Bone & Joint Health

The Health Benefits of Omega 3 for Children

Many adults take a daily fish oil or flaxseed oil supplement to ensure they’re getting enough omega-3 fatty acids. There are a multitude of benefits to these supplements, from better cardiovascular health and improved joint function, to an improved attention span, mood and cognitive function. However, there may be special benefits in omega 3 for children as well, according to several recent studies.

Omega 3 for Children: A Cure for Academic and Behavioral Problems?

Omega-3 fatty acids have been touted as anti-aging nutrients for the brain. However, their effects on the brain are remarkable in the realm of encouraging healthy development as well. Several recent studies have looked at the effects of omega 3 fatty acids for children and found that they can have an immensely positive effect on brain function, even in developing minds.

In one study, third graders were randomly assigned to two groups, one receiving omega-3 supplements and one receiving a placebo. After three months, the reading skills of children taking the supplements had improved faster than those of the group who went without. The classmates were then all given supplements and soon the control group also saw benefits.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Behavior

Omega-3 fatty acids also may improve behavior by reducing aggression, according to another study of supplements containing omega 3 for children. Children of 11 and 12 years who had a history of aggression were placed in groups receiving a variety of therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy and supplements believed to build the brain. Kids who received a mixture of therapy and omega-3 supplements saw a greater improvement in behavior than the other groups. Because this study only looked at the short-term, it is unknown how these children were affected over their lifespan. However, omega-3 supplements do appear to have an effect on behavior, especially when it comes to aggressive behavior.

How Can Omega-3 Fatty Acids Have Such an Immense Effect?

According to researchers, fatty acids affect our bodies in a variety of positive ways. First, they are a good source of the fatty building blocks needed to myelinate nerve cells. Myelin acts as an insulator for nerve cells so they can send signals more rapidly. While we are young, we are still building new neural connections (and myelinating them!) so supplements containing omega 3 for children can be of huge benefit.

In addition, fish oils containing omega-3 fatty acids appear to be good for almost every cell in the human body. They are a rich source of vitamins such as vitamin D as well as fatty acids of which the standard American diet is deficient. They also have been found to lubricate joints, allowing better mobility and less chronic joint pain as we age. The benefits of these tiny supplements are huge, which is why many adults take them. However, the benefits appear to be even greater for children.

Getting Enough Omega Fatty Acids in Your Diet

Why do we need an omega-3 supplement? Can’t we just get enough of these oils in our daily diets? In theory, we absolutely can. However, in practice, this is a very difficult task. Our ancestors ate plenty of foods that contained a healthy balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, such as oily fish, nuts, seeds and leafy green vegetables. Yet, the average Western diet is high in processed foods and thus low in these vital nutrients. When foods do provide fatty acids, it’s often in an unhealthy ratio heavy in omega-6 fatty acids. For many people, getting enough omega-3 fatty acids is almost impossible. This is especially true for children, who need much higher nutrient density in their diets, yet are often picky eaters. For many Western people, including most children, supplements are the easiest way to ensure that our diets have all of the nutrients that we need for optimal health.

While the individual studies on the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are generally small, together they comprise a huge body of research that cannot be ignored. There are many health benefits to taking an omega-3 supplement, regardless of your age. The health benefits are too great and too far-reaching to be without these fatty acids in your daily diet.

Artificial Light Could Be Making You Sick

Aug 17 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Life on earth evolved in the presence of light. We depend on the sun to provide energy for the plants we eat, to warm our planet to a safe temperature and to regulate our sleep-wake cycles. However, most life also requires a similar ratio of dark. Humans in ancient times sought the shade at midday and enjoyed long hours of dark at night. However, times have has changed. We now live in a world of perpetual artificial light, which is not just constantly present but also a different wavelength than natural light. New research suggests that this may be harming our health in more ways than previously realized.

The Dangers of Artificial Light

Artificial light does not produce the same frequencies of light as light from the sun. It is usually brighter, a higher color temperature and higher intensity than light found in our natural environment. How does this affect our health? According to researchers, it can have a huge effect on the circadian rhythm. Our retinas sense light and pass signals to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates our circadian rhythm and a variety of biochemical and cellular processes.

