Evan Watson, NatureCity author & contributor

In your gut, there are as many as 1 trillion microscopic bacteria cells. About 85% of these cells should be good bacteria, called probiotics. They are vital to your overall health and have been shown to improve digestion, reduce suffering from bloating, gas, and constipation, and boost your immune system.

English scientists at the Institute of Food Research in Norwich, Britain are now saying that probiotics can also help alleviate the symptoms of hay fever. The study was published online in the May 2008 issue of the journal Clinical & Experimental Allergy.

Scientists recruited ten hay fever sufferers and monitored their condition for the 5 month study. Some volunteers were given a milk drink with probiotics, and others a placebo. The blood samples were then tested for antibodies and proteins responsible for allergy symptoms.

Volunteers who took the probiotic drink were found to have reduced levels of both the proteins and the antibodies associated with allergy symptoms. They also showed increased levels of the antibody IgG that is known to counteract the allergy symptoms.

The results of the study add to the growing list of probiotic benefits. Unfortunately, antibiotics, preservatives and chemicals in food and medicine kill probiotics and make it difficult for your body to produce more. One way to maintain healthy probiotic levels is with a good supplement that contains at least several billion live bacteria cells.

Source: K. Ivory, S. J. Chambers, C. Pin, E. Prieto, J. L. Arqués, C. Nicoletti (2008)
Oral delivery of Lactobacillus casei Shirota modifies allergen-induced immune responses in allergic rhinitis
doi:10.1111/j.1365-2222.2008.03025.x

Evan Watson, NatureCity author & contributor

Known risk factors for heart attacks include obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, stress, and diabetes. A new study indicates that we may need to add vitamin D deficiency to the list.

The study was conducted by scientists at the Harvard School of Public Health and appears in the June 2008 issue of the journal Archives of Internal Medicine. It found that men with vitamin D deficiency have an elevated risk of heart attack.

Scientists studied 18,225 men aged 40 to 75 enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Each man gave blood samples at the beginning of the study (1993) and over the next ten year 495 of them had a heart attack.

Researchers compared these 495 men to 900 men with no history of heart disease, and found that low blood levels of vitamin D equated to a 142% increased risk of heart attack. After adjusting for other factors, the risk was still 109% greater.

Vitamin D is produced in the body through exposure to sunlight. Many people – especially those living in northern climates – do not get enough vitamin D each day. If you can’t get more time in the sun, a good way to boost vitamin D levels is by taking a quality supplement.

Source: Archives of Internal Medicine
Volume 168, Number 11, Pages 1174-1180
“25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Men – A Prospective Study”
Authors: E. Giovannucci, Y. Liu, B.W. Hollis, E.B. Rimm
Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18541825
Article: http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=85801-vitamin-d-heart-attack-oh-d

Evan Watson, NatureCity author & contributor

Decline in memory is one of the most upsetting aspects of aging. It threatens the quality of life and independence of elderly citizens. However, scientists may have found a key weapon in the fight against memory loss: social interaction.

Scientists at Harvard School of Public Health found that the rate of memory loss due to aging is lower in socially active individuals than it is in socially withdrawn individuals. Their study was published online in May 2008 for the American Journal of Public Health.

Scientists examined data in the Health and Retirement survey, which followed 16,638 Americans above age 50 over 6 years. The participants’ memory was assessed by the short term and long term recollection of a 10-word list. Social integration was measured by marital status, volunteer activity, and frequency of contact with family members.

The scientists found that those with the lowest levels of social integration experienced twice the rate of memory decline as those with high integration.

High social integration has also been found to decrease the risk of dementia and overall cognitive decline.

Source: Karen A. Ertel, M. Maria Glymour, Lisa F. Berkman
Effects of Social Integration on Preserving Memory Function in a Nationally Representative US Elderly Population
American Journal of Public Health, 10.2105/AJPH.2007.113654

Evan Watson, NatureCity author & contributor

Eczema is cause by inflammation in the upper levels of the skin. Symptoms include itchy, dry, and thickened skin usually found on the hands, neck, face, and legs. German scientists have recently found that supplementation with the omega-3 essential fatty-acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may improve the symptoms associated with eczema.

Researchers at the Charite Medical School of Berlin studied fifty-three people with eczema aged 18 to 40. They were split into two groups and assigned either a DHA supplement or a placebo.

After 8 weeks, researchers found that the severity of symptoms in the DHA group was reduced by 23 percent, but only slightly in the control group. They also found that a precursor for allergic reaction that causes eczema (an antibody called IgE) was reduced in the DHA group but not the control group.

