Fight the Effects of Aging with Alpha Lipoic Acid...
By Dr. Allen S. Josephs
Co-Founder & Chairman, Vitacost.com
05/31/2007 There was a recent conference, entitled "Diet and Optimum Health," sponsored by the Linus Pauling Institute that took place at Oregon State University. One of the key nutrients discussed was alpha lipoic acid (ALA). In animal and human studies, this compound has been shown to slow the aging process, improve blood flow, enhance immune function and promote healthy blood sugar and many other functions. Dr. Tory Hagen, a researcher at Linus Pauling Institute, noted, "the evidence suggests that lipoic acid is actually a low-level stressor that turns on the basic cellular defenses of the body, including many of those that naturally decline with age." He further added, "In particular, it tends to restore levels of glutathione, a protective antioxidant and detoxification compound to those of a young animal. It also acts as a strong anti-inflammatory agent, which is relevant to many degenerative diseases. "Researchers at Oregon State University now believe that ALA does not work directly on cells but rather indirectly, "kick starting" declining cellular function. Hagen adds, "Our studies have shown that mice supplemented with lipoic acid have a cognitive ability, behavior and genetic expression of almost 100% detoxification and antioxidant genes that are comparable to that of young animals. They aren't just living longer, they're living better - and that's the goal we're after." I couldn't agree more with Dr. Hagen. I've been a big advocate for ALA for many years. I routinely recommend it, along acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), to my patients with poor peripheral nerve function. Patients will frequently present with pain and numbness in their feet which, in many cases, can be improved with these important nutrients. Unfortunately, modern medicine offers no alternative to actually help restore peripheral nerve function as these nutrients have been demonstrated to do in animal and human studies. There was a study published several years ago where aged rats were given a combination of ALC and ALA1. Not only did these rats perform in a more youthful fashion, when their brains were autopsied, it actually showed regeneration of brain neurons and tissue. Whether this happens in a similar fashion in humans has never been firmly established, although ALC and ALA have been put into the category of anti-aging nutrients. ALC works by providing fuel for the cell via the Kreb's cycle and promotes healthy mitochondrial function in a manner similar but complimentary to coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). ALA, CoQ10 and ALC combined are the three most powerful anti-aging nutrients you can take that promote healthy energy, cellular health, cardiovascular health, healthy blood sugar and optimal neurological health.
Comment: I have been taking ALA, CoQ10, and ALC for over 2 years after reading this article from biochemist Bruce Ames from U C Berkeley.
http://www.cwiechert.com/Antiaging.html
Recently I have formulated over 5 products that include ALA, ALC, and some that include CoQ10 as well. These formulations are powerful and you feel a big difference when you take them.
Here are some examples:
ENERGY
CELLULAR HEALTH
LONG LIFE
Christopher Wiechert, C.N.C.
Christopher Wiechert's Healthblogger is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a health care professional. If you decide to use this information on your own, it's your constitutional right, but I assume no responsibility.
Please visit our websites:
cwiechert.com
HealthBlogger
Orthomolecular Formulations
Axiom Int'l, Sports Fitness
Axiom Int'l, Skin Care & Cosmetics
Axiom Int’l, Health & Beauty Zone
Do a key word search on cwiechert.com
or Christopher Wiechert's HealthBlogger...http://www.cwiechert.com/contactus.html
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Thursday, May 31, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Please don't be afraid of the sun... Autism & vitamin D a possible connection...
This is an exerp from an article by John Cannell, MD, Atascadero, CA 93422, that I receive via e-mail on a regular basis... He runs the Vitamin D Council and the Vitamin D Newsletter. He is on the cutting edge of Vitamin D research. I have been Blogging for over 2 years on the epidemic of low vitamin D levels and it's effect on immune function, cancer, heart disease etc.
Now there may be evidence that hiding from the sun or using sunblocks could be involved in the epidemic of Autism since 1999. Read on and make your own judgments...
cw
The role of sunlight...
Vitamin D intake—are children and pregnant women getting as much as they used to?
No, because sun exposure is much less common today. Furthermore, perhaps because the term, vitamin D, contains the word "vitamin," many people mistakenly assume it is a vitamin, though it is not. Vitamin D is the only known precursor for a steroid hormone system that, until recent sun‑avoidance, always began in the skin and not the mouth. Before the sun‑scare, 90% of human vitamin D stores came from skin production, not diet. Large populations of pregnant women and autistic children ingesting small amounts orally, instead of generating large amounts through the skin, are novel to human brain development. Obviously, if people are going to put it in their mouths, rather than make it in their skin, oral intake must be adequate enough to make up for decreased skin production. However, the skin's production of vitamin D is rapid and robust, easily exceeding usual dietary sources by a factor of 10. For example, when fair‑skinned adults sunbathe in the summer (one, full‑body, exposure to ultraviolet light, enough to turn the skin slightly pink) they make about 20,000 units of vitamin D in 20 minutes. A pregnant woman would have to drink 200 glasses of milk or take 50 prenatal multivitamins to do the same. An autistic boy who plays inside the house, instead of outside, would have to take several thousand units of vitamin D to make up for what his skin would have produced had he played outside that day.
When did medical organizations first tell us to avoid the sun?
In 1989, around the time autism began to rise, the American Medical Association's (AMA) Council on Scientific Affairs first warned about the dangers of sun exposure, advising mothers to "keep infants out of the sun as much as possible." In 1999, when autism rates really exploded, the American Academy of Pediatrics went further, advising mothers always to keep infants out of direct sunlight, use sun‑protective clothes and sunblock, and make sure children's activities minimize sunlight exposure. Quite inexplicably, they said there was "no evidence" such changes would affect vitamin D levels. By 2002, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported such efforts were quite successful: "protection from sun exposure is reported for a high proportion of children."
Did authorities recommend compensatory vitamin D intakes?
