Scott Greenberg, NatureCity author & contributor

Garlic is a tasty, healthy and commonly used addition to many meals. At the same time, it is well known that it can cause bad breath and body odor. Luckily for garlic lovers a recent study may have found a way to fight this notorious “garlic breath.”

The study was conducted by researchers from the Department of Food Science and Technology at Ohio University and published in the August 2010 issue of the Journal of Food Science.

For the study the researchers had volunteers consume chopped garlic and drink water, fat-free milk or whole milk before or after consuming the garlic.

The researchers found that whole milk significantly reduced levels of numerous compounds responsible for “garlic breath” such as allyl mercaptan, diallyl disulfide, methyl mercaptan, and allyl methyl sulphide. This reduction was most apparent when milk was ingested at the same time as the garlic rather than afterward.

Low fat milk and water also appeared to provide benefits but not nearly as well as whole milk, leading researchers to believe that the fat content of whole milk provides additional benefits.

Garlic is well known for its health benefits and is one of the main ingredients in the increasingly popular Mediterranean diet. It is high in magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and selenium, and has been linked to many things including reductions in blood pressure and lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.

It would be a shame to lose all of these benefits because of fear of bad breath. This study shows that drinking some milk with meals that include garlic may be just the thing to leave your breath smelling good.

Evan Watson, NatureCity author & contributor

Stress caused by awkward social situations may have serious health implications by promoting inflammation in your body.

Researchers at the Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology at the University of California recruited 124 volunteers for the study. The study was published in the August 2010 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

For the study, the volunteers were put into awkward social situations and their neural response to social rejection was measured.

The researchers found that people with negative responses to social situations had a significant increase in numerous inflammatory markers. Inflammation is part of our immune system’s response to situations that could potentially be harmful but continuous activation of that response due to stressful social situations can have far ranging negative implications for your health.

Inflammation can lead to numerous chronic diseases ranging from arthritis to cardiovascular disease, and these findings show that stressful situations can clearly increase inflammation.

The researchers noted that it has long been known that social stress may increase the risk of chronic disease but this study shows a specific mechanism that proves how closely our mind and body are connected.

They also found that the best way to avoid health implications due to social stress is not necessarily to actively avoid stressful situations altogether. It turns out that approaching them as a welcomed challenge may negate any negative health effects and actually provide benefits.

Scott Greenberg, NatureCity author & contributor

That bottle of tea you drink may contain lower levels of beneficial polyphenols than regular tea, according to a study presented recently at the 240th meeting of the American Chemistry Society (ACS) in Boston.

Polyphenols are found naturally in plants and fruits such as green tea, cocoa, nuts and grapes. They have strong antioxidant properties which allow them to neutralize destructive free radicals and decrease oxidation damage in the body. These beneficial antioxidants have been linked to reductions in cardiovascular disease, cancer, and inflammatory diseases.

These antioxidants are especially abundant in tea; however this study shows that polyphenol content may be much lower when tea is bottled.

The average amount of polyphenols found in just one cup of black tea ranges from 50-150mg but when researchers tested the polyphenol content in six bottled teas they found an average of 81, 43, 40, 13, 4 and 3 milligrams (mg) of polyphenols.

The researchers were shocked by these low levels and said that for many types of bottled teas people would need to drink bottle after bottle to see any benefits. One of the reasons for these low polyphenol levels is the fact that consumers often opt for sweeter, less bitter tea.

Polyphenols have a certain level of bitterness so many manufacturers add less tea and more sweeteners, which lowers the level of polyphenols. The researchers expect to publish the study towards the end of this year which should shed more light on the mechanisms behind their findings.

In the meantime, if you drink tea specifically for the its health benefits, drinking home brewed tea may be the healthier choice.

Sarah McGowan-Freije, NatureCity author & contributor

A study published in the August 2010 issue of the journal Hypertension found that being aggressive and confrontational may actually significantly increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The study, which was conducted by researchers at the National Institute on Aging, included 5,614 residents of four villages on the Italian Mediterranean island Sardinia. The participants were between 14- 94 years of age and 58% of them were women.

All of the participants were given standard personality tests to determine their relative level of aggression.

The researchers found that people who scored higher for aggressive behaviors and “low agreeableness” were much more likely to experience thickening of the neck arteries. In fact, people that scored in the top 10% for aggression had a staggering 40% increase in the risk of arterial thickening.