The effects of disrupting the circadian rhythm extend far beyond sleep. People who have a disrupted circadian rhythm from artificial light suffer from an increase in a variety of health risks including inflammation, immune overreaction and even bone and muscle loss. An out-of-sync circadian rhythm can also cause dermatological disorders and autoimmune disease.

Light and Aging

While constant artificial light has long been known to affect health in a variety of ways, new research suggests that it may affect us in a much more visible way as well. Artificial light appears to accelerate aging, both externally and internally. Animal studies suggest that not only may people exposed to high levels of man-made light develop fine lines and wrinkles more quickly, they may also have accelerated aging of their bones, muscles and organs. In studies, the mice exposed to artificial light 24 hours a day aged much more quickly.

While this is bad news for many modern people, there is good news as well. The mice in the studies partially recovered from the effects of the accelerated aging within two weeks of being returned to a normal sleep-wake cycle. If you are feeling over-tired and generally older than you should feel, you may be able to improve your appearance and health by reducing light exposure and stabilizing your circadian rhythm.

Is It Possible to Escape Artificial Light?

The problem for many modern people is that reducing light exposure can be a difficult task. We have televisions and devices that can be turned off, but these are not the only contributors to an increasingly light world. Many streetlights are high color temperature LED lights, which cause a huge range of negative health effects. In fact, the American Medical Association has warned communities not to use high color temperature streetlights, although many areas continue to do so.

In addition, light pollution is a major issue in many parts of the world. Even if you turn off your own sources of artificial light, the world is simply lighter and brighter than ever before. Sometimes there is no escaping this pervasive light.

Restoring Your Own Natural Rhythm

Even if you cannot completely escape ambient light in the environment, there are a few ways that you can encourage a healthy circadian rhythm. Turn off lights in your house at night, including devices and electronics that produce light. Go to sleep and wake at roughly the same time so your body can develop a set sleep pattern. Close your curtains and blinds to keep light pollution outside. You can also take a melatonin supplement in the evening to help your body prepare for a good night of restful sleep.

Artificial light is everywhere and may present a danger to the public health. However, there are ways to reduce and compensate for the negative health effects of this light. Getting your circadian rhythm on track is the first step to living a healthier and happier life.

Are Prenatal Vitamins a Pregnancy Necessity?

Jul 22 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

It’s a long-held belief that all expecting mothers should take a prenatal vitamin formula to reduce the risk of birth defects, nutrient deficiencies and other health problems. However, there are always skeptics who chime in as to why supplementing with extra nutrients may not actually be necessary while pregnant. If you’re on the fence, here is some of the latest information supporting the importance of supplementing with a prenatal vitamin while pregnant.

Folic Acid Is Crucial

Folic acid is also known as folate or vitamin B9. This vitamin is needed for the synthesis and creation of DNA, the production of red blood cells, the metabolism of amino acids, and for the growth of the placenta and fetus. A woman’s need for folic acid increases during pregnancy. Although the United States started fortifying grain products with vitamin B9 in 1998, most women still don’t get enough of it.

Taking folic acid is essential for reducing the risk of neural tube defects. This type of birth defect can be very severe,and some of these defects have a very low survival rate and life expectancy. One well-known neural tube defect is spina bifida, which occurs when the membranes around the spinal cord do not close completely. Spina bifida usually requires after-birth surgery and periodic medical attention throughout life. Another example of a neural tube defect is anencephaly, in which the baby is born lacking a cerebrum, which is the largest part of the brain.

Although neural tube defects are a terrible thing for a mother to experience, it’s also easy to greatly reduce your unborn child’s risk. In countries where flour is fortified with folic acid, there is a 46 percent lower rate of neural tube defects. You can bring the number down even further by simply taking a prenatal supplement with folic acid every day.

Folic acid may also help prevent other birth defects including heart defects and cleft palate, though more research is needed to confirm this. Additionally, because neural tube defects take place before most women even know they are pregnant, it’s important to start taking a prenatal vitamin formula with folic acid as soon as you start trying to conceive.

Other Benefits of Prenatal Supplements

Folic acid is arguably the most important prenatal vitamin that you should take. However, there are a few other nutrients with pregnancy benefits that you should learn about.

It is prudent for expecting mothers to take a supplement with vitamin D. Although vitamin D is obtained through sunlight, fortified dairy, fatty fish and egg yolk, most Americans still don’t get enough of it. Being deficient in vitamin D may increase your risk of preeclampsia, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, low birth weight, preterm birth, gestational diabetes and the need for caesarean delivery.

Calcium is one of few nutrients that your body takes from its own stores in order to help your baby grow. This means that if you aren’t getting enough calcium in your diet, your body will take it from your bones and teeth. You can reduce your risk of lifelong bone density problems by taking a prenatal vitamin formula containing calcium.

Some of the other most important nutrients to look for in a prenatal supplement include iron, iodine, choline and omega-3 fatty acids.

So, Do I Need a Prenatal Vitamin?

There remain some people who argue against the benefits of taking a prenatal vitamin formula. Skeptics raise some good points, such as the fact that you don’t necessarily need to supplement every single vitamin and mineral. However, the reality is that most Americans fall short when it comes to many key nutrients and that your need for certain vitamins like vitamin D and folic acid do rise during pregnancy. What’s more, nutrient deficiencies in the mother have more severe effects in babies. Ultimately, research supports incorporating a comprehensive prenatal vitamin formulation into your prenatal care program during pregnancy and beyond, while breastfeeding.

One study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility called the “Longitudinal Investigation of Fertility and the Environment Study” found that women who take a prenatal multivitamin daily during pregnancy have a 55 percent lower risk of losing their baby. Other studies have found consistent reductions in the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and preterm birth.

Some people are more likely to highly benefit from taking a prenatal multivitamin formula than others. Supplementation during pregnancy is even more crucial for teenage mothers, women who smoke or have a history of using other substances, women who have suffered from eating disorders, women who take certain medications, vegetarians and vegans and women who are carrying twins, triplets, or beyond. However, taking a high-quality prenatal vitamin formula is a necessity for all women who are expecting or trying to conceive. This is confirmed by several health authorities: the Endocrine Society, the American Thyroid Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics all recommend multivitamins during pregnancy. Despite what the skeptics say, most OBGYNs and family doctors also recommend supplementing with a prenatal vitamin formula.

Probiotics Linked to Dental Health, Stress Reduction and More

Jul 15 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Westerners are living longer lives than ever. However, we are living sicker lives as well. Many people struggle with chronic illness and disorders that affect their daily lives in a variety of ways. Sadly, our golden years are often spent in hospitals and doctor’s offices. Researchers now believe that maintaining a healthy balance of intestinal flora (bacteria in your digestive tract) may be key to improving overall health throughout our lifespans.

Your Gut Microbiome and Your Health

The microorganisms that live in your GI tract as well as other parts of your body are collectively known as your microbiome. We have long known that the microbiome is an important part of health. For instance, we cannot absorb vitamin K without the help of certain beneficial bacteria that reside in our digestive tract. However, scientists now realize that the health effects of your microbiome extend far beyond digestion and absorption. In fact, more and more research indicates that keeping your natural flora balanced with probiotics (supplements that help replenish the “good” bacteria in your digestive tract) may be more important than taking a daily vitamin.

How can probiotics affect health? Sometimes our microbiome, like any ecosystem, can get off-balance. As a result of stress, diet and other external factors, we can end up with too many of a certain kind of bacteria or too few of another. Maintaining the right balance is important, and probiotics are intended to support that balance.

The Known Health Benefits of Probiotics

Probiotics have been shown to support good health in several recent studies. For instance, dental cavities have been linked to an imbalance in bacteria in the mouth and pharynx. Research shows that taking a probiotic containing a less-destructive bacteria called streptococcus A12 may crowd out the bacteria that cause plaque biofilms that are destructive to teeth.

