[another_someone]

George seems too much worried to umbalance a natural condition, but I insist in saying that at the recommended doses it might be only a waste of money at worst.
BTW George, I am still waiting for your comments on the 'Shanghai report' and the engineers versus docs issue...where everything started from, last August.
When you get bored of vitamin intoxication issues, of course.

ikod

That was a long while back – had to search for it – did not even remember whether I had read it at the time or not (may have done, but just forgotten about it).

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=4987.0

It covers a number of issues, but if you want to start with the comparison between the engineering issue and the medical one.  I was going to list all of the differences between the medical profession and the engineering profession that might explain those apparent differences, but then realised that actually, in this context, there is not that much difference between the way the medical profession and the engineering profession react.  The difference rather arises from the nature of the two incidents you report.

The flight safety issue is a negative issue (the engineers are warning what not to do, they are not saying what should be done).  If you look at the usage of drugs today, it is much more difficult to introduce a new drug to the market than it is to have a drug withdrawn from the market as soon as there are any negative side effects found amongst the users of the drug (this is even true for those drugs that have many users who are totally happy with the drug – but fear of litigation from the minority will rapidly cause the drug to be removed from the market).

The aircraft industry is somewhat smaller than the medical industry, so things can happen more rapidly in the aircraft industry than in the medical industry, but it is still the case that getting a new component for an aircraft accepted takes much longer than getting one banned from use.

With regard to the Shanghai report itself (I have only seen the abstract, not the actual report), it provides a wide list of correlations, but as I have often pointed out, correlation does not equate to a causal link (I am not trying to argue against a link between vitamin D and leukaemia, it is merely that the report does not appear to be looking for specific causative agents, only to interesting correlations that would provide directions for future research).  It seems that the report found quite a spectrum of correlations, but the mere breadth of that spectrum would mean that any one single correlation would only be one amongst many.

Clearly, given your own particular interest, the report speaks to you in a particular way; but such a wide (and apparently shallow) report could easily give very different messages to somebody looking for another message to read from it.

Why did the authors not shout louder about the cod liver oil aspect of their report?  It seems to me they were more concerned with looking for environmental risk factors rather than protective factors, and in that context, a protective factor was merely a distraction (although it does seem strange why they even recording something that they were not interested in, unless they were simply trying to discount for it so that they effect did not distort their other results).

One serious problem with cod liver oil is the total collapse of the cod sticks and the cod fishing industry – it is in no position to try to satisfy new and expanding markets for its products.  This, if nothing else, demands that in the long run only a synthetic substitute for cod liver oil could be sustainably sold to an expanding marketplace.

[iko]

Thank you so much for your reply!
I think I'm going to copy into the topic,
for the next weeks 'viewers'

One serious problem with cod liver oil is the total collapse of the cod sticks and the cod fishing industry – it is in no position to try to satisfy new and expanding markets for its products.  This, if nothing else, demands that in the long run only a synthetic substitute for cod liver oil could be sustainably sold to an expanding marketplace.
George

There should be no major problem in the next few years.
Supplying leukemic patients won't do a great change in that market...I wouldn't talk of an expanding market.
Cod liver oil is too cheap and we need small doses: many people are busy trying to prove it is potentially toxic and packed with any pollutant you can imagine.
My doubts about synthetic compounds come from the fact that the so called 'evidence' is for the natural mixture and only an epidemiological one.
Different substances and their complex interactions may be involved.
I hope that some parent finds it through the web. We'll see.
Thanks to this forum.

ikod


Wow! I just noticed that in this very day we made 160: most on line than ever...
a good sign?  ...and Neil was not even around!

[iko]

Whether our elderly relatives need vitamin B12 or not,
to keep their brain in good shape is still a matter of
debate.  Negative reports prevailed in the past, now
times are changing a bit.
This is a positive report from Israel.
I find it sharp and encouraging indeed...
If only a few patients respond to a treatment, we have
to identify their 'size and shape', instead of throwing
the whole research in the garbage bin.

Neuropsychology of vitamin B12 deficiency in elderly dementia patients and control subjects.

Osimani A, Berger A, Friedman J, Porat-Katz BS, Abarbanel JM.Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel and the Department of Behavioral Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.

Cobalamin deficiency may cause cognitive deficits and even dementia. In Alzheimer's disease, the most frequent cause of dementia in elderly persons, low serum levels of vitamin B12, may be misleading. The aim of this work was to characterize the cognitive pattern of B12 deficiency and to compare it with that of Alzheimer's disease. Nineteen patients with low levels of vitamin B12 were neuropsychologically evaluated before treatment and a year later. Results were compared with those of 10 healthy control subjects. Final results suggest that there is a different pattern in both diseases. Twelve elderly patients with dementia improved with treatment. Seven elderly demented patients did not improve; they deteriorated after 1 year although their levels of cobalamin were normal. Analysis of the initial evaluation showed that the 2 groups of patients had a different neuropsychological profile. The group that improved had initially more psychotic problems and more deficits in concentration, visuospatial performance, and executive functions. They did not show language problems and ideomotor apraxia, which were present in the second group. Their memory pattern was also different. These findings suggest that cobalamin deficiency may cause a reversible dementia in elderly patients. This dementia may be differentiated from that of Alzheimer's disease by a thorough neuropsychological evaluation.

J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 2005 Mar;18(1):33-8.

http://content.answers.com/main/content/img/McGrawHill/Encyclopedia/images/CE734300FG0010.gif

[Alandriel]

May I be so bold and hark back somewhat to the original question about wether we need supplements or not?
For I think there is also another important issue here to consider which has not been addressed.

If the combination of foodstuff we eat from time to time is correct, thanks to our family traditions and culture, for example, we probably won't have any deficiency problem from the cradle to the end of our life.

That would indeed be great but we also have to take into account that much produce (veg & fruit)seem to have 'lost' quite a bit of their mineral/vitamin content vs e.g. 70 years ago.

We conclude that the average concentrations of Cu, Mg and Na in vegetables and the average concentrations of Cu, Fe and K in fruit available in the UK have decreased significantly between the 1930s and the 1980s.

article link]
... and that's just one example. There are many more.
(and if you know of any more links I'd appreciate your input)

Promoters of supplements (and I might stress that I'm NOT one of them) say we need to replace what we cannot get naturally.
And then there is the 'fortify' craze  [] which sometimes makes it impossible to choose anything...

I say we need to rethink our production methods and our consumption.... and get better legislation in place for 'organic'
and yes, the ready availability of some easy tests would be fabulous too.
It's hard to believe that there is not enough support for this...

[iko]

May I be so bold and hark back somewhat to the original question about wether we need supplements or not?
For I think there is also another important issue here to consider which has not been addressed.

If the combination of foodstuff we eat from time to time is correct, thanks to our family traditions and culture, for example, we probably won't have any deficiency problem from the cradle to the end of our life.

That would indeed be great but we also have to take into account that much produce (veg & fruit)seem to have 'lost' quite a bit of their mineral/vitamin content vs e.g. 70 years ago.

Hi Alandriel,

of course yours is a good question and no proper answer is available right now.
If we refer to recommended doses for 'perfect health' instead of deficiency-preventing needed daily amount we get lost and no simple and practical suggestion is available.

Sometimes the easier way is chosen if a scientist has got enough authority to push his theory and show the right 'evidences':   Linus Pauling tried to convince his collegues that we need at least 2grams of ascorbic acid per day because that is the average amount that monkeys get from their natural diets, and they 'lost' the enzyme to make vitamin C by themselves million years ago (like we humans).
I see tiny black spots and a lot of unknown things in this issue.
The major problem is that as humans, we are all unique and different (fortunately!), and our biological diversity and enzyme defects could make different diets sort out huge differences in the resulting 'state of health'.
We all know about gluten intolerance (celiac disease) and other food intolerances and allergies, but those diet-related ailments had been properly studied and evaluated only in the last few decades. So we may see a longer list in the future.
As far as cofactors and vitamins are concerned, I'll mention just one recent example for many to come, to underline how an invisible genetic defect and consequent enzyme abnormality with metabolic impairment can be adjusted by a proper diet:

http://www.rondellen.net/metab_eng.gif

Look at the MTHFR enzyme in this picture.  Imagine that this molecule, a complex protein with catalytic properties, in a certain human had a defect, due to an inherited genetic mutation, resulting in a wrong aminoacid close to its active site.  This genetically abnormal protein will not be able to work at regular speed and produce enough 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate to form methionine from homocysteine.  Homocysteine will accumulate inside and outside the cells with toxic effects.  Tiny vessels may be damaged by toxic levels of homocysteine and a stroke may result from those lesions.
But cofactors can help in some enzyme defects: in this particular case, increasing folic acid, vitamin B12 and B6 in the diet (look at the homocysteine crossroad in the diagram), higher cofactors availability is able to speed up enzyme activity and normalize this particular metabolic pathway.  So homocysteine is efficiently transformed and cannot accumulate anymore in the body, tiny vessels are happy again and the probability of a sudden vascular catastrophe will fall down.
Theoretically, patients can regularly check their homocysteine and test special diets rich in those cofactors, without taking any supplement.
Many more examples of metabolic defects like this will probably be defined in the near future, so the final answer to your question will be: "Each of us needs his own cofactors".

And the lot of us need cod liver oil!  []

Take care

ikod

[Melinda1958]

Attention News/Assignment/Health Editors:

Vitamin D Deficiency Drains $9 billion From Canadian Health Care System
    Vitamin D Society Declares November 'Vitamin D Awareness Month' in Canada

    KELOWNA, BC, Oct. 31 /CNW/ - Research this year has left no doubt that
vitamin D deficiency - which affects an estimated 97 per cent of Canadians in
the winter - is nothing less than a Canadian crisis and a worldwide problem.
    This is why Canada's Vitamin D Society is recognizing the month of
November as the world's first Vitamin D Awareness Month.

