Astaxanthin - A Doctors Perspective

By Dr. Perry Krichmar

As a Health Professional, I’m thrilled that astaxanthin – one of the hottest ingredients on the market today – is getting the attention it deserves.
Over the last year-plus, it has been the subject of countless research studies, news articles and mainstream publicity thanks to the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Mehmet Oz, who raved about the benefits of astaxanthin on their talk shows.
This ingredient’s health benefits are plentiful: from its application to help alleviate the symptoms of hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes to more general health applications like cardiovascular support, eye fatigue relief, skin care and anti-aging protection, endurance and weight control, astaxanthin can be considered a one-size-fits-all approach to well-being.
Hypertension
Hypertension is a medical condition in which blood pressure in the arteries is elevated, requiring the heart to work harder than normal to circulate blood through the blood vessels. Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke, myocardial infarction (heart attacks), heart failure, aneurysms of the arteries, peripheral arterial disease and is a cause of chronic kidney disease.
One of the main symptoms of hypertension is the thickening of the vascular walls, which reduces blood flow to the heart and increases systolic pressure. One research study showed that 5 mg of astaxanthin a day over a seven-week period reduced the thickness of the vascular wall by 47 percent.
In addition, recent studies have shown astaxanthin to help improve how the blood flows through the body, which can help reduce hypertension. One such study found that 6 mg of astaxanthin a day enhanced capillary blood flow by 10 percent – in only a ten-day period. Another study, conducted over a 30-day period, found that a 5mg a day dose of astaxanthin reduced systolic blood pressure (the measure of blood pressure while the heart is beating) by seven percent.
By improving the heart’s structure and reducing the amount of work needed to keep blood flowing, astaxanthin research is showing promising signs to help the heart work smarter, not harder.
Type 2 Diabetes
In people with type 2 diabetes – the most common form – the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin, which is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy. When you eat food, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose, which is the basic fuel for the cells in the body. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can lead to diabetes complications.
New research into the effectiveness of astaxanthin preventing certain diabetes-related parameters has been promising. Studies have shown that eight weeks of astaxanthin usage can reduce cortisol levels by as much as 23 percent, expression of the lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) gene by 6.5 percent, and glycated hemoglobin molecules by 4 percent.
What does this mean? High cortisol levels can contribute to increased blood glucose and fat levels, markers for diabetes and pre-diabetes. LDH expression relates to the metabolism of glucose in the body, which is important for numerous organ functions when the genes are working properly. Overexpression of LDH can not only be a cause of concern for diabetes, but different forms of cancer (including testicular cancer, Ewing’s sarcoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and some types of leukemia) and conditions such as heart failure, hypothyroidism and liver disease.
General Health Applications of Astaxanthin
Studied countless times for cardiovascular, vision, skin care and anti-aging benefits, astaxanthin has been proven to support and maintain your health in a variety of ways, from helping maintain normal cholesterol and blood pressure levels, to antioxidant protection, to muscle performance.
Research has shown that astaxanthin can help maintain normal cholesterol by protecting LDL (the bad kind of cholesterol) and triglyceride levels from free radicals through its powerful antioxidant defense. In addition, it works to maintain normal good cholesterol levels, or HDL, in the body.
Researchers conclude that for every 1 mg increase in good cholesterol HDL, the risk of cardiovascular diseases drops by three percent. A recent study found that astaxanthin users, over a 12-week trial, improved their HDL levels by as much as 11 percent.
Plus, astaxanthin has the ability to support healthy blood flow to and from the cardiac muscle. All of this helps to support your overall cardiovascular health.
For your vision, astaxanthin works to support healthy blood flow to the eyes — supporting visual focus and helping reduce the occurrence of occasional eye strain, helping the eyes to perform at their best. And, because of it efficacy, astaxanthin delivers more antioxidant power than any of the other carotenoids, displaying approximately 10 times the power of vitamin A.
One study found that individuals who received 5 mg of astaxanthin per day for one month showed a 54 percent reduction of eye fatigue complaints.
And that’s just scratching the surface. Astaxanthin has also been shown to:

• Support muscle endurance and performance
• Improve skin moisture and help to maintain skin elasticity
• Provide a powerful antioxidant defense to help protect the entire body on a cellular level

In Conclusion
There are more and more studies being released about the wonders of astaxanthin. As we continue to peel back the layers of this amazing ingredient, the health community is finding more quality benefits that are helping people live healthier, longer.
A final note: many studies are based on doses of six mg or more, so it is important – if you are investigating whether astaxanthin supplementation is right for you – to talk with your Health Professional about the type of astaxanthin available, including the serving amounts. It really does make a difference.

