Saturday, November 17, 2012

Calcium and Vitamin D Reduces Mortality Rates

Author: oliviamungal

For years, researchers have proven the positive benefits that both calcium and vitamin D have on individuals. The two coupled together, have consistently been linked to the prevention of osteoporosis, a slower aging process and decreased injuries in older adults.

New research has begun to reveal that vitamin D, along with calcium intake in the elderly, can lead to longer life expectancy rates. In a study led by Lars Rejnmak, Ph.D it was discovered that older patients, who were given both supplements benefited from a longer life span over those without proper supplementation. Researchers also added that these results were not connected to a lower number of fracture risks or incidence.

“We found that calcium with vitamin D supplementation to elderly patients…may have beneficial effects on general health.”

Calcium and vitamin D have been proven to prevent fracture in all individuals, especially the elderly. Both supplements help to prevent tooth loss, slow weight gain and increase immune system functioning.

Study: Vitamins C, D show promise for mood swings

Author: James Moffat

For years, researchers have studied the significant benefits that both vitamin C and D have on the body. These vitamins have been shown countless times to help reduce illnesses and viral infections, increase protection against heart problems, and facilitate overall health of the body.

New research now suggests these two nutrients, in tandem, might help reduce the instances of mood swings.

During the study, published in the journal Nutrition, Dr. John Hoffer, professor of medicine at McGill University, Canada and his team found there was a 34-percent reduction in mood scores and disturbances. Most patients that began taking the vitamin C supplements became much calmer and less prone to mood swings.

The study was later examined to determine if the vitamin C had an actual biological effect on the brain by giving patients vitamin D as an additional supplement. Those that were given vitamin D in addition to the vitamin C supplements “benefited substantially”:

Subclinical deficiencies of vitamin C and D have each been linked to psychological abnormalities…the treatment is safe, simple and cheap, and could have major clinical practice implications.

Adding these vitamins to one’s daily diet is essential for overall health and those suffering with mood issues, including depression and pregnancy should incorporate vitamin C into their daily to gain a vast improvement and regulation over their moods.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Resveratrol Benefits Exercise, Natural Performance Enhancer

By Chake Faye

For years researchers have studied the effects of exercise on the body and have found that those who exercise regularly live longer, more healthy lives. Researchers have now begun to research various methods of trying to enhance workouts performed and have surprisingly found promising results.

New researched has revealed that the supplement resveratrol, also found in some wines can mimic the body’s positive reactions to working out. Resveratrol benefits in exercise are shown through improved strength and endurance, according to a new study led by Mr. Jason Dyck. In the animal study subjects gained improved heart function, muscle strength and changes in energy metabolism.

“Based on these findings, we conclude that resveratrol is an ergogenic aid that improves exercise training via changes in skeletal muscle function and cardiac performance, but also improves energy metabolism…we [may have] identified improved exercise performance in a pill.”

Resveratrol has many benefits including the ability to combat disease and it also has natural anti-aging properties. Those with illnesses that limit their physical activity could benefit greatly from these newly discovered resveratrol effects, due to its ability to mimic a more intense workout. However, it’s always important to monitor your diet and exercise regularly to maintain health and to help prevent disease.

Pycnogenol May Also Provide Help for Asthma Patients

by Shaina Fimbel

Hoboken, NJ—A recent study published in Panminerva Medica indicates that the supplement Pycnogenol may help with controlling asthma symptoms. Pycnogenol is a natural plant extract that comes from the bark of French Maritime pine trees. The extract’s combination of procyanidins, bioflavanoids and organic acids has been studied for years in promoting healthy inflammation, but now the Biomedical Sciences at the University in Pescara, Italy believes that this supplement may have other benefits too.


The research study involved 76 patients, ages 25 to 45, who had mild to moderate allergic asthma due to dust mites. One group of patients was administered 100 mg of Pycnogenol per day, in addition to their prescribed inhaler, while the control group took only their inhaler. After a six-month period it was found that patients taking the supplement had “improved control of allergic asthma, reducing night awakenings caused by asthma symptoms by nearly 50 percent”. Further results showed that the group taking the extract lowered their inhalation corticosteroids (ICS) dosage by 55 percent, and that while some in the control group lowered their ICS dosage by 6 percent, others increased by 19 percent. Also, those taking Pycnogenol only had to use their salbutamol rescue inhaler every fifth day, while the control group on average used it every other day. In addition, the supplement users reduced their number of night awakenings in half, and reported a lower number of days that they experienced high degrees of respiratory distress.


