FDA Approves Healthy Heart Claim for Omega-3 Fortified Foods
FDA EXTENDS HEALTH CLAIM TO OMEGA- EPA/DHA FORTIFIED FOODS WASHINGTON, D.C., September 8, 2004-The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) commends FDA’s actions today extending the qualified health claim for Omega-3 EPA and DHA, previously available only for supplements, to conventional foods, but suggested FDA fell short of recommending what the science supports. According to CRN President Annette Dickinson, Ph.D., “”Petitioners, including CRN, requested a full health claim for Omega-3 EPA/DHA and reducing the risk of coronary heart disease, and we continue to believe that the science is strong enough to warrant an unqualified health claim. While it is logical for FDA to have extended the qualified health claim to conventional foods, as well as supplements, given they both provide the same beneficial nutrients, we hope that as the positive science continues to build FDA will move towards a full health claim.”" Dr. Dickinson added, “”We are disappointed that in today’s action FDA established no minimum requirement for the amount of Omega-3 EPA/DHA that a conventional food must contain in order to use the qualified health claim. We further believe it will do consumers a disservice if foods with insignificant amounts of these fatty acids carry the claim.”" The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973, is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing dietary supplement industry ingredient suppliers and manufacturers. CRN members adhere to a strong code of ethics, comply with dosage limits and manufacture dietary supplements to high quality standards under good manufacturing practices. For more information on CRN, visit http://www.crnusa.org.
Alpha lipoic acid
Alpha-Lipoic Acid: More Than an Antioxidant
There are numerous molecules, known as free radicals, which cause us to age rapidly and may contribute to serious health problems. Most of these free radicals, whether they come from pollution, smoke or chemicals, can be controlled by a group of nutrients called antioxidants. One excellent example of an antioxidant is Alpha-Lipoic Acid, a substance found in food and manufactured in small quantities by the body. In 1988, it was discovered that Alpha-Lipoic Acid was a powerful metabolic antioxidant. When taken within a comprehensive antioxidant regime, Alpha-Lipoic Acid replenishes Vitamin C and glutathione and helps to recycle Vitamin E. As an added benefit, Alpha-Lipoic Acid promotes cellular and muscular energy and functions as a co-enzyme in the metabolism of sugars.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid supplementation is necessary whenever increased energy is required; periods of strenuous physical activity and a desire for optimum vitality are excellent examples of situations with this need. It is a powerful liver detoxifier and protects against the effects of toxic metals in the liver. In addition to its effect on the repair and protection of the liver, Alpha-Lipoic Acid helps to supply energy to the brain and boosts the effectiveness of the immune system.
As an antioxidant, Alpha-Lipoic Acid is unique because it is both fat- and water-soluble. Because of this property, it can enter all areas of the cell affected by free radicals. Alpha-Lipoic Acid also helps to convert pyruvate into acetyl co-enzyme A, one of the main fuels driving the Krebs Cycle, which provides the body with its energy. As a result, one can improve the body’s rate of metabolism of fats and carbohydrates while increasing athletic strength and endurance.
When combined with other antioxidants, Alpha-Lipoic Acid has the ability to lengthen cell life, fight infection, increase energy and detoxify the body.
