Posts Tagged ‘heart health’

We all know that Curcumin (an extract of Turmeric), is a delicious spice that can brighten up many dishes, but a new study now concludes that supplementing with Curcumin can also help reduce the chances of colon cancer:

So go ahead and spice things up!  Not only does it taste great, but Curcumin may very well help us increase our immune power.

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To help ensure joint and cardiovascular health try our Curcu-Gel Ultra 500, with natural supplement properties.

Reference: http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/39284 “Chemopreventive effect of dietary curcumin on inflammation-induced colorectal carcinogenesis in mice,” Villegas I, Sanchez-Fidalgo S, et al, Mol Nutr Food Res, 2010 Sept 16; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Seville, Spain).

It has been well established that Omega-3 fatty acids have strong antioxidant properties.  And new research is showing that for some cancer patients, consumption of Omega-3’s can significantly improve the instance of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, as well as the length of hospital stay.

In a randomized, controlled study involving 203 patients with gastrointestinal or colonic cancer who underwent gastrointestinal cancer surgery, results indicate that intravenous supplementation with fish oil may significantly reduce SIRS (systemic inflammatory response syndrome) and length of hospital stay. The patients were randomized to isocaloric and isonitrogenous intravenous infusions of either soybean oil alone (1.2 g per kg bodyweight per day; n=103) or soybean plus fish oil emulsion (1.0 and 0.2 g per kg per day respectively n=100) over 20-24 h daily for 7 days after surgery. Significantly shorter length of hospital stay and fewer cases of infectious complications and SIRS were observed in the treatment group, compared with the control group. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, “Fish oil emulsion-supplemented parenteral nutrition significantly reduced SIRS and length of hospital stay. These clinical benefits may be related to normalization of cellular immune functions and modulation of the inflammatory response.”

Omega-3 fatty acid can also help improve cardiovascular health and guard against stroke.  It fights free radical damage and can also make your skin look great.  Omega-3 fatty acid  is one nutritional supplement that has us hooked!

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To enjoy the benefits of a safe, pure omega-3 fatty acid nutritional supplement, try our Omega-Gel®.

Reference: http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/39051, “Randomized clinical trial of intravenous soybean oil alone versus soybean oil plus fish oil emulsion after gastrointestinal cancer surgery,” Jiang ZM, Yu K, et al, Br J Surg, 2010; 97(6): 804-9. (Address: Department of Surgery and Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, and Centre for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China. E-mail: jiangzm@imicams.ac.cn ).

We Americans enjoy it.  The French have been doing it for longer.  And we’re pretty sure the Germans and the Swiss are in on it too.  In many countries around the world, rich, creamy, chocolately cocoa is imbibed at breakfast, lunch and after dinner.  It’s sweet, soothing, and some many even argue, quite nutritious.  And now it’s been discovered that Cocoa Flavanols (an antioxidant-like compound naturally found in cocoa beans), can lower blood pressure and contribute to better cardiovascular health.

In a randomized, double-blind, crossover design study involving 21 subjects (8 females, 13 males, 54.9 years of age, BMI: 31.6 kg/m(2), systolic BP: 134 mm Hg, diastolic BP: 87 mm Hg), consumption of a high-flavanol cocoa beverage (701 mg) was found to significantly attenuate the blood pressure response to exercise (10 minutes of cycling at 75% of age-predicted maximum heart rate) – blood pressure increases were 68% lower for diastolic BP and 14% lower for mean blood pressure. Subjects were given a single serving of either a high-flavanol (701 mg) or low flavanol (22 mg) cocoa beverage. After 2 hours, measurements of FMD and BP were taken before and during 10 minutes of exercise. BP was similar between the 2 groups prior to exericse. After exercise, BP increases were significantly reduced in the high-flavanol group. In addition, FMD was higher among subjects who took the high-flavanol versus the low-flavanol beverage. The authors conclude, “By facilitating vasodilation and attenuating exercise-induced increases in BP, cocoa flavanols may decrease cardiovascular risk and enhance the cardiovascular benefits of moderate intensity exercise in at-risk individuals.”

