November 2010 Natural Health Newsletter « FeelGood Natural Health Food Stores

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IN THIS ISSUE:

Daytime Habits for a Good Night’s Sleep
What you eat and the activities you choose to do during the day can impact how well you sleep at night.
Many Kids Are Dehydrated
New findings suggest children are not consuming enough fluids to stay adequately hydrated. Too little intake can cause fatigue and headaches.
Can Vitamins Save You Money at the Salon?
You can spend hundreds of dollars on manicures in the quest to keep your nails as hard as rock… and you can spend twice as much on high-end shampoos and coloring treatments for a shiny, voluminous youthful head of hair. Unfortunately, however, even the most expensive topical products in the world won’t do you any [...]
Nature’s Antidote to Everyday Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are unavoidable facts of modern life. High-pressure jobs, grueling commutes, parents and kids to care for and an ever-growing pile of bills will eventually take their toll on you from time to time-leaving you sleepless at night and restless and anxious during the day. Sure, a few weeks lounging on a sunny [...]
Vitamin E Family Members Lower Triglycerides
Tocotrienols are members of the vitamin E family and they appear to help lower levels of triglycerides.
Red Pepper Pesto Pasta
Try saying that three times fast. This makes a great alternative to traditional pesto by swapping a couple key ingredients.
Low Zinc Levels Increase Pneumonia Risk in Elderly
A recent study has found that seniors with normal blood levels of zinc are 50% less likely to develop pneumonia that those with low zinc levels.
Probiotics Boost Broccoli’s Cancer-Fighting Benefits
“Good” bacteria found in your gut could help unlock broccoli’s cancer-fighting power.
Gingered Waffles To Get You Going
Don’t just glob on the sugar-laden syrup. Get a little creative with your waffles and give them a gingery kick to help get you going in the morning.

Daytime Habits for a Good Night’s Sleep

Posted Jan 10, 2011

So you were hoping all you needed was a glass of warm milk or an herbal capsule.

Turns out, difficulty sleeping — at least when it’s a chronic problem — may require more than a quick fix 30 minutes before bed.

“You really have to prepare during the day to sleep well at night,” says Esther Cohen, a registered dietitian and owner of Seven Bowls School of Nutrition in Longmont.

That’s because your endocrine system and the neurotransmitters in your brain are deeply involved in sleep, she says. In short, chances are if your life is out of whack and your body is out of balance, your sleep will be, too.

When a client comes to her, Cohen asks the person to fill out a lengthy questionnaire, which asks about eating habits, mood and behaviors. Insomnia frequently comes up as a problem, one that can exacerbate irritable moods and undesirable behaviors such as overeating, which, in turn, can worsen insomnia.

Cohen, who uses Chinese medicine in her practice, takes a holistic approach to problems such as insomnia. She starts clients off by asking them to keep a detailed food and mood log.

After a week, patients begin to get what she calls “body sense.” They make a connection with how certain foods make them feel, both immediately and later on.

“I want to get to the root of what’s going on, to calm down the nervous system,” Cohen says.

Highs and lows

She likes to start where clients are in their eating habits and help them make gradual shifts to more healthful eating. A developing awareness of how certain foods affect them allows clients to quickly realize how much better they feel, she says.

An important component in good sleep health is keeping blood sugar balanced during the day, Cohen adds. Insulin surges to deal with a big, high carbohydrate meal and then plunges. The resulting low blood sugar can cause a person to wake up and make it more difficult to go back to sleep. The next day, the lack of sleep can cause cravings for processed snacks and other less than optimal foods which make blood sugar surge upward and then crash, creating a vicious cycle. Cohen recommends what she calls “mixed meals,” meaning a meal that contains carbohydrates from whole grains, lean protein and healthy fat. Such meals help to keep blood sugar more even during the day.

As clients begin working their way toward a healthier diet, one of the first things Cohen recommends to people with blood sugar issues is to eat a small amount of protein about 30 minutes before bed. The food could be half a hard-boiled egg, a few nuts or a small amount of nut butter. The protein can help prevent a blood sugar drop that can wake the client.

While overeating is a common cause of sleep problems, Registered Dietitian Lisa Lanzano, owner of Essential Nutrition in Boulder, says eating too little can also have a deleterious effect on sleep and blood sugar. Lanzano frequently works with disordered eaters who struggle to eat enough during the day.

“When people don’t get enough to eat, the blood sugar goes down,” she says. “The body knows it needs to get back up. That triggers adrenalin (which can cause wakefulness.)”

For those clients, Lanzano recommends a piece of whole-grain toast with honey before bed.

“It’s easy to digest and just enough to get the adrenaline release to stop,” she says.

When to eat

Timing meals is also important to sleeping well.

