Choline: The Nutrient That Improves Your Memory

December 6, 2011

Men’s Health

By Cassie Shortsleeve

“You could also try KT’s Mega Memory course too.”  –KTRN

We’ve all been there: The awkward, why can’t I remember your name scenario. And while plenty of products claim to erase the wrinkles on your face, Boston University scientists have found a nutrient that protects your brain from aging, too.

The researchers discovered that people with a diet rich in choline—a nutrient in the vitamin B family—scored significantly higher on both verbal and visual memory tests, according to a study of 1,300 adults. Brain scans showed that subjects with high-choline diets were also less likely to show the signs associated with dementia.

Research from the USDA has also shown choline lowers blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine—which, when present in high levels, can lead to heart disease, cancer, and dementia. Extra choline also helps in constructing the “memory” neurotransmitter (acetylcholine).

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Five Foods For Healthy Skin

September 20th, 2011

Natural News

By: Tara Green

Although the cosmetic industry would have us believe otherwise, beautiful skin doesn’t come from a jar full of perfumed chemicals. Beyond being born with great genes, the best thing you can do for your skin is to eat a healthy diet. Learn how to enhance your skin from the inside out by eating foods that will make your epidermis glow with health. Try adding these foods to your diet to both feel and look better.

Chia Seeds: Chia offers a multitude of health benefits. The word chia derives from the Aztec word for oily. Chia seeds offer high levels of omega-3 acids which the human body needs but cannot produce and which only come from a few dietary sources.

Without omega-3′s, people can suffer from poor circulation and dry skin, as well as heart problems, fatigue, depression and a feeling of mental fogginess. Chia seeds help keep skin (and the rest of the body) hydrated because they are hydrophilic, absorbing more than 10 times their weight in water. You can sprinkle chia seeds in your hot cereal, add a teaspoon of the tiny seeds to a glass of juice, or add a few to add extra texture to a salad or vegetable hot dish.

Almonds: These nuts are an excellent source of vitamin E which helps minimize the negative effects of sun exposure on the skin, as well as aiding against certain types of skin cancer. They also provide a quick source of strength and energy, providing fuel for exercise which also benefits the skin. Additionally, almond skins benefit human skin through their high levels of antioxidants.

Dandelions: If you look at dandelions as annoying weeds, you are missing out on a tremendous healthy food. Dandelions cleanse the liver of toxins. If you have a congested liver which cannot effectively cleanse the bloodstream, your skin is more likely to show wear and tear whether through breakouts or the effects of aging and pollution. Dandelion greens contain high levels of several of the vitamins and minerals known to contribute to healthy skin including Vitamin A, B, and C as well as copper and zinc.

Think of dandelions as the dietary equivalent of a refreshing face mask. Dandelions can easily be grown or foraged, so you can add them to your diet without adding to your grocery budget. Spring and early summer are the best times to harvest the greens. You can use them in salads or juice them. In early fall, gather dandelion roots which you can chop and dry-roast in the oven, then use to make a rich, chicory-like beverage. You can add honey plus coconut or rice milk for a dandelion latte. Just be sure not to use dandelions which have been sprayed with chemicals.

Cucumbers: These vegetables provide abundant vitamin C and silica. The trace mineral silica is essential for strong connective tissue and supports the ability of skin to heal. Without silica, skin loses its elasticity and becomes more prone to wrinkles and age spots.

Turmeric: The spice which gives curries an orangey hue derives much of its nutritional value from polyphenol anti-oxidant phytochemicals called curcuminoids. Curcuminoids provide as much as 8 times the antioxidant power as that found in most other antioxidant foods. Turmeric aids in the treatment of psoarisis, rosacea, acne and other inflammatory skin conditions. Plus, turmeric contributes to skin elasticity. It also helps to support the natural flora which can provide form a barrier on the skin skin protecting it from dangerous microbes.

Click here for the full report from Natural News

Folic Acid Linked To Better Grades In Swedish Teens

July 11, 2011

Reuters Health

By Frederik Joelving

Swedish teenagers who consumed more folic acid got better school grades, a small study published in the journal Pediatrics has found.

But don’t run out and stock up on the B vitamin with the rest of your school supplies just yet, one expert warns.