Metabolic syndrome is common in the modern world, with researchers and doctors alike desperate to find an effective treatment. New research suggests that this syndrome, which includes diverse range of disorders from type 2 diabetes to polycystic ovarian syndrome, may also be linked to gut health. Mice who have the underlying hormonal disruption seen in PCOS were found to have changes in their microbiome, including less genetic diversity in their gut bacteria. Taking a probiotic supplement may help many people with metabolic syndrome to lead healthier lives.

Inflammation and Gut Health

How can probiotics affect health in such a variety of ways? The jury is still out, but inflammation appears to be part of the answer. A recent study found that mice given probiotics did not lose as much bone density after menopause. Researchers suggest that maintaining the right gut bacteria balance may reduce the systemic inflammation that contributes to bone loss, which is a common health issue in postmenopausal women.

Modern lives tend to be stressful, instigating the release of cortisol and other stress hormones that can lead to inflammation. The link between inflammation and our microbiome may be part of the explanation for the many healthy benefits of probiotics. In one study, when medical students were given probiotics before a test, they had lower levels of salivary cortisol and reported less anxiety. The benefits of probiotics may soon be tested on female astronauts, who suffer a disproportionate amount of serious infections while in space and negative health effects once back on earth. Researchers believe that the sterile atmosphere of space may be part of the problem, as healthy bacterial levels in the body begin to fall and pathogenic inflammatory bacteria take over. A simple probiotic supplement may keep the flora of female astronauts healthy and support good health in a variety of ways.

The Circadian Rhythm and Your Natural Flora

Another way that your intestinal flora may be affecting your health is through the microbiome’s effect on the circadian rhythm. Mice that have a mutation in certain circadian genes show increased inflammation in their gastrointestinal tracts, more intestinal permeability to harmful substances and poorer overall health. They also have a different balance of bacteria than mice without the mutation, suggesting that the circadian rhythm is somehow involved in microflora balance. The presence of good bacteria in a healthy balance is linked to both a healthy circadian rhythm and lower risk of a variety of common diseases.

Medical research is identifying new links between the gut, the brain, and our overall well-being. It appears that the human body evolved to live symbiotically with a variety of microorganisms. Maintaining this healthy balance by taking probiotics is an important way to support good health.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Pregnancy: The Serious Consequences for Mother and Baby

Apr 06 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Vitamin D is a crucial vitamin for a variety of cell processes. Many modern people don’t get enough of this essential nutrient, a situation which can have serious health effects. New research suggests that the effects of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy can be especially devastating and links low vitamin D levels to lifelong health problems for the fetus, including multiple sclerosis.

The Role of Vitamin D in the Human Body

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that is available in animal products such as fish, eggs and cheeses. In addition, many people get vitamin D from sun exposure. However, vitamin D deficiency is very common. Because it plays a crucial role in bone strength and immune system health, being deficient can have very negative effects. People who have low vitamin D can get brittle bones as well as a variety of cancers. In addition, there appears to be a link between vitamin D deficiency, especially during pregnancy, and autoimmune disease.

The Importance of Vitamin D in Pregnancy

Vitamin D levels have been linked to a variety of pregnancy conditions, including pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and cesarean delivery. These can all have serious effects on both mother and baby. Pre-eclampsia, which is more likely in women with vitamin D deficiency, threatens the life of both mother and child and often makes a premature delivery necessary.

In addition, a deficiency of vitamin D during pregnancy can have direct life-altering effects on the fetus. Low maternal vitamin D has been linked to risks such as dental problems, lifelong lowering of bone density, and type 1 diabetes.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Multiple Sclerosis

Vitamin D has been shown in studies to have a protective effect against multiple sclerosis. This is likely the reason that people in far northern latitudes with less sunshine are more likely to develop this disease. New research suggests that a mother’s vitamin D intake can affect their daughters for years to come. In a recent study, women born to a mother who had low vitamin D levels during pregnancy were found to be significantly more likely to develop multiple sclerosis.

