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IN THIS ISSUE:
  • Compound halts prostate cancer

    A compound found in soybeans almost completely prevented the spread of human prostate cancer in mice, according to a new study from Northwestern University. Researchers say that the amount of the chemical, known as genistein, used in the experiments was no higher than what a human would eat in a soybean-rich diet. They found that [...]

  • Halve your knee replacement risk?

    If you have osteoarthritis in the knee, you may be able to cut your risk of a knee replacement by half if you take ,say Belgian researchers from the University of Liege. Glucosamine not only lowers the risk of knee replacement surgery, it also leads to less use of pain medication. Their study followed up [...]

  • Are you deficient in vitamin D?

    Are you deficient in vitamin D? Here’s who is: 40% of the population 42% of African American women of childbearing age 48% of young girls (9-11 years old) 60% of all hospital patients 76% of pregnant mothers are severely deficient 80% of nursing home patients Source: Dr. Murray’s Natural Living for March 13, 2008

  • CoQ10 helps cut fatigue

    Japanese researchers report that supplementing with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can significantly reduce feelings of fatigue and improve physical performance.  In the small study, 17 healthy volunteers took CoQ10 for eight days and underwent fatigue-inducing workload trials on a bicycle ergometer.  One group took 100 mg per day of the CoQ10; another took 300 mg per [...]

  • Flax helps cut cholesterol

    Taking flaxseed everyday can help lower cholesterol levels, according to a new study from US researchers at Oklahoma State University.They looked at 55 Native American post menopausal women with mild to moderately high cholesterol levels. Those who supplemented with flaxseed were able to lower LDL cholesterol by 10% and total cholesterol by 7%, on average. [...]

  • Herb aids memory — if you remember!

    Taking a supplement of can help boost the memory and memory function of the elderly, but only if people comply and take it as instructed, according to researchers from Oregon State University. In fact,reliably taking the supplement could reduce the risk of developing mild memory problems by 68% in healthy older people with no memory [...]

  • Help for healthy eyes!

    Harvard Medical School researchers report that vitamin E, lutein and zeaxanthin help decrease the risk of cataracts. A large study involving 35,551 female health professionals who were free of cataracts at the outset revealed that "higher dietary intakes of lutein/zeaxanthin and vitamin E from food and supplements were associated with significantly decreased risks of cataract.

  • Melatonin research – more uses

    People with Alzheimer’s often have disrupted sleep patterns at night, and may nap during the day — a habit which can keep them from positive social interactions and normal routines. Now researchers report that a morning-time dose of bright light coupled with an evening dose of may help normalize the sleep-wake cycle in elderly adults [...]

  • Vitamin cuts diabetes risk

    Kids who get a vitamin D supplement are 30% less likely to develop type 1 diabetes in later life than those who don’t get vitamin D, according to new research. The disease is most common among people of European descent, and the incidence is rising at about 3% a year. Source: National Post, Mar 13, [...]

  • Top three ways to help ease eczema

    Eczema is the most common form of dermatitis, a term which literally means "inflamed skin." The condition can affect people young and old and encompasses a number of red, itchy skin conditions.Eczema may look like a dry, scaly rash or weepy, oozing blisters. It is often triggered by an allergy to food, pollen, animal dander [...]

  • Vitamin studied in cancer

    US cancer researchers have received approval for a first-of-its kind study on the effect high-dose vitamin C has on non-Hodgkins lymphoma patients. They will study whether high doses of vitamin C can slow the progression of the deadly disease. "Vitamin C administered intravenously has shown great promise in the laboratory and there has been some [...]

  • Vitamin vital for teen bone health

    Regular consumption of Vitamin K can improve the health of a child’s bones, according to a new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition. Researchers from University Medical Centre Utrecth, in the Netherlands, followed 307 healthy children with an average age of 11.2 years over a two-year period. They found that an increased intake [...]

  • What’s Hot – CLA

    What is it? Conjugated linoleic acid, a fatty acid found mainly in meat and dairy products. Why use it? To cut abdominal fat while building lean muscle. May also be anticancer. What’s the research? In a recent study, women taking CLA lost weight despite no change to diet or exercise habits, while a placebo group [...]

Compound halts prostate cancer

A compound found in soybeans almost completely prevented the spread of human prostate cancer in mice, according to a new study from Northwestern University. Researchers say that the amount of the chemical, known as genistein, used in the experiments was no higher than what a human would eat in a soybean-rich diet. They found that genistein decreased metastasis of prostate cancer to the lungs by 96% compared with mice that did not eat the compound, making it the first study to show genistein can stop prostate cancer metastasis in a living organism.

"Genistein might be a very promising chemopreventive drug": researcher.

"These impressive results give us hope that genistein might show some effect in preventing the spread of prostate cancer in patients,

A compound found in soybeans almost completely prevented the spread of human prostate cancer in mice, according to a new study from Northwestern University. Researchers say that the amount of the chemical, known as genistein, used in the experiments was no higher than what a human would eat in a soybean-rich diet. They found that genistein decreased metastasis of prostate cancer to the lungs by 96% compared with mice that did not eat the compound, making it the first study to show genistein can stop prostate cancer metastasis in a living organism.

"Genistein might be a very promising chemopreventive drug": researcher.

"These impressive results give us hope that genistein might show some effect in preventing the spread of prostate cancer in patients,

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Halve your knee replacement risk?

If you have osteoarthritis in the knee, you may be able to cut your risk of a knee replacement by half if you take ,say Belgian researchers from the University of Liege.

Glucosamine not only lowers the risk of knee replacement surgery, it also leads to less use of pain medication.

Their study followed up on 275 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who either supplemented with glucosamine sulfate ora placebo for at least 12 months and up to three years in a previous study.Within five years, the researchers found twice as many total knee replacement surgeries had occurred in the placebo group compared to the group of patients who had taken glucosamine sulfate.

Furthermore, the researchers found that those who had taken glucosamine sulfate had less use of medications used to alleviate symptoms and less use of other health resources in general. The authors conclude, "Treatment of knee[osteoarthritis] with glucosamine sulphate for at least12 months and up to 3 years may prevent total joint replacement in an average follow-up of 5 years after drug discontinuation.

If you have osteoarthritis in the knee, you may be able to cut your risk of a knee replacement by half if you take ,say Belgian researchers from the University of Liege.

Glucosamine not only lowers the risk of knee replacement surgery, it also leads to less use of pain medication.

Their study followed up on 275 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who either supplemented with glucosamine sulfate ora placebo for at least 12 months and up to three years in a previous study.Within five years, the researchers found twice as many total knee replacement surgeries had occurred in the placebo group compared to the group of patients who had taken glucosamine sulfate.

Furthermore, the researchers found that those who had taken glucosamine sulfate had less use of medications used to alleviate symptoms and less use of other health resources in general. The authors conclude, "Treatment of knee[osteoarthritis] with glucosamine sulphate for at least12 months and up to 3 years may prevent total joint replacement in an average follow-up of 5 years after drug discontinuation.

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Are you deficient in vitamin D?

Are you deficient in vitamin D? Here’s who is:

  • 40% of the population
  • 42% of African American women of childbearing age
  • 48% of young girls (9-11 years old)
  • 60% of all hospital patients
  • 76% of pregnant mothers are severely deficient
  • 80% of nursing home patients

Source: Dr. Murray’s Natural Living for March 13, 2008

Are you deficient in vitamin D? Here's who is:
  • 40% of the population
  • 42% of African American women of childbearing age
  • 48% of young girls (9-11 years old)
  • 60% of all hospital patients
  • 76% of pregnant mothers are severely deficient
  • 80% of nursing home patients
Source: Dr. Murray's Natural Living for March 13, 2008

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CoQ10 helps cut fatigue

Japanese researchers report that supplementing with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can significantly reduce feelings of fatigue and improve physical performance.  In the small study, 17 healthy volunteers took CoQ10 for eight days and underwent fatigue-inducing workload trials on a bicycle ergometer.  One group took 100 mg per day of the CoQ10; another took 300 mg per day; and a third took a placebo. Compared with placebo, the 300mg per day group experienced a higher change in a maximum velocity test and also reported a drop in fatigue.

Source:Nutrition, Feb 11, 2008

Japanese researchers report that supplementing with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can significantly reduce feelings of fatigue and improve physical performance.  In the small study, 17 healthy volunteers took CoQ10 for eight days and underwent fatigue-inducing workload trials on a bicycle ergometer.  One group took 100 mg per day of the CoQ10; another took 300 mg per day; and a third took a placebo. Compared with placebo, the 300mg per day group experienced a higher change in a maximum velocity test and also reported a drop in fatigue.

