Microplastics

 Microplastics, tiny plastic particles measuring less than 5 millimeters in diameter, are present throughout our environment. They can be found in the air that we breathe, the food that we eat, and the water that we drink. They accumulate in the ocean, soil and in the bodies of plants, animals and humans. Microplastics are believed to contribute to chronic inflammation which not only promotes inflammatory conditions but also contributes to weight gain. Microplastics can also disrupt hormone chemistry.

There is no easy solution to microplastic pollution. Synthetic fibers in rugs, clothing and other household items can contribute to microplastics. Air purification with a HEPA filter can help in the home. Use of household items made from natural fibers also helps. Consumption of foods and beverages stored in plastic containers is a major source of exposure. Water should be stored in glass or stainless steel. Foods should be stored in glass as well. Personal care products and cleaning products can also contain microplastics.

Since inflammation is one of the major problems associated with accumulation of microplastics supplementation with salmon oil and antioxidants is one of the most effective means of counteracting this toxic pollution. NeoLife Salmon Oil Plus as shown in a clinical trial to reduce the inflammatory index by 68% in 8 weeks. It is also the cleanest fish oil product on the market being tested for over 200 pollutants with a standard of zero. Several studies have shown that contaminated fish oil products containing Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP’s) create problems like insulin resistance and fatty infiltration of the liver rather than resolving such problems.

References:

Microplastics as obesogens.

Microplastics cause dysbiotic-- bad bugs in the gut.

Microplastics contribute to inflammation.

Microplastics in food.

Sperm

Thoughts on Cholesterol

 One of the most frequent questions I am asked is about cholesterol. Those on a healthy diet rarely have elevated cholesterol--but there is the rub. Healthy diets are rare in the United States. An illustration is the problem of the chicken. One hundred years ago a serving of chicken provided less than 2 grams or 16 calories of fat. Today a single serving of chicken provides 23 grams or 200 calories of fat. Chickens today are giants compared to what they were 100 years ago. They are obese giants. They are so fat they can hardly move even if they wanted to.

Cholesterol is only found in animals. The plant comparison is phytosterols or plant fats which actually inhibit the absorption of animal fats and help to reduce cholesterol levels. These plant fats have been shown in some instances to be as effective or more effective than statin drugs at lowering cholesterol even though physicians rarely recommend a plant based diet to lower cholesterol. Doctors assume patients simply won't switch to a plant based diet.

If cholesterol is elevated reducing intake of animal fat will almost always reduce cholesterol levels. If cholesterol levels are too low the body has a very efficient mechanism for synthesizing cholesterol to preserve healthy cells and brain function. This natural regulation is far better than relying on a high intake of obese animal fats to obtain cholesterol. If animal products are being consumed one should look for the lowest fat possible.

A high fiber, plant based low fat diet is the most effective way of keeping cholesterol within reasonable bounds and preventing heart disease and other diseases associated with overloading the body with animal fats.

Cholesterol becomes particularly harmful when it is oxidized in either the food we eat or in the body. In 1976 a study was conducted feeding rabbits oxidized cholesterol or unoxidized cholesterol. Lesions of the arteries of the rabbits were found after only 7 weeks of exposure to oxidized cholesterol while none were found in the animals given cholesterol that had not been oxidized.In 1979 researchers evaluating cholesterol research suggested that "oxidized cholesterol is 500 times more damaging than pure cholesterol.

Oxidized cholesterol can come from foods (aged meats, powdered eggs, processed dairy products, Ghee, fried foods, etc) or the cholesterol can be oxidized within the body spontaneously. Plant foods are high in antioxidants and can help prevent spontaneous oxidation of fats within the body. The study of NeoLife Carotenoid Complex found that these fat soluble antioxidants dramatically reduced the oxidation of cholesterol in the blood.

References:

Smith, Ronald S., Nutrition, Hypertension & Cardiovascular Disease, Second Edition, Portland, Or: Lyncean Press, 1989, pp14-15.

https://juliecoffey.com/does-chicken-make-you-fat/

Pictures of how chickens have gotten fatter!

