A new study shows that fish oil combined with strength training boosted muscle strength beyond the benefits of exercise alone. Researchers found strength training increased muscle strength in elderly women, but adding fish oils supplements caused even greater improvements in muscle strength and functional capacity.

The researchers believe that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil plays a role in the plasma membrane and cell function of muscles, which may enhance the benefits of training.

In this study, 45 women (aged 64 ± 1.4 y) were randomly assigned to three groups. One group performed strength training only for three months, whereas the others performed the same strength-training program and received 2 grams per day of fish oil supplementation for three months or for five months.

The peak torque and rate of torque development for all muscles (knee flexor and extensor, plantar and dorsiflexor) increased from pre- to post training in all groups. However, the researchers found that the effect was greater in the groups that supplemented with the fish oil.

As always, scientists are cautiously optimistic with the findings. “Other studies involving a larger sample and other combinations of training and supplementation period are required,” they write in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Published Jan 4, 2012).

Featured Products

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega Sport

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega line is an award winning product line that seems to be recognized year after year. In 2011, for the fifth consecutive year, Vitamin Retailer magazine has recognized Nordic Naturals with its Vity Award, honoring the industry’s best-selling products based on a nationwide survey of health food stores. In 2010, Better Nutrition honored Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega-D3™ as the best supplement in the Essential Fatty Acids category. In 2009, Whole Foods magazine’s annual award honored Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega for being voted as the best-selling supplement by natural products retailers.

So what’s all the buzz about? The simple answer is excellent value for the money and high reliable quality products as certified by independent 3rd party lab results on every single batch. Given that this is a product consumed by millions on a daily basis, even small amounts of toxins can have a cumulative effect. Hence purity is one of the major concerns of fish oil supplements and Nordic Naturals has gone well beyond establish limits of purity to deliver you product with virtually no detectable levels of heavy metals as seen below.

Similarly levels of Dioxins, PCBs are also undetectable. The purity levels as tested by independent third party labs shows that Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega is at least 750 times purer than fish!

Apart from award winning purity, freshness, which ensures product integrity and biological efficacy is another key quality of fish oils. The peroxide values (indicators of freshness) well below the European Pharmacopoeia Standard limits. The lower the peroxide value, the fresher the fish oil. Finally the concentration of omega-3 fatty acids is an important indicator of the usefulness of a product. Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega is one of the best concentrated fish oil supplement that is affordable with a typical cost of $20 per month. It meets the American Heart Association recommendation of 1 gm of EPA+DHA for people with risk of heart disease.

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega Sport became the first omega-3 fish oil to get NSF certification. According to Adolpho Birch, NFL Vice President of Law and Labor Policy, “We are pleased that Nordic Naturals has met the stringent criteria required to participate in the NFL/NFLPA Sports Nutrition Label Certification Program. They have demonstrated their commitment to the NFL and its players and shown leadership in the supplement industry.” Stacy Robinson, Director of Player Development, NFL Players Association, states, “Nordic Naturals’ participation is a true indication that they understand the importance of players having access to nutritional products that are safe and transparent.”

With these features together, it is no surprise that this is a best seller in the category year after year! Shop our entire line of Ultimate Omega products – we have had to create an entire category for this highly successful line.

The population of older adults is currently increasing faster than younger people. The United Nations projects that by 2020 there will be more people in the world over 65 years old than under 5 years old—for the first time in human history. This global trend is also true for the United States in particular. Data from the 2010 Census shows that the 45–54 population grew over 30% in the last 10 years, and now constitutes over 26% of the U.S. population. What this means is that in just a few years approximately one in three Americans will be over age 50.

Increased Micronutrient Needs

Many older adults do not receive recommended amounts of micronutrients from dietary intake alone. There is a wide variety of reasons for this increased nutritional risk, including:

• Total food intake has been shown to progressively decrease with age. Even with this decrease, macronutrient status typically remains in the adequate range. Intake of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), however, often falls below adequate levels.

• The physiological changes of the aging process result in less bioavailability of nutrients by reducing the body’s ability to synthesize, digest, and/or metabolize those nutrients.

• 85% of older adults have at least one chronic disease that affects the absorption, transport, metabolism, and elimination of nutrients.

• Most older adults take one or more prescription medications, which can suppress appetite, increase metabolism, and/or promote malabsorption of nutrients.

• Hospitalization, institutionalization, and/or home care can also interfere with nutrition. It has been estimated that greater than 50% of hospitalized adults 65 years of age or older are malnourished or at risk for becoming malnourished, and that 20–60% of home care patients and 40–85% of nursing home residents are malnourished.

