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Herbal Health Natural Health Newsletter, August 2004, Issue 233
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Natural Health Newsletter Issue 233
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Toll Free for orders 1-866-467-6444 Issue Editor - Heather Bowman | | Herbs - Vitamins - Minerals - Magnetics - Candles - Aromatherapy - Holiday Gifts - Bath & Beauty - Essential Oils - Condition & Ailment Guide - Womens Health - Mens Health - Weight Loss - Health Books Enter coupon code NL082504 when checking out to obtain discounts on your next purchase from http://www.Insensual.com | | Back to Top | Vitamins & Minerals: After Burn Republished with permission from www.hsibaltimore.com, Health Sciences Institute e-Alert, July 26, 2004 Summers here and the time is right for getting out and soaking up some healthy sunlight that will prompt your body to manufacture vitamin D. The trick, however, is getting just the right amount of sun exposure: enough to enhance your supply of D, but not so much that you burn your skin. Inevitably, however, we sometimes linger too long at the ballgame or the beach, and come home with a sunburn. When skin is damaged by occasional sunburns, the stage is set for the development of actinic keratoses (AK) later in life. AK shows up as lesions that are precursors of the two most common types of cancer: nonmelanoma squamous cell or basal cell cancer. But a new study demonstrates that if youre one of the millions who have this sort of skin damage, you may substantially lower your risk of developing skin cancer by increasing your intake of one key vitamin. Bumping up the dose In a recent issue of Clinical Cancer Research, scientists at the Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona (UA), note that a previous study conducted at UA showed that vitamin A supplements significantly reduced the risk of squamous cell skin cancer in patients with moderately severe AK. The vitamin A dose used in that study was 25,000 IU. So the UA team designed another study to test higher doses for both safety and efficacy. Nearly 130 subjects with severely sun-damaged skin on their forearms were divided into four groups to receive daily doses of 25,000, 50,000, or 75,000 IU of vitamin A, or a placebo. Biopsies were conducted on the damaged skin of each patient before the study period began, and then again, one year later, at the end of the study. The effects of one year of vitamin A supplementation were dramatic: * Placebo subjects: 25 percent had less skin damage when their pre-test and post-test biopsies were compared
* 25,000 IU subjects: 65 percent had less skin damage
* 50,000 IU subjects: 81 percent had less skin damage
* 75,000 IU subjects: 79 percent had less skin damage Needless to say, the researchers concluded that 50,000 IU of vitamin A is the maximum daily dose required for the most effective protection for sun-damaged skin. No significant toxic reactions were reported in any of the four groups. But side effects sometimes occur with prolonged use of vitamin A at very high doses, so usage should be monitored by a doctor. Smokers and heavy drinkers are most susceptible to vitamin A toxicity. Checking the sources In the e-Alert Type Casting (5/6/04), I told you about some of the dietary and supplementary sources of vitamin A. But after sending out that e-Alert I received messages from HSI members who questioned some of the conclusions I came to. After reviewing the research, I found that on a couple of points I zigged when zagging would have been the better choice. So now Ill put the record straight with these simple guidelines for getting adequate amounts of vitamin A: * The problems with vitamin A toxicity are associated with supplements of synthetic vitamin A taken in high doses
* Fruits and vegetables with orange and yellow coloring, and green leafy vegetables contain beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A
* The body poorly converts beta-carotene into vitamin A
* The best source of vitamin A is animal products, such as eggs and liver
* Cod liver oil is an excellent natural source of vitamin A Cod Liver Oil If you follow these vitamin A basics, you cant go wrong. For more information and list of helpful products Vitamin A
| | Back to Top | Niacin Appears To Protect Against Alzheimers Too! Republished with permission from www.NutraIngredients.com, July 16, 2004 Dietary niacin, or vitamin B3, may protect against the development of Alzheimers disease and the cognitive decline associated with aging in older people, suggests new research. Niacin has been prescribed to older people to prevent confusional states, and severe deficiency causes pellagra, a condition characterized by dementia, diarrhea, and dermatitis, but its role in Alzheimers disease has not previously been thoroughly explored, said the researchers based at the Rush University in Chicago. Much attention has however focused on the relation between dementia and other B vitamins, particularly vitamin B12, B6 and folate. The new study showed that people consuming more than 22.4mg of niacin daily were 80 percent less likely to suffer Alzheimers than those in the lowest intake group. If confirmed, the findings could have significant implications for public health, write the researchers in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry (75: 1093-99). This is fantastic news as cognitive health is a very important area of concern, said Dan Murray, associate director of nutrition at Lonza, the worlds largest producer of niacin. Niacin helps general circulation but it is not known as a brainpower vitamin. Niacin as nicotinic acid is currently marketed in both pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements as a cholesterol-lowering agent. While the new research looked at intake from both food sources -such as lean meat, fish, nuts, dairy products and cereals- as well as supplements, it could open up a new target area for niacin-rich foods and supplements. There are currently nearly 18 million people with dementia in the world, and the most common cause of this dementia is Alzheimers disease. By 2025 this figure will rise to 34 million, with 71 percent of these likely to live in developing countries. The Rush researchers recruited almost 4000 people aged 65 and older, who had no Alzheimers disease at the start of the study. They filled out a dietary questionnaire and were checked for any signs of decreasing mental agility (cognitive decline) three and six years later. At three years, a random sample of 815 people, who had not initially had Alzheimers disease, were checked for clinical changes and their dietary niacin intake assessed by means of food frequency questionnaires. Among this smaller group, 131 people were diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. After adjusting the results for age, gender, race, educational levels, and the ApoE gene - all important risk factors for the disease - those with the lowest food intake of niacin (an average of 12.6 mg/day) were 80 percent more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimers disease than those with the highest intake (22.4 mg/day). An analysis of the larger group showed that the rate of cognitive decline among those with the highest niacin intake was almost half (44 percent) that of those with the lowest intake. Previous research has indicated that niacin has an important role in DNA synthesis and repair, neural cell signaling, and acts as a potent antioxidant in brain cells, said the researchers. For more information and helpful products click here Vitamin B3
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B9
Vitamin B12 | | Back to Top | Aging Can It Be Stopped? Allison Tannis, BSc, MSc, Nutritionist Puresource, Canada. Were getting older. Sorry to admit it. However, it is a fact. With every passing minute we are getting older. Our bodies continually grow, repair and change with time. Sometimes the repair of these changes is not properly done or not corrected at all. Such uncorrected changes in our bodies can lead to disease. Why do we age? How come things seem to sag, droop and stiffen? It is most likely due to damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals natural occur in the body as a result of everyday reactions. However, free radicals can cause damage to the bodys cells and tissues. Free radicals can damage DNA, the blue prints to every protein, enzyme, cell, and structure in our bodies. Damage to the blue prints can lead to grave problems, including disease. How to stop aging? We will not presume that we can suggest an actual way to stop aging. However, we can work to reduce the effects of free radicals, thereby helping our bodies repair and grow more effectively. Antioxidants are elements found in plants that can help us prevent the oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Some of the best antioxidants include Grape Seed Extract, Pycnogenol extract, policosanol, Alpha Lipoic Acid extract, CoQ10, Vitamins A, E and C. Eating 5 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables each day will also provide your body with naturally occurring antioxidants. Eating organic produce offers greater benefit.1 Other nutritional elements that one should consider as they age include Amino Acids and Essential Fatty Acids. These items can help a little with the sagging, drooping and stiffening. It has been shown that with age, we tend to need more dietary essential fatty acids to improve the internal imbalance. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are well known for their ability to improve the look of skin and hair, as well as their ability to improve joint health.2 Also, essential fatty acids may help fight Alzheimers and other mental disease such as depression.(3, 4) L-cysteine extract is an essential amino acid that is a component of skin, hair, nails and, aids in the formation of collagen. L-cysteine may help with some of the sagging associated with aging. And, what about the loss of mental awareness? Or, as my friend calls them, Old Timer Moments. We are all well aware of the potential benefits of Ginkgo Biloba on improving mental circulation.5 However, did you know about amino acids that can help with the mind? Amino acids such as L-tyrosine, and L-phenylalanine are helpful in improving the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain that are associated with feelings of contentment. Also, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) GABA is thought to be a calming agent in the brain as it can inhibit neurotransmitters. And, do not forget about melatonin; a natural compound found in cherries that helps regulate photoperiodism (i.e., the process in your brain that tells you if its night time or day time). All in all, eating well and supplementing with key elements may help reduce some symptoms of aging. Perhaps the most important way to reduce aging is to reduce stress. During stress the body is more inclined to create free radicals. So, relax. The fountain of youth is not hidden in a cave in the dessert. Its in fruits and vegetables and in healthy food. Heres to your health! References:
1 J Agric Food Chem. 2002
2 Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2001 Jun;226(6):485-97
3 Arch Neurol. 2003 Jul;60(7):940-6
4 J Nutr Health Aging. 2004;8(3):163-74
5 Altern Ther Health Med. 2001 Sep-Oct;7(5):70-86, 88-90 Click here for more information about Aging and helpful products.
