Many of us load up on cranberries around the holiday season whether it be as an adjunct to the Thanksgiving turkey or a fresh cranberry salad. But many also forget about the health benefits of eating this fruits throughout the year. Cranberries are a rich source of phytochemicals which work overtime in the prevention of cancer. Studies have shown that natural compounds found within the cranberry can stop the growth of several different types of cancer in the laboratory without harming normal cells.

Of course, it is easier to stop the growth of the cancer cell in a petri dish that it is in the human body. And, it will probably take higher levels and doses of cranberries in the body to get the same effect, but researchers also theorize that it can help prevent cancers as well.

Recent research also suggests that cranberries are a good source of pterostilbene, a chemical that activates cells associated with fat metabolism. It is also effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels without the side effects of drugs manufactured in the lab.

Another study also indicated that cranberry juice will help to increase levels of HDL in men who drank 8 ounces per day and that the antioxidant will also help to prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol which causes plaque formation in the arteries leading to coronary artery disease and heart attack.

Women have long known that drinking cranberry juice can help reduce the number of urinary tract infections they suffer. Now researchers understand that it is because what is excreted through the urine will keep bacteria are from sticking to the bladder wall. While most of these studies have been small there have been a significant number of case studies which indicate that women do reap the benefits. If you suffer from frequent urinary tract infections drinking 8 ounces a day of cranberry juice may be worth a trial run.

The second best berry is the raspberry. In a recent study, researchers found that consumers ranked raspberries at number two on their list of favorites, second only to strawberries. Other fruits including bananas, apples and watermelon all trailed behind the raspberry in this study of over 1500 consumers who ranked 13 different fruits in order of preference.

The respondents in the survey were also familiar with many different forms of raspberries. They appeared to enjoy the convenience, consistent quality and the value of individually quickly frozen raspberries as opposed to other types of berries.

Raspberries rank in the top five of the antioxidant high fruits. They are also high in ellagic acid which is believed to slow the growth of certain types of cancer cells. One serving of raspberries has only 70 calories but it actually can provide 50% of a days requirement for vitamin C, 32% of a days requirement for fiber and 4% of a days requirement for calcium, niacin and zinc.

Raspberries are popular in restaurants and appear on the menus of the top 200 restaurant chains and top 100 independent white tablecloth restaurants.

It is also important to choose some of the freshest berries in order to take full advantage of the antioxidant load they carry. Your first choice should be a farmers market that offers berries harvested that same day. In some instances you may be able to find a berry farm which allows you to pick your own berries. This is easier to find with strawberries than it is with many others.

Berries can also be found in the produce aisle at your local grocery store as well as canned or frozen. When choosing fresh berries look for those which are ripe and colorful but, have no signs of mold or mushy spots. Once frozen berries have been thawed they will not be as firm as a freshly picked berry but they are still good for you. Frozen berries are excellent for use in smoothies, drinks or desserts.

Raspberries and cranberries are an excellent way of improving your health with very little calories, very little effort and packed with flavor. Both are fruits that can be used in a multitude of ways in your diet. Experiment with fruit smoothies, cranberry salads and as an addition to your yogurt. It won’t be long before you’ll be reading the benefits you’ve been begging for.

CRANBERRY – RASPBERRY SALAD
1 (6 oz.) pkg. raspberry Jello
2 c. boiling water
2 pkg. frozen red raspberries
1 c. jellied cranberries
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 c. sour cream
Dissolve Jello in hot water. Stir in cranberry sauce, raspberries and walnuts. Spread in a 9 x 13 inch pan and chill until jelled. Whip the cream cheese until creamy. Add sour cream and spread over the top of the salad. Can be topped with more chopped nuts or reserved berries for color. Serves 12.

Cranberries and Raspberries is a post from: Vitamins And Minerals

Coenzyme Q10 is one of those antioxidants important in the function of the heart muscle. It is produced by the body and necessary for the basic functioning of many cells. Researchers now believe that these levels will decrease with age and will also be particularly low in individuals who have certain chronic diseases such as heart conditions, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease, cancer and diabetes.

Coenzyme Q10 was originally discovered in 1957. It is known to help the mitochondria produce power and energy in the process of transforming food. It is also found to be beneficial in a surprising number of health problems.

