https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog.atomImmortelle Health Company Limited - Immy's Blog2021-10-02T23:30:01+08:00Immortelle Health Company Limitedhttps://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/healthy-gut-microbiome-essential-for-post-exercise-muscle-growth-study-finds2021-10-02T23:30:01+08:002021-10-02T23:30:02+08:00Healthy gut microbiome essential for post-exercise muscle growth, study findsClarence T'ao
A healthy gut microbiome is necessary for skeletal muscles to fully grow after exercise, according to a study from the University of Kentucky, US. The study findings suggest the gut microbiome makes substances that help skeletal muscles to become larger after exercising. The study further contributes to the growing body of evidence showing a connection between the gut microbiome and skeletal muscles.“If we can identify the substances that gut bacteria are making to help muscles grow after exercise, we might be able to use some of those substances to promote the growth of muscles in people suffering from the loss of muscle as typically seen with aging or cancer,” explains Taylor Valentino, first study author.From an athletic standpoint, world-class runners were found to have more of a particular type of bacteria that provided an additional source of energy, which was thought to help them run faster.“Thus, the gut microbiome makes substances that appear to be important for skeletal muscles to fully adapt to exercise as well as help improve athletic performance,” says John McCarthy, senior study author.The microbiome may promote muscle growth in muscle loss conditions such as aging and cancer.The study found that the muscles of mice without an intact microbiome did not grow as much as the muscles of healthy mice, even though both groups of mice ran the same amount over the nine weeks of wheel running.The microbiome and skeletal musclesPrevious studies suggest the gut microbiome may be necessary for the health of skeletal muscles. Therefore the researchers wanted to determine if a healthy gut microbiome is essential for skeletal muscle to adapt to exercise.“We are currently trying to determine how exercise changes the composition and function of the gut microbiome. This investigation, along with other studies in bacteria, will allow us to identify the substances made by the gut microbiome that help the skeletal muscle to grow larger in response to exercise,” adds McCarthy.To study this further, the researchers let mice voluntarily exercise on running wheels every day for nine weeks, with some mice administered antibiotics through their drinking water. The antibiotic treatment killed the bacteria of the gut microbiome.They then compared healthy mice’s muscles to those without an intact microbiome to see if the muscles adapted differently to wheel running.Study limitationsAlthough the researchers used a relatively low dose of antibiotics compared to previous studies, a limitation of the study is that the researchers do not know if the antibiotics might have directly affected the ability of the skeletal muscle to adapt to exercise.The researchers found that an in-tact microbiome was necessary in mice for muscles to grow following exercise.The initial research was conducted using only female mice. Therefore researchers do not know if the findings will be the same in male mice. Finally, as with all animal studies, it is unclear whether or not the results will translate into humans.Industry players have shown interest in the potential of probiotics and vitamins for muscle health. In March, Hum Nutrition unveiled Core Strength, a protein powder that includes a blend of flaxseeds and probiotics to help build lean muscle.Meanwhile, researchers from the UK found that vitamin C holds potential in muscle maintenancefor elderly populations. A separate study supported by TSI found that muscle loss in the elderlywas minimized through a combination of beta-hydroxy beta-methyl butyrate (HMB) and vitamin D]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/huge-unexplored-potential-for-collagen-peptides-flags-pb-leiner-following-joint-pain-study2021-09-25T08:00:00+08:002021-09-25T09:22:19+08:00“Huge unexplored potential” for collagen peptides, flags PB Leiner following joint pain studyClarence T'ao
PB Leiner’s Solugel collagen peptides have been found to reduce joint pain in active and middle-aged populations. The company-commissioned study, which was carried out by Florida State University (FSU), also found that collagen peptides may improve the ability to carry out everyday tasks such as commuting, cleaning and shopping. “Sports nutrition is one market segment where collagen peptides have huge unexplored potential,” Yingying Wu, PB Leiner’s product manager, tells NutritionInsight.However, the limitation had been the lack of strong scientific evidence in relation to the target demographic – active adults who regularly take part in sports and have not been diagnosed with a disease such as arthritis, she continues.In addition, there is often limited consumer awareness of collagen peptides’ benefits for sports in comparison to skin health.“This is the first and only study to examine the impact of collagen peptides on joint pain in this demographic group. The findings suggest they have protective as well as beneficial effects, supporting the growth and repair of connective tissue as well as reducing joint pain,” adds Dr. Mike Ormsbee, associate director at FSU Institute of Sports Sciences & Medicine and the lead clinical study researcher.Participants consuming 10 g of Solugel a day saw a 36% improvement to their pain score.Giving market confidenceThe study participants were aged between 45 and 65 and spent at least three hours each week undertaking activities such as hiking or cycling. Over the course of six months, each consumed either a placebo or 10 g Solugel collagen peptides every day.The Solugel group saw a 36% improvement according to the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, indicating significant reductions in pain and improvement in knee functionality. In contrast, more than half of those in the placebo group saw a decline in their score.Additionally, a third of the Solugel group also saw clinically meaningful improvements in their scores while undertaking various everyday tasks. Meanwhile, none of the participants in the placebo group saw any improvement.“The findings of the study will undoubtedly give more support and confidence to the market about the positive health benefits of collagen peptides in sports, stimulating new product developments,” notes Wu.A trailblazing studyAccording to PB Leiner, previous research had established that collagen can reduce joint pain among those suffering from conditions such as osteoarthritis as well as joint stability problems, injured joints or exercise-induced issues.However, the new study is the first to demonstrate collagen’s long-term impact on both joint pain and everyday activities in the healthy and active middle-aged population.“We commissioned this research because such a huge number of fit and healthy middle-aged people suffer from joint pain – and the results show collagen peptides’ enormous potential to help this demographic,” says Dr. Reyhan Nergiz Unal, health and nutrition science lead at PB Leiner.She adds that Solugel not only supports joint health but may also contribute to the healthy functioning of the body, including muscle and connective tissue recovery and bone health.The study results have been accepted by a scientific committee and presented at the 18th International Sports Nutrition Society Meeting. The study is due to be published later in 2021 in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition Supplements.A large part of the population is significantly affected by joint pain in their daily lives.A rising issueJoint pain is an issue that affects vast numbers of people around the world. PB Leiner points to research showing that 93% of those aged between 45 and 59 globally have concerns about joint and muscle pain, with two-thirds saying it has a moderate to severe impact on their health.This can cause significant discomfort during exercise and can even limit the ability to carry out everyday activities.“More and more middle-aged consumers are suffering from joint pain, and they believe the continuation of exercise is important as it helps them to improve their symptoms,” emphasizes Wu.With an average annual growth of 26% from 2018 to 2020, sports nutrition products and supplements with a joint health claim are increasingly finding their place in the global market, Innova Market Insights reports.Wu emphasizes that not all collagen peptides are created the same. “For example, Solugel uses the best raw materials, applies quality technology and strictly controls production steps and conditions to ensure the consistency, quality and bio-efficacy.”By Katherine Durrell
Reference : Nutrition Insight]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/new-findings-on-ambient-uvb-radiation-vitamin-d-and-protection-against-severe-covid-192021-09-23T08:00:01+08:002021-09-23T08:00:01+08:00New findings on ambient UVB radiation, vitamin D, and protection against severe COVID-19Clarence T'ao
New research from Trinity College Dublin and University of Edinburgh has examined the association between vitamin D and COVID-19, and found that ambient ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation (which is key for vitamin D production in the skin) at an individual's place of residence in the weeks before COVID-19 infection, was strongly protective against severe disease and death. The paper has been published in the journal Scientific Reports. advertisement Previous studies have linked vitamin D deficiency with an increased susceptibility to viral and bacterial respiratory infections. Similarly, several observational studies found a strong correlation between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19, but it could be that these effects are confounded and in fact a result of other factors, such as obesity, older age or chronic illness which are also linked with low vitamin D. To overcome this, researchers were able to calculate "genetically-predicted" vitamin D level, that is not confounded by other demographic, health and lifestyle factors, by using the information from over one hundred genes that determine vitamin D status. The Mendelian Randomisation is a particular analytical approach that enabled researchers to investigate whether vitamin D and COVID-19 might be causally linked using genetic data. Few earlier studies attempted this but failed to show a causal link. This could be because UVB radiation sunshine which is the most important source of vitamin D for majority of people was ignored. Researchers, for the first time, looked jointly at genetically-predicted and UVB-predicted vitamin D level. Almost half a million individuals in the UK took part in the study, and ambient UVB radiation before COVID-19 infection was individually assessed for each participant. When comparing the two variables, researchers found that correlation with measured vitamin D concentration in the circulation was three-fold stronger for UVB-predicted vitamin D level, compared to genetically-predicted. Researchers found that ambient UVB radiation at an individual's place of residence preceding COVID-19 infection was strongly and inversely associated with hospitalisation and death. This suggests that vitamin D may protect against severe COVID-19 disease and death. Additionally, while the results from the Mendelian Randomisation analysis weren't conclusive, some indication of a potential causal effect was noted. Because of the relatively weak link between genetically-predicted vitamin D level that is used for Mendelian Randomisation analysis, it is possible that the number of cases in the current study was too small to convincingly determine causal effect, but future larger studies might provide the answer. Professor Lina Zgaga, Associate Professor in Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Trinity College and senior researcher on the study said: "Our study adds further evidence that vitamin D might protect against severe COVID-19 infection. Conducting a properly designed COVID-19 randomised controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation is critical. Until then, given that vitamin D supplements are safe and cheap, it is definitely advisable to take supplements and protect against vitamin D deficiency, particularly with winter on the horizon." Professor Evropi Theodoratou, Professor of Cancer Epidemiology and Global Health, University of Edinburgh and senior researcher on the study said: "Given the lack of highly effective therapies against COVID-19, we think it is important to remain open-minded to emerging results from rigorously conducted studies of vitamin D." Dr Xue Li, a researcher on the study from Zhejiang University said: "Our study supports the recommendation of vitamin D supplementation for not only the maintenance of bone and muscle health during the lock down, but also the potential benefits in relation to protection from COVID-19." Story Source: Materials provided by Trinity College Dublin.
