May 2008 Natural Health Newsletter « FeelGood Natural Health Food Stores

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Berries may reverse memory loss
If you’re getting forgetful as you get older, then a research team at Peninsula Medical School in the Southwest of England may have good news for you. They have found that phytochemical-rich foods, such as blueberries, are effective at reversing age-related deficits in memory, according to a study soon to be published. The researchers supplemented [...]
Folic acid – not just for women
Woman of childbearing age are commonly advised to consume folate in order to help prevent birth defects, should they conceive. Now it appears that men’s folate intake also affects reproductive health. Low levels were linked with abnormal sperm. In addition, folate (a nutrient also known as folic acid) has recently been shown to blunt the [...]
Depression and pregnancy
Chinese researchers report that omega-3s may offer an alternative to antidepressant medications during pregnancy. The double-blind, placebo-controlled study involved 24 pregnant women with major depressive disorder.From one month prior to starting the study, no medications were used by the patients, who were then randomized to receive 3.4 g/d of omega-3 or placebo for8 weeks. By [...]
Minerals may help with low thyroid
If your thyroid is low, consider talking to your doctor about a zinc and iron connection. Taking zinc supplements can help improve thyroid function; and conversely, iron deficiency impairs thyroid metabolism,research indicates. There appears to be a link between low iron levels and low thyroid hormone. A recent case study explored the role of zinc [...]
Combination eases blood pressure
Taking garlic and vitamin C may bring marginally high blood pressure back to normal, new research shows. While the incidence of uncontrolled high blood pressure has declined in men, it has increased among women. A pilot study from Albany, New York involved six people with marginally elevated blood pressure. The individuals underwent four 10-day interventions [...]
Multi helps with infertility
US researchers from the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health report that taking a daily multivitamin tablet can reduce the risk of ovulatory infertility (not developing and releasing a mature egg every month). Their 8-year study involved 18,555 married, premenopausal women without a history of infertility. They found that women taking [...]
Omega-3 for less dementia
Researchers from Italy report that, compared to subjects with normal cognitive function, those with dementia were found to have lower omega-3 fatty acid levels, particularly alpha-linolenic acid levels. Source: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 2007; 62(10): 1120-6.
More help for blood pressure
According to UK Researchers at the Imperial College London, getting higher dietary levels of phosphorous, calcium and magnesium can help prevent or control high blood pressure. Their study involved 4,680 men and women from Japan, China,United Kingdom and Unites States,and used blood pressure measurements and food diaries. Source:Hypertension, 2008; 51(3): 669-75
Natural remedies vs. the superbugs!
The fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria (so called "superbugs") is increasingly in our minds as reports of hospital-based infections flood the media. What’s not often reported, however, is research showing that a few natural remedies have shown promise. A compound in garlic, called allicin, "blows holes through MRSA," says one researcher. One of the major superbugs [...]
Resveratrol targets cancer
University of Rochester researchers showed for the first time that a natural antioxidant found in grape skins and red wine can help destroy pancreatic cancer cells by reaching to the cell’s core energy source, or mitochondria, and crippling its function. The study also showed that when the pancreatic cancer cells were doubly assaulted (pre-treated with [...]
Vitamin E – benefits for the elderly
Taking vitamin E can improve immunity in the elderly, new research suggests. As well, higher vitamin E levels in the blood may help protect elderly people against cognitive impairment and dementia. Those taking vitamin E supplements experienced improved immune function. Spanish researchers studied otherwise healthy elderly men and women whose immune functions were impaired compared [...]
Vitamin slashes cancer risk
Getting more vitamin K2 may reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 35%,according to results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). The German researchers noted that the potential benefits of K2 were more pronounced for cases of advanced prostate cancer. The study adds to a growing awareness of the potential health [...]
What’s Hot – Hyaluronic acid
What is it? A lubricating and protective substance found in the fluid of joints. Why use it? To reduce pain and improve symptoms of arthritis; to help heal wounds. What’s the research? Studies show that the HA content in osteoarthritic cartilage is reduced and that supplementation eases pain and improves joint function. Lab studies show [...]

Berries may reverse memory loss

If you’re getting forgetful as you get older, then a research team at Peninsula Medical School in the Southwest of England may have good news for you.

They have found that phytochemical-rich foods, such as blueberries, are effective at reversing age-related deficits in memory, according to a study soon to be published. The researchers supplemented a regular diet with blueberries over a 12-week period, and found that improvements in spatial working memory tasks emerged within three weeks and continued throughout the period of the study.

