Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
You’ll notice this standardized statement on all of our Skin Care (and Baby Care) products – “Does not contain Parabens, Petroleum, Colorants, Fragrance, Sulfates or Benzoic Acid”. But what does that mean? Did you know that we absorb up to 60 percent of what we …
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There are many factors that may cause graying hair, including genetics, low levels of catalase in the body, and high levels of stress. But the main factor that causes your hair to change from its dark, vibrant tresses to a light gray is due to melanin. Every hair follicle contains pigment cells called melanocytes. When you first start to notice your hair graying, melanocytes are still present but are less active. As the graying process progresses, the melanocytes die off until there are no cells left to produce your vibrant, natural hair color.
Recently, a cardiologist at Cairo University in Egypt, Dr. Irini Samuel, reported in a new study that gray hair has been linked with an increased risk of heart disease in men.
Atherosclerosis is the hardening and narrowing of the arteries that silently and slowly blocks the arteries from healthy blood flow. It is the common cause of heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease – what together are called cardiovascular disease. Researchers from Cairo University have reported that Atherosclerosis and graying hair share similar mechanisms, such as impaired DNA repair, oxidative stress, inflammation and hormonal changes.
This study was a prospective and observational study, which included 545 adult men that underwent a coronary angiography, a non-invasive diagnostic test that detects Atherosclerosis in the coronary artery. Patients were divided into subgroups according to the presence or absence of coronary artery disease and the amount of gray/white hair, using a hair whitening score – 1 = pure black hair, 2 = black more than white, 3 = black equals white, 4 = white more than black, and 5 = pure white.
Researchers found that a high hair whitening score of grade 3 or more was associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease. Patients with coronary artery disease had a statistically significant higher hair whitening score and higher coronary artery calcification than those without coronary artery disease.
Heart health vitamins to assist in improving your overall cardiovascular health
Though Dr. Samuel says further research is needed in coordination with dermatologists and larger studies involving both men and women, “If you findings are confirmed, standardization of the scoring system for evaluation of hair graying could be used as a predictor for coronary artery disease.”
Catalase is a conditionally essential nutrient and a highly-active primary antioxidant. It is a catalytic enzyme that occurs naturally in the body and is found in all cells, helping to protect the body from the damaging free radical hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a byproduct of energy utilization found in every cell in the body. Catalase’s function is to break down hydrogen peroxide. But when the body does not have enough Catalase, excessive levels of hydrogen peroxide can result in bleaching, seen in the hair.
You’ll hear Jerry Hickey, R.Ph regularly mention on his radio program that there are a few factors that positively benefit all health conditions – following an active lifestyle, losing weight, and eating the right foods. A new study, focusing on Osteoarthritis and joint degeneration, backs …
*Image: Huffington Post The scientific link between alcohol and breast cancer is strong, but most of the research backing it has been done in caucasian women, not diverse groups of women. Now, in a new analysis published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, scientists find …
Written By Amanda Williams, MPH
How often have you had an annual physical and are told by your healthcare provider that “everything looks good”? You leave their office feeling assured that everything is okay, health wise. But what does that “okay” mean exactly?
The question that I ask my customers who tell me they have had their blood tested is, do you really know what any of the results mean? If you are not sure what tests your provider is even ordering, then how are you to know that everything is “good”? It never surprises me when someone brings their blood results to me and states, “My doctor did a complete workup and tells me everything is normal”. And after one quick glimpse of the test, I find time and time again that the only tests that were ordered are a CBC (complete blood count), Metabolic Panel, Lipid Panel, and on occasion a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test. These are the most basic tests that are ordered and do not provide you with the most important aspects of your overall health. So let us look at the tests that should be ordered to really give you a more comprehensive look into your health.
I believe it is essential to know what if any inflammation is occurring in the body. As many already know, all chronic diseases have an underlying component of inflammation. It is advisable to have the following tests run –
High sensitivity C-Reactive Protein will let you know if there is any low level of inflammation in the body. This level is not cardiac specific but can indicate an increased cardiovascular risk when elevated.
This is an assessment of blood vessel inflammation, which is a cardiovascular risk when elevated.
This test is very important, as low levels of Vitamin D are strongly linked with reduced immune system function. Nearly every autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorder is associated with low Vitamin D levels. Knowing and understanding your blood levels allow you to have a better idea of how much Vitamin D3 to supplement with daily.
Fibrinogen is a test generally utilized to assess the “stickiness” or coagulation of the blood. It can also be an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease when it is elevated.
This test looks at the size and the number of cholesterol particles. This is a more comprehensive way to assess your cholesterol than just looking at the total number. The size of the particles is a better indicator of your cardiovascular risk. The smaller the cholesterol particle, the greater the risk than if your cholesterol particles are larger. Size matters! Have your cholesterol particles tested.
This test will give you an accurate depiction of how much Coenzyme Q10 is in your system. This very important antioxidant is also the energy source for the cells throughout the body. We know that this level can be lowered through medications, such as statins for cholesterol and high blood pressure medications like beta blockers. Low levels of CoQ10 are commonly found in many health conditions such as Heart disease, Diabetes, Parkinson’s, Muscular Dystrophy, and cancers. Anyone taking a stain medication should request to have their level of CoQ10 checked.
This test is a must for any pre-diabetic or diabetic. It is the best way to assess insulin resistance. Elevated fasting Insulin levels are a sign of inadequate pancreatic function.
This very important adrenal hormone is responsible not only for making testosterone and estrogen, but it is also extremely important for immune function and our stress response. As we age, our DHEA levels begin to decline which can have a negative impact on muscle mass and immune defenses. It is critical to know what your DHEA level is, because low levels are associated with increased cardiovascular events, increased risk of infections, Sarcopenia (muscle loss), and shortened life span.
There are many more tests that would be important to assess for your overall health, but it is sometimes best to start with the basics and move on from there. It is your body and you should know what your blood test mean. Be proactive, not reactive about your health!