By Dr. Allen S. Josephs
Co-Founder & Chairman, Vitacost.com
06/14/2007
Some dynamite studies were just published in the medical literature. There was a study out of Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska from the Osteoporosis Research Center, published in the June 2007 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition1. A group of 1,179 healthy post-menopausal women over age 55 participated in a four-year double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Women were randomly assigned to receive 1,400 mg to 1,500 mg of calcium alone, supplemental calcium plus 1,000 IU of vitamin D or placebo.
Within the calcium group, there was a 47% reduction in overall cancer compared to placebo. In the calcium and vitamin D group, there was a 60% reduction in overall cancer compared to placebo. When they further evaluated the study and took out individuals who developed cancer within the first year (suggesting the condition was already there before the study began), there was an incredible 77% reduction in overall cancer compared to placebo.
It should be noted that the form of vitamin D used was D3 (as cholecalciferol) which is much more powerful compared to vitamin D2, used in many inferior supplements and multi-vitamins. Dr. Michael Holick, from Boston University Medical Center, indicated that the study showed that enough vitamin D markedly reduced the risk of developing the most serious forms of cancer. He supported raising the recommended amount of this vitamin to 1,000 units daily for most people.
This is more strong evidence the DV/RDA levels of vitamin D are grossly inadequate at only 400 IU per day. Based on current evidence and studies it appears the safe upper level of intake for vitamin D is 4,000 IU to perhaps even as high as 10,000 IU per day, with 700 to 2,000 IU being the current recommended optimal level.
Another study was published in the June 2007 edition of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention2. It was a prospective cohort study evaluating green tea consumption and risk of developing colon cancer in women. Almost 70,000 Chinese women between ages of 40 and 70 were followed for approximately six years. It was found that women who consume green tea regularly had a reduced risk of colon cancer by 37% compared to those who drank tea on an irregular basis. In certain cases the risk reduction was as high as 57%. Authors of the study suggested that regular consumption of green tea may reduce risk of colon cancer in women.
It appears that the magic of green tea lies in the polyphenols, especially a compound called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Not only does EGCG provide positive benefit in regard to cancer, it appears to have beneficial effects in terms of increasing metabolism, improving heart health and possibly even benefiting against cognitive loss.
On the negative side, I'd like to point my finger at the drug/pharmaceutical world of which I am a part, being a practicing physician. There was just an article recently published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine regarding a drug called Avandia, which is widely prescribed for diabetes mellitus3. The article indicated that this drug appears to significantly increase risk of myocardial infarction and death from cardiovascular causes. You should know that many drugs prescribed for diabetes have a black box warning in the PDR (Physician's Desk Reference) indicating an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality, yet doctors continue to prescribe them knowing that the majority of their diabetic patients will die from heart disease or stroke. Drugs, as a general rule, even aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, ulcer/reflux drugs, are potentially dangerous with over 100,000 deaths being reported in the U.S. each year and many more people hospitalized with proper use of medication.
On a positive note for promoting healthy blood sugar there was another study published in the June 2007 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looking at the nutrient cinnamon4. Fourteen healthy subjects participated. Post- prandial (which means 'after eating') glucose response was measured along with gastric emptying time. Subjects were given 300 grams of rice pudding or 300 grams of rice pudding along with six grams of cinnamon. It was found that the addition of the six grams of cinnamon reduced post-prandial blood sugar and delayed gastric emptying.
Finally, there was a study published last month in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition regarding dietary choline5. This nutrient is critically important for proper cellular membrane function, neurotransmission and other things. The objective of this study was to evaluate the necessary dietary requirements for choline in healthy men and women. A total of 57 adults (26 men, 16 pre-menopausal and 15 post-menopausal women) were fed a diet on average of 550 mg of choline a day for ten days followed by less than 50 mg of choline a day, with or without folic acid for another 42 days.
It was found that when deprived of dietary choline, 77% of men and 80% of post-menopausal women developed fatty liver or muscle damage. 44% of pre-menopausal women developed similar problems as well. Interestingly, six of the men actually showed some signs of developing liver muscle problems while consuming 550 mg of choline per day. It was noted that 19% of subjects were found to need as much as 825 mg of choline a day in order to avoid damage.
It should be noted that choline typically is found in eggs, beef liver, chicken liver and wheat germ but the average intake by most Americans is below the optimal levels discussed here. According to a Harvard study of 1,960 people published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in June of 2006, the average choline intake is only around 300 mg per day with some as low as the low 200 mg range6. This same study also indicated those with highest level of choline intake had reduced homocysteine levels. As discussed in prior newsletters homocysteine is very bad, and keeping low levels is essential to promoting healthy cardiovascular function and brain health.
It was shocking to me to see a deficiency of one nutrient can cause such major and immediate cellular and organ damage. I strongly recommend adding choline supplementation to your supplement regimen.
Recapping this week's newsletter, it seems pretty clear that optimal intakes of supplemental calcium and vitamin D will provide far more benefits than just building healthy bones. Vitamin D at 1,000 IU in the D3 form may provide dramatic reductions in cancer incidence alone and when combined with calcium. Many multi-vitamins fail to use the D3 form and include at least 700 to 1,000 IU per day. I've provided a link for you to browse Vitacost's multi-vitamin selection and review the supplement facts to find the optimal products based on the science.
Vitacost also offers several different green tea products standardized to high levels of EGCG and polyphenols. Look for green tea products containing 500 mg to 250 mg per capsule standardized to 98% polyphenols and 45% EGCG.
I also want to remind everyone that Vitacost just lowered prices to the lowest levels ever for coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) including NSI®'s new patent-pending ToCoQ10™ containing a powerful blend of Japanese pharmaceutical grade CoQ10, tocotrienols, tocopherols, Bioperine® and rice bran oil for enhanced absorption and antioxidant benefits. Dosages are 30 mg to 600 mg per softgel of CoQ10 plus varying levels of the other synergistic nutrients. Based on current research for promoting healthy immunity, cellular and cardiovascular function, I recommend 200 mg to 400 mg per day. For promoting neurological health the ideal level is 1,200 mg per day based on published studies.
While all NSI® CoQ10 products, including capsules, contain the superior 100% natural trans form, Japanese, pharmaceutical-grade CoQ10, many other brands do not. Some even contain Chinese material. If it does not boldly and proudly say "100% Japanese natural trans form CoQ10" it may not be. I'd also like to point out the average NSI® CoQ10 product is getting about 4.8 out of 5 star reviews with most everyone saying they would recommend this product to others based on quality, value and effectiveness.
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