Pycnogenol®, the cosmetic pill

Friday, June 18, 2010

Pycnogenol®, the cosmetic pill

The first "laugh lines" appearing in our face don't make us worry yet. Though we surely follow the development when looking into the mirror. The question we then ask ourselves is "do I need to already do something". The progression towards deep lines radiating down from the corners of the eyes and on both sides of the mouth is just a question of time. How long this takes depends on the efforts we take to prevent supply shortages of all that our skin needs to stay healthy and juvenile.

The way every day life lets our skin look worn-out are complex. The sun's ultraviolet rays create a burst of free radicals in the skin. The same rays that force our skin to tan break down and weld-together collagen and elastin, elastic fibers that hold skin cells together. It doesn't take a sunburn for this process, a few minutes exposure is enough to cause skin cells to make enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, causing skin to wrinkle and sag.

Free radicals do not only originate from the environment but are a by-product of cells' metabolism. These harmful molecules need to be cleared up before they can burden skin cells.

A stressful unhealthy lifestyle causes constriction of fine blood vessels in the skin. The skin is insufficiently supplied with oxygen and nutrients and not detoxified properly, it dries out. Sometimes these fragile capillaries even break, causing red blotches.

There are plenty of good cremes and lotions available to bathe the skin in nourishing vitamins, constituents to combat free radicals and to moisturize the skin. Yet, this addresses only one, the outer side of the skin. The importance of the interior of our body gets mercilessly visible, when we have sinned: A stressful day at the job, little sleep, a few drinks, unhealthy deep-frozen food. The skin crucially depends on fine, barely visible blood capillaries to bring in nutrients, water, oxygen and remove waste products. In this respect the skin is an organ like others of our body, with the exception that it happens to be our visible outer barrier. The key to a well performing organ is to make sure it gets what it needs. This cannot be compensated by cremes or lotions.

The amazing action of Pycnogenol® begins with the relaxation of tiny blood vessels in the skin, restoring a good blood circulation. With abundance of water and oxygen and removal of waste products, life is brought back to the skin. You can actually see that the skin being replenished with moisture, looking tight and fresh.

But Pycnogenol® doesn't stop here: It binds and protects collagen and elastin, soft and resilient proteins that support the skin and keep it taut. Enzymes and free radicals can no longer break down collagen and elastin fibres, the process enabling development of wrinkles. Moreover, Pycnogenol® supports renewal of collagen fibres letting skin regain its firmness and elasticity. Pycnogenol gives stability to fragile capillaries in the skin, stopping them from causing blotches.

The minute you start using Pycnogenol®, the ageing process of the skin will be defied. Pycnogenol® is one of the most powerful natural antioxidants currently known, far more powerful than vitamins C and E. In fact, Pycnogenol® even recycles and protects used-up vitamins C and E, extending their activity.

The skin ages because the damage caused by free radicals piles up over the years. Degenerative changes begin slowly but surely, leaving an indelible imprint on the face that, sooner or later, becomes noticeable. Pycnogenol® brings this process to a halt by clearing up free radicals, no matter whether they result from sunlight, environmental pollutants or cellular metabolism.

A californian clinical study published this year has shown that Pycnogenol® helps to prevent sunburn and photoageing. Pycnogenol® extinguishes free radicals developing in response to light-exposure before any damage can be done to collagen and skin cells. Moreover, it was discovered that Pycnogenol®'s action is not restricted to neutralising UV-induced free radicals developing in the skin: Pycnogenol® anti-inflammatory action diminishes further damage caused by activated immune cells to the skin. This does not imply that it is safe to expose yourself to broad mid-day sun when you take Pycnogenol®. Pycnogenol® is no sun-block substitute, but it considerably helps your skin to cope with the sunlight-burden.

Pycnogenol® is also able to correct an over-pigmentation of the skin, medically termed melasma or chloasma. This is a condition frequently experienced by women: Small skin areas which are darker than the surrounding, and to make things worse it predominantly affects the face. Taking Pycnogenol® lets these spots shrink and get lighter too.

Pycnogenol® also has a moderate anti-inflammatory action which is often helpful in cases of minor irregularities of the skin.

Looking as good as you possibly can, no matter what your age, doesn't need to remain a dream: The tool that can make it happen is at your disposal.


1. Hagerman AE, Butler LG. The specificity of proanthocyanidin-protein interactions. J Biol Chem 256: 4494-4497, 1981.
2. Fitzpatrick DF, Bing B, Rohdewald P. Endothelium-dependent vascular effects of Pycnogenol®. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 32: 509-515, 1998.
3. Ni Z, Mu Y, Gulati O. Treatment of melasma with Pycnogenol®. Phytother Res, accepted for publication.
4. Packer L, Rimbach G, Virgili F. Antioxidant activity and biologic properties of a procyanidin-rich extract from pine (Pinus maritima) bark, Pycnogenol®. Free Rad Biol Med 27(5/6): 704-724, 1999.
5. Rihn B, Saliou C, Bottin MC, Keith G, Packer L. From ancient remedies to modern therapeutics: Pine bark uses in skin disorders revisited. Phytother Res 15: 76-78, 2001.
6. Saliou C, Rimbach G, Moini H, McLaughlin L, Hosseini S, Lee J, Watson RR, Packer L. Solar ultraviolet-induced erythema in human skin and nuclear factor-kappa-B-dependent gene expression in keratinocytes are modulated by a French maritime pine bark extract. Free Rad Biol Med 30(2): 154-160, 2001.
7. Tixier JM, Godeau G, Robert AM, Hornebeck W. Evidence by in vivo and in vitro studies that binding of Pycnogenol to elastin affects its rate of degradation by elastase. Biochem Pharmacol 33: 3933-3939, 1984.

Pycnogenol® normalizes blood pressure

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

High blood pressure is the most common risk factor for cardiovascular diseases leading to stroke and heart infarction. A blood pressure exceeding normal values of <140/90 mmHg accounts for 40,000 deaths annualy in the Unites States (Levy et al., 1996). Blood pressure is known to increase with age, from an age of thirty to 65 years the blood pressure increases in average by 20 mmHg systolic and 10 mmHg diastolic. More than 50% of hypertensive patients are aged above 65 years (Zannad, 2000). Other contributing factors are obesity and chronic mental stress, such as job stress resulting from high demand at work in combination with low control (Pickering, 2001).

Ronald Watson PhD, of the College of Public Health in Tucson, Arizona, has discovered that the dietary supplement Pycnogenol®, the extract of French maritime pine bark, significantly reduces blood pressure (Hosseini et al., 2001). Pycnogenol® is the powerful antioxidant with a wealth of additional functions for maintaining a healthy circulation.

Dr. Watson investigated 11 subjects with an average age of fifty years having mild hypertension, systolic blood pressure of 140-159 mmHg, and/or diastolic blood pressure of 90-99 mgHg. People with a blood pressure within this range are diagnosed as stage I hypertensive (Joint Nacional Committe, 1997). Stage I hypertension is not routinely treated with standard drugs and the participants in this study refrained from using any medication.

Dr. Watson gave volunteers 200 mg Pycnogenol® per day for eight weeks in a placebo controlled, double blind, crossover study design. The outcome of the study was that Pycnogenol® reduced systolic blood pressure to 134 mmHg, and reduced diastolic blood pressure to 94 mmHg. The reduction of systolic blood pressure by Pycnogenol® treatment was shown to be statistically significant as compared to supplementation with placebo. Separate analysis of the four patients with the highest systolic blood pressure (average 150 mmHg) revealed that Pycnogenol® was particularly effective by decreasing their average value to 135 mmHg.

Dr. Watson believes that Pycnogenol's ability to elevate production of a substance called nitric oxide (NO) is responsible for the reduction of blood pressure. Muscles surrounding blood vessels control their diameter and in consequence the blood flow and pressure. While stress hormones instruct these muscles to constrict (reducing diameter and increasing blood pressure), NO does the contrary and relaxes these muscles. Dr. Fitzpatrick (University of South Florida, Tampa) has shown that Pycnogenol® counteracts the action of stress hormones by elevating production of NO to more efficiently expand blood vessels and improve blood flow (Fitzpatrick, 1998).

