Ewcopywriting

New Link Between Lutein and Inflammation Hints at Heart Health Benefits

Heart disease is the leading cause of early death; it is estimated that over 17 million people die from heart disease every year. The rates of heart disease are on the rise; experts believe that by 2030, over 23 million people will die of heart disease yearly.

One of the most common forms of heart disease is known as coronary heart disease. This condition develops due to a process called atherosclerosis which is when fatty deposits build up in your arteries. This causes the arteries to become more narrow and stiff, impeding the normal flow of blood. Possible complications of coronary heart disease include angina, which is a pain in the chest, and heart failure, which is often fatal. Atherosclerosis by itself costs $448 billion every year in healthcare. However, advancements in our medical understanding of atherosclerosis have revealed that the detrimental process is not only due to fatty buildup but also has a prominent inflammatory aspect to it.

The Link Between Lutein and Inflammation

Lutein is a compound that imparts a yellowish color to certain foods. Dietary sources of lutein include broccoli, carrots, corn, kale, oranges, peas, spinach, yellow and orange peppers and egg yolk. Recently, researchers at Linköping University in Sweden published a study in the journal Atherosclerosis that suggests lutein can help mitigate inflammation. Specifically, the study looked at this yellow pigment’s effects on inflammation in heart disease patients. This finding may prove very useful to millions of people who have cardiovascular problems or who are at an elevated risk for them.

Researchers conducted the study by recruiting 193 volunteers with coronary artery disease. They measured the participants’ blood lutein levels as well as their levels of an inflammation marker known as interleukin-6. Upon analysis of the data, the scientists found that the higher your levels of lutein, the lower your inflammation marker levels will be. This suggests that starting to consume more lutein could positively affect inflammation that already exists.

Though more research is needed, there is some potential that lutein’s ability to promote healthy inflammatory processes could also be helpful for inflammatory disorders like asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease.

The Additional Benefits of Lutein

Along with other dietary nutrients like folic acid and fiber, lutein is beneficial to the health of your blood vessels. One study looked at the effects of lutein on 65 people who had “early atherosclerosis,” which is atherosclerosis in a person under the age of 59. Researchers administered either lutein or placebo to the volunteers every day for three months. Blood samples were taken before and after lutein treatment to measure blood levels of the compound.

As with the previously-mentioned study, this study found that lutein decreased levels of inflammatory marker interleukin-6. Researchers also found that levels of another inflammatory marker, MCP-1, were also decreased. Some other benefits of lutein that this study discovered include a 9.4 percent decrease in LDL cholesterol and a 34.6 percent decrease in blood triglycerides.

Lutein may play an important role in eye health. Lutein, among other pigments, protect your eyes’ retinal cells from damaging blue light. Getting plenty of lutein in your diet could help prevent or even treat macular degeneration, an age-related eye disorder that leads to loss of vision. Specifically, eating two to four eggs a day has been shown to increase levels of lutein in your eyes.

Plant-Derived Compounds Similar to Lutein

Besides lutein, there are many plant pigments that provide health benefits. Many of these, including lutein, belong to a family called carotenoids. Carotenoids include such beneficial compounds as beta-carotene and lycopene.

Good sources of beta-carotene include:

apricots
broccoli
butternut squash
cantaloupe
carrots
kale
peas
red peppers
spinach
sweet potato

Some examples of lycopene sources are:

asparagus
carrots
grapefruit
guava
mango
papaya
red cabbage
red peppers
tomato
watermelon

Though lutein was the only carotenoid found to have benefits relating to inflammation, the other carotenoids have their own advantages. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that may slow cognitive decline and may help preserve lung strength in older adults. Lycopene is also an antioxidant, and research suggests it may have benefits for eye, brain, heart and bone health.

The Importance of a Plant-Rich Diet

The various antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables are of great importance. For optimum health, it’s best to make sure you consume a wide variety of fruits and vegetables every day. This way you can receive a wide variety of antioxidants and beneficial compounds, as well as vitamins and minerals. Experts recommend that you eat four to five servings of vegetables as well as four to five servings of fruit daily. Try to eat some from each color group—red, orange and yellow, dark green, light green and blue and purple.