Cohen advises clients to follow the old adage to eat like a king at breakfast, a queen at lunch, and a pauper at dinner. A light dinner makes it easier for the body to digest food before sleep. With the exception of the protein snack for those who need it, she says it’s optimal to stop eating several hours before bed. Cohen explains that a concept in Chinese medicine is “liver time,” which is said to be from 1 to 3 a.m. According to the theory, the early morning hours are when the liver rejuvenates itself. Cohen says that ideally clients should stop eating seven hours before liver time.

“The later one is digesting, the more stress it puts on the liver,” she says.

While it might not be called liver time in other philosophies, the advice to eat lightly at dinner and stop eating several hours before bed is a common instruction for people with sleep difficulties.

Boulder herbalist Brigitte Mars expresses the idea of late eating as fueling up the body as it needs to slow down.

Likewise, she says, it’s best to stop drinking liquids a few hours before bed, so you won’t have to awaken to go to the bathroom.

“I’m big on hydrating during the day, but by 6 or 7 you should be done with eating and drinking,” Mars says. “If you’re thirsty, take a sip. Don’t drink a whole glass.”

Lanzano advises clients to stop drinking a couple of hours before bed, adding that it takes the kidneys about 90 minutes to process liquids.

Caffeine and alcohol

Lanzano, Cohen and Mars all advise clients with sleep difficulties to take a look at their caffeine intake. Lanzano tells clients to stop caffeine after noon; Cohen says 10 a.m.

“As people get older, they don’t have the same tolerance for caffeiene,” Lanzano says.

Similarly, clients should be aware that certain over-the-counter headache remedies sometimes contain caffeine, and decongestants with pseudoephedrin also have a stimulative effect.

Alcohol can be deceiving. While it can make you sleepy, it leads to less deep, fragmented sleep. Experts advise drinking in moderation and having no alcohol for a couple of hours before bed.

Foods to make you sleepy

Turkey is considered by many to be a soporific food, but nutrition experts say any sleepiness is likely caused by the huge meal of which the turkey is a part. Carbohydrates, which can be precursor for serotonin, a neurotransmitter that can help with sleep, although nutritionists say the carbs should be whole grain.

Lanzano says vitamin B6 important in the conversion of foods into serotonin. Good sources are oatmeal, avocados, wheat germ, soybeans and chicken. Folic acid and Omega 3s also aid in serotonin production. The bottom line is the same as the nutrition advice for general good health. Eat a large variety of fruits and vegetables.

Likewise, good health is what dreams are made of.

—–

To see more of the Daily Camera, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.thedailycamera.com./

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

So you were hoping all you needed was a glass of warm milk or an herbal capsule.

Turns out, difficulty sleeping -- at least when it's a chronic problem -- may require more than a quick fix 30 minutes before bed.

"You really have to prepare during the day to sleep well at night," says Esther Cohen, a registered dietitian and owner of Seven Bowls School of Nutrition in Longmont.

That's because your endocrine system and the neurotransmitters in your brain are deeply involved in sleep, she says. In short, chances are if your life is out of whack and your body is out of balance, your sleep will be, too.

Cohen, who uses Chinese medicine in her practice, takes a holistic approach to problems such as insomnia. She starts clients off by asking them to keep a detailed food and mood log.

After a week, patients begin to get what she calls "body sense." They make a connection with how certain foods make them feel, both immediately and later on.

"I want to get to the root of what's going on, to calm down the nervous system," Cohen says.

Highs and lows

An important component in good sleep health is keeping blood sugar balanced during the day, Cohen adds. Insulin surges to deal with a big, high carbohydrate meal and then plunges. The resulting low blood sugar can cause a person to wake up and make it more difficult to go back to sleep. The next day, the lack of sleep can cause cravings for processed snacks and other less than optimal foods which make blood sugar surge upward and then crash, creating a vicious cycle. Cohen recommends what she calls "mixed meals," meaning a meal that contains carbohydrates from whole grains, lean protein and healthy fat. Such meals help to keep blood sugar more even during the day.

"When people don't get enough to eat, the blood sugar goes down," she says. "The body knows it needs to get back up. That triggers adrenalin (which can cause wakefulness.)"

For those clients, Lanzano recommends a piece of whole-grain toast with honey before bed.

"It's easy to digest and just enough to get the adrenaline release to stop," she says.

When to eat

Timing meals is also important to sleeping well.

Cohen advises clients to follow the old adage to eat like a king at breakfast, a queen at lunch, and a pauper at dinner. A light dinner makes it easier for the body to digest food before sleep. With the exception of the protein snack for those who need it, she says it's optimal to stop eating several hours before bed. Cohen explains that a concept in Chinese medicine is "liver time," which is said to be from 1 to 3 a.m. According to the theory, the early morning hours are when the liver rejuvenates itself. Cohen says that ideally clients should stop eating seven hours before liver time.

