The Top Health News Articles For The Month Of August, 2011
August 29 – Is chocolate good for your heart? It depends
August 27 – Omega-3 reduces stroke severity
August 26 – Doctors misuse scans in prostate cancer: study
August 26 – Obesity to worsen, weigh heavily on healthcare costs
August 26 – Genetic cancer test often urged for wrong women
August 25 – Study: Scented laundry detergents emit toxic chemicals
August 22 – Health study: When do men & women gain weight?
August 19 – Study: Cholesterol drugs needlessly used
August 19 – Post-exercise protein drinks help muscles
August 16 – Overtreatment of thyroid cancer rampant: study
August 16 – Cigarette makers sue FDA over new labeling rules
August 15 – 60,000 lbs. of National Beef Packing Co. ground beef recalled
August 12 – Most patients don’t need extra tests for diagnosis
August 12 – Heart risk from smoking higher in women
August 10 – Gene therapy shown to destroy leukemia tumors
August 06 – U.S. farmers markets on the rise
August 04 – Study: Healthy eating means spending more at store
August 03 – Certain foods reduce colon cancer risk
August 02 – Heart Disease In The U.S. – one way our government “Cooks the Books”

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WHAT IS TOCOTRIENOL VITAMIN E AND WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS
Tocotrienol is one of two classes of naturally occuring vitamin E and is comprised of four different compounds: alpha, gamma, beta, and delta tocotrienols. The second class, tocopherol, is the most common form of vitamin E and both are well known for their high antioxidant activity and hundreds of studies have documented vitamin E’s overall ability to reduce the risks of developing certain chronic diseases.

However, scientists have only recently begun to discover that the tocotrienol class compounds of vitamin E have certain, unique properties unlike those of tocopherol vitamin E that are exceedingly effective in combating cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and chronic inflammation.

THE LATEST FINDINGS
In 2010, researchers in Singapore released findings from a study conducted to determine exactly how tocotrienols are so effective in lowering high blood levels of LDL cholesterol and stubborn triglycerides. The study found that the health benefits of a certain extract of tocotrienol vitamin E far surpassed what had been previously recognized, especially for those suffering from what is known as metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors that include high cholesterol, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and abdominal obesity.

It was determined that those individuals who took a daily dose of 100-200 mg of gamma-delta-tocotrienol found in both palm oil and rice oil extracts or purified tocotrienol supplementation experienced:

• a drop in serum triglyceride levels of up to 28 percent
• a reduction of total cholesterol and LDL levels by as much as 37 percent
• a reduction in LDL levels by as much as 42 percent among diabetics
• and a reduction of about 13 percent of very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL)

Tocotrienols are also shown to lower levels of chylomicroms, lipoproteins that transport fat from the intestines to other parts of the body as well as protect vital organs such as the kidneys from the adverse effects of metabolic syndrome and reduce the risk of stroke from atherosclerosis.

TOCOTRIENOL AND CANCER
Not only has current research found tocotrienol to be very effective in reducing the risk of heart disease, there has been a number of new discoveries about tocotrienol’s unique ability to prevent and battle cancer, primarily through it’s strong antioxidant properties and it’s above average ability to reduce inflammation.

In 2010 alone, scientists from institutions such as the MD Anderson Cancer Center and the National Institute on Aging discovered that tocotrienol, particularly gamma-tocotrienol, has the capacity to prevent the progression of some types of cancer at both nascent and microscopic levels. It was also discovered that tocotrienol causes cancerous cells to become more sensitive to chemotherapy drugs in the event of actual tumor development thereby potentially reducing doses and side effects and may offer protection against the cancer causing effects of medical, environmental, and occupational radiation exposures.