Medical organizations did not plan for the vitamin D deficiency such sun avoidance would predictably induce. For example, when the AMA warned about the dangers of sunlight, they did not even mention that sunlight triggers the formation of vitamin D. Furthermore, medical recommendations for infants, children, young women, and pregnant women, did not change during the decades of sun avoidance: 200 units/day for all infants, children, pregnant women, and young adults—regardless of weight. That is, they did, and still do, recommend the same 200 daily units for a 5‑pound infant as they do for a 200‑pound pregnant woman. In fact, in 2003, the American Academy of Pediatrics cut their long‑standing 400 units/day recommendation in half—apparently to comply with government recommendations—and did so despite warnings from a prominent University of Wisconsin professor of pediatrics, Dr. Frank Greer, and despite their own advice four years earlier that infants and children should avoid sunlight.
Have vitamin D levels fallen as autism has increased?
Yes they have, although no linear studies of vitamin D levels over the last 20 years exist. That is, we don't know how effective sun avoidance campaigns have been in lowering vitamin D levels. However, if one assumes that some Americans do follow their government's and physician's advice, then at least some must have had declining vitamin D levels over the last 20 years—unless they took enough supplemental vitamin D to make up for lack of sun exposure. Unfortunately, few take the thousands of daily units needed to do that. What we do know is that vitamin D deficiency, like autism, is now an epidemic.
What Is The Vitamin D Theory of Autism?
In addition to the current epidemic of vitamin D deficiency, say another epidemic—an epidemic of autism—was upon our children? What if the autism epidemic began at the same time the epidemic of vitamin D deficiency began? What if both epidemics had worsened in unison? What if one theory explained all the known facts about autism? What if both epidemics had the same root cause: sun avoidance? What if both were iatrogenic, that is, medical advice to avoid the sun had caused both epidemics? Be warned, what follows is not light reading—autism is not a light disease.
If you or anyone you know has Autism, read and forward this information as soon as posible.
Autism and Vitamin D
Christopher Wiechert, C.N.C.
Christopher Wiechert's Healthblogger is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a health care professional. If you decide to use this information on your own, it's your constitutional right, but I assume no responsibility.
Please visit our websites:
cwiechert.com
HealthBlogger
Orthomolecular Formulations
Axiom Int'l, Sports Fitness
Axiom Int'l, Skin Care & Cosmetics
Axiom Int’l, Health & Beauty Zone
Do a key word search on cwiechert.com
or Christopher Wiechert's HealthBlogger...http://www.cwiechert.com/contactus.html
Click here if you would like to subscribe to our free HealthBlogger News Letter.
Write... add me to your list on the subject line.
Please pass these on.
E-mail us at cww@cwiechert.com
Now there may be evidence that hiding from the sun or using sunblocks could be involved in the epidemic of Autism since 1999. Read on and make your own judgments...
cw
The role of sunlight...
Vitamin D intake—are children and pregnant women getting as much as they used to?
No, because sun exposure is much less common today. Furthermore, perhaps because the term, vitamin D, contains the word "vitamin," many people mistakenly assume it is a vitamin, though it is not. Vitamin D is the only known precursor for a steroid hormone system that, until recent sun‑avoidance, always began in the skin and not the mouth. Before the sun‑scare, 90% of human vitamin D stores came from skin production, not diet. Large populations of pregnant women and autistic children ingesting small amounts orally, instead of generating large amounts through the skin, are novel to human brain development. Obviously, if people are going to put it in their mouths, rather than make it in their skin, oral intake must be adequate enough to make up for decreased skin production. However, the skin's production of vitamin D is rapid and robust, easily exceeding usual dietary sources by a factor of 10. For example, when fair‑skinned adults sunbathe in the summer (one, full‑body, exposure to ultraviolet light, enough to turn the skin slightly pink) they make about 20,000 units of vitamin D in 20 minutes. A pregnant woman would have to drink 200 glasses of milk or take 50 prenatal multivitamins to do the same. An autistic boy who plays inside the house, instead of outside, would have to take several thousand units of vitamin D to make up for what his skin would have produced had he played outside that day.
When did medical organizations first tell us to avoid the sun?
In 1989, around the time autism began to rise, the American Medical Association's (AMA) Council on Scientific Affairs first warned about the dangers of sun exposure, advising mothers to "keep infants out of the sun as much as possible." In 1999, when autism rates really exploded, the American Academy of Pediatrics went further, advising mothers always to keep infants out of direct sunlight, use sun‑protective clothes and sunblock, and make sure children's activities minimize sunlight exposure. Quite inexplicably, they said there was "no evidence" such changes would affect vitamin D levels. By 2002, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported such efforts were quite successful: "protection from sun exposure is reported for a high proportion of children."
Did authorities recommend compensatory vitamin D intakes?
Medical organizations did not plan for the vitamin D deficiency such sun avoidance would predictably induce. For example, when the AMA warned about the dangers of sunlight, they did not even mention that sunlight triggers the formation of vitamin D. Furthermore, medical recommendations for infants, children, young women, and pregnant women, did not change during the decades of sun avoidance: 200 units/day for all infants, children, pregnant women, and young adults—regardless of weight. That is, they did, and still do, recommend the same 200 daily units for a 5‑pound infant as they do for a 200‑pound pregnant woman. In fact, in 2003, the American Academy of Pediatrics cut their long‑standing 400 units/day recommendation in half—apparently to comply with government recommendations—and did so despite warnings from a prominent University of Wisconsin professor of pediatrics, Dr. Frank Greer, and despite their own advice four years earlier that infants and children should avoid sunlight.
Have vitamin D levels fallen as autism has increased?
Yes they have, although no linear studies of vitamin D levels over the last 20 years exist. That is, we don't know how effective sun avoidance campaigns have been in lowering vitamin D levels. However, if one assumes that some Americans do follow their government's and physician's advice, then at least some must have had declining vitamin D levels over the last 20 years—unless they took enough supplemental vitamin D to make up for lack of sun exposure. Unfortunately, few take the thousands of daily units needed to do that. What we do know is that vitamin D deficiency, like autism, is now an epidemic.