Reference : Science Daily]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/high-quality-plant-based-foods-linked-with-lower-covid-19-risks-reveals-zoe-analysis2021-09-12T08:00:00+08:002021-09-12T08:00:00+08:00High-quality, plant-based foods linked with lower COVID-19 risks, reveals ZOE analysisClarence T'ao
People who eat high-quality, gut-friendly diets with plant-based foods are less likely to develop COVID-19 or become severely ill. This is according to an analysis of nearly 600,000 ZOE COVID Study app contributors, which the researchers say is the largest study in this space. “These data highlight the importance of diet quality on health – not just calories and fats,” Tim Spector, lead scientist at ZOE COVID Study and professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London, UK, tells NutritionInsightDiet quality is an established risk factor for many conditions that are known to have an inflammatory basis, adds Andrew Chan, a gastroenterologist and director of epidemiology at Massachusetts General Hospital and professor at Harvard Medical School.“Our study demonstrates that this may also hold true for COVID-19, a virus that is known to provoke a severe inflammatory response.”In March 2020, health science company ZOE launched an app that allows US and UK users to record various lifestyle markers like diet, along with COVID-19 factors. With 4 million global contributors, the scale of this data allows researchers to adjust for multiple confounding factors.The effect of diet on COVID-19 is independent of other known risk factors, including age, weight, ethnicity and underlying health conditions, but was amplified by social inequality.Pinning down high-quality dietsIt had not yet been clear how diet affects the risk of catching the virus independently of factors like obesity and diabetes.Based on analysis of symptoms or PCR test results reported in the app, 31,815 contributors (19 percent) ultimately caught COVID-19. Notably, people with the highest quality diet were around 10 percent less likely to develop COVID-19 than those with the lowest quality diet and 40 percent less likely to fall severely ill.These diets include plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts, as well as oily fish, healthier fats like olive oil, less processed foods and refined carbohydrates.In contrast, a low diet quality score is associated with diets high in ultra-processed foods and low amounts of plant-based foods, like fruit and vegetables.Plant-based perksAccording to ZOE, recent research on a smaller cross-sectional sample has shown that people who eat a plant-based or pescatarian diet are less likely to become severely ill with COVID-19. However, this is the first study to show that a healthier diet actually reduces the chances of developing the disease in the first place.“You don’t have to go vegan, but getting more diverse plants on your plate is a great way to boost the health of your gut microbiome, improve your immunity and overall health, and potentially reduce your risk from COVID-19,” says Spector.The analysis also found that high-quality diet scores were also linked with a healthier and more diverse gut microbiome. This was also associated with a wide range of favorable health outcomes, including reduced inflammation and body fat and improved levels of blood lipids and glucose.For this reason, higher quality scoring diets were also referred to as “gut-friendly” diets.“The ultra-processed foods eaten by 60 percent of US consumers is harming our immune systems and microbes. This makes us more susceptible to COVID-19 and other conditions from obesity to dementia. The gut microbes are the key link between our food and our immune systems,” emphasizes Spector.Social factors take a tollNotably, the relationship between diet quality and COVID-19 risk still remained after accounting for all potential confounding factors. Factors included age, body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, smoking, physical activity and underlying health conditions. Mask-wearing habits and population density were also considered.ZOE’s app provides insight on asymptomatic and symptomatic information across the UK, with 1.2 million logging on a weekly basis.However, the impact of diet was amplified by individual life situations, with people living in low-income neighborhoods and having the lowest quality diet being around 25 percent more at risk from COVID-19 than people in more affluent communities who were eating in the same way.Therefore, the researchers estimate that nearly a quarter of COVID-19 cases could have been prevented if these differences in diet quality and socioeconomic status had not existed.This further highlights that improved access to nutritious, healthier food could be substantive for bettering public health, especially among the underprivileged members of the community, they argue.Spector also notes that there were no major differences between the US and UK cohorts in terms of the relationship between diet and COVID-19.“Both countries have similarly poor diets so not surprising they are similar. However, the effect of diet quality even after adjusting for body weight and deprivation and other conditions was larger than I expected.”Access to healthier food is essentialCOVID-19 has laid bare how such social determinants underlie the severe racial and socioeconomic disparities in COVID-19 risk that we and others have documented, emphasizes Chan.“Access to healthier food is important to everyone in society, but our findings tell us that helping those living in more deprived areas to eat more healthily could have the biggest public health benefits,” adds Dr. Sarah Berry, study co-lead and reader in nutritional sciences at King’s College London.In April, another analysis based on the ZOE COVID Study app found that women taking certain supplements are less likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2. An earlier assessment also revealed that supplementation of probiotics, omega 3 fatty acids, multivitamins or vitamin D was associated with a lower risk of self-reported SARS-CoV-2 infection.By Katherine Durrell
Reference : Nutrition Insight]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/swapping-some-sodium-for-potassium-in-table-salt-could-prevent-millions-of-deaths-flags-study2021-09-05T08:00:00+08:002021-09-05T08:00:00+08:00Swapping some sodium for potassium in table salt could prevent millions of deaths, flags studyClarence T'ao
Nutrition groups worldwide are urging the F&B industry to replace table salt with a reduced-sodium, added-potassium substitute. The call follows a large-scale dietary intervention study, which concluded that millions of deaths could be prevented each year with the “simple swap.”“This study provides further ‘strong evidence’ that such interventions can work in real life,” Sonia Pombo, campaign manager at Action on Salt, tells NutritionInsight. “The food and nutrition industry should make this switch immediately for the benefit of public health.”This recommendation is echoed by lead investigator of the latest study, Professor Bruce Neal of The George Institute for Global Health: “Switching table salt to salt substitute is a highly feasible and low-cost opportunity to have a massive global health benefit.”The study of 21,000 adults found that for those who used salt substitutes, there was a 14 percent risk reduction in stroke, 13 percent risk reduction in cardiovascular events (stroke and heart attack combined) and 12 percent risk reduction in premature death.Click to EnlargeAction on Salt notes that many foods can be reduced by 20 percent without noticeable changes.Building on previous findingsIt is well-established that a reduction in sodium intake and an increase in potassium consumption lowers blood pressure, which in turn reduces the risk of strokes and heart diseases, explains Pombo.Using a salt substitute – where part of the sodium chloride is replaced with potassium chloride – addresses both problems at once. Salt substitutes are known to lower blood pressure, but their effects on heart disease, stroke and death were unclear prior to the latest study.Reducing risksThe Salt Substitute and Stroke Study enrolled 21,000 adults with either a history of stroke or poorly controlled blood pressure from 600 villages in rural areas of five provinces in China – Hebei, Liaoning, Ningxia, Shanxi and Shaanxi between April 2014 and January 2015.Participants in intervention villages were provided enough salt substitute to cover all household cooking and food preservation requirements – about 20 g per person per day – free of charge. Those in the other villages continued using regular salt.During an average follow-up of almost five years, more than 3,000 people had a stroke. For those using the salt substitute, researchers found that stroke risk was reduced by 14 percent, total cardiovascular events (strokes and heart attacks combined) by 13 percent and premature death by 12 percent.Easier said than done?Sodium and potassium are not one-to-one replacements for each other, but a combination of both enables sodium reduction overall.“Most salt substitutes used by the food industry contain 25 to 30 percent potassium chloride and 70 to 75 percent sodium chloride,” details Pombo.“Potassium-based salt replacers are also widely available in the UK for the general public. These typically have around 60 percent less sodium than standard table salt.”Click to EnlargeSalt substitutes are relatively inexpensive.Building on industry salt reductionPombo further explains that salt reduction is often possible without salt substitutes at all. She notes that reductions of up to 20 percent often go unnoticed by the consumer.The benefit of salt substitutes is that they can help companies to reduce the sodium content of their food further, especially those categories that have struggled to make reductions to date.This is particularly relevant for foods with technological or safety requirements for salt, such as bacon and meat products, points out Pombo.Cost of replacementWhen it comes to implementation barriers, Pombo adds that price is most likely a key factor, as salt itself is such a cheap commodity.“Despite this, many potassium salts are still affordable by all households in almost all countries.”Neal chimes in that salt substitutes are “a bit more expensive” than regular salt. However, they’re still very low-cost – just a few dollars a year for households to make the switch.Other risksThe study also revealed there were no harmful effects from the salt substitute.However, Neal points out that patients with serious kidney disease should not use salt substitutes, adding that they also need to keep away from regular salt.Overall the benefits of salt substitutes outweigh the potential risks, according to the UK’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), in collaboration with the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT).SACN and COT carried out a comprehensive review and concluded the benefits of salt replacements would have a large impact at the population level.“These organizations recommend that the government encourage the food industry to consider the use of salt substitutes to reduce the salt content of food,” Pombo says.The advice is in line with The George Institute for Global Health’s recommendations. Notably, the World Health Organization also recently set global benchmarksacross food categories to limit salt intake to 5 g per day.By Missy Green
Reference : Nutrition Insight]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/flavonoid-rich-foods-shown-to-improve-blood-pressure-via-gut-reveals-american-heart-association2021-08-28T08:00:00+08:002021-08-28T08:00:00+08:00Flavonoid-rich foods shown to improve blood pressure via gut, reveals American Heart AssociationClarence T'ao
Flavonoid-rich foods – such as berries, apples, pears and wine – appear to have a positive effect on blood pressure levels. This association can be explained by the characteristics of the gut, according to new research backed by the American Heart Association. The study is the first to address the importance of plant foods and the gut microbiome. To further examine its findings, NutritionInsightspeaks to lead investigator of the study Dr. Aedín Cassidy, chair and professor in nutrition and preventive medicine at the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland.“Unlike many other food constituents, flavonoids are predominantly metabolized in the gut – suggesting that the gut microbiome may be more important in enhancing their biological activity than for other things we eat,” she explains.“We know what we eat plays a critical role in shaping our gut microbiome, but little is known about the relative importance of plant foods and specific constituents.”Click to EnlargeFlavonoids are broken down by the body’s gut microbiome – the bacteria found in the digestive tract.Simple changes to dietAccording to Cassidy, what was interesting was that these blood pressure lowering effects were achievable with simple changes to the daily diet.“Eating around 1.5 servings of berries per day was associated with a 4.1 mm Hg reduction in systolic BP, and gut microbiome factors explained 12 percent of the association,” she continues.“Drinking approximately three glasses per week of red wine was associated with 3.7 mm Hg lower systolic BP levels, of which 15 percent could be explained by the gut microbiome.”The flavonoid-gut microbiome interaction associated with blood pressure highlighted in this paper suggests research should focus on inter-individual variability in the gut microbiome in mediating the cardiovascular benefits, Cassidy stresses.Spotlight on the gut microbiomeRecent studies found a link between gut microbiota, the microorganisms in the human digestive tract and cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the leading cause of death worldwide. Gut microbiota is highly variable between individuals, and there are reported differences in gut microbial compositions among people with and without CVD.With increased research suggesting that flavonoids may reduce heart disease risk, the new study assessed the role of the gut microbiome in this process.Researchers examined the association between eating flavonoid-rich foods with blood pressure and gut microbiome diversity. The study also investigated how much variance within the gut microbiome could explain the association between intake of flavonoid-rich foods and blood pressure.Click to EnlargeFlavonoids are compounds found naturally in fruits, vegetables, tea, chocolate and wine, and have been shown in previous research to offer a variety of health benefits to the body.The analysis of regular flavonoid intake with gut microbiome and blood pressure levels found that study participants who had the highest intake of flavonoid-rich foods, including berries, red wine, apples and pears, had lower systolic blood pressure levels and greater diversity in their gut microbiome than the participants who consumed the lowest levels of flavonoid-rich foods.Moreover, up to 15.2 percent of the association between flavonoid-rich foods and systolic blood pressure could be explained by the diversity found in participants’ gut microbiome.“A better understanding of the highly individual variability of flavonoid metabolism could very well explain why some people have greater cardiovascular protection benefits from flavonoid-rich foods than others,” Cassidy continues.“Our ability to quantify the microbial community has improved dramatically over the last few years which has allowed us to really understand how they interact with what we eat to modify health effects.”The American Heart Association will be looking to further expand on this research.“We have recently completed a trial and research worldwide is trying to disentangle the relative importance of the gut microbiome in explaining the relationship between food intake and health,” concludes Cassidy.By Elizabeth Green
Reference : Nutrition Insight]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/research-spotlights-vitamin-d-against-colorectal-cancer-and-covid-19-risk2021-08-25T08:00:00+08:002021-08-25T08:00:00+08:00Research spotlights vitamin D against colorectal cancer and COVID-19 riskClarence T'ao
Research on vitamin D is mounting with a study from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institutelinking higher vitamin D intake to decreased chance of developing young-onset colorectal cancer.In addition, a study published in the Cardiology Journal“statistically and significantly” associated low-serum vitamin D levels with the risk of COVID-19 infection. “We were amazed by how much vitamin D is shown to support so many health sectors,” Hanseul Kim, PhD candidate at the Department of Epidemiology, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, US, tells NutritionInsight.Mechanism of action not fully understoodDespite a global spike in vitamin D supplements, the Harvard researchers revealed that the colorectal cancer association was stronger for dietary vitamin D – principally from dairy products – than from vitamin D supplements.The same link was also found between higher vitamin D intake and the risk of colon polyps detected before age 50.Kim highlights the mechanism underlying differences between dietary vitamin D and supplemental vitamin D intake on early-onset colorectal carcinogenesis “is not fully understood.”Click to EnlargeAlthough early-onset colorectal cancer incidence is rising, it still remains a relatively rare disease.“The potential mechanism for the biologic effect of vitamin D on colorectal cancer as well as early-onset colorectal cancer would be that vitamin D inhibits proliferation, migration, invasiveness, and angiogenesis of colon carcinoma cells, and that vitamin D regulates the biology of intestinal immune cells,” she points out.Notably, vitamin D has been shown to supportbone health, heart health and lung health. Earlier this year, a German study also showed vitamin D could prevent 30,000 cancer deaths annually.These developments have led consumers to start taking a more holistic approach to their health, especially as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.Vitamin D has subsequentlybeen in demand, as companies such as DSMand Giellepihave been quick to launch novel supplement offerings.Vitamin D for older and obese patientsIn other research findings, the new coronavirus study review revealed the number of reports indicating the potential role of vitamin D deficiency in COVID-19 cases are increasing.The review highlights that patients suffering from COVID-19 were more likely to be overweight, obeseor older in age.The UK government issued free vitamin D supplements to COVID-19-vulnerable people, the elderly population in particular, last winter.Concerns simultaneously arose regarding health professionals perceiving vitamin D as a medicine, rather than as a key nutrient.Click to EnlargeLow serum vitamin D levels are statistically significantly associated with the risk of COVID-19 infection, found the study review.Even more potential?In terms of activation, vitamin D undergoes two hydroxylations in the body, passing through many parts of the body, including the liver and kidney.“While the second hydroxylation happens mostly in the kidneys, it is also thought to possibly happen in other specific tissues such as immune cells and colon. As such, vitamin D metabolism affects different parts of the body.”Therefore, Kim and her research team are confident there “still are many things to be studied with vitamin D.”Colorectal cancer may have been studied in abundance in relation to vitamin D, but research into other cancers, such as breast cancer and prostate cancer are also rising to the fore.Kim concludes autoimmune diseases and diseases related to the immune system could also be studied.By Anni Schleicher
Reference : Nutrition Insight]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/vitamin-k2-may-improve-cardiovascular-risks-in-nicotine-users-finds-nattopharma-backed-study2021-07-31T08:00:00+08:002021-07-31T08:00:00+08:00Vitamin K2 may improve cardiovascular risks in nicotine users, finds NattoPharma-backed studyClarence T'ao
