In our order department, callers regularly talk with us about how they use our supplements. We use the term “supplements” to encompass vitamins, minerals, herbs, omega-3 fatty acids, and any other dietary supplement. We know there are many more supplement users than the ones we to talk to, or correspond with through email. We want to offer a few of our hints and tips regarding supplement use:
• Supplements are best absorbed with food. It doesn’t matter which meal you choose, just make sure it’s one that also contains some amount of fat. This means if your morning breakfast is a piece of whole wheat toast with jam, a piece of fruit, and a container of fat-free yogurt, you need to take your supplements another time. Or, even better, add almonds to this breakfast and take your supplements then. An ideal meal contains fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
• Please take the supplement as recommended on the label. We hear from many people who take the original Cooper Complete formulation, but only take four of the eight tablets in the daily serving. Our scientific advisory team feels so strongly about the levels of vitamin D, B6, B12, Folic Acid, Pantothenic Acid, Zinc, Selenium, and Chromium, that the levels are identical in the original formulation and Basic One, our one-a-day product! When the number of tablets is cut from eight to four per day, the strength of these ingredients is also cut in half. Please consider taking Basic One instead of Cooper Complete if you are unwilling or unable to take all eight tablets.
• It is ok to switch between vitamins. It is perfectly fine to switch back and forth between Cooper Complete and Basic One. Many people take Basic One when traveling, and Cooper Complete when home. We also have marathoners and triathletes who switch from Elite Athlete to either Cooper Complete or Basic One during the off season.
• Keep tabs on your vitamin D needs. Our adult multivitamin and mineral formulations (Cooper Complete, Elite Athlete, and Basic One) all contain 2,000 IU vitamin D. We also sell a standalone vitamin D product that’s 1,000 IU vitamin D per tablet. In a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine last year, researchers reported that 77 percent of Americans fall short of the 30 nanograms per milliliter minimum. While we can statistically assume that chances are good you’re below the minimum and may need additional vitamin D, the only way to know for certain is through a blood test. After the blood test, your physician will help you figure out how much vitamin D you need, and the recommendations vary widely depending upon individual circumstances – we hear everything from an additional 1,000 IU per day to an extra 50,000 IU each week.
• Know your calcium requirements. Look at your diet, figure out how much calcium you get on a typical day, and then decide how much (if any) calcium you need to add in supplement form. Our body can absorb about 500 mg of calcium at a time. If you need more than 500 mg calcium per day, split it up into two or more servings.
• Do not add a supplement to your routine that you do not need. If you do not have joint pain, or if you don’t suffer the effects of an enlarged prostate, don’t take those supplements.
If you’re unsure about a product (be it ours, or another brand), or have a general supplement question, please call us or email us – we’d love to help you. A “real human” here at the Cooper Aerobics Center answers all the calls (so you’ll need to leave us a message if you phone after hours), and it’s genuinely our pleasure to help you figure out what supplements make sense for your particular situation.
Our toll free number is 888-393-2221; email us at Questions@CooperWellness.com.
To purchase Cooper Complete supplements, visit the Cooper Store.
Reference
Vitamin D deficiency soars in the U.S., study says
Jill Turner is VP Operations for Cooper Concepts, the company that markets Cooper Complete nutritional supplements. Email (jsturner@cooperwellness.com) or call 972-560-3262 with your questions and comments regarding supplements.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
Ginseng Dietary Supplements
We recently had a reader write in and ask us our opinion on Ginseng, a supplement not currently in the Cooper Complete line.
Ginseng is a dried root of one of several species of the Araliaceae family of herbs. Ginseng comes in several forms - Asian (Panax ginseng) and American (P. quinquefolius L.) are the most common, but there’s also a Siberian (Eleutherococcus senticosus) ginseng which is much less expensive, but doesn’t contain the same active compounds that American and Asian ginseng contain.
Ginseng root that is mostly unprocessed is called “white ginseng” while “red ginseng” is typically Asian ginseng root that has been steamed and dried. Traditional Chinese medicine delineates between the “white” and “red” form, but scientific evidence doesn’t indicate significant differences.
Ginseng is typically marketed as an herb that will improve overall energy, particularly in those who are tired or stressed, and in 1997 sales topped 300 million annually. Unfortunately, the scientific research to date hasn’t been able to confirm that ginseng helps to improve energy at all, so these are essentially unsupported but well believed marketing pitches.
Researchers have also studied the impact of Ginseng on other health conditions, and have found that American Ginseng may lower blood sugar levels before and after meals in patients with type II (adult onset) diabetes. Because of this, diabetes should work with their physicians when adding Ginseng to their supplement regiment.
There have been other interactions reported too - Asian ginseng (Panax Ginseng) may cause manic episodes in those on antidepressants. And taking Asian Ginseng in conjunction with Coumadin or Warfarin, may decrease the effect of the drug.
