Progressive Health Blog

Good News About Hot Flashes?

2011-03-17T19:51:43Z

Approximately 75 percent of menopausal women experience hot flashes and night sweats. Although hot flashes are an uncomfortable nuisance for millions of women, there may be a benefit. Now research reports that hot flashes and night sweats are linked with a lower risk for heart disease, stroke and death.

The study, published in the journal Menopause, investigated the relationship between menopause vasomotor symptoms and heart disease. Researchers at Harvard Medical School in Boston, analyzed the data of 60,000 women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study and followed for 10 years.

The researchers found that participants who had hot flashes and night sweats at menopause onset had a lower risk for heart disease, than those with symptoms later in menopause or no symptoms at all. The study authors report that more research needs to be done to determine the mechanism behind this association.

"Early VMS [vasomotor symptoms] were not associated with increased CVD [cardiovascular disease] risk," the study authors write. "Rather, early VMS were associated with decreased risk of stroke, total CVD events, and all-cause mortality. Late VMS were associated with increased CHD risk and all-cause mortality. The predictive value of VMS for clinical CVD events may vary with the onset of VMS at different stages of menopause."

Balance Point for Women Enhances Wellness

Progressive Health's Balance Point for Women is a comprehensive multivitamin formula specially designed to support women's health. It features 40 nutrients including vitamins (such as folic acid), hormone helpers, antioxidant protectors, bone protectors, skin, hair and nail builders, and vision helpers.

Your Thoughts

Are you using alternative therapies to manage menopause symptoms? We'd love to hear about it! Please share with us below.

Healthy Diets Reduce Risk of Dying

2011-03-17T17:00:00Z

Research suggests that the Mediterranean diet is linked to the lowest rates of diet-linked disease and obesity. Dietary quality is measured by the Mediterranean Diet Score (adherence to a traditional Greek Mediterranean type diet), the Mediterranean Adequacy Index (adherence to the Italian Reference Mediterranean diet), and the Healthy Diet Indicator (based on WHO dietary guidelines for disease prevention). Now a study reports that people whose diets scored higher on either the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS), the Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI), or the Healthy Diet Indicator (HDI), had a reduced risk of dying during a ten year period.

The study, published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (published online before print January 18, 2006), investigated the association between dietary patterns and risk of dying using the MDS, MAI, or HDI dietary quality scores. Researchers at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, analyzed dietary data from the Healthy Aging: A Longitudinal Study in Europe (HALE), including 2,068 men and 1,049 women between the ages of 70 and 90, for 10 years. Dietary questionnaires were obtained from the participants. During the 10 year follow-up period, 1,382 people died.

Researchers found that the participants with scores greater than the median on any of the diets had a significantly reduced risk of dying. Findings also revealed that participants with a higher MDS score had an 18 percent lower risk of dying, participants with a higher MAI score had a 17 percent lower risk, and participants with a higher HDI score had an 11 percent lower risk.

"The MDS, the MDI and the HDI were significantly inversely related with mortality," the study authors conclude.

REFERENCES:
1. Knoops KTB et al. Comparison of three different dietary scores in relation to 10-year mortality in elderly European subjects: the HALE project. Published online before print January 18, 2006, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602378

Probiotics Relieve Kids Constipation

2011-03-16T17:56:09Z

Childhood chronic constipation is a common problem, affecting about 3 percent of children. Now research reports that probiotics may relieve chronic constipation in children. Probiotics such as acidophilus and bacillus are beneficial bacteria found in the gut (intestines). Probiotics are known to support GI (gastrointestinal) health and immunity. Previous studies suggest that probiotics can relieve chronic constipation in adults.

The pilot study, published in Nutrition Journal, investigated the effect of probiotic on chronic constipation symptoms in children. Researchers from Emma Children's Hospital/Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands, administered daily Bifidobacterium breve probiotic to 20 children (ages 3 to 16) with chronic constipation, for four weeks. Bristol stool scale measurements and a standardized bowel symptoms diary were obtained from the participants.

The researchers found that abdominal pain was significantly reduced. Furthermore, stool consistency and defecation frequency were significantly increased. No side effects were reported.

"Bifidobacterium breve is effective in increasing stool frequency in children with functional constipation," the study authors write. "Furthermore it has a positive effect with respect to stool consistency, decreasing the number of faecal incontinence episodes and in diminishing abdominal pain."

Promote GI Health with Ectopial

Progressive Health's Ectopial is a GI-health promoting supplement containing the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus, psyllium seed husk, oat bran fiber, slippery elm (inner bark), althea officinalis (marshmallow) and vitamin C. Ectopial's natural nutrients promote GI function and relieve and prevent constipation symptoms.

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Nutritional Supplements and CHF

2011-03-16T17:00:00Z

The randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, published in the European Heart Journal (2005, vol. 26, no. 21), investigated the effect of long-term multiple nutrient supplementation on left ventricular (LV) heart function, inflammatory cytokine levels, and quality-of-life (QoL) in elderly patients with CHF. British and German researchers administered daily either high-dose micronutrients including calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, selenium, vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B(6), folate, vitamin B(12), vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D, and Coenzyme Q10, or a placebo, to 30 elderly subjects with stable CHF, for 9 months. Quality of life questionnaires, blood samples, six-minute walk test, and cardiac magnetic resonance scanning to evaluate cardiac function were obtained from the participants at the beginning and end of the study.

The researchers found that the nutrient supplement group had improved LV heart function and quality of life, compared to the placebo group. The placebo group reported a decrease in quality of life. There was no change in inflammatory cytokine levels and six-minute walk test in both groups.

"The potential benefits of micronutrient supplementation in CHF are extensive," the study authors write. "Long-term multiple micronutrient supplementation can improve LV volumes and LVEF and QoL scores in elderly patients with heart failure due to LV systolic dysfunction."

Green Tea Prevents Radiation Damage?

2011-03-15T17:29:32Z

Green tea contains potent antioxidant catechins and polyphenols that help prevent inflammation, cancer, heart disease and other chronic diseases. Now research reports that a green tea polyphenol extract may one of the most powerful free radical scavengers. It found that the extract can help protect cells from DNA induced radiation damage. Antioxidants such as those found in green tea neutralize harmful free radicals (toxic byproducts of metabolic functions) and protect against oxidative damage

The study, published in the Journal of Food Biochemistry, investigated the effect of green tea extract on free radicals and singlet oxygen. Researchers from the University Annamalal, India, treated free radicals including hydroxyl radicals, superoxide, nitric oxide and singlet oxygen with sunephon, a green tea polyphenol extract. The scientists compared sunephon's free radical scavenging effects with a standard thiocyannate anion.

The researchers found that the green tea extract contained 75 to 80 percent green tea polyphenols. Furthermore, the extract scavenged potent free radicals and decreased the lifetime of singlet oxygen from 64 to 21 microseconds. Sunephon also prevented radiation induced DNA damage.

"Our study envisage the potential properties of sunphenon, a green tea polyphenol by its anti-oxidant activity of scavenging free radicals such as hydroxyl, superoxide, nitric oxide, singlet oxygen, 2,2′-azino-bis (3-thylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid^•− and 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and also possesses protective action against peroxide-induced mitochondrial damage, radiation induced DNA damage and having high redox potential," the study authors write. "Based on its potential ability it might be useful in filed of drug discovery for making novel drugs or nanoparticles for treating various diseases."

Revitle Anti-Aging Remedy

Cell-damaging free radicals can result from aging, exposure to radiation, environmental chemicals and certain drugs. Taking antioxidants like green tea can help prevent the damaging effects of free radicals while protecting your body from future disease.