What Is The Vitamin D Theory of Autism?
In addition to the current epidemic of vitamin D deficiency, say another epidemic—an epidemic of autism—was upon our children? What if the autism epidemic began at the same time the epidemic of vitamin D deficiency began? What if both epidemics had worsened in unison? What if one theory explained all the known facts about autism? What if both epidemics had the same root cause: sun avoidance? What if both were iatrogenic, that is, medical advice to avoid the sun had caused both epidemics? Be warned, what follows is not light reading—autism is not a light disease.
If you or anyone you know has Autism, read and forward this information as soon as posible.
Autism and Vitamin D
Christopher Wiechert, C.N.C.
Christopher Wiechert's Healthblogger is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a health care professional. If you decide to use this information on your own, it's your constitutional right, but I assume no responsibility.
Please visit our websites:
cwiechert.com
HealthBlogger
Orthomolecular Formulations
Axiom Int'l, Sports Fitness
Axiom Int'l, Skin Care & Cosmetics
Axiom Int’l, Health & Beauty Zone
Do a key word search on cwiechert.com
or Christopher Wiechert's HealthBlogger...http://www.cwiechert.com/contactus.html
Click here if you would like to subscribe to our free HealthBlogger News Letter.
Write... add me to your list on the subject line.
Please pass these on.
E-mail us at cww@cwiechert.com
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Protect yourself from Heart Failure...
Breaking News on Supplements & Nutrition - North America...
Pine bark extract shows promise against heart failure
Pine bark extract shows promise against heart failure...
By Stephen Daniells
5/18/2007- Extracts from French maritime pine bark may protect against heart failure, if a new study with mice can be translated into humans. The results of the new study, published on-line in the journal Cardiovascular Toxicology, add to a growing body of research reporting potential health benefits of the pine bark extract, Pycnogenol. "We propose that a therapeutic effect of Pycnogenol may help to limit cardiac remodeling in patients predisposed to congestive heart failure - such as in the aged," wrote lead author Sherma Zibadi from the University of Arizona. Hypertension, defined as when the sufferer has blood pressure higher than 140/90 mmHg, means that the heart is over-worked, resulting in weakening of the heart muscle and increasing of heart chamber volume. This process (known as cardiac remodeling) may eventually cause heart failure when the heart insufficiently supplies the body with oxygenated blood. The researchers used elderly female mice (18 months old) and randomly divided them into four groups: control mice, mice receiving Pycnogenol only (30 mg/kg per day), mice receiving N-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME) only (a substance which causes arterial constriction), and mice receiving both Pycnogenol and L-NAME. Two groups of hypertensive mice were assigned to receive either Pycnogenol in drinking water for four weeks or left unsupplemented. After five weeks, the researchers observed that the hearts of the latter control group had significantly increased in size as a result of hypertension. In the French maritime pine bark extract group, hypertension and heart function parameters resembled those found in healthy control mice with healthy blood pressure. "This study provides evidence that oral administration of Pycnogenol reversed cardiovascular remodeling induced by L-NAME by blocking nitric oxide production, which leads to hypertension and finally cardiomyopathy," said co-research Ronald Watson. After studying the heart tissue, the researchers found Pycnogenol supplementation to significantly enhance the connective collagen matrix of cardiac tissue. Whereas the chronic hypertension in mice led to a significant loss of connective collagen fibers, the French maritime pine bark extract was found to significantly increased the collagen presence, resulting in stronger cardiac chambers. "Even so, a more thorough understanding of the underlying mechanisms Pycnogenol modulated is clearly needed," concluded the researchers. "Alternatives such as Pycnogenol are crucial components in the fight against heart disease," said Watson. "The effectiveness of Pycnogenol supplementation is a great option for many people who want an alternative to prescription medications such as beta blockers or ACE inhibitors. This new study shows Pycnogenol administers a therapeutic effect to limit the degenerative process in patients predisposed to congestive heart failure, such as the aged. "Horphag Research, manufacturers of Pycnogenol, supported the study financially. The company has been very active in sponsoring and supporting studies into the potential health benefits of the pine bark extract. The first research was conducted on the ingredient 35 years ago. Victor Ferrari, research chief operating officer and executive vice president of Horphag Research, told NutraIngredients last year that the company ploughs $1.5m - "most of its profits" - into research each year. The product is extracted from the bark of the Maritime pine that grows on the southern coast of France, and is currently used in over 400 dietary supplements, multi-vitamins and health products.
Source: Cardiovascular ToxicologyPublished on-line ahead of print, doi: 10.1007/s12012-007-0001-9"Impact of Pycnogenol on cardiac extracellular matrix remodeling induced by L-NAME administration to old mice"Authors: S. Zibadi, Q. Yu, P.J. Rohdewald, D.F. Larson, R.R. Watson
Comment: This is an important study and it only confirms other research as to the great value of this supplement.
Understand what causes heart disease...
NSI Pine Bark Extract 95% OPC -- 100 mg - 300 Capsules
Christopher Wiechert, C.N.C.
Christopher Wiechert's Healthblogger is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a health care professional. If you decide to use this information on your own, it's your constitutional right, but I assume no responsibility.
Please visit our websites:
cwiechert.com
HealthBlogger
Orthomolecular Formulations
Axiom Int'l, Sports Fitness
Axiom Int'l, Skin Care & Cosmetics
Axiom Int’l, Health & Beauty Zone
Do a key word search on cwiechert.com
or Christopher Wiechert's HealthBlogger...http://www.cwiechert.com/contactus.html
Click here if you would like to subscribe to our free HealthBlogger News Letter.
Write... add me to your list on the subject line.
Please pass these on.
E-mail us at cww@cwiechert.com
Pine bark extract shows promise against heart failure
Pine bark extract shows promise against heart failure...
