In the new study from Germany, researchers recruited 177 people with moderate-to-severe knee or hip osteoarthritis pain. The study was limited as the researchers decided not to use a placebo group for ethical reasons. Study participants were assigned to receive either 1500 milligrams glucosamine sulphate daily or glucosamine sulphate with an additional 200mg of omega 3 fatty acids.

The study was carried out over 26 weeks; following this period, researchers tested pain levels using the established Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthrosis Index (WOMAC) score.

The researchers commented, “in a randomised, controlled clinical trial with 177 patients with osteoarthritis, we could prove that the combination of glucosamine sulphate and omega 3 fatty acids is superior to glucosamine alone. Using the classical WOMAC pain score we could show 27% more responders (80% reduction of WOMAC pain score) in the combination group compared to glucosamine alone, this difference was statistically significant”.

Results of the study also showed that the combination of omega 3 and glucosamine sulphate reduced morning stiffness and pain in the hips and knees by between 48.5 and 55.6 per cent, compared to 41.7 to 55.3 per cent in the glucosamine only group.

Lead researcher, Dr Gruenwald commented on the potential synergistic mechanism underlying the health benefits demonstrated,

“Omega 3 fatty acids inhibit the inflammation process in OA, whereas glucosamine sulphate further supports the rebuilding of lost cartilage substance”. 

Source:

Advances in Therapy

Volume 26, Issue 9, Pages 858-871

Effect of glucosamine sulphate with or without omega 3 fatty acids in patients with osteoarthritis

The stress-reducing technique had a significant impact on a group of 201 participants who were all suffering from a narrowing of arteries in their hearts.

Half of the group practised TM for nine years, and they had a 47 per cent lower rate of death, heart attack and stroke, and a clinically significant reduction in blood pressure, compared with the half that changed their diet and exercised.

(Source: American Heart Association annual meeting, November 16, 2009).

The new study was a randomised, controlled, double-blind trial involving 81 South Asian women aged between 23 and 68 with insulin resistance. The women were randomly assigned to receive either 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D3 or placebo daily for six months.

The results were published recently in the British Journal of Nutrition; scientists found that insulin resistance was significantly lower in the women taking high-dose vitamin D supplementation. The researchers commented that at the end of the test period, women in the vitamin D group experienced “significant improvements” in both insulin sensitivity and resistance, which was accompanied by a decrease in fasting insulin levels, compared to placebo.

Researchers noted the biggest improvement in insulin resistance when blood levels of vitamin D, measured as 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) D) – the non-active storage form of the vitamin were at least 80 nanomoles per litre.

The researchers commented, “improving vitamin D status in insulin resistant women resulted in improved IR and sensitivity, but no change in insulin secretion. Optimal vitamin D concentrations for reducing IR were shown to be 80 – 119 nmol / l, providing further evidence for an increase in the recommended adequate levels”.

Source:

British Journal of Nutrition

Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1017/S0007114509992017

Von Hurst, Stonehouse & Coad “Vitamin D supplementation reduces insulin resistance in South Asian women living in New Zealand who are insulin resistant and vitamin D deficient – a randomised, placebo-controlled trial”

We only ever recommend Eskimo-3 fish oil because it is free from environmental contaminants unlike many other fish oils on the market today.  Please contact us for futher information.

France’s national institute of health has just recommended a daily intake of 200mg per day.

But now American scientists say we need more than double that.

What they’re really arguing about is the best dose to prevent heart disease in men. And they’re focusing on DMA and EPA, two essential fatty acids found in particularly high amounts in fish and, of course, supplied by fish oil supplements.

“This study shows that regularly consuming small amounts of DHA is likely to improve the health status of people, especially in regards to cardiovascular function,” said Michel Lagarde, for the French. A 200mg dose of DHA per day, he says, is enough to beneficially alter the biochemical markers used to predict cardiovascular problems, such as those related to aging, atherosclerosis, and diabetes

Dr Carl Lavie, MD, head of a New Orleans team agrees that more fish oil is a good thing. “We now have tremendous and compelling evidence from very large studies, some dating back 20 and 30 years, that demonstrate the protective benefits of omega-3 fish oil in multiple aspects of preventive cardiology”, he says.

But according to their research, the ideal dose is at least 5OOmg of EPA and DHA a day to prevent problems, and 800-1,000mg a day when someone has heart disease.

” If you are getting a face full of water when you first turn your shower on, that means you are probably getting a particularly high load of Mycobacterium avium, which may not be too healthy “, says the University of Colorado’s Prof Norman Pace.

The bug can cause lung disease. It forms a biofilm that clings to the inside of the shower head; tests showed that nearly a third of showers had significant levels – around 100 times higher than those found in typical household water supplies.

People with weakened immune systems, like the elderly, pregnant women or those who are fighting off other diseases, could develop an infection; symptoms would include tiredness, a persistent, dry cough, shortness of breath and weakness, and feeling generally unwell. Plastic shower heads are worse than metal.

