Athlete Guarantee Program

Trust is a major issue for athletes competing for a place in the Olympics and other high profile athletic competitions. Taking nutritional supplements to help maintain health shouldn't place an athlete at risk for testing positive for a banned substance. Broadly publicized allegations of contaminants in supplements lead many top athletes to wonder if taking supplements will jeopardize their future ability to qualify for competition. In fact, national Olympic committees have written to their athletes warning them of the potential danger of contaminants, encouraging them not to consume any nutritional supplements.

To date, no nutritional supplement company has stepped forward to assume their portion of the liability that a banned substance contamination would create. USANA offers an ironclad solution through its Athlete Guarantee Program. This confident stance in a high stakes venture strengthens our industry-leading position and affirms our commitment to providing "Nutritionals You Can Trust."

Contact me for more information

Nutrisearch Announces USANA Health Sciences as 2009 Editor's Choice for Excellence

USANA Health Sciences, nutritional supplement manufacturer, is recognised for product quality and for leadership in research, standards, and business practices.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Feb 25, 2009 – USANA Health Sciences has been named the 2009 Editor’s Choice in the NutriSearch Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements, Consumer Edition for Australia and New Zealand, announced Lyle MacWilliam, president and CEO of Canada’s NutriSearch Corporation. NutriSearch publishes a series of guides examining the science of nutrition and comparing available multiple vitamin and mineral products to an independent standard.

“USANA’s Essentials and HealthPak 100 formulations for Australia and New Zealand were the only products in their respective categories to earn a full five-star rating in our latest review,” said MacWilliam. “Combined with USANA’s voluntary commitment to the highest standards and demonstrated belief in being a good corporate citizen, we really had no trouble choosing this company as our 2009 Editor’s Choice.”

In ranking nutritionals, NutriSearch examines the label claims of multiple vitamin and mineral products available to consumers in regional marketplaces, using an independent Blended Standard developed from the recommendations for optimal daily intake by 12 independent authorities on nutrition. The Blended Standard is used as the baseline for comparison using 18 rating criteria, including Completeness, Potency, Bioavailability of Minerals, Bone Health, Heart Health, and Potential Toxicities.

The resulting scores are grouped and ranked using a five-star rating. Products earning a five-star score are eligible to apply for a Bronze, Silver, or Gold NutriSearch Medal of Achievement,™ based on their level of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and an independent laboratory test to prove that what is on the label is in the bottle.

“USANA products were head and shoulders above the field,” said MacWilliam, with USANA’s Essentials and HealthPak 100 earning the only five-star rating among products sold in Australia and New Zealand for Single and Combination products, respectively.

Both products were awarded the NutriSearch GOLD Medal of Achievement™ based on their high rating and on the NSF certification of USANA’s manufacturing facility. NSF is a US-based standards organization that audits and certifies manufacturing facilities for compliance with pharmaceutical-model GMP and evaluates finished products to ensure compliance with label claim.

The Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements, Consumer Edition for Australia and New Zealand is available for purchase from ProTools Australia or from Amazon.com.

http://www.prlog.org/10189344-nutrisearch-announces-usana-health-sciences-as-2009-editors-choice-for-excellence.html

USANA Announces Partnership with Great Britain Short Track Speed Skating

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 10, 2009-- USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: USNA), a worldwide leader in science-based nutritional supplements, announced today it has signed a two-year agreement to be the official supplement supplier of the Great Britain Short Track Speed Skating Team.

The team, which includes decorated skater Jon Eley, is gaining more recognition as it prepares for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia. Eley has won two World Cup silver medals this season and is ranked third in the world in the 500m event. In 2008, the men’s relay team earned a bronze medal at the Short Track Speed Skating World Championships and a silver medal at the Short Track Speed Skating European Championships.

"The National Ice Skating Association (NISA) welcomes this exciting partnership between Great Britain Short Track Speed Skating and USANA,” said NISA General Secretary Keith Horton. “USANA is our first major sponsor in a great number of years, and we are pleased to be associated with such a prestigious and internationally renowned company. This partnership will benefit the athletes and raise the profile of not only NISA but USANA as well."

USANA manufactures a wide variety of nutritional products that are trusted by some of the world’s best athletes. USANA voluntarily follows current Good Manufacturing Practices based on pharmaceutical models for its quality assurance program, meaning its nutritional supplements are treated with the same care that goes into manufacturing pharmaceutical products. Six USANA nutritional supplements recently received independent certification through NSF International's Certified for Sport(TM) program.

