Eggs for Thought

I've recently switched my breakfast routine from cereal to egg whites in the morning. Although cereal contains many vitamins, I seems to feel better when I have a protein packed breakfast. I was curious what types of nutrients my new breakfast is giving me. I also wondered weather I should eat the egg white only or the yolk as well. What I found is the truth about the "incredible edible egg".

We have all been told to lay off egg yolks if we have high cholesterol. Egg whites have only .05 g of fat. Egg yolk has 4.5 g of fat. However, egg yolks are also filled which many more nutrients that than egg whites.
Egg yolks have more calcium, potassium, pantothenic acid, vitamins B6 & B12 and folate. They contain less sodium than the egg white. Egg yolks are also filled with vitamins A, E, D, K, DHA, and carotenoids (lutein), where egg whites contain none.

Both egg yolks and egg whites contain about the same amount of protein. The egg white has bout 3.6 g of protein, while the egg yolk has another 2.7 g.

What I’ve learned from my research project (at least for myself) is that I’m going to start adding in a yolk to my egg whites for breakfast! While I want to watch my cholesterol, I also want to make sure my body is getting the nutrients it needs! Just some food (or eggs) for thought!

Holiday Health

Happy Holidays!

During this time of year, many of us tend to partake in grandma's ham and auntie's pie. Besides the few pounds that many of us put on during the holidays, some people also have digestive issues due to overeating and indulging in rich food. An alternative to avoiding the dessert table, is to be selective in what you choose.

Dark Chocolate: A number of studies have shown that dark chocolate has antioxidant properties and can protect the inner lining of blood vessels from damage.
Ginger: A good treatment for nausea and is an herb that prevents formation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract.
Cinnamon: Studies on the effects of cinnamon and type 2 diabetes show how it can help balance blood sugar.
Cranberries: This tasty food has been shown to help urinary track infections.
Peppermint: Some studies have show peppermint can have a reduction in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms.

Another alternative is to use digestive enzyme when you are eating a heavy meal or a food that you are not accustomed to. A digestive enzyme is usually a blend of protease, which digests protein; lipase, which digests fats; and amylase which helps digest carbohydrates.

So for me this holiday season, besides ham and pie, I will also be eating dark chocolate, ginger bread, snicker doodles, cranberry sauce and candy canes!

- Community Assistant

Vitamin D & Pregnancy

Scientists from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) recently suggested raising the recommended daily intakes (RDI) of vitamin D from 200 International Units (IU) to 2,000 IU. This may push policy makers to review current guidelines for the vitamin. Such increases could also open opportunities for food fortification and supplements. In the US milk and some orange juices and ready to eat cereals are fortified.

Why the increase?
This attention to vitamin D comes from a new study showing that supplementing the diet of pregnant women with vitamin D may enhance the placental innate immunity and protect it from infection. The prevention of uterine infection is critical for fetal development and term delivery. The innate immune system is one component of the uterine environment and helps prevent uterine infection. Researchers from UCLA report that when cells involved in developing a major part of the placenta were exposed to active forms of vitamin D, production of an antimicrobial protein was stimulated. The study also suggests that increased dietary supplementation of vitamin D during pregnancy may be active in placental innate immune responses during pregnancy.

-Community Assistant

Hip Vitamin B

Vitamin B is the "hip" new vitamin. A recent study more than 1000 elderly adults showed that those with lower blood levels fof vitamin B had a higher rate of bone loss. The research specifically focused on people suffering from a hip fracture. Participants in this study who had vitamin B6 or B12 deficiency were 60% more likely to get a hip fracture during the four-year follow-up period than those who had sufficient levels of vitamin B.

Vitamin B can be taken as a solo supplement. Vitamin B6 is also found in bananas, beans and potatoes. Vitamin B12 is mainly found in meats.

"Living Well"

This morning on the NBC 5 News’ "Living Well" segment, Dr. Maryanne Malloy discussed basic vitamins she recommends for her patients. She even suggested giving vitamins as holiday gifts for your family and friends to start out the new year right! Below are the vitamins she recommends:

Omega-3 fatty acids – “... To keep your blood vessels healthy.”
Calcium – Calcium is necessary to keep your bones health.
Daily Multivitamin - “It’s true food is a better source than vitamins,” Dr. Malloy says, “but the little addendum is if you ate perfectly you wouldn’t need vitamins!”
Vitamin D- “...Seems to fight cancer, heart disease and even depression.”

The last thing that Dr. Malloy recommends is chicken soup! Chicken soup is not only considered a “comfort food” but many people believe that chicken soup has other “curative properties” as well. For chicken soup gifts Dr. Malloy recommends ordering grandmaschickensoup.com. You can also make your own and purchase a “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book from a local bookstore. Chicken Soup for the Soul contains inspirational stories for family and friends.

Be healthy for the new year!

A Beautiful Vitamin C Face

You want to feel younger, but you probably want to look younger too?! A recent study show that women over 40 that consumed vitamin C had fewer wrinkles and less dry skin. You can get vitamin C through a daily supplement, eating fruits such as papaya and oranges, or applying a cream at night that contains vitamin C.

There are other dietary strategies to help keep your skin looking young: Eat walnuts (linoleic acid), whole grains (magnesium and B vitamins), fruits and vegetables (antioxidants), and less saturated fats and refined carbs.

Start the new year younger :).

Supplements for Women

“Who should take supplements?” We are asked this question over and over. Supplements are important especially for people that don't have a well-balanced diet. There are some demographics that need supplements more than others.
Supplements are especially important for women. Pregnant and breastfeeding moms need supplements, in particular iron and folic acid. Also, women with heavy menstrual cycles should consider taking iron. In addition, women over the age of 50 need more vitamin D and B12 than they did when they were younger because their bodies absorb less from the food they eat. Women with any specific health needs may want to reevaluate the vitamins and minerals they are taking, or not getting enough of in their daily diet.
Vegetarians may be in need of taking iron and vitamin B12. This is not always true for meat eaters because B12 and iron are naturally found in some seafood and red meat.
Another group that may need supplementation are dieters consuming less than 1,600 calories per day. This group isn’t likely to get all of the vitamins they need either because it is less likely they are eating the necessary portions from all levels of the food pyramid.
In general a daily multivitamin is recommended for most people, but if you have a personal need you may require additional supplementation. Some supplements interact with prescription medicines, so be sure to consult your physician.

-Community Assistant

Topical Supplements

Back in October I wrote a blog about supplements that could help improve your skin from the inside out. However, many people have yet to realize the benefits of using vitamins on the outside. As some have learned the hard way, attempting to hide fine lines and wrinkles behind layers of makeup is a losing battle. Better to improve the condition of your skin with supplements!

Vitamins are a part of the human skin and are part of a system of antioxidants that protect the skin from oxidative stress. There has been an increased interest in the use of natural antioxidants, such as vitamins. Vitamins A, C, E, and B3 have been shown to have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These same vitamins are effective for the treatment of photoaging and inflammatory dermatoses, acne, and pigmentation disorders and wound healing.

