Why You Need B-12
Older people with lower-than-average, blood levels of vitamin B12 are six times more likely to experience brain shrinkage, which has been linked to the risk of developing dementia.
This was the finding of a study in the September 9, 2008 edition of the journal Neurology.
Many foods are now fortified with folic acid, which can mask vitamin B12 deficiency in older adults.
Vitamin B12 is found in meat, fish and supplements; liver and shellfish are very rich sources.
Lifestyle Changes That Can Save Your Life
LIFESTYLE CHANGES TREAT SPECTRUM OF MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS
Researchers report that a number of therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLCs) have the generally unrecognized ability to treat schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, stress, cognitive decline, age-related memory loss, other mental and emotional problems – and even help prevent strokes and the common cold – sometimes as effectively as drug therapy (with fewer complications) or psychotherapy. 
The complete TLC list includes:
- exercise (boosts cognitive performance and reduces memory loss);
- a diet rich in fruits, vegetables & fish (improves cognitive function and reduces affective and schizophrenic symptoms);
- spending time in nature (promotes cognitive function and well-being);
- maintaining good, social relationships (reduces many risks, from colds to strokes to mental illness);
- pursuing recreation & fun (reduces defensiveness and fosters social skills);
- relaxing & stress management (treats numerous anxiety, insomnia and panic disorders);
- meditating (boosts empathy, emotional stability, cognitive function and brain size);
- being religiously or spiritually involved (can reduce anxiety, depression and substance abuse); and providing a service to others (promotes mental and physical health and may extend lifespan).
This study was released February 17, 2011 by American Psychologist but will not appear in the journal until a future issue. It is available at http://bit.ly/hvlDlc.
Berries & Parkinsons
BERRY CONSUMPTION MAY REDUCE PARKINSON’S RISK
The first-ever study on the link between flavonoids and Parkinson’s disease has found a lower risk of developing the disease among men and women who regularly eat berries.
The study also found that – among men – the risk of Parkinson’s is reduced even further by the regular consumption of apples, oranges and other dietary sources of flavonoids. (Flavonoids are found in plants and fruits; and in cocoa, tea and red wine. Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system.)
The research drew information from over 129,000 people by questionnaire and found that males who were in the top 20 percent of flavonoid consumers had a 40 percent lower risk of the disease, compared to those in the bottom 20 percent; there was no lower risk for women with higher overall flavonoid intake. However, when specific flavonoids were analyzed, it became clear that men and women alike enjoyed a lower risk of Parkinson’s with the type of flavonoids called anthocyanins, which are mainly obtained from berries. This study was released February 14, 2011 but details will not be available until the 63rd annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in April.
Healthy St. Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day could be good for your health.
All you have to do is skip the champagne and oysters and opt for red wine and dark chocolate.
Both red wine, and dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 70% or more, contain resveratrol, which lowers blood sugar and is linked to good health; and potent antioxidants called phenols, which prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
Red wine also provides catechins, which raise HDL (good) cholesterol.
100% Fruit Juice Supports A Healthy Overall Diet
WHOLE FRUIT JUICE LINKED TO BETTER DIET
100% fruit juice is viewed by many as a sweetened beverage with a potentially negative effect on weight; however, a research team has concluded that individuals aged two years and up who drink one hundred percent whole fruit juice daily have better overall diet quality, as measured by the Healthy Eating Index-2005, than those who do not consume whole juice daily.
Consumption was associated with greater daily calorie intake among those over age five. But the consumption of both overall fruit, and whole fruit, was higher among the one hundred percent fruit juice-drinkers; and their intake of added sugars was lower. The researchers recommended that consumption in moderation be encouraged. (Other studies have shown a decline in consumption over the past five years. The link between daily consumption of one hundred percent fruit juice and better overall diet quality is not necessarily a cause-and-effect association.) This study was released February 13, 2011 and will appear in a future issue of Nutrition Journal. It is available online now at http://bit.ly/i4X0bz without charge.
Your Heart Health Needs More than 6 Hours of Sleep
INSUFFICIENT SLEEP INCREASES RISK OF STROKE AND HEART ATTACK
Researchers conclude that chronically getting less than six hours of sleep a night produces hormones and chemicals in the body that are associated with greater risks of developing high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, heart attacks, strokes, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.
In fact, regularly sleeping less than six hours a night can result in a 48% higher risk of developing or dying of heart disease and a 15% greater risk of developing or dying of a stroke.
