Friday Fun Facts

It's Friday again and here's my weekly health tips for everyone.

Fact #1:

Take two Detox Antiox and call me in the morning. Yes, it can be that simple to help reduce your oxidative stress.

Circulating endothelial progenitor or EPCs are cells that circulate in the blood repairing and replacing the cells that line blood vessels. Think of them as highway repairmen continuously scouring your body and doing maintenance work on your cells and blood. They have been extensively studied as biomarkers to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease.

A comprehensive understanding of how oxidative stress, the biochemical modification of cells, impairs EPC function may lead to antioxidant therapy to prevent disease. "The study of EPCs is exciting because as the work evolves it should enable us to develop clinical strategies to decrease the risk of heart attack or stroke by reversing oxidative stress at the cellular level," said study author Laura Haneline, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at the IU School of Medicine. "These strategies will need to be applied early in the disease when preventing oxidative damage is a possibility because once the damage has occurred it may not be reversible."

Here at Balanced Vitality we provide you with several comprehensive antioxidant products including Designs for Health's Detox Antiox.

Source: Oxidative stress impairs endothelial progenitor cell function.

Fact #2:

Boy! Vitamin D is becoming so popular it’s like the prom queen of vitamins.

This particular vitamin has been in the news lately and rightly so. Over 75 per cent of young type-1 diabetics may require vitamin D supplements, after a US study reported ‘surprisingly’ high levels of insufficiency. "We need to make sure all youths in general are getting enough vitamin D in their diets," said Britta Svoren, MD, lead author of the study. "And, we need to pay particular attention to those with diabetes as they appear to be at an even higher risk of vitamin D deficiency.”

The researchers were interested in looking at vitamin D levels because of the vitamin's presumed role in immune modulation and because it is thought to possibly play a role in the occurrence of type-1 diabetes. An earlier meta-analysis in the Archives of Disease in Childhood reported a potential protective role from vitamin D on the occurrence of type-1 diabetes.

One thing I would like to emphasize is that do not just depend on taking a single type of vitamin in the body and expect it to work miracles. Balance is the key here and first and foremost you want to make sure your foundation is sound. This means you have to be taking a high quality, complete, and comprehensive multivitamin that has the right balance. Here at Balanced Vitality we can provide you with several choices of pharmaceutical quality multivitamin/mineral formulas.

Source: Significant Vitamin D Deficiency in Youth with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Fact #3:

…and in other diabetes news…
Researchers have discovered high doses of thiamine or vitamin B1 can dramatically decrease the excretion of albumin and reverse early stage kidney disease in type 2 diabetes patients. The team showed that 300 mg of thiamine taken orally each day for three months reduced the rate of albumin excretion in type 2 diabetes patients. The albumin excretion rate was decreased by 41% from the value at the start of the study. The results also showed 35% of patients with microalbuminuria saw a return to normal urinary albumin excretion after being treated with thiamine.

In an earlier study the research team showed that thiamine deficiency could be implicated in a range of vascular problems for diabetes patients.

As always make sure that you are taking a complete and balanced multivitamin and multimineral formula. Optimal health and wellbeing is only achieved when your body gets the right nutrients in the right balance.

Source: High-dose thiamine therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria: a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study.

Fact #4:

Good news for those suffering with autism.
It appears that those with autism are characteristically depleted in glutathione and have difficulty with certain metabolic pathways including methylation. In a recent study, autistic children who were treated with a combination of methylcobalamin, the activated form of vitamin B12 and folinic acid, a form of folate, demonstrated a significant improvement in levels of plasma transmethylation metabolites and glutathione redox status.

At Balanced Vitality we provide DFH’s Homocysteine Supreme which contains both methylcobalamin and folinic acid. Click here to learn more about our all natural source of folate.

Source: Efficacy of methylcobalamin and folinic acid treatment on glutathione redox status in children with autism.

Fact #5:

There are ways to promote breast health other than drinking that whole bottle of Chateau Lafite. It just may not be as much fun.

Scientists have identified some of the elusive downstream molecules that play a critical role in the development and progression of familial breast cancer and also identified a compound found in grapes and red wine as an excellent candidate for treatment of some forms of breast cancer.

About 8% of breast cancer cases are caused by mutations in tumor suppressor genes, such as breast cancer associated gene-1 (BRCA1). BRCA1 is the most frequently mutated tumor suppressor gene found in inherited breast cancers and BRCA1 mutation carriers have a 50-80% risk of developing breast cancer by age 70. Researchers were interested in investigating the relationship among BRCA1, SIRT1 and Survivin. SIRT1 is a protein and histone deacetylase involved in numerous critical cell processes including metabolism, DNA repair and programmed cell death. Survivin is an apoptosis inhibitor that is dramatically elevated in many types of tumors. Research has suggested that Survivin may serve to maintain the tumor and promote growth.

The researchers showed that the compound resveratrol strongly inhibited BRCA1-mutant tumor growth in cultured cells and animal models. The study demonstrated that resveratrol enhanced SIRT1 activity, which led to reduced Survivin expression and subsequent apoptosis of BRCA1 deficient cancer cells.

Please click here to listen to Wednesday’s Clinical Rounds call with Susanne Mertrens-Talcott, PhD and learn more about recent research on phytochemicals found in food.

Cells in lung tissue activate vitamin D and increase immune function

New research shows that vitamin D present in the lungs stimulates the killing of bacteria and improves the body's ability to reduce inflammation.



A recent issue of the Journal of Immunology reports that vitamin D, which is primarily activated by the kidneys, is also converted to its active form in lung tissue. This conversion is essential for the beneficial activity of the vitamin in the body.

Researchers studying human lung tissue samples found that an enzyme called 1 alpha-hydroxylase helps convert vitamin D stored in the cells of the lungs into the active form of the vitamin.

The team also found that activated vitamin D increased the activity of a compound that destroys bacteria, as well as producing a protein that assists cells in their ability to fight infections.

The researchers noted that controlling inflammation through vitamin D is important because too much inflammation can cause problems related to sepsis (blood poisoning) and contribute to certain autoimmune diseases.

The Journal of Immunology, 2008, 181: 7090-7099.

10 Things the Food Industry Doesn't Want You to Know

Two nutrition experts argue that you can't take marketing campaigns at face value.
By Adam Voiland, U.S. News & World Report


With America's obesity problem among kids reaching crisis proportions, even junk food makers have started to claim they want to steer children toward more healthful choices. In a study released earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that about 32 percent of children were overweight but not obese, 16 percent were obese, and 11 percent were extremely obese.

Food giant PepsiCo, for example, points out on its Web site that "we can play an important role in helping kids lead healthier lives by offering healthy product choices in schools." The company highlights what it considers its healthier products within various food categories through a "Smart Spot" marketing campaign that features green symbols on packaging. PepsiCo's inclusive criteria—explained here—award spots to foods of dubious nutritional value such as Diet Pepsi, Cap'n Crunch cereal, reduced-fat Doritos, and Cheetos, as well as to more nutritious products such as Quaker Oatmeal and Tropicana Orange Juice.

But are wellness initiatives like Smart Spot just marketing ploys? Such moves by the food industry may seem to be a step in the right direction, but ultimately makers of popular junk foods have an obligation to stockholders to encourage kids to eat more—not less—of the foods that fuel their profits, says David Ludwig, a pediatrician and the co-author of a commentary published in a recent Journal of the American Medical Association that raises questions about whether big food companies can be trusted to help combat obesity. Ludwig and article co-author Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition at New York University, both of whom have long histories of tracking the food industry, spoke with U.S. News and highlighted 10 things that junk food makers don't want you to know about their products and how they promote them.

