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New Breakthroughs Uncover a Promising Link Between Vitamin C and Cancer

There are treatments for many types of cancer, but many come with uncomfortable side effects. New studies on vitamin C and cancer suggest that this vitamin may offer hope as a safe and natural adjunct treatment.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world, killing nine million people per year around the globe. While there are many treatments that can cure or slow the progression of this disease, these can have debilitating side effects such as weight loss, hair loss, nausea, vomiting or even death. Around 40 percent of us will have cancer of some kind before we die, which means that many who are reading this now will one day have to experience some of these unpleasant cancer treatment side effects. However, new research indicates that vitamin C may be a safe, natural way to make traditional cancer treatments more effective and even help fight cancer on its own.

Benefits of Vitamin C

Long ago, sea captains noted that giving sailors limes prevented the development of scurvy and other serious diseases. Today we know that this is due to vitamin C. We also know that this vitamin has a long list of health benefits in addition to preventing scurvy. It is an important cofactor in a variety of crucial biochemical reactions and also acts as an antioxidant. Vitamin C is necessary to form healthy collagen, an ingredient in our skin and bones, as well as to make our stress hormones. Because it is a water-soluble vitamin, it is not toxic at any level. While people who take too much of it may experience some diarrhea, it is impossible to overdose even when taking super-doses. The half-life of the vitamin is simply too short for toxic levels to build up.

More recent research suggests that this vitamin may be important in more than merely preventative roles. It has been found to lower the incidence of death from cardiovascular disease. In large doses given by IV, it may also improve the outcomes of cancer treatment.

Vitamin C and Cancer Cells

Nobel prize winner Linus Pauling long ago hypothesized that vitamin C may be able to benefit those with cancer. New research suggests that he was correct. When cancer patients were given megadoses of this vitamin in addition to taking the prescribed radiation and/or chemotherapy, they had fewer side effects and better outcomes. In fact, patients with glioblastoma, a deadly brain cancer, survived four to six months longer.

This is not the first study to find that there is a therapeutic benefit to taking high doses of vitamin C and cancer treatments at the same time. A previous study found that people who took vitamin C while being treated for ovarian cancer suffered fewer side effects and had less toxicity to their organs. Researchers believe that this is due to several factors. First, because vitamin C is an antioxidant and also part of several key enzymatic reactions, having an ample supply ensures that healthy cells can recover more quickly from side effects of cancer treatment. Second, vitamin C appears to have a negative effect on the mitochondria of cancer cells, shutting down metabolism while creating free radicals that eventually kill the cell. This process specifically targets cancer and cancer stem cells, which can help both in treatment and in slowing the metastasis of this disease.

While more studies will need to be performed in order to understand exactly why vitamin C affects cancer treatment and how much is needed, it currently appears that this vitamin may have real benefits. This brings up the question: Can getting enough vitamin C help to protect against cancer?

Are You Getting Enough Vitamin C?

There is currently no known connection between vitamin C deficiency and higher rates of cancer. However, this topic has yet to be studied extensively. It intuitively makes sense that getting enough of a cancer-fighting antioxidant may help to prevent cancer from developing in the first place. Because getting enough vitamin C is crucial to health in a variety of ways, many doctors recommend that people either take a vitamin supplement or eat plenty of the following foods:

oranges and other citrus fruit
leafy green vegetables such as spinach and kale
chili peppers
bell peppers
cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts
papayas, pineapple, mangoes and other tropical fruits
strawberries

These foods are all delicious parts of a healthy diet, so it is easy to get enough vitamin C to support good health with a little effort.

While modern medicine has brought us many benefits, natural remedies and good nutrition also play an important role in promoting good health. Getting enough vitamin C and other nutrients likely has benefits that we do not even know about yet. Eating a well-rounded diet and taking natural supplements are two of the most important ways that you can stay healthy both now and in the future.

