July 2009
e-Newsletter July 2009
In This Issue:
Calcium Could Help Reduce the Risk of Colon Cancer
Multivitamin Reduces Risk of Having Low Birthweight Baby
Wrong Fat Ratio To Blame for Rise in Inflammation
Abdominal Fat and Heart Failure - Are You at Risk?
Milk Thistle Studied in Liver Disease
The Hidden Cause Behind A Host of Health Concerns
Specific Vitamin Deficiencies Related to Mood
Dietary Supplement Supports Weight Management
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Calcium Could Help Reduce the Risk of Colon Cancer
People who consume more calcium and dairy foods have a lower risk of colon cancer, according to a study by the National Institutes of Health and AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons).
Investigators collected diet and other information on more than 500,000 people aged 50 to 71 . After seven years, the risk of colorectal cancer was about 20 percent lower in men who consumed the most calcium from food and supplements (roughly 1,500 milligrams a day) than in men who consumed the least (roughly 500 mg a day).
The risk was about 30 percent lower in women who consumed the most calcium (roughly 1,900 mg a day) than in women who consumed the least (roughly 500 mg a day). Colorectal cancer risk was also lower in men or women who ate the most dairy foods.
Dairy wasn't linked to a higher risk of ovarian cancer, and calcium wasn't linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer. Some earlier studies had suggested both.
What to do: Shoot for 1,000 mg a day of calcium if you're 50 or younger and 1,200 mg a day if you're over 50. Assume that you're getting roughly 300 mg from each serving of milk, cheese, yogurt, or calcium-fortified orange juice. Take a supplement to get the rest.
Given the earlier studies linking high calcium intake to an increased risk of prostate cancer, men who want to play it safe should try to get no more than 1,200 mg of calcium a day. Check labels on foods like breakfast cereals and energy bars, which may have added calcium.
Arch. Intern. Med. 169: 391, 2009.
Date: June 11, 2009
Copywright 2009 Nutrition Action Health Letter. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved
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Multivitamin Reduces Risk of Having Low Birthweight Baby
One of the biggest risks to newborns is to be born too early and too small. And doctors don't know why some babies are born prematurely. It's one of the most vexing problems in the field of medicine. These babies are at much greater risk of death and disability, and their care is often long and expensive. Now some new research has found one low-tech way to reduce the number of low-birth-weight babies.
Neonatologist Prakesh Shah wondered if the mother's prenatal diet could be a factor. He and colleagues from the University of Toronto wanted to know if it's best for women to take a daily multivitamin during pregnancy or to take daily supplements of folic acid combined with iron - as recommended by the World Health Organization. They combed through research papers that had examined this question in thousands of women, and he aggregated the data.
"And [we] found out that there were 13 studies that were published, looking at this particular aspect and comparing women in two groups C one group taking multivitamins and another group taking iron-folic acid alone," Shah says. "And there were another set of studies in which women [taking] multivitamins [were] compared to [those taking a] placebo alone."
In all, Shah synthesized data on more than 36,000 women and their babies. He says the conclusion was unequivocal. Taking multivitamins - which include iron and folic acid and also other nutrients - reduced the chance of a woman having a low-birth-weight baby by 17 percent.
"So if you look at the world, in the world there are 135 million babies born every year, and of those, 20 million babies are low birth weightCThat's a lot of babies," Shah says. "But if every woman gets multivitamins, we will reduce that number by 1.5 million every year... worldwide."
Shah says it's time the WHO updates its recommendations for prenatal nutrition.
"We don't need to do more and more studies becauseC it's not ethical to get the women now to take only iron-folic acid and being part of the study," Shah says. "So we are challenging the WHO that we need to create a policy change..."
The capacity for mass distribution of multivitamins exists. In many countries, local health departments already distribute iron and folic acid supplements. Shah says the cost of distributing multivitamins will be only slightly more, but it's a cost that will be outweighed by the subsequent reduction in low-birth-weight babies.
Shah's research is published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Copyright 2009 Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc.
Copywright 2009 Content Works. All Rights Reserved
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Wrong Fat Ratio To Blame for Rise in Inflammation
Changes in the fats in the Western diet may account for the increase in inflammation, which is linked to heart disease and diabetes, U.S. researchers said.
Inflammation is the body's response to injury or infection, but the body's immune system can also trigger an inflammatory response when there are no foreign substances to fight off and causes damage to body organs and blood vessels.
