New Link Found Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Asthma

HEALTH NEWS

New research shows that low levels of vitamin D may be linked to asthma, which could help doctors better treat the condition.

The study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology showed that 47 percent of asthmatic patients who participated in the research had considerably low levels of vitamin D.

Researchers says that the findings could be a glimmer of hope for patients struggling to control their asthma with current treatments.

"Our findings suggest that vitamin D supplementation may help reverse steroid resistance in asthmatic children and reduce the effective dose of steroids needed for our patients," researcher Dr Daniel Searing told the news service.

"If future studies confirm these findings vitamin D may help asthma patients achieve better control of their respiratory symptoms with less medication.

Studies by the American Medical Association show that just over 24 percent of adolescents may be vitamin D deficient.

Source: Reprinted from Private MD Health News

Chasteberry may Enhance Fertility

HEALTH NEWS

Women who have difficulty conceiving may benefit from taking an herbal supplement-a much more inexpensive and less invasive way to induce conception than in vitro fertilization-if the results of a small study are borne out.

Researchers conducted a pilot study involving 30 women ages 24-46 who had attempted to become pregnant for 6-36 months. Some of the subjects had been diagnosed with specific disorders that impaired fertility while others had no explainable causes for being infertile.

While the sample size was small, the trial was randomized and double-blinded. Subjects were given either a placebo or a supplement made of chasteberry, L-arginine, green tea, and numerous vitamins and minerals.
At the beginning of the study, a group of researchers monitored the women’s progesterone levels, basal body temperatures, and menstrual cycles at baseline; these parameters were measured again at three months and six months. After three months, the supplement-treated group had increased progesterone levels and experienced more days in their menstrual cycle during which their basal temperatures were lower than 37 degrees C-both indicators of better ovulation. The placebo group experienced no notable changes in these parameters.

At four months, five of the supplement-treated women became pregnant while none of the women on placebo had conceived. Later on, four women had healthy babies and one woman miscarried. The study’s lead researcher said that she believed that the chasteberry had most likely been the critical factor in helping the women to become pregnant.

Source: Journal of Reproductive Medicine 49:289-293, 2004

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Benefit Women's Health

HEALTH NEWS

Omega-3 fatty acid intake can be a boon to women's health. According to researchers, supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent preeclampsia, postpartum depression, menopausal problems, postmenopausal osteoporosis, and breast cancer, among other ailments in women.

The benefits of omega-3s apparently go even further. "An increased prostacyclin/thromboxane ratio induced by omega-3 fatty acids can facilitate pregnancy in women with fertility problems by increasing uterine blood flow," researchers noted. They added that omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy can also lower the risk of premature birth and increase the length of pregnancy and birth weight. And, taking omega-3s during pregnancy and breast feeding may help the child's brain development.

Researchers also cited that omega-3 fatty acids can have a powerful impact on cardiovascular health. "Because elevated triglyceride levels are associated with cardiovascular disease, especially in women; and because omega-3 fatty acids have powerful effects on triglycerides, women in particular gain from an increased intake of these fatty acids. This is especially important in women receiving hormone therapy, which can increase triglyceride levels."

Source: Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey 59(10):722-730, 2004

Vitamin D and Calcium May Lower Chance of Breast Cancer

HEALTH NEWS

Premenopausal women who get a lot of vitamin D and calcium may cut their risk of breast cancer by almost one-third, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Researchers at the Harvard Medical School concluded: "Findings from this study suggest that higher intakes of calcium and vitamin D may be associated with a lower risk of developing premenopausal breast cancer. The likely apparent protection in premenopausal women may be more pronounced for more aggressive breast tumors."

In the study, researchers collected data on more than 10,578 premenopausal women and 20,909 postmenopausal women age 45 and older who were part of the Women's Health Study. The data included information on what they ate and the dietary supplements they took. Over an average of 10 years, 276 premenopausal women and 743 postmenopausal women went on to develop breast cancer.

Researchers found that premenopausal women whose intake of vitamin D and calcium was high had about a 30% lower risk of developing breast cancer. However, they didn’t find this association for postmenopausal women.

"Calcium and vitamin D may confer protection against breast tumorigenesis," lead researcher Jennifer Lin, Ph.D. said. "However, more studies are necessary to investigate the potential utility of these two nutrients in breast cancer development," she added.

Source: Archives of Internal Medicine 167(10):1050-1059, 2007

It's Women's Month

March is Women's Month!

The VitaminShoppe Co. joins the whole world in celebrating "woman-ness".  Since the first International Women's Day in 1911, March has been set aside to recognized the many contributions of women in history. 

This March, The VitaminShoppe Co. would like to honor our women ~ the mothers, the wives and the sisters whose important roles are immensely indispensable not only throughout history but also in our lives. Our desire is for women all over the world to "love life by living healthy".  In our own simple way, we hope to make a difference in their lives through our timely articles and great savings on supplements that supports women's health.

We encourage you and the women you love to frequent our site more often to get the latest news, information and product promos. Feel free to leave us your comments, thoughts, and opinions. We definitely love to hear from you.