Almost every cell in the human body contains this coenzyme. The majority of it is stored in the mitochondria of the cells where energy is produced. Because the heart and liver contain the most mitochondria per cell they also have the greatest amount of coenzyme Q 10.

One health condition which this coenzyme appears to help significantly is periodontal disease, which has also been linked to a deficiency of Coenzyme Q10. Researchers, using double blind studies, have found that people with periodontal disease who were given supplementation would achieve better results than those who were given a placebo.

Coenzyme Q 10 can become deficient when individuals take specific types of drugs, especially those who use statin drugs in order to lower cholesterol. Other oral medications to reduce blood sugar can also decrease the serum levels of coenzyme Q 10 and reduce the effects of supplementation. These drugs, both the statins and the oral hypoglycemic drugs, inhibit the production of the coenzyme and cause serious complications unless supplementation is introduced back in to the diet.

Coenzyme Q 10 is also used in instances when individuals are suffering from congestive heart failure. In this condition the heart is unable to pump efficiently which slows the amount of blood to and from the lungs and the rest of the body. In order to temporarily maintain pumping power the heart can enlarge, it can beat faster or the ventricular walls can become thicker. Coenzymes to 10 allows the body to more effectively produce power and energy so that the heart can work more efficiently.

Early studies using coenzyme Q 10 with individuals who have Parkinson’s disease have been positive. Phase 2 studies out of the University of California, School of Medicine is working with 80 different Parkinson patients at 10 different centers across the United States to determine the efficacy, efficiency and safety of coenzyme Q 10. The theory is that it may slow down the rate of functional decline in individuals who are suffering from Parkinson’s disease. In previous studies researchers found that individuals who suffered with Parkinson’s disease had reduced levels of coenzyme Q 10. Animal studies have found that this substance can protect the area of the brain that is damaged in Parkinson’s disease.

Several new clinical studies involving small numbers of people have suggested that supplementation with coenzyme Q 10 may lower blood pressure. Research subjects found it took between four and 12 weeks before any beneficial effect was observed. Further research is also being done to evaluate the effectiveness of coenzyme Q 10 in individuals who suffer from diabetes. In a recent study of individuals with diabetes 200 mg two times a day were given to diabetics who subsequently showed no hypoglycemic response. Coenzyme Q 10 has been shown to affect a sudden and dramatic drop in blood sugar which can be dangerous to the diabetic.

Several more studies have been done that suggests the enzyme may help prevent heart damage done to individuals who are undergoing chemotherapy using adriamycin or other athracycline medications. Studies of women who have breast cancer also suggest that in addition to conventional treatments coenzyme Q 10 may shrink tumors and reduce the pain associated with the condition. In these particular studies the experiences of the patients could not be attributed only to coenzyme Q 10 because other additional antioxidants were used, including vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium. The possibility exists that coenzyme Q 10, working in conjunction with these other antioxidants, is what affected the change in women who suffer from breast cancer.

Some new preliminary clinical studies also suggest that the enzyme has some beneficial effects in increasing sperm motility, as a part of the treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, to reduce the damage done from stroke, to boost athletic performance, to enhance the physical activity in individuals who suffer from chronic fatigue syndromes and to improve the exercise tolerance in individuals who have muscular dystrophy.

Coenzyme Q 10 is found primarily in fish and meat. Well we are able to produce some of it ourselves the remainder must be synthesized from the foods that we eat or the supplementation we take. The highest amount is found in sardines and macro and the richest sources of vegetable coenzyme Q 10 are found in spinach, broccoli, peanuts and whole grains. In order to enjoy the benefits from vegetable sources they must be raw, fresh and unprocessed.

Using coenzyme Q 10 has a supplementation from outside of dietary sources comes with some possible drug interactions. Prior to initiating any supplementation purchased at a health food store or over the Internet you should check with your health care provider and pharmacist in order to determine that there are no drug interactions. Some of the drugs which are known to have side effects include several of the chemotherapy medications, blood pressure lowering medications, blood thinning medications and beta-blockers.

Coenzyme Q10 is a post from: Vitamins And Minerals

Researchers found that dark chocolate would lower blood pressure. However, this should never be taken as the opportunity to go on a chocolate binge. Eating more chocolate will only increase your weight, which increases your blood pressure, if you don’t decrease the number of calories you eat at other times.