Vitamin K2 may reduce cardiovascular oxidative stress and vascular calcification caused by nicotine intake, such as that from cigarettes or e-cigarettes. This is according to a new study backed by NattoPharma. The research investigated possible mechanisms of nicotine-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification and examined vitamin K2 as a potential therapy.“In this study, we show that smoking impacts cardiovascular disease by increasing oxidative stress resulting in accelerated vascular calcification,” explains Leon Schurgers, corresponding study author. Schurgers is also a professor and vice-chair of biochemistry at the Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM) at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. “We also show that vitamin K2 is an effective antioxidant capable of reducing oxidative stress. This is next to its well-known function as a cofactor in the activation of vitamin K-dependent proteins,” he adds.The findings, published in Cardiovascular Research, builds upon previous research that linked vitamin K2 to reduced inflammation and improved heart health. NattoPharma has worked with Maastricht University for almost two decades to validate the health benefits of vitamin K2.Click to EnlargeThe study shows vitamin K2 is an effective antioxidant capable of reducing oxidative stress.The route to vascular hardeningSmokers are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to accelerated atherosclerosis and vascular calcification. However, the exact mechanisms through which nicotine accelerates vascular disease were not previously known.Using induced human primary VSMC calcification in vitro, the research found that nicotine increased osteogenic gene expression (Runx2, Osx, BSP and OPN), extracellular vesicle (EV) secretion and subsequently increased calcification.However, pre-treatment of VSMCs with vitamin K2 ameliorated nicotine-induced intracellular oxidative stress, EV secretion and calcification.Nox5 plays a key roleThe researchers assessed vascular calcification of human carotid lesions of both smoking and non-smoking patients using ex vivo micro-computed-tomography (µCT)-scanning.Calcification was present more often in carotid plaques of smokers compared to non-smokers, confirming a higher atherosclerotic burden.The difference was particularly profound, according to researchers, for microcalcifications, which was 17-fold higher in smokers compared to non-smokers.Moreover, the study showed the pro-calcifying effects of nicotine were mediated by the free radical producing Ca2+-dependent Nox5 – an oxidase linked to atherosclerosis.Nox5 expression was higher in carotid arteries of smokers and correlated with calcification levels in these vessels.Click to EnlargeNattoPharma is investigating vitamin K2’s use in vulnerable patient populations.SiRNA knockdown – a technique used to silence Nox5 expression – inhibited nicotine-induced EV release and calcification.Identifying the role of Nox5-induced oxidative stress opens novel avenues for diagnosis and treatment of smoking-induced cardiovascular disease, the researchers write.More research on the waySchurgers notes that his work and others’ are building the necessary body of evidence required to convince regulatory bodies how essential vitamin K2 is for the betterment of global human health.“This new study adds to our current pursued argument that vitamin K2 can have a tremendous impact as a cardiovascular therapy – not only in healthy populations but in patient or unhealthy populations, like nicotine users,” says Schurgers.NattoPharma is a partner of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant.Further demonstrating vitamin K2’s safety in vulnerable populations, NattoPharma’s MenaQ7 vitamin will feature in the highest vitamin K2 dosage clinical trial this September. Peritoneal dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease will be administered 1 mg daily to gauge the protective effects of the vitamin.In other vitamin K2 developments, a study supported by Kappa Bioscience found that vitamin K2plays a unique role in both immunity and COVID-19. The researchers also concluded that vitamin D supplementation should always be accompanied by K2, due to the effect on the body’s calcium metabolism.By Missy Green
Reference : Nutrition Insight]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/fermented-foods-boost-gut-microbiome-diversity-and-reduce-inflammation-study-finds2021-07-21T08:00:00+08:002021-07-21T08:00:00+08:00Fermented foods boost gut microbiome diversity and reduce inflammation, study findsClarence T'ao
A diet rich in fermented foods can increase the diversity of gut microbes and decrease molecular signs of inflammation, according to a new study led by researchers at the Stanford School of Medicine, US. In the study, 36 healthy adults were randomly assigned to a 10-week diet that included fermented or high-fiber foods. The two diets resulted in different effects on the gut microbiome and the immune system.Overall microbial diversity was increased by eating yogurt, kefir, fermented cottage cheese, kimchi and other fermented vegetables, vegetable brine beverages and kombucha tea, with larger servings having a more substantial effect.The study “provides one of the first examples of how a simple change in diet can reproducibly remodel the microbiota across a cohort of healthy adults,” says Justin Sonnenburg, an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the Stanford University School of Medicine.Impacting immune statusIn addition, four types of immune cells in the fermented food group were less activated. Moreover, the levels of 19 inflammatory proteins evaluated in blood samples decreased. Interleukin 6, one of these proteins, has been linked to rheumatoid arthritis, Type 2 diabetes, and chronic stress.Click to EnlargeOverall microbial diversity in participants increased by eating fermented foods.“Microbiota-targeted diets can change immune status, providing a promising avenue for decreasing inflammation in healthy adults,” explains Christopher Gardner, the director of nutrition studies at the Stanford Prevention Research Center.“This finding was consistent across all participants in the study who were assigned to the higher fermented food group,” he adds.Impact of a fiber-rich dietIn participants who ate a high-fiber diet rich in legumes, seeds, whole grains, nuts, vegetables and fruits, none of the 19 inflammatory proteins decreased. On average, the diversity of their gut microbes remained stable.“We expected high fiber to have a more universally beneficial effect and increase microbiota diversity,” adds Erica Sonnenburg, a senior research scientist in basic life sciences, microbiology and immunology at the Stanford University School of Medicine.“The data suggest that increased fiber intake alone over a short period is insufficient to increase microbiota diversity.”Gut microbiomes’ impact on immunityDiet affects the gut microbiome, which can alter the immune system and overall health. Obesity and diabetes have been linked to a lack of microbiome diversity.“We wanted to conduct a proof-of-concept study that could test whether microbiota-targeted food could be an avenue for combatting the overwhelming rise in chronic inflammatory diseases,” says Gardner.Fermented foods can aid with weight management and reduce the risk of diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease.Previously, it was flagged that fruit and vegetables are among the easiest foods to ferment, and their well-known digestive benefits drive demand for NPD.Targeting the gut microbiomeThe findings paint a nuanced picture of the influence of diet on gut microbes and immune status.On the one hand, those who increased their consumption of fermented foods showed similar effects on their microbiome diversity and inflammatory markers. This is consistent with prior research showing that short-term changes in diet can rapidly alter the gut microbiome.On the other hand, the limited change in the microbiome within the high-fiber group dovetails with the researchers’ previous reports of a general resilience of the human microbiome over short periods.The researchers intend to study the molecular processes through which diets modify the microbiome and lower inflammatory proteins in mice.“There are many more ways to target the microbiome with food and supplements, and we hope to continue to investigate how different diets, probiotics and prebiotics impact the microbiome and health in different groups,” Sonnenburg concludes.By Nicole Kerr
Reference : Nutrition Insight]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/gut-skin-axis-ditching-sugary-and-fatty-diets-may-reduce-skin-and-joint-inflammation2021-06-30T08:00:00+08:002021-06-30T08:00:00+08:00Gut-skin axis: Ditching sugary and fatty diets may reduce skin and joint inflammationClarence T'ao
A diet rich in sugar and fat leads to an imbalance in the gut’s microbial culture and may contribute to inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis and joint inflammation, according to a study from the University of California Davis (UC Davis).“There is a clear link between skin inflammation and changes in the gut microbiome due to food intake,” Sam Hwang, professor and chair of dermatology at UC Davis Health and senior author on the study, tells NutritionInsight. “The bacterial balance in the gut disrupted shortly after starting a diet high in sugar and fat, and worsened psoriatic skin and joint inflammation.”Ditching Western dietsThe research, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, suggests that switching to a more balanced diet restores the gut’s health and suppresses skin inflammation.Click to EnlargeSwitching to a more balanced diet restores the gut’s health and suppresses skin inflammation, the study supports.Hwang explains that Western diets, characterized by their high sugar and fat content, appear to have an effect on inflammation in the body and not just skin alone.“Patients really need to be aware of this since the other sites (like joints) may be far less amenable to repair and recovery compared to the skin. One surprising aspect to me was how rapidly the proinflammatory effects of Western diet can go away if the diet is changed to a normal one.”“Earlier studies have shown that Western diets can lead to significant skin inflammation and psoriasis flares. Despite having powerful anti-inflammatory drugs for the skin condition, our study indicates that simple changes in diet may also have significant effects on psoriasis.Improving treatmentThe findings have broad clinical implications as physicians may be able to tell their patients that changing their diets can lead to fairly rapid beneficial effects. This will make their current treatments more effective in a relatively short period of time if the results of the study apply to humans, Hwang adds.Psoriasis is a skin condition linked to the body’s immune system. When immune cells mistakenly attack healthy skin cells, they cause skin inflammation and the formation of scales and itchy red patches.Up to 30 percent of patients with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis with symptoms such as morning stiffness and fatigue, swollen fingers and toes, pain in joints and changes to nails.Food as medicineFood is one of the major modifiable factors regulating the gut microbiota, the community of microorganisms living in the intestines.Click to EnlargeThere is a clear link between skin inflammation and changes in the gut microbiome due to food intake, the study says.Since bacteria in the gut may play key roles in shaping inflammation, the researchers wanted to test whether intestinal dysbiosis affects skin and joint inflammation.They injected mice with Interleukin-23 (IL-23) minicircle DNA to induce a response mimicking psoriasis-like skin and joint diseases.IL-23 is a protein generated by the immune cells responsible for many inflammatory autoimmune reactions, including psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Hwang and his colleagues found that a short-term Western diet appears sufficient to cause microbial imbalance and to enhance susceptibility to IL-23 mediated psoriasis-like skin inflammation.Another important finding of their work was identifying the intestinal microbiota as a pathogenic link between diet and the displays of psoriatic inflammation. The study also found that antibiotics block the effects of the Western diet, reducing skin and joint inflammation.Is the damage reversible?The researchers wanted to test if switching to a balanced diet can restore the gut microbiota, despite the presence of IL-23 inflammatory proteins.They found that eating a diet high in sugar and fat for 10 weeks predisposed mice to skin and joint inflammation. Mice that were switched to a balanced diet had less scaling of the skin and reduced ear thickness than mice on a Western diet.The improvement in skin inflammation for mice taken off the Western diet indicates a short-term impact of the Western diet on skin inflammation.This suggests that changes in diet could partially reverse the proinflammatory effects and alteration of gut microbiota caused by the Western diet.
Reference : Nutrition Insight]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/adults-who-skip-morning-meal-likely-to-miss-out-on-nutrients2021-06-19T08:00:02+08:002021-06-19T08:00:02+08:00Adults who skip morning meal likely to miss out on nutrientsClarence T'ao
Adults who skip breakfast are likely to miss out on key nutrients that are most abundant in the foods that make up morning meals, a new study suggests. advertisement An analysis of data on more than 30,000 American adults showed that skipping breakfast -- and missing out on the calcium in milk, vitamin C in fruit, and the fiber, vitamins and minerals found in fortified cereals -- likely left adults low on those nutrients for the entire day. "What we're seeing is that if you don't eat the foods that are commonly consumed at breakfast, you have a tendency not to eat them the rest of the day. So those common breakfast nutrients become a nutritional gap," said Christopher Taylor, professor of medical dietetics in the College of Medicine at The Ohio State University and senior author of the study. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest dietary guidelines, calcium, potassium, fiber and vitamin D are considered "dietary components of public health concern" for the general U.S. population -- with iron added for pregnant women -- because shortages of those nutrients are associated with health problems. Most research related to breakfast has focused on the effects of the missed morning meal on children in school, which includes difficulty focusing and behavioral problems. "With adults, it's more like, 'You know how important breakfast is.' But now we see what the implications really are if they miss breakfast," Taylor said. He completed the study with Ohio State School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences graduate students Stephanie Fanelli and Christopher Walls. The research, which was supported by a regional dairy association, is published online in Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. The team used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which collects health information on a nationally representative sample of about 5,000 people every year through interviews, laboratory tests and physical exams. The sample for this study included 30,889 adults age 19 and older who had participated in the survey between 2005 and 2016. The Ohio State researchers analyzed data from 24-hour dietary recalls participants completed as part of the NHANES survey. "During the recall, participants self-designate their eating occasions as a meal or a snack, and they tell you at what point in time they ate whatever food they report," said Fanelli, first author of the study. "That's how we determined whether someone was a breakfast eater or a breakfast skipper." In this sample, 15.2% of participants, or 4,924 adults, had reported skipping breakfast. The researchers translated the food data into nutrient estimates and MyPlate equivalents using the federal Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies and daily dietary guidelines, and then compared those estimates to recommended nutrient intakes established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academies. On several key recommendations measured, from fiber and magnesium to copper and zinc, breakfast skippers had taken in fewer vitamins and minerals than people who had eaten breakfast. The differences were most pronounced for folate, calcium, iron, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and D. "We found those who skipped breakfast were significantly more likely not to meet the bottom threshold of what we hope to see people eat," Fanelli said. Compared to the Healthy Eating Index-2015, which assesses how well a set of foods aligns with federal recommendations, breakfast skippers also had an overall lower-quality diet than those who ate breakfast. For example, breakfast skippers were more likely than those who noshed in the morning to eat more added sugars, carbohydrates and total fat over the course of the day -- in part because of higher levels of snacking. "Snacking is basically contributing a meal's worth of calorie intakes for people who skipped breakfast," Taylor said. "People who ate breakfast ate more total calories than people who didn't eat breakfast, but the lunch, dinner and snacks were much larger for people who skipped breakfast, and tended to be of a lower diet quality." While the data represent a single day in each participant's life, the huge sample provides a "nationally representative snapshot for the day," Taylor said. "It shows that those who skipped breakfast had one nutrient profile and those who ate breakfast had a different nutrient profile," he said. "It helps us identify on any given day that this percentage of people are more likely to be skipping breakfast. And on that day, their dietary intake pattern showed that their consumption didn't capture those extra nutrients that they have basically missed at breakfast." Story Source: Materials provided by Ohio State University. Original written by Emily Caldwell.
Reference : Science Daily]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/fish-oil-supplementation-during-pregnancy-boosts-brain-function-in-10-year-olds-says-study2021-06-12T08:00:05+08:002021-06-12T08:00:05+08:00Fish oil supplementation during pregnancy boosts brain function in 10-year-olds, says studyClarence T'ao
Children born to mothers who took fish oil during pregnancy have been found to have faster problem-solving skills and greater attention focus, according to a new study. Speaking to NutritionInsight, Cristina Campoy, medical doctor and professor of pediatrics at the University of Granada, explains the details of the study.She notes that it is the first study to examine the long-term effects of maternal supplementation with fish oil and 5-MTHF (folic acid) on the resting state network (RSN) functioning – the “resting” brain activity when a person is not engaged in a cognitive or active task – of children.“The differences found between Fish Oil (FO) and No-FO groups in brain functionality are simply amazing,” she adds.Recommending supplementationClick to EnlargeThe quality of maternal nutrition during pregnancy has a long-term effect on the brain function of school-aged children.The team found that children born to mothers who did not take FO supplements performed poorly regarding speed processing and attention tests. These are associated with stronger functional connectivity in frontoparietal and sensorimotor networks.Campoy reveals that the results suggest that all pregnant women should receive adequate levels of LC-PUFAs or FO supplementation to guarantee an optimal cognitive development in the offspring.She proposes that folic acid could be given as already recommended (before pregnancy and during the first trimester of pregnancy) and LC-PUFAs could be given in the second half of pregnancy and during lactation.“Women at risk of deficiency of these nutrients should be identified,” she explains.“It will be very interesting to analyze in future studies if folic acid and LC-PUFAs supplements should be given separately at different moments during pregnancy.”A ten-year follow-upResearchers followed up on 57 children whose mothers received 500 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and 150 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) fish oils per day, either with or without 400 mg of 5-MTHF (folic acid), folic acid alone, or placebo, during the second half of their pregnancies.At the age of ten, the children were evaluated using rs-MRI brain scanning to measure RSN and neuropsychological tests. The results of each group were then compared to see if there were any differences.The results of this study indicate that early nutrition during pregnancy can have a significant impact on brain development in children, with the potential to enhance cognitive performance.“Furthermore, the present study suggests that folic acid and LC-PUFAs supplements should be given separately at different moments during pregnancy.”Click to EnlargeFish oil nutritional breakdown.Prepping for pregnancyFurther studies in obese and diabetic mothers are also needed and of interest, Campoy further notes. “The expected results from these studies will change the current policies and recommendations regarding the use of multivitamin-containing LC-PUFAs and folic acid, into a more individualized way.”“There is no clear or robust evidence to support the use of multivitamin-containing folic acid supplementation during pregnancy on mental performance later in life,” Campoy reveals.“More studies are needed to understand the mechanism involved in the LC-PUFAs and folic acid effects on the functional brain connectivity,” she adds.Previously, research in the US found that women who got a higher amount of DHA had fewer early preterm births overall. Participants with low DHA levels at enrolment, on the other hand, had half the rate of premature preterm delivery.
