Acai benefits cholesterol levels in animals

Hypercholesterolemia, or high cholesterol levels, has long been associated with many unhealthy conditions and disease related states. According to a new study in animals, a diet supplemented with Acai may help to reduce the risk of developing high cholesterol levels. Acai pulp, when given to rats fed a high-fat diet, appeared to help lower levels of total cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol. Since Acai is well known as a potent antioxidant, high in polyphenols, this may be a contributing factor to the effect seen. More such studies and human clinical trials would be helpful to validate this effect and to determine its role in improving dietary-induced hypercholesterolemia.

For further information on this topic please visit:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20022468

Curcumin, Bioperine and Breast Cancer – New Research

A recent study on breast cancer research and treatment links certain compounds found in spices to a reduction in cancerous cells in breast tissue. The study suggests that specific dietary compounds, Curcumin and piperine, may promote healthy breast tissue. Researchers have found that Curcumin (found in turmeric) and piperine (found in black pepper), decreased the number of cancerous stem cells while non-cancerous stem cells were unaffected.


This research used amounts of Curcumin and piperine that were approximately 20 times greater than what you could consume from food, but these amounts are commonly available in dietary supplements.


To learn more about this research or to view the entire study, click here.

Omega 3 and Glucosamine - New Research

A recent study published in the journal Advances in Therapy evaluated the impact of omega 3s and glucosamine, taken in combination, on individuals with osteoarthritis. This randomized controlled clinical trial involved 177 participants with moderate-to-severe knee or hip osteoarthritis. The participants either received supplementation of glucosamine alone or glucosamine and omega 3 fatty acids over a 26 week period. The study concluded that individuals who received the combination of glucosamine and omega 3s had a more substantial reduction in joint stiffness and pain than the individuals who received glucosamine alone.

To learn more about this research or to view the entire study, click here.

Diets rich in Polyphenols and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids May Protect Brain Cells

According to a new Spanish study at Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona, a diet high in polyphenol antioxidants and polyunsaturated fatty acids can help cell growth in the areas of the brain that Alzheimer’s disease damages. These nutrients may delay onset of disease and slow its evolution. In an animal study, this diet was capable of inducing new cell growth in the adult brain and may strengthen the neural networks which become affected by age and disease such as Alzheimer’s. This diet also protected neurons from oxidative damage, which is associated with many diseases affecting the central nervous system.


For further information on this topic please visit: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19661617?ordinalpos=20&itool=Email.EmailReport.Pubmed_ReportSelector.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Childhood Obesity Predicts Higher Asthma Prevalence

In a recent international study published in Pediatric Pulmonology, researchers investigated the relationship between body mass index (BMI) in children and lung function. Using a random selection of over 15, 000 students, the study concluded that elevated BMI in children is associated with impaired lung function and an increased prevalence of asthma.

Extreme BMI predicts higher asthma prevalence and is associated with lung function impairment in school-aged children. Chu YT, Chen WY, Wang TN, Tseng HI, Wu JR, Ko YC. Pediatric Pulmonology 2009 May;44(5):472-9.

Low vitamin D again linked to higher mortality.

Numerous studies have shown that lower levels of vitamin D can be associated with the increased occurrences of health issues and premature mortality in the elderly. A new study published in Clinical Endocrinology (November 2009), followed the vitamin D levels of 614 men and women, average age of 70 years, over a period of 6 years. Those exhibiting the lowest blood levels of vitamin D were found to have 2-4 times the increased risk for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. This report helps to support the need for vitamin D supplementation with regards to reducing mortality and cardiovascular risks.

To read the abstract of this study:
Pubmed Abstract

Interesting statistics on aging!

The September 2009 issue of Functional Ingredients (a trade magazine for the nutraceutical industry) included an intriguing article on the relationship between healthy aging, quality of life and dietary supplements. It included a number of staggering statistics on aging persons and I wanted to share some of them with you:

• 1/3 of people over the age of 65 fall down each year. One in five require medical attention and one in 10 break a bone
• Falls are responsible for the deaths of more than 20,000 people in the US each year
• Nearly 40% of fatal falls involve people older than 85 years
• By age 60, four in 10 men and half of all women report joint pain in one or more joints
• For the US population as a whole, 50 million suffer from arthritis
• Peak bone density is reached at age 35. By age 80, women will have half the calcium in their bones that they did at half that age
• Dementia affects about five percent of people ages 70-80, 24% of people ages 80-90 and more than 40% of people older than 90
• Dementia is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States

While these are sobering statistics, the article goes on to share remarkable research about the supporting role of dietary supplements in aging:

• Alzheimer's patients with low levels of serum vitamin D score lower on metal state examinations compared to patients with adequate vitamin D
• Studies indicate that calcium and vitamin D supplements, in combination, support bone density
• A 2007 randomized, placebo controlled clinical intervention study among 325 postmenopausal women receiving 45mcg/day of vitamin K2 for three years found that hip-bone strength remained unchanged where the bone strength of those in the placebo group decreased significantly.
• Epidemiological studies indicate that higher intakes of vitamins E, K and B12 as well as magnesium, copper, manganese and boron are associated with higher bone density
• Fish oil (DHA in particular) continues to gain support as protective against dementia

The take away message here is that we can all make a decision, at any age, to age as well as possible. Our diet, lifestyle and supplementation choices can have a huge impact on our health and well-being throughout the aging process.