Studies highlight importance of vitamin D, Indian ginseng with milk and omega-3
WASHINGTON The Dietary Supplement Information Bureau, now part of the Natural Products Foundation, on Tuesday issued a research update covering September that included studies on vitamin D, Indian ginseng with milk and omega-3.
According to an article by Sylvia Christakos of the New Jersey Medical School, vitamin D, the principal regulator of calcium in the body, may help prevent the production of malignant cells such as breast and prostate cancer cells and protect against specific autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis.
The article cited research finding the incidence of MS decreases as the amount of vitamin D available to the body increases, either through sunlight exposure or diet. The article also reported MS is “for the most part, unknown in equatorial regions” and the prevalence of the disease is lower in areas where fish consumption is high. The study is available online in the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry.
A team of American researchers recently examined whether drinking whole cows’ milk with Indian ginseng can increase the body’s white blood cells, a factor that can help boost immunity. The study was led by Heather Zwickey of the National College of Natural Medicine’s Helfgott Research Institute, Portland, Ore.
Test subjects who consumed a milk and ginseng concoction were found to have a statistically significant overall increase in the level of white blood cell activation. The team’s findings were presented during the 23rd annual meeting of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians held in Phoenix in mid-August. The full findings of the study will be published this fall.
And a study conducted by a team from Kronos Longevity Research Institute found a diet high in omega-3 fat improves insulin sensitivity and reduces inflammatory markers, but does not alter endocrine responsiveness in older adults. Consuming a diet high in omega-3s was found to significantly improve insulin sensitivity, reduce triglycerides in women and reduce free fatty acids in men.