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Top Six Benefits of Selenium


Did you know that selenium, an essential mineral, has the ability to protect your health in multiple ways?

Selenium is an important mineral for your body and only a small amount is needed (the recommended daily intake is 55 micrograms (mcg). Due to poor soil, taking certain pharmaceutical drugs such as statins, and the normal aging process, selenium is one of the most common mineral deficiencies in the world.

Selenium is linked to many healthy outcomes, including protection from diseases and reduction of disease symptoms. 

Six Top Benefits of Selenium

1. Antioxidant and Reduces Oxidative Stress

As an antioxidant, selenium is even more beneficial than vitamins A, C, D, and E and helps to decrease oxidative stress, which is the result of an imbalance in the body between free radicals and antioxidants.

Oxidative stress contributes to a variety of diseases such as diabetes, atherosclerosis (hardening of the blood vessels), inflammatory conditions, high blood pressure, heart disease, neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s), and cancers, and contributes to aging.

Supplementing with selenium was reviewed in 13 studies showing significant impact on three antioxidant markers, thus reducing oxidative stress.

2. Boosts Skin Health

In a meta-analysis of 27 studies with a total of 1,315 patients and 7,181 healthy controls, selenium levels were found to be low in patients with four skin diseases: psoriasis, acne vulgaris, chloric acne, and atopic dermatitis.

Another research study of DNA reprogramming of inflammatory cells confirms that higher selenium levels may instill protective properties for genes important for psoriasis prevention and treatment.

Selenium was also found to be beneficial in the treatment of psoriasis in a systematic review of research. In addition, selenium has been related to improvements in skin aging (skin elasticity and skin roughness).

Blood glutathione peroxidase (low levels indicate increased damage to cell membranes due to accumulation of free radicals and signify low selenium levels) was measured in 61 healthy subjects and 506 patients with various skin disorders (i.e., psoriasis, eczema, atopic dermatitis, vasculitis, mycosis fungoides and dermatitis herpetiformis, pemphigoid, acne conglobata, polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and systemic lupus erythematodes) and supplementation with selenium and vitamin E restored the skin’s balance.

3. Benefits Asthma

Asthma (a condition with breathing difficulties, coughing, and sneezing) is a complicated disease to treat and is associated with increased inflammation, oxidative stress, and abnormal immune system function. In a meta-analysis of 40 studies, asthma patients showed significantly lower levels of selenium compared to healthy subjects, suggesting lower selenium intake could be a risk factor for the disease.

As mentioned, selenium, as an antioxidant, has been found to lower oxidative stress. This, in turn, seems to reduce allergic asthma. In addition, dietary selenium as an antioxidant therapy may be important in optimizing asthma treatment and prevention.

In a study of 25 asthmatic patients and 25 healthy subjects, asthmatics had lower concentrations of selenium, increased oxidative stress markers and inflammation, and decreased antioxidant glutathione peroxidase activity and lung function.

Nutritional supplement therapy including selenium balanced oxidant stress, inflammation and immune system responses, pulmonary function, and health-related quality of life in patients with mild to moderate allergic asthma.

4. Helps Prevent and Improve Thyroid Diseases

Selenium is an essential micronutrient for your body and readily found in the thyroid. As a supplement, it can help prevent immune-mediated thyroid disorders by reducing anti-thyroperoxidase antibody levels and improving thyroid ultrasound features.

The prevalence of pathological thyroid conditions (hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, autoimmune thyroiditis, enlarged thyroid) was significantly lower in the adequate-selenium group than in the low-selenium group (18% versus 30.5%) in a sample of 6,152 subjects in China.

Selenium administration (200 milligrams per day) significantly improved quality of life, reduced ocular involvement, and slowed progression of 159 patients with mild Graves’ orbitopathy (also called thyroid eye disease).

5. Promotes Heart Health

The combination of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, obesity, and high cholesterol is called metabolic syndrome and when these conditions occur together, they dramatically increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes.

In a study of 2,069 patients, dietary selenium intake had a moderate negative association with metabolic syndrome. In a study of 501 British volunteers aged 60 to 74 years, supplementation with selenium (100 mcg, 200 mcg, 300 mcg) showed progressive decreases in total cholesterol profiles for those with low selenium levels, but cautions that those with already high selenium intake might be adversely affected by extra selenium supplementation.

