Health News in the New Year

A few words from my friend Dr. Jose Antonio:

The holidays are over; New Year’s Eve has come and gone. Along the way youv'e perhaps overindulged in too much champagne and rich food. Now it’s time to get back to the business of taking care of your body and following through on your resolutions! Here are some recent studies and information regarding lowering your cholesterol, losing weight or cessation of smoking, to help you get started. Remember, effort counts in grade school. When it comes to taking care of your body, results are all that matters!

Improving your Cholesterol Profile
In this study you can read details of how a substance called policosanol, which is derived from purified sugar-cane wax, helped to improve blood lipid levels when combined with the omega 3 fatty acids! In fact, the omega-3 fatty acid plus policosanol (10 mg/day) significantly decreased total cholesterol and triglycerides while also improving the good cholesterol, HDL. Thus, consuming omega-3 fatty acids plus policosanol could be useful for regulating lipid profile in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia or high blood cholesterol. (1)Another option in combatting high cholesteral is Red Yeast Rice (RYR). RYR significantly reduces total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and total triacylglycerol concentrations when compared with placebo and provides a natural based approach to lowering cholesterol. It should be noted that virtually all of the studies of RYR for lowering cholesterol levels have been conducted on the Cholestin brand of RYR (Pharmanex, Provo, UT). Red yeast rice extract has been sold as a natural cholesterol-lowering agent in over the counter supplements. However, there have been legal and industrial disputes, involving some manufacturers, the FDA and the pharmaceutical industry, as to whether red yeast rice is a drug or dietary supplement. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/red-yeast-rice/NS_patient-redyeast

Lose Weight and Body Fat
Although its history goes back for thousands of years, Gymnema, is a somewhat newly recognized supplement in the weight management world. When chewed, Gymnema may interfere with the ability to taste sweetness, which explains the Hindi name Gurmar, “destroyer of sugar"; consequently it may help curb our sweet tooths. One study, monitored the effects of bioavailable (-) hydroxycitric acid (HCA-SX) alone and in combination with niacin-bound chromium (NBC) and a standardized Gymnema sylvestre extract (GSE) on weight loss in moderately obese subjects. They discovered that HCA-SX and, to a greater degree, the combination of HCA-SX, NBC and GSE can serve as an effective and safe weight-loss formula that can facilitate a reduction in excess body weight and body mass index. Furthermore, it can also promote healthy blood lipid levels.(2).
Hoodia is also being recognized recently, for its abilities to help us curb our appetites. The San people, native to the Kalahari desert, have used Hoodia for many centuries to suppress appetite for food and water and to increase energy. (5) In one study Hoodia’s latex and inner flesh, steroidal glycoside (called P57), was able to suppress appetite in animals. This effect was clearly related to effects in the brain as opposed to the stomach.(6) One small clinical study has been completed by Phytopharm, a company that bought the exclusive licenses to develop and market P57 from CSIR. This study involved 19 overweight men using P57 and found that P57 did reduce their food intake significantly compared with a placebo. The details of this study have not yet been published in any medical journal. In our opinions, its conclusions cannot yet be evaluated for accuracy and the proof is still out in the scientific community on its effectiveness and safety.
Read More about supplements that help raise our metabolism.

Smoking Cessation
There are many herbal and nutraceutical formulas that suggest they can help us quit this ugly habit and ease tormenting withdrawal symtoms. But, in truth, we’ve found, there Is very little out there, proven to help.
So be strong, don’t get discouraged or put all your hopes into a magic pill. Be realistic and prepare yourself for those moments that will test your resolve!
What you can try are supplements and herbs that are known to perhaps help ease our nerves and jitters with out making us drowsy. Some of these includechamomile, hops, or kava . Adding other nutraceutical supplements to your diet, such as a good Anti Stress formula or multi B complex, may further help you manage stress naturally. You may also want to try limiting those that may over stimulate and cause jitters, such as caffeine, Ephedra, Yohimbe or bitter orange.
We did find one study on smoking cessation, where 100 human male smokers participated. They ingested a medicinal herbal tea (MHT) and were monitored for its effects on smoking cessation and smoking withdrawl symptoms. Subjects using MHT for 4 weeks experienced reduced smoking withdrawal symptoms in comparison to the non-MHT subjects. Thirty eight percent of subjects taking MHT succeeded in smoking cessation, while only twelve percent of non-MHT taking subjects succeeded in quitting smoking.(3) Twenty one medicinal herb species were screened for their antioxidant and nicotine degradation activity (NDA) for this study, out of which eleven with the highest levels were selected. Two of which are Eugenia Aromaticum and Astragalus Membranaceus Bunge, ( these showing the highest antioxidant activity.) This study may show promise, but we feel it would perhaps benefit, by being replicated.
Our family at SupplementCoach.comwishes you the very best for the New Year& offer’s support and encouragement inhelping you succeed at your healthy resolutions! Good luck and take great care of yourself!

Click here for a great article on Improving Your Cholesterol.

Click here for a great article on Red Yeast Rice.

Click here for a great article Smoking Cessation.

Click here for a great article on Weight Loss.

Please click here for References and additional Reading Material.

Source: SupplementCOACH.com Jan. 5, 2007 Newsletter (E-letter). Your New Year's Resolution& Supplements That May Help Empower You To Succeed!
by Jose Antonio, Ph.D. Leading Expert in Sports Nutrition & Supplementation, & Melinda MergenPresident, Supplementcoach.com

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