Pycnogenol® did not only reduce blood pressure in patients. Dr. Watson found that the amounts of an important blood parameter, thromboxane, was reduced after treatment with Pycnogenol®. Thromboxane is triggering increased constriction of blood vessels and at the same time instructing blood platelets to turn sticky. Both of these processes may ultimately lead to formation of a blood clot which in turn may clog a constricted blood vessel. This is the process responsible for causing heart infarction and stroke.

In previous studies Dr. Watson had demonstrated in human volunteers that Pycnogenol® prevents the aggregation of blood platelets (Pütter et al., 1999). Taking all clinical evidence together Pycnogenol® represents the supplement of choice for an allround protection of the cardiovascular system. Pycnogenol® prevents oxidation of cholesterol, prevents platelet aggregation, releases constricted blood vessels, improves blood circulation and reduces blood pressure.

1. Hosseini S, Lee J, Sepulveda RT, Fagan T, Rohdewald P, Watson RR. A Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, prospective, 16 week crossover study to determine the role of Pycnogenol in modifying blood pressure in mildly hypertensive patients. Nutr Res 21(9): 67-76, 2001.
2. Levy D, Larson MG, Vasan RS, Kannel WB, Ho KL. The progression from hypertension to congestive heart failure. JAMA 275: 1557-1562, 1996.
3. Zannad F. The potential advantages of a modern antihypertensive therapy in the elderly. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 35(Suppl 1):19-23, 2000.
4. Pickering TG. Mental stress as a causal factor in the development of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Curr Hypertens Rep 3: 249-254, 2001.
5. Joint National Committee. The sixth report at the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Arch Intern Med 157: 2413-2446, 1997.
6. Fitzpatrick DF, Bing B, Rohdewald P. Endothelium dependent vascular effects of Pycnogenol. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 32: 509-515, 1998.
7. Pütter M, Grotemeyer KH, Würthwein G, Araghi-Niknam N, Watson RR, Rohdewald P. Inhibition of smoking-induced platelet aggregation by aspirin and Pycnogenol. Thromb Res 95: 155-162, 1999.

The Positive Weight Loss Approach

Friday, May 28, 2010

Once you have made up your mind to lose weight, you should make that commitment and go into it with a positive attitude. We all know that losing weight can be quite a challenge. In fact, for some, it can be downright tough. It takes time, practice and support to change lifetime habits. But it's a process you must learn in order to succeed. You and you alone are the one who has the power to lose unwanted pounds.

Think like a winner, and not a loser - - remember that emotions are like muscles and the ones you use most grow the strongest. If you always look at the negative side of things, you'll become a downbeat, pessimistic person. Even slightly negative thoughts have a greater impact on you and last longer than powerful positive thoughts.

Negative thinking doesn't do you any good, it just holds you back from accomplishing the things you want to do. When a negative thought creeps into your mind, replace it reminding yourself that you're somebody, you have self-worth and you possess unique strengths and talents.Contemplate what lies ahead of you. Losing weight is not just about diets. It's about a whole new you and the possibility of creating a new life for yourself. Investigate the weight loss programs that appeal to you and that you feel will teach you the behavioral skills you need to stick with throughout the weight-loss process. First you should look for support among family and friends. It can be an enormous help to discuss obstacles and share skills and tactics with others on the same path. You might look for this support from others you know who are in weight loss programs and you can seek guidance from someone you know who has lost weight and kept it off.

There are success stories across the country today. On television and in newspapers, magazines and tabloids about people who have miraculously lost untold pounds and kept it off. In all instances they say their mental attitude as well as their outlook on life has totally changed.

Diets and weight loss programs are more flexible now than they once were and there are many prepared foods already portioned out. They are made attractive and can be prepared in a matter of minutes. Low-fat and low-calorie foods are on shelves everywhere.

You will probably need to learn new, wiser eating skills. You will want a weight loss regimen that gives you some control, rather than imposing one rigid system. Look for one that offers a variety of different eating plans, so you can choose the one that's best for you.

Keep in mind, too, that your weight loss program will most likely include some physical exercises. Look at the exercising aspect of your program as fun and recreation and not as a form of grueling and sweaty work. The fact is that physical fitness is linked inseparable to all personal effectiveness in every field. Anyone willing to take the few simple steps that lie between them and fitness will shortly begin to feel better, and the improvement will reflect itself in every facet of their existence.

Doctors now say that walking is one of the best exercises. It helps the total circulation of blood throughout the body, and thus has a direct effect on your overall feeling of health. There are things such as aerobics, jogging, swimming and many other exercises which will benefit a weight loss program. Discuss the options with your doctor and take his advice in planning your exercise and weight loss program.

Submitted by Ronnie H. Williams VI

DIETS DON'T WOK!

Many North Americans view a healthy lifestyle as something difficult to attain--and something that's not much fun. Traditional diets have taught us that to lose weight, we must count calories, keep track of everything we eat, and deprive ourselves by limiting the amount--and kinds--of foods we eat. Diets tell us exactly what and how much food to eat, regardless of our preferences and individual relationships with hunger and satiety. Dieting can help us lose weight (fat, muscle, and water) in the short term but is so unnatural and so unrealistic that it can never become a lifestyle that we can live with, let alone enjoy!

While very few diets teach healthy low-fat shopping, cooking, and dining-out strategies, many offer unrealistic recommendations and encourage health-threatening restrictions. Even more important, diets don't teach us the safest, most effective ways to exercise; they don't teach us how to deal with our cravings and our desires, or how to attend to our feelings of hunger and fullness. Eventually, we become tired of the complexity, the hunger, the lack of flavor, the lack of flexibility, the lack of energy, and the feeling of deprivation. We quit our diets and gain back the weight we've lost; sometimes we gain even more!

Each time we go on another diet of deprivation, the weight becomes more difficult to lose, and we become even more frustrated and discouraged. Then we eat more and exercise less, causing ourselves more frustration, discouragement, depression. Soon we are in a vicious cycle. We begin to ask ourselves, "Why bother?" We begin to blame ourselves for having no will power when what we really need is clear, scientifically-based information that will help us develop a healthier lifestyle we can live with for the rest of our lives.

Deliberate restriction of food intake in order to lose weight or to prevent weight gain, known as dieting, is the path that millions of people all over the world are taking in order to reach a desired body weight or appearance. Preoccupation with body shape, size, and weight creates an unhealthy lifestyle of emotional and physical deprivation. Diets take control away from us.

Many of us who diet get caught in a "yo-yo" cycle that begins with low self-acceptance and results in structured eating and living because we lack trust in our body and are unwilling to listen and adhere to our body's signals of hunger and fullness. On diets, we distrust and ignore internal signs of appetite, hunger, and our need to be physically and psychologically satisfied. Instead, we depend on diet plans, measured portions, and a prescribed frequency for eating.

As a result, many of us have lost the ability to eat in response to our physical needs; we experience feelings of deprivation, then binge, and finally terminate our "health" program. This in turn leads to guilt, defeat, weight gain, low self-esteem, and then we're back to the beginning of the yo-yo diet cycle. Rather than making us feel better about ourselves, diets set us up for failure and erode our self-esteem.

The attitudes and practices acquired through years of dieting are likely to result in a body weight and size obsession, low self-esteem, poor nutrition and excessive or inadequate exercise. Weight loss from following a rigid diet is usually temporary. Most diets are too drastic to maintain; they are unrealistic and unpleasant; they are physically and emotionally stressful. And most of us just resume our old eating and activity patterns. Diets control us; we are not in control. People who try to live by diet lists and rules learn little or nothing about proper nutrition and how to enjoy their meals, physical activity, and a healthy lifestyle. No one can realistically live in the diet mode for the rest of their life, depriving themselves of the true pleasures of healthy eating and activity.