“There is very little deficiency of folic acid in North America,” Deborah O’Connor, a nutrition researcher who was not involved in the study, told Reuters Health. “If you’re already sufficient, there is not a lot of evidence that taking more supplements will help.”

She said the teens in the study might have been deficient in folic acid, with levels a few times lower than what’s typically seen in North American kids.

Because a lack of the nutrient during pregnancy can cause severe birth defects in babies, certain foods are fortified with folic acid, also called folate, in North America. Most of the population is thought to get adequate amounts for that reason.

During the study, Sweden did not fortify foods, nor did kids use a lot of supplements. Folic acid is naturally present in green, leafy vegetables and legumes.

The new study is among the first to examine whether folate is tied to school achievements, according to Dr. Torbjorn Nilsson of Orebro University Hospital and his colleagues.

Click here to read the full report from Reuters.

 

Age Related Hearing Loss Halted With Folate Nutrient

September 30, 2010

Natural News

By: S.L. Baker

Hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder in the United States, and more than 36 million Americans have lost some of their hearing. Mostly, hearing loss is blamed on getting older. But evidence is accumulating that the real culprit could be a lack of B vitamins — especially folate.

For example, in 2007 scientists from Wageningen University in the Netherlands studied 728 men and women between the ages of 50 and 70 and found that by taking folic acid supplements, age-related hearing loss in the low frequency range was significantly delayed. Then, at last year’s American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting in San Diego, a Boston-based research team discussed evidence showing that when men over the age of 60 had a high folate intake from foods and/or vitamins, they decreased their risk of losing their hearing by 20%.

Now a new study, dubbed the Blue Mountains Hearing Study and headed by scientists at the University of Sydney in Australia, has revealed yet another important link between folate and hearing. The researchers found that when people have low levels of the B vitamin in their blood, they have a significantly increased risk of hearing loss. The research was recently published in The Journal of Nutrition.

The study, which involved researchers from several Australian universities, looked at 2,956 people age 50 and up. Blood levels of vitamin B-12, folate and homocysteine were measured and then compared to the amount of hearing loss in the research subjects. The results? People with low levels of folate (below 11 nanomoles per liter) had a 34% increased risk of hearing loss.

What’s more, elevated levels of the amino acid homocysteine (over 20 micromoles per liter) were linked to a 64% increase in the risk of hearing loss. Excess levels of homocysteine have previously been associated with an increased risk of heart disease and memory problems. Too much homocysteine is also believed to disrupt normal blood flow to the inner ear — which could possibly explain the homocysteine and hearing loss connection. And a body of earlier research has concluded adequate B vitamin levels are associated with normal homocysteine levels in the blood.

NaturalNews has previously reported on other ways folate is important to maintaining and protecting health. For example, studies show it may protect from breast cancer and help prevent memory loss, too.

Click here for the full report from Natural News

Make Sure You’re Getting Your Vitamin B

August 26, 2010

Yourhealthdetective.com

Most people are not aware that the “B” vitamins are your best insurance policy against diseases like heart attack and stroke. And, they’re more powerful than any drugs for the same conditions.

“B” vitamins are water soluble – you’ll find them in meat of animal protein, instead of the unhealthy patty parts. Some of the “Bs” are also found in fruits and vegetables, but your best source is found in red meat – for “B₁₂” red meat is the ONLY source…click to continue reading..

Scientifically Speaking…

According to an impressive 14-year study conducted in Japan, the following are the health benefits of specific “B” vitamins that you should know about:

• When folate is high:
  • A man’s chance of a heart attack is cut in half.
  • A woman’s risk of heart attack drops by 43%.
  • A woman’s risk of stroke drops by more than a third.
• When vitamin B₆ is high:
  • A man’s chance of heart attack is reduced by over 60%.
  • A woman’s risk of heart attack drops by more than 50%.
  • A woman’s risk of stroke drops by more than a third.

Yes, eating red meat will get you vitamin B₁₂, however, for those over the age of 50, supplemental “B” supplementation is recommended.

Synchronicity Matters…

Folate, vitamin B₆ and vitamin B₁₂ work in synchronicity (together). They produce red blood cells, make nerves function, and reduce Homocysteine levels. Studies show that vitamin B₁₂ deficiency leads to dangerously high Homocysteine, especially in vegetarians. Homocysteine is the amino acid that causes cardiovascular disease when levels are greatly elevated.

