Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
When you thick of probiotics, the healthy bacterial supplements, the last thing you think about, if at all, is the brain. Probiotics mostly bring to mind gastrointestinal function, including digestion and absorption, immunity and manufacturing of vitamins K and B. However, several international research reviews …
Processed foods are all around us – from our very own kitchens to our favorite supermarkets. Many processed foods have a high level of sugar and contain many different artificial ingredients. You’ve seen their convenient packaging and tried to pronounce the ingredients that they are …
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Suddenly, one morning you wake up with a stiff, swollen, and painful joint. You most likely have arthritis. In the United States, more than 50% of individuals over 60 years of age have osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis followed by Rheumatoid Arthritis (1). Arthritis can be defined as inflammation in the joint, and is usually coupled with degeneration of the cartilage tissue. Arthritis pain generally worsens with weight-bearing activities such as exercising, stairs, walking uphill or even walking on a flat surface. These activities are all a part of daily living; which may lead to a decrease in quality of life.1 Undenatured type II collagen is a functional, natural product that may support joint degeneration due to normal wear and tear. More Americans are switching to natural products to slow progression of cartilage degeneration and promote healing.
The framework of human joint cartilage is primarily Type II collagen. Undenatured Type II collagen (UC-II) is derived from the sternum of chickens, and sourced and manufactured in the United States, where it is now available in a once a day capsule. Type II collagen for joint support was discovered decades ago. However, the use of chicken collagen was discovered in the early 2000s by researcher Dr. Moore, who was searching for a naturally safe treatment for his daughter in her 20s, suffering from incredible joint pain. His investigation and research led to the development of the correct preparation of type II collagen from chickens that proved most effective for his daughter’s joints. It is important that the sternum cartilage is undenatured, as cooking the cartilage destroys the therapeutic effects.1 UC-II is prepared using a low-heat, non-enzymatic process. The scientific preparation of glycosylation preserves the biological activity and therapeutic benefits of UC-II and is designated as GMP-certified and GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe).1,2
Mechanism of UC-II
Chronic, strenuous mechanical stress on chondrocytes causes breakdown of cartilage, inflammation and the release of type II collagen into the blood stream. Because type II collagen is not supposed to be in the blood stream, it is recognized as foreign and is attacked by killer T-cells. These immune cells also attack type II collagen in the joints, which can lead to further inflammation. UC-II has been shown to slow the progression of arthritis via oral tolerance, a mechanism that works with the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT or immune tissue) of the small intestine. When UC-II is orally administered, it interacts with the GALT to release T-regulatory cells that dramatically slows inflammation and deactivates killer T-cells.2,3
Clinical Trials
In one study, 40mg of UC-II was compared with 1500mg of Glucosamine Chondroitin. UC-II was found to be more effective than Glucosamine Chondroitin against stiffness and pain in the knee in climbing stairs, up from sitting, walking on a flat surface and even night pain. At the end of the 90-day study, UC-II reduced stiffness and pain 40%, whereas Glucosamine Chondroitin was 15%.1 Another study looked at joint pain from strenuous exercise on healthy joints. This was the first study of its kind. These experts felt that joint pain from strenuous exercise may indicate possible future joint problems. Their hopes were that UC-II might prevent damage to joints and preserve joint health. Subjects taking UC-II were able to exercise longer before experiencing any joint discomfort, and extended the offset of joint discomfort after exercising. Studies show fewer inflammatory makers with the use of UC-II.2 7 In these human clinical trials, UC-II showed statistically significance compared to placebo and glucosamine-chondroitin at only 40mg daily. In dogs, UC-II also shows significant decline in pain, stiffness over time, with no adverse effects.4,7
Current pharmacologic strategies for joint pain and degeneration mainly address anti-inflammatory and immune suppression mechanisms, both of which have limited success. Many studies support UC-II supplementation for joints to improve overall quality of life and activities of daily living.1 It supports arthritic, healthy joints, and joints that endure strenuous activities. Joint support is now in a convenient dose of one capsule a day. Take 40mg on an empty stomach prior to bedtime.1 UC-II has undergone rigorous third-party research and testing, and is proven effective, safe, and well-tolerated with no adverse effects.4,5,6,7 Now you can plan for long walks, adventurous hiking trails, or start training for the marathon.
References:
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Ninety-five percent of diabetes cases in adults are type 2 diabetes. Though several studies have shown that a healthy diet and regular physical activity can prevent diabetes all together, only a small amount of studies have been performed on the link between type 2 diabetes and the effect it has on a person’s memory and cognition – until now.
A new study, published in Neurology, has discovered that those with type 2 diabetes experience negative changes in their ability to regulate blood flow in the brain, causing lower scores on memory and cognition tests.
Diabetes is a group of diseases marked by high levels of blood sugar resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both. The most common form, Type 2 diabetes, is the fastest growing disease in the world in a number of new cases. It is a major contributor to mortality and morbidity and is a direct result of the pandemic rise of obesity. However, Type 2 diabetes, through life style changes, can be avoided; and for those of you with Type 2 diabetes, you can take steps to control the disease and lower the risk of complications.
As we age, our brain function slows down naturally. This happens for two main reasons. First off, there is a drop that occurs in the concentration of growth factors that repair spaces between nerves (known as the synaptic region). This leads to a slower healing process of the synapse and a decrease in the efficiency of nerve transmission – therefore, cell-to-cell communication falters. Secondly, the numerous tiny power plants called mitochondria found in each nerve cell become old and wrinkled. Their efficiency decreases, therefore decreasing the creation of energy in the brain.
As it turns out, we can retool these mitochondria in order to restore energy production in the brain. When energy production is restored, memory and brain efficiency improves. When the brain has adequate energy and efficiency, healing can then take place. You can literally restore your brain’s healing ability by restoring some level of function to its neurons (the brain’s nerve cells). This also protects the brain from the increased level of toxic free radicals that are generated as we age. Increased levels of toxic free radicals lead to deteriorating brain function and loss of cognitive function, resulting in poor memory.
Dr. Vera Novak, study author at Harvard Medical School, explains, “Normal blood flow regulation allows the brain to redistribute blood to areas of the brain that have increased activity while performing tasks. People with type 2 diabetes have impaired blood flow regulation. Our results suggest that diabetes and high blood sugar impose a chronic negative effect on cognitive and decision-making skills.”
The study involved 40 people in total but was split into two groups – 19 people who had type 2 diabetes and 21 people who did not. The participants, with an average age of 66 years old, were tested once at the beginning of the study and again two years later. They underwent, not only cognition tests, but MRI scans of their brain and blood tests. These scans were used to observe the brains blood flow and the blood test tested the amount of control of blood sugar and inflammation.
Two years later, during the second part of the test, researchers realized that the participants with type 2 diabetes had major decreases in their ability to regulate blood flow in the brain –about a 65 percent decrease. Also discovered, “they scored 12 percent lower on memory and cognition tests than they has two years ago, while those without diabetes scored the same.”
Novak states, “Early detection and monitoring of blood flow regulation may be an important predictor of accelerated changes in cognitive and decision-making skills.” However, she suggests that more studies with larger groups and an extended follow up time would be needed to further understand the entire relationship between blood flow regulation and changes in memory and thinking skills.
Source: http://www.medicaldaily.com/