So no matter if you’re a mountain climber, a skier, or just sitting by the fire in your living room.  Heat up a rich cup of cocoa for better cardiovascular health.  And don’t forget the marshmallows!

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Solanova has great resources to read about good cardiovascular health and CoQ10 supplementation.  And be sure to check out our potent omega-3 fatty acid antioxidant Omega-Gel®.

Reference: http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/38859, “Impact of cocoa flavanol consumption on blood pressure responsiveness to exercise,” Berry NM, Davison K, et al, Br J Nutr, 2010 Jan 19; 1-5, [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: School of Health Sciences, Nutritional Physiology Research Centre and ATN Centre for Metabolic Fitness, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia).

Dark chocolate.  It’s not just for dessert anymore.  It turns out that some of the components of dark chocolate are responsible for improved cardiovascular health.  Some recent research indicates that incorporating (some) dark chocolate into healthy eating habits can help reduce blood pressure, boost insulin sensitivity, and can also add to overall heart health.

In a study involving 20 subjects with never-before treated Essential Hypertension (EH), consumption of flavanol-rich dark chocolate (DC) for a period of 15 days was found to reduce blood pressure, improve insulin sensitivity, and improve several markers of cardiovascular health, as compared with consumption of flavanol-free white chocolate (WC), for the same duration of time. The subjects (10 men, 10 women; average age: 43.7 years) were randomly divided into two groups, where one group was assigned to consume DC (100 g/day – containing 88 mg flavanols) while the other group was assigned to consume WC (90 g/day – no flavanols) for 15 days, in an isocaloric manner. A 7-day chocolate-free run-in phase preceded the first 15 days of treatment, after which subjects went through another 7-day chocolate-free phase, which was followed by another 15 days of treatment, in which patients were crossed over to receive the treatment they had not received before. Various measurements were taken and evaluated after each treatment period. After consumption of DC, 24-hour non-invasive ambulatory blood pressure decreased (systolic: -11.9 mm Hg; diastolic: -8.5 mm Hg), serum LDL cholesterol decreased (from 3.4 to 3.0 mmol/L), and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) scores improved. Results from oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) were used to calculate the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), which decreased after consumption of DC, while both the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICK1) and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) improved after consuming DC. None of these beneficial effects were seen after consumption of WC. This study suggests, if included as part of a healthy diet with a balanced caloric intake, flavanols from cocoa, such as those found in dark chocolate, may help to improve various markers of cardiovascular health in patients with essential hypertension.

With sweet news like this, it’s easy to stay on the heart healthy track!

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Explore our health archives for many other ways to improve cardiovascular health. For heart healthy supplements, try one of our powerful antioxidant supplements with both Ubiquinol and Resveratrol, Rubi Qnol®CoQ10.

http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/34679,

Reference:

“Cocoa reduces blood pressure and insulin resistance and improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in hypertensives,” Grassi D, Necozione S, et al, Hypertension, 2005; 46(2): 398-405. (Address: Dipartimento Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L’Aquila, Piazzale Salvatore Tommasi 1, 67100 Coppito, L’Aquila, Italy).

You’ve been bad.  Well, sort of.  You haven’t been exercising as much as you meant to, and decided not to be too strict with your diet.  Who could blame you?  We all have to stop and enjoy life a little, right?

But then you went to the doctor for a physical-good for you by the way-and found that your blood pressure was on the high side.  It happens to the best of us.  But rather than panicking about it, you decide to do a little research to figure out how you can manage this condition naturally.

First off, regular exercise is very important for overall health in general and really helps to strengthen the heart and to lower blood pressure.  If you haven’t exercised in a while, start gradually and build your way up to some kind of cardio program 4-5 days a week, as well as working in some light weight training.  If you find the gym mundane at best, bring an iPod or a good book to read while you’re using the machines.

Cutting back on salty foods and loosing a few pounds if you’re overweight can also help maintain your blood pressure right.  Some nutritional supplements boast heart healthy properties such as Omega-3 fatty acids and Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10.  In fact, recent research has revealed a possible link between CoQ10 supplementation and healthy blood pressure levels.