Is Taking Vitamin C for Colds Effective? New Research Reopens an Old Controversy

Apr 07 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

The idea of taking vitamin C for colds is common. However, does it really help? New research revisits this old controversy—with surprising results.

Many people throughout the ages have relied on vitamin C to help treat the common cold. From folk remedies like lemon in tea to popular vitamin C cold supplements, we turn to vitamin C to lessen cold symptoms and to reduce the duration of the illness. However, the use of vitamin C for colds remains extremely controversial in the medical and scientific worlds.

C is for Controversy

If you are one of those who takes vitamin C for colds and cold symptoms, you are not alone. However, your assumptions about the benefits of vitamin C for colds may not be entirely correct. The current weight of evidence suggests that vitamin C does not improve cold symptoms or lessen the length of a cold significantly except in select populations such as children and people who are under physical stress. In these people, taking a daily vitamin C supplement made them half as likely to catch colds. In addition, they saw a sizable decrease in the duration of colds and the severity of symptoms. However, the rest of the population does not appear to obtain many benefits.

However, the issue of vitamin C and the common cold is being revisited recently in several studies. Despite the controversy among physicians and scientists, the general public appears to believe that vitamin C is helping them. Could prior studies be wrong about the impact of this vitamin?

Vitamin C for Colds: Re-evaluating the Evidence

A meta-analysis is one of the most compelling types of evidence. In this type of research, scientists compile all of the numbers from different studies to find a solid conclusion. These are especially valuable in cases where there are multiple small studies with conflicting evidence, which is the case with vitamin C for colds. Researchers performed a meta-analysis of the hundreds of studies on vitamin C to settle the controversy once and for all. This meta-analysis found that vitamin C shortens the length of colds and that this effect is especially profound in children.

The effects of vitamin C appear to be especially noticeable when people take large doses of it, a factor that was not considered in many prior studies. Further, the researchers involved note that vitamin C has no adverse effects, no toxicity and is inexpensive. They appeared to feel that this is a low-cost way to make an impact, however small, on the impact of the cold season. While this should have settled the controversy, it appears to have merely reawakened it.

How Much Does Dosage Matter?

As this study notes, dosage may make a huge difference in how vitamin C affects a cold. Many studies look at the effects of the recommended daily allowance, but most people treating a cold with vitamin C take much higher doses. Because vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin with a very short half-life in the human body, it is functionally impossible to overdose on it. It has no toxicity, with even doses of 50 times the recommended amount causing only a stomachache. Taking super-doses of this vitamin to treat a common cold is not contraindicated.

A recent study looked at how taking high dose vitamin C affected infections. The results were clear: Taking high doses both prevented and treated a diverse range of infections, from bacteria to viruses to even protozoans. The length of colds, caused by a virus by definition, was shortened by almost 20 percent on high dose vitamin C and symptoms were reduced during this time as well. It appears that folk remedies were correct in this case, as long as people are mega-dosing on the vitamin.

Treating a Cold the Natural Way

There is currently no medical remedy for the common cold. However, there are a few ways that you can help to improve your symptoms and perhaps even shorten the length of time that you are ill. First, take care of yourself as soon as you feel the first signs of an illness. Getting plenty of rest, eating healthy food and otherwise pampering yourself will ensure that your immune system can work efficiently to fight off the infection.

Second, turn to the remedies that your grandmother used. These include taking plenty of vitamin C, in either pill or food form and drinking soup. Chicken soup has actually been found in studies to be an efficient remedy for colds. Getting enough vitamin D has also been found to reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses. Last, make sure the buck stops with you. Stay home when you are ill whenever possible to keep the germs away from other people. Sneeze into your elbow, wash your hands regularly and consider wearing a face mask to keep the germs contained. Getting rid of the cold as quickly as possible while preventing its spread are the best ways to get back to full health as quickly as possible.

