Researchers have recently discovered that the omega-3 fatty acid DHA can kill cancer cells while babies are in vitro.

Scientists tested the effect of DHA on cultured neuroblastoma cells (common cells associated with infancy and childhood cancers) and analyzed them for DHA’s metabolic byproducts. They found that while DHA itself destroyed the cancer cells, the fatty acid’s derivatives were even more effective at killing these cells.

According to Life Extension Magazine, “The current study and previous research show that while DHA has been demonstrated to help protect neural cells from stress-induced apoptosis (programmed cell death), it also induces apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells.” Study author Helena Gleissman PhD says “We hope that this study can provide a deeper understanding of the actions of omega-3 fatty acids and their products in cancer cells, and why they can be of such high importance in treatment of the disease.”

DHA has also been found to help combat eye diseases like retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration. Visit our website for more research on how nutritional supplements can help enhance vision health.
Source: http://search.lef.org/cgi-src-bin/MsmGo.exe?grab_id=0&page_id=645&query=glaucoma&hiword=GLAUCOMAS%20glaucoma

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Spanish researchers have developed a new way to deliver omega-3 nutrients in more stable capsule form. The new process uses “elecrosprayed zein encapsulation.”  It promises to keep omega-3 fatty acid DHA from oxidizing too quickly, a process that leads to foul odors, tastes, and a break down of the beneficial properties.  The traditional animal derived gelatin capsules could be replaced with zein, a type of protein found in maize.

Source: Journal of Food Science, http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/New-omega-3-encapsulation-could-enhance-stability-for-soft-gels

Visit our website to learn about how essential fatty acids are vital to vision health.

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According to the Johns Hopkins medical team, the following medications can increase one’s blood pressure: ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil); corticosteroids like prednisone; cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune; used to suppress the immune system); epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit; used to treat anemia in cancer patients); estrogens such as those in hormone replacement therapy; migraine drugs such as sumatriptan (Imitrex); the weight loss drug sibutramine (Meridia); and nasal decongestants. Over-the-counter cough, cold, and asthma medications also may raise blood pressure, so always check with your doctor before using one.

Habits and lifestyle can also contribute to hypertension including: weight, ethnicity, activity level, tobacco use, sodium intake, potassium intake, stress, anger, alcohol consumption, age, and family history.  Cutting back on salt, eating more vegetables, avoiding sugar, caffeine, and food allergens and reducing your exposure to lead and other heavy metals can all help to reduce your blood pressure. Other complementary approaches that may help: acupuncture, biofeedback, meditation, yoga, auricular (ear) acupressure.

For more on natural hypertension reduction and prevention, please visit our website.

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a warning to parents and caregivers about the dangers of accidental overdose when giving infants liquid vitamin D supplement products.

Some products are sold with droppers that could allow harmful amounts of the vitamin to be given to an infant. These droppers can hold a greater amount of liquid vitamin D than an infant should receive.  Infants should not receive more than 400 international units (IUs) of vitamin D a day.

“It is important that infants not get more than the recommended daily amount of vitamin D,” says Linda M. Katz, M.D., M.P.H., interim chief medical officer in FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “Parents and caregivers should only use the dropper that comes with the vitamin D supplement purchased.”

Vitamin D helps in the formation of strong bones and is essential to keep children from developing rickets.  Opinions vary as to whether breastfed babies require additional vitamin D supplementation (it is a part of most infant formulas).  Regular exposure to sunlight can provide children with a good source of vitamin D and is, in fact, the way that human were designed to receive the vitamin.  Darker skinned children and babies whose mothers suffer from a vitamin D deficiency (rare in the developed world) might have deficiencies that require supplementation.

Source: FDA and Kellymom.com

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Gout is a painful form arthritis marked by joint inflammation that is most likely to affect older men.  Uric acid in the bloodstream has been implicated in attacks of gout.  Levels rise in men after puberty but estrogen is thought to protect many women from the condition.

Genetics is generally blamed for gout, a rich but changes to the diet can affect the course of the disease.  A poor diet without adequate fruits and vegetables and too much fat from meat can increase the risk of an attack.  Avoid foods called  purines including many organ meats, legumes and yeast.

For more about gout, click here.

The right diet can influence all aspects of your health.  Please read more about the best sources of nutrients for eye health and overall wellness.

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Pumpkin seed oil is rich in zeaxanthin, which protects the retina and slow the progress of macular degeneration. In 2003, the Medical Research Council Environmental Epidemiology Unit at the University of Southampton in England announced that zeaxanthin “may be far more important in preventing or stabilizing macular degeneration than previously realized.” For more on zeaxanthin, visit our website.

Another benefit of pumpkin seed oil?  Used in combination with saw palmetto it can reduce symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).   Researchers have suggested the zinc, free fatty acid, or plant sterol content of pumpkin seeds may account for their benefit in men with BPH, but this has not been confirmed. For more on BPH and prostate health, please click here.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_5106341_health-benefits-pumpkin-seed-oil.html#ixzz0s6uN19rb

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Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently published findings on Americans’ salt consumption: only 1 in 10 people are staying within the recommended guidelines.   One teaspoon of salt per day is the recommended limit for those who are young and healthy.   Most of this salt is not coming from what we sprinkle directly on our food.  Instead, it comes from sources we might not expect: grain mixtures, frozen meals and soups; ham, bacon, sausages and lunchmeats; breads; meat, poultry and fish mixtures; and cakes, cookies and crackers.

Source: NPR.

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The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) already supports the assertion that omega-3 in the form of ALA aids cognitive and eye function and may soon be extending this designation to DHA.  Products will be able to make this claim on their packaging.
Source: http://www.nutraingredients.com/Regulation/EC-considers-extending-ALA-claim-to-DHA?utm_source=RSS_text_news

DHA has been documented to help those who suffer from retinitis pigmentosa.  Click here for more information.

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A new study out of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Norway, which was published in Arthritis Care & Research, reports that women who are obese (BMI of 30 or larger) have a 60 to 70 percent higher risk of developing fibromyalgia, compared to women who are not obese.  Researchers state that fibromyalgia was especially among women who also reported low levels of physical exercise.

Fibromyalgia syndrome is marked by a dull aching pain and tenderness in the muscles and soft tissue, and is characterized by persistent fatigue.   Memory problems, disturbed, and irritable bowel syndrome are included amongst other common symptoms.

Source reference: Paul J. Mork, et al “Association between physical exercise, body mass index, and risk of fibromyalgia: Longitudinal data from the Norwegian Nord-Trøndelag Health Study” Arthritis Care and Research 2010; 62:5,  611 – 617.

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A German study published in the journal, Circulation, found that acupuncture significantly lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The extent of the blood pressure reductions by acupuncture treatments was comparable to those seen with antihypertensive medication or aggressive lifestyle changes, including radical salt restrictions.

Source: Circulation, June 2007

Editor’s Note: Nutrients that help lower high blood pressure include coleus forskohlii, omega-3 fatty acids, CoQ10, Vitamin C, Taurine and Arginine for example. For more information on lowering blood pressure naturally, go to www.naturaleyecare.com/diseases.asp?d_num=40

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