A pro high-dose supplements campaign has been launched in the UK by the Consumers for Health Choice (CHC). Tailored to consumers, manufacturers., retailers and practitioners in the UK, Ireland, Italy, France, Germany, Spain and Poland the campaign is aimed, says the CHC ‘at ensuring everyone makes their voices heard at this critical time as maximum permitted levels are being discussed, and with great urgency". On the CHC website the group outlines how people can contact European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso, a man apparently sensitive to the high-dose supplements issue. There are fears that if the European Union puts in place restrictive maximum permitted limits for nutrients in food supplements under the Food Supplements Directive, high-dose supplements could be removed from shelves.
For more information visit: http://www.consumersforhealthchoice.com/
(Posted Nov 09)
Numerous health benefits have been attributed to pomegranate juice and pulp. According to a recent study, the oil from pomegranate seeds also has potential - it may prevent the development of diabetes. The research, led by Brian McFarlin from the University of Houston, was conducted on mice that were fed a high-fat diet. The results established that, pomegranate seed oil, which is rich in conjugate linolenic acid, changed weight gain, reduced body weight, and improved insulin sensitivity in mice which suggested that the risk of developing type 2 diabetes may have been reduced. The findings were published in the British Journal of Nutrition.
(Source: British Journal of Nutrition)
(Posted Nov 09)
The necessity of vitamin D for health maintenance is receiving a great deal of publicity as an increasing number of health issues have been linked with vitamin D deficiencies. Now the prestigious Harvard Medical School has endorsed vitamin D supplementation - an usual stance for an institution that supports the theory that vitamin intake should come primarily from foods. The September Harvard Health Publications bulletin stated: "It's not an issue of food quantity, but rather food quality. Even a low-calorie diet can deliver all the vitamins and minerals you need, with one exception - vitamin D. So plan to take a vitamin D supplement." Vitamin D is synthesised in the body from sunlight, a luxury many people around the world lack access to in winter months. Vitamin D deficiencies have become so prevalent globally that the IU recommendation for vitamin D may need to be raised.
(Source: Nutraingredients)
(Posted Nov 09)
Scientists in Alabama and Iowa suggest that extracts from roots of the kudzu vine could modulate glucose, lipids and blood pressure and may therefore play a role in the prevention or improvement of symptoms related to metabolic syndrome. The researchers, led by J. Michael Wyss used stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats as a model for the metabolic syndrome and randomly assigned either a standard diet or the standard diet supplemented with 0.2 per cent kudzu root extract. "This is the first report investigating the potential for long-term kudzu supplementation to decrease these interacting factors of the metabolic syndrome in an animal model," stated the researchers. "We suggest that individual phenolic compounds in kudzu extract are related to its beneficial effects. Kudzu root extract contains not only a high concentration of puerarin (25 per cent) but also other phenolic compounds." The study results were published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
(Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry)
(Posted Nov 09)
In the United States, marketers of two dietary supplement products - Supreme Greens and Coral Calcium - have been ordered to pay almost $70m for deceptive marketing. According to the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Donald W. Barrett and his affiliates had "deceptively touted" the supplement Supreme Greens to treat, cure, or prevent cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Coral Calcium deceptively claimed it could treat cancer, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, and autoimmune diseases The US District Court for the District of Massachusetts froze the assets of Barrett, his associate Robert Maihos, and two companies they control - Direct Marketing Concepts and ITV Direct, and also ordered them to pay $48.2m for consumer refunds. Three other defendants charged by FTC for deceptive marketing of these products (Allen Stern and two companies he controls - King Media and Triad ML Marketing). They were ordered to pay $20.4m for consumer refunds. All defendants were also barred from making deceptive claims in the future.
(Source: Nutraingredients)
(Posted Nov 09)
Scientists from Queen Mary, University of London and Harvard Medical School have found an explanation for the beneficial action of fish oils on inflammatory conditions like arthritis. They believe this is due to the body converting the DHA found in fish oils into a chemical called Resolvin D2, which reduces the inflammation. Mauro Perretti, a professor of immunopharmacology at Queen Mary, University of London, who led the UK research team stated in a university news release: "We have known for some time that fish oils can help with conditions like arthritis, which are linked to inflammation. What we've shown here is how the body processes a particular ingredient of fish oils into Resolvin D2. We've also looked in detail at this chemical, determining at least some of the ways it relieves inflammation. It seems to be a very powerful chemical and a small amount can have a large effect. This research is important because it explains at least one way in which fish oils can help in different types of arthritis. We can also work on this chemical and see if it can be used not only to treat or even prevent arthritis, but also as a possible treatment for a variety of other diseases associated with inflammation." The study results were published in the journal Nature.
(Source: HealthDay)
(Posted Nov 09)
The Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED) and a consortium of eight leading scientific, trade, and consumer advocacy organisations have petitioned the US Institute of Medicine (IOM) to convene an expert panel to establish clear dietary reference intakes (DRIs) for the EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. Industry support is urgently needed to provide comments of support for the initiative and encourage legislators to fund the IOM review.
GOED believes newly established DRIs would have a profound effect on both the industry and consumers. "Omega-3s are one of the fastest growing and largest segments of the food and supplement business, which is why this issue impacts every company within this sector," said Adam Ismail, Executive Director of GOED. "In the past decade or so, research on omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA in particular, has evolved to suggest we may be facing a serious public health problem. Most Americans appear to be falling short in their consumption of EPA and DHA, which studies show are important for cardiovascular health and brain development," added Andrew Shao, Ph.D., Vice President, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, Council for Responsible Nutrition, and a cosigner of the petition.
A study, in the April issue of PLoS Medicine identified EPA and DHA inadequacy as the 6th leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Andrew Shao states, "Taking a simple EPA and DHA-containing product could help fill the nutrition gaps, but until DRIs are established both policy makers and consumers have no way of knowing what the target intakes should be and by how much they're falling short. By not acting on this important initiative, we place the health of Americans and Canadians at risk."
For more information, visit: http://www.goedomega3.com/
(Source: http://www.npicenter.com/)
(Posted Nov 09)
According to results published in the Journal of Nutrition consumption by diabetics of 40 grams of soy protein isolate (SPI) per day for 57 days resulted in significant reductions in both LDL cholesterol and the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol, compared to consumption of the same dose of milk protein. This new study, says study leader Alison Duncan from the University of Guelph, "provides evidence for soy as a dietary preventive strategy for adults with type-2 diabetes to reduce their cardiovascular disease risk and, in so doing, improve their quality, and possibly length, of life." The claim that soybean protein can help reduce cardiovascular disease was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1999. Duncan states that this study therefore adds to the literature through its particular emphasis on prevention by studying adults with type-2 diabetes who are free of diabetic complications and not taking glycemic or lipid-lowering medications.
