Chock full of essential fatty acids EPA and DHA, and Omega-3, fish oil, in food or capsule-form, is often credited with bolstering heart health and brain function, but a new report from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center suggests that when taken directly as a supplement, this powerhouse oil may have another trick up its sleeve: cancer prevention. (See our Omega 3-6-9 formula)

Researchers questioned over 35,000 postmenopausal women on their use of 15 different supplements — fish oil included — and followed these women over the next six years.

Over that time, 880 women were diagnosed with breast cancer . While most of the supplements seemed to have no effect on breast cancer risk, those women who reported current use of fish oil supplements were less likely to develop invasive ductal breast cancer, the most common type of the disease.

Beyond fish oil's role in breast cancer prevention, White and colleagues also found a connection between fish oil supplements and a lowered risk of colorectal cancer.

Why might fish oil supplements be having this effect?

Fish oil is naturally anti-inflammatory, and some research suggests that prolonged inflammation may increase the risk of cells becoming cancerous.

"Anti-inflammatory supplements reduce the events within a cell that lead to inflammation," White says. "Specifically, by reducing inflammation, they reduce cell turnover."

Reducing this turnover is important because the more cells replicate, the higher the chance is that they will accumulate genetic errors — a precursor to a cell becoming cancerous.

Thus, it is possible that reducing inflammation can lower the risk of cells becoming cancerous, White notes, though this is not yet proven.

Power E Complex

May 17, 2010 — Long-term, regular use of vitamin E supplements (600 IU”s per day) appears to reduce, by 10%, the risk of chronic obstructive lung disease or COPD in women, according to a new study.

The risk reduction for women on vitamin E supplements (Power E Complex) was equal in people who smoked — the primary risk factor for getting COPD — and people who didn’t, says Anne Hermetet Agler, a PhD candidate at Cornell University and lead author of the study involving women.

Besides acting as a powerful antioxidant, vitamin E is involved in immune system functioning and signaling between cells and other processes in the body. Everything you always wanted to know about Vitamin E

Note from Dr. Marcus Ettinger: Absorption and utilization of Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) is both dose dependent (less is actually more – 400-600 IU’s per day)  and dependent on the levels of HDL’s (good cholesterol) in the blood.  Since women naturally have a higher concentration of HDL’s then men, women will naturally receive more protection from vitamin E supplementation then men.  Below is a recommendation of what I have personally done to help raise HDL levels.

In 21 years of practice and running thousands of lipid panels, I have found that the only way to naturally boost HDL levels, in most people, is to increase the level of Omega 3 fatty acids (ALA, EPA and DHA – Omega 3,6,9), along with adding a high concentration of phospholipids (Non GMO – Lecithin Granules – 2 Tbsp per day ) and cardiovascular exercise (30-45 minutes, 3-4 days/week).

Related Products:

Power E Complex
Omega 3,6,9
Non-GMO Lecithin Granules

Power E Complex

WEDNESDAY, April 28 (HealthDay News) — A new study has identified vitamin E, also known a d-alpha tocopherol, as a viable treatment that can provide relief for many of the estimated 10 million Americans who have the most common chronic liver disease.

“This clearly shows that vitamin E is effective for treatment of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (fatty infiltration of the liver) who don’t have active diabetes,” said study author Dr. Arun J. Sanyal, chairman of the division of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition at Virginia Commonwealth University. A report on the trial is published in the April 28 online edition of the New England Journal of Medicine.

The 96-week study included 247 adults with the condition, none of whom had diabetes. Some patients were given 30 milligrams a day of Actos, some were given 800 International Units of vitamin E daily and others were given a placebo. A significant rate of improvement in markers of the disease, such as inflammation, was seen in 43 percent of those getting vitamin E, compared to 19 percent of those getting placebo. Similar improvement was seen in 34 percent of those getting Actos, compared to 19 percent of those getting placebo, a difference that was not statistically significant.

