« April 2009 | Main | June 2009 »

May 28, 2009

Anyone For a Spot of (Green) Tea?

by Derek Burreson

Is coffee or tea a part of your morning ritual to get you going? According to researchers in Japan green tea has been found to be beneficial for your gum health. The antioxidants in the tea help reduce the inflammatory response to periodontal bacteria in the mouth.
Though I like to have a cup of java in the morning perhaps I will try a little spot of tea every now and then. So have some green tea and enjoy; your dentist may thank you.

Source:

Green Tea May protect Gums against Disease

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Publications/Food-Beverage-Nutrition/NutraIngredients.com/Research/Green-tea-may-protect-gums-against-disease/?c=ysnBbfNQPrK93n%2FCvzoPCw%3D%3D&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BDaily

Posted by Derek Burreson at 09:45 AM |

May 22, 2009

Are We Going to Need a Prescription to Buy Cheerios?

by Derek Burreson

The FDA blasts the cereal maker, General Mills, because of their claim that Cheerios can “lower cholesterol 10 Percent in a month” which makes it a drug. The agency has been increasingly clamping down on many companies that connect their products with treating, curing or preventing diseases.
The advertising and labeling guidelines for natural products are very specific by the agency although it may seem that every health malady now falls under the guise of a “disease”. General Mills may not have thought that “lowering cholesterol 10 percent” fell under the category of a disease claim, but the health products industry has not been helped by companies that have made wild disease claims about their products that prompted the FDA to crack down.
More than likely the cereal maker will have to modify their message a little to come into alignment with the labeling laws and everything will be fine. No prescription needed to eat your daily bowl of Cheerios.

Source:
http://wcbstv.com/health/cheerios.general.mills.2.1007986.html

Posted by Derek Burreson at 10:13 AM |

We All Scream for Ice Cream!

by Cindy Burreson

 But....we may also scream at it's effects on our waistline!  Ice cream is a seemingly logical treat in the summer months, but have you ever really taken a look at your favorite ice cream's nutritional contents (or lack thereof)?  Don't be fooled by key marketing words like "organic, healthy ingredients, hormone-free, dairy-free", etc.  Just because an ice cream is ANY of those things, doesn't mean it isn't full of fat and calories.  For example, half a cup of the ever popular "Chubby Hubby" by Ben & Jerry's, contains over 1/3 of your RDA fat intake.  Eat too much of that this summer, and you could be wearing a sash bearing that title!  Many ice creams contain the equivalent of eating an entire fast food meal, so be aware of what you are consuming.  An alternative to traditional ice creams is making homemade Popsicles using fresh fruit juices; they cool you off and are better for you!!! 

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 09:52 AM |

May 21, 2009

Don't Get Bombed at Prom

by Cindy Burreson

Prom season is upon us; a time when parents get excited about finding the "perfect dress" for their daughter, helping pick out and instruct their son on how to pin the corsage without drawing blood, and helping arrange for transportation and such.  It is also a time of worry for parents with the increasing number of teenagers engaging in drinking, sexual activity and drugs.  I remember when I went to prom (ions ago, of course), I was a very good girl.  I wasn't involved in ANY of those things, but it was definitely a night of peer pressure from both my date and friends.  So, how, as a parent can you set your mind at ease that your teenager will "behave"?  The only thing you can do is teach them right from wrong.  The main reason I DIDN'T do those things is because I didn't want to disappoint my mom, but more importantly, my mom taught me the repercussions of those actions.  I read an article today that talked about just that- rather than lecturing your kid, "Use Science to Convince Teens a Sober Prom is Better".  They suggest some things to remind your teenager with regard to alcohol consumption and how it can ruin prom:  1)   Not remembering- this is an important time of their lives and imbibing in alcohol can impair their memories or even cause them to blackout.  2)  Doing things they may not want to do- explain that alcohol can impair their judgment causing them to indulge in risky behaviors they may ordinarily avoid.  It impairs their ability to reason and weigh options.  3)  Fighting- research shows that teens who drink are often more violent than those who don't.  Fighting or damaging property may land you in trouble with the law, let alone with your peers.  4)  Sickness- the repercussions of drinking may not only be felt that evening, but in the days to follow.  Alcohol poisoning is a very real possibility and can lead to death.  Another side note, is the fact that with impaired judgment, one may be inclined to drive under the influence which could put you, your guests, and others at risk, as well as land you in jail or dead.  All of this may sound extreme, but it's the truth and it's not worth one night of trying to "be cool". 

Source:  Sober Prom Is Better." ScienceDaily 21 May 2009. 21 May 2009 <http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2009/05/090520140410.htm>.

