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New Research Indicates Omega-3 for Asthma Could Help You Breathe Easier

Are you one of the millions of people who struggle with respiratory concerns? New research on omega-3 for asthma suggests this natural remedy may make a huge difference.

Asthma is a common disease, affecting around one of out every 12 people. Overall, asthma costs the United States alone around $56 billion a year in medical costs, lost work productivity and other expenses. While modern medicine offers a variety of treatments for this and other inflammatory respiratory conditions, there are few ways to actually prevent it. However, new research on omega-3 for asthma suggests that in addition to the myriad of other health benefits this fatty acid provides, taking in sufficient amounts could be effective as a treatment for this devastating health concern.

What Causes Asthma?

People with asthma have chronic inflammation and narrowing of their airways that interferes with their breathing on a daily basis. In addition, this inflammation and narrowing can lead to asthma attacks, which is when the muscles that make up airways narrow and can even prevent breathing. People with asthma also tend to have mucus build up in airways from the inflammation, which can further compromise breathing. Over time, the airway inflammation can lead to permanent damage to the airways and chronic obstruction.

Modern medicine offers a variety of treatments that can reduce and slow the damage caused by asthma. Beta-agonists such as albuterol can immediately open airways that are constricted by tight muscles. Steroids such as cortisol and prednisone are also used because they reduce inflammation. However, many people still suffer—and sometimes die—from asthma every year, even in developed countries with excellent medical care. Many people have begun trying alternative remedies in addition to traditional medicines as a way to breathe a little easier.

Asthma and the Circadian Rhythm

Research on the circadian rhythm of asthma has offered a great deal of promise for people looking to overcome this condition. Our respiratory tracts have a distinctive circadian rhythm. People who have a dysregulated circadian rhythm, such as those with insomnia, are more likely to develop asthma. In addition, they are more likely to have severe asthma instead of a milder form. While most people think of asthma as a childhood disease, these findings indicate that adults who do not sleep well are also at risk.

How can sleep affect asthma? First, sleep affects the immune system. People who do not get enough high-quality sleep are likely to suffer from dysfunction of the immune system, which can lead to an autoimmune attack on airways. Second, our respiratory systems, and thus conditions affecting these systems, follow a circadian rhythm. Timing daily medications to coincide with the times when asthma sufferers are most at risk for an attack may be beneficial.

Omega-3 for Asthma: A New Treatment Option

There are several natural supplements that also may be beneficial for people who suffer from asthma and other respiratory concerns. Omega-3 fatty acids are currently the supplements with the most evidence backing them. Research on omega-3 for asthma suggests that these fatty acids have a regulatory effect on B cells, the type of immune cell that governs IgE reactions such as asthma attacks. People who are suffering from regular asthma attacks may see the frequency and severity lessened if they get more omega-3 fatty acids, either from diet or from a supplement.

Women who are pregnant may even be able to lower the chances of their offspring having asthma by taking one of these supplements. A recent study found that women who took 2.4 mg of omega-3 fatty acids in their third trimester of pregnancy were almost a third less likely to have babies who grew up to have asthma. Supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids when pregnant may not only remove the burden of chronic disease from many children, but also remove a large burden from our economy in which asthma and other respiratory conditions are an expensive problem.

Getting Enough Omega-3s in Your Diet

This new research on using omega-3 for asthma is promising, but still in the preliminary stages. However, there are plenty of reasons to ensure that you ingest plenty of these fatty acids. They are available not just in supplements but in a variety of foods including:

pasture-raised or grass-fed meats
free-range poultry and their eggs
fresh soy foods such as edamame
wild rice
walnuts and walnut oil
flaxseeds and flaxseed oil
certain legumes such as black beans and kidney beans
fatty fish such as bluefin tuna and salmon

Because the Western diet tends to be low in or even completely devoid of these foods, many experts suggest taking an omega-3 supplement to ensure that you get all the benefits of these nutrient-rich oils.

