BALTIMORE, Nov 03, 2009 (ASCRIBE NEWS via COMTEX) -- Men with lower cholesterol are less likely than those with higher levels to develop high-grade prostate cancer - an aggressive form of the disease with a poorer prognosis, according to results of a Johns Hopkins collaborative study. In a prospective study of more than 5,000 U.S. men, epidemiologists say they now have evidence that having lower levels of heart-clogging fat may cut a man's risk of this form of cancer by nearly 60 percent.
"For many reasons, we know that it's good to have a cholesterol level within the normal range," says Elizabeth Platz, Sc.D., M.P.H., associate professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and co-director of the cancer prevention and control program at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. "Now, we have more evidence that among the benefits of low cholesterol may be a lower risk for potentially deadly prostate cancers."
Normal range is defined as less than 200 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter of blood) of total cholesterol.
Platz and her colleagues found similar results in a study first published in 2008, and in 2006, she linked use of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs to lower risk of advanced prostate cancer.
For the current study, Platz, members of the Southwest Oncology Group, and other collaborators analyzed data from 5,586 men aged 55 and older enrolled in the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial from 1993 to 1996. Some 1,251 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer during the study period.
Men with cholesterol levels lower than 200 mg/dL had a 59 percent lower risk of developing high-grade prostate cancers, which tend to grow and spread rapidly. High-grade cancers are identified by a pathological ranking called the Gleason score. Scores at the highest end of the scale, between eight and 10, indicate cancers considered the most worrisome to pathologists who examine samples of the diseased prostate under the microscope.
In Platz's study, cholesterol levels had no significant effect on the entire spectrum of prostate cancer incidence, only those that were high-grade, she says.
Platz cautions that, while the group took into account factors that could bias the results, such as smoking history, weight, family history of prostate cancer, and dietary cholesterol, other things could have affected their results. One example is whether men in the study were taking cholesterol-lowering drugs at the time of the blood collections, a data point the researchers expect to analyze soon.
Results of the current study are expected to be published online Nov. 3 in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Also in the journal is an accompanying paper from the National Cancer Institute showing that lower cholesterol in men conferred a 15 percent decrease in overall cancer cases.
"Cholesterol may affect cancer cells at a level where it influences key signaling pathways controlling cell survival," says Platz. "Cancer cells use these survival pathways to evade the normal cycle of cell life and death."
She says that targeting cholesterol metabolism may be one route to treating and preventing the disease, but this remains to be tested.
Funding for the study was provided by the National Cancer Institute.
Authors of the study include Cathee Till, Phyllis J. Goodman, Marian L. Neuhouser and Alan R. Kristal from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; Howard L. Parnes, William D. Figg, and Demetrius Albanes from the National Cancer Institute; Eric A. Klein from the Cleveland Clinic; and Ian M. Thompson Jr., from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center.
Showing posts with label cholesterol. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cholesterol. Show all posts
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Cholesterol and how to control it
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States. According to the CDC, "About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event, and about one every minute will die from one." One per minute works out to over half a million people dead from heart problems per year.
One of the leading causes of heart disease is cholesterol. The fact that cholesterol is the leading cause of the leading killer makes cholesterol important. So let's take a look at how cholesterol works.
What is cholesterol? It is a chemical that is essential to the cells in your body. If you were to hold a blob of pure cholesterol in your hand, it would look and feel waxy. Cells use cholesterol to make their membranes (the outer envelope that holds each cell together).
Because cholesterol is essential to your body, your liver and several other organs make the cholesterol you need - on the order of a gram per day. Then you add some extra cholesterol to the mix in your food - maybe 300 milligrams a day. Therefore plenty of cholesterol is floating in your bloodstream for your cells to use. When cells need it, cholesterol is readily available from a nearby capillary.
If cholesterol is essential to your body, how can cholesterol be bad? The very simplest explanation: cholesterol collects on artery walls and eventually clogs them up. When it clogs up the arteries on the heart, you have a heart attack which is frequently fatal. Why, you might ask, are the arteries on the heart so susceptible? They are not - all the arteries are clogging. It's just that the heart is one place where a clog causes an immediate and often deadly effect. If an artery in your leg clogs, it is known as peripheral artery disease. It's a problem, but not one that will kill you in a few minutes.
Because of the troubles associated with cholesterol, it is something your doctor thinks about. After all, a doctor's goal is to keep people from dying, and cholesterol is a leading cause of death. This is why you get tested for cholesterol. It used to be there was just one number - the amount of cholesterol in the blood, measured in milligrams per deciliter - and you needed to keep it below 200. Then came the differentiation between "good" and "bad" cholesterol, and then all the stuff with density and triglycerides, to the point where today a cholesterol report looks like a confusing bowl of alphabet soup.
But it is interesting, because it is the result of a better and better understanding of what actually seems to be going on with cholesterol inside the human body. The lipoproteins are there to transport things like cholesterol in the blood. Remember that cholesterol is waxy, and blood is watery. Wax and water don't mix, so cholesterol can't flow in the bloodstream and get where it needs to go without help. Lipoproteins provide the help. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are what cause artery walls to clog, and are therefore "bad". High-density lipoproteins (HDL) seem to prevent clogging, and are therefore "good". So you doctor is trying to keep overall cholesterol in the good range while decreasing LDL and increasing HDL.
What can you do about cholesterol? Your doctor can prescribe drugs like statins. Statins break a chain in the liver that creates cholesterol, so the amount of cholesterol goes down. They also can lower LDL levels.
