kebaldwin
Fri, Jul-06-07, 15:11
Summertime Supplements for Bone Health & More
July 06, 2007 - Summer months are a time when many people allow themselves to relax, maybe exercise less because of the heat, splurge on barbecue feasts or ice cream treats or nap in a hammock rather than tend to work. Letting yourself slip a little in your health routine is OK once in awhile, but you should make an effort to continue your vitamin supplement program all year long. Vitamin D is one nutrient that deserves particular attention. Although your body manufactures it with help from the sun, you probably still aren't getting optimal amounts, even if you spend a lot of time outdoors this summer.
I hope all of you had an enjoyable July 4th. For us in the Northeast, festivities were somewhat marred by rain. Going on to this week's newsletter, I thought I'd point out an interesting article in the June 2007 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism1.
I believe many people think that by spending enough time in the sun they can make adequate vitamin D for their body's needs. A study was conducted in Hawaii involving 93 participants who, on average, spent 22.4 hours a week outside without sunscreen and almost 29 hours a week outside with and without sunscreen. It was found that despite this abundant sun exposure, 51% were found to have low vitamin D levels. Study a uthors noted that "it should not be assumed that individuals with abundant sun exposure have adequate vitamin D status."
As you should know from reading my prior newsletters, vitamin D is essential for promoting healthy bones, cardiovascular function, balance, immunity and cellular health. Based on the most recent studies it appears that 1,000 to 2,000 IU is the safe and optimal level for maximum benefits. Only take the vitamin D3 form. Unfortunately, m any multi-vitamins contain only 400 IU and have the inferior non-D3 form.
Poor circulation caused by narrowing of the arteries into the legs and feet leads to pain on ambulation. It's a rather common problem, although many people may not recognize it. They think that after walking a half a block or a block, and their legs start hurting, that they're just out of shape or have some arthritic condition. In the July 2007 European Journal of Vascular Endovascular Surgery, researchers did a cross-sectional population study of over 1,300 male and female Japanese Brazilians with elevated blood sugar and other associated poor health issues2. Mean age was 56, and the prevalence of poor leg circulation was 20%. It was found that those with highest homocysteine levels had a significantly increased risk of poor circulation. It was noted that prospective studies were considered necessary to confirm this finding. As you know from prior newsletters, B complex vitamins are essential to keep homocysteine levels in a healthy range. These include folic acid, B6 and B12. Levels far higher than the absurdly low daily values/RDA are needed.
There were two recent studies on nutrients regarding poor leg circulation. In the first study, published in the journal Prostaglandins Essential Fatty Acids June 2007, a group of people with poor circulation were given fish oil supplementation providing one gram (1,000 mg) a day of EPA and 0.7 grams (700 mg) of DHA for a total of 12 weeks. It was found that the walking distance to onset of first pain increased from about 75 yards to 140 yards after fish oil supplementation. The total distance walked increased from 160 yards before fish oil to 240 yards after fish oil. It was felt that the fish oil worked by reducing inflammation.
There was another study just published in the June 2007 edition of the journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine regarding poor circulation3. Twenty eight participants (15 men, 13 women) with poor circulation were given 600 mg of alpha lipoic acid or placebo daily for three months. It was found that those given alpha lipoic acid had significant improvement in onset of first pain when walking and total distance walked. As you know, I'm a big fan of alpha lipoic acid and have talked about it numerous times in prior newsletters for promoting healthy blood sugar, nervous system function and cardiovascular health. I recommend 600 mg per day based on this study and others I've reviewed.
There were a couple of interesting studies regarding folic acid and vitamin B complex. In the first, in the June 2007 Current Medical Research Opinion, a group of 61 patients being maintained on hemodialysis were given folic acid 5 mg a day and vitamin B complex4. Another 60 served as a control group. It was found after three months, levels of plasma homocysteine and C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation in the body) was significantly reduced in the group given folic acid and B vitamin complex. Interestingly, in addition, those given the nutrients had an improvement in serum albumin level to where the researchers noted that these nutrients underscore their potential benefit to attenuate the state of inflammation and possibly improve the nutritional status in patients on hemodialysis.
Finally, there was a study published in the June 2007 edition of International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry regarding folic acid5. Fifty seven patients with poor cognitive health were given concurrently a cholinesterase inhibitor (which is given to improve memory), along with 1 mg of folic acid or placebo. It was found that after six months, individuals given the drug along with folic acid had significant improvement in cognitive testing and health.
