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Betsy's Heartline Newsletter Issues | ||||||
| Heartline, April 15th, 2004 - The B's help beat the blues, A win-win for the skin, To sneeze or not to sneeze. Click here to view. "The B's help beat the blues " Depression may stem from the inability of the body to metabolize folate, a B-complex vitamin, according to research from Norway. "A win-win for the skin " The healing properties of aloe vera have been known for thousands of years. The rind of the pointed green leaves has a laxative effect and the clear pulp, when applied topically, helps heal burns and wounds. "Tea and cholesterol?" A study in China has shown that extracts from green and black tea can lower cholesterol levels by up to 16%. Heartline, April 1st 2004 - Love your liver, More good news on mutli-vitamins, To sneeze or not to sneeze. Click here to view. "Love your liver " The liver plays a major role in metabolism, digestion, detoxification, and elimination of substances from the body. "More good news on multi-vitamins " Results from the Stockholm Heart Epidemiology Program conducted in Sweden showed that both men and women who took multivitamins had significantly lower risk of heart attack than those who did not take supplements, regardless of their diet. "To sneeze or not to sneeze" Catching cold is not inevitable. Reducing stress, getting ample rest, and frequent hand washing all reduce the likelihood of infection. Heartline, March 1st 2004 - Proactive about prostate, Sage advice, Attentin deficit responds to nutrition. Click here to view. "Proactive about prostate " Dr. Donald D. Hensrud, MD, a nutrition and preventive medicine specialist at the Mayo Clinic, states that about 40% of men in their 70’s have latent prostate cancer. Recent findings indicate that vitamin E, lycopene, saw palmetto, selenium, and zinc may lower the risk of developing prostate cancer and may prevent latent prostate cancer cells from becoming tumors. "Sage advice " I New research from the UK-based Medicinal Plant Research Centre (MPRC) at the Universities of Newcastle and Northumbria indicates that sage (Salvia lavandulaefolia), also known as Spanish sage, can improve memory. "Attention deficit responds to nutrition" Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the leading mental health problem in North American children. Several studies have revealed the positive effects of blue green algae on ADHD. The University of Central America studied school children who were given 1,000 mg of blue green algae in four capsules per day for six months. Heartline, February 1st 2004 - Unraveling rosacea, Tame that tender tummy, Chitosan cuts cholesterol. Click here to view. "Unraveling rosacea " Rosacea is a chronic skin disease that affects more than 15 million people in North America. Usually striking adults between the ages of 30 and 50, rosacea is characterized by facial redness, inflammation, pimples, the appearance of tiny blood vessels and, especially in men, a bumpy swelling of the nose. The skin tissue swells, thickens, and may be tender to the touch. "Tame that tender tummy " Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder with symptoms that include bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and gas. An estimated 35 million Americans have IBS. Now, a new study finds that IBS symptoms can be significantly reduced by adding fiber to the diet. "Chitosan cuts cholesterol" Chitosan is a form of dietary fiber derived from the hard outer shells of shellfish. Chitosan acts by binding to fats in the stomach, preventing their absorption in the body. Scientists believe that this is because chitosan has a strong positive magnetic charge that attracts fats, which are negatively charged. Heartline, January 1st 2004 - Managing the mind, Help for the heart is in the skin, Now hear this. Click here to view. "Managing the Mind " Dementia—the loss of intellectual abilities, memory, judgment, and abstract thinking—is the most prevalent disorder of the brain. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia in older adults. "Help for the heart is in the skin " Resveratrol, a naturally occurring antioxidant known as a polyphenol that is 20 to 50 times as potent as vitamin C, has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease "Now hear this" One third of all U.S. children have over three ear infections by the age of three, resulting in 30 million doctor visits per year and making acute otitis media (AOM) the most commonly treated ailment in children. Heartline, December 2003 - Help for healthier hearts, Antioxidants ease the wheeze, Depression: a gentler approach, Licorice research promising on SARS Click here to view. "Help for healthier heart " According to the American Heart Association, congestive heart failure (CHF) is the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to the body's organs. Symptoms of CHF include breathlessness, fatigue, and accumulation of fluid in the lungs, veins, or both. Supplements helpful for healthy heart function are: "Antioxidants ease the wheeze " Asthma is a chronic disease that inflames the breathing passages of the lungs, resulting in attacks of wheezing, coughing, and breathlessness. Age (asthma is the most common chronic disease of children), obesity, environmental allergens, and genetics are all believed to be risk factors for asthma. "Depression: a gentler approach" Depression is a common illness that affects as many as one in every 15 adults in the U.S. each year. Pharmaceutical antidepressants are among the most frequently prescribed medications nationwide for all forms of this condition, from mild to severe. Now, a new study on St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) shows promise for mild to moderate depression. Heartline, November 2003 - Immunity: the key to health, Those vital B vitamins, Alpha Lipoic Acid, FDA allows new cognitive health claims. Click here to view. "Immunity: the key to health The World Health