    <<
    Consider:

    -  Vitamin D deficiency in Canada is a multibillion-dollar contributor to
       skyrocketing health care costs, according to a soon-to-be published
       report commissioned by the Vitamin D Society. Dr. William Grant, whose
       Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center is a leading vitamin D
       advocacy group worldwide, is the study's author. Dr. Grant
       conservatively calculates the cost of vitamin D deficiency on the
       Canadian health care system to be no less than $9 billion annually,
       based on established disease risk reduction in individuals with
       natural vitamin D levels. Vitamin D deficiency is now associated with
       higher risks of 22 forms of cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis,
       osteoporosis, flu and many other disorders.

    -  A landmark Creighton University study this year - the first-ever
       clinical trial to confirm the results of hundreds of epidemiologic
       studies on this topic - showed that people rich in vitamin D have up
       to a 77 per cent lower overall cancer risk. Published in the American
       Journal of Clinical Nutrition in June, the four-year clinical trial
       followed 1,200 women who took high levels of vitamin D and matched
       them against a control group who did not take the vitamin. Those rich
       in vitamin D had up to 77 per cent fewer cancers as compared to the
       control group. That's twice the impact on cancer risk attributed to
       smoking.

    -  The Canadian Paediatric Society in September recommended that pregnant
       women consult their physicians about getting 2,000 international units
       (IU) of vitamin D daily - 10 times the current government
       recommendation - based on the avalanche of new pro-vitamin D research.
       Breast milk is believed to be a poor source of vitamin D only because
       mothers typically are deficient in vitamin D, according to Dr. John
       Godel, principal author of the Canadian Paediatric Society's
       statement.

    -  The Canadian Cancer Society in June called for all Canadian adults to
       get 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily. In a bold move in October, the group
       called for major medical institutions in North America to organize
       more clinical trials to further substantiate the vitamin D case.
    >>

    Long known only as the body's catalyst for proper calcium absorption,
vitamin D plays a key part in cell growth regulation in the body - a recent
discovery which explains how researchers in the past five years have
quantified the vitamin's role in the prevention of 22 forms of cancer as well
as heart disease, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis and several other
disorders.
    Because of the profound effects of vitamin D deficiency, the Vitamin D
Society is recognizing November in Canada as the world's first Vitamin D
Awareness Month. The message is simple:

    <<
    -  Canadians especially are at risk for Vitamin D deficiency because of
       the country's relatively weak sunshine most of the year and the fact
       that vitamin D is rare in diet, occurring naturally only in fatty
       fish. Milk typically is supplemented with vitamin D.

    -  The Vitamin D Society recommends asking your doctor for an annual
       blood test to check your vitamin D levels. More important than your
       daily intake of vitamin D is your actual vitamin D blood level, which
       can be measured with a calcidiol test (also known as a
       25-hydroxyvitamin D test). Optimal vitamin D blood levels are
       50 ng/mL (125 nmol/L), according to The Vitamin D Council.

    For more information on vitamin D visit:
    -  www.vitaminDsociety.org [nofollow]
    -  www.vitaminDcouncil.com [nofollow]
    -  www.Direct-ms.org [nofollow].
    -  www.sunarc.org [nofollow]
    >>

    The Vitamin D Society is a Canadian non-profit group organized to:
increase awareness of the many health conditions strongly linked to vitamin D
deficiency; encourage Canadians to be proactive in protecting their health and
have their vitamin D blood levels tested annually and fund valuable vitamin D
research.

    MEDIA: Canadian vitamin D expert Dr. Reinhold Vieth is available for
interviews. To arrange an interview, contact Olga Petrycki at 416-360-6522
ext. 226.



For further information: Olga Petrycki at (416) 360-6522 ext. 226

 
 

VITAMIN D SOCIETY - More on this organization 

News Releases
(2) 
Photo Archive 
 
 

 

  >TELL A FRIEND  >PRINTER FRIENDLY  >SUBSCRIBE TO PORTFOLIO E-MAIL

 

       
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Melinda1958]

If you are unsure if a vitamin especially multivitamin is doing you any good try this test..
Take an apple and cut it in fourths.  Place it in a glass of water to cover it.  Drop in the suspect vitamin.  Record how long it takes to dissolve, should be less than 1/2 hour.  Anything left after that will just be wasted.  Then after 4 days see what the condition of the water and the apple is.  If the apple looks healthy enough to eat the antioxidants n your vitamins are working.  If not, your cells aren't getting the level of support they need.  There are supplements out there that do protect the apple, I have seen them with my own eyes.

[Melinda1958]

CoEnzyme Q10 protects nerve cells

CoEnzyme Q10 has shown the ability to protect nerve cells and potentially lower the risk of various degenerative diseases.

Cells in the brain and nervous system depend on optimal mitochondrial function for energy. A research study published in the journal Neurobiology of Disease showed that oxidative stress causes mitochondria to produce excessive free radicals, leading to nerve cell damage and destruction. Due to its function in the mitochondrial energy process and its role as an antioxidant, researchers evaluated CoEnzyme Q10 for its ability to protect nerve cells.