Turmeric and Diabetes: An Ancient Spice Shows Promise for a Modern Disease

Jul 06 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Much has been researched and written about the curative properties of turmeric. New studies on turmeric and diabetes suggest that this tasty spice may offer new hope for an all-too-common disease.

Turmeric is gaining popularity, both as a spice and as a natural remedy. Not only is this exotic spice an important part of popular foreign cuisines such as East Indian food, but it also is being suggested as a natural remedy that can benefit a variety of serious conditions in several new studies. An increasing body of new research on the link between turmeric and diabetes suggests that this bold spice may also help protect against diabetes and may even soothe some symptoms of this common concern.

What Is Curcumin?

Many people have heard of turmeric but few have heard of curcumin. Curcumin is the compound in turmeric root that gives it its distinctive color and flavor. In lab tests, curcumin has been found to protect against inflammation, slow the growth of tumors and otherwise promote good health. According to new studies, curcumin in turmeric root can offer a number of benefits in relation to diabetes, including reducing complications and even helping to protect against this common metabolic condition. This makes sense in light of other recent studies finding that diabetes can be at least partially attributed to inflammation in the endocrine system.

The Link Between Turmeric and Diabetes Prevention

According to new research, consuming turmeric may act as a powerful preventative measure for diabetes. People who were at risk for diabetes were placed on a turmeric supplement and had their hemoglobin A1c as well as inflammation markers tested at regular intervals. Hemoglobin A1c is a popular measurement that tells doctors how high a person’s blood glucose has been on average for the past three months.

Taking a turmeric supplement led to a quick decrease in hemoglobin A1c and blood glucose. It also led to lower levels of inflammatory markers and less insulin resistance than a placebo. While this effect may not be enough to cure diabetes once the disease process has begun, it very well may help to prevent the disease. In addition, turmeric appears to reduce the immune response in people with type 1 diabetes, which can lessen the severity and extent of the disease immensely.

In addition, curcumin and turmeric can be used to prevent the complications of diabetes once the disease has been diagnosed. People with diabetes often suffer from end organ damage such as peripheral neuropathy, kidney disease, cataracts and even progressive cognitive decline. While these processes can be slowed down by controlling blood glucose, they often cannot be stopped entirely. However, turmeric appears to slow the development of these diseases even further. Turmeric appears to have a huge effect on the damage to blood vessels and organs that be caused by high blood sugar.

Can Diabetes Be Treated Naturally?

Although there are several popular medications to treat diabetes, it often can be managed naturally. Many people find that diet and exercise both help to keep both sugar levels low. In addition, you can try any one of the following:

Eat more whole foods. Processed foods tend to have hidden carbs that can drive blood glucose high.
Add fiber to every meal. Fiber slows the absorption of dietary sugars.
Test your blood glucose regularly. This is important to identify what unique factors affect your own blood glucose. Your doctor can tell you how often is ideal for you.
Take supplements that may benefit metabolism and promote healthy blood glucose levels after talking to your doctor. There are also many natural remedies besides turmeric/curcumin that can help you to get your blood glucose under control.

Getting More Turmeric in Your Diet

Turmeric has been found not to just be helpful for diabetes, but for a wide range of inflammatory disorders. These can include joint disease, heart disease and more. People around the world eat turmeric in larger quantities than in the United States, which may be part of the reason that we have such high rates of autoimmune and inflammatory illness. If you are trying to get more turmeric, consider eating more yellow curries and East Indian food. These contain plenty of turmeric, enough to have a positive effect on your life.

If you are not a fan of curry, there are other ways to get the health benefits of this spice. There are many capsules on the market that offer turmeric in a form that does not require a taste for hot foods. It is important to start with a very small dose and then to gradually work up to a higher one. This will allow you to have fewer side effects such as stomach upset. Also, it is important to talk to a doctor before beginning this or any new supplement. Even natural medications have drug interactions and contraindications to be considered.

Diabetes is becoming a health crisis in the Western world, with millions of Americans struggling to manage their blood sugar due to this devastating disease. However, there are many proven ways to prevent and treat this disease naturally. Consider taking turmeric and other natural supplements to get your blood sugar under control once and for all.

