Startling new research is discovering you can influence your inherited genes and decrease the risk of, and even prevent, life-devastating diseases. Now is the time to get into inexpensive supplements as well as other environmental influences – healthy eating, daily exercise, vigorous weight control and pollution-free air – to maintain and safeguard your health. The three supplements described next offer the latest incredible findings that will spur you on.
Multivitamin/Mineral Supplement and Anti-Aging
You are what you eat, so load up on healthy fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and fish, all filled with a dazzling variety of phytonutrients. The American Dietetic Association declares each March as National Nutrition Month, and they suggest a daily minimum of three servings of whole grains, two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables.
However, take a multivitamin just in case you are not an ideal eater. In addition, here is another reason: anti-aging. Telomeres are protective shields on the ends of chromosomes. They shorten with the aging of cells. A recent study suggests that telomeres are an indicator of biological age.
The research appeared in the June 2009 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Scientists tested women aged 35 to 74 in the Sister Study – healthy sisters of breast cancer patients. The results showed that on average, daily multivitamin users had telomeres that were five percent longer than non-vitamin users.
Omega-3 Fish Oil and Strokes
In many studies, omega-3 fatty acids – EPA and DHA, common in fish oil – show value in decreasing inflammation and triglycerides that contribute to heart disease. Omega-3 supplements carry a US government-approved label supporting heart health. Now, add possible stroke prevention to the list.
Appearing in the November-December 2009 issue of Vascular Pharmacology, a study tracked patients who underwent surgery in their necks’ carotid arteries to remove excess plaque buildup, as a stroke preventative. Plaques can cause blockages in arteries that can cut off the life-giving blood supply (ischemic stroke), or burst and cause bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke). This causes strokes and heart attacks.
The research found that carotid artery plaques of patients already having neurological symptoms like trouble seeing, numbness or sudden confusion, had more inflammation and less omega-3 fatty acids than plaques of patients without symptoms. Stroke, often called brain attack, is the third leading cause of death in the US and one-fourth occurs under the age of 65.
Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis
Vitamin D3 is really a hormone made by our bodies when sunlight shines on skin. It is in few foods but available as a cheap supplement. Prominent experts recommend getting 2000 IU per day from dietary (like soy milk) and supplement sources. Researchers have found that vitamin D3 deficiency can contribute to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis and autoimmune diseases.
One such autoimmune disease – caused by the body attacking itself – is multiple sclerosis (MS), a neurological disease primarily striking young adults. Chronic inflammation damages the protective myelin insulation around nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord, leaving the victim with pain, weakness, loss of coordination and eventually vision loss. The symptoms come and go. About one in 1000 people will develop the disease.
In the latest research, reported in the February 6, 2009 issue of PLoS Genetics, scientists have discovered an amazing connection between an MS genetic predisposition and an environmental influence – vitamin D3. Scientists know that on chromosome six, many people have a variant gene that increases the risk of MS three-fold.
Researchers working in the UK and Canada revealed that vitamin D3 controls the variant gene and helps prevent MS. Furthermore, people not only can inherit the MS gene, but also inherit a deficiency of vitamin D3, so experts encourage pregnant women and young children to take supplements, before the damage is done.
There is a blood test for vitamin D levels, known as 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Specialists say no one should have a vitamin D level lower than 40 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml), preferably between 50 and 65 ng/ml for optimum health. Health guru Dr. Andrew Weil now recommends taking 2000 IU per day from all dietary and supplement sources.
Three Valuable Supplements
Facilitate a dynamic lifestyle with shipshape exercise, quality food, first-class friends and loyal family members. Maintain your healthy living with three of the most beneficial supplements available – multivitamins, omega-3 fish oil and vitamin D.
This is an educational article. Ask your health care professional for medical advice before taking supplements.
Reference:
Maroon, Joseph C. & Bost, Jeffrey. Fish Oil: The Natural Anti-inflammatory (Paperback). Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc., 2006.
Arlene Lengyel - Arlene is a graduate of Clayton College of Natural Health with a Doctor of Naturopathy degree. Naturopathy promotes an all-inclusive, ...