C-reactive protein increases during systemic inflammation and it has been suggested that testing for its levels may be an additional way to assess cardiovascular disease risk.
Floyd Chilton of Wake Forest University School of Medicine and colleagues said that for the past century, changes in the Western diet -- more French fries and processed foods and less fish -- have altered the consumption of omega-6 fatty acids -- found in meat and vegetable oils -- compared with omega-3 fatty acids -- found in flax and fish oil. Many studies seem to indicate this shift has brought about an increased risk of inflammation.
Modern Western diets typically have ratios of omega-6 to omega-3 in excess of 10 to 1.
The researchers developed a dietary intervention strategy in which 27 healthy humans were fed a controlled diet mimicking the 2:1 omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids of early humans over five weeks.
The study, published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry, found that many key signaling genes that promote inflammation were markedly reduced in those with the diet of early humans compared to a normal Western diet containing more red meat and vegetable oils.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International
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Abdominal Fat and Heart Failure - Are You at Risk?
Heart failure is a progressive disease in which the heart muscle is unable to pump enough blood through the heart to meet the body's needs for blood and oxygen. It is estimated that 5.7 million Americans are living with heart failure, and 670,000 new cases are diagnosed annually.1 The body compensates for the deficient circulation by enlarging the heart chambers, increasing the muscle mass of the heart, pumping blood faster, narrowing the vessels to keep the blood pressure up, and diverting blood away from some organs to meet the needs of the most vital organs. There are numerous lifestyle factors that play a role in the development of heart failure such as physical inactivity, being overweight, eating foods high in fat and cholesterol, smoking and nutrient deficiencies such as vitamin B1, CoQ10, carnitine and other energy factors essential for cardiac muscle cells.
Physical inactivity is a controllable lifestyle factor that can lead to becoming overweight and the accumulation of abdominal fat. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over one-third of American adults are obese, totaling over 72 million people.2 Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, which is calculated from a person's weight and height. Abdominal obesity, also known as central obesity, is the accumulation of visceral fat resulting in increased waist circumference. Visceral fat, also known as intra-abdominal fat or belly fat, is adipose tissue that surrounds the abdominal organs and is highly physiologically active, releasing various inflammatory mediators and hormones. Unlike the fat found under the skin known as subcutaneous fat, visceral fat accumulation is independently associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.3 Abdominal obesity, defined as waist circumference greater than 40 inches in men and 35 inches in women, is also associated with increased risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
For many individuals who are faced with a protruding stomach, the motivation to lose weight is often more about appearance than about the health consequences of those few extra pounds around the middle. However, research is beginning to unveil that a big belly is destructive to more than just our self-esteem. It can also be associated with a greater risk of heart failure, providing even greater incentive to take steps to shed this type of fat. This article will address the ways that belly fat increases the risk of heart failure and will provide natural strategies that can be used to reduce belly fat, simultaneously improving heart health.
Abdominal Fat and the Heart
Obesity is associated with the incidence of heart failure. In particular, researchers have shown that accumulation of visceral fat plays a role in the development of this disease. One study examined the correlation between BMI, waist circumference, and heart failure risk. The subjects included women aged 48-83 and men aged 45-79. Height, weight, and waist circumference were recorded. The subjects were followed for 6 years to monitor heart failure incidence.
The results showed that a 10-cm enlargement of waist circumference increased heart failure risk in women by 15 percent in those with a BMI of 25 and by 18 percent in women with a BMI of 30 kg/m2. In men, a 10-cm higher waist circumference increased heart failure risk by 16 percent in those with a BMI of 25 and by 18 percent in those with a BMI of 30 kg/m2.
