New studies published in recent weeks underscore recommendations from the American Heart Association and other health experts to include Omega-3-rich oily fish in your diet at least two to three times per week.

Already well known for their cognitive and heart health benefits, two new studies suggest that Omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), support immune health and overall longevity.

Omega-3 and Immune Function

To test Omega-3’s affect on immune response, researchers used two groups of mice. One group was fed a control diet, and the other was fed a diet supplemented with DHA-rich fish oil for five weeks. B cells were then harvested from several tissues and then stimulated in culture.

Researchers then looked for markers of immune response: B cell activation on the cell surface, B cell membrane changes, and B cell cytokine production. They found that DHA-enriched fish oil enhanced B cell activation and select antibody production, which may support immune function while promoting normal inflammatory processes.

This work confirms similar findings on fish oil and B cells and moves us one step closer to understanding the immune supporting properties of EPA and DHA.

Omega-3 and Longevity

Another study found that people with the most circulating omega-3s in their blood, lived an average of about two years longer than those with the lowest levels.

The findings are based on blood samples drawn from 2,692 U.S. healthy adults over age 65 in 1992 and 1993. By 2008, the end of the follow-up period, 1,625 participants had died.

People who had the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood at the outset were 27 percent less likely to die for any reason over the course of the study, compared to those with the lowest levels. For participants with the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids, this worked out to about two extra years of life.

So if high levels of Omega-3s affect lifespan, what about an Omega-3 deficiency? A previous Harvard University study estimated that Omega-3 deficiency can allow between 63,000 and 96,000 preventable deaths per year in the U.S, making it the sixth biggest killer of Americans. Both the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the American Heart Association offer dietary guidelines that can help you increase Omega-3 intake.

Spreading the Word

Evidently the good news about Omega-3 fatty acids as part of a healthy diet is spreading as fish oil tops the list of the most popular supplements among consumers.

And, you’re in luck this month as we’ve put our Omega-3 Max on sale through April 30, 2013.

Sources:

Eureka Alert

Annals of Internal Medicine

NutraIngredients

We’ve known for some time that high blood pressure causes structural damage to your brain that is visible on brain scans. But new research found that even pre-hypertension in people as young as 40, can damage the brain.

Based on their findings, study authors concluded that lowering blood pressure among people in middle age and in the young elderly can help prevent late-life cognitive decline and dementia.

Study Details

Over a three year period researchers took blood pressure readings and MRI scans of nearly 600 people with an average age of 39 years old when the study began. Among their findings:

• Accelerated brain aging was found in people with hypertension as well as those with pre-hypertension.
• Scans revealed damage to the structural integrity of white matter and the volume of grey matter.
• They concluded that elevated blood pressure damages the brains of young middle-aged adults and that blood-pressure-related brain damage may occur over a lifetime. (Previous research has linked blood-pressure-related damage to the brain's white matter with mental decline in older people, not people as young as 40.)

Message for Us

If you’re concerned about your brain health later in life, (an who isn’t) it is important to have regular check-ups so that elevated blood pressure can be caught early to lessen the risk of damage to your brain and the rest of your body.

Unfortunately brain health is often not top-of-mind until we reach our senior years when the damage may already be done.

Source:

University of California - Davis

Extensive research on humans suggests that exercise can have benefits for overall health and cognitive function, particularly later in life. Other research suggest that mental aerobics such as working puzzles or learning new skills can also be beneficial.

Now a new UK study is garnering much attention because it is the first to look in detail at the effect of physical activity and intellectual activity on white matter, the brain's "wiring," as well as on the volumes and shrinkage of gray matter.

Study Details

The researchers analyzed data from a longitudinal aging study that included 691 participants born in 1936. All of the participants had an IQ test at age 11 and completed a questionnaire at a mean age of 69.5 on their level and frequency of physical activity and participation in social or intellectual leisure activities. Three years later the researchers also obtained structural brain images using an MRI.

