|
Folic
Acid: Another Way to Fight Memory Loss
What time were we supposed to meet?
Have you seen my
glasses?
Did
I leave the iron plugged in?
In middle years, questions like these become all too common – and frustrating
to live with. But now Dutch researchers have shown that something as simple
as supplementing with folic acid, a member of the B vitamin family, can
help stave off typical age related memory decline.
During the three-year long study, a group of men and women ranging from
middle-aged to elderly were given either a daily dose of 800 micrograms
(mcg) of folic acid or a placebo. When researchers compared the results
of mental function tests, they found memory in the folic acid group was
4.7 to 6.9 years "younger" than the placebo's.
Folic acid has long been considered an artery-friendly nutrient. When
partnered with two of its cousins, vitamins B6 and B12, folic acid can
reduce the body's homocysteine levels. Homocysteine is an amino acid that
can be harmful to the heart and arteries. Diets that are high in meat and
low in green leafy vegetables and other sources of B vitamins spur the
production of homocysteine. Since both our hearts and brains depend on
healthy arteries in order to be fully functioning, folic acid and its
other B vitamin partners are clearly important.
Good food sources
of folic acid include brown rice, lentils, wheat germ and green leafy
vegetables. Since far too few people eat foods like these on a regular
basis, supplements, such as BLV Multivitamins, are a good way to insure
adequate supplies.
Durga J, van Boxtel MP, Schouten, E.G., et al.
"Effect of 3-year folic acid supplementation on cognitive function in older
adults in the FACIT trial: a randomized, double blind, controlled trial."
Lancet 2007; 369: 208-216.
_____________________________________________
Give Blood, Save Lives
Yes, it's that simple – you can save three lives by giving just one
pint of blood. Plus, you may be doing yourself a favor, too. Statistics
show that blood donors have a lower risk of heart attack, leading some researchers
to theorize that donating blood reduces the amount of iron in the body.
That theory is supported by the fact that after menopause, when women no
longer lose iron each month, heart attacks become far more common. February
is American Heart Month, so do you and several other people a favor. For
details, contact the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org and click on
"Blood Service" in the left-hand column, or contact your local hospital's
blood donation division.
Helping you regain
and maintain optimum health is the primary focus of BLV Co, and that goal
is what sets our products apart from so many others.
|
Have You Heard?
Dr.
Seidman’s new book – Save Your Hearing Now: The Revolutionary Program
That Can Prevent and May Even Reverse Hearing Loss – is getting
great reviews! Not only has he appeared on "Good Morning America," but
Dr. Seidman has also been interviewed for O the Oprah magazine," the New
York Times, Men’s Health and other publications. Based on more than twenty
years’ of research, the program focuses on simple lifestyle changes and
thoroughly researched supplements that can impact hearing. If you or
someone you know is having trouble understanding daily conversations,
has to turn up the television to an uncomfortable level or shows other signs
of hearing loss, Dr. Seidman’s program can help!
|
Echinacea
101:
The Truth about an Herb That Clobbers Colds and Fights
the Flu
Maybe
you’ve seen or heard media "reports" claiming that the herb echinacea does
-- or doesn’t -- work when it comes to fighting the common cold. Normally
less than 60 seconds long, these summaries just don’t do justice to the
issues. So let’s take a closer look.
First,
keep in mind one simple point -- not all echinacea is the same. According
to the prestigious German Commission E (GCE), a highly regarded scientific
group that evaluates herbal remedies based on evidence from clinical trials,
there are at least nine subtypes of echinacea, including E. purpurea,
E. pallida, and E. angustifolia, as well as lesser known varieties. Each
type of plant has a different effect on the immune system. Second point:
the roots and leaves of each variety also act differently in the body.
For example, the
leaf of E. purpurea has been shown to enhance the functions of very important
immune boosters known as T and B cells, the ones that help you fight off
colds, cancer, and other dangers. Yet the root of the very same plant does
not stimulate activity of T and B cells!
