Fatty Fish May Reduce Men's Heart Failure Risk Curcumin, ingredient in Vitamin Power's Glucosamine Plus, Is Now Studied For It's Immune-Boosting Power Magnesium May Benefit Blood Pressure in Hypertensives Plant Proteins Key To Weight Loss, Cardiovascular Health, Lower Cholesterol, Suggests Study New Study Finds Reduced Risks of Macular Degeneration Correlates To Specific Dietary Factors and Key Nutrients Controlling Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Essential To Preventing Stroke Big Breakfast Recommended For Weight Loss Protein Plus Carbs Best For Sports Performance Vitamin D Can Alter Colon Cancer Cells Women's Health News Antioxidants Beneficial for Type 2 Diabetes Building Brain Power With Super Nutrient Foods Valuable Natural Weight Reduction Benefits of GREEN TEA Research Suggests Grapes And Grape Extracts May Lower Cardiovascular Disease Risk Substance Found In Fruits And Vegetables Reduces Likelihood Of The Flu Low Melatonin Increases Risk of Breast Cancer Keep Strong and Healthy with Multi Vitamins Blood Sugar Linked To Normal Cognitive Aging Calcium May Only Protect Against Colorectal Cancer In Presence Of Proper Levels Of Magnesium Erectile Dysfunction May Signal Serious Heart Selenium May Help Slow AIDS Virus Aspirin May Prevent Bladder Cancer Grape Seed Extract Kills Leukemia Cells Vitamin B3 Reduces Alzheimer's Symptoms Green Tea Helps Protect The Heart Managing and Preventing Asthma with Salmon Oil Learn More about Vitamin Power Fatty Fish May Reduce Men's Heart Failure Risk One portion of fatty fish per week may reduce a man's risk of heart failure, according to important new research from the US and Sweden. The key cardiovascular benefits appear linked to the Omega-3 content of the fish, report researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden in the European Heart Journal. The highest intake of marine Omega-3 Fatty Acids linked to a reduction in the risk of heart failure of 33 per cent. Interestingly, larger intakes did not appear to offer any additional benefit. Curcumin, ingredient in Vitamin Power's Glucosamine Plus, Is Now Studied For Its Immune-Boosting Power The research, published in the prestigious Journal of the American Chemical Society, may help scientists understand how Curcumin works inside the body. Curcumin, the natural pigment that gives the spice turmeric its yellow colour, has increasingly come under the scientific spotlight in recent years for its many health benefits. Recent studies have been investigating its potential value for reducing cholesterol levels, improving cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of Alzheimer's, and potential protection against cancer. Turmeric has a long history of use in ancient medicine for the treatment of wounds, infections, and other health problems. Nutrition experts recommend however that consumers wishing to make use of curcumin's properties consume it in supplement form rather than eating more curries, which tend to be high in fat. Recently, Curcumin has been studied and linked to a wide range of health benefits, including: Potential Protection Against Prostate Cancer (Clinical Cancer Research, 2008:14 ), Alzheimer's (Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 2006, Vol. 10, pp. 1-7; American Journal of Epidemiology, 2006, Vol. 164, pp. 898-906) Protection Against Heart Failure (Journal of Clinical Investigation, doi: 10.1172/JCI32865) Protection Against Diabetes (Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 2008, doi: 10.1002/mnfr.200700184) Protection Against Arthritis (Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2006, Vol. 54, pp. 3452-3464). Magnesium May Benefit Blood Pressure in Hypertensives Supplemental Magnesium may reduce blood pressure in people with elevated blood pressure, as published in Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases. These findings suggest that Magnesium supplementation may help prevent the progression of hypertension in normo-magnesemic non-diabetic overweight people with higher Blood Pressure, although mechanisms of counter-regulation preventing further Blood Pressure increase remain to be studied further, concluded the researchers from Pusan National University. The study adds to findings from epidemiological studies which reported that more Magnesium, Potassium and Calcium may reduce the risk of hypertension in certain populations. High blood pressure (hypertension), defined as having a systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) greater than 140 and 90 mmHg, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Source: Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases "Effects of oral magnesium supplementation on insulin sensitivity and blood pressure in normo-magnesemic nondiabetic overweight Korean adults" Authors: S. Lee, H.K. Park, S.P. Son, C.W. Lee, I.J. Kim, H.J. Kim Plant Proteins Key To Weight Loss, Cardiovascular Health, Lower Cholesterol, Suggests Study A diet low in carbohydrates and high in plant-based proteins could improve blood cholesterol levels while promoting weight loss, according to a new study. In a paper published this week in the JAMA journal Archives of Internal Medicine, scientists suggested that popular low-carb diets with meat protein, which are often promoted for weight loss, may contain high levels or saturated fat and cholesterol, which could lead to the potential for adverse effects. The study found that overweight individuals who ate a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate diet high in plant-based proteins for four weeks lost weight and experienced improvements in blood cholesterol. Source: The Effect of a Plant-Based Low-Carbohydrate ('Eco-Atkins') Diet on Body Weight and Blood Lipid Concentrations in Hyperlipidemic Subjects Archives of Internal Medicine, 2009. Featured Product: Super Sterol Protein Complex Tablets New Study Finds Reduced Risks of Macular Degeneration Correlates To Specific Dietary Factors and Key Nutrients A diet that includes key nutrients and low-glycemic index foods is likely to reduce risks for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to the first study to analyze these factors in combination. This new analysis of Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) data was conducted at The Laboratory for Nutrition and Vision Research, and USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. This research was published in the May issue of Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Controlling Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Essential To Preventing Stroke Reaching optimal levels for cholesterol and high