In a 12-year follow-up of a group of healthy elderly participants who were supplemented with selenium and coenzyme Q10 for four years, there was a significantly reduced risk for cardiovascular mortality in the treatment group (28.1%) compared to the placebo group (38.7%).

6. Brain Boosting

Alzheimer’s disease, a devastating brain disorder, is characterized by two pathological protein deposits, the senile plaques of amyloid-β and tangles of protein tau. In addition, oxidative stress and neural signal transmission disorders also impact Alzheimer’s.

A large body of studies suggests that selenium (Se), either as Se-containing compounds or as selenoproteins, is involved in most of the molecular pathways that are important in the progression of dementia and therefore have the potential to help prevent or improve Alzheimer’s.

In a mouse model, selenium yeast showed several benefits for Alzheimer’s subjects; it decreased the generation of amyloid-β and enhanced autophagic clearance (old cells are recycled and cleaned out to make room for new cells in the brain), which reduced the burden of amyloid-β accumulation.

Another animal study confirmed that selenium (sodium selenite) significantly decreased tau-positive neurons and reversed Alzheimer’s-like memory and neuropsychiatric symptoms in mice with advanced dementia. Additionally, selenium induced protective effects against experimental dementia-induced brain inflammation and oxidative stress by enhancing the antioxidant system in rats.

In 79 Alzheimer’s patients, probiotic and selenium co-supplementation for 12 weeks improved cognitive function and some metabolic profiles such as lipid, antioxidant, and insulin levels.  Selenium and zinc are essential trace elements and an inadequate dietary intake has been implicated in the decline of immune and cognitive functions in aged persons and influences age-related disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and Type 2 diabetes.

Selenium and Health

Selenium, a widely researched essential mineral, is beneficial to your health due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory (regulates immune functions) and cardioprotective properties.

Be sure to pick up your Selenium Supplement on your next visit to Whitaker’s Natural Market!

Portions of this Health Tip are from GreenMedInfo.

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How glutathione recycling helps support a strong immune system

Threats to health – including exposure to environmental toxins, heavy metals, EMF radiation, bacteria, and viruses – seem to be everywhere these days, highlighting the need for a strong, efficient immune system. And, with 80 percent of the immune system located in the gut, it’s easy to see that immune health and gut health are closely connected.

In fact, scientific research showcases the ability of a natural molecule, glutathione, to support the health of the immune system.  But, this amazing substance must be effectively regenerated and recycled by the body before it can accomplish its life-sustaining tasks.  Let’s take a closer look at this important topic.

Glutathione recycling is essential for combating oxidative stress and inflammation
Often called the body’s master antioxidant, glutathione is truly a “workhorse” when it comes to battling oxidative stress.  Specifically, glutathione works with other important natural antioxidants in the body to quench the harmful effects of free radicals, which would otherwise damage cells and tissue and trigger disease.

The process involves free radicals being passed down a chain, moving from vitamin C to vitamin E to lipoic acid and finally to glutathione.  In other words, when it comes to battling oxidation and inflammation, the “buck” really does stop with glutathione.

Glutathione then neutralizes the free radicals, and – for good measure – replenishes and recycles the other antioxidants.  In the process, however, the glutathione “sacrifices” itself, necessitating that another protective glutathione molecule be created to take its place.

In the case of serious injury or illness, glutathione may be depleted more quickly than it can be produced, unleashing a cascade of disastrous health effects.  In fact, many integrative healthcare providers warn that a deficiency in glutathione is associated with virtually all chronic diseases such as, heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Glutathione helps to heal intestinal permeability and overall gut health issues
Also known as “leaky gut,” increased intestinal permeability occurs when the connective junctions between the cells lining the intestines become loose – which can occur as a result of poor nutrition, exposure to environmental toxins, infections, food allergies, antibiotics, NSAID drugs, and aging.

This allows harmful foreign substances – such as particles of undigested food, pathogens, and toxins – to enter the bloodstream, causing an inappropriate immune response and triggering a variety of ills that can include systemic inflammation, cognitive decline, skin rashes, joint pain, irritable bowel syndrome, and celiac disease.

Moreover, leaky gut disrupts the balance of the gut microbiota (beneficial bacteria). Imbalances in gut bacteria have been linked with obesity, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and fatty liver disease.  Natural health experts maintain that glutathione helps to prevent and treat leaky gut by protecting the epithelial cells of the intestinal tract and strengthening the tight junctions between them.

