Fatty Acids and Antioxidants for Pancreatic Health

A recent study published in the International Journal of Cancer investigated the relationship between intake of specific fatty acids, antioxidants and pancreatic health. Data collected from residents in the San Francisco Bay Area revealed positive associations between consuming omega-3 fatty acids (> 850 mg) and high total intake of vitamins C and E from supplements and pancreatic health. In contrast, diets high in saturated fats and some monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats were associated with increased risk of an unhealthy pancreas. These results help to support the numerous benefits of supplementation with omega-3’s and antioxidants.

click here for more details on this study.

Probiotic Supplementation Gains New Scientific Acceptance

Probiotics (beneficial bacteria) as a supplement were proposed in western medicine some 100 years ago. In fact, the introduction of fermented foods containing bacteria to promote wellness and healing have been used by many cultures over thousands of years. Finally with new scientific techniques, probiotic supplementation is gaining new validity. Physicians and others are using probiotic supplementatlion for a variety of conditions including: inflammation of the gut, respiratory illnesses, allergies, infectious diarrhea to name a new. It appears that probiotic supplementation can enhance our immune function by: improving intestinal barrier function against harmful microbes, exerting ant-inflammatory effects, enhancing mucosal antibody defenses and others.

For more information

http://www.ncbi.nih.gov/pubmed/18626975

Antioxidants may boost heart health and metabolism.

Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, selenium and coenzyme Q10 have been shown to have beneficial effects on many aspects of human health. A recent study in Nutrition &Metabolism (July, 2010) showed that not only do antioxidants have significant beneficial effects on several aspects of cardiovascular disease, but may also help to improve blood glucose and lipid metabolism. In this study 70 people, each with at least two cardiovascular risk factors, were randomly assigned to two groups. For six months, one group received an antioxidant combination of vitamins C and E, selenium, and coenzyme Q10, while the other group received a placebo equivalent. The antioxidant treated participants showed significant decreases in blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic), increased levels of HDL (“good cholesterol”), and improvements in arterial elasticity and blood glucose levels. Although a preliminary study, the results help to support the need for antioxidant supplementation in this population.

To read more on this study:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1743-7075-7-55.pdf