Probiotics - pricey supplements designed to support the trillions of bacteria blossoming in our guts - have become a big business, with a market that is projected to exceed US$57 billion in the next five years.

"Probiotics are probably the single most important new food category to emerge in the last 20 years," Scott Bass, the head of the Global Life Sciences team at law firm Sidley Austin LLP and an adviser for the FDA on its first dietary supplement website, told Business Insider.

The idea behind the pills is simple: foster the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut and curb the growth of the bad bacteria to improve digestion, boost the immune system, and even lower rates of certain diseases.

Putting that idea into practice, however, has proven a bit more complicated than some scientists initially envisioned.

So far, the effects of existing probiotic supplements have been all over the map - sometimes they help, but most of the time, they don't.

Nevertheless, supplement-makers continue to advertise their pills as beneficial for everything from weight loss to treating lactose intolerance.

The problem is that while most probiotic formulas contain tens of millions of beneficial bacteria, like Lactobacillus acidophilus, fewer than a hundred or so of those bacteria actually make it into your gut.

"Thirty billion Lactobacillus sounds good, but after going through the stomach acid, only about 43 of them survive," Ian Orme, a distinguished professor of microbiology and pathology at Colorado State University, told Business Insider.

These "good" bacteria are supposed to replace the "bad" bacteria (like Bifidobacteria) and help you feel better.

"In other words these 43 or so bacteria politely ask the million or so anaerobic Bifidobacteria to please leave," said Orme. "Yeah, sure."

There are some specific incidences where the research suggests that the pills could actually help.

A rigorous 2014 review of probiotics research concluded that the supplements could be especially helpful for newborns with intensive needs.

Adding "good" bacteria to the guts of infants at risk of developing the life-threatening gut disease necrotising enterocolitis, for example, significantly reduced the chances that they'd come down with the disease.

More recently, researchers have been experimenting with supplements called synbiotics, which combine a probiotic bacterial strain with what's called a prebiotic - essentially a type of sugar designed to feed the beneficial bacteria and help it thrive in the gut.

The idea is that the pre- and the pro-biotic would work together to provide a combined benefit - while the probiotic settles in and pushes out the "bad" bacteria, the prebiotic hangs around and acts as its food supply, ensuring that the supplement sticks around and does its job.

Just this month, as part of the first large-scale clinical trial of its kind, researchers working in rural India found that newborns who were given a synbiotic were at a substantially lower risk of developing sepsis, a potentially fatal condition characterised by severe infection.

Some small studies have suggested that synbiotics could provide benefits to a range of other conditions influenced by the gut microbiome as well, including obesity, diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, but larger-scale clinical trials focusing on each of those conditions are needed.

So if you see a probiotic - or a synbiotic - for sale at your local health-foods store, know that the existing research backing up its claims is very limited.

This article was originally published by Business Insider.

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There's a Reason Probiotics Do Very Little - But a New Type of Pill Could Change That - ScienceAlert

FEDERAL Health Minister Greg Hunt has ordered the national food and medicine watchdogs to investigate the regulation of sports food supplements.

Mr Hunt made the request this week after the revelation that protein supplements contributed to the death of Mandurah mum Meegan Hefford.

The 25-year-olds death made headlines around the world this week and sparked debate about the safety of high-protein diets and use of sports supplements.

A spokesman for Mr Hunt said the minister had asked Food Standards Australia New Zealand and the Therapeutic Goods Administration this week to clarify the regulatory status of these types of products.

Some of these products do not appear to fit neatly under the Food Standard 2.9.4 Formulated Supplementary Sports Foods as they lack nutritional value, he said.

We look forward to receiving the recommendations from FSANZ and the TGA.

He said section 2.9.4 of the legislation was intended to allow sports food supplements to be specially formulated to help people achieve specific nutritional or sporting performance goals.

But there were concerns of a potential adverse outcome for someone using the product as a main source of nutrition.

WA Healths environmental health director Jim Dodds, who is the WA Health Ministers FSANZ proxy, said people shouldnt use sports supplements without being advised by a health professional.

He said the WA Government was doing substantial work with the Commonwealth to try to clarify definitions for sports food supplements. He said allowing greater food innovations in Australia had made it that little bit more difficult to control that industry.

Mr Dodds said the industry was always pushing for its products to be regarded as food which had less regulatory restrictions than medicine.

So its about walking that fine line... and were doing our best to make sure (companies) dont overstep the line, he said.

He said WA Health worked closely with local councils to enforce the legislation which included ensuring products didnt have misleading labelling and marketing.

Meegans mother Michelle White said it was encouraging that people were getting a better understanding of the dangers of taking supplements.

Ms White said she had been contacted by people from around the world expressing their sympathies and shock over Meegans death, including a man from New York who lost his sister in 2013 in similar circumstances.

Meegan was unaware she had a genetic defect called urea cycle disorder which prevented her body from properly processing protein. This led to a build-up of ammonia in her bloodstream which poisoned her brain.

Meegans death certificate listed intake of bodybuilding supplements as contributing to her death as well as the previously undiagnosed disorder.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Dr Bastian Seidel said an increasing number of Australians were putting their health and lives at risk because of supplements.

The perception is that its safe because its marketed as safe ... but the opposite is true for a lot of those supplements, he said.

He said the general public didnt know enough about how supplements were harmful when interacting with medicines and existing health conditions.

View original post here:

Perth mum's death from excessive protein leads to government probe of sports food supplements - Perth Now

PHOENIX, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --ThermoLife International, LLC, a world leader in nitrate technology with a global portfolio of 27 patents that includes more than 450 valid and issued claims relating to the use of nitrates in dietary supplements, has announced its successful submission of a New Dietary Ingredient Notification (NDIN) for Creatine nitrate (CreN) with the FDA.

ThermoLife's patented CreN is licensed by some of the most reputable and successful sports nutrition companies in the world including Nutrabolt, a globally recognized leader in sports nutrition whose brand portfolio includes the award winning Cellucor brand of dietary supplements. Invented by ThermoLife, CreN is a highly soluble and advanced form of creatine that delivers the dual functionality benefits of creatine and dietary nitrates. ThermoLife developed CreN and its other amino acid nitrate ingredients to offer consumers the health and performance benefits of nitrates while at the same time improving upon the physiological properties of creatine and other amino acids. These improvements include vast enhancements in solubility, stability, and dissolution.

Ron Kramer, the President and CEO of ThermoLife said, "ThermoLife's patented CreN is prominently featured in some of the world's best-selling and most effective dietary supplements including Cellucor's C4--the uncontested industry leader in pre-workout supplementation--and the soon to be released Muscle Beach Nutrition brand of Sports Nutrition Products."

On April 28, 2017, ThermoLife received a letter from the FDA acknowledging receipt of its NDIN for CreN without objection. Although ThermoLife has long contended that CreN is exempt from the NDIN process, this notification and acknowledgment further supports the self-affirmed GRAS status that ThermoLife has relied upon to market CreN as a safe and compliant dietary ingredient.

Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D., thePresidentand CEO of the Natural Products Association (NPA) and the former Director of the Division of DietarySupplement Programs at the FDA, said, "The NDI notification process is an important part of the regulatory systemand we've always encouragedall ofour member companies to submit NDINs, even if they believe their NDI is exempt. I applaud ThermoLife, a NPA member, for working with the agency and submitting a notification for CreNconsistent with the statute and regulations."