"The later one is digesting, the more stress it puts on the liver," she says.

While it might not be called liver time in other philosophies, the advice to eat lightly at dinner and stop eating several hours before bed is a common instruction for people with sleep difficulties.

Boulder herbalist Brigitte Mars expresses the idea of late eating as fueling up the body as it needs to slow down.

Likewise, she says, it's best to stop drinking liquids a few hours before bed, so you won't have to awaken to go to the bathroom.

"I'm big on hydrating during the day, but by 6 or 7 you should be done with eating and drinking," Mars says. "If you're thirsty, take a sip. Don't drink a whole glass."

Lanzano advises clients to stop drinking a couple of hours before bed, adding that it takes the kidneys about 90 minutes to process liquids.

Caffeine and alcohol

Lanzano, Cohen and Mars all advise clients with sleep difficulties to take a look at their caffeine intake. Lanzano tells clients to stop caffeine after noon; Cohen says 10 a.m.

"As people get older, they don't have the same tolerance for caffeiene," Lanzano says.

Similarly, clients should be aware that certain over-the-counter headache remedies sometimes contain caffeine, and decongestants with pseudoephedrin also have a stimulative effect.

Alcohol can be deceiving. While it can make you sleepy, it leads to less deep, fragmented sleep. Experts advise drinking in moderation and having no alcohol for a couple of hours before bed.

Foods to make you sleepy

Likewise, good health is what dreams are made of.

-----

To see more of the Daily Camera, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.thedailycamera.com./

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Tags: Bath, Body, Carbohydrate, Cravings, Decongestant, Food, Headache, Information, Insomnia, kidney, Liver, Mood, Nervous system, Skin, Sleep, Snack, Stress

Many Kids Are Dehydrated

Posted Dec 18, 2010

Children and teens aren’t staying hydrated enough, a new study reports.

Though kids are likely to drink sugary beverages with their meals, they tend to fall short of the recommended guidelines. Especially in humid Florida weather, children need to replace the water they sweat or face dehydration that can cause fatigue and dizziness, headaches and muscle weakness.

Researchers studied nearly 4,000 children from age 2 to 19 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2005 and 2006.

Children ages 2 to 5 drank about 6 cups of water per day, while children ages 6 to 11 drank 6 and three-quarters cups per day. The 12- to 19-year-olds drank about 10 cups per day.

Girls were less likely to drink an adequate amount of water than boys.

There’s no simple answer to how much water people should drink, according to the Mayo Clinic. It depends on how active you are and where you live. The Institute of Medicine recommends that teenage boys drink about 11 cups per day, while adult men drink 13 cups and women drink 9 cups each day.

Here’s how to get more water into your diet:

–Keep a water bottle by your desk and refill it throughout the day.

–Eat fruits and vegetables because they are natural water sources. Oranges are 87 percent water and cucumbers contain 95 percent.

–You can drink other beverages like coffee, beer, and fruit juices to count toward your fluid intake, but they will add calories to your diet.

–Pair lunch and dinner meals with water to lose weight. Dieters who drank two cups of water before every meal lost an average of 15.5 pounds over one year, compared to 11 pounds among those who did not, according to a study released in August in the journal Obesity.

—–

To see more of The Orlando Sentinel or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.OrlandoSentinel.com.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Children and teens aren't staying hydrated enough, a new study reports.

Researchers studied nearly 4,000 children from age 2 to 19 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2005 and 2006.

Children ages 2 to 5 drank about 6 cups of water per day, while children ages 6 to 11 drank 6 and three-quarters cups per day. The 12- to 19-year-olds drank about 10 cups per day.

Girls were less likely to drink an adequate amount of water than boys.

There's no simple answer to how much water people should drink, according to the Mayo Clinic. It depends on how active you are and where you live. The Institute of Medicine recommends that teenage boys drink about 11 cups per day, while adult men drink 13 cups and women drink 9 cups each day.

Here's how to get more water into your diet:

--Keep a water bottle by your desk and refill it throughout the day.

--Eat fruits and vegetables because they are natural water sources. Oranges are 87 percent water and cucumbers contain 95 percent.

--You can drink other beverages like coffee, beer, and fruit juices to count toward your fluid intake, but they will add calories to your diet.

--Pair lunch and dinner meals with water to lose weight. Dieters who drank two cups of water before every meal lost an average of 15.5 pounds over one year, compared to 11 pounds among those who did not, according to a study released in August in the journal Obesity.

-----

To see more of The Orlando Sentinel or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.OrlandoSentinel.com.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Tags: Children, Fatigue, Flu, Headache, Headaches, Information, Weight, Women

Can Vitamins Save You Money at the Salon?

You can spend hundreds of dollars on manicures in the quest to keep your nails as hard as rock… and you can spend twice as much on high-end shampoos and coloring treatments for a shiny, voluminous youthful head of hair. Unfortunately, however, even the most expensive topical products in the world won’t do you any good in the long run.