The authors concluded that higher waist circumference was associated with heart failure at all levels of BMI in women and both BMI and waist circumference were predictors among men.4
Another study examined the correlation between total body fat and abdominal fat and the risk of developing chronic heart failure. In this study, 3,075 men and women aged 70-79 years old were evaluated for body composition and were followed for approximately 6 years to evaluate heart failure risk. The results showed that all adiposity variables including BMI, waist circumference, adipose tissue mass, percentage body fat, waist-to-thigh ratio, and visceral and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue were significant predictors of the development of chronic heart failure. Further analysis of the data showed that when evaluating waist circumference and BMI together, waist circumference was associated with increased chronic heart failure risk but BMI was not. When waist circumference and percentage of body fat were included together, both variables were significant predictors of chronic heart failure. The researchers stated that abdominal body fat distribution may be a stronger risk factor for chronic heart failure than overall obesity.5
Exercise and Visceral Fat Reduction
Exercise has been shown to decrease the accumulation of visceral fat. One study examined the effect of physical activity in sedentary, overweight postmenopausal women. The women were prescribed an exercise program in the experimental group or a stretching program for the control group. They evaluated body weight, waist and hip circumferences, total body fat, intra-abdominal fat, and subcutaneous abdominal fat. At the 12-month follow-up, the exercise group showed a greater reduction in body weight, total body fat, intra-abdominal fat, and subcutaneous abdominal fat. The study authors concluded that regular exercise such as brisk walking results in reduced body weight and body fat among overweight and obese postmenopausal women.6
In an analysis of published studies, researchers examined the effect of exercise on visceral fat reduction. The data indicated that when subjects with metabolic-related disorders were excluded, aerobic exercise expenditure had a significant relationship with percentage of visceral fat change per week. Also, the researchers noted that although visceral fat reduction is significantly related to weight reduction during aerobic exercise intervention, significant visceral fat reduction may also occur without significant weight loss.7
Exercise also reduces complications of heart failure. In a large clinical trial, subjects with heart failure were prescribed usual care alone or usual care plus aerobic exercise training over 30 months. The results showed that after adjusting for confounding factors, exercise training was associated with significant reductions for both all-cause mortality or hospitalization and cardiovascular mortality or heart failure hospitalization.8 Also, this group was given health questionnaires over 4 years. After 3 months, the usual care plus exercise training group showed a statistically significant improvement in self-reported health status compared with usual care alone.9
Regular aerobic exercise is an important factor to overall health, yet even modest increases in physical activity can provide significant cardiovascular and weight loss benefits. Some research suggests that the equivalent of 11 miles of exercise per week, less than 1.6 miles per day, regardless of intensity, can prevent significant accumulation of visceral fat.10 This can be accomplished in approximately 30-40 minutes per day. In addition, small changes such as parking the car further away from the shopping center or taking the stairs instead of the elevator can contribute to exercise goals. Additional research indicates that even a modest loss of 5 percent of initial body weight can reduce, eliminate or prevent numerous diseases including cardiovascular disorders in a large proportion of overweight patients. Researchers state that a large number of obese patients may be sensitive to a modest weight loss even without the achievement of ideal body weight.11 Data shows that a 12-week exercise regimen can significantly reduce visceral fat even without reduction in body weight, BMI, and percent fat in overweight subjects.12
Glabrinex for Reducing Abdominal Fat
Glabrinex is a Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract standardized for the flavonoid glabridin that when used in combination with exercise can have a dramatic effect on abdominal fat. Both animal and human studies indicate that Glabrinex inhibits the formation of body fatâ€"particularly visceral fat. Glabridin acts by down-regulating the synthesis of fat as well as increasing the activity of the enzymes responsible for the breakdown of fat tissue. Animal studies have shown that obese rats fed a high-fat diet as well as Glycyrrhiza glabra showed decreased body weight gain, weight of abdominal adipose tissues, smaller adipose cells, and lower blood glucose levels compared to the control groups.13-15
Human studies have also confirmed these findings. Clinical trials with Glycyrrhiza glabra have demonstrated significant decrease in body weight, BMI, and visceral fat mass.16-17 In one randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, overweight subjects were supplemented with 300 mg per day of Glycyrrhiza glabra for 12 weeks. The study demonstrated a significant difference in the changes in body weight and BMI between the Glycyrrhiza glabra group and the placebo group. The researchers also found that the weight-reducing effect of the glabridin was specifically due to a reduction in body fat. Research indicates that glabridin also exhibits anti-inflammatory18 and antioxidant activity,19-20 as well as neurological21 and cardiovascular22 protective properties.
Conclusion
Reduction of visceral fat decreased the risk of several diseases, including heart failure. Modest exercise has been shown to decrease both abdominal fat as well as the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Glabrinex can provide additional benefits to reduce weight and the accumulation of visceral fat to assist in reaching goals for optimal health.
References
1. American Heart Association. Heart Failure. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1486. Accessed on: 06-07-09.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New CDC Study Finds No Increase in Obesity Among Adults; But Levels Still High. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/07newsreleases/obesity.htm. Accessed on: 06-07-09.