Long term use of Ginseng doesn’t seem to be the norm. Typically the product is taken for two- or three weeks, and then followed by a one- to two week “rest” period.
In August, 2010, ConsumerLab.com reported test results on 11 ginseng supplements. Six of the supplements passed their review while five did not – either because they failed to contain the claimed amount of the ingredient on the label, or due to lead contamination.
To purchase Cooper Complete supplements, visit the Cooper Store.
Reference
Ginseng
Panax ginseng pharmacology: a nitric oxide link?
Ginseng Supplements
Jill Turner is VP Operations for Cooper Concepts, the company that markets Cooper Complete nutritional supplements. Email (jsturner@cooperwellness.com) or call 972-560-3262 with your questions and comments regarding supplements.
Ginseng is a dried root of one of several species of the Araliaceae family of herbs. Ginseng comes in several forms - Asian (Panax ginseng) and American (P. quinquefolius L.) are the most common, but there’s also a Siberian (Eleutherococcus senticosus) ginseng which is much less expensive, but doesn’t contain the same active compounds that American and Asian ginseng contain.
Ginseng root that is mostly unprocessed is called “white ginseng” while “red ginseng” is typically Asian ginseng root that has been steamed and dried. Traditional Chinese medicine delineates between the “white” and “red” form, but scientific evidence doesn’t indicate significant differences.
Ginseng is typically marketed as an herb that will improve overall energy, particularly in those who are tired or stressed, and in 1997 sales topped 300 million annually. Unfortunately, the scientific research to date hasn’t been able to confirm that ginseng helps to improve energy at all, so these are essentially unsupported but well believed marketing pitches.
Researchers have also studied the impact of Ginseng on other health conditions, and have found that American Ginseng may lower blood sugar levels before and after meals in patients with type II (adult onset) diabetes. Because of this, diabetes should work with their physicians when adding Ginseng to their supplement regiment.
There have been other interactions reported too - Asian ginseng (Panax Ginseng) may cause manic episodes in those on antidepressants. And taking Asian Ginseng in conjunction with Coumadin or Warfarin, may decrease the effect of the drug.
Long term use of Ginseng doesn’t seem to be the norm. Typically the product is taken for two- or three weeks, and then followed by a one- to two week “rest” period.
In August, 2010, ConsumerLab.com reported test results on 11 ginseng supplements. Six of the supplements passed their review while five did not – either because they failed to contain the claimed amount of the ingredient on the label, or due to lead contamination.
To purchase Cooper Complete supplements, visit the Cooper Store.
Reference
Ginseng
Panax ginseng pharmacology: a nitric oxide link?
Ginseng Supplements
Jill Turner is VP Operations for Cooper Concepts, the company that markets Cooper Complete nutritional supplements. Email (jsturner@cooperwellness.com) or call 972-560-3262 with your questions and comments regarding supplements.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Iron: “With” or “Without”?
It’s difficult to talk about multivitamins and miss talking about the iron. An essential mineral, iron handles the task of transporting oxygen to the muscles and organs.
There are two forms of dietary iron: heme and non-heme. Heme iron sources include meat, fish and poultry, while iron in non-meat foods is non-heme iron. Non-heme iron is found in a wide variety of foods (beans, lentils, yeast leavened whole grain breads, dried fruits, broccoli, spinach and other leafy greens, strawberries, nuts, and enriched pastas, rice and cereals) but this form of iron is not as well absorbed by our bodies as the heme form.
Interestingly, coupling non-heme iron foods with foods rich in vitamin C boosts the absorption of iron in our bodies to the level close to that of heme iron foods. So, pairing vitamin C rich foods (orange and orange juice, broccoli, grapefruit, strawberries, etc.) can really boost iron absorption. Because heat can destroy vitamin C, we recommend that vitamin C fruits be incorporated raw into salsas and salads, rather than being cooked into a sauce, when iron absorption is a goal.
In an interesting study, scientists measured iron levels after people ate a typical meal of hamburger, string beans and mashed potatoes with various drinks.
Impact of Beverage on Iron Absorption of hamburger, string beans & mashed potato meal
Tea: Reduced iron absorption by 62 percent
Coffee: Reduced iron absorption by 35 percent
Orange Juice: Increased iron absorption by about 85 percent
Researchers report that compounds in tea and coffee affect the non-heme iron found in grains and vegetables, but that heme iron was unaffected. This study suggests that if iron consumption is a concern, we consider our beverage choice when consuming meals low in heme iron, and high in non-heme iron – for example, when having a spinach salad with strawberries, red onions, and almonds for lunch.
If the iron content of our blood falls, we may feel tired or have reduced energy. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for women 19- to 50 years of age is 18 milligrams (mg) per day, while men ages 19- and older, and women 51 years and older have a requirement of 8 mg per day. The higher RDA for women in their childbearing years is due to blood loss that occurs through the monthly menstrual cycle. In the U.S., about five percent of women, and two percent of men have anemia, caused by a prolonged and severe iron deficiency.
