Healthy Life

Coconut oil is beneficial for health

2021-01-26T12:42:00.000-08:00

The average coconut isn’t much to look at. But hidden inside its unassuming exterior is a powerful force for good health: coconut oil.

Although coconut oil is saturated fat, current scientific research has concluded that saturated fats are a vital nutrient that’s essential for life. Our cell membranes even need these types of fatty acids to function properly.

And recent research suggests that the medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCTs) that comprise coconut oil may have wide-ranging health benefits.

Some benefits include:

MCTs Fight Fat with Fat
The way our bodies process the MCTs in coconut oil reduces the opportunity for those fats to build up deposits in our existing fatty tissues.

Although coconut is saturated fat, current scientific research finds saturated fats are a vital nutrient that’s essential for life. Our cell membranes even need these types of fatty acids to function properly.

Additionally, consuming MCTs from coconut oil has been shown to increase metabolism by turning up our bodies’ thermostats in a process called thermogenesis. As we produce more heat, our bodies utilize more energy. Increases in thermogenesis and metabolism mean our bodies burn more fuel—fat.

And coconut oil has also been shown to increase the feeling of satiety. So consuming coconut oil can help you to feel full for longer, thus reducing overall food intake.
In cooking, coconut oil can be used as a substitute for some or all of the fat in baked goods, or for stir-frying. Like butter, it is solid at room temperature but it is also great on popcorn. Though it doesn't work well for salad dressing, it's good on cooked vegetables.

Benefits Heart Health

Evidence of coconut oil’s cardio-protective properties comes from the MCTs’ ability to support normal blood lipid profiles. That means coconut oil has been shown to support healthy triglyceride levels and the good kind of cholesterol—high-density lipoproteins or HDL.

Heart health is just the start. The process of breaking down coconut oil in the liver produces ketones and short-chain fatty acids—both shown to help support cognition.

Benefits Skin and Hair

Coconut oil is good for your skin and hair. It benefits dry, itchy scalp, dry and brittle hair, gray hair, and thinning hair. To use it on your hair, it's best to apply it as a treatment before shampooing your hair. Take a small amount of coconut oil in your hands, and work into your scalp and hair before you wash it. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, then wash it out with shampoo as you shower.

Hopefully, you understand why coconuts are worth including in the list of healthy fats.
So next time you see one, remember how much benefit is hiding right underneath its hard brown shell.

Vitamin D, Healthy Immune Function and Covid-19

2021-01-02T11:33:00.001-08:00

As scientists are learning more about effective prevention and

treatment of Sars2 coronavirus, or Covid-19, new research is emerging regarding the potential benefits of Vitamin D.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that promotes cellular function and bone health. Besides being a vitamin, however, Vitamin D actually is also a hormone that plays a role in cellular behavior. As a steroid hormone, it can enter into the cell nucleus, and change the way the cells behave. As an important regulator of human immune function, vitamin D may stimulate innate immune responses which provide front-line protection against infectious agents. It acts as an essential immunomodulator.

When levels of Vitamin D are inadequate, our bodies lack basic immunity. Additionally, it also reduces inflammation.

Many cells in the human body have vitamin D receptors and need Vitamin D to function properly, including those in your skin and brain. Vitamin D is needed for normal bone mineralization and growth, maintenance of muscle strength and coordination, cardiovascular health, as well as strong and balanced immune function.

Recent research has shown that Vitamin D may play a role in keeping our lungs healthy, with higher levels of Vitamin D having positive effects on lung function and health. As such, Vitamin D increases resistance to respiratory tract pathogens such as Sars 2 coronavirus.

Recent studies from Spain in 2020 showed a correlation between Vitamin D and the incidence, severity, and mortality in Covid-19 patients with patients having higher levels of Vitamin D being more resistant to Covid19, with faster recovery and lower mortality.

Low levels of Vitamin D have also been associated with hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, which are risk factors in Covid-19.

Vitamin D is found in fish oil, mushrooms, egg yolks, and red meat. Most importantly it enters the skin through the ultraviolet radiation of sunlight.

During the winter months in the northern hemisphere above the 35th latitude, Vitamin D deficiency becomes more prevalent in the general population. Taking Vitamin D supplements is the best way to maintain adequate levels of vitamin D during the winter months.

Review: Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks: A Physician's Advice

2018-10-06T07:17:00.000-07:00

HEALTH TIPS, MYTHS, AND TRICKS: A Physician's Advice by Morton E. Tavel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a basic health reference book with a twist. The author, Dr. Morton E. Tavel, MD has solid credentials, and an authoritative background as a practicing cardiologist as well as a medical school professor.