In addition you have some dietary steps you can take. Eating low cholesterol foods and avoiding high cholesterol foods can help to some degree, although the body continues making cholesterol and will sometimes make more when you eat less.
There are also several foods you can start eating that affect cholesterol levels. You have probably heard about oat bran. It lowers LDL because it contains soluble fiber. So do fruits like apples. Walnuts also help. In some people, walnuts make a big difference. They contain "good fats" that push cholesterol numbers down. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in things like salmon, flax seed and fish oil pills, also help. And olive oil is a good thing to eat, especially if it is replacing unhealthy fats.
One of the leading causes of heart disease is cholesterol. The fact that cholesterol is the leading cause of the leading killer makes cholesterol important. So let's take a look at how cholesterol works.
What is cholesterol? It is a chemical that is essential to the cells in your body. If you were to hold a blob of pure cholesterol in your hand, it would look and feel waxy. Cells use cholesterol to make their membranes (the outer envelope that holds each cell together).
Because cholesterol is essential to your body, your liver and several other organs make the cholesterol you need - on the order of a gram per day. Then you add some extra cholesterol to the mix in your food - maybe 300 milligrams a day. Therefore plenty of cholesterol is floating in your bloodstream for your cells to use. When cells need it, cholesterol is readily available from a nearby capillary.
If cholesterol is essential to your body, how can cholesterol be bad? The very simplest explanation: cholesterol collects on artery walls and eventually clogs them up. When it clogs up the arteries on the heart, you have a heart attack which is frequently fatal. Why, you might ask, are the arteries on the heart so susceptible? They are not - all the arteries are clogging. It's just that the heart is one place where a clog causes an immediate and often deadly effect. If an artery in your leg clogs, it is known as peripheral artery disease. It's a problem, but not one that will kill you in a few minutes.
Because of the troubles associated with cholesterol, it is something your doctor thinks about. After all, a doctor's goal is to keep people from dying, and cholesterol is a leading cause of death. This is why you get tested for cholesterol. It used to be there was just one number - the amount of cholesterol in the blood, measured in milligrams per deciliter - and you needed to keep it below 200. Then came the differentiation between "good" and "bad" cholesterol, and then all the stuff with density and triglycerides, to the point where today a cholesterol report looks like a confusing bowl of alphabet soup.
But it is interesting, because it is the result of a better and better understanding of what actually seems to be going on with cholesterol inside the human body. The lipoproteins are there to transport things like cholesterol in the blood. Remember that cholesterol is waxy, and blood is watery. Wax and water don't mix, so cholesterol can't flow in the bloodstream and get where it needs to go without help. Lipoproteins provide the help. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are what cause artery walls to clog, and are therefore "bad". High-density lipoproteins (HDL) seem to prevent clogging, and are therefore "good". So you doctor is trying to keep overall cholesterol in the good range while decreasing LDL and increasing HDL.
What can you do about cholesterol? Your doctor can prescribe drugs like statins. Statins break a chain in the liver that creates cholesterol, so the amount of cholesterol goes down. They also can lower LDL levels.
In addition you have some dietary steps you can take. Eating low cholesterol foods and avoiding high cholesterol foods can help to some degree, although the body continues making cholesterol and will sometimes make more when you eat less.
There are also several foods you can start eating that affect cholesterol levels. You have probably heard about oat bran. It lowers LDL because it contains soluble fiber. So do fruits like apples. Walnuts also help. In some people, walnuts make a big difference. They contain "good fats" that push cholesterol numbers down. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in things like salmon, flax seed and fish oil pills, also help. And olive oil is a good thing to eat, especially if it is replacing unhealthy fats.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Low cholesterol not linked to cancer
Low cholesterol may be a result of underlying cancer, challenging a concern that lower total cholesterol may lead to cancer, a U.S. researcher suggests.
Dr. Demetrius Albanes of the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md., and colleagues looked at data from 29,093 men from the Alpha-Tocopheral, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study.
Low cholesterol was linked -- as in previous studies -- to an 18 percent higher risk of cancer overall. However, this risk disappeared when the researchers excluded cases in the early years after the original blood draw. Also, higher levels of high-density lipoprotein, the "good" cholesterol, were associated with a 14 percent decreased risk of cancer even after excluding nine years of early cases.
"Our study affirms that lower total cholesterol may be caused by undiagnosed cancer," Albanes said in a statement. "In terms of public health message, we found that higher levels of 'good cholesterol' seem to be protective for all cancers, which is in line with recommendations for cardiovascular health."
The finding is published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Dr. Demetrius Albanes of the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md., and colleagues looked at data from 29,093 men from the Alpha-Tocopheral, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study.
Low cholesterol was linked -- as in previous studies -- to an 18 percent higher risk of cancer overall. However, this risk disappeared when the researchers excluded cases in the early years after the original blood draw. Also, higher levels of high-density lipoprotein, the "good" cholesterol, were associated with a 14 percent decreased risk of cancer even after excluding nine years of early cases.
"Our study affirms that lower total cholesterol may be caused by undiagnosed cancer," Albanes said in a statement. "In terms of public health message, we found that higher levels of 'good cholesterol' seem to be protective for all cancers, which is in line with recommendations for cardiovascular health."
The finding is published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Check out this news on Avacados!
