Low Vitamin D Levels May Increase Heart Disease Risk

Interest in vitamin D has been increasing in recent months with a growing number of studies linking the vitamin to protection against osteoporosis and certain cancers. There is also evidence that a higher intake of vitamin D may be helpful with regard to high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

In a new study, researchers used data from the 1739 participants in the Framingham Offspring Study to study the relationship between vitamin D levels and cardiovascular health risk. Although vitamin D levels above 30 ng/mL are considered optimal for bone metabolism, only 10 percent of the participants had levels in this range. In fact, 28 percent had blood levels lower that 15 ng/mL. Participants with levels below 15 ng/mL had a 62 percent greater chance to develop cardiovascular events than those with higher levels. People with low vitamin D levels and high blood pressure (> 140 and 90 mmHg), were found to have double the risk of cardiovascular problems compared to people with normal blood pressure and vitamin D levels.

Vitamin D is produced in the skin on exposure to UVB radiation (sunlight) and obtained in the diet from foods like oily fish, egg yolk, and liver. Recent studies have shown, however, that sunshine levels in some northern countries are so weak during the winter months that the body makes little to no vitamin D at all, leading to widespread deficiencies of the vitamin. In addition, increased skin pigmentation also reduces the effect of UVB radiation, meaning darker skinned people are more at risk.

The results from this study raise the possibility that treating vitamin D deficiency, by supplementation and/or lifestyle measures, could reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.

Circulation 2008 Jan 29;117(4):503-11.

In addition to the above statements concerning exposure to UV radiation, it can also contribute to skin cancer, making dietary intake all the more important, instead of relying upon sun exposure to be your source of Vitamin D. While milk can be an important source, to insure a steady supply in your body, we at the Complete Guide to Whole Nutrition encourage you to try a pharmaceutical-grade supplement, such as USANA's Essentials or the HealthPak 100, both found at www.WholeNutrition.USANA.com.

A Good Multivitamin/Mineral Can Enhance the Immune System

Adequate intakes of micronutrients are required for the immune system to function efficiently. A good multivitamin/mineral can enhance the immune system by supporting the body's natural defenses on both structural and cellular levels.


Multivitamins and Healthy Immune Function

A recent article published in the British Journal of Nutrition summarizes the roles of selected vitamins and trace elements in immune function.

Adequate intakes of micronutrients are required for the immune system to function efficiently. Micronutrient deficiency suppresses immunity by affecting antibody responses, leading to imbalances in the immune system. This situation increases susceptibility to infections, which increases disease and death risk. In addition, infections aggravate micronutrient deficiencies by reducing nutrient intake, increasing losses, and interfering with utilization by altering metabolic pathways. Inadequate intakes of micronutrients are common in people with eating disorders, smokers (active and passive), individuals with chronic alcohol abuse, certain diseases, during pregnancy and lactation, and in the elderly.

Micronutrients contribute to the body's natural defenses on three levels by supporting physical barriers (skin/mucosa), cellular immunity and antibody production. Vitamins A, C, E and the mineral zinc assist in enhancing the skin barrier function. The vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E and folic acid and the minerals iron, zinc, copper and selenium work in synergy to support the protective activities of the immune cells. Finally, all these micronutrients, with the exception of vitamin C and iron, are essential for the production of antibodies. Overall, inadequate intake and status of these vitamins and minerals may lead to a suppressed immune system, which increases the risk of infections and aggravates malnutrition. Therefore, supplementation with a multivitamin/mineral that includes these micronutrients can support the body's natural defense system by enhancing all three levels of immunity.

It can't be stressed enough that by keeping each one of our body's systems in optimal condition, in this case, the immune system, we can better protect our entire body. In basic terms, gaining whole nutrition through proper diet and supplementation can bolster one's immune system, by providing ample vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

For those looking to improve their health, the editors of Whole Nutrition Blog recommend readers begin taking a pharmaceutical-grade supplement, such as USANA's Essentials™, found at www.WholeNutrition.USANA.com. Also, USANA produces specific supplements geared toward absorption of Vitamin E and Vitamin C. You can also find these, aptly called, "E-Prime™" and "Poly-C™" at WholeNutrition.USANA for an added immune system boost!

Higher plasma vitamin C concentrations predict lower risk of stroke in adults

In a British study of over 20,000 adults, those with the highest plasma vitamin C levels had a significantly lower risk of stroke when compared to adults with lower levels.

To date, clinical trials have not shown significant benefit of vitamin C supplementation in reducing stroke risk, but they have not examined the relation between plasma vitamin C concentrations and stroke risk in a general population.

A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined the relation between baseline plasma vitamin C concentrations and risk of incident stroke in a British population of over 20,000 adult men and women. The participants completed a health questionnaire and attended a clinic during 1993"1997. After an average follow-up time of 9.5 years, the participants in the top fourth of plasma vitamin C levels had a 42% lower risk of stroke compared to those with the lowest levels. These results were independent of age, sex, smoking, BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol, physical activity, diabetes, social class, alcohol consumption, and any supplement use.

Plasma vitamin C concentrations, therefore, may act as an indicator of lifestyle or other factors associated with reduced stroke risk and may be helpful in determining those at high risk of stroke.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 87, No. 1, 64-69, January 2008

Vitamin C is obviously one of the most common vitamins that we think of when we think about vitamins; however, it is important that you are taking a high quality vitamin C supplement that is easily and readily absorbed by the body. While many are quickly expelled from the body before they can be absorbed, USANA's Poly C is formulated with a unique blend of highly bioavailable mineral ascorbates, all of which have potent vitamin C activity, Poly C® maintains higher blood levels of vitamin C than absorbic acid alone. With Poly C®, you'll receive superior vitamin C protection.

* Furnishes an advanced vitamin C supplement based on USANA's proprietary blend of mineral ascorbates
* Provides 600 mg of vitamin C protection in each tablet for enhanced antioxidant protection
* Strengthens the immune system, supports the synthesis of collagen, and promotes cardiovascular health*

You can purchase USANA's Poly C online in the United States, Canada, Australia, Mexico, United Kingdom, New Zealand or Malaysia.

Regular Exercise and Fish Oil May Keep Arteries Clear and Reduce Body Fat

A combination of prolonged exercise and fish oil can dramatically reduce levels of a fat that can cause hardening of the arteries, a leading cause of heart disease. Fat in the bloodstream is a primary contributor to atherosclerosis, or partial blockage of the arteries.

A recent study found that people who do prolonged aerobic exercise have muscle cells that are able to quickly break down and reduce levels of a fat called triglycerides. Taking a fish oil supplement can reduce triglyceride levels even more.

The researchers studied triglyceride levels in recreationally active men after they'd eaten high-fat meals. One group ate a fatty meal after they exercised. A second group ate a high-fat meal after taking a four-gram fish oil supplement. A third group ate a high-fat meal after exercising and taking the fish oil supplement. A control group ate a high-fat meal only.

The study found a 38 percent decline in peak triglyceride levels in the men who took a fish oil supplement before they ate a high-fat meal. Peak triglyceride levels dropped 50 percent in the men who exercised and took a fish oil supplement before they ate a high-fat meal.

Regular exercise and fish oil supplements may be beneficial for people who are concerned about maintaining a healthy triglyceride level.

Metabolism. 2004 Oct;53(10):1365-71.

In a similar, more recent study, combining fish-oil supplements with regular exercise improved both body composition and heart disease risk factors. Overweight participants with various heart disease risk factors were assigned to one of three groups: fish oil (approximately 1.9 grams/day of omega-3 fats), fish oil and exercise, or placebo (sunflower oil). The exercise group walked 3 days/week for 45 minutes. Heart disease risk factors and body composition were measured at 0, 6, and 12 weeks. The group taking fish oil had a significant reduction in triglycerides, increased HDL cholesterol, and improved arterial vasodilation (blood flow). Both fish oil and exercise independently reduced body fat.

This study showed that increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids could be a useful addition to exercise programs aimed at improving body composition and decreasing cardiovascular disease risk.

Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 May;85(5):1267-74.

Again we see a direct correlation between increasing one's physical activity and eating a healthier diet with living a longer life without disease. The editors of the Complete Guide to Whole Nutrition encourage readers to take a daily fish oil supplement. Concerned about toxins, such as PCBs, mercury, and pesticides, that all can bioaccumulate in fish? Not to worry! With USANA Health Sciences' double molecular distillation process, used in the production of their, "BiOmega," these toxins are eliminated. Adding BiOmega to your diet can help you to live a healthier life and decrease your chances of having heart disease.

Cardiorespiratory fitness reduces the risk of death in men with Metabolic Syndrome

Cardiorespiratory fitness reduces the risk of death in men with Metabolic Syndrome

In a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, over 19,000 men were recruited to determine the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and mortality risk in healthy men and those with metabolic syndrome. The study group, which included about 3,800 men with metabolic syndrome, were evaluated for fitness and then followed for up to 17 years.

Healthy men who were out of shape at the beginning of the study were three times as likely as their fit peers to die of cardiovascular disease. While men with metabolic syndrome were 89 percent more likely than healthy men to die of heart disease over the years, men with metabolic syndrome who were unfit had twice the death rate as their fit counterparts.

According to the researchers, "This study strengthens the argument for aggressive public health campaigns aimed at increasing physical activity levels in the population." Fitness, regardless of body weight, can provide a strong protective effect against premature death in men with metabolic syndrome as well as healthy men.

Arch Intern Med 2004 May 24;164(10):1092-7

This just goes to show that getting into shape, through healthy eating habits and, more importantly, an active lifestyle, can increase one's lifespan. The editors of The Complete Guide to Whole Nutrition recommend USANA Health Sciences' Nutrimeal product line as a great way to begin eating more healthfully. These products are low-glycemic, and come both as shake powders and convenient meal replacement bars. Trouble getting started? Try USANA Reset™ to reset your diet to a new low-glycemic level intake of foods. This 5-day program can help you begin a healthier lifestyle. You can try all USANA Nutrimeal products and Reset today at the USANA Product Order Center. Remember that the healthier and more physically fit you become, the easier, and more fun staying fit becomes.

Low-Glycemic Meals Can Be a Helpful Part of Daily Diet

Low-glycemic meals produce favorable leptin and insulin responses, resulting in lower food consumption

In a recent study, metabolic effects of meals with varying glycemic index (GI) were evaluated. In a group of healthy volunteers, glucose, insulin, and leptin responses to two contrasting breakfast cereals were measured. Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells that indicates the degree of hunger to the hypothalamus of the brain. Lower leptin levels trigger a sense of satiety and decreased hunger.

Meals were provided on two separate occasions in random order after a 12-hour overnight fast, and consisted of 50 g of available carbohydrate from either Corn Flakes (Kellogg's), or Fiber One (General Mills). Blood samples were obtained at rest, and 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after eating. The GI was calculated from the glucose response to the test meal normalized against a 50 g oral glucose load.

The average GI for Corn Flakes was 125 and 49 for Fiber One. These meals were classified as high GI and low GI, respectively, and were significantly different from each other. The insulin response following the low glycemic meal was significantly reduced compared to the high glycemic meal. The high glycemic meal significantly suppressed circulating leptin levels compared to the low glycemic meal.

Lower insulin response and higher circulating leptin levels suggest that low-glycemic meals promote a post-meal environment that is favorable for reduced food consumption; this may be advantageous in the control of obesity and related disorders including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Ann Nutr Metab 2007 Dec 10;51(6):512-518

Improving one's diet can be difficult, but this study focuses readers on the idea of eating low-glycemic meals in order to feel full after eating for longer periods of time. The resulting reduced food consumption can be an essential part of eating smaller portions and still feeling satisfied. The Complete Guide to Whole Nutrition editors love USANA's Reset Program -- a great kick-start for a low-glycemic diet. Buy USANA Reset and More at www.WholeNutrition.USANA.com today!