Probiotics Ease Childhood Diarrhea

Taking a type of probiotic (Lactobacillus reuteri) might shorten the duration of illness in children with acute infectious diarrhea, according to a study in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

A serious concern for little bodies

When diarrhea hits young children, it can be more than just an uncomfortable nuisance. This age group is especially sensitive to the loss of electrolytes that accompanies severe bouts of diarrhea, and they can become dehydrated very quickly.

Back in the 1970s, infectious diarrhea accounted for about five million childhood deaths each year. Since then, oral rehydration therapies have cut the number of infectious diarrhea deaths substantially, but they don’t do much to shorten the time that the diarrhea persists.

Good bugs for bad bugs

Probiotic are defined as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.” Babies are given their first “dose” of probiotics as they pass through the birth canal. After that, the type and amount of bugs that take up residence in the intestines depends on different factors, including:

• Antibiotic use—Antibiotics kill off good bacteria, along with the bad.
• Probiotic intake—Kefir, yogurt, miso, pickles, and other fermented foods can all help build a healthy crop of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
• Diet type—Certain dietary patterns lend themselves to the growth of particular strains of gut flora. High-fat, low-fiber diets lead to the predominance of one type of bacteria, while low-fat, high-fiber diets lead to another. Breast-feeding babies also have different flora in their guts than bottle fed babies.

Sixty-nine children (average age 24 months) who were hospitalized with acute infectious diarrhea and dehydration were enrolled in the study. The children were given L. reuteri (400 million colony forming units per day) or placebo for seven days in addition to oral rehydration therapy.

• L. reuteri significantly reduced the duration of watery diarrhea compared with placebo (2.1 days in the L. reuteri group versus 3.3 days with placebo).
• The number of children with normal stool consistency was significantly higher on days two and three of treatment in the L. reuteri group than in the placebo group.

“Probiotics might be more effective when given early when patients might be less ill,” commented the researchers. “If this is the case, the efficacy of L. reuteri might have been even more pronounced if administered as early as possible.”

A strain for every occasion

Different probiotics have different effects in the human body. For instance, Lactobacillus plantarum is particularly good for relieving symptoms of gas and bloating associated with irritable bowel syndrome, Lactobacillus casei works well for post-antibiotic and traveler’s diarrhea, and Lactobacillus reuteri seems to be most helpful for infectious diarrhea.

 

By Kimberly Beauchamp, ND

Orange Juice Does Your Heart Good

People at high risk for cardiovascular disease might be able to lower their risk by drinking antioxidant-rich red orange juice, according to a controlled study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

A long time coming

Heart disease doesn’t just happen overnight; it’s the result of many complex processes that are typically at work over many years. Some of the better-known risk factors for cardiovascular disease include:

• High blood pressure
• Family history of heart disease
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Diabetes
• Excess weight
• Smoking
• Metabolic syndrome
• Elevated blood markers, such as total and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels

The effects of CRP were addressed in a study conducted at the University of Palermo, Italy. CRP is a measure of inflammation in the body. Anything that causes inflammation can cause a rise in CRP levels, like a flare-up of certain types of arthritis. But high CRP levels in a person without another disease that could explain the elevation could indicate an increased risk of heart disease.

A juicy way to keep inflammation at bay

Fruits and vegetables seem to protect against heart disease by providing blood pressure-lowering minerals, blood sugar-stabilizing fiber, and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds. Red oranges, also known as blood oranges, are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances, so the researchers wanted to see if drinking red orange juice might improve blood flow through the arteries and help decrease inflammation.

Nineteen people (average age 48 years) at risk for heart disease took part in the study. Twelve people who were not at increased risk served as a control group.

The study took place in two parts. In the first, half of the people were given 500 ml of red orange juice to drink each day for seven days; the rest of the people were given a placebo drink. After a three-day break, the groups were switched.

The researchers measured blood fats and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress (caused by free radicals), as well as blood flow through a major artery.

After the red orange juice period, people at high risk for heart disease had significantly better blood flow through their arteries. Compared with the control group, the high-risk group had significantly higher markers of inflammation at the start of the study. But after one week of drinking the red orange juice, these markers decreased significantly.

