Billions could be saved with nutritional intervention!

Dietary supplement regimens may reduce the number of disease-associated medical events, representing the potential for hundreds of millions of dollars – and in some cases billions – of savings. On the back of my last post about the futility and waste involved in certain medical procedures and drug regimens, this report commissioned by the Centre for Responsible Nutrition Foundation suggests massive savings with switch from medical treatment of chronic disease, which currently accounts for 75 percent of the healthcare budget, to prevention which currently accounts for a miserable 3 percent!

The specific nutritional factors that were singled out for use in prevention strategies include calcium, magnesium and vitamin D for osteoporosis, lutein and zeaxanthin for age-related eye diseases along with a number of nutrients for prevention of coronary heart disease. These include omega-3s, B vitamins (folic acid, B6, B12), psyllium, phytosterols and finally chromium picolinate for diabetes-attributed CHD.

I could add a few more to that list and also suggest that the best nutritional prevention strategies start with both prospective parents before conception, but at least this study’s "game-changing" recommendations are headed in the right direction. Authors, Frost and Sullivan, do however suggest that “This will be a marathon and not a sprint”, pointing out that everyone in Washington wants to save money! That’s for sure - particularly given current healthcare costs and the fights over Obamacare, just wondering if they’ve factored the insidious, negative influence of Big Pharma into the race ... ?

Good nutrition boosts brain power!

Fancy that - science is making the link between nutrition and cognitive performance! The omega-3s (in particular DHA - docosahexaenoic acid) are just some of the specific factors mentioned, which along with the essential fatty acids, include trace elements and vitamins. Those particularly linked to improved brain health are biotin, folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, thiamine and vitamins B6 and B12. That means a high potency B-complex will provide all those and more) then iodine, iron, calcium and zinc (look for all the trace elements in a multi-B/mineral complex).

Interesting that the studies also mention water as a brain food - no doubt about the importance of properly hydrated cells, but I’d strongly recommend water from a high quality filter rather than what comes straight from the tap. If you’ve been following my blog you’ll also know that new studies link optimal gut health to neurotransmitter production and reduction in incidence of depression - an important finding for prospective mums to keep in mind.

Also relevant to my work is the importance of ensuring an abundance of all the factors that promote optimal mental development and function in the time before conception. Make whole food, grown on healthy soil, your foundation nutrient source, then add a comprehensive, balanced combination of all of the above with a high potency probiotic as well! All the details of best supplements and more ... 

Protection from sun damage? Nutrients can help...

New research from the UK confirms that supplementation with omega-3s could help to protect against skin cancer.

If those scary skin-cancer TV ads still have you running for cover despite the need for a moderate amount of sunlight exposure for vitamin D production, then listen up. Skin cancer isn't just about sun exposure, nor is it's prevention just about staying out of the sun or slathering on the sunscreen.

Readers of previous posts will know how important omega-3s are for the formation of your baby’s brain and eyes and that omega-3s can also help prevent pre-term birth and post-natal depression. You’ll also know something about the best sources of these well-researched, marine-based products and their sustainability or otherwise.

Now the research tells us that omega-3s can also protect against skin cancer! YAY - for years I’ve been saying that the skin-cancer story isn’t a simple equation of too much time in the sun. Now here’s some proof that nutritional status is a fundamental part of that story. Omega-3s, anti-oxidants, phytonutrients, trace minerals ... robust, comprehensive, balanced supplementation, but most important of all - an abundance of fresh vegetables and fruit, fish, legumes, healthy oils, nuts -  easy on the red meat and dairy. Click on the images for my previous posts on the value of the Mediterranean diet!