A dose of safflower oil each day might help keep heart disease at bay.
A daily dose of safflower oil, a common cooking oil, for 16 weeks can improve such health measures as good cholesterol, blood sugar, insulin sensitivity and inflammation in obese postmenopausal women who have Type 2 diabetes, according to new research.
This finding comes about 18 months after the same researchers discovered that safflower oil reduced abdominal fat and increased muscle tissue in this group of women after 16 weeks of daily supplementation.
This combination of health measures that are improved by the safflower oil is associated with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms that can increase risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
These new findings have led the chief researcher to suggest that a daily dose of safflower oil in the diet – about 1 2/3 teaspoons – is a safe way to help reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
"The women in the study didn't replace what was in their diet with safflower oil. They added it to what they were already doing. And that says to me that certain people need a little more of this type of good fat – particularly when they're obese women who already have diabetes," said Martha Belury, professor of human nutrition at Ohio State University and lead author of the study.
"I believe these findings suggest that people consciously make sure they get a serving of healthy oil in their diets each day– maybe an oil and vinegar dressing on a salad, or some oil for cooking. And this recommendation can be extended to everyone."
The research appears online and is scheduled for future print publication in the journal Clinical Nutrition.
Safflower oil contains linoleic acid, which is a PUFA -- a polyunsaturated fatty acid. Research dating back to the 1960s has suggested that these dietary oils from plant sources can help prevent heart disease, said Belury, who holds the Carol S. Kennedy professorship in nutrition. But attention to these fats has declined as omega-3 fish oils have gained popularity among consumers, she said.
"The health benefits of omega-3 PUFAs seem convincing, but I think there's also a place for omega-6 PUFAs. We've known for a long time that polyunsaturated oils are very beneficial for cardiovascular disease prevention, and these data we are adding now show that these oils can also help with other aspects of metabolic syndrome, including even glycemic control," Belury said. "We suspect it could be through a mechanism that is not yet identified."
In the first study, published in September 2009, Belury and colleagues had compared the effects of safflower oil and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a compound naturally found in some meat and dairy products, on obese postmenopausal women with Type 2 diabetes. CLA had a reputation from previous studies for contributing to weight loss. Safflower oil's association with reduced abdominal fat took the researchers by surprise.
For this current research, the scientists performed a secondary analysis of data collected from that clinical trial, applying a powerful statistical analysis to the results and also checking to see how long it took for any effects of the oils to appear in the women's health profiles. The scientists had taken blood samples every four weeks during the study to obtain these measures.
In almost all cases in this analysis, safflower oil supplementation improved metabolic measures while CLA did not show any effects for glycemic or lipid control. Sixteen weeks of CLA supplementation did reduce total body fat and lowered the women's body mass index (BMI), a common health measure of weight relative to height.
Several of the beneficial effects of safflower oil were evident after 16 weeks of supplementation. On average among all of the women tested, these included:
An increase in insulin sensitivity of about 2.7 percent as measured by a formula known as the quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index. Higher insulin sensitivity is important for the transfer of sugar, or glucose, from the blood into the tissues, where it is used for energy. Insulin resistance, or lowered insulin sensitivity, is the hallmark of Type 2 diabetes.
A small, but significant, .64 percent decrease in a blood protein called HbA1C, which is a marker of long-term presence of excess glucose in the blood.
A roughly 17.5 percent decrease in C-reactive protein, a protein in the blood that rises in the presence of inflammation. A growing body of research suggests that high levels of this protein increase the risk for a heart attack.
The researchers had documented in the previous study that safflower oil also lowered fasting blood sugar levels by between 11 and 19 points on average. Blood sugar is considered normal if it falls below 110 milligrams per deciliter; the women's average blood sugar levels ranged from 129 to 148 after 16 weeks of safflower oil supplementation.
Within 12 weeks, the safflower oil led to a 14 percent increase in HDL, or "good," cholesterol, as well as an increase in adiponectin, a hormone that regulates levels of blood sugar and fats and which influences insulin levels. Higher levels of adiponectin could be expected to increase the efficiency of dietary fat burning, Belury said.
People with metabolic syndrome generally have three or more of the following conditions: excess fat in the abdominal area, borderline or high blood pressure, cholesterol problems that foster plaque buildup in arteries, insulin resistance or glucose intolerance and a high level of triglycerides, a form of fat in the blood.
At the start of the study, the women were obese and had Type 2 diabetes, low HDL cholesterol and high levels of C-reactive protein and the HbA1c protein. Though in many cases their health measures were still high or low enough at the end of the study to leave them at increased risk for heart disease, Belury said the safflower oil could function as a complementary intervention in combination with medications used to control their disorders.