And, glutathione’s three “building blocks” – the amino acids glutamine, cysteine, and glycine – allow it to not only protect cells, but directly nourish them. Assorted studies show that glutamine and glycine are the preferred “fuel” for intestinal lining cells.  Research bears out the remarkable ability of glutathione and its constituents to fight leaky gut.

In an influential review of studies published in 2011 in Journal of Epithelial and Biological Pharmacology, the authors credited glutamine in glutathione with playing a “vital role in the maintenance of mucosal integrity.”

Study: Glutathione caused natural killer cells to double
Glutathione combats bacteria and viruses by activating infection-fighting white blood cells, such as natural killer cells and T-cells.  In one double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, participants were divided into three groups and given either low amounts of glutathione (250 mg a day), higher amounts (1,000 mg a day), or a placebo.

The results were definitive – and encouraging!

After six months, the team found that the high-amount of glutathione boosted the disease-fighting effect of natural killer cells by a stunning 100 percent!  By the way, scientists credit glutathione with the ability to promote both innate and adaptive immunity.

Keep in mind: innate immunity deals with non-specific threats and involves a general physical and cellular response – while adaptive immunity recognizes various microbial threats and develops a unique immune system response for each one.  Obviously, both forms of immunity are essential.

Finally, in a review published in Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, the authors noted the importance of glutathione to immune health, reporting that the immune system works best when the lymphoid cells have a delicately balanced intermediate level of glutathione.

Promote glutathione recycling through natural techniques
One of the best ways to boost glutathione recycling and production is to increase your dietary intake of cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli – and of high-cysteine foods such as cage-free eggs, organic beef and organic whole grains.

Supplements that can help recycle glutathione include N-acetyl-cysteine, alpha lipoic acid, B-complex vitamins such as folate, B6, and B12. And, don’t forget the antioxidant vitamins C and E.  In addition to being recycled by glutathione, they can “return the favor” and recycle glutathione themselves.

Natural health experts typically advise glutathione supplementation of 250 to 600 mg a day. With immune-boosting and detoxifying effects across the board, glutathione is clearly “good stuff” – especially during these physically (and emotionally) challenging times.

Be sure to pick up your Glutathione and Glutathione Recycling Supplements along with your Organic Broccoli, Beef, and Eggs on your next visit to Whitaker’s Natural Market!

Portions of this Health Tip are from NaturalHealth365.

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An Additive You Need To Know

As part of a healthy lifestyle, you undoubtedly try to be careful about what you eat. You probably choose lots of fresh foods and carefully read the labels of any packaged foods you purchase, checking for calorie counts and to make sure the item doesn’t include too much sodium and sugar. But you may not read the ingredient list quite as closely, and even if you do, many people are not familiar with the names of every additive. And according to new research, one of these common additives might be contributing to health and weight problems.

And simply eliminating it from your diet may help you lose weight and avoid diabetes. Read on to find out how.

Study on Propionate Preservative and Weight Gain
A study, which took place at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts, found that consumption of propionate, a preservative frequently added to foods, may be associated with an increased risk of obesity and diabetes.  These results are based on an interesting two-pronged investigation that included both animal and human subjects to determine the effects of propionate, which is a common ingredient in bread, baked goods, fruit preserves, and chocolates (yes, chocolates too) because it helps inhibit the growth of mold.

The first segment of the research involved adding propionate to the water fed to mice. Immediately following the mice ingesting the propionate-laced water, the investigators discovered a marked rise in the hormones glucagon and FABP4, which triggered an increase in the production of glucose in the liver and a corresponding increase in blood insulin levels. Eventually, the mice that experienced longer-term exposure to the propionate over several weeks gained more weight than the mice not fed propionate, and they also developed resistance to insulin, potentially setting them up for diabetes.

Now, as compelling as those findings are, we all know that animal studies often do not translate directly to the same results in people. That’s why it is a huge positive that the researchers also included a human component in this investigation. For this segment of the research, 14 adults in overall good health were given a meal, either with a propionate supplement in a dose similar to the amount received by eating a meal of processed foods or a placebo. After they finished eating, blood was drawn and the same hormonal response that took place in the mice occurred in the people, as well as the jump in their blood insulin levels.

Weight Gain & Diabetes Findings
While the human side of the study was obviously limited by the extremely small size of the population sample, when put together with the animal version of the experiment, it provides some solid evidence of the detrimental effects of propionate. Obviously, there are a variety of factors that influence weight gain and the development of diabetes, but these findings strongly suggest that the regular consumption of propionate may be one of them—and an important one at that.