Soda Consumption: A Major Health Risk
By Janice Billingsley HealthScoutNews Reporter SATURDAY, Nov. 9 (HealthScoutNews) — Soft drinks may fill you up, but they let you down when it comes to vitamins and minerals. A University of Missouri consumer economist, analyzing the results of a national food survey, found that people significantly increased their chances of being deficient in the recommended daily allowances (RDA) for common vitamins and minerals when they consumed a lot of sugared drinks. RDA deficiencies are not common. In the some 15,000 people who self-reported their food intake for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) study, from only 1 percent to 8 percent of the participants were not getting the proper amounts of certain vitamins and minerals. However, says Michael S. Finke, an assistant professor or consumer and family economics at Missouri, the consequences of getting ever more calories from soft drinks or fruit-flavored sugared drinks with no nutrients is a trend that needs attention. “”RDA deficiency is not a major problem because a lot of foods have vitamins and minerals added, but this study shows that more nutrient-rich foods are being replaced by sugar drinks,”" says Finke, author of the study, appearing in the December issue of the Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal. “”People haven’t really highlighted the consequences of this major food consumption trend,”" he says. Part of the problem could be simple economics, he says. Soda is a very cheap way to get calories. “”Soda pop has always been around, but it’s so much cheaper now, relatively speaking, than it was 30 years ago that it is an enticing food option for resource-constrained families,”" Finke says. “”A three-liter bottle of soda is 69 cents and contains 1,000 calories.”" The only cheaper food source, he says, is vegetable oils. Between 1970 and 1997, Finke says in his study, there has been a 86 percent increase in annual per capita consumption of carbonated, sugared soft drinks. One 12-ounce can of cola supplies about 150 calories from about 10 teaspoons of sugar. In the study, Finke reviewed the results of a 1994-1996 survey of the USDA’s Food Intakes by Individuals, to see if there were any associations between soda consumption and vitamin and mineral deficiency among participants in the self-reported food survey. The scientists looked at 14 vitamins and minerals, including: vitamins A, E, C, B6, and B12, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folate, and the minerals calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and zinc. The study did not include information about any vitamin or mineral supplements taken. “”The results were a little bit more dramatic that I had expected,”" he says. “”I expected the results would be significant for nutrients associated with foods that might be replaced by soda, like calcium in milk, but the results were also significant for every other vitamin and mineral.”" Finke and his colleagues found that sugar drink consumption was the most consistent variable — more than gender, race, or income — to signal the probability that people would not meet their RDA requirements. The problem, he says, is not failure to meet RDA requirements, as only a small proportion of the participants actually failed to do so, ranging from 181 people (1.2 percent) for niacin to 1,168 people (7.8 percent) for vitamin A. However, the trend of increased soda pop consumption could increase the likelihood that more people would fail to meet their RDA requirements down the road. “”If someone drinks two cans of soda daily, which is about 15 percent of daily caloric intake, there is a 1 percent decrease in the probability that the person will meet their RDA requirements in calcium, for instance,”" Finke says. “”So if the trend continues in the future as it has in the past, sugar drink consumption will have an even greater impact on failure to meet RDA’s.”" Finke says he is an economist, not a nutritionist, “”but it seems obvious that we should pay attention to this trend in U.S. food consumption and look at things we can to do reduce sugared drink consumption by making other foods less expensive and more palatable.”" Connie Diekman, a nutritionist at the Washington University in St. Louis, agrees that soft drink consumption is a trend threatening to compromise good, nutritional health, especially in young people. “”What this study and others have shown is that adolescents increasingly turn to soft drinks for hydration and then don’t need to get those calories from healthier choices,”" she says. “”In addition, the long-term effects of inadequate calcium — maybe not deficient, but less than that needed for bone health — are a major health issue.”" What To Do See a report on soda consumption by teens at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Go to the American Dietetic Association for some tips on how much soda to consume. SOURCES: Michael S. Finke, Ph.D., assistant professor, consumer and family economics, University of Missouri, Columbia; Connie Diekman, M.Ed., R.D., L.D., F.A.D.A., director, university nutrition, Washington University, St. Louis and spokeswoman, American Dietetic Association; December 2002 Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal
Supplements That Reduce Stress
NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS THAT REDUCE AND HELP CONTROL MENTAL STRESS A number of nonprescription supplements have been shown to reduce mild to moderate anxiety. If you are taking any prescription medication for stress or depression, check with your doctor. If you do not have access to a physician, then refer to our <a href=”"drugdigest.html”" DRUG DIGEST that lists all known contraindications between drugs and herbs. Experiment with one remedy at a time. Reason: If you start taking several supplements and develop side effects, you won’t know which one is responsible.
Take the herbs listed below daily for three months and then take a two-week break. This strategy will minimize the potential for adverse effects and the risk of becoming psychologically dependent on them. Natural treatments to ease anxiety B vitamins The B vitamins - especially B6 and B12 - help regulate the body’s response to stress and maintain a healthy nervous system. What I recommend to my patients: Twice a day, take a vitamin B complex formula that contains at least 25mg of B6…and also contains 1mg of B12. Because these vitamins work best in combination with other nutrients, also take a multivitamin-mineral supplement twice a day.
Look for B12 in the form of hydroxocobalamin or methylcobalamin. They are better absorbed than the more commonly available cyanocobalamin.
Kava kava This herb is approved as an anxiety and insomnia treatment in many European countries. It can help relieve acute and chronic anxiety without making you feel drowsy or ‘fuzzy.’ Kava is as effective as serax - the benzodiazepine tranquilizer - for quelling anxiety but with no addictive potential.