Free-radical damage markers (which measure the amount of oxidation damage that is occurring) were elevated at the beginning of the study in the high-risk group compared with the control group. Red orange juice didn’t appear to significantly change these levels.

Other studies have looked at blonde (regular) orange juice on blood vessel function, as well. The results weren’t as impressive, with improvements only lasting for a short period after the juice was drunk. “Red orange juice tested in our study seemed to induce a more sustained and stable improvement of [blood vessel] function than that of similar fruit beverages,” said the researchers.

Putting it in perspective

While it appears that drinking red orange juice could decrease inflammation and improve blood flow, the study didn’t show that there was any direct effect on the people’s heart disease risk. Reduced inflammation and improved blood flow does not necessarily imply a reduced risk of developing heart disease. This was a small study whose results need to be confirmed in larger trials.

By Kimberly Beauchamp, ND

Interpreting the New Vitamin D and Calcium Recommendations

Following an examination of the research on the role ofcalcium and vitamin D in cancer and fracture prevention, the US Preventive Task Force has released a draft statement of its findings.

So far, they consider “there is inadequate evidence to estimate the benefits, if any, of vitamin D or calcium supplementation to prevent cancer and fractures” in “all non-institutionalized adults, except postmenopausal women.” Among postmenopausal women, supplementing 400 or less IU of vitamin D and 1,000 or less mg of calcium daily led to a reduced risk of fracture only among people in institutional care. Among community-dwelling postmenopausal women, the research suggested risk of fracture may be reduced, but the finding was not strong enough for the panel to conclude that the benefits of supplements outweighed risks for this group. This led the task force to recommend against this group supplementing up to 1,000 mg of calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D daily.

The panel indicated evidence is inconclusive regarding possible benefits or risks of supplementing these nutrients in higher amounts for any group.

Taking a look at the details

The task force used a process called meta-analysis—a technique in which data from many studies are combined and analyzed together—to consider existing research on vitamin D and calcium in relation to cancer and fractures. Of the 137 studies selected for review, 16 randomized controlled trials were deemed of sufficient quality to include in the final analysis. Nearly all of the participants in these 16 studies were postmenopausal women, 65 years old and up.

While the main takeaway of the task force’s study is the need for more research to better understand the relationship between these supplements and long-term effects on health, their finding of a weak association between these supplements and bone protection in postmenopausal women may point to the importance of knowing whether a person is deficient before supplementing.

Taking a look at the big picture

Older people living in care facilities are more likely to be vitamin D deficient, so it makes sense that providing them with extra D can improve bone health. For adults who aren’t deficient, adding more vitamin D and calcium is unlikely to prevent fractures. The task force previously concluded that vitamin D supplementation is effective for preventing falls in older adults who are at increased risk for falls—an important benefit that should not be overlooked as people interpret these latest recommendations.

Although the report concluded that there isn’t enough evidence to determine whether higher doses protect against fractures in postmenopausal women or other healthy adults, some research does in fact suggest a benefit. For example, a meta-analysis of five double-blind trials that included a total of 9,292 people at least 60 years old found that supplementation with 700 to 800 IU per day of vitamin D3 reduced the incidence of hip fractures by 26%.

It would be interesting to see whether the task force’s conclusions would be different if more of the studies accounted for geography and lifestyle differences among participants. For example, a study of people living in Florida may be less likely to show a benefit with vitamin D supplements, because most people get enough D from being in the sun. This same study conducted in Minnesota may come to a different conclusion.

Dr. Bruce Hollis of the Medical University of South Carolina indicates that vitamin D, “has potential benefits in cancer prevention, cancer treatment, cardiovascular prevention, infection prevention, and prevention of autoimmune disease.” Finally, some health experts feel that giving supplements to younger women to prevent later bone fractures may be more effective than giving supplements to older women with already thinning bones.

