Researchers Pan Flawed Study That Claims B Vitamins Do Not Help Early Dementia

A recent study that concluded that early-stage dementia patients do not benefit from taking vitamin B-12 or folic acid supplements was “inaccurate and misleading”, according to British scientists who analyzed the data on which the study was based. The unjustified claim in the flawed study that B vitamins were “sadly not going to prevent Alzheimer’s disease” would not only have a negative impact on patient welfare, the scientists said, it could also bias research funding and health policy. Dr. Peter Garrard said there is “first-rate scientific evidence” that B vitamins have biological and neuropsychological benefits for people over 70 who have noticed a recent decline in cognitive abilities.

"B-vitamin trials meta-analysis: less than meets the eye. ", American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 12, 2015

Big Breakfast, Small Dinner Benefit Type 2 Diabetics

Researchers in Sweden and Israel show that type 2 diabetics can better control their blood sugar levels by timing their intake of calories. The study was conducted among eight men and 10 women between 30 and 70 years with type 2 diabetes and a normal to high body mass index. Some were being treated with the antidiabetic drug metformin. The study found that a calorie-loaded breakfast and a low-calorie dinner were associated with a significantly lower overall post-meal glucose level over the entire day. The researchers said the pattern may help achieve optimal metabolic control and “may have the potential for being preventive for cardiovascular and other complications of type 2 diabetes”.

"High-energy breakfast with low-energy dinner decreases overall daily hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomised clinical trial. ", Diabetologia, March 07, 2015

Mussel-Derived Omega-3 Supplement Prevents Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage

A small U.S. clinical trial among non-athletic men finds that taking a pre-exercise supplement of an omega-3 fatty acid derived from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel reduces post-workout muscle damage. In prior testing, Pharmalink International’s Lyprinol, (Omega XL in the U.S.) has reduced the effects of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and exercise-induced asthma. For this study, participants took either the supplement or a placebo for 26 days. Then the body's reaction to a muscle-damaging treadmill regimen was tested immediately, and at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours afterwards. Those given the supplement had less muscle soreness and pain, less strength loss, less fatigue and fewer inflammatory proteins in their blood.

"The effects PCSO-524®, a patented marine oil lipid and omega-3 PUFA blend derived from the New Zealand green lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus), on indirect markers of muscle damage and inflammation after muscle damaging exercise in untrained men: a ra. ", Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, March 07, 2015

Study Adds More Evidence That Sitting Is Bad For the Heart

A new U.S. study confirms earlier research findings that sitting for long periods of time, regardless of exercise, is bad for the heart. Too much sitting is associated with coronary artery calcification, according to the researchers who noted that other studies have linked excessive sitting with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and early death. The researchers analyzed heart scans and physical activity records of more than 2,000 adults living in Dallas, Texas. They found that each hour of sedentary time a day was on average associated with a 14 percent increase in coronary artery calcification. The association had nothing to do with exercise activity or other traditional heart disease risk factors.

"Excess sitting linked to coronary artery calcification, an early indicator of heart problems", News release, study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s annual scientific session, March 05, 2015

GM Soybean Oil Has Only One Metabolic Advantage Over The Regular Kind

Contrary to the hype, genetically modified (GM) soybean oil is as bad for your health as regular soybean oil, except in one key area, according to a U.S. study. Researchers found in mouse experiments that GM soybean oil – which is about 55 percent linoleic acid and contains no trans fats – induces obesity, diabetes and fatty liver, like regular soybean oil. Its one advantage is that it does not cause insulin resistance, which is the inability of the body to use the hormone insulin efficiently. The test results indicate that GM soybean oil is not as healthy as olive oil or even coconut oil, which is primarily saturated fat.

"How healthy is genetically modified soybean oil?", News release, study presented at the Endocrine Society annual meeting, March 05, 2015

Mediterranean Diet Reduces Heart Disease Risk By Nearly Half

A 10-year study conducted in Greece found a strong connection between heart health and the Mediterranean diet, which limits unhealthy fats and emphasizes fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains, and olive oil. Adults who closely followed the diet were 47 percent less likely to develop heart disease. In fact, the diet was more protective than physical activity, researchers found. They also said the diet has indirect benefits in managing diabetes, hypertension and inflammation.

"Adherence to Mediterranean is the Most Important Protector Against the Development of Fatal and Non-Fatal Cardiovascular Event: 10-Year Follow-up (2002-12) Of the Attica Study", Study presented at the American College of Cardiology's scientific session, March 04, 2015

Endurance Athletes Perform Better When Taking Salt Tablets

Athletes who participate in demanding endurance sports such as long distance running and cycling benefit greatly from taking salt supplements, Spanish researchers report. Resistance sports and activities carried out in hot weather disrupt the body’s careful balance of water and electrolytes, especially sodium and chloride. Scientists analyzed the effectiveness of taking salt capsules during a medium distance triathlon that included swimming, cycling and running. Triathletes who ingested the salt during the event finished an average of 26 minutes before the control group that drank sports drinks but did not ingest the salt. The control group was only able to replace 20 percent of lost sodium, researchers found.

"Effects of oral salt supplementation on physical performance during a half-ironman: A randomized controlled trial. ", Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, March 04, 2015

Athletes Benefit From Nitrate Supplements That Boost Blood Flow

Athletes and fitness fanatics have been taking nitrate supplements for years to increase endurance by improving oxygen use by muscles. A new British study in rats shows that nitrates decrease the viscosity of blood, boosting blood flow, while ensuring proper oxygen delivery. Researchers found that the effects were due to a complex balancing act involving the liver and kidneys, oxygen, hemoglobin in the blood and the hormone erythropoietin. The findings may lead to development of therapeutics for dietary intervention in dangerous blood volume diseases like polycythemia and other conditions that warrant a reduction in red cell mass and improvement in blood flow.

"Suppression of erythropoiesis by dietary nitrate. ", The FASEB Journal, March 02, 2015