1. Junk food makers spend billions advertising unhealthy foods to kids.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, food makers spend some $1.6 billion annually to reach children through the traditional media as well the Internet, in-store advertising, and sweepstakes. An article published in 2006 in the Journal of Public Health Policy puts the number as high as $10 billion annually. Promotions often use cartoon characters or free giveaways to entice kids into the junk food fold. PepsiCo has pledged that it will advertise only "Smart Spot" products to children under 12.

2. The studies that food producers support tend to minimize health concerns associated with their products.

In fact, according to a review led by Ludwig of hundreds of studies that looked at the health effects of milk, juice, and soda, the likelihood of conclusions favorable to the industry was several times higher among industry-sponsored research than studies that received no industry funding. "If a study is funded by the industry, it may be closer to advertising than science," he says.

3. Junk food makers donate large sums of money to professional nutrition associations.

The American Dietetic Association, for example, accepts money from companies such as Coca-Cola, which get access to decision makers in the food and nutrition marketplace via ADA events and programs, as this release explains. As Nestle notes in her blog and discusses at length in her book Food Politics (University of California Press, 2007), the group even distributes nutritional fact sheets that are directly sponsored by specific industry groups. This one, for example, which is sponsored by an industry group that promotes lamb, rather unsurprisingly touts the nutritional benefits of lamb.

The ADA's reasoning: "These collaborations take place with the understanding that ADA does not support any program or message that does not correspond with ADA's science-based healthful-eating messages and positions," according to the group's president, dietitian Martin Yadrick. "In fact, we think it's important for us to be at the same table with food companies because of the positive influence that we can have on them."

4. More processing means more profits, but typically makes the food less healthy.

Minimally processed foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables obviously aren't where food companies look for profits. The big bucks stem from turning government-subsidized commodity crops—mainly corn, wheat, and soybeans—into fast foods, snack foods, and beverages. High-profit products derived from these commodity crops are generally high in calories and low in nutritional value.

5. Less-processed foods are generally more satiating than their highly processed counterparts.

Fresh apples have an abundance of fiber and nutrients that are lost when they are processed into applesauce. And the added sugar or other sweeteners increase the number of calories without necessarily making the applesauce any more filling. Apple juice, which is even more processed, has had almost all of the fiber and nutrients stripped out. This same stripping out of nutrients, says Ludwig, happens with highly refined white bread compared with stone-ground whole wheat bread.

6. Many supposedly healthy replacement foods are hardly healthier than the foods they replace.

In 2006, for example, major beverage makers agreed to remove sugary sodas from school vending machines. But the industry mounted an intense lobbying effort that persuaded lawmakers to allow sports drinks and vitamin waters that—despite their slightly healthier reputations—still can be packed with sugar and calories.

7. A health claim on the label doesn't necessarily make a food healthy.

Health claims such as "zero trans fats" or "contains whole wheat" may create the false impression that a product is healthy when it's not. While the claims may be true, a product is not going to benefit your kid's health if it's also loaded with salt and sugar or saturated fat, say, and lacks fiber or other nutrients. "These claims are calorie distracters," adds Nestle. "They make people forget about the calories."

Dave DeCecco, a spokesperson for PepsiCo, counters that the intent of a labeling program such as Smart Spot is simply to help consumers pick a healthier choice within a category. "We're not trying to tell people that a bag of Doritos is healthier than asparagus. But, if you're buying chips, and you're busy, and you don't have a lot of time to read every part of the label, it's an easy way to make a smarter choice," he says.

8. Food industry pressure has made nutritional guidelines confusing.

As Nestle explained in Food Politics, the food industry has a history of preferring scientific jargon to straight talk. As far back as 1977, public health officials attempted to include the advice "reduce consumption of meat" in an important report called "Dietary Goals for the United States." The report's authors capitulated to intense pushback from the cattle industry and used this less-direct and more ambiguous advice: "Choose meats, poultry, and fish which will reduce saturated fat intake." Overall, says Nestle, the government has a hard time suggesting that people eat less of anything.

9. The food industry funds front groups that fight anti-obesity public health initiatives.

Unless you follow politics closely, you wouldn't necessarily realize that a group with a name like the Center for Consumer Freedom has anything to do with the food industry. In fact, Ludwig and Nestle point out, this group lobbies aggressively against obesity-related public health campaigns—such as the one directed at removing junk food from schools—and is funded, according to the Center for Media and Democracy, primarily through donations from big food companies such as Coca-Cola, Cargill, Tyson Foods, and Wendy's.

10. The food industry works aggressively to discredit its critics.

According to the new JAMA article, the Center for Consumer Freedom boasts that "[our strategy] is to shoot the messenger. We've got to attack [activists'] credibility as spokespersons." Here's the group's entry on Marion Nestle.

The bottom line, says Nestle, is quite simple: Kids need to eat less, include more fruits and vegetables in their diet, and limit the junk food.

Courtesy of U.S. News & World Report

Significant Weight Loss Boosts Sex Life

Obese individuals who slim down enjoy enhanced love lives, a new study finds.

For obese men and women who report sexual problems, weight loss of approximately 10% may do wonders for their love lives, according to Duke University psychologist Martin Binks. Dr. Binks, who presented his research findings at the recent annual meeting of The Obesity Society in Vancouver, British Columbia, reported that weight loss improves the sex lives of some obese individuals by reducing their negative feelings about their sexuality and helping them feel better about their bodies.
The Effects of One Year of Weight Loss

In the study, Dr. Binks and his colleagues met with 161 obese women and 26 obese men every three months for two years to ask a series of questions about the quality of their sex lives. Each participant answered questions about feelings of sexual attractiveness, frequency of sexual desire, reluctance to be seen undressed, sexual performance, avoidance of sexual encounters, and enjoyment during sex. All participants were actively involved in a weight loss program during the course of the study.

In the initial interviews, men and women both described significant problems in all examined areas of their sex lives. Interestingly, however, both men and women reported striking improvements in these problems one year later, after losing an average of 12% of their initial weight (for example, if a 250 lb. man lost 30 lbs).

At the beginning of the study, more than two-thirds of all women felt sexually unattractive and did not want to be seen undressed, but after one year of weight loss, only one-third of the women expressed these feelings. In addition, although 21% of women reported not enjoying sex at the beginning of the study, only 11% said so one year later, after their significant weight loss.

Overall, improvements in participants’ sexual quality of life were directly related to weight loss, and reached their peak at a weight loss of about 12%, with only small incremental improvements noted thereafter. Though the small number of men in the study limits conclusions that can be drawn about the effect of weight loss on sexual attitudes and sexual problems among men, many of the men in the study did report feelings of unattractiveness and unwillingness to be seen undressed that improved dramatically with significant weight loss.
How Weight Loss Helps

Many physical factors are likely at play in the impressive improvements in libido and other aspects of sexual quality of life reported with weight loss among the men and women in this study. Medical problems such as poor circulation, high cholesterol levels, and insulin resistance (a strong risk factor for type 2 Diabetes) are associated with sexual performance problems that can undermine desire among both men and women. These medical problems improve when people lose weight, and sexual performance and self-image reap the benefits. Also, obese men and women make more of a natural body chemical called SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) that binds to and inactivates testosterone, an essential part of the body chemistry of arousal for both men and women. So, when SBGH levels rise in obesity, less testosterone circulates in the bloodstream, and libido hits a lull.