We Don't Fail Diets; They Fail Us!

Decades of research have shown that diets, both self-initiated and professionally-led, are ineffective at producing long-term health and weight loss (or weight control). When your diet fails to keep the weight off, you may say to yourself, "If only I didn't love food so much . . . If I could just exercise more often . . . If I just had more will power." The problem is not personal weakness or lack of will power. Only 5 percent of people who go on diets are successful. Please understand that we are not failing diets; diets are failing us.

The reason 95 percent of all traditional diets fail is simple. When you go on a low-calorie diet, your body thinks you are starving; it actually becomes more efficient at storing fat by slowing down your metabolism. When you stop this unrealistic eating plan, your metabolism is still slow and inefficient that you gain the weight back even faster, even though you may still be eating less than you were before you went on the diet.

In addition, low-calorie diets cause you to lose both muscle and fat in equal amounts. However, when you eventually gain back the weight, it is all fat and not muscle, causing your metabolism to slow down even more. Now you have extra weight, a less healthy body composition, and a less attractive physique.

Diets require you to sacrifice by being hungry; they don't allow you to enjoy the foods you love. This does not teach you habits which you can maintain after the diet is over. Most diet programs force you to lower your caloric intake to dangerously low levels. The common theory is that if you eat fewer calories than you burn, you will lose weight. But when you eat fewer calories than your body needs to maintain its life-sustaining activities, you're actually losing muscle in addition to fat. Your body breaks down its own muscles to provide the needed energy for survival.

Traditional diets which use calorie restriction to produce weight loss are no longer appropriate. Most weight-loss programs measure success solely in terms of the number of pounds lost per weight loss attempt. Diets don't take into account the quality of the process used to achieve that weight loss or the very small likelihood of sustained weight loss. For long-term good health, you need to move away from low-calorie diets and focus on enjoyable physical activity and good nutrition. Exercising regularly and eating lean-supporting calories, protein and carbohydrates, and reducing fat-supporting calories will not only help you look and feel better, it will also significantly reduce your risk of disease.

America spends billions of dollars on different ways to fix people. If we focused more on prevention and on improving our day-to-day behaviors, we could cut health care costs in half. Contrary to popular belief, leading a healthy lifestyle doesn't have to be difficult; it doesn't have to painful or time-consuming. Making gradual, simple changes in your diet and physical activity will make great improvements in your health and well-being, and they can drastically reduce your risk of disease.

If your weight management program is to be a success, everything you eat and every exercise you do must be a pleasurable experience. If you're not enjoying yourself, it is unlikely that you'll continue your program. It's that simple. These small, gradual changes are not painful or overwhelming but rather the core of an exciting lifestyle that you will look forward to.

Take the frustration, guilt, and deprivation out of weight management, and allow yourself to adopt gradual, realistic changes into your life that will make healthy eating and physical activity a permanent pleasure. You will soon discover what your body is capable of and begin to look, act, and feel your very best. Good luck and enjoy all the wonderful benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle. 

Chad Tackett, the President of Global Health and Fitness (GHF), has degrees in Exercise and Heath Science and Nutrition, is a Certified Personal Trainer, and is a regular guest lecturer to both professional and lay audiences on the principles of effective exercise and good nutrition.

Why Most People Fail At Losing Weight

Why do so many people fail at losing weight? Is it because they are lazy? No. Is it because they are addicted to food? No. Is it because they aren’t good at exercising? No. Failure at weight loss stems from a few main factors:

• People don't truly understand the risks of being overweight. Why do most want to lose weight? Most would say to look better. Looking better certainly is a benefit of losing weight, but this shouldn’t be the sole reason to lose weight. There is a 1000 pound gorilla in the room and it’s often ignored. Being overweight for a long period of time kills thousands of people each year. Thousands of studies have show and proven without any doubt that losing body fat will improve and lengthen your life. This eBook will give you a picture of the dangers of being overweight. Knowing the dangers of being overweight is a tremendous motivator to not only lose fat, but to keep it off.
• People don't commit to permanent lifestyle changes. So many people think of a "diet" as something temporary. When they are on a "diet" they restrict themselves so much that they are miserable. Sooner or later failure is inevitable because of the unreasonable demands of most "diets." Some of these diets force you to only eat certain foods (e.g., no carbs, special soups etc…) You, like myself, have probably tried them before. The key to losing weight long term is to make gradual lifestyle changes you can stick to forever.
• Most individuals are not provided the truthful facts of losing weight and becoming healthier. With the conflicting information in the media, and all of the different lose weight quick fad diets, it’s understandable why so many people really don’t know the truth about losing fat and keeping it off long term. We will go over the no-nonsense truth.
• Most people don't understand they are constantly either gaining fat, or losing fat. There is no in-between. Some people justify binging or giving up because they hit a small road-block. This isn’t an all or nothing game. For example, when I was overweight, if I ate an unhealthy lunch, I’d go ahead and eat an unhealthy dinner since I already "messed up" the day. Or I’d say, I’ll start eating healthy on Monday since I’ve already eaten poorly this weekend. Every person at times eats too much. The successful people will not let a road bump completely derail their entire lifestyle change. If you are not implementing positive lifestyle changes and losing weight, you are gaining weight. Again, there is no "in-between."
• Most people don't realize what they consume each day. So many overweight people eat thousands of extra calories and fat without realizing it. It’s tough to know if you are gaining weight or losing weight each day unless you are keeping an eye on what you’re consuming. Later in the eBook you will be given an easy way to keep track of your consumption.
  
  This article was written by Mandy, the creator of FreeWeightloss.com, and the author of the Ultimate Weight Loss eBook.

Antioxidants are also Anti-fat

Free radicals are now blamed not only for making you look old but also making you fat.  Dr. Zane Andrews, a neurologist at Monash University in Australia, says these oxidizing molecules damage the cells that tell us we're full. Free radicals  emerge when we eat (something even the keenest dieter must do to survive), but they are especially prevalent when we gorge on candy bars, chips, and other carbohydrates. With every passing ear, these fullness signifiers suffer wear and tear - causing the "stop eating!" signal to get weaker and appetites (and possibly our stomachs) to get bigger. How to fight back??? Avoid junk and load up on colourful, antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables as well as supplements such as OPC-3, vitamin E and C.

HEART ATTACK OR HEARTBURN? Knowing the difference can save your life.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Differentiating  between a heart attack, caused by a blockage of the arteries that feed your heart, and heartburn, caused by excess stomach acid washing up into your esophagus, is not always easy, even for health practitioners. In many cases, however, you can tell the difference  between the two, and knowing how might just save your life.
With both a heart attack and heartburn, you may feel burning or pressure  behind your sternum, (also known as the breastbone), the flat bone in the center of your chest. Because the heart  is in the left chest, many assume that a heart attack would announce itself on that side. Not so. Those experiencing  a heart attack classically feel pain in the center of their breastbone as a result of the way their nerves are wired.

SERIOUS SYMPTOMS OF A HEART ATTACK

Sudden tightening, squeezing, or crushing chest pain.

If you have any of these symptoms, there is an increased likelihood that what you are feeling is from your heart. If it's sudden and severe, take it seriously and act quickly by calling 911 or the emergency number  in your area.

Pain radiating up into your neck, jaw, shoulders, or into your left arm.

Pain from the hurt burn  normally limits itself to the center of the chest. If pain radiates elsewhere, your heart could be the source. Patients  with early heart attacks complain of pressure in the chest accompanied by a vague in the neck neck or jaw.

Pain that comes on while you are exercising or exerting yourself.

Heartburn usually follows a meal and lying down or bending over makes it worst. Unless you are exercising after a big meal, exertion should not trigger heartburn. If you get chest pain, burning, squeezing or pressure when you walk briskly or climb stairs, your health practitioner needs to know. This pain, also as angina,  is a signal that you have a blockage  in the arteries  to your heart and could  mean that a serious heart attack is around the corner. Stress can also bring on an angina by stimulating  your heart through fight-or-flight hormones.

