most Asian countries. Why? The answer, as research suggests, can most likely be found in the diet and lifestyle differences found across the globe. The Men's Health Index: Health resources for menYour Health: All your health problems explained In general, Americans consume approximately 40 percent of total calories from fat, where fat intake in China and Japan is considerably lower, at 10 to 20 percent. The Asian diet is characteristically rich in fish and plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and soy foods, while the typical Western diet consists of significantly more processed, or 'convenience' foods, and animal products. Evidence overwhelmingly suggests that it is healthier to have a diet low in fat particularly saturated or animal fat, and high in fruits, vegetables, fibre, and soy protein. Fat Facts Fat has been studied more thoroughly and linked more frequently to cancer than any other factor in our diets. Studies of the vast cultural differences in diet first identified total fat intake as a factor directly associated with the incidence of prostate cancer. The incidence of prostate cancer has increased significantly in the 20th century right along with the increased intake of red meat and hidden fats in oils, margarine, butter, and processed baked goods. Saturated Fats While the evidence does support a diet that is on the whole low in fat - as low as 10 to 20 percent total calories from fat—more recent research suggests that the type of fat you consume can also make a difference. Several studies have found a direct association between saturated fat intake from meat and dairy products and prostate cancers. Saturated fats are animal in origin, such as fatty meats (i.e., beef, veal, pork, lamb), whole-milk dairy products, and butter. Even leaner animal products such as chicken or turkey can serve up a lot of saturated fat if you are choosing pieces with skin or dark meat. Unsaturated Fats On the other hand, unsaturated fats are derived mainly from plants and fish. The two types of unsaturated fats include monounsaturated fats, which include fats from olive oil, canola oil, avocados, and peanuts and polyunsaturated fats such as omega-6 fatty acids from vegetable oils and fish and flax seeds. While all types of unsaturated fats have been shown to help cardiovascular health by lowering levels of LDL or 'bad' cholesterol in the blood, laboratory tests have suggested that trying to increase omega-3 fatty acids while decreasing sources of omega-6 fatty acids can help control stimulation of tumour growth in prostate cancer. Trans-Fatty Acids Trans-fatty acids are unsaturated fats that have been chemically modified to become saturated and seem to carry the same risks as saturated fats where cancer and heart disease are concerned. These fats are found mostly in margarine and processed snacks or baked goods, which list “partially hydrogenated oil” as one of the first ingredients on the food label. Overall, in the fight against prostate cancer, your goal should be to lower the total fat in your diet - specifically saturated fats, omega-6 fatty-acids and trans-fats, while incorporating some omega-3 fatty acids for their potential protective effects. Here are some tips for lowering your fat intake: Eliminate fried foods. Use low-fat cooking methods. Use cooking spray or a nonstick pan instead of oil. Grill, broil, roast, or poach fish and poultry. Trim all visible fat before cooking. Choose only low-fat or fat-free dairy products. A low-fat product means there is no more than 3g of fat per serving and a “fat free” product has no more than ½ gram of fat per serving. Eliminate fatty meats like hot dogs, marbled meats and dark meat poultry. Try and limit consumption of red meat to no more than once per week or once per month - or simply avoid these meats altogether. Eliminate fatty foods like cream sauces, poultry skin, cream soups, nuts, chocolates, gravies. Choose tomato-based sauces and soups instead of cream varieties. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/diet-is-key-if-you-want-to-avoid-prostate-cancer- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/swanks-late-night-protein-diet SWANK'S LATE-NIGHT PROTEIN DIETSource: www.contactmusic.comOSCAR winner HILARY SWANK piled on 8.6 kilograms (19 pounds) of muscle to play a boxer in CLINT EASTWOOD's new movie MILLION DOLLAR BABY by guzzling egg whites and protein shakes in the middle of the night.The BOYS DON'T CRY star trained for four-and-a-half hours a day, six days a week for three months to get into fighting-fit shape for her role as MAGGIE FITZGERALD, and that meant upsetting her sleep patterns.She explains, "To gain the actual muscle I had to eat about 210 grams of protein a day. There was a point where I could only eat 50 grams of carbohydrates a day."Just to give you an example of that, an eight ounce glass of apple juice has 30 grams of carbs in it. It was challenging and it was a really strict diet. I was drinking egg whites."I needed nine hours of sleep a night for my body to be able to recover. Your muscles have to rest. But I couldn't go that long without eating so I had to wake up and drink protein shakes." Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/swanks-late-night-protein-diet http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/prostate-cancer-and-pancreatic-cancer-new-studies-indicate-improvement-with-pc-hope Prostate Cancer and Pancreatic Cancer: New Studies Indicate Improvement with PC HopeSource: www.emediawire.comStudies show that for people with pancreatic cancer and men with prostate cancer, PC Hope is associated with significant improvements in quality of life, reductions in patients’ pain rating, and a decline in PSA levels for prostate cancer patients—all without major side effects.(PRWEB) December 9, 2004 -- PC Hope, an herbal supplement from Nutrition 2000, has not only shown significant improvement for prostate cancer patients, but also has shown antiproliferative and apoptotic (cell death) effects with pancreatic cancer.In a pancreatic cancer study, eight human pancreatic cancer cell lines were exposed to PC Hope. Cell proliferation effects on the cell cycle and the mode of cell death were analyzed. In vivo effects were also studied in an intraperitoneal mouse model. PC Hope displayed inhibition of cell growth in all eight pancreatic cancer lines. Three-hour exposure to PC Hope led to a significant absolute increase in the cell cycle fraction. Cyclin B1 levels were downregulated in all pancreatic cancer cell lines after 24 hour exposure to PC Hope. After 24 hours of PC Hope exposure DAPI positive apoptotic nuclear formations were seen in 20% to 46% of pancreatic cancer cells. The studies ultimately showed that PC Hope mediates powerful and deadly effects against an array of pancreatic cancer cells. In vivo activity has led to a significant survival advantage, but no curative prognosis to date. PC Hope’s promising remedy for pancreatic cancer, qualifies for phase I clinical testing. With the cancer as a leading cause of death in the United States, Nutrition 2000 is truly optimistic.The prostate cancer studies also yielded encouraging results. Led by two European doctors, Dr. U. Kratzer of the Urology Clinic in Trostberg, Germany, and Dr. B. Pfeifer of the Aeskulap Cancer Center in Brunnen, Switzerland, the prostate cancer studies concluded that the herbal blend in PC Hope significantly reduces PSA and pain of metastatic disease, which can improve the quality of life for prostate cancer patients without the harmful side effects that accompany other treatment methods. The first study revealed that 60% of the 84 prostate cancer patients reported improvement of at least 30% in their overall daily functioning. The second study indicated that about two-thirds of the hormone refractory prostate cancer patients responded with a greater than 50% reduction in their serum PSA levels. Moreover, at least 20% of the prostate cancer patients responded not only with a durable PSA decline under the PC Hope formulation therapy, but also showed evidence of decreasing volume of primary prostate cancer and metastases. Experts say that current therapeutic regimens for prostate cancer have only shown temporary palliative benefits without increasing patient survival rate, and most of these palliative therapies have significant side effects. Prostate cancer patients with such negative prognoses are more likely to seek alternative treatments, including herbal remedies. Among such remedies, PC Hope has gained popularity due to reports about its benefits for hormone refractory prostate cancer patients. The results of both prostate cancer studies verify some of those claimed benefits. Larry Pope, President of Nutrition 2000, says, “The results of these studies are promising and show that PC Hope is an effective alternative for prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer patients. We want the public to be educated and know about the benefits of PC Hope. It is part of a comprehensive care program with a particular protocol, and should not be perceived as a magic bullet on its own.”About Nutrition 2000 Nutrition 2000 offers some of the world's finest natural health products, herbal remedies, alternative medicines, and supplements for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, Candida, and more. Stocking a carefully selected range of products made from the highest quality herbal extracts and pharmaceutical-grade nutrient powders, they provide alternative natural remedies to combat illnesses and common ailments. Nutrition 2000 delivers their message and products to the United States, United Kingdom, and other countries around the world.For more detailed information concerning these studies on pancreatic or prostate cancer or to learn more about PC Hope, please visit www.nutrition2000.com or call 1-800-558-9697. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/prostate-cancer-and-pancreatic-cancer-new-studies-indicate-improvement-with-pc-hope http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/meditech-collaborates-with-international-cancer-drug-expert Meditech Collaborates with International Cancer Drug ExpertSource: www.pharmalive.comBiotechnology company Meditech Research Limited (ASX: MTR) today announced that it has initiated a collaboration with Professor Kazuhiko Arimori at the Miyazaki Medical College Hospital in Miyazaki, Japan. Professor Arimori is a world expert on the metabolism of irinotecan – one of the most widely used colorectal cancer drugs – and, through the collaboration, will investigate the effects of hyaluronic acid on the levels of irinotecan in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of rats. Meditech anticipates that the collaboration will provide insights into the mechanism by which hyaluronic acid reduces the toxic effects of cancer drugs. These insights will support and extend the observations from the company’s recently completed Phase I study of HyCAMPTM – Meditech’s proprietary formulation of irinotecan with hyaluronic acid – where it saw evidence of reduced GI toxicity in colorectal cancer patients. In particular, patients showed a lower than expected incidence of severe diarrhoea, one of the most common side effects seen in patients treated with cancer drugs such as irinotecan. Meditech announced earlier this month that it has begun a Phase II clinical study of HyCAMP in colorectal cancer patients. “We are excited to work with a scientist of the caliber of Professor Arimori,” said Associate Professor Tracey Brown, Meditech’s Research Director. “Professor Arimori conducted many of the studies supporting the original approval of irinotecan and so is the ideal person to carry out the HyCAMP™ studies.” Research work under the collaboration will be conducted at the Miyazaki Medical College Hospital in Japan and the Hyaluronan Research Laboratory at Monash University in Melbourne. About HyCAMP HyCAMP is Meditech’s proprietary formulation of irinotecan (Camptosar®) with hyaluronic acid. It has previously been tested in a 12-patient, uncontrolled Phase I study, the results of which were presented at the 29th Congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) in October 2004. Although the number of patients in the Phase I study was not sufficient to draw any firm conclusions, treatment with HyCAMP showed a trend towards improved safety with maintained efficacy. A Phase II study is currently underway. HyCAMP is the subject of a development and commercialisation agreement with Danish company Novozymes Biopolymers A/S. Novozymes Biopolymers is a 100% owned subsidiary of Novozymes A/S, the biotech-based world leader in enzymes and microorganisms. With its head office in Denmark, Novozymes employs more than 3,900 people in 30 countries. (For further company information visit Novozymes on the Internet at www.novozymes.com.) Under this agreement, Meditech and Novozymes are collaborating in the development of advanced formulations of HyCAMP. In addition, Novozymes is providing funding for the Phase II clinical study. Meditech has the right to commercialise intellectual property arising from the collaboration in the fields of human and veterinary pharmaceuticals, while Novozymes has the commercialisation rights for cosmetics and nutraceuticals. For products developed under this agreement, Novozymes will be the exclusive supplier of hyaluronic acid. About Meditech Meditech is an Australian biotechnology company focused on developing and commercialising drugs that improve the health and quality of life of patients with cancer and other chronic diseases. The company has internationally recognised expertise in carbohydrate-based therapies, particularly products based upon the glycosaminoglycan, hyaluronic acid. Building on this expertise, Meditech has created its patented HyACT (Hyaluronic Acid Chemotransport Technology) platform which it is applying to the development of improved formulations of cancer drugs. In addition to HyCAMP, Meditech has taken the anti-cancer products HyDOX (doxorubicin and hyaluronic acid) and HyFIVE (5-fluorouracil and hyaluronic acid) into clinical testing. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/meditech-collaborates-with-international-cancer-drug-expert http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/a-facelift-in-your-lunch-hour A facelift in your lunch hourSource: www.telegraph.co.ukThe latest weapon against wrinkles is an injectable treatment that lifts and fills – the results are almost instantaneous, discovers Lisa Reich Most (honest) people's idea of growing old gracefully isn't embracing each wrinkle like a friend, but rather heading it off at the pass (the soaring sales of beauty products are testament to this). And if a wrinkle manages to sneak up on you, then you try to blast it off the face of your epidermis with Bush-like zeal.Creams and moisturisers, all those promises-in-a-jar, are not the answer. "I get asked all the time what moisturiser is best and my answer is always, just use the one that makes you feel good," says Penelope Tympanidis, consultant dermatologist at Renascene Facial Aesthetics in London. "An over-the-counter product can't make a significant difference because it can't penetrate dermal layers. If it could, it would be on prescription. So really, it doesn't matter if you spend £1, £10 or £200."Surgery, of course, can work miracles. It grabs time in a headlock and forces it to retreat decades. But lifting and implants are expensive, the procedures traumatic. And then there is the little problem of what to do if you hate your new look.But as of last week, there is a new weapon available in the war against wrinkles. Restylane Sub Q, the latest from Swedish skincare laboratory Q Med, is an injectable treatment that fills and lifts, and it is being hailed as something of a breakthrough."Sub Q can alter facial contour, rather than just filling lines or folds," says cosmetic surgeon Rajiv Grover. "I've been using it since March and it has proved effective in a way which previously I could only have achieved with surgery."It is made from non animal stabilised hyaluronic acid gel – a tissue-friendly substance that occurs naturally in the body. It's versatile and once inside the skin, the practitioner can move and mould it to get the desired look and lift. The effects are gratifyingly immediate and, unlike surgery, it can be carried out in a lunch hour.Sub Q lifts the skin by plumping from within, says Mr Grover. It can last up to 18 months, so while beauty trends come and go, you won't run the risk of being stuck with something you loathe. In the past few months, I've been feeling that age has caught up with me – my skin is thinner, softer, crêpier and a lot more "south" than it used to be – so I decide to give Sub Q a try. Penelope Tympanides, who carries out my treatment, is efficient, honest and reassuringly beautiful. "I'm very cautious," she says, handing me a mirror. Patients are required to tell her in their own words what they dislike about their faces so that she can gauge whether expectations are realistic. "I'm good, but I don't have a magic wand. I can't make you 10 years younger, but I can probably make you look like you did 10 years ago."That's good enough for me. Tympanidis draws on my face, marking the areas she will treat. She leads me to a large mirror, stands behind me and pulls back and lifts my skin with her fingers to show me what the result will be.She suggests just one injection for both sides of my face – more dramatic results would entail one in each side and I can come back later if that's what I want. A local anaesthetic, probably the most uncomfortable part of the whole procedure, is applied to the entire face. After 20 minutes or so, my face is numb. Tympanidis is humming happily to herself as she takes the needle and the Sub Q out of its packaging, and even though I know I won't feel a thing, the sight of the glinting sabre she's flicking with her nail makes me a bit anxious."Is that needle five inches?" "At least – and it's a canella not a needle." "You say it so... casually.""I know. I'm cool, huh? OK now, so lie still, please."It might have been the mother of all needles/canellas, but I did not feel it enter my flesh. In fact, I have had more painful bikini waxes. The photographer fares less well and almost drops his camera, grabbing my foot for support."Always the men," says Tympanidis.The results are hard to gauge immediately after the procedure, because of swelling. "I look a bit hexagonal," I say. Tympanidis just waves off my worries and says to come back two days later, on Thursday.By then, my skin is plumper and firmer and I look less tired. What I love most are my cheekbones, which seem higher and more defined. One woman I know tells me I look great and, for once, I can't be bothered to disagree. Penelope Tympanidis, Consultant Dermatologist, Renascene Facial Aesthetics, 19 Wimpole Street, London W1G 8GE. Tel: 020 7462 0030. Mr Rajiv Grover, Consultant Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon, 144 Harley Street, London W1G 7LE. Tel: 020 7486 4301. For information about Sub Q and Restylane, and to find your nearest practitioner, tel: 0800 015 5548 or see www.restylane.com 13 August 2004[Health]: A few pointers for a new face [Facial acupuncture] 12 August 2002[Health]: A facelift for the fainthearted Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/a-facelift-in-your-lunch-hour http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/anti-aging-supplements-mean-taking-leap-of-faith Anti-aging supplements mean taking leap of faithSource: www.contracostatimes.comQ: What can you tell me about an anti-wrinkle dietary supplement that contains hyaluronic acid? I have heard that it replenishes water in the system that is lost in the aging process. It is sold in 20-milligram capsules. Is this as effective as it is advertised to be? Any information you could give would be greatly appreciated.A: I am not a plastic surgeon or an esthetician, but I can provide some background on hyaluronic acid and the claims of what it might accomplish as a dietary supplement.We are all aging, and I am at a point in life where the "getting older" process is one I have come to welcome. I am unsure whether this is borne of inevitability, but I have found that aging is accompanied by an ongoing opportunity to grow and gain wisdom from life's experiences and to share and learn from others. The physical manifestations of aging are another issue. Perhaps it is a control issue, as this is one thing over which we ultimately have little say. Some choose to counter the march of time through healthful eating and staying mentally and physically active to help maintain vital body tissues.One of the most visible signs of aging is the shrinkage factor, or the loss of tissue volume, which can be particularly noticeable in the face. Habitual muscular movements tend to become more evident in various folds and wrinkles. Aside from plastic surgery, there are popular treatments that involve injections to interrupt normal muscle contours of the face or to fill in the face and its folds. These changes are cosmetic, but they have increased in popularity. One of the substances used is hyaluronic acid, a compound that is actually produced in our bodies. This substance is present in soft tissue, such as skin and cartilage, and is also present in the fluids in our eyes and in synovial fluid that lubricates joints. The physical structure of hyaluronic acid has a water-holding, gel-like lubricant quality that helps it perform its tasks in the body. Physicians sometimes administer hyaluronic acid via injection directly into joint areas with severe problems.The issue here is that we are not talking about hyaluronic acid made by the body to suit its own needs or the compound purposefully injected to have a direct effect on a site where a problem exists. Your question involves taking this substance as a dietary supplement. The assumption is that this product will be absorbed intact and that it will preferentially go to the intended location and have the desired anti-wrinkle effect. That is massive leap of faith, not science. What happens when a substance is injected does not translate to the same effect when taken as a dietary supplement. There is no evidence, nor reason to believe, that hyaluronic acid as a dietary supplement will have any anti-wrinkle abilities. Simply because such claims exist in tandem with convincing testimonials does not make them valid.Q: Your column on calcium and milk brought back memories from the '70s, when I was buying books on nutrition for the library I worked at. I encountered the statement in several books that (as I recall) fat was needed to metabolize milk. It was in a diet book that called for smoothies made with nonfat milk and vegetable oil. (Yuck!) I eventually traced the tale to one of nutritionist Adele Davis' books. Although Davis scrupulously documented statements like "People need vitamins," she gave no source for the dictum on milk and fat. Davis died shortly afterward. I hadn't heard the statements about milk for years, but apparently they are still around.A I have found that every time the topic of milk comes up, it awakens the opinion from those who take issue with homogenization, pasteurization, vitamin D fortification, etc., that milk is only OK to drink if you are a calf. And all of this countered by the "pro" milk forces who have well-funded chapter-and-verse to match any "anti" argument. It is always a challenge to inform while not fanning the flames. I remember reading Adele Davis and thought her commonsense approach to focus on the nutrients in real food was a good starting point. There were some definite issues when she endeavored to fill in the scientific blanks, and the nonfat-milk-plus-vegetable-oil issue was certainly one of them. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/anti-aging-supplements-mean-taking-leap-of-faith http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/nutrition-bad-girl- Nutrition: Bad girl!Source: www.timesonline.co.ukIt's cold and dark outside, you're feeling miserable and your natural instinct is to reach for the chips. Amanda Ursell tells you why - and what you can do to avoid the winter stodge Some animals hibernate as a means of making it through the cold winter months. Humans, on the other hand, have developed other survival mechanisms, one of which is to eat more. Winter weight gain is hardly surprising: scientists estimate that we tuck away about 7% more calories in winter than at other times of the year. In the past, this served us well, providing the extra calories we need to keep warm and fuel the more strenuous efforts required in hunting for food. In today’s western culture of central heating and a 24-hour, plentiful food supply, however, this seasonal urge to eat more is simply another obstacle in the continuing battle to control our weight. And the problem does not end there. As the days get shorter, we are exposed to less sunlight and so produce less of the feelgood, appetite-suppressing brain chemical serotonin. This, in turn, stimulates an urge to eat fast-release carbohydrate foods, such as piles of toast, chunks of cakes, biscuits, sweets and puddings, to boost serotonin levels as the body attempts to self-medicate its way to a better mood. This is particularly relevant for the 1 in 25 adults who suffer from seasonal affective disorder (Sad), a condition caused by low serotonin levels during the darker months, which results in seasonal extreme lows in mood. The news gets worse still. Research has also shown that we have a tendency to eat more when it is darker. This is purely psychological — it is why restaurants turn down the lights (to get you to eat more and, thus, spend more). Scientists believe the explanation is that we lose our inhibitions around food when we feel others cannot see exactly how much we are eating. Next time you think about scoffing a chocolate bar on the way home from work, bear in mind that nobody may be watching, but the calories still count. And, of course, there is a tendency to stay in more during the winter evenings, which potentially has two effects on our energy balance. First, it means we are not burning calories while out and about, taking a walk or playing with the children out-of-doors. We opt instead to curl up in front of the television or the computer. Second, not only have these activities been shown to burn even fewer calories than sitting and reading (our bodies appear to go into a kind of comatose state, which demands an even lower energy burn), but it frequently leads to mindless telly-snacking, during which, nutritionists have revealed, hundreds of extra calories can be unwittingly consumed. But knowledge — as ever — is power. If you know the pitfalls, then you can work around them. It is instinctive to crave more food in winter and to want steaming-hot, filling dishes, so why not make or buy healthy versions of warming soups, casseroles, stews and tasty puddings such as baked fruits that satisfy your senses without causing you to pile on the pounds? Keep a stock of low-calorie telly snacks, such as frozen berries that can be defrosted, heated and served with a big blob of low-fat yoghurt. Carry a variety of ready-to-eat dried fruit with you to dig into if the dark nights usually send you heading for the vending machine on the way home. Or just grab a skinny cappuccino or latte for a low-calorie warm drink. If you suffer from Sad, ward off the temptation to overeat by taking serotonin boosters, such as St John’s wort, and by eating lower-calorie, slow-release carbohydrates, such as porridge, which boost this brain chemical naturally. Also, make a serious effort to get active, even though you may be tempted to curl up and sofa-surf. Physical activity not only burns calories but boosts feelgood endorphins to help counteract a fall-off in serotonin. If you still crave food, it is worth trying the natural supplement Zotrim, which is based on South American herbs. Studies show that it slows down stomach emptying and keeps you feeling fuller for longer. Finally, book a January beach holiday. There is nothing like the thought of baring all in a bikini to keep your hand out of the biscuit barrel. Seek medical advice before taking St John’s wort if you have been taking the contraceptive pill for several years, if you are taking prescription antidepressants, or if you are taking warfarin Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/nutrition-bad-girl- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/mrsa-cured-by-vitamin-c MRSA Cured by Vitamin CSource: press.arrivenet.comI am unable to understand why, after publication of the evidence I submitted on 30th July quoting the two papers on the efficacy of ascorbate in killing MRSA in Japanese research by Nakanishi T. and available on Entrez PubMed, no interest at all has been shown. Could it not be the case that non-toxic IV ascorbate would provide an instant solution to these infections and many others, and may one ask why it has not been done? There is not even a negative paper to be found in the literature on the subject of multigram doses of ascorbate IV - only many successes and positively beneficial sequelae. The prompt resolution of many bacterial and viral infections by ascorbate IV have been reported by Klenner F and others from 1949 onwards. If the public has to wait much longer as the death rate mounts, might not MRSA patients start discharging themselves from hospitals in order to start injecting themselves? I would. -Sydney J Bush PhD. DOpt. (IOSc. London) Competing interests: None. Sydney J Bush PhD.,DOpt. (IOSc., London) Optometrist & Contact Lens Practitioner The Hull Contact Lens and Eye Clinic. also....Anti-Coronary Clinics (UK) Ltd. Yorkshire CardioRetinometry facility. 20-22 Brook St. HULL East Yorkshire. ENGLAND HU2 8LA Tel 0044 (0) 1482 223131 (fax 227636)MRSA = Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus now killing thousands world-wide.Additional note by Dr Bush: CardioRetinometry is the new speciality of monitoring heart and other diseases electronically via the eye vessels and recording their reduction through nutrition e.g., ascorbate. This is the new name for vitamin C, known for 50 years to be probably less toxic than water, but denied or ignored by physicians. CardioRetinometry clearly and instantly reveals that over 95 % of people suffer from chronic sub-clincal scurvy which is difficult for general medical practitioners - but not optometrists - to diagnose electronically using advanced camera/microscopes. Hull 25th December 2004# # #Letter in eBritish Medical Journal 29th November 2004 Reducing MRSA on orthopaedic wards From Dr.Sydney J Bush PhD. DOpt. (IOSc. London) Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/mrsa-cured-by-vitamin-c http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/benefits-of-water-therapy Benefits of Water TherapySource: www.zwire.comI would like to point out for others who may be suffering the same ailments that I do the benefits of aquatic therapy. Since my back surgery, plus other ailments and all the pain associated with it, I have been undergoing therapy at the YMCA pool. Advertisement The benefits have been great. It helps with the pain, it gives me mobility, strength and flexibility to my joints, muscles, tissues, ligaments and nerves.There are unique physical properties of the water. The heated water with resistance and buoyancy decreases the gravitational forces placed on my body during exercising.It's less painful because of the lack of gravity. It increases tissue temperature and helps assist with circulation, helps reduce swelling and improves cardiovascular and respiratory conditions.The relaxing effects of immersion in water also improve my psychological well-being, and the water has a massaging effect.I've seen it help others, too, with the way people walk, improving coordination, decreasing pain, muscle spasm and stiffness.Through research I found many people could benefit with a specially designed water exercise program.Water aerobic is beneficial to people suffering from orthopedic problems (joint problems, arthritic, muscle strains, sprains, disc problems, reconstructive surgery), neurologic problems (multiple sclerosis, stroke), acute or chronic pain, cardiac problems, pregnancy and exercise-induced asthma.I want to thank Laurel Highland Physical Center for all their help, their caring and competent staff, especially Dr. Amy Bencic, who first evaluated my impairments and then designed a personal water aquatic therapy program suitable to meet my needs so that I would receive the most out of the program. For now, they use the pool at the YMCA, which also has water aerobic and arthritic classes available.I would also like to mention Dr. Klain's medicine practice for being so attentive to my problems and directing me to the physical therapy. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/benefits-of-water-therapy http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/getting-to-point-of-alternative-therapy Getting to point of alternative therapySource: news.scotsman.comJESSE walks with pain and a stick. In her mid-50s, she lives in the country and finds getting about in Edinburgh difficult because of the cobbles, which jolt at every step. Osteoarthritis in her left hip is now preventing her from gardening. She takes two painkillers, with glucosamine for her joints, cod liver oil for her circulation, garlic to ward off seasonal ailments, and something for high blood pressure. As well as this, she has had acupuncture for her hip, when she was abroad and wants more, as she is too young for a hip operation. Acupuncture? Why acupuncture? What good is sticking pins in someone with osteoarthritis, which happens when the bones rub against each other because the cushioning cartilage between them has deteriorated? It’s one of the oldest known degenerative diseases, and modern medicine usually helps people with osteoarthritic hip problems by operating on the hip. I have another new patient in her 80s who has now had two operations on each of her hips - she’s still hobbling. Why does she think acupuncture can help? Research by scientists in the United States has concluded acupuncture can reduce pain and improve mobility in arthritis patients by 40 per cent. A total of 570 patients aged 50 and older with osteoarthritis of the knee took part in the 26-week study. They were randomly assigned one of three treatments - genuine acupuncture, "sham" acupuncture, or a self-help course that teaches patients to manage their own condition. They also continued to receive their normal medical care, including anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers. By the end of the trial, the volunteers receiving acupuncture found pain was reduced by about 40 per cent and function improved by almost 40 per cent. Acupuncture is a traditional oriental therapy that aims to improve the overall wellbeing of the patient, as well as treat the specific complaints the patient is concerned about. Chinese philosophy says our health is dependent on the body’s motivating energy - known as Qi - moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of meridians (channels) within the body. FOR any number of reasons, Qi may become unbalanced. By inserting fine needles into the channels of energy, an acupuncturist can stimulate the body’s own healing response and help restore its natural balance. To assess how the energies are flowing in an individual’s body, an acupuncturist with traditional Chinese training is likely to ask a number of questions, and assess the patient’s energy from how they look, sound, behave, walk and so on and will probably feel the pulses on both wrists, noting their quality, rhythm and strength. The structure, colour and coating of the tongue also give a good guide to physical health. Acupuncture is only one part of traditional Chinese medicine, others include cupping (placing heated cups over the skin to encourage blood flow, which Gwyneth Paltrow recently brought to public notice), ear acupuncture, moxibustion (a method of warming the body using herbs), guasha (a method of moving the body’s energy and blood) and massage. An acupuncturist will have an understanding of Chinese medical philosophy and theory, which can be applied to almost any condition, from the common cold to meningitis, infertility to depression, skin disease to respiratory problems and migraine to arthritis. It also helps an acupuncturist understand the causes of disease. Acupuncture is a powerful method for helping many conditions, using a system that has been developed and safely tested over thousands of years. Chinese medicine has very few side effects and most of those are desirable, like sleeping better, having more energy, being more positive, and coping with the stress of everyday life better. Acupuncture may not be suitable for everyone, because sometimes there is a more appropriate alternative, such as herbs or homeopathy, but acupuncture can help most people, and reduce suffering and prolong life in many terminal conditions. Does it hurt? The answer is yes, a little, but much less than giving blood, for example. Once the needle has been inserted, you should feel something, more like a slight ache, a tingling or heaviness, when the needle starts to work. In most cases, without this the treatment is less successful. Anyhow, people wouldn’t keep coming if they didn’t think it was worth it. Chinese medicine and acupuncture approaches everyone as an individual, a practitioner won’t use the same acupuncture points for everyone with the same disease. Which points are used depends on the specific health condition and the patient. AN acupuncturist will also offer lifestyle and dietary advice so you can help yourself to maintain good health. How do you find someone properly trained in this wonderful system of medicine, at last receiving its due recognition? Be careful to choose an acupuncturist who is registered with a professional body such as the British Acupuncture Council. BAcC members have an extensive training in acupuncture and bio-medical sciences appropriate to the practice of acupuncture in the UK. Look out for the letters MBAcC after the practitioner’s name as this shows membership of the BAcC. A patient’s personal relationship and rapport with their practitioner is important. You need to find a practitioner you feel comfortable with, who understands what you want from treatment and who can explain clearly the benefits acupuncture can offer. As for Jesse, the woman in her 50s who found it difficult to get round Edinburgh, three days after the first treatment she said the pain initially got slightly worse, then got considerably better. Seven days after the next treatment she was less sore and much better at night and she’d managed to visit and walk around a large foreign city (also with cobbles) with much more energy than usual. At the next treatment, four days later, she said that she had now had five days without pain at all, until she went Christmas shopping, after which she ached that night. And the stick? I never saw it after the first session. • Jonathan Clogstoun-Willmott is director of the Edinburgh Natural Health Centre. He is a member of the Society of Homeopaths and of the British Acupuncture Council Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/getting-to-point-of-alternative-therapy http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/cherie-blairs-alternative-therapy-to-rid-her-of-negative-energy- Cherie Blair's alternative therapy to rid her of 'negative energy':Source: www.newkerala.comBritain's first lady, Cherie Blair, has reportedly hired a heath guru to help her get rid of the 'negative thought patterns in her mind.' The therapist, Lilias Curtin, taps her patient's thought patterns and believes problems ranging from anxiety to insomnia can be cured by tapping on the body to ' unblock' negative thoughts, reports The Daily Mail. Insiders reveal that Cherie has been visiting Mrs Curtin on a regular basis for several months after being introduced by Carole Caplin, her style and fitness consultant. "Cherie started going to see Lilias in the early autumn," said a source close to the Prime Minister's wife. She had been recommended by Carole Caplin, who apparently sends quite a few of her clients to her," the report quoted an insider as saying. "It's no secret that Mrs Blair is a big fan of alternative therapies, and it may well be that Lilias Curtin has taken over from the late Jack Temple in offering Mrs Blair the sort of remedies she is interested in," the source added. (ANI) Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/cherie-blairs-alternative-therapy-to-rid-her-of-negative-energy- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/study-some-vitamin-e-fights-cancer Study: Some vitamin E fights cancerSource: www.southbendtribune.comThe form of vitamin E found in many plant seeds -- but not in most manufactured nutritional supplements -- might halt the growth of prostate and lung cancer cells, according to a Purdue study.A team led by Qing Jiang has found that gamma-tocopherol, which occurs naturally in walnuts, pecans and sesame seeds, and in corn and sesame oils, inhibits the proliferation of lab-cultured human prostate and lung cancer cells.The vitamin's presence interrupts the synthesis of certain fatty molecules called sphingolipids, important components of cell membranes.However, the gamma-tocopherol leaves healthy human prostate cells unaffected, which could give it value as an anti-cancer agent. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/study-some-vitamin-e-fights-cancer http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/leafy-green-vegetables-may-prevent-cataracts Leafy green vegetables may prevent cataractsSource: www.medicalnewstoday.comEating leafy green vegetables may help prevent cataracts, according to a new study in the December 2004 edition of the Journal of Nutrition. What did the study show? The study showed that substances found in leafy green vegetables helped to protect eye cells from damage by ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light is thought to be a cause of cataracts. What are cataracts? A cataract is a condition in which the lens of the eye clouds over. The cataract is like frosted glass, making your vision blurred. See below for more information about the causes, symptoms and treatment of cataracts. What is the lens? The lens is a clear tissue that is found behind the iris, the coloured part of your eye. The lens helps your eye to focus on what you are looking at. What do we know already about protecting the eyes? Vitamin E is thought to protect the eye from the development of diseases. Vitamin E is mainly found in plant products, such as vegetable oils, soybeans, broccoli and leafy green vegetables. It is an antioxidant. What are antioxidants? Antioxidants are substances that are thought to "mop up" molecules called free radicals in the body. Free radicals are produced by the body's normal chemical reactions. Free radicals are thought to damage body cells, which may lead to the development of diseases such as cancer. So mopping up free radicals may stop the damage they cause. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/leafy-green-vegetables-may-prevent-cataracts http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/breakthrough-retinal-photos-confirm-vitamin-c-pills-can-reverse-artery-disease Breakthrough: Retinal Photos Confirm Vitamin C Pills Can Reverse Artery DiseaseA new diagnostic technique can access coronary heart disease risk (CHD) suggested by universal retinal arterial atheroma, previously thought irreversible. Physicians have overlooked, and Optometrists were not expecting that vitamin C would have this benefit. This effect was accidentally found and linked to the vitamin C that contact lens wearers had agreed to take. We have increasingly noticed it since 1999 using retinometry in the Hull Contact Lens and Eye Clinic. Such a discovery requires urgent evaluation.