Sleeping over nine hours a night has been linked to illness, including cardiovascular disease.
It is the chronic lack of sufficient sleep that produces long-term risk, not an occasional late night and early morning. The study analyzed data from 470,000 participants from eight countries. This study was released online February 8, 2011 by the European Heart Journal and will appear in a future print issue. It is available online now at http://bit.ly/erusY4 without charge.
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Diabetics Put the Tea Kettle On
Diabetics: have you enjoyed your chamomile tea yet?
Drinking chamomile tea daily with meals may help prevent the complications of diabetes, which include loss of vision, nerve damage and kidney damage. This possibilty was raised when chamomile extract was fed to diabetic rats and it lowered levels of two substances associated with increased diabetic complications.
Researchers reported this study in the September 10, 2008 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Dietary Nitrate Redeems Itself!
DIETARY NITRATE MAKES MUSCLES MORE FUEL-EFFICIENT
A study found that a compound found in vegetables such as spinach and beets, when mixed with friendly bacteria in the mouth, improves the efficiency of energy-producing powerhouses known as mitochondria.
Little has been known about nitrate, assumed by some to lack nutritional value, suspected of being toxic and yet known to lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. In this study, healthy test subjects who took a small dose of inorganic nitrate daily for three days used less oxygen while riding an exercise bicycle. Nitrate, and the nitric oxides it produces, appeared to permit mitochondria to make energy on less protein and this efficiency effect was fairly immediate.
The researchers do not recommend that people take inorganic nitrate supplements but they do suggest that they might have found one explanation for the well-known health benefits of vegetables and leafy, green vegetables in particular. Also, the study team cautioned against the use of strong mouthwashes, which destroy the oral bacteria required to reduce nitrate, the first step in this process. Published in the February, 2011 issue of Cell Metabolism, this study is now available online at http://bit.ly/gdNPaS.
Take a 30 Minute Walk 5 Days/Week for Cancer Prevention
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ISSUES EXERCISE RECOMMENDATIONS TO FIGHT CANCER
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new, global, exercise recommendations aimed at reducing the risk of breast cancer and colon cancers. While various types of cancer might be prevented by exercise, WHO experts estimate, after examining the scientific evidence, that 25% of breast and colon cancers could be prevented if sedentary people exercised just 150 minutes a week. The WHO stressed that this amount of exercise could be attained easily with a moderately brisk 30-minute walk five days a week.
The WHO reports that 31% of the world’s population is inactive, the fourth leading risk factor globally for death. One person in two will have a cancer in his or her lifetime and the risk increases with age.
The WHO released the new anti-cancer recommendations in time for World Cancer Day, which is February 4, 2011. The full report is available online on the WHO website at http://bit.ly/fClTR7 without charge.
New Developments in Bone Structure of Chinese-American vs. Caucasian Women
Columbia University uses technological innovation to study bone structure
A team of researchers at Columbia Engineering and Columbia University Medical Center announced the results of the first study comparing bone structure in Chinese-American women to Caucasian women. The report, just presented at the Orthopaedic Research Society’s annual meeting at Long Beach, CA, found that pre-menopausal Chinese-American women have far greater bone strength than their Caucasian counterparts, as determined by a breakthrough technological advance.
The Columbia team was led by X. Edward Guo, Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, and, from Columbia University Medical Center, John P. Bilezikian, Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology, Marcella Walker, Assistant Professor of Medicine, and X. Sherry Liu, Associate Research Scientist.
The team used a groundbreaking analytical technique developed at Columbia Engineering- Individual Trabeculae Segmentation (ITS) – to analyze the microstructure and strength of the trabecular, or spongy bone, one of the two types of tissue that form bone (the other is cortical, or compact bone). Trabecular bone is the most important site of osteoporosis-related fractures. Critical to the research was the use of ITS, an advanced 3-D imaging analysis technique that was conceived and developed in Dr. Guo’s Bone Bioengineering Laboratory, and has a unique ability – using high-resolution computed tomography images – to quantify the plate and rod microstructure crucial to bone strength and osteoporotic fracture of bone.
The Columbia group is the first to apply ITS to clinical studies; this is the first time they have applied ITS to ethnic studies of bone health. A total of 95 women were included in the study-49 Caucasian and 46 Chinese-American. There were no significant age differences between the two groups (36(+-)7 vs. 35(+-)4).
