Juice Plus and Cancer Survivors

Many ovarian cancer survivors fail to meet current guidelines for dietary intake. ► A low-fat diet supplemented with encapsulated fruit and vegetable juice concentrates can improve carotenoid levels. ► Encapsulated fruit and vegetable juice concentrates may help bridge the gap between what is consumed and what is needed.
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Susan Silberstein, Executive Director, CACE
Center For Advancement Cancer Education
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Less Salt and More Fruits and Vegetables

New U.S. dietary guidelines: Less salt, more fruits and vegetables
Los Angeles Times Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:56 PM PST
Many Americans need to cut their sodium consumption by half, especially in certain risk groups, officials say. Salt is the latest enemy highlighted in the nation's battle against obesity and poor eating habits, with new federal dietary guidelines calling on Americans to dramatically cut sodium intake, bulk up on fruits and vegetables and drink water instead of sugary beverages.

Everyone 51 and older, all African Americans and people with high blood pressure, diabetes or kidney disease —about half of the American population — should reduce sodium in their diets by more than half, according to the revised guidelines, issued every five years by the federal government.

The new recommendations, stronger in tone than in 2005, are aimed at awakening the public to the links between unhealthy eating and such chronic killers as diabetes, cancer, stroke and heart disease. A majority of American adults and a third of children are overweight or obese.

As an easy reference, the report told Americans to "make half your plate fruits and vegetables," switch to fat-free or low-fat milk and reach for a glass of water instead of sugar-laced drinks.

This time, officials emphasized the high price of poor eating habits: three-fourths of every healthcare dollar is spent on treating chronic diseases related to diet, imposing financial burdens on household budgets, business and government.

Past guidance has been "opaque" and there hasn't been enough focus on "how this impacts us as a nation," said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, whose department co-wrote the guidelines with the Agriculture Department.

The advice on sodium was heavily emphasized

Americans consume an average of about 3,400 milligrams of sodium daily, well above the 2,300 milligrams recommended as a daily upper limit.

The guidelines recommend that the half of the U.S. population in higher-risk groups lower their intake to about 1,500 milligrams.

But that is hard to measure, even for willing consumers, because about 90% of sodium that people consume comes from restaurant or packaged food, not the salt shaker.

"You have to look at a label or a [food] company website," said Margo Wootan, nutrition policy director for the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest, who praised the straightforward guidelines. The report may be the first since 1980 to state the obvious: "Eat less," she said.

Nutritionist Marion Nestle said the guidelines were a substantial improvement over earlier versions but fall short by failing to name specific foods and products to be avoided, in deference to powerful food lobbies who don't want their products passed over by consumers.

Nestle said the guidelines used the acronym "SoFAS," which stands for solid fats and added sugars.

"Why don't they just say what they mean: eat less meat, sodas, snack foods?" said Nestle, who teaches at New York University. "The most useful thing they could do is name names."

Though advisory, the guidelines influence decisions in school food programs, Meals on Wheels and regulatory issues like food labeling and how foods are marketed to children.

Sebelius unveiled the guidelines with Agriculture Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack as one of a series of food-centered health initiatives that include a proposed overhaul of federally subsidized school meals programs.

The Food and Drug Administration is working with food producers to improve nutrition information on food packaging and with restaurant chains to add nutrition information to menus.

azajac@latimes.com

Copyright © 2011, Los Angeles Times
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Eat Fruits and Vegetables for Better Vision

Eat Fruits And Vegetable For Better Vision
17 Dec 2009

Carotenoids, found in green leafy vegetables and colored fruits, have been found to increase visual performance and may prevent age-related eye diseases, according to a study in the Journal of Food Science, published by the Institute of Food Technologists. Authors from the University of Georgia compiled the results of multiple studies on the effects of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin on visual performance. These carotenoids play an important role in human vision, including a positive impact on the retina.

After reviewing the various studies, the authors concluded that macular pigments, such as lutein and zeaxanthin do have an effect on visual performance. Lutein and zeaxanthin can reduce disability and discomfort from glare, enhance contrast, and reduce photostress recovery times. They can also reduce glare from light absorption and increase the visual range.

