A recent article in Vital Choice discussed several journal findings on the relation between omega 3 intake and psychotic symptoms. In one recent study, the author reports:
"Long-chain omega-3s reduce the risk of progression to psychotic disorder ... in young people with sub-threshold psychotic states ... omega-3s may offer a viable prevention and treatment strategy ..." (Amminger GP et al. 2009)
The researchers randomly assigned the volunteers to receive a daily placebo (coconut oil) capsules or supplements of fish oil containing 1.2 grams of omega-3s, including 700 mg of EPA and 480 mg of DHA. The participants took the supplements or placebo for 12 weeks, and were followed for one year. After 12 months, only 4.9 percent of the omega-3 group (two out of 41) had progressed to full-blown psychotic disorder, compared with 27.5 percent (11 of 40) in the placebo group. In other words, compared to placebo, supplementation with fish oil appeared to reduce the risk that at-risk youths would progress to "full threshold psychosis" within a year by one-fifth to one-quarter (22.6 percent).
Prior research has deomnstarted that schizophrenic patients had significantly lower levels of omega 3s in their cell membranes as compared to controls. It seems omega 3s have the benefit of favorably affecting the cell membrane for more effecient neurotransmission. They also increase the availability of the antioxidant glutathione and the key neurotransmitter glutamate.
Make sure to click on the article for additional reference sources!
Another Key to Optimal Mental Functioning to keep in mind (pun intended):
Exercise: According to the Archives of Internal Medicine, "Twelve months of once-weekly or twice-weekly resistance training benefited the executive cognitive function of selective attention and conflict resolution among senior women." Another study in the same journal, concluded, "Moderate or high physical activity is associated with a reduced incidence of cognitive impairment after 2 years in a large population-based cohort of elderly subjects." What to Avoid for Optimal Brain Power: The use of artificial sweeteners has caused a great debate in health care. According to AAHON, "scientists disagree about the relationships between sweeteners and lymphomas, leukemias, cancers of the bladder and brain, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, autism, and systemic lupus. Recently these substances have received increased attention due to their effects on glucose regulation."
More information available on my recent blog on artificial sweeteners at my main website.
A recent article published in The Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrated the beneficial effect of constituents in green tea on attention span in adults. Specifically, participants in this study who consumed a combination of l-theanine and caffeine vs those who received placebo, scored higher in attention tasks. Furthermore, brain imaging results showed these substances had a tonic effect to visual modulation, suggesting greater visual accuracy.
L-theanine is an analog amino acid to glutamine. It has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and is generally believed to have a calming effect. According to drugs.com, " L-theanine may help relieve stress by inducing a relaxing effect without drowsiness. L-theanine as been shown to promote the generation of alpha-brain waves, an index of relaxation. It may also boost natural resistance to microbial infections and perhaps even tumors. Researchers suggest further isolating and refining L-theanine from tea to use it as a drug to boost the infection defense of the body. Although limited, there is clinical evidence to support these claims". Due to the fact that stress has been shown to negatively affect neuronal cells in the brain, this relaxing effect may explain the benefit of L-theanine in potentiating attention span.
What about caffeine? Caffeine is a xanthine alkaloid. It acts as a mild stimulant to the brain. According to Science Daily, caffeine may impede brain circulation while increasing alterness through stimulation of higher brain wave patterns.
In combination, l-theanine and caffeine may produce a synergistic effect. Caffeine's stimulating and brain modulating effects are combined with the calming effect of L-theanine to increase attention span.
L-theanine and caffeine are only two of many different constituents present in green tea. Studying only a few substances of an herbal remedy never gives the full, synergistic picture. Green tea has also been researchered for it's ability to modify inflammation via its polyphenol content and to inhibit inflammation through its potent antioxidant properties.
Just a note of caution relating to high caffeine intake is warranted before I close- as it may induce inflammation. According to a researcher from National Institute of Health, "it has been known for many years that caffeine interferes with the adenosine receptor. If, in fact, adenosine receptors are needed for effective inflammation control, anything that hinders their function might impair the body's ability to regulate inflammation."
References: The modifying effects of green tea polyphenols on acute colitis and inflammation-associated colon carcinogenesis in male ICR mice. Kim M, Murakami A, Miyamoto S, Tanaka T, Ohigashi H. Biofactors. 2010 Jan 27.