(PRWEB) December 17, 2004 -- Given that arterial disease is the leading cause of death in developed countries, doctors have employed different technologies to ascertain the onset and severity of cardiovascular disease. Since 1851 when the first ophthalmoscope was developed, doctors have been able to directly view arteries at the back of the eyes. Years later, pictures of the retinal blood vessels were taken which helped eye doctors diagnose and chart the progression of various eye disorders. Then, beginning in the 1960s cardiologists began injecting dye into blood vessels and viewing an x-ray fluoroscope to find arterial blockages throughout the body. Angiograms, as they care called, usually aren’t obtained until symptoms of arterial disease are apparent. But when eye researchers revealed this past July in the British Medical Journal that narrowing of small arteries at the back of the eyes precedes the development of high blood pressure, it opened up a new non-invasive way of detecting systemic artery disease. Retinal photos could detect hypertension long before blood pressure rises. But what are doctors to do with this discovery? Prescribing medications to adults before they actually develop hypertension would not be advisable. Then Dr. Syd Bush, a PhD and Doctor of Optometry in East Yorkshire near London, wrote a letter to British Medical Journal editors citing his experience prescribing vitamin C for arterial disease based upon retinal photographs he had taken with a digital retinal camera. In the course of his practice of placing patients on vitamin C to prevent or treat contact lens problems, Dr. Bush serendipitously discovered high-dose vitamin C reversed arterial disease, and he had the photographic evidence to prove it. Dr. Bush’s letter could be historic. If Dr. Bush is correct, millions of strokes, heart attacks, and coronary artery operations could be avoided with early supplementation with vitamin C. Dr. Bush calls this new approach to cardiovascular health CardioRetinometry. Retinal photograph taken in 2002 (left) reveals artery disease (vessel narrowing, drop out of some vessels). Retinal photo (right) taken in 2004 after daily vitamin C supplementation confirms retinal arteries have widened and some reappear.But is the medical community ready to embrace such a simple technology that would prevent much of the cardiovascular disease being treated today? The worldwide figures are staggering – 600 million have hypertension. The World Health Organization says some 20 million strokes occur each year. Two million angiographies are performed annually in the US. Virtually every adult over age 40 is at risk for arterial disease. Angiography is much too expensive to be a screening tool (~$2000). Dr. Bush’s retinal photographs could be a cost-effective breakthrough.Insurance plans don’t pay for retinal photos without an indication. But the public can afford to pay, out of pocket, to have retinal photos taken during eye exams. Progression or regression of retinal artery narrowing can be monitored. It will take the world some time to fathom what Dr. Bush has revealed. Vitamin C Therapy Misunderstood Mega-dose vitamin C has been misunderstood, says Dr. Bush. With the revelation that vitamin C has a half-life of about 30-minutes in the human body, a fact recently documented by two other British researchers, Drs. Steve Hickey and Hilary Roberts of Manchester, emphasizes the need to take repeated doses of vitamin C throughout the day to maintain blood concentrations. Hickey and Roberts book, Ascorbate: The Science of Vitamin C (www.lulu.com/ascorbate), reveals vitamin C concentrations can reach many times greater concentration than previously thought possible, a fact now confirmed by National Institutes of Health researchers themselves in independent studies. A more recent study, just published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, an analysis of nine previous studies, further confirms vitamin C supplement users, those who consume more than 700 milligrams per day, have a 30% reduced risk for coronary heart disease compared to non-supplement users. A report in 1992 mistakenly claimed that more than 200 milligrams of daily vitamin C is worthless because excesses are excreted in the urine. That errant report has likely resulted in the otherwise avoidable loss of millions of lives. It began in 1998 Dr. Bush began utilizing advanced retinal photographic technology in 1998. He claims every human being has scurvy, a frank deficiency of vitamin C. Animals produce their own vitamin C and don’t develop age-related arterial disease as do humans, Dr. Bush notes. Small aneurysms, bulging areas that indicate weak artery walls, can also be reversed with vitamin C. This suggests many thousands of cases of brain or aortic aneurysms can possibly be remedied with supplemental vitamin C. After a time Dr. Bush judged that over 90% of patients with arterial disease can be improved with 3000 milligrams of vitamin C per day, but some need over 10,000mgs/day supplemented with extra vitamin E. Even hard calcifications could be remedied over a two-year period of vitamin C supplementation. Dr. Bush says he can even visualize a fine white line, a silver wire appearance, that runs down almost every artery of adults who have high cholesterol. The silver line disappears with vitamin C therapy.Dr. Bush’s CardioRetinometry Logo Dr. Bush has already been the victim of some dirty tricks, in this case a false accusation that he placed the name of a physician on one of his CardioRetinometry brochures without the doctor’s permission, but that allegation soon disappeared. He fears cardiologists will retaliate in some fashion over a technology that could turn many of them into cab drivers. Dr. Bush has been interviewed on television and radio and his website ( http://www.hullcontactlensclinic.co.uk/cardior.htm ) has been flooded with inquiries. He mulls over how entrenched medical authorities will attempt to maintain the status quo. One approach could be the upcoming limitation on doses of vitamins and minerals now being established by a world trade body called Codex. If Codex can limit vitamin C pills to no more than a few milligrams, it will be more expensive to practice vitamin C therapy. Dr. Bush doesn’t anticipate the medical profession to readily begin taking retinal photographs and prescribe vitamin C. But the public can choose to have photos taken and evaluate vitamin C therapy on their own. Maybe patient-driven medicine is just what is needed, he says. Dr. Bush claims when Dr. Linus Pauling’s book, Vitamin C And The Common Cold, was published in 1970, vitamin C consumption rose by 300% and the rate of cardiovascular disease began to decline thereafter. It could happen all over again, says Dr. Bush, to an even greater extent. Imagine a world without the plague of cardiovascular disease. It now appears within reach. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/breakthrough-retinal-photos-confirm-vitamin-c-pills-can-reverse-artery-disease http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-e-can-halt-prostate-and-lung-cancer-study- Vitamin E can halt prostate and lung cancer: Study:Source: news.newkerala.comA new study, conducted by scientists at the Purdue University, has found that the form of vitamin E found in many plant seeds, but not in most manufactured nutritional supplements, might halt the growth of prostate and lung cancer cells. They found that gamma-tocopherol, which occurs naturally in walnuts, pecans, sesame seeds, and in corn and sesame oils, inhibits the proliferation of lab-cultured human prostate and lung cancer cells. The vitamin's presence interrupts the synthesis of certain fatty molecules called sphingolipids, important components of cell membranes. However, the gamma-tocopherol leaves healthy human prostate cells unaffected, which could give it value as an anticancer agent. The study, which has been published in the journal 'Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,' however said that because most nutritional supplements contain only alpha-tocopherol, a different form of vitamin E that alone does not have these anticancer properties, it may be better to supplement the diet with mixed forms of vitamin E. The researchers indicated that gamma-tocopherol inhibits inflammation, which had already been implicated in cancer development. They theorized that it might retard the progress of cancer and cardiovascular disease, and to test their hypothesis they exposed cultures of cancerous prostate and lung cells to the vitamin. Normal prostate epithelial cells were used as a control group. They said that the vitamin could be used to target lung and prostrate cancer cells without the damaging side effects of chemotherapy. The study also revealed that gamma-tocopherol caused cell death by interrupting sphingolipid synthesis. (ANI) Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-e-can-halt-prostate-and-lung-cancer-study- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-supplements-boost-muscle-mass-in-senior-citizens Vitamin D supplements boost muscle mass in senior citizensSource: www.newstarget.comElderly people who get supplemental vitamin D in their diets have stronger muscles than those who don't, based on evidence from studies funded by the Agricultural Research Service. The findings underscore the importance of getting adequate vitamin D for the prevention of falls among the elderly. An estimated one-third of people over age 65--and up to half of those over age 80--are injured in falls each year. Bess Dawson-Hughes is director of the Bone Metabolism Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston, Mass., and is also a physician and nutrition specialist. She, along with colleagues in academia and medicine, researched the five major vitamin D clinical trials conducted with older populations during the last 43 years. The researchers' analysis revealed that among more than 1,200 participants studied in controlled trials during those decades, elderly people fell down 22 percent less often if they took vitamin D supplements. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-supplements-boost-muscle-mass-in-senior-citizens http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/nutritional-supplement-helps-ease-depression Nutritional Supplement Helps Ease DepressionSource: www.forbes.comAdding the nutritional supplement SAMe to common antidepressants may help depressed patients who haven't responded to single-drug treatment.That's the conclusion of a Massachusetts General Hospital study in the December issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology.The study found that treatment with both SAMe and an antidepressant either improved or completely relieved depression symptoms in the majority of patients.SAMe (S-Adenosy-L-Methionine) is a substance found in every human cell and is a commonly used dietary supplement, the researchers said.This study included 30 people who continued to have significant depression after more than a month of treatment with antidepressants such as Prozac, Effexor and Paxil. Over the six-week study, the patients took SAMe along with their antidepressant.The patients started by taking 400 milligrams of SAMe two times a day. After two weeks, that was increased to 800 milligrams of SAMe two times a day. At the end of the study, half the patients had significant improvement in their symptoms and 43 percent had complete remission of their depression.The study was funded by Pharmavite LLC, which makes nutritional supplements and vitamins.The researchers noted that the study had many limitations. It was a small study that lacked a control group and the subjects knew they were taking an active dose of SAMe. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/nutritional-supplement-helps-ease-depression http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/zinc-supplement-can-save-75-000-childrens-lives Zinc supplement can save 75,000 children's livesSource: www.thedailystar.netScientists working on 'zinc supplement' for treatment of diarrhoea yesterday announced it can save the lives of 30,000 to 75,000 under-five children a year in Bangladesh both as a treatment for diarrhoeal illness and by preventing future infectious diseases. Zinc treatment not only reduces the duration of diarrhoea but also prevents its recurrence and strengthens the immune system, they said. On a global scale, zinc treatment could effectively prevent diarrhoeal diseases, saving the lives of some 400,000 children under five a year, the scientists thought. Disclosing the findings of their research at a press briefing in Dhaka, the scientists said zinc treatment reduces the severity and duration of diarrhoea as well as the likelihood of its recurrence and the need for hospitalisation. The researchers worked on management of childhood diarrhoea with the micronutrient for the last 24 years at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease and Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B). The ICDDR,B's research is supported by the WHO and Unicef recommendations for use of zinc in the treatment of acute or persistent diarrhoea. Leading child specialists also favoured zinc supplement saying it has many benefits. National Professor and chief of the Institute of Child Health, Shishu Hospital, M R Khan was present as one of the panelists at the briefing. "If zinc is taken with oral saline, it enhances 20 per cent chances of survival from diarrhoea," he observed. The researchers also said zinc treatment seems to have a positive impact on pneumonia, which is another major cause of child mortality in developing countries. The WHO-Unicef recommendations for the treatment of diarrhoea include providing children with zinc for 10 -14 days (20 mg a day for children aged six months to five years or 10 mg a day for children aged 2 to 6 months. The ICDDR,B has developed a way to deliver the exact daily dosage of zinc in dispensable tablet form. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Social Marketing Company, Nutriset, Roedel Pharmaceutical Laboratories and Square Pharmaceuticals cooperated in the process. The tablets are distributed in blister packs containing a complete course of treatment. Low-cost blister pack will cost Tk 15 as against Tk 30 for the same dose in syrup form. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/zinc-supplement-can-save-75-000-childrens-lives http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/calcium-supplement-claims-may-be-overstated Calcium supplement claims may be overstatedSource: www.twincities.comQ. In your recent column on calcium, you said to count only the amount of "elemental" calcium in supplements. I take coral calcium. Is it superior to other calcium supplements? What percentage of it is elemental calcium?A. I see it's time for an update on coral calcium. Since last year's columns helping to expose the facts about this overhyped supplement, coral calcium products are still being heavily advertised and promoted as a special or better form of calcium.Remember the notorious coral calcium TV infomercials from years past? The FTC and the FDA finally stepped in and charged the makers and promoters of the Coral Calcium Supreme product with falsely claiming the product could treat or cure cancer and other diseases like lupus, multiple sclerosis and heart disease.The feds also sent warning letters to operators of some Web sites that promote coral calcium treatments.To answer your first question, there's no evidence that coral calcium is superior to other calcium supplements, despite its exotic-sounding hype. If free of excessive lead and other contaminants, it should be comparable to other calcium carbonate supplements — no better, no worse.To your other question: Coral calcium is primarily calcium carbonate. (Product labels may say just "calcium.") Elemental calcium makes up 40 percent of calcium carbonate.To get 1,200 mg of elemental calcium (the RDA for adults older than 50), you'd need to take 3,000 mg of a calcium carbonate product.Another popular form of calcium is calcium citrate. Elemental calcium makes up only 21 percent of this calcium compound. Getting 1,200 mg of elemental calcium would require 5,700 mg of a calcium citrate product.Adequate calcium is important to help ward off osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become weak and prone to breaking.Remember to count both dietary and supplemental sources in adding up your total calcium intake.Milk, cheese, yogurt, and calcium-fortified orange juice are easy dietary sources of calcium. For example, an 8-ounce glass of skim milk provides about 300 mg of elemental calcium.You also need adequate amounts of vitamin D to help the body absorb and use calcium. A typically recommended daily amount is 400 IU (provided by standard multivitamin-mineral products).Q. Have you heard any information about Bob Barefoot's Coral Calcium Supreme giving refunds to people who bought via his TV infomercial?A. In 2003, the FTC said it would ask that restitution be made to consumers who bought this product. This process may be stalled in the bureaucratic maze for no telling how long, but I'll stay tuned for updates.A final tip about too-good-to-be-true claims made for loosely regulated dietary supplement products: Promoters carefully craft their pitch to push our gullibility buttons. Be skeptical of purported claims until you've confirmed them through independent sources of evidence-based information. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/calcium-supplement-claims-may-be-overstated http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/overweight-have-a-cup-of-tea- Overweight? Have a cup of tea!:Source: www.newkerala.comChinese herbalists claim they have demonstrated the efficacy of tea in reducing fat in the human body, reports Xinhua.Research conducted by the Guiyang Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine shows tea drinkers on an average have less fat on their bodies and have lower risk of obesity than those who never drink tea."The average fat level in those who've been drinking tea for 10 years is 20 percent less than non- drinkers," said Shao with the hospital based in the southwestern Guizhou Province.The slimming effect of the traditional Chinese drink is more obvious in women as they were found to have 30 percent less fat and five percent less in the belly region compared with women who didn't drink tea, said Shao.Shao and his colleagues also found green tea to be more effective than black tea in reducing fat."But those who suffer from iron-deficiency anemia should avoid drinking tea during meals and insomniacs should stop drinking in the evening", said Shao. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/overweight-have-a-cup-of-tea- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/move-over-botox-theres-a-new-facial-treatment-in-town Move Over Botox, There's a New Facial Treatment in TownSource: www.14wfie.comGenetics, sun damage, smoking and how we laugh or frown can all be blamed for etching lines into our faces. Bovine collagen used to be the wrinkle-filler of choice, but had the potential to cause allergic reaction and its results were short-lived. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new substance that many dermatologists are finding more promising. Linda Doerflein says she's not looking to have an extreme makeover, but she does want to enhance her features. She's having a dermatologist soften what some refer to as the "marionette lines" near her mouth. The injectable filler called Hylaform gel contains hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring sugar in the body that adds volume to the skin. Dermatologist Dr. Naji Tawfik says, "It's almost the mortar upon which the other structures of the dermis are laid, like the collagen and elastic fibers." A topical cream Dr. Tawfik put on Linda two hours before the procedure makes these injections less painful. Dr. Tawfik says, "I go under the line into the dermis and inject that material carefully to lift the skin up and replenish that compound, the hyaluronic acid that Linda had normally before and over the years we all tend to lose a little bit of it." This synthetic version is made from bird tissue. Hyaluronic acid is the same compound in every species. Unlike collagen, there's very little chance for allergic reaction. Results are usually immediate and last anywhere from four to six months. Dr. Tawfik says,"The same unwanted effect, which is short longevity, is also a good advantage because if there is a side effect with it in terms of if it is not placed properly in the area or over-correction, this does not last very long." Linda thinks she'll have a better idea of what the skin near her mouth looks like once the swelling goes down. You can judge for yourself if there's enough of a difference to justify the cost. One syringe of hylaform gel sells for $350 and it takes a full syringe to treat each area of the face. Besides wrinkle-reducing, hyaluronic acid can also be used to augment the lips, which can be more painful. And you only want a dermatologist to inject it because if someone less qualified hits a blood vessel you could have permanent discoloration, scabbing or scarring. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/move-over-botox-theres-a-new-facial-treatment-in-town http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/greying-hair-provides-clue-to-skin-cancer Greying hair provides clue to skin cancerSource: www.dailymail.co.ukScientists have discovered the root of the problem of greying hair. A gradual loss of colour-regenerating stem cells appears to be responsible, they said. But knowing why we go grey is not likely to lead to miracle "youth" treatments anytime soon. The American researchers say a more important aspect of the work is that it might lead to new ways of fighting skin cancer. Deadly disease They made the discovery while investigating the origins of malignant melanoma, the most deadly form of the disease. Members of the team from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children's Hospital in Boston studied populations of ageing mice. As the animals' fur turned grey, stem cells in their hair follicles diminished in proportion to the loss of colour. The stem cells were a type which normally develop into melanocytes, the cells providing the hair's pigment. At the same time pigmented melanocytes appeared in the follicle at the wrong place, making them useless for tinting the hair. When the scientists examined human scalp tissue from people of increasing age, they found the same pattern. The research suggests that melanoma is, in a sense, the flip-side of the going-grey coin. The cancer is caused when melanocytes in the skin proliferate uncontrollably to form tumours. Anti-death gene Team leader Dr David Fisher, director of the Dana-Farber Programme in Melanoma, said: "Preventing the greying of hair is not our goal. Our goal is to prevent or treat melanoma, and to the extent this research is revealing the life cycles of melanocytes, which are the cells that become cancerous in melanoma, we would love to identify a signal that would make a melanoma cell stop growing." A clue has been found in the form of an "anti-death" gene called Bcl2, the researchers report in the journal Science. Mice lacking the gene lost their melanocyte stem cells shortly after birth and quickly and dramatically went grey. It may be that people who go grey prematurely have mutations which knock out Bcl2, Dr Fisher speculates. "This tells us there is a requirement for Bcl2 in normal hair follicle cycling," said Dr Fisher. "So the question is: what in the hair follicle is signalling the stem cells that is absent when ageing occurs and the stem cells die off ? "Now we have a much more refined way of dissecting that signalling pathway in melanoma. Eventually we hope to tap into this death pathway, thereby using drugs to mimic the ageing process, to successfully treat melanoma." The team also genetically engineered mice lacking a gene called MITF that regulates Bcl2. These mice also went grey, but more gradually than mice with no Bcl2. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/greying-hair-provides-clue-to-skin-cancer http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/mend-bodys-imbalances-with-acupuncture Mend Body's Imbalances With AcupunctureSource: www.rednova.comBODY BOOSTERS * Ancient Chinese practice gaining in acceptance and popularity Is your medicine cabinet starting to look more crowded than Emeril's spice rack? Maybe you're tired of paying for and popping pills that don't seem to work. Perhaps you're worried you'll be stuck taking some of these meds for the rest of your life. It might be time to look into whether acupuncture can help balance your body -- and clear out your medicine cabinet. Acupuncture is increasingly becoming an accepted and popular way for people to not only treat their aches and pains, but also to get at the root of what ails them, say two local practitioners. "A lot of people toward middle age are starting to have a lot of pain over the body. Neck and back pain is a major complaint, especially among those whose jobs involve repetitive motion," says Cindy Wu, a doctor of Oriental medicine at Chinese Natural Therapy in Albuquerque. Patients often come to her because "they've been trying all kinds of medications, even steroid injections, and they still don't feel good," Wu says. Acupuncture is often the last resort, she adds. "We're trying to get people to think of us earlier, because we treat the root of the problem and not just the symptoms, so you get a more solid result."Acupuncture has been around for more than 5,000 years and its purpose is to locate and remedy imbalances of the body, Wu says. The Chinese believe the body is a matrix of electromagnetic energy flowing through circuitry referred to as meridians. Each of the 12 main meridians is related to an organ or function. Super- thin needles are inserted into the skin in certain channels or meridians along which the body's energy, or chi or qi (pronounced "chee"), flows. According to Chinese medical theory, "illness arises when that cyclical flow of the qi becomes unbalanced or blocked," says Susan K. Turner, a doctor of Oriental medicine at Alternative Family Healthcare in Albuquerque. The purpose of acupuncture is to restore that balance by unblocking or redirecting the qi. Bonus benefits In 1997, the National Institutes of Health issued a statement that acupuncture has proven "promising" in treating postoperative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting, and in postoperative dental pain. In addition, the institutes said acupuncture may be useful in treating addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and asthma. Balancing the body, as opposed to masking the problem or simply treating the symptoms, can lead to bonus benefits, Wu says. "For example, we had a woman coming in for lower back pain, so we did a lower back treatment, and later, her periods became regulated," she says. "She had a lot of cramps and pains, and that's not the main reason she came in, but because we're treating the body for imbalance, it gets other symptoms, which can be a bonus or surprise."In a typical visit, acupuncturists take a detailed medical history from the patient. They take a pulse, then check the patient's tongue. The tongue's size, color, coating and other indicators help indicate the body's health, Turner says. Some acupuncturists also will palpate key points on the body to check for tenderness. "We're going to treat the whole person," she adds. "We're looking at the spiritual, mental and emotional elements. When people are stressed, they're going to get heartburn or what have you."Once the acupuncturist decides on a diagnosis, he or she usually concentrates on eight to 20 points on the meridian. Very fine, disposable needles about the width of a hair are inserted at those points to "try to communicate with the energy and to attract the energy to certain points and reguide the energy," Wu says. In scientific terms, the needles stimulate the release of neurotransmitters and endorphins, which are the body's natural painkilling hormones, Turner says. "Endorphins also play a big role in the function of the hormonal system, which is why acupuncture works well for PMS or infertility."Substances that are released as a result of acupuncture not only relax the whole body but also regulate serotonin in the brain, which plays a role in emotions, Turner adds. "That's why depression is often treated with acupuncture."A typical session lasts 20 to 60 minutes, once or twice a week, depending on the treatment. Patients usually see positive results within one to four treatments, Turner says. Most patients find acupuncture relaxing, even to the point of dozing off. "The patient usually comes out enjoying it very much," Wu says. How many visits the patient requires depends on the nature of the problem and how long the patient has had it. Strictly regulated Acupuncturists also use Chinese herbal remedies to treat problems and to encourage patients to be proactive. "The whole idea is to maintain your balance," Wu says. Chinese herbs used in conjunction with acupuncture encompass more than 5,000 substances derived from plants, animal and mineral sources, Turner says, making for "an incredibly rich and powerful system of medicine."One of the benefits is the low risk of adverse reactions, she adds. "Unfortunately, with medications, you're often treating only the symptoms, or you're stuck on the medication forever."Turner says many people see their acupuncturist several times a year for a tuneup or maintenance. Acupuncture has gained acceptance and popularity in the United States in the past 10 or 12 years, partly because of the National Institutes of Health studies and because patients have found success with the treatments and are demanding the service, says Wu, who has practiced for 19 years. New Mexico is at the forefront of requiring strict credentials of doctors of Chinese medicine, Wu adds. All acupuncturists here must pass national and state board exams. "It's not just a certificate."Send questions about supplements and alternative medicine to Patricia Gabbett Snow at bodyboosters@ aol.com or Albuquerque Journal Boomer, P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, NM 87103.Source: Albuquerque Journal Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/mend-bodys-imbalances-with-acupuncture http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/ms-sufferer-swears-by-bee-sting-therapy Ms Sufferer Swears by Bee Sting TherapySource: news.scotsman.com mother-of-two who suffers from multiple sclerosis claims 36 bee stings a week help to improve her condition.Paula Cooke, 40, endures the treatment three times a week and is stung up to 12 times each session.She began the unconventional treatment three months ago after her father spotted it on the internet.Mrs Cooke, of Terrington St Clement, Norfolk, who has battled with MS for 15 years and has no movement from her waist down, credits the bee venom therapy with helping her to regain some movement.She recently found she could move some of her toes.The bees are collected in a jar by her mother, Jillian Fisher, from a local beekeeper.Ice is placed on her back and legs to dull the pain and then the bees are taken from the jar with tweezers and put on to her skin.Mrs Cooke now wants other MS sufferers to know about the benefits of the bee sting therapy.But experts warned that the treatment could be dangerous, causing allergic reactions that could prove fatal.An MS Society spokesman said anyone tempted to try the alternative therapy should consult his or her doctor first.“No clinical trials have been carried out into the treatment and there is no scientific evidence to support it,” a spokesman for the MS Society said.“MS is a very variable condition. Its symptoms can vary or change and so therefore sometimes its difficult to know whether or not the intervention is responsible for the change or whether it’s part of the natural disease process.“Anybody who is looking to try this, or any other alternative, unconventional therapy, should first check with their doctor or neurologist before they embark on it,” he said.It is thought that the treatment works by stimulating the body’s immune system which produces the natural painkiller cortisol and reduces the effect of an existing condition. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/ms-sufferer-swears-by-bee-sting-therapy http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/too-much-vitamin-c-not-good-for-diabetics-hearts Too Much Vitamin C Not Good for Diabetics' HeartsSource: www.paktribune.comOlder women with diabetes who take high doses of vitamin C for the sake of their hearts may be doing more harm than good, new research suggests. The study, which followed nearly 2,000 postmenopausal women with diabetes for 15 years, found that those who took heavy doses of vitamin C supplements -- 300 milligrams (mg) a day or more -- were roughly twice as likely to die of heart disease or stroke compared with women who took no supplemental C. The researchers did find statistically weak evidence that lower supplement doses -- up to 99 mg per day -- curbed the risk of cardiovascular death, and high intakes of vitamin C from food were not related to a greater risk of death from cardiovascular causes. The findings appear in the November issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. According to the researchers, their results suggest that taking supplements to correct the lower blood levels of vitamin C commonly seen in diabetes is not necessarily the right choice. And though the research focused on older women, the findings may apply to men as well, according to the study's senior author. "Our results, if confirmed by other research, would suggest that diabetics should be more cautious than others about taking supplements," says Dr. David R. Jacobs Jr., of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. That additional research is important, Jacobs cautioned, because public health recommendations cannot be made on the basis of one study. The current recommended dietary intake for vitamin C is 90 mg a day for men and 75 mg per day for women. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize potentially cell-damaging substances known as oxygen free radicals, which are a normal byproduct of metabolism. While the vitamin is clearly necessary for good health, studies have garnered conflicting results on whether supplements help lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. In addition, Jacobs and his colleagues note in the report, although people with diabetes often show subnormal vitamin C levels in their blood, it remains unclear whether using supplements to raise those levels has health benefits. For their study, the researchers recorded deaths from cardiovascular disease among 1,923 postmenopausal women who had diabetes at the study's start. At the outset, the women completed surveys on factors that sway cardiovascular disease risk, including diet, exercise levels, high blood pressure and smoking habits. Over the next 15 years, women who reported taking 300 mg or more of vitamin C each day had just over a two-fold higher risk of dying from coronary artery disease or stroke than women who did not take vitamin C pills. According to Jacobs, past lab research offers some potential explanations for the findings. For example, vitamin C has been shown, in the test tube, to damage cell proteins in the same manner that high blood sugar harms diabetics' body cells. Jacobs also pointed to the complexity of the "antioxidant defense system." When antioxidants interact with free radicals, he explained, they become "pro-oxidants" that must be detoxified by other antioxidants. It's possible, Jacobs speculated, that this detox process happens more slowly in diabetics -- both women and men -- and that under certain circumstances, the altered vitamin C molecules are able to harm body cells. Jacobs said he and his colleagues favor getting vitamin C, along with the full complement of nutrients, from food rather than supplements. Whereas the antioxidants in the food may be "balanced biochemically," the researchers write, any vitamin pill would lack such balance. Taking high doses of a single antioxidant, they speculate, may "perturb" the body's balance of antioxidants and pro-oxidants. The findings follow study results reported last week showing that high daily doses of another antioxidant, vitamin E, may not extend life, and instead may slightly raise the risk of dying earlier. End. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/too-much-vitamin-c-not-good-for-diabetics-hearts http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/hormone-replacement-therapy-connected-to-stroke-risk Hormone Replacement Therapy Connected to Stroke RiskSource: health.dailynewscentral.netHormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been linked to an increased risk of stroke, especially ischemic stroke, according to a review of scientific trials published online at bmj.com. These results support previous studies that have suggested a connection between HRT and stroke. 29% Increase Researchers at the University of Nottingham reviewed the evidence from 28 completed trials involving 39,769 individuals. They assessed the risk of stroke by type, severity and outcome. Hormone replacement therapy was associated with an overall 29% increase in the risk of stroke, especially ischemic stroke, which is caused by an insufficient blood supply to the brain. The severity of stroke also increased with hormone replacement therapy. Cause Unclear It remains unclear why HRT should increase ischemic stroke and its severity when some previous studies have suggested it might have a protective effect, say the authors. However, given these findings, HRT cannot be recommended for the primary or secondary prevention of stroke, they caution. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/hormone-replacement-therapy-connected-to-stroke-risk http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/research-backs-chamomile-teas-health-benefits Research Backs Chamomile Tea's Health BenefitsSource: health.dailynewscentral.netBritish researchers have found new evidence that chamomile tea, a centuries old cure-all for all manner of ailments, actually may offer health benefits, including relief for cold symptoms and menstrual cramps. Their study is scheduled to appear in the January 26 issue of the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, one of the Society’s peer-reviewed journals. ACS is the world’s largest scientific society. More Evidence for Popular Natural Remedies“This is one of a growing number of studies that provide evidence that commonly used natural products really do contain chemicals that may be of medicinal value,” says study leader Elaine Holmes, Ph.D., a chemist with Imperial College London. “The healthcare industry is placing increasing emphasis on functional foods including natural remedies, yet little work has been conducted on the long term effects of such products on human biology.” The herbal plant used in this study was German chamomile (Matricaria recutita), also known as manzanilla, whose flowers and leaves are brewed as a fragrant, flavorful tea. The study involved fourteen volunteers (seven women and seven men) who each drank five cups of the herbal tea daily for two consecutive weeks. Daily urine samples were taken and tested throughout the study, both before and after drinking chamomile tea. Increased Antibacterial ActivityThe researchers found that drinking the tea was associated with a significant increase in urinary levels of hippurate, a breakdown product of certain plant-based compounds known as phenolics, some of which have been associated with increased antibacterial activity. This could help explain why the tea appears to boost the immune system and fight infections associated with colds, according to the researchers. Drinking the tea also was associated with an increase in urinary levels of glycine, an amino acid that has been shown to relieve muscle spasms. This may explain why the tea appears to be helpful in relieving menstrual cramps in women, probably by relaxing the uterus, say the researchers. Sedating EffectGlycine also is known to act as a nerve relaxant, which may also explain why the tea seems to act as a mild sedative, the scientists note. Glycine supplements are sold in stores for that purpose, they add. Levels of both hippurate and glycine remained elevated for up to two weeks after the study participants stopped drinking the tea, indicating that the compounds may remain active for quite some time, according to the researchers. Additional studies are needed before a more definitive link between the tea and its alleged health benefits can be established, they emphasize. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/research-backs-chamomile-teas-health-benefits http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/tanners-have-higher-vitamin-d-levels-bone-mass Tanners Have Higher Vitamin D Levels, Bone MassSource: www.reuters.co.ukPeople who try to stay bronze with the help of a tanning bed tend to have higher blood levels of vitamin D than those shun the salon, according to a new study.The findings, say the study authors, suggest that a regular appointment at the tanning salon may have health benefits -- though they and other experts don't recommend that people start tanning in order to boost their vitamin D levels.The study of 156 adults found those who regularly soaked up the artificial rays of a tanning bed had a 90 percent higher average vitamin D concentration in their blood. The tanners, who frequented the salon at least once a week for 6 or more months, also had greater bone density in the hips.The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, was partially financed by the UV Foundation, which is funded by the Indoor Tanning Association, an industry group.A precursor to vitamin D exists naturally in the skin, and exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays touches off a chemical process that creates the usable form of the vitamin. Because vitamin D is needed for proper calcium absorption, the nutrient is vital to bone health. There is also a body of research suggesting vitamin D helps protect against certain cancers and some autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis.But the fact that UV radiation is the major cause of skin cancer, as well as the major source of vitamin D, has made for a controversy over how much sun -- or artificial sun -- people should get.The senior author on the new study, Dr. Michael F. Holick of Boston University School of Medicine, has for some time advocated that people spend a short amount of time outside, without sunscreen, several days a week -- with the amount of time depending on factors such as latitude and a person's skin sensitivity.For a white person in Boston, that might mean 10 minutes in the sun, while a darker-skinned person would need longer exposure."I'm not an advocate of tanning," Holick told Reuters Health in an interview, noting that some people -- those with particularly sun-sensitive skin that never tans -- should avoid tanning salons.However, Holick said, the new findings indicate that there is a "health benefit above and beyond feeling good" from tanning beds that emit UVB light, the form of UV radiation that triggers vitamin D production.Moreover, Holick said, the results add to research showing that many Americans may be low in vitamin D. A number of studies have found fairly high rates of vitamin D deficiency in the U.S., particularly among African Americans, who need more UV exposure to produce the vitamin.Among the 50 tanning-salon patrons in Holick's study, 8 percent were deemed deficient in vitamin D, compared with 41.5 percent of non-tanners.But dermatologists, concerned about skin cancer, balk at the idea that many Americans need to increase their UV exposure for the sake of vitamin D.The American Academy of Dermatology advises people to avoid outdoor activities when the sun's rays are strongest -- between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. -- and to wear sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher whenever they're outside. The group has also urged a ban on the use of tanning equipment for non-medical purposes."You get plenty of UV light in your normal daily activities," said Dr. Darrell S. Rigel, a clinical professor of dermatology at New York University in New York City.Even when protected with sunscreen, he noted in an interview, the skin still absorbs UV rays and churns out vitamin D.Anyone concerned about getting enough of the nutrient, Rigel said, can get more by taking vitamin supplements and from vitamin D-fortified milk or other dietary sources of the vitamin. Some cereals and juices are also D-fortified, and fatty fish such as salmon and tuna are natural sources.With UV radiation known to be a carcinogen, Rigel said, "there's no reason to go to a tanning bed."Holick said that people who do not wish to get more sun should take supplements to increase their vitamin D levels, as it may be tough to consume enough milk and fatty fish.SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, December 2004. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/tanners-have-higher-vitamin-d-levels-bone-mass http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-boosts-calcium-absorption-treats-psoriasis-prevents-osteoporosis-and-breast-cancer-interview-with-dr-michael-holick Vitamin D boosts calcium absorption, treats psoriasis, prevents osteoporosis and breast cancer: interview with Dr. Michael HolickSource: www.newstarget.comThe following is part one of an eight-part interview with Dr. Michael Holick, author of "The UV advantage" and one of the world's most respected authorities on vitamin D and the health benefits of natural sunlight. His work can be found at www.UVadvantage.com. Be sure to print out the vitamin D myths, facts and statistics page summarizing the key points of this interview. Adams: Today we're speaking with Dr Michael Holick, Thank you for joining us today Dr Holick. Dr. Holick: Oh, it's my pleasure. Adams: For those who may not be familiar with your work and your website, can you give a brief introduction of what you cover and how you got into it? Dr. Holick: Sure, I've been doing research in the vitamin D field for, now, more than 30 years, and I happened to be in the right place at the right time as a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin, and worked with one of the authorities in vitamin D, Dr. Hector DeLuca. As a graduate student my PhD project was actually the isolation and identification of the active form of vitamin D, and my roommate and I, over the next two years, were the first to chemically synthesize it. And what was really neat about that experience was that we actually gave this to patients when I was in medical school -- and patients that had bone diseases associated with kidney failure, that were wheelchair bound, that had severe bone pain started walking again. That was my first introduction into one of the major benefits of activated vitamin D and the development of it for the treatment of a bone disease. Adams: Does this mean you and your colleague were the first to synthesize this form of vitamin D? Dr. Holick: Yes, the active form of vitamin D that's made by the kidney, it's called 125-dihydroxy vitamin D. Adams: Is this procedure more widely used now, for example to make vitamin D supplements? Dr. Holick: No, because this active form of vitamin D is available only by prescription. It's used to treat osteoporosis in Europe and Japan. And it's also used to treat bone disease and kidney failure patients, and has a lot of other uses as well. Adams: So as you were doing the research on this, you were able to immediately observe the health impact of it, right away. Dr. Holick: Exactly, and what we began to realize was that vitamin D was much more complex than thought. We always knew that vitamin D was made in your skin when you are exposed to sunlight, but it was only in the 1970s that it was finally appreciated that it actually had to go on this circuitous journey, first to your liver to get hydroxylated, kind of activated, modified -- what's called 25-hydroxy vitamin D - it's the major circulating form of vitamin D that doctors should be measuring in your blood to determine your vitamin D status. But that is also inactive, and it has to go to your kidneys, and then in the kidneys it gets modified again, to its active form, which we call 125-dihydroxy vitamin D. And it's this 125-dihydroxy vitamin D that's responsible for telling your intestines to absorb calcium from your diet more efficiently, and to make sure that your blood calcium is normal and that you have healthy bones. Adams: So if there is a failure of any of these body systems along the chain, that can suppress the circulating active vitamin D then? Dr. Holick: Exactly, and in fact if you have severe liver disease, for example, you have two problems. One is that you may not be able to modify it, to get the 25-hydroxy vitamin D, and secondly if you have a fat malabsorption problem where you can't absorb dietary fat, since vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, then you can't absorb vitamin D and you become deficient in vitamin D. Then if you have any kind of kidney disease, you need either activated vitamin D or one its analogs in order to be able to maintain healthy bones. Adams: In the testing then that you mentioned, was this active form being given through injection? Dr. Holick: You could either take it orally or by injections. Adams: Interesting. So you mentioned the positive impact on