Additionally, when Homocysteine levels are elevated, you become a good candidate for Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and a list of birth-related disorders.

Most vegetarians have very high Homocysteine levels and are a high risk for a vitamin “B” deficiency. If you take medications such as antibiotics or birth control pills, your risk of vitamin B deficiency and high Homocysteine literally skyrocket.

What EXACTLY are the Role of Bs?

The following chart should answer most of your questions regarding each vitamin B and their specific role. All of the nutrients listed are included in one tablet of a complex B supplement as indicated below:

Vitamin B3 Niacin	Circulation, nervous system, healthy skin	Lean meats, nuts, legumes and potatoes
Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid	Adrenal hormones, antibodies, neurotransmitters, stamina	Eggs, pork, beef, fish, milk, and most fruits/vegetables
Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine	Brain/immune system function, cancer immunity, mild diuretic	Chicken, fish, kidney, liver, eggs, bananas, lima beans, walnuts
Vitamin B7 Biotin	Cell growth, metabolism of carbohydrates/fats/proteins	Liver, eggs yolks, nuts, cauliflower, milk, legumes
Vitamin B8 Inositol	Hair growth, reduces cholesterol and plaque	Heart, fruit, milk, nuts, meat, vegetables
Vitamin B9 Folic Acid	“Brain food,” energy, red blood cells, strengthens immunity	Beef, lamb, pork, chicken liver, eggs, green leafy vegetables, salmon
Vitamin B12 Cyanocobalamin	Prevent anemia/nerve damage, digestion, cellular longevity	Lamb, beef, herring, mackerel, liver, oysters, poultry, clams, eggs

B…ing Proactive…

In order to protect your health from the risks listed in this article, eat foods high in folate, vitamin B₆ and B₁₂ every day. In addition, use a vitamin “B” supplement that is a balanced ratio of the entire Bs”. I use and recommend a B-100 tablet taken at least twice a day with meals for those over age 50, and a B-50 tablet taken at least twice a day for those under age 50. At times of accelerated stress, each dose listed should be increased to one tablet with each meal. Always take your “Bs” with food for better absorption.

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Cure Body Odor The Natural Way

As the hot summer sun continues to shine upon us, there are many factors that can cause an increase of perspiration. And with perspiration comes a risk of unpleasant and often times an uncomfortable situation, body odor. Here is my strategy to blocking and eliminating body odor the natural way…

Aromatherapy
Sage is a useful essential oil for preventing body odor.

Detoxification
To help prevent unpleasant body odor, do a cleanse several times a year.

Diet
The more wholesome your diet is and the greater the balance of nutrient biochemistry is in the body, the less chances there are of unpleasant odors emanating from the body. Eat a whole foods diet that includes at least 1/3 to 1/2 raw foods. Increase fluids and pure water (seven to eight glasses per day). On rising and before bedtime, drink one glass of water with the juice of a fresh lemon and one teaspoon of chlorophyll.

Juice Therapy
Drink fresh-squeezed, organic vegetable juices once or twice a day.

Homeopathy
Hepar sulph and Sulfur are both useful homeopathic remedies for treating unpleasant body odor.

Lifestyle
Wash your entire body at least once a day with pure filtered water.

Nutritional Supplementation
The following nutrients can help prevent and reduce unpleasant body odor: vitamin B1, vitamin B complex, vitamin A, vitamin C, chlorophyll, magnesium, PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid), and Zinc.

Topical Treatment
Apply baking soda under arms and between toes. Avoid aluminum-based antiperspirants.

Alternative Professional Care
If your symptoms persist despite the above measures, seek the help of a qualified health professional. Sign up at NaturalCures.com to find a specialist in your area.

Yours in Health,
- KT

Vitamin B – Cheap Alternative for Controlling Cholesterol

February 3, 2010

Natural News

By E. Huff

A recent study found that niacin, a form of vitamin B, is far more beneficial to heart patients with high cholesterol than is the popular cholesterol drug Zetia. Dr. Anthony DeMaria, a leading cardiologist and editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology stated that the findings will eliminate Zetia from the preferred treatment options list.

