Evidence Based Supplements NZ: A Comprehensive Guide

 

Introduction to Dietary Supplements

Dietary supplements are quite simply specially formulated products designed to complement your daily diet and help provide those essential nutrients that might be missing from your meals - and let's be honest, most of us have nutritional gaps! Available in a range of forms (including pills, tablets, powders, and liquids) these 'supplements' can contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other beneficial substances that considerable research indicates can indeed make a difference. Many people turn to dietary supplements to support their overall health, boost energy, or address specific nutritional gaps - and there's certainly merit in exploring all available opportunities to 'tip the scales' in our favour. However, there's a very important caveat here though - not all supplements are suitable for everyone, and quite simply not all are created equal! If you have a pre-existing health condition or are taking prescription medicines (particularly those with specific contraindications), always consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regime. This ensures that your chosen supplements will safely support your health and work well alongside any medicines or treatments you may already be using - because the last thing anyone needs is an adverse interaction when they're trying to improve their wellbeing!

BELOW ARE MANY OF THE SCIENTIFIC PAPERS THAT WE'VE DRAWN ON TO DEVELOP OUR NATURAL PRODUCTS AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS:

Numerous lines of modern research show that heart disease, cancer, and some forms of dementia arise from dysregulated inflammation. From middle age and beyond, changes of natural ageing disturb the inflammatory balance (see Age Better) , but lifestyle choices, particularly diet, have a lot to do with how bad it gets. As a consequence, inflammation and food choices are a major theme of contemporary age research. Certain dietary patterns or supplements, such as those rich in omega-3 fat or specific minerals, have shown benefit in reducing inflammation-related risks and supporting heart health.

It takes years to work out how food affects inflammatory diseases, particularly ones that develop slowly. There is usually no single experiment that proves it; scientists build pictures from clues. Population scientists look at what long lived people, from Asia and the Mediterranean, eat. Biochemists explore interactions between food molecules and human metabolism, including the influence of dietary fat on inflammation and health outcomes. Other scientists run experiments on animals, and surrogates, like cells, particularly cancerous ones, grown in laboratory dishes. Their findings are regularly discussed in major scientific and medical journals.

These different lines of research consistently show that longevity has a lot to do with eating minimally processed whole food, particularly coloured fruit and vegetables. Strong leads are emerging that these foods are effective because they contain potent anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatories, and essential nutrients such as minerals. However, these molecules are found throughout the natural world, and are not limited to the plant foods we regularly eat. Many of the best ones comes from inedible options, like leaves and roots. Even pips. Even sap. Many dietary supplements combine herbs with vitamins and minerals to support various health conditions, offering natural, research-based solutions for inflammation, sleep, hormone balance, and more.

The implication is that even the healthiest diet, rich in whole plants, can be augmented by natural extracts that rebalance the immune system, and counteract its age-related changes.

LifeGuard Essentials brings you the fruits of this research. It provides a daily supplement of five of the natural world’s most potent inflammation inhibitors, from sources that are not a routine part of the diet.

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Understanding the Role of a Dietary Supplement

A dietary supplement can quite simply play a valuable role in helping you maintain a balanced diet - particularly if you're dealing with dietary restrictions or find yourself at risk of certain nutrient deficiencies. Take pregnant women, for instance, who are often advised to take folic acid supplements (to help prevent birth defects), or those battling iron deficiency who may benefit from iron supplements to restore healthy iron levels. There's a very important caveat here though - and it's that dietary supplements are definitely not a replacement for a healthy lifestyle or a balanced diet. It's that simple. Eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods - think fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins - remains the gold standard for getting all the nutrients your body truly needs. Supplements can indeed be helpful in specific situations, but for most of us, focusing on healthy foods is quite simply the cornerstone of good health and the foundation we should be building everything else upon.

Essential Nutrients for Overall Health

To support your body's health and wellbeing, it's quite simply essential that you're getting all those crucial nutrients - vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients. It's that important! Take vitamin D, for instance - this powerhouse is absolutely vital for maintaining strong bones and keeping your immune system firing on all cylinders, while those omega-3 fatty acids (the good stuff you'll find in fish oil) are well-documented for their remarkable support of heart health and brain function. Then there are amino acids - the fundamental 'building blocks' of protein - which are absolutely crucial for muscle strength, growth, and repair. There's an important consideration here though: if you're unsure whether your diet is actually providing all the nutrients you need (and let's face it, many of us aren't getting everything we should!), a healthcare provider can be invaluable in helping you assess your intake and recommend the right combination of supplements and foods to support your health goals - because quite simply, one size doesn't fit all when it comes to nutritional needs.