That’s because thick, lustrous hair and strong, unbreakable nails begin from the inside out-not the outside in. And the truth is that the price of beauty doesn’t need to be any higher than a closer look at your own nutrition.

Studies have shown, for example, that organic silicon-a nonmetallic element that occurs in bones and teeth-is important for connective tissue health.1 Clinically, this connective-tissue-strengthening property also makes silicon useful for improving nail health.

While best known for its role in protecting your lung and liver health, the amino acid N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) may also improve your hair’s health-specifically, by protecting it from tobacco-related toxins, which can metabolize in your follicles and cause damage. A study on mice showed that daily NAC supplementation was able to inhibit patches of baldness and gray hair, skin atrophy and thinning and the reduction in hair follicles that occurred following three months of smoke exposure.2 Meanwhile, further studies on mice have shown that NAC supplementation may even help to minimize the hair loss that accompanies chemotherapy.3

Surprisingly, even common vitamins can help to combat gray or thinning hair. Clinical studies show that para-aminobenzoic acid-or PABA, an intermediate of the B-vitamin folic acid-can restore hair color and stimulate hair regrowth with daily supplementation for just six weeks.4-5 Similarly, the nutrient biotin has been proven to improve hair texture and thickness, as well as skin tone, in animal studies-while its nail-strengthening properties are supported in humans. Clinical research has demonstrated that daily biotin supplementation can increase nail plate thickness by as much as 25 percent.6

The bottom line: Daily supplementation with these four nutrients can deliver benefits that would require several hours spent in a salon chair-and thanks to VRP’s formula Extension Hair and Nails, you can get them all in the time it takes to swallow two capsules.

References:

1. Sripanyakorn S, Jugdaohsingh R, Dissayabutr W, Anderson SH, Thompson RP, Powell JJ. The comparative absorption of silicon from different foods and food supplements. Br J Nutr. 2009 Sep;102(6):825-34.

2. D’Agostini F, Balansky R, Pesce C, Fiallo P, Lubet RA, Kelloff GJ, De Flora S. Induction of alopecia in mice exposed to cigarette smoke. Toxicol Lett. 2000 Apr 3;114(1-3):117-23.

3. D’Agostini F, Bagnasco M, Giunciuglio D, Albini A, De Flora S. Inhibition by oral N-acetylcysteine of doxorubicin-induced clastogenicity and alopecia, and prevention of primary tumors and lung micrometastases in mice. Int J Oncol. 1998 Aug;13(2):217-24.

4. Brandaleone, H., Maine, E., and Steele, J.M. The effect of calcium pantothenate and para-aminobenzoic acid on gray hair in man. Am J Medical Science. 1944, 206: 315.

5. Zarafonetis C. Darkening of gray hair during para-amino-benzoic acid therapy. J Investigative Dermatology. 1964;399-401.

6. Hochman LG, Scher RK, Meyerson MS. Brittle nails: response to daily biotin supplementation. Cutis. 1993; 51(4):303-5.

You can spend hundreds of dollars on manicures in the quest to keep your nails as hard as rock... and you can spend twice as much on high-end shampoos and coloring treatments for a shiny, voluminous youthful head of hair. Unfortunately, however, even the most expensive topical products in the world won't do you any good in the long run.

That's because thick, lustrous hair and strong, unbreakable nails begin from the inside out-not the outside in. And the truth is that the price of beauty doesn't need to be any higher than a closer look at your own nutrition.

Studies have shown, for example, that organic silicon-a nonmetallic element that occurs in bones and teeth-is important for connective tissue health.1 Clinically, this connective-tissue-strengthening property also makes silicon useful for improving nail health.

While best known for its role in protecting your lung and liver health, the amino acid N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) may also improve your hair's health-specifically, by protecting it from tobacco-related toxins, which can metabolize in your follicles and cause damage. A study on mice showed that daily NAC supplementation was able to inhibit patches of baldness and gray hair, skin atrophy and thinning and the reduction in hair follicles that occurred following three months of smoke exposure.2 Meanwhile, further studies on mice have shown that NAC supplementation may even help to minimize the hair loss that accompanies chemotherapy.3

Surprisingly, even common vitamins can help to combat gray or thinning hair. Clinical studies show that para-aminobenzoic acid-or PABA, an intermediate of the B-vitamin folic acid-can restore hair color and stimulate hair regrowth with daily supplementation for just six weeks.4-5 Similarly, the nutrient biotin has been proven to improve hair texture and thickness, as well as skin tone, in animal studies-while its nail-strengthening properties are supported in humans. Clinical research has demonstrated that daily biotin supplementation can increase nail plate thickness by as much as 25 percent.6

The bottom line: Daily supplementation with these four nutrients can deliver benefits that would require several hours spent in a salon chair-and thanks to VRP's formula Extension Hair and Nails, you can get them all in the time it takes to swallow two capsules.