The research findings described by Dr. Binks and his colleagues add to a growing body of information about the relationship between body weight and sexual health. Related studies have reported diminishments in self-esteem and other aspects of life quality among obese men and women.

A Ripple Effect
It is widely known that the significant weight loss represented by a 10% reduction in body weight can very dramatically improve many health problems associated with obesity. However, in addition to feeling better about sex, those who lose significant weight may feel better about many other things as well. The reason? Increased sexual activity is an overall mood enhancer because it releases endorphins, some of the body’s natural “feel good” chemicals. So, for many people, less weight equals more and better sex, which equals more endorphins—all good reasons why people working to lose weight may want to opt for their mate instead of their plate.

RESOURCES:

Mann. D. Bedroom Olympics May Be Key To Fitness And Weight Loss. WebMD. Available online at www.webmd.com/content/article/100/105757. accessed December 11, 2005.

NAASO,The Obesity Society. The practical guide: identification, evaluation, and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults. Available online at www.naaso.org/information. Accessed December 3, 2005

TechnoGym /The Wellness Company. Obesity and Sexuality. Available online at www.technogym.com//corporate/_vti_g2_wnarticle.asp?rpstry=11200_&rfrsh=545905&idnews=226. Accessed Decmber 2, 2005.
REFERENCES:

Binks M, Adolfsson B. Duke study reports sex, self esteem diminish for morbidly obese. CDS Rev. 2005 Jul-Aug;98(4):28-9.
Kinzl JF, Trefalt E, Fiala M, et al. Partnership, sexuality, and sexual disorders in morbidly obese women: consequences of weight loss after gastric banding. Obes Surg. 2001 Aug;11(4):455-8.

Trischitta V. Relationship between obesity-related metabolic abnormalities and sexual function. J Endocrinol Invest. 2003;26(3 Suppl):62-4.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Edits to original content made by Balanced Vitality.

Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.

Multivitamins and Healthy Immune Function

A recent article published in the British Journal of Nutrition summarizes the roles of select vitamins and trace elements in immune function.

Adequate intakes of micronutrients are required for the immune system to function efficiently. Micronutrient deficiency suppresses immunity by affecting antibody responses, leading to imbalances in the immune system. This situation increases susceptibility to infections, which increases disease and death risk. In addition, infections aggravate micronutrient deficiencies by reducing nutrient intake, increasing losses, and interfering with utilization by altering metabolic pathways. Inadequate intakes of micronutrients are common in people with eating disorders, smokers (active and passive), individuals with chronic alcohol abuse, certain diseases, during pregnancy and lactation, and in the elderly.

Micronutrients contribute to the body's natural defenses on three levels by supporting physical barriers (skin/mucosa), cellular immunity, and antibody production. Vitamins A, C, E, and the mineral zinc assist in enhancing the skin barrier function. Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and folic acid, and the minerals iron, zinc, copper and selenium work synergistically to support the protective activities of the immune cells. Finally, all these micronutrients, with the exception of vitamin C and iron, are essential for the production of antibodies.

Overall, inadequate intake and status of these vitamins and minerals may lead to a suppressed immune system, which increases the risk of infections and aggravates malnutrition. Therefore, supplementation with a multivitamin that includes these micronutrients can support the body's natural defense system by enhancing all three levels of immunity.

Br J Nutr. 2007 Oct;98 Suppl 1:S29-35.

High glycemic index diets increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration

Several dietary factors are known to be risk factors for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness among persons over 65. New research indicates that high-glycemic-index diets may be a risk factor for early AMD and potential visual loss later in life.

A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined the association between dietary glycemic index and the 10 year incidence of AMD in the Blue Mountain Eye Study population.

This was a population-based study with 3,654 participants over 49 years of age. Volunteers were examined at the beginning (1992-1994); then were reexamined after 5 years and again after 10 years.

Over 10 years, 208 of the participants developed early AMD. After adjusting for age, smoking, other risk factors, and dietary constituents, a higher average dietary glycemic index was associated with an increased 10 year risk of early AMD. Conversely, a greater consumption of cereal fiber and breads and cereals (predominantly lower glycemic index foods such as oatmeal) was associated with a reduced risk of early AMD. No relation was observed with advanced AMD.

The research suggests that a high-glycemic-index diet is a risk factor for early AMD, and low-glycemic-index foods such as oatmeal may protect against early AMD.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 88, No. 4, 1104-1110, October 2008

Magnesium intake and risk of type 2 diabetes

A meta-analysis recently published in the Journal of Internal Medicine analyzed the association between magnesium intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes. The meta-analysis involved studies of magnesium intake (both from foods only and from foods and supplements) published between 1966 and 2007. Seven studies meeting the criteria were identified, and in total they included 286,668 participants and 10,912 cases. All but one study found an inverse relation between magnesium intake and risk of type 2 diabetes, and in four studies the association was statistically significant. Overall, an increase of 100 mg of magnesium per day resulted in a 15% reduction in overall risk of type 2 diabetes.

Based on these studies, magnesium intake is inversely associated with incidence of type 2 diabetes. This finding suggests that increased consumption of magnesium from supplements and foods such as whole grains, beans, nuts, and green leafy vegetables may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Are you Efficient with your Vitamin D?

Test Yourself for "D"efficiency
Quick test: Find out in 10 seconds if you are "D"efficient
With your thumb, press on your sternum (breastbone). Is it tender or painful? Now, press on the tibia (shin bone) of both your legs. Are they sore or tender? If the answer is "yes" to both of these tests then there’s a 93 percent chance you’re deficient in Vitamin D. This is one of the most prevalent deficiencies in our culture.

What is Vitamin D and what does it do for us?
Vitamin D is both a hormone and a vitamin (vital amine). It’s a hormone because it’s created by the body when sunlight hits the skin. It also acts as a vitamin when it binds with calcium for proper absorption in the human body. Without enough Vitamin D, the body cannot absorb calcium or even mobilize essential fatty acids, such as Omega-3. It’s absolutely essential to have enough Vitamin D, yet many people don’t.

Signs of deficiency
The test above is one way of checking for low levels of Vitamin D. That’s because calcium is delivered to an area of the bones that is like a gelatin matrix. It’s this gelatin matrix that hardens into sturdy bone. But calcium can only be absorbed into this matrix when it is accompanied with enough Vitamin D. If there’s a Vitamin D deficiency, this matrix will revert back to gelatin near the surface of the bone, resulting in tenderness and bone pain.

This kind of bone pain can not only be seen in cases of osteomalacia (softening of the bones), but also in fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and even the pain associated with chronic depression.

Vitamin D deficiency can result in obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and psoriasis. Eventually, Vitamin D deficiency may lead to osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer, especially breast, prostate and colon.

Reasons for deficiency
The primary reasons why people become deficient in Vitamin D are cultural or environmental. For instance, in cultures where women are totally clothed, including veils, people are almost universally deficient in Vitamin D, as are submariners who spend extended time submerged. Neither group gets much direct sunlight. For North Americans, the primary reason for Vitamin D deficiency also includes a lack of exposure to sunlight and insufficient consumption of cold-water fish, such as wild salmon, mackerel and sardines. These are good food sources of Vitamin D as well as calcium and Omega-3 fatty acids.