blood pressure in people who've had a stroke is essential to prevent a second stroke or heart attack, according to a study to be presented as part of the late-breaking Science Program at the American Academy of Neurology's 61st Annual Meeting in Seattle, April 25 - May 2, 2009. Researchers examined four risk factors for stroke: high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, and high blood pressure. They found that for each risk factor that is controlled at the optimal level, the risk of stroke and other major cardiovascular problems goes down. The study's results demonstrate that there is a cumulative beneficial effect to lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. It is highly recommended that people need to work with their doctors to reach the optimal level on all of the major risk factors. With previous studies, researchers knew that lowering cholesterol and blood pressure was helpful overall in preventing stroke, but did not know whether one risk factor played a stronger role than another. The optimal levels were defined as LDL "bad" cholesterol of lower than 70, HDL "good" cholesterol of higher than 50, triglycerides less than 150, and blood pressure less than 120/80. Big Breakfast Recommended For Weight Loss Researchers have found a possible way to overcome the common problem of dieters who want to successfully lose weight, long-term... Eat a big breakfast each morning packed with carbohydrates and protein, then follow a low-carb, low-calorie diet the remainder of the day. Most weight loss studies have determined that a very low carbohydrate diet is not a good method to reduce weight because it typically exacerbates the craving for carbohydrates and slows metabolism. As a result, after a short period of weight loss, there is a quick return to obesity. Results were presented in June, 2008 at The Endocrine Society's 90th Annual Meeting in San Francisco. Protein Plus Carbs Best For Sports Performance Sports drinks containing protein are better at improving athletes' performance. New research published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition has shown that drinks containing a mix of carbohydrate and protein are superior to carbohydrate-only drinks in improving cyclists' recovery from exercise. Researchers from Gettysburg College and The University of Western Ontario studied which energy drink best helped cyclists recover after a strenuous ride. Carbohydrate and protein supplement drinks given early during a six hour post-exercise recovery period helped athletes better maintain subsequent time trial performance and power output, compared to supplements with carbohydrate alone. In the test, cyclists rode exercise bikes that were attached to monitors allowing them to compete against a virtual opponent. After a morning session, they rested for six hours drinking either the protein-containing sports drink or the carbohydrate only version. Both formulas had the same total energy content. After their six-hour rest, the athletes did another virtual cycle race. Although both groups showed a reduction in performance in the afternoon session due to fatigue. However, the reduction in distance traveled and power output during the afternoon exercise was significantly less among those who had the protein and carbs drink, relative those who just had the carbs. The subjects' self-reported fatigue levels were lower in the protein group and increases in fat oxidation were also observed. Researchers concluded... "These findings may be especially important considering that most endurance athletes concern themselves primarily with carbohydrate intake and often fail to recognize the potential benefits of protein with respect to performance recovery". Journal reference: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition Order Ultra Body Building PROTEIN DRINK MIX (with Complex Carbohydrates) Vitamin D Can Alter Colon Cancer Cells Vitamin D has the ability to moderate the rogue colon cancer cell by adjusting everything from its gene structure to its cytoskeleton. In the November 17 issue of the Journal of Cell Biology, a research team shows that one pathway governs the vitamin D's diverse effects. The results help clarify the actions of a molecule that is undergoing clinical trials as a cancer therapy. Vitamin D hinders colon cancer cells in two ways... It switches on genes such as the one that encodes E-cadherin, a component of the adherens junctions that anchor cells in epithelial layers. The vitamin also induces effects on the cytoskeleton that are required for gene regulation and short-circuiting the key pathway which is overactive in most colon tumors. The net result is to curb division and incite colon cancer cells to differentiate into epithelial cells that subside instead of spreading. To investigate the mechanism, the team dosed colon cancer cells with metabolically active version of vitamin D (Calcitriol) triggered a surge of calcium into the cells which then awakened two other kinases. Each step in this nongenomic pathway was necessary to spur the genomic responses, the researchers showed. The team also focused on the contribution of the vitamin D receptor (VDR). The receptor was crucial at the beginning of the pathway, where it permitted the calcium influx, and at the end, where it activated and repressed genes. The study is the first to show that vitamin D's genomic and nongenomic effects integrate to regulate cell physiology. The researchers now want to determine whether receptor from different locations (including the cell nucleus and the cell membrane) has different functions in the pathway. You can find a daily supplement of Vitamin D in . Women's Health News Women experience several different hormonal phases throughout their lives that significantly affect their bodies. Each woman passes through the following major phases: Puberty and the onset of menses; pregnancy and motherhood; and menopause and the end of menses are distinct hormonal stages. The pharmaceutical industry offers a wide array of medications for each, but new studies suggest that nutritional supplements offer safe, inexpensive, and natural alternatives to these common age-old problems. In current research, 61% of women agreed that they should take supplements formulated for their particular stage of life; 46% agreed that supplements could help to reduce the effects of menopause; 32% of women acknowledged using a product for menopause; and 64% of women were willing to try a natural product to prevent the common effects of menopause. Given this growing interest in natural nutritional products, their use in two major conditions