Green Tea Polyphenols Prevent UV-Induced Immunosuppression by Rapid Repair of DNA Damage and Enhancement of Nucleotide Excision Repair Genes. Katiyar SK, Vaid M, van Steeg H, Meeran SM. Cancer Prev Res (Phila Pa). 2010 Jan 26. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 20103727
Antioxidant potential of tea reduces arsenite induced oxidative stress in Swiss albino mice. Sinha D, Roy S, Roy M. Food Chem Toxicol. 2010 Jan 19.
Oplinger, A. Dampening the Flames: Inflammation Control Mechanism Determined. NIH News. 2001.
And what about coffee??
According to Dr. Mercola: Most people are not aware that regular coffee consumption can be a significant source of pesticides. According to the CS Monitor, conventional farmers apply up to 250 pounds of chemical fertilizers per acre!
Pesticides contribute to a wide range of health problems, including prostate and other types of cancers, Parkinson's disease, and miscarriages in pregnant women.
So when you sip on your non-organic morning brew, you are also sipping on pesticide residues. Further, the U.S. has limited input and control over the type and quantity of pesticides used in the countries from which we import.
Since the vast majority of coffee, both organic and non-organic, consumed in the U.S. is grown outside this country, a return to non-organic farming of coffee beans in Latin America means a return to heavy use of pesticides.
Other adverse affects of coffee include increasing blood pressure, raising cholesterol and insulin, damaging metabolism, increasing risk for osteoporosis, interfering with nutrient absorption, and affecting hormone levels.
My thoughts: Some studies do exhibit some potential benefits to coffee. Therefore, as with everything, listen to your body, use common sense, and be informed. If you are going to drink coffee, do yourself and your liver a favor- purchase fair trade organic.
 Many of the women (by women I mean those over the age of 35 -- maybe even 40) who come to see me for a facial treatment have never had one before. Ladies: We have to realize that taking care of ourselves enables us to be better caretakers and that we can't wake up at 59 and want to make up for all the years that we didn't do anything to help ourselves! After the facial, these same women are amazed how different they feel. The benefits of having a facial go way beyond the idea of pampering. These benefits include:
1. Increased liquid tissue flow, i.e. blood, to the facial skin which brings nourishment and takes away toxins and debris.
2. Deep cleansing of the pores boosts the skin's ability to take in hydration and vitamins and also helps the pores to remain smaller and tighter. Think of it this way: the pore is like a grocery bag. When empty, it's flat. When it's filled, it's stretched out to it's largest size and then can't fit anything more in it -- no matter how good it is for you.
3. Deep exfoliation aids in exposing newer cells and that makes our skin look bright and healthy.
4. All of the above plus facial massage aids in the body's production of elastin and collagen, which helps with the skin's aging process. Elastin is responsible for the skin's elasticity and collagen plumps the tissues, allowing for firmness.
5. Time on the table equals destressing down time and helps us to feel better.
If you can manage it, it's a good idea to have a professional facial every 4 - 6 weeks. If you can't, try to have one at least once per season. What's more -- if you've never had a facial before and you mention this article, I'll give you a $10 gift certificate towards that first facial to get your started!
Acne, still prevalent after all the skin care research available today, is a troubling and oftentimes difficult problem to cure.
It's important to deal with this skin disorder as soon as you can as it can proliferate and cause even more problems like scarring, hyperpigmentation and distended pores -- not to mention a systemic infection if left untreated.
Here are a few tips that I offer my clients:
First, the don'ts :)
Don't Touch That!
Most importantly, keep your hands away from your face. Picking will not help the situation, in fact, it will worsen it. Your fingers touch a lot of things, like doorknobs, that are literally teeming with bacteria. Combine this with an open wound and you're in hot water. This is especially important for people in school and those who go to the gym.
Suggestion? Wash your hands when you can and certainly when you get home. Try carrying hand sanitizer in your school or gym bag.
Hang That Hat Out to Dry
That's right -- hats that sit on your forehead, like baseball caps, collect sweat and other debris. Wash that hat -- or replace it periodically.
Bang Thang
If you have oily hair and/or oily skin and breakouts on your forehead, try pulling your hair back whenever you can to give your forehead a rest.
Scrap the Scrub
Scrubs are not a good idea for people who have acne. Those abrasives are stimulating your skin [read: oil glands] and causing more sebum to be generated. Definitely not wanted. Also, if you're using a scritchy scrub it can cause micro tears in your skin that can allow the bacteria that's being moved around to invade new places.
Left Out to Dry
Oftentimes, acne sufferers will try to dry out their skin, thinking that this will inhibit oil production. Actually, it can have the opposite effect. Skin needs hydration, so when you over dry your skin, guess what happens? That's right, your skin makes more oil, so you dry it out again, and it produces more, and so on and so forth...
