NOTES FROM THE KAT

In this Issue:

Greetings,

FDA Ban on Progesterone and Other Hormone Containing Supplements!

It's a sad state of affairs, fair members. New FDA regulations have banned hormone-containing products as supplements and over-the-counter beauty products, and unfortunately, that includes our ever-popular Progesterone Cream.

Sadly, FDA Title 21 states:

"Reference to a product as a ‘hormone cream' or any statement in the labeling indicating that ‘hormones' are present in the product, or any statement that features or emphasizes the presence of a hormone ingredient in the product...will consequently cause the product to be a drug."

We have spent a lot of time researching our options. We are sorry to report that we will no longer be carrying Progesterone Cream.

You will see many of our competitors continuing to offer over-the-counter progesterone products. The Co-op, however, has always been a bit conservative and we belive in playing by the rules, even if we disagree with some of them.

So, the last of our stock is going fast. We only have about 100 jars left, and we will not be ordering more, so order while you can! There is a limit of two jars per order, so we can give everyone a fair shot at what's left.

Sigh. Some news is just not good news. If you're anywhere near as angry as Teri is, consider writing to your legislators. Better yet, write to the FDA or write an opinion piece for your local newspaper. Just don't shoot this poor messenger. ^..^

Supplement Cocktail Does More for Heart Health than Lifestyle Changes Alone

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) - or a heart attack caused by blocked arteries - is the leading cause of death among men and women around the world. Serious stuff, fair members.

For most, heart attack recovery includes entering a cardiac rehabilitation program. Cardiac rehab programs aim to minimize heart disease and restore heart health through lifestyle changes.

Alas, while everyone seems to be familiar with what it takes to support a healthy heart - increasing exercise, eating healthier, ditching the cigarettes, and dropping extra weight - these things are much easier said than done. Cardiac rehab programs provide additional support to help participants stay on track with lifestyle changes and prevent further cardiovascular problems.

As most members know (we do have a heart-savvy crowd here), risk of heart attack recurrence goes up with high cholesterol/bad cholesterol, high C-reactive protein levels (a marker of systemic inflammation), and high homocysteine levels.

These bad boy indicators can come down dramatically with positive lifestyle changes, which includes increased intake of heart-healthy nutrients.

Researchers at the University of Granada, Spain (J. Nutr. 137:384-390, February 2007) sought to measure the impact of specific nutrients on heart rehabilitation and risk management using two separate groups of cardiac rehab patients.

One group adhered to the usual diet and exercise recommendations of a cardiac rehab program.

The other group followed the same diet and exercise routine, but added supplements designed to promote healthy arteries and heart tissue. The supplements given to this group included:

Fish oil (those ever-popular omega 3s)

Oleic acids (from olive oil)

Folic acid & vitamin B-6

Vitamins A, D & E

The Spanish team had good reasons to include this particular set of nutrients, which are found in abundance in the classic, heart-healthy Mediterranean diet.

You see, the Mediterranean diet retains superstar status due to its association with reduced heart disease, and unlike the typical American diet, the Mediterranean diet is rich in fish, fruits and vegetables, and olive oil.

As it turned out, total homocysteine levels decreased in both groups adhering to healthier diets and more exercise, a good result, indeed.

However, the group taking supplements also enjoyed reductions in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and C-reactive protein levels. Specifically, total cholesterol decreased by 10% and bad LDL cholesterol dropped by 14%.

In the Journal of Nutrition article, the Spanish authors concluded that their study:

"(S)upports the rationale for the use of nutritional programs in the secondary prevention of CHD (coronary heart disease)."

Click through to the study above and share it with your favorite physician or nurse practitioner!

Meanwhile, based on the fan mail we get, methinks some of our members have equally good or better results by eating right, exercising, and taking a combination of our heart healthy supplements.

Some of our basics that are similar to supplements used in the Spanish study include:

Fish Oil
B Vitamin Trio
Sam's Advanced Antioxidant Plus D

You're on your own for the olive oil, but please do choose extra virgin olive oil and consider storing most of it in your refrigerator or buying your oil in small quantities that you use up regularly!

Health in the News

The tolerable upper intake level for oral vitamin D3 should be increased five-fold, experts from the US-based Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has said after a review of the science.
Green tea polyphenol (epigallocatechin-3-gallate, EGCGA), combined with low doses of a COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib) could slow the spread of human prostate cancer, according to studies on cell cultures and mice.
Replacing red meat with soy in the diet improved several features of the metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women, says a joint Iranian-American study that offers insights into managing this growing condition.
Take a serving of extracts from green tea or Jasmine tea, mix in some wildflower dark honey and you have something more useful than a drink. It's actually a scientific mixture that can be used to reduce pathogenic bacteria in meats.
Ex-smokers achieved non-smokers' level of arterial stiffness after a decade of smoking cessation, in a cross-sectional study reported in Hypertension, the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Kat's Notes

Cindy and Steve are one step away from becoming foster parents. They did 32 hours of training together, received their certification in February, submitted all the forms and paperwork, and expect a home study to be completed in April.

They are even talking of fostering teenagers! Parents in their circle of friends are offering up their own teenagers, and some look downright aghast when they hear of the plan.

With disturbed looks, they exclaim, "But why would you give up your freedom?!" Make no mistake, they're also muttering under their breath "...especially at your age!"

Good grief. It's my observation that most humans have this endless need to create complexity in their lives and relationships. And, it's always something about growth and opportunity or giving back and getting connected and so on.

Alas, Teri may be the one exception, as she seems remarkably and delightfully uncomplicated most of the time.

Teri's response to the fostering plans? Without missing a beat, she said, "I would like to sign up to be one of those kids!"

Stay tuned for more details. If you want to drop Cindy a line, she's at cindy@ourhealthcoop.com.

Enough for one day.

Guido

Guido Housemouser
Chief Kat and Community Manager
Our Health Co-op
4188 Westroads Drive, Unit 123
Riviera Beach, FL 33407

Member Spotlight

I love your company and thank you Teri for you kind and loving support today! Love that KAT!

Also, can you add the $1.00
for poor program for me?

Thanks again!

Maureen C.

Please "Tell a Friend" about us. If your friends and family care about supplement quality and love a good deal, they will certainly thank you! ^..^

Contact Us

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DO NOT write to Guido about orders, as your order inquiry will only be delayed!!! The "kat" is happy to receive and respond to other types of notes though!

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The information presented in this newsletter is for subscribers to evaluate individually. Please seek a professional’s advice when making healthcare decisions.

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