LOS ANGELES, Oct 30, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- New research published in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, reported that University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) researchers were able to identify four additional carotenoids in the California Hass avocado, which had not been quantified until this study. In addition, the researchers reported that the total carotenoid concentrations were greatest in the dark green flesh of the avocado closest to the peel. Carotenoids are a class of phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are thought to help prevent many chronic diseases.
The research, led by David Heber, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, studied California Hass avocados harvested in January, April, July and September 2008 from San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Riverside and San Diego and analyzed the fruit for total fat content, fatty acid profile, carotenoids and vitamin E.
Avocados are virtually the only fruit that has monounsaturated fat, the fruit also contributes polyunsaturated fat (0.5 grams poly- and 3 grams mono- per 1 oz. serving). According to the American Heart Association, mono- and polyunsaturated fats (good fats), when consumed in moderation and eaten in place of saturated or trans fats, can help reduce blood cholesterol levels and decrease risk for heart disease.
"Consumers should be reassured that avocados from different growing areas in California have a remarkable constancy of carotenoid content per gram of fat during the growing season," said Heber. "And, that they can get the most nutrients out of an avocado by peeling the fruit before slicing it in order to capture the maximum amount of carotenoids from the darker green flesh found directly under the skin."
The carotenoids that were uniquely characterized in California Hass avocados through this study include trans neoxanthin, neochrome, lutein-5, 6-epoxide and chrysanthemaxanthin. The scientists also confirmed the presence of lutein, zeaxanthin, b-cryptoxanthin, a-carotene and b-carotene.
The researchers noted that California Hass avocados grown in different regions of California have a similar phytochemical profile. However, there are increases in both total fat and carotenoids in fruit harvested later in the season. Ninety-five percent of American avocado production is located in California.
This research was supported by the California Avocado Commission through an unrestricted educational grant.
About the California Avocado Commission
Created in 1978, the California Avocado Commission strives to increase demand for California avocados through advertising, promotion and public relations, and engages in related industry activities that benefit the state's 6,000 avocado growers. The California Avocado Commission serves as the official information source for California avocados and the California avocado industry.
SOURCE: California Avocado Commission
CONTACT: GolinHarris Jennifer Baker-Asiddao, 213-438-8712 jbaker@golinharris.com
The research, led by David Heber, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, studied California Hass avocados harvested in January, April, July and September 2008 from San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Riverside and San Diego and analyzed the fruit for total fat content, fatty acid profile, carotenoids and vitamin E.
Avocados are virtually the only fruit that has monounsaturated fat, the fruit also contributes polyunsaturated fat (0.5 grams poly- and 3 grams mono- per 1 oz. serving). According to the American Heart Association, mono- and polyunsaturated fats (good fats), when consumed in moderation and eaten in place of saturated or trans fats, can help reduce blood cholesterol levels and decrease risk for heart disease.
"Consumers should be reassured that avocados from different growing areas in California have a remarkable constancy of carotenoid content per gram of fat during the growing season," said Heber. "And, that they can get the most nutrients out of an avocado by peeling the fruit before slicing it in order to capture the maximum amount of carotenoids from the darker green flesh found directly under the skin."
The carotenoids that were uniquely characterized in California Hass avocados through this study include trans neoxanthin, neochrome, lutein-5, 6-epoxide and chrysanthemaxanthin. The scientists also confirmed the presence of lutein, zeaxanthin, b-cryptoxanthin, a-carotene and b-carotene.
The researchers noted that California Hass avocados grown in different regions of California have a similar phytochemical profile. However, there are increases in both total fat and carotenoids in fruit harvested later in the season. Ninety-five percent of American avocado production is located in California.
This research was supported by the California Avocado Commission through an unrestricted educational grant.
About the California Avocado Commission
Created in 1978, the California Avocado Commission strives to increase demand for California avocados through advertising, promotion and public relations, and engages in related industry activities that benefit the state's 6,000 avocado growers. The California Avocado Commission serves as the official information source for California avocados and the California avocado industry.
SOURCE: California Avocado Commission
CONTACT: GolinHarris Jennifer Baker-Asiddao, 213-438-8712 jbaker@golinharris.com
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Low cholesterol isn't always a good thing!
Low cholesterol doesn’t necessarily mean healthy veins and cardiovascular system.
Research done at the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Yale University found that those with low cholesterol didn’t have any better heart health than those with high cholesterol.1
One of the most well-known and publicized heart studies is the Framingham study. The findings are nearly identical to the Yale study. Half the people had no better heart health than those with higher cholesterol.2
Cholesterol on its own is harmless. It’s the oxidation of cholesterol that can impact overall cardiovascular health. When cholesterol mixes with oxygen, it causes free radical damage.
You can support the health of your blood vessels from oxidation and promote normal levels of inflammation naturally.
First, measure your homocysteine. I do this for all my patients. It’s not only a predictor of arterial health, it is also important to keep homocysteine down to keep your arteries healthy.
Homocysteine is a simple amino acid. It gets cycled with other amino acids to facilitate the exchange of atoms between your cells. But when this cycle breaks down, homocysteine has nowhere to go and gets backed up, just like a drain that gets clogged.
Keeping homocysteine levels down helps promote normal levels of inflammation, which helps promote the health of your blood vessels.
There are a number of studies supporting this connection:
Research from the Physician’s Health Study, which tracked 15,000 male physicians, found that those with low levels of it had overall better heart health than those with higher levels.3
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine confirms these findings. They discovered that keeping lower levels of homocysteine is associated with better overall health. More so than any other measured factor – including cholesterol.4
I’ve seen at least 20 more studies like this, indicating a strong link between levels of homocysteine and heart health.