While the reason for this link is still unproven, there are several hypotheses about how this could happen. Most of these relate to the role of vitamin D in the immune system. Vitamin D decreases levels of inflammatory immune molecules that have been implicated in a wide variety of autoimmune diseases. This may prevent the neurological damage associated with multiple sclerosis from occurring.

Pregnancy Nutrition: Essential for Mother and Child

Good nutrition is one of the most important factors in a pregnant woman’s health, as well as that of her baby. Because of this, doctors test pregnant women for deficiencies of important nutrients such as iron and frequently recommend prenatal supplements that provide vitamins like folic acid, which are proven essential building blocks for a healthy pregnancy.

Is it time for a change in the way vitamin D is prescribed for pregnant women? Most obstetricians expect that women get plenty of this nutrient in their diets and via multivitamins. Pregnant women are not tested for a deficiency in this important nutrient unless they are having extreme symptoms. The result is that many women may unknowingly not be getting the amount of vitamin D needed for optimal maternal and fetal health.

Vitamin D is not the first vitamin to be implicated as an important factor in whole body health. Eating foods that include a wide variety of vitamins and minerals is essential to cell function and overall well-being. Optimal nutrition, including taking supplements as needed, is the best medicine for many people and is especially important during pregnancy.

Omega-3 Supplementation Linked to Healthier Mood and Better Cognitive Function

Apr 01 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Low-fat diets are all the rage in the Western world, with many trying to follow medical advice to keep fat consumption low and avoid fried foods. However, there is one fat that many people actually need to consume more of: omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are important to brain and joint function and play a vital role in almost every area of the body.

What Is are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

Omega-3 fatty acids are unsaturated and present in a variety of naturally oily foods, such as fish, nuts and flaxseeds. The best known omega-3 fatty acids are DHA and EPA, both of which can be found in fish. Another omega-3 fatty acid is ALA, found in nuts and seeds such as flaxseed.

Omega-3s have a variety of positive health effects, but they are not present in large enough amounts in the Western diet. This is why physicians often recommend that people take a supplement with these healthy oils. They have been found to support good joint function in people with arthritis, improve cardiovascular health and protect against cellular inflammation. While these are all positive effects, new studies are suggesting that the real benefit of omega-3s may be related to brain function and mood.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Depression

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is one of the most severe types of clinical depression, as well as one of the most difficult to treat. People who suffer from this disease feel a pervasive sadness that affects every area of their lives. While there are many antidepressants available, it can be difficult to find a dosage high enough to treat the effects of this disease yet low enough to minimize side effects. A new study suggests that taking an omega-3 supplement can help people suffering from MDD.

In this study, researchers found that omega-3s had an effect similar to antidepressants on people with MDD. Even better, these long chain fatty acids can be taken along with antidepressants, potentially doubling the mood-boosting effects. Most antidepressants increase the amount of circulating serotonin, the hormone associated with happiness. Omega-3s appear to increase the sensitivity of cell receptors to serotonin, allowing the higher circulating levels of this hormone to have an even greater effect. In addition, the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on serotonin receptors can improve the mood of people who are not even taking antidepressants.

Unsaturated Fats and Alzheimer Disease

A slight decrease in memory and cognitive skills is normal in aging. However, people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia suffer losses that are abnormal and have negative effects on almost every area of their lives. In Alzheimer’s disease, most of the effects are caused by loss of neurons, especially those with acetylcholine receptors. Acetylcholine is essential to brain function, so the inability to respond to this neurohormone can affect cognition and almost every aspect of a patient’s life.

New research is giving hope for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, finding that taking omega-3 fatty acids appears to have a protective effect on neurons. People who take an omega-3 supplement perform better on memory tests and show fewer symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related cognitive decline. This study suggests that we all may be able to protect our brains from both natural aging and degenerative disease by taking a simple fish oil supplement.

There are many amazing new drugs on the market, but research is finding over and over that the keys to managing some health concerns are already available to the public. Certain dietary supplements can improve health comparable to some “miracle drugs,” but with fewer side effects and less expense. Omega-3s appear to be important in maintaining a good mood and high cognitive function, so this supplement should be part of your daily health regimen.