Recommended:


Olympian Labs Tocomin Tocotrienol Vitamin E, 60 soft gels
Vitamin E is one of the most powerful antioxidants available. The most commonly found vitamin E supplement is d-alpha tocopherol, which in itself is excellent in its antioxidant and heart support properties. However, d-alpha tocopherol is only one of the eight isomers found in the entire vitamin E complex. The most complete form of vitamin E includes four tocopherol isomers (d-alpha, d-beta, d-gamma, and d-delta) as well as four tocotrienols isomers (d-alpha, d-beta, d-gamma, and d-delta).The Olympian Labs research and development team has created the market’s best formulation for a full spectrum vitamin E supplement that includes all eight of these essential isomers. Olympian Labs’ Tocomin® Tocotrienol Vitamin E Complete softgels deliver high levels of tocopherols and tocotrienols that protect the cardiovascular system by maintaining a healthy antioxidant status. (Consult your health-care professional before adopting any of the recommendations listed here)

Story Source: Life Extension, June 2011

THE MOST IMPORTANT NUTRIENTS THAT PREVENT CHRONIC DISEASE
If you were to analyze the diets of the world’s countries with the highest healthy life expectancy, you would find that they all have one thing in common. They all contain high quantities of some of the same nutrients. There have been countless studies that show a clear association between these nutrients and limiting the risk factors that cause chronic disease. Below is a list of 7 of some of the most important nutrients that are found in these diets along with some of their richest food sources. (Consult your health-care professional before adopting any of the recommendations listed here)

1. Vitamin D
Perhaps the most important disease-preventing nutrient known is vitamin D. Recent studies have found this supernutrient to be very effective in helping to prevent nearly every form of major chronic disease including heart disease and cancer. Fish, especially oily fish such as wild salmon, aldacore tuna, mackerel, and sardines are high in vitamin D and are staple foods of the world’s healthiest countries and is also a main dish of the Mediterranean countries of Greece, Spain, France, Monaco, Andorra, and Italy which are home to the famous health-promoting Mediterranean diet.

But the best source of vitamin D is sunlight and because of vitamin D’s superb disease preventative properties, scientists are now second guessing whether or not it’s wise to advise people not to spend time in the sun, associating to much sun to skin melanoma. More researchers are now recommending moderate sun exposure, without sunscreen, of 10 to 15 minutes at least three times a week. One of most commonly occurring deficiencies in the United States is vitamin D deficiency.

2. Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Simply put, omega 3 fatty acids are essential for good health but like vitamin D, most Americans are severely deficiency of this very important nutrient. Ironically, the same fish sources that are high in vitamin D are also high in omega 3s which further explains why countries who regularly consume these kinds of fish seem to be the healthiest.

Omega 3 fatty acids are essential to a healthy heart and have been shown to relieve the symptoms of arthritis. They’re also important in reducing chronic inflammation which has recently been found to be a major cause of all disease. Other good sources of omega 3s are extra virgin olive oil and plant-derived sources such as flaxseed, spinach, collard greens, legumes, and walnuts.

3. Resveratrol
Another main component of the Mediterranean diet, resveratrol ranks as one of the world’s top nutrients for preventing a host of chronic conditions. Just like omega 3′s, this potent phytonutrient can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease by significantly raising the HDL, or good, cholesterol in the bloodstream while at the same time reduces and prevents chronic inflammation.

Because it’s a strong antioxidant, resveratrol is important in helping to prevent cancer but unlike other supernutrients, resveratrol’s anti-cancer qualities doesn’t stop there. Researchers have determined that not only does this nutrient prevent cancer, but it also helps to cure cancer by crippling the function of various kinds of cancer cells thus enabling cancer treatments to become much more effective in killing these cancerous cells. Yet even another added benefit of resveratrol is it’s protection against diabetes.

Some of the more common sources of resveratrol are red wine, blueberries, peanuts and peanut butter, purple grapes, and cranberries or unsweetened cranberry juice.

4. Fiber
An examination of the diets of those cultures and countries that are the healthiest and live the longest would quickly show that they are all exceptionally high in fiber. However, it’s been estimated that most Americans don’t even get half of the recommended daily intake of fiber from their diet which is believed to be a primary reason for higher instances of serious and life threatening diseases in the United States.

But a diet rich in this powerful nutrient can prevent and even reverse such major chronic conditions as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, digestive disorders, and cancer. Fiber is also a key ingredient in dieting and weight loss.