This is hardly the first time a preservative added to food has been linked to health issues, either. The nitrate preservatives used in processed meats (not organic) have long been known to be harmful. In fact, a 2010 study at the Harvard School of Public Health showed that people who eat these kinds of processed meats have a significantly higher risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

How To Avoid Preservatives
Ultimately, the current research serves as a good reminder to be vigilant about our dietary choices. While it is probably not realistic to completely eliminate every preservative from our diets, we can certainly limit their consumption. That begins by focusing your shopping on organic with a heavy focus on fruits and vegetables; meats; fish; and other fresh items that will ideally make up the bulk of your diet.

Limit the amount of prepackaged foods you add to your cart and junk food like cookies and chips and sugared beverages. Be sure and check the labels of anything you buy for propionate. It can be listed as calcium propionate on food labels and is also known as propanoic acid, sodium propionate, calcium salt, and calcium propanoate. Eliminating it from your diet may be a simple trick to help you lose weight and avoid diabetes.

Be sure to browse Whitaker’s Natural Market for lots of excellent organic preservative free food options on your next visit!

Portions of this Health Tip come from Baseline of Health.

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My Favorites for Fighting Allergies


As we begin peak allergy season, I wanted to share a few favorites to help make this time of year more pleasant.

Dr Jocelin’s Practitioner Grade Essential Oil Sinus Comfort Blend – designed specifically for any issue bothering the sinuses, this blend is great at opening up and calming the sinuses.
 

Hyland’s Seasonal Allergy Relief relieves common allergy symptoms including watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, nose, and throat, sinus pain and headache.  Non drowsy, all natural, gentle, safe, effective. Contains no Pseudoephedrine. 

Natural Factors Lung, Bronchial, & Sinus Health is an all-natural formula designed to nourish and support the entire respiratory system.

Terry Naturally’s SinuCare provides the soothing support of Eucalyptus and Myrtle to help you breathe easy. These unique botanical extracts have been shown to directly provide effective respiratory system support in part by their ability to support healthy cilia activity.

Dr Jocelin’s Practitioner Grade Respiratory Support Blend was formulated for people looking for support as a result of asthma, allergies, and other related respiratory symptoms.  One gentleman had been unable to clearly breathe all day due to his extreme level of allergies.  After applying and inhaling one drop of this blend, he immediately reported that he was able to breathe clearly and better than he had been able to for days. Excellent for inhaling as well as applying to the chest and back or diffusing.

North American Herb & Spice’s SinuOrega is a potent spray to the extreme.  SinuOrega is wild spice oils in a sea salt saline base. It’s ideal for supporting a healthy sinus response. Great for clearing the nasal passages.

Herb Pharm’s Calm Breathing an herbal supplement that can be taken daily between meals to help support respiratory health. All of the herbs in this formula are individually extracted to deliver a broad spectrum of therapeutic plant compounds and nutrients.

Herb Pharm’s Ready For Pollen provides traditional support for normal secretions of the eyes and sinuses. Expertly formulated with Eyebright, Stinging Nettle, and other rapidly absorbed liquid herb extracts.

Hyland’s Complete Allergy 4 Kids – When it rains, it pours! When your child has allergies to both the indoor and outdoor elements – you want to be the superhero that comes to the rescue. We’re glad to provide you with Hyland’s 4 Kids Complete Allergy. It tackles the watery, runny, itchies in a single leap.  There’s no reason your child needs to suffer from allergies any longer.

  • Relieves Sneezing, Runny Nose, and Itchy Eyes & Throat
  • For Children Ages 2-12 Years
  • Safe and Gentle Formula 
  • All Natural Active Ingredients
  • No Pseudoephedrine, Artificial Flavors, Dyes, or Parabens

Be sure to pick up your allergy support supplements on your next visit to Whitaker’s Natural Market.

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Why take glutathione and vitamin C together?

According to the National Health Council, a troubling 50 percent of American adults suffer greatly with their health.  Thankfully, recent research has shown that a pair of natural substances – glutathione and vitamin C – can help to increase the body’s natural antioxidant defense system.  This, in turn, helps to reduce the risk of excess oxidative stress – which leads to a diminished quality of life.

Researchers have found that these natural compounds work in concert, with each helping to replenish and recycle the other. Let’s take a closer look at the health benefits that are obtained by taking these two natural substances together.