Reference : Nutrition Insight]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/vitamin-b12-supplement-two-indications-on-your-feet-that-you-re-deficient-in-the-nutrient2021-06-09T08:00:00+08:002021-06-09T12:43:32+08:00Vitamin B12 supplement: Two indications on your feet that you’re deficient in the nutrientClarence T'ao
VITAMIN B12 supplements are taken to correct a nutritional deficiency that may not be related to what you eat. It's fairly common for older adults to acquire an autoimmune condition called pernicious anaemia. Pernicious anaemia occurs when the body's immune system attacks the stomach cells that would otherwise create an important protein called intrinsic factor (IF). In a healthy adult, IF binds to vitamin B12 – which is gained from eating eggs, beef, chicken, and cheese – and is reabsorbed into the body via the gut. Without IF, vitamin B12 (found in various foods) is lost through the digestive process. Harvard Medical School pointed out that a tingling sensation in the feet could be a sign of a vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is vital for red blood cell production, which is responsible for transporting oxygen around the body. A lack of vitamin B12 will lead to the abnormal development of red blood cells. To illustrate, red blood cells become larger than needed and can't function properly. READ MORE: Apple cider vinegar benefits: Five ways apple cider vinegar could improve your health As less oxygen is able to reach the extremities of the body, such as the feet, a tingling sensation occurs. Another indication of a vitamin B12 deficiency is slow wound healing on the feet. The University of Nottingham said that the "lack of vitamin B can affect wound healing in a number of ways". This is because B vitamins are needed for: Harvard Medical School stated that a vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to: "Vitamin B12 deficiency can be slow to develop, causing symptoms to appear gradually and intensify over time," said Harvard Medical School. A blood test "is needed to confirm the condition", but this can easily be arranged by you and your doctor. If a mild vitamin B12 deficiency is detected, then a multivitamin supplement might be all that is needed. However, if the deficiency has been prolonged and symptoms are more pronounced, you might need weekly vitamin B12 injections. Alternatively, you doctor might prescribe high-dose vitamin B12 supplements. It's important to rectify a vitamin B12 deficiency because it can lead to "severe neurological problems and blood diseases". Aside from pernicious anaemia, a lack of vitamin B12 is a real risk for vegetarians and vegans. This is because vitamin B12 is not found in plants; it's only present in animal products or products fortified with vitamin B12. A lack of vitamin B12 might also occur following weight-loss surgery. Conditions that interfere with nutrient absorption can also make a person more prone to a vitamin B12 deficiency.
Reference : Express.co.uk]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/milk-consumption-not-linked-to-cardiometabolic-diseases-concludes-large-scale-meta-study2021-06-05T08:00:00+08:002021-06-05T08:00:00+08:00Milk consumption not linked to cardiometabolic diseases, concludes large-scale meta studyClarence T'ao
Lowering milk intake may not help prevent cardiovascular diseases or Type 2 diabetes, according to a new study in the International Journal of Obesity.The research team from the UK, Australia and New Zealand found that people who regularly drank high amounts of milk had lower levels of both good and bad cholesterol, although their body mass index (BMI) levels were higher than non-milk drinkers. Their further analysis of other large studies also suggests that those who regularly consumed milk had a 14 percent lower risk of coronary heart disease. “The study certainly shows that milk consumption is not a significant issue for cardiovascular disease risk, even though there was a small rise in BMI and body fat among milk drinkers,” says Vimal Karani, professor of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics at the University of Reading, UK.“It remains unclear whether the fat content in dairy products or an unknown ‘milk factor’ that contributes to lower cholesterol levels.”The new research was conducted following several contradictory studies that had previously investigated the causal link between higher dairy intake and cardiometabolic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes.Click to EnlargeThe meta study revealed no link between higher milk intake and increased likelihood of diabetes.Genetics seem to play a roleTo account for inconsistencies in sampling size, ethnicity and other factors, the team conducted a meta-analysis of data in up to 1.9 million people and used the genetic approach to avoid confounding.Researchers examined a variation in the lactase gene associated with the digestion of lactose milk sugars.The studyalso identified that having the genetic variation where people can digest lactose was a good way for identifying people who consumed higher levels of milk.Even though the UK biobank data showed that those with the lactase genetic variation had 11 percent lower risk of Type 2 diabetes, the study did not suggest that there is any strong evidence for a link between higher milk intake and increased likelihood of diabetes or its related traits such as glucose and inflammatory biomarkers.Karani also reports that those with a genetic variation in the lactase gene had a significantly lower risk of coronary heart disease.Health on the horizonAs consumers increasingly look for foods that can contribute to better health, both dairy and dairy alternatives have benefited from health-oriented positionings.Last October Arla launched its first organic ingredientresponding to the influx in organic demand with its organic micellar casein isolate. In a similar vein, Lactalis recentlyunveiled its organic whole milk powder, tapping into the market for better-for-you, health-oriented foods.At the same time, plant-based milk alternatives have seen growing interestfrom consumers who are looking to improve their health, as well as that of the planet. Demand for milk alternatives, such as oat milk, is on the rise. Oats have been touted for naturally occurring beta-glucan ingredient, which has been found to havecholesterol-reducing benefits.Moreover, Cecilia McAleavey, director of public affairs and sustainable eating at Oatly,recently highlighted that science shows the shift to plant-based diets is important to tackle public health challenges.By Missy Green
Reference : Nutrition Insight]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/best-supplements-for-arthritis-pill-derived-from-a-plant-proven-to-help-relieve-symptoms2021-06-02T08:00:00+08:002021-06-02T09:54:20+08:00Best supplements for arthritis: Pill derived from a plant proven to help relieve symptomsClarence T'ao
BEST supplements for arthritis: Devil's claw is derived from an African plant and has been shown to have impressive results in helping to ease painful symptoms associated with arthritis. How? Arthritis comes in many forms but the most common in the UK is osteoarthritis, which affects nearly nine million people. Osteoarthritis initially affects the smooth cartilage lining of the joint. This makes movement more difficult than usual, leading to pain and stiffness. Could a supplement help to ease pain in muscles and reduce arthritis symptoms? Research supports the case for taking Devil’s claw supplements. Devil’s claw, scientifically known as Harpagophytum procumbens, is an African plant mainly used to ease joint pain. According to the Arthritis Foundation: “Harpagoside, the active ingredient in devil’s claw, appears to reduce pain and inflammation in joints.” READ MORE: Arthritis: Best type of diet to ease inflammation in the body In a study published in Phytomedicine, 227 people with non-specific low back pain or osteoarthritis of the knee or hip treated with devil’s claw extract. After eight weeks of taking 60mg daily, between 50 and 70 percent of people reported improvement in pain, mobility and flexibility. A study published in the journal Phytomedicine in 2002 found that patients with hip or knee arthritis taking a supplement containing devil’s claw over eight weeks saw a 54 percent and 39 percent improvement respectively in their pain levels. Commenting on the growing body of evidence, Versus Arthritis, the UK’s leading arthritis research charity, said: “Evidence suggests that devil’s claw may be as effective as conventional medicines for osteoarthritis.” Inflammation is your body’s natural response to injury and infection. If suffering with a would such as a cut on the finger, banging your knee or coming down with the flu, the body responds by activating the immune system. While some inflammation is necessary to defend the body against harm, chronic inflammation can be detrimental to health. In fact, ongoing research has linked chronic inflammation to heart disease, diabetes and brain disorders. Devil’s claw has been proposed as a potential remedy for inflammatory condition because it contains plant compounds called iridoid glycosides, particularly harpagoside. In test-tube and animal studies, harpagoside has curbed inflammatory responses. Research suggests that devil’s claw may help relieve joint pain associated with osteoarthritis and may be as effective as the pain reliever diacerein. One clinical study involving 122 people with osteoarthritis of the knee and hip suggested that 2,610mg of devil’s claw daily may be as effective at reducing osteoarthritis pain as diacerein, a medication commonly used to treat this condition. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people around the world. "Being overweight or obese often makes osteoarthritis worse, as it places extra strain on some of your joints," explains the NHS. Another effective way to ease osteoarthritis symptoms and lose weight is to engage in regular exercise. Although it may feel counterintuitive if you are experiencing joint pain, regular exercise builds up muscle and strengthens the joints, which usually helps to improve symptoms, notes the NHS. "Exercise is also good for losing weight, improving your posture and relieving stress, all of which will ease symptoms," it adds. Find Devil Claw tablets at Holland & Barrett and Bodykind. This article contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission on any sales of products or services we write about. This article was written completely independently, see more details here.
Reference : Express.co.uk]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/hair-loss-treatment-tocotrienol-supplementation-increases-number-of-hairs-on-head-study2021-05-19T08:00:01+08:002021-05-19T08:00:01+08:00Hair loss treatment: Tocotrienol supplementation increases number of hairs on head - studyClarence T'ao
THERE are numerous factors that underpin hair loss and the best solutions are tailored to specific causes. Using this tried-and-tested methodology, tocotrienol supplementation has been shown to reverse alopecia. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Correcting hair loss is an onerous endeavour that produces mixed results at best. Efforts to reverse hair loss are often hobbled by a lack of knowledge as to the underlying cause. However, when researchers have done their homework, promising solutions have been found. This winning formula was followed in a study published in the journal Tropical Life Sciences. Researchers built on the knowledge that patients with alopecia generally exhibit lower levels of antioxidants in their scalp area. Antioxidants are man-made or natural substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage. They are thought to reduce the risk of developing a host of serious health complications, such as cancer. Specifically, studies have shown an association between oxidative stress and alopecia. READ MORE: Hair loss treatment: Garlic a 'cheap' and 'efficient' treatment for alopecia says study xidative stress is an imbalance between unstable atoms called free radicals and antioxidants in your body. Tocotrienols, which belong to the vitamin E family, are known to be potent antioxidants. Hence, a study was conducted to investigate the effect of tocotrienol supplementation on hair growth in volunteers suffering from hair loss. Twenty one volunteers were randomly assigned to orally receive 100 mg of mixed tocotrienols daily while 17 volunteers were assigned to receive placebo capsule orally. DON'T MISS High blood pressure: The best drink to lower BP [TIPS] Dementia: Two issues involving vision [INSIGHT] Vitamin B12 deficiency: NICE report outlines symptoms [ADVICE] The volunteers were monitored for the number of hairs in a pre-determined scalp area as well as the weight of 20 strands of one centimetre length hair clippings before supplementation, four and eight months. The number of hairs of the volunteers in the tocotrienol supplementation group increased significantly as compared to the placebo group, with the former recording a 34.5 percent increase at the end of the eight-month supplementation as compared to a 0.1 percent decrease for the latter. Nevertheless, the cumulative weight of 20 strands of hair clippings did not differ much from the start of the study for both supplementation groups to the end of the study period. "In conclusion, this trial demonstrated that supplementation with tocotrienol capsules increases hair number in volunteers suffering from hair loss as compared to the placebo group," the researchers wrote. Among other things, "this observed effect was most likely to be due to the antioxidant activity of tocotrienols", they added. There are other things you can try if your hair loss is causing you distress. But most treatments are not available on the NHS, so you'll have to pay for them. It is important to note that no treatment is 100 percent effective. According to the NHS, finasteride and minoxidil are the main treatments for male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness is a permanent type of hair loss that usually runs in the family. "Minoxidil can also be used to treat female pattern baldness. Women should not use finasteride," warns the NHS.
Reference : Express.co.uk]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/mixed-tree-nuts-may-support-weight-loss-and-improve-satiety-finds-ucla-study2021-05-12T08:00:00+08:002021-05-12T08:00:00+08:00Mixed tree nuts may support weight loss and improve satiety, finds UCLA studyClarence T'ao
Including mixed tree nuts in weight management programs can result in significant weight loss and improved satiety, according to a new study from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).Moreover, a mixture of tree nuts might be “superior” to the consumption of one type of tree nut, the Nutrients-published research found. “Tree nuts – almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts – are all a great source of protein, healthy fats and fiber,” explains lead researcher Dr. Zhaoping Li, professor of medicine and chief of the clinical nutrition division at UCLA.“This makes them so satiating and may be a major reason why we saw less weight gain in the tree nut group during weight maintenance,” she notes.The UCLA researchers estimate most people get around 25 percent of their calories each day from snacks and a large proportion come from desserts, sugar-sweetened beverages, sweets and salty snacks.“By replacing just one of those snacks with 1.5 ounces of tree nuts may result in a positive impact on weight and overall health,” states Li.Mixed tree nuts increase satietyResearchers from UCLA compared 95 overweight or obese men and women, aged 30 to 68 years, who consumed either 1.5 ounces of mixed tree nuts or a pretzel snack.Both snacks provided the same number of calories, as part of a hypocaloric weight loss diet – 500 calories less than resting metabolic rate – over 12 weeks. This was followed by an isocaloric weight maintenance program for an additional 12 weeks.Click to EnlargeThe UCLA study found a mixture of tree nuts might be “superior” to the consumption of one type of tree nut.The study authors maintain no significant difference in weight loss was observed between the nut and pretzel snack groups. However, tree nuts were associated with increased satiety, decreased heart rate and increased serum oleic acid during weight maintenance.Moreover, there was a significantly higher dropout rate in the pretzel group (36 percent) compared to the tree nut group (13 percent) in spite of matching retention efforts.The researchers suggest eating tree nut snacks increases satiety due to a decrease in appetite-related hormones ghrelin and leptin, as well as tree nuts’ increased energy density.Getting weight under controlWeight management is a major concern among consumers, as obesity is one of the most common non-communicable diseases. Efforts to curb its adverse health effects are rising, both from industry and public health organizations, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.In fact, risk of death from COVID-19 is ten times higher in countries where over half the population is classified as overweight, according to a report released by The World Obesity Federation.Recent research has shown that more than 40 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Many consumers have gained weight during the past yeardue to pandemic-induced social distancingand home isolation requirements, partly due to less exercise and more snacking.As highlighted in Innova Market Insights’ personalization trend forecast, global consumers are less interested in following a strict diet but rather inclined to find nutritional solutions that fit their individual lifestyles.This has given rise to sugar and sodium replacements in the weight management category, ranging from an alternative fat ingredient made from rapeseed oil to savory protein cakes and fat-reducing probiotic molecules.Demand for nutritional solutions to curb sugar cravings has also spurred industry innovation. For example, Sugarbreakoffers natural ingredients to reduce sugar intake and manage blood sugar levels – with delivery formats tailored to adult and child obesity.
