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IN THIS ISSUE:
  • Adequate B12 vital in pregnancy

    Pregnant women with low levels of vitamin B12 have three times the risk of delivering babies with neural tube defects, according to anew study led by a University of Toronto researcher. "In a population-based, case-control study of more than500 pregnant women in Ontario, we found the risk of neural tube defects tripled in the presence [...]

  • Beer for brain health?

    Spanish researchers report thatmoderately high levels of beer intake may protect against the uptake ofaluminum, a suspected factor in Alzheimer’s disease. The effect appears to bedue to levels of silicon in beer, which can range between about 10 to 40 mg perlitre. The silicon in the beer was able to reducealuminum uptake in the digestive [...]

  • Diet, exercise can affect fertility

    If you’re a woman hoping to become a mother soon, eating a healthy diet, being physically active and maintaining normal weight will improve your chances, say researchers.  In a recent study, diet and lifestyle data from 17,544women were matched to the outcomes of their attempts to become pregnant.Researchers found diet had the greatest impact on [...]

  • Essential Fatty Acids

    Getting your essential fatty acids (EFAs) from oily fish or from appears to be equally effective at increasing blood levels of EFAs.

  • Scents-ual mood setters!

    Deborah Mitchell, author of Nature’s Aphrodisiacs (Dell, 1999) suggests these essential oils to help rekindle the libido: Basil: This spicy sweet scent is said to restimulate sexual desire. The oil is extracted from the plant flowers and leaves and can be used in an aroma lamp. Jasmine: This plant and its scent have been used [...]

  • Herb’s effect on mood “significant”

    In a new clinical trial, patients with mild-to-moderate depression given rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) extract showed significant improvements in depression compared to those given placebo.The six-week trial was conducted on 89 subjects, aged 18 to 70, who were assessed with clinically significant depression according to two different standard measurements used in psychiatry: the Beck Depression Inventory [...]

  • Mushrooms and cancer

    Researchers at Hanyang University in Seoul, Korea, report that eating mushrooms may protect women from breast cancer. They looked at the diets of 362 women between 30 and 65 years with breast cancer, and a group of matched control subjects. After adjusting for a number of factors, both the daily intake and the average consumption [...]

  • Prostate protection on your plate!

    Men looking for ways to maintain a healthy prostate gland should begin by considering their diet, according to recent research studies.In one, German researchers looked at 40 elderly male patients with confirmed benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, or enlarged prostate) who were free from prostate cancer. The men were given supplements of lycopene, a compound found [...]

  • Super results for migraine sufferers

    Sometime in their lives, up to 20% of men and up to 35%of women will suffer migraines. While most experts agree that migraines are the result of excessive constriction of blood vessels in the head followed by are bound dilation period, the exact cause of this pattern is not fully known. Migraine headaches are often [...]

  • Take tea with a twist

    Looking to supercharge your nextcup of green tea? According to new research, adding lemon juice can triple the bio-availability of natural antioxidants in green tea called catechins.  Catechins have been studied for the prevention of chronic diseases like cancer (including colon, breast and prostate cancers) and heart disease. Source: Mol NutrFood Res 2007;51:1152-62

  • Vege-man? Take vitamins!

    If you’re a vegetarian man, yourhealth complaints may be related to missing micronutrients. Indian researchersevaluated 502 lactovegetarian adults (vegetarians whodon’t eat eggs but do consume dairy products), average age of 30 years, andquestioned them on the presence and severity of health complaints. Theresearchers found that intakes of various micronutrients, includingbeta-carotene, riboflavin, iron and zinc, were [...]

  • Vitamins boost performance

    Iranian researchers report thatsupplementation with vitamins C and E may significantly enhance aerobic powerin athletes. In their three-week study, 36 male physical education studentswere assigned either vitamin E (400 mg/d); vitamin C (1000 mg/d); both vitaminE and C; or a placebo. In a 12-minute run test, all three vitamin groupsperformed significantly better compared to subjects [...]

