Friday, July 18, 2008 

Medicare changes don't affect cancer care: study (Reuters)

Reuters - Legislation that cut fees doctors receive for giving chemotherapy to Medicare patients has not affected care so far, researchers reported on Tuesday.

There is a popular belief that fish eaters are brainy and beautiful. In fact, it's often observed that people who live in the unpolluted coastal regions have doe shaped eyes, radiant skin and a sharp brain. Many people have researched on this occurrence and attributed the cause to the heavy intake of fish in the diet. Fresh fish diet has a lot of benefits; however for people living away from the coast, fish oil is equally beneficial. Fish oil supplements are rich in omega3 fatty acids buy bulk lutein are quite beneficial in reducing allergies, inflammation and joint pain. Docosehexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) are long chained fatty acids which cannot be found in any other source. This may be part of the reason fish oil supplements have become popular as well an increase in research.

Let's examine the advantages of taking fish oil supplements in detail:

1. Joint Pain and Inflammation: The rich omega 3 fatty acids that are in fish may control the inflammation cycle and reduce joint pains and aches.

2. Allergies: Fish oil supplements may play a great role in reducing allergies

3. Heart problems: Omega 3 fatty acids may be quite advantageous in controlling the bad cholesterol (LDL) and increasing the good cholesterol (HDL). They may also keep your arteries unclogged and therefore lead to a healthier life.

4. Heart attacks and strokes: The hectic lifestyle and increased intake of junk food increase the plaque deposit on the arterial walls. This plaque breaks loose and forms clots in the blood. These clots can either get logged in the brain or clog the heart and cause heart attack or brain stroke. Fish oil supplements may actually break up these clots before they can cause any harm.

5. Pregnant women: Researches have been looking into the possibility that women who take fish oil supplements have happier and intelligent babies. The omega 3 fatty acids also help in better concentration, logic ability and memory and recall.

6. Aging: Fish oil supplements may also help in preventing oxidation of the cells and therefore prevent aging.

7. Childhood illnesses: Fish oil supplements are also known to prevent disorders like ADHD and ADD. Children with dyslexia and OCD also benefit from these omega3 fatty acids.

Pets and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Research has also shown that for dogs Omega-3 fatty acids may be essential. Let's look a how Omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial to your pet:

1. Allergies and Autoimmune Conditions - may lessen the harmful effects these problems have on the body

2. Arthritis - may help to reduce inflammation

3. Dull and Dry Hair Coats - may help to protect the skin and coat and keep it top shape.

4. Eyes - may be beneficial in the proper development and healthy maintenance of the retina and visual cortex

6. Heart Problems - may prevent some cardiac problems

Nevertheless, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or veterinarian before you start or give your pet a fish oil supplement, especially if you or your pet is taking medicine.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. She enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please visit her omega 3 fish oil site for more information.

 

Hardwired for fat: scientists identify obesity gene (AFP)

An obese man walks through Sydney. British and French scientists have identified several variants of a single gene that boost the risk of obesity, according to a study published Sunday in the British journal Nature.(AFP/File/Greg Wood)AFP - British and French scientists have identified several variants of a single gene that boost the risk of obesity, according to a study published Sunday in the British journal Nature.

Multivitamins - who uses them? Well, you probably do, Americans spend $4,000,000,000 a year on multivitamins alone. 70 % Australians are no less keen on them, spending a tiny $2,300,000,000, and yes ... that is a ton of zeros!!

Who needs them? Well the number of people that can say that every day they honestly eat a well-balanced diet of containing lots of fruits, nuts and vegetables, whole grains, dairy, along with chicken and fish is not just low, it is merely non-existent. Of the people who think they are doing well, most do not realize the sheer quantities that have to be consumed to maintain that 'well-balanced diet'.

Okay, so almost everyone needs a multivitamin, but which one to choose? Having 30,000+ vitamins on the market presents so much choice it normally is a case of finding the bottle you think looks the nicest ... or the cheapest. After all, a vitamin is a vitamin right?

Fortunately, 7 Canadian and American biochemists have come to rescue us from our ignorance. They looked at and compared what is in each of these multivitamins by separating and measuring each ingredient - that is, vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and other components.

They put together the 'perfect' multivitamin, which actually does not exist as some vitamins needs to be taken separately and it would be the size of large chestnut, and rather difficult to swallow!

