Do Your Skin, Hair, or Nails Need a Pick-Me-Up?

Skin is the body's largest organ and it, along with the eyes, is constantly assaulted by household and outdoor pollutants and sunlight. Almost non-stop exposure to one or several of these elements creates cell-damaging free radicals. To fend off that relentless assault, defenses beyond sunscreen and lotions are needed, says Adean Kingston, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Cooper Clinic.

Cooper Complete Dermatologic Health provides an array of nutrients that our skin, hair and nails welcome. Vitamin A, in the form of natural beta carotene with mixed carotenoids, and zinc are included to improve your complexion. Both nutrients counter facial oil and acne and its lesions.

Lutein is included in the formula for skin health. Lutein filters high-energy, blue light that can damage skin cells, and protects the skin by attacking free radicals. Lutein is an antioxidant found in spinach, kale, collard greens and other vegetables. Lutein also supports eye and cardiovascular health.

Results of a 2007 study published in the Skin Pharmacology and Physiology journal showed that 10 milligrams of lutein can improve skin hydration and elasticity and enhance the skin's photo-protective activity. Data indicate that lutein inhibits skin reactions to ultraviolet light and prevents UVB-induced skin cancer. Cooper Complete Dermatologic Health contains 10 milligrams of FloraGLO lutein, the most bioavailable form of lutein.

“Copper, essential to enzyme reactions, is part of the supplement's formula to increase elastin production and reduce the appearance of stretch marks, lax skin and wrinkles,” said Dr. Kingston. Copper combats psoriasis and other skin conditions. Biotin, a member of the B Complex and essential to skin, hair, and nail rejuvenation, is also in the formula.

Vitamins C and E are included as potent anti-oxidants, countering the effects of sun exposure by scavenging for free radicals. Studies have shown that when Vitamins A and E are taken together, the risks of basal cell carcinoma, a common, sun-induced skin cancer, are reduced. Selenium is included to protect skin from sun damage and lower the risk of skin cancer.

An antioxidant called polypodium leucotomas, derived from a tropical plant in South and Central America, is included in the supplement, too, to protect against ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Polypodium leucotomas is often marketed as heiliocare. Native Americans used the plant's extract to treat inflammatory disorders and skin diseases. Dr. Kingston says polypodium leucotomas is beneficial for dermatitis and psoriasis, and it lowers the risk of skin cancer.

Horsetail extract, included in the supplement's formula, is a living fossil that contains high levels of the element silicon, found to be effective in hair growth. Dermatologic Health also contains biotin and zinc to promote healthy hair. Biotin and horsetail extract are often used to help brittle fingernails, a condition affecting 20 percent of Americans. Brittle nails can be caused by a lack of nutrients, an underlying health condition, and other factors like repeated washing of hands.

To purchase Cooper Complete supplements, visit the Cooper Store.

Our toll free number is 888-393-2221; email us at Questions@CooperWellness.com.

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.

Stop The Stink

I know it’s a somewhat personal question, but do your feet stink? In a recent “Dear Annie” advice column, Annie had a nurse write in and report that a zinc deficiency can cause body odor, including stinky feet. I decided to look up the science on zinc to find any literature connecting a zinc deficiency with odor.

Our body requires zinc for the functioning of more than 300 enzymes. The U.S. recommendations for daily intake are 8 mg for women and 11 mg for men. While food sources of zinc include oysters, shellfish, poultry and meat, as well as fortified cereals and nutrition bars, the average diet may not contain enough zinc. Zinc supplements come in several forms – zinc chelate, citrate, picolinate and sulfate. The sulfate form is less expensive than the other forms. (Cooper Complete products use the chelate form of zinc.)

The scientific literature on zinc is extensive, and there is good evidence to support zinc supplementation to:

• Reduce the severity and duration of diarrhea in malnourished children

• Help the healing process of gastric ulcers

• Help manage or reduce symptoms of sickle cell anemia
In the studies, participants showed an increase in heath, weight, immune system function, and testosterone levels, while reducing the number of sickled cells.

• Prevent zinc deficiency
Zinc deficiency symptoms include hair loss, impotence, skin and eye conditions, and reduced appetite.

There’s conflicting research on the impact of zinc in treating the severity and duration of the common cold. In a small double-blind trial of 100 people experiencing early cold symptoms, the half given 13.3 mg of zinc from zinc gluconate recovered from their cold much more quickly than the placebo group. Coughing disappeared within 2.2 days (versus 4 in the placebo group), the sore throat lasted 1 day (versus 3), nasal drainage lasted 4 days (versus 7), and headache time fell from three days to two days. Unfortunately, other studies show little difference between zinc and a placebo.

In a search of the scientific literature, I came up empty when seeking a connection between smelly feet and zinc. In anecdotal information, the writer to “Dear Annie” reports that taking zinc supplements eliminated foot odor. The Graedon’s at the People’s Pharmacy have heard 50 to 100 mg zinc daily made a dramatic reduction in foot odor within 30 days. Another home remedy found in the People’s Pharmacy is to soak the feet in warm water with tannic acid. Because tea is high in tannic acid, adding tea bags to a foot bath is an easy way to try this remedy.

