Supplements

Vinpocetine Can Improve Memory and Mental Energy

December 18, 2017 By Connie Odom

Vinpocetine is a derivative of a well-known drug, vincamine, which is made from the periwinkle plant. This drug was initially discovered in the late twentieth century by the Hungarian scientist Csaba Szantay. The drug is sold as a dietary supplement in the USA. It is sold in Europe under the trade name, Cavinton.

How It Works

This drug is known for its potent effects on memory enhancement. The drug improves the blood flow in the brain thereby enhancing the flow of blood to individual neurons. This increase helps the amount of energy produced by the brain cells, a molecule known as ATP. The improved blood flow also helps the brain to use glucose and oxygen more efficiently.

What It Means

This response means that vinpocetine enhances the cognitive ability of the brain. By helping the mind receive adequate amounts of oxygen and nutrients, the brain can process impulses optimally leading to an increase in mental energy. Many people using vinpocetine claim increased short term memory function and the slowing of symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This slowing has allowed patients to maintain normal activities for a longer period of time.

Vinpocetine has also been seen to improve circulatory problems in other circumstances. These include memory disorders, stroke, headaches, aphasia, apraxia, motor problems and Cerebro-vestibular problems which lead balance issues. Moreover, the drug has also been seen to improve sensorineural hearing impairments.

Evidence

The Gedeon Richter company in Hungary has funded several vinpocetine studies. In one series having close to nine hundred participants, a marked improvement was noted in sixty-two percent of patients with brain disorders ranging from stroke to cerebral insufficiency. In an individual study, some of the patients were asked to memorize ten words. Before taking vinpocetine the patients were able to memorize an average of six words. After taking the supplement for one month, the average increased to ten words. More double blind studies need to be conducted in order to determine the exact nature of the benefits of this supplement.

Precaution

This drug causes side effects in less than one percent of patients using it orally. These side effects include weakness, tachycardia (rapid heart rate), and hypotension (low blood pressure).

Dietary supplements can interfere with prescription drugs either by diminishing or enhancing their effects. Before taking any supplements it is recommended that patients have a discussion with their doctor.

For more information on the benefits of vinpocetine contact Metro MediSpa at 888-637-7228.

The Health Benefits of Turmeric

July 18, 2016 By Connie Odom

Turmeric is a spice that is used quite extensively in different cuisines around the world, and research is showing that it may have the potential to help the body in numerous ways. It’s always nice when science backs up what some cultures have known for centuries, as it gives it some added clout that it actually works. Here are some of the health benefits of turmeric.

1. Helps to Prevent Cancer

Perhaps the most convincing reason to start incorporating turmeric into your life is the way it helps the body fend off cancer formation and growth. It has been shown to help with a number of different cancers, stopping the spread throughout the body and the growth of the tumor in question.

To get this benefit you can simply start consuming more turmeric, or you can use a turmeric supplement if it doesn’t seem likely that you will cook more with it.

2. Eases Arthritis Symptoms

If you suffer from arthritis pain you may want to consider adding more turmeric to your daily diet, as it has been shown to help ease the pain associated from arthritis thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Soothes Upset Stomach

Turmeric has long been used as a quick and effective cure for an upset stomach. This is one of those benefits that has been known for generations, but only recently has science come along to back it up.

Because turmeric acts as an anti-inflammatory, it helps to keep stomach acid from getting out of control, and has been shown to soothe heartburn as well as general stomach upset.

4. Helps Prevent Prostate Cancer

We’ve already discussed how turmeric is helpful with cancer in general, but there is very promising research showing that it can go a long way in the fight against prostate cancer. Since prostate cancer will affect many men, it’s perhaps one of the most convincing reasons to get more turmeric in your life.

5. Helps the Heart Stay Healthy

Your heart is vital to your everyday health and longevity, and it’s important to keep it functioning at the best of its abilities. Turmeric can help in several ways, including preventing strokes and heart attacks.

6. It’s a Natural Fat Burner

One of the more widely known benefits of turmeric is its ability to help the body burn fat. That’s why it’s being recommended more and more as a dietary aid when trying to lose weight.

The best part of adding more turmeric to your diet in order to lose fat is that it helps to flavor most any dish, and it’s all natural so you won’t have to turn to dangerous fat loss pills or crash diets.

7. Helps in Preventing Alzheimer’s

It’s amazing to think that and herb or spice can have an effect on the function of your brain, but research has shown that debilitating conditions such as Alzheimer’s can be prevented and treated with turmeric.

