March 2008

March2008 #2

Weightloss, heart health discovery

If you'd like to lose weight, protect your heart health -or both - you don't want to miss out on the findings of a new study fromscientists at the Linus Pauling Institute! Researchwith mice reveals that supplementing with alpha-lipoic acid (lipoic acid)can stop or reverse weight gain, inhibit atherosclerosis (hardening of thearteries due to plaque), lower triglycerides and reduce blood vesselinflammation.

Although more work is necessary to assess how similar theresults will be in humans, the researchers are confident in the potential ofthis already widely studied, naturally occurring antioxidant.

Lipoic acid works along with other antioxidants such asvitamins C and E. It is important for growth, helps to prevent cell damage andhelps the body rid itself of harmful substances.

"Excited about results"

The Linus Pauling Institute researchersfound that lipoic acid supplements reduced atherosclerosis in mice by up to55%. The supplements were also associated with almost 40% less body weightgain, and lower levels of triglycerides.

"We are excited about these results, particularly sincethe supplements of lipoic acid appear to provide several different mechanismsto improve cardiovascular health," said Balz Frei, director of the LinusPauling Institute at Oregon State University.

"They are helping in a fundamental way to reset andnormalize metabolic processes, in ways that could help address one of the mostsignificant health problems in the Western world.

Frei says thesupplement would be best taken as a preventive before people have advancedcardiovascular disease. "However, it may help retard the process at anystage, and may also be of value in treating diabetic complications."

Multi-level weight control

The researchers were also excited at the potential oflipoic acid in curbing weight gain. They note that the supplement appears tohave this effect both through appetite suppression, an enhanced metabolic rate,and, in the mice at least, through stimulating higher levels of physicalactivity, which again would increase caloric expenditure and further reduceweight. Mice given lipoic acid simply chose to eat less than a control group,suggesting a reduced appetite. Those given lipoic acid also gained less weightthan other mice given identical amounts to eat, suggesting a higher metabolicrate and enhanced activity levels.

The researchers concluded that "lipoic acidsupplementation may be a promising approach to prevent weight gain and to lowercardiovascular disease risk in humans."

Sources: Oregon State University, Jan 14, 2008;Circulation. 2008 Jan 22;117(3):421-8

Zinc cuts toxic metal in prostate

Cadmium exposure is a known risk factor for prostatecancer, and a new University of Rochester studysuggests that zinc may offer protection against cadmium. Cadmium exposureoccurs mostly through smoking and diet, the latter as a result offertilizer-soaked soil used for growing crops.

Researcher Edwin van Wijngaarden,PhD, reports that PSA levels were 22% higher among American men who had lowerthan average zinc levels andhigher than average cadmium levels. (PSA is a protein produced by the cells ofthe prostate gland. The higher a man's PSA level, the more likely cancer ispresent.)

In contrast, among men with a greater than average zincintake, little evidence of an association between cadmium and PSA was found.

The way zinc andcadmium interact within human organs is significant and provides interestingleads for study, van Wijngaarden said. Zincstimulates production of a protein that binds cadmium thereby taking it out ofcirculation and reducing its toxic effects.

The study was based on data from a sample of 1,320 menregistered in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)2001-2002.

Cadmium is also a by-product of the industrial processused for making fungicides, batteries, pigments and coatings that protectmetals from corrosion. Workers in those areas are at risk for much higherexposures. When ingested or inhaled, cadmium collects in the liver, kidneys andprostate.

Source: University of Rochester,Jan 30, 2008

EFAs boost reading indyslexic kids

Swedish researchers report significant improvement inreading skills in dyslexic children after supplementation with essential fattyacids (EFAs).

In a small pilot study with 17 dyslexic children, theresearchers supplemented the diet with fish oil and evening primrose oil(480 mg DHA, 108 mg EPA, 96 mg GLA, and 35 mg AA) for 5 months. Assessments of readingspeed, letter recognition, general schoolwork and overall perceived benefitwere made by the children, their parents and the researchers before and afterthe supplementation period.

Subjective assessments showed significant improvement,while reading speed improved by 60% and letter recognition speed improved by23% compared to baseline, in 13 of 17 children. The researchers conclude thatEFA supplementation "provides positive and clear beneficial effect onvariables usually impaired by dyslexia."

Source: J Med Food, 2007; 10(4): 662-6

Herb's heart benefit is "significant"

A new review of existing research suggests that hawthorn extract"significantly" improves symptoms.

"If I had chronic heart failure, I certainly wouldconsider it," said review co-author Dr. Max Pittler,deputy director of complementary medicine at PeninsulaMedical Schoolin Exeter, England.

Pittler and colleaguessearched the medical literature for high-quality studies into the use of theherb in chronic heart failure patients.

The review authors combined the results of 10 studies of855 patients into a meta-analysis. Compared to placebo, hawthorn extractboosted the maximum level of physiological workload - a fact that the reviewauthors described as significant, although they acknowledged they based thefinding on small numbers of studies and patients.

The analysis found that hawthorn, as compared to placebo,also decreased the "pressure-heart rate product," a measurement ofhow much oxygen is used by the heart. In addition, the analysis reports thattwo other measurements - exercise tolerance, and shortness of breath andfatigue - improved "significantly" in patients who used hawthorn.

Side effects were reported to be "infrequent, mildand transient," and included nausea, dizziness and heart andgastrointestinal complaints.

According to Pittler, theextract appears to boost the strength of heart contractions, increase bloodflow through arteries and reduce irregular heartbeats.