Organization recently warned that “infectious diseases are now the world’s biggest killer of children and young adults [and] account for more than 13 million deaths a year.” Evidence also suggests that infectious disease is the major cause of mortality in the elderly. "Those vital B vitamins The B vitamins assist the body in energy production, efficient metabolism, and protein digestion, and are used in the formation of every cell in the body. The nerve cells in particular need the B-vitamin complex for healthy functioning. "Alpha Lipoic Acid A recent study of diabetics found that a potent antioxidant, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA)—also known as thioctic acid—improved a range of nerve symptoms known as diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSP). DSPs include burning, sharp pain, prickling sensations, and numbness. Nerves can be damaged during unstable diabetes, when glucose levels are high. Excess glucose causes oxidative stress in the nerves, signaling a lack of adequate antioxidant protection. The Russian Medical Academy for Advanced Studies in Moscow and the Mayo Clinic collaborated on this study. "FDA allows new cognitive health claims In February, 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed two health claims for phosphatidylserine (PS): PS may reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction in the elderly and PS may reduce the risk of dementia in the elderly. Heartline, October 2003 - Phew! Relief from chronic fatigue, Happy, healthy blood vessels, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Magnesium manages the bladder Click here to view. "Phew! Relief from chronic fatigue According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, those who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) may have difficulty concentrating, sore throat, tender lymph glands, muscle pain, joint pain without swelling or redness, headache, unrefreshing sleep, and tiredness after exertion that lasts 24 hours. "Happy, healthy blood vessels Vitamin C and taurine reversed blood vessel rigidity associated with cigarette smoking, according to researchers at the Dublin-based Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Blood vessels that are exposed to cigarette smoke lose their natural flexibility, and eventually can no longer dilate in response to increased blood flow, a condition known as endothelial dysfunction. "National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Each year more than 185,000 U.S. women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and the incidence of the disease is increasing in developed countries. With 43,500 annual U.S. deaths, breast cancer is the second-leading cancer death after lung cancer. "Magnesium manages the bladder BWomen who suffer from a common urinary problem known as urge incontinence may benefit from taking magnesium supplements. Urge incontinence-also known as overactive or unstable bladder-is characterized by a sudden need to urinate, followed by a strong contraction of the bladder, resulting in involuntary leakage of urine. The condition occurs commonly in women and in the elderly, affecting as many as one in every 50 women. Diseases of the nervous system or urinary tract can cause urge incontinence, but in most cases the cause is unknown. Heartline, September 2003 - Medicinal Mushrooms, Ginseng boosts memory, The heart of folic acid, Beta-glucan beats cholesterol, infection. Click here to view. "Medicinal Mushrooms Asian medicine has traditionally used mushrooms for promoting health and vitality. Studies have found that mushrooms are probiotic; they help promote a beneficial microbial balance in the body, and help normalize body systems that are not functioning optimally. Medicinal mushrooms can combat the effects of stress and improve resistance to disease. "Ginseng boosts memory Ginseng improves the memory of those with vascular dementia, according to a new 12-week clinical trial. Vascular dementia is often caused by a series of small strokes and is characterized by memory loss and difficulty communicating. About 25% of vascular dementia sufferers have stroke-induced dementia; the rest have Alzheimer's disease. "The heart of folic acid Folic acid can reduce the risk of having a heart attack or a stroke according to a recent analysis of 92 studies involving over 20,000 people conducted by Dr. David Wald, MD, and researchers at Barts and the London School of Medicine. Dr. Wald's findings prove that high homocysteine levels are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and that folic acid lowers levels of homocysteine in the blood. "Beta-glucan beats cholesterol, infection Beta-glucan is a natural, branched polysaccharide-a molecule made up of many sugar units-that has immune-boosting and anti-cancer properties. Beta-glucan is derived from fungi such as shiitake and maitake mushrooms, from oat and barley bran, and from yeast cell walls including brewers and bakers yeasts. Heartline, June 2003 - Antioxidants for skin care, Beta-carotene for treating cystic fibrosis, Kudzu extract for treating alcoholism, L-carnitine effective for ADHD. Click here to view. "Antioxidants for skin care" "In pursuit of healthy looking skin, many limit their approach to using creams and lotions. Studies indicate that specific supplements along with a healthy diet can enhance skin texture and appearance further. " "Beta-carotene for treating cystic fibrosis, Kudzu extract for treating alcoholism" "According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 30,000 Americans suffer from cystic fibrosis (CF). CF is an inherited disease affecting the pancreas, respiratory system, intestines, liver, and sweat glands. Sufferers experience chronic respiratory infections, fat indigestion due to pancreatic insufficiency, and concentrations of chloride in sweat." "Kudzu extract for treating alcoholism" " In 2000, the U.S. experienced the largest percentage increase in alcohol-related