Category Archives: Health News

Ten Steps To Heart Health

February 2, 2017cardiovascular, Health News, heart health, hypertensionheart health monthStaci

February is American Heart Month. In celebration of this annual event, look below for a list of ten things you can start doing right now to support your heart health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with every one in three deaths from the condition. Prevention is key, so start taking charge of your heart health today.

Exercise More. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends 30 minutes of moderate exercise such as brisk walking each day for at least 5 days a week.
Eat More Fiber-Rich Foods. Getting at least 25 grams of fiber a day from fresh fruits, veggies, and whole grains has been found to lower risk of high cholesterol.
Don’t Smoke or Use Tobacco. Chemicals found in tobacco have been shown to narrow and damage the blood vessels. In addition, tobacco can also lead to hardening of the arteries.
Limit Processed Food Intake. Many packaged foods are high in sugar, fat, and salt, all of which do not support a heart healthy diet. Stick to fresh or frozen produce, minimally processed food products such as yogurt, cheese, and other fresh dairy products, lean meats, and plant-based proteins such as nuts and seeds.
Limit Alcohol Intake. In moderation, red wine may be heart-protective, but anything in excess can be harmful to your health. Therefore, limit alcohol to no more than one standard drink a day for women and two standard drinks a day for men. One standard drink is equal to 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, and 1.5 ounces of liquor.
Maintain a Healthy Weight. Carrying excess weight around your abdominal area can increase risk of heart disease. Therefore, keep your waistline below 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women to reduce your heart disease risk.
Get Plenty of Sleep. Sleep is important for many aspects of health. Most importantly though, it is during slumber that your body regulates fluid and blood pressure in the body. Therefore, sleep is important for maintaining heart health.
Manage Stress. Whether it be traffic, work, relationships, or financial issues, life can be stressful sometimes. However, it is important to learn to manage your stress to reduce your risk of high blood pressure. Therefore, use relaxation breathing, meditation, yoga, or prayer to help keep you calm during daily stress. However, in some cases, you may need support from a healthcare professional or support group to help you manage life’s stresses.
Visit Your Healthcare Provider Often. The key to optimal health is prevention. Therefore, if you want to reduce your risk of chronic disease, be sure to visit your healthcare provider on a regular basis to get your numbers checked. Blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides are just some of the numbers that will help you keep track of your heart health status.
Try Presura from VitaSciences. One to three capsules a day of Presura can support healthy blood pressure and heart health. This is because this heart-healthy supplement contains vitamin B6, B12, C, and the heart-healthy herb Hawthorn berry extract.

Visit the American Heart Association and VitaSciences for more ways you can take control of your heart health.

-written by Staci Gulbin, MS, MEd, RD, LDN

Sources:

American Heart Association (accessed 2017 Feb 1). “7 Small Steps to Big Changes.” http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/My-Life-Check—Lifes-Simple-7_UCM_471453_Article.jsp#.WJLJYoWcHIV

American Heart Association (2017 Jan 25) “Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2017 At-A-Glance.” https://www.heart.org/idc/groups/ahamah-public/@wcm/@sop/@smd/documents/downloadable/ucm_491265.pdf

Diane, A. et al. (2016 Sept 14). “Hypolipidemic and Cardioprotective Benefits of a Novel Fireberry Hawthorn Fruit Extract in the JCR: LA-cp Rodent Model of Dyslipidemia and Cardiac Dysfunction.” Food and Function, 7(9): 3943-52.

Harvard University (accessed 2017 Feb 1) “Three of the B Vitamins: Folate, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12.” https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-b/#b-vitamins-heart-disease

Mayo Clinic (2016 June 17) “Strategies to Prevent Heart Disease.” http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease-prevention/art-20046502

Mayo Clinic (2015 June 12) “Top Foods to Improve Your Numbers.” http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/cholesterol/art-20045192

Moser, M.A. and O.K. Chun (Aug 2016) “Vitamin C and Heart Health: A Review Based on Findings from Epidemiologic Studies.” International Journal of Microbiological Sciences, 17(8): 1328.

Top Three Ways Probiotics Can Improve Gut Health

January 28, 2017digestion, gut health, Health News, probioticsdigestion, digestive health, gut health, probioticsStaci

Probiotics, or gut-loving bacteria, started to blossom back in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s as part of a healthy lifestyle. It was during this time that Scientist Elie Metchnikoff proposed that consumption of yogurt with Lactobacillus helped decrease the amount of toxin-producing bacteria in the gut and increased life years in hosts. The advent of probiotics has improved gut health for many.

