Antidepressant medications are associated with weight gain. Use of antidepressant medication for longer than 24 months has been associated with about a doubled risk for developing diabetes by Andersohn and associates as they studied 165,958 patients. This doubling of diabetes risk was true of both tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
A recent British study of over a million patients by Katharine Barnard provided further support for the association between use of antidepressants and diabetes.
Depression can often be addressed by simple nutritional measures such as avoiding sugar and coffee, supplementation with amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, and avoiding allergens. Dr. Jonathan Wright found that half of his depressed patients were deficient in amino acids and improve when supplemented. Gluten intolerance is frequently associated with depression. Deficiency of both omega-3 fatty acids and also selenium is commonly found among those who are depressed.
References:
Link to recent British study on happy pills and diabetes
Andersohn, Frank, et al., Long--term use of antidepressants for depressive disorders and the risk of diabetes mellitus, Am. J. Psychiatry 2009;166:591-598.
Leung BM, Kaplan BJ, et al, "Prenatal micronutrient supplementation and postpartum depressive symptoms in a pregnancy cohort," BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 2013 Jan 16; 13(1): 2; [Epub ahead of print].
Gosney MA, Hammond MF, et al,"Effect of Micronutrient Supplementation on Mood in Nursing Home Residents," Gerontology, 2008 May 8; [Epub ahead of print].
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
Washington Naval Yard Massacre
Aaron Alexis started trazodone on August 23, 2013. Less than a month later on September 16 he committed violent mass murders. Trazodone works like an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor). The FDA approved label for the drug lists side-effects including anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, and impulsivity. Psychiatric drugs can make people angry or violent and most mass murders in the United States have been associated with the use of these psychiatric medications.
The full scale of the deception involved in the marketing of psychiatric drugs is revealed in John Virapen's book Side Effects: Death. Confessions of a Pharma-Insider.
Dr. Peter Breggin Article on Aaron Alexis
Dr. Peter Breggin Variety Article
Link to John Virapen Book
The full scale of the deception involved in the marketing of psychiatric drugs is revealed in John Virapen's book Side Effects: Death. Confessions of a Pharma-Insider.
Dr. Peter Breggin Article on Aaron Alexis
Dr. Peter Breggin Variety Article
Link to John Virapen Book
What is the "Most Addictive and Dangerous Substance" of our time?
Van der Velpen of the Netherlands recently published a letter in a publication of the country's community health services suggesting the substance is sugar. While Europeans consume far less sugar than Americans, they are seeing a rapid rise in obesity and heart disease. Velpen writes, "Just like alcohol and tobacco, sugar is actually a drug...This may seem exaggerated and far-fetched, but sugar is the most dangerous drug of the times and can still be easily acquired everywhere." Breaking the sugar habit in many instances requires addiction therapy as breaking the habit is as difficult as breaking a smoking habit.
Telegraph Article on Dutch Health Crusade
Telegraph Article on Dutch Health Crusade
Remove That Sticker
Cruciferous crops like broccoli are susceptible to attack and destruction by aphids. Badly infested plants die while lighter infestations dwarf the plants and reduce the size of the heads. ( I rarely see aphids in my organic garden when these crops are planted in mineral enriched soil.)
The bodies of aphids are covered with a waxy powder and the leaves and flower heads of these plants form pockets or cups which can protect aphids. For this reason pesticide applications and mixed with stickers to make the poisons adhere to the plants. Cruciferous vegetables should be thoroughly washed with Green to remove these stickers and the pesticides mixed with them. Simply mix one teaspoon of Green with one gallon of water and soak the produce in the solution. You can tell the sticker has been removed from the produce when water flows though a head of broccoli rather than rolling off the top.
Reference:
http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/pests/plant_pests/veg_fruit/hgic2203.html
The bodies of aphids are covered with a waxy powder and the leaves and flower heads of these plants form pockets or cups which can protect aphids. For this reason pesticide applications and mixed with stickers to make the poisons adhere to the plants. Cruciferous vegetables should be thoroughly washed with Green to remove these stickers and the pesticides mixed with them. Simply mix one teaspoon of Green with one gallon of water and soak the produce in the solution. You can tell the sticker has been removed from the produce when water flows though a head of broccoli rather than rolling off the top.
