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Pregnancy and Vitamin D Status
NanoGreens 10 Studied In Hypertension
Parabens May Be Linked To Breast Cancer
Pregnancy and Vitamin D Status
Pregnant woman in the Northern United States are not obtaining enough vitamin D, even when they are taking their prenatal vitamins faithfully, according to a study in the Journal of Nutrition.1 Vitamin D deficiency in the womb or in early life is associated with skeletal abnormalities, insulin dependent diabetes, and schizophrenia. Vitamin D is also necessary for a healthy, robust immune system. Vitamin D is made by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. It is also obtained from dairy foods, fish, eggs and cod liver oil.
Researchers in the study of 400 pregnant women defined a "deficient" and an "insufficient" vitamin D status based upon blood levels. Deficiency is more serious that insufficiency. The results in the table below are a cause for concern.
Vitamin D Status At Delivery1
| Vitamin D Status |
Deficient |
Insufficient |
| Black Women |
29.2% |
54.1% |
| Black Babies |
45.6% |
46.8% |
| White Women |
5% |
42% |
| White Babies |
9.7% |
56.4% |
According to the authors of the study "higher dose supplementation is needed to improve maternal and neonatal vitamin D nutriture."
Living in northern latitudes, avoidance of the sun in warmer months and use of sunscreens contribute to lower levels of vitamin D. People with darker skin make less vitamin D than people with lighter skin when exposed to the same amount and intensity of sunlight.
Vitamin D researchers are not sure how high to dose vitamin D supplements in pregnancy. For now it is presumed that 1,000 units a day are safe, however, we advise that you ask your doctor what levels are right for you.
For more information about vitamin D check out the website of the Vitamin D Council.
1) Lisa M. Bodnar, Hyagriv N. Simhan, et al. High Prevalence of Vitamin D Insufficiency in Black and White Pregnant Women Residing in the Northern United States and Their Neonates. J. Nutr. 137:447-452, February 2007 (abstract)
NanoGreens Studied In Hypertension
The manufacturers of NanoGreens 10 conducted a small study of their own to see if taking the nutrient dense food supplement lowered blood pressure. The study included 40 people, 20 of whom were given two scoops per day of NanoGreens 10. The remaining 20 subjects did not take the supplement. Although this study does not have the rigor of a pharmaceutical drug study in size and statistical analysis, it is interesting because NanoGreens consumption may be considered a lazy person's way of complying with the DASH diet, which recommends consuming high amounts of fruits and vegetables to lower blood pressure. NanoGreens 10 is rich in phytonutrients from plant foods.
Among the subjects taking NanoGreens, there was, on average, a decrease in systolic blood pressure of 12.4 mm Hg and in diastolic blood pressure of 7.1 mm Hg. The control group had no change in blood pressure.
Reference:
BioPharma Scientific Report - Hypertension and Green Phytonutrient -Rich Fruit & Vegetable Supplementation.
Parabens May Be Linked To Breast Cancer
Parabens are a class of chemical compounds widely used as preservatives in cosmetics. Preliminary research indicates that parabens may be connected to breast cancer. Parabens are reported to have estrogen like properties and are thought to be absorbed through the skin. According to a report in the Journal of Applied Toxicology parabens have been found in breast cancer tumors.1
You can find a list of cosmetics that do not contain parabens on the website Think Before You Pink. In addition to the brands mentioned on this website, a company called Mannatech just came out with a line of preservative free skin care. For more information on Mannatech skin care contact me.
1) Dabre, PD, et al. Concentrations of parabens in human breast tumors. J of Applied Toxicology. 2004 Jan-Feb 24 (1):5-13. (Abstract)
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+These have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This newsletter is for information purposes only, and is not medical advise or prescription. Consult your physician if you are having a health problem. If you are pregnant or nursing or on prescription drugs, consult your physician before taking dietary supplements.
