Doc's Nutrition Depot December Health News Letter

Doc's Nutrition Depot December 2008

As the seasons change and the days get shorter, some people develop symptoms of depression, known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is related to seasonal changes in the amount of daylight that can bring about feelings of hopelessness and sadness, a drop in energy level, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and avoidance of social situations, changes in appetite, decreased physical activity, and sleeping for long periods of time. Symptoms of SAD tend to reoccur at about the same time every year. Four to six of every 100 people are diagnosed with SAD. Some people experience symptoms severe enough to affect their quality of life, and 6 percent even require hospitalization.

There are a number of ways to help fight against depression, but we always prefer suggesting more of a natural approach. One of the main keys to prevention of SAD is exercise. In a study in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine researchers found that working out 3 times per week in a supervised exercise group reduced the signs of depression in 45% of their group, Researchers believe exercise enhances the mood by releasing norepinephrine and serotonin.

Our recommendations for exercise include aerobic exercise 3 to 4 times per week with light strength training. Some other suggestions we can make are Yoga, Tai Chi, Martial Arts, Racket Ball etc, The key is finding something you enjoy so you look forward to doing it. Exercise helps to build the immune system reduce cholesterol, and acts as an antidepressant and helps with your overall health.

There are a couple of Supplements http://www.docsnutritiondepot.com would like to feature this month, To help you combat stress and help with mental wellbeing. The first one being

:1) New Chapter - Mood Take Care - http://docsnutritiondepot.com/newchaptermoodtakecare30sg.aspx Mood Take Care promotes balanced brain chemistry, and modulates serotonin for a positive emotional health.

2) Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals - Seroprin 24 - http://docsnutritiondepot.com/hitechpharmaceuticalsseroprin-2430t.aspxSEROPRIN-24 was designed for men and women to help support mood elevation, promote relaxation, and reduce stress and frustration.

3) Himalaya - Stress Care - http://docsnutritiondepot.com/himalayastresscare60c.aspxStressCare is a unique complex rejuvenative tonic with strong adaptogenic action that helps cope with life's daily stress. It offers a broad range of health benefits and balances all the body's organs and systems for increased mental alertness and greater physical fitness.

In Conclusion, Depression affects millions of people. There are a number of medications that can be taken for it, But we have always felt if you can help something naturally why not give it a shot. We also suggest going to your doctor before starting any supplement or program to make sure that is the real solution, But it never hurts to do your own homework and if anything present the findings to your doctor.

References - National mental health information center
Doc's Nutrition Depot

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to treat, prevent, mitigate or cure disease. User results may vary. You should check with you doctor before starting any supplement to see if it is right for you.

Doc's Nutrition Depot November Health News Letter

Twenty five years ago, November was designated as National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. At the time, fewer than 2 million Americans had Alzheimer's. Today as many as 5.2 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's can occur as young as age 35, and is currently the sixth leading cause of death in the country. By 2050, 11 to 16 million people will likely have Alzheimer's. Dementia is an acquired syndrome in which intellectual ability decreases to the point that it interferes with daily function. Cases of dementia increase substantially after 75 years of age, making it largely a disease of older persons.

Alzheimer's disease is associated with diffuse neuron injury and death, with characteristic pathologic findings of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.
Currently, it is believed that there are two major causes of dementia in older persons: Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Reliable estimates of the presence of the various causes of dementia in primary care settings are not available, but the best estimates indicate that approximately 60 percent of dementing illnesses are due to Alzheimer's disease, 15 percent are due to vascular dementia and many of the remainder involve concurrent Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia ("mixed dementia").
Clinically, persons with Alzheimer's disease demonstrate a slow, progressive decline in multiple areas, including acknowledgment and the ability to perform activities of daily living. Behavior disturbances, ranging in severity from repeated questioning to physical violence, are common. The average duration of the disease is 10 years, during which afflicted persons progress from mild memory loss to the need for 24-hour supervision to total dependency and death.