Other clinical studies have suggested that Pycnogenol lowers leukotriene values, the inflammatory mediators responsible for asthma symptoms. Asthma is a condition that affects almost 25 million people in the United States, and this new study show that Pycnogenol may be able to provide relief to some of its symptoms.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Vitamin D Reduces Risk of Heart Disease and Diabetes, Study Shows

By Chake Faye

For years, researchers have studied the effects of supplemental vitamin D within the body. Vitamin D is known to facilitate adequate, strong bone growth and help with proper absorption of calcium within the body, among many other exceptional benefits.

New research has now revealed that older individuals can also reduce their risk of heart disease and diabetes with sufficient vitamin D supplementation. In a compilation study, led by Dr. Oscar Franco, over a 19 year period, it was revealed that older men and women can both benefit from the addition. Those with higher levels of vitamin D in the body had a 33% less chance of contracting cardiovascular disease and a 55% reduction in the risk of developing diabetes, overall.

“We found that high levels of vitamin D among middle age and elderly populations are associated with a substantial decrease in cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Targeting vitamin D deficiency…could potentially slow the current epidemics of cardiometabolic disorders.

The recommended minimum daily dosage of vitamin D is 600 IU (15mcg) for anyone 1-70 years of age and 800 IU (20mcg) for those 70 and older, according to the National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.

Multivitamin Supplements Boost Brain Function

Author: kerriwhatley

Researchers often study the effects that different vitamins and supplements have on the body. However, there has not been much research done regarding multivitamins that contain a mixture of supplements. However, that is soon changing.

In various studies led by Dr. David O. Kennedy the role that multivitamins play within the human body was considered. Across these studies both men and women were observed over a period of 8-12 weeks, as well as children between 8-14 years of age. All subjects benefited from the multivitamin supplementation, but in different ways. Men generally showed improvement on cognitive tasks while women gained increased accuracy and speed on multitasking efforts. Most children showed increased accuracy in attention-based tasks.

In the study, multivitamins were proven to boost brain functions in all participants. By the completion of the study, researchers were able to link the usage of multivitamins’ with increased cognitive performance after only a few weeks of supplementation.

“A vitamin deficiency predisposes you to diseases related to having too little of that vitamin…there are people out there deficient in each vitamin group. But since most people don’t know which vitamins they’re missing you should take multivitamins to bridge the gap and patch up whatever you’re deficient in.”

These findings add to the evidence that multivitamins offer significant benefits to individuals and are important in bridging the gap between vitamin deficiencies and sufficient amounts of the fore mentioned. Individuals should take multivitamins in order to “patch up what [they are] deficient in.”

Monday, October 22, 2012

Researchers: Colon cancer, multivitamin findings promising

Author: chakefaye
A research study conducted by Dr. Albert Baskar Arul set out to prove or disprove if there was any correlation between taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement and the reduced risk of colon cancer.

This study, published in the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, found that regular multivitamins and mineral supplementation might lower risk of developing colon cancer when exposed to carcinogens in animal studies.

The test group given multivitamins and mineral supplements were also fed a high-fat diet over a 32-week period, as well as the control group, which didn’t receive any supplementation. After both groups were exposed to the carcinogens, the control group developed pre-cancerous legions and formed tumors very rapidly. However, the group given multivitamins and mineral supplements saw an 84% reduction in the formation of any lesions and did not develop tumors of any kind.

This study is important because it gives some direction to cancer patients in desperate need of guidance on the value of multivitamins and minerals administered during cancer…regular supplements of multivitamins and minerals could reduce the risk of cancer.

Through this study, multivitamins have been proven to be an essential part of overall health and even having preventative cancer effects. Multivitamins and mineral supplements are useful in preventing and keeping cancer at bay if the disease has already been discovered.