The Nutrition Link

Statin Drugs May Increase the Risk of Diabetes

Paula — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:01:18 +0000

Research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that statins (the family of cholesterol lowering drugs), may increase the risk of diabetes in postmenopausal women. In the study, those taking statin drugs were shown to have a 48% increased risk of developing diabetes. Statin drugs have also been linked to other health problems such as muscle issues and increased risk of some cancers

Source: Green Med Info, Jan 10, 2012

Nutrition Link Newsletter December 2011

PaulaW — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:15:37 +0000

Nutrition Link Newsletter December 2011

December, 2011

As 2011 draws to a close, we take a look a the brittle bone disease – osteoporosis and challenge some of the long held beliefs about this condition ands why it comes about. We have also got a fabulous Christmas recipe plus a summary of the latest health and nutrition research.

Osteoporosis – Not Only About Calcium!

Osteoporosis literally means softening of the bones. It is a growing problem with one in 3 women over 50 likely to suffer at some point in their lives and 1 in 5 men. There are a number of well known predisposing factors such as low levels of oestrogen in women caused by early menopause or conditions such as premature ovarian failure. Other causes include genes, race, sex (women more likely to suffer than men), being underweight and certain health conditions such as an overactive thyroid and rheumatoid arthritis. Some medications such as steroid medications given to treat inflammatory conditions and some drugs used in breast cancer patients may also increase risk. Diets low in the nutrients needed to support bone health are another risk factor and execcesive alcohol consumption, smoking and inadequate bone building exercise are other contributory factors.

So what can you do to reduce your risk of developing Osteoporosis?

Firstly it is important to look at all of the risks listed above and see whether any of these relate to you. If you are on steroids for example then you may well need some bone support nutrients – an issue which you can discuss with your GP.

And how important is Calcium?

Calcium is undeniably one of the key components of bone matrix and this has led to the assumption that increasing

calcium levels in the diet (especially through consumption of dairy foods) must help to improve bone health. However the evidence does not always bear this out. In the journal Pediatrics Amercan researchers reviewed 37 relevant studies of which 27 found no relationship between dietary calcium or dairy product intake and measures of bone health. Of the remaining studies any apparent benefit was small. Another study looking at children hilighted not only the lack of evidence of benefits from calcium, but also dairy products specifically for bone health.

So if it’s not all about Calcium then what other dietary changes can we make to help protect our bones?

Dietary Measures To Decrease Osteoporosis Risk

1. Include Some Calcium – Although the benefits of calcium, including that from dairy foods have been overemphasised, some calcium is needed for bone health. Foods such as green leafy veg, such as kale and broccoli are good sources . Other good sources of calcium include beans, seeds (especially sesame), tinned fish such as sardines and salmon (also good sources of vitamin D) and quinoa. Milk is not the only calcium provider!

2. Reduce intake of alcohol - as more than 3 drinks a day has been linked to an increased risk of the condition.

3. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. These have an alkalising effect on body tissues and if eaten in a high enough quantity will prevent the need for calcium to be taken from bones to buffer acidity. Green veg are particularly beneficial

4. Soak wholegrain breakfast cereals overnight. This helps to break down a substance contained within the grains called phytate which binds to the minerals in the food and stops them from being absorbed

5. Limit salt and caffeine as these can both lead to bone loss

6. Include foods rich in the other nutrients for bone health

(vitamin D, magnesium, manganese, boron, vitamin C, isoflavones, iron, copper, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, vitamin K, flouride, protein)

7. Ensure intake of animal protein is not excessive – Animal protein such as meat, fish, eggs and dairy has an acidifying effect on the blood and can lead to bone breakdown. Some protein is however important for bones so it is all about balance

8. Limit intake of soft drinks high in phosphorous- although some phosphorous is needed for healthy bones, the high levels found in carbonated soft drinks is bad news for bones

9. Avoid wheat and gluten if you are intolerant of if you are a coeliac. The link between gluten and osteoporosis is so strong that in America anyone diagnosed with osteoporosis is automatically screened for coeliac disease

At The Nutrition Link we can help you to optimise your bone health by helping you to identify and address the underlying causes. For more information or to book an appointment give us a call on 01727 764 832 or email paula@thenutritionlink.co.uk

Recipe – Parsnip, Chestnut & Apple Soup

This recipe is full of warming Christmassy goodness. Packed with fibre from the vegetables, it also contains protein from the chestnuts and is low in fat – enjoy!

Ingredients

1 onion, finely chopped

500g of parsnips, peeled & grated

4 sticks of celery trimmed

400g of cooked, peeled chestnuts (vaccum packed is ideal)

50g of unsaled butter

1.3 litres of chicken stock

2 eating apples, peeled and sliced thinly

Place onion, parsnip and celery into a pan with the butter and fry gently for about 10 minutes until softened and lightly browned.

