Study: More Vitamin B in Mother’s Diet Reduces Risk of Colon Cancer in Offspring

Few experts question the influence a mother’s diet can have on her children’s long term physical health. Yet many believe that this effect is mostly sociological, and limited to positive or negative role-modeling, and the development of general dietary habits later in life. New research suggests, however, that the foods moms eat could impact the health of their children much more directly.

Scientists at Tufts University’s USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA), near Boston, have recently published the findings of a new study which shows a strong connection between the quantity of B vitamins pregnant mice consume and the likelihood of their offspring developing colorectal cancer as adults.

Three test groups of pregnant and nursing mice, which were genetically engineered to be predisposed to develop colorectal cancer, were fed diets with either higher than normal, adequate, or slightly deficient amounts of folate and vitamins B2, B6, and B12. Once fully weened, all newborn mice were fed identical, nutritionally balanced diets through adulthood.

The occurrence of tumor development appeared similar between both the adequate and B vitamin deficient groups, with about 60 percent of the mice in each of these two groups eventually developing colon cancer. In comparison, less than 20 percent of the mice in the group that was given larger than normal doses of B vitamins were found to have malignant growths.

While these figure are impressive, the researchers caution that the study itself is only a preliminary investigation, and additional studies will be needed to further asses the correlation between maternal vitamin B consumption and reduced risk of cancer in humans.

Dr. Jimmy Crott, PhD, lead author of the HNRCA study: “We saw, by far, the fewest intestinal tumors in the offspring of mothers consuming the supplemented diet. Although the tumor incidence was similar between offspring of deficient and adequate mothers, 54% of tumors in the deficient offspring were advanced and had invaded surrounding tissue while only 18% of tumors in the offspring of adequate mothers displayed these aggressive properties.” [1]

Most healthcare providers already recommend higher than normal intake of folate and other essential B vitamins during pregnancy and while nursing as part of routine prenatal care. And accordingly, most popular brands of prenatal vitamins contain significantly larger than normal doses of all four B vitamins as compared to regular multivitamins. The standard reasons for this, however, have nothing to do with with the prevention of colon cancer.

In addition to their newly discovered potential for possibly reducing the risk of colorectal cancer, Vitamin B – folate, more specifically – has long been known to play an important role in the prevention of spina bifida and related defects of the neural tube (a sort of embryonic forerunner of the the central nervous system) during fetal gestation. It’s also believed to have a strong influence on proper neurological development in very young children.

Personal Note: I recommend the prenatal vitamins from New Chapter Organics and when taking a B-vitamin supplement make sure the formula contains methylcobalamin instead of cyanocobalamin.

~Dr. G

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Research: Children Born with Low Vitamin D Levels May Develop More Respiratory Infections

Any parent can tell you that respiratory infections are all too common in caring for a very small child. Bronchial infections are, in fact, one of the leading cause of hospitalization in American newborns.

Building upon earlier studies which indicate a strong connection between high blood serum concentrations of vitamin D and healthy immune function in adults, a Massachusetts General Hospital-based research team has recently published new findings which suggest a similar relationship for vitamin D in newborns and infants.

The team reexamined data sets previously collected as part of the New Zealand Asthma and Allergy Cohort Study — an often cited standard among pediatric researchers — to determine if there was a connection between vitamin D, asthma, and other forms of respiratory infection common in very young children.

The original New Zealand study followed over 1,000 local area children from birth through their first five years of life. Individual newborn vitamin D levels where initially measured using samples of umbilical cord blood. Three months following birth, and then annually thereafter, infant health was documented via a series of questionnaires. Emphasis was placed on signs of respiratory aliment (such as wheezing), asthma, and other forms of infectious disease in children.

While cord blood samples showed signs of low vitamin D levels in nearly all of the infants studied, upwards of 20% qualified as severely deficient. Children in this latter percentage were twice as likely to have suffered respiratory infection by their 3-month checkup.

Data collected over the next several years further supported these preliminary findings. The lower a given child’s vitamin D levels at birth, the more likely they were to have fallen ill due to respiratory infection.

