Curcumin supplements prevent type 2 diabetes

By David Liu, PHD

Saturday Aug 4, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- Eating curry or taking curcumin supplements helps reduce risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, according to a new study published in the journal Diabetes Care. Curcumin is an ingredient found in turmeric which is used in curry, a food commonly used in India.

The study showed one of pre-diabetics who took curcumin supplements every day for nine months developed type 2 diabetes mellitus while 16 percent of pre-diabetics who took a dummy pill for the same period developed the disease.

For the study, researchers of Srinakharinwirot University in Bangkok recruited 240 people with pre-diabetes who were randomized into two groups with 120 each. One group were given six capsules of curcumin per day and the other  a placebo for nine months.

At the end of the study, 16 percent of placebo users developed type 2 diabetes  mellitus whereas none of the curcumin users developed the disease.  Subjects in the study group but not those in the control group were also found to have lost weight.

The Thai researchers believe turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that help protect insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas from damage and improve their efficiency.  

Curcumin Extreme™with BCM-95

About 24 million people live with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the United States alone.  Another 20 million Americans suffer pre-diabetes, a condition in which a person has a problem with controling blood sugar, but not as severely as in the case of type 2 diabetes.

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From Shop.com

There are many curcumin products on the market, but Curcumin Extreme™ with BCM-95® has superior bioavailability and absorption. BCM-95 contains the natural spectrum of the turmeric rhizome and is 100 percent natural. Curcumin Extreme promotes liver detoxification, promotes healthy glutathione levels and normal cellular regeneration. Taking Curcumin Extreme every day can help detoxify impurities in your body that build up over time.* 

Curcumin Extreme also includes 167mg of broccoli seed extract, a powerful source of sulphoraphane glucosinolates. Sulforaphanes support the normal production of Phase II liver detoxification enzymes, including glutathione synthase, heme-oxygenase and catalase. Sulforaphanes also support gene transcription, the process by which genetic information is copied from DNA to RNA. They also support the body’s natural defense systems. Glutathione is the master antioxidant in the human body, which serves to preserve and protect the brain and other body tissues by protecting them from the damage of free radicals. Furthermore, glutathione recycles vitamins C and E, which are also powerful antioxidants.*

Primary Benefits of Curcumin Extreme™*:  

• Promotes normal activity of NF-KappaB
• Supports normal liver detoxification activity
• Supports overall liver health
• Promotes apoptosis in unhealthy cells
• Promotes normal cell cycle activity
• Helps maintain overall cell integrity
• Promotes normal cellular regeneration
• Helps maintain healthy glutathione levels
• Supports normal glutathione synthesis
• Promotes the normal production of detoxification enzymes
• Supports the body’s natural ability to produce detoxification enzymes
• Promotes normal levels of detoxification enzymes that scavenge harmful toxins in the body
• Helps to maintain neurological health as we age
• Helps to maintain good cognitive health as we age
• Promotes normal immune cell-brain (neuron) interactions in order to maintain cognitive health
• Promotes neurological health
• Protects neurons from the negative effects of free radicals
• Powerful antioxidant
• Protects the body from the negative effects of free radicals
• Promotes free-radical protection
• Promotes a strong immune system

Try it today --- Curcumin Extreme by clicking here

Chronic Inflammation at the Heart of America’s Deadliest Diseases

Chronic Inflammation at the Heart of America’s Deadliest Diseases

Author: willllamas 

New science has linked diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s,
stroke, and cancer to one condition: chronic inflammation. Chronic
inflammation is a condition brought about by obesity and from a diet high
in fatty foods.  This condition can
attack the immune system and clear the way for harmful bacteria to enter the
body.

“You need to have inflammation when you have a wound
and the immune system goes in to heal it. Yet we don’t want too much
inflammation in our system causing damage to
our arteries” and other harm, says Wendy Weber, a program director at
the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the
National Institutes of Health.

Chronic inflammation can be caused a few different ways. One
recent discovery showed that fat cells were not solely acting as storage for
excess weight. “Instead, fat cells act like small factories to churn out
molecules known as cytokines, which set inflammation in motion,” says Peter
Libby, chief of the division of cardiovascular medicine at Brigham and Women’s
Hospital in Boston.

Besides body weight issues, a diet rich in high-fat foods is
another common cause of chronic inflammation.

