Natural Health Alternatives
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March 7, 2010
Vitamin D crucial to activating immune defenses
Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that Vitamin D is crucial to activating our immune defenses and that without sufficient intake of the vitamin, the killer cells of the immune system - T cells - will not be able to react to and fight off serious infections in the body.
Read article at physorg.com
March 4, 2010
Red clover may counter depressive symptoms in older women
Post-menopausal women taking supplements of a red clover extract may experience fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety, says a new randomised trial from Austria. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were reduced by about 80 per cent following 90 days of supplements containing 80 milligrams of red clover isoflavones, according to findings of a prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial published in Maturitas.
Read article at nutraingredients.com
March 3, 2010
Omega-3 may boost lung function during sport
Supplements of omega-3 fatty acids may improve lung function of athletes during and after exercise, suggests a new study from Germany and Iran with wrestlers.
Read article at nutraingredients.com
March 3, 2010
Vitamin D lifts mood during cold weather months
A daily dose of vitamin D may just be what Chicagoans need to get through the long winter, according to researchers at Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing (MNSON). This nutrient lifts mood during cold weather months when days are short and more time is spent indoors.
Read article at physorg.com
March 1, 2010
DHA brain benefits may extend to middle age
Increased intakes of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenonic acid) may improve mental function in middle age people, suggests a new study from the US.
Read article at nutraingredients-usa.com
February 25, 2010
High calcium intakes may improve male survival: Study
Intakes of calcium above the recommended daily levels may reduce the risk of dying from heart disease and cancer by 25 per cent, says a new study from Sweden. Average daily intakes of 1,953 m of the mineral were also associated with a non-significant lower risk of mortality from only heart disease, compared to average daily intakes of 990 mg per day, according to findings published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
Read article at nutraingredients.com
February 25, 2010
Multivitamins may help weight loss in obese women
Supplements of multivitamins and minerals may help reduce body weight and improve blood fat levels, according to results of a clinical trial in obese Chinese women. Results of a 26-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study with 87 women found that multivitamins and minerals were associated with significantly lower body weight, body mass index, and fat mass. Levels of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were also significantly reduced, while HDL-cholesterol were increased, according to findings published in the International Journal of Obesity.
Read article at nutraingredients.com
February 23, 2010
Omega-3, vitamins, minerals may reduce aggressive behaviour
Supplements of omega-3s, vitamins and minerals for prisoners may reduce the number of violent and aggressive episodes in prisoners, according to a new study from The Netherlands. Nutritional supplements containing vitamins, minerals, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids were associated with a 34 per cent reduction in violent incidents, according to findings of a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial with over 200 young adult offenders published in Aggressive Behavior.
Read article at nutraingredients.com
Comment: Extensive research conducted in the UK in the past twenty years has resulted in similar conclusions to those reported in this study. As a result, the role nutrition may play in shaping social behavior both in the community and in closed conditions is becoming increasingly clear. According to Natural Justice, a UK charity based in Oxford that is working to develop a fundamentally new approach to violent and anti-social behavior, the underlying thesis is simple: the brain needs to be nourished like all other parts of the body, and it is vital to consider the nutritional needs of the brain as a key factor in governing behavior. For more information on the research conducted in the UK on the relationship between social behavior and nutrition, click here.
February 23, 2010
Antioxidants may help lower diabetes rates, study
Higher consumption of antioxidants in the diet in order to lower the rate of diabetes should be made a public health priority, according to a new study. The findings of the study, published in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases supports the view that dietary antioxidants are associated with improved glycemic biomarkers in healthy adults, as well as in diabetic patients.
Read article at nutraingredients.com
February 22, 2010
Folic acid supplements may reduce pre-term births
Maintaining supplementation with folic acid through to the third trimester of pregnancy may reduce the risk of preterm births, says a new study from Hungary.
Read article at nutraingredients.com
February 18, 2010
Very high omega-3 intakes linked to big health benefits
Intakes of omega-3 exceeding levels consumed by the general US population may significantly reduce the risk of chronic disease, suggests a new study with Yup'ik Eskimos. High levels of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) were associated with lower levels of triglycerides, as well as higher levels of HDL cholesterol, according to data from 357 Yup'ik Eskimos published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Raised levels of the fatty acids were also associated with decreased levels of markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), which is produced in the liver and is a known marker for inflammation. Increased levels of CRP are a good predictor for the onset of both type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. CVD causes almost 50 per cent of deaths in Europe, and is reported to cost the EU economy an estimated €169 billion ($202 billion) per year.
