Health news you can use

High-quality brands of vitamins are made from pure sources and do not contain coloring agents and other toxins.

by Dr. Alan Christianson — 

The following is new information concerning your health, along with comments on this information.

Green tea works better with vitamin C

A study at Purdue University has shown that adding ascorbic acid and sucrose to green tea can help the body absorb helpful compounds. Mario Ferruzzi, associate professor of food science and nutrition, showed that adding ascorbic acid and/or sucrose to green tea increases the absorbability of the tea’s catechins, a class of polyphenols commonly found in tea, cocoa and grapes, which are the antioxidants thought to fight heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and other health problems. Source: ScienceDaily (Sept. 10, 2009)

Commentary: Scores of studies have been done on catechins attesting to their health benefits for preventing most chronic diseases. One of the few drawbacks has been their poor absorption by the intestinal tract. The simplest way to duplicate these benefits is to add a packet of a sweetened buffered vitamin C drink like Emergen-C to hot or cold green tea, or stir in a little honey and a squeeze of lemon.

Beat the H1N1 flu with vitamin D

In an analysis of clinical trials done over the last several decades, blood levels of vitamin D are shown to predict susceptibility to and severity of several seasonal respiratory infections including influenza, tuberculosis and viral upper respiratory infections (colds). Source: Vitamin D for treatment and prevention of infectious diseases: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Endocrinology Practice, 2009 July-Aug; 15(5):438-49. Yamshchikov AV, et al.

Commentary: We really do not know what to expect from the H1N1 flu this winter. We have a vaccine due out shortly that may be protective but has unarguably been rushed to market. Apart from maintaining basic good hygiene, an adequate vitamin D status may help lower your risk of contracting swine flu and lessening its severity, if you do catch it. Vitamin D doses commonly start at 1,000 IU of D3 (taken daily with food). Fifteen to 30 minutes of skin exposure to afternoon and evening sun can also be helpful.

Avoid pills with titanium

Titanium dioxide has recently been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as an IARC Group 2B — a “possible carcinogen to humans.” Titanium dioxide is widely used to provide whiteness and opacity to products such as paints, plastics, papers, inks, foods and toothpastes. Source: Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety.

Commentary: Guess where the nice, shiny white color on your name-brand vitamin tablets comes from? In the case of Centrum, the company with the biggest-selling multivitamin in the country, the source is titanium dioxide. This is true of many vitamin tablets. So what is the consumer to do? Costco may be a great place to buy your toilet paper, but make sure to invest in quality vitamins and minerals from your doctor or a reputable health food store. High-quality brands are made from pure sources and do not contain coloring agents and other toxins. Another simple rule is to choose capsules over tablets. They dissolve better, and thus are more readily absorbable; plus, there will be no risk for titanium coating. You can probably guess where the white lettering on your M&M’s come from.

Alan Christianson, N.M.D., has been practicing and lecturing in the Scottsdale area for over 14 years. He is the owner of Integrative Health Care in Scottsdale, Ariz. 480-657-0003.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 28, Number  5, Oct/Nov 2009.