It’s okay to indulge a little as long as you compensate with some healthy habits such as exercise and proper nutrition and vitamin intake.  Have a happy and healthy Autumn!

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Try our powerful Omega-Gel® and Super Q-Nol® CoQ10 for better heart health, immune system support and unsurpassed absorption.

Reference: http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/38611 “Blood pressure lowering efficacy of coenzyme Q10 for primary hypertension,” Ho MJ, Bellusci A, et all, Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2009; 7(4): CD007435. (Address: Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada).

If you purchase a lower end car at a deep discount, you can bet that the car probably doesn’t have the greatest track record in the world.  Furthermore, you wouldn’t expect this car to perform like a Porsche or a BMW, right?  So why would you want to deep discount your health?

Not all vitamins or supplements are created equal.  Not even close.  The ubiquitous “cheap vitamins” that you see for sale in drug stores or online claim to be powerful and effective.  But if you read the fine print, oftentimes you see additives and other ingredients that aren’t beneficial.  Or you discover that in order to achieve the promised efficacy of the supplement, you are required to take six or eight of them a day, instead of a couple.  This alone can make the “discount” supplements much more expensive than originally thought.  Yet you’re still receiving (and ingesting) lower quality product.

The old saying “you get what you pay for” is generally true.  High quality, natural supplements that are optimally absorbed into the body do cost more, because they work better than their cheaper counterparts.  Why would you bother to take supplements or vitamins at all, if you weren’t sure your body was using them to full effect?  If money is an issue, and these days it is for most of us, select two or three supplements or vitamins that you know you can’t live without and invest in a high quality, proven version of them.  In the end you’ll save money, time, and effort and can rest assured that you are making the best choices for your overall health.

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Want to learn more about what you can do to achieve good daily health? Read from our health concerns archives.  For some invaluable, potent and effective nutritional supplements, check out our new CoQ10 supplement, Super QNol®, our multivitamin MultiSential Plus and our ever popular Omega-Gel® for unsurpassed antioxidant protection.

Sometimes when I haven’t had enough sleep or if I’ve indulged in one too many double iced lattes my heart will let me know.  Once in a while it will beat a little too fast for my taste, only to abruptly slow down again, and then resume its steady (and comforting) regular pitter-patter rhythm.  This is a little reminder to adjust my caffeine consumption but also to start thinking seriously and proactively about my heart health.

I do try to exercise regularly, reminding myself that bike rides and hikes are supposed to be “enjoyable” and good for me.  I also attempt to eat heart healthy foods and to eschew saturated fats whenever possible, though this can sometimes prove difficult as I have a torrid love affair with cheeseburgers.

Lately I’ve been hearing (and reading) a lot about the nutritional supplement coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10.  Numerous studies have shown that CoQ10 may be able to strengthen the heart muscle and enhance the immune system as well as provide the body with extra energy.  Additionally, new research suggests that CoQ10 therapy can help some effects of Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases, and possibly help to protect against dopamine depletion as well.

So now I’m adding another supplement to my regime of multivitamins, exercising and eating (relatively) well.  I feel stronger already.

Now.  Where did I put my bicycle?

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Would you like to learn more about the heart health benefits of CoQ10?  Click here.  And be sure to purchase Solanova’s highly absorbable Q-Gel® CoQ10 today for enhanced energy, endurance and immune system strength among many other benefits.

Reference: http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/38358“Combination therapy with coenzyme Q10 and creatine produces additive neuroprotective effects in models of Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases,” Yang L, Calingasan NY, et al, J Neurochem, 2009 June; 109(5): 1427-39. (Address: Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York 10021, USA).

The sweat is dripping down the front of you.  Your breathing is labored and you think your legs just might turn to Jell-O at any moment.  But you push yourself, not only because you’re going to look great for that school reunion (It’s been too many years to contemplate) but also because you really care about your heart.  You want it to work as well as it possibly can and for as long as it possibly can.  Because, as the song goes, you’ve got a lot of living to do!  And you won’t be shortchanged.  No way!

But where to start?  Creating a heart health baseline is always a good idea.  Get your cholesterol, blood pressure and other common medical tests done regularly.  This will let you know what you need to work on and can help forecast if you are at risk for heart disease.  Once you know what you need to do, you can start working to improve your health right away.