Study Findings:

• A higher level of physical activity was associated with better measures of white matter structural integrity, larger volume of gray matter, normal-appearing white matter, less atrophy, and fewer white matter lesions.
• The association of physical activity with atrophy, gray matter, and white matter lesion remained significant after adjustment for cofactors such as age, social class and health status.
• No such associations were found for leisure activities.
• Although the study linked physical activity with less brain atrophy overall, male participants had higher levels of atrophy than women. The researchers speculated that this might be the result of the fact that men in general don't live as long as women. Therefore any structural brain changes might be more visible in men than in women at that age.

Commenting on the lack of association of leisure intellectual activities with brain improvements, lead author Alan J. Gow, PhD said, "People who are most likely to do challenging intellectual activities are able to do them, so it might be that the activities themselves aren't protective but the association is driven by the fact that the people who do them are the least likely to be showing declines," he said.

That's not to say that people should stop participating in such activities, as they might benefit the brain in some way and they affect quality of life, provide pleasure, and influence well-being. But getting more physical exercise might be more important when it comes to maintaining structural brain health, said Dr. Gow. While the study does not determine how being physically active influences brain structures, the researchers believe that blood pressure which is affected by exercise capacity might be responsible.

Practical Advice

Based on current research, the message for maintaining a healthy brain through exercise is this:

• Physical exercise to a reasonable degree can have a positive effect on brain physiology and or structures.
• Exercise is probably not like an antibiotic that, taken once, gets rid of an infection. If you want to maintain a healthy brain for your entire life, you have to keep exercising.
• Don’t worry if you haven’t been exercising regularly. It’s never too late to start, but keep in mind that it’s a case of diminishing returns.
• As a general rule of thumb, include aerobic exercise at least three times per week. Aerobic exercise is defined as getting your pulse rate up 20 beats per minute above your baseline (resting) rate for at 20 minutes continuously.

If exercise is contraindicated for you, or you have not been physically active, speak with your doctor before beginning an exercise routine.

Source:

Medscape

Our bodies are made for motion so it’s no surprise that being physically active is one of the keys to good health and longevity. Yet one of the biggest challenges as we grow older is maintaining healthy bones and joints so we can stay active and independent.

While a healthy diet and weight bearing exercise throughout life can go a long way in supporting musculoskeletal strength, there are times you may need a little extra support from dietary supplements.

No matter what your age, it’s important to make sure you are getting enough calcium, magnesium and other important nutrients to maintain strong bones.

Unfortunately studies show that many of us—children and adults--are not meeting the recommended daily amounts of the most important bone-building nutrients: calcium, magnesium and Vitamin D from diet alone.

In honor of Bone and Joint Health Awareness Week, we’re highlighting a few of our top formulas to help keep you moving. And for a limited time, we’re  offering a 10% discount on your next order when you purchase any one or more of our bone support formulas! During check out, Just enter the savings code: BLOG to receive 10% on your entire purchase. Place your order soon. This offer expires on October 22.

Support for Bones

Our doctor-developed bone health formulas contain the right balance of calcium, magnesium and other essential nutrients to promote strong bones.

Cal-Mag Plus – a unique bone health formula containing calcium, magnesium, vitamin D3, vitamin K2-7, lysine and horsetail in balanced amounts.

Osteo Nutrients PRO – provides comprehensive bone support with a synergistic blend of minerals, vitamins and herbs including calcium, magnesium, vitamin D3, vitamin K2-7, horsetail powder, lysine HCI, and boron.

Vitamin D3 – enhances calcium absorption and is also essential for immune health.

Support for Joint Health and Flexibility

Our range of joint formulas target two specific aspects of joint health: promoting strong bones and connective tissue and supporting a healthy inflammation response for joint comfort.

Joint Complex Pro – combines glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate to support healthy cartilage and joint flexibility.