What can be done to combat inflammation? First and foremost,
maintaining a healthy body weight is a must. Losing excess weight and fat cells
will counter cytokine production and keep down inflammation. On top of that, a
specialized diet limiting fat consumption can help. However, no diet alone can
completely stop inflammation. “If you weigh 300 pounds and eat healthy,
the weight will still counter any beneficial foods you are eating,” says Dr.
Cannon, a professor of medicine at Harvard University.

The American Heart Association also recommends consuming
omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, and omega-6 fatty acids found in nuts and
vegetable oils to reduce the risk of inflammation. Supplementation is also
recommended if you are not getting the proper amounts.

How to Choose a Multivitamin

How to Choose a Multivitamin 
from Scientific Affairs

While it’s generally agreed that a balanced diet is the best foundation for health, some studies suggest that to receive the required amounts of all vitamins and minerals we would need to consume approximately 3,000 calories worth of very specific fruit and vegetable combinations on a daily basis. For anyone who is not free to cook—and eat—for the majority of the day, this is not a viable option.

For these reasons among others, it’s no surprise that a study conducted by The Council for Responsible Nutrition shows that a daily multivitamin is the first choice among dietary supplements. Adding to healthy eating with the missing vitamins and minerals not only helps prevent deficiencies related to disease; it also promotes optimal performance in everyday life. As a result, multivitamin supplementation continues to increase, as do the available choices. When it comes to making the right choice, the following points will provide solid guidance.

MultiVitamin

• Most multivitamins will contain approximately 100 percent of the RDA recommendations for 20-25 individual nutrients—in general, the most important of these are the B-complex vitamins, Vitamin D and Vitamin E, and these can certainly be present in higher amounts.
• Biotin is critical for B-complex absorption, but is often included in minimal amounts for reasons of cost—a quality multivitamin will contain 100 percent of the RDA.
• Zinc is regarded as increasingly important in recent studies, and obtaining the entire RDA from food can be challenging; a quality multivitamin should contain approximately 50 percent of the RDA to make up the difference.
• Iodine helps to ensure proper thyroid function, which is foundational to proper metabolism—a sound multivitamin formula will contain 100 percent of the RDA.
• Despite debate about iron supplementation, it is almost certainly advisable for pre-menopausal women; their RDA is set at 18mg, while men require 8mg.
• Selenium has demonstrated particular potential for men’s health, specifically prostate function, but intake must be moderate, regardless of gender—a balanced formulation will contain 75 to 100 percent of the RDA.

As the last two points suggest, varied vitamin and mineral needs have been shown in certain populations, such as higher amounts of B-complex for athletes, Vitamin D for adults over 65, and other categories based on individual genetics and lifestyle habits. Assessing those needs and taking the next step towards custom nutrition may prove useful for those individuals.

All of the above, however, will definitely prove useful in selecting a good general-purpose multivitamin. In times when many of us find ourselves struggling to reach the top of the food pyramid, this simple measure can deliver a much-needed nutritional boost.

You Can Undo the Ill Effects of Statin Drugs

by Dr. Stephen Sinatra 

Heart Health, Cholesterol 

Last Reviewed 05/22/2012

As many of you know, I firmly believe that the only people who should be taking cholesterol lowering statin drugs—such as Zocor, Lipitor, or the many others—are men over 50 who have coronary artery disease. For everyone else, statins may actually be raising the incidence of heart failure because they deplete the body of CoQ10, a biochemical that’s critical to heart health.

But that said, many doctors prescribe statins every day, and many people suffer their unwanted side-effects—including muscle pain and weakness, generalized soreness, memory loss, and peripheral neuropathy.

The good news is you can turn these ill effects around, here’s how:

1. Consider getting off your statin medication, unless you’re a middle-aged man with heart disease. For more of my information and guidance on cholesterol and statin drugs, you can visit my Cholesterol Health Center. But remember to always contact your physician before stopping your statin drugs.

2. Rebuild your muscles, and your heart with four nutrients I call the “awesome foursome.” You want to take 200 mg of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), 200-600 mg of magnesium, and 2-3 grams of broad spectrum carnitine daily. Plus, you want to take 5 grams of D-Ribose two to three times a day.

