tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55192451432813335042014-10-05T04:01:21.419ZAndrew's Nutritional Health ResourcesThis blog is intended for any readers interested in the latest research on nutritional health as published by the company who the author works for. The company researches from sources of high scientific reputation as well as through their relationship with the Linus Pauling Institute.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comBlogger305125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-24363293574832349202011-10-11T11:52:00.003Z2011-10-11T11:56:33.468ZDiet study may find ways to breathe easier on smoggy days<div style="text-align: justify;">There are more than 100 days each year with poor air quality in Cache Valley, Utah. Poor air quality impacts health by limiting lung function and by weakening defenses against illness; children and the elderly are at higher risk. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A new partnership between the Applied Nutrition Research team at Utah State University and USANA Health Sciences, a Utah-based global nutritional supplement company, was announced this week. Clinical research to study the effects of nutritional supplementation to combat health consequences associated with Cache Valley’s poor air quality will begin soon. </div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cache Valley experiences poor air quality most often during winter months when high-pressure systems act as a lid to trap pollutants from car exhaust and wood burning chimney fires. The problem isn’t specific to Cache Valley. Other areas of the state, including the Salt Lake Valley, experience poor air quality and lengthy inversions. Air pollution is a global issue.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://obs.usana.com/UPLOADS//usana/pressrel/2011/pr1317673102582.pdf">Read more here ...</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-35416303689855744282011-06-22T09:39:00.002Z2011-06-22T09:39:00.594ZHeart disease - a 30 minute video on coronary heart disease<object id="scPlayer" width="480" height="375.5" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://content.screencast.com/users/GLewis123/folders/USANA%20public/media/afcb8d2b-9b70-4202-ac4f-941f1a259399/bootstrap.swf"> <param name="movie" value="http://content.screencast.com/users/GLewis123/folders/USANA%20public/media/afcb8d2b-9b70-4202-ac4f-941f1a259399/bootstrap.swf"> <param name="quality" value="high"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"> <param name="flashVars" value="thumb=http://content.screencast.com/users/GLewis123/folders/USANA%20public/media/afcb8d2b-9b70-4202-ac4f-941f1a259399/FirstFrame.jpg&containerwidth=640&containerheight=498&content=http://content.screencast.com/users/GLewis123/folders/USANA%20public/media/afcb8d2b-9b70-4202-ac4f-941f1a259399/Heart%20disease%20video.swf&blurover=false"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="scale" value="showall"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="base" value="http://content.screencast.com/users/GLewis123/folders/USANA%20public/media/afcb8d2b-9b70-4202-ac4f-941f1a259399/"> Unable to display content. Adobe Flash is required. </object><br /><br />Source: <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/drgeraldlewis/videos-on-health">Dr Gerald Lewis MB ChB, FRCP. FRACP, MD, Cardiologist and a General Physician</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-79553151030605780942011-06-12T09:34:00.001Z2011-06-12T09:34:00.270ZChildren's diseases - a 40 minute video on children's diseases<object id="scPlayer" width="480" height="375.5" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://content.screencast.com/users/GLewis123/folders/USANA%20public/media/c96ccb0f-f409-44da-a24d-85e79b1007c2/bootstrap.swf"> <param name="movie" value="http://content.screencast.com/users/GLewis123/folders/USANA%20public/media/c96ccb0f-f409-44da-a24d-85e79b1007c2/bootstrap.swf"> <param name="quality" value="high"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"> <param name="flashVars" value="thumb=http://content.screencast.com/users/GLewis123/folders/USANA%20public/media/c96ccb0f-f409-44da-a24d-85e79b1007c2/FirstFrame.jpg&containerwidth=640&containerheight=498&content=http://content.screencast.com/users/GLewis123/folders/USANA%20public/media/c96ccb0f-f409-44da-a24d-85e79b1007c2/Childrens%20talk%20recorded%20best.swf&blurover=false"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="scale" value="showall"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="base" value="http://content.screencast.com/users/GLewis123/folders/USANA%20public/media/c96ccb0f-f409-44da-a24d-85e79b1007c2/"> Unable to display content. Adobe Flash is required. </object><br /><br />Source: <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/drgeraldlewis/videos-on-health">Dr Gerald Lewis MB ChB, FRCP. FRACP, MD, Cardiologist and a General Physician</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-84545060123946296962011-06-02T09:32:00.004Z2011-06-02T09:32:00.781ZDiabetes - a 30 minutes talk on type 2 diabetes and how it can be helped and treated<object id="csPlayer" width="800" height="499" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab"> <param name="quality" value="high"> <param name="src" value="http://content.screencast.com/?parameters=265fb34e-3aa2-4a0e-b712-fce70cb443f2_88a20f98-b5bf-4d8b-a640-ca159a39120f_static_0_application/x-shockwave-flash_diabetes presentation 1_controller.swf"> <param name="flashVars" value="csPreloader=http://content.screencast.com/?parameters=265fb34e-3aa2-4a0e-b712-fce70cb443f2_88a20f98-b5bf-4d8b-a640-ca159a39120f_static_0_application/x-shockwave-flash_diabetes presentation 1_preload.swf&csConfigFile=http://content.screencast.com/?parameters=265fb34e-3aa2-4a0e-b712-fce70cb443f2_88a20f98-b5bf-4d8b-a640-ca159a39120f_dynamic_4_text/xml_diabetes presentation 1_config.xml"> <embed id="csPlayer" width="800" height="499" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://content.screencast.com/?parameters=265fb34e-3aa2-4a0e-b712-fce70cb443f2_88a20f98-b5bf-4d8b-a640-ca159a39120f_static_0_application/x-shockwave-flash_diabetes presentation 1_controller.swf" flashvars="csPreloader=http://content.screencast.com/?parameters=265fb34e-3aa2-4a0e-b712-fce70cb443f2_88a20f98-b5bf-4d8b-a640-ca159a39120f_static_0_application/x-shockwave-flash_diabetes presentation 1_preload.swf&csConfigFile=http://content.screencast.com/?parameters=265fb34e-3aa2-4a0e-b712-fce70cb443f2_88a20f98-b5bf-4d8b-a640-ca159a39120f_dynamic_4_text/xml_diabetes presentation 1_config.xml" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed> </object><br /><br />Source: <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/drgeraldlewis/videos-on-health">Dr Gerald Lewis MB ChB, FRCP. FRACP, MD, Cardiologist and a General Physician</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-17507387912116301582011-05-23T21:00:00.000Z2011-05-23T21:00:00.815ZStatin drugs - do we need to take statins?