Oily fish can help stop blindness as we get older: Omega-3 can stop range of eye conditions caused by damage to the retina by tiny blood vessels

Damage to retinal blood can lead to age-related macular degeneration, the most common cause of blindness in the elderly AMD affects more than 600,000 Britons and the number is expected to treble in the next 25 years. In the study, a diet rich in omega-3 cut damage to the blood vessels in mice with an AMD-like eye disease.

For those who don’t like eating fish Ketolife provides Omega 3 in a tasty shot, available to buy in our online shop.

If you want to read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2659617/Oily-fish-help-stop-blindness-older-Omega-3-stop-range-eye-conditions-caused-damage-retina-tiny-blood-vessels.html#ixzz354OZYtmi

What is Colostrum?

It is the first milk from a mammal, which contains the most vital nutrients for the start of life, especially for building the immune system. The spare colostrum from cows is processed and sold for human consumption. So if you are tired, your immune system needs a boost, or you’ve been working extra hard, try colostrum to give yourself a helping hand. It was once the preserve of the pharaohs or Chinese emperors, but now is available to you! If you would like to know more, visit our online shop.

Omega-3 oil may reduce arterial calcification

Increasing omega-3 fatty acid intake to levels consumed by people living in Japan may protect against arterial calcification and heart disease according to new research.

Research published in Heart compared levels of coronary artery calcification in middle-aged Japanese men living in their home country with those of middle-aged men living in the US. Lower levels of coronary artery calcification, a predictor of heart disease, were found in the men living in Japan. This is thought to be due to the significantly higher consumption of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish.

Arterial Calcium Plaque

Dr Akira Sekikawa’s team (University of Pittsburgh) tracked multiple factors relating to cardiovascular health for five years, in almost 300 men. Levels of marine-derived omega-3 fatty acid in the blood were more than 100% higher in the men living in Japan, and this is thought to be linked to the lower incidence of coronary artery calcification observed, which was 3 times higher in comparable subjects living in the US.

Sekikawa commented; “The vast difference in heart disease and levels of marine-derived omega-3 fatty acid are not due to genetic factors. When we look at Japanese Americans, we find that their levels of coronary artery calcification are actually higher than that of the rest of the US population.”

“Previous studies investigated substantially lower intake of omega-3 fatty acids than what people in Japan actually get through their diet. Our study seems to indicate that the level of marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids consumed must be higher than previously thought to impart substantial protection.”

KETOActiveMind provides 1.2g of Omega 3 Oil in the form of an emulsion for rapid absorption. If you would like a great tasting Omega 3 to raise your levels visit our online shop.

Vitamin E from palm oil shows benefits for vascular dementia

Some forms of vascular dementia are characterised by a series of minor strokes caused by reduction of or intermittent supply of blood to areas of the brain.

In the heart, treatment for this condition can include stents and bypass surgery. However, surgery to improve the blood supply within the brain is more difficult. This means alternative nutritional approaches are important.

A study on 121 volunteers by Goplan (2014) has shown that supplementation with mixed Vitamin E tocotrienols were found to reduce the number of white brain matter lesions.

The process is thought to be a result of the brain cells being better protected from intermittent lack of blood supply, rather than an increase in blood supply to the cells.

You can access the abstract by following the link: http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/early/2014/04/03/STROKEAHA.113.004449.short

How do Ketones help to prevent Alzheimer’s disease?

Over the past few years the hype about ketones has increased, but why?

In the late 1990’s researchers discovered the impairment of glucose metabolism in Alzheimer’s patients1. Impairment in glucose metabolism reduces the energy available to the brain and, therefore, reduces function.

As research has progressed, the previous findings led to a method capable of determining the severity of the disease by monitored the decline of glucose metabolism2. This made the hypo metabolism of glucose a therapeutic target for Alzheimer’s disease.

This is all well and good but how do we build on this?

It was found that when people fast or starve, their fat reserves are converted into natural ketones which can then be used as energy. However, the brain cannot efficiently convert fats to ketones which results in energy starvation. Administered ketones have been found to efficiently supplement glucose supplies to the brain3.

So, if the ketones are provided directly, the brain can use them as an alternative energy source, quenching the starvation and returning the brain to normal function.
This form of therapy can be vitally important in the early stages of dementia.

KetoactiveEnergy provides an MCT shot when you’re on the move, or need a quick boost which your body can convert into Ketone bodies.