Reference : Nutrition Insight]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/best-supplements-for-hay-fever-vitamin-c-is-a-natural-antihistamine-two-other-remedies2021-05-05T08:00:00+08:002021-05-05T08:00:00+08:00Best supplements for hay fever: Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine - two other remediesClarence T'ao
HAY FEVER can be a distressing allergy to have - sore, itchy red eyes, a bunged-up nose and a cough can make going outside unpleasant. Considering that's the only option right now when it comes to meeting up with friends, what can you do?
Typical treatments include hay fever nasal sprays, eye drops and antihistamine tablets, but were you aware that some supplements could be helpful too? Here's what to pack in your arsenal. Vitamin C acts as a natural antihistamine, which has been shown to reduce oxidative stress, thought to play a key role in allergies. Researchers from the the University of Medicine Rostock, Germany, treated 71 patients with allergy-related respiratory symptoms with vitamin C. More than 50 percent of the participants took no other allergy-related medication, beside vitamin C, during the trial. The observational study concluded that treatment with "high-dose vitamin C reduced allergy-related symptoms". Vitamin C is present in many fruits and vegetates, such as: However, vitamin C supplements are also an easy way to get your daily recommended amount of 40mg.
Reference : Express.co.uk]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/vaccinate-but-also-focus-on-nutrition2021-05-01T08:00:00+08:002021-05-01T08:00:00+08:00Vaccinate—but also, focus on nutritionClarence T'ao
It’s time to admit that nutrition can play a powerful role in the fight against COVID-19. Todd Runestad | Apr 26, 2021 It’s been a year since the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) roared into the world, affecting humans everywhere with the COVID-19 disease. Amid the awful death and dislocation from COVID-19, we have learned much. We have learned about disease progression—and survival. We surely have learned to pivot our businesses, how to Zoom and how much we dearly love personal interaction. With vaccines rolling out, hugging the world is tantalizingly close. But the biggest lesson of all is staring us in the face—if we have the wisdom to see it, the courage to speak it. Among the key learnings is that the underlying health state of people matters. Those with underlying comorbidities—ranging from obesity and diabetes to cardiovascular conditions like hypertension—all seem to suffer worse outcomes. What those big three conditions all have in common is they all have roots in dietary intake. That is to say, nutrition matters. “Could the pandemic be a massive global litmus test that reveals how truly sick the human race is?” said Tim Avila, founder and president of Systems Bioscience, a consultancy that applies systems biology to consumer goods and services companies in the nutrition world. “I’m dead serious. We are generally deficient in DHA, bifidos, in vitamin D. You can make the case for zinc and others. It’s revealing just how nutrition-poor we all are. It’s crazy. “Before you vaccinate, why not nutritionate?” There’s the rub that every natural products retailer understands in her bones. Even consumers across America understand it on some level—witness that surge in sales of supplements, the spike in sales of immunity-supporting products. In general, we all know that nutrition matters. Rockstar nutritionist Mark Hyman, M.D., a New York Times bestselling author and chairman of the Institute for Functional Medicine, recently posted about the currently grim reality. “Poor diet is responsible for almost 700,000 deaths in the U.S. each year—and 11 million worldwide,” wrote Hyman. “And the average American consumes 55 pounds of added sugar each year, which we know is a major contributor toward the diabesity epidemic.” Nutrition researchers knew it even at the outset of COVID-19. In May of 2020, researchers published a paper concluding that, even absent any sort of cure for COVID-19, "it is clear that nutritional status plays a significant role in patient outcomes." They noted that, in addition to the social isolation and mitigation measures undertaken by societies around the world, "special attention" should be given to maintaining a healthy immune system, maintaining a healthy diet, lifestyle, exercise regime and minimal stress. They also noted that, particularly among elderly populations, there is a well-known deficiency in micronutrients such as calcium, vitamin C, vitamin D, folate and zinc—and special attention should also be paid to vitamin A, selenium and various probiotics and nutraceuticals such as glutathione and N-acetyl-cysteine. But it’s more than that even. With COVID-19, we have close to 600,000 dead in the U.S. and 3 million worldwide. Shouldn’t we be sounding the alarm for poor diet’s role in death, dislocation and heartache? Another curious aspect of COVID-19 is the apparent racial disparity with the disease. That is, Blacks and Latinx people tend to fare worse than white people. But is it really about skin color, or is it the melanin-induced difference in how we uptake the sunshine vitamin? Not coincidentally, an incredible 82% of Blacks are deficient in vitamin D. So are 63% of Latinx. Compare that to a relatively paltry (yet still significant) 31% of whites. Can vitamin D deficiency also be considered a COVID-19 co-morbidity? It appears so. Vitamin D could be so important that the wintertime should not so much be considered the “cold and flu season” so much as the “vitamin D deficiency season.” And vitamin D has been found to be the most important nutraceutical in preventing, curing and treating aspects of COVID-19. (To be sure, other variables are at work. One online study found minority populations tended to live in greater poverty with limited access to social services, and were more likely to have underlying medical conditions—comorbidities—that make them more vulnerable. Another online survey found Blacks and Latinx were less likely to correctly answer 14 COVID-19 knowledge questions compared to Asian and white Americans, which could also play a role in disease prevention. All these things might matter, but we’re not epidemiologists here, we’re nutritionists!) And we can’t underestimate the undeniable power of positive nutrition on a person’s health and wellness—and how that can contribute to a resilience that can strengthen one’s constitution and lead to better outcomes as it relates to COVID-19. “Everyone is talking about risk factors. Insulin resistance. Hyperlipidemia has compelling impact on immune regulation.
Reference : New Hope]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/dr-arif-addresses-whether-simple-supplements-can-cut-risk-of-covid2021-04-28T08:00:00+08:002021-04-28T08:00:00+08:00Dr Arif addresses whether 'simple supplements' can cut risk of CovidClarence T'ao
CORONAVIRUS is highly contagious, but data from King's College London suggests that certain supplements - vitamin D, probiotics, multivitamins, and omega 3 - could help ward off an infection. The research from the prestigious university highlights the "modest but significant" effects taking supplements can have in preventing a Covid infection. Dr Nighat Arif said: "For women, there's seems to be more beneficial impact on taking multivitamins as opposed to men. "And that could be because of the biological changes in men and women – and I think this is really key." Appearing on ITV's This Morning, Dr Arif said "there's a lot of data coming out that oestrogen boosts your immune system". In addition, Dr Arif recognised "how much great [vitamins] can do", such as vitamin D, omega 3, and multivitamins. In reference to the King's College London study, the research data is based on over 1.4 million users of the Zoe Covid Symptom Study app. People who were taking vitamin D supplements had a nine percent reduced risk of contracting Covid. READ MORE: Covid positive tests mapped: TWO areas at highest risk after easing Those who were consuming probiotics had a 14 percent reduced risk, while people who took multivitamins has a 13 percent reduced risk of coronavirus. As for omega 3, taking this type of supplement was associated with a 12 percent reduced risk of Covid infection. The most helpful supplement to the least (at preventing Covid infection): Supplements such as vitamin C, zinc or garlic "had no detectable effect" against Covid. DON'T MISS What's going on! Pupils forced to self-isolate after waiting months [INSIGHT] Covid vaccine side effects: Three common side effects [HEALTH] Spain rings alarm over TEN different Covid variants [ANALYSIS] Lead researcher Dr Cristina Menni from the School of Life Course Sciences commented on the findings. "Our research is an observational study and not a clinical trial, so we can’t make strong recommendations based on the data we have. "Until we have further evidence about the role of supplements from randomised controlled trials, we recommend following the NHS guidelines on vitamins usage as part of a healthy balanced diet." Professor of genetic epidemiology, Tom Spector – who led the Covid Symptom Study – added commentary on the results. He said that "a healthy diet with diverse fresh vegetables and fruits" should give you all the nutrients you need for a healthy immune system. The NHS emphasised that people "can get all the vitamins and minerals they need by eating a healthy, balanced diet". Vitamin D supplementation is recommended for everybody from the end of September to late March. During spring and summer, "most people can get all the vitamin D they need through sunlight on their skin". A "healthy, balanced diet" should include at least two portions of fish per week, including one oily fish. Oily fish is rich in omega-3, and can include: "Fresh and canned tuna do not count as oily fish," stated the national health body.
Reference : Express.co.uk]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/fatty-liver-disease-promising-study-shows-supplement-decreases-fat-in-liver2021-04-24T08:00:00+08:002021-04-24T08:00:00+08:00Fatty liver disease: ‘Promising’ study shows supplement decreases fat in liverClarence T'ao
FATTY liver disease is associated with a higher risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease. Exercise and a healthy diet are key factors when it comes to minimising health complications, if only there was an easier way - there might be. Researchers from the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, found that a dietary supplement, known to increase the growth of good bacteria in the gut, was linked to a lower fat content in the liver. Previously, the Academy of Finland Research Fellow Satu Pekkala and her research team were able to treat the fatty liver of mice. They did this by administering Faecalibacterium prausnitzii – a member of the gut microbiota with known anti-inflammatory properties. "Unfortunately, this type of health-beneficial gut microbes cannot necessarily be sold at the pharmacies for human use," Pekkala explained. "So we wanted to find out whether we can increase its natural abundance in the gut with a prebiotic fibre." Thus, in the follow-on investigation, they discovered that Faecalibacterium prausnitzii was able to use prebiotic Xylo-oligosaccharides as food. Prebiotics are fermented dietary components that can't be digested in the gut, but serves as food for the gut microbes, such as lactobacilli. READ MORE: Diabetes type 2: Out of control blood sugars could cause the Somogyi effect – what is it? For their next experiment, they induced fatty livers in rats who, at the same time, were fed a diet supplemented with prebiotic Xylo-oligosaccharides. This three-month trial was more significant than the first because the prebiotic Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) can be found in natural shops and online stores. "The results of the research showed that XOS increased the growth of the health-beneficial bacterium, and at the same time, significantly decreased the liver fat content of the rats," Pekkala summarised. As XOS is safe for human consumption, Pekkala and her team have now conducted XOS intervention in people who have a fatty liver. DON'T MISS Diabetes type 2: Worst breakfast choices [TIPS] Bowel cancer: Two 'most common' bowel changes [INSIGHT] AstraZeneca blood clot symptoms: Five symptoms [ADVICE] As the academic editor for a research paper published in February of this year, Pekkala revisited the use of prebiotics to treat fatty liver disease. There is evidence that the gut microbes in patients with obesity, metabolic disorders and liver fat accumulation have lower diversity in their gut microbes. Positive improvements in gut microbes can be correlated with improvement in hepatic steatosis (i.e. fatty liver). The current nutritional recommendations for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease include: Due to the "strong relationship" between diet, the disturbance of gut microbes, and fatty liver, "nutritional therapies focusing on remodulating the bacterial ecosystem appear to be particularly promising". In addition, mounting research has "highlighted the potential of prebiotics and probiotics in gut microbe restoration and among fatty liver patients". The charity Guts UK explained that prebiotics can "feed and help our gut bacteria grow strong to benefit our overall ecosystem". Many plant foods contain prebiotics, such as: artichokes, asparagus, bananas, berries, tomatoes, garlic, onions, legumes, green vegetables and wholegrain cereals. "Prebiotics can also be manufactured artificially and added into foods or supplements," said Guts UK. Probiotics, on the other hand, are considered food supplements, which can help improve diarrhoea and relieve digestive symptoms. However, "there isn't enough evidence to support other health claims" of probiotics.