"We don't know the long-term effects of safflower oil from this study alone, but I certainly think it's possible that the risk for cardiovascular problems could be significantly decreased in this high-risk group if supplementation were continued," Belury said.
She noted that the total dose of dietary oils the women took between their normal diets and the safflower oil supplementation amounted to 9.8 percent of their daily calories – a level that falls within federal guidelines for vegetable oil consumption. The women had been instructed not to change their diets during the study, and self-reports of their food intake showed that their eating habits did not change while they were taking the supplements.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Benefits Of Grape Seed Oil
The benefits of grape seed oil, has the same antioxidants as green tea, black tea, berries and red wine.
Grape seed oil benefits can do wonders for your skin and health.
The antioxidants in the oil are called procyanidolic oligomers (PCO’s), known for their health giving properties, and are more powerful than vitamin C and vitamin E.
seeds inside the grapes used for grape seed oil 200x300 Benefits Of Grape Seed Oil
Grape seed oil is made by cold-pressing the grape seeds, after they have been used to make wine. It is used in many facial and body care products, and is known for its anti aging effects.
It is very rich in vitamins, minerals and protein, and can be found in many products such as; soaps, hair care, cosmetics, facial creams, body creams, bath oils, lip balms and anything else you can think of.
Grape seed oil contains polyphenols, which are antioxidants. Polyphenols can help slow the process of aging, as well as having anti inflammatory and anti oxidant properties, which also makes it great for helping clear up acne.
Using this oil will help prevent pores clogging and breakouts, it is very good for oily skin as well.
Grape seed oil contains a high amount of linoleic acid, which is a fatty acid essential for the health of the skin and cell membranes.
This is the reason why it makes such a wonderful moisturizer, as it really nourishes your skin, helping keep it smooth and subtle.
It is known for its ability to lock in moisture, leaving your skin feeling more supple and smooth, and it does not leave a greasy feeling, which makes it ideal to use on all skin types.
The benefits of grapeseed oil is its ability to be easily absorbed into the skin, instead of sitting on top of the skin. This helps fight free radicals and stop some of the enzymes that destroy collagen, elastin and other connective tissue.
As it is a natural oil, it will inhibit problems such as fine lines and wrinkles, caused by the loss of collagen and elastin.
Along with vitamin C, grape seed oil is able to help the skin with the production of collagen. Make sure you are always using organic cold pressed Grape seed Oil.
There are plenty of products you can use to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, but most of these products are only temporary. Whereas, a natural oil like grape seed can offer a more permanent solution.
As we age, our bodies produce less and less collagen, which is the cause of fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes. So, it makes sense to use a natural oil like grape seed to help beat the aging process, and keep you looking younger.
Grape seed extract is a way of taking it as a supplement, and has been extensively researched around the globe.
It is excellent for your circulatory system, and can help relieve varicose veins and spider veins. It is also useful in helping with a number of other conditions such as;
Uses for Grape Seed Oil
It is widely used in cooking by many great chefs, and becoming more popular for the health conscious, to have a bottle in their kitchen pantry, next to the olive oil of course!
It is cholesterol free and will help lower low density lipoproteins (LDL), bad cholesterol, and raise high density lipoproteins (HDL), good cholesterol.
You can use the oil for stir fries, marinades, salad dressings, baking and deep-frying. Until I did this post, I never considered using grape seed oil for cooking, I now use it all the time.
Grape seed oil is largely used as a massage oil, and gives great relief for a tired and stressed out body.
If you are considering taking a supplement, take only the best, natural, synthetic and chemical free supplements.
Remember, when taking grape seed oil supplements, you need to take them consistently over a period of time, to reap the health benefits of grapeseed oil.
The benefits of grape seed oil for aging skin is definitely worth it.
Grape seed oil benefits can do wonders for your skin and health.
The antioxidants in the oil are called procyanidolic oligomers (PCO’s), known for their health giving properties, and are more powerful than vitamin C and vitamin E.
seeds inside the grapes used for grape seed oil 200x300 Benefits Of Grape Seed Oil
Grape seed oil is made by cold-pressing the grape seeds, after they have been used to make wine. It is used in many facial and body care products, and is known for its anti aging effects.
It is very rich in vitamins, minerals and protein, and can be found in many products such as; soaps, hair care, cosmetics, facial creams, body creams, bath oils, lip balms and anything else you can think of.
Grape seed oil contains polyphenols, which are antioxidants. Polyphenols can help slow the process of aging, as well as having anti inflammatory and anti oxidant properties, which also makes it great for helping clear up acne.
Using this oil will help prevent pores clogging and breakouts, it is very good for oily skin as well.
Grape seed oil contains a high amount of linoleic acid, which is a fatty acid essential for the health of the skin and cell membranes.
This is the reason why it makes such a wonderful moisturizer, as it really nourishes your skin, helping keep it smooth and subtle.
It is known for its ability to lock in moisture, leaving your skin feeling more supple and smooth, and it does not leave a greasy feeling, which makes it ideal to use on all skin types.
The benefits of grapeseed oil is its ability to be easily absorbed into the skin, instead of sitting on top of the skin. This helps fight free radicals and stop some of the enzymes that destroy collagen, elastin and other connective tissue.
As it is a natural oil, it will inhibit problems such as fine lines and wrinkles, caused by the loss of collagen and elastin.
Along with vitamin C, grape seed oil is able to help the skin with the production of collagen. Make sure you are always using organic cold pressed Grape seed Oil.
There are plenty of products you can use to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, but most of these products are only temporary. Whereas, a natural oil like grape seed can offer a more permanent solution.
As we age, our bodies produce less and less collagen, which is the cause of fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes. So, it makes sense to use a natural oil like grape seed to help beat the aging process, and keep you looking younger.
Grape seed extract is a way of taking it as a supplement, and has been extensively researched around the globe.
It is excellent for your circulatory system, and can help relieve varicose veins and spider veins. It is also useful in helping with a number of other conditions such as;
- premenstrual syndrome
- dental cavities
- cancer
- chronic venous insufficiency (damaged valves in the veins, carrying blood to the heart)
Uses for Grape Seed Oil
It is widely used in cooking by many great chefs, and becoming more popular for the health conscious, to have a bottle in their kitchen pantry, next to the olive oil of course!
It is cholesterol free and will help lower low density lipoproteins (LDL), bad cholesterol, and raise high density lipoproteins (HDL), good cholesterol.
You can use the oil for stir fries, marinades, salad dressings, baking and deep-frying. Until I did this post, I never considered using grape seed oil for cooking, I now use it all the time.
Grape seed oil is largely used as a massage oil, and gives great relief for a tired and stressed out body.
If you are considering taking a supplement, take only the best, natural, synthetic and chemical free supplements.
Remember, when taking grape seed oil supplements, you need to take them consistently over a period of time, to reap the health benefits of grapeseed oil.
The benefits of grape seed oil for aging skin is definitely worth it.
What is the Highest Antioxidant Drink
Chaga contains very high levels of ‘superoxide dismutase’ (SOD). This is a very powerful enzyme and is found in all living cells. SOD is a protein which will neutralize free radicals, before they have a chance of damaging your body and aging you.
What makes Siberian chaga so good is its unusual amounts of superoxide dismutase (SOD), it contains way more than co-enzyme Q10, vitamin C, vitamin E, pycnogenol, blueberries and any other antioxidant food or drink you can think of.
Chaga is actually a type of mushroom, which grows on the trunk of a tree, usually the Birch tree. It looks like burnt charcoal and is very prevalent in Russia where it grows in Siberia on the black birch trees. It does not look like the traditional mushroom we are used too.
It has been used since the 1500’s to treat many ailments and today its many healing properties are being discovered in the Western world.
Throughout the centuries Chaga has been referred to as the ‘gift from god’ or ‘mushroom of immortality’.
Drinking Chaga tea is a fantastic anti aging drink and many women will consume this tea to help maintain skins elasticity and promote healthy skin.
There have been some studies on the amount of antioxidants we should consume on a daily basis to help fight aging. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has come up with a method called the ORAC scale (Oxygen Radical Absorbent Capacity), in other words this is the strength any given food or drink will help your body fight free radicals. The higher the ORAC score, obviously the more free radicals you will destroy in your body.
The daily recommendation is between 4 to 13 ORAC units daily; unless you exercise a lot then you should up the recommended units as your body increases free radicals when you do physical exercise. You will need to increase that level also if you drink or smoke a lot.
This is where Chaga comes into it, because it has been discovered to possess the highest ORAC score compared to any other food or drink, such as blueberries, vitamin E, acai berry juice, goji berry’s and juice.
Chaga is full of minerals, amino acids, betulinic acid (BA) a good blood cleanser, saponins aid absorption of minerals and phytonutrients needed to sustain human life and prevent disease.