Blueberries are a major source of flavonoids,in particular anthocyanins and flavanols.Although the precise ways in which these molecules affect the brain are unknown, they have been shown to cross the blood brain barrier after dietary intake. It is believed that they exert their effects on learning and memory by enhancing existing neuronal (brain cell) connections, improving cellular communications and stimulating neuronal regeneration.

Source: The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry , Apr 10, 2008

If you're getting forgetful as you get older, then a research team at Peninsula Medical School in the Southwest of England may have good news for you.

They have found that phytochemical-rich foods, such as blueberries, are effective at reversing age-related deficits in memory, according to a study soon to be published. The researchers supplemented a regular diet with blueberries over a 12-week period, and found that improvements in spatial working memory tasks emerged within three weeks and continued throughout the period of the study.

Blueberries are a major source of flavonoids,in particular anthocyanins and flavanols.Although the precise ways in which these molecules affect the brain are unknown, they have been shown to cross the blood brain barrier after dietary intake. It is believed that they exert their effects on learning and memory by enhancing existing neuronal (brain cell) connections, improving cellular communications and stimulating neuronal regeneration.

Source: The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry , Apr 10, 2008

Tags: Deficit, Food, Memory

Folic acid – not just for women

Woman of childbearing age are commonly advised to consume folate in order to help prevent birth defects, should they conceive. Now it appears that men’s folate intake also affects reproductive health.

Low levels were linked with abnormal sperm.

In addition, folate (a nutrient also known as folic acid) has recently been shown to blunt the damaging effects of heart attack when given in short-term, high doses to test animals.

California researchers examined the sperm of men who consume less folate in their diets and found that healthy men who report lower levels of folate consumption have higher rates of chromosomal abnormalities in their sperm.

"Recent studies have suggested that paternal diet affects sperm count and motility, which is important for conception, but this new study takes it further to say that male diet may be important for healthy offspring as well," study coordinator Susanne Young says.

A separate study conducted by an international team of heart experts reports that rats fed 10 mg per day of folate for one week prior to heart attack had smaller attacks than rats that took no supplements.

The amount of muscle tissue exposed to damage and scarred by arterial blockage was reduced, on average, to less than a 10th.

"We want to emphasize that it is premature for people to begin taking high doses of folic acid," study investigator Dr. David Kass says.

"But if human studies prove equally effective, then high-dose folate could be given to high-risk groups to guard against possible heart attack or to people while they are having one."

Sources: University of California, Berkeley, Mar 19, 2008; John Hopkins Medicine, Mar 27, 2008

Woman of childbearing age are commonly advised to consume folate in order to help prevent birth defects, should they conceive. Now it appears that men's folate intake also affects reproductive health.

Low levels were linked with abnormal sperm.

In addition, folate (a nutrient also known as folic acid) has recently been shown to blunt the damaging effects of heart attack when given in short-term, high doses to test animals.

California researchers examined the sperm of men who consume less folate in their diets and found that healthy men who report lower levels of folate consumption have higher rates of chromosomal abnormalities in their sperm.

"Recent studies have suggested that paternal diet affects sperm count and motility, which is important for conception, but this new study takes it further to say that male diet may be important for healthy offspring as well," study coordinator Susanne Young says.

A separate study conducted by an international team of heart experts reports that rats fed 10 mg per day of folate for one week prior to heart attack had smaller attacks than rats that took no supplements.

The amount of muscle tissue exposed to damage and scarred by arterial blockage was reduced, on average, to less than a 10th.

"We want to emphasize that it is premature for people to begin taking high doses of folic acid," study investigator Dr. David Kass says.

"But if human studies prove equally effective, then high-dose folate could be given to high-risk groups to guard against possible heart attack or to people while they are having one."

Sources: University of California, Berkeley, Mar 19, 2008; John Hopkins Medicine, Mar 27, 2008

Tags: Gain, Heart, Women

Minerals may help with low thyroid

There appears to be a link between low iron levels and low thyroid hormone.

A recent case study explored the role of zinc by giving each of two physically active college women about 25 mg per day of zinc.

After four months, the women were no longer zinc-deficient. As well, zinc supplementation appeared to have a favourable effect on thyroid hormone levels, especially total T3; and resting metabolic rate, the researchers found. T3, the most powerful thyroid hormone, affects almost every process in the body, including body temperature, growth, and heart rate.