Read article at nutraingredients-usa.com
February 16, 2010
Cocktail of five vitamins may give cancer patients an extra two years
Cancer patients with terminal disease who take a daily cocktail of vitamins could extend their lives by two years or even longer, claim researchers. Three out of four in a pilot study survived an average of five months longer than the expected one year, and some were still alive three years after treatment started.
Read article in the Daily Mail (UK)
Comment: As with the ‘Dietary Formula That Maintains Youthful Function Into Old Age’ story, dated February 12, below, this study provides still further confirmation of the effectiveness of the nutrient synergy approach pioneered by Dr. Rath and Dr. Niedzwiecki. Rather than using single nutrients, the approach taken at the Dr. Rath Research Institute utilises carefully chosen multiple ingredients as a means of affecting defined biological targets. To learn about Dr. Rath’s scientific discovery in the control of cancer, click here.
February 15, 2010
High levels of vitamin D in older people can reduce heart disease and diabetes
Middle aged and elderly people with high levels of vitamin D could reduce their chances of developing heart disease or diabetes by 43%, according to researchers at the University of Warwick.
Read article at physorg.com
February 15, 2010
Magnesium supplements may boost lung health for asthmatics
Daily supplements of magnesium may improve lung function in asthmatics, and improve their quality of life, says a new study from America. Measures of lung capacity increased by about 6 per cent during six months of magnesium supplementation, and improvements were also observed in the bronchial response to methacholine, a chemical that produces constriction of the lungs, according to findings published in the Journal of Asthma.
Read article at nutraingredients-usa.com
February 13, 2010
Walking regularly and taking supplement 'can significantly ease pain of arthritis'
Walking less than two miles a couple of times a week and taking a natural supplement can significantly ease the crippling pain of arthritis, a new study shows.
Read article in the Daily Telegraph (UK)
Comment: The study found that a supplement of glucosamine sulphate, when combined with walking around a mile and a half in distance, three times a week, resulted in patients feeling better within weeks. After six months, the patients reported that their pain levels had halved.
February 12, 2010
Dietary Formula That Maintains Youthful Function Into Old Age
Researchers at McMaster University have developed a cocktail of ingredients that forestalls major aspects of the aging process. The findings are published in the current issue of Experimental Biology and Medicine. "As we all eventually learn, ageing diminishes our mind, fades our perception of the world and compromises our physical capacity," says David Rollo, associate professor of biology at McMaster. "Declining physical activity -- think of grandparents versus toddlers -- is one of the most reliable expressions of ageing and is also a good indicator of obesity and general mortality risk." The study found that a complex dietary supplement powerfully offsets this key symptom of ageing in old mice by increasing the activity of the cellular furnaces that supply energy -- or mitochondria -- and by reducing emissions from these furnaces -- or free radicals -- that are thought to be the basic cause of ageing itself.
Read article at sciencedaily.com
Comment: As with the ‘Cocktail of five vitamins may give cancer patients an extra two years’ story, dated February 16, above, this study provides still further confirmation of the effectiveness of the nutrient synergy approach pioneered by Dr. Rath and Dr. Niedzwiecki. Rather than using single nutrients, the approach taken at the Dr. Rath Research Institute utilises carefully chosen multiple ingredients as a means of affecting defined biological targets. Once the science behind this methodology becomes used as the basis for forming national public health policies, problems such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, AIDS and other common diseases will become largely unknown to future generations.
February 9, 2010
Blueberries counteract intestinal diseases
It is already known that blueberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamins. New research from the Lund University Faculty of Engineering in Sweden shows that blueberry fibre are important and can alleviate and protect against intestinal inflammations, such as ulcerative colitis. The protective effect is even better if the blueberries are eaten together with probiotics.
Read article at physorg.com
February 8, 2010
Exercise 'cuts risk of developing painful gallstones'
Doing lots of exercise drastically cuts the risk of developing painful gallstones, UK researchers have found. Gallstones are common but only 30% of cases have symptoms and complications. A University of East Anglia study of 25,000 men and women found those who were the most active had a 70% reduced risk of those complaints.
