CLA May Reduce Intestinal Inflammation

Author: Olivia Mungal

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is known best for its weight loss properties, but a recent study in the Clinical Nutrition Journal suggests it may also benefit intestinal health. The study, coauthored by researchers at Virginia Tech University, the University of North Carolina, and Wake Forest University School of Medicine, indicated that CLA supplementation may help people living with Crohn’s disease manage bowel inflammation.

Crohn’s disease is a chronic immune-inflammatory condition which involves the gastrointestinal tract. Although the causes of the disease remain a mystery, scientists have found evidence of both genetic and environmental triggers resulting in this type of immune dysregulation. Intestinal inflammation is exceptionally painful, but CLA may work to help suppress pro-inflammatory compounds.

Results showed CLA supplementation correlated with drops in certain types of T-cell levels in the blood commonly associated with inflammation. For patients in the study, disease severity as measured by the Crohn’s disease activity index (CDAI) was significantly improved, showing a drop in CDAO from 245 to 187 over the 12-week period.

The present study has shed new light on the clinical potential of this compound and provided insights on the possible mechanisms of immune modulation targeted by CLA in the human system” wrote researchers.

Omega-3 May Help Slow Biological Aging

Author: Olivia Mungal
Omega-3 fatty acids are well-known for a bounty of health benefits ranging from cardiovascular health to healthy joints, but according to a study conducted by researchers from Ohio State University, omega-3s may also help to protect your DNA from the effects of natural aging.

The study, published in the Brain, Behavior, and Immunity Peer Review Journal, found that regular omega supplementation for a period of 4+ months could help to slow the biological effects of aging. In the trial, participants took either 2.5 grams or 1.25 grams of active Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids compared against a third group given a placebo. Each omega-3 supplement contained a 7:1 ratio of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

How do cells biologically age?

During mitosis, enzymes in the nucleus duplicate our DNA continuously, replacing old cells in the body with new ones. As we age, our cells are damaged by oxidation and some of our DNA’s nucleotide sequencing is also damaged during this process. Telomeres are a region of repetitive nucleotide sequences that cap the ends of each chromosome and protect them from deterioration or mutation.

Luckily for the human body, our DNA often comes with backup nucleotide sequences and repair mechanisms our cells use if the primary nucleotide sequences are damaged. However, the more oxidative stress experienced by our bodies, our cells become less able to repair and regenerate during cell division, and our telomeres become shorter and shorter as the years of oxidative stress chips away at our DNA’s protective barrier.

Courtesy of christophertims.com

What the study found:

Professor Kiecolt-Glaser led the study, and confirmed regular supplementation with omega-3 reduced oxidative stress by as much as 15% when compared to the placebo group. The researchers found omega supplementation transformed the natural ratio of omega-6: omega-3 fatty acids and preserved the length of the telomeres in each participant’s DNA. As that ratio became lower, the average length of each participant’s DNA-protective telomeres became significantly longer.

Why does this work?

Human beings naturally produce arachidonic acid (AA), an omega-6 fatty acid which promotes cellular inflammation. EPA inhibits the production and release of AA, lowering the amount of harmful omega-6 fatty acids in the body. Most people simply don’t get enough omega-3 fatty acids in their diet to achieve a low omega-6:omega-3 ratio, leaving the body and DNA especially vulnerable to oxidative damage.

“The telomere finding is provocative in that it suggests the possibility that a nutritional supplement might actually make a difference” says Ohio State’s Dr. Jan Kiecolt-Glaser.

Vitamin C Affects Eye and Brain Health

Author: chakefaye

For years, researchers have studied the benefits of vitamin C in the human body and have discovered it’s natural ability to fight infections, prevent wrinkles, and reducing the risk of cancer. Now vitamin C is also being look to as a promoter of better eye and brain health in all individuals.
Researchers now believe that vitamin C can potentially prevent failure of both the eye area and the central nervous system. In a study co-led by Henrique von Gersdorff, PhD it was revealed that a lack of vitamin C in one’s diet can be responsible for stopping excitatory neurons in the brain from functioning properly. This lack of transmission between neurons in the brain of humans, could eventually lead to eye diseases such as glaucoma and an slow progressive break down of the central nervous system.
“Because the retina is part of the central nervous system, this suggests there’s likely an important role for vitamin C through our brains…we found that cells need to be bathed in relatively high doses of vitamin C, inside and out.“
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to several conditions including scurvy, depression and epilepsy.  It’s an essential vitamin that the body needs to maintain good overall health and prevent complications related to vitamin C deficiencies. The daily recommended dosage of vitamin C is 90mg daily for men and least 75mg daily at least for women.

