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Long-term use of a daily multivitamin/mineral may lower cancer risk in middle-aged and older men

May 17, 2015 1:21 pm / Leave a comment

Long-term Use of a Daily Multivitamin/mineral May Lower Cancer Risk in Middle-aged and Older Men

May 13, 2015

Long-term use of a daily multivitamin/mineral may lower cancer risk in middle-aged and older men

 At a Glance

A daily multivitamin/ mineral supplement taken long-term may help reduce cancer risk in middle-aged and older men.

Read more about this research below.

A large study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, using data obtained from the Physicians’ Health Study II, has found that the use of a daily multivitamin/ mineral supplement long term can reduce the risk of cancer occurrence.

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study of approximately 14,641 male physicians ages 50 or older from the United States, participants were randomly assigned to take a daily multivitamin/ mineral supplement or a placebo between 1997 and June 2011. During the median follow-up of 11.2 years, researchers recorded 2,669 cancer cases, including 1,373 prostate cancer cases and 210 colorectal cancer cases. When examining outcomes at the study’s end, the researchers found an 8 percent reduction in total cancer occurrence among participants assigned to multivitamin use.

Although the main reason to take multivitamins is to prevent nutritional deficiency, this study reinforces the value of long-term consistent use of a daily multivitamin as a convenient and affordable insurance policy for good health and possible cancer prevention in middle-aged and older adults.J. Michael Gaziano et al. Multivitamins in the Prevention of Cancer in Men: The Physicians’ Health Study II Randomized Controlled Trial.  JAMA. 2012;308(18):doi:10.1001/jama.2012.14641.

Low Vitamin D levels are associated with increased dementia risk

September 22, 2014 1:01 pm / Leave a comment

September 17, 2014

Low Vitamin D levels are associated with increased dementia risk

At a Glance

A new study of 1,658 adults has shown that insufficient serum vitamin D levels are significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. 

Read more about this research below.

Vitamin D deficiency has recently been linked to many non-skeletal conditions, including mental and cognitive health. In a new study published in the journal Neurology, researchers sought to determine whether insufficient vitamin D blood levels were associated with an elevated risk of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

The study included 1,658 normally healthy adults who participated in the US population-based Cardiovascular Health Study. Participants were free from dementia, cardiovascular disease and stroke at the beginning of this study. Previously collected serum vitamin D samples were analyzed and dementia and Alzheimer’s status were assessed during follow-up using criteria by the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke/Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association. 

Over an average of 5.6 years of follow-up, 171 adults developed all-cause dementia, including 102 cases of Alzheimer’s disease specifically. Compared to subjects with vitamin D blood levels at or above 50 nmol/L (20 ng/ml), participants who were severely vitamin D deficient (<25 nmol/L, or 10 ng/ml) were more than twice as likely to develop all-cause dementia. Subjects with vitamin D levels considered deficient (25 to 50 nmol/L) were 53% more likely to develop all-cause dementia than the group with sufficient levels. Compared to those with sufficient vitamin D levels, subjects that were severely deficient and deficient were 122% and 69% more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, respectively. 

The results add support to the idea that vitamin D plays important roles in non-skeletal conditions, and confirms that vitamin D deficiency (below 50 nmol/L or 20 ng/ml) is associated with a substantially elevated risk of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.  

Thomas J. Littlejohns et al. Vitamin D and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer disease. Neurology 2014;83:1–9.

Higher vitamin D levels increase survival rate in postoperative adults with colorectal cancer

August 6, 2014 10:28 pm / Leave a comment

Higher vitamin D levels increase survival rate in postoperative adults with colorectal cancer

August 06, 2014

At a Glance

A new research article published online suggests that having a higher plasma level of vitamin D is associated with a better chance of surviving colorectal cancer.

Read more about this research below.

Low vitamin D levels are known to be associated with poor health outcomes or increased risk in many diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some cancers.