Aside from a high-quality, bioavailable multiple vitamin/mineral complex, the following specific nutrients are particularly important for older and aging adults:

• Vitamin A is required for healthy vision and immune function.

• Vitamin C can prevent oxidative damage and also facilitate the absorption of iron.

• Vitamin D is important in this population because the capacity to synthesize vitamin D in the skin is reduced in older adults.

• Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, and requires adequate biliary and pancreatic function for optimal absorption.

• Vitamin K plays a key role in blood clotting, bone health, and the regulation of a variety of enzymatic reactions in the body.

• Vitamin B12 deficiency affects about 30% of people 60 years of age or older. Folate is required for the metabolism of nucleic and amino acids, as well as DNA repair.

• Calcium, together with vitamin D, is crucial in this population to support and maintain bone mass.

• Magnesium is crucial for maintaining healthy muscle function and lean tissue mass, as well as bone mineral content, in older adults.

• Zinc is particularly important in this population because immune function decreases with age, and even a mild zinc deficiency can compromise immune health and function.

Oxylent multivitamin supplement drink not only provides a comprehensive panel of high quality nutrients required for optimal health in older adults, but Oxylent also uniquely offers an effervescent delivery form that offers nearly 100% bioavailability—a crucial consideration for older adults given the prevalence of compromised absorption in this population.

REFERENCES
1. [online] http://www.un.org/esa/population/. Accessed 6/30/2011.
2. [online] http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-03.pdf. Accessed 6/30/2011.
3. Marian M, Sacks D. Nutr Clin Pract 2009 24:179–195.
4. Johnson KA, Bernard MA, Funderburg K. Clin Geriatr Med 2002 18:773–799.
5. Toffanello ED, Inelmen EM, Minicuci N, et al. J Nutr Health Aging 2011 15(2):99–103.
1 877 OXYLENT (1.877.699.5368) | sales@oxylent.com | oxylent.com
© 2011 Vitalah
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
References available at oxylent.com This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Suboptimal omega-3 levels may contribute to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and related developmental problems. Associations between omega-3 and learning and behaviour were investigated in 75 children aged 7-12 with ADHD. Children provided blood samples and underwent cognitive assessments.  36% of the children with learning difficulties had lower DHA than those without.

In Australia, a group of 75 children, ages 7 to12, underwent cognitive assessments. Students with higher levels of omega 3EPA/DHA (marine sourced fatty acids) reported less anxiety and better word recall compared to children with high omega-6 levels (the type of fats found in fast food and processed foods) who had measurable attention deficits that correlated to lower reading and spelling levels.

The study from Australia is just one of several reports indicating that omega-3 with EPA and DHA found in fatty fish and fish oil are important for good cognitive functioning. The long and uniquely flexible omega 3 EPA /DHA chains are indispensable for the proper nutrient exchange across the cell membrane and help with the transmission of signals in the brain.

This study is the first to compare blood level of Omega-3 in children who have ADHD with and without learning difficulties, and supports emerging indications that the former may be more likely responders to omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA.

Source:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21828168
J Child Health Care. 2011 Aug 9. [Epub ahead of print]
Polyunsaturated fatty acids, cognition and literacy in children with ADHD with and without learning difficulties.

Milte CM, Sinn N, Buckley JD, Coates AM, Young RM, Howe PR.

Nutritional Physiology Research Centre, University of South Australia, Australia.

Carlson Niacin Time (500 mg)

Carlson Niacin Time (500 mg) – No flush/ time release is finally back in stock. This product always seems to be in short supply, so hurry and get your supply while it lasts.

Niacin is a type of B vitamin. It is water-soluble, which means it is not stored in the body. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. Leftover amounts of the vitamin leave the body through the urine. That means you need a continuous supply of such vitamins in your diet.

Niacin is involved in the proper metabolism of fat and fat-like substances such as cholesterol and often prescribed as a treatment for elevated total cholesterol, high trigylcerides and other types of lipid disorders. However, Niacin taken in a single 500mg dose often causes flushing or itching.

Carlson Niacin-Time contains niacin prepared by a patented method to minimize these unpleasant side effects. With many people there is absolutely no flush, and the amount needed is sometimes less than needed with other forms of Niacin. Each Niacin-Time tablet provides a gradual release of 500mg over a period of 5 to 7 hours for sustained absorption. See more details.

