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

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH!

Fact #1:
I think Willie Nelson once sang, “Momma, don’t let your daughters grow up to be inactive.”
Here’s another reason to encourage your daughters to be physically active: Girls and young women who exercise regularly between the ages of 12 and 35 have a substantially lower risk of breast cancer before menopause compared to those who are less active, new research shows.

Source: A prospective study of age-specific physical activity and premenopausal breast cancer.

Fact #2:
Sleep well knowing melatonin may promote breast health.
Low melatonin levels are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women, according to a prospective case-control study. The researchers found that women with the lowest levels of melatonin had a statistically significantly higher incidence of breast cancer than those with the highest levels.

DFH carries a 3 mg Melatonin tablet. Typical dosing is 1-3 tablets at bedtime. Start with one and increase if needed.

Source: Urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels and risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

Fact #3:
It’s a sunny day for breast health!
Increased intake of vitamin D from the diet and from sunlight may reduce the risk for breast cancer by over 20 per cent, says a new study. “This study suggests that vitamin D is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer regardless of [estrogen-receptor (ER) positive and progesterone-receptor (PR)] status of the tumor,” wrote lead author Kristina Blackmore from Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.

DFH offers you two vitamin D products. Our Vitamin D Synergy contains 2000 IU’s of vitamin D while our Vitamin D Supreme contains 5000 IU’s of vitamin D.

Source: Vitamin D From Dietary Intake and Sunlight Exposure and the Risk of Hormone-Receptor-Defined Breast Cancer.

Fact #4:
It may be time to purchase a good Indian cookbook.
Curcumin, the yellow extract from the common curry spice turmeric, has been shown to block RON tyrosine kinase-mediated invasion of breast cancer cells. DFH’s C3 Curcumin is the same curcumin currently being investigated at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Source: Curcumin blocks RON tyrosine kinase-mediated invasion of breast carcinoma cells.

Fact #5:
Maybe now your broccoli will seem more appetizing.
Sulforaphane, a compound found in broccoli, is found to have anticarcinogenic properties due to its ability to induce expression of phase II detoxification genes.


Source: Expression of MRP1 and GSTP1-1 modulate the acute cellular response to treatment with the chemopreventive isothiocyanate, sulforaphane.

Antioxidants and Macular Degeneration

Antioxidant-Rich Foods May Reduce the Risk of Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of irreversible blindness in developed countries. Age is the most significant risk factor. The cause of AMD is not well understood, but some researchers believe that a diet rich in antioxidants may help reduce the risk of AMD.

A new study in the December 28, 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association studied a large group of older adults, and found that those who consumed above-average intakes of beta-carotene, Vitamin C, Vtamin E, and zinc were less likely to develop AMD.

About the Study
Researchers in the Netherlands followed 4,170 people age 55 years or older for an average of eight years. The participants did not have AMD when the study began. At the start of the study, the participants completed a food frequency questionnaire to determine intake of the following antioxidants/antioxidant cofactors: alpha and beta carotene; beta cryptoxanthin; lutein; lycopene; vitamins A, C, and E; iron; and zinc. During the study, the participants underwent 1-2 eye examinations designed to diagnose AMD. The researchers adjusted their analyses for age, sex, body mass index (a measure of weight in relation to height), smoking status, blood pressure, cholesterol level, atherosclerosis score (a measure of fatty buildup in the arteries), and alcohol intake.

During the study, 560 (13.4%) of the participants were diagnosed with AMD. Higher Vitamin E and zinc intakes were associated with a reduced risk of AMD. Having an above-average intake of the combination of Vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc was associated with a 35% reduced risk of AMD.

These findings are limited because nutrient intake was based on a food frequency questionnaire, which is subject to error.

How Does This Affect You?
This study suggests that diet affects vision, at least in the long-term. Increasing your intake of beta carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and zinc while your vision is good may help prevent AMD later. Beta carotene is found in carrots, kale, and spinach; vitamin C-rich foods include citrus fruits and juices, green peppers, broccoli, and potatoes; Vitamin E can be obtained from whole grains, vegetable oil, eggs, and nuts; and high concentrations of zinc are found in meat, poultry, fish, whole grains, and dairy products.

Symptoms of AMD include seeing blurred words on a page, a dark or empty area in the center of vision and distorted straight lines. If you have any of these symptoms, you should consult with an ophthalmologist, who can diagnose and treat AMD if necessary.