“We found in this research that Chinese-American women do not have the same risk of fracture as Caucasian women due to the plate-like structure of their bone, which offers mechanical advantages over the rod-like structure found in the bones of Caucasian women,” Dr. Guo explained. “If you look at a building made of walls, you can see that it is much stronger than a building made only of columns. Columbia Engineering’s ITS is the only established technique that can distinguish plate vs. rod and it clearly revealed in this study the striking magnitude of the differences between the bone structure of the Chinese-American and Caucasian women.”
Drs. Bilezikian and Marcella Walker led the clinical aspect of the study and quantified the microstructures in the distal radius and the tibia. “These are the two areas that the instrument can measure,” Dr. Bilezikian said. “But we believe the data that come from these sites can be applied to other sites such as the hip.”
Dr. Liu, who earned her PhD on ITS development in Dr. Guo’s Bone Bioengineering Laboratory, noted that the most important factor when determining bone strength is the ratio of plate to rod in trabecular bone. “We found the plate to rod ratio of trabecular bone in Chinese-American women was twice that of Caucasian women (0.62 vs. 0.30). We also found the number of trabecular plates was significantly higher in Chinese-American women when compared to Caucasian women, indicating that Chinese-American women have much stronger trabecular bone than Caucasian women.” Liu is currently an associate research scientist with Dr. Bilezikian in Columbia University Medical Center’s Endocrinology Division.
Dr. Liu continued, “The size of the individual trabecular plates was significantly larger in the Chinese-American women versus the Caucasian women. Trabecular plates were 9% and 4% greater in thickness and 11% greater in surface area at the distal radius and tibia.” The researchers also found that Chinese-American women had better cortical bone quality than Caucasian women. The study has not yet explored potential explanations for these differences.
“The advanced ITS morphological analysis developed at Columbia Engineering showcases a paradigm-shift technology in measuring bone micro-architecture,” said Dr. Guo. “ITS is a must-have technology for both basic science and clinical studies of osteoporosis and we are very excited about continuing our research.”
Drs. Guo and Bilezikian traveled to China this past November and are planning to return in early 2011 to work on creating Columbia-associated research centers there with the goal of extending their research to Chinese women living in both urban and rural areas of China. “The major differences between Chinese-American women and Caucasian women elucidated in this paper may eventually help us understand the mechanisms by which hormones and other factors control skeletal microstructure,” Dr. Bilezikian said. “The essence of what we found here helps to account for the markedly reduced risk of a hip fracture in Chinese-American woman compared to Caucasian women.”
A New Tool in Heart Attack Prevention
FOLIC ACID & HEART ATTACK PREVENTION
New research explains why folic acid supplements help prevent a first heart attack but has failed in studies to show benefit in preventing a second occurrence. The B vitamin, folic acid, lowers homocysteine in the blood, an effect linked to a reduced heart attack risk. Yet providing folic acid to heart patients has failed to lower the risk of a second attack. Analysis of 75 studies involving about 50,000 people, and clinical trials involving about 40,000 people, showed that heart patients often are placed on aspirin therapy. Aspirin reduced homocysteine levels, which means patients received no extra benefit from the folic acid.
Folic acid taken by those who have not yet suffered a heart attack – and therefore, are not yet on aspirin therapy – lowered homocysteine levels and helped prevent attacks. This suggests folic acid supplements may be an effective replacement for aspirin, which can involve side effects, and thus help prevent both first and subsequent attacks. This study, released February 2, 2011, will not appear in print until a future issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. It is available online now at http://bit.ly/h1KRuP without charge.
A New Way to Look at Fat, Salt & Sugars
NEW US DIETARY GUIDELINES FOCUS ON SALT, FAT & SUGARS
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have updated the 2005 dietary guidelines. The new guidelines include 23 recommendations, which take direct aim at sodium, refined sugars, fats and refined grains.
Saturated Fat
Saturated fat should be limited to less than 10% of overall calorie intake, advises the new report, which was based on the latest scientific evidence.
Sodium
The guidelines also recommend a maximum daily intake of 2,300mg of sodium and a maximum of 1,500mg for high-risk groups, which includes those over age 50, or those who have diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or high blood pressure.
Alcohol
Alcohol consumption should be limited to one drink daily for women, and two for men.
Grains
The report recommended that whole grains be chosen over refined grains.
Fruits & Vegetables
A wide variety of fruits and vegetables should be eaten regularly; and meat and poultry should be replaced occasionally with seafood.
Consumers should replace sugary drinks with water; choose smaller portions generally; and get more exercise. The complete report – including specific recommendations for people aged 50 and over, and those who are pregnant or breastfeeding – is available online now at http://bit.ly/g2IIJH.