If you have not been getting enough omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, there has never been a better time to start. New research on the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for asthma as well as a variety of other health disorders suggests that everyone should be getting plenty of these oils in their daily diet.

Studies Find Eating a Simple Spice May Help You Live Longer

Feb 13 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Americans spend billions of dollars a year on pharmaceuticals. Despite this, we are somehow among the sickest people in the developed world, with high incidences of cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Many people are looking for ways to stay healthier and avoid the devastation of disease. Scientists have long blamed the high fat and sugar content of our diet for much of our collective poor health, but another aspect of the Western diet may also contribute: A lack of spice. New studies on various spices are showing that benefits of capsaicin and ginger include helping to promote healthy cell growth and lowering your chance of developing certain diseases.

The Importance of Cellular Health

Our bodies rely on cell growth to sustain our tissues and ultimately to stay alive. Because it is important that cells grow when needed—and only then—there are a variety of checkpoints involved in starting and stopping cell growth and reproduction. When these systems break down, there are two main results: Either tissues cannot produce new cells, or they reproduce out of control. When cells grow and reproduce without essential checkpoints, the result is cancer.

Cancer is ultimately an end-product of unhealthy cell growth and reproduction. Cells grow out of control, crowding out healthy cells. When cancer metastasizes, the cells from this tumor invade other tissues. In addition to crowding out normal cells, cancerous cells also require a great deal of energy to maintain this constant growth, leeching energy and nutrients from other tissues in the body. You can see why maintaining healthy cell growth is essential as you age. Capsaicin, ginger and other spices may contribute to promoting this healthy cell growth.

Capsaicin: Promoting Healthy Cell Growth

Capsaicin, the molecule that makes chili peppers spicy, appears to have a variety of benefits in sustaining healthy cell growth. When this compound is added to petri dishes containing cells from the most difficult-to-treat type of breast cancer, a new cell receptor is switched into action. This ultimately leads to the slowing of tumor growth and even the death of some of the unhealthy cells. Unhealthy cell growth in the breast is not the only type that appears to respond to capsaicin. Gut tumors also appear to respond to capsaicin in the same way. Capsaicin isn’t the only spice that appears to have powerful benefits for promoting healthy cell growth. Together, certain compounds in ginger and capsaicin were shown to be particularly effective in helping to maintain healthy cell growth.

Whole Health Benefits of Capsaicin

Capsaicin appears to have the potential for maintaining healthy cells, but there may be other reasons to spice it up. The health benefits of ginger, capsaicin and other spices appear to extend far beyond cellular health. Scientists tracked the diets of a large population over almost two decades as well as their rates of death. People who eat larger-than-average amounts of capsaicin and ginger were found to have a 13 percent lower rate of death from all causes. It appears that the promotion of healthy cell growth may be a factor in preventing a wide variety of health concerns, although the actual mechanism is not currently known.

This is great news for people who enjoy eating spicy food, but not so much for those with more timid palates. Is there a way to get the benefits of capsaicin and ginger without burning a delicate tongue?

Not a Fan of Spice? Ways to Get the Benefits of Capsaicin and Ginger

If you wish to get more capsaicin and ginger in your diet for the health effects of these spices, there are a variety of options. Ginger is a common spice used in Asian foods as well as those from a variety of places. However, if you do not appreciate a spicy curry, ginger is also used in a wide range of traditional Western desserts such as gingerbread. Capsaicin can be more difficult for picky eaters to incorporate into their diets. It is present mainly in hot peppers such as jalapenos and habaneros, giving these peppers their heat and bite.

If you cannot handle the taste of capsaicin or ginger enough to add it in therapeutic amounts to your diet, there are also supplements that contain ginger and capsaicin. Because these pills or capsules are swallowed whole, you do not have to burn your tongue to get the benefits of these spices. This may be the best option for Americans and other places in the West, where spicy foods are a taste that many simply do not acquire.

