Children and Calcium

Milk and other calcium-rich foods have always been a must-have in kids’ diets. After all, calcium is a key building block for strong, healthy bones. But more than 85% of girls and 60% of boys ages 9 to 18 fail to get the recommended 1,300 milligrams of calcium per day.
That’s not surprising when you consider that many kids now drink more soda than milk, which is one of the best sources of calcium. But at every age, from infancy to adolescence, calcium is one nutrient that kids simply can’t afford to skip.
What Does Calcium Do?
During childhood and adolescence, the body uses the mineral calcium to build strong bones — a process that’s all but complete by the end of the teen years.
Teens, especially girls, whose diets don’t provide the nutrients to build bones to their maximum potential are at greater risk of developing the bone disease osteoporosis, which increases the risk of fractures from weakened bones. Younger kids and babies with little calcium and vitamin D intake (which aids in calcium absorption) are at increased risk for rickets. Rickets is a bone-softening disease that causes severe bowing of the legs, poor growth, and sometimes muscle pain and weakness.
Calcium plays an important role in muscle contraction, transmitting messages through the nerves, and the release of hormones. If blood calcium levels are low (due to poor calcium intake), calcium is taken from the bones to ensure normal cell function.
The current calcium recommendations are:

• 1 to 3 years — 500 milligrams of calcium daily
• 4 to 8 years — 800 milligrams
• 9 to 18 years — 1,300 milligrams

Getting enough calcium is just part of the equation. All children — from babies to teens — also should get 400 IU of vitamin D daily. If you don’t think your child is getting the nutrients needed, talk to your doctor about modifying your child’s diet or giving vitamin supplements to your child.

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How to Defeat Holiday Stress

It might be the most wonderful time of the year, but the holiday season might sometimes make you feel a little bah-humbug. Planning the parties. Family coming to town – all of them. Buying gifts on the credit card. Even in good times, stress is something we cannot escape. And unless contained and controlled, stress can take physical and emotional tolls on you.
When you’re under stress, you may find it harder to eat healthy. You become a stress-eater: someone who eats in an attempt to fulfill emotional needs, even when you’re not hungry. Most of the time, you’re not reaching for celery stalks – out come the cookies, candy canes and every other non-healthy holiday option.
Plus, your body’s hormones begin to get out of whack. Your adrenal glands – which give the body bursts of strength and energy – kick in more frequently, which can lead to fatigue, sluggishness and imbalanced blood sugar levels. Plus, constant stress can cause the body to create and store more fat. Combined with stress-eating, your body begins to gain excess belly, which is known to be a bit harder to lose. This combination – can lead to excess holiday weight gain, a major reason the weight loss industry comes alive after the holidays (New Year’s Resolution, anyone?).
In addition to the physical problems, excess stress leads to quick loss of temper, outbursts and difficulty with focus. Plus, who wants to feel more frustration, anxiety and tired around the holidays? You want to enjoy your holidays, meaning you need to cut your stress levels as much as possible. Here are some tips and techniques on how to deal with stress so it doesn’t get the best of you this holiday season:

• Before eating, ask yourself why you’re eating — are you truly hungry or do you feel stressed or anxious?
• If you’re tempted to eat when you’re not hungry, find a distraction.
• Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast.
• Practice relaxation skills, such as yoga, massage or meditation.
• Engage in regular physical activity or exercise.
• Get adequate sleep.
• Get encouragement from supportive friends and family.

Supplements have also been studied for their affects on relieving stress, with certain ingredients being shown to have an impact on stress levels:

• L-Theanine: A major amino acid found in green tea, theanine has historically been used for its relaxing effects. It is believed theanine may work for relaxation by promoting normal levels of Gamma Amino Butyric Acid and serotonin.
• Rhodiola: Also called roseroot, this ingredient has long been associated with increasing the body’s resistance to the harmful effects of stressors, in addition to its potential for supporting learning and memory.
• Ashwagandha: An Indian herb also known as Winter Cherry, its antioxidant and sedative properties have been proven to help inhibit occasional fatigue, boost energy, promote emotional well-being and counteract the negative effects of stress.
• Passion Flower Extract: Research suggests apigenin – a flavonoid found in passion flower – can bind to receptors in the brain, possibly causing relaxation and helping regulate mood without impairing memory or motor skills.