Actos might be a viable treatment for some people with fatty liver disease, but the study found its use was associated with significant weight gain that continued throughout the study, Sanyal said.

Power E Complex

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one cause of fatty liver changes, when fat is deposited (steatosis) in the liver when this is not due to excessive alcohol use. It is related to insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome, and may respond to treatments originally developed for other insulin-resistant states (e.g. diabetes mellitus type 2), such as weight loss, metformin and thiazolidinediones.^[1]

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the most extreme form of NAFLD, which is regarded as a major cause of cirrhosis of the liver of unknown cause.^[2]

1. ^{a b c d e f} Adams LA, Angulo P (2006). “Treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease”. Postgrad Med J 82: 315–22. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2005.042200. PMID 16679470. http://pmj.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/82/967/315.
2. ^{a b} Clark JM, Diehl AM (2003). “Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: an underrecognized cause of cryptogenic cirrhosis”. JAMA 289: 3000–4. doi:10.1001/jama.289.22.3000. PMID 12799409.

Dogs with arthritis can really benefit from glucosamine and omega 3's

Question: Hi Dr. E,

I seek your advice regarding my eight year old collie.  he is about 90 lbs and is having trouble laying down and getting up and his general mobility seems difficult for him.  our vet recommended fish oil as well as glucosamine/chondroitin. I am taking three capsules of your ultra omega 3-6-9 and i was wondering if this might be a good regimen for my dog.

Thanks so much.

Steve

Answer: Steve,

Your veterinarian gave you good advice. Our Omega 3,6,9 (3) and Liquid Glucosamine and Chondroitin with MSM and Vitamin C (1/2 tbsp) would be great.

Omega-3 fatty acids:

There is a lot of ongoing work on the effects of antioxidants like DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), the primary omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil. In addition to serving an important role in reducing the joint inflammation associated with arthritis and degenerative joint disease, omega-3s are important in cardiac health, and in suppressing the inflammation associated with chronic kidney disease, gastrointestinal problems and inflammatory skin problems, as well as promoting mental alertness in older individuals.  There is an excellent controlled study showing that feeding a diet enriched with DHA, EPA and other nutritional supplements, such as MSM and glucosamine, results in a substantial and measurable improvement in older dogs’ memory and level of mobility. Although it’s difficult to make exact recommendations, it seems safe to say that we can help our pets by insuring an adequate intake of omega 3 fatty acids.

Glucosamine:

Glucosamine is the primary component of nearly all multi-ingredient arthritis formulas and seems to be the most important. It is essential for the formation of joint cartilage and synovial fluid.  Glucosamine should certainly be an ingredient in whatever formula you use.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM):

MSM has value as an anti-inflammatory agent. This anti-inflammatory effect slows the progression of arthritis and relieves pain.  All dogs showing chronic joint pain should be receiving MSM regularly.  It seems to work nearly as well as aspirin and is much less likely to cause problems.

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc

A heart friendly diet not only protects us from dangerous health related conditions. One of the key aspects of a heart friendly diet is the inclusion of fruits and vegetables and the replacement of saturated fat in the diet by unsaturated fats. One way that antioxidants guard against health conditions is by protecting the LDL, or bad cholesterol from oxidizing – which is what forms plaque in our arteries and hence cause atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.

CAOH® Acai is cholesterol-free. It is naturally cholesterol-free since cholesterol only comes from animal products! Why do we want to lower our cholesterol? This is because it is linked to heart disease. CAOH® Acaí berries are not only cholesterol-free, but low in the heart-clogging saturated fat and high in the heart-friendly unsaturated fats and fiber. Together, these nutrients help reduce cholesterol.

Let!s take a look at the types of fat in CAOH® Acaí. There are three types of fats found in our foods. Saturated fat, polyunsaturated fay, and monounsaturated fat. Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats tend to be liquid at room temperature (your vegetable oils, with the exception of coconut and palm which are mainly saturated). Acai berries are low in saturated fats. These are the fats that increase your cholesterol and clog up your arteries. The Acai berry contains the unsaturated fats omega-6 and omega-9 (a classification of the type of unsaturated fats), which reduce LDL-cholesterol levels (think L = Low, so we want them to be low in our blood) when they replace saturated fats in our diet.