Diet is one of the foundations of good health. While we often focus largely on things we should not eat, such as white sugar and saturated fat, it is just as important to add healthy nutrients and compounds to our daily life. Capsaicin and ginger appear to play an important role in promoting healthy cell growth and thus good whole-body health, so even the pickiest eater has good reason to get a little more spice in their life.

New Links Between Sleep and Health Highlight the Importance of Getting Your Zzzs

Feb 07 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Millions of people struggle to get adequate, restful sleep. New research on sleep and health suggests that not getting enough sleep can have more serious effects on your health than previously realized.

Have you ever struggled to fall asleep? Have you ever woken from a deep slumber unable to get back to sleep? If so, you are not alone. Sleep disorders are a common problem that leaves many people fatigued and sleepy throughout the day. However, the effects may go far beyond temporarily feeling too tired. New studies have found links between sleep and health that suggest that getting enough high-quality sleep is one of the most important parts of a healthy lifestyle.

Sleep and Health: Immune Effects

Many people notice that they are more likely to get sick when they are overworked or simply worn out. Scientific research supports this observation. Studies of twins have found that even among identical twins, the twin who does not get enough sleep is more likely to become sick when they are both exposed to bacteria or viruses. They also have measurably lower levels of white blood cells circulating in their bloodstream, which are the first line of defense against pathogens.

This is especially important when you consider that people in the Western world are getting less sleep than ever before; as many as one to two hours less per night. This can have a very negative effect on our immune systems, which we rely upon to keep out foreign pathogens and fight the ones that somehow breach our barriers. The result is that we may be more prone to infections than ever before, spending more days ill and living at higher risk of developing an infection that can be deadly.

Cognitive Impairment: A Side Effect of Insomnia?

Sleep disturbances may also have an effect on how you well you think and remember. Doctors tested elderly people with cognitive impairments and those without them. They found that those who have better cognition also report better sleep patterns. A similar link has been found in several other studies as well: Older people who sleep well suffer less of the loss of thinking skills that we associate with aging. While we think of retirement as a time of rest, many older people do not appear to be getting enough sleep.

This makes intuitive sense to people who have suffered a sleepless night or even jet lag. Most people who have not had adequate sleep find that they struggle with concentration and memory for one or more days. Although more study is needed, it is logical that people who struggle with sleep throughout their lives may see more long-term effects.

The Circadian Rhythm of Respiratory Health

Although we think of asthma as a childhood disease, it affects many adults as well. This and other chronic respiratory illnesses are a major cause of emergency room visits in the United States. While most adults with asthma develop it as children, some actually do not get the disease until well into adulthood. Doctors and scientists have struggled to determine exactly why this happens. Obesity, pollution and other factors have been linked to adult asthma, but insomnia also appears to play a role. Researchers looked at adults with sleep disorders and those without. Over an 11-year period, those with sleep disorders were around three times as likely to develop asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

How can asthma be linked to sleep? Researchers believe that the effect of insomnia on the immune system may be partially to blame. People who do not sleep as well are more likely to live with high levels of inflammation, which is a key feature of asthma and several other respiratory illnesses. This link suggests that the issue of sleep and health may be extremely important in preventing costly chronic illnesses and even in preventing deaths from respiratory failure.

In the Bedroom and Beyond

One final area that modern research suggests may be impacted by sleep is sexuality. In a study of almost 100,000 pre-menopausal and menopausal women, researchers found a clear link between sexual satisfaction and getting high-quality sleep. Women who report sleeping seven to eight hours a night, which most researchers consider ideal, are also more likely to experience higher sexual satisfaction.

While most people believe that menopause is a time when women lose their sex drive, this does not always appear to be true. Over half of women who get adequate slumber report feeling sexually active and satisfied with their sex lives.