Warning: Avoid kava if you drink alcohol or are taking benzodiazepines, such as Valium or Xanax…sleeping pills, such as Seconal or Halcion…or anti-depressants, such as Prozac or Zoloft. Do not take kava if you have Parkinson’s disease - it may worsen tremors. Saint-John’s-wort This herb works as an antidepressant. It also relieves chronic anxiety. You must take it for several weeks before you feel its effects. Research shows it lowers anxiety levels as well as Vallium does without fogging thinking. It decreases the uptake (rate of removal) of serotonin in the brain, thereby increasing serotonin levels, which induces calm feelings. It is not addictive and has few side effects.
Warnings: Don’t take Saint-John’s-wort if you’re on an antidepressant, particularly Nardil or Parnate. And - because Saint-John’s-wort may make you more sensitive to the sun, wear sunscreen when you are outdoors. Valerian This is a natural sedative - the most popular one used in Europe. It contains ingredients similar to those found in Vallium. It is useful for relieving anxiety because it helps you sleep. It isn’t addictive, nor does it make you feel groggy the next morning as sleeping pills can.
Warning: Don’t use valerian if you’re taking sedatives, such as phenobarbital or benzodiazepines.
OJ Fortified with Plant Sterols Lowers Cholesterol
Sterol-fortified OJ Lowers ‘Bad’ Cholesterol February 20, 2004 — University of California at Davis Plant sterols — recognized for their cholesterol-lowering power when added to margarines, salad dressings and other fats — are just as effective in reducing low-density lipoprotein, or “”bad”" cholesterol”" levels, when added to orange juice, say researchers. The results are based on a 10-week study of 72 healthy volunteers with mildly elevated cholesterol levels.
Orange juice fortified with plant sterols found to lower ‘bad’ cholesterol in healthy volunteers.
(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — Plant sterols — recognized for their cholesterol-lowering power when added to margarines, salad dressings and other fats — are just as effective in reducing low-density lipoprotein, or “”bad”" cholesterol”" levels, when added to orange juice, say researchers at UC Davis School of Medicine and Medical Center.
The results, based on a 10-week study of 72 healthy volunteers with mildly elevated cholesterol levels, are published in the March 8 issue of the American Heart Association’s journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (available online at http://www.atvbaha.org).
“”Lowering LDL cholesterol is a well-accepted means of reducing the likelihood of heart disease,”" said Sridevi Devaraj, an assistant professor of pathology and investigator in the Laboratory for Atherosclerosis and Metabolic Research at UC Davis Medical Center who led the sterol study. “”Fortifying orange juice with plant sterols is an easy and effective way to boost a diet’s LDL-fighting power in individuals with mildly elevated cholesterol levels.
“”Fifty percent of Americans have mildly elevated cholesterol levels, defined as having a total cholesterol reading of more than 200 mg/dL. The inclusion of sterols in orange juice offers an important treatment option without increasing saturated fat and at the same time providing vitamin C, flavonoids and other essential nutrients.”"
The American Heart Association and National Cholesterol Education Program recommend a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and rich in soluble fiber and plant sterols to help individuals reduce their risk of heart disease. Sterols are present in small quantities in a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, cereals and legumes. Chemically similar to cholesterol, sterols are thought to lower LDL levels in the body by limiting absorption of cholesterol in the intestine. The UC Davis study is the first to show the cholesterol-reducing effects of plant sterols in a nonfat beverage.
For the study, the UC Davis researchers enrolled healthy volunteers ages 20 to 73 with mildly elevated cholesterol levels. The volunteers were asked to eat their normal diet but to drink a cup of juice along with whatever they had for breakfast and dinner. Half of the group had the sterol-fortified orange juice while the others drank regular orange juice by the same manufacturer. Fasting blood tests were taken before and after the study to determine total cholesterol, total triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B levels.
“”Volunteers who drank the sterol-fortified orange juice had a 7.2-percent decrease in total cholesterol, 12.4-percent decrease in LDL cholesterol, and 7.8-percent decrease in non-high-density lipoprotein levels compared to baseline and to the group that received the non-sterol orange juice group,”" she said.
“”Orange juice has wide appeal since it is consumed by individuals of all ages, from early childhood to old age. And for individuals who do not want to take a drug for mildly elevated cholesterol, this may provide a healthy and attractive alternative.”"
Previous studies at other institutions have evaluated plant sterols in yogurt and other low-fat and non-fat foods, with variable results. The UC Davis study may be unique in that it did not place volunteers on a special diet and only asked that they drink the juice with their normal meals.
