Tag Archives: nutrition breakthroughs joints and more

New Menopause Study: Vitamin D Builds Muscle

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Research studies on the benefits of vitamin D for postmenopausal women have had conflicting results, with some showing no benefit and others showing great benefits for muscle, bone, reduced falls and lower fracture risk.

Now a new study has emerged from researchers in Sao Paulo Brazil which has conclusively shown that vitamin D supplements can reduce loss of muscle, increase muscle strength, and lessen the risk of falls after menopause.

Vitamin D is known as the “Sunshine Vitamin” because spending time outdoors in the sun is known to increase vitamin D levels in the body via the skin.

Our ancestors spent a considerable amount of their time outdoors, but for the first time in history, large amounts of the world population spend most of their time inside their offices and homes.  This has lead to a widespread vitamin D deficiency.  Spending some time in the sun a few days a week is good, and when taking supplements, vitamin D3 is the best form.

Besides strengthening muscle and bone, researchers have also discovered that vitamin D helps to regulate the sleep-wake cycle and its deficiency has a role in the current global epidemic of sleep disorders. This makes vitamin D a vital benefit in insomnia, which is another condition that can often plague menopausal women.

The newest vitamin D study from Brazil focused on muscle strength in postmenopausal women and took place over a nine-month period.  It was a placebo controlled trial and was double-blinded – which means that neither the participants nor the researchers knew which women received the vitamin D and which didn’t.

Three types of tests were used to measure muscle strength: A chair rising test that measured leg strength when standing up from a chair, a total body x-ray, and a hand-grip test.

At the conclusion of the trial, the women who received the placebo ended up having reduced muscle mass and muscle degeneration of 6.8%.  They also had twice as many falls as the vitamin D group.  On the other hand, the women who took the vitamin D supplement had a major increase in their muscle strength of over 25% — even when taken 12 years after menopause. The results of the research were presented at the annual meeting of the North American Menopause Society.

Dr. L.M Cangussu of the Botucatu Medical School at Sao Paulo State University in Brazil said: “We concluded that the supplementation of Vitamin D alone provided significant protection against the occurrence of sarcopenia, which is a degenerative loss of skeletal muscle.”

Vitamin D has many vital roles in the health of the body, including supporting the heart, brain and nerves.  Additionally, a study from the Journal of Investigative Medicine found that vitamin D is a strong boost to immunity and that deficiency is common in autoimmune disease – a group of diseases where the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake. These include multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease.

Some good vitamin D-rich foods include cod liver oil, sardines, salmon, mackerel, eggs and herring. The best supplement form to take is vitamin D3, as this is the natural form made by the sun on skin, rather than D2.

This natural health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a publisher of nutrition articles and supplier of effective natural remedies since 2001. Nutrition breakthroughs makes Sleep Minerals II, the effective natural sleep aid with calcium, magnesium and vitamin D3.

Top Natural Headache Remedies Proven Effective

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Young businesswoman has splitting headache pain migrainThis news on natural headache remedies is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of Sleep Minerals II.

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Have you ever experienced a painful headache?

Many people who suffer with the pain of headaches or migraines are reaching out for natural, safe remedies, in order to avoid the side effects that can come with drugs or medications.

A headache is defined as a continuous pain in the head, whether it’s a chronic daily tension headache caused by muscle contractions or it’s a full blown migraine. A migraine is a throbbing, pounding pain that can last from a few hours to a few days. It can come from sensitivity to noise or light and often has an aspect of nausea or stomach upset.

There are a number of natural headache remedies that have been shown in studies to be effective.  Here are some of the most studied ones.

B vitamins

In a study from Griffith University in Brisbane Australia, scientists studied 52 people diagnosed with migraines. They were split into two groups and one half received a daily dose of B vitamins that included 25 milligrams of B6, 2 milligrams of folic acid (vitamin B9), and 400 micrograms of B12,  After six months, there was a significant lessening of migraine disability and symptoms from 60% to 30%. No reduction was seen in the placebo group.

Cayenne

The powerful active ingredient in Cayenne pepper is known as capsaicin. It is known for its ability to remedy pain and inflammation. One study on capsaicin for headache relief was published in the Clinical Journal of Pain. The researchers noted that capsaicin inhibits Substance P in the body, which is a substance that helps transmit pain signals.