While there is much we don't yet know about Alzheimer's disease, tremendous progress has been made since 1983," said James Wessler, President and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association MA/NH Chapter. "In November we focus on raising awareness of Alzheimer's disease and shedding light on the importance of finding breakthroughs in diagnosis, prevention, treatments and, eventually, a cure."
A recent clinical trial was done with vitamin E supplementation. This study supports the consideration of vitamin E supplementation in persons with dementia or those who are at risk for the disease. Dosages of up to 2,000 IU daily are used. Ginkgo biloba extract, which contains antioxidants similar to vitamin E, have been recently reported to delay symptom progression in dementia also. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen also have been associated with a lower incidence of dementia. This lower incidence is due to a reduction in inflammation associated with Alzheimer's disease and herbally another great anti inflamatory is a product called Zyflamend by New Chapter.

Family Members who care for persons with dementia should consider asking there physicians about prescribing medication and herbal remedies to slow disease progression. Over the past decade research and innovations in care have increased the options available to physicians who care for demented patients and their families. While no dramatic breakthroughs have occurred, the overall management of dementia is becoming increasingly sophisticated. It is likely that this trend will continue during the next decade.

References
www.docsnutritiondepot.com
AAFP.org
Medicalnewstoday.com

Doc's Nutrition Depot October Health News Letter

October is national lung health education month

This is why we chose to talk about the disease Influenza (the flu) that is contagious and caused by a virus. The changing of the seasons and temperatures are upon us, with the temperature constantly fluctuating people have a tendency to under dress. The people most affected by this are young children with immune systems still developing and the elderly who are not quite as strong as they were in there younger years. As a result they have named October the beginning of Flu Season, which is a sickness overlooked by most, but is rated to be one of the most deadly.

Influenza and pneumonia combined are the eighth leading cause of death among all Americans and the sixth leading cause of death among all Americans over the age of 65. When influenza attacks the lungs, the lining of the respiratory tract is damaged. The tissues temporarily become swollen and inflamed but usually heal within two or more weeks. Influenza is often complicated by pneumonia, especially in the elderly. Adults 65 years of age and older who get the flu are more likely to have serious complications which can affect their health and independence.

Influenza, along with its complications, is a serious respiratory illness, killing an average of 36,000 Americans and hospitalizing another 226,000 each year. More than four out of five Americans nearly 250 million people are now recommended to receive a yearly influenza vaccine.

Some of the symptoms associated with influenza are:
• fever
• body aches and pains
• chills
• sore throat/dry cough
• loss of appetite
• weakness

The ALA recommends Annual flu shots for all persons, we at Docs Nutrition Depot also recommend natural immune boosters to help keep you healthy against a serious illness like the flu.
There are a number of necessary Vitamins & Herbs that should be taken. A couple of the basics being a good Multi Vitamin, Echinacea especially during the entire flu season, Greens, Vitamin C and E. All these can be found on www.DocsNutritionDepot.com website under Immune boosters.

One thing to keep in mind during all of this is getting sick is never fun and taking all these suggested items may not work 100% of the time, but they do greatly increase your odds against getting sick. Educating yourself on how to stay healthy is one of the best decisions a person can make, most people take this for granted and don’t realize the importance of their health until they lose it.
Annual Doctors visits, Exercise, Healthy eating and the right supplementation is one of the smartest decisions you could ever make for yourself.


References – (The American Lung Association) & (Docs Nutrition Depot).
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to treat, prevent, mitigate or cure disease. User results may vary. You should check with you doctor before starting any supplement to see if it is right for you.

DOCS NUTRITION DEPOT SEPTEMBER HEALTH NEWS LETTER

September is National Cholesterol Education Month

Understanding Cholesterol greatly reduces the risk for many problems, Two of the most important being Stroke & Heart Attack. If your total blood cholesterol is below 200 mg this puts you at relatively low risk for heart disease. Even with a low risk, it’s still smart to Exercise at least 3 times a week and eat a Heart Healthy diet. Determining how your cholesterol levels affect your risk of heart disease, your doctor will also take into account other risk factors including age, family history, smoking and high blood pressure.

The lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. In fact it's a better gauge of risk than total blood cholesterol. In general, LDL, HDL and Triglyceride levels fall into these categories:

LDL Cholesterol Levels

Less than 100 mg Great

100 to 129 mg Normal

130 to 159 mg Borderline High

160 to 189 mg High

190 mg And Above Extremely High

HDL Cholesterol Level
Category

Less than 40 mg
(for men)
Less than 50 mg
(for women)

Low HDL cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease.

An HDL of 60 mg and above is considered protective against heart disease

Triglyceride is the most common type of fat in the body. Many people who have heart disease or diabetes have high triglyceride levels. Normal triglyceride levels vary by age and sex.