“”The fat in the meals may have helped to emulsify the sterols, but further research will need to be done to determine the meal’s relevance,”" said Ishwarlal Jialal, professor of pathology and internal medicine and director of the Laboratory for Atherosclerosis and Metabolic Research at UC Davis Medical Center. “”We also would like to investigate whether sterols can add to the LDL-reducing effects of statin drugs in higher-risk individuals. Sterol-fortified orange juice could potentially enable more patients to meet cholesterol level goals as outlined by the National Cholesterol Education Program.”"
SupplementSpot offers several supplements containing cholesterol lowering plant sterols. Learn more about them by clicking on the following links:
Raise RDAs NOw Say Eminent Physcians and
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, October 30, 2007 Doctors Say, Raise the RDAs Now (OMNS October 30, 2007) The US Recommended Daily Allowance/Daily Reference Intakes are too low and most should be raised immediately, says an independent panel of physicians, academics and researchers. In a statement this week, the Independent Vitamin Safety Review Panel said: “”Government-sponsored nutrient recommendations, such as the US RDA/DRIs, are not keeping pace with recent progress in nutrition research. While current official recommendations for vitamin A, iron, calcium, and some other nutrients are generally adequate, the public has been asked to consume far too little of many other key nutrients. Inadequate intake, and inadequate standards to judge intake, have resulted in widespread nutrient inadequacy, chronic disease, and an undernourished but overweight population.”" Citing a large number of physician reports and clinical studies, the IVSRP called for substantial increases in daily intake of the B-vitamins, vitamins C, D and E, and the minerals selenium, zin! c, magnesium and chromium. “”Raising the RDA/DRI will save lives and improve health,”" the Panel said. “”Clinical and sub-clinical nutrient deficiencies are among the main causes of our society’s greatest healthcare problems. Cancer, cardiovascular disease, mental illness, and other diseases are caused or aggravated by poor nutrient intake. The good news is that scientific evidence shows that adequately high consumption of nutrients helps prevent these diseases.”" Specifically, the IVSRP called for a new standard, an Optimum Health Requirement, recommending daily adult consumption of nutrients in the following higher quantities: Vitamins B-1 Thiamine: 25 mg B-2 Riboflavin: 25 mg B-3 Niacinamide: 300 mg B-6 Pyridoxine: 25 mg Folic acid: 2,000 mcg B-12 Cobalamin: 500 mcg C: 2,000 mg D3: 1,500 IU E as natural mixed tocopherols: 200 IU Minerals Zinc: 25 mg Magnesium: 500 mg Selenium: 200 mcg Chromium: 200 mcg The Panel concluded by stating: “”In the past, over-conservative government-sponsored standards have encouraged dietary complacency. People have been led to believe that they can get all the nutrients they need from a ‘balanced diet’ of processed foods. That is not true. For adequate vitamin and mineral intake, a diet of unprocessed, whole foods, along with the intelligent use of nutritional supplements, is more than just a good idea: it is essential.”" Independent Vitamin Safety Review Panelists are: Abram Hoffer, MD Michael Janson, MD Thomas Levy, MD, JD Erik Paterson, MD Woody R. McGinnis, MD Allan N. Spreen, MD Bo H. Jonsson, MD, PhD Chris M. Reading, MD Bradford Weeks, MD Karin Munsterhjelm-Ahumada, MD Jerry Green, MD Stephen Faulkner, MD Klaus Wenzel, MD Richard Huemer, MD Peter H. Lauda, M.D. Jonathan Prousky, ND Michael Friedman, ND William B. Grant, PhD Harold Foster, PhD H. H. Nehrlich, PhD Steve Hickey, PhD Gert E. Schuitemaker, PhD Andrew W. Saul, PhD, Chair Nutritional Medicine is Orthomolecular Medicine Linus Pauling defined orthomolecular medicine as “”the treatment of disease by the provision of the optimum molecular environment, especially the optimum concentrations of substances normally present in the human body.”" Orthomolecular medicine uses safe, effective nutritional therapy to fight illness. For more information: http://www.orthomolecular.org The peer-reviewed Orthomolecular Medicine News Service is a non-profit and non-commercial informational resource. Andrew W. Saul, Ph.D., Editor and contact person. Email: omns@orthomolecular.org
Tomato Extrat Lowers Blood Pressure
Tomato Extract Helps Reduce Blood Pressure January 12, 2006 A daily dose of a tomato extract could lower blood pressure (BP) for people with moderate hypertension, reports research from Israel.
Researchers from the University of the Negev found that a daily intake of the commercial encapsulated tomato extract Lyc-O-Mato, made by Israel-based LycoRed, was linked to a drop in systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of ten and four points after eight weeks of supplementation of a normal diet. “Reduction in BP from grade-1 hypertension to high-normal range, such as achieved in our pilot study, is clinically significant,” wrote lead-author Dr Yechiel Engelhard in the January issue of the American Heart Journal (Vol. 151, No. 1, pp. 100.e6-100.e1). Moderate, or Grade-1, hypertension is defined as a having SBP between 140 and 159 mmHg, a DBP between 90 and 99 mmHg, or both. The volunteers studied were not taking antihypertensive medication. The tomato extract contains a mix of potent antioxidants including lycopene, beta-carotene, vitamin E and various other phytonutrients. Lycopene is said to be the most efficient antioxidant among the natural carotenoids. The 16-week study followed 31 volunteers aged between 30 and 70. Smokers, people with diabetes or cardiovascular diseases, and people already taking vitamin supplements, were excluded from the study. A four-week placebo period was followed by eight weeks taking the Lyc-O-Mato supplement as part of a normal diet, and a further four weeks of placebo. The placebo capsule was identical in appearance to Lyc-O-Mato. Lipid peroxidation products, a marker for oxidative stress and cell membrane destruction, were also observed to decrease from 4.6 nmol/mg to 3.8 nmol/mg during the intervention period. Reactive oxygen attack of the endothelium, the cells that line blood vessels, impairs vascular dilation and contributes to rise of hypertension. The researchers propose that the high antioxidant ability of lycopene, as well as beta-carotene and vitamin E, can explain the reduction in BP. “Our assumption is that the reduction in BP observed in the study was due to antioxidant activity of the tomato extract,” said Engelhard. Since the intervention period was relatively short, it is unclear if supplementation would be equally beneficial in the long-term. Engelhard said: “Studies with larger and more diverse populations examining the antihypertensive effect for longer periods are required.” LycoRed, the company that supplied the Lyc-O-Mato and identical-looking placebo capsules, is the leader in natural lycopene market. Lyc-O-Mato capsules are available with lycopene concentrations between six and 15 per cent.
Longevity Boost Tied to Specific Nutrients, Not Caloric Restriction
<centerLongevity Boost Tied to Specific Nutrients Cutting fat and protein extends fly lifespan without calorie restriction Cutting fat and protein extends fly lifespan without cutting calories, providing further insight into the effects of diet on longevity.
Caloric restriction is known to extend lifespan in many organisms.
Linda Partridge of University College London and colleagues wanted to determine whether, at least in flies, this is due to a total reduction of calories or a reduction of particular nutrients.
So the researchers varied the nutrients in the fly’s standard lab diet of yeast and sugar.
Both yeast (which contributes protein and fat) and sugar (carbohydrates) have the same calories per gram, allowing the researchers to adjust nutrient composition without affecting the calorie count.
They found that reducing both nutrients increased the flies’ life span, but cutting out the yeast had nearly as great an effect.
Flies on a calorie-restricted diet lived 82% longer than controls, flies on the yeast-restricted diet had a 65% gain and flies on a sugar-restricted diet had just about a 9% gain.
Partridge and colleagues suggest that yeast and sugar trigger different metabolic pathways with different effects on lifespan.
The research is reported in the journal PLoS Biology Read the full text here <a href=”"http://biology.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pbio.0030223″” Nutrients not Caloric Resriction Responsible for Life Extension
Mind Boosters
MIND BOOSTERS A GUIDE TO NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS THAT ENHANCE YOUR MIND, MEMORY, AND MOOD New, 22-chapter comprehensive book by RAY SAHELIAN, M.D. Available in stores early July 2000 or purchase from Amazon.com today ($13.95 retail). For wholesale discounts on orders of 12 copies or more, email longrc@aol.com. Books will be available for shipping mid June. Feel More Alive Improve Your Mood and Motivation Stay Focused and Alert All Day Enhance Your Vision and Hearing Be More Creative and Productive Enhance Your Sex Drive Keep Your Mind Youthful
Dozens of new supplements have been introduced over the past few years that promise to enhance or sharpen memory, intelligence, mood, vision, libido, and mental performance. I have reviewed the very latest research regarding these breakthrough nutrients, amino acids, herbs, herbal extracts, coenzymes, and hormones, and offer a scientific and practical evaluation of their benefits and risks. This book discusses how to combine mind-boosting supplements for patients with depression, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and other conditions. A step by step and sensible Mind-Boosting Program is provided for the young, middle-aged, and seniors.
