Turmeric, a shrub related to ginger, is grown throughout India, other parts of Asia, and Africa. Known for its warm, bitter taste and golden color, turmeric is commonly used in fabric dyes and foods such as curry powders, mustard, and cheeses. It should not be confused with Javanese turmeric. Tumeric has several common names: turmeric, turmeric root, Indian saffron.
In traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric has been used to aid digestion and liver function, relieve arthritis pain, and regulate menstruation. Turmeric has also been applied directly to the skin for eczema and wound healing. Today, turmeric is used for conditions such as heartburn, stomach ulcers, and gallstones. It is also used to reduce inflammation, as well as to prevent and treat cancer.
Turmeric's finger-like underground stems (rhizomes) are dried and taken by mouth as a powder or in capsules, teas, or liquid extracts. Turmeric can also be made into a paste and used on the skin.
Turmeric contains three major phytochemical compounds - called curcuminoids - which give turmeric its bright yellow-orange color (The most active component is curcumin.). These curcuminoids have been the focus of numerous clinical studies designed to investigate their long-term safety, antioxidant properties, and anti-inflammatory activity.
USANA put turmeric extract in several of its high end products, which includes Procosa II, OptOmega, and Hepasil DTX for the extra, secondary antioxidant protection. In OptOmega, it utilizes extra-virgin olive oil, tocopherols and tocotrienols, turmeric, and rosemary for superior antioxidant protection. The oils in OptOmega provide broad spectrum health benefits, including cardiovascular support, immune system support, and nutrients for healthy skin.
Tablet Over Liquid Vitamins
Many liquid supplement manufacturers claim that because their product is in a liquid form it is more bioavailable. In fact, some even use phony statements regarding the Physician's Desk Reference
to support such claims. The statement they reference about liquid supplements being more bioavailable first appeared in the PDR under a listing for a specific nutritional supplement product. That statement has since been removed because it could not be substantiated.
Nutrients are typically absorbed by the small intestine (unless they are taken sublingually or injected). When you ingest a supplement in either liquid or tablet form, it must first pass through the stomach before reaching the small intestine. If liquids were simply absorbed directly into the bloodstream, as some supplement companies claim, what would happen when individuals consumed soup? Would it also be absorbed directly into the bloodstream?
Bioavailability is defined as the degree and rate at which a substance (as a drug) is absorbed into a living system - or more correctly, the degree or rate at which it is ultimately made available at the site of physiological activity. Different vitamins and minerals have different absorption rates regardless of whether they come from a tablet, liquid, powder, or food. Calcium, for example, has a fairly standard absorption rate (25-35%), and the form does not generally make a significant difference.
A well-made tablet provides a very effective delivery system and is the chosen form of most pharmaceutical medications. This is because tablets have been confirmed, through years of carefully controlled studies, as a reliable and efficient delivery system for medications. Why would vitamin and mineral supplements be any different? Does anyone doubt that an aspirin tablet is ineffective because it comes in a tablet?
Tableted products can also provide an increased amount of active ingredient (almost 3x as much as a capsule and much more than a liquid or spray). In general, the stability of tablets is also superior to liquids.
Bioavailability is a complicated topic because it is not dependent solely on product formulation. Many external factors can affect the absorption of vitamins, minerals, and other compounds. Some of these factors are a function of the person taking the nutrient, including age, digestive system integrity, overall health status, the time of day, gender, and if the product is taken on a full or empty stomach. People whose nutrient needs are greater - such as growing children, pregnant or lactating women, and those who are currently deficient - may have significantly enhanced absorption rates for certain nutrients.
Recently, some individuals and companies have made claims that their products are superior because they are "98% absorbed" or some similar number. This is a misleading statement because there are far too many variables to imply that an individual's absorption is a certain percent of the material consumed. Even absorption of minerals from food sources can vary significantly. Boron, molybdenum, and iodine can be absorbed at over 90 percent, while the average absorption rates of zinc, copper, and selenium range from 30 to 80 percent depending on the form. As such, stating an absolute absorption rate on product packaging or advertising is almost always misleading.
USANA tablets are formulated to meet United States Pharmacopoeia standards, which require full disintegration within 30-45 min. They are also formulated to meet standards for dissolution. Innovative formulations have been developed to optimize nutrient bioavailability. Each lot of USANA tablets is tested against finished product specifications to ensure that standards are met for identity, target weight, hardness, thickness, disintegration, potency, purity, and microbial counts.
The dietary supplement industry could not exist without rigorous, peer-reviewed studies that used tableted forms of vitamins and minerals to establish what we is now regarded as common nutritional knowledge. With thousands of studies connecting various vitamins and mineral supplements with markers of health, it is impossible to dispute the effectiveness of tablets as a delivery system. If tablets were ineffective, why have so many researchers observed positive results? If liquid or spray supplements are obviously superior, why are they rarely - if ever - used in published scientific research?