"USANA is proud to be partnering with Great Britain Short Track Speed Skating and the premier athletes that make up this talented team," said USANA CEO Dave Wentz. "It is important that these world-class athletes have access to high-quality nutritionals they can trust. We wish them all the best at the upcoming British Championships."

For more information about USANA products, please contact us

Stocking the fridge?

The supermarket may seem overwhelming when you are trying to eat a low-glycemic diet.

Shopping for food shouldn't be stressful. Keep the following tips in mind next time you are at the store:

• Don't go hungry; eat a snack to avoid impulse buying
• Check out the ingredients. Limit intake of foods with large amounts of sugar, flour, salt, refined grains, and hydrogenated vegetable oil.
• Peruse the "Nutrition Facts." Look at calorie, carbohydrate, and fat amounts for each serving. Also look at the fibre, sodium, and sugar content. Evaluate them against your healthy eating choices and nutrition goals.
• Focus on making healthy choices of whole, unrefined foods.
• Stock up on legumes, whole grains, nuts, healthy oils, fruits, and vegetables, low-fat proteins, and light dairy products.

Tips for eating out

Everybody loves eating out at a restaurant now and then, but it seems almost impossible to make good food choices when faced with so many options.

Here are some suggestions for eating well when you're eating out:

• Avoid buffets and other all-you-can-eat restaurants
• Don't go when you're starving; eat a small snack first
• Limit alcoholic beverages
• Order items that have been prepared healthfully: steamed, broiled, roasted, etc.
• Don't be afraid to ask for substitutions
• If portions are large, split yours with someone
• Keep low-glycemic foods in mind and order the best choice available

The following are some tips for specific types of restaurants:

Chinese

• Order traditional dishes that feature moderate portions of proteins (meat or tofu) stir-fried with an assortment of vegetables and tasty sauces
• Avoid the fried foods and white sticky rice, order brown rice if available
• Broth-based soups like hot and sour, egg drop, or wonton are good choices
• Order foods cooked in black bean, oyster, Szechuan, or hot mustard sauce

French

• Look for Mediterranean-style items
• Avoid the bread and high-fat sauces
• Order broiled, steamed, or poached foods
• Choose tomato/wine sauces, broth-based soups

Greek

• Choose roasted lamb or chicken dishes prepared with lemon and yoghurt
• Order Greek salads
• Avoid the filo-dough, mounds of feta cheese, and puddles of olive oil
• Try baked fish and chicken dishes that are healthily prepared

Indian

• Order healthily prepared legumes, chicken, fish, and vegetables
• Choose basmati rice--as a side or in biryanis--and chapati bread
• Try the tomato-based sauces and tandoori dishes
• Avoid sauces made with large amounts of coconut or coconut milk

Italian

• Steer clear of the white bread and cheesy, creamy sauces
• Choose tomato or marsala sauces
• Order a half-portion of pasta and combine with a salad
• Go for the thin-crust pizza with low-fat cheese and loaded with vegetables

Japanese

• Try miso soup and soy beans for an appetizer
• Limit the sticky rice (ask if brown rice is available) and avoid tempura
• Choose sashimi, yakitori, teriyaki, sukiyaki, and grilled dishes
• Order udon or soba noodles

Mexican

• Stay away from the cheese and refried beans
• Order grilled seafood and chicken dishes: tacos, burritos, fajitas
• Ask for low-fat cheese, whole-wheat tortillas, and light sour cream
• Limit guacamole

Thai

• Order dishes that combine proteins (meat or tofu) with vegetables
• Choose curry, chili, basil, lime, and fish sauces
• Opt for long-grain rice over white rice
• Try pad thai and other stir-fried noodle dishes, ask for less oil to be used in the preparation

Chocolate that’s good for you!

USANA has utilised the health benefits of good quality cocoa in its new Chocolate Fusion Nutrition Bar and Chocolate Whey NutrimealTM, which provide optimal macronutrition with a delicious chocolate taste. It’s the perfect way to indulge in chocolate everyday.

The latest addition to USANA’s Nutriton Bar range, the Chocolate Fusion Bar is a low GI snack that is formulated without gluten. It contains 12g of protein and 3g of fibre for sustained energy, health and weight management.

USANA Chocolate Whey Nutrimeal is a healthy meal replacement shake made without soy protein or gluten. Low GI of 28, with 15g of high quality protein per serve and 8g of dietary fibre, it is ideal for those who are sensitive to soy protein or gluten, or those looking for a great tasting, healthy meal replacement. Whey protein also has a high bioavailability rating, which means that more protein is absorbed by the body and used for growth, repair, and energy production.