3. If you’re suffering from polyneuropathy, which is nerve damage that affects the feet and hands causing weakness, loss of sensation, or burning pain, I recommend taking 100-300 mg of alpha lipoic acid a day.

Finally, be very optimistic. I’ve seen this regimen work again and again over the years. Once you allow the statin drugs to clear from your system, and build up the mitochondrial function in your cells with the awesome foursome, you will not only feel better—you’ll thrive!

'Breakthrough' study supports Pycnogenol's vascular benefits

'Breakthrough' study supports Pycnogenol's vascular benefits
By Stephen DANIELLS, Nut 07-Jun-2012

Daily supplements of an extract from French Maritime Pine bark may boost vascular health in people with stable coronary artery disease, according to data from a gold standard randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study from Switzerland.

Eight weeks of supplementation with Pycnogenol were associated with significant improvements in the function of the cells lining blood vessels (endothelial cells), report researchers from the University Hospital Zurich and the University of Zurich.

Writing in the European Heart Journal, the Switzerland-based scientists report that 200 milligrams per day of the pine bark extract resulted in an increase in flow mediated dilation (FMD) from 5.3 to 7.0, while no such improvements were observed for placebo. FMD is a measure of a blood vessel's healthy ability to relax.

Dr Frank Enseleit, the lead researcher of the study, said: “The results of this study show for the first time that Pycnogenol significantly improves endothelial function and blood flow in patients with coronary heart disease.

“The contribution of Pycnogenol for vascular health can be clearly identified in spite of patients’ complex medication regimen of blood thinners, statins and blood pressure medications.”

Pycnogenol has been the subject of scores of clinical studies suggesting benefits covering everything from cardiovascular, joint, cognitive and eye health to the relief of hay fever, PMS, tinnitus, hemorrhoidal pain and menopause symptoms.

Commenting on the new study, Victor Ferrari, CEO of Horphag, told NutraIngredients-USA that numerous Pycnogenol-containing products targeting circulatory health and heart health are already available in almost all the company’s markets world-wide.

“Early research on Pycnogenol has been performed in the field of venous insufficiency and circulatory support. We are therefore extremely pleased to see these wonderful results in such a high end clinical trial,” he said.

The participants also received statins, anti-hypertensives and blood thinners throughout the study. 

“After Pycnogenol usage, we were able to identify a significant improvement of endothelial function in individuals who depend on medications as a result of their heart disease,” said Dr Enseleit.

“Pycnogenol appears to help restore the body’s own functions in flow-mediated arterial dilatation.”

To read more about this article and the full study click here 

Isotonix OPC-3 contains the only isotonic form of Pycnogenol® in the world.  Click here to Learn more about OPC-3

Know the basics: Good nutrition plays a vital role in overall good health.

Know the basics
Good nutrition plays a vital role  in overall good health.

Good nutrition is essential to life long health.  A proper diet means replacing unhealthy foods with nutrient rich options. Fad diets often promise quick but short live results.  Instead, you can help ensure overall health with wise food choices that will soon become habits.
According to the US Department of health and human services, healthier eating habits could reduce cancer deaths in the United States by as much as 35%.  Adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet also helps reduce the risk of stroke.

Bottom line:  Eat right. Feel good.

Fruits and vegetables- Harvard studies have shown that for every extra serving of fruits and vegetables you add to your diet, you lower your risk of heart disease by 4%.  Center dishes around vegetables rather than meat. Colorful vegetables carry more nutrients.

Fats- Not all fat's our bad.  While essential fats help supply energy, saturated and trans fats can raise "bad" cholesterol.  Cook more often at home to avoid the trans fat found in commercially prepared foods.

Grains and fiber- Whole greens are better than refined grains, because they include plenty of the fire that promotes digestive health.  Incorporate fiber rich foods such as strawberries interbrand to hope reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Meats and beans- Choose lean beef, such as top round and sirloin, or skinless chicken.  Six ounces of fish per week has been shown to reduce the risk of dying from heart disease by 36%.  The US Department of agriculture recommends 5.5 ounces a day of food from the meats and beans group, which also includes eggs and nuts.

Salt- More than 75% of sodium comes from processed foods.  Replaced canned items with fresh fair.  Use herbs and spices to flavor meats instead of salt.

Dairy- Eat Dairy products such as low-fat yogurt and skim milk to sustain strong bones.
Although each person's calorie needs differ, the nutrient facts label provide a common difference.

