Droplets infected with a virus spray into the air, Human lungs infected by the Coronavirus or by virus, Respiratory infection caused by a virus. SARS
A new double blind, placebo-controlled study published in the journal Scientific Reports, found Vitamin D and Resveratrol in combination reduced the hospitalization rate among a group of individuals who tested positive for Covid-19.
100 individuals 45 years and older who had tested positive for Covid-19 were recruited, via cold calls to patients of the Mount Carmel Health System in Columbus, OH, to participate in this study. Vitamin D3, in a single acute dose of 100,000, was administered as an adjunct treatment due to prior research showing its synergistic anti-inflammatory benefits. 500 mg of Resveratrol was given daily to the treatment group for 15 days. The control group received an identical placebo. At the time this research was conducted (2020) the rate of hospitalization among confirmed Covid-19 cases was approximately 21% for individuals in the age group 45-54 years of age and up to 31% for individuals in the age group over 81 years of age.
Researchers found the above outlined intervention cut the hospitalization rate. In the treatment group (50 participants) only 1 participant was hospitalized (2% rate). In the control group 3 participants required hospitalization (6% rate). Additionally the Resveratrol group had 4 visits to the Emergency Room and 4 cases of Pneumonia, and the control group had 7 Emergency Room visits and 8 cases of Pneumonia.
Researchers concluded the antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties of Resveratrol were largely responsible for the results seen in the study. Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in wine grapes, Japanese knotweed as well as other botanical sources.
Further studies are needed.
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A new research study has found the supplementation of Cranberry may boost memory and keep dementia at bay while also reducing bad cholesterol.
60 individuals between the ages of 50 and 80 years participated in this parallel randomized placebo-controlled trial. The study lasted 12 weeks. Half the participants were given freeze-dried Cranberry (equivalent to 100 grams of fresh Cranberry) daily. The other half of the participants were given a placebo. Cognitive assessment testing which included executive and memory function testing as well as neuroimaging and blood sample collection were given both before and after the study period.
Researchers found the group supplementing with the Cranberry for 12 weeks experienced improvements in their memory in terms of visual episodic memory events (memory of everyday events), neural functioning and delivery of blood to the brain (brain perfusion). Significant reductions in LDL (low-density lipoproteins) cholesterol during the study period were also seen.
Researchers concluded that this study reinforced prior studies showing Cranberry could improve vascular health and perhaps contribute to improvements in brain perfusion as well as cognition. They also noted that Cranberries contain other health promoting compounds like fiber and other nutrients that provide additional antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties.
Larger studies are planned.
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According to scientists in the US, a diet which includes Iron, Folic Acid and Vitamin Supplementation during pregnancy may reduce birth complications.
Almost 100,000 women were surveyed to find adverse birth outcomes experienced during pregnancy in this six year study. The participants were asked to follow four routine supplementation strategies before week 24 in their pregnancy: Folic Acid only, Iron only, Folic Acid and Iron only (IFAS), and Folic Acid, Iron (IFAS) and MMS (Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation which included essential Vitamins and Trace Minerals). Researchers then analyzed how the rates of low-birth weight and other complications at birth (neonatal death, stillbirth, very preterm birth and preterm delivery) varied according to the supplements the participants started taking during pregnancy.
The women who were in the IFAS group had lower rates of most adverse birthing outcomes when compared with the women who took either only Folic Acid or only Iron. Low birth weight births were 16.92% in the Folic Acid group and 12.7% in the Iron only group. In the IFAS group the low birth weight births were 11.46%. The participants in the IFAS + MMS saw significantly lower rates of preterm delivery, very preterm delivery, low birth weight, very low birth weight and caesarean delivery when compared to the IFAS group.
The World Health Organization (WHO) universally recommends IFAS for pregnant women, however more than 43% of the women in the study received only Iron alone, Folic Acid alone and no MMS supplement.
Researchers concluded that these finding need to highlight the need for new strategies to improve prenatal supplementation among pregnant women.