Read article on the BBC News website (UK)
February 6, 2010
Saffron, Spice That Saves Your Sight
People could be saved from incurable blindness by the yellow spice saffron, according to a new study. It has been hailed as a weapon in the fight against one of the commonest causes of sight loss, age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Read article in the Daily Express (UK)
February 5, 2010
Omega-3 may combat mouth bacteria, boost oral health
The dental health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids may include anti-bacterial effects, extending the benefits beyond inflammation, says a new study from the University of Kentucky. Omega-3 fatty acids of marine and plant origin were found to have strong anti-bacterial activity against a range of oral pathogens, according to findings published in Molecular Oral Microbiology.
Read article at nutraingredients-usa.com
February 3, 2010
Hibiscus tea may reduce blood pressure in at-risk people
A few cups of hibiscus tea a day may reduce blood pressure and offer cardiovascular benefits for people at risk of developing hypertension, says a new study from Tufts University. Three 240 mL servings a day of tea made with hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) were associated with a 7.2 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure and a 3.1 mmHg reduction in diastolic blood pressure, compared to 1.3 and 0.5 mmHg in the placebo group, according to findings published in The Journal of Nutrition.
Read article at nutraingredients.com
February 3, 2010
Omega-3 may boost kidney health in diabetics: Study
Supplements of omega-3 fatty acids may improve the kidney health of diabetics, say results of a double-blind placebo-controlled trial from Hong Kong.
Read article at nutraingredients.com
February 2, 2010
Fish oil 'reduces youth psychosis'
Fish oil supplements can dramatically reduce the chance of young people developing psychosis or schizophrenia, Australian researchers say.
Read article in the Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
February 1, 2010
Vitamin, minerals may reduce eczema risk in children
Increased intakes of beta-carotene, vitamin E, folic acid, and iron may reduce the risk of atopic dermatitis, a form of eczema, suggests a new study from Korea. Children with the highest average intakes of the four nutrients were found to have significantly lower risks of atopic dermatitis, than children with the lowest average intakes, according to findings published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Read article at nutraingredients.com
January 28, 2010
Omega-3 may reduce risk of dental disease: Study
Increased levels of omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) may decrease the risk of dental diseases, suggests a new study from Japan. The average number of dental disease events was 1.5 times higher in people with low DHA levels, compared to those with the highest average levels of DHA, according to findings published in Nutrition.
Read article at nutraingredients.com
January 27, 2010
Vitamin D Supplements Could Fight Crohn's Disease
A new study has found that Vitamin D, readily available in supplements or cod liver oil, can counter the effects of Crohn's disease. John White, an endocrinologist at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, led a team of scientists from McGill University and the Université de Montréal who present their findings about the inflammatory bowel disease in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Read article at sciencedaily.com
January 21, 2010
High Vitamin D Levels Linked to Lower Risk of Colon Cancer
High blood levels of vitamin D are associated with a lower risk of colon cancer, finds a large European study published online in the British Medical Journal. The risk was cut by as much as 40% in people with the highest levels compared with those in the lowest.
Read article at sciencedaily.com
January 20, 2010
Vitamin D supplementation can reduce falls in nursing care facilities
Giving people living in nursing facilities vitamin D can reduce the rate of falls, according to a new Cochrane Review.
Read article at physorg.com
January 20, 2010
Aerobic exercise grows brain cells
Aerobic exercises such as running or jogging have long been known to be good for the health, but now new research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) has shown that it also stimulates the growth of new brain cells and improves the memory and ability to learn.
Read article at physorg.com
January 20, 2010
Intravenous fish oil in ICU effective
A trial of fish oil given intravenously to patients in intensive care reduces inflammation and results in a shorter hospital stay, British researchers say.
Read news report on the United Press International (UPI) website
January 19, 2010
Omega-3s May Slow Aging in Heart Patients
Heart disease patients with the highest blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids appear to age more slowly than those with the lowest blood levels, according to a new study.
Read article at webmd.com
January 19, 2010
Antioxidant-rich fruit and veg may cut lymph cancer risk
Increased intakes of antioxidant-rich vegetables may reduce the risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma by about 30 per cent, says a new study. Increased dietary intakes of specific antioxidant nutrients, like vitamin C, alpha-carotene, and proanthocyanidins were also individually associated with significant reductions in risks for the cancer, according to results published from the Iowa Women's Health Study in the International Journal of Cancer.
Read article at nutraingredients.com
January 15, 2010
St. John's wort may cool hot flashes
The popular herbal remedy St. John's wort may help ease menopausal hot flashes, a small study suggests.
