If you missed my report last week from my weekly Research Update email (
sign up to get those emails here), you missed another revelation in the research on the importance of vitamin D. New research is saying that low levels of vitamin D may increase the risk of dying from all causes by 150%, according to a study involving over 700 elderly women.
Continue reading "Low Vitamin D Levels Again Linked to Higher Death Risk" »
People with chronic kidney disease (CKD), which increases the risk
of heart disease two- to 50-fold, experienced improvements in both
blood pressure and heart rate following supplementation with four grams
of omega-3 fatty acids, according to findings published in the Journal of Hypertension.
Continue reading "Omega-3 EFAs May Improve Blood Pressure in Kidney Disease Patients" »
Sufferers of celiac disease have significantly reduced antioxidant
capacity, says a new study, and could need natural antioxidants and
appropriate dietary supplements.
According to findings published in Clinical Biochemistry,
the major reduction in their antioxidant levels is due to a reduction
in levels of glutathione, an important component of the body’s primary
antioxidant defense system.
Continue reading "Celiac Patients are Short on Antioxidant Capacity" »
A new analysis says that current recommendations for vitamin K are
not being met, placing people at increased risk of age-related diseases
like cancer and heart disease.
The analysis of data from hundreds of published articles dating
back to the 1970s, conducted by Joyce McCann, PhD and Bruce Ames, PhD
from Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, also suggests that
current recommendations for vitamin K intake need to be increased to
ensure optimal health.
Continue reading "Age-Related Diseases Could be Accelerated by Vitamin Deficiency" »
The gut-health benefits of probiotics may also extend to preventing
and eradicating parasitic infections, according to early data from
researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern.
Scientists studying Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite responsible for
toxoplasmosis, found that bacteria present in the human gut help
stimulate the body's defense mechanisms.
Continue reading "Could Probiotics Protect Us From Gut Parasites?" »
Adding soluble fiber to the diet may improve symptoms associated
with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but insoluble fiber may worsen the
effects, according to a new study.
Sufferers of IBS
assigned to receive a soluble fiber supplement (psyllium) experienced a
90-point reduction in the severity of their symptoms, almost double the
levels observed in the placebo group.
Continue reading "Soluble Fiber May Benefit IBS Sufferers" »
Diabetes and obesity have both been described as reaching near-epidemic proportions in this country. And, of course, diabetes and obesity pretty much go hand-in-hand. Usually weight loss is one of the first mandates set forth for a person diagnosed with diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association states: "Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles."
Continue reading "Olive Extract Appears to Benefit Diabetes, Obesity" »
One of my employees was with his wife at the local mall one Saturday afternoon, and as he wandered around he felt a heaviness across the back of his shoulders. It didn't go away and on Monday, as he walked from the parking lot and up a couple flights of stairs to work, he knew something wasn't right.
He walked back to the parking lot, got in his vehicle and drove to the emergency room. It turns out that he had four blocked arteries. He was rushed into surgery where three of the four arteries were popped open through angioplasty. Stents were also placed in those arteries to hold them open. The fourth artery was too fragile to operate on so it was left alone. He has been on medication since the operation and is doing fine.
Continue reading "Research Update: Lycopene is Linked to Healthier Blood Vessels" »
Studies are continually popping up that help build a solid base of evidence supporting the antioxidant properties of anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are versatile flavonoid pigments found in red/purplish fruits and vegetables. They serve as key antioxidants within the plants. Over 300 structurally distinct anthocyanins have been identified in nature.
While many studies have looked at anthocyanins in relation to their proposed cancer-fighting properties, new research has found that anthocyanins may help maintain healthy levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol in the body. That could wind up being quite a revelation since high cholesterol affects 42 million Americans and 63 million more have borderline high cholesterol.
Continue reading "Research Update: Anthocyanins May Support Improved Cholesterol Levels" »
I’m sure we have all known someone who has died from lung cancer. After all, mayoclinic.com says: “Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, among both men and women. It claims more lives each year than colon, prostate, lymph and breast cancers combined.”
The National Cancer Institute estimates that 219,440 new cases of lung cancer will be detected this year and more than 159,000 deaths will result from the disease running its course. Smoking is the major cause of lung cancer although exposure to asbestos or radon can also be a determining factor.
Continue reading "Research Update: Supplement Users May Have Better Cancer Survival" »