  • What’s Hot – Neti pots

    What is it? A small,spouted container used to flush the nasal passages with salt water. Why use it? To improve chronic sinus infection, allergic sinusitis, headaches and coughs. What’s the research? In 2002, researchers reported that "daily…nasal irrigation improves sinus-related quality of life, decreases symptoms, and decreases medication use in patients with frequent sinusitis." A [...]

Adequate B12 vital in pregnancy

Pregnant women with low levels of vitamin B12 have three times the risk of delivering babies with neural tube defects, according to anew study led by a University of Toronto researcher.

"In a population-based, case-control study of more than500 pregnant women in Ontario, we found the risk of neural tube defects tripled in the presence of low maternal vitamin B12 levels," said Joel Ray, a professor and a St. Michael’s Hospital physician. "Taking into account folic acid fortification in flour and moderate use of folic acid supplements,the data suggest about 34% of the neural tube defects may be due to low levels of B12."

The study is the first to examine the link between the two using an accurate measurement of while adjusting for folate levels. Neural tube defects are birth defects of the spinal cord and brain, otherwise known as spina bifida and anencephaly. Research has shown the risk of neural tube defects can be reduced by nearly 50% with folic acid supplements taken just before and after conception, or through consumption of food fortified with folic acid.

Source: University of Toronto,May 23, 2007

Pregnant women with low levels of vitamin B12 have three times the risk of delivering babies with neural tube defects, according to anew study led by a University of Toronto researcher.

"In a population-based, case-control study of more than500 pregnant women in Ontario, we found the risk of neural tube defects tripled in the presence of low maternal vitamin B12 levels," said Joel Ray, a professor and a St. Michael's Hospital physician. "Taking into account folic acid fortification in flour and moderate use of folic acid supplements,the data suggest about 34% of the neural tube defects may be due to low levels of B12."

The study is the first to examine the link between the two using an accurate measurement of while adjusting for folate levels. Neural tube defects are birth defects of the spinal cord and brain, otherwise known as spina bifida and anencephaly. Research has shown the risk of neural tube defects can be reduced by nearly 50% with folic acid supplements taken just before and after conception, or through consumption of food fortified with folic acid.

Source: University of Toronto,May 23, 2007

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Beer for brain health?

Spanish researchers report thatmoderately high levels of beer intake may protect against the uptake ofaluminum, a suspected factor in Alzheimer’s disease. The effect appears to bedue to levels of silicon in beer, which can range between about 10 to 40 mg perlitre. The silicon in the beer was able to reducealuminum uptake in the digestive tract and thus slow the accumulation ofaluminum in the body, including the brain tissue.

Source: Food and ChemicalToxicology, Jan 2008

Spanish researchers report thatmoderately high levels of beer intake may protect against the uptake ofaluminum, a suspected factor in Alzheimer's disease. The effect appears to bedue to levels of silicon in beer, which can range between about 10 to 40 mg perlitre. The silicon in the beer was able to reducealuminum uptake in the digestive tract and thus slow the accumulation ofaluminum in the body, including the brain tissue.

Source: Food and ChemicalToxicology, Jan 2008

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Diet, exercise can affect fertility

If you’re a woman hoping to become a mother soon, eating a healthy diet, being physically active and maintaining normal weight will improve your chances, say researchers. 

In a recent study, diet and lifestyle data from 17,544women were matched to the outcomes of their attempts to become pregnant.Researchers found diet had the greatest impact on fertility, and getting a half hour or more of vigorous physical activity per day and maintaining a healthy weight added to its benefits. Women with the highest number of healthy diet and lifestyle habits had an 84% lower chance of ovulation disorder infertility than those with the fewest healthy habits.