Here’s another example.
The root of E. pallida boosts T and B cell function, but the leaf of
that plant doesn’t!
Furthermore, according to the GCE ratings, E. angustifolia is ranked
as a "negative" herb. A negative rating can mean one of three things:
1) it is known to be ineffective; 2) it is known to be dangerous; or 3)
the results of studies have been inconclusive. In spite of that, walk
into a typical health food store and randomly check out ten bottles of
"Echinacea," and don’t be surprised if nine of them contain E. angustifolia,
the negatively rated herb! Why is this? Maybe manufacturers aren’t doing
their homework, or the angustifolia may be less expensive. Regardless,
it’s easy to see why there is so much controversy over what appears to be
one herb.
This is why
the Body Language Vitamin Cold and Flu formula uses E. purpurea leaf and
E. pallida root, along with other ingredients that are vital for supercharging
your immune system. This state-of-the-art formula was developed by Dr.
Seidman and fine-tuned by Jamshed Khan, one of the most famous Hakims (herbal
medicine practitioners) in Pakistan.
Finally, you should
know that a recent study from Switzerland determined that echinacea did
indeed prevent symptoms of the common cold, and none of the side effects
associated with over-the-counter medications were noted.
Schoop
R, Klein P, Suter A, et al. "Echinacea in the prevention of induced rhinovirus
colds: a meta-analysis." Clinical Therapies 2006 Feb;28(2):174-83.
___________________________________________________________________________
A Little Selenium Goes a Long Way
The trace mineral selenium has gained considerable fame lately for its
ability to decrease the risk of developing prostate, lung, stomach and esophageal
cancers, as well as for providing the immune system with an overall boost.
Now new research from France has found a link between low levels of selenium
in older individuals and diminished mental functions. During the nine-year
study of nearly 1,400 men and women, researchers found that as selenium
levels in the blood declined, so did mental abilities.
Selenium, a powerful
component of several antioxidant enzymes in our bodies, appears to counteract
the effect of rogue molecules known as free radicals, which can damage
the brain, as well as other organs. The mineral works best in conjunction
with vitamin E, and you only need a very small amount. Many health experts
recommend selenium supplements of 200 micrograms (mcg) daily, although
pregnant women should consult a physician before taking more than 40 mcg.
In larger doses, selenium can be toxic, so watch intake, particularly if
you eat selenium-rich foods, like Brazil nuts and seafood.
One last bit of advice:
For best absorption, look for selenium methionate (found in BLV’s Antioxidant
formula) or selenium yeast.
Akbaraly
N.T., Hininger-Favier I., Carriere I., et al. "Plasma Selenium over
Time and Cognitive Decline in the Elderly." Epidemiology 2007 Jan, 18(1),
52-58.
|
Fish
Oil:
Beyond Heart Health
The "good
fats" in fish oil have repeatedly been linked to good heart health. But
now two new clinical trials show that fish oil can help reduce the risk
of colon cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. In the first study, a daily
dose of highly purified fish oil had significant positive effects on two
markers of colon cancer after only three months.
In the second study, researchers noted a strong
link between chronic inflammation and colon cancer, as well as growing
evidence that fish oil inhibits inflammatory bowel diseases, which in turn
lowers the likelihood of developing colon cancer. Each year, more than 50,000
people die from colon cancer in the U.S., making it the second most lethal
cancer in the country.
If you enjoy eating fish, look for those richest
in fish oil, such as salmon, herring and mackerel. Be advised, though,
that farmed and some wild-caught fish can be tainted with environmental
toxins and antibiotics. For up-to-date information about which fish are
safest to eat, as well as the ecological status, visit www.oceansalive.org.
Meanwhile, molecularly distilled fish oil, like those used in BLV’s Essential
Oils Formula, provides the beneficial fats without concerns about dangerous
chemicals.