affecting women's lives PMS and Menopause is very important for a large segment of our population. For a full-spectrum women's nutrient pack, order Women's Health Multi Nutrients Pack. Antioxidants Beneficial for Type 2 Diabetes Adults with Type 2 Diabetes who eat unhealthy, high- fat meals may experience memory declines immediately afterward, but this can be offset by taking antioxidant vitamins with the meal, according to important new research. There is already growing evidence linking Diabetes to cognitive complications in humans. Adults with Type 2 Diabetes are especially vulnerable to acute meal-induced memory "slumps" after eating unhealthy foods. This latest study published in the July issue of Nutrition Research, suggests that taking high doses of antioxidant vitamins C and E with the meal may help minimize those memory deficits. Consuming unhealthy meals for those with diabetes can temporarily further worsen already underlying memory problems associated with the disease. The team who conducted the research at the University of Toronto has shown that antioxidant vitamins can minimize oxidative stress from the meal and reduce those immediate memory deficits. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a low fat diet rich in antioxidants, as well as staying mentally active and socially engaged in a variety of activities, is the best medicine for optimizing cognitive health during the average lifespan. The study was funded by a grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. For a full-spectrum of antioxidant supplements, order Antioxidant Support Kit. Building Brain Power With Super Nutrient Foods The foods you eat have a direct effect on your brain. Some foods improve your ability to concentrate. Others aid memory and facilitate the ability to solve problems. Still other generate hormones that stabilize mood and enhance concentration. These Are the Best Brain Nutrients and the Foods That Contain Them . . . CHOLINE: Choline is related to the B vitamins. It is converted in the brain into acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter linked to memory and cognitive function. You should make every effort to get adequate choline as you get older because the level of the enzyme needed to produce it, acetyltransferase, declines as we age. People with Alzheimer's disease have been found to have significantly reduced levels of acetylcholine. Adequate dietary amounts are essential for normal brain function and may play a role in preserving brain function in people with Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases. Dietary Recommendations: One or more servings daily of high-choline foods; egg yolks, dairy, soy, beef, liver, wheat germ, oatmeal, brown rice, peanuts and rice. VITAMIN B12: Vitamin B12 is used to produce a component of nerve cells. Deficiency can cause impaired transmission of nerve signals as well as declines in memory and other cognitive functions. B12 inhibits activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO), an enzyme that breaks down brain chemicals. Alzheimer patients given supplemental B12 have improved memory and communications skills. Dietary Recommendations: Two to three servings weekly of B12-rich liver, red meat, eggs or dairy. Everyone should take a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement for insurance. People who follow a strict vegan diet (no animal foods) should also supplement B12 daily. AMINO ACIDS: The brain is almost completely regulated by amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Supplemental amounts may offer additional protection: Tyrosine (involved in alertness), Phenylalanine (linked to memory) and Methionine (involved in motivation and focus). Dietary Recommendations: 45 grams (g) to 75 g of dietary protein daily; about three servings. Protein from animal foods, such as beef, chicken, fish and dairy, are complete and contain all of the necessary amino acids. Vegetable proteins (with the exception of soy) do not typically contain all of the essential amino acids. Vegetarians should eat a variety of high-protein foods daily, such as combining nuts with legumes, to achieve the proper levels. FOLIC ACID: The B vitamin, folic acid, appears to affect brain function. One study found that older adults with dementia or other mental disorders were three times more likely than normal adults to have low levels of folic acid. Deficiencies of folic acid have been linked with declines in memory and abstract thinking ability. Dietary Recommendations: Along with a multivitamin, eat two servings daily of foods high in folic acid; asparagus, leafy green vegetables, lentils, wheat, fortified cereals, meat and broccoli. As little as 200 mcg. of folic acid has been shown to improve mood and relieve depression and fatigue in healthy older people. VITAMIN C: The brain and adrenal glands are the body’s main repositories of Vitamin C. Because the adrenal glands produce stress-related hormones, it is suspected that vitamin C may play a role in modulating physical and emotional stress. Stress elevates levels of the hormone cortisol, which can eventually damage cells in the hippocampus, the part of the brain involved in memory. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can minimize physical stress to brain tissue caused by such factors as smoking, alcohol consumption and air pollution. Vitamin C also assists in the production of neurotransmitters and in the processing of glucose, the brain's primary fuel. One study found that people with low blood levels of vitamin C scored lower on memory tests than those with normal levels. Dietary Recommendation: Two daily servings of vitamin C- rich foods which include citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, strawberries and potatoes. COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES: The brain depends almost entirely on glucose-derived from the breakdown of carbohydrates for energy. Glucose provides the energy that the brain needs for concentration and other cognitive functions, and it has been shown to enhance memory and improve performance on standardized tests. Recommended: Avoid sugar, Get glucose from complex carbohydrates, such as whole grain, legumes, fruits and vegetables. About half of your daily caloric intake should come from these foods. Caution: A diet high in simple sugars (from pastries, soft drinks, candy, etc.) triggers hormonal changes that cause drops in blood glucose; this increases fatigue and impairs memory and concentration. Stroke patients with excessive blood sugar suffer more nerve and brain damage than those with lower levels. If You're Unable