We have to admit we get baffled by some of the words, but we’ll translate one or two of the most common ones.

What about “standardised”?

You’ll usually see this on herbal remedies – and it’s actually pretty important.

Plants are complicated things chemically, and natural herbal medicines contain thousands of phytochemicals, more than scientists can even identify. This makes them far more complicated to test than drugs. So researchers pin down what they think are the most important active ingredients of a herbal medicine and often will use an extract, containing those phytochemicals in specific amounts, rather than an extract of the whole plant.

As trial results confirm the extract’s effectiveness, it becomes the standard – if manufacturers want to be able to claim their herbal product is effective, and then they make sure they produce an extract standardized to contain those key ingredients in the proportion known to be effect. And that’s why you’ll see labels saying things like – “St. John’s wort, standardized to contain 0.3% hypericin”, or “Milk thistle, standardized to 80% silymarin”, for example.

Herbal medicine practitioners may feel that some of the standardized extracts are not as effective as the traditional preparations containing the benefits of the whole plant, or part of the plant.

Built on ancient wisdom

Mushrooms have played an important part in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. One of the earliest recorded uses of the mushroom as a healing food was in the 14th century, when records showed that a Chinese physician named Wu-Rui was using mushrooms for their powerful healing qualities.

More recently, in the past thirty years, scientists in Japan have been investigating the possible uses of mushrooms for health improvement and have amassed a wealth of evidence to support their use as healing agents.

Packed with nutrients

Mushrooms are a fascinating class of life form, of an estimated 100,000 species of mushrooms, most are edible and very nutritious, containing large amounts of protein, fibre, minerals (including calcium), B vitamins and vitamin C.

Immune Support

While mushrooms may look fairly simple, they are actually a treasure trove of invigorating compounds that support immune activities in the body. The source of their power is linked to compounds called polysaccharides (long chain, simple sugars) and glycoproteins (polysaccharides associated with protein) that have been shown to support a variety of immune responses, including natural killer (NK) cell activity, macrophage and T-cell function, and helping to support balanced cytokine levels.

Mycotaki – Extract of Seven Selected Mushrooms

Mycotaki contains seven different types of mushrooms, which are renowned for their powerful effects on the immune system and have a long history of use. The mushroom extracts have been specially selected to support the complex groups of cells and chemical processes that make up the immune system. By optimising immune system health, Mycotaki strengthens the body and improves overall wellness. 

Proprietary Water Extract for Enhanced Potency

Mycotaki is a proprietary 10:1 water extract of Reishi, Shiitake, Fu-Ling, Turkey Tail mushroom, Oyster mushroom, Cordyceps and Maitake mushrooms. This proprietary process delivers 6.5g of raw, dried, unprocessed mushrooms per tablet. 

Mycotaki features:

• Shiitake mushrooms – support the body’s ability to modulate immune activity. This includes natural killer cells, T cells and macrophage responses
• Maitake mushrooms – known as the ‘king of mushrooms’ they are rich in beta-glucans and support natural killer cells, T cells and macrophage responses.
• Reishi mushrooms – named the ‘mushroom of immortality’ in China, these mushrooms have been used in Oriental medicine for over 2000 years and are one of the most revered and sought after herbal tonics. They are a rich source of polysaccharides and help to support a healthy immune response.
• Cordyceps – considered by Traditional Chinese Medicine to be a cure all because of its wide-ranging health benefits. Powerful immune support; useful for individuals with allergic tendencies
• Fu-Ling, Oyster & Turkey Tail – all renowned for their immune-supporting activities
• Mycotaki provides comprehensive and aggressive support for a healthy immune system
• Mycotaki supports healthy cellular defences in every generation; young or old 

Why not add some ancient wisdom to your daily routine?

Why not add Mycotaki to your daily supplement programme for optimal immune support, which is backed by generations of ancient wisdom. By optimising immune system health, Mycotaki strengthens the body and improves overall wellness.  Contact the clinic on 01603 716088 for further information and cost.

Caution:

Not suitable during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding. Consult a medical doctor if on anti-coagulant or anti-hypertensive medication.

This new study involved 81 South Asian women living in New Zealand aged between 23 and 68. The subjects all had insulin resistance and were randomly assigned to receive either 100 mcg (4000 IU) of vitamin D3 or placebo daily for 6 months. The results of the study are to be published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

The researchers found that at the end of the six-month test period, the women who had taken vitamin D3 experienced significant improvements in both insulin sensitivity and resistance, and a decrease in fasting insulin levels compared to placebo. They observed optimal effects when blood levels of vitamin D were in the range of 80 – 119 nmol/l.

The researchers concluded, “Improving vitamin D status in insulin resistant women resulted in improved insulin resistance and sensitivity, but no change in insulin secretion. Optimal vitamin D concentrations for reducing insulin resistance were shown to be 80 to 119 nmol/l, providing further evidence for an increase in the recommended adequate levels.”