Many foods have been supplemented with Vitamin D, but this has not resulted in an overall increase in Vitamin D levels. This is likely because some food and supplement manufacturers rely on an inexpensive form of synthetic Vitamin D called "ergocalciferol" – a form of Vitamin D-2. Food sources of Vitamin D and supplements such as TriVita’s Bone Builder and VitaCal-Mag D use Vitamin D-3 (cholecalciferol), which is the same form that your body makes from sunshine.

What to do?
If your bones are tender or if you have a low blood level of Vitamin D, the solution may be as simple as increasing your exposure to sunlight (see Is the Sun our Enemy? in the "Learn More" section of this report). Spend 20 minutes daily in the sun with 40 percent of your skin surface exposed. Morning sun is best, evening sun is acceptable, but in any case, never allow your skin to burn.

When supplementing with Vitamin D, always choose D-3
It is also good to remember that this is a "fat soluble" vitamin. That means that you can store the nutrient for many days. I will often suggest two capsules of TriVita’s Bone Builder or two tablets of VitaCal-Mag D to be taken at every meal. I suggest reducing the recommended dosage to one capsule or tablet per meal after six months if the tenderness has disappeared from the sternum and shin bones. It is good to get a blood test for appropriate blood levels of Vitamin D and use this as a factor to help you structure a supplement program.

Recommended Intake

Age Group (years)	Adequate Intake
	Females	Males
1 - 50	200 IU	200 IU
51 - 70	400 IU	400 IU
70 +	600 IU	600 IU

You can also include Vitamin D-rich foods in your diet:

Food	Serving size	Vitamin D content (IU)
Cod liver oil	1 Tbs.	1,360
Salmon, cooked	3 ½ ounces	360
Mackerel, cooked	3 ½ ounces	345
Sardines, canned in oil	3 ½ ounces	270
Milk, Vitamin D-fortified	1 cup	98
Margarine, fortified	1 Tbs.	60
Liver, beef, cooked	3 ½ ounces	30
Egg	1 large	25

Eventually, health comes down to healthy habits practiced every day. Every day we should nourish our body and nurture our spirit for sustained health.

Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D?

Not getting enough Vitamin D during the winter months?
Make sure you get healthy amounts of it year-round


Practically every day another benefit of Vitamin D is revealed. Vitamin D is created when our skin is exposed to sunshine. It is also present in our diet, mainly in cold-water fish and dark green vegetables. It is primarily responsible for transporting minerals to our bones and keeping them strong. A primary symptom of Vitamin D deficiency is sore bone.

Let's talk about Vitamin D and its relationship to brain health. This is in response to a recent newspaper headline that read, “Vitamin D Linked to Parkinson’s disease.” Now, as you read that title, do you think the article is reporting on the benefits or the dangers of Vitamin D?

Vitamin D and Parkinson’s
You won’t have to wait until the end of the article to find out: Vitamin D is beneficial in protecting against Parkinson’s disease. In fact, low levels of Vitamin D are associated with:

* Neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
* Autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis
* Metabolic disorders such as diabetes.

Vitamin D is formed when sunlight strikes the skin and interacts with cholesterol. Its main purpose is to shuttle calcium and other minerals to the bones.

Vitamin D enters the brain tissues surrounded by healthy fats. Just as Vitamin D is necessary for proper calcium absorption into the bones, Vitamin D aids in the delivery of good fats into the brain where they serve as building blocks for healthy brain structure.

Vitamin D – a messenger
Information is carried by a number of messengers inside your body, including proteins and fats. Vitamin D can also act like a messenger, telling the cells how much work to do.

This may be compared to building a house. Proteins give specific instructions in the same way a carpenter may decide how best to connect walls and windows and doors. Fats may serve as the building materials for the entire house. Vitamin D serves as the general contractor to determine how much building should be done at any specific time.

We certainly need proteins and protein complexes of Vitamin B-12 to create the structures making up our brain. We also need the fats found in Omega 3 fish oils to serve as raw materials and general information on brain repair. We need Vitamin D to help develop our brain when we are young and to repair it as we age.

Why you need to work harder to get your wintertime supply of Vitamin D
We get Vitamin D from sunlight, foods and supplements. Because we are exposed to less sunshine in the winter than in the summer, we need to be more vigilant about supplementing with Vitamin D and exposing our skin to sunshine whenever practical. Most doctors who recommend Vitamin D explain that cold and flu outbreaks during winter are directly related to Vitamin D deficiency.

The Key to Stress Resistance: Adaptogens

All the foods we eat have nutrient characteristics that interact with our body. Some foods contain dense concentrations of vitamins and minerals. Others have healthy fats and proteins. Many fruits have been concentrated into beverages because of their intense antioxidant properties.

Each food sends a message to your body about how it may benefit the body under various circumstances. The distinct message of each food is drawn from the surroundings in which the food was grown.

Adaptogens: an amazing discovery

Adaptogens are amazing plants that draw their unique message by adapting to their harsh surroundings. They were first discovered in 1908 after a comet entered Earth’s atmosphere in the Tunguska area of Russia. The comet super-heated the air and exploded with such force that entire forests were leveled. The super-heated air and water sterilized the earth so that nothing would grow.

The Tunguska area is in Siberia – a harsh environment for vegetation. Only the most robust plants grow there under the best of circumstances. After the soil was sterilized in this explosion, years passed before plant life once again thrived in the region. The plants that succeeded were those most able to adapt to stressful conditions. The people that were nourished by these plants also showed an amazing resilience to their harsh, demanding environments. The message in the ingredients of the plants was “stress resistance.”

Scientists studied these plants for decades. A Russian scientist, Dr. Nicolai Lazarov, “decoded” the message within these plants that imparted stress resistance to people who ate them. It is said that he decoded more than 4,000 plants from around the world and tested them according to simple standards. These standards determined if a plant could be classified as an “adaptogen”:

The plant must be non-toxic
The plant must increase resistance to physical, chemical or biological stress
The plant must normalize the physiology.
The third point – the plant must normalize the physiology – is really quite fascinating. It means, for instance, that if a person has too much acid in their stomach because of stress, an adaptogen must reduce it. It also means that if a person has too little acid in their stomach, the same adaptogen must increase it! The same is true for blood pressure: bring it down if it’s too high, bring it up if it’s too low. That is an amazing property!

Adaptogen research
Of course, Siberia is not the only harsh environment on earth. Other extreme locations produce plants with the qualities of an adaptogen. Research now includes 10 plants that meet all the qualities of an adaptogen. And, adaptogen research continues today. Much of this research is still coordinated by the University of St. Petersburg, Russia.

In a study of physical stress, a single serving of adaptogens significantly increased working capacity for 4 to 6 hours. The study also measured mental performance and found that the ability to stay focused under stress dramatically improved with adaptogens.
Another study measured social comfort and human interactions within a community. The ability to socialize and all markers for mental health improved dramatically with adaptogens. This really illustrates to me why some tend to isolate themselves as they age – for many aging people, it’s just too stressful to socialize. A real miracle of adaptogens seems to be that it makes people want to be with others as it eases their anxiety.
Being fearful, nervous and agitated can harm your body and mind. Anticipating stress is as bad as experiencing stress. Living with a sense of dread disrupts digestion, changes blood pressure, causes irregular heartbeat and interferes with metabolism. One study showed that adaptogens reduced stress in people with generalized anxiety disorder; the results were similar to what people in clinical trials experienced with prescription medications!
Adaptogens are very potent, powerful foods.