Regulations and Safety

Dietary supplements - including vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts - are widely used by many of us to support our health and wellbeing. In New Zealand, the Ministry of Health oversees the regulation of these ‘supplements’ to help ensure their safety and quality. Despite these regulations, it remains absolutely essential for us to approach supplement use thoughtfully and with guidance from a healthcare provider!

Before taking supplements, especially if you’ve got a pre-existing health condition or you’re on prescription medicines, it’s crucial to discuss your options with a doctor or pharmacist. Some supplements, such as iron and folic acid, are indeed beneficial for specific groups - like women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or those of us dealing with iron deficiency. However, taking high doses of certain vitamins or minerals, such as vitamin D or iron, can be harmful and may lead to toxicity or other serious health risks. Certain side effects, such as muscle problems from medications like statins, can be serious, sometimes leading to more severe health issues like kidney problems.

A balanced diet rich in healthy food - such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and fortified breakfast cereals - typically provides all the nutrients our bodies need. For most of us, focusing on healthy foods is quite simply the best way to support a strong immune system, healthy gut flora, and overall wellbeing. However, there are definitely situations where dietary supplements can offer that extra support we’re looking for. For example, fish oil supplements, which contain beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and amino acids, may help support heart health and brain function, while magnesium can promote restful sleep and muscle strength.

When we’re considering supplements, it’s absolutely crucial to choose products from reputable companies with a solid track record of quality and safety. Many supplements on the market simply aren’t backed by good evidence or rigorous science, so we need to look for those that are supported by research and recommended by healthcare professionals. Probiotics, for instance, can be beneficial for maintaining healthy gut flora, especially after antibiotic use, but quite frankly not all probiotic supplements are created equal! Be cautious of purchasing supplements from an unknown company, as the lack of regulation and quality assurance can increase the risk of contamination or ineffective products.

It’s also important for us to be aware of potential interactions between supplements and medicines. For example, some supplements can interfere with the effectiveness of our prescription medications or increase the risk of side effects. If you are prescribed medication, it is important to continue taking it as directed by your healthcare provider while exploring supplements. Regular monitoring, such as a blood test, may be recommended by your healthcare provider to ensure your supplement intake is supporting your health without causing any harm.

Ultimately, dietary supplements can play a valuable role in supporting our health, but they certainly shouldn’t replace a balanced diet or be used as a substitute for healthy eating habits. By prioritizing a range of nutrient-rich foods and consulting with a healthcare provider before taking supplements, we can maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks. Always seek advice from a doctor or pharmacist, especially if you’re managing a health condition, taking medicines, or considering supplements for children, women, or older adults. It really is that important!

Safe Practices for Taking Supplements

When it comes to taking 'supplements', safety should always come first - it's that simple! Before adding any new supplement to your routine, you simply must consult a healthcare provider (especially if you're taking prescription medicines or managing a health condition). Some supplements can indeed interact with medicines or cause unwanted side effects, particularly if taken in high doses - and none of us want that! Always follow the recommended dosage on the product label, and choose supplements from reputable manufacturers to ensure quality and safety. By taking these precautions, you can minimize risks and make sure your supplement routine is truly supporting your health rather than working against it.

Inflammation, Ageing, and the Immune System

Chronic inflammation - quite simply one of the key villains in the ageing game - can wreak absolute havoc on our immune systems over time. It's that straightforward. Now, supporting your body with a balanced diet rich in antioxidants (vitamin C being a prime example) and omega-3 fatty acids can indeed help reduce this inflammation and promote overall health - none of us should underestimate the power of good nutrition! Probiotics, whether you're getting them from fermented foods or popping them as dietary supplements, play an absolutely crucial role in maintaining healthy gut flora, which is - and this is important - closely linked to how well our immune system functions. There's a very important point here though: by combining a nutrient-dense diet with targeted 'supplements' (and not all are created equal, mind you), those of us keen to counteract the effects of ageing can indeed give our immune systems a valuable extra boost. But - and this is a big but - it's absolutely essential to consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplementation regime, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking prescription medicines, to ensure your approach is both safe and effective!

**Inflammation, Ageing, and the Immune System**

 

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Inflammation and Ageing

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Cancer

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Heart disease and stroke

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Dementia

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Turmeric

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Vaughn A and others “Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma Ionga) on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence” (2016) 30 Phytotherapy Researach 1243. Willcox DC and others “Healthy Aging diets other than the Mediterranean: A Focus on the Okinawan Diet” (2014) 136 Mechanisms of Aging and Development 148.

Zingg J and Meydani M “Curcumin and aging” (2013) 39 BioFactors 133.

Zingg J and Meydani M “Molecular mechanisms of curcumin action: Gene Expression” (2013) 39 BioFactors 37.

Zingg J and Meydani M “Curcumin in various cancers” (2013) 39 BioFactors 56.

Zingg J and Meydani M “Curcumin in inflammatory diseases” (2013) 39 BioFactors 69.

Zingg J and Meydani M “Curcumin and obesity” (2013) 39 BioFactors 78.

Zhang D and others “Curcumin and Diabetes: A systematic Review” (2013) Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Grape seeds and skin

Akaberi M and Hosseinzadeh H “Grapes (Vitis vinifers) as a Potential Candidate for the Therapy of the Metabolic Syndrome” (2016) 30 Phytotherapy Research 540.

Alarcón de la Lastra C and Villegas I “Resveratrol as an anti inflammatory and anti aging agent: Mechnaisms and clinical implications” (2005) 49 Molecular Nutrition and Food Research 405.

Ali K and others “Metabolic constituents of grapevine and grape-derived products” (2010) 9 Phytochemistry Reviews 357.

Anastasiadi M and others “Grape stem extracts: Polyphenolic content and assessment of their in vitro antioxidant properties” (2012) 48 LWT Food Science and Technology 316.

Bhullar K and Hubbard B “Lifespan and healthspan extension by resveratrol” (2015) 1852 BBA Molecular Basis of Disease 1209.

Choi S-K and others “Suppression of oxidative stress by grape seed and supplementation in rats” (2016) 6 Nutrition Reasearch and Practice 3.

Dolinsky V and Dyck J “Calorie restriction and resveratrol in cardiovascular health and disease” (2011) 1812 BBA Molecular Basis of Disease 1477.

Garavaglia J and others “Grape Seed Oil Compounds: Biological and Chemcial Actions for Health” (2016) 9 Nutrition and Metabolic Insights 59.

Georgiev V and others “Recent Advances and Uses of Grape Falvonoids as Nutraceuticals” (2014) 6 Nutrients 391.

Giovinazzo G and Grieco F “Functional Properties of Grape and Wine Polyphenols” (2015) 70 Plant Foods for Human Nutrition 454.

Halpern G “A celebration of wine: wine IS medicine” (2008) 16 Inflammopharmacology 240.

Kar P and others “Effects of grape seed extract in Type 2 diabetic subjects at high cardiovascular risk: a double blind randomised placebo controlled trial examining metabolic markers, vascular tone, inflammation, oxidative stress and insulin senstitivity” (2009) 26 Diabet Med 526.

Kulkarni S and Cantó C “The molecular target of reversatrol” (2015) 1852 BBA Molecular Basis of Disease 1114.

Leifert W and Abeywardena M “Cardioprotective actions of grape polyphenols” (2008) 28 Nutrition Research 729.

Marques F and others “Resveratrol: Cellular actions of a potent natural chemcial that confers a diversity of health benefits” (2009) 41 The International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology 2125.

Nguyen C and others “Potential Therapeutic Interest in Joint Disorders: A Critical Narrative Review” (2017) 9 Nutrients 45.

Nowshehri J and others “Blessings in disguise: Bio-functional benefits of grape seed extracts” (2015) 77 Food Research International 333.

Nunes M and others “Cardioprotective properties of grape seed proanthocyanindins: An update” (2016) 57 Trends in Food Science and Technology 31.

O’Keefe J and others “Alcohol and Cardiovascular Health: The Dose Makes the Poison or the Remedy” 89 Mayo Clinic Proceedings 382.

Panico AM and others “The in vitro effect of a lyophilised extract of wine obtained from Jacquez grapes on human chondrocytes” (2006) 13 Phytomedicine 522. ,

Park E and Pezzuto J “The pharmacology of resveratrol in animals and humans” (2015) 1852 BBA Molecular Basis of Disease 1071.

Pasinetti G and others “Roles of resveratrol and other grape-derive polyphenols in Alzheimer’s disease prevention and treatment” (2015) 1852 BBA Molecular Basis of Disease 1202.

Renaud S and de Lorgeril M “Wine, alcohol, platelets, and the french paradox for coronary heart disease” (1992) 339 Lancet 1523.