Reference:
http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/pests/plant_pests/veg_fruit/hgic2203.html
Omega-3 and Prostate Cancer
Those who examine the 2013 study which was promoted as proof that fish oil causes prostate cancer continue to find serious flaws in the study. Firstly, there was no evidence that anyone in the study group was taking fish oil supplements or eating cold water fish. Levels of omega-3 fatty acids in those supplementing or eating cold water fish average 8.42%. By contrast the levels in those with low prostate cancer risk in this study were 4.48% and the levels of those with high risk were 4.66%. This means both groups were deficient in omega-3 fatty acids and the difference in omega-3 intake was so trivial that the difference could not possibly explain the 71% increased risk o prostate cancer. The difference could be explained by a single meal of salmon the evening before the test.
Factors poorly accounted for in the study were the following:
- Genetics: If a father or brother develops prostate cancer the risk rises 120 to 180% or more.
- Coronary heart disease: Associated with a 35% increase in prostate cancer risk.
- PSA Levels: 41.1% of the high cancer group had baseline PSA levels at 3.0 mg/mL or above while only 7.3% of the no cancer group did.
- Omega-3 Intake: A healthy diet results in blood levels of omega-3 of about 6% while supplementation can result in levels over 10%. Both study groups were below 5 indicating deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids.
- Previous studies: Numerous previous studies on omega-3 fatty acid intake and prostate cancer clearly show that supplementation decreases risk rather than increasing it.
Reference:
Lethal risks posed by news media, Life Extension, October 2013, 32-45.
The Artificial Egg
A new product developed with the backing of Bill Gates of Microsoft and Peter Thief of Paypal is now on the market. The product is called Beyond Eggs and is being sold at Whole Foods in California. The product is being incorporated into Hampton Creek foods.
What came to my mind when I saw this article was the bad publicity that eggs have received due to the hypothesis that cholesterol causes heart disease.
One of the speakers at the recent Clinical Nutrition meeting in San Diego told the story of an impoverished Indian woman who struggled to provide eggs every day for her young son so that he would be intelligent. The speaker then went on to explain that eggs are one of nature's very best sources of choline. Other good sources are liver, whole wheat, and soybeans. The problem is that choline and phospholipids are not being consumed in liver and eggs because people are avoiding fat and cholesterol. These substances are also removed from soybeans and wheat when they are processed into flour and tofu.
Dr. Steve Haltiwanger who spoke at the Clinical Nutrition meeting said this nutrient is critical for proper liver, brain and nerve function. Deficiency prenatally or in early childhood "WILL affect learning and memory lifelong." The impact of choline is also important for retaining healthy brain function as we age. Supplements which contain generous quantities of choline would include Lecithin and Lipotropic Adjunct.
Reference:
Article on Artificial Eggs
What came to my mind when I saw this article was the bad publicity that eggs have received due to the hypothesis that cholesterol causes heart disease.
One of the speakers at the recent Clinical Nutrition meeting in San Diego told the story of an impoverished Indian woman who struggled to provide eggs every day for her young son so that he would be intelligent. The speaker then went on to explain that eggs are one of nature's very best sources of choline. Other good sources are liver, whole wheat, and soybeans. The problem is that choline and phospholipids are not being consumed in liver and eggs because people are avoiding fat and cholesterol. These substances are also removed from soybeans and wheat when they are processed into flour and tofu.
Dr. Steve Haltiwanger who spoke at the Clinical Nutrition meeting said this nutrient is critical for proper liver, brain and nerve function. Deficiency prenatally or in early childhood "WILL affect learning and memory lifelong." The impact of choline is also important for retaining healthy brain function as we age. Supplements which contain generous quantities of choline would include Lecithin and Lipotropic Adjunct.
Reference:
Article on Artificial Eggs
NeoLife Salmon Oil Plus
The quality of the fish and fish oil supplements one consumes are of great importance. A 2011 study found that farmed salmon was often contaminated with persistent organic pollutants. Mice consuming this salmon developed several metabolic disorders linked to type 2 diabetes and obesity. The researchers in this study suggested that pollutants play a role in causing these diseases.