Progressive Health's Revitle is an anti-aging remedy specifically developed to enhance wellness, improve quality of life and reduce the risk for serious disease. Revitle includes researched antioxidants like green tea, ginkgo biloba, cordyceps, grape seed, coenzyme Q10, omega 3 fatty acids, NAC (n-acetyl l-cysteine), alpha lipoic acid, hawthorne, Siberian ginseng, bilberry, and essential vitamins and minerals.

This Vitamin Fights Lung Cancer?

2011-03-14T20:54:01Z

Previous studies suggest that low levels of vitamin D are linked with an increased risk for cancer. Now research reports that an enzyme found in lung tumors may block vitamin D's anticancer effects. This discovery may help create future drug therapies to prevent and treat lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, 222,520 Americans were diagnosed with lung cancer last year.

The study, published in Clinical Cancer Research, investigated the relationship between vitamin D and lung cancer tumor cells. Researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center analyzed tumor samples from 86 participants with lung cancer to determine levels of the CYP24A1 enzyme. High CYP24A1 levels are found in about a third of lung cancer patients.

The researchers found that CYP24A1 levels were up to 50 times higher in cancerous lung tissue, compared to healthy lung tissue.Patients with higher enzyme levels had more aggressive tumors and lower survival rates. Findings also revealed that CYP24A1 breaks down calcitriol (vitamin D3) and blocks the anticancer effects.

"Half of lung cancers will recur after surgery, so it's important to find a way to prevent or delay this recurrence," says study author Nithya Ramnath, M.D., associate professor at U-M Medical School, in a news release. "A natural compound like vitamin D is attractive because it has few side effects, but it's even better if we can determine exactly who would benefit from receiving vitamin D."

Support Respiratory Health with Airzene

Research suggests that inadequate nutrition is common in individuals suffering from poor respiratory health. Natural nutrients can help promote lung activity, antioxidant status and respiratory health.

Progressive Health's Airzene's has been specifically designed to relieve upper respiratory conditions such as bronchitis and asthma and restore respiratory health. Airzene contains n-acetyl l-cysteine (NAC), licorice root, cordyceps, astragalus, echinacea purpurea, citrus aurantium (bitter orange), vitamin C and zinc

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Olive Oil Phenolics Boost Cardiovascular Health

2011-03-13T17:00:00Z

The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2005, vol.46 no.10), investigated the effect of the phenolic content of virgin olive oil on the endothelium (the inner lining of blood vessels) of patients with high cholesterol levels. Spanish researchers from the Reina Sofia University Hospital in Cordoba, Spain, administered breakfasts of 60 grams of white bread with 40 milliliters of virgin olive oil of high and low phenolic content on different days, to 21 subjects (5 men, 16 women) with high cholesterol levels. To measure endothelial responses, ischemic reactive hyperemia (IRH) tests using Doppler laser were obtained from the participants, 2 and 4 hours after the meal. A poor response to the IRH test is considered an early warning sign of heart disease. Blood samples at baseline and 2 hours after the meal, were also obtained from the participants.

Researchers found that the participants' endothelium functioning of the fingers and concentration of nitric oxide and other healthy components in the blood improved, after the high-phenolic meal. However, these changes were not observed in the participants after the low-phenolic meal.

"One of the beauties of this study is that using a randomized, sequential, crossover study, so that the same patients were exposed to the same oil, once with low phenolic content and the other with high phenolic content, the only variable in this study is the phenolic content of the olive oil," says Juan J. Badimon, Ph.D., F.A.C.C., of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, in a news release. "These results indicate that a very small change in diet, like using olive oil with a high phenolic content may have a significant impact in the progression of atherosclerosis."

REFERENCES:
1. Ruano J et al. Phenolic Content of Virgin Olive Oil Improves Ischemic Reactive Hyperemia in Hypercholesterolemic Patients. JACC 2005 Nov;46(10):1864-1868.
2. Phenolic Compounds May Explain Mediterranean Diet Benefits. ACC News Release, November 15, 2005, online:
http://www.acc.org/media/releases/highlights/2005/nov05/phenolic.htm

This Essential Oil Fights Fungus

2011-03-12T20:06:03Z

Scientists have been searching for natural antifungals since there is increasing resistance to antifungal drugs. Now research reports lavender essential oil has potent antifungal effects that may fight yeast infections. Lavender oil has a long history of being used as a perfume and in herbal folk medicine. Previous studies suggest that levender oil has antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. This discovery may help help create future therapies to treat opportunistic fungal infections..