BCQ – a synergistic formula containing Boswellia, Bromelain, Curcumin, and Quercetin that supports a healthy inflammation response. Curcumin and Quercetin are also powerful antioxidants that help protect tissues from free-radical damage.

EPAmax – our high-potency, ultra-pure fish oil contains the Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA that help maintain a healthy inflammation response and strong bones.

Sources:

The Journal of Nutrition

NutraIngredients

Tomatoes contain high amounts of the carotenoid lycopene which has strong antioxidant properties that may cut the risk of stroke by more than half according to new research.

The intent of the study was to determine if serum concentrations of carotenoids from food intake had any correlation to stroke risk in general and a specific type of stroke caused by a clot (ischemic stroke).

While there are many types of carotenoids found in various fruits and vegetables, the researchers found that only lycopene and high intake of tomatoes and tomato-based products was associated with a lower stroke risk.

In the U.S., 85% of dietary lycopene comes from tomato products such as tomato juice or tomato paste. One cup (240 mL) of tomato juice provides about 23 mg of lycopene.

Unlike some other nutrients in fruits and vegetables, cooking tomatoes actually enhances lycopene availability in a way that is easier for the body to use.

Study Details

Among 1,031 men between the ages of 46 and 65, those with the lowest levels of serum lycopene had twice the rate of stroke than those with the highest levels of lycopene.

When the researchers looked at the risk of stroke caused by a blood clot the positive association with lycopene was even greater. Study participants  with the highest levels of lycopene experienced a 59% reduction in the risk of stroke compared to those with the lowest levels.

Additional Benefits

Numerous studies have also linked high intake of lycopene-containing foods or high lycopene serum levels with reduced incidence of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and macular degeneration.  

Sources:

NutraIngredients

Neurology

Mayo Clinic

Medline Plus

New research suggests that it’s especially important for elderly people to get adequate dietary intake of zinc at this life stage because their ability to absorb it is declining.

Using lab animals, the study found that zinc transporters were significantly disrupted in older animals. They showed signs of zinc deficiency and had an enhanced inflammatory response even though their diet supposedly contained adequate amounts of zinc.

When the animals were given a dose 10 times the normal dietary requirement for zinc, the biomarkers for inflammation were that of young animals.

Essential Zinc

Zinc is an essential trace mineral that plays an important role in the immune system, reproduction, growth, taste, vision, and smell, blood clotting, and proper insulin and thyroid function.

Zinc also has antioxidant properties that help protect your body from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Many experts believe that free radicals and the inflammation they promote contribute to the aging process.

Therefore zinc deficiency in seniors may be especially worrisome as the body’s ability to combat free radical damage and inflammation may be decreasing even as the amount of damage is going up.

Growing Problem

According to experts, about 40 percent of elderly Americans have diets that are deficient in this important micronutrient.

“The elderly are the fastest growing population in the U.S. and are highly vulnerable to zinc deficiency,” said Emily Ho, an LPI principal investigator and associate professor in OSU School of Biological and Population Health Sciences. “They don’t consume enough of this nutrient and don’t absorb it very well.”

Ho said that she would recommend all senior citizens take a dietary supplement that includes the full RDA for zinc, which is 11 milligrams a day for men and 8 milligrams for women.

Even though elderly people do not absorb zinc as well as they used to, the official RDA for them is the same as in younger adults. This issue should be examined more closely, Ho said.

Levels of zinc intake above 40 milligrams per day should be avoided, researchers said, because at very high levels they can interfere with absorption of other key nutrients, including iron and copper.

We recommend that you speak with your doctor to determine the best amount of zinc for you.

Dietary Sources of Zinc

The best dietary sources of zinc are seafood and meats. While some grains and vegetables contain zinc, it is not readily absorbed from these sources which is a particular concern for vegetarians.

