The beneficial results from recent research and testing of vitamin D are astounding. Originally prescribed only by nutritionists for maintaining bone health and overshadowed by recent health fads like pomegranate juice and the açai berry, recent research suggests vitamin D can decrease the risk of common killers that include cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and pneumonia. In fact, one Finnish study followed 1200 children for 30 years and found the children who took a 2000 IU vitamin D every day had an 80% reduced risk of developing Type 1 diabetes.

Who is at risk and what is the health cost? Despite the many benefits, an estimated 75% of Americans are vitamin D deficient. Populations close to the equator appear less deficient than those further away and darker skin requires more sun exposure to synthesize vitamin D.

Prolonged deficiency of this nutrient can have serious consequences. A report from Canada found the cost in human mortality would fall by 37,000 deaths annually if Canadians increased vitamin D levels.

What is the optimum vitamin D dosage? Scientists still can’t agree on an optimum vitamin D dose. For years, the Federal Drug Administration has recommended 200 International Units (IU) of vitamin D per day from infancy to age 50. Most researchers agree this number is outdated and speculate between 1000 and 2000 IU per day would be a beneficial daily dose.

For more detailed information about vitamin D research and links to vitamin D-related articles, visit https://omegacookie.com/omega-cookie-vitamind.php.

Sources:

Brody, Jane E. “What Do You Lack? Probably Vitamin D.” The New York Times – Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 26 July 2010. Web. 28 July 2010.

Elina, Hypponen. “Intake of Vitamin D and Risk of Type I Diabetes: A Birth-Cohort Study.” Search Journal. The Lancet, 3 Nov. 2001. Web. 28 July 2010.

Grant, W. B. “An Estimate of the Economic Burden and Premature Deaths Due to Vitamin D Deficiency in Canada.” PubMed.com. U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, 29 Mar. 2010. Web. 28 July 2010.

“Vitamin D ‘reduces Risk of Diabetes’” BBC News – Home. 2 Nov. 2001. Web. 28 July 2010.

Following 35,016 post-menopausal women for six years, the study found that women who took omega-3 supplements had a 32 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer.

The research does not provide enough conclusive evidence that omega-3 can ward off cancer. Yet, the findings are intriguing in light of earlier omega-3 research.

According to an article published in the journal Anticancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, scientists found that omega-3 slowed the growth of cancer cells and killed cancer cells in a variety of human cancer strains, including colonic, pancreatic, prostate, and breast cancer. Other research found that substituting fish oil for corn oil in the diet slowed the growth of tumors in rodents.

Anne-Marie Chalmers, MD, an omega-3 expert and co-founder of Ambo Health, believes that men and women do not need to wait to introduce omega-3 fish oil into their diet.

“With 10,000 studies already suggesting that omega-3 fish oil is essential for managing and preventing heart disease, arthritis pain, and even helping improve mood and focus, we know omega-3 is a vital part of any healthy diet,” Dr. Chalmers said.

Still, she acknowledges that there needs to be more research on omega-3 and cancer prevention, especially focusing on the optimal omega-3 dose for benefiting the body.

More research is underway. Harvard University has launched a new study to investigate whether fish oil and other vitamin supplements prevent cancer, heart disease, and stroke in older men and women.

Sources:

Clarke, Suzan. “Breast Cancer: Can Fish Oil and Omega-3 Fatty Acids Really Reduce the Risk? – ABC News.” ABCNews.com – Breaking News, Politics, Online News, World News, Feature Stories, Celebrity Interviews and More – ABC News. 8 July 2010. Web. 12 July 2010.

Wendel, M., and A. Heller. “Anticancer Actions of Omega-3 Fatty Acids–current State and Future Perspectives.” PubMed.gov. Web. 12 July 2010.

Periodontitis is the number one reason for adult tooth loss. Common symptoms include bad breath, space between teeth, oral pockets and receding gums. Scientists also note a clear association between cardiovascular disease and periodontitis.

A newly released study from the Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology in Egypt reports the impact of omega-3 and aspirin on chronic periodontitis, a gum disease that affects many adults in the United States every year.

