Nutrition Month

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Goji and Cherry Supplements

Goji’s have been used in Asian herbal medicine for over 5,000 years. Long a staple of Eastern and holistic medicine, the Goji Berry is renowned for its antioxidant properties that provide a variety of benefits including increased energy and heightened immune function. The weight loss properties of this natural ingredient have recently seen the fruit becoming popular stateside as well, especially among celebrities and many stars in Hollywood with the Goji Berry being featured on many television programs and in magazines. The goji berry is one of the most nutrient-rich foods on earth. It is a vegetarian form of protein, packed with essential amino acids, rich in vitamin A and a good source of vitamin C. Goji berries possess over 20 trace minerals and vitamins including zinc, iron, phosphorus, riboflavin (B2), vitamin E as well as carotenoids, including beta-carotene.


Cherry Fruit Extract provides a natural source of flavonoids that act as antioxidants, providing protection to different systems in the body including joints, connective tissues and arteries. Naturally occurring antioxidant components, such as flavonoids, can help to protect cells from free radical damage in the body. Cherry Fruit Extract also helps to support the body's natural system of metabolizing uric acid. (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.)

Health Benefits of Cherry Extract.

Antidote for Free Radicals: The flavonoids, found in Cherry Extract, act as antioxidants in the body, degenerating and destroying harmful oxygen compounds called free radicals.

Free Radicals are responsible for may critical diseases like cataract, Parkinson?s disease, and arteriosclerosis. A study has confirmed that Cherry Extract could actually reduce the risk of death from heart attack in middle-aged men with heart problems.

The more flavonoid-rich supplements like Cherry Extract that we consume, the lower the risk became of our heart disease.

Cherry Extract is also natural anti-inflammatory agent, which may help in reducing both the production and release of inflammation-promoting compounds such as histamine. This can be helpful to people with hayfever and allergies.

Cherry Extract is very much similar in functioning to anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs like aspirin or ibuprofen), antihistamines, and certain anti-asthma drugs.

This is why Cherry Extract is a natural food for help with allergies, arthritis, or any condition in which chronic inflammation is present, such as gout and arthritis.

Strengthening Capillaries: Flavonoids, present in Cherry Extract, strengthen collagen, the building fibers of connective tissue. Cherry Extract facilitates cross-linking of fibers themselves, by providing additional flavonoids.

Cherry Extract also helps in strengthening the collagen fibers that are the basic structure of the vein wall. Extracts of cherries and blueberries are used frequently in Europe for treatment of varicose veins from past many centuries.

Is Cherry Extract better than Cherry Juice? There are often discussions like which one is better, juice or extract? Although you can always use Cherry extract, fresh or canned cherries, and cherry juice but cherry Extract is probably best. Juice is also a good source for flavonoids, but still Cherry Extract is more concentrated.

Some people recommend the use of Cherry Juice over Cherry Extract, however, beware of “cherry drinks,” which usually contain a scant amount of actual cherry juice and lots of water and sugar.

Possible Side Effects

There are no known side effects or adverse reactions associated with Cherry Extract.

Goji and Cherry can sometimes be found in a combined supplement.

Glucosamine fortified products for your joint health

Glucosamine is a compound found naturally in the body, made from glucose and the amino acid glutamine. Glucosamine is needed to produce glycosaminoglycan, a molecule used in the formation and repair of cartilage and other body tissues. Production of glucosamine slows with age.

Since glucosamine can be made from the shells of shrimp, crab, and other shellfish, people with shellfish allergy or iodine hypersensitivity may have an allergic reaction to glucosamine products. However, some research suggests that there is not enough shrimp allergen in glucosamine supplements to trigger reactions in patients who are allergic to shrimp. Nevertheless, caution is warranted. A serious hypersensitivity reaction including throat swelling has been reported with glucosamine sulfate. There are reported cases suggesting a link between glucosamine/chondroitin products and asthma exacerbations.


Glucosamine supplements are widely used for osteoarthritis, particularly knee osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis, cartilage -- the rubbery material that cushions joints -- becomes stiff and loses its elasticity. This makes the joint prone to damage and may lead to pain, swelling, loss of movement, and further deterioration.

Since the body's natural glucosamine is used to make and repair joint cartilage, taking glucosamine as a nutritional supplement is thought to help repair damaged cartilage by augmenting the body's supply of glucosamine.

There is promising evidence that glucosamine may reduce pain symptoms of knee osteoarthritis and possibly slow the progression of osteoarthritis. For example, a study published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine examined people with osteoarthritis over three years. Researchers assessed pain and structural improvements seen on x-ray. They gave 202 people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis 1,500 mg of glucosamine sulfate a day or a placebo.

Probiotics, a comparison and shopping guide



 A probiotic is an organism which contributes to the health and balance of the intestinal tract. A probiotic is also referred to as the "friendly", "beneficial", or "good" bacteria which when ingested acts to maintain a healthy intestinal tract and help fight illness and disease.

You can add probiotics to your diet through nutritional supplements or foods such as yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk, miso, and some juices and soy drinks. Read product labels carefully, looking for a statement that the product contains "live and active cultures," such as lactobacillus.

Although more research is needed, there's encouraging evidence that probiotics may help:

Treat diarrhea, especially following treatment with certain antibiotics
Prevent and treat vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections
Treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Speed treatment of certain intestinal infections
Prevent and treat eczema in children
Prevent or reduce the severity of colds and flu
Some researchers believe probiotics may improve general health.

Most people can safely add probiotic foods to a healthy diet. If you're considering taking probiotic supplements, check with your doctor to make sure the supplements are right for you.Align and Culturelle are probably the two most commonly know probiotic supplements so it is important to understand the differences between them.

The most important point to remember is that each of these supplements contain a different probiotic.

Align Probiotic Bifidobacterium Bifantis)
CFU in one capsule/tablet/dose 1 billion

Culturelle Lactobacillus GG, Inulin (prebiotic)
CFU in one capsule/tablet/dose 10 billion

Do they contain lactose? No
Do they contain milk proteins? Trace amounts
Do they contain gluten? No
Are they proven to survive stomach acid? Yes
Are they proven to adhere? Yes
Are there any possible side effects? Mild short term bloating or gas


Green Cell Therapy has different kind of probiotics, plus digestive enzymes and nutrients. Green Cell Therapy helps repair the body at the cellular level. Each and every cell benefits from the 32 extraordinary ingredients in this superior nutritional formula. The potent natural supplements in this formula improves, digestion, immune function, metabolism, pH balance, cell repair, brain/cognitive function, and has antioxidant ability, scavenging free radicals out of the body.

Contains multiple probiotics Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Longum, Lactobacillus Casei,& Lactobacillus Rhamnonsus

Wheatgrass and barley grass offer raw energy. Contains billions of beneficial gut organisms. The highest quality green supplement. No artificial colouring, flavouring or preservatives.
It also contains lactase (for those who are lactose intolerant) amylase, lipase,& protease (helps digest food, which is hard work for your colon)
spinach, blue green algae, chlorella, and many other nutrients
Some of my patients have traded their prescription and over the counter heartburn medication for this supplement

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Increasing your fiber while pregnant (or before and after)

Sources of fiber that you can include in your diet daily while pregnant (or before and after)

You need 25-35 grams of fiber daily
Be sure to drink at least 2 liters of water daily

benefiber (mixes clear or tablet form)

Psyllium fiber like metamucil (or equivalent), Konsyl

flaxseeds (have fiber and omega)

beans

raw vegetables

apples (or applesauce)

prunes (or prune juice)

fiber fortified cereal

splenda with fiber

yogurt with fiber

Calcium fortified foods

Calcium is very important, but most of us do not get enough.

In addition to the large number of calcium rich foods that are naturally found, like milk and cheese, a lot of foods are now fortified with calcium.
Calcium-fortified breakfast cereal, including General Mills Whole Grain Total, Total Raisin Bran, Total Cranberry Crunch, and Total Honey Clusters, all of which have 100% DV of calcium per serving! Some ready-to-eat breakfast cereals are fortified with as much as 1,000 mg of calcium in each 1 1/3–cup serving. Add a cup of milk and you will get all the calcium you need for the day. Fortified foods are a handy way to get vitamins and minerals into your diet. To add calcium to hot cereals, cook them in cow's milk or fortified soymilk instead of water.

Calcium-fortified orange juice
Calcium-fortified soy milk
Instant oatmeal
Calcium-fortified bread or English muffins
Calcium-fortified drink mixes such as Pediasure or Carnation Instant Breakfast

Other calcium-fortified breakfast cereals, including General Mills Golden Grahams (350 mg)

Omega or DHA fortified foods

Omega-3 found in fortified eggs, margarine spread, mayonnaise with olive oil, salmon, canola oil, avocado oil, or olive oil and in peanut butter.

Everyone does not care for the taste of fish, or fish oil supplements, but for heart and pregnancy health, their are other ways to enhance intake of omega 3 or DHA.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Hyperemesis ideas: nausea and vomiting in pregnancy

Women who experience nausea and vomiting in pregnancy often have difficulty taking vitamins until their nausea resolves.

Ask your physician if the following strategies would be appropriate for you.

1. Sublingual B complex

2. Epsom salt baths -some magnesium may be absorbed transdermally

3. Topical Magnesium oil

4. Lotions fortified with vitamins

5. Preggie pops

6. Dry cereal fortified with vitamins (instead of crackers)