References:

1. Sripanyakorn S, Jugdaohsingh R, Dissayabutr W, Anderson SH, Thompson RP, Powell JJ. The comparative absorption of silicon from different foods and food supplements. Br J Nutr. 2009 Sep;102(6):825-34.

2. D'Agostini F, Balansky R, Pesce C, Fiallo P, Lubet RA, Kelloff GJ, De Flora S. Induction of alopecia in mice exposed to cigarette smoke. Toxicol Lett. 2000 Apr 3;114(1-3):117-23.

3. D'Agostini F, Bagnasco M, Giunciuglio D, Albini A, De Flora S. Inhibition by oral N-acetylcysteine of doxorubicin-induced clastogenicity and alopecia, and prevention of primary tumors and lung micrometastases in mice. Int J Oncol. 1998 Aug;13(2):217-24.

4. Brandaleone, H., Maine, E., and Steele, J.M. The effect of calcium pantothenate and para-aminobenzoic acid on gray hair in man. Am J Medical Science. 1944, 206: 315.

5. Zarafonetis C. Darkening of gray hair during para-amino-benzoic acid therapy. J Investigative Dermatology. 1964;399-401.

6. Hochman LG, Scher RK, Meyerson MS. Brittle nails: response to daily biotin supplementation. Cutis. 1993; 51(4):303-5.

Tags: Calcium, Food, Hair, HAIR LOSS, Liver, Nails, Skin, Strength, Tension, Thinning hair, Tumors, Vitamins

Nature’s Antidote to Everyday Anxiety

The unfortunate reality is that you can’t always get away from it all when you need to the most. But the good news is that a vacation isn’t the only way to give your frazzled nerves a much-needed break. In fact, scientists think that the time-tested herb valerian (Valeriana officinalis) may interact with the calming neurotransmitter GABA to soothe occasional anxious feelings and promote a sense of serenity from the inside out-and new research is offering even more support for valerian’s potential role as a safe, natural stress-buster.

In a recently published animal study, researchers supplemented groups of rats with either valerian root extract, the active constituent of valerian (known as valerenic acid), a combination of valerinic acid and GABA, diazepam (better known as Valium) or ethanol as a control. Following administration, the scientists subjected each rat to a maze test, in an effort to evaluate their reaction to stress and consequent anxious behaviors.

Results showed a significant improvement in anxious behavior among the rats that received valerian extract or valerenic acid when compared with controls. What’s more, there was no significant difference in benefits among any of the three experimental groups-which means that valerian may curb occasional waves of stress and anxious feelings.

The researchers’ conclusion? Evidence points to valerian as a valuable alternative ally in your efforts to get daily rest and relaxation-no packing or plane tickets required. That’s why you’ll find it combined with the calming nutrients GABA, ashwaganda, L-theanine and passion flower in the natural formula Allay, available now from Vitamin Research Products. Think of it as a vacation in a bottle.

Reference:
Murphy K, Kubin ZJ, Shepherd JN, Ettinger RH. Valeriana officinalis root extracts have potent anxiolytic effects in laboratory rats. Phytomedicine. 2010 Jul;17(8-9):674-

Stress and anxiety are unavoidable facts of modern life. High-pressure jobs, grueling commutes, parents and kids to care for and an ever-growing pile of bills will eventually take their toll on you from time to time-leaving you sleepless at night and restless and anxious during the day. Sure, a few weeks lounging on a sunny beach sounds like a good solution-but when life gets busy, you're lucky if you can get five minutes to catch your breath and slow down your racing mind.

The unfortunate reality is that you can't always get away from it all when you need to the most. But the good news is that a vacation isn't the only way to give your frazzled nerves a much-needed break. In fact, scientists think that the time-tested herb valerian (Valeriana officinalis) may interact with the calming neurotransmitter GABA to soothe occasional anxious feelings and promote a sense of serenity from the inside out-and new research is offering even more support for valerian's potential role as a safe, natural stress-buster.

In a recently published animal study, researchers supplemented groups of rats with either valerian root extract, the active constituent of valerian (known as valerenic acid), a combination of valerinic acid and GABA, diazepam (better known as Valium) or ethanol as a control. Following administration, the scientists subjected each rat to a maze test, in an effort to evaluate their reaction to stress and consequent anxious behaviors.

Results showed a significant improvement in anxious behavior among the rats that received valerian extract or valerenic acid when compared with controls. What's more, there was no significant difference in benefits among any of the three experimental groups-which means that valerian may curb occasional waves of stress and anxious feelings.