Feeling breathless, sweaty or dizzy.

If you feel unwell, light-headed, fatigued, have trouble breathing, or are clammy with perspiration , something serious is likely going on. If you even slightly suspect that your symptoms are heart related, you must get medical attention as soon as possible. If your symptoms are mild and you cant get in touch with your health practitioner, go to an extended-hours clinic and let them know immediately that you are experiencing chest pain. If your symptoms are significant, particularly if the pain or pressure is severe  and does not settle one
down, call 911 or the emergency number in your area
Never drive yourself. . If your pain becomes a full-on heart while you're at the wheel, it could be disastrous.
Also, if you think you are having angina or a heart attack, take an Aspirin. It reduces the risk of blood clots and can protect you from more severe injury to your heart.

Heading Off Heartburn

If it turns out you have  heartburn, there are many things that you can do to prevent it. Eat smaller meals, avoid lying down after a meal and avoid heartburn-promoting foods such as alcohol, chocolate. coffee, fatty foods, citrus juices, tomato sauces, pop, vinegar, and - believe it or not - peppermint tea. If you are overweight, work on slimming down. the excess pounds put pressure on your stomach and cause acid to back up into the esophagus. Avoid tight-fitting clothes for the same reason. If you get mild symptoms from time to time,  an over-the-counter antacid may provide relief, as can stress-reduction techniques. Aloe vera juice or digestive enzyme supplements will surely work as well.You can also do much to prevent heart disease and eventual heart attacks. The top risk factors associated with heart disease include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, increased cholesterol, and strong family history.

You can minimize your risk through a heart-healthy lifestyle: exercise regularly; minimize stress; eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and fibre; avoid trans fats, get regular health check-ups, and maintain a healthy weight. Heart-healthy superfoods include the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, Co-Q10, antioxidants such as OPC-3. Each of these lifestyle actions will also help you prevent or even treat diabetes and high blood pressure and cholesterol.

By Suasan Bali, M.D. is a wellness expert, speaker, and author of Live a Life You Love.

How to Lose Weight - The Basics of Weight Loss

Friday, May 21, 2010

Despite the way it feels, losing weight isn't a mysterious process. It's a simple matter of burning more calories than you eat. But, if it were really that simple, none of us would have a weight problem, would we? Weight loss can be such a struggle that we start thinking we have to do something drastic to see results -- diets, pills or those weird fitness gadgets on infomercials that promise instant success. The true secret to weight loss is this: Make small changes each and every day and you'll slowly (but surely) lose those extra pounds. The key is to forget about instant results and settle in for the long run.

Rules of Weight Loss

To lose one pound of fat, you must burn approximately 3500 calories over and above what you already burn doing daily activities. That sounds like a lot of calories and you certainly wouldn't want to try to burn 3500 calories in one day. However, by taking it step-by-step, you can determine just what you need to do each day to burn or cut out those extra calories. Below is a step by step process for getting started.

1. Calculate your BMR (basal metabolic rate). Your BMR is what your body needs to maintain normal functions like breathing and digestion. This is the minimum number of calories you need to eat each day. Keep in mind that no calculator will be 100% accurate, so you may need to adjust these numbers as you go along.
2. Calculate your activity level. Use a calorie calculator to figure out how many calories you burn while sitting, standing, exercising, lifting weights, etc. throughout the day. It helps to keep a daily activity journal or you could even wear a heart rate monitor that calculates calories burned.
3. Keep track of how many calories you eat. You can use a site like Calorie Count or use a food journal to write down what you eat and drink each day. Be as accurate as possible, measuring when you need to or looking up nutritional information for restaurants, if you eat out.
4. Add it up. Take your BMR number, add your activity calories and then subtract your food calories from that total. If you're eating more than you're burning, (your BMR + activity is 2000 and you're eating 2400 calories) you'll gain weight. If you're burning more than you eat, you'll lose weight.

Example:

Mary's BMR is 1400 calories and she burns 900 calories in daily activity with regular exercise, walking around and doing household chores. To maintain her weight, she should be eating 2300 calories but, after keeping a food journal, Mary finds that she's eating 2550 calories every day. By eating 250 more calories than her body needs, Mary will gain one pound every 2 weeks.
This example shows how easy it is to gain weight without even knowing it. However, it's also easy to lose weight, even if the process itself can be slow. You can start by making small changes in your diet and activity levels and immediately start burning more calories than you're eating. If you can find a way to burn an extra 200 to 500 calories each day with both exercise and diet, you're on the right track. Try these ideas:

Instead of...	Do this...
An afternoon Coke	Drink a glass of water. (calories saved: 97)
An Egg McMuffin	Eat a small whole wheat bagel +1 Tbsp of peanut butter (calories saved: 185)
Using your break eat sweets	Walk up and down a flight of stairs for 10 minutes (calories burned: 100)
Hitting the snooze button	Get up 10 minutes early and go for a brisk walk (calories burned: 100)
Watching TV after work	Do 10 minutes of yoga (calories burned: 50)

Total Calories Saved: 532 (based on a 140-pound person)

How Much Exercise Do I Need?

Exercise is an important weight loss tool, but how much you need varies from person to person. The ACSM's weight loss guidelines suggest at least 250 minutes per week, which comes out to about 50 minutes, 5 days a week. If you're a beginner, start small (3 days a week for 20 to 30 minutes) to give your body time to adapt. Don't forget, things like walking, taking the stairs and household chores can burn more calories as well. Learn more about getting started with exercise.

_{Source:
Donnelly, J.; Blair, S.; Jakicic, J.; et al. Appropriate Physical Activity Intervention Strategies for Weight Loss and Prevention of Weight Regain for Adults. Med & Sci in Sports & Ex: Feb, 2009. Vol 41, Issue 2.}

Spring Cleansing: THE DETOX DIET

This is usually the time when we emerge from our home homes and start  our annual cleaning. We clear garden, plant new flowers , repair any damage to our homes and start to recognize the indoors. It is also a perfect time to detoxify our bodies.
Many people  ask why we need to do detoxification diet or a cleanse. Int the past, our bodies were able to manage  the toxic load in our systems. Our liver was able to neutralize harmful chemicals and our bowels were able to eliminate them. We are now increasingly bombarded with toxic chemicals.  These chemicals can come from workplace exposure, household cleaning agents, ait pollution, pesticides in our foods, dental amalgams, cosmetics and many other unsuspected place. As our bodies become overburdened, the overwhelmed liver cant neutralize all the chemicals and our bowels, often constipated , cant eliminate them. This, combined with the standard North American diet which is lacking in fiber and nutrients, is a sure fire way of incresing our risk of developing all kinds of illnesses from arthritis, allergies and eczema to diabetes and cancer.
A detoxification diet gives your body the opportunity it needs to  to heal itself. By eliminating harmful foods from the diet and consuming high fiber, nutrient dense, easy to digest foods from the body gets a break and can focus on cleaning out the build-up toxins and healing rather than digesting the processed and refined foods that we often eat. Benefits of detoxification include increased energy, weight loss, slower aging, increased immunity, increased fertility and better skin, just to name a few.
There are many ways to detoxification diet. For beginners, it does not have to be difficult or complicated. The length of the detox diet is up to you. Beginners may want to start with 5 to 7 days. A simple plan for a safe and effective detoxification should include the following:

Eliminate Coffee. Coffee is acidic  and can act as a diuretic. It can also interfere with insulin levels and cause high blood pressure

Eliminate Alcoohol. .Alcohol is metabolized by the liver. In order for your liver to focus on neutralizing toxins in the body, it is best not to introduced anything that will cause an additional burden on your liver.

Eliminate Processed or Fried Foods. These foods are lacking in nutrients, often high in fat and sodium and provide little fiber.

