New research shows an association between diets high in glycemic index and an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the number one cause of adult blindness.
The number one cause of irreversible blindness in adults is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which seems to share several carbohydrate-related risk factors with diabetes-related diseases, including retinopathy and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers tested the theory that dietary glycemic index (GI), which has been associated with the risk of diabetes and CVD, may also increase the risk and severity of AMD in elderly populations. Over 4000 participants aged 55-80 years participated in the research and were assigned to groups according to several physical eye characteristics related to AMD. Compared with the eyes in those with the lowest GI diets, eyes in the high GI subjects had significantly higher risk of AMD progression and severity. There was a 49% increase in the risk of advanced AMD for persons who ate a diet higher than average in GI. Researchers noted that the results indicated that 20% of all AMD cases in the study would have been eliminated if the participants consumed diets with a GI below the average. The association between dietary GI and AMD suggests that reducing the dietary GI may provide one way to reduce the risk of AMD in adults.
Source: Association between dietary glycemic index and age-related macular degeneration in nondiabetic participants in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, Chung-Jung Chiu, Roy C Milton, Gary Gensler and Allen Taylor, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 86, No. 1, 180-188, July 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
USANA Health Sciences Applauds Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Players' Performance at Wimbledon 2007
Image: ESPN
USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: USNA), the official health supplement supplier of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, would like to congratulate the 2007 Wimbledon Women's Doubles Champions.
-- Ladies Doubles - Cara Black (ZIM) & Liezel Huber (RSA) --
Wimbledon, the oldest major championship in tennis, is commonly regarded as the most prestigious international tennis competition.
In late 2006, USANA announced its partnership with the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, introducing USANA's unmatched nutritional products to 400 of the world's most elite athletes in women's tennis.
"Tennis is an extremely rigorous sport and very demanding on the body," said South African native and ladies doubles champion Liezel Huber.
"Since taking USANA products, I have truly experienced a noticeable difference in my health. I firmly believe that USANA's world-class nutritional supplements played a major role in my performance at Wimbledon 2007."
For more information about the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, please visit http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/.
USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: USNA), the official health supplement supplier of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, would like to congratulate the 2007 Wimbledon Women's Doubles Champions.-- Ladies Doubles - Cara Black (ZIM) & Liezel Huber (RSA) --
Wimbledon, the oldest major championship in tennis, is commonly regarded as the most prestigious international tennis competition.
In late 2006, USANA announced its partnership with the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, introducing USANA's unmatched nutritional products to 400 of the world's most elite athletes in women's tennis.
"Tennis is an extremely rigorous sport and very demanding on the body," said South African native and ladies doubles champion Liezel Huber.
"Since taking USANA products, I have truly experienced a noticeable difference in my health. I firmly believe that USANA's world-class nutritional supplements played a major role in my performance at Wimbledon 2007."
For more information about the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, please visit http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Fish oil lowers heart rate
Fish oil is known to decrease the risk of heart arrhythmias, which are a potential cause of heart disease, stroke and sudden cardiac death. According to a new study, regular intake of fish oil can reduce heart rate and decrease the risk of sudden death by as much as 5% in the overall population.
There is significant evidence that omega-3 fatty acids can reduce arrhythmias, disorders of the regular rhythmic beating of the heart. Arrhythmias can occur in a healthy heart and be of minimal consequence, but they also may indicate a serious problem and lead to heart disease, stroke or sudden cardiac death. A recent meta-analysis published in the journal Circulation further confirms this association. Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health combined statistical analysis of thirty studies published from 1996 to 2005. These studies involved nearly 1,700 individuals treated with fish oil or placebo for up to one year. The median combined dose of EPA and DHA was 3.5 grams/day for an average of 8 weeks. The overall estimated change in heart rate of those treated with fish oil was 1.6 beats per minute. The reduction in heart rate was even greater among trials whose participants had higher baseline heart rates. In those studies, treatment with fish oil resulted in a decreased heart rate of 2.5 beats per min. There was no evidence of a dose-response effect, and heart rate was not significantly different between higher and lower doses compared with placebo. Although the overall effect of fish oil on heart rate appears small, researchers estimate that on a population basis this could correspond to as much as a 5% reduction in sudden death.
