More Daily Vitamins and Supplements Snippets

Daily Vitamins and Supplements Snippets:

12/28/12 Protease and pancreatic enzyme supplementation was tested against a placebo in downhill running. Running downhill puts much more stress on the knees, ankles, and muscle groups than running a flat track because you are bracing against the pull of gravity to keep your balance. The study showed that those supplementing with enzymes had a much better recovery time and less muscle soreness than those who did not. The study also showed that protease may help heal muscle damage while supporting easier muscle contractions, thus alleviating the stiffness that often follows exercise.

12/27/12 Vitamin C intake is critical for fetal brain development. Prenatal Vitamin C deficiency causes impairment of hippocampal memory function and ultimately leads to a whopping 30% less neuron development. And worse yet, the latest study shows that it cannot be reversed by supplementing the baby after-the-fact. Humans do not make their own Vitamin C. Did you know that any human size mammal that does produce its own vitamin C make 12,000 to 14,000mg a day? If they get sick they make even more. Make sure the Vitamin C you take is labeled GMO-free and take it spread out through the day to prevent diarrhea.

12/26/12 Essential fatty acids (EFAs), found in fish oil and krill oil are vital to the integrity of the cell membrane – binding the cells together to protect against invaders. EFAs also help make eicosanoids that regulate the secretion of hormones and digestive juices. Eicosanoids influance cell division and growth while also regulating blood clotting after an injury. EFAs are proven to benefit heart health and blood profiles, reduce inflammation, relieve pain, enhance immunity, elevate mood, and works for ADHD, diabetes, skin diseases, menstrual pain, Alzheimer’s disease, depression and more.

12/24/12 B vitamins all around for you and me and I'm not a senior yet! For many different reasons the senior population suffers from higher than normal states of depression. Recently a study revealed that the B vitamins B6 and B12 were associated with being protective against depression over time. The most common and least diagnosed cause of depression is a vitamin B12 deficiency. If you take supplemental B12, I always recommend the methyl form called methylcobalamin. That’s what we use at the clinic.

12/21/12 Vitamin D and MS: Higher vitamin D blood levels in pregnant women shows a lower risk of her developing multiple sclerosis (MS) than lower levels do. In Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology research article found that high levels of vitamin D in the blood of late pregnancy brought a 61% lower risk of developing MS. Only a few of the study participants actually had high levels of vitamin D to begin with and there was no association found between the mother's levels and whether her child would later develop MS. Get your free vitamin D today by going outside and basking in the sun. Otherwise, only take cholecalciferol D-3.

12/20/12 Bee Propolis increases your white blood cell count to help defend against bacterial infections. Bee propolis comes filled with powerful antioxidants called flavonoids that protect cell membranes while preventing fatty deposits in the heart, nerves, brain, and liver. Also included are vitamins and minerals for optimal functioning of the immune system. Propolis is a resin-like substance that's collected from the leaf buds of trees by honeybees and used to disinfect their hives, seal cracks, and protect from intruders. Bee propolis has immune-boosting properties with a wide range of therapeutic benefits - from banishing colds to eliminating cancer.

12/19/12 Raspberry ketone for weight loss and more: One study showed that raspberry ketone prevented weight gain along with preventing the elevation of liver and adipose tissue weight by increasing norepinephrine-induced lipolysis. Another study suggests that raspberry ketone may increase secretion of adiponectin for lipid and glucose metabolism in controlling body weight. Other research suggests that raspberry ketone may protect against nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, increase skin insulin-like growth factor-1, promote hair growth and even increase skin elasticity through antiandrogenic, anti-inflammatory and skin lightening activity. Because of a similarity between raspberry ketone to synephrine and capsaicin, people with hypertension are told to avoid raspberry ketone.

12/18/12 Colloidal silver is very effective at killing microbes and then keeping them out of your bloodstream and tissues. It is now even being used as a topical cancer cure since some cancers spread through releasing microbes. Microbes within a cancer cell, however, keep the cell from assuming a normal state and are very hard to reach. Killing these microbes is a key to halting certain cancers once colloidal silver is delivered to the cells. New cancer protocols use topical DMSO to transport colloidal silver into the interior of cells, where the cancer-causing microbes are.