Being more aware of what you eat will help sustain a healthy life style.  Be sure to schedule regular checkups with your doctor to discuss a balanced diet because each person's needs are different.

Study Finds Antioxidant Effective For Autism

Study Finds Antioxidant Effective For Autism

by Sean Wells

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), a nutrient well-known specifically for displaying strong antioxidant activity, has been advocated as a valuable asset for purposes related to detoxification. A new study now suggests it may be effective in easing irritability and repetitive behaviors in children with autism–a disorder displaying alarming increases.

The 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study involved 33 children, aged 3 to 12, and, reflective of the general characteristic of the disorder, predominantly male (31 of 33). All were diagnosed with an autistic disorder and Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) score of 4 or higher.

The children were randomly divided into experimental and placebo groups. The N-acetyl cysteine protocol involved a steady increase in dosage, consisting first of 900 mg of NAC administered daily for four  weeks, followed by 900 mg twice daily for four weeks, followed by 900 mg taken three times daily for a final four weeks.

Follow-up data were available on 14 of the children in the NAC-receiving group and on 15 children in the placebo group. Compared with placebo, NAC treatment was associated with a significant decrease in irritability scores from 13.1 to 7.2 on the Aberrant Behavior Check List (or ABC) irritability subscale. Improvement was observed in week four and continued through weeks eight and 12, according to authors.

The change is not as large as that seen in children taking antipsychotics, according to lead investigator Antonio Hardan, MD, from Stanford University School of Medicine, in Palo Alto, California, “but this is still a potentially valuable tool to have before jumping on these big guns.”

These results lend some support to related observations involving dietary changes in autistic children, particularly so-called “elimination diets”, and collectively these studies serve to strengthen the association believed to exist between certain nutritional “pollutants” and the impaired cognitive function characteristic of autism. Additional research is required to help narrow the focus, but the study above not only reveals more about the causes of autism, but potentially one part of the solution.

No "Magic" bullet - Here are ways to propel you from chubby to chic

No "Magic" bullet: 
Ways to propel you from chubby to chic

With summer just around the corner, the advertisements for weight loss programs are ramping up. But despite what some diet programs promise there is no easy answer or “magic” bullet to quickly propel you from chubby to chic without any hard work on your part—despite what some of the diet programs promise.

But it can be done, over a period of time if you develop the right healthy habits:

1. Eat plenty of foods that are rich in fiber, especially plant-based fiber found in fruits, vegetables, oat bran, lentils, chickpeas, and more. 

2. Increase your intake of healthy-fat foods, including coconut oil, palm oil, and the essential fatty acids found in foods like salmon and sardines. 

3. Drink lots of clean, filtered water—strive for at least eight glasses a day. 

4. Consume large amounts of green foods, including green “superfoods” supplements. 

5. Exercise regularly with activities you really enjoy, like walking, dancing, or swimming. 

6. Get adequate rest and sleep every day. 

7. Maintain a wholesome balance between work, play, and family time. 

8. Strive to reach, and maintain, emotional and spiritual well-being. 

9. Supplement your diet with a good, daily, natural multi-nutrient preparation. 

Now it’s your turn: Which of these healthy habits do you practice?


 

Market America’s Non Profit Organization Program

Market America’s Non Profit Organization Program

There is good in giving. We offer a FREE website for Non Profit Organizations and help people come together to make a difference. Fundraising substantially challenges non-profit organizations more and more every day. Federal, state, and local agencies are not committing as many resources to funding non-profits. Supporters are finding it harder and harder to contribute anything more than their time. There must be an answer.

Market America NPO Program
The Market America Non-Profit Organization Program is a free program that helps you and your non-profit create an additional funding source. Your non-profit receives a fully e-commerce enabled website with access to millions of products and thousands of brand name stores. Supporters do not have to change their buying habits. They sign-in at the organizations website and shop at their favorite stores like Best Buy, Walmart, Sears, The Home Depot and Staples. We have over 11,000 online store to shop from. The supporters save money, get access to exclusive deals, earn up to 50% CashBack on qualified purchases, and the non-profit organization receives weekly and monthly royalties based on the supporters’ purchases. Also, supporters can invite their friends to shop on the organizations website and earn 0.5% CashBack on the purchases made by anyone they’ve invited.
Getting Started is Easy!
1. Contact us enroll in the Non-Profit Organization program. (TOTALLY FREE)
2. Share the news! Promote the non-profit organization’s new website to all the supporters.
3. Encourage supporters to invite their friends, family and acquaintances to shop on the non-profit organization’s new website so they can earn 0.5% CashBack on referrals’ purchases.
4. As everyone shops online, qualified purchases through your website generate weekly and monthly royalties for your non-profit organization!
If you are interested in getting more information, please contact me here