people who had trouble walking, who had osteoporosis, and various bone diseases. What other effects did you observe? Dr. Holick: We also realized a few years later was that your skin doesn't only make vitamin D, which I think we'll talk about a little bit more in a minute, but it also recognizes activated vitamin D. And what was really, to me, quite amazing, was that in 1985 we realized the possibility that if you take activated vitamin D and put it in skin cells that you culture from humans, it turns out that activated vitamin D was probably one of the most potent inhibitors of skin cell growth. So I reasoned back in 1985 that if that was true, maybe you could take advantage of it by developing it to treat the hyperproliferative skin disorder psoriasis. And indeed it's one of the treatments of choice now worldwide. Both activated vitamin D and its analogs are used worldwide as the first line therapy for treating psoriasis. And so again it shows you the breadth of activity that vitamin D has. Not only just to regulate calcium metabolism and bone health, but to regulate cell growth. And that's why we started realizing that people who live in higher latitudes and are more prone to vitamin D deficiency and are more prone to developing common cancers and dying of them, such as cancer of the colon, prostate, breast and even ovaries. And we think that that's in part due to the body's inability to make enough activated vitamin D to help regulate cell growth and to keep cell growth in check. Adams: That would explain the links between breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer and vitamin D deficiency. Dr. Holick: Exactly. And then the key factor that we found was that, as I mentioned to you originally, we realized that the kidney was the major source of the activation of vitamin D. And the function of that is to make activated vitamin D for bone health. But we now also know that the prostate, breast, colon and many other tissues in the body can also activate vitamin D. And by doing so, we think that it locally produces this 125-dihydroxy vitamin D, which then regulates cell growth. It's a cell growth modulator. And I spell all this out in my book "The UV advantage" at www.UVadvantage.com Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-boosts-calcium-absorption-treats-psoriasis-prevents-osteoporosis-and-breast-cancer-interview-with-dr-michael-holick http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/same-supplement-works-as-antidepressant-even-without-ssri-drugs SAMe supplement works as antidepressant, even without SSRI drugsSource: www.newstarget.comThe reason health researchers always use nutritional supplements in combination with prescription drugs is because they don't want to admit that the prescription drug is worthless. It's the nutritional supplement -- in this case, SAMe -- that's producing the antidepressant effects. The drugs aren't doing anything. So they piggyback the drug with an herb or nutritional supplement that they know works, then announce something like, "Drug X in combination with SAMe helps patients…" The real story is that you don't need the drug. SAMe, all by itself, is good medicine for depression. Of course, natural sunlight is even better, and it's free.News summary: Source: http://www.massgeneral.org/news/releases/113004SAMe.html Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers have found that adding the nutritional supplement SAMe to a standard antidepressant may be helpful to patients who have not responded to single-drug treatment for clinical depression. The pilot study, appearing in the December Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, found that treatment with both SAMe and an antidepressant improved symptoms in half the study participants and produced complete relief of symptoms in 43 percent of participants. "One of the most common problems in treating depression is the number of people who are left with symptoms after initial treatment with a first-line antidepressant," says Jonathan Alpert, MD, associate director of the MGH Depression Clinical and Research Program, who led the study. A substance that is found in every human cell, SAMe (S-Adenosy-L-Methionine) is a commonly used dietary supplement. The current study was designed to investigate whether adding SAMe to antidepressant treatment could improve the results for patients for whom a single medication had not relieved symptoms. The MGH team notes that the current study has many limitations - including its small size, the lack of a control group and the fact that participants knew they were taking an active dose of SAMe. The study's co-authors are senior author Maurizio Fava, MD, George Papakostas, MD, David Mischoulon, MD, PhD, John Worthington, MD, Timothy Petersen, PhD, Yasmin Mahal, Alana Burns, and Andrew Nierenberg, MD, all of the MGH Depression and Clinical Research Program; and Teodoro Bottiglieri, PhD, of Baylor University. In 1994, MGH and Brigham and Women's Hospital joined to form Partners HealthCare System, an integrated health care delivery system comprising the two academic medical centers, specialty and community hospitals, a network of physician groups, and nonacute and home health services. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/same-supplement-works-as-antidepressant-even-without-ssri-drugs http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/good-nutrition-healthy-eyes Good Nutrition = Healthy EyesSource: www.moretv32.comTo help prevent some diseases associated with aging of your eyes, consume a variety of foods rich in phytochemicals and vitamins C, E and A.Vitamin C- and A-rich foods include oranges, sweet potatoes, grapefruit, peppers, tomatoes, broccoli and other dark orange and yellow fruits and vegetables.In addition to being rich in these vitamins, dark and brightly colored produce contain phytochemicals that keep eyes healthy. Vitamin E is found in nuts, seeds and oils. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/good-nutrition-healthy-eyes http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/chromium-a-closer-look-at-supplements Chromium -- A Closer Look at SupplementsSource: www.ediets.comWhat is Chromium? Chromium is a naturally occurring trace element obtained from foods such as liver, American cheese, brewer's yeast, wheat germ, meat, fish, fruits, whole grains, brown sugar, alfalfa and animal fats. This essential mineral is difficult for the body to absorb, whether ADVERTISEMENT from food or nutritional supplements. Chromium is thought to be required in only small amounts, and deficiency is rare. While it can be measured in hair and blood, no laboratory standards have been developed; therefore, no daily value recommendation has been established. How Does Chromium Work? Chromium's biological role has not been well defined, although we do know that it is required for fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. Animal studies have shown that chromium has beneficial effects on cholesterol levels. However, the results of studies involving human subjects are varied. Even if human studies confirmed that chromium affected cholesterol levels, additional studies would need to evaluate whether that reduction resulted in reducing the risk of heart disease to prove a direct benefit. Chromium is also involved with the activity of insulin. This mineral works with insulin to transfer glucose from the blood stream into cells where it is used for energy. Chromium supplementation appears effective in lowering glucose and insulin levels in type 2 diabetics. Human and laboratory studies suggest that chromium enhances the activity of insulin, although it has not proven to bring blood sugar down to normal levels. Optimal doses of chromium have not been determined. Chromium is not considered an effective stand-alone treatment for diabetes because diabetes is not a chromium deficiency disease. Usage of Chromium and Weight-Loss Claims There is no RDA for chromium, but experts generally recommend that you get between 50 to 200 mcg of the trace mineral each day, whether through food sources or supplementation. However, overdoses of chromium can have significant detrimental effects, including chronic renal failure, therefore; any supplementation with chromium should be done in modest amounts. As a supplement, chromium is manufactured in several forms, one of which is chromium picolinate. Despite the fact that relatively little is known about our need for chromium, it is touted as a supplement for a wide variety of uses, including weight loss, which earned it the "Worst Claim" award from the National Council on Health Fraud. What exactly was the claim? That chromium picolinate helps burn fat and build muscles. Proponents claim that chromium picolinate helps you lose fat and build muscle. However, the early studies that suggested this were flawed. These studies included small numbers of participants and imprecise measurements of body muscle and fat. Follow-up studies have been unable to duplicate original findings. A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that taking chromium picolinate supplements has no effect on changing body composition. The best way to lose weight and get fit is, and always will be, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising daily. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/chromium-a-closer-look-at-supplements http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/niacin-vitamin-b3-shown-to-boost-levels-of-good-cholesterol-regardless-of-statin-drugs Niacin (vitamin B3) shown to boost levels of good cholesterol, regardless of statin drugsSource: www.newstarget.comWhat's really stupid about this news (see below) is that the positive health effects of the B vitamin have nothing at all to do with the statin drug. Doctors could just ditch the statin drug and start prescribing B vitamins to their patients, and they'd see these positive effects just the same. Saying that statin drugs combined with a vitamin supplement is good for heart health is sort of like saying Frosted Flakes served with fresh strawberries is a nutritious breakfast. The only nutrition comes from the strawberries, not the sugary cereal. Similarly, the only health benefit here comes from the B vitamins, not the potentially deadly statin drugs.News summary: Source: http://www.rednova.com/news/display/?id=102316 Adding a high dose of niacin to a statin drug slowed the progression of artery disease in people with known heart disease, according to a new study that may prompt more doctors to prescribe the B vitamin. It has been known for years that niacin (vitamin B3) can increase levels of HDL cholesterol, the good kind. To measure that, doctors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center used ultrasound imaging of the carotid artery as a surrogate for coronary artery disease, a method that has proven accurate in the past. The researchers then took a group of 167 patients with known heart disease and put them on a cholesterol-lowering statin or a statin and a 1,000-milligram, extended-release niacin pill. After one year, those taking niacin had a 21% increase in their HDL cholesterol, up from an average of 39 milligrams per deciliter to 47 mg/dl. Lead author Allen Taylor, director of cardiovascular research at Walter Reed, said the study was the first to document a benefit in artery disease when comparing statins alone with a statin and niacin. Major guidelines still do not recommend niacin for treatment or prevention of heart disease. However, some cardiologists in specialized clinics have been prescribing it for their patients with low HDL cholesterol, said Daniel Rader, director of preventive cardiology at the University of Pennsylvania. "We do it based on faith and that low HDL is a bad thing," said Rader, who was not associated with the study. Large trials that look at whether niacin actually can reduce heart attacks and strokes are still needed, said Sidney Smith, a professor of medicine and director of the Center for Cardiovascular Science in Medicine at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/niacin-vitamin-b3-shown-to-boost-levels-of-good-cholesterol-regardless-of-statin-drugs http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/health-virtue-in-2005-little-alcohol-and-lots-of-herb-tea HEALTH: VIRTUE IN 2005, LITTLE ALCOHOL AND LOTS OF HERB TEASource: www.agi.itThe year 2005 will for many Italians be a year lived under the sign of well-being, of temperance and balance. No smoking, a bit of sport, farewell to blow-outs and too much drink, substituted maybe by a herb tea before going to bed early. According to a survey conducted by the magazine, "Salute naturale" (Natural Health) out of a sample of 890 Italians, between 25 and 65, the tendency to take care of their body and health is growing. And if only 19 pct of interviewees admit to having radically changed their lifestyle, 63 pct believe that they have not done enough but will take further steps in the new year. Recidivists, those who prefer a "reckless" life are only 12 pct of the interviewees. But the word health does not have the same meaning for everyone: 41 pct think it synonymous with being in good health; for 37 pct it means being beautiful and for 24 pct it is only achieved via renunciation. There are then those who think that the important thing is to take care of themselves (23 pct), to be relaxed (21 pct), to have healthy habits (17 pct). Finally, 13 pct associate health with love. There is also a growth in the number of hours that Italians dedicate to their own wellbeing: 39 pct at least an hour a day, 25 pct also two. But every good intention pursued should bring a result and for 33 pct looking after oneself should bring improvements to health, 23 pct believe that it will improve relations with other and 17 pct sex life. Notwithstanding good intentions for only 31 pct has wellbeing become a lifestyle while for 25 pct is a daily commitment consisting in renunciation and iron rules. The growth of the "neo-healthy" population is due, in good pat, to advertising and television (for 32 pct of the sample", to physical culture widespread in gyms and health centres (for 23 and 18 pct) and to the reading of magazines and specialised newspapers (13 pct). (AGI) - 291520 DIC 04 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/health-virtue-in-2005-little-alcohol-and-lots-of-herb-tea http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/potassium-is-the-mineral-king Potassium is the mineral kingSource: sun.yumasun.comHow important is potassium? Mine is on the low side, and I've been told to drink orange juice. I've never missed a morning without orange juice. What else can I do? -- K.O.ANSWER: Potassium is a very important mineral. It keeps nerves firing, the heart beating and muscles contracting. It figures into blood pressure control. It prevents bone loss, and it stops kidney stones from forming. Potassium can blunt the effect of salt (sodium) on blood pressure. It lessens the chances of stroke.Too little potassium brings on muscle weakness, changes the ECG patterns and can alter the heartbeat. Long-standing deficiencies lead to kidney failure. Markedly low levels paralyze muscles, but that is a distinct rarity.Rather than searching for what to eat and drink to raise potassium, the more important search is finding what's making it low. One of the most common causes is diuretics. Are you taking a water pill for blood pressure control? Kidney diseases, changes in the body's acid balance, diarrhea and adrenal gland disorders also lead to potassium losses.When a cause is found and eliminated, the problem is solved.When there's a potassium deficiency and no cause is found for it, then a potassium supplement is the fastest way to right the situation. If the deficiency is not great, diet can restore the deficit. The daily potassium requirement is 4,700 mg. One cup of orange juice provides 500 mg; 10 dried figs have more than twice that amount; a baked potato with skin weighs in with 800 mg, and a sweet potato at 700. Beans, salmon, halibut, brussels sprouts, dairy products, most citrus fruits and bananas supply good amounts.You should not be left to your own devices to solve this problem. Find out how low your potassium is and press your doctor to answer why your levels have dropped.DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have a number of what I call icicles dangling from my neck. One constantly gets caught in jewelry and bleeds. What are these things? Can I safely cut them off? -- L.N.ANSWER: I'm sure you're speaking of skin tags. At least a quarter of adults have one or more of them. They're most commonly found under the arms or on the neck. No one knows what causes them.They aren't cancer and they don't lead to major trouble, except that they sometimes get in the way, as yours do.From time to time, there appear medical articles that make an association between skin tags and terrible things, but never has any of those dire predictions been proven. At one time, they were said to be a sign of colon polyps. Today not many subscribe to that statement.If they're bothering you, have your doctor snip them off. It's safer than doing that on your own. You might provoke an infection or bleeding that's hard to stop.DEAR DR. DONOHUE: What does head ringworm look like? I think my daughter has it. How do I go about proving what it is? How is it treated? -- G.R.ANSWER: Scalp ringworm -- tinea capitis -- has many appearances. Most frequently it starts out as a small bald patch about the size of a dime. The patch increases in size. Involved scalp is usually red and sometimes has a crust on the surface. Itching is common.Children are the usual victims. Their oil glands do not have substances that stop scalp ringworm fungus from taking hold. Those substances appear after puberty.Children can get it from another child, from resting their heads against seats or cushions that have the fungus, from sharing hats, combs or brushes with an infected child or from pets.Griseofulvin, a medicine taken by mouth, is quite effective in eliminating it.Don't try to make the diagnosis of ringworm on your own. You're going to need the practiced eye of a doctor and possibly a microscopic examination of scalp scrapings to find out if your daughter has ringworm.* * *Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/potassium-is-the-mineral-king http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-may-slow-down-prostate-tumor-growth-canada-finds Vitamin D may slow down prostate tumor growth, Canada findsSource: news.xinhuanet.comA new study suggests that giving vitamin D supplements to men with rising rates of prostate tumor markers (PSA) seems to slow down their rate of tumor growth, it is reported Monday. It is a small study and this is very preliminary evidence, but doctors do see a connection between vitamin D levels and PSA levels, according to the study reported by Canadian Television. "The PSA levels seemed to reflect the seasonal variation in vitamin D levels," Dr. Lawrence Klotz, a urologist at Canada's Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Center. Researchers followed 190 men for the study. They found that overall, their PSA levels were flat during the summer, but rose during the fall and winter at the rate of about one percent each month. The doctors then gave the men 2,000 International Units of vitamin D during the fall and winter months to see what would happen. Interestingly, the vitamin D seemed to cut the rise in PSA rates by more than half. Without vitamin D, PSA rates rose by about five percent. With vitamin D, PSA rates only rose by two percent. "As far as I know, there is no other nutrient studied that has shown a slowdown in the rate of rise of a PSA." said Reinhold Veith, a professor at the University of Toronto and a leading researcher in the field of vitamin D research. Enditem Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-may-slow-down-prostate-tumor-growth-canada-finds http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-remedies-for-urinary-tract-infections Herbal remedies for urinary tract infectionsSource: www.expressnewsline.comA urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the urethra, a pair of ureters, bladder and kidneys. If the infection is found in the urethra and bladder, it is referred to as a lower urinary tract infection. In the kidneys it is called an upper urinary tract infection. The function of kidney is to remove excess from the body. Ureters carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. The bladder stores urine temporarily. And urethra passes the urine. If this system is not emptied regularly or completely from the bladder, urine can stagnate and grow bacteria. Bacteria can also be introduced into the system through the urethra. This is the most common cause of Urinary tract infections. painful, but can be life threatening. Prevention of this type of infection can be done by reducing or eradicating the bacteria before an infection occurs. The first preventative would, of course, be good hygiene. Beyond keeping the area clean, avoid dehydration. An adult should drink about eight glasses of water each day, and urinate frequently. Frequent urination can flush bacteria out of the urethra and avoid stagnation of urine in the bladder. Herbal treatments: Cranberry juice or cranberry fruit extract is acidic, and creates a hostile environment for any bacteria which could be introduced to the urinary tract. Pink grapefruit juice or essential oil has much the same effect. These can be taken in a prepared form or fresh juice can be used. Remember, when using juice as a preventative measure or treatment for an existing infection, the juice should be pure. Do not use a juice blend or "cocktail." The medicinal properties would be diminished. Eight to sixteen ounces of juice a day should be sufficient for prevention. Healthy kidney function is important in preventing urinary tract infections as well. An alfalfa juice concentrate can improve kidney function, which in turn helps rid the body of natural toxins, and increases urine flow. Another herb which works in much the same way as alfalfa is burdock root. Rose hips are a natural antibiotic, and have high vitamin C content. A special preparation of rose hips can be used to fight any type of mild infection if taken for about ten days. This is the same as many prescription antibiotics. Saw palmetto is an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. The two of these taken in conjunction can reduce symptoms, and infection allowing your body to heal without the side effects of prescription drugs. Sarsaparilla and juniper berries or juniper fruit extract can also be used to increase urine flow. All of these can be taken together, but it is better to choose a mixture of herbals for an overall balance. Include cranberry fruit extract with alfalfa juice concentrate, for example, to get the benefits of both. If you want to start with herbal medicines, must consult a herbalist. These herbs can be available at any drug store. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-remedies-for-urinary-tract-infections http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-benefits-of-tea-tree-oil Herbal benefits of tea tree oilSource: www.expressnewsline.comThe official name of the medicinal tea tree the oil comes from is “Melaleuca alternifolia”. The oil itself is extracted from the leaves by steam distillation. Know the benefits of tea tree oil:1. It is very useful for hair as it naturally solves the problem of dry hair, dandruff, head-lice. It also relive itchy scalp. You can add a few drops of oil to your regular shampoo and leave it on for five or ten minutes, then rinse.It is also beneficial for skin problems such as dermatitis, sunburns, diaper rashes and cuts.3. It also relives the problem of arthritis, just by rubbing the oil into your joints will help a lot. 4. Athlete’s foot, smelly feet, toenail infections and other foot ailments can be cured by using a few drops of tea tree oil. Always dilute it before using. 5. Various insect bites like flies, mosquitoes and bee stings, that can be soothed simply by rubbing some tea tree oil on. 6. It is also helpful to treat sinusitis. A drop of tea tree diluted in a bit of oil can work great around your sinuses. Rub around sinuses or put a few drops in a steam bath or vaporizer. You can also put a few drops onto a tissue or handkerchief. Add 5-10 drops to steaming hot water for an inhalant. 7. The oil can even be used internally by adding a couple of drops to juice to soothe a sore throat. Mixed with water, it’s also useful as a mouthwash for a variety of mouth and gum problems. Even your pets can benefit from the use of tea tree oil. Besides deterring those pesky pet insects like fleas and ticks, using a few drops of tea tree oil in pet shampoo will help alleviate odor problems.Tea tree is safe for virtually all skin types. It is concentrated natural oil safe for most skin types but those with sensitive skin may prefer to dilute it in some sort of oil such as baby oil, olive oil or a jelly like aloe-vera. Someone with sensitive skin may want to dilute the oil and anyone with reactions should quit using it and consult their doctor for remedies. Tea tree oil can actually be diluted 100 or more times its volume and still be effective. While some people can and do use the oil straight, it’s probably better to mix a few drops with an oil such as baby oil, olive oil or Aloe Vera jelly. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-benefits-of-tea-tree-oil http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/benefits-of-vitamin-b12 Benefits of Vitamin B12Source: www.expressnewsline.com Vitamin B12 is a cobalt containing vitamin. It is alternately known by the names derivative of cobalamin such as cyanocobalamin, cobalamyns, and hydroxycobalamin. Functions: Vitamin B12 promotes DNA synthesis and thus plays an integral role in the human body in the manufacture of genetic material of cells which is essential for growth and development. Vitamin B12 is also active and vital in the role of many enzymatic functions in the human body. It is also required for the formation of myelin. It also plays vital role in the formation and maturation of red blood cells in the bone marrow of the body. It is also necessary in the maintenance of a healthy nervous system and is though to function in conjunction with the processing of both folic acids and carbohydrates in the diet. Sources: The dietary sources for Vitamin B12 are found in lean meats, eggs, fish chicken, milk and fermented liquors. It is also synthesized by the intestinal bacteria in human colon. Deficiency symptoms: Even though it is so important to proper functioning of the human organism, Vitamin B12 deficiency does occur but typically develops over months or years, rather than quickly as the liver can store up to a 6 year supply of the body‘s needs for Vitamin B12 in a healthy individual. Absorption of vitamin B12 in the intestine requires the action of gastric enzyme, castle’s intrinsic factor. Failure of secretion of this enzyme causes cobalamin deficiency which results in pernicious anemia (reduced formation of erythrocytes in bone marrow). The first signs of Vitamin B12 deficiency may be a sore mouth and tongue, or numbness and tingling in the limbs. This last sensation is caused by Vitamin B12 deficiency affecting the spinal cord and brain which if severe can lead to either depression or total memory loss. Recommended intakes of Vitamin B12 vary, and since such a minute quantity is needed for proper function, you should be able to get all your sources from your diet. What is more threatening with Vitamin B12 than deficiency is that high dose of Vitamin B12 over time may cause rare allergic reactions. Before starting any form of supplementation you should consult your health care practitioner. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/benefits-of-vitamin-b12 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/rice-bran-oil-not-fibre-benefits-cholesterol-levels Rice bran oil, not fibre, benefits cholesterol levelsSource: www.nutraingredients.comRice bran oil, being used by some US restaurants to eliminate trans fats, appears to be responsible for the cholesterol-lowering effect of the ingredient rather than its fibre content, say researchers. They also found that unsaponifiable compounds in the oil, rather than fatty acids, are likely producing this effect. This gives the oil similar properties to plant sterols used increasingly in food products designed for cholesterol reduction. Researchers at Louisiana State University carried out two studies to test which element of rice bran was responsible for a widely known benefit on cholesterol levels. In the first study they gave 26 healthy adults with moderately raised cholesterol levels a daily diet containing 13–22g dietary fibre for three weeks. Then 13 of the volunteers were switched to a diet with defatted rice bran to double the fibre intake for five weeks. In a second, randomized, crossover study over 10 weeks, 14 volunteers consumed a diet with rice bran oil (a third of the total dietary fat), which was then substituted for an oil blend that had a fatty acid composition similar to that of the rice bran oil. The defatted rice bran did not lower lipid concentrations, the researchers report in this month’s American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (vol 81, no 1, pp 64-68). In the second study, total cholesterol was significantly lower with consumption of the diet containing rice bran oil than with consumption of the control diet. "There were no substantial differences in the fatty acid composition of the diets; therefore, the reduction of cholesterol was due to other components present in the rice bran oil, such as unsaponifiable compounds,” write researchers. Consumption of the rice bran oil diet led to a 7 per cent decrease in LDL cholesterol. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/rice-bran-oil-not-fibre-benefits-cholesterol-levels http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/ginger-the-multifaceted-wonder-herb Ginger: The multifaceted wonder herbSource: www.moneycontrol.comThis important herb's beneficial health properties continue to care for modern health problems. On a chilly winter morning, nothing perks you up more than a nice hot cup of ginger tea. But ginger has medicinal values as well. CNBC-TV18 finds out more about ginger's multifaceted virtues.Nutritionist Shikha Sharma says, "Ginger infact, is one of the most widely used herbs, it's used in Chinese medicine, Indian medicine, Unani medicine and the reason why it's so widely used is because ginger has a liver detoxifying action - that means it cleanses your liver and rejuvenates the liver. Second, it also has anti-nausea effects, especially beneficial for women who are expecting and they cannot take many medicines, so if they take little bit of ginger like in pickle or tea, they'll feel much better. Even for motion sickness, ginger has been used since ages and ofcourse it has so many other properties that it can be truly called a wonder herb."Though an ancient spice, the popularity of ginger increased around the 15th century, when it was found useful in treating plague. Modern medicine too recognises the health benefits of ginger. It aids digestion, is a popular remedy for nausea and improves circulation. It also protects against respiratory infections. Infact hot ginger tea is an ideal home remedy for a cold. Just add some honey and lemon juice to some freshly grated ginger for a soothing drink. This healthy drink is also an ideal way to start your day. You can also chew a few pieces of ginger, which will cure a persistent toothache.If all these benefits don't convince you to think better of the pungent and tangy herb, then remember the multiple purposes it serves. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/ginger-the-multifaceted-wonder-herb http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/benefits-of-vitamin-c Benefits of Vitamin CSource: www.foodingredientsfirst.comResearchers in the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University have made a major discovery about the way vitamin C functions in the human body - a breakthrough that may help explain its possible value in preventing cancer and heart disease.The study, which explores the role of vitamin C in dealing with the toxins that result from fat metabolism, was just published in a professional journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.It contradicts the conclusions of some research that was widely publicized three years ago, which had suggested that this essential nutrient might actually have toxic effects.The new OSU study confirmed some of the results of that earlier laboratory study, which had found vitamin C to be involved in the formation of compounds potentially damaging to DNA. But that research, scientists say, only provided part of the story about what actually happens in the human body.The newest findings explain for the first time how vitamin C can react with and neutralize the toxic byproducts of human fat metabolism. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/benefits-of-vitamin-c http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/olive-oil-diet-can-prevent-breast-cancer-in-women-update Olive Oil Diet can prevent Breast Cancer in Women - UpdateSource: www.expressnewsline.comHealth News ExpressNewsline.com (Health Express, Breast Cancer Study 11 Jan) - Oleic acid, a fatty acid found in abundant quantities in olive oil might cut the risk of developing breast cancer.Researchers from Northwestern University, found oleic acid significantly reduced levels of a protein that is produced by the breast cancer gene known as Her-2/neu.Lead researcher Dr. Javier Menendez indicated their findings may explain why the Mediterranean diet, which just happens to be rich in olive oil, provides protection against developing breast cancer.The researchers found oleic acid in combination with Herceptin cut proteins produced by the breast cancer gene by as much as 70 percent.This news was earlier reported by Express Health yesterday, Please read it here for more information. Earlier Version (Health Express - Express Newsline) Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/olive-oil-diet-can-prevent-breast-cancer-in-women-update http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/bran-in-diet-seen-to-lower-risk-of-heart-disease Bran in Diet Seen to Lower Risk of Heart DiseaseA diet rich in whole grains does seem to lower a man's risk of developing heart disease, with the bran component of grains playing a key role, a large study suggests. Researchers found that among nearly 43,000 middle-aged and older men, those who ate the most whole grains -- such as oatmeal, brown rice and some breakfast cereals -- were less likely than men with the lowest consumption to develop coronary heart disease over 14 years. When the investigators looked at two of the major components of whole grains, bran emerged as the lead player. Men who added the most bran to their diet were 30 percent less likely to develop heart disease than their peers who ate no added bran. Whole grains have three basic components: the outer layer of bran, the inner germ and the starchy layer known as the endosperm. In highly processed grain products, such as white bread, the bran and germ are removed before milling -- which also takes away the fiber, vitamins and other nutrients found in those constituents. Diets rich in whole grain foods such as cooked oatmeal, whole barley, bulgur, popcorn, and breakfast cereals and breads made from whole grains, have been linked to better weight management and a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The new findings, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, come from a long-running study of U.S. male health professionals. The study began in 1986, when the men were between the ages of 40 and 75, and has since periodically collected information on the men's health, diet and lifestyle. Senior study author Dr. Eric B. Rimm of the Harvard University School of Public Health said he and his colleagues developed a database that allowed them to estimate how many grams of whole grains, as well as how many grams of bran and germ, the men typically ate each day. That included the bran and germ found naturally in grains, plus any that was added to processed foods or that the men added to food themselves. Overall, men with the highest intake of whole grains had an 18 percent lower risk of heart disease compared with those who ate the least. And those who consumed the most grams of added bran had a 30 percent lower risk than those who ate no added bran. But that does not mean that people need to add bran to their food to get the benefit, or that sprinkling bran on that gooey morning doughnut makes it a health food, according to Rimm. "Added bran is one way to go about it," he told Reuters Health. But, he added, eating whole grains, rather than highly processed grain products, will help bulk up the diet with bran. That, though, means not mistaking refined grain products that list the ingredient "wheat flour" for a whole-grain food. Rimm advised making sure the word "whole" is on that ingredient list. When it comes to bread, he said, choosing one "where you can actually see the grain" is a good move. As for why bran, and whole grains in general, may ward off heart disease, Rimm said the fiber content probably contributes, but it is likely that the full complement of nutrients -- including B vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and various plant chemicals -- is involved. He also pointed out that people looking to boost their whole grain intake have a range of options, including ones that are not hard to swallow, like popcorn and some breakfast cereals. "Unfortunately," Rimm said, "many people kind of associated whole grains with eating cardboard. But they should know that they have a lot of choices." The research received partial funding from cereal maker Kellogg Company. SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, December 2004. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/bran-in-diet-seen-to-lower-risk-of-heart-disease http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/nutrition-more-potassium-in-diet-recommended Nutrition: More potassium in diet recommendedSource: www.shreveporttimes.comEvery five years the United States Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services issues new dietary guidelines. One of the recommendations of the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 is to increase potassium in our diets.For most healthy people, a potassium deficiency is rare. However, if you suffer from a bout of vomiting and diarrhea, your potassium levels could drop. Many times an individual with weakness, loss of appetite, nausea or fatigue goes to their doctor and learns it is because of a low potassium level.The American Dietetics Association notes "there is no set Recommended Dietary Allowance, but the minimum amount suggested for adults is 2,000 milligrams a day; some experts suggest more, 3,500 milligrams per day to help protect against high blood pressure."Potassium is vital for muscle contraction, nerve impulses and the proper functioning of the heart and kidneys. This mineral must work together with sodium, calcium and magnesium to help regulate blood pressure and water balance in cells.Examples of good sources of potassium are:Banana, medium (1): 450 mgMilk, whole (1 cup): 370 mgHaddock, cooked (3 ozs.): 340 mgOkra, boiled (1/2 cup): 255 mgTurkey, light and dark meat, roasted, skinless (3 ozs.): 255 mgOrange, medium (1): 250 mgTomato, raw: 135 mgBell pepper (1/2 cup): 90 mgSource: American Dietetics Association Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/nutrition-more-potassium-in-diet-recommended http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-b-linked-to-reduced-risk-of-high-blood-pressure Vitamin B Linked To Reduced Risk Of High Blood PressureSource: www.healthtalk.caResearchers report folate, a water-soluble vitamin B can reduce the risk of hypertension in young women.Recent studies have also shown that folate, or folic acid also prevents certain birth defects when taken by women during childbearing years.In the most recent study, Harvard Medical School researchers examined data on more than 150,000 women who took part in two separate studies, the Nurses' Health Study I and II.Study data on dietary folate and supplemental folic acid intake was collected from study subjects who completed questionnaires over a period of 8 years. The researchers found that young women who consumed at least 1,000 micrograms of folate per day had a 46 percent reduced risk of developing hypertension, compared with young women who consumed less than 200 micrograms per day.High folic acid intake among older women decreased high blood pressure risk by 18 percent, according to the study. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate that is found in supplements.Folate is found naturally in dark leafy green vegetables, like spinach and turnip greens, citrus fruits and juices, and dried beans and peas.The findings appear in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-b-linked-to-reduced-risk-of-high-blood-pressure http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/whats-new-in-cosmetic-surgery- What's new in cosmetic surgery?Source: www.post-gazette.comIn the hot field of cosmetic surgery, look for advances this year in the use of lasers for everything from improving the appearance of that dreaded cellulite to removing gray hair.Botox treatments and soft tissue fillers such as Restylane will continue to be popular in the Pittsburgh market as consumers opt for so-called "lunchtime procedures" that are less invasive and require less recovery time than a face lift or liposuction."If you subdivide procedures into surgical vs. nonsurgical, nonsurgical procedures are booming," said Dr. Leo McCafferty, a Pittsburgh plastic surgeon and a spokesman for the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The number of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures performed has risen 1,504 percent from 1992 to 2003, according to data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, with 1.8 million procedures performed in 2003. So if you received a gift certificate over the holidays for a cosmetic procedure or are just looking to freshen your appearance for 2005, here's a review of new procedures arriving in Pittsburgh and other local trends in cosmetic surgery.Experts emphasized that as with all procedures, it is important to choose a doctor who is well-versed in everything available and can use the technology effectively. Hyaluronic acid treatments Some of the most popular treatments in 2004 were soft-tissue fillers such as Restylane and Hylaform, both approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2003. They are made from hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance found in human skin. When injected, the filler plumps up the skin by allowing it to attract and hold water. Restylane is an alternative to collagen injections, and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery predicts that it will surpass collagen this year as the most popular injectable cosmetic treatment. Collagen injections have been available since the 1980s, but sometimes cause allergic reactions. Such side effects are less likely with hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is most commonly used around the mouth and on forehead wrinkles and smile lines and can be used to enlarge the lip. The process takes less than an hour, and requires repeat treatments every four months to a year. Hyaluronic acid treatments are more expensive than those using collagen, but last longer because they help the skin hold onto moisture. A primary cause for wrinkles is dehydration.A syringe of Restylane or other hyaluronic acid product might cost $500 or up, while the national average surgeon fee is around $373 for collagen, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. "It's something that can be done as an office visit," said McCafferty about Restylane, "And you can go back to work, with really no down time at all." Botox Botulinum toxin, or botox, has been popular since it was approved by the FDA to treat eye muscle disorders in 1989, and in 2000 to treat a neurological disorder that causes neck and shoulder contractions. The FDA approved Botox to treat moderate to severe wrinkles in 2002. There were 2.27 million Botox injections performed in 2003, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, up 3,387 percent from the previous year. Botox is primarily used to temporarily reduce or eliminate frown lines, forehead creases, and crows feet near the eyes, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Some studies suggest that Botox also helps get rid of migraines because it relaxes the muscles around the eyelids.Botox injections take about 30 minutes and cost roughly $400. Treatments should be repeated every four to six months.But consumers must be careful when shopping for Botox injections. Last year, four patients in Florida were paralyzed when they were injected a form of the toxin not approved for use in humans. To avoid this, consumers should ask their doctors to check the Botox bottle and should make sure their doctors are certified to administer it. Thermage and Titan A few local practices have started performing Thermage, one of the newest treatments available. Some doctors tout it as the most effective nonsurgical procedure for making faces look younger, while others warn it is not worth the risks or costs. Thermage, which was approved by the FDA in 2002 for the area around the eyes, is now used to treat whole faces. It uses a radio frequency device called ThermaCool to heat the lower layers of the skin, while protecting the outer layers with a cooling spray. The result: a tightening of the facial layers that is not quite a face lift, but is as close as you can get without surgery. "It allows you to turn back the clock," said Dr. Brian V. Heil, a plastic surgeon who has offices in Cranberry, Washington, Butler and Pittsburgh. "We haven't figured out how to break the clock yet, though." His office performs Thermage, and Heil says he has seen it cause some discomfort associated with the heat, and lingering pinkness. In the initial clinical trials of Thermage, 80 percent of patients experienced improvement, and about 6 percent had slight burns. As the only FDA-approved tissue tightening treatment, Thermage has a hefty price tag -- at $2,800 to $4,000 for a full facial treatment, Heil said.Dr. Lori Cherup, who heads the Radiance Surgery Center in South Fayette is skeptical about the treatment. "The machine is ridiculously expensive, and the patient has to have three or four treatments," she said. "It pretty much comes to the price of a face lift." The procedure is generally not focused on a specific area of the face, and so Cherup thinks that it completes something inaccurately that could be done otherwise with surgery. Thermage "is pretty painful," because the frequency is conducted along nerve endings, said Dr. Suzan Obagi, director of the Cosmetic Surgery and Skin Health Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Her practice gives a pain medication to patients undergoing Thermage therapy.Obagi's office is testing a new treatment called Titan that could have the same results as Thermage, but with less pain. The Titan treatment, which costs from $1,750 to $4,000, is a light source that uses multiple wavelengths to tighten skin.Optimal results for both treatments are available in three to six months. Lasers Although Cherup says she does not trust most laser companies because they often exaggerate the efficacy of their procedures, there will be a lot of interest in new laser treatments that will address everything from cellulite to gray hair. "The new lasers try to do everything with one machine," said Cherup, who has seen lasers that attempt to obliterate freckles, sunspots and broken blood vessels. The cellulite laser is a combination of a laser and a radio frequency device that remodels the collagen in the skin. Although there is not yet a treatment to get rid of the fat entirely, the machine is "finally something that improves cellulite," Obagi said. Although this treatment can be painful, Obagi thinks it will be palatable. The second type of laser coming this year will get rid of light-colored or gray hair, which currently is difficult to do with traditional lasers. The heat from the lasers targets hair follicles and stunts the growth within them, Obagi said. This device is innovative because it can locate lighter-colored hairs in a way that current technology cannot. This treatment would be comparable in cost to other lasers used for hair removal, or $150 for a small area like an upper lip up to $800 for removing hair from legs. "With anything, if used incorrectly, there are risks for burns," she said, referring to both treatments. Skin care as treatment Doctors agree that the best way to keep skin wrinkle- and blemish-free is through prevention, so many offices have started patients on skin care treatments to supplement cosmetic procedures. "For the past five years, there's been a real heightened awareness about skin care," said McCafferty. This increased attention has led to an emphasis onprocedures that produce natural-looking results. "Gone are the days of these tight face lifts and brow lifts," said Obagi. "People don't want to have that operated-on look." Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/whats-new-in-cosmetic-surgery- http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/review-supports-vitamin-e-dosage-for-age-related-macular-degeneration Review Supports Vitamin E Dosage for Age-Related Macular DegenerationSource: www.seniorjournal.comFollowing recent media stories concerning the danger of high dosages of vitamin E, the National Eye Institute has reviewed the 2001 findings of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), a study of nearly 5,000 patients with varying stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) a leading cause of vision loss in senior citizens. The study concludes that NEI still recommends 400 international units (IU) for those at high risk of AMD. What is age-related macular degeneration?Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that blurs the sharp, central vision you need for "straight-ahead" activities such as reading, sewing, and driving. AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail. (See diagram above.) AMD causes no pain.In some cases, AMD advances so slowly that people notice little change in their vision. In others, the disease progresses faster and may lead to a loss of vision in both eyes. AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 years of age and older. Click to more information by National Eye Institute Related Stories Some Good News for Vitamin E – It Helps Some DiabeticsNov. 19, 2004 - More... Will Vitamin E Kill You, Or Save Your Life?Research results send conflicting messages with latest saying it increases risk of dyingNov. 10, 2004 – A research report will be presented today that says daily doses of Vitamin E in excess of 400 IU (international units) is associated with a higher overall risk of dying. This is not the first study reporting on dangers of Vitamin E, but there are many recent studies saying it helps senior citizens in the fight against Alzheimer’s, heart disease and even vision problems. More... 11/10/04* Both the AREDS results regarding the risks and benefits of taking vitamin E and the results of multiple other published studies of vitamin E were reviewed. A paper to be published in the January 2005 edition of the Annals of Internal Medicine will report that taking high-dose vitamin E supplements does not lower the risk of death, and there might be a small increase in the risk of death. The material in this paper was recently presented at a meeting of the American College of Physicians in New Orleans and this presentation has received much attention from the media. The authors of the paper analyzed combined data from 19 clinical trials that had tested vitamin E as a possible treatment for different diseases. One of the trials included in the analysis was the AREDS. In the AREDS, scientists found that people at high risk of developing advanced stages of AMD could lower their risk of the disease by about 25 percent when treated with a high-dose combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and zinc.After careful study and interpretation of the data from the paper in Annals of Internal Medicine, the NEI researchers have concluded that taking a recommended 400 international units (IU) of vitamin E each day, as part of the AREDS formulation, does not increase the risk of death of persons at risk for advanced AMD."If the reason for taking vitamin E is to decrease mortality, we agree with the authors of this new study that there does not seem to be any benefit of vitamin E for most patients and there might be some harm at very high doses of 500 IU or more," Emily Chew, M.D., deputy director of the Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Research at NEI. "However if you are at high risk for developing AMD, there is a benefit in taking the AREDS formulation that includes vitamin E. Different patients have different needs and it is important to discuss with your doctor whether this formulation is right for you," says Dr. Chew.In the new study, the data seem to show that people taking particularly high doses of vitamin E (500 IU to 2000 IU) may have a slightly increased risk of death. However, taking 400 IU vitamin E per day did not increase the risk of death in a total of 15,000 patients studied in several different clinical trials.For additional information on the AREDS, visit Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/review-supports-vitamin-e-dosage-for-age-related-macular-degeneration http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/low-vitamin-b12-raises-risk-of-birth-defect Low Vitamin B12 Raises Risk of Birth DefectSource: www.paktribune.comMothers with low levels of vitamin B12 in their blood are at increased risk of having an infant with spina bifida -- a birth defect in which the spinal cord fails to form properly, Dutch researchers report. Based on previous research, pregnancy guidelines recommend that women consume enough folic acid to reduce the risk of spina bifida and related problems. The new findings suggest that these guidelines should also include recommendations about vitamin B12. Dr. Regine P. M. Steegers-Theunissen, of University Medical Center Nijmegen, and colleagues report the findings in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The researchers measured vitamin B12 levels in blood samples from 45 mothers and their children with spina bifida and from 83 mothers and their healthy children. Mothers of children with spina bifida had vitamin B12 levels that were 21 percent lower than those of other mothers. With the lowest levels, the risk of spina bifida was increased more than threefold. "This study suggests that mothers with low vitamin B12 concentrations may benefit from the use of a...multivitamin supplement" around the time of conception, the researchers note. "However, this should be proved in future research." End. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/low-vitamin-b12-raises-risk-of-birth-defect http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-mind-body-diet The mind-body dietSource: www.mercurynews.comWant to make 2005 your year for a healthier weight and a smaller jeans size? Don't just mull over what you eat -- try thinking about why. l Women tired of counting calories and carbs are seeking out non-traditional ways to lose weight, such as hypnosis, acupressure and aromatherapy. And many are hearing a common prescription from their alternative health practitioners, one that focuses as much on feelings as food. l Traditional tricks for shedding pounds, many practitioners say, overlook the complex emotions many people tie to eating. Without understanding those connections, they say, it's hard to bring cravings or unhealthy food habits under control. l ``A lot of these issues start with emotional issues,'' said Suzann Wang, founder of Natural Health California, an alternative health practice in Palo Alto and Sausalito. ``The goal is trying to get to the underlying cause of what is going on.'' l The emotional factors in severe weight-related conditions such as anorexia are well-known. Many alternative medicine experts, who often try to look beyond a patient's symptoms to broader causes of illness, say such links also influence milder problems. l Do certain eating habits or cravings pop up at particular times? Are your afternoon chocolate scavengings tied to the most high-pressure part of the work day? Will bouts of sadness or worry send you straight to the refrigerator?If so, tackling weight or eating issues may start with understanding just how food pushes your buttons. That often begins with paying attention to food, habits and feelings, natural medicine caregivers say.If you find yourself making routine french fry stops before big meetings or a hectic afternoon with the kids' play group, for example, that may be a sign that your fry foraging is tied to stress.New diet plans should take such patterns into consideration, alternative practitioners say. Just telling yourself ``No more fries'' may not work. Without adding in other stress reducers, the cravings may resurface, scuttling your efforts to eat more healthfully.Some caregivers recommend stress-lowering alternatives such as meditation or yoga. Others, who follow alternative medicine's preference for milder natural remedies over prescription medicines, may suggest herbal or aromatherapy aids.Wang often turns to acupressure to help patients with food and eating disorders. The technique, based on principles from traditional Chinese medicine, focuses on adjusting the body's internal energy flows. An initial 90-minute consultation, which includes discussing a patient's emotional state and feelings about food, costs $225.``This has really helped me rethink what I'm doing, in a gentle, self-affirming way,'' said Marcia Ganeles, 53, of Palo Alto, who reduces stress and food cravings through acupressure and other remedies administered by Wang.Ganeles, who'd had no luck with conventional dieting, said the more holistic approach has helped bring peace of mind and better health. She has lost about 15 pounds since starting the treatments and a broader exercise routine in late 2003. She hopes to lose another 15.``This gives me a compassionate way to stop and make better choices,'' she said.Some traditional doctors, while cautious about the safety or power of alternative remedies, agree that emotional links to food are a powerful force.``To many people, food is their friend,'' said Dr. Stuart Markovitz, a Mountain View physician who has studied dieting trends. ``They eat when they are lonely, when they are anxious, when they are unhappy. If those issues are there, it's definitely valid to take them into account.''Others say it's not everyday emotions that are the problem. The real damage comes from most people's fight to be thin. Stressing over your weight, they say, creates negative feelings about eating that spin into a vicious circle of guilt, stress and self-loathing.``The reason food issues get so emotionally charged in the first place is because of our obsession over weight,'' said Los Altos therapist Deb Burgard, who focuses on women and body image. ``The real problem is how we pathologize weight and larger bodies.''Ultimately, many caregivers agree that shedding pounds comes down to more healthful eating and exercise. Such changes, never easy, often bring self-reflection -- a chance to rethink the foods and forces that shape your life.``So many people just want a quick fix. They say, `I'd like a pill to stop my chocolate cravings today,' '' Wang said. ``It's not that simple. It takes time, and becoming more aware of your body, how you eat, how you feel.'' Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-mind-body-diet http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-may-be-one-of-the-keys-to-fighting-diabetes Vitamin D may be one of the keys to fighting diabetesSource: www.newstarget.comNew research indicates a good dose of Vitamin D can help protect you against diabetes. Researchers have found that low blood levels of Vitamin D interfere with the proper function of insulin-producing cells. Low Vitamin D levels also result in an increase in the risk of insulin resistance, even in otherwise healthy individuals. So consider stepping into the sunshine if you want to increase your own Vitamin D levels. Be sure to read the related article, Every person needs sunlight exposure to create vitamin D, obesity impairs vitamin D absorption.When you think of vitamin D, what do you think of? The understanding about the importance of vitamin D and health has changed dramatically. New research now demonstrates a laundry list of benefits of vitamin D for nearly 10 different health conditions including diabetes and insulin resistance. Vitamin D is both a hormone and a vitamin. The Diabetes Connection Low blood levels of vitamin D appear to interfere with the proper functioning of insulin-producing cells. After years of overworking, the insulin-producing cells can become exhausted and lose their ability to make enough insulin. If not enough insulin is present, blood glucose levels will begin to rise. Those with higher blood levels of vitamin D have better sensitivity to insulin and lower blood glucose levels compared to those with the lowest vitamin D levels. Sources of Vitamin D The skin is the most plentiful source of vitamin D. When exposed to ultraviolet light, our skin can produce as much as 20,000 IU of vitamin D from full-body sun exposure in areas near the equator. Because nature intended our body to produce vitamin D, food sources are limited to egg yolks, liver, cod liver oil and fortified milk. Compared to skin production, a glass of fortified milk only provides about 100 IU of vitamin D. The recommendations by the Food and Nutrition Board for 200-600 IU a day for most healthy Americans is now thought to greatly underestimate the needs of those with chronic illness, such as diabetes. Your need for vitamin D will vary greatly depending on where you live and how often you are exposed to the sun. Another factor to consider is the use of sunscreen which, although important for preventing skin cancer, blocks the skins ability to produce vitamin D by over 95 percent. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/vitamin-d-may-be-one-of-the-keys-to-fighting-diabetes http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/green-tea-extract-boosts-exercise-endurance-in-animals Green tea extract boosts exercise endurance in animalsSource: www.nutraingredients.comGreen tea extract could become a novel ingredient for the sports nutrition industry if new findings on animals can be confirmed in human tests. A team from the Japanese healthcare company Kao has found that mice given green tea extract regularly over 10 weeks increased their endurance in exercise by up to 24 per cent. They explain in an online edition of the American Journal of Physiology, Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology (10.1152/ajpregu.00693.2004) that green tea extract appears to stimulate the use of fatty acids by the muscle, reducting carbohydrate use and allowing for longer exercise times. Green tea's effect on fatty acid uptake, speeding up fat breakdown, is also thought to be the reason why it helps weight loss, another area studied by the Kao researchers, and already targeted by supplement makers. In the new experiments, on Balb/c mice swimming in an adjustable-current water pool, endurance exercise performance was boosted up to 24 per cent when the mice were given green tea extract at a dose of 0.5 per cent of their weight for 10 weeks. It increased 8 per cent with a 0.2 per cent by-weight addition to food, showing that the effect was dose-dependant. Like the weight loss category, the sports nutrition sector is growing rapidly, significantly outpacing growth in the more traditional vitamins and minerals categories. In the UK, second only to Germany in terms of size, sports drinks and supplements grew 37 per cent in 2002 to reach a retail value of £166 million in 2003, according to Mintel. But while sports nutrition has been characterized by innovation and become known as one of the most dynamic segments of the nutraceuticals industry, annual growth in the US market - the world's biggest is slowing - and manufacturers are under pressure to develop novel products with new ingredients. The Kao researchers claim that green tea extract may be one such opportunity, although results have to be confirmed in human trials. Nor do they yet not understand the precise molecular mechanism by which green tea stimulates fatty acid metabolism, although the researchers suggest the antioxidant properties of tea catechins may play a role. They note that in a second part of the study, looking at one of the most potent antioxidant components in green tea (EGCG) fed to mice on its own, they found evidence to show that EGCG has at least some role to play in the overall effects of the green tea extract. "However, because the effects of EGCG appear weak compared with those of green tea extract, we cannot rule out a possible contribution from other components of green tea,” said lead researcher Takatoshi Murase. He added: “Although long-term intake of green tea extract enhanced endurance capacity, no marked effects were observed after a single dose, suggesting that some biochemical changes induced by habitual green tea extract intake, such as up-regulation of muscular beta-oxidation, contributed to the improvement in endurance capacity." The study found that plasma NEFA (non-esterified fatty acid) measured immediately after exercise slightly, but significantly, increased in mice fed the tea catechins. Though they conceded that the effect of plasma fatty acid level on endurance capacity is controversial, the researchers said that increased supply of circulating fatty acids would "induce the uptake of fatty acids, and thereby stimulate lipid metabolism in muscle." Indeed, lab results showed that muscular beta-oxidation was higher in green tea extract-fed mice than controls, suggesting that the supplement enhanced the capacity of muscle to catabolise lipids and use fatty acids as an energy source. Taken together the experimental results "suggest that habitual exercise and the intake of green tea extract enhance fatty acid availability, catabolism and utilization in muscle, and this is accompanied by a reduction in carbohydrate use, which together result in prolonged swimming times to exhaustion." The Kao researchers also controlled for possible influences of caffeine by reducing the amount in supplements, and possible weight-fat changes that might affect buoyancy. Although difficult to extrapolate the findings to a human athlete, Murase said: "We estimate that an athlete weighing 75 kilograms would have to drink about four cups (0.8 litre) of green tea daily to match the effect in our experiments." Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/green-tea-extract-boosts-exercise-endurance-in-animals http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/types-of-tea Types Of TeaSource: www.nbc4i.comTea has been lauded lately as a healthy alternative to other soothing beverages because of its health benefits. But how much do you know about tea?There are five main types of tea: black, green, oolong, white, and herbal -- which isn't actually made from tea leaves at all.Black tea: Generally known in the United States as "regular tea," this type is oxidized; which means it's left to fully dry and ferment after being picked. Chemical reactions to air exposure darken leaves' color. Earl Grey, English Breakfast and Darjeeling are some examples of black teas. Green tea: Unlike the black variety, green tea is not fermented. After being picked, the leaves are immediately dried. This tea type is generally more pale and has a slightly bitter taste, which is why it's often enjoyed after a very sweet dessert and alongside Oriental foods. Green teas include Lung Ching, Bancha and Sencha.Oolong tea: This is a combination of green and black leaves, as it is partially fermented. The color and flavor falls between the green and black teas as well. Examples of oolong teas include Black Dragon and Pouchong (Pao-Chung).White tea: This rare type of tea is unfermented, but unlike the green tea, the leaves are rapidly fired and dried, resulting in a more "natural" state. They taste lighter and more fragrant. This tea is usually enjoyed without a meal, and is generally available only from specialty stores and importers. It can also be as much as 10 times more expensive than other teas. White teas include Flowery White Pekoe, Silver Needles and Noble Beauty.Herbal tea: Tea purists are quick to point out that herbal teas don't actually contain tea leaves. Instead, most are made from a blend of herbs, leaves, flowers and roots. Chamomile and Peppermint are just two of the many herbal teas available today. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/types-of-tea http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/supermodel-frederique-van-der-wal-signs-on-as-the-new-face-of-restylane Supermodel Frederique van der Wal Signs on as the New Face of RestylaneSource: home.businesswire.comtoday announced that Frederique van der Wal will serve as the new face of its dermal filler, Restylane(R), an injection for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. The supermodel's image will appear on the Company's Web site as well as its informational brochures. Additionally, Frederique will serve as the product's spokeswoman for its public relations efforts, as she conducts media interviews on the brand's behalf. "Restylane is a product I truly believe in," said Ms. Van Der Wal. "Maintaining a youthful appearance is vital to my career, so I was excited to find a natural, non-invasive treatment that can safely erase some of the fine lines I've recently started to notice. With a procedure like Restylane, I can make subtle improvements where and when I need to without worrying about side effects or recovery time." Among her credits, Frederique has appeared on nine Cosmopolitan covers as well as adorned the pages of Victoria's Secret, Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. Named one of Revlon's "Most Unforgettable Women in the World," Frederique has appeared in specials on E!, VH1 and DIY and is working on pilots for the Discovery Networks. She will also serve as the host on VH1's new reality makeover show, "Spread," scheduled to premiere in 2005. "We are delighted to have Frederique onboard as the new face of Restylane," said Jonah Shacknai, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medicis. "Her enthusiasm for the product coupled with her immense success in the modeling and entertainment industries and great personality make her a natural choice for us." Since its U.S. launch in January 2004, Restylane has become the market leader among cosmetic dermal fillers. In addition to its long-standing safety profile in the clinical and real-world settings, Restylane also offers physicians and patients long-lasting results. In fact, of all the FDA-approved fillers available today, Restylane is the only one with clinical data supporting its efficacy for as long as six months. About Restylane Restylane is the first and only dermal filler made of crystal-clear gel called NASHA(TM) (Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid). Restylane uses a dual mechanism of action to correct wrinkles and folds. Upon being injected beneath the skin's surface, the NASHA gel adds natural volume and lift to smooth wrinkles and folds. The NASHA gel integrates into dermal tissue, then attracts and binds to water molecules to help maintain volume. Restylane is gradually degraded by the body's own mechanism and disappears without any residue. Results can be seen immediately following treatment and last six months, or even longer. Restylane does not require any allergy or skin test prior to injection. As with any dermal filler, reported side effects include temporary redness and swelling at the injection site. These effects usually resolve within two days. Restylane is a prescribed medical product, so please speak with your dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon to see if it is right for you. For more information on Restylane, including complete product information, log on to www.restylaneusa.com About Medicis Medicis Aesthetics Inc., the company that is marketing and selling Restylane in the U.S., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation, a leading independent specialty pharmaceutical company in the United States focusing primarily on the treatment of aesthetic, dermatological, and podiatric conditions. The Company is dedicated to helping patients attain a healthy and youthful appearance and self-image. Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation has leading branded prescription products in a number of therapeutic categories, including acne, eczema, fungal infections, psoriasis, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis and skin and skin-structure infections. The Company's products have earned wide acceptance by both physicians and patients due to their clinical effectiveness, high quality and cosmetic elegance. Except for historical information, this press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that Medicis expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. This includes earnings estimates, future financial performance and other matters. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by Medicis based on its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Medicis. Any such projections or statements include the current views of Medicis with respect to future events and financial performance. No assurances can be given, however, that these events will occur or that such results will be achieved. Medicis cannot validate its assumptions of the full impact on its business of the approval of competitive generic versions of its core brands, including DYNACIN(R) Tablets and/or LOPROX(R), or any future competitive product approvals that may affect its brands. Also, there are a number of additional important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including the anticipated size of the markets, the availability of product supply, the receipt of required regulatory approvals, the ability to realize anticipated synergies and benefits of the Q-Med transactions, the risks and uncertainties normally incident to the pharmaceutical industry, dependence on sales of key products, the uncertainty of future financial results and fluctuations in operating results, dependence on Medicis' strategy including the uncertainty of license payments and/or other payments due from third parties, the timing and success of new product development by Medicis or third parties, product introductions, the risks of pending or future litigation, and other risks described from time to time in Medicis' SEC filings including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2004. There can be no assurance as to when or if any of the holders of the Notes will have the right to convert or if the Notes will be converted, and what impact the increase in the number of shares outstanding will have on its results of operations. Forward-looking statements represent the judgment of Medicis' management as of the date of this release, and Medicis disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements. NOTE: Full prescribing information for any Medicis prescription product is available by contacting the Company. OMNICEF(R) is a registered trademark of Abbott Laboratories, Inc. under a license from Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. RESTYLANE(R) is a registered trademark of HA North American Sales AB, a subsidiary of Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation. NASHA(TM) is a trademark of Q-Med AB. All other marks (or brands) and names are the property of Medicis or its Affiliates.More people discover that 'life in plastic is fantastic' By: Michelle Miller, Journal Staff Writer Tuesday, January 25, 2005 12:06 PM PST Christy Jennings, a medical assistant with Roseville Facial Plastics Surgery, receives a Botox injection from Kiener. Kiener calls the injection a "lunch break" procedure. Photo by Karina Williams/Auburn Journal Maybe it's the rise of "makeover television." Maybe it's a shedding of cultural taboos. But people seem more willing than ever to seek out plastic surgery and other means to noticeably change their appearance.More than 8.7 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed in 2003, up 32 percent from the previous year, according to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Media coverage of plastic surgery and gastric bypass transformations have helped the industry, said Dr. David Kiener, a certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Roseville Facial Plastic Surgery."There are more people having procedures done now than ever before," he said. "With the media exposure, they can see what kind of changes can occur."While many TV shows such as "The Swan" feature dramatically changed appearances, the average patient only wants a little work on their nose, chin or teeth, he said, especially since TV producers usually foot the bill for an expensive whole-body makeover."Our motto here is we want everybody to look natural," he said. "We want someone who's never seen you to look at you and not see that you've had plastic surgery." The non-profit ASPS also reports that minimally invasive procedures, such as microdermabrasion or chemical peels, enjoyed a large increase, rising 41 percent in 2003.One of the most common procedures at Roseville Facial Plastic Surgery is botox injections. Due to its affordability, quick recovery time and great results, botox is a perfect "lunch break" procedure, Kiener said.While botox has received a lot of publicity, a new product that people are buzzing about in the plastic surgery world is Restylene, chemically known as Hyaluronic acid.It acts as a dermal filler that restores skin's fullness and is used primarily for wrinkle correction, especially lines from the corner of the nose to the tips of the mouth, and lip enhancement."It's relatively new and has pretty much replaced collagen among people who know about it. It lasts and doesn't have the problems with allergies some people have with collagen."Other trends include people seeking procedures to look their best for special events. The most common is the mother of the bride, Kiener said. He suggests people undergoing more invasive surgical procedures do so three months ahead of the big occasion to allow optimal healing time.Nani Schoening, 21, of Auburn has friends who are considering getting work done."They want to feel good about themselves and fix what it is that bothers them," she said. "But I've seen enough on TV about what goes on and what can go wrong. I don't think I'd have anything done."Dr. Jonathan Freed of the Freed Plastic Surgery Medical Center said the ideal patient is already leading a healthy lifestyle."I don't want patients to have gone on a crash diet of cabbage soup and lost 40 pounds and then gain it all back," he said. "You should be on a healthy program, eating well, exercising well, getting enough sleep and rest, then look at yourself in the mirror and study things that concern you and bother you the most. Then when you come into the office, I usually go into what your concerns are and what can be done, but I like to let the patient make the decision."Freed, an ASPS member and certified surgeon, has offices in Grass Valley and the only plastic surgery office in Auburn."In our community, there are higher rates of face rejuvenation because our population is a little older than the average city," Freed said.Freed said some TV shows give a false impression by fast-forwarding through recovery time and doing several procedures at once, which he would not recommend.While the promise of physical transformation leads some to the plastic surgeon, health issues necessitate others to seek the successful, but often risky, gastric bypass surgery.Ty Rowe, owner of Bootlegger's Old Town Taver & Grill, underwent the surgery a year and a half ago that cut his stomach to a smaller size.Weighing 690 pounds, Rowe was under doctor's care and told to loose weight. He faced a decision that could have risked his life."Death. That was the big risk," he said. "There also wasn't a lot of long-term studies on the effects."Although Rowe experienced complications that required an extended hospital stay, the surgery helped him loose 410 pounds."That number speaks for itself, he said, "Your whole life is different."Regardless, the procedure is not for everyone."I don't push this on anyone. It's a personal decision and a personal thing. I'm still good friends with the surgeon and he refers a lot of patients with questions to me."Whether it's a health-conscious transformation or some minor resurfacing, it appears that there is no shame revolving physical self-improvement."People used to fly to New York or Beverly Hills for plastic surgery, stay there a couple weeks to recuperate and nobody would know any different," Kiener said. "But now with people on TV, it doesn't seem that taboo anymore, it's more mainstream. There's still some who prefer to keep quiet, but more people are telling everyone they know. It's not a secret."The Journal's Michelle Miller can be reached at michellem@goldcountrymedia.com. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/supermodel-frederique-van-der-wal-signs-on-as-the-new-face-of-restylane http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/african-herb-yields-its-anti-addiction-secret African Herb Yields Its Anti-Addiction SecretSource: www.disinfo.com'The secret of an African herb that helps drug addicts and alcoholics kick the habit has been discovered. The finding could lead to safer and more effective medications for treating addiction.'Since the 1960s, many addicts have reported that even a single dose of ibogaine, a hallucinogenic alkaloid extracted from the root of an African shrub, helps them kick their habit by reducing their cravings for drugs. And there is hard evidence to back these claims, as well. However, troubling side effects - including heart problems and several deaths - have kept ibogaine from being widely accepted as a medical treatment. Instead, a few researchers have begun searching for ways to deliver ibogaine's benefits without its risks (New Scientist, 26 April 2003, p 34).' Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/african-herb-yields-its-anti-addiction-secret http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/eat-your-greens-hope-in-cervical-cancer-battle 'Eat Your Greens' Hope in Cervical Cancer BattleSource: news.scotsman.comResearchers are hoping to find if “eating up your greens” could help combat cervical cancer.A team at the Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff University, wants to find out if a substance found in vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, sprouts and cauliflower can reduce cases cervical abnormalities if used as a food supplement.The supplement, diindolylmethane (DIM), apparently exerts its effect by modifying the breakdown products of oestrogen in the body and by inducing abnormal cells to self-destruct. To obtain enough DIM to benefit, at least two raw heads of cabbage would need to be eaten daily.The trial uses a capsule containing DIM, already available as a herbal remedy in the USA.A research team headed by Professor Alison Fiander, head of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, is carrying out the study.“The study is looking at whether a food supplement called DIM is able to reverse minor or mild cervical smear abnormalities and prevent the development of more serious abnormalities in the future,” she told BBC Wales.“DIM is formed in the body naturally during the digestion of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, sprouts and cabbage.”The trial is sponsored by Cancer Research UK.Women in the area who have either a second borderline or mildly abnormal cervical smear will be invited by letter to participate.Participants in the research are to take DIM daily for six months while waiting for the next smear. Clinics are being held in the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/eat-your-greens-hope-in-cervical-cancer-battle http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/ministers-blasted-over-eu-pills-ban Ministers blasted over EU pills banSource: www.yorkshiretoday.co.ukDirective will sweep common supplements from shops MINISTERS came under attack last night for making late-night drinking and gambling easier, while failing to oppose a European Union-wide ban on vitamin supplements used by thousands of Britons. Simon McGee Political Editor Up to 5,000 common products used safely for years – including multi-nutrient tablets, high-dose vitamin pills, and minerals – are due to be swept from shop shelves when the EU Food Supplements Directive comes into effect in August. Public Health Minister Melanie Johnson was attacked by MPs of all parties in a Commons debate yesterday led by Tory health spokesman Chris Grayling, who dubbed the directive "a betrayal to British consumers". In the Commons debate, Hackney North and Stoke Newington's Labour MP Diane Abbot asked: "How can the Government say that all they're concerned about is health when they're legislating for people to drink themselves into a stupor 24 hours a day?" Mr Grayling pointed out: "It will be legal for a teenager to go out and buy cigarettes that cause cancer, but it will be illegal for an adult to go out and buy a vitamin tablet. "That is completely and utterly absurd." But Ms Johnson insisted: "It's better to be safe than wise after the event." The Tory MP for Vale of York, former Euro-MP Anne McIntosh, is one of 186 MPs to have signed a Commons motion expressing "grave concern" that pills and powders in common use are to become illegal. Yesterday she branded the legislation "discriminatory and unfair". Meanwhile, British lawyers representing health food manufacturers and shops, led by a senior partner from a Sheffield law firm, appeared before the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg yesterday to argue that the directive was flawed and "uses a hammer to crack a nut". The head of public law with Irwin Mitchell, in Sheffield, Andrew Lockley, who is legal adviser to the British Health Food Manufacturers Association and National Association of Health Stores said in Luxembourg that his legal team told the bench of 13 international judges that implementation would impose regulatory costs on suppliers which would lead to many of them going bankrupt. The new legislation outlaws health food preparations containing ingredients not on a "positive list" of permitted substances. Only manufacturers who submit detailed scientific dossiers by July 12 this year proving their ingredients are safe would be allowed to escape the directive's provisions, and then only until the end of 2009. But campaigners stress there is absolutely no evidence that any of the ingredients are unsafe for adults and say confirming this will cost up to £250,000 per nutrient source, too much for many small providers to compile. The former style adviser to Cherie Blair, Carole Caplin, is one of the figures fronting the last-ditch campaign to get the directive on food supplements overturned. She went to Downing Street yesterday to hand in a petition urging the Government to reconsider its position. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/ministers-blasted-over-eu-pills-ban http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/cold-remedy-tips Cold Remedy TipsSource: www.wlns.comThe 1st hint of a sore throat or a runny nose sends many people scurrying to the drug store seeking relief in the form of over-the-counter cold remedies. Just because we don't need a prescription to buy over-the-counter medications, doesn't mean the drugs are without risk. Even the most popular OTC remedies can be misused or abused with serious consequences.Before reaching for a cold or flu remedy, experts offer the following considerations:*People with high blood pressure or irregular heartbeats, for example, should be careful with decongestants because it may aggravate their condition.*Consult with a doctor if you are taking other medications, either over-the-counter or prescription. Cold and flu medications can have serious effects when combined with other drugs.* Look for a product that targets only the symptoms you have. Limiting the number of drugs you take will lessen the likelihood of side effects or drug interactions.*Taking double the recommended dose won't cure a cold faster or make you feel twice as good. In fact, it could lead to very serious side effects if an accidental overdose is taken. *Most over-the-counter remedies just relieve symptoms, rather than preventing or shortening the duration of your illness. Products that contain zinc gluconate glycine have been shown to reduce the duration of a cold by almost half in clinical studies. Washing your hands, getting enough sleep and practicing healthy habits will also go a long way toward fending off the common cold. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/cold-remedy-tips http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-extract-effectively-treats-depression Herbal Extract Effectively Treats DepressionSource: www.healthtalk.caAccording to a study published in the online edition of The British Medical Journal, an herbal extract was found to be slightly better in treating patients with moderate to severe depression than a leading prescribed antidepressant drug.German researchers compared the effectiveness of St. John's Wort to Paroxetine, brand name Paxil, in a short-term study that involved 301 participants aged 18-70. At the end of the trial, 50 percent (61 out of 122) of those taking St. John's Wort reported their condition improved, compared with 35 percent (43 out of 122) of those taking the antidepressant drug Paxil.The researchers also found fewer adverse effects among those taking St. John's Wort compared to those who took Paxil - 172 and 269 respectively. The researchers said they welcome more research in this area and support the use of St. John's Wort as an alternative to treat depression. NOTE: The research was financed by the company that markets the extract. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:13 +0000 http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-extract-effectively-treats-depression http://www.althealth.co.uk/news/latest-news/herbal-extract-may-treat-diabetes-like-a-drug Herbal Extract May Treat Diabetes Like a DrugSource: my.webmd.comAn herbal extract used in traditional Indian medicine may treat diabetes as effectively as prescription medications, according to a new study.Researchers found that a large dose of the herb Salacia oblonga lowered blood sugar and insulin levels by 23% and 29%, respectively, in healthy normal-weight adults."These kinds of reductions are similar to what we might see with prescription oral medications for people with diabetesprescription oral medications for people with diabetes," says researcher Steve Hertzler, assistant professor of nutrition at Ohio State University, in a news release.It remains to be seen whether the herb would have the same effect in people with diabetes, but researchers say the results merit further research to answer that question."Lowering blood glucose levels lowers the risk of disease-related complications in people with diabetes," says Hertzler. "Also, poor compliance with diabetes medications often hinders the effectiveness of these drugs. It may be easier to get someone to take an herb with food or in a beverage, as opposed to a pill."Salacia oblonga is an herb native to regions of India and Sri Lanka, which binds to enzymes in the intestine that break down carbohydrates into sugar (glucose). The herb works similar to medication used to treat diabetes known as alpha-glucosidase inhibitorsalpha-glucosidase inhibitors, such as Precose or Glyset. When these enzymes bind to the herbal extract rather than to carbohydrates, less glucose is absorbed, resulting in lower blood sugar and insulin levels.In the study, which appears in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, researchers examined the effect of different doses of Salacia oblonga on insulin and blood sugar levels in 39 healthy adults.How Large a Dose Is Needed?The participants drank four test meals consisting of a carbohydrate-rich beverage fortified with either 0 (placebo), 500, 700, or 1,000 milligrams of Salacia oblonga herbal extract on four different occasions after fasting for 12 hours. Researchers then measured blood sugar and insulin levels two hours after the meal.Since Salacia oblonga can cause intestinal gas, researchers also measured breath hydrogen as an indicator of intestinal gas for eight hours after the meal.The results showed that the largest dose of the herbal extract reduced blood sugar levels by 23% and insulin levels by 29% compared with the placebo. The other, smaller doses of the herbal extract did not have an impact on blood sugar or insulin levels.Researchers found breath hydrogen levels increased as the dose of Salacia oblonga incre