Nutritional Wellness Blog from BeautifulandWell.com

The new study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, reported that increased intakes of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may reduce the risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), an umbrella term for a range of symptoms including unstable angina and chest pains.

The Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort study involved 57,053 men and women. During an average follow-up time of almost eight years, 1,150 people developed ACS.  Men who consumed more than 0.39 grams of PUFAs per day had an associated risk of ACS 27 per cent lower than men who consumed less than 0.39 grams per day.

When the researchers looked at individual omega-3 fatty acids, they did note negative association for EPA, DPA and DHA, but these were considered “less consistent”.

No benefits were observed for women, noted the researchers.

“We found borderline significant negative associations between the intake of marine omega-3 PUFA and ACS among healthy men,” they concluded.

Half a gram needed for heart benefits?

Earlier this year, a ‘state-of-the-art’ review concluded that the science behind the cardiovascular health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids supports recommended daily levels of 500 mg.

“Compelling evidence” from studies involving almost 40,000 participants supports daily EPA plus DHA intakes of at least 500 mg per day for healthy individuals, while people with known heart disease or heart failure should aim for up to 1,000 mg daily, according to a review published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

The recommendations for healthy people are double the recommended levels determined by the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA).

EFSA determined in July that 250mg should be the labelling reference intake value for long-chain omega-3 fatty acids – most notably eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The European Commission backed the regulation last week that permits products to claim omega-3 content if they have significant proportions of dietary reference values (DRV) of 250mg of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and/or DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and 2g of ALA (alpha-linolenic acid).

The regulation was slammed by a group of 21 international leading omega-3 scientists who said the rule, which does not discriminate between plant and marine-sourced omega-3 sources for product labelling, was an “insult”.

What omega-3 nutritional supplement brands exist which have the recommended daily levels of omega-3′s and also have clear labeling for the source of omega-3′s in its products?

While there are many nutritional supplement formulations on the market which claim to contain omega-3 fatty acids, most do not contain the recommended daily levels of omega-3 fatty acids and few have clear and trusted labeling for the source of omega-3′s in their products.  One exception is the Omega Max product developed by AmeriSciences, a privately-held specialty nutritional supplement company based in Houston, TX.  The active ingredients found in Omega Max product are both EPA and DHA, sourced from molecularly-distilled, highly-potent fish oil derived from only the smallest of fish like anchovies and mackerel.  Furthermore, unlike most fish oil soft-gels available in the the U.S., Omega Max is fully compliant with European Pharmacopeia standards, the only true “pharmaceutical-grade” standard for fish oil.  For more information or to purchase the Omega Max fish oil product from one of the AmeriSciences’ leading distributors click here.

Source: British Journal of Nutrition
Published online ahead of print, doi:10.1017/S0007114509992170
“Dietary intake of total marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid and the risk of acute coronary syndrome – a cohort study”
Authors: A.M. Joensen, E.B. Schmidt, C. Dethlefsen, S.P. Johnsen, A. Tjonneland, L.H. Rasmussen, K. Overvad

National Press Release

While B vitamins may not be beneficial once disease starts, some nutritional supplements may have preventitve effect

HOUSTON, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ — While a study in the October 15, 2008 JAMA demonstrates that B vitamins do not slow cognitive decline once Alzheimer’s disease has struck, there is a large body of scientific evidence showing that some nutrients may help keep the brain healthy as one ages. A leading expert thinks the time is now for Baby Boomers to look seriously at maintaining cognitive wellness. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 10 million Boomers can expect to get Alzheimer’s disease as they age.

“There are many things like heredity that are outside our control, but there are also concrete steps we can take to maintain optimal brain health,” says Marwan Sabbagh, MD, FAAN, a leading Alzheimer’s researcher and physician who has written extensively on the disease. “The time to think about this is long before memory problems start.”

Dr. Sabbagh has looked exhaustively at published research on Alzheimer’s disease and brain health, and he has identified a number of important factors in maintaining cognitive wellness. Among the modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer’s are hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, high homocysteine levels, diabetes-elevated insulin levels, and obesity, especially during midlife.

There is also evidence that dietary modifications can help maintain cognitive wellness. Combing through published research on the topic, Dr. Sabbagh has identified a group of nutrients that have strong evidence of protective effects.

“The use of these nutrients to support cognitive wellness is well documented in the scientific literature,” says Dr. Sabbagh. “The JAMA article underscores the need to consider supplementation long before disease starts.”

To help American consumers make good supplement choices, Dr. Sabbagh worked with AmeriSciences, a leading science-based nutraceutical company, to develop a formulation that includes ingredients with strong scientific merit. AmeriSciences’ Cognivite Complete was specially formulated under Dr. Sabbagh’s guidance to provide nutritional support to help combat declining mental function and memory loss associated with aging. Dr. Sabbagh’s expertise in this area led AmeriSciences to recently appoint him to chair the company’s Scientific Advisory Board.*

Cognivite Complete’s ingredients include: Gingko biloba; docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); turmeric root (curcumin); and phosphatidylserine. Gingko biloba helps maintain normal blood flow to the brain and is rich in flavonoid antioxidants, which may offer protection against neuron damage.** Turmeric root, a common spice in Asia and a constituent of many curries, has been shown to exhibit a variety of protective effects in the brain, from stimulation of normal anti-inflammatory functions to the reduction of natural oxidative damage.** DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, is a vital component of the cell membranes of the brain. Studies suggest that it may help overall cognitive maintenance.** Phosphatidylserine is a fat derivative (phospholipid) found in soybeans and other foods, which is involved in brain signal activity and is an important part of neuronal membranes.**

According to Dr. Sabbagh’s research, a modest decline in cognitive health is an expected part of the aging process; however, this decline can be exacerbated by factors such as poor nutritional habits and stress. Through lifestyle modifications and a consistent nutritional regimen that includes supplementation, Dr. Sabbagh believes people can help preserve normal brain function and ensure cognitive wellness.

