Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Just In . . . Tea and Diabetes
Black tea has long been known for its antioxidants, immune boosting and antihypertensive properties. Now it turns out that it could have another health benefit.
Researchers studied the polysaccharide levels of green, oolong and black teas to determine whether they could be used to treat diabetes. Polysaccharides, a type of carbohydrate that includes starch and cellulose, may benefit people with diabetes because they help retard absorption of glucose. This latest study concentrated on a natural polysaccharide compound that mimics type 2 diabetes drugs Precose and Glyset. The tea polysaccharides reduce blood sugar by inhibiting alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme that turns starch into glucose. Precose and Glyset work inhibiting this enzyme as well.
The researchers found that of the three teas, the polysaccharides in black tea had the most glucose-inhibiting properties. The black tea polysaccharides also showed the highest scavenging effect on free radicals that are involved in the onset of diseases such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.
Reference: "Black Tea May Fight Diabetes" found at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090728172604.htm and http://www.ift.org/cms/?pid=1002096
Researchers studied the polysaccharide levels of green, oolong and black teas to determine whether they could be used to treat diabetes. Polysaccharides, a type of carbohydrate that includes starch and cellulose, may benefit people with diabetes because they help retard absorption of glucose. This latest study concentrated on a natural polysaccharide compound that mimics type 2 diabetes drugs Precose and Glyset. The tea polysaccharides reduce blood sugar by inhibiting alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme that turns starch into glucose. Precose and Glyset work inhibiting this enzyme as well.
The researchers found that of the three teas, the polysaccharides in black tea had the most glucose-inhibiting properties. The black tea polysaccharides also showed the highest scavenging effect on free radicals that are involved in the onset of diseases such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.
Reference: "Black Tea May Fight Diabetes" found at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090728172604.htm and http://www.ift.org/cms/?pid=1002096
My Favorites
I'm often asked what my favorite supplements are and my answer is always the same, "It depends." However, here are some supplements that I think are very important. Don't take them becuase I like them. Do your own research and find out what your body needs.
Conenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) for heart health -- Co-Q10 is a compound made by the body that fuels energy production in muscles, including the heart and that scavenges free radicals. The production of Co-Q10 is affected by both age and the use of statin drugs. Studies have shown that daily Co-Q10 use afer a heart attack can significantly reduce the risk of another heart attack. It can also reduce the side effects of statin drugs like muscle aches. It helps the heart pump more effectively in cases of congestive heart failure and has also been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesteral levels.
Niacin (Vitamin B3) for heart health -- A 2006 study of heart disease patients demonstrated that daily use of extended release niacin over a period of 12 to 24 months caused a significant reduction of plaque. It also raises good cholesterol levels.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) for weight loss -- CLA is believed to reduce fat storage and to lower the number and size of fat cells. It may also promote lean muscle mass. See my previous blog on weight loss for more information about CLA.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) for Diabetes -- ALA is believed to lower blood sugar levels by metabolizing sugar (glucose) and by transporting it to the muscles where it is used in the energy production cycle. ALA is used in Europe as a prescription remedy for diabetic neuropathy. A 2006 study indicated that patients who took 600 to 1,000 mg of ALA per day over a five week period had a significant reduction in diabetic neuropathy.
Tumeric (Curcumin) 'cause it good for you --Curcumin reduces the activity of enzymes that lead to excessive inflamation. A 2008 study demonstrated that curcumin significantly inhibited the growth of human colon cancer cells. I eat at least one plate a day of vegetables sauted with olive oil and tumeric.
This is just a short list . . . check back in a week or so for more of my favorites.
Conenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) for heart health -- Co-Q10 is a compound made by the body that fuels energy production in muscles, including the heart and that scavenges free radicals. The production of Co-Q10 is affected by both age and the use of statin drugs. Studies have shown that daily Co-Q10 use afer a heart attack can significantly reduce the risk of another heart attack. It can also reduce the side effects of statin drugs like muscle aches. It helps the heart pump more effectively in cases of congestive heart failure and has also been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesteral levels.
Niacin (Vitamin B3) for heart health -- A 2006 study of heart disease patients demonstrated that daily use of extended release niacin over a period of 12 to 24 months caused a significant reduction of plaque. It also raises good cholesterol levels.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) for weight loss -- CLA is believed to reduce fat storage and to lower the number and size of fat cells. It may also promote lean muscle mass. See my previous blog on weight loss for more information about CLA.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) for Diabetes -- ALA is believed to lower blood sugar levels by metabolizing sugar (glucose) and by transporting it to the muscles where it is used in the energy production cycle. ALA is used in Europe as a prescription remedy for diabetic neuropathy. A 2006 study indicated that patients who took 600 to 1,000 mg of ALA per day over a five week period had a significant reduction in diabetic neuropathy.