Glutathione and vitamin C: Two “superstar” antioxidants join forces

Glutathione – one of the most powerful antioxidants in the body – is also its premier detoxifying molecule, working to neutralize pathogens, environmental toxins, and carcinogens.  In addition, it boosts the immune system, increases strength and endurance, and encourages the body to form lean muscle rather than fat.

In fact, so strongly tied is glutathione to health and well-being that scientists can use glutathione levels to predict longevity – quite a testament to its influence in the body!

Unfortunately, glutathione levels can be threatened by toxic drugs, environmental toxins, and chronic stress – as well as by normal aging.  Unsurprisingly, healthy young people have the highest levels of glutathione, while elderly, hospitalized patients have the very lowest.

Like glutathione, vitamin C can help to boost immune system function.  In fact, studies have shown that vitamin C increases production of life protective antibodies and promotes the function of phagocytes, the body’s scavenger cells.

In addition, vitamin C – which has potent antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties – can protect fragile cell membranes and prevent damage to cell DNA, as well as to important proteins and enzymes (including glutathione).  It is also a cofactor in the production of collagen – which is essential to arterial and heart health.

So, it’s clear to see: insufficient stores of glutathione and vitamin C can cause serious health issues.

Stronger together: Glutathione and vitamin C empower each other

Together, these two antioxidants neutralize harmful free radicals.  This is important, because free radicals cause the unhealthy peroxidation of cell membrane lipids, leading to eventual cell death and increased likelihood of sickness.

Noted functional physician and author Dr. Mark Hyman uses the “hot potato” analogy to explain the antioxidant actions of glutathione and vitamin C.  Free radicals get bounced like a “hot potato” from one antioxidant to another, shuttling from vitamin C to vitamin E – then on to lipoic acid, and finally, glutathione.

Glutathione “cools off” the free radicals while recycling the other antioxidants, sacrificing itself in the process. However, the process ends with the regeneration of more glutathione.  In other words, glutathione and vitamin C function as a “buddy act,” in which each has the other’s back.

Vitamin C also helps to protect glutathione in the tissues, while glutathione coverts worn-out vitamin C (dehydroascorbic acid) back into its active form.  In fact, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrated that glutathione can actually alleviate vitamin C deficiency.

Boost glutathione and vitamin C with diet and proper supplementation.

You can help your body increase its glutathione production by eating sulfur-rich foods, such as garlic, onions, and cruciferous vegetables including Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and arugula.

When it comes to ramping up vitamin C intake, red bell peppers, kiwi fruit, strawberries, and citrus fruits are among the best sources.

Adding supplements of both can be a great idea as well.  Bottom line: when it comes to protecting your health, glutathione and vitamin C are “on the job.” Maybe it’s time to put this dynamic duo to work for you?

Be sure to pick up your Vitamin C and Glutathione supplements on your next visit to Whitaker’s Natural Market. 

Portions of this health tip are from Natural Health 365. 

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Blueberries to the Rescue for Inflammation!


Inflammatory arthritis and gout sufferers, take note. You may be able to fight the inflammation related to your condition with something that is already in your kitchen. That’s right, blueberries, which we already know are a healthy superfood, are associated with a considerable reduction in inflammation.
 
How Inflammation Arises in Arthritis
As its name suggests, a major symptom of inflammatory arthritis is an inflammation of the affected joints and sometimes other tissues. Some of the most common conditions under the umbrella of inflammatory arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
 
All of these are autoimmune diseases, meaning that the immune system goes haywire and begins attacking healthy tissue in the joints. It results in the telltale symptoms of swelling, stiffness, and pain in any joint affected. The dysfunctional immune response produces inflammation in the lining of the joints.
 
Inflammation in Those With Gout
Arthritis is defined as a painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Gout, then, is actually another type of inflammatory arthritis, but it develops in individuals with abnormally high levels of uric acid in their blood. People with a family history of gout or those with kidney problems may be more prone to the condition. As the uric acid accumulates, it produces sharp crystals within the joint. This causes pronounced, often sudden bursts of pain, swelling, and tenderness.
 
Most likely to occur in the big toe joint, gout can also show up in the ankles or knees. It typically strikes men more than women, and men may develop symptoms between the ages of 30 and 50, while women tend to develop gout after menopause.
 
The Medical Answer to Inflammation
When your physician gives you a diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis or gout, chances are, one of the first things that will be recommended is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to relieve swelling and pain. But even over-the-counter versions of these pharmaceutical medications are not safe, especially as a long-term treatment, which would be necessary to manage a chronic condition.
 
NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, can provide some quick relief for the symptoms, but they are also linked to serious problems including stomach ulcers, headaches, dizziness, and liver problems. Another common form of medical treatment is the use of corticosteroid pills or injections to reduce inflammation, but these may also bring on side effects such as osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension, and cataracts. Even worse, for more severe cases of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, doctors sometimes prescribe drugs that block immune system responses, which elevates the risk of developing infections and makes them much harder to treat when one develops.
 
Blueberries to the Rescue for Inflamed Joints
Blueberries are chock full of both antioxidants that can help repair damage at the cellular level and polyphenols, which reduce inflammation throughout the body. A 2017 study at Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia showed that a diet rich in blueberries is associated with a reduction of markers of inflammation in the blood.
The polyphenols in blueberries achieve a reduction in inflammation that is ideal because it is natural, with no potentially harmful reactions or side effects. What’s more, when blueberries reduce inflammation in the joints they eliminate symptoms at their source rather than just treating the symptoms for a short period. This can prevent conditions like arthritis and gout from worsening over time.
 
Extra Health Benefits of Blueberries
In addition to their anti-inflammatory properties, blueberries will benefit your health in a number of other ways as well:

  • Reducing high blood pressure
  • Relieving post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Helping to shrink tumors
  • Improving cognitive function and possibly reversing dementia

Now is the perfect time to take advantage of these sweet little gems. Blueberries are in season in many areas, and July is even National Blueberry Month, so stock up on fresh organic local produce and freeze whatever you don’t eat. Once frozen, you can enjoy them year round.

Be sure to order your organic blueberries now from Whitaker’s Natural Market.


 
Portions of this health tip are from Baseline of Health. 

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I wanted to share a recent study with you on protective benefits against Alzheimers…

More berries, apples, and tea may have protective benefits against Alzheimer’s – Study shows low intake of flavonoid-rich foods linked with higher Alzheimer’s risk over 20 years.

Older adults who consumed small amounts of flavonoid-rich foods, such as berries, apples, and tea, were 2 to 4 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias over 20 years compared with people whose intake was higher, according to a new study led by scientists at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA) at Tufts University.

The epidemiological study of 2,800 people aged 50 and older examined the long-term relationship between eating foods containing flavonoids and risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). While many studies have looked at associations between nutrition and dementias over short periods of time, the study published today in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looked at exposure over 20 years.

Flavonoids are natural substances found in plants, including fruits and vegetables such as pears, apples, berries, onions, and plant-based beverages like tea and wine. Flavonoids are associated with various health benefits, including reduced inflammation. Dark chocolate is another source of flavonoids.

The research team determined that low intake of three flavonoid types was linked to higher risk of dementia when compared to the highest intake. Specifically:

• Low intake of flavonols (apples, pears, and tea) was associated with twice the risk of developing ADRD.

• Low intake of anthocyanins (blueberries, strawberries, and red wine) was associated with a four-fold risk of developing ADRD.

• Low intake of flavonoid polymers (apples, pears, and tea) was associated with twice the risk of developing ADRD.

The results were similar for AD.

“Our study gives us a picture of how diet over time might be related to a person’s cognitive decline, as we were able to look at flavonoid intake over many years prior to participants’ dementia diagnoses,” said Paul Jacques, senior author and nutritional epidemiologist at the USDA HNRCA. “With no effective drugs currently available for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, preventing disease through a healthy diet is an important consideration.”

The researchers analyzed six types of flavonoids and compared long-term intake levels with the number of AD and ADRD diagnoses later in life. They found that low intake (15th percentile or lower) of three flavonoid types was linked to higher risk of dementia when compared to the highest intake (greater than 60th percentile). Examples of the levels studied included:

Low intake (15th percentile or lower) was equal to no berries (anthocyanins) per month, roughly one-and-a-half apples per month (flavonols), and no tea (flavonoid polymers).

High intake (60th percentile or higher) was equal to roughly 7.5 cups of blueberries or strawberries (anthocyanins) per month, 8 apples and pears per month (flavonols), and 19 cups of tea per month (flavonoid polymers).

“Tea, specifically green tea, and berries are good sources of flavonoids,” said first author Esra Shishtar, who at the time of the study was a doctoral student at the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University in the Nutritional Epidemiology Program at the USDA HNRCA. “When we look at the study results, we see that the people who may benefit the most from consuming more flavonoids are people at the lowest levels of intake, and it doesn’t take much to improve levels. A cup of tea a day or some berries two or three times a week would be adequate,” she said.