They examined how absorbable the vitamins were, whether they were in the right amounts/form and the variety of vitamins and minerals. Also looked at was having the vitamins in the right combinations for the body's needs. The score was how close each one was to that perfect multivitamin out of 100%.

In order of importance;
Nutritional Supplements %

USANA Health Sciences Essentials........................................................ 73.7
Solgar Omnium ..................................................................................... 56.5
Thorne Research Al's Formula .............................................................. 46.9
Clinicians Vitamin and Mineral Boost..................................................... 45.1
NFS Nutraceuticals Ultimate Sports buy pure l-citrulline dl-malate .............................................. 44.5
Thorne Research Basic Nutrients V ....................................................... 44.4
Thorne Research Basic Nutrients III ..................................................... 38.7
Solgar VM-2000..................................................................................... 37.9
Pharmanex Lifepak ............................................................................... 28.1
Amway NutriWay Double X ................................................................... 27.3
GNC LiveWell Women's Ultra Mega ....................................................... 26.1
Pharmanex Lifepak Women .................................................................. 25.6
BioCeuticals Multi Essentials ................................................................ 25.3
Pharmalliance OxiChel............................................................................ 24.8
Neways Orachel .................................................................................... 24.1
Solgar Formula VM-75 ........................................................................... 23.1
Radiance Multi-Power ............................................................................ 22.6
Nutra Life Active Men's Multi................................................................... 22.3
GNC LiveWell Mega Men ........................................................................ 21.2
Pharmanex Lifepak Prime ...................................................................... 21.0
Nature's Sunshine Supplemental Vitamins & Minerals............................ 20.6
Thompson's Multifort ............................................................................. 17.5
Nature's Way Mega Multi ....................................................................... 17.1
Thompson's Immunofort ........................................................................ 16.9
Nutra Life Active Women's Multi Plus ..................................................... 16.4
Eagle Tresos B PluSe ............................................................................. 16.4
Nature's Way Women's Energy Mega Multivitamin................................. 16.4
Pharm-a-Care Women's Mega Strength MultiVitamins .......................... 16.4
Bioglan Women's Complete Multi Compex ............................................ 16.4
Pretorius Women's Live Better Multi Vitamin & Mineral ......................... 16.3
Kordel's Men's Multi (without Iron) ....................................................... 15.4
Nutrition Care Formula SF88 ................................................................. 15.1
Blackmores Women's Vitality Multi ........................................................ 14.1
Metagenics Multigenics ......................................................................... 14.1
Red Seal Women's Multi......................................................................... 14.0
Nature's Own Daily Multi Peak Performance .......................................... 14.0
Manatech GlycoLEAN Catalyst ............................................................. 13.9
Natural Nutrition Mega Potency Women's Multi Vitamin with Selenium . 13.7
Nature's Sunshine Mega-Chel ............................................................... 13.5
Metagenics Multigenics Phyto Plus ........................................................ 13.5
Blackmores Women's Multi & Evening Primrose Oil ................................ 13.4
Natural Nutrition Mega Potency Fifty Plus Multi Vitamins ........................ 13.4
Blackmores Sustained Release Women's Multi Vitamins & Minerals ....... 13.3
Natural Nutrition Mega Potency Men's Multi Vitamin with Selenium ........ 13.3
Red Seal Men's Multi .............................................................................. 13.3
Pharm-a-Care Men's Mega Strength Multi-Vitamin ................................. 11.7
Bioglan Men's Complete Multi Complex .................................................. 11.6
Nature's Way Men's Energy Mega Multi-Vitamin Iron-Free ..................... 11.6
Blackmores Sustained Release Multi Vitamins and Minerals ................... 11.5
Swisse Women's Ultivite Formula 1 ........................................................ 11.5
Pluravit Time-Release Multi ..................................................................... 11.5
Thompson's Men's Multi with Antioxidants .............................................. 11.3
Herbs of Gold Executive Multi Vitamin & Mineral ...................................... 11.1
Golden Glow Senior's One-A-Day Multi .................................................... 11.1
Swisse Women's Ultivite No Iron or Iodine ............................................. 10.9
Swisse Men's Ultivite Formula 1 .............................................................. 10.8
Blackmores Sustained Release Multi Vitamins & Minerals + Selenium ..... 10.7
Melaleuca Vitality for Women .................................................................. 10.6
Reliv Now ................................................................................................ 10.4
Nature's Own Multivitamin Plus Omega 3 Fish Oil ..................................... 9.1