Lower your homocysteine – The irony is that you can easily manage your homocysteine. A simple blood test will tell you if you have high homocysteine levels. I like to keep my patients’ levels at 7 or below to maintain arterial health.
I have not had a single case of elevated homocysteine that couldn’t be corrected with the right combination of natural supplements. Here’s what I use with my patients (amounts are daily):
Vitamin B12 – 500 mcg
Folic acid – 800 mcg
Vitamin B6 – 25 mg
Riboflavin (B2) – 25 mg
TMG (Trimethylglycine) – 500 mg
You can find these at your local health food store.
Reduce oxidation – The other key is to protect your blood vessels with powerful antioxidants. The most heart healthy warrior is omega-3s. I also recommend resveratrol.
Resveratrol inhibits the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, promotes healthy, flexible arteries, and keeps your heartbeat steady. I recommend getting 200 mg of resveratrol daily. You can find resveratrol at your local health food store.
Get Omega-3s – Researchers found that the cell membranes of heart cells store omega-3 from fish oil. This storage promotes health heart rhythms, promotes healthy triglyceride levels, and raises HDL, your good cholesterol.
Research done at the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Yale University found that those with low cholesterol didn’t have any better heart health than those with high cholesterol.1
One of the most well-known and publicized heart studies is the Framingham study. The findings are nearly identical to the Yale study. Half the people had no better heart health than those with higher cholesterol.2
Cholesterol on its own is harmless. It’s the oxidation of cholesterol that can impact overall cardiovascular health. When cholesterol mixes with oxygen, it causes free radical damage.
You can support the health of your blood vessels from oxidation and promote normal levels of inflammation naturally.
First, measure your homocysteine. I do this for all my patients. It’s not only a predictor of arterial health, it is also important to keep homocysteine down to keep your arteries healthy.
Homocysteine is a simple amino acid. It gets cycled with other amino acids to facilitate the exchange of atoms between your cells. But when this cycle breaks down, homocysteine has nowhere to go and gets backed up, just like a drain that gets clogged.
Keeping homocysteine levels down helps promote normal levels of inflammation, which helps promote the health of your blood vessels.
There are a number of studies supporting this connection:
Research from the Physician’s Health Study, which tracked 15,000 male physicians, found that those with low levels of it had overall better heart health than those with higher levels.3
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine confirms these findings. They discovered that keeping lower levels of homocysteine is associated with better overall health. More so than any other measured factor – including cholesterol.4
I’ve seen at least 20 more studies like this, indicating a strong link between levels of homocysteine and heart health.
Lower your homocysteine – The irony is that you can easily manage your homocysteine. A simple blood test will tell you if you have high homocysteine levels. I like to keep my patients’ levels at 7 or below to maintain arterial health.
I have not had a single case of elevated homocysteine that couldn’t be corrected with the right combination of natural supplements. Here’s what I use with my patients (amounts are daily):
Vitamin B12 – 500 mcg
Folic acid – 800 mcg
Vitamin B6 – 25 mg
Riboflavin (B2) – 25 mg
TMG (Trimethylglycine) – 500 mg
You can find these at your local health food store.
Reduce oxidation – The other key is to protect your blood vessels with powerful antioxidants. The most heart healthy warrior is omega-3s. I also recommend resveratrol.
Resveratrol inhibits the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, promotes healthy, flexible arteries, and keeps your heartbeat steady. I recommend getting 200 mg of resveratrol daily. You can find resveratrol at your local health food store.
Get Omega-3s – Researchers found that the cell membranes of heart cells store omega-3 from fish oil. This storage promotes health heart rhythms, promotes healthy triglyceride levels, and raises HDL, your good cholesterol.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Dr Sears Take on Lipitor!
If you buy Lipitor, you may see a new warning label.
Here's a proven fact: Cholesterol-lowering drugs – also known as statins – slash your levels of CoQ10. In fact, studies found that statin drugs lower CoQ10 levels by as much as 40 percent.1
Now, officials in Canada are finally blowing the whistle.
The Canadian government is now requiring all statin drugs to put a warning label on their box. And for good reason... The loss of CoQ10 can impact your heart health.
I couldn’t say it better than well-known CoQ10 researcher Dr. Peter Langsjoen:
“The depletion of the essential nutrient CoQ10 by the increasingly popular cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) has grown from a level of concern to one of alarm...”
I added the underline for emphasis.
While Canada has come to their senses … it seems that the U.S. is hell-bent on pushing statins on everyone.
Not long ago, the JUPITER study (funded by AstraZeneca, the makers of Crestor) was presented at an AMA conference.
The claim: Statin drugs save lives when given to people who show no signs of high cholesterol. There was even talk of putting statins in the water supply, so everyone could get their share – as if we’re all born with a Crestor deficiency.
I don’t know about you, but I certainly don’t want to be fed statins… or any other drug… without consent.
For my part, I’m going to continue doing what I’ve been doing for many years - warning anyone who will listen to avoid statin drugs.
If you do take them, a CoQ10 supplement is vital to your heart, your strength and your vitality. It’s one of the most important nutrients in the world today, because it fuels your cells with energy.
Don't put your health at risk. If you're taking cholesterol drugs, you need Accel. Accel has the most absorbable form of CoQ10 available. It’s 8 times stronger than regular CoQ10, so it helps restore the energy you lose by taking cholesterol drugs that much faster.
