Blogging with Lee

Low Vitamin D Levels Again Linked to Higher Death Risk

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.

Omega-3 EFAs May Improve Blood Pressure in Kidney Disease Patients

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.

Celiac Patients are Short on Antioxidant Capacity

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.

Age-Related Diseases Could be Accelerated by Vitamin Deficiency

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.

Could Probiotics Protect Us From Gut Parasites?

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.
 

Soluble Fiber May Benefit IBS Sufferers

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.

Olive Extract Appears to Benefit Diabetes, Obesity

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."

Research Update: Lycopene is Linked to Healthier Blood Vessels

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.

Research Update: Anthocyanins May Support Improved Cholesterol Levels

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.

Research Update: Supplement Users May Have Better Cancer Survival

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.