Fruits, vegetables, and legumes all contain fiber and are also good sources of cancer fighting antioxidants. Whole grains and unsweetened cereals are also good sources. Some of the world’s best sources however come from exotic fruits such as acai and goji and from sea vegetables. These fruits and vegetables are also unusually high in both antioxidants and other essential vitamins and minerals than most of the fruits and vegetables grown domestically in the U.S.

5. Vitamin C
Everyone knows that vitamin C helps to fight infections such as the common cold but vitamin C’s disease fighting capabilities go far beyond just that. When consumed, this nutrient acts as the primary water-soluble antioxidant in the body, neutralizing the free radicals that cause cellular damage which leads to chronic inflammation and cancer and just recently it was discovered to play an even a bigger role in fighting major chronic disease.

Scientists have discovered that vitamin C has the ability to react with and neutralize the toxic byproducts of human fat metabolism preventing the genetic damage and inflammation they can cause. Fat cells are actually active, especially abdominal fat cells, and produce toxic substances that have been shown to cause diseases like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. By neutralizing these toxins, the risk of developing these diseases can be decreased dramatically. Vitamin C is also one of the best nutrients for boosting and strengthening the immune system.

Some of the best sources of vitamin C include parsley, broccoli, bell pepper, strawberries, oranges, lemon juice, papaya, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, and brussels sprouts.

6. Lycopene
For years doctors touted the health benefits of lycopene, but new research has proven that this robust little phytonutrient is full of strong antioxidants and offers substantial protection against many diseases that include cancers of the cervix, stomach, bladder, colon, lung, breast, and prostate as well as guard against cardiovascular disease by lowering LDL cholesterol levels.

In the United States, about 85 percent of lycopene is obtained from tomatos and the best place to find it is in tomato paste. Unlike most other nutrients that are destroyed by heat, the lycopene in tomatos is released only when the tomatos are cooked. Tomato sauce and stewed tomatos are also excellent sources. Today, many scientists and doctors support a diet high in tomato sauce and cooked tomato products.

7. Selenium
A classic rags to riches story, selenium was thought to be a poison when it was first discovered in the early 1800′s, but today has become a nutritional superstar.

Not only is this trace mineral a potent antioxidant on it’s own, but it’s also vital in the utilization and function of the body’s most powerful antioxidant glutathione, which is an absolute necessity to good health. Without glutathione, the body would not be able to detoxify itself of toxins and free radicals and would leave the immune system vulnerable to all forms of bacteria, viruses, and disease. In short, without glutathione the body would soon die which makes selenium a major supernutrient.

Selenium is found naturally in oily fish, oysters, clams, skinless turkey breast, and brazil nuts. Other nutrients that boost glutathione levels are magnesium, resveratrol, alpha lipoic acid, and vitamin E.

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MOST COMMON UNDERLYING REASONS FOR CHRONIC DISEASE
Several factors come into play when it comes to the reasons we develop chronic disease. Our genes, our environment, and our choices of lifestyle all play a role in the shifting of balance between health and disease within the body. Below are seven of the more commonly overlooked and neglected conditions that cause major disease:

• Lack of sleep
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Imbalance of omega-3/omega-6 fatty acids in the diet
• Lack of fiber
• Lack of phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals
• Too much sodium
• Lack of exercise

1. Lack of sleep. Perhaps the most overlooked reason people develop chronic disease is lack of sufficient sleep. Sleep deprivation can have serious, cumulative effects on your health. It raises blood pressure, insulin resistance, and causes weight gain. Lack of sleep has also been found to be a major contributor to chronic inflammation which has been determined to be the root cause of all chronic disease including cancer. Studies have concluded that most people need 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night in order to prevent disease and premature death.

2. Vitamin D deficiency. In the United States an estimated three-quarters of adults and teenagers suffer from vitamin D deficiency. However, in the past few years there has been an explosion of new evidence showing vitamin D’s far-reaching health benefits including it’s ability to prevent diseases such as breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes just to name a few.