The results of this study revealed that CoEnzyme Q10 inhibits the production of free radicals by the mitochondria and stabilizes the mitochondrial membrane when nerve cells are subjected to oxidative stress. CoEnzyme Q10 may therefore have a potential benefit in reducing the risk of various neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurobiol Dis. 2005 Apr;18(3):618-27

[iko]

Attention News/Assignment/Health Editors:

Vitamin D Deficiency Drains $9 billion From Canadian Health Care System
    Vitamin D Society Declares November 'Vitamin D Awareness Month' in Canada

    KELOWNA, BC, Oct. 31 /CNW/ - Research this year has left no doubt that
vitamin D deficiency - which affects an estimated 97 per cent of Canadians in
the winter - is nothing less than a Canadian crisis and a worldwide problem.
    This is why Canada's Vitamin D Society is recognizing the month of
November as the world's first Vitamin D Awareness Month.

...

        For more information on vitamin D visit:
    -  www.vitaminDsociety.org
    -  www.vitamindcouncil.com
    -  www.Direct-ms.org.
    -  www.sunarc.org
   

Up with Melinda1958 and her wonderful
vitamin D update...Oct.31!!!
It's gonna be tough anyway: vitamin D3
is cheap, already classified as a 'generic'
drug, even toxic when badly used, cod
liver oil seems a relic from the past.

http://jmachdutton.com/images/00218uncorkedelixirs356.jpg

But new, wonderful and properly priced
vitamin D3 analogues are on the way...
it seems that we have to wait just a
minute for a real,"effective" and
powerful commercial DRUG.

Fortunately, old cod liver oil is still
commonly used as a nutrient for pets,
dogs, horses, iguanas ...lucky beasts!

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=5065.75

ikod   [^]


...for your horses (if you have any):

BONE, HOOF, JOINT & MUSCLES

COD LIVER OIL

This non-heating oil for energy and mobility is high in fish Omega 3 & 6 essential oils (strictly speaking it is only suitable for carnivores as we do not often see horses fishing!) but it has been used for many years as an additive to equine feeds.  Any oil helps lubricate the joints of veterans of any species  and Cod Liver Oil also promotes a sleek coat and healthy skin as well as nutritional support for bones and hooves. 

Quality: ******* Health Cod Liver Oil is 100% pure and contains no heavy metals, it is important to find out if a cheaper version does.

Feeding: 10 to 20ml (20ml is about 1 tablespoon) per 100kg bodyweight (16.2hh is about 500kg) best divided between 2 feeds daily. Feed the lower rate for general maintenance and the higher for pregnant or lactating mares, breeding stallions, young stock and very hard working animals (eg. racehorses & highly competitive animals)  1Lt will last a general maintenance 500kg horse about 20 days and a high category 500kg horse about 10 days.

more from:   http://www.pegasushealth.com/productinfo.php?product_id=48

http://www.pegasusfirstaid.com.au/images/snuggle.jpg

********* COD LIVER OIL is a high energy oil which is palatable to all animals. The oil is derived from a cod's liver (fish), making it a pure natural product. It contains two essential fatty acids and important stabilised vitamins A and D. It is also widely known for its nutritional and therapeutic value and is used extensively on thoroughbred studs, racing, trotting and greyhound establishments and for birds.

VITAMIN A is an essential nutrient for all horses, dogs and cattle. It is necessary for general growth, bone formation and for the formation of visual purple in the eye. A deficiency of it leads to drying of mucous membranes, which makes them more susceptible to bacterial invasion. This also results in increased susceptibility to diseases in the respiratory tract. For females, during gestation and lactation, there is an increased need for vitamin A. For animals that are fed a high concentration of dry, prepared diets, vitamin A is essential as it may be lost during the food processing.

Suggested Dose Rates:
Large Animals ie. horses, cattle Age Small Animals ie. dogs, cats
15 ml Baby 1 ml
30 ml Yearling 3 ml
60 ml Adult 5 ml

VITAMIN D is important for growth of bones and teeth and it ensures the bodies right utilisation of calcium and phosphorus. A daily intake of ******** COD LIVER OIL will provide your animal with a fine healthy coat and skin. Animals housed and rugged are not able to intake natural vitamin D derived from the sunlight. Cod Liver Oil with vitamin D and two essential fatty acids helps overcome this deficiency.

more from:   http://www.equinade.com/products/facts-cod_liver_equinade.html

...it's for the birds!


http://www.seapets.co.uk/gallery/healthybird-thumb.jpg

[another_someone]

CoEnzyme Q10 protects nerve cells

CoEnzyme Q10 has shown the ability to protect nerve cells and potentially lower the risk of various degenerative diseases.

Cells in the brain and nervous system depend on optimal mitochondrial function for energy. A research study published in the journal Neurobiology of Disease showed that oxidative stress causes mitochondria to produce excessive free radicals, leading to nerve cell damage and destruction. Due to its function in the mitochondrial energy process and its role as an antioxidant, researchers evaluated CoEnzyme Q10 for its ability to protect nerve cells.

The results of this study revealed that CoEnzyme Q10 inhibits the production of free radicals by the mitochondria and stabilizes the mitochondrial membrane when nerve cells are subjected to oxidative stress. CoEnzyme Q10 may therefore have a potential benefit in reducing the risk of various neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurobiol Dis. 2005 Apr;18(3):618-27

http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/Coenzyme-Q10.html

Statins Inhibit Coenzyme Q10 Synthesis

Since coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and cholesterol are both synthesized from the same substance, mevalonate, statin drugs (Lipitor, Zocor, etc) also inhibit the body's synthesis of coenzyme Q10. This is not a "side effect," of statins, but a direct, inherent function of the drugs.

In fact, the use of statins can decrease the body's synthesis of coenzyme Q10 by as much as 40%!

http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/coq10.htm

The widespread use of statin drugs is of special concern because they can lower the endogenous levels of Coenzyme Q10, the naturally-occurring form of ubiquinone in humans. Ubiquinone is widely recognized as an essential component of energy metabolism in the electron-transfer system in mitochondrial membranes. At physiological concentrations it is also recognized as an effective lipid-soluble antioxidant. It is one of the end products of the mevalonate pathway where dolichol (a component of animal membranes) and cholesterol are synthesized. Both ubiqionone and dolichol are released by the liver cells into the blood circulation, but in much lower concentrations than that of cholesterol.

Ghirlanda et al(2) reported in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study a decrease of 50-54% of CoQ10 levels in the statin treatment groups, and similar results were reproduced by Watts et al(3).

Bliznakov and Wilkins reviewed studies of the effect of statins on the biosynthesis of Coenzyme Q10 and the clinical implication of CoQ10 deficiency.(4) The authors report that lovastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin lower the endogenous levels of Coenzyme Q10, as CoQ10 shares the common biosynthetic pathway with cholesterol.

Considering that Coenzyme Q10 is essential for mitochondrial function and antioxidant activity, and since oxidative mechanisms are important in atherogenesis, it can be assumed that a reduction in CoQ10 level may compromise coronary atherosclerosis despite optimal reduction in cholesterol levels by the use of statin drugs.

Furthermore, the reduction of ubiquinone levels might be associated with myopathy, a rare adverse effect associated with statin drugs. This "metabolic" myopathy is related to ubiquinone deficiency in muscle cell mitochondria, disturbing normal cellular respiration and causing adverse effects such as rhabdomyolysis, exercise intolerance, and recurrent myoglobinuria.(5)

It has also been suggested that CoQ10 deficiency can cause mitochondrial encephalomyopathies related to a primary or secondary ubiquinone deficient status, or even to an altered function of ubiquinone in the respiratory chain.(6) It is important to emphasize that Coenzyme Q10 supplementation does not interfere with the cholesterol-lowering effect of statin drugs(7) and therefore may be considered for all patients using such medications for an extended period of time.

Recognizing the importance of dietary supplementation with vitamins (E, C, B6, folate), and essential nutrients (CoQ10, L-arginine, propionyl L-carnitine) as an adjunct in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, we should pay attention to the potential adverse effect of drug-induced nutrient depletion affecting the aforementioned nutrients.

Pharmaceutical companies that market statin drugs should consider including the described CoQ10 potential depletion in their drug information materials provided to physicians and pharmacists, and they should encourage patients to consult their physician and pharmacist for appropriate supplementation.

Integration of nutritional medicine in the clinical practice of medicine can benefit for our patients using prescription medications for disease management and treatment.

[whale]

do we actually need vitamin suppliments? you see in boots for instance, a whole range of suppliments with a lot aimed at children.do children need suppliments?
I can see a case for them in more deprived countries where a balanced diet may not be possible.

don't take any myself, I prefer the natural way--juices or superfoods when I can afford them

You could amke a case for Vitamin C as we have a genetic defect blocking our making of it as Irwin Stone proved, and most folk are very defecient given their diet. 

Most pills are full of chemicals

Oils are important and you can get that without the pill factor--udos oil was one

[Bored chemist]

"Most pills are full of chemicals"
That's exactly what I buy them for, but just out of idle curiosity, what exactly could they be made from other than chemicals?

[whale]

you know what I meant.  Nutrients.

[Bored chemist]

Nutrients are exactly the sort of chemicals I usually buy pills for.

If I bought vitamin pills and they didn't have nutrients in them I'd report the sellers for fraud.

OK sometimes I'm after drugs, but most of the pills I swallow are vitamins. (I just don't like all the natural soources much and I want to be sure I'm getting enough)

[VitaminC]

I think the idea was that supplements are sometimes full of other things besides what they say on the label. For example, fish oils can have a lot of mercury in them, or PCBs. You have to trust your source... which usually means 'spend more money to get quality'

[Melinda1958]

do we actually need vitamin suppliments? you see in boots for instance, a whole range of supplements with a lot aimed at children.do children need supplements?
I can see a case for them in more deprived countries where a balanced diet may not be possible.

If you do your homework, you will find supplements out there that aren't full of chemicals that are man made. You have to eat pounds and pounds of food these days to get the equivalent of a good supplement, due to the over-processing and soil depletion.  It can be done but personally I can't eat that much.