Triglyceride Level Category

Less than 150 mg Normal

150–199 mg Borderline High

200–499 mg High

500 mg and above Extremely High

You should now understand the benefits of maintaining a healthy cholesterol level. Once you begin making better dietary choices, you will realize how easy it actually is getting used too. Some doctors and health organizations recommend that everyone older than 20 be checked for High Cholesterol. How often you should be checked depends on whether you have other health problems and your overall chance of heart disease.

Most experts agree that the following people should have their Cholesterol checked:

• Anyone who has strong risk factors for heart disease
• People who have a strong family history of heart disease
• Men ages 35 to 65
• Women ages 45 to 65

An adult who has Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) should have a cholesterol test at least once a year.

An adult who is being treated for high cholesterol may need more frequent tests, depending on his or her cholesterol level and the type of treatment being used.

An adult who has Diabetes should be tested once a year.

Below are Two important Herbs That Can be taken For Keeping a healthy heart, Please go to www.docsnutritiondepot.com & Visit the Heart Health Section for additional Items & information.

1) Policosanol is a blend of long-chain fatty alcohols (LCFA) derived from sugar cane, a superior source of these natural plant waxes. Non-clinical studies have shown that the fatty alcohol constituents in Policosanol possess considerable antioxidant activity, can protect serum lipids against free radical attack and support healthy immune function. Policosanol can support cardiovascular health through these and other mechanisms.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

2) Coenzyme Q10 Coenzyme Q10) is a micronutrient essential to all human life. It is a naturally occurring nutrient that works as a co-factor in the body’s electron transport system where all of the body’s energy is derived. CoQ10 regulates the flow of oxygen moving in and out of the mitochondria, which are the cell’s power plants. The body’s cellular power plants can’t function without CoQ10. Declines in CoQ10 levels occur with advancing age and appear to be correlated with deterioration of the immune system. Supplementation with CoQ10 could help to boost energy levels, strengthen and protect the heart and blood vessels, enhance the immune system and protect against free radical damage. Like all muscles, the heart needs adequate energy to contract, and CoQ10 facilitates the production of that energy. In those with coronary heart disease, supplementation may reduce the frequency of angina episodes and increases the amount of physical exercise that a person can perform before developing angina pain. Tissues that need the largest amounts of CoQ10, like the heart, are those that require the most energy.

References WEB MD, American Heart Association, Now Foods, Olympian Labs

Doc's Nutrition Depot August Health News Letter

http://docsnutritiondepot.com/

Doc's Nutrition Depot August 2008

August is National Psoriasis Awareness Month.

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, genetic disease developing in the skin and/or the joints. According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis. In plaque psoriasis, the most common type, causes patches of skin called "lesions" to become inflamed and are covered by silvery white scale, These can be limited to a few lesions or can involve moderate to large areas of skin. The severity of psoriasis can vary from person to person; however for most people, psoriasis tends to be mild.

People with psoriasis pose no threat to the health or safety of others. It is not contagious. No one knows exactly what causes psoriasis, but most researchers agree that the immune system is somehow mistakenly triggered which speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells. A normal skin cell matures and falls off the body's surface in a month. But a psoriatic skin cell takes only three to four days to mature and move to the surface. Instead of falling off (shedding), the cells pile up and form lesions.

Psoriasis occurs nearly equally in men and women across all social groups. It is also present in all racial groups, but in varying rates. Psoriasis often appears between the ages of 15 and 35, but it can develop at any age. There are various forms, Plaque psoriasis is the most common. Other Forms Include

1) Guttate - characterized by small dot-like lesions
2) Pustular - characterized by weeping lesions and intense scaling
3) Inverse - characterized by intense inflammation
4) Erythrodermic - characterized by intense shedding and redness of the skin.

Psoriasis most commonly appears on the Scalp, knees, elbows and torso. But psoriasis can develop anywhere, including the nails, palms, soles, genitals and face (rare). Often the lesions appear in the same place on the right and left sides of the body.

So what can you take to help treat Psoriasis ?

1) Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM –

http://docsnutritiondepot.com/arthritisandjointsupport.aspx
Both glucosamine and chondroitin occur naturally in the body. Glucosamine is believed to promote the formation and repair of cartilage. Chondroitin is believed to promote water retention and elasticity in cartilage and inhibit enzymes that break down cartilage. MSM is also said to relieve pain and have anti-inflammatory properties.