Jacques also said 50, the approximate age at which data was first analyzed for participants, is not too late to make positive dietary changes. “The risk of dementia really starts to increase over age 70, and the take home message is, when you are approaching 50 or just beyond, you should start thinking about a healthier diet if you haven’t already,” he said.

Be sure to shop for your organic flavonoids on your next visit to Whitaker’s Natural Market.

Portions of this health tip are from NewHope. 

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Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender has been used for medicinal purposes for over 2,500 years. Today lavender is the most popular essential oil in the world. Compounds contained in the oil have antifungal, antimicrobial, and antibiotic effects. Scientific studies back up the wisdom of the ancients. Here are just 7 evidence-based uses for lavender essential oil:

1. Relieve Anxiety
A German study confirmed that lavender oil is more effective than placebo in relieving anxiety in elderly patients. The researchers concluded that it would be an effective and well-tolerated alternative to synthetic drugs.

2. Improve Sleep
Several studies show the effectiveness of lavender aromatherapy in sleep-related disorders. In one study of 158 new mothers, women were assigned to two random groups. One group dropped lavender oil on a cotton ball and inhaled 10 deep breaths before going to sleep. They also kept the lavender ball near their pillow until morning. They did this four times a week. A control group did the same thing with a placebo oil rather than lavender. After eight weeks, women inhaling lavender had a significant improvement in their sleep quality compared to the control group.

3. Ease Premenstrual Symptoms
It is estimated that 45 percent of women suffer from moderate to severe dysmenorrhea. This condition develops at the time of menstruation and can cause cramps, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and headaches. A lavender oil massage can help relieve dysmenorrhea. In one study from Turkey, 44 midwifery or nursing students administered a self-massage with either lavender oil or petroleum oil as a placebo. The lavender oil was found to reduce menstrual pain at a statistically significant rate. The researchers noted that topical application of lavender oil relaxes the muscles, improves blood supply to the tissues, and increases elasticity. And the active compounds in lavender oil remain on the skin for about 90 minutes after the massage. In addition, the oil – after topical use or inhalation – is absorbed into the blood stream. 

In addition to pain many women suffer with emotional stress during their menstrual periods. A Japanese study found that inhaling lavender can help. Researchers studied 17 women in their early 20s with mild to moderate premenstrual symptoms. The women inhaled either lavender or water. They found that inhaling lavender for just 10 minutes significantly increased the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system compared to the water. In addition, psychological tests showed that lavender significantly decreased feelings of depression/dejection and confusion as long as 35 minutes after inhalation.

4. Reduce Pain
Lavender is proven to relieve pain. In one study 106 patients undergoing peripheral venous cannulation (PVC) were divided into two groups. PVC is a procedure in which a tube is placed inside a vein to draw blood or administer fluids, medications, nutrition, chemotherapy, or blood products. One group of patients received lavender aromatherapy and the other received sham aromatherapy. After the PVC procedure, the pain scores of the lavender group were significantly lower than the placebo group. In addition, patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the lavender group.

5. Lessen Stress
In addition to relieving anxiety and pain, lavender oil can help reduce physiological signs of stress. In a study of 20 healthy volunteers Thai researchers compared lavender to sweet almond oil. They measured the subjects’ blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and skin temperature to determine the level of stress in the autonomic nervous system. In addition, subjects were asked to estimate their mood responses such as feeling pleasant or unpleasant, uncomfortable, sensual, relaxed, or refreshed.  The results revealed that inhaling lavender oil caused significant decreases in blood pressure, heart rate, and skin temperature. In addition, the lavender group said they felt more active, fresher, and more relaxed than the almond oil group.

6. Clear Vaginal Yeast Infections
About 75 percent of women experience a vaginal candidiasis infection at least once in their lifetime. The culprit in 85 to 90 percent of these cases is the Candida albicans fungus. Conventional medicine uses the drug clotrimazole to treat vaginal infections. It has side effects like increased liver enzymes, painful urination, and depression. In a recent study researchers compared lavender essential oil with clotrimazole on the C. albicans fungus in the lab. After 48 hours the fungal cell count was lower for lavender than for clotrimazole.