(Source: Journal of Nutrition)
(Posted Nov 09)
A small study by German and Swiss researchers has established that about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced the levels of stress hormones in highly stressed people and partially corrected other stress-related imbalances in the body. The study, led by Sunil Kochhar from the Nestle Research Center in Lausanne, Switzerland was performed on 30 people who were classified as having low or high anxiety. Researchers measured levels of stress hormones in blood and urine samples collected several times a day from the participants in the trial to measure metabolic changes. The participants snacked on 20 grams of dark chocolate mid-morning and again in the afternoon. The researchers observed that changes in the subject's metabolic profile showed up clearly after two weeks with reduced stress hormones and other stress-related chemicals in the blood. Growing scientific evidence reveals that antioxidants and other beneficial substances in dark chocolate may reduce risk factors for heart disease and other illnesses.
(Source: Reuters Health)
(Posted Nov 09)
The risk of developing colon cancer could be reduced by increased intake of quercetin according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Aberdeen, Ireland's National Cancer Registry and the University of Ottawa. Tea is the main dietary source of flavonoids in the UK. Study leader Janet Kyle said that participants were drawn from a "tea-drinking population with a high colorectal cancer incidence." The researchers performed a case-control study involving 264 people with confirmed colorectal cancer and 408 healthy, cancer-free controls in order to examine the benefits of a flavonoid-rich diet with respect to colorectal cancer risk. Their aim was to distinguish between total dietary and non-tea intake of four flavonoid subclasses - flavonol, procyanidin, flavon-3-ol, and flavanone. They concluded that that flavonols, specifically quercetin, obtained from non-tea components of the diet may be linked with reduced risk of developing colon cancer." The study was published in the British Journal of Nutrition.
(Source: British Journal of Nutrition)
(Posted Nov 09)
In China and other Asian countries, Chinese herbal medicines have been used for decades to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. A recent review, funded in part by NCCAM, examined related clinical trials to see whether scientific evidence supports recommending Chinese herbal medicine as a treatment option for people with pre-diabetes. The review looked at 16 clinical trials involving 1,391 participants with pre-diabetes, 15 different herbal formulations, and various comparisons (i.e., lifestyle modification, drug interventions, placebo). Study duration ranged from 4 weeks to 2 years (average 9 months). No adverse events were reported. Analysis of data from eight trials that included lifestyle modification as a comparison found that lifestyle modification combined with Chinese herbs was twice as effective as lifestyle modification alone in normalizing blood sugar levels. Participants who received herbal formulations were also less likely to develop full-blown diabetes during the study period. A number of factors make it impossible to draw firm conclusions from this analysis. The trials tested different herbal formulations and had methodological problems (e.g., lack of details about lifestyle modifications, unclear methods of randomization, poor reporting) that increase the risk of bias. The reviewers concluded that although their findings are promising, further, well-designed trials are needed to clarify the potential role of Chinese herbal medicines in glucose control and diabetes prevention.
(Source: www.nccam.nih.giv)
(Posted Nov 09)
Findings published in Clinical Biochemistry, reveal that sufferers of celiac disease could benefit from antioxidants and appropriate dietary supplements. Because data concerning the antioxidant status of celiac patients is scarce, researchers from the University of Belgrade set about studying the role of oxidative stress and antioxidant status in the pathogenesis of celiac disease. In the study, funded by the Serbian Ministry of Science and Technological Development, researchers led by Vesna Stojiljkovic found that celiacs have significantly reduced antioxidant capacity believed to be caused by a reduction in levels of the antioxidant glutathione. The researchers concluded that "As glutathione could be regenerated by other antioxidants, a diet rich in natural antioxidants, as well as appropriate dietary supplements, could be important complements to the classic therapy of celiac disease."
(Source: Clinical Biochemistry)
(Posted Nov 09)
Researchers from University of Western Australia and Royal Perth Hospital report that a combination of omega-3 fatty acids and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) may decrease blood pressure and heart rate in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Study leader Dr Trevor Mori and his co-workers recruited 85 people with CKD (average age 56.5, average BMI 27.3 kg/m2) and randomly assigned them to receive either 4 grams of omega-3, 200 mg of CoQ10, both, or placebo for 8 weeks. Results of the double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention showed that people receiving only omega-3 experienced a 3.3 and 2.9 mmHg decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and a reduction of heart rate of 4.0 beats per minute. Furthermore, triglyceride levels decreased by 24 per cent in this group. In the combined group, systolic and diastolic blood pressure improved by 2.7 and 3.4 mmHg, respectively. CoQ10 did not benefit blood pressure and was associated with a slight increase in heart rate. The researchers conclude that "These results show that omega-3 fatty acids lower blood pressure and may reduce cardiovascular risk in non-diabetic patients with moderate- to-severe CKD". They recommend that "future studies should include long-term supplementation in order to determine effects of omega-3 fatty acids on renal function in patients with CKD." These findings were published in the Journal of Hypertension.
(Source: Journal of Hypertension)
(Posted Nov 09)
Research into polyphenols - the antioxidant compounds in fruit and vegetables - is increasing as the ability of these substances to absorb free radicals as well as provide possible protection against certain diseases becomes more apparent. The chemical compounds called phenylpropanoids, includes flavonoids, and hydrolyzable tannins such as the gallic acid esters of glucose, Flavonoids can be split into a number of sub-classes, including anthocyanins found in berries, flavonols from a variety of fruit and vegetables, flavones from parsley and thyme, for example, flavanones from citrus, isoflavones from soy, mono- and poly-meric flavonols like the catechins in tea, and proanthocyanidins from berries, wine and chocolate. The non-flavonoids include phenolic acids, lignans, and stilbenes such as resveratrol.
However, polyphenols, and flavonoids in particular, have different actions. According to findings published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, certain types of anthocyanins have greater activity against colon cancer than others and scientists from The Ohio State University reported that the structure of anthocyanins, the antioxidant pigments from a range of fruit and vegetables, is key to the cancer fighting abilities.
While Johanna Geleijnse and Peter Hollman from Wageningen University in the Netherlands stated in an editorial in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that the contribution of flavonones to a person's antioxidant capacity was significant, they cautioned that more research is necessary to explore the role of anthocyanin structure and the chemo-protective effects.
This stance is supported by Ming Hu from the University of Houston who issued statement requesting more relevant research into the bioavailability and utilisation of the antioxidants, particularly polyphenols, in order to help "the successful development of polyphenols as chemopreventive agents in the future".
(Source:Nutraingredients)
(Posted Nov 09)
According to research presented at the North American Menopause Society's 20th annual meeting in October 2009, postmenopausal women who consumed supplements containing a metabolic product of soy known as S-equol experienced a reduction of 59 percent in hot flashes after 12 weeks, "The compound appears to have a promising future role in the management of women's menopausal symptoms," stated study author Takashi Aso, MD, PhD, of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University. S-equol is metabolized from daidzein, a compound in soy, by specific bacteria residing in the digestive tract of some individuals. The ability to produce S-equol depends upon the type of bacteria present in the intestine and the amount of soy consumed. Half of all Asians and only 20 to 30 percent of those of European descent have the ability to produce S-equol.