Many of these new links between sleep and health are correlations, which means that they merely show a link between two variables and do not offer definitive proof that one causes the other. However, it is clear that getting enough high-quality sleep is important in maintaining the good health that we all wish to enjoy over our lifetimes.

Antioxidant Resveratrol Found to Promote Healthy Fertility in Women

Feb 04 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Got baby fever? New research on resveratrol and fertility suggests that this readily available supplement may help those who are trying to conceive, or who plan to try to conceive in the future.

Around one in eight couples struggle with infertility, whether it be trouble conceiving or difficulty staying pregnant. Infertility can be one of the most devastating conditions, as it prevents people from participating in one of the most natural activities in human life: Starting a family. Numbers appear to be growing, which is why infertility has become a multi-million dollar industry in the United States. However, recent studies on resveratrol and fertility suggest that an affordable and safe supplement made from a compound found in grape skins and certain other fruits may be able to help many people who are struggling to become parents.

What is Resveratrol?

You may have heard about the health benefits of red wine. Many of these benefits are caused by the high levels of a compound known as resveratrol found in different varieties of wine. Resveratrol is present in red wine, red grape skins and other berries such as mulberries. It has been shown to have a variety of health benefits including protecting against atherosclerosis and promoting cellular health. It also has been found to support healthy cellular inflammatory processes and support healthy balance of female hormones, which may be why it has recently been found to have benefits for fertility. Millions of people have adopted the wine and fruit rich Mediterranean diet as a way of achieving good health and good fertility. What if resveratrol is the answer for many people?

Resveratrol and Fertility

According to several recent studies, taking resveratrol may make it easier for couples to conceive a child. Women are born with all of their eggs present in ovaries and waiting for more fertile times. As women age, their eggs also age and decrease in general quality. Even if older couples try in-vitro fertilization and other reproductive technologies, low-quality eggs can be a major barrier to conceiving and bearing a healthy child. However, there is hope. Mice that were given resveratrol throughout their fertile years had higher quality eggs even into middle age. Researchers believe that this may be due to anti-inflammatory effects of this grape compound, which prevents some of the aging that makes eggs less viable as a woman ages.

This is not the only way that resveratrol can affect fertility. Women with endometriosis often have trouble conceiving because endometriosis creates an environment that is less hospitable to the developing egg. According to recent studies on resveratrol and fertility, this grape extract may reduce endometriosis enough to let healthy follicles mature and be released in a healthy manner. Because up to half of women who require reproductive technology have endometriosis, this could have huge repercussions for people who are trying to conceive. There may be a simple, natural way for many couples who struggle to conceive to become parents once and for all time.

How Can Resveratrol Help Support Healthy Fertility?

As mentioned before, resveratrol’s effects on inflammation as well as its balancing effects on female hormones appear to be the reason that it has been shown to help many couples conceive. While most people tend to think of conception as a simple process, it actually requires the coordination of at least four different hormones released by both the ovaries and the pituitary gland of the brain. In addition, conception requires that the woman have a uterus that is hospitable to both receiving and hosting a pregnancy, which means that antioxidant and anti-aging effects can make a powerful difference.

Getting More Resveratrol in Your Diet

Red wine has long been touted as one way to get resveratrol. However, there is some controversy as to whether the amounts of resveratrol in red wine are sufficient; also, this may not be a solution for women who are trying to conceive and are thus avoiding alcohol. If you are interested in trying this supplement because of the link between resveratrol and fertility, there are other ways to get your daily allowance. Berries such as blueberries and mulberries are both good sources of this compound. In addition, it is present in large amounts in the skins of red grapes, so eating this fruit may help.

However, levels of resveratrol in these fruits can vary, so many people opt to take a supplement that contains adequate amounts of resveratrol instead. This ensures that you always get enough of this compound to reap the health benefits, without having to munch on blueberries and red grape skins all day.

