ELLA - THE FIRST 'BCNH BABY'

We are pleased to announce that Level 3 students Tom and Elizabeth, who met on the course, had their first baby Ella in May 08.

As you can see, little Ella is a picture of health and already smiling. Certainly a sign of good nutrition on her mum's part.


Mum and dad are also doing fine, but exhausted, which is to be expected.

THE UBIQUITOUS ROLE OF THE ‘SUNSHINE’ VITAMIN

Vitamin D is both a vitamin and a hormone. The role of Vitamin D - the ‘sunshine’ vitamin, as we know it appears to have ubiquitous role. Vitamin D in calcium absorption in the gut and normal mineralization of bone is well established. However, research is now focusing on other functions of vitamin D such as innate immune regulation (Hewison 2008), low mood and cognitive performance (Wilkins et al 2006), depression (Berk et al 2007), Metabolic Syndrome prevention (Hyppönen et al 2008), and cancer prevention – see article below.

This article is copied from NUTRAingredietns.com/europe website

http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=85255&c=K4kaXXjFbphCJNkBqUaYrw%3D%3D

Prostates protected by vitamin D: study

14-May-2008

The benefits of vitamin D for prostates may be due to the action of the vitamin on a specific gene, suggests new research that deepens our understanding of how nutrients and genes interact.

Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center report that the active form of vitamin D in the body, 1,25-hydroxylvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D), may link with a gene known as G6PD, which releases an antioxidant enzyme and protect DNA from damage.

"Many epidemiological studies have suggested the beneficial properties of vitamin D," said lead researcher Yi-Fen Lee. "Our findings reflect what we see in those studies and demonstrate that vitamin D not only can be used as a therapy for prostate cancer, it can prevent prostate cancer from happening."

The study is published in the International Journal of Cancer.

The link between vitamin D intake and protection from cancer dates from the 1940s when Frank Apperly demonstrated a link between latitude and deaths from cancer, and suggested that sunlight gave "a relative cancer immunity."

Vitamin D refers to two biologically inactive precursors - D3, also known as cholecalciferol, and D2, also known as ergocalciferol. Both D3 and D2 precursors are hydroxylated in the liver and kidneys to form 25- hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), the non-active 'storage' form, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), the biologically active form that is tightly controlled by the body.

There is growing evidence that 1,25(OH)2D has anticancer effects, but the discovery that non-kidney cells can also hydroxylate 25(OH)D had profound implications, implying that higher 25(OH)D levels could protect against cancer in the local sites.

The new study, supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense, appears to provide further compelling evidence of the potent anti-cancer benefits of 1,25(OH)2D.

Normal healthy prostate cells (BPH-1 and RWPE-1) and prostate cancer cells (CWR22R and DU 145) were subjected to oxidative stress. The researchers found that 1,25(OH)2D induced G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), a key antioxidant enzyme, in the healthy but not cancer cells. G6PD scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) associated with DNA damage.

"If you reduce DNA damage, you reduce the risk of cancer or aging," said Lee said. "Our study adds one more beneficial effect of taking a vitamin D supplement. Taking a supplement is especially important for senior citizens and others who might have less circulation of vitamin D, and for people who live and work areas where there is less sunshine."

"In this study, we have demonstrated that 1,25-(OH)2D can protect nonmalignant human prostate epithelial cells against H2O2-induced cell death through modulating the ROS defense systems, suggesting a possible role of 1,25-(OH)2D in prostate cancer prevention," stated the researchers in the journal.

Vitamin D - bad for cancers, good for you

Lee and co-workers noted that 1,25(OH)2D may act both as an antioxidant and a pro-oxidant, depending on the cellular environment, with a subtle pro-oxidant activity found in cancer cells, while it appears to behave as an antioxidant in normal healthy cells.

"[Our] data suggest that vitamin D might exert a subtle oxidative stress, which could stimulate the detoxification mechanisms to protect cells from the subsequent stress challenges; yet cancer cells lose the 1,25-(OH)2D-induced detoxification responses, therefore, 1,25-(OH)2D acts as a pro-oxidant in cancer cells," they said.

"Our results provide one mechanism to explain how 1,25-(OH)2D protects nonmalignant human prostate epithelial cells from oxidative stress to attenuate the accumulation of oxidative damages during the life.

"Therefore, vitamin D might be beneficial for preventing the development of age-dependent diseases," they concluded.

Source: The International Journal of Cancer
122, 2699-2706 (2008)
"Protective role of 1a, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 against oxidative stress in nonmalignant human prostate epithelial cells"
Authors: B.-Y. Bao, H.-J. Ting, J.-W. Hsu, Y.-F. Lee

British scientists Elina Hyppönen and Chris Power (2007) from the Institute of Child Health in London, measured the level of 25(OH)D in 7437 whites from the 1958 British birth cohort when the subjects had reached the age of 45. They reported that prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was alarmingly high during the winter and spring .

Interestingly, other studies have also shown that sunshine levels in some northern countries are so weak during the winter months that the body makes no vitamin D at all, resulting in over half of the population to have insufficient or deficient levels of the vitamin.

So - how much vitamin D should we take?

While Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA) have not established a RNI for vitamin D, estimated maximum daily intake is 22mcg (800iu). A review by Talwar et al (2007) reported that the tolerable upper intake level for oral vitamin D3 should be increased to 250 micrograms per day (10,000 iu), which is a 12.5 x increase.

