Cellular Health

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.

Red Wine Compound Resveratrol May Protect Lungs and Respiratory Health

Mar 15 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Many people struggle with respiratory concerns as they age. New research on resveratrol lung benefits suggests that this compound found in red wine may help protect the lungs against premature aging and disease.

Respiratory concerns are some of the most serious causes of death on the globe, killing around three million people a year and affecting many times more. These include common health problems such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. These conditions are especially common and more serious in children and the elderly. While there are treatments that can reduce symptoms, there are currently no cures for most serious lung problems. However, several recent studies on resveratrol lung benefits suggest that a simple natural remedy may be able to help many.

What Is Resveratrol?

Resveratrol has recently become popular due to its many reported health benefits. Naturally produced in the skins of grapes as well as being present in peanuts and pistachios, this antioxidant is the result of plants’ exposure to stressors such as drought, ultraviolet light and fungal infections. Besides protecting plants from external stressors, it appears to act as an antioxidant in the human body as well. Recent studies have found that resveratrol may have cardiovascular benefits, help maintain healthy cell growth and function and even promote healthy aging. According to new studies, it may also promote healthy aging in the lungs and help to protect against respiratory concerns.

Lungs and the Aging Process

We may not notice deterioration in our respiratory tracts the way we notice new wrinkles or a change in vision, but our lungs indeed change as we age. Our alveoli become enlarged and less elastic, making them less able to exchange gases. In addition, the tissues that make up the lungs deteriorate and lose functionality over time. As lungs lose the ability to breathe effectively, cells become inflamed, which causes even more damage. The result is a gradual loss of function and the eventual onset of diseases such as COPD and emphysema.

Age-related lung concerns take a huge toll on people who suffer from them and on the nation as a whole. They can make it difficult for people to work, exercise or even to perform simple tasks such as walking to the mailbox. These are very expensive conditions, with COPD alone costing $36 million a year just in health costs. Preventing or even slowing the progression of lung concerns can lead to higher quality of life, fewer deaths and nationwide economic savings.

Resveratrol Lung Benefits

How can a simple grape extract help promote healthy respiratory aging and protect against certain lung concerns? The antioxidant effects of resveratrol are believed to be one of its major benefits. In one study, when mice were given inhaled resveratrol, they saw less of the alveolar changes that underlie aging in the lungs. They experienced less lung cell damage, fewer DNA mutations and better lung function. These resveratrol lung benefits were measurable after just three months of the treatment.

In addition, resveratrol appears to promote healthy cellular inflammatory processes and have an effect on inflammation that causes the progression of respiratory illnesses such as COPD. When COPD patients are given resveratrol, they show lower cytokine levels in their lung fluids. This is significant because cytokines released by lung macrophages produce much of the inflammation associated with respiratory disease. People also had a more than 50 percent reduction in other known mediators of inflammation.

Resveratrol, Curcumin and Lung Cancer

Do resveratrol lung benefits extend to deadly diseases such as lung cancer? A recent study suggests that this plant antioxidant may at least be beneficial—likely by promoting healthy DNA—which is sometimes responsible for the uncontrolled growth of unhealthy cells. This effect is especially strong when resveratrol is combined with curcumin, a compound found in spices such as cumin. These two natural remedies appear to act synergistically, with far more benefit when used together than when either is used alone.

Natural Remedies for Lifelong Health

While pharmaceuticals will always be necessary for many people with respiratory concerns, these studies suggest that others may be able to derive some relief with natural remedies such as resveratrol. In fact, resveratrol is believed to be responsible for many of the purported health benefits of red wine, which contains high levels of this antioxidant. In many ways, natural remedies can be superior when it comes to keeping people healthy. As the old saying goes, “Prevention is the best cure.”

There is still a great deal of research to be done on resveratrol lung benefits. However, these studies add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that this plant compound may have a positive effect on whole-body health by promoting healthy cellular inflammatory processes and protecting against tissue damage. A glass of wine, handful of grapes or resveratrol supplement just may bring you one step closer to healthy aging.

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.

Boosting Zinc Intake Can Protect Your DNA

Jan 13 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Do you get enough zinc in your diet? Research on the link between zinc and DNA repair suggests that this metal may be more important to human health than previously thought.

If you are like many people in the United States and Europe, you may not be getting enough zinc in your diet. While most people know about the health benefits of vitamin C and iron, zinc is more of an unsung hero. However, new research on zinc and DNA suggests that you should be very concerned about whether you are getting enough of this trace metal in your diet and supplement regimen.

Zinc and Your Health

Although zinc is not generally one of the rock star vitamins you read about in the popular media, it is very important to human health. Zinc plays an important role as a cofactor in many of the biochemical processes that drive your metabolism. In addition, zinc helps to support a healthy immune system and fight the damage associated with aging. Perhaps most important, zinc is essential in human growth and development, making it especially important for pregnant women and children to get enough of this trace metal.