Surprising Ways to Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels Naturally

Apr 04 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

More than 29 million people in the United States have diabetes. Even more have high blood sugar levels or insulin resistance, both of which are precursors to type 2 diabetes. While there are many medications that can help diabetics, these are expensive and can often have serious side effects. Many people do not know that there are a variety of natural ways to maintain healthy blood sugar levels to protect against insulin resistance, decreasing the risk of developing diabetes and other concerns.

Diabetes and Metabolic Disorder: A Modern Epidemic

When we eat food, our body converts the carbs to glucose. This glucose is fuel for our cells, but only once it enters them. Glucose can only enter cells when insulin “unlocks” the cell receptors that allow it to enter. Without insulin, glucose remains in the blood vessels where it can contribute to cardiovascular disease. Meanwhile, the cells that make up our tissues and organs go without the food they need for optimal function.

There are two conditions in which glucose has impaired ability to enter the cells: type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body simply stops making insulin. This disease is treated by replacing the insulin that is missing. In type 2 diabetes, high blood sugar levels over time lead to insulin resistance, a condition in which cells stop responding to insulin even though the body is making plenty of it. This leads to type 2 diabetes where blood sugar is chronically high due to this insulin resistance. This can be very difficult to treat because the body already has plenty of insulin; it simply isn’t responding to the hormone.

Diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, has become so common that it is considered an epidemic. Millions of people struggle with chronically high blood glucose levels and the resulting health effects. Many more people are prediabetic, which means their body is beginning to show signs of insulin resistance but has not yet become completely diabetic.

Lifestyle Changes for Healthy Blood Sugar

While there appears to be a genetic predisposition to diabetes, it also is heavily affected by lifestyle. People who have a difficult time maintaining healthy blood sugar are at much higher risk of developing insulin resistance. Obesity and a lack of exercise also are major risk factors. There are several ways that people can lower their risk of developing this disease, lower their blood sugar and turn insulin resistance around:

Achieve a healthy weight.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
Eat fewer carbs and saturated fats.
Choose foods that are high fiber or otherwise support a healthy digestive system.
Avoid tobacco products.
Get any sleeping issues treated, as these can contribute to insulin resistance.
Take in a wide range of vitamins and minerals, including antioxidants.

However, even with these changes, many people struggle to keep their blood glucose levels within a healthy range. This is because lifestyle is only one piece of the puzzle. Lifestyle changes alone often cannot completely halt insulin resistance and reverse the cellular mechanisms underlying type 2 diabetes. For these people, there is still hope. There are many natural remedies that can give them the boost they need.

Natural Answers for Supporting Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

Several natural remedies can help to protect against insulin resistance and maintain healthy blood sugar levels within normal ranges. If you are concerned about your blood sugar levels, consider taking a supplement that contains:

Chromium picolinate, a supplement that positively affects insulin resistance, promotes healthy insulin function and protects the cardiovascular system.
Banaba leaf, which supports healthy blood glucose levels and is for diabetes by indigenous cultures.
Gymnema, which has been found in studies to promote healthy blood sugar levels and lipid levels while supporting healthy pancreatic function.
Bitter melon, a popular Asian gourd that contains compounds similar to insulin that similarly work to support healthy blood glucose levels.
Vanadium, which keeps insulin receptors from being deactivated, thus helping with insulin resistance.
Fenugreek, an Indian and Middle Eastern spice that naturally supports healthy blood sugar.
Bilberry fruit, which contains compounds that help to balance blood sugar levels while preventing many of the effects of high blood sugar such as retinopathy and damage to blood vessels.
N-Acetyl Cysteine, an antioxidant that reduces damage from free radicals in people with high blood sugar and/or diabetes.

These natural supplements not only help to protect against the development of blood sugar imbalances but also have a variety of other positive health effects. They help to support a healthy body in many ways, allowing people to support healthy blood sugar protect against insulin resistance without negative side effects.

The high sugar, high fat Standard American Diet often leads to a variety of negative effects including diabetes. However, there are many ways to protect against insulin resistance before it progresses enough to harm your health. Lifestyle changes and natural supplements can help you to enjoy good health—including healthy blood sugar levels—over the rest of your life.