Courtney ED, Matthews S, Finlayson C, et al. "Eicosapentaenoic
acid (EPA) reduces crypt cell proliferation and increases apoptosis in normal
colonic mucosa in subjects with a history of colorectal adenomas." International
Journal of Colorectal Disease 2007 Jan 10.
Chapkin RS, McMurray DN, Lupton JR. "Colon cancer, fatty acids and anti-inflammatory
compounds." Current Opinions in Gastroenterology 2007 Jan;23(1):48-54.
|
Thank
you for using Body Language Vitamin Company’s Scientific Formulas
This is
the latest Scientific Update as promised. It is also to thank you for visiting
our website and/or benefiting from our state-of-the-art nutritional supplements.
This update will keep you informed of important new research that could
affect your health.
Visit bodylanguagevitamin.com and use our Educational Resources
section. There are many helpful health tips and tools that can enhance
your life and well being.
Try our Body Mass Index Calculator. It provides a reliable
indicator of your weight in relation to your height and is a reflection
of your health.
Take our copyrighted Health Scan. This tool considers many
variables of your lifestyle and health and provides you with a "number"
that lets you know how your current condition compares with others.
Read our more than 1,500 hours of educational resources. There
are many Word and Power Point files with relevant health information and
new ones are added each month.
These tools are free to you and provide important information regarding
your wellness. I would also encourage you to pass this update on to all
of your friends, family and anyone that you love, like or care about.
|
Remember, we
have nine outstanding patented or proprietary formulations designed to improve
your overall wellness and quality of life. Under "product information" you’ll
find many details of how and why the supplements work and why they are important.
Our supplements include:
- Anti-Age Energy
formula (patented)
- Antioxidant Formula
(proprietary)
- Multivitamin (and
mineral) formula (proprietary)
- Phytokids formula
(proprietary)
- Cold and Flu formula
(proprietary)
- Anti-Cholesterol
formula (proprietary)
- Menopause Support
Formula (proprietary)
- PMS Formula (proprietary)
- Essential Oils Formula
(proprietary)
Body Language Vitamin Company’s mission is to promote health and wellness
through responsible lifestyle choices and appropriate supplementation.
I hope you have found this information valuable. Please feel free to contact
me with any questions. I answer all of my emails; please allow 24-72 hours
as we get many questions. You can also find many other interesting studies
and articles by clicking on Educational Resources (a task bar on the left)
at Body Language Vitamin Company’s website: http://www.bodylanguagevitamin.com.
Michael D. Seidman, M.D., F.A.C.S.
B.S. Human Nutrition
CEO-Body Language Vitamin C.
Director of Otologic/Neurotologic Surgery/Henry Ford Health System
Director of Complementary/Integrative Medicine, Henry Ford Health
System
Office: 248-661-7211 (Henry Ford Health System)
Body Language Office (voice mail): 877-LIVE-FIT
|
Dr.
Seidman’s Upcoming Lectures (Feel free to come!)
March 27, 2007: 3C51 at One Ford Place,
Detroit, MI.
Nutritional/Herbal
and Traditional Chinese Medicine and Breast Cancer
therapies (contact Cristy
at 248-661-7211 for details)
April 11, 2007:
Victory Temple, 14821 LeRoy, Southgate, MI. The latest therapy and options
for tinnitus
April 26-30, 2007:
San Diego, CA. Combined Otolaryngological Springs Meetings. Talking about
new techniques to repair ear drums.
June 21-23, 2007:J
Bay Harbour, MI, Complementary/Integrative
Medicine and cardiac
disease. Sponsored by Beaumont Hospital.
October 18 – 20,
2007: Keynote speaker for Noreen Gibbens 2007 MAC
conference.
October 27 – 28,
2007: Hyderabad, India. Two-day workshop on Advanced Micro Ear surgeries.
TO SEE DR. SEIDMAN ON
"GOOD MORNING AMERICA"
CLICK HERE:
|