The good news about vitamin D deficiency is that it is easily remedied. Here are three ways to increase your intake of vitamin D:

• Eat 3 to 4 ounces of baked or grilled wild salmon at least twice a week.
• The best source of vitamin D is sunlight. Skin exposure of just fifteen minutes three times a week can increase your vitamin D level significantly.
• Supplements offer a convenient way to make sure your getting enough Vitamin D.

3. The imbalance of omega-3/omega-6 fatty acids. This is caused by not getting enough healthy fats in your diet. It’s also caused by both too much grain fed red meat and too many processed foods rich in omega-6 fatty acids only. Recent statistics indicate that 99 percent of Americans do not eat enough heart healthy omega 3 fatty acids.

Maintaining the correct ratio of these two fatty acids could be the most important step you can take to prevent chronic inflammation. A healthy diet would consist of no more than two, perhaps three times more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids but the closer you are to a 1:1 ratio the better. However most Americans consumes about twenty times more omega-6s than omega-3s which is the ratio found in most fast and processed food.

The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine, the National Academies, recently set guidelines for omega-3 intake at 1.6 grams per day of plant-derived omega-3s for adult men and 1.1 grams for adult women and 160 milligrams per day of marine-derived omega-3s for men and 110 milligrams for women. However, some experts consider these recommendations to low, especially with the marine-derived omega-3s, with some recommending as much as 500 to 1000 milligrams per day for adult women and 1000 to 2000 milligrams for adult men.

Foods high in omega-3s include:

• Flaxseed
• Walnuts
• Fish such as wild salmon, sardines, and halibut
• Legumes such as navy or kidney beans
• Extra virgin olive oil

4. Lack of fiber. The American Dietetic Association reports that most Americans don’t even get half of the recommended daily intake of fiber from their diet. But foods high in fiber helps protect us from many forms of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, digestive disorders, and cancer. These foods are also important in order to maintain a healthy weight. The American Cancer Society reports that about 90,000 Americans die each year from cancers influenced primarily from being overweight.

Almost all fruits and vegetables are high in fiber as are berries, legumes, grains and whole-grain products, nuts and seeds.

5. Diets deficient of phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals. This condition is due mainly to not getting enough unprocessed, organic whole foods. The American diet has come to rely heavily on high processed food whose nutrient density has been depleted to where it can no longer support good health. In fact, over 80 percent of registered dietitians now recommend dietary supplements to their clients to fill in gaps left behind from inadequate food.

It’s always best to get the proper amount of vitamins and minerals from whole foods as opposed to supplements and the only way to do this is to avoid processed food whenever possible and eat only organic meats and produce. At the very least opt for fresh, locally raised produce instead of produce found in conventional grocery stores. Sometimes, these fruits and vegetables travel great distances and are not nearly as fresh as what you would find locally and contain chemicals and other harmful substances used to enhance the flavor, aroma, and color.

6. Too much sodium. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calculates nine out of 10 Americans consume far beyond the recommended intake of salt every day, mainly from processed and restaurant foods and what a lot of people don’t recognize is that the salt that they put on their own food comes to only about 10 percent of total sodium intake.

One study found that excessive sodium in processed food could be responsible for as many American deaths as smoking. Doctor James Beckerman at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center estimates that if everybody were to lower their salt intake by just 1200 milligrams a day, America would see about a 100,000 fewer deaths a year.

Salt is a primary source of high blood pressure and is associated with stroke and heart disease, the United States’ number one killer. U.S. dietary guidelines suggest adults consume 2,300 milligrams or less of sodium daily, but 70 percent of the population, those with high blood pressure, should consume less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day.

The Institute of Medicine has said the food industry has not done enough to voluntarily cut back on sodium levels but the food industry has been resistant citing concerns over taste. For now, the only thing you can do is to read food labels and look for those foods that contain either low sodium content or a sodium substitute.

7. Lack of exercise. According to the CDC, 70 percent of Americans don’t get enough exercise in order to maintain good health. But long-term inactivity and a diet consisting of only inadequate, nutrient deficient food will eventually cause the development of a chronic condition. Exercise is key to fat loss, detoxification, and overall sound health and is essential in preventing almost all chronic disease. Just by walking one hour a week can cut in half the risk of disease in some cases.
Updated: August 23, 2011