And now, Accel has the added benefit of tocotrienols.
They are the rarest and most active forms of vitamin E. They provide an additional layer of heart support by:
Boosting heart arterial health to support healthy circulation
Bringing your cholesterol and soluble-fat blood levels into balance
Promoting normal response to inflammation
Fighting oxidative stress throughout the body
Together, CoQ10 and tocotrienols give you unmatched cardiovascular support.
Here's a proven fact: Cholesterol-lowering drugs – also known as statins – slash your levels of CoQ10. In fact, studies found that statin drugs lower CoQ10 levels by as much as 40 percent.1
Now, officials in Canada are finally blowing the whistle.
The Canadian government is now requiring all statin drugs to put a warning label on their box. And for good reason... The loss of CoQ10 can impact your heart health.
I couldn’t say it better than well-known CoQ10 researcher Dr. Peter Langsjoen:
“The depletion of the essential nutrient CoQ10 by the increasingly popular cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) has grown from a level of concern to one of alarm...”
I added the underline for emphasis.
While Canada has come to their senses … it seems that the U.S. is hell-bent on pushing statins on everyone.
Not long ago, the JUPITER study (funded by AstraZeneca, the makers of Crestor) was presented at an AMA conference.
The claim: Statin drugs save lives when given to people who show no signs of high cholesterol. There was even talk of putting statins in the water supply, so everyone could get their share – as if we’re all born with a Crestor deficiency.
I don’t know about you, but I certainly don’t want to be fed statins… or any other drug… without consent.
For my part, I’m going to continue doing what I’ve been doing for many years - warning anyone who will listen to avoid statin drugs.
If you do take them, a CoQ10 supplement is vital to your heart, your strength and your vitality. It’s one of the most important nutrients in the world today, because it fuels your cells with energy.
Don't put your health at risk. If you're taking cholesterol drugs, you need Accel. Accel has the most absorbable form of CoQ10 available. It’s 8 times stronger than regular CoQ10, so it helps restore the energy you lose by taking cholesterol drugs that much faster.
And now, Accel has the added benefit of tocotrienols.
They are the rarest and most active forms of vitamin E. They provide an additional layer of heart support by:
Boosting heart arterial health to support healthy circulation
Bringing your cholesterol and soluble-fat blood levels into balance
Promoting normal response to inflammation
Fighting oxidative stress throughout the body
Together, CoQ10 and tocotrienols give you unmatched cardiovascular support.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Chlorella and Dieting for a Healthier New Year!
If you are interested in reducing body fat, getting your cholesterol level under control and staying clear of diabetes, chlorella may be just the perfect superfood. Researchers have recently investigated the effects of Chlorella on people with high-risk factors for lifestyle diseases and found that chlorella affects a positive outcome by controlling gene expression. Other new findings have also added to chlorella's impressive credentials.Findings from the studyAs reported in the September edition of the Journal of Medicinal Food, researchers in Kyoto, Japan fed chlorella to 17 subjects with high-risk factors for lifestyle-related diseases and 17 healthy subjects over a 16 week period,. They conducted blood biochemical tests and gene profile expression analysis before and after the chlorella administration. They confirmed that in both groups, chlorella intake resulted in noticeable reductions in body fat percentages, total serum cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose levels.
Through gene expression analysis, they found that gene expression profiles varied with chlorella intake. They identified many genes affected by chlorella ingestion that returned to their pre-ingestion state when chlorella ingestion was discontinued. Among these were genes related to metabolic enzymes, signaling, receptors, transporters, and cytokines.A difference in genetic expression level was found between the two studied groups at the start of the tests, and the researchers were able to identify genes with noticeable variance in expression levels resulting from chlorella intake in the high-risk factor group. These included genes involved in fat metabolism and insulin signaling pathways, which suggest that these pathways are physiologically affected by chlorella intake. There were clear variations in the expression profiles of genes directly related to the uptake of glucose following chlorella intake, indicating that the activation of insulin signaling pathways could be the reason for the blood sugar lowering effects of chlorella.Chlorella reduces UVB degradation of the skin.
The May-June edition of the European Journal of Dermatology reports that solar UV radiation damages human skin, affects skin tone and resiliency, and leads to premature aging. Skin damage by oxidants leads to activation of protein kinase C, increasing collagen degradation. Ingestion of chlorella has been shown to inhibit this activity. This degradation was evaluated following UVB irradiation in the presence of an aquaeous extract fraction of chlorella, in human skin fibroblasts. Expression levels of activity on elastin protein and pro-collagen mRNA were also investigated. The researchers found that premature aging-induced collagen degradation and gene expression were suppressed in the presence of the chlorella fraction. The fraction also appeared to counteract the negative effects of UVB exposure on elastin protein and increased pro-collagen mRNA expression following UVB exposure.Chlorella decreases dioxin and increases immunoglobulin concentration in breast milkOne of the big sales pitches for the use of infant formula in place of breast milk has been that breast milk contains dangerous levels of dioxin. A study reported in the March, 2007 edition of the Journal of Medicinal Food analyzed dioxin levels in breast milk and maternal blood samples from 35 pregnant women in Japan. They measured immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentrations in breast milk and investigated correlations with dioxin concentrations. In addition, 18 of the 35 women took chlorella supplements during pregnancy, and its effects on dioxin and IgA concentrations in breast milk were investigated.The researchers found that toxic equivalents were significantly lower in the breast milk of the women taking chlorella tablets than in the control group. These results suggest that chlorella supplementation by the mother may reduce transfer of dioxins to the child through the breast milk. No significant correlation was identified between dioxin and IgA concentrations in the breast milk of the control group. IgA concentrations in breast milk in the chlorella group were significantly higher than in the control group. Increasing IgA levels in breast milk are considered to be effective for reducing the risk of infection in nursing infants.