| | Back to Top | Devils Claw Study To Offer Final Proof Of Osteoarthritis Benefits Republished with permission from www.NutraIngredients.com, July 21, 2004 A new study into the efficacy of the herbal devils claw could offer definitive proof of the benefits of the plant for osteoarthritis sufferers, claims the lead researcher. Devils claw, derived from the roots of a South African plant, has been available over the counter for some time, sold to consumers searching for an alternative to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) commonly prescribed by doctors to help relieve arthritis pain. These have serious side effects. Its use in Europe has grown rapidly with the escalating number of arthritis sufferers, rising due to an aging population as well as an increase in one of the major risk factors, obesity. The global market currently uses between 600 and 700 metric tons of raw material each year, according to German company Martin Bauer, which has recently begun harvesting what it claims is the first specially cultivated crop. Sales of the extract in Germany alone were worth 8 million euros in 1999, rising 113 percent the next year and 59 percent in 2001 to 27 million euros, according to Phytopharm Consulting. In 2002 it was worth 31 million euros. But researchers at the UK-based University of Southamptons Complementary Medicine Research Unit say they need more data on the optimum dose required, as well as long-term safety and efficacy. There have been a number of studies on the plant but some of these are only observational and the double-blind, randomized trials were mostly small, Dr Sarah Brien, the principal researcher, told NutraIngredients.com. The Southampton researchers are aiming to recruit 260 patients with knee osteoarthritis aged over 40. This is a large study that is powered to give us a definite answer on the efficacy of devils claw, said Dr Brien. She added that previous trials looking at efficacy had not been carried out for more than six weeks, whereas clinically a patient will take this for two to three months. Patients in the new placebo-controlled study will be on one of three different dosage levels to assess the optimum dose required and the long-term safety of the supplement. Often patients take it in conjunction with conventional treatments so we want to look at whether this is reasonable, she added. More than 7 million adults in the UK 15 percent of the population - have long-term health problems due to arthritis and related conditions, according to the Arthritis Research Campaign, and 550,000 have moderate to severe osteoarthritis in their knees. Other ingredients commonly taken in supplement form for osteoarthritis include glucosamine, sales of which are thought to be rising by around 10 percent annually. Consumption of glucosamine is much higher than devils claw at between 4,000-6,000 tons annually but the ingredient is currently facing a major supply shortage. Click here for more information on Devils Claw and helpful products
| | Back to Top | The 4 Must-Have Supplements For Men By Greg Arnold, June 3, 2004, Abstracted from Top Supplements for Men in the June 2004 issue of Taste for Life Magazine Although many supplements target women, from postmenopausal treatments to those helping optimize bone density, supplementation for men is just as important as it is for women. Here are four supplements that can go a long way toward optimizing mens health: A Multivitamin. As the cornerstone of anyones supplement regimen, multivitamins have been shown to play a possible role in decreasing the overall incidence of chronic disease.1 Multi Vitamin Coenzyme Q10. CoQ10s antioxidant capabilities have gained increased attention in the literature, being shown to induce trascriptional changes in DNA consistent with a state of reduced oxidative stress in the heart.2 CoQ10 has also exhibited the potential to possibly help stave off Parkinsons disease.3 CoQ10 Glucosamine Sulfate/Chondroitin. Men complaining of creaking bones would benefit from supplementing 1000mg for every 100 pounds of bodyweight with glucosamine and chondroitin, shown to be effective in helping treat osteoarthritis.4 Glucosamine/Condroitin Sulfate Saw Palmetto. The most male-specific supplement, saw palmettos role in prostate health is burgeoning, achieving similar results to the popular BPH drug Proscar in lowering prostate androgen levels.5 Saw Palmetto References:
1 Fletcher RH. Vitamins for Chronic Disease Prevention in Adults: Scientific Review. Journal of the American Medical Association 2002; 287: 3116-3126
2 Lee CK. The impact of alpha-lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10 and caloric restriction on life span and gene expression patterns in mice. Free Radical and Biological Medicine 2004; 36(8): 1043-57
3 Sharma S. Neuroprotective actions of coenzyme Q10 in Parkinsons disease. Methods in Enzymology 2004; 382: 488-509
4 McAlindon TE. Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Treatment of Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Quality Assessment and Meta-analysis. Journal of the American Medical Association 2000; 283: 1469 1475
5 Marks LS. Tissue effects of saw palmetto and finasteride: use of biopsy cores for in situ quantification of prostatic androgens. Urology 2001; 57(5): 999-1005 Click here for more information about other supplements for Mens Health/Stamina and helpful products. Do you have a question for us? If so please send in your questions to newseditor@insensual.com We will answer all email ASAP! | | Back to Top | For assistance or to purchase products by phone call toll free in the USA 1-866-467- 6444 or World Wide 1-307-577-6444 or e-mail your questions to newseditor@insensual.com. We will answer e-mails in the newsletter as space allows.
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