Researchers supplemented the diets of study participants who had advanced chronic periodontitis with omega-3 and a low dose of aspirin. After 6 months, the omega-3 and aspirin group showed a significant reduction in the number of oral pockets. Because omega-3 appears to ameliorate and prevent the mouth’s inflammation reaction to the periodontitis-causing bacteria, researchers believe the anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 fish oil promote healthier gums. They concluded that omega-3 and a low dose aspirin regiment would be a sustainable, affordable way of managing and preventing the gum disease.

This is not the first time researchers have linked omega-3 to promoting oral health. Numerous studies from research institutions around the world have analyzed the effects of omega-3 on periodontitis and gingivitis, a milder form of the gum disease. Research reports consistently reveal that intake of omega-3 help prevent and manage periodontitis.

Of course, taking omega-3 fish oil is not enough to keep gum disease at bay. Dentists suggest that daily brushing, flossing and regular professional cleaning are the easiest ways to prevent periodontitis.

But for those who are disposed to gum disease, omega-3 can be a determining factor for managing the infection. So keep chugging your two teaspoons of omega-3 fish oil every day. It will give you something extra to smile about.

Sources:

Bendyk, A. “Effect of Dietary Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Experimental Periodontitis in the Mouse.” Diss. University of Adelaide, 2009. Abstract.  PubMed.gov. 6 Feb. 2009. Web. 29 June 2010.

El-Sharkawy, H. “Adjunctive Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis with Daily Dietary Supplementation with Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Low-Dose Aspirin.” Diss.  Mansoura University, 2010. Abstract. PubMed.gov. 23 June 2010. Web. 29 June 2010.

Staff, Mayo Clinic. “Gingivitis – MayoClinic.com.” Mayo Clinic Medical Information and Tools for Healthy Living – MayoClinic.com. 18 Nov. 2008. Web. 29 June 2010.

Staff, Mayo Clinic. “Periodontitis: Symptoms – MayoClinic.com.” Mayo Clinic Medical Information and Tools for Healthy Living – MayoClinic.com. 22 Nov. 2008. Web. 30 June 2010.

After a one week business trip to Kentucky, featuring a steady diet of fried chicken, trans-fatty donuts, and nutrient-free iceberg salads, my joints ached from all the omega-6s and junk food. I knew I needed to plan my travel diet before I attended any more of these conferences.

So from one traveler to another, here are some suggestions for keeping healthy and happy during the summer season:

Bring Your Own Food: The easiest way to control your diet when you are traveling is to bring your own food. With fast-food joints crowding the terminals, airports can be the doom of health-conscious travelers. Instead of succumbing to the burrito and fries snack, be proactive and bring something from home. A piece of fruit, a bag of nuts, a homemade sandwich, or an Omega Cookie goes a long way to tide you over until the next destination. Not only are the options inexpensive compared to the airport prices, but much better for your body. Packing a healthy snack doesn’t require more than a few seconds of planning.

Drink Enough Water: At the airport, getting enough water can be tricky – especially when security limits the liquids you can bring through the gates. Instead of letting the flight attendants regulate your drinking schedule, bring an empty water bottle through security. Once you’ve passed the screening, fill the bottle with water and enjoy the luxury of making a healthy choice.

Use the Local Resources: If you are discontented with the hotel breakfasts, check out the local grocery stores. Grocery stores usually have a wide variety of healthy foods that can be eaten without preparation – fruits, individual-sized milk cartons, sushi, and power bars. Grocery stores are also a good way of sampling the local cuisine and seasonal fruits and vegetables, instead of the generic hotel fare.

It’s OK to Indulge: When you are out traveling, some pleasures are better to enjoy than pass up for the sake of health. I must admit I bought a box of Bourbon Balls during my stay in Lexington, KY, and never regretted eating the delicious, pecan-topped chocolates.

The next time you hit the road, consider a few quick and easy ways to stay healthy. Then you won’t be at the mercy of prepared foods, refined sugar, and bad fats.