1 Impairment of Neocortical Metabolism Predicts Progression in Alzheimer’s Disease. K. Herholz, A. Nordberg, E. Salmon, D. Perani, J. Kessler, R. Mielke, M. Halber, V. Jelic, O. Almkvist, F. Collette, M. Alberoni, A. Kennedy, s. Hasselbalch, F. Fazio, D. Heiss. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 10 (1999) 494–504
2 Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease using neuroimaging. L. Mosconi, M. Brys, L. Glodzik-Sobanska, S. De Santi, H. Rusinek, M. J. de Leon. Experimental Gerontology 42 (2007) 129–138
3 Ketone Bodies as a Therapeutic for Alzheimer’s Disease. S T. Henderson. Neurotherapeutics: The Journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics 5 (2008) 470 – 480

What is Omega 3 DHA for?

1: The structure of all cell membranes

– The long chain Omega 3 DHA (and omega 6 AA) increase membrane fluidity, essential for optimum cell signalling.

2: The function of the brain and nerves

– 6-10% of the dry mass of the brain, should be DHA. Levels reduce with age and some research suggests this is a contributory factory in the development of Alzheimer disease.

– DHA is concentrated in nerve junctions, where chemical signals between nerves are passed.

– The concentration of neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and noradrenalin are influenced by Omega 3 DHA status.

KetoactiveMind provides 420mg of DHA, which contributes to normal brain function.

New insight into Alzheimer disease progression

A research paper has shed new light on the complex process causing progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in the human brain. Signs of increased inflammation are linked to disturbance of the normal processes of cell protection and recovery.

The final recovery phase of inflammation is a cellular step, the process of resolution, which is facilitated by specific mediators derived from fatty acids. If this does not occur, the inflammation process is never terminated and advances unchecked, as in Alzheimer’s disease. The research has found that one important mediator, Lipoxin (LXA4), is significantly reduced in those suffering from this disease. Finding a method of elevating LXA4 may provide a route to controlling the advance of AD.

The link to the article is: http://www.alzheimersanddementia.com/article/S1552-5260(14)00030-2

Leafy greens help reduce cardio vascular disease

Veg avoiders beware! It appears to be true – eating your leafy greens is good for you. I remember my grandma telling me this and a recent study has provided scientific evidence.

A study on rats at risk of heart disease showed a significant reduction in risk factors when fed a diet of leafy greens. It suggests there are cardioprotective and chemopreventive advantages of consuming diets containing dark green leafy vegetables, with a consequential reduction in cardiovascular disease.

The mechanism was suggested to be a result of conservation of Omega 3 and reduction of cholesterol.

If you would like to read the study for yourself, you can find it at: http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1476-511X-12-168.pdf

Can Omega 3 improve your thinking?

A study (with link below) has shown that higher levels of circulatory Omega 3 are associated with higher executive function, visual memory scores and abstract thinking.

The red blood cell (RBC) level of Omega 3 was related to better cognitive performance in a study of 1575 subjects. Subjects with existing signs of dementia were excluded. The study also showed that those with higher RBC Omega 3 had greater brain volume.

The authors suggest that the findings are related to both the cardiovascular effects of omega 3, and more direct protective effects on the brain at a cellular level.

Ketoactive Mind delivers a high level of Omega 3 DHA and EPA in the form of a pleasant-tasting emulsion which is readily absorbed by the body.

If you would like to read the article for yourself please follow the link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3286229/pdf/znl658.pdf

Tired? MCT’s can help feed your brain

When you’re tired, do you snack on fast carbohydrates for mental alertness?

Including 20-30g of MCTs in your diet per day could provide a more constant supply of Brain Fuel in the form of Ketones according to recent research.

Ketones are normally thought of as emergency fuel for the brain and other essential organs during starvation or when on high fat low carbohydrate diets. Recent breakthroughs suggest that ketones are more of a super fuel than an emergency fuel AND that by changing the composition of fats in the diet it is possible to generate this super fuel without severe carbohydrate restriction.

In a recent Canadian Study (Courchesne-Loyer et al 2012) researchers fed people 20g of MCTs for 1 week followed by 30g for a further 3 weekly by which time it was estimated Ketones were supplying nearly 10% of the brains energy requirements.

MCT’s can make a positive contribution to your normal, keto or paleo diet.

Article available here: http://www.nutritionjrnl.com/article/S0899-9007(12)00365-6