However, much to the surprise of the followup researchers, a similar trend was not observed in instances of asthma.

While children with asthma whom had low vitamin D levels at birth were prone to attacks and other related complications, they did not appear statistically more likely than their less deficient peers to develop the condition itself. This suggests that the causes and triggers of asthma may well be wholly independent of one another.

Carlos Camargo, MD, DrPH & Lead Researcher for this Study: “Our data suggest that the association between vitamin D and wheezing, which can be a symptom of many respiratory diseases and not just asthma, is largely due to respiratory infections. Acute respiratory infections are a major health problem in children.” [1]

For all the remedies and preventatives directed at keeping young children healthy, modern medicine appears to have grossly underestimated vitamin D’s power when it comes to bolstering the human immune system. Evidence supporting this theory continues to mount — and this most recent study is only another drop in the bucket. In fact, other Vitamin D studies indicate it may help prevent the flu, prevent arterial stiffness and fight Crohn’s Disease… just to name a few.

A growing number of experts now recommend significantly increasing (perhaps even doubling) the current recommended daily intake of vitamin D, specifically because of it’s immune enhancing potential. No official changes have yet been made, but in the meantime, it may still be worth incorporating a high-quality vitamin D3 supplement into your family’s diet, as well as getting plenty of sun. This is the D3 supplement that I personally use and would recommend to everyone else.

~Dr. G

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16 Foods High in Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one super important, naturally-occuring nutrient. From preventing colds and flu, rebuilding tissue, bones and blood vessels, to boosting the body’s ability to synthesize calcium and other minerals, Vitamin C is something we want to be eating ore of on a daily basis.

In fact, studies are now confirming the need for Vitamin C to boost brain function, heal from injuries and recover from illness. A potent antioxidant for neutralising free radicals, a diet lacking Vitamin C may cause health problems over time. In fact, the Food & Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine recommends that we eat vitamin c foods on a daily basis, with men getting 90mg and women getting 75mg daily.

The following list of foods high in Vitamin C will help teach you how to super-charge your diet with a major dose of this essential nutrient.

One of the tastiest and healthiest berries on the planet, strawberries are extremely high in Vitamin C. Strawberries aren’t just a vitamin c food, however, they’re also high in fiber and the antioxidants responsible for reducing oxidative stress and protecting the heart from excess LDL cholesterol. Just one serving holds about half of your daily vitamin C needs.

The Acerola cherry, Malpighia punicifolia, is a small red fruit that is packed with vitamin C! In fact, it holds about 65x the amount of vitamin C than an orange. Just a single cherry holds all of your recommended amounts of vitamin C. It’s recommended to eat fresh, raw acerola cherries, but you can also buy it in powder form.

Oranges, grapefruits, lemon and limes! Citrus fruits pop a powerful Vitamin C punch. Peel one medium orange for a whopping 70mg. A small glass of OJ has up to 93mg of vitamin C, and a small glass of grapefruit juice has up to 70 mg of vitamin C. Even though oranges are probably the most popular vitamin C food, it doesn’t have the highest amount in it.

Papayas are another food high in vitamin c, with one serving holding 100% of your daily needs. Try throwing some in your next smoothie or yogurt. This bright fruit it also high in Vitamin A.

With its deep dark purple hue, its easy to imagine that this fruit would be high in Vitamin C. Blackcurrants hold around 180mg per serving, as well as plenty of potassium, iron, vitamin B5 and phytochemicals.

Hailing from New Zealand, it may surprise you to learn that this small bright green fruit has more Vitamin C than an orange! They are also high in flavonoids and has as much potassium as a banana. Studies have shown that children who ate these Vitamin C-rich fruits experienced stronger respiratory tract than children who did not.

Bell peppers are another food high in vitamin C, as well as beta carotene. In fact, these colorful veggies have been studied for the cardio-protective health benefits, and have also been shown to prevent cataracts, blood clot formation and may help us reduce our chances of heart attacks and strokes. One half cup of raw red pepper holds over 140 mg of vitamin C. All bell peppers are high in Vitamin C, but yellow are the highest and red peppers come in second.