Substance P is a part of what creates feelings of pain and capsaicin helps to remove it. The study found that when capsaicin was applied topically to the nasal passages, the participants found relief for headaches, whereas those taking the placebo didn’t. Capsaicin is available as a pill, skin cream or nasal spray.

Gluten free diet

In the quest for natural remedies for headaches, scientists have researched whether or not there’s a connection between migraine headaches and the gluten found in wheat, barley, rye and oats. Gluten is a protein-like substance that gives the dough from grains its elastic texture. One study from the journal “Neurology” discovered that eating a gluten-free diet brought relief from migraines to 9 out of 10 of the participants. This leads to the possibility that foods containing gluten can bring on headaches.

Magnesium

Studies have found that people with migraine headaches have low concentrations of magnesium in their body. The word “cephalalgia” literally means head pain or headache. In a German study of 81 migraine patients published in the journal “Cephalalgia”, 42 percent of the people taking oral magnesium had reduced both the duration and intensity of their migraine attacks. They also reduced their reliance on medications to control migraines.

Natural headache remedies can be a good first defense against headaches and migraines and they can help a person to avoid medications.

This natural health news is shared with you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a provider of nutrition articles and effective natural remedies since 2001. Nutrition Breakthroughs, makes the original calcium and magnesium based natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II.

L.R.C. of Massachusetts says: “I had become dependent on sleeping drugs and couldn’t sleep without them. Now I take the Sleep Minerals before bed and I can sleep through the night without drugs. I’m also able to easily fall back to sleep if I do have to get up. Another benefit is this helps alleviate my chronic fatigue and aches and pains.”

For more information on Sleep Minerals II, visit this page.

Top High Fiber Foods and Studies on Health Benefits

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high fiber foodsEating high fiber foods is highly encouraged  by nutritionists and doctors, but what exactly is fiber and what are its benefits?

Fiber or roughage is derived from the cell walls of plant foods. It cannot be digested or absorbed by the body.

Because fiber passes through the body undigested, it helps to keep the intestines clean, detoxifies the body and keeps the organs healthy.

High fiber foods like fruits, split peas, avocados, beans, oats, carrots, whole grains, most vegetables, and nuts are good sources. Studies are showing health benefits for cholesterol, blood sugar, weight loss, digestive health and brain health.

Weight loss and fiber rich foods go together well. Researchers from the University of Massachusetts set out to show that simply eating more high fiber foods each day can be more effective than restricting foods in order to lose weight.

The participants were split into two groups — one that followed the eating plan suggested by the American Heart Association (including limiting calories, increasing fiber, and balancing their fats, carbohydrates and proteins).

The other group increased their fiber intake by 30 grams per day and changed nothing else.  This second group lost almost as much weight as the other group, with a simpler diet that’s easier to follow.

According to WebMD, the fiber found in whole grains such as brown rice, nuts and vegetables are “Nature’s Laxatives”. For digestive and colon health, studies have shown that increasing dietary fiber can reduce the risk of colon cancer. Fiber acts to speed up the travel of food through the intestines and reduces the time that any toxic waste is in the body.

One research study published in an American health journal examined the relationship between a high-vegetable, high-fruit, low-fat diet and the occurrence of colon cancer. It found that the better the participants followed the high fiber plan, the lower their risk. In fact, the “super followers” had a thirty-five percent reduction in odds of the occurrence of colon cancer over the seven year trial.

Fiber can be a healthy component of brain health. One study on brain health was reported in the journal “Stroke”. A stroke is something that can occur if there is reduced oxygen-rich blood flow to the brain.

Researchers in the United Kingdom analyzed seven studies having to do with fiber-rich diets and the effect on brain health. They discovered that for every seven grams more fiber a person eats each day, their first time risk of stroke goes down seven percent.

Seven grams of fiber can be found in three servings of fiber-rich foods such as whole grains, vegetables or fruits, and the study suggests that even just switching from white bread or pasta to whole grain versions of these can be of benefit.

Today is a great day to start adding as many high fiber foods as possible to each meal, for their delicious and healthful benefits.

This health news is shared by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a provider of nutrition articles and effective natural remedies since 2001. Nutrition Breakthroughs makes the original calcium and magnesium based natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, as well as Joints and More, the natural solution for joint relief, aches and pains, stronger hair and nails, and more energy.