If you or a loved one are trying to conceive, it is important to ask your doctor about whether resveratrol is right for you. This supplement appears to have a variety of positive health effects and no side effects, making it a win-win situation for people who are determined to begin building a family. While modern medicine has few answers for people who struggle to carry a child, studies on the link between resveratrol and fertility suggest that natural solutions may offer new hope.

Cognitive Decline in Women May Start Sooner Than Previously Thought

Jan 31 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Age-related cognitive decline is an unfortunate part of growing older. According to new studies, this cognitive decline in women may begin earlier than previously suspected.

For many people, one of the most feared aspects of aging is the prospect of cognitive decline. Physical disability can be mitigated, but no one wants to live without their memories, personality and ability to navigate life. According to new studies, this gradual decline may begin even earlier than we previously believed—as early as middle age for many women. However, this bad news comes with hope: There are ways to slow or stop mental decline and lead happy fulfilling lives even into our golden years.

What Is Age-Related Cognitive Decline?

Modern medicine has come up with innovative solutions to many of the problems that plague people in old age. The result is that we live longer lives than ever before in human history. However, because people are living longer than ever before, cognitive decline is becoming increasingly common. We can slow the signs of aging in the body but not in the mind. With 72 million elderly people expected to live in the United States alone by 2030, this gradual loss of cognition and memory could be a devastating public health issue in addition to the personal tragedy it is for the elderly and their loved ones.

According to a large-scale study called “The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation,” this decline may begin even earlier in women than in men. This study found that many women are showing the early signs of cognitive decline as early as middle-age. Women were tested three times over several years after they had completed menopause in areas such as working memory, verbal memory and speed tasks. On average, these women showed a decline in these cognitive skills even though neither they nor those around them realized there was already a loss of cognition. This decline appears to occur earlier in women than in men, perhaps decades earlier. Researchers believe that this may be partially due to menopause when women lose the protective effects of estrogen and other female hormones.

When Do the First Signs of Dementia Begin?

Some people keep their mental faculties throughout old age, while others succumb to Parkinson Disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other devastating types of dementia. Most elderly people end up somewhere between these two extremes, with a condition known as mild cognitive decline. Mild cognitive decline involves small and gradual changes in memory and reasoning skills that occur with aging. People may regularly forget where they placed their keys or forget how to perform a complicated hobby that they once could do well. Most of these people will never develop actual dementia, although they are at higher risk.

This decline is so common that it is generally regarded as a normal by-product of aging. It indeed is normal in that it is common and affects most people. In fact, almost all mammals show similar changes as they grow older. While mild and gradual decline appears to affect women earlier than men, it will likely affect almost all of us at some point, and even affects our dogs, cats and other furry loved ones. This leads many to wonder: Are there ways to stop or even merely slow this decline? How can we ensure that our golden years are indeed golden?

Can Cognitive Decline Be Stopped or Prevented?

According to new research, there are a few natural and healthy ways that we can maintain good memory and cognition throughout our lifespan. First, it is crucial to remain active—both mentally and physically. Getting exercise every day and engaging in mentally stimulating activities both have been proven to keep us healthier for longer times, both in the body and in spirit.

There also appears to be a few dietary changes we can make to encourage good health and cognitive function over a lifetime. Omega-3 fatty acids, which are most commonly found in fish oils, have been found to support brain health and help preserve cognition and memory. Not only are these fatty acids essential building blocks for healthy brain cells, but they also protect against the inflammation that can be destructive to the tissues of our organs over time. Eating a Mediterranean diet with plenty of vegetables, whole grains and lean protein also may slow or prevent different types of dementia. The carotenoid plant compound lutein, which can be found in supplement form or obtained from the diet, has also been linked to healthy cognitive function.

Age-related cognitive decline may be common and occur earlier in women, but this does not mean that we have to accept it. Understanding more about why our bodies lose brain function as we age, and learning how to prevent this, will allow our growing aging population to lead happier and more functional lives. In the meantime, taking antioxidant supplements, eating a healthy diet and staying active in a variety of ways appears to protect you from mild cognitive decline.