After graduating from SUNY Binghamton, Dr. Krichmar attended Long Island University where he obtained his master’s degree in biomedical sciences. He completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Griffin Hospital in Derby, Conn. He is board certified in internal medicine and cardiology.

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Omega 3s and Brain Aging

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Sean Wells

Omega 3 fatty acids have become–in relative terms–an instant classic in the area of heart health, but research is increasingly aimed at the examination of cognitive function in relation to Omega 3s. It has been investigated in regards to ADHD and shown potential, and these encouraging results in regard to mental focus led to curiosity about any effects of these healthy fats on the physical structure of the brain, in addition to it’s maintenance and proper function.
For this particular study, conducted at UCLA, 1,575 people with an average age of 67 and judged as free of dementia underwent MRI brain scans in order to assess physical qualities such as overall brain mass and hippocampal volume. They were also given tests that measured mental function, body mass and the omega-3 fatty acid levels in their red blood cells.
The researchers found that people whose DHA (docosahexanenoic acid) levels were among the lowest 25 percent of the participants also displayed lower brain volume compared to people who had higher DHA levels. In a corresponding manner, participants with levels of all omega-3 fatty acids in the bottom 25 percent also scored lower on tests of visual memory and executive function, such as problem solving, multi-tasking and abstract thinking.
“People with lower blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids had lower brain volumes that were equivalent to about two years of structural brain aging,” said study author Zaldy S. Tan, MD, MPH, of the Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research and the Division of Geriatrics, University of California at Los Angeles. The researchers went on to conclude that there is an association with lower levels of DHA and smaller brain volume accompanied by what was described as a “vascular” pattern of impaired cognitive function.

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Hyaluronic acid: Natures Fountain of Youth?

Hyaluronic Acid(HA) can be described as "natures moisturizer" and  can be found naturally in most every cell in the body and occurs in high concentrations in specific body locations like: Joints, Skin, Hair & Scalp, Eys, Lips and Tendons/Ligaments.  In each body location, it serves a different function. Unfortunately, the bodys ability to produce HA decreases with age and also has a half-life ( the time it takes for the molecule to get broken down and excreted from the body) of less than 3 days and possibly even as little as one day in the skin. For this reason, it is imperative that the body continually replenish itself with HA. Below are some of the areas in the human body where it is present and critical to anatomical function.

 

Hyaluronic Acid in Joints

Our joints (like the elbows and knees) are surrounded by a membrane called the synovial membrane which forms a capsule around the ends of the two articulating bones. This membrane secretes a liquid called the synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is a viscous fluid with the consistency of motor oil. It has many functions, but none more than providing the elastic shock absorbing properties of the joint. Its second most important function in the joint is to carry nutrients to the cartilage and to also remove waste from the joint capsule.

Hyaluronic Acid in the skin

Although Hyaluronic Acid (HA) can be found naturally in most every cell in the body, it is found in the greatest concentrations in the skin tissue. Almost 50% of the bodies HA is found here. It is found in both the deep underlying dermal areas as well as the visible epidermal top layers. Young skin is smooth and elastic and contains large amounts of HA that helps keep the skin young and healthy. The HA provides continuous moisture to the skin by binding up to 1000 times its weight in water. HA nourishes and hydrates the collagen to keep it moist and elastic.  Young skin is smooth and highly elastic because it contains high concentrations of Hyaluronic Acid, which helps skin stay healthy. As we grow older, the body loses its ability to maintain this same concentration in the skin. With decreasing levels of HA in the skin, so goes the ability of the skin to hold water. The result, the skin becomes drier and loses its ability to maintain it's hydration. Hyaluronic acid acts as a space filler by binding to water and thus keeping the skin wrinkle-free.  With age, the ability of the skin to produce HA decreases.