2) Detoxing Supplements - http://docsnutritiondepot.com/detoxsupport.aspx

These are sold either as single compounds or formulated together to help make a more potent combination, Overall helping your body get rid of unwanted toxins.

3) Immune Boosters - http://docsnutritiondepot.com/immuneboosters.aspx
Skin is your largest and most visible organ, therefore is a good indicator of health in general. Vitamin shortages are often indicated by skin problems. Classic clinical deficiencies of riboflavin (B-2), niacin (B-3), vitamin A and vitamin C all result in skin disease. At the very least, psoriasis patients should be urged to take a good multivitamin daily. Additional vitamin A is best taken as non-toxic carotene. B-complex supplements provide a balance of all B-vitamins, ensuring safety. Vitamin C is also non-toxic, even in very large doses. Green and Red Powders (Fruit and Vegetables) Is also another great alternative In our overfed but undernourished culture, vegetable juice fasting and dietary supplements make sense to try.

4) Fish Oils - http://docsnutritiondepot.com/essentialfattyacids.aspx
Psoriasis may be partly due to a difficulty in the way the body process’s oils, or to a lack of oils in the diet itself. Studies have shown that consuming a fatty acid found in fish called EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) may provide symptom relief.

References – National Psoriasis Foundation

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to treat, prevent, mitigate or cure disease. User results may vary. You should check with you doctor before starting any supplement to see if it is right for you.

Doc's Nutrition Depot Health News July 08

DOC’S Nutrition Depot July 2008

It is now July which means outdoor activities are at an all time high, something a lot of people look forward to during the cold winter months including myself. This also means barbeque’s. We have all heard over the years, the importance of small portions consumed periodically throughout the day results in a faster metabolism. The Reasoning behind this is: it gives your body a chance to digest your food more efficiently therefore reversing the “bulge” we tend to pack on in the summer months.

We have found some significant reasons why you should be cooking smaller portions, other than the obvious, and they are more important than you realize.

Tips for safer and healthier grilling

Ruining a piece of meat isn’t the only thing you need to worry about if you’re cooking at high temperatures. High heat can also produce chemicals with cancer-causing properties, reports the June 2007 issue of the Harvard Health Letter.

When meat is cooked at high temperatures, amino acids react with creatine to form heterocyclic amines, (HCAs) are the carcinogenic chemicals formed from the cooking of muscle meats such as beef, pork, and fish. HCAs form when amino acids (the building blocks of proteins and creatine (a chemical found in muscles) react at high cooking temperatures. which are thought to cause cancer. That’s why cooking meat by grilling, frying, or broiling is the problem. Grilling is double trouble because it also exposes meat to cancer-causing chemicals contained in the smoke that rises from burning coals and any drips of fat that cause flare-ups. How long the meat is cooked is also a factor in (HCA) formation; longer cooking time means more heterocyclic amines. Depending on the temperature at which it’s cooked, meat roasted or baked in the oven may contain some ( HCA ) , but it’s likely to be considerably less than in grilled, fried, or broiled meat. So what can you do?

Marinating meat is often suggested as one way to cut down on the formation of heterocyclic amines. The Harvard Health Letter suggests some other tips that may make grilled meat safer to eat:

• Cook smaller pieces: They cook more quickly and at lower temperatures.
• Choose leaner meat: Less fat should reduce flames and therefore smoke.
• Flip frequently: That way, neither side has time to absorb or lose too much heat.

Grilling during the summer months are enjoyed by millions, and let’s face it every corner you turn seems to have another health risk you should be watching out for. So what do we suggest? Well its simple you can enjoy yourself which most will keep on doing anyway but it’s never bad to take the suggestions of experts trying to keep you a little safer especially if the suggestions are this simple.

Vitamin & Herbal recomendation's related to this topic http://docsnutritiondepot.com

1) Multi Vitamin - An Important component of our diet.

2) Digestive Enzymes - Assists in the breakdown of food.

3) Coenzyme Q10 - Improves Cellular Oxygenation.

4) Fishoils - Benfits & Improves Cardiovascular function.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to treat, prevent, mitigate or cure disease. User results may vary. You should check with you doctor before starting any supplement to see if it is right for you.