HEALTH NEWS

by Lynne Gully

        March 2006

Improve Your Memory and Prevent Mental Illness-Part Two

In last month’s Health News I gave you some information about how a poor diet is linked to poor mental health. I had been reading Patrick Holford’s book ‘The Alzheimer’s Prevention Plan’ and had also read two studies - one published by ‘The Mental Health Foundation’ and one by ‘Sustain’, the organisation that campaigns for better food. They both reported that changes in diet over the past fifty years appear to be an important factor behind a significant rise in mental ill health in Britain. Scientific studies have linked ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), depression, Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia to junk food and the absence of essential fats, vitamins and minerals in industrialised diets.

Most people assume that our food has good nutritional value but many factors such as modern day farming, storage and transport each have a tremendous effect on the nutritional content of our food. The over processing and refining of food destroys vital nutrition. For example, refining wheat flour removes valuable nutrients including folic acid, iron, calcium, magnesium, copper and other minerals.

As a consequence of over-farming, the 1992 Earth Summit Report highlighted that there has been a 72% loss of minerals in the soils of Europe over the last 100 years. It was reported on Radio 4 last week that the decline in minerals in our food is the major cause of many degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. In one study carrots were shown to have 75% less magnesium now as compared to 50 years ago.

Many fruits and vegetables in the supermarkets may have been in cold storage for 6 to 9 months. Cold storage can have a negative impact on the nutritional value of our food. For example, one carrot was tested and found to have 1850mg of Vitamin A, whilst another was found to have only 75mg. One orange was tested and found to have 70mg of Vitamin C whilst another randomly picked orange contained only a trace. These tests highlight the nutritional inconsistency of the food we eat today and reinforce the need to fill the gaps in our diets by taking supplements.

So with this decline in minerals in our food there is little wonder that so many people have poor memories. I am constantly watching people searching for words or complaining that they can’t remember where they put certain items like keys or purses. The increase in ADHD in both children and adults is frightening. They are being prescribed the drug Ritalin to calm the hyperactivity. US doctors write two million prescriptions for ADHD drugs for children every month and one million for adults. In the UK a total of 361,832 prescriptions were written last year for Ritalin. This drug now has a “black box” warning, which is the highest-level warning that it may increase the risk of death from heart attacks. There have been 51 deaths among children and adults taking these ADHD drugs in the US since 1999. Nine children in the UK have died as there is a much smaller population taking the medication, but that’s nine too many!

Studies have shown that treating ADHD nutritionally was 18 times more effective than using Ritalin. There are four key considerations:

·         Ensure the child is taking a good sugar-free multivitamin. Watch out for children’s supplements claiming to be sugar-free which are full of artificial sweeteners such as aspartame. Nature’s Sunshine has an excellent range of children’s vitamins, which are free from artificial colours, flavours, sweeteners, starches or preservatives. Herbasaurs Chewable Vitamins – stock no 1622 or Herbasaurs Liquid Multi Vitamins with Iron - stock no 3330

·         Keep the blood sugar levels balanced. Eliminate sweet foods and drinks.

·         Check for food allergies. Most common to trigger ADHD are wheat, dairy or eggs. Cut these out of the diet for one week and see whether it makes a difference. Cut out food additives altogether but especially E102 (tartrazine) and E165 (monosodium glutamate) used in Chinese takeaway food.

·         Give the child a daily fish oil supplement. Since fish oils can be contaminated with PCBs, always choose those that have been tested. Most children cannot swallow capsules so open the capsule and put the contents onto food. Omega 3 EPA Fish Oil capsules – stock no 1609.

If you want copies of any previous newsletters you can visit my website at www.optimumhealth.co.uk

Contact Lynne at lynne.gully@optimumhealth.co.uk or tel: 0030 28920 42356

The Homocysteine Connection

The single most exciting discovery in Alzheimer’s prevention is that the amino acid homocysteine is involved in the development of the disease. Chances are you’ve never even heard of homocysteine despite over 7,000 studies now published in scientific and medical journals.

Homocysteine is a type of amino acid that can accumulate in the blood if you are not properly nourished. It can increase the risk for over 50 diseases including heart attacks, strokes, certain cancers, osteoporosis, depression and Alzheimer’s 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.

You can test your homocysteine levels at home with a test kit available from York Test Laboratories. Contact them on the freephone number 0800 0746185 or visit www.yorktest.com It involves a pinprick blood sample that you return to their lab for analysis. You may also be able to have your homocysteine level tested through your doctor.

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): Tiredness, decreasing stamina, increase in weight, physical pain such as arthritis, muscle aches or migraines, frequent colds, decrease in mental clarity, sleeping problems, declining memory, feelings of depression, two or more alcoholic drinks daily, three or more cups of coffee daily, smoking, eating red meat at least once a day or being a strict vegetarian.

A Diet to Lower Your Homocysteine Level

·         Eat less fatty meat, more fish and vegetable protein such as tofu or beans

·         Eat your greens

·         Have a clove of garlic a day or take a garlic supplement

·         Don’t add salt to your food while cooking or on the plate

·         Cut back on tea and coffee

·         Limit your alcohol

·         Reduce your stress – take up yoga

·         Stop smoking

·         Supplement a high-strength multivitamin every day.

The most powerful and quickest way to restore a normal homocysteine score, below 6 units, is to supplement the homocysteine-lowering nutrients such as vitamins B2, B6, B12, folic acid and zinc.

This diet, lifestyle and supplement plan has the potential to halve your homocysteine level in weeks.

Suggested Supplements

 to Feed the Brain

·         Mega Chel as your high potency multivitamin and mineral supplement. Mega Chel is a mega-nutrient supplement containing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and herbs designed to improve circulation, help clear arteries, reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and stimulate circulation to the brain. – Stock no 1821.

·         Antioxidant Arsenal or Super Antioxidant for an excellent supply of daily antioxidants – Stock nos 4033 and 1825.

·         Omega-3 fish oil capsules or flaxseed oil capsules - these fats are essential for normal brain function and the regulation of mood and perception. - Stock nos 1609 and 1770.

·         Lecithin – helps to rebuild brain cells and increase brain function. - Stock no 1660.

·         Ginkgo Biloba – helps to stimulate circulation to the brain and extremities. Ginkgo helps to overcome impaired mental function and short-term memory loss, depression, headaches, tinnitus, vertigo and suppressed vitality. Studies also demonstrated improvement in Alzheimer’s patients equivalent to a six-month delay in disease progression. As ginkgo is a blood-thinner do not take with daily doses of aspirin or warfarin. - Stock no 898.

·         Super Algae – contains numerous phytonutrients, which may be helpful in the treatment of degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s. –Stock no 1056.

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 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

To order Nature’s Sunshine Products – call the Order Hot Line on 08458 40 50 60 or the main telephone line on 01952 671600.