BRATTLEBORO, V.T.—New Chapter Inc. introduced three Wholemega® fish oils: Wholemega Cardio, Wholemega Flex and Wholemega Focus. Wholemega Cardio, Flex and Focus combine tonic herbs with whole fish oil to maximize the properties of both. Each new formula combines a clinical dose of Wholemega Whole Fish Oil with full-spectrum herbs.

The Wholemega line includes:

• Wholemega Cardio: Combines all-natural, pure 100-percent wild Alaskan salmon oil with tonic herbs that support heart health. Whole fish oil is combined with targeted heart-supporting herbs such as hibiscus, artichoke and turmeric, which support healthy arteries and cardiovascular inflammation response.

• Wholemega Flex: Whole omegas like those in Wholemega Flex help reduce exercise-related pain, stiffness and joint tenderness. Combined with tonic herbs, including rose hips, turmeric and ginger, which support healthy joint and cartilage function, Wholemega Flex provides a joint-health formula with natural ingredients that work together to promote a healthy inflammation response and normal cartilage production.

• Wholemega Focus: Combines all-natural, pure whole fish oil with tonic herbs that target brain, mood and stress support. The whole omega fatty acids in Wholemega Focus support healthy brain function, helping to restore a natural balance of omega-3 to omega-6. Brain supporting lemon balm, sage and holy basil help the body maintain calm and a positive mood by supporting alertness, contentedness and overall well-being.

Kenai Peninsula Wild Alaskan Salmon

Nordic Naturals Kenai Wild™ Alaskan Salmon Oil

Nordic Naturals Kenai Wild™ Alaskan Salmon Oil starts with the highest-quality, exclusive raw material available—Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified Kenai Wild™ Alaskan salmon.

Through a gentle purification process, impurities such as arsenic, PCBs, and mercury are removed to lowest possible levels. The result of the gentle purification process is the first salmon oil that surpasses all national and international standards for purity, with arsenic levels up to 40 times lower than other leading salmon oil brands—every batch is third-party tested to guarantee it.

The Dr. Oz Show Features Perfect Calm on Monday, March 21st.
TUNE IN HERE to check your local listings.

Finding Your Perfect Balance:  How Do You Experience Stress?

As individuals, we differ not only in what we perceive to be stressful, but in how we experience stress. Some people experience stress in the form of worry, tension, irritability, inability to focus and/or difficulty sleeping. These people are clearly in need of more calming influences, however, sometimes the people who need more calm don’t even realize it. On the other end of the spectrum are individuals who experience stress as fatigue, low energy, lack of motivation, and/or muscle soreness. These people have burned the candle at both ends for too long and are experiencing an energy deficit. Although they may be tempted to reach for stimulants like caffeine, they will only feel worse when they experience the crash that comes later as their energy deficit worsens. These people don’t just need more energy, they need sustained energy support that can only come from an improvement in mitochondrial function.

I Need More Calm . . .

Perfect Calm is the ideal organic whole-food multivitamin herbal and nutrient formula for those seeking to address daily stress, enhance calm and overall well-being. It is the first and only multi to feature the long revered anti-stress herb Supercritical Holy Basil, which has been shown in scientific studies to modulate cortisol and ease a worried mind. Chamomile and Lemon Balm offer additional soothing effects by promoting healthy levels of calming neurotransmitters. A complete multi, Perfect Calm provides a combination of 25 whole-food vitamins and minerals formulated to promote optimal health while targeting the nutrients your body needs most during times of stress, like whole-food complexed Vitamins B and C. Perfect Calm also contains cultured, organic herbal blends to provide immune and digestive support — two important functions that can be affected by high levels of stress.

Month-long campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits

CHICAGO – As trends continue to indicate Americans are interested in improving their diets and leading more healthful lifestyles, the American Dietetic Association reminds everyone that an easy way to focus on eating better is to “Eat Right with Color,” which is this year’s theme of National Nutrition Month^®. Each March, ADA focuses attention on returning to the basics of healthy eating. This year’s National Nutrition Month theme encourages consumers to remember to include a colorful variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy on their plates every day.

“The American Dietetic Association is committed to improving the nation’s health, and one of the ways we do this is by providing science-based nutrition information to consumers in a way that’s easy to understand and apply to their everyday lives,” said registered dietitian and ADA President Judith C. Rodriguez. “National Nutrition Month offers a great opportunity to focus people’s attention on a universal theme that cuts through the clutter of information and gets back to the principles of a healthful diet.”

Initiated in 1973 as a week-long event, “National Nutrition Week” became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition. Additionally, to commemorate the dedication of RDs as advocates for advancing the nutritional status of Americans and people around the world, the second Wednesday of March has been designated “Registered Dietitian Day.” This year marks the fourth annual Registered Dietitian Day.

The recently released 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend an increased focus on a plant-based diet. This combined with including lean meats, fish and poultry, and low-fat milk and dairy products creates a rainbow of colors on the plate that serve as the foundation for a healthful eating plan.

“The Dietary Guidelines provide a great base for directing the eating patterns of Americans. The expertise of registered dietitians can translate the Guidelines into easy, actionable and personal information that can be used to develop a healthful eating plan that is right for the individual,” Rodriguez said. “ADA encourages all Americans to take time during National Nutrition Month to look at their eating patterns and begin to make the small improvements that, over time, add up to significant health benefits.”

As part of this public education campaign, ADA’s National Nutrition Month website includes a variety of helpful tips, fun games, promotional tools and nutrition education resources, all designed to spread the message of good nutrition around the “Eat Right with Color” theme.

WorldofOmega goes Red on Feb. 4! Also offering additional 5% off on heart health products with coupon womheart (expires Feb. 14th, 2011).

Heart disease has probably touched you or someone you know. The American Heart Association is calling every one of us to make it our mission to fight heart disease and stop the No. 1 killer in North America. Go Red for someone you love.

Some facts:

• 90% of women have 1 or more risk factors for developing heart disease
• More than 82 million American adults are estimated to have 1 or more types of cardiovascular disease. That is 1 in 3 people
• On average 2200 Americans die of cardiovascular disease every day, average of 1 death every 39 seconds
• Heart Disease is No. 1 cause of death among women 20 and older, killing about 1 woman every minute
• More women die of heart disease than the next 4 causes of death including all forms of Cancer.

Learn more how you can participate at: http://www.americanheart.org & http://www.goredforwomen.org/

Nordic Naturals, the industry leader in omega-3 fish oil recently received a prestigious gold award this year for its Children’s DHA from alive Magazine. The alive Awards promote and recognize outstanding product innovation while enhancing the credibility of natural health products. Since 1994, these prestigious gold, silver, and bronze awards have been presented to manufacturers for the best consumer products in a variety of natural health categories.

The gold winner in “Children’s Products”, Children’s DHA is Canada’s leading fish oil product for children, and has been a favorite among children and their families for many years. Made entirely from Arctic cod liver oil, Children’s DHA is rich in the omega-3 DHA, essential for the proper function of the brain, eyes, nervous, and immune systems. Easily swallowed or chewed by children three and over, this product is available in strawberry-flavored liquid or chewable soft gels. Children’s DHA also contains healthy levels of 100% natural vitamins A and D.

Vitamin D recommended daily intake (RDI) was largely increased for all populations in North America by the U.S. government panel in charge of setting recommended daily intake levels for vitamins.

Specifically, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report advocated a doubling of vitamin D intake for infants (to 400 IU), a tripling of vitamin D intake for those between ages 1 and 50 (to 600 IU), a 50 percent hike in those ages 51 to 70 (to 600 IU), and a 33 percent increase for those older than 71 years old (to 800 IU). The IOM panel also doubled the upper safety level, to 4,000 IU/day.

The committee reviewed about 1,000 published studies, and concluded that vitamin D along with calcium are vital for maintaining bone health.

On calcium, the report said post-menopausal women should be cautious about calcium intake over concerns about kidney stones, though they advocated adolescent girls are most in need and should increase their calcium intake to 1,300 mg/day.

Source:  http://www.iom.edu/Activities/Nutrition/DRIVitDCalcium.aspx

Additional Resources:  http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-QuickFacts

Vitalah, creators of Oxylent, announces its collaboration with the American Pregnancy Association (APA) with a shared mission of supporting women and their developing babies. As the official prenatal multivitamin of the APA, Prenatal Oxylent is an innovative and great-tasting way for women to receive vital nutrients for preconception, pregnancy and lactation through a high quality vitamin/mineral supplement specially formulated for pregnancy and postpartum. Prenatal Oxylent uses a unique revolutionary effervescent delivery system, which offers exceptional absorption of vital nutrients. Naturally sweetened with stevia, Prenatal Oxylent powder can be added to 6 – 8 oz of water, over ice for a great-tasting, nutritious, hydrating drink in delicious Sparkling Cranberry Raspberry flavor. The product contains no gluten, lactose, caffeine, sugar, artificial flavor or color.

The American Pregnancy Association is a leading non-profit organization in the United States that is committed to promoting reproductive and pregnancy wellness through education, research, advocacy and community awareness. Resources for pregnant and lactating women and their families can be found at www.americanpregnancy.org.

“It is an honor to collaborate with the APA and contribute to their educational initiatives,” announced Lisa Lent, Founder and CEO. “As an innovative company, we understand that women have many choices when it comes to supplementation during the reproductive years. We are pleased to offer a safe and unique, high quality alternative that provides important nutrients in a great tasting effervescent drink form that promotes absorbability.”

According to Brad Imler, Ph.D., President of the American Pregnancy Association, “We welcome Vitalah to our organization because we know that the company is devoted to safety and purity through quality ingredients and third party testing.”

Vitalah also offers effervescent multivitamin products formulated especially for adults and children.

Vitalah was founded by Lisa Lent as an “invitation to health” born from her passion to create a “healthy” travel experience. Her brand, Oxylent, is a premiere, unique blend of high quality, essential nutrients that creates a synergistic environment enabling the body to function at peak levels. Oxylent was named one of the top ten best new products of 2009 by Vitamin Retailer magazine and recipient of the 2010 Best of Supplement Award (BOSA) by Better Nutrition magazine. When you purchase Oxylent, you help support Vitamin Angels—a global organization that provides under-nourished children with nutritional supplements. To learn more, see www.oxylent.com or call 877.699.5368 (877.OXYLENT).

Ultimate Omega Sport

Nordic Naturals, the industry leader in omega-3 fish oil, has created the ultimate fitness solution for sports enthusiasts with Ultimate Omega Sport™ — concentrated fish oil for high intensity support. It has been used in clinical trials with professional athletes and proven to be free of athletic-banned substances.

Ultimate Omega Sport is the first omega-3 fish oil worldwide to be included in the NSF Certified for Sports Program, which provides certified products with an approved symbol on the packaging. The Certification Program’s rigorous testing and certification process ensures that the product fully complies with current NSF standards and that athletes can enjoy Nordic Naturals’ Ultimate Omega Sport fish oil without unknowingly consuming banned or prohibited substances or their metabolites.

According to neurosurgeon Dr. Joseph Maroon, “Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega Sport provides the best source of omega-3s for athletes in training. As a neurosurgeon I have seen the benefits of this powerful omega-3 fish oil in my practice and as an endurance athlete myself.”

Ultimate Omega Sport provides highly concentrated omega-3s, packing 1,650 mg of EPA+DHA per serving and delivers these important benefits:

• Promotes heart health
• Supports the body’s natural anti-inflammatory response
• Supports respiration and circulation
• Promotes mental performance and focus
• Supports healthy metabolism

“My clinical research with patients and with professional football players clearly indicates the importance of fish oil for athletes and sports participants. Key results include joint support as well as improved heart health. We chose Nordic Naturals for this research because of its superior reputation,” adds Dr. Maroon.

New Chapter

We are excited to introduce New Chapter Organics. New Chapter philosophy is that nourishment, protection and health come from a whole food complex with no synthetic chemical isolates. Recently, New Chapter announced that its multivitamins are the first in the nation to achieve Non-GMO Project Verification.  New Chapter has long been committed to rooting out Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), and is now demonstrating that commitment by pursuing Non-GMO Project verification for its entire line of whole-food vitamins, minerals and herbs. Over 75% of New Chapter’s products have already been granted Verified status by the Non-GMO Project.

New Chapter is the first and only vitamin and supplement company to have achieved this extraordinary breadth of verification. New Chapter is proud to be the leading advocate of the non-GMO movement within the dietary supplement industry.

Key highlights of New Chapter products:

• The first full line of whole-food complex vitamins and minerals certified to be made with organic ingredients.
• The first full line of probiotic nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
• The first national brand to deliver a wholly natural, herbal and clinically-tested approach to inflammation response.
• The first full line of organic mushroom supplements to assure potency — New Chaper’s Lifeshield® Mushrooms.
• The first company to utilize a Supercritical Extraction Process for herbal therapeutics that uses no hexane or solvents, producing a wholeness of herbal extract that was unprecedented at its introduction — and still rare today.

Being whole food vitamins, minerals and herbs allows for better absorption by the body. New Chapter’s whole food complex vitamins and minerals are rich with naturally occurring phytonutrients that deliver the full spectrum of nature’s benefits. Learn more about this product line.