Fat and Cholesterol

 The Secret Life of Fat

Fat and weight gain is a topic of interest to the majority of the population, particularly as we age. A book with the above title was written by Sylvia Tara. Among the interesting topics of discussion is the work of an Indian physician named Nikhil Dhurandhar. This researcher has repeatedly shown that viral infections can result in weight gains in animals and people. He found that a much higher number of people who were obese had antibodies to Adenovirus-36. This work has been difficult to get published because many doctors do not believe that viral or bacterial infections can cause weight gain.

It has been pretty well confirmed that bacteria can result in weight gain leading to obesity. Dr. Jeffrey Gordon conducted an experiment in which he raised one group of mice in sterile conditions and another with normal bacterial growth in the intestines. Food intake was identical but the mice with bacteria weighed more. The bacteria in the gut help break down food and extract nutrients from it. When the mice raised in a sterile environment were exposed to bacteria they had a 57% increase in percent of body fat!

Obese human beings tend to have increased numbers of Firmicutes bacteria which love diets high in carbohydrates and fats. Their numbers decrease when these types of foods are restricted. Thinner individuals have higher numbers of Bacteroidetes bacteria in the gut. These bacteria are not as efficient and making nutrients in food available for absorption. Their numbers increase when the diet is high in fruits and vegetables.



Thoughts on Cholesterol

One of the most frequent questions I am asked is about cholesterol levels. Current recommendations are for a total cholesterol level less than 200 mg/dl. It is also recommended that LDL or bad cholesterol be below 130 and HDL or good cholesterol be above 35. For every 1% increase in HDL levels risk of heart attack drops by 3-4%. While LDL is usually referred to as the "bad" cholesterol the worst cholesterol is lipoprotein(a) which carries a 10-fold greater risk than LDL for heart disease.

Another factor to consider is whether cholesterol is oxidized or not. All early studies were done feeding rabbits oxidized cholesterol out of a jar. In the 1970's similar studies were done with non-oxidized cholesterol. It was learned that oxidized cholesterol is 500 times more atherogenic than the product which is not oxidized. Anyone with an elevated cholesterol should try to avoid consuming highly oxidized cholesterol products like aged cheeses, powdered eggs, and highly heated fatty foods.

Supplementation with antioxidants can reduce the risk of cholesterol oxidation. Supplementation with Carotenoid Complex was shown to increase antioxidant activity in the blood five-fold in one study. Vitamins E and C are also protective here. Salmon oil is slippery and helps prevent cholesterol from sticking to blood vessel walls. Salmon oil is very effective at reducing triglyceride levels if they are elevated.

Statin drugs are loaded with side-effects. They block the synthesis of CoQ10 and other important compounds. Lipotropic Adjunct is a supplement designed to improve the ability of the liver to process fats. The meaning of the word breaks down as follows: lipo=fat, trophic= to eat, adjunct= helper. Lipotropics tend to lower cholesterol and triglycerides.

A well tested alternative to statins is niacin which is often used on a prescription basis. It does cause an uncomfortable flush, particularly in the beginning. Plant sterols also inhibit absorption of cholesterol. These are found in NeoLife Tre-en-en. A pharmaceutical form of sterols called policosanol has been shown to compare favorably to statin drugs in lowering cholesterol.

Heart disease can also be caused by low intake of magnesium or elevated homocysteine (which is addressed by lipotropic adjunct). Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease. Risk of diabetes is reduced by avoiding sugars, heavy fats, and making sure vitamin D levels are adequate.



Dr. Ryan Cole at Clinical Nutrition Meeting

 Clinical Nutrition Conference

   The International and American Association of Clinical Nutritionists met in Dallas in September with a conference focus on covid, viral infections, and immunization. This newsletter will share a few highlights on nutrients important for immune health and good outcomes from covid infection shared by Dr. Ryan Cole with the attendees.