The book is arranged topically in short chapters within sections of tips, myths and tricks that discuss common questions that patients might want to ask of their physician. It is written in a readable conversational style as if he were speaking personally to the reader. Many of the topics addressed provide references to some scientific evidence, so that readers may follow up with further study if they desire to explore the issue further. The amount of scientific jargon however is minimal, and the answers are informative yet understandable.

There are 62 short chapters, and topics included are chosen from standard, common health concerns as well as controversies and hot-button issues. Some highlights are safe weight loss, trans fats and health, coffee, green tea, chocolate, foods to avoid, dangers of sodium, hypertension, red meat, fish, olive oil, red wine, the common cold, vaccines, second hand smoke, pain killers and sleep. Dr. Tavel addresses what he considers to be a number of myths, conspiracy theories, scams, irrational fears.

This could be a good general health reference book for the home library. It is useful for browsing, as opposed to using search engines to ask health questions because there is a large variety of information compiled here in one book.

I read the e-book version, and I do note some formatting issues. The e-book appears to have originally been formatted for the print edition and then converted to the e-book. without completely reformatting, which created some problems with navigation and visual appearance.

Another issue is large areas of blank white space within the chapters, which seem to be where the section/page breaks appeared in the original print version. This sloppy formatting detracts from the overall quality of the book in the e-book version. I have not seen the actual print version, so I don't know how it looks.

Beside these problems, there were some other editing and proofing errors, including run on sentences, poor syntax and errors such as advising the consumption of a quart of olive oil per week, which seems to be quite a large amount. I wondered why a chapter on polygraph tests was included.

All in all, I found this to be useful, informative book. While the content is good, due to the errors and formatting issues noted, I gave it a lower rating.

View all my reviews

Healthy Diet Boosts Children's Reading Skills

2016-11-26T07:15:00.001-08:00

This isn't a total surprise, actually.

Baltic Diet

But it turns out that there is a link between children's nutrition and their reading ability. It's fairly well known that good nutrition, besides being important to overall health and growth, is essential to development of the brain.

And now Finnish researchers have published a scientific study that indicates a link between a good readers and healthy nutrition.

http://www.inhabitots.com/feeding-kids-a-healthy-diet-boosts-their-reading-skills/

Children who consumed less sugar and more nutrient dense foods (the Baltic Diet) were not only healthier but also better readers.

Magnesium Reduces Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death in Women

2016-09-21T09:59:00.001-07:00

At a Glance...

Data from the Nurses' Health Study shows that higher plasma concentrations and dietary intakes of magnesium were associated with lower risks of sudden cardiac death.

In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers examined the association between magnesium, as measured in diet and plasma, and risk of sudden cardiac death. The association for magnesium intake was examined prospectively in 88,375 women who were free of disease in 1980 and part of the Nurses’ Health Study. Information on magnesium intake, other nutrients, and lifestyle factors was updated every 2–4 years through questionnaires. In this group of women, there were 505 cases of sudden or arrhythmic death documented over 26 years of follow-up.

Magnesium Reduces Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death in Women - Ask The Scientists: In this study group of women, higher plasma concentrations and dietary intakes of magnesium were associated with lower risks of sudden cardiac death.

Data from the Nurses’ Health Study shows that higher plasma concentrations and dietary intakes of magnesium were associated with lower risks of sudden cardiac death.

ADHD is complicated

2016-05-21T10:44:00.001-07:00

Recently I had been doing some research on ADHD, (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) as I know of some individuals who are diagnosed with it, and I wanted to learn more about it. Over the years it has also been called ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) as well.

Here is an article from Caroline Kee on Buzzfeed on 17 Illustrations That Are Incredibly Real For Anyone With ADD

What I have found is it wasn't exactly what I had thought it was. And actually some at least of these characteristics might apply to many people.

What do you think?

Meal replacements beat standard diets for diabetic weight loss

2016-05-04T07:52:00.002-07:00

At a Glance

New research shows that portion-controlled meal replacement diets are more effective than standard diets at both initial weight loss and long-term weight maintenance in type 2 diabetics.

Read more about this research below:

A university-based clinical trial recently compared the effectiveness of a portion-controlled meal replacement diet (PCD) to a standard diet (SD) based on recommendations by the American Diabetes Association. The focus of the study was to compare each diet in achieving and maintaining weight loss among obese subjects with type 2 diabetes.

To read more about the research, go to the following link:

https://askthescientists.info/meal-replacements-effective-standard-food-based-diets-weight-loss-type-2-diabetes/

A higher intake of carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin is associated with a reduced risk of AMD

2015-12-02T09:36:00.000-08:00

At a Glance

New research covering two decades of prospective follow-up shows that an increased intake of lutein and zeaxanthin lowers the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Read more about this research below.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of vision loss in developed countries. This degenerative eye disease causes damage to the macula (central retina) of the eye, impairing central vision. People affected by AMD have difficulty reading, driving and performing activities that require clear central vision. Many factors contribute to the development of AMD, including aging, genetics, diet, and smoking.

