An Ancient Spice, Cinnamon, Improves Glucose and Lipid Levels  NNFA Today, Volume 18, No. 9/September 2004 Persons with type 2 diabetes have an incidence of cardiovascular disease that is two-to four-fold than that of persons without this disease.  The role of diet in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular disease is clear; however, the specific dietary components involved are not.  This article discusses the effects of cinnamon consumption on blood glucose and lipid concentration.  It has been postulated that spices may benefit patients with type 2 diabetes.  Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.), cloves For more information on nutrients that are helpful to diabetics see Diabetiks food supplement.

Pain may be related to Vitamin D Deficiency  "Researchers found that 93 percent of 150 participants who complained of nonspecific body aches were vitamin D deficient.."  Do you hurt all over? Researchers at the University of Minnesota say you might feel better if you drank more milk and enjoyed a bit more sunshine. By Tom Majeski, Pioneer Press 12-9-3.

The discovery is important because as many as 20 percent of U.S. adults experience chronic pain. Of those, about nine in 10 report some degree of long- or short-term disability.

Iron Beats Fatigue in Women  Non-anaemic women with unexplained fatigue may benefit from iron supplementation, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal (2003, vol.326:1124).  Researchers randomly assigned 136 women between the ages of 18-55 either 80 milligrams of iron or placebo daily for four weeks.  Fatigue levels were similar in both groups at the start of the study.  At the end of one month, the level of fatigue decreased 29 percent in the group taking iron compared with a 13 percent decrease in the placebo group.  The researchers added that this effect may, however, be restricted to women with low or borderline blood concentrations of iron.  (Note we do not include iron in our formulas.  If you do need iron, it is best to take it between meals with a cracker, because it impedes the absorption of other nutrients.)

Probiotics Help Destroy Stomach Invader  Taking a probiotics supplement improved a conventional therapy’s ability to eradicate Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacteria that causes peptic ulcers and stomach cancer.  The report was published in the September issue of Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics (vol.  16, No.  9:  1669-1675).  One hundred sixty H. pylori-infected subjects were randomly put on a conventional antibiotic therapy or the therapy combined with yogurt supplements containing live lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, two probiotics.  After eight weeks, the group taking the yogurt-antibiotic combination had a somewhat higher rate of H. pylori eradication than the antibiotic-only group.  The findings suggest that taking probiotics supplements can help people better tolerate the conventional treatment. (Note probiotics are important ingredients in our PowerVites, PowerMate, Diabetiks, PowerSleep and Sunnie.)

Gingko Reduces Severity of Altitude Sickness Taking standardized preparations of gingko biloba one day prior to rapid exposure to moderate or high altitudes can safely reduce the severity of acute mountain sickness (AMS), also known as altitude sickness.  A study published in the November 1, 2002 issue of High Altitude Medicine and Biology (vol. 3, No. 1: 29-37) examined 26 participants in Hawaii.  They received 180 milligrams of either gingko or placebo 24 hours before being driven from sea level to the peak of Mauna Kea (13, 650 feet).  While the gingko group did not experience a reduction in frequency of AMS, they did have much less severe AMS.  In addition, the gingko group did not experience the severe side effects associated with conventional preventative treatments (Diamox®-a diuretic and Decadron®-a steroid).    (Note Gingko is included in our PowerMate and Sunnie formulas) 

Should you really be afraid of the SARS  (a Corona Virus).  Leonard G. Horowitz, D.M.D., M.A., M.P.H makes a case for treating it as any other serious flu.  Take his SARS Quiz: to Test Your Level of Intelligence

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