The Top 7 Health Benefits of Garlic with Studies

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health benefits of garlicIt has been said that all current drugs and medications are simply versions of herbs and foods that can be patented by the drug companies.

These herbs have been freely used throughout history for their healing benefits. The biggest jewel in the crown of all medicinal herbs is garlic.

In earlier days, when antibiotics and other drugs weren’t in existence, the garlic clove stood in the place of the pharmaceutical industry for its large rainbow of potent health benefits.

Recent studies are confirming and substantiating the power of health benefits of garlic. The ingredient in garlic that gives it its medicinal qualities is allicin.  Garlic is also high in sulfur and the vitamins B6, C and B1.

Garlic was once known as “Russian Penicillin” because of its ability to act as a natural antibiotic against bacteria, viruses, fungus and colds, as well as its ability to strengthen the body to prevent overall disease.

1. Garlic Prevents the Common Cold – “Advances in Therapy” Journal

This study included 146 people who received either a placebo or an allicin-containing garlic supplement for 12 weeks. The participants recorded any common cold symptoms and infections in a daily diary. At the end of the study, there were 63% less colds in the garlic group and they recovered much faster when infected – in an average of 1.5 days versus 5 days.

This research also showed that those taking the placebo were much more likely to get more than one cold over the treatment period. The researchers concluded that: “An allicin-containing supplement can prevent attack by the common cold virus.”

2. Garlic Gel for Recurrent Hair Loss – “Indian Journal of Dermatology”

In order to determine the health benefits of garlic for recurrent hair loss, a garlic gel was applied to the scalp.  Researchers divided the participants into two groups. One group used a garlic gel for three months and the other used a placebo. In addition, both groups used a steroid cream on the scalp. The size of the patches and overall state of the hair was recorded each month.

At the end of the study, very good responses were observed in the garlic group. The study showed that the use of a garlic gel significantly added to the therapeutic benefits from the steroid cream and that it’s an effective hair loss remedy.

3. Heavy Metals in the Body Detoxified by Garlic – “Basic Clinical Toxicology” Journal

Workers at a car battery industry with chronic lead poisoning were used in this study. The workers were split into two groups: One that received allicin from garlic three times a day and the other group received the drug d-penicillamine.

At the end of the four week study, the symptoms of lead poisoning were examined. The researchers reported significant improvement in the garlic group including less irritability, fewer headaches, better tendon reflexes and lower blood pressure. None of these benefits were seen in the d-penicillamine group.

4. Dietary Garlic Prevents Hip Arthritis – “Musculoskeletal Disorders” Journal

1,000 healthy female twins participated in this study. The team of researchers recorded the details of the diets of the twins and compared these with x-ray images that showed the degree of osteoarthritis development in the hips, spine and knees.

Their discovery was that a high intake of vegetables and fruits, particularly those high in sulfur such as garlic and onions, resulted in lower signs of the beginnings of osteoarthritis in the hip.

Dr Frances Williams, lead author of the study from King’s College London, said: “…These findings may point the way towards future treatments and prevention of hip osteoarthritis.”

5. Aged Garlic Extract Lowers Blood Pressure – “Maturitas” (the European Menopause Journal)

This study followed 50 patients over a 12 week treatment period. The patients were being treated with medication for high blood pressure, but it remained high and uncontrolled. The results showed that an aged garlic extract was effective in lowering blood pressure for patients with uncontrolled hypertension.

6. Garlic Enhances Exercise Tolerance – “Indian Journal of Physiology”

In a study of 30 patients with heart disease, treadmill tests were to examine their exercise capacity.  After the initial test, they were given garlic oil capsules daily for six weeks. When the test was repeated, it was shown that the garlic had greatly improved their heart rate at peak exercise and had also reduced the work load on the heart. This gave the patients better exercise tolerance and ability.

7. Garlic Lowers Risk of Lung Cancer by 44% – “Cancer Prevention Research”

In this 7-year long study, researchers at a medical center in China interviewed 1,424 lung cancer patients and also 4,543 healthy people. They were asked questions about their diet, smoking and how often they ate garlic. Raw garlic consumption of 2 times or more per week was found to be associated with a 44% prevention of lung cancer. For those in the study who smoked, the risk of lung cancer was still reduced by about 30% for those who ate the raw garlic.