To Obtain These Key Nutrients From Your Daily Diet, Assure Proper Intake With This Comprehensive Formula From Vitamin Power:Ultra Multi 90 Plus Valuable Natural Weight Reduction Benefits of GREEN TEA "Whoo! This is great!" exclaimed Oprah. We're pleased to hear that Oprah is talking about the extraordinary health benefits of Green Tea. Boosting the immune system, building stronger bones, and decreasing cancer risks are just a few of its powerful benefits. However, the biggest news is about Green Tea's ability to help enhance weight loss efficiency. Studies on Green Tea continue to reach the same conclusions. Green tea assists appetite suppression, helps burn more calories, and works to increase your body's energy production. As it assists to drop your insulin levels, body fat will be reduced very rapidly. By increasing physical activity and decreasing your daily caloric intake, weight loss becomes a natural process with Green Tea. Our Green Tea Decaffeinated Extract (250 mg.) Capsules uses the entire Green Tea leaf, containing a complete spectrum of beneficial botanical ingredients, balanced by nature. It provides natural antioxidant compounds known as polyphenols. This high-concentrate Green Tea capsule is produced to the most exacting standards of potency, purity and efficacy . . . It is the most convenient way to take advantage of the health benefits of Green Tea. Click to Order Green Tea Extract Capsules - Part of the Antioxdant Supplement Pack Research Suggests Grapes And Grape Extracts May Lower Cardiovascular Disease Risk Consumption of grape and grape extracts and/or grape products such as red wine may be beneficial in preventing the development of chronic degenerative diseases including cardiovascular disease reports the research team of Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in Adelaide, Australia. Grape Polyphenols work in many different ways to prevent cardiovascular and other "inflammatory-mediated" diseases. Polyphenols are natural antioxidants found in grapes and some other plant foods. Their types and actions vary, depending on where in the grape they are found. Grape seeds, grape skin, and grape juice contain several types of polyphenols, including resveratrol, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and flavonoids. Through their antioxidant effects, grape polyphenols help to slow or prevent cell damage caused by oxidation. Polyphenols decrease oxidation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) -a key step in the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Grape polyphenols also have other protective effects on the heart and blood vessels, including actions to reduce blood clotting, abnormal heart rhythms, and blood vessel narrowing. Several studies support the disease-preventing benefits of grapes in humans. Studies in patients treated with grape seed extracts have shown improvements in blood flow and cholesterol levels. In other studies, drinking Concord grape juice has improved measures of blood flow in patients with coronary artery disease and lowered blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Studies investigating the lower rates of heart disease in France called "French paradox"-first raised the possibility that red wine might have health benefits. The subsequent research further support that extracts of grapes and grape seeds might be a useful strategy to help lower the high rate of death from cardiovascular disease. With growing interest in the use of functional foods and nutraceuticals to promote heart health, supplementation with extracts of grape seed, grape skin or red wine products for are valuable for a dietary approach in the maintenance of a healthy heart as well as prevention of cardiovascular diseases. You can order Grape Seed Extract as part of the Immune Booster Package: http://amerjam.stores.yahoo.net/famvalherkit.html Substance Found In Fruits And Vegetables Reduces Likelihood Of The Flu Quercetin, the naturally-occurring, biologically-active flavonoid is present in a variety of fruits and vegetables, including grapes, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, broccoli, onions and garlic as well as red wine. It provides powerful antioxidant activity and appears to protect against the flu. Subjects given Quercetin were less likely to contract the flu, according to a study published by The American Physiological Society. Interestingly, the study also found that stressful exercise increased the susceptibility to the flu, but Quercetin appear to cancel out that negative effect. Quercetin has been shown to have anti-viral properties in cell culture experiments and some animal studies, but none of these studies has looked specifically at the flu. The new study could help endurance athletes, soldiers and other people undergoing difficult training regimens, as well as people under psychological stress. This study builds on previous research. . . Quercetin was used because of its documented widespread health benefits, which include antiviral activity and reported lack of side effects when used as a dietary supplement or food additive. Low Melatonin Increases Risk of Breast Cancer Low Melatonin levels are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women, according to a prospective case-control study. Melatonin is naturally secreted in the body during the dark hours of a light-dark cycle and has been shown to be low in some night workers. Researchers have found that low Melatonin levels in premenopausal women are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. To find out if a similar association occurs in postmenopausal women, a research team of the Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston compared melatonin levels in 178 postmenopausal women and 710 matched controls. All of the women were enrolled in the prospective Hormones and Diet in the Etiology of Breast Cancer Risk study. The researchers found that women with the lowest levels of Melatonin had a statistically significantly higher incidence of breast cancer than those with the highest levels. The researchers conclude that low Melatonin levels are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Further studies need to confirm these data and should investigate the mechanisms that underlie the association. This research was recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Keep Strong and Healthy with Multi Vitamins Even if you eat a healthful diet that is rich in vegetables and whole grains, you may still be deficient in many important vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients. The Journal of the American Medical Association