Super-Doses of Biotin Found to Improve Certain Effects of Multiple Sclerosis

Jan 26 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

New research showing biotin benefits for multiple sclerosis suggests that this B vitamin may provide measurable health benefits for people suffering from this disease.

Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is a devastating disease and also one of the least understood medical problems. Although there are some leads as to why some people develop MS, we know very little about how to predict who will get it, much less how to treat it when it occurs. However, a new study suggests that taking a high dose of the B vitamin biotin may reduce the progression of the disease and improve a variety of symptoms.

Multiple Sclerosis: A Growing Threat

Multiple sclerosis is a disease in which the autoimmune system attacks the white matter of the brain, replacing myelin with sclerosis, or scarring. Myelin is a fatty compound that insulates nerves and allows them to pass signals effectively, so this disease can be debilitating if it progresses. One of the scariest aspects of this disease is its unpredictable nature. We do not know who will develop it, and people who have the disease never know which areas of their brain may be attacked next.

Multiple sclerosis is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, although the exact trigger remains unknown. It appears to be most common in young adults of Northern European ancestry, but other people can and often do develop the disease. Because we do not know the exact mechanism of the disease, treatment focuses on preventing relapses and improving function. According to a new study on the biotin benefits for multiple sclerosis, taking high doses of biotin may be a potential therapy.

What Is Biotin?

Biotin is also known as B7 and is one of the least-studied B vitamins. Many people take a biotin supplement to strengthen their hair and nails, but this vitamin appears to have many other health benefits as well. Like other B vitamins, it appears to act as a cofactor in cell metabolism to keep our cells producing the energy that they need for optimal health. In addition, it has a role in maintaining the nerves that help our brains to function optimally.

The United States Food and Nutrition Board sets recommended daily allowances for certain vitamins. However, there is no recommended daily allowance for biotin. The board says that 30 micrograms per day is adequate for adults. However, some people may benefit from taking more, including people with neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

Biotin Benefits for Multiple Sclerosis

Researchers divided people with multiple sclerosis into two groups. One received 300 micrograms of biotin a day—10 times the purported adequate amount. The other did not receive any biotin. At the end of a year of this therapy, the group that received the biotin ranged from unchanged to improved in vision, paralysis and other MS effects. The group that did not receive biotin ranged from unchanged to worsened symptoms. Adverse events and side effects were similar in the two groups, indicating that this super-dose of biotin did not have any unwanted consequences.

How can a vitamin affect a disease process so intensely? Researchers believe that this is due to biotin’s role as a cofactor for the enzyme class known as carboxylases. One particular carboxylase enzyme, called acetyl CoA carboxylase, is critically important in myelin synthesis. Without ample amounts of biotin, it simply cannot function. Having more biotin available appears to increase the rate of myelin synthesis, slowing the loss of myelin and the resulting loss of nerve function.

Are You Getting Enough Biotin?

Even if you do not have multiple sclerosis, taking biotin can help you have stronger nails, thicker hair and more energy. Taking in adequate amounts of this lesser-known B vitamin is essential to optimal health. While most people in the West have ample access to nutritious foods, many are not getting enough biotin because we do not eat many foods containing it. This nutrient is found in an odd array of foods that are not common in our diets, such as liver, Swiss chard and brewer’s yeast. However, nuts and egg yolks are both good sources of biotin and readily available to most people. In addition, there are many biotin supplements available that you can take if you feel you are in danger of a deficiency.

Good nutrition is the basis of good health in so many ways. Doctors increasingly consider good nutrition one of the most important aspects of preventive care. However, this research on biotin benefits for multiple sclerosis suggests that nutrition may be not just a preventative measure but an actual treatment for disease. If you suspect you are not getting enough of this B vitamin, consider eating more biotin-rich foods or taking a supplement to support your hair, fingernails and brain for a lifetime.