• Vitamin A also helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
• Vitamin C repairs sun damage and enhance the synthesis of collagen; a critically important skin protein that strengthens structural support and resilience of the skin.
• Vitamin E repairs dry, rough skin with its ability to help retain moisture in the skin.
• Vitamin B assists in retaining moisture and is a milder alternative to acidic exfoliators like glycolic and salicylic acid.
• Vitamin K is another supplement that is effective in controlling skin damage. It repairs dark, under-eye circles and is often used as a treatment for spider veins. Topical vitamin K enters through the pores and helps to clot the blood, and allowing the tissue to heal itself.

In addition to both oral and topical supplements, drinking your daily allowance of water and getting plenty of sleep is important for having healthy skin.
-Community Assistant

Another Reason To Take Your Vitamins

I recently came across an article in Dynamic Chiropractic that reported “46 percent of Americans take at least one prescription drug daily.” I was surprised. Surprised that the number wasn’t higher! It seems that even the healthiest of us, myself included, are medicated in some way. Most of the meds we take help, or at least alleviate, whatever ailment we have. However, there is a catch. Often times nutrients are depleted either when the body has to detoxify the medication or when the medication uses the nutrients to cause the therapeutic effect in the body. Sometimes the medication can change the absorption of the nutrient into the body. The following is a summary of nutrients depleted by commonly used drugs:

Laxatives cause the depletion of Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Calcium.

Antibiotics cause the depletion of Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid (a vitamin B complex), Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Potassium, Magnesium and Zinc.

Cholesterol lowering drugs cause the depletion of Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, Beta-Carotene, Folic Acid, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Iron and Coenzyme Q10.

Colchicine a gout medication, causes the depletion of Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid and Iron.

Prednisone and related steroid drugs causes the depletion of Folic Acid, Vitamin D, Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamin C and Calcium.

Aspirin and ibuprofen cause the depletion of Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Iron.
Antacid drugs cause the depletion of Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, Chromium and Iron.

Oral contraceptive drugs are associated with depletion of Beta-carotene, Vitamin B, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin C, Magnesium and Zinc.

Sedatives and barbiturates are associated with depletion of Vitamin B2, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12.

The loss of these nutrients may lead to more health issues, ensuing more medications, turning into a Catch 22 of poor health. Taking a multivitamin supplement can restore many of these lost vitamins.

Always consult your doctor before starting a new health regimen.

- Community Assistant

Healthy Beer?

There may be good news for beer drinkers: Research in the US is assessing the commercial possibilities for producing antioxidants in the popular beverage. The antioxidants would be added to brewer’s yeast to produce the antioxidant resveratrol, effectively formed in beer during the fermentation process. In the past wine has also been linked to resveratrol a powerful polyphenol and anti-fungal chemical that occurs naturally under the skin of red wine grapes. Polyphenol, have antioxidant characteristics also found in foods such as berries, tea, olive oil, chocolate, coffee, walnuts, peanuts and pomegranates. Although expert’s advice is to avoid excessive alcoholic consumption, some research suggests consumers could benefit from upping their intake of resveratrol-rich foods. Another benefit, according to Jonathan Silberg, an associate professor at Rice University in Houston, Texas who is working on the study, claims the modified yeast will have little impact on the beers taste because the chemical is odorless and tasteless. Beer that is particularly high in antioxidants may have a longer shelf life, as it may be more resistant to oxidation. Although oxidation is inevitable over time, it can be minimized by providing maximum antioxidant content in the beer. Of course any potential health benefits that may be added to beer through producing resveratrol would not detract from the wider health concerns of consuming alcoholic beverages. My questions is: if I drink this beer and eat peanuts, am I being twice as healthy?

How to Infants Get Their Vitamins?

This blog is dedicated to my new nephew, Ari! Ari was born on Wednesday and I am very excited to meet him next week. On the topic of new born babies, I was interested to see how from the start of life we get our vitamins!

The amount and type of vitamins found in breast milk is directly related to the mother's vitamin intake. Therefore, it is important that the mother takes care of herself and in turn she'll be taking care of her baby!

Mothers want to make sure they are getting a balanced diet with fat-soluble vitamins, such as A, D, E, and K and water-soluble vitamins, such as C, pantothenic acid, riboflavin and niacin.

Since this is so important, some doctors may keep new mothers on their pre-natal vitamins, however, there are also post-natal vitamins made specifically for this cause as well. Make sure to ask your doctor how to keep your baby healthy from the start.

The Common Colds of Winters Past

My first semester at college brought a lot of new experience: living in dorms, living with strangers and living with more germs that I ever thought possible. Within weeks I had a cold that I could not shake, and I was not the only one. The cure, according to other ailing co-eds, was Zinc. Then, when I started my first full time job I experience more new things: working at a desk, eating a desk and more germs on a desk than I ever thought possible. Again, a cold ensued, but this time my coworkers assured me that Echinacea was the new cure for the common cold (though no one knew exactly how to say it, or spell it.) These non-traditional remedies were different from what I had taken growing up: Nyquil and vitamin C.

Now that cold season is creeping up on us yet again, I did some research to find out if any of the remedies I have tried in the past really worked, or if nature just took its course. This is some information regarding these “treatments” according to Mayoclinic.com:

Zinc- Most studies are flawed, giving inaccurate or incomplete results. In studies with positive results, zinc seemed most effective taken as a lozenge or nasal spray in the form of zinc acetate within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, but warns against Intranasal zinc may result in permanent damage to the sense of smell.

Echinacea- Studies on the effectiveness of Echinacea at preventing or shortening colds is mixed. Some studies show no benefit. Others show a 10 percent to 30 percent reduction in severity and duration when taken for seven to 10 days at the onset of the cold. A study from the University of Connecticut combined findings from 14 previously reported trials and concluded that Echinacea can cut your chances of catching a cold by more than half and shorten the duration of a cold by an average of 1.4 days. Another study from the University Of Virginia School Of Medicine stated that Echinacea extracts had "no clinically significant effects" on rates of infection or duration or intensity of symptoms.

Vitamin C- It appears that for the most part taking vitamin C won't help the average person prevent colds. However, taking 200 milligrams (mg) or more does seems to benefit those who engage in extreme physical exercise or who are exposed to extremely cold environments. Be careful about how much you take; amounts in excess of 2,000 mg a day may cause nausea and diarrhea.

Cough Syrup: Some contain ingredients that may relieve coughing, but the amounts are too small to do much good and may actually be harmful for children.

The latest remedy I tried was an over the counter product, Zicam. Coincidently, this product contains three of the previously mentioned agents in its Cold Remedy RapidMelts® with Vitamin C & Echinacea. If I could have eaten more than one of the RapidMelts they may have helped, but choking down the supplement was not worth the possible reward.

