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April 15, 2009

Vitamin D supplementation appears to mitigate disease.

A significant decrease in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels indicates a severe vitamin D deficiency in the US population, especially in racial and ethnic groups, according to results of a population-based study reported in the March issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

"Vitamin D insufficiency has been associated with increases in cardiovascular disease, cancer, and infection," write Adit A. Ginde, MD, from the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, and colleagues. "Vitamin D supplementation appears to mitigate the incidence and adverse outcomes of these diseases and may reduce all-cause mortality."

The Institute of Medicine states "increasing evidence suggests that 30 or 40 units of activated vitamin D may be required for optimum health". 
Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(6):626–632.

Reducing Sodium = Iodine deficiency

If you’re following the new CDC recommendation* to lower your sodium intake, you should be aware that also means you are losing one of the primary sources of Iodine.

Iodine is often obtained from salt and ocean fish. If you are not taking both, you probably have lower than normal levels of Iodine. Remember, Iodine is vital for your immune health. Every cell in the body contains and requires Iodine. When you have low Iodine levels, your overall health is at risk. Pure Iodine53 is the answer.

*In 2006, The CDC determined 29% of U.S. adults had hypertension and another 28% had prehypertension, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Amino Acid levels lower in FM patients

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that presents with widespread pain, abnormal pain perception, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and possibly psychological distress, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, numbness or tingling in hands and feet, and may appear with other rheumatic diseases. Currently, the cause of this disorder is unknown.

A new study examined the possible relationship between plasma amino acid levels and fibromyalgia. In this study, 20 amino acids were measured in the plasma in 34 fibromyalgia patients and 18 healthy control subjects. The study showed that patients with fibromyalgia had significantly lower levels of several amino acids, including taurine, alanine, tyrosine, valine, methionine, phenylalanine, and threonine. Additionally, the sum of essential amino acids, which are amino acids required in the diet, was also significantly lower in the fibromyalgia patients. The study also showed that tyrosine competing amino acids (CAA), which are amino acids that compete for the same cerebral uptake mechanism, were lower in patients with fibromyalgia.

This study suggests that there may be deficient absorption of certain amino acids from the gastrointestinal tract in patients with fibromyalgia. As tyrosine is the precursor to the synthesis of catecholamines (stress hormones), the study authors also concluded, "given the reduced tyrosine CAA ratio in fibromyalgia patients, a possible impairment of cathecolaminergic system in the fibromyalgia syndrome may be suggested."

Reference: Bazzichi L, Palego L, Giannaccini G, Rossi A, De Feo F, Giacomelli C, Betti L, Giusti L, Bombardieri S, Lucacchini A. Altered amino acid homeostasis in subjects affected by fibromyalgia. Clin Biochem. 2009 Mar 9. Published Online Ahead of Print.

AHA endorses Omega 3 fatty acids

The American Heart Association (AHA) has endorsed the use of omega-3 fatty acids for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in people with documented coronary artery disease (CAD)," write John H. Lee, MD, from the Mid America Heart Institute and University of Missouri-Kansas City, and colleagues.

"The recommendation calls for approximately 1 gram per day of a mixture of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Although the AHA statement identifies oily fish as the ideal source, fish oil (in capsules or liquid form) is also an acceptable option." This recommendation is the first time that the AHA has recommended a nutritional supplement for CAD prevention, and it is supported by a large and growing body of evidence supporting the cardiovascular benefits and triglyceride-lowering effects of omega-3 oils.

Two meals of oily fish per week can provide 400 to 500 mg/day of DHA and EPA, but patients with hypertriglyceridemia must use fish oil supplements to reach levels of 1 g/day of DHA and 3 to 4 g/day of EPA.

Reference: March 18, 2008, News Author: Laurie Barclay, MD CME Author: Désirée Lie, MD, MSEd

Lower Your Risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

June 10, 2008 — Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids are believed to protect against oxygenic, inflammatory, and age-related retinal damage, which are key pathogenic processes in the development of AMD.

Fatty acids include alpha-linolenic acid (a short-chain omega-3 fatty acid), docosahexaenoic acid [DHA], and eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA](both long-chain omega-3 fatty acids). Of particular interest is DHA, which is an essential structural component of the retinal membranes and is found in the highest concentration per unit area in the retina. In addition, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids are believed to protect against oxygenic, inflammatory, and age-related retinal damage, which are key pathogenic processes in the development of Age-related Macular Degeneration.

June 10, 2008, News Author: Laurie Barclay, MD
CME Author: Hien T. Nghiem, MD

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