Dr. Michael Holick, from Boston University Medical School, a professor of medicine, physiology and biophysics won the Linus Pauling Prize for Health Research for his work investigating how vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of cancer, autoimmune diseases, infectious and cardiovascular disease. This deficiency has become epidemic and more than 50 percent of the children and adults in the United States are vitamin D deficient. Through his work, Holick determined that anyone living north of 35 degrees latitude can't make enough vitamin D in the skin during winter exposure to sunlight. He has also influenced fortification of more foods and brought the deficiency to the forefront. Though using sunscreen is necessary it has contributed to the problem since Vitamin D is produced in the body by sunshine.
So most of us should take a supplement of vitamin D3. It is easy to take and very beneficial.
Showing posts with label supplements. Show all posts
Showing posts with label supplements. Show all posts
Monday, May 18, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Protect yourself-Avoid Vit C and E when exercising
When we exercise we metabolize glucose and when this happens reactive oxygen molecules escape and attack all other cells around them. These reactive oxygen compounds damage the bodies tissues. Oxidative damage increases as we age.
Yet our wonderous body has its own defense system and when it doesn't do enough antioxidant, which stop reactive oxygen compounds, may seem like an excellent solution.
Perhaps not according to researchers at the University of Jena in Germany. They tested this idea by giving half of a group young men,who were exercising, moderate doses of vitamins C and E. When they measured sensitivity to oxidative damage they found that the vitamin takers were in worse shape than the group who did not.
It appears the activation of the body’s natural defense mechanism against oxidative damage did not respond.
The reason they suggest is that the vitamins short-circuit the body’s natural response to exercise.
Researchers suggest, “If you exercise to promote health, you shouldn’t take large amounts of antioxidants,” and "that antioxidants in general cause certain effects that inhibit otherwise positive effects of exercise, dieting and other interventions.” The findings appear in this week’s issue of The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The advice does not apply to fruits and vegetables, researchers say; even though they are high in antioxidants, the many other substances they contain presumably outweigh any negative effect.
Yet our wonderous body has its own defense system and when it doesn't do enough antioxidant, which stop reactive oxygen compounds, may seem like an excellent solution.
Perhaps not according to researchers at the University of Jena in Germany. They tested this idea by giving half of a group young men,who were exercising, moderate doses of vitamins C and E. When they measured sensitivity to oxidative damage they found that the vitamin takers were in worse shape than the group who did not.
It appears the activation of the body’s natural defense mechanism against oxidative damage did not respond.
The reason they suggest is that the vitamins short-circuit the body’s natural response to exercise.
Researchers suggest, “If you exercise to promote health, you shouldn’t take large amounts of antioxidants,” and "that antioxidants in general cause certain effects that inhibit otherwise positive effects of exercise, dieting and other interventions.” The findings appear in this week’s issue of The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The advice does not apply to fruits and vegetables, researchers say; even though they are high in antioxidants, the many other substances they contain presumably outweigh any negative effect.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Beware diet drugs
Federal drug regulators warned consumers Friday to stop using the popular Hydroxycut line of weight-loss products. There has been a report of a death due to liver failure. There are also other instances of serious health problems. The FDA reported 23 reports of illess resulting from this supplement. Natasha Singer writes about it in an article in the NYT.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/02/business/02fda.html?_r=1&hpw
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/02/business/02fda.html?_r=1&hpw
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
My Recommendations for Supplements
Nora's Supplement Guide
Multiple Vitamin
Vitamins are natural substances that your body needs to grow, develop, and function normally. Vitamins are available in food so a well-balanced diet usually provides all of the vitamins we need. However, there are times, such as during weight loss, pregnancy and childhood, or during certain illnesses when your body cannot get or cannot efficiently use all of the vitamins it needs.
Multiple Vitamin
Vitamins are natural substances that your body needs to grow, develop, and function normally. Vitamins are available in food so a well-balanced diet usually provides all of the vitamins we need. However, there are times, such as during weight loss, pregnancy and childhood, or during certain illnesses when your body cannot get or cannot efficiently use all of the vitamins it needs.
Calcium
Calcium helps prevent osteoporosis by slowing bone loss and reducing fracture.
Experts recommend a daily intake of 1,200 mg of calcium for women and in men older than age 50. Calcium is absorbed most efficiently by the body when it is taken in amounts of 500 milligrams (mg) or less. If you take 1,000 mg of calcium a day, split it in two or more doses over the course of the day.