Lead author Dr. Billy R. Hammond Jr. noted that the research of the effects of lutein and zeazanthin are important because "it is clear that they could potentially improve vision through biological means. For example, a study conducted in 2008 suggests that the pigments protect the retina and lens and perhaps even help prevent age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataract."

Source
Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)


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Last Updated: 2/17/2006
Reduce Your Risk of Vision Loss From Macular Degeneration
Find Out Which Foods and Supplements Will Help


Chris A. Knobbe, M.D.
Assistant Clinical Professor
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center - Dallas
Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is associated with a slowly progressive deterioration of central vision for which there is no cure. It is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss among the elderly. The condition may lead to severe loss of central acuity, such that the affected may lose ability read, drive a vehicle, or recognize familiar faces. However, as in many disease states, prevention may be possible and every person with AMD or at risk for AMD should understand the basic principles.

There are a number of risk factors for AMD, including genetic inheritance, advancing age, smoking, and high blood pressure. Unfortunately, many people that get AMD or are at risk for the disease don’t have any risk factors that are under their control, except possibly one: nutrition. In this article, we’ll review two landmark studies linking nutrition to AMD and we’ll provide specific nutritional advice to those with AMD as well as those at risk for the disease.

Ophthalmologists and vision scientists at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary published the results of a study investigating the relationship between dietary factors and AMD in the Journal of the American Medical Association in November, 1994. This study found that individuals who had the highest consumption of vegetables rich in carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin) had a 43% lower risk of developing AMD than those who ate these foods the least. Vegetables rich in carotenoids include dark, leafy green vegetables, especially raw spinach, kale, and collard greens. As stated by the investigators in this study, “in particular, a higher frequency of intake of spinach or collard greens was associated with a substantially lower risk for AMD”. The authors stated, at the conclusion of the study, that “consumption of foods rich in certain carotenoids, in particular dark green, leafy vegetables, may decrease the risk of developing advanced or exudative (“wet”) AMD, the most visually disabling form of macular degeneration among older people”.

Macular Degeneration Hope
VisiVite advanced macular degeneration formulas add Lutein and Zeaxanthin for improved retinal and visual health.
A second study investigating nutritional factors and AMD, supported by the National Institutes of Health/National Eye Institute, showed that high levels of antioxidant vitamins and zinc significantly reduced the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration and its associated vision loss. This study, known as the Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), was truly another landmark study for patients with AMD. The investigators state, “people at high risk of developing advanced stages of AMD, a leading cause of vision loss, lowered their risk by about 25 percent when treated with a high-dose combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and zinc”. Interestingly, the participants in the study who had either early AMD or no AMD did not appear to benefit from this antioxidant and zinc regimen.

“This is an exciting discovery because, for people at high risk for developing advanced AMD, these nutrients are the first effective treatment to slow the progression of the disease,” said Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D., director of the National Eye Institute. “AMD is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in American 65 years of age and older. Currently, treatment for advanced AMD is quite limited. These nutrients will delay the progression to advanced AMD in people who are at high risk – those with intermediate AMD in one or both eyes, or those with advanced AMD in one eye already”. Dr. Sieving further states that patients with AMD should understand that there isn’t a cure for AMD and that proper nutrition will not restore vision that is already lost. However, the study results also clearly demonstrate that nutrients play a key role in helping to maintain vision in people at high risk for developing advanced AMD.

The nutrients evaluated in the AREDS study contained 500 milligrams of vitamin C, 400 international units of vitamin E, 15 milligrams of beta-carotene, 80 milligrams of zinc as zinc oxide, and two milligrams of copper as cupric oxide. In this study, the NEI was supported by and collaborated with Bausch and Lomb, an ophthalmic products and pharmaceuticals company that provided the nutritional supplements, financial support for laboratory testing, and distribution of the supplements themselves. Today, these supplements can be found in a formulation called Ocuvite® Preservision™.

What Supplements Should One Take to Prevent AMD Progression?