Tumeric (Curcumin) 'cause it good for you --Curcumin reduces the activity of enzymes that lead to excessive inflamation. A 2008 study demonstrated that curcumin significantly inhibited the growth of human colon cancer cells. I eat at least one plate a day of vegetables sauted with olive oil and tumeric.
This is just a short list . . . check back in a week or so for more of my favorites.
Friday, August 7, 2009
How is Your Omega Ratio?
Fats have a bad reputation. But, guess what? Fats are essential for your health and wellness. The problem is that not all fats are created equally. And please, avoid trans-fats, they are never good for you.
When you hear about fats you often hear the term “omega”. Fats, or fatty acids, are really a long carbon-chain molecule. This molecular chain has a carboxyl group (COOH) at one end and a methyl group (H3C) at the other end. Omega refers to the distance of the first cis unsaturated double bond (see note below) from the methyl end of the carbon chain. This means that Omega-3 fats have the first cis unsaturated double bond in the third position from the methyl end. Aren’t you glad you are reading this? Don’t worry, no more organic chemistry.
Omega-3 fats include fish oils (EPA and DHA ) and flax seed oil (Alpha-linolenic acid). Your body can convert alpha-linolenic acid into EPA and DHA however, the conversion process becomes less effective as you age. Omega-6 fats include most vegetable oils like corn, soy, canola, safflower and sunflower oils. Olive oil is the most common Omega-9 oil. Omega-3 and Omega-6 oils are essential oils; your body can not produce them. Omega-9 fatty acid is not essential because your body can create Oleic acid, an Omega-9 fatty acid.
So, what is the big issue about Omega -3 and -6 oils. Well, if you are like most Americans eating the Standard American Diet (SAD) then you consume too much Omega-6 fatty acid and not enough Omega-3. The optimal ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acid is 1:1. Unfortunately most Americans consume a diet with a ratio of 1:20 to 1:50. That means that you may be consuming up to 50 times the Omega-6 fatty acids as Omega-3.
We do need both Omega-3s and Omega-6s however, it is becoming increasingly clear that an excess of omega-6 fatty acids can have adverse health consequences. Many scientists believe that a major reason for the high incidence of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, premature aging, and some forms of cancer is the profound imbalance between our intake of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.
When you hear about fats you often hear the term “omega”. Fats, or fatty acids, are really a long carbon-chain molecule. This molecular chain has a carboxyl group (COOH) at one end and a methyl group (H3C) at the other end. Omega refers to the distance of the first cis unsaturated double bond (see note below) from the methyl end of the carbon chain. This means that Omega-3 fats have the first cis unsaturated double bond in the third position from the methyl end. Aren’t you glad you are reading this? Don’t worry, no more organic chemistry.
Omega-3 fats include fish oils (EPA and DHA ) and flax seed oil (Alpha-linolenic acid). Your body can convert alpha-linolenic acid into EPA and DHA however, the conversion process becomes less effective as you age. Omega-6 fats include most vegetable oils like corn, soy, canola, safflower and sunflower oils. Olive oil is the most common Omega-9 oil. Omega-3 and Omega-6 oils are essential oils; your body can not produce them. Omega-9 fatty acid is not essential because your body can create Oleic acid, an Omega-9 fatty acid.
So, what is the big issue about Omega -3 and -6 oils. Well, if you are like most Americans eating the Standard American Diet (SAD) then you consume too much Omega-6 fatty acid and not enough Omega-3. The optimal ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acid is 1:1. Unfortunately most Americans consume a diet with a ratio of 1:20 to 1:50. That means that you may be consuming up to 50 times the Omega-6 fatty acids as Omega-3.
We do need both Omega-3s and Omega-6s however, it is becoming increasingly clear that an excess of omega-6 fatty acids can have adverse health consequences. Many scientists believe that a major reason for the high incidence of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, premature aging, and some forms of cancer is the profound imbalance between our intake of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 deficiencies have also been tied to many conditions, including the following:
- dyslexia
- violence
- depression
- memory problems
- weight gain
- cancer
- heart disease
- eczema
- allergies
- inflammatory diseases
- arthritis
- diabetes
So, what should you do?
- Avoid trans-fats.
- Limit your intake of Omega-6 fats.
- Increase your intake of Omega-3 fats
- Eat more fish.
- Take fish oil supplements.
- Take flax seed supplements.
NOTE:
In case you were currious, as cis bond includes two double bound carbon atoms with a hydrogen atom attached to each carbon atom, both on the same side:
H H
-C=C-
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