Sources:

British Journal of Nutrition

Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1017/S0007114509992017

Von Hurst P R , Stonehouse W, Coad J. “Vitamin D Supplementation reduces insulin resistance in South Asian Women living in New Zealand who are insulin resistant and vitamin D deficient – a randomised, placebo-controlled trial”

Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol. 92, pp. 2017-2029

1. Drink in moderation and pace yourself. Don’t drink on an empty stomach. Follow each unit of alcohol with a glass of water to keep hydrated. Drink spritzers and mix champagne with orange juice to reduce your alcohol intake. Women can drink up to 2 to 3 units of alcohol a day and men up to 3 to 4 units a day, without significant risk to their health. A unit is half a pint of standard strength beer, lager or cider, or a pub measure of spirit. A glass of wine is about 2 units and alcopops are about 1.5 units. To cut down on calories remember that a serving of a spirit contains about half the amount of calories of a small 125ml glass of wine. Minimise the impact of a drinking session by avoiding mixing drinks. If you do overdo it give your body 48 hours to recover.
2. Support your liver by eating lots of green vegetables, especially broccoli and Brussels sprouts which produce metabolites that support liver detoxification, throughout the season. Steam these vegetables lightly for maximum flavour and nutrient content; Brussel sprouts are gorgeous served with nuts and a little sesame oil. The special metabolite produced when these vegetables are consumed is available in supplement form for additional support.
3. A high dose vitamin C supplement, Echinacea and milk thistle will help your body cope with the onslaught of winter germs, alcohol and excess food intake.
4. On Christmas day don’t skip breakfast; having a healthy breakfast like porridge with dried fruit, muesli with yoghurt or wholegrain bread with a poached egg, will reduce cravings.
5. To bridge the gap until a late Christmas lunch, snack on clementines, dates and walnuts or figs, these will satisfy the need for something sweet. Alternatively have crudites and dips (go for small amounts of hummus and guacamole), and moderate portions of cheeses with oatcakes.
6. At Christmas lunch fill up on foods such as avocado, prawns or lower salt smoked salmon and green salads for starter, go easy on dressing; alternatively try serving a home-made soup based on winter vegetables for a light, warming starter.
7. For the main course fill up on turkey; it is high in tryptophan, used by the body to produce serotonin, the “happy hormone”. Have turkey with home-made cranberry preserve rather than gravy; cranberries are full of antioxidants and are naturally anti-microbial. Pile your plate with Brussel sprouts, which are full of vitamins C and K and provide good amounts of folate. Indulge in moderate portions of parsnips and potatoes roasted in olive oil. Try to avoid the mini sausages and bacon often served at Christmas tables.
8. For dessert pick small portions of Christmas pudding packed full of dried fruit. Opt for Greek yoghurt and fromage frais to provide the texture and taste of cream but with much less fat. For healthy mince pies try making your own, use wholemeal flour, honey and lots of dried fruit; Village Bakery are selling organic mince pies, either gluten free or made with stoneground wholemeal flour. If you are full, a healthy and light alternative such as a serving of dried fruit and plums warmed with cinnamon and a little honey or a tropical fruit salad (slice mangoes, kiwis and pineapple) should satisfy.
9. Snacking on Christmas day does not have to mean chocolates; dried figs are rich in iron, dates are rich in potassium, walnuts are a great source of ALA (the precursor to omega-3 fats) and the mineral manganese, while brazil nuts are the richest natural source of the mineral selenium. Small portions of cheese are great with grapes and apples rather than biscuits. When you want that chocolate fix go for high quality dark chocolate, rich in antioxidants, iron and magnesium.
10. Don’t feel obliged to eat everything in one meal, you have the rest of the day ahead of you!
11. Finally, don’t just vegetate in front of the television this Christmas – Why not go for a walk or take the kids outside to try out their new presents such as bikes. If we are lucky and it’s a white Christmas – enjoy it!

So eat, drink and be merry this Christmas without the guilt!

The findings have been published in the journal Diabetes Care and can be added to a growing body of science, which supports the heart health benefits of an increased consumption of nuts.

In this newest study, scientists led by David Katz at the Yale University School of Medicine recruited 24 type-2 diabetics and randomly assigned them to a diet with or without 56 grams of walnuts daily for eight weeks.

Results showed that at the end of the intervention period, blood flow had significantly improved by 2.2% in the group taking walnuts, compared to 1.2% in the non-supplemented group.

Results also showed that blood sugar levels and total cholesterol levels decreased from total baseline values, but did not reach statistical significance compared to those not eating walnuts.

The researchers commented, “A walnut-enriched ad libitum diet improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in type 2 diabetics, suggesting a potential reduction in overall cardiac risk”.

It has been acknowledged that further studies, including some larger scale ones are needed to further elucidate the effects of walnuts in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Source:

Diabetes Care

Published online ahead of print, doi:10.2337/dc09-1156

Ma, Yanchou Njike, Millet et al. “Effects of Walnut Consumption on Endothelial Function in Type 2 Diabetics: A Randomised, Controlled, Cross-Over Trial”