The macula is a yellow oval-shaped pigmented area located near the center of the retina. Structures within the macula are specialized to provide high-acuity vision. Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in high concentrations here, giving the macula its yellow color. This protective layer, known as macular pigment, filters harmful high-energy blue wavelengths of light preventing damage to the retina, cones, and rods.

Numerous published studies have previously reported a link to intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin and AMD risk; however the research has been mostly inconsistent. In this newly published prospective study, researchers used two decades of data involving more than 100,000 participants from the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. All participants were aged 50 years or older and were free of diagnosed AMD, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and cancer (except nonmelanoma skin cancer) at baseline.

The researcher’s analyzed carotenoid intake based on dietary food frequency questionnaires at baseline and follow-up, and then calculated predicted plasma carotenoid scores. The results of this study found that participants with the highest average plasma lutein and zeaxanthin levels had a 40% reduced risk of developing advanced AMD compared to those with the lowest average levels. "Lutein and zeaxanthin form macular pigments that may protect against AMD by reducing oxidative stress, absorbing blue light, and stabilizing cell membranes," the authors explain.

Dark green leafy vegetables are the primary dietary sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, but they are also found in some other colorful fruits and vegetables. Average dietary intake in the U.S. is only about 1-3 mg/day, far below the amount most studies indicate as a minimum needed to decrease risk of AMD. "Because other carotenoids may also have a protective role, a public health strategy of increasing the consumption of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables rich in carotenoids could be most beneficial and is compatible with current dietary guidelines," the authors conclude.

Juan Wu, MS; Eunyoung Cho, ScD; Walter C. Willett, MD, MPH, DrPH; Srinivas M. Sastry, MD, MPH; Debra A. Schaumberg, ScD, OD, MPH Intakes of Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Other Carotenoids and Age-Related Macular Degeneration During 2 Decades of Prospective Follow-up. JAMA Ophthalmol. Published online October 08, 2015. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2015.3590

Zinc supplementation reduces pregnancy complications and improves neonatal health

2015-11-18T13:07:00.000-08:00

At a Glance

A new study shows that providing zinc supplementation to normally healthy zinc-deficient women reduces pregnancy complications and improves neonatal health outcomes.

Low vitamin D levels linked to osteoarthritis progression in the knee

2015-10-26T08:01:00.000-07:00

At a Glance

A new study shows that inadequate levels of vitamin D in the blood are linked to worsening progression of knee osteoarthritis.

Read more about this research below.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down over time, eventually allowing bones to rub together. Osteoarthritis typically worsens gradually, but maintaining a healthy weight, staying active and some other treatments may help slow disease progression and improve joint function and reduce pain.

A new study published in AgRearch magazine indicates that low vitamin D levels may be related to an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis. Researchers at Tuft’s University analyzed data from a large study to investigate the possible interaction between blood levels of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) on the progression of osteoarthritis. Vitamin D and PTH work together to regulate calcium and phosphorus metabolism.

Study participants were part of a longitudinal study known as the Osteoarthritis Initiative, were between 45 and 79 years of age, and had at least one knee with evidence of osteoarthritis. A total of 418 subject who met criteria were followed for 4 years, and their knee osteoarthritis progression was tracked using radiographs and related to vitamin D and PTH levels in the blood.

When compared to subjects with healthy vitamin D levels, those with low vitamin D levels (< 15 ng/ml or 37.5 mmol/L) had more than twice the risk of their osteoarthritis worsening throughout the study. Subjects with both low vitamin D and high PTH levels were more than 3 times more likely to have worsening symptoms than participants with normal concentrations of both PTH and vitamin D.

The results of this study indicate that vitamin D deficiency is likely a risk factor for osteoarthritis progression, and that maintaining healthy blood levels through adequate dietary and supplemental intake may be beneficial in adults with osteoarthritis.

Fang Fang Zhang and Sarah Booth. Low Vitamin D Linked to Osteoarthritis. AgResearch Magazine July 2015 - Vol. 63 No. 7. http://agresearchmag.ars.usda.gov/2015/jul/vitamin/

As a Matter of Fat

2015-09-12T09:53:00.001-07:00

As a Matter of Fat - What's Up, USANA?

