July / August 2008

July/August 2008

What'snew to beat the blues?

On these hot, sunny days of summer, most of us findourselves in a good state of mind, looking forward to a weekend spent withfamily and friends, or perhaps an upcoming vacation. But statistics show that5% of Canadians are currently experiencing a major depressive episode. For thisgroup, sunny thoughts are few and far between, and likely to be even harder tocome by as autumn and winter approach.

While pharmaceutical drugs are still the treatment ofchoice for most people with depression, ongoing research into nutritional andherbal medicines indicates that there are other effective options.Here are a few of the most recent revelations.

Low mineral levels linked?

UKresearchers at the Institute of Health Sciences, University of Reading,report that low levels of selenium weresignificantly associated with depression among elderly subjects. At the startof the eight-week trial, 29% of subjects showed significant symptoms ofdepression. Although all of the subjects had selenium levels within the"normal" range, serum selenium levels were still significantlyassociated with depression. Not a single subject who tested borderline orpositive on the hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) rating scale had seleniumlevels greater than 1.2 mcg. After micronutrient supplementation, significantreductions in depression and significant increases in serum selenium levelswere found. "In light of the prevalence of depression among older peopleliving in nursing homes or residential homes, these results aresignificant," the researchers conclude.

Herbal help from rhodiola

Last year, scientists from Armenian State Medical Universityreported on a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III clinicaltrial involving 89 subjects with mild to moderate depression. The subjects whotook a standardized extract of Rhodiolaroseaexperienced a significant improvement in symptoms of depression, insomnia andemotional instability after just six weeks, compared to subjects who received aplacebo. No significant adverse effects were reported by the subjects.

EPA on par with Prozac

In another trial, the omega-3 fatty acid EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) was deemed equal to a common drugfor depression. The study involved 60 outpatients diagnosed with majordepressive disorder. Researchers found that dailysupplementation with 1,000 mg of EPA was as effective as Prozac in thealleviation of symptoms over eight weeks.

Furthermore, treatment with the combination of Prozac andEPA yielded even better results from the fourth week of treatment on. In all,50% of those taking Prozac alone, 56% of those taking EPA alone, and 81% ofthose taking the combination had at least a 50% decrease in depressionsymptoms, assessed via the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.

The researchers conclude that, "EPA and fluoxetine [Prozac] had equal therapeutic effects in majordepressive disorder. EPA + fluoxetine combination wassuperior to either of them alone."

Sources: Statistics Canada; Gerontology, 2008 May 8; Australia/New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 2008; 42(3): 192-8; Nord JPsychiatry, 2007; 61(5): 343-8

Probiotics tame allergy response

In the first human study of its kind, scientists at the Institute of Food Research found that probiotics can modify the immune system's response to grasspollen, a common cause of seasonal hay fever.

"This was a pilot study based on small numbers ofpatients, but we were fascinated to discover a response," says researchleader Professor Claudio Nicoletti. "Theprobiotic significantly reduced the production of molecules associated withallergy."

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen or fungalspores, most commonly grass pollen. The immune system mistakes the spores forharmful invaders and produces excessive amounts of the antibody IgE to bind to them and fight them off. IgEstimulates the release of histamine, which produces the symptoms of hay fever.

In this study, volunteers with a history of seasonal hayfever drank a daily milk drink with or without live bacteria (Lactobacillus casei) over 5 months.

Blood samples were taken before the grass pollen season,then again when it was at its peak, and 4 weeks after the end of season. Therewere no significant differences in levels of IgEbetween the two groups at the start of the study, but IgElevels were lower in the probiotic group both at the peak season andafterwards. At the same times, levels of an antibody thought to play aprotective role against allergic reactions were higher.

"The probioticstrain we tested changed the way the body's immune cells respond to grasspollen, restoring a more balanced immune response," says Dr Kamal Ivory, a senior member of the research group.

Source: Institute of FoodResearch, June 3, 2008

Lycopene improves gum disease

Gingivitis is a common dental problem which develops whenbacteria multiply and build up between your teeth and gums, resulting inirritation, inflammation and possible bleeding. If not addressed, gingivitiscan lead to more serious gum diseases, and eventually tooth loss.