The moral of the story is it's tempting to try the latest remedy, but the best thing you can do is take care of yourself. Rest, drink fluids, and keep the air around you moist. Remember to wash your hands frequently. See a doctor if you symptoms persist longer than 10 days or your condition worsens.

New Vitamin D Research

I think most people, especially my dermatologist, would agree that excessive amounts of ultraviolet light are bad, but a paper published in the August issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition identifies vitamin D's potential for contributions to good health, specifically immune systems, the pancreas, the heart and blood pressure regulation, muscle strength and brain activity. In addition, vitamin D is believed to be beneficial towards reducing the risk of cancer. The paper also lists 36 organ tissues in the body whose cells respond biologically to vitamin D. The list includes bone marrow, breast, colon, intestine, kidney, lung, prostate, retina, skin, stomach and the uterus. Deficiency of vitamin D can impact all 36 organs. Already, vitamin D deficiency is associated with decreased muscle strength, high risk for falls, and increased risk for colorectal, prostate and breast and other major cancers. The recommended daily intake of vitamin D is 200 international units (IU) for people up to 50 years old, 400 IU for people 51 to 70 years old and 600 IU for people over 70 years old. Because it is found in very few foods naturally, milk and other foods, like orange juice, are fortified with vitamin D and almost all multivitamins contain vitamin D. A tendency for people to live in cities where tall buildings block adequate sunlight from reaching the ground, to spend most of their time indoors or have poor nutrition creates the need for Vitamin D supplementation. The nutritional guidelines for vitamin D intake are being reevaluated to determine the adequate intake, balancing sunlight exposure with dietary intake, to achieve good health- which I think my dermatologist would agree with. -Community Assistant

Biotin & Hair Growth

I recently had lunch with my grandma. Being the new “Vitamin Guru” in the family, she brought along a bottle of biotin and asked if I knew anything about this supplement. She told me that a friend of hers recently finished chemotherapy and was taking this supplement to re-grow her hair. As it so happened, I did know a little about the supplement: for one, it is also known as Vitamin b7 and two, it is good for hair and nail growth. I did a little more research and also found out biotin supplements are sometimes given to help reduce blood sugar in diabetic patients; people with type 2 diabetes often have low levels of biotin. Biotin has also been used to combat premature graying of hair and alopecia (partial or complete loss of hair), though it is likely to be useful only for those with a low biotin level. Biotin has been used for people in weight loss programs to help them metabolize fat more efficiently. Biotin deficiency results in fatigue, depression, nausea, muscle pains, hair loss, and anemia. An adequate amount of biotin is about 30 to 100 mcg daily can be found in most multivitamins.
Luckily, I am not losing my hair, nor have I found any gray hairs yet, but having this information is definitely an incentive to continue taking my multivitamin!
- Community Assistant

Children's Vitamins

I recently spent half a day with my 8 year old cousin, Lea. For 5 hours straight she was a ball of energy, she came home from school, did her homework, played with the dog, took a walk, played cards, barley stopping for 5 minutes to eat dinner, still standing up, and continued to buzz around even as I was leaving. Most children are lucky enough to have this energy from well balanced meals and a healthy diet. However, if your child is a picky eater, has food allergies, or is a vegetarian, supplementing their diet can be beneficial. WedMD lists 6 of the top vitamins and minerals for children:

Vitamin A promotes normal growth and development; tissue and bone repair; and healthy skin, eyes, and immune responses.
Vitamin Bs. The family of B vitamins -- B2, B3, B6, and B12 – aid metabolism, energy production, and healthy circulatory and nervous systems.
Vitamin C promotes healthy muscles, connective tissue, and skin.
Calcium helps build strong bones as a child grows.
Iron builds muscle and is essential to healthy red blood cells.
Vitamin D promotes bone and tooth formation and helps the body absorb calcium. Vitamin D is so important that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) just doubled the recommended daily value of vitamin D for kids this past week.

A daily chewable vitamin will not replace the nutrition found in well-balance homemade meal but finding your child's favorite character may make taking vitamins easy and fun. There are now multiple children's vitamins on the market, but I will always hold a special place in my heart for the Flintstones Vitamins I took as a kid.
-Community Assistant

Vitamin D & Eczema

Have ezcema and upset there is really nothing you can do for it? This recent study might peak your interest. A study published in the Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology studied 14 people with moderate to severe atopic eczema and 14 people with normal skin. All of the participants were given vitamin D supplements (4000 IUs) for 21 days. Researchers found that cathelicidin levels increased significantly in the skin. Cathelicidin is a peptide that protects against skin infection helping to product normal skin. More research is to come on this topic... but vitamin D may be the answer to your skin health!

Mental Illness and Vitamin D

Could vitamin D be part of a solution for mental illness? An Australian study found a link between vitamin D and mental illness. The study, published in the Australian And New Zealand Journal Of Psychiatry, found that those who suffered from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizo-affective disorder, and bipolar disorder had vitamin D serum levels about 29 per cent lower than a group with no mental illness.

Low vitamin D has been depression in the recent past, however, adding other psychological disorders to the picture could open up more options other than pharmaceuticals for those with mental illness to try. If this really does help, what a great natural remedy it would be!

Reflux and astaxanthin

You probably have never heard of astaxanthin, I know I never had. After some reading I found out it is a carotenoid commonly used as a pigment to enhance the pink color of fish such as salmon and shrimp. Although I don’t eat seafood, I was intrigued: Its main health benefits are eye and skin health although it has also been linked to joint health and central nervous system health, immune system health and is said to have an antioxidant payload 500 times that of vitamin E.

New research shows that astaxanthin may have a benefit to those suffering from acid reflux syndrome. The benefits were higher in the people who also tested positive for H. pylori, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers. The hypothesis is that astaxanthin, reduced oxidative stress in the stomach. With 20+% of the US population suffering from digestion disorders, we should definitely hope to see more studies on astaxanthin. I might even try it myself!

Sunny (Vitamin) D

I recently returned to Michigan from a weekend trip to Arizona. I spent nearly two full days laying in the sun and zero days sightseeing or even shopping. Besides the obvious relaxation of lying around all weekend, I have now convinced myself that I was also being healthy (sort of).

New research has shown that vitamin D in the body has significant protective effects against the development of cancer because it regulates cell growth, cell differentiation and cell death. This is supported by evidence that sun exposure, which helps in the production of vitamin D, can have anticancer effects. Different people have different levels of vitamin D in their bodies; therefore some individuals may be able to achieve more vitamin D related protection against cancer than others. Generally those with darker skin require more time in the sun to produce the same amount of vitamin D as those with lighter skin. Of course, season, proximity to the equator, time of day, cloud cover, smog and sunscreen affect UV rays exposure and vitamin D synthesis in the skin. It is important for those with limited sun exposure to supplement vitamin D in their diet. More research is needed on this topic but it is always recommend to apply sunscreen before sun exposure! And remember to also be careful not to get too much sun exposure as the risk of skin cancer will increase as well.
-Community Assistant

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition facts have become more and more important to me as I get older. When I was younger, I never really paid attention to them. I also didn't understand how to read them nor did I care as much about what I was eating!

According to a recent Nielson Company survey, 65% of American’s notice nutritional information on both food and supplement packages and about the same percentage understand what they are reading. There is also increasing pressure on food companies to educate consumers about what they are eating and why consumers should be eating their product. In a way, nutrition information, whether it be on your cereal or the supplement facts on your multivitamin is also a part of marketing, convincing consumers to buy a particular product over a competitor. There is no doubt that reduced fat, low fat, low carb, low sodium, whole grain, whole wheat and sugar free, products have become more popular. The use of the nutrition labels is a drive against obesity and toward the acceleration of health and nutrition.

A lot of diets, such as Weight Watchers, rely on nutrition facts, and the percentages are a start to basic nutrition. For me nutrition information is often a deciding factor when I am at the grocery store, even more so than the price of the food.

Make sure you understand "the facts". You can learn more about nutrition facts by clicking here.
-Community Assistant

Beautiful Supplements

After working at a salon and spa for a few years I became addicted to facial products- wrinkle reducers, collagen enhancers, dark eye circle removers, stretch mark faders, lip plumpers- you name it and I had it, tested it or wanted it. After months of using these pricey products I could still see wrinkles, cellulite, dark circles under my eyes, stretch marks and my lips were not Angelina-Jolie-like no matter how I puckered. I was also working a lot, staying out late, tanning, and definitely not eating my vegetables. My friend suggested a simple solution: water and a multivitamin.

Everyday environmental factors such as pollution and sun exposure can lead to the formation of free radicals, which contribute to the signs of aging. Taking dietary supplements can actually prevent and repair this damage:

Vitamin C- Essential for the production of collagen and reduces damage caused by free radicals. It is also essential for the development and maintenance of scar tissue, blood vessels and cartilage.

Beta-carotene- When combined with vitamin E and other carotenoids, like lutein, it prevents and reduces redness and inflammation associated with sunburn and skin sensitivity to sunlight, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Vitamin B- In general Vitamin B helps maintain healthy skin and muscle tone. Specifically, it regulates the functioning of the oil-producing glands which keep skin moist and smooth. Poor intake of vitamin B can cause dry scaly skin. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, forms the basis of skin, hair and nail cells. Lack of B2, or Riboflavin, may cause cracked lips and high sensitivity to light.

Vitamin A- Maintains and repairs skin tissue, fighting free radicals due to its antioxidant properties. Retinol, the oxidized form of Vitamin A, is used for treatment of acne.

Vitamin E- Another antioxidant that may have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin.

Zinc- links together amino acids that are needed for the formation of collagen- essential for wound healing, taming oil production in the skin and controlling the formation of acne.

Selenium- A number of scientists believe this mineral plays a key role in skin cancer prevention. This mineral helps protect skin from sun damage and help reduce your chance of burning.

Although I still do use a few topical products, I have found that a good night sleep, some exercise, my daily allowance of water, and a multivitamin can work wonders.
-Community Assistant

Glaring problem? Is lutein the answer?

My husband has a major dislike for "bright lights." He used to complain about it daily and voice his dream of getting a dimmer on our car's rearview mirror so he wouldn't be blinded by the glare of headlights.

Today I was apart of a webinar from Kemin and DSM that discussed recent studies for lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein and zeaxanthin have been linked to lowering the risk of age-related macular degeration (AMD). However, more recent studies have looked into the effect lutein and zeaxanthin may have on visual performance.

The highest concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin are found in the inner layers of the neural retina called "macular pigment." The amount of macular pigment varies amont people. Macular pignment is concentrated in the area of the retina most responsible for visual performance.

Studies hypothesize that the macular pigment helps to filter blue light, like yellow filters on a camera lens. This means that macular pigment may actually help reduce glare.

Studies have found an inverse relationship between the amount of macular pigment in the retina and how long it takes people to recover from blinding light (photostress). In addition, they found that lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation increases this macular pigment.

My husband has been taking lutein and zeaxanthin for a year now. Unaware of the webinar I just participated in, I just called him up and asked him, "Have you been bothered by bright lights recently, like when we are driving in a car and headlights glare into the mirror?" He thought for a minute and said, "No, I haven't complained about that in a while have I...why do you ask?"

Interesting... maybe lutein is the answer.

Vitamin D for Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes low bone mineral density and can lead to increased bone fractures. Osteoporosis is linked to low calcium intake. Vitamin D is found to help absorb the calcium into the bone. Vitamin D has been added to calcium supplements recently for this reason.

For vitamins to make a "health claim," the claim itself must be approved by the FDA. The FDA just finalized an amendment to add vitamin D to the claim that calcium helps to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Postmenopausal women are the most likely to develop osteoporosis, though it may also develop in men. It is recommended that women in their twenties start taking a calcium supplement with vitamin D to help fight against osteoporosis later in life.

Omega-3 during Pregnancy?

Does eating fish during pregnancy have an effect on your baby's infant development? New signs point to "yes." A recent Danish study found that women who ate the most fish during pregnancy and had greater duration of breast feeding were more likely to have children with higher developmental scores at 18 months. These differences in scores were even seen as early as 6 months of age.

In addition, mothers with a higher omega-3 intake may have lessen their risk of post partum depression. Omega-3 can be found in supplements and cold water fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies and sardines.

Omega-3

I have been taking Omega-3 for many years, but little did I know all the benefits of this supplement. Research has been showing omega-3 benefits heart, eye, joint, mind and immune system health. Emerging science is also focusing on omega-3's link to skin health.

The universal awareness and public acceptance of the health benefits of Omega-3 ingredients has translated into rising consumer recognition. Marine-sourced Omega-3, EPA and DHA are the most popular forms, gaining a majority of the attention for their heart and brain benefits. Even the infant nutrition sector is booming due to new fortification in both Western and Asian markets. Formulation diversity means that most foods and beverage are available for fortification. Products ranging from bread to milk, juice, tortillas, chocolate, yogurt, peanut butter and even meat are all boasting Omega-3 nutrients.

Even with fortification becoming more popular, the best way to know exactly how much Omega-3 you are taking is via supplement. Omega-3, in food or in supplements, seems to be here to stay. Stay tuned to more research on the benefits of omega-3.
-Community Assistant

Olympians and Supplements

There is good news for vitamin and supplement companies following this summer’s Beijing Olympics. According to the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance (ESSNA), 90% of the 11,000 athletes in attendance at the Olympic Games used dietary supplements of some kind, and to top that, there was not a single supplement contamination case. In the run up to the games, some Greek weightlifters and a US athlete blamed contaminated supplements for doping offences. This argument has never held much weight with the World Anti-Doping Agency, or the public, and the athletes were banned. Perhaps Beijing marks a turning point for the supplement industry and been given a lift by its clean performance. ESSNA chairman Dr. Adam Carey notes, if there are safe products on the market that can benefit an athlete’s performance and overall health, it is verging on negligence to advise athletes against them. And of course safe supplements are just as important for the general public. The 2007 introduction of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and pending Adverse Event Reporting regulations (AERs), mean quality control in the dietary supplements industry has never been in better shape.
-Community Assistant

Say Cheese!