Exciting New Improvements to Patented Kids Potential
This week we’re finishing production of our latest improvements to Kids Potential and we wanted you to be the first to know.
Awarded Patent
In addition to the enhancements listed below, Kids Potential has been awarded the very first patent ever for “a Nutritional Supplement to Enhance Learning Academic & Behavioral Performance” patent #7,771,756.
Improvements
We’re pleased to present these improvements (at no additional charge) to Kids Potential – for Learning & Academic Performance:
All Natural Sweeteners: We’ve replaced the trace amount of sucralose with high purity natural stevia leaf extract for a delicious natural sweetness that livens the natural berries in Kids Potential. The taste is better than ever!
Natural Vitamin K-2 for Healthy Bones: We included an additional important form of Vitamin K called Vitamin K-2 at the dose recommended by published clinical trials in children to support healthy bones. Latest research concludes that healthy bone density later in life begins in childhood. Between the Vitamin K-1 & Vitamin K-2 in Kids Potential, your child will receive 100% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin K in two forms.
Complies with the New RDA for Vitamin D-3: We’ve increased the Vitamin D-3 content from 400 IU to 600 IUs because the Institute of Medicine has just officially revised the RDA from 400 IU to 600 IU. This is a brand new recommendation, so we’re one of the very first to increase the Vitamin D content in a kids dietary supplement. We believe it is important to stay current with the scientific research which shows that we simply need more Vitamin D in our diet.
Additional Fruits & Berries: We’ve augmented our fruit blend to to include pomegranate, blackberry and Patagonian Maqui berry, as part of our comprehensive Polyphenol/Anthoflavone Complex which already includes: grape, citrus, decaffeinated green tea, blueberry, dark sweet cherry, cranberry, elderberry, raspberry, rose hips, wild bilberry, grape & red Concord grapeskin. We think the new Berry Blast flavor is the very best ever.
Comprehensive Pesticide Testing
Our all natural fruits and berries have been rigorously tested by a comprehensive USP pesticide/agricultural chemical panel at a US reference laboratory. Additionally, it has been tested for heavy metals and microbial contaminants to ensure that Kids Potential provides the cleanest, natural dietary supplementation for your child. To our knowledge, no other kids’ vitamin is as rigorously tested.
What We Don’t Give Your Child
This is our list of “Nos” – ingredients commonly found in mass market kids vitamins that you will never find in Kids Potential:
No Artificial Colors
No Artificial Sweeteners
No Preservatives
No Aspartame
No Acesulfame
No Fructose
No Saccharin
No Sucralose
No Sugar or Sucrose
No Dairy
No Egg
No Salt
No Wheat
No Gluten
No Yeast
No Starch
No Milk
No Lactose
No Corn
No Soy
No Carageenan
No Peanuts
No Tree Nuts
No Caffeine
No Herbal Stimulants
No Animal Products
We believe this is the best tasting Kids Potential ever and think your kids will agree.
Support your child’s academic learning and behavior for only $0.83/day. Click here to replenish your supply of Kids Potential.
Can Calcium Protect Against Lead?
A sufficient supply of dietary calcium may help lower levels of lead in the blood.
A study published online in Environmental Health Perspectives on September 18, 2008, found that pregnant women who take 1,200 mg of calcium supplement a day have up to a 31% chance of reduced lead levels in their blood.
If confirmed by further research, this suggests that calcium supplements also would lower fetal exposure to lead
A Brisk Walk Can Turn Back the Clock
MODERATE AEROBIC EXERCISE LINKED TO IMPROVED MEMORY
Researchers have found an association between moderate levels of aerobic exercise and increased size of the hippocampus, an area of the brain involved in memory. This is the first study to focus on older adults who already have experienced some decrease in the size of the hippocampus, believed to be the (potentially-inevitable) cause of memory loss with age.
Some of the 120 sedentary adults were placed on a routine of brisk, 40-minute walks three times a week, while others did stretching and toning exercises. In those who walked, hippocampus size increased almost 2%; memory function improved; levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (a biomarker for learning and memory) increased; and scores on spatial memory tests were higher. (Spatial memory records information about a person’s immediate environment and geographical orientation.)
It is important to note that the effect was found only with aerobic exercise; and that only moderate exercise levels were sufficient to produce this effect.
This study was released January 31, 2011 but will not appear in print until a future issue of the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It is available online now at http://bit.ly/hhnodP.