Read news report at reuters.com
January 13, 2010
Green tea 'may block lung cancer'
Drinking green tea may offer some protection against lung cancer, say experts who studied the disease at a medical university in Taiwan. The latest work in more than 500 people adds to growing evidence suggesting the beverage has anti-cancer powers.
Read article on the BBC News website (UK)
Comment: Just as with the finding that green tea extracts can inhibit the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the news that green tea may block lung cancer is no surprise to us. To read about Dr. Rath’s research showing how a nutrient combination – including vitamin C, the amino acids L-lysine and L-proline and a green tea extract known as Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) – works synergistically to stop the spread of cancer cells through connective tissue, click here.
January 13, 2010
Multivitamins may cut lung cancer risk in smokers
Multivitamins, folate, and green leafy vegetables may reduce the risk of developing lung cancer in current and former smokers, says a new study from the US.
Read article at foodnavigator.com
January 13, 2010
Calcium, vitamin D reduce fracture risk
People who take daily supplements of calcium and vitamin D significantly reduce their risk of suffering a fracture, irrespective of their age, gender or previous fracture history, the results of a new study indicate.
Read article at irishhealth.com
Comment: The researchers found that vitamin D supplements alone were not effective in preventing fractures. However, calcium and vitamin D given together reduced hip fractures and total fractures. As such, this study provides still further support for the research findings of Dr. Rath, Dr. Niedzwiecki and their researchers at the Dr. Rath Research Institute, who, for some years now, have focused their attention on nutrient synergy as the most effective approach to optimizing cellular metabolism and restoring its balance. The concept of nutrient synergy maximizes the health benefits of micronutrients because of the discovery that they work best in "teams". Thus, it is not the intake of any one single nutrient that ensures full health, but the intake of a complete spectrum of various different micronutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids and trace elements. To read about clinical studies conducted by the Dr. Rath Research Institute that utilize nutrient synergy, click here. To read about a study demonstrating reduced fracture-healing time associated with nutrient supplementation, click here.
January 12, 2010
Pine bark extract may ease haemorrhoid problems
Supplements of French maritime pine bark extract may reduce the intensity and duration of haemorrhoidal pain and bleeding, says a new study. A daily supplement of the pine bark extract, Pycnogenol, for seven days reduced pain around the anus from an initial average of 3.2 points on a four-point pain scale to about 0.8 at the end of the study, according to findings published in Phytotherapy Research.
Read article at nutraingredients.com
January 11, 2010
Blueberries may boost memory in older adults: Study
Supplemental blueberries for only 12 weeks may boost memory in older people with early memory problems, says a new study from the US. A daily drink of about 500 mL of blueberry juice was associated with improved learning and word list recall, as well as a suggestion of reduced depressive symptoms, according to findings published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Read article at nutraingredients.com
Comment: The results of this study add to similar findings by other researchers, who have found that blueberries can increase attention span and reverse memory loss.
January 6, 2010
Review supports omega-3 for liver health
Increased intakes of omega-3 fatty acids from marine sources may benefit people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), says a new review of the literature. A review of four human studies found that the fatty acids could improve liver health and function, and increase insulin sensitivity in people suffering from fatty liver, a condition that is usually symptomless but said to increase the risk for liver inflammation, and ultimately results in liver failure.
Read article at nutraingredients.com
January 6, 2010
Vitamins and minerals may slash bladder cancer risk
Increased intakes of vitamin E may reduce the risk of bladder cancer by about 35 per cent, says a new study from an international team of researchers. Findings published in Cancer Causes and Control also showed that carotenoids, niacin, thiamine, and vitamin D may reduce the risk of bladder cancer in older people.
Read article at nutraingredients.com
January 5, 2010
Natural compounds in pomegranates may prevent growth of hormone-dependent breast cancer
Eating fruit, such as pomegranates, that contain anti-aromatase phytochemicals reduces the incidence of hormone-dependent breast cancer, according to results of a study published in the January issue of Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. Pomegranate is enriched in a series of compounds known as ellagitannins that, as shown in this study, appear to be responsible for the anti-proliferative effect of the pomegranate.
Read article at physorg.com
January 4, 2010
Survival of the fittest: exercise 'can fight ageing'
Long-term physical activity has an anti-ageing effect at the cellular level, a German study suggests. Researchers focused on telomeres, the protective caps on the chromosomes that keep a cell's DNA stable but shorten with age. They found telomeres shortened less quickly in key immune cells of athletes with a long history of endurance training.
Read article on the BBC News website (UK)
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