Perhaps the most complex organ that still has some secrets is the brain. The idea of losing the ability mindfully function in the now, and/or develop faulty memory is terrifying to most people.

Vinpocetine is a compound extracted from the lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor) that is known to cross the blood-brain barrier denying entry to compounds that may be detrimental to the brain.

It has been widely studied in humans and researchers have shown its ability to increase short-term memory ability and also critical reaction time in healthy volunteers.

Research has shown vinpocetine as a cerebral vasodilator, a substance that improves blood flow to the brain; as well as a nootropic, a substance that improves cognitive function in healthy humans.  Vinpocetine also protects the brain from degradation by inhibiting the activity of an enzyme that works to break down and destroy critical energy molecules the brain needs to function.  It is the only mental dietary supplement for which a direct mechanism of action has been proposed and scientifically verified.

Periods of stress, and/or prolonged poor lifestyle habits, can cause brain fog, slight confusion, and slow cognition. Making improvements such as a healthy diet (fish is a great “brain food”) and healthy stress management techniques, can go a long way to a sharper memory and an improvement in the ability to perform mental tasks. Taking vinpocetine will help nourish your brain and keep it healthy.

Click on NHI OnDemand-a Health & Wellness Trade site- for more information about cognitive function.

For centuries, people have totally delighted in eating dark chocolate (made from cocoa, from the cacao tree). Not too long ago, chocolate was a “no no” for restricted diets, somewhat based on the prevailing belief that if it tastes good it’s bad for you!

Specifically, cocoa contains polyphenols called flavonoids. The flavonoids found in cocoa are flavanols known as flavan-3-ol and proanthocyanidins, among other healthy compounds like epicatechin, quercetin and glycosides. These are all specific antioxidants that work in the body in targeted ways.

According to chocolate industry expert Leah Porter, Ph.D., studies analyzing cocoa have evolved rather rapidly from the stage of identifying its active phytochemicals as described above to researching how they impact specific health conditions affecting the breast, heart, and respiratory system to name several.

It’s no surprise that in recent years, cocoa has earned exalted status because of research demonstrating health benefit. Cocoa (which chocolate is derived from) contains antioxidants known as flavonoids. A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has shown that cocoa containing 495 mg of naturally occurring polyphenols helped reduce levels of inflammatory markers that are known contributors to the development of atherosclerosis.

And eating good-quality dark chocolate AND taking a cocoa-antioxidant supplement is the best way to obtain antioxidant health benefits.

You may have wondered, “just what us a ‘superfruit?” and “what gives it its super powers?”

A “superfruit” is a fruit that is combined with rich nutrients and high antioxidant power.  Fruits naturally grow their own antioxidants as protective mechanisms for their particular climate and environment.  Those that grow in tropical locales tend to have higher concentrates of antioxidants due to natural assaults found in hot, humid ecosystems that also contain high numbers of insects and bacteria – all things the fruit needs to protect itself from.

You may have heard about noni and acai, two very popular supplements sold by retailers.  They are nutritious for supplementing, as powerful antioxidants flooding the body with natural phytochemicals that help keep you healthy!  Acai is packed with amino acids, essential fatty acids and antioxidants, as well as trace minerals and phytosterols. Noni offers you lignans, polysaccharides, beta-sitosterol and catechin, and other antioxidant compounds.

Mangosteen is often sold as a juice blend. It is uniquely abundant in xanthones, a type of strong antioxidant. Xanthones also have been shown to have other benefits such as anti-inflammatory properties. Mangosteen also has polysaccharides, sterols, catechins and proanthocyanidins, the last two being very strong antioxidants.

Pomegranate is also more widely known and consumed today for its antioxidant benefits.   Pomegranates contain ellagitannins, such as punicalagins, which are powerful antioxidant polyphenolic compounds.

It is easy to see how blending all these superfruits is wholesome for good health.  Our proprietary product, PhytoTropic™, features concentrates of all four superfruits as a powerful antioxidant ingredient.

It appears that almost every week, some newspaper or TV show decides to wield a popular scare tactic trying to sway consumers to become skeptical about using dietary supplements. And this negativism isn’t just in the U.S. In April 2009, Professor Regan’s Diet Clinic, a TV program on the BBC2’s Horizon series, overarchingly told viewers that supplements are not necessary if you eat a balanced diet.

