On June 22, 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the establishment of new regulations needed to ensure the quality of dietary supplements. These regulations will require that all dietary supplements be manufactured in facilities that are certified in current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). The ruling gives companies up to 3 years to comply and aims to ensure that dietary supplements do NOT have:

Some fat-busting supplements do work, Harry Preuss, M.D., reports in a new book, "The Natural Fat-Loss Pharmacy." The Georgetown University Medical Center researcher says the following may help you lose and keep off weight and fat (you still need to restrict calories):

EGCG, an antioxidant in green tea, increases metabolism to burn calories, kills fat cells and blocks formation of new ones. What to take: a green tea extract pill before meals for a total daily dose of 270mg to 325mg of EGCG.

CLA, conjugated linoleic acid, can melt body fat and build muscle without calorie counting or exercise. What to take: 1.7g, twice a day, of Tonalin CLA.

HCA, hydroxycitric acid, derived from a tropical fruit, quadrupled weight loss in an eight-week moderate diet. What to take: 1,500mg, three times a day, 30 minutes before meals. The brand Preuss tested, Super CitriMax, is available from Now Foods.

Chromium targets the loss of fat instead of muscle. What to take: For weight loss, 200mcg, three times a day, of chromium bound to niacin (ChromeMate), or chromium picolinate or histidinate; for maintenance, take 200mcg a day.

Starch blockers cut absorption of carbs. What to take: CarbEase or brands with the ingredient Phase 2. Follow label directions.

This EatSmart column is reprinted from USAWEEKEND Magazine and is copyrighted by Jean Carper. It cannot be reprinted without permission from Jean Carper.

We received so many responses from our customers related to this article, that we decided to create a weight-loss supplement which combines all of these fat-fighters. SynergySlim contains a proprietary blend of EGCG, HCA, chromium, and a starch blocker. SynergySlim PLUS contains the addition of CLA.

By Staff Writer Gale Maleskey, MS, RD

Taking a multi-vitamin-mineral supplement may reduce your risk for body-wide inflammation, according to new research from Germany.

In a large population study, researchers found lower blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a major marker of inflammation, in women taking supplemental vitamin E along with vitamins C, thiamin, riboflavin, B6, B12, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, and selenium. Women taking these nutritional supplements were 43 % less likely to have elevated blood levels of CRP than those not taking supplements. In men, for unknown reasons, no association was seen between CRP and supplement use. (Scheurig, AC, et al. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition advance online publication, 21 February 2007; doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602687.)

High CRP levels are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke, and underlying inflammation has been implicated in the development of many other diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer’s, and arthritis. Reducing inflammation in your body is thought to lower your risk for disease. Multi-vitamins may reduce inflammation by lowering blood levels of homocysteine, reducing oxidative damage and boosting immunity against inflammation-producing infections. CRP is easily measured with a blood test.

Our Stop Aging Now! Multi-Nutrient Formula and Multi-Nutrient Plus Formula both contain 400 IUs of vitamin E, 1,000 mg of vitamin C, 25 mg of thiamin, 25 mg of riboflavin, 50 mg of B6,  500 mcg of B12, 25 mg of niacin, 800 mcg of folic acid, 50 mg of pantothenic acid, and 200 mcg of selenium.

By Staff Writer Gale Maleskey, MS, RD

If you have the painful, swollen joints of rheumatoid arthritis, you’ll want to include green tea in your diet. A new study from the University of Michigan found that a potent anti-inflammatory compound in green tea, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) inhibited the production of several immune system molecules that contribute to inflammation and joint damage in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

These inflammatory molecules include IL-6 and cyclooxygenase-2, which actively cause bone erosion in the joints of people with rheumatoid arthritis. They are produced in the cells of the joint capsule, in the synovial lining. EGCG also inhibited production of prostaglandin E2, a hormone-like substance that causes inflammation in the joints. 

“Our research is a very promising step in the search for therapies for the joint destruction experienced by people who have rheumatoid arthritis,” said lead researcher Salah-uddin Ahmed, Ph.D. 

By staff writer Maggie Spilner

The loss of memory and cognitive abilities is something many of us fear as a natural part of aging. Past studies have indicated that exercise can help maintain and improve memory and cognitive functioning as we grow older.

A new study at the University of Illinois has shown the actual biological results of exercise on the brain, through the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Researchers, under the direction of Arthur Kramer, PhD, found that as little as three hours of walking a week over a period of six months increased neurons and neuronal connections in the brains of older adults.