Sesso H “Alcohol and Cardiovascular Health” (2012) 1 Amercian Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs 167.

Shrikhande A “Wine by-products with health benefits” (2000) 33 Food Research International 469.

Soleas G and others “Wine as biological fluid: History, production and role in disease prevention” (1997) 11 Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis 287.

Teixeira A and others “Natural Bioactive Compounds from Winery By-Products as Health Promoters: A Review” (2014) 15 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 15638.

Tomé-Carneiro J and Visioli F “Polyphenol-based nutraceuticals for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease: Review of human evidence” (2016) 23 Phytomedicine 1145.

Vingtdeux V and others “Therapeutic potential of resveratrol in Alzheimer’s disease” (2008) 9 BMC Neuroscience S6.

Yu J and Ahmedna M “Functional components of grape pomace: their composition, biological properties and potential applications” (2014) 48 International Journal of Food Science & Technology 221.

Yun Chau Long T “The biochemistry and cell biology of aging: metabolic regulation through mitochondrial signaling” (2014) 306 AJP Endocrinology and Metabolism 582.

Boswellia

Abdel-Tawab M and others “Boswellia serrata. An overall assessment of In Vitro, preclinical, pharmacokinetic and clinical data” (2012) 50 Pharmacokinetics 349.

Ahmed HH and others “Phytochemical Analysis and Anti-cancer Investigation of Boswellia serrata Biactive Constituents in Vitro” (2015) 16 Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 7179.

Catanzaro D and others “Boswellia serrata preserves intesitnal epithelial barrier from oxidative and inflammatory damage” (2015) 10 PloS ONE.

Grover AK and Samson SE “Benefits of antioxidant supplements for knee osteoarthritis: rationale and reality” (2015) 15 Nutrition Journal.

Ammon HPT and others “Mechanism of anti-inflammatory actions of curcumine and boswellic acids” (1993) 38 Journal of Ethnopharmacology 105.

Kirste S and others “Boswellia serrata acts on cerebal edema in patients irradiated for brain tumors: a prosepctive, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-bline pilot trial” (2011) 117 Cancer 3788.

Moussaieff A and Mechoulam R “Boswellia resin: from religious ceremonies to medical uses; a review of in vitro, in vitro and clinical trials” (2009) 61 Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology: An International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science 1282.

Ni X and others “Frankincense essential oil prepared from hydrodistillation of Boswellia Sacra gum resins induces human pancreatic cell death in cultures and in a xenograft murine model” (2012) 12 BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 253.

Suhail M and others “Boswellia sacra essential oil induces tumor cell specific apoptosis and suppresses tumour agressiveness in cultured human breast cancer cells” (2011) 11 BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 10.

Umar S and others “Boswellia serrata extract attenuates inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress in collagen induced arthritis” (2014) 21 Phytomedicine 847.

Zhang Y and others “Triterpenoid resinous metabolites from the genus Boswellia: pharmacological activites and potential species-identifying properties” (2013) 7 Chemistry Central Journal 1.

(2008) 51 Chemical & Engineering News 38.

Olive leaves

Aparicio-Soto, M and others “Extra virgin olive oil: a key functional food for prevention of immune-inflammatory diseases” (2016) 7 Food and Function 4492.

Azaizeh H and others “Antioxidant activity of phenolic factions in olive mill wastewater” (2012) 134 Food Chemistry 2226.

Barbaro B and others “Effects of the Olive Dervied Polyphenol Oleuropein on Human Health” (2014) 15 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 18508.

Bernardini E and Visioli F “High quality, good health: The case for olive oil” (2017) 119 European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology 6.

Covas M “Bioactive effects of olive oil phenolic compounds in humans: reduction of heart disease factors and oxidative damage” (2008) 16 Inflammopharmacology 216.

Estruch R and others “Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with Mediterranean diet” (2013) 368 N Engl J Med 1279.

Martín Peláez S and others “Health effects of olive oil polyphenols: Recent advances and possibilities for the use of health claims” (2013) 57 Molecular Nutrition and Food Research 760.

Mozaffarian D “Dietary and Policy Priorities for Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, and Obesity – A Comprehensive Review” (2016) 133 Circulation 187.

Omar S “Oleuropein in Olive and its Pharmacological Effects” (2010) 78 Scientia Pharmaceutica 133.

Owen R and others “Identfication of Lignans as Major Components in the Phenolic Fraction of Olive Oil” (2000) 46 Clinical Chemistry 976.