NeoLife tests Salmon Oil Plus for over 200 common pollutants with a standard of zero. Fish oils can provide great health benefits, but only if the product is pure. The only way to guarantee purity is routine testing because some of the worst pollutants are invisible and undetectable without doing a thorough analysis of a food or supplement.
Reference:
Ibrahim, M.M., et al., Chronic consumption of farmed salmon containing persistent organic pollutants causes insulin resistance and obesity in mice, PLoS One, 2011; 6(9):e25170.
NeoLife tests Salmon Oil Plus for over 200 common pollutants with a standard of zero. Fish oils can provide great health benefits, but only if the product is pure. The only way to guarantee purity is routine testing because some of the worst pollutants are invisible and undetectable without doing a thorough analysis of a food or supplement.
Reference:
Ibrahim, M.M., et al., Chronic consumption of farmed salmon containing persistent organic pollutants causes insulin resistance and obesity in mice, PLoS One, 2011; 6(9):e25170.
Hydrolysate Protein
The term used for digestion of protein is hydrolysis (hydro = "water" and lysis = "to loose". A hydrolysate protein is one which is partially but not completely broken down with enzymes and water. NeoLife protein products are in hydrolysate form because of the Protogard Process which utilizes enzymes to partially break the protein down
at body temperature. The low temperature prevents the protein from being denatured.
Hydrolysate protein has definite nutritional advantages. Colgan writes, "The edge for absorption lies with hydrolysates. They are absorbed better than free-form amino acids because the human gut has a special transport system for dipeptides and tripeptides (combinations of two or three amino acids) that single amino acids cannot use."
Colgan continues, "I used to favor the free-form amino acids, but numerous recent studies of burn and surgery patients have shown that nitrogen retention and recovery from injury is faster with hydrolysates than with intact proteins or equivalent free-form amino acid mixtures."
Colgan notes that one animal study showed hydrolysate protein twice as effective as intact protein and seven times as effective as free-form amino acids. The small combinations of amino acids missing in free-form amino acids, but present in hydrolysate protein, stimulate the liver to produce a muscle growth factor. Colgan suggests that this form of protein offers the competitive athlete an edge.
Reference:
Colgan, Michael, Optimum Sports Nutrition, New York: Advanced Research Press, 1993, 160.
at body temperature. The low temperature prevents the protein from being denatured.
Hydrolysate protein has definite nutritional advantages. Colgan writes, "The edge for absorption lies with hydrolysates. They are absorbed better than free-form amino acids because the human gut has a special transport system for dipeptides and tripeptides (combinations of two or three amino acids) that single amino acids cannot use."
Colgan continues, "I used to favor the free-form amino acids, but numerous recent studies of burn and surgery patients have shown that nitrogen retention and recovery from injury is faster with hydrolysates than with intact proteins or equivalent free-form amino acid mixtures."
Colgan notes that one animal study showed hydrolysate protein twice as effective as intact protein and seven times as effective as free-form amino acids. The small combinations of amino acids missing in free-form amino acids, but present in hydrolysate protein, stimulate the liver to produce a muscle growth factor. Colgan suggests that this form of protein offers the competitive athlete an edge.
Reference:
Colgan, Michael, Optimum Sports Nutrition, New York: Advanced Research Press, 1993, 160.
Aging and Protein
Older individuals often lose muscle. Contributing factors are reduced appetite, preference for carbohydrate over protein, and decline in the ability to digest protein foods due to reduced production of hydrochloric acid and pancreatic enzymes.
Studies have shown that older men and women who use a protein supplement have greater strength and muscle mass gains when they exercise than those who do not use the supplement. Retention of strength for as long as possible is important as we age because muscle weakness increases the likelihood of falls and broken bones.
Reference:
Evans WJ, Protein Nutrition, Exercise and Aging, J Am Coll Nutr, 2004;23(6):601S-609S.
Studies have shown that older men and women who use a protein supplement have greater strength and muscle mass gains when they exercise than those who do not use the supplement. Retention of strength for as long as possible is important as we age because muscle weakness increases the likelihood of falls and broken bones.
Reference:
Evans WJ, Protein Nutrition, Exercise and Aging, J Am Coll Nutr, 2004;23(6):601S-609S.