(Source: www.lef.org)
(Posted Nov 09)
A French study has revealed that superoxide dismutase (SOD) extracted from melon may help relieve stress and fatigue. Scientists from the University Henri Poincaré and Isoclin, a clinical research organistion teamed up with the French companies Bionov and Seppic to conduct a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study on the melon extract supplement that contained 140 international units of SOD. Lead author Marie-Anne Milesi from Seppic and her co-workers recruited 70 healthy volunteers aged between 30 and 55 who experienced daily stress and fatigue. They received either the melon extract or a placebo for four weeks. At the end of the study, significant improvements in pain, irritability, sleep troubles and weariness scores were observed in the supplement group compared to the placebo group. There was also a trend for improvements in attitude, and concentration. These findings are published in Nutrition Journal. SOD was dubbed 'the enzyme of life' when first discovered in 1968, as it is the first antioxidant mobilised by the cell for defence. It is thought to be more powerful than antioxidant vitamins as it activates the body's production of its own antioxidants, including catalase and glutathione peroxidase.
(Source: Nutrition Journal)
(Posted Nov 09)
A study by scientists from Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust, the University of East Anglia, and the Institute of Food Research, has established that supplements of either folic acid or 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), the naturally circulating form of folate, could reduce homocysteine levels, improve cardiovascular health and improve blood flow in people with peripheral artery disease (PAD). According to the results published in the British Journal of Surgery daily doses of 400 micrograms of the B vitamin led to significant improvements in blood pressure and improved blood flow after 16 weeks of supplementation, Dr N. Khandanpour and his co-workers recruited 133 people with PAD and randomly assigned them to receive daily supplements of 400 micrograms folic acid, 400 micrograms 5-MTHF or a placebo. At the end of the study, the researchers noted that, compared to the placebo group, both the folic acid and 5-MTHF groups displayed significant reductions in homocysteine as well as a "statistically significant but clinically modest improvement in peripheral arterial circulation".
(Source: British Journal of Surgery)
(Posted Nov 09)
The herb Ginkgo biloba helps improve the ability of glucocorticoid treatment to restore sense of smell following upper respiratory viral infections, according to Korean researchers. The loss of olfactory sense can occur after a common cold infection. It is believed to be caused by neurodegeneration of olfactory neural system cells and is usually treated with glucocorticoid drugs. For the study 71 patients diagnosed with post viral olfactory loss were treated with prednisolone for 2 weeks. Forty-three participants also received 80 milligrams Ginkgo biloba three times per day for four weeks. Scores on both olfactory tests increased significantly in both groups. According to the authors, "Although the treatment response was not statistically different between the monotherapy group and the combination therapy group, the addition of Ginkgo biloba showed a tendency of greater efficacy in the treatment of postviral olfactory loss." The findings were published in the American Medical Association Journal Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
(Source: www.lef.org)
(Posted Nov09)
The American Medical Association (AMA) has voted to reverse its long held position that marijuana has no medical value and the group is planning to entirely review its current cannabis policy. The AMA's House of Delegates has adopted a new position which demands that: "Marijuana's status as a federal Schedule I controlled substance be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the conduct of clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines, and alternate delivery methods." A report drafted by the AMA Council on Science and Public Health (CSAPH) entitled, "Use of Cannabis for Medicinal Purposes" has also been adopted by the group. This study affirms the many therapeutic benefits of marijuana, and articulates the urgent need for much more scientific research on cannabis.
(Source: GO Media)
(Posted Nov 09)
Parul Christian, DrPH, MSc, and colleagues from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health report that children born to mothers who received folic acid and iron supplements during their pregnancies were less likely to die during childhood than children of mothers who did not supplement with these nutrients. This investigation was a follow-up to a randomised, double-blind trial of micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy among women living in Sarlahi, Nepal. The status of the 4,130 children who were born during the trial was ascertained when the children were approximately 7 years of age. Dr Christian stated that, "In a setting where maternal iron deficiency and anemia are common, we found a 31 percent reduction in childhood mortality due to maternal antenatal and postnatal supplementation with iron-folic acid compared to a control. A reduction in mortality resulting from an intervention, such as iron-folic acid supplementation during pregnancy, provides a new and previously unreported evidence of benefit to offspring during childhood." The findings were published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
(Source: www.lef.org)
(Posted Nov 09)
A new study from the UK National Eye Institute supports earlier findings that omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) - the leading cause of legal blindness for people over 55 years of age in the Western world, according to AMD Alliance International. For the study, lead researcher John Paul SanGiovanni and his co-workers looked at a sub-section of 1,837 people participating in the phase 3 Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). All the participants were considered to be at a moderate-to-high risk of advanced AMD. Over 12 years of study, the researchers found that intakes of omega-3, estimated using a food-frequency questionnaire, were related to both wet and dry AMD risk. Participants with the highest omega-3 intakes, equivalent to about 0.11 per cent of their total energy intakes, had a 30 per cent lower risk of developing both types than people with the lowest intakes. The findings were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
(Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition)
(Posted Nov 09)
A meta-analysis from Austria supports the safety of phytoestrogens like soy and red clover isoflavones, revealing that these are not linked to serious side-effects like increased cancer risks and heart problems. The researchers, led by Clemens Tempfer from the Medical University Vienna, looked at all isoflavones, and identified 92 randomised controlled trials with 9,629 participants. Comparing the phytoestrogen groups to the placebo or control groups, Tempfer and his co-workers report that the incidence of side effects was approximately the same, with 36.7 and 38 per cent, respectively. While higher rates of gastrointestinal side effects were recorded in the users of phytoestrogen, no significant differences were observed regarding gynaecological, musculoskeletal, or neurological side effects. Hormone-related side effect rates, including breast and endometrial cancer, were not significantly different between groups. A European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) working group investigating isoflavones have examined studies collected over the last 20 years as well as newer trials, and concluded that emerging human studies in isoflavones demonstrate the "modest but valuable benefit for menopause relief". The scientists concluded the soy and red clover-derived isoflavones do not increase the risk of breast cancer and can offer very real relief to post-menopausal women. The meta-analysis study was published in The American Journal of Medicine.
(Source: Nutraingredients)
(Posted Dec 09)
The US Food and Drug Administration has issued a consumer advisory supporting the use of vitamins. Barbara Schneeman, PhD, director of FDA's Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling, and Dietary Supplements recently stated that "Supplements can be useful when they fulfill a specific identified nutrient need that can't be met by food or is not being met through normal food intake," According to FDA's consumer update - Fortify Your Knowledge About Vitamins - there are many good reasons to consider taking vitamin supplements and the organisation advises people to "develop a vitamin strategy that ensures sufficient vitamin intake". Schneeman does however stress that it's important to remember that supplements can't displace a healthy diet.