RESOURCES:

American Academy of Ophthalmology
http://www.aao.org/

Macular Degeneration Partnership
http://www.amd.org/

REFERENCES:

Macular degeneration. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Available at: http://www.medem.com/medlb/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZJ4YZNH4C&sub_cat=2013.
Accessed December 28, 2005.

van Leeuwen R, Boekhoorn S, Vingerling JR, et al. Dietary intake of antioxidants and risk of age-related macular degeneration. JAMA . 2005;294(24):3101-3107.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Healthy Fruits and Vegetables

Getting to the Heart of a Healthful Diet: Fruits and Vegetables

Here's Why Fruits and Veggies Are Good for You:
Produce has certainly earned its healthful reputation. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals, and fiber, while being low in calories and fat. All of these factors help make your heart healthier. Specifically:

* Soluble fiber helps lower blood cholesterol levels.
* Antioxidant nutrients—beta-carotene and Vitamins A and C—are believed to help prevent atherosclerosis and lower the risk for coronary artery disease.
* Phytochemicals, which are plant chemicals found in fruits and vegetables, are believed to decrease the risk for many diseases, including heart disease.
* A diet rich in fruits and vegetables helps lower blood pressure.

Here's How to Eat Your Fruits and Veggies:
A total of nine fruits and vegetables each day may sound like a lot, but a serving is probably smaller than you think.

One Serving of Fruit Equals...

* 1 medium piece of fruit, such as an apple, banana, orange, pear, or peach
* ½ grapefruit
* ¼ avocado (Note: there's more fat here than in your average fruit; about 30 grams for a whole avocado, but the majority of this fat is the healthful, monounsaturated kind)
* ½ cup chopped, cooked, or canned fruit, including berries and grapes
* ¼ cup dried fruit
* ¾ cup 100% fruit juice

One Serving of Vegetable Equals...

* 1 cup raw, leafy vegetables, such as spinach, romaine lettuce, and broccoli
* ½ cup of other vegetables, cooked or chopped raw
* ¾ cup 100% vegetable juice

Within your nine daily servings, try for a serving rich in Vitamin A or beta-carotene (which is converted into Vitamin A in the body) and another rich in Vitamin C.

Produce Rich in Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene Include:

* Pumpkin
* Sweet potatoes
* Carrots
* Mangoes
* Spinach
* Cantaloupe
* Kale
* Apricots
* Tomato juice
* Nectarines
* Papayas
* Peaches

Produce Rich in Vitamin C Include:

* Bell pepper
* Papayas
* Oranges and orange juice
* Broccoli
* Strawberries
* Grapefruit
* Cantaloupe
* Tomatoes and tomato juice
* Potatoes
* Cabbage
* Spinach
* Collard greens

To Reach Nine a Day, Eat Some at Each Meal

For Breakfast:

* Fresh or dried fruit mixed with cereal or oatmeal
* Bagel or English muffin topped with avocado and tomato or cucumber and cream cheese
* Glass of tomato juice with a spear of celery

For Lunch and Snacks:

* Bake a sweet potato (microwave on high for 5-8 minutes) and top with black beans
* Stir fresh fruit into yogurt
* Pop open a can of water-packed mandarin oranges
* Dip carrot, celery, red pepper, and zucchini sticks into hummus, yogurt, or low-fat dip

For Dinner:

* Roast vegetables—onion, squash, peppers, and eggplant—and spread on a pizza crust with tomato sauce and cheese
* Top baked potatoes with steamed broccoli, beans, and salsa
* Add dried fruit to rice and stuffing
* Grate carrots and zucchini into pasta sauce

For Dessert:

* Top frozen yogurt with sautéed apples, fresh peaches, or canned pineapple
* Choose a fruity dessert, such as a cobbler, over a heavier treat, such as cheesecake



This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Keeping Your Memory Sharp!

OK, I will admit it if you will – I have forgotten the names of people while talking to them! I have lost my car keys, misplaced my glasses and turned the wrong way on my drive home.

How about you? Does it seem like your memory is playing tricks on you as you age? Well, there are reasons for that and very few of the reasons are related to diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.

How to make a memory
Your memory is an amazing miracle. Each second, your brain processes billions of bits of information from your five senses. You may consciously perceive only a very small percentage of this information because one function of your brain is to filter out unimportant information. The things you remember will usually be advantageous to you, such as remembering your wedding anniversary date as well as where the speed trap is on your drive home.

Memory is divided into two basic groups:

1. Short-term memory
2. Long-term memory

Short-term memories are quickly forgotten when they are no longer important. Practicing or rehearsing can improve your memory by moving more information into the long-term category. For instance, when I am distracted by stress I may not be able to remember where I left my car keys. That information was deleted from my short-term memory. However, if I consciously say, “I am hanging my car keys on the hook,” I am far more likely to remember where they are.

How to keep a memory

Reduce stress
Stress kills your memory. The stress system is designed to ensure survival. It helps us fight off a snarling dog or flee from a menacing bear. As important as that is, humans do more every day than merely survive. If you want to have a good, healthy memory, do all you can to reduce the need for fight or flight stress responses.

