This month, I want to introduce you to a lesser-known chemical that’s found throughout your body. It’s best known for its effects on the heart and blood vessels. But it does much more.

You’ve probably heard about cholesterol and insulin. But you may not have heard about this molecule. And even if you have, you probably haven’t heard that it may be the most important chemical in the body.

I’m talking about a gas molecule that has hundreds of applications. It can prevent, stop, and even reverse numerous chronic diseases. I call it the body’s “great communicator” because its job is to send various signals to every cell and tissue in your body. This tiny molecule tells your arteries to relax and dilate, protecting you from heart attacks and stroke. It tells your immune cells to kill harmful bacteria. And it increases circulation.

Until recently, most of the research on this chemical focused on its role in heart disease. However, new research shows that it has many additional benefits.
This molecule is nitric oxide — known as NO.

It’s not nitrous oxide. That’s laughing gas. And it’s not the air pollutant known as nitrogen dioxide. It’s nitric oxide.

This molecule is so important that the Nobel Prize went to three scientists in 1998 for discovering that NO is a signaling molecule made in the lining of the arteries. Since then, more than 100,000 scientific studies have
found that NO is involved in the health of every tissue and organ.

The good news is that your body makes NO. And many foods are high in the substances that can promote NO production or that turn into NO after you’ve ingested them.

The bad news is that your NO production begins to decline around age 40, and by the time you need it the most, you’re deficient. This deficiency can eventually lead to numerous symptoms and illnesses. If you’ve been looking for the bottom-line cause of your health problems without success, take a good hard look at NO.

Aging and memory

Take your memory, for example. If you can’t remember things like you used to, NO might be just what you need. And there’s a very tasty way to get it specifically for your brain. A recent study published in the journal, Nitric Oxide: Biology and Chemistry (2010) found that drinking beet juice can help. It increases blood flow to areas of the brain associated with dementia and poor cognition. NO is needed to help brain cells communicate with one another.
Beets are exceptionally high in nitrates and when you eat high-nitrate foods, good bacteria in your mouth turn the nitrates into nitrites – and into NO. It’s the NO beets produce that can keep you and your brain young.

If you have either short- or long-term memory loss, other studies confirm that NO can help. Several animal studies found that NO is essential for the storage and retrieval of memories.

But drinking beet juice alone isn’t your best solution. No one is about to drink 16 ounces of beet juice a day ... every day. That’s why these researchers out of Wake Forest University teamed up with a company to design a beet drink and other products using beets. I predict beet juice will be the next pomegranate juice.

And memory loss isn’t the only health challenge NO can help.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is another area where NO is vital. Bones are living tissues, continuously breaking down and rebuilding. NO can slow bone from breaking down and stimulate its ability to rebuild.

Bone loss accelerates when estrogen declines and NO is involved in this process. Here’s why. NO is regulated in part by estrogen. When your estrogen decreases, so does your NO level. This is one reason why so many post-menopausal women get heart disease and osteoporosis. And it’s why women are at a higher risk for many of these and other illnesses than men after age 40.

Doctors at the Osteoporosis Clinic at Women’s College Hospital, University of Toronto, conducted a two-year randomized control trial. They found that a topical nitroglycerin ointment significantly increased bone density. Why? Because nitroglycerin turns into NO in your body.

Heart disease

Doctors give nitroglycerin tablets to some of their heart patients to relax and dilate their blood vessels quickly with NO. They should be recommending lifestyle changes that boost NO levels, but they don’t. When it comes to heart disease and stroke, there is nothing more important than having enough arterial relaxing and blood vessel-lowering NO. It also lowers blood pressure, reduces inflammation, and prevents plaque from oxidizing and becoming dangerous.

Getting enough NO

NO is manufactured through various chemical pathways. According to a group of Japanese researchers, by the time you’re in your 70s or 80s you’re producing 75% less NO than when you were in your 20s.

In one pathway, two amino acids, L-arginine and L-citriline, activate production of NO in the endothelium – the lining of blood vessels. You can find these amino acids in dark green leafy vegetables, beets, watermelon, and other foods. But the older you are, the more NO you need. It’s important to eat plenty of foods high in L-arginine and L-citriline, but this is not enough to replete low levels.

