[The researchers] found that 12 weeks of isoflavone supplement, at a dose of 80 mg a day, significantly improved brachial FMD and, therefore, vascular endothelial dysfunction in patients who had suffered an ischaemic stroke (a stroke caused by blood clots or other obstructions).

The researchers also found that 12 weeks of isoflavone treatment resulted in a significant decrease in levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. This protein increases during systemic inflammation and is an independent predictor of cardiovascular-related events. “These findings suggested that isoflavone treatment alleviated vascular inflammatory stress and was an important component that mediated the reversal of endothelial dysfunction in this group of patients,” wrote the authors.

“These findings may have important implications for the use of isoflavone for secondary prevention in patients with cardiovascular disease, on top of conventional treatments,” the authors wrote in their EHJ paper.

These data are based from a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, involving 50 patients taking the isoflavone supplement, and 52 taking a placebo pill.

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Isoflavone Supplement Benefits Stroke Patients

In this study, the researchers compared the genetic responses of animals to either restricted diets or normal diets including small doses of resveratrol, and found that resveratrol had virtually the same effects as restricted diets.

In the heart, for example, there are at least 1,029 genes whose functions change with age. In animals on restricted diets, 90 percent of those heart genes experienced alterations in gene expression, while low doses of resveratrol thwarted age-related change in 92 percent. The new findings, say the study’s authors, reveal how red wine’s special ingredient helps keep the heart young.

In short, the authors note that a glass of wine or food or supplements containing even small doses of resveratrol are likely to help stave off cardiac aging.

The researchers are planning a phase 1 clinical trial to begin this summer to further explore the effects of resveratrol on memory, physical performance, inflammation and oxidative damage in elderly individuals.

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Resveratrol Keeps the Heart Young

But what if you’re a teetotaler? Or are perhaps taking other medications that are contra-indicated with alcohol? Or simply steering away from alcoholic drinks? A new study shows that a nutritional supplement containing grape seed extract may work just as well.

“Meganatural AZ grape seed extracts significantly reduced Alzheimer’s disease – type cognitive deterioration in the Alzheimer’ disease mice through mechanisms that prevents the formation of a more complex form of a molecule known as amyloid in the brain,” said Dr. Pasinetti. “The implications of these studies, however, are not limited to patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, amyloid is present in everyone’s brain and whenever it comes together in a more complex structure it makes the brain to function less efficiently like in Alzheimer’ disease. As a result, Meganatural AZ compounds’ ability to inhibit the formation of such ‘more complex’ amyloid structures suggests that Meganatural AZ from red grapes might even help prevent memory loss in people that did not yet developed Alzheimer’s disease. “

Note that this study has been performed on animal models. I hope they confirm their findings on humans, before my memory completely fails. Until then, it’s wine and other antioxidants for me, then!

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Grape Seed Extract Supplement Prevents Cognitive Decline

“This study’s results are exciting because they show the potential for Wellmune WGP to naturally enhance the body’s innate immune response to protect against and ameliorate the symptoms of something that every one of us encounters—the common cold. These results are consistent with numerous other immune health studies conducted with our ingredient, and indicate the real-life benefits that Wellmune WGP supplementation can provide.”

What is Wellmune, exactly?

Wellmune WGP is a functional food, beverage and dietary supplement ingredient available worldwide through Biothera and its distributors. This natural compound (gluco polysaccharide) is isolated from the cell walls of a strain of yeast. Wellmune WGP is patented, GRAS-approved, Kosher, non-allergenic and GMO-free. Numerous peer-reviewed studies support the safety and efficacy of Wellmune WGP, which is the culmination of years of research and a technology investment of more than $250 million. Wellmune WGP is available as a soluble and dispersible powder for ease of formulation in a wide range of foods and beverages, including clear liquids.

Find out more from Biothera.

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Wellmune Dietary Supplement Alleviates Colds Symptoms

“Our scientifically validated testing has consistently shown that Diabetinol™ improves blood glucose numbers. This time we saw a sizeable change in glucose intolerance in just a short time. This is good news for many of the 21 million Americans with diabetes. Tighter blood sugar control may mean less diabetic complications like nerve pain and kidney disease. And, that could mean less disability and expense from complications and associated medications and certainly less stress for the patient.”