(Keep in mind that this article primarily addresses multivitamin formulations. There may be certain products, such as children's medicines, that are more appropriate in liquid form. However, such products are the exception - not the rule.)
Finally, liquid supplement promoters often contend that liquids are better because they don't contain fillers (excipients used in tablets for disintegration, form, binding, coating, etc). This is perhaps the most illogical argument of all, since liquid supplements require many more "other" ingredients, including emulsifiers, solvents, preservatives, stabilizing agents, coloring, flavoring, and more. Generally speaking, the more vitamin and mineral ingredients there are in a liquid supplement, the more excipients that product will require.
to support such claims. The statement they reference about liquid supplements being more bioavailable first appeared in the PDR under a listing for a specific nutritional supplement product. That statement has since been removed because it could not be substantiated.Nutrients are typically absorbed by the small intestine (unless they are taken sublingually or injected). When you ingest a supplement in either liquid or tablet form, it must first pass through the stomach before reaching the small intestine. If liquids were simply absorbed directly into the bloodstream, as some supplement companies claim, what would happen when individuals consumed soup? Would it also be absorbed directly into the bloodstream?
Bioavailability is defined as the degree and rate at which a substance (as a drug) is absorbed into a living system - or more correctly, the degree or rate at which it is ultimately made available at the site of physiological activity. Different vitamins and minerals have different absorption rates regardless of whether they come from a tablet, liquid, powder, or food. Calcium, for example, has a fairly standard absorption rate (25-35%), and the form does not generally make a significant difference.
A well-made tablet provides a very effective delivery system and is the chosen form of most pharmaceutical medications. This is because tablets have been confirmed, through years of carefully controlled studies, as a reliable and efficient delivery system for medications. Why would vitamin and mineral supplements be any different? Does anyone doubt that an aspirin tablet is ineffective because it comes in a tablet?
Tableted products can also provide an increased amount of active ingredient (almost 3x as much as a capsule and much more than a liquid or spray). In general, the stability of tablets is also superior to liquids.
Bioavailability is a complicated topic because it is not dependent solely on product formulation. Many external factors can affect the absorption of vitamins, minerals, and other compounds. Some of these factors are a function of the person taking the nutrient, including age, digestive system integrity, overall health status, the time of day, gender, and if the product is taken on a full or empty stomach. People whose nutrient needs are greater - such as growing children, pregnant or lactating women, and those who are currently deficient - may have significantly enhanced absorption rates for certain nutrients.
Recently, some individuals and companies have made claims that their products are superior because they are "98% absorbed" or some similar number. This is a misleading statement because there are far too many variables to imply that an individual's absorption is a certain percent of the material consumed. Even absorption of minerals from food sources can vary significantly. Boron, molybdenum, and iodine can be absorbed at over 90 percent, while the average absorption rates of zinc, copper, and selenium range from 30 to 80 percent depending on the form. As such, stating an absolute absorption rate on product packaging or advertising is almost always misleading.
USANA tablets are formulated to meet United States Pharmacopoeia standards, which require full disintegration within 30-45 min. They are also formulated to meet standards for dissolution. Innovative formulations have been developed to optimize nutrient bioavailability. Each lot of USANA tablets is tested against finished product specifications to ensure that standards are met for identity, target weight, hardness, thickness, disintegration, potency, purity, and microbial counts.
The dietary supplement industry could not exist without rigorous, peer-reviewed studies that used tableted forms of vitamins and minerals to establish what we is now regarded as common nutritional knowledge. With thousands of studies connecting various vitamins and mineral supplements with markers of health, it is impossible to dispute the effectiveness of tablets as a delivery system. If tablets were ineffective, why have so many researchers observed positive results? If liquid or spray supplements are obviously superior, why are they rarely - if ever - used in published scientific research?
(Keep in mind that this article primarily addresses multivitamin formulations. There may be certain products, such as children's medicines, that are more appropriate in liquid form. However, such products are the exception - not the rule.)
Finally, liquid supplement promoters often contend that liquids are better because they don't contain fillers (excipients used in tablets for disintegration, form, binding, coating, etc). This is perhaps the most illogical argument of all, since liquid supplements require many more "other" ingredients, including emulsifiers, solvents, preservatives, stabilizing agents, coloring, flavoring, and more. Generally speaking, the more vitamin and mineral ingredients there are in a liquid supplement, the more excipients that product will require.
Higher Level of Vitamin D Necessary
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in very few foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. It is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis. Vitamin D obtained from sun exposure, food, and supplements is biologically inert and must undergo two hydroxylations in the body for activation. The first occurs in the liver and converts vitamin D to 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], also known as calcidiol. The second occurs primarily in the kidney and forms the physiologically active 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D], also known as calcitriol.