Add chestnuts and sliced apple and cook for a few more minutes

Pour in chicken stock, add seasoning. Bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes until tender.

Puree soup in a liquidiser and return to the pan. Heat through and serve.

Well that’s all for this month. We hope that you have enjoyed our health and recipe news. Please feel free to contact us on 01727 764 832 email paula@thenutritionlink.co.uk regarding your health and weight loss issues and don’t forget to check out our wide range of health tests in the ‘shop’ section of our site at www.thenutritionlink.co.uk . In the meantime, Merry Christmas and talk to you soon!

New Alcohol Intolerance Test & Special Offer on Nutritional Consultation

New Alcohol Intolerance Test

Let’s face it, it’s that time of year when most of us like to have a drink or two. However the after effects are not always pleasant and sometimes don’t bear any relationship to how much alcohol we have had. If you are someone who feels terrible after only one or two drinks, it may be that you have an intolerance to one or more of the ingredients in your favourite tipple. Yeast for example is a common allergen and sometimes issues with certain grapes, wheat, hops or additives may be to blame. Unlike UK foods, alcoholic drinks do not require labelling so it is not always clear what you are consuming. Now help is at hand with an IgG finger prick blood test which helps identify the problem ingredients in alcoholic drinks, enabling you to choose to drink beverages which are less likely to affect you. For more info and to purchase your test kit go to our online shop at
www.thenutritionlink.co.uk

£10 Discount on a Nutritional Consultation

Thinking about having an overview of your diet to start the New Year or perhaps there is a specific health issue that you would like help with? For a limited period only we will be helping you to do just that with £10 off a nutritional consultation (normal price £65, but reduced to £55 until the end of Jan). Quote Jan promo to take advantage. Contact us for more details on 01727 764 832.

Latest Health News

More than 2 takeaways a week are enough to increase the risk of diabetes.

Researchers from the university of Tasmania and two other Australian science institutions studied the diets and lifestyles of 1,896 men and women aged between 26-36. The researchers discovered that those consuming 2 or more takeaways weekly had higher blood sugar levels, higher levels of insulin and scored higher on a test for signs of insulin resistance – a warning sign for diabetes. The research was publishd in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Food Intolerance Link to Migraine

A recent study published in the Nutrition Journal showed improvements for migraine sufferers when food intolerances were identified and removed from their diets. In the study 84 participants were put on a diet free of their intolerances while 83 were put on a sham diet. At the end of the four weeks those on the intolerance free diet had a 23% reduction in migraine symptoms.

For more health news please visit our news blog at www.thenutritionlink.co.uk

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Mangoes May Help to Ward off Diabetes

Paula — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:21:09 +0000

A new study conducted in the primary industry department of Queensland, Australia suggests that mango is a useful food in the fight against diabetes and may have a role to play in the
treatment of metabolic disorder (although research is at an early stage). Eating a mango a day could help protect people against high cholesterol as well as diabetes. A component within the mango operates by activating or inhibiting receptors known as peroxisome proliferative activator receptors. (ppars). PPars have also additionally been linked to breast and colon cancer. Further research is needed.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2006/11/27/1798045.htme:

Silybum Extract Comparable with SSRI for Treatment of OCD

PaulaW — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:42:05 +0000

In a recent randomised double blind pilot study silybum extract demonsrated a similar level of efficacy in the treatment of OCD to fluoextine (an SSRI).

In the study, 52 adults with OCD took silybum (3 x 200mg seed extract / day) or fluoextine (3 x 10mg / day) for 8 weeks. Both were effective in ameliorating symptoms and effected a comparable (strong / significant) decrease in the Yale / Brown score.

Source: Sayyah M, Boostani H, Pakseresht S et al. Comparison of Silybum Marianum (L) Gaerth with Fluoextine in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Prog Neuropsyopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2010; 34 (2) 362-5

Low Intake of Vitamin B6 is Associated with Irritable Bowel Syndromw Symptoms

Paula — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:34:39 +0000

It is very common for there to be links between foods eaten by IBS sufferers and symptoms experienced. Intolerances to commonly eaten foods such as wheat and dairy are common, however less is known about links between intake of specific nutrients and IBS symptoms.

In a cross sectional study carried out in May 2011 17 humans with IBS were recruited and symptoms were recorded on diary cards for 7 days. Intake of food was assessed from a food diary kept by subjects in the same period. Associations between IBS score and dietary intake were explored and a high symptom score was associated with low vitamin B6 intake. This significant relationship may have important clinical implications, the authors of the study concluded.

Source: Low intake of vitamin B6 is associated with irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Nutr Res, 2011 May: 31 (5) 356-61

Parasite Blastocystis Homini Associated with IBS

Paula — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:08:16 +0000

The parasite Blastocystis Homini has traditionally been considered a non- pathogenic organism with no role in gastrointestinal conditions such as IBS. This position is however beginning to change as Blastocystis and other parasites such as Dientamoeba fragilis have been linked to the aetiology of Irritable bowel syndrome.

In a study published in Parasitol Res in August 2011, 45 patients with IBS and 45 controls were enrolled and blood was taken and tested for the presence of the two parasites. The clinical and molecular approaches undertaken in this study demonstrated a pathogenic role for Blastocystis. This has important clinical implications as if Blastocystis can be identified and successfully treated in patients with IBS then this may favourably improve symptoms in some IBS patients. More research is needed in this area, specifically to identify which of the sub strains of Blastocystis may have a pathogenic role in IBS.

Source: Blastocystis infection is associated with irritable bowel syndrome in a Mexican patient population, Parasitol Res. 2011 Aug 26

Type of Carbs Eaten Affects Gas Production and Symptoms in IBS

Paula — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:07:40 +0000

It is not uncommon for patients with IBS to complain of symptoms worsening when eating foods rich in carbohydrate such as bread, pasta, rice, cereals or potatoes. However a recent study suggests that rather than avoiding this whole food group (which can be difficult for many patients to comply with), relief may be obtained by altering the ‘types’ of carbohydrate foods eaten. Some carbohydrate foods contain sugars and sugar alcohols that are difficult to absorb and these are collectively called FODMAPS (fermentable oligo-di and mono sacharides and polyols) Foods high in FODMAPS include wheat, apples, pears, prunes, milk, beans and lentils, while foods containing low levels include bananas, blueberries, raspberries, hard cheese, carrots and rice.

In the study, 15 healthy subjects and 15 with IBS (Rome 111 criteria), undertook a single – blind, crossover intervention trial in which foods containing FODMAPS were either low (9g per day) or high (50g per day). Diaries were kept in which participants recorded diet intake and gastrointestinal symptoms and breath samples were collected hourly over 14 h on day 2 of each diet. When the breath samples were analysed higher levels of breath hydrogen were produced over the entire day with the high FODMAPS diet for health volunteers and patients with IBS Gastronintestinal symptoms and lethargy were significantly worse with the high FODMAPS diet in patients with IBS. The authors concluded that ‘Dietary FODMAPS induce prolonged hydrogen production in the intestines that is greater in IBS, influence the amount of methane produced and induce gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms experienced by patients with IBS’

Source: Manipulation of dietary short chain carbohydrates alters the pattern of gas production and genesis of symptoms in Irritable Bowel Syndrome’ Journal of Gastroenterol Hepatol 2010 Aug 25 (8): 1335-6

New Data Suggests Link Between Childhood Obesity and Allergies

PaulaW — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:00:50 +0000

A study published in the May issue

of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical

Immunology indicated that there

may be a link between obesity and

increased incidence of allergies.

The study analysed data from 4,111

children and young adults aged 2-19

years of age. It looked at antibody

levels to a wide range of antigens as well as a questionnaire about diagnoses of hayfever,

eczema and allergies. The researchers found that IgE levels were higher among children

who were obese or overweight. Obese children were about 26 times more likely to

have allergies than children of normal weight.

Source: Visness CM, London SJ, Daniels JL, Kaufman JS, Yeats KB, Siega- Riz AM, Liu

AH, Calatoni A, Zeldin DC, Association of Obesity with IgE levels and allergy symptoms

in children and adolescents: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination

Survey 2005-2006. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. May 2009

Stay Well This Winter – November Newsletter

PaulaW — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:44:28 +0000

Nutrition Link Newsletter November 2011

November, 2011

Staying healthy this Winter is the theme of this month’s newsletter and we will be giving you lots of hints and tips to help protect you from the nasty colds flu and stomach bugs that are inevitably doing the rounds at this time of year. We also have a fabulous recipe for an immune boosting power drink as well as a summary of the latest health and nutrition news.

Staying Well This Winter

Have you noticed that while some people seem to get everything going, others get by with barely a sniffle. Not fair is it! well the good news is that if you are someone who gets more than your fair share of viruses and bacterial infections that there is much you can do to improve the situation.

Addressing The Underlying Causes

Firstly it is important to look at why your immunity is low. Have you had a recent course of antibiotics which has killed off all the good bacteria in your gut? If so then this could be a cause as around 80% of our immune system is in our gut and the gut bacteria form an important part of this. Do you have food intolerances? If so then this may be lowering your resistance to infection. Nutrient deficiencies are a very common reason for lowered immunity. Iron is key yet many women are low in iron due to menstruation so it is worth getting this checked out. Other important nutrients include vitamin D (again commonly deficient), zinc and vitamin C. It is also key to

establish whether there may be an underlying metabolic

reason for your lowered immunity such as an underactive thyroid. Stress, excessive exercise or lack of sleep are also important factors.