By Stephen Daniells
5/18/2007- Extracts from French maritime pine bark may protect against heart failure, if a new study with mice can be translated into humans. The results of the new study, published on-line in the journal Cardiovascular Toxicology, add to a growing body of research reporting potential health benefits of the pine bark extract, Pycnogenol. "We propose that a therapeutic effect of Pycnogenol may help to limit cardiac remodeling in patients predisposed to congestive heart failure - such as in the aged," wrote lead author Sherma Zibadi from the University of Arizona. Hypertension, defined as when the sufferer has blood pressure higher than 140/90 mmHg, means that the heart is over-worked, resulting in weakening of the heart muscle and increasing of heart chamber volume. This process (known as cardiac remodeling) may eventually cause heart failure when the heart insufficiently supplies the body with oxygenated blood. The researchers used elderly female mice (18 months old) and randomly divided them into four groups: control mice, mice receiving Pycnogenol only (30 mg/kg per day), mice receiving N-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME) only (a substance which causes arterial constriction), and mice receiving both Pycnogenol and L-NAME. Two groups of hypertensive mice were assigned to receive either Pycnogenol in drinking water for four weeks or left unsupplemented. After five weeks, the researchers observed that the hearts of the latter control group had significantly increased in size as a result of hypertension. In the French maritime pine bark extract group, hypertension and heart function parameters resembled those found in healthy control mice with healthy blood pressure. "This study provides evidence that oral administration of Pycnogenol reversed cardiovascular remodeling induced by L-NAME by blocking nitric oxide production, which leads to hypertension and finally cardiomyopathy," said co-research Ronald Watson. After studying the heart tissue, the researchers found Pycnogenol supplementation to significantly enhance the connective collagen matrix of cardiac tissue. Whereas the chronic hypertension in mice led to a significant loss of connective collagen fibers, the French maritime pine bark extract was found to significantly increased the collagen presence, resulting in stronger cardiac chambers. "Even so, a more thorough understanding of the underlying mechanisms Pycnogenol modulated is clearly needed," concluded the researchers. "Alternatives such as Pycnogenol are crucial components in the fight against heart disease," said Watson. "The effectiveness of Pycnogenol supplementation is a great option for many people who want an alternative to prescription medications such as beta blockers or ACE inhibitors. This new study shows Pycnogenol administers a therapeutic effect to limit the degenerative process in patients predisposed to congestive heart failure, such as the aged. "Horphag Research, manufacturers of Pycnogenol, supported the study financially. The company has been very active in sponsoring and supporting studies into the potential health benefits of the pine bark extract. The first research was conducted on the ingredient 35 years ago. Victor Ferrari, research chief operating officer and executive vice president of Horphag Research, told NutraIngredients last year that the company ploughs $1.5m - "most of its profits" - into research each year. The product is extracted from the bark of the Maritime pine that grows on the southern coast of France, and is currently used in over 400 dietary supplements, multi-vitamins and health products.
Source: Cardiovascular ToxicologyPublished on-line ahead of print, doi: 10.1007/s12012-007-0001-9"Impact of Pycnogenol on cardiac extracellular matrix remodeling induced by L-NAME administration to old mice"Authors: S. Zibadi, Q. Yu, P.J. Rohdewald, D.F. Larson, R.R. Watson
Comment: This is an important study and it only confirms other research as to the great value of this supplement.
Understand what causes heart disease...
NSI Pine Bark Extract 95% OPC -- 100 mg - 300 Capsules
Christopher Wiechert, C.N.C.
Christopher Wiechert's Healthblogger is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a health care professional. If you decide to use this information on your own, it's your constitutional right, but I assume no responsibility.
Please visit our websites:
cwiechert.com
HealthBlogger
Orthomolecular Formulations
Axiom Int'l, Sports Fitness
Axiom Int'l, Skin Care & Cosmetics
Axiom Int’l, Health & Beauty Zone
Do a key word search on cwiechert.com
or Christopher Wiechert's HealthBlogger...http://www.cwiechert.com/contactus.html
Click here if you would like to subscribe to our free HealthBlogger News Letter.
Write... add me to your list on the subject line.
Please pass these on.
E-mail us at cww@cwiechert.com
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Low carb diet - wins...
Comparison of Atkins, Zone, Ornish, and LEARN Diets in Overweight Premenopausal Women...
A new study(1) reports the results of a year-long study of the effects on weight loss among four diets: the Atkins (77 subjects), Zone (79 subjects), Ornish (76 subjects), and LEARN (79 subjects). As you are undoubtedly aware, the Atkins diet is very low in carbohydrates. The Zone diet is low in carbohydrates, the LEARN diet is low in fats and high in carbohydrates, and the Ornish diet is very high in carbohydrates and very low in fats.
The summary of the results reported that “. . . premenopausal overweight and obese women assigned to follow the Atkins diet, which had the lowest carbohydrate intake, lost more weight and experienced more favorable metabolic effects at 12 months than women assigned to follow the Zone, Ornish, or LEARN diets.”
The mean 12-month weight losses were: Atkins, –4.7 kg (95% confidence interval, –6.3 to –3.1 kg); Zone, –1.6 kg (95% confidence interval, –2.8 to –0.4 kg); LEARN, –2.6 kg (–3.8 to –1.3 kg); and Ornish, –2.2 kg (–3.6 to –0.8 kg). The mean weight losses were significantly different between the Atkins and Zone diets, whereas weight losses were not statistically different among the Zone, LEARN, and Ornish groups. Dietary intakes were determined by telephone-administered, 3-day, unannounced, 24-hour dietary recalls. Energy expenditure was estimated by using the “well-established” Stanford 7-day physical activity recall. Hence, results were limited by potential biases in recall of dietary intakes and of physical activity.