Vitamin D is essential for promoting calcium absorption in the gut and maintaining adequate serum calcium and phosphate concentrations to enable normal mineralization of bone and prevent hypocalcemic tetany. It is also needed for bone growth and bone remodeling by osteoblasts and osteoclast. Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen. Vitamin D sufficiency prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Together with calcium, vitamin D also helps protect older adults from osteoporosis.
Vitamin D has other roles in human health, including modulation of neuromuscular and immune function and reduction of inflammation. Many genes encoding proteins that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis are modulated in part by vitamin D. Many laboratory-cultured human cells have vitamin D receptors and some convert 25(OH)D to 1,25(OH)2D. It remains to be determined whether cells with vitamin D receptors in the intact human carry out this conversion.
Vitamin D deficiency is now recognized as a worldwide problem. Poor dietary intake and lack of moderate sun exposure have resulted in widespread vitamin D deficiencies throughout much of the world. Additionally, very few foods contain vitamin D naturally, and foods fortified with vitamin D are typically inadequate to satisfy adult vitamin D requirements.
Numerous recent scientific research papers and our own in-house clinical research suggests that higher vitamin D levels - much higher than previously thought - are needed for most people to attain optimal blood levels of vitamin D. USANA's recent change to the Mega AO formulation is a reflection of this recent research and an ongoing commitment to provide USANA customers with the most effective, scientifically valid, and up-to-date products possible.
Vitamin D is essential for promoting calcium absorption in the gut and maintaining adequate serum calcium and phosphate concentrations to enable normal mineralization of bone and prevent hypocalcemic tetany. It is also needed for bone growth and bone remodeling by osteoblasts and osteoclast. Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen. Vitamin D sufficiency prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Together with calcium, vitamin D also helps protect older adults from osteoporosis.
Vitamin D has other roles in human health, including modulation of neuromuscular and immune function and reduction of inflammation. Many genes encoding proteins that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis are modulated in part by vitamin D. Many laboratory-cultured human cells have vitamin D receptors and some convert 25(OH)D to 1,25(OH)2D. It remains to be determined whether cells with vitamin D receptors in the intact human carry out this conversion.
Vitamin D deficiency is now recognized as a worldwide problem. Poor dietary intake and lack of moderate sun exposure have resulted in widespread vitamin D deficiencies throughout much of the world. Additionally, very few foods contain vitamin D naturally, and foods fortified with vitamin D are typically inadequate to satisfy adult vitamin D requirements.
Numerous recent scientific research papers and our own in-house clinical research suggests that higher vitamin D levels - much higher than previously thought - are needed for most people to attain optimal blood levels of vitamin D. USANA's recent change to the Mega AO formulation is a reflection of this recent research and an ongoing commitment to provide USANA customers with the most effective, scientifically valid, and up-to-date products possible.
Why Usana Uses Soy
USANA uses soy as a major source of protein in its bars and drink mixes. A variety of factors have gone into this decision. The most important involve the fact that soy protein is nutritionally complete and high quality, and soy consumption has been linked with several long-term health benefits. In addition, soy protein is ecologically friendly. Its production has a much lotheyr environmental impact than does the production of most animal protein foods.
This does not mean they don’t appreciate the nutritional value of other proteins. Whey protein, for example, is also high quality from a nutritional perspective, and may have some advantages for those whose primary goal is to build muscle. It also has some advantages in taste and mouthfeel, although netheyr soy isolates are catching up in the sensory arena. They also recognize the value of rice, pea, and other protein concentrates, but note that few of these are as complete or balanced as soy and whey.
In general, though, our position is that a healthy diet includes protein from a wide variety of sources - including whole foods (legumes, whole grains, meat, dairy, and fish) as well as healthy processed foods. In this context, they believe that soy, whey, and other protein isolates and concentrates can play a role as components of healthy, well-balanced diets.
That said, they are also aware that the world of protein isolates and concentrates is filled with controversy. Much of what they see on the Internet and in certain popular magazines is strongly pro-whey and anti-soy, or strongly pro-soy or anti-whey, as if one or the other of these protein sources were “all good” or “all bad” for all people in all situations. In most instances, such stories are associated (either overtly or covertly) with food marketing campaigns. They are part of the “sticks and stones” that get thrown back and forth bettheyen the soy, whey, and meat factions who compete for your food dollars.
Is there any truth in what they are saying? Many times there is, but too often those truths are “half truths” or “facts spun out of context” with the intent of swaying purchasing behavior.