The researchers suggest adopting a "fertility diet," characterized by higher consumption of mono unsaturated fat found in natural foods like nuts and avocados, and olive oil. Women should also opt for vegetable protein rather than animal protein, low-glycemic carbohydrates like whole grains, moderate consumption of high-fat dairy, multi vitamins and iron from plants and supplements.

Avocado: a source of the healthy mono-unsaturated fats needed for optimum fertility.

Source: ObstetGynecol 2007;110:1050-8

If you're a woman hoping to become a mother soon, eating a healthy diet, being physically active and maintaining normal weight will improve your chances, say researchers. 

In a recent study, diet and lifestyle data from 17,544women were matched to the outcomes of their attempts to become pregnant.Researchers found diet had the greatest impact on fertility, and getting a half hour or more of vigorous physical activity per day and maintaining a healthy weight added to its benefits. Women with the highest number of healthy diet and lifestyle habits had an 84% lower chance of ovulation disorder infertility than those with the fewest healthy habits.

The researchers suggest adopting a "fertility diet," characterized by higher consumption of mono unsaturated fat found in natural foods like nuts and avocados, and olive oil. Women should also opt for vegetable protein rather than animal protein, low-glycemic carbohydrates like whole grains, moderate consumption of high-fat dairy, multi vitamins and iron from plants and supplements.

Avocado: a source of the healthy mono-unsaturated fats needed for optimum fertility.

Source: ObstetGynecol 2007;110:1050-8

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Essential Fatty Acids

Getting your essential fatty acids (EFAs) from oily fish or from appears to be equally effective at increasing blood levels of EFAs.

Getting your essential fatty acids (EFAs) from oily fish or from appears to be equally effective at increasing blood levels of EFAs.

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Scents-ual mood setters!

Deborah Mitchell, author of Nature’s Aphrodisiacs (Dell, 1999) suggests these essential oils to help rekindle the libido:

Basil: This spicy sweet scent is said to restimulate sexual desire. The oil is extracted from the plant flowers and leaves and can be used in an aroma lamp.

Jasmine: This plant and its scent have been used as an aphrodisiac since ancient times. The oil has a strong, seductive power over both men and women to reawaken passion. Try jasmine in an aroma lamp or massage oil.

Deborah Mitchell, author of Nature's Aphrodisiacs (Dell, 1999) suggests these essential oils to help rekindle the libido:

Basil: This spicy sweet scent is said to restimulate sexual desire. The oil is extracted from the plant flowers and leaves and can be used in an aroma lamp.

Jasmine: This plant and its scent have been used as an aphrodisiac since ancient times. The oil has a strong, seductive power over both men and women to reawaken passion. Try jasmine in an aroma lamp or massage oil.

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Herb’s effect on mood “significant”

In a new clinical trial, patients with mild-to-moderate depression given rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) extract showed significant improvements in depression compared to those given placebo.The six-week trial was conducted on 89 subjects, aged 18 to 70, who were assessed with clinically significant depression according to two different standard measurements used in psychiatry: the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD).

Patients were given either 340 mg or 680 mg per day of rhodiola; or a placebo capsule.

Following treatment, both rhodiola groups experienced statistically significant declines in mean total HAMD scores as well as statistically significant declines in mean BDI scores. The subjects in the placebo group did not show statistically significant decreases in either scores.

The researchers reported other treatment benefits. At both dosage levels of rhodiola, people in the HAMD subgroups experienced improvements in insomnia, emotional instability, and levels of somatization (the conversion of anxiety into physical symptoms), while such measures did not significantly change in the placebo group. Also, the group given the higher dose of rhodiola experienced a statistically significant improvement in low self esteem, while the lower-dose group and the placebo group did not.

The authors concluded that extract demonstrates clear and significant anti-depressive activity in patients suffering from mild to moderate depression, evident from both overall depression levels as well as from specific symptom levels of depression. They further noted that no adverse effects could be detected in either of the groups given the rhodiola.  Other benefits from the herb included emotional stability, better sleep and improvements in self esteem.