Their findings were published in the April 2008 issue of the British Journal of Dermatology.

The benefits of omega-3 essential fatty-acids, specifically DHA and EPA have been well-documented in recent years. There are different omega-3 essential fatty-acids and not all contain EPA and DHA (both found in fish oil). So be careful when choosing a product or supplement that claims omega-3 benefits.

Source: British Journal of Dermatology
Volume 158, Issue 4, Page 786-792, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.08430.x
“Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in atopic eczema: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial”
Authors: C. Koch, S. Dölle, M. Metzger, C. Rasche, H. Jungclas, R. Rühl, H. Renz, M. Worm
Abstract: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.08430.x
Article: http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=85634-omega-dha-eczema

Evan Watson, NatureCity author & contributor

The size of your belly is considered a more accurate gauge in determining the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes than weight alone. New research indicates that middle-aged people with big bellies are at higher risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s as well.

The study was conducted by scientists at the research department of Kaiser Permanente and published online in March 2008 by the journal Neurology.

The researchers followed up on 6,583 people who had their waists measured between 1964 and 1973 when they were in their 40′s. Of these participants, 1,049 were diagnosed with dementia between 1994 and 2006.

The measurement used was the height of the belly while the person is lying down, with the measurement of 9.8 inches indicating a large belly. Obesity was determined by using the body mass index (BMI). Individuals were considered obese if they had BMIs of 25 or greater.

In the study, people that were both obese and had a large belly were 3.6 times more likely to be diagnosed with dementia when compared to people with healthy weights and belly size. For those with a healthy BMI but a large belly, the risk was still 1.9 times higher.

Obesity is a problem that has grown to epidemic levels in America. It affects every aspect of health from cholesterol and blood pressure levels to brain function and motor skills. The best way to loose weight and get in shape is to couple a proper diet (low in calories, refined sugar and simple carbohydrates) with a regular exercise plan.

Source: Neurology
Published online before print March 26, 2008
doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000306313.89165.ef)
“Central obesity and increased risk of dementia more than three decades later”
R. A. Whitmer PhD*, D. R. Gustafson PhD, E. Barrett-Connor MD, M. N. Haan DrPH, E. P. Gunderson PhD, and K. Yaffe MD

Abstract:

http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/01.wnl.0000306313.89165.efv1

Article:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23800703

Evan Watson, NatureCity author & contributor

A new study indicates that the Mediterranean diet may reduce the  risk of type-2 diabetes. Type-2 diabetes affects 90% of the 21 million people who suffer from diabetes in the United States.

The Mediterranean diet includes high quantities of vegetables, fruits, olive oil, and fish, while maintaining low consumption of diary, red meat, and alcohol.

The study was conducted by scientists at the University of Navarra in Spain and results were published in the May 2008 issue of the British Medical Journal.

Scientists studied 13,000 university graduates with no history of diabetes for an average of 4 years. They found that those with a high observance of the Mediterranean diet were 83% less likely to have type-2 diabetes.

The Mediterranean diet has also been found to reduce the risk of heart disease. One reason could be the high content of omega-3 essential fatty-acids found in fish which may lower blood pressure and cut the risk of heart attack.

Moreover, it is important to distinguish between omega-3 essential fatty-acids and omega-6 fatty acids. While omega-3 essential fatty-acids reduce inflammation, Omega-6 fatty acids found in processed foods promote it. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends a ratio between the two of about 1 to 1. The typical American diet contains a ratio of about 15 to 1. This has been linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, inflammatory and auto-immune diseases.

The Mediterranean diet, in addition to helping to correct the ratio between omega fatty acids, offers polyphenols in fruits and vegetables that are known to be rich in antioxidants.

Source: M A Martinez-Gonzalez, C de la Fuente-Arrillaga, J M Nunez-Cordoba, F J Basterra-Gortari, J J Beunza, Z Vazquez, S Benito, A Tortosa, and M Bes-Rastrollo
Adherence to Mediterranean diet and risk of developing diabetes: prospective cohort study
BMJ, May 2008; doi:10.1136/bmj.39561.501007.BE

Evan Watson, NatureCity author & contributor

Scientists have found that acid-blocking medications may be harmful in prenatal development. A Harvard study suggests that expectant mothers taking acid-blocking medication during pregnancy may be putting their child at risk of developing asthma.