[iko]

Hi Melinda1958,

I certainly agree with you.
I'm only a bit less pessimistic about my 'processed' food:
it is cheap, available where I live...and sometimes with less invisible moulds and aflatoxins of sort.
Plus a squeezed lemon and cod liver oil to fix it!  []

ikod

[Melinda1958]

Now, for the good news about TURMERIC EXTRACT:

 

Researchers have long been aware of the health benefits of the curry spice turmeric, which is the source of curcumin (or turmeric extract).  In fact, in India where turmeric is used daily Alzheimer's disease is nearly absent in a country (per the population size).   Curcurmin is the same thing as turmeric extract.  It is a powerful antioxidant and it has powerful anti-inflammatory properties.  Inflammation is one of the most destructive processes that damages our cells and organs, leading to disease and aging.   

 

Researchers have long studied the turmeric extract's application in fighting cancer, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and reversing the process underlying Alzheimer's disease.

 

One of the most important activites in the human body is turmeric extract's ability to inhibit chronic inflammation (by inhibiting activation of transcription factor, nuclear factor-kappa B, NF-kB).  What's the big deal?  Well, NF-kB activation has been implicated in ALL stages  of the development and propagation of cancer; and switching off the NF-kB genes, which turmeric extract seems to do has been a huge subject of intense research.

 

The National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C. has funded numerous studies on turmeric extract (curcumin) because of the diverse benefits of this antioxidant spice.    It effects virtually every organ of the body.  The applications include the treatment of cystic fibrosis (the most common genetic disorder in Caucasians), autoimmune diseases, such as sceleroderma, the prevention and treatment of cancer, the prevention and treatment of heart disease, reverse the damage associated with high blood sugar (diabetes), the prevention and treatment of both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and multiple sclerosis.  It may help prevent cataracts; it shows promise as a treatment for skin disorders such as psoriasis; and it helps in the treatment of wounds. 

 

Among other benefits, turmeric extract has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activities.  This is not said lightly, and should not be overlooked as a minor benefit, particularly in wound healing.

 

Of all the benefits of curcumin or turmeric extract, it is the prevention and treatment of cancer that has most scientist in awe.  One investigator wrote, "Curcumin ...has emerged as one of the most powerful chemopreventative and anticancer agents.  It's biological effects range from antioxidant and anti-inflammatory to inhibition of angiogenesis, and is shown to possess specific antitumoral activity."   Cancer Res 2007 Mar 1:67(5):1988

 

Although anticancer drugs weaken the immune system, turmeric extract strengthens the immune system as it fights cancer at every step of cancer development and propagation.

 

For cancer to develop, it has to initiate ...turmeric extract stops this.  It has to propagate (progression and promotion), ...turmeric extract stops this.  New blood vessels have to be formed to feed the new cancer cells so they can survive (angiogenesis), turmeric extract stop this, ... and turmeric extract induces apoptosis, the self-destruction of cancer cells.  It does all this while protecting the rest of the body from other diseases and inflammation.  Turmeric extract seems to be the perfect designer substance.  It appears that man could not design or develop a more perfect substance ....but, that doesn't mean it wouldn't stop them from trying.

 

Interesting, but not suprising to me, pharmaceutical companies are racing to try and come up with patentable compounds that mimic the actions of turmeric extract so they can make huge profits; when interesting enough the compound and benefits obviously already exist!  Ah, the greed of mankind never ceases to amaze me.  (But, we saw this with the benefits of the safety and effectiveness of grape seed extract and the eventual development of Vioxx and Celebrex, a Cox 2 inhibitor.  How did that work out for Big Pharma?  More importantly, how did it work out for the benefit of the patients?)

 

What specific cancers has turmeric extract (curcumin) been shown to benefit?

 

In 2007, scientists at the Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham published at report in the journal Cancer Research showing how turmeric extract (curmumin) reduced prostate cancer cells' production of a protein MDM2, which is associated with the formation of malignant tumors.  Simultaneously, curmumin prompted cells to produce another protein associated with apoptosis (programmed cell death).   Cancer Res 2007 Mar 1:67(5):1988

 

It's interesting that India has has one of the lowest incidence of prostate cancer rates in the world.  The annual prostate cancer incidence rate in India is ranges from 5.0 to 9.1 per 100,000/year.  In contrast, among white males in the U.S., the incidence is 110.4 per 100,000/year!   More than ten times higher.  For black males in the U.S., it is even HIGHER!   Could it be due to the consumption of turmeric?  The average intake of turmeric spice in India is 2 - 2.5 grams per day.  Thus, it is to our advantage to obtain turmeric extract that would surpass that in its equivalency by at least 3 to 6 fold.

 

Curcumin (turmeric extract) has been shown to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy agent, gemcitabine, in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.  This chemotherapy agent loses it effectiveness as the cancer progresses, curmcumin (turmeric extract) helps prevent the tumors resistance to the drug. 

 

Curcumin (turmeric extract) interferes with the proliferation of various types of colon cancer, and it enhances the efficacy of existing an existing chemotherapeutic agent, oxaliplatin in the fight against colon cancer.

 

Curcumin's effect against breast cancer is nothing short of amazing; both against a common variety of breast cancer cells, as well as a mutant line of breast cancer cells that have developed resistance to chemotherapy drugs.  Turmeric extract exerts its effects on cell proliferation, cycling  and death.  Turmeric extract (or curcumin) seems able to adapt its anticancer activity according to need, including in multi-drug resitant tumors of the breast, prostate, and leukemia cell lines.