An unrelated Iranian study examined thyroid status in relation to low iron levels, building on extensive human and animal data indicating that iron deficiency impairs thyroid metabolism. Having collected urine and blood samples from about 100 iron-deficient adolescent girls,researchers found a significant correlation between T4 and ferritin,and between TSH and ferritin.

T4 is a thyroid hormone that helps regulate growth and control the metabolic rate, or rate of chemical reactions in the body. TSH, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, stimulates the thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormones. Ferritin is an iron-carrying protein considered to be a more accurate measure of long term body iron status than the blood iron level, which varies with diet.

The study’s total findings indicate that the degree of iron deficiency may affect thyroid hormone status in iron-deficient adolescent girls.

Sources: Ann NutrMetab. 2007;51(2):188-94 Epub 2007 May 30; Asia PacJ Clin Nutr. 2006;15(1):50-5

If your thyroid is low, consider talking to your doctor about a zinc and iron connection. Taking zinc supplements can help improve thyroid function; and conversely, iron deficiency impairs thyroid metabolism,research indicates.

There appears to be a link between low iron levels and low thyroid hormone.

A recent case study explored the role of zinc by giving each of two physically active college women about 25 mg per day of zinc.

After four months, the women were no longer zinc-deficient. As well, zinc supplementation appeared to have a favourable effect on thyroid hormone levels, especially total T3; and resting metabolic rate, the researchers found. T3, the most powerful thyroid hormone, affects almost every process in the body, including body temperature, growth, and heart rate.

An unrelated Iranian study examined thyroid status in relation to low iron levels, building on extensive human and animal data indicating that iron deficiency impairs thyroid metabolism. Having collected urine and blood samples from about 100 iron-deficient adolescent girls,researchers found a significant correlation between T4 and ferritin,and between TSH and ferritin.

T4 is a thyroid hormone that helps regulate growth and control the metabolic rate, or rate of chemical reactions in the body. TSH, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, stimulates the thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormones. Ferritin is an iron-carrying protein considered to be a more accurate measure of long term body iron status than the blood iron level, which varies with diet.

The study's total findings indicate that the degree of iron deficiency may affect thyroid hormone status in iron-deficient adolescent girls.

Sources: Ann NutrMetab. 2007;51(2):188-94 Epub 2007 May 30; Asia PacJ Clin Nutr. 2006;15(1):50-5

Tags: Body, Building, Heart, Iron deficiency, Minerals, Women

Combination eases blood pressure

Taking garlic and vitamin C may bring marginally high blood pressure back to normal, new research shows.

While the incidence of uncontrolled high blood pressure has declined in men, it has increased among women.

A pilot study from Albany, New York involved six people with marginally elevated blood pressure. The individuals underwent four 10-day interventions with one-week breaks in between. First they received a placebo, next 2,000 mg per day of vitamin C, then 650 mg per day of garlic tablets containing bulb powder, and finally vitamin C and garlic tablets in combination.

Vitamin C alone did not affect blood pressure. Garlic alone significantly lowered mean systolic but not diastolic blood pressure. But garlic taken in combination with vitamin C reduced mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

"The effect of garlic ingredients or garlic ingredients and antioxidants on endothelial cell nitric oxide production might explain the effects of garlic and vitamin C in lowering marginally high blood pressure," the researchers concluded.

Endothelial cells are thin cells that line the inside surfaces of blood and lymph vessels.

Source: Nutr Res, 2007; 27(2): 119-123

Taking garlic and vitamin C may bring marginally high blood pressure back to normal, new research shows.

While the incidence of uncontrolled high blood pressure has declined in men, it has increased among women.

A pilot study from Albany, New York involved six people with marginally elevated blood pressure. The individuals underwent four 10-day interventions with one-week breaks in between. First they received a placebo, next 2,000 mg per day of vitamin C, then 650 mg per day of garlic tablets containing bulb powder, and finally vitamin C and garlic tablets in combination.

Vitamin C alone did not affect blood pressure. Garlic alone significantly lowered mean systolic but not diastolic blood pressure. But garlic taken in combination with vitamin C reduced mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

"The effect of garlic ingredients or garlic ingredients and antioxidants on endothelial cell nitric oxide production might explain the effects of garlic and vitamin C in lowering marginally high blood pressure," the researchers concluded.

