Vitamin D During Pregnancy Helps Prevents Autism

It is now well known that vitamin D plays a crucial role in brain development. So it was no real shock when lead researcher Professor Darryl Eyles (along with his team, from the University of Queensland) found that giving vitamin D supplements to mice during pregnancy prevented autism in their offspring

“Our study used the most widely accepted developmental model of autism in which affected mice behave abnormally and show deficits in social interaction, basic learning, and stereotyped behaviors,” Eyles said. “We found that pregnant females treated with active vitamin D in the equivalent of the first trimester of pregnancy produced offspring that did not develop these deficits.”

Wood, J. (2017). Mouse Study Links Vitamin D to Autism Prevention. Psych Central. Retrieved on April 4, 2017    https://psychcentral.com/news/2017/03/18/mouse-study-links-vitamin-d-to-autism-prevention/117814.html

This new mouse study just serves to help confirm an earlier human study (also from the University of Queensland Brain Institute) which found a link between pregnant women with low Vitamin D levels and the increased likelihood of having a child with autistic traits.

“Maternal Vitamin D Levels and the Autism Phenotype among Offspring.” Whitehouse, Andrew J. O. , et al. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2013, Vol.43(7), p.1495-1504  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23070790

Grow Your Own Stem Cells

Stem cells are essential in order to promote healing and regeneration in our bodies following either external damage or internally produced