I have never been one to drink the milk out of my cereal bowl after I was done eating my Lucky Charms. Nor is milk my first choice of drink when sitting down to dinner. According to a study out of Brazil, I may change my habits. Low dietary intakes of calcium may increase the prevalence of overweight or obesity by 24%. Calcium has been debated as a method of helping to enhance weight loss, especially in recent “milk” advertisements suggesting that if you drink 24 oz of milk every 24 hours it can help you lose weight. Researchers suggested two potential reasons for this result. Calcium may have an effect on certain hormones that play a role in fat build-up and calcium may help to bind more fatty acids in the intestines, thereby inhibiting fat absorption. I find this is an excellent excuse to eat cheese and crackers for dinner- with a glass of milk.
-Community Assistant

Is Your Brain Shrinking?

As we get older, our body starts to deteriorate. However, there are things you can do now to keep try to keep your body in a "younger" state. One of those things is keeping your brain healthy.
Brain atrophy (wasting away, deteriorating, shrinking, etc.) is linked to Alzheimer's Disease. An article published this month in Neurology hypothesized that vitamin B12 is linked with the loss of brain volume in the elderly. They studied 107 elderly people over 5 years and found that adults with low levels of vitamin B12 have a higher risk of brain atrophy. According to the Mayo Clinic, Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to other "abnormal neurologic and psychiatric symptoms" as well.

Are you getting enough vitamin B12 in your diet? Vitamin B-12 is naturally found in eggs, milk, and meat (especially liver and shellfish). Those who are vegetarian or vegan can get a god amount of vitamin B12 by eating fortified cereals. If you are not getting enough vitamin B in your diet (2 to 3 micrograms per day) you may want to consider taking vitamin B12 as a dietary supplement.

Can vitamins keep away mosquitoes?

I love my husband. You know who else loves him? Mosquitoes!! Whenever we are outside at night or trekking through forests mosquitoes are attracted to him. Are mosquitoes attracted to some people more than others? Studies show this is definitely true, however, the question is "Why?"

Many people say that vitamin B helps to produce a skin odor that keep away mosquitoes. There are many companies out there that highlight their vitamin B supplements as "mosquito repelling." According to an article in The New York Times recent studies show that vitamin B has no effect on keeping away those pesky bugs. Both a study published in 2005 in The Journal of American Mosquito Control Association and a study by Brazilian scientists showed no evidence that vitamin B did anything to help. For now, it is best to stick to the 100% deet mosquito repellent sprays or lotions.

New Joint Health Supplement - No Shellfish, No Pills, Once-a-day

The most recommended supplement for joint health is glucosamine. Over the past few years as I've spoken with physicians about our Neoflex caplets for joint health, I've gotten two major complaints over and over about joint supplements in general.
#1. What about my patients that are allergic to shellfish or keep kosher (Note: Glucosamine is usually made from shellfish.)
#2. My patients have trouble swallowing joint supplements. (The chondrotin used in joint supplements can make them on the larger side.)

After hearing these comments again and again we decided to do something about it! I'm excited to announce that I've been working on launching a new product called Neoflex Powder. Neoflex Powder has the same research recommended doses as Neoflex Caplets (glucosamine HCL (1500 mg), chondroitin (1200 mg), and MSM (500 mg). However, the new Neoflex Powder contains no shellfish, no pills, and is taken once-a-day!

Neoflex Powder utilizes a non-shellfish, non-animal glucosamine derived from a patented fermentation process. The great tasting, orange flavored powder is mixed with water once daily.
A one-month supply comes in a bag of thirty single-serving packets-easy for on-the-go.

I'm very excited about this new product launch so I thought I'd share it with you! If ever you have any suggestions or questions regarding supplements feel free to contact me directly at vitaminlearning@gmail.com or comment right on this blog.

That's Just Nuts!

As a child I refused to eat anything with nuts. Not candy bars, fudge, ice cream or the mixed nuts my family always bought from the Boy Scouts. As I get older I found that I actually like almonds! Almonds contain vitamin E and are free from cholesterol and mono-saturated fat. They can actually help lower LDL cholesterol, making them appealing to food manufacturers catering to nutritionally-aware consumers.

In keeping with these health benefits, almonds are increasingly being included in energy bars and cereals, according to the Almond Board of California. These high-growth almond cereals appeal to the natural and organic segment of the market, almost doubling the number of new almond products from 2003-2007. Initiatives such as MyPyramid show nuts as important for a healthy, balanced diet.

The sweet almond contains practically no carbohydrates and may therefore be made into flour for cakes and cookies for low carbohydrate diets or for people suffering from diabetes mellitus. Almonds can be processed into almond milk. This dairy free, soy-free choice appeals to lactose intolerant people, vegetarians and vegans. Other studies claim almonds can help improve complexion, improve movement of food through the colon and help prevent cancer. Recent studies have shown that almond may have anti-inflammatory, immunity boosting, and liver health effects and that they are very high in Omega-3.

Almonds is a tasty source to help you get your vitamin E and omega-3! Now I have a few good reasons to eat an Almond Joy!
-Community Assistant

CLA and Body Fat

Recently I saw an article that talked about conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and its relation to weight loss. In the past, CLA has been part of studies for its anti-cancer properties, which may hinder the growth of tumors in mammary, skin, and colon tissues.

Regarding CLA's link to weight loss, studies in human diets show that it tends to reduce body fat, particularly abdominal fat, increase lean muscle and may decrease glucose uptake. Due to changes in the diet of the average American, intake of CLA has fallen. An example of this is when the fat is removed from a dairy product to make a low fat version--CLA is removed along with it. The food with the highest concentration of CLA is kangaroo meat, but for vegetarians, there are plenty of CLA supplements on the market.

If you're interested in taking CLA to help with weight loss, keep in mind that it's not a magic pill, and you will need to start a program of diet and exercise in order to successfully lose weight and keep it off. And of course, always consult your doctor before starting any diet regimen.
-Community Assistant

Vitamin B & Beer

This blog article is dedicated to my husband, the beer drinker. My husband tells me all the time that having one beer a day is healthy for him. He sends me articles whenever he can find them about how it is good for his heart, his stress, whatever "benefit" he can stumble upon.
This time, I've stumbled upon a little known fact that I know he is going to love.