Discovered: The Relationship Between Healthy Gut Bacteria and IBD

Jun 30 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Got bacteria? Research on the link between gut bacteria and IBD suggest that a well-balanced intestinal microbiome may be crucial to treating this disease.

An increasing amount of research about the importance of the gut microbiome has flooded science newspapers and journals. We have linked the bacteria that live in our gastrointestinal tracts to digestive health, diabetes risk and even to mental health and mood. The latest research on gut bacteria and IBD suggest that a healthy range of gastrointestinal flora may actually help people with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

What Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is not a single disorder but rather a group of several different diseases. All types of IBD cause inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. This category includes Crohn’s disease as well as many different types of chronic colitis. Although the individual conditions grouped together as IBD differ, they all have several things in common. Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract leads to diarrhea, poor digestion, poor absorption of nutrients and a variety of other symptoms.

There are currently several treatments for IBD, but these are avoided by many people because of their high rates of side effects. Many of these treatments focus on suppressing the immune system, leaving people more susceptible to infections. Many people attempt to control these conditions with diet and natural remedies, but little is known about what may be effective in the battle against IBD. New studies, however, suggest several natural approaches that may make a difference.

Healthy Gut Bacteria and IBD

Doctors recommend eating a healthy diet and developing strategies to deal with stress as ways of dealing with IBD. They also suggest consuming foods or supplements that are rich in probiotics. Probiotics, which are foods or supplements containing bacteria that are part of a healthy GI tract, appear to reduce many of the symptoms of some types of IBD such as ulcerative colitis. Research has found that some cases of IBD are linked to high levels of unhealthy bacteria in the GI tract. A probiotic supplement can colonize the gut with good bacteria which then flourish and crowd out bad bacteria.

New knowledge about the link between certain types of bacteria and IBD also may be helpful for identifying different kinds of IBD. These diseases are currently diagnosed with a biopsy, which requires invasive procedures. Soon, however, doctors may be able to diagnose these diseases with a simple test for different levels of unhealthy bacteria.

Could Plant Fats Help?

There are a lot of theories about what the ideal diet for IBD might be. However, until recently, there was no solid proof to support any of the purported foods. However, new research suggests that eating a diet rich in plant fats may calm much of the inflammation underlying inflammatory bowel disease. Researchers fed lab mice with IBD different kinds of diet and tracked their symptoms along with levels of inflammation in their GI tract. A diet with plenty of plant fats such as coconut oil and cocoa butter appears to reduce inflammation along with the symptoms that it causes.

How can plants fat have this beneficial effect? According to this study, they appear to feed beneficial gut bacteria and help them to flourish. Once again, a healthy gut appears to be dependent on having the right balance of flora.

Treating IBD Naturally

Whether you have IBD or simply have the occasional digestive issue, there is a good chance that you may benefit from a healthier GI tract. People who have healthy digestive systems absorb more nutrition, suffer less cramping and other ill effects and generally lead healthier lives. Because our intestines are responsible for absorbing nutrients and excreting wastes, a lot of medical issues can result when they are out of balance. There are a few ways you can help to support a healthy GI tract, such as:

Reduce stress, or learn ways to deal with it before it affects your health.
Eat plenty of healthy plant fats, such as avocado oil and coconut oil.
Ensure that your diet is rich in probiotics, whether these come from yogurt, kefir, fermented foods or a probiotic supplement.
Avoid antibiotics unless totally necessary, as these kill off your beneficial flora while allowing disease-causing bacteria to flourish.
Eat plenty of soluble fiber, as this feeds the good bacteria that you need for optimal digestion. You can also take a prebiotic supplement that contains the foods that feed a healthy GI tract.
Get plenty of exercise, as this helps your GI tract to move more efficiently.
Avoid saturated fats, concentrated sugars, and processed foods that promote a less healthy digestive system.

Although plant oils and probiotics are not part of a traditional Western diet, they are becoming more popular and more accessible every day. Adding these foods to your diet may be just the healthy change that your body needs to more efficiently and painlessly digest foods. A beneficial balance of gut bacteria is increasingly being linked to the health of the entire body, so the effort will likely pay off.