Ingredients for Healthy Vision Help You See Clearly into the Golden Years

Mar 29 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Most people view changes in vision as inevitable parts of aging. However, there are natural ingredients for healthy vision that may be able to protect against, slow or even reverse certain age-related vision problems.

We depend on our vision for a variety of tasks and may even take it for granted. From driving to shopping to enjoying artwork, our eyes are in many ways the unsung heroes of modern life. However, many people do not take steps to protect their vision and eyesight until it is too late. If you are interested in maintaining your vision for a lifetime, there are a few ingredients for healthy vision that should be a part of your diet or supplement regimen. It is possible to enjoy good eyesight over a long and healthy life with the right nutrition and preventative care.

Natural Building Blocks and Ingredients for Good Vision

Exactly what nutrients and vitamins help to sustain good vision? Several research studies have given us a solid idea about which natural ingredients work best. Macular degeneration is one of the major causes of vision loss associated with aging. Over years and decades, most people develop yellow deposits in their maculae, that are called drusen. We know from several studies that antioxidant vitamins can protect against much of the damage from macular degeneration by preventing these deposits of drusen. These antioxidants include vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, zinc and copper. In fact, when these vitamins are taken together, they have been found to reduce rates of macular degeneration by around 25 percent, in addition to their other health benefits.

Resveratrol, an antioxidant naturally found in red wine and red grapes, also appears to help preserve vision by helping to protect against macular degeneration. However, this compound attacks the problem in a different manner—by working to prevent the abnormal growth of blood vessels that often accompanies macular degeneration. When cells in the eye begin to degenerate, the body compensates by forming new blood vessels to supply nutrients. However, these vessels themselves end up blocking vision. Resveratrol and other antioxidants appear to stop the new blood vessels from forming as quickly, reducing long-term damage to vision. As a benefit, antioxidants are also good for heart health and have a wide range of other health benefits as well.

Supplements for Eye Health and Good Vision

In addition to antioxidants, there are a wide range of supplements that can be taken to promote good vision for a lifetime. The combination of lutein and zeaxanthin also appears to protect against age-related damage to eyes. Because both lutein and zeaxanthin compounds filter out wavelengths of light that are most damaging to eyes, they can help to protect against the development of cataracts in addition to reducing the risk of macular degeneration. For this reason, they have long been included in supplements intended to support good eye health.

Lycopene and bilberry are two other supplements that have been found to prevent damage to eyes and preserve healthy vision. Lycopene, a compound naturally found in tomatoes and tomato products, has antioxidant benefits that can prevent aging in eyes. Bilberry is a more recent discovery. This small fruit, also known as the Chinese blueberry, has been found in studies to improve visual acuity and even night vision, two types of vision that often deteriorate as we age. It also may protect vision in people with glaucoma.

This is Workplace Eye Wellness Month, Take Care of Your Vision

Why all this focus on vision? Most people wish to keep clear eyesight as long as we can. In addition, March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month, a time to focus on preventing eye damage and preserving good vision. In addition to taking ingredients for healthy vision listed above to help protect against age-related damage, there are several things you can do to preserve your vision in the workplace and beyond. These include:

Visit your eye doctor annually for a dilated eye exam to identify and treat early vision changes.
Change lighting on computers and other devices to reduce glare. Glare filters also can be helpful.
Place screens 20 to 26 inches away from the eyes, the distance that generally reduces strain.
Take 20-second breaks to look at an object 20 feet away after every 20 minutes of reading. This is called the 20-20-20 rule.
Use correct eye protection gear as required by the standards of your profession.

By following these recommendations, you can help prevent the damage that a lifetime of work and artificial lighting can do to the delicate tissues of your eyes. We depend on our eyes not just for work, but for leisure as well. Vision is too important to take for granted.

These ingredients for healthy vision and eye preserving tips should help you to keep your eyesight as clear as possible for decades to come. While some age-related damage cannot be avoided, we can do many things to slow or stop the sands of time.

