Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Diabetes is a very common illness. According to the latest data compiled in 2012, it affects 29 million Americans (1). On average, diabetes cost the United States 245 billion dollars in 2012 alone and this number seems to only be steadily increasing (2). But where …
Healthy gut microbiota and bacteria helps digest food, fight infection, and plays an important role in keeping the immune system healthy. It is influenced by genetics, but more so by diet, stress and other environmental factors. Numerous studies have investigated the claim that intestinal bacteria …
Jun Wang is currently an on-site nutritional consultant at InVite® Heath in Forest Hills and the Bronx. He holds a Masters of Science in Human Nutrition from Columbia University Medical Center.
In about three months, I will became a father for the first time in my life. My wife and I are very excited, yet nervous for the day to come. Maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet is the top priority on the seemingly never ending list most pregnant women have. With a plethora of dietary advice, such as taking more protein, and consuming more fish, calcium, folate, milk and so on, it can be difficult to determine what nutrients are the most important. Thankfully, as a nutritionist, I have conducted my own research and have concluded that there are five essential micronutrients that are required during pregnancy. 
Folate
Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin, naturally found in foods such as leafy dark-green vegetables, yeast, legumes, asparagus, fruits, nuts, orange juice, and beef liver. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, usually found in fortified foods and nutritional supplements. [1] Two major biochemical functions of folate are methionine synthesis and DNA synthesis. The former of those mentioned requires folate as a coenzymes to convert homocysteine to methionine.[1] The latter requires folate in the synthesis of thymidylate and purines, both of which are needed for DNA synthesis. As far as we’re aware, there are products that can benefit the production of folate, which is would we want to achieve.[1] Insufficient intake of folate during preconception and first trimester is associated with higher risk of Neural Tube Defects, including anencephaly and spina bifida (incomplete closure of the neural tube over the brain or spine), since closure normally completes by 28 days after fertilization when pregnancy is not yet recognized. [2] Also, autism spectrum disorder was reduced 38% in women with an intake of 600 ug of folic acid daily.[3] Recommended Dietary Allowances of folate during pregnancy is 600 mcg DFE(Dietary Folate Equivalent)*/day.[1]
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is also a water-soluble B vitamin, naturally found in animal tissues like meat, seafood, poultry, dairy products and eggs. It is required in synthesis of succinyl Co-A, which is needed for metabolism of branched amino acids in proteins (valine, isoleucine and threonine), metabolism of fats and synthesis of hemoglobin. [1] Also, it is a co-factor with folate to convert homocysteine to methionine. Vitamin B12 deficiency during pregnancy can cause infant growth retardation, hypotonia, megaloblastic anemia and reduced brain growth.[4] Recommended Dietary Allowances of vitamin B12 during pregnancy is 2.6 mcg/day.[1]
Click here to read – Study: Vitamin B12 Can Prevent Major Birth Defect
Iron
Iron is a mineral required for red blood cell metabolism, oxygen supply and normal cellular functioning.[1] World Health Organization identifies iron deficiency as the number one nutritional disorder in the world. 24.8% of the world’s population have iron deficiency anemia. [5] Dietary iron has two main forms: heme and nonheme. Heme iron includes lean beef, oysters, clams, turkey and fish. Non-heme iron includes spinach, fortified cereals, instant oatmeal, beans, lentils and soybeans. Pregnant women are among the high need for iron group, because oxygen demand is doubled during pregnancy. Iron deficiency causes pregnant women anemia, which can raise risk for undergrown or preterm babies [6]; reduced hemoglobin, iron and ferritin in cord blood resulting in newborn anemia; delayed infant mental function [7]. Recommended Dietary Allowances of iron during pregnancy is 27 mg/day. [1] Upper limit of iron intake for pregnancy is 45 mg/day, since excessive iron can cause liver damage, dizziness and constipation. [8]
Click here to read – Study: Recent Research on Iron
Iodine
Iodine is a trace element, naturally found in seaweed, dairy products, grain products, egg and iodized salt. It is mainly needed for thyroid hormone synthesis, which increases 50% during pregnancy. [9] Thyroid hormones control metabolic activity, regulate protein synthesis and promote enzyme activity. [1] Iodine deficiency during pregnancy can affect development of skeleton and central nerve system in fetus and child. Also fetus depends on maternal thyroxine supply in early pregnancy before thyroid develops and lack of iodine can result in cretinism, which can cause mental retardation. [9] Recommended Dietary Allowances of iodine during pregnancy is 220 mcg/day. [1] Upper limit of iodine intake is 1100 mcg/day for pregnancy, because excessive iodine can cause goiter and hypothyroidism by inhibiting hormone synthesis. [10]
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, mainly obtained from sun exposure and found in foods such as mushroom, tuna, salmon, sardine, herring, mackerel and fortified foods. It is recently recognized as one of the most important micronutrients in the body, which involves calcium homeostasis, bone formation and growth, cell proliferation and differentiation, immune function, gene expression, hormone secretion and brain growth.[1] Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy can cause rickets and failure of mineralization of teeth and bones in newborn and osteomalacia in mother.[11] Also, lower maternal serum vitamin D is correlated with both maternal insulin resistance and lower APGAR(Appearance Pulse Grimace Activity Respiration) scores of newborns.[12] Recommended Dietary Allowances of vitamin D during pregnancy is 600 IU/day. Upper limit of vitamin D intake is 4,000 IU/day. However, several studies conclude that daily intake of 4,000 IU is necessary and safe for pregnant women to achieve a healthy level of Vitamin D and prevent complications of its deficiency. [13][14]
Click here for more information about the benefits of Vitamin D!
