Friday, February 27, 2009

Smarter Child with Multi-vitamins & minerals Supplementation

Adequate levels of vitamins and minerals are essential for optimal neural functioning. A high proportion of individuals, including children, suffer from deficiencies in one or more vitamins or minerals.
A recent UK-based study investigated whether daily supplementation with vitamins/minerals could modulate cognitive performance and mood in healthy children. In this investigation, eighty-one healthy children aged from 8 to 14 years underwent laboratory assessments of their cognitive performance and mood on the first and last days of 12 weeks' supplementation with a commercially available vitamins/mineral product. The assesment was done at pre-dose, 1h and 3h post-dose. Interim assessments were also completed at home after 4 and 8 weeks at 3 h post-dose. Each assessment comprised completion of a cognitive battery, which included tasks assessing mood and the speed and accuracy of attention and aspects of memory (secondary, semantic and spatial working memory).

The vitamin/mineral group performed more accurately on two attention tasks: 'Arrows' choice reaction time task at 4 and 8 weeks; and 'Arrow Flankers' choice reaction time task at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Picture Recognition errors showed significant decrement at 12 weeks.

While mood was not modulated in any interpretable manner, the author believe that these results suggest that vitamin/mineral supplementation has the potential to improve brain function in healthy children, and warrant further investigation.

British Journal of Nutrition. 100(5):1086-96, 2008 Nov

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

NEW Chocolate Whey Nutrimeal and Chocolate Fusion Nutrition Bars





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Monday, February 23, 2009

Vitamin E and Respiratory Tract Infections

Nutrition plays an important role in helping prevent or reduce the incidence and severity of seasonal illness. Research shows that a good multivitamin and extra vitamin E can reduce the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections, especially in the elderly.

Respiratory illnesses, including the common cold, can be debilitating and lead to complications and death in the elderly. A study published in the August 18, 2004, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association found vitamin E to be protective against upper respiratory infections.
Four hundred fifty-one individuals aged 65 and older at 33 long-term care facilities completed a course of 200 IU of vitamin E per day or a placebo from April 1998 to August 2001. In addition, all of the subjects received a multivitamin that provided 50 percent of the recommended daily allowance for essential vitamins and minerals. The incidence of lower respiratory infections, such as acute bronchitis and pneumonia, and upper respiratory tract infections, including cold, influenza, sore throat, middle ear infection and sinusitis, was documented over the course of the trial.

The subjects who received vitamin E acquired fewer respiratory tract infections than those who did not receive the vitamin. Participants who received the vitamin experienced a 20 percent decreased risk of acquiring the common cold, which accounted for 84 percent of the upper respiratory infections reported. In addition, participants taking vitamin E had fewer colds per person. Although vitamin E showed no significant effect on lower respiratory tract infections, the protective effect of vitamin E supplementation on upper respiratory tract infections observed in this group merits further investigation and suggests important implications for the well-being of the elderly.


JAMA. 2004;292:828-836.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Dietary Magnesium may help to reduce depression

Systemic inflammation is associated with both the dietary intake of magnesium, and depression.

Limited experimental and clinical data suggest an association between magnesium and depression. Thus, there are reasons to consider dietary magnesium as a variable of interest in depressive disorders. A recent Australian study suggest that magnesium-rich diet could play a role in preventing and treating depression. The study examine the association between magnesium intake and depression and anxiety in a large sample of community-dwelling men and women. This sample consisted of 5708 individuals aged 46-49 or 70-74 years who participated in the Hordaland Health Study in Western Norway.

There was an inverse association between standardized energy-adjusted magnesium intake and standardized depression scores that was not confounded by age, gender, body composition or blood pressure. The association was attenuated after adjustment for socioeconomic and lifestyle variables, but remained statistically significant. The strength of the magnesium's link to depression was comparable to that of low education and inadequate exercise, two established risk factors for the condition.

Magnesium is present in high concentrations in fish, grains, nuts and many fruits and vegetables. Research had revealed that almost 70% of US adults consumed less than the country’s recommended daily intake of magnesium. Findings from this study suggest that magnesium intake is related to depression in the community, further supporting the theory that there may be an association between diet and aetiology of depression, which some studies had linked with a lack of fatty acids and fish consumption. These findings may have public health and treatment implications.


Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 2009. 43(1):45-52.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Low vitamin D levels lead to poor physical performance in the elderly

In a recent study, researchers examined the association between vitamin D status and physical performance. Among subjects with low vitamin D levels, physical performance and grip strength were significantly lower than that of participants who did not have reduced levels.