The antioxidants in dark chocolate are potent according to Italy’s National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research. These antioxidants are important in the fight against free radical damage in the body. The findings by one study indicated that drinking milk with chocolate would interfere with the absorption of antioxidants from chocolate that could negate the potential benefits.

This means that the dark chocolates are the most beneficial to your health, that you should watch your caloric intake so you don’t increase your weight and you shouldn’t wash down the chocolate with milk.

In a study using men and women aged 55-64 w ho had mild high blood pressure, the participants ate 480 calories of dark chocolate each day and balanced it by removing that many calories from their diet in other areas. Those who ate the dark chocolate experienced a 5 point systolic and 2 point diastolic decrease in blood pressure over 2 weeks.

In another study using people age 25-35 researchers found that those who ate dark chocolate had the most total antioxidants in their blood one hour after eating as compared to those who ate white chocolate or milk chocolate. They also had the higher levels of epitcatechin, which is a health compound found in chocolate. Chocolate also contains phenols.

Until these past studies it was thought that tea was the only compound that contains the largest amount of these antioxidants. These antioxidants are believed to help protect the body against heart disease and cancer. The phenols are also found in high amounts in red wine.

Another positive effect of the phenols found in dark chocolate is the protection against athrosclerosis. Phenols are believed to prevent substances in the blood from oxidizing and clogging the arteries. The substances are low density lipoproteins (LDL) that creates subtle damage which eventually forms plaque that leads to athrosclerosis.

And, while eating too much chocolate has a negative effect on weight, researchers believe that other negative effects have been overstated or are false. For example, chocolate hasn’t been found to cause cavities or tooth decay. In fact, it has been found to help decrease the number of bacteria in the mouth and stop decay. Scientists believe that the antibacterial agents in cocoa will offset the sugar levels.

Chocolate has also not been found to cause an issue with acne. In fact, some more recent research has shown that eating chocolate or not eating doesn’t produce any changes in acne skin conditions. However, eating too much chocolate can cause other health problems, has too many calories and can lead to obesity.

And, interestingly, Dove Dark chocolate made by Mars, Inc., contains cocoapro cocoa, which is a proprietary blend of specially processed cocoa that has higher levels of flavanols than other dark chocolates. So high, in fact, that Dove chocolate is often used in medical research.

Research is ongoing to determine the actual effectiveness of absorbing antioxidants from dark chocolate in the treatment and prevention of heart disease and cancer. Some of this research is being done in the laboratory, other on animals and still others on human subjects.

Until research reaches a final conclusion researchers have not found any negative effects of eating dark chocolate, except for the issues with increasing caloric intake and the risk of obesity. Using smart decisions, calorie counting and exercise you can easily fit a couple of squares of chocolate into your diet and take advantage of both the great taste and potential health benefits. Remember to seek the advice of your primary health care provider if you have any metabolic disorders which may be impacted by the increase in sugar, such as diabetes.

antioxidants and dark chocolate is a post from: Vitamins And Minerals

There are actually a variety of different antioxidants which are found in nature. Some examples of antioxidants include beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin A. While proponents of antioxidant therapy have theorized that the way in which these substances fight free radicals will have a positive effect on the prevention of cancer or the treatment of cancer they also believe that it may reverse cell aging. At this time there are no studies to indicate that antioxidants will have an effect on cell aging.

There has also been considerable evidence from a variety of research studies that antioxidants can slow or prevent the development of cancer cells in the petri dish. However, in clinical trials the evidence is less clear and the more recent larger clinical trials all reach inconsistent conclusions.

In the 1990s there were five large-scale clinical trials which were published, all of which reached different conclusions about the effects of antioxidants on cancer cells. These studies examine the effects of beta-carotene and other antioxidant chemicals on different patient groups.

In one study published in 1993 researchers in the Chinese Cancer Prevention Study investigated the effect of a combination of three different antioxidants- beta-carotene, vitamin C and selenium-on cancer in healthy Chinese men and women who were already at high risk for getting gastric cancer. This particular study showed that the combination of these three antioxidants were able to significantly reduce the incidence of gastric cancer in this population.

In another study published in 1994 men from Finland who smoked were given both beta-carotene and vitamin E. This study demonstrated that lung cancer rates increased dramatically in individuals who smoked and took beta-carotene but were not affected by the combination of smoke and vitamin E. Another study also published in 1994 also demonstrated the same increase in lung cancer in individuals who had higher levels of beta-carotene.