The study, published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, investigated the effects of lavender oil on pathogenic fungi. Researchers from the University of Coimbra in Portugal, extracted lavender oil from the native Portuguese Lavandula viridis shrub. They then conducted cell culture experiments testing the lavender oil against a range of pathogenic fungi, including dermatophytes and Candida species. Dermatophytes cause infections of the skin, hair and nails and Candida causes thrush infection.

The researchers found that lavender oil destroyed dermatophytes and Candida species. Findings also revealed that the oils worked by damaging the cell membranes of fungal cells.

"Our resultsshow that L. viridis essential oils may be useful in the clinicaltreatment of fungal diseases, particularly dermatophytosis andcandidosis, although clinical trials are required to evaluatethe practical relevance of our in vitro research," the study authors write.

Veraferm Anti-Fungal Remedy

About 75% of women will have at least one genital yeast infection and 50% of women will have more than one infection. When used in conjunction with traditional treatments, natural anti-fungal nutrients can lead to quicker recovery time and lower the risk of recurrence.

Progressive Health's Veraferm is a natural anti-fungal remedy specifically formulated to combat candidiasis yeast infection and restore balance by normalizing candida levels. Veraferm contains a synergistic blend of potent nutrients such as caprylic acid, goldenseal, garlic, biotin, probiotics and lactoferrin.

Lipid Profile Improved by Fish Oils and Garlic

2011-03-12T17:00:00Z

Fish oil is high in omega 3 fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA. Omega 3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and also reduce the production of LDL cholesterol and increase the production of HDL, the good cholesterol. Garlic is effective at altering absorption of fat as well as decreasing production of LDL and increasing production of HDL.

The study published in the Indian Heart Journal enrolled 32 subjects age 30-60 years with high cholesterol. They were matched and randomized to receive either 600 mg of fish oil with 500 mg of garlic oil per day for 60 days or placebo. Each participant had total cholesterol greater than 220 mg/dl.

After treatment for 60 days the fish oil and garlic group had significant improvement in the lipid profile over that of those receiving placebo. Total cholesterol decreased by 20% (44 points) in the treatment group, while LDL and triglycerides decreased by 21% and 37% respectively. HDL levels increased in the treatment group by 5.1%.

The study showed that fish oil with garlic improved lipid profile in adults with high cholesterol compared to placebo. The study did not compare the combined treatment to single therapy treatment, which may have strengthened the argument that the combination treatment is better. It can also not be determined if the therapeutic effect is due to one treatment or another.

Obamas Host Anti-Bullying Conference

2011-03-11T18:09:51Z

On March 10, 2011 President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted the White House Conference on Bullying Prevention in Washington, DC. The President and First Lady were joined by advocates, teachers, parents and students to discuss ways to end bullying and make schools safer for students. Experts led sessions on bullying and highlighted private, non-profit and government anti-bullying programs.

President Obama revealed that he was a target for bullying as a child. "If there's one goal of this conference, it's to dispel the myth that bullying is just a harmless rite of passage or an inevitable part of growing up," said President Obama, in a White House press release. "It's not. Bullying can have destructive consequences for our young people."

Experts estimate that about one third of children or 13 million students in the U.S. are bullied every year. Bullied children are at increased risk for drug or alcohol abuse as well as mental and physical health issues. Cyberbullying - using technologies like Facebook, Twitter and texting to carry out bullying - has been getting increased attention after several high profile teen suicides.

"As parents, this issue really hits home for us. It breaks our hearts to think that any child feels afraid every day in the classroom, on the playground, or even online," said First Lady Michelle Obama. "I hope that all of you - and everyone watching online - will walk away from this conference with new ideas and solutions that you can take back to your own schools and communities."

White House Bullying Prevention Information: http://www.stopbullying.gov

Listol Naturally Relieves ADHD

Progressive Health's Listol works to restore nutrient deficiencies associated with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), relieve ADHD symptoms, and promote mental performance and brain health.

Listol is a natural ADHD remedy containing clinically evaluated ingredients such as phosphatidylserine, glycine, GABA, DMAE, Huperzine A and essential vitamins and minerals.

Your Thoughts

Are you taking positive action to help your child manage ADHD or prevent bullying? Please share with us below.

More Fish, More Protection Against Heart Disease

2011-03-11T17:00:00Z

The large-population study, published in Circulation (2006, vol 113 no 2), investigated the association of high fish intake and the risk of heart disease. Japanese researchers from various medical institutions in Japan analyzed the data of 41,578 male and female healthy subjects aged 40 to 59, participating in the Japan Public Health Center-Based (JPHC) study. The subjects were followed up from 1990-1992 to 2001. Food frequency questionnaires analyzed for weekly fish intake and omega-3 fatty acid content were obtained from the participants. Over the follow-up period there were 196 nonfatal and 62 fatal coronary events.

The researchers found that participants with the highest fish intake (eight times weekly or 180 grams daily) had a 37 percent lower risk of coronary heart disease and a 56 percent lower risk of heart attack, compared to those with the lowest intake (once weekly or 23 grams daily). Furthermore, participants with the highest omega-3 fatty acid intake (2.1 grams daily) had a 65 percent lower risk of heart attack and a 67 percent lower risk of nonfatal coronary events, compared to those with the lowest intake (300 milligrams daily).

"Compared with a modest fish intake of once a week or 20 grams per day, a higher intake was associated with substantially reduced risk of coronary heart disease, primarily nonfatal cardiac events, among middle-aged persons," the study authors conclude.

REFERENCES:
1. Hiroyasu I et al. Intake of fish and n3 Fatty Acids and risk of coronary heart disease among Japanese. Circulation 2006 Jan 113(2):195-202

Placebo More Effective Than Pill-Popping?

2011-03-10T21:44:46Z

Clinical drug trials compare patients treated with a new drug with those who take placebo pills. Placebos look identical to the drug but contain no active ingredients. The placebo effect occurs when a patient taking the "dummy" pill experiences a psychological benefit because they believe they are receiving treatment. Now research reports that placebo may have a better outcome than pain-relieving drugs.

The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, examined how expectations of a treatment influences response to pain-relieving drugs. Researchers at Oxford University and Cambridge University, UK, administered an opioid drug to 22 healthy volunteers and manipulated the expectations of pain relief. The participants had MRI scans of the brain taken while heat was applied to the leg until pain was felt. An opioid drug or placebo was administered by an intravenous line.

The researchers found that the MRI showed the brain's pain receptors responded according to the participants' treatment expectations. Furthermore, when the participant's believed the pain drug had been stopped their pain levels increased to original levels even though the pain drug was still being secretly administered.

"On the basis of subjective and objective evidence, we contend that an individual's expectation of a drug's effect critically influences its therapeutic efficacy and that regulatory brain mechanisms differ as a function of expectancy," the study authors write. "We propose that it may be necessary to integrate patients' beliefs and expectations into drug treatment regimes alongside traditional considerations in order to optimize treatment outcomes."

Natural Pain Relief with Viaprene

Progressive Health's Viaprene offers natural pain relief from headaches and migraine.

Viaprene's clinically evaluated ingredients include GABA (gamma amino butyric acid), feverfew, magnesium, butterbur, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and coQ10 (coenzyme Q10). Viaprene has been specially developed to relieve throbbing head pain and pressure while reducing the number and severity of headaches.

Your Thoughts

Are you using alternative therapies to relieve pain? Do you have any comments? Please add below!