Pelletier A and others “Mediterr anean diet and preserved brain structural connectivity in older subjects” (2015) 11 Alzheimer’s and Dementia 1023.

Pérez Jiménez F “Olive oil and oxidative stress” (2007) 51 Molecular Nutrition and Food Research 1215.

Pitt J and others “Alzheimer’s associated Aβ oligomers show altered structure, immunoreactivity and synatotoxicity with low doeses of oleocanthal” (2009) 240 Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 189.

Rahmanian N and others “Bioactive profile, dehydration, extraction and application of bioactive components of olive leaves” (2015) 42 Trends in Food Science and Technology 150.

Rigacci S “Olive Oil Phenols as Promising Multi-targeting Agents Against Alzheimer’s Disease.” (2105) 863 Adv Exp Med Biol 1.

Scotece M and others “New drugs from ancient natureal foods: Oleocanthal, the natural occuring spicy compound of olive oil” (2015) 20 Drug Discovery Today 406.

Singh B and others “Association of Mediterranean Diet with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis” (2014) 39 Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 271.

Tresserra-Rimbau A and others “Polyphenol intake and mortality risk: a re analysis of the PREDIMED trial” (2014) 12 BMC Medicine 77.

Bikal Skullcap

Cao Y and others “Baicalin attenuates global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in gerbils via anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic pathways” (2011) 85 Brain Research Bulletin 396.

Chan E and others “Extract of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi root exerts protection against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats” (2011) 39 The American Journal of Chinese Medicine 693.

Choi J and others “Flavones form Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi attenuate apopotosis and protein oxidation in neuronal cell lines” (2002) 1571 BBA General Subjects 201. Chi YS and others “Effects of wogonin, a plant flavone from Scutellaria radix, on skin inflammation: in vivo regulation of inflammation-associated gene expression” (2003) 66 Biochemical Pharmacology 1271.

Gao L and others “A Bioinofrmatic Approach for the Discovery of Antiaging Effects of Baicalein from Scuterllaria baicalensis Georgi” (2016) Rejuvenation Research 414.

Gao Z and others “Free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of flavonoids extracted from the radix of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi” (1999) 1472.BBA General Subjections 643.

Gasiorowski K and others “Flavones from root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi: drugs of the future in neurodegeneration?” (2011) 10 CNS and Neurological Disorders-Drug Targets 184.

Huang WH and others “Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of polyhydroxyflavonoids of Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI” (2006) 70 Bioscience, biotechnology and biochemistry 2371.

Kubo M and others “Studies on Scutellariae radix. VII. Anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory actions of methanolic extract and flavonoid components from Scutellariae radix” (1984) 32 Chemcial and pharmaceutical bulletin 2724.

Li BQ and others “The flavonoid baicalin exhibits anti-inflammatory activity by binding to chemokines” (2000) 49 Immunopharmacology 295.

Li-Weber M “New Therapeutic aspects of flavones: the anticancer properties of Scutellaria and its main active constituents Wogonin, Baicalein and Baiclain” (2009) 35 Cancer Reviews 57.

Moore OA and others “The Extraction, Anticancer effect, Bioavailability and Nanotechnology of Baicalin” (2016) 2 Journal of Nutritional Medicine and Diet Care 11. Pang K and Zhong Z “Pharmacological effects and pharmacokinetics properties of Radix Acutellariae and its bioactive flavones” (2011) 32 Biopharmaceutics and Drug Disposition 427.

Park B and others “Inhibition of TPA induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression and skin inflammation in mice by woggonin, a plant flavone from Scuterllaria radix” (2001) 425 European Journal of Pharmacology 153.

Polier G and others “Wogonin and related natural flavones are inhibitors of CDK9 that induce apoptosis in cancer cells by transcriptional suppression of Mcl-1” (2011) 2 Cell Death and Disease 182.

Reichek N and Parcham-Azad K “Reperfusion Injury” (2010) 55 Journal of Amercian College of Cardiology 1206.

Wright P “Passport to Peking: A very British mission to Mao’s China.” (2010) 265 Chinese Medicine Lancet 1068.

Wu X and others “Adavances of wogonin, an extract from Scuterllaria baicalensis, for the treatement of multiple tumors” (2016) 9 OncoTargets and Therapy 2936.

Xu Q and others “The quest for modernisation of traditional Chinese Medicine” (2013) 13 BMC Complmentary and Alternative Medicine 132.

Zhang Y and others “Protective effect of flavonoids from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi on cerebral ischemia injury” (2006) 108 Journal of ethnopharmacology 355.