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Vitamin D May Lower Risk Of Diabetes!

August 18, 2011 by 48 Comments

Are you at risk for diabetes?  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diabetes affects at least 220 million people worldwide.  Unfortunately, complications from diabetes kill 3.4 million people each year.  The number of deaths are expected to double by the year 2030.  Would you like to reduce your risk of diabetes?

A brand new study conducted by Tufts Medical Center and Harvard, indicates that taking a daily vitamin D3 supplement may lower your risk of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes.  The study found that participants taking 2000 IU of vitamin D3 every day for 16 weeks, had a 26% improvement in beta-cell functions within the pancreas.  However, the group not taking vitamin D3, suffered a 14% decline in pancreas function during the same period.

This finding is very important, because low levels of beta-cell function in the pancreas is a predictor of diabetes risk.

Harry Rice, PhD, with the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA), found benefit in this study and stated:

“Given the number of health benefits associated with vitamin D, coupled with evidence that certain segments of the population are vitamin D deficient, those not supplementing  their diet with vitamin D may want to rethink that decision.”

The American Diabetes Association (ADA),  has estimated the direct costs of diabetes in the U.S. exceed $174 billion a year.  This figure includes $116 billion spent on diabetes related medication each year.  Also, the numbers of Americans with pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes, continues to rise every year.

You can find a great summary of the study, at the Nutraingredients-usa.com site link provided here.

The Bottom Line:   If you haven’t discussed taking vitamin D supplements with your doctor, don’t wait any longer.  In addition to vitamin D deficiency linked to such health problems as osteoporosis, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, diabetes appears to be a new target.  How much more do you have to read about vitamin D, to understand its potential benefits for your health?

Have you taken vitamin D today?

It’s your life, live well.

 

twitt Vitamin D May Lower Risk Of Diabetes!

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Filed Under: Mens Health, New Research, Vitamins, Womens Health Tagged With: , ,

4 Top Supplements For Your Heart!

August 10, 2011 by 4 Comments

34463y6van7adyn 296x300 4 Top Supplements For Your Heart!Make no mistake, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a “coronary event” occurs every 25 seconds in America.  You should already be aware of preventive activities such as diet and exercise. However, can dietary supplements help you fight heart disease?

There are four supplements that appear to have the most promise for heart health.  These supplements are:

 

Fish oil, Coenzyme Q10, Vitamin D, and Turmeric.

The American Heart Association (AHA), recommends that people eat 2 servings of fish (about 12 ozs.) every week.  Since most people aren’t reaching that goal, taking fish oil supplements can help take up the slack from  food.  The active ingredients in fish oil, EPA and DHA, are omega-3 fatty acids which can help lower triglycerides and cholesterol levels.  This in turn, helps to reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant, which appears to help fight blood-clot formation and high blood pressure.  It’s produced naturally by your body, but levels fall as you get older.  In addition to reducing abnormal heart rhythms and hypertension, it reduces side effects for people taking statin drugs.

Vitamin D is primarily known for it’s role in promoting bone health.  However, it reduces risk of calcium buildup in your arteries, which could lead to a heart attack.

Do you love Indian food?  Well, you’ve enjoyed the spice Turmeric while eating any number of Indian meals.  An ingredient derived from this spice, curcumin, may protect your heart by limiting inflammation and preventing blood clots.  A negative for Turmeric/Curcumin is the lack of human trials.  So far, all the positive results have appeared in lab and animal studies.  Many health experts still recommend the spice anyway.

The CDC has a great primer on heart disease prevention, at this link.

The Bottom Line:  You need to consider all the options for better heart health.  Talking with your doctor about your current health issues, can guide you to a plan  for your best interests.  Supplements taken for the right reasons, can play an important role in your heart health regimen.

Remember, heart disease is a killer.

It’s your life, live well.

Image: smokedsalmon / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

twitt 4 Top Supplements For Your Heart!

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Filed Under: Antioxidants, Dietary Supplements, Omega 3s, Vitamins, Womens Health Tagged With: , , ,

Women, Protect Your Bones! (Part 2)

July 29, 2011 by 49 Comments

In the previous post, we looked at some of the risk factors for developing Osteoporosis, and its impact as a public health issue.  Unfortunately, women bear the brunt of suffering from this “silent” disease.

What actions can you take, to reduce your risk of Osteoporosis?

According to many experts, to improve your bone health you should:

  • Get a bone-density test;
  • Take medication when needed;
  • Participate in weight-bearing exercises;
  • Eat a diet rich in vitamin D and calcium;
  • Quit smoking and avoid excessive alcohol intake; and
  • Follow your doctor’s recommendations about bone health.

Weight- bearing exercises include activities such as:

  • Walking;
  • Jogging; and
  • Stair climbing.

The above exercises, along with some resistance-training, will help increase your bone density.

