Hyvin
A Natural Health and Wellness Blog

Researchers are studying whether Vitamin C is an anti-inflammatory agent, such that it will reduce blood clotting and inflammation in arterial walls (which are cardiovascular risk factors).

The results of the most recent study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition did suggest this protective effect, although some previous studies have shown conflicting data.

While this study was deemed inconclusive, I am so encouraged that this type of research is going on! Without the income potential of having a new drug or treatment to market, the costs of this type of research can stymie its advancement. Yet this information is so valuable, don’t you think?

That recent article on nails as indicators of overall health status makes me revisit the topic of what you can do (other than be generally healthy ) to maintain healthy nails. Here are my top seven ideas. I’m no expert, but do have personal experience with healthy nails!

1. Wear rubber gloves when doing dishes, cleaning, or otherwise exposing your hands to ongoing water. I always do this; it takes just a moment to slip them on before standing at the sink.
2. Use hand lotion every night before going to bed. If you apply before bed, the lotion has maximum time to nourish without being inadvertently washed off. My favorite hand lotion is fortified with pro-vitamin b5, known to help strengthen nails and cuticles.
3. Of course, don’t pick at or bite your nails (this should go without saying!)
4. File correctly and regularly. Correctly means in one direction (not back and forth), with rounded edges. Regularly means not letting them get so long that they break from the pressure of use.
5. Remember to gently push back cuticles once a week or so after showering (that’s when it’s easiest).
6. Nourish your nails from the inside out with zinc (especially for slow growing, brittle nails) and the B nutrient biotin.
7. For colorful healthy nails, use a natural polish without formaldehyde, toluene, or phthalates

A report from Dr. Frank M. Painter, D.C. (an all-round nice guy ):

A recent presentation at the 64th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society discussed the relationship of blood levels of Omega-3 fatty acids and a person’s mood.

In 2000, the American Heart Association revised its Dietary Guidelines to recommend that people eat at least two servings of fatty fish per week as a means of reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

While the cardio protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids are well-established, other studies have demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acids may be linked to a variety of psychological conditions, including major depression and bipolar disorder. Research presented at a recent meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society has strengthened this link, with the results of small trial suggesting that low blood levels of omega-3s may have a negative impact on a person’s mood and behavior.

In the study, researchers collected blood samples of 106 hypercholesterolemic people who had no history of depression or any other diagnosed mood disorder, and did not take fish oil supplements or psychotropic drugs. In addition to blood tests, all subjects completed a series of tests designed to measure mood, personality and levels of impulsive behavior.

Participants with low blood levels docosahexaeonic acid (DCA) were 42 percent more likely to report symptoms of mild to moderate depression, while patients with low levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were more likely to be in a negative mood, and were associated with high neuroticism scores. Low levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) were associated with higher levels of impulsive behavior.

“In conjunction with published research, these data suggest that dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids may be a determinant of normative variability in affect regulation, impulse control and personality,” the authors wrote in their conclusion. They added, “This study opens the door for future research looking at what effect increasing omega-3 intake – whether by eating omega-3-rich foods like salmon or taking fish oil supplements – has on people’s moods.”

If you’re like me, you wondered about the wisdom of taking fish oil because of reports of high chemical levels and toxins in waters, including PCB’s and heavy metals. Fortunately, I found an omega-3 supplement that is guaranteed to be completely pure and safe.

Study Citation: Conklin S, Harris JI, Manuck SB, et al. Plasma fatty acids are associated with normative variation in mood, personality and behavior. Abstract #1411. Presented at the 64th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society, Denver, CO, March 1-4, 2006

This certainly must be the week for Calcium news.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently issued a clinical report (designed to help pediatricians in treating patients) on bone health. It included advice for doctors to begin asking parents about kids’ calcium intake.

I wonder when the day will come when the pediatrician asks about complete nutritional profiles. To tell you the truth, I find it hard to believe that this is just now being suggested.

Because of the other nutrients (in addition to calcium) that are necessary for bone formation (see this previous post) and because we don’t do much milk, my kids have always taken calcium supplements.

Visit this KidsHealth.org article for the full story.

Reported in the March 10 issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology was a double-blind trial of 8,325 pregnant women, sponsored by the World Health Organization. Calcium supplementation brought about significant reductions in the most serious complication of preeclampsia, maternal morbidity and mortality, and neonatal mortality. The causes of neonatal death for which calcium’s benefits were most evident were perinatal asphyxia, preterm delivery, and neonatal infection. You can read more about the study at this Medpagetoday.com article.

America has one of the highest milk consumption rates of any nation, yet we have ever-increasing levels of osteoporosis. Why does this not compute? Because it takes more than calcium to make healthy bones. The milk industry has done a remarkable job of linking the calcium in milk with bone health, but it obviously is not the whole answer.