Muscle Injuries in Athletes Could Be Caused by Low Vitamin D

Mar 23 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Many people take vitamin D to encourage strong, healthy bones. New research on vitamin D and muscle function suggests that it may be a major contributor to building and maintaining healthy muscles as well.

Vitamin D is an important cofactor in metabolism, bone building and more. However, many people in northern latitudes suffer from a deficiency of this important nutrient. While vitamin D is present in a variety of foods, sunlight is needed to convert this to an active form of the vitamin.

What are some of the consequences of low vitamin D? Fatigue and sleepiness have both been linked to vitamin D deficiency. In addition, decreasing bone strength is more common in people who are low on this vitamin. According to new research on vitamin D and muscle injury, it may also be crucial in promoting muscle strength, healing and resilience as well.

Vitamin D and Muscle Strength

Vitamin D has long been suspected to play a role in building healthy muscle. Several studies have found a link between vitamin D and higher muscle mass. However, correlation is not always causation. In other words, researchers had no way of determining whether vitamin D helps to build muscle or if a third factor were at play. Vitamin D plays a role in a variety of biochemical reactions. It is also crucial in building strong bones and teeth. It reduces depression and keeps energy levels high. Because it is such a “multi-purpose” nutrient, it is difficult to tell when a deficiency is directly causing a physical problem. However, new research definitively points to low vitamin D as a direct cause of increased muscle injury.

Low Vitamin D in College Athletes

We tend to think of athletes as people who get plenty of time in the sunshine. However, over half of all college athletes have low vitamin D. A new study suggests that these athletes, who are otherwise in prime health, are more at risk of muscle injury as a result. Researchers looked at the rates of muscle injuries such as sprains and hernias in a population of college athletes. They also measured vitamin D levels in the blood of these young people. The resulting pattern was clear: Athletes with low vitamin D were more likely to experience an injury and especially more likely to have an injury that reduced their ability to play their chosen sport.

What does this mean for people who are not high-performance athletes? You may be having trouble building muscle mass or suffering more soreness than usual because of not getting enough of this important vitamin. Even in people who had no other health effects, the lack of vitamin D manifested itself in a higher rate of muscle injuries. Taking vitamin D may be as important to building strong muscles as eating enough protein.

Active and Inactive Vitamin D

This is not the only study to link vitamin D levels and muscle function. However, not all kinds of vitamin D are equal in their effects on human health. Vitamin D exists in several forms in the human body. Inactive and active vitamin D are two of these forms. Vitamin D that is ingested from foods must be activated in a complex system involving sunlight on bare skin, but also the kidneys and the liver. However, active vitamin D3 can be taken in supplements, thus bypassing this convoluted activation system.

People who have high levels of lean muscle mass have been found to have higher blood levels of active vitamin D. Active vitamin D is also linked to greater muscle strength. On the other hand, high levels of inactive vitamin D seem to be linked to higher levels of body fat. Many people who think they are getting enough vitamin D in their diet may need a supplement to increase levels of the active form.

Getting More Vitamin D in Your Diet

Vitamin D is only present in a small number of foods, and many of these are foods that most people do not routinely eat in large amounts. These include fatty fish oils and eggs. In addition, activating this dietary vitamin D requires an extensive process and ample exposure to sunlight. In an age of sunscreen, many people are deficient in active vitamin D, even if they actually enjoy cod liver oil. To ensure that there is always enough of the active form, an increasing number of people are taking a supplement with active vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Doctors once recommended doing this to increase energy and bone strength, but we now know that a great deal more is at risk.

Getting enough vitamins and nutrients is crucial to leading a long and healthy life, but research on vitamin D and muscle suggests that it is much more important than previously thought. If you are trying to gain more muscle but struggling, low levels of active vitamin D may be partially responsible. Consider taking a comprehensive supplement that contains vitamin D today to maintain the energy and strength that you need to enjoy optimal health.

