Living To Be 100

Some health authorities have referred to Omega-3 fatty acids as a dietary “magic bullet.” Omega-3 has been in the health news a lot lately. Just what is Omega-3 anyway?                              

Omega-3s are fatty acids from fish oils and contain two important omega-3 fatty acids–eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA). Omega-3 fatty acids are known as the “good fats” because, among other health benefits, fish oils can help fight arthritic joint inflammation, decrease blood pressure, and aid in weight loss. Omega-3s are not made by the body and must be obtained from foods or supplements. Scientists have also found these benefits:

• fatty acids make blood less likely to clot, thereby making heart attacks less likely to occur
• fatty acids protect against irregular heart beats that can cause sudden death
• a US health company has found that fish oil decreases inflammation which they say is the root cause of periodontal disease
• Omega-3 has been shown to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive brain disorder. Researchers found that high levels of DHA found in fish oil seem to protect against Alzheimer’s disease 
• Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil supplements were found to be effective in supporting healthy joints, eye development and bone health

Omega-3 fatty acids are concentrated in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines. But health authorities caution about dangerously high mercury levels found in fish. And dietary surveys indicate that most of us do not get enough Omega-3 fatty acids in our standard American diets.

Make sure your Omega-3 fatty acid capsules are virtually free of contaminants and have the highest possible purity, free of heavy metals, PCBs, pesticides and residues. Find these state-of-the-art fish oil capsules–brand name BiOmega–at http://margaretpriddy.usana.com. You’ll find them under the heading “Optimizers.”

Consult a physician before beginning any treatments or therapies. This article is for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as providing medical advice.

Weight control strategies that are both safe and effective are needed to reduce the rate of the current obesity epidemic. In a recent study, people incorporating fortified meal replacements were more likely to have adequate essential nutrient intakes compared to a group following a more traditional food group diet.   

Dietary supplements and fortified meal replacements help ensure nutritional adequacy during energy-restricted diets for weight loss.

A recent study compared the macronutrient and micronutrient levels in the foods chosen by women following two different weight reduction programs.

Ninety-six generally healthy overweight or obese women randomly placed into two treatment groups: Traditional Food Group (TFG) or a Meal Replacement Group (MRG). The MRG included the use of 1-2 meal replacement drinks or bars per day. Both groups aimed to restrict energy levels to approximately 1,300 calories per day.

After one year, weight loss was not significantly different between the groups, and both groups had macronutrient (Carbohydrate:Protein:Fat) ratios that were within the ranges recommended. Both groups experienced an improved dietary pattern with respect to decreased saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, with increased total servings/day of fruits and vegetables. However, the TFG had a significantly lower dietary intake of several vitamins and minerals compared to the MRG and was at greater risk for inadequate intake.

Although both groups successfully lost weight while improving overall dietary adequacy, the group incorporating fortified meal replacements tended to have a more adequate essential nutrient intake compared to the group following a more traditional food group diet. This study supports the need to incorporate fortified foods and/or dietary supplements while following an energy-restricted diet for weight loss.

Nutr J. 2007 Jun 25;6:12

To find top quality fortified meal replacements and pharmaceutical-grade vitamins and minerals, visit: http://margaretpriddy.usana.com

Consult a physician before beginning any treatments or therapies. This article is for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as providing medical advice.

A recent article published in the British Journal of Nutrition summarizes the roles of selected vitamins and trace elements in immune function.

Adequate intakes of micronutrients are required for the immune system to function efficiently. Micronutrient deficiency suppresses immunity by affecting antibody responses, leading to imbalances in the immune system. This situation increases susceptibility to infections, which increases disease and death risk. In addition, infections aggravate micronutrient deficiencies by reducing nutrient intake, increasing losses, and interfering with utilization by altering metabolic pathways.

Inadequate intakes of micronutrients are common in people with eating disorders, smokers (active and passive), individuals with chronic alcohol abuse, certain diseases, during pregnancy and lactation, and in the elderly.

Micronutrients contribute to the body’s natural defenses on three levels by supporting physical barriers (skin/mucosa), cellular immunity and antibody production. Vitamins A,C,E and the mineral zinc assist in enhancing the skin barrier function. The vitamins A,B6,B12,C,D,E and folic acid and the minerals iron, zinc, copper and selenium work in synergy to support the protective activities of the immune cells.

Finally, all these micronutrients, with the exception of vitamin C and iron, are essential for the production of antibodies. Overall, inadequate intake and status of these vitamins and minerals may lead to a suppressed immune system, which increases the risk of infections and aggravates malnutrition.

Therefore, supplementation with a multivitamin/mineral that includes these micronutrients can support the body’s natural defense system by enhancing all three levels of immunity.

Br J Nutr. 2007 Oct;98 Suppl 1:S29-35.                                                      

For more information on health and top vitamins and minerals, visit: http://margaretpriddy.usana.com/

Consult a physician before beginning any treatments or therapies. This article should not be interpreted as providing medical advice.

Good health starts with good nutrition. By eating a well-balanced diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, we can look forward to a long, healthy life. Unfortunately, our health is compromised by the consumption of junk food, processed food, and a high intake of fat and sugar. This leads to chronic nutritional deficiencies which weaken our immune systems and promote disease.

Although the United States government has set Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) guidelines for vitamins and minerals and other nutrients, the RDA intended to help reduce severe nutritional deficiencies. However, researchers have discovered that, because of our poor diets, only a small percentage of the U.S. population gets even the RDA levels of many important nutrients. Poor nutrition causes a weakened immune system and is a contributing factor as to why disease is so prevalent. We are a nation of overfed but malnourished individuals.

Quality nutritional health supplements can help supply the essential nutrients missing from our diets. To be useful, nutrients must be of the highest quality and must be bioavailable–in a form that the body can use and absorb.

Companies that sell nutritional supplements are required to undergo stringent testing of their product. Their tablets should be able to disintegrate after 20 minutes in solution. Many products not only fail this test, but fail less stringent tests.

How can you be sure of getting quality supplements when there are so many on the market? In an independent study, author Lyle MacWilliam, wrote NUTRISEARCH COMPARATIVE GUIDE TO NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS (Northern Dimensions publishing 2007). In his book, he rates 1500 nutritional products in the United States and Canada.

The highest-ranking honor which MacWilliam bestowed on a top-rated nutritional company was his NutriSearch Gold Medal of Achievement Award. This award was only given to four of the 394 manufacturers of supplements. USANA is one of the four nutritional supplement companies to receive this award.

Find out more about USANA at: http://margaretpriddy.usana.com