Endothelial cells are thin cells that line the inside surfaces of blood and lymph vessels.

Source: Nutr Res, 2007; 27(2): 119-123

Tags: Antioxidant, high blood pressure, Women

Natural remedies vs. the superbugs!

The fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria (so called "superbugs") is increasingly in our minds as reports of hospital-based infections flood the media. What’s not often reported, however, is research showing that a few natural remedies have shown promise.

A compound in garlic, called allicin, "blows holes through MRSA," says one researcher.

One of the major superbugs is MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), which occurs most frequently among patients who undergo invasive medical procedures or who have weakened immune systems. Hospitals, nursing homes and dialysis centers are the major transmission sites. MRSA can cause serious and even life-threatening infections, such as bloodstream infections, surgical site infections or pneumonia. MRSA can also infect otherwise healthy people in the community, typically as a skin infection.

Tea treatment?
Egyptian scientists have recently shown that drinking green tea helps vital antibiotics in their fight against resistant superbugs, making them up to three times more effective. While testing 28 disease-causing bacteria to see if green tea would have any negative interaction with antibiotics, they found the quite the opposite.
"In every single case green tea enhanced the bacteria-killing activity of the antibiotics," says Dr Mervat Kassem from Alexandria University.

Green tea also made 20% of drug-resistant bacteria susceptible to one of the cephalosporin antibiotics. These are important antibiotics that new drug resistant strains of bacteria have evolved to resist.

"Our results show that we should consider more seriously the natural products we consume in our everyday life," says Dr Kassem.

Sweet but strong!
Another such "everyday" natural product is honey. For several years now medical experts from the University of Bonn have been clocking up largely positive experience with what is known as medihoney. Even chronic wounds infected with multi-resistant bacteria are often healed within a few weeks. It has already been proved that medihoney is effective against multi-resistant germs such as MRSA. So far, trials suggest the superbug does not develop resistance to the natural product. In a recent study, Irish scientists reported that honey was able to reduce the MRSA cultures to a non-detectable level within only 24 hours. One type of honey, known as Manuka, appears to be particularly affective against a broad range of bacteria.

More against MRSA
Other common remedies showing promise against MRSA include garlic and tea tree oil. A compound in garlic called allicin is extremely effective in this regard, according to Ronald Cutler, a UK lecturer in microbiology at the University of East London.

"Allicin simply blows enormous holes through MRSA," says Cutler, who has formulated allicin into skin products such as creams and soaps and has achieved success in destroying the microbes in laboratory tests.

In another small experiment, a tea tree oil nasal ointment and a body wash were compared to similar standard antibiotic treatments against MRSA. The researchers concluded that "the tea tree oil combination appeared to perform better than the standard combination," although larger trials are necessary to establish effectiveness and treatment protocols.

Sources: Society for General Microbiology, Mar 30, 2008; University of Bonn, July 27, 2006; Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2008 May;14(2):77-82. Epub 2008; J Hosp Infect. 2000 Nov;46(3):236-7

The fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria (so called "superbugs") is increasingly in our minds as reports of hospital-based infections flood the media. What's not often reported, however, is research showing that a few natural remedies have shown promise.

A compound in garlic, called allicin, "blows holes through MRSA," says one researcher.

One of the major superbugs is MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), which occurs most frequently among patients who undergo invasive medical procedures or who have weakened immune systems. Hospitals, nursing homes and dialysis centers are the major transmission sites. MRSA can cause serious and even life-threatening infections, such as bloodstream infections, surgical site infections or pneumonia. MRSA can also infect otherwise healthy people in the community, typically as a skin infection.

Tea treatment?
Egyptian scientists have recently shown that drinking green tea helps vital antibiotics in their fight against resistant superbugs, making them up to three times more effective. While testing 28 disease-causing bacteria to see if green tea would have any negative interaction with antibiotics, they found the quite the opposite.
"In every single case green tea enhanced the bacteria-killing activity of the antibiotics," says Dr Mervat Kassem from Alexandria University.

Green tea also made 20% of drug-resistant bacteria susceptible to one of the cephalosporin antibiotics. These are important antibiotics that new drug resistant strains of bacteria have evolved to resist.

"Our results show that we should consider more seriously the natural products we consume in our everyday life," says Dr Kassem.