In addition to its role in bone health, vitamin D is thought to play a role in musculoskeletal function. In a recent study, researchers examined the association between vitamin D status and physical performance in a sample of 976 persons over the age of 65. The physical performance of the subjects was analyzed using a short physical performance battery (SPPB) and handgrip strength. The SPPB tests included walking speed, ability to stand from a seated position, and ability to maintain balance in progressively more challenging positions.

Over 28% of the women and 13% of the men had vitamin D levels low enough to be considered a deficiency. Nearly three-fourths of the women and over half of the men had vitamin D levels that were considered insufficient. Among subjects with low vitamin D levels, physical performance and grip strength were significantly lower than that of participants who did not have reduced levels. The finding remained valid after taking into consideration other factors (such as season of the year and physical activity levels).

Given the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in older populations, additional studies examining the association between vitamin D status and physical function are needed. Current vitamin D recommendations are based on its role in bone health, although emerging research indicates vitamin D may also play important roles in preservation of muscle strength and physical function, as well as potential preventative roles in conditions such as cancer.

The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences 62:440-446 (2007)

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Higher vitamin E intake associated with lower lung cancer risk

New research indicates that higher intakes of vitamin E in the forms of alpha, beta and gamma-tocopherol may be associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer. In this study population, Vitamin E as alpha-tocopherol reduced the risk of lung cancer by as much as 61 percent.

A study published in the September 1, 2008, issue of the International Journal of Cancer evaluated the effect of alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocopherols on lung cancer risk. Until recently, studies of vitamin E and cancer have focused on the alpha-tocopherol form of the vitamin. However, the lesser known fractions (in particular gamma-tocopherol) have increasingly been the subject of scientific research.

In an ongoing study of 1,088 incident lung cancer cases and 1,414 healthy controls, researchers studied the associations between four tocopherols (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol) in the diet and lung cancer risk. Higher intakes of alpha, beta and gamma-tocopherols were found to be associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer. When groups with the highest and lowest alpha-tocopherol levels were compared, those with intakes in the highest 25 percent showed a 61 percent reduction in lung cancer risk. For both beta-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol, subjects whose intake was highest experienced a 44 percent lower risk compared to the lowest intake groups. No significant association was observed between delta-tocopherol and lung cancer risk.

Since this is the first report of the independent associations of the four forms of dietary tocopherols (alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocopherol) on lung cancer risk, the researchers suggest further research concerning the various forms of vitamin E and cancer risk.

Int J Cancer 2008 Sep 1;123(5):1173-80.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Vitamin D insufficiency common among breast cancer survivors

New research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed a correlation between vitamin D levels and various stages of breast cancer development.

Vitamin D influences pathways related to cancer development, but little is currently known about vitamin D status in breast cancer survivors. Recent data taken from the Health, Eating, Activity and Lifestyle (HEAL) study showed a correlation between vitamin D status and breast cancer survivors. Vitamin D concentrations from 790 female breast cancer survivors were obtained and vitamin D insufficiency was found in 597 individuals - or 75% of participants. Average vitamin D concentrations were even lower among African American and Hispanic women.

Controlling for various factors such as body mass index (BMI), race/ethnicity, geography, season, physical activity, diet, and cancer treatments showed that stage of disease independently predicted vitamin D levels. In this group of breast cancer survivors the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was abnormally high. Based on these results, health professionals and clinicians should consider monitoring vitamin D status in breast cancer patients in addition to administering appropriate cancer treatments.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 88, No. 1, 133-139, July 2008

Friday, February 13, 2009

Low glycemic meals produce favorable leptin and insulin responses, resulting in lower food consumption

Low glycemic meals promote a post-meal environment that is favorable for reduced food consumption. This may be an advantage in the control of obesity and related disorders, including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Low glycemic meals produce favorable leptin and insulin responses, resulting in lower food consumption.

In a recent study, metabolic effects of meals with varying glycemic index (GI) were evaluated. In a group of healthy volunteers, glucose, insulin and leptin responses to two contrasting breakfast cereals were measured. Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells that indicates the degree of hunger to the hypothalamus of the brain. Lower leptin levels trigger a sense of satiety and decreased hunger.

Meals were provided on two separate occasions in random order after a 12-hour overnight fast, and consisted of 50 g of available carbohydrate from either Corn Flakes (Kellogg's), or Fiber One (General Mills). Blood samples were obtained at rest, and 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after eating. The GI was calculated from the glucose response to the test meal normalized against a 50 g oral glucose load.

The average GI for Corn Flakes was 125 and 49 for Fiber One. These meals were classified as high GI and low GI, respectively, and were significantly different from each other. The insulin response following the low glycemic meal was significantly reduced compared to the high glycemic meal. The high glycemic meal significantly suppressed circulating leptin levels compared to the low glycemic meal.