Cutting through the confusion

These are draft recommendations, so stay tuned; they may change prior to finalization. While waiting for more solid results, keep in mind that research suggests these nutrients may play a role in the prevention of other diseases. Dr. Bruce Hollis of the Medical University of South Carolina indicates that vitamin D, “has potential benefits in cardiovascular prevention, infection prevention, and prevention of autoimmune disease.” To help you make smart decisions about calcium and vitamin D supplements, keep these tips in mind:

• If you have been taking calcium and vitamin D at the recommendation of your doctor, talk to him or her before deciding to stop. Findings from large studies don’t always apply to individual needs.
• Consult with a dietitian who can do a thorough food and diet history, which will tell you whether you are coming up short on these nutrients. If you already get enough calcium from food, and enough vitamin D from a combination of food and sun exposure, you may not need supplements.
• If you do supplement calcium, take it in divided doses. For example, a supplement that provides 300 to 400 mg calcium per tablet or capsule can be taken with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, rather than in one large dose of 900 to 1,200 mg.
• Only supplement what you need: keep total calcium intake from food and supplements around 1,000 to 1,200 mg per day for adults, and keep total vitamin D intake from food and supplements around 600 IU per day for adults under age 70 and 800 IU per day for those older than 70.
• Though the task force did not include magnesium in its analysis, this mineral appears to play an important role in building strong bones and in overall health, and a person’s calcium intake affects how it works. Eating too much calcium may reduce the amount of magnesium in the body, so making sure you get enough to maintain a better balance. To this end, nosh on magnesium-rich foods such as spinach, pumpkin seeds, beans, Brazil nuts, low-sodium tomato products, dark chocolate (65% or greater cocoa content), and whole grains—especially buck wheat, bulgur wheat, and oat bran.

By Suzanne Dixon, MPH, MS, RD

Is Red Wine a Prebiotic?

Drinking red wine might help “friendly” bacteria thrive in the colon, making it a newcomer to the category of health-promoting substances called prebiotics.

Red wine is rich in polyphenols—plant-derived compounds that act as antioxidants in the body, counteracting the damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. Polyphenols may play a role in preventing many chronic diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. A large percentage of dietary polyphenols survive most of the digestive process, making it to the large intestine (colon) virtually unchanged. Here, they are believed interact with the local “gut bugs.”

A new role for an old drink

According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, to see if red wine polyphenols influenced the types of bacteria in the colon, a team of Spanish researchers compared the effects of red wine, dealcoholized red wine, and gin on the composition of intestinal bacteria found in ten healthy men (average age 48).

The study consisted of three, 20-day periods, during which the men drank 272 ml of red wine, 272 ml of dealcoholized red wine, or 100 ml of gin per day.

Before beginning, and again after each study period, the men’s stool was tested for the presence of several different bacterial strains. Their blood pressure was also measured throughout the study, and tests were run to look at levels of blood fats and inflammatory markers after each test period.

• Red wine led to significantly lower blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL (“good”) cholesterol, total cholesterol, and inflammatory markers.
• Dealcoholized red wine also significantly lowered blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and inflammatory markers.
• Red wine seemed to inhibit the growth of a group of bacteria (Clostridium) associated with colon cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.
• Red wine polyphenols promoted the growth of probiotic bacteria, like bifidobacteria.

“Although further research is required, the results of this study suggest the possible prebiotic benefits associated with the inclusion of red wine polyphenols in the diet,” the team concluded.

Get your good bugs here

Optimal digestion is one of the cornerstones of health and immunity. Here are some tips for keeping your insides in tip-top shape:

• Round up the probiotics. Different probiotics have different actions in the body; some help protect against travelers’ diarrhea, while others may keep you from getting colds as often. Make sure you get a full array of probiotic bacteria by eating foods that are naturally high in them (like yogurt and kefir) and possibly taking a probiotic supplement.
• Remember the prebiotics. Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are the most widely studied prebiotics. These indigestible plant carbohydrates provide fuel for the probiotics to thrive on. While the new study suggests that red wine might be another good source of prebiotics, it’s still best to enjoy alcohol in moderation—no more than one drink per day.

By  Kimberly Beauchamp, ND

Too Heavy? Try Getting Your Grape On

Resveratrol and other nutrients may be of greatest benefit when part of a healthy, balanced diet and an overall weight reduction plan Obesity increases a person’s risk for serious disease including diabetes, and while previous studies have shown that a big cut in calories may help prevent disease and increase a person’s lifespan, few people are able to make such drastic change. A study in Cell Metabolism suggests that taking the plant chemical resveratrol—found in red grapes and wine—may have similar effects as cutting calories and lead to health benefits in obese people. 