7. Heal Mouth Ulcers
Lavender oil has been shown to help heal mouth ulcers. In a study of 115 patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers, subjects were treated with lavender oil or placebo. The lavender group had a significant reduction in inflammation and ulcer size. In addition, the healing time was faster by two to four days in the lavender group. And pain relief was noted from the first dose of lavender.

Be sure to pick up your bottle of Dr Jocelin’s Practitioner Grade Lavender Essential Oil on your next visit to Whitaker’s Natural Market.

Portions of this health tip are from GreenMedInfo. 

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Supplementing with glutathione daily reduces cellular damage and fights degenerative disease, study reveals.

Roughly one out of every three Americans is now suffering from a degenerative disease like, heart disease (which kills over 620,000 people every year) or cancer (deaths from which are expected to top 630,000 by 2020).

Several researchers speculate that the widespread occurrence of these diseases is due to a deficiency in glutathione – a natural antioxidant produced in the body.
Inextricably linked to health and longevity, glutathione is a disease-fighting natural chemical that protects cells, reduces oxidative stress, neutralizes toxins, and even helps to boost the immune system.  Unfortunately, as we age, glutathione levels plunge – which increases our risk of degenerative disease.

Glutathione, which is composed of a trio of amino acids (glycine, glutamine, and cysteine), is found in every cell in the body – with particularly high concentrations in the liver, where it is produced.

One of the most important functions of glutathione is that it binds to, and neutralizes, harmful free radicals – which otherwise would produce oxidative stress and trigger disease.  It also detoxifies pollutants and carcinogens and helps to speed up their excretion from the body.

In addition, glutathione enhances and supports the function of T-cells – which are needed for an effective immune system – and assists with DNA repair, thus reducing the chance of cancer-causing mutations.

It also helps to transport mercury (a toxic, heavy metal) from the brain.

Finally, glutathione helps to “tweak” metabolism, discouraging the formation of fat while supporting and promoting the development of lean muscle.  Recent studies have illustrated the various therapeutic benefits of glutathione, from improving insulin sensitivity to reducing damage from ulcerative colitis.

Interesting to note: A clinical trial published last year in BMC Gastroenterology concluded that supplementation with glutathione can even help treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which is currently reaching epidemic proportions in the United States.

Dr. Mark Hyman, the Medical Director at Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine, makes a particularly eye-opening claim, reporting that “virtually all patients suffering from chronic degenerative disease” (including those with cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, autoimmune disease, and Alzheimer’s disease) are “deficient in glutathione.”

Alpha-lipoic acid, the “sleep hormone” melatonin, milk thistle, and the antioxidant mineral selenium have all been found to increase glutathione as well.

Personally, I find taking a supplement like G-cel with added nutrients to better absorb the Glutathione is a great way to start.  The G-cel features other ingredients such as milk thistle, magnesium, selenium, zinc, chromium, alpha lipoic acid, and much more!  Most of the top co-factors for cellular health.  Think of G-cel as your cellular “chimney sweep” to help remove toxins!

Stop in and talk to Dr Jocelin to find out more about the amazing benefits of glutathione for the body and her exclusive practitioner grade G-cel supplement.



Portions of the health tip are from NaturalHealth365.

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Lyme’s Disease

This week, I would like to highlight a few excerpts from a recent news article in WholeFoods Magazine about a Lab Study on Natural Options for Lymes!

“Ethnobotanical medicine is effective against the bacterium that causes Lyme disease – Borrelia burgdorferi – according to a preclinical study performed by researches at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health along with colleagues at the California Center for Functional Medicine and Focus Health.

The study surveyed 14 plant based extracts, testing their effectiveness in vitro against the free-swimming form of the bacterium as well as against microcolonies.  The researchers also tested the currently used Lyme antibiotics doxycycline and cefuroxime.  The researches found that plant extracts from black walnut, cat’s claw, sweet wormwood, Mediterranean rockrose, and Chinese skullcup had strong activity against the bacterium, outperforming both testing antibiotics. 

‘This study provides the first convincing evidence that some of the herbs used by patients have potent activity against Lyme disease bacteria, especially the dormant persistent forms, which are not killed by the current Lyme antibiotics,’ said Dr. Ying Zhang from the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. ‘These findings are exciting as they offer opportunities for improved treatment of persistent Lyme disease, which is not helped by the current standard treatment.’ “

Dr Jocelin has been using these herbs for her patients with Lymes Disease for many years now!  So if you or someone you know has Lymes, be sure to schedule your consult with her!