Indian researchers from KrishnadevarayaCollege of Dental Sciences report on a randomized, double-blind study involving20 healthy subjects showing clinical signs of gingivitis. Among these subjects,supplementation with 8 mg per day of lycopene for a period of 2 weeks was foundto significantly reduce bleeding index and scores on measures of gingivitis. In those taking the lycopene, researchers noted less salivary uricacid levels and a reduction in gingivitis at 1 and 2 weeks, compared tosubjects receiving placebo. The authors conclude, "The resultspresented in this study suggest that lycopene shows great promise as atreatment modality in gingivitis. The possibility of obtaining an additiveeffect by combining routine oral prophylaxis with lycopene isalso an exciting possibility, which deserves further study."

Source: Oral Health PrevDent. 2007;5(4):327-36

Calcium reduces bone fractures

Results of a new trial suggest that taking a dailycalcium supplement can dramatically reduce the risk of bone fractures.Researchers from University Hospital Zurich and DartmouthMedical Schoolin New Hampshirealso report that the benefits were no longer observed when supplementation wasstopped.

Among 930 healthy people (average age 61), far fewerfractures were seen in the group getting a daily calcium supplement than inthose receiving a placebo.

The participants took either the calcium supplement,which contained 1,200 mg of elemental calcium, or a placebo for four years.They were then followed for another 10.8 years.

Measures of the primary outcomes of all fractures andminimal trauma fractures showed that people in the calcium group experienced 46fractures, 15 of which were from minimal trauma, while 54 fractures weredocumented in the placebo group, 29 of which were from minimal trauma. Aminimal trauma fracture is defined as being caused by falling from a sitting,standing, or walking position and height.

The researchers calculated that calcium supplementsreduced the risk of fracture by 72%, but no difference between the groups wasobserved during the follow-up period when no supplements were consumed.

"Calciumsupplementation reduced the risk of all fractures and of minimal traumafractures among healthy individuals," concluded the researchers. "Thebenefit appeared to dissipate after treatment was stopped."

Source: Am J ClinNutr 2008: 87(6):1945-1951

Herbal help for pesky canker sores

Canker sores appear as shallow mouthulcers of different sizes and affects one in five North Americans. Theycan be caused by food allergies and hormonal changes, and also can cause severemouth pain. But these bothersome sores may be relieved by licorice root herbalextract.

Researchers examined the effects of licorice extractapplied via an adhesive patch for treatment of canker sores versus notreatment. After seven days of treatment, ulcer size in the group who took thelicorice was significantly lower, while ulcer size in the no-treatment grouphad increased 13%.

Licorice, typically in the form of DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) is also widely used as atreatment for gastric ulcers. DGL lozenges are available in health food storesand may be an alternative to adhesive patches.

Among the causes of canker sores, a geneticpredisposition might be the biggest cause, says Michael Martin, PhD, leadauthor of the study. "When both parents have a history of canker sores,the likelihood of their children developing them can be as high as 90%,"he says.

The most serious side effect of canker sores is sharp painin the mouth, which can interfere with an individual's quality of life. Dr.Martin revealed that "in addition to speeding healing of the canker sores,the [licorice] helped to reduce pain after just three days of treatment."

Eric Shapira, DDS, MAGD, an Academy of General Dentistry spokesperson, adds:"Increasing vitamins and other herbs, such as vitaminC and zinc, can helptreat canker sores because they help to regenerate tissue cells."

Source: General Dentistry, Mar/Apr 2008

Omega-3 for macular degeneration

According to Australian researchers, eating cold-waterfish and other foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk ofage-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss inelderly people.

The researchers reviewed nine published studies thatincluded a total of 88,974 people, including 3,203 people with AMD. Thecombined outcomes from the studies suggest that a high dietary intake ofomega-3 fatty acids is associated with a 38% reduced risk of late (advanced)AMD, and that eating fish twice a week is associated with a reduced risk ofboth early and late AMD.