About Probiotics

You may have heard about fermented foods, probiotics, and how good they are for you. However, do you really know what they are, and why they are so healthy? The conversion of carbohydrates in the foods to alcohol or organic acids produces fermented foods. This is done by using microorganisms such as yeast or bacteria under the absence of free oxygen. As a result, the fermentation process can lead to increased concentration of vitamins and nutrients in the final product. In addition, other benefits of fermented foods include enhanced flavor and increased digestibility. Finally, it is important to note that fermented foods are only probiotics if the bacteria culture survives long enough to provide benefits to the GI tract.

Probiotic Foods

These are some fermented foods that are considered probiotics.

Yogurt, which is milk fermented with bacteria like Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Kimchi, or spicy pickled cabbage, which is a popular dish in Korean culture.
Sauerkraut, which is a pickled cabbage commonly eaten in German culture.
Cheeses like Gouda, Cheddar, Swiss, and Parmesan. Not all cheeses have probiotic qualities, but in these particular cheeses the bacteria survives long enough to benefit the GI tract. Furthermore, during digestion beneficial bacteria is protected by the fat in cheese.

Probiotic Drinks

There are also some fermented drinks that provide probiotic benefits.

Cow’s milk fermented with bacteria creates the sour yogurt-like drink called kefir.
Live cultures added to milk creates buttermilk. However, cooked buttermilk can deactivate these gut-beneficial cultures.
Sweet tea fermented with yeast and bacteria creates Kombucha.

Probiotic Supplements

With so many different probiotics on the market containing so many different bacterial cultures in so many different amounts, it can be difficult to know which will provide the most benefit. However, Vitasciences makes it easy for you when it comes to choosing the proper probiotic. BioVia30 contains a diversity of bacterial strains containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium that helps to increase the good bacteria in your gut. Therefore, choose Vitasciences when shopping for your supplement needs.

-by Staci Gulbin, MS, MEd, RD, LDN

Sources:

Battcock, M. and S. Azam-Ali (1998) “Fermented Frutis and Vegetables: A Global Perspective.” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. http://www.fao.org/docrep/x0560e/x0560e00.htm#con

Cruz, A., et al. (2009 Aug) “Probiotic cheese: Health benefits, technological and stability aspects” Trends in Food Science & Technology, 20(8):344-354.

Ganesan, B. et al. (2014) “Probiotic Bacteria Survive in Cheddar Cheese and modify populations of other Lactic Acid Bacteria.” Journal of Applied Microbiology, 116(6): 1642-56.

Can Ashwagandha Support Hypothyroidism Treatment?

January 24, 2017ashwagandha, Health News, herbs, Hypothyroidismnatural herbsStaci

Hypothyroidism occurs when the body is not producing enough thyroid hormone. As a result of this, an individual with hypothyroidism can experience fatigue, feeling cold often, weight gain, constipation, depression, and in some cases numbness and tingling of the hands and feet. These symptoms can not only cause discomfort physically, but can also cause stress in the patient mentally due to the neurological effects it can have on the body.

Hypothyroidism and Inflammation

According to the American Thyroid Association, thyroiditis, or an inflammation of the thyroid, can lead to thyroid disorders. While rapid thyroid cell damage leads to hyperthyroidism, the opposite is true for hypothyroidism. A slow, chronic damage and destruction of thyroid cells can lead to a fall in thyroid levels in the blood.

Natural Thyroid Support

Ashwagandha is a popular herb know for its anti-inflammatory properties. Also known as Indian ginseng, ashwangandha has been found to relax the central nervous system. A 2014 study in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine suggests that ashwagandha may also help to increase thyroxine levels. Therefore, the herb may be helpful in supporting
treatment of hypothyroidism.

Thyradol is a supplement developed by Vitasciences that contains ashwagandha along with other thyroid supportive compounds such as B12 and selenium. Therefore, instead of taking a handful of supplements, thyradol can make taking care of your thyroid simple.

Visit the American Thyroid Association at thyroid.org to show your support for thyroid awareness and research.

