Survey Sez Supplements Help Diabetes Sugar Control

Every time we read about a new study for diabetes the same supplements seem to be beneficial for helping with blood sugars. Natural ways to help blood sugar health and diabetes include fiber, vitamin B-1, CoQ10, chamomile tea, exercise, addressing depression and L-Carnitine. Now a new study re enforces previous findings that calcium and vitamin D help with blood sugar health.

Since diabetes affects over 24 million Americans it is an important condition to get under control. As we already know this disease can lead to permanent disability, and numerous health complications like heart disease, stroke, blindness, chronic kidney disease, and amputations.

In the latest study, researchers analyzed calcium intake and vitamin D levels of 888 men from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and 1385 healthy women from the Nurses' Health Study who ranged in age from 40 to 75. They also looked at levels of a protein called C-peptide, since it is believed to be associated with insulin resistance, diabetes, and other chronic diseases that are in part related to diabetes and insulin resistance, including colon adenoma and pancreatic cancer.

In women, the researchers found that those with a total calcium intake greater than 800 mg per day had C-peptide levels that were 11% lower than those with a total calcium intake less than 500 mg per day. No associations between calcium and C-peptide were seen in men. But men had 20% lower C-peptide levels with vitamin D levels of 88 millimoles per liter compared to 38 millimoles per liter. No significant associations were seen between vitamin D levels and C-peptide in women.

But when both calcium and vitamin D intake were looked at together, they found that men with the highest intakes had 35% lower C-peptide levels than those with the lowest calcium/vitamin D intakes. Women with the highest intakes had 12% lower C-peptide levels than those with the lowest intakes.

When looking at how calcium and vitamin D affect insulin function, they cite research showing insulin secretion to be dependent on calcium and that calcium is essential for insulin function in that it affects the sensitivity of muscle and fat cells to insulin. For vitamin D, the researchers suggest it may improve insulin sensitivity by controlling calcium levels both in and out of cells, thereby influencing insulin levels.

For the researchers, "The results suggest that calcium intake or vitamin D [blood levels], after adjustment for intake of dairy products, is associated with decreased insulin secretion."

Select supplementstogo.com for calcium, vitamin D and all of your other nutritional supplement needs.

Supplements I Recommend

The supplement industry seems to push hundreds of thousands of "best in the world miracles" in order to achieve health benefits and it is difficult to choose the good from the bad. Every day it seems there are exaggerated, misleading and flat-out false claims in what we see, hear and read.

On the other hand we can’t ignore the pharmaceutical-like properties of real food. Keep in mind that supplementation is a very personalized thing and that "supplement" should imply that you are adding to an already healthy and varied diet.

Certain supplements can be beneficial, and I have highlighted what I use based on cost and benefit:

Fish Oil
Omega-3 fatty acids are one of the superfoods of this decade. The research has been very promising when it comes to this essential fat found in fatty, cold-water fish such as; salmon, mackerel, sardines and herring. The problem is, most people don't eat enough fish to get the coveted EPA and DHA (components of omega-3's) found in these fish and responsible for a healthier brain, heart and joints.

A multivitamin/mineral
These are good for almost anyone who wants to make sure that any shortages in their nutritional needs are covered. My recommendation for someone looking for a multivitamin is one with 100% RDI in most ingredients. You don’t want too much vitamin A (more than 10,000 IU) and folic acid (more than .5g).

Whey protein powder
Very versatile and easy way to get a useable protein into your body. Protein smoothies are excellent before or after exercise and can be turned into a meal-on-the-go really easily. Isolate is a purer form than concentrate when it comes to whey protein.

Vitamin D
In light of recent research, vitamin D is becoming as essential as fish oil. Medical literature has been full of articles on it's positive impact on health. It has been shown to lower the risk of diabetes, along with fighting breast and pancreatic cancer, and it has even been shown to lengthen life. Research considers 1000IU’s safe for almost anyone, so unless you live in the tropics you need all you can get.

Calcium
Women especially need more of this mineral. Recommendations of 500mg supplements will help you reach a daily target of around 1200mg. If you can find a supplement with vitamin D and Calcium (and maybe magnesium) in one, this is a good bet.

Additional Supplements:

These supplements are still being researched but preliminary results are positive and worth added if you have a specific need.

Alpha Lipoic Acid:
ALA is an antioxidant with the unique ability to function in both water and fat. It has been used to boost brain function and improve age-related conditions by protecting nerve cells. Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA): See discussion here.

