Archive for the ‘Nutrition and Supplements’ Category
Free lutein is absorbed at a higher rate than lutein esters
07.21.2011A recent study revealed that the human body absorbs free FloraGLO lutein at a higher rate than it does lutein esters made my other manufacturers. This means that the free lutein is more available in the blood resulting in better utilization by the body.
The macular pigment area of the retina is the area of the retina which accumulates lutein. Higher levels of this macular pigment is associated with a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration. Nutritional supplements on the market currently contain lutein in its free form or in an esterfied form.
Researchers evaluated 72 volunteers who took supplements for 7 days. After the 7 days, plasma lutein levels were documented and it was found that participants who had received the free lutein had significantly higher plasma lutein levels than those who had received the lutein esters. These high levels were maintained throughout the four weeks of supplementation. VisiVite i-Defense formulas contain FloraGLO Lutein which is the free lutein evaluated in this study.*
Elise Ervin
Staff Writer
New study shows that resveratrol may curb diabetes
06.22.2011
According to recent research appearing in the British Journal of Nutrition, antioxidants found in resveratrol were associated with a reduction in type-2 diabetes. Resveratrol and grape seed extracts have an effect on how the body reacts to insulin, the hormone that impacts glucose levels in the blood. These compounds have been shown to have cardiovascular benefits, offer protection against Alzheimer’s disease, and have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits.
In the double-blind study, scientists recruited 19 patients with type-2 diabetes and had them take 10 milligrams of resveratrol or a placebo. The outcome was that after a four-week period, the resveratrol group demonstrated a substantial decrease in insulin sensitivity compared to the participants who didn’t take it. The authors of the study noted that the results were most likely due to the fact that resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant capable of preventing the oxidation which may lead to insulin resistance.
Dr. Krawitz’s Reziva is an excellent resveratrol supplement made from real French red wine grapes.*
Nancy Hirsch
Certified Nutritionist
Quiz: What do Dry Eye and Natural Killers have in common?
06.09.2011A new study sheds light on the early cellular cause of dry eye disease. The study which is published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology reveals that natural killer cells are responsible for promoting the inflammation that is key in the development of dry eye disease.
Millions of Americans suffer from dry disease and there still are no effective therapies currently available for the disease. There are treatments for the symptoms. Dr. Paul Krawitz’s Dry Eye Relief Tear Stabilization Formula has proven to be effective in treating the symptoms of dry eye disease.
This latest study helps scientists to further understand the pathogenesis of dry eye disease which will aid in the development of treatments.
Two groups of mice were used in the study. The first group of mice were normal and the second group had their natural killer cells removed. Dry eye disease was then induced in the mice. The mice who had their natural killer cells removed did not have as severe disease as the normal mice. Scientists deduced that the natural killer cells play a crucial role in both the development and the severity of the disease.*
Elise Ervin
Staff Writer
Infant vision doesn’t benefit from mom taking prenatal fish oil supplements.
06.08.2011A new study reveals that infants born to pregnant mothers who added the omega-3 fatty acid, DHA, to their diet did not have greater visual acuity than those whose moms did not supplement their diet with DHA. This comes on the heels of earlier research that suggested DHA improves vision in preterm babies who are given supplements in their first few months of life.
DHA passes through the placenta later in pregnancy so infants born prematurely miss out on quite a bit of their prenatal supply of the fatty acid. DHA plays a pivotal role in brain and visual development. Researchers tested visual acuity in 185 four-month-olds whose moms had either been given a DHA-rich fish oil capsule or a placebo capsule of vegetable oil every day, from mid-term pregnancy until delivery.
Researchers speculated that one reason that the supplements didn’t have an impact on the full-term infants but did seem to benefit preemies given DHA after birth is that the preemies needed the extra DHA while the full-term infants had gotten what they needed while still in the womb. It is still recommended that pregnant women try to get 200 mg of DHA every day and some prenatal vitamins do include the fatty acid.
Elise Ervin
Staff Writer
Can Dark Chocolate Improve Eye Function?
06.05.2011
A new study published in the journal, Physiology & Behavior, claims that consumption of cocoa flavanols may enhance aspects of eye function. In recent years, there has been heightened awareness of the advantages of eating foods containing flavanols. The findings of the study demonstrate that dark chocolate is able to increase visual contrast sensitivity in healthy young adults and decrease the time required to sense motion direction. These are the kind of skills required for everyday tasks, such as driving.
The trial involved 30 healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 25, who consumed both dark chocolate and a similar amount of white chocolate, with a period of one week in between testing sessions. Improvements in visual performance were observed approximately 2.5 hours after the intake of the flavanols.
The results of the trial found that cocoa flavanols increased visual contrast sensitivity and “improved spatial memory and performance on some aspects of the choice reaction time task.” The researchers’ theory is that these results may be due to the intensified cerebral blood flow caused by the flavanols.*
Nancy Hirsch
Certified Nutritionist
