The Stanley BOSTITCH Vacuum Manual Pencil Sharpener - A Review

As stated in my last post, as an Amazon Vine participant, I often request office supplies for review. This is one of those items:

The Stanley BOSTITCH Vacuum Manual Pencil Sharpener  certainly looks to be one and the same as the old wall-mounted sharpeners of our school days! But let me tell you, the blades on this baby make for a much finer sharpen than those old sharpeners ever did! And because the base is actually vacuum-sealed to any flat surface, it allows it to be portable! And yes... the vacuum really does hold!

I had to be sure the base was properly aligned before turning the  metal suction dial which will cause the base to become concave and suctioned to the surface, but once I figured that part out, it was a breeze! I tried setting the sharpener up on a wooden desk, a formica countertop, a slab of granite, and a piece of plywood. It worked equally as well on all surfaces. I was really impressed!

According to Stanley's information, the BOSTITCH HHC dual cutter gives the sharpeners six times longer life of the average pencil sharpener!

The size selector can be turned easily with one hand, making choosing the correct size for your pencil needs a breeze!

The large receptacle cup gives you plenty of room for collecting pencil shavings, and makes it easy for cleanup, as well!

All in all, I give this pencil sharpener my...

...five star rating and...

...my thumbs up award!

****DISCLOSURE: Amazon.com's Vine Program provided this product for independent review.

Avery Sticky Notes - A Review

As an Amazon Vine  participant, I frequently request office products for review. This is one of those great products that I will never be without again!

Avery Sticky Notes [See Through] are absolutely fantastic!

These great notes can be used to mark a page, or a passage, without covering up text! With the ability to let you write on the note as well! How great is that???

This particular package of notes is in both yellow and magenta, really bringing your attention to what the arrow shaped note is pointed to! And the note can be written on with an ordinary ball-point pen with ease! The arrow shaped note measures a nice sized 2-3/4" X 2-3/4".

As a crafter, I found these notes to be both practical, as well as economical, for marking patterns and notes! My knitting and crocheting bags won't be without them! I can point the arrow to the current row of the pattern I am working on, and because it can be reused to mark a passage several times [simply peel it away and re-stick to a new area for several uses!] I'll never lose my place again! And I can then save my printed pattern for many more uses, without making a copy and marking directly on the pattern.

These are also great for marking text that you are studying or reading. How cool is that?

And don't forget... Avery Sticky Notes have Box Tops for saving for Educational coupons which can be used to help raise money for your local schools.

I'll be stocking up for my home office, home library, and craft room.

How many uses can you think of?

****DISCLOSURE: As an Amazon Vine participant, this product was provided by Amazon.com for independent review.

What Is Muscle Cell Fusion?

Muscle Cell Fusion:

How Muscle Develops

In The Human Body

The development of muscle is based on a function known as muscle cell fusion. A team of Johns Hopkins researchers have shown how the cyto-skeleton from one muscle cell builds finger-like projections that invade into another muscle cell's territory, eventually forcing the cells to combine.

The researchers explain muscle cell fusion is important for understanding normal muscle growth, and also muscle regeneration after an injury or a disease. Their research, they believe, could further development of therapies for muscular dystrophy or age-related muscle wasting.

Their report on muscle cell cytoskeletons, published in Developmental Cell, adds detail to a previous study last year showing that actin (a main building block of the cell's cytoskeleton) is required to form the finger-like projections and stimulate muscle cell merges. The new discovery outlines the intricate activityrequired among cytoskeleton-regulating proteins to precisely construct protrusions that promote muscle cell merging. Specifically, the Johns Hopkins team uncovered the activity of a regulatory protein known as "Blown Fuse," named because muscle cells lacking this specific protein fail to fuse.

"Blown Fuse" was found to play a role in muscle cell fusion 14 years ago," say research scientists of molecular biology and genetics, "and now we know how Blown Fuse regulates the dynamics of the cytoskeleton to facilitate the invasion of one muscle cell by another."

In a test tube, the researchers showed that the protein, Blown Fuse, disrupts the complex formed by the protein duo WASP and WIP, which are known regulators of the actin cytoskeleton. "Blown Fuse does so by a competitive binding mechanism. It binds to the same site in WIP as WASP does" they explained.

The researchers knew that the WASP-WIP protein duo binds to the growing ends of actin filaments, protecting these ends from being capped by proteins that prevent further actin growth. Apart from its protective role, WASP also has to come off the end of the actin filaments from time to time to start new actin branches. The intricate balance between actin filament growth, capping and branching, determines the dynamics of the cytoskeleton.
With this knowledge, the researchers tested whether Blown Fuse competes with this process to change how WASP simultaneously protects and builds the cytoskeleton.

The test began with researchers putting fluorescent actin in fruit fly muscle cells that incorporated themselves into the growing actin branches in the finger-like protrusions. Then, the researchers used a laser beam to bleach the fluorescent actin in the region of the finger-like protrusions and waited to see whether and how long it would take for new, unbleached actin to spread from other parts of the cell and be taken up by the growing branches in the "fingers." In normal muscle cells, it took about two minutes for the fluorescence to return. In muscle cells that lacked Blown Fuse, the fluorescence never fully recovered and the cytoskeleton failed to project finger-like protrusions, probably because the WASP-WIP complex does not come off the ends of the actin filaments to start new actin branches.

"These results suggest that the growing ends of the actin cytoskeleton are occupied by the WASP-WIP protein duo and that without Blown Fuse to dissociate with the WASP-WIP complex and push WASP off the ends, new actin branches cannot be started," say the researchers "And these shorter and stiffer new branches are critical for generating the finger-like membrane protrusions."

Through a microscope, the Hopkins team compared the finger-like projections from normal cells with cells lacking Blown Fuse. Normal muscle cells form pointy finger-like protrusions that push into the other muscle cell, but cells without Blown Fuse have fewer and floppier protrusions that don't push their way in to other muscle cells.

"Modulating the stability of the WASP-WIP complex may represent a general mechanism in regulating cytoskeleton dynamics and generating membrane protrusions," they reported.

The study was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Story Source: Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions.
Journal Reference:
"Competition between Blown Fuse and WASP for WIP Binding Regulates the Dynamics of WASP-Dependent Actin Polymerization In Vivo. Developmental Cell" 2011

Low Calorie Diet May Reverse Type 2 Diabetes

Low Calorie Diet May Reverse

Type 2 Diabetes,

According To A New Study

Type 2 Diabetes Is About Energy Balance In The Body...

A new study is now reporting that following an extreme low calorie diet could reverse the condition in just eight weeks.

The research, published in the journal Diabetologia, reports
that a low calorie diet of 600 calories a day for two months
can remove excess fat clogging up the pancreas;

By allowing normal insulin secretion to be restored, this dietary therapy reverses the long held belief that type 2 diabetes is a lifelong condition.

The early stage clinical trail in eleven people reported a 100 per cent reversal of diabetes symptoms during the two month diet period, with 64 per cent of the participants remaining diabetes free three months after the diet had finished.

"To have people free of diabetes after years with the condition is remarkable, and all because of an eight week diet."

"This is a radical change in understanding Type 2 diabetes. It will change how we can explain it to people newly diagnosed with the condition. "It has long been believed that someone with Type 2 diabetes will always have the disease, and that it will steadily get worse ... we have shown that we can reverse the condition," said the researchers from Newcastle University, UK.