Nourish Your Skin from the Inside Out with These Top Nutrients for Skin Health

Mar 21 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

With spring and summer approaching, many people will be showing more skin than ever before. Parkas and hats will soon be traded for sundresses and shorts. The switch to warm weather also means that our skin will be exposed to elements such as the sun and wind more than in cold weather months. In addition, our environment is filled with toxic pollutants that can harm our skin and other tissues with repeated exposure. The good news? There are many nutrients for skin health that can help you to look and feel your best this year. In fact, spring is the perfect time for some internal “spring cleaning” to maintain inner health and outer beauty.

Ready for Sunshine?

Exposure to fresh air and sunlight might improve our tans, but over time it can take a toll on the health of our skin. Ultraviolet rays in sunlight damage elastin fibers, which are responsible for keeping our skin firm and tight as well as helping it to heal from bruises and cuts. Exposure to wind and air movement can similarly cause damage to delicate skin fibers. Our skin is also exposed to elements and chemicals that cause oxidation and free radical damage. This damage is minor but can accumulate over time and lead to premature aging if we do not have enough of the nutrients needed to detoxify, replenish, and heal stressed tissues.

Over time, this minor damage can become compounded and have major negative results. People may find that they suffer from dry skin or other discomforts. Skin that is not properly nourished may age faster or even develop diseases such as skin cancer. Skin is the largest organ of our bodies, so our health depends on maintaining it. It is crucial that people take in plenty of nutrients for skin health to support healing and optimal function.

Preventing and Healing Skin Damage from the Inside Out

Many people seek fillers, shots and other procedures to maintain the youthful appearance of their skin. However, these procedures do not treat the root cause of skin damage: An inability to heal from exposure to the sun and other damaging elements. Good nutrition is needed to heal skin from the inside out. In addition, there are many herbs that have been shown to make our skin stronger and more healthy.

Our skin has the ability to heal itself when given the right tools. These tools are available in the form of skin-supporting nutrients as well as herbs known to promote skin rejuvenation. These help skin remain healthy and youthful in a variety of ways, from cleaning out toxins to assisting in the synthesis of proteins like collagen that make up the backbone of healthy skin. Experts recommend taking in plenty of these nutrients for skin health as well as drinking additional water and eating plenty of raw vegetables to support healthy and beautiful skin.

Top Nutrients for Skin Health

If you want to get your skin ready to be bared, there are several natural ingredients that can help you on your way. Consider taking a supplement that contains some of the following skin-friendly vitamins and herbs:

Vitamins C, E, and A act as antioxidants and cofactors for skin renewal.
Lutein and zeaxanthin both help the body rebuild proteins such as collagen to maintain healthy structure.
Selenium helps protect skin from harmful ultraviolet rays.
Alpha lipoic acid can help slow the visible effects of aging.
Enzyme CoQ10 is a potent antioxidant that fights free radicals.
Burdock root acts as a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in skin and liver cells.
Red clover helps preserve the elasticity of skin and other vital tissues.
Dandelion root is a popular herb for cleanses and purification.
Milk thistle can help the liver to remove toxins and waste products from the body.
Marigold, also called calendula, can assist in healing from cuts, bruises and other damage.
Horsetail possesses unique anti-wrinkle effects.
Hyaluronic acid helps to maintain healthy levels of moisture within the skin tissues.

When combined, these natural ingredients can work synergistically to help support skin in appearing youthful and healthy even with exposure to damaging elements such as sun, wind and environmental toxins. If you want to enjoy the warm weather without damaging your skin permanently, consider using a supplement that provides some of all of these natural nutrients for skin health.

While there are many fillers and creams available on the market, the best strategy for maintaining youthful and healthy skin is to maintain good whole body health. There are a variety of scientifically supported nutrients and natural herbs that will help you to look and feel your best. Consider taking a supplement with these nutrients for skin health to keep your skin, hair and other tissues in top form.