Researchers from the Harvard School of Medicine and the Children’s Hospital in Boston analyzed healthcare registries diagnosing asthma and prescriptions for allergy medication in children. Children whose mothers used acid blockers while pregnant were found to be 50% more likely to develop asthma than those whose mothers did not.

Results were presented at the March 2008 annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

This adds to the growing amount of research showing adverse effects of acid blocking drugs. For older individuals, the medications have been associated with an increased risk of hip fractures, pneumonia and bacterial infection of the esophagus.

Natural alternatives are currently available that promote digestive health without unwanted side-effects. Among the most popular are probiotics and aloe vera.

Source: Late Breaking Abstracts Presented at Scientific Sessions AAAAI Annual Meeting
March14-18, 2008
” Acid Blocking Therapy During Pregnancy Increases the Odds for Childhood Asthma
Authors: E.H. Yen, E. Dehlink, S. Huh, A. Leichtner, E. Fiebiger, E.J. Hait

Evan Watson, NatureCity author & contributor

A new study indicates that vitamin D3 may help protect the prostate from damage by promoting antioxidant activity. Vitamin D3 has been found to benefit the prostate in previous research, but it is only recently that scientists understand why.

According to researchers at the University of Rochester in New York, vitamin D3 binds to a receptor in the genes of healthy prostate cells that control production of an antioxidant enzyme called G6PD. This enzyme seems to protect DNA from damage, which may reduce the risk of cancer in the prostate.

The study – published in the March 2008 edition of the International Journal of Cancer – found that Vitamin D3 stimulates production of G6PD, which can neutralize free radicals associated with DNA damage.

Vitamin D3 has also been linked to bone health. Research indicates that a vitamin D3 deficiency may lead to osteoporosis and osteomalacia, which are characterized by bone fragility and muscle weakness.

Sun exposure helps provide the body with adequate levels of vitamin D3. Older individuals and those living in cold climates – who spend more time indoors – have an increased risk of vitamin D3 deficiency. For individuals who fall into this category, supplementation can help bridge the gap.

Vitamin D3 has been shown to be up to 600% more potent than vitamin D2, but is more expensive so vitamin D2 is often used in supplements to lower cost.

Source: The International Journal of Cancer
122, 2699-2706 (2008)
“Protective role of 1a, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 against oxidative stress in nonmalignant human prostate epithelial cells”
Authors: B.-Y. Bao, H.-J. Ting, J.-W. Hsu, Y.-F. Lee

Evan Watson, NatureCity author & contributor

Modest consumption of red wine is commonly associated with cardiovascular health benefits. Researchers are now finding that it may also reduce the risk of disease in the liver.

Modest consumption – defined as one glass per day – has been found to cut the risk of the most common liver disease in the United States by 50 percent. This is good news for the 40 million adults currently suffering from the disease, known as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).

The study was conducted by scientists at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, and appears in the June 2008 issue of the Journal Hepatology.

The researchers studied the nearly 12,000 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), originally conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The study sample included 7,211 nondrinkers and 945 modest wine drinkers. NAFLD was observed in 0.4% of modest wine drinkers as opposed to 3.2% in nondrinkers.

In contrast, research showed modest beer and liquor drinkers increased their risk of liver disease by 400%.

Red wine has also been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The benefits are derived from polyphenols called resveratrol, compounds found under the skin of the red wine grape. The polyphenols have antioxidant characteristics, and may also help inhibit platelet formation that can lead to blood clotting.

Evan Watson, NatureCity author & contributor

Good news may be on the way for the 19 million Americans currently suffering from clinical depression. According to a recent study, increasing your intake of omega-3 essential fatty-acids may give your mood a healthy boost.

Researchers in France found that people suffering from depression had significantly less of the omega-3 essential fatty-acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in their blood stream than healthy control subjects.

The study, published in the May 2008 edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, was conducted by scientists at the University of Bordeaux. They studied 1,390 people, with an average age of 74.6.

The researchers divided the study participants into two groups: “depressed” and “healthy.” Blood was drawn from both groups and evaluated.

The researchers found that depressed subjects had 15.8% lower EPA levels than healthy controls.

EPA was the only omega-3 essential fatty-acid found to be linked with depression. Other common omega-3 essential fatty-acids include ALA and DHA. ALA omega-3 can most commonly be found in plant oil, and should not be confused with EPA and DHA primarily found in fish oil.

These findings add to the growing field of evidence linking some fatty acids with possible mental health benefits. The studies have shown benefits in subjects suffering from dementia, Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease.