Omega-3 Fatty Acids Found to Benefit Patients with Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease is a chronic neurodegenerative condition, caused by the formation of plaques from accumulated fragments of b-amyloid (Abeta), derived from amyloid precursor protein, which results in brain damage. Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish such as sardines and salmon, has been linked to a decreased risk of developing the disease. A number of explanations for this protective effect have been proposed: the omega-3 DHA ensures that the protective fatty membrane surrounding neuronal cells is highly flexible, making the transmission of messages between neurons quick and effective, in addition the omega-3 EPA increases levels of nitric oxide, a mediator of neurotransmission, and reduces levels of pro-inflammatory substances.
A new study has tested the impact of omega-3 supplementation on patients with existing Alzheimer's and mild cognitive impairment. Twenty three patients with mild or moderate Alzheimer's disease and twenty three with mild cognitive impairment were randomly assigned to receive omega-3 PUFAs 1.8 g/day or placebo (olive oil) daily for 24 weeks. The treatment group showed better improvement on the Clinician's Interview-Based Impression of Change Scale (CIBIC-plus) than those in the placebo group; in addition those with mild cognitive impairment receiving omega-3 PUFAs showed significant improvement in the cognitive portion of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-cog) compared to the placebo group. Higher proportions of EPA in red blood cell membranes (a marker of fatty acid status) were also associated with better cognitive outcome.
 
These are exciting preliminary results that build on previous work and when viewed together, indicate that fish oil supplementation in the early stages of cognitive impairment may effectively help slow the progression of dementia.  
 
C lick here to view the abstract.

From the Nutri Newsletter, No. 119

Probiotics found to help sufferers of IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common gut-related complain, and one that conventional medicine does not have too many answers for. In practice, I find food sensitivity is a common factor in this condition. Another often-found issue is an imbalance in the 'ecosystem' that inhabits the gut. One approach here is to restock the gut with 'healthy' bacteria in the form of supplements known as 'probiotics'. On Monday, I discuss a study which found this approach to bring significant relief to sufferers of IBS. For more on this, click this link.

From Dr. Briffa's e-newsletter

Super-Food Broccoli 'May Help Protect Lungs'

Recent research suggests that a substance found in broccoli may limit the damage that can lead to serious lung disease.
 
Everyone is more than aware of the dangers of smoking, in particular how it is the leading cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - an illness which kills about 30,000 people in the UK every year.
 
Now US scientists have found that sulforapane, a compound found in broccoli, increases the activity of the NRF2 gene in human lung cells, therefore protecting cells from damage causing toxins.
 
In the latest study, the research team found that:-

    *
      Smokers with advanced COPD had a significantly lower activity of the NRF2 gene.
    *
      The NRF2 gene is responsible for 'switching on' mechanisms within the body that remove the cell-damaging toxins and pollutants.
    *
      Disrupting the NRF2 gene caused an early onset of severe emphysema.
    *
      Increasing the activity of the NRF2 gene may lead to the development of treatments in the prevention of COPD.
    *
      Sulforapane (the compound found in broccoli) was able to restore the reduced levels of NRF2 in cells exposed to cigarette smoke.

A spokeswoman for the British Lung Foundation commented: "This is an important study for the 3 million people in the UK with COPD because of its findings about the imbalance of oxidants and antioxidants in the lungs".

Click here to read the full study.

Omega 3 May Mean Better Survival Rates for Heart Patients

A new study has shown that a daily supplement of omega-3 fatty acids may
reduce mortality and admission to hospital for cardiovascular reasons in
patients with heart failure.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has been linked to a wide-range of
health benefits, including reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and
certain cancers, joint health, healthy pregnancy and improved behaviour
and mood.

So far, several studies have reported beneficial effects of omega-3
fatty acids on cardiovascular disease, but, until now, there have been
no large-scale trials investigating the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids
in patients with heart failure.

Italian researchers recruited 6975 patients with chronic heart failure
to take part in the Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Sopravvivenza
nell'Infarto miocardico (GISSI), and randomly assigned them to receive
either a daily omega 3 supplement or placebo for 3.9 years.

At the end of the randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial the
researchers commented, "Our study shows that the long-term
administration of 1g per day omega-3 PUFA was effective in reducing both
all-cause mortality and admissions to hospital for cardiovascular reasons".

Dr Gregg Fonarow from Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Centre, Los Angeles
said: "Although the improvements in clinical outcomes were modest, they
were additive to those of other therapies that are standard in care of
heart failure. The therapy was safe and very well tolerated".

Source:
The Lancet (published online ahead of print, 31 August 2008)
Effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with chronic heart
failure (the GISSI-HF trial): a randomised, double-blind,
placebo-controlled trial" GISSI-HF investigator
The Lancet (published online ahead of print, 31 August 2008)
Statins and n-3 fatty acid supplementation in heart failure. G.C. Fonarow

Lifestyle Intervention is More Effective Than Drugs for Preventing Diabetes

More and more research is emerging to support the value of physical
activity and a healthy balanced diet as a part of your patients
programme. It is not always at the top of the list of changes to make
for your patients though. Maybe this can change their minds...

A pill for life? On yer bike...
In one study, 3234 non-diabetic patients with elevated glucose - a
high-risk population for developing diabetes - were assigned to either a
placebo, metformin or lifestyle modifications. Lifestyle intervention
was classified as a goal of at least 7% weight loss and at 150 minutes
of physical activity per week. The average length of time for follow-up
was 2.8 years. Results showed that after this time the incidence of
diabetes had been reduced by 58% in the lifestyle intervention group as
compared to the placebo whereas metformin group had reduced their
incidence of diabetes only 31%.1

This has been backed up by numerous other studies and one particular
study suggested that lifestyle interventions could reduce the incidence
of disease by 20% and delay the development of diabetes by 11 years as
compared to Metformin which only resulted in an 8% reduction in disease
and delayed onset of diabetes by 3 years.2

Another study of lifestyle interventions in people at high risk for type
II diabetes showed sustained lifestyle changes and a reduction in
diabetes incidence that remained after the individual lifestyle
counselling was stopped.

From the Nutri e-newsletter No. 113

Summer Survival Tips No.3 - Happy Snacking!

Healthy snacks are essential for energy-hungry children to keep them
going all day long without those blood sugar peaks and troughs. Here's
a round-up of some of the best snacks to offer your little angels this
summer!

*
Chopped fruit salad - Apples, grapes, strawberries, blueberries,
kiwi and pineapple all work well in fruit salads. Combining this with a
dollop of natural yoghurt will help to slow the release of the natural
fruit sugars to help promote stabilised energy levels.
*
Cereal bars - There are now some fantastic tasty cereal bars on
the market that combine oats with dried fruit and natural fruit juices
without any added sugar, sweeteners or anything nasty or artificial in
them. Organix cereal bars and Lyme Regis Fruitus Bars are probably two
of the best on the market at the moment and make a fantastic, portable,
healthy snack for your children (or yourself!).
*
Popcorn - We're not referring to the salt / sugar-laden popcorn
usually found in cinemas - this is the make-it-for-yourself-at-home
healthy version! Most health food shops sell packets of popping corn
that provides entertainment and nourishment all in one! Making your own
popcorn at home is so easy and one of those things that never ceases to
amaze children as the huge fluffy corn emerges out of the tiny kernel
with a loud 'pop'. You can eat it warm out of the pan completely
unadulterated or drizzle some molasses or manuka honey on top to
increase the nutrient value. Why not have a video screening at home
with real popcorn in the interval?!!
*
Veggies and Dips - Why not try making your own home-made houmous
or guacamole (with your children for a lovely messy activity!) and then
add some sliced carrot, pepper or celery sticks for lots of dipping.
This snack is bursting with lots of nutrients and excellent for blood
sugar balance.

*
Fruit kebabs - anything where children get involved with making
their own food is usually a huge hit so why not try chopping up lots of
different types of fruit on a large plate and let them make their own
fruit kebabs on wooden skewers (watch younger children with sharp
skewers). The more brightly coloured and varied you can make your
kebabs, the more nutritious they will be, packed full of vitamin C and a
powerhouse of antioxidants.
*
Toasted seeds with honey and soy sauce - Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in
a frying pan and add a mixture of sunflower and pumpkin seeds (120g) for
about 2 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from the heat and add 1
tbsp honey and 1 tbsp soy sauce, return to the heat for 1 minute and
then leave to cool. This is an excellent snack for children to nibble
on and is packed full of those all-important essential fatty acids.
*
Grilled bananas on wholegrain toast drizzled with manuka honey -
this is rather a substantial snack, but you could cut it into smaller
squares for children to share as a tasty appetiser. Manuka honey is
fast gaining a reputation as a super food with its anti-bacterial
healing qualities now being recognised in some hospitals. Both
delicious and nutritious, manuka honey is an excellent food to include
in your children's diets.
*
Energy shake - liquidise together 1 ripe banana, ¼ pack silken
tofu (about 55g), ½ cup apple juice, 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds, 1
tablespoon flaxseed oil and ½ level tablespoon lecithin granules to a
smooth consistency and drink straight away. This is a supremely
nutritious smoothie packed full of protein, vitamins, minerals and
essential fatty acids - almost a meal in itself - a delicious and
healthy snack!

From the Nutri e-newsletter No. 113

Generalised pain linked to low vitamin D levels in women

Dr. John Briffa writes in his e-newsletter:

In a past blog I wrote about how some individuals (usually women) present in practice with generalised pain in their bodies. Since getting interested in nutritional medicine, I discovered that the key underlying problem in many of these individuals was a deficiency of vitamin D. In practice, I have found that boosting vitamin D levels in these individuals often gives satisfying relief from chronic, generalised pain. I was therefore interested to read this week about a study which found that women suffering from generalised pain were at enhanced risk of vitamin D deficiency. For more on this study, as well as the sort of vitamin D levels that appear to be necessary to keep women pain-free, click this link