traffic deaths on record, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. An average of one person every half-hour was killed in an alcohol-related crash. This trend has intensified the search for effective treatment of alcoholism. Kudzu root extract may play an important role because of its ability to decrease ethanol cravings. Ethanol is a component of alcohol. " "L-carnitine effective for ADHD" "AL-carnitine may be a safe alternative to the stimulant drug Ritalin®, the most common treatment for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). " Heartline, April 2003 - Smart prenatal nutrition, Glucosamine sulfate for osteoarthritis, Selenium for thyroid health, DHEA for Addison's disease Click here to view. "Smart prenatal nutrition" "It is the view of the American Dietetic Association that "women of childbearing potential should maintain good nutritional status through a lifestyle that reduces the risk of birth defects. " "Glucosamine sulfate for osteoarthritis" "Long-term treatment with glucosamine sulfate has been shown to slow the progression of osteoarthritis of the knee" "Selenium for thyroid health" " German researchers have found that supplementing with selenium may slow the progression of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), " "DHEA for Addison's disease" "Addison's disease-acute adrenal failure-occurs in about one in every 100,000 people" Heartline, June 2000 - Noni: A remarkable plant, Suppress your appetite and get a good night's sleep, Velvet antler for stamina and athletic performancee, PMS support with vitamin B6. Click here to view. "Noni: A remarkable plant" "The kahunas or traditional medicine people of the South Pacific use this plant for a wide variety of health problems, including pain relief, sinus infections, arthritis, digestive disorders, colds, flu, headaches, and menstrual problems." "Suppress your appetite and get a good night's sleep" "Brain Longevity, a book by Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., identifies serotonin as the brain's major "contentment chemical."" "Velvet antler for stamina and athletic performance" " According to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, velvet antler tonifies the Yang. It is used for conditions of deficient Yang, particularly kidney Yang, which is manifested as systemic exhaustion, depression, cold, lower back pain, and weak pulse." "PMS support with vitamin B6" "The researchers determined that "B6 was significantly better than placebo in relieving overall premenstrual symptoms and in relieving depression associated with premenstrual syndrome.""  Heartline, May 2000 - Sam-e, Energize Your Heart, Beta-carotene, PMS, Pre-Eclampsia, Patchouli. Click here to view. "SAM-e:the powerful anti-aging suppliment" "SAM-e (S-adenosyl-methionine) is showing promise as one of the most powerful anti-aging and disease-preventive supplements ever." "Energize your heart & workout with ribose" "Found in all living cells, ribose is the starting point for adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy "currency."" "Beta-carotene reduces asthma" " A recent study assessed the effects of natural beta-carotene supplements on airway hyperactivity in a group of 38 asthmatics with exercise-induced asthma." "PMS improved with calcium" " Anationwide study shows that calcium may ease the symptoms that afflict nearly 40% of American women prior to menstruation." "Natural treatment for pre-eclampsia" " Pre-eclampsia is a potentially dangerous pregnancy complication that can result in premature birth or even death of the baby or mother." "Patchouli for nausea" " In its homeland of India and Southeast Asia, patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) is known as a traditional remedy for digestive problems and nausea." Heartline, April 2000 - Osteoporosis, Kava, Chromium Click here to view. "Osteoporosis can be prevented" "...higher dietary intake of zinc, magnesium, fiber, and potassium significantly increased lumbar spine bone mineral density." "Kava - more than a sedative" "Kavalactones appear to produce a wealth of physiological effects in people who use kava." "Chromium: support for diabetes" "...chromium picolinate can help reduce or normalize blood sugar..." Heartline, March 2000 - Soy, Ginseg, Olive Leaf Click here to view. "The Incredible Benefits of Soy" "Providing a rich source of protein and nutrients, soy contains plentiful amounts of unique therapeutic compounds and phytochemicals." "Ginseng - more than energy" "Korean red ginseng showed a therapeutic effect on erectile dysfunction on 60% of a total of 90 patients tested, according to a 1995 study." "Olive leaf extract: nature's antibiotic" "...olive tree leaves may contain our best weapon against a host of disease-producing bacteria." Heartline, February 2000 - Amino Acids, Cardiovascular Health, Vitamin C Click here to view. "Supplements for a Healthy Heart" "One of the great advances in modern medicine is the discovery that heart attacks and strokes are not diseases..." "Two Herbs for Cardiovascular Health" "When it comes to herbs for cardiovascular health, few are as well known as hawthorn." "Amino acids for a healthy heart" "Two nonessential amino acids, taurine and carnitine, are both valuable for the heart, especially as people age." Heartline, January 2000 - Ginseng, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Natural Vitamins Click here to view. "Ginseng: Nature's Solution to Stress" "The American Academy of Family Physicians in Kansas City, MO, estimates that approximately two-thirds of all office visits are for stress-related complaints." "Nutritional Support for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" "Recent research from the University of Southampton, U.K., found that patients suffering from CFS tend to have low blood levels of magnesium." "Natural Vitamins Proven Superior Over Synthetic" "Natural vitamin E is retained in humans twice as long as the synthetic form,..." | ||||||
