More Benefits From Fish Oil - for Nerves?

The usefulness of omega 3 fatty acids extends to helping nerve injury too …

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120111103856.htm

Vitamin D Screening for Pregnant Mums ...

Looks like the Vitamin D issue will become mainstream soon.

Worth pointing out to pregnant mums and - perhaps more importantly - to women who are trying to conceive, that starting supplementation with fish oil (but it must be a high quality and highly refined brand) and with Vitamin D is likely to really help your baby, not just as it grows in the womb, but possibly even later in its life.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14576626

Multi Vitamins and Minerals - do we need them?

This recent research (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110531115323.htm) illustrates again the dilemna as to whether - if we have a good diet - we need a broad spectrum multi-vitamin/mineral supplement.

In my practice, I only tend to suggest these to patients who are health compromised and / or who do get a poor diet (e.g. a young man living on his own, eating a lot of fast good).

And for those ‘normal’ people, who are broadly healthy and do eat a good (ish) diet, then I tend to focus on the all important single supplements such as fish oil and vitamin d3 (which I believe we should all be taking long term).

But this research (see the link above) raises the possibility that small deficiencies in certain key vitamins / minerals such as K and selenium may actually have subtle, gradual and important effects on our long term health and on how fast we actually age!

Will have to re-think my advice …

Update on Monday, January 16, 2012 at 2:32PM by Michael Smith

A European recent update on recommended levels of Vit D3 for the population …

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120110102058.htm

Evidence Accumulating That Friendly Bacteria Essential For Health...

95% of the cells ‘in’ our gastro-intestinal tract are the teeming trillions of different types of bacteria, a lot of which have a symbiotic relationship with us.

In other words, they eat our food, but in exchange they provide a number of beneficial functions including synthesising vitamins, aiding digestion and the regulation of the large bowel, and - crucially - competing with other hostile (definitely not symbiotic) bacteria.

So there is a constant ebb and flow in a healthy gut of a kind of balance of power between our ‘good’ bacteria and the not so good bacteria.

Once we realise this, and note that the vast proportion of immune system tissue lines our gut tube, it is not difficult to see how disturbances to our gut eco system caused by nasty bouts of diarrhoea, or by prolonged use of antibiotics (which target ALL bacteria in our gut, not just the nasty ones), may have major effects on the regulation of our digestive and immune systems.

And healthy gut function and a healthy immune system are essential for a general sense of well being and vigor!

For example, check out this recent research …

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110415083151.htm

Update on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 5:37AM by Michael Smith

And then this ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110419214849.htm

Update on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 1:39PM by Michael Smith

This report shows have an overgrowth of large bowel bacteria into the small bowel (which should be fairly sterile) may be a cause of IBS type symptoms ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110511092409.htm

Update on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 1:43PM by Michael Smith

And even more weird! - the idea that gut bacteria may affect our moods??!!

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110517110315.htm

Update on Friday, October 14, 2011 at 2:17PM by Michael Smith

And the composition of your gut bacteria may even affect how your body processes / uses certain medications - e.g. statins, as in the following report …

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111013184815.htm

Update on Friday, October 21, 2011 at 6:50AM by Michael Smith

Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis) and pro-biotics …

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111020024716.htm

Omega 3 Deficiency (Fish Oils)

This study demonstrated a link between deficiency in the type of fatty acids found in fish oils and depression / mood disorders.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110130194143.htm

Supplements and conceiving a child ...

This report, though at still an early stage, shows that we do need to be very targeted at taking supplements. I'm  not convinced that 'general' mineral and vitamin supplementation is necessary for healthy non-smokers on a good diet, and this report shows how in certain circumstances it may not help at all ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110118101342.htm

Rheumatoid Arthritis - promising new supplement?

Osteopathy can't help rheumatoid arthritis (or the other auto-immune type joint diseases) directly at all - and can only really help in a supportive / palliative way to keep the rest of the body going.

So it is good news when a food supplement may be available that can help alleviate symptoms and prevent progressive joint destruction, which is one of the main features of rheumatoid disease.

Take a look a this ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091130192915.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29

More evidence for fish oil and how it may help joint inflammtion ...

The evidence for fish oil as a regular and long term supplement continues to accumulate, particularly for middle aged people with a family or current history of rheumatoid disease.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028142227.htm