Though Zetia is touted as being highly effective at reducing the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often called “bad cholesterol”, niacin is much more effective at boosting the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), commonly termed “good cholesterol”.

Evidence reveals that niacin significantly reduces plaque buildup on arterial walls, improving blood supply to the brain, while Zetia, also known generically as ezetimibe, can slightly increase arterial plaque buildup. For this reasons, doctors and experts agree that niacin is the preferred choice in maintaining proper cholesterol levels and a healthy heart.

In addition to being more effective, niacin is also a much more affordable option. Though the trial utilized a time-released prescription form of niacin, quality niacin supplements are available over the counter that work equally as well if not better than the prescription form.

Zetia is often prescribed to lower bad cholesterol and maintain heart health, yet its track record seems to indicate the opposite effect for some. Out of the 208 participants who engaged in the study, nine of the patients on Zetia experienced heart attacks, stroke, or they died from heart disease. Only two on niacin bore such an outcome.

Dr. Jim Stein of the University of Wisconsin was one of several who emphasized over-prescription of Zetia, stating that doctors fail to practice evidence-based medicine when using the drug. He recommends utilizing safer, more effective alternatives like niacin that are proven to reduce incidences of heart attack, stroke, and death.

Studies consistently show that therapeutic doses of niacin alone can raise HDL levels by up to 35 percent and lower LDL levels by 20 percent. When incorporated into a well-balanced diet with regular exercise, the benefits increase even more. Proper diet and exercise will actually cause arterial plaque to dissipate over time, unlike statin drugs which have never been proven to break up arterial plaque.

Niacin is naturally found in dairy products, lean meats, fish and poultry, nuts, eggs, and whole-grain or sprouted breads. Diets rich in plant-based sterols, soluble fiber, and balanced sources of omega-3 and omega-6 oils will also contribute significantly to maintaining proper cholesterol levels and a healthy heart.

Click here for the full report

Natural Vitamins Instead of Drugs – Save Money and Get Results

November 17, 2009

ABC News

By Peggy Peck

Results reported here Sunday may not put the nail in the coffin for a once wildly popular cholesterol-lowering drug, but they do put Zetia at the bottom of the list of medications that doctors will be using.

So said Dr. Anthony DeMaria, a leading cardiologist who is also the editor in chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

He was referring to the results of a study that compared niacin — a form of vitamin B — to Zetia in high-risk patients who need more than a drug like Lipitor or Crestor to control their cholesterol.

The niacin used in the study is not variety available in health food stores and drug stores. It is a prescription product that has a special timed-release formulation, which may cut down on the hot flashes that are associated with niacin use.

Zetia, known generically as ezetimibe, is highly effective at reducing LDL, the so-called bad cholesterol. But niacin boosts HDL, or good cholesterol.

In the study reported at the American Heart Association meeting here — and published online by the New England Journal of Medicine — good trumped bad.

Niacin had a beneficial effect on the plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the brain, but despite the fact that Zetia reduced LDL by almost 20 percent in patients who already had LDL cholesterol levels of less than 100 mg/dL, patients taking the drug had a slight worsening of the plaque build-up.

“This trial doesn’t quite put the nail in the coffin for ezetimibe, but it pushes it way down on the list of medications for cholesterol-lowering therapy,” DeMaria said.

Moreover, nine patients in the Zetia arm had heart attacks, stroke, or died from heart disease, versus just two patients taking niacin.

“Niacin had a superior effect on the artery wall,” said Dr. Allan Taylor, a cardiologist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center who headed the study. “The take-home message is clear: niacin should be the choice when considering an add-on therapy.”

Taylor pulled no punches at a press conference to discuss the results, pressing the point that at time when the nation is watching the bottom line on healthcare costs, it’s time to switch to niacin — which even in the branded formulation called Niaspan, which was used in the trial, is cheaper than Zetia. Noting that in 2008, 9 million Americans were taking Zetia versus just 2.5 who were taking niacin, Taylor said that switching would reap big potential savings as well as better outcomes.

Yet, Taylor’s position was questioned by reporters who noted that he disclosed receiving more than $10,000 in lecture fees from Abbott, which makes Niaspan.

Click here for the full report