Source: American Botanical Council(ABC), Dec 19, 2007

In a new clinical trial, patients with mild-to-moderate depression given rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) extract showed significant improvements in depression compared to those given placebo.The six-week trial was conducted on 89 subjects, aged 18 to 70, who were assessed with clinically significant depression according to two different standard measurements used in psychiatry: the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD).

Patients were given either 340 mg or 680 mg per day of rhodiola; or a placebo capsule.

Following treatment, both rhodiola groups experienced statistically significant declines in mean total HAMD scores as well as statistically significant declines in mean BDI scores. The subjects in the placebo group did not show statistically significant decreases in either scores.

The researchers reported other treatment benefits. At both dosage levels of rhodiola, people in the HAMD subgroups experienced improvements in insomnia, emotional instability, and levels of somatization (the conversion of anxiety into physical symptoms), while such measures did not significantly change in the placebo group. Also, the group given the higher dose of rhodiola experienced a statistically significant improvement in low self esteem, while the lower-dose group and the placebo group did not.

The authors concluded that extract demonstrates clear and significant anti-depressive activity in patients suffering from mild to moderate depression, evident from both overall depression levels as well as from specific symptom levels of depression. They further noted that no adverse effects could be detected in either of the groups given the rhodiola.  Other benefits from the herb included emotional stability, better sleep and improvements in self esteem.

Source: American Botanical Council(ABC), Dec 19, 2007

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Mushrooms and cancer

Researchers at Hanyang University in Seoul, Korea, report that eating mushrooms may protect women from breast cancer. They looked at the diets of 362 women between 30 and 65 years with breast cancer, and a group of matched control subjects. After adjusting for a number of factors, both the daily intake and the average consumption frequency of mushrooms were inversely associated with breast cancer risk. A strong inverse association was found in post-menopausal women but not in pre-menopausal women. The researchers concluded that the consumption of dietary mushrooms may decrease breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women.

Source: IntJ Cancer. 2008 Feb 15;122(4):919-23

Researchers at Hanyang University in Seoul, Korea, report that eating mushrooms may protect women from breast cancer. They looked at the diets of 362 women between 30 and 65 years with breast cancer, and a group of matched control subjects. After adjusting for a number of factors, both the daily intake and the average consumption frequency of mushrooms were inversely associated with breast cancer risk. A strong inverse association was found in post-menopausal women but not in pre-menopausal women. The researchers concluded that the consumption of dietary mushrooms may decrease breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women.

Source: IntJ Cancer. 2008 Feb 15;122(4):919-23

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Prostate protection on your plate!

Men looking for ways to maintain a healthy prostate gland should begin by considering their diet, according to recent research studies.In one, German researchers looked at 40 elderly male patients with confirmed benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, or enlarged prostate) who were free from prostate cancer. The men were given supplements of lycopene, a compound found naturally in tomatoes and tomato-based products, and also available as a dietary supplement.

Eating certain vegetables regularly may help men maintain a healthy prostate.

After six months, the researchers noted a reduction in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, while a placebo pill had no such effect. Increased PSA is often an indicator of prostate cancer. In addition, no enlargement of the prostate was found in the lycopene group, while the placebo group was found to have progression of prostate enlargement. Past research indicates that lycopene levels may increase when tomatoes are cooked.

The researchers say the results suggest may inhibit the progression of BPH and may have a role to play in the prevention of prostate cancer.

In a related study, researchers found that men who frequently eat onions and garlic are less likely to suffer BPH. The study compared the diets of 1,369 men with and 1,451 men without BPH. The results revealed that those who ate onions four or more times per week had a 59% lower BPH risk than men who never ate onions. Garlic was also found to be protective:men who ate the most garlic had a 28% lower risk than men who never did.