The message of adaptogens
When a person is under chronic stress, a switch in the brain turns on the systems needed to cope and turns off the systems considered “unnecessary.” The first systems to be turned off by stress include digestion, metabolism, immune system function and circulation. Chronic stress sends a message to these organs to remain off until the stress is over.

The message conveyed by adaptogens is: Crisis ended – now turn my functions back on! That’s why people taking adaptogens have such a variety of healthy responses.

As you go through your daily routine, remember that every food you eat, every beverage you drink and every thought you think washes over your DNA as information. These messages influence how you function now and in the future. Send the right messages to your cells with stress-busting choices of food, drink and thoughts. And, build a bulwark against stress with adaptogens every day!

What are you drinking? Toxins in our water supply

In March 2008, a report on CNN gave us the disturbing news that drinking water in many communities was contaminated with an array of prescription medications. This concerns us because we recognize that drinking pure water is an Essential of health. In light of this disturbing report, how are we to protect ourselves and nurture our wellness? Where can we find safe water?

Source of the problem
How did our water supply become contaminated? One way this can happen is by people flushing unused prescriptions down the toilet. These drugs end up in wastewater treatment plants, where they may percolate down into the water table over time. However, unused drugs are a minor source of watershed contamination. A major source of contamination comes from the medications people actually take.

Medications must be metabolized by the liver and other detoxification organs in order to be used by the patient. These drugs are then excreted through the urine. They are then available to percolate down into the water supply which may have an impact on our health. Common drugs that are detected in our water include antibiotics, birth control hormones and antidepressants.

Protecting ourselves – and getting clean water
There are many opinions about just how hazardous these drugs are to our health. Certainly, the amounts are very, very small compared to prescription strength medications. Just as certain, humans were never meant to drink drug-contaminated water. We need pure water for nutrient transport and detoxification. How we get that pure, clean water is surprisingly simple.

* Insulation
Our digestive system is remarkably sensitive to contamination. It is a barrier that protects us from toxins when it is functioning properly. We can insulate ourselves from medications in the water supply by increasing the efficiency of our digestion. Eating foods and using supplements containing special short-chain fibers will increase the ability of our system to “barrier protect” us from water contaminants. A major problem with short-chain fiber is that it is found in foods with a bitter taste – chicory and Jerusalem artichokes are good examples. The solution to this problem is found in supplements such as a Digestive Enzyme Complex.

Another special protective supplement is Non-Acidic Vitamin C Crystals. Even a small amount, such as a teaspoon in a quart of water, will increase protection from waterborne toxins. Other foods and supplements that reduce stress and improve digestion will also help insulate us from toxins.

* Isolation
Isolation from drugs in the water is a bit more difficult. Tap water is a problem and bottled water is no solution (it is usually taken from municipal tap-water sources anyway). Bottled water taken from sources specified as pristine and uncontaminated are a good alternative; be wary and use common sense in selecting these products. For a better alternative water please check out Kangen water and its wonderful health benefits at www.balanced-vitality.com

One effective way of removing medications from the water is by using inexpensive carbon block or carbon granular filters. More expensive reverse osmosis and distillation units are less effective at removing drugs, though they are certainly more effective at removing other contaminants.

We need water to live, to deliver nutrients to our cells, and to detoxify our bodies. A tragedy of our times is that our water supply is contaminated with medical waste in the form of prescription drugs. Insulating ourselves with nutrients should be our primary concern. Isolating ourselves from water contamination is also very important.

With nutrients and nurturing we can often reduce the need for medications. And reducing the need for drugs in our bodies is the first step toward reducing the drugs in our water!

Friday Fun Facts

Fact #1:
Try it and C the difference.
A new study adds to the evidence that vitamin C supplements can lower concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), a central biomarker of inflammation that has been shown to be a powerful predictor of heart disease and diabetes. The study shows that for healthy, non-smoking adults with an elevated level of CRP, a daily dose of vitamin C lowered levels of the inflammation biomarker after two months compared with those who took a placebo.

However, participants who did not start out with elevated CRP levels saw no benefit from vitamin C supplementation. "This is an important distinction; treatment with vitamin C is ineffective in persons whose levels of CRP are less than 1 milligram per liter, but very effective for those with higher levels," said the lead researcher.

DFH provides vitamin C in many forms including, C+ Bio Fizz, Stellar C and Buffered vitamin C powder.

Source: Vitamin C treatment reduces elevated C-reactive protein.


Fact #2:
Is it feed a fever and starve a cold or feed a cold and starve a fever?
A University of Calgary scientist confirms that it is how our immune system responds, not the rhinovirus itself that causes cold symptoms. In the past, researchers have measured specific compounds made by the body that may protect against a cold or may be triggered by a cold virus. This is the first time anyone has conducted a comprehensive assessment of what happens when a rhinovirus infects a person. This is also the first time researchers have established that a recently discovered antiviral protein called viperin plays a role in our body’s defense against rhinovirus.

Source: Gene expression profiles during in vivo human rhinovirus infection: insights into the host response.


Fact #3:
Forever young.
A recent study has demonstrated that cell replication and metabolism is negatively impacted when human endothelial cells and fibroblasts are grown in a culture that is deficient in magnesium. The scientists go on to say, “we propose that broadly correcting nutritional intakes of Mg might contribute to healthier aging and the prevention of age-related diseases.”

Both DFH’s Magnesium Glycinate Chelate and Magnesium Malate Chelate, are from Albion Advanced Nutrition.

Source: A connection between magnesium deficiency and aging: new insights from cellular studies.


Fact #4:
…and younger and younger…
Supplementation with L-carnitine may restore natural losses of the nutrient that occur with age, according to a new study using rat models. Researchers report that supplementation with L-carnitine led to increases in the levels of L-carnitine in rat muscle cells, improving muscle capabilities as well as inducing positive changes in body composition in the old animals.

DFH has recently introduced its latest carnitine product, Carnitine Fumarate Synergy.

Source: L-carnitine supplementation and physical exercise restore age-associated decline in some mitochondrial functions in the rat.


Fact #5:
Croup may not be exclusively viral after all.
Children who suffer from several occurrences of croup should be evaluated for reflux disorders, says new research. Researchers noted many episodes of croup could be averted if it was determined that reflux was a component of the patient's diagnosis and proper preventive treatment could be prescribed.

To learn more about pediatric acid reflux, eczema and food allergies, click here to listen to Wednesday’s Clinical Rounds discussion with Connie Marci.

Source: Etiology of Pediatric Recurrent Croup. Presenters: Harlan R Muntz, MD; Ryan VanWoerkom, MD. Date: September 21, 2008, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm (all times CDT). Adapted from materials provided by American Academy of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery.

Keeping Balanced Vitality During the Holiday Season

Tis' the Season! Want to enjoy your festive favorites-- and still have healthy holidays?
Learn healthy holiday eating on how to avoid putting on weight without feeling deprived. Also learn tips on how to head off holiday stress and depression. Get started by attending a FREE WORKSHOP on November 19th at Lady of America Fitness at 7 pm.
This is going to be a fun and informative workshop. I am partnering with Lumi Bodea, Manager and Certified Personal Trainer of Lady of America Fitness in Newport Beach, CA in offering some holiday specials to keep you motivated, active and healthy through this holiday season.
Don't lose the momentum of you health progress through commonly made mistakes due to the stress and hectic pace of the holidays. Plan ahead this holiday and don't get stuck in the "eleventh hour" trying to get last-minute stuff done, feeling a bit (or a lot) stressed out.
Lady of America Fitness is having an OPEN HOUSE all day Wednesday, November 19th and there will be free classes, tour of the facility and snacks. Location is 2902 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach. Phone: 949-722-6599 Call for class schedule that day and please make a reservation for the Holiday Workshop. I look forward to seeing you there!

Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
I came across this question from a patient: I have psoriasis. Recently, I have noticed swelling and pain around my joints. My doctor says this is psoriatic arthritis. Can you tell me more about this disorder?

What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease. It may be triggered by a number of different conditions such as infection or allergy. Underlying the development of psoriasis is a confused immune system. An autoimmune condition such as psoriasis begins when your immune system attacks healthy cells as if they were diseased.

Many things may cause this confusion. Stress is a primary trigger. Other triggers may include injury (with psoriasis beginning at the site of trauma), nutrient deficiency – especially of essential fatty acids – and toxins such as sugar, alcohol and allergens.

Progress of inflammation
There are three basic steps in the inflammation process:

1. Antecedent – The first step is called an antecedent. An antecedent is like a predisposition to something; for example when a person is prone to a condition because of heredity or environment.
2. Trigger – The second step in the inflammation process is the trigger. This may be injury, stress, deficiencies or toxins.
3. Release of mediators – The third step in the inflammation process is the release of inflammatory mediators like histamines. Histamines are stored in cells called mast cells. These mast cells are like balloons filled with acid that pop and release their poison. Deficiency weakens the walls of these balloons, and trauma, toxins and stress pop the balloons. Histamines are released and inflammation results.

Runaway inflammation and psoriatic arthritis
Mast cells populate our skin. They are also abundant in our joints. They line our airways and digestive tracts. Runaway inflammation occurs when so much histamine is released by one cell that it triggers other mast cells and causes them to pop and release their histamine (this is why sunburn may cause sinus inflammation). This histamine then triggers other cells and more histamine is released, perpetuating the cycle.

Inflammation from psoriasis will eventually inflame the joints. Toxic levels of histamine from the skin will trigger mast cells in joints to release their histamines. Again, trauma, toxins, deficiencies and stress can cause this runaway inflammation.

What to do

* Stress
Deep breathing is an excellent remedy for stress. Adaptogens are as well. Everyone responds differently to stress.

* Nutrient deficiencies
One of the most common deficiencies for people with psoriasis is an essential fatty acids (good fats) deficiency. Taking one to six grams of Omega Fats daily can give you therapeutic levels of essential fatty acids. Another common deficiency in people with psoriasis is Vitamin D. We normally get enough Vitamin D from sunshine. Be sure to expose at least 40% of your skin to early morning or late evening sunshine. Never let yourself get sunburned.

* Histamine
For reducing histamines, very few nutrients compare with Vitamin C and Vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 reduces histamines by hindering them from being formed in the first place. Vitamin C acts like a body-wide antihistamine. Find out how much Vitamin C your body can use by calibrating your levels with the Vitamin C flush.

* Joint inflammation
If inflammation has already reached your joints, you can help reduce inflammation and protect your joints with Designs for Health Arthrosoothe Capsules. The combination of glucosamine and chondroitin with anti-inflammatory nutrients like boron offer more joint protection than even some NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

When one part of our body is sick, our whole body suffers. So, it is no surprise that the same imbalanced immune system that attacks our skin may attack our joints, sinuses, lungs and intestines.

Food Allergies Increasing in US kids according to study

By MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer – Thu Oct 23, 1:10 am ET

Food allergies in American children seem to be on the rise, now affecting about 3 million kids, according to the first federal study of the problem.

Experts said that might be because parents are more aware and quicker to have their kids checked out by a doctor.

About 1 in 26 children had food allergies last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday. That's up from 1 in 30 kids in 1997.

The 18 percent increase is significant enough to be considered more than a statistical blip, said Amy Branum of the CDC, the study's lead author.

Nobody knows for sure what's driving the increase. A doubling in peanut allergies — noted in earlier studies — is one factor, some experts said. Also, children seems to be taking longer to outgrow milk and egg allergies than they did in decades past.

But also figuring into the equation are parents and doctors who are more likely to consider food as the trigger for symptoms like vomiting, skin rashes and breathing problems.

"A couple of decades ago, it was not uncommon to have kids sick all the time and we just said 'They have a weak stomach' or 'They're sickly,'" said Anne Munoz-Furlong, chief executive of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, a Virginia-based advocacy organization.

Parents today are quicker to take their kids to specialists to check out the possibility of food allergies, said Munoz-Furlong, who founded the nonprofit in 1991.

The CDC results came from an in-person, door-to-door survey in 2007 of the households of 9,500 U.S. children under age 18.

When asked if a child in the house had any kind of food allergy in the previous 12 months, about 4 percent said yes. The parents were not asked if a doctor had made the diagnosis, and no medical records were checked. Some parents may not know the difference between immune system-based food allergies and digestive disorders like lactose intolerance, so it's possible the study's findings are a bit off, Branum said.

However, the study's results mirror older national estimates that were extrapolated from smaller, more intensive studies, said Dr. Hugh Sampson, a food allergy researcher at the Mount Sinai School of medicine.

"This tells us those earlier extrapolations were fairly close," Sampson said.

The CDC study did not give a breakdown of which foods were to blame for the allergies. Other research suggests that about 1 in 40 Americans will have a milk allergy at some point in their lives, and 1 in 50 percent will be allergic to eggs. Most people outgrow these allergies in childhood.

About 1 in 50 are allergic to shellfish and nearly 1 in 100 react to peanuts, allergies that generally persist for a lifetime, according to Sampson.

Some people have more than one food allergy, he said, explaining why the overall food allergy prevalence is about 4 percent.

Children with food allergies also were more likely to have asthma, eczema and respiratory problems than kids without food allergies, the CDC study found, confirming previous research.

The study also found that the number of children hospitalized for food allergies was up. The number of hospital discharges jumped from about 2,600 a year in the late 1990s to more than 9,500 annually in recent years, the CDC results showed.

Also, Hispanic children had lower rates of food allergies than white or black children — the first such racial/ethnic breakdown in a national study.

The reason for that last finding may not be genetics, said Munoz-Furlong. She is Hispanic and said people in her own family have been unwilling to consider food allergies as the reason for children's illnesses. "It's a question of awareness," she said.

___

On the Net:

The CDC report: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs

10 Things the Food Industry Doesn't Want You to Know

By Adam Voiland – Mon Oct 20, 5:31 pm ET

Two nutrition experts argue that you can't take marketing campaigns at face value

With America's obesity problem among kids reaching crisis proportions, even junk food makers have started to claim they want to steer children toward more healthful choices. In a study released earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that about 32 percent of children were overweight but not obese, 16 percent were obese, and 11 percent were extremely obese. Food giant PepsiCo, for example, points out on its website that "we can play an important role in helping kids lead healthier lives by offering healthy product choices in schools." The company highlights what it considers its healthier products within various food categories through a "Smart Spot" marketing campaign that features green symbols on packaging. PepsiCo's inclusive criteria--explained here--award spots to foods of dubious nutritional value such as Diet Pepsi, Cap'n Crunch cereal, reduced-fat Doritos, and Cheetos, as well as to more nutritious products such as Quaker Oatmeal and Tropicana Orange Juice.