Supplemental NO

When researchers found that L-arginine triggers the production of NO, supplement companies made products containing this amino acid to target heart-related problems. Unfortunately, these formulas didn’t work well for people over 40. And some studies found that supplemental L-arginine lead to death in a number of patients who had previously suffered heart attacks or who had peripheral artery disease (PAD). Based on these studies, I can’t recommend L-arginine supplements.

A few manufacturers now make supplements with L-citrulline, another amino acid that helps make NO. It’s highest in watermelon and it’s more effective and safer than L-arginine. L-citrulline also is in the proprietary formula I like best. Nathan S. Bryan, PhD and my good friend Janet Zand, OMD developed it. It’s called Neo40. This unique supplement helps your body produce enough NO to restore your body’s natural levels.

This formula has several major advantages over all the others. You see,
to effectively restore nitric oxide, you need to take advantage of all of your body’s systems to effectively generate nitric oxide. Part of this system involves saliva and the good bacteria in your mouth. The bacteria activate the NO production in your saliva. What this means is that every time you swallow, you give your body a boost of NO.

Dr. Bryan, who has been studying NO for over 10 years, headed the scientific team that formulated this supplement. It is a lozenge you dissolve in your mouth made with NO active herbs and vegetable extracts. Tests show that these lozenges increase NO in the body in part because they come into contact with saliva and bacteria.

Dr. Bryan and his team also created the only saliva test for NO. You can measure your NO levels in a matter of seconds and follow your progress. You also can test any similar products. I did, and was surprised to find that although I had been taking a supplement with some of the same ingredients as Neo40, I was still depleted. After a while on Neo40, my levels began to increase.

An additional benefit

NO’s primary action is to increase circulation. When you increase circulation, you increase energy. Let me tell you what I experienced after taking Neo40 for just four days.

The very first day, I felt more energy. I hadn’t expected this so quickly. By the fourth day, I realized I had a feeling of well being. A few days later, after tackling a bunch of tasks around my house and organizing my office, I realized I felt motivated.

So I contacted the folks at Advanced Bionutritionals and urged them to partner with Neogenis, the company that makes Neo40 and make it available to my subscribers. You can now get Neo40TM Daily plus the test strips (800-791-3395). Try it and see for yourself what it can do for you.

American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) 2010 Annual Meeting: Abstract 1252. Presented October 18, 2010.

Presley, Tennille D., Ashley R. Morgan, Erika Bechtold, William Clodfelter, Robin W. Dove, Janine M. Jennings, Robert A. Kraft, S. Bruce King, Paul J. Laurienti, and W. Jack Rejeski. “Acute effect of a high nitrate diet on brain perfusion in older adults.” Nitric Oxide, 2010.

When Being Fat Can Lead to Osteoporosis

If you’re overweight, you probably already know you’re at an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, asthma, and joint diseases. But you probably think that at least this extra weight is protecting you from bone loss. That’s not the case.

We used to believe that obese women were at a lower risk for getting osteoporosis. Now we’re finding out that this is far from the truth. Being overweight and putting more stress on your bones will not prevent bone loss. At least that’s what radiologists at Harvard Medical School found in a recent study. In fact, it could actually increase your risk for osteoporosis. It all depends on where your body has deposited the fat.

Not all body fat is alike. First, there’s subcutaneous fat — the fat that lies just under your skin all over your body and around your hips and thighs. Then there’s visceral fat — the fat that collects around your belly and surrounds your organs.

Subcutaneous fat insulates your body from the cold. Too much can cause your skin to become tight and lead to cellulite. It responds best to exercise, so if you have excess fat all over your body, it’s time to get serious about an exercise program. You can also reduce this kind of fat by eating fewer calories than you burn.

Not everyone has too much subcutaneous fat. Some women have too little on their faces, arms, and tummies. They have fat injections to plump up and get rid of wrinkles.

Visceral fat is the fat that lies deep inside your belly under your muscles. It’s the most dangerous kind. It has been associated with an increased risk for heart disease and other serious health problems, and now with bone loss.

Blame it on genetics

One reason for increased belly fat in postmenopausal women is hormonal changes. Another reason is genetics. Put them together and you have an uphill battle. But it’s an uphill battle you can win and it’s worth the effort. I’m not talking about looking slimmer. I’m talking about saving your life!

There’s no simple way to reduce visceral fat — and diet alone won’t do the trick. You need regular aerobic exercise five to six times a week combined with the dietary changes I’ve been talking about for years.