Study Details...

Under close supervision of a medical team, 11 people who
had developed diabetes later in life were put on an extreme
diet of just 600 calories a day, consisting of liquid diet drinks and non-starchy vegetables.

They were compared to a control group of people without diabetes and then monitored over eight weeks to measure
the production of insulin from their pancreas and fat content
in the liver and pancreas.

After just one week, the research team found that pre-breakfast blood sugar levels had returned to normal;

Scans revealed that fat levels in the pancreas had lowered from an elevated level of eight per cent to the preferred healthy level of six per cent.

In combination with the reduction of fat levels, the pancreas was found to regain its normal ability to produce insulin. As a result, blood sugar after meals was reported to steadily improve.

"We believe this shows that Type 2 diabetes is all about
energy balance in the body," they explained. "if you are eating more than you burn, then the excess is stored in the liver and pancreas as fat which can lead to Type 2 diabetes in some people."

The researchers said that the new insight "allows an understanding of the causality of type 2 diabetes in individuals as well as in populations."

"It carries major implications for information to be given to newly diagnosed patients, who should know that they have a potentially reversible condition and not one that is inevitably progressive," they concluded.

Source: Diabetologia
(Published online)
"Reversal of type 2 diabetes: normalization of beta cell function in association with decreased pancreas and liver triacylglycerol"

This article is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult with your doctor or healthcare professional for medical and nutrition advice.

Potato and Greens Frittata

Potato and Greens Frittata

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large sweet onions, thickly sliced
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 1/4 cups cubed (1/2 inch) cooked potatoes
• 3/4 cup cooked greens, such as mustard or kale, chopped
• 2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)
• 8 large eggs, beaten

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
2. In a 10-inch ovenproof skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion slices, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of the pepper. Cook, turning with tongs, until well browned, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with the vinegar and cook 1 minute longer.
3. Add the potatoes, greens, bacon (if using), and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Pour the eggs over the vegetables and stir to blend. Cook over medium heat until the mixture begins to set, about 3 minutes.
4. Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until set. Let stand 5 minutes, then invert onto a platter. Cut into wedges to serve.

Serves: 6

Nutritional Info:

Per Serving

Calories: 214

Carbs: 18g

Fats: 12g

Protein: 11g

Sodium: 558mg

 

****This recipe was found on Prevention.

Birch Pollen Extract for Hay Fever

Birch Pollen Plant Extract May

Be New Therapy for Hay Fever

Battling hay fever with a plant extract works. It was recently
demonstrated in a clinical study conducted by researchers
of the Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM) of Helmholtz Zentrum München and Technische Universität München,
Germany.

Allergic symptoms were alleviated significantly better than
with the usual histamine receptor antagonists. In a paper published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
the research scientists explained how this plant extract works
and how effective it is.

Antihistamine medications (such as Desloratadine) have long been considered the treatment of choice to alleviate the symptoms of hay fever sufferers. Now, in a randomized double-blind study, researchers demonstrated that the plant extract Ze 339 (Petasol butenoate complex) from Birch Pollen
combats nasal mucosa swelling faster and more effectively.

Apparently, however, the extract not only works in acute cases "Our data indicate that the extract also has a preventive effect, which must be nvestigated further," said the doctors from the Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM) in Munich. The results look promising for improving the quality of life of people with allergies.

So far the plant extract has only been approved as a drug in Switzerland and South Korea. Further studies need to be carried out in order to allow it to be sold as a prescription drug elsewhere.

Story Source:
German Research Centre for Environmental Health
Journal Reference:
"Petasol butenoate complex (Ze 339) relieves
allergic rhinitis-induced nasal obstruction more effectively than desloratadine. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology"2011;

Eat Less All Day With This Breakfast!

Choose your breakfast wisely. Your morning meal can make or break your calorie intake for the entire day.

The best choice? A light, healthy, sensible breakfast -- like a slice of whole-grain toast with a tablespoon of peanut butter, or a small bowl of whole-grain cereal with skim milk. In a study, obese and normal-weight people consumed fewer total daily calories when they kept their breakfasts light -- about 250 calories.

Less Is More
Yep, turns out breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Especially if you're trying to control your weight. Although people tend to eat a set number of calories for lunch and dinner, the study revealed that big breakfasts may lead to bigger meals all day long. So take the opportunity to knock down your daily calorie intake by exercising portion control in the morning. You don't want to skip breakfast altogether; that just sets you up for overeating later. But don't think of breakfast as a daily freebie, where you get to chow down to your heart's content. A light, low-calorie breakfast will help you snack less later on but still help you feel satisfied at the start of your day.

Breakfast Pitfalls
In the study, it mattered not only how much people ate at breakfast but what they ate, too. When people ate things like eggs, sausage, cheese, marmalade, and butter for breakfast, they tended to overdo it. So don't grab just anything from the kitchen. Stock up on fresh fruit and whole-grain items that you can prepare -- or grab -- quickly.

**Taken from: Real Age Test

12 Ways To Boost Your Metabolism!

My Healthy Life newsletter posted a link today to a great article over at bhg.com with 12 ways to boost your boost metabolism! [Go there to read the article in detail]. But a short version lists these 12 actions to take:

1] Commit To Working Out

2] Eat Breakfast

3] Get Plenty of Sleep

4] Do STrength Training

5] Drink Ta

6] Add Spice To Your Meals

7] De-Stress Your Life

8] Drink Plenty of Water

9] Eat Foods With Omega-3s

10] Pick Good-For-You Carbs

11] Eat Beans With Meals

12] Choose Healthy Cooking Oils and Fats

These are excellent ideas on how to boost your metabolism, and I highly encourage you to read the article in its entirety! I'd also like to add the following three more things that I have found will boost your metabolism a great deal:

1] Eat 1,400 - 1,600 calories a day [lower amount if you are a woman and the higher if you are a man].

2] Use portion control and plan each meal, along with three snacks a day [mid-morning, mid-afternoon and evening].

3] Keep you sodium intake to less than 1,500mg per day.

Let us know if you are utilizing any, some, or all of these ideas, and how well they work for you!

Making Fruit Leathers or Dried Fruit

Making fruit leather

Making fruit leather is a good way to salvage fruit that is not firm enough for canning but is not yet rotten. If the fruit has dark spots or bruises, trim them away before chopping up the fruit.

Ingredients:

Fresh fruit (apricots, peaches, plums, berries, apples, pears, grapes– about 4 cups of fruit fills one cookie tray)
Water
Lemon juice
Cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves – if desired
Sugar (for tart fruits like apples, plums and pears)

Cover cookie trays with waxed paper or plastic wrap and set aside. Rinse fruit and pit or seed if necessary. Chop into small pieces. Dip light pieces of fruit into lemon juice and put into your blender.

Add ½ cup of water for each 2 cups of fruit. Puree fruit. Taste fruit to see if it needs more sweetness – add sugar as desired.

At this point you can pour the pureed fruit onto the prepared trays. Spread evenly over the waxed paper 1/8 to ¼ inch deep. Cover with cheesecloth and place outside in a warm, sunny place to dry.