By Matt Jaggi in Infographic

All it takes is opening a cupboard or searching through the fridge to discover the truth: we are obsessed with low-fat foods. From fat-free salad dressings and light potato chips to low-fat frozen waffles and 100-calorie snack packs—somewhere along the line, we were taught to shun fat from our diets.
Ironically, a closer look at the nutrition labels on these fat-free foods often uncovers something worse: large amounts of refined carbohydrates and sugars, which can be detrimental to good health.
What’s more startling is the fact that even though Americans have been advised consistently over the last 30 years to decrease their fat consumption, obesity continues to rise steadily. In fact, USDA data suggests the average daily calorie intake for adults in the United States has increased by 24.5 percent between 1970 and 2000. That’s a whopping 530 extra calories a day on average.
And where are most of these extra calories coming from? Surprisingly, most of them come from the refined carbohydrates found in unhealthy snack foods—not fats.
So how did the idea that all fats are bad get started? Check out fat’s large history in the infographic below to learn more.
It’s almost like a Nancy Drew and the Case of the Bad Fats story.

Coconut Oil Is Pretty Amazing

2015-08-25T06:01:00.000-07:00

The average coconut isn’t much to look at. But lurking underneath its unassuming exterior is a powerful force for good health.

Coconut oil.

Sure it’s a saturated fat, but the latest science is reporting that we may have been misled a bit. Saturated fats are a vital nutrient that’s essential for life. Our cell membranes even need these types of fatty acids to function properly.

And recent scientific research shows that the medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCTs) that make up coconut oil may have wide-ranging health benefits.

Here are a few of them:

Fight Fat with Fat
The way our bodies process the MCTs in coconut oil reduces the opportunity for those fats to deposit into our existing fatty tissues. And it gets even better.

Consuming MCTs from coconut oil has been shown to increase metabolism by turning up our bodies’ thermostats in a process called thermogenesis. When we produce more heat, our bodies utilize more energy. Increases in thermogenesis and metabolism mean our bodies burn more fuel—fat.

And coconut oil also has been shown to make you feel more full. So consuming coconut oil will help you feel full for longer, reducing overall food intake.

Guard Your Heart

Evidence of coconut oil’s cardio-protective properties comes from the MCTs’ ability to support normal blood lipid profiles. That means coconut oil has been shown to support healthy triglyceride levels and the good kind of cholesterol—high-density lipoproteins or HDL.

Our heart is just the start. The process of breaking down coconut oil in the liver produces ketones and short-chain fatty acids—both shown to help support cognition.

Hopefully you understand why the coconut is worth cracking into. So next time you see one, remember all the power hiding right underneath that hard shell.

How Coenzyme Q10 gives you energy

2015-07-29T13:15:00.001-07:00

Higher flavonoid intake associated with lower mortality rate in older women

2015-06-27T11:36:00.001-07:00

Fruits and veggies help you stay healthy!

At a Glance

A new study shows that elderly women who consume the most flavonoids, compounds found in tea, chocolate, red wine, and fruits and vegetables, have lower cardiovascular, cancer and all-cause mortality rates.

Read more about this research below.

Flavonoids are phytonutrients (plant nutrients) found in tea, chocolate, red wine and many fruits and vegetables. Reduced mortality from vascular disease and some cancers have been linked to high intakes of flavonoid-rich foods and specific flavonoid intake.

In a new study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers explored the potential association between overall flavonoid intake and the risk of all-cause mortality.

The study participants included 1,063 women over the age of 75 years. Flavonoid intake was estimated using two different sets of food data: the USDA and the Phenol-Explorer database. Over a five-year follow-up there were 129 deaths in the study group. All-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular deaths were determined.

Women with the highest flavonoid intake (per USDA) had a 63 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality over the five-year follow-up than those with the lowest flavonoid intake. Those with the highest flavonoid intake also had a 66 percent lower risk of cardiovascular death, and a 75 percent lower risk of cancer mortality. The results were nearly identical when using the Phenol-Explorer database to determine flavonoid intake.

Using the two most comprehensive flavonoid databases available, this study provides evidence that a higher intake of flavonoids is linked to a reduction in all-cause mortality in older women, and even more so to cardiovascular and cancer mortality.

Kerry L Ivey, Jonathan M Hodgson, Kevin D Croft, Joshua R Lewis, and Richard L Prince. Flavonoid intake and all-cause mortality Am J Clin Nutr May 2015 vol. 101 no. 5 1012-1020

Calcium supplementation is not related to an increased risk of heart disease

2015-05-30T14:32:00.003-07:00

At a Glance--

A recent study has shown that calcium supplementation in women does not increase heart disease risk, and may actually decrease carotid artery thickness and heart disease risk.

Read more about this research below.

Calcium is an essential nutrient for skeletal health. However, a couple of recent studies have suggested that supplemental calcium may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, possibly by increasing carotid artery thickness.