For more information visit: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm118079.htm
(Posted Dec 09)
A team from Newcastle University in the UK has proven in a study on mice that Brazilian mint (hyptis crenata) has pain relieving qualities equal to commercially available analgesics. Hyptis crenata has been prescribed by Brazilian healers for millennia to treat various ailments. To ensure they used the treatment method prescribed by these healers, the Newcastle team found out in Brazil how best to prepare the herb as well as the best method of consumption. The latter proved to be a decoction of dried leaves steeped in boiling water for 30 minutes and allowed to cool before drinking. The team found that when the mint was given at a dose similar to that prescribed by traditional healers, the medicine was as effective at relieving pain as a synthetic aspirin-style drug. Lead researcher Graciela Rocha said, "What we have done is take a plant that is widely used to safely treat pain and scientifically proven that it works as well as some synthetic drugs. The next step is to find out how and why the plant works." They plan to launch clinical trials to find out how effective the mint is as a pain relief for people. The research is being presented at the International Symposium on Medicinal and Nutraceutical Plants in New Delhi, India.
(Source: BBC News)
(Posted Nov 09)
The EU draft amendment of the maximum permitted levels (MPLs) for nutrients in food supplements has been delayed until January 2010. The health supplements industry in the UK and various EU states - as well as numerous retails outlets - could be under threat if the MPLs are set too low. The UK lobby group, Consumers for Health Choice (CHC) is urging UK Health Minister Gillian Merron to press the UKs case strongly. And Irish MEP Kathy Sinnott has long criticised restricting the dose levels and she argues that consumers should have the right to protect their health with vitamins and minerals at the dose and form that they require. The CHC and the UK industry group Health Food Manufacturers Association favour a case whereby high-dose supplements are permitted accompanied by warnings if there are special population sub-groups who should not consume them.
For more information visit: http://www.consumersforhealthchoice.com/
(Posted Dec 09)
Flaxseed oil could help protect against the development of osteoporosis according to an Egyptian study. Mer Harvi and colleagues at the National Research Center, in Cairo, Egypt, tested the effect of dietary flaxseed oil in female rats that were rendered diabetic and/or had their ovaries removed to mimic menopause. They established that the omega-3 fatty acids found in flaxseed could help prevent osteoporosis by protecting bone matrix formation and mineralisation which are negatively affected by menopause and diabetes. "When feeding flaxseed oil (containing the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid) instead of corn oil (mainly containing omega-6 fatty acid), the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids apparently changes," wrote the authors. "We recommend further investigations using animals and humans to confirm the effect of using dietary flaxseed oil to improve bone health and to prevent osteoporosis. The study results were published in the International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health.
(Source: www.lef.org)
(Posted Dec 09)
Low maternal folate levels have been linked with an increased risk of the development of attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity in children in a study, conducted by Dr Wolff Schlotz and colleagues from the University of Southampton in England. It included children of 100 mothers who took part in an earlier study of prenatal nutrition and fetal growth. The authors discovered that folate deficiency during gestation can impair cellular growth and reduce fetal brain cells. These effects could contribute to behavioral difficulties later in life. The study is possibly the first in humans to link maternal folate with children's behavioral outcomes. "Our findings further support the hypothesis that maternal nutrition contributes to an individual's development, with potential consequences for their behavior later in life," Dr Schlotz concluded. The study was published in The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.
(Source: www.lef.org)
(Posted Dec 09)
People exposed to ionising radiation - from both natural and made-made sources - are at risk of DNA damage. Airline flight crew workers are exposed to higher average doses than any other worker, according to the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). Now scientists from the US National Institutes of Health, the Harvard School of Public Health, and the American Cancer Society report that results from a new study conducted on airline pilots indicates that high intakes of a combination of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and lutein-zeaxanthin from food "may protect against cumulative DNA damage in ionizing radiation-exposed persons". The study results were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
(Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition)
(Posted Dec 09)
Steve Mister, president and CEO of the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), believes that most of the problems that burden the US dietary supplements industry are self-generated. As an association committed to consumers, CRN is critical of unscrupulous companies who put prescription drugs into products, market substandard products and ignore GMP requirements. Mister says that it is not surprising that FDA, the consumer media, and even Congress should be focusing critically on the dietary supplement industry and considering legislative changes. He does, however, believe the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) remains the appropriate regulatory framework for dietary supplements. To help the existing legislation work, Mister says that CRN should "...expand our efforts to develop, support and encourage responsible, consumer-focused behavior within the industry. We're poised to help our members be their best because when we join together to form a single voice, we are all stronger. When companies do that, the industry rises."
(Source: Decision News Media)
(Posted Dec 09)
Ageing skin can be rejuvenated with the aid of a dietary supplement containing coenzyme Q10, antioxidants and minerals, according to research conducted at the Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand. Sixty female subjects were randomly assigned to either the supplement, manufactured by Australian-based nutritional supplement manufacturer Blackmores, or a placebo. After 12 weeks of taking the supplement once daily those in the treatment group experienced a significant improvement in skin roughness and fine wrinkles, whereas those in the placebo group did not. The supplement contains antioxidants (coenzyme Q10, beta-carotene, grape seed extract, French maritime pine bark extract, green tea extract and D-alpha-tocopheryl acetate), minerals (zinc and selenium) and glycosaminoglycans.
(Source: International Journal of Cosmetic Science)
(Posted Dec 09)
Researchers at Tufts University, Harvard Medical School and Boston University School of Health have established that vitamin C could protect against hip and nonvertrbral fracture risks. They evaluated data from 929 participants in the Framingham Osteoporosis Study who were part of the original Framingham Study cohort. Dietary questionnaires completed from 1988 to 1989 were analyzed for vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium and other nutrient intake. The participants were followed for 15 to 17 years. It was found that men and women whose vitamin C intake from food and supplements was among the highest one-third of participants at a median of 313 milligrams per day had a 44 percent lower risk of experiencing a fracture than those whose intake was lowest at a median of 94 milligrams. A one third lower risk of nonvertebral osteoporotic fracture was also observed in those with the highest intake. When vitamin C from supplements alone was analyzed, those whose intake was highest at a median of 260 milligrams per day had a 69 percent lower risk of hip fracture than non-supplement users and a less significant reduction in nonvertebral fractures. In their discussion of the findings, the authors explain that vitamin C may protect the bone via its antioxidant action. The study is reported in the journal Osteoporosis International.