Breakfast and Heart AttackBreakfast and Heart Attack
You may want to think about having a NeoLife Shake for breakfast rather than skipping breakfast. A recent study of 27,000 older men found that those who regularly skipped breakfast had a 27% higher risk of having a heart attack than those who ate a morning meal. Other studies have shown a link between failure to consume breakfast and obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and other health problem. It is estimated that 18% of U.S. adults fail to eat breakfast.
Click here for a link to the article.
Click here for a link to the article.
NeoLife Protein Quality
NeoLife protein is manufactured using an exclusive Protogard Process. The process involves selecting the highest quality protein sources. A low-temperature process involving a blend of protein-digesting enzymes is then used to protect the amino acids an improve digestibility.
The World Health Organization has adopted a standard for protein quality called PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score). A perfect score is 1.0. All NeoLife proteins meet or exceed this score. The NeoLife Shake, the most recently developed protein product has a PDCAAS of 1.73. Super Ease is 1.49. The Glycemic Response Control protein has a PDCAAS of 1.31.
NeoLife Protein products also contain all 22 amino acids important for complete protein nutrition.
See my May 2013 newsletter for more about protein.
The World Health Organization has adopted a standard for protein quality called PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score). A perfect score is 1.0. All NeoLife proteins meet or exceed this score. The NeoLife Shake, the most recently developed protein product has a PDCAAS of 1.73. Super Ease is 1.49. The Glycemic Response Control protein has a PDCAAS of 1.31.
NeoLife Protein products also contain all 22 amino acids important for complete protein nutrition.
See my May 2013 newsletter for more about protein.
Prenatal Nutrition & the Brain
Nutrition is probably the most important factors in the development of the infant in both the womb and after birth. Malnutrition can result in a wide range of behavioral and learning disabilities. Intelligence is easily influenced by the quality of nutritional intake.
The nearer the period of malnutrition is to the time of most rapid growth the greater the potential damage to development of overall potential.
One study compared the IQ of undernourished children with that of children who had superior nutrition. The difference was a startling 22.6 IQ points in favor of the better nourished group.
Rats require about 121/2 micrograms of thiamine (Vitamin B1) a day. When Roger Williams fed them 3 micrograms a day their maze learning ability was below normal. When they received 100 micrograms a day their performance was supernormal. The profound effect resulted by altering only a single essential nutrient.
References:
Morgane, Peter J., et al, "Prenatal Malnutrition and Development of the Brain," Neuroscience and Behavioral Reviews, 1993;17:91-128.
Williams, Roger, Nutrition Against Disease, New York: Pitman Publishing Company, 1971, 63-65.
The nearer the period of malnutrition is to the time of most rapid growth the greater the potential damage to development of overall potential.
One study compared the IQ of undernourished children with that of children who had superior nutrition. The difference was a startling 22.6 IQ points in favor of the better nourished group.
Rats require about 121/2 micrograms of thiamine (Vitamin B1) a day. When Roger Williams fed them 3 micrograms a day their maze learning ability was below normal. When they received 100 micrograms a day their performance was supernormal. The profound effect resulted by altering only a single essential nutrient.
References:
Morgane, Peter J., et al, "Prenatal Malnutrition and Development of the Brain," Neuroscience and Behavioral Reviews, 1993;17:91-128.
Williams, Roger, Nutrition Against Disease, New York: Pitman Publishing Company, 1971, 63-65.
Allergy and the Infant
Families that strictly avoided food ad environmental allergy triggers during the first year of a baby's life resulted in only 13% of the children developing allergies. By contrast, families who did not practice this kind of prevention found that 40% of their children developed allergies.
Preventive measures included avoiding highly allergenic foods like milk, egg, pets, mold, roaches, and dust mites. The researchers felt that breast feeding should be continued for at least 6 months. Breast fed infants are less likely to develop allergies. Highly allergenic foods should not be introduced earlier than one year of age.
Reference:
Bates B, "Allergy Prevention Starts With Diet During Breast-Feeding," Skin and Allergy News, July 2000:30.