<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XrYnFeVVVGU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />Source: <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/drgeraldlewis/videos-on-health">Dr Gerald Lewis MB ChB, FRCP. FRACP, MD, Cardiologist and a General Physician</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-70403091717263758802011-05-09T09:27:00.000Z2011-05-09T13:00:13.626ZHow to fight fatigue - for doctors, pilots, shift workers and other people working long hours<iframe height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PjByB7e6Ggw" frameborder="0" width="425" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />Source: <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/drgeraldlewis/videos-on-health">Dr Gerald Lewis MB ChB, FRCP. FRACP, MD, Cardiologist and a General Physician</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-19729392958460005092011-05-02T09:25:00.002Z2011-05-02T09:27:51.434ZMultiple sclerosis - what you can do<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/11437649?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/11437649">Multiple sclerosis - what you can do</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3206596">Gerald Lewis</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p>Source: <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/drgeraldlewis/videos-on-health">Dr Gerald Lewis MB ChB, FRCP. FRACP, MD, Cardiologist and a General Physician</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-17854641688435182662011-03-30T12:59:00.000Z2011-03-30T12:59:42.355ZThe Healthy Home: Hidden Household Dangers: How Healthy is Your Home?<iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/T-GGiziJvFI?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-56479219985658527762011-03-23T06:38:00.006Z2011-03-23T11:04:49.112Z30 times better absorption of curcumin (turmeric extract)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; ">Total curcuminoid absorption was about 29-fold higher for Meriva than for its corresponding unformulated curcuminoid mixture.</span><br /><br /><object style="height: 292.5px; width: 465px" width="465" height="292.5"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eIjcig0Iw-4?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eIjcig0Iw-4?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="465" height="292.5"></embed></object><br /><br />Source: <a href="http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/np1007262">Comparative absorption of a standardized curcuminoid mixture and its lecithin formulation, John Cuomo et al, Journal of Natural Products, March 17, 2011</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-16512425851998430912010-07-19T12:05:00.003Z2010-07-22T12:12:24.598ZStudy shows Vitamin D supplements taken early in life help in the prevention of osteoporosis<div style="text-align: justify;">Clinical study at Australian Catholic University indicates the benefits of USANA Active Calcium chewables on bone development in females ages nine to 13</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Eat your veggies,” “Don’t run with scissors” and now “Take your calcium and Vitamin D.” </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">A clinical study conducted at the School of Exercise Science at Australian Catholic University, has shown that taking high quality calcium supplements like USANA’s Active Calcium could help preadolescent girls set the stage for a lifetime of strong, mineral-rich bones. Study results indicated that a supplement containing high quality calcium plus Vitamin D significantly improved bone density, mass and strength in girls ages nine to 13—exactly what experts want to achieve in that time of life to prevent future skeletal issues.</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This study is unique because it’s the first randomized, controlled trial to assess bone responses to calcium in twins. Using twins factors out genetic complications that have plagued studies; in working with the Australian Twin Registry, 20 pairs of female twins between the ages of nine and 13 were selected to participate. Scientists administered one twin in each pair a placebo and one twin USANA’s Active Calcium. After six months the study showed significant improvements in bone development in the twin who received the supplement.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote>“Experts regard osteoporosis as a pediatric disease because the best time to prevent is during childhood and early adolescence,” says Dr. Tim Wood, Executive Vice President of Research and Development at USANA Health Sciences, Inc. “Women put on 50% of their adult bone mineral mass during their teenage years. As such, this is the best time to grow strong, mineral rich bones and the mosteffective way to prevent osteoporosis later in life.” Dr. Wood adds, “We are particularly excited about these findings because they confirm results previously shown in another study conducted in the U.S. at the University of Utah.”</blockquote></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks. While women are four times more likely than men to develop the disease, men also suffer from osteoporosis. It’s important for the body’s bone structure and integrity that bones absorb the right levels of calcium and magnesium, and vitamin D helps this process. USANA’s Active Calcium is a balanced and complete formula of these important ingredients. For a calcium supplement to be effective, it must be absorbable, and USANA’s Active Calcium formula is the outstanding choice among competitors.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Source: <a href="http://obs.usana.com/UPLOADS/usana/pressrel/2010/pr1279579137729.pdf">Usana Health Sciences</a></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-67513004170950091662010-06-27T12:21:00.004Z2010-06-27T12:47:45.322Z60 to 80% of cases of chronic degenerative disease are preventableThree randomised clinical trials to consider showing considerable improvement in risk profiles for chronic degenerative disease (heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes):<div><br /><div><a href="http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/294/1/56">Vitamin E in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer, Lee et al, Journal of the American Medical Association, 2005;294:56-65.