Prominent food and drug law attorney, A. Wes Siegner, Jr., a partner at Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. said, "The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act has strict standards for the safety of dietary ingredients in dietary supplements, as well as for the safety of ingredients in conventional foods. CreN has been assessed by food safety experts and determined to be safe under both the dietary supplement and conventional food standards. In addition, the dissociation products of CreN, creatine and nitrate, have a long history of safe use in both dietary supplements and conventional foods. FDA has been notified as to the scientific basis for safety of CreN as a dietary ingredient, and has acknowledged ThermoLife's notification. Therefore, under federal law, any company that has licensed CreN from ThermoLife may legally market CreN in any dietary supplement. Marketing the ingredient is compliant regardless of the amount or dose of CreN in the dietary supplement, as long as the company has a scientific basis to support the safety of the dose that is recommended."

Nutrabolt has conducted several human clinical studies on CreN and products containing CreN, in a variety of dosages and dosage forms. The studies were conducted at the prestigious Texas A&M University and demonstrated the efficacy, safety and performance benefits of the ingredient.

About ThermoLife International, LLC

Founded in 1998, ThermoLife is a world leader in patented ingredients and technology for use in dietary supplements, specializing in nitrate technology. ThermoLife has a global patent portfolio of 27 patents spanning more than 15 countries including more than 450 valid and issued claims on the use of nitrates in dietary supplements. ThermoLife collaborates with leading manufacturers in the sports nutrition and supplement industry to provide support, innovation, and only the purest, most effective, and innovative ingredients in order to help its customers offer superior patent protected products to end users. http://www.NO3-T.com

About Nutrabolt

Nutrabolt is a global nutritional life sciences company established in 2002 that specializes in consumer product solutions in sports nutrition and functional foods. The Company's marquee brands, Cellucor and Scivation, include some of the industry's most notable product lines C4 and Xtend, which have become uncontested category leaders in pre-workout and intra/post-workout recovery supplementation respectively. Nutrabolt entered the functional food category in 2016 through its FitJoy branded line of healthy on-the-go protein based snacks. Nutrabolt's brands are distributed to some of the world's largest specialty, big box and online retailers including GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, Amazon.com, Bodybuilding.com, Walmart, Costco, and Target. Nutrabolt's brands are sold in more than 75 countries through its network of global distributors. http://www.nutrabolt.com

View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thermolife-announces-successful-new-dietary-ingredient-notification-for-creatine-nitrate-300505799.html

SOURCE ThermoLife International, LLC

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ThermoLife Announces Successful New Dietary Ingredient Notification for Creatine Nitrate - Markets Insider

It can strike anyone, at any time. And the pain ranks right up there next to, say, drinking fire or having your legs gnawed off by wild animals.

Its a kidney stone.

And for the over half a million Americans who experience this unpleasant ordeal every year, it spans days of excruciating pain. Statistics show one in 10 of us will suffer from kidney stones at some point in our lives. But what is a kidney stone, and how can we prevent them from forming?

What is a kidney stone?

Kidney stones are comprised of minerals (most often calcium and oxalate deposits) that are collected from the bloodstream. Its not uncommon for stones to remain in the kidneys for a time, but the moment they start to move around and make their way through the ureter which connects the kidney to the bladder look out!

Kidney stones are becoming more prevalent in our senior population and create unique concerns for those caring for them, says Marissa Tan, director of nursing at French Park Care Center. But our focus is on prevention. By monitoring medications for possible side effects that increase the incidence of kidney or bladder stones, and encouraging a balanced diet with plenty of water, magnesium, and vitamin E-rich foods, and daily exercise, we are working to reduce the risks of nephrolithiasis.

Fortunately, improved surgical methods are less invasive and require less recovery time, but before you consider surgery, here are three strategies that prevent and treat painful kidney stones:

1. Stay hydrated.

Most Americans arent drinking enough water, and that creates the perfect breeding ground for kidney stones. Doctors say an active kidney is a healthy kidney, and that means producing at least two liters of urine each day to ensure your kidneys are regularly flushed and functioning properly.

2. Monitor your diet.

The best prevention is a diet high in citrates and low in oxalates. Surprisingly, some popular health foods such as spinach, avocado, beans, nuts, wheat and potatoes, are high in oxalates. So, add foods rich in vitamin E and magnesium like kale, cauliflower, peppers, sunflower seeds, corn, fish, grapes, berries and cabbage. Also, reduce the amount of salt and animal proteins in your diet.

By minimizing the amount of protein or meat as well as salt, stones are less likely to form, says University of Utah Health Care.

To build up citrates and improve bicarbonate levels that keep the bodys pH levels in balance and reduce the risks of kidney stones, Kalani Raphael, MD, a nephrologist at University of Utah Health, suggests eating fruits and vegetables high in citric acid, which prevents stone formation and breaks down stones that have already formed. For example, drinking an 8-ounce glass of water with the juice and grated peel of a fresh lemon can help break down calcium deposits that adhere to oxalates to form stones. When life hands you lemons, a daily dose of foods high in citric acid is great for overall kidney health.

3. Look at medications and supplements.

Kidney stones are often caused by medications or supplements. For example, some medications used to treat heartburn, acid reflux, or ulcers have been linked to higher incidences of kidney stones, so its important to talk with your doctor about the risks.

As for supplements, experts say using a food source rather than relying on a supplement is the best way to get essential vitamins and minerals.

With the exception of vitamin D, we can get adequate supplies of nutrients from eating a balanced diet, says Lydia Ramsey.

And as the debate between the merits or deficiencies rage concerning supplements and the increased risk of kidney stones, Michael Greger, MD, author of How Not to Die, points out that the nice thing about a healthier diet is that there are only good side effects.

If you have partnered dietary supplements with prescribed or over-the-counter medications, its important to discuss those supplements with your doctor.

Lets face it. Dealing with painful kidney stones ranks right up there with giving birth or getting shot out of a circus cannon. But with proper hydration, medication, and diet, you can prevent kidney stones and enjoy overall kidney health.

Go here to see the original:

Health & Wellness: 3 easy ways to prevent kidney stones - Montrose Daily Press

MANDURAH, Australia Meegan Hefford, a 25-year-old bodybuilder, was found unconscious on June 19 in her Mandurah, Western Australia, apartment, according toAustralia News 7.

Days later, Hefford was pronounced dead. Only after her death did her family learn that Hefford, the mother of a 7-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy, had a rare genetic disorder that prevented her body from properly metabolizing her high-protein diet.

Urea cycle disorder, which causes a deficiency of one enzyme in the urea cycle, stops the body from breaking down protein, according to the nonprofit National Urea Cycle Disorders Foundation.

Normally, the body can remove nitrogen, a waste product of protein metabolism, from the blood. However, a urea cycle disorder would prohibit this.

Therefore, nitrogen, in the form of toxic ammonia, would accumulate in the blood and eventually reach the brain, where it can cause irreversible damage, coma, and death.

The enzyme deficiency can be mild enough so that the person is able to detoxify ammonia adequately until theres a trigger, said Cynthia Le Mons, executive director of the foundation. The trigger could be a viral illness, stress or a high-protein diet, she added.

There was just no way of knowing she had it because they dont routinely test for it, said Michelle White, Heffords mother. She started to feel unwell, and she collapsed.

White blames protein shakes for her daughters death.

Since 2014, Hefford, who worked at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and studied paramedicine, had been competing as a bodybuilder.

It was only after Heffords death that White discovered containers of protein supplements in her daughters kitchen, along with a strict food plan. White understood then that her daughter, who had been preparing for another bodybuilding competition, had also been consuming an unbalanced diet.