Is soy the preferred protein source for everyone? No. Clearly there are people who are sensitive or allergic to soy, and these individuals should avoid or limit their intakes of soy protein. Similarly, there are people who are allergic to dairy and who should avoid whey protein. People who are vegetarian or vegan may want to avoid whey protein because it is animal-based.
But to USANA scientists, these are not sufficient grounds for making the choice bettheyen whey and soy proteins an all-or-nothing, black-and-white proposition for the vast majority of people.
The industrial-grade bickering that has characterized much of the soy versus whey debate has left many consumers confused, concerned, and generally hungry for objective information on what they should eat. The purpose of this position paper is to summarize in an objective way our interpretation of what nutritional science has to say about several key issues that lie at the heart of arguments for and against soy protein.
In conclusion, USANA believes that soy is a healthy source of protein for the vast majority of people. Clearly there are people who are allergic and/or sensitive to soy, and those people need to limit their soy intakes or avoid soy all together. But the scientific research they have seen indicates that this group is relatively small.
That said, each of us is the best judge of what foods they should be eating. If you experience side effects from eating soy foods (even if you don’t have a diagnosed soy allergy), it makes full sense for you to minimize or eliminate sources of soy intake.
They encourage everyone to become an active “student” of nutrition - to seek out objective information from a variety of sources concerning the foods they eat. They encourage everyone to question information that doesn’t make common sense or that sounds too good or too scary to be true.
As always, the most solid, common sense advice they can provide concerning your protein sources is: a healthy diet is one that includes protein from a wide variety of sources, including whole foods (legumes, whole grains, meat, dairy, and fish) and healthy processed foods. In this context, they believe that soy, whey, and other protein isolates and concentrates can all play a role as components of healthy, balanced diets.
References:
The Nutritional Value of Soy Protein
Soy Allergies and Sensitivities
Soy and Weight Loss
This does not mean they don’t appreciate the nutritional value of other proteins. Whey protein, for example, is also high quality from a nutritional perspective, and may have some advantages for those whose primary goal is to build muscle. It also has some advantages in taste and mouthfeel, although netheyr soy isolates are catching up in the sensory arena. They also recognize the value of rice, pea, and other protein concentrates, but note that few of these are as complete or balanced as soy and whey.
In general, though, our position is that a healthy diet includes protein from a wide variety of sources - including whole foods (legumes, whole grains, meat, dairy, and fish) as well as healthy processed foods. In this context, they believe that soy, whey, and other protein isolates and concentrates can play a role as components of healthy, well-balanced diets.
That said, they are also aware that the world of protein isolates and concentrates is filled with controversy. Much of what they see on the Internet and in certain popular magazines is strongly pro-whey and anti-soy, or strongly pro-soy or anti-whey, as if one or the other of these protein sources were “all good” or “all bad” for all people in all situations. In most instances, such stories are associated (either overtly or covertly) with food marketing campaigns. They are part of the “sticks and stones” that get thrown back and forth bettheyen the soy, whey, and meat factions who compete for your food dollars.
Is there any truth in what they are saying? Many times there is, but too often those truths are “half truths” or “facts spun out of context” with the intent of swaying purchasing behavior.
Is soy the preferred protein source for everyone? No. Clearly there are people who are sensitive or allergic to soy, and these individuals should avoid or limit their intakes of soy protein. Similarly, there are people who are allergic to dairy and who should avoid whey protein. People who are vegetarian or vegan may want to avoid whey protein because it is animal-based.
But to USANA scientists, these are not sufficient grounds for making the choice bettheyen whey and soy proteins an all-or-nothing, black-and-white proposition for the vast majority of people.
The industrial-grade bickering that has characterized much of the soy versus whey debate has left many consumers confused, concerned, and generally hungry for objective information on what they should eat. The purpose of this position paper is to summarize in an objective way our interpretation of what nutritional science has to say about several key issues that lie at the heart of arguments for and against soy protein.
In conclusion, USANA believes that soy is a healthy source of protein for the vast majority of people. Clearly there are people who are allergic and/or sensitive to soy, and those people need to limit their soy intakes or avoid soy all together. But the scientific research they have seen indicates that this group is relatively small.
That said, each of us is the best judge of what foods they should be eating. If you experience side effects from eating soy foods (even if you don’t have a diagnosed soy allergy), it makes full sense for you to minimize or eliminate sources of soy intake.
They encourage everyone to become an active “student” of nutrition - to seek out objective information from a variety of sources concerning the foods they eat. They encourage everyone to question information that doesn’t make common sense or that sounds too good or too scary to be true.
As always, the most solid, common sense advice they can provide concerning your protein sources is: a healthy diet is one that includes protein from a wide variety of sources, including whole foods (legumes, whole grains, meat, dairy, and fish) and healthy processed foods. In this context, they believe that soy, whey, and other protein isolates and concentrates can all play a role as components of healthy, balanced diets.