Creatine Monohydrate:
This continues to be the top bodybuilding performance and muscle building supplement of choice.

Probiotics:
Healthy bacteria such as Acidophilus have shown some promise in keeping the gut healthy. Preliminary research has shown the possibility of preventing peptic ulcers, infections and even reduce the risk of colon cancer.

PS as a side note: Many people are using a colon cleanser along with Acai Berry for weight loss.

Eat More Fruits and Veggies For Stronger Bones

Here is a bit of trivia I ran across this morning. If you eat a lot of protein and cereal grains it causes excess acid production in the body, which could increase calcium excretion and result in weakened bones, and may also lead to osteoporosis.

When we think of taking care of our bones as we age calcium and vitamin D have been stressed, but maybe the acid/base balance of the diet is also important. That is what a new study uncovered. By increasing your alkali levels with a pill or by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables we can strengthen bones.

The study included men and women aged 50 and older who took either a placebo or doses of either potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or potassium chloride for three months. The people who took bicarbonate showed significant reductions in calcium and reduced bone mass.

As we age the diet of many older adults contains more acids but they are less able to excrete the acid. But if we eat more fruits and veggies they add bicarbonate in our system, which is an alkaline compound.

Dr. Bess Dawson-Hughes, of Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, noted in Endocrine Society news that "In this study, we demonstrated that adding alkali in pill form reduced bone resorption and reduced the losses of calcium in the urine over a three month period. This intervention warrants further investigation as a safe and well tolerated supplement to reduce bone loss and fracture risk in older men and women."

Keep Your Healthy Habits for the New Year

These days our economy is forcing us to be more frugal than in the past years. With costs like health care and prescriptions rising, along with everything else, it’s good to know that you can still supplement your health without going broke. SupplementsToGo is still providing quality products at prices that allow you to maintain your healthy lifestyle and supplement regimen.



After working so hard to make the right nutrition choices you want to keep the gains you made last year. Getting essential vitamins and minerals is important for a healthy diet. For many of us, our food choices do not always provide enough of the nutrients our bodies need, so adding dietary supplements into the daily routine has become a more popular way to get the nutrients our bodies need.

With so many choices it’s hard to know where to start sometimes. We hear everything from fiber, Vitamin C, the B Vitamins, Calcium, Potassium and Magnesium, multivitamins, and the list goes on depending on the particular needs.

In order to begin the year with healthy habits, here is a short list of popular supplements that others are getting online in order to benefit their healthy lifestyle resolutions. For strong healthy bones Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc and/or a Vitamin D supplement. Your immune system gets added support from Vitamin C.

One of my main supplements is Fish Oil which is well known for its ability to help the heart and cardiovascular system, and the B Complex vitamins play an important role in giving us more energy. Lutein is important for clear, healthy vision. These nutrients play different, but essential roles in your well-being.

Keep in mind that even though our country’s financial system is a little out of whack right now, don’t let your healthy lifestyle suffer also. STG can help make your life easier, and a whole lot healthier. Add lots of these essential nutrients to your daily regimen, and enjoy the endless benefits of good health at cheap prices you can live with.

Some Aspirin Products Not Approved by FDA ... Yet

There was an interesting article in HealthDay News.com that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Bayer HealthCare that they were illegally marketing two unapproved over-the-counter aspirin medications, (Bayer Women's Low Dose Aspirin + Calcium and Bayer Aspirin with Heart Advantage)

The article went on to say that they require an approved new drug application in order to be legally marketed. In addition to being labeled as pain relievers, both products claim to reduce the risk of heart disease. Bayer Women's also claims to fight osteoporosis. Neither product has been approved by the FDA for such uses.

Bayer Heart Advantage combines aspirin and phytosterols, which the label claims helps lower cholesterol levels. Bayer Women's combines aspirin and calcium carbonate.

FDA officials said they weren't aware of any significant adverse events associated with Bayer Women's or Bayer Heart Advantage.

Forbes reported Tuesday that Bayer stood behind both products' claims and said they were not intended to replace professional medical advice. Bayer also said it would respond to the FDA letters in the next 15 business days, as requested by regulators.

It reminds me of the time when ephedra supplements had to be withdrawn from the market in 2004 when the FDA’s final rule banning all dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids, regardless of the recommended dose, came into effect. The ban was lifted a year later in April of 2005.