</a></div></div><div><br /><a href="http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/2008.864">Effect of Selenium and Vitamin E on Risk of Prostate Cancer and Other Cancers, Clarke et al, Journal of the American Medical Association, 2009;301(1):39-51.</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/354/7/669">Calcium plus Vitamin D Supplementation and the Risk of Fractures, Jackson et al, N Engl J Med 2006;354:669-683.</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-54554431503232177022010-06-10T15:19:00.005Z2011-04-13T09:05:33.994ZZinc supplementation may protect against heart disease<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.usana.com/media/File/Email/US/EOH/BloodCells.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 150px;" src="http://www.usana.com/media/File/Email/US/EOH/BloodCells.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><font class="Apple-style-span" face="georgia" size="3"><div style="text-align: justify;">In a recent study, zinc supplementation demonstrated a protective effect on the heart by functioning as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.</div></font><div style="text-align: justify;"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="georgia" size="3"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="georgia" size="3">Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are important risk factors for heart disease. Zinc is an essential mineral with both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions. Because of these properties, zinc may play a role in protecting the heart.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="georgia" size="3"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="georgia" size="3">To examine the effect of zinc on markers of inflammation, researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of zinc supplementation in elderly subjects. Forty healthy elderly subjects (aged 56-83 years) were randomly assigned to 2 groups. One group received placebo; the other received 45 mg of zinc per day for 6 months.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="georgia" size="3"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="georgia" size="3">Compared to the placebo, six months of zinc supplementation increased plasma zinc concentrations and decreased several markers associated with inflammation. Higher zinc levels were also related to a decrease in markers associated with oxidative stress.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="georgia" size="3"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="georgia" size="3">The findings of this research suggest that zinc may have a protective effect in coronary artery disease thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="georgia" size="3"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="georgia" size="3">Source: <a href="http://www.ajcn.org/content/91/6/1634.abstract?sid=472db3cd-15a3-46c9-a51a-82547c358084">Bin Bao, et al. Zinc decreases C-reactive protein, lipid peroxidation, and inflammatory cytokines in elderly subjects: a potential implication of zinc as an atheroprotective agent. 2010. Am J Clin Nutr 91:1634-41.</a></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="georgia" size="3"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="georgia" size="3">Source: <a href="http://obs.usana.com/UPLOADS/usana/emails/2010/2010-06-10-10-25-04-397268000.html">USANA Health Sciences</a></font></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-68275846885013877042010-06-02T15:11:00.003Z2011-03-20T18:18:37.112ZLack of sleep may promote obesity<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.usana.com/media/File/Email/US/EOH/Insomnia.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 169px;" src="http://www.usana.com/media/File/Email/US/EOH/Insomnia.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; " >New research shows a connection between short-term sleep deprivation and increased food intake, indicating that lack of sleep may be a factor that promotes obesity.</span></div></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><p class="style7" style="text-align: justify; padding-right: 20px; padding-left: 10px; font-family: georgia; ">It is known that short-term sleep deprivation increases plasma concentrations of ghrelin (a hormone related to increased appetite) and decreases those of leptin (a hormone related to satiety.)</p><p class="style7" style="text-align: justify; padding-right: 20px; padding-left: 10px; font-family: georgia; ">In a randomized crossover study, researchers studied twelve normally healthy non-obese men to observe the effect of sleep deprivation on energy intake and physical activity. During the first night of each 48-hour session, subjects had either 8 hours (from midnight to 8:00 a.m.) or 4 hours (from 02:00 a.m. to 06:00 a.m.) of sleep. All foods consumed thereafter (jam on buttered toast for breakfast, buffet for lunch, and a free menu for dinner) were eaten ad libitum (with no restrictions.) Physical activity was also recorded. Sensations of hunger, perceived pleasantness of the foods, desire to eat some foods, and sleepiness were also evaluated.</p><p class="style7" style="text-align: justify; padding-right: 20px; padding-left: 10px; font-family: georgia; ">In comparison with the 8-hour sleep session, subjects consumed 559 (22%) more calories on the day after sleep restriction, and hunger was higher before breakfast and dinner. Researchers observed no change in the perceived pleasantness of the foods or in the desire to eat the foods. Physical activity was slightly higher after sleep restriction than after 8 hours of sleep, even though the sensation of sleepiness was more apparent.</p><p class="style7" style="text-align: justify; padding-right: 20px; padding-left: 10px; font-family: georgia; ">In this group of healthy men, one night of reduced sleep led to an increase in food intake and, to a lesser extent, physical activity-related energy expenditure. Although further research is needed to confirm the results of this small study, these results suggest that sleep restriction could be a factor that promotes obesity.</p><p class="style7" style="text-align: justify; padding-right: 20px; padding-left: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Source: <em><a href="http://www.ajcn.org/content/91/6/1550">Acute partial sleep deprivation increases food intake in healthy men. Laurent Brondel et al Am J Clin Nutr 91: 1550-1559, 2010.