I have taken all of the supplements discussed in this book and report my personal observations and the experiences of users, including interviews with experts. MIND BOOSTERS is one of the most comprehensive and practical books ever written on the topic of mind enhancement using natural supplements.
PART I: USING YOUR BRAIN TO BOOST YOUR MIND
1. The Born-Again Brain
Age Related Cognitive Decline (ARCD) What Can Natural Supplements Do For You? Personalizing Your Mind-Boosting Regimen The Experience of Patients and Users The Experience of Clinicians and Experts The Author’s Experience
2. The Top Ten Mind-Boosting Principles
A discussion of ten principles you should keep in mind while taking supplements that influence the mind PART II: YOUR BRAIN: AN OWNER’S GUIDE
3. The ABCs of the Brain
Neuron-to-Neuron Communication Composition of the Cell Membrane Training Neurons What Happens When the Brain Gets Old? What Can You Do To Keep Your Mind Young?
4. Brain Chemistry Made Simple
Acetylcholine Dopamine Norepinephrine and Epinephrine Serotonin GABA Additional Neurotransmitters The Connection between the Brain and the Immune System PART III: LIFESTYLE HABITS FOR A LONG LASTING BRAIN
5. How to Cultivate a Naturally Healthy Mind
Emotional Connections Exercise Training Neurons Learn How to Learn Cultivate Your Creativity Sample! Explore! Expand! Smart Eating A Note to Vegetarians
6. Beware of Brain Busters
PART IV: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO MIND-BOOSTING SUPPLEMENTS
7. Mind Your Brain Fats
This chapter has a full discussion of the chemistry of fats and oils, along with the latest research on the cognitive effects of fish oils — eicosapentanoic acid, docosahexanoic acid — and flaxseed oil.
8. Memory Boosters — Phospholipids, Choline, and Related Nutrients
Choline CDP-Choline Phosphatidylcholine Phosphatidylserine
9. Mood Lifters — B Vitamins and Coenzymes
Thiamin and Cocarboxylase Riboflavin and Flavin Mono Nucleotide (FMN) Niacin, Nicotinamide, and NADH-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide Pantothenic acid and Pantothene Pyridoxine and Pyridoxal Phosphate Cyanocobalamin and Dibencozide Down with Homocysteine
10. Methyl Donors — For More Energy, Better Mood, and Longer Life?
DMAE, dimethylaminoethanol DMG, Dimethylglycine and TMG, Trimethyglycine SAMe, S-Adenosyl-methionine
11. Keep Your Brain Young with Old and New Antioxidants
A discussion of how antioxidants works and their role in brain health. Topics include carotenoids, flavonoids, vitamins C and E, glutathione, N-acetyl-cysteine and selenium. The chapter ends with dosage recommendations.
12. Mind Energizers — Think Faster, Sharper, and Longer
Acetyl-l-carnitine CoQ10 Lipoic Acid
13. Amino Acids — Building Blocks for Brain Chemicals
Tryptophan, 5-Hydroxytryptophan, Phenylalanine and Tyrosine
14. Brain Hormones: Potent Memory and Sex Boosters
What Can Brain Hormones Do for You? Figure 14.1 The Making of Steroid Hormones from Cholesterol Estrogen and the Brain Do Middle-Aged and Older Women Need Male Hormones? DHEA: The Parent of Estrogen and Testosterone Pregnenolone: The Grandmother of All Steroid Hormones Melatonin: Nature’s Sleeping Pill The Multi-Hormone Replacement Solution for Different Age Groups Cautions and Potential Side Effects
15. Psychoactive Herbs: Recommended by Mother Nature
Ashwagandha Ginkgo Biloba Ginseng Huperzine A Kava St. John’s Wort Vinpocetine Additional Herbs and Food-Like Supplements Bacopa Gotu Kola Maca Reishi PART V: STAYING SMART AFTER SCHOOL
16. The Mind-Boosting Program for Ages 25 to 40
What supplements should you take if you’re in this age group?
17. The Mind-Boosting Program for Ages 41 to 60
What supplements should you take if you’re in this age group?