But are wellness initiatives like Smart Spot just marketing ploys? Such moves by the food industry may seem to be a step in the right direction, but ultimately makers of popular junk foods have an obligation to stockholders to encourage kids to eat more--not less--of the foods that fuel their profits, says David Ludwig, a pediatrician and the co-author of a commentary published in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association that raises questions about whether big food companies can be trusted to help combat obesity. Ludwig and article co-author Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition at New York University, both of whom have long histories of tracking the food industry, spoke with U.S. News and highlighted 10 things that junk food makers don't want you to know about their products and how they promote them.

1. Junk food makers spend billions advertising unhealthy foods to kids.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, food makers spend some $1.6 billion annually to reach children through the traditional media as well the Internet, in-store advertising, and sweepstakes. An article published in 2006 in the Journal of Public Health Policy puts the number as high as $10 billion annually. Promotions often use cartoon characters or free giveaways to entice kids into the junk food fold. PepsiCo has pledged that it will advertise only "Smart Spot" products to children under 12.

2. The studies that food producers support tend to minimize health concerns associated with their products.
In fact, according to a review led by Ludwig of hundreds of studies that looked at the health effects of milk, juice, and soda, the likelihood of conclusions favorable to the industry was several times higher among industry-sponsored research than studies that received no industry funding. "If a study is funded by the industry, it may be closer to advertising than science," he says.

3. Junk food makers donate large sums of money to professional nutrition associations.
The American Dietetic Association, for example, accepts money from companies such as Coca-Cola, which get access to decision makers in the food and nutrition marketplace via ADA events and programs, as this release explains. As Nestle notes in her blog and discusses at length in her book Food Politics, the group even distributes nutritional fact sheets that are directly sponsored by specific industry groups. This one, for example, which is sponsored by an industry group that promotes lamb, rather unsurprisingly touts the nutritional benefits of lamb. The ADA's reasoning: "These collaborations take place with the understanding that ADA does not support any program or message that does not correspond with ADA's science-based healthful-eating messages and positions," according to the group's president, dietitian Martin Yadrick. "In fact, we think it's important for us to be at the same table with food companies because of the positive influence that we can have on them."

4. More processing means more profits, but typically makes the food less healthy.
Minimally processed foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables obviously aren't where food companies look for profits. The big bucks stem from turning government-subsidized commodity crops--mainly corn, wheat, and soybeans--into fast foods, snack foods, and beverages. High-profit products derived from these commodity crops are generally high in calories and low in nutritional value.

5. Less-processed foods are generally more satiating than their highly processed counterparts.
Fresh apples have an abundance of fiber and nutrients that are lost when they are processed into applesauce. And the added sugar or other sweeteners increase the number of calories without necessarily making the applesauce any more filling. Apple juice, which is even more processed, has had almost all of the fiber and nutrients stripped out. This same stripping out of nutrients, says Ludwig, happens with highly refined white bread compared with stone-ground whole wheat bread.

6. Many supposedly healthy replacement foods are hardly healthier than the foods they replace.
In 2006, for example, major beverage makers agreed to remove sugary sodas from school vending machines. But the industry mounted an intense lobbying effort that persuaded lawmakers to allow sports drinks and vitamin waters that--despite their slightly healthier reputations--still can be packed with sugar and calories.

7. A health claim on the label doesn't necessarily make a food healthy.
Health claims such as "zero trans fats" or "contains whole wheat" may create the false impression that a product is healthy when it's not. While the claims may be true, a product is not going to benefit your kid's health if it's also loaded with salt and sugar or saturated fat, say, and lacks fiber or other nutrients. "These claims are calorie distracters," adds Nestle. "They make people forget about the calories." Dave DeCecco, a spokesperson for PepsiCo, counters that the intent of a labeling program such as Smart Spot is simply to help consumers pick a healthier choice within a category. "We're not trying to tell people that a bag of Doritos is healthier than asparagus. But, if you're buying chips, and you're busy, and you don't have a lot of time to read every part of the label, it's an easy way to make a smarter choice," he says.

8. Food industry pressure has made nutritional guidelines confusing.
As Nestle explained in Food Politics, the food industry has a history of preferring scientific jargon to straight talk. As far back as 1977, public health officials attempted to include the advice "reduce consumption of meat" in an important report called Dietary Goals for the United States. The report's authors capitulated to intense pushback from the cattle industry and used this less-direct and more ambiguous advice: "Choose meats, poultry, and fish which will reduce saturated fat intake." Overall, says Nestle, the government has a hard time suggesting that people eat less of anything.

9. The food industry funds front groups that fight antiobesity public health initiatives.
Unless you follow politics closely, you wouldn't necessarily realize that a group with a name like the Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) has anything to do with the food industry. In fact,Ludwig and Nestle point out, this group lobbies aggressively against obesity-related public health campaigns--such as the one directed at removing junk food from schools--and is funded, according to the Center for Media and Democracy, primarily through donations from big food companies such as Coca-Cola, Cargill, Tyson Foods, and Wendy's.

10. The food industry works aggressively to discredit its critics.
According to the new JAMA article, the Center for Consumer Freedom boasts that "[our strategy] is to shoot the messenger. We've got to attack [activists'] credibility as spokespersons." Here's the group's entry on Marion Nestle.

The bottom line, says Nestle, is quite simple: Kids need to eat less, include more fruits and vegetables, and limit the junk food.

Healthy Support for your Eyes

The carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are most commonly linked to protection from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In a new study conducted at the University of Georgia, lutein and zeaxanthin were found to reduce the harmful effects of glare on a test group of people with normal eyesight.


Lutein and zeaxanthin may improve visual performance and reduce the effects of glare

Healthy subjects with an average age of 23.9 were assigned to receive daily supplements of lutein (10 mg) and zeaxanthin (2 mg) for six months. The subjects' eyes were then tested for the effects of glare as experienced in everyday situations, including being outdoors on bright days, lengthy sessions of looking at a computer monitor, and nighttime exposure to oncoming headlights.

Following six months of supplementation, the participant's average macular pigment optical density (MPOD) increased significantly from the average value at the beginning of the study. MPOD is a measure of the eye's ability to filter short-wave light.

After testing the subjects for their performance in visual tasks following glare, researchers concluded that four to six months of supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin significantly reduced the detrimental effects of the exposure and improved visual performance.

Optom Vis Sci 2008 Feb;85(2):82-8

Help for Fall Allergies

Help for Fall Allergies

This can be a difficult time of year for many people. It is the time when autumn plants bloom outdoors and mold spores bloom indoors. Both of these trigger allergic responses in people prone to allergies.

What are allergies? Why do some people get them? And how can you find relief if you have allergies?
What are allergies?
Allergies occur when a plant or animal protein or a synthetic substance contacts your mucous membrane and your immune system reacts to reject the irritant. These irritants can include:

* Mold
* Pollen
* Dust
* Animal Dander

When your immune system senses one of these irritants it creates an antibody. The antibody protein is rushed to the site of the irritation and “pops” a mast cell. This releases histamines, which create inflammation in the area surrounding the site. This in turn attracts white blood cells and plasma fluid from the lymphatic system, causing heat and swelling. At the same time, blood vessels in the area dilate, causing redness. This irritation may also cause pain.

Although trigger proteins often come from pollen or mold spores, they can really come from anything. For instance, the most common food allergy in North America is milk. Here, the allergic reactions happen within the intestines, where the milk antibody protein (casein) pops the mast cells in the intestines similar to the way a needle pops a balloon.

Something interesting about the nature of mast cells is that they seem to be connected in groups. The H-1 (histamine-1) receptors line the sinuses, intestines, skin, joints and lungs. So, when ragweed pollen triggers mast cells in the nose or a milk protein triggers mast cells in the intestines, all the body’s H-1 mast cells react. That’s why milk allergy is related to asthma, ragweed-induced asthma is related to eczema, and mold-induced eczema is related to arthritis.