Eat More Fruit and Vegetables. Try to eat a wide variety of coloured produce, organic if possible. this will ensure adequate intake of antioxidants which are powerful neutralizers of free radicals and fiber. the added fiber will improve  your bowels and stay regular and eliminate the released of toxins.

Increase Water Intake. Try to drink half of your body weight in ounces. For example, a woman weighing 130 pounds should aim to drink 65 ounces of water or roughly 8 glasses. Water is important for many metabolic functions in the body including elimination and keeps your skin hydrated.

Take Some Supplements. Multivitamins and essential fats will ensure that your body is getting the neccessary vitamins and minerals and fats to function optimally. Consider taking pure Aloe Juice, Greens, and Nutri Clean.

By RahimaHirji, ND
Dr. Rahima Hirji is a Naturopathic Doctor at Target Therapeutics. She has an eclectic practice where she enjoys working with  pediatric patients and has a special interest in women's health, infertility nad autoimmune disease.

Alzheimer's Disease - What You Need to Know.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

What Causes Alzheimer's Disease? Although Alzheimer's disease  is often associated with getting older, it;s not a normal part of the aging process. Rather, it's a medical condition that disrupts brain function by destroying vital nerve cells. Alzheimer's disease  develops very slowly , resulting in a gradual loss of motor skills and a general decline in intellectual ability. The disease targets the centers int he brain that control memory, thought and language. It causes changes in mood and judgment and reasoning. The massive brain-cell death associated with Alzheimer's disease is permanent, and there is no known cure at this time.
Alzheimer's disease causes abnormal clumps or placques and tangled bundles of fibres to develop in the brain. A buildup in the brain of a protein called beta amyloid has been associated with the disease

Symptoms. Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include changes in intellectual abilities. Those with the disease

• gradually become unable to learn new things and make decisions
• forgot how to do simple, familiar tasks
• have trouble remembering  names, appointments, daily routines
• have difficulty understanding what has been said
• have difficulty communicating, forget simple words
• lose track of time and place, become lost and disoriented easily
• may remember past events more clearly than current events
• are no longer interested in normal activities; demonstrate no initiative

       The  disease also affects mood. Those with Alzheimer's disease:

• have less expression; may eventually have little or no reaction to people  or surroundings
• are more withdrawn 
• have difficulty controlling mood and emotions
• may worry excessively  over small things
• may become suspicious or easily angered

       Changes in behaviour  and physical functioning may include:

• pacing, agitation, wandering and restlessness
• repetitive actions
• physical outbursts
• swearing, arguing and aggressiveness
• loss of bowel and bladder 
• loss of mobility

Managing Alzheimer's Disease Through Natural Supplement

Fish and Fish Oil (Omega-3). The  brain is especially rich in DHA (docosahexanoic acid), an omega-3 fatty acid that is plentiful in oily fish. DHA contributes to the fluidity of brain cell membranes, allowing nutrients to pass in and out. DHA is also used to produce eicosanoids, powerful compounds that regulate the blood, hormones and immune system and have inflammatory effects. Research has revealed that Alzheimer's disease often have lower levels of DHA in the brain and bloodstreams. What's more, studies have shown that DHA-rich diets help limit brain cell damage caused by beta amyloid peptides. Free radical molecules can damage DHA in cell membranes, so its important to constantly supply the body with these fatty acids.

In a study of 174 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease receiving conventional drug treatment, researcher's found that a daily supplementation of 1.7 grams of DHA and 0.6 grams EPA improved cognition scores in patients with very mild Alzheimer's. Studies have also suggested that an optimal balance of Omega-3 and omega-6 fats can help improve mood, cooperation, appetite, sleep and short-term memory in people with Alzheimer's disease

 To help prevent Alzheimer's disease, it's also important to increase your intake of Omega-3 fatty acids from fish and fish oil and limit your intake of cholesterol-raising saturated fat. Studies reveled that  a diet high in saturated animal fat increased the risk of Alzheimer's disease, whereas consuming polyunsaturated and monosaturated fats reduced it. Experts advice a daily intake of at least 500 milligrams of DHA and EPA combined to help prevent heart disease. Keep in mind the same factors that increase the risk for heart disease-high cholesterol, high blood pressure  and poorly controlled diabetes - are also linked to a greater likelihood of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.  If you dont like fish, take a fish oil capsule that provides 500 milligrams of DHA and EPA combined once or twice daily.

Vitamin B12 and Folate. Studies consistently find that low levels of these two  B vitamins are associated with Alzheimer's disease. An adequate intake of vitamin B12 and folate helps prevent blood levels of an amino acid called homocysteine from rising; a high homocysteine level is thought to damage artery walls and increase the risk of Alzheimer's and other forms of  dementia. Vitamin B12 is also crucial for maintaining healthy nerves.Adults over the age of 50 are advised to get their vitamin B12 from supplement or fortified foods, since these are well absorbed by the body. In addition to choosing foods rich in vitamin B, take multivitamins and mineral pills. Most formulas will supply anywhere from 25 to 100 microgram of B12 and 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid.

Vitamin D and Calcium.  Patients with Alzheimer's disease have lower bone mas and are at increased risk for falls and hip fractures. The fact that most patients are deprived of sunlight and do not get adequate vitamin D in their diets puts them at a high risk for vitamin D deficiency. Elderly patients require 1500 milligrams of calcium (the amount found in 4 to 5 cups of milk) and 1000 IU of vitamin D each day. Supplements  are recommended to help prevent bone loss caused by poor dietary intakes of vitamin D and calcium.

Living Longer and Better with Vitamin E

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Those with higher levels of the antioxidant vitamin E were less likely to have chronic fatigue
syndrome or to lose physical ability, and taking vitamin E helped those with Alzheimer’s disease live longer, according to findings from three new studies.

In a chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) study, researchers found that blood levels of vitamin E were significantly lower in 50 participants with CFS than in 40 participants without CFS. Doctors suggested that those with CFS have more cell damage because of low vitamin E levels. In a study of physical ability, doctors explained that there is too little research on how poor nutrition may impair physical ability in older adults and that helping elders live independently longer should be a publichealth priority. Scientists randomly selected about 700 men and women, aged 65 or older, measured blood levels of vitamins and minerals, and followed up for three years. Researchers tested how fast participants could walk, how many times they could get up out of a
chair, and how well they could balance in increasingly difficult postures. After adjusting for age, lifestyle, and other factors, researchers found that those whose physical ability declined the most over the three-year period had the lowest levels of vitamin E. In explaining the physical decline, doctors said that low vitamin E levels may increase oxidative stress, damaging muscles and DNA; accelerate hardening of the arteries, and
injure nerves. In an Alzheimer’s disease (AD) study, researchers followed about 850 men and women with AD, average age 74, for five years. During that time, those who took 1,000 IU of vitamin E twice per day were 26 percent less likely to die from any cause compared to those who did not take vitamin E. Study authors said, “Vitamin E appears to increase survival time of Alzheimer’s patients,” noting that, “This is particularly important because recent studies in heart disease patients have questioned whether vitamin E is
beneficial for survival.”

Reference: Journal of the American Medical
Association; 2008, Vol. 299, No. 3, 308-15

What is the Mechanism of Detoxification?

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

For most people, detoxification means fasting, lemon juice and honey, sweating, and laxatives. Although some of these practices may have some benefits, they fall short of what needs to be and in fact may even be dangerous. To understand whole body cleansing we need to first have some idea about how the body processes toxins. When toxic chemicals enter the body they eventually  end up in the liver for processing. Most of these chemicals are difficult to move out of the body so they need to be transformed in such a away that enables them to be eliminated. Thia is done through an elaborate system  called PHASE I and II detoxification mechanism.

One of these chemicals are converted they are carried to the gastrointestinal tract via the bile. Bile has two major functions in the body: (1) hel the body absorb fats and fat soluble nutrients, (2) help the body eliminate toxins and wastes.