(Source: www.lef.org)
(Posted Dec 09)
A freeze-dried strawberry powder supplied by the California Strawberry Commission has been found to cut cholesterol levels by approximately five percent and decrease by 14 percent levels of malondialdehyde - a marker of oxidative stress. Researchers led by Arpita Basu from Oklahoma State University conducted the study on 16 women with three features of the metabolic syndrome, a condition characterised by central obesity, hypertension, and disturbed glucose and insulin metabolism. The women drank two cups of a drink made from the strawberry powder - reportedly a concentrated source of polyphenolic flavonoids, fibre and phytosterols - every day for four weeks. In addition to the significant improvements in total and LDL-cholesterol levels, and malondialdehyde levels, a decreasing trend was also reported to levels of oxidized-LDL after four weeks. However no changes in levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein were recorded. The researchers note that not enough scientific data is available on the health benefits of freeze-dried strawberry powder and suggest the need for larger controlled trials.
(Source: Nutrition Journal)
(Posted Dec 09)
A study with mice has established that capsaicin, the compound that gives red pepper its heat, may prevent the development of diabetes-like symptoms in obese people. South Korean researchers, led by Rina Yu from The University of Ulsan, fed male obese mice a high-fat diet for 10 weeks and the separated them into two groups: Both continued to eat the high-fat diet for a further ten weeks, but one group received supplemental capsaicin. The results revealed that that dietary capsaicin lowered fasting glucose, insulin, leptin levels, and markedly reduced the impairment of glucose tolerance in obese mice. In an article published in ‘Obesity' they wrote: "Our data suggests that dietary capsaicin may reduce obesity-induced glucose intolerance by not only suppressing inflammatory responses but also enhancing fatty acid oxidation in adipose tissue and/or liver, both of which are important peripheral tissues affecting insulin resistance." Additional studies are needed to examine if such effects could be repeated in humans.
(Source: Obesity)
(Posted Dec 09)
A simple amino acid is the key to strong teeth. Scientists led by Tom Diekwisch, professor and head of oral biology at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry have discovered that the amino acid proline could offer clues on how to engineer tooth enamel. Proline is repeated in the centre of proteins found in tooth enamel. When the repeats are long, such as in humans, they contract groups of molecules that help enamel crystals grow. When the repeats are short, such as in frogs, teeth don't have the enamel prisms that provide strength, the researchers explained. "We hope that one day, these findings will help people replace lost parts of the tooth with a healthy layer of new enamel," said Diekwisch. The findings are published in the journal PLoS Biology.
(Source: HealthDay News)
(Posted Dec 09)
Pulp and paper processing waste is an unlikely source for health products. However a Lausanne-based Swiss company is recovering polyphenols from an Indian paper company's facility in the Punjab, employing a method based on hydrolysis to extract an unadulterated form of the polyphenols from wheat, straw, sarkanda as well as bagasses grass sources. The company, GreenValue, is apparently the only company in the world generating polyphenols in this way. Green Value CEO Adil Barakat says that the product has been successfully tested on cattle and poultry and has powerful antioxidant capabilities of capturing free radicals. Barakat claims the polyphenols utilised by GreenValue have potentially multiple human health applications. Although current customers are all in the agricultural sector, Barakat says that the company is now stepping up research activities and initiating human trials to evaluate the immune boosting effectiveness and other health benefits of the lignins. He revealed that the company has been collaborating with a range of food manufacturers, health supplement makers and pharmaceutical companies and also non-government organisations in terms of product development and distribution.
(Source: NutraIngredients
(Posted Dec 09)
Dr Kaijun Niu, at Tohoku University Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering in Sendai, and colleagues have found that men and women aged 70 and older who drink four or more cups of green tea daily are 44% less likely suffer from depression. As several prior studies have linked green tea consumption to reduced levels of psychological distress, Niu and colleagues decided to look at associations between drinking green tea and symptoms of depression in 1,058 relatively healthy elderly individuals. Approximately34% of the men and 39% of the women had symptoms of depression. Consumption of less that four cups a day did not have a significant effect on depression, and no association was found between the consumption of black or oolong tea or coffee and lower symptoms of depression. It is believed that the depression-alleviating component in green is the amino acid theanine which apparently has a tranquilising effect on the brain.
(Source: Health Day)
(Posted Dec 09)
New research suggests that Vitamin C may help adult cells generate embryonic-like stem cells. The researchers found that vitamin C boosted the process in both human and mouse cells. However, they say that the process doesn't work very well Senior study author Duanqing Pei, of the South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at the Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences stated, ""The low efficiency of the reprogramming process has hampered progress with this technology and is indicative of how little we understand it. Further, this process is most challenging in human cells." He added, "It is also of interest that a vitamin with long-suspected anti-aging effects has such a potent influence on reprogramming, which can be considered a reversal of the aging process at the cellular level. It is likely that our work may stimulate further research in this area as well." The findings were published in the journal Cell Stem Cell.
(Source: Mediline)
(Posted Dec 09)
Researchers from Hokkaido Information University, Sapporo Bio-S, and Amino Up Chemical Company in Japan report that a commercially available lychee extract may reduce abdominal fat in people with metabolic syndrome and a lead to improvements in overall health. For the study, 18 volunteers aged between 25 and 59 were recruited. All had a waist circumference of over 85cm. They were randomly divided into two groups - one received a daily 50 milligram dose of the lychee extract Oligonol, while the other received placebo. After 10 weeks of study, those taking Oligonol lost about three centimetres in waist size, as well as a 6 per cent reduction in subcutaneous fat area and a 15 per cent reduction in abdominal fat. "These findings strongly indicate that Oligonol would be a beneficial supplement for the prevention and improvement of metabolic syndrome especially in the stage of hyperinsulinemia often seen during pre-diabetic conditions," stated the researchers. The study results were published in the Journal of Functional Foods.
(Source: Journal of Functional Foods)
(Posted Dec 09)
A small study led by researcher Dr. Kara Kelly, from New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center's Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center in New York City has established that the herb milk thistle can reduce liver inflammation caused by chemotherapy. For the study, Kelly's team randomly assigned 50 children undergoing chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia to receive milk thistle or a placebo for 28 days. All the children had liver inflammation at the start of the study. The researchers said that at the end of the study, the children who had received milk thistle had improved liver enzymes, compared with the children who received a placebo. In addition, milk thistle appeared to help patients tolerate higher doses of chemotherapy and related lab experiments showed the herb did not lessen the effectiveness of the chemotherapy drugs. Kelly says further research is needed to determine the appropriate dose and duration of milk thistle therapy. However another expert, Dr. Julio C. Barredo, director of pediatric hematology-oncology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is not convinced of the herb's value in cancer treatment. He says that the study's small size, the low doses of milk thistle used and the short time frame of the study make the findings inconclusive. He doesn't recommend that people take milk thistle when they are receiving chemotherapy based on the results of this study. But he does concede that possibly a larger study, using a higher dose is warranted. The report is published in the online edition of Cancer.