has recently reported that most people don't consume enough of the vitamins and key nutrients needed to stay healthy. It's very difficult to get all the vitamins and minerals required by diet alone, which is why all adults should take a comprehensive daily multivitamin. A multivitamin provides extra insurance that you get all of the nutrients you need, especially on those fast-paced, busy days when you don't eat as well as you should. Now there is an excellent multivitamin, multi-nutrient supplement available as an easy-to-use drink mix powder called VITA MAX. It is a high-potency, full-spectrum multivitamin, superfood formula rich with antioxidants, enzymes, soluble fiber and whole food nutrients... Blood Sugar Linked To Normal Cognitive Aging Maintaining blood sugar levels, even in the absence of disease, may be an important strategy for preserving cognitive health, suggests a study published by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC). Those "senior moments" and common lapses in memory, could be blamed,at least in part, on rising blood glucose levels as people age. The findings suggest that exercising to improve blood sugar levels could be a way for some people to stave off the normal cognitive decline that comes with age. This is news even for people without diabetes since blood glucose levels tend to rise as we grow older. Whether through physical exercise, diet or drugs, our research suggests that improving glucose metabolism could help some of us avert the cognitive slide that occurs in many of us as we age according to researchers from the department of neurology in the Sergievsky Center and in the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain at Columbia University Medical Center. Although it is widely known that the early stages of Alzheimer's disease cause damage to the hippocampus, the area of the brain essential for memory and learning, studies have suggested that it is also vulnerable to normal aging. Until now, the underlying causes of age-related hippocampal dysfunction have remained largely unknown. Previously, using high-resolution brain imaging, the team of researchers discovered that decreasing brain function in one area of the hippocampus, called the dentate gyrus, is a main contributor of normal decline in memory as people age. In this new study, funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the American Diabetes Association and the McKnight Brain Research Foundation, the researchers mapped out the specific areas of the hippocampus impacted by late-life diseases like diabetes and stroke. This research used imaging in both human volunteers and in animal models to help us better understand the basic mechanisms behind hippocampal dysfunction in the aged, While more research is needed into the complex interaction of late-life disease and how it may affect the hippocampus, this new study is part of an ongoing effort to identify specific areas whereinterventions might preserve cognitive health. This new study looked at measures that typically change during aging, like rising blood sugar, body mass index, cholesterol and insulin levels. The research found that decreasing activity in the dentate gyrus only correlated with levels of blood glucose. Showing that blood glucose selectively targets the dentate gyrus is not only the most conclusive finding, but it is the most important for 'normal' aging- that is hippocampal dysfunction that occurs in the absence of any disease states. Additional animal studies helped confirm the relationship between glucose and dentate gyrus activity. Interestingly, the researchers found the same association in aging rhesus monkeys and in mice. Preventing late-life disease would benefit the aging hippocampus and the findings suggest that maintaining blood sugar levels, even in the absence of diabetes, could help maintain aspects of cognitive health. More specifically, the new findings predict that any intervention that causes a decrease in blood glucose should increase dentate gyrus function and would therefore be cognitively beneficial. The new findings also suggest that one way in which physical exercise could improve memory is via lowering glucose levels. Imaging studies in humans and in mice have documented that among all hippocampal subregions, physical exercise causes an improvement in dentate gyrus function. By improving glucose metabolism, physical exercise also reduces blood glucose. It is therefore possible that the cognitive enhancing effects of physical exercise are mediated, at least in part,by the beneficial effect of lower glucose on the dentate gyrus. Whether with physical exercise, diet or through the development of potential pharmacologic interventions, the research suggests that improving glucose metabolism could be a clinically viable approach for improving the cognitive slide that occurs in many people as they age. With increasing longevity and the aging of the baby boom population, cognitive decline has emerged as a major health care crisis and concern. By being able to investigate patients and animal models in parallel studies, this new application will help researchers learn more about diseases of the brain. This study was built upon an extensive, a series of ongoing epidemiological imaging study that evaluated 240 healthy elders at the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain at Columbia University Medical Center. Calcium May Only Protect Against Colorectal Cancer In Presence Of Proper Levels Of Magnesium High magnesium intake has been associated with low risk of colorectal cancer. Americans have similar average magnesium intake as East Asian population however, the United States has seen a much higher colorectal cancer incidence rate than East Asian populations. Furthermore, when East Asians immigrated to the United States, their incidence rates for colorectal cancer increased. This led researchers at Vanderbilt University to suspect there was some other factor to consider. Calcium supplementation has been shown to inhibit colorectal carcinogenesis although high calcium may simultaneously be preventing the body from absorbing magnesium. Unfortunately, although patients in United States have a higher calcium intake, they experience a higher colorectal cancer incidence. Researchers at Vanderbilt University believe if only calcium levels were involved, one can expect the opposite direction. They believe there may be something about these two factors magnesium and calcium combined, essentially the ratio of one of these essential minerals to the other. The research team examined this hypothesis in a large clinical trial and