Learn something new
As I mentioned earlier, practicing or rehearsing something enhances memory. So does learning something new. You see, memory is facilitated through the billions of neurons and synapses in your brain by patterns: retracing old patterns as well as creating new patterns. The more new things we master, the more connections we create and the better our overall memory will be.

If you want to remember your anniversary, start learning a foreign language. If you want to remember important names, learn how to play a musical instrument. The more you learn – and the more you connect the old with the new – the better your overall memory will be.

How to nourish a memory
Certain nutrients help the memory remain sharp. These nutrients fall into two basic categories: those that create brain structure and those that nourish brain function.

Your brain is made mostly of fat. And the majority of that fat is an Omega-3 fatty acid called DHA. So, to have a healthy brain we need healthy fats like OmegaPrime. Your nerve cells convert some fats into functional nerve proteins called myelin. Formation of myelin requires dietary protein and Vitamin B-12. So, for healthy brain structure and function we need Omega-3 fats, healthy dietary protein and Vitamin B-12.

When the memory is activated it creates heat in the brain. To fuel the memory, quench the heat, and repair the daily wear and tear on your brain, you need antioxidants. Certain antioxidants specifically target brain function. A recent study at Arizona State University demonstrated that the antioxidants found in Optima4 not only helped golfers perform better on the course, but they also significantly improved their memory.

What do you remember?
To recap: Occasional memory lapses usually indicate you are distracted by stress. Rehearsing things you want to remember will help and practicing new things that you have learned will help as well. Because new behaviors create new pathways in your brain, learning something new such as a foreign language or musical instrument can improve your overall memory.

Stress kills your memory. Nutrients such as Omega-3, Vitamin B-12 and brain-specific antioxidants help rebuild and restore your ability to remember. With all of these tools at your disposal you have access to the power of a healthy memory.

Change Your Water and Change Your Life

Water is the single most important resource for the human body. Water is the most
essential nutrient involved in every function of the body. Water accounts for
approximately 70% of an individual’s complete fat free body mass. In order to function
properly, water must be consumed in set quantities in consistent intervals (average of
2.5 liters per day). When not enough water is consumed, people can begin to develop
certain illnesses and even accelerate their aging processes.

Now after establishing the importance of water, one must then think what kind of water
is good to drink? Many people believe that the water concentrations in coffee, sodas,
and energy drinks will be sufficient for the human body to function on optimal levels;
but that is incorrect. Simply stated, the water from these beverages is nothing but
poor quality distilled water.

Your Answer to Hydration and Better Health Lies in Kangen
Water!

What is Kangen Water?



Kangen water is being recognized by more and more people around the world as the purest and healthiest water for the human body. As more and more people have been seeing the benefits of this water, Kangen has gained a vast amount of ground in the
health world to become one of Japan's newest and most popular household names. This delicious water is rich in minerals, purged of free radicals by way of ionization, and can be used in countless ways outside of everyday water drinking.

Kangen Water - "return to origin"

Dating back to its roots in Japan, Kangen Water essentially means “return to origin”. Because this beautiful world of ours has been polluted and soiled with human waste, the human body has not been able to reach optimal growth potential.
Medical studies have long recognized the devastating effects of high levels of acidity in our bodies. Kangen Water has a pH of 8.5 -11.0 which would then make this water basic or an alkaline. In addition to Kangen waters pH level, tests have
also shown a negative ORP (oxidizing reduction potential) rating. Kangen water is perhaps the most effective anti-oxidant and its negative ORP rating further proves that hypothesis. Anti-oxidants can help balance out some of these acids and restore the body to equilibrium or its “original state” as it should be, where we can all grow and flourish.

Free Radicals


Conditions such as exposure to electromagnetic or ultra-violet radiation,alcohol, tobacco, and the stresses that arise in each individual’s daily life can all contribute to the build up of free radicals in one’s body. Free radicals are an
atomic or molecular species with unpaired electrons on an open shell configuration. The unpaired electrons in these free radicals make it very easy to partake in chemical reactions within the body as it searches to fill its outer most
shells with electrons inside of our bodies. Studies have shown that these free
radicals account for 70% of all diseases including some forms of cancer,
diabetes, and speeding up the aging process. A healthier lifestyle can be
achieved immediately as these free radicals are eliminated from our bodies.
Kangen Water simply rids these free radicals from our drinking water and
bodies through the process of ionization.

