kebaldwin
Thu, Aug-03-06, 17:02
Besides being a tasty spice, well known for giving turmeric and curry powders their bright yellow color, curcumin is a powerful health-promoting nutrient. Recent studies have shown that curcumin not only functions as a free-radical fighting antioxidant but it may also help with the maintenance of cognitive health in older age. Other nutrients in the news include vitamin B6, which may help with healthy homocysteine levels, and magnesium, noted for its potential to promote cardiovascular wellness. I'd also like to let you know why you need to pay attention to the ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids in your diet.
Although we're in the dog days of summer, it was an active week for nutrition news. In the July 26, 2006 edition of the American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers from Singapore did a population study on the nutrient curcumin1. Curcumin, which is derived from the curry spice turmeric, has been shown in many studies to have significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, in experimental studies, it has been shown to reduce certain pathologic changes that lead to cognitive loss in aging brains. Authors investigated the association between curry consumption and cognitive function in elderly Asians. Over 1,000 individuals between the ages of 60 and 93 were studied. It was found that those who consumed curry "occasionally" and "often or very often" had significantly better scores on cognitive testing compared to those who "never or rarely" consumed curry. The authors reported tentative evidence of better cognitive performance from curry consumption.
Curcumin, as noted above, is well known to be a very powerful antioxidant. In a study published in the August 2006 edition of the journal Toxicology, mice were supplemented with curcumin, resveratrol and melatonin2. The mice were then injected with cadmium, which is known to cause widespread oxidative damage. Another group of mice were not given these nutrients. It was found that in mice pre-supplemented with curcumin, resveratrol and melatonin, lipid peroxidation (damage to cells) was completely prevented. The mechanism by which curcumin works is not entirely clear. In another study published in the August 2006 edition of the International Journal of Molecular Medicine, scientists studied the effects of curcumin on abnormal cell growth3. It was found that curcumin seemed to decrease the proliferation of these abnormal cells in a dose-dependent manner.
Switching gears now to the amazing vitamin known as B6. In a study just published in the July 2006 edition of the prestigious journal Neurology, Dutch researchers followed more than 5,000 people for nearly 10 years4. It was found that those with a higher dietary intake of vitamin B6 were about half as likely to develop problems with movement and tremor. The findings suggested that vitamin B6 could decrease the incidence by not only affecting homocysteine levels but also by protecting brain cells damaged by harmful byproducts of metabolism. In numerous prior newsletters I've recommended supplementing the entire B-complex at levels higher than RDA/DV levels for optimal health.
Moving on to the amazing mineral called magnesium, there was a study from the most recent issue of the journal Nutrition Research5. Researchers noted that magnesium intake from supplementation appeared to have an impact on the likelihood of having increased C-reactive protein levels. C-reactive protein is a pro-inflammatory marker that suggests increased inflammation within the body. The research suggested that additional supplementation with magnesium may improve important metabolic pathways and endothelial function. This could lead to enhanced cardiovascular health. I've mentioned in prior newsletters over the last several years the importance of magnesium supplementation, as our standard American diet has very low levels. Even more damaging is the fact that consuming excess calcium can impair what little magnesium you are consuming in your diet.
Finally, in a study published in the August 2006 edition of Clinical Cancer Research, it was noted that increasing the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids in the diet appeared to slow the progression of the growth of abnormal prostate cells in an animal study. The lead author, Dr. Aronson from UCLA, indicated that the Western diet contains an excessive amount of omega-6 compared to omega-3 fatty acids, typically about 15 to 1. In the current study, the animals were given a diet with a ratio of 1 to 1 omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. The growth of abnormal prostate cells was clearly lower in the omega-3-rich group. Consumption of increased omega-3 in the diet was also associated with an 83% reduction in levels of the tumor marker prostaglandin E (PGE)-2, which is a chemical known to promote inflammation.