While an iron deficiency is a problem for some, at the other end of the spectrum are those who have too much iron, and too much iron can be toxic. Thankfully, the vast majority of us get enough iron in our diets to maintain appropriate iron levels.
Within the Cooper Complete supplement line, our adult formulations of Cooper Complete and Basic One are both available in “with iron” and “iron free” formulations. The “with iron” formulations contain 18 mg iron. We suggest that women in their childbearing years who have a monthly cycle take a “with iron” product, while men and post-menopausal women select an “iron free” formulation.
To purchase Cooper Complete supplements, visit the Cooper Store.
Reference
Effect of different drinks on the absorption of non-heme iron from composite meals.
The Claim: Drinking Tea Can Lower Your Levels of Iron
Jill Turner is VP Operations for Cooper Concepts, the company that markets Cooper Complete nutritional supplements. Email (jsturner@cooperwellness.com) or call 972-560-3262 with your questions and comments regarding supplements.
There are two forms of dietary iron: heme and non-heme. Heme iron sources include meat, fish and poultry, while iron in non-meat foods is non-heme iron. Non-heme iron is found in a wide variety of foods (beans, lentils, yeast leavened whole grain breads, dried fruits, broccoli, spinach and other leafy greens, strawberries, nuts, and enriched pastas, rice and cereals) but this form of iron is not as well absorbed by our bodies as the heme form.
Interestingly, coupling non-heme iron foods with foods rich in vitamin C boosts the absorption of iron in our bodies to the level close to that of heme iron foods. So, pairing vitamin C rich foods (orange and orange juice, broccoli, grapefruit, strawberries, etc.) can really boost iron absorption. Because heat can destroy vitamin C, we recommend that vitamin C fruits be incorporated raw into salsas and salads, rather than being cooked into a sauce, when iron absorption is a goal.
In an interesting study, scientists measured iron levels after people ate a typical meal of hamburger, string beans and mashed potatoes with various drinks.
Impact of Beverage on Iron Absorption of hamburger, string beans & mashed potato meal
Tea: Reduced iron absorption by 62 percent
Coffee: Reduced iron absorption by 35 percent
Orange Juice: Increased iron absorption by about 85 percent
Researchers report that compounds in tea and coffee affect the non-heme iron found in grains and vegetables, but that heme iron was unaffected. This study suggests that if iron consumption is a concern, we consider our beverage choice when consuming meals low in heme iron, and high in non-heme iron – for example, when having a spinach salad with strawberries, red onions, and almonds for lunch.
If the iron content of our blood falls, we may feel tired or have reduced energy. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for women 19- to 50 years of age is 18 milligrams (mg) per day, while men ages 19- and older, and women 51 years and older have a requirement of 8 mg per day. The higher RDA for women in their childbearing years is due to blood loss that occurs through the monthly menstrual cycle. In the U.S., about five percent of women, and two percent of men have anemia, caused by a prolonged and severe iron deficiency.
While an iron deficiency is a problem for some, at the other end of the spectrum are those who have too much iron, and too much iron can be toxic. Thankfully, the vast majority of us get enough iron in our diets to maintain appropriate iron levels.
Within the Cooper Complete supplement line, our adult formulations of Cooper Complete and Basic One are both available in “with iron” and “iron free” formulations. The “with iron” formulations contain 18 mg iron. We suggest that women in their childbearing years who have a monthly cycle take a “with iron” product, while men and post-menopausal women select an “iron free” formulation.
To purchase Cooper Complete supplements, visit the Cooper Store.
Reference
Effect of different drinks on the absorption of non-heme iron from composite meals.
The Claim: Drinking Tea Can Lower Your Levels of Iron
Jill Turner is VP Operations for Cooper Concepts, the company that markets Cooper Complete nutritional supplements. Email (jsturner@cooperwellness.com) or call 972-560-3262 with your questions and comments regarding supplements.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
The Skinny on Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fats are polyunsaturated fatty acids, the “good fat” found in fish and some plants. Since our body cannot make omega-3 fatty acids, we must get them through food or supplements.
The impact of seafood’s omega-3s on heart health has been widely studied. The long running Nurses’ Health Study (which includes 80,000 women) reported back in 2001 that women eating one to three servings of fish per month cut their risk of heart disease by 20 percent, while eating at least five servings a week lowered heart disease risk by 40 percent. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends we eat fish, particularly fatty fish, at least two times per week. Two to three servings a week of fatty fish (about 8 ounces) leads to an average daily intake of 500 milligrams (mg) of EPA and DHA, which is associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
The AHA suggests that people with documented coronary heart disease (CHD) consume about 1 gram (1,000 mg) of EPA+DHA per day, preferably through fish consumption (which means eating fatty fish four- to five times a week), otherwise in supplement form. Patients who need to lower their triglycerides will need 2 to 4 grams of EPA+DHA per day.