</a></em></span></p><p class="style7" style="text-align: justify; padding-right: 20px; padding-left: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><em>Source: <a href="http://obs.usana.com/UPLOADS/usana/emails/2010/2010-06-02-15-33-00-842411000.html">USANA Health Sciences</a></em></span></p></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-25569182564887350472010-05-19T19:12:00.005Z2011-03-13T18:56:03.323ZDHA supplementation improves memory in healthy adults with age-related cognitive decline<div align="justify"><a href="http://www.usana.com/media/File/Email/US/EOH/GrandpaAndGrandKid.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 159px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.usana.com/media/File/Email/US/EOH/GrandpaAndGrandKid.jpg" /></a> New research indicates that regular supplementation with DHA may improve memory and learning in older adults with mild age-related memory loss.<br /><br />Recent research published online in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association illustrates a benefit for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in a clinical trial of individuals with age-related cognitive decline (ARC). DHA is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acids found most prominently in algae, fatty fish and fish oil supplements.<br /><br />Participants included 485 individuals aged 55 and older with complaints of mild memory loss. The subjects were given a daily dosage of 900 milligrams of DHA or a placebo for 6 months. Memory and learning tests were given at the beginning of the study and at 12 and 24 weeks.<br /><br />At the end of the study period, the group receiving the DHA supplement had improved test scores that correlated with an increase in plasma DHA levels. At 12 weeks there were no significant differences in the test scores of the two groups. However, at 24 weeks the group taking the DHA had a 2-fold reduction in the number of learning and memory errors tested compared to the placebo group.<br /><br />The results of this study are the first to clinically confirm that DHA meaningfully improves memory and learning functions in healthy adults with age-related cognitive decline. Since it is estimated that up to one-third of the aging population in the U.S. will experience a decline in cognitive function with age, the benefits of a daily DHA supplement can have a significant impact on public health.<br /><br />Source: <a href="http://www.alzheimersanddementia.com/article/S1552-5260(10)00040-3/abstract">Beneficial effects of docosahexaenoic acid on cognition in age-related cognitive decline, Yurko-Mauro K et al, Alzheimers & Dementia 29 April 2010</a><br /><br />Source: <a href="http://obs.usana.com/UPLOADS/usana/emails/2010/2010-05-19-16-36-44-961553000.html">USANA Health Sciences</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-61384219686918431142010-05-12T18:55:00.007Z2011-02-12T21:22:56.032ZSoy food & isoflavone intakes reduce breast cancer risk<div align="justify"><a href="http://www.usana.com/media/File/Email/US/EOH/Soybeans.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 203px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 116px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.usana.com/media/File/Email/US/EOH/Soybeans.jpg" /></a> A recent study among Chinese women showed that those with the highest intakes of soy foods and soy isoflavones had a significantly lower risk of breast cancer.<br /><br />Research seeking to find a connection between soy food consumption and breast cancer risk has produced conflicting results.<br /><br />A recent case-control study was conducted to assess the relationship between soy food intake and breast cancer risk according to the estrogen receptor (ER) and/or progesterone receptor (PR) status of breast cancer. Participants included 438 Chinese women with primary breast cancer that were matched by age and residence (rural/urban) with 438 women free of cancer. Dietary intake was assessed by face-to-face interviews using a validated food frequency questionnaire.<br /><br />Researchers observed a statistically significant inverse association between soy isoflavone and soy protein intake with breast cancer risk. The women in the group with the highest soy isoflavone intake had a 46% decreased cancer risk compared to the group with the lowest intake. Women in the group with the highest soy protein had a 38% reduced cancer risk compared to the lowest intake group. A preventive effect of soy food was found for all subtypes of ER and/or PR status of breast cancer. The inverse association was more evident among premenopausal women.<br /><br />This study suggests that consumption of soy foods and soy isoflavones may reduce the risk of breast cancer, and that the protective effects of soy do not seem to differ by ER and PR breast cancer status. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Source: <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1349-7006.2009.01376.x/full">Soy product and isoflavone intake and breast cancer risk defined by hormone receptor status, Zhang C et al, Cancer Sci Feb;101(2):501-7, 2010</a> </div><div align="justify"><br /> </div><div align="justify">Source: <a href="http://obs.usana.com/UPLOADS/usana/emails/2010/2010-05-12-15-59-39-776700000.html">USANA Health Sciences</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-13110816772765935122010-05-05T18:38:00.002Z2011-01-24T20:20:54.503ZMultivitamin supplements unrelated to breast cancer risk in large U.S. study<div align="justify">A recent Harvard Medical School study followed more than 37,000 U.S. women for 10 years and found no correlation between multivitamin use and breast cancer risk.<br /><br />Researchers from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital recently evaluated possible associations between multivitamin supplements and risk of breast cancer. At the beginning of the study, 37,920 cancer-free U.S. women aged 45 and older provided detailed information on multivitamin supplement use. Throughout an average of 10 years of follow-up, 1,171 cases of breast cancer were documented.<br /><br />The use of multivitamin supplements was not associated with an overall risk of breast cancer in this large study group. High frequency of use (at least 6 times per week) and duration of supplementation (current use for at least 20 years) were not associated with an increase in risk compared to non-users. A small reduction in breast cancer risk was seen in multivitamin users who consumed 10 grams/day of alcohol or more. There was also a slight decrease in risk of estrogen receptor negative-progesterone receptor negative breast cancer among multivitamin users.