Reference : Express.co.uk]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/green-vegetables-can-boost-essential-gut-bacteria-as-researchers-shed-light-on-microbial-black-box2021-04-14T08:00:00+08:002021-04-14T10:47:28+08:00Green vegetables can boost essential gut bacteria, as researchers shed light on microbial “black box”Clarence T'ao
Researchers have found that sulfoquinovose (SQ), a sulfonated monosaccharide found in green vegetables, is a selective yet relevant substrate for ubiquitous bacteria in the human gut.The study authors say their findings have advanced the currently limited understanding of certain microorganisms’ metabolic capabilities in the gut microbiome. The findings also show SQ can contribute to hydrogen sulfide production, which can have anti-inflammatory properties. “We don’t know what substances they feed on and how they process them,” explains Buck Hanson, lead author of the study and a microbiologist at the Center for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CMESS) at the University of Vienna.“By exploring the microbial metabolism of the sulfosugar SQ in the gut for the first time, we have shed some light into this black box.”The research, now published in ISME Journal, analyzed anaerobic microcosms containing human vegetarian fecal samples to evaluate SQ metabolism by the gut microorganisms.Microcosms were subsampled over ten days for metabolite quantification and community composition analyses.Targeting the gut with spinachSQ is a sulfonic acid derivative of glucose and is found as a chemical building block primarily in green vegetables such as spinach, lettuce and algae.Click to EnlargeSulfoquinovose was shown to produce specific bacteria in the gut.The researchers’ previous studies showed that other microorganisms could, in principle, use the sulfosugar as a nutrient.This latest study analyzed stool samples to determine how these processes specifically take place in the human intestine.“We have now been able to show that unlike glucose, for example, which feeds a large number of microorganisms in the gut, sulfoquinovose stimulates the growth of very specific key organisms in the gut microbiome,” says a study co-author and microbiologist David Schleheck.These key organisms include the bacterium of the species Eubacterium rectale, one of the ten most common gut microbes in healthy people.“TheE. rectale bacteria ferment SQ produced via a metabolic pathway that we have only recently deciphered. This includes, among other things, a sulfur compound, dihydroxypropane sulfonate (DHPS), which in turn serves as an energy source for other intestinal bacteria such asBilophila wadsworthia.”Bilophila wadsworthiaultimately produces hydrogen sulfide from DHPS via a metabolic pathway that was also only recently discovered, explains Schleheck.Hydrogen sulfideA key finding from the study is that hydrogen sulfide, which is produced in the intestine by body cells and specialized microorganisms, can contribute to the production of SQ.Hydrogen sulfide can have both positive and negative effects on the body, depending on the dosage. It can have an anti-inflammatory effect on the intestinal mucosa, for example.Conversely, increased hydrogen sulfide production by gut microbes is associated with chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer.Until now, mainly sulfate and taurine, which are found in increased amounts in the intestine as a result of a diet rich in meat or fat, were known to be sources of hydrogen sulfide for microorganisms.Potential future prebioticThe discovery that SQ from green foods such as spinach and algae also contributes to the production of the gas in the gut “comes as a surprise,” say the study authors.The research team is now preparing for future studies into SQ and its effects on the gut microbiome.Future studies will seek to clarify if and how the intake of the plant-based sulfosugar can have a health-promoting effect.“It is also possible that SQ could be used as a so-called prebiotic,” says Schleheck.Edited by Louis Gore-Langton
Reference : Nutrition Insight]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/best-supplements-ashwagandha-helps-with-metabolism-and-cortisol-levels-for-weight-loss2021-04-10T08:00:00+08:002021-04-10T08:00:00+08:00Best supplements: Ashwagandha helps with metabolism and cortisol levels for weight lossClarence T'ao
BEST supplements for weight loss: The time is finally upon Britons for the easing of lockdown and the enjoyment of warmer days with family and friends to finally commence. For many, this might bring moments of panic regarding the best ways to lose those lockdown pounds. It is claimed that certain foods such as ashwagandha, a common Ayurvedic medicine, may support weight loss. As many are all too familiar, weight loss is a tricky game. There are many factors to take into account when trying to lose weight including one’s metabolism and the level of stress they are under. All of these factors can majorly impact weight loss making it seem like an uphill battle going nowhere. Fortunately, a certain herb has shown to help with all of these factors, helping one to not only achieve weight loss quicker and easier, but also to boost your overall health. Favoured by celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow, ashwagandha is the new buzzword when it comes to natural supplements to helping you lose weight. How? Ashwagandha is a powerful herb and has numerous health benefits. One of the main reasons it works so well with weight loss is that it’s said to help a person reduce their cravings for carbohydrates and sugary treats and also in reducing stress and anxiety. When a person has high levels of stress, a hormone is increased known as cortisol. Cortisol slows down a person’s metabolism making weight loss that much more difficult to achieve. READ MORE: How to lose visceral fat: Canola oil shown to reduce belly fat in four weeks The adaptogenic activity of ashwagandha may have benefits for weight loss by supporting your diet and exercise programme. According to Life Extension Magazine, scientists theorise that many of ashwagandha's health-boosting properties comes from the antioxidant steroidal alkaloids and lactones, principally the withanolides. Ashwagandha may fight stress and aid weight loss by acting as a natural adaptogen in the body, fighting disease and decreasing levels of stress hormones. DON'T MISS High cholesterol symptoms: Three signs in feet [INSIGHT] Statins side effects: Risk of four health conditions [TIPS] James Martin 'wasn't very well' after operations [INSIGHT] In a study published in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, body weight management in adults under chronic stress through treatment with ashwagandha root extract was investigated. The study said: “Ashwagandha is a well-known adaptogen and known for reducing stress and anxiety in humans. “A total of 52 subjects under chronic stress received either Ashwagandha (300 mg) or placebo twice daily. “Each subject was assessed at the start and at four and eight weeks. “The treatment with Ashwagandha resulted in significant improvements in primary and secondary measures. Also, the extract was found to be safe and tolerable. “The outcome of this study suggests that Ashwagandha root extract can be used for body weight management in adults under chronic stress.” Adaptogens fight the physiological effects of stress in the body. When a person undergoes a new diet and increases their workouts this can place a lot of stress on the body, leading to plateaus in progress or even possibly injury. Training and/or dieting for too long without down-shifting for recovery can cause symptoms of over-training, such as muscle loss, decreased energy, weakened immune function and decreased metabolic rate. Ashwagandha’s adaptogen properties counteracts this process helping to reduce stress on the body and allowing weight loss to occur naturally. We are all well aware of stress, however many are unaware of cortisol and its impact on weight loss. Cortisol not only acts as a stress hormone in the body, it can also make a person fat. Having high levels of cortisol promote diseases like obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Ashwagandha can naturally lower cortisol levels by up to 26 percent aiding in weight loss.
Reference : Express.co.uk]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/best-supplements-for-arthritis-curcumin-helps-to-reduce-inflammation-to-reduce-symptoms2021-04-03T08:00:00+08:002021-04-03T08:00:00+08:00Best supplements for arthritis: Curcumin helps to reduce inflammation to reduce symptomsClarence T'ao
BEST supplements for arthritis: To help ease painful symptoms caused by the condition, experts hail one supplement in particular which is said to help reduce the amount of inflammation in the body. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Arthritis is a common condition that can affect people of all ages. The condition can make muscles feel still and achy and could negatively impact one’s life. Supplements have been used for many years and could help treat a number of ailments including helping to reduce inflammation caused by arthritis thereby helping to reduce symptoms. Curcumin is the vibrant, key chemical in turmeric. Turmeric has many scientifically proven health benefits, including the potential to prevent certain diseases. It’s a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and helps improve symptoms of arthritis. Curcumin claims to reduce pain, inflammation and stiffness which is related to rheumatoid arthritis. It is suggested you should take 500mg twice a day or you could consume it as a tea by boiling two cups of water with one teaspoon of curcumin powder and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes and you can add lemon, honey or milk. It’s been called one of the best supplements to treat arthritis pain. READ MORE: High blood pressure: Certain yoghurt and milk products could reduce high blood pressure Turmeric itself isn’t what inhibits inflammation, but rather its compounds of curcumin which is the active chemical in turmeric. Research point to curcumins ability to block certain enzymes and cytokines which lead to inflammation. This sheds light on the possibility of curcumin as a complementary treatment for arthritis. DON'T MISS AstraZeneca vaccine: Eight most common side effects [INSIGHT] Fatty liver disease: Long-lasting itching is a sign [TIPS] Arthritis: Three key factors to look for [ADVICE] In one study, 45 people with arthritis were assigned curcumin supplements with the other two groups receiving a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) called diclofenac, or a combination of both. The group that took 500 milligrams of curcumin only showed the most improvement. Because turmeric in its natural form is considered safe, this supplement could be a good addition to your diet, noted the researchers. Curcumin has benefits for inflammatory diseases, depression, and cancer. These conditions are common for people with RA. In 2016, an industry-sponsored systematic review of randomized controlled trials found that 1,000 mg a day of curcumin reduced osteoarthritis pain and inflammation as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like diclofenac and ibuprofen. Another study suggests curcumin might help prevent bone breakdown in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Choose curcumin extract – whole turmeric is often contaminated with led, said the Arthritis Foundation. The health site continued: “Take 500 mg capsules twice daily. “Curcumin makes up only a small percentage of turmeric and can be hard to absorb. “Be sure to check the standardized amount of curcumin when looking for a supplement, and choose brands that use phospholipids, antioxidants or nanoparticles for better absorption.” "Being overweight or obese often makes osteoarthritis worse, as it places extra strain on some of your joints," explains the NHS. Another effective way to ease osteoarthritis symptoms and lose weight is to engage in regular exercise. Although it may feel counterintuitive if you are experiencing joint pain, regular exercise builds up muscle and strengthens the joints, which usually helps to improve symptoms, notes the NHS. "Exercise is also good for losing weight, improving your posture and relieving stress, all of which will ease symptoms," it adds.
Reference : Express.co.uk]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/vitamin-b12-deficiency-white-spots-on-your-forearms-is-a-lesser-known-sign-of-low-levels2021-03-27T08:00:00+08:002021-03-28T22:20:56+08:00Vitamin B12 deficiency: White spots on your forearms is a lesser-known sign of low levelsClarence T'ao
VITAMIN B12 aids the body in essential ways yet some people struggle to absorb the vitamin due to an underlying condition called pernicious anaemia. This can raise one's risk of developing B12 deficiency. Seeing these spots on your forearms could mean your diet needs to change or supplements are needed. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient for good health. Most people can obtain it from a varied diet that includes animal products. However, people eating a plant-based diet can only get vitamin B12 from fortified foods or supplements. One lesser-known symptom to be aware of is white spots on a person’s forearm. These can occur as a result of melatonin becoming absent in the area, according to Thyroid Patient Advocacy (TPA). Melatonin is a hormone that regulates a person’s sleep-wake pattern and has been shown to be linked to vitamin B12 intake. TPA warns: “These often occur on the outside of the forearm but may occur in other places. “The longer these spots are there, the whiter they get. “As time goes by, the spots become very dry and flaky to the extent that small raw spots of skin may be exposed.” READ MORE: How to lose visceral fat: VLCD diet shown to reduce belly fat within days Other symptoms can include: DON'T MISS Covid vaccine: Side effects 'more intense' after second shot [INSIGHT] AstraZeneca vaccine side effects: 'Arm coldness' and other effects [TIPS] Arthritis: Sore throat and other non -joint symptoms [ADVICE] Vitamin B12 deficiency is common and can present itself in various ways, making it difficult to identify. If you’re at risk and have any of the symptoms above, speak to your doctor. For most people, a B12 deficiency should be easy to prevent simply by ensuring you are getting enough B12 in your diet. If a person isn’t getting enough vitamin B12 from their diet they may be advised by a GP to eat more foods fortified with vitamin B12 or to take regular supplements. Vitamin B12 injections may also be recommended, and for those with pernicious anaemia, injections may be required for the rest of their lives. Experts say adults aged 19 to 64 require around 1.5 micrograms (mg) a day of vitamin B12, and unless you have pernicious anaemia, you should be able to get this through your diet. Vitamin B12 supplements are available in the form of tablets or liquids that a person can take under the tongue (sublingually). People eating a plant-based diet may need additional vitamin B12 in the form of supplements, especially when pregnant or breastfeeding. Additionally, older adults, people with gastrointestinal conditions, and those on certain medication, including proton pump inhibitors and metformin, may need to take a supplement.
