A study that was recently conducted at the Ohio State University indicated that consuming polyphenols may support immune health. Maintaining a normal, healthy inflammatory response is implicated in a number of health areas, including metabolism and cardiovascular health.

Researchers compared 31 overweight volunteers who were between the ages of 45 and 55. Each received either a single dose of a polyphenol or a placebo. Oxidative stress, or cellular damage, was 39 percent lower among individuals who consumed polyphenols than those who were in the control group.

Polyphenols are found in a wide array of plants, such species as apples, raspberries, plums, pears, grapes, cranberries, cherries , carrots, spinach and broccoli. The oxidative stress that results naturally within the body and increases over time in overweight individuals may be decreased through the consumption of these phytonutrient antioxidants, according to the scientists.

Researchers in the field have continued to study the affects of polyphenols, which include promoting healthy aging, brain health, cardiovascular health and immune health. All research has pointed at daily intake of polyphenol antioxidants, as this practice may lead to many health benefits.

Print Friendly

The lure of fatty foods may not simply be a result of the carbohydrates. Research shows that marijuana-like chemicals in the body called endocannabinoids trigger an insatiable appetite response when one consumes high fat foods.

A study conducted by the University of California, Irvine examined rats who were fed a high fat diet and they produced endocannabinoids in their guts. When the animals were fed proteins and sugars, these chemicals were not produced.

The trigger point is in the tongue. If one bites into a vegetable, fruit or source of protein it is unlikely to be activated. However, if a few french fries are swallowed, it is likely to activate a chemical response that will send a message to the vagus nerve of the intestines. This region is where the endocannabinoids are activated and released into the system.

"This is the first demonstration that endocannabinoid signaling in the gut plays an important role in regulating fat intake," said Daniele Piomelli, Ph.D., the Louise Turner Arnold Chair in the Neurosciences and professor of pharmacology at the University of California, Irvine.

These findings suggest staying away from fatty foods could result in some advantages of effective weight management. Eating a healthy array of daily nutrients and achieving satiety is facilitated by consuming healthy food choices such as vegetables, fruits and proteins. 

Print Friendly

New research reveals that one should strive to maintain a diet that is high in omega-3, as deficiencies may induce unfavorable metabolic changes, such as higher blood sugar levels, decreased weight and an increase in triglycerides in the liver. A recent study in Belgium found that prebiotics in the diet compensated for these changes in metabolism.

Although the typical Western diet is abundant in omega-6, vegetables and oils are sparse in omega-3. The ration of omega-3 to omega-6 polyunstaurated fatty acids (PUFA) may be linked to greater risks of inflammation and lowered cardiovascular health, the scientists report.

"We have previously observed that mice fed with a diet poor in omega-3 PUFA for two generations exhibit [abnormal fat retention in the liver] together with a decrease in body weight," explained the lead researcher, professor Nathalie Delzenne of the Université catholique de Louvain in Belgium.

Thus, individuals who consume Western meals are likely to be prone to low omega-3. This could be remedied by taking omega-3 supplements, which may promote metabolic stability and cardiovascular health. 

Print Friendly

People with active lifestyles tend to have a higher metabolism and greater bone density than more sedentary individuals. However, new research that was conducted at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey has shown that resveratrol, the antioxidant that is found in red wine, may offer the same benefits.

The scientists studied rats within a simulated zero gravity atmosphere, which was created by suspending the animals by their tails. Rats were given either a daily dose of resveratrol or a placebo. The control group experienced a loss of bone mineral density and insulin resistance, whereas the treated group showed none of these problems.

Abundant data shows that the human body needs physical activity, but for some individuals, getting that activity is not feasible. A low-gravity environment makes it almost impossible for astronauts. For those on earth, barriers to physical activity are equally challenging, whether they be illness, injury or confinement to a desk job.

"Resveratrol may not be a substitute for exercise, but it could slow deterioration until someone can get moving again" says Gerald Weissman, MD, editor-in-chief of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). The FASEB published these findings.

Regardless of one's occupation and circumstances, these results suggest that adding a little resveratrol to any diet may foster some of the health benefits of exercise. 

Print Friendly

New research conducted at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, Georgia found a positive correlation between vitamin B intake and an increase in colorectal health and important component in overall digestion.

Investigators analyzed data on nearly 100,000 subjects. The statistically significant results showed evidence that total folate reduces the likelihood of abnormal cell growth in the colorectal region of the body. Important to note was that it did not matter whether the folate source was from food intake or dietary supplements. Folate is a water soluble form of vitamin B. Folates are mandatory nutrients for proper cellular growth, repair and maintenance.