Recognizing Alkaline Water

As medical studies have recognized for years, the average human body contains acidity levels that can be harmful to the human body. Alkaline and acidic treatment has been widely used in medical treatments in Japan since the 1960s
with success stories of many various illnesses. When patients began requesting medical facilities to continue their treatment in the convenience of their own homes, Enagic Inc. started doing research on how to bring these wondrous machines to the people. After much valuable research, Enagic Inc. of Japan made
medical breakthroughs by bringing fortunate people machines that could dispense pure
alkaline and acidic water to continue their healthy lifestyles in the comfort of their own homes. To say that this company has been successful in the distribution of these devices would be an understatement in Japan as Enagic Inc. has truly
become the top premier water company.

Kangen water - an antioxidant

It is safe to say that Kangen water is an incredible antioxidant. Some may go as
far as to say that Kangen water is more powerful that any single food or vitamin
supplement in the world. Simply stated, Kangen water contains active hydrogen
which supplies vast amounts of free electrons to our body. This process of
electrolysis immediately neutralizes the free radicals in the water and renders it
non-poisonous. Most water electrolysis equipment will not create active
hydrogen in the water; therefore, the equipment merely produces ionized
alkaline water. Because our bodies fluid concentration is roughly two-thirds
water, the antioxidant potential of a single glass of Kangen water would be
much easier for the body to absorb than expensive vitamin supplements.


In fact, instead of breaking down calcium to supply the electrons to neutralize
free radicals, Kangen water supplies the active hydrogen to do the job for you.
When your body retains the extra calcium that is no longer used to break down
free radicals, these calcium minerals can be used to aid in weight loss.

Miracle Healing Water

“Magical miracle healing water” has been found in nature at only a few specific
locations throughout the world. These so called “miracle” water sources have
been discovered in Mexico, Germany, India, China, Australia, and Japan. Large
numbers of people from all over the world wait in line almost every hour of every
day to obtain some of this “magical water” at all of these locations. For many
years, the healing power of this “magical water” was a mystery, but according,
Dr. Sanetaka Shirahata, Graduate School of Genetic Resources Technology,
Kyushu University, these so called “miracle waters” all contain active hydrogen
in the water. Because active hydrogen has an evaporation rate of 0.3-0.7
seconds after generating it, people had to visit these sources to improve on
their chronic illnesses. Kangen water has the same active hydrogen properties
and actually improves on this miracle water. With all said and done, Kangen
Water can now be produced in the comfort of your own home straight from your
tap.


Types of Water

We often call the earth "The Planet of Water"

Roughly 70% of its surface is covered with water. All living things on the
planet rely on water for survival. We need to drink lots of water, but
unfortunately most of the drinking water available to us is simply not
healthy anymore. In some cases, our drinking water is dangerous to our
health.



Tap Water


How do you feel about drinking 8 glasses of tap water each day?
Chlorination makes tap water safe to drink but it can also react with
organic compounds inside your body to produce toxic substances,
especially in your colon. Small amounts of chlorine are added to our
public drinking water supply to kill bacteria and other microorganisms.
This amount of chlorine is small enough for us to drink but it can still kill
bacteria and enzymes in our body essential to digestion.

During a shower, our bodies absorb roughly 2 glasses of this
chlorinated water through our skin. We also inhale the mist and steam
of this water while we shower. Nearly all tap water supplies contain large
amounts of active oxygen (oxidants) and high positive ORP (Oxidation
Reduction Potential) values. Having a high POSITIVE ORP means that
tap water can be very oxidizing, or destructive to your body.



Purified Water Distilled Water and Reverse Osmosis


Distilled water and water purified by reverse osmosis may not have most
pollutants and additives found in tap water, but it also lacks any
minerals naturally found earth's water that are essential to our well
being. These processes remove EVERYTHING from the water, including
helpful minerals.

Since this water contains no minerals or life whatsoever, it leaches vital
minerals and alkaline buffers from our bodies. Distilled water and
reverse osmosis water have no energy or vitality at all and can
contribute to an acidic state in our bodies.



Bottled Water (Including "Mineral Water")


You might think that bottled water is healthier than tap water. But in a
four-year scientific study, The NRDC (Natural Resources Defense
Council) tested more than 1,000 bottles of 103 brands, a third of them
were found to contain contaminants such as arsenic and carcinogens.

Recently, another shocking study showed that over time cancer-causing
toxins such as dioxin leach into the water from the plastic bottle.
Actually, a lot of the bottled "spring" waters are just filtered tap water put
in a plastic bottle. These bottles often remain on store and factory
shelves, unopened for months or even years.

Bottled water is essentially dead water. If you choose your water based
on the package or the brand, you should know that some 95% of the
price you are paying for that bottled water is covering other costs, such
as packaging, advertising, distribution costs, rather than the water itself.

Yet, bottled water is so popular and available almost everywhere. As a
result, the bottled water industry enjoys annual sales of more than $3.5
billion worldwide. 15 years ago people wouldn't spend $3-$5 per day on
bottled water; these days they do.