Source:Nutrition, Feb 11, 2008

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Flax helps cut cholesterol

Taking flaxseed everyday can help lower cholesterol levels, according to a new study from US researchers at Oklahoma State University.They looked at 55 Native American post menopausal women with mild to moderately high cholesterol levels. Those who supplemented with flaxseed were able to lower LDL cholesterol by 10% and total cholesterol by 7%, on average. The authors of this study conclude, "The results of the present study indicate that Native American post menopausal women benefit from regular consumption of

Source: JWomen’s Health (Larchmt), Mar 8, 2008

Taking flaxseed everyday can help lower cholesterol levels, according to a new study from US researchers at Oklahoma State University.They looked at 55 Native American post menopausal women with mild to moderately high cholesterol levels. Those who supplemented with flaxseed were able to lower LDL cholesterol by 10% and total cholesterol by 7%, on average. The authors of this study conclude, "The results of the present study indicate that Native American post menopausal women benefit from regular consumption of

Source: JWomen's Health (Larchmt), Mar 8, 2008

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Herb aids memory — if you remember!

Taking a supplement of can help boost the memory and memory function of the elderly, but only if people comply and take it as instructed, according to researchers from Oregon State University. In fact,reliably taking the supplement could reduce the risk of developing mild memory problems by 68% in healthy older people with no memory problems to start with.

Ginkgo: Works great if you remember to take it regularly!

Leaves of the ginkgo tree have been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine for a variety of reasons.

The current study involved 118 people, 85 or older, with no memory problems who were randomly assigned to take either a ginkgo biloba extract (240 mg daily, 6% terpenelactones and 24% flavone glycosides) or a placebo.The researchers report that 14 people taking the placebo developed mild memory problems, while only seven people developed such problems after taking the ginkgo extract. However, using only those most compliant in taking the herb as directed, the risk reduction for memory problems improved to 68%.

In another recent study, Chinese researchers found that patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who were treated with extract (GBE) injections experienced significant increases measurements of coronary blood flow. The link the positive outcome to the herb’s vasodilating effects (dilation of the veins).

Sources: NeurologyDoi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000303814.13509.db; Planta Med,2007;73(7):624-8

Taking a supplement of can help boost the memory and memory function of the elderly, but only if people comply and take it as instructed, according to researchers from Oregon State University. In fact,reliably taking the supplement could reduce the risk of developing mild memory problems by 68% in healthy older people with no memory problems to start with.

Ginkgo: Works great if you remember to take it regularly!

Leaves of the ginkgo tree have been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine for a variety of reasons.

The current study involved 118 people, 85 or older, with no memory problems who were randomly assigned to take either a ginkgo biloba extract (240 mg daily, 6% terpenelactones and 24% flavone glycosides) or a placebo.The researchers report that 14 people taking the placebo developed mild memory problems, while only seven people developed such problems after taking the ginkgo extract. However, using only those most compliant in taking the herb as directed, the risk reduction for memory problems improved to 68%.

In another recent study, Chinese researchers found that patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who were treated with extract (GBE) injections experienced significant increases measurements of coronary blood flow. The link the positive outcome to the herb's vasodilating effects (dilation of the veins).

Sources: NeurologyDoi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000303814.13509.db; Planta Med,2007;73(7):624-8

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Help for healthy eyes!

Harvard Medical School researchers report that vitamin E, lutein and zeaxanthin help decrease the risk of cataracts. A large study involving 35,551 female health professionals who were free of cataracts at the outset revealed that "higher dietary intakes of lutein/zeaxanthin and vitamin E from food and supplements were associated with significantly decreased risks of cataract.

Harvard Medical School researchers report that vitamin E, lutein and zeaxanthin help decrease the risk of cataracts. A large study involving 35,551 female health professionals who were free of cataracts at the outset revealed that "higher dietary intakes of lutein/zeaxanthin and vitamin E from food and supplements were associated with significantly decreased risks of cataract.

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Melatonin research – more uses

People with Alzheimer’s often have disrupted sleep patterns at night, and may nap during the day — a habit which can keep them from positive social interactions and normal routines. Now researchers report that a morning-time dose of bright light coupled with an evening dose of may help normalize the sleep-wake cycle in elderly adults with Alzheimer’s disease.

The supplement helped increase positive daytime activity in Alzheimer’s patients.

Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, put 50 nursing home patients with Alzheimer’s into one of three groups: light therapy five mornings per week only; light therapy plus melatonin a few hours before bedtime; or normal indoor light with no melatonin. Over 10 weeks, the researchers found that the combination of light therapy and melatonin helped curb daytime sleepiness and increase patients’ activity during the day. Light therapy alone, however, was ineffective.

In another recent study, Brazilian researchers found that melatonin may be an effective remedy for surgery-related pain and anxiety. In a study involving 33 patients, treatment with 5 mg the night before and one hour before undergoing surgery was found to exert clinically relevant analgesic (pain-relieving) and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects. Patients who received melatonin had less postoperative anxiety, required less morphine and recovered their sleep/wake rhythms sooner than those who received a placebo.