Vitamin D
Getting enough vitamin D is just as important as getting enough calcium for prevention of osteoporosis. Together they slow bone loss and reduce fracture. Vitamin D has also been found to act hormonally as a natural antibiotic and anti viral agent. We no longer absorb enough sun to produce enough Vitamin D. Many people are deficient. Recommendation: a daily intake of between 1000 and 2000 international units.
Fish Oil
Effective for cardiovascular disease prevention. Provides omega 3 fatty acids to help decrease inflammation and decrease arthritis, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, heart disease, alzheimer’s and cancer.
Flaxseed Oil
Provides omega 3 fatty acids from a plant source.
Helps decrease inflammation and reducie the risk of arthritis, health disease, alzheimer’s disease and cancer.
Herbal Remedies
Cinnamon
A 2006 study found that cinnamon has a moderate effect in reducing blood sugar in people with DMII. It also may help a blue mood.
Anti-inflammatory Herbs
Ginger (500 mg 2 x a day)
Tumeric (400-600 mg 3 x a day)
Red Pepper (Capsaicin)
St John’s Wort
St. John's Wort has been studied in Europe extensively. Studies suggest that it is more effective than placebo and equally effective as tricyclic antidepressants for mild-to-moderate depression. It may be as effective as SSRIs with fewer side effects.
Baby Aspirin
Aspirin interferes with the bloods clotting action. If a blood vessel is already narrowed from atherosclerosis , a blood clot can quickly form and block the artery. Aspirin therapy reduces the clumping action of platelets — possibly preventing heart attack and stroke.
Consider daily aspirin therapy only with your doctor's approval.
Cranberry
There are multiple studies of cranberry (juice or capsules) for the prevention of
urinary tract infections in healthy women and nursing home residents.
It seems to work by keeping bacteria from sticking to cells that line the bladder.
The dosage remains unclear.
Sam-E
Depression
SAMe is likely more effective than placebo for relief of symptoms of depression. Compared to treatment with conventional antidepressants, SAMe was not associated with a statistically significant difference in outcomes.
Osteoarthritis
SAMe is more effective than a placebo for the relief of pain.
Compared to treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, treatment with SAMe was not associated with a statistically significant difference in outcomes.
Disclaminer
Check with your doctor before taking any supplements.
Calcium helps prevent osteoporosis by slowing bone loss and reducing fracture.
Experts recommend a daily intake of 1,200 mg of calcium for women and in men older than age 50. Calcium is absorbed most efficiently by the body when it is taken in amounts of 500 milligrams (mg) or less. If you take 1,000 mg of calcium a day, split it in two or more doses over the course of the day.
Vitamin D
Getting enough vitamin D is just as important as getting enough calcium for prevention of osteoporosis. Together they slow bone loss and reduce fracture. Vitamin D has also been found to act hormonally as a natural antibiotic and anti viral agent. We no longer absorb enough sun to produce enough Vitamin D. Many people are deficient. Recommendation: a daily intake of between 1000 and 2000 international units.
Fish Oil
Effective for cardiovascular disease prevention. Provides omega 3 fatty acids to help decrease inflammation and decrease arthritis, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, heart disease, alzheimer’s and cancer.
Flaxseed Oil
Provides omega 3 fatty acids from a plant source.
Helps decrease inflammation and reducie the risk of arthritis, health disease, alzheimer’s disease and cancer.
Herbal Remedies
Cinnamon
A 2006 study found that cinnamon has a moderate effect in reducing blood sugar in people with DMII. It also may help a blue mood.
Anti-inflammatory Herbs
Ginger (500 mg 2 x a day)
Tumeric (400-600 mg 3 x a day)
Red Pepper (Capsaicin)
St John’s Wort
St. John's Wort has been studied in Europe extensively. Studies suggest that it is more effective than placebo and equally effective as tricyclic antidepressants for mild-to-moderate depression. It may be as effective as SSRIs with fewer side effects.
Baby Aspirin
Aspirin interferes with the bloods clotting action. If a blood vessel is already narrowed from atherosclerosis , a blood clot can quickly form and block the artery. Aspirin therapy reduces the clumping action of platelets — possibly preventing heart attack and stroke.
Consider daily aspirin therapy only with your doctor's approval.
Cranberry
There are multiple studies of cranberry (juice or capsules) for the prevention of
urinary tract infections in healthy women and nursing home residents.
It seems to work by keeping bacteria from sticking to cells that line the bladder.
The dosage remains unclear.
Sam-E
Depression
SAMe is likely more effective than placebo for relief of symptoms of depression. Compared to treatment with conventional antidepressants, SAMe was not associated with a statistically significant difference in outcomes.