In another study published in 1996, Physicians Health Study I, actually found no change in cancer rates associated with beta-carotene and aspirin which were taken by male physicians in the United States. In a 1999 research study women were tested for the effects of vitamin E. and beta-carotene in the prevention of both cancer and cardiovascular disease. In this study researchers found no benefit or harm from beta-carotene supplementation in the investigation on the effect of vitamin E. is still ongoing.

These large clinical trials demonstrate the inconsistency in the results found in individuals who were supplementing with beta-carotene, vitamin E and/or aspirin. Because of this degree of inconsistency further clinical trials are needed in order to ascertain results which can be used for clinical recommendations.

At this time there are three other large-scale clinical trials ongoing looking into the effects of antioxidants on the treatment and prevention of cancer. The first is the Woman’s Health Study which is evaluating the effect of vitamin E. on the prevention of cancer in women 45 years of age and older. The second is taking place in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada to determine if selenium and/or vitamin E supplementation can prevent prostate cancer in men who are age 50 and older. The third study, Physicians Health Study phase 2, is a follow-up on the earlier clinical trial investigating the effects of vitamin E., vitamin C and multivitamins on prostate cancer.

Each of these clinical trials are in their final phases of data collection and publication.

Although supplementation is available through health food store and multivitamins antioxidants which are acquired through whole foods are always more bioavailable and therefore better used by the body. Beta-carotene is found in foods which have orange colors such as sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupe, apricots and pumpkin. Lutein is abundant in green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale. Lycopene is found in tomatoes, watermelon, apricots and pink grapefruit. Vitamin A is found in sweet potatoes, carrots and mozzarella cheese. Vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables and vitamin E. is found in almonds and soybean oils as well as broccoli and mangoes.

While the current research is inconsistent in linking the prevention of cancer or the treatment of cancer with anti-oxidant therapy, researchers do know that antioxidants are important in the fight against free radicals in the body. While they may not have a direct role in the prevention of cancer they most certainly do assist the body in maintaining good overall health which, inadvertently also helps the body to prevent the growth of cancer cells.

Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention is a post from: Vitamins And Minerals

One of the treatment protocols being researched is the use of antioxidants to reduce the effects of CF on the body. In a research study published in 2004 in Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine researchers proposed that antioxidants are promising in the development of treatment approaches for individuals with CF. Several antioxidants have been found to have mucolytic and anti-inflammatory properties. Mucolytic agents will dissolve thick mucus and used to help relieve respiratory problems.

Antioxidants such as zinc and Vitamin C may also increase the epithelial chloride secretion which helps to decrease the symptoms which individuals suffer.

Reactive free radical are also known to play an important role in the degeneration of tissue in lung diseases like cystic fibrosis and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). These free radicals can originate from normal body processes such as metabolism or from sources outside the body, such as smoking, alcohol, ozone or asbestos. Therefore the use of antioxidants to enhance the defense mechanisms in these disorders seems logical and rational.

To this end two drugs, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and ambroxol have been investigated numbers of times because of their actions in the role of antioxidants and mucuolytic agents. NAC is an effective treatment in other instances and has been theorized to be protective against the side effects of other drugs and will reduce inflammation at the cellular level.

Another study published in 1990 proposed that acute and chronic pancreatitis may be alleviated by micronutrient antioxidants which can help to fight the heightened free radical activity. Short term and long term studies have been underway to determine the efficacy and efficiency of administration of specific antioxidants in the fight against the symptoms of cystic fibrosis.

Another study found that antioxidant therapy was unsuccessful in the treatment of interstitial disease in rats. CF was one of those diseases tested. There were only two antioxidants tested which were drugs developed in the laboratory setting and not used as whole foods.

Another study published in 2007 in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics demonstrated that antioxidant therapy had positive effects in the treatment of pancreatitis. The antioxidants used were selenium, Beta-carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Methionine. Each of the products were organic. The results confirmed that with exposure to antioxidants in active treatment phase of pancreatitis resulted in the amelioration of oxidative stress to the cells without residual effect.

In February 2008 a US patent was applied and granted to provide for methods of enhancing chloride transport in the treatment of cystic fibrosis. This transport is meant to assist in the delivery of antioxidants at the cellular level to fight free radical damage.