Zinc is available in many of the whole foods. However, the standard Western diet is deficient in these whole foods, leaving many people at risk of a zinc deficiency.

Zinc and DNA Repair

While doctors and scientists have always recognized that zinc is important for a healthy life, new research suggests that it may be even more crucial than we previously thought. According to recent studies, even a small increase in dietary zinc reduces DNA damage, which can potentially slow aging and even lower the risk of diseases such as cancer. It appears that zinc and DNA repair are deeply intertwined, with zinc playing an important role in critical genetic repair processes and also reducing oxidative stress on cells.

If you think you are not getting enough zinc in your diet, even a small supplement can make a huge difference. These studies found that a small boost in zinc levels can make a huge difference in how quickly the DNA in your cells deteriorates. This small boost can help you fight off a cold and even lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and promote healthy cell growth.

Zinc for Cell Repair and So Much More

The link between zinc and DNA repair is important because so many chronic diseases have been linked to deficient DNA. As we age, our DNA accumulates errors and mutations. While our bodies have mechanisms to slow this damage, we all ultimately succumb to it. DNA damage has been linked to diverse diseases, including many of those that we associate with old age. Zinc is especially important in helping to facilitate DNA repairs. On the other hand, low zinc levels can lead to cells aging and developing chronic diseases at younger ages. This is partially due to the role of “zinc fingers” in DNA replication and repair. Zinc fingers are a compound made of zinc that bind to DNA and help control when it divides.

Ultimately, a healthy body requires a variety of different nutrients to achieve optimal health. However, the Western diet tends to be deficient in these nutrients, contributing to the epidemic of chronic disease that currently is overtaking many developed nations. While we have ample access to a variety of foods, many people cannot or simply do not get the zinc they need to protect their DNA.

Are You Getting Enough Zinc?

Many people are unknowingly not getting enough zinc in their diets, which is unfortunate in light of new knowledge about the link between zinc and DNA repair. The best food source of zinc is oysters. Zinc is also present in large amounts in crab, lobster and other shellfish. However, even if you do not have access to seafood, there are still ways to ensure you get enough zinc. Beef is a good source of this trace metal, as is chicken, yogurt and beans. If you are not eating enough of these foods, a supplement containing zinc can also help you to get enough of this nutrient to prevent DNA damage and immune dysfunction.

Eating a well-rounded diet is important not just because of macronutrients such as protein, but also because of micronutrients such as zinc. We need to have healthy levels of a variety of nutrients in order to enjoy good health over a long lifetime. If you fear you are not getting enough of zinc or other trace elements, ask your doctor whether a multivitamin is the right choice for your long-term well-being.

Feel Tired All the Time? You Could Be Low on Iron

Nov 30 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency and affects 1.2 billion people worldwide, with around 183,000 dying from a shortage of this nutrient every year. Iron deficiency in women is especially common due to the high iron needs of the female body. If you find that you are often fatigued, have trouble concentrating or have other vague and insidious symptoms, you may simply need more iron.

Why Do We Need Iron?

Iron plays a variety of vital roles in the human body. First and foremost, it is one of the basic building blocks of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood from your lungs to the cells that need it. Iron is also important in the manufacturing of ATP, the molecule that cells use for energy. It is part of many different enzymes involved in growth and metabolism. Iron is also used by cells of the immune system to help fight infections. Last, iron is used in muscle cells to store oxygen for times when it is needed faster than the bloodstream can supply it.

Because our bodies use iron in so many ways, we have very high needs for this mineral. When people do not get all of the iron that they need, they have trouble converting food energy to cell energy, cannot carry oxygen to their cells and cannot perform a variety of crucial functions. In severe forms, iron deficiency can even be fatal.

Iron Deficiency in Women: A Common Health Problem

There are three basic ways that iron deficiency can occur: either not enough iron is being taken in, it is not being absorbed effectively or it is being lost somehow. Many people do not get enough iron-rich foods in their diet, which includes red meat, eggs, shrimp and the dark meat of poultry. In addition, people can get iron from vegetables such as legumes and leafy greens, although this kind of iron needs to be eaten with acidic foods in order to be absorbed by our bodies.

Even if you eat enough iron, you still may not be absorbing enough. Inflammatory conditions of the gut can make it difficult to absorb iron. In addition, you may simply be losing more iron than you naturally take in through diet. People lose iron mainly through bleeding, which is why people with ulcers or intestinal parasites are at high risk of anemia. This is a very important reason that you see high levels of iron deficiency in women, especially women who menstruate or have recently had a child.