Hyaluronic Acid in Scalp Tissue and Hair Follicles

Structurally the scalp is identical to the skin tissue located throughout the body except it also contains about 100,000 hair follicles that give rise to hair. Actually the hair and the hair follicle are a derivative of skin tissue. There are two distinctive skin layers, one, the epidermis (outer layer) which gives rise to the protective shield of the body and the other, the dermal layer (deep layer) which makes up the bulk of the skin and is where the hair follicle is located. This dermal layer is composed of connective tissue and the connective tissue, with its gelatinous fluid like characteristics provides support, nourishes and hydrates the deep layers of the scalp. The result is healthy lustrous hair and a moisturized scalp. Again, all of this is made possible because of the presence of HA in the scalp.

Hyaluronic Acid in Eyes

Hyaluronic acid is highly concentrated inside the eyeball. The fluid inside the eye called the vitreous humor is composed almost completely of hyaluronic acid. The HA gives the fluid inside the eye a viscous gel like property. This gel acts as a shock absorber for the eye and also serves to transport nutrients into the eye. HA has been directly injected into the eye during procedures to help maintain the shape of the eye during surgery. It has been said that after the 5th decade of life, our eyes stop producing the much needed hyaluronic acid resulting in various eye needs.

Hyaluronic Acid in Lips

The lips are a core of skeletal muscle covered by skin tissue. The dermal layer of the lips is composed primarily of connective tissue and its components hyaluronic acid and collagen that give the structure (shape) and plumpness to the lips. The HA binds to water creating a gelatinous fluid that hydrates the surrounding tissue and keeps the collagen (responsible for keeping the skin tight) nourished and healthy. The result is healthy well hydrated and plump lips that are well protected from the environment.

Hyaluronic Acid in Tendons and Ligaments/Connective tissue

Connective tissue is found everywhere in the body. It does much more than connect body parts; it has many forms and functions. Its major functions include binding, support, protection, and insulation. One such example of connective tissue is the cordlike structures that connect muscle to bone (tendons) and bone to bone (ligaments). In all connective tissue there are three structural elements. They are ground substance (hyaluronic acid), stretchy fibers (collagen and elastin) and a fundamental cell type. Whereas all other primary tissues in the body are composed mainly of living cells, connective tissues are composed largely of a nonliving ground substance, the hyaluronic acid, which separates and cushions the living cells of the connective tissue. The separation and cushioning allow the tissue to bear weight, withstand great tension and endure abuse that no other body tissue could. All of this is made possible because of the presence of the HA and its ability to form the gelatinous ground substance fluid.

Hyaluronic Acid Supplementation

Because natural production of Hyaluronic Acid decreases with age, supplementation is a way to  regain some of the youthful benefits of HA. Below are supplements that contain HA:

 

nutraMetrix Prime Joint Support Formula by Isotonix® Helps maintain healthy joint fluidity and flexibility

nutraMetrix® OPC-3 Skin Health Formula Helps maintain skin moisture,  collagen and elastin levels

nutraMetrix® VitaShield® OPC-3® Triple Serum Helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, promotes healthy skin elasticity and firmness, moisturizes skin

nutraMetrix® VitaShield® Intensive Eye Firming Treatment Supports the normal production of collagen for firmer skin

Dr. Oz touts skin health benefits of Pycnogenol

We already know Dr. Oz loves astaxanthin. Now he’s on a new quest: to tell everyone about the wonders of Pycnogenol for achieving younger-looking skin.
In a recent segment on his show, Dr. Oz discussed how Pycnogenol – an extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree – can help your skin cells regain their moisture to give you a smoother appearance.