It is interesting to note that the diets were all low in fiber. Calculated fiber contents of the diets at 12 months were: Atkins, 15.2 (±2.7); Zone, 16.7 (±9.4); LEARN, 18.3 (±7.8); and Ornish, 19.3 (±9.4). The fiber content of those on the Ornish diet was significantly different from that of those on the Atkins diet.
The Atkins diet was significantly higher in fat (44.3 ± 12.5, up from 36.2 ± 7.8 at baseline) at 12 months than the other diets, while protein content of the Ornish diet (18.3 ± 4.0) was significantly lower than that of the Atkins diet (20.6 ± 5.3). The Atkins diet was also significantly higher in saturated fat content (27.2 ± 13.3, up from 26.5 ± 11.1 at baseline) than the other three diets. Interestingly, the Ornish group was only able to get their saturated fat percentage down from 24.8 ± 10.3 at baseline to 16.9 ± 11.4, although the goal was to reach 10% or less saturated fat. This underscores the difficulties for individuals trying to reduce saturated fat to such a low level.
Insulin and glucose measurements showed that neither the overall trajectory across all time points nor the 12-month differences were significantly different among the groups, either for fasting insulin or fasting glucose. HDL-cholesterol was significantly greater (compared to baseline) at 12 months in the Atkins, Zone, and LEARN diets as compared to the Ornish diet. Diastolic blood pressure was significantly lower (compared to baseline) in the Atkins, Zone, and LEARN diets as compared to the Ornish diet. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower (compared to baseline) in the Atkins diet as compared to the other three diets.
This study provides clear supporting evidence for the benefits of reducing carbohydrate calories for weight loss (Atkins diet) and also demonstrates favorable changes for those on the Atkins diet in lipid levels and blood pressure.
Reference
Gardner et al. Comparison of the Atkins, Zone, Ornish, and LEARN diets for change in weight and related risk factors among overweight premenopausal women. JAMA 297(9):969-77 (2007).
Life Extension News
Comment: While I like the Atkins diet, I have refined these and other successful concepts to a much better overall approach to long term weight loss and improved health & wellness.
Forever Changes Weight-Loss & Longevity Lifestyle Program
Christopher Wiechert, C.N.C.
Christopher Wiechert's Healthblogger is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a health care professional. If you decide to use this information on your own, it's your constitutional right, but I assume no responsibility.
Please visit our websites:
cwiechert.com
HealthBlogger
Orthomolecular Formulations
Axiom Int'l, Sports Fitness
Axiom Int'l, Skin Care & Cosmetics
Axiom Int’l, Health & Beauty Zone
Do a key word search on cwiechert.com
or Christopher Wiechert's HealthBlogger...http://www.cwiechert.com/contactus.html
Click here if you would like to subscribe to our free HealthBlogger News Letter.
Write... add me to your list on the subject line.
Please pass these on.
E-mail us at cww@cwiechert.com
A new study(1) reports the results of a year-long study of the effects on weight loss among four diets: the Atkins (77 subjects), Zone (79 subjects), Ornish (76 subjects), and LEARN (79 subjects). As you are undoubtedly aware, the Atkins diet is very low in carbohydrates. The Zone diet is low in carbohydrates, the LEARN diet is low in fats and high in carbohydrates, and the Ornish diet is very high in carbohydrates and very low in fats.
The summary of the results reported that “. . . premenopausal overweight and obese women assigned to follow the Atkins diet, which had the lowest carbohydrate intake, lost more weight and experienced more favorable metabolic effects at 12 months than women assigned to follow the Zone, Ornish, or LEARN diets.”
The mean 12-month weight losses were: Atkins, –4.7 kg (95% confidence interval, –6.3 to –3.1 kg); Zone, –1.6 kg (95% confidence interval, –2.8 to –0.4 kg); LEARN, –2.6 kg (–3.8 to –1.3 kg); and Ornish, –2.2 kg (–3.6 to –0.8 kg). The mean weight losses were significantly different between the Atkins and Zone diets, whereas weight losses were not statistically different among the Zone, LEARN, and Ornish groups. Dietary intakes were determined by telephone-administered, 3-day, unannounced, 24-hour dietary recalls. Energy expenditure was estimated by using the “well-established” Stanford 7-day physical activity recall. Hence, results were limited by potential biases in recall of dietary intakes and of physical activity.
It is interesting to note that the diets were all low in fiber. Calculated fiber contents of the diets at 12 months were: Atkins, 15.2 (±2.7); Zone, 16.7 (±9.4); LEARN, 18.3 (±7.8); and Ornish, 19.3 (±9.4). The fiber content of those on the Ornish diet was significantly different from that of those on the Atkins diet.
The Atkins diet was significantly higher in fat (44.3 ± 12.5, up from 36.2 ± 7.8 at baseline) at 12 months than the other diets, while protein content of the Ornish diet (18.3 ± 4.0) was significantly lower than that of the Atkins diet (20.6 ± 5.3). The Atkins diet was also significantly higher in saturated fat content (27.2 ± 13.3, up from 26.5 ± 11.1 at baseline) than the other three diets. Interestingly, the Ornish group was only able to get their saturated fat percentage down from 24.8 ± 10.3 at baseline to 16.9 ± 11.4, although the goal was to reach 10% or less saturated fat. This underscores the difficulties for individuals trying to reduce saturated fat to such a low level.
Insulin and glucose measurements showed that neither the overall trajectory across all time points nor the 12-month differences were significantly different among the groups, either for fasting insulin or fasting glucose. HDL-cholesterol was significantly greater (compared to baseline) at 12 months in the Atkins, Zone, and LEARN diets as compared to the Ornish diet. Diastolic blood pressure was significantly lower (compared to baseline) in the Atkins, Zone, and LEARN diets as compared to the Ornish diet. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower (compared to baseline) in the Atkins diet as compared to the other three diets.
This study provides clear supporting evidence for the benefits of reducing carbohydrate calories for weight loss (Atkins diet) and also demonstrates favorable changes for those on the Atkins diet in lipid levels and blood pressure.