In a new study published in the Journal of Oncology, researchers investigated whether the plasma level of vitamin D after a diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) has a significant impact on survival outcome.  The Scottish research team analyzed data from 1,598 adults who had undergone surgery for stage I-III colorectal cancer.  Blood samples were taken after surgery and evaluated for vitamin D and for a specific Vitamin D gene receptor.

When compared to the patients with the lowest one-third of vitamin D levels, the patients whose vitamin D levels were in the top one-third of subjects had a significantly lower (32%) risk of dying of CRC and a 30% lower risk of dying from any cause during the 5 year follow-up period.  In patients with stage II CRC, those in the top one-third of vitamin D levels experienced a 56% reduction in mortality.

The researchers found interactions between vitamin D levels and specific type of vitamin D gene receptor, indicating a causal relationship between vitamin D and survival.

This study shows that in patients with stage I-III colorectal cancer, higher post-surgery vitamin D levels are associated with a better outcome and a lower risk of mortality.  Since this was an observational study, carefully designed clinical trials are still needed to confirm whether vitamin D supplementation would provide survival benefits for patients with colorectal cancer.

Zgaga L Plasma Vitamin D Concentration Influences Survival Outcome After a Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer.  J Clin Oncol. 2014 Jul 7. pii: JCO.2013.54.5947. [Epub ahead of print]

Supplemental magnesium improves physical performance in healthy older women

July 28, 2014 3:24 pm / Leave a comment

Supplemental magnesium improves physical performance in healthy older women

At a GlanceA recent study has shown a benefit of supplemental magnesium for improving physical performance in healthy older women.

Read more about this research below.

Magnesium (Mg) is an essential mineral important in the structure and the function of the human body and also as a cofactor for hundreds of enzyme systems that regulate diverse biochemical reactions in the body. Unfortunately, dietary surveys in the US continue to show that older people are particularly susceptible to magnesium deficiency for various reasons, including an inadequate dietary intake, reduced absorption, and greater losses in stools and urine. A poor magnesium status has been associated with reduced physical performance, but to date no trials have established a link between magnesium supplementation and physical performance in the elderly.

In a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, investigators sought to determine whether oral magnesium supplementation could improve physical performance in healthy older women. The research group included 139 healthy women with an average age of 71.5 years that were attending a mild fitness program. The study group included 77 controls and 62 women who were given 300 mg/day of magnesium oxide for 12 weeks. The researchers were blinded to the grouping. 

The primary outcome analyzed was a change in the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). The scores for the SPPB did not differ between the two groups at baseline.  After 12 weeks of supplementation, the group taking magnesium had a significantly better total SPPB score than the controls. The treatment group also had a significantly better test score for chair stand times and 4 minute walking speeds. The improvements were even more evident in women with dietary magnesium intakes below the RDA. 

The findings of this study indicate that magnesium supplementation may play a role in delaying age-related decline in physical performance in healthy older women, especially if dietary intake is below recommended levels.
Nicola Veronese et al. Effect of oral magnesium supplementation on physical performance in healthy elderly women involved in a weekly exercise program: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr published ahead of print July 9, 2014 doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113.080168. 

Vitamins and Athletes

September 18, 2013 11:23 pm / Leave a comment

Vitamins and Athletes

Contributed by Mark DeCotis
The issue of the value of  vitamins and supplements for athletes can be confounding and confusing, to say the least.
John Cuomo, Ph.D., the executive director of Research and Development at USANA Health Sciences addresses the most common questions on the subject.
Vitamins and Athletes John Cuomo, Ph.D. USANA Health Sciences
Cuomo holds a bachelor¹s degree in chemistry from the University of Vermont, a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Penn State, and he also completed a post-doctoral fellowship in bio-organic chemistry at the University of Oregon. He brings more than 25 years of expertise to his work at USANA and holds two patents for Olivol® along with over 20 other U.S. and international patents.

Which vitamins are essential for athletes and why?