Because long-term high levels of zinc can be toxic, it’s important to talk with your doctor about any supplements you take.

The adult Cooper Complete multivitamin and mineral supplements (including Elite Athlete and Basic One) contain 15 mg zinc per daily serving.

To purchase Cooper Complete supplements, visit the Cooper Store.

Our toll free number is 888-393-2221; email us at Questions@CooperWellness.com.

Reference

Ask Annie Advice Column Suggests Zinc for Body Odor and Stinky Feet

Zinc Gluconate Lozenges for Treating the Common Cold

Zinc

Strange Solutions for Smelly Feet

Smelly Feet – free download from the People’s Pharmacy with Joe and Terry Graedon

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.

Supplement Storage Suggestions

Food scientists at Purdue University published a study this year reporting the impact of temperatures and humidity levels on vitamin C. In the findings, vitamin C showed signs of deterioration when humidity levels rose to 80 percent and higher. While researchers only focused on vitamin C, the impact of temperature and humidity on supplements has been studied over the years.

Heat and humidity can degrade supplements quickly, therefore Cooper Complete supplements have these instructions on the container: “For optimal storage conditions, store in a cool, dry place (59 – 77 degrees Fahrenheit and 35 – 65 percent relative humidity).”

Generally we want to store our vitamins where we’ll see them and remember to take them. For most people, the obvious places seem to be the car, kitchen, bathroom, or desk.

In the bathroom
The bathroom suffers from major humidity issues and temperature changes. Each opening of the supplement bottle potentially exposes them to higher than recommended levels of humidity. And storing the supplements in the medicine cabinet can also be an issue if much time is spent in front of the cabinet mirror with the hot water running and razor in hand for the morning shave. If you must store your supplements in the bathroom, the linen closet, dressing area, or walk-in closet are better options.

In the kitchen
The kitchen can be a dicey location. Contrary to popular opinion, vitamins do not need to be stored in the refrigerator. The refrigerator is actually too cold and is also prone to humidity. If you elect to keep your supplements in the kitchen, our recommendation is to put them in a cabinet or on a counter away from the stove, oven, or sink, where heat and humidity levels are much higher than optimal.

At the office
Here at Cooper many associates keep their vitamins on their desk. Office temperatures stay fairly steady. Seeing the bottle is a good reminder to take the daily dose.

In the car
Those of us living in the hot south and southwest only have to leave our supplements in the car once during summer to realize that softgels are quickly reduced to a giant, solidified brick. Interior car temperatures climb to exorbitantly high levels during the summer – well into the three-digits. Just as the heat turns up in the summer, the winter months can become too cold for vitamin storage (similar to a refrigerator). To avoid any temperature problems, it’s best to keep vitamins out of your car for long periods of time.

Bottom line; keep your supplements in a location where you would be comfortable – not too hot, not too cold, not too dry, and not too humid.

Our toll free number is 888-393-2221; email us at Questions@CooperWellness.com.

To purchase Cooper Complete supplements, visit the Cooper Store.

Reference
Influence of simultaneous variations in temperature and relative humidity on chemical stability of two vitamin C forms and implications for shelf life models
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20163110

Impact of deliquescence on the chemical stability of vitamins B1, B6, and C in powder blends
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18593179

The Claim: Always Store Vitamins in the Medicine Cabinet
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/02/health/02really.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

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.

Chelation Therapy – Metal or money eliminators?

While there are fantastic over-the-counter (OTC) solutions for all kinds of issues (for example, old-fashioned aspirin for a headache, or cortisone products for all kinds of itches), the reality is that there are also a lot of OTC items that are – plain and simple – a complete waste of time and money. One that recently crossed my path was Chelation therapy.

Chelation therapy was developed many years ago as an antidote for mustard gas poisoning during wartime. Chelating agents (chemicals) actually bind to heavy metals to carry them out of the body. The FDA has never approved any chelation product for OTC use for any health condition.

In mid-October, the FDA advised consumers to avoid “chelation” products that are marketed OTC to prevent or treat diseases. Eight companies received letters from the FDA about marketing claims made for treating a range of disorders from autism to Alzheimer’s disease with chelation. Some of the products are marketed as dietary supplements, and are available in various forms – nasal sprays, liquid drops, clay baths, and suppositories. FDA compliance expert Deborah Autor said “these (chelation) products are dangerously misleading because they are targeted to patients with serious conditions and limited treatment options.”

While there are thousands of different products on the market, the FDA does not approve vitamins and supplements. Research on what is right for you is imperative.

Please, do not try to take a supplement to treat a serious health issue! A dietary supplement cannot claim to treat, mitigate, prevent, or diagnose disease.

o The FDA’s warning
o Consumer warning
o Questions and answers

Jill Turner is VP Operations for Cooper Concepts, the company that markets Cooper Complete nutritional supplements, and oversees the Cooper Wellness, a medically supervised, in-residence lifestyle modification program. E-mail (jsturner@cooperwellness.com) or call 972-560-3262 with your questions and comments.

Cooper Complete Supplements – A Few Things We’d Like You To Know

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.

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.

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.