3. Malavazos AE, Corsi MM, Ermetici F, et al. Proinflammatory cytokines and cardiac abnormalities in uncomplicated obesity: relationship with abdominal fat deposition. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2007 May;17(4):294-302.
4. Levitan EB, Yang AZ, Wolk A et al. Adiposity and Incidence of Heart Failure Hospitalization and Mortality: A Population-Based Prospective Study. Circ Heart Fail. 2009;2:202-208. Published Online Ahead of Print Apr 7 2009.
5. Nicklas BJ, Cesari M, Penninx BW, et al. Abdominal obesity is an independent risk factor for chronic heart failure in older people. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2006 Mar;54(3):413-20.
6. Irwin ML, Yasui Y, Ulrich CM, et al. Effect of exercise on total and intra-abdominal body fat in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2003 Jan 15;289(3):323-30.
7. Ohkawara K, Tanaka S, Miyachi M, et al. A dose-response relation between aerobic exercise and visceral fat reduction: systematic review of clinical trials. Int J Obes (Lond). 2007 Dec;31(12):1786-97.
8. O'Connor CM, Whellan DJ, Lee KL, et al. Efficacy and safety of exercise training in patients with chronic heart failure: HF-ACTION randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2009 Apr 8;301(14):1439-50.
9. Flynn KE, Piña IL, Whellan DJ, et al. Effects of exercise training on health status in patients with chronic heart failure: HF-ACTION randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2009 Apr 8;301(14):1451-9.
10. Slentz CA, Aiken LB, Houmard JA, et al. Inactivity, exercise, and visceral fat. STRRIDE: a randomized, controlled study of exercise intensity and amount. J Appl Physiol. 2005 Oct;99(4):1613-8.
11. Pasanisi F, Contaldo F, de Simone G, et al. Benefits of sustained moderate weight loss in obesity. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2001 Dec;11(6):401-6.
12. Coker RH, Williams RH, Kortebein PM, et al. Influence of Exercise Intensity on Abdominal Fat and Adiponectin in Elderly Adults. Metab Syndr Relat Disord. 2009 Jan 23. Published Online Ahead of Print.
13. Nakagawa K, Kishida H, Arai N, et al. Licorice flavonoids suppress abdominal fat accumulation and increase in blood glucose level in obese diabetic KK-A(y) mice. Biol Pharm Bull. 2004 Nov;27(11):1775-8.
14. Kamisoyama H, Honda K, Tominaga Y, et al. Investigation of the anti-obesity action of licorice flavonoid oil in diet-induced obese rats. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2008 Dec;72(12):3225-31.
15. Aoki F, Honda S, Kishida H, et al. Suppression by licorice flavonoids of abdominal fat accumulation and body weight gain in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2007 Jan;71(1):206-14.
16. Aoki F, Nakagawa K, Kitano M, et al. Clinical safety of licorice flavonoid oil (LFO) and pharmacokinetics of glabridin in healthy humans. J Am Coll Nutr. 2007 Jun;26(3):209-18.
17. Tominaga Y, Mae T, Kitano M, et al. Licorice flavonoid oil effects body weight loss by reduction of body fat mass in overweight subjects. J Health Sci. 2006;52(6):672-683.
18. Kwon HS, Oh SM, Kim JK. Glabridin, a functional compound of liquorice, attenuates colonic inflammation in mice with dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis. Clin Exp Immunol. 2008 Jan;151(1):165-73.
19. Carmeli E, Harpaz Y, Kogan NN, et al. The effect of an endogenous antioxidant glabridin on oxidized LDL. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2008;19(1):49-63.
20. Haraguchi H, Yoshida N, Ishikawa H, et al. Protection of mitochondrial functions against oxidative stresses by isoflavans from Glycyrrhiza glabra. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2000 Feb;52(2):219-23.
21. Yu XQ, Xue CC, Zhou ZW, et al. In vitro and in vivo neuroprotective effect and mechanisms of glabridin, a major active isoflavan from Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice). Life Sci. 2008 Jan 2;82(1-2):68-78.
22. Kang JS, Yoon YD, Cho IJ, et al. Glabridin, an isoflavan from licorice root, inhibits inducible nitric-oxide synthase expression and improves survival of mice in experimental model of septic shock. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2005 Mar;312(3):1187-94.