With regard to the role of supplements, vitamin D and calcium in particular, there has been some recent confusion on how much of each to take.  The Institute of Medicine recommends, women over age 51 and men over 71 to have an intake of 1,200 mg of calcium a day.  The National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements, has recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) of vitamin D for women and men of:

  • Age 51-70, 600 IU; and
  • Over age 70, 800 IU.

Seek your doctor’s approval, before taking these supplements in amounts greater than those referenced above.

There’s a ton of suggestions for prevention at the Osteoporosis Health Center, found on the WebMD site link here.  Take a look at this practical information today.

The Bottom Line:  Osteoporosis is called a “silent disease”, because its victims usually are unaware they have it, until the worst happens.  It’s very apparent, that your life will rarely be the same after suffering a hip fracture.  Don’t wait any longer.  See your doctor and find out the health status of your bones.  Then, take whatever actions you can to save your bones and your lifestyle.

Are you going to make your doctor’s appointment today?

It’s your life, live well.

 

 

twitt Women, Protect Your Bones! (Part 2)

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Filed Under: Dietary Supplements, Mens Health, Minerals, Vitamins, Womens Health Tagged With: , , , , ,

Women, Protect Your Bones! (Part 1)

July 28, 2011 by 44 Comments

Did you know that 24% of hip fracture patients aged 50 and over, die in the year following their fracture?  Are you aware that a woman’s risk of hip fracture, is about equal to her risk of breast, ovarian, and uterine cancer combined?   If not, then you need to know more about the disease called Osteoporosis.

The above information is courtesy of the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF).  I didn’t realize how much of a public health problem this disease represents, until I read some of their facts and figures.

Osteoporosis is a disease of low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue.  It significantly increases the possibility of fractures in your hip, spine, and wrist.  However, it can affect any bone in your body.

It’s estimated that of the 10 million Americans affected by this disease, 80% are women.  Although Osteoporosis is thought of as “an old folks disease”, it can affect people at any age.  Also, no ethnic background is safe from its wrath.

According to the NOF, some of the risk factors for Osteoporosis include:

  • Low lifetime calcium intake;
  • Vitamin D deficiency;
  • Estrogen deficiency as a result of menopause;
  • An inactive lifestyle; and
  • Smoking.

Check out all the risk factors and other Osteoporosis information, on a great pdf provided by Pharacistelink.com here.  It’s based on information from the NOF.

The Bottom Line:  The time to practice good bone health is now, not after you’ve suffered a fracture.  A nutritious diet, exercise, and proper supplementation will help protect you.  So, in my next post I’ll provide tips to help in your fight against Osteoporosis.  It will help you prepare questions for your next visit with your doctor, to develop a bone health plan for you.

See you next time!

It’s your life, live well.

twitt Women, Protect Your Bones! (Part 1)

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Filed Under: Dietary Supplements, Minerals, Womens Health Tagged With: , , , ,

Could Vitamin D and Calcium Come To Your Rescue?

July 22, 2011 by 41 Comments

Our world is so advanced, in terms of technology and various knowledge disciplines.  Yet, many processes within the human body, have yet to be thoroughly understood.  The debate about vitamin D and its effect on cancer, has been going on since the 1940s.  However, researchers continue to find viable evidence of the positive effects of vitamin D supplementation, and better health in humans.

Dr. Jean Y. Tang, and her team of researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine, have published a new study regarding supplementation with a combination of vitamin D and calcium.  The study analyzed data from the Women’s Health Initiative, involving 36,282 postmenopausal women.

The focus of the study, was women with a history of non-melanoma skin cancer, the most common form of skin cancer.  These women are at higher risk of later developing melanoma, a more lethal form of skin cancer.

Researchers place the women in two groups:

  • Group 1, took 400 IU of vitamin D and 1000mg of Calcium supplements;
  • Group 2, took a placebo.

The study found that the group of women taking vitamin D and calcium supplements, had 57% fewer melanomas, than women in the placebo group.

Teresa Fu, MD, a co-author of the study stated:

“Our results include the first positive cancer-reducing effect seen from the calcium plus vitamin D trial.”

This is good news indeed!  I suggest you read a great summary of the study from the NutraIngredients-USA site.  If you have a history of non-melamona skin cancer, talk it over with your doctor.  Even if you haven’t had that form of skin cancer, discuss your vitamin D and calcium intakes with your doctor, to see that you’re getting sufficient amounts of each.

The Bottom Line:  There are no guarantees in life.  But, you might as well use substantiated science information, to reach good decisions about the role of supplements in your health plan.  Don’t wait until your health falters, to start thinking about what you should do.  Act now, and be responsible for your own health and wellness.

If you don’t care, who will?

It’s your life, live well.

 

twitt Could Vitamin D and Calcium Come To Your Rescue?

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Filed Under: Minerals, New Research, Vitamins, Womens Health Tagged With: , , , ,
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