These results suggest that administration of prior to surgery may reduce pain, anxiety, and expedite normalization of the rest/activity circadian rhythm after surgery.

Sources: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Feb 2008; Anesth Analg,2007;105(5):1263-71

People with Alzheimer's often have disrupted sleep patterns at night, and may nap during the day -- a habit which can keep them from positive social interactions and normal routines. Now researchers report that a morning-time dose of bright light coupled with an evening dose of may help normalize the sleep-wake cycle in elderly adults with Alzheimer's disease.

The supplement helped increase positive daytime activity in Alzheimer's patients.

Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, put 50 nursing home patients with Alzheimer's into one of three groups: light therapy five mornings per week only; light therapy plus melatonin a few hours before bedtime; or normal indoor light with no melatonin. Over 10 weeks, the researchers found that the combination of light therapy and melatonin helped curb daytime sleepiness and increase patients' activity during the day. Light therapy alone, however, was ineffective.

In another recent study, Brazilian researchers found that melatonin may be an effective remedy for surgery-related pain and anxiety. In a study involving 33 patients, treatment with 5 mg the night before and one hour before undergoing surgery was found to exert clinically relevant analgesic (pain-relieving) and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects. Patients who received melatonin had less postoperative anxiety, required less morphine and recovered their sleep/wake rhythms sooner than those who received a placebo.

These results suggest that administration of prior to surgery may reduce pain, anxiety, and expedite normalization of the rest/activity circadian rhythm after surgery.

Sources: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Feb 2008; Anesth Analg,2007;105(5):1263-71

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Vitamin cuts diabetes risk

Kids who get a vitamin D supplement are 30% less likely to develop type 1 diabetes in later life than those who don’t get vitamin D, according to new research. The disease is most common among people of European descent, and the incidence is rising at about 3% a year.

Source: National Post, Mar 13, 2008

Kids who get a vitamin D supplement are 30% less likely to develop type 1 diabetes in later life than those who don't get vitamin D, according to new research. The disease is most common among people of European descent, and the incidence is rising at about 3% a year.

Source: National Post, Mar 13, 2008

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Top three ways to help ease eczema

Eczema is the most common form of dermatitis, a term which literally means "inflamed skin." The condition can affect people young and old and encompasses a number of red, itchy skin conditions.Eczema may look like a dry, scaly rash or weepy, oozing blisters. It is often triggered by an allergy to food, pollen, animal dander or other substances and is most often seen running in allergy-prone families.

In one study, primrose oil cleared up 42% of patients.

The following three supplements are among those that have been proven to help ease symptoms of eczema.

Evening primrose oil

is a great source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an important omega-6 fatty acid. For more than 50 years, scientists have known that a deficiency of omega-6 can lead to inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. More recent research has verified this link. A study published in 2002 found that after taking

In another recent study, researchers found evidence in eczema patients of a problem in the natural conversion of linoleic acid to GLA in the body. They concluded that "atopic eczema may be a minor inherited abnormality of [essential fatty acid] metabolism" that leaves patients GLA-deficient. Other good sources of GLA include and black currant seed oil.

Probiotics

Recent studies also suggest that supplements containing "beneficial" bacteria might be useful in the management of eczema. One of these studies looked at two probiotic Lactobacillus strains (Lactobacillus rhamnosusand Lactobacillus reuteri)which were given in combination for six weeks to children with eczema aged 1 to13. These probiotics are commonly found in "acidophilus" supplements sold in natural food stores. Changes in the children’s condition were measured using a few different means, including the scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) score, and blood markers of inflammation. The researchers found that after active treatment with

Zinc

The mineral is important for general skin health as well as proper immune system function.Some research has indicated that people with eczema may be low in zinc. Given that zinc is also vital in the process of converting linoleic acid to GLA, many experts recommend zinc supplementation for the treatment of eczema.

Sources: Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine (2nd Ed) by M Murray and J Pizzorno, Prima:1998; Health Fats for Life by Vanderhaeghe& Karst, Quarry:2003; J Allergy Clin Immunol 2003;111:389-95; AmJ Clin Nutr2000;71:367S-372S

Eczema is the most common form of dermatitis, a term which literally means "inflamed skin." The condition can affect people young and old and encompasses a number of red, itchy skin conditions.Eczema may look like a dry, scaly rash or weepy, oozing blisters. It is often triggered by an allergy to food, pollen, animal dander or other substances and is most often seen running in allergy-prone families.

In one study, primrose oil cleared up 42% of patients.