 

Lastly, turmeric extract is particlurly beneficial in preventing cognitive decline, in the prevention or treatment of major disabling age-related neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and stroke.   Adv Ex Med Biol  2007;197

 

A few mechanism of action may account for such benefits.  Turmeric extract appears to reduce lead toxicity by raising levels of the antioxidant glutathione, as well as bind to (chelate) heavy metals and remove them.  Furthermore, turmeric extract is an antioxidant, protecting oxidative damage to neurons of the brain by promoting production of a protective enzyme hem oxygenase-1 (HO-1).  This is a fundamental defense mechanism for neurons exposed to oxidation.   (And, to think Pfizer wants us to use high-dose Lipitor to protect everyone from Alzheimer's disease.)

 

Memory loss begins by age 50, and by age 80, it predicted that half of us will advance to some form of dementia (Alzhemier's or not).   Asian epidemiological studies found that those who consumed curry (with the turmeric spice) showed strong evidence of "better cognitive performance" and "less age-related dementia."   Am J Empidemiol 2006 Nov 1;164(9):898

 

Okay, as always, "what about safety?"

 

Given that turmeric is a food that has been safely consumed for millennia (even by pregnant women), curcumin, or turmeric extract, would appear to be a perfect dietary supplement.   Altern Med Rev. 2001 Sep'6 Suppl S62-6   In fact, one researcher wrote, "Curcumin has an outstanding safety profile and a number of multifunctional actions ..."  Phase I clincal trials, using massive doses of curcumin, or turmeric extract (up to 8 grams/day for four months "did not result in discernable toxicities."  Adv Exp Med Biol 2007;565:471

 

The myriad of benefits to be obtained from turmeric extract are emerging with a clear safety margin.  Last week I wrote about the amazing benefits of obtaining at least 1,000 IU/day of vitamin D.

 

This week, I am going to suggest that you look to obtain at least 60 mg per day of turmeric extract, but may I suggest, that the benefits I am suggesting in this e-newsletter are going to be realized in the neighborhood of 600 to 1000 mg per day.

 

Personally, between the number of antioxidants per day, the number of "liver health maintenance product" I take per day (I take a few extra), and the product I take to help "maintain the health of my joints," I am obtaining well over 700 mg of turmeric extract per day. 

 

Add that to the 1,200 IU/day of vitamin D I am obtaining, plus the full-range of antioxidants I get, along with my omega-3 fatty acids, and I think I doing pretty well.

 

No nutritional supplement program is a guaratee against any disease, or even death.  It's all about protecting our cells, helping them operate at their optimum, avoiding toxic substances as best we can, and then doing our best to live the best lifestyle we can.

 

I hope to see you on tomorrow night's webcast.

 

Until the next e-newsletter .....

 

To see past newsletters (like the one on vitamin D), please visit:

http://mcnamaraupdates.blogspot.com [nofollow]

 

 

Thanks, and good health.

 

Ladd McNamara, M.D

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 

   

[Melinda1958]

In a study of adults followed for 10 years, those with higher plasma carotene concentrations had a lower overall risk of death, and a lower risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular disease specifically.

Beta-carotene linked to reduced mortality risk in the elderly

In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers have demonstrated an association between plasma carotene levels and lower death rates among the elderly. This prospective study involved 1168 elderly men and women who were followed for 10 years. After the follow-up period, researchers looked at causes of mortality in the study population. The subjects with higher plasma carotene concentrations had a lower overall mortality risk, and a lower risk of mortality from cancer and cardiovascular disease specifically. To put the results in context, researchers performed a meta-analysis of 5 studies on plasma antioxidants and all-cause mortality in elderly populations.

These findings are somewhat surprising since some of the previous supplemental trials have been negative or inconclusive. The researchers suggested that the confusing evidence so far may indicate that beta-carotene needs to be taken in concert with other antioxidants to have a beneficial effect on health.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 82, No. 4, 879-886, October 2005

[iko]

Hi CurcuMelinda1958!  []

I personally "curcuminized" this forum quite a lot in the recent past...
if you run a quick search here, I'm sure that you'll enjoy those bits!

ikod   [^]

...talking about garlic and 'kitchen medicine'...

Curcumin as "Curecumin": From kitchen to clinic.

Goel A, Kunnumakkara AB, Aggarwal BB.
Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine, Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center and Baylor Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.