Given the findings of these studies, most ophthalmologists have begun to recommend that patients with AMD include an abundance of leafy green vegetables in their diet. However, many people are unable to include the dark, leafy green vegetables in their diet on a daily or regular basis. In this case, could a whole-food based supplement help? The answer is likely, “yes”.

One supplement that appears particularly well suited for the AMD patient is Juice Plus+®. This whole-food based supplement combines the nutritional essence of seventeen different fruits, vegetables, and grains and provides the supplement in easy to take capsules or gummies. Juice Plus+® not only contains concentrated extracts from spinach and kale, but also includes key nutritional ingredients from carrots, parsley, beets, broccoli, cabbage, tomato, barley, and oats (in the Garden Blend), as well as apples, oranges, pineapple, cranberries, peaches, acerola cherries, and papaya (in the Orchard Blend).

It is backed by an abundance of independent and ongoing clinical and scientific research. Juice Plus+® raises the levels of lutein and zeaxanthin significantly in the blood and, interestingly, may do this better than whole foods themselves! Furthermore, Juice Plus+® raises the levels of multiple antioxidants in the blood, demonstrates reduced levels of lipid peroxides (a measure of oxidative stress) and homocysteine (an indicator of heart disease risk) in the blood, reliably enhances immune function, and reduces DNA (our unique genetic code) damage.

Bausch and Lomb, the maker of Ocuvite®, produces other supplements specific for patients with macular degeneration, including Ocuvite Extra®, and Ocuvite® Lutein. These products are found in retail stores and pharmacies everywhere. Macular Protect Complete® from Science Based Health, Alcon laboratories ICaps™, and other supplements also contain antioxidant vitamins and zinc in dosages supported by the AREDS study group, along with various doses of other vitamins and minerals, which are beyond the scope of this article.

It should be pointed out that supplementation with beta-carotene, a vitamin A precursor, has been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer among smokers. However, whole food based supplementation has not been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer among smokers and, in fact, there is some evidence that whole food based nutrition may decrease the risk of lung cancer in smokers. One study showed that a higher intake of green and yellow vegetables or other food sources of beta-carotene decreased the risk of lung cancer. As such, smokers should exercise caution in consuming any non whole-food based supplement that contains beta-carotene or Vitamin A.

Conclusions
It is clear from the studies to date that a diet rich in dark, leafy green vegetables will help to decrease an individual’s risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It would be wise to include a serving or two of raw spinach, kale, or collard greens in your diet every day to help prevent macular degeneration and/or to help delay progression of the disease once it has begun. But how many people will be able to follow these dietary recommendations? As such, it appears wise to supplement the diet with a whole-food based product such as Juice Plus+®. This product may not only decrease an individual’s risk of developing AMD, but it may also delay its progression once it has begun. Juice Plus+® may also decrease risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer as well as enhance immune function.

If an intermediate degree of AMD has already developed, or an advanced degree of AMD has developed in one eye, studies clearly indicate that dietary supplementation with vitamins E and C, beta-carotene, zinc and copper, in the doses previously mentioned, will help to delay progression of the disease. These antioxidant vitamins are readily available in a number of over-the-counter products including Ocuvite®, ICaps™, and many others.

AMD may not be an entirely preventable disease, however, it is certainly prudent for all of us to minimize our risk. How do we do this? Don’t smoke. Be sure your blood pressure is controlled. Consume plenty of dark, leafy green vegetables and/or consider the whole-food based supplement Juice Plus+® along with antioxidant vitamins and zinc.

