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Good Health Magazine : August 2006

In This Issue

• Fresh fish outweighs the risks of pollutants
• Low-carb diet leads to rise in cholesterol
• Keeping your veins healthy
• Reducing the risk of Prostate Cancer
• Omega Oils Influence Mood, Impulsivity and Personality
• Increase in Vitamin D & Calcium may help reduce falls
• Probiotics - Balancing the guts flora

Increase energy and beat the rainy day blues

Summer is here, and many of us will be feeling lively, energised and happy as the sun helps us to increase Vitamin D production. However this isn’t true of everyone, and recent research indicates that in some women, a lack of energy may be down to not enough Magnesium and B Vitamins in the diet, both nutrients that are vital for regenerating the cells ‘batteries’, called the mitochondria.

Research of the effects of a low and high Magnesium diet on energy levels in postmenopausal women found that when Magnesium intake was low, the women tired more easily, and that exercise increased heart rate and the body’s need for oxygen to a greater extent than women on a high Mg diet. They also needed more energy to make muscles function properly.

Magnesium is naturally present in green leafy vegetables, avocados, nuts and seeds and whole grains, but usually only in small amounts. Unfortunately, the body isn’t terribly good at absorbing Magnesium so plenty of these foods need to be eaten regularly.

Individuals can also choose to take a supplement to boost their intakes, and supplemental Magnesium is absorbed best when it is in a fully dissolved and ionized form, and is taken with Selenium and Calcium; both of these minerals are needed to help the body to absorb Magnesium and they also have the added benefit of helping to ensure that bones stay healthy (calcium) and supporting the immune system (selenium). Choosing a supplement that also contains Iron and Zinc is not advisable, as these minerals compete with Mg for absorption, and so are not desirable in the same supplement.

Fresh fish outweigh the risks

Amidst recent concerns and withdrawals of fish oil products due to high levels of pollution with dioxins and other pollutants it is worth remembering that the benefits of high Omega 3 consumption still outweigh the risks. A UK survey has indicated that 70% of the population do not eat fish at all during the week, and this could have major implications on health. Current recommendations are that all adults should eat oily fish 1 - 2 times per week.

Omega 3 consumption has been positively associated with benefits on the cardiovascular system, the development of a baby during pregnancy, joint health, behavior and mood (as Omega 3 is a major constituent of brain tissues), as well as immune system function. A small study published in the American Journal of Cardiology has indicated that increasing omega 3 intake may also help to reduce the risk of a second heart attack.

However, for those individuals who avoid fish and fish oil products because of concerns over pollutants, there are other ways to increase Omega 3 intakes. Some plant derived supplements are available that are naturally rich in Omega 3, as well as containing Omega 6 and 9 essential fatty acids, such as Nutura Omega Complex, which is derived from the Perilla plant.

Low-carb diet leads to rise in cholesterol

A low-carbohydrate diet results in more weight loss after six months than a low-fat diet, but long term use could raise bad cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease, claims a recent analysis. Low-carbohydrate dieters get most of their energy from protein and fat, with the Atkins diet amongst the best known regimes. Concerns have been raised in the past about the effect of low-carb diets on blood lipid levels and the risk of heart disease.

The study supports previous nutritional concerns about low-carbohydrate, high-fat/protein diets, with many experts warning of the risk of long-term complications. At the same time, the study also confirms that short-term adherence to low carb diets does result in weight loss.

Whilst consuming foods with reduced fats or foods with added phytosterols to reduce cholesterol absorption may help to offset the rise in cholesterol levels in people following an Atkins style diet, following a balanced calorie reduced diet with increased exercise is optimal for health in the longer term. However, dieters should also consider taking a daily balanced supplement as they are more likely to have nutritional deficiencies. For women, a reduction in calcium rich foods could lead to increased calcium depletion of the bones, which if maintained over the long term, could lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis.

Keeping your veins healthy

With the summer holiday season upon us, many of us will be flying abroad in search of guaranteed sunshine and heat. However, keeping leg veins healthy is a sensible precaution to take for those people who are concerned about the risks of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as a result of flying, or for people who are prone to ankles and legs swelling in the heat.

Maintaining healthy veins, promoting venous flow and supporting the circulatory system are the key roles of the Complete La Femme™ Vein Support Formula. The ingredients which are clinically tested for their effects on leg vein support and a healthy circulation have been used safely and effectively for over 30 years. Vein Support Formula contains diosmin and hesperidin bioflavinoids, which also act as potent anti-oxidants. Taking one tablet of Vein Support Formula per day can help to maintain a healthy leg vein circulation.

Reducing the risk of Prostate Cancer

Prostate disease is one of the most common health problems that men over 30 may have to face at sometime.