Ways to Boost Immunity

1. Reduce or avoid Sugar – this has been shown to reduce our natural killer cells leaving us vulnerable to infection.

2. Include plenty of garlic in your diet – this has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties

3. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. Be sure to include a wide mix of colours as these tend to code to the different nutrients in the food. Raw foods tend to be higher in nutrients although there are some exceptions. If you are run down juicing can be a great way to maximise fruit and veg intake

4. Consume live natural yoghurt (assuming that you are not intolerant to milk). This is rich in good bacteria which

can help boost immunity

5. Eat foods rich in selenium (brazil nuts are an excellent source). Our soil is commonly deficient in selenium and we need selenium to help boost our levels of natural killer cells.

6. Ensure that you are including oily fish or if vegetarian flax seed oil in your diet. Studies have shown that these foods increase the activity of phagocytes (a special type of white blood cell that fights infection)

7.Supplement with Zinc, vitamin C and vitamin D. probiotics may also be a good idea if you have had a lot of antibiotics or have digestive issues. Colostrum is another important nutrient for immunity.

At The Nutrition Link we can help you to optimise your immunity by looking at and addressing the underlying causes. For more information or to book an appointment give us a call on 01727 764 832 or email paula@thenutritionlink.co.uk

Recipe – Immune Boosting Power Smoothie

Smoothies are a simple and tasty way to pack in lots of nutrients all in one go. You can really make up recipes as you go along but here is one that has worked well for us – enjoy!

Ingredients

Handful of strawberries washed with green tops removed

Handful of washed blueberries

1/2 a banana

Splash of orange juice

Splash of yoghurt to taste (optional)

teaspoon of ground flax seed powder

few raw well washed raw spinach leaves (optional)

Water to achieve desired consistency

Place all ingredients into a blender. Even a hand blender will do. Whizz until well blended. Add extra water / orange juice and / or yoghurt to taste.

Consume immediately

Well that’s all for this month. We hope that you have enjoyed our health and recipe news. Please feel free to contact us on 01727 764 832 email paula@thenutritionlink.co.uk regarding your health and weight loss issues and don’t forget to check out our wide range of health tests in the ‘shop’ section of our site at www.thenutritionlink.co.uk . Talk to you soon!

Special Offers & Xmas Gifts

Vitamin D Test Normally £50. Special Price £40 until the end of this month

Vitamin D is an extremely common deficiency and has been linked to a number of health complaints including lowered immunity, some cancers, autoimmune conditions, lowered sperm counts in men to name but a few. In the UK many of us are considered to be deficient because of the limited amount of sunlight that we are exposed to. Now for a limited period you can get your levels tested for just £40 – a full 25% off the usual price. The test is a simple finger prick blood test which you do at home and send off to the lab. For more info and to purchase your test kit go to our online shop at www.thenutritionlink.co.uk

Nutrition Link Vouchers

Wondering what to get a loved one for Xmas? We have the perfect solution. Why not get them a Nutrition Link voucher. These are able in the denomination of your choice and can be used against consultations or to purchase test kits. For more information contact us on 01727 764 832

Latest Health News

Low intake of B6 may be linked to symptoms of IBS

A new study published in the the journal Nutrition Research suggests that a low intake of vitamin B6 may result in more severe symptoms of IBS. The cross-sectional study involved 17 participants with IBS who recorded the severity of their symptoms for 7 days based on a series of criteria. The researchers then measured nutrient intakes and found that B6 was the one nutrient found to be linked to worse IBS Symptoms.

Probiotics May Help Improve Stress Related Symptoms

A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition suggested that a daily supplement of probiotics could produce beneficial effects against stress related symptoms. Volunteers were randomly assigned to receive a probiotic or a dummy supplement for 30 days and monitored using a number of tests. The results showed that levels of psychological stress were much lower amongst the group receiving probiotics.

For more health news please visit our news blog at www.thenutritionlink.co.uk

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Oral Bacteria May Provide Link To Pancreatic Cancer Risk

PaulaW — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:25:58 +0000

A small study published in the

journal ‘Gut’ has indicated that

certain types of mouth bacteria

some of which are linked to gum

disease are associated with the

development of pancreatic cancer. This interesting finding helps move us further

forward in finding clues to stop the progress of one of the cancers that is the most

difficult to treat, by altering the balance of bacteria. It is however unclear whether

the bacteria are a cause or effect of pancreatic cancer

Source: Farrell J J et al, Variations of oral microbiota are associated with pancreatic

diseases including pancreatic cancer. Gut 2011, Epub first Oct 12