Of course we have to talk about our old friend, exercise.  Yes, it’s unavoidable.  But the results can be amazing!  There has been research conducted stating that people who participate in 30 minutes of cardio at least 3 or 4 times a week can decrease their risk for heart disease, some cancers, dementia and have the potential for living years longer than their couch potato peers.  Another added bonus to regular exercise is that it makes you feel and look great and can even curb depression.  Not too shabby for half an hour on the treadmill!

Think Omega-3’s.  Eating foods and taking supplements rich in Omega-3’s is great for your heart!  Fish, flax seed, cantaloupe, spinach, walnuts and broccoli are some excellent sources.  Supplements are also handy and easy to take if you don’t happen to have a bushel of broccoli in your briefcase.

Don’t wait.  Take care of your heart now so it can take good care of you down the road.

See you on the Stairmaster!

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Want to learn more about heart healthy habits?  Read all about heart health here.  Two highly absorbable, natural supplements  that work to ensure good heart health include Omega-Gel®, which supports cardiovascular health and immune system function, and Q-Gel® CoQ10, which helps to strengthen the heart muscle while guarding against free radical damage.

So get off the couch, grab your gym bag and commit to being healthier today!

You’re giggling uncontrollably in the movie theater.  Okay, maybe the movie isn’t that funny, but you’re enjoying it, dodging dirty looks from other patrons as you guffaw at the screen, spilling buttered popcorn on your seat.  Can you help it if “joie de vivre” is your middle name?

After all, it’s a good thing.

Are happier people healthier people?  And do happy people actually live longer?  It seems that the theory could be true.  You might wonder if it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy?  If someone is truly happy with their life it probably follows that they take better care of themselves?  Perhaps that’s some of it.  Numerous studies have concluded that happy people have fewer heart attacks, strokes and experience less pain from myriad health conditions than their grumpy counterparts.  This could be in part because happy people tend to have less of the stress hormone Cortisol in their bodies, which can lead to health problems.

But what do you do if you’re not naturally a “glass is half full” person?  You can actually learn to be more positive and become happier.   Some universities even offer “happiness” courses, which are extremely popular.  Of course exercise and leading a healthy lifestyle can contribute to overall health and vitality (and happiness), research also indicates that people who lead meaningful lives and help others tend to be happier overall compared with people who might afford luxuries but who don’t enjoy their careers or who have little outside interests or hobbies.

So put a smile on your face and help out in your community.  You’ll be happy that you did!

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To learn more about the importance of managing your stress levels for an overall happier life, click here. One of our nutritional supplements that can help with regulating your stress level is Relora®.  Relora® is a natural supplement that relieves stress and anxiety, is non-addictive and can help to curb stress-related eating and subsequent weight gain.

I might as well confess because it will become abundantly clear soon enough.  I love wine.  I enjoy rose, white, and of course all red varietals and at the risk of sounding a little too much like Roy Rogers, I never met a grape I didn’t like.

Lucky for me, if consumed in moderation, wine can not only be quite good, but also good for your health.   Studies have shown that moderate wine drinking can protect against heart disease, boost your immune system, fight free radicals and of course, make a great accompaniment to a gourmet meal. There has even been recent research indicating that moderate drinkers can live as much as five years longer than their tea teetotaler compatriots.

Of course the key idea is “moderate” drinking.

Another reason to rejoice about the grape is that lately there’s been an influx of wonderful and inexpensive wines perched on grocery and specialty store shelves.  Often you can find a tasty red from Argentina or Spain with an even tastier price tag.  Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand are always delicious and usually very price friendly.

In short, if you like wine, there’s no reason not to indulge a little.  Add the grape to your regular health and wellness regimen and enjoy.

Hey, I’ll drink to that!

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Read more about daily health tips at Solanova’s health library. We have several nutritional supplements that support heart health, immune system health and overall daily health.  Order your Q-Gel® CoQ10, Omega-Gel®, and MultiSential Plus multi vitamins today.  And click here to save 10%.  We’re ready to take your order!