Well, perhaps in theory this may make some sense. But … how many people really eat a balanced diet? And of those, how many perfectly manage stress (preventing stress from creating free radicals), do not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes, drink no caffeine, and who exercise regularly?

Dietary supplements are … just that. They are nutrients in convenient forms (pills, beverages, powders for shakes) that fill in the gaps and in many cases, give us more optimal doses of compounds for our bodies.

However, more and more experts are proponents of consuming quality, researched dietary supplements. As a great example, more than 80% of registered dietitians who took part in a survey said they consider most Americans have gaps in their diets that can be filled with vitamins and other dietary supplements.

The research, from the “Life…supplemented” 2009 Healthcare Professionals (HCP) Impact Study, also showed that 76 percent said that supplements can address their own diet gaps, and, 96 percent stated they take supplements with 87 percent recommending dietary supplements to their clients.

Beyond this, more and more studies are being conducted on nutraceuticals and human health. Science appears to be determined to discover exactly how naturally occurring chemicals influence and impact a variety of processes in the human body and in certain states of disease.

Our lives are busier than ever and most of us do not have the time to ensure we eat daily diets abundant in vitamins and minerals which will benefit us in the long-term. Dietary supplements are the perfect solutions to top off our bodies’ empty or partially filled tanks, keeping us moving for the long journey!

For more information about the Healthcare Professionals Impact Study, visit www.lifesupplemented.org

You may have heard by now that it is a great idea to enjoy a glass – or two at most – of delicious, satisfying red wine. In fact, doing so regularly may add a little more zest to your life and keep your heart healthy.

This knowledge came from an initial study in 1992, when the term French Paradox was introduced after researchers showed in an epidemiological study that the French, despite higher incidence of smoking, less exercise and a diet relatively higher in fatty foods than Americans, have a lower incidence of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. The researchers correlated this health paradox to the French love of red wine.

French red wine grapes contain two main constituents shown to be of significant antioxidant value: polyphenols (flavonoids) and resveratrol. Animal studies of red wine polyphenols have demonstrated effects in cardioprotection, supporting healthy cholesterol levels, vision improvement and general free-radical scavenging.

Resveratrol is produced by grapes to protect against fungal infection. It has been shown in studies to exert potent cardioprotection by inhibiting LDL oxidation and reducing platelet aggregation. In a rat model study, researchers found that resveratrol had a dramatic effect against ischemia-reperfusion-induced arrhythmias. Resveratrol reduced both the incidence and duration of ventricular dysrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. What this means is that is supports healthy heart function.

A significant study, published in 2006 in the journal Nature, demonstrated that obese mice fed red wine extract (resveratrol) were in better health and lived longer than obese mice that were not fed the red wine extract. In the supplement group, deaths dropped 31%, compared to the control group. Study authors also concluded that the red wine extract group of mice lived longer than what they normally should have given their obesity.

David Sinclair, co-author of the study, told Newsweek, “At the genetic level, we saw alterations in all the known longevity pathways that we looked at. It would appear this molecule triggers our natural genetic defenses against aging. That’s probably why resveratrol is such a potent molecule. It’s no mere antioxidant.”

In addition, Sinclair said that his team saw benefits in the supplement group that are associated with healthy longevity, specifically lower insulin, body temperature and blood sugar.

References:

Rao AV, et al.  Bioabsorption and invivo antioxidant properties of the grape extract BioVin® polyphenols: a human intervention study.  Journal of Medicinal Food 200; 3:15-22.

Renaud S, et al.  Wine, alcohol, platelets and the French paradox for coronary heart disease.  The Lancet 1992; 339:1523-6.

Baur J, et al.  Resveratrol improves health and survival of mice on a high calorie diet.  Nature.  2006; 444:337-342

For more information click on the links to see some articles about resveratrol:

Mayo Clinic: “Red wine and resveratrol: Good for your heart?”

60 Minutes: “Fountain of Youth in A Wine Rx?”

Total Health for Longevity: “Resveratrol: Unique Nutrient for Extending Health Into Old Age”