Nutrition

May

2013

Selenium: Super Mineral

Any lingering doubt about the importance of nutritional supplementation should be dispelled by a recent article in the FASEB (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology) Journal. In the research, published online, scientists discovered that deficiencies in the mineral selenium imitated a highly sophisticated cascade of biochemical changes that protected essential reactions that depended on this important nutrient at the expense of reactions that are considered non-essential.

Even more significantly, according to Dr. Joyce McCann, Associate Staff Scientist in the Nutrition and Metabolism Center at Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute and a co-author of the study, deficiencies in selenium resulted in genetic changes that shared characteristics of age related diseases including cancer, heart disease, and loss of immune or brain function. While toxic at high levels, small amounts of selenium perform many critical functions in the body and even the low RDA levels are hard to obtain from diets which contain high amounts of processed and refined foods.

As Gerald Weismann M.D., Editor in Chief of the FASEB Journal succinctly stated: “This research should settle any debate about the importance of taking a good, complete multivitamin every day”.

Selenium is a strong antioxidant which is thought to protect us against the ravages of free radicals. Added source of Bilberry Extract, Aloe Vera, Copper, Chromium, Vanadium and Zinc.
Sources: University of Arizona study Double Blind “Gold Standard” U.S. Department of Agriculture & University of Brussels

The FDA authorized the following health claims submitted by the company and Dr. Wallach: Selenium may reduce the risk of certain cancers.

Selenium may inhibit Hashimoto’s disease, in which the body’s own thyroid cells are attacked as alien. A reduction of 21% on TPO antibodies is reported with the dietary intake of 0.2 mg of selenium.

Increased dietary selenium reduces the effects of mercury toxicity, although it is effective only at low to modest doses of mercury. Evidence suggests that the molecular mechanisms of mercury toxicity includes the irreversible inhibition of selenoenzymes that are required to prevent and reverse oxidative damage in brain and endocrine tissues. An antioxidant, selenoneine, which is derived from selenium and has been found to be present in the blood of bluefin tuna, is the subject of scientific research regarding its possible roles in inflammatory and chronic diseases, methylmercury detoxification, and oxidative damages.
Wikipedia

May

2013

Top Ten Foods For Protection From Estrogen

By Ben Fuchs | Pharmacist Ben

Number 1) Cruciferous vegetables. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bok choy and Brussels sprouts. If I was a woman I’d be doing cruciferous veggies on a daily basis. The one knock and the cruciferous veggies is their affect on the thyroid. Some folks who are dealing with thyroid health issues may find that raw. Cruciferous veggies may have a negative effect on the thyroid. If you slightly stem your veggies, for most folks that should take care of the problem.

Number 2) Citrus lemons, limes, grapefruits, oranges. Chemical in these fruits called flavanoids have some tremendous anti estrogenic affects, especially when it comes to cancer protection. Especially for female cancer like breast and uterine cancer. Their tasty cheap and readily available and like the cruciferous veggies, there’s no reason not to be enjoying them on a daily basis.

Number 3) Onion and Garlic. Like the citrus fruits these versatile veggies are loaded with estrogen protecting flavanoids, especially something called Quercetin. They support liver health and can boost the immune system too. They work well in combination with other flavanoids so use onions and garlic with the cruciferous veggies and citrus fruits for a nice immune boosting anti estrogenic salad or soup.

Number 4) Raw nuts and seeds both of which are sources of something called sterols which have protective affects against estrogen and may help promote production of estrogens opposing hormones progesterone. Sterols can also support testosterone production in men and if you’re a guy and you’re starting to notice that you’re going to the bathroom more than once or twice in them idle of the nite, sterols may be a way to protect yourself from prostate enlargement. Make sure your using raw nuts and seeds not the kind that are roasted or otherwise processed as these kinds of techniques can reduce their nutritional value and even produce harmful compounds.

Number 5) Olives are also a good source of sterols that can have beneficial effects on estrogen and may help lower blood cholesterol too. Olives are a good source of Vitamin E which has anti estrogenic properties.

Number 6) Turmeric, which is the active ingredient in curry. Turmeric is one of the most medicinally herbs/ spices you could ever use and if you’re dealing with any estrogen issues or you want to protect yourself from cancer you’d be wise to use curry on everything.

Number 7) Fish and seafood which are sources of special compounds called DHA and EPA which have wonderful anti-inflammatory benefits that can offset the pro inflammatory affects of estrogen. These compounds can also balance out the pro-inflammatory and pro-estrogenic compounds in most grain and cooking oils. Get ion the Ultimate EFA which is a good source of the protective essential fatty acids.

Number 8) Green leafy veggies are a source of b-vitamin and chlorophyll both of which can help balance our estrogen. In addition some green leafys like spinach is a source of powerful detoxification substances that help the body process excessive amounts of xenoestrogen.

Number 9) Seaweeds and algaes as mentioned previously are powerfully ant estrogenic. These kinds of foods are very undervalues in Western cooking although in Japan they’ve been using seaweed as a source of nourishment for millennia. I like to get the dry seaweed and use it like croutons to add a crunch to salads. Sometimes I’ll soak my seaweed in water with a bunch of garlic and onion powder and sea salt and use it as a bed underneath grilled fish or squid.

Number 10) Fermented foods like kefir, sauerkraut and borsht all have estrogenic properties. The bacteria that give these types of foods their bite can help process estrogen and can provide digestive benefits too.