References:
The Nutritional Value of Soy Protein
Soy Allergies and Sensitivities
Soy and Weight Loss
Pregnancy Complications may be Related to Low Vitamin D Levels
Early-onset severe preeclampsia occurs in roughly 2 to 3 percent of pregnancies, and it contributes to about 15 percent of preterm births in the U.S. each year. New research shows that pregnant women with low vitamin D levels are at higher risk for this condition.Studies have linked low vitamin D levels to an increased risk of many diseases, including type 1 diabetes, asthma, heart disease, certain cancers and depression. A new study has found that women who develop a severe form of pregnancy-related high blood pressure tend to have lower blood levels of vitamin D than healthy pregnant women.
Preeclampsia is a syndrome marked by a sudden increase in blood pressure and kidney dysfunction. Early-onset severe preeclampsia is a particularly serious form that arises before the 34th week of pregnancy.
In a recent study, researchers compared vitamin D levels in 50 women with early severe preeclampsia to vitamin D levels of 100 healthy pregnant women. The average vitamin D level in the preeclampsia group was 18 ng/mL compared to an average of 32 ng/mL in the healthy group. A 10 ng/mL increase in vitamin D levels was linked to a 63 percent reduction in risk of the complication.
Since total Vitamin D levels in the blood seem to be linked to an increase in this pregnancy complication, further study is needed to understand the impact of vitamin D deficiency on pregnancy outcomes.
Robinson CJ, Alanis MC, Wagner CL, et al. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in early-onset severe preeclampsia. 2010. Am J Obstet Gynecol 203:ePub ahead of print.
Poor Magnesium Status May Be Related to Metabolic Syndrome
In a recent study, lower Magnesium levels correlated with an increased number of metabolic syndrome risk factors.Metabolic syndrome has been defined as the presence of abdominal obesity combined with two of the following factors: hypertension, dyslipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, or diabetes mellitus. Magnesium is an essential cofactor for more than 300 enzymes involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.
In a recent study, researchers enrolled 117 overweight and obese patients and measured serum magnesium levels together with fasting serum glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and triacylglycerols. Researchers found a strong inverse relationship between serum magnesium levels and the presence of metabolic syndrome. In addition, as the level of serum magnesium decreased, the number of factors relating to metabolic syndrome increased. Also, there was an inverse relationship between serum magnesium levels and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation).
The scientists concluded that decreased levels of serum magnesium are associated with increased risk for metabolic syndrome, possibly due to a low-grade inflammatory process.
Angelos A, et al. An inverse relationship between cumulative components of the metabolic syndrome and serum magnesium levels. 2008. Nutrition Research 28(10):659-63.
Vitamin D3 May Reduce the Risk of Colorectal Cancer
According to a new research study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, increased blood levels of vitamin D may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by up to 40 percent.In a new study, researchers examined the association between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3), the best indicator of total vitamin D exposure, and incident, sporadic colorectal cancer risk. Data was obtained from a pooled analysis of three colonoscopy-based case-control studies conducted in Minnesota, North Carolina, and South Carolina between 1991 and 2002. In total, 616 people individuals with colorectal cancer were compared to 770 polyp-free control subjects.
Analysis showed that higher circulating vitamin D3 concentrations were associated with a decrease in colorectal cancer risk of 40%. In participants that were also using NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory medications), the potential risk reduction of higher vitamin D levels increased to 66%.
These findings support the idea that higher vitamin D levels may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, especially when combined with anti-inflammatory agents. The human body manufactures vitamin D upon exposure to sunshine, but in some northern regions sunlight levels during the winter are inadequate for synthesizing vitamin D. Therefore, dietary supplements and fortified foods are generally an efficient way to boost circulating levels of vitamin D.
Fedirko RM, et al. Blood 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Concentrations and Incident Sporadic Colorectal Adenoma Risk: A Pooled Case-Control Study V. 2010. American Journal of Epidemiology
Increased Magnesium Intake Linked to Lower Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes prevalence is rising in Asian countries. New research indicates that increased magnesium intake may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in Japanese adults.A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition reports a correlation between higher magnesium intake and a reduced rate of type 2 diabetes. Low magnesium intakes have previously been linked to insulin resistance and impaired glucose utilization.
Researchers evaluated data from 17,592 men and women aged 40 to 79 who took part in the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study for Evaluation of Cancer Risk established between 1988 and 1990. Dietary magnesium was calculated using a validated questionnaire, and incidence of diabetes was defined by self-report of physician diagnosis.
At the five year follow-up, 459 new cases of diabetes were reported. Dietary intake of magnesium was inversely associated with age, body mass index (BMI), and diabetes incidence in both sexes.