<br /><br />The researchers stated that although there was no overall statistically significant association between multivitamin use and breast cancer, multivitamins may reduce the risk for women consuming alcohol and in certain estrogen receptor negative cancers.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Source: <a href="http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/578426">A Prospective Study of Multivitamin Supplement Use and Risk of Breast Cancer, Ishitani K, Lin J, Mason JE, Buring JE, Zhang SM, Am J Epidemiol 167(10):1197-206</a> </div><br /><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">Source: <a href="http://obs.usana.com/UPLOADS/usana/emails/2010/2010-05-05-16-59-15-274127000.html">USANA Health Sciences</a><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-80072760704429244982010-05-01T12:32:00.000Z2010-05-05T13:36:26.410ZResearchers recommend pregnant women take 4,000 IU Vitamin D a day<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family:Arial;"><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; ">VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Taking vitamin D supplements during pregnancy is not only safe for mother and baby, but also can prevent preterm labour/births and infections, according to results of a randomized controlled study to be presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.</p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; ">In the 1950s and ’60s, people were concerned that vitamin D could cause birth defects, according to Carol L. Wagner, MD, lead author of the study and a pediatric researcher at Medical University of South Carolina. It now is known that vitamin D is important for maternal and infant health, including bone health and immune function.</p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; ">Recent studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is a serious public health issue.</p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; ">“Diet doesn’t provide enough vitamin D, and we don’t go in the sun as much as we need,” Dr. Wagner said.</p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; ">Therefore, she and her colleagues, including Bruce W. Hollis, PhD, who has worked in the field of vitamin D research for the last 30 years, set out to determine the optimal dose of vitamin D supplements for pregnant women without doing harm.</p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; ">Researchers randomized 494 pregnant women at 12-16 weeks’ gestation into three treatment groups. Group one received 400 International Units (IU) of vitamin D a day until delivery; group two received 2,000 IU and group three received 4,000 IU. The women were evaluated monthly to ensure safety.</p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; "></p><blockquote>“No adverse events related to vitamin D dosing were found in any of the three arms of the study,” Dr. Wagner said.</blockquote><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; ">Investigators also looked at the effects of vitamin D supplementation on complications during pregnancy, including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, infections, and preterm labor and birth.</p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; "></p><blockquote>“The spectacular part of the study was it showed women replete in vitamin D had lower rates of preterm labor and preterm birth, and lower rates of infection,” Dr. Wagner said.</blockquote><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; ">The greatest effects were seen among women taking 4,000 IU of vitamin D per day. Therefore, the researchers recommend this daily regimen for all pregnant women.</p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; ">Dr. Wagner will discuss the two parts of the study in separate presentations. The outcomes of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy will be presented on Saturday, May 1, and the safety of vitamin D supplementation will be presented on Sunday, May 2.</p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; ">Reporters wanting to interview any of the speakers should call the PAS Press Office at 778-331-7694. Reporters who wish to attend the session must first check in with the PAS Press Office at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre to receive press credentials.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; margin-left: 0px; "></p><div style="text-align: justify;">To view part 1 of the study on safety, go to</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.abstracts2view.com/pas/view.php?nu=PAS10L1_2450&terms" target="_blank" style="font-weight: inherit; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 104, 207); cursor: pointer; ">http://www.abstracts2view.com/pas/view.php?nu=PAS10L1_2450&terms</a>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">To view part 2 of the study on outcomes, go to</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.abstracts2view.com/pas/view.php?nu=PAS10L1_2481&terms" target="_blank" style="font-weight: inherit; text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(0, 104, 207); cursor: pointer; ">http://www.abstracts2view.com/pas/view.php?nu=PAS10L1_2481&terms</a>.</div><p></p></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-56622032419762041072010-04-29T18:25:00.005Z2011-01-16T12:29:15.295ZDiets high in B-vitamins reduce risk of death from cardiovascular disease<div align="justify"><a href="http://www.usana.com/media/File/Email/US/EOH/HeartHealthy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 194px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.usana.com/media/File/Email/US/EOH/HeartHealthy.jpg" /></a> New research out of Japan reports an inverse association between a diet rich in B-vitamins and risk of death from cardiovascular disease.<br /><br />Begun in 1988, the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study (JCCS) examined the dietary patterns of 130,000 Japanese adults over nearly ten years. Analyses continue to be performed on the enormous dataset generated by this long-term, large-scale study.<br /><br />In the latest JCSS analysis (published in the journal Stroke in April 2010), researchers compiled information on dietary levels of folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 as reported in JCSS food frequency questionnaires. They then examined possible correlations between dietary intake of these nutrients and risk of death from common cardiovascular diseases. Data from 23,119 men and 35,611 women (age 40-79 years) met the study criteria, making this one of the largest sample sizes to date for this type of analysis.