Preventive measures included avoiding highly allergenic foods like milk, egg, pets, mold, roaches, and dust mites. The researchers felt that breast feeding should be continued for at least 6 months. Breast fed infants are less likely to develop allergies. Highly allergenic foods should not be introduced earlier than one year of age.
Reference:
Bates B, "Allergy Prevention Starts With Diet During Breast-Feeding," Skin and Allergy News, July 2000:30.
The Eyes
Omega-3 fatty acids are among the most readily depleted and most likely to be deficient in the diet of mothers-to-be. Research suggests that an adequate supply of omega-3 fatty acids is essential for optimal visual development. A study of monkeys deprived of omega-3 fatty acids during prenatal and postnatal development revealed a halving of visual acuity when compared to animals supplied with these nutrients.
References:
Birch, E., et al., Breast-feeding and optimal visual development, Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, 1993; 30(1):33-38.
Neuringer, M., et al., Dietary omega-3 fatty acid deficiency and visual loss in infant rhesus monkeys, J. Clin. Invest., January 1984; 73:272-276.
References:
Birch, E., et al., Breast-feeding and optimal visual development, Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, 1993; 30(1):33-38.
Neuringer, M., et al., Dietary omega-3 fatty acid deficiency and visual loss in infant rhesus monkeys, J. Clin. Invest., January 1984; 73:272-276.
Does Fish Cause Prostate Cancer?
The media love any story which is different. A dog biting a man is not news, but a man biting a dog makes the front page.
Dr. Ala Kristal recently published an article in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in which he found that those with high blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids had a 43% increased risk of prostate cancer.
There were no controls in his study. In other words, the researchers did not consider factors such as weight gain or toxin accumulation which are known to increase the risk of prostate cancers. Fish and fish oils are known to often carry a toxic load of pollutants which is why NeoLife tests their product for over 200 pollutants with a standard of ZERO.
Another factor which needs to be considered is oxidation. It has been known since 1991 that intake of fish oil can increase the risk of oxidative damage in the tissue if antioxidant intake is low. Small amounts of vitamin E have been shown to prevent this increased oxidative risk.
Michael Savage, who has a Ph.D. in nutrition has an interview on the topic on his web site. The link is below.
I am still taking my fish oil. News reports do not mention another study which showed that those with the highest levels of fish oil in the blood lived on average 2.2 years longer than those with lower levels.
References:
Kramer, T.R., et al., Increased vitamin E intake restores fish oil-induced suppressed blastogenesis of mitogen-stimulated T lymphocytes, Am J Clin Nutr, 1991; 54:896-902.
Meydani, M., et al., Effect of long-term fish oil supplementation on vitamin E status and lipid peroxidation in women, J Nutr, 1991; 121:484-9.
http://www.michaelsavage.wnd.com/2013/07/dangers-of-fish-oils-and-prostate-cancer-based-on-flawed-science-says-dr-michael-savage/
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/eating-oily-fish-can-extend-lifespan-by-two-years-1.1346395
Dr. Ala Kristal recently published an article in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in which he found that those with high blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids had a 43% increased risk of prostate cancer.
There were no controls in his study. In other words, the researchers did not consider factors such as weight gain or toxin accumulation which are known to increase the risk of prostate cancers. Fish and fish oils are known to often carry a toxic load of pollutants which is why NeoLife tests their product for over 200 pollutants with a standard of ZERO.
Another factor which needs to be considered is oxidation. It has been known since 1991 that intake of fish oil can increase the risk of oxidative damage in the tissue if antioxidant intake is low. Small amounts of vitamin E have been shown to prevent this increased oxidative risk.
Michael Savage, who has a Ph.D. in nutrition has an interview on the topic on his web site. The link is below.
I am still taking my fish oil. News reports do not mention another study which showed that those with the highest levels of fish oil in the blood lived on average 2.2 years longer than those with lower levels.
References:
Kramer, T.R., et al., Increased vitamin E intake restores fish oil-induced suppressed blastogenesis of mitogen-stimulated T lymphocytes, Am J Clin Nutr, 1991; 54:896-902.