This exotic fruit is another great vitamin C food, with one Guava containing over 250 mg. Over twice your daily needs! They are also rich in dietary fiber, folic acid, potassium and manganese, making Guavas one of the best superfoods to add to your diet. Many supermarkets are now importing these fruits from the tropics, so they are easy to find.

While not everyone’s favorite food, Brussels sprouts have a great Vitamin C reputation. One serving of cooked Brussels sprouts has almost 50 mg of vitamin C. Besides from being one of the best vitamin c foods, brussels sprouts are also high in vitamin K, folate, vitamin A, manganese, potassium and dietary fiber. However, even with all of these nutrients, it’s still near impossible to convince your kids to give them a try.

Many melons have Vitamin C. Just one cup of cantelope will provide you with approximately 67 mg of vitamin c, plus plenty of vitamin A and potassium. Additionally, watermelon is another great source of vitamin c, as one serving will give you 112% of your daily needs.

Kale, mustard greens, turnip greens, watercress, chard and spinach (as well as most other leafy greens) are all great Vitamin C foods to add to your diet. While they all provide different amounts of this essential nutrient, they are all very healthy for you. Kale would be the best choice, as it may have up to 130 mg of Vitamin C in one serving. That is one day’s Vitamin C needs in a single serving!

Another exotic fruit from India, this nutrient-dense super-food is one of the most important medicines in the Ayurvedic pharmacopeia. The fruit is picked, dried and used for its health-boosting properties. It holds one of the most concentrated supplies of Vitamin C, so its no wonder it has been valued for thousands of years for its immune enhancing properties.

Whether you eat it raw or cooked, you can never go wrong with broccoli. In fact, in addition to its dense multi-nutrient and fibrous benefits, one serving of this little green tree has over 90 mg of Vitamin C. Broccoli is also one of the best detox foods to add to your diet.

While not as colorful as some of our other foods high in Vitamin C, cauliflower holds its own with this essential nutrient. Just one cup of cauliflower will give you approximately 46 mg, not to mention plenty of vitamin K, folate and dietary fiber.

The bright red tomatoes are another common Vitamin C food. Try using sun-dried tomatoes as they are particularly concentrated in this essential nutrient. Just one serving of 100 grams holds over 100 mg of Vitamin C. This equals 170% of our daily needs.

Many fresh herbs such as cilantro, chives, thyme, basil and parsley are high in Vitamin C. Buy some fresh herbs and sprinkle on every meal. In fact, just one cup of fresh parsley has over 130 mg of Vitamin C. And thyme comes in first, with 160 mg in one cup.

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Expert: 50% of the World’s Population Deficient in Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an essential part of a healthy diet. The human body needs relatively large quantities of it in order to maintain bone density and metabolism, as well as general organ health.

The impact it has on the body’s overall well-being cannot be overstated. Over time, vitamin D deficiency doesn’t just weaken bones, it has also been shown to impede nerve function and mental cognition. It’s also important for maintaining a healthy heart and immune system.

Unfortunately, very few of us get the necessary amount of Vitamin D our bodies require. In fact, estimates are that over two-thirds of the the U.S. and European population is vitamin D deficient. And the figures are even worse in many other parts of the world.

The previous RDA recommendation is that adults up to age 50 consume at least 200 international units (IUs) each day. This number increases to 400 IU for adults between the ages of 51 and 70, and 600 IU for adults who are over age 70. However, these amounts changed in late 2010, when the Institute of Medicine released new recommended Vitamin D intakes. They recommend that healthy adults get 600 IU per day, and adults over the age of 71 should get 800 IU per day.

Despite these new recommended amounts, many experts now believe, myself included, that the current recommendations are grossly inadequate.

In fact, according to Dr. Anthony Norman, professor of biochemistry and biomedical sciences at the University of California, Riverside, and world renowned expert of vitamin D, the average adult should intake between 2,000 and 4,000 IU per day to maintain proper health.