I've blogged before about a lack of energy potentially being caused by vitamin B deficiency. Vitamin B helps to provide energy, enhance your memory, help with joint mobility and more. Vitamin B can be found in potatoes, bananas, lentils, chilli, peppers, turkey, etc. In addition, according to homeopathic physician Karen DeNoble, a good source of vitamin B is also... BEER!
Brewer's yeast, used for making beer, is a good source of Vitamin B.
...I guess my husband is right. Beer may be good for you after all.
*Please don't drink if you are under 21. Please drink in moderation.

Premenstrual Supplements...?

High intake of calcium and vitamin D seems to reduce the risk of getting Premenstrual Symptoms (PMS) according to a study that followed more than 3,000 women and was published in 2005 in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Women who ate about four servings a day of low-fat milk, dairy foods or fortified orange juice were less likely to develop PMS over the 10-year follow-up. Women who ate these servings, approximately 1200 milligrams of calcium and 400 International Units of vitamin D, were less likely to develop feelings of anxiety, loneliness, irritability, tearfulness and tension that characterize PMS. One theory is that calcium affects the female hormone estrogen during the menstrual cycle.
Some experts have suggested that vitamin D and calcium deficiencies actually lead to PMS. More research is needed, but in the meantime, I am going to go eat some cheese.
- Community Assistant

This Zincs

I can already tell that summer is coming to an end and winter is on the horizon. I have been feeling sad that the days are getting shorter and it is now dark when I get up in the morning… Or I could just be lacking zinc in my diet. Depression has been directly connected with low blood-zinc levels in the body and current data suggests that zinc has a strong possibility of possessing anti-depressant activity and may be a beneficial supplement for those currently taking anti-depressants.
Zinc is a mineral found in almost every cell of the body, but cannot be produced by the body. It must be replenished through the diet, including oysters, animal proteins, beans, nuts, almonds, whole grains, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds- very few of which I eat. Zinc supplements combined with antioxidants may delay the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and have been shown to hinder the onset of the flu. Although I doubt I will be doing oyster shooters anytime soon, I am definitely going to double check my multivitamins for Zinc. And maybe start sleeping in until it’s light outside.
-Community Assistant

Tossing and Turning all night

Tossing and turning? You may not want to head straight for the pharmacy to drug yourself to sleep... Try a natural route first.

Make sure you are eating a healthy diet. A lack of certain vitamins may be the cause of your restless nights. You may want to work on adjusting your diet or take dietary supplements to help ease you into a good night sleep.

Here are a few vitamins that may help:

Calcium - Calcium has a sedative effect on the body and the lack of it can cause your body to be restless.

Magnesium - Magnesium deficiency may cause nervousness. Magnesium of 250 mg can help sleep, as well as eating foods such as almonds and cashews.

B Vitamins - B vitamins may help to calm your nerves.Vitamin B6 is found in natural yeast. Vitamin B12 can be found in whole grains, tuna, peanuts, and bananas.

Two other vitamins that can you can even buy at the drug store that may help you sleep at night are serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin helps initiate sleep and helps to shorten the time it takes for you to fall asleep. Melatonin is a sleep hormone and can help to induce sleep if your
melatonin levels are low.

When trying to remedy your sleep patterns always make sure you are getting enough exercise and maintaining a healthy diet, as not falling asleep is usually a sign that something else in your life needs to be remedied!

Vitamin A

Did you know that Vitamin A deficiency is a serious public health problem in more than 50% of all countries, especially in Africa and South-East Asia? According to the World Health Organization, this deficiency causes blindness in up to 500,000 children each year! Night blindness is one of the first signs of vitamin A deficiency and it contributes to blindness by making the cornea very dry and damaging the retina and cornea. Vitamin A deficiency also diminishes the ability to fight infections, therefore increasing mortality rates. In more developed countries excess alcohol consumption and Iron deficiency can deplete vitamin A, and a stressed liver may be more susceptible to vitamin A toxicity.

Vitamin Angels, a non-profit, non-governmental organization, works to provide vitamin supplementation in developing countries to help prevent disease brought upon by vitamin deficiency. Operation 20/20 is Vitamin Angel's global campaign to eradicate child blindess from Vitamin A deficiency by the year 2020. Vitamin Angels is working to raise money to be able to provide vitamin A deficient children with vitamin A and anti-parasitic supplements in order to prevent them from going blind and suffering from other life-threatening diseases caused by Vitamin A Deficiency. - Community Assistant

Fashion Week & Women's Health

Viactiv is helping to promote vitamins and women's health in a very unique way! Vitactiv brand, known for their flavored calcium and multivitamin chews targeted at women, is partnering with Verrier, an upscale fashion line, during fashion week. Together they will be giving out a "Fashion Week Survival Kit" to launch Viactiv's "Style and Strength for Life" campaign. This campaign promotes women's health and the importance of multivitamins and calcium in their daily routine. Not only is this a unique campaign, I think it is a great way to create awareness for women about multivitamins and calcium.

Multivitamins are important to supplement the diet and make sure you are getting nutrients that you need every day. Most multivitamins don't provide the amount of calcium women need. It is recommended that women in the early 20s start to take calcium to keep up their bones health. By the time women reach menopause bone loss accelerates tremendously.

Lutein - Guest Blogger

Yesterday I was a guest blogger on the Dietary Supplement Information Bureau's blog. Check it out! Learn more about lutein and other supplements! Click here.

The Birth of Vitamins

As vitamins become more and more common as a part of our daily routine, I was curious as to the history of vitamins. How and when did they come up with the concept of vitamins?

Over 100 years ago (1905), Dr. William Fletcher hypothesized that if he removed special factors from foods that disease occurred. Dr. Fletcher was researching the disease, Beriberi when he discovered that eating unpolished rice prevented Beriberi and eating polished rice did not. He believed that there were special nutrients contained in the husk of the rice.

Over the next few years, other scientists, such as Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins, found that other food factors were important to health as well. In 1912, Polish scientists Cashmir Funk named these special parts "vitamine" - "vita" meaning life and "amine" from compounds found in the thiamine he isolated from rice husks. Vitamine was later shortened to vitamin.

Together, they hypothesized that the "lack of vitamins could make you sick."

Over the years Vitamin A, B, Niacin, etc were discovered and slowly scientists found ways to synthesize these vitamins to make what you can buy today in capsules and tablets to supplement your diet.

The history of this is interesting to note as more research is done every day to determine what vitamin(s) can help prevent present diseases of today and keep us healthy!

What to do about....Depression.

Nowadays it is a pretty common thing for people who are depressed to be on drugs, such as antidepressants. Over the past couple years I have had friends go through different hard experiences in their lives from losing a loved one to moving across the world from their family. They have trouble thinking, eating, and sleeping, but really don't want to be on a drug. After doing some research and speaking with physicians, I found that there are natural supplements that may be able to help (although you may want to consult your doctor first).

St. John's Wort is an herb that is said to help with depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. St. John's Wort comes from a plant that can be found growing wild in meadows in both American and Europe. You can by St. Jon's Wort over the counter. It may take a couple weeks to really make a difference but could be worth the wait.