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Milk Thistle Studied in Liver Disease
Silymarin is the main active constituent found in milk thistle (Silybum marianum). Milk thistle has been used historically to support liver health and various liver disorders and new research is supporting its historical use.
Hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, can be caused by bacteria, viruses, excessive alcohol intake, and some medications. Symptoms of hepatitis include jaundice (yellowing of the skin), dark urine, and scleral icterus (yellowing of the whites of the eyes). In a recently published clinical trial, silymarin supplementation was investigated in patients with acute clinical hepatitis of various causes. In this randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 105 subjects were enrolled with symptoms of acute hepatitis as well as elevated levels of the liver enzyme serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), which were greater than 2.5 times the upper limit of normal. The subjects were supplemented with 140 mg of silymarin three times per day or a placebo for 4 weeks with a 4-week follow-up period. Liver tests were run on days 2, 4, and 7 and during weeks 2, 4, and 8.
The results showed that the subjects receiving silymarin had a quicker resolution of symptoms including jaundice, dark urine, and scleral icterus compared to the placebo group. The group supplemented with silymarin also showed a decrease in indirect bilirubin, the yellow break-down product of heme found in hemoglobin, although there was no change in the other liver function tests such as direct bilirubin, ALT and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). No adverse events were reported.
The researchers stated, "Patients receiving silymarin had earlier improvement in subjective and clinical markers of biliary excretion. Despite a modest sample size and multiple etiologies for acute clinical hepatitis, our results suggest that standard recommended doses of silymarin are safe and may be potentially effective in improving symptoms of acute clinical hepatitis despite lack of a detectable effect on biomarkers of the underlying hepatocellular inflammatory process."
Reference:
El-Kamary SS, Shardell MD, Abdel-Hamid M, Ismail S, El-Ateek M, Metwally M, Mikhail N, Hashem M, Mousa A, Aboul-Fotouh A, El-Kassas M, Esmat G, Strickland GT. A randomized controlled trial to assess the safety and efficacy of silymarin on symptoms, signs and biomarkers of acute hepatitis. Phytomedicine. 2009 May;16(5):391-400.
Silymarin is available here as a stand-alone supplement. Milk thistle is also found in HepatoGen along with other liver-supporting ingredients.
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The Hidden Cause Behind A Host of Health Concerns
By Chris D. Meletis, ND
Over the years, in clinical practice I have encountered thousands of patients who do not feel their best, are fatigued and are suffering from a complex of symptoms. For example, a patient may be suffering from one or more of the following: chronic diarrhea, constipation, bloating and flatulence, lethargy and fatigue, reduced or hyperactive immune function, skin eruptions, rectal itching, vaginal yeast infections, fungal infections (including nail fungus), urinary or bacterial infections, or oral thrush. When these are the symptoms manifested, along with performing basic testing for food allergies, I often consider that a patient may be suffering from candidiasis, a condition caused by candida albicans or a number of other candida species.
Candida infections can be insidious in that they manifest in the form of a number of symptoms that either seem unrelated to one another or mimic another disease. Yet, once candida is detected, eliminating this infection can result in improved overall health and increased energy.
In this article, I will discuss a new test that is particularly helpful in identifying the presence of candida along with natural strategies to combat this fungal infection. First, however, I will review what candida is and why it can be a problem.
Often Overlooked Cause Behind Poor Health
The genus candida comprises about 154 species. Six of these species most commonly inhabit the skin and mucous membranes as normal flora. Candida albicans represents the most abundant opportunistic strain while candida tropicalis, candida glabrata, candida krusei, candida parapsilosis and candida lusitaniae may also mount infection under opportunistic conditions.
Candida albicans is often considered a harmless yeast when present in very small quantities in the gastrointestinal tract and vaginas of warm-blooded animals. A healthy immune system and beneficial bacteria keep candida under control, but disruption to this internal balance can lead to yeast overgrowth. Hormonal imbalances, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, antibiotics and oral contraceptives, excessive consumption of sugar and simple carbohydrates, food allergies and sensitivities, stress, or exposure to environmental toxins can all lower immune defenses and contribute to candida's transformation from a benign, round yeast into a filament-shaped fungus with long hyphae or "roots" that penetrate intestinal cells in search of food. Candida albicans also can be spread by direct contact during intercourse, other intimate contact and through intravenous feedings, dialysis, surgery, underlying disease (diabetes mellitus, Addison's disease), immunodeficiency, pregnancy, age (elderly, infancy), and malnutrition.
