CLA intake improves bone mineral density in postmenopausal women

The diet and supplement intake of 136 healthy, postmenopausal women was calculated. Their bone mineral density was assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. CLA intake was a significant predictor of Ward's triangle (a part of the femur or thigh bone) bone mineral density taking into account years since menopause. The higher CLA intake group had greater bone mineral density in the hip, lumbar spine, and the whole body. Dietary CLA may benefit bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. The study was performed at the University of Connecticut School of Allied Health, Storrs, Ct, and is published in the June 2005 issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.

Adequate Magnesium intake associated with lower levels of CRP (inflammation)

Current dietary guidelines recommend an adequate intake of magnesium (310-420mg a day) to maintain health and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Recent human clinical studies and animal studies show that a lack of magnesium is tied into inflammatory processes. In an analysis of adults older than 17 years of age in a nationally representative survey it was found that 68% of US adults consume less than the RDA of magnesium, and 19% of US adults consumed less than 50% of the RDA. After factoring in other risk factors that cause cardiovascular disease, adults who consumed less than the RDA of magnesium were 48% to 75% more likely to have elevated CRP (C-reactive protein) than adults who consumed the RDA or greater of magnesium each day. Adults over the age of 40 with a body mass index greater than 25 who consumed less than 50% of the RDA for magnesium were 2.24 times more likely to have an elevated CRP than adults consuming the RDA or greater. The study was performed at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, and is published in the June 2005 issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.

Red Grape Antioxidants protect women from cardiovascular disease risk factors

In this study, 24 premenopausal, and 20 postmenopausal women randomly received either Red Grape Antioxidants in powder or a placebo for 4 weeks. Supplementation was stopped for 3 weeks to wash out any effects and then the groups were switched over- grape antioxidant receiving subjects now took placebo, and vice versa. The Grape Antioxidant powder was rich in Anthocyanins (think Grape Seed Extract), Resveratrol, and other Grape Antioxidants. At the end of the study, triglycerides had dropped by 15% in the premenopausal and 6% in the postmenopausal women on the Grape preparation. The Red Grape Polyphenol combination decreased LDL-cholesterol, decreased Apolipoprotein (B) - a protein found in the LDL-cholesterol of women with the family type of very high cholesterol, and decreased Apolipoprotein (E) - a protein whose main function is to transport cholesterol around the body. Interestingly, problems with Lipoprotein (E) genes are involved with the development of Alzheimer's disease and heart disease. Red Grape Polyphenols decreased the excretion of F2 isoprostanes in the urine - F2 isoprostanes are formed when LDL-cholesterol is oxidized and their presence demonstrates that there is ongoing free radical inflammation in the cardiovascular system; a drop in their level is a very good thing. TNF-alpha levels also dropped in the blood stream while on Grape Antioxidants. TNF-Alpha is a major player in inflammation. Through a reduction in blood fats, free radical damage, and inflammation-associated markers, Red Grape Polyphenols beneficially affect key risk factors for developing coronary heart disease in both pre and postmenopausal women. The research was performed at the department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Ct., and the Department of Medicine, Columbia University, NY, NY, and is published in the August 2005 issue of the Journal of Nutrition, the journal of The American Society for Nutritional Sciences