Every day, the question crops up at dinner tables and grocery stores. It seems I can scarcely put food in my mouth without someone scanning the label for the calorie count.

We live in a calorie-obsessed nation, where even children are taught to fear calories as the agents of obesity.

A friend and dietician told me about her experience teaching nutrition to 5^th graders. She said, “Most of the kids thought calories were something bad. I had to explain that calories were a way of measuring the energy needed to make their bodies function properly.”

She raises an excellent point. Rather than thinking all calories are “bad” or something to avoid, we have to understand the nutritional value behind the calories we consume.

Consider a Twinkie® and a health bar made with oatmeal and pieces of dried fruit. The two foods could contain the same number of calories, but their nutritional values are drastically different.

The supposedly simple strategy of losing weight – eat less and exercise more – turns troublesome when we automatically assume all low-calorie foods are good for us. 

I remember my friend Susan carefully monitoring her weight, and counting every calorie she put in her mouth. During one of our morning walks, she proudly explained that she had eaten a bagel for breakfast that contained only 150 calories.

What Susan didn’t consider was that her 150-calorie bagel contained a tremendous amount of trans fats. Studies now suggest that a person who consumes a lot of calories from trans fats may be more likely to gain weight compared to those who consume the same amount of  calories from other types of fats, carbohydrates or proteins.

To start solving the obesity epidemic, we have to ask the right questions: not only how many calories, but what’s in those calories?

Next time you head to the grocery store and see a package advertising 100-calorie cookies, turn over the label and look at the ingredients. If you read trans fats, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, or high fructose corn syrup on the list, drop it like a hot pan – no matter how few calories it contains.

As many Omega Cure customers may know, Ambo Health’s sister company, Wellpride, creates a fish oil supplement for competitive sports horses. How does omega-3 fish oil give horses a leg up on the competition?

Horse owners have reported improved athletic performance when they supplement their horses’ feed with Wellpride, citing improved endurance, increased stride, and a decrease in recovery time. Whether sprinting in the Kentucky Derby or jumping over stone walls in competitions, these horses face a demanding physical routine that requires optimal fitness.

US Olympian Gina Miles and her horse McKinlaigh are an example of improved performance from omega-3 fish oil. One year after using Wellpride as a feed supplement, Miles and McKinlaigh took the gold medal at the 2007 Pan American Games.

“McKinlaigh was not only the fastest of the U.S. horses, but he also recovered the fastest and was one of only three clean show jumping rounds,” said Miles to Wellpride following her Pan American victory.

Studies show that omega-3 regulates the heartbeat, which means a steadier pulse during a long run. Omega-3 also acts as the body’s natural anti-inflammation agent. Because omega-3 eases the joint pains and muscle soreness after working out, less inflammation means a faster recovery time.

If you are not convinced to put on your running shoes just yet, listen to this heartening study: according to the American Society for Nutrition, consuming omega-3 fish oil alongside a regular exercise routine significantly reduces body fat, more so than exercise alone.

With all the good news about omega-3 fish oil and exercise, you’ll probably want to do an extra lap in celebration. But make sure your swig contains 2-3 teaspoons of fish oil – the dose necessary to kick your personal best up a notch or two.

For 30 years, omega-3 from fatty fish has been extensively researched by universities and research centers around the world. Information on krill oil has only been available for the past few years. There are more than 10,000 individual clinical trials analyzing the efficacy and safety of omega-3 fish oils, while krill oil can only credit a handful of studies, all of which have been paid for by companies manufacturing krill oil.

Krill oil comes from a small shrimp-like creature – the favorite food of whales, seals, dolphins and penguins. There are only modest amounts of omega-3 in krill oil compared to fish oil, but krill oil does contain a small amount of powerful anti-oxidant and chemical substances called phospholipids, which are not present in fish oil. Krill oil sellers claim ‘better absorption’ because EPA and DHA are connected to these phospholipids. However, there are no peer-reviewed reports that substantiate these claims. At the same time, krill oil might contain proteins that can be dangerous for people prone to allergic reactions.