Other research indicates omega-3 fatty acids provide benefits in the treatment of depression, inflammatory bowel disease, and autoimmune disease such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
There are two major types of omega-3 fatty acids in our diets. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are omega-3 fats found in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, lake trout, albacore tuna, sardines, and anchovies. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is the omega-3 fat found in plant foods, mostly seed and nut oils (such as canola, flaxseed and walnuts). Our bodies can convert ALA into EPA and then DHA, so researchers used to assume that eating foods with ALA provided the same benefits seen in eating fish, with its EPA and DHA. Studies now show that humans are relatively inefficient in converting ALA into EPA and DHA. One study reported that boosting ALA to more than 10 times the current average U.S. intake caused only small increases in blood levels of EPA and DHA.
Studies show that EPA is important for optimal brain function and contributes to the reduction of inflammation. DHA has been recognized for brain, visual, and nervous system health and development. EPA and DHA work together to contribute to good heart health.
So, do you need omega-3 supplements? The answer depends upon your diet and overall health. If your heart is healthy, and you’re eating at least two servings of fatty fish every week, you’re probably fine. However, if your diet is fish deficient, or contains fish such as tilapia and catfish which aren’t fatty, then supplements are a good option. You should also consider supplements if you have CHD, elevated triglycerides, depression or inflammation issues.
Grocery, health food stores and discount club shelves are full of “fish oil” and Omega-3 fatty acid products, and like everything else there are more than enough options to quickly overwhelm us. The trick to deciphering all the options so you can compare products “apples to apples” is to go to look on the back of the bottle to the supplement facts portion of the label. Once there, add up the amounts of EPA and DHA documented to be in each serving.
For a comparison of the supplement facts panel and costs between Cooper Complete Advanced Omega-3 and Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega-3, click here.
The average American eats seafood about once every 11 days. If you’re in this category, consciously make a commitment to start eating at least one serving of fatty fish per week. An albacore tuna sandwich at lunch, a perfectly grilled piece of salmon for dinner, or a snack of sardines in tomato sauce atop a couple of saltine crackers are all great ways to incorporate omega-3 EPA and DHA into our diet. Omega-3 supplements are a great way to augment healthy eating habits.
To purchase Advanced Omega-3, visit the Cooper Store.
Reference
ISSFAL – fatty acids, lipids and health studies Global Recommendations http://www.issfal.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=31
Nurses Health Study 2001 report
http://www.medfinds.com/healthnotes.php?org=medigrative%2Cmedigrative&page=newswire/newswire_2001_01_18_3.cfm
Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4632
Cooper Complete Advanced Omega-3 ingredient panel and price information
http://www.coopercomplete.com/store/detail/179.php
Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega-3 ingredient panel and price information http://www.nordicnaturals.com/en/Products/Product_Details/98/proddetail.php?ProdID=1428&MainID=1428#
The impact of seafood’s omega-3s on heart health has been widely studied. The long running Nurses’ Health Study (which includes 80,000 women) reported back in 2001 that women eating one to three servings of fish per month cut their risk of heart disease by 20 percent, while eating at least five servings a week lowered heart disease risk by 40 percent. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends we eat fish, particularly fatty fish, at least two times per week. Two to three servings a week of fatty fish (about 8 ounces) leads to an average daily intake of 500 milligrams (mg) of EPA and DHA, which is associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
The AHA suggests that people with documented coronary heart disease (CHD) consume about 1 gram (1,000 mg) of EPA+DHA per day, preferably through fish consumption (which means eating fatty fish four- to five times a week), otherwise in supplement form. Patients who need to lower their triglycerides will need 2 to 4 grams of EPA+DHA per day.
Other research indicates omega-3 fatty acids provide benefits in the treatment of depression, inflammatory bowel disease, and autoimmune disease such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
There are two major types of omega-3 fatty acids in our diets. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are omega-3 fats found in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, lake trout, albacore tuna, sardines, and anchovies. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is the omega-3 fat found in plant foods, mostly seed and nut oils (such as canola, flaxseed and walnuts). Our bodies can convert ALA into EPA and then DHA, so researchers used to assume that eating foods with ALA provided the same benefits seen in eating fish, with its EPA and DHA. Studies now show that humans are relatively inefficient in converting ALA into EPA and DHA. One study reported that boosting ALA to more than 10 times the current average U.S. intake caused only small increases in blood levels of EPA and DHA.
Studies show that EPA is important for optimal brain function and contributes to the reduction of inflammation. DHA has been recognized for brain, visual, and nervous system health and development. EPA and DHA work together to contribute to good heart health.