How to Avoid Xenoextrogens

Xenoestrogens are foreign estrogens. They are estrogen mimickers that effect the estrogen in our bodies and can alter hormone activity. Growing evidence implicates xenoestrogens in a wide range of human and wildlife health problems.

There are some 70,000 registered chemicals having hormonal effects, in addition to being toxic and carcinogenic. The synergistic effects of exposure are well documented, but largely unknown. These substances can increase the estrogen load in the body over time and are difficult to detoxify through the liver.

It is now being discovered that these synthetic estrogens are making their way into our bodies and pretending to be our biological estrogen. They are present in our soil, water, air, food supply, personal care and household products.

The following are a list of some every day items containing xenoestrogens:

• Organ chlorines, are one of the largest sources. They are used in pesticides, dry cleaning, bleaching of feminine-hygiene products and the manufacture of plastics.

• Bisphenol-A, a breakdown of polycarbonate, is used in many plastic bottles. It’s found in the lining of many food cans and juice containers.
• Avoid heated plastics, plastic lined items and Styrofoam (microwave, oven, sun), as the polycarbonate escapes

• Use glass, ceramics or steel to store/consume foods and liquids.

• Choose organic produce. Always go organic with thin skinned fruits and vegetables.

• Buy hormone-free animal products (eggs, poultry, meats, dairy). To avoid xenoestrogen injections, supplements, bovine growth hormone.

• A common food preservative in processed foods (BHS: butylated hydroxyanisole).

• Avoid non-organic coffee and tea.

• Use reverse-osmosis filter water or purchase your own filter (drinking and bathing).

• Many creams and cosmetics contain parabens and stearal konium chloride. Choose natural brands (preservatives made with minerals or grapefruit seed extract).

• Most skin lotions, creams, soaps, shampoo, cosmetics use parabens and phenoxyethanol as a preservative. Substances are 100% absorbed into the body. Go natural or organic.

• Phthalates are commonly found in baby lotions and powders.

• Sunscreen can contain benzophenone-3, homosalate, 4-methyl-benzylidene camphor, octal-methoxycinnamate, octal-dimethyl-PABA. Go organic.

• Many perfumes, deodorizers, air fresheners have artificial scents and contain phthalates.

• Most perfumes are petrochemically based.

• Nail polish and removers contain harsh chemicals.

• The birth control pill contains high concentration of synthetic estrogen. Choose a condom or diaphragm gels without surfactants. Use a condom without spermicidal.

• Hormone Replacement Therapy (contains synthetic estrogens) - opt for paraban-free progesterone cream.

• Research ingredients in your pharmaceuticals.

• Dryer sheets, fabric softeners and detergents put petrochemicals right on your skin. Use laundry detergent with less chemicals or use white vinegar and baking soda.

• Be aware of noxious gas that comes from copiers and printers, carpets, fiberboards, new carpets.

• Do not inhaul and protect your skin from: electrical oils, lubricants, adhesive paints, lacquers, solvents, oils, paints, fuel, industrial wastes, packing materials, harsh cleaning products, fertilizers.

• Become educated on: pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, parathion, plant and fungal estrogens, industrial chemicals (cadmium, lead, mercury), Primpro, DES, Premarin-cemeteries, Tagamet, Marijuana, insecticides (Dieldrin, DDT, Endosulfan, Heptachlor, Lindane/hexachlorocychohexan, methoxychlor), Erythrosine, FD&C Red No 3, Nonylphenol, Polychlorinated biphenyls, Phenosulfothizine, Phthalates, DEHP.

The human body is being bombarded with these harmful chemicals every day creating an over burdened liver, weakening the immune system and disrupting the delicate hormonal balance.

More and more evidence exposes Xenoestrogens to be dangerous chemicals that need to be avoided whenever possible. Avoiding these synthetic chemicals and supporting the body through proper liver detoxification, hormone balancing and immune support, will work towards protecting our bodies.

Source: www.energeticnutrition.com, www.endojourney.wordpress.com

Green Tea Extract May Treat Uterine Fibroids

HEALTH NEWS

An extract from green tea may be useful in treating uterine fibroids, a condition that affects 25%-30% of U.S. women, new research indicates.

Fibroids of the uterus, a condition called uterine leiomyoma, can be debilitating, leading to excessive vaginal bleeding, anemia, and fatigue.

Dong Zhang, MD, and colleagues from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn., say they've found that an extract of green tea could kill uterine fibroid cells in test tube studies and reduce the size and weight of fibroids in mice.

Their work is published this week in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The researchers injected 20 mice with fibroid cells. Ten mice were given epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) mixed with their water, and 10 mice were given plain water. EGCG is a polyphenol in green tea and is a compound found in vegetables and fruits.

The mice were followed for up to eight weeks. At both four weeks and eight weeks after treatment, fibroid growths were smaller and weighed less. The researchers note that one mouse in the EGCG group had no tumor seen at the end of eight weeks.