Children and Autism: Many nutrients have been clinically shown to play a role in kids’ health:

Children and Autism

Autism is a severe developmental disorder that is usually first diagnosed in early childhood. Most autistic children are perfectly normal in appearance, but have issues in areas of communication, social interactions and repetitive behaviors. It’s currently unexplained, but the prevalence of autism in males is 4:1 compared to females. There are milder versions of autism, such as Asperger’s Syndrome, that are referred to as being on the autism spectrum.

Some common symptoms of autism include decreased social interaction, an aversion to physical contact, repetitive behaviors such as rocking or hand-flapping, poor eye contact, insensitivity to pain, hyperactivity, and attention deficits, to name a few. There is also a very high incidence of gastrointestinal problems, auto-immune disease and mental retardation in those with autism. In fact, 90% of these children suffer from gastrointestinal challenges. Autistic individuals also have reduced glutathione levels, which contribute to higher oxidative stress. Increased oxidative stress may explain the high incidences of gastrointestinal and immune abnormalities seen in autism.

Many nutrients have been clinically shown to play a role in kids’ health:

Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamin and minerals are essential components for numerous processes in the body related to growth and development.  Get all your vitamins and minerals  here.

Might-a-Mins Spectrum Multivitamin

Beta-Carotene is a nutrient found in plants that the body converts into vitamin A. Vitamin A may be useful for the treatment of autism because it is involved in cell growth and differentiation in the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract and brain; areas that are problematic for those with autism. Some studies have reported improvements among autistic individuals supplemented with vitamin A, such as language, eye contact, socialization and sleep patterns. Vitamin A deficiency is also common among those with autism. According to data from the Autism Research Institute, the B:W (Better:Worse with treatment) ratio reported by parents of autistic children for vitamin A is 22:1, meaning when supplemented with beta-carotene, 22 autistic individuals got better for every 1 that got worse.

Pyridoxal-5-phosphate is the active form of vitamin B6. The conversion of B6 to P5P in the liver can be problematic for some autistic children, so it is best to use the P5P form. This form has not been associated with toxicity. Vitamin B6 is the master vitamin for numerous metabolic pathways in the body. One specific function is its involvement in the synthesis of neurotransmitters in the brain and peripheral nerve cells, which are critical for the development of language, attention, alertness, etc. B6 is also required for the production of glutathione which is crucial for detoxification. Another proposed mechanism of action is the role of vitamin B6 as a cofactor for enzymes that degrade oxalates (organic compounds that appear increased in autistic individuals). Vitamin B6 is the most studied nutrient among autistic children and is often given in combination with magnesium.

Significant improvements in common autism symptoms, such as behavior, better eye contact, fewer tantrums, improved sleep patterns, better speech, etc., have been consistently reported using vitamin B6 and magnesium. In fact, the combination of B6 and magnesium has been described by many as a “breakthrough autism intervention.”

Methylcobalamin (B12) is a water-soluble vitamin needed for normal nerve cell activity, DNA replication, and production of the mood-affecting substance SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine). B12 is a necessary component for the conversion of sulfur-containing compounds to glutathione, a powerful antioxidant in the body. Because those with autism may have fewer beneficial bacteria in the gut to make vitamin B12 or they have a reduced synthesis of Intrinsic Factor, or more simply, autistic children don’t get enough B12 in their diet due to their food choices, a deficiency is common.

Folic Acid (Folinic acid) is essential for numerous processes in the body and is critical for development of the nervous system. Folinic acid is the metabolically active form of folic acid. Folic acid is a B vitamin essential for numerous processes in the body and is critical for development of the nervous system. Additionally, folic acid aids in the conversion of sulfur-containing compounds to glutathione, and this antioxidant is extremely important in autistic individuals.