12/17/12 Coconut oil is rich in caprylic acid, which is both an anti-fungal and is now an Alzheimer’s and dementia medical treatment. Caprylic acid is found naturally in coconuts and has been used for decades as a Candida treatment among things. Now, the “medical food” Axona, made from coconuts and rich in caprylic acid, is being sold as an effective preventative treatment for Alzheimer’s and dementia that is validated by scientific research. Caprylic acid not only kills invasive fungus, but it provides the brain with an alternate source of energy. Imaging studies show that brains affected by Alzheimer’s use less glucose than normal but will burn caprylic acid.

12/14/12 Vitamin E for burn care: There are over 500,000 burns requiring medical intervention each year. Scientists at Ohio State may have just found a way to reduce the severity of burns by as much as fifty percent with natural vitamin E - applied within the first few hours after a burn injury. The premise is to increase the level of tocotrienol in the skin by fivefold within the first six to twelve hours after a burn. In doing this, burn damage can be reduced by at least 50 percent. Tocotrienols in vitamin E reduce the amount of damage caused by lipid peroxidation, which is a aftermath of a toxic cascade of chemicals which causes burns to grow into surrounding healthy tissue.

12/13/12 Potassium Citrate can help reverse bone problems. A diet too rich in meat and grains increases the acid load in the body, leaches calcium from the bone and causes osteopenia and osteoperosis. By neutralizing the acid we generate by our SAD diets we can slow and even reverse the decline in bone density and mass. Researchers in a study in osteopenic women gave them potassium citrate for one year to neutralize diet-induced acidosis and increased their bone mass and density. In another study, researchers gave 2300mcgs of potassium citrate along with calcium and vitamin D daily or a placebo. There was an average increase in the lumbar spine density by 1.7% for the potassium takers while the placebo group lost bone density.

12/12/12 Vitamin D levels during early gestation is related to birth weight and head circumference for a definite risk of a baby being born small for gestational age, according to the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Of course, the biggest cause of vitamin D deficiency is a lack of sunshine. Vitamin D deficiency results in abnormalities in calcium, phosphorus, and bone metabolism, and many other health conditions. For a supplement take cholecalciferol D-3 with a natural and non-GMO oil like olive oil or fish oil. Never take vitamin D with soybean oil and NEVER take the calciferol drug form, which can be toxic.

12/11/12 Carnosic acid in Rosemary protects the eye’s retinas from degeneration and toxicity in the latest findings. Rosemary is helpful for age-related macular degeneration, the most common eye disease in the U.S. along with fighting retinitis pigmentosa and even light-induced damage to photoreceptors (the part of the eye that converts light to electrical signals). Other Rosemary benefits range from helping with headaches to upset stomachs and digestive disorders. Rosemary is also a cancer prevention herb and great for skin damage mitigation. The two primary components of Rosemary are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents. The natural acids in Rosemary can also alleviate symptoms associated with heart disease, liver disease and asthma.

12/10/12 Histidine is an essential amino acid that is found abundantly in the blood and is used for natural treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, ulcers and anemia. Histidine is essential for the growth and repair of tissues; important for the maintenance of the central nervous system’s myelin sheath that protects nerve cells; is needed for the production of both red and white blood cells; protects the body from radiation damage; lowers blood pressure, aids in the removal of heavy metals from the body; aids in sexual arousal. Good all-around that histidine!

12/07/12 Selenium – the cancer fighting trace mineral! Selenium is essential for proper enzyme function in the body – like telling cancer cells to self-destruct as well as bringing optimal digestive health among things. Selenium also provides antioxidant support against free radical damage and strengthens the immune system to even fight viral infections. Current research finds that selenium can slow cancer growth and trigger apoptosis (cancer cell death). Rice, wheat, potatoes, broccoli, and onions are naturally high in this critical nutrient.

12/06/12 Oil of bergamot: Essential oils of bergamot reduced heart rates and high blood pressure in a new study in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. The beneficial effects of bergamot essential oil followed with just a short-term exposure to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. But the benefits reverse again after exposure to essential oils for more than an hour. Essential oils are volatile organic compounds derived from plants, seeds and fruits. Aromatherapy has been used for thousands of years for stress relief and other medicinal and healing properties. Exposure to the essential oil vapors from fragrant candles has been found to reduce test-taking anxiety among nursing school students.