Signs You Have Iron Deficiency

The signs of iron deficiency can be subtle and yet have a huge effect on your quality of life. The most common symptom is fatigue, because your cells are not making enough ATP and also are not getting optimal levels of oxygen from your blood. In addition, iron deficiency in women and men can manifest in a variety of other ways, such as:

dizziness
shortness of breath
heart palpitations
headache
pale skin
cold hands and feet
odd food cravings, especially for things that are not food (pica)
brittle nails
hair loss
muscle aches
difficulty concentrating
restless leg syndrome

When your body does not have the nutrients that it needs to performs all of the cell processes that iron supports, you will feel the effects in a variety of ways. Many people blame the effects of iron deficiency on not getting enough sleep, growing older, or having a hectic schedule when in fact they simply need to take in more vitamins and minerals.

Treating Iron Deficiency Safely and Naturally

If you believe that you are suffering from a deficiency of iron, there are several ways to quickly build up healthy levels of this vitamin. Many people simply add more iron-rich foods to their diets and take care to eat vegetarian sources of iron with an acidic food such as lemon. However, it can be difficult to get the iron that you need from diet alone, especially for women of reproductive age and young children who are growing quickly. For these people, taking an iron supplement or a multivitamin with their daily allowance of iron is the answer.

Getting enough iron is crucial for good health. However, iron deficiency in women and children is, unfortunately, only too common. While it can be difficult in the modern world to get all of the iron that you need to sustain optimal health, a well-balanced multivitamin ensures that you are always covered.

Not Getting Enough Vitamin B12 During Pregnancy Boosts Disease Risk for Baby

Nov 16 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Many people have are familiar with the importance of getting enough folic acid or folate, also known as vitamin B9, when pregnant. However, getting enough vitamin B12 during pregnancy is also important. New research underscores the importance of getting all of your B vitamins—especially vitamin B12—if you are pregnant or planning to conceive soon.

What Is Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 is an essential water-soluble vitamin that is used in a wide variety of cellular reactions. Essentially, it is a puzzle piece among many vitamins that are important for metabolism, energy production and other vital processes. People who do not get enough of this vitamin suffer from depressed mood, poorer memory and mental function and even a higher risk of infection. A long-term deficiency can cause permanent dementia and a variety of other serious illnesses. Pregnant women who do not get enough vitamin B12 during pregnancy are at a higher risk of giving birth to a baby with serious—and sometimes deadly—neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly.

Because vitamin B12 is water soluble, our cells do not store it in any significant amount. Going even a short time without foods or vitamins containing B12 can result in noticeable health effects. Most people who eat animal products usually get enough of this critical vitamin in their diets, as it is present in high levels in meat and eggs. However, there are times in life when your vitamin needs increase sharply, beyond what a typical Western diet can support. Pregnancy is one of these times. Pregnant women, especially those who do not eat a lot of animal products, are at e high risk of a B12 deficiency.

The Importance of Vitamin B12 During Pregnancy

According to new research, a vitamin B12 deficiency during pregnancy may have more effects than previously realized. Even babies who are born appearing to be in good health may suffer the consequences over their lifetimes. In one study, vitamin B12 levels were measured in pregnant women and both their and their babies’ health was analyzed. Babies born to mothers with a B12 deficiency had markedly lower levels of leptin, which is known as the “satiety hormone.” Low levels of leptin cause a person to need to eat more to feel satisfied, predisposing them to obesity, type 2 diabetes and other diseases. They also stored more fat. While extra fat stores are generally healthy in an infant, they can be a health problem later in life. Even worse, babies whose mothers had low vitamin B12 during pregnancy were more likely to become diabetic later in life.

This was a small study so it will need to be repeated to confirm the results. However, researchers and doctors are already calling for an increase in the recommended intake of vitamin B12 during pregnancy to ensure that women get ample amounts of this critical vitamin. With a large proportion of the population struggling with obesity, diabetes and the many related health problems, it is important to ensure we have the basic building blocks we need for a healthy metabolism. This is especially true when we are eating for two, such as when pregnant or breastfeeding.

I Thought Eating Too Much Meat Was Bad for Me?

The irony of this and other studies underscoring the importance of vitamin B12 during pregnancy and throughout one’s life is that many people believe they must cut back on meat and other B12-rich foods to improve their health. While eating a lot of animal products can negatively affect your health, these foods do contain nutrients that we need to be healthy and to bear healthy children. Ultimately, a well-balanced diet appears to be the key to leading a healthy life both in pregnancy and beyond. Pregnant women should eat a variety of foods and also take a high-quality prenatal multivitamin supplement to ensure their high nutritional needs are met. This is especially true for women who are vegetarian or unable to get enough animal products in their diet.

It is important for pregnant and breastfeeding women to talk to their doctors about any supplements that they are taking. However, during pregnancy, most doctors recommend taking a prenatal vitamin formula to ensure that you always have the building blocks that you and your baby need to enjoy optimal health. Eating a well-rounded diet and taking vitamins is an important way of giving your children the best chance at leading long, healthy lives.