In test tube studies with rodent fibroid cells, cells treated with EGCG grew more slowly and were smaller after 48-72 hours.  EGCG also prompted fibroid cell death. The researchers write that it is "highly encouraging that, in our work, a relatively modest dose of EGCG ... that was delivered in drinking water was successful in inducing a dramatic and sustained reduction in fibroid tumor size up to eight weeks after treatment."

The researchers say their study suggests that EGCG "might be particularly useful for long-term use in women with a low fibroid tumor burden to arrest tumor progression and avoid the development of severe symptoms that necessitate major surgery."

Ayman Al-Hendy, MD, PhD director of Clinical Research at Meharry, says in the news release that women who suffer from uterine fibroids may lose time from work, have higher medical bills, and might need advanced treatment in order to become pregnant.

The condition disproportionately affects African-American women, who are four times more likely to have fibroid tumors than women from other ethnic groups.

The researchers say they are now recruiting participants for human trials.

Sources: Reprinted from Medscape News/ News release, Meharry Medical College.

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Heart Benefit from Soy and Prebiotic Combo

HEALTH NEWS

Canadian researchers say that combining prebiotics and soy protein may lower cholesterol levels and boost heart health. 

Consumption of a soy-food-based diet, providing soy protein and isoflavones in combination with 10 g per day of oligofructose-enriched inulin, led to significant reductions in levels of LDL cholesterol, according to results of a small randomized controlled crossover study published in Metabolism Clinical and Experimental. 

The LDL reductions were only observed when soy and prebiotics were co-ingested, an observation that suggests "the provision of fermentable substrates may be one means to increase the effectiveness of soy foods as part of a dietary strategy for cardiovascular disease risk reduction," wrote the researchers led by David Jenkins from the University of Toronto. 

The association between soy protein and blood lipid levels led the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve a cardiovascular disease reduction claim for soybean protein in 1999. 

Twenty-three people with an average age of 58 and average blood LDL levels of 4.18 millimoles per liter were recruited and randomly assigned to one of three groups: One group received a soy-food-containing diet, providing 30 g per day of soy protein and 61 mg per day of isoflavones, plus maltodextrin (placebo); the second group received the soy food diet, plus prebiotic; the final group received a low-fat dairy diet, plus the prebiotic. Two weeks separated each dietary intervention and 23 people completed all three phases.

The results showed that the joint consumption of soy and prebiotic produced greater reductions in LDL cholesterol of around 0.18 mmol/L and improved the ratio of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol, compared with only the prebiotic phase.

HDL cholesterol levels were also significantly increased following the soy plus prebiotic diet, compared with only the prebiotic. 

"These data support the lipid-lowering basis for the current FDA health claim for soy foods. They demonstrate how a non-significant (about three percent) LDL cholesterol reduction seen when soy was consumed alone can be converted to a significant (about five percent) LDL cholesterol reduction when soy was taken with a prebiotic," wrote the researchers.

"We believe the present study therefore supports the value of soy as one of the few cholesterol-lowering foods, in the five percent reduction range, especially when given with fermentable substrates such as would be naturally present in diets that also contained viscous fibers to lower serum cholesterol," they added.

Source: Metabolism Clinical and Experimental

OPCs Show Support for Cardiovascular Health

HEALTH NEWS

Cranberry juice rich in antioxidant procyanidins is effective in boosting the health of blood vessels, thereby supporting earlier research encouraging the use of such compounds for promoting cardiovascular health.

While the potential heart-health benefits of flavonoid-rich diets have been reported previously, there was uncertainty about which constituents in flavonoid-rich foods may be behind the benefits, according to the British and Japanese researchers conducting the new study.

Findings published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry indicate that oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs) had "by far the most potent effects" on the function of the endothelium (the cells lining the blood vessels). The research also builds upon the science and understanding surrounding the consumption of cranberry juice. 

"Cranberry consumption is mostly studied in relation to the beneficial effects of A-type procyanidins on urinary tract health," explained the researchers. "However, when the anti-atherosclerotic actions of OPCs are also considered, the daily consumption of cranberry juice is likely to have multiple health benefits."

Led by Professor Roger Corder at the Queen Mary University of London, the researchers tested the effects of flavonoids on endothelial function. Cultured endothelial cells were used as a bioassay and endothelin-1 (ET-1) synthesis was measured as an index of the response.  

Comparing extracts of cranberry and cranberry juice to those of apple, cocoa, red wine and green tea showed that OPC content determined the extent of inhibition of ET-1 synthesis, they said.

Procyanidin-rich extracts of cranberry juice were also found to produce changes in the morphology of endothelial cells that were independent of the compounds’ antioxidant activity.

"In agreement with previous studies on cultured endothelial cells or isolated vessels, compared to flavonoid monomers, OPCs have by far the most potent effects on endothelial function," wrote the researchers.

Most studies have shown a benefit of OPCs with doses in the range of 100 mg to 300 mg per day.

Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

Vitamin B-6 May Affect Risk of Heart Disease

HEALTH NEWS

Low levels of vitamin B-6 may increase the risk of inflammation and metabolic conditions—and subsequently, cardiovascular disease risk—according to a new study.