Osteoarthritis
SAMe is more effective than a placebo for the relief of pain.
Compared to treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, treatment with SAMe was not associated with a statistically significant difference in outcomes.
Disclaminer
Check with your doctor before taking any supplements.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Dangerous weight loss products
Beware!
Tainted Weight Loss Products
Here is the FDA's full list of all 72 tainted weight loss products:
2 Day Diet
2 Day Diet Slim Advance
2x Powerful Slimming
3 Day Diet
3 Days Fit
3x Slimming Power
5x Imelda Perfect Slimming
7 Day Herbal Slim
7 Days Diet
7 Diet
7 Diet Day/Night Formula
8 Factor Diet
Eight Factor Diet
21 Double Slim
24 Hours Diet
999 Fitness Essence
BioEmagrecim
Body Creator
Body Shaping
Body Slimming
Cosmo Slim
Extrim Plus
Extrim Plus 24 Hour Reburn
Fasting Diet
Fatloss Slimming
GMP
Herbal Xenicol
Imelda Fat Reducer
Imelda Perfect Slim
JM Fat Reducer
Lida DaiDaihua
Meili
Meizitang
Miaozi MeiMiaoQianZiJiaoNang
Miaozi Slim Capsules
Natural Model
Perfect Slim
Perfect Slim 5x
Perfect Slim Up
Phyto Shape
Powerful Slim
ProSlim Plus
Reduce Weihgt
Royal Slimming Formula
Sana Plus
Slim 3 in 1
Slim 3 in 1 Extra Slim Formula
Slim 3 in 1 Extra Slim Waist Formula
Slim 3 in 1 M18 Royal Diet
Slim 3 in 1 Slim Formula
Slim Burn
Slim Express 4 in 1
Slim Express 360
Slim Fast (This product isn't related to the Slim-Fast line of meal replacement and related products.)
Slim Tech
Slim Up
Slim Waist Formula
Slim Waistline
Slimbionic
Sliminate
Slimming Formula
Somotrim
Starcaps
Super Fat Burner
Superslim
Super Slimming
Trim 2 Plus
Triple Slim
Venom Hyperdrive 3.0
Waist Strength Formula
Xsvelten
Zhen de Shou
Tainted Weight Loss Products
Here is the FDA's full list of all 72 tainted weight loss products:
2 Day Diet
2 Day Diet Slim Advance
2x Powerful Slimming
3 Day Diet
3 Days Fit
3x Slimming Power
5x Imelda Perfect Slimming
7 Day Herbal Slim
7 Days Diet
7 Diet
7 Diet Day/Night Formula
8 Factor Diet
Eight Factor Diet
21 Double Slim
24 Hours Diet
999 Fitness Essence
BioEmagrecim
Body Creator
Body Shaping
Body Slimming
Cosmo Slim
Extrim Plus
Extrim Plus 24 Hour Reburn
Fasting Diet
Fatloss Slimming
GMP
Herbal Xenicol
Imelda Fat Reducer
Imelda Perfect Slim
JM Fat Reducer
Lida DaiDaihua
Meili
Meizitang
Miaozi MeiMiaoQianZiJiaoNang
Miaozi Slim Capsules
Natural Model
Perfect Slim
Perfect Slim 5x
Perfect Slim Up
Phyto Shape
Powerful Slim
ProSlim Plus
Reduce Weihgt
Royal Slimming Formula
Sana Plus
Slim 3 in 1
Slim 3 in 1 Extra Slim Formula
Slim 3 in 1 Extra Slim Waist Formula
Slim 3 in 1 M18 Royal Diet
Slim 3 in 1 Slim Formula
Slim Burn
Slim Express 4 in 1
Slim Express 360
Slim Fast (This product isn't related to the Slim-Fast line of meal replacement and related products.)
Slim Tech
Slim Up
Slim Waist Formula
Slim Waistline
Slimbionic
Sliminate
Slimming Formula
Somotrim
Starcaps
Super Fat Burner
Superslim
Super Slimming
Trim 2 Plus
Triple Slim
Venom Hyperdrive 3.0
Waist Strength Formula
Xsvelten
Zhen de Shou
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Nutrients and Disease
What is the relationship between nutrients and disease? There are some correlations today but when we look at food as medicinal the potential for a relationship is greater than than ever. For example in today's NYT's a clear relationship between a deficiency of Vitamin D and asthma is clarified. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/new-risk-factors-linked-to-asthma-rise/
There are many other diet and health relationships with strong scientific support. A low glycemic index diet for epilepsy. There is much information about the effecacy of this and glycemic indexes are readily available online. http://diabetes.webmd.com/glycemic-index-good-versus-bad-carbs.