Meydani, M., et al., Effect of long-term fish oil supplementation on vitamin E status and lipid peroxidation in women, J Nutr, 1991; 121:484-9.
http://www.michaelsavage.wnd.com/2013/07/dangers-of-fish-oils-and-prostate-cancer-based-on-flawed-science-says-dr-michael-savage/
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/eating-oily-fish-can-extend-lifespan-by-two-years-1.1346395
Omega-3 and Brain Waves
Japanese investigator K. Myanaga studied the impact of fish oil on the speed of a brain wave called p300 which is closely linked to learning and memory. The rate of the p300 brain wave declines with age and is much slower in people with dementia. Myanaga found that supplementation with DHA, one of the primary fats in fish oil, significantly increased the p300 rate within two hours.
Reference:
Carper, Jean, Your Miracle Brain, New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2000,84-85.
Aluminum and Alzheimer's
A number of lines of evidence suggest that aluminum may contribute to dementia. Aluminum has been shown t impair the functioning of the brains of animals. The disease progression has also been slowed by the administration of agents which remove aluminum from the body. Aluminum displaces magnesium at a key DNA binding site. Aluminum holds onto the binding site a million times longer than magnesium shutting down the site. (Magnesium can counteract the effects of aluminum toxicity.)The authors of this article suggest consuming no more than 3 milligrams of aluminum a day.
Sources of aluminum exposure include aluminum cookware, aluminum foil, aluminum cans, antacids containing aluminum and pain relievers buffered with aluminum. Deodorants often contain aluminum. Some baking powders contain aluminum. Aluminum was used as an anticaking agent in salt until recently.
References:
Crapper McLachlan, Donald R., M.D., et al, Would Decreased Aluminum Ingestion Reduce the Incidence of Alzheimer's Disease, Canadian Medical Association Journal, 1991;145(7):793-803.
Sources of aluminum exposure include aluminum cookware, aluminum foil, aluminum cans, antacids containing aluminum and pain relievers buffered with aluminum. Deodorants often contain aluminum. Some baking powders contain aluminum. Aluminum was used as an anticaking agent in salt until recently.
References:
Crapper McLachlan, Donald R., M.D., et al, Would Decreased Aluminum Ingestion Reduce the Incidence of Alzheimer's Disease, Canadian Medical Association Journal, 1991;145(7):793-803.
Mercury and Brain Degeneration
One of the most damaging of all substances to brain structure and function is mercury. It is tragic that this toxic substance it placed in decayed teeth. One study of sheep found that after placing mercury amalgam fillings in the teeth, the mercury began to accumulate in brain tissue within 24 hours. If you do not believe mercury is toxic to he brain cells view the video at the end of this section.
Wenstrup and associates compared the brains of those with Alzheimer's and those without the disease. Most remarkable was the increase in the mercury/selenium ad mercury/zinc ratios. These two minerals are protective against mercury toxicity. An elevated ratio of mercury means that the brain has less ability to protect itself against damage from mercury. Mercury inhibits the formation of tubulin, the key structural building block of healthy neurons.
Refeences:
Bjorklund, G., Mercury as a Potential Source for The Etiology of Alzheimer's Disease, Trace Elements in Medicine, 1991;8(4):208.
Wenstrup, David, et al., Trace element imbalances in isolated subcellular fractions of Alzheimer's disease brains, Brain Research, November 12, 1990; 533(1):125-131.
University of Calgary Video:
How Mercury Causes Brain Degeneration Video
Wenstrup and associates compared the brains of those with Alzheimer's and those without the disease. Most remarkable was the increase in the mercury/selenium ad mercury/zinc ratios. These two minerals are protective against mercury toxicity. An elevated ratio of mercury means that the brain has less ability to protect itself against damage from mercury. Mercury inhibits the formation of tubulin, the key structural building block of healthy neurons.
Refeences:
Bjorklund, G., Mercury as a Potential Source for The Etiology of Alzheimer's Disease, Trace Elements in Medicine, 1991;8(4):208.
Wenstrup, David, et al., Trace element imbalances in isolated subcellular fractions of Alzheimer's disease brains, Brain Research, November 12, 1990; 533(1):125-131.
University of Calgary Video:
How Mercury Causes Brain Degeneration Video
Depression and Amino Acids
Dr. Jonathan Wright tested his patients for amino acid deficiencies. He found that half suffered with specific deficiencies and felt better when the deficiencies were addressed with amino acid supplementation. Many of those with amino acid deficiencies suffer with low stomach acid or actually induce poor digestion of protein by the use of antacids.