A study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research reports that supplementing with calcium may decrease carotid artery thickness and heart disease risk. Australian researchers evaluated data from 1,103 older women that took part in the Calcium Intake Fracture Outcome Study, a 5 year (1998-2003) randomized controlled study. The participants were randomized to take either a 1,200 mg calcium carbonate supplement daily or a placebo. Common carotid artery intimal media thickness (an indicator of atherosclerosis) was measured at the beginning and after 3 years.

The women who took calcium supplements during the trial did not have an increase in carotid artery thickness compared to the placebo group. In fact, the presence of atherosclerosis was found in 46.7% of women taking the calcium compared to 54.7% of the women in the placebo group. The women whose total calcium intake from diet and supplements was in the top one-third of subjects had a 33% lower risk of carotid artery atherosclerosis than those whose total calcium intake was in the lowest third.

The conclusion of this study refutes the finding of recent studies showing a negative association between calcium supplementation and heart disease. Higher calcium intake through supplementation and diet may actually reduce carotid artery atherosclerosis.

Lewis JR, Zhu K, Thompson PL, Prince RL. The Effects of 3 Years of Calcium Supplementation on Common Carotid Artery Intimal Medial Thickness and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Older Women: An Ancillary Study of the CAIFOS Randomized Controlled Trial. J Bone Miner Res. 2013 Oct 23. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.2117.

Higher levels of carotenoids may reduce breast cancer risk

2015-04-22T12:26:00.002-07:00

At a Glance

The results of a new large study indicate that women with higher plasma carotenoid levels have a reduced risk of breast cancer, and particularly the more aggressive tumors.

Read more about this research below.

Carotenoids are among the nutrients needed for plant photosynthesis. They are also the pigments in fruits and vegetables that provide the yellow, orange and red colors. Of over 600 known dietary carotenoids, a-carotene, b-carotene, b-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene are the most prevalent in the US diet, comprising 90% of circulating carotenoids. Current evidence suggests that carotenoids may reduce breast cancer risk, but at what stage they are most influential and in what tumor subtypes is less clear.

In a recent large study published online in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers examined the issues of timing of carotenoid exposure as well as associations by breast tumor subtypes.

The study group included 32,826 women that participated in the Nurses’ Health study and donated blood samples in 1989-1990. In 2000-2002, 18,743 of these women donated a second blood sample. Women diagnosed with breast cancer between first and second blood collection, and those diagnosed with breast cancer within ten years of the second collection, were matched with control subjects.

After adjusting for several breast cancer risk factors, significant inverse associations were observed between a-carotene, b-carotene, lycopene, and total carotenoids and breast cancer risk with an overall 18–28% lower risk in the women with the highest blood levels compared to women with the lowest levels. The protective benefits of b-carotene and total carotenoids were more pronounced in leaner women (BMI < 30). In addition, a-carotene, b-carotene, b-cryptoxanthin, and total carotenoids were associated with a 46% reduction in risk of the more aggressive types of cancer than recurred or caused death.

In this large prospective analysis with 20 y of follow up, women with the highest blood levels of carotenoids had a significant reduction in breast cancer risk, and particularly the more aggressive and lethal subtypes.

A Heather Eliassen et al. Plasma carotenoids and risk of breast cancer over 20 y of follow-up. Am J Clin Nutr doi: 10.3945/ajcn.114.105080

Lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation improves measures of visual performance in healthy adults

2015-04-02T13:16:00.000-07:00

At a Glance

A new study shows that supplementing with lutein and zeaxanthin—compounds contained naturally in green, leafy vegetables, such as kale and spinach—may improve measures of visual performance such as photostress recovery and the response to glare conditions.

Read more about this research below.

Dietary carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are plant-derived pigments that concentrate in the inner layers of the macula region of the eye. The macular pigments act much like a sunscreen within the eye to protect the delicate tissues of the retina. It is well known that sufficient levels of these carotenoids reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a major cause of blindness in the elderly. Less is known of the benefits of supplementation of lutein and zeaxanthin in young, healthy adults.

A new double-blind placebo controlled study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science assessed the link between higher macular pigment optical density (MPOD) resulting from supplementation to improvements in glare disability, photostress recovery, and other measures of visual performance.

The study included 115 young, healthy adults who either received a supplement containing a daily dosage of 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin or a placebo over a one year supplementation period. Several measurements were collected at baseline and every 3 months: serum lutein and zeaxanthin, MPOD, photostress recovery, chromatic contrast and glare disability. MPOD is a measure of the amount of macular pigment present in the macular. Photostress recovery is a measure of how fast the eye recovers sight after being exposed to a flash of bright light. Chromatic contrast is the ability to discriminate an object from its colored surroundings. Glare disability is a measure of the amount of glaring light that can be tolerated before vision is significantly impaired.