Korean Ginseng Helps to Lower Blood Glucose level and Elicit Cognitive performance

Korean Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) is an adaptogenic herb that has been used as potent energy tonic for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Although we do not yet fully understand the mechanism for many of Ginseng’s medicinal benefits, modern science using controlled clinical trials began to unravel scientific evidence on the health benefits of Ginseng supplementation. Single doses of the traditional herbal treatment Panax ginseng have recently been shown to lower blood glucose levels and elicit cognitive improvements in healthy, overnight-fasted volunteers.

These young adults then consumed capsules containing either a Panax ginseng extract or a placebo, and 30 minutes later a drink containing glucose or placebo. A further 30 minutes later (i.e. 60 minutes post-baseline/capsules) they completed the "cognitive demand" battery six times in immediate succession. The participants were divided into four groups: Placebo (0mg Ginseng/0 mg glucose); Ginseng (200mg Ginseng/0 mg glucose); Glucose (0 mg Ginseng/25 g glucose); or Ginseng/Glucose (200 mg Ginseng/25 g glucose). Blood glucose levels were measured prior to the day's treatment, and before and after the post-dose completions of the battery.

These results confirm that Panax Ginseng may possess glucoregulatory properties and can enhance cognitive performance. The author further hypothesized that the cognitive improvements may be related to the glycemic properties of Panax Ginseng.

USANA Recognized as Newest Member of the Council for Responsible Nutrition

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 18, 2009-- USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: USNA), last week was approved for membership to the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) as the organization’s newest voting member. CRN member companies manufacture popular national dietary supplement brands as well as the store brands marketed by major supermarkets, drug store and discount chains. These products also include those marketed through natural food stores and mainstream direct-selling companies.

“It is always gratifying for our association to attract responsible companies that are dedicated to providing consumers with safe, high-quality and beneficial dietary supplements,” said CRN President and CEO Steve Mister. “We are pleased to welcome USANA to CRN.”

As CRN’s newest member, USANA agrees to adhere to the council’s voluntary guidelines for manufacturing and marketing as well as its Code of Ethics. In addition, USANA has voting rights within the organization and will continue complying with a host of federal and state regulations governing dietary supplements.

“USANA is honored to be recognized by the Council for Responsible Nutrition and associated with such an elite group of companies,” said USANA CEO Dave Wentz. “This membership reiterates USANA’s commitment to quality, safety, and improving the lives of people around the world.”

The Council for Responsible Nutrition, founded in 1973 and based in Washington, D.C., is the leading trade association representing dietary supplement manufacturers and ingredient suppliers. CRN companies produce a large portion of the dietary supplements marketed in the United States and globally.

For more information about USANA’s high-quality products, please contact us today.

Wayne's Story - Cardiomyopathy / Ray D. Strand, M.D.

Wayne was a classmate of mine in both high school and college. We ran track and spent a lot of time together when we were young. About 10 years ago, Wayne came into my office and complained of just not feeling well. He said his heart felt like it was jumping out of his chest. I put him in the hospital and consulted a cardiologist. Wayne had developed cardiomyopathy (severely enlarged heart) due to a viral infection he had suffered a month or two before. His heart was very weak and his ejection fraction (measurement of the heart's ability to contract) was only 17% (normal is 50 to 70). He was placed on the heart transplant list because his ejection fraction improved by only 4 or 5 points even with all the medication he took.

I placed Wayne on the aggressive nutritional supplement program I recommend for this disease, which includes high doses of a nutrient called Coenzyme Q10. CoQ10 is essential for the creation of energy within the cell, especially the heart muscle. Clinical research has shown that patients with heart failure and cardiomyopathy quickly become depleted in CoQ10 within their heart muscle because of their weakened state.

Dr. Peter Langsjoen, a biochemist and cardiologist, had shown in several clinical trials that when patients supplement with CoQ10, nearly 85% of them have a significant positive clinical response. Wayne's ejection fraction went back to 58% within 4 months, and he was taken off the heart transplant list and returned to work.
I have personally been involved with over a dozen patients with cardiomyopathy who have now been removed from the heart transplant list. They are not cured. However, as long as they take their aggressive nutritional supplement program and CoQ10, they are able to provide the fuel source their heart requires to compensate for its weakened state.