Reference
Gardner et al. Comparison of the Atkins, Zone, Ornish, and LEARN diets for change in weight and related risk factors among overweight premenopausal women. JAMA 297(9):969-77 (2007).
Life Extension News
Comment: While I like the Atkins diet, I have refined these and other successful concepts to a much better overall approach to long term weight loss and improved health & wellness.
Forever Changes Weight-Loss & Longevity Lifestyle Program
Christopher Wiechert, C.N.C.
Christopher Wiechert's Healthblogger is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a health care professional. If you decide to use this information on your own, it's your constitutional right, but I assume no responsibility.
Please visit our websites:
cwiechert.com
HealthBlogger
Orthomolecular Formulations
Axiom Int'l, Sports Fitness
Axiom Int'l, Skin Care & Cosmetics
Axiom Int’l, Health & Beauty Zone
Do a key word search on cwiechert.com
or Christopher Wiechert's HealthBlogger...http://www.cwiechert.com/contactus.html
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Sunday, May 13, 2007
CANCER STUDIES IN THE NEWS...
The top five cancer-causing foods...
Ever wonder which foods should be strongly avoided by those at high risk for cancer? We can begin identifying cancer-causing foods once we know which ingredients in our food cause cancer. Some of those ingredients are food additives and chemicals used to enhance taste, while others are used strictly for appearance or to increase product shelf life. The key to avoiding cancer-causing foods is knowing which ingredients are carcinogens -- or cancer promoters -- and then reading food labels to permanently avoid consuming those ingredients.
READ ARTICLE
Two studies link hormones and cancer in women ...
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two studies published on Wednesday further link hormone replacement therapy with cancer, suggesting -- but not yet proving -- that HRT causes breast and ovarian cancer.
READ ARTICLE
Antioxidants pills may benefit chemo patients...
25/04/2007 - Antioxidants supplements may help increase survival rates, tumour response, and the patient's ability to tolerate chemotherapy, concludes a new review.
READ ARTICLE
After a cancer diagnosis: Crucial questions to consider about chemotherapy vs. naturopathic cancer treatments...
It is widely known that an increasing number of consumers are turning to alternative medicine for treatment for diseases like cancer, depression, diabetes, heart disease and so on. What are generally not known are the circumstances under which many consumers make this switch from conventional to alternative medicine.
READ ARTICLE
Eating cabbage and brussels sprouts kills cancer cells, researchers find...
(NewsTarget) Eating brussels sprouts and cabbage could help kill cancer cells when combined with traditional chemotherapy, according to new research by British scientists.
READ ARTICLE
Cancer risk slashed fifty percent or more by sunlight, vitamin D, reveal two new studies...
(NewsTarget) Increasing vitamin D intake through sunlight, diet or supplements may decrease a person's risk of contracting breast cancer by 50 percent and of contracting colorectal cancer by more than 65 percent, according to two recent studies conducted at the University of San Diego.
READ ARTICLE
Christopher Wiechert, C.N.C.
Christopher Wiechert's Healthblogger is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a health care professional. If you decide to use this information on your own, it's your constitutional right, but I assume no responsibility.
Please visit our websites:
cwiechert.comHealthBlogger
Orthomolecular Formulations
Axiom Int'l, Sports Fitness
Axiom Int'l, Skin Care & Cosmetics
Axiom Int’l, Health & Beauty Zone
Do a key word search on cwiechert.com
or Christopher Wiechert's HealthBlogger...http://www.cwiechert.com/contactus.html
Click here if you would like to subscribe to our free HealthBlogger News Letter.
Write... add me to your list on the subject line.
Please pass these on.
E-mail us at cww@cwiechert.com
Ever wonder which foods should be strongly avoided by those at high risk for cancer? We can begin identifying cancer-causing foods once we know which ingredients in our food cause cancer. Some of those ingredients are food additives and chemicals used to enhance taste, while others are used strictly for appearance or to increase product shelf life. The key to avoiding cancer-causing foods is knowing which ingredients are carcinogens -- or cancer promoters -- and then reading food labels to permanently avoid consuming those ingredients.
READ ARTICLE
Two studies link hormones and cancer in women ...
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two studies published on Wednesday further link hormone replacement therapy with cancer, suggesting -- but not yet proving -- that HRT causes breast and ovarian cancer.
READ ARTICLE
Antioxidants pills may benefit chemo patients...
25/04/2007 - Antioxidants supplements may help increase survival rates, tumour response, and the patient's ability to tolerate chemotherapy, concludes a new review.
READ ARTICLE
After a cancer diagnosis: Crucial questions to consider about chemotherapy vs. naturopathic cancer treatments...
It is widely known that an increasing number of consumers are turning to alternative medicine for treatment for diseases like cancer, depression, diabetes, heart disease and so on. What are generally not known are the circumstances under which many consumers make this switch from conventional to alternative medicine.
READ ARTICLE
Eating cabbage and brussels sprouts kills cancer cells, researchers find...
(NewsTarget) Eating brussels sprouts and cabbage could help kill cancer cells when combined with traditional chemotherapy, according to new research by British scientists.
READ ARTICLE
Cancer risk slashed fifty percent or more by sunlight, vitamin D, reveal two new studies...
(NewsTarget) Increasing vitamin D intake through sunlight, diet or supplements may decrease a person's risk of contracting breast cancer by 50 percent and of contracting colorectal cancer by more than 65 percent, according to two recent studies conducted at the University of San Diego.
READ ARTICLE
Christopher Wiechert, C.N.C.
Christopher Wiechert's Healthblogger is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a health care professional. If you decide to use this information on your own, it's your constitutional right, but I assume no responsibility.
Please visit our websites:
cwiechert.comHealthBlogger
Orthomolecular Formulations
Axiom Int'l, Sports Fitness
Axiom Int'l, Skin Care & Cosmetics
Axiom Int’l, Health & Beauty Zone
Do a key word search on cwiechert.com
or Christopher Wiechert's HealthBlogger...http://www.cwiechert.com/contactus.html
Click here if you would like to subscribe to our free HealthBlogger News Letter.