In order to get these benefits you’ll need to take turmeric supplements, as it is unlikely that you’d get enough curcumin (the active ingredient found in turmeric) through dietary means alone. Consult with your doctor for the best dosage for your needs, and before starting any herbal supplementation.

8. Treats Depression

Curcumin, the antioxidant that makes turmeric so fascinating as a spice, has been shown to work very similar to an antidepressant. This is good news for those looking to treat their depression using natural methods as well as those that simply want the best possible mental health.

9. Helps to Lower Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a precursor to several heart conditions, which is why it’s so important to keep it at healthy levels. There are several ways to help get your cholesterol levels down, but adding a simple spice to your cooking can go a long way.

10. Helps the Skin

Turmeric can help the skin in many ways, from reducing redness to fighting the signs of aging. These skin treatments involve using turmeric powder topically rather than ingesting it.

The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric are well documented. Incorporating turmeric into one’s diet might be a bit challenging. Ukon Turmeric Supplement is a great way to get the benefits of turmeric into your healthy routine. For more information on this supplement, contact Metro MediSpa at 888-637-7228.

4 Nutritional Supplements for Healthy Skin

May 8, 2013 By Connie Odom

Your skin is the largest organ in and on your body. Like other organs in the body, the health of the skin is dependent on optimal “care and feeding”. So, it makes sense that how well we take care of ourselves on the inside will ultimately have an impact on our outward appearance.

Nutritional supplements play a role in healthy-looking skin in 4 ways: Certain vitamins & minerals support skin health. Phytonutrients help protect the skin from UV-induced damage. Omega-3s lubricate the skin from within plus provide additional UV protection. Probiotics maintain the bacterial balance of the skin, keeping it blemish-free.

Vitamins & Minerals Support Skin Health

As we age, our bodies produce less collagen and elastin. These proteins are associated with healthy, youthful-looking skin so maintaining their production is an integral part of an anti-aging program. Taking a high-quality multi-nutrient formula provides your body with essential vitamins and minerals to enhance health & wellness while supporting great-looking skin.

Key nutrients that support these dermal proteins include the carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin E, the B-complex, copper, selenium and zinc. While these micronutrients are commonly found in fruits and vegetables, most of us do not consume the recommended 5-9 servings a day of these nutritious foods.

Phytonutrients Prevent UV Damage

Phytonutrients, also referred to as phytochemicals (“phyto” meaning “plant”), are the chemical compounds that give fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, teas, legumes and spices their color.

In addition to their color effects, phytonutrients provide plants with a protective barrier against harmful UV radiation, viruses, bacteria, insects and parasites. The mechanisms of action for many of these plant chemicals include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-bacterial. When we consume these plant compounds, the health benefits are conferred to us.

The phytonutrient found in dark green and yellow vegetables is called lutein. This nutrient is deposited in the layers of the dermis and protects the skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Given that photo-damage is the #1 cause of aging, protecting the skin from damaging UV rays is an integral part of an anti-aging skin care program.

Omega-3s Lubricate & Protect

With aging, we often notice that our skin is dryer due to a combination of factors including less oil production and less hydration. Supplementing with an Omega-3 supplement like flax seed oil or fish oil helps to lubricate the skin internally.

Flax seed oil is a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid (EFA). EFAs perform a number of vital functions in the body, but are particularly important at the cellular level because they are a fundamental component of the membranes of all cells. An adequate supply of EFAs in the diet is essential for healthy-looking skin because skin cells turn over very rapidly.

Both flax seed oil and fish oil are widely recognized for quelling silent inflammation. However, more recent studies have shown that fish oil plays a protective effect against UV light and may protect against skin cancer. You can enhance the effects of topical sunscreen by taking a fish oil capsule each day.

Probiotics Balance Skin Bacteria

Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that reside throughout the digestive tract and play a role in digestive health and immune system function.

These beneficial bacteria also normally reside on the skin. Due to the harsh conditions, only a limited number of bacterial species live on the skin. These hardy bugs play a role in the skin’s immune response by inhibiting or killing bad microorganisms. Beneficial bacteria also protect skin barrier function.

As you can see, nutritional supplements play a key role in healthy functioning of the skin. While supplements can’t replace a healthy diet (featuring fruits, vegetables, lean meats and unsaturated fats), their use can cover gaps in the diet. When combined with professional skin care products, this bi-directional approach ensures that you will have healthy skin for years to come. At Metro MediSpa, we can help you select the nutritional supplements that are right for your body’s needs and requirements.