Newly Discovered Link Between Vitamin A and Diabetes Offers Hope for Sufferers

Jun 28 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Almost 30 million people in the United States suffer from diabetes, a disorder of glucose metabolism. This number is growing at an alarming rate, making this one of the most studied diseases of our times. According to a new study, vitamin A plays an incredibly important role in maintaining insulin production. Could a link between vitamin A and diabetes—namely a deficiency of vitamin A—be partly to blame for growing rates of this serious disease?

Diabetes and Insulin

There are two different kinds of diabetes, but both have to do with insulin. Insulin is a hormone that “unlocks” cells so they can take in glucose. This hormone is made by the beta cells of the pancreas in response to the body taking in glucose. Without insulin, cells begin to starve as they do without this very efficient energy source, even when it is in ample supply in the bloodstream. In addition, glucose remains in the bloodstream where it can cause damage to delicate tissues.

In Type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the beta cells of the pancreas so they cannot produce insulin. This is a permanent condition and the only treatment is supplementation of insulin. On the other hand, Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body gradually builds a resistance to insulin. Over time, cells stop responding to insulin for reasons we don’t entirely understand. Even when the body has high glucose levels and high insulin levels, glucose still is not taken into cells. This condition is called insulin resistance.

The Link Between Vitamin A and Diabetes

New technology has allowed scientists to look more closely at cells on a molecular level. Researchers discovered that beta cells are covered not just in glucose receptors, but in vitamin A receptors as well. When these receptors were blocked in mice, the beta cells had difficulty sensing and responding to high blood glucose levels. They then repeated the test on human cells with the same result: Blocking the vitamin A receptors impaired the ability of beta cells to release insulin in response to high blood glucose levels. When the beta cells of people with type 2 diabetes were compared to those of people without the disease, the same results were found.

What does this mean for public health? First, getting enough vitamin A is crucial to good metabolic function, particularly to good beta cell function. Second, a childhood vitamin A deficiency may actually do lifelong damage to beta cells in the pancreas, setting the child up for future metabolic problems.

The Role of Vitamin A in Metabolism

This is not the first study to link vitamin A to beta cell function. Previous studies have shown that this nutrient is extremely important to beta cell development in the fetal period. Having low levels of vitamin A may actually decrease beta cell function by as much as 30 percent, enough to have a dramatic effect on glucose levels. Because vitamin A is uniquely involved in cell differentiation, beta cells may simply need this nutrient to develop properly. However, these new studies make it clear that vitamin A deficiency can cause diabetes-like dysfunction of insulin release even in people who have had normal development.

If you are struggling with diabetes or another type of metabolic disorder, a vitamin A deficiency may be partially to blame. Other symptoms of vitamin A deficiency include dry or itchy eyes, loss of vision, poor bone growth, poor hair growth and impairment of the immune system. This vitamin is crucial not just for children who are developing, but for adults who wish to maintain a healthy body. However, many people in the United States and the Western world are deficient in this nutrient.

Getting Enough Vitamin A

The recommended daily allowance for vitamin A is 3000 IU for adult males and 2300 IU for adult females. Some populations, such as people with diseases of the intestines, pancreas or liver may need much more than this. The foods richest in vitamin A are liver and oily fish. In addition, dairy products are fortified with vitamin A. However, there are also many plant sources. Orange or red vegetables such as carrots, orange squash, red bell peppers and tomatoes also are generous sources of this vitamin.

Despite the availability of many foods rich in vitamin A, deficiencies remain common. Oily fish and liver simply are not huge parts of most Western people’s diets. For this reason, many people benefit from taking a supplement that has their recommended daily allowance of vitamin A. This ensures that you will always have the amount of this nutrient needed to support a healthy metabolism. While vitamin A is important for insulin production and diabetes prevention, it also supports whole-body health in a variety of ways.