<br /><br />Based on the available data, dietary folate and vitamin B6 intakes were inversely associated with mortality from heart failure for men. (Inverse association means that higher dietary levels of folate and vitamin B6 are connected with lower risk of disease.) For women, folate and vitamin B6 intakes were inversely associated with mortality from stroke and coronary heart disease, as well as total cardiovascular disease incidence. Interestingly, these associations remained statistically significant even after adjusting for common cardiovascular disease factors. A statistically significant association could not be determined for vitamin B12 intake and risk of death from cardiovascular disease.<br /><br />This large-scale collaborative study from Japanese researchers correlates with similar results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) performed in the United States, further confirming the benefits of a diet high in certain B-vitamins. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Source: <a href="http://stroke.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/STROKEAHA.110.578906v1">Dietary folate and vitamin b6 and B12 intake in relation to mortality from cardiovascular diseases: Japan collaborative cohort study, Cui et al, Stroke, ePub ahead of print, doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.110.578906, 2010</a> </div><br /><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">Source: <a href="http://obs.usana.com/UPLOADS/usana/emails/2010/2010-04-29-13-56-16-032543000.html">USANA Health Sciences</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-41970959833412229962010-04-21T17:38:00.003Z2011-01-08T18:50:11.563ZThe benefits of exercise in postmenopausal women<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.usana.com/media/File/Email/US/EOH/Aerobics.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 147px;" src="http://www.usana.com/media/File/Email/US/EOH/Aerobics.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">A new study out of Australia shows significant benefits to bone mineral density among postmenopausal women who participate in a twice-weekly exercise program.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A February 2010 research study from the University of New South Wales examined the effect of an aerobic weight-bearing exercise program on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. The purpose of the study was to examine what specific role - if any - regular exercise had on BMD.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">30 postmenopausal women were divided into two groups for the study. The first group (19 women, mean age 66.4 years) was assigned a two-year exercise program consisting of twice-weekly aerobic weight-bearing exercises. The second group (11 women, mean age 65.4 years) did not participate in an exercise program. Before and after the two-year study period, bone density measurements were taken at the spine and hip of each study participant.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the end of the study, women in the exercise group experienced less than one-fourth the spinal BMD loss compared to the control group (-0.8 compared to -3.8, 95% CI 0.3-5.7% difference.) Results were even more impressive for the hip measurement, where the exercise group saw a 9.6% improvement compared to a 4.4% loss in the controls (14.0% difference, 95% CI 4.6-23.5.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The authors of the study concluded: “this study adds strong evidence that twice-weekly weight-bearing aerobic exercise has a protective effect on bone density in postmenopausal women as well as being associated with other measurable benefits."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Source: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8357890">The benefits of exercise in postmenopausal women, Caplan GA, Ward JA, Lord SR, Australian Journal of Public Health 17(1):23-6 2010.</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Source: <a href="http://obs.usana.com/UPLOADS/usana/emails/2010/2010-04-21-15-04-45-415575000.html">USANA Health Sciences</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-37861242431484012372010-04-07T16:04:00.002Z2010-12-31T18:18:35.480ZInadequate DHA intake in infants is related to decreased visual acuity<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.usana.com/media/File/Email/US/EOH/MotherChild2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 204px; height: 182px;" src="http://www.usana.com/media/File/Email/US/EOH/MotherChild2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">New research shows that infants receiving milk or formula with adequate docosahaxaenoic acid (DHA) have improved visual acuity compared to infants receiving the lowest levels. Higher dietary intakes of DHA (a fat contained in highest amounts in fish oil) can positively affect levels in milk.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The range of human milk docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentrations can vary considerably since maternal diet can greatly influence breast milk fatty acid composition. In one study, average DHA levels in human milk ranged from 0.17% to 0.99%, with U.S. and Canadian women among those with the lowest levels.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">New research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition sought to determine the effect of 4 amounts of DHA supplementation on the visual acuity of formula-fed infants. Other objectives were evaluated, including visual acuity maturation, red blood cell fatty acids, tolerance, anthropometric measures, and adverse events.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This double-blind randomized trial included 343 healthy, term, formula-fed infants. The infants were enrolled at 1-9 days of age and randomly assigned to be fed one of four infant formulas containing differing levels of DHA (0%, 0.32%, 0.64% and 0.96%). All other nutrients were equivalent between the formulas. Visual acuity of the infants was measured at the completion of the study at 12 months.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Infants fed control formula (0% DHA) had significantly poorer visual acuity at 12 mo of age than did infants who received any of the DHA-supplemented formulas. There were no significant differences in the visual acuity of the infants fed any of the other DHA-supplemented formulas.