A cross-sectional study with 1,205 people found that higher levels of pyridoxal-5’-phosphate (PLP), the active form of vitamin B-6, were linked to lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, as well as lower levels of 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a marker for oxidative stress, both of which are related to heart disease risk.

CRP is produced in the liver and is a known indicator of inflammation. Increased levels of CRP are a good predictor for the onset of both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Researchers from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University reported their findings in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

"Our data suggest that vitamin B-6 may influence cardiovascular disease risk through mechanisms other than [reduction of the amino acid] homocysteine and support the notion that nutritional status may influence the health disparities present in this population," wrote the researchers, led by Jian Shen.

Shen and co-workers measured levels of PLP, CRP and 8-OHdG in 1,205 Puerto Rican adults aged between 45 and 75 living in Massachusetts.

Results showed a strong dose-dependent relationship between PLP levels and CRP levels, with the highest PLP levels associated with CRP levels almost 50% lower than low PLP levels.

Furthermore, the highest average levels of PLP were associated with 8-OHdG concentrations of 108 nanograms per milligram, compared to 124 ng/mg for low PLP levels. The associations were observed even after the researchers took into account homocysteine levels.

Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 91(2):337-342, 2010

It's The Carbs Not The Fats!

Unless you’re living on another planet, you’ve heard this message: reduce your intake of fat and cholesterol to achieve a healthy weight and decrease the likelihood of developing heart disease. In fact, the terms “healthy” and “low fat” seem inextricably linked. But now we know that the rationale for a low-fat diet is based on two overly simplistic ideas that turn out to be wrong.

Wrong Idea #1

 
Fat contains 9 calories per gram; both protein and carbohydrate contain 4 calories per gram. Presumably then, reducing fat intake should allow you to eat a larger total volume of food, feel satisfied, and promote weight loss. Only one problem; it doesn’t work. Just ask all the people who’ve cut their fat intake, but haven’t lost body fat or have actually gained weight.

Why doesn’t it work? The simple reason is that the amount of calories increases when carbs replace fat because fat is inherently more satisfying than carbs and you wind up eating more carbs as you seek satisfaction and a sense of fullness. Where’s the proof that the low-fat approach has backfired? Just look at the skyrocketing rates of obesity (and diabetes) over the past 40 years. That’s the same period in which we’ve been told to cut down on fat—and, as a nation, we have.

Wrong Idea #2

 
The major emphasis on reducing dietary fat (including saturated fat) was based on the assumption that consuming fatty foods increases blood cholesterol levels, which, in turn, which in turn, increases the incidence of heart disease. This assumption is called the “diet-heart hypothesis.” However, despite decades of research funded by the government at a cost of billions of dollars, there’s little evidence to support the premise.

A Look at the Research

The largest and most expensive study on the role of fat in the diet was called the Women’s Health Initiative, which tracked almost 50,000 postmenopausal women for an average of eight years. The women were randomly assigned to one of two diets: one that reduced total fat intake and increased the intake of vegetables, fruits and grains and a control group that was allowed to eat whatever they wanted. Many different researchers published many scientific papers on this study. All came to the same conclusion: there was no significant benefit in terms of weight loss as a result of following a low-fat diet. Nor was there any impact on the incidence of heart disease (or diabetes or cancer).

It turns out that you are not what you eat, so much as what your body does with what you eat. That’s where following the Atkins low-carb approach comes in. Once you eliminate added sugar, white flour and other “junk” carbs and reduce your total intake of carbs, you convert your body to a primarily fat-burning metabolism. The result is that your excess fat stores become a source of energy and your indicators for heart disease improve, as supported in a number of recent studies.

A Sweet Reversal

 
We’re encouraged to see that based upon a recent study published in Circulation: the Journal of the American Heart Association, the association now takes the position that consuming added sugars may cause weight gain and raise triglycerides, both of which contribute to the risk of developing heart disease. It also offers specific guidelines for the upper limits of added sugar intake. In 2006, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommended reducing intake of added sugars, but set no limits. (The study classifies added sugars as any sugar or syrup added at the table or in the processing and preparation of a food, in contrast to naturally occurring sugars in fruit, for example.) The AHA now says that “a prudent upper limit of intake is half of the discretionary calorie allowance, which for most American women is no more than 100 calories per day and for most American men is no more than 150 calories per day from added sugars.” Six teaspoons of sugar pack about 100 calories and a 12-ounce cola contains about 130 calories.

Most eat far in excess of these amounts. A report from the 2001-04 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) showed the average intake of added sugars by Americans was about 22 teaspoons a day. Lead author of the Circulation study Rachel K. Johnson says that sugar has no nutritional value other than to provide calories. We hope that in its next position statement, the AHA tackles the larger issue of overall carbohydrate intake and its association with heart health.