18. The Mind-Boosting Program for Ages 61 and Over
What supplements should you take if you’re in this age group? PART VI: NATURAL PRESCRIPTIONS FOR DEPRESSION, VISION ENHANCEMENT, ALZHEIMER’S, AND PARKINSON’S DISEASE
19. Supplements that Fight Depression
A step-by-step strategy to improve mood with natural supplements and rely less on pharmaceutical antidepressants.
20. Supplements that Sharpen Vision and Hearing
Yes, it is possible to improve eyesight and hearing with supplements. Colors become brighter and clearer, near and long-distance vision improve, everything becomes more in focus. Seeing can be a real joy!
21. Supplements for Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease
22. Supplements for Patients with Parkinson’s Disease
Glossary — pages and pages of definitions References — a complete list of scientific studies Index
Order MIND BOOSTERS from Amazon
Fresh Grapes Are Abundant in Resveratrol and Other Antioxidants
Consumers Get the Message: Fresh California Grapes Have Health Potential Thursday August 26, 2004
FRESNO, Calif., Aug. 26 /PRNewswire/ — Increasing scientific evidence on the healthful properties of antioxidants found in fresh grapes is contributing to greater consumer awareness about the health potential for fresh grapes. As part of a recent national omnibus study, consumers were asked whether they knew that fresh grapes contain antioxidants linked to fighting diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Nearly 58 percent of those polled said “”yes.”" That’s up from the 27 percent who agreed with the statement during a similar poll conducted in 1997.
“”We’re pleased that people are getting the message about grapes and health,”" said Jim Howard, vice president of the California Table Grape Commission (www.freshCaliforniagrapes.com), which sponsored both the 2004 and 1997 polls. “”This research focus is full of promise and one that merits our continued support.”" Since 1997 the commission has funded 22 research studies examining the links between eating fresh California grapes and improved health.
Several of the phytonutrients found in fresh grapes, such as anthocyanins, catechins and quercetin have captured the interest of scientists worldwide, but none more than a compound called resveratrol, found primarily in the skins of grapes. “”There appears to be growing consensus among the scientific community that resveratrol has potent disease-fighting capabilities,”" said Dr. Le Creasy, who discovered resveratrol in grapes through his work at Cornell University in the early nineties. “”Continued research will also work to explore its probable synergistic effects with other beneficial compounds found in grapes.”"
Other resveratrol healing powers
RESVERATROL IS ABUNDANT IN GRAPES
This year alone, published results on resveratrol include: — In Nature (July 2004), researchers at Harvard University reported that resveratrol may contribute to increased longevity in the same way that caloric restriction does, by decreasing the development of fat cells and increasing the use of fat within existing cells. Resveratrol was also shown to prevent premature cell death. These life-extending effects were seen in a variety of species, including yeast, flies and worms. Further studies in animals are currently underway. — In Surgery (July 2004), researchers reported results of recent studies on resveratrol and neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer, finding that resveratrol caused cell death and cell cycle arrest in neuroblastoma cells, as well anti-tumor activity against neuroblastoma in mice. — In Melanoma Research (June 2004) resveratrol was found to selectively inhibit the growth of drug-resistant and drug-sensitive melanoma cells. — In Anticancer Research (March/April 2004), a Canadian research team found that resveratrol and curcumin, an antioxidant found in the spice turmeric, induced a dose- and time-dependent decrease in cell viability, cell-cycle arrest and cell death of neuroblastoma cells. — In the American Journal of Physiology Lung Cellular Molecular Physiology (June 2004) researchers at the National Heart Lung Institute Imperial College London reported that resveratrol and quercetin exhibited unique, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory activity on human epithelial cells, that may have applications for treatment of anti-inflammatory diseases. — In Oncology Report (February 2004), Korean researchers found that resveratrol inhibits cell proliferation and causes cancer cell mortality in human breast cancer cells. FRESH GRAPES
Additionally, numerous studies indicate that grapes, grape-derived foods or components of grapes may protect against heart disease by: — Increasing the resistance of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to oxidation — Decreasing platelet aggregation and arterial lesions — Promoting arterial relaxation and other favorable metabolic effects
“”The continuing push to understand why grapes are good for you shows no sign of slowing and we will continue to monitor developments in this area,”" said Howard. “”Fortunately grapes are a food that people want to eat just for their great taste — contributing to good health is just a bonus.”"
Source: California Table Grape Commission