Bar the Bar
Forget bar soap which can harbor and spread bacteria. Go for liquid soap instead.
Not So Hot
Long, hot showers are definitely not a good choice for acne sufferers. The heat can excite your oil glands causing greater production.
Now, some good choices: :)
Pro Anti
Try using an antibacterial cleanser. For those of you who are organically minded, lavendar and tea tree oil are both antibacterial agents, so you can find cleansers with those ingredients. I stock an excellent cleanser by Farmaesthetics.
Get Professional Help
Seek out your local aesthetician who will be able to help you care for your skin properly. An aesthetician has many tools to help you break the break out cycle, can exfoliate and cleanse your pores in a way which is not possible at home, and can differentiate different types of acne so that you can be directed to a dermatologist if need be.
Your skin, like the rest of you, is intelligent and can be rejuvenated. Reach out for help and you will find answers. Most aestheticians will be happy to offer you a complimentary consultation to answer your questions. Seek and you shall find. The reward? Your own beautiful smile.
Yet another week zoomed by.
Meeting saratoga.com's own Jennifer Van Scoy of Mannix Marketing, web genies of saratoga.com (amongst a host of others!), was a highlight of this week. She is smart and helpful and beautiful. She absolutely shines.
I enjoyed spending time with (and finally meeting!) the very pregnant and effervescent Lizzie Sorensen, co-creator of Saratoga Mama. Wishing her a wonderful delivery!
A big thank you to Elizabeth Woodbuy Kasius, who gifted me with her cd Water Music. It's beautiful and I've been enjoying listening to it in my treatment room.
There was a wolf moon this week, though I haven't had a chance to look that up yet. What in the world did we ever do before the web and sites like wikipedia? Yes, I'm old enough to remember begrudgingly going to the library for school projects... And who remembers encyclopedia salesmen? Yikes!
On a different note, I find that I am more and more drawn to working with product that is entirely natural, if not organic. So many of us have sensitivities; I myself am dealing with an allergy issue -- so my feeling is: why add more chemicals to the mix when we have so many other stressors to our systems in our food, air, water, etc.? I want to thank Living Well's own Dr. Sarah, who is tirelessly working with me to break the flare-up cycle.
So, here I sit, with coffee in hand and a few minutes of time to write and reflect before I start work on a busy Saturday filled with lash extension touchups, facials and waxing.
Have a wonderful weekend!
The Environmental Impact of Our HealthBased on the article from Integrative Practitioner: Breast Cancer and the Environment & Environmental Policy by Susan Luck There exists approximately 100,000 synthetic chemicals registered for commercial use in the world today, with several thousand new ones being formulated every year. Many of these chemicals have not been tested for human safety prior to approval. The release of the CDC's Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals concluded that most Americans carry approximately a 150 chemical body burden. Studies are now linking these chemicals to several disease pathologies including Alzheimer's, ADHD, Diabetes, and Hormonal imbalances as well as infertility. Furthermore, it has been suggested that the increase in the amount of cancers may be due in part to increased levels of exposure to these substances. Once substance known as BPA, found widely in plastics, has been linked to breast cancer in women. Global Research estimates that up to 50% of breast cancer may be related to endogenous and exogenous estrogen exposure from BPA and several other substances acting as endocrine disruptors. This not only affects hormonal cancers, but has a profound effect on the youth. Recent reports continue to determine that critical windows of susceptibility in early life exist. This means that a risk for deterimental genetic expression later in life increases with earlier exposure. Compounding matters is the decrease in nutritional value of our food, which contains potent phytonutrients aiding the body's detoxification measures. Without proper nutrients, the body is not strong enough to rebuild and detoxify.
For these reasons, I include a comprehensive history detailing a nutritional assessment, environmental exposure history, and lifestyle factors with every patient. It is becoming more and more evident in healthcare that environmental exposure histories must be implemented when assessing the cause of any illness. Please Review my links on my homepage for links to references of this article located on left hand side. The full report from the Environmental Working Group is posted under Physician's Resources, The Effect of GMOs, Personal Care Product Ratings, Why to Eat Organic, and EMFs are found under Resources.
Follow up article on Breast Cancer and Risk Factors from Cornell University: There has been growing interest in whether environmental factors, including exposures to certain chemicals or changes in lifestyle, may increase the risk of breast cancer. This fact sheet will discuss research linking environmental chemicals and the risk of breast cancer. This will include exposures of concern in the home and workplace, and chemicals known to cause mammary (breast tumors) in laboratory animals. The fact sheet will also discuss new emerging data on how exposures to certain chemicals early in life may affect breast development and breast cancer risk, as well as new work identifying important gene-environmental interactions. Current challenges and new avenues of research also will be discussed. Established risk factors only partially explain breast cancer risk Risk factors consistently associated with a higher breast cancer risk are called "established" risk factors. Established risk factors include getting older, having regular menstrual periods earlier, going through menopause later in life, having a first child late in life, not having any children, having a mother or sister with breast cancer, past exposure of breasts to ionizing radiation, or having certain types of benign breast disease. But these factors explain only about 25 to 50% of breast cancer cases (Madigan et al., JNCI vol. 87, pp. 1681-1685, 1987; Rockhill et al., Am. J. Epidemiol., vol. 147, pp. 826-833, 1998). Headings related to breast cancer include: Pesticide exposure, breast cancer risk on farms, organochlorine pesticide exposurer (DDT), Animal studies and linkages to cancer, endocrine disruptor (xenoestrogens), chemicals (DES), genes and environmental factors, examples of chemicals that cause breast tumors in animals and more references.
Exercise Helps Fight off Dementia
One recent study in Eurekalert looked at the effects of exercise in 29 individuals who were determined to have mild cognitive impairment. These patients were randomly assigned to either a high intensity aerobic exercise group or a control group and followed for 6 months. According to the researchers, "Six months of a behavioral intervention involving regular intervals of increased heart rate was sufficient to improve cognitive performance for an at-risk group without the cost and adverse effects associated with most pharmaceutical therapies."
The results were even more pronounced in women, which may be explained by the affect exercise has on insulin, glucose, and stress hormones.
Another study reported in Time followed 749 rural Italians over age 65. The results showed that those exercised moderatley decreased the probability of developing vascular dementia over those with little or no exercise.
The study's authors suggest that, "exercise lowers the risk for cerebrovascular disease by increasing blood flow to the brain; exercise may also enhance the brain's ability to build "functional reserves" against damage by building elasticity in synapses and decreasing the secretion of stress hormones that negatively impact brain tissue."
It is important to note that this study provided only a correlational link, not a causation link. This means that those who exercise also tend to exhibit healthier lifestyle patterns, such as stress management and nutritional diets. Therefore, the authors recommend regular exercise in conjunction with healthy lifestyle patterns for the best effect on your brain.
Foods To Protect Your Brain:
Blueberries help with memory, according to a study in Agricultural and Food Chemistry. The researchers investigated the memory performance in older adults with early memory impairment who consumed wild blueberry juice vs.a control group. The results showed improved performance on various memory tasks. "Blueberries contain polyphenolic compounds, most prominently anthocyanins, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, anthocyanins have been associated with increased neuronal signaling in brain centers, mediating memory function as well as improved glucose disposal, benefits that would be expected to mitigate neurodegeneration."
Another similar study showed the same beneficial effects of these potent phytochemicals in foods using concord grapes.
Besides heart and brain health, fish oil has another important benefit - it has powerful liver supporting properties! According to a report in the Vital Choice newsletter:
Now, a new analysis suggests that fish-derived omega-3s can help prevent and reverse fatty liver disorder. And it shows that fish fats can improve insulin sensitivity in people with the increasingly common condition, thereby discouraging diabetes.
Fatty liver disease occurs when more than 10% of liver weight becomes fat. It affects 25% of Americans and 75% of the obese population.
Fat deposition in the liver is accelerated by consuming fructose and alcohol. Neither of these substances can be as effectively utilized for energy. Instead, most of their conversion in the liver results in elevated fatty acid production. This creates elevated triglycerides, LDLs, lipid deposits, and insulin resistance.
Soda and fruit juice are the biggest contributors to American fructose consumption. An Israeli study demonstrated the connection between these two drinks and fatty liver.
Below are some of their findings: A team based at Ziv Medical Center in Haifa reported that people who drink more than one liter (about four cups) of sweetened beverages daily were five times more likely to develop fatty liver.
Overall, the participants diagnosed with fatty liver consumed five times more sugars from soft drinks, compared to the healthy subjects. Seven percent of the fatty liver patients consumed one soft drink per day, 55 percent consumed two or three sweet drinks per day, and 38 percent averaged more than four soft drinks per day.