12/05/12 Lithium has been used in allopathic medicine to treat mental imbalances. However, there is a litany of adverse side effects to taking this as the body poorly absorbs lithium carbonate. But lithium orotate is a supplement that offers superior bio-utilization that allows this trace mineral to penetrate the mitochondria, glia and lysosomes in the cells. Lithium orotate helps with: Brain protection, building grey matter, anti-aging, neuroprotection from environmental toxins, Lyme disease, Low white blood cell counts, juvenile convulsive disease, alcoholism and liver disorders, pain associated with migraine and cluster headaches, hyperthyroidism and other thyroid diseases, PTSD, stress, ADHD, aggression, rage, anger and improved memory. Lithium orotate has been shown to serve as an effective mood balancer in 70-80 percent of bipolar patients.

12/04/12 Mistletoe: Not just for Christmas. Mistletoe is used in alternative medicine to treat medical conditions such as arthritis, epilepsy, hypertension, menopause and even various cancers. Mistletoe is an approved alternative medical treatment in Europe for of colon cancer, which is the second greatest cause of cancer death in the US. Mistletoe is not approved in the US because of Big Pharma interest in selling only patentable drugs. The mistletoe species known as Fraxini is highly effective against colon cancer cells and gentler on healthy cells than chemotherapy and mistletoe is more potent than chemo on colon cancer. Fraxini mistletoe grows on ash trees and is the most effective of all mistletoe extracts tested.

12/03/12 Iodine was once the medical treatment of choice and considered to be the most beneficial and universal medicines to heal wounds and disease, destroy bacteria, viruses, and pathogens, and to prevent cancer. To treat the condition of goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), physicians used to apply iodine. Iodine was eventually added to salt to help with the universal goiter problems. Today however, most people have reduced their salt intake and consequently their critical iodine intake. The RDA for iodine is 150mcg – just to prevent goiter. Japanese consume some 12mg of iodine daily and consequently live 4 years longer than Americans and have 3 times less breast cancer rates along with one of the lowest infant mortality rates globally.

11/30/12 Cranberry to prevent UTIs: The Cochrane Review reported that cranberry users had a nearly 38% lower risk for UTIs compared with nonusers. But women with recurrent infections had a whopping 47% lower risk of developing a UTI with this berry. Cranberry juice was more effective than cranberry capsules or tablets. Drinking cranberry juice can block urinary infections by binding to bacteria so they can’t adhere to cell walls. Cranberry also prevents plaque formation on teeth, can kill H. pylori bacteria, increases good cholesterol, reduces bad cholesterol and can help prevent breast cancer and other tumors from growing or starting in the first place. For best results, take cranberry at least twice a day.

11/29/12 The miraculous vitamin D is now associated with an approximately 50 percent reduction in the incidence of tooth decay. The review, published in Nutrition Reviews, showed that while vitamin D's role in bone health is not been disputed, vitamin D’s role in preventing caries has not previously been established. This study found that children who are vitamin D deficient have poor and delayed teeth eruption and are prone to dental caries. Current stats show that vitamin D levels in many populations are decreasing while dental caries levels in young children are increasing. I say, kick them outdoors to play in the sun!

11/28/12 Krill oil supplies much more omega-3-unsaturated fatty acids than those in fish oil. This means that krill oil has much bigger benefits on depression, OCD and other brain disorders. Krill oil also contains the powerful antioxidant - astaxanthin and fish oil does not. Fish oil easily goes rancid and krill oil does not. Krill oil contains proportionately more EPA (eicosapentaeneoic acid) than fish oil that is more bioavailable and has a stronger effect on depression and other mood disorders. Krill oil is a little more expensive that fish oil, but unquestionably worth it.

11/27/12 Chinese Foxglove is blood tonic that enhances circulation - most especially to the head and brain. It is a blood energizer that is used to treat blood-related deficiencies, like anemia, dizziness, pallid face and light-headedness. Chinese Foxglove can regulate menstrual cycles and control hemorrhage of all kinds. Women especially find this herb helpful to strengthen the body after the effects of childbirth. The flowers of Chinese Foxglove (the Rehmannia plant), have been used in the Orient for centuries to treat the inner ear disorders. A 2006 study found the antioxidant effects it has on the delicate cells of the inner ear as Chinese Foxglove protects the cells in the ear from the premature aging.