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According to a study, a combination of Vitamins B12, B6 and Folic Acid, may reduce the risk of women developing Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) by 34%.
Over 5,400 women age 40 and above participated in this double-blind clinical trial. Women with heart disease or at least 3 risk factors for the disease were recruited to participate in this study. 96% of the participants did not have AMD at the onset of the study. The participants were randomly assigned to receive a combination of Folic Acid (2.5 mg/daily), Vitamin B6 (50 mg/daily), and Vitamin B12 (1000 mcg/daily) or a placebo. The intervention period lasted 7.3 years and included follow up.
Researchers documented 137 new cases of AMD with only 70 cases being visually significant. The combined supplement of the B Vitamins was associated with a 34% reduced risk of any AMD and a 41% lower risk of visually significant AMD. The benefits of the B Vitamin supplementation became noticeable after approximately 3 years of follow and lasted throughout the intervention period.
Researchers believe that lowering homcysteine levels and the antioxidants effects of the nutrients in addition to improvements in the functioning of the blood vessels found in the eye were responsible for the favorable study results.
Approximately 25 to 30 million people worldwide experience AMD yet awareness of the condition is very low. It is believed that AMD will triple by the year 2025 as baby boomers get older. AMD is a disease of the retina that is degenerative and causes the loss of central vision leaving only peripheral vision. Early detection is cited as a means of prevention.
Further studies are in the works.
Now here is a little basic information about B Vitamins:
Collectively, all B-Vitamins are called B-Complex. The Vitamins B-1, B-2 and B-6 should be taken in equal strengths, as should Choline and Inositol. B-Complex Vitamins are active providing the body with energy, basically by converting carbohydrates into glucose which the body then burns to produce energy. B Complex Vitamins are also vital in the metabolism of protein and fat. The B Vitamins are necessary for normal functioning of the central nervous system and may be the single most important factor for the health of nerves. During times of stress the nervous system can become depleted of B Vitamins. Stressful situations include physical or emotional overwork, infection or injury, fad or poor dieting, excessive alcohol or drug use and intense sports and workout. Other B- Vitamin functions include muscle tone maintenance in the gastrointestinal tract as well as skin, hair, eyes, mouth and liver health. A B- Vitamin deficiency can cause fatigue or low energy levels, affect the inability to handle stress, nervousness and result in poor hair and skin condition.
B-Vitamins are water soluble which means they are not stored but remain within cells and in the bloodstream for just a few hours. What is not used in this short period of time is excreted from the body as waste. Most people take a controlled released form of water soluble supplements to insure the most absorption. Controlled release is a process used in manufacturing water soluble supplements that provide a prolonged dispersion of these water soluble vitamins throughout the day (Up to 12 hours). Controlled release allows the water soluble nutrients to be released into the bloodstream more slowly, over a prolonged period of time, at a rate that allows tissues to efficiently absorb and utilize them.
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According to a past study, GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric Acid) may aid people in falling asleep faster.
10 people with an average age of 37.7 years participated in this study. The participants had a high probability of having a sleep disorder as measured by the PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). The participants were given 112 mg of PharmaGaba which is equivalent to100 mg of pure GABA over a 2 week period. The 1st and 3rd weeks were active, while the 2 week was used as a wash-out period.
GABA was shown to lengthen deep, non-REM sleep (considered by researchers to be the most beneficial part of the sleep cycle) and reduce sleep onset latency (the time between wakefulness and the first state of sleep). Blood analysis showed the GABA was absorbed within 30 minutes of supplementation. Additionally trace GABA levels dropped off soon after supplementation. Participants reported feeling alert and refreshed when they woke up after GABA supplementation. The fact that GABA levels decline shortly after supplementation is an important distinction between GABA and other sleep alternatives like Diazepam etc. These medications tend to linger in the blood long after a person awakens which could result in cognitive as well as physical decline.
Insomnia is tied to be the 4th most prominent health concern experienced by people living in the United States after stress, tiredness and fatigue and allergies.
Earthwise Nutrition Center 