Dr. Sabbagh serves as Chief Medical-Scientific Officer and Director of Clinical Research at the Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona.*

For more information on Cognivite Complete, please visit www.AmeriSciences.com or www.Cognivite.com.

* Disclosure: Dr. Sabbagh receives royalties from sales of Cognivite Complete, and is in a partnership that distributes AmeriSciences products. Dr. Sabbagh’s relationship with AmeriSciences is separate from his work with Sun Health.

** These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult with your physician before taking any nutritional supplement.

Source: AmeriSciences

See also: http://houston.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/Texas/2008/10/15/NE39188

Press Release

HOUSTON, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ — AmeriSciences, a leading developer of science-based nutritional supplements, is poised to revolutionize the way eye-care practitioners treat age-related visual deterioration with the launch of its clinically-proven TOZAL Eye Health Formula. Research indicates that by 2030, as many as 68 million Americans will be over the age of 65, and a significant number of these older Americans will suffer from low vision or blindness.

Since 2001, the eye-care industry’s standard of care for patients suffering from age-related vision loss has been nutritional supplements based on the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). While AREDS provided clinical proof that nutritional supplements can positively affect a degenerative health issue, scientific discoveries over the last seven years have revealed other micronutrients that are more effective in maintaining and supporting good health and vision. Among these beneficial compounds are taurine, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, antioxidants and lutein, which are the main ingredients in the TOZAL Eye Health Formula.

“TOZAL exemplifies AmeriSciences’ commitment to providing the safest, most effective science-based nutritional products on the market today,” said Carlos Montesinos, Product Development & Quality Assurance Director, AmeriSciences. “We believe that TOZAL will set a new standard of care for nutrition-based eye care. Like all of our products, TOZAL also meets or exceeds pharmaceutical industry quality benchmarks for over-the-counter products.”

Two years ago, TOZAL became the focus of a multicenter study that ultimately demonstrated through clinical testing how the proper combination of these compounds was effective at reducing the onset of age-related visual impairment after six months of consistent supplementation. The results of this study, which were published in the February 2007 issue of BMC Ophthalmology, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal, affirmed that regular use of the TOZAL formula impeded the natural course of visual degeneration in 77 percent of the treated test subjects. Evidence from the TOZAL study also indicated that visual acuity actually improved by as much as one-half line (eye chart) among 57 percent of those tested. All patients receiving the AREDS-type nutritional supplement lost some vision.

A large new study, published in August in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, also supports the use of TOZAL in preventing vision loss. The study, which took place across seven European nations, found that seniors given omega-3 fatty acids reduced their risk of developing macular degeneration by up to 70 percent. TOZAL is the only eye-health supplement that includes omega-3 acids.

“The TOZAL study demonstrates that treatment with this supplement can help patients with age-related vision loss,” said Francis E. Cangemi, M.D., a macular degeneration specialist affiliated with Vitreo-Retinal Associates of New Jersey who led the TOZAL study.

As a result of the landmark TOZAL study, AmeriSciences collaborated with TOZAL developer and prominent optometrist Dr. Edward Paul to create the only nutritional supplement on the market based on his patented formula. TOZAL Eye Health Formula was released in February exclusively through independent distributors of AmeriSciences nutritional products with incredible response from consumers and vision-care specialists alike.

“I grew tired of telling my patients with age-related vision loss that there was nothing I could do for them,” said Dr. Paul about developing his breakthrough TOZAL formula. As a highly-respected optometrist and nutritionist, Dr. Paul has been in private practice in Wilmington, North Carolina, for more than 20 years helping people to see better and live healthier lives through a combination of traditional and complementary medicine.

“I think that because of AREDS, the eye-care industry was the first in the health field to really embrace nutritional supplementation as a way of helping patients with age-related health issues,” Dr. Paul said. “But now we have something better and more effective with TOZAL. We would be remiss if we did not give our patients the option of using these supplements given the statistical and clinical proof that TOZAL can help them.”

In addition to his research and eye-care practice, Dr. Paul is the author of several books, including “Conquering Macular Degeneration” and “101 Great Ways to Improve Your Health.” An authority on the subject of age-related vision impairments, Dr. Paul also serves as a contributing writer for several national medical magazines and is a frequent guest on national television and radio programs. Dr. Paul is a member of the AmeriSciences Scientific Advisory Board.

A specially-packaged combination of two premium nutritional products- AmeriSciences Antioxidant Plus and AmeriSciences Omega Max-TOZAL Eye Health Formula has been hailed by health-care professionals from across the United States as a product that is destined to revolutionize the eye-care industry.

AmeriSciences is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

For more information on AmeriSciences’ new TOZAL Eye Health Formula, visit www.tozalformula.com or www.amerisciences.com.

Source: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080918/neth047.html?.v=70