Sources: J Nutr,2007; 138(1): 49-53; Urology 2007;70:672-6

Men looking for ways to maintain a healthy prostate gland should begin by considering their diet, according to recent research studies.In one, German researchers looked at 40 elderly male patients with confirmed benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, or enlarged prostate) who were free from prostate cancer. The men were given supplements of lycopene, a compound found naturally in tomatoes and tomato-based products, and also available as a dietary supplement.

Eating certain vegetables regularly may help men maintain a healthy prostate.

After six months, the researchers noted a reduction in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, while a placebo pill had no such effect. Increased PSA is often an indicator of prostate cancer. In addition, no enlargement of the prostate was found in the lycopene group, while the placebo group was found to have progression of prostate enlargement. Past research indicates that lycopene levels may increase when tomatoes are cooked.

The researchers say the results suggest may inhibit the progression of BPH and may have a role to play in the prevention of prostate cancer.

In a related study, researchers found that men who frequently eat onions and garlic are less likely to suffer BPH. The study compared the diets of 1,369 men with and 1,451 men without BPH. The results revealed that those who ate onions four or more times per week had a 59% lower BPH risk than men who never ate onions. Garlic was also found to be protective:men who ate the most garlic had a 28% lower risk than men who never did.

Sources: J Nutr,2007; 138(1): 49-53; Urology 2007;70:672-6

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Super results for migraine sufferers

Sometime in their lives, up to 20% of men and up to 35%of women will suffer migraines. While most experts agree that migraines are the result of excessive constriction of blood vessels in the head followed by are bound dilation period, the exact cause of this pattern is not fully known.

Migraine headaches are often accompanied by "auras" such as nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.

Recent studies highlight a few natural remedies with the potential to significantly alleviate migraine headaches.

One of these is coenzyme Q10. US researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center studied 1,550 young subjects (average age 13.3 years) with frequent headaches.They discovered that coenzyme Q10 deficiency was quite common among the subjects (74.6%), and that supplementation with among those deficient was found to be effective in reducing the frequency of headaches. In all, 46.3% of the patients experienced a 50% reduction in headache frequency.

In another study into the effects of alpha lipoic acid, researchers at the University of Liege, Belgium, conducted a randomized, controlled trial on 44 patients diagnosed with migraine headaches (with or without aura). They found that supplementation with

Sources: Headache, 2007; 47(1): 73-80;Headache, 2007; 47(1): 52-57; Headache. 2005 Mar;45(3):196-203

Sometime in their lives, up to 20% of men and up to 35%of women will suffer migraines. While most experts agree that migraines are the result of excessive constriction of blood vessels in the head followed by are bound dilation period, the exact cause of this pattern is not fully known.

Migraine headaches are often accompanied by "auras" such as nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.

Recent studies highlight a few natural remedies with the potential to significantly alleviate migraine headaches.

One of these is coenzyme Q10. US researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center studied 1,550 young subjects (average age 13.3 years) with frequent headaches.They discovered that coenzyme Q10 deficiency was quite common among the subjects (74.6%), and that supplementation with among those deficient was found to be effective in reducing the frequency of headaches. In all, 46.3% of the patients experienced a 50% reduction in headache frequency.

In another study into the effects of alpha lipoic acid, researchers at the University of Liege, Belgium, conducted a randomized, controlled trial on 44 patients diagnosed with migraine headaches (with or without aura). They found that supplementation with

Sources: Headache, 2007; 47(1): 73-80;Headache, 2007; 47(1): 52-57; Headache. 2005 Mar;45(3):196-203

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Take tea with a twist

Looking to supercharge your nextcup of green tea? According to new research, adding lemon juice can triple the bio-availability of natural antioxidants in green tea called catechins.  Catechins have been studied for the prevention of chronic diseases like cancer (including colon, breast and prostate cancers) and heart disease.

Source: Mol NutrFood Res 2007;51:1152-62

Looking to supercharge your nextcup of green tea? According to new research, adding lemon juice can triple the bio-availability of natural antioxidants in green tea called catechins.  Catechins have been studied for the prevention of chronic diseases like cancer (including colon, breast and prostate cancers) and heart disease.