Sweet but strong!
Another such "everyday" natural product is honey. For several years now medical experts from the University of Bonn have been clocking up largely positive experience with what is known as medihoney. Even chronic wounds infected with multi-resistant bacteria are often healed within a few weeks. It has already been proved that medihoney is effective against multi-resistant germs such as MRSA. So far, trials suggest the superbug does not develop resistance to the natural product. In a recent study, Irish scientists reported that honey was able to reduce the MRSA cultures to a non-detectable level within only 24 hours. One type of honey, known as Manuka, appears to be particularly affective against a broad range of bacteria.

More against MRSA
Other common remedies showing promise against MRSA include garlic and tea tree oil. A compound in garlic called allicin is extremely effective in this regard, according to Ronald Cutler, a UK lecturer in microbiology at the University of East London.

"Allicin simply blows enormous holes through MRSA," says Cutler, who has formulated allicin into skin products such as creams and soaps and has achieved success in destroying the microbes in laboratory tests.

In another small experiment, a tea tree oil nasal ointment and a body wash were compared to similar standard antibiotic treatments against MRSA. The researchers concluded that "the tea tree oil combination appeared to perform better than the standard combination," although larger trials are necessary to establish effectiveness and treatment protocols.

Sources: Society for General Microbiology, Mar 30, 2008; University of Bonn, July 27, 2006; Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2008 May;14(2):77-82. Epub 2008; J Hosp Infect. 2000 Nov;46(3):236-7

Tags: Body, Gain, Immune, Immune system, Infections, Skin, Wounds

Vitamin E – benefits for the elderly

Taking vitamin E can improve immunity in the elderly, new research suggests. As well, higher vitamin E levels in the blood may help protect elderly people against cognitive impairment and dementia.

Those taking vitamin E supplements experienced improved immune function.

Spanish researchers studied otherwise healthy elderly men and women whose immune functions were impaired compared to a control group.However, taking 200 mg (about 300 IU) of vitamin E for three months significantly improved immune functions among members of the group, bringing their levels close to those of the controls.

These findings "suggest that supplementation with vitamin E can produce an improvement of immune functions and therefore of health in aged people," researchers concluded.

Earlier research conducted in Italy points to the possible role of vitamin E in protecting against cognitive impairment and dementia.

In this study, about 1,000 people age 65 and up received clinical and neuropsychological examinations, donated blood for vitamin E analysis and had their diets assessed.

Participants with the lowest blood levels of vitamin E had a significantly higher probability of being demented and of suffering from cognitive impairment, compared to those with the highest vitamin E levels.

Before conducting the study, researchers were faced with conflicting evidence that antioxidants contribute to the maintenance of cognitive function. However, the findings of this study led them to conclude that the antioxidant vitamin E does appear to serve in this capacity.

Sources: Free RadicRes. 2008 Mar;42(3):272-80; NeurobiolAging. 2005 Jul;26(7):987-94. Epub2004 Nov 5

Taking vitamin E can improve immunity in the elderly, new research suggests. As well, higher vitamin E levels in the blood may help protect elderly people against cognitive impairment and dementia.

Those taking vitamin E supplements experienced improved immune function.

Spanish researchers studied otherwise healthy elderly men and women whose immune functions were impaired compared to a control group.However, taking 200 mg (about 300 IU) of vitamin E for three months significantly improved immune functions among members of the group, bringing their levels close to those of the controls.

These findings "suggest that supplementation with vitamin E can produce an improvement of immune functions and therefore of health in aged people," researchers concluded.

Earlier research conducted in Italy points to the possible role of vitamin E in protecting against cognitive impairment and dementia.

In this study, about 1,000 people age 65 and up received clinical and neuropsychological examinations, donated blood for vitamin E analysis and had their diets assessed.

Participants with the lowest blood levels of vitamin E had a significantly higher probability of being demented and of suffering from cognitive impairment, compared to those with the highest vitamin E levels.

Before conducting the study, researchers were faced with conflicting evidence that antioxidants contribute to the maintenance of cognitive function. However, the findings of this study led them to conclude that the antioxidant vitamin E does appear to serve in this capacity.

Sources: Free RadicRes. 2008 Mar;42(3):272-80; NeurobiolAging. 2005 Jul;26(7):987-94. Epub2004 Nov 5

Tags: Antioxidant, Gain, Immune, Women


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MAY 2008 NATURAL HEALTH NEWSLETTER