A: All vitamins and minerals play specific roles in the body to maintain an athlete’s well-being, energy and metabolism. Since many vitamins and minerals work together in the body, if an athlete is low on one, it affects how the body functions as a whole. Athletes require excellent nutrition in order to meet the challenges they face. For example, intense training increases oxidative stress and weakens the immune system. Antioxidants such as betacarotene, vitamin E, vitamin C, CoQ10 and several others may be particularly important.
Vitamin D also plays a very important role in immune and muscle function. So, for athletes, I recommend a high-quality multivitamin/mineral supplement with advanced doses of these nutrients. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies do not develop overnight, so most athletes are unaware they are deficient in certain nutrients until they begin taking supplements and/or eat healthier. These changes allow them to begin to feel and perform better. This phenomenon can leave the athlete wondering how they ever got by in the deficient state they had become accustomed to.

In what dosages should athletes ingest vitamins?

A: Athletes typically need a higher intake of vitamins and minerals similar to their increased caloric needs. One assumption is that athletes consume additional calories to match their higher energy expenditure and these additional calories will contain enough vitamins to match increased needs. This is likely incorrect, as most athletes do not consume enough nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables to meet their increased calorie needs. A balanced approach of a varied diet and a daily high-quality multivitamin regimen is recommended over supplementing with individual vitamins and minerals. Blood tests and other tests can help with creating a more specific supplementation regimen for an athlete.
I believe most athletes should be getting between 10,000 and 15,000 IU vitamin A (from betacarotene), 500 to 1,500 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E, advanced doses of the B vitamins (including 20-30 mg of vitamin B1, B2, and B6), about 30 mg niacinamide, 150-200 mcg B12 and 800-1,000 mcg folic acid every day. In addition, research now suggests that daily doses of 2,000 to 5,000 IU of vitamin D are required for optimal immune, bone, and muscle health.
And don’t forget the minerals, particularly calcium (1,000-1,200 mg per day from foods and supplements), and about 400 mg or more magnesium, as well as iodine (250-300 mcg), zinc (15–20 mg), copper (1-2 mg), manganese (4-5 mg), boron (4 mg), and the trace minerals selenium (150-200 mcg), chromium (250-300 mcg), molybdenum (50 mcg) and vanadium (30-40 mcg).

Which vitamins if any have no value to athletes?

A: All vitamins and minerals potentially have value to athletes. The extent of the benefit of each depends on how much the athlete is getting from his or her diet and supplement regimen and how much the vitamins and minerals are being used by the athlete. So, for example, an athlete who trains outdoors would likely have different vitamin D needs than an athlete who trains indoors.

Where do you stand on the argument that all supplements have no value and that a balanced diet will achieve the same results?

A: There’s a difference between what we think athletes should be eating and what they are actually eating. And there’s a difference between the minimal nutrition that our bodies need to function and the optimal nutrition that our bodies require to perform at its best.
We know that most athletes, just like everyone else, do not always eat the healthiest diets. In general, very few athletes get nine servings or more per day of fruits and vegetables. Very few eat enough whole grains and most eat too much refined foods. Consuming enough nutrients at the right times is very important to athletes. An athlete would have to eat a lot of extra nutrient-dense foods to meet his or her nutritional needs and shakes, bars, and other supplements offer a convenient way to fill in those nutritional gaps.
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) describes a nutrient intake level that meets minimal needs, but not necessarily what is optimal. Studies such as the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) have demonstrated that nearly no one in the U.S., athletes included, get even the RDA of most vitamins. Imagine what that means for an athlete who is working their bodies much harder than the rest of us. Even if an athlete ate an optimal diet — which they all should try to do — it would still be very hard for them to obtain optimal levels of vitamins C, D, E, many B vitamins, or the minerals they need for health and performance. So I recommend that athletes take a high-quality supplement.

Are specific vitamins specific to specific sports, such as running, swimming, cycling, etc.?