Fifty-nine healthy but sedentary adults, ages 60-79, participated in the study. Half participated in an aerobic exercise group, while the other half did stretching and toning exercises. A third group of college students served as controls and did no special exercise program.  Images of their brains were taken before and after a six-month study period.  Only the aerobic exercisers had significant increases in brain volume in what are known as the white and gray matter regions of the brain, areas related to age-related decline in brain structure and cognition. 

While this study is not directly related to Alzheimer’s disease, it supports the suggestion of David Snowdon, Ph.D., author of Aging with Grace: What the Nun Study Teaches Us About Leading Longer, Healthier and More Meaningful Lives (Bantam 2001.) Snowden studied the lives and habits of 678 Catholic sisters who then donated their brains for study upon their death.  When asked by audiences, “What is the most important thing I can do to age successfully?” Snowdon replies, “Walk!” And it’s never too late to start. The “last nun standing” in his study, which lasted almost two decades, began walking several miles a day when she was 70.

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Our Stop Aging Now! Brain Energizer each contains a proprietary blend of six all natural ingredients designed to support optimal brain functioning and memory as you age. 

By staff writer Maggie Spilner

A new study conducted at Boston University showed no difference between the incidence of osteoarthritis of the knee between exercisers and those who did not exercise.
(Felson MD, MPH, Arthritis and Rheumatism, 57 (2) 2007.)

The study lasted 9 years and evaluated over 1,200 people, most of whom said they walked for exercise. Only 68 said they jogged or ran. Even exercisers who were overweight fared no worse than non-exercisers, which should help dispel fears of moderate exercise by people who may need it most.

The average age of the participants was 53 when the study began in 1993-1994. They were divided into groups: sedentary, those who walked more than 6 miles weekly and those who walked less than size miles weekly. Many were above what is considered normal weight. Some were very overweight. Past research has shown obesity as a risk factor for developing osteoarthritis.

With the benefits of exercise being so great for all ages, it’s nice to know that you’re not putting the health of your knees at risk doing it.  Just the same, you should follow some simple rules of thumb to protect yourself from knee injuries and undue muscle soreness

1. Start out slowly and gradually build up distance, time and speed.

2. Wear sport specific shoes that support and protect your joints from the particular motions and impacts of the exercise you do. (If you’re very overweight, running shoes may work better for you than walking shoes if you walk a lot. )

3. Get a new pair every 3 to 6 months if you exercise regularly. (This may seem hard to do, when they don’t look worn out! But the fact is, the cushioning materials do deteriorate and you can’t see it. But your body can feel it.

4. Make sure you’re wearing the right size shoe. Your feet often get longer with age as they flatten out. Or they may get wider. Get your feet measured for fit, or take a tracing of the bottom of your foot with you to the store. Place it on the bottom of the shoe. If it overlaps the edges, that shoe is too narrow or too short!

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Our Stop Aging Now! Osteo-GC contains 1,500 mg of glucosamine and 1,200 mg of chondroitin for optimal joint, bone and cartilage health. An essential for any active person.

By Staff Writers Maggie Spilner  and  Gale Maleskey, MS, RD

Mac and Cheese is a much-loved comfort food that normally carries too much saturated fat and too little fiber and nutrients to be considered healthful. Adding veggies of any kind and using calcium-packed lowfat cheeses and whole wheat pasta,  make this perennial favorite a guilt-free, healthy indulgence. In this recipe we used tomatoes for color, antioxidant vitamin C and lycopene, a significant anti-cancer nutrient.  Using an old fashioned cast iron skillet helps crisp the edges. 

Serves 4

2 c. whole wheat elbow macaroni, uncooked
2 T. Olive oil
1 c. diced fresh or canned tomatoes, drained
1 1/2 c. low-fat sharp cheddar cheese, grated
¼ c. Parmesan cheese, grated
½ t. paprika
salt and pepper to taste

• Put the macaroni on to cook. Time it for al dente (about 6 minutes.)
• Grate the cheese. Dice or drain the tomatoes.
• In a large skillet, saute the tomatoes in the olive oil for 3-5 minutes.
• When the macaroni is done, drain but do not rinse it. Put the macaroni and cheese in the skillet with the tomatoes. Stir to mix.
• Cook over low-medium heat 3-5 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and paprika, and cook a bit longer until edges of dish brown a bit. If you like, place under broiler to brown the top.
• Serve from the pan.
• A green vegetable, such as broccoli, goes well with this dish.

Learn about the cancer fighting aspects of the calcium in this dish by reading our article Calcium Continues to Fight Colon Cancer

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