Source: Mol NutrFood Res 2007;51:1152-62

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Vege-man? Take vitamins!

If you’re a vegetarian man, yourhealth complaints may be related to missing micronutrients. Indian researchersevaluated 502 lactovegetarian adults (vegetarians whodon’t eat eggs but do consume dairy products), average age of 30 years, andquestioned them on the presence and severity of health complaints. Theresearchers found that intakes of various micronutrients, includingbeta-carotene, riboflavin, iron and zinc, were half the recommended dietaryintakes. Among men, lower intakes of iron, zinc, niacin, and thiamin were foundamong those with mild complaints, compared to men with no complaints. Men withmoderate complaints had significantly lower intakes of calcium, zinc, vitamin Cand riboflavin, compared to men with no complaints.

Source: Scan Journof Food and Nutrit, 2007; 51(4): 159-166

If you're a vegetarian man, yourhealth complaints may be related to missing micronutrients. Indian researchersevaluated 502 lactovegetarian adults (vegetarians whodon't eat eggs but do consume dairy products), average age of 30 years, andquestioned them on the presence and severity of health complaints. Theresearchers found that intakes of various micronutrients, includingbeta-carotene, riboflavin, iron and zinc, were half the recommended dietaryintakes. Among men, lower intakes of iron, zinc, niacin, and thiamin were foundamong those with mild complaints, compared to men with no complaints. Men withmoderate complaints had significantly lower intakes of calcium, zinc, vitamin Cand riboflavin, compared to men with no complaints.

Source: Scan Journof Food and Nutrit, 2007; 51(4): 159-166

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Vitamins boost performance

Iranian researchers report thatsupplementation with vitamins C and E may significantly enhance aerobic powerin athletes. In their three-week study, 36 male physical education studentswere assigned either vitamin E (400 mg/d); vitamin C (1000 mg/d); both vitaminE and C; or a placebo. In a 12-minute run test, all three vitamin groupsperformed significantly better compared to subjects consuming the placebo. Theresults suggest that daily supplementation with vitamin E (400 mg), vitamin C(1000 mg), or vitamin E plus vitamin C for a period of 3 weeks maysignificantly improve aerobic power.

Source: Res Sports Med, 2007;15(4): 249-56

Iranian researchers report thatsupplementation with vitamins C and E may significantly enhance aerobic powerin athletes. In their three-week study, 36 male physical education studentswere assigned either vitamin E (400 mg/d); vitamin C (1000 mg/d); both vitaminE and C; or a placebo. In a 12-minute run test, all three vitamin groupsperformed significantly better compared to subjects consuming the placebo. Theresults suggest that daily supplementation with vitamin E (400 mg), vitamin C(1000 mg), or vitamin E plus vitamin C for a period of 3 weeks maysignificantly improve aerobic power.

Source: Res Sports Med, 2007;15(4): 249-56

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What’s Hot – Neti pots

What is it?
A small,spouted container used to flush the nasal passages with salt water.

Why use it?
To improve chronic sinus infection, allergic sinusitis, headaches and coughs.

What’s the research?
In 2002, researchers reported that "daily…nasal irrigation improves sinus-related quality of life, decreases symptoms, and decreases medication use in patients with frequent sinusitis." A review in2003 concluded that "patients treated with nasal irrigation rely less on other medications and make fewer visits to physicians."

What is it?
A small,spouted container used to flush the nasal passages with salt water.

Why use it?
To improve chronic sinus infection, allergic sinusitis, headaches and coughs.

What's the research?
In 2002, researchers reported that "daily...nasal irrigation improves sinus-related quality of life, decreases symptoms, and decreases medication use in patients with frequent sinusitis." A review in2003 concluded that "patients treated with nasal irrigation rely less on other medications and make fewer visits to physicians."

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