Alkaline Ionized Water


Alkaline ionized water is by far the healthiest water available today.
Decades of scientific and medical research have gone into its
developement. It is produced by an in-home machine that first filters and
then ionizes tap water. This process splits the water into its alkaline and
acidic parts. The alkaline water is used for drinking. It has tremendous
hydrating and antioxidant qualities, due in part to its smaller water
clusters and abundance of extra electrons created by the ionization
process.



Kangen™ Water - The Highest Grade of Alkaline Ionized
Water


Kangen™ water has the strongest antioxidant power of any alkaline
ionized water. The Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) of Kangen™
water can reach up to -500mV, where most average ionized water
reaches only around -150mV.

The difference is significant. As a matter of fact, regular Alkaline Ionized
Water units are classified as "home health appliance," while Kangen™
Water units are in the "medical device" classification by the Ministry of
Health and Welfare in Japan, which is equivalent to the FDA in the U.S.
Currently, out of 44 companies manufacturing ionized water generators,
Only 6 of them make units certified as Kangen™ Water grade.

Enagic ONLY manufactures certified Kangen™ Water units. And its
quality is considered by many as the best of the best in the industry.

The word "Kangen™" "return to origin" in Japanese. A more general
meanings would be "renewing" or "restoring". Drinking Kangen™ Water
can help "renew" and "restore" a healthy balance in your life.


© Kangen Water USA. All Rights Reserved

The Facts on Oscillococcinum

Intro

Oscillococcinum is an anomaly in the homeopathic materia medica because it is one of the relatively few proprietary preparations. The name is registered by Boiron.

Scarcely known to the English-speaking world, it is one of the most widely used and popular homeopathic medicines in France. But even in France it is anomalous. It is the only homeopathic medicine authorized for routine production in France in a dilution above the 30c, and by the Korsakovian method.

All other homeopathic medicines in France are prepared by the Hahnemannian method, in potencies not exceeding 30c, although higher dilutions may be prepared on a named patient basis. The Korsakovian dilution method involves repeated incomplete emptying and refilling of a single piece of glassware, whereas the Hahnemannian demands fresh glassware for each dilution.

One medical review has only been able to say that the results look promising without giving a recommendation to use it.
History

Oscillococcinum is a 200c potency of an autolysate of Barbary duck heart and liver. It was introduced in the 1930's by Dr Joseph Roy, who believed that it contained a bacterium, Oscillococcus, which caused influenza. We now know that this rationale was spurious, although it is not the first or last instance of an effective medicine being introduced on the basis of a theory subsequently shown to be incorrect. In a further twist, Roy's theory has been shown to be much closer to the mark than once supposed. Wild fowl have been shown to be a major reservoir of human influenza viruses.

Certainly Oscillococcinum is popular with the French public, and it was this popularity which made the legislature feel constrained to make it a special case when regulating the production of homoeopathic medicines.
Study

The popular reputation of Oscillococcinum has now been vindicated by a large scale, double-blind, placebo controlled trial published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 487 patients were recruited by 149 general practitioners (mostly non-homoeopaths) in the Rhone-Alpes region of France during the influenza epidemic of January-February 1987.

Entry criteria were: rectal temperature of 38oC or above, and at least two of the following symptoms: headache, stiffness, lumbar or articular pain and shivers. The first manifestations had to have occurred less than 24 hours before entry. Patients with immune deficiency, local infection, or who had been immunized against influenza were excluded.

Diagnosis was purely clinical, although the A H1N1 influenza virus was subsequently identified as being responsible for the epidemic. Patients were randomly assigned to active Oscillococcinum (237 patients) or identical placebo (241 patients), 5 doses at 12 hour intervals. Recovery was defined as temperature less than 37.5oC, with complete resolution of the 5 cardinal symptoms.
Results

After 48 hours, 17% of the active treatment group had fully recovered, compared to 10% of the placebo group. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.03, X2 test). Further analysis showed that the effect of Oscillococcinum peaked at 36 hours, when 40% of recoveries were attributable to the treatment. It was most effective in younger patients - 68% of recoveries within 48 hours in the under-30's were due to treatment; and when the illness was relatively mild - 52% of the recoveries from illnesses classified mild or moderate were due to treatment. Patients on active treatment used significantly less other treatment for pain and fever (50% v 41%, p=0.04), they also judged the active treatment more efficacious than placebo (61% v 49% p=0.02).