After making adjustments for cardiovascular risk factors, participants whose intake of magnesium was among the top 25 percent had a 36 percent lower adjusted risk of developing diabetes.
The incidence of type 2 diabetes is increasing in Asian countries, and this is the first study to examine the association between magnesium intake and the risk of diabetes in adults living in Japan. The results of this study are important for the development of potential health policies to help prevent and control this increasingly common degenerative disease.
Kyoko K, et al. Magnesium Intake and Risk of Self-Reported Type 2 Diabetes among Japanese. 2010. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 29, No. 2, 99-106.
High Fiber Intake Reduces Risk of Heart Disease
High dietary fiber intake, especially from a variety of sources, is related to a reduction in many cardiovascular disease risk factors.Increased dietary fiber intake is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The results of a study published in the December 2005 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition added unique insight to the growing body of evidence linking higher dietary fiber intake with reduced risk of heart disease.
Data was collected from roughly 2,500 men and 3,500 women (5,961 total). These individuals were already participating in the SU.VI.MAX Study, a trial designed to evaluate the effect of antioxidants on cancer and heart disease incidence over an eight year period. Participants from this study were selected because the SU.VI.MAX Study already required detailed dietary information, making it easy to estimate fiber intakes for the participants.
Higher total and insoluble dietary fiber intakes were associated with reductions in the risks of elevated waist-to-hip ratio (a marker of obesity), hypertension (high blood pressure), plasma apolipoprotein B (LDL cholesterol), apolipoprotein B to apolipoprotein A-I ratio (LDL to HDL ratio), triacylglycerols, and homocysteine. Fiber from cereals was associated with a lower body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and homocysteine concentration; fiber from vegetables with a lower blood pressure and homocysteine concentration; and fiber from fruit with a lower waist-to-hip ratio and blood pressure. Fiber from dried fruit or nuts and seeds was associated with a lower body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and fasting apo B and glucose concentrations.
The findings of this study illustrate the significance of increasing fiber intake from various dietary sources. The results also indicate that 25 grams total dietary fiber per day may be the minimum intake required to attain a significant protective effect against cardiovascular disease, and that total dietary fiber intakes of 30-35 grams/day might provide an even greater protective effect.
Lairon D, Arnault N, Bertrais S, Planells R, Clero E, Hercberg S, Boutron-Ruault MC. Dietary fiber intake and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in French adults. 2005. AJCN 82(6):1185-94.
USANA Nutritionals Pharmaceutical Grade
Pharmaceuticals must meet certain standards for quality as established by the United States Pharmacopeia (or USP). The USP is a non-profit organization that works closely with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the pharmaceutical industry, and health care professionals to establish authoritative standards. These standards are enforceable by the FDA and the governments of more than 35 other countries, and are recognized worldwide as the hallmark of pharmaceutical manufacturing quality.
As you may have noticed, the following statement appears on many USANA product labels:
"Laboratory tested, quality guaranteed. Meets USP specifications for potency, uniformity, and disintegration where applicable."
USANA voluntarily adheres to a rigorous quality assurance program modeled after the pharmaceutical industry. This high standard of manufacturing separates USANA from many other dietary supplement companies.
USANA occasionally receive inquiries asking whether the FDA has audited USANA's facilities for Pharmaceutical GMP compliance. Unfortunately, the answer to this question is no. Because the FDA uses the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) as its legal guideline, our products - regardless of advanced voluntary quality control measures - can only be audited according to DSHEA rules, which currently require adherence to Dietary Supplement GMPs only.
However, please note that USANA products are considered over-the-counter drugs in Canada and Australia, and USANA continues to be audited to drug GMP equivalents by the regulatory organizations in these countries.
As you may have noticed, the following statement appears on many USANA product labels:
"Laboratory tested, quality guaranteed. Meets USP specifications for potency, uniformity, and disintegration where applicable."
USANA voluntarily adheres to a rigorous quality assurance program modeled after the pharmaceutical industry. This high standard of manufacturing separates USANA from many other dietary supplement companies.
USANA occasionally receive inquiries asking whether the FDA has audited USANA's facilities for Pharmaceutical GMP compliance. Unfortunately, the answer to this question is no. Because the FDA uses the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) as its legal guideline, our products - regardless of advanced voluntary quality control measures - can only be audited according to DSHEA rules, which currently require adherence to Dietary Supplement GMPs only.
However, please note that USANA products are considered over-the-counter drugs in Canada and Australia, and USANA continues to be audited to drug GMP equivalents by the regulatory organizations in these countries.