Source: Reprinted from Atkins Nutritionals  

References:

 
1.    B. V. Howard, J. E. Manson, M. L. Stefanick, S. A. Beresford, G. Frank, B. Jones, et al., “Low-Fat Dietary Pattern and Weight Change over 7 Years: The Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial,” The Journal of the American Medical Association 295 (2006), 39–49.
2.    L. F. Tinker, D. E. Bonds, K. L. Margolis, J. E. Manson, B. V. Howard, J. Larson, et al., “Low-Fat Dietary Pattern and Risk of Treated Diabetes Mellitus in Postmenopausal Women: The Women's Health Initiative Randomized Controlled Dietary Modification Trial,” Archives of Internal Medicine 168 (2008), 1500–1511.
3.    S. A. Beresford, K. C. Johnson, C. Ritenbaugh, N. L. Lasser, L. G. Snetselaar, H. R. Black, et al., “Low-Fat Dietary Pattern and Risk of Colorectal Cancer: The Women's Health Initiative Randomized Controlled Dietary Modification Trial,” The Journal of the American Medical Association 295 (2006), 643–654.
4.    R. L. Prentice, C. A. Thomson, B. Caan, F. A. Hubbell, G. L. Anderson, S. A. Beresford, et al., “Low-Fat Dietary Pattern and Cancer Incidence in the Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification Randomized Controlled Trial,” Journal of the National Cancer Institute 99 (2007), 1534–1543.
5.    C. D. Gardner, A. Kiazand, S. Alhassan, S. Kim, R. S. Stafford, R. R. Balise, et al., “Comparison of the Atkins, Zone, Ornish, and LEARN Diets for Change in Weight and Related Risk Factors among Overweight Premenopausal Women: The A TO Z Weight Loss Study: A Randomized Trial,” The Journal of the American Medical Association 297 (2007), 969–977.
6.    I. Shai, D. Schwarzfuchs, Y. Henkin, D. R. Shahar, S. Witkow, I. Greenberg, et al., “Weight Loss with a Low-Carbohydrate, Mediterranean, or Low-Fat Diet,” The New England Journal of Medicine 359 (2008), 229–241.
7.    J. S. Volek, M. L. Fernandez, R. D. Feinman, and S. D. Phinney, “Dietary Carbohydrate Restriction Induces a Unique Metabolic State Positively Affecting Atherogenic Dyslipidemia, Fatty Acid Partitioning, and Metabolic Syndrome,” Progress in Lipid Research 47 (2008), 307–318.
8.    J. Nordmann, A. Nordmann, M. Briel, U. Keller, W. S. Yancy, Jr., B. J. Brehm, et al., “Effects of Low-Carbohydrate vs Low-Fat Diets on Weight Loss and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials,” Archives of Internal Medicine 166 (2006), 285–293.
9.    M. Dashti, N. S. Al‑Zaid, T. C. Mathew, M. Al‑Mousawi, H. Talib, S. K. Asfar, et al., “Long Term Effects of Ketogenic Diet in Obese Subjects with High Cholesterol Level,” Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry 286 (2006), 1–9.
10.     G. Boden, K. Sargrad, C. Homko, M. Mozzoli, and T. P. Stein, “Effect of a Low-Carbohydrate Diet on Appetite, Blood Glucose Levels, and Insulin Resistance in Obese Patients with type 2 Diabetes,” Annals of Internal Medicine 142 (2005), 403–411.
11.    E. C. Westman, W. S. Yancy, Jr., J. C. Mavropoulos, M. Marquart, and J. R. McDuffie, “The Effect of a Low-Carbohydrate, Ketogenic Diet Versus a Low-Glycemic Index Diet on Glycemic Control in type 2 Diabetes Mellitus,” Nutrition & Metabolism (London) 5 (2008), 36.
12.    E. H. Kossoff, and J. M. Rho, “Ketogenic Diets: Evidence for Short- and Long-Term Efficacy,” Neurotherapeutics 6 (2009), 406–414.
13.    R. K. Johnson, L. J. Appel,  M. Brands, et al., “Dietary Sugars Intake and Cardiovascular Health,” Circulation 2009;120;1011-1020.

Inflammatory Markers Predict Congestive Heart Failure

HEALTH NEWS

Inflammatory markers are independent predictors of congestive heart failure (CHF) and likely reflect the link between obesity and CHF, a new study suggests.(1) In a new analysis of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), researchers led by Dr Hossein Bahrami (Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD) report that serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and albuminuria all predicted the development of CHF over four years, independent of obesity or other established risk factors.

"Our results suggest that inflammation might be involved, directly or as a marker of other underlying conditions, (emphasis added) in the pathologic pathways that link obesity to left ventricular [LV] dysfunction and ultimately CHF," Bahrami et al write.

The study appears in the May 6, 2008 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Authors of the study calculated the hazard ratios (HRs) linking baseline metabolic syndrome, inflammatory markers, insulin resistance, and albuminuria with incidence CHF in the MESA population, after taking into account standard risk factors, interim myocardial infarction (MI), and left ventricular structure and function. MESA enrolled 6814 participants from multiple ethnic backgrounds; median follow-up for the current analysis was four years.

Baharmi and colleagues report that 79 patients developed CHF during follow-up: while obesity was significantly associated with subsequent CHF, the association lost statistical significance after inflammatory markers were included in the model. Obese patients, however were found to have much higher levels of interleukin 6, CRP, and fibrinogen.

According to Baharmi, the findings suggest a mechanistic link between obesity, inflammation, and CHF.