.Dr. Ryan Cole Lecture on Vitamin D

There is no such thing as ‘flu and cold season”, only low vitamin D season !!!!" Every cell in our body has a vitamin D receptor in the nucleus. Approximately 2,000 genes in our body (5% of our genome) are controlled by vitamin D. Vitamin D is the master key to our immune health! If one has a D level of 50ng/ml (range 20-100) one cannot develop a “cytokine storm” (that which often killed in covid). 

70-80% of All Americans are vitamin D deficient or insufficient. The presence of vitamin D helps shift the body from an inflammatory state to an anti-inflammatory state. Vitamin D deficiency season is October-March in northern latitudes for those who spend time outdoors, and the rest of the year for those who work indoors. Obesity drastically decreases bioavailable vitamin D. Normal vitamin D levels decrease the risk of many cancers. 

Normal D levels decrease COVID symptom severity and risk for hospitalization by up to 80-90%!!!! Normal D levels decrease clotting (covid is a clotting disease). “I take 6,000 per day…” Fauci interview November 2020 and in his FOIA emails.

The Endocrine Society of America states that one can safely take 4,000 IU daily without checking levels. Children age 1-3 no more than 1,000-2,000 IU, children 4-8 no more than 2,000-3,000 IU.

Those at greatest risk of most serious deficiency: the obese, those with dark skin, the elderly. Oral vitamin D dosing does not become active and bioavailable for 10-14 days after supplementing.

 

 Dr. Ryan Cole on Magnesium

 

Up to half of the U.S. population is magnesium deficient. Vitamin D remains stored and inactive if magnesium is deficient. High intake of calcium without sufficient magnesium can lead to calcification of soft tissues. Magnesium deficiency is associated with heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and diabetes. Higher dietary intake of magnesium is associated with decreased severity and symptoms of those in the hospital with covid.

Dr. Ryan Cole on Zinc

 

Up to as many as 40% of the elderly in the U.S. are zinc deficient. A small amount of copper should be supplemented if one is taking a high dose of zinc. This is usually found in a good multiple. Phytate in grains and legumes inhibits zinc absorption. Vitamin D can not penetrate our tissues when we are zinc deficient. The mineral in involved in 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. When zinc intake is above 30 mg a small amount of copper should be added to the supplement program. Zinc decreases inflammatory compounds resulting from immune activity. Patients low in zinc have poor outcomes when they develop covid;

 Children on Target for Obesity

     A recent study concluded that 57% of children today will be obese by the time they are 35 years old if dietary habits are not altered. Currently 36.5% of the population is obese. Children suffering with obesity number 4.5 million at the current time.

     Obesity is tied to increased risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The costs of obesity are enormous fueling the current dilemma over what to do about health care. Americans will either have to get healthier or health care is going to be rationed in one way or another.

    Parents who are concerned about obesity in children should consider replacing sweet snacks with the NeoLife Shake. There are four major reasons why this supplement can help regulate weight and prevent obesity.

 1. NeoLife Shake is rich in branched chain amino acids which promote muscle growth and retention. Muscle burns fat. The more muscle we have the easier it is to burn fat for energy.

2. NeoLife Shake is a nutrient rich balanced meal. The supplement contains 25 essential vitamins and minerals plus all 22 amino acids. One of the primary reasons why children and adults overeat is due to hidden hungers. Dr. Roger Williams demonstrated in animal research long ago that he could convert laboratory animals from consuming small amounts of alcohol to binge drinkers by depriving them of any one of a number of different nutrients. When the missing nutrient was added back to the diet, the binging stopped. Many people feel that binge eating is contributed to by nutrient deficiency as well.

3. NeoLife Shake is designed to stabilize blood sugar. This technology is called Glycemic Response Control. The shake has an optimal balance of fiber, protein, fat and carbohydrate to keep blood sugar stable for a prolonged period of time.

4. Gut-Brain Satiety Signaling. The NeoLife Shake contains nutrients to reduce levels of a hormone called ghrelin which increases appetite and to increase levels of leptin which signals the brain that appetite has been satisfied.