"Total folate includes naturally occurring food folate and folic acid from fortified foods and dietary supplements," said Victoria Stevens, lead author of the study.

The team also assessed whether extremely high levels of folate may contribute to abnormal cell growth. Since folate is involved in cellular growth and maintenance, the scientists wanted to know whether an abundant supply may produce an excess or out of control level of cell growth. This was found not to be the case.

Print Friendly

A new study conducted at the Ohio State Medical Center produced evidence which supports a rare form of vitamin E, tocotrienol (TCT), which is not very common in Western diets but is available through supplements, may promote increased blow flow in the brain..

An animal study compared two groups of canines – a treatment group that was fed 200 mg TCT supplements and the other was given placebo. The dogs maintained their regular diets with or without supplements for 10 weeks. After induced cerebral tissue damage, the dogs that had been given the vitamin E sustained 80 percent less impairment than the untreated group.

The researchers used a plethora of medical imaging techniques coupled with digital processing at the University's Center Supercomputer to evaluate the effect on the two groups. There was a distinct difference on blood circulation through the brain. The results for the treated animals were twice as high than the control group. The supplements promoted the flow of blood within the cerebrum.

"This function in the brain is similar in humans and large mammals, which underscores the significance of these findings," said Cameron Risk, lead author of the study.

Previous studies at the school established positive results with in-vitro (cellular) and rodent models of TCT. However, larger mammal design demonstrates the relevance for clinical implications. 

Print Friendly

Metabolic processes involve oxidative by-products which can damage cells, ingesting antioxidants may be able to combat these harmful patterns.

Researchers at the Institut des Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin, Universite Victor Segalen in Cedex, France have experimented with extracts from tree leaf buds. These extracts have produced similar results to the many antioxidants found in variety of other phytonutrients including flavonoids. Flavonoids are one of the most abundant phytochemical in the human diet and are found in all plants.

All antioxidants work similarly. Oxidative DNA damage is related to metabolism in a number of mammalian species, as documented by authors of a similar study at the University of California, Berkeley. A linear relationship, has been shown with oxidative damage and age, and postulated to be one of the major components of the endogenous damage that results in aging.

Antioxidants may have tremendous impact on the compromised immune system that accompanies aging. Oxidative damage increases in all organ systems and may most greatly affect the immune, cardiovascular and neurological systems in the aging individual.

By countering these oxidative or cellular damaging processes with anti-oxidants, the probability of healthy aging may increase.

Print Friendly

A study conducted at the the Wake Forest Medical Center in Salem, North Carolina, has found that ingesting 10 grams of soluble fiber daily decreased the amount of stomach visceral fat by 3.7 percent over a five-year period.

Visceral fat is the deeper layer of adipose tissue and its effects are more hazardous than the layer close to the skin. If exercise was accompanied with the dietary changes, the decrease was found to be 7.4 percent.

"Our study is valuable because it provides specific information on how dietary fiber, especially soluble fiber, may affect weight accumulation through abdominal fat deposits," Dr. Kristen Hairston, one of the researchers at the school said.

Build-up of deposits within adipose tissue has been known to lead to metabolic disorders and other complications correlated with blood pressure. The results of this study may provide a tool not only in successful weight management, but in overall health.

The researchers plan to continue their investigations with the comparison of soluble fiber from food sources versus dietary supplements. By providing consumers with an alternative option of increasing their soluble fiber intake, they may be better prepared to succeed in maintaining weight and promoting general health benefits. 

Print Friendly

Red-colored fruits, such as pink grapefruit, apricots, red peppers and papaya, are plentiful in antioxidants, according to research that was recently conducted by the University of Connecticut. Details of this study be be found in the June edition of Food Nutrition and Science.

The red color of these fruits is due to their naturally occurring yellow, orange and red pigments, which are called carotenoids. Some fundamental dietary carotenoids are lutein, beta-carotene, lycopene and beta-cryptoxanthin. All of these act as antioxidants within the body.

"We continue to learn that bright colored fruits and vegetables are best for our bodies," says Phil Lempert, founder of Food Nutrition and Science.

Additional studies that were recently conducted by the school have shown the potential health benefits of these dietary selections. Furthermore, a wide range of epidemological studies have yielded results that have suggested foods with high lycopene content may reduce abnormal cell growth.

One of the research groups that is focused in this area is measuring the effect on cardiovascular health. Researchers at the College of Public Health in Shanghai, China are studying this relationship and have noted a positive dose dependent correlation.

Print Friendly