Bioavailable curcumin matches prescription drug for joint health benefits

Bioavailable curcumin matches prescription
drug for joint health benefits
Supplements of a patented, high bioavailability curcumin may match a prescription rheumatoid arthritis drug for joint health benefits, but with fewer side effects, suggests new data. 

Eight weeks of 1 gram per day of the patented curcumin ingredient BCM-95 provided the same reductions in swelling and pain as 100 milligrams per day of the prescription drug diclofenac sodium, according to findings published in Phytotherapy Research.
In addition, Dr Ajay Goel from Baylor University Medical Center (USA) and Dr Binu Chandran from the Nirmala Medical Centre (India) report that there were no drop outs due to adverse effects in the curcumin group, but 14% of participants in the diclofenac sodium group withdrew due to adverse effects.
“The drugs used for people with rheumatoid arthritis can have severe adverse effects,” explained Goel. “Our study is the first to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of curcumin in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, and highlights the need for future large-scale trials to further validate these findings in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other arthritic conditions.”

Try This Curcumin with BCM-95

To read more about joint health, glucosamine, curcumin and the anti-inflammatory effects click here

Bottom Line is:

“Our observations that curcumin alone was able to alleviate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in this study are quite encouraging, and these results provide an ideal springboard for investigating the potential of curcumin in other chronic diseases arising in the setting of dysregulated chronic inflammation."  

      

Mushrooms pack vitamins and minerals: Tasty fungi contain antioxidants and boost the immune system

Mushrooms pack vitamins and minerals

Tasty fungi contain antioxidants and boost the immune system

Nutrition guidance from Palomar Pomerado Health

Need an extra reason to pick up mushrooms from your supermarket today?

Mushrooms are more than just flavor enhancers for a variety of meals. Besides adding taste to salads, soups, casseroles, rice dishes, stir-fry, scrambled eggs and other dishes, mushrooms are flat out nutritious.

They are excellent sources of protein, vitamins (A, B5, B6, C, D), amino acids, minerals (potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, selenium, copper, zinc), fiber and iron. These vitamins and minerals play an important role in boosting the immune system and keeping your body healthy.

Mushrooms also contain antioxidants and are low in sodium and calories. The following are five healthy types of mushrooms commonly found in stores:

1. Portobello mushrooms (also known as portabella): These brown mushrooms are frequently used as a meat substitute by vegans or vegetarians in sandwiches and burgers because of their meaty texture. They are rich in selenium, which is an antioxidant or substance that helps reduce the risk of certain diseases by preventing cellular damage from free radicals in the body.
1. 
   

   1. White button mushrooms: Also called a table mushroom, this small-sized mushroom has a mild flavor that intensifies when cooked. It is commonly used in salads, meat dishes, soups or pastas. At grocery stores, they are found freshly packaged, dried or in a canned form. They are also good sources of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
   2. Shiitake mushrooms: These spongy, meaty-textured mushrooms with a woodsy taste are very popular in many Asian dishes. In addition to their antioxidants benefits, they may have an immune-boosting effect in the body.
   3. Oyster mushrooms: These broad mushrooms with oyster-shaped caps and tan and ivory colors contain significant antioxidant properties. A 3-ounce serving of oyster mushrooms contains 13 milligrams of the amino acid ergothioneine which is very high in antioxidants. Cooking the mushrooms does not reduce this level.
   4. Porcini mushrooms: Porcini mushrooms (usually purchased dried) are costlier than other mushrooms and have a distinct woodsy taste. They are used in preparation of soups, stews and casseroles. Porcinis are also rich in vitamins and minerals.

   Quick Tip: If for some reason you don't like mushrooms but still want the benefits you can always use a supplement at a pharmacuetical grade.
   
   

Paint Your Heart Healthy with Flavonoids

Paint Your Heart Healthy with Flavonoids

By Kimberly Beauchamp, ND

Eating more colorful, flavonoid-rich fruits and vegetables may reduce the chance of dying from heart disease by up to 40%, says a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Fix it before it breaks

Preventing heart disease is easier than curing it. We already know a lot about how to keep the heart happy, like

• not smoking,
• maintaining a healthy weight,
• keeping blood pressure in check, and
• getting regular physical exercise.

Eating more fruits and vegetables is also key to preventing heart disease. These foods are rich in magnesium, potassium, and fiber that can help regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Brightly colored fruits and veggies are also high in flavonoids, plant compounds that give foods such as oranges, broccoli, and so on their characteristic hues. Flavonoids have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions in the body. They also inhibit the oxidation of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and encourage blood vessel walls to relax, helping to lower blood pressure.

As part of the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort, researchers from the American Cancer Society and Tufts University investigated how different types of flavonoid compounds in the diet might protect against death from heart disease. In the study, 38,180 men and 60,289 women (average age 69 and 70, respectively) gave detailed information about their diets. The amount and types of dietary flavonoids were estimated for each participant. For the next seven years, the participants were followed and deaths due to heart disease were recorded.

• Of the seven classes of flavonoids studies, five of them were associated with a lower risk of heart disease death.
• Risk of fatal heart disease was 18% lower in men and women who had the highest amounts of total flavonoids in their diets those with the lowest. The risk of fatal stroke dropped by 37% in men with the highest total flavonoid intake.
• The subclass of flavonoids called flavones was especially beneficial for women. Women with the highest flavone intake had a 26% reduction in risk of overall heart disease death and a 40% reduction in risk of death from heart attack.