Vitamin C Prevents Damaged Brain Development in Infants

Author: chakefaye

Supplementation of vitamin C into one’s daily diet is an ever increasing priority for all individuals. Due to the fact that vitamin C is not produced naturally within the human body, supplementation and a balanced diet are both critical to receiving adequate amounts. Expectant mothers are among the most susceptible for vitamin C deficiency which can have serious effects on their children.
New research has revealed that expectant mothers who are deficient in vitamin C run a much higher risk of birthing children with brain development issues than those who are not. In an animal study led by Dr. Pernille Tveden-Nyborg it was discovered that mothers with low vitamin D levels mostly always gave birth to offspring with damaged brain development. Within the study, the effected offspring were given supplementation up to two months after birth and still saw no improvement.
“We used to think that the mother could protect the baby. Ordinarily there is selective transport from mother to fetus of the substances the baby needs during pregnancy. However, it now appears that the transport is not sufficient in the case of vitamin C deficiency.
Due to this study the importance of taking a vitamin C supplement during pregnancy is even more vital to the woman and child’s health. Taking a vitamin C supplement will significantly reduce the chances of brain development and other illnesses in developing children.

Preventing Cancer among Benefits of Vitamin D

Author: oliviamungal
Nationwide studies consistently prove that vitamin D adds numerous health benefits to those who add the supplement to their daily diet. Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, has several important roles within the body and may now also help to prevent cancer.
New research has revealed that vitamin D helps to battle cancer by blocking its initial growth and formation patterns within the body. In a study led by Dr. Reyhaneh Tabar, the results documented support the notion that vitamin D, in its active form, facilitates several mechanisms to inhibit both cancerous cell production and function that is required for cell division.
“We hope that our research will encourage people to maintain adequate vitamin D supplementation and will stimulate the development of large, well-controlled cancer chemoprevention trials to test the effects of adequate supplementation.”
According to this new research its imperative to increase supplementation of vitamin D intake if you lack adequate levels. It’s important to eat a healthy, well balanced diet in addition to a vitamin d supplementation of at least 5000 IU daily.
 

Vitamin D Could Halt Development of Alzheimer’s Disease

Author: chakefaye
For years researchers have proven that vitamin D plays a key role in the formation of healthy bodies. Vitamin D is also known to help in the development and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones, but also protects individuals from a number of diseases, including some cancers.

New research has revealed that vitamin D may now help to regulate the development of Alzheimer’s disease. In a study, led by Professor Declan Naughton of Kingston University, data revealed that all individuals with unregulated cases of Alzheimer’s disease were severely deficient in vitamin D. Contrarily, in cases where a subjects Alzheimer’s disease was well regulated or non-existent, individuals possessed elevated blood levels of vitamin D in the body.

“The key point in this study was that a blood test…developed at Kingston University, was for the first time able to accurately measure which, if any, of the different variations of vitamin D were present in Alzheimer’s patients. This is believed to be the first time scientists have pinpointed the connection [to vitamin D].”

It’s extremely important to increase your vitamin D intake as you age in order to gain the benefits of increased supplementation. This will help to impede any future risk of developing certain illnesses and diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. The recommended daily dose of vitamin D for regular individuals is 15mcg daily and for those 70 years and older, 20mcg daily.

Vitamin D, Prevents Clogged Arteries in Diabetics

Author: chakefaye
For years researchers have proclaimed vitamin D as one of the most important supplements to help individuals achieve optimal health. Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, possesses many benefits, and may now alleviate certain diabetic complications.

New research has revealed that vitamin D may help to prevent clogged arteries in those suffering from diabetes. The Journal of Biological Chemistry recently published a study led by Carlos Bernal-Mizrachi, MD, in which subjects who had sufficient amounts of vitamin D in their blood were, to a large extent, less likely to develop clogged arteries, which are typical in diabetics.

“We looked at blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes control, body weight and race. But only vitamin D levels correlated to whether these cells stuck to the blood vessel wall.”

It was also observed that vitamin D was the only determining factor in the disability of the cells to adhere to the walls of blood vessels, but this only happened in diabetics.

Due to this research, it’s important for those suffering from diabetes to know the health benefits of vitamin D supplementation and to incorporate it into their daily diet. Vitamin D can help to regulate the disease and help prevent its progression.