Another option is you can pour the fruit into a large saucepan and bring to a simmer – this will deepen the fruit flavor of your leather. Cover and cook over low heat 10 to 15 minutes, cooking the fruit well. Stir well. Add lemon juice a teaspoon at a time to help enhance the flavor. Add a pinch or two of your chosen spices. Pour the pureed fruit onto the prepared trays. Spread evenly over the waxed paper 1/8 to ¼ inch deep. Cover with cheesecloth and place in a warm place to dry, or place the cookie sheets in the oven. If you are using plastic wrap, keep it from touching the sides, racks, or bottoms of the oven. Also keep it from folding over top of the fruit. Heat oven to 140 – 150 degrees. Let dry completely – 8 to 12 hours or overnight.

The fruit leather is ready when it is no longer sticky, has a smooth surface, and peels easily from the waxed paper or plastic wrap. Roll up in plastic wrap and keep in the refrigerator or freezer.

 

 

Making Dried Fruit Snacks

Choose the fruit you would like to use; bananas, apples, peaches, cherries, grapes and plums make great dried fruit snacks. No matter your choice, the process is about the same and you should only use fully ripe, unblemished fruit. Generally speaking, it will take about 25 pounds of ripe fruit to make 5 pounds of dried fruit – this is why buying dried fruit is so expensive.

Wash and towel dry the fruit well. If using bananas, peaches, or pears, they should be peeled – other fruits do not have to be peeled. Light colored fruit (apples, peaches, apricots, and bananas) should be dipped in lemon juice before drying. The acid helps to maintain their natural colors and lessens darkening.

Fruit should be cut in ¼ inch slices or rings. Smaller fruit, like apricots and plums, can be halved. Grapes and cherries may be left whole – prick the skins to vent, allowing the steam to escape. Prepare other fruit as follows:

Apples- Core, then cut them into slices or rings.

Apricots- Cut in half and remove the pits.

Bananas- Peel and cut into slices.

Cherries- Remove stems and pits; cut in half or leave whole.

Grapes- Remove stems; cut in half or leave whole.

Peaches- Peel and remove stems and pits.

Pears- Core, peel, and then cut into slices or rings.

To dry in the oven, heat 140 – 150 degrees. Lay the prepared fruit in a single layer on cookie sheets. When oven is preheated, place the cookie sheets in the oven and prop the door open slightly so the steam can escape. Instead of using cookie sheets, you can also cover the oven racks with cheesecloth and place the fruit on the cloth in single layers. Check the fruit often, rotating the oven racks or cookie sheets and turning the fruit every hour or so. On average apples can take 8 to 12 hours to dry in the oven. Some fruits can take up to 24 hours to dry.

When the fruit has lost most of its moisture it will be leathery. Check a couple of pieces from each tray for dryness. Allow to cool completely; then store in resealable plastic bags or airtight containers and keep in a cool dry place. Fruit snacks should be eaten quickly to avoid spoiling.

Cocoa Extracts May Improve Cholesterol Levels

Cocoa Extracts May Improve Cholesterol Levels Reports

New Study From Spain...

A combination of cocoa and skimmed milk may beneficially affect cholesterol levels in the blood, according to important data from a new University of Barcelona Spain.

Daily consumption of 40 grams of cocoa powder and 500 mL of skimmed milk for four weeks was associated with increases in HDL (good) cholesterol levels, and reductions in levels of oxidized LDL (bad) cholesterol, scientists from the University of Barcelona report.

"The results of this study provide further evidence for recommending regular consumption of cocoa as a useful tool against risk factors for coronary heart disease," the researchers reported in "Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases."

The health benefits of specific polyphenols from cocoa have been gathering increasing attention in the national media. Several studies have reported potential benefits for cardiovascular health, skin health, and even brain health.

The majority of science research into the key benefits of cocoa have focussed on the cardiovascular benefits of the flavanols (flavan-3-ols or catechins), and particularly the monomeric flavanol epicatechin.

Most of the world's confectionery giants have spent R&D dollars on exploring the potential health benefits of cocoa, including Mars, Nestlé, and Hershey.

The new study used cocoa from Spanish food company Nutrexpa.

Study details

The Barcelona-based scientists recruited 42 volunteers with a mean age of 70 to participate in their randomized, crossover feeding trial. All the participants received 500 mL of skimmed milk/day with or without 40g of cocoa powder for 4 weeks. The 40 grams of cocoa powder provided 495.2 milligrams of polyphenols and 425.7 milligrams of proanthocyanidins.

At the end of the study the researchers found that milk plus cocoa was associated with a 5 percent increase in HDL cholesterol levels, compared to only milk.

In addition, cocoa plus milk was associated with a 14 percent reduction in oxidized LDL cholesterol levels, compared to milk only.

Commenting on the potential mechanism of action, the researchers note that the polyphenols in cocoa may bind to LDL particles and therefore prevent them from being oxidized.

Concerning the increase in HDL, they note that the mechanism remains to be elucidated, but it may be related to polyphenols boosting the production of a molecule called apolipoprotein (Apo) A1, which is the main protein component of HDL.

Source: Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases
(Published online)
"Regular consumption of cocoa powder with milk increases HDL cholesterol and reduces oxidized LDL levels in subjects at high-risk of cardiovascular disease"

Leucine May Fight Pre-Diabetes

Leucine (amino acid) May Fight Pre-Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome

Study Shows Improvements With Dietary Intake Of
The Natural Amino Acid From Protein

Researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center conducted an important new study demonstrating that adding the amino
acid leucine to the diets of people with pre-diabetes may
help metabolic syndrome.

In a laboratory-controlled study, published in the journal PLoS ONE, the subjects who had been on a high-fat diet but who
also received twice the usual intake of leucine, an amino
acid found in protein, showed reductions in their prediabetic conditions with lower blood sugars and less fat in their livers.

These two medical problems are usually associated with
insulin resistance, considered the major factors in metabolic syndrome.

"The impact on the animals on the high-fat diet, even though
it didn't change how fat they got, was that their bodies were
able to handle glucose better," said the team of researchers from the Joslin Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism and Medicine at Harvard Medical School. .

"Their glucose tolerance tests improved," they explained.
"Their bodies responded to insulin better than they would
have before they got the leucine. It improved their ability to metabolize sugar and fats. It markedly improved their pre-diabetic condition. Their metabolic syndrome also improved."

As a comparison, the subjects who were fed a normal diet
and given leucine showed no significant effects from taking
the amino acid dietary supplement.

"We found that adding just this one amino acid to the diet changed the metabolism in a lot of different pathways," they emphasized. "It had effects that improved insulin sensitivity, improved their ability to metabolize sugar and fats and their overall metabolism improved."

The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, shows
that even small changes in how we control dietary intake can make a big difference. Such changes can be positive or negative. In this case, they were positive.

Leucine is one of 22 amino acids, known as the building blocks of protein. It was chosen to be tested because in vitro studies had previously shown that it has effects on insulin signaling,
the researchers said.

Leucine is naturally present in all protein food sources. Amino acid with leucine supplements are often taken by athletes and by people involved in weight-training and body-building in order to increase muscle mass.

Story Source:
Joslin Diabetes Center

Journal Reference:
"Dietary Leucine - An Environmental Modifier of Insulin Resistance Acting on Multiple Levels of Metabolism."
PLoS ONE, 2011

This article is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult with your doctor or healthcare professional for medical and nutrition advice.