The season is meant to bring the best out of everyone, not the worst. It’s about family, friends, and fellowship. Following these tips can help ensure that the holidays don’t stress you out.

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Astaxanthin Continues to Display Substantial Cardiovascular Benefits

by Dr. Mark Lange

Astaxanthin is a xanthophyll carotenoid of predominantly marine origin having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects demonstrated in both experimental and human studies. Humans cannot synthesize carotenoids and therefore are required to source them in their diet. Oxidative stress and inflammation are common pathophysiological features of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Therefore astaxanthin may have a potential therapeutic role in this condition.
Antioxidant therapies such as vitamin E, C and β-carotene have been assessed in clinical trials in patients at risk of cardiovascular events. The majority of the studies have been unsuccessful in reducing cardiovascular events and mortality. This may not be due to lack of efficacy of the antioxidant but could be because at risk participants have not been selected based on the presence of confirmed oxidative stress.
New, more portent and effective antioxidant therapies have been sought. One such agent is astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is 11 times more potent as a singlet oxygen quencher than β-carotene and 550 times greater than alpha tocopherol. It is a more potent quencher of singlet oxygen than other antioxidants and its molecular structure allows for spanning the cellular lipid bilayer to provide versatile antioxidant actions. The polar end groups overlap the polar boundary zones of the membrane, while the nonpolar middle fits the membrane’s nonpolar interior.
Astaxanthin may provide cardiovascular protection through reducing oxidative stress. The effect of dietary astaxanthin in doses of 0, 2 or 8 mg/day, over 8 weeks, on oxidative stress and inflammation were investigated in a double blind study in 14 health females. Although these participants did not have oxidative stress or inflammation, those taking 2 mg/day had lower CRP at week eight.
Astaxanthin’s effect on CRP was also investigated in a small double-blind trial. Subjects (ages 40-60; n = 19), with no diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, received three softgel capsules daily supplying either astaxanthin at 12 mg/day or placebo for eight weeks. Those supplementing with astaxanthin lowered CRP levels by about 20 percent.
Astaxanthin also appears to have positive effect on blood pressure. Oral astaxanthin administered to spontaneously hypertensive rats showed a significant reduction in BP after 14 days. In animal studies, it has been shown that astaxanthin enhances nitric oxide induced vascular relaxation, indicating that it may be exerting its BP effects via this pathway.
Astaxanthin is safe. The liver does not convert astaxanthin into vitamin A or otherwise biochemically transform it. Instead it becomes incorporated into low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein, which then distribute it to the tissues via the circulation. Excess intake of astaxanthin will not cause hypervitaminosis A toxicity. No significant side effects have been reported so far in published human studies in which astaxanthin was administered to humans.
Astaxanthin, a substance established as the most potent antioxidant yet discovered, has scientifically proven anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties supporting cardiovascular health. The fact that astaxanthin is naturally derived with no side effects makes it very attractive to people as a health supplement.

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Key Nutrients for Men’s Health