The following three supplements are among those that have been proven to help ease symptoms of eczema.

Evening primrose oil

is a great source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an important omega-6 fatty acid. For more than 50 years, scientists have known that a deficiency of omega-6 can lead to inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. More recent research has verified this link. A study published in 2002 found that after taking

In another recent study, researchers found evidence in eczema patients of a problem in the natural conversion of linoleic acid to GLA in the body. They concluded that "atopic eczema may be a minor inherited abnormality of [essential fatty acid] metabolism" that leaves patients GLA-deficient. Other good sources of GLA include and black currant seed oil.

Probiotics

Recent studies also suggest that supplements containing "beneficial" bacteria might be useful in the management of eczema. One of these studies looked at two probiotic Lactobacillus strains (Lactobacillus rhamnosusand Lactobacillus reuteri)which were given in combination for six weeks to children with eczema aged 1 to13. These probiotics are commonly found in "acidophilus" supplements sold in natural food stores. Changes in the children's condition were measured using a few different means, including the scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) score, and blood markers of inflammation. The researchers found that after active treatment with

Zinc

The mineral is important for general skin health as well as proper immune system function.Some research has indicated that people with eczema may be low in zinc. Given that zinc is also vital in the process of converting linoleic acid to GLA, many experts recommend zinc supplementation for the treatment of eczema.

Sources: Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine (2nd Ed) by M Murray and J Pizzorno, Prima:1998; Health Fats for Life by Vanderhaeghe& Karst, Quarry:2003; J Allergy Clin Immunol 2003;111:389-95; AmJ Clin Nutr2000;71:367S-372S

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Vitamin studied in cancer

US cancer researchers have received approval for a first-of-its kind study on the effect high-dose vitamin C has on non-Hodgkins lymphoma patients. They will study whether high doses of vitamin C can slow the progression of the deadly disease. "Vitamin C administered intravenously has shown great promise in the laboratory and there has been some anecdotal data in cancer patients, but no one has really ever run a detailed study on humans,

US cancer researchers have received approval for a first-of-its kind study on the effect high-dose vitamin C has on non-Hodgkins lymphoma patients. They will study whether high doses of vitamin C can slow the progression of the deadly disease. "Vitamin C administered intravenously has shown great promise in the laboratory and there has been some anecdotal data in cancer patients, but no one has really ever run a detailed study on humans,

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Vitamin vital for teen bone health

Regular consumption of Vitamin K can improve the health of a child’s bones, according to a new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Researchers from University Medical Centre Utrecth, in the Netherlands, followed 307 healthy children with an average age of 11.2 years over a two-year period. They found that an increased intake of K vitamins led to an improved skeletal bone mineral content and greater bone mass throughout the whole body.

Marieke Summeren, lead author of the project, said: "As children grow the increase in bone mass may fail to keep up with the increase in height or length of the bone and, as a consequence, this imbalance may result in fracture.

"But the main threat of a long-term shortage of K vitamins is that peak bone mass may be compromised and, as we age and begin to lose bone density, the risk of fracture in later life is increased.

Regular consumption of Vitamin K can improve the health of a child's bones, according to a new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Researchers from University Medical Centre Utrecth, in the Netherlands, followed 307 healthy children with an average age of 11.2 years over a two-year period. They found that an increased intake of K vitamins led to an improved skeletal bone mineral content and greater bone mass throughout the whole body.

Marieke Summeren, lead author of the project, said: "As children grow the increase in bone mass may fail to keep up with the increase in height or length of the bone and, as a consequence, this imbalance may result in fracture.

"But the main threat of a long-term shortage of K vitamins is that peak bone mass may be compromised and, as we age and begin to lose bone density, the risk of fracture in later life is increased.

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What’s Hot – CLA

What is it?
Conjugated linoleic acid, a fatty acid found mainly in meat and dairy products.

Why use it?
To cut abdominal fat while building lean muscle. May also be anticancer.

What’s the research?
In a recent study, women taking CLA lost weight despite no change to diet or exercise habits, while a placebo group gained weight. In a similar study published in 2000, an average reduction of six pounds of body fat was found in the group that took CLA, compared to a placebo group.

What is it?
Conjugated linoleic acid, a fatty acid found mainly in meat and dairy products.

Why use it?
To cut abdominal fat while building lean muscle. May also be anticancer.

What's the research?
In a recent study, women taking CLA lost weight despite no change to diet or exercise habits, while a placebo group gained weight. In a similar study published in 2000, an average reduction of six pounds of body fat was found in the group that took CLA, compared to a placebo group.

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