A six-month study is underway to evaluate Diabetinol treatment in a larger sample of people with type 2 diabetes.

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Citrus-Based Dietary Supplement Diabetinol May Benefit Diabetes Patients

According to this related article in WebMD:

Foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin include leafy green vegetables (such as spinach, kale, turnip greens, collards, and mustard greens), squash, green peas, broccoli, pumpkin, and corn.

Foods rich in vitamin E include vegetable oils, almonds, sunflower seeds, leafy green veggies, and fortified cereals.

You might also want to check out this related entry on lutein/zeaxanthin and macular degeneration.

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Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Vitamin E Reduce Cataract Risk

Although the results cannot be directly extrapolated beyond the laboratory, researchers report that “they strongly suggest that lipoic acid supplementation may be useful as an inexpensive but effective intervention strategy . . . reducing known risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis and other inflammatory vascular diseases in humans.”

Although lipoic acid is naturally occurring in foods such as green leafy vegetables, potatoes and meats, particularly organ meats such as kidney, heart or liver, they are not present in concentrations high enough to elicit the effect seen in the study. The supplements used in the study is equivalent to about 2,000 mg a day, an amount that can only be met by taking lipoic acid supplements (and several pills a day at that).

Read more here.

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Lipoic Acid Supplements May Reduce Atherosclerosis and Weight Gain

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The researchers observed that when mice were fed an omega-3 rich diet, they seemed immune to the effect of MPTP, a toxic compound that causes the same damage to the brain as Parkinson’s. “This compound, which has been used for more than 20 years in Parkinson’s research, works faster than the disease itself and is just as effective in targeting and destroying the dopamine-producing neurons in the brain,” points out Calon.

By contrast, another group of mice that were fed an ordinary diet developed the characteristic symptoms of the disease when injected with MPTP, including a 31% drop in dopamine-producing neurons and a 50% decrease in dopamine levels.

Analyses revealed that omega-3 fatty acids – in particular DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), a specific type of omega-3 – had replaced the omega-6 fatty acids already present in the brains of the mice that had been given omega-3 supplementation.

Read more here.

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Omega-3 Fatty Acid (DHA) May Protect Against Parkinson’s Disease

In a genetic study of more than 2,100 female twin pairs ages 19-79, British and American researchers found that higher vitamin D levels were linked to improved genetic measures of lifelong aging and chronic stress. Using a genetic marker called leukocyte telomere length (LTL), they found those with the highest vitamin D levels had longer LTL, indicating lower levels of inflammation and body stress. The telomere difference between those with the highest and lowest vitamin D levels was equivalent to 5 years of aging.

Previous research has found that shortened LTL is linked to risk for heart disease and could be an indication of chronic inflammation – a key determinant in the biology of aging. While there are several lifestyle factors that affect telomere length (obesity, smoking and lack of physical activity), the researchers noted that boosting vitamin D levels is a simple change to affect this important marker.

Milk is your best source of Vitamin D, with the added bonus of being a good source of calcium and magnesium, both of which are important to maintain bone health, particularly in aging women. If you can’t or don’t want to take milk, there are dietary supplements available in the market, but best ask your doctor for recommendations regarding form and dosage.

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Vitamin D Offers Anti-Aging Benefits

The study also showed the cherry-fed groups had lower levels of a plasma marker of oxidative damage and increased blood antioxidant capacity – not surprising since cherries are one of the richest sources of antioxidants.

The study used whole tart cherries in powder form, which was fed to rats as one percent of
their total diet. While the amount of cherries used in the study could equate to reasonable amounts in a human diet, humans and rats differ substantially in the ability to absorb nutrients like anthocyanins and more research is needed to translate this science into a diet recommendation.

The study, which has been was presented at the scientific conference Experimental Biology and has been submitted for publication in a medical journal.

Note that tart cherries have also been linked to lower the risk of metabolic syndrome (also called insulin resistance syndrome) and cardiovascular disease, and a host of other health benefits.

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Tart Cherries May Help Reduce Risk Factors for Developing Type 2 Diabetes