Acai is richer in monounsaturated fats than polyunsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats maintain the good HDL-cholesterol levels (think H = healthy, or you want it to be high) in our blood. Monounsaturated fats are less susceptible to oxidation than polyunsaturated oils. This makes monounsaturated fats a heart-healthy choice.

Recall that CAOH® Acai is a good source of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber helps lower cholesterol and maintains sugar levels in our body.

CAOH® Acai is a true heart-friendly fruit!

Get CAOH® Acai Berry Online Now!

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – In a study of Japanese school children, vitamin D supplements taken during the winter and early spring helped prevent seasonal flu and asthma attacks.

The idea for the study, study chief Dr. Mitsuyoshi Urashima, told Reuters Health, came from an earlier study looking at whether vitamin D could help prevent the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis. The researchers in that study noticed that people taking vitamin D were three times less likely to report cold and flu symptoms.

This led Urashima, of Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, and colleagues to randomly assign a group of 6 to 15 year-old children to take vitamin D3 supplements (1,200 international units daily) or inactive placebo during a cold and flu season.

Vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, is more readily absorbed by the body and more potent than vitamin D2, or ergocalciferol, the form often found in multivitamins.

During the study, conducted between December 2008 and March 2009, 31 of 167 children taking placebo caught influenza A, the most common form of the virus, compared with only 18 of 167 taking vitamin D.

The vitamin D group was 58 percent less likely to catch influenza A, the researchers report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Vitamin D also appeared to suppress asthma attacks in children with a history of asthma. Two children taking vitamin D had asthma attacks during the study, compared to 12 children taking placebo. Urashima admitted to being a bit surprised by this finding and hopes to confirm it in a randomized trial targeting children with asthma.

Dr. Adit Ginde, of University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, who was not involved in the study, told Reuters Health: “This is the first time a study has been done that rigorously shows that vitamin D supplementation can reduce a type of influenza in a dedicated clinical trial.” Ginde and colleagues published a study a year ago showing that asthmatics with lower vitamin D levels were at five times the risk for colds and flu.

In the Japanese study, vitamin D supplementation did not prevent influenza type B, which tends to appear later in the flu season than the “A” flu variety.

Ginde said there is no solid explanation for why vitamin D prevented influenza A and not influenza B. “The immune system fights different viruses in different ways. This finding needs to be explored in more detail,” Ginde said.

Based on the current study, giving kids vitamin D supplements during the winter may help reduce cases of influenza A, the researchers conclude. Urashima suggests that children could take 1,200 IU per day starting in September to prevent flu and asthma attacks during the flu season, but best for parents to check with their pediatrician first.

SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, online March 10, 2010.

THANKS,
DALE FRANKENBERG

Dale,

A: I would add the Probiotic FloraHealth (1 per day) and a (1 Tbsp/day) of the Ultra Supreme Greens powder. If you want to cover every base, add an ounce of noni juice each day. It’s amazing for the stomach and intestines.

Let me know if you have any additional questions or need any help with ordering the products.

Sincerely,

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc

How To Combat SAD, or the Winter Blues

The “winter blues” is something that affects many of us and sometimes we aren’t even aware of it.  Symptoms like tiredness, lethargy and stress are often attributed to ‘the weather’, or ‘having an off day’, but winter depression is a recognized condition.  This is also known as the ‘winter blues’, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and it is caused by a lack of sunlight during the winter.  The condition is very common in the northern hemisphere.

Good Nutrition Breaks Through Depression

A good diet and nutritional routine is important all year round, but fighting off the winter blues requires a little bit of extra nutritional attention.  First of all, never skip meals.  Breakfast is essential if the brain is to work correctly; it cannot do so without fuel.  Having lunch gets you through the afternoon sleepiness and can reduce dinnertime over-eating.