Thickening of the arteries is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke.

This study shows that (even though it may not be easy) trying to be less confrontatinal and more agreeable may be very important for your physical health.

Scott Greenberg, NatureCity author & contributor

Allergies, particularly those from mold, can create serious complications for people suffering from asthma. A new study has found that vitamin D supplements may help protect asthmatics from this allergic response.

The study was published in the August 2010 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

For the study, researchers from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center used cells from asthmatics that suffer from severe allergic reactions to mold.

When the researchers increased vitamin D levels, not only did they find a decrease in certain proteins that are responsible for the allergy, they also found increases in proteins that promote tolerance.

According to the researchers, these findings show that vitamin D deficiency may be a large risk factor for mold allergies among asthmatics. The researchers also claim that these initial findings show that supplementation may even be effective for preventing and treating other allergies. They add that further studies are necessary in order to replicate their results in human trials.

Vitamin D has been shown to improve immune system function in previous studies so the association with allergies is a logical progression.

Previous studies have also shown a number of other benefits associated with vitamin D and numerous health implications associated with vitamin D deficiency. In fact, being deficient in vitamin D can possibly can possibly result in an increased risk of depression, heart disease and the common cold.

Considering the fact that over 90% of mature adults are currently deficient in this vitamin, taking a supplement or incorporating more vitamin D fortified foods into the diet is probably a good idea. Some foods that are often fortified with vitamin D are yogurt, milk, orange juice, cereals and margarine.

Evan Watson, NatureCity author & contributor

Omega-3 supplements may help people with metabolic syndrome improve blood lipid levels and reduce the risk of developing serious health problems according to a recent study from Spain. The findings of the study were published in the August 2010 issue of the journal Nutrition.

Metabolic syndrome refers to a group of risk factors that include obesity, hypertension, high levels of blood lipids and high blood sugar. People suffering from metabolic syndrome need to keep a close eye on cholesterol levels because they are at a much higher risk for diabetes, heart disease, and suffering a heart attack.

The American Heart Association defines metabolic syndrome as having three or more of the following:

1. A waistline greater than 40 inches for men or 35 inches for women

2. Good (HDL) cholesterol under 40mg/dL for men or 50mg/dL for women

3. Triglyceride levels over 150mg/dL

4. Blood pressure over 130/85mm Hg or the use of blood pressure medicine

5. Elevated levels of C-reactive protein

6. Insulin resistance or glucose intolerance

For the current study, researchers at the University of Cordoba, Spain recruited 117 patients with metabolic syndrome and had them follow four separate diets to see the effect each would have on blood lipid metabolism.

They found that a low-fat high-complex carbohydrate diet had several negative effects on the participants’ blood lipid profiles, including increasing cholesterol and triglyceride levels. However, when the participants followed the same diet supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids there was no change in blood lipid levels.

This study adds additional evidence to back the already impressive body of science backing the heart health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. Previous studies have found that these essential fatty acids may help reduce the risk of age-related vision loss, boost cognitive function and may even help improve mood.

Taking a high quality supplement is a good way to increase omega-3 intake, just be sure that the supplement you choose is certified for purity and high in DHA and EPA, the two most important omega-3 fatty acids. Oily fish like salmon, mackerel and tuna are also high in omega-3?s.

Evan Watson, NatureCity author & contributor

Researchers from Jikei University Kashiwa Hospital in Japan and Fuji Chemical Industry recently found new evidence that the carotenoid that gives salmon its pink color, called astaxanthin, may improve HDL”good” cholesterol levels among people with high LDL (bad) cholesterol.

The study was published in the August 2010 issue of the journal Atherosclerosis.

For the study the researchers recruited 61 non-obese participants between 25-65 years of age who had not been previously diagnosed with diabetes or hypertension. The participants were randomly assigned to one of 4 groups which received 0, 6, 12, or 18 mg/day of astaxanthin for 12 weeks.

At the end of the study the researchers observed a reduction in blood triglyceride levels of 25% among the group given the highest dose of the pigment and a 24% reduction among the group given the second highest dose. They also found that people receiving 6 or 12 milligrams experienced a 10% and 15% increase in HDL cholesterol levels, respectively.

The researchers noted that although this study did not highlight the underlying mechanisms behind their results, it appears that astaxanthin may be effective for treating high cholesterol and reducing the risk of hypertension.