Another supplement that is new in the research for depression are omega-3 supplements, which also has many benefits as well for other areas of your body, such as your heart.

Vitamins & Energy

Although we are in the “lazy days of summer” I have been feeling extra tired lately, and I can’t blame it on the beautiful weather we are having. I have been sleeping plenty, exercising regularly and drinking lots of water. Something I have not been doing, however, is taking my multivitamin. I ran out a few months ago and just haven’t replenished, but could not taking that one supplement a day really affect me that much? The answer is yes. The lack of a few key vitamins can upset the body’s internal balance and block metabolic reactions. In the past I have been anemic and I know from personal experience that a supplement that is helpful in maximizing energy levels is the mineral Iron. Iron is necessary to the formation of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in red blood cells. When iron levels in hemoglobin get low, a person feels tired and lacks energy to do everyday tasks due to lack of oxygen delivery to organs and tissues.
One of the best vitamins for energy are the B Vitamins, essential in facilitating the metabolic process. They breakdown carbohydrates, fats and proteins, which provided energy, aid in the function of the nervous and immune systems, maintain muscle tone, healthy skin, hair and eyes. Vitamins, B1, B2, B6, B9 and the most popular B12 can also help combat the symptoms and causes of stress and depressions. If you look for a B Vitamin for extra energy look for a bottle that says "B Complex" and includes all of the vitamins mentioned above. I have recently seen a host of vitamin enhanced drinks boasting their vitamin B levels. Vitamin B is water soluble and carried out of the body every day, so taking a daily multi vitamin is the best way to keep up on vitamin B intake and hopefully help keep me feeling rested. - Community Assistant

Taking "Note" of your Health

When I was a kid everything of importance, from birth certificates, to social security cards to immunizations records were kept in the “File Cabinet.” Tax records, the deed to our house and bonds were all contained in a fire proof filing cabinet that my dad maintained. Regardless of the importance of this filing cabinet, it was not organized. I found this out the hard way, when I started to play sports in Junior High. Even though I had already been in school 8 years, the Athletic Department now needed my immunizations records. And of course, they must be in the filing cabinet, right? Wrong. Luckily I had been going to the same 100 year old doctor all my life and they were able to pull all of my records and get an accurate report to my school, but not without some hassle and complaining from the medical records department. I remembered this story, only when I was surfing the internet and saw information regarding an iHealthRecord (Interactive Personal Health Record). It is a free on-line data base to keep and share information regarding immunizations, supplements you are taking, health records, physicians or any other medical information. This info can be shared with health care providers, family members or can be printed out in a wallet size card. It is also private and secure. When I was in school, the internet didn’t exist, but the iHealthRecord sounds like a comprehensive way to maintain an online, fire proof, “filing cabinet.”

P.S. When I was in college and needed my original birth certificate to study abroad by dad had to physically go to the County Building and get a new one printed because he couldn’t find my real original in the cabinet.

-Community Assistant

Foods for Arthritis?

I stumbled upon an interesting article today from The Today Show (October 2007) regarding arthritis and foods you should eat. They recommend eating plenty of foods that help to fight inflammation. Sounds logical right?!

Here are some foods that they recommend:
1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids - salmon, herring, mackerel, omega-3 fortified eggs, walnuts
2. Extra Virgin Olive Oil - cook with this type of oil
3. Antioxidants - vitamin C (oranges, grapefruit, strawberries) selenium (light tuna, crab, whole-wheat pasta, shrimp, turkey), carotenes (carrots, kale, pumpkin, spinach), bioflavonoids (onions, red apples, blueberries)
4. Spices (ginger & tumeric)

Many of these nutrients are also available as vitamins, but remember it is best to get it from the original food source if possible. The following are some vitamins that would correspond to these nutrients and help fight inflammation: omega-3, glucosamine/chondroitin/msm, vitamin c (found at any drug store), lutein, zeaxanthin, and selenium.

Preservatives & Antioxidants

“Preservatives” is now a well known word. Preservatives help to keep our food from spoiling- keeping hamburger in our refrigerators, cereal in our cupboards and Twinkies on the shelves at the local convenient store. Preservatives are also used in paint, wood and pharmaceuticals to prevent them from decomposing. Currently, there is no regulation requiring the labeling of food preserving chemicals. In food, preservatives prevent the oxidization of food, much like antioxidants. However, interest is growing to replace synthetic antioxidants with more popular natural antioxidants such as rosemary, vitamin E and vitamin C. New research suggests that a combination of plums and apples may be used as an ingredient in pre-cooked meat without a significant change in flavor. This could potentially mean that your next breakfast sausage could be made with fruit and have health benefits! Stay tuned to more on this topic! - Community Assistant

Aging Gracefully

My grandma always says that the key to aging gracefully is to not smoke, not drink and use Oil of Olay, but it appears there is a new trend against the relentless effects of aging: eat healthy foods. Healthy foods may not only keep weight, blood pressure and cholesterol down, but they may also have beauty benefits. While antioxidants are now well known in the health food and supplement arena, they are also being promoted for specific functions such as warding off wrinkles, increasing satiety and improving memory. These functional foods are having a huge growth in the American market and who is leading the consumer pack? Baby Boomers! They are holding onto both fitness and vitality, and looking better, longer. Foods and beverages containing antioxidants, collagen and other skin-improving compounds have been gaining in popularity amongst boomers and a growing proportion of spending is going towards products that meet that desire for vitality. So, although grandma may have in site into younger looking skin, she never made me eat my vegetables.

Supplements and the Economy

The price of fruits and vegetables is going up dramatically. It is a little scary when you go to the grocery store and the price of a Hostess Twinkie is about 25 cents, but the price of an orange is 99 cents! The other day I was going to buy a half a watermelon until they told me that it was $8!!! A $16 watermelon!? The lagging economy is an indicator that getting enough vitamins and minerals through fresh fruit, vegetables and other foods will continue to be a challenge.

Is the economy to blame for poor food choices in the United States? According to the Skin and Bone Research Laboratory at Boston University School of Medicine, 40% of Americans are vitamin D deficient. According to the Trust of American's Health, 64.5% of Americans are considered overweight or obese. I could go on and on.

Although a balanced, nutritional diet is important, supplements should be recognized as a relatively inexpensive and efficient way to bridge the gap between basic nutritional needs and an inadequate diet. It is important to try to maintain a healthy diet and to include a daily vitamin regimen in your schedule.

Skin protection and lutein!

Since we are in the midst of summer I thought I'd share what I think is one of the most relevant vitamins out there right now for skin health, lutein. I consider lutein the blockbuster of vitamins. In recent studies it has shown to have incredible heart, eye and now skin health benefits. Lutein is a carotenoid found in leafy green vegetables, such as spinach and kale.