Broccoli Sprouts Benefit Diabetics

Broccoli Sprouts Demonstrate

Valuable Benefits For Diabetics

Powdered broccoli sprouts may boost antioxidant defenses in people with diabetes, suggest findings from a recently published randomized clinical trial.

According to findings published in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" a daily dose of five or 10 grams or the broccoli sprout powder was associated with an increase in the total antioxidant capacity of the blood, and crucial reductions in malondialdehyde (MDA), a reactive carbonyl compound and well-established marker of oxidative stress.

The study adds to the growing body of science supporting the potential health benefits of broccoli and broccoli sprouts, often praised for their potential anti-cancer activity.

Benefits of Broccoli

The tissue of cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts, contain high levels of the active plant chemicals glucosinolates. These are metabolized by the body into isothiocyanates, which are powerful antioxidants and valuable anti-carcinogens. The main isothiocyanate from broccoli is called sulphoraphane.

The new study employed a broccoli sprout powder that provided high levels of sulphoraphane isothiocyanates. It examined the potential antioxidant activity of broccoli sprout powder to counter oxidative stress in diabetics.

Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress has been linked to an increased risk of various diseases including cancer, Alzheimer's and cardiovascular disease.

Oxygen-breathing organisms naturally produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play an important role in a range of functions, including cell signaling. However, over production
of these ROS from smoking, pollution, sunlight, high intensity exercise, or the human aging process, may overwhelm the
body's antioxidant defenses and lead to oxidative stress.

Researchers also note that oxidative stress is a key driver in the onset of insulin resistance, which ultimately leads to diabetes. Diabetes itself is associated with increased levels of oxidative stress, and this can promote the development of diabetes-related complications (Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology, 2003, Vol. 17, pp. 24-38).

Study details

Researchers 81 diabetics to participate in their double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.Participants were randomly assigned to receive either five or10?grams per day
of the broccoli sprout powder, or placebo, for four weeks.

Results showed that both broccoli groups experienced significant decreases in MDA, that well-established marker of oxidative stress, as well as reductions in levels of oxidized LDL cholesterol, another oxidative stress marker.

"The ideal dose of broccoli sprouts has not yet been determined," wrote the scientists.

"Effects on lipid peroxidation parameters were seen only with the higher dose, although positive effects on TAC were seen with both doses," they added.

"Further studies with longer duration and different doses are needed to confirm the effects of broccoli sprouts and related mechanisms," they concluded.

Diabetes

Diabetes affects an estimated 24 million Americans, equal
to 8 percent of the population. The total costs are staggering, estimated to be as much as $174 billion; $116 billion being
direct costs from medication, according to 2005-2007
American Diabetes Association figures.

Source: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Vitamins and Minerals Ma Prevent Age-Related Disease

How Vitamins and Minerals May Prevent Age-Related Diseases

Although severe deficiency of the vitamins and minerals required for leading a healthy daily life is relatively uncommon in developed nations, it is important to recognize a modest deficiency is very common and often not addressed seriously enough.

For example... A new research article published online in the FASEB (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology) examines moderate selenium & vitamin K deficiency to show how damage accumulates over time as a result of vitamin and mineral loss, leading to age-related diseases.

"Understanding how best to define and measure optimum nutrition will make the application of new technologies to allow each person to optimize their own nutrition a much more realistic possibility than it is today." said researchers from the Nutrition and Metabolism Center at Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute in Oakland, California. "If the principles of the theory, as demonstrated for vitamin K and selenium, can be generalized to other vitamins and minerals, this may provide the foundation needed."

The team of researchers reached their conclusions by compiling and analyzing several general types of scientific evidence. They tested whether selenium-dependent proteins that are essential from an evolutionary perspective are more resistant to selenium deficiency than those that are less essential. They discovered a highly sophisticated array of mechanisms at the cellular and tissue levels that, when selenium is limited, protect essential selenium-dependent proteins at the expense of those that are nonessential. They also found that mutations in selenium-dependent proteins that are lost on modest selenium deficiency result in characteristics shared by age-related diseases including cancer, heart disease, and loss of immune or brain function.

Results should prompt attempts to locate mechanistic links between vitamin or mineral deficiencies and age-related diseases by focusing attention on the vitamin and mineral-dependent proteins that are considered nonessential from an evolutionary perspective. Such mechanistic links are likely to present opportunities for nutrition-based treatment.

"This paper should settle any debate about the importance of taking a good, complete, multivitamin every day," reported in the FASEB Journal article. "As this report shows, taking a multivitamin that contains selenium is a good way to prevent deficiencies that, over time, can cause harm in ways that we are just beginning to understand."

Source:
Adaptive dysfunction of selenoproteins from the perspective of the triage theory: why modest selenium deficiency may increase risk of diseases of aging. The FASEB Journal, 2011;

Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (2011, June 1). "How vitamins and minerals may prevent age-related diseases

Severe Psoriasis Linked to Cardiac Events

Severe Psoriasis Now Linked To

Dangerous Cardiovascular Events

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease, and
if severe, has been demonstrated to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) .

Although the degree to which psoriasis is associated with
major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death, has not yet been defined;
New research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has revealed an increased incidence of MACE in patients with severe psoriasis.

In a cohort study analyzing data from a general practice research database, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine researchers reviewed the case histories of over 3,600 patients with severe psoriasis and 14,300 controls.

Research scientists from the Inflammatory Risk in Penn's Preventive Cardiology program found that patients with
severe psoriasis have a 53 percent increased incidence
of MACE compared to the general population.

They also found that having a diagnosed case of severe psoriasis confers an additional ten-year risk of 6 percent
on MACE. The study results were reported at the 2011 American College of Cardiology meeting in New Orleans.

Collaborating with researchers from the Department of Dermatology at Penn, the team found that the risk of death
from cardiovascular disease increased by 57 percent in patients with severe psoriasis. In addition, the relative risk
of death from cardiovascular disease was even higher in younger patients, who were as young as age 40.

The researchers conducting the studies conclude that the increased ten-year MACE may warrant more aggressive strategies for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors in
patients with psoriasis.

Story Source:
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
(2011, June 27) "Severe psoriasis linked to major adverse cardiovascular events"

Diet and Nutritional Supplement Therapies For Psoriasis...

Simple changes in daily diet that help to reduce psoriasis include eliminating alcohol, simple sugars, foods high in acid and fat, and any foods that are known allergens.

Fish Oil-Omega 3 Fatty Acid supplements have reduced psoriasis symptoms in clinical trials. The recommended dosage is 1000 mg twice daily.

Additionally, daily intake of Vitamin B12, Vitamin E and
Folic Acid supplements have shown benefits for reduced symptoms of psoriasis.

Several studies have suggested that Zinc is also effective
in treating psoriasis. Suggested dosage is 30 mg- 50mg daily.

Selenium also seems to alleviate the symptoms, as indicated in several studies.

The herb Milk Thistle helps stop the breakdown of substances that contribute to psoriasis. Some herbal practitioners suggest Milk Thistle supplements to help alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis.

The advantage that dietary and nutritional supplements have over most prescription drug treatments is the lack of harmful side effects. Regularly supplementing your daily diet with the nutrients that are known to help prevent and lessen the symptoms of psoriasis can eliminate painful outbreaks permanently.

Strawberry Extracts May Prevent Inflammation

Strawberry Extracts May Prevent Inflammation

Natural compounds in strawberries may decrease levels of inflammatory markers and reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, suggests a new study.

According to findings published in the British Journal of Nutrition, obese volunteers who drank a strawberry-based beverage and ate a meal with a high carbohydrate content and a moderate fat content had lower levels of inflammatory markers than volunteers who consumed a placebo beverage.

"These changes have been observed against a background of increased plasma concentration of anthocyanins derived from strawberry," reported researchers from the Illinois Institute of Technology and University of California-Davis.

"Overall, these findings suggest beneficial effects that accrue
from consumption of fruits that have a high phenolic content,"
they added.

Chronic Inflammatory Conditions Linked to Heart Disease, Osteoporosis, Cognitive decline, Alzheimer's, Type-2 diabetes, and Arthritis...

Chronic inflammation is brought about by an over-expression or lack of control of the normal protective mechanisms in the body.

In a review appearing in "Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases" (2004, Vol. 14, pp. 228-232), research scientists from Italy noted that "obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes are associated with a pro-inflammatory state, which in turn is associated with increased cardiovascular risk".

Chronic inflammation has also been linked to a range of conditions linked to heart disease, osteoporosis, cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, type-2 diabetes, and arthritis.

Biomarkers For Inflammation...

A list of established biomarkers for inflammation exists, with commonly touted markers including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, IL-18, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

The new study found that consumption of the strawberry extract drink was associated with a 25 percent lower level of IL-6 six hours after consumption, compared with people receiving the placebo drink.

In addition, CRP levels were 13 percent lower following consumption of the strawberry beverage than following consumption of the placebo beverage.

The research team from Illinois Institute of Technology recruited 24 obese subjects to participate in their study. Volunteers were fed a high-carbohydrate, moderate-fat meal, which is known to produce inflammatory and insulin responses after eating, and
then given either a strawberry beverage or a placebo beverage.

Results showed that blood levels of two strawberry compounds, pelargonidin sulfate and pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside, significantly increased following ingestion of the strawberry beverage at the same time as eating the test meal, compared with placebo.

Commenting on the potential mechanism, the researchers note that the effects appear to be independent of a possible antioxidant effect since antioxidant activity, such as reducing levels of LDL oxidation, were observed quicker than the
changes in the anti-inflammatory markers.

"These data suggest an anti-inflammatory role of strawberry with
a time course of action that is delayed relative to the antioxidant effects of strawberry.

"Therefore, the antioxidant / anti-inflammatory effects of strawberry-derived compounds need to be studied further to reconcile the difference in the time course of the changes in glucose, insulin and oxidative stress / inflammatory markers observed in plasma," they explained.

Source: British Journal of Nutrition
(Published online)
"Strawberry anthocyanin and its association with postprandial inflammation and insulin"

Simple Changs Can Make It All Right

Long-Term Weight Gain...

Simple Changes In Dietary & Lifestyle Factors Have A Big Impact!

In a series of three individual studies looking at how changes in dietary intake and lifestyle factors specifically relate to long-term weight gain, Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) found that modest changes in specific foods and beverages, physical activity, TV-watching, and sleep duration were directly linked with long-term weight gain. Modifications in diet, specifically, had the strongest associations with differences in weight gain.

The study appears in the June 23, 2011, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Earlier research has focused on methods for weight loss after obesity has developed. Less is known about the key factors linked to long-term term weight gain.

An average adult gains about one pound per year. Because the weight gain is so gradual and occurs over many years, it's been difficult for research scientists and for people themselves to understand the key factors that may be responsible.

The researchers evaluated changes in multiple specific lifestyle factors and weight gain every four years over 12 to 20 years of follow-up in three separate large cohort studies, the Nurses' Health Study (NHS), the Nurses' Health Study II (NHS II), and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS). The final analyses included 50,422 women in the NHS, 47,898 women in NHS II, and 22,557 men in HPFS, all of whom were free of obesity or chronic diseases at the beginning of the study.

Study participants gained an average of 3.35 lb during each four-year period, which corresponded to a weight gain of 16.8 lb over the 20-year period.

When relative associations of various lifestyle changes with weight gain were evaluated, the findings were strikingly similar in all 3 studies.

For example... The foods associated with the greatest weight gain over the 20-year study period included potato chips (for each one increased daily serving, +1.69 lb more weight gain every 4 years), other potato-based foods / products (1.28 lb), sugar-sweetened beverages (1.00 lb), unprocessed meats (0.95 lb), and processed meats (0.93 lb).

The foods associated with less weight gain when their consumption was actually increased, including vegetables (−0.22 lb), whole grains (−0.37 lb), fruits (−0.49 lb), nuts ]
(−0.57 lb) and yogurt (−0.82 lb).

Evaluating all changes in diet together, participants in the lower 20% of dietary changes gained nearly 4 lbs more each 4 years than those in the top 20%... an amount equivalent to the average weight gain in the population overall.

Focusing only on total calories may not be the most useful way to consume fewer calories than a person expends, explain the researchers. Other measurements, such as content of total fat, energy density, or sugars, could also be misleading. More importantly, they found that eating more healthful foods and
beverages, concentrating on overall dietary quality was most useful.

The more useful dietary assessment for measurement or preventing long-term weight gain appears to be:
Improving carbohydrate quality by eating less liquid sugars (soda / pop beverages) and other sweets, as well as fewer starches (potatoes) and refined grains (white bread, white rice, breakfast cereals low in fiber, other refined carbohydrates).

Eating more minimally processed foods (fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, yogurt) and fewer highly
processed foods (white breads, processed meats, sugary beverages).

This more healthful dietary pattern could influence long-term weight gain in many ways. including, The long term benefits are achieved through biologic effects, including changing hunger, insulin levels, or satiety, or by improving eating behaviors related to average portion sizes and patterns of foods and beverages consumed.

"These findings underscore the importance of making wise food choices in preventing weight gain and obesity," said nutrition and epidemiology at HSPH researchers. "The idea that there are no 'good' or 'bad' foods is a myth that needs to be debunked."

The results also showed that changes in physical activity and TV-viewing influenced changes in weight. Also, those who slept 6-8 hours a night gained less weight than those who slept less than 6 or more than 8 hours.

Overall, the weight-changes associated with any one lifestyle change were relatively small. However, taken together, they all added up, especially for diet. "Small dietary and other lifestyle changes can together make a big difference, for bad or good," they emphasized. "This makes it easy to gain weight unintentionally, but also demonstrates the tremendous opportunity for prevention. A handful of the right lifestyle changes will go a long way."

Support for the study was provided by the National Institutes of Health and the Searle Scholars Program.

Story Source: Harvard School of Public Health.

Journal Reference:
"Changes in Diet and Lifestyle and Long-Term Weight Gain in Women and Men." New England Journal of Medicine, 2011;

"Changes in specific dietary factors may have big impact on long-term weight gain."
Harvard School of Public Health (2011, July 3)

This article is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult with your doctor or healthcare professional for medical and nutrition advice.

Sports Performance Peaks Between 20 and 30

Sports Performance Peaks

At 20-30 Years of Age...

Then Irreversible Decline Follows

New Study Suggests Sport Performance Follows A Basic Physiological Law

Describing the evolution of performance levels in elite athletes and chess grandmasters, researchers at the IRMES (Institut de Recherche bioMédicale et d'Epidemiologie du Sport at INSEP, Paris, France), have published their new findings in AGE, the official journal of the American Aging Association.