Calcium is most effective for bone health when combined with vitamin D, magnesium, boron, zinc, copper, and manganese. Think of these other nutrients as the mortar and calcium as the bricks. It takes both bricks and mortar to construct a strong brick structure, right? Well, it takes calcium and these other complimentary nutrients to build strong bones and ward off osteoporosis. Calcium alone is not enough, so don’t rely 100% on milk for osteoporosis prevention. You can get a calcium supplement with all of these nutrients.

The role of each individual nutrient at work in our bodies never ceases to amaze me.

Frank M. Painter, D.C., provided this job description of the mineral magnesium, noting that eight out of ten Americans get less than the recommended levels of magnesium in their diets:

It may be a humble element, but it’s a lot more than just a flash in the pan!

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body. It is involved in more than 300 biochemical processes, including maintaining normal muscle and nerve function, supporting the immune system, regulating blood sugar levels, promoting normal blood pressure, and managing energy metabolism and
protein and nucleic acid synthesis.¹ Isn’t that a mouthful!

Treatment with diuretics (water pills), some antibiotics, and some medicine used to treat cancer, such as Cisplatin, can increase the loss of magnesium in urine. Other causes of magnesium loss and deficiency include poorly controlled diabetes and alcohol use. Signs of magnesium deficiency include confusion, disorientation, loss of appetite, depression, muscle contractions and cramps, tingling, numbness, abnormal heart rhythms, coronary spasm, and seizures.

Let’s look at the spectrum of illnesses associated with magnesium deficiencies:

Pregnancy-related Illnesses:

Some pregnant women experience either gestational diabetes (glucose intolerance of pregnancy) or pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (pregnancy-induced hypertension and toxemia). Both are very dangerous to the mother and are also associated with spontaneous abortions. Early studies of women experiencing toxemia in pregnancy at the Tuskegee Institute correlated lower intake of vitamins and minerals with the severity of their illness.² A 1992 clinical trial with pregnant women with family histories of hypertension found that magnesium supplementation dramatically reduced the incidence of pre-eclampsia in the supplementation group.³

A 1987 double-blind, placebo-controlled study of women experiencing premenstrual syndrome (PMS) revealed laboratory evidence of significant deficiencies in vitamin B6 and magnesium. Using a multivitamin/multimineral supplement corrected some of these deficiencies and, at the appropriate dosage, improved the symptoms of premenstrual tension.⁴

Heart Disease:

Sudden death associated with ischaemic heart disease occurs more frequently in areas in which soil and drinking water lack magnesium. It is also associated with heart arrhythmias, and the use of magnesium for treating one or the other arrhythmia has been recommended.⁵

Diabetes:

A retrospective study of 85,060 women and 42,872 men found an inverse association between magnesium intake and diabetes risk, and recommended increased
consumption of magnesium for prevention.⁶

Asthma:

Magnesium is extremely effective in the relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle tissue, resulting in a reduction of bronchospasm and increased airways diameter. Magnesium has also been demonstrated to reduce the histamine response. Patients who suffer from allergy related asthma often show excessive eosinophilic and basophilic histamine release which ultimately results in bronchoconstriction.

Ironically, studies have shown asthma medications such as theophylline and the beta agonists (such as albuterol and metaproterenol) can cause magnesium wasting. This may result in exacerbation of the overall condition.⁷ Magnesium supplementation is an effective conservative approach to the management of the bronchospasm component of asthma.

Osteoporosis:

Magnesium regulates active calcium transport in the blood. As a result, there has been a growing interest in the role of magnesium (Mg) in bone metabolism. A group of menopausal women were given magnesium hydroxide to assess the effects of magnesium on bone density. At the end of the 2-year study, magnesium therapy appears to have prevented fractures and resulted in a significant increase in bone density.⁸

References:

¹ NIH’s Magnesium page at

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/magnesium.asp

² Intakes of Vitamins and Minerals by Pregnant Women with Selected Clinical Symptoms
J Am Diet Assoc 1981 (may); 78 (5): 477-482
Go to webpage

³ Effects of a Combination of Evening Primrose Oil (Gamma linolenic acid) and Fish Oil (Eicosapentaenoic + Docahexaenoic acid) versus Magnesium, and versus Placebo in Preventing Pre-eclampsia
Women Health 1992; 19 (2-3): 117-131
Go to webpage

⁴ Clinical and Biochemical Effects of Nutritional Supplementation on the Premenstrual Syndrome
J Reprod Med1987 (Jun); 32 (6): 435-441
Go to webpage

⁵ Magnesium in Supraventricular and Ventricular Arrhythmias
Zeitschrift fur Kardiologie 1996; 85 Suppl 6: 135-145
Go to webpage

⁶ Magnesium Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Men and Women Diabetes Care 2004 (Jan); 27 (1): 134-140
Go to webpage

⁷ Research Perspectives in Asthma: A Rationale for the Therapeutic Application of Magnesium, Pyridoxine, Coleus forskholii and Ginkgo biloba in the Treatment of Adult and Pediatric Asthma
The Internist 1998 (Sept); 5 (3): 14″16
Go to webpage

⁸ Magnesium Supplementation and Osteoporosis
Nutrition Reviews 1995; 53 (3): 71-74
Go to webpage