**Post by Puya Yazdi, MD, Medical Director for Cyvex Nutrition

For years, epidemiological data has consistently shown that people who eat fruits have lower rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and are less likely to suffer from obesity and diabetes. Even before epidemiology was a scientific discipline, mothers, shamans, and healers of ancient times have always spoken of the inherent therapeutic power of fruits. In the modern age of biology, scientists and physicians have slowly been unraveling the underlying biochemical answers behind these mysteries. One very powerful resulting discovery are cyanidins. Cyanidins are pigments found in many red berries including but not limited to grapes, bilberry, blackberry, blueberry, cranberry, lingonberry, and raspberry in addition to being found in black rice.

Over the last ten years, scientists have become increasingly excited about one particular cyanidin, called cyanidin-3-glucoside (C-3-G). C-3-G is predominantly found in blueberries, blackberries, blackcurrant, and black rice. Like other cyanidins, C-3-G at the biochemical level is a potent antioxidant and displays free radical scavenging activities. This is important, as most modern theories of aging and disease have shown that oxidation of molecular cellular structures and free radical accumulation are two very potent biochemical mechanisms underlying the cellular damage that causes us to become ill and grow old.*

In order to fight against these destructive cellular mechanisms, our bodies employ the power of antioxidants, both those occurring within its cellular structure in addition to those found in nutritional sources. C-3-G has shown great antioxidant activities. In fact, compared to other similar anthocyanins, it has shown the highest oxygen radical absorbing capacity (a laboratory test used to measure antioxidant power). Not surprisingly then, C-3-G has now been shown to potentially play a role in fighting and preventing diabetes and obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and improving eye function.*

Clinical studies involving C-3-G have shown various improvements in ocular function. Specifically, people ingesting C-3-G have said that the compound reduces eye pain, fatigue, can lead to improvements in night vision, and even reduce occurrence of blood shot eyes.* Additionally, animal and cell culture studies have shown that C-3-G can reduce the size of atherosclerotic plaques (this buildup of plaque formation in your arteries is what leads to heart attacks), as well as reduce total cholesterol levels, prevent excessive weight gain on a high fat western style diet, and maintain proper serum levels of glucose, insulin, and leptin preventing diabetes.* Finally, C-3-G has shown great promise as potentially playing a role in cancer therapy as it has shown the ability to decrease cancer cell motility and adhesion.* Clearly, much more work needs to be done to fully elucidate the various biochemical mechanisms and potential clinical applications of C-3-G in human disease and health, but in the meantime, nutritional supplementation with C-3-G can be incorporated with any healthy lifestyle regimen.

References:

Lee J, Lee HK, Kim CY, Hong YJ, Choe Cm, You TW, Seong GJ, Purified high-dose anthocyanoside oligomer administration improves nocturnal vision and clinical symptoms in myopia subjects. Br J Nutr 2005, 93:895-899

Sasaki R, Nishimura N, Hoshino H, Isa Y, Kadowaki M, Ichi T, Tanaka A, Nishiumi S, Fukuda I, Ashida H, Horio F, Tsuda T. Cyanidin 3-glucoside ameliorates hyperglycemia and insulin sensitivity due to down regulation of retinol binding protein 4 expression in diabetic mice. Biochem Pharmacol. 2007 Dec 3;74(11):1619-27.

Fimognari C, Berti F, Nusse M, Cantelli Forti G, Hrelia P (2005). “In vitro antitumor activity of cyanidin-3-O-beta-glucopyranoside”. Chemotherapy 51 (6): 332–5.

Chen PN, Chu SC, Chiou HL, Kuo WH, Chiang CL, Hsieh YS (2006). “Mulberry anthocyanins, cyanidin 3-rutinoside and cyanidin 3-glucoside, exhibited an inhibitory effect on the migration and invasion of a human lung cancer cell line”. Cancer Lett. 235 (2): 248–59.

Tulio AZ Jr, Reese RN, Wyzgoski FJ, Rinaldi PL, Fu R, Scheerens JC, Miller AR. Cyanidin 3-rutinoside and cyanidin 3-xylosylrutinoside as primary phenolic antioxidants in black raspberry. J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Mar 26;56(6):1880-8.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Author’s bio:  Puya Yazdi, MD, Medical Director for Cyvex Nutrition, has nearly six years of experience in the medical and scientific fields in addition to working in the business sector as an advisor and consultant. He holds an MD degree from The University of Southern California and a BS degree from the University of California, Irvine in Biological Sciences. Puya underwent medical and scientific training at Stanford University and is currently undergoing further training at UC Irvine.

**Post written by Puya Yazdi, MD,  Medical Director for Cyvex Nutrition

In 1901 the German physician Alois Alzheimer encountered a patient who would ultimately become his obsession. The 51-year-old patient named August Deter exhibited strange behavioral symptoms including the loss of short term memory. Over the ensuing years, Dr. Alzheimer spent a great deal of time characterizing her behavior and loss of memory. Upon her death in 1906, her brain was sent to Dr. Alzheimer  in Munich to be examined. Upon dissection and examination of her brain he discovered many abnormal clumps (now called amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (now called neurofibrillary tangles). Together with the famous psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin, Alois Alzheimer published and characterized the first case of “presenile dementia”  which would go on to bear his name as Alzheimer’s disease.

Today Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s disease is a terminal, incurable, and degenerative illness which roughly effects 26.6 million people worldwide, with a rising incidence  predicted to affect 1 in 85 people worldwide by 2050.  As a result, patient management becomes essential. Hence, in most developed countries the cost to society due to Alzheimer’s disease is enormous. According to the World Alzheimer Report 2010, it is estimated that worldwide costs of dementia will exceed 1% of global GDP in 2010, at $604 billion.  If dementia care were a country, it would be the world’s 18^th largest economy.  In addition, the financial and emotional toll of the disease places a very large burden on the primary caretaker and the cost of caring for a country’s economy.

The current list of approved pharmaceutical treatments offer  small symptomatic benefits, but there are no proven treatments to delay or halt the progression of the disease.  In total more than 500 clinical trials have been conducted with the hopes of identifying  a possible treatment for AD, yet we still don’t have a definitive treatment or cure for this disease. A number of non-invasive, life-style habits have been suggested for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. Mental stimulation, exercise, and a balanced diet are suggested, as both a possible prevention and a sensible way of managing the disease.

With both the incredible rising cost and the lack of a true sustaining and viable pharmaceutical therapy, the race is on for alternative therapies to help treat or alleviate the disease. One area of true growth in the coming years will be nootropics used in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Nootropics are defined  as drugs, supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional foods that are said to improve mental functions such as cognition, memory, intelligence, motivation, attention, and concentration. Such compounds in theory could attack Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by not only treating the major debilitating symptoms associated with those diseases, such as memory loss, but also act as a preventative attack in trying to prevent the loss of neurons and, hence, the progression of the disease.*

Since its initial characterization by Alois Alzheimer over one hundred years ago, Alzheimer’s disease has become one of the most prevalent, costly, and debilitating medical epidemics in the world today. While billions of dollars have been spent in pharmaceutical research trying to design new and improved drugs for a cure, those attempts have so far proven unsuccessful. Nootropics represent a new avenue for possible symptomatic treatment in Alzheimer’s disease,as these compounds have the potential to alleviate some of the most debilitating symptoms in addition to possibly delaying the progression of this disease. Additionally, many of these nootropics are found in such common nutritional ingredients as strawberries that are much more affordable  and abundant  than pharmaceutical agents. For these reasons, nootropic research and nutritional supplementation represent a possible compliment and more natural pathway to help prevent and alleviate the common symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in general.

For more statistics and information, please click the link: The World Alzheimer Report 2010

References:

Berchtold NC, Cotman CW (1998). “Evolution in the conceptualization of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease: Greco-Roman period to the 1960s”. Neurobiol. Aging 19 (3): 173–89.

Brookmeyer R., Gray S., Kawas C. (September 1998). “Projections of Alzheimer’s disease in the United States and the public health impact of delaying disease onset”. American Journal of Public Health 88 (9): 1337–42.

Brookmeyer, R; Johnson, E; Ziegler-Graham, K; Arrighi, HM (July 2007). “Forecasting the global burden of Alzheimer’s disease”. Alzheimer’s and Dementia 3 (3): 186–91.

King’s College London (2010, September 22). Landmark Report Reveal Massive Global Cost of Alzheimer’s: One percent of Global GDP—and growing.  Science Daily.  Retrieved November 15, 2010 from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100921084536.htm

“What is Alzheimer’s disease?”. Alzheimers.org.uk. August 2007. http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=100. Retrieved 2008-02-21.

Thompson CA, Spilsbury K, Hall J, Birks Y, Barnes C, Adamson J (2007). “Systematic review of information and support interventions for caregivers of people with dementia”. BMC Geriatr 7: 18.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Author’s bio:  Puya Yazdi, MD, Medical Director for Cyvex Nutrition, has nearly six years of experience in the medical and scientific fields in addition to working in the business sector as an advisor and consultant. He holds an MD degree from The University of Southern California and a BS degree from the University of California, Irvine in Biological Sciences. Puya underwent medical and scientific training at Stanford University and is currently undergoing further training at UC Irvine.

**Blog post by Puya Yazdi, MD, new Medical Director for Cyvex Nutrition

For years physicians, nutritionists, and even our televisions, have warned us against the risks associated with eating high fat diets, specifically, the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Cardiovascular disease continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among adults in Western countries. By now, many of us are fully aware of the leading risk factors: cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, high serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, low serum HDL-cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, high fat diet and advanced age. Yet there has always been one small but important caveat to the standard medical doctrine. Dr. Serge Renaud, a scientist from Bordeaux University in France, even coined a term for this caveat: the “French Paradox.” The French people eat an extremely high fat diet, have higher rates of cigarette smoking, get less exercise than an average American, and yet have substantially lower rates of cardiovascular disease. The question remains: why? Over the last twenty years, we have been slowly approaching our answer.

Over the years, numerous studies have linked a diet rich in fruits and vegetables with a reduction in CVD risk factors. This is presumably due to the presence of, in plant foods and certain beverages, a variety of compounds including an array of antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, polyphenols and carotenoids. Polyphenols in particular have been associated with a reduction to the risk of different diseases in several studies. The French Paradox has been ascribed to the consumption of red wine. This effect has been attributed mainly to the presence of polyphenols, a large group of compounds present in plant foods and beverages that have demonstrated strong antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, the alcohol in wine (Ethanol) can also improve the bioavailability of polyphenols, as well as play a specific cardioprotective role.*

These observations and hypotheses have led to physicians and scientists conducting numerous studies involving cells, animals, and human subjects to try to determine what the true power of grape extracts on cardiovascular health are.  So what have we learned about the true power of grape extracts? A lot, and the scientific data and conclusions point to a definite role that grape extracts can play in improving cardiovascular health.

First, numerous animal and human studies have demonstrated that grape extracts can reduce blood pressure. This is mainly a result of the polyphenols found in grape extracts. Specifically, it has been suggested that grape polyphenols promote the release of Nitric Oxide (NO), a compound with vasorelaxing and anti-aggregating effects and, that in the long term, induces the expression of protective genes for the cardiovascular system. Said less scientifically, polyphenols help the body release NO which leads to veins relaxing, thus lowering blood pressure, while also entering the body’s cellular workings and hence causing DNA to start expressing, i.e. making mRNA that becomes proteins, genes that help protect your body.*

Second, grape extracts have been shown to have a hypolipidaemic (by that we mean they help reduce the numerous fats circulating in your blood) effect, reducing levels of plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, which is the body’s bad cholesterol. This effect of polyphenols would be related to the fact that these compounds may absorb cholesterol, bile acids and other dietary lipids and hence help the body get rid of them.*

Third, grape extracts have a definite anti-atherosclerotic effect in the early stages of development of atherosclerosis, observed as a reduction in atheromatous plaque and in LDL oxidation. This just means that grape extracts can fight the dangerous plaques that build up in our arteries before they form. Simply stated, oxidation of LDL can lead to plaque formation in our arteries, which is accompanied by smooth muscle cells proliferating and increasing the plaque. Grape extracts appear to prevent LDL from being oxidized and prevent the smooth muscle cells from increasing, fighting atherosclerosis by means of two different but equally powerful mechanisms.*