Getting a wide variety of vitamins and minerals is crucial to maintaining optimal health. Despite the wide availability of healthy foods, many Americans simply do not get the nutrients that they need. According to research on vitamin A and diabetes, this depleted diet may be part of the reason for our high rates of diabetes and other metabolic syndromes. If you are concerned that you have a vitamin A deficiency, it is important to find a supplement or other multivitamin that has the vitamins you need to maintain metabolic health over a lifetime.

Research on Vitamins and Sleep Links Vitamins A, B12 and D to Healthy Circadian Rhythm

Jun 24 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Disordered sleep is a common and growing public health problem affecting 50-70 million people in the United States. While part of this is due to the business of modern life, there also appear to be other factors at play. At the same time, many Americans suffer from vitamin deficiencies due to poor diet and depleted food. Could these two issues be related? New chronobiology research on the link between vitamins and sleep suggest taking a multivitamin may be an important part of maintaining a healthy circadian rhythm.

Vitamin D: How the Sunlight Vitamin Regulates Circadian Rhythm

There has long been a suspected link between vitamin D and sleep, whereas many people who are deficient in this vitamin suffered from fatigue, insomnia and other indications of a circadian disorder. According to new studies, this is due to the role of vitamin D in the transcription of genes related to the circadian rhythm.

It is well known that sunlight is one of the major cues for our sleep-wake cycle. Previous research has shown that this is at least partially due to its effect on our hypothalamus, which cues the release of the sleep hormone in the absence of light cues from the eyes. However, vitamin D also may be part of the way that sunlight regulates the circadian rhythm. Vitamin D is synthesized when the ultraviolet rays of the sun interact with proteins in our skin cells. In turn, this vitamin D activates certain circadian genes. If you are not getting enough vitamin D, your body may be losing one of its ways of determining whether it is day or night and sleep disorders may ensue.

Seeing the Light

When it comes to vitamins and sleep, vitamin A appears to affect the circadian rhythm in a different but just as crucial way. Vitamin A is very important to maintaining good vision. This includes differentiating light from dark. As mentioned before, your eyes’ perception of light is crucial to maintaining appropriate melatonin cycles and thus a healthy sleep-wake cycle. Without the ability to perceive light, your brain may release melatonin throughout the day, making you sleepy and fatigued. It ends up that the cells in your eyes that are responsible for perceiving light levels are especially dependent on vitamin A.

Even if you can see well, the parts of your eyes that perceive light levels, known as rhodopsins, may not be getting enough vitamin A to function correctly. In fact, night blindness and sleep disorders may be the first signs of a deficiency. If you have trouble sleeping, your diet may be a partial cause. This may be the first sign of a vitamin A deficiency that is having less-noticeable negative effects on your health.

B Vitamins and Sleep

B vitamins are well known for contributing to our energy levels. This is partially due to their role as cofactors in metabolic reactions. However, there may be a second reason that you feel tired when you don’t get enough of this broad class of vitamins. Studies have found that people sleep better and have more REM sleep when given B vitamin supplements. We also know that B vitamins are important in the synthesis of hormones related to sleep and circadian rhythm, such as serotonin.

Vitamin B12 appears to have an especially important role in maintaining a healthy circadian rhythm. People who take a vitamin B12 supplement report better sleep and also have higher levels of melatonin metabolites in their urine at night. They also have decreased melatonin levels during the day, suggesting that B12 helps the body to maintain better control over their sleep-wake cycle. Taking a supplement of this vitamin has also been found to help treat jet lag and other common circadian disorders.

Getting the Vitamins You Need for a Healthy Circadian Rhythm

If you are interested in sleeping better—and who isn’t?—getting enough vitamins may be an easy first step. Many people in the West have lower than optimal levels of nutrients, in part due to depleted soil. However, there are many supplements and multivitamins on the market that can help you to get enough of all of the nutrients you need. While it is important to eat a varied diet and to get as many vitamins as possible from your food, many people cannot get enough vitamins without taking a multivitamin. In addition, getting enough sunlight is important to metabolizing vitamin D, as well as to maintaining healthy melatonin levels. If you wear sunscreen and avoid direct sunlight to prevent skin cancer, an additional supplement of vitamin D may be necessary.