“Even relatively small amounts of flavonoid-rich foods may be beneficial for reducing risk of fatal cardiovascular disease,” commented the researchers.

Brighten your plate for a happier heart

OPC-3 #1 Bioflavonoid in the world

Getting more flavonoids into your diet is as easy as blueberry pie. Just aim for a rainbow of colors throughout the day. You don’t have to get them all in at every meal, but when you’re planning your five-a-day of fruits and vegetables, make sure they’re not all in the white family.

Raspberries, strawberries, apples, blueberries, green tea, black tea, dark chocolate, red grapes, purple cabbage, red wine, oranges, grapefruit, kale, broccoli, onions, and leeks are all loaded with heart-healthy flavonoids.

Parsley, thyme, oregano, celery, and green chili peppers are rich sources of the subclass of flavonoids called flavones. These are the ones that may be especially helpful for women.

About Natural Products Foundation: NPF is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit corporation. For more information about this story and the foundation visit: naturalproductsfoundation.org. 

Story Source: Kimberly Beauchamp, ND, received her doctoral degree from Bastyr University, the nation’s premier academic institution for science-based natural medicine. She co-founded South County Naturopaths in Wakefield, RI, where she practiced whole family care with an emphasis on nutritional counseling, herbal medicine, detoxification, and food allergy identification and treatment. Her blog, Eat Happy, helps take the drama out of healthy eating with real food recipes and nutrition news that you can use. Dr. Beauchamp is a regular contributor to Healthnotes Newswire. The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Aisle7. All rights reserved.

References: (Am J Clin Nutr 2012;95:454–64)

The NPF Science Update brings you news about scientific advances in the field of natural products. The Science Update features contributions from scientists, academics, doctors, healthcare professionals, industry veterans and other experts.

New Study: Pycnogenol® Reduces Heart Failure

05/16/2007
New Study: Pycnogenol® Reduces Heart Failure

May 16, 2007 – GENEVA, Switzerland – A study to be published in an upcoming edition of the journal of Cardiovascular Toxicology reveals Pycnogenol®, natural pine bark extract from the French maritime pine tree, helps prevent damage that high blood pressure causes to the heart. The study demonstrates Pycnogenol® counteracts the “wearing out” of the heart, which may aid the five million Americans living with heart failure. Previous studies have shown Pycnogenol® supplementation to be associated with improved cardiovascular health, such as cholesterol reduction, blood pressure control and prevention of thrombosis.

In hypertension, the over-worked heart gradually wears out, resulting in the weakening of the heart muscle and increasing of heart chamber volume. This process (known as cardiac remodeling) may eventually cause heart failure when the heart insufficiently supplies the body with oxygenated blood. The study showed that Pycnogenol® prevents the heart from getting worn out during hypertension. Cardiac chamber walls showed a significantly higher rate of collagen connective tissues than control groups.

“Alternative treatments such as Pycnogenol® are crucial components in the fight against heart disease,” said Dr. Ronald Watson, professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Arizona and a lead researcher of the study. “The effectiveness of Pycnogenol® supplementation is a great option for many people who want an alternative to prescription medications such as beta blockers or ACE inhibitors. This new study shows Pycnogenol® administers a therapeutic effect to limit the degenerative process in patients predisposed to congestive heart failure, such as the aged.”

The study was conducted at the University of Arizona, Tucson. Elderly female mice (18 months old) were randomly divided into four groups: control mice, mice receiving Pycnogenol® only, mice receiving L-NAME only (a substance which causes arterial constriction) and mice receiving both Pycnogenol® and L-NAME. Pycnogenol® and L-NAME were administered in tap water and the study was approved by the Animal Review Committee at the University of Arizona.

One group of hypertensive mice received Pycnogenol® in drinking water for four weeks and another group of hypertensive mice was left untreated. After five weeks, the hearts of the latter control group had significantly increased in size as a result of hypertension. In the Pycnogenol® treated group, hypertension and heart function parameters resembled those found in healthy control mice with healthy blood pressure.

“This study provides evidence that oral administration of Pycnogenol® reversed cardiovascular remodeling induced by L-NAME by blocking nitric oxide production, which leads to hypertension and finally cardiomyopathy,” said Watson.

After a detailed investigation of the heart tissue, Watson found Pycnogenol® supplementation to significantly enhance the connective collagen matrix of cardiac tissue. Whereas the chronic hypertension in mice led to a significant loss of connective collagen fibers, Pycnogenol® significantly increased the collagen presence, resulting in stronger cardiac chambers.

According to the American Heart Association nearly five million Americans are living with heart failure, and 550,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. The mortality rate for heart failure affects 80 percent of men and 70 percent of women within 12 years of obtaining cardiovascular diseases. According to Watson, cardiac remodeling is considered an important therapeutic target to battle this disease.

Watson presented the new research this month at the SupplySide East Educational Conference and Trade Show in Secaucus, NJ. Previous clinical research shows Pycnogenol® to battle coronary heart disease and stroke, high blood cholesterol and hypertension. Research shows Pycnogenol® to diminish the major cardiovascular risk factors simultaneously while offering a safe, natural approach.

http://www.ecenter.isotonix.com/

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Pycnogenol and OPC-3™
You've known about the beneficial ingredients in our top-selling Isotonix® OPC-3 for years. New research continues to indicate that a key OPC-3 ingredient, Pycnogenol, may offer powerful, significant benefits to those who take it.*
To find out more about Market America Isotonix® OPC-3™, go to "top ten products" (left column)>Isotonix® OPC-3™

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