®
February 2016
Eye
F E B RU A RY ’ S
Nutrients protect against eye disease and strain
Carotenoids reduce
chances of AMD
The brightly colored carotenoids
lutein, zeaxanthin and others
accumulate in the macula of the eye
and protect central-field-of-vision cells
from bright light. Age-related macular
degeneration (AMD) occurs when these
central-vision cells break down, and is
the most common form of age-related
blindness.
In this study, doctors measured
the amount of carotenoids in the diets
of 102,046 men and women over a
25-year follow-up period. At the start
of the study, all were age 50 or older
and were free from AMD, diabetes,
cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
Those who consumed the highest
amount of the carotenoids lutein and
zeaxanthin were 40 percent less likely
to have developed AMD compared
to those who got the least. Those who
consumed other carotenoids, including
alpha- and beta-carotene, and betacryptoxanthin, were 25 to 35 percent
less likely to have developed AMD
compared to those who got the least of
these carotenoids.
Omega-3s ease computer
vision syndrome
As people spend more time in front
of computer screens, mobile phones,
tablets and TV, symptoms of dry eye are
increasing so much that the condition
has a name: computer vision syndrome.
In this study, 478 people with dry
eye symptoms who had been using
computers more than three hours per
day for at least a year took 180 mg of
EPA plus 120 mg of DHA per day, or a
placebo.
After three months, 15 percent
of those in the placebo group were
symptom free compared to 70 percent
of those who took omega-3s. Doctors
used the universal standard test for dry
eyes—called the tear break-up time
test—and found tears took eight times
longer to deteriorate for the omega-3
group compared to placebo.
This is the first study to evaluate
taking an omega-3 fish oil supplement to
treat dry-eye computer vision syndrome.
Reference: JAMA Ophthalmology; October, 2015,
Published Online
Healthy Insight
Feel Better
Up High
At high altitude, blood vessels
contract, depriving the body of oxygen.
Beet juice contains nitrate, a natural
vascular smooth-muscle relaxer that
helps dilate blood vessels. In this study,
doctors gave 11 men and women
beet juice with or without nitrate in
alternating phases, before and during a
high altitude expedition. While there
were no changes during the placebo
phases, during the nitrate phases, blood
vessels relaxed and returned to normal
dilating function. Doctors said the
natural nitrate in beet juice may help
give the body the oxygen boost it needs
at high altitude.
Reference: Journal of Nitric Oxide; August, 2015, No.
50, 58-64
This Issue
Nutritional supplement and
omega-3 aid cognition
2
Nutrients reduce fractures and 2
protect bone density
Sleep hormone may
influence MS symptoms
3
Early-Stage Discoveries
in Nutrition
3
Beet Root Juice Blend
4
Mind
Nutritional supplement and omega-3 aid cognition
Nutraceutical formula
improved cognition
In this new, one-year study, people
with mild cognitive impairment
improved after taking a nutraceutical
formula containing 30 IU vitamin E,
400 mcg folic acid, 6 mcg vitamin B12,
600 mg n-acetyl l-cysteine, 500 mg
acetyl l-carnitine, and 400 mg SAMe
per day. Half the 34 participants,
average age 66, took a placebo for six
months, then the entire group took the
nutrient formula for another six months.
Cognitive impairment involves
memory, orientation, judgment,
problem solving, personal care and
other functions. Testing for these
functions every three months, doctors
found that the nutrient group improved
significantly while the placebo group did
not change.
In a second quarterly test of
executive function, participants were
asked to draw a clock as accurately as
possible; a common way doctors assess
the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
During the placebo phase, performance
declined, but in all nutrient phases,
participants were able to maintain or
improve performance of the clock-
drawing task.
Omega-3s may slow
cognitive decline
Earlier studies found omega-3 fatty
acids may slow the rate of decline in
those with mild cognitive impairment
and in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) but
doctors know little about how changes
in omega-3 blood levels can affect
cognitive performance.
In this study, 174 people with AD
took 2,300 mg of omega-3s per day, or a
placebo, for six months. During the next
six months, all participants took omega3s. Doctors measured blood levels of
omega-3s and found as levels of omega3s increased, participants showed better
preservation of cognitive function.
Reference: Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease; 2015,
Vol. 48, No. 3, 591-5
Bone
Nutrients reduce fractures and protect bone density
Calcium, vitamin D and fracture
Doctors have long recommended
taking calcium with vitamin D to help
prevent osteoporosis, but evidence that
these supplements may reduce fracture
is inconsistent. In this analysis of eight
studies conducted between 2011 and
2015, covering 30,970 men and women,
researchers found those who took
calcium and vitamin D supplements
were 15 percent less likely to experience
any kind of bone fracture compared
to those who did not take calcium and
vitamin D supplements. Doctors also
found those who took calcium with
vitamin D were 30 percent less likely
to have a hip fracture compared to men
and women who didn’t take calcium
and vitamin D.
Doctors said the findings
support using calcium and vitamin
2
D supplements to reduce chances of
fracture in both independently living
middle-aged and older people, and those
living in caregiving institutions.
antioxidant properties in vitamin E
may provide its bone density benefit, by
helping balance the flow of calcium into
and out of bones.
Vitamin E may protect
BMD in women
Reference: Osteoporosis International; October,
2015, Published Online
Doctors in this study measured the
diets of 3,203 adult men and women
and compared whole-body bone mineral
density (BMD), and BMD of the
lumbar spine, hip, leg, and thigh. While
there was no benefit in men, women
with the highest circulating vitamin E
levels had the greatest BMD in these
areas.