Ray D. Strand, M.D. Specialist in Nurition Medicine

Rhodiola Rosea Improves Physical and Cognitive Function

Rhodiala Rosea is a herbal plant that grows in the cold regions of the world, and has been widely known as an adaptogen. Numerous studies have demonstrated that Rhodiola rosea enhances cognitive and physical performance.
Recently a 12-wk German study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a commercially available Rhodiola rosea extract (200mg) that also contains supportive nutrients including vitamins E, B6, B12, folate, and magnesium.

120 adults with physical and cognitive deficiencies participated in this study. Two different dosage regimens were used. One group of 60 (group 1) took 2 capsules orally in the morning after breakfast, and the other group (group 2) took 1 capsule after breakfast and 1 after lunch. Three medical examinations were performed during the course of the study (at baseline, after 6 wk, and after 12 wk). The evaluated symptoms were divided into physical disturbances such as exhaustion, decreased motivation, daytime sleepiness, decreased libido, sleep disturbances, and cognitive complaints (eg, concentration deficiencies, forgetfulness, decreased memory, susceptibility to stress, irritability).

A statistically highly significant improvement in physical and cognitive deficiencies was observed at the end of the study in both groups, as well as in the separately evaluated groups 1 and 2. Improvements in group 1 were more pronounced than in group 2. Improvements in physical performance were observed for 86% of participants in the combined overall group, 92% in group 1, and 79 % in group 2. Improved cognitive performance was demonstrated in 77% of participants in the overall group, 90% in group 1, and in 64% in group 2.

Although the exact mode of action of Rhodiola rosea extract remains unknown, the results of this study are very promising. The positive effect of Rhodiola rosea is supported by the other ingredients: vitamins E, B6, B12, magnesium, and folate. The study author further suggests that such nutritional regime can be recommended as a supportive treatment option for adults with physical and cognitive deficiencies; however, placebo-controlled clinical trials are still needed to confirm these promising findings.

Source: Advances In Natural Therapy, 2007, Vol 24 (4): 929-39

Recipe of the Month: Lebanese Lamb Skewers

Lebanese Lamb Skewers
This marinade caramelises really nicely on the grill. You could also use the marinade on duck, or any cut of lamb. If you use wooden skewers, soak them in cold water for 2–3 hours to prevent them from burning when cooking under the grill or on the barbecue. You can buy baharat which is a Lebanese spice blend from Middle Eastern stores

Makes 12 skewers
1 kg (2.2 lb) lean lamb leg meat, cut into large cubes (you need 36 pieces of meat 2.5 cm/1 inch)

Marinade
3 tablespoons red wine
1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
1 teaspoon baharat

Salad
1 cucumber sliced
1 onion sliced
1 tomato sliced

Fresh herbs of choice

Method
Combine the diced lamb with the marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Cover and leave to marinate for at least 2 hours in the fridge. Heat a grill, barbecue or griddle pan to medium-high. Thread 3 pieces of lamb on each skewer and cook for 2 minutes on each of the 4 sides, then rest for 5 minutes before serving. The lamb should be pink and tender, but you can adjust cooking time for personal preference. Serve with on a bed of freshly sliced veggies such as Onion, Tomato, Cucumber and fresh herbs. Drizzle the fresh salad with OptOmega.

Rev3 Pack is now available in Australia

Enjoy the natural energy burst of Rev3 released in Australia on Sunday 8 March from the popular feedback at Celebrations! Experience long-lasting energy and hydration with health boosting antioxidants and caffeine from green, white and black teas. With natural ingredients, there is no crash and burn like high sugar energy drinks. Low in calories and sugar (only 10 cal & 2g sugar per serve), Rev3 Energy Surge™ Pack is available as a convenient carry-anywhere sachet – perfect for your water bottle.

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

NEW Chocolate Whey Nutrimeal and Chocolate Fusion Nutrition Bars

We are pleased to announce Chocolate Whey Nutrimeal and Chocolate Fusion Nutrition Bars have just been launched and are now available to purchase.

Chocolate Whey NutrimealTM

A healthy chocolate-fix that is clinically tested with a low glycemic index of 28. This great tasting, chocolate Nutrimeal™ formula offers a healthy blend of whey protein and good carbohydrates. Plus the tasty, chocolate formula is soy-protein free and formulated without gluten.

Try now- you will love the creamy chocolate taste!

Chocolate Fusion Nutrition Bars

A velvety low GI chocolate fudge bar with just 12g of protein and 3g of fibre. With this handy delicious bar, snacking will never be the same again!

Nutrition Bars are a convenient source of nutrition. They provide sustained energy with a low-glycemic index. Chocolate Fusion is a new delicious addition.

Purchase them NOW for a delicious chocolate fudge treat!

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.

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.

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)

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.

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

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