Source: Effect of fish oil on heart rate in humans. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, Mozaffarian D, Geelen A, Brouwer IA, Geleijnse JM, Zock PL, Katan MB, Circulation 2005;112:1945-1952.
There is significant evidence that omega-3 fatty acids can reduce arrhythmias, disorders of the regular rhythmic beating of the heart. Arrhythmias can occur in a healthy heart and be of minimal consequence, but they also may indicate a serious problem and lead to heart disease, stroke or sudden cardiac death. A recent meta-analysis published in the journal Circulation further confirms this association. Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health combined statistical analysis of thirty studies published from 1996 to 2005. These studies involved nearly 1,700 individuals treated with fish oil or placebo for up to one year. The median combined dose of EPA and DHA was 3.5 grams/day for an average of 8 weeks. The overall estimated change in heart rate of those treated with fish oil was 1.6 beats per minute. The reduction in heart rate was even greater among trials whose participants had higher baseline heart rates. In those studies, treatment with fish oil resulted in a decreased heart rate of 2.5 beats per min. There was no evidence of a dose-response effect, and heart rate was not significantly different between higher and lower doses compared with placebo. Although the overall effect of fish oil on heart rate appears small, researchers estimate that on a population basis this could correspond to as much as a 5% reduction in sudden death.
Source: Effect of fish oil on heart rate in humans. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, Mozaffarian D, Geelen A, Brouwer IA, Geleijnse JM, Zock PL, Katan MB, Circulation 2005;112:1945-1952.
Friday, July 06, 2007
How to live longer and feel better
Linus Pauling's How to Live Longer and Feel Better appeals to a new generation of readers interested in achieving excellent health. A New York Times bestseller when it was first published in 1986, Pauling's seminal work proposes taking vitamins and minerals to prevent disease and live a long life.
Pauling's simple, inexpensive plan suggests avoiding sugar, stress, and smoking, working in a job that you like, and being happy with your family. To avoid serious illness and enjoy a longer life, he recommends taking vitamins for optimal health and as insurance against disease.
Pauling's simple, inexpensive plan suggests avoiding sugar, stress, and smoking, working in a job that you like, and being happy with your family. To avoid serious illness and enjoy a longer life, he recommends taking vitamins for optimal health and as insurance against disease.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Momentous partnership destined for success
In an event that will certainly be heralded as one of the most pivotal in the company’s 15-year history, USANA announced Monday, June 11, that it will contribute $500,000 per year over the course of 10 years to the Linus Pauling Institute (LPI), giving a radical boost to the research abilities of both great organizations. View the official press release here.
“The partnership between LPI and USANA will significantly enhance the Institute’s research mission, enabling our scientists to better understand the role antioxidants, phytochemicals, and other nutrients play in human health,” said Balz Frei, director of LPI. “We are very excited about this opportunity.”For over a decade, the Linus Pauling Institute, one of the nation’s first Centers of Excellence for Research on Complementary and Alternative Medicine, has been committed to the research of heart disease, cancer, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases. “The Linus Pauling Institute is clearly at the forefront of research in the arenas of nutrition and health,” Dr. Tim Wood declares. “USANA is proud to be supporting their efforts and we look forward to working with LPI in advancing the science of nutrition in both laboratory and clinical settings.”
“The partnership between LPI and USANA will significantly enhance the Institute’s research mission, enabling our scientists to better understand the role antioxidants, phytochemicals, and other nutrients play in human health,” said Balz Frei, director of LPI. “We are very excited about this opportunity.”For over a decade, the Linus Pauling Institute, one of the nation’s first Centers of Excellence for Research on Complementary and Alternative Medicine, has been committed to the research of heart disease, cancer, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases. “The Linus Pauling Institute is clearly at the forefront of research in the arenas of nutrition and health,” Dr. Tim Wood declares. “USANA is proud to be supporting their efforts and we look forward to working with LPI in advancing the science of nutrition in both laboratory and clinical settings.”
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