Reference:
Wright, Jonathan, and Lenard, Lane, Why Stomach Acid is Good for You, New York: M. Evans and Company, 2001, 172.
Reference:
Wright, Jonathan, and Lenard, Lane, Why Stomach Acid is Good for You, New York: M. Evans and Company, 2001, 172.
Competitive Absorption
When I speak on the topic of carotenoids I emphasize two factors, specificity if action and competitive absorption. Specificity of action refers to the fact that different members of the carotenoid family have specific modes of action and benefits which can not be accomplished by other carotenoids. For example, "Lutein appears to have an affinity for the peripheral retina and rods, while zeaxanthin seems to be preferentially taken up by the cones of the macula. This means that in order to derive the most complete benefit from carotenoids they need to be consumed as a family rather than in isolation.
Competitive absorption means that high levels on one carotenoid can depress levels of others reducing the overall benefits of carotenoid intake. This was illustrated in a recent study in which supplementation with large amounts of individual carotenoids was shown to depress levels of other carotenoids. The researchers wrote, "...the dietary intake of large amounts of any one of the three carotenoids depressed the concentrations of the other carotenoids in plasma and most tissues. The high lutein supplement decreased levels of zeaxanthin; the high zeaxanthin supplement decreased lutein levels; and the high beta-carotene supplement decreased levels of both lutein and zeaxanthin. In the face of these dietary perturbations, the retinal content of lutein and zeaxanthin varied considerably."
The reality of specificity of action and competitive absorption underscores the benefit of supplementation with the NeoLife Carotenoid Complex. It supplies the entire family of carotenoids as found in whole foods while most other products provide only isolated carotenoids most popular in the media at the moment.
I learned the importance of competitive absorption with regard to Vitamin E many years ago in a conversation with Stephan Christen. Christen, a researcher at U.C. Berkley found that supplementation with only alpha tocopherol depressed levels of gamma tocopherol his laboratory animals. This impaired their ability to detoxify certain carcinogens.
The NeoLife product philosophy is to provide complexes of nutrients as they are found in nature. This prevents the induction of deficiencies by lop-sided supplementation.
References:
Lutein and Zeaxanthin, Alternative Medicine Review, 2005; 10(2), 128.
Wang, Yingming, et al., Competitive inhibition of carotenoid transport and tissue concentratios by high dose supplements of lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene, Eur J Nutr, 2010; 49:334.
Competitive absorption means that high levels on one carotenoid can depress levels of others reducing the overall benefits of carotenoid intake. This was illustrated in a recent study in which supplementation with large amounts of individual carotenoids was shown to depress levels of other carotenoids. The researchers wrote, "...the dietary intake of large amounts of any one of the three carotenoids depressed the concentrations of the other carotenoids in plasma and most tissues. The high lutein supplement decreased levels of zeaxanthin; the high zeaxanthin supplement decreased lutein levels; and the high beta-carotene supplement decreased levels of both lutein and zeaxanthin. In the face of these dietary perturbations, the retinal content of lutein and zeaxanthin varied considerably."
The reality of specificity of action and competitive absorption underscores the benefit of supplementation with the NeoLife Carotenoid Complex. It supplies the entire family of carotenoids as found in whole foods while most other products provide only isolated carotenoids most popular in the media at the moment.
I learned the importance of competitive absorption with regard to Vitamin E many years ago in a conversation with Stephan Christen. Christen, a researcher at U.C. Berkley found that supplementation with only alpha tocopherol depressed levels of gamma tocopherol his laboratory animals. This impaired their ability to detoxify certain carcinogens.
The NeoLife product philosophy is to provide complexes of nutrients as they are found in nature. This prevents the induction of deficiencies by lop-sided supplementation.
References:
Lutein and Zeaxanthin, Alternative Medicine Review, 2005; 10(2), 128.
Wang, Yingming, et al., Competitive inhibition of carotenoid transport and tissue concentratios by high dose supplements of lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene, Eur J Nutr, 2010; 49:334.
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