New studies also document the powerful chelating properties of chlorellaAlso reported in the September Journal of Medicinal Food is a study in which 40 rats were divided into one control group and three groups that were treated with cadmium. One cadmium group received no chlorella, one received 5% chlorella, and one received 10% chlorella. After 8 weeks, the relative liver weight was significantly lower in the group receiving no chlorella compared with both groups receiving chlorella, indicating severe liver damage in the no-chlorella group. This group also displayed significantly higher hepatic concentrations of cadmium than the groups receiving chlorella. Hepatic RNA had a higher expression in the chlorella treated groups than in the no-chlorella group. Researchers concluded that chlorella has a protective effect against cadmium induced lever damage by reducing cadmium accumulation and stimulating the expression of RNA in the liver.
The July edition of Food Chemistry Toxicology reports another study in which the chelating ability of chlorella was assessed. Levels of interleukin -6, an important stimulator of red blood cell production, were assessed along with investigation of the number of adherent and non-adherent cells. Mice that had been drinking water containing 1300ppm of lead acetate were treated with chlorella daily for 10 days. The researchers found that chlorella improved cellular function, increased the ability of cells to produce interleukin-6, and restored the reduced the number of non-adherent cells. Monitoring of lead poisoning demonstrated that chlorella treatment significantly reduced lead levels in blood and tissues, completely restored the normal levels of ALA in the liver, and decreased the abnormally high plasma levels of ALA.The findings of these two studies underscore the powerful chelating ability of chlorella and suggest that chlorella would be useful for pre-treating before consuming any food or drink in which the presence of heavy metals is suspected, such as fish. Chlorella has also been shown in previous studies to be an effective chelator of mercury and is an excellent supplement for anyone with dental fillings containing mercury, as well as anyone undergoing the removal of fillings.What is chlorella?
Chlorella is tiny, single-celled water-grown green algae that contain a nucleus and an enormous amount of readily available chlorophyll. It is composed of about 58% highly digestible protein, and carbohydrates. It is a good dietary choice for people who do not eat meat. It contains all of the B vitamins, vitamins C and E, amino acids, beta-carotene, iron, zinc, macro-minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, rare trace minerals, essential fatty acids including GLA, and polysaccharides. One teaspoon of chlorella contains 90 mg of RNA and 8 mg of DNA. Chlorella has more vitamin B-12 than liver. It is virtually a complete food and considered one of the superfoods, delivering a wind fall of nutrition to the body.Chlorella contains thousands of phytochemicals, most of which have not yet been identified.Chlorella is nature’s answer to the multi-vitamin pill concept, offering a broad array of nutrients in highly bio-available form with perfect synergy. It has shown to be effective at reversing degenerative diseases such as all types of cancers, diabetes, liver disorders, high blood pressure, and obesity. People with poor digestion are able to easily digest chlorella.Chlorella is perfect for body detoxification. Its fibrous outer cell wall binds with heavy metals and pesticides that accumulate in the body and ushers them out. It’s high content of chlorophyll makes it an ideal cleanser for the blood stream and the elimination channels, insuring that metabolic wastes are carried away from the tissues. It cleanses the breath and reduces body odor.
Chlorella has been shown to accelerate healing, protect against radiation, help in the treatment of Candida albicans and relieve arthritis pain. It is effective against anemia and its stimulation of red blood cells assures proper transport of oxygen to the brain and body.Chlorella is a potent cancer fighterChlorella stimulates the immune system and the production of interferon, one of the body’s greatest natural defenses against cancer. Increased interferon production is thought to stimulate macrophages, T-cells and tumor necrosis factor. This results in the immune system being able to combat foreign invaders whether they are viruses, bacteria, chemicals or foreign proteins. Chlorella’s DNA repair mechanism has been documented.Numerous animal studies have documented chlorella’s effectiveness against cancer. One such study involved mice given chlorella prior to being transplanted with breast tumors. The results indicated a 70 percent survival rate in the chlorella fed group and a control group survival rate of zero.In another study, fifteen glioblastoma patients were treated with high levels of chlorella, in some cases combined with chemotherapy and radiation. Glioblastoma is the type of deadly brain tumor recently diagnosed in Senator Kennedy. Their health and immune status increased immediately, and they experienced a 40 percent two-year survival rate, compared to the normal two year survival rate of 10 percent for this type of cancer.Chlorella helps balance the body’s pHIt is believed by many that disease starts and thrives in an acidic body environment. Any diet that is deficient in fruits and vegetables will be acidic in nature. The consumption of soft drinks and processed fruit drinks are particularly acid forming as are diets high in meat and uncultured dairy products.
Proper pH balance is critical for health, and the body goes to great lengths to maintain the proper pH of its blood, by increasing respiration and by pulling alkaline minerals out of the bones to use to buffer any excess acidity. This is why consumption of soft drinks is linked to osteoporosis.Chlorella is an alkaline food, which means it counters acidity. This promotes increased bone mass since the body is not sacrificing minerals from the bones to create proper acid/alkaline balance. Metabolic function is therefore improved. The consumption of alkaline foods has been linked to improved immune function, kidney function, higher energy levels, and lower allergic response levels.
