Onions as Toxic Cleanup Sponges | DiscoverMagazine.com

Onions as Toxic Cleanup Sponges | DiscoverMagazine.com



I was shown this brilliant revelation about the further benefits of Onions and Garlic this time as sponges that have the ability to absorb mercury, lead, cadmium and more. Might we use this for cleaning up contaminated water supplies? What comes to mind is the days old mining disaster in B.C. that dumped millions of gallons of heavy metals in a river. Let's put our thinking caps on!

- Ekayani

Higher vitamin D levels increase survival rate in postoperative adults with colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is a huge problem for North American men so ladies here is some encouraging news to help increase the chances of you man sticking around longer. Thanks to Usana Health Sciences Inc for this weekly update on The Essentials of Health.
Higher vitamin D levels increase survival rate in postoperative adults with colorectal cancer

August 06, 2014    Higher vitamin D levels increase survival rate in postoperative adults with colorectal cancer At a Glance A new research article published online suggests that having a higher plasma level of vitamin D is associated with a better chance of surviving colorectal cancer. Read more about this research below.   Low vitamin D levels are known to be associated with poor health outcomes or increased risk in many diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some cancers.    In a new study published in the Journal of Oncology, researchers investigated whether the plasma level of vitamin D after a diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) has a significant impact on survival outcome.  The Scottish research team analyzed data from 1,598 adults who had undergone surgery for stage I-III colorectal cancer.  Blood samples were taken after surgery and evaluated for vitamin D and for a specific Vitamin D gene receptor. When compared to the patients with the lowest one-third of vitamin D levels, the patients whose vitamin D levels were in the top one-third of subjects had a significantly lower (32%) risk of dying of CRC and a 30% lower risk of dying from any cause during the 5 year follow-up period.  In patients with stage II CRC, those in the top one-third of vitamin D levels experienced a 56% reduction in mortality.  The researchers found interactions between vitamin D levels and specific type of vitamin D gene receptor, indicating a causal relationship between vitamin D and survival.   This study shows that in patients with stage I-III colorectal cancer, higher post-surgery vitamin D levels are associated with a better outcome and a lower risk of mortality.  Since this was an observational study, carefully designed clinical trials are still needed to confirm whether vitamin D supplementation would provide survival benefits for patients with colorectal cancer.  Zgaga L Plasma Vitamin D Concentration Influences Survival Outcome After a Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer.  J Clin Oncol. 2014 Jul 7. pii: JCO.2013.54.5947. [Epub ahead of print]

Low Vitamin D Status and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

   Low vitamin D status and the risk of type 2 diabetes

At a GlanceAdults with a lower vitamin D intake or low vitamin D blood levels may have a significantly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Read more about this research below.

 Type 2 diabetes has become a significant worldwide health care challenge, as it is associated with various health problems and increased mortality risk. There is increasing evidence that vitamin D influences many non-skeletal medical conditions, including heart disease, cancer, certain autoimmune diseases and type 2 diabetes. Observational research has shown that seasonal variation in blood sugar control in the winter may be partly due to vitamin D, since vitamin D levels are generally much lower in the winter.  

In a study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers examined the association between vitamin D status and the incidence of Type 2 diabetes. After a thorough review of the literature, 8 observational studies and 11 randomly controlled trials were included in the review.  When compared to those with a vitamin D intake of <200 IU/day, intake of >500 IU/day decreased the risk of type 2 diabetes by 13%. Compared to those with the lowest serum vitamin D levels (<14 ng/ml or 35 mmol/L), adults with the highest vitamin D status (>25 ng/ml or 62.5 mmol/L) had a 43% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.  In two trials that included patients with glucose intolerance, vitamin D supplementation improved measures of insulin resistance. No significant effect of vitamin D on glycemic outcomes was evident in the trials that included subjects with normal glucose tolerance at baseline.

The results of this review show that vitamin D may play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes, although high-quality studies are still needed to determine a potential mechanism between vitamin D concentration and relevant glycemic outcomes.  

