In this Issue:
Greetings,
Read Up On Eye Protection
Our Eye Protection formula consistently shows up in our Top 10 list, so most
of you are already hip to the roles lutein, zeaxanthin, bilberry and taurine
play in protecting eye health.
If not, you should peruse the Royal National Institute of the Blind’s
recommendations for taking care of your eyes with both healthier
lifestyles and nutrition.
Meanwhile, here’s a quick review of each ingredient in our Eye Protection
formula:
Lutein & Zeaxanthin – Found in many pigmented fruits, vegetables,
algae and some bacteria, these two valuable carotenoids help protect against UV
radiation and oxidation.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are both found in large concentrations in the
macula and
the lens of the eye. Aging and risk factors like excessive sun exposure,
smoking, excess weight and high cholesterol all cause stress within the retina,
which can lead to loss of central vision.
Here’s a description of how lutein protects the eyes from the FloraGLO site:
“Lutein naturally filters damaging, high-energy blue light from the visible
light spectrum. When blue light makes contact with the eyes and skin, it may
induce harmful oxidative stress within skin and retinal cells. Lutein may
protect cells by absorbing blue light. This makes lutein unique from other
antioxidants such as vitamin C or beta-carotene.”
For a refresher on age- related macular degeneration or ARMD, check out the
article we did last summer.
While closely related to lutein, zeaxanthin seems to produce thicker, more
protective macular pigmenting.
Not surprisingly, beyond eye protection, lutein also supports heart and skin
health as well. Similar to your eyes, your skin is regularly assaulted by the
elements (sun and environmental pollutants), and this leads to accumulation of
cell-damaging free radicals within the skin.
A recent study (Morganti & Palambo, 2006) showed that supplementing with 10mg
of lutein daily increased skin hydration, elasticity, and lipid concentration.
So, you can’t go wrong with boosting your lutein intake. For more
information, check out the
Lutein Information Bureau’s
research and education site.
Bilberry – A small purplish fruit, bilberry contains anthocyanosides,
which are those friendly flavanoids with antioxidant power found in other deeply
pigmented fruits like blackberries.
Anthocyanicides have shown to promote retinal health by increasing
circulation in the blood vessels around the eyes, and supporting retinal
connective tissues -- especially in folks battling diabetic retinopathy.
Bilberry is also thought to support better night vision. In addition to
supporting eye health, bilberry has also been used to support gastrointestinal
comfort, circulatory health, and immune function.
Taurine – Taurine is an amino acid present in high amounts in the
brain, retina, muscular system, and heart. Studies have shown those lacking in
taurine to be more prone to retinal degeneration.
Taurine also sports antioxidant and detoxifying properties, and has shown to
act as a cell membrane-stabilizer to keep cells healthy and prevent free radical
damage.
Read more on our
Eye Protection
formula.
Vitamin D and Cancer Risk
Reduction
Vitamin D has been garnering a lot of media attention lately – whether for
healthier bones or a better immune system.
Two new meta-analysis Vitamin D studies suggest that adequate Vitamin D
levels might actually reduce the risk of both breast and colon cancer. Both
studies measured blood serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) – the
circulating level of Vitamin D in the body.
The breast cancer study was published in the current issue of Journal of
Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Interestingly, those patients with the highest blood levels of
25-hydroxyvitamin D had the lowest risk of breast cancer, while those with the
lowest blood levels of 25(OH)D had the highest risk of breast cancer.
Statistically, over the whole group, as vitamin D blood levels increased, the
incidence of cancer dropped.
The researchers asserted that the blood serum level associated with 50%
reduced risk of breast cancer could be maintained by ingesting 2,000 IU of
vitamin D3, plus spending 10-15 minutes in the sun daily (weather permitting).
Fast fact: While spending time in the sun has come to be viewed
as “dangerous,” don’t forget that most people are vitamin D deficient and
spending time in the sun is crucial to adequate vitamin D levels in the body.
Read more from the University of Auckland on how time in the sun can help keep
you healthy by
supporting your body’s own vitamin D production.
The second study explored Vitamin D levels in relation to colorectal cancer
risk, and was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Participants from five different studies donating blood for the study were
followed for up to 25 years and assessed for development of colon cancer.
Similar to the breast cancer study results, researchers found that raising
serum levels to 34 ng/mL reduced incidences of colorectal cancer by half. They
predict two-thirds of a reduction in incidence with serum levels of 46ng/mL,
which corresponds to 2,000 IU daily of vitamin D3.
The recommendations in achieving these levels were likewise a combination of
supplementation and 10-15 minutes of sunlight each day. For more on your health
and Vitamin D, check out:
Vitamin D
decreases in the elderly, and the long-term physical effects.
Is your body asking for Vitamin D?
Note: Look forward to the Co-op’s 1000 IU Vitamin D3, coming
soon! Dr. Rodier will be happy to see this in our line-up, because everyone he
tests seems to be critically low in serum levels of vitamin D.
Cooking with Donnaree -- Jamaican
Chicken & Veggies
Last week this kat mentioned that our shipper, Donnaree, has been on Hugo’s
anti-TOIL (anti toxicity, oxidation, inflammation and lack
of nutrients) diet.
So, as promised, here is one of Donnaree’s recipes:
Chicken and Vegetables (the Jamaican way!)
3lb Chicken breasts
3T Dark Chicken Sauce (w/no sugar, found in any
grocery or Caribbean foods store).
1 pinch Black Pepper
1 pinch of Mrs. Dash
Shake ingredients with chicken in a bag. Cook chicken
for 30 minutes in a roasting pan at 350 degrees.
Then add:
1 Tomato chopped
1 Onion chopped
1/2C Scallions chopped
1/2C Sweet Bell
Peppers (red/yellow) chopped
Pour chopped veggies over chicken and roast for another 15 minutes.
In a steamer place:
2C chopped Carrots
2C chopped Broccoli
1C sliced Red Radishes
Steam veggies together for 15 minutes then put in pan with roasted
chicken. Baste steamed veggies with gravy from chicken. Reduce heat to 250
and bake another 20 minutes.
In steamer:
1 Cabbage sliced thin with a pinch of salt
1 Onion chopped
˝ Tomato
chopped
Steam these final veggies about 15 minutes.
Serve on plates and place baked chicken and vegetable mix on top.
Dr. Rodier’s anti-TOIL diet requires lean white meats and lots of veggies in
the first few weeks, and Donnaree is taking his dietary counsel very seriously,
while still enjoying her meals.
If you try her recipe and have comments, drop a line to Donnaree through
moi!
That’s all for now, fair members! ^..^
Still purringly yours,
Guido
Guido Housemouser
Chief Kat and Community Manager
Our Health Co-op
4188 Westroads Drive,
Unit 123
Riviera Beach, FL 33407
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