Hefford was eating way too much protein, said White, which triggered her daughters unknown urea cycle condition. (For most healthy people, ahigh-protein diet, when followed for a short time, generally isnt harmful, according to the Mayo Clinic.)

Heffords diet included protein-rich foods, such as lean meat and egg white, in addition to protein shakes and supplements, her mother said.

Theres medical advice on the back of all the supplements to seek out a doctor, but how many young people actually do? White asked.

Le Mons said, typically, there are nuanced symptoms that just go unrecognized with mild cases of urea cycle disorder. Symptoms include episodes of a lack of concentration, being very tired and vomiting.

Sometimes, people think its the flu and might even go to the ER thinking they have a really bad flu, Le Mons said, adding that a simple serum ammonia level test, which can detect the condition, is not routinely done in ERs.

Its unclear whether Hefford suffered symptoms of her condition. White, who hopes her daughters story will serve as a warning to help save lives, believes protein supplements need more regulation.

The Australian Medical Association says theres no real health benefit to such supplements. And, while they may not be necessary for most people, theyre not dangerous to most, either.

The estimated incidence of urea cycle disorders is 1 in 8,500 births. Since many cases remain undiagnosed, the exact incidence is unknown and believed to be underestimated.

Theres a myth that this disorder only affects children, Le Mons said, noting that one patient reached age 85 before diagnosis.

Regarding Hefford, Le Mons said that this is not the first time this has happened. Other athletes, who like Hefford were unaware of their condition, have died when a high-protein diet triggered their condition.

Though there is no cure for urea cycle disorder, abalanced dietis all that is needed for some patients, according to the National Urea Cycle Disorders Foundation.

Treatment may include supplementation with special amino acid formulas, while in some more severe cases, one of two forms of an FDA-approved drug may be prescribed. When these therapies fail, a liver transplant may become necessary.

-32.536104 115.742408

Continue reading here:

25-yr-old mom with rare disorder dies eating high-protein diet - myfox8.com

DR LIBBY WEAVER

Last updated14:45, August 15 2017

Istock

While nutritional supplements can help to bridge any gaps or to address deficiencies, they cannot replace a nutritious way of eating.

Nutritional supplements are very common these days.

For some people, supplements are necessary to cover nutritional gaps that can arise from excluding certain foods from their diet, regardless of whether this is by choice or necessity. For others, supplementation is something they view as an insurance policy, to ensure their nutrient intake is adequate if they don't always eat as well as they know they should.

Perhaps you choose to take a multivitamin to top up your intake of a range of nutrients, or maybe you take a specific vitamin or mineral that is lacking in your diet. Or you might take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement, or use a greens powder as a convenient way to increase your vegetable intake.

Good quality nutritional supplements are a financial investment, so you definitely want to be sure you are getting the maximum benefit from what you are taking.

READ MORE: *The problem with vitamin pills and supplements *Why this naturopath won't take supplements *Ask Dr Libby: the best supplements for joint health

If you're not effectively absorbing the nutrients from your supplements, you're not going to be getting all of the potential benefits from these. The old adage that you are what you eat isn't quite correct. You are what you eat, absorb and assimilate, and this is something to consider when it comes to supplementation, too.

Let's consider some common nutritional supplements and how you can get the most out of these.

IRON

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world, and it can be difficult to restore depleted iron levels without a supplement. Many iron supplements lead to constipation, but most people find this does not happen with liquid iron supplements.

If you take an iron supplement, avoiding tea, coffee or red wine within at least an hour of taking your supplement is essential, as the tannins inhibit iron absorption. Consuming calcium-rich foods away from iron-rich foods and iron supplements can also make a difference to iron absorption, as iron and calcium compete for absorption in the gut.

If you take a calcium supplement, it's important that this is taken at a different time to your iron supplement. The same goes for zinc supplements to maximise absorption, they should be taken at a different time to iron supplements.

Vitamin C, however, significantly enhances the absorption of iron. So if you take an iron supplement, you might like to check the label to ensure it also contains vitamin C.

ZINC

To maximize absorption, zinc supplements are best taken away from food (before bed is a good time) and away from any iron, calcium and folic acid supplements. Tannins in tea, coffee and red wine can also inhibit zinc absorption, as can fibre, so these are best avoided for at least an hour either side of taking zinc.

VITAMIN D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, so absorption of vitamin D supplements will be enhanced when taken with a source of dietary fat. This means it's best to take your vitamin D supplement with a meal that includes nourishing fats from foods like avocado, nuts, seeds, extra virgin olive oil or oily fish such as salmon. There are two different forms of vitamin D they are vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is the more bioavailable form.

MULTIVITAMIN

Multivitamin supplements are best taken with a meal. When you eat, stomach acid is produced to help digest your food properly, and this will also enhance absorption of some of the nutrients in your multivitamin. The fats that are present in the meal will also help your body to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E and K). It's also best to avoid drinking coffee, tea and red wine within an hour of taking your multivitamin to get the most out of it.

While nutritional supplements can help to bridge any nutritional gaps or to address nutrient deficiencies, please be aware that they cannot replace a highly nutritious way of eating. Nothing in this world can.

Dr Libby is a nutritional biochemist, best-selling author and speaker. The advice contained in this column is not intended to be a substitute for direct, personalised advice from a health professional. Join Dr Libby for her upcoming Food Frustrations New Zealand tour. For information and to buy tickets, visit drlibby.com

-Stuff

See the rest here:

Dr Libby: How to get the most out of food supplements | Stuff.co.nz - Stuff.co.nz

Urea cycle disorder, which causes a deficiency of one enzyme in the urea cycle, stops the body from breaking down protein, according to the nonprofit National Urea Cycle Disorders Foundation. Normally, the body can remove nitrogen, a waste product of protein metabolism, from the blood. However, a urea cycle disorder would prohibit this. Therefore, nitrogen, in the form of toxic ammonia, would accumulate in the blood and eventually reach the brain, where it can cause irreversible damage, coma and death.

"The enzyme deficiency can be mild enough so that the person is able to detoxify ammonia adequately -- until there's a trigger," said Cynthia Le Mons, executive director of the foundation. The trigger could be a viral illness, stress or a high-protein diet, she added.

"There was just no way of knowing she had it because they don't routinely test for it," said Michelle White, Hefford's mother and a resident of Perth. "She started to feel unwell, and she collapsed."

White blames protein shakes for her daughter's death.

Since 2014, Hefford, who worked at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and studied paramedicine, had been competing as a bodybuilder.

It was only after Hefford's death that White discovered containers of protein supplements in her daughter's kitchen, along with a strict food plan. White understood then that her daughter, who had been preparing for another bodybuilding competition, had also been consuming an unbalanced diet.

"There's medical advice on the back of all the supplements to seek out a doctor, but how many young people actually do?" White asked.

Le Mons said, "typically, there are nuanced symptoms that just go unrecognized" with mild cases of urea cycle disorder. Symptoms include episodes of a lack of concentration, being very tired and vomiting.

"Sometimes, people think it's the flu and might even go to the ER thinking they have a really bad flu," Le Mons said, adding that a simple serum ammonia level test, which can detect the condition, is not routinely done in ERs.

It's unclear whether Hefford suffered symptoms of her condition. White, who hopes her daughter's story will serve as a warning to help save lives, believes protein supplements need more regulation.

The Australian Medical Association says there's no real health benefit to such supplements. And, while they may not be necessary for most people, they're not dangerous to most, either.

The estimated incidence of urea cycle disorders is 1 in 8,500 births. Since many cases remain undiagnosed, the exact incidence is unknown and believed to be underestimated.

"There's a myth that this disorder only affects children," Le Mons said, noting that one patient reached age 85 before diagnosis.

Regarding Hefford, Le Mons said that "this is not the first time this has happened." Other athletes, who like Hefford were unaware of their condition, have died when a high-protein diet triggered their condition.

Originally posted here:

Australian bodybuilder with rare disorder dies eating high-protein diet - CNN

Enlarge / A scanning electron microscopic image of Burkholderia cepacia.

The Food and Drug Administration advised consumers and healthcare providers Friday to avoid all liquid products made by PharmaTech LLC of Davie, Floridaafter finding dangerous Burkholderia cepacia bacteria in the water system used to manufacture its products. Those products include liquid drugs and dietary supplements labeled under Rugby Laboratories, Major Pharmaceuticals, and Leader Brands.

An outbreak of B. cepaciainfections affecting at least 60 people in eight states led the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to PharmaTech. Late last year, the agencies tracked the source to more than 10 lots of PharmaTechs oral liquid docusate sodium, a stool softener. But suspicion of contamination crept to the companys other products, and this month PharmaTech issued a voluntary nationwide recall of its other liquid products, such as its liquid vitamin D drops and liquid multivitamins that are marketed for infants and children.

B. cepacia poses a serious threat to vulnerable patients, including infants and young children who still have developing immune systems, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said in a statement. These products were distributed nationwide to retailers, health care facilities, pharmacies and sold onlinemaking it important that parents, patients and health care providers be made aware of the potential risk and immediately stop using these products.

A representative for PharmaTech reached by Ars declined to comment beyondthe recall announcement. The announcement includes a full list of products affected with images.

Burkholderia cepacia poses little risk to healthy people, the CDC notes. But it can be deadly in people with weakened immune systems or other conditions, such as cystic fibrosis. Infections can cause a range of symptomsfrom little to none or to severe respiratory distressand spread from person-to-person or through the environment. The bacteria is known to lurk in health care settings and is often found to be resistant to many common antibiotics.

See the original post:

Supplement maker on FDA blacklist after deadly bacteria found in water system - Ars Technica

DR LIBBY WEAVER

Last updated14:45, August 15 2017

Istock

While nutritional supplements can help to bridge any gaps or to address deficiencies, they cannot replace a nutritious way of eating.

Nutritional supplements are very common these days.

For some people, supplements are necessary to cover nutritional gaps that can arise from excluding certain foods from their diet, regardless of whether this is by choice or necessity. For others, supplementation is something they view as an insurance policy, to ensure their nutrient intake is adequate if they don't always eat as well as they know they should.

Perhaps you choose to take a multivitamin to top up your intake of a range of nutrients, or maybe you take a specific vitamin or mineral that is lacking in your diet. Or you might take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement, or use a greens powder as a convenient way to increase your vegetable intake.

Good quality nutritional supplements are a financial investment, so you definitely want to be sure you are getting the maximum benefit from what you are taking.

READ MORE: *The problem with vitamin pills and supplements *Why this naturopath won't take supplements *Ask Dr Libby: the best supplements for joint health

If you're not effectively absorbing the nutrients from your supplements, you're not going to be getting all of the potential benefits from these. The old adage that you are what you eat isn't quite correct. You are what you eat, absorb and assimilate, and this is something to consider when it comes to supplementation, too.

Let's consider some common nutritional supplements and how you can get the most out of these.

IRON

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world, and it can be difficult to restore depleted iron levels without a supplement. Many iron supplements lead to constipation, but most people find this does not happen with liquid iron supplements.

If you take an iron supplement, avoiding tea, coffee or red wine within at least an hour of taking your supplement is essential, as the tannins inhibit iron absorption. Consuming calcium-rich foods away from iron-rich foods and iron supplements can also make a difference to iron absorption, as iron and calcium compete for absorption in the gut.

If you take a calcium supplement, it's important that this is taken at a different time to your iron supplement. The same goes for zinc supplements to maximise absorption, they should be taken at a different time to iron supplements.

Vitamin C, however, significantly enhances the absorption of iron. So if you take an iron supplement, you might like to check the label to ensure it also contains vitamin C.

ZINC

To maximize absorption, zinc supplements are best taken away from food (before bed is a good time) and away from any iron, calcium and folic acid supplements. Tannins in tea, coffee and red wine can also inhibit zinc absorption, as can fibre, so these are best avoided for at least an hour either side of taking zinc.

VITAMIN D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, so absorption of vitamin D supplements will be enhanced when taken with a source of dietary fat. This means it's best to take your vitamin D supplement with a meal that includes nourishing fats from foods like avocado, nuts, seeds, extra virgin olive oil or oily fish such as salmon. There are two different forms of vitamin D they are vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is the more bioavailable form.

MULTIVITAMIN

Multivitamin supplements are best taken with a meal. When you eat, stomach acid is produced to help digest your food properly, and this will also enhance absorption of some of the nutrients in your multivitamin. The fats that are present in the meal will also help your body to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E and K). It's also best to avoid drinking coffee, tea and red wine within an hour of taking your multivitamin to get the most out of it.

While nutritional supplements can help to bridge any nutritional gaps or to address nutrient deficiencies, please be aware that they cannot replace a highly nutritious way of eating. Nothing in this world can.

Dr Libby is a nutritional biochemist, best-selling author and speaker. The advice contained in this column is not intended to be a substitute for direct, personalised advice from a health professional. Join Dr Libby for her upcoming Food Frustrations New Zealand tour. For information and to buy tickets, visit drlibby.com

-Stuff

The rest is here:

Dr Libby: How to get the most out of food supplements - Stuff.co.nz

Liquid vitamins for infants and children are among several supplements and drugs that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers and health care professionals not to use due to risk of severe infection.

The FDA is advising against using any liquid drug or dietary supplement products manufactured by PharmaTech LLC of Davie, Florida, and labeled by Rugby Laboratories, Major Pharmaceuticals and Leader Brands, due to potential contamination with the bacteria Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) and the risk for severe patient infection.

The drug and dietary supplement products made by PharmaTech include liquid docusate sodium drugs (stool softeners), as well as various dietary supplements including liquid vitamin D drops and liquid multivitamins marketed for infants and children.A lab test done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found a strain of B. cepacia in samples of the stool softeners.

B. cepacia poses a serious threat to vulnerable patients, including infants and young children who still have developing immune systems, said FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb. These products were distributed nationwide to retailers, health care facilities, pharmacies and sold online making it important that parents, patients and health care providers be made aware of the potential risk and immediately stop using these products.

According to the CDC, B. cepacia poses the greatest threat to hospitalized patients, critically ill patients and people with health problems such as weakened immune systems and chronic lung diseases. The symptoms of B. cepacia infections vary widely from none at all to serious respiratory infections. It can spread from person-to-person by direct contact and is often resistant to common antibiotics.

Consumers, pharmacies and health care facilities should immediately stop using and dispensing all liquid drug and dietary supplement products manufactured by PharmaTech and labeled by Rugby Laboratories, Major Pharmaceuticals and Leader Brands.

This is not the first time the FDA has advised patients against using liquid docusate (stool softening) drug products manufactured at PharmaTech's Davie, Florida, facility. The FDA issued an advisory in 2016 after the products were implicated in the CDC's public health investigation into a multistate outbreak of B. cepacia infections.

The FDA encourages health care professionals and consumers to report adverse events or quality problems experienced with the use of drugs and dietary supplements products to the FDAs MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program:

Read more from the original source:

FDA warns of contamination of multiple drugs, dietary supplements - The Intelligencer

Liquid vitamins for infants and children are among several supplements and drugs that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers and health care professionals not to use due to risk of severe infection.

The FDA is advising against using any liquid drug or dietary supplement products manufactured by PharmaTech LLC of Davie, Florida, and labeled by Rugby Laboratories, Major Pharmaceuticals and Leader Brands, due to potential contamination with the bacteria Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) and the risk for severe patient infection.

The drug and dietary supplement products made by PharmaTech include liquid docusate sodium drugs (stool softeners), as well as various dietary supplements including liquid vitamin D drops and liquid multivitamins marketed for infants and children.A lab test done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found a strain of B. cepacia in samples of the stool softeners.

B. cepacia poses a serious threat to vulnerable patients, including infants and young children who still have developing immune systems, said FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb. These products were distributed nationwide to retailers, health care facilities, pharmacies and sold online making it important that parents, patients and health care providers be made aware of the potential risk and immediately stop using these products.

According to the CDC, B. cepacia poses the greatest threat to hospitalized patients, critically ill patients and people with health problems such as weakened immune systems and chronic lung diseases. The symptoms of B. cepacia infections vary widely from none at all to serious respiratory infections. It can spread from person-to-person by direct contact and is often resistant to common antibiotics.

Consumers, pharmacies and health care facilities should immediately stop using and dispensing all liquid drug and dietary supplement products manufactured by PharmaTech and labeled by Rugby Laboratories, Major Pharmaceuticals and Leader Brands.

This is not the first time the FDA has advised patients against using liquid docusate (stool softening) drug products manufactured at PharmaTech's Davie, Florida, facility. The FDA issued an advisory in 2016 after the products were implicated in the CDC's public health investigation into a multistate outbreak of B. cepacia infections.

The FDA encourages health care professionals and consumers to report adverse events or quality problems experienced with the use of drugs and dietary supplements products to the FDAs MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program:

Complete and submit the report online at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm; or download and complete the form, then submit it via fax at 1-800-FDA-0178.

Read more from the original source:

FDA warns of contamination of multiple drugs, dietary supplements - Bucks County Courier Times

Chronicle Editorial Board

Some of the dietary supplements Nicholas Chrysanthou takes to deal with his over 80 food allergies, on the kitchen counter of his home in Houston, TX, June 28, 2017. (Michael Wyke / For the Chronicle)

Some of the dietary supplements Nicholas Chrysanthou takes to deal...

Health-conscious people may want to think twice before taking dietary supplements. Researchers have found a significant increase nationwide in calls to poison control centers related to vitamins, herbs and other supplements. These calls have increased along with the growth of supplement sales in the U.S.

Between 2000 and 2012, there have been around 275,000 calls about over-the-counter supplement exposure. The most serious of the poisoning cases often concerned young children, stricken with breathing problems and seizures. The Journal of Toxicology report found ma huang, yohimbe and energy products were associated with the greatest toxicity.

Over-the-counter dietary supplements are not held to the same rigorous safety standards as medications or food products. The lack of oversight can lead products to be contaminated, mislabeled or of inconsistent quality.

Some embrace supplements as offering a last bastion of freedom over what goes into their bodies. Many patients turn to herbal remedies for a natural approach to health care and to avoid costly medications.

However, without clinical trials and other safety precautions, consumers cant know the potential side effects of certain supplements, particularly when taken with other medications. The study results indicate a need for stronger oversight by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Politics has blocked that kind of oversight for years. So, at the very least, check with a doctor before deciding to be a human guinea pig.

This commentary is from The Chronicles Editorial Board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters.

Excerpt from:

Editorial: Why taking supplements can be risky - San Francisco Chronicle

Were just going to put this out there: Alex Jones is not the most trusted name in news. The Infowars host has devolved, in recent years, from a shameless peddler of baseless, far-right conspiracy theories into a bizarre, disorienting spectacle. What exactly is happening as Jones, shirtless and goggle-eyed, roars spit-flecked tirades at the camera? Maybe this performance of rage is somehow cathartic, enacting an anger his viewers feel but cant express. Maybe its self-parodic shtickJones lawyer seems to suggest hes in the know. Or maybe hes simply on some varsity league drugs.

Whatever the case, heres the unfortunate truth: A not-insignificant number of Americans have elected to buy mail order health supplements from this man. The exact number isnt known, but New York magazine estimates between $15 and $25 million dollars worth per year. And thats too bad because, according to a new BuzzFeed investigation, Joness products arent much better than his newsbasically, a waste of time.

BuzzFeed submitted a range of products to Labdoor, a San-Francisco based lab that tests the quality of dietary supplements. The laba for-profit company with a list of venture capital backers including businessman and vocal Trump detractor Mark Cubansubjected each of Joness offerings to a legit-sounding process: We tested samples in triplicate, and wherever possible, cross-checked those results with at least two independent analytical laboratories, so we have complete trust in our conclusions, Brian Brandley, the companys laboratory director, told BuzzFeed News.

Heres the good news. According to Labdoor, the supplementsunlike #pizzagate and Seth Rich conspiracy theorieswerent actively harmful, testing free of heavy metals, illegal substances, and chemicals known to be toxic. But they probably arent doing much good either.

The supplements arent actively harmful. But they probably arent doing much good either.

Some examples: Anthroplex, a daily foundation for men sold for $39.95, cites its zinc content in promotional materials, but Labdoor found that theres actually 31 percent less zinc than promised. At that negligible level, according to the report, even a seriously zinc-deficient person wouldnt see results. This product is a waste of money, the report reads. The claim that Anthroplex works synergistically with the powerful Super Male Vitality formula in order to help restore your masculine foundation and stimulate vitality with its own blend of unique ingredients is fluff on multiple fronts.

Then theres the $29.95 Survival Shield X-2, an iodine supplement that Jones claims is derived from 200+ million year old salt crystals, is tested for radiation and supports thyroid health and healthy hormone levels. According to Labdoor, thats bunkits just everyday iodine sold, at 30 bucks an ounce, at a steep markup. Its the same stuff doctors used to pour on surfaces as a disinfectant, Labdoors report read.

Theres more: a Child Ease concoction that claims to support attention span in kids, made from herbs that havent been tested for safety or efficacy. A $50-dollar Lung Cleanse spray thats basically cheap cough medicine. A Brain Force Neural Activator with B vitamins and amino acids, but at lower levels than youll find in other products.

Taken together, the items in the Infowars store offer imagined, pseudo-scientific solutions to a range of American symptoms. Were scattered. We cant concentrate. Our joints hurt. We dont feel as young and vigorous as we used to. Were afraid of aging. Were afraid of death. And Jones is only the oldest trick in the con artist book: hes tapping into peoples anxieties and insecurities, and exploiting them to make money. Its gross. Its unethical. But, in this case, its actually not illegal.

By their very legal definition, supplements dont have to do anything. Unlike drugs, supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure diseases, according to the Food and Drug Administration(FDA). That means supplements should not make claims, such as reduces pain or treats heart disease. Claims like these can only legitimately be made for drugs, not dietary supplements. In other words, supplements are just like drugsin that you put them in your body. But unlike drugs, they dont have to have measurable benefits. The bar for supplements is extremely low: basically, they just cant be poison.

The Atlantics James Hamblin has a good explainer on how we got here, a huge and growing supplements industry thats based on little more than wishful thinking.

Jones is doing his very thing hes built his brand decrying: namely, abusing power and influence to dupe people and take advantage of them.

This expansive category was set forth in the Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act of 1994, known as DSHEA, Hamblin writes. Backed by Senator Orrin Hatch and enormous investment from the supplement industry, the law allows any of these products to go directly to market and carry unfounded claims about what the product does. The burden is on the FDA to prove that the product is unsafe, if it later proves to be harming people, and then take the producer to court.

But considering the amount of money that Americans spend on supplementsestimates range from $11 billion to almost $40 billion, which averages out to between about $30 and $120 per person per yearits clear that people dont expect them to do nothing. We spend our hard-earned money on supplements because we want to be more healthy and less sick. Surely some people probably see, in their vitamins and herbal solutions, the promise of a cure.

And thats whats weird about Jones-branded supplements. As Vices Motherboard points out, Infowars makes its products appealing by tapping into peoples fears about Big Government. In this case, the idea is that government doesnt want you to know about health cures, because its in bed with Big Pharma, which makes money by preying on the sick. The only way to buck the tyrannical system is to spend $59.95 on Caveman Pure Paleo Shake Powder.

Like all good lies, theres some truth to ityou dont have to reach very far to find examples of lobbyists weakening laws that protect public health. But the sinister thing is that, by selling the dubious supplements he sells through the Infowars store, Jones is doing the very thing hes built his brand decrying. Namely, abusing power and influence to dupe people and take advantage of them.New Yorkmagazine makes a compelling case that Jones hardly makes anymoney from his news operation. The real revenue driver? Supplements.

Most people would agree that government regulation should protect us from unduly harmful products and especially predatory business practices. Should it protect people from wasting their money on products that are basically harmless? That depends on your point of view. In the end, perversely, the whole thing proves Alex Jones point: the government has turned its back on you on this one. With supplements, youre on our own.

See the article here:

Would you buy supplements from Alex Jones? - New Food Economy - The New Food Economy

European authorities have notified the EU of several incidents of food supplements being found to contain banned substances this week.

A food supplement was withdrawn from the market in the Czech Republic after inspections by Czech authorities found a supplement aimed at sexual appetite and function contained a banned substance.

The State Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) said the batch of Maxxes food supplement, a food supplement containing a blend of botanical herbs, was found to contain the banned substance sildenafil.

Maxxes claims to: increases the libido and confidence, while other properties of Maxxes boost the endurance for long lasting sexual activity and promote circulation to the reproductive organs resulting in a faster, harder and longer lasting erection.

Sildenafil, the substance identified in Maxxes, is an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), and is the main acting agent in Pfizers erectile dysfunction drug Viagra. Active pharmaceuticals like sildenafil are banned in food supplements.

This drug is only allowed for use in medicines, and preparations containing sildenafil can only be given by the doctor due to possible side effects, said the CAFIA.

Czech authorities immediately withdrew the Maxxes food supplement from sale and the distribution network. Proceedings have also begun to impose a fine.

During inspections, authorities also noted that the product had been distributed to other EU countries, as such as rapid alert has been put out via RASFF.

Poland and Hungary: Unauthorised novel ingredients

Meanwhile, in a second case Polish and Hungarian officials have notified that a foodstuff of special nutritional, imported from the USA and targeted at athletes, was also found to contain banned substances.

The Hungarian National Food Chain Safety Agency (NBIH) said it was notified of the incident via the Union's Rapid Alert System (RASFF) after the issue was initially discovered in Poland.

The product Cellucor C4 G4, Chrome Series, primarily intended for bodybuilders, is a multi-flavoured, special nutritional food. It is available in many EU countries however Polish officials found that the Pink Lemonade flavour contains unauthorised ingredients in the form of creatinine nitrate and teak (a caffeine-like purinase alkaloid).

Both ingredients are classed as novel food ingredients, and are therefore unauthorised for sale within Europe, said the NBIH.

Originally posted here:

Supplement recalls: Polish, Czech and Hungarian authorities report cases of banned substances - NutraIngredients.com

A large cohort study of an Icelandic elderly population suggests that use of dietary supplements does not lead to excess nutrient consumption, but is not linked to a longer lifespan.

Obtaining the proper amounts of various vitamins and micronutrients is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. For the most part, all of these dietary requirements can be obtained from a balanced diet, but recently dietary supplements have become a popular resource for balancing dietary nutrition. Dietary supplements are especially recommended to elderly people as nutritional insufficiency is commonly seen in this age group. Supplements can go a long way towards building longer, healthier lifespans by protecting against health decline and disease caused by insufficient nutritional intake.Despite the added health benefits, use of dietary supplements increases the risk of exceeding the recommended doses for vitamins and nutrients. Previous studies reported contradicting evidence on the benefits of vitamin use; some showed evidence of improved health while others have observed a higher risk of mortality for multivitamin users compared with non-users.These reports raised safety concerns for long term multivitamin use. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition looked at dietary supplement use in an Icelandic elderly population to identify how supplement intake contributes to the risks of exceeding recommended nutritional values, and to investigate whether supplement use is associated with mortality.

This study included5764 Reykjvik residents;58% female and 42% male with an average age of 77 at the beginning of the study. Prior to the study, scientists assessed the general health of all individuals in order to account for other factors that could influence mortality. Researchers recorded the educational status, smoking patterns, alcohol consumption, degree of physical activity, and other lifestyle characteristics that have an impact on human health. Participants filled out questionnaires explaining their dietary patterns and frequency of supplement use and submitted their supplements to a registry. To calculate the nutritional content obtained for each individual, scientists looked up the nutritional contents of each specified supplement in a database and multiplied nutritional content by the frequency of weekly use.

Results indicate that 77% of study participants used at least 1 dietary supplement.The most popular vitamin was fish-liver oil, used by 55% of the participants, followed by multivitamins, used by 31% of the participants. There were very few instances where vitamin and mineral consumption exceeded the recommended daily dose; the only notable exceptions were that 22% of the participants who used B6 supplements exceeded the recommended intake, as did 14% of participants who took Zn. Overall, patterns showed that vitamin users were less likely to smoke, were more educated, consumed less alcohol, and had a lower prevalence of diabetes than non-smokers. However, no correlation was found between dietary use and hypertension. Within a 7 year period, there was a total of 1221 deaths among the registered participants, but no significant correlation was identified between the use of vitamins and mortality rates.

This study provides interesting insight into the patterns of dietary supplement intake in an elderly population. However, it didnt take into account the total nutritional value obtained from the regular diets of these individuals. Perhaps dietary supplements and nutritional content from food would actually increase the proportion of individuals whose nutrient dietary intake exceeds the recommended daily amount. Moreover, the study did not clearly state whether it only recorded the dietary supplements taken by people over the course of the study period, or whether it took into account lifelong supplement use. More studies will be needed to fully assess the benefits and dangers of dietary supplements.

Written By:Irina Sementchoukova, B.Sc

Read more here:

Dietary Supplements Do Not Affect Lifespan - Medical News Bulletin

Dietary supplements are big business with close on 400 million per year spent in the UK. Vitamins, minerals, botanicals and amino acids are just some of the pills and potions that can be found in supermarkets and health food shops. Over one third of adults regularly take a supplement despite most people not really needing anything other than a healthy balanced diet.

One of the main supplement types are those marketed to aid weight loss. A recent study on supplements seized by the police in Brazil has suggested that some of the supplements contained significantly more caffeine than the amount stated on the labels and even some drugs were detected including laxatives. The researchers aim was to validate a chromatography method, but the work highlights some of the risks that people face when they take unregulated supplements.