J Mitri, M D Muraru and A G Pittas. Vitamin D and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2011) 65, 1005–1015. 

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Vitamin C supplementation improves endothelial function in adults with cardio-metabolic disorders

   
   
July 09, 2014 courtesy of Usana Health Sciences Weekly Essentials of Health

Vitamin C supplementation improves endothelial function in adults with cardio-metabolic disorders
At a Glance
A recent meta-analysis has shown that supplementation with high doses of vitamin C may improve blood vessel health and function in adults at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Read more about this research below.

 Previous observational studies have suggested that a higher intake of vitamin C is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, primarily through effects on the endothelium (a thin layer of cells lining the interior of blood vessels). The endothelium has many important functions that include maintaining the flexibility of blood vessels and modulating the activity of certain white blood cells that are a significant part of the immune system.

Despite this conclusion, studies examining the effect of vitamin C on endothelial function (EF) have not always been consistent. In a recent meta-analysis published in the journal Atherosclerosis, researchers sought to determine the effect of vitamin C supplementation on EF in adults, and whether the outcome differed by health status, study duration, dose and route of administration.

The study included 44 clinical trials and 1,129 adult participants. Supplemental vitamin C at oral doses of more than 500 mg was associated with significant improvement of endothelial function in subjects with cardio-metabolic disorders. The benefits of supplementation were primarily limited to people with atherosclerosis, diabetes, and heart failure. The study design, duration of supplementation, route of administration and baseline plasma vitamin C did not appear to significantly affect the outcome. There was a significant positive association between dosages greater than 500 mg/day and improvement in endothelial function.

The researchers noted that in addition to its effects on oxidative stress, vitamin C may positively affect nitric oxide, a potent vasodilator, reducing vascular inflammation. The results of this study indicate that vitamin C supplementation may improve endothelial function, especially in adults with a higher cardiovascular risk. Vitamin C supplementation, therefore, could potentially be a useful tool for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.


Ashor AW, Lara J, Mathers JC, Siervo M. Effect of vitamin C on endothelial function in health and disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Atherosclerosis. 2014 Jul;235(1):9-20. oii:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2014.04.004.

Supplemental magnesium improves physical performance in healthy older women

From the Weekly Essentials of Health by Usana Health Sciences an important message.

   Supplemental magnesium improves physical performance in healthy older women

At a GlanceA recent study has shown a benefit of supplemental magnesium for improving physical performance in healthy older women. Read more about this research below.

 Magnesium (Mg) is an essential mineral important in the structure and the function of the human body and also as a cofactor for hundreds of enzyme systems that regulate diverse biochemical reactions in the body. Unfortunately, dietary surveys in the US continue to show that older people are particularly susceptible to magnesium deficiency for various reasons, including an inadequate dietary intake, reduced absorption, and greater losses in stools and urine. A poor magnesium status has been associated with reduced physical performance, but to date no trials have established a link between magnesium supplementation and physical performance in the elderly.

In a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, investigators sought to determine whether oral magnesium supplementation could improve physical performance in healthy older women. The research group included 139 healthy women with an average age of 71.5 years that were attending a mild fitness program. The study group included 77 controls and 62 women who were given 300 mg/day of magnesium oxide for 12 weeks. The researchers were blinded to the grouping. 

The primary outcome analyzed was a change in the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). The scores for the SPPB did not differ between the two groups at baseline.  After 12 weeks of supplementation, the group taking magnesium had a significantly better total SPPB score than the controls. The treatment group also had a significantly better test score for chair stand times and 4 minute walking speeds. The improvements were even more evident in women with dietary magnesium intakes below the RDA. 

The findings of this study indicate that magnesium supplementation may play a role in delaying age-related decline in physical performance in healthy older women, especially if dietary intake is below recommended levels.

Nicola Veronese et al. Effect of oral magnesium supplementation on physical performance in healthy elderly women involved in a weekly exercise program: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr published ahead of print July 9, 2014 doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113.080168. 

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