Sources:

Linus Pauling Institute

University of Maryland Medical Center

The majority of research supporting the health benefits of green tea focuses on cardiovascular support, oral health, normal cell development, and weight management. But a growing body of research also confirms one of the traditional uses of green tea in Traditional Chinese Medicine – supporting cognitive function.

Two new groundbreaking studies demonstrated how one of the primary active compounds in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) directly affected brain structures and function that resulted in improved mental functioning.

Building on previous research that suggests EGCG supports healthy memory and brain function, a group of Chinese researchers fed the compound to mice and ran them through a series of memory tests using mazes.

They found that EGCG increases the production of neural progenitor cells in the hippocampus—an area of the brain responsible for processing information from short-term to long-term memory.

Neural progenitor cells are much like stem cells in that they can differentiate into various types of cells, including neurons—the building blocks of nerve tissue.

Mice supplemented with EGCG completed the maze faster than mice in the control group suggesting improvements in learning and memory through improved object recognition and spatial memory.

Meanwhile another study recorded the effects of EGCG on the brain using MRI imaging. A dozen healthy volunteers consumed a drink with or without the addition of green tea extract and then performed a working memory task.

MRI images revealed that the drink that included green tea extract increased activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex region of the brain which mediates working memory processing.

Furthermore, this effect was dose dependent--the larger the dose of the extract, the greater the effect on the brain.

Sources:

NutraIngredients

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

When you think about “growing old gracefully,” what comes to mind?

If you’re like most people, it’s a combination of many factors including maintaining a sharp mind, a healthy body, and a positive outlook.

With our aging population, there’s no shortage of advice and myriad strategies for staying young.

For those that want to take the “natural” approach to healthy aging, experts say maintaining a healthy diet and getting regular exercise is the foundation for good health as we grow older.

Specifically, research consistently supports these key strategies for aging gracefully:

• Consuming primarily a plant-based diet consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables and vegetarian protein sources such as nuts, beans and seeds.
• Eating at least two servings of oily fish per week.
• Limiting sugar, salt and saturated fats from meat and dairy.
• Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day most days of the week.
• Taking care of your emotional health by building an emotional support system and good coping skills.
• Getting plenty of rest—at least 7-8 hours of sleep on most nights.

But there’s much more you can do to naturally support your body as the years go by. We call it, “taking it to the next level.”

Level Two

Level two goes beyond basic diet and exercise by providing your body with additional nutritional support in the form of supplements. You may wonder, “why is this necessary?” Well, there’s a few reasons:

• With age, our digestive system often doesn’t work as well as it used to. This can reduce the amount of nutrients we obtain from foods and explains why vitamin B12 deficiency is so common in older people.
• As we get older we are also more likely to take medication for a chronic condition. These medications can contribute to vitamin or mineral deficiencies. For example, statin drugs may affect CoQ10 levels which are necessary for energy production in muscles like the heart.
• Our skin loses some of its ability to make vitamin D from sunlight as we age. And because few foods contain adequate amounts of vitamin D, as many as 75% of seniors are deficient in this important nutrient that builds bones, supports muscle strength and promotes a healthy immune system.

So even if you eat a well balanced diet and maintain an active lifestyle, for most older people, dietary supplements are virtually a necessity.

Among the top recommended supplements for older adults are:

Multivitamins – Taking a multivitamin is a good way to fill nutritional gaps in your diet. Seniors are commonly deficient in many essential nutrients such B vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Magnesium which are found in multivitamins.

Minerals – Your doctor may recommend a specific mineral complex to support bone health.

Fish Oil – The essential fatty acids in fish oil, EPA and DHA, promote normal cellular function, support cardiovascular and brain health as well as healthy skin and vision.

Vitamin D – While most multivitamins do contain some vitamin D, it is usually not enough to maintain or restore vitamin D levels in seniors who are typically deficient. Doses as high as 5,000 IU daily may be needed if you are deficient.

