®

November 2013

NOVEMBER’S

This Issue

Healthy InsightNuts for a Healthy Heart

People living in Mediterranean regions eat more nuts than those in other countries. In this study, doctors gave 7,216 mature adults a standard low-fat diet or a Mediterranean-type diet with extra nuts or with extra olive oil. After five years, compared to those who didn’t eat nuts, people who ate about an ounce of nuts per week were 55 percent less likely to have died from heart disease and 40 percent less likely for cancer. Nuts are rich in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals; walnuts in particular deliver the most phytochemicals because these beneficial antioxidants inhabit the thin walnut skin.

Reference: BMC Medicine; July, 2013, Published Online

Nutrients improve heart health 2in men and women

Nutrients may keep prostate 2cancer from recurring

Nutrients help improve blood 3sugar control

Early-Stage Discoveries 3 in nutrition

Mediterranean Spread 4

Improving DiabetesNutrients help kids manage and avoid diabetesOmega-3s and leucine promote insulin production

In type 1 diabetes, which usually occurs in the young, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to metabolize food properly because the immune system mistakenly attacks beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. This study followed 1,316 youth, aged one to 20, who had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for at least 10 months, and who had tested positive for the beta cell immune antibody.

Doctors added foods rich in the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, and the amino acid leucine, to the diets. For two years, researchers measured how much insulin participants produced. Although they still needed supplemental insulin, doctors said the chances of diabetic complications were lower because the children continued to produce some of their own insulin.

Omega-3s reduce insulin resistance

About half of obese children are insulin resistant, meaning the insulin they produce does not metabolize food efficiently. In this study, 201 obese and insulin-resistant children took 1,800 mg of omega-3s, or 500 mg of the blood-sugar control drug metformin, per day. Metformin helps reduce insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. The

children were similar in age, insulin resistance, and body mass index scores at the start of the study.

After 12 weeks, while there was little change in the metformin group, children who had taken omega-3s had much lower circulating levels of glucose and insulin, indicating less insulin resistance.

For lipids, metformin raised HDL, and lowered LDL—the good and bad cholesterols, respectively—but total triglycerides were unchanged. The omega-3 group had significantly lower levels of triglycerides, reducing chances of developing type 2 diabetes, doctors said.

For body mass index scores, those in the metformin group saw a slight improvement while children in the omega-3 group had significantly lower, and healthier, body mass index scores.

Reference: Diabetes Care; 2013, Vol. 36, No. 7, 1842-50

2 November 2013 natural insights for well being®

Keeping Hearts HealthyNutrients improve heart health in men and women

L-carnitine improves survivalDoctors reviewed 13 studies,

covering 3,629 people who had had a first heart attack. Participants began taking the amino acid L-carnitine or a placebo along with other cardiovascular therapies. During the follow-up period after the heart attack, overall compared to placebo, those who had taken L-carnitine were 27 percent less likely to have passed away for any reason, were 41 percent less likely to experience chest pain, and were 65 percent less likely to have episodes of irregular heartbeat.

In several of the studies where participants continued to take L-carnitine for six months to a year, doctors said those that survived had more stable heart muscle cells and more

healthy heart muscle tissue. The results suggest L-carnitine may

improve survival after a first heart attack and help prevent a second one, doctors said.

Men and women benefit from different omega-3s

Earlier short-term studies found omega-3s affected blood clotting differently in men and women. Doctors wanted to see if these effects would continue when taking omega-3s longer term. In the study, 94 healthy men and women took a placebo or 1,000 mg EPA with 200 mg DHA, or 1,000 mg DHA with 200 mg EPA, per day.

After four weeks, overall for men and women compared to placebo,

the tendency to form blood clots was 12 and 15 percent lower for EPA and DHA, respectively. Looking at men and women separately, doctors found women benefited most from DHA while men responded best to EPA, both experiencing about an 18 percent improvement.

Reference: Mayo Clinic Proceedings; 2013, Vol. 88, No. 6, 544-51

Healthy MenNutrients may keep prostate cancer from recurring, and support healthy prostateHigher folate levels may lower chances for cancer to recur

The body needs folate to make and repair DNA, and low folate levels may

contribute to cancer, but results from earlier prostate cancer studies have been mixed. Doctors in this study wanted to find a link between circulating levels of folate and cancer recurring by following 135 men with prostate cancer who had the prostate gland removed.

Doctors measure prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels to help determine if cancer may be recurring, since stray prostate cells can later metastasize in lymph or bone. Compared to men with lower levels, men with higher folate levels before surgery were 58 percent less likely to have signs of cancer recur.

Calcium, vitamin D linked to lower BPH

Doctors tested for a link between circulating nutrients and other factors related to benign prostatic hyperplasia

(BPH), also known as enlarged prostate. BPH is a common age-related condition that can cause urinary tract symptoms such as frequent and difficult urination. In the study, researchers measured the size of the prostate in 155 men with no history or current prostate cancer who were not taking medication for BPH.

Half the men had enlarged prostates and half did not. Doctors found that those with higher circulating levels of calcium, HDL cholesterol, sex-hormone markers, or vitamin D were all less likely to have BPH.

Discussing their findings, doctors said this study adds four new independent factors that may help reduce or prevent BPH, including calcium and vitamin D.

Reference: International Journal of Urology; May/June 2013, Vol. 39, No. 3

natural insights for well being® November 2013 3

Ahead of the CurveEarly-Stage Discoveries: Ginger, Cranberries, Pomegranates, and Walnuts

Good results in the lab lead to larger, human trials. Here are some of the most promising recent findings.

Ginger may improve asthma symptoms

Asthma narrows air passageways, reducing oxygen to the body. In the lab, researchers exposed airway smooth-muscle cells from mice and humans to ginger compounds. Although the muscle cells were already contracted, or narrowed, ginger induced relaxation and dilation. Ginger also relaxed narrowed air passageways in mice after inhaling ginger compound.

Cranberries, pomegranates may improve blood sugar

Two main enzymes help control carbohydrate digestion. In the

lab, researchers tested compounds from cocoa, cranberry, grape, and pomegranate. All four foods inhibited one of the enzymes, but only cranberry and pomegranate were able to inhibit both digestive enzymes. Doctors said slowing starch digestion can increase satiety by rebalancing blood sugar highs and lows after a high-carbohydrate meal.

Walnuts reduced prostate tumors

In the lab, researchers fed mice prone to prostate cancer a standard diet, with or without walnuts. The amount of walnuts would be equal to about two ounces per day for a human.

Nearly half those on the standard diet developed prostate tumors compared to 18 percent of those on the standard diet plus walnuts. The tumors in the walnut group also grew more slowly and were one-fourth the size of those that did not eat walnuts.

Reference: American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology; 2013, Vol. 48, No. 2, 157-63

Better MetabolismNutrients help improve blood sugar control and reduce insulin resistanceCoQ10 may improve blood sugar control

Coenzyme Q10 helps the body produce energy at the cellular level, and doctors said those with diabetes have low CoQ10 levels. In this study, 64 adults with type 2 diabetes took 200 mg of CoQ10 per day or a placebo.

Doctors test long-term blood sugar levels by measuring a form of hemoglobin, a molecule in red blood cells that reflects how much glucose is in the bloodstream. The normal range is between 4 and 5.6 percent. Levels between 5.7 and 6.4 percent raise chances for developing diabetes, and levels 6.5 percent or higher indicate diabetes.

After 12 weeks, while there was no change for placebo, long-term average blood sugar levels decreased significantly

in the CoQ10 group, from 8.6 percent to 8.0 percent. Doctors also saw a trend toward lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels for the CoQ10 group.

Grape seed oil may reduce inflammation and insulin resistance

Prior studies found grape seed oil improved lipid levels but effects on inflammation and insulin resistance have been inconclusive. In this study, 44 overweight or obese women on a weight-loss diet took 15 percent of their calories from grape seed oil, or a placebo of sunflower oil.

After eight weeks, while there were no improvements for placebo, two signs of inflammation decreased significantly in the grape seed oil group: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a). Insulin resistance scores also improved for those taking grape seed oil.

Reference: Minerva Gastroenterologica E Dietologica; 2013, Vol. 59, No. 2, 231-6

4 November 2013 natural insights for well being®

We’re dedicated to discovering the benefits of good nutrition and healthy lifestyle, and hope this issue of Natural Insights for Well Being® informs and inspires you to take an active role in your health. Please ask us to assist you with any natural products you would like to know more about.

These articles provide nutri-tional information only and do not replace professional medical advice.

Printed on Recycled Paper ©2013 RI

Thanks for shopping with us!

NOVEMBER’S

Recipe

Mediterranean SpreadThis inspired and satisfying spread will liven up any snack or meal. Please see page 1 for new research on how those who ate more nuts lived longer, healthier lives.

Ingredients:1 c shelled walnuts soaked in water

overnight in refrigerator1 c pitted black olives¼ c fresh parsley¼ c carrot, grated2 tbsp roasted nut or seed butter of your

choice1 tbsp lemon or lime juiceSalt, pepper, paprika, or other seasoning

to taste

Directions: Drain and rinse nuts. In a food processor, blend all ingredients to desired consistency. Taste, season, and eat!

2331 Commercial Blvd.State College, PA 16801Phone: (814) 861-5200Website: www.naturespantrypa.com

Store Hours:Monday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.Tuesday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.Wednesday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.Thursday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.Friday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.Sunday: Closed

LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER