Creatine Protects Athletes from Dehydration and Injury

In this important study 72 college football players were given Creatine monohydrate supplementation or placebo for four months. The athletes taking Creatine had significantly less heat-related problems including dehydration and dizziness, and significantly less muscle tightness, muscle cramping, muscle strain, and significantly fewer injuries than those on placebo. The study is published in the February 2003 issue of the Journal of Athletic Training.

Commentary by Jerry Hickey, R.Ph.

Because the hot weather has arrived I felt it was important to reiterate this previously published study. Some of the other related findings on Creatine include the following:

• Creatine supplementation significantly increased the strength of older men and their ability to perform daily physical tasks versus those on placebo. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, May 2002.
• Elderly men who exercised and took Creatine supplementation had a greater increase in leg strength, power, endurance, and lean muscle mass than elderly men who took placebo and exercised. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, December 2001.

Warning: You Must Quit Smoking Early to Regain Your Full Lifespan

If you are a smoker and you quit at least 15 years before the age of 50, you may regain the two years it is estimated you loose to smoking and you may also retain your health through middle age. The study was based on an analysis by Duke University School of Medicine researchers including almost 21,000 Americans who were 50 years of age or older followed by University of Michigan researchers. The study appears in the June issue of the journal Health Services Research.

Is your Sinus Headache really a Migraine?

According to a Mayo Clinic researcher in Scottsdale, who examined 100 people who thought they suffered from sinus headaches, 63% had migraines and an additional 23% probably had migraines. The study was presented at the 46th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Headache Society.

Dose a Low Carbohydrate Diet Cause Scurvy?

A new study shows that 23% of males aged 25 to 44 and 20% of females' aged 25 to 44 were vitamin C deficient. Smokers had a 400% increased risk of having vitamin C deficiency and those who don't take a vitamin supplement had a 300% increased risk of having vitamin C deficiency. These individuals may actually be suffering from scurvy and may experience bleeding gums, bruising, fatigue, anemia and swelling of the extremities. The researchers postulate this may be due to the current fad for low carbohydrate diets. The study appears in the June issue of the American Journal of Public health.

Resveratrol Inhibits Breast Cancer

A new study indicates that Resveratrol has ability to trigger apoptosis in breast cancer cells. This effect was inhibited when the hormone 17 Beta-estradiol was administered. The study appears in the June 8 British Journal of Cancer, advanced online publication.

Resveratrol Protected Brain Tissue in a Post Stroke Model in Rat Brains

In a brain tissue sample Resveratrol protected and preserved brain tissue in otherwise healthy rats. The study mimicked stroke and post stroke activity. The study was published in the journal Drugs in Experimental and Clinical Research.

Resveratrol May be Protective in the Brain of Alzheimer's Patients

In a study of beta-amyloid, the sticky substance that damages adjacent healthy tissues in the Alzheimer's diseased brain and in Down's syndrome, Resveratrol protected healthy cells from being damaged by beta-amyloid. Adding Catechin to the Resveratrol offered even greater protection (catechins are found in green tea, apple skins red wine and berries. The study appears in the journal Drugs in Experimental and Clinical Research.