Consuming natural food is the optimal choice to receive all of these nutrients. However, a high quality of dietary supplements can be complementary to guarantee the sufficient daily intake of these five essential micronutrients during pregnancy.
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You have probably know or have seen someone whose skin looks very discolored – whiter patches of skin in some areas than their normal skin tone. This a non-contagious skin condition called vitiligo that affects about 2 million people in the United States. What is …
As recently reported by our very own Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND, in the United States, many develop serious eye conditions, one of the most common being cataracts. Cataracts are a “clouding” of the lens of the eye that develops into a white area that can …
I found a small pipe lying on the ground in my backyard. It was old, discolored and brittle. Years of rain, sun and exposure caused it to rust; the rust is caused by oxidation. With every breath we expose ourselves to this same oxygen and its’ a double-edged sword (biochemically speaking). What breathes life into our bodies will eventually cause damage. Oxidative damage occurs as a byproduct of energy use and a little oxidation is okay and even useful. However, when the fates conspire against us as in aging or disease, and our available pool of antioxidants (the antidotes to oxidation) are in decline the situation potentially becomes dangerous. Oxygen-free radicals literally strip the electrons out of tissues in our heart, brain, eyes and other tissues (picture this; the bubbling, dissolving of tissue caused by spilling acid on our skin is just a massive stripping of electrons off of your cells). Oxidative damage has been linked at least to some degree, to most if not all disease processes including heart disease, heart attack and stroke, dementia, nerve damage and diabetes.
Powerful antioxidants are the solution that help restore normalcy to cellular and metabolic functions, supporting health at the molecular level. When we have enough antioxidants, we’re protected from damaging free radicals looking to “steal” parts of our cells away.
When antioxidants are present, free radicals get broken down and stabilized, and cannot damage our body parts. Antioxidants are the “superheroes” of our body, and one in particular, SOD, is the lead hero! The name says it all – SOD stands for SuperOxide Dismutase, and it is an enzyme that breaks down superoxide. Superoxide free radical is a byproduct of oxygen metabolism (energy use), and if not regulated causes many types of damage to our tissue; it is the main toxic free radical in our cells.
But our cells release Superoxide Dismutase; it’s their way of protecting themselves. SOD’s ability to neutralize free radical damage and diffuse the inflammation that follows is one of our strongest weapons against aging and disease.
Previously, SOD supplements were available but they contained gluten from wheat. Gluten comes from the Latin word for glue and in general it is hard to digest. However, for some people gluten is very toxic causing horrible symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea and fatigue. Additionally, many not gluten-sensitive people feel better when they limit its intake. The next generation of SOD supplements, called Extramel, is derived from melon and is free of gluten. This makes it an ideal supplement to help support optimal health without any limiting factors.
Research on Extramel SOD reveals widespread benefits. Several studies have demonstrated the intriguing link between stress which causes oxidative damage – and this results in aches and pains, fatigue and sleep issues. In a 2009 study, a dose of 140 SOD units (10 mg) was shown to significantly reduce the signs and symptoms of perceived stress and fatigue by 30% among people who felt daily stress. Within a short time, just four-weeks, the study participants felt better and more energetic, had fewer aches and pains, were sleeping better, were less cross and had improved focus and attitudes. Stress impacts digestion, immunity, inflammatory responses, brain chemistry, memory functions, and metabolism due to its effects on many biochemical pathways. By supporting the cells’ ability to withstand stress with SOD, the body benefits as a whole. In a more recent study in 2014, Extramel SOD was shown to reduce feelings of stress and also improve cognitive functions by nearly 14% and the effect was long lasting. This is particularly significant, because the placebo effect in the control group lasted just 7 days. SOD protects us from stress-induced physical damage, which can deplete the very same nutrients we need to respond adequately to stress.
Supplementing with SOD to reduce oxidative stress and eliminating the oxidative damage that accompanies it has a powerful impact on the rate of aging. SOD plays a vital role in slowing aging when someone has chronic stress. This stress can be mental, physical or due to the environment. Oxidative damage has the potential to damage our tissues and organs severe enough to kill the cell. When many cells perish at once, the rate of aging is accelerated. Oxidative damage is physically stressful on the body, which compounds mental stress and diminishes energy and normal coping mechanisms. With a steady intake of SOD, the cells have a “superhero” defender to essentially martyr itself to protect us from cellular damage. Considering the amount of stress the average person feels, and also the amount of oxygen we are exposed to, SOD helps us age slower and potentially live longer. When stress or just life in general starts to chip away at your vitality, choose Extramel SOD to help your body and mind not just survive, but thrive.
References:
1. Maier CM1, Chan PH. Role of superoxide dismutases in oxidative damage and neurodegenerative disorders. Neuroscientist. 2002 Aug;8(4):323-34.
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superoxide_dismutase
3. Milesi, Marie-Anne, et al. Effect of an oral supplementation with a proprietary melon juice concentrate (Extramel®) on stress and fatigue in healthy people: a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Nutr J. 2009; 8: 40.
4. Carillon J, et al; Dietary supplementation with a superoxide dismutase-melon concentrate reduces stress, physical and mental fatigue in healthy people: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Nutrients. 2014 Jun19;6(6):2348-59.
5. Van Raamsdonk, Jeremy Michael, and Siegfried Hekimi. “Superoxide dismutase is dispensable for normal animal lifespan.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 109.15 (2012): 5785-5790.