A: Athletes involved in extreme endurance sports experience a higher level of oxidative stress and would likely benefit more from antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium. Iron depletion and deficiency are common in female athletes and more so in those involved in weight-dependent and aesthetic sports. Vegetarian athletes also are at increased risk for poor iron status.
Athletes in weight-dependent sports may restrict their calorie intake, making it harder to get adequate vitamins and minerals from a limited amount of food. Indoor sport athletes, or those with darker skin, are at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. Young, growing athletes, aging athletes, or athletes with a history of stress fractures may benefit from calcium and vitamin D even more than other athletes. Many athletes take glucosamine for joint health and pain, and there is convincing data to support this practice.

What is the risk posed to athletes who are not eating a balanced diet or not taking worthwhile supplements (legal vitamins)?

A: During competitive years, the athlete who is not eating and supplementing right has an increased risk of getting sick, becoming injured and not adapting to their training as quickly. Athletes place high demands on their bodies, so the hope is that in keeping up with these demands through proper eating and supplementation habits, they can maintain a high level of performance over their lifespan.
Cumulative damage to the body from years of hard training likely catches up faster to the athletes with poor nutritional habits. Benefits of a good supplementation and nutritional program for athletes will likely be evident years after their competitive days are over. Those who have received optimal nutrients, in the long term, will have much lower risks of developing chronic degenerative diseases that are endemic to aging adults.

The Role of Vitamin D in Breast Cancer Prevention

July 26, 2013 9:55 pm / Leave a comment

The Role of Vitamin D in Breast Cancer Prevention

July 24, 2013

 The role of vitamin D in breast cancer prevention

At a Glance

A recent study reveals a potential link between poor vitamin D status and an increase in breast cancer risk.

Read more about this research below.

The risk of breast cancer relative to vitamin D status has been evaluated in several previous studies. A number of links between vitamin D status and cancer risk have been observed, including a higher occurrence of breast cancer in geographic areas with lower sun and UV exposure, and an inverse relationship between vitamin D status and breast cancer stage, recurrence and mortality. Less is known about whether it is vitamin D status itself or another aspect of sunlight or UV exposure that is a key to breast cancer prevention.

In a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers analyzed the relationship between serum vitamin D concentrations and the risk of breast cancer. The participants included 240 Saudi women, half of whom had been diagnosed with breast cancer (case group) and the other half that were free of cancer (control group).

The average serum vitamin D level of the women with cancer was 9.4 ng/ml (23.5 nmol/L), while the control group had an average vitamin D level of 12.31 ng/ml (30.7 nmol/L). The difference in the groups was statistically significant. Most experts, including the authors of this study, recommend a vitamin D level of at least 20 ng/ml.  Only 6.7% of the case group met this recommendation, while 27.5% of controls did.

In total, this study provides statistically significant results to support previous research showing a link between breast cancer risk and vitamin D status.

Yousef FM, Jacobs ET, Kang PT, et al. Vitamin D status and breast cancer in Saudi Arabian women: case-control study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013;98(1):105-10.
 

 

What is natural and are your supplements natural?

July 25, 2013 9:21 pm / Leave a comment

What is natural and are your supplements natural?

Are your supplements natural is one of the most commons questions I get. Or I am told I like to get my nutrients from food or natural sources.

What is natural?

The first question is what is natural? I can guarantee that most of what passes for food in the US is not natural. Between GMO foods (Genetically Modified) and all the processed foods we consume, very little is natural. Even if you eat a totally organic diet, chances are you are still not getting any more than the RDA.

RDA = the absolute minimum to keep you from getting vitamin deficiency diseases like Scurvy, Rickets, night blindness, Beri Beri, Pellagra. etc… These standards in the US were designed to keep the military from getting diseases from a lack of nutrition in their diet.

The diseases we face today are degenerative in nature. Heart disease, diabetes, cancer. Chronic problems that take years for us to see the acute symptoms created by a lifetime of experiencing a lack of the nutrients our cells need.

Are Your Supplements Natural?

The nutrients we need are essentially chemicals and minerals. The source of those nutrients can be in foods or in supplements created in labs from food or synthetic sources.

We do know that your body needs those nutrients at much higher levels than the RDA to perform at optimal levels. With the critically mineral depleted topsoils our foods are grown in and the GMO and processed foods that it is impossible to get optimal nutrition just from eating the foods we find on our grocery store shelves.

So the bigger questions for me are:

  • What are the optimal levels to feed the cells of my body what they need for peak performance?
  • AND what are the most potent, purest and safest sources of those nutrients?

Mike Hall recently posted a fantastic article titled: All Supplements Aren’t Made to the Same Quality Standards.

He thoroughly covered the subject of supplement manufacturing practices and what it takes to make a pure supplement. You can read his amazing article at http://mikeha77.com/all-supplements-arent-made-to-the-same-quality-standards/

 

That leads to two final questions:

Are the Nutrients Dissolvable, Absorbable and Bio-Available?

Will it Dissolve?

Years ago I suffered from a distended colon. The culprit? Undissolved vitamins. I later found out that undissolved pills are one of the largest forms of solid wastes in our water treatment systems. That name brand vitamin you have been taking didn’t dissolve.

Once it Dissolves Will My Body Absorb It?

Once it dissolves, the nutrient has to pass through the cell wall to be absorbed into your system. Only chelated minerals can do this. So are the nutrients you are taking chelated?

Is it Bio-Available?

And finally it has to be Bio-available. That means that after it dissolves and is then absorbed by the body, it has to be in a form that the cells of the body can use.

A great example of nutrients from natural sources not being bio-available is Vitamin E. The bio-available form of Vitamin E is D-alpha-tocoferol. If you are not taking a supplement then chances are almost all of your intake of vitamin E is gamma-tocoferol which you get from soybeans, corn and most nut oils.  Most supplements on the market contain a synthetic form of vitamin E called all-racemic alpha tocopheryl acetate which is only 12.5% bio-available.

This article from the Linus Pauling Institute lays out the differences between the types of vitamin E and the benefits – http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminE/

The final question is:

Where can I find the most complete, absorbable, potent, purest and safest supplements to help me live with optimal health?

The answer? Just ask.

Cheers!

Richard

I do hope you decide to join us on our adventure. Once that momentum kicks in, there is no telling what peaks we can climb together.

Please contact us about the USANA products or the opportunity and tell us your thoughts about our blog. We appreciate the feedback.

Green tea intake improves glucose control and insulin sensitivity

July 12, 2013 6:28 pm / Leave a comment

Green tea intake improves glucose control and insulin sensitivity

From the USANA Email Newsletter

July 10, 2013

 

Green tea intake improves glucose control and insulin sensitivity

 

At a Glance

 

A new meta-analysis indicates that green tea may have a favorable effect on glucose control and insulin sensitivity, especially in individuals at risk for metabolic syndrome.

Read more about this research below.

Although there are a few published reports regarding the effect of green tea on insulin sensitivity and glucose control in humans, the results have been inconsistent.

In a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers aimed to more accurately quantify the effect of green tea on glucose control and insulin sensitivity.

Researchers completed a thorough literature search to find all randomized controlled trials that included information on the effects of green tea and green tea extracts on insulin sensitivity and glucose control in humans.

There were 17 trials, including a total of 1,133 subjects that met the criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. The studies were mostly of a short duration, and 7 of the studies were considered of high quality.

Overall, green tea consumption significantly reduced fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c (a long-term measure of blood glucose control). These results were more significant in studies including subjects at risk for metabolic syndrome, and in subject with higher catechin (a compound in green tea) intakes. When only the high quality studies were included, green tea significantly reduced fasting insulin concentrations.

The results of this meta-analysis suggest that green tea may lower fasting glucose, insulin and HbA1c concentrations, especially in people at risk for metabolic syndrome. Researchers noted that long-term randomly controlled trials of higher quality should be conducted to further confirm these findings.

Kai Liu et al. Effect of green tea on glucose control and insulin sensitivity: a meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trial. First published June 26, 2013, doi: 10.3945/​ajcn.112.052746 Am J Clin Nutr August 2013 ajcn.052746