At this point there isn’t enough evidence to either support or refute the use of antioxidant therapy in individuals who suffer the effects of cystic fibrosis. The good news is that there is also no evidence that there are negative effects to using antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements. However, before incorporating anything new into your medical regimen it is important to consult with your health care practitioner and pharmacist to be sure that they will not interfere with the actions of your current medicine or any other underlying medical condition.

Antioxidant therapy and Cystic Fibrosis is a post from: Vitamins And Minerals

Anti-oxidants are substances or chemicals which break the chain reaction of free radicals or stop them before they start. In an effort to improve our health researchers and scientists have recommended that individuals received between eight and 10 servings of fruits and vegetables each day in order to potentially get enough anti-oxidants to a limit may be detrimental effects of free radicals.

So if we want the best bang for our buck, in other words receive more antioxidant for the least amount of food eaten, which foods are highest in antioxidants? The list of foods can sometimes be debated as to which has the highest number in which doesn’t. However, the overall goal is to eat an adequate amount of foods that contain antioxidants in order to negate the effects of free radicals.

One of the foods that contain the highest number of antioxidants can be found in blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. They are full fiber, minerals, vitamins and loaded with healing antioxidants, namely pranthocyanidins. Strawberries, raspberries and blackberries also contain ellagic acid, a compound that come backs carcinogens. Blueberries also appear to delay the onset of age-related loss in cognitive function.

Broccoli is another vegetable loaded with antioxidants. It is one of the cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, that help to prevent cancer and ward off heart disease. These vegetables contain indole-3-carbinol, a potent antioxidant that breaks down estrogen in the body and reduces the risk of breast cancer, overhearing and in cervical cancers. Broccoli also contains beta-carotene which helps to prevent heart disease.

Tomatoes have also made the news media in the past several years, and for good reason. Science has found that they contain chemicals, including lycopene, which wards off certain types of cancer and prevents macular degeneration and cataracts. Lycopene is a relatively rare member of the carotenoid family and is twice as powerful as beta-carotene. Some studies suggest that lycopene can help to prevent lung, colon and breast cancer. Tomatoes contain the antioxidant glutathione which helps to boost immune function.

Dried beans are another good source of anti-oxidants as are granny smith apples, pecans and cherries. 10 years ago scientists discovered that an anti-oxidant in red wine may keep your heart beating longer and stronger. This led to an increase in advertising dollars by the wine industry. The substances they found were in red grapes that helped to boost heart health by acting as a free radical scavenger. The actual chemical found was resveratrol, now manufactured in the laboratory and sold as a supplement.

Garlic is a medicinal herb which has been used for centuries in a variety of ways, including as an antibiotic. Garlic is packed with antioxidants and sulfur compounds thought to be responsible for its healing benefits. Garlic is known to lower cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure and has anti-clotting properties.

Carrots have long been touted as the vegetable of choice in order to save someone’s eye sight. This is due to the beta-carotene, also founded beets, sweet potatoes and other orange vegetables which has been found to help prevent macular degeneration. Research also points to the protection that beta-carotene provides against cancer, heart disease and the progression of arthritis.

You may not like it but spinach is a nutritional jackpot. The antioxidant found in spinach is Lutein and is the main pigment located in the macula of the eye. People who eat spinach are less likely to develop cataracts. Lutein also works by shielding the retina from sun damage and can help prevent heart disease.

These are only a few of the foods, fruits and vegetables, raw nuts and seeds, that contain antioxidants necessary to fight free radical damage in our bodies. By getting enough fruits and vegetables on a daily basis we help our bodies to fight the damage done by free radicals produced in our bodies but also acquired through toxins and waste products in the environment. We acquire free radicals through strenuous exercise, breathing and pollution, smoking and alcohol intake just to name a few.

Researchers now know that antioxidants are able to provide a level of protection and prevention against illnesses and diseases long thought to be a part of the aging process. By incorporating only a few things into our diet we are able to positively impact the long term effects of our health.

Antioxidant foods is a post from: Vitamins And Minerals

It has several factors which make it unique, one of which is that it functions in water and fat. This is very unlike other vitamins which only function in water or fat. For instance vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin while vitamin E. is a fat soluble vitamin.