A whole food diet which includes fruits and vegetables of all colors, nuts and fish, will supply B vitamins and amino acids which keep the body and brain in good working order during winter.  Fast food, although comforting and convenient at times, often contains far too much fat, carbohydrates and sugar, and will not give the body that ‘feel good’ factor for very long, and will in most cases leave behind an even worse feeling of lethargy and poor nutritional fullness.

Vitamins Can Fight Depression

Stress and depression use up huge quantities of vitamin C within the body.  Many animals make their own supply of this vitamin, but humans cannot.  For example, the goat can alter its rate of vitamin C production according to the amount of stress it is under, or its general health.  Humans need to increase vitamin C intake during times when the body is under stress.

Vitamin C can also stop viruses from dividing inside cells, so it helps the fight against things like the common cold and ‘flu’.  These viruses tend to attack when resistance is low, so it is essential to replenish vitamin C supplies daily.  Fresh fruits and vegetables and supplements are beneficial here.

B vitamins are also depression fighters.  Scientists found that people with depression do better when they had high levels of vitamin B12 in their blood.  B-complex vitamins are essential to mental and emotional well-being.  They cannot be stored in our bodies, so we depend entirely on our daily diet to supply them.  B vitamins are destroyed by alcohol, refined sugars, nicotine, and caffeine so it is no surprise that many people may be deficient in these.

Sunlight is something the body needs.  It helps our bodies generate Vitamin D.   And studies show that Vitamin D deficiency provides a compelling explanation for seasonal variations in mood.  Make sure and supplement your Vitamin D if you are not getting much sun.

Tips for Lifting The Winter Blues

Apart from attention to diet, there are a number of other ways that can help to relieve the winter blues.  Keeping a good sense of humor and try to have a little fun, (not always easy to do!), and rest and relaxation also play a big part in combating the blues.  An active mind and body, usually results in a health mind and body!

Time should be made available for hobbies and talking to friends, and simplifying daily life as much as possible to stop things from mounting up and adding to the pressure and stress.  We know it’s tough but, just taking the time to look around and see your surroundings can be spiritually lifting.

Alcohol, nicotine, or other non-prescription and even over use of prescription drugs, may seem to give some relief, but this is only temporary and cannot stop depression.  In addition, these can rob your body of important vitamins. In addition, caffeine can have the same effect on the body as high levels of stress, so it is advisable to lower intake of caffeine products.

Most importantly, if the sun comes out from behind the clouds in that wintry sky, go outside. Tests have shown that just twenty minutes of winter sunshine can help lift the moods and alleviate the symptoms associated with he winter blues.

So do your best to get regular exercise and nutritional supplements.  I know when I stick with my vitamin routine and exercise even 30 minutes – I do in fact feel better about everything.

We hope this helps,

CAOH

Do you get enough sleep? Many of us actually do not get enough sleep, and we aren’t even aware of it. We have just adjusted to it without even realizing that we are not getting good sleep.  We just think the energy level that we have is “normal”.

The fact is that we are not getting the real rest that we need, and if we did,  we would notice a difference in our morale/mood, energy level, and alertness that would shock most of us.  But the big issue is that the lack of sleep can affect your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness.  Sleep is, after all, when the body can take the time to heal.

In addition most of us also don’t realize the impact that the foods we eat have on our sleep.  Of course we know that caffeine keeps us awake. So, clearly we want to avoid anything that has caffeine in it at least six hours before bedtime. But just as caffeine is something that keeps us awake, there are many foods that actually help us get better sleep. Any food that contains tryptophan is a ‘sleeper’ food.

Tryptophan is an amino acid that produces melatonin in the brain. Melatonin slows down the traffic in the nerves and helps our brains rest. The brain, of course, is the body’s central control center. When it’s active, so is the rest of the body – but when it rests so does the body.