"The implication may be that greater control of obesity may reduce the risk of heart failure and down the road, maybe targeting inflammatory markers may reduce the risk of heart failure related to obesity."

Inflammation may also help explain the link between the metabolic syndrome and CHF risk: inflammation is a known characteristic of the metabolic syndrome, and metabolic syndrome is associated with a higher risk of developing CHF, the authors note.

Reference 

1. Bahrami H, Bluemke DA, Kronmal R, et al. Novel metabolic risk factors for incident heart failure and their relationship with obesity. The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis Study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2008;51:1775-1783.

Vitamin D Deficiency Associated with Increased Mortality

HEALTH NEWS

Another study suggesting a link between low levels of vitamin D and cardiac risk has been published, this time showing that vitamin-D deficiency is associated with both cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality.(1)

The study, published in the June 23, 2008 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, was conducted by a group led by Dr Harald Dobnig (Medical University of Graz, Austria).

They note that it has been estimated that 50% to 60% of people do not have satisfactory vitamin-D status, and this is probably related to factors such as urbanization, demographic shifts, decreased outdoor activity, air pollution and global dimming, and decreases in the cutaneous production of vitamin D with age.

The minimum desirable serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D has been suggested to be 20 to 30 ng/mL, and levels lower than this are clearly related to compromised bone-mineral density, falls, and fractures and more recently have also been linked to cancer and immune dysfunction, as well as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome, the authors report.

They point out that recent studies have shown an association of low 25-hydroxyvitamin-D levels with important cardiovascular risk factors, supporting previous findings that demonstrated positive effects of vitamin D and its analogs on fibrinolysis, blood lipids, thrombogenicity, endothelial regeneration, and smooth-muscle-cell growth. "Together, these findings strongly suggest that 25-hydroxyvitamin D has beneficial effects, some involving the cardiovascular system, that are independent of calcium metabolism," they comment.

Low 25-hydroxyvitamin-D levels were also significantly correlated with markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP] and interleukin 6 [IL-6]), oxidative burden (serum phospholipid and glutathione levels), and cell adhesion (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels).

Dobnig et al say that these results show that a low 25-hydroxyvitamin-D level can be considered a strong risk indicator for all-cause mortality in women and in men.

The authors also report that the increase in risk of all-cause mortality with lower levels of vitamin D was seen regardless of the degree of coronary artery disease seen on angiography, and they comment: "Low 25-hydroxyvitamin-D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D levels seem to be important mediators of mortality even when there is little or no indication of overt vascular disease."

They say they are unable to tell, based on these results, whether the association between low 25-hydroxyvitamin-D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D levels and mortality is causal or not. But they believe there are a few indications pointing to a possible link. These include the association with elevated inflammatory markers, which suggests these compounds may have anti-inflammatory properties, and the effects related to oxidative stress and increased cell adhesion suggest that low levels of vitamin D may detrimentally affect vascular biologic function in multiple ways.

They add that other mechanisms whereby low vitamin-D levels may be associated with mortality include effects on matrix metalloproteinases, which have been shown to affect plaque production and stability, increased susceptibility to arterial calcification, or an increase in renin messenger-RNA expression.

They conclude: "This prospective cohort study demonstrates for the first time, to our knowledge, that low 25-hydroxyvitamin-D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D levels are associated with increased risk in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality compared with patients with higher serum vitamin-D levels. Both vitamins seem to have synergistic biologic action that is largely independent of each other. Based on the findings of this study, a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D level of 20 ng/mL or higher may be advised for maintaining general health."

Reference

1. Dobnig H, Pilz S, Scharnagl H, et al. Independent association of low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Arch Intern Med 2008; 168:1340-1349.

Hawthorn Extract Seen As Treatment Option for Chonic Heart Failure

HEALTH NEWS

 
A new study published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews states that there is "a significant benefit in symptom control and physiologic outcomes from hawthorn extract as an adjunctive treatment for chronic heart failure."

In beginning the study, researchers noted: "Hawthorn extract is advocated as an oral treatment option for chronic heart failure. Also, the German Commission E approved the use of extracts of hawthorn leaf with flower in patients suffering from heart failure graded stage II."

Researchers reviewed 14 double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trails and concluded that hawthorn berry extract may be used as an oral treatment option for chronic heart failure. In most of the studies, hawthorn was used as an adjunct to conventional treatment. Ten trials including 855 patients with chronic heart failure provided data that were suitable for meta-analysis.

Researchers stated: "For the physiologic outcome of maximal workload, treatment with hawthorn extract was more beneficial than placebo. Exercise tolerances were significantly increased by hawthorn extract. The pressure-heart rate product, an index of cardiac oxygen consumption, also showed a beneficial decrease with hawthorn treatment. Symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue improved significantly with hawthorn treatment as compared with placebo."

Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Issue 1, 2008.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Linked to Younger Biological Age

HEALTH NEWS

A new study suggests high blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids may slow cellular aging in people with coronary heart disease. 

Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), looked at the length of telomeres – DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes that shorten as cells replicate and age.