Lower insulin response and higher circulating leptin levels suggest that low glycemic meals promote a post-meal environment that is favorable for reduced food consumption; this may be advantageous in the control of obesity and related disorders, including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Ann Nutr Metab 2007 Dec 10;51(6):512-518

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Cellular Nutrition / Ray D. Strand, M.D.




I have promoted a concept in my medical practice for years that I call cellular nutrition. What I learned early on in my research and in nutritional medicine practice was that almost all of these studies evaluated only one nutrient at a time. For example, the study evaluated only vitamin C or vitamin E or selenium or calcium or alpha lipoic acid. This is just the way we do research. However, vitamin E and vitamin C are not drugs. They are nutrients from foods; however, today because of supplementation we are able to get them at levels unobtainable in foods. All of these nutrients work together in a synergistic way.

Vitamin E is the best antioxidant in the cell wall. Vitamin C is the best antioxidant in the plasma. Glutathione is the best intracellular antioxidant. All of these antioxidants need the so-called antioxidant minerals and B-cofactors to do their job. I not only want my patients to receive all the health benefits that these nutrients can provide, but I also want to be sure that these nutrients to the cell are provided at optimal levels. Therefore, cellular nutrition is defined as providing all of these nutrients to the cell at optimal levels or to those levels which provide a health benefit according to medical literature.



RAY D. STRAND, M.D.
Specialist in Nutritional Medicine
Contact me today for more information

Monday, February 9, 2009

Do Your Supplements Dissolve? / Ray D. Strand, M.D.


As a physician, I really did not think too much about whether the nutritional supplements my patients were taking actually dissolved or not. All of the drugs I prescribed, whether or not they were brand-name or generic, were required to follow USP (US Pharmacopeias) standards. This means that the quality and dissolution of the tablet was regulated. This is not true for the nutritional supplements industry; again, it is basically an unregulated industry.

When I was doing research for my book, What Your Doctor Doesn’t Know about Nutritional Medicine [Thomas Nelson 2002], I found a study done at the University of Maryland. Here 9 different prescription prenatal vitamins were studied. Researchers did not look at what was in the tablet; they simply looked at whether the tablet dissolved or not. To my amazement, only 3 of the 9 prescription prenatal vitamins dissolved. What good does it do to have the right nutrients in the right amounts if your tablet doesn’t even dissolve? You are just wasting money. It is imperative that any supplements you choose to take must follow USP guidelines. This is the only way you can be assured that your tablets are dissolving.



RAY D. STRAND, M.D.
Specialist in Nutritional Medicine
Contact me today for more information

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Pharmaceutical-Grade Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) / Ray D. Strand, M.D.


Presently, nutritional supplement companies are not required to follow any standard of quality manufacturing. They are basically unregulated. Even if they follow what is known as food-grade Good Manufacturing Practices(GMP), they are only required to have about 20% of what they say is on the label actually in the tablet. Unless you take supplements from a nutritional company that follows pharmaceutical-grade Good Manufacturing Practices, you really have no assurance that what is on the label is actually in the tablet. Companies that voluntarily (they are not required by law to do this) produce their products in a pharmaceutical-grade fashion are required to have 100% of what is on the label in the tablet. In fact, some will even guarantee their potency.

I always encourage my patients to take pharmaceutical-grade nutritional supplements. This is the only way I can be assured that my patients receive what I recommend. When my patients bring a particular bottle of supplements into my office and want me to evaluate what they are taking, I must first determine that the supplements are pharmaceutical-grade. If they are not, there is really no need for me to even look at the label. There is no way I could actually know what patients are getting.

RAY D. STRAND, M.D.
Specialist in Nutritional Medicine

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Take the Cheapest Supplements You Can Find? ‏/ Ray D. Strand, M.D.


Early in my career, I remember telling my patients who were set on taking supplements to just take the cheapest ones they could find. The reason I made this comment was that I really did not believe that supplements had any value anyway, so why not just buy the cheapest ones? At least, they would not cost my patients too much money. In contrast, now that I realize all of the health benefits my patients can receive by taking supplements, I want to be sure that they receive high-quality products.

One of the greatest frustrations in becoming a specialist in nutritional medicine is that I work with such an unregulated market. The FDA looks at nutritional supplements the same way it looks at foods. This entire industry is really not regulated, and a nutritional company can pretty much put any amount of nutrients in their tablets. In other words, the amount stated on the label is not necessarily what is in the tablet. Unless a nutritional company voluntarily produces its nutritional supplements in a pharmaceutical-grade method, the consumer has no assurance that what is on the label is in the tablet. Why sell your health to the lowest bidder? Taking high-quality, complete and balanced nutritional are the least expensive health insurance policy you will ever purchase.

