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.