A recent study conducted by the Swedish Karolinska Institute has found that a diet rich in soy, sunflower seeds, berries and peanuts can reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 26 per cent. It has long been thought that there is an environmental or dietary component to the risk of developing prostate disease, and this study provides further evidence to support this idea. The foods identified all naturally contain a high level of lignans and phytosterols.

Interestingly other recent research has found a similar association between a low fat diet and reduced risks of prostate disease. A high intake of phytosterols has also been independently linked with a reduced incidence of prostate disease.

Plant phytosterols help to reduce cholesterol absorption and are the plant version of animal cholesterol. Phytosterols temporarily block the cholesterol absorption sites in the intestines, which reduces the amount of cholesterol that can be absorbed, although a small amount of these compounds are absorbed into the bloodstream. Absorbed phytosterols appear to have a specificity for prostate tissues where they have a moderating effect on the production of dihydrotestosterone that stimulates prostate cell growth.

One approach to increasing phytosterol intake is dietary: - adoption of a low fat, organic diet high in fresh unrefined peanuts, whole grains, rice and soy will increase an individuals phytosterol intake significantly. Alternatively a number of supplements are available that are rich in phytosterols - Vibrant Life’s Beta-S™ is a beta-sitosterol and citrus pectin concentrate that contains 300 mg of phytosterol complex in every tablet, extracted from soy and rice.

Omega Oils Influence Mood, Impulsivity and Personality

A new study presented at the 64th annual Scientific Meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society adds further weight to the evidence that increasing Omega 3 intakes can positively affect behaviour and mood. Previous studies have linked low levels of Omega 3 consumption to neurobehavioural disorders, and children have shown improvements in behaviour and learning after 5 months when given a daily Omega 3 supplement.

The Pittsburgh study found that healthy adults with low blood levels of several forms of Omega 3 were more likely to have mild to moderate depression and were more impulsive. Those with higher levels of Omega 3 in their blood were generally more agreeable.

This research adds to the growing body of evidence that having adequate Omega 3 intakes are not only important for the health of your heart, but also for general emotional well being.

Increase in Vitamin D & Calcium may help reduce falls

A daily supplement of Vitamin D and Calcium could cut the rate of falls in elderly women by 50 per cent and lower the risk of osteoporosis fractures reports a new study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

The combination of Vitamin D and Calcium has long been recommended to reduce the risk of bone fracture for older people, particularly those at risk or suffering from osteoporosis, estimated that in the UK Osteoporosis affects as many as 1 in 3 women and costs the NHS £1.5 billion each year. The disease which literally means ‘porous or brittle bones’ is often only first diagnosed when the sufferer experiences a fracture following what may be an innocuous fall or knock.

Paying attention to diet, the amounts of weight bearing exercise and ensuring an adequate daily intake of calcium and other essential nutrients are all important in maintaining healthy bones.

Bones act as a ‘mineral deposit bank’ and Calcium is withdrawn for use by other parts of the body when daily intakes are low, making the bones brittle if this occurs over a prolonged period of time. Vitamin D is essential for the body to store Calcium, and Magnesium makes up 20% of bone structure. Other nutrients such as Boron, Vitamins B6 and B12 are also important to help the body form new bone and store minerals.

As elderly persons often find taking tablets difficult and have a reduced appetite, it is often difficult for them to eat enough of the right foods and supplements to maintain healthy bones. CalMag Tropical overcomes these difficulties by providing a balance of all these essential nutrients for maintaining bone health in a pleasant and refreshing daily drink, which provides all its nutrients in an ionic form that can easily be absorbed.

Probiotics - Balancing the guts flora

A lot has been reported about Probiotics recently, but what exactly are they? And why are they so important?

Illness and stress causes an imbalance of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria in the gut. A healthy digestive system is fundamental both for maintaining good health generally but especially after a treatment with antibiotics or other medications. To maintain a healthy gut, the digestive tract needs to maintain a good growth of healthy bacteria as well as maintaining a proper balance between healthy and potentially harmful micro-organisms.

Probiotics digestive actions improve the digestibility and assimilation of essential nutrients such as proteins and essential fats as well as helping the body take up calcium, phosphorus and iron. Probiotics are also natural producers and a major source of Vitamins and especially B Vitamins. They also restrict the growth of harmful micro-organisms, by naturally producing substances called ‘bacteriocins’ which restrict other harmful types of bacteria from growing. When there are too many harmful bacteria in the gut, they produce toxic substances that can contribute towards ill health, as well as gastrointestinal discomfort, flatulence, tenderness and other problems.

Vibrant Life are pleased to offer a new certified organic, completely natural, herbal Probiotic drink called ‘VITA BIOSA’. Made with seven different types of healthy bacteria and with at least 500 million probiotic bacteria per serving, Vita Biosa can help to promote a healthy digestive system. What’s more, Vita Biosa is dairy free and wholly suitable for lactose intolerance and diabetics, as all the natural sugar contained is fully fermented and removed in the production process.

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