References
Dietary carotenoids, vitamins A, C, and E, and advanced age-related macular degeneration. Eye Disease Case-Control Study Group. JAMA 1994 Nov 9: 272 (18): 1413-20
Age-Related Eye Disease Study Group. A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss. AREDS Report No. 8. Arch Ophthalm. 2001; 119: 1417-1436.
Current Therapeutic Research. Volume 57, Number 6, June 1996. Changes In Plasma Carotenoid, Alpha-Tocopherol, And Lipid Peroxide Levels In Response To Supplementation With Concentrated Fruit and Vegetable Extracts: A Pilot Study
ÃMeasuring Component/Nutritive Values Contained in NSA’s Juice Plus+â Products “Orchard Blend” and “Garden Blend” Relative to Component/Nutritive Values Contained in Commercial and Fresh-Squeezed Fruit and Vegetable Juices, Feb 24, 1999.
Immune Function Improves During Fruit and Vegetable Extract Supplementation. 1, P Inserra, S Jiang D Solkoff, J Lee, Z Zhen, M Xu, JA Wise, R Hesslink, and RR Watson. Arizona Prevention Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 2, Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ and 3, Natural Alternatives International, San Marcos, CA.
Supplementation with Fruit and Vegetable Extracts reduces DNA damage in the Peripheral Lymphocytes of an Elderly Population. MJ Smith, 1 PF Inserra, 2 RD Bowden, 1 JA Wise, 3 R Hesslink Jr, 3 RR Watson, 2 and KL O’Neill. 1 Department of Microbiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 2Arizona Prevention Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, and 3Natural Alternatives International, San Marcos, CA.
Omenn ˝S, Goodman GE, et al. Effects of a combination of beta carotene and vitamin A on lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. N Engl J Med. 1996; 334: 1150-1155.
Koo LC. Diet and lung cancer 20+ years later: More questions than answers? Int J Cancer 1997; Suppl 10:22-9.

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Growing your own vegetables helps budget and health

Growing your own vegetables helps budget and health

Q: Is it really economical to grow my own vegetables?
-Diana Magallan, Paso Robles
A: Master Gardeners are frequently asked, "Does it really pay to grow my own fruits and vegetables?" Home vegetable gardening does pay, according to a series of university trials that coincided with recent recessions in the U. S. economy.


During 1980 for example, two Florida researchers named Stephens and Carter, along with the Jacksonville Urban Garden Program, developed a 20-by-29- foot garden in an abandoned parking lot. The garden was planted from seed and seedlings and produced 24 varieties of vegetables and six herbs. The total cost to establish the garden was just over $83. They tracked about 68 hours in labor, and with the minimum wage at $3.10 found labor costs of about $210. Based on the 1980 prices at local grocery stores the garden harvest was worth $416. So this garden, about the size of most American vegetable gardens, saved $122. While the minimum wage has increased about 2½ times since 1980, so has the retail price of many vegetables, including those in the Jacksonville garden.

Keep in mind that the value in dollars for a vegetable can reflect a high price per pound or a high yield of vegetables you eat frequently. Asparagus is one of those higher-priced vegetables, and the UCCE Master Gardeners can provide you with information on growing it in our local area.

Is all that work really worth $122, or $305 in today's dollars? Don't forget to add in the value of the exercise gardening provides, the connection to sustaining nature and the environment, healthy eating habits and fewer trips to the grocery store. As you start the new year, and your new vegetable garden plans, remember that the Master Gardeners are available to help you enjoy the direct benefits of growing your own vegetables, and help your health and budget as well..

Contact the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners at 781-5939 from 1 to 5 p. m. on Monday and Thursday; at 473-7190 from 9 a. m. to 1 p. m. in Arroyo Grande; and at 434-4105 from 9 a. m. to noon on Wednesday in Templeton. Visit the UCCE Master Gardeners Web site at groups. ucanr.org/slomg/or e-mail mgsanluisobispo@ucdavis.edu.

Order Juice Plus+® TODAY for only $1.50 a day! Feed your family concentrated nutrition for their health and cheaper than a starbucks coffee!

Schools put Focus on Health

Local schools put focus on Health
West View honored for fitness; others eat right
By LEE G. HEALY
lee.healy@shj.com


Published: Sunday, September 28, 2008 at 3:15 a.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, September 28, 2008 at 1:20 a.m.

With exercise and plenty of fruits and vegetables, several Spartanburg schools are being rewarded for their efforts to create a healthier campus.


