February 2009
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Oregano kills "superbug"
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or so-called superbugs, are no longer a thing of the future, but a frightening reality of modern living. One of the major superbugs is MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), which occurs most frequently among patients who undergo invasive medical procedures or who have weakened immune systems. Hospitals, nursing homes and dialysis centers are the major transmission sites. MRSA can also infect otherwise healthy people in the community, typically as a skin infection.
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| Oregano: Its oil may be the best defense against the hospital bug MRSA. |
So if antibiotics can't deal with MRSA, what can? According to British scientists at the University of the West of England in Bristol, oregano oil may be the best defense. They found that even a small amount of carvacrol, a naturally occurring compound in oregano, is a more effective antimicrobial agent than 18 pharmaceutical drugs it was compared against. The scientists say the research results could lead to a new weapon in the fight against hospital infection.
Range of uses
Carvacrol has potent antifungal and antibacterial properties with a range of medicinal uses. It can sterilize septic water, kill giardia, treat fungal infections such as candida yeast, and rivals pharmaceutical antibiotics in its ability to eliminate microbes.
Preliminary research demonstrates that even tiny doses of oregano oil are capable of wiping out fungi and bacteria, including MRSA. Researchers also found that the oil still works at boiling temperature, meaning it could be used for disinfecting hospital sheets. Its vapour is equally effective and therefore may be used within an antibacterial spray.
"When we heat it up to boiling point it is still effective," explains project leader and professor of microbiology, Vyv Salisbury. "This is quite useful because some agents are destroyed when they are heated up. If you wanted to put something through the wash an oregano oil-based product would continue to be effective against MRSA."
More than carvacrol?
Earlier research on oregano's effect on antibiotic-resistant bacteria was presented back in October of 2001 at the American College of Nutrition's annual meeting. Harry G. Preuss, MD, MACN, CNS, professor of physiology and biophysics, reported on his research using oregano oil and carvacrol in mice infected with the deadly staph bacteria.
One group of mice received oregano oil for 30 days, and half of this group survived the 30-day treatment. Another group received only the carvacrol in olive oil, not oregano oil, and none survived longer than 21 days. A third group of mice received olive oil alone with no active agents (the control group) and all died within three days. Preuss reported that the findings were repeated in a second study, demonstrating that there are components of oregano oil other than carvacrol that have antibiotic properties.
"The ability of oils from various spices to kill infectious organisms has been recognized since antiquity. Natural oils may turn out to be valuable adjuvants or even replacements for many anti-germicidals under a variety of conditions," he said.
Sources: Daily Telegraph (UK), Nov 28, 2008; Science Daily, Oct 11, 2001
Grape seed vs bad breath
A new study suggests that grape seed extract may inhibit the bacteria known to cause both bad breath and gum disease. Periodontitis is a gum disease that destroys the soft tissue and bone supporting the teeth. It's estimated that up to 50% of North Americans suffer from the condition, thought to be the second most common disease worldwide.
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| Grape seed extract attacked the two main bacteria behind bad breath and gum disease. |
In a lab setting, researchers investigated whether grape seed extract could inhibit Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, the bacteria responsible for both periodontitis and bad breath. They tested the effects of grape seed extract (97% polyphenols) on these two anaerobic bacteria.
They found that grape seed extract exhibited significant antibacterial activity against the two strains. Moreover, the grape seed extract could penetrate the biofilm that surrounded the bacteria. Biofilms protect bacteria against antimicrobial agents, and dental plaque's biofilm is particularly complex.
The researchers concluded, "These findings indicated that grape seed extract could be used in oral hygiene for the prevention of periodontitis."
Source: Food Chemistry, Apr 15, 2009;113(4);1037-1040 [Epub ahead of print]
Protein proven to boost performance
Sports drinks containing protein are better at improving athletes' performance. Research has shown that drinks containing a mix of carbohydrate and protein are superior to carbohydrate-only drinks in improving cyclists' recovery from exercise.
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| Protein beat out carbs in this test of fitness performance. |
John Berardi of Precision Nutrition worked with researchers from Gettysburg College and the University of Western Ontario to study which energy drink best helped cyclists recover after a strenuous ride. He said, "Liquid carbohydrate and protein supplements given early during a six-hour, post-exercise recovery period helped subjects better maintain subsequent time trial performance and power output, compared to supplements with carbohydrate alone".
In the test, cyclists rode exercise bikes that were attached to monitors allowing them to compete against a virtual opponent. After a morning session, they rested for six hours, drinking either the protein-containing sports drink or the carbohydrate-only version. Both formulas had the same energy content. After their six-hour rest, the athletes did another virtual cycle race. According to Berardi, "Both groups showed a reduction in performance in the afternoon session. However, the reduction in distance traveled and power output during the afternoon exercise was significantly less among those who had the protein and carbs drink, relative those who just had the carbs".
The subjects' self-reported fatigue levels were lower in the protein group and increases in fat oxidation were also seen. Berardi concluded, "These findings may be important considering that most endurance athletes concern themselves primarily with carbohydrate intake and often fail to recognize the potential benefits of protein with respect to performance recovery".