Furthermore, parasitic infections can in and of themselves weaken the gastrointestinal tract enough to tip the balance in favor of candida turning into the more harmful fungal form of the organism.
- Symptoms of Candida Related Complex:
- Gastrointestinal
Bloating, intestinal gas, belching, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, bad breath, abdominal pain, and indigestion
- Urinary
Frequent urination, burning and desire to urinate, fluid retention, and edema (tissue swelling)
- Male Sexual System
Loss of sex drive, impotency, prostate problems, genital itch, and bumps with fluid or pus at the tip of the penis forming patches that may spread to the scrotum
- Female Sexual System
Vaginal inflammation, vaginal discharge, vaginal burning itching, vaginal pain, urinary tract infections, painful urination, premenstrual problems, menstrual problems, painful intercourse, decreased sex drive, and infertility
- Mental and Emotional Distrubances
Chronic fatigue, drowsiness, and loss of energy, mental fog, decreased concentration, loss of alertness, poor work perfomance, memory loss or learning difficulty, severe mood swings, depression, irritability or periods of anger, hyperactivity and agitation, anxiety, insomnia, cravings for sweets, bread, sugar, alcohol, or yeast-containing foods (cheese)
- Allergic and Somatic Reactivity
Numbness, burning or tingling, painful joints; swollen or stiff joints; muscle aches; muscle tension; nasal congestion; tension in the head; headaches; blurred vision; dizziness; ear ringing; shortness of breath; chest pains; acne, hives or other skin eruptions; increased sensitivity to foods, environmental substances, pollution, household chemicals, toiletries; symptoms worsen in moldy locations or on damp, muggy days
In an advanced stage, candida expels waste products into the circulatory system, depressing immunity and leading to numerous ailments that may fall within the syndrome called the Candida Related Complex or candidiasis.1-2 This results in the symptoms I mentioned in Table 1.
The First Step: Diagnosing Candidiasis
When a candida imbalance is suspected, one of the most useful tools for confirming the diagnosis is to utilize a new test for detecting candida. This new ELISA Candida Antibodies and Antigen Panel is impressive in its comprehensiveness. The test can detect immediate, past and localized infections by testing for serum candida antigen, in addition to IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies specific for Candida spp. An antigen is a protein marker on the surface of cells that identifies the cell as self or non-self. Antigens stimulate the production of antibodies by immune cells that will neutralize or destroy the cell if necessary.
IgM is the first antibody formed after primary exposure to an antigen, and reflects a present infection. IgM readily activates complement, a group of proteins in the blood that play a vital role in the body's immune defenses. IgM also assists the phagocytic system to eliminate foreign pathogens from the intravascular space.
IgG is the predominant antibody formed from secondary exposure to an antigen, and reflects a past or ongoing infection. It is produced as IgM antibody levels decrease after primary exposure. IgG also activates complement, and assists the phagocytic system to eliminate foreign pathogens from the extravascular space.
IgA is found in mucous secretions and is important in local (mucosal) immunity. Elevated IgA antibodies may reflect a more superficial candida infection.
The Candida Antibodies and Antigen Panel is now being offered here. You can now perform a simple fingerstick at home, send the results to the lab and receive your results within a couple weeks. Then you can discuss the findings with your healthcare providers.
The Second Step: Lifestyle Alterations
Once a diagnosis of candidiasis is confirmed, the first step is for affected individuals to eliminate from their diets any of the foods that feed candida. Consequently, all foods containing sugar and yeast should be eliminated from the diet in order to starve the candida organism. Baked goods, pastas, breads, cereals, rice, most grains, fruit, honey, and any sweetened foods should not be consumed. Many practitioners also recommend avoiding dairy products due to the fact they contain lactose, which is a sugar, and cheese because it contains mold. Fermented beverages such as alcohol should also be avoided. Diet should consist of meat protein such as chicken (preferable free range or organic) or wild fish and vegetables, with the exception of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and carrots, which may also feed the candida organism.
It is also important for those with elevated blood sugars, such as in the case of diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome, to actively work to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, so as to not inadvertently fuel the growth of candida.
Additionally, avoiding foods to which you are sensitive (as measured by a Food Allergy Test) can be especially helpful.
It is important to read labels carefully on any packaged foods.