As an antioxidant alpha lipoic acid helps to recycle glutathione after it’s been years. Glutathione is an antioxidant that helps the body eliminate potentially harmful substances and requires alpha lipoic acid for production and recycling.

For the most part this substance is made by the body but to also be found in very small amounts in foods such as spinach, brussel sprouts, rice bran, broccoli and peas. Supplementation and that has been manufactured in the laboratory are also available in capsule form at the health food stores, drug stores and online. If you’re interested in taking the supplement is should be taken on an empty stomach to increase absorption of the product.

People have found several ways and uses for alpha lipoic acid. The first is in the condition of diabetes since this substance can help to lower blood sugar levels. Because it also helps to kill free radicals theory holds that it may help to reduce pain, burning, itching and tangling in individuals who have nerve damage which was originally caused by diabetes. It has been used for this purpose in Europe for many years and at least one clinical trial has found that the intravenous use of alpha lipoic acid will help to reduce symptoms. The evidence that taking an orally will help is however, weaker.

In liver disease the substance has been proposed as a treatment for alcohol related problems. However, there is then no evidence so far that this is worked in clinical trials.

Individuals who suffer from peripheral neuropathy, whether caused by injury, nutritional deficiencies, chemotherapy or diabetes, liver disease, alcoholism or thyroid disease, can consider the use of alpha lipoic acid to help with the condition. Preliminary studies using oral administration of the antioxidant has shown that after five weeks individuals who were taking 600 mg doses once daily show improvement.

Alpha lipoic acid crosses the blood brain barrier and has been found to have protective effects on the brain and nerve tissue. At this time it is under clinical trials as a treatment for stroke and other brain disorders which may have triggers of free radical damage. Animal studies have shown that those treated with alpha lipoic acid suffered less brain damage and had four times greater survival rate after a stroke than those who did not receive the supplement. More research is required in order to understand whether this benefit currently applies to people and how it can be exploited to help more individuals who experience a stroke.

At this time there has been some suggestion that this antioxidant will help with cataracts, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, burning mouth syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease and to inhibit the growth of the HIV virus. However, at this time there is no evidence to suggest conclusively whether or not it is beneficial in these instances. More research is underway to test the efficacy, efficiency and safety of using alpha lipoic acid in the treatment of these conditions.

There are some potential for side effects and interactions with medications and other dietary supplements which an individual may already be taking. For this reason it is important to share your intention to begin supplementation with alpha lipoic acid with your primary care physician and pharmacists. At this time there is no evidence to determine whether or not it is safe for women who are pregnant or nursing and as such, women should not take the supplement if they are pregnant or nursing an infant. Side effects are generally rare and can include a skin rash.

The antioxidant has been shown to lower blood sugar levels so those who suffer from diabetes should take it only under the supervision of their physician who can help them to adjust their insulin intake to avoid any hypoglycemic episodes. There has been some animal studies which have suggested that people who are deficient in thiamine, vitamin B1, should not take this antioxidant. Individuals who are currently taking thyroid regulating medication should also be monitored closely when they take this antioxidant because they can lower levels of thyroid hormone.

Although alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant and manufactured normally in the body, it is evident that it does have interactions with other over-the-counter medications and prescription medications which an individual may already be on. Although many people believe that using natural supplementation is perfectly safe, they are external chemicals being introduced into the body and can therefore create circumstances in which the drug interactions are side effects may interfere with the treatment of any other underlying diseases.

Before taking any medications or supplementation check with your pharmacist to be sure that the supplement does not interfere with the actions of any other prescription or over-the-counter medication you are already taking.

Alpha lipoic acid is a post from: Vitamins And Minerals

There have been a number of studies that linked abnormal levels of hyaluronic acid to connective tissue disorders or other conditions that are commonly associated with connective tissue disorders, such as premature aging. Scientists are not yet sure about the role that this substance plays but they do theorize that just as other substances have levels which are optimal so does hyaluronic acid.

Disease conditions often occur when these levels get out of range in either direction. For example, low levels of estrogen are linked to bone loss and osteoporosis while high levels have been associated with breast cancer. High cholesterol levels are linked with heart attack and stroke but low levels have been linked to bleeding problems and depression.

Research published in 1989 from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio found that individuals who were cigarette smokers had a higher degree of degradation of hyaluronic acid than those who did not. They concluded that free radicals in the gas phase of cigarette smoke would degrade the hyaluronic acid in a rapid fashion that inhibited another antioxidant substance.

