Vitamin and Supplements

Increasing Our Vitamin D Levels May Reduce Heart Failure Risk

Kathleen Blanchard RN — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 09:11:26 -0600

There is no longer any question about the role of Vitamin D for health maintenance. The ACC (American College of Cardiology) says most of us do not get enough Vitamin D. Increasing our Vitamin D levels my reduce our risk of developing heart failure, according to new research.

Balanced Health Products Recalls Starcaps Dietary Supplement Capsules

ruzik_tuzik — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:13:13 -0600

Balanced Health Products, Inc. is voluntarily recalling STARCAPS DIET SYSTEM DIETARY SUPPLEMENT, Lot 12/2011 – 84810, sold in 30 capsule plastic bottles.

The recall is effective immediately and is being undertaken because this lot of STARCAPS contains an undeclared drug ingredient- Bumetanide – a diuretic available by prescription only. Bumetanide is also not listed on the product label as an ingredient in this product.

The Roundup Of Vitamin Benefits

Toni Brayer MD — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:43:58 -0600

More and more well done studies are being published that evaluate the true benefit of vitamins. The best studies are random, double-blind trials that use enough subjects over a long time.

Here is the latest roundup on Vitamin benefits.

Vitamin E - No benefit for preventing cancer, including colon, esophageal, gastric, pancreatic or liver. No benefit for preventing cardiovascular disease and people who took over 400IU's a day had a higher risk of dying from heart failure and other causes.

Vitamin E plus Selenium - No benefit for prostate cancer and maybe did more harm than good.

FDA Acts To Avoid Shortage, Strengthen Sucraid Safety

ruzik_tuzik — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:41:26 -0600

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued an expedited approval of a supplemental application that allows for changes in the manufacturing of Sucraid (sacrosidase) Oral Solution. The approval will prevent a product shortage by allowing the sole manufacturer of the drug, QOL Medical, to obtain Sucraid's active ingredient from a different manufacturer.

Soviet-Era Dietary Supplement Boosts Immune Activity

ruzik_tuzik — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:14:58 -0600

A recent study on an American-made, Soviet-developed immune formula shows the product has a significant effect on immune function. Among other findings, the study demonstrated that daily administration of Del-Immune V within five days raised a level of circulating interferon up to 4.2+/-0.5 log2 u/ml (P <0.05) against 2.0+/-0.3 log2 u/ml of the controls. Interferons are the body's switches that help cells resist viral infection and provide the initial, crucial response to immune challenges.

Wellesse Introduces Liquid Vitamin D3

ruzik_tuzik — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:14:18 -0600

The health benefits of vitamin D have dominated the headlines recently, and now there's an easy way for the entire family to obtain a daily dose of this very important vitamin. WELLESSE a leading manufacturer of liquid nutritional supplements that support health and wellness, introduces new, natural berry flavored Liquid Vitamin D3.

Government Should Increase Recommended Daily Vitamin D Intake

ruzik_tuzik — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:38:28 -0600

Today, the Indoor Tanning Association (ITA) asked Texas Attorney General, Greg Abbott, why he is suing a local tanning salon owner for claiming that tanning provides vitamin D, when Vitamin D experts at the University of California Riverside are saying the same thing?

Health Canada Warns Against Herbal Dietary Supplements

ruzik_tuzik — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:36:57 -0600

Health Canada is advising consumers not to use the following product listed in the table below due to concerns about possible side-effects.

Product Names:

* Seng Jong Tzu Tong Tan
* Tou Tong San (Headache Formula)
* Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (Du Huo Joint Relief)
* Wu Yao Shun Qi San
* Qing Bi Tang (Nasal Cleanser)
* Zhong Fong Huo Luo Wan (Stroke Revito Formula)
* Xiao Qing Long Tang (Little Green Dragon)
* Ding Chuan Tang (Breathe Smooth)
* Xiao Xu Ming Tang
* Feng Shi Zhi Tong Wan (Joint Relief)
* Guo Min Bi Yan Wan

Two Antioxidant Vitamins Don't Protect Against Heart Disease

ruzik_tuzik — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:53:35 -0600

Vitamins E and C -- antioxidant supplements taken by many American adults -- don't protect against cardiovascular disease when taken individually, according to a long-term study of more than 14,000 male physicians presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2008. Results of the Physician's Health Study II (PHS II) were presented as a late-breaking clinical trial. The study was simultaneously published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Folic Acid Is Not Cardioprotective, Though Safe

ruzik_tuzik — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:36:24 -0600

Folic acid is safe -- but it lacks any cardiovascular benefits -- according to researchers presenting at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2008. The results from the Study of the Effectiveness of Additional Reductions in Cholesterol and Homocysteine (SEARCH), a 12,064-person, randomized study, were presented as a late-breaking clinical trial.