by Crystal Shelton

As a man, certain aspects of your health can be expected to deteriorate with age. Prostate health is one of those concerns that most men, if they live long enough, will have to address. Sexual health and function can also be a concern in general or as one begins to age. Fortunately, there are some key ingredients that have been shown to play significant roles in these areas of prostate health and sexual function working through a variety of mechanisms of action: these are saw palmetto, zinc, schizandra, Pycnogenol® and arginine.
With regards to prostate health, saw palmetto extract has traditionally been used and clinically researched for a variety of indications related to the promotion of prostate health, primarily for its effects on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Studies have shown it helps to reduce the symptoms associated with prostate issues such as frequent and painful urination. It is suggested that saw palmetto inhibits an enzyme known to convert testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT plays an active role in the development and worsening of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), as well as prostate cancer, by enlarging the prostate gland. Other research also suggests saw palmetto induces cell death (apoptosis) in unhealthy cells by inhibiting growth factors that may cause excessive growth of prostate cells. Additionally, saw palmetto has effects of promoting a normal inflammatory response by inhibiting enzymes that promote inflammation.
Zinc is an essential mineral that actually has effects in both prostate and sexual health. As most are aware, zinc is found in every cell of the body and is an essential part of nearly 300 different biochemical pathways. In addition to its multiple functions in the body, zinc accumulates higher in prostate tissue than in any other soft tissue. It protects prostate cells from the negative effects of free radicals and is critical in maintaining the cellular health within the prostate. Zinc is important in the protection and repair of DNA, which also protects prostate cells from genetic changes that could promote the occurrence of cancerous tissues. Low zinc levels have been associated with the development and progression of prostate cancer. Zinc works as an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent. Zinc also plays a role in in testosterone physiology, a critical hormone for men’s health. With age, testosterone levels decline so supplementing with zinc is very important. Zinc is also associated with male fertility and clinical research suggests low levels are associated with a lower sperm count and decreased sperm motility. Supplementation with zinc was shown to improve these parameters and help with maintaining a normal sperm count.
Schizandra, also known as wu-wei-zi or spelled as schisandra, is an adaptogenic herb with a long history of use in ancient Chinese medicine for promoting general well-being and enhancing vitality. In addition to its traditional use of helping the body adapt to stress and promoting energy, schizandra has historically been taken to promote sexual health. It’s suggested that schizandra promotes healthy levels of nitric oxide, an important factor for increased blood flow, which plays a substantial role in erection physiology. Other health effects such as enhancing physical performance and promoting strength have also been shown for schizandra.
Pycnogenol®, a standardized pine bark extract, and arginine, an amino acid, have been shown to work synergistically for optimizing sexual health in men and helping to maintain a healthy erection. Erection health is largely dependent on adequate blood flow which is facilitated by nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide is a gas that enhances smooth muscle relaxation and blood flow. There is substantial research to support arginine’s function in alleviating male impotence as it stimulates the production of nitric oxide and improves blood flow. Arginine has also been shown to increase sperm count, as well as sperm motility. Pycnogenol was shown to reduce the severity of male impotence from moderate to mild as well as restore the ability to maintain a healthy erection. One study found supplementation with arginine and Pycnogenol for 3 months caused a significant improvement allowing 92.5% of the men with erectile dysfunction to experience a normal erection without any side effects. Another study found Pycnogenol to have a beneficial effect on treatment of erectile dysfunction.
One cannot stop the aging process or the detrimental effects on the prostate and sexual health that are a part of it. Luckily, there are clinically studied nutrients that have been proven as key factors in maintaining optimal prostate health and sexual vitality and function for men.

The natural effects of aging on your body and mind can have serious consequences on your quality of life.  nutraMetrix® Prime™ Time Performance Formula for Men is a potent herbal supplement that works via several mechanisms to support healthy male libido and support healthy sexual function.  http://bit.ly/R866xo

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Hints for a Healthy Pregnancy

by Crystal Shelton

For many women, the moment they learn they are pregnant is one of the most joyous times in their life. At that point, everything seems to change – physically, your body is adjusting to the new life growing inside and morning sickness or extreme exhaustion (or both!) are knocking at your door. Mentally, most women start to wonder about the sex of the baby, pick out names and think of life with the impending arrival in mind. From that point forward, the most important thing is doing everything possible to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
 

One of the most important, if not the most important, things a woman should do when learning of pregnancy, is ensure she is getting the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals in her diet – one easy way to do that is take a prenatal multivitamin. Actually, if a woman is considering becoming pregnant, it is recommended to start a prenatal at that point – as studies show, certain vitamins and minerals are beneficial even in the very early stages of pregnancy.