John Byrum/john.byrum@shj.com Order a Reprint
Promise Kennedy, left, and Anaya Hamilton eat a snack of apple slices during their kindergarten class at Park Hills Elementary School. Park Hills is one of three District 7 schools that has a grant to serve healthy snacks.West View Elementary School in District 6 was one of only seven public schools in the state to receive a Healthy School award for promoting wellness among both students and staff. The awards are a joint effort of the state Department of Education and the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Principal Shawn Wootton leads the faculty in five- to 10-minute workouts before each faculty meeting, and teachers are challenged weekly with fitness trivia.

Soon, a new fitness track behind the school will be complete for students, staff and the community to use. Wootton said the track is scheduled to open near the end of October. To help pay for the track, teachers gave $1 in exchange for being allowed to wear jeans on Friday, and students raised $1,600 through a jump rope fundraiser. Wootton said students were even handing over their ice cream money to help foot the bill.

And even without the track, students are encouraged to walk. The school rotates digital pedometers between classes so students can keep track of their steps.

We want them to focus on being active,” Wootton said. “Whenever they’re active, there’s a correlation with academics.”

The school’s focus on health started late last year, and the school community quickly embraced the idea.

“Whenever you do a schoolwide initiative like this, it permeates the hallways,” she said. “Kids are talking about it, teachers are talking about it. ... It’s in your face every day. They begin to grab hold of it.”

Fruits and Veggies

Three District 7 elementary schools are making use of a combined $67,316 in federal grant funds to provide students with fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school day.

Mary H. Wright, Park Hills and Cleveland elementary schools each received in excess of $20,000 through the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the S.C. Department of Education and the S.C. Department of Agriculture. The amount awarded depends on student enrollment at each school.

Ron Jones, District 7’s Chartwells food service director, explained that the grant money can’t be used on fruits and vegetables for breakfast, lunch or after school snacks. Instead, the money makes sure students have access to an apple or carrots mid-morning or after lunch. The healthy snacks are delivered in baskets to classrooms each day.

“We’re extremely pleased because we know how important it is to deliver strong nutritional methods and keep these children properly fed,” Jones said.

The idea of the program, which awarded $800,000 to 34 elementary schools in South Carolina, is for students to begin developing healthy eating habits early. Local produce is distributed when possible.

Park Hills Principal Debra Waldron said the snacks keep students’ energy levels up, and said the new program has gone over well with students.

“It will be teaching them about fruits and healthy snacks,” Waldron said, “and hopefully in the long term combat childhood obesity and even adult obesity.”

Seven Days and Ways to Be Healthy: Tips for Women

From staff reports • September 7, 2008
Pensicola News Journal

Eat healthy: Eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day and less saturated fat can help improve your health and may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Have a balanced diet, and watch how much you eat.

Keep a healthy weight: Those who are overweight or obese have increased risks for diseases and conditions such as diabetes high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Eat better, get regular exercise, and see your health care provider about any health concerns to make sure you are on the right track to staying healthy.

Be active: More than 50 percent of American men and women do not get enough physical activity to provide health benefits. For adults, thirty minutes of moderate physical activity on most— preferably all — days of the week is recommended.

Be smoke-free: Health concerns associated with smoking include cancer, lung disease, early menopause, infertility and pregnancy complications. Smoking triples the risk of dying from heart disease among those who are middle-aged. Helplines, counseling, medications, and other forms of support are available to help you quit.

Get check-ups: Based on your age, health history, lifestyle and other important issues, you and your health care provider can determine how often you need to be examined and screened for certain diseases and conditions. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases and cancers of the skin, cervix, breast and colon.

Get vaccinated: They're not just for kids. Adults need them too. Some vaccinations are for everyone. Others are recommended if you work in certain jobs, have certain lifestyles, travel to certain places, or have certain health conditions.

Manage stress: Perhaps now more than ever before, job stress poses a threat to the health of workers and, in turn, to the health of organizations. Balancing obligations to your employer and your family can be challenging. What's your stress level today? Protect your mental and physical health by engaging in activities that help you manage your stress at work and at home.

Source: www.cdc.gov