How to Take Garlic

Some tasty ways to receive the benefits of garlic include adding it to homemade salsa, guacamole, salad dressings, pasta sauce, in mashed potatoes, and mixed with butter and then spread on bread. It can also be added to vegetable smoothies and hot vegetable dishes.

If raw garlic causes any stomach upset, there are many garlic supplements available that contain good amounts of allicin.

This health news is shared with you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a provider of nutrition articles and effective natural remedies since 2001. Nutrition Breakthroughs makes the original calcium and magnesium based sleep remedy Sleep Minerals II, as well as Joints and More, the natural solution for joint relief, aches and pains and stronger hair and nails.

Potassium Rich Foods, Health Benefits, Insomnia Remedy

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potassium Studies have shown that potassium rich foods can lower blood pressure, improve blood vessel function, reduce risk of stroke, strengthen muscles, help preserve bone density, prevent kidney stones and remedy insomnia.

Potassium is found in many fruits and vegetables, so one of the main sources of a potassium deficiency would be not eating enough of these.

Sometimes potassium is referred to as vitamin K, but they are actually not the same.  Vitamin K is a vitamin found in many fresh foods and potassium is a mineral.

One of the healthiest, highest sources of potassium is the banana, which contains 400 milligrams.  Other good potassium rich foods are avocados, prunes, spinach, sunflower seeds and almonds.

One recent study from the Journal “Sleep” researched the effects of potassium supplements on sleep quality.  The researchers gathered data from wrist monitors and notes made in sleep diaries.  Normal young males on a low-potassium diet participated in the study.  After one week of taking potassium supplements, there were significant improvements in their quality of sleep and less waking up during the night.

This health news is shared with you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the original calcium and magnesium based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, as well as Joints and More, the natural solution for joint relief, aches and pains, and stronger hair and nails.

Remedy Arthritis with Natural Sulfur-Based Supplements

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remedy arthritisArthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes a breakdown of cartilage in the joints. It causes chronic joint pain, stiffness, swelling and reduced motion, and usually affects the hands, knees, hips or spine.

Two recent landmark research studies have been done that tested natural sulfur-containing remedies for osteoarthritis, which is the most common form of arthritis.

Cartilage is the tough, elastic connective tissue that coats the ends of the bones inside the joints.

When cartilage deteriorates, the bones can begin to grind together, causing pain and limitations in movement and flexibility. Up until now, anti-inflammatory drugs have been the most common treatment for arthritis symptoms, but they can have many side effects and may even worsen the condition.

Sulfur-containing compounds such as glucosamine sulfate and MSM hold great promise for people with joint-cartilage problems. They have been shown in studies to remedy arthritis and provide relief.  Sulfur is particularly concentrated in the joints, nails, skin, hair and connective tissues. MSM sulfur is a white, water-soluble element found in nature and in foods such as milk, fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood and meat. Food processing methods such as heating, washing and freezing, all deplete MSM in foods, making regular replenishment beneficial.

In one study of MSM, University of California School of Medicine professor Ronald Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D., followed 16 patients with degenerative arthritis – a form of joint disease. The patients who took MSM daily for six weeks reported an 80 percent reduction in pain. Dr. Lawrence has also conducted studies showing that MSM increases hair growth and brilliance, as well as nail thickness and length.

Glucosamine is licensed in parts of Europe as a drug, but it is widely available in the UK and USA as a nutritional supplement.  An arthritis study was published in “The Lancet” that researched the long term use of glucosamine sulphate as a natural arthritis treatment.

Researcher Jean Yves Reginster of Belgium and his colleagues discovered that glucosamine sulphate not only improves the uncomfortable symptoms of arthritis, but can protect and benefit the actual structure of the joints as well.  Both MSM and glucosamine are natural substances found in cartilage that tend to be lost as people age.

In the trial, 212 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned 1500 mg. of glucosamine sulphate or placebo once daily for 3 years.  Researchers measured the joint space width in the knee joint at the beginning of the study and again after 1 and 3 years.  The patients on placebo had a progressive joint-space narrowing, whereas there was no joint-space loss in the patients on glucosamine sulphate.  There was reduced pain and increased function after treatment with glucosamine.