Chaga is so high in antioxidants this is all you would need to take each day.
Health Benefits of Chaga:
The chaga mushroom has traditionally been taken as a tea. The mushroom is usually crumbled and brewed for many, many hours or even days, this way you are sure all the active ingredients are extracted. It can be rather tedious and there are other simpler ways of taking it, such as a supplement, powder or liquid form.
Research is still continuing on the amazing health benefits of chaga mushroom, there is still so much more to learn. More and more people are becoming aware of it and this is great especially for those of you who may be suffering from an illness.
By including the chaga mushroom into your diet, you will beat the aging process by drinking the highest antioxidant drink and forever be looking younger.
What makes Siberian chaga so good is its unusual amounts of superoxide dismutase (SOD), it contains way more than co-enzyme Q10, vitamin C, vitamin E, pycnogenol, blueberries and any other antioxidant food or drink you can think of.
Chaga is actually a type of mushroom, which grows on the trunk of a tree, usually the Birch tree. It looks like burnt charcoal and is very prevalent in Russia where it grows in Siberia on the black birch trees. It does not look like the traditional mushroom we are used too.
It has been used since the 1500’s to treat many ailments and today its many healing properties are being discovered in the Western world.
Throughout the centuries Chaga has been referred to as the ‘gift from god’ or ‘mushroom of immortality’.
Drinking Chaga tea is a fantastic anti aging drink and many women will consume this tea to help maintain skins elasticity and promote healthy skin.
There have been some studies on the amount of antioxidants we should consume on a daily basis to help fight aging. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has come up with a method called the ORAC scale (Oxygen Radical Absorbent Capacity), in other words this is the strength any given food or drink will help your body fight free radicals. The higher the ORAC score, obviously the more free radicals you will destroy in your body.
The daily recommendation is between 4 to 13 ORAC units daily; unless you exercise a lot then you should up the recommended units as your body increases free radicals when you do physical exercise. You will need to increase that level also if you drink or smoke a lot.
This is where Chaga comes into it, because it has been discovered to possess the highest ORAC score compared to any other food or drink, such as blueberries, vitamin E, acai berry juice, goji berry’s and juice.
Chaga is full of minerals, amino acids, betulinic acid (BA) a good blood cleanser, saponins aid absorption of minerals and phytonutrients needed to sustain human life and prevent disease.
Chaga is so high in antioxidants this is all you would need to take each day.
Health Benefits of Chaga:
- Strengthen the immune system.
- Help fight infections.
- Eliminate toxins.
- Relieve stomach pain.
- May lower high blood pressure.
- Relieve viral infections.
- Treatment for diabetes.
- Now being recognised as a treatment for HIV.
The chaga mushroom has traditionally been taken as a tea. The mushroom is usually crumbled and brewed for many, many hours or even days, this way you are sure all the active ingredients are extracted. It can be rather tedious and there are other simpler ways of taking it, such as a supplement, powder or liquid form.
Research is still continuing on the amazing health benefits of chaga mushroom, there is still so much more to learn. More and more people are becoming aware of it and this is great especially for those of you who may be suffering from an illness.
By including the chaga mushroom into your diet, you will beat the aging process by drinking the highest antioxidant drink and forever be looking younger.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Zinc ‘sparks’ fly from egg within minutes of fertilization
NIH-funded study of animal eggs reveals major role for metal
At fertilization, a massive release of the metal zinc appears to set the fertilized egg cell on the path to dividing and growing into an embryo, according to the results of animal studies supported by the National Institutes of Health.The zinc discharge follows the egg cell’s steady accumulation of zinc atoms in the developmental stages before fertilization. The researchers documented the discharge by bathing the eggs in a solution that gives off light when exposed to zinc. They referred to the zinc discharge and accompanying light flash as zinc sparks.
“The discovery of egg cells’ massive intake and later release of zinc defines a new role for this element in biology,” said Louis DePaolo, chief of the Reproductive Sciences Branch at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), one of the NIH institutes supporting the study. “We anticipate the findings will one day lead to information useful for the treatment of infertility as well as the development of new ways to prevent fertilization from occurring.”
The study’s authors suggest that zinc acts as a switch, turning off the process of cell division while the egg matures and turning it on again after fertilization.
“These findings suggest zinc is essential for developing a healthy egg and, ultimately, a healthy embryo,” said Teresa Woodruff, Ph.D., one of the article’s senior authors.
The study’s first author is Alison M. Kim, Ph.D., of Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. The other authors are Miranda L. Bernhardt, Betty Y. Kong, Richard W. Ahn, Dr. Woodruff and Thomas V. O’Halloran, Ph.D., of Northwestern, and Stefan Vogt, Ph.D., of Argonne National Laboratory, Washington, D.C.
Their findings appear in the July issue of ACS Chemical Biology.
In this study, the researchers observed egg cells from mice and from monkeys. To conduct the study, they devised a microscope that would allow them to view the concentration and distribution of zinc atoms in individual cells. With the aid of the chemical that gives off light when exposed to zinc, the researchers documented the first zinc sparks 20 minutes after fertilization. Most fertilized eggs released two or three rounds of sparks, but the researchers saw as few as one and as many as five within the first two hours after fertilization. The sparks flared every 10 minutes, on average.
Previous research had shown that fertilization triggers cyclical changes in the level of calcium in the egg cell.
The researchers noted that the zinc sparks always occurred after a peak in calcium levels inside the cell.
“The number, timing and intensity of these sparks could tell us something important about the quality of the egg and will be an important area for future research,” said Dr. O’Halloran, the article’s other senior author. “It’s may also be worth investigating whether the amount of zinc in a woman’s diet plays a role in fertility.”
Additional experiments helped confirm a role for zinc in the fertilization process. Typically, once the egg is released from the ovary, it must get rid of excess chromosomes in two stages as it prepares to fuse with the sperm. The team’s earlier research showed that the early accumulation of zinc is essential for properly completing the first stage, Dr. O’Halloran explained. The latest results suggest that zinc may act as a brake in between these stages, as the egg awaits fertilization. If the cell is fertilized, the zinc release appears to lift the brake. The cell discards its excess genetic material and begins to divide.
The researchers also showed that even unfertilized eggs would start to divide if zinc levels were artificially reduced, mimicking release. In addition, when fertilized cells were forced to take on additional zinc, the process was reversed.
“We have shown that zinc appears to regulate this precisely calibrated, intricate process,” Dr. Woodruff said. “The findings give us new insights into what these cells need to grow and mature properly.”
The NICHD sponsors research on development, before and after birth; maternal, child, and family health; reproductive biology and population issues; and medical rehabilitation. For more information, visit the Institute’s website at http://www.nichd.nih.gov/.
About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.
Monday, July 18, 2011
NIH tips for older adults to combat heat-related illnesses
Risk of heat-related problems increases with age
Older people can face risks related to hot weather. As people age, their bodies lose some ability to adapt to heat. They may have medical conditions that are worsened by heat. And their medications could reduce their ability to respond to heat.The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, has some advice for helping older people avoid heat-related illnesses, known collectively as hyperthermia.
Hyperthermia occurs when the body overheats. Conditions involving hyperthermia have different names, including heat stroke, heat fatigue, heat syncope (lightheadedness or fainting in the heat), heat cramps and heat exhaustion.
Health-related factors that may increase the risk of hyperthermia include:
- Pre-existing diseases such as congestive heart failure, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Decreased ability to move around
- Dementia or cognitive impairment
- Certain medications that may cause dehydration or that may affect the responses to heat by the heart, blood vessels or sweat glands.
- Being substantially overweight
- Drinking alcoholic beverages
- Being dehydrated
- Age-related changes in the skin, such as decreased functioning of small blood vessels and sweat glands
Heat stroke is an advanced form of hyperthermia. It occurs when the body is overwhelmed by heat and unable to control its temperature. In heat stroke, the body temperature is at least 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Someone with heat stroke may have a strong rapid pulse, lack of sweating, dry flushed skin, faintness, staggering and mental status changes such as confusion, combativeness, disorientation or even coma. Seek immediate medical attention for a person with any of these symptoms, especially an older adult.
If you suspect that someone is suffering from a heat-related illness:
- Move them into an air conditioned or other cool place
- Urge them to lie down and rest
- Remove or loosen tight-fitting or heavy clothing
- Encourage them to drink water or juices if they are able to drink without choking, but avoid alcohol and caffeine
- Apply cold water, ice packs or cold wet cloths to the skin.
- Get medical assistance as soon as possible.
For a free copy of the NIA’s AgePage on hyperthermia in English or in Spanish, contact the NIA Information Center at 1-800-222-2225 or go to http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/hyperther.asp, or www.niapublications.org/agepages/hyperther-sp.asp for the Spanish-language version.
The NIA leads the federal government effort conducting and supporting research on aging and the health and well-being of older people. The Institute’s broad scientific program seeks to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. For more information on research, aging, and health, go to www.nia.nih.gov.
About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.
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