Using chlorellaChlorella can be purchased in tablet form and as powder. The tablets are easier to use, but there is some question that the quality of the chlorella may be compromised by the heat produced in the compression process used to create the tablets. There are several high quality chlorella tablets on the market with vastly different price points. Swanson's Chlorella is an excellent product that is well packaged to maintain its freshness. It is relatively high priced. Nutricology Chlorella from is also very good quality and well packaged and less expensive. Yaeyama Chlorella is also of high quality, however the packaging usually leaves something to be desired.Chlorella’s strong outer cell wall needs to be broken to make its nutrients accessible. Any package of chlorella you buy should tell you that the cell wall has been broken. Some lower quality manufacturers of supplements sell chlorella that has not had the cell walls broken. These products are virtually worthless.
Powdered chlorella is generally the province of the boutique supplement manufacturers and can be quite expensive, with the exception of NOW Chlorella which is good quality, broken cell wall powdered product that is available in sizes up to a pound. This can be purchased online from Vitacost or Lucky Vitamin.Powdered chlorella can be mixed into juiced vegetables and fruits or used in smoothies. It has a mellow, non-intrusive flavor and adds a richness and thickness to any liquid you use with it. Mixing chlorella into a drink requires a blender or shaker.Chlorella combined with spirulina, another green algae, creates a whooping powerhouse of nutrition. Add a spoon full of each to your smoothie or juice. The Chewables from Nutricology which are pharmaceutical Grade can be founf at http://www.healthyprism.com/
Click on:
Chlorella
For Chewables
Through gene expression analysis, they found that gene expression profiles varied with chlorella intake. They identified many genes affected by chlorella ingestion that returned to their pre-ingestion state when chlorella ingestion was discontinued. Among these were genes related to metabolic enzymes, signaling, receptors, transporters, and cytokines.A difference in genetic expression level was found between the two studied groups at the start of the tests, and the researchers were able to identify genes with noticeable variance in expression levels resulting from chlorella intake in the high-risk factor group. These included genes involved in fat metabolism and insulin signaling pathways, which suggest that these pathways are physiologically affected by chlorella intake. There were clear variations in the expression profiles of genes directly related to the uptake of glucose following chlorella intake, indicating that the activation of insulin signaling pathways could be the reason for the blood sugar lowering effects of chlorella.Chlorella reduces UVB degradation of the skin.
The May-June edition of the European Journal of Dermatology reports that solar UV radiation damages human skin, affects skin tone and resiliency, and leads to premature aging. Skin damage by oxidants leads to activation of protein kinase C, increasing collagen degradation. Ingestion of chlorella has been shown to inhibit this activity. This degradation was evaluated following UVB irradiation in the presence of an aquaeous extract fraction of chlorella, in human skin fibroblasts. Expression levels of activity on elastin protein and pro-collagen mRNA were also investigated. The researchers found that premature aging-induced collagen degradation and gene expression were suppressed in the presence of the chlorella fraction. The fraction also appeared to counteract the negative effects of UVB exposure on elastin protein and increased pro-collagen mRNA expression following UVB exposure.Chlorella decreases dioxin and increases immunoglobulin concentration in breast milkOne of the big sales pitches for the use of infant formula in place of breast milk has been that breast milk contains dangerous levels of dioxin. A study reported in the March, 2007 edition of the Journal of Medicinal Food analyzed dioxin levels in breast milk and maternal blood samples from 35 pregnant women in Japan. They measured immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentrations in breast milk and investigated correlations with dioxin concentrations. In addition, 18 of the 35 women took chlorella supplements during pregnancy, and its effects on dioxin and IgA concentrations in breast milk were investigated.The researchers found that toxic equivalents were significantly lower in the breast milk of the women taking chlorella tablets than in the control group. These results suggest that chlorella supplementation by the mother may reduce transfer of dioxins to the child through the breast milk. No significant correlation was identified between dioxin and IgA concentrations in the breast milk of the control group. IgA concentrations in breast milk in the chlorella group were significantly higher than in the control group. Increasing IgA levels in breast milk are considered to be effective for reducing the risk of infection in nursing infants.
New studies also document the powerful chelating properties of chlorellaAlso reported in the September Journal of Medicinal Food is a study in which 40 rats were divided into one control group and three groups that were treated with cadmium. One cadmium group received no chlorella, one received 5% chlorella, and one received 10% chlorella. After 8 weeks, the relative liver weight was significantly lower in the group receiving no chlorella compared with both groups receiving chlorella, indicating severe liver damage in the no-chlorella group. This group also displayed significantly higher hepatic concentrations of cadmium than the groups receiving chlorella. Hepatic RNA had a higher expression in the chlorella treated groups than in the no-chlorella group. Researchers concluded that chlorella has a protective effect against cadmium induced lever damage by reducing cadmium accumulation and stimulating the expression of RNA in the liver.