The anti-oxidant, astaxanthin and the phospholipids make krill oil interesting, but the lack of long-term safety studies and clinical effects warrants caution. In addition, the price is easily 10 times that of fish oil.

In Norway, one krill oil manufacturer states that krill oil increases the omega-3 index by 59% in six weeks or 100% when using four times the recommended dose. One Omega Cookie® per day increases the same index 100% in the same time. So if this is the measure of efficacy, krill oil doesn’t seem all that impressive.

Ambo Foods and Ambo Health have two guiding principles: Safety and clinical potency. At this point, krill oil lacks documentation for both. Down the road, when and if krill proves to be a cost-effective way of improving our customers’ health, we will be happy to add it to our products. But it has to earn its place.

Reference:
Aker Bio Marine: Superba Krill, Brochure
(Superba Krill is used by Dr Mercola and MegaRed ®)

Clearly, changes in the omega-3 levels likely drive the morphology and function of sperm.

Arand Pierce, in the article “Why is Intelligence Correlated with Semen Quality?” takes this one step farther and discusses why polyunsaturated fatty acids DHA and arachidonic acid (AA) provide a common biochemical pathway for both sperm and neuron function. In other words, intelligence and sperm quality are correlated because DHA levels influence both.

Both in sperm and in neurons, the DHA molecule’s flexibility allows the cell membrane to function more efficiently, making signals travel more quickly and easily from neuron to neuron and from sperm to egg. Biochemically, the fertilization process is sort of a “synaptic communication between gametes [baby making cells] or – it could also be argued – synaptic communication is the way neurons impregnate each other with information.”²

It makes sense that basic cellular biochemistry would be the same across different organs’ tissues and cell types. Interestingly, it is the inter-related biochemistry of polyunsaturated fatty acids that is important not only in fertility but also in brain function – for parents and their developing babies. Using Omega Cure or eating Omega Cookies is a wonderful way to keep sperm wiggling happily on a baby-making adventure.

1. Clinical Nutrition: “Relationship of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids with semen characteristics, and anti-oxidant status of seminal plasma: A comparison between fertile and infertile men.” 27 July 2009.
2. Communicative and Integrative Biology: “Why is intelligence correlated with semen quality? Biochemical pathways common to sperm and neuron function, and their vulnerability to pleiotropic mutations.” September/October 2009.

On behalf of the 80% of women who experience hot flashes during menopause, let me tell you: it feels like the thermostat on your inner furnace has been screwed up. The body floods the skin with sweat in an effort to cool down. One girlfriend lamented, “I feel like a cooked lobster.”

The frequency of hot flashes can vary from once a week to every 30 minutes, lasting anywhere between a few seconds and several minutes. Normally they happen at night, which kills a good night’s rest, which in turn generates quite a bit of stress. In addition to temperature changes and mood swings, some women complain about dizziness, and feel sick to their stomachs or have fast heartbeats.

What causes hot flashes in 45- to 55-year-old women? The answer: Their estrogen levels plummet.

Which brings me back to my original declaration: I am a fish oil junkie. I didn’t fully appreciate my Omega Cure addiction until my body started going through the “cold turkey” period. These so-called “mid-life changes” struck with a vengeance, keeping me awake with periodic hot and sweaty bouts.

For years, other women had mentioned to me that they were desperate to get their Omega Cure because it decreased the intensity and frequency of their hot flashes. But I never understood my own dependence on omega-3 until I lay in bed sweating, taking off my nightgown and putting it back on every five minutes. As I lay there, all those claims that omega-3 fish oil alleviates hot flashes and mood swings really began to matter to me.

Turns out my personal revelation is starting to be shared by scientists worldwide. A growing number of scientific accounts are starting to substantiate these anecdotal claims. For instance, a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial (pretty much the most iron-clad kind of research you can do) published in November 2008 suggests that EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), one of the omega-3s found in fish oil, could alleviate hot flashes. A total of 120 women were randomly assigned to either E-EPA (ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid) or a placebo for eight weeks. After eight weeks of taking 1000 grams of EPA a day (just as much as in two teaspoons of Omega Cure), the women experienced half as many hot flashes as the placebo group.