“Could [Pycnogenol] be the secret to looking seven years younger?” Dr. Oz asked his audience. “I researched it, and the consensus is yes.”
The secret, Dr. Oz says, behind Pycnogenol’s superior anti-aging effects is its “incredible antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers” that help boost the body’s hyaluronic acid levels by 44 percent. Hyaluronic acid, which plays an important role in tissue hydration, lubrication and cellular function, “is the primary agent that keeps skin tight and wrinkle-free,” Dr. Oz says.
“That means that in about 12 weeks of taking [P]ycnogenol, you may see smoother skin, a reduction in fine lines, and more supple skin,” Dr. Oz says on his website.
To longtime Market America and nutraMetrix customers, the benefits of Pycnogenol are no secret. Since 1995, Market America has be providing millions with the only isotonic form of Pycnogenol in the world in Isotonix OPC-3. Since then, Isotonix has been proud to include its isotonic form of Pycnogenol in other nutritional supplements, including:

• Isotonix OPC-3 Beauty Blend, formulated to promote skin elasticity, support healthy collagen production, replenish essential vitamins and minerals for the skin, and provide the skin and body with improved antioxidant defenses; Contains both Pycnogenol & Hyaluronic Acid that Dr. Oz mentioned
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nutraMetrix Isotonix OPC-3® is an isotonic-capable food supplement that is made from a combination of bilberry, grape seed, red wine and pine bark extracts, and citrus extract bioflavonoids, all found to be powerful antioxidants.  Studies have shown OPCs to be up to 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing free radicals. nutraMetrix Isotonix OPC-3 contains the only isotonic form of Pycnogenol® in the world.


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 While other supplements on the market can claim to have Pycnogenol, the superior Isotonix delivery system ensures that its ingredients – including Pycnogenol – are absorbed by the body in the most efficient, effective manner. Without the need for fillers and binder found in most pills and tablets, Isotonix nutritional supplements deliver maximum results in each and every serving.

Other skincare products containing Opc3 include:

nutraMetrix® VitaShield® OPC-3® Triple Serum Contains both OPC3 & Hyaluronic Acid which provides strong antioxidant protection, helps maintain youthful-looking skin, promotes healthy cell growth for smooth, radiant looking skin, Refines skin tone & moisturizes skin

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nutraMetrix® VitaShield® Intensive Eye Firming Treatment Contains both OPC3 & Hyaluronic Acid which supports the delicate skin surrounding the eyes, normal production of collagen for firmer skin,  normal process that produces firm, smooth, evenly-colored and visually superior skin.

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So tell us: how has Pycnogenol helped you?

Study: Low-glycemic diet burns calories without side effects

There have been a number of studies and ratings in recent months comparing the types of diet
programs available. One of the most recent ones, the results of which were released just last month in the Journal of the American Medical Association, compared three popular programs that form the basis of most reputable diet programs – low-carb, low-glycemic and low-fat.
The results showed that, for the majority of people, a low-glycemic diet – one that emphasizes whole grains like oatmeal and brown rice, low-fat meats like fish, fruits and vegetables, beans and healthy fats from olive oil and nuts – can help achieve weight loss goals without the potential side effects of the other two programs:

[Researchers found] the low-glycemic index diet represents a good “middle ground” — it doesn’t drastically reduce any major nutrient, and instead focuses on including a wide variety of foods with high-quality nutrients — for maintaining weight loss.

The study was designed to measure which of the three diet programs would help participants burn more calories, which in turn would help them keep off unwanted weight. During the study, researchers also kept close tabs on other factors, including hormone levels, heart and diabetes risks and insulin sensitivity.
Researchers followed subjects for eight months. During the first five months of the study, the researchers provided the same meals to all participants and registered their baseline measurements. During the final three months, the test group followed each of the three diet programs – low-carb, low-fat and low-glycemic – for a four-week period.
While study participants on a low-carb diet burned more calories during a three-month period, they were also subject to potential “increases … in cortisol and C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation and a risk factor for heart disease.” Those on the low-fat diet program not only burned less calories, but also showed increased triglyceride levels, lower levels of good cholesterol, and increases in insulin sensitivity, a risk factor for diabetes.
“This continues to overturn the idea that low fat is the one best diet we have and everybody should be on it,” Stanford University nutrition scientist Christopher Gardner, who was not involved with the study, told the Boston Globe.
In contrast to the other two programs, study participants following a low-glycemic diet burned calories and were not prone to the increased heart risks those on the other plans experienced.
Study author Dr. David Ludwig, director of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center at Boston Children’s Hospital, added:
“It says that from a metabolic perspective all calories are not alike. The quality of the calories going in affects the number of calories going out. You don’t have to go to the extreme of eliminating all carbohydrates. By simply focusing on quality of carbohydrates we can get similar advantages to low-carbohydrate diets but without the potential downsides.”