Resveratrol -- This plant-based antioxidant helps protect your body from free radical damage. It is often recommended to support cardiovascular and overall health. Another option is a supplement like Oximax Complex, which is blend of several antioxidants.

Ginkgo Biloba – This herb supports mental functioning by promoting circulation to the brain and other vital organs.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine – Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) is a form of the amino acid carnitine that helps the body turn fat into energy. In the brain, ALCAR supports cognitive function, memory and concentration. Essential Brain Nutrition contains Acetyl-L-Carnitine and a complex of other nutrients for optimal mental performance.

Doctor’s Advice

It’s very important to speak with your doctor about your dietary habits and medications so you can determine which supplements you should take and the optimal dosages.

Sources:

National Institutes of Health

Linus Pauling Institute

University of Maryland Medical Center

Since it’s National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, we thought we’d do our part to start a conversation about bone health--and dispel a few myths about osteoporosis.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, the key to preventing osteoporosis and maintaining your independence as you get older is taking these five steps—and the sooner you start, the better:

1. Know Your Family History: Speak with your parents and grandparents about your family history of osteoporosis and share this information with your doctor.

2. Know Other Risk Factors: Take steps to eliminate avoidable risk factors and/or reduce their impact.

• Being female
• Infrequent menstrual periods/low estrogen levels
• Low body weight
• Poor nutrition
• Inadequate exercise
• Smoking and drinking alcohol
• Certain medications and medical conditions can affect bone density. Speak with your doctor about ways to minimize these risks.

3. Get Enough Bone-Building Nutrients: While calcium is considered the primary constituent of healthy bones, many other nutrients like vitamin D and magnesium are necessary to promote calcium absorption and utilization. Other trace minerals and vitamins also play a role in healthy bones.

Be sure you eat a balanced diet which includes five servings of fruits and vegetables every day and at least five ounces of lean protein daily.

Daily Calcium and Vitamin D Recommendations

Women

• Under age 50 need a total of 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium* and 400-800 international units (IUs) of vitamin D every day.
• Age 50 and older need a total of 1,200 mg of calcium* and 800-1,000 international units (IUs) of vitamin D every day.

Men

• Under age 50 need a total of 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium* and 400-800 IUs of vitamin D every day.
• Age 50-70 need a total of 1,000 mg of calcium* and 800-1,000 IUs of vitamin D every day.
• Age 71 and older need a total of 1,200 mg of calcium* and 800-1,000 IUs of vitamin D every day.

*This includes the total amount of calcium you get from both food and supplements.

4. Get Enough Exercise : Just as your muscles get bigger and stronger when you use them, bones get stronger and denser when you make them work. And “work” for bones means handling impact, the weight of your body or more resistance such as lifting weights.

To help build or maintain bone mass, weight-bearing exercises (walking, elliptical machine, dancing) should be done for a total of 30 minutes on most days of the week.

• Aim for 30 minutes at one time or break it up during the day. For example, 3 sessions for 10 minutes each will provide the same benefits to your bones as one 30-minute session.
• If you can’t fit 10 minutes in, spread your impact exercises throughout your day by taking the stairs or by parking farther from the store or work.

Muscle-strengthening exercises (lifting weights or using resistance bands) should be done two to three days per week.

• Try to do one exercise for each major muscle group for a total of 8-12 different exercises.
• Try to do one or two sets of 8 to 10 repetitions for each exercise. For example, if you lift a weight 10 times in a row and then stop, you have completed one set of 10 repetitions. You should also rest for about 30 seconds to one minute between each set.
• If you can’t do 8 repetitions in a row, the weight is too heavy or resistance is too much.
• If you can do more than 10 repetitions in a row, you may want to increase the weight or resistance.
• If you have osteoporosis or are frail, you may want to do 10 to 15 repetitions of a lighter weight to prevent injury.

5. Get Tested : If you are a woman who has reached menopause or a man age 50-55, speak with your doctor about when you should have your first bone density test. Depending on your individual health history and other risk factors, you may have this test as early as age 50 or as late as age 70.