nutraMetrix® Isotonix® Prenatal Activated Multivitamin is an isotonic-capable supplement that delivers metabolically active forms of folic acid and other B-vitamins, in addition to supplying the Recommended Daily Allowance of key vitamins and nutrients needed for an expectant mother

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Pregnancy greatly increases the needs of certain vitamins and minerals as the growing fetus begins to use those nutrients the mother intakes. For example, the recommended daily value for folic acid doubles from 400 mcg to 800 mcg and calcium needs increase to 1,300 mg daily for pregnant women. It is important to note that all vitamins and minerals are important during pregnancy, but a couple are more important than others for specific reasons.

Folic acid is a B vitamin that is very familiar to most. It has a multitude of functions in the body, including its role in promoting normal cell replication and growth and supporting the normal formation of DNA and RNA, which are needed for protein synthesis in all cells. As such, rapidly growing tissues, such as those of a fetus, and rapidly regenerating cells, like red blood cells and immune cells, have a high need for folic acid. It is essential in the development of the fetal central nervous system and research has shown adequate amounts may reduce a woman’s risk of having a child with a brain or spinal cord defect. Folic acid deficiencies during pregnancy have also been associated with pre-term delivery and low infant birth weight. Folinic acid is the metabolically active derivative of folic acid which allows for higher bioavailability and would be the preferred form to be used as it is readily available and the body (already working over-time for the pregnancy) can work less to utilize its benefits.

 

Calcium is a vital mineral during pregnancy for many reasons. As it does for adults, it contributes to the proper mineralization of bones and teeth and plays a role in facilitating nerve conduction and muscle contraction for the growing fetus. Additionally, research has proven those that are deficient in calcium are at a much greater risk for hypertension (high blood pressure) and swelling during pregnancy, symptoms of a condition known as preeclampsia. Calcium deficiency has also been linked to impaired fetal bone development. It is critical to eat foods that are rich in calcium as well as supplement to ensure the needs are being adequately met.

 

 

 

nutraMetrix Isotonix Calcium Complete provides the body with an optimal blend of calcium, vitamin D3, magnesium, vitamin C and boron in an efficient isotonic solution that is readily absorbed by the body. Isotonix dietary supplements are a replica of the body's own fluids, such as tears, plasma and breast milk.

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Iron is also an important component of a prenatal vitamin for its many roles in development, including functioning as a component of hemoglobin (transports oxygen to body) and synthesizing neurotransmitters for brain health. Oftentimes, iron is viewed as the “bad actor” of prenatal vitamins as it is deemed the culprit for causing an upset stomach and can be hard to digest. Also, it naturally has an unpleasant taste. To avoid the possible gastrointestinal discomfort and poor taste, it is important to use a highly bioavailable iron, such as SunActive Fe™.

It’s not always easy to eat the necessary amounts of fruits, vegetables and other foods to ensure you are getting the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals that your body needs during pregnancy. By taking a prenatal vitamin that encompasses the essential amounts of the important nutrients, you can alleviate that concern and know you are supplying your baby with the nutrients needed for healthy growth and development.

 

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Staying Ahead of Cold and Flu Season

 by Olivia Mungal

It’s that time of the year again: cold and flu season. Easily one of the more unpleasant experiences to have during the fall, getting sick is surprisingly common and it simply doesn’t need to be. There are plenty of things we can do to prevent coming down with the cold or flu this year.

Washing your hands often and avoiding touching your face, nose, eyes or mouth can help prevent the spread of germs. Even sanitizing doorknobs, handles, keyboards, remotes, keys, and other items you frequently touch can help to keep the cold and flu contained…but what happens when those pathogens are introduced into the body?