Using CoQ10 to aid in weight loss

October 22, 2012 By Connie Odom

Coq10, also known as ubiquinone or coenzyme Q, is an enzyme produced naturally in the human body, found in every cell and tissue. Virtually every cell of the human body contains CoQ10.

It is involved a number of biological functions including helping to produce energy, neutralizing free radicals, and keeping cells both inside the body and in the skin healthy.

Deficiency is poorly understood, but it may be caused by synthesis problems in the body rather than an insufficiency in the diet. Low blood levels have been reported in people with heart failure, cardiomyopathy, gingivitis(inflammation of the gums), morbid obesity, hypertension, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, AIDS, and in some people on kidney dialysis.

Research even shows that an insufficient amount of CoQ10 is a contributing factor in some cases of obesity. Recent tests have found a CoQ10 deficiency in some of the obese subjects. When these subjects with low CoQ10 levels were given CoQ10 supplements, they were found to have an easier time losing some of the extra pounds.

Increasing Vitamin D Levels May Cause Less Weight Gain

October 4, 2012 By Connie Odom

A new study published in June 2012 reports that higher vitamin D levels may minimize weight gain in women. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys indicates that approximately 25 percent of the population is at risk of vitamin D insufficiency and 8 percent is at risk for vitamin D deficiency. Research published in the Journal of the National Medical Association shows that 65 percent of an urban population was vitamin D deficient.

Researchers set out to determine the role vitamin D plays in weight management, as vitamin D levels are lower in obese individuals. The investigators evaluated 4,659 women age 65 and older. The scientists measured serum vitamin D levels and weight at the beginning of the study and followed the subjects for 4.5 years to assess weight changes.

Researchers showed that among the women that gained five percent of body weight or greater during the follow-up period, those with higher vitamin D levels gained only 16.4 pounds compared to 18.5 pounds in women with low vitamin D levels. Of the subjects that gained weight during the study and increased their vitamin D during the study, showed less weight gain between visits.

The study authors concluded, “Higher Vitamin D levels are associated with lower weight gains, suggesting low vitamin D status may predispose to fat accumulation.”

Reference:
Leblanc ES, et al. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2012 Jun 25. [Epub ahead of print.]

Anti-Aging in a Nutshell

July 27, 2012 By Connie Odom

Many studies have demonstrated the health benefits of nuts. Most nuts are a good source of protein and fiber as well as other important vitamins and minerals. All nuts are not created equal though.

Crack open nutritional benefits with the pistachio. This little nut comes out big on nutrition. Pistachios are nutrient dense food that contains considerable amounts of vitamins and minerals. They are an excellent source of copper and manganese, and a good source of phosphorus. They also contain vitamin B6, thiamin and have a lesser amount of other B vitamins, such as folate, biotin, riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid.

Originally from Western Asia, the pistachio has been cultivated commercially since 1854. Pistachios were once a treasured delicacy among royals. Now we appreciate them for their flavor and health benefits.

Health Benefits of Pistachios

Nutrition – Pistachios contain copper, phosporus, potassium, magnesium, and B6. They pack a considerable wallop from a nutritional standpoint.

Fiber – Pistachios contain fiber. Lots of it too. In fact, they contain higher amounts of fiber than many high-fiber foods.

Protein – If you need an alternative to an animal protein diet, pistachios eaten in conjunction with protein-rich grains, vegetables, and fruits can be a good source of vegetable protein.

Antioxidants – Oxidative stress can cause damage to the human body resulting in diseases such as cancer and health disease. Dietary antioxidants help to reduce the damage. Pistachios contain phenolic compounds, which are believed to account for the antioxidant capability of certain foods.

Immune System – To maintain a healthy immune system your body requires an adequate amount of B6. Vitamin B6 found in pistachios also help the body make healthy red blood cells, and helps maintain the health of lymphoid glands, ensuring the production of white blood cells that defend the body from infections.

Carotenoids – Pistachios contain significant amounts of carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. These have been linked to reduced risk of developing macular degeneration, a condition resulting in blindness.

Phytosterols – Phytosterols may lower the absorption of dietary cholesterol from other foods. Research shows pistachios and sunflower seeds have the highest phytosterol content of commonly eaten foods.

Skin Health – Pistachios are a great source of Vitamin E, a powerful fat-soluble antioxidant, essential for maintaining the integrity of cell membranes and often recommended for healthy and beautiful skin. Vitamin E does an excellent job protecting the skin from UV damage, providing daily defense against premature aging and skin cancer.