11/26/12 Borage for what ails you: The borage plant contains potassium, calcium and several mineral acids. Borage leaf gently strengthens adrenal function. Borage seed oil has the highest plant-source concentration of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and can be used to correct EFA deficiencies in chronic inflammatory conditions, psoriasis, eczema and even rheumatoid arthritis. Borage oil has a depurative nature
that makes it a great skin conditioner to re-hydrate and revitalize sun damaged and aged skin. Borage oil may be taken as a supplement or mixed into food or diluted to use in topical applications. Borage oil should never be heated to retain health benefits. Young leaves can be used fresh in salads, cooked like spinach, or infused as a tea. The flowers can be candied, or added to teas.

11/23/12 The essential oil of patchouli is my favorite scent to put on. But it is more than just a perfume/aftershave as patchouli is also used for other applications. Patchouli is known to heal dry and itching skin, control appetite, relieve depression and even keep moths out of clothing. You can easily grow your own patchouli or Pogostemon in a shady spot in the garden and it can survive cold frost. The Deadheads and hippies though, thought that its pungent odor would mask the smell of cannabis (I think not).

11/21/12 Clinical studies suggest that CoQ10 can lower blood pressure in 4 - 12 weeks. After reviewing 12 clinical studies, researchers concluded that CoQ10 can potentially lower systolic blood pressure by up to 17 mm Hg and diastolic 10 mm Hg - without significant side effects! The benefits of co-enzyme Q10 is so incredible that it is currently even being used by medical doctors to soothe, repair, and rejuvenate years of skin damage. As we age, our bodies produce less and less CoQ10 putting our skin cells and other cells at higher risk for damage from free radicals and the environment. CoQ10 is like a super enzyme!

11/20/12 Walnuts are a great source of serotonin for maintaining a healthy emotional balance. A lack of serotonin in the brain can cause of depression. Walnuts are also a super source of omega-3 fatty acids that reduces inflammation and may help lower risk such as heart disease, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis. Herbalists and naturopaths like the bark, leaves and nut husks of black walnut as the black walnut hulls contain juglone, which is antibacterial, antiviral, anti-parasitic, and anti-fungal. Black walnut can even be used to treat ringworm and yeast infections of the skin and are unquestionably the best safest de-worming agents in the plant world. But the tincture of black walnut can be toxic and is not for long term use.

11/19/12 Grape seed extract kills common stomach virus. The Norovirus causes over half of all food-born illnesses in the US, and is the second greatest source of reported food borne illness outbreaks in the European Union, according to the report. Norovirus is transmitted mostly from fecal-oral avenues, infected food handlers, contaminated water, and food preparation surfaces, This and other reports say that a mere 10 virus particles are sufficient to transmit the disease. A recent study found that grape seed extract could reduce the Norovirus potency. In one recent study, researchers observed, at low doses, the Norovirus-1 coat proteins clumped, and showed "obvious deformation and inflation." It works even better at higher doses, where the researchers found no coat proteins, only protein debris. "This provides evidence that [grape seed extract] could effectively damage the [Norovirus] capsid protein, reducing viral binding ability and ineffectivity accordingly"

11/16/12 Yellow dock is a medicinal plant used since ancient times. It is even used in traditional medicine as a gentle laxative or mild astringent tonic. Yellow dock strengthens bowel movements and improves digestion by stimulating gastric juices. Used as an ointment or a poultice, yellow dock works on eruptive skin conditions including the accompanying itchies, sores, and scabby skin lesions. Used for cooking, the young green leaves can be steamed and served as a green that has a pleasant lemony flavor. Dock leaves are a super source of Vitamins A and C and also contain more carotene than carrots. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses the chopped roots steeped in boiling water for a tea which is a reliable treatment for chronic constipation.