Certainly, a lot of information to digest this week. For those of you who read this newsletter, you know that I'm a huge advocate of standardized turmeric containing 95% curcumin. I take it, and my wife takes it, as a separate supplement. Nutraceutical Sciences InstituteŽ (NSIŽ) offers a selection of the finest 900 mg per capsule standardized 95% turmeric products at an incredible value. NSIŽ also includes 5 mgs of BioperineŽ in each capsule, which is critical because it enhances absorption by up to 2,000% percent. If curcumin products do not contain BioperineŽ, the absorption level into the blood is very poor. Visit this page to see chart and more info: http://www.bioperine.com/BioWithCur.htm
I strongly recommend you take one or two capsules per day. I have also discussed melatonin and resveratrol in prior newsletters; they are truly amazing nutrients with great antioxidant benefits. Of course, I continue also to be a strong proponent for omega-3 fatty acids from molecularly distilled fish oil, and I highly recommend Mega EFA in either softgels or the new liquid form. NSIŽ's new liquid Mega EFA is a delicious-tasting liquid Mega EFA with each half teaspoon providing 2,300 mg of pharmaceutical-grade, molecularly-distilled fish oil providing 740 mg of EPA & DHA omega-3 fatty acids. Many competitors' fish oil softgels only contain 300 mg total EPA & DHA per softgel and you must swallow two or three to get the same amount. The liquid is great for people who cannot swallow softgels, including kids, and is also great for animals such as horses and dogs that also require omega-3s for good health. A 48-serving glass bottle is only $9.99 or about 20 cents per serving. It's important to point out we recently tested Mega EFA and all heavy metals that typically occur in fish, including farm and wild salmon, tuna and all fish, were non-detectable. Heavy metals are deadly and accumulate in the body.
I hope that you're all enjoying the summer and getting some fresh air and exercise. Believe it or not, fall is just around the corner.
1. Tze-Pin Ng, Peak-Chiang Chiam, Theresa Lee, Hong-Choon Chua, Leslie Lim, and Ee-Heok Kua. Curry Consumption and Cognitive Function in the Elderly. Am J Epidemiol, Advance Access published online July 26, 2006.
2. Eybl V, Kotyzova D, Koutensky J. Comparative study of natural antioxidants - curcumin, resveratrol and melatonin - in cadmium-induced oxidative damage in mice. Toxicology. 2006 Aug 15;225(2-3):150-6.
3. Cui, S.X., Qu, X.J., Xie, Y.Y., Zhou, L., Nakata, M., Makuuchi, M., Tang, W. Curcumin inhibits telomerase activity in human cancer cell lines. Int J Mol Med. 2006 Aug; 18(2):227-31.
4. L.M.L. de Lau, P. J. Koudstaal, J. C.M. Witteman, A. Hofman, and M. M.B. Breteler. Dietary folate, vitamin B 12, and vitamin B 6 and the risk of Parkinson disease. Neurology 2006 67: 315-318.
5. Dana E. King, Arch G. Mainous III, Mark E. Geesey, Brent M. Egan and Shakeib Rehman. Magnesium supplement intake and C-reactive protein levels in adults. Nutrition Research, Volume 26, Issue 5, May 2006, Pages 193-196.
6. http://newsroom.ucla.edu/page.asp?RelNum=7213
http://www.vitacost.com/newsletter/newsletter.cfm?nl=288&csrc=EM-FYH20060803:main
Although we're in the dog days of summer, it was an active week for nutrition news. In the July 26, 2006 edition of the American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers from Singapore did a population study on the nutrient curcumin1. Curcumin, which is derived from the curry spice turmeric, has been shown in many studies to have significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, in experimental studies, it has been shown to reduce certain pathologic changes that lead to cognitive loss in aging brains. Authors investigated the association between curry consumption and cognitive function in elderly Asians. Over 1,000 individuals between the ages of 60 and 93 were studied. It was found that those who consumed curry "occasionally" and "often or very often" had significantly better scores on cognitive testing compared to those who "never or rarely" consumed curry. The authors reported tentative evidence of better cognitive performance from curry consumption.
Curcumin, as noted above, is well known to be a very powerful antioxidant. In a study published in the August 2006 edition of the journal Toxicology, mice were supplemented with curcumin, resveratrol and melatonin2. The mice were then injected with cadmium, which is known to cause widespread oxidative damage. Another group of mice were not given these nutrients. It was found that in mice pre-supplemented with curcumin, resveratrol and melatonin, lipid peroxidation (damage to cells) was completely prevented. The mechanism by which curcumin works is not entirely clear. In another study published in the August 2006 edition of the International Journal of Molecular Medicine, scientists studied the effects of curcumin on abnormal cell growth3. It was found that curcumin seemed to decrease the proliferation of these abnormal cells in a dose-dependent manner.
Switching gears now to the amazing vitamin known as B6. In a study just published in the July 2006 edition of the prestigious journal Neurology, Dutch researchers followed more than 5,000 people for nearly 10 years4. It was found that those with a higher dietary intake of vitamin B6 were about half as likely to develop problems with movement and tremor. The findings suggested that vitamin B6 could decrease the incidence by not only affecting homocysteine levels but also by protecting brain cells damaged by harmful byproducts of metabolism. In numerous prior newsletters I've recommended supplementing the entire B-complex at levels higher than RDA/DV levels for optimal health.