MPOD and serum lutein and zeaxanthin levels increased significantly in the treatment groups versus placebo. In the supplemented group, chromatic contrast and photostress recovery times improved significantly versus placebo during the study period. The researchers also found that improvement in glare disability was highly correlated to increased macular pigment density.

The results of the current study demonstrate that lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation improves several measures of visual function in normal healthy individuals and adds to evidence from previous studies that increased MPOD results in improved visual performance.

Hammond BR et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on photostress recovery, glare disability, and chromatic contrast. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014 Dec 2;55(12):8583-9.

Probiotics reduce the incidence of diarrhea during antibiotic therapy

2015-03-27T13:18:00.001-07:00

At a Glance

According to a meta-analysis of 63 studies, taking probiotics significantly reduces the risk of developing diarrhea that often results from the use of antibiotics.

Read more about this research below.

Antibiotics are prescribed for the treatment of bacterial infections. They serve their purpose by killing the harmful bacteria inside the body. Unfortunately they kill many of the helpful bacteria within the body as well. This can create a disturbance in the flora of the gastrointestinal tract. A common symptom of this disturbance is diarrhea, which occurs in as many as 30% of those taking antibiotics. Probiotics are microorganisms that can help maintain or restore the balance of gut flora.

In a large meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers pooled data from 63 different randomized clinical trials to determine the usefulness of probiotics in the “prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.” The trials involved 11,811 participants, the majority of which were outpatients, but some of those included were hospitalized patients. The majority of the trials used a Lactobacillus based strain; the other strains included Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, and/or Bacillus. Analysis of all the included data revealed that those taking probiotics had on average a 42% lower risk of developing diarrhea than those in the control groups.

The results of this meta-analysis support the idea that concurrent use of probiotics during antibiotic therapy may help maintain gut flora balance and reduce the incidence of side effects such as diarrhea.

Hempel S, Newberry SJ, Maher AR, et al. Probiotics for the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association. 2012;307(18):1959-69.

Mutivitamin/mineral Supplementation May Improve Aspects of Brain Function in Healthy Children

2015-03-12T12:56:00.003-07:00

At a Glance

Twelve weeks of supplementation with vitamins and minerals was found to boost the attention scores of children, according to results published in the “British Journal of Nutrition.”

Read more about this research below.

It is well known that adequate levels of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential for optimal neural functioning. A significant percentage of individuals, including children, suffer from deficiencies in one or more vitamins or minerals. This study investigated whether daily supplementation with a multivitamin could alter cognitive performance and mood in healthy children.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 81 healthy children aged 8-14. The children were reportedly all healthy and free from food allergies. None of the children used other dietary supplements during the three months prior to the study. Participants were randomly assigned to daily multivitamin and mineral supplements or placebo for 12 weeks.

The children underwent laboratory assessments of their cognitive performance and mood pre-dose and at 1 and 3 h post-dose on the first and last days of the trial. Assessments were also completed at home after 4 and 8 weeks at 3 hours post-dose. Cognitive performance was measured using a battery of laboratory assessments, which included tasks assessing mood and the speed and accuracy of attention and aspects of memory. The children in the vitamin/mineral group performed more accurately on two tests of attention. No effects were observed on measures of the children’s mood.

Although the results of this study require further investigation, it suggests that vitamin/mineral supplementation has the potential to improve brain function in healthy children.

Haskell CF et al. Cognitive and mood effects in healthy children during 12 weeks' supplementation with multi-vitamin/minerals. Br J Nutr 2008 Nov;100(5):1086-96.

Vitamin D deficiency common in US children

2015-03-05T08:57:00.000-08:00

At a Glance

Research indicates that the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency among children in the United States is higher than previously thought. Although several small studies had found a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in specific populations of children, this study is the first to examine the issue nationwide.

Read more about this research below.

A study in the journal Pediatrics reveals a troublesome prevalence of low levels of vitamin D among children in the U.S.

Researchers evaluated data from over 6,000 children aged 1 to 21 who participated in the National Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2001 and 2004.

Insufficient levels of vitamin D were defined as 15 to 29 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL), and deficient levels as less than 15 ng/mL.

Over 60 percent of the children studied had vitamin D levels defined as insufficient. Outright deficiency occurred in nine percent of the subjects. If applied to the U.S. population, these percentages would be equivalent to nearly 51 million children with insufficient vitamin D levels, and 7.6 million children with vitamin D deficiency. Participants who consumed at least 400 IU of vitamin D per day were less likely to experience a deficiency, but just four percent of the children used vitamin D supplements.