Many studies have documented improvements in sleep, communication, social interaction and other behaviors with supplementation with folic acid in autistic individuals. According to data from the Autism Research Institute, the B:W (Better:Worse with treatment) ratio reported by parents of autistic children for folic acid is 11:1, meaning 11 autistic individuals supplementing with folic acid got better for every one that got worse.

Zinc is an essential mineral that is a component of more than 300 enzymes needed to repair wounds, synthesize proteins, aid in the development and maintenance of the brain, help cells reproduce, preserve vision, boost immunity, and protect against free radicals, among many other functions. When zinc levels are down, copper levels are often increased. According to data from the Autism Research Institute, 90% of autistic children have this abnormal zinc to copper ratio. Because zinc helps facilitate the excretion of excess copper, it is important to make sure a multivitamin has an adequate amount of zinc. The B:W (Better:Worse with treatment) ratio reported by parents of autistic children for zinc is 17:1.

Might-a-Mins Spectrum Probiotics

Probiotics play a critical role in achieving optimal digestive health and help children maintain a bacterial balance within their digestive tracts. The digestive system naturally houses trillions of “good” bacteria that directly help the body digest, modify and convert the foods we eat, but disruptions to these populations of probiotics (good bacteria) are common. Probiotics must be kept at normal levels in order to overwhelm the other bacteria, which may begin to run rampant in the event the good bacteria levels decrease. There are numerous strains of probiotics, all of which work to maintain optimal bacterial balance, promote bowel regularity and stomach comfort, improve gastrointestinal health and support the digestive system. Some important strains are Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium infantis.

Might-a-Mins Spectrum Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes are a key component in the digestive system and collectively support the breakdown of complex macromolecules into energy sources and promote the release of the nutrient content from the foods we eat. Ingredients such as DigeZyme® (which is a multi-enzyme complex composed mainly of amylases, proteases and lipases), sucrase and maltase supplement the gastrointestinal tract with enzymes to adequately support the body’s ability to digest food. In addition to the physical discomfort caused by poor digestion, undigested (and consequently unabsorbed) food in the gastrointestinal tract serves as fuel to intestinal microbes, causing them to overpopulate and ferment. These fermenting microbes lower the pH of the colon and increase bacterial toxins in the gut. Supplementation with digestive enzymes provides the body with the additional support it needs for proper digestion. In addition to abdominal discomfort, there is also a connection between the function of the digestive system and the brain. Research suggests that promoting normal digestion may in turn support physical health.

Might-a-Mins Spectrum OPC-3 with Pycnogenol

Pycnogenol® is natural plant extract from the bark of the maritime pine tree which grows exclusively along the coast of southwest France. This pine bark extract is an all natural combination of proanthocyanidins, bioflavonoids, and organic acids. It is one of the most potent antioxidants backed by clinical research. As one of the most potent natural scavenger of free radicals, Pycnogenol combats many aggressive free radicals before they cause oxidative stress to vital organs. Trebaticka et al treated 61 children with ADHD with Pycnogenol for 1 month. They saw a significant reduction in hyperactivity, as well as improved attention, coordination and concentration. The placebo group had no positive effects, and one month after termination of Pycnogenol administration a relapse of symptoms was noted.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that has a number of biological functions. It is essential for tissue repair, wound and bone healing, immune function among other things. Its role as a cofactor for dopamine production may help to explain the improvement in symptoms of those with autism when supplemented with vitamin C. One study even showed an improvement in sensory motor scores and sleep patterns. Also, several studies have shown children with autism have significant oxidative stress, so supplementing with a proven antioxidant, like vitamin C, is helpful in combating free radicals. Vitamin C also elevates glutathione levels, another important antioxidant in the body. According to data from the Autism Research Institute, the B:W (Better:Worse with treatment) ratio reported by parents of autistic children for vitamin C is 16:1.

Omega-3 fatty acids are considered “essential”: they are vital for life and they are not able to be produced by the body. While most other nutrients – vitamins and minerals, for example – can be synthesized by the body, certain omega-3s (including EPA and DHA) cannot. They are especially important in childhood, when the brain – which is made up of approximately 60 percent fat – and immune system are developing.