The University of Melbourne scientistsnoted that omega-3 fatty acids form a vital part of the layer of nerve cells inthe retina. Outer cells of the retina are continually shed and regenerated.Because of this, deficiencies in omega-3 fatty acids maycause AMD.

Source: Health Day News, June 13, 2008

According to a new study by German researchers, supplementing with 1tablespoon (15 ml) of silica(silicon) in gel form for six months can increase hair thickness by almost 13%.The study involved 55 healthy adult women with thin hair. Lead researcher I. Zschockelexplains, "Though largely determined by heredity, hair thickness is alsoinfluenced by various factors such as nutrition." Zschockeladded that the study participants began noticing improvements in hair thicknessat three months, after which thickness continued to increase.

Source: Kosmetische Medizin, June 2007

In one study, taking 500 mg of vitaminC per day increased fat burning fourfold.

Ubiquinol

What is it? The reduced form ofcoenzyme Q10, as typically found in human plasma.

Why use it? Toensure greater absorption of CoQ10 for energy and heart health.

What's the research?In a study this year, critically ill patients with congestive heart failurewho supplemented with ubiquinol forjust three months experienced a 24 to 50% increase in their hearts' ability topump blood. In some cases, patients' plasma levels of coQ10 more than tripled.

Ginger is a traditional herbal remedy used to ease digestive discomfort andnausea. A new study reveals that ginger stimulates digestion by speeding up themovement of food from the stomach into the upper small intestine. Researchershad 24 healthy men eat a bowl of soup after taking either 1,200 mg of ginger ora placebo. Using ultrasound, researchers saw that muscle contractions in thestomach, which help to move food into the upper small intestine, were morefrequent and the stomach emptied more quickly after ginger than placebo. Aftereating the soup, mild digestive discomfort was reported only in those who hadplacebo.

Source: Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2008;20:436â€"40

To prepare for the next cold season, have zinc lozengeson hand! Researchers found that taking zinc lozenges at the first sign of acold could lead to milder symptoms and quicker recovery. Among 50 people giveneither lozenges (13 mg of zinc) or a placebo, taken every few hours while awakefor as long as symptoms lasted, those who took the zinc had cold symptoms forfour days versus seven days with placebo.

Source: J InfectDis 2008;197:795â€"802

Resveratrol, a compound in grapes and red wine, reduces the number of fatcells and may one day be used to treat or prevent obesity, according to a newstudy. German researchers found that resveratrol inhibited pre-fat cells fromincreasing and prevented them from converting into mature fat cells. Also,resveratrol hindered fat storage. Most interesting, according to the leadauthor, was that resveratrolreduced production of substances that may be linked to the development ofobesity-related disorders, such as diabetes and clogged coronary arteries.

Source:Endocrine Society, Jun 11, 2008

It's known that deaths from heart attack occur more frequently in higher latitudesand in the winter months. To find out why, Harvard researchers reviewed medicalrecords and blood samples of 454 men who had non-fatal heart attack or fatalheart disease and compared them with samples from 900 living men with nohistory of heart disease. Those with low levels of vitamin D -common in winter months - were more likely to have a heart attack than thosewith higher levels.

Source: Archivesof Internal Medicine (2008). 168[11]:1174 - 1180

Cows that graze as nature intended are producing healthier and betterquality milk, according to UKresearchers. The study by Newcastle University scientists found that cows on organicfarms in the UKproduce milk that contains significantly higher beneficial fatty acids,antioxidants and vitamins than their non-organic counterparts.

The scientists found that levels of nutritionally desirable fatty acids andantioxidants were highest in the summer, when cows are eating fresh grass andclove. One beneficial fat called conjugated linoleicacid (CLA) was 60%higher in the organic milk. CLA, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E and carotenoids have all been linked to a reduced risk ofcardiovascular disease and cancer.

Source: TheNorthern Echo, May 29, 2008

These articles are based upon current scientific studies and professionalopinions; however, they are not to be regarded or relied upon as medical advicefor self-diagnosis or treatment of any condition or disease.

Copyright 2008 Health News Update