There are several factors which are known to influence the levels of hyaluronic acid in the body. Some of these include genetics, environmental factors and dietary factors. Researchers have been studying hyaluronic acid for several years now and have found some interesting facts. For instance, magnesium is needed for the synthesis of hyaluronic acid and maybe one of the factors some of the connected to disorder. Supplementing magnesium is an established treatment in many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia, mitral valve prolapse and contractures.

Researchers have also found that ascorbic acid can degrade hyaluronic acid and estrogen treatment will increase the activity of hyaluronic acid. In one particular study using rats researchers found that the concentration of hyaluronic acid in the skin with higher than normal when rats suffered an energy deficiency but below normal in the rats who had prolonged protein deficiency.

Doctors do know that hyaluronic acid is a component of the synovial fluid and also found in the vitreous humor of the eye, the synovium of the joints and in the subcutaneous tissue word functions as an agent to cement other tissues together. When individuals suffer from osteoarthritis researchers have found changes in the hyaluronic acid found in the cartilage.

Another use that researchers and physicians have found for this substance is in the intra-articular injection in order to increase the visco elasticity of the synovial fluid. This therapy can be considered for individuals who have residual symptoms even in spite of traditional non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments.

The number of side effects after injection of hyaluronic acid into the knee has been small and consists of coughing, problems with swallowing, feeling feverish, itching or stuffy nose, swelling of the eyelids, face or lips, diarrhea, acute headache or a blue or purplish patch on the skin. Other individuals may report a loss of appetite, stomachache or swelling of the knee.

Oral supplementation of hyaluronic acid to promote the treatment of arthritis and skin health has also been proposed. Many studies have been conducted with the injectable form but only one or two have use the oral form of supplementation. Research into the injectable form has had consistent results but there needs to be further study in the use of oral supplementation of hyaluronic acid in order to have positive effect upon osteoarthritis.

Problems with the absorption of hyaluronic acid in the digestive tract made oral supplementation almost impossible. However, in the recent past an enzyme cleaving technique has been developed in order to break down the hyaluronic acid into a lower molecular weight that allows for use the absorption.

Research and case study has found that hyaluronic injections may give more pain relief to patients who suffer from osteoarthritis than oral medications. Patients can report that pain is relieve for six months to a year and sometimes longer. These injections are expensive but many of today’s health insurance programs now cover them recognizing the cost effective manner in which patients and doctors are attempting to postpone surgical treatment.

Hyaluronic acid is a post from: Vitamins And Minerals

Because free radicals have one or more unpaired electrons they are highly unstable. Their objective is to become stable and they scavenged through the body looking for other cells that can donate an electron or where they can grab another electron. This process damages the cells, proteins and the genetic material in the body. Researchers believe that antioxidants play a role in preventing the development of cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and cataracts just to name a few of the diseases believed to be triggered in part by the damage done to cells from free radicals.

It is impossible for humans to avoid the damage done by these free radicals because they arise from sources both inside and outside the body. The oxidation as a result of normal respiration, metabolism and inflammation produces free radicals while others formed in the environment from pollution, sunlight, strenuous exercise, x-rays, smoking and alcohol all cause similar damage inside the body.

This oxidative process is the same thing that turns an apple slice brown, makes fish become rancid or develops a raw and inflamed area on a cut on your skin. To help protect the body from this oxidation are thousands of different antioxidants that are in a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes.

Anti-oxidants work in a specific manner to alleviate the damage done by free radicals in the body. These free radicals happened in 1% or 2% of cells that gets damaged in the process of oxidation. The term “free” is used because they are missing a critical molecule which sends them on a rampage to find they are missing part.

The danger is not that a free radical will simply kill a cell. The problem is that they injure the cells and damage DNA. When a cell’s DNA changes it mutates and can grow abnormally, reproducing quickly and abnormally. Normal cell function inside the body often produces a small percentage of free radicals but these are generally not a large problem. It is the external toxins which we breathe in, pesticides, alcohol, tobacco and pollution which triggers substantial free radical production and damage.