The Third Step: Killing Candida
A number of natural substances (all found in the formula KandidaPlex) have been found to be very effective in killing candida, especially when they are combined with an anti-candida diet.
Undecylenic acid, commonly used in the form of calcium undecylenate, is an extremely effective, well-tolerated, broad-spectrum antifungal compound derived from the vacuum distillation of castor bean oil. It works, in part, by inhibiting the ability of candida to convert to its virulent mycelial phase. Several studies have demonstrated that undecylenic acid is 4-5 times as powerful an antifungal agent as caprylic acid in the same dosage.3-5 Undecylenic acid has been found to inhibit the switch from the harmless yeast form of candida to the invasive fungal form.5
Another anti-candida substance is Pau d'Arco (Tabebuia heptaphylla) The inner bark of the South American tree Pau d'Arco, also known as lapacho or taheebo, has long been used as a folk remedy in numerous afflictions. Pau d' Arco contains phytochemical compounds with antibacterial and antifungal activity. Among these compounds are lapachol and a series of napthoquinones, natural fungicidals effective against candida albicans. Lapachol is also antiviral and antiparasitic. Pau d'Arco selectively inhibits unfriendly bacteria such as the anaerobic Clostridium difficile and E. coli without affecting beneficial probiotic bacteria.6-7
Enlyse is another important part of an anti-candida program. It is a blend of powerful all-vegetarian enzymes designed to help prevent overgrowth of candida. This blend improves the intestinal environment by hydrolyzing putrefying food trapped in between the intestinal villi and digesting non-starch polysaccharides that are known to create gas and bloating. Hemicellulases in Enlyse help remove the biofilm layer, which surrounds candida albicans. Removal of the yeast's protective biofilm facilitates the penetration of the antifungal ingredients calcium undecylenate, berberine and resveratrol directly to the yeast cell.8 Chitosanase in Enlyse is a special enzyme that helps break down chitin, which is an important part of the structure of the candida cell wall. This can be a significant factor in the prevention of overgrowth of this potentially pathogenic yeast.9
Berberine is an antifungal agent found in goldenseal, barberry and Oregon grape. Extracellular enzymes secreted by candida albicans are claimed to be virulent factors responsible for penetration of the yeast into host cells. Berberine was able to suppress candida's enzyme activity and prevented its adherence to epithelial cells. Berberine also interrupts the process of chitin synthesis by which candida constructs its cell walls.10 Berberine also has been shown to work synergistically with other antifungal agents.11
Trans-resveratrol demonstrates potent antifungal activity at very low concentrations; it acts to disrupt the formation of the hyphae, or mycelia, which are required for candida to penetrate the epithelial cells lining the gastrointestinal tract.12-13
According to one group of researchers, "Therefore, the fungicidal effects of resveratrol demonstrate that this compound is a potential candidate as an antifungal agent in treating... candidal infections."12
Finally, biotin is a powerful addition to an anti-candida regimen and works with the other compounds mentioned above. In vitro, biotin has been shown to prevent the budding yeast form of candida albicans from "morphing" into its invasive mycelial form.14
The Final Step: Counteracting the Die-Off Reaction
When yeast cells are rapidly killed by the immune system, drug treatment, or dietary intervention, a die-off or Herxheimer reaction occurs. This reaction is caused by the massive release of toxins from dying candida cells. Toxic proteins from the dead yeasts cross cell membranes, enter the bloodstream, and trigger an intense immune reaction.
Other chemicals released during candida die off cause direct cellular toxicity throughout the body. Immune/yeast complexes trigger the release of histamine, an irritating tissue hormone that initiates tissue inflammation and causes discomfort. Severe allergic and toxic reactions exacerbate the symptoms of candida. Die-off reactions may last from a few days to a few weeks but usually clear up in less than a week. Even though a strong die-off reaction causes a significant amount of discomfort, it is a sign of a successful treatment.
Perhaps one of the most unfortunate aspects of a severe Herxheimer reaction is that it may cause individuals to abandon a successful treatment prematurely. The Herxheimer reaction keeps many individuals indulging in their pro-yeast lifestyle like the withdrawal reaction keeps drug abusers addicted.
In order to ease the discomfort associated with the die-off reaction, I recommend that my patients consume EnteraKlenz and a good fiber supplement such as EZ Fiber. The fiber will help escort the toxic debris out of the body. A good probiotic such as BioPRO also can help support the health of the GI tract.