Osteoporosis Myths:

I don’t have to worry about osteoporosis, I feel fine. You can’t feel your bones becoming weaker. You could have osteoporosis now or be at risk without realizing it.

I’m a man, osteoporosis is a woman’s health issue. While osteoporosis is common among white women, men and women of all races and ethnicities can develop the disease. Up to one in four men over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis.

I’m too young to worry about osteoporosis, I’m only 25. Up to 90 percent of peak bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls and age 20 in boys, which makes youth the best time to build strong bones to last a lifetime. Also, osteoporosis can also strike at any age.

Osteoporosis is an inevitable part of aging. This may have been the view 30 years ago, but today researchers know how you can protect your bones throughout your life.

You’re never too young or too old to improve the health of your bones. Osteoporosis prevention should begin in childhood, but it shouldn’t stop there. Whatever your age, the habits you adopt now can affect your bone health for the rest of your life.

Source:

National Osteoporosis Foundation

While vitamin K is best known for its role in healthy blood clotting, new research supports the role of vitamin K1 and K2 in promoting bone health. In a study of postmenopausal women, those who consumed dairy products enriched with vitamin K2 showed significantly better bone-building utilization of calcium.

Vitamin K helps maintain bone mass by activating a protein called osteocalcin that is needed to move calcium from the blood to bones.

During the one year study, the women were divided into four groups: three groups consumed an enriched dairy product daily and the placebo group consumed a dairy product without enrichment. In the enriched groups, the dairy product was fortified0 with either: calcium (800 mg) and vitamin D3 (10 ug); calcium and vitamin D3 with vitamin K1; or calcium and vitamin D3 with K2.

At the end of the study, the K1 and K2 groups showed lower ratios of inactivated to activated osteocalcin than the other groups which meant better bone utilization of serum calcium. A marker for bone breakdown called deoxypyridinoline was also significantly lower in the vitamin K groups compared to the placebo and calcium/vitamin D group.

While all the women receiving enriched dairy products improved in tests of bone mineral density compared to the placebo groups, lumbar spine bone mineral density improved only in the vitamin K groups.

Vitamin K Deficiency

Another study of vitamin K identified those that are most likely to be deficient in vitamin K. They measured the K1 levels in over 704 male and female subjects representing various races and ethnicities. Low serum K1 status was found in 24% of whites, 33% of Hispanics, 29% of African-Americans and 4% of Chinese-Americans.

Foods Containing Vitamin K

To make sure you’re getting enough vitamin K in your diet, here are some excellent sources of vitamin K: kale, spinach, collard greens, swiss chard, turnip greens, mustard greens, Brussels sprouts, parsley, romain lettuce and broccoli. Vitamin K is not affected by heat so feel free to enjoy these veggies fresh or cooked.

For additional nutritional bone health support, try CNCA Health  formulas Cal-Mag Plus and Osteo Nutrients PRO - now fortified with Vitamin K2-7.

Sources:

Nutritional Outlook

WHFoods

Nutritional Outlook

Like it not, with advancing age we all experience a loss of muscle mass, muscle strength, and endurance. It begins in your 30s, with rapid decline in the mid–60s. With less muscle, you burn fewer calories and your body’s metabolic rate slows, often causing weight gain and fatigue. Unchecked, the loss of muscle mass, like the loss of bone mass can significantly affect quality of life and independence in our senior years.

While we can’t completely halt this process, researchers believe we can slow it down, mostly through resistance or weight training and consuming higher amounts of high quality protein—specifically whey protein.

Weight Training

To stave off muscle loss, experts say you should lift weights at least twice a week once you reach middle age. However, the benefits of weight training will be limited without an adequate intake of protein to manufacture muscle tissue.