Finally, grape extracts show an improvement in antioxidant status measured in terms of plasma antioxidant capacity, oxidation biomarkers, antioxidant compounds and antioxidant enzymes. It has become increasingly clear over the last twenty years that our bodies comprise a delicate balance between the reactive oxidation products that form as a result of necessary biochemical processes and our bodies’ antioxidant capabilities to prevent these reactive oxidation products from causing damage to cells, proteins, and even our DNA. Grape extracts help the body defend against these dangerous products that have been implicated in such conditions as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even cancer.*

What started as a simple observation by Dr. Renaud over twenty years ago has led to an explosion of clinical and scientific research conducted by some of the leading scientists and physicians from around the world on the inherent power found in grape extracts. There will be many future studies to discover even more about the mechanisms behind grape extracts’ ability to aid in cardiovascular health, but from a health standpoint it is clear that they represent an extremely powerful ingredient to help protect us from the risks and dangers associated with cardiovascular disease.

References:

Ferrieres, J. (2004). “The French Paradox; Lessons for other countries”. Heart 90 (1): 107–111.

Arts, IC & Hollman, PC (2005) Polyphenols and disease risk in epidemiologic studies. Am J Clin Nutr 78, Suppl. 1, 559S–569S

Lekakis, J, Rallidis, LS, Andreadou, I, et al.. (2005) Polyphenolic compounds from red grapes acutely improve endothelial function in patients with coronary heart disease. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 12, 596–600.

Zern, TL, Wood, RS, Greene, C, et al.. (2005) Grape polyphenols exert a cardioprotective effect in pre- and post-menopausal women by lowering plasma lipids and reducing oxidative stress. J Nutr 135, 1911–1917.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Author’s bio:  Puya Yazdi, MD, Medical Director for Cyvex Nutrition, has nearly six years of experience in the medical and scientific fields in addition to working in the business sector as an advisor and consultant. He holds an MD degree from The University of Southern California and a BS degree from the University of California, Irvine in Biological Sciences. Puya underwent medical and scientific training at Stanford University and is currently undergoing further training at UC Irvine.

SupplySide West International Trade Show and Conference                                                           Booth #19055                                                                                                                                   October 19-23, 2010                                                                                                                        (Exhibit Hall Open Oct. 21 & 22)                                                                                                 The Venetian & Sands Expo                                                                                                           Las Vegas, NV

As the world’s largest event for healthy and innovative ingredients, SupplySide West is a must-attend event for developers, formulators and marketers of foods, beverages, supplements and cosmeceuticals. Learn about the latest ingredient innovation and supporting science, examine new trends and emerging opportunities, and network with thousands of your global colleagues.

Cyvex Nutrition will be exhibiting at SupplySide West at Booth #19055, please come and meet the Cyvex team!

For more information about SupplySide West, click here

** Post by Anh Thu V. Tran, MS, MD- Medical Director and Nutrition Consultant, Cyvex Nutrition

Crisp, refreshing to pleasantly tart, the white-flesh apple wrapped in red, yellow, or green colored skin is the most commonly-consumed fruit not only for its taste, but also for its evidence-based health benefits.  Ironically the apple has been used to describe body types not necessarily representing optimal health, but rather the opposite.  The apple figure is almost universally associated with impaired glucose function and subsequent Type 2 diabetes mellitus with the rare occasions of Type 1, in addition to other clinical presentation of Metabolic syndrome such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, hyper-coagulated and hyper-inflammatory state.  Apple figures are defined as fat localized within the abdomen, which tend to easily distribute into the bloodstream compared to other areas, hence the complications as such.  Waist to hip ratio for women above 0.8 and for men above 1.0 is suggestive of an unhealthy accumulation of fat in the midsection.  This excess fat is often related to insulin resistance diabetes mellitus in addition to co-morbities commonly associated with diabetes as mentioned above and microvascular complications to the eyes, kidneys, and nerves.  This excess weight in the mid-region of our bodies increases the risk for heart disease up to 2.5 times in men and up to 8 times in women with diabetes mellitus with this shape.*