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">DHA supplementation of infant formula at 0.32% of total fatty acids improves visual acuity. Higher amounts of DHA supplementation do not appear to provide additional improvements to visual acuity.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Source: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20130095">The DIAMOND (DHA Intake And Measurement Of Neural Development) Study: a double-masked, randomized controlled clinical trial of the maturation of infant visual acuity as a function of the dietary level of docosahexaenoic acid, Birch EE, Carlson SE, Hoffman DR, Fitzgerald-Gustafson KM, Fu VLN, Drover JR, Castañeda YS, Minns L, Wheaton DKH, Mundy D, Marunycz J, Diersen-Schade DA, AJCN 91(4):848-59 2010</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Source: <a href="http://obs.usana.com/UPLOADS/usana/emails/2010/2010-04-07-15-11-47-587571000.html">USANA Health Sciences</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-71951494628083227422010-03-31T15:51:00.001Z2010-12-20T09:19:27.316ZOsteoarthritis symptoms improve with regular walking & glucosamine sulfate supplementation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.usana.com/media/File/Email/US/EOH/WalkingShoes.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 185px; height: 254px;" src="http://www.usana.com/media/File/Email/US/EOH/WalkingShoes.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">New research provides evidence that osteoarthritis sufferers can benefit from a combination of glucosamine sulfate and walking for 30 minutes at least three days per week.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The results of a new clinical trial published in Arthritis Research and Therapy suggest that supplementing with glucosamine and taking regular walks can improve pain, physical function, and overall activity levels in adults with mild to moderate knee or hip osteoarthritis.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thirty-six low-activity participants (aged 42 to 73 years) were provided with 1500 mg glucosamine sulfate per day for 6 weeks. At the end of six weeks, the participants began a 12-week progressive walking program (while continuing to take glucosamine.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Study subjects were given a pedometer to monitor step counts. They were then randomized into two groups – one to walk 3 days per week, the other to walk 5 days per week. The length of the walk was gradually increased over the course of the program, with 6000 per day being the goal by the end of the 12-week period. Physical activity levels, physical function, and arthritis symptoms were analyzed at the beginning and at 6, 12, 18 and 24 weeks.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Physical activity levels, physical function, and pain assessment scores improved during the first 6 weeks of the study (glucosamine supplementation only.) Between the start of the walking program (week 6) and the final follow-up (week 24), further improvements were seen, though most improvements happened between weeks 6 and 12. No significant differences were observed between participants who participated in the 3 and 5 day per week programs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In people with mild to moderate hip or knee osteoarthritis, walking a minimum of 3,000 steps (approximately 30 minutes) at least 3 days per week, in combination with glucosamine sulfate, may reduce some symptoms of osteoarthritis.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Source: <a href="http://arthritis-research.com/content/12/1/R25">Efficacy of a progressive walking program and glucosamine sulphate supplementation on osteoarthritic symptoms of the hip and knee: a feasibility trial, Ng N, Heesch KC, Brown WJ, Arthritis Research & Therapy 12(1):R25 2010</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Source: <a href="http://obs.usana.com/UPLOADS/usana/emails/2010/2010-03-31-15-50-35-000626000.html">USANA Health Sciences</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-6663778292909191122010-03-26T15:06:00.005Z2010-12-02T09:42:21.672ZShining Light on the D-lightful Health Benefits of Vitamin D<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/podcast/images/holick.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 201px;" src="http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/podcast/images/holick.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Michael Holick, Ph.D., M.D.<br /><br />Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/podcast/images/podcastlogo.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 69px; height: 16px;" src="http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/podcast/images/podcastlogo.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a> <strong><a href="http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/podcast/Holick_0509.mp3">Shining Light on the D-lightful Health Benefits of Vitamin D</a></strong><br />(19 minutes) | <a href="http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/podcast/includes/Holick_DOH09_Transcript.pdf">View Transcript</a><br /><br />More information on vitamin D: <ul><li>Vitamin D information from the <a href="http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminD/">LPI Micronutrient Information Center</a><br /></li></ul>Source: <a href="http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/podcast/index.html">Linus Pauling Institute</a><div><br /></div><div>Here is Michael Hollick talking to medical professionals on Vitamin D and the prevention of chronic disease:</div><div><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Cq1t9WqOD-0?rel=0" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-28293009426565741802010-03-25T15:24:00.004Z2010-12-11T11:15:10.644ZLow vitamin B6 status is related to increased oxidative stress<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.usana.com/media/File/Email/US/EOH/Family.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 161px;" src="http://www.usana.com/media/File/Email/US/EOH/Family.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Low vitamin B6 status has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. New research suggests that vitamin B6’s cardioprotective benefits are more far-reaching than originally thought, further emphasizing the essential role of vitamin B6 in supporting a healthy heart.