Thiamin Helps Congestive Heart Failure Patients

2011-03-09T17:00:00Z

Congestive heart failure (CHF) patients are at risk for low levels of certain nutrients such as thiamin (also known as vitamin B1) due to diuretic-induced urine thiamin excretion, disease severity, malnutrition, and advanced age. Thiamin deficiency manifests as heart failure symptoms and may worsen pre-existing CHF. Now research reports that one third of hospitalized CHF patients have thiamin deficiency and thiamin supplementation may help protect against this deficiency.

The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2006, vol. 47, no. 2), investigated the prevalence of thiamin deficiency in hospitalized CHF patients. Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Canada compared the thiamin levels of 100 CHF patients with 50 healthy control subjects. Erythrocyte thiamin pyrophosphate concentrations were obtained from the participants.

The researchers found that 33 percent of the CHF patients had thiamin deficiency, compared to 12 percent of the control subjects. Findings also revealed a relationship between thiamin deficiency and non-use of thiamine-containing supplements (such as a multivitamin).

"Thiamin supplementation may be protective against thiamine deficiency in the clinical setting," the study authors conclude.

Stress Can Lead to Heart Disease

2011-03-08T17:00:00Z

In today's society stress is quite commonplace, and many people believe it is just a part of life. However, also commonplace is cardiovascular disease, which researchers have known for years to be caused by lifestyle factors like smoking, exercise and diet. Now, we can add stress to that list. Although many physicians and investigators have suspected stress can increase the risk of heart disease, now there is evidence of one of the mechanisms - mental stress increases blood pressure. In the medical Journal, Psychphysiology, researchers describe how measurements of brain activity following mental stress correlate with blood pressure readings.

In the study, male and female subjects completed a stressful task (Stroop color-word interference) and then researchers used MRI to assess their response to the test. They also measured mean arterial blood pressure and found that stimulation of two areas of the brain (including the cingulate cortex) correlated with a higher average blood pressure. These results suggest that mental stress can produce detrimental changes in blood pressure. Individuals with high blood pressure are at increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke, as well as kidney damage. Stress in our lives is inevitable, but the response to stress can be modulated. Breathing exercises are an effective approach to reducing stress responses in the body. A whole foods based diet rich in B vitamins, vitamin C, pantothenic acid and minerals like copper and manganese can also help deal with stress.

REFERENCES:
1. Scienceblog -1/10/2006 (Blackwell Publishing)
2. Gianaros PJ et al. Anterior cingulate activity correlates with blood pressure during stress. Psychophysiol 2005 Nov;42(6):627-35)

These Vitamins Help PMS

2011-03-08T16:37:29Z

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a recurring condition marked by specific physical and emotional symptoms occurring during the second half of the menstrual cycle. The symptoms generally resolve with the onset of menstrual flow. Now research reports that B vitamins can help relieve PMS. B vitamins including thiamine, riboflavin, folate, B6 and B12 are necessary for the production of neurotransmitters involved in PMS.

The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, investigated the relationship between B vitamins and PMS. Researchers at Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, analyzed the data of 1,057 women with PMS and 1,968 women without PMS (controls) enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study II between 1991 and 1999. Food frequency questionnaires were obtained from the participants.

The researchers found that participants with the highest dietary intakes of B vitamins thiamine and riboflavin had a 35 percent lower risk of PMS, compared to those with the lowest intakes. However, no benefits were associated with the other B vitamins including B6, B12, niacin and folate.

"We observed a significantly lower risk of PMS in women with high intakes of thiamine and riboflavin from food sources only," the study authors conclude. "Further research is needed to evaluate the effects of B vitamins in the development of premenstrual syndrome."

Menstium Relieves PMS Symptoms

Supplementing with natural nutrients can help relieve PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and support hormonal balance

Progressive Health's Menstium is an all-natural PMS remedy containing vitex (chasteberry), dong quai (angelica sinensis), licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), L-theanine, vitamins and minerals. Menstium is formulated to effectively relieve the physical and emotional symptoms associated with PMS.

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