The good news: Fish oil can protect the liver because it has been shown to improve triglyceride levels, increase insulin sensitivity, and decrease inflammation. However, caution is warranted to popping a few fish oil pills and chugging them down with soda pop. Supplementation of a healthy lifestyle is the best method to address the cause of a chronic condition and to prevent further degeneration. More Reads on the Danger of Fructose:
Summary: Fructose=fats, it shuts down hormonal regulation of appetite in the brain, depletes energy reserve, increases insulin resistance, and contributes to fatty liver!
Coming Clean (OCA)
Organic Consumers Association to Protect From Organic Fraud (Excerpted from Newsletter)
Hate to break it to you, but these so-called "organic" personal care products aren't really organic and actually contain hazardous ingredients that would never be allowed in products certified to USDA organic standards.
Yesterday, the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), along with certified organic personal care brands Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, Intelligent Nutrients, and Organic Essence, filed a complaint with the USDA National Organic Program (NOP), requesting an investigation into the widespread and blatantly deceptive labeling practices of leading so-called "Organic" personal care brands, in violation of USDA NOP regulations.
The complaint, filed on behalf of the estimated 50 million regular consumers of organic products, argues that products such as liquid soaps, body washes, facial cleansers, shampoos, conditioners, moisturizing lotions, lip balms, make-up and other cosmetic products produced by 12 different corporations have been advertised, labeled and marketed as "Organic" or "Organics" when, in fact, the products are not "Organic" as understood by the average health and environmental-minded organic consumer.
BOYCOTT THESE FAKE "ORGANIC" BRANDS
Click on the links below to be taken to each brand's entry in the Environmental Working Group's Cosmetics Safety Review Database where you'll find a hazard score for each product and ingredient.
Avalon "Organics"
Desert Essence "Organics"
Earth's Best "Organic"
Eminence "Organic Skin Care"
Giovanni "Organic Hair Care"
Goodstuff "Organics"
Head "Organics"
Jason "Pure, Natural & Organic"
Kiss My Face "ObsessivelyOrganic"
Nature's Gate "Organics"
Physicians Formula "Organic" Wear
Stella McCartney "100% Organic"
BUY THESE CERTIFIED USDA ORGANIC BRANDS:
In my research, I have found some therapeuitc grade, professional, products which go beyond what you can purchase at a store. At our clinic we use "Beyond Organic" products such as Young Living Essential Oils, and Pharmaceutical grade products selected for the individual's specific skin care needs, carried by LW, and available by Reisa (Reisa has a passion for quality. She's to skin care quality what I am to supplement quality!)
Below are other products that are certified organic and some such as Mercola and Dr. Bronner's deserve star ratings as well!
Alteya Organics
Baby Bear Shop
Badger
Brittanie's Thyme
Bubble and Bee Organic
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps
Earth Mama Angel Baby
Indian Meadow Herbals
Intelligent Nutrients
Kimberly Parry Organics
Little Angel
Mercola
Miessence Certified Organics
Nature's Paradise
OGmama and OGbaby
Organicare
Organic Essence
Origins Organics
Purely Shea
Rainwater Organic Lotion
Rose Tattoo Aftercare
SoCal Cleanse
Sensibility Soaps/Nourish
Terressentials
Trillium Organics
Vermont Soap
YEAH for Salmon (Vital Choice)
Astaxanthin, a member of the carotenoid family, is commonly found in brightly colored vegetables, such as carrots and leafy greens. However, this pigment is also found in certain seafoods and is credited for giving these fish it's pinkish hue. Most of the research touts astaxanthin as a potent antioxidant, which makes it beneficial in inflammatory conditions.
There are also other known benefits of astaxanthin, such as its ability to: Lower triglycerides and fatty oxidation of LDL Ease in Blood flow and lower Blood pressure And....aid in weight loss!
According to VitalChoice: ... recently published results of a Japanese clinical study link astaxanthin to improvements in key markers for cardiovascular health ... and they support earlier indications that it boosts a hormone that deters accumulation of highly unhealthful belly fat (Yoshida H et al. 2009). (AKA increased levels of adiponectin)
In a recent study, omega 3 fatty acids were said to be important in gene regulation of liver cells; therefore, positvely affecting Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). An abstract from Ailimentary Pharmacology and Toxicology concluded the following on fish oil: Omega-3 fatty acids are a promising treatment for NAFLD which require to be tested in randomised placebo controlled trials.
For more updated information on natural health, be sure to check my latest top headings in January on my webpage!
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Reisa Mehlman
Dr. Sarah Lobisco
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