This damage will set off a chain reaction within the body. This can overwhelm the bodys natural defense system and, with repeated attacks, damage can lead to a host of chronic illnesses. Oxidative damage in skin cells is caused by the cumulative effect of ultraviolet rays. This is called photo aging and often results in brown spots or “liver spots”. However, if the free radicals occur in an internal organ it stimulates reactions in those tissues.

Antioxidants work by blocking the process of oxidation. In the fact they neutralize free radicals, which is why there is a constant need to replenish these resources in the body. They work in one of two ways. In the first case the free radical releases or steals and electron and then a second free radical is formed. This second molecule turns around and does the same thing to another molecule which continues to generate more unstable molecules in a very quick process. The process stops when the molecule is stabilized by a chain breaking antioxidant or simply decays into a harmless chemical.

In the second case the antioxidant prevents oxidation by reducing the rate of initiation. They scavenged free radicals and can stop the chain formation from ever being set in motion. These are often antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and glutathione.

The effectiveness of the antioxidant will depend upon the free radical in the target of damage. Vitamin C will often stop chain reactions because it captures the free radical and neutralizes it. Flavanoids are the biggest class of antioxidants and researchers have identified over 5000 different chemicals in a variety of foods.

Another class of antioxidants are polyphenols, which scientists may referred to as phenols. These are group of chemical substances found in plants and often found in berries, tea, olive oil, chocolates, peanuts and other fruits.

The food and drug administration recommends that an individual consumes 3000 units of Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity per day, a way of measuring the amount of antioxidants found in your food. For example, 100 g of blueberries contains 2400 units in 100 g is spinach contains 1230 units. It is quite easy to consume the recommended amount daily by simply eating a diet full of fruits and vegetables. These antioxidants can then get to work to help to stabilize free radicals which have been linked to chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and immune mediated diseases such as diabetes and lupus.

How antioxidants work is a post from: Vitamins And Minerals

Antioxidants are key to the prevention of damage done to the cells. Researchers have now found that grape seed extract is high in these antioxidants and are beneficial in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease. In fact, in a new study researchers found that over three quarters of leukemia cells in the laboratory setting died within 24 hours of being exposed to grape seed. And, while the leukemia cells died, other healthy cells were left unharmed.

This study was performed at the University of Kentucky and published in Clinical Cancer Research. These results may mean that grape seed extract can be effective in both prevention and treatment of different malignancies. The leukemia cells were exposed to commercially available extract in a variety of amounts. The higher amounts of grape seed extract resulted in more cells which died.

The use of grape seed extract has been going on for years. Centuries ago Egyptians used grapes and ancient Greeks praised the healing powers of grapes, usually in wine. European healers developed an ointment and grape leaves have been used to stop bleeding, inflammation and pain.

There are many other research publications that have reported the health benefits of grape seed extract which includes antioxidant activity and improvement in gastric health. Some of these health benefits are a result of a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals as well as being 20 times more potent than vitamin C and 50 times more potent than vitamin E.. Grape seed extract helps to improve cardiovascular health, promote brain and eye health and is also known for its antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.

Researchers have found that grape seed extract is one of the few anti-oxidants that penetrates the blood brain barrier. There is also been some evidence to show that it helps to prevent formation of plaque in the arteries and not helps to prevent both peripheral vascular disease and cardiovascular disease. And this, because grape seed extract does pass through the blood brain barrier it also has an effect on the archer real system in the brain which may account for improved mental alertness and the prevention of senility which researchers have also discovered.

One of the particular phenols found in grape seed extract is called procyanidin. It was originally discovered in 1936 and I thought to protect the body from premature aging. This chemical also bonds with collagen which is the most abundant protein in the body. This bonding promotes cell health and skin elasticity. In essence grape seed extract has some ability to protect the skin from sun damage.

There are some minor side effects to using commercially prepared grape seed extract which includes dizziness, nausea and potentially interfering with laboratory manufactured cholesterol-lowering drugs. Before using grape seed extract as a supplement to your vitamins and minerals you should discuss it with your primary care physician and pharmacists to ensure that it does not interfere with any medications you may already be taking or any other underlying medical condition.

Luckily, you don’t have to drink gallons of wine or grape juice to get the helpful antioxidants in your body. Although, eating the raw and natural product is always more bioavailable you would have to drink too much to get the best benefits. Instead there are extract supplements that are available to give you all of the health properties by simply taking a pill.

Grape seed extract is a post from: Vitamins And Minerals