Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) found in seafood are associated with lower risk of heart disease, improved immune function, health advantages in preterm infants and possibly lower risk of suicide, according to new research. These findings and more are summarized in the December 2011 PUFA Newsletter and Fats of Life newsletters for health professionals and consumers, respectively.

One study reported that healthy adults with the highest consumption of fish had higher scores for two indicators of heart health – blood vessel cell function and less inflammation – compared with those who did not eat fish. Such observations suggest that eating fish regularly or supplementing with omega 3′s from fish oil, may help prevent heart disease.

Heart Health Related Product:

Ultra Omega 3-6-9

Pure Krill Antarctic Oil – What is Krill Oil and What are the Benefits of Krill Oil?

Liquid CoQ10

Probiotics harm germs, aid immune system!

By Dr. Richard Beliveau

Probiotics are friendly bacteria that play an essential part in maintaining good health. A recent study suggests their positive role could be the result of the bacteria’s ability to physically interact with the intestine’s mucous membranes.

It’s become so common to associate microbes with illness that a lot of people are horrified when they find out our bodies contain 10 times more bacteria than human cells.

The bacteria that live in the lower section of our intestine, the colon, likely are the best example of the central role these microorganisms play in our health. The intestine is the part of the body most exposed to foreign pathogens. As a result, it contains the majority, about 75%, of the body’s immune cells.

The large number of intestinal bacteria (up to 10,000 billion per gram of content) plays a crucial role in the development and repair of the immune system.

In order to do its job well, the intestinal flora must be made up mostly of beneficial bacteria that take up the most space possible to stop the harmful effects of pathogens, or germs.

Among the “friendly” bacteria, probiotic bacteria are considered to have the most positive effect on the composition of intestinal flora.

In an environment without oxygen such as the colon, these bacteria are able to use lactic acid to break down food fibre, thereby acidifying the intestine and slowing the spread of several pathogens, which prefer to multiply in less harsh conditions.

So how does a probiotic bacterium decide to make the intestine its home? A multidisciplinary research team in Europe found that probiotic bacteria had genes that helped produce pili, the hair-like appendages that are essential to probiotic bacteria’s ability to attach themselves to the intestinal wall, and the reason they choose the intestine.

The discovery of pili specific to probiotic bacteria is all the more interesting since previous studies showed these appendages stimulate the immune system.

This research shows the positive effects from probiotics aren’t a random occurrence, but are directly tied to the intrinsic ability of these microorganisms to work with our bodies and influence our immune systems.

We have two really good products that offer the benefits discussed above:

o sweet!

Some interesting information on the relationship between sugar and its effects were covered in USA Today.  They report that a big dose of sugar can immediately suppress your immune system and make you more vulnerable to colds, flu and other infections.

So, at a time when people are especially keen to protect themselves from H1N1, or swine flu, it’s worth asking: Is it true? Can a few spoonfuls of sugar really help make you sick?

Denver nutrition therapist Kate Pfeiffer has no doubt. "Limiting sugar should be the first line of defense against infectious disease," she says. She wrote a column that is worth reading titled: "Worried about the Swine Flu? Avoid Sugar!" In it she cites a 1973 study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and other references.

In the study, researchers at Loma Linda University gave volunteers 100 grams of sugar (20 teaspoons, roughly the amount in a liter of soda). The researchers then drew blood from the volunteers and mixed in some bacteria. They found that infection-fighting white blood cells from people who had just gorged on sugar gobbled up many fewer bacteria than those who had just fasted or eaten an unsweetened starch.

But that’s not evidence that would convince most doctors, says Aaron Glatt, an infectious-disease specialist who is president and chief executive officer of New Island Hospital in Bethpage, N.Y. Glatt says he has heard of the sugar theory, but as far as he knows, there are no studies showing people who eat a lot of sugar actually get more cases of colds and flu.  However this is contradicts the references outlined in Ms. Pfeiffer’s article.

He says: "There are numerous other reasons people should be concerned about sugar intake," including the prevention and control of obesity and diabetes. But, he says, "there’s no reason not to drink a glass of soda just because someone next to you is sniffling."  This puts more emphasis on a balanced diet.

While it’s unlikely any one food is the key to a strong or weak immune system, we can optimize the building blocks for immune system by eating a healthy, balanced diet.

Experts agree wholeheartedly that overall nutrition is more important than any one substance. But there’s something about a sugar overdose that makes people vulnerable.  All these statements being true, it is interesting that American Dietetic Association and other health groups suggest lower intake of sugars.  We’ll expect to see some evidence soon — when doctor’s offices fill up with sick kids after Halloween.

Issue of note:

The above leads us to caution you on another issue.  CAOH® has a competitor that is marketing an Acai juice product that has the same name as our juice, "Acai Max".  Acai Max® is the name of our very popular organic acai juice blend.  We have been producing our acai juice product since 2004 and the product name "Acai Max" is our registered trademark!  This other party not only produces a juice that is more expensive and less potent in the primary ingredient Acai, but they add cane juice to it.  Now many of you will ask, what is cane juice?  Cane juice is juice squeezed from sugar cane, which is then dried (dehydrated) and used to make cane sugar – yes SUGAR!  Cane juice is nothing more than sugar!  Now there is a new movement to push cane juice as a healthy choice to refined sugar, but the fact remains that it is still sugar.  Other than it being sweet there is no nutrition in cane juice or sugar.  So they are basically overtly adding sugar to their acai juice.  So please remember if you do not see "California Academy of Health" on the bottle – it is not our product and may have unwanted additives.

Thanks,

CAOH!