This article conforms with the epidemiological approaches developed by the laboratory, and suggests that changes in
individual performance are linked to physiological laws structuring the living world.

Physiological parameters that characterize human capabilities (mobility, reproduction or the capacity to perform tasks) evolve throughout the life cycle. The physical and intellectual abilities follow the same pattern, starting at the moment of conception: The performance of each individual is limited at birth, then increases to a peak before declining until death.

With these findings, researchers modeled the careers of more than 2,000 athletes (from a panel of 25 Olympic disciplines) and grandmasters of chess. They demonstrate a simple, direct relation between changes in performance and the age of the individuals.

The results of this study validate a model previously published: The evolution of the performances of an individual throughout his life follows an exponential growth curve to a peak before declining irreversibly, following another negative exponential curve. This peak is reached at the age of 26.1 years for the
disciplines studied: athletics (26.0 years), swimming (21.0 years) and chess (31.4 years).

For each data set, the evolution curve is representative of a range of 91.7% of the variance at the individual level and 98.5% of the variance in terms of sport events.

Moreover, these cycles are observable in other physiological
parameters such as the development of lung function or cognitive skills, but also at the level of cells, organisms and populations.

This study suggests that technical change, energy consumption and development strongly influenced the performance of individuals. These changes have increased significantly over the last century compared to today's values. Ultimately, the modeling of changes in performance with age can be extended to all individuals and lead to an estimate of life expectancy.

Further research will refine these descriptive models and apply them to other areas of human activity (scientific, economic, ecological ...), and test their viability, which may help to assess the relationships of man to his environment.

Story Source: Springer Science+Business Media.
Journal Reference: Exponential growth combined with exponential decline explains lifetime performance
evolution in individual and human species. AGE, 2011;

This article is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult with your doctor or healthcare professional for medical and nutrition advice.

Vitamin D For Optimal Reproductive Health

Vitamin D Is Recognized For

Optimal Reproductive Health

New Research Demonstrates How This

Essential Nutrient Increases Speed of

Sperm Cells In Humans...

Vitamin D is important for optimal reproductive function in both animals and humans. It has long been known that serum vitamin
D level is important for reproductive function in various animals, but now researchers from the University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen University Hospital have shown that this
relationship can also be demonstrated in humans.

Researchers discovered in a new study conducted in 300
normal men, a positive correlation between the percentage of motile sperm and serum vitamin D levels. The study was recently published in the scientific journal Human Reproduction, and showed additionally that stimulation of human spermatozoa
in the laboratory with activated vitamin D can increase their forward movement.

The study uncovers some of the functions of vitamin D and generates new hypotheses. "It suggests that vitamin D has an effect on sperm movement and function," explain researchers from Copenhagen University Hospital.

"However, this finding is not sufficient in determining whether vitamin D supplements may improve sperm quality in normal or infertile males. This study is one in a line of studies indicating that vitamin D is necessary for male reproduction," they noted.

Today, there is no known medical treatment proved to improve semen quality in well-designed randomized trials, although several papers have shown numerous positive associations between various drugs and nutrients such as antioxidants, zinc, various vitamins etc. and semen quality.

"Low semen quality may have numerous causes, but it often has a fetal origin similar to some male genital malformations and testicular cancer. However, this study indicates that factors in adult life may also play a role for semen quality," say research scientists from the University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen
University Hospital's Department of Growth and Reproduction.

"It is important to find all factors of importance, because semen quality in Danish men is at a low level and contributing to a very high incidence of fertility problems among Danish couples," they emphasized.

The researchers conclude that there is a need to intensify reproductive research to identify relevant factors and conduct placebo-controlled trials to clarify whether vitamin D supplements are beneficial for infertile men.

Story Source: University of Copenhagen.

Journal Reference:
Vitamin D is positively associated with sperm motility and increases intracellular calcium in human
spermatozoa. Human Reproduction, 2011;

University of Copenhagen (2011, May 25). Vitamin D increases speed of sperm cells, researchers discover.

Iced Tea: More Than A Refreshing Summer Drink!

Iced Tea: More Than Just a Refreshing Drink

Iced tea may be the quintessential summer drink, but a glass is more than just a delicious refreshment on a hot day.

The Surprising Benefits of Tea
All black, green, white, and oolong teas, iced or hot, contain antioxidants called polyphenols. Research suggests that polyphenols can help to combat free radicals, which are unstable oxygen molecules that can damage cells and tissues and increase the risk of heart disease, cancer, and numerous other diseases. The polyphenols in white, green, oolong, and black tea have been found to help lower LDL cholesterol. In addition, a recent study showed that regularly drinking green tea, which is rich in a type of polyphenol called catechins, may help promote exercise-induced abdominal fat loss. Catechins have also been shown to improve triglyceride levels and help protect against Alzheimer’s and certain forms of cancer.

How to Prepare Iced Tea
To get the most from a glass of iced tea, brew it from loose leaves or a tea bag using boiling water. You can add sliced lemon to perk up the flavor or, even better, fiber-rich crushed raspberries for fruitiness. If you like your iced tea sweet, add a sugar substitute. Decaffeinated tea is another option, as is unsweetened herbal iced tea (herbal teas don't provide the same health benefits from polyphenols as regular teas, however).

***The above article was taken from South Beach Diet.

Increased Fiber Keeps You Healthier Longer

Increased Intake Of Fiber Keeps

You Healthier For Longer

Increased dietary intakes of fiber are associated with lower risks of dying from cardiovascular, infectious, and respiratory diseases, suggests data from the U.S. National Cancer Institute.

The highest intakes of fiber (equivalent to about 30 grams per day for men and 25 grams for women) were associated with a reduction in the risk of dying from cardiovascular, infectious, and respiratory diseases of up to 60 percent, according to the findings published in the Archives of Internal Medicine .

"Interestingly, our study found that dietary fiber intake, especially from grains, was inversely associated with the risk of death from infectious and respiratory diseases," wrote the researchers.

"Inflammation, a predominant path-physiologic response in many infectious and respiratory diseases, has been suggested to contribute the progression of these diseases and studies have shown that dietary fiber has anti-inflammatory properties:

"The anti-inflammatory properties of dietary fiber could explain, in part, significant inverse associations of dietary fiber intake with infectious and respiratory diseases as well as with cardiovascular disease death," they added.

Dietary Fiber Intakes

A survey conducted by the International Food Information Council in 2008 found 77 percent of people are pro-actively trying to consume additional fiber. Unfortunately, many Americans only achieve about 50 percent of their recommended amount of 25 to 30 grams of fiber daily.

It is estimated that over 90 percent of all fiber food ingredient sales were conventional, insoluble-type fibers, which contains cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, characterized as fiber that cannot be dissolved in water.

The remaining 9 percent share was split evenly between conventional, soluble-type fibers and new emerging, novel fibers. The market researcher projects that insoluble fibers will decrease to 53.3 percent by 2014, while the share for the mostly new or newly refined conventional, soluble-type fibers will decrease slightly to 7.4 percent.

New Market Data

The new study's findings support the recommendations for intakes, with consumption of between 25 and 30 grams linked
to lower risks of dying from a range of diseases.

The National Cancer Institute analyzed data from 219,123 men and 168,999 women participating in the NIH (National Institutes
of Health) AARP Diet and Health Study. Dietary intakes were assessed using food frequency questionnaires.