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 10:45 AM |

May 13, 2009

Free Radical Cell Death Switch Identified: Molecular pathway may contribute to age related diseases

by Derek Burreson

Oxidative stress on our cells have been shown to be a major factor of many non-germ caused diseases or as they have been called - age related diseases. An article I came across in Science Daily website reports on a  Harvard Medical School study about this oxidative stress in our cells that can cause a build-up of damaging excess free radicals. There have been many studies about the effects of this cellular damage, but what I found quite interesting in the article was the fact that their conclusion seemed to be that these findings may “pave the way for new drugs and diagnostic strategies”.  Our bodies produce free radicals through our cells conversion of oxygen to energy and we combat these with antioxidants, (think of vitamins C, E and beta carotene to be the most recognized) but excess free radicals can damage our cells over time and this is where many problems can be found.
Are drugs needed to mimic the processes of natural antioxidants? That’s an individual choice to be made, but it takes many years of research and millions of dollars to bring a new drug to market. For now I will stick to an antioxidant rich diet and supplementation to give my body the tools to help combat cellular free radical damage.

Source:

Harvard Medical School (2006, June 2). Free Radical Cell Death Switch Identified: Molecular Pathway May Contribute To Age Related Diseases.
ScienceDaily  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/06/060601220956.htm

Posted by Derek Burreson at 01:55 PM |

May 08, 2009

Supplements: Are they really necessary?

by Derek Burreson

I came across this article today that I wanted to share that asks if supplements are really necessary. The argument seems to be that if we eat a well a balanced diet, we don’t really need them. The article states that supplements help to bridge the nutritional gap from what our bodies require on a daily basis for proper growth, structure and function and the nutrients we are receiving. In no way should supplements act as replacements for proper nutrition but we should all strive for a healthy balance in our diet. As we put increased demands on our bodies, we will require more nutrients for our biochemical machine to operate properly and supplements are part of that role. 

Source:
Nutraingredients
http://www.nutraingredients.com/Industry/Supplements-Time-to-change-the-nay-saying-record?nocount

Posted by Derek Burreson at 01:22 PM |

May 07, 2009

Vitamin D, what you should know

by Derek Burreson

Vitamin D is an important nutrient for our bodies but how do we get enough and where does it come from? It is classed as a fat-soluble vitamin but also has properties as a hormone as well. Adequate amounts in the body are necessary for the absorption and utilization of both calcium and phosphorous. It is important for the development of our bones and teeth, especially for children. It protects against muscle weakness and involved in the regulation of the heartbeat as well as many other important functions.  According to the book of Prescription for Nutritional Healing, usually exposure of the face and arms to the sun for fifteen minutes three times a week is an effective way to ensure you are getting enough. But dark skinned people (because the skin pigment blocks the sunlight) and those living in the upper third of the continental United States experience little or no sunshine during the winter months causing their bodies makes little or no vitamin D at all, meaning that dietary supplements and fortified foods are seen by many as the best way to boost intakes of vitamin D. Perhaps vitamin D deficiency and “cabin fever” are related…not quite the same, but interesting to think about.
Not all vitamin D is the same and it is available in several forms. Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) comes from food sources, D3 (cholecalciferol) is synthesized in the skin in response to exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays: and vitamin D5 is a synthetic. Of the three, vitamin D3 is considered the natural form and the most active.
Here is another study (click here to read article) of vitamin D and an ever growing body of science supporting the benefits of maintaining healthy levels.
Our bodies need the nutritional tools to function properly and maintaining adequate vitamin D levels can go a long way toward your preventive maintenance routine.     

Sources:
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
Volume 179, Pages 765-771, doi: 10.1164/rccm.200808-1361OC
“Serum Vitamin D Levels and Markers of Severity of Childhood Asthma in Costa Rica”
Authors: J.M. Brehm, J.C. Celedon, M.E. Soto-Quiros, L. Avila, G.M. Hunninghake, E. Forno, D. Laskey, J.S. Sylvia, B.W. Hollis, S.T. Weiss, A.A. Litonjua

Prescription for Nutritional Healing: Fourth Edition, Phyllis A. Balch, CNC

Posted by Derek Burreson at 11:27 AM |

May 06, 2009

CoQ10: Some helpful nutritional information beyond heart health

by Derek Burreson

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is fat-soluble vitamin-like substance produced by the human body and present in every cell that serves several  key enzymatic steps in the production of energy necessary for the basic functioning within the cell. CoQ10 levels are reported to decrease with age and to be low in patients with some chronic diseases. Some prescription drugs may also lower CoQ10 levels.
It is naturally present in small amounts in a wide variety of foods but is particularly high in organ meats such as heart, liver and kidney, as well as beef, soy oil, sardines, mackerel, and peanuts. Levels of CoQ10 in the body can also be increased by taking CoQ10 supplements. It is known to be highly concentrated in heart muscle cells due to the high energy requirements of this cell type.
Heart health certainly is a main focal point of supplementation with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), but the antioxidant and protective effects of this nutrient may benefit other areas of your health. As always, I encourage you to eat a wide variety of foods in your daily diet that will help you to get the nutrients necessary for your body to perform properly, though this is easier said than done.

Sources:
National Institute of health:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-coenzymeq10.html

Natural Products Marketplace:
http://www.naturalproductsmarketplace.com/articles/551/coq10--beyond-heart-health.html

Posted by Derek Burreson at 01:58 PM |