Many chronic diseases have been found to be linked to vitamin deficiencies. New research suggests that sleep disorders may also be caused by not getting the nutrients we need. Eating a healthy diet and taking supplements as needed to keep vitamin levels high is one of the most important things you can do to maintain optimal health and a healthy circadian rhythm.

Top 6 Crucial Vitamins for Men’s Health

Jun 20 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Today, the “Standard American Diet” has become, well, standard — especially among men. This diet is based on processed foods that are often lacking in nutrients and vitamins. The result is that many men in the United States are deficient in vitamins. In addition, men have slightly different nutritional needs than women and require more of certain vitamins to produce testosterone, prevent heart disease and otherwise promote good health. Exactly which vitamins are western men lacking? We’ve identified the following top six.

1. Vitamin D

Many modern people do not get enough vitamin D due to widespread sunscreen use. While protecting against skin cancer is important, it is also important to take in enough vitamin D. Not only does this vitamin help you to feel energetic and have good bone strength, it may also be important for the future health of your children. Men need vitamin D to produce the testosterone needed for high fertility and good health. Maternal vitamin intake is not the only kind that matters. Recent studies have found that men who take vitamin D around the time of conception have healthier children with lower rates of obesity.

2. B Vitamins

B vitamins are essential to your metabolism and immune system. They may also be especially important for protecting your cells and tissues from harmful elements in our environment. Air pollution is a health risk in many American cities, contributing to higher rates of cancer and even neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Researchers have found that B vitamins keep pollutants from doing as much damage in your cells. If you live in a city or town with air pollution, taking enough B vitamins could significantly impact your health.

B12 is especially important for men as they age. Many of the medications taken for heart disease and other common male problems keep the body from absorbing this nutrient. The result is that many men are deficient in this important vitamin.

3. Antioxidants

Antioxidants such as vitamin A, C and E are crucial to preventing tissue breakdown and aging. Our bodies produce free radicals in normal cellular processes, which can accumulate and cause a great deal of damage as we age. Anti-oxidants help to remove these free radicals before they can cause damage. Not only does this slow aging, but it also can help to prevent diseases that are unfortunately common in men such as cancer, heart disease, stroke and dementia.

4. Vitamin K

Vitamin K is well known for being important for bone health and for maintaining good clotting. However, there are other benefits to this vitamin for men. Vitamin D has been found in several research trials to reduce heart disease, which is one of the top killers of men. Because it is found mainly in leafy greens, broccoli and similar foods that are not eaten enough in the Western world, many men may benefit from a supplement.

5. Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral that is not just important for maintaining healthy muscles and blood vessels but as an electrolyte that helps our bodies to run more efficiently. Without enough of this mineral, people may suffer muscle spasms, hypertension, headaches and a variety of other health complaints. Unfortunately, the amount of magnesium in our food supply has become depleted in modern times. In addition, modern men are subject to a wide range of conditions that lower magnesium levels such as stress and excessive workouts. If you’re a man and you aren’t taking a supplement or a multivitamin that contains ample amounts of magnesium, you probably aren’t getting enough.

6. Omega-3 Fish Oils

Omega-3 fish oils may not technically be a vitamin, but they function as one in the male body. These oils help to lubricate joints, reduce rates of heart disease, promote healthy mood and cognitive function and otherwise improve your whole body health. Because we can only get these oils from certain types of oily fish, the average man simply does not take in enough. Taking an omega-3 supplement will improve your health by ensuring that you always get enough of these oils.

Vitamins for Men Throughout the Lifespan

Getting enough of the right vitamins is not just important in youth, but as we age as well. In fact, older men have very special dietary needs. Vitamin B12 keeps your muscles and other tissues healthy, while vitamin B6 ensures that you have the healthy blood supply you need for high energy and effective healing. Vitamin D and calcium are also important in preventing osteoporosis and bone loss as men age.

How can you make sure that you get enough of these essential vitamins for men? Eating a variety of healthy foods is a start, but it is not enough for many people. Our soils have been depleted of many nutrients, leaving our food without enough of the vitamins we need. Taking a multivitamin is the best answer for many modern men. This is a simple way to ensure that you get all of the vitamins that you need to be healthy over a long lifetime.