 Read More

Barley Fiber Improves Blood Sugar Control

Previous studies have shown that beta-glucan from oats, oat bran, barley, and barley bran lowers cholesterol levels

Fiber is known to be one of the most important dietary factors for healthy blood sugar regulation and diabetes prevention. A study in Nutrition and Metabolism supports this, finding that a drink made with a soluble fiber derived from barley, called barley beta-glucan, improved the body’s responsiveness to insulin and improved blood sugar control in people with mildly elevated blood glucose levels.

Fifty overweight or obese adults who had high blood glucose levels but did not meet the criteria for type 2 diabetes participated in the new study. They were coached in therapeutic lifestyle changes with a goal of weight maintenance, and were assigned to receive flavored drinks providing 6 grams per day of barley beta-glucan, 3 grams per day of barley beta glucan, or placebo for 12 weeks.

Read More

Olive Oil’s Potentially Positive Heart Health Effects

Olive oil has become well known as a “healthy” fat when included as part of a balanced and healthy diet

By Jane Hart, MD

Olive oil, when included in a healthy diet, has been linked to important health benefits, and now a study in Clinical Nutrition suggests that a daily dose of olive oil may be one important dietary option for heart and vascular disease prevention.

Olive oil may reduce heart disease risk factors

Prior studies have suggested that plant chemicals in olive oil, known as polyphenols, may help reduce risk factors for heart disease. This study looked at a particular aspect of that protection: the effect of olive oil on blood fats (lipids).

In this study, 200 healthy men were randomly assigned to three, three-week interventions of 25 ml per day of olive oil with low (2.7 mg per kg), medium (164 mg per kg), or high (336 mg per kg) content of olive oil polyphenols. Blood levels of various markers were measured before and after each intervention. Read More

How to Avoid Arsenic and Still Enjoy Juice

Diluting juice with water can lower the amount of juice your kids drink

By Suzanne Dixon, MPH

Following reports by famed Dr. Mehmet Oz indicating that some apple juices exceed the drinking water safety limits for arsenic, Consumer Reports conducted tests that confirmed these findings: Approximately 10% of 88 apple and grape juice samples tested contained more than 10 ppb of arsenic. Arsenic levels are a concern because exposure may increase the risk of short- and long-term health problems, especially in kids, who, with their smaller size, are especially vulnerable and are often given juice. Fortunately, a few precautions can go a long way toward keeping your family safe. Read More

Think Fiber First for Healthier Teens

By Suzanne Dixon, MPH, MS, RD

This study suggests a strong connection between a healthy, fiber-rich diet and lower risk of metabolic syndrome in teens

Metabolic syndrome describes a condition in which a person has three or more risk factors for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke—including high blood pressure, high fat in the blood (triglycerides), low HDL (“good”) cholesterol, high blood sugar, and carrying excess weight around the belly and upper body (a high waist circumference). While metabolic syndrome may seem like an “adult” problem, the condition can affect teens too, leading to serious health concerns later. Fortunately, some simple moves toward a healthier diet may reduce the risk of this condition among kids.

Fiber, fat, and nutrient density

To look at how diet affects the risk of metabolic syndrome in 12- to 19-year-old boys and girls, researchers collected nutrition surveys from 2,128 kids and identified who had metabolic syndrome. Some interesting results on the connections between diet and the risk of metabolic syndrome in adolescents came out of this study:

70% of the teens had at least one risk factor for the condition and 6.4% (138 out of 2,128) of the teens had metabolic syndrome. The biggest factor seemed to point to fiber consumption, as teens who ate the most had the lowest risk of metabolic syndrome: Read More

Good Humor Is Good Medicine for Seniors

Previous studies have found that humor can help alleviate job-related stress and enhance coping skills

Laughing it up not only lifts the spirit, but it might also help you get a better night’s sleep. According to a study in Geriatrics & Gerontology International, laughter therapy is a cost-effective, easily accessible intervention that can help ease depression and sleep issues in older people.

Several studies have supported the old saying, showing the benefits of a good belly laugh for people with chronic illnesses, but not as much is known about laughter’s effects on physically healthy older people.

Make ‘em laugh

A Korean study compared the effects of a four-week laughter therapy program with a control group (no laughter therapy) on measures of depression, insomnia, sleep quality, thinking (cognitive) function, and health-related quality of life in 109 senior citizens (average age 75 years). Read More