Why do I have allergies?
A more important question than “What are allergies” may be “Why do I have allergies when others do not?” A little story might help us understand where we are in the course of health in North America and around the world.

Many years ago, coal miners took a canary with them into the mines to check whether the air was safe for them to breathe. As long as the canary was alive, the miners knew that the air was safe. However, if the canary began having breathing problems, the miners knew that the air was toxic and that they had to immediately leave the mine. Today coal miners use sophisticated air-quality sensors to test for toxic air.

People with allergies are like canaries in the coal mine: They suffer sooner than others. But make no mistake – toxic air affects everyone sooner or later! Those watching world health trends are seeing incredible increases in rates of hay fever, asthma, arthritis and many other allergy-related disorders.

Therefore, we can easily say that there are only two kinds of people:

1. Those who have allergies today
2. Those who will develop allergies tomorrow

Health research from around the world confirms this startling trend.

What you can do
Allergy protection is possible when you approach the problem from two perspectives: isolation and insulation.

Isolation
This means keeping your environment as allergen-free as possible. You avoid foods that may be allergy triggers as well as keep your indoor air as clean as possible. It may also mean you stay indoors when allergen counts are high.

Insulation
This means keeping your mast cells as tough as possible so they don’t “pop” too easily. All mast cells are made of good fats, such as those in DFH Omega Synergy. Using these fats in a high concentration (two per meal) over time will toughen up mast cells and help prevent histamine release.

Vitamin B-12 also helps protect you from allergies by reducing the total amount of histamines your body makes. According to an ongoing study of B-12 and allergies, it takes about three milligrams of B-12 to break through the allergy process and reduce symptoms. Additionally, there appears to be a long-term effect. People in the B-12 study experienced more allergy relief in their second year than they did during the first.

A few other nutrients play important roles in allergy reduction:

* Maximum levels of Vitamin C (learn about the Vitamin C Flush) act directly to help block histamines
* Calcium assists B-12 in blocking histamine formation
* Probiotics with enzymes (such as those in Digestive Complex) help reduce mast cell triggers found in foods.

What we all can do
The incidence of allergies increases as carbon dioxide increases in our air and toxins increase in our water and foods. Everything we do to reduce these toxins and support organic agriculture decreases the toxic burden that all of us, including our children and grandchildren, are forced to bear. We are the canaries in the coal mine. Each of us must decide for ourselves how to best insulate our bodies, while at the same time, doing our part to help reduce our planet’s toxic load.

Protecting Yourself Against the Cold and Flu

What You Can Do to Protect Against Cold or Flu

Cold and flu season is here. What do we do to stay well or speed the healing process if we are sick? Here are some great recommendations from a number of different sources:

* Wash your hands
First, the largest contributor to infection is unwashed hands. Washing your hands with soap every few hours will reduce the chance for pathogens to gain access to your system. As important as washing your hands is making sure they are completely dry. Then, use the disposable towel to open the door out of the washroom. Many ugly microbes lurk on door handles – usually from people who have not properly washed and dried their hands.

* Clean surfaces
Next, disinfect surfaces that are shared by many people. For instance, public telephones bring you within kissing distance of hundreds or even thousands of people. Who knows what their hygiene habits are? In a typical day we may be exposed to germs from as many as 150 countries or more!

* Reduce stress
Reduce stress during this season. Stress decreases the effectiveness of your immune system. Your immune system may begin to overreact or not react in time to stop an infection when you are under stress. The source of the stress really does not matter. For instance, job stress and an injury may seem like entirely different stresses to your mind but they are treated exactly the same way by your body.

What determines if you get sick or not?
To better understand viral infections we need to look a bit deeper into medical research. In the book, The Promise of Sleep, William Dement, MD describes a routine where live rhino viruses are cultured and people are routinely infected. Yet, not all of them get sick. Some people actually feel better after the virus has been introduced.

Viruses have existed on earth far longer than humans have. We exist in the same time and space constantly. You even have many, many thousands of live rhino viruses in your nose right now! Why aren’t they causing an infection? It has to do with an argument that occurred 150 years ago between Louis Pasteur and Antoine Bechamp.

Pasteur and Bechamp were physicians in France. They were keenly aware of the same things you and I experience every year: during the cold and flu season, some people get sick and some people don’t. Pasteur spent his life looking for what makes sick people sick. Bechamp spent his career looking for what keeps healthy people healthy – and how we can be like them! They settled their argument with the discovery that illness visits people with poor habits much more frequently than those who care for their health.

It turns out that microbes prefer to wreak their havoc on people with compromised immune systems. Dr. Dement discovered that simple things will make you vulnerable to infection with a cold or the flu, such as:

o An imbalanced diet
o Alcohol and caffeine consumption
o An argument with someone you love

He noted that the greatest contributor to wellness or illness concerning these infections is the amount of sleep that we get. Just as Pasteur and Bechamp discovered more than a century ago, our health revolves around a healthy lifestyle more than the virulence of a microbe.

Help protect against seasonal illness
The phrase that describes our vulnerability or resistance to disease is “biological terrain.” The terrain or landscape of our health is made up of our genetics, our environment and, most importantly, our lifestyle. Vigorous application of the 10 Essentials yields the healthiest, most sickness or illness-resistant terrain. Skipping even one of these principles will change your terrain and leave you vulnerable to infection.

* A base of healthy nutrients
Establishing a base of healthy nutrients can provide us with a very resilient terrain. The more dense the base is, the more sickness or illness-resistant our terrain will be. Taking a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement every day is an excellent start. Almost all physicians recommend an Omega-3 supplement as well. If your terrain is being remodeled by stress, you may need adaptogens to help you keep from getting sick. Indeed, the long-term studies of adaptogens in Russia clearly demonstrated that these plants help your body resist infections and aid in healing.

* Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a favorite for protecting against the common cold. Russell Jaffe, MD, former director of the National Institutes of Health, recommends a loading dose of Vitamin C: one teaspoon of Vitamin C crystals every 15 minutes until you “flush.” By this, he means a complete bowel evacuation. After the flush, he recommends a daily serving of Vitamin C (for one month) that is equivalent to 75% of the amount it took you to flush. This should really improve your terrain!

* Echinacea
Echinacea is used in a similar way. Significant medical research from Germany suggests that an hourly dose of Echinacea will help reduce symptoms and shorten the duration of a virus infection. Taking a gram of Echinacea every hour for three days may even reduce chances of an infection that has already begun. Continue taking Echinacea three times daily for up to two weeks afterward to protect against a relapse.

What are the best ways to protect against virus infections from colds and flu? Reduce your exposure through hand-washing and other sanitary procedures. If your lifestyle has become so hectic that you become vulnerable, aggressive nutrition can restore balance to your immune system. If you feel a bug coming on, traditional remedies such as Vitamin C and Echinacea may be the final bulwark between you and a serious infection.

Take Control of Your Health

* Wash your hands every few hours and dry hands thoroughly
* Most importantly, get your rest
* Take a “base” of nutrients:
o A multiple vitamin and mineral supplement
o An Omega-3 fatty acid supplement
o A stress-specific antioxidant supplement
* Try traditional remedies
o Echinacea hourly for three days, then three times daily for two more
weeks
o Vitamin C flush, then 75% of “flush” amount daily for one month