The researchers' conclusion? Evidence points to valerian as a valuable alternative ally in your efforts to get daily rest and relaxation-no packing or plane tickets required. That's why you'll find it combined with the calming nutrients GABA, ashwaganda, L-theanine and passion flower in the natural formula Allay, available now from Vitamin Research Products. Think of it as a vacation in a bottle.

Reference:
Murphy K, Kubin ZJ, Shepherd JN, Ettinger RH. Valeriana officinalis root extracts have potent anxiolytic effects in laboratory rats. Phytomedicine. 2010 Jul;17(8-9):674-

Tags: Anxiety, Relaxation, Sleep, Stress

Vitamin E Family Members Lower Triglycerides

Posted Nov 13, 2010

Latest clinical trial found that tocotrienols lower triglyceride levels in humans

The scientists found that gamma and delta tocotrienols, derived naturally from palm oil, are potent in lowering triglyceride levels by 28 per cent in the blood of human subjects after two months of supplementation. In addition, tocotrienol-treated subjects in the double blind, placebo-controlled human trial showed decreasing trends in average weight, body fat mass, body fat percentage and waist measurement. The study hence points to the potential of tocotrienols as a natural remedy in fighting obesity.

This research study, which involves collaboration between scientists at Davos Life Science (Singapore), researchers at Malaysia Palm Oil Board (Malaysia) and Phytopharma Co. Ltd. (Japan), was reported in the October 2010 issue of Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis, the reputable publication of the Japan Atherosclerosis Society. The study involved twenty human subjects with borderline hypercholesterolemia and was conducted in Takara Clinic in Japan. The subjects were not receiving any cholesterol-lowering medications at baseline.

“Other studies have shown triglyceride-lowering effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a polyunsaturated fatty acid found in oily fish, which is approved by Japan’s Ministry of Health as a treatment for hyperlipidemia. This study reveals that tocotrienols have a more significant serum triglyceride-lowering effect than EPA. More importantly, tocotrienol did not have any observable side effects, suggesting that it could become a natural remedy to lower triglycerides effectively,” said Dr. Daniel Yap, Head for Tocotrienol R&D, Davos Life Science.

The study supports its in vitro research findings, by demonstrating the triglyceride-lowering effect of tocotrienols in both mice models and human clinical studies. Moreover, the study also showed that tocotrienols may inhibit the development of atherosclerosis, a medical condition in which fatty plaque, resulting from oxidation of LDL-cholesterol (also known as “bad” cholesterol), builds up inside the arteries. It was found that gamma tocotrienol can enhance the removal of LDL-cholesterol from the blood, by inducing the expression of LDL receptors. This is a key step in achieving healthy blood lipid levels.

“Our studies show that tocotrienols have the potential for the prevention or treatment of metabolic syndrome. This research contributes further evidence that natural tocotrienols is a far more powerful form of vitamin E with unique health-related benefits not shared by alpha-tocopherol, the common form of vitamin E,” said Mr Arthur Ling, CEO of Davos Life Science Singapore, a company specialising in the research & development and production of tocotrienols.

SOURCE: Davos Life Science Pte Ltd

ASIA PULSE nt

Latest clinical trial found that tocotrienols lower triglyceride levels in humans

Scientists from Singapore found that tocotrienols, which are members of the Vitamin E family, are effective in lowering the levels of triglyceride, a form of fat in the blood. High levels of triglyceride are closely linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

The scientists found that gamma and delta tocotrienols, derived naturally from palm oil, are potent in lowering triglyceride levels by 28 per cent in the blood of human subjects after two months of supplementation. In addition, tocotrienol-treated subjects in the double blind, placebo-controlled human trial showed decreasing trends in average weight, body fat mass, body fat percentage and waist measurement. The study hence points to the potential of tocotrienols as a natural remedy in fighting obesity.

"Other studies have shown triglyceride-lowering effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a polyunsaturated fatty acid found in oily fish, which is approved by Japan's Ministry of Health as a treatment for hyperlipidemia. This study reveals that tocotrienols have a more significant serum triglyceride-lowering effect than EPA. More importantly, tocotrienol did not have any observable side effects, suggesting that it could become a natural remedy to lower triglycerides effectively," said Dr. Daniel Yap, Head for Tocotrienol R&D, Davos Life Science.

An elevated triglyceride level is one of the risk factors for the identification of metabolic syndrome, which is linked to an increase risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke. This study demonstrates -- for the first time -- that gamma and delta tocotrienols work to lower triglyceride levels, by directly suppressing genes that enable triglyceride production (SREBP1/2, DGAT2 and APOB100), suggesting that tocotrienols are able to directly regulate triglyceride synthesis in the body. At the same time, this down-regulation also translates into a reduction in the level of triglyceride transport lipoproteins (VLDL and chylomicron), which distribute fats around the body.