The Lancet commented favorably on the trial, remarking that the authors were restrained in their discussion, and describing the difference between placebo and active treatment as 'respectable'. The Lancet's report was "quadruple-blind" mentioning only at the very end that the treatment was homoeopathic.
References

Ferley JP, Zmirou D, D'Adhemar D, Balducci F. A controlled evaluation of a homoeopathic preparation in influenza-like syndromes. Br J Clin Pharmac (1989) 27, 329-335.

Get Ready for the Flu Season with Oscillococcinum!

Good Things to Do if You Get Flu.

1. Keep Oscillococcinum® readily available.
Oscillococcinum (Oscillo®), one of the world's most popular natural flu medicines, can reduce the duration and severity of flu-like symptoms when taken at the onset of symptoms. Oscillo is regulated as a drug by the FDA1 and its use is supported by published clinical studies as well as more than 65 years of worldwide use. Plus, unlike other flu medicines, Oscillo works without causing side effects, does not interfere with other medications, and is safe for both children (older than 2 years of age) and adults.

2. Stay hydrated.
When you are feeling under the weather, drinking extra fluids prevents dehydration caused by fever, loosens mucus and keeps your throat moist. Warm liquids are preferable, and there is some evidence that inhaling steam early in the course of a cold or flu may reduce the spread of viruses in your upper respiratory tract.

3. Listen to your body.
If you do come down with a cold or flu, take it easy. Spending excessive energy steals valuable resources from your immune system. Even attempting to perform normal activities at work or school may be too much. Besides, if you believe you're coming down with flu, probably the best thing you can do for friends and family is to not expose them unnecessarily to the virus.

4. Be careful with medicines.
Children should not take any medicines containing aspirin while they have flu. If you take over-the-counter (OTC) cold or flu preparations, make certain that you're not overdosing. For example, many decongestant OTC medicines offer "all-in-one" relief; that is, they may contain fever and pain reducers. If you are also taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen separately, you may inadvertently be ingesting too much of these compounds.

5. Seek help if you get worse.
If your symptoms become significantly worse after the first 3 days of illness, especially if your fever subsides and then returns, be sure to seek medical attention right away. The reason that flu is considered a potentially dangerous infection is that it leaves the body vulnerable to other infections like pneumonia.

"Basically, your grandmother was right: when you have flu, stay at home, rest, drink plenty of fluids, and have some chicken soup - after inhaling the steam while it's cooking. I would add that you can gain an advantage in shortening the duration and severity of flu-like symptoms by taking Oscillococcinum as soon as they appear."

Clinical Studies on Oscillococcinum

Oscillococcinum has been shown in clinical trials to help reduce the severity and shorten the duration of flu symptoms.1,2

Oscillococcinum works rapidly, with 63 percent of patients showing “complete resolution" or "clear improvement” at 48 hours.*1 In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, the recovery rate within 48 hours of treatment was significantly greater in the group that received the active drug than in the placebo group.†2

Unlike other flu medicines, Oscillococcinum does not cause side effects, such as drowsiness, and has no known or reported drug interactions. Oscillococcinum is regulated as a drug by the FDA3 and can be purchased at pharmacies, natural food stores and supermarkets.

Make sure patients have Oscillococcinum on hand because it works best when taken early. Recommend Oscillococcinum at the first signs of flu.

Summary of Studies

Download a PDF summary of four double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies on Oscillococcinum. Included in this PDF is a chart comparing Oscillococcinum with antivirals, herbs, vitamins, and symptomatic medicines for aches and fever.
Read More Research

Read an independent review of research studies on Oscillococcinum conducted by the Cochrane Collaboration (Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 3: CD001957, 2006.)


“Taking Oscillococcinum at the first sign of flu symptoms reduced the average bout by about 6 hours in the two studies that provided enough data to analyze.”

-Andrew Vickers, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, who reviewed the evidence on Oscillococcinum for the Cochrane Collaboration (quote published in Nutrition Action Healthletter, January/February 2007)

“The research is somewhat promising. Two separate authors reviewed seven well-controlled studies that showed that it was able to reduce flu-like symptoms by about 7 hours. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but if you feel miserable, 7 hours can make a difference.”

-Joy Bauer, Joy Bauer Nutrition Center, New York, N.Y., and Today Show contributor (quote heard on the Today Show, Feb. 13, 2007)

This Week's Healthy Fun Facts!

Fact #1:
If it’s purple, blue or red, eat it.
The structure of anthocyanins, the antioxidant pigments from a range of fruit and vegetables, is key to the cancer fighting abilities, reports a new study from the US. The study adds to a growing body of science that indicates the potential anti-cancer benefits of the antioxidant compounds most commonly associated with berries. In 2006, researchers from UCLA's Center for Human Nutrition, characterized the phenolic content of six berries and found that, while many different forms of phenolics are present in the berry extracts, anthocyanins are the major contributors toward programmed cell death.