found that supplementation of calcium only reduced the risk of adenoma recurrence if the ratio of calcium to magnesium was low and remained low during treatment. The risk of colorectal cancer adenoma recurrence was reduced by 32 percent among those with baseline calcium to magnesium ratio below the median in comparison to no reduction for those above the median levels. The implications for prevention of adenoma recurrence or reduced risk of primary colorectal cancer is that developing a proper diet and nutritional supplementation regimen that takes the ratio of both essential calcium and magnesium into account may be better than supplementing with one or the other mineral alone. About one in eighteen individuals will develop colorectal cancer in their lifetime and 40 percent will die within five years of diagnosis, mainly due to diagnosis at a late stage. The understanding of how dietary factors affect colorectal cancer may lead to the prevention of cancer recurrence and possibly prevention of the initial cancer. American Association for Cancer Research (2008, November 18). Erectile Dysfunction May Signal Serious Heart Erectile dysfunction (ED) is often a matter of the heart, but new research shows that more than romance is at stake. Two new studies of men with type 2 Diabetes found that erectile dysfunction (ED) was a major early warning sign for serious heart disease, including heart attack and death. One of the studies also showed that cholesterol- lowering medications (statins) could cut the risk of heart problems by about one-third--and suggested that other compounds in the same drug category might offer protection. The research, which was published in most recent issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), underscores the importance of encouraging men to report ED to their physicians, and of focusing treatment not only on overcoming sexual dysfunction but also on improving overall cardiovascular health. The development of erectile dysfunction should alert both patients and healthcare providers to the potential future risk of coronary heart disease. Other risk factors include: poor blood glucose control, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, smoking and obesity. Diabetes, erectile dysfunction and heart disease share a critical, dangerous link... damage to the blood vessels by high blood sugar levels. The same process that impedes the extra blood flow needed to maintain an erection can have serious consequences in the heart. When the smoothness and reactivity of the blood vessel are damaged, this process encourages local inflammation on the inner surface of the blood vessels and the deposition of cholesterol, resulting in formation of dangerous clots and atherosclerosis. Therefore, there is a high risk of blockage of blood vessels in the heart, which can lead to a heart attack. Men typically show signs of ED more than three years before the onset of symptoms of coronary heart disease. In one study of diabetic men, symptoms of ED always preceded coronary symptoms. "Men should know that ED is a true harbinger of atherosclerotic coronary heart disease," he said. Dr. Kloner, who wrote an editorial about the new studies in the same issue of JACC, also noted that not only have statins been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular illness in diabetic patients, controlling blood pressure and other risk factors is also critical. "In diabetic patients, it is important to not only control the blood sugar level, but also to keep blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg and reduce 'bad' (low-density-lipoprotein, or LDL) cholesterol to less than 100 mg/dL. If a patient smokes, a smoking cessation program is crucial," Dr. Kloner said. Improvements in the control of blood sugar and other cardiovascular risk factors reduce the likelihood of developing erectile dysfunction or suffering a heart attack or other serious heart disease. Patients who have ED in addition to diabetes-related eye problems and kidney problems at higher risk for death or cardiovascular disease. All are relevant to those who suffer from Diabetes. Proper information about these conditions and aggressive treatment of critical warning signs with appropriate medications, healthier daily dietary habits, increased physical activity and proper nutritional intake will help patients to focus on improving their own health. Selenium May Help Slow AIDS Virus Increasing the production of naturally occurring proteins that contain selenium in human blood cells slows down multiplication of the AIDS virus, according to biochemists. According to a recently published article in the Journal of Biological Chemistry researchers found that increasing the level of proteins that contain selenium negatively affects the replication of HIV. The study was conducted by a research team from Penn State University Department of Immunology and Molecular Toxicology. Selenium is a micronutrient that the body needs to maintain normal metabolism. Unlike other nutrients, which bind to certain proteins and modulate the protein's activity, selenium gets incorporated into proteins in the form of an amino acid called selenocysteine. These proteins - selenoproteins - are especially important in reducing the stress caused by an infection, thereby slowing its spread. Upon infecting a person, the virus quickly degrades selenoproteins so that it can replicate efficiently. It is unclear just how the virus is able to silence these proteins but the Penn State research team believe that stress inflicted on cells by the rapidly dividing virus, which produces a key protein known as TAT, is the likely culprit. TAT is one of about 14 odd proteins produced by HIV during the first stage of infection. The function of these proteins is to trigger the expression of all the other genes that the virus needs to sustain itself. In addition, TAT also plays a key role in helping the virus replicate. One of the proteins that targets TAT is a selenoprotein known as TR1. Since HIV targets the selenoproteins, the team believed that the logical way to deal with the virus is to increase the expression of such proteins in the body. The team's findings are outlined in the Journal of Biological Chemistry (Nov. 28 issue). Researchers first isolated blood cells from healthy human volunteers who did not have HIV, and infected those cells with the virus. Next, they added tiny amounts of selenium into the cell culture to see the effect on viral replication. Results from the tests indicate that the addition of selenium inhibits the replication of HIV at least 10-fold, compared to cell cultures