According to a study published in 2007 in Skin Pharmacology & Physiology, lutein may help promote long-term skin health in the following ways:
- Moisturizing - Increasing skin hydration and elasticity.
- Anti-Aging - Increasing superficial skin lipid content, while decreasing the oxidation of skin lipids, which can cause degration of the skin.
- Sun protection - Protection the skin from damage associated with exposure to UV light by helping to bolster the skin's antioxidant defense system protecting against sun damage.

Please note that although lutein has been recently added to many multivitamins, most of the time there is barely any lutein added. Lutein is expensive and vitamin companies seem to just add it to their multivitamins to "say" it is in there but there there is very little (such as 250 mcg). Make sure to check how much lutein is in your multivitamin or take a separate lutein supplement that has at least 6mg - 15 mg of lutein.

Antioxidants and Acid Reflux

I recently saw an advertisement for Nexium that depicted tomatoes with horns and said "tomatoes are the devil." That was the first time I've ever laughed at acid reflux. If you have acid reflux, you know what a pain it can be and how it can really affect your life.
Reading about vitamins, my interest peaked when I read about research relating to acid reflux and antioxidants.

A new study, published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, suggests that antioxidants may have a positive effect on chronic GERD (Gastro esophageal reflux disease) associated with esophageal cancer. Dietary intake of vitamin C, Vitamin E and beta-carotene were inversely associated with the risk of Barrett's esophagus. Barrett's esophagus refers to an abnormal change in the cells of the lower end of the esophagus thought to be caused by damage from chronic acid exposure.

More research needs to be done to look into the use of supplements for acid reflux. However, according the National Cancer Institute “antioxidants are substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Free radical damage may lead to cancer. Antioxidants interact with and stabilize free radicals and may prevent some of the damage free radicals otherwise might cause.”

My company does offer a multivitamin that has higher doses of antioxidants, called Viteyes® Complete. You may also look into other multivitamins that have higher dosing for antioxidants. Compare the side label to the daily recommended doses. Comment here if this works or doesn't work for you! Could be interesting to hear back from you.

Free Prenatal Vitamins?!

There might be more than just free samples of cereal at your local supermarket. With pharmacies on every corner, Meijer, Inc. out of Grand Rapids, Michigan, offers something unique. They have started offering free prenatal vitamins to customer who have a prescription. Recently, doctors
have been recommending prenatal vitamin use not only for woman who are pregnant, but also whose who are trying to conceive. Meijer, which is located in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky, also offer free antibiotics to its customers. Just some of the perks of living in the Midwest! - Community Assistant

Omega-3 & Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness for Americans over the age of 60. AMD slowly destroys the central vision which is needed for many tasks including driving or reading. Those at risk for or diagnosed with AMD may take vitamins containing the AREDS formula (specific high doses of antioxidants and zinc). More nutrients, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, show benefits for AMD as well.

Last month, Archives of Ophthalmology published a meta analysis on omega-3 fatty acid and fish intake and its effect on AMD. This study identified 274 abstracts, 3 prospective cohort, 3 case-control, and 3 cross-sectional studies. Using quantitative methods, a high dietary intake of omega-3 was associated with a 38% reduction in the risk of late AMD. Fish intake (2x per week) was associated with reduced risk of early and late AMD.

Omega-3 could have serious benefits for those with or at risk for AMD (more studies to come). In addition, omega-3 (which I take myself - Viteyes Omega-3) has been shown to be beneficial for heart health, depression, alzheimer's, and more. I personally think omega-3 is one of the most important vitamins to add to your daily supplement regimen.

Milk Thistle vs. Mushrooms

I thought it was common knowledge not to eat wild mushrooms...apparently not. In January of 2007, a family became ill after picking wild mushrooms from a state park in California and putting the fungus on their tacos. The mushrooms shut down their liver functions over a period of a few days. The treatment, found by doctors using Google Scholar, was the use of Milk Thistle. Milk Thistle, a plant from the daisy family, has been used as an herbal remedy for hundreds of years to benefit liver function and health, such as fatty liver. Milk Thistle has antioxidant properties and assistants in the regeneration of RNA in the liver and helps to eliminate toxins. Luckily, 5 of the 6 family members survived and were sent home, progressing to a full recovery. But it does beg the questions- who puts mushrooms on their tacos anyway?? - Community Assistant

Vitamin E-asy

Although I have used Vitamin E topically in the past to prevent scarring and aid in the skins healing process, I recently came across some specific information about Vitamin E and why it may work for scars:
1. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps prevent free radical damage.
2. Vitamin E protects physical stability and is a defense for your cells.
3. Vitamin E plays a role in immune function, DNA repair, and protects tissue of the skin, eyes, liver and other organs that are sensitive to oxidization.
Vitamin E can be taken orally or topically. Vitamin E is absorbed by the skin and is added to many face creams and lotions, including sunscreen, to prevent wrinkles and premature aging. Will Vitamin E take over the Botox craze? Probably not, but it’s definitely a cheaper, less drastic, alternative. - Community Assistant

Oh Say Can You See...?

Being that I wear contact lens on a daily basis, eye health is not only important to me, but also brought to my attention every morning and night as I clean, sanitize and put away my magical lenses of clarity. But there is more I can do for my eye health: Numerous studies have reported positive results that support the role of lutein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, zinc, copper, Omega 3 and zeaxanthin for eye health. Along with my multivitamin, I take my company's omega-3 (Viteyes Omega-3) to protect my eyes health (as well as heart and mind benefits). I like knowing that I’m protecting my eyes, not just by properly handling my contact lenses, but also by taking vitamin supplements. I'll be blogging more about new studies as they come up so you can learn how these vitamins can help your eye health and other health benefits. - Community Assistant

Vitamin health of future generations?

I read an interesting article today in the San Francisco Chronicle. UC Berkeley scientists are researching the idea of looking at a person's genes and using vitamins as treatments for their specific genetic flaws. Currently, people with or at risk for age-related macular degeneration take a compilation of high amounts of vitamins A, C, E, copper and zinc (AREDS formula). Those with osteoarthritis are recommended to take glucosamine supplements. This article points to research that would take this to a whole new level. Could personalized vitamins be the wave of the future?

Vitamin Basics: Lesson #1

In my first blog about vitamins, I want to go back to the basics. Let’s cover a couple “elementary” questions about vitamins.

Why should you take vitamins?
Vitamins are essential to the everyday functions of your body. Your body cannot make vitamins and therefore you must get it from the diet or in dietary supplements.

If I eat a healthy diet do I still need to take vitamins?
A daily multivitamin can protect your body against dietary imbalances or different nutritional needs your body may need at various times. In addition, studies have shown that taking vitamins above the minimum requirements of just a daily multivitamin can help maintain heart, liver and eye health, among other major health concerns. Some examples of these
include omega-3 for the heart, antioxidants for the eyes, and milk thistle for the liver.

I look forward to blogging with those of you who are interested in vitamin health. I plan to focus on the latest vitamin news, specific health concerns and what vitamins may be beneficial and overall health (nutrition, exercise, etc.). Enjoy the Vitamin Learning blog!