Write... add me to your list on the subject line.
Please pass these on.
E-mail us at cww@cwiechert.com
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
What's this? Drug companies getting into wellness products? I thought they didn't work and just created expensive urine?
Bayer HealthCare Introduces Bayer Nutritional Science, a New Line of Nutritional Supplements Especially Designed for Vital, Active Boomers...
2007-04-03 09:01:00
Bayer HealthCare, Morristown, NJ, has introduced Bayer Nutritional Science, a new line of nutritional supplements that unites science and nutrition to help active Baby Boomers maximize their vitality. The Bayer Nutritional Science line consists of five unique formulations to support heart, mind, joint and eye health as well as a daily multivitamin, which supports body and cell health-all areas of particular concern for Baby Boomers. "As a recognized leader in consumer wellness for more than 100 years, Bayer is focused on advancing the wellness of Boomers through science and innovation. Bayer Nutritional Science was created to meet the demands of the growing segment of Americans who are focused on keeping their bodies and minds vital and active-a group the media have recently identified as Generation V," said Girard Smith, vice president, Consumer Wellness and Division Market Research at Bayer Consumer Care. "We also know that selecting the right supplements to address specific health concerns can be confusing. We've designed the Bayer Nutritional Science line to make the benefits of each product clear, which simplifies the decision-making process for consumers because they can easily select the product or products that are right for them. "All of the Bayer Nutritional Science formulations contain scientifically proven levels of key ingredients and can be taken together on a daily basis.
Bayer Nutritional Science features the following formulations:
Daily Multivitamin: Vital Body & Cells Formula- Comprehensive multivitamin that provides 100% of key vitamins and minerals the body needs everyday- The only multivitamin with antioxidants that include pomegranate and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) to help promote cell health, including during the cell regeneration process.
Eye Health & Vitality- Lutein, zeaxanthin and powerful antioxidants support healthy cells and tissues in the eyeVital & Sharp Mind- Omega 3 (DHA) and ginkgo biloba help support healthy brain function and memory, concentration and mental sharpness.
Heart Vitality- Keep the heart strong and healthy with: phytosterols to significantly lower "bad cholesterol" (or LDL) as well as total cholesterol levels; folic acid to help maintain healthy blood pressure; and CoQ10, a heart health antioxidant.
Joint & Bone Vitality- Glucosamine and chondroitin together with calcium and vitamin D help keep joints flexible and bones strong.
http://www.bayernutritionalscience.com/
COMMENT: For as long as I can remember, the drug companies as well as the AMA, have been telling us via the media that supplements were a waste of your time and your money. Consumers knew better and have been purchasing them anyway. Why, because they work and have few if any side effects. Why are drug companies getting into this market, now? Either they believe that they now work, or they feel that if you are stupid enough to buy them anyway, why not sell them.
Since they now call them Nutritional Science, perhaps they really do work, after all. You be the judge.
If your looking for nutraceuticals that really do what they're designed to do, maybe you should look to a formulator who has been taking and recommending supplements for over 30 years. And yes, I have had expensive urine.
Orthomolecular Formulations
Christopher Wiechert, C.N.C.
Christopher Wiechert's Healthblogger is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a health care professional. If you decide to use this information on your own, it's your constitutional right, but I assume no responsibility.
Please visit our websites:
cwiechert.com
HealthBlogger
Orthomolecular Formulations
Axiom Int'l, Sports Fitness
Axiom Int'l, Skin Care & Cosmetics
Axiom Int’l, Health & Beauty Zone
Do a key word search on cwiechert.com
or Christopher Wiechert's HealthBlogger...http://www.cwiechert.com/contactus.html
Click here if you would like to subscribe to our free HealthBlogger News Letter.
Write... add me to your list on the subject line.
Please pass these on.
E-mail us at cww@cwiechert.com
2007-04-03 09:01:00
Bayer HealthCare, Morristown, NJ, has introduced Bayer Nutritional Science, a new line of nutritional supplements that unites science and nutrition to help active Baby Boomers maximize their vitality. The Bayer Nutritional Science line consists of five unique formulations to support heart, mind, joint and eye health as well as a daily multivitamin, which supports body and cell health-all areas of particular concern for Baby Boomers. "As a recognized leader in consumer wellness for more than 100 years, Bayer is focused on advancing the wellness of Boomers through science and innovation. Bayer Nutritional Science was created to meet the demands of the growing segment of Americans who are focused on keeping their bodies and minds vital and active-a group the media have recently identified as Generation V," said Girard Smith, vice president, Consumer Wellness and Division Market Research at Bayer Consumer Care. "We also know that selecting the right supplements to address specific health concerns can be confusing. We've designed the Bayer Nutritional Science line to make the benefits of each product clear, which simplifies the decision-making process for consumers because they can easily select the product or products that are right for them. "All of the Bayer Nutritional Science formulations contain scientifically proven levels of key ingredients and can be taken together on a daily basis.
Bayer Nutritional Science features the following formulations:
Daily Multivitamin: Vital Body & Cells Formula- Comprehensive multivitamin that provides 100% of key vitamins and minerals the body needs everyday- The only multivitamin with antioxidants that include pomegranate and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) to help promote cell health, including during the cell regeneration process.
Eye Health & Vitality- Lutein, zeaxanthin and powerful antioxidants support healthy cells and tissues in the eyeVital & Sharp Mind- Omega 3 (DHA) and ginkgo biloba help support healthy brain function and memory, concentration and mental sharpness.
Heart Vitality- Keep the heart strong and healthy with: phytosterols to significantly lower "bad cholesterol" (or LDL) as well as total cholesterol levels; folic acid to help maintain healthy blood pressure; and CoQ10, a heart health antioxidant.