You’ve heard of having a warm glass of milk to help you sleep. The ‘warm’ part really has no nutritional effect on sleep. But it is a psychological trigger that soothes us from our baby days, when our mothers fed us warmed milk or baby formula. however, the nutritional components of milk actually does promote sleep, because milk has calcium and tryptophan.

Calcium actually helps the brain use the tryptophan in a more productive way, making it produce melatonin faster, which relaxes our brains enough to let us fall into a deep, relaxing sleep.

Again, this is because of the calcium. Not only does this calcium help the brain produce melatonin, it also reduces pain and stiffness, helps decrease leg cramps, restless legs, and muscle spasms that many people experience during the night that keep us awake.

FYI – magnesium can also have the same effect.  Some people need calcium, some magnesium and some need a combination of both.  In fact, one of our customers mentioned to us that if he has any trouble sleeping, he just gets up and takes some of our Coral Calcium, and sleeps like a baby within a short time.

The nice thing is that taking one or the other will not harm you.  They are just natural minerals and the also have other great nutritional aspects for the body as well.

Here is a recent email we got from one of our customers:

February 8, 2010

Dear CAOH,

“I would like to thank California Academy of Health, and share with you that Calm has restored my sanity.  I was at my wits end after having suffered through six months of insomnia at this time last year.  I didn’t want to go on prescription medication and had tried multiple over-the-counter sleep aids, none of which helped.  I have ordered Goji Berries from www.caoh.com for a couple of years now, and was browsing your on-line product catalog.  I was interested enough in the name of the product to read the description.  I ordered a bottle of Calm, and that $20 provided instant relief of my insomnia.  I take one capsule after lunch and have slept like a baby for the past year.  That’s six months of sleep for $20!  And it’s all natural.  I don’t know why more physicians and OBs don’t recommend absorbable magnesium to their patients, especially those in peri- and menopause.”

Thank you CAOH!

Cathy
Philadelphia, PA

Here are some products that can help with sleep:

Edited by: CAOH

Click here for definition of Integrative Medicine.

Mind/Body medicine is based on the fact that our health and well-being depends on all the individual parts working together effectively. So it should come as no surprise that healthy eyesight is also dependent upon our total well-being, which is affected by our genetic makeup, the food we eat, our work environment and exposure to airborne toxins, as well as our general belief systems about ourselves and the world we live in.

Each of us is unique, and we literally take the world in through our senses, primarily through our vision. Many believe the way we take in the world is, to some degree, a reflection of who we are and which symptoms we might manifest. The integrative approach evaluates the person's lifestyle, habits, diet, exercise routine, and stress management, along with the family history, in determining a therapeutic approach. It attempts to bring in the patient as an active partner in the program to improve or maintain eye health. Specific habits have been identified in studies to be very damaging to eye health, including smoking, excessive alcohol, coffee, excess sugar and refined foods, and hydrogenated oils (like margarines).

Nutrition and nutritional supplementation could play a key role in helping to prevent vision loss and keeping our bodies strong. More and more peer review studies are identifying specific nutrients that are lacking in patients with eye conditions such as the following:

GLAUCOMA:

Vitamin C – in parts of Europe and Asia, vitamin C is considered part of routine treatment for glaucoma. It lowers eye pressure through a combination of decreasing fluid production and improving the outflow of aqueous humor. It also improves collagen metabolism which may be one of the underlying reasons for the development of glaucoma. Nutritional sources include citrus fruits, red peppers and tomatoes.

Recommended Dosage: 3000 mg per day

Omega 3 fatty acids – these may help reduce the chronic inflammatory processes that is found in many patients with glaucoma. Fish and unrefined fish oils are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. Studies have shown that Eskimos, who have a high intake of Omega 3, have a very low incidence of open-angle glaucoma. Some studies on animals further indicate that fish oil can reduce fluid pressure within the eyes. The best sources are the flesh of cold water fish (example; salmon, mackerel, cod) as well as black currant seed oil, and flax seed oil. Consider eating fish three times a week.