Fish oils and flaxseed oil supplements have strong support from the scientific community.
The evidence for the medicinal benefits of berries got Tara Parker-Pope's attention and made the NYT. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/the-power-of-berries/
Parker-Pope also describes how eating the Mediterranean diet appears to lower risk for mental decline according to research published in Archives for Neurology. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/mediterranean-diet-may-prevent-mental-decline/
Yet though we know so much, as well as that 30% of American adults are overweight or obese with only 1 of 50 states boasting a lower rate, still insurance companies pay very little for preventative care and health education. Roni Caryn Rabin, of the NYT, reports on a survey that found health scares reduce smoking but not weight. Rabin quotes Sherry Pagoto, an assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, who co-wrote an editorial accompanying the paper. Pagoto believes physician counceling does not have much impact and “The evidence for behavioral weight loss treatment suggests an intensive program is necessary."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/health/11smoking.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=smoking%20cessation%20programs%20vs%20weight%20loss&st=cse
Oddly, there is little money for prevention but this might end as we change our priorities in America.
There are many other diet and health relationships with strong scientific support. A low glycemic index diet for epilepsy. There is much information about the effecacy of this and glycemic indexes are readily available online. http://diabetes.webmd.com/glycemic-index-good-versus-bad-carbs.
Fish oils and flaxseed oil supplements have strong support from the scientific community.
The evidence for the medicinal benefits of berries got Tara Parker-Pope's attention and made the NYT. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/the-power-of-berries/
Parker-Pope also describes how eating the Mediterranean diet appears to lower risk for mental decline according to research published in Archives for Neurology. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/mediterranean-diet-may-prevent-mental-decline/
Yet though we know so much, as well as that 30% of American adults are overweight or obese with only 1 of 50 states boasting a lower rate, still insurance companies pay very little for preventative care and health education. Roni Caryn Rabin, of the NYT, reports on a survey that found health scares reduce smoking but not weight. Rabin quotes Sherry Pagoto, an assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, who co-wrote an editorial accompanying the paper. Pagoto believes physician counceling does not have much impact and “The evidence for behavioral weight loss treatment suggests an intensive program is necessary."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/health/11smoking.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=smoking%20cessation%20programs%20vs%20weight%20loss&st=cse
Oddly, there is little money for prevention but this might end as we change our priorities in America.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Ask the nutritionist?
What do you think about fish oil supplements?
Fish oils contain long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids; most important are the omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA which is believed to play a central role in the development of the infant brain and nervous system. Studies have consistently found that children with A.D.H.D. have low blood levels of DHA, and a small number of recent clinical trials have reported improvements in children’s learning and behavioral problems after fish oil therapy.
A study in Oxford-Durham Britain, published in the journal Pediatrics in 2005, reported remarkable improvements in reading and spelling among children treated with omega-3 fatty acids. The Mayo clinic reports that fish oil supplements also can help lower blood pressure and triglycerides. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fish-oil/NS_patient-fishoil
Most health care providers suggest 1,000 milligrams of combined DHA and EPA daily for a child, and up to 2,000 milligrams for an adult, but they say they adjust the amounts depending on weight.
Some experts recommend higher doses to get the full therapeutic effect, but there are risks. Fish oil is a blood thinner and can interfere with clotting and cause excessive bleeding, which can be dangerous. Doctors say anyone with a family history of a bleeding disorder should avoid it, so ask your doctor first before taking any supplement.
Fish oils contain long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids; most important are the omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA which is believed to play a central role in the development of the infant brain and nervous system. Studies have consistently found that children with A.D.H.D. have low blood levels of DHA, and a small number of recent clinical trials have reported improvements in children’s learning and behavioral problems after fish oil therapy.
A study in Oxford-Durham Britain, published in the journal Pediatrics in 2005, reported remarkable improvements in reading and spelling among children treated with omega-3 fatty acids. The Mayo clinic reports that fish oil supplements also can help lower blood pressure and triglycerides. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fish-oil/NS_patient-fishoil
Most health care providers suggest 1,000 milligrams of combined DHA and EPA daily for a child, and up to 2,000 milligrams for an adult, but they say they adjust the amounts depending on weight.
Some experts recommend higher doses to get the full therapeutic effect, but there are risks. Fish oil is a blood thinner and can interfere with clotting and cause excessive bleeding, which can be dangerous. Doctors say anyone with a family history of a bleeding disorder should avoid it, so ask your doctor first before taking any supplement.
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