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5 Post-Holiday Detox Foods

Anyone else overindulge just a tad this holiday season? I did! And now it’s time for a total detox. For the next few weeks I’ll be going hard core – veggies, fruits, lean meats and whole grains. I’m even going to throw a few veggies and fruits into the mix that are known for their detoxing capabilities. Check out this roundup of detox foods that will help you slim down, shape up and feel great!

5 Post-Holiday Detox Foods

• Watercress: Make a light salad out of this cleansing leafy green.
• Fresh fruit of any kind! Filled with vitamins and fiber, fruit is the best snack out there.
• Beets: Did you know beets are known for their ability to help the gallbladder detoxify? Try beet juice (it’s actually delicious!)
• Lemon water: SO delicious when all you want is a cleansed, refreshed feeling! Lemons are known for both their detoxing and fat burning qualities.
• Kale and other dark greens: Try this Kale, Edamame, and Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette for a detoxifying lunch.

For additional help with your detoxing:

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  nutraMetrix Isotonix Multivitamin helps promote the conversion of food into energy,
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                                                         water and electrolyte balance in the body to help
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  nutraMetrix TLS CORE Fat & Carb Inhibitor helps inhibit the amount of starchy
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To Promote regular Detoxing:

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 nutraMetrix Timeless Prescription is a combination of vitamins, minerals and special herbs in
                                                              capsule form that helps protect our body from the negative
                                                              effects of free radicals.  Contains Milk Thistle to promote liver
                                                              health. Contains some of the most potent liver-supporting
                                                              substances known. Protects against free radicals by acting as
                                                              an antioxidant, protecting the liver. Supports the normal
                                                              production of new liver cells.
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 nutraMetrix Curcumin Extreme  supports liver detoxification activity, promotes normal cellular
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                                                  detoxification enzymes
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Sleep, Metabolism and Obesity

2012 by Sean Wells

Scientists have conducted specific studies of humans and animals and discovered that sleep plays a critical role in memory and learning, but also immune function and basic metabolism. It seems that sleep plays a role not only in how energetic we feel, but also the way in which we generate energy.

To prevent or limit excessive weight gain—another metabolic byproduct—a recent animal study provides new insights into the importance of circadian rhythms and their interaction with normal metabolism. Researchers studied two groups of mice with both these rhythms and the genes responsible in mind.

One group was genetically normal, while the other group lacked what is known as the Rev-Erb alpha gene, responsible for biological circadian rhythms. In the mice lacking the Rev-Erb alpha gene, research determined that they became obese and hyperglycemic. This was the case even if they ate the same quantity of food at the same time as normal mice.

Further investigation indicated that the major difference between the two groups was in the way Rev-Erb alpha-deficient mice metabolized the food they ate. The Rev-Erb alpha deficient mice metabolically created much more fat than the normal mice—this shift occurred specifically during the feeding period. Additionally, the Rev-Erb-alpha deficient mice were observed to rely less on carbohydrate stores for fuel when they were at rest. This suggests that when abiding by “normal” hours of sleep, the body is more inclined to indiscriminately burn calories rather than store them away.

“It is now clear that impairment of daily rhythms such as shift-work, exposure to artificial lighting, or jet-lag has multiple adverse effects on human health, every effort should be made to maintain or restore normal temporal organization and to avoid potentially disruptive behaviors such as nocturnal meals or light exposure at night”, said Etienne Challet, Ph.D., a contributing researcher.

From a personal point of view, it seems obvious that sleep is beneficial. We all know from experience that when going without sleep, consequences ensue, and that getting a good night’s sleep will often make us feel ready to take on the world. The benefits, apparently, extend well beyond that feeling—proper sleep yields demonstrable benefits for health and weight management.

 

 

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nutraMetrix Isotonix L-Tryptophan is an isotonic capable form of the essential amino acid, l-tryptophan that helps maintain healthy levels of serotonin in the brain which helps regulate mood & supports sleep. http://bit.ly/UJ9MjT

 

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