Niacin Improves Cholesterol Levels Naturally

Friday, January 24, 2008
(Diet, Nutrition, Energy News) Niacin is vitamin B3, one of the water soluble B complex vitamins. Niacin (nicotinic acid) is a part of the normal diet that is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and many other substances in the body. Niacin is found in many foods, including dairy products, lean meats, poultry, fish, nuts and eggs. In addition, many foods are fortified with vitamin B3.

Niacin has long been used to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good" cholesterol. But compared with other cholesterol drugs, niacin hasn't received the same amount of time in the spotlight. It's just a simple B vitamin, nothing fancy.

Boosting your HDL level is just as important as lowering your LDL cholesterol. Niacin can raise HDL — the "good" cholesterol — by 15 percent to 35 percent. This makes niacin the most effective drug available for raising HDL cholesterol. While niacin's effect on HDL is of most interest, it's worth noting that niacin also decreases your LDL and triglyceride levels.

Some forms of niacin, especially in high doses — 1,000 milligrams or more — may cause temporary flushing of the skin. There are versions of niacin specially formulated to reduce/eliminate the flushing associated with Niacin use.

Vitamin E Cuts Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetics

Friday, January 4, 2008

(Diet, Nutrition, Energy News) --- According to new research, Vitamin E supplements may cut the risk of cardiovascular events among diabetics in half, if they carry a particular version of a gene. Diabetics with the haptoglobin (Hp) 2-2 gene, associated with an inferior antioxidant protection and a raised risk of cardiovascular events, were provided protection from vitamin Esupplements, according to the research published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.

Type 2 diabetics are known to be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and this has been linked to a decrease in fibrinolysis - a process whereby the protein fibrin is broken down in the bloodstream. Fibrin plays an active role in coagulation of the blood.

1434 people with type-2 diabetes with the Hp2-2 genotype were randomly assigned to receive a daily vitamin E supplement (400 U/d) or placebo for 18 months.

The research showed that the individuals receiving the vitamin supplements had 50 percent fewer heart attacks, strokes, and related deaths than Hp 2-2 patients receiving the placebo."Vitamin E supplementation appears to reduce cardiovascular events in individuals with DM and the Hp 2-2 genotype," stated the authors. Moreover, the researcher report no adverse effects observed in patients who took vitamin E.

There are eight forms of vitamin E: four tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) and four tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta). Alpha-tocopherol (alpha-Toc) is the main source found in supplements and in the European diet, while gamma-tocopherol (gamma-Toc) is the most common form in the American diet.

In terms of vitamin E supplements and heart health for the wider population, a recent study reported that a higher dose - 3200 International Units - of vitamin E is needed to reduce oxidative stress in individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease. Vitamin E supplements are available in natural or synthetic forms. The natural forms are usually labeled with the letter "d" (for example, d-gamma-tocopherol), whereas synthetic forms are labeled "dl" (for example, dl-alpha-tocopherol).

Do Probiotics Really Work?

(Diet, Nutrition, Energy News) --- In a world filled with germ fighting antibiotic medicines, cleansers and hand wipes, it's important to remember that not all bacteria are bad for us. In fact, some naturally occurring bacteria in the intestine are good for us.

Probiotics are bacteria that help maintain the natural balance of organisms (microflora) in the intestines. They are also called "friendly bacteria" or "good bacteria." The normal human digestive tract contains about 400 types of probiotic bacteria that reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and promote a healthy digestive system.

Probiotics are available in foods and dietary supplements (for example, capsules, tablets, and powders) and in some other forms as well. Most probiotics are bacteria similar to those naturally found in the human gut. Most often, the bacteria come from two groups, Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. Within each group, there are different species (for example, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus), and within each species there are different strains.

Researchers have found compelling evidence that these friendly bacteria are vital to proper development of the immune system, to protection against microorganisms that could cause disease, and to the digestion and absorption of food and nutrients.

The microflora in the intestines is constantly under attack due to unhealthy eating habits, stress, exposure to toxic substances, alcohol consumption, antibiotics and other medications. Repopulating and balancing intestinal microflora with probiotics boosts protection of the immune system and fights the proliferation of yeast and disease-causing bacteria.

One of the most common uses of probiotics is in the treatment of antibiotic side effects. Antibiotic medications decrease the amount of good bacteria in the intestine and throw off the balance of intestinal flora which can cause cramping, gas, yeast infections and diarrhea. Other potential uses include relief of infectious diarrhea, urinary tract infections, skin infections, tooth decay, periodontal disease and lactose intolerance. While results of research testing the impact of probiotics on these conditions are ongoing, there is positive evidence and strong interest in the role that probiotics play in their prevention and treatment.