Recommended Dosage: 1500 mg per day

Ginkgo biloba – may increase the circulation of blood to the eyes. It has been shown in some cases to help lower intraocular pressure in the eyes. There is no natural food source. It is directly derived from the ginkgo tree.

Recommended Dosage: 120 mg per day – Note: if using blood thinner reduce by 40 mg

Magnesium – is a mineral that relaxes smooth muscles, which regulates the outflow of aqueous humor from the inner eye. Natural sources include most nuts, seeds, vegetables, seafood and soy products.

Recommended Dosage: 500 mg per day  Magnesium should be taken with calcium in a 2:1 ratio (calcium to magnesium).

MACULAR DEGENERATION:

Lutein/zeaxanthin – these two carotenoids have been shown to be low in people with macular degeneration. Increasing intake of Lutein/zeaxanthin either by foods or by supplements has been found to prevent and even improve macular degeneration in many cases. Natural sources are green leafy vegetables including spinach, kale and collard greens.

Recommended Dosage: 6 mg per day, optimally in a sublingual (under the tongue) form. It should be taken with a little fat, such as vitamin E to increase absorption.

Bilberry – strengthens the structural integrity of blood vessels throughout the body and promotes healthy circulation, particularly to the small capillaries that deliver oxygen and nutrients to the eyes. Bilberry also helps prevent free radical damage to the delicate structures within the eye. Natural sources are blueberries and huckleberries.

Recommended Dosage: 240 mg per day

Taurine – this amino acid is important for the regeneration of worn out tissues of the retina. Taurine helps protect the eyes from ultraviolet radiation. Natural sources include eggs, meats and fish.

Recommended Dosage: 1000 mg per day

Zinc – the macular can degenerate when zinc is deficient. It is found naturally in meats, oysters, and whole grains.

Recommended Dosage: 30 mg per day

CATARACTS:

Vitamin C – the normal healthy lens of the eye contains a higher level of vitamin C that any other organ of the body except the adrenal glands. Studies have shown a decreased level of vitamin C in the aqueous humor as well as in the overall body when cataracts are forming. Vitamin C has also been shown to control sugar imbalances that often play a role in cataract formation. Natural sources include citrus fruits, red peppers and tomatoes.

Recommended Dosage: 3000 mg per day

Glutathione – could be very effective in preventing cataract formation, and is crucial in possibly altering free radical damage. Some studies have shown that many lenses with cataracts contain approximately 1/5th the amount of glutathione as compared to normal lenses. Glutathione is produced by the body and is composed of three amino acids: cysteine, glycine and glutamic acid. All the following nutrients could help increase glutathione levels: N-Acetyl Cysteine, Alpha Lipoic Acid, vitamin C, selenium, vitamin E, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, zinc, and other nutrients. Natural sources include eggs, broccoli, avocados, garlic, onions and cauliflower.

Recommended Dosage: 500 mg of N-Acetyl Cysteine, 100-200 mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid, 1500 mg of vitamin C, 200 mcg of selenium, 400 I.U.’s of vitamin E, 50 mg of vitamin B2 and B6, 30 mg of zinc.

However, nothing replaces a positive, healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, daily meditations or walks in nature and a healthy diet. The rapid pace of our lives often interferes with us taking the time to really take care of ourselves. Caring for ourselves helps to keep our bodies healthy, and maximizes the mind/body's inherent healing potential.

Marc Grossman, O.D., L.Ac., optometrist and licensed acupuncturist, has been helping people preserve their vision in his private practice for over 20 years. He is the co-author of Natural Eye Care – An Encyclopedia (Keats, 1999) and Greater Vision – A Guide to Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Clarity in Everyday Life (McGraw Hill Publishers, 2001). Dr. Grossman is currently the Eastern Region Director of the Optometric Extension Foundation program, and lectures internationally on natural eye care, nutrition and Chinese medicine.