Avon VitAdvance Women's Complete II .................................................... 9.1
Good Health Men's Multi-Plus .................................................................... 9.1
Pharma Foods Pharma Day with Selenium ................................................ 8.7
Herbalife Formula 3 ................................................................................... 8.7
Kordel's Women's Multi Plus EPO .............................................................. 8.6
Cenovis Mega Multi ................................................................................... 8.4
Thompson's Femmefort ............................................................................. 8.3
Microgenics Mega Multivitamin .................................................................. 8.0
Melaleuca Vitality for Men ......................................................................... 7.5
Reliv Classic .............................................................................................. 7.5
Nutrition Care Formula 33SE ..................................................................... 7.4
Microgenics Women's Pro Active Multi Vitamin .......................................... 6.8
Golden Glow Super One-A-Day ................................................................. 6.7
Herron Clinical Nutrition Men's Multi-Vitamin & Minerals ............................ 6.2
Blackmores Men's Performance Multi ........................................................ 6.2
Good Health Women's Multi-Plus .............................................................. 6.0
Vitaplex Professional One a Day Multivitamin ........................................... 5.0
New Vision Essential Vitamins .................................................................. 4.7
Centrum Select 50+ ................................................................................. 4.3
Amway NutriWay Daily ............................................................................. 4.2
Microgenics Men's Essential Multivitamin .................................................. 4.1
Myadec Gold A-Z Guard ............................................................................ 4.0
Red Seal Total Multi with Minerals ............................................................ 3.9
Centrum Complete from A to Zinc ............................................................. 3.9
Cenovis 50+ Multi ..................................................................................... 3.8
Guardian Women's Multi Vitamins & Minerals............................................. 3.6
Herron Clinical Nutrition One-a-Day Women's Multi-Vitamns & Minerals ... 3.6
Cenovis Multivitamin and Minerals............................................................. 3.4
Amcal One-A-Day....................................................................................... 3.3
Berocca Performance ................................................................................ 3.2
Healtheries Women's Multi (AU) ................................................................ 3.2
Cenovis Women's Multi ............................................................................. 3.1
Nature's Own Daily Multi Essentials .......................................................... 3.1
Pluravit Women ......................................................................................... 3.1
Golden Glow Women's One-a-Day Multi .................................................... 3.1
Blackmores Multi + Gingko for 55+ ............................................................ 3.0
Pluravit 50 Plus ......................................................................................... 3.0
Healtheries Women's Multi (NZ) ................................................................ 2.7
Hivita LiquiVita ........................................................................................... 2.6
Red Seal One-a-Day Multi & Minerals ......................................................... 2.6
Amcal Multivitamin & Mineral Effervescent................................................... 2.6
Golden Glow Men's One-a-Day Multi .......................................................... 2.5
Bioglan Daily Plus Max ............................................................................... 2.5
Cenovis Men's Multi ................................................................................... 2.5
Myadec Multivitamins and Minerals ............................................................ 2.4
Nature's Own Multivitamin & Mineral .......................................................... 2.4
Herron Clinical Nutrition All-in-One Multi-Vitamin & Mineral ......................... 2.1
Guardian Multi Vitamins & Minerals Hi Potency ........................................... 2.1
Advocare Macro-Mineral Complex ............................................................... 1.1

A staggering 50 out of the total 110 multivitamins did not even reach 10% and only the top 11 multivitamins were above 25% of what the human body needs on a daily basis.

The popular supermarket brands all featured below 10% possibly due to being forced to compete on price with other supermarkets. The downside for you, means the product you take every day is a hugely inferior supplement.

In other words, you get what you pay for. In some cases ignorance is bliss, in others it is a big wakeup call. My father has taken supplements for many years before and after he developed cancer and never once questioned the quality of what he was consuming. After reading this, he too, wondered why he ever thought not to research something so important to his health, when he did such a great job of researching anything else that he bought.

My advice, choose a multivitamin that is backed by a great company with a good reputation and do not just buy any old vitamin because of the price. You would be better off spending the money on something else.

For more information on the worlds leading supplement contact;

Daniel Tolmie - Nutritional Expert
Phone: (usa) (561)283 4498 or 6421677041
Email: daniel.tolmie@gmail.com