Courtesy of sodahead.com

Even if you’re prepared for flu season this year, others may not be quite as thoughtful when it comes to flu prevention. The average sneeze travels at approximately 100 miles per hour and carries over 100,000 germs a sneeze. With autumn on its way, now is the time to prime your immune system:

Vitamin A stimulates the production and activity of white blood cells and the endothelial cells that line the body’s interior surfaces which offer primary protection from illness and infection. In its pure form, Vitamin A can be toxic, but stored as Beta Carotene, the body will only convert and use what it needs. The remaining Beta Carotene works as an antioxidant in the body fighting free radicals. Vitamin A must be replaced daily, so make sure this is a part of your everyday regimen.

Vitamin C is well-known for its immunity benefits. Taking Vitamin C regularly can boost immunity, and people who take extra doses of Vitamin C report recovering from colds and the flu much faster than others. Even levels of 200 mg/day increase levels of immunoglobulin, which are proteins that act as disease-fighting antibodies. Vitamin C is often stored as Ascorbic Acid, which also increases the absorption of other vitamins you may be taking.

Vitamin D is best known as a precursor to calcium absorption and bone health, but the Harvard School of Public Health states that vitamin D also obstructs some of the damaging inflammatory response of some white blood cells. This can make a world of difference for those suffering swollen lymph nodes or raw, scratchy throats this cold and flu season.

Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis

Not only can Vitamin E can also help support your body’s healing abilities, but it can also increase immunity response to pathogens. Studies by the Nutritional Immunology Laboratory preformed two separate studies around vitamin E supplementation. His first study found elderly patients who took vitamin E regularly were less likely to come down with colds or upper respiratory infections. The study was repeated again with young men as test subjects who also showed increased immune response.

Selenium is a trace mineral which is reduced into selenoproteins by the body. In this form, it can not only supports cellular immune response and cell membrane health, but it can also aid the body facilitate antioxidant enzymes. This means selenium can play a substantial role in helping the body fight off pathogens and free radicals.

Regular amounts of zinc can help ensure your T-cells and other immune cells are able to function properly and defend the body. Zinc deficiency or zinc overdose can inhibit your immune response. Meeting your Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) can help you avoid developing a deficiency of the trace element, zinc.

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Curcumin Shown to Reduce Arthritis Symptoms

By Justin Wiggins
New data suggest that supplements of a patented, high bioavailability curcumin may actually match a prescription rheumatoid arthritis drug for joint health benefits, but with fewer side effects; clearly an added benefit in its own right.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States. Approximately 21 million adults are currently affected by arthritis and that number is predicted to rise to 67 million by the year 2030.
Dr. Ajay Goel from Baylor University Medical Center says, “The drugs used for people with rheumatoid arthritis can have severe adverse effects.”
The study involved 45 people with rheumatoid arthritis who were randomly assigned to receive a curcumin supplement (1,000 mg per day), the prescription drug diclofenac sodium (100 mg per day), or a combination of both for eight weeks.
Researchers wanted to test the comparative effectiveness of curcumin for reducing swelling and pain. Because of their concerns that curcumin on its own wouldn’t be sufficiently absorbed, they chose a specific extract called BCM-95® to use in the study–there is evidence that this potent concentrate absorbs between 7 and 10 times better than ordinary curcumin.
After the eight week trial, all groups displayed improvements in various joint health measures. The BCM-95® group displayed the greatest reductive trend in symptoms, although statistically results were considered equal among all three groups.
However, the same group displayed reduced markers of more general inflammation as well, including C-reactive protein (CRP), which is most commonly used to measure the risk of heart disease. On another interesting side note, over 10 percent of the prescription group dropped out of the study on account of intolerable side effects, while the curcumin group remained 100 percent compliant.
As the researchers wrote, “Our observations that curcumin alone was able to alleviate symptoms of rheumatiod arthritis in this study are quite encouraging, and these results provide an ideal springboard for investigating the potential of curcumin in other chronic diseases arising in the setting of dysregulated chronic inflammation.”
This endorsement speaks plainly. Along with matching a prescription drug in effectiveness within this study, being far more readily available and displaying no apparent side effects, curcumin thus far presents itself as a very viable alternative for joint health benefits.


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