Estrogens or Oestrogens, are a group of compounds named for their importance in both menstrual and estrous reproductive cycles. They are the primary female sex hormones. Natural estrogens are steroid hormones, while some synthetic ones are non-steroidal. The name comes from the Greek οἶστρος (oistros), literally meaning “gadfly” but figuratively sexual passion or desire, and the suffix -gen, meaning “producer of”.
From Wikipedia

May

2013

Mineral of the Day: Magnesium

By Ben Fuchs | Pharmacist Ben

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body. This miracle mineral plays an integral role in over 300 different chemical reactions in the body.

Yet according to government statistics published in 2005, 68% of Americans do not consume even RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) levels and 19% of Americans don’t get even half of the government’s recommended daily intake of magnesium.

Cardiovascular health and blood sugar health is dependent on this important mineral.

Taking 1 or 2 grams at bedtime can be very relaxing and higher doses (10 grams or so) can function as a laxative.

Magnesium is found in chlorophyll-containing foods. Halibut and almonds are also good food sources. Some of the better supplemental forms of magnesium are magnesium glycinate, magnesium aspartate. It’s a good idea to try to take at least 1500-2000 mg of magnesium a day.

Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg and atomic number 12. Its common oxidation number is +2. It is an alkaline earth metal and the eighth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust and ninth in the known universe as a whole. Magnesium is the fourth most common element in the Earth as a whole (behind iron, oxygen and silicon), making up 13% of the planet’s mass and a large fraction of the planet’s mantle. The relative abundance of magnesium is related to the fact that it easily builds up in supernova stars from a sequential addition of three helium nuclei to carbon (which in turn is made from three helium nuclei). Due to magnesium ion’s high solubility in water, it is the third most abundant element dissolved in seawater.

The free element (metal) is not found naturally on Earth, as it is highly reactive (though once produced, it is coated in a thin layer of oxide (see passivation), which partly masks this reactivity). The free metal burns with a characteristic brilliant white light, making it a useful ingredient in flares. The metal is now mainly obtained by electrolysis of magnesium salts obtained from brine. Commercially, the chief use for the metal is as an alloying agent to make aluminium-magnesium alloys, sometimes called magnalium or magnelium. Since magnesium is less dense than aluminium, these alloys are prized for their relative lightness and strength. [From Wikipedia]

May

2013

Omega-6 EFAs

By Ben Fuchs | Pharmacist Ben

The Borage flower contains high levels of essential fatty acids. The second essential fatty acid is generally known as Omega-6 and like its aforementioned cousin Omega-3, supplementation is critical. While Omega-6 EFAs are found in many commonly used food oils, such as corn, soy, sunflower and safflower, production that occurs at manufacturing and food processing levels as well as simple cooking in restaurant and homes depletes most of them of this vitally important nutrient.

This makes supplementing diet with Omega-6 oils an important part of a good nutritional program. The best nutritional sources of Omega 6 oils include evening primrose oil, borage oil, and black currant seed oil. Omega-6 fats are associated with lowering the incidences of various common health ailments including diabetic nerve pain, rheumatoid arthritis, attention deficit disorder, eczema and menstrual and menopausal symptomology.

Most nutritionists recommend taking Omega 6 and Omega 3 EFAs in proportion with each other in a 2:1 to 4:1 range. The so-called “Mediterranean Diet”, which is associated with good health and longevity, is noted for its optimum Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio.

Borage

Borage (Borago officinalis), also known as a starflower, is an annual herb. It is native to the Mediterranean region and has naturalized in many other locales. It grows satisfactorily in gardens in the UK climate, remaining in the garden from year to year by self-seeding. The leaves are edible and the plant is grown in gardens for that purpose in some parts of Europe. The plant is also commercially cultivated for borage seed oil extracted from its seeds. [From Wikipedia]

May

2013

Ben’s Favorite Vitamin: Cyanocobalamin

By Ben Fuchs | Pharmacist Ben

One of my favorite vitamins is cyanocobalamin. I am particularly fond of this nutrient, which is better known as Vitamin B-12 (it’s actually a member B-12 family of vitamins) for 2 reasons. First of all it’s the only purple vitamin. That’s because each molecule of B-12 contains atomic cobalt which contributes its violet color.

Secondly, Vitamin B-12 packs an enormous punch. Even in the nanogram quantities this completely non-toxic nutrient is required in, Vitamin B-12 supports a wide range of biological functions involving the nervous system and has been uses for decades in intravenous form as an energizing nutrient and anti-depressant. It also plays a critical role in the health of blood cells and the circulatory system.

Vitamin B-12 deficiencies are common due to a lack of a protein called “intrinsic factor” (IF) which under normal conditions is secreted from the stomach. Elderly folks are especially prone to diminished IF and the ensuing B-12 deficiencies are one of the hallmark symptoms of old age. Vegetarians may also have a problem getting Vitamin B-12 as the only non-animal sources of this critical nutrient are nutritional yeast and fortified foods. While algaes contain Vitamin B-12, there is some controversy as to how much of it is available for human nutritional needs.

I recommend that everyone gets at least 500 mcg of oral B-12 daily. If you suspect malabsorbtion due to a shortage of IF you can use sublingual (under the tongue) or intranasal Vitamin B-12 preparations, which bypass the digestive system entirely and go right in the blood stream.