-by Staci Gulbin, MS, MEd, RD, LDN

Sources:

American Thyroid Association (accessed 2017 Jan 21) “Thyroiditis” http://www.thyroid.org/thyroiditis/

Gannon, J.M., et al. (2014 Oct-Dec). “Subtle Changes in Thyroid Indices During a Placebo-Controlled Study of an Extract of Withania somnifera in Persons With Bipolar Disorder.” Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 5(4): 241-245.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (2015 Dec 29) “Ashwangandha.” https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/ashwagandha

University of Maryland Medical Center (2016 April 27) “Hypothyroidism.” http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism May be Linked to Vitamin B12 Deficiency

January 19, 2017Hypothyroidism, Vitamin B12 Deficiency, Vitamin Deficiency Risk FactorsB12 deficiency, hypothyroidismStaci

Thyroid conditions can be very frustrating and uncomfortable for those affected. Hypothyroidism in particular can cause disruptions in daily living through symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty losing weight, and depression. Additional symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

feeling colder
constipation
forgetfulness
drier skin

Current Treatments

Since hypothyroidism involves an underactive thyroid, traditional treatments have focused on replacing the hormone that your body cannot make. Therefore, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and T4 levels should be checked often to make sure hormone levels are brought into and maintained into normal levels.

The gold standard for treating hypothyroidism is levothyroxine. This is because levothyroxine is easy to use, its low risk of side effects, good intestinal absorption, long serum half-life, and low cost. This medicine works to help normalize thyroid and TSH levels in the body.

If a patient’s levothyroxine dose is higher than expected, the healthcare provider should check for other conditions. These conditions include Heliobacter pylori, gastritis, or celiac disease. Treatment of any such conditions could help lessen the symptoms of low thyroid levels in some individuals.

B12 deficiency may cause symptoms of hypothyroidism

Another condition that may affect thyroid levels in the body is B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is found in animal products such as meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and dairy products as well as in fortified products such as cereals and breads. Therefore, those most at risk include those that do not eat these foods such as vegans and vegetarians. In addition, those who are older adults, pregnant and lactating women, and those with malabsorption issues may be low in B12.

Symptoms of B12 deficiency that may parallel those symptoms of impaired thyroid include fatigue and weakness. In addition, B12 deficiency can cause anemia, constipation, loss of appetite. And if uncontrolled or severe, lack of B12 may cause neurological symptoms such as confusion or numbness and tingling in hands and feet.

anemia
constipation
loss of appetite
weight loss
numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
difficulty balancing
confusion

Since B12 has been found to be lacking in many people with the condition, it is suggested that those diagnosed with autoimmune hypothyroidism should be tested for B12 deficiency.

Thyradol is a supplement blend containing vitamin B12 as well as alternative medicine compounds like ashwagandha thought to improve thyroid health. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. This is because it is important to make sure this supplement does not interfere with your current medical treatment.

If you want to find out more about the condition and how you can support research efforts, visit the American Thyroid Association website at thyroid.org for more details.

–by Staci Gulbin, MS, MEd, RD, LDN

American Thyroid Association (accessed 2017 Jan) “Hypothyroidism (Underactive)” http://www.thyroid.org/hypothyroidism/

Collins, AB and R Pawlak (2016) “Prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency among patients with thyroid dysfunction.” Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 25(2): 221-6.

Jabbar, A., et al. (2008 May) “Vitamin B12 deficiency common in primary hypothyroidism.” The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 58(5): 258-61.

Medline (2015 Jan 15) “Levothyroxine” https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682461.html

National Institutes of Health (2016 Feb 11) “Vitaman B12: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet.” https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/

Your depression could be a vitamin deficiency

January 12, 2017depression, Mental Health, vitamin deficiencyDepressionStaci

You may feel depressed if you have a bad day or an upsetting situation. However, depression is more than just an isolated feeling. For those with depression, daily living can be difficult or nearly impossible. Depression causes disruption in daily living such as with working, sleeping, eating, and the way you think and feel for at least two weeks. These symptoms include:

persistent sad, anxious, or feelings of emptiness
decreased energy, loss of appetite or weight changes
loss of interest in things you once enjoyed doing
irritability
thoughts of death or suicide
difficulty concentrating or sleeping
aches, pains, or digestive problems with no clear physical cause

What causes depression?

Family history of the condition, major life changes, and stress or trauma can all lead to depression. Also, certain medicines and illnesses may also lead to depressive symptoms. Furthermore, vitamin deficiencies can also contribute to some cases of depression.

