Blog Archives

Premium Malaysian palm oil fulfills the needs of millennial moms

The millennial generation wields immense buying power. According to the United States Census Bureau, this group is now the largest living generation. (Sorry, baby boomers.) Millennials, those born between 1982 and 2000, also have significantly different buying habits than previous generations. When shopping for food, millennial often consider the manufacturer’s social responsibility, nutrition as well as convenience. That’s one reason why products made with Malaysian certified sustainable palm oil can be so appealing to this demographic. This premium oil fulfills their needs on many levels.

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Ovarian Damages Produced by Aerosolized Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Pollution in Mice: Possible Protective Medications and Mechanisms.

Gai HF, An JX, Qian XY, Wei YJ, Williams JP, Gao GL.

Chin Med J (Engl). 2017 Jun 20;130(12):1400-1410. doi: 10.4103/0366-6999.207472.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Ambient aerosol fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with male reproductive toxicity in experiments and may have adverse effects in the female. However, studies evaluating the protective effects and precise mechanisms of aspirin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, or ozone against toxic effects of PM2.5are sparse. This study was conducted to investigate the possible protective effects and mechanisms of aspirin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, or ozone on fertility in female mice treated with PM2.5.

METHODS:

Eighty-four ICR mice were divided into six groups: control group, PM2.5group, PM2.5 + aspirin group, PM2.5 + Vitamin C group, PM2.5 + Vitamin E group, and PM2.5 + ozone group. PM2.5was given by intratracheal instillation every 2 days for 3 weeks. Aspirin, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E were given once a day by oral gavage for 3 weeks, and ozone was administered by intraperitoneal injection once a day for 3 weeks. The levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blotting analysis was used to analyze the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 in ovaries. Changes in histological structure were examined by light microscope and electron microscopy was used to detect ultramicrostructure.

RESULTS:

The results demonstrated that PM2.5 decreased AMH levels (P < 0.001); however, aspirin (P < 0.001), Vitamin C (P < 0.001), Vitamin E (P = 0.001), and ozone (P = 0.002) alleviated the decrease. Changes of IL-6, TNF-α, 8-OHdG, Bax/Bcl-2, and caspase-3 in PM2.5group were increased compared to control group (P < 0.001), while in PM2.5 + aspirin, PM2.5 + Vitamin C, PM2.5 + Vitamin E, and PM2.5 + ozone groups, they were statistically decreased compared to PM2.5group (P < 0.001 or P< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

PM2.5cause the damage of ovaries, and aspirin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and ozone antagonizes the damage. The protective mechanism is probably due to its ability to blunt the inflammatory and oxidative stress caused by PM2.5, which subsequently suppressing the expression of apoptotic regulatory protein and reducing the incidence of ovary apoptosis.

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Overtired? Your Fatigue Causes May Be Rooted in These 3 Nutritional Deficiencies

It’s not surprising that nutrient deficiencies are fatigue causes, given that your body’s trillions of cells rely on vitamins and minerals to generate energy. What is surprising is that few doctors recognize the fact that fatigue and lacking energy is often an early symptom of multiple vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Many health care providers also ignore the well-documented fact that lack of vitamins and minerals is a surprisingly common malady. This is true even in the developed world, where we are known as the “overfed but undernourished.”

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Many tocopherols, one vitamin E.

Azzi A.

Mol Aspects Med. 2017 Jun 17. pii: S0098-2997(17)30041-9. doi: 10.1016/j.mam.2017.06.004. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

Four tocopherols are available in nature and are absorbed with the diet, but only one RRR-α-tocopherol satisfies the criteria of being a vitamin. The biological activity of the different tocopherols studied in the rat by the resorption-gestation test has been inconsistently extrapolated to human beings where the tocopherols have no influence on a successful pregnancy. Diminution of RRR-α-tocopherol intake results in diseases characterized by ataxia, whose pathogenetic mechanism, despite vigorous claims, has not been clarified. The calculation of the Daily Reference Intake (DRI), necessary to prevent disease, is based on an obsolete test, the peroxide-induced erythrocyte hemolysis, called the gold standard, but of highly questioned validity. If many epidemiological studies have given positive results, showing prevention by high vitamin E containing diets of cardiovascular events, neurodegenerative disease, macular degeneration and cancer, the clinical confirmatory intervention studies were mostly negative. On the positive side, besides preventing vitamin E deficiency diseases, vitamin E has shown efficacy as anti-inflammatory and immune boosting compound. It has also shown some efficacy in protecting against nonalcoholic hepato-steatosis. At a molecular level, vitamin E and some of its metabolites have shown capacity of regulating cell signaling and modulating gene transcription.

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NBC viewers learn to boost their energy naturally with palm oil

Media Buzz: I went on the NBC lifestyle program, San Antonio Living, to talk about natural ways to boost your energy.

One way to boost your energy is by eating good-for-you fats. We need omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in our diet for brain, skin, heart and joint health. Usually we think of fish or olive oil as way to get these essential nutrients. But other sources include nuts, seeds, avocados and Malaysian palm fruit oil.

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Inflammatory and oxidative stress markers as indicator of atherogenesis in rats: antioxidants as preventive pharmacological methods.

Del Carmen Baez M, Tarán M, de La Paz Scribano M, Balceda A, Buonanotte C, Blencio S, Fonseca I, Moya M.

Antiinflamm Antiallergy Agents Med Chem. 2017 Jun 16. doi: 10.2174/1871523016666170616121133. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

The oxidative process in atherogenesis generated by proinflammatory induction and response to antioxidants vitamins in an experimental model were analyzed.