Phlorizin, a crystalline glycoside sweet to taste found in apples, pears, or cherries was formally used as a tonic and in the treatment of malaria, but is more commonly used now in research focused in diabetes mellitus and obesity.  As a flavonoid, phlorizin has demonstrated its potent antioxidant potential, but more specifically it has been shown to stabilize blood glucose levels (Judge H et al., 2008). Initial in vivo work with Rosettie and team demonstrated that a reduction of beta-cell mass leads to the development of insulin resistance (otherwise known as diabetes mellitus Type 2), and correction of hyperglycemia with phlorizin, without change in insulin levels, normalizes insulin sensitivity.  These results provide the first in vivo evidence that hyperglycemia per se can lead to the development of insulin resistance and phlorizin found in apples, pears, or cherries (Rossetti L et al., 1987) can help thwart hyperglycemia.  Epidemiological studies demonstrate that apple consumption may also be associated with lower risk of diabetes.  In a Finnish study of 10,000 people, a reduced risked of Type 2 diabetes was associated with the consumption of apples and the higher quercetin intake, the flavonoids found most abundant in the peels was associated directly to the findings (Knekt P et al 2002).  Amelioration of blood glucose associated with apples was also seen in a study in Brazil on weight loss in middle-aged over-weight women (n = ~ 400) that had high cholesterol.  These women were randomly split into three groups who ate the following: oat cookies, apples, or pears.  Each consumed one of each supplement three times per day for twelve weeks.  The study demonstrated that not only was the consumption of either fruit associated with significant weight loss of 1.21kg, but the fruits also significantly lowered and stabilized blood glucose levels (de Oliviera M et al., 2003).  More recent work narrowed the main culprits being flavonoids as the active components behind such benefits.*

The National Food Research Institute in Japan in an in vivo study of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice found phlorizin reduced blood glucose levels and specific gene expression in the small intestine after 14 days of consumption (et al., 2009).  Procyanidins, another group of flavonoids, are oligomeric forms of catechins that are abundant in red wine, grapes, cocoa, and especially apples.  Paraoxonase acts as an antioxidant enzyme and protects low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol against oxidation.  This is the first study to show an association between paraoxonase status and grape seed extract (GSE) supplementation and demonstrated that GSE increased paraoxonase activities, presumptively from activity of procyanidins. This beneficial effect of GSE was more obvious in the diabetic group, which was more prone to atherosclerotic events compared to the healthy population.  Diabetics with complications such as dyslipidemia responded to procyanidin supplementation against oxidation of “bad” cholesterol, low-density cholesterol (Kiyici A et al, 2010).  Those consuming food containing high levels of phlorizin and other flavonoids not only had more more manageable and stable blood glucose levels, but aided in consequential complications of diabetes.*

We have always been told an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but now we can specifically add that it will keep that apple figure away as well, so pick up an apple or 2 today!

References:

Gosch C et al., “Phloridzin biosynthesis, distribution and physiological relevance in plants,” Phytochem, 2010; 71:838-43.

Kiyici A et al., “The effect of grape seed extracts on serum paraoxonase activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats,” J Med Food, 2010 ;13:725-8.

Jugde H et al., “Isolation and characterization of a novel glycosyltransferase that converts phloretin to phlorizin, a potent antioxidant in apples,” FEBS J, 2008; 275, 3804-14.

Masumoto S et al., “Dietary phloridzin reduces blood glucose levels and reverses Sglt1 in the small intestine in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice,” J Agric Food Chem, 2009; 57:4651-6.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Author’s bio: Dr. Anh Thu V. Tran is the Medical Director & Nutrition Consultant for Cyvex Nutrition, PGY-1 Resident with  UC Davis Family Medicine Residency Network, and Founder of Strive to Live Well.  She holds a M.D. from St. George’s University, a M.S. in Nutrition from Loma Linda University, and a B.Sc. in Biology & Women’s Studies from UC Irvine.