I know, if this were easy, you would have been doing it for years. But here are some of the benefits from reducing visceral fat:

• It reduces insulin resistance, which can prevent type-2 diabetes.
• It reduces toxins released into your body by this fat.
• It’s easier to lower your blood pressure if it’s high.
• It gives you more energy.
• It lowers your risk for many chronic diseases that can eventually kill you.

It’s springtime, and for many of you your New Year’s resolutions have been made and broken. Don’t wait until you’re sick. If you already are, don’t wait another day. Begin with a short walk today. Walking can improve your balance, and now that we know that belly fat can lead to broken bones, it’s even more important than ever to begin a “belly reduction” program.

And if you’re not sure which kind of fat you have, just take some steps to decrease both kinds and start exercising. Walk around your neighborhood. Walk around the mall once before stopping to shop. Park farther away from your destination. Just start to make moving around part of your lifestyle. Along with reducing dietary fats and portion control, you’ll lose fat and gain health. n
Radiological Society of North America (2010, November 30). “Belly fat puts women at risk for osteoporosis, study finds.” ScienceDaily, Retrieved December 1, 2010.

Spread the Word — Osteoporosis Drugs CAUSE Osteoporosis

If you’ve heard this information before, bear with me. I’m on a mission, and you can help. You can spread the word and prevent your best friend from breaking her hip or wrist and save your own bones at the same time.

I’m asking you to make copies of this article and give it to your doctor, your dentist, and every woman you care about. And by doing so, you can help stop the misinformation that pharmaceutical companies are giving out. You can help stop them from causing brittle bones.

I know drugs are the most popular solution to osteoporosis, but they just plain don’t work. Bisphosphonates like Fosamax and Actonel are contributing to broken bones. These drugs will make your bones look dense on bone density tests, and that’s what’s fooling so many doctors. But the quality of bone is worse. I’ve said this before many times. And now two new studies have come to the same conclusion. Perhaps now more doctors will listen to reason and stop prescribing these dangerous drugs.

The first study, out of Columbia University confirmed the long-term dangers of bisphosphonate use. In this study, the researchers found these drugs do improve the integrity of bones — but only in the short term. They found that the longer you take these drugs, the more brittle your bones.

A second study compared the bones of women who took bisphosphonates with women who didn’t take these drugs. Both groups had bones that appeared to have the same structure. But the bones of women on bisphosphonates weren’t as strong as those who didn’t take them.

While bisphosphonates will increase bone density and make bones look strong, researchers in both of these studies believe that bisphosphonates interfere with the body’s natural process of building healthy bone. So instead of curing your osteoporosis, they make it worse — much worse.

So what can you do?

First, don’t expect drugs to be the answer for all of your illnesses. In some cases, drugs can treat symptoms in the short-term. But long-term use will almost always cause serious side effects. This is especially true with bisphosphonates and osteoporosis.

Second, take steps to encourage your body’s ability to build healthy bones. That means increasing both bone density and bone flexibility. Here are two steps I’ve found to be very helpful. One is a supplement, Ultimate Bone Support (800-791-3395). It contains strontium, among other bone-building ingredients. Strontium is particularly helpful in building strong, flexible bones when you combine it with calcium and magnesium. But you have to take strontium away from these minerals. So take Ultimate Bone Support on an empty stomach and calcium and magnesium with food.

For three decades, I’ve recommended that postmenopausal women take 500 mg of supplemental calcium and 500 to 1,000 mg of magnesium. We need more magnesium than calcium for several reasons. It makes bones more flexible (calcium makes them brittle), and our diets are higher in calcium than in magnesium.

If, at the end of a year, this isn’t enough, add Calcitonin nasal spray, a
prescription drug made from salmon. Like bisphosphonates, it can help build your bone density. But unlike bisphosphonates, Calcitonin won’t make your bones brittle. Whatever you choose to do, make sure it’s both effective and safe. Bisphosphonates are neither.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/181860.php.

NUTRITION DETECTIVE

Is This Wheat Safe for Celiacs? Study Says It Is

A new study found just what all people who have celiac disease or who are gluten intolerant have been waiting for: a safe form of wheat. If you have either of these conditions, you know that eating even small amounts of wheat, rye, or barley like the wheat in soy sauce can cause uncomfortable symptoms, including abdominal pain and diarrhea. This is because you can’t digest its gluten.