Moving on to the amazing mineral called magnesium, there was a study from the most recent issue of the journal Nutrition Research5. Researchers noted that magnesium intake from supplementation appeared to have an impact on the likelihood of having increased C-reactive protein levels. C-reactive protein is a pro-inflammatory marker that suggests increased inflammation within the body. The research suggested that additional supplementation with magnesium may improve important metabolic pathways and endothelial function. This could lead to enhanced cardiovascular health. I've mentioned in prior newsletters over the last several years the importance of magnesium supplementation, as our standard American diet has very low levels. Even more damaging is the fact that consuming excess calcium can impair what little magnesium you are consuming in your diet.
Finally, in a study published in the August 2006 edition of Clinical Cancer Research, it was noted that increasing the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids in the diet appeared to slow the progression of the growth of abnormal prostate cells in an animal study. The lead author, Dr. Aronson from UCLA, indicated that the Western diet contains an excessive amount of omega-6 compared to omega-3 fatty acids, typically about 15 to 1. In the current study, the animals were given a diet with a ratio of 1 to 1 omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. The growth of abnormal prostate cells was clearly lower in the omega-3-rich group. Consumption of increased omega-3 in the diet was also associated with an 83% reduction in levels of the tumor marker prostaglandin E (PGE)-2, which is a chemical known to promote inflammation.
Certainly, a lot of information to digest this week. For those of you who read this newsletter, you know that I'm a huge advocate of standardized turmeric containing 95% curcumin. I take it, and my wife takes it, as a separate supplement. Nutraceutical Sciences InstituteŽ (NSIŽ) offers a selection of the finest 900 mg per capsule standardized 95% turmeric products at an incredible value. NSIŽ also includes 5 mgs of BioperineŽ in each capsule, which is critical because it enhances absorption by up to 2,000% percent. If curcumin products do not contain BioperineŽ, the absorption level into the blood is very poor. Visit this page to see chart and more info: http://www.bioperine.com/BioWithCur.htm
I strongly recommend you take one or two capsules per day. I have also discussed melatonin and resveratrol in prior newsletters; they are truly amazing nutrients with great antioxidant benefits. Of course, I continue also to be a strong proponent for omega-3 fatty acids from molecularly distilled fish oil, and I highly recommend Mega EFA in either softgels or the new liquid form. NSIŽ's new liquid Mega EFA is a delicious-tasting liquid Mega EFA with each half teaspoon providing 2,300 mg of pharmaceutical-grade, molecularly-distilled fish oil providing 740 mg of EPA & DHA omega-3 fatty acids. Many competitors' fish oil softgels only contain 300 mg total EPA & DHA per softgel and you must swallow two or three to get the same amount. The liquid is great for people who cannot swallow softgels, including kids, and is also great for animals such as horses and dogs that also require omega-3s for good health. A 48-serving glass bottle is only $9.99 or about 20 cents per serving. It's important to point out we recently tested Mega EFA and all heavy metals that typically occur in fish, including farm and wild salmon, tuna and all fish, were non-detectable. Heavy metals are deadly and accumulate in the body.
I hope that you're all enjoying the summer and getting some fresh air and exercise. Believe it or not, fall is just around the corner.
1. Tze-Pin Ng, Peak-Chiang Chiam, Theresa Lee, Hong-Choon Chua, Leslie Lim, and Ee-Heok Kua. Curry Consumption and Cognitive Function in the Elderly. Am J Epidemiol, Advance Access published online July 26, 2006.
2. Eybl V, Kotyzova D, Koutensky J. Comparative study of natural antioxidants - curcumin, resveratrol and melatonin - in cadmium-induced oxidative damage in mice. Toxicology. 2006 Aug 15;225(2-3):150-6.
3. Cui, S.X., Qu, X.J., Xie, Y.Y., Zhou, L., Nakata, M., Makuuchi, M., Tang, W. Curcumin inhibits telomerase activity in human cancer cell lines. Int J Mol Med. 2006 Aug; 18(2):227-31.
4. L.M.L. de Lau, P. J. Koudstaal, J. C.M. Witteman, A. Hofman, and M. M.B. Breteler. Dietary folate, vitamin B 12, and vitamin B 6 and the risk of Parkinson disease. Neurology 2006 67: 315-318.
5. Dana E. King, Arch G. Mainous III, Mark E. Geesey, Brent M. Egan and Shakeib Rehman. Magnesium supplement intake and C-reactive protein levels in adults. Nutrition Research, Volume 26, Issue 5, May 2006, Pages 193-196.
6. http://newsroom.ucla.edu/page.asp?RelNum=7213
http://www.vitacost.com/newsletter/newsletter.cfm?nl=288&csrc=EM-FYH20060803:main