The aging and lifespan of normal, healthy cells are linked to the telomere shortening mechanism, which limits cells to a fixed number of divisions. Some experts have noted that telomere length may be a marker of biological aging. With each replication the telomeres shorten, and when the telomeres are totally consumed, the cells are destroyed. 

" Among patients with stable coronary artery disease, there was an inverse relationship between baseline blood levels of marine omega-3 fatty acids and the rate of telomere shortening over five years," wrote the researchers, led by Ramin Farzaneh-Far. " These findings raise the possibility that omega-3 fatty acids may protect against cellular aging in patients with coronary heart disease," they added.

The UCSF researchers looked at telomere length in blood cells of 608 outpatients with stable coronary artery disease. The length of telomeres was measured in leukocytes (white blood cells) at the start of the study and again after five years. 

Comparing levels of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) with subsequent change in telomere length, the researchers found that individuals with the lowest average levels of DHA and EPA experienced the most rapid rate of telomere shortening, while people with the highest average blood levels experienced the slowest rate of telomere shortening. 

" Each 1-standard deviation increase in DHA, plus EPA levels was associated with a 32% reduction in the odds of telomere shortening," wrote the authors. 

Commenting on the potential mechanism, Dr. Farzaneh-Far and his co-workers noted that this may be linked to oxidative stress, known to drive telomere shortening. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce levels of F2-isoprostanes, markers of systemic oxidative stress, as well as increasing levels of the antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase, thereby reducing oxidative stress. 

The researchers added that a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial would be necessary to definitively confirm the link between omega-3 fatty acids and cellular aging.

Source: Journal of the American Medical Association 303(3):250-257, 2010

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Health Notes on Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

CHF and its Symptoms

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic condition that results when the heart muscle is unable to pump blood as efficiently as is needed. High blood pressure can cause congestive heart failure. Failure of the heart pump can also result from many other causes, such as severe anemia, hyperthyroidism, heart attacks, and arrhythmias of the heart.

Common symptoms of CHF are breathlessness, fatigue, and accumulation of fluid in the lungs or the veins (primarily in the legs) or both.

Helpful Lifestyle Changes

Even with severe disease, appropriate exercise can benefit those with CHF. (1) (2) In a controlled trial, long-term (one year) exercise training led to improvements in quality of life and functional capacity in people with CHF. (3) Nonetheless, too much exercise can be life-threatening for those with CHF. How much is “too much” varies from person to person; therefore, any exercise program undertaken by someone with CHF requires professional supervision.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) appear to significantly increase the risk of CHF. The use of NSAIDs in one preliminary study was found to double the likelihood of hospital admission with CHF the following week. This likelihood increased by more than 10 times for patients with a history of heart disease. (4) This study did not include people taking low-dose aspirin.

Important Vitamins

People with CHF have insufficient oxygenation of the heart, which can damage the heart muscle. Such damage may be reduced by taking L-carnitine supplements. (5) L-carnitine is a natural substance made from the amino acids, lysine and methionine. Levels of L-carnitine are low in people with CHF;(6) therefore, many doctors recommend that those with CHF take 500 mg of L-carnitine two to three times per day.

Most L-carnitine/CHF research has used a modified form of the supplement called propionyl-L-carnitine (PC). In one double-blind trial, people using 500 mg of PC per day had a 26% increase in exercise capacity after six months.(7) In double-blind research, other indices of heart function have also improved after taking 1 gram of PC twice per day.(8) It remains unclear whether propionyl-L-carnitine has unique advantages over L-carnitine, as limited research in animals and humans has also shown very promising effects of the more common L-carnitine.(9)

Magnesium deficiency frequently occurs in people with CHF, and such a deficiency may lead to heart arrhythmias. Magnesium supplements have reduced the risk of these arrhythmias.(10) People with CHF are often given drugs that deplete both magnesium and potassium; a deficiency of either of these minerals may lead to an arrhythmia.(11) Many doctors suggest magnesium supplements of 300 mg per day.

Whole fruit and fruit and vegetable juice, which are high in potassium, are also recommended by some doctors. One study showed that elderly men who consumed food prepared with potassium-enriched salt (containing about half potassium chloride and half sodium chloride) had a 70% reduction in deaths due to heart failure and a significant reduction in medical costs for cardiovascular disease, when compared with men who continued to use regular salt.(12) While increasing potassium intake can be beneficial for heart patients, this dietary change should be discussed with a healthcare provider, because several drugs given to people with CHF may actually cause retention of potassium, making dietary potassium, even from fruit, dangerous.

Taurine, an amino acid, helps increase the force and effectiveness of heart-muscle contractions. Research (some double-blind) has shown that taurine helps people with CHF.(13)(14)(15)(16) Most doctors suggest taking 2 grams three times per day.