RAY D. STRAND, M.D.

Specialist in Nutritional Medicine



Tuesday, February 3, 2009

You Can Get Everything You Need from a Healthy Diet ‏/ Ray D. Strand, M.D.


I told my patients for years that they did not need to take supplements and that they could get everything they needed by eating a healthy diet. When I began to realize that RDA’s had nothing to do with the types of diseases I was trying to prevent, I had to rethink my decision not to recommend supplements. As I mentioned earlier, the optimal level of vitamin E is 400 IU. Why just not have my patients eat 400 IU of vitamin E. They would only need to eat 33 heads of spinach or 28 pounds of butter or 5 pounds of wheat germ each day to get that much vitamin E. The optimal level of vitamin C is about 1000 to 2000 mg daily (the RDA is only 60 mg). My patients would only have to eat 18 large oranges or 80 avocados to get that amount of vitamin C from their diet.

I certainly believe that we must supplement a healthy diet with 8 to 12 servings of fruits and vegetables along with those good fats and good proteins. However, there was no way my patients could receive health benefits from optimal levels of nutrients without supplementing their diet. It became very obvious to me that my patients needed to supplement their diet with high-quality, complete and balanced nutritional supplements for the best protection against chronic degenerative diseases.
RAY D. STRAND, M.D.
Specialist in Nutritional Medicine

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Healthy for life program ‏/ Ray D. Strand, M.D.



Healthy for life program overview
‏/ Ray D. Strand, M.D.



When I first began trying to reverse insulin resistance in my patients, I tried to teach them healthy lifestyles in a classroom setting. I personally felt that if these people understood the principles and the scientific concepts involving insulin resistance they would automatically make these effective lifestyle changes. Well, to my chagrin most of the patients really did not do very well and therefore, the improvements in their health were not that great. Most of my patients were very sincere in their attempts to make these healthy lifestyle changes but met with all sorts of distractions and misconceptions and would quickly revert back to their old lifestyles.
About 8 years ago I decided to change my approach and simply counsel my patients individually in my office. This was a team effort between my two nurse practitioners and myself. We held our patients accountable by having them document everything they ate during the week, their exercise, and their consumption of the nutritionals. We then would see them back in my office each and every week for the first month and then every other week thereafter. This was an amazing eye-opener for me and my entire staff. When we made the patients become accountable and they realized that they had to write down everything they had been eating during the week, did we see some major improvements! My staff was also able to further educate my patients by simply pointing out to my patients where they were making mistakes and still spiking their blood sugars. Through this interaction my patients not only were learning these new concepts about healthy living but were now more effectively applying them to their own lives. The results were simply amazing! I have literally been able to see my patient’s health improve before my eyes. Individuals who are trying to make changes in their lifestyles want to know exactly what they need to do to improve their health. The more they would learn in the lay media and books, the more confused they would become. The Healthy for Life Program is cutting-edge and based entirely on medical research. This is why so many people have chosen to become involved with the Healthy for Life Program I have developed. Not only do they trust the information they are receiving but when they personally make these lifestyle changes they are having such tremendous results.
I have now developed this new web page http://www.releasingfat.com/, which I feel offers everyone a greater chance of success. This is literally my personal medical office online. The internet offers us a unique tool which will be even more effective in evaluating, documenting, encouraging, and holding individuals accountable than my approach in my medical office. Individuals anywhere in the world who truly desire to develop these healthier lifestyles that have a side-effect of permanent weight loss can now have lifetime success. This approach can be done in the privacy of their own home and where they receive professional guidance and support from my entire staff.
I want to explain how I am able, through this site, to help anyone around the world achieve these health benefits. Even though these lifestyle changes are simple and easy, we are all creatures of habits—some good and some bad. In order to effectively have victory over some of these poor lifestyles, you need to be motivated, encouraged, and held accountable. Over time, these new lifestyles become natural and eventually just a way of life. Out with the old habits and in with the new healthier habits. You will actually enjoy the freedom of not being addicted to fast food and all the high-glycemic and processed carbohydrates. You will enjoy the way you feel and your new energy level along with a sense of well-being. You will also not be discouraged when you begin to shed excess pounds of fat and realize that you are not even trying to lose weight. You will not weigh your food or count calories. If you become naturally hungry, you simply eat another low-glycemic meal or snack. That's correct, you will not go hungry on the Healthy for Life Program.

Contact for more information