Although turmeric (Curcuma longa; an Indian spice) has been described in Ayurveda, as a treatment for inflammatory diseases and is referred by different names in different cultures, the active principle called curcumin or diferuloylmethane, a yellow pigment present in turmeric (curry powder) has been shown to exhibit numerous activities. Extensive research over the last half century has revealed several important functions of curcumin. It binds to a variety of proteins and inhibits the activity of various kinases. By modulating the activation of various transcription factors, curcumin regulates the expression of inflammatory enzymes, cytokines, adhesion molecules, and cell survival proteins. Curcumin also downregulates cyclin D1, cyclin E and MDM2; and upregulates p21, p27, and p53. Various preclinical cell culture and animal studies suggest that curcumin has potential as an antiproliferative, anti-invasive, and antiangiogenic agent; as a mediator of chemoresistance and radioresistance; as a chemopreventive agent; and as a therapeutic agent in wound healing, diabetes, Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, and arthritis. Pilot phase I clinical trials have shown curcumin to be safe even when consumed at a daily dose of 12g for 3 months. Other clinical trials suggest a potential therapeutic role for curcumin in diseases such as familial adenomatous polyposis, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, hypercholesteremia, atherosclerosis, pancreatitis, psoriasis, chronic anterior uveitis and arthritis. Thus, curcumin, a spice once relegated to the kitchen shelf, has moved into the clinic and may prove to be "Curecumin".

Biochem Pharmacol. 2007 Aug 19;

...more reading from:  http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=5041.0

Curcumin seems to be a real 'panacea' these days...
Think of the massive impact on our lives and society
severe brain injuries have, either from strokes or
heavy head traumas.

Dietary curcumin counteracts the outcome of traumatic brain injury
 on oxidative stress, synaptic plasticity, and cognition.

Wu A, Ying Z, Gomez-Pinilla F.
Dept. Physiological Science, Univ.of California at Los Angeles, 621 Charles E. Young Drive, 90095, USA.

The pervasive action of oxidative stress on neuronal function and plasticity after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is becoming increasingly recognized. Here, we evaluated the capacity of the powerful antioxidant curry spice curcumin ingested in the diet to counteract the oxidative damage encountered in the injured brain. In addition, we have examined the possibility that dietary curcumin may favor the injured brain by interacting with molecular mechanisms that maintain synaptic plasticity and cognition. The analysis was focused on the BDNF system based on its action on synaptic plasticity and cognition by modulating synapsin I and CREB. Rats were exposed to a regular diet or a diet high in saturated fat, with or without 500 ppm curcumin for 4 weeks (n = 8/group), before a mild fluid percussion injury (FPI) was performed. The high-fat diet has been shown to exacerbate the effects of TBI on synaptic plasticity and cognitive function. Supplementation of curcumin in the diet dramatically reduced oxidative damage and normalized levels of BDNF, synapsin I, and CREB that had been altered after TBI. Furthermore, curcumin supplementation counteracted the cognitive impairment caused by TBI. These results are in agreement with previous evidence, showing that oxidative stress can affect the injured brain by acting through the BDNF system to affect synaptic plasticity and cognition. The fact that oxidative stress is an intrinsic component of the neurological sequel of TBI and other insults indicates that dietary antioxidant therapy is a realistic approach to promote protective mechanisms in the injured brain.

Exp Neurol. 2006 Feb;197(2):309-17.

        
http://www.imlawfirm.com/photos/brain-injury.jpg
http://www.onlinewellnessworld.com/images/brain-injury-lawyer.jpg
http://www.goodshepherdrehab.org/photos/brain-injury-rehab2.jpg

Neuroprotective effect of curcumin in middle cerebral artery occlusion induced focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

Thiyagarajan M, Sharma SS.
Dept.Pharmacol.Toxicol., Natl.Inst.Pharmaceutical Edu. and Res.Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar-160 062, Punjab, India.
 
Free radical induced neuronal damage is implicated in cerebral ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury and antioxidants are reported to have neuroprotective activity. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have proved the antioxidant potential of curcumin and its metabolites. Hence, in the present study the neuroprotective potential of curcumin was investigated in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) induced focal cerebral IR injury. 2 h of MCAO and 22 h of reperfusion resulted in the infarct volume of 210.39 +/- 31.25 mm3. Administration of curcumin 100 and 300 mg/kg, i.p. 30 min. after MCAO produced 37.23 +/- 5.10% and 46.39 +/- 10.23% (p < 0.05) reduction in infarct volume, respectively. Ischemia induced cerebral edema was reduced in a dose dependent manner. Curcumin at 300 mg/kg, i.p. produced 50.96 +/- 6.04% reduction in edema (p < 0.05) volume. Increase in lipid peroxidation after MCAO in ipsilateral and contralateral hemisphere of brain was observed, which was reduced by curcumin (300 mg/kg, i.p.)-treatment. Decrease in superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity was observed in ipsilateral hemisphere of MCAO animal. Curcumin-treatment (300 mg/kg, i.p.) prevented IR injury mediated fall in glutathione peroxide activity. Peroxynitrite measured using rhodamine123 fluorescence and anti-nitrotyrosine immunofluorescence indicated increased peroxynitrite formation after IR insult. Curcumin-treatment reduced peroxynitrite formation and hence the extent of tyrosine nitration in the cytosolic proteins. These results suggest the neuroprotective potential of curcumin in cerebral ischemia and is mediated through its antioxidant activity.

Life Sci. 2004 Jan 9;74(:969-85.


Soon curcumin preparations will be quite common
in any Intensive Care Unit of this Planet and
a heady scent of curry will invade all the
hospitals and rehabilitation facilities.
Maybe.