METHODS:

Male rats were used: (A)Control, (B)Control+vitamin E plus C, (C)Hyperfibrinogenemia and (D)Hyperfibrinogenemia+vitamins E plus C. Hyperfibrinogenemia induced by daily injection of adrenaline (0.1mg/day/rat) for 120 days.

TREATMENT:

3.42 mg/kg of vitamin E plus 2.14 mg/kg of vitamin C, fifteen days after induction. Vascular histology analyzed by optical microscopy. Fibrinogen, nitrites and superoxide dismutase(SOD) analyzed by spectrophotometry.

STATISTICS:

MANOVA, Hotelling test for post testing, significance level p<0.05.

RESULTS:

(C) group showed higher fibrinogen than (A) and (B)(p<0.001). Compared to (C) group, (D) showed a decrease of fibrinogen(p<0.001). A marked increase in nitrites was found in (C) versus (A), (B) and (D) groups(p<0.001). SOD activity increased in (C) group compared to groups (A) and (B) (p<0.001). In the group (D) an increase of the activity of this enzyme was observed in comparison to groups (C)(p<0.001), (A) and (B) (p<0.0001 in both). The (C) group shown endothelial denudation, thickening of the vascular intima and extracellular matrix enlargement with foam cells(p<0.001).

CONCLUSION:

These results strongly suggest that vitamins E plus C produce regression of inflammatory and oxidative stress processes in this experimental model.

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Vitamin E antagonizes ozone-induced asthma exacerbation in Balb/c mice through the Nrf2 pathway.

Duan L, Li J, Ma P, Yang X, Xu S.

Food Chem Toxicol. 2017 Jun 15;107(Pt A):47-56. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2017.06.025. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

Millions of people are regularly exposed to ozone, a gas known to contribute significantly to worsening the symptoms of patients with asthma. However, the mechanisms underlying these ozone exacerbation effects are not fully understood. In this study, we examined the exacerbation effect of ozone in OVA-induced asthma mice and tried to demonstrate the protective mechanism of vitamin E (VE). An asthma mouse model was established, and used to identify the exacerbating effects of ozone by assessing cytokine and serum immunoglobulin concentrations, airway leukocyte infiltration, histopathological changes in lung tissues, and airway hyper-responsiveness. We then determined the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulated, the extent to which VE induced ROS elimination, and examined the antagonistic effects of VE on the ozone-induced exacerbating effects. This study showed that 1-ppm ozone exposure could exacerbate OVA-induced asthma in mice. More importantly we found that ozone induced oxidative stress in asthmatic airways may lead to the inhibition of Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and may subsequently induce even more exaggerated oxidative stress associated with asthma exacerbation. Through VE induced Nrf2 activation and the subsequent increase in Nrf2 target protein expression, this study suggests a novel mechanism for alleviating ozone exacerbated asthma symptoms.

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SUN’S OUT, SUPPLEMENTS OUT

As the days grow longer, the sun hotter and the hours spent outside more plentiful, it’s important to know which supplements to take to keep your body functioning in the heat. A study published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine found that vitamin C and vitamin E supplements can help protect skin against harmful ultraviolet radiation. This means less DNA damage, fewer sunburns and decreased risk of skin cancer. However, to reap the shielding benefits of these vitamins, these supplements must be taken together. Only taking vitamin C can increase immune function, and vitamin E on its own is an antioxidant that takes out potentially damaging free radicals. But if you want to enjoy the anti-ultraviolet effects of these supplements, it’s critical to take them both.

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Alzheimer Disease: Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Therapies for Cognitive and Functional Symptoms.

Epperly T, Dunay MA, Boice JL.

Am Fam Physician. 2017 Jun 15;95(12):771-778.

Abstract

Alzheimer disease comprises a syndrome of progressive cognitive and functional decline. Treatments should target cognitive and functional symptoms. Cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, and a combination of a cholinesterase inhibitor and memantine have produced statistically significant but clinically small delays in various domains of cognitive and functional decline in select patients with Alzheimer disease. Vitamin E has been shown to delay functional decline in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease, especially when taken in combination with a cholinesterase inhibitor. Structured programs of physical exercise improve physical function and reduce rates of neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with mild to severe Alzheimer disease. Cognitive stimulation programs show benefit in maintenance of cognitive function and improved self-reported quality of life in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease.

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Vitamin E Modifies High-Fat Diet-Induced Increase of DNA Strand Breaks, and Changes in Expression and DNA Methylation of Dnmt1 and MLH1 in C57BL/6J Male Mice.

Remely M, Ferk F, Sterneder S, Setayesh T, Kepcija T, Roth S, Noorizadeh R, Greunz M, Rebhan I, Wagner KH, Knasmüller S, Haslberger A.

Nutrients. 2017 Jun 14;9(6). pii: E607. doi: 10.3390/nu9060607.

Abstract

Obesity is associated with low-grade inflammation, increased ROS production and DNA damage. Supplementation with antioxidants might ameliorate DNA damage and support epigenetic regulation of DNA repair. C57BL/6J male mice were fed a high-fat (HFD) or a control diet (CD) with and without vitamin E supplementation (4.5 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)) for four months. DNA damage, DNA promoter methylation and gene expression of Dnmt1 and a DNA repair gene (MLH1) were assayed in liver and colon. The HFD resulted in organ specific changes in DNA damage, the epigenetically important Dnmt1 gene, and the DNA repair gene MLH1. Vitamin E reduced DNA damage and showed organ-specific effects on MLH1 and Dnmt1 gene expression and methylation. These results suggest that interventions with antioxidants and epigenetic active food ingredients should be developed as an effective prevention for obesity-and oxidative stress-induced health risks.

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