(Source:Mediline)
(Posted Dec 09)
A new Japanese study strongly suggests that using liposomes, (little microcapsules made from phospholipids), to encapsulate curcumin can quadruple the body's absorption of this substance. Curcumin has numerous health benefits, but much of the compound is destroyed by gastric juices in the digestive system. As a result, little gets into the blood. Researchers, led by Dr Koji Wada from the University of the Ryukyus, used commercially available lecithins to prepare liposomes for the encapsulation of curcumin. The formulations were then fed to rats at a curcumin dose of 100 milligrams for every kilogram of rat body weight. Results showed that the nano-encapsulated curcumin led to blood levels up to 320 micrograms per litre, compared to 65 micrograms per litre for non-encapsulated curcumin. "These results indicated that curcumin enhanced the gastrointestinal absorption by liposomes encapsulation," said the researchers. An increase in plasma antioxidant activity was also observed following ingestion of the curcumin liposomes, with activity three-fold that of the non-encapsulated curcumin-fed animals. The findings were published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
(Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry)
(Posted Dec 09)
In a report entitled "The Market for Anti-Ageing Foods", Leatherhead Food Research has revealed that the anti-ageing food market has huge potential. Although interest and activity in anti-ageing foods and drinks has started to rise, it is still highly fragmented and mainly confined to products fortified with antioxidant vitamins and nutrients. The researchers report that most anti-ageing food products still tend to be given a very general health positioning, relying largely on growing consumer awareness of the role of antioxidants in the diet and the types of foods that contain higher levels of these. As an increasing number, size and variety of companies are now registering an interest in moving into this sector, the researchers state that adapting to new legislation changes will be vital for companies wishing to launch products in the anti-ageing sector.
(Source: Nutraingredients)
(Posted Dec 09)
Accurate nutrient information is vital for companies wanting to compile health claim dossiers under the European Union's health claims system. To assist in this process, some companies have decided to pool nutrient information and make it available at a fee to interested parties. One firm doing this is the French Consultanct, NutraVeris, which has about 2100 nutrients in a paid-for database containing scientific and regulatory information. General manager, Cedric Bourges-Sevenier, said the development of the EU health claims process had seen greater demands placed on the database than ever before. "There is so much uncertainty at the moment with the situation in Europe that we are fielding a lot of queries and much data drilling is going on," he said. "We can save companies time and help them with their submissions because of the many ways the data we have compiled can be chopped up and accessed." NutraVeris has worked with many companies in compiling their health claim dossiers, and is now well-versed in what is required to win a health claim positive opinion from the European Food safety Authority (EFSA). Danish firm Bio2com is another firm that has a nutrient database. Other consultancies such as Cantox International and Brussels-based European Advisory Services offer similar services.
(Source: Nutraingredients)
(Posted Dec 09)
A new research discovery published in the January 2010 print issue of the FASEB Journal reports that vitamin C reverses abnormalities caused by Werner syndrome gene, including cancer, obesity, diabetes, heart failure and high cholesterol. In the research report, a team of Canadian scientists show that vitamin C stops and even reverses accelerated aging in a mouse model of Werner's syndrome, but the discovery may also be applicable to other progeroid syndromes. People with Werner's syndrome begin to show signs of accelerated aging in their 20s and develop age-related diseases and generally die before the age of 50.
"Our study clearly indicates that a healthy organism or individuals with no health problems do not require a large amount of vitamin C in order to increase their lifespan, especially if they have a balanced diet and they exercise," said Michel Lebel, Ph.D., co-author of the study from the Centre de Recherche en Cancerologie in Quebec, Canada. "An organism or individual with a mutation in the WRN gene or any gene affected by the WRN protein, and thus predisposes them to several age-related diseases, may benefit from a diet with the appropriate amount of vitamin C."
(Source: The FASEB Journal is published by the Federation of the American Societies for Experimental Biology. http://www.fasebj.org/)
(Posted Jan 2010)
A clinical trial conducted at the University of the West Indies has ascertained that a spray containing nutmeg could help relieve the pain caused by diabetic neuropathy. This condition results when the nerves become damaged by too much sugar in the blood and affects up to 70% of diabetics. The nutmeg compound is sprayed on the affected area three times a day for at least four weeks. One study showed that the nutmeg extract reduced levels of compounds called prostaglandins, which play a key part in the inflammation process. This trial follows earlier research that found the spice appears to have strong anti-inflammatory effects.
(Source: www.lef.org)
(Posted Jan 2010)
A research report entitled "World Nutraceutical Ingredients", conducted by The Freedonia Group claims that global demand for nutraceutical ingredients will reach $21.8bn by 2013. According to the report the most promising growth categories are soy protein nutrients, functional food and beverage additives lutein, lycopene, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics and phytosterols and vitamins A, E and D, the essential minerals calcium and magnesium, the herbal extracts ginkgo biloba, saw palmetto and the non-herbal extracts glucosamine, chondroitin and coenzyme Q10. While the US will remain the biggest global consumer of nutraceutical ingredients, North American demand will increase and India and China are predicted to be the fastest growing markets. The company states that "China will remain the largest worldwide producer of nutraceutical ingredients based on its extensive fine chemicals industry and aggressive pursuit of export opportunities," The report, "World Nutraceutical Ingredients", is available from The Freedonia Group.
(Source: Nutraingredients)
(Posted Jan 2010)
In response to the publication of a study, "Ginkgo biloba for Preventing Cognitive Decline in Older Adults," published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the leading trade association representing the dietary supplement industry, issued the following statement: Statement by Douglas MacKay, N.D., vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs, CRN: "It is important to put this study into context and to remember that there is a large body of previously published evidence, which suggests that Ginkgo biloba may help improve cognitive impairment in older adults. There are also additional ongoing clinical trials, the results of which may address some of the limitations of the current study. The results of this single study add to the overall data on Ginkgo biloba, including valuable evidence in support of Ginkgo's safety profile, but should not be viewed as the final word. In addition, several studies have demonstrated that Ginkgo biloba can be used to improve blood circulation and reduce oxidative stress, two risk factors associated with the progression of cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimer's disease. We also need to remember that cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimer's disease are multi-factorial chronic conditions and the exact causes and mechanisms are unknown, and most importantly that there is no magic bullet or cure that has yet been found. The solution to these conditions will likely not be a single isolated approach, but rather will be a multi-component, integrative approach to supporting cognitive health, which may include lifestyle habits such as eating a healthy diet and taking dietary supplements such as Ginkgo biloba, along with both mental and physical exercise. As a former practicing licensed naturopathic doctor, I have had the benefit of working with patients and have seen first-hand how Ginkgo biloba can be effective in improving cognitive function. In an area where there are few other safe, affordable options, I would hate to see this study send the wrong message to consumers. I would continue to recommend Ginkgo biloba to older adults as a safe, effective option for supporting cognitive health and would encourage consumers to talk to their own healthcare professional about what is right for them."