Over the course of about 9 years of study, 11,330 deaths in women and 20,126 deaths in men were documented.

After carefully examining the numbers, the researchers found that people with the highest average intakes (between 25 and 30 grams of fiber per day) had a 22 percent lower risk of death from all the causes.

For men, the highest intakes were associated with a reduction in the risk of death from cardiovascular, infectious, and respiratory diseases... ranging from 34 to 59 percent in women and 24 to 56 percent in men.

The strongest associations were observed for fiber from grains and no from other sources, added the NCI researchers.

"Our study shows that dietary fiber may reduce the risk of premature death from all causes, especially from
cardiovascular disease and infectious and respiratory diseases,"they wrote.

"The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend choosing fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains frequently and consuming 14 grams / 1000 calories of dietary fiber. A diet rich in dietary fiber from whole plant foods may provide significant health benefits," they concluded.

Source: Archives of Internal Medicine (Published online)
"Dietary Fiber Intake and Mortality in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study"
International Food Information Council

Great New Way To Lose Stubborn Bulges!

WOW!

That's the LEAST I can say about this great new alternative way to lose those stubborn bulges and lumps that are diet and exercise resistant!

You know what I'm talking about, ladies! How many of you have a "muffin-top"? Yeah, you know what I mean!

It's called CoolSculpting.  Just click on the link to read all about it! Or go to http:www.coolsculpting.com

In addition, CoolSculpting has a neat  CoolSculpting 12 Weeks to Change Challenge that I highly encourage you to enter! What a great way to get that new body started! Be ready to start school this fall with a lean you!

CoolSculpting even has a Facebook page where you can get the latest news and updates simply by clicking "Like"! There you can also find others who have accepted the Challenge and are utilizing CoolSculpting to change their lives, too!

Be the first among your friends to use CoolSculpting and you'll be the talk of the town as you achieve the body they will all be envious of!


****DISCLOSURE: This post has been sponsored by CoolSculpting.

Flavanoids in Tangerines Fights Obesity

Natural Flavonoid In Tangerines

Fights Obesity and Protects

Against Heart Disease

New research from The University of Western Ontario has discovered a substance in tangerines not only helps to prevent obesity, but also offers protection against type 2 diabetes, and even atherosclerosis, the underlying disease responsible for
most heart attacks and strokes.

Research scientists at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry studied the effects of a flavonoid in tangerines called Nobiletin. Their research is published in the journal "Diabetes."

In a model of metabolic syndrome developed by the Huff laboratory at the Robarts Research Institute, lab subjects
were fed a "western" diet high in fats and simple sugars.
One group became obese and showed all the signs associated with metabolic syndrome: elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, high blood levels of insulin and glucose, and a fatty liver.
These metabolic abnormalities greatly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

The second group of subjects, fed the exact same diet but with Nobiletin added, experienced no elevation in their levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin or glucose, and gained weight normally. The subjects became much more sensitive to the
effects of insulin. Nobiletin was shown to prevent the buildup
of fat in the liver by stimulating the expression of genes involved
in burning excess fat, and inhibiting the genes responsible for manufacturing fat.

The Nobiletin-treated subjects were protected from obesity.
And in longer-term studies, Nobiletin also protected these subjects from atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in arteries, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. The researchers claimed this study paves the way for future studies to see if this is a suitable treatment for metabolic syndrome and related conditions in people.

The team's research has focused on the pharmacological properties of naturally-occurring bio-active molecules. Two years ago, similar research drew international attention when the team discovered a flavonoid in grapefruit called Naringenin offered similar protection against obesity and other signs of
metabolic syndrome. They explained "What's really interesting to us is that Nobiletin is ten times more potent in its protective effects compared to Naringenin, and this time, we've also shown that Nobiletin has the ability to protect against atherosclerosis."

The research was funded primarily by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, with additional grant support from the Pfizer Canada Cardiovascular Research Program.

Honey Bees and Other Pollinators

Honey Bees and Other Pollinators

Make Crucial Contributions to The Human Diet, Worldwide

Fruits and vegetables that provide the highest levels of
naturally-occurring vitamins and minerals to the human
diet globally depend heavily on bees and other pollinating animals, according to a new study published in the
international online journal PLoS ONE.

As one example...Honeybee hives are regularly placed in blooming almond orchards in Yolo County, California. Almond production depends heavily on pollinators. Almonds are rich
in energy, protein, lipid and many key nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, vitamin E and other essential nutrients.

The new study was conducted by an inter-disciplinary research team, composed of pollination ecologists and nutrition experts, based at the Leuphana

University of Lüneburg, the University of Berlin in Germany,
and the University of California at Berkeley and San Francisco. The research team showed that globally "animal-pollinated crops contain the majority of the available dietary lipid, vitamin A, C and E, and a large portion of the minerals calcium, fluoride, and iron worldwide. The yield increase attributable to animal-dependent pollination of these crops is significant and could have a potentially drastic effect on human nutrition if jeopardized."

More specifically, the team showed that in the global crop supply, several key vitamins and other nutrients related to lower risk for cancer and heart disease are present predominantly in crops propagated by pollinators. These include the carotenoids
lycopene and ß-cryptoxanthin, which are found in brightly colored red, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables. Other important antioxidants, including several forms of vitamin E
and more than 90% of the available vitamin C, are provided by crops that are pollinated by bees and other pollinating animals.

Key minerals for the development of bones and teeth, including more than 50% of calcium and fluoride available in the global food supply, are naturally-present in crops produced with pollinators. Plant sources of calcium, such as sesame seed, almond or spinach, are especially important in regions of the world where dairy production is often not culturally, environmentally or financially feasible.

The pollinated crops included in this study vary in the extent of their dependence on animal pollinators, with many able to propagate via alternative mechanisms, such as wind or self pollination. Despite this, the researchers estimate that up to 40% of some essential nutrients provided by fruits and vegetables could be lost without pollinators.

Unfortunately, bees and other animal pollinators are experiencing declines in many parts of the globe. Many farmers around the world depend on the European honey bee, importing them seasonally to pollinate their fields. However, the European honey bee has suffered massive overwintering losses, the proposed causes of which include disease, pesticides and lack of nutritional (floral) resources. Wild pollinators that provide pollination services are also declining rapidly as habitat is destroyed by intensive farming practices such as agrochemical-based monoculture.

The results of this important study demonstrate the potential impact of this pollinator decline on human health.

Blueberries Effect On Cholesterol

Blueberry's Effects on Cholesterol Examined in New Laboratory Study

Laboratory hamsters that were fed rations enriched with
blueberry peels and other blueberry-juice-processing pulp
had better cholesterol health than subjects whose rations weren't enhanced with blueberries. That's according to a
study led by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) researchers, at the Western Regional Research Center operated in Albany Calif., by the Agricultural Research
Service (ARS), the principal scientific research agency
of USDA.

In the investigation, the lab subjects were fed high-fat food rations. For some, those rations were supplemented with one of three different kinds of juice by-products: blueberry skins- the peels leftover when berries are pressed to make juice; fiber extracted from the peels; or natural compounds known as polyphenols, also extracted from the peels. Blueberry polyphenols give the fruit its natural purple, blue, and red coloration.