Source: BioMed Central, Dec 23, 2008
The "B" for brides!
"For richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health," are some of the most common words heard in wedding vows. But what is often overlooked is the health of the married couple's future children. According to the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, brides-to-be should start thinking about saying "I do" to taking a daily multivitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid daily, to protect their own health and the health of their children-to-be.
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| Folic acid supplements should be started before the likelihood of pregnancy. |
Folate (or folic acid) is an essential B-vitamin that helps build and maintain healthy cells, which is especially critical for the developing fetus. Studies have shown that if taken before and during early pregnancy, folic acid can significantly reduce the number of birth defects of the brain and spine called neural tube defects (NTDs) by up to 70%.
"We know that nearly half of all pregnancies in the US are unplanned and that the average woman is getting less than one-third of the recommended amount of folic acid," says Elizabeth T. Jordan, DNSc, RNC, a perinatal clinical nurse specialist. "We also know that the odds of having a baby born with an NTD could be greatly reduced by women of childbearing age getting the recommended amount of folic acid." The easiest way to reduce the risk of having a baby born with an NTD is for women to begin taking a multivitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid today â€" not after they become pregnant, says Dr. Jordan.
"The neural tube begins to close within the first month of gestation, often before a woman realizes she is pregnant."
Want to remind a bride-to-be of the importance of taking a daily multivitamin with folic acid? Send a free e-postcard from the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies site at www.hmhb.org.
Source: National Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Coalition, Dec 2008
Save vision and energy!
Coenzyme Q10 is known as an anti-aging supplement because research shows it protects the brain, is vital to heart function and strengthens the immune system. Now researchers at the Department of Ophthalmology at Columbia University say coQ10 levels naturally decline in the human retina and that these low levels may lead to macular degeneration.
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| CoQ10 can help preserve vision and prevent fatigue, studies suggest. |
Through analysis of eye tissues from eye donors under 30 years of age and those above 80 years of age, the researchers found levels dropped significantly in the retinas of elderly people as compared to the younger samples. They conclude, "Coenzyme Q10 levels in the retina can decline by about 40% with age. This decline...may be linked to the progression of macular degeneration." Additional research is needed to assess the effects of supplementation with coenzyme Q10 on the prevention of macular degeneration and the overall protection of vision and health of the eyes.
In another study, Japanese researchers found that coQ10 reduced fatigue and boosted physical performance. In this study, 17 healthy volunteers supplemented with coenzyme Q10 for a period of 8 days at either 100 or 300 mg per day, or a placebo. The subjects underwent fatigue-inducing workload trials on a bicycle ergometer. Results showed that, compared with placebo, supplementation with 300 mg/day coenzyme Q10 led to a higher change in maximum velocity, and that the subjects' perception of fatigue was significantly alleviated. The results of this study suggest that daily supplementation with coenzyme Q10 may reduce fatigue and improve physical performance.
Sources: Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, Dec 5, 2008; Nutrition, Feb 11, 2008 [Epub ahead of print]
Nutrition Wise Q&A
Nutrition questions answered by Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN of the American Institute for Cancer Research
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| Espresso or coffee: which has more caffeine? |
Q: How does the amount of caffeine in espresso compare to the amount found in regular coffee?
A: Espresso is more concentrated in caffeine than regular coffee, but the standard serving is much less, so drink-for-drink the two are fairly comparable in caffeine content. A six-ounce cup of coffee contains about 70 to 120 mg of caffeine, while a standard one-ounce espresso shot contains about 70 mg. Portion size is key however. A 16-ounce coffee (considered a "medium" at many coffee chains) can provide up to 300 mg of caffeine. A double shot of espresso in a cappuccino or latte offers about 150 mg.
Q: Does diet have any effect on psoriasis?
A: Psoriasis is a skin disease that features itchy patches of thick, reddened, scaly skin. Susceptibility to psoriasis is inherited, but several factors can influence its development, including stress and infection. These factors can also affect when symptoms come and go. Diet may also help decrease symptoms. Because psoriasis is linked to inflammation, eating a diet rich in foods that combat inflammation is helpful. Including plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, which supply a wide range of antioxidant vitamins and phytochemicals, may be beneficial. Adding sources of omega 3 fat in the diet can also help suppress inflammation. Choose fish high in omega-3 fat (such as salmon, trout and albacore tuna) at least twice a week and enjoy plant sources of omega-3s as well, like walnuts, flaxseed and canola oil. Avoiding certain foods may also help. Some people who suffer from psoriasis are intolerant to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Symptoms may improve in these people if they follow a gluten-free diet. Others may find help from vitamin D, which promotes immune function and regulation of cell growth. Vitamin D is sometimes an ingredient in skin creams that are used as a part of treatment, and some scientists suggest that getting adequate viamin D may help even prevent psoriasis.
Source: American Institute for Cancer Research (www.aicr.org)