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers measured blood plasma levels of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (vitamin B6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and an oxidative DNA damage marker (8-OHdG) in over 1200 Massachusetts adults aged 45-75 years. Their goal was to examine the relationship between vitamin B6 levels and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The analysis revealed a strong dose-response relation between plasma vitamin B6 concentration and plasma CRP (a marker of inflammation). Increasing vitamin B6 concentrations were significantly associated with lower CRP levels and decreased urinary 8-OHdG (a marker of oxidative stress). Low plasma vitamin B6 concentrations also correlated with metabolic syndrome, obesity, and diabetes. These negative associations remained even after controlling for homocysteine levels.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The results of this study suggest that low vitamin B6 concentrations may be associated with inflammation, higher oxidative stress, and metabolic conditions in older adults. Additionally, while the relationship between vitamin B6 levels and homocysteine has been known for many years, this new analysis demonstrates that vitamin B6 may influence cardiovascular disease risk through additional mechanisms.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Source: <a href="http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/short/91/2/337">Association of vitamin B-6 status with inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammatory conditions: the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study, Shen J, Lai CQ, Mattei J, Ordovas JM, Tucker KL, 2010 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 91(2):337-42.</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Source: <a href="http://obs.usana.com/UPLOADS/usana/emails/2010/2010-03-25-09-44-09-564092000.html">USANA Health Sciences</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-46875787876313095492010-03-17T14:44:00.002Z2010-11-29T09:07:32.809ZReview of omega-3 fatty acids & heart disease risk<div style="text-align: justify;">Evidence from three large trials suggests that intake of omega-3 fatty acids, whether from dietary sources or fish oil supplements, should be increased, especially in those with or at risk for coronary artery disease.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The June 2008 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings summarizes the latest findings on omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular health and advocates supplementation for the groups most likely to benefit.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Large trials of over 32,000 participants using fish oil supplements have shown reductions in cardiovascular events (heart attacks, stroke) of 19% to 45%. Researchers recommend consumption of EPA and DHA at 1 gram/day for those with known coronary artery disease, and at least 500 mg/day for those without disease. The recommendation is increased to 3 to 4 grams/day for those with high triglycerides, a dosage shown to lower triglycerides by as much as 20% to 50%.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since two meals of oily fish per week generally provide only 400 to 500 mg/day of DHA and EPA, people with high triglycerides and heart disease are strongly encouraged to use fish oil supplements to reach beneficial levels. Researchers also state that the combination of omega-3 supplements and statin drugs provide significantly enhanced benefit over statin use alone in improving blood lipid levels.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Source: <a href="http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com/content/83/3/324.abstract">Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Cardioprotection, Lee et al, Mayo Clin Proc. 2008;83(3):324-332</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Source: <a href="http://obs.usana.com/UPLOADS/usana/emails/2010/2010-03-18-10-32-55-626653000.html">USANA Health Sciences</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519245143281333504.post-75730073989098987472010-03-03T14:31:00.003Z2010-11-21T19:55:57.750ZVitamin D levels linked to healthy lung function<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.usana.com/media/File/Email/US/EOH/Lungs.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 150px;" src="http://www.usana.com/media/File/Email/US/EOH/Lungs.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Vitamin D may play a role in keeping our lungs healthy, with higher concentrations of vitamin D resulting in positive effects on lung function and health. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Low concentrations of vitamin D have been associated with a number of diseases. Research out of New Zealand indicates that serum concentrations of vitamin D may also influence pulmonary (lung) function.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In a study published in the journal Chest, original analysis was performed on data from 14,091 adult subjects (all participants in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 1988 and 1994). Lung function was measured in two ways: by the volume of air that could be forcibly blown out in total (forced vital capacity, or FVC), and the volume blown out in one second (forced expiratory volume, or FEV1). Vitamin D was measured using serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, a standard indicator of vitamin D levels. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After adjusting for age, gender, height, body mass index, ethnicity, and smoking history, the difference in lung function between the groups with the highest and lowest vitamin D intake was substantial in both the FVC and FEV1 tests (172 mL and 126 mL respectively, p < 0.0001).><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Although further studies are necessary to determine whether vitamin D supplementation may be beneficial in cases of chronic respiratory disease, this study has shown that vitamin D may have a positive influence on pulmonary health, with greater levels of vitamin D associated with more positive benefits. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Source: <a href="http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/128/6/3792.full">Relationship Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Pulmonary Function in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Black and Scragg, Chest 2005 Dec;128(6):3792-8</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Source: <a href="http://obs.usana.com/UPLOADS/usana/emails/2010/2010-03-03-15-16-43-740332000.html">USANA Health Sciences</a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://andrewwilmot.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11989196024449895944noreply@blogger.com