Protein—The Right Way

While the government’s recommended dietary allowance for protein is 46 grams a day for women and 56 grams for men, evidence is mounting that seniors need nearly double that amount to avoid accelerating loss of muscle - especially if they become bedridden from a prolonged illness or injury.

But it’s not just the total amount of protein daily that counts; it’s how it’s consumed. As we age, we need to consumer higher amounts of protein at a time to affect muscle metabolism—approximately 25-30 grams of protein at each meal. Unfortunately, that’s not how most of us consume protein. We tend to be light on protein at breakfast and lunch and then load up at dinner.

When you properly combine weight training with higher amounts of protein at each meal, you can boost your body’s muscle-building rate by 50%.

Best Protein Sources:

Not all protein sources are created equal as they may not contain the most important amino acids for building muscle. The amino acid leucine, found in milk, meat, and fish, appears to be particularly beneficial in helping older people build muscle mass.

Studies have found that whey protein (from milk), is an ideal source of protein for many reasons, including:

• Whey protein is a complete protein containing all the essential amino acids required by the body.
• It is also considered the richest known source of naturally occurring branched chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine and valine). These amino acids are important during periods of greater physical stresses on the body, such as lifting weights.
• An important difference between whey protein and other complete protein sources is that whey contains all the amino acids with little or no fat, cholesterol or sugar.
• Whey protein is highly digestible and is readily absorbed and utilized by the body. Based on methods used to evaluate protein quality, whey protein scores higher in biological value than milk (casein) soy, beef or wheat gluten.

CNCA Whey Protein Isolate

CNCA Whey Protein Isolate is 92% protein and minimally processed so that the proteins remain undenatured, soluble and have utmost physiologic activity and benefit. Our protein powders are produced in New Zealand from milk provided by New Zealand dairy cows that graze on pesticide-free and chemical-free natural grass pastures. They are also free of growth hormones or antibiotic residue. CNCA Whey Protein Isolate is available in unflavored, natural vanilla and cocoa.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic

Boston Globe

Food Navigator

Green tea has been consumed throughout the ages in India, China, Japan, and Thailand. In traditional Chinese and Indian medicine, green tea was used as a stimulant, diuretic, astringent, and for heart health. Other traditional uses of green tea include supporting digestion, normal body temperature and blood sugar metabolism, and mental processing.

In recent years, green tea has been extensively studied to confirm the traditional uses of green tea through scientific research. We now know that the healthful properties of green tea are largely attributed to polyphenols, chemicals with potent antioxidant properties. The polyphenols in green tea also give it a somewhat bitter flavor.

These antioxidants scavenge free radicals--damaging compounds in the body that alter cells, tamper with DNA (genetic material), and even cause cell death. Free radicals occur naturally in the body, but environmental toxins (such as ultraviolet rays from the sun, radiation, cigarette smoke, and air pollution) also promote these damaging particles. Many scientists believe that free radicals contribute to the aging process as well as the development of a number of health problems. The antioxidant effects of polyphenols appear to be greater than vitamin C.

Polyphenols contained in teas are classified as catechins. Green tea contains six primary catechin compounds: catechin, gallaogatechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and apigallocatechin gallate (also known as EGCG). EGCG is the most studied polyphenol component in green tea and the most active.

Green tea also contains alkaloids including caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. These alkaloids provide green tea's stimulant effects. L-theanine, an amino acid compound found in green tea, has been studied for its calming effects on the nervous system.

About CNCA Green Tea Extract

CNCA's Green Tea Extract is guaranteed to deliver 220mg - 275mg of EGCG per serving—which is double the amount of most brands. This single serving amount is the equivalent of drinking five to six cups of green tea - but with very little caffeine (<1%).

Because herbal supplements can be exposed to harmful substances in the soil, through farming practices or the manufacturing process, CNCA uses independent labs to conduct extensive purity testing on every batch of CNCA Green Tea Extract. These tests ensure maximum freedom from harmful contaminants such as lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, aluminum, potency solvent residue, herbicides and pesticides, aflatoxins, bacteria, yeast and mold.