Omega–3 Fatty Acid Intake & The Incidence of Age-related Macular Degeneration
Results recently published from a long-term study indicate that people at risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may significantly reduce the risk of this disease by increasing their dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids from oily fish, nuts and seeds, and fish oil supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids are important for the vascular and neural health of the retina and may influence the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). There are two forms of AMD: dry and wet. In the dry form, normal tissue in the macula slowly disappears, leaving a pale area referred to as central geographic atrophy (CGA). In the wet form, or neovascular (NV) AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow underneath the macula. These vessels leak serum or blood and eventually cause the normal macular tissue to be replaced by scar tissue.
Researchers recently investigated whether omega-3 fatty acid intake was associated with a reduced risk of developing both wet and dry forms of AMD. The study involved 1837 people from the Age-Related Eye Diseases Study (AREDS) who were at moderate to high risk of developing AMD. Clinical measurements were obtained in this group over a period of 12 years (from 1992 to 2005).
Participants who reported the highest omega–3 fatty acid intake were 35% less likely than their peers to develop dry (CGA) AMD, and 32% less likely to develop the more common, wet form (NV) AMD.
Over the 12 years of this study, the incidence of CGA and NV AMD was lowest for those reporting the highest consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, which are found primarily in oily fish, nuts and seeds, and fish oil supplements. If these results are applied to the general population, dietary intervention may have a significant preventive effect on the development and progression of AMD.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Dec;90(6):1601-7
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Essential Fatty Acids for Eye Healt
Quercetin Reduces Blood Pressure in Adults with Hypertension
Quercetin, an antioxidant found in onions, berries, and apples, is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke. Supplementation with quercetin has been shown to reduce hypertension in animal models, but until now has never been tested in hypertensive humans.
Researchers at the University of Utah, in collaboration with USANA Health Sciences, conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study to test the effectiveness of quercetin supplementation in lowering unhealthy blood pressure levels. The subjects were divided into two groups: prehypertensives (120-139 mm Hg systolic/80-89 mm Hg diastolic) or stage 1 hypertensives (140-159 mm Hg systolic/90-99 mm Hg diastolic). Over 28 days, the participants were given either 730 mg quercetin/day or placebo.
Blood pressure remained unchanged in prehypertensives after supplementation with quercetin. In contrast, stage 1 hypertensive subjects showed significant reductions in both systolic (-7 mm Hg) and diastolic (-2 mm Hg) blood pressure after quercetin supplementation. This is the first published study to show that quercetin supplementation can reduce blood pressure in hypertensive adult humans. Additionally, it is important to note that quercetin supplementation did not influence the blood pressure of non-hypertensive individuals.
J. Nutr. 137:2405-2411, November 2007
Researchers at the University of Utah, in collaboration with USANA Health Sciences, conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study to test the effectiveness of quercetin supplementation in lowering unhealthy blood pressure levels. The subjects were divided into two groups: prehypertensives (120-139 mm Hg systolic/80-89 mm Hg diastolic) or stage 1 hypertensives (140-159 mm Hg systolic/90-99 mm Hg diastolic). Over 28 days, the participants were given either 730 mg quercetin/day or placebo.
Blood pressure remained unchanged in prehypertensives after supplementation with quercetin. In contrast, stage 1 hypertensive subjects showed significant reductions in both systolic (-7 mm Hg) and diastolic (-2 mm Hg) blood pressure after quercetin supplementation. This is the first published study to show that quercetin supplementation can reduce blood pressure in hypertensive adult humans. Additionally, it is important to note that quercetin supplementation did not influence the blood pressure of non-hypertensive individuals.
J. Nutr. 137:2405-2411, November 2007
Vitamin D Levels Linked to Healthy Lung Function
Vitamin D may play a role in keeping our lungs healthy, with higher concentrations of vitamin D resulting in positive effects on lung function and health.
Low concentrations of vitamin D have been associated with a number of diseases. Research out of New Zealand indicates that serum concentrations of vitamin D may also influence pulmonary (lung) function.
In a study published in the journal Chest, original analysis was performed on data from 14,091 adult subjects (all participants in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 1988 and 1994). Lung function was measured in two ways: by the volume of air that could be forcibly blown out in total (forced vital capacity, or FVC), and the volume blown out in one second (forced expiratory volume, or FEV1). Vitamin D was measured using serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, a standard indicator of vitamin D levels.
After adjusting for age, gender, height, body mass index, ethnicity, and smoking history, the difference in lung function between the groups with the highest and lowest vitamin D intake was substantial in both the FVC and FEV1 tests (172 mL and 126 mL respectively, p <0.0001). Further adjustment for physical activity, vitamin D supplementation, milk intake, and serum antioxidant status revealed additional strong correlation between the highest and lowest intake groups (142 mL (FVC) and 106 mL (FEV1), p < 0.0001).