in which no selenium is added. When the researchers selectively reduced production of the selenium containing TR1 protein, they observed a 3.5-fold increase in viral replication. The study helps confirm that while increasing the expression of TR1 has a negative impact on the replication of HIV, reducing it helps the virus replicate more efficiently. TR1 works by upsetting the chemical structure of TAT, which in turn reduces the virus' ability to replicate. The studies are partly funded by the National Institutes of Health. Aspirin May Prevent Bladder Cancer Aspirin Fights Gum Disease... A study by Australian dental researchers has discovered a link between taking aspirin and protection against gum disease. The study was conducted at Adelaide University's Dental School, shows that even ex-smokers can benefit from small doses of aspirin. Gum disease is a major problem in Australia, with an estimated 10% of the population suffering from its most severe form, known as periodontitis. The problem particularly affects smokers and ex-smokers. Periodontitis causes deterioration of the structures in the gums that hold the teeth in place. This can ultimately result in the teeth falling out. The researchers investigated the dental health of 392 Adelaide men who were ex- smokers or non-smokers. The reason men were chosen specifically for the study is because mature-aged women can be affected by hormonal changes which can influence the health of the gums. The study found that men aged 50 and above who were taking low doses of aspirin to prevent heart attacks, strokes and other vascular diseases, had significantly better gum health than those who did not take aspirin. Non-smokers were better off than ex-smokers, which confirmed the already well-documented findings that smoking has a negative effect on gum health. Smokers also typically have fewer teeth at a given age than non-smokers, with ex-smokers being in the middle of the range. The implications of these findings are that low doses of aspirin may protect the fibers and ligaments that attach the gums to the teeth. This is possibly because aspirin inhibits the action of prostaglandin E2, a chemical messenger that triggers bone loss in severe gum disease. The findings show that people aged over 50, particularly ex-smokers and probably smokers, may reduce their risk of deteriorating gums by taking low doses of aspirin (100mg) daily. There's an important distinction that needs to be understood between superficial gum inflammation, known as gingivitis, and severe gum disease, also known as periodontitis. The researchers are concerned about people who might think that if they have bleeding gums, the most common symptom of any gum disease, they might benefit from taking aspirin. The reality is they certainly would not. Only those people who have a history of severe gum disease would benefit from low doses of aspirin, and they should be identified by their dentist or periodontist. They should discuss this with their doctor to avoid potential interaction or possible interference with any other medications or medical conditions. Managing and Preventing Asthma with Salmon Oil In an ongoing effort to determine the anti-inflammatory value of diets rich in some types of fish, scientists studying asthma and allergic reactions have found that a molecule produced by the body from Omega-3 fatty acids in Salmon, Mackerel and Anchovies helps resolve and prevent respiratory distress in laboratory mice. The research, supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, was led by a research team at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Resolvin E1 (RvE1) is a metabolic by-product of a specific Omega-3 fatty acid naturally present in cold-water fish (including salmon, mackerel and anchovies). It is produced by the body in response to the onset of inflammation. This study identified RvE1 as having a key role in both dampening the development of airway inflammation and promoting its resolution, by helping dampen innate immune signals that trigger inflammation. Other studies have indicated that increased levels of Omega-3 fatty acids are associated with lower asthma prevalence in people, but the mechanisms to support that observation are not yet fully understood. The new study provides scientists an opportunity to focus on the role of a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids from cold water fish as a valuable therapeutic agent for helping thwart asthma. Green Tea Helps Protect The Heart Increasing evidence for the beneficial effect of Green Tea on reducing risk factors for heart disease has emerged in a new study. The study found that the consumption of Green Tea rapidly improves the function of the Endothelial cells lining the circulatory system; Endothelial dysfunction is a key event in the progression of atherosclerosis. The study, performed at the 1st Cardiology Department, Athens Medical School in Greece, was a randomised trial involving the diameter measurement (dilatation) of the brachial artery of healthy volunteers on three separate occasions - after taking Green Tea, caffeine, and hot water (for a placebo effect). The measurements were taken at 30, 90 and 120 minutes after consumption. Dilatation of the brachial artery as a result of increased blood flow (following a brief period of ischaemia of the upper limb) is related to endothelial function and is known to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk. 1. Results showed that Endothelium-dependent brachial artery dilatation increased significantly after drinking Green Tea, with a peak increase of 3.9 per cent 30 minutes after consumption. The effect of caffeine consumption (or hot water) was not significant. While black tea has been associated with improved short and long-term Endothelial performance, this is the first time that Green Tea has been shown to have a short-term beneficial effect on the large arteries. Another study has already shown that Green Tea helps reverse Endothelial dysfunction in smokers. Green tea, which originates in China but is now consumed throughout the world, is made with pure leaves, and has undergone little oxidisation during processing. The cardiovascular benefits of all teas - as well as dark chocolate and red wine - are attributed to the flavonoids they contain and their antioxidant activity. 