Omega 3 essential fatty acids are found in flax seeds, green leafy vegetables, walnuts, and fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines. Omega 3s found in fish consist of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Omega 3s found in plants consist of ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), which requires conversion into EPA and DHA. Now research reports that fish omega 3s may help prevent age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) in older adults.
The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, examined the association between omega 3 consumption and age-related hearing loss. Researchers at the University of Sydney, Australia, analyzed the data of 2,956 participants in the Blue Mountains Hearing Study from 1997 through 2004. Food frequency questionnaires obtained from the participants were analyzed to determine fish EPA and DHA, ALA and omega 6 fatty acids consumption. The participants had audiologic exams at the beginning of the study and during follow-up visits.
The researchers found that higher omega 3 consumption was associated with a lower risk of hearing loss. Participants with two servings of fish weekly had a 42 percent decrease in age-related hearing loss risk, compared to those with less than one serving weekly.
"There was an inverse association between higher intakes of long-chain n-3 PUFAs and regular weekly consumption of fish and hearing loss," the study authors write. "Dietary intervention with n-3 PUFAs could prevent or delay the development of age-related hearing loss."
Revitle Anti-Aging Supplement
Taking antioxidants and other nutrients can help prevent the damaging effects of free radicals (unstable molecules that cause damage to cells) and inflammation associated with degenerative diseases and aging.
Progressive Health's Revitle is a potent anti-aging supplement specifically developed to promote youthfulness, combat aging and reduce the risk for serious disease. Revitle features omega 3 fatty acids as well as green tea, cordyceps, grape seed, coenzyme Q10, NAC (n-acetyl l-cysteine), alpha lipoic acid, ginkgo biloba, hawthorne, Siberian ginseng, bilberry, and essential vitamins and minerals.
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Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is an overreaction of the immune system from allergens in the environment. Now research reports that pycnogenol can help treat and prevent allergy symptoms. Pycnogenol, derived from French maritime pine bark (Pinus pinaster), contains potent antioxidant flavonoids called proanthocyanidins (PCOs).
The placebo-controlled double-blind study, published in Phytotherapy Research, investigated the effect of pycnogenol on hay fever symptoms. Researchers from various institutions from the UK and Canada administered twice daily either Pycnogenol 50 mg tablets or a placebo to 60 participants with allergies, three to eight weeks before hay fever season in Canada. The participants recorded over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine use in treatment journals. Blood samples and symptom questionnaires were obtained from the participants.
The researchers found that participants taking pycnogenol seven weeks before hay fever season required 12.5 percent OTC antihistamine medication, compared to 50% of the placebo group. The pycnogenol group also had on average a lower nasal and eye symptom score than the placebo group. Furthermore, the pycnogenol group had a 19.4 percent increase in IgE (pollen antibody) levels compared to 31.9 percent in the placebo group.
"In conclusion, Pycnogenol improved allergic rhinitis symptoms when supplementation was started at least 5 weeks before the onset of the allergy season," the study authors write
Historal Relieves Allergy Symptoms
Progressive Health's Historal is an all-natural supplement specifically formulated for allergy symptom management.
Avatrol features a synergistic blend of clinically proven ingredients such as quercetin, grape seed extract, stinging nettle, echinacea purpurea, MSM (methylfulfonyl methane), coleus forskolin and vitamin C. Historal's comprehensive nutritional support helps relieve allergy symptoms and control the release of histamines while boosting immunity.
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Previous studies suggest that chronic gum disease, known as periodontitis, is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and tooth loss. Gum disease is caused by an abnormal inflammatory-immune response to bacterial plaque formation in the tissue surrounding the teeth. Now research reports that poor oral hygiene is linked to heart disease.
The study, published in the British Medical Journal, investigated whether poor oral hygiene is associated with an increased risk of inflammation and heart disease. Researchers at the University College London, UK, analyzed data from 11,000 people in Scotland participating in the Scottish Health Survey. Medical history, dietary intakes, and family records of disease were obtained from the participants.
The researchers found that participants with poor oral hygiene had a 70 percent increased risk of heart disease, compared to those who brush their teeth twice a day. Furthermore, they had increased inflammatory marker levels including C reactive protein and fibrinogen.
"Poor oral hygiene is associated with higher levels of risk of cardiovascular disease and low grade inflammation, though the causal nature of the association is yet to be determined," the study authors conclude.
Promote Oral Health with Clorial
Progressive Health's Clorial is an all-natural supplement specifically formulated to promote oral health and combat chronic bad breath (halitosis). Clorial contains a synergistic blend of potent nutrients such as lactoferrin, thyme, eucalyptus, xylitol and peppermint oil, antioxidant coQ10, and vitamins C and Folic Acid.
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Chronic gum disease, known as periodontitis, is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, type-2 diabetes and tooth loss. Gum disease is caused by an abnormal inflammatory-immune response to bacterial plaque formation in the tissue surrounding the teeth. Now research reports that high omega 3 DHA levels may decrease the risk of gum disease. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil consist of biologically active EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Fish oil is known to have anti-inflammatory benefits.
The study, published in Nutrition, investigated whether omega 3s were associated with a lowered risk of periodontitis. Researchers at Nigata University in Japan and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, analyzed data from 55 seniors (average age 74) participating in a study of aging. Dietary intakes were obtained from the participants. Dental examinations were performed once a year for five years.
The researchers found that higher levels of omega 3 DHA were linked with a reduced risk of periodontitis. Participants with the lowest DHA levels had a 1.5 times higher risk of periodontitis, compared to those with the highest levels.
"The findings suggest there may be an inverse, independent relation of dietary DHA intake to the progression of periodontal disease in older people," the study authors conclude.
Clorial Promotes Oral Health
Progressive Health's Clorial is an all-natural supplement specifically formulated to promote oral health and combat chronic bad breath (halitosis). Clorial contains a synergistic blend of potent nutrients such as lactoferrin, thyme, eucalyptus, xylitol and peppermint oil, antioxidant coQ10, and vitamins C and Folic Acid.
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The participants in the study inserted Bacillus clausii spores into each nare 3 times a day for 4 weeks. Baseline measurements of cytokine levels were taken as well as monitored throughout the study to test the effect the bacterial spores has on the immune response.
The study showed that Bacillus clausii lowered levels of cytokines, which induce an inflammatory response from the immune system, and increased cytokines; thus modulating an anti-inflammatory response.
The authors conclude that Bacillus clausii has an immunomodulatory effect via cytokine pathways and is an effective, safe treatment for allergic rhinitis in adults.
]]>Butterbur (Petasites hybridis) is a botanical native to Europe that has been shown in previous studies to be effective at treating headaches (migraine), asthma, and muscle spasm. The studies claim that Butterbur modulates leukotrienes synthesis and release, thereby decreasing the inflammatory reaction.
In a study published in the December issue of Archives of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surger, the authors examined both the safety and efficacy of Butterbur for allergic rhinitis. The study also compared different doses of Butterbur to determine effectiveness and dose response.
The study found that Butterbur is safe with little or no side effects. It is also an effective treatment for allergic rhinitis and the effect is dose dependant, meaning that a higher dose yielded a greater response.
Butterbur was effective at decreasing symptoms of allergic rhinitis such as runny nose, sneezing, and itchy nose and eyes. The results were statistically significant over placebo for all doses tested. There was not a statistically significant difference between the high and low doses of Butterbur.