Dietary sources of vitamin D

Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines are the richest source of vitamin D. However, smaller amounts are also found in foods such as milk, fortified margarine, fortified cereals, eggs, beef liver & Swiss cheese.

Sun exposure – free vitamin D

It has been suggested that approximately 5 - 30 minutes of sun exposure between 10am and 3pm at least twice a week, to the face, arms, legs, or back, without a sunscreen, can usually lead to sufficient vitamin D synthesis. Moderate use of commercial tanning beds that emit 2 - 6% UVB radiation may also be effective

(Wolpowitz and Gilchrest 2006). They also recommend that individuals with limited sun exposure need to include good sources of vitamin D in their diet or take a supplement.

However, they equally caution to limit exposure of skin to sunlight as UV radiation is a carcinogen responsible for most of skin cancers and deaths from metastatic melanoma. Lifetime cumulative UV damage to skin may also be largely responsible for some age-associated dryness and premature ageing of the skin.

References:

Berk M Sanders KM Pasco JA Jacka FN Williams LJ Hayles AL Dodd S (2007) Vitamin D deficiency may play a role in depression. Medical Hypotheses May 10; [Epub ahead of print]

Hewison M (2008) Vitamin D and innate immunity Current Opinion in Investigational Drugs May 9(5):485-90

Holick MF (2007)Vitamin D deficiency. The New England Journal of Medicine 357:266-81.

Hyppönen E Boucher BJ Berry DJ Power C (2008) 25-hydroxyvitamin D IGF-1 and metabolic syndrome at 45 years of age: a cross-sectional study in the 1958 British Birth Cohort. Diabetes Feb 57(2):298-305

Hyppönen E Power C (2007) Hypovitaminosis D in British adults at age 45 y: nationwide cohort study of dietary and lifestyle predictors. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Mar;85(3):860-8

Talwar S A Aloia J F S Pollack and Yeh JK (2007) Dose response to vitamin D supplementation among postmenopausal African American women The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition December 86 (6):1657-1662

Wilkins CH Sheline YI Roe CM Birge SJ Morris JC (2006) Vitamin D deficiency is associated with low mood and worse cognitive performance in older adults. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry Dec 14(12):1032-40.

Wolpowitz D Gilchrest BA (2006) The vitamin D questions: how much do you need and how should you get it? Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 54:301-17.

Bibliography:

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp

FORGET THE PILLS - YOU CAN GET MINERALS FROM YOUR HAIR

This fascinating article caught my eye on the Onion website:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/38915

An Aveda Institute rendering of the nutrition absorbed through hair.

Report: Americans Receive Majority of Vitamins Through Hair

BOSTON - A report published in the Aug. 25 issue of The New England Journal Of Medicine indicates that the average American receives 87 percent of his or her daily vitamin intake through the hair.

"Over the past five years, the field of hair-nutrient technology has evolved at a stunning rate," said Dr. Irving Kallberg, follicular nutritionist and author of the report. "Not surprisingly, shampoo has now surpassed food as the primary source of vitamins for the vast majority of U.S. citizens."

According to Kallberg, a single quarter-ounce application of a high-vitamin shampoo like Clairol's Herbal Essences or Pantene Pro-V provides a full day's supply of Vitamins A, B, C, D and E, as well as minerals like calcium, zinc and magnesium. By supplementing shampoo use with a quality revitalizing conditioner like Aussie Hair Salad, Kallberg said, the user can meet all of his or her nutritional needs.

"A serving of Paul Mitchell shampoo contains more protein than a 14-ounce New York strip steak," Kallberg said. "And, unlike meat, Paul Mitchell products give your hair a healthy, radiant shine."

"I wash my hair at least six times a day," said Robert Meader, a self-described "health nut" from Hermosa Beach, CA. "I used to be a vegetarian, but now I'm on a strict daily regimen of Nexus Protein-Plus shampoo and Aveda clarifying rinse. And you know what? I've never felt better."

Willow Lake shampoo, which meets the USRDA for 11 essential vitamins and minerals.

Across the U.S., restaurants are jumping on the bandwagon, offering patrons a wide selection of hair-care treatments along with their meals. Said Denny's vice-president of operations Ken St. Croix: "We currently offer a $9.99 meal deal featuring choice of entree with soup, shampoo, salad, rinse, potato, conditioner, choice of beverage and blow-dry, with dessert and styling gel available for $2 extra."

Food manufacturers are getting into the act, as well. Campbell's is developing a line of deep-cleansing and conditioning soups. Spokespersons for Chef Boyardee said the company has an anti-dandruff ravioli in the works. And Gatorade is planning a September rollout for its new line of "Sport-Sheen" athletic shampoos, which promise to "replace the vital carbohydrates and electrolytes your hair loses during exercise."

Experts say the trend is only beginning.

"With fatty, empty-calorie-laden Big Macs and pizzas becoming the norm, Americans' reliance on hair-washings for their basic nutritional needs will only increase," said New York University dietitian Penny Raskin. "By 2005, the family dinner hour will be all but obsolete, replaced by the family shower."

"Basically," Raskin said, "the secret to good health is simple: regular exercise, plenty of sleep and a good pH-balanced diet."

I hope you enjoyed the above.