The study supports its in vitro research findings, by demonstrating the triglyceride-lowering effect of tocotrienols in both mice models and human clinical studies. Moreover, the study also showed that tocotrienols may inhibit the development of atherosclerosis, a medical condition in which fatty plaque, resulting from oxidation of LDL-cholesterol (also known as "bad" cholesterol), builds up inside the arteries. It was found that gamma tocotrienol can enhance the removal of LDL-cholesterol from the blood, by inducing the expression of LDL receptors. This is a key step in achieving healthy blood lipid levels.

"Our studies show that tocotrienols have the potential for the prevention or treatment of metabolic syndrome. This research contributes further evidence that natural tocotrienols is a far more powerful form of vitamin E with unique health-related benefits not shared by alpha-tocopherol, the common form of vitamin E," said Mr Arthur Ling, CEO of Davos Life Science Singapore, a company specialising in the research & development and production of tocotrienols.

SOURCE: Davos Life Science Pte Ltd

ASIA PULSE nt

Tags: Atherosclerosis, Body, Cardiovascular, Cholesterol, Diabetes, Weight

Red Pepper Pesto Pasta

Posted Nov 2, 2010

With the basil days of summer waning, The Star’s alternative Red Pepper Pesto Pasta is a nutritious and delicious variation for the winter months.

Although Italian basil pesto is traditionally pounded in a mortar and pestle, a new wave of pestolike sauces made from parsley, cilantro, mint, arugula and even olives or red peppers can easily be whirled up with the pulse of a food processor.

For the cook who values convenience, jarred roasted red peppers are a year-round staple at most supermarkets. Nutritionally speaking, red peppers are a rich source of vitamin C. Red peppers also contain large amounts of beta-carotene, an antioxidant pigment that may help prevent eye diseases, certain cancers and heart disease.

Meanwhile, a shortage of pine nuts in both the southwestern United States and China is pushing prices sky high. Walnuts, which are high in omega-3, make a tasty (and more affordable) substitute.

Many traditional pesto recipes use a ratio of ¹/₄ cup olive oil to 1 cup basil. By adding a bit of fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth, our red pepper pesto requires less olive oil. Yes, olive oil is a healthy, monounsaturated fat, but it’s important to keep in mind it still contains 120 calories per tablespoon.

Shopping tip: This recipe calls for 1 cup drained, jarred roasted red peppers. That’s equal to 2 (9-ounce) jars.

If you want to make this multigrain pasta dish extra enticing to young eaters, look for fun shapes, such as Heartland brand’s multigrain pasta Disney shapes.

Cooking tips: To toast the walnuts, place walnuts in a single layer in a baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly toasted.

To chiffonade the basil means to cut the basil leaves into thin strips or shreds. Stack leaves on top of one another, roll lengthwise and slice with a sharp knife.

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RED PEPPER PESTO PASTA

Makes 6 servings

1 cup drained, jarred, roasted red peppers (see shopping tip)

2 cloves garlic, cut in half

¹/₄ cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth

3 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese, divided

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 tablespoons chopped walnuts, toasted (see cooking tip)

1 (12-ounce) box multigrain or whole-wheat pasta, such as fusilli, fettuccine or other favorite shape

¹/₂ cup fresh basil, cut into chiffonade (see cooking tip)

Place peppers, garlic, chicken broth, 2 ¹/₂ tablespoons Parmesan cheese, olive oil and walnuts in work bowl of food processor. Process, stopping to scrape down the sides, until mixture is smooth; set aside.

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Toss pesto with hot pasta. Divide between 6 bowls and garnish with remaining Parmesan and basil chiffonade.

Per serving: 259 calories (20 percent from fat), 6 grams total fat (1 gram saturated), 2 milligrams cholesterol, 45 grams carbohydrates, 11 grams protein, 49 milligrams sodium, 5 grams dietary fiber.

With the basil days of summer waning, The Star's alternative Red Pepper Pesto Pasta is a nutritious and delicious variation for the winter months.

Meanwhile, a shortage of pine nuts in both the southwestern United States and China is pushing prices sky high. Walnuts, which are high in omega-3, make a tasty (and more affordable) substitute.

Many traditional pesto recipes use a ratio of ¹/₄ cup olive oil to 1 cup basil. By adding a bit of fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth, our red pepper pesto requires less olive oil. Yes, olive oil is a healthy, monounsaturated fat, but it's important to keep in mind it still contains 120 calories per tablespoon.

Shopping tip: This recipe calls for 1 cup drained, jarred roasted red peppers. That's equal to 2 (9-ounce) jars.

If you want to make this multigrain pasta dish extra enticing to young eaters, look for fun shapes, such as Heartland brand's multigrain pasta Disney shapes.

Cooking tips: To toast the walnuts, place walnuts in a single layer in a baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly toasted.

To chiffonade the basil means to cut the basil leaves into thin strips or shreds. Stack leaves on top of one another, roll lengthwise and slice with a sharp knife.