Joint & Bone Vitality- Glucosamine and chondroitin together with calcium and vitamin D help keep joints flexible and bones strong.
http://www.bayernutritionalscience.com/
COMMENT: For as long as I can remember, the drug companies as well as the AMA, have been telling us via the media that supplements were a waste of your time and your money. Consumers knew better and have been purchasing them anyway. Why, because they work and have few if any side effects. Why are drug companies getting into this market, now? Either they believe that they now work, or they feel that if you are stupid enough to buy them anyway, why not sell them.
Since they now call them Nutritional Science, perhaps they really do work, after all. You be the judge.
If your looking for nutraceuticals that really do what they're designed to do, maybe you should look to a formulator who has been taking and recommending supplements for over 30 years. And yes, I have had expensive urine.
Orthomolecular Formulations
Christopher Wiechert, C.N.C.
Christopher Wiechert's Healthblogger is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a health care professional. If you decide to use this information on your own, it's your constitutional right, but I assume no responsibility.
Please visit our websites:
cwiechert.com
HealthBlogger
Orthomolecular Formulations
Axiom Int'l, Sports Fitness
Axiom Int'l, Skin Care & Cosmetics
Axiom Int’l, Health & Beauty Zone
Do a key word search on cwiechert.com
or Christopher Wiechert's HealthBlogger...http://www.cwiechert.com/contactus.html
Click here if you would like to subscribe to our free HealthBlogger News Letter.
Write... add me to your list on the subject line.
Please pass these on.
E-mail us at cww@cwiechert.com
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Nutrition in the news...
Phosphoric acid in sodas nearly as damaging to teeth as battery acid...
According to a report published in the March / April edition of General Dentistry, phosphoric acid in soda causes tooth enamel erosion, even with minimal exposure. While some consumers may believe that sugar is the only culprit of soda's adverse effects on dental health, enamel erosion occurs whether the soda is sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners.
READ ARTICLE
Are fruity cocktails a healthy drink?...
Strawberries with alcohol may lead to an increase in antioxidant capacity, says new research from Thailand and the US that suggests a daiquiris could be classed as a health drink.
READ ARTICLE
Obesity down in sugar-free schools: Swedish study ...
STOCKHOLM (AFP) - Stockholm schools that banned sweets, buns and soft drinks saw the number of overweight children drop by six percentage points in four years, a Karolinska Institute study published on Monday showed.
READ ARTICLE
No genetic link found for heart risk, study says...
Tests failed to find mutations that would predict cardiovascular disease.
“We therefore conclude that our findings, in this large sample ... cannot support that this panel of gene variants contains bona fide (heart disease) risk factors,” study author Dr. Thomas Morgan wrote. Morgan is now at Washington University in St. Louis.
READ ARTICLE
Severely obese fastest-growing U.S. overweight group ...
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - People who are 100 pounds (45 kg) or more overweight are the fastest-growing group of overweight people in the United States, researchers reported on Monday. They found the proportion of the severely obese was 50 percent higher in 2005 than it had been in 2000 -- a startling rate of growth.
READ ARTICLE
Christopher Wiechert, C.N.C.
Christopher Wiechert's Healthblogger is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a healthcare professional. If you decide to use this information on your own, it's your constitutional right, but I assume no responsibility.
Please visit our websites:
cwiechert.com
HealthBlogger
Orthomolecular Formulations
Axiom Int'l, Sports Fitness
Axiom Int'l, Skin Care & Cosmetics
Axiom Int’l, Health & Beauty Zone
Do a key word search on cwiechert.com
or Christopher Wiechert's HealthBlogger...http://www.cwiechert.com/contactus.html
Click here if you would like to subscribe to our free HealthBlogger News Letter.
Write... add me to your list on the subject line.
Please pass these on.
E-mail us at cww@cwiechert.com
According to a report published in the March / April edition of General Dentistry, phosphoric acid in soda causes tooth enamel erosion, even with minimal exposure. While some consumers may believe that sugar is the only culprit of soda's adverse effects on dental health, enamel erosion occurs whether the soda is sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners.
READ ARTICLE
Are fruity cocktails a healthy drink?...
Strawberries with alcohol may lead to an increase in antioxidant capacity, says new research from Thailand and the US that suggests a daiquiris could be classed as a health drink.
READ ARTICLE
Obesity down in sugar-free schools: Swedish study ...
STOCKHOLM (AFP) - Stockholm schools that banned sweets, buns and soft drinks saw the number of overweight children drop by six percentage points in four years, a Karolinska Institute study published on Monday showed.
READ ARTICLE
No genetic link found for heart risk, study says...
Tests failed to find mutations that would predict cardiovascular disease.
“We therefore conclude that our findings, in this large sample ... cannot support that this panel of gene variants contains bona fide (heart disease) risk factors,” study author Dr. Thomas Morgan wrote. Morgan is now at Washington University in St. Louis.
READ ARTICLE
Severely obese fastest-growing U.S. overweight group ...
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - People who are 100 pounds (45 kg) or more overweight are the fastest-growing group of overweight people in the United States, researchers reported on Monday. They found the proportion of the severely obese was 50 percent higher in 2005 than it had been in 2000 -- a startling rate of growth.
READ ARTICLE
Christopher Wiechert, C.N.C.
Christopher Wiechert's Healthblogger is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a healthcare professional. If you decide to use this information on your own, it's your constitutional right, but I assume no responsibility.
Please visit our websites:
cwiechert.com
HealthBlogger
Orthomolecular Formulations
Axiom Int'l, Sports Fitness
Axiom Int'l, Skin Care & Cosmetics
Axiom Int’l, Health & Beauty Zone
Do a key word search on cwiechert.com
or Christopher Wiechert's HealthBlogger...http://www.cwiechert.com/contactus.html
Click here if you would like to subscribe to our free HealthBlogger News Letter.
Write... add me to your list on the subject line.
Please pass these on.
E-mail us at cww@cwiechert.com
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