Source: Center for the Advancement ofHealth, Jan 22, 2008

Options for high blood pressure

Two recent studies highlight the potential for non-drugalternatives on cases of high blood pressure. Researchers at the NationalAutonomous University of Mexico report that spirulina, a "green food"supplement also known as blue-green algae, may lower blood pressure and improvecholesterol health. In a study involving 36 men and women aged 18-65 years, participants received supplementation with spirulina (4.5grams per day) for 6 weeks. By the end of the study, the researchers observedsignificant decreases in fasting plasma concentrations of triglycerides, totalcholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and an increase in HDL("good") cholesterol. Additionally, they recorded significantdecreases in systolic blood pressure (-10 mm Hg in men and -11 mm Hg in women)and diastolic blood pressure (-8 mm Hg in men and -6 mm Hg in women).

The authors conclude that spirulina"showed a hypolipemic effect [and] also reduces systolicand diastolic blood pressure."

In a related study, US researchers from Emory UniversitySchool of Medicine found that low blood levels of vitamin D may increase therisk of high blood pressure in white people. The relationship was not notedamong blacks.

"Though easily corrected by taking a vitamin Dsupplement or having causal sunlight exposure, vitamin D insufficiency ishighly prevalent in the US,"said researcher Dr Vin Tangpricha.

Sources: Lipids Health Dis, 2007 Nov 26; American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,Jan 2008

PC spells relief for colitis patients

Treatment with a component of soy lecithin may helppeople with chronic ulcerative colitis reduce their need for corticosteroids,according to German researchers.

Reports on low levels of phosphatidylcholine(PC) in the mucous tissues of the colons of ulcerative colitis sufferersprompted Dr. Wolfgang Stremmel to test the effects ofreplenishing the beneficial fat. They randomly assigned 60 patients to receivePC or a placebo four times daily for 12 weeks. The preparations wereencapsulated so that they would not be released until they reached theintestines.

The results were hopeful: 15 of 30 patients in the PC group wereable to quit the steroid medications while also having few or no diseasesymptoms. By contrast, just 3 of 30 patients in the placebo group achieved thisoutcome.

Mild bloating was the most common side effect seen withPC use, the authors report.

Source: Annals of Internal Medicine,Nov 6, 2007.

The probiotic Lactobacillussubstantially cuts the rate and length of respiratory illness in professionallong distance runners, reveals a small study. Athletestaking the probiotichad less than half the number of days of symptoms of their colleagues takingthe placebo. Symptoms also tended to be less severe. The probiotictreatment doubled levels of interferon gamma, an important component of thebody's immune response.

Source: Br JSports Med. 2008 Feb 13

Tea tree oil

What is it? Oil from a treenative to the north-east coast of Australia

Why use it? Totreat topical fungal and bacterial infections; as a sore throat gargle.

What's the research? Tea treeoil is now widely knownfor its proven anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It is also ananti-fungal agent, and added to shampoo effectively treats the most commoncause of dandruff. Tea tree oil was also found to have a positive effect on mildacne in a recent trial.

New research suggests women who take folic acid for at least oneyear before they become pregnant can cut their risk of having a premature babyby half, regardless of age, race or other factors. Of particular note is thedrop in very early premature births - those babies who are at the greatest riskof complications such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, chronic lungdisease, and blindness. Folic acid supplements are already recommended todecrease the risk of birth defects, including spinabifida.

Source: March ofDimes Foundation, Jan 31, 2008

Feeling nauseous after taking vitamins or minerals may indicate low stomachacid. Look for formulations that contain betaine HCI or glutamic acidHCI to help break down the nutrients.

Chinese researchers report that the juice of pomegranate is more effectivethan apple in boosting levels of antioxidants in the body, which naturallydecline with age. They found that the antioxidant capacity of the blood of 26elderly subjects increased by almost 10% after they drank pomegranate juice.Such changes were negligible in those drinking apple juice.Other research on pomegranatesuggests benefits for prostate cancer protection, slowing cartilage loss inarthritis, and potentially preventing Alzheimer's.

Source:Nutrition Research 2008, 28(2):72-77

A study from the University of Alabama at Birminghamshows that women supplementing with a daily soy shakereduced their subcutaneous abdominal fat, while women receiving a placeboexperienced gains in fat around their waist and abdomen. Excess abdominal fathas been associated with increased risks of heart disease and diabetes. The soyshake delivered 20 grams of soy protein plus 160 mg of isoflavones.While there were no differences in body weight between the two groups, women inthe soy group had a 14.7 sq. cm reduction compared to a 22.9 sq. cm increase inthe placebo group.

Source:Fertility and Sterility 2007,88 (6):1609-1617

Yale School of Medicine researchers report that a low concentration ofvitamin E in the blood is linked with physical decline in older people. Thestudy on 698 randomly chosen Italian people age 65 or older looked at bloodlevels of nutrients including folate, iron andvitamins B6, B12, D and E. Over three years, declines in three tasks (walkingspeed, rising repeatedly from a chair, and standing balance) were linked onlywith low levels of vitaminE.

Source: JAMA2008;299(3): 308-315

Researchers at Barts and The London School ofMedicine have discovered that drinking just 500 ml of beetroot juice a day cansignificantly reduce blood pressure. The research reveals that it is theingestion of dietary nitrate contained within beetroot juice which resultsultimately in decreased blood pressure. Previously the protective effects ofvegetable-rich diets had been attributed to their antioxidant vitamin content.Researchers found that in healthy volunteers, blood pressure was reduced withinjust 1 hour of ingesting beetroot juice, with a peak drop occurring 3 to 4hours after ingestion. High blood pressure causes around 50% of coronary heartdisease, and approximately 75% cent of strokes.

Source: QueenMary University of London, Feb 6, 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