Bilberry fruit is particularly high in anthocyanins, especially MirtoSelect used in DFH’s OcuForce. Anthocyanins have a stabilizing effect on collagen, prevent capillary fragility, and improve microcirculation. Aside from its purported role in improving night vision, bilberry has been used to help in the treatment of glaucoma, cataracts, retinopathy, diabetes mellitus, and arthritis. Clinical evidence shows Mirtoselect® protects the connective tissue of the vascular wall - particularly collagen and elastin from degradation - and by stimulating mucopolysaccharide synthesis.

DFH’s PaleoReds has a veritable cornucopia of anthocyanin and polyphenol rich fruits and berries.

Source: Structure-Function Relationships of Anthocyanins from Various Anthocyanin-Rich Extracts on the Inhibition of Colon Cancer Cell Growth.

Fact #2:
“Mrs. Jones, I’m writing you a prescription for a day at the water park.”
Patients suffering from fibromyalgia could benefit significantly from regular exercise in a heated swimming pool, a recent study shows. "The addition of an aquatic exercise program to the usual care for fibromyalgia in women, is cost-effective in terms of both health care costs and societal costs," the researchers conclude, "appropriate aquatic exercise is a good health investment."

Source: Cost-utility of an 8-month aquatic training for women with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial.

Fact #3:
Did you ever think of melatonin for GERD?
In a randomized, single-blind clinical trial of subjects with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the combination of melatonin with other natural supplements was found to be superior to omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). How much melatonin? 6 mg melatonin daily resulted in symptom relief where 3 mg melatonin resulted in symptoms.

DFH’s 3 mg Melatonin tablet comes with 10 mgs. of vitamin B6 which was also given to subjects in this study.

Source: Melatonin for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Fact #4:
You may want to skip dessert but don’t skip the exercise.
A new study showed that when older people diet without exercising, they lose more lean muscle compared to those who exercise, said senior researcher Bret H. Goodpaster. When they combined weight loss with exercise, it nearly completely prevented the loss of lean muscle mass. The results are important because older people tend to lose muscle mass as they age and too much muscle loss may interfere with activities of daily living.


Source: Separate and combined effects of exercise training and weight loss on exercise efficiency and substrate oxidation.

Fact #5:
Green tea for hemoglobin A1c!!!!
Green tea-extract lowered the hemoglobin A1c level in individuals with borderline diabetes in a recent study. DFH’s green tea extract EGCg has many clinical applications and is decaffeinated.

Source: Randomized controlled trial for an effect of green tea-extract powder supplementation on glucose abnormalities.

Keverne's Healthy Fun Facts

Fact #1:
A simple answer to a painful problem.
Gallstone-related disorders are common and costly, but preventive measures are largely unexplored. Lifestyle risk factors include physical activity, obesity/overweight, and diet. Increasing consumption of magnesium appears to decrease the risk of symptomatic gallstones in men.



DFH offers 2 Albion chelated magnesium products, Magnesium Malate Chelate and Magnesium Glycinate.

Source: Long-term effect of magnesium consumption on the risk of symptomatic gallstone disease among men.

Fact #2:
Maybe studying at the Cordon Bleu can help stop chronic disease.
Polyphenolic compounds from edible plants are the main source of antioxidants in the human diet. Culinary herbs and spices provide high concentrations of these active compounds which have been shown to decrease non-enzymatic glycation of proteins, which produce advanced glycation end products, a process common to diabetes and Alzhiemer’s disease.


Ultimate Antiox-HS (the HS stands for herbs and spices) may not be ideal in this year’s Christmas fruit cake, but it is a great way to make sure your patients get healthy doses of beneficial polyphenols and antioxidants.

Source: Inhibition of protein glycation by extracts of culinary herbs and spices.

Fact #3:
The pain of Parkinson’s disease…
Pain appears to be more common in individuals with Parkinson's disease than in those without, suggesting that pain is associated with the condition, according to a new report. “We observed a significant association between Parkinson's disease and non-dystonic pain, beginning after the onset of parkinsonian symptoms," the authors write. "Cramping and central neuropathic [nervous system–related] pain were more frequent among Parkinson's disease patients than controls. About one-quarter of patients who experienced pain reported pain onset before starting antiparkinsonian therapy."


Source: Pain as a nonmotor symptom of Parkinson disease: evidence from a case-control study.

Fact #4:

More food for thought on chronic disease, glutamine and arginine.
A recent study has demonstrated the importance of glutamine as a precursor in the synthesis of arginine. Among other things, arginine has been found to have antioxidant activity as it has been found to inhibit the oxidation of LDL as well as demonstrating immunomodulatory activity.*

*From “The PDR for Nutritional Supplements”

Source: Glutamine is an important precursor for de novo synthesis of arginine in humans.

