Magnesium consumption and reduced risk for sudden heart failure

New findings on dietary intake of magnesium were highlighted in an article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Results from a 26 year follow-up study indicated that the highest dietary intakes of magnesium were associated with a significant reduction in the risk of sudden cardiac death when compared with the lowest average intakes. The prospective cohort study, starting in 1980, evaluated 88, 375 healthy women over a 26 year period. During this follow-up period, 505 cases of sudden cardiac death were noted by researchers. The role of magnesium was analyzed through subsequent research including 99 cases of sudden cardiac death and 291 women who did not die. Results indicated the importance of plasma magnesium and its role in cardiac death in women. Magnesium is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Dietary sources include green, leafy vegetables, unpolished grains and nuts. Unfortunately, the average daily magnesium intake in the U.S. is below the USDA’s RDA (320 mg/day for women and 420 mg/day for men). This article reinforces the importance of trace minerals such as magnesium in human health.

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Calcium plus vitamin D effectively boost bone mineral density.

Research has proven there is a clear link between vitamin D blood levels and bone mineral density (BMD). In many people, but especially in the elderly, vitamin D deficiency is common. In the elderly this deficiency often occurs due to reduced exposure to sunlight, as well as a reduced ability to synthesize vitamin D in the skin. Vitamin D is necessary for the intestinal absorption of calcium. When levels are low, less calcium enters the body and is therefore unavailable for bone mineralization and support. This overall depletion leads to reduced bone structure and strength, which is often more prevalent in older women. A recent study published in Osteoporosis International (March 2010), reported a positive increase in BMD in postmenopausal women after daily supplementation with vitamin D and calcium. The Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Prevention- Fracture Prevention Study (OSTPRE-FPS) followed 593 women, the average age being 68.5 years, either receiving daily supplementation or none at all, over a three year period. Supplementation consisted of vitamin D 400 IU and calcium 500 mg, twice daily. Study results showed a significant total body BMD increase in those receiving supplementation when compared to those not supplemented. This study, as do other studies, supports the need for vitamin D and calcium supplementation for strengthening and retaining skeletal health.

To read more on this study:
http://www.springerlink.com/content/m016330581332017/fulltext.pdf

Probiotics for Stress and Related Conditions

Probiotics are “ live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host” as defined by the World Health Organization. The health benefit of probiotic supplementation is usually associated with digestive/ gut issues, but a recent study in the British Journal of Nutrition suggests a new health benefit. The study investigated the relationship between probiotic supplementation and stress reduction. Participants were randomized in this double-blind placebo-controlled study, receiving either a probiotic formulation or placebo for 30 days. To assess psychological distress, an array of anxiety, stress, and depression questionnaires was used. These preliminary results reveal that a combination of certain probiotic strains display beneficial psychological effects in healthy human volunteers.

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Vitamin C may help improve mood.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is one of the best known and longest used antioxidants. First found to be vital in the prevention and treatment of scurvy, vitamin C has since been shown to have beneficial effects on many aspects of human health. A recent study in Nutrition (August, 2010) showed that supplementation with vitamin C helped to improve mood (as assessed by response scores) in hospitalized patients by 34%. Hospitalized patients, rarely given vitamins during their stay, are at risk for hypovitaminosis— resulting from insufficiency in one or more vitamins. Vitamin insufficiencies have been associated with mental and emotional disorders, physical impairments and disease states. In this study, patients were supplemented with 500 mg of vitamin C twice daily. These patients were found to have improvements in the levels of some immune cells and improvements in overall mood as verified by the Profile of Mood States (POMS) – a test that rates an individual’s mood profile. These results help to support the vital role vitamin C plays in human mental and physical health.



To read more on this study:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20688474

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.

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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