     NeoLife Shake can be a powerful tool to help parents reduce the risk of childhood obesity.

Link to article on childhood obesity.

More Good News About Green Tea and Weight Loss

     There is a scientific basis for the addition of green tea to the GNLD weight control program. A 2005 study in the Am J Clin Nutr found that consumption of green tea for a period of 12 weeks resulted in weight loss, reduced body mass index, reduced waist circumference, lower body fat mass, and reduced fat under the skin. There was a significant difference between test subjects who consumed the tea and those who did not. Green tea has also been shown to have anti-cancer effects.
Reference:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15640470

Green Tea and Obesity

     A recent study has shown that EGCG, the most abundant catechin in green tea has powerful anti-obesity effects. The substance actually blocks the formation of fat in the human body by altering the manner in which genes express themselves. Green tea down-regulates the expression of at least four major genes involved in the pathway which generates fat in the human body.
     Green tea is one of the major constituents of NeoLife Tea, a new product introduced to go along with the NeoLife Shakes. The tea also contains Rhodiola rosea which has been written up for its ability to fight fatigue. The new product also contains two kinds of ginseng with a reputation for increasing energy.
Link to article on Green Tea.
Reference:
Lee, H., et al., The anti-adipogenic effects of (-)epigallocatechin gallate are dependent on the WNT/β-catenin pathway, J Nutr Biochem, July 2013; 24(7):1232-40.

Obesity Epidemic Among Animals

     We know that people are getting fatter. What is surprising to many people is that pets and even wild animals are getting fatter. The National Pet Obesity Survey found that half of American cats and dogs are obese. Laboratory rats have also grown fatter over the last 30 years. Wild rats studied in Baltimore have also grown fatter. Environmental pollution with hormone mimics probably contributes to the problem.

Link to article on animal obesity.

Air Pollution, Obesity an Diabetes

     Qinghua Sun of Ohio State University published a study in 2010 suggesting that early exposure of mice to fine particulate air pollution led to the accumulation of abdominal fat and insulin resistance even when animals the animals ate a normal diet. John F. Pearson, a Harvard researcher was surprised to find a consistent and significant relationsip between Type II diabetes and air pollution.
Link to article on air pollution and obesity.

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.

Why Quality and Toxic Exposures Matter

    A recent study found that farmed Atlantic salmon were often contaminated with pollutants. Feeding mice these salmon resulted in insulin resistance and obesity. Mice fed farmed Atlantic salmon without pollutant residues did not develop these health problems. The researchers who conducted this study wrote, "Our data indicate that intake of farmed salmon fillet contributes to several metabolic disorders linked to type 2 diabetes and obesity, and suggest a role of POP's (Persistent Organic Pollutants) in these deleterious effects. Overall, these findings may participate to improve nutritional strategies for the prevention and therapy of insulin resistance."
     This study reveals why GNLD tests their Salmon Oil Plus product for over 250 pollutants with a standard of none detectable. I do not know of another company which does such thorough testing to make sure that their omega-3 product is toxin free. Attention to toxicological issues such as pesticides and GMO's makes a difference!
Reference:
Ibrahim, Mohammad, et al., Chronic consumption of farmed salmon containing persistent organic pollutants causes insulin resistance and obesity in mice, PLOS, September 23, 2011.

Obesogens

There has been a 73 percent increase of obesity in infants under 6 months of age since 1980. Endocrinologists point out that these infants are not drinking sugar laden soda pop and fat drenched potato chips. They are simply consuming breast milk and formula.

The culprit appears to be estrogen hormone-mimicking pollutants. Experiments with bisphenol A, a building block of hard, polycarbonate plastic caused cells that normally become connective tissue to become fat cells. Low doses of xenoextrogens, as these compounds are called, can cause mice to become 20 percent heavier and carry 36% more body fat.

This research is significant in the study of diabetes because not only is weight gain associated with greater diabetic risk, but an overload of estrogen is believed by some to increase the risk of diabetes or worsen the condition.

Article on Obesogens

Article on Bisphenol A