Fact #5:
Chillin’ with a cup of tea may help those with diabetes.
Drinking chamomile tea daily with meals may help prevent the complications of diabetes according to researchers. Chamomile-supplemented animals showed a significant decrease in blood glucose levels compared with the controls, researcher’s say. The extract also showed significant inhibition of both ALR2 enzymes and sorbitol, whose elevated levels are associated with increased diabetic complications.

Source: Protective effects of dietary chamomile tea on diabetic complications.

A Weight Loss Plan that Works

A Weight Loss Plan That Works

We all can agree that losing weight is a challenge. Many healthcare professionals argue over the cause(s) of obesity: is it nature or nurture? Saying that the problem is “nature” (genetics) may make us feel like victims. Saying it is “nurture” (behavior) may make us feel guilty, like we are real failures. How can we come to terms with the obesity challenge? We can "lose the labels" and deal with weight loss in a positive and constructive way..

Remember, we are unique; we are “one of a kind.” We need a program that speaks to us as individuals because what solves the problem for us may not exactly be what someone else needs. However, one strategy that helps everyone in the weight-loss struggle is to create a deficit between the calories we eat and the calories we burn – fewer calories “in,” more calories “out.” This simple formula will give us the best chance for success with weight loss.
Your diet
Very few aspects of your life are as emotionally charged as securing your right to choose for yourself. From early childhood until today, one of the most important choices you make concerns your diet. You must have choices and they must be your own. Recognize that restricting yourself from available choices goes against your very nature. A restrictive diet is doomed to failure. Select a diet that is uncomplicated and appealing to you and you will have a greater chance for success.

The first challenge we face in diet selection is committing to the discipline of thinking ahead instead of eating impulsively. So, start with something small and attainable:

* Many health experts recommend fresh fruits and vegetables daily
o 5 servings for children
o 7 servings for women
o 9 servings for men
* Add high quality protein such as seafood, poultry or lean red meats to your diet every day
* Drink plenty of water

These are easy steps that you can accomplish today! Remember, the time you spend selecting the right diet for yourself is an investment in your health and your future. Give it the attention it deserves.

Calories in – calories OUT!
We must burn more calories than we consume in order for weight loss to occur.

Exercise is the key to permanent, lifetime weight control. There is no way around it. However, exercise does not have to be a punishment; it can really be pleasurable. The key is finding something you enjoy doing. I recommend that you start with three forms of activity; this prevents exercise boredom. Add more activities every month. Get in the habit of participating in at least 30 minutes of activity every day.

There are basically two types of exercise that you need every week:

1. Aerobic exercise is defined as any activity that increases your need for oxygen. Aerobics make you breathe harder. You need at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the week. Some examples include walking, swimming and an exercise bike. If you’re new to exercise, start out slowly and get your doctor’s OK. As the weather gets cooler, look for indoor alternatives like a brisk walk at your local mall.

Aerobic exercise can balance hormones, relieve anxiety and depression, and mobilize your energy for the great works of your life. Aerobic exercise speeds up your metabolism.

But where does metabolism originate? It comes from your lean body mass – your muscles! That is the domain of resistance training.

2. Progressive resistance training is defined as any exercise where the load to the muscle is increased by some mechanical means – weights, bands, springs and many other methods. The key is to progressively increase the weight or resistance over time. This results in more lean body mass and less fat mass. If you increase your muscle strength, you increase the “engines” that produce muscle energy. Nothing builds metabolism (muscle energy) as well as progressive resistance training. You can get useful training tips at your local library or by going online.

Supplements for weight loss

A Smart Weight Loss System can also be an important part of your weight loss plan. For many people it represents the critical difference between success and failure in lifetime weight control. The System has three steps:


* Fat burning capsules – Designs for Health Endotrim Capsules help increase metabolism and energy to support your body’s ability to burn more calories. Plus, they help limit cortisol production – the stress-induced hormone that can lead to abdominal fat.



* Appetite Control Capsules – Crave Arrest Capsules contain ingredients that are clinically proven to help curb the appetite and contain fewer calories than other snacks.


* Nutritional shakes – Paleomeal Nutritional Shakes can be used as a low calorie meal substitute; they provide a healthy balance of wholesome carbohydrates, proteins, good fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

However, you must always remember that these are supplements; they supplement a healthy diet and exercise program. Use them wisely as an important part of your total wellness program.

Take Control of Your Health

* Plan a balance of calories and activity for lifetime weight control
* Eat 5, 7 or 9 servings of fruits and vegetables daily
* Plan 30 minutes of aerobic activity most days of the week
* Do resistance training 2 to 5 times per week
* Supplement your weight loss program with Designs for Health supplements

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.