Depression has been linked with certain vitamin deficiencies according to a 2013 review in Current Psychiatry. Depression, irritability, and agitation has been found to develop as a result of vitamin B12 deficiency. Geriatric patients with low B6 levels had increased risk and severity of depression. Furthermore, marginal levels of vitamin B2 were found more frequently in depressed patients than non-depressed patients.

What does the research say?

First of all, a 2016 study in the Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience looked at the effects of vitamin intake on mild cognitive impairment. The study reported decreased risk of mild cognitive impairment in the Chinese elderly due to intake of carotenoids, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. Another 2016 study in the Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS care looked at vitamin intake effects on mental health outcomes. HIV patients had decreased risk of anxiety and depression due to daily dietary intake of zinc, selenium, and vitamin C. Finally, a 2015 study in the Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences looked at anxiety and vitamin C intake. Students had decreased anxiety levels due to increased intake of vitamin C.

Sereneo can provide all of the vitamins and compounds you need to boost your mood. As a result of vitamin C and B vitamins, Sereneo works to support anxiety relief and calm your mind.

Finally, a special thank you to the Hope for Depression Research Foundation. They work hard every day to raise mental health awareness and to fund related research. Because of this, be sure to visit their site at hopefordepression.org on how you can support their cause.

-by Staci Gulbin, MS, MEd, RD, LDN

Sources:

de Oliveira, IJ, et al. (2015 Jan) “Effects of Oral Vitamin C Supplementation on Anxiety in Students: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.” Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 18(1):11-8.

Jamali, F., et al (2016 Nov-Dec) “Correlation Between Daily Dietary Micronutrients Intake and Mental Health Outcomes in Iranians Living With HIV infection, ” Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS care, 27(6): 817-825.

Lu, Y, et al (2016 Nov 29) “Dietary Intake of Nutrients and Lifestyle Affect the Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment in the Chinese Elderly Population: A Cross-Sectional Study,” Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 10:229. eCollection 2016.

National Institute of Mental Health (accessed 2017 Jan) “Depression” https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml

Ramsey, MD, Drew. (2013 January) “Vitamin Deficiencies and Mental Health: How are they linked?” Current Psychiatry, 12(1):37-44.

Carrageenan Safety Confirmed by FAO/WHO

November 2, 2015Health Newscarrageenan, natural migraine relief, safety in natural ingredientsVita Sci

Carrageenan safety confirmed: In latest news, scientists conclude that carrageenan in almond milk and baby formula is completely safe for human consumption. For infants and adults suffering from digestive ailments or migraines, small amounts of carrageenan are “not of concern.”

According to the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), health scares about carrageenan are completely unfounded.

Reports on Carrageenan Safety

Carrageenan is a natural thickening agent derived from seaweed. It is often found in natural herbs, vitamins, and dairy products. Throughout history, people have used natural carrageenan as an ingredient in puddings and condiments.

On June 30, 2015, Food Safety News published research findings that refuted toxicological allegations linked with minuscule amounts of the food additive, concluding that “the use of carrageenan in infant formula, or formula for special medical purposes, at concentrations up to 1,000 milligrams per liter is ‘not of concern.’”

Recently, various news groups reported gastrointestinal illnesses and migraine headaches linked with carrageenan. This is false information. In actuality, poligeenan, a degraded form of carrageenan, is the cause of stomach lesions and related ailments.

According to the JECFA, food-grade carrageenan is harmless and not absorbed by the digestive system. However, the denatured form, poligeenan, is known to cause inflammatory reactions in the intestinal tract.

The JECFA has also debunked previous studies suggesting that carrageenan may cause cancer. Flaws cited in earlier publications include the use of poligeenan instead of carrageenan, non-dietary testing of carrageenan, and errors in methodology.

Food Science Matters advisory council member Dr. Roger A. Clemens went on the record to vouch for the safety of carrageenan as a food ingredient.

“It is unfortunate that research conducted under Good Laboratory Practices that appears in peer-reviewed journals is often discarded by consumer information sources in favor of substandard work that makes unwarranted claims about human health hazards. Thorough reviews by independent organizations like JECFA should aid us in evaluating relevant food additive science.”

In conclusion, there is no reliable scientific evidence proving that natural carrageenan has any harmful effects on the body, as it is not absorbed by the stomach and is excreted by the body. It is safe to consume in almond milk, chocolate milk, migraine vitamins, and all other food items.