Bile contains a majority of the body's metabolic wastes, including deceased blood cells and toxic chemicals like pesticides. the bile flows from the liver and gall bladder into the small intestine where it gets picked up by dietary fiber and excreted out of the body in the feces. A lack of dietary fiber (specifically soluble fiber) results in inadequate binding of the bile, allowing toxins to be reabsorbed.  Without the presence of soluble fiber in the gut, bile is sucked back into the blood stream along with the toxic chemicals. In othe rowrds people that detoxify by fasting cannot eliminate toxins resulting in a build uo in the blood stream, The end result is an increase in toixic chemicals causing potential harm.
Scientific cleansing involves loosening toxic chemicals bound to body tissues and efficiently eliminating them by improving detoxification mechanisms.

The Basic Actions of Pycnogenol

Sunday, May 16, 2010

The Basic Actions of PycnogenolPycnogenol® consists of a natural blend of several biologically active substances. In contrast to drugs, consisting of one synthetic compound having one defined pharmacological action, the various components of Pycnogenol® cause several positive physiological effects.

Inactivation of free radicals

All components of Pycnogenol® inactivate free radicals (Packer et al., 1999). Furthermore, Pycnogenol® stimulates the cells of our body to double their own production of anti-oxidative substances (Wei et al., 1997). Thus, in addition to directly neutralizing free radicals, Pycnogenol reinforces the cell-own antioxidant protection. Additionally, Pycnogenol® prolongs the lifetime of the anti-oxidative vitamins C and E (Packer et al., 1999). The combination of synergistic antioxidative effects make Pycnogenol® unique as one of the most potent natural radical scavengers.

Because free radicals are involved in all inflammatory diseases, cases of oxidative stress as well as the ageing process itself, it is not astonishing at all that Pycnogenol® is recommended for a wide range of applications were an uncontrolled burst of free radicals need to be kept in check.

Binding to proteins

Pycnogenol® has a strong astringent taste. That taste signalizes the high affinity of Pycnogenol® to the proteins of the tongue. Pycnogenol® binds very strongly particularly to those proteins which are responsible for the strength and flexibility of our tissues and blood vessels. Several diseases cause a leakage of blood vessels, so that liquid seeps into the tissue, producing swellings. In more severe cases, even blood leaks out from the vessels, so that micro bleedings occur. The pathologically high permeability of blood vessels can be stopped by Pycnogenol® because the elements forming the vessel walls are linked together by Pycnogenol®.

Leaky blood vessels can occur in every part of the body. The strengthening of blood vessels by Pycnogenol® reduces the associated edemas or bleedings irrespective if they appear on legs or in eyes, because the sealing of blood vessels functions independently from the localization of the leakage.

Stimulation of nitirc oxide production inside the blood vessels

Nitric oxide is a body-own substance produced to trigger very important functions of the cardiovascular system: It reduces blood pressure by enlarging the diameter of blood vessels, it inhibits the clumping of blood, it has anti-aterosclerotic effects by prevention of accumulation of white blood cells on the blood vessel walls.

The most important effect of Pycnogenol® for protection of the cardiovascular system is the stimulation of the production of nitric oxide inside blood vessel walls (Fitzpatrick et al., 1998).

In patients with arteriosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes or heart insufficiency the ability of the blood vessel wall to produce nitric oxide is dangerously low.

A supplementation with Pycnogenol® has normalized mild hypertension (Watson et al., 2001) and has prevented the clumping of blood in smokers (Pütter et al., 1999), so that the expected effects of an enhanced production of nitric oxide were proven in clinical trials.

An improved or normalized circulation helps to prevent cardiovascular events like heart attacks or stroke.

Activity against cramps

Some of the components of Pycnogenol®, phenolic acids, have a spasmolytic action on the uterus, as these acids can prevent the uterus from cramping (Ozaki and Ma, 1990).

In a clinical investigation, it was found that supplementation with Pycnogenol® reduces pain and cramps in women with menstrual disorders or endometriosis (Kohama and Suzuki, 1999).

To summarize, the anti-oxidative activity, the high affinity to proteins, the stimulation of nitric oxide and the spasmolytic activity of Pycnogenol® are the result of a combination of effects of the various components of that natural extract. Each of the components contributes to the beneficial effects of Pycnogenol®. Some compounds are better antioxidants, others stick more to proteins, some are spasmolytic, altogether the components combined in that natural blend represent a very valuable and versatile food supplement.

1. Packer L, Rimbach G, Virgili F. Antioxidant activity and biologic properties of a procyanidin-rich extract from pine (Pinus maritima) bark, Pycnogenol. Free Radical Biol & Med 27: 704-724, 1999.
2. Wei ZH, Peng QL, Lau BHS. Pycnogenol enhances endothelial cell antioxidant defences. Redox Report 3: 219-224, 1997.
3. Fitzpatrick DF, Bing B, Rohdewald P. Endothelium-dependent vascular effects of Pycnogenol. Cardiovasc Pharmacol 32: 509-515, 1998.
4. Watson RR, Hosseini S, Pishnamazi S, Sadrzadeh S, Farid F, Farid R. Pycnogenol in the management of asthma. J Medicinal Food 4: 201-209, 2001.
5. Pütter M, Grotemeyer KHM, Würthwein G et al. Inhibition of smoking-induced platelet aggregation by aspirin and Pycnogenol. Thrombosis Research 95: 155-161, 1999.
6. Ozaki Y, Ma S. Inhibitory effect of tetramethylpyrazine and ferulic acid on spontaneous movement of rat uterus in situ. Chem Pharm Bull 38: 1620-1623, 1990.
7. Kohama T, Suzuki N. The treatment of gynaecological disorders with Pycnogenol. Eur Bull Drug Res 7: 30-32, 1999.

Advanced Glycation Endproducts and Aging Skin

Advanced Glycation Endproducts  ( AGE) and Aging Skin

• Some of the negative effects of advanced glycation end products include inhibiting the formation and function of skin tightening agents such as collagen fibers and elastin fibers
• The more ADEs in the body, the more vulnerable the skin becomes to the harsh results of sun damaged skin and other aging characteristics
• By reducing the chance for sugars to bond with proteins improperly, certain nutrients, supplements and herbs can act as anti ADEs and thus will provide as aging skin treatments

Advanced Glycation End Products or AGEs are products generated by certain chemical reaction chains that occur due to an improper bonding between sugars and proteins. These reactions lead to damaged and inflexible tissue, especially within the skin . It is one of the primary causes of cellular aging and subsequent ill health
AGEs occur to one’s body externally (exogenously) and this is done by heating, mostly cooking sugars with proteins or fats. It might also occur within the body, internally (endogenously) through normal course of metabolism and aging. There are certain conditions (pathological) that might aggravate the formation of AGE and cause the process to go even further beyond normal levels.

Detox Side Effects Signs of Positive Results

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Detox Side Effects Signs of Positive Results

When doing any detoxification program, it is important to note some of the known detox side effects involved. A successful program leads to release of toxins, getting rid of harmful bacteria, parasites and candida (yeast overgrowth). All these waste will be entering your body system and needs to be eliminated. Therefore, we will usually experience issues like:

• Headaches
• Fever
• Chills
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Skin rashes
• Drowsiness and fatigue
• Sleep interruptions
• Thirst
• Loss of appetite
• Increased urination