In addition to its consequences regarding bone health, vitamin D deficiency can potentially increase the risk of future heart disease and other health conditions. The researchers concluded that physicians should be screening children for vitamin D levels, especially in populations that are considered high risk.

Kumar J. Prevalence and associations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency in US children: NHANES 2001-2004. Pediatrics. 2009 Sep;124(3):e362-70.

Evening Exposure to Light-emitting Electronic Devices Can Reduce Quality of Sleep by Suppressing the Release of Melatonin

2015-02-19T11:19:00.000-08:00

At a Glance

A new study reveals that prolonged reading of electronic devices prior to bedtime may significantly suppress or delay release of melatonin, negatively affecting the quality of sleep and lengthening the time to alertness the next day.

Read more about this research below.

A new study published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science suggests that certain light-emitting electronic devices may have a suppressive effect on melatonin and affect sleep patterns.

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston studied 12 healthy adults who were randomized to read either a light-emitting eBook or a printed book in dim room light. The participants in each group read for 4 hours prior to bedtime for 5 consecutive evenings. At the end of the 5 days, the subjects switched their assignments. Blood samples were taken during the study and evaluated for melatonin levels. The researchers also documented sleep latency, time and efficiency using polysomnography, a diagnostic tool used in sleep studies.

The reading of eBooks before sleep was associated with a longer time needed to fall asleep and less rapid eye movement (REM) in comparison to reading a printed book. Printed book reading resulted in no suppression of melatonin, but eBook readers experienced an average melatonin suppression of over 55%. In addition, compared to the reading of printed books, the onset of melatonin release in response to dim light occurred 1.5 hours later the day following reading of an eBook. Individuals reading the e-Books also reported being more tired and taking longer to become alert the next morning.

Unlike natural light, electronic devices emit a short-wavelength-enriched light that is more concentrated in blue light. These results demonstrate that evening exposure to light-emitting electronics such as eBooks may delay the circadian clock and suppress the release of melatonin, and this may have a negative impact on sleep, performance, health, and safety.

Chang AM et al. Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects sleep, circadian timing, and next-morning alertness. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015 Jan 27;112(4):1232-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1418490112.

Higher whole grain intake associated with increased life expectancy and lower risk of death from heart disease

2015-02-13T06:21:00.000-08:00

At a Glance

Results from a new study indicate that higher whole grain consumption is associated with lower total and cardiovascular disease mortality in US men and women.

Read more about this research below.

Previous research has shown a strong correlation between high whole grain intake
and a reduced risk of degenerative diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular

disease (CVD). However, less is known about its potential association with mortality
risk.

In a new study published online in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers examined the association of whole grain intake and the risk of premature mortality. Researchers evaluated data from two large cohort studies that included participants from the Nurses’ Health Study (74, 341 women) and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (43,744 men) conducted between 1984 and 2010. All participants were free of cancer and cardiovascular disease at the beginning of the study. Dietary habits, including information on the type and frequency of intake from specific whole grains, were updated every two to four years using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Frequency of eating specific whole grains, including wheat, rye, barley, corn, oats, buckwheat, rice, popcorn, amaranth, psyllium, and added bran and wheat germ were documented.

After adjustments were made for age, smoking, body mass index, physical activity, and modified Alternate Healthy Eating Index score, higher whole grain intake was associated with lower total and CVD mortality. Participants whose whole grain intake was in the top 20% had a 9% lower risk of premature mortality than those whose levels were among the lowest 20% of intake. When analyzing risk of death from cardiovascular disease specifically, those with the highest grain intake had a 15% decrease in mortality risk compared to the lowest intake group. It is estimated that every serving (28 grams/day) of whole grain consumption was associated with a 5% lower total mortality or a 9% lower CVD mortality.

The results from these large studies confirm the notion that whole grain consumption is associated with disease prevention and may extend life expectancy by decreasing cardiovascular disease and overall mortality risk in adult men and women.

Wu H et al. Association Between Dietary Whole Grain Intake and Risk of Mortality: Two Large Prospective Studies in US Men and Women. JAMA Intern Med. 2015 Jan 5. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.6283.

Weight gain common during first months of the year despite New Year’s resolutions

2015-02-06T10:34:00.000-08:00

Do you make New Year's Resolutions? How do they work out for you?

At a Glance

Although the most common New Year’s resolution is to eat healthier and lose weight, consumers tend to continue purchasing less-healthy foods at increased holiday levels while also adding more healthy foods to the diet. The additional calories result in small weight gains common at the beginning of the year despite resolutions to lose weight.

Read more about this research below.

