Showing posts with label osteoporosis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label osteoporosis. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Resveratrol and vitamin D synergistically team to boost metabolism and prevent obesity

Monday, September 19, 2011 by: John Phillip

(NaturalNews) Resveratrol has been on the nutritional radar of researchers because of its proven ability to mimic some of the life-extending characteristics provided by calorie restriction as seen in animals and humans alike. Scientists publishing in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research draw a solid link between resveratrol, vitamin D and other phytonutrients as agents that may lend a helping hand in the life-threatening battle against overweight and obesity.

Researchers document the newly discovered effect of the nature-derived nutrient on lipid metabolism, and they demonstrate that supplementation along with the sunshine vitamin and quercetin synergistically decreases the formation of new fat cells in the body. This finding is significant because it may provide a critical metabolic aid to children and adults that suffer the health-damaging effects of obesity every day. Further evidence exists to hail the trio in the genesis of osteoblasts in bone marrow that may offer a new therapy for osteoporosis that affects the mobility of millions of aging adults.

Scientists studying metabolism in aging adults have found that stem cells differentiate in favor of adipocytes (fat cells) and to the exclusion of osteoblasts (cells necessary for the formation of new bone). This means that as we age, our body has evolved to store fat as an aid to our survival. As metabolism slows, we continue to eat the same number of calories that helps to fill the newly acquired adipocytes. While building and maintaining bone structure may sound like a good idea to us, it is not pre-programmed into our genetic matrix.

Development of new fat cells has evolved as a protective mechanism, although the vast majority of older adults really don't need this genetic advantage. Researchers found that supplemented resveratrol, vitamin D and quercetin work together to regulate our genes and down regulate the production of fat cells while boosting the production of osteoblasts. Naturally it is important to practice caloric restriction as we age. Many aging adults will be able to utilize this phytonutrient trio to prevent excess weight gain and the debilitating effects of osteoporosis.

In addition to the well documented anti-cancer and longevity benefits previously ascribed to supplemented resveratrol, health-minded individuals will want to include resveratrol and other phytonutrients as an aid in the fight against abdominal fat accumulation. Researchers concluded: "It should be noted that combining resveratrol with other phytochemicals may provide an extraordinary potential for preventing obesity and osteoporosis. These phytochemical synergies may make possible novel safe, potent and efficacious therapies." Be sure to include resveratrol (25 to 50 mg per day) in your dietary arsenal to assist weight loss and boost metabolism and to prevent bone loss.

Article References:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/...
http://www.wellnessresources.com/we...
http://www.wellnessresources.com/st...

Friday, May 27, 2011

Revolutionary Nutraceutical Addresses an Unfilled Gap in Postmenopausal Bone Health

Ostera™: Revolutionary Nutraceutical Addresses an Unfilled Gap in Postmenopausal Bone Health

San Clemente, CA (March 9, 2009) — Metagenics, Inc. said today that it has launched a new nutraceutical called Ostera. This unique nutritional supplement supports the special needs of postmenopausal women, whose bone health may be affected by declining estrogen levels.*

Ostera is formulated to target bone remodeling, the normal lifelong process whereby old or damaged bone tissue is replaced by new bone tissue.

Conventional approaches to postmenopausal bone health may have adverse affects or not be well-tolerated. By contrast, Ostera is a gentle, all-natural formula without reported serious adverse effects.

Ostera is intended to complement natural bone mineralization support products, such as calcium and other minerals.* Its active ingredients are:
· Extracts from berberine and rho iso-alpha acids from hops — key botanical compounds shown to beneficially influence key markers of bone remodeling. In postmenopausal women, a decline in estrogen levels can contribute to changes in bone remodeling, where the rate of bone breakdown outpaces the rate of new bone formation.*
· Vitamin K – necessary for the metabolism of bone proteins crucial to bone integrity.*
· Vitamin D – associated with healthy bone formation and bone mineralization.*

Ostera was developed using Metagenics’ proprietary nutraceutical development model called the ExpresSyn® process. This exclusive model combines cellular research, safety evaluations, human ex vivo research, and clinical research. Through the ExpresSyn Process, Metagenics researchers have discovered a new generation of natural ingredients, such as acacia and hops, which function at the cellular level as selective kinase response modulators (SKRMs).*

Clinical research included a randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled study in which 77 postmenopausal women with low estrogen were placed on a lifestyle change program that included a Mediterranean-style, low-glycemic-load diet and 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. The participants in the “Ostera arm” received the supplement twice daily for twelve weeks following a two-week run-in phase. The participants in the “control arm” received a placebo.

According to Joseph J. Lamb, MD, Metagenics Director of Intramural Clinical Research, “The Ostera arm reported no serious adverse affects and showed greater improvement in key biomarkers of bone remodeling.”* These biomarkers included:
· Osteocalcin (OC), an indicator of the rate of bone remodeling. A lower level of serum OC, moving towards reference range, is associated with a slower rate of bone breakdown in postmenopausal women. The Ostera arm displayed a statistically significant reduction in serum OC, while the control arm displayed an increase.*
· Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a recognized marker of bone formation and important in the maintenance of a healthy skeleton. IGF-1 declines after menopause. Both arms displayed a statistically significant increase in serum IGF-1; however the Ostera arm showed a greater average increase.*
· Vitamin D, which influences bone formation and is critical for calcium absorption to facilitate mineralization. The Ostera arm displayed a statistically significant increase in vitamin D status. The control arm displayed a decrease.*
· OC/Urinary N-telopeptide of type 1 procollagen (NTx), a marker of bone resorption. Ostera arm participants with high baseline NTx levels displayed a statistically significant reduction in serum OC. Control arm participants with high baseline NTx levels displayed an increase in serum OC.*

“Early on, we identified a need for a clinically tested, all-natural formula to support healthy bone remodeling,” said Lamb. “We believe Ostera fills that gap, thereby providing a further degree of support to postmenopausal women for whom bone mineralization support products, such as calcium and other minerals, may not be enough.” As with all Metagenics nutritional formulas, Ostera is only available through licensed health care practitioners.

Individuals interested obtaining Ostera should contact their health care professionals.

About Metagenics, Inc. Metagenics, headquartered in San Clemente, CA, is a global life sciences company focused on reversing chronic illness and improving health. Founded in 1983, the company serves tens of thousands of health care professionals and more than a million patients throughout the world and holds more than 40 propriety formula patents for use in nutraceucials, medical foods, and pharmaceuticals. Today, Metagenics continues its leadership role by successfully merging the disciplines of nutritional genomics, functional medicine, and therapeutic lifestyle change programs to find solutions to society’s most pressing health concerns.

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