MEDICAL NEWS HEADLINES

Exercise Encourages Brain to Improve Function
Exercise improves brain function by causing nerve cells to multiply, strengthen their interconnections and protect them from damage.
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One factor improved in particular is the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, which triggers other chemicals that promote neural health. BDNF has been shown to have direct benefits on brain functions, including learning and slowing or repairing neural problems such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and spinal cord injuries. Science News.

Dr. W: Enough can't be said about the benefits of exercise for virtually any health condition. Your body listens to what you are doing. If you are placing physical demands on the body (exercise), you are sending the signal that you are alive and need health. If you don't move--like a dead person doesn't--then the body gives up trying and speeds you to that ultimate do-nothing state. Your body tends to become what the demands you place on it require.

The Sunshine Vitamin
Maintaining optimal vitamin D levels lowers your risk of dying from any cause. 

Studies from 18 trials of more than 57,000 people over a six year period showed that those who took vitamin D supplements from 300 IUs to 2,000 IUs had a 7% lower risk of death compared to those not taking the supplements. 

Vitamin D reduces the proliferation of cancer cells. Vitamin D also helps utilize calcium for bone health. If you are not getting at least moderate daily sun exposure, which helps your body produce its own vitamin D, it is recommended that you take at least 400 IUs of vitamin D daily. (See O-Mega D™, Optimal™, Daily Combo™) Archives of Internal Medicine. 

Dr. W: We are plants of a sort. Plants photosynthesize, but so do we. They use the sun to produce plant structure and oxygen; we use it to produce the master hormone, vitamin D. We can no more survive well without vitamin D than plants can survive in the dark. Get in the sun, stop slathering on sunscreen, and eat vitamin D rich foods and take supplements when you can't let your skin have nourishing sun rays. 

The Dangers of Antibacterial Soap
Triclosan is an antibacterial agent used in certain soaps and in countless consumer products ranging from socks to toothpaste. However, triclosan can react with chlorinated water to produce chloroform, a likely carcinogen. Triclosan can degrade to chloroform within one minute of exposure to chlorinated water at temperatures commonly used for cleaning. 16 products containing triclosan were found to produce either chloroform or other chlorinated byproducts. Triclosan has also been linked to heart disease, heart failure, failure of skeletal muscles, and disruption of hormone function. (See Wysong Bar Soap, Nature Cleanse™, Safe-T-Suds™) Environmental Science & Technology. 

Dr. W: Also keep in mind that the skin is an absorbing organ. What you put on, goes in. If you wouldn't eat it, don't put it on the skin.

Supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (omega-3 DHA) improves learning and memory function in older adults with age-related cognitive decline.
(See Krill Oil™, Marine Lipids™)Alzheimers Dement. 

Zinc supplementation helps protect against atherosclerosis.
(See Chelamin™, Optimal™, Daily Combo™) Am J Clin Nutr. 

Maternal vitamin A supplementation associated with improved lung function in offspring.
(See Antioxidant Spectrum™, Optimal™, Daily Combo™) N Engl J Med.

Multi-species high potency probiotic reduces diarrhea in critically ill patients.
(See Probiosyn™, Daily Combo™) Am J Crit Care.

Arginine supplementation increases physical working capacity in young men.
(See Androlog™, Carvasol™, Immulyn™) J Strength Cond Res.

Astaxanthin reduces oxidative stress and inflammation and improves immune function.
(See Krill Oil™) Nutr Metab (Lond).

Lower maternal folate status in early pregnancy linked to childhood hyperactivity and peer problems in offspring.
(See Optimal™, Daily Combo™) J Child Psychol Psychiatry.

Carnitine supplementation benefits patients with type II diabetes.
(See Carvasol™, Neuridone™) Endocr Res.