Although further studies are necessary to determine whether vitamin D supplementation may be beneficial in cases of chronic respiratory disease, this study has shown that vitamin D may have a positive influence on pulmonary health, with greater levels of vitamin D associated with more positive benefits.
Chest 2005 Dec;128(6):3792-8
Chest 2005 Dec;128(6):3792-8
Vitamin D Deficiency Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Prevalence
In a large sample of U.S. adults, new research indicates that vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease.Inadequate vitamin D levels are known to be associated with certain cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, but until recently the association between vitamin D levels and the prevalence of CVD had not been comprehensively examined in the general U.S. population.
In a recent study published in Atherosclerosis, researchers examined data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a population-based sample of more than 16,000 U.S. adults.
In the total survey population, 1,308 subjects had some form of CVD. Using the standard definition of vitamin D deficiency (a serum level below 20 ng/mL), participants with CVD had a higher incidence of vitamin D deficiency (29.3%) than those without CVD (21.4%). After adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, season of measurement, physical activity, body mass index, smoking status, hypertension, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, chronic kidney disease, and vitamin D use, the researchers showed that subjects deficient in vitamin D had a 20% increased risk of CVD.
The results of this analysis indicate a significant relationship between vitamin D deficiency and CVD prevalence in a large, highly representative sample of the U.S. adult population.
Atherosclerosis 2009 Jul; 205(1):255-60.
What USANA Products for Pregnant or Breast-feeding Women?
The Essentials can serve as an excellent prenatal multivitamin. Proper amounts of folic acid, zinc, and other important vitamins and minerals are all present in this product.
It is important for women who are planning to become pregnant (and those who are currently pregnant) to consume at least 400 mcg of folic acid per day. A full daily dosage of the Essentials provides 1,000 mcg of folic acid. If a mother does not have adequate intake of folic acid within the first few months of pregnancy, the fetus may develop neural tube defects (such as spina bifida). Studies show that taking at least 400 mcg of folic acid can reduce the risk of these birth defects by as much as 70%.
It is important for every expectant mother to ask a doctor about taking an iron supplement, as iron is not included in the Essentials. During pregnancy, women should generally supplement with somewhere between 28 and 90 mg of elemental iron per day, depending on their needs.
Research has also shown that essential fatty acids are critical for developing babies. It may be a good idea to supplement with BiOmega during pregnancy. Before taking any additional or different supplements, discuss them fully with your doctor, as it is important to protect the growing baby and mother.
READ VERY CAREFULLY - The following products, taken as directed, are strongly recommended for women who are pregnant or lactating:
* Essentials
* Active Calcium
* BiOmega
The following products, taken as directed, are generally recommended for women who are pregnant or lactating, based on individual needs:
* USANA Foods (Nutrimeal, Nutrition Bar, Fibergy)
The following products, taken as directed, are recommended for women who are pregnant or lactating ONLY on the advice of a physician:
* HealthPak
* Proflavanol & Proflavanol 90
* E-Prime
* Poly C
* Ginkgo-PS
* Visionex
The following products are NOT generally for use by pregnant or lactating women:
* CoQuinone 30
* Hepasil DTX
* Procosa II
* PhytoEstrin
* Palmetto Plus
It is important for women who are planning to become pregnant (and those who are currently pregnant) to consume at least 400 mcg of folic acid per day. A full daily dosage of the Essentials provides 1,000 mcg of folic acid. If a mother does not have adequate intake of folic acid within the first few months of pregnancy, the fetus may develop neural tube defects (such as spina bifida). Studies show that taking at least 400 mcg of folic acid can reduce the risk of these birth defects by as much as 70%.
It is important for every expectant mother to ask a doctor about taking an iron supplement, as iron is not included in the Essentials. During pregnancy, women should generally supplement with somewhere between 28 and 90 mg of elemental iron per day, depending on their needs.
Research has also shown that essential fatty acids are critical for developing babies. It may be a good idea to supplement with BiOmega during pregnancy. Before taking any additional or different supplements, discuss them fully with your doctor, as it is important to protect the growing baby and mother.
READ VERY CAREFULLY - The following products, taken as directed, are strongly recommended for women who are pregnant or lactating:
* Essentials
* Active Calcium
* BiOmega
The following products, taken as directed, are generally recommended for women who are pregnant or lactating, based on individual needs:
* USANA Foods (Nutrimeal, Nutrition Bar, Fibergy)
The following products, taken as directed, are recommended for women who are pregnant or lactating ONLY on the advice of a physician:
* HealthPak
* Proflavanol & Proflavanol 90
* E-Prime
* Poly C
* Ginkgo-PS
* Visionex
The following products are NOT generally for use by pregnant or lactating women:
* CoQuinone 30
* Hepasil DTX
* Procosa II
* PhytoEstrin
* Palmetto Plus
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