The research, published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology Determination of caffeine and identification of undeclared substances in dietary supplements and caffeine dietary exposure assessment analysed supplements seized by the Brazilian police between 2010 and 2016 as being products not allowed to be sold in Brazil and focused on weight loss supplements.

One of the aims of the work was to validate a GC-MS method for the quantitation of caffeine and identification of other substances in supplements, mainly weight loss products, and to estimate the caffeine intake by consumers. The team used a simple sample preparation method that included extraction with chloroform and water, centrifugation and then analysis of the organic layer.

Of course, chromatography can be used for many different aspects of food analysis including contamination as discussed in the article, How Safe is Safe? Analytical Tools for Tracing Contaminants in Food, or making better chocolate as discussed in the article, Rapid Screening of Volatile and Semi-Volatile Organic Components in Cocoa Beans and Chocolate Products Using a Portable GC/MS System.

The researchers aim was to validate a chromatography method, but the work highlights some of the risks that people face when they take unregulated supplements. Out of 213 samples tested from 52 different products almost 27% of the samples contained more than 120% of the caffeine levels stated on the labels.

The researchers argue that by considering the maximum recommended dose on the product labels, several of the samples could lead to people taking a dose of caffeine above the recommended daily allowance of 400mg.

Equally worrying, in 28 of the samples the researchers identified undeclared drugs including drugs banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency particularly troubling for any athletes taking one of these supplements.

The work highlights that you must be careful what you take. Can you trust the manufacturer of the supplement? Regulations on labelling vary around the world and the internet means you can shop anywhere. Be careful.

See the original post:

Watching Your Weight Chromatography Analyses Brazilian Supplements - Chromatography Today

Packaged like fish food, packed with healthy stuff.

The term superfood gets thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean? Beyond the arbitrary nature of the buzzword, it could really apply to any whole food containing potent nutrients that provide a broad range of health benefits. Some examples include matcha, broccoli sprouts and salmon. The only trouble with superfoods is that theyre often expensive because of their high quality and are sometimes hard to find. So while real food almost always tops supplements, if youre trying to include more than a couple and dont want to bust your budget, it can be hard going. Enter a growing range of powders, goos and such made from whole ingredients yet condensed down into a portable package. Despite the fact many are packaged too look like something youd drop in a gold fish bowl, we tested a few and here are the top three of the superfood supplement crop:

HANAH One

After being hurt in a bike accident in his second Ironman, Joel Einhorn needed a way to speed his recovery process. After a lot of self-experimentation he found the ancient healing practice of Ayurveda and then journeyed to India to work with expert Dr. V.A. Venugopal, who introduced him to a broad range of curative plants found in the Himalayas, particularly by those used by mountain guides. They settled on 30 of these to put into HANAH One, alongside ghee and sesame oil which helps your body process the phytochemicals. The result is a dark, smoky-tasting goo that looks like (this is for you Brits and Aussies) Marmite or Veggiemite. Ingredients like Indian gooseberry increase blood-flow, while Terminalia Bellirica increases rejuvenation. While the jar will last you longer, we found that the single-serve sachets of HANAH One are very convenient on the go, such as when on a camping trip above tree line. And if youre somewhere off the grid and forget to bring your coffee pot, HANAH One gives you an even, consistent energy boost despite being caffeine-free.

UB Super

UB Super-founder Scott Kanyok scoured the planet for some of the most potent plant foods around and then spent a couple of years tinkering with them, settling on hormone-balancing maca root, cell regenerating camu camu and blood sugar-stabilizing acerola cherry. Then he added high quality grass fed whey to the final blend or a vegan protein blend if you cant or dont do dairy. A bonus is fulvic minerals that help other micronutrients cross cell walls to aid their absorption and reduce free radical damage. We like the chocolate flavor best, not least because the flavor comes from organic cacao instead of some artificial flavor. UB Super packets are handy if you want to mix up a post-workout shake at your gym and all the better if theres a fridge available so you can fill your shaker bottle with milk if youre going the whey route or an alternative like hemp milk if youre vegan (you can use water if theres no refrigeration available). If youre at home, we like adding in blueberries, raspberries or blackberries and a scoop of peanut or almond butter.

Amazing Grass Green Superfood

This one has been around for a while but of all the green blends weve tested, its still king of the hill. In addition to packing a potent veggie punch with the usual suspects broccoli, spinach and alfalfa, the folks at Amazing Grass have crammed in magnesium-loaded (anxiety reduction) chlorella, iron-rich spirulina and, as the company name suggests, B vitamin (energy metabolism) powerhouse barley grass and chlorophyll-stacked (blood-boosting) wheat grass. There are also gut health-promoting prebioitics and probiotics included, plus some extra fiber from flax seeds and apple pectin. Green Superfood comes in a range of flavors, including pineapple lemongrass, sweet berry and tangerine, but we still like the originals clean, earthy taste. One of the best uses we found for it is to boost the immune system while traveling, when its hard to find good quality veggies on-the-go (not least at the airport food court or on the plane). Just put a scoop in your water bottle, shake for a few seconds and youve got a good nutritional start to your journey. Plus, the container easily fits in a carry-on bag with no concerns about leaking.

Read more from the original source:

I Tested 3 Super Food Supplements; Here's What I Found - TheInertia.com

In addition to slathering on sunscreen (I prefer mineral-based blocks with zinc and titanium), you might find extra ways ways to protect your skin in the fridge or pantry or medicine cabinet. Research shows that certain foods and supplements can enhance your skin's natural protection ability and minimize sun damage.

Of course, sunburn is an inflammatory condition caused by overexposure to the ultraviolet rays in sunlight. Sunburn is never good.

To decrease the risk of burning, remember sun safety basics using hats, sunglasses, special sun clothing and sunscreen. Also, stay away from most processed foods, simple carbs like sugar and vegetable oils that turn on the internal inflammatory response.

Here are some nutrients to eat as part of your safe sun program.

Vitamin C

Enjoy citrus fruits of all kinds, strawberries, kiwis, papaya, guava, black currants, chili peppers, bell peppers, brussel sprouts and greens like kale and spinach.

Vitamin E

Almonds are my go-to snack food and are rich in Vitamin E. Mustard greens, turnip greens, chard, spinach and sunflower seeds also pack a lot of E.

Lycopene

Tomatoes, especially cooked tomato paste and sauce, are high in lycopene. In a German study, participants who ate a quarter cup of tomato paste with olive oil every day for 10 weeks experienced 35 percent less skin reddening when exposed to UV radiation than those who did not eat the tomato paste. Watermelon has 40 percent more than tomatoes. I love a watermelon, basil and feta salad.

Omega3 essential fatty acids

Think grilled salmon for dinner and put ground flaxseed or flaxseed oil in your morning smoothie.

Vitamin D

Salmon, sardines, caviar and tuna are rich sources of Vitamin D. So are milk, eggs and mushrooms. Sunlight promotes vitamin D synthesis from cholesterol in the skin, so some limited sun exposure is healthy. Vitamin D has numerous positive effects, including stabilization of the pigment melanin that protects our skin.

Antioxidants

Eat foods like grapes and pop them in the freezer for a cold treat. Pomegranates are full of antioxidants as well. Green tea has ECGC, which research showed stopped genetic damage in human skin cells exposed to UV light. Green tea also has tannic acid and can be soothing to sunburned skin. Consider green tea and pomegranate seeds for a summer refresher.

Beta-carotene

Eat carrots for your eyes and skin. Beta-carotene also helps protect the skin against the free radical damage caused from sun exposure, especially when combined with vitamin E.