As is true for several other heart conditions, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has been reported to help people with CHF,(17)(18) sometimes dramatically.(19) Positive effects have been confirmed in double-blind research(20) and in an overall analysis of eight controlled trials.(21) However, some double-blind trials have reported modest(22) or no improvement(23)(24)(25) in exercise capacity or overall quality of life. Most CoQ10 research used 90–200 mg per day. The beneficial effects of CoQ10 may not be seen until after several months of treatment. Discontinuation of CoQ10 supplementation in people with CHF has resulted in severe relapses and should only be attempted under the supervision of a doctor.(26)

The body needs arginine, another amino acid, to make nitric oxide, which increases blood flow. This process is impaired in people with CHF. Arginine supplementation (5.6–12.6 grams per day) has been used successfully in double-blind trials to treat CHF.(27) A double-blind trial has also found that arginine supplementation (5 grams three times daily) improves kidney function in people with CHF.(28)

For people with congestive heart failure, intravenous injections of creatine have been found to improve heart function; oral supplementation has not been effective, though it does improve skeletal muscle function.(29)(30)

In a preliminary study, blood levels of DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) were found to be lower in people with CHF than in people without the disease. The lowered blood levels of DHEA among these people was proportional to the severity of their disease.(31) However, there is no evidence that DHEA supplementation can prevent or reverse CHF.

In a double-blind study of people with established heart disease or diabetes, participants who took 400 IU of vitamin E per day for an average of 4.5 years developed heart failure significantly more often than did those taking a placebo.(32) Hospitalizations for heart failure occurred in 5.8% of those in the vitamin E group, compared with 4.2% of those in the placebo group, a 38.1% increase. Considering that some other studies have shown a beneficial effect of vitamin E against heart disease, the results of this study are difficult to interpret. Nevertheless, individuals with heart disease or diabetes should consult their doctor before taking vitamin E.

Beneficial Herbs 

Berberine is used in Asia to treat congestive heart failure. In a double-blind trial, supplementation with berberine (300 to 500 mg, four times per day) for eight weeks significantly improved heart function and exercise capacity and reduced the frequency of arrhythmias in people with congestive heart failure.(33)

Clinical trials have shown that standardized extracts made from the leaves and flowers of hawthorn are effective in helping people with early-stage CHF.(34)(35)(36) Hawthorn extracts appear to increase blood flow to the heart, increase the strength of heart contractions, reduce resistance to blood flow in the extremities, and act as an antioxidant.(37)(38)(39) In a large preliminary trial, people with mild to moderate CHF were given 300 mg of hawthorn flower and leaf extract (standardized to contain 2.2% flavonoids) three times a day for two months(40) Symptoms of CHF—including heart palpitations, chest pressure, and swelling in the extremities—decreased throughout the trial during the use of hawthorn. The efficacy of hawthorn for the treatment of CHF has been confirmed in a double-blind trial.(41)

Hawthorn extracts are available in capsules or tablets standardized to either total flavonoid content (usually 2.2%) or oligomeric procyanidins (usually 18.75%). Doctors who work with herbal medicine often suggest 80–300 mg two to three times per day. Hawthorn berry products that are not standardized may be weaker, and the recommended amount is typically 4 to 6 grams per day for the whole herb, or 4–5 ml of the tincture three times per day.

Coleus contains forskolin, a substance that may help dilate blood vessels and improve the forcefulness with which the heart pumps blood.(42) Recent clinical trials indicate that forskolin improves heart function in people with congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy.(43)(44) A preliminary trial found that forskolin reduced blood pressure and improved heart function in people with cardiomyopathy. These trials have used intravenous infusions of isolated forskolin. It is unknown whether oral coleus extracts would have the same effect. While many doctors expert in herbal medicine would recommend 200–600 mg per day of a coleus extract containing 10% forskolin, these amounts are extrapolations and have yet to be confirmed by direct clinical research.

A small clinical trial found that supplementation with a bark extract of Arjun (Terminalia arjuna) improved heart function as well as lung congestion in patients with severe CHF.(45) Patients in the study took 500 mg of Arjun extract three times per day and began to exhibit significant improvement in heart function within two weeks; improvement continued over the course of approximately two years. The herb extract used in this study was concentrated but not standardized for any particular constituent. Commercial preparations are sometimes standardized to contain 1% arjunolic acid. Larger clinical trials are needed to confirm the results of this small study.

Self-Care Steps

CHF is a serious condition that requires support from health professionals. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may help your heart keep pumping the blood your body needs:

• Get help from hawthorn. Take 300 mg of an herbal extract three times a day to reduce symptoms and improve exercise capacity

• Try taurine. Improve heart muscle contraction by taking 2 grams of this amino acid three times a day

• Add a carnitine to your routine. Take 1,500 to 2,000 mg of an L-carnitine or propionyl-L-carnitine supplement every day to improve heart function and exercise capacity

• Check out coenzyme Q10. To determine how much of this powerful antioxidant supplement you need daily, calculate 0.9 mg for every pound of body weight

• Mix in some magnesium. Take 300 mg a day of this essential mineral to prevent a deficiency that can lead to heart arrhythmias.

• See a specialist. Find a health expert you can trust to help you manage this medical condition

These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Read more in-depth, fully-referenced information on medicines, vitamins, herbs, and dietary and lifestyle changes that may be helpful provided.

Source: Copyright © 2010 Healthnotes, Inc.

References

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