2. However, flavonoids in Green Tea are probably more potent antioxidants than in black tea because there has been no oxidisation. These findings have important clinical implications. Tea consumption has been associated with reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in several studies. Green Tea is consumed less in the Western world than black tea, but it could be more beneficial because of the way it seems to improve Endothelial function. In this same context, recent studies have also shown potent anticarcinogenic effects of green tea, attributed to its antioxidant properties. Notes 1. The study measured flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery, which is predominantly dependent on the release of nitric oxide from the endothelium and represents a well accepted estimate of endothelial function. Measurement of the brachial arteries was performed by high-resolution ultrasound. Notes 2. Flavonoids are naturally found in many plants and have been shown to have many different biological effects in humans. Their antioxidant effects have been found in red wine, red grapes and dark chocolate. Oxidative stress, which has been associated with many human diseases, can be reversed by antioxidant intake. Journal reference: 1. Alexopoulos et al. The acute effect of green tea consumption on endothelial function in healthy individuals. European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation, 2008. Grape Seed Extract Kills Leukemia Cells An extract from grape seeds forces laboratory leukemia cells to commit cell suicide (known as apoptosis) according to researchers from the University of Kentucky. They found that within 24 hours, 76 percent of leukemia cells had died after being exposed to Grape Seed Extract. The investigators report their findings in the January 1, 2009 issue of Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. This important new research demonstrates how they were able to provoke the leukemia cell signaling pathway using Grape Seed Extract which effectively led to cell death (apoptosis.) The research team found that the extract activates a specific protein (JNK) that regulates the apoptotic pathway. Although this natural compound that has been studied extensively and proven to contain powerful antioxidant properties, no known research had been done testing the extract in hematological cancers, nor had the precise mechanism for activity been determined. Previous research with Grape Seed Extract has shown activity in a number of laboratory cancer cells, including skin, breast, colon, lung, stomach and prostate cancers. The results of the new tests could have major implications for the use of natural nutritive agents such as Grape Seed Extract into prevention or treatment of hematological malignancies and possibly other cancers. The research team conducted their study at the Graduate Center for Toxicology at the University of Kentucky. It is important to recognize at this stage that the research is not far enough along to suggest that people should eat grapes, grape seeds, or grape skin in excess to stave off cancer. Although his is very promising research, it is too early to conclude that this be considered chemo-protective. Based on those prior studies as well as findings from other researchers that Grape Seed Extract reduces breast tumors in rats and skin tumors in mice, they specifically looked at the effect of the compound in leukemia cells. The researchers exposed leukemia cells to the Grape Seed Extract in various doses and found the marked effect in causing apoptosis in these cells at the higher doses. They also discovered that the extract does not affect normal cells, although they don't know precisely why. Order as part of the Immune System Booster Vitamin Pack Vitamin B3 Reduces Alzheimer's Symptoms University of California - Irvine scientists are conducting clinical trials to determine Niacin's effect in humans afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. They're reporting Nicotinamide, a form of Niacin also known as vitamin B3, taken in high doses prevented memory loss in mice with Alzheimer's disease. It also lowered levels of a protein (called phosphorylated tau) that leads to the development of brain lesions associated with Alzheimer's disease. The vitamin has the ability to strengthen scaffolding along which information travels in brain cells, helping to keep neurons alive and further preventing symptoms in mice genetically wired to develop Alzheimer's. The study appearing in the Journal of Neuroscience, reports Nicotinamide has a very robust effect on neurons, helping prevent loss of cognition in mice with Alzheimer's disease. Nicotinamide is a water-soluble vitamin and is generally is safe but can be toxic in very high doses. Other clinical trials have shown it benefits people with diabetes complications and has anti-inflammatory properties that may help people with skin conditions. This vitamin belongs to a class of compounds called HDAC inhibitors, which have been shown to protect the central nervous system in Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In the nicotinamide study, the scientists tested short-term and long-term memory over time. The vitamin slightly enhanced cognitive abilities, suggesting that not only is it good for Alzheimer's disease, but if normal people take it, some aspects of their memory might improve. Scientists found that the nicotinamide-treated mice in the study had dramatically lower levels of the specific protein that leads to the Alzheimer's" tangle" lesion. The intake of Nicotinamide led to an increase in proteins that strengthen microtubules, the scaffolding within brain cells along which information travels. When this scaffolding breaks down, the brain cells can die. Neuronal death leads to dementia experienced by Alzheimer's patients. University of California - Irvine (2008, November 4). Vitamin B3 Reduces Alzheimer's Symptoms, Lesions: Clinical Trial On Nicotinamide Effect In Alzheimer's Patients. Choose From This Wide Range of Vitamin Power Formulations Supplying Essential Vitamin B3 (Niacin) To Meet Individual Fitness and Healthcare Needs...Power Source 100 Learn More about Vitamin Power Since 1975, Vitamin Power has been producing a complete range of prime-quality nutritional products, supplied exclusively through authorized distributors, retailers and health professionals. Vitamin Power produces an extensive line of nutritional formulations including: Natural Vitamins and Minerals, Exclusive Multi-Nutrient Formulations, Body-Building Protein and Amino Acid Supplements, Natural Weight-Loss Formulas, Antioxidants, Grape Seed Extract, Buffered Vitamin C, Nutra Trim 7 fat fighting powder & tablets, Ultra Lean Weight-Control Kit, nutritional food supplements, Traditional Whole Herbs and more such as Echinacea, Goldenseal, Saw Palmetto, Korean Ginseng. 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