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HEALTH
NEWS
by Lynne Gully |
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July 2006 |
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How to
Have a Healthy Heart The
truth about heart disease Recent studies have
uncovered what seems to be the REAL culprit behind 50% of cardiovascular,
heart and stroke problems. It's none of the usual suspects. Not fat. Not lack
of exercise. And not even cholesterol. According to research published in the
British Medical Journal, homocysteine is THE BIGGEST THREAT to our
heart's good health. Chances are you’ve never even heard of homocysteine despite over 7,000
studies now published in scientific and medical journals. A
study at the department of cardiology in Southampton General Hospital trawled
through 92 studies that focussed on homocysteine levels in over 20,000
patients. The outcome of the study was that high homocysteine levels are a
strong indicator that heart problems are present. Homocysteine
is a type of amino acid that can accumulate in the blood if you are lacking
in certain nutrients. Homocysteine can
damage cells which line the arteries and lead to arteriosclerosis (hardening
of the arteries) and heart disease. One in two people in the
UK have high homocysteine levels but this risk factor can be reversed in
weeks. Problems arise when you don’t have optimal amounts of B vitamins,
folic acid and zinc in your diet. Homocysteine levels can be brought down quickly and
easily, using a combination of nutritional supplements. Here's what to
do...
Signs and Symptoms
If
you have five or more of the following symptoms, it’s almost a certainty that
your homocysteine is moderate to very high (9 to 15, if not higher):
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Contact Lynne at lynne.gully@optimumhealth.co.uk
or tel: 0030 28920 42356 |
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Suggested Supplements
to Lower Homocysteine Levels ·
Vitamin B Complex – contains the full
range of B vitamins including B6 and B12. It is
yeast free and contains no animal by-products, sugars, starch or artificial
colours or flavours. Stock no 1773. ·
Vitamin B12 – you
may need extra amounts of this vitamin if your homocysteine levels are high
or if you are a vegetarian. This vitamin is also needed to form red blood
cells – Stock no 1629 ·
Folic Acid Plus – A lack of folic acid
has been linked to heart attacks, angina and an increase in homocysteine
levels. Folic acid is also necessary for the prevention of birth defects and
miscarriages. Each tablet contains 400mcg of folic acid, 120mg of Vitamin C
and Bee Pollen. - Stock no 1585 ·
Zinc – zinc is an important element
in the healthy absorption and function of vitamins, especially the B complex
vitamins. A zinc deficiency can also lead to an enlarged prostate. Stock
no 1601 ·
Garlic – High potency – each
tablet is coated with chlorophyll to ensure absorption in the intestinal
tract and so avoiding any belching or garlic odour on the breath. Stock no
292 Protect
Your Skin Whenever
there is a spell of beautiful sunshine it is always tempting to sunbathe
despite the warnings of skin cancer. Most people tend to feel better in the
sunshine and are prepared to take that risk. The safest way to protect the skin
is, of course, to limit sun exposure. But you can also protect your skin from
the inside out by supplementing with folic acid. Folic acid deficiency is a major
contributor to skin cancer risk. Folic acid (along with vitamin B12 and zinc) is absolutely key to
DNA reproduction and repair. I recommend supplementing with 1,000 mcg of
folic acid daily. Those who spend a good amount of time in the sun or have a
family history of skin cancer should use even more. It's also good to add sources of
folic acid to the diet, such as spinach and other dark green vegetables,
brewers yeast, lima beans, cantaloupe, watermelon, wheat germ, and liver from
organically raised animals. In addition, extra doses of
vitamins C and E will further relieve stress to the skin. Supplements
to Help Protect Your Skin ·
Folic Acid Plus – Stock no 1585 ·
Vitamin B12 - Stock
no 1629 ·
Zinc – Stock no 1601 ·
Vitamin
C 1000mg Time Release – Stock no 1635 ·
Vitamin
E 400IU with Selenium – Stock no 1667 Detailed fact sheets for all the products are available on
request by email only. |
Folic
acid has been widely publicized as necessary for the prevention of birth
defects and specific cancers. Folic acid is critical for pregnant women
because it assists the enzyme responsible for DNA duplication, and is
necessary for healthy development of the spinal cord. Folic acid deficiency
will slow a baby’s growth and can result in miscarriage or brain or neural
tube defects, causing children to be born mentally retarded. Pregnant women,
and even women considering pregnancy, should be sure they are getting 800mcg
of folic acid in their diets daily. Lactating women should receive 600mcg
daily. People
with hemolytic anemia and overactive thyroid glands have
an increased need of folic acid. Alcohol consumption, disease and stress also
increase the body’s need for folic acid. Dietary sources include fresh leafy
green vegetables, sprouts, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, eggs, yogurt, soybeans
and liver. Researchers
at Harvard Medical School have observed that folic acid protects the body
from colon polyps and colorectal disease. According to the Journal
of the National Cancer Institute, folic acid supplements provide even
greater protection. Research
done in the 1970’s showed that large doses of folic acid destroyed precancerous
cervical cells. Folic
acid is currently being studied for reducing the damaging effects of
smoking on the lungs. In 1986, the National Cancer Institute found that
smokers who developed certain cancer-prone bronchial cells also had
suppressed folic acid levels. As a result, researchers at the University of
Alabama, in 1988, successfully decreased this variety of precancerous cells
in smokers by using a mixture of folic acid and vitamin B12.
It was concluded that folic acid supplementation might decrease the risk
of cancer formation. Folic
acid has also been used to help arteriosclerosis. Dr. Kurt Oster gives
individuals twice the RDA to prevent repeated heart attacks and this
dosage has been shown to reduce angina. An
article in Heart Alert asserted that folic acid, B6
and choline (all part of the B-complex vitamin) can reduce homocysteine
levels in 3 weeks. Homocysteine, commonly referred to as HCY, is a
toxic amino acid obtained from pasteurized cow’s milk and red meat. Folic Acid Plus – Stock no 1585
Each
tablet of Folic Acid Plus contains 400mcg of folic acid. Since folic acid functions
as a coenzyme along with vitamin B12 and vitamin
C, the following nutrients have been added: Vitamin
C (120mg per tablet), Vitamin C helps form red blood
cells, aids in the prevention of hemorrhaging, and enhances fine
bone and tooth formation. Bee
pollen is rich in protein and vitamin B12.
It contains almost all of the nutrients necessary for humans. Bee pollen has
been used for assisting recovery from chronic illness, fatigue, poor memory,
sexual dysfunction, building new blood, improving endurance and vitality,
increasing longevity, inhibiting communicable diseases such as the common
cold and flu, reducing cravings and addictions and regulating intestinal
function. To order any of
these products– call Nature’s Sunshine Products on 08458 40 50 60 or the main telephone line on 01952 671600. |
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