There's a tendency for people in the summer to slack off with taking supplements. Don't be one of these individuals. I strongly recommend taking the highest quality multi-vitamin and fish oil supplements year 'round. As you know, Nutraceutical Sciences InstituteŽ (NSIŽ) offers a superior, pharmaceutical-grade, molecularly-distilled and concentrated fish oil called Mega EFAŽ providing 800 mg of EPA and 400 mg of DHA per two-softgel serving. If you read the reviews, you'll find nearly 100% customer satisfaction with 4.8 out of 5 star average ratings with the most amazing results.
Currently, over 20,000 of our customers take Mega EFA, and it's the #1-selling fish oil at Vitacost.com by a wide margin. When compared to other fish oils products, Mega EFA contains 200% more EPA and DHA, and independent lab tests verify heavy metals, PCBs and mercury are non detectable.
Alpha lipoic acid (ALA), frequently known as the universal antioxidant because of its ability to recycle both water-soluble and fat-soluble antioxidants, is utilized in the Synergy line of multi-vitamins from NSIŽ. Most other multi-vitamins contain zero or trace amounts of ALA. NSIŽ also offers stand-alone ALA and other versions combined with other important nutrients, such as acetyl-L carnitine and/or CoQ10.
1. Binkley N, Novotny R, Krueger D, Kawahara T, Daida YG, Lensmeyer G, Hollis BW, Drezner MK. Low vitamin D status despite abundant sun exposure. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007 Jun;92(6):2130-5.
2. Garofolo L, Barros N Jr, Miranda F Jr, D'Almeida V, Cardien LC, Ferreira SR. Association of increased levels of homocysteine and peripheral arterial disease in a Japanese-brazilian population. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2007 Jul;34(1):23-8.
3. Vincent HK, Bourguignon CM, Vincent KR, Taylor AG. Effects of alpha-lipoic Acid supplementation in peripheral arterial disease: a pilot study. J Altern Complement Med. 2007 Jun;13(5):577-84.
4. Chang TY, Chou KJ, Tseng CF, Chung HM, Fang HC, Hung YM, Wu MJ, Tzeng HM, Lind CC, Lu KC. Effects of folic acid and vitamin B complex on serum C-reactive protein and albumin levels in stable hemodialysis patients. Curr Med Res Opin. 2007 Jun 29
5. Connelly PJ, Prentice NP, Cousland G, Bonham J. A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of folic acid supplementation of cholinesterase inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2007 Jun 29;
http://www.vitacost.com/newsletter/newsletter.cfm?nl=336&csrc=EM-FYH20070706:main
July 06, 2007 - Summer months are a time when many people allow themselves to relax, maybe exercise less because of the heat, splurge on barbecue feasts or ice cream treats or nap in a hammock rather than tend to work. Letting yourself slip a little in your health routine is OK once in awhile, but you should make an effort to continue your vitamin supplement program all year long. Vitamin D is one nutrient that deserves particular attention. Although your body manufactures it with help from the sun, you probably still aren't getting optimal amounts, even if you spend a lot of time outdoors this summer.
I hope all of you had an enjoyable July 4th. For us in the Northeast, festivities were somewhat marred by rain. Going on to this week's newsletter, I thought I'd point out an interesting article in the June 2007 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism1.
I believe many people think that by spending enough time in the sun they can make adequate vitamin D for their body's needs. A study was conducted in Hawaii involving 93 participants who, on average, spent 22.4 hours a week outside without sunscreen and almost 29 hours a week outside with and without sunscreen. It was found that despite this abundant sun exposure, 51% were found to have low vitamin D levels. Study a uthors noted that "it should not be assumed that individuals with abundant sun exposure have adequate vitamin D status."
As you should know from reading my prior newsletters, vitamin D is essential for promoting healthy bones, cardiovascular function, balance, immunity and cellular health. Based on the most recent studies it appears that 1,000 to 2,000 IU is the safe and optimal level for maximum benefits. Only take the vitamin D3 form. Unfortunately, m any multi-vitamins contain only 400 IU and have the inferior non-D3 form.
Poor circulation caused by narrowing of the arteries into the legs and feet leads to pain on ambulation. It's a rather common problem, although many people may not recognize it. They think that after walking a half a block or a block, and their legs start hurting, that they're just out of shape or have some arthritic condition. In the July 2007 European Journal of Vascular Endovascular Surgery, researchers did a cross-sectional population study of over 1,300 male and female Japanese Brazilians with elevated blood sugar and other associated poor health issues2. Mean age was 56, and the prevalence of poor leg circulation was 20%. It was found that those with highest homocysteine levels had a significantly increased risk of poor circulation. It was noted that prospective studies were considered necessary to confirm this finding. As you know from prior newsletters, B complex vitamins are essential to keep homocysteine levels in a healthy range. These include folic acid, B6 and B12. Levels far higher than the absurdly low daily values/RDA are needed.
There were two recent studies on nutrients regarding poor leg circulation. In the first study, published in the journal Prostaglandins Essential Fatty Acids June 2007, a group of people with poor circulation were given fish oil supplementation providing one gram (1,000 mg) a day of EPA and 0.7 grams (700 mg) of DHA for a total of 12 weeks. It was found that the walking distance to onset of first pain increased from about 75 yards to 140 yards after fish oil supplementation. The total distance walked increased from 160 yards before fish oil to 240 yards after fish oil. It was felt that the fish oil worked by reducing inflammation.
There was another study just published in the June 2007 edition of the journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine regarding poor circulation3. Twenty eight participants (15 men, 13 women) with poor circulation were given 600 mg of alpha lipoic acid or placebo daily for three months. It was found that those given alpha lipoic acid had significant improvement in onset of first pain when walking and total distance walked. As you know, I'm a big fan of alpha lipoic acid and have talked about it numerous times in prior newsletters for promoting healthy blood sugar, nervous system function and cardiovascular health. I recommend 600 mg per day based on this study and others I've reviewed.
There were a couple of interesting studies regarding folic acid and vitamin B complex. In the first, in the June 2007 Current Medical Research Opinion, a group of 61 patients being maintained on hemodialysis were given folic acid 5 mg a day and vitamin B complex4. Another 60 served as a control group. It was found after three months, levels of plasma homocysteine and C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation in the body) was significantly reduced in the group given folic acid and B vitamin complex. Interestingly, in addition, those given the nutrients had an improvement in serum albumin level to where the researchers noted that these nutrients underscore their potential benefit to attenuate the state of inflammation and possibly improve the nutritional status in patients on hemodialysis.
Finally, there was a study published in the June 2007 edition of International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry regarding folic acid5. Fifty seven patients with poor cognitive health were given concurrently a cholinesterase inhibitor (which is given to improve memory), along with 1 mg of folic acid or placebo. It was found that after six months, individuals given the drug along with folic acid had significant improvement in cognitive testing and health.
There's a tendency for people in the summer to slack off with taking supplements. Don't be one of these individuals. I strongly recommend taking the highest quality multi-vitamin and fish oil supplements year 'round. As you know, Nutraceutical Sciences InstituteŽ (NSIŽ) offers a superior, pharmaceutical-grade, molecularly-distilled and concentrated fish oil called Mega EFAŽ providing 800 mg of EPA and 400 mg of DHA per two-softgel serving. If you read the reviews, you'll find nearly 100% customer satisfaction with 4.8 out of 5 star average ratings with the most amazing results.
Currently, over 20,000 of our customers take Mega EFA, and it's the #1-selling fish oil at Vitacost.com by a wide margin. When compared to other fish oils products, Mega EFA contains 200% more EPA and DHA, and independent lab tests verify heavy metals, PCBs and mercury are non detectable.
Alpha lipoic acid (ALA), frequently known as the universal antioxidant because of its ability to recycle both water-soluble and fat-soluble antioxidants, is utilized in the Synergy line of multi-vitamins from NSIŽ. Most other multi-vitamins contain zero or trace amounts of ALA. NSIŽ also offers stand-alone ALA and other versions combined with other important nutrients, such as acetyl-L carnitine and/or CoQ10.
1. Binkley N, Novotny R, Krueger D, Kawahara T, Daida YG, Lensmeyer G, Hollis BW, Drezner MK. Low vitamin D status despite abundant sun exposure. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007 Jun;92(6):2130-5.
2. Garofolo L, Barros N Jr, Miranda F Jr, D'Almeida V, Cardien LC, Ferreira SR. Association of increased levels of homocysteine and peripheral arterial disease in a Japanese-brazilian population. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2007 Jul;34(1):23-8.
3. Vincent HK, Bourguignon CM, Vincent KR, Taylor AG. Effects of alpha-lipoic Acid supplementation in peripheral arterial disease: a pilot study. J Altern Complement Med. 2007 Jun;13(5):577-84.
4. Chang TY, Chou KJ, Tseng CF, Chung HM, Fang HC, Hung YM, Wu MJ, Tzeng HM, Lind CC, Lu KC. Effects of folic acid and vitamin B complex on serum C-reactive protein and albumin levels in stable hemodialysis patients. Curr Med Res Opin. 2007 Jun 29
5. Connelly PJ, Prentice NP, Cousland G, Bonham J. A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of folic acid supplementation of cholinesterase inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2007 Jun 29;
http://www.vitacost.com/newsletter/newsletter.cfm?nl=336&csrc=EM-FYH20070706:main