This news is shared by Nutrition Breakthroughs, provider of natural health articles and effective natural remedies since 2001. Nutrition Breakthroughs makes Joints and More, the natural solution with pure MSM for joint relief, aches and pains, stronger hair and nails, and more energy.

Cranberry Benefits: Immunity, Antibacterial, Heart Health, Healthy Teeth

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Article and Infographic on Cranberry Benefits

Cranberries are little red gems that are high in vitamins C and E and have been shown to boost immunity, fight oral bacteria, prevent and treat urinary tract infections, and improve heart and skin health.

Cranberry benefits oral health by preventing bacteria from binding to the teeth, according to Researchers at the Eastman Department of Dentistry at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Drinking cranberry juice does this by preventing bacteria in the mouth from forming the plaque which is the cause of dental cavities.

Similarly, cranberries help prevent bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract walls, thus fighting off infections of the bladder.  One research study with women who had a history of recurring bladder infections, found that daily treatment with cranberry concentrate capsules (400 mg. twice per day for three months), significantly reduced the recurrence of urinary tract infections.

Drinking cranberry juice is helpful, but its important to select a natural cranberry juice that is unsweetened or sweetened from fruit sources, rather a cranberry juice cocktail sweetened with white sugar.

Regarding white sugar, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that when healthy volunteers consumed a large amount of refined sugar, their immune system’s white blood cells had an impaired ability to destroy bacteria for at least five hours.

Other ways to get more cranberry benefits into the diet is to enjoy them in trail mixes, add frozen cranberries to smoothies, throw a few into a muffin recipe, or use dried cranberries in a salad or vegetable side dish.  Cranberry powder supplements are available and may provide the most benefits.

This health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural sleep aid featuring calcium and magnesium Sleep Minerals II, and Joints and More, the natural solution for joint relief, hair growth, allergies and more energy.

Nutrition Breakthroughs

What are cranberry benefits?

Cranberries have very unique antibacterial benefits that prevent bacteria from causing dental cavities and bladder infections. The fruit and juice also benefit immunity, heart health and skin health.

8 Effective Home Remedies for Arthritis

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Here is a helpful chart that contains some effective home remedies for arthritis.  Some of these include honey and apple cider vinegar, mustard oil, cinnamon, turmeric, and Epson salts with magnesium.

The eighth natural remedy for arthritis, and one that’s supported by scientific research studies, is the mineral MSM.  MSM sulfur (methyl-sulphonyl-methane) is a white, odorless, water-soluble element found in nature and in foods such as milk, fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood and meat.

Food processing methods such as heating, washing and freezing, all deplete MSM in foods, which makes daily replenishment beneficial. Many people with joint pain may be deficient in MSM.

In an arthritis study done in Arizona, MSM produced significant decreases in pain and beneficial improvements in physical function.  MSM use also resulted in improvement in performing the activities of daily living, and improvements in stress and cardiovascular health.  One example of a natural arthritis remedy that contains MSM is Joints and More from Nutrition Breakthroughs.

To your good health,

Jobee Knight
Nutrition Breakthroughs
home remedies for arthritisThis chart is provided by www.ConsumerHealthDigest.com

Top 8 Ways to Supercharge your Immune System

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Greetings to you,

There’s an informative chart below that has the top 8 ways to boost your immune system  What exactly is the “Immune System”?  The body’s immune system protects us against disease, germs, viruses and microorganisms every day of our lives.  Some of the parts of the immune system are the tonsils, spleen, and bone marrow (where white blood cells are made).

Usually the immune system does a great job of protecting us from illness and disease.  Sometimes a lack of sleep or exercise, chemicals in foods, toxins in the environment, excess sugar, or prolonged stress weakens it.

Regarding white sugar, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports that when healthy volunteers consumed a large amount of sugar, their immune system’s white blood cells had an impaired ability to destroy bacteria for at least five hours.  One healthy alternative is whole raw fruit, which makes great desserts and snacks.  Enjoy the chart below and put it to good use!

This health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and the natural solution for joint relief, allergies, pain relief and increased energy, Joints and More.

To your good health,

Jobee Knight
Nutrition Breakthroughs
immune system