The July edition of Food Chemistry Toxicology reports another study in which the chelating ability of chlorella was assessed. Levels of interleukin -6, an important stimulator of red blood cell production, were assessed along with investigation of the number of adherent and non-adherent cells. Mice that had been drinking water containing 1300ppm of lead acetate were treated with chlorella daily for 10 days. The researchers found that chlorella improved cellular function, increased the ability of cells to produce interleukin-6, and restored the reduced the number of non-adherent cells. Monitoring of lead poisoning demonstrated that chlorella treatment significantly reduced lead levels in blood and tissues, completely restored the normal levels of ALA in the liver, and decreased the abnormally high plasma levels of ALA.The findings of these two studies underscore the powerful chelating ability of chlorella and suggest that chlorella would be useful for pre-treating before consuming any food or drink in which the presence of heavy metals is suspected, such as fish. Chlorella has also been shown in previous studies to be an effective chelator of mercury and is an excellent supplement for anyone with dental fillings containing mercury, as well as anyone undergoing the removal of fillings.What is chlorella?
Chlorella is tiny, single-celled water-grown green algae that contain a nucleus and an enormous amount of readily available chlorophyll. It is composed of about 58% highly digestible protein, and carbohydrates. It is a good dietary choice for people who do not eat meat. It contains all of the B vitamins, vitamins C and E, amino acids, beta-carotene, iron, zinc, macro-minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, rare trace minerals, essential fatty acids including GLA, and polysaccharides. One teaspoon of chlorella contains 90 mg of RNA and 8 mg of DNA. Chlorella has more vitamin B-12 than liver. It is virtually a complete food and considered one of the superfoods, delivering a wind fall of nutrition to the body.Chlorella contains thousands of phytochemicals, most of which have not yet been identified.Chlorella is nature’s answer to the multi-vitamin pill concept, offering a broad array of nutrients in highly bio-available form with perfect synergy. It has shown to be effective at reversing degenerative diseases such as all types of cancers, diabetes, liver disorders, high blood pressure, and obesity. People with poor digestion are able to easily digest chlorella.Chlorella is perfect for body detoxification. Its fibrous outer cell wall binds with heavy metals and pesticides that accumulate in the body and ushers them out. It’s high content of chlorophyll makes it an ideal cleanser for the blood stream and the elimination channels, insuring that metabolic wastes are carried away from the tissues. It cleanses the breath and reduces body odor.
Chlorella has been shown to accelerate healing, protect against radiation, help in the treatment of Candida albicans and relieve arthritis pain. It is effective against anemia and its stimulation of red blood cells assures proper transport of oxygen to the brain and body.Chlorella is a potent cancer fighterChlorella stimulates the immune system and the production of interferon, one of the body’s greatest natural defenses against cancer. Increased interferon production is thought to stimulate macrophages, T-cells and tumor necrosis factor. This results in the immune system being able to combat foreign invaders whether they are viruses, bacteria, chemicals or foreign proteins. Chlorella’s DNA repair mechanism has been documented.Numerous animal studies have documented chlorella’s effectiveness against cancer. One such study involved mice given chlorella prior to being transplanted with breast tumors. The results indicated a 70 percent survival rate in the chlorella fed group and a control group survival rate of zero.In another study, fifteen glioblastoma patients were treated with high levels of chlorella, in some cases combined with chemotherapy and radiation. Glioblastoma is the type of deadly brain tumor recently diagnosed in Senator Kennedy. Their health and immune status increased immediately, and they experienced a 40 percent two-year survival rate, compared to the normal two year survival rate of 10 percent for this type of cancer.Chlorella helps balance the body’s pHIt is believed by many that disease starts and thrives in an acidic body environment. Any diet that is deficient in fruits and vegetables will be acidic in nature. The consumption of soft drinks and processed fruit drinks are particularly acid forming as are diets high in meat and uncultured dairy products.
Proper pH balance is critical for health, and the body goes to great lengths to maintain the proper pH of its blood, by increasing respiration and by pulling alkaline minerals out of the bones to use to buffer any excess acidity. This is why consumption of soft drinks is linked to osteoporosis.Chlorella is an alkaline food, which means it counters acidity. This promotes increased bone mass since the body is not sacrificing minerals from the bones to create proper acid/alkaline balance. Metabolic function is therefore improved. The consumption of alkaline foods has been linked to improved immune function, kidney function, higher energy levels, and lower allergic response levels.
Using chlorellaChlorella can be purchased in tablet form and as powder. The tablets are easier to use, but there is some question that the quality of the chlorella may be compromised by the heat produced in the compression process used to create the tablets. There are several high quality chlorella tablets on the market with vastly different price points. Swanson's Chlorella is an excellent product that is well packaged to maintain its freshness. It is relatively high priced. Nutricology Chlorella from is also very good quality and well packaged and less expensive. Yaeyama Chlorella is also of high quality, however the packaging usually leaves something to be desired.Chlorella’s strong outer cell wall needs to be broken to make its nutrients accessible. Any package of chlorella you buy should tell you that the cell wall has been broken. Some lower quality manufacturers of supplements sell chlorella that has not had the cell walls broken. These products are virtually worthless.
Powdered chlorella is generally the province of the boutique supplement manufacturers and can be quite expensive, with the exception of NOW Chlorella which is good quality, broken cell wall powdered product that is available in sizes up to a pound. This can be purchased online from Vitacost or Lucky Vitamin.Powdered chlorella can be mixed into juiced vegetables and fruits or used in smoothies. It has a mellow, non-intrusive flavor and adds a richness and thickness to any liquid you use with it. Mixing chlorella into a drink requires a blender or shaker.Chlorella combined with spirulina, another green algae, creates a whooping powerhouse of nutrition. Add a spoon full of each to your smoothie or juice. The Chewables from Nutricology which are pharmaceutical Grade can be founf at http://www.healthyprism.com/
Click on:
Chlorella
For Chewables
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