Why Fish Oil? A Naturopathic Perspective.
Fish oil is one of the most common supplements prescribed by Naturopaths, but why is that the case? In this article we will look at what fish oil can do for us and see why it is such an important supplement.
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Vitamin D Supplementation May Improve Glycemic Control in Type I Diabetes
A prospective study was recently published that followed 80 people with Type I Diabetes and low vitamin D levels. The patients were given Vitamin D3 daily for 12 weeks. At the end of the intervention, the researchers found that Vitamin D supplementation improved blood glucose control in the patients.
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Vitamin B5 May Help Lower Cholesterol
Researchers recently found that supplementation with vitamin B5 significantly lowered Total Cholesterol (TC) and LDL Cholesterol (LDL-C) over and above the effects of diet changes alone. The trial lasted 4 months and required the participants to take 600-900mg of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). This is a relatively high dose of B5 so you should consult with your Naturopathic Doctor before trying this out.
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Maternal Vitamin D Status and Diabetes in Offspring
A recent case-control study in Norway looked at whether lower Vitamin D levels in mothers during pregnancy were associated with an increased risk of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes. They saw a trend toward a higher risk of Type 1 Diabetes in the offspring from of women with lower Vitamin D levels.
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Vitamin K Enhances Bone Density Improvements in Postmenopausl Women
In a study involving postmenopausal women divided into 4 groups (1 control group plus 3 intervention groups all of whom attended biweekly sessions and received fortified dairy products containing calcium and vitamin D3; in 2 of the groups, the dairy was also enriched with vitamin K1 or K2), significant increases in serum total body bone mass density (BMD) were found in all 3 intervention groups, but significant increases in the BMD of the lumbar spine was found only in the groups also fortified with vitamin K1 or K2, as compared to the control group.
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Magnesium. A Naturopath’s Favourite Mineral.
Magnesium is one of the minerals I prescribe most often in my naturopathic practice because it is so important for a wide variety of functions in the body. While we tend to most commonly think of magnesium as boosting calcium absorption, this mighty mineral does much more than that. Here are some of the amazing uses for magnesium:
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Top Minerals in Osteoporosis – Beyond Calcium
Osteoporosis is often blamed on low calcium intake but recent studies have shown that a number of other vitamins and minerals are equally important for healthy bone metabolism.
The naturopathic approach to improving bone health focuses on a number of dietary and lifestyle factors.
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Boost Your Immune System with Vitamin D
Naturopaths love Vitamin D because it supports a wide variety of functions in the body. More recently, we are now finding out that Vitamin D can help support your immune system to prevent colds and flu, especially important for Canadians who have more limited sun exposure.
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Good fats – Olive oil protects your heart!
Often we hear about the perils of eating fat – and don’t get me wrong – there is certainly no shortage of artery-clogging saturated fats available to eat. There are, however, some healthy fats that improve heart health.
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Mediterranean Diet May Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women?
A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition followed 14,807 women over a decade and found that following a Mediterranean Diet* was associated with a statistically significant inverse association with breast cancer among postmenopausal women. The authors of this study conclude that this could in part explain the lower incidence of breast cancer in Mediterranean countries.
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Flaxseed Oil Supplementation Improves Skin Dryness
The Journal of Skin Pharmacology and Physiology just published the results of a randomized control trial that found oral supplementation with raw flaxseed oil may reduce skin sensitivity and improve skin barrier function and overall condition. The subjects received either flaxseed oil or sunflower oil daily for 3 months.
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Drinking Green Tea May Help You Feel More Full?
Here is some additional evidence that drinking green tea helps with weight loss. The results of a recent randomized control trial published in the November edition of the Nutrition Journal suggest that drinking green tea helps people feel more full after a meal, and consequently, consume fewer calories. The non-control participants in this study drank 300ml of green tea with breakfast.
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Olive Leaf Extract Helps Reduce High Blood Pressure
A randomized controlled trial has found olive leaf extract supplementation to be as effective as an anti-hypertensive drug called Captopril (ACE Inhibitior). Patients with Stage I Hypertension (mild to moderate) were either given olive leaf extract capsules twice daily or Captropril twice daily. After 8 weeks of treatment both groups experienced a significant reduction in blood pressure, with no significant difference in the amount of reduction between the two groups.
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Dark Chocolate Consumption Improves Visual & Cognitive Functions
Yes, it’s true! Dark chocolate can help improve eyesight and memory. Researchers in England recently conducted a study that found daily consumption of a single dose of dark chocolate containing 720mg of cocoa flavanols was associated with improvements in visual and cognitive function. It turns out that cocoa flavanols can increase blood flow to the brain and the eyes.
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Too Much Salt, Not Enough Potassium = Heart Disease and Mortality
A recent study involiving over 12,000 people in the US found that higher sodium intake was associated with increased mortality from cardiovascular disease. In contrast, higher potassium intake was associated with lower mortality risk.
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Walnuts Improve Cognitive Function
A recent 8 week clinical study found that 1/2 cup of walnuts per day (containing 6.8mg of ALA) given to young adults significantly improved their critical thinking skills. Walnuts contain a number of nutrients that are important for our nervous system to function well. More specifically, walnuts are the only nuts that contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
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Soda Pop Consumption Increases Risk of Stroke
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recently published the results of a prospective cohort study that showed increased consumption of both sugar-sweetened and low-calorie sodas were associated with an increased risk of stroke. The researchers collected data from 84,085 women followed for 28 years (Nurses’ Health Study) and 43,371 men followed for 22 years (Health Professionals Follow Up Study).
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Cinnamon May Benefit Diabetics
A recent meta-analysis in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that cinnamon may have a positive effect on blood sugar control. The researchers found that fasting blood glucose levels were lower among those regularly consuming cinnamon.
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Food for Depression – A Naturopathic Approach
Dietary Changes Do Impact Mental Health
This time of year can be hard for people who are at risk for depression. There are a number of treatment options that naturopath’s can improve mild to moderate depressive episodes. Following a holistic approach, a naturopath will look at diet, lifestyle and supplementation options to lift mood. In this article we look at diet changes that can improve depression.
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