Another study from Italy compared the benefits of using a soy isoflavone supplement compared to taking omega-3 fish oil capsules. While the soy isoflavone group had the same results as the placebo group, the fish oil users, again, experienced a steady decline in hot flash frequency.

The Italian researchers offered some insight as to why omega-3s might reduce hot flashes: “PUFAs [polyunsaturated fatty acids], particularly omega-3 fatty acids, could reduce hot flashes through their influence on neuronal [brain cell] membranes and/or the modulation of the neurotransmitter function and the serotoninergic system.” The “serotoninergic system” is the metabolic process that produces serotonin, a key mood-modulating chemical in the brain.

The scientists had described exactly what I experienced when I started hitting my Omega Cure bottle again. And boy – it sure feels delightful to have my inner thermostat regulated so I’m not pulling my nightgown on and off  all through the night.

Wishing you a happy, not-too-hot summer,
Dr. Anne Marie Chalmers, MD
President, Ambo Health, LLC

Sources:

• The European Journal of Clinical Nutrition: “Menstrual pain in Danish women correlated with low n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake.” July 1995.
• The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology: “Supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the management of dysmenorrhea in adolescents.” April 1996.
• Menopause: “Effects of ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on hot flashes and quality of life among middle-aged women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.” 20 November 2008.
• Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy: “Dietary omega-3 fatty acids for women.” April 2007.

I’ll start with the bad news: an 18-month study indicates that for people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, with mild or moderate symptoms, it’s already too late for omega-3 to slow the decline of cognitive ability. This is in agreement with a previous study from Sweden demonstrating that while fish oil may be beneficial for people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, that effect disappears later on.

Some maybe-good news: Participants in the same trial who didn’t have the e4 version of the APOE gene – which increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s – did show slight improvement. For the 20 to 30 % of people with Alzheimer’s disease who lack this key gene, this is a topic to continue to watch as more research emerges.

The real good news: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, and multi-center study (in other words: producing data with virtually ironclad accuracy) had much more encouraging results. After six months of treatment of 485 healthy older people who reported slight memory decline, the patients who took DHA supplements experienced a significant improvement in scores on a basic memory test. Karin Yurko-Mauro, PhD, the scientist who led the study, said, “The benefit is roughly equivalent to having the learning and memory skills of someone three years younger.” It was probably tricky to find your car keys three years ago, too, but hey – that’s a start. While the chief medical and scientific officer of the Alzheimer’s Association, William Thies, PhD, said the association was not yet prepared to recommend DHA supplements; it’s worth noting that early Alzheimer’s detection is tricky, so it’s at least a good precaution. Plus, a recent five-country study showed that high fish consumption reduces the risk of dementia by 20%. Fish oil is low-risk, too: neither of the new studies reported any serious adverse effects of treatment. The second study even found that the DHA patients experienced a reduction in heart rate, which is rarely a bad thing.

There’s still one important caveat to discuss. In the second study, with the positive results, participants were receiving 900 mg of DHA daily. That’s the equivalent of five Nature Made fish oil capsules, which may not even be fully potent, seeing as the oil is old. (That’s why it’s enclosed in capsules. If you don’t believe me, slice one open and take a good whiff.) Plus those capsules have a good chance of “repeating” on you (to put it diplomatically) later in the day. So stick to Omega Cure – two teaspoons contain 1,005 mg of DHA, plus an equal amount of EPA, which can help out elsewhere in your body, especially with inflammation (arthritis relief, anyone?). Omega Cure just might be the freshest, tastiest fish oil out there, so it will go down easy, making both your brain and your taste buds happy.

Drink up,
Mary Gaulke

P.S. Omega Cookie fans? I just thought you’d like to know that each cookie contains 1350 mg each of DHA and EPA.)

Sources:

http://www.ajc.com/health/content/shared-auto/healthnews/alzh/628859.html

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090712145222.htm

http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ICAD/15054