Reference : Express.co.uk]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/p-vitamin-d-combos-revitalize-bone-health-relevance-vitamin-k2-calcium-and-probiotics-spotlighted2021-03-24T08:00:00+08:002021-03-24T08:00:00+08:00Vitamin D combos revitalize bone health relevance: Vitamin K2, calcium and probiotics spotlightedClarence T'ao
While vitamin D has enjoyed heightened consumer consideration due to its connection with COVID-19, it remains a key strategy to preventing bone health damage, such as osteoporosis. NutritionInsight discusses how vitamin D combined with vitamin K2 is gaining industry attention with NattoPharma and Kappa Bioscience. Also, experts from IFF Health and BioGaia reveal how soy isoflavones and probiotics, respectively, grant the bone health sector a new lease on life. “At an older age, a stumble in the bathroom can already cause a femoral neck or pelvic fracture,” says Jörg Büttinghaus, vice president of sales at Kappa Bioscience. “Long stays in hospital and rehabilitation centers are closely associated with limited mobility, social isolation, reduced enjoyment of life, and the risk of secondary diseases and infections.”No question about bone health importanceFor the elderly, mobility is a requirement for active aging, says Dr. Laetitia Petrussa, product manager at IFF Health. “Osteoporosis and bone fragility often go unnoticed until they break, at which point it is too late.”“[Mobility is] essential for independence, autonomy, overall life satisfaction and general quality of life. Besides regular exercise, preserving bone strength is an important factor in preventing fractures and the sudden loss of mobility,” Petrussa affirms.While an aging population focuses more on self-care and prevention, younger supplement users are also looking to prevent bone problems in the future. The mobility sector is therefore shifting its priorities to ensure its target consumers are not limited to just seniors.Click to EnlargeSupplements combining vitamins K2 and D3 to support calcium is crucial for those seeking optimal bone and cardiovascular health, says Quackenbusch.Balancing vitamin synergiesCombination products featuring Vitamins D3 and K2 to support bone health have been on the market for some time, says Kate Quackenbush, communications director for NattoPharma.“From an industry perspective, brand owners are aware that certain nutrients work synergistically, which is why there are so many stellar combination formulas on the market. For consumers, that understanding is not so robust, but it is growing.”When it comes to working together as complementary nutrients, Quackenbush maintains “no two are better paired” than K2 and D3, especially in bone health.Like vitamin D3, vitamin K2 is a fat-soluble vitamin. Vitamin K2 can improve the functional balance of key systems – namely the skeletal and cardiovascular systems – that ensure robust and active health.“While K2 is required to activate K-dependent proteins, such as osteocalcin for bone health and matrix Gla protein (MGP) to inhibit soft tissue calcification, vitamin D3 is needed to create these proteins,” says Quackenbush.“But if we are not balancing our D3 intakes with K2, we simply have an excess of inactive proteins not performing their function.”Completing the trifecta with calciumCalcium remains a key ingredient for maintaining bone health. Innova Market Insight data reveals that calcium was the top ingredient used in 36 percent of F&B and supplement launches tracked with a bone and joint health claim (Global, 2020).Click to EnlargeSoy germ, rather than the whole soybean, contains the highest natural level of isoflavones, rich in vitamin K2.However, the combination of only calcium and vitamin D provides “an incomplete solution,” flags Büttinghaus. “Only vitamin K2 activates the proteins provided by vitamin D.”NattoPharma’s Quackenbush adds that calcium on its own can create “an undesirable seesaw effect.”On one side, incoming calcium helps build bone. In the opposite direction, calcium tends to settle inside arteries and soft tissues, causing them to stiffen like concrete and impede blood flow.“Vitamin K2 activates proteins already present in the body that help the body to utilize calcium properly,” she explains. MGP inhibits calcium from depositing in arteries and soft tissues, while osteocalcin binds calcium to the bone mineral matrix for stronger bones and teeth.Cost considerationsBüttinghaus recalls how, in the past, ingredient providers were reluctant to use K2 because they “mistakenly assumed” vitamin K2 was an expensive raw material.“This is not the case. The price per kilogram of vitamin K2 may be startling at first,” he states.“However, when you consider that vitamin K2 is already fully effective in the range of a few micrograms, it quickly becomes clear that a daily dose costs less than 2 cents, but offers significant improvements for consumers.”Clean label solutions: Soy germ and post-bioticsOnly products containing calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphor, vitamin C, D or K can claim bone health benefits on their label, highlights Petrussa.“Therefore, consumers often resort to products that have been used in traditional medicine for specific benefits like bone health.” Soybeans are a rich source of vitamin K, and Petrussa adds isoflavones from soy, for example, have been used in supportive products for women for millennia.IFF Health’s SoyLife is manufactured exclusively from soy germ, which provides natural support for bone health, says the company.Click to EnlargeBioGaia Osfortis with vitamin D for bone health. (Credit BioGaia)More promise for probiotics?Also tapping into the vitamin D frenzy is Sweden-based BioGaia, whichlaunched BioGaia Osfortisfor bone health on the domestic market in January.According to Jakob Axelsson, research manager at BioGaia, the probiotic strain Limosilactobacillus reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 has been shown to change the relationship between different types of T-cells in preclinical trials.“This change results in a decreased formation and activation of osteoclasts, tilting the balance in favor of the osteoblasts, subsequently increasing bone density,” he explains.The positive effects ofL. reuteri 6475 on bone health were further confirmed in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 90 women with incipient osteoporosis.The results showed that daily supplementation ofL. reuteri6475, combined with 5 µg (200 IU) of vitamin D3 for 12 months reduced bone loss with almost half, compared to placebo.“The pharmaceuticals of today, bisphosphonates for example, are effective but often cause several side effects,” says Axelsson, noting a spiked demand for osteoporosis prevention alternatives.“As an increasing bulk of research on probiotics indicates positive effects on bone health, there is a potential for specific probiotics to become a valuable alternative and an additional tool in the care of patients with osteopenia/osteoporosis.”Axelsson concludes approximately a third of women and a fifth of men over the age of 50 are at risk of suffering a fracture caused by osteoporosis. “Thus, the medical need is large and will increase further.”By Anni Schleicher
Reference : Nutrition Insight]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/best-supplements-for-anaemia-do-you-need-vitamin-b12-folic-acid-or-iron-tablets2021-03-17T08:00:00+08:002021-03-17T08:00:00+08:00Best supplements for anaemia: Do you need vitamin B12, folic acid or iron tablets?Clarence T'ao
SUPPLEMENTS can help to address underlying deficiencies that can lead to anaemia, which is when red blood cells are deformed, resulting in less oxygen being transported around the body. Are you affected? Doctor advises what to eat to help an iron deficiency Sign up for FREE health tips to live a long and happy life SUBSCRIBE Invalid email When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow, with vast quantities created every single day. Nutrients from food, such as iron, vitamin B12 and folate ensure the bone marrow is healthy. Too little of these nutrients will lead to some type of anaemia, which all share general symptoms. According to Nursing Times, there are seven warning signs of anaemia to be aware of. These are: When there's a B12 deficiency, there are specific symptoms to keep an eye on. These are: As for a folate deficiency, in addition to general symptoms of anaemia, the deficiency can lead to: The NHS pointed out the signs of iron deficiency anaemia can include pale skin. A vitamin b12 deficiency is mainly caused by a condition called pernicious anaemia. READ MORE: Gallbladder cancer symptoms: Dark urine could be a sign of the deadly disease This is an autoimmune disease that attacks the stomach's cells that are responsible for producing intrinsic factor – a protein that binds to B12. Normally, intrinsic factor binds with vitamin B12 so that the nutrient can be re-absorbed into the body. When a person had pernicious anaemia, this doesn't happen, causing a deficiency in the long term. The body usually stores enough vitamin B12 to last up to four years, but pernicious anaemia begins in most people over the age of 60. Other causes of a vitamin B12 deficiency can be caused by a vegan diet, an unhealthy diet or Crohn's disease. Meanwhile, folate can only be stored for roughly four months inside of the body. The water-soluble vitamin is needed in a daily diet, said the Nursing Times. An unhealthy, unbalanced diet is a likely cause, or irritable bowel syndrome which can cause absorption issues. Furthermore, excessive urination can cause a folate deficiency, which may be due to congestive heart failure. The body may be more demanding for folate for any of these possible reasons: As for an iron deficiency, the NHS explained heavy periods, pregnancy and internal bleeding are likely culprits. Any of these deficiencies can be identified by a blood test arranged by your GP. Thankfully, all of these deficiencies can be corrected by taking supplements. Your GP may advise you to take supplements for a specified duration if a deficiency is identified.
Reference : Express.co.uk]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/on-your-mind-food-and-nutrition-questions2021-03-13T08:00:00+08:002021-03-13T08:00:00+08:00On Your Mind: Food and Nutrition QuestionsClarence T'ao
Consumer Reports' health and safety experts answer your common—and not so common—questions about food, nutrition, and healthy eating. This week's questions: Q: I have 2 or 3 drinks most nights. Is that okay? Q: Are canned beans as healthy as dried beans? Q: I think that Frosted Shredded Wheat is healthier than Froot Loops, but I need expert advice. Which one is better for me? See more questions and answers about food and nutrition. Have a food- or nutrition-related question you'd like us to answer? Ask us here. Q: I have 2 or 3 drinks most nights. Is that okay? A: U.S. guidelines advise having no more than one drink a day for women, two for men. But a limit of just one may be better for everyone 65 and older, says Benjamin H. Han , M.D., M.P.H., an assistant professor at the New York University School of Medicine. Older adults are more sensitive to alcohol's effects, which raise the risk of falls and car crashes. Too much alcohol can worsen diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart failure, and mixing it with sleep or pain drugs and antidepressants can be dangerous. Cut back or get help if drinking interferes with obligations, or if you drink and drive, need more alcohol to feel its effects, or shake or sweat when you don't drink, Han says. Q: Are canned beans as healthy as dried beans? A: There are differences. Canning, cooking, and soaking can change the nutritional content of beans a bit. And canned beans frequently have added salt, which can be a problem if you're watching your sodium. But both are a good source of fiber, protein, and nutrients such as folate and potassium. Canned beans are also ready to eat, while dry beans need to be soaked for hours or even overnight before cooking. If you don't have time for soaking, look for low- or no-sodium varieties of canned beans, or drain and rinse canned beans to reduce the sodium by up to 40 percent. Q: I think that Frosted Shredded Wheat is healthier than Froot Loops, but I need expert advice. Which one is better for me? You're right, Frosted Shredded Wheat is the better pick, even though both cereals are pretty sugary, says Amy Keating RD, a CR nutritionist. Check the label and you'll see both have 12 grams of added sugars per serving. That's three teaspoons, which is about half the amount the American Heart Association says women should have in a day (a third of the amount for men). But sugar doesn't tell the whole story. The shredded wheat is 100 percent whole grain, has 6 grams of fiber per serving, and has less-processed ingredients. Froot Loops is made with some whole grains (corn and oat flours), but also contains white wheat flour and serves up just 2 grams of fiber. Plus it has artificial colors and salt (210 mg sodium), none of which are in the shredded wheat. You can give your bowl of Frosted Shredded Wheat a nutritional upgrade by mixing it half-and-half with regular shredded wheat—you'll still get the sweetness while cutting the added sugars in half. You can then continue to adjust the blend, increasing the amount of regular cereal as your tastebuds adjust to less sugar. Adding a sliced banana, peach/nectarine, or berries would add some sweetness without any added sugars. Submit your questions via: Due to the volume of correspondence we receive, we can’t reply to all submissions. However, we may publish answers to general interest questions in future editions of On Your Mind. The information offered by Consumer Reports in On Your Mind should not substitute for professional or medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or another professional for treatment and advice. Q: Low-sodium canned soup is so dull. Is it really better for me? Q: Do fiber supplements count toward my daily intake of fiber? Q: Is frozen yogurt as healthy as regular yogurt? Q: Is pork better for me than red meat is? Q: What healthy herbs and veggies can I grow in a container? Q: Is raw pet food safe? Q: Can I get some sun without sunblock to boost my vitamin D? Q: How can I tell what foods have plenty of whole grains? Q: Is sparkling water bad for your teeth, or is it comparable to tap water? Q: Do 'immune boosting' supplements work? Q: Is deli meat healthy if it's uncured or nitrite-free? Q: I'm constantly craving sugar these days. What can I do? Q: I'm taking antibiotics. Do I need probiotic supplements, too? Q: How can I make frozen vegetables taste better? Q: Which cooking oils are the healthiest? Q: Will immune-boosting drinks protect me from COVID-19? Q: Can drinking diet soda instead of regular help with weight loss? Q: I throw out a lot of food that's gone bad. How can I waste less? Q: Are homemade baked goods healthier than store-bought? Q: How can I make sure I’m getting enough protein at breakfast? Q: Should I scrub or peel fruit and veggies to get rid of pesticides? Q: What are ultraprocessed foods, and is it okay to eat them? Q: How long will restaurant leftovers last in my refrigerator? Q: Low-sodium canned soup is so dull. Is it really better for me? A: If you're trying to cut the salt in your diet, choosing lower-sodium or no-salt-added canned soup can make a big difference. And there's a lot you can do to improve the taste, texture, and nutrition. "Add your own herbs and spices for flavor, along with as many fresh, frozen, or sodium-free canned vegetables as you like," suggests Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, "plus beans or chopped poultry, meat, or tofu from last night's dinner for a protein boost." Q: Do fiber supplements count toward my daily intake of fiber? A: Yes. You can count the grams of fiber in these toward your daily goal of 21 grams for women over age 50 and 30 grams for men of that age, says Ginger Hultin, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. But getting your fill of fiber from fruits, veggies, and whole grains is best. "When you eat naturally high-fiber foods, you also increase your intake of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants—added benefits that don't come from a fiber supplement," Hultin explains. For instance, fiber found in produce and whole grains may help your "good" gut bacteria to flourish. Q: Is frozen yogurt as healthy as regular yogurt? A: Frozen yogurt with a "Live & Active Cultures" seal may have the same beneficial bacteria found in regular yogurt. But the amounts in frozen yogurt with this seal can be 10 times lower than in regular yogurt, and fro-yo is sometimes lower in calcium and protein, too. Both frozen and regular yogurt can have different amounts of calories and sugar per serving, so watch out for added sugars if you're looking for a healthier choice, whether frozen or not. Q: Is pork better for me than red meat is? A: Pork, like beef, lamb, and veal, is a red meat. And a higher intake of red and processed meat is linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and colorectal cancer. So it's wise to limit red meat to a couple of 3- to 4-ounce weekly servings, says Christine Rosenbloom, PhD, co-author of "Food & Fitness After 50" (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2018). (Some experts say up to four weekly servings is okay.) Some pork cuts, such as tenderloin and loin chops, are leaner than others, so go for those when you eat pork. Q: What healthy herbs and veggies can I grow in a container? A: Fresh-picked vegetables may have more nutrients than those that are canned or frozen, or that travel long distances to the supermarket. If you have a spot on your deck, patio, or balcony that gets 3 to 6 hours of daily sun, you can grow leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and Swiss chard, and herbs like basil, chives, mint, oregano, parsley, sage, and thyme. (You can also grow herbs on a sunny windowsill.) For good drainage, use commercial potting soil in your containers, says Jeana Myers, PhD, a horticulture agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Wake County. You can also try growing peppers or a tomato variety bred for container gardening. These need at least 6 to 8 hours of sun daily. Q: Is raw pet food safe? A: Raw pet food—which may contain raw organ or muscle meat and bone, unpasteurized milk, uncooked egg, and uncooked fruits, grains, and veggies—has been growing in popularity. But the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and most