In an article published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 2010, the investigators reported that all the subjects that were fed blueberry-enhanced rations had from 22 to 27 percent lower total plasma cholesterol than those fed rations that didn't contain blueberry juice by-products.

Levels of VLDL (very low density lipoprotein and considered a form of "bad" cholesterol) were about 44 percent lower in the
blueberry-fed subjects.

The researchers used a procedure known as real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, or RT-PCR, to learn about the genes responsible for these effects. This approach allowed the scientists to pinpoint differences in the level of activity of specific liver genes.

The liver makes cholesterol and also helps get rid of excessive levels of it. Results suggest that activity of some liver genes that either produce or use cholesterol resulted in the lower blood cholesterol levels.

The study is the first published account of cholesterol-lowering effects in laboratory subjects fed blueberry peels or fiber or polyphenols extracted from those peels. At this stage of investigation, the researchers don't know which berry compound or compounds activated the liver genes, or which parts of the berry have the highest levels of these compounds.


Story Source: May/June 2011 issue of Agricultural Research magazine.
Journal Reference: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2010;
USDA/Agricultural Research Service (2011, June 1)

Calcium and Weight Loss

Calcium and Weight Loss

New Research Shows...

Although Early Effects Are Small,

They're Significant For Long-Term

Weight Management

Calcium dietary supplements may produce small, but statistically significant weight loss, according to a new meta-analysis published in Nutrition Reviews.

Data from seven trials showed that calcium may provide weight loss of around 3 - 4 lbs per year, compared with placebo, according to study results .

More importantly, a daily dose of 1,000 milligrams of calcium
was associated with a "small, significant reduction in body fat" of about 4 - 5 lbs per year, report the scientists from the Department of Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School at the University of Exeter, UK.

"While the findings suggest that calcium supplementation for at least 6 months results in a statistically significant weight loss in obese and overweight individuals, the clinical relevance is uncertain," they added.

The potential role of dairy and the calcium it provides, for effective
weight management is a topic of ongoing debate. A relationship between dairy intake and weight reduction has been recorded in numerous studies, and the dairy industries in Europe and the
U.S. have been promoting milk-based products for consumers who want to slim down.

Some researchers believe that calcium and vitamin D are the
key nutrients behind the effects; Others said that dairy can help reduce body fat and that calcium only accounts for about 40 per cent of the effect.

In an accompanying editorial in the same journal, researchers from Creighton University in Nebraska said the meta-analysis provided "an opportunity to clarify some of the confusion surrounding this issue".

For a 140 kg (308 lbs) woman seeking to lose half of her body weight, the mean weight loss calculated by the researchers
of about 4 - 5 lbs per year would "have very limited interest. However, for the general population confronting weight gain
(such as healthy women at mid-life) this same weight effect
is huge," they said.

The experts believe there are four significant conclusions that could responsibly be drawn from the meta-analysis: In addition to countering the weight gain that may occur in mid-life, calcium "should be a component of any weight loss regimen, as it augments the weight loss of a caloric deficit while protecting
lean body mass; it is not a substitute for control of an energy intake/output imbalance; and calcium is not a drug and is
certainly not a magic bullet".

The researchers noted that reports in the literature do support biological plausibility for calcium to aid body weight and fat loss; Vitamin D in the active form, stimulates the breakdown of fat and inhibits the action of fat cells.

There are also reports that indicate that a diet rich in calcium may promote the oxidation of fat, "resulting in the removal of additional amounts of calories from the body".

Source: Nutrition Reviews
Volume 69, Issue 6, Pages: 335-343,
"Efficacy of calcium supplementation for management of overweight and obesity: systematic review of randomized
clinical trials"

Of Waistlines and Artificial Sweeteners...

Waistlines in People and Glucose Levels in Laboratory Studies

Indicate Artificial Sweeteners'

Self-Defeating and Harmful Effects

Diet soft drink users experienced 70 percent
greater increases in waist circumference compared
with non-users. Frequent users (who consumed
two or more diet sodas a day) experienced waist circumference increases that were 500 percent
greater than those of non-users!

In the daily battle to lose inches or at least maintain the same waistline, many people reach for diet sodas or other diet beverages. Two new studies, presented during June 2011 at the American Diabetes Association's Scientific Sessions in San Diego, CA suggest this might be self-defeating.

Epidemiologists from the School of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio reported data showing that diet soft drink consumption is associated with increased waist circumference in humans, and a second study that found aspartame raised fasting glucose (blood sugar) in diabetes-prone laboratory subjects.

"Data from this and other prospective studies suggest that the huge marketing budgets and aggressive promotion of diet sodas and artificial sweeteners as healthy alternatives may be ill-advised," said researchers from the Division of Clinical Epidemiology in the School of Medicine. "They may be free of calories but not of consequences."

Long Range Human Study:

The San Antonio Longitudinal Study of Aging

To examine the relationship between diet soft drink consumption and long-term change in waist circumference,
the Health Science Center team assessed data from 474 participants in the San Antonio Longitudinal Study of Aging (SALSA.) This is a large, population-based study of the disability process in elderly Mexican Americans and
European Americans for two decades.

Measures of height, weight, waist circumference and diet soda intake were recorded at SALSA enrollment and at three follow-up exams that took place over the next decade. The average follow-up time was 9.5 years. The researchers compared long-term change in waist circumference for diet soda users versus non-users in all follow-up periods. The results were adjusted for waist circumference, diabetes status, leisure-
time physical activity level, neighborhood of residence, age and smoking status at the beginning of each interval, as well as sex, ethnicity and years of education.

Diet soft drink users, as a group, experienced 70 percent greater increases in waist circumference compared with non-users. Frequent users, who said they consumed two
or more diet sodas a day, experienced waist circumference increases that were 500 percent greater than those of non-users.

Abdominal fat is known to be a major risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and other chronic conditions. "These results suggest that, amidst the national drive to reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks, policies that would promote the consumption of diet soft drinks may have unintended deleterious effects," the authors wrote.

Controlled Laboratory Study:

Aspartame Consumption In Diabetes-Prone Subjects

In the related project, scientific researchers of rheumatology and clinical immunology studied the relationship between oral exposure to aspartame and fasting glucose and insulin levels in 40 diabetes-prone subjects in a controlled laboratory environment. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener and one of the most widely used in diet sodas and other diet products advertised and labeled as "sugar free."

One group of the lab subjects were fed food to which both aspartame and corn oil were added; the other group ate
food with the corn oil added but not the aspartame.

After three months on this high-fat diet, the subjects in the aspartame group showed elevated fasting glucose levels but equal or diminished insulin levels, consistent with early declines in pancreatic beta-cell function.

The difference in insulin levels between the groups was not statistically significant. Beta cells make insulin, the hormone that lowers blood sugar after a meal. Imbalance ultimately leads to diabetes.

"These results suggest that heavy aspartame exposure might potentially directly contribute to increased blood glucose levels, and thus contribute to the associations observed between diet soda consumption and the risk of diabetes in humans," they warned.

These two translational research studies resulted from collaboration between research teams. The Institute
for the Integration of Medicine and Science (IIMS) funded
the work. IIMS is the Health Science Center entity that
oversees the university's Clinical and Translational
Science Award (CTSA), a National Institutes of Health-funded program to encourage the rapid translation of scientific discoveries from the laboratory through the testing process and to practical application for the health of communities.

Story Source:
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (2011, June 28)