If these new estimates are correct, then the average person isn’t just slightly lacking in vitamin D – They are severely deficient!

Not only that, but it also means that many of us who believe we are already getting enough are sorely mistaken. To further underscore the benefits of providing the body with sufficient levels of Vitamin D, Dr. Norman adds that that a number of studies indicate noticeable “reductions in incidence of breast cancer, colon cancer and type 1 diabetes in association with adequate intake of vitamin D, the positive effect generally occurring within five years of initiation of adequate vitamin D intake.”

Exposure to amounts of ultraviolet radiation from sunshine especially at sunrise and sunset, or artificial substitutes such as tanning or UV beds, trigger the human body’s natural ability to produce vitamin D. Other naturally occurring sources are somewhat scarce. Only a handful of foods are known to contain measurable quantities of vitamin D. These food sources primarily include different varieties of fish and fish oil.

However, as a vegetarian, I do not eat or recommend eating fish. My personal favorite is Shiitake mushrooms, as they are very high in vitamin d, as well as vitamins B1 and B2. Many fortified cereals and other grain products also contain a fair amount of D vitamins. Organic eggs are also high in vitamin D.

Considering the difficulties nearly all of us have getting even the current daily requirement, taking a Vitamin D3 Supplement is a great way to conveniently fill the gap.

Vitamin D3 Serum is a unique live source of D vitamin that more than meets the human body’s dietary needs and it is 100% vegetarian. Because it’s a liquid and not a pill or capsule, it does not contain any unnecessary fillers or binding agents.

Do you get your daily recommended amount of Vitamin D? Let me hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

~Dr. G

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Study: Vitamin D Supplements May Help Prevent Arterial Stiffness in Black Teens

As the human body ages, flexible tissue fiber known as elastin begins to break down from years of continuous physical stress. This gradual breakdown has a number of adverse effects on the overall health and appearance of the body. Externally, as skin loses its elastin, wrinkles begin to appear. Internally, similar but more serious changes such as arteriosclerosis or “arterial stiffness” also begin to occur.

As the skin depends on elastin to remain taut yet flexible, so do the walls of the vascular system that makes up the human circulatory system. Without the proper amount of healthy elastin present, the arteries stiffen, and become increasingly unable to cope with the internal pressure they are meant to handle. Over time, this leads to damage not only of the vascular system itself, but also to the organs to which it supplies.

In an effort to better understand the connection between vitamin D and arterial stiffness, researchers at the Medical College of Georgia in Atlanta tested the effects of Vitamin D supplementation on 44 black teenagers. All of whom, as a population in general, are considered to be at increased risk for the condition than other ethnic groups.

The teens participating in the study were divided into two groups. One received the current daily recommendation of 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D as set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Board. The other group of teens were given an experimental dosage five times that size, or 2,000 IU per day.

Both groups were closely monitored for a 16-week period, during which time the arterial stiffness of the participants was measured using a non-invasive technique known as “pulse wave velocity” that tracks the time sound waves take to travel a given distance within the arterial tract.

While all participants in the experimental 2,000 UI group were found to be fully vitamin D sufficient and exhibited relatively normal arterial elasticity for their age range, results in the control group were less encouraging.

The researchers found that, despite being exposed to more than adequate levels of sunshine and receiving the recommended daily allowance of vitamin D, most of the teens in the 400 IU control group still showed signs of premature arterial stiffness, leaving them at increased risk for future health concerns.

These findings, along with the numerous other health benefits associated with maintaining sufficient levels of vitamin D, make a strong case for dietary supplementation. Even for those who get plenty of sun exposure and regularly consume foods high in vitamin d.

Vitamin D supplements are affordable and readily available. While they can be bought at almost any grocery store or pharmacy, finding a quality vitamin D supplement isn’t always so easy.

If you’re serious about supplementing your health, then you should consider trying D3 Serum. It is hands down one of the highest quality live-sourced vitamin D supplements ever produced. Not only is it all-natural and free of toxic preservatives, it’s also much easier for the human body to absorb and utilize than other supplements. And that means you really are getting all the vitamin D you pay for.

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