Astaxanthin has been reported to have 500 times the antioxidant capacity of vitamin E and it is believed that the benefits of this carotenoid may derive from this high level of antioxidants.

Previous studies have also shown that astaxanthin may improve eye, skin and joint health and may even boost nervous and immune system function.

Sarah McGowan-Freije, NatureCity author & contributor

Researchers at the University of Utah recently conducted an in depth study on omega-3′s and found new evidence supporting the eye health benefits of these essential fatty acids. Their findings were published in the August 2010 issue of the Journal of Lipid Research.

For the study researchers used donor eyes and categorized them into four groups: young, middle-aged, old, and eyes with aged related macular degeneration (AMD.)

AMD is the leading cause of severe vision loss and blindness in the Western world. It is a progressive disease that attacks the macula of the eye and affects over 15 million Americans. It causes central vision loss and leaves only peripheral vision.

The researchers conducted extensive tests on the eyes and found that eyes with AMD had significantly lower levels of DHA and EPA, two of the most important omega-3 fatty acids.

These findings support a number of previous studies including one study published in the July 2010 issue of the journal Ophthalmology which found that just one serving of fatty fish per day may decrease the risk of developing AMD.

The eye health benefits of omega-3′s are likely due to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of these essential fatty acids.

Some fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, mackerel and tuna. You can also boost your omega-3 intake by taking a high quality supplement but be sure to look for supplements high in the most important omega-3 fatty acids EPA/DHA and certified for purity.

Evan Watson, NatureCity author & contributor

Calcium supplements recently received more scientific backing for their weight loss potential from a study published in the August 2010 issue of the journal Nutrition & Metabolism.

Researchers from the Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha recruited 1,170 postmenopausal women with an average age of 66 to take place in the 4 year study.

At the start of the study, the women were randomly divided into 3 groups. One group received two placebo capsules; the second group received calcium supplements and a placebo; and the final group received the calcium plus 1,100 IU of vitamin D3.

The researchers found no changes in overall body mass index (BMI) among the 3 groups however the groups given the calcium supplement showed less gain in waist fat. The placebo group had an average waist fat gain of 5.4% compared to 2.4% and 1.4% in the calcium and calcium plus vitamin D groups.

Commenting on the potential mechanisms behind their findings the researchers stated that adequate calcium intake seems to decrease appetite because the body seems to compensate for lack of calcium by increasing food intake.

This study adds yet another reason to keep an eye on calcium intake. Getting enough calcium in your diet is truly essential, as it is the mineral responsible for bone building, muscle contraction, central nervous system function and hormone secretion.

Calcium has been shown to aid bone health, skin health, and reducing the risk of ccolorectal cancer and stroke. Some studies have even suggested that calcium intake is associated with longevity.

Since calcium absorption decreases and bone loss increases as you age, it is particularly important for anyone over 50 years of age to consume the recommended daily intake of 1200mg of calcium per day.

Scott Greenberg, NatureCity author & contributor

Taking a daily vitamin D supplement may help you avoid catching a cold during the flu season according to a study published in the August 2010 issue of The Journal of Infectious Diseases.

Researchers from the University of Tampere in Finland recruited 164 young men for the study. The young men were given either a daily supplement containing 400 IU of vitamin D or a placebo pill for 6 months from October-March. The researchers chose October-March because that is the time of year that people’s vitamin D levels generally decline and the rate of respiratory issues increases.

During the 6 month period, 51% of the participants taking the vitamin D supplement stayed healthy whereas only 36% stayed healthy in the placebo group.

Their findings show that vitamin D may provide a boost to the immune system and help people ward off respiratory illnesses. Larger clinical trials are still needed in order to dig deeper into the findings.

Recent studies have found that vitamin D may play a much larger role in overall health than initially thought. As a result, many experts are now urging higher daily recommendations for the vitamin, especially among seniors.

With over 90% of seniors deficient in vitamin D, higher daily recommendations may not be a bad idea. Previous research has shown that this important vitamin may be important for everything from reducing the risk of dementia, to lowering the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Vitamin D levels can be increased by taking a daily vitamin D supplement or incorporating more vitamin D fortified foods into the diet. Some foods that are often fortified with vitamin D are yogurt, milk, orange juice, cereals and margarine.