Some of your known problems becomes adverse and heighten. For example, your sinusitis got a lot worse where the mucus runs down your nose more extensively than before the detox. Or your migraine or fatigue becomes more intense than previously experienced. These detox side effects are what we term as “healing crisis” and they are generally short-term with intensity being highest during the early 1 to 2 weeks period. When the healing crisis tapers off or ends, it does not mean that our detox ends as well.
Your body has begun clearing the toxins and is beginning to rejuvenate, repair, and heal. It is still in its detox mode but with a more effective way of eliminating the waste from our body.
We have to remind ourselves that the number of years of introducing toxins into our body and damaging it can not be easily resolved by a mere short detox period.
It has to be a consistent and gradual effort where we allow our body to run in cycles of elimination during the healing crisis. We should let our body “run in” and restore its healthy state.
Especially during cancer cleansing, our body suffers from bouts of side effects and cycles of more energy. This is because of the chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatments as well as pumping up the body’s immune function to fight against the cancer cells.
Therefore, during the healing crisis we should remember to drink a lot of water and take more rest. This will increase our toxin elimination process and allow body system to activate its necessary repair work.
My personal experience with detox side effects was knocking out within 30 minutes after taking my first multi-vitamins. I slept throughout the night from 10:30pm onwards and woke up the next morning more alert.
This was apparent because I worked every day until 2am and only sleep from 2:30am to 6:45am. The amount of stress I am putting on my body was tremendous. The supplements took its effect by putting my body system into the rest mode that it badly needed for a long time.
This healing crisis dragged on for about 1 week but it got better as time passes. Now I definitely function with a sharper mind and has gotten rid of any lethargic feel during the late afternoons. This boils down to my detox diet and supplements giving my body the necessary repair and is feeding the system with the necessary nutrition to function optimally.
For people who are used to a heavy high glycemic carbohydrate diet or caffeine drinks or smoking or even drinking, then during your detox period you can go into a withdrawal syndrome. So we must be prepared for this type of situation to occur and mentally be ready to overcome this tough period of strong craving.

Pycnogenol® May Keep Sperm from Getting Bent Out of Shape

Pycnogenol® May Keep Sperm from Getting Bent Out of Shape
 
A natural substance obtained from the bark of French maritime pine trees might help shape up men's sperm. That's the finding of a preliminary study recently presented at a medical meeting in San Francisco.

Scott J. Roseff, M.D., and his colleagues at the West Essex Center for Advanced Reproductive Endocrinology in West Orange, N.J., asked four "subfertile" male patients to take daily supplements of Pycnogenol® brand French maritime pine bark extract for three months. The men had relatively high numbers of deformed sperm, as well as low sperm counts and activity, all of which could limit their ability to fertilize a woman's egg.

The idea for the research project began with Dr. Roseff and his colleagues recognizing that antioxidants, such as vitamins E and C, can improve sperm and correct some cases of male infertility. Pycnogenol® is an herb-like complex of natural antioxidants.

After 90 days of supplementation with Pycnogenol®, the percentage of structurally normal sperm -- that is, non-deformed sperm -- increased by an average of 99 percent in the men. Sperm count and activity did not change.

"Basically, the number of deformed sperm went down and the number of normal sperm went up after the men took Pycnogenol® supplements," Dr. Roseff said. "The increase in morphologically (structurally) normal sperm is significant, although this is just a preliminary study. Pycnogenol® could enable some couples to forgo expensive in-vitro fertilization in favor of simpler and less expensive intrauterine insemination," he said.

Dr. Roseff's findings were presented earlier this month at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine/16th World Congress on Fertility and Sterility, in San Francisco.

Pycnogenol® is an extensively studied natural antioxidant that has been found useful in maintaining the health of blood vessel walls and circulation. It works, at least in part, by quenching hazardous molecules known as free radicals. Free radicals have been shown to damage DNA (genetic material) and cells, contributing to aging and diseases.

Reading, writing, and omega-3s

Friday, May 14, 2010

Reading, writing, and omega-3s

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids improved reading, spelling, and behavior in school children with underdeveloped physical control (motor skills). Children with the condition, known as developmental
coordination disorder (DCD), usually are of average or aboveaverage intelligence, but have clumsy or awkward movements. A child typically learns motor skills in early childhood, starting with “gross” movements, such as controlling the head and keeping balance, and progressing to “fine” movements, such as moving objects from hand to hand and grasping objects between thumb and finger, as in writing. In DCD, children do
not fully control gross or fine movements, and have difficulty learning and adjusting psychologically and socially. The study authors point out that low levels of omega-3 and omega- 6 fatty acids may hinder nerve
development—as in dyslexia—and may contribute to psychiatric disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Because there are no known treatments for DCD, the scientists decided to examine the effects of the omega fatty acids. The researchers gave 117 children with DCD, aged 5 to 12, an omega-3 and omega-6 supplement containing 80% fish oil (558 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 174 mg docosahexaenoic acid) and 20% evening primrose oil per day, or a placebo. After three months, the children in the placebo group switched over to the omega-3 and omega-6 treatment, and all children continued for another three months. Researchers found that motor skills did not improve, but the omega-3/omega-6 group had significant improvements in reading, spelling, and behavior over three months compared to placebo.
The children in the placebo group had similar improvements after switching to the omega treatment, while the original omega group maintained or increased improvements. The scientists suggest further studies to measure motor skills more effectively, and to confirm the positive findings on behavior and academic progress.

Reference: Pediatrics; 2005, Vol. 115, No. 5,
1360-6.

Vitamin D and cancer

                                                                                    Vitamin D and Cancer

Three new studies from the Moores Cancer Center at the University of California, San Diego, have strongly linked vitamin D with lower risk for breast, colon, and kidney cancers. In the breast cancer study, researchers analyzed the blood-fluid (serum) levels of vitamin D in 1,760 individuals and found that those
who had the lowest levels of 25- hydroxyvitamin D had the highest rates of breast cancer, and that as the
levels of vitamin D increased, breast cancer rates dropped. Doctors noted that those who take 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 per day and spend 10 to 15 minute per day in the sun—when the weather permits—will have levels of vitamin D similar to those in the study who were 50 percent less likely to get breast cancer. The
body makes vitamin D3 from the ultraviolet (UVB) rays of the sun. In the colon cancer study, published in the February 2007 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, scientists reviewed findings from five
different studies that took blood samples from healthy volunteer donors, and then followed up for 25
years. Researchers divided 1,448 participants into five equal groups according to the serum levels of
vitamin D and found that those who had 34 nanograms of vitamin D per milliliter of blood (ng/ml) were 50
percent less likely to have colon or rectal (colorectal) cancer than were those with the lowest levels.
In the studies, vitamin D levels ranged from below 13 ng/ml to 52 ng/ml. Doctors projected that those who get a total of 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 per day from diet, supplements, and sunshine will be 66 percent less likely to get colorectal cancer compared to those with the lowest vitamin D levels. In the kidney cancer study,
published in the International Journal of Cancer, researchers for the first time were able to use data from 175 countries and found that those who live closest to the equator—where sunlight is strongest—have the least kidney (renal) cancer.

Reference: Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and
Molecular Biology; Feb., 2007, Vol. 103, No. 2.

Taming High Blood Pressure with Diet

Potassium, magnesium, calcium, and olive leaf extract help lower high blood pressure safely and as effectively as drug treatments, reducing risk for heart disease an stroke.

In a diet study, researchers explained that because high blood pressure remains widespread, diet may be a better
approach to lowering blood pressure than drugs. Scientists reviewed the entire medical literature for studies on potassium, magnesium, and calcium and found that these nutrients all help lower high blood pressure. The doctors said that for potassium in particular, there is a consistent body of clinical evidence showing that those with high potassium levels have lower blood pressure. Study authors concluded that Americans
consume too little potassium—about half the amount—and about twice as much salt (sodium) as they should. The U.S. Institute of Medicine and the American Heart Association suggest increasing potassium to 4.7 grams perday, up from the current government recommendation of 3.5 grams of potassium per day. In a blood pressure study, researchers recruited 20 pairs of identical twins, 40 people in all, who each had blood pressure elevated slightly above the upper normal limit of 120/80 mm Hg. Twins from each pair took a different treatment, either 500 mg or 1,000 mg of olive leaf extract per day, or counseling on a healthy lifestyle with no
treatment. After eight weeks, those who had taken the 1,000 mg dose of olive leaf extract had an average 8 percent decrease in systolic blood pressure, meaning the amount of pressure in the arteries when the heart is pumping blood, and a 5 percent decrease in diastolic pressure—when the heart relaxes—compared to the start of the study. Those in the 500 mg olive leaf extract group had about a 4 percent decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and twins who got lifestyle counseling alone saw no significant
difference.

Reference: Journal of Clinical Hypertension; 2008,
Vol. 10, Supplement 7, 3-11

Omega-6 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) decreased body fat and increased lean muscle in two new studies.

Omega-6 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) decreased body fat and increased lean muscle in two new studies.

Omega-6 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) decreased body fat and increased lean muscle in two new studies.
In the body-fat study, researchers from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public
Health, Madison, reviewed 15 double-blind randomized placebocontrolled studies where participants
took a median dose of 3.2 grams of CLA per day for anywhere from six months to two years. Doctors
found that participants lost an average of 0.2 pounds of body fat per week, or 0.8 pounds of body
fat per month, which is approximately 10 pounds of body fat per year. The scientists noted that losing
body fat usually translates to losing more total body weight, which includes fat, muscle, and water, and
concluded that participants who took CLA lost a modest amount of body fat.
In the lean-muscle study, researchers from the Department of Nutrition, Schools of Medicine and Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, recruited 48 obese but otherwise healthy participants, 13
men and 35 women, who took 3.2 grams of CLA per day, 6.4 grams of CLA per day, or a safflower oil
placebo, for 12 weeks. At the end of the study period, those who had taken the 6.4 gram CLA dose had
gained 1.4 pounds more muscle (lean body mass) compared to the start of the study. There were no
significant changes in lean body mass for those who took the 3.2 gram CLA dose or the placebo.
Participants reported no serious side effects, although markers for inflammation in the blood increased but remained within normal limits. Doctors concluded that CLA may increase lean body mass in those who are obese.
Reference: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition:
2007; Vol. 85, No. 5, 1203-11.

Turmeric helps cells resist infection, omega-3s protect against air pollution, and selenium may prevent anemia three new studies reveal.

Turmeric helps cells resist infection, omega-3s protect against air pollution, and selenium may prevent anemia three new studies reveal.
Turmeric helps cells resist infection, omega-3s protect against air pollution, and selenium may prevent anemia
three new studies reveal. Researchers in a lab study discovered how curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, supports cells. Viewing individual cells in solution, scientists saw curcumin molecules insert
themselves into cell membranes, even with very small amounts of curcumin. Once inside the cell membrane,
curcumin molecules appeared to help create a stronger membrane structure. Scientists believe that this molecular restructuring may be how curcumin protects cells from infection. In an omega-3 study, researchers
explained that air pollution, or small particulate matter (PM), in big cities is usually from vehicle exhaust. PM gets into lungs and, over time, may cause lung, heart, and other health problems, particularly in older adults. Doctor thought these health effects might be due to oxidative stress—cell damage—and wanted to see if omega-3s, whichare antioxidant, could protect the lungs. In Mexico City, where PM is high, about 50 residents, average age 77, took fish oil or soy oil. After eight months, antioxidant activity in the omega-3 group increased 49 percent compared to 23 percent for soy oil. Soy oil did not prevent fat oxidation, while omega-3 decreased fat oxidation by 73 percent. Doctors in a selenium study explained that anemia, the most
common blood disorder, often affects older adults. In anemia, there are too
few healthy red blood cells to carry sufficient oxygen from the lungs to the body and carbon dioxide back to the lungs. Researchers measured blood levels whose blood levels of folate were the lowest, those with higher folate levels were 67 percent less likely to have liver cancer.
In a liver damage study, doctors gave about 70 severely alcoholic men the probiotics Bifidobacterium bifidum
and Lactobacillus plantarum or standard vitamin supplements as a placebo, while the men abstained from alcohol. Researchers also compared participants to a group of 24 healthy, non-drinking
men of similar age and found the alcoholic men had higher levels of the liver enzymes that signal alcoholinduced liver damage. After five days, compared to placebo, the probiotics
group had lower levels of liver-damage enzymes, and had restored healthy levelsof probiotics in the gut.

Reference: Phytomedicine; 2009, Vol. 16, No. 5, 391-
400

The Omega 3 Benefits That Could Save Your Life

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

The Omega 3 Benefits That Could Save Your Life

There are almost too many omega 3 benefits to mention! More is being discovered every day and despite the well known ones for heart health, the benefits of omega 3 oil can provide so much more. Here are some of them and how to select the best source.

The government and heart charities alike encourage us to take daily omega 3 supplements as it is estimated they are responsible for saving thousands of lives each year.

The omega 3 benefits include the prevention of heart disease, effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, greatly improved brain health and mental well-being and a weapon in the fight against cancer.

Recent studies also show that the other benefits of omega 3 oil are halting age related eye disease, treatment of skin disorders like psoriasis and acne as well as boosting the immune system function and helping to reverse the aging process.

The problem is that over 90% of the population is lacking in these essential fatty acids. They are classified as essential because our bodies cannot manufacture them – they must come from what we eat.

Experts agree the best source is from cold water oily fish but as they contain so many toxins today and to get the most omega 3 benefits, the very best source is in fact a quality distilled fish oil supplement.

If you look for one that’s been molecularly distilled, it means all the impurities have been removed leaving only safe and pure oil so you get to enjoy all the benefits of omega 3 oil without the risks.

In addition look for high amounts of DHA, the most important omega 3 fat as most supplements today contain more EPA which is not so useful. Around 250mg of DHA per fish oil capsule or soft gel is the minimum amount you want to get.

If you want to avoid the degenerative diseases that affect so many later in life and maintain excellent health in the present, then the omega 3 benefits will help you achieve it.

If you would like to learn more about the high quality DHA omega 3 supplements I personally take daily, visit my website today.

Vitamin D and Calcium

Friday, May 7, 2010

Vitamin D and Calcium Reduce Bone Fractures

Doctors surprised that women and men of all benefit. New study shows the two nutrients must be taken together to reduce the chances of fracture. Researchers reviewed seven major
vitamin D bone fracture studies covering more than 68,500 participants, average age 70, who took vitamin D with or without calcium. Doctors found that overall, people who took vitamin
D with calcium were 8 percent less likely to have a bone fracture, and 16 percent less likely to have a hip fracture, compared to those who did not take vitamin D with calcium. Scientists
noted that the chances of fracture did not decline with vitamin D alone, but only when participants took vitamin D and calcium together. Doctors were surprised to find
that vitamin D with calcium benefited women and men of all ages and concluded that, “Calcium and vitamin D given together reduce hip fractures and total fractures, and probably
vertebral fractures, irrespective of age, sex, or previous fractures.”

Reference: British Medical Journal; 2010, Vol. 340,
Electronic Prepublication

Omega3 and CoQ10

Omega-3 fatty acids cut fatal heart attacks, reduced pain, and improved heart and blood vessel function in those with very high cholesterol and heart failure. In an omega-3 study, researchers
recruited 18,645 Japanese participants who ate a large amount of fish but who were at risk for
heart disease because of very high cholesterol levels, over 252 mg/dL. Participants took 1,800 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) per day plus statin drugs, or a placebo with
statin drugs, for five years. After an average follow up period of 4.6 years, researchers found that, compared to placebo, those who had taken EPA were 19% less likely to have had a major coronary event including sudden cardiac death, fatal and non-fatal heart attack, unstable
chest pain (angina pectoris), and vascular surgery including angioplasty, bypass, or stent.
In another omega-3 study, researchers recruited 24 men and one woman, average age 60,
whose hearts were unable to fill with or pump enough blood (heart failure), and who
had had a heart attack. Participants were keeping the failure stable with drugs including
beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and diuretics, and 23 of the 25 participants were also taking statin drugs. Researchers randomly assigned a 2,000 mg com-
bination of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plus EPA—minimum 85% DHA/EPA content—or a placebo, for four months, and found that those who had taken omega-3s had significantly improved heart function (heart rate variability) and blood pressure (baroreceptor regulation),

Reference: The Lancet: 2007; Vol. 369, No. 9567,
1090-8.