Conclusion
A modern day lifestyle that includes stress, an excessive amount of sugary foods, oral contraceptives and antibiotics can disrupt the body's balance. When this happens, the normally harmless yeast form of candida albicans can transform into the pathogenic fungal form. A new comprehensive Candida Antibodies and Antigen Panel is now being offered here to detect this insidious but prevalent infection. Altering the diet and taking the synergistic combination of anti-candida substances found in KandidaPlex can help rid the body of this organism and create a greater degree of energy and overall health.
References
1. Crook WG. The Yeast Connection, A Medical Breakthrough. 2nd Addition. Professional Books. Jackson, TN, 1984.
2. Crook WG. The Yeast Connection and the Woman. Professional Books. Jackson, TN. 1987.
3. Birdsall C. Gastrointestinal Candidiasis: Fact or Fiction. Alt Med Rev. 1997; 2(5):346-54.
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Specific Vitamin Deficiencies Related to Mood
New research suggests that decreased intake of vitamin B12 and folic acid may be related to the development of depression.
In the United States, approximately 15.7 percent of adults report being diagnosed with depression at some point in their lifetime. Females are more likely to be diagnosed with depression, as the prevalence rises to 20.2 percent in this group.
A new study investigated the association between depression and the dietary intake of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. In this study, 9,670 subjects were given a food frequency questionnaire to evaluate the amounts of these three vitamins consumed in their diets. The subjects were also evaluated for the prevalence of depression, smoking habits, alcohol intake, physical activity and personality traits.
The study found that women with the highest vitamin B12 intake had a 32-42 percent lower risk of developing depression. In men, those with low levels of anxiety and who were currently smokers showed a correlation between low folate intake and the development of depression. The study showed an almost 3-fold increase in the risk of depression in the men with the lowest folic acid intake when compared to the men with the highest folate intake.
The study authors concluded, "Low folate intake was associated with depression among currently smoking men and men with low anxiety levels. Low intake of vitamin B12 was associated with depression among women. No significant associations were found for vitamin B6 intake."
Reference:
SÃˇnchez-Villegas A, Doreste J, Schlatter J, Pla J, Bes-Rastrollo M, MartÃnez-GonzÃˇlez MA. Association between folate, vitamin B(6) and vitamin B(12) intake and depression in the SUN cohort study. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2009 Apr;22(2):122-33.
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Dietary Supplement Supports Weight Management
Coconut oil, used as a dietary supplement, is effective in supporting weight management, according to a new study. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), indicates that an estimated 66 percent of American adults are either overweight or obese. The diagnosis of overweight and obesity is based on the calculation of the Body Mass Index (BMI).
In this study, coconut oil supplementation was evaluated for potential benefits in weight management in women with abdominal obesity, meaning they have a waist circumference greater than 34 ½ inches (88 cm). Coconut oil is a saturated fat, yet it has numerous reported health-promoting properties.
This study compared 40 women between the ages of 20 and 40 years old. Twenty women were supplemented with 30 mL of coconut oil and 20 women received 30 mL of soybean oil over a 12-week period. The subjects were also instructed to follow a balanced, low-calorie diet and to walk for 50 minutes per day for physical activity. The subjects were evaluated one week prior to the initiation of the study and one week following the conclusion of the dietary intervention. Lipid levels, including total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and the LDL:HDL ratio, were also evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the study.
The results showed that carbohydrate and overall caloric (energy) intake decreased over the 12-week study period. Protein, fiber, and fat intake did not change. Also, the BMI decreased in both treatment groups. However, only the group supplemented with coconut oil showed a decrease in waist circumference as well. At the end of the study, the subjects receiving coconut oil had increased levels of the beneficial HDL cholesterol and a lower LDL:HDL ratio. The group supplemented with soybean oil, however, showed increases in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and LDL:HDL ratio, and a decrease in HDL cholesterol.
The study authors concluded, "It appears that dietetic supplementation with coconut oil does not cause dyslipidemia and seems to promote a reduction in abdominal obesity."
Reference:
Assuncao ML, Ferreira HS, Dos Santos AF, Cabral CR Jr, Florencio TM. Effects of Dietary Coconut Oil on the Biochemical and Anthropometric Profiles of Women Presenting Abdominal Obesity. Lipids. 2009 May 13. Published Online Ahead of Print.