Small yearly weight gains of one to two pounds may be a significant contributor to the high rate of obesity in America, and weight gain over the holiday period may be responsible for much of this yearly weight gain. A study published in PLOS ONE shows that despite people’s best intentions to eat less in the New Year, they may actually be taking in more calories during the first three months of the year.

Over the course of 37 weeks, from July 17, 2010 to March 12, 2011, researchers recruited 207 households to participate in a randomized-controlled trial conducted at two regional-grocery chain locations in upstate New York. Daily-itemized transaction level data were collected for each of the households and a nutrient-rating system was used to designate “healthy” and “less healthy” items. Expenditures and calories purchased for the holiday period (Thanksgiving–New Year’s), and the post-holiday period (New Year’s–March), were compared to baseline (July–Thanksgiving) amounts.

Household food expenditures increased by 15% over the holiday season compared to baseline, and 75% of the additional expenditures were considered “less-healthy” items. Sales of healthy food items increased 29.4% after the holiday season, consistent with what would be expected based on New Year’s resolutions. Unfortunately, households spent about the same on the less-healthy items in the post-holiday season as they did during the holiday season. After the holidays, calories purchased each week increased by 9.3% (calories per serving/week) compared to the holidays and by 20.2% compared to baseline.

Despite resolutions to eat more healthfully after New Year’s and the greater focus on healthier items post-New Year’s Day, the current study found that not only was there an increase in the purchase of unhealthy items during the holidays, but it remained elevated in the weeks immediately following the holiday season. So, even though many people make a New Year’s resolution to eat healthier or lose weight, consumers are making purchasing decisions that only partly support these goals. Healthcare professionals should encourage consumers to substitute healthy items for less-healthy foods to assist consumers in fulfilling their New Year’s resolutions to reverse holiday weight gain.

Pope L, Hanks AS, Just DR, Wansink B (2014) New Year’s Res-Illusions: Food Shopping in the New Year Competes with Healthy Intentions. PLoS ONE 9(12): e110561. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0110561

Investigation Busts Sellers of Bogus Health Supplements

2015-02-03T11:12:00.000-08:00

This just in-- New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman busted several large retail chains selling herbal supplements, including Target, GNC, Walgreens and Walmart. The vendors were ordered to immediately cease sales of bogus herbal supplements.

According to an investigation which was conducted recently by the NY State Attorney General's office, many nutritional supplements contain cheap fillers such as houseplant and powdered rice. Upon analysis, investigators found that many products not only were ineffective, but also potentially harmful. Four out of five products were found to actually contain no herbal ingredients, but instead had worthless fillers including powdered rice, houseplants and asparagus. The fraudulent products were labeled as Echinacea, Ginseng, St. John's wort, garlic, Ginkgo Biloga and Saw Palmetto.

Schneiderman said, "Mislabeling, contamination and false advertising are illegal." They also pose unacceptable risks to New York families-- especially those with allergies to hidden ingredients."

Nutritional supplements are not required to have FDA approval because they are classified as food, and thus meet less stringent requirements than pharmaceutical products must meet. The products are not required to meet F.D.A. standards because of a loophole in a 1994 law sponsored by Utah Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, who received campaign contributions from supplement manufacturers.

According to the New York Times, the NY State Attorney General's office had purchased 78 bottles of the leading brands of supplements from a dozen Walmart, Target, Walgreens and GNC stores in New York state. "Then the agency analyzed the products using DNA bar coding, a type of genetic fingerprinting that the agency has used to root out labeling fraud in the seafood industry… the tests found so many supplements with no DNA from the herbs on their labels but plenty of DNA from unlisted ingredients, said Marty Mack, and executive deputy attorney general in New York. “The absence of DNA does not explain the high percentage of contaminants found in these products,” he said. The burden is now with the industry to prove what is in these supplements.”

Of course these are national chain stores, so the problem products were not only distributed in New York, but nationally. According to Salon, a spokesman for Walgreens said that all of the products will be withdrawn from its stores. GNC said they stood by the quality of their products, but would be cooperating with the investigation.

This incident reveals that consumers need to be careful about what nutritional products they buy. Unfortunately, since the products are unregulated, the consumer has to beware of cheap products which may not contain what is on the label.

There are companies which do voluntarily adhere to stricter standards of manufacturing to produce nutritional supplements at pharmaceutical grade. These companies have submitted their products to consumer-rating agencies such as NSF and consumerlab.com to verify that the bottles actually contain what is on the label. They offer a potency guarantee that their products do contain the proper ingredients at the amount listed on their label.

How Easy Is It to Get Enough Vitamin D?

2015-01-27T14:04:00.000-08:00

How do you get vitamin D into your body?

Can you get vitamin D from your food?
Watch the video to learn what the scientists think.