In the case of celiacs, who have an auto- immune disease, eating gluten destroys the little hair-like villi in the small intestines. This leads to nutrient depletion. Without these villi, your body can’t absorb vitamins and minerals through the intestinal walls.

It’s difficult to live in a wheat-filled world and not eat so many foods and seasonings. At first glance, this study appears full of promise for celiacs, as well as those who are gluten intolerant.

This two-month study followed a group of healthy celiacs. All of them had been on a strict gluten-free diet. The researchers gave some of them baked goods made with fermented (hydrolyzed) wheat flour.

Half of these people ate baked foods made mostly from hydrolyzed flour, while others ate baked foods that were 100% hydrolyzed wheat. Several celiacs ate natural flour baked goods and had to drop out of the study due to symptoms.
The people who ate mostly hydrolyzed wheat had no symptoms. However, their villi completely disappeared! The wheat was harming them and they didn’t realize it. Those who ate the baked products with 100% hydrolyzed wheat had no symptoms and no damage to their villi.

It would appear, then, that hydrolyzed wheat products are safe, and if they were
in your local grocery or health food store you might be looking to have some for dinner.

If you find them, and you’re not a celiac, you may want to try them. But I suggest you try them cautiously. If you have celiac disease or suspect you do, it’s too early to include hydrolyzed wheat in your diet. Here’s why:
The study participants were age 12 to 23. We don’t know the effect of these hydrolyzed products on older people whose health is not as robust as a teenager.

Only two out of the 16 participants ate partially hydrolyzed wheat. Five others ate 100% hydrolyzed products. This isn’t a small study; it’s a tiny study. And it didn’t address people with gluten-intolerance whose villi are intact, or those who are not yet diagnosed with celiac disease.

However, this product does sound exciting. I’m glad people are trying to find ways for celiacs to eat baked goods. But we need more information. Hopefully this study will encourage further research. And you can be sure I’ll have more on this form of wheat as more information becomes available.

American Gastroenterological Association (2011, January 19). Celiac patients can eat hydrolyzed wheat flour, study finds. ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 20, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110119120406.htm.

LETTERS

Q: I was very excited about using the Système 41 skin care products, and I ordered the kit. Now, after reading the ingredients, I’m undecided about using it. What bothers me is the natural fragrance. Just which natural fragrances does it have? I need to know before I use these products. — L.D., e-mail

A: I appreciate your concern. These days, “natural” can mean almost anything. But Système 41 products are the creation of Dr. Janet Zand, a renowned acupuncturist and herbalist. She’s not only fussy about each of its ingredients, she has more than 20 years experience tracking down the best quality available.
I remember a great story about Dr. Zand when she first started manufacturing a line of herbal supplements. She traveled to China to meet with the growers whose herbs she wanted to use. It was an expensive trip, but she needed
to see for herself that their quality was excellent because at that time — like now — some Chinese herbs had contaminates.

I’ve known Dr. Zand for decades. I’ve always found her to be exceptionally knowledgeable. In fact, the only reason I asked her to design a skin care kit for my subscribers was after hearing that her celebrity clients were thrilled with their results.

We trust one another. All of us — Dr. Zand, her clients, and me — insist on using the highest quality ingredients. The natural fragrances in Système 41 are herbal extracts like citrus, mint, chamomile, and cinnamon. They couldn’t be better quality or safer

Q: I have been taking two pills a day of strontium for bone density for three months. I have had to stop taking them, which I hate to do, because my feet swell so badly. The tops of my feet are so puffy I can’t get my feet in my shoes. Why am I getting this problem? Would just taking strontium once a week do any good without the swelling? — S.E., e-mail

A: It’s unlikely that the strontium is causing your feet to swell. I’ve checked and there are no reports of swelling of the hands or feet with strontium use. The most common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, headaches, and eczema. But these are reported to be just 2-4% greater in people taking strontium than in a placebo group.

You could, of course, have a hypersensitivity to strontium, but this would be rare. Still, stop taking the strontium supplement and see your doctor if your condition persists.

A number of serious and not-so-serious conditions can cause swelling in your feet. You have given me very little information on your health history and supplement regime.

You should have yourdoctor evaluate all of this. If he or she can’t find a reason for your swollen feet, see an acupuncturist. One or both of them should be able to help.