veterinarians and veterinary organizations, caution against it. Uncooked ingredients could be a source of harmful bacteria and other pathogens that can make pets and people sick. A 2017 study in the journal BMC Veterinary Research reports that dogs fed raw food shed 23 times more salmonella organisms in their feces than other dogs. This can pose a risk to you when you're cleaning up after pets. Your pet can also transfer bacteria by licking your face after eating, scratching you after they step in their feces, or possibly even during petting. And if you don't follow proper food safety practices, you can infect yourself, says James E. Rogers, PhD, director of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports. "Since you're not eating the pet food, you may not think you have to take the same care to wash your hands or the utensils you use," he says. "But you can easily get sick if you touch your mouth after being in contact with contaminated food, surfaces, or utensils." In addition to frozen or fresh raw meat or meat and vegetable blends, raw items for pets may come in freeze-dried and dehydrated forms (such as rawhide chews, pig ears, and similar treats). For now, the FDA says, it's safest to avoid a raw diet for your pet. For more on raw pet food, read "Should You Feed Your Pet Raw Food?" Q: Can I get some sun without sunblock to boost my vitamin D? A: The American Cancer Society and other groups warn against that because exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet B rays also raises skin cancer risk, especially for aging skin. You need about 600 IU of vitamin D per day before age 70 and 800 IU after. You can generally get that from vitamin D-rich and fortified foods; more isn’t beneficial. Your doctor will advise if you need a supplement, but just 15 minutes of sun may be enough, too. Q: How can I tell what foods have plenty of whole grains? A: Check the ingredients list on bread, breakfast cereal, pasta, crackers, and other grain products. At a minimum, you want a whole grain (like whole oats, whole-wheat flour, whole-grain corn, whole-grain brown rice, or whole rye) as the first ingredient. A 100 percent whole-grain claim or a Whole Grain Stamp label is best because it indicates that all of a product’s grain is whole. Q: Is sparkling water bad for your teeth, or is it comparable to tap water? A: Fizzy drinks such as carbonated plain seltzer, club soda, and unflavored sparkling water are a sugar- and calorie-free way to hydrate, though club soda has a little added sodium. These drinks can be slightly acidic, but sodas and fruit juices—as well as other beverages that contain flavor enhancers such as citric acid—are much more acidic and damaging to tooth enamel. Moderation is key, and fluoridated tap water is still best for your teeth. Q: Do ‘immune boosting’ supplements work? A: Supplements whose labels promise stronger immunity may have ingredients that include vitamin C and zinc, among other vitamins and minerals. Vitamin C and zinc are important for the immune system, but most healthy adults without a deficiency should focus on a healthy diet, says Simin Nikbin Meydani, PhD, lead scientist for the Nutritional Immunology Team at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston. Get 1 to 3 cups of vegetables and 1 to 2 cups of fruit each day, and about 8 mg of zinc (11 mg for men) found in foods like beef, poultry, crabs, oysters, fortified cereal, nuts, whole grains, dairy, and legumes. Q: Is deli meat healthy if it’s uncured or nitrite-free? A: Most cold cuts are processed meats. Eating them regularly, even in small portions, can increase your risk of cancer and has been linked to heart disease and diabetes. The culprits could be added nitrites and nitrates used in processing. And the words “uncured” and “nitrite-free” on a label don’t necessarily mean the meat is uncured or that no nitrites were added, says Charlotte Vallaeys, MS, Consumer Reports’ senior policy analyst for food and nutrition. “The USDA allows these claims to appear on processed meat if it was cured with nitrites derived from celery or other vegetables,” she says. In 2019 CR’s testing of uncured and nitrite-free deli meats found nitrite levels similar to those in meats cured with synthetic nitrites. “Our advice is to eat little, if any, processed meat,” Vallaeys says. Q: I'm constantly craving sugar these days. What can I do? A: Try a treat schedule. Have a small sweet (such as one or two cookies, a scoop of ice cream, or a square of chocolate) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, for example, and fruit and vegetable snacks the rest of the time, says Angel Planells, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. If treats feel paltry, try adding fruit. “You get the best of both worlds, a sweet taste plus high-quality nutrition,” he says. Q: I’m taking antibiotics. Do I need probiotic supplements, too? A: Supplements with probiotics such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG or Saccharomyces boulardii have been touted to reduce the likelihood of diarrhea, which can sometimes be a side effect of antibiotics. But studies have found that probiotic supplements don’t necessarily help and may slow recovery from diarrhea. A largely plant-based diet while you’re taking antibiotics might be a better idea, says Emeran A. Mayer, MD, co-director of CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center at UCLA. And get a variety of fermented foods, such as yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut, he says. Q: How can I make frozen vegetables taste better? A: Bump up their taste and texture by tossing still-frozen veggies with vegetable oil, your favorite seasonings, and a pinch of salt, then roasting. This will crisp up the edges and give the veggies more flavor, says Jen Bruning, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. You can also stir-fry or briefly steam veggies, then top with a low-sodium sauce or seasonings, or add them to soups, casseroles, chili, or baked pasta dishes. Consider newer options such as cauliflower “rice” and spiralized zucchini or butternut squash. Q: Which cooking oils are the healthiest? A: You probably know olive oil is a good choice, but there are others. The American Heart Association recommends choosing oils with less than 4 grams of saturated fat—which can contribute to heart disease—per tablespoon. In addition to olive oil, these include avocado, canola, corn, peanut, safflower, soybean, and sunflower. Limit coconut oil, which has 11 grams of saturated fat per tablespoon. “If you like coconut oil, use it in moderation, once in a while,” says Isabel Maples, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Note: All oils have about 120 calories per tablespoon, so use small amounts. Q: Will immune-boosting drinks protect me from COVID-19? A: Skip the pricey tonics packed with vitamin C or other compounds that manufacturers say will ward off sickness. Eating whole foods known to support the immune system is a better bet, says Cindy Dallow, PhD, a registered dietitian in Greeley, Colo. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids should provide the range of nutrients you need to stay healthy. Try to get plenty of sleep and regular exercise, she says, and take steps to reduce stress. Q: Can drinking diet soda instead of regular help with weight loss? A: Not according to a 2017 review of 37 studies, which found that artificial sweeteners didn't lead to significant weight loss. In some of the studies, people gained weight. Sugar-sweetened and “diet” drinks may hike the risk of conditions like diabetes and heart disease, research suggests. To kick a soda habit, switch to water and unsweetened tea and coffee over two weeks, says Nancy Farrell Allen, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Q: I throw out a lot of food that’s gone bad or is past the use-by date. How can I waste less? A: A recent study found that American households toss 32 percent of the food they buy each year. To cut down on your food waste, try shopping with a grocery list, using frozen fruits and vegetables, buying food in smaller amounts, storing bread in the freezer, and seeking out individually wrapped portions of items like cheese and yogurt. Move older food toward the front of the fridge, says Alice Henneman, RDN, of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She also suggests “shopping your fridge” before going to the store—you might already have what you need. Q: Are homemade baked goods healthier than store-bought? A: They can be. Cakes, cookies, muffins, and pies you whip up from scratch won't contain the preservatives and other additives typically used to improve the taste, texture, and color of many commercial baked goods, says Andrea Ovard, RDN, a Utah hospital dietitian who also has a private practice. They may also be lower in sodium and sugar. Plus, “homemade is usually better because you can control what’s going into them,” she says. You may be able to upgrade recipes nutritionally by, say, using nonfat milk instead of whole to reduce saturated fat, or swapping some oil for Greek yogurt to cut calories. Q: How can I make sure I’m getting enough protein at breakfast? A: Many typical breakfast foods, such as buttered toast, provide little protein, says Lauri Wright, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and chair of the department of nutrition and dietetics at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Older adults should aim for 20 grams at their first daily meal, the amount in about 6 ounces of plain, low-fat Greek yogurt; a two-egg omelet with an ounce of mozzarella cheese; or 2 tablespoons of peanut butter on two pieces of whole-wheat toast. Q: Should I scrub or peel fruit and veggies to get rid of pesticides? A: Peeling can help remove some pesticides, but fruit and vegetable skins are often packed with nutrients. Plus, some pesticides are absorbed through a plant’s roots and can’t be removed by peeling or washing. That said, washing can remove some pesticides. To clean, gently rub the produce under running water or use a brush for tougher-skinned fruits and vegetables such as squash, says James Rogers, PhD, director of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports. Drying it afterward with a paper towel helps remove some bacteria, too. A study found that a 12-minute soak in a mixture of baking soda and water may remove even more pesticide residue, but it was tested only with apples. Another option is buying organic fruit and vegetables, Rogers says, although you’ll still need to wash them. Q: What are ultraprocessed foods, and is it okay to eat them? A: Sugar-sweetened drinks, sugary cereals, packaged baked goods, chips, certain energy bars, and some heat-and-eat meals fall under the umbrella of ultraprocessed foods. “They can pack a lot of calories, sodium, and sugars with little or no fiber, good fats, lean protein, or the nutrients you find in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts,” says Lisa Young, PhD, an adjunct professor of nutrition at New York University. Recent studies suggest that ultraprocessed foods may hike the risk of some cancers, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. So stick with whole and minimally processed food as much as possible. Q: How long will restaurant leftovers last in my refrigerator? A: Cooked meat, poultry, pizza, and soup will keep up to four days; lunch meats and salads (like tuna) up to five if you get them into the fridge within 2 hours of being served (1 hour if food was outside in temps over 90° F). Reheat leftovers to at least 165° F, and bring soups, sauces, and gravy to a boil before eating.
Reference : Consumer Reports]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/best-supplements-for-mouth-ulcers-do-you-need-iron-supplementation2021-03-10T08:00:00+08:002021-03-10T08:00:00+08:00Best supplements for mouth ulcers: Do you need iron supplementation?Clarence T'ao
MOUTH ulcers are more common in those with low iron levels, stated researchers from Bristol Dental Hospital and School. What can lead to this deficiency? And how can it be rectified? Bupa UK explains the common causes of mouth ulcers Sign up for FREE health tips to live a long and happy life SUBSCRIBE Invalid email When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Known as canker sores, mouth ulcers are usually small, painful lesions that develop at the base of the gums. Although they can disappear within two weeks, recurring mouth ulcers could be indicative of an underlying health issue. Now that researchers point towards low iron levels as a potential cause of mouth ulcers, are you getting enough dark, green leafy vegetables in your diet? Other dietary sources of iron include meat, apricots and prunes - just to name a few. The reality of healthy eating everyday can be much harder than one anticipates. However, if iron levels are not remedied, iron deficiency anaemia can occur with its own bothersome symptoms. For example, the NHS warned that the lack of iron in the body can cause tiredness and lethargy to impact your life. You may start to feel heart palpations, your skin may become pale in colouring, and you may struggle with shortness of breath. READ MORE: Dame Jenni Murray health: Full Monty On Ice star discusses breast cancer journey Banging headaches may seemingly come out of nowhere, and you may start to hear a ringing in your ears. Itchiness could result, or you may end up losing more of your hair - you may even develop weird food cravings, such as ice or paper. In regards to the mouth, the tongue may become sore and painful ulcers can develop in the corners of the mouth. Other signifiers include spoon-shaped nails and restless leg syndrome. DON'T MISS Baking soda: How to make baking soda toothpaste [INSIGHT] Apple cider vinegar benefits - can it treat diabetes? [ADVICE] Vitamin B12 deficiency: Doctor warns of damage [TIPS] Thankfully, a simple blood test arranged by your GP can determine whether or not you're deficient in iron. And if you are, the solution can be as simple as taking an iron supplement. Prescribed iron tablets are stronger than the supplements available in pharmacies and supermarkets. As such, some people may experience side effects, such as: However, taking iron tablets with or soon after food can help reduce side effects from occurring. The NHS added: "It's important to keep taking the tablets, even if you get side effects." Furthermore, experts advise to drink orange juice after taking the iron supplement to aid absorption. Most people prescribed iron tablets are usually expected to take them for about six months. There may be a more worrisome reason for iron deficiency that may need to be explored. For instance, iron deficiency anaemia can be a sign of internal bleeding. The stomach and intestines might be bleeding due to the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin.
Reference : Express.co.uk]]>
https://immortellehealth.com/blogs/immys-blog/best-supplements-for-bloating-expert-recommends-digestive-enzymes-full-benefits2021-03-06T08:00:00+08:002021-03-06T08:00:00+08:00Best supplements for bloating: Expert recommends digestive enzymes - full benefitsClarence T'ao
IF YOU are feeling sluggish or bloated, you may benefit from taking digestive enzymes. Top nutritionist and consultant to Enzymedica UK, May Simpkin speaks exclusively to Express.co.uk to unravel the mystery around this sought-after supplement. Expert gives advice on how to treat symptoms Sign up for FREE health tips to live a long and happy life SUBSCRIBE Invalid email When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Digestive enzymes are protein catalysts that help to "break down food" into its component parts called micro-nutrients, which can then be absorbed by the gut lining. Here's what they could be useful for. "One of the most common causes of bloating happens when we eat foods that are high in carbohydrates, such as bread, rice or pasta," said Simpkin. "In addition to these foods, many vegetables also contain cellulose and carbohydrates that are difficult to digest." If undigested food particles remain in the gut for too long and begin to ferment, Simpkin explained it can lead to bloating. "Taking a digestive enzyme supplement will promote more effective digestion," she said, which will "consequently help to alleviate bloating". Do you find that certain foods trigger a lot of wind, such as lentils and chickpeas? "Whilst this does not necessarily indicate an intolerance to that food," began Simpkin, "it can suggest that there is a deficiency of a specific digestive enzyme". READ MORE: Diabetes type 2 symptoms: Do you have charcot foot? Warning sign of high blood sugar Simpkin attributes wind to the deficiency or absence of an enzyme called alpha galactosidase. This enzyme is needed to break down legumes during the digestive process, and if there's not enough of it, fermented food waste starts to produce gases. The use of digestive enzyme supplements can help to digest the carbohydrates found in legumes into simple sugars, making them easier to digest. "When proteins are digested, they are broken down into amino acids which are important for liver function," explained Simpkin. The digestive enzyme protease is crucial for the proper breakdown of proteins, otherwise liver detoxification could be impaired. "An efficient digestive process will ensure effective release of not only the amino acids, but also other key nutrients necessary for detoxification," added Simpkin. "When foods are not digested properly, undigested particles make their way to the colon where they cannot be easily eliminated," Simpkin explained. "This causes a build-up of waste that then ferments and putrefies and, over time, this waste becomes more compacted, resulting in constipation." Improving digestion is key to prevent undigested food from travelling into the colon and creating a blockage. Constipation is linked to eating fatty foods or lots of protein – and a digestive enzyme supplement containing lipase and proteases could help aid digestion. Simpkin revealed a shocking statistic - up to 80 percent of the body's vital energy is spent on digestion alone. "By aiding the breakdown and absorption of foods, you can free up enormous amounts of energy," she asserted. Simpkin suggested for people to supplement with digestive enzymes to help release energy from food more efficiently. "I recommend Digest Gold from Enzymedica UK - an enzyme formula containing 13 different vegan enzymes," she said. "It helps to decrease the energy demands of the digestive process," she added.
Reference : Express.co.uk]]>