Discussing the findings, doctors
said oxidative stress may play a role in
osteoporosis, and that postmenopausal
women with lower estrogen levels
often have more oxidative stress. The
February 2016 natural insights for well being ®
The Melatonin Report
Sleep hormone may influence MS symptoms, improve body composition
Melatonin and MS
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an
autoimmune disease of the central
nervous system where immune T-cells
mistakenly attack the protective sheath
around nerve pathways, scrambling
signals between the brain and the body.
Because MS relapses can occur with
seasonal changes, doctors suspected a
link to sunlight and vitamin D levels.
In this study, researchers found
that 139 people with MS relapses had
significantly fewer symptoms during
the fall and winter. Doctors analyzed
several factors including environment,
respiratory health, sun exposure, and
vitamin D. The one factor with a
consistent link to MS symptoms was
melatonin, which the body produces at
higher levels in the fall and winter.
Continuing in the lab, melatonin
influenced two kinds of white blood
cells: “killer” T cells that attack, and
“regulatory” T cells that shut them off.
Doctors said melatonin has a protective
effect, dampening the immune response
by keeping killer T cells at bay. It is too
early to recommend people with MS
take melatonin, but more research is
under way.
Lean muscle mass in the melatonin
group also increased by 2.6 percent.
Adiponectin, a protein in fat cells that
regulates lipid metabolism, increased 21
percent more than placebo.
Reference: Cell; 2015, Vol. 162, No. 6, 1338-52
Postmenopausal women
lose fat mass
Melatonin regulates the sleep/wake
cycle but may also have a positive effect
on body weight and energy metabolism.
In this study, 81 postmenopausal
women took 1 mg or 3 mg of melatonin
nightly, or a placebo. After one year,
women who had taken either dose
of melatonin had lost an average 6.9
percent more fat mass than placebo.
Ahead of the Curve
Early-Stage Discoveries: Diet and Mood, Kitchen and Weight,
Mediterranean Diet and Brain
Good results in pilot studies lead to larger trials. Here are some of the most promising recent findings.
Body composition and mood
In the lab, mice with excess weight
and fat, high blood sugar, and poor
glucose tolerance showed more anxiety
and depressive-type symptoms than
when on a lower fat and lower calorie
diet. Antidepressants were ineffective
while on the high-fat and highcalorie diet. Doctors said normalizing
metabolic impairments may help those
with type 2 diabetes and depression feel
better.
What you see is what you eat
Doctors advise overweight people
to eat less and move more, but there
may be a simpler, more effective way
natural insights for well being ®
to lose weight. In a nationwide study,
500 women with at least two children
under 18 at home reported what was on
their kitchen counter and their weight.
Women with candy, cereal, soft drinks,
and dried fruit on the counter weighed
up to 26 pounds more than women
without these items, and those with
fresh fruit on the counter weighed an
average of 13 pounds less than those
without fruit.
Mediterranean diet
and the brain
The brain shrinks with age, but
diet may help protect brain size. In
this study, 674 80-year-olds without
dementia reported their diets. Doctors
measured brain volume using an MRI
and found those who most closely
followed a Mediterranean-type diet
had greater total brain volume, and
larger total grey and white brain matter
volume. Those who ate more fish and
less meat were more likely to have more
grey matter, total brain volume, and
total brain surface area.
Reference: Health Education & Behavior; October,
2015, Published Online
February 20163
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Did you know...?
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an individual nutrition counseling practice. Visit Dr. Dani’s website,
www.BeforeYouTakeAnotherBite.com to learn more about her honest holistic approach
to health, and why you should consider a holistic nutrition consult as a means to
perfecting your health and helping you to look forward to a positive future!
Now is the perfect time to prioritize your health concerns, and to learn the importance of
Dr. Dani’s signature essential cleansing program.
Dr. Dani offers private consulting and enthusiastically participates in many educational
programs such as corporate lectures, workshops and cooking classes.
For over 30 years, Dr. Dani has been known for her vibrant, positive and nurturing approach to natural healing,
while bringing an abundance of energy to all her programs.
Please visit the website for Dr. Dani’s updated speaking schedule. Dr. Dani welcomes you to join her at a program!
To find out more, or to reach Dr. Dani directly, via email at [email protected], or call the office at
973-764-8486, and of course, right here at Healthy Thymes Market, 973-209-8555.
Beet Root Juice Blend
Sipping this sweet and zesty freshly-squeezed juice blend may
relax and energize you, even if you are not climbing a mountain.
Please turn to page 1 for a new study that found beet juice helped
climbers’ blood vessels relax and dilate at high altitude.
Ingredients:
2 medium to large size beets, rinsed,
peeled and quartered
1 apple, peeled, cored and quartered
1 tbsp size piece of fresh ginger (skin
removed)
3 whole carrots, rinsed and peeled
Up to 1 c apple juice
Directions: Place all dry ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth, adding
apple juice as needed to get mixture moving. Then, place a fine mesh strainer over
a large bowl and pour in the juice. Using a rubber spatula press the pulp down into
the strainer and squeeze all of the juice out. Let juice continue to drip for about 5
more minutes. Discard pulp and pour juice into glass. Drink immediately.
Your Good
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These articles provide
nutritional information
only and do not replace
professional medical advice.
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4
February 2016
©2016 RI
natural insights for well being ®