So, until all the inspections, detections, rejections, and all the other mean, nasty, ugly, stuff is settled, you might want to choose an alternative supplement. If you are currently taking a low dose of aspirin for your heart, and your physician says you also need more calcium for your bones, or your cholesterol is high, you might want to find a something else that has already been tested and determined to be safe.

Get Your Minerals

When was the last time you gave any thought to your dietary mineral intake? No, I don't mean popping a few supplements occasionally, I mean really taking a good look at the level of minerals in your diet. If it's been a while, you're not alone.

Minerals perform a variety of jobs in the body. Details of the some of the most important minerals are listed below:

Calcium: Important for healthy bones and teeth. Found in dairy produce, leafy green vegetables, bread, tap water in hard water areas, nuts and seeds (especially sesame seeds), dried fruits, cheese. Vitamin D helps calcium to be absorbed.

Iron: Needed for red blood cells. Found in leafy green vegetables, wholemeal bread, molasses, eggs, dried fruits (especially apricots and figs), lentils and pulses. Vegetable sources of iron are not as easily absorbed as animal sources, but a good intake of vitamin C will enhance absorption.

Zinc: Plays a major role in many enzyme reactions and the immune system. Found in green vegetables, cheese, sesame and pumpkin seeds, lentils and wholegrain cereals.

Iodine: Present in vegetables, but the quantity depends on how rich the soil is in iodine. Dairy products also have plenty of iodine. Sea vegetables are a good source of iodine for vegans.

Dem Bones

Our bones are living tissue that are continually being renewed and repaired. As we age we tend to forget why it is important to have good health and nutrition. Bones are affected by diet and exercise, and need to be kept strong on order to prevent osteoporosis, which is a disease where bones become weak and brittle.

Calcium makes strong bones and vitamin D helps calcium to be absorbed into bones. Thus it is very important to eat a healthy diet with enough calcium and vitamin D. As a teenager, your daily recommended requirement of calcium is 1000 mg and vitamin D is 100(IU). A balanced diet would provide you with enough nutrients to meet your requirement, but there are also calcium supplements available if you eat on the run a lot.

Calcium-rich foods include low-fat milk, calcium-enriched soybean milk, cheese, low-fat yogurt, almonds, tofu, fish with soft bones such as sardines; green leafy vegetables such as kale or spinach and fruits such as papaya or raisins.

The best way to obtain sufficient vitamin D is to go outdoors when the sun is up and get at least 30 minutes of sunshine a day. Vitamin D can also be obtained in foods like egg yolk, liver and fish.

Calcium is needed for you to build strong bones. Your bone is made up of more than 50% calcium. It is therefore important to have sufficient calcium in the diet to build strong bones.

You do have to build up the calcium in bones early. More than 60% of total bone mass is built up by age 18. It peaks by the time you reach age 30, and then you begin to lose more bone mass than you build. So, it is important to build your bone mass when you are young.

As women reach their 60’s, they are more prone to getting osteoporosis. The risk factors include:

Being over 65 years of age, a family history of osteoporosis, are menopausal or have had ovaries removed. Don’t consume enough calcium in their daily diet, don’t exercise regularly, or drink too much alcohol.

Osteoporosis occurs when bone is lost faster than it is replaced. When this happens, your bones become weak and brittle and are less able to withstand stresses such as falls. Thus it is very important to eat a healthy diet with enough calcium and vitamin D.

The daily recommended requirement of calcium women from 19 to 50 is 800mg. After 50 it goes up to 1000mg.Routine x-rays cannot detect osteoporosis until there is a lot of bone loss. As you reach senior status you might opt for a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) scan, to measure bone density at the hip and spine. It is the best way to detect early loss of bone mass.

Drink Your Milk

As I poured milk on my cereal this morning, and noticed the Vitamin D label, I was reminded of what I was taught as a child … Drink Your Milk. Don’t you want to grow up big and strong? Milk is good for your Bones, you know?

Calcium makes your bones stronger, and vitamin D helps calcium to be absorbed into bones. Thus it is very important to eat a healthy diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D. As a teenager, your daily recommended requirement of calcium and vitamin D is 1000 mg and 100(IU) respectively.

Today we know that higher Vitamin D levels lowers the chances of developing colon cancer, and data suggests the vitamin may also be a lifesaver for people who already suffer from this type of cancer.

Scientists are investigating the use of vitamin D supplements in treating and preventing colon cancer. More studies are needed to determine whether vitamin D supplements should be routinely recommended for colon cancer patients, but deficiency should definitely be avoided.

We get vitamin D in our diet, but we can actually make our own vitamin D with the help of sun exposure. Dark-skinned individuals are more likely to suffer from vitamin D deficiency because melanin impedes the penetration of sunlight into the skin.

Vitamin D is found in fortified milk and butter, cod liver oil, salmon, sardines, and mackerel, and the recommended daily allowance is 200 International Units (IU) for people aged 19-50; 400 IUs for those between 51 and 69; and 600 IUs for those 70 years and older. Too much vitamin D can cause dehydration, nausea, constipation, weakness, so the Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board recommends an upper limit of 2,000 IUs of vitamin D for children and adults, and an upper limit of 1,000 IUs for infants under 12 months of age.

So continue to catch at least 30 minutes of sun as often as you can, and drink all your milk too!

Blood Pressure a Silent Killer? Get it First!

The symptoms and signs of high blood pressure are extremely subtle and you may live with the disease for many years without knowing that you have it. The major damage it can cause includes coronary heart trouble, kidney failure or stroke. I am considered at risk, so I get my blood pressure taken often. I have even been known to sit down at one of those free checkers by the Pharmacy section in the Supermarket, just for kicks. I hear high blood pressure is often called the "silent killer" because there are not a lot of prominent symptoms.

Here are some possible high blood pressure symptoms, but because they are so common, people tend to ignore them. If you have more than one of these pretty often, you might want to talk to your doctor.

Headache
Nosebleeds
Fatigue
Stress
Consistent Anger
Dizziness
Light headiness
Red Face

Something else you can do to alleviate the potential for high blood pressure is to change your lifestyle a bit. Studies prove that when an individual consistently maintains a healthy lifestyle for at least a year-and-a-half, the blood pressure reduces significantly.

There are an estimated 65 million adults that suffer with hypertension in the United States, while another 59 million are pre-hypertensive. As these numbers are extremely alarming, it is imperative that you understand the impact that a healthy lifestyle will have on your life.

There are some simple things you can implement daily that will reduce your high blood pressure without medication being a part of your daily regimen.

A healthy dietary plan not only helps with reducing high blood pressure, but you will feel better mentally also.

Add Fruits and Vegetables:
These are a good source of stable energy, low in calories, assist with curbing the appetite and work to regulate blood sugar. Reduce the total saturated fats also.

Add Whole Grains:
These are a powerful source of complex carbohydrates and help to control cholesterol levels.

Add Exercise/Physical Activity to Your Day:
Exercise 30 minutes a day. It promotes energy, and is a great cardiovascular workout!

Control Your Weight:
Maintain a normal weight. Use less alcohol and salt. Obesity is one of the key elements that cause high blood pressure.

Along with the above tips, there are some natural supplements that can help lower blood pressure.

One of the best herbs for high blood pressure is the tumeric. Tumeric is a powerful East-Indian herb used in curry dishes. Its extract contains curcumin which is a strong anti-inflammatory, which helps reduce cholesterol while also preventing clot formation.

The ginkgo biloba derives from China. It improves blood circulation and dilates arteries to lower blood pressure. Because the herb stimulates increased blood flow to the brain, the Ginkgo helps to improve memory and mental alertness.

Yet, another prominent supplement is the ginger root. Ginger Root is commonly used for Asian cooking. It acts to improve blood circulation and relaxes muscles surrounding the blood vessels. More so, the ginger is a powerful digestive herb; helping to eliminate nausea.

Other important nutrients used to protect your heart are vitamins. Coenzyme Q10 is an essential nutrient found in the body. The vitamin-like substance CoQ10 is a natural element required for the normal maintenance of the heart.

Calcium and magnesium are two popular minerals that reduce elevated blood pressure. The recommended daily amounts of these minerals are an efficient dietary source that assists women with menopause in regard to estrogen levels and men and women over age 65. Vitamin E helps reduce the risk of developing heart disease. And, the combination of Vitamin E and C may actually delay the progression of atherosclerosis.

The National Institution of Health (NIH) provides dietary as well as supplement recommendations to decrease your risk of becoming a victim of this condition. If balanced perfectly, taking herbs and vitamins for high blood pressure will ensure that you are receiving the maximum benefits for your body.