11/15/12 Camphor oil is unique with its dual hot and cold action. In Chinese medicine, this has a balancing effect on the yin and yang. Camphor oil first numbs and cools peripheral nerve endings, then it warms the area and stimulates circulation in stiff muscles and limbs. The analgesic effect of camphor makes it useful for pain relieving massage blends, sore muscles, lower back and arthritic pain. Camphor can clear acne, cool fevers, help clear lung congestion, sooth coughs and colds while helping difficult breathing. Always remember to dilute this one before rubbing it on the skin.

11/14/12 Yarrow is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a tea and as a poultice for wound healing. The tea form made from the whole plant is great for stomach ulcers, amenorrhea, heavy menstruation and abscesses. Yarrow was once known as "nosebleed" and used as astringent swab to encourage clotting as it rinses and washes. Poultices made with yarrow can stanch bleeding and disinfect cuts and scrapes. Yarrow also treats winter colds and fevers making you sweat, cooling fevers as it helps the body expel toxins. Yarrow is a very complex herb, and that contains many medicinal compounds along with tannins and volatile oil azulene. Yarrow compounds are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and help relax blood vessels.

11/13/12 Concentrated fish oil (esterized) is bad business! Fatty acid ethyl esters are lipids that are made by reacting free fatty acids with ethanol in a chemical process called trans-esterification. Here the glycerol backbone is removed and substituted with ethanol to "concentrate" the long chain fatty acids at lower temperatures. The resulting EPA and DHA concentrate is subsequently marketed as “Fish Oil concentrate” but in reality the EPA and DHA ethyl ester concentrate is no longer a fat or oil and is incorrectly marketed as fish oil. Ethyl esters almost never occur in nature and most certainly affect the way EFAs are digested and absorbed in the body.

11/12/12 Brewer's yeast is actually a nutritional supplement with a generous dose of protein, B-complex vitamins and chromium, selenium and other wonderful minerals and nutrients. Brewer’s yeast can lower glucose and cholesterol while helping metabolize carbohydrates and lipids. It also stimulates immune function with a potent anti-viral effect and contributes the regeneration of cells. But the side effects of brewer's yeast can include gas and bloating and can really mess with Big Pharma medications and OTC painkillers. You will also want to avoid brewer's yeast if you are allergic to yeast or prone to yeast infections.

11/09/12 Have you tried bergamot oil? Bergamot oil is cold-pressed from the peel of bergamot and the aroma is sweet and citrusy with a floral quality. The fresh, uplifting scent of bergamot essential oil can stabilize the emotions, calm the nervous system, relieve tension, fight insomnia, and is beneficial for anxiety and depression. Bergamot oil also an anti-infectious agent that is effective against a wide number of microorganisms and even intestinal worms. Bergamot fights against fever, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, skin problems, aids digestion and can relieve symptoms of colic and gas just by massaging into the abdomen. More is not better though, so use it in moderation to avoid slight irritation of the skin.

11/08/12 Barley grass is a super food! Young barley grass has high concentrations of chlorophyll. Barley grass helps improve good cholesterol, blood pressure levels, immune response and is great for cancer prevention. Barley grass is a nutrient dense food with a wonderful concentration of minerals, vitamins and amino acids. A single tablespoon of barley grass contains a full day's supply of beta-carotene, betaine, biotin, boron, copper, iron, lutein, magnesium, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamine. Top that off with significant amounts of alpha-linoleic acid, oryzanol, potassium, selenium, zinc, and tocopherols. But be careful if you are nursing a baby as barley grass can stop lactation.

11/07/12 Okay, who wants some flax seed? In animal models of ovarian cancer, researchers found that chickens supplemented with flax seed demonstrated a significant reduction in tumor size and severity and enjoyed overall improvements in health and mortality than those that were not supplemented with flax. Women who consume a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, the type found in flax seed also have a significantly reduced risk of developing endometriosis. Flax seed is great for men, women and children!

11/06/12 Ashwagandha is a non-specific tonic and adaptogen. Adaptogen means, if you are down, it brings you up and if you are high, it brings you down. Ashwagandha is also a mild sedative that promotes restful, deep sleep. Chemically active ingredients in ashwagandha appears to have a steroid like effect that increases activity of steroidal hormones like testosterone and progesterone. But ashwagandha also relaxes blood vessels and stimulates circulation and has an anti-inflammatory and tonic effect for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Ashwagandha is also used for low back pain and sciatica.

See More Vitamin archives >>