Might-a-Mins Spectrum Essential Omega 3

Unfortunately, many children are not receiving adequate omega-3 fatty acids from food sources. According to the American Dietetic Association and the Dieticians of Canada, nine out of 10 children are deficient in the essential fatty acids EPA and DHA.

Children need ample amounts of omega-3 fatty acids to support their brain and immune health. Ensure your children receive the omega-3s they need with Might-a-Mins Spectrum Essential Omega 3.*

for more Information go to Explore Supplements

To find children’s health products or more information about children’s health products, click here.

Multivitamin supplements boost brain function, say UK researchers

Multivitamin supplements boost brain
function, say UK researchers
By Barbara Diggs, 17-Apr-2012

Taking a multivitamin supplement daily can improve cognitive performance in both children and adults, say UK researchers.

In a series of studies published in the British Journal of Nutrition, Psychopharmacology, and Human Psychopharmacology, teams of British neuroscientists investigated the effects of multivitamin supplementation on mood and cognitive function.
The researchers monitored groups of healthy children, men and women who took commercially-available vitamins and mineral supplements daily for 4 to 12 weeks, and tested their cognitive performance through tasks requiring attention, memory, accuracy and/or multitasking ability. The mood or stress levels of participants were also assessed.
Their findings indicated that vitamin and mineral supplementation improved cognitive performance after only a few weeks of supplementation.
Men taking high dose B-complex vitamins showed improved performance on cognitive tasks, were less mentally tired and showed improved vigor. Women taking multivitamin/mineral supplements were demonstrated to have increased accuracy and speed on multitasking batteries. Children, aged 8 – 14, showed increased accuracy in attention-based tasks.
“There’s been a huge research effort into the effects of one or two vitamins on cognitive function, not the effects of many,” said professor David Kennedy of the Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Center at Northumbria University, and co-author of the studies.

Bridging the vitamin gap
These findings add to solid evidence indicating that multivitamin supplements offer significant and varied benefits. According to the UK’s National Diet and Nutrition Survey, the general population in the UK has vitamin deficiencies or insufficiencies across most vitamin groups.
“A vitamin deficiency predisposes you to diseases related to having too little of that vitamin,” said Dr Kennedy.
“The optimum level of a vitamin must be way above what you need to avoid disease. [The survey indicates that] there are people out there deficient in each vitamin group.But since most people don’t know which vitamins they’re missing...you should take multivitamins to bridge the gap and patch up whatever you’re deficient in.”

Omega-3s & cerebral blood flow, function
Multivitamin supplements aren’t the only nutrients to impact brain activity. In a study, published in Biological Psychology, Dr Kennedy and his colleagues studied whether omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have impact on cognitive function. The research team found that healthy adults supplementing their diet daily with 1 -2 grams of fish oil containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) did not have improved cognitive functioning.
Nonetheless, through brain imaging techniques, they discovered that daily supplementation with the fish oil was associated with increased cerebral blood flow while subjects were engaged in cognitive tasks. “These results lend support to an emerging body of evidence which suggests that dietary DHA is influencing brain function in physiological terms,” Kennedy and his colleagues wrote.
That DHA may effect changes in blood flow that has implications for aging healthily and dementia, added Kennedy.

Professor Kennedy will be speaking about these findings and other issues relating to essential nutrients and cognitive function at the Vitafoods Europe expo and conference in Geneva on May 23.
To see the research and more associated with this article click here

Simple steps to help ensure a longer life span. Rules for Immortality

Simple steps to help ensure a longer life span.

Rules for Immortality 

from Dr. Ronald Klatz and Dr. Robert Goldman: Who Wants to Live to Be 150?

• Drive a big car (2,800 pounds or more)
• Avoid stress and depression.
• Exercise at least 30 minutes daily.
• Sleep seven to eight hours a night.
• Consume little or no alcohol.
• Don’t smoke.
• Try to keep your weight at, or even five percent lower, than the ideal body weight (IBW).
• Maintain optimum antioxidant vitamin blood levels.
• Drink eight to ten glasses of water per day.
• Get blood tests and comprehensive anti-aging physical exams yearly, early detection is key in both heart disease and cancer.
• Limit harmful fats in your diet.
• Think young.
• Do not accept “just getting old”.

And remember the three rules for immortality:

1. DON’T DIE!

2. DON’T GET SICK!

3. DON’T GET OLD BIOLOGICALLY!

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.”

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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."