Sources:

Linus Pauling Institute

University of Maryland

If you read our recent three-part series about nature's healthiest superfoods, today's news about walnuts rated tops among all ground and tree nuts for their high quality and combination of antioxidants probably wasn't surprising.

What will surprise you, as it did me, was how few walnuts it takes to make an impact on your health: Try seven. A handful of walnuts has nearly double the amount of antioxidants, compared to any same quantity of any other nut commonly eaten by consumers, says University of Scranton chemist Dr. Joe Vinson whose study rank-ordered nine different nuts for their health value.

Another eye-opening discovery about walnuts from Dr. Vinson: The antioxidants contained in walnuts were up to 15 times more potent than Vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin that protects your body from free radicals.

What makes walnuts such a potent source of antioxidants? Just as you can lose out on the benefits of eating some foods -- the anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory component in broccoli won't form if the one enzyme needed to make it is destroyed due to overcooking -- too much heat reduces the antioxidant quality of most nuts, Dr. Vinson says. That's not a problem with walnuts because they're usually eaten raw.

You may be concerned about gaining weight due to the fat content of nuts, but the evidence doesn't warrant it. In fact, the results of a 2009 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed higher nut consumption was associated with a slightly lower risk of obesity and weight gain, further suggesting eating nuts may help with weight control.

University of Scranton March 29, 2011

ScienceDaily March 28, 2011

Time/Healthland March 29, 2011

MSNBC.com March 28, 2011

No doubt, some of you were breathing a sigh of relief about needing to spend less time at the gym to make a positive impact on your health after a recent study about high-intensity interval training found its way to this space. And the news just keeps getting better…

Short stints of exercise -- less than 45 minutes over three days -- may also serve as a way to slow down stress-related aging at the cellular level by stopping the shortening of telomeres, repetitive DNA that protects the ends of chromosomes from deteriorating.

Scientists discovered this latest benefit while monitoring the exercise habits of 62 post-menopausal women, most of whom were dealing with the stress of caring for family members suffering from dementia, a serious issue affecting caregivers. Exercise levels were measured and monitored as were patients' perceptions of stress, and blood samples were taken to measure telomere length.

Compared to the sedentary inactive group, patients who exercised vigorously for at least 75 minutes per week (meaning sweating and elevated heart rates) had longer telomeres. The one stinging caveat you'll want to avoid, however, if you're a caregiver: Patients who reported higher stress levels were less likely to exercise.

Just another reason for caregivers to take better care of themselves.

PLoS One, May 26, 2010 Free Full Text Study

ScienceDaily May 27, 2010

Knowing how devastating falls can be for older adults -- the CDC says they are the leading cause of death among seniors -- the real trick is, not only to find physical activities that will help them maintain their balance, but ones they'll enjoy doing regularly. Hard to imagine physical activity more fun -- and social -- for seniors than dancing, and a pair of recent studies from the University of Missouri bear that out.

Not surprisingly, the effect of a low-impact, dance-therapy program -- The Lebed Method tailored for seniors in two elder-care environments -- did the trick for patients who participated regularly in therapy sessions, improving their ability to maintain balance, gait and overall functionality.

Interestingly, the Lebed Method was developed by Sherry Lebed Davis, a former professional ballroom dancer and cancer survivor with the help of her two brothers who are physicians, originally to brighten the spirits of her mother who was recovering from breast cancer. After receiving her own breast cancer diagnosis in 1996, Sherry used that very same regimen to dance her way back to emotional and physical health.

Watch Susan DeCristofaro, a nursing veteran of some 30 years and director of patient and family education at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, demonstrate The Lebed Method, a gentle way cancer patients can incorporate an exercise plan during and after their recovery.

Nursing Administration Quarterly, Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 156-161, April/June 2010

ScienceDaily April 17, 2010