(Source: http://www.crnusa.org/)
(Posted Jan 2010)
Ginger root has, for centuries, been used in herbal remedies. It is known for its ability to prevent nausea related to motion sickness, morning sickness and over-indulgence as well as alleviate heartburn, vomiting, stomach cramps and loss of appetite. Now there is evidence that ginger can also prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea. In the largest randomised clinical trial to demonstrate the effectiveness of ginger to ease nausea, lead study author Julie L. Ryan, Ph.D, M.P.H., assistant professor of Dermatology and Radiation Oncology at Rochester's James P. Wilmot Cancer Centre, established that ginger supplements can help reduce post-chemotherapy nausea by 40%.
"Nausea is a major problem for people who undergo chemotherapy and it's been a challenge for scientists and doctors to understand how to control it," said Ryan, a member of Rochester's Community Clinical Oncology Programme Research Base at the Wilmot Cancer Centre.
The Phase II/III placebo-controlled, double-blind study included 644 cancer patients who received at least three chemotherapy treatments. They were divided into four arms that received placebos, 0.5g of ginger, one gramme of ginger, or 1.5g of ginger along with antiemetics drugs currently in use. Patients took the ginger supplements three days prior to chemotherapy and three days following treatment. Patients reported nausea levels at various times of day during following their chemotherapy and those who took the lower doses had a 40 per cent reduction.
"By taking the ginger prior to chemotherapy treatment, the US National Cancer Institute-funded study suggests its earlier absorption into the body may have anti-inflammatory properties," Ryan said.
(Source: The New Straits Times)
(Posted Jan 2010)
A dietary supplement derived from a white bean may reduce the glycemic index (GI) of foods, according to s study conducted by researchers from the UCL School of Medicine. They studied the effects of the supplement on the GI of white bread in 13 subjects. During in-vitro analysis, the white kidney bean derived supplement called Phase 2 was shown to inhibit the digesting enzyme alpha-amylase, which is secreted in the saliva and by the pancreas and is responsible for breaking down starches into sugars that are consequently absorbed in the small intestine. The scientists hypothesises that "Since the GI is a function of the rate of absorption of glucose in the gut, inhibition of alpha-amylase may result in the lowering of GI." The researchers found that the data demonstrated significant decreases in the GI of white bread with a powder form of Phase 2 at the dosage of 3000mg, while a capsule formulation at the 1500mg dose had no effect on the GI and both the 2000mg and 3000mg capsule doses caused insignificant reductions in GI.
"The data suggests a possible dose dependent effect with a preference for the powder form. The lesser effect with the capsule formulation may reflect a reduced bioavailability of the white bean extract, perhaps due to the time required for capsule dissolution," they said. The authors conclude that their results merit further research with a larger number of volunteers, and they suggest it would be beneficial to determine if 2000mg and 3000mg doses of powder and/or capsule forms of Phase 2 can reduce the GI's of other high GI foods such as pasta or rice. The findings were published in the Nutrition Journal
(Source: Nutrition Journal)
(Posted Jan 2010)
Xanthohumol - a natural compound derived from hops - has been found to aid in the prevention of prostate cancer by blocking the male hormone testosterone. Clarissa Gerhauser, Ph.D., group leader of cancer chemoprevention in the Division of Epigenomics and Cancer Risk Factors at the German Cancer Research Center, in Heidelberg, Germany, and colleagues stimulated hormone-dependent prostate cancer cells with testosterone. This led to a massive secretion of prostate specific antigen (PSA) which is used for screening and early detection of prostate cancer in men. Cells were then treated with testosterone and xanthohumol and the effects were examined. According to the results, xanthohumol prevented the receptor from translocating to the cell nucleus, thus inhibiting its potential to stimulate the secretion of PSA and other hormone-dependent effects. Gerhauser presented these findings at the American Association for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference, held in Houston in December, 2009. Xanthohumol belongs to the group of flavonoids that are found in many plants, fruit, vegetables and spices. Studies to date have shown that xanthohumol blocks the action of estrogen by binding to its receptor, which may lead to prevention of breast cancer. Testosterone receptors act similarly to that of estrogen and molecular modeling results showed that xanthohumol directly binds to the male hormone androgen receptor structure.
(Source: News Rx)
(Posted Jan 2010)
A chemical found in pomegranate rind may hold the key to fighting drug resistant infections. Professor Declan Naughton, biomolecular scientist at the University of Kingston, Surrey, and his team created a lotion made of three ingredients - pomegranate rind, vitamin C and a metal salt. They found that this combination produced a potent effect; killing off, or inhibiting, drug-resistant microbes from growing. It is hoped that these findings could lead to the creation of a lotion for hospital patients, but this will not happen in the near future. Despite three years of research, the Kingston scientists are still at the stage of testing the fruit's actions on MRSA bacteria in the lab and more testing will be needed to see if it will work on patients in the ward.
(Source: www.lef.org)
(Posted Jan 2010)
A selenium-based antioxidant compound has been found to decrease the risk of new polyps developing in the bowels of people who have had colorectal polyps removed. Luigina Bonelli, M.D., head of the unit of secondary prevention and screening at the National Institute for Cancer Research, in Genoa, Italy and his colleagues studied patient aged 25 - 75 years old who had already had one or more colorectal adenomas removed. The researchers randomized 411 participants to the placebo group or to receive an antioxidant compound - specifically selenomethionnine 200 (mu)g, zinc 30 mg, vitamin A 6,000 IU, vitamin C 180 mg and vitamin E 30 mg. Results indicated that those who consumed antioxidants had a 40 percent reduction in the incidence of metachronous adenomas of the large bowel. The benefit observed after the conclusion of the trial persisted through 13 years of follow up. This is apparently the first intervention trial specifically designed to evaluate the efficacy of the selenium-based antioxidant compound on the risk of developing metachronous adenomas. Bonelli presented these findings at the American Association for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference, held in Houston in December, 2009.
(Source: News Rx)
(Posted Jan2010)
Marjan Khajehei, of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran, and her colleagues have conducted a small study on the effects of the herb St John's Wort on menopausal hot flashes. They recruited 100 women aged on average, 50 years old, who had been having moderate to severe hot flashes at least once a day. The women were randomly assigned to take either St. John's Wort or an inactive placebo for eight weeks. The results established that those using the herb saw a greater reduction in daily hot flashes. The herb also appeared to lessen the duration and severity of the women's hot flashes. St. John's Wort contains estrogen-like plant compounds called phytoestrogens, and it's possible that these compounds explain the benefits seen in this study, according to Khajehei. The study was published in the journal Menopause.
(Source: Reuters Health)
(Posted Jan 2010)
A soy peptide that is usually discarded at soy processing plants could have some important health benefits. University of Illinois Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition Elvira de Mejia and her group conducted two studies that established that the soy peptide - lunasin - has the ability to fight leukemia and block the inflammation that accompanies such chronic health conditions as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. "We confirmed lunasin's bioavailability in the human body by doing a third study in which men consumed 50 grams of soy protein--one soy milk shake and a serving of soy chili daily--for five days. Significant levels of the peptide in the participants' blood give us confidence that lunasin-rich soy foods can be important in providing these health benefits," said de Mejia.
(Source: http://www.lef.org/)
(Posted Jan 2010)
Scientists from the Heart Institute at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City claim that they have fresh evidence directly linking vitamin D deficiency to heart disease. For more than a year, the Intermountain Medical Center research team followed 27,686 people who were 50 years of age or older with no prior history of cardiovascular disease. Researchers found that people with very low levels of vitamin D were 77 percent more likely to die, 45 percent more likely to develop coronary artery disease, and 78 percent more likely to have a stroke than those with normal levels. They also found that participants with very low levels of vitamin D were twice as likely to suffer heart failure. According to Brent Muhlestein, Director of Cardiovascular Research at the Intermountain Medical Centre, this study was unique because the association between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease has not been well established, and this study tackled the link directly. Muhlestein said that the Utah population was well suited to the observational study, "because of Utah's low use of tobacco and alcohol, we were able to narrow the focus of the study to the effects of Vitamin D on the cardiovascular system." He believes the conclusions create an impetus for further study.
(Source: Nutraingredients)
(Posted Jan 2010)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cecil H. Green Distinguished Professor of Brain and Cognitive Sciences Richard Wurtman, MD and his colleagues report that a combination of the vitamin choline, the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and uridine improves the memory of men and women with early Alzheimer's disease. Dr Wurtman believes that the nutrients work by stimulating the growth of dendritic spines that connect neurons to form synapses. In a double-blinded trial, 225 Alzheimer's disease patients were randomised to receive a daily cocktail of DHA, choline and uridine plus B vitamins, phospholipids and antioxidants, or a placebo beverage for 12 weeks. At the trial's conclusion, 40 percent of the patients who received the nutrient cocktail experienced significant improvements in a delayed verbal recall test compared to 24 percent of those who received the placebo. Patients with mild Alzheimer's disease showed the greatest improvement. The nutrient combination is also being tested in three ongoing trials in Europe and the US. The findings were published in the journal Alzheimer's and Dementia.
(Source: www.lef.org)
(Posted Jan 2010)
Results of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 281 children who attend day care centres in Zagreb, Croatia suggest that the probiotic lactobacillus GG (LGG) can decrease the children's risk of upper respiratory infections. The children were randomly allocated to receive LGG at a dose of 109 colony-forming units (CFU) in 100 ml of a fermented milk product or placebo that was the same post-pasteurised fermented milk product without LGG over a period of three months. One hundred and thirty-nine children received the LGG supplemented fermented milk product and 142 received the placebo product. The study authors found that, compared to the placebo group, children in the LGG group had a significantly reduced risk of upper respiratory tract, a reduced risk of respiratory tract infections lasting longer than three days and a significantly lower number of days with respiratory symptoms. However, there was no risk reduction in regard to lower respiratory tract infections as a result of the consumption of the LGG. Although the authors admit there were limitations to their study, they conclude that "considering the significant decrease in the number of upper respiratory tract infections in children treated with LGG and knowing that the number needing treatment (NNT) was only five, we can recommend treatment with LGG as a valid measure for the prevention of upper respiratory tract infections in children who attend day care centres." The findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
(Source: Journal of Clinical Nutrition)
(Posted Jan 2010)
Intravenously administered omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish oil have proven beneficial for intensive care patents with sepsis - a potentially lethal blood infection. Researchers at the University of Southampton in England led by Dr Philip Calder randomised 23 patients hospitalised with sepsis in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Hospital Padre Américo in Portugal to receive a parenteral lipid emulsion with or without fish oil for up to six days. They found that patients who received fish oil had reduced blood levels of inflammatory agents, improved lung function and earlier hospital discharge. "This is the first study of this particular fish oil solution in septic patients in the ICU. The positive results are important since they indicate that the use of such an emulsion in this group of patients will improve clinical outcomes, in comparison with the standard mix," said Calder. The findings were published in the online journal Critical Care.
(Source: Health Day)
(Posted Jan 2010)
A new study conducted in Germany has established that the combination of glucosamine sulphate and omega-3 fatty acids achieves better improvements in joint health that glucosamine alone. Lead author of the trial, Dr Joerg Gruenwald, and his co-workers recruited 177 people with moderate-to-severe hip or knee osteoarthritis and randomly assigned them to receive either a glucosamine sulfate supplement (1500 milligrams per day) or glucosamine plus omega-3 fatty acids (providing 444 mg of fish oil, of which 200 mg were omega-3-fatty acids). After 26 weeks of supplementation, the researchers tested pain levels using the established Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthrosis index (WOMAC) score. Results revealed that the combination product reduced morning stiffness and pain in the hips and knees by between 48.5 and 55.6 per cent, compared to 41.7 to 55.3 per cent in the glucosamine only group. The study authors state that the ingredients probably act synergistically with omega-3 fatty acids inhibiting inflammation and glucosamine rebuilding lost cartilage. The study was published in the journal Advances in Therapy.
(Source: Advances in Therapy)
(Posted Jan 2010)
Stem cell therapy generates a great deal of controversy. One method of stem cell regeneration that avoids the ethical controversy of obtaining cells from human embryos is reprogramming adult cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This process involves turning on a set of genes, which recent research has aided by the introduction of transcription factors present in embryonic stem cells. The inefficiency of this conversion has prompted research into methods to improve results. Now Dr Duanqing Pei from the South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at the Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and his colleagues have found that vitamin C enhances pluripotent stem cell generation in mouse and human cells, while accelerating gene expression changes. The vitamin appears to act, in part, by retarding cell senescence. "Our results highlight a simple way to improve iPSC generation and provide additional insight into the mechanistic basis of reprogramming," Dr Pei concluded. "It is also of interest that a vitamin with long-suspected anti-aging effects has such a potent influence on reprogramming, which can be considered a reversal of the aging process at the cellular level. It is likely that our work may stimulate further research in this area."
(Source: www.lef.org)
(Posted Jan 2010)
Scientists from the Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland report that natural lipid compounds found in soy - sphingadienes (SDs) - may be behind the potential anti-cancer effects of soy. The study's lead researcher Dr Julie Saba and her co-workers showed the effectiveness of the compounds in a mouse model of colon cancer. Their results suggest that eating more soy products may "provide protection against colon cancer in humans". The scientists report that their studies showed that the compounds could promote programmed cell death, or apoptosis, in mutant cells in a fly and a mouse. Dr Saba said further research into this is necessary as well as additional research to identify the best delivery methods, and the effects of a prolonged intake of the compounds. Two research grants have been obtained to continue the research, and Dr Saba also hopes to determine if SDs are effective in protection against other cancers.
(Source: Cancer Research)
(Posted Jan 2010)