Astaxanthin

The richest natural food sources of astaxanthin are red or pink fish, seafoods and algae sourced from the sea. Wild sockeye salmon has the highest concentration.

If you avoid foods in certain groups, supplements are available to make sure that you have adequate levels.

Dr. Susan Mathison founded Catalyst Medical Center in Fargo and created PositivelyBeautiful.com. Email her at info@catalystmedicalcenter.com.

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Eat these foods to prevent sun damage - Daily Republic

Its 2017and while kombucha, bone broth , and medicinal mushroom tonics are currently as common as a morning latte, theres one throwback wellness staple thats making a cool comeback. A new wave of nutritional beauty supplements is taking the market by storm, targeting skin health, hair sheen, and even eye strength. And although they may rely on science-backed ingredients and high-quality extracts, they look nothing like their clinical predecessors. Instead, they arrive in sleek glossy packs that are more likely to be stocked at a discerning beauty boutiquewhere you can shop them alongside your favorite lipsticks or lash-volumizing mascarasthan the local health food store.

Everyone wants to look better faster, says New York City nutritionist Robin Barrie Kaiden, M.S., R.D. of the desire to pop a single pill that can fast-track results. And while she cautions that there is no quick fixsupplements should be part of a 360 degree approach to a healthy diet and lifestyle, and taken under the supervision of a doctorthere are research-tested ingredients that may contribute to the big picture. Here, five of our favorite supplement blends for the months ahead.

THE AGE-DEFYING SKIN FIX German molecular scientist and celebrity dermatologist Barbara Sturms Skin Food is designed specifically to combat the visible signs of skin aging, thanks to one hero ingredient. Purslane, a superfood compound developed in collaboration with doctors at the University of Miami, helps fight inflammation while activating the bodys own youth enzymes. Additional ingredients like glucosamine (which boosts hyaluronic acid production), Japanese Knotweed Root Extract (which is packed with anti-aging Resveratrol), and high-quality antioxidants round out the complex, which promotes the skins ability to maintain its best elasticity, texture and tone.

THE STRESS-BUSTING BLEND Gwyneth Paltrows buzzy line of Goop vitamins, formulated in conjunction with Clean Program founder Dr. Alejandro Junger, have cheeky names. But the ingredients in the wellness brands Why Am I So Effing Tired? formula are no joke. The mix aims to combat adrenal fatigue, increase energy levels, and diminish stress with a combination of Vitamin B, Omega 3s (derived from anchovy, sardine, and mackerel) a Viviscal nd ancient Ayurvedic herbs like bacopa, amla, and holy basil.

THE SCREEN-VISION SAVER Surfing Net-A-Porter, scheduling catch-up time with friends, and ordering dinner in a matter of minutes from your Smartphone makes for efficient multi-tasking, but it may also contribute to screen-strained vision. With the average person spending up to ten hours a day in front of a screen, opthamologists have seen a surge of complaints ranging from blurred vision to light sensitivity. In an effort to combat the damaging free radicals that lead to macular degeneration, Occugards Blutein Protection supplement combines antioxidants like lutein, which helps to filter high-energy blue light, and vitamin A to boost allover eye health. Kaiden also suggests clients turn off electronics an hour before bedtime to let the eyes rest from a day of technological stress.

THE GOOD HAIR DAY GUARANTEE The hair growth supplement Viviscal is as common backstage as lash-plumping mascara these days, thanks to legions of supermodel testimonials. Now, celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin , whose clients include Bella Hadid and Kim Kardashian West, is launching a Hollywood-bound supplement for dry, brittle, or thinning hair. Ouais Dry Hair pack promotes shine, hydration, and prevents breakage with a mix of vitamin E, amino acids, and biotin. Arriving in a compact silver foil sheet, they're sure to fit into even the tiniest of It-Girl clutches.

THE NEW SLEEPING PILL While there are a few dietary modifications that may help you get a good nights rest , Perricone MDs Sleep Booster aims to distill sleep maximizing vitamins into a single pill. Magnesium and melatonin can promote relaxation, explains Kaiden of the supplement's key ingredients. Also in each little ampoule: Extracts of ashwagandha, an adaptogen that has shown promise in helping the body cope with anxiety.

More:

5 New Beauty Supplements That Will Help You Look and Feel Better - Vogue.com

Dr. Omar P. Haqqani

Dr. Omar P. Haqqani

Cardiovascular disease continues to be responsible for more deaths in the United States than any other disease. As physicians, we use medications to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, to control the workload of the heart and to increase blood and oxygen flow.

In some cases, we also use surgical procedures to address life-threatening cardiovascular conditions. But we are often asked by our patients if vitamin and mineral supplements could help in managing their condition or in generally improving their cardiovascular health.

This is a viable question, particularly since supplement labels make some very dramatic claims. While some research shows that supplements may help lower cholesterol or blood pressure, it remains unclear if they can prevent or improve cardiovascular disease. It's important for patients to understand the science of supplements and to have realistic expectations about how they might impact cardiovascular health.

Popular supplements

There is a wide variety of supplements that claim cardiovascular benefits. Some of the most popular and the ones we are asked about most include:

Fish oil, garlic -- attributed to preventing plaque build-up in arteries, lowering blood pressure and increasing "good" cholesterol.

Antioxidants -- credited for repairing cell damage caused by free radicals, including the cells in our hearts and lungs.

Vitamin D, B vitamins -- said to be helpful in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart disease.

Fiber -- found to reduce the amount of cholesterol your body absorbs from food.

Probiotics -- thought to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

It is true that all of these can positively impact cardiovascular health, but the ingredients that do the work are all found in food, and recommended daily levels can usually be maintained by simply eating properly.

Eating fish each week and cooking with garlic or garlic oil can help with plaque build-up and high cholesterol. Antioxidants can be found in berries, dark chocolate and dark green vegetables. Dairy products, egg yolks and whole grain cereals contain vitamins D and B which can lower risk of heart disease. And fiber and probiotics that help lower blood pressure are found in vegetables, fruits, beans and grains. Isolating these important nutrients in pill form rather than ingesting them through food is not advisable.

Food first

Food contains hundreds of ingredients that, together, promote good cardiovascular health. Because there is no supplement that can adequately replace all the benefits of food, it is best to use food as your primary source of nutrition, then supplement any gaps if necessary.

Assess your overall eating habits to determine if you can make small dietary changes that would allow you to avoid supplements. If there are one or two food groups you dislike, learn about the key nutrients in them and then choose a supplement to meet only those needs. If you eat a large amount of fast food and frequently drink low-nutrition drinks such as colas or tea, you should consider making significant overall changes in your diet before adding supplements.

Supplement safety

Patients who have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease should talk to their physicians prior to using any supplement, even a simple multivitamin. Certain supplements may actually be harmful to these patients since they can reduce the effectiveness of medications prescribed for heart failure, coronary artery disease or high cholesterol. In some instances, supplements such as L-carnitine and lecithin can even contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries of certain people.

If you are under the care of a physician for any cardiovascular condition, you must follow your doctor's advice and be certain to discuss the effect of any supplement you consider. If you do not suffer from a cardiovascular condition, seek advice from your family physician or a nutritionist who can help you make an informed choice.

The key to outstanding cardiovascular health is not consuming isolated nutrients in the form of a pill but, rather, eating more foods that contain all the nutrients our bodies need.

Dr. Omar P. Haqqani is the chief of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at Vascular Health Clinics in Midland.

Link:

Haqqani: - Midland Daily News