---

RED PEPPER PESTO PASTA

Makes 6 servings

1 cup drained, jarred, roasted red peppers (see shopping tip)

2 cloves garlic, cut in half

¹/₄ cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth

3 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese, divided

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 tablespoons chopped walnuts, toasted (see cooking tip)

1 (12-ounce) box multigrain or whole-wheat pasta, such as fusilli, fettuccine or other favorite shape

¹/₂ cup fresh basil, cut into chiffonade (see cooking tip)

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Toss pesto with hot pasta. Divide between 6 bowls and garnish with remaining Parmesan and basil chiffonade.

Per serving: 259 calories (20 percent from fat), 6 grams total fat (1 gram saturated), 2 milligrams cholesterol, 45 grams carbohydrates, 11 grams protein, 49 milligrams sodium, 5 grams dietary fiber.

Tags: Antioxidant, Cancer, Carbohydrate, Cholesterol, Cooking, Food, Heart

Low Zinc Levels Increase Pneumonia Risk in Elderly

Posted Nov 1, 2010

A high proportion of nursing facility residents were found to have low serum (blood) zinc concentrations during an observational study funded by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the National Institute on Aging. The scientists found that those with normal blood zinc concentrations were about 50 percent less likely to develop pneumonia than those with low concentrations.

The study was led by Simin Nikbin Meydani, director of the Nutritional Immunology Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University in Boston, Mass. ARS is the chief intramural scientific research agency of USDA.

HNRCA researchers have been studying immune response and respiratory infections in about 600 elderly residents in 33 nursing facilities in the Boston area. Meydani and colleagues previously reported that among the facility residents, those who consumed 200 international units (IU) of vitamin E daily for one year were 20 percent less likely to get upper respiratory infections, such as colds, than those who took a placebo.

The secondary analysis of data from the same clinical trial showed a high proportion of the residents had low serum (blood) zinc concentrations at baseline and after one year of follow-up. All participants had been supplemented with half of the recommended dietary allowance of essential vitamins and minerals, including zinc, during the trial.

Those with normal zinc status were not only less likely to develop pneumonia, they also had fewer new prescriptions for antibiotics, a shorter duration of pneumonia, and fewer days of antibiotic use compared with residents who had low zinc levels. In addition, mortality was lower in those with adequate blood zinc levels.

The study suggests that supplementation of zinc-deficient elderly may result in reduced risk of pneumonia. Still, the authors note that controlled clinical trials are needed to test efficacy of zinc supplementation as a low-cost intervention to reduce mortality due to pneumonia among vulnerable populations who already have low zinc levels.

These study results were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

CONTACT: Rosalie Marion Bliss, ARS News Service Agricultural Research Service, USDA

These study results were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

CONTACT: Rosalie Marion Bliss, ARS News Service Agricultural Research Service, USDA

Tags: Cold, Colds, Concentration, Immune, Infections, Minerals, Respiratory infections, Vitamins

Probiotics Boost Broccoli’s Cancer-Fighting Benefits

Posted October 27, 2010

BUGS in the gut help the body unlock the health-giving properties of broccoli, research has shown.

Bacteria in the lower gut enable the vegetable to release the cancer-fighting agent sulphoraphane, scientists believe.

“This discovery raises the possibility that we will be able to enhance the activity of these bacteria in the colon, increasing broccoli’s cancer-preventive power,” said nutrition expert Professor Elizabeth Jeffery, from the University of Illinois, in Urbana, US. She said people destroy the plant enzyme that produces sulphoraphane by overcooking broccoli.

“Now we know the microbiota in our digestive tract can salvage some of this important cancer-preventive agent even if that happens,” said Prof Jeffery.

Her team made the discovery after carrying out tests on rats. Sulphoraphane, which has anti-inflammatory properties, is said to be a potent anti-cancer agent.

BUGS in the gut help the body unlock the health-giving properties of broccoli, research has shown.

Bacteria in the lower gut enable the vegetable to release the cancer-fighting agent sulphoraphane, scientists believe.

"This discovery raises the possibility that we will be able to enhance the activity of these bacteria in the colon, increasing broccoli's cancer-preventive power," said nutrition expert Professor Elizabeth Jeffery, from the University of Illinois, in Urbana, US. She said people destroy the plant enzyme that produces sulphoraphane by overcooking broccoli.

"Now we know the microbiota in our digestive tract can salvage some of this important cancer-preventive agent even if that happens," said Prof Jeffery.

Her team made the discovery after carrying out tests on rats. Sulphoraphane, which has anti-inflammatory properties, is said to be a potent anti-cancer agent.

Tags: Anti-inflammatory, Body, Cancer, Cooking


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NOVEMBER 2010 NATURAL HEALTH NEWSLETTER