So, do you need omega-3 supplements? The answer depends upon your diet and overall health. If your heart is healthy, and you’re eating at least two servings of fatty fish every week, you’re probably fine. However, if your diet is fish deficient, or contains fish such as tilapia and catfish which aren’t fatty, then supplements are a good option. You should also consider supplements if you have CHD, elevated triglycerides, depression or inflammation issues.
Grocery, health food stores and discount club shelves are full of “fish oil” and Omega-3 fatty acid products, and like everything else there are more than enough options to quickly overwhelm us. The trick to deciphering all the options so you can compare products “apples to apples” is to go to look on the back of the bottle to the supplement facts portion of the label. Once there, add up the amounts of EPA and DHA documented to be in each serving.
For a comparison of the supplement facts panel and costs between Cooper Complete Advanced Omega-3 and Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega-3, click here.
The average American eats seafood about once every 11 days. If you’re in this category, consciously make a commitment to start eating at least one serving of fatty fish per week. An albacore tuna sandwich at lunch, a perfectly grilled piece of salmon for dinner, or a snack of sardines in tomato sauce atop a couple of saltine crackers are all great ways to incorporate omega-3 EPA and DHA into our diet. Omega-3 supplements are a great way to augment healthy eating habits.
To purchase Advanced Omega-3, visit the Cooper Store.
Reference
ISSFAL – fatty acids, lipids and health studies Global Recommendations http://www.issfal.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=31
Nurses Health Study 2001 report
http://www.medfinds.com/healthnotes.php?org=medigrative%2Cmedigrative&page=newswire/newswire_2001_01_18_3.cfm
Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4632
Cooper Complete Advanced Omega-3 ingredient panel and price information
http://www.coopercomplete.com/store/detail/179.php
Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega-3 ingredient panel and price information http://www.nordicnaturals.com/en/Products/Product_Details/98/proddetail.php?ProdID=1428&MainID=1428#
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Ginkgo Biloba Dietary Supplements
We recently had a reader write in and ask us our opinion on Ginkgo Biloba, a supplement not currently in the Cooper Complete line.
According to the Nutrition Business Journal, Americans spent about 107 million on Ginkgo biloba supplements in 2007. Ginkgo is most commonly taken by older adults worried about memory loss issues. While consumers typically believe that ginkgo will minimize the impact of dementia or Alzheimer’s, the research is pretty inconsistent and inconclusive.
The Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of 3,069 participants aged 72 to 96 years, was conducted in 6 academic medical centers across the US between 2000 and 2008, with the average participant followed for 6.1 years. Over the five year period, half the group received twice-daily doses of 120 mg extract of Ginkgo, while the other half received a placebo. Participants took the Modified Mini-Mental State examination and Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale test every six months until 2004, and then annually along with 10 other neuropsychological tests. Unfortunately, the changes in cognition of the Ginkgo and placebo groups were about the same, leading researchers to conclude that 120 mg Ginkgo twice daily was not effective in reducing all-cause dementia or development of Alzheimer’s disease. For this reason, taking Ginkgo as a “preventative” doesn’t seem to be helpful.
The research to date on the potential impact of Ginkgo on Alzheimer’s (versus general cognitive decline) has primarily been in small studies. One of the larger trials was back in 1997, when researchers enrolled more than 300 participants with Alzheimer’s disease or non-Alzheimer’s dementia. Half the group took 40 mg of Ginkgo biloba extract three times daily for a year, while the control group took a placebo. The resulted showed significant, but not completely consistent improvements in the group that received the Ginkgo biloba. In 2007, another study followed 400 people for 22 weeks. In this study, half the group received 80 mg of Ginkgo biloba 3 times daily, and the results indicated that Ginkgo was significantly superior to the placebo. We need significantly more research, with higher numbers of participants and much longer study times, to determine if Ginkgo is worth the expense of consuming and the risk of increased bleeding.
Ginkgo is available in leaf, leaf extract, and seed formulations. Ginkgo leaf exact is the most commonly used form in studies. Although ginkgo seeds were traditionally used in China, the fresh seeds are toxic and potentially deadly. Ginkgo supplements are generally considered safe, but since ginkgo may increase the risk of bleeding, anyone taking anti-coagulants or with known clotting disorders should not take Ginkgo too. Also, Ginkgo should be discontinued two- to three weeks prior to many surgical and dental procedures, due to the increased risk of bleeding.
When ConsumerLab reviewed ginkgo product in 1999, they found that nearly 25 percent of the 30 brands tested had issues. When they tested Ginkgo products again in 2003, they found that seven of the nine ginkgo products tested lacked adequate levels of certain marker compounds. According to ConsumerLab, a lot of the Ginkgo on the market seems to be adulterated or “spiked” with other compounds.
While the conventional “man-on-the-street” opinion tends to be that Ginkgo biloba is beneficial in slowing or reducing cognitive decline, the research just doesn’t conclusively give the same results.
To purchase Cooper Complete supplements, visit the Cooper Store.
Reference
Ginkgo biloba for Prevention of Dementia
Ginkgo biloba for Preventing Cognitive Decline in Older Adults
Effects of ginkgo biloba in dementia: systematic review and meta-analysis
Thinking about Ginkgo?
Jill Turner is VP Operations for Cooper Concepts, the company that markets Cooper Complete nutritional supplements. Email (jsturner@cooperwellness.com) or call 972-560-3262 with your questions and comments regarding supplements.
According to the Nutrition Business Journal, Americans spent about 107 million on Ginkgo biloba supplements in 2007. Ginkgo is most commonly taken by older adults worried about memory loss issues. While consumers typically believe that ginkgo will minimize the impact of dementia or Alzheimer’s, the research is pretty inconsistent and inconclusive.
The Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of 3,069 participants aged 72 to 96 years, was conducted in 6 academic medical centers across the US between 2000 and 2008, with the average participant followed for 6.1 years. Over the five year period, half the group received twice-daily doses of 120 mg extract of Ginkgo, while the other half received a placebo. Participants took the Modified Mini-Mental State examination and Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale test every six months until 2004, and then annually along with 10 other neuropsychological tests. Unfortunately, the changes in cognition of the Ginkgo and placebo groups were about the same, leading researchers to conclude that 120 mg Ginkgo twice daily was not effective in reducing all-cause dementia or development of Alzheimer’s disease. For this reason, taking Ginkgo as a “preventative” doesn’t seem to be helpful.
The research to date on the potential impact of Ginkgo on Alzheimer’s (versus general cognitive decline) has primarily been in small studies. One of the larger trials was back in 1997, when researchers enrolled more than 300 participants with Alzheimer’s disease or non-Alzheimer’s dementia. Half the group took 40 mg of Ginkgo biloba extract three times daily for a year, while the control group took a placebo. The resulted showed significant, but not completely consistent improvements in the group that received the Ginkgo biloba. In 2007, another study followed 400 people for 22 weeks. In this study, half the group received 80 mg of Ginkgo biloba 3 times daily, and the results indicated that Ginkgo was significantly superior to the placebo. We need significantly more research, with higher numbers of participants and much longer study times, to determine if Ginkgo is worth the expense of consuming and the risk of increased bleeding.
Ginkgo is available in leaf, leaf extract, and seed formulations. Ginkgo leaf exact is the most commonly used form in studies. Although ginkgo seeds were traditionally used in China, the fresh seeds are toxic and potentially deadly. Ginkgo supplements are generally considered safe, but since ginkgo may increase the risk of bleeding, anyone taking anti-coagulants or with known clotting disorders should not take Ginkgo too. Also, Ginkgo should be discontinued two- to three weeks prior to many surgical and dental procedures, due to the increased risk of bleeding.
When ConsumerLab reviewed ginkgo product in 1999, they found that nearly 25 percent of the 30 brands tested had issues. When they tested Ginkgo products again in 2003, they found that seven of the nine ginkgo products tested lacked adequate levels of certain marker compounds. According to ConsumerLab, a lot of the Ginkgo on the market seems to be adulterated or “spiked” with other compounds.
While the conventional “man-on-the-street” opinion tends to be that Ginkgo biloba is beneficial in slowing or reducing cognitive decline, the research just doesn’t conclusively give the same results.
To purchase Cooper Complete supplements, visit the Cooper Store.
Reference
Ginkgo biloba for Prevention of Dementia
Ginkgo biloba for Preventing Cognitive Decline in Older Adults
Effects of ginkgo biloba in dementia: systematic review and meta-analysis
Thinking about Ginkgo?
Jill Turner is VP Operations for Cooper Concepts, the company that markets Cooper Complete nutritional supplements. Email (jsturner@cooperwellness.com) or call 972-560-3262 with your questions and comments regarding supplements.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Prenatal Products
We received this question today via email:
The Email
"Hello - My active wife, for our first time, became my active pregnant wife. I did not see prenatal products on your site and wondered (a) if you had such a product, and (b) if not, could you recommend a few companies' products that are very good (and why, if you have time). Thanks so much for all you do and for looking into this specific request. All the best, Paul N."
Our Answer
Congratulations on the upcoming arrival! The only product we have specifically targeted to expectant moms is our Omega Soft DHA Product. You’ll see it under the category of kids, but the package label actually says “for kids and expectant moms.”
There are tons of prenatal products on the market. We’ve had many expectant moms report that their gynecologists have approved use of Basic One With Iron or the original Cooper Complete With Iron formulations for prenatal use. However, the rule here is to talk with your particular doctor and get their feedback as everyone is different, and all doctors tend to have their preferred products (over the shelf or prescription).
As far as omega-3 fatty acids go, please make sure your wife is getting plenty of omega-3’s overall, but in particular DHA. While EPA is great for heart health, DHA is an awesome powerhouse for helping in cell development.
Ocean Nutrition, the company who supplies us with the raw materials for our omega-3 product, says the following:
Pregnant and Nursing Women
Research indicates that Omega-3 EPA and DHA play an essential role before, during, and after pregnancy. As the sole source of nutrients for her developing baby, a mother needs to consume ample amounts of Omega-3 EPA/DHA, which are integral to the healthy development of the fetus’s vital organs, such as the brain and eyes. Additionally, Omega-3 EPA and DHA support a healthy pregnancy and labor. Even after childbirth, a mom still needs to watch her Omega-3 EPA and DHA intake, as her child will continue to absorb nutrients from her breast milk.
Research indicates that consuming foods rich in Omega-3 EPA/DHA may help to:
Fetuses and Infants
DHA is essential to the development of the nervous system — which includes the brain, spinal cord, and network of nerves — and the eyes, particularly the retina. Because the formation of these organs is complete by the age of three or four, it’s critical that the growing child get plenty of DHA during fetal development and throughout the early years of life.
Research indicates that Omega-3 EPA and DHA plays many roles in supporting the health of the fetus and infant, including helping:
The Email
"Hello - My active wife, for our first time, became my active pregnant wife. I did not see prenatal products on your site and wondered (a) if you had such a product, and (b) if not, could you recommend a few companies' products that are very good (and why, if you have time). Thanks so much for all you do and for looking into this specific request. All the best, Paul N."
Our Answer
Congratulations on the upcoming arrival! The only product we have specifically targeted to expectant moms is our Omega Soft DHA Product. You’ll see it under the category of kids, but the package label actually says “for kids and expectant moms.”
There are tons of prenatal products on the market. We’ve had many expectant moms report that their gynecologists have approved use of Basic One With Iron or the original Cooper Complete With Iron formulations for prenatal use. However, the rule here is to talk with your particular doctor and get their feedback as everyone is different, and all doctors tend to have their preferred products (over the shelf or prescription).
As far as omega-3 fatty acids go, please make sure your wife is getting plenty of omega-3’s overall, but in particular DHA. While EPA is great for heart health, DHA is an awesome powerhouse for helping in cell development.
Ocean Nutrition, the company who supplies us with the raw materials for our omega-3 product, says the following:
Pregnant and Nursing Women
Research indicates that Omega-3 EPA and DHA play an essential role before, during, and after pregnancy. As the sole source of nutrients for her developing baby, a mother needs to consume ample amounts of Omega-3 EPA/DHA, which are integral to the healthy development of the fetus’s vital organs, such as the brain and eyes. Additionally, Omega-3 EPA and DHA support a healthy pregnancy and labor. Even after childbirth, a mom still needs to watch her Omega-3 EPA and DHA intake, as her child will continue to absorb nutrients from her breast milk.
Research indicates that consuming foods rich in Omega-3 EPA/DHA may help to:
- Prevent early labor
- Reduce the risk of gestational diabetes
- Reduce the risk of preeclampsia (a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy)
- Reduce the risk of post-partum depression
- Provide the mother with enough EPA and DHA to meet her infant’s needs through breastfeeding
- Ensure adequate levels of Omega-3 EPA and DHA to support another healthy pregnancy
Fetuses and Infants
DHA is essential to the development of the nervous system — which includes the brain, spinal cord, and network of nerves — and the eyes, particularly the retina. Because the formation of these organs is complete by the age of three or four, it’s critical that the growing child get plenty of DHA during fetal development and throughout the early years of life.
Research indicates that Omega-3 EPA and DHA plays many roles in supporting the health of the fetus and infant, including helping:
- Develop a fully functional nervous system, including a healthy brain
- Develop healthy eyes and visual acuity
- Reduce the risk of allergies in at-risk infants
- Increase birth size and weight
- Reduce the risk of cerebral palsy
- Increase IQ and ability to solve problems
- Support visual acuity
- Promote good coordination and motor skills
- Contribute to good behavior
Monday, August 9, 2010
Aches and Pains – Will Supplements Help?
People regularly e-mail or phone looking for a supplement that will help alleviate their aches and pains. When asked if we have a product, I always say, “It depends.”
Joint Maintenance Formula is a blend of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, as well as gelatin, magnesium and bromelain. Originally developed for people who suffer from osteoarthritis, I regularly hear from people with tennis elbow and other repetitive motion pain who find relief with Joint Maintenance Formula, so when pain is an issue, I always suggest this product.
Glucosamine is an amino sugar that is the fundamental building block of the molecules that attract and hold water in cartilage. Amino sugars are the basis of virtually all connective tissues and lubricating fluids in the body. Although the body makes glucosamine, injuries and aging may result in a deficiency. Supplemental glucosamine has been shown to be a successful treatment of osteoarthritis by effectively controlling pain and halting or reversing the progression of the disease. Several studies have shown that besides stimulating the production of cartilage, glucosamine helps to reduce pain and improve joint function in those with osteoarthritis.
Chondroitin sulfate helps promote water retention in the cartilage, which is essential for shock absorption. It has been reported to maintain joint viscosity, stimulate the mechanisms for cartilage repair, and inhibit enzymes that break down cartilage. In the early stages of joint disease there are changes in chondroitin that affect the response of the chondrocytes (cells that form cartilage) to damage in the cartilage that surrounds the joints. When taken orally, chondroitin provides the necessary compounds for the formation of healthy tissue that otherwise may not be available due to the joint disease.
Bromelain is an extract from the pineapple stem and acts as a natural anti-inflammatory. Many times, new Joint Maintenance Formula users will call us 4 or 5 days after they’ve started the product to report that the product is making an amazing difference for them. When we get these early reports, we know it’s the bromelain providing relief.
Glucosamine and chondroitin don’t work for everyone who has joint issues. The ingredients also take a period of time to work into our system. For this reason, we suggest that you take the product for two months, and then evaluate if the product is providing the desired relief.
Another supplement that may help with pain relief is Advanced Omega-3. Omega-3 fatty acids were originally added to our product line because EPA and DHA, the compounds in the fish oil, working together provide great heart health benefits. However, in addition to omega-3 heart health benefits, studies show that EPA is also a great overall inflammation fighter.
Each two softgel serving of Cooper Complete Advanced Omega-3 provides 1,000 mg EPA and 200 mg DHA. Our general recommendation for people experiencing pain is to double-up the normal serving and to take four softgels daily for a few weeks to see if that provides relief. After relief is achieved, an attempt can be made to go back down to the two softgels daily and see if pain relief is maintained.
Jill Turner is VP of Operations for Cooper Concepts, the company that markets Cooper Complete nutritional supplements. E-mail jsturner@cooperwellness.com or call 972-560-3262 with your questions and comments regarding supplements.
Joint Maintenance Formula is a blend of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, as well as gelatin, magnesium and bromelain. Originally developed for people who suffer from osteoarthritis, I regularly hear from people with tennis elbow and other repetitive motion pain who find relief with Joint Maintenance Formula, so when pain is an issue, I always suggest this product.
Glucosamine is an amino sugar that is the fundamental building block of the molecules that attract and hold water in cartilage. Amino sugars are the basis of virtually all connective tissues and lubricating fluids in the body. Although the body makes glucosamine, injuries and aging may result in a deficiency. Supplemental glucosamine has been shown to be a successful treatment of osteoarthritis by effectively controlling pain and halting or reversing the progression of the disease. Several studies have shown that besides stimulating the production of cartilage, glucosamine helps to reduce pain and improve joint function in those with osteoarthritis.
Chondroitin sulfate helps promote water retention in the cartilage, which is essential for shock absorption. It has been reported to maintain joint viscosity, stimulate the mechanisms for cartilage repair, and inhibit enzymes that break down cartilage. In the early stages of joint disease there are changes in chondroitin that affect the response of the chondrocytes (cells that form cartilage) to damage in the cartilage that surrounds the joints. When taken orally, chondroitin provides the necessary compounds for the formation of healthy tissue that otherwise may not be available due to the joint disease.
Bromelain is an extract from the pineapple stem and acts as a natural anti-inflammatory. Many times, new Joint Maintenance Formula users will call us 4 or 5 days after they’ve started the product to report that the product is making an amazing difference for them. When we get these early reports, we know it’s the bromelain providing relief.
Glucosamine and chondroitin don’t work for everyone who has joint issues. The ingredients also take a period of time to work into our system. For this reason, we suggest that you take the product for two months, and then evaluate if the product is providing the desired relief.
Another supplement that may help with pain relief is Advanced Omega-3. Omega-3 fatty acids were originally added to our product line because EPA and DHA, the compounds in the fish oil, working together provide great heart health benefits. However, in addition to omega-3 heart health benefits, studies show that EPA is also a great overall inflammation fighter.
Each two softgel serving of Cooper Complete Advanced Omega-3 provides 1,000 mg EPA and 200 mg DHA. Our general recommendation for people experiencing pain is to double-up the normal serving and to take four softgels daily for a few weeks to see if that provides relief. After relief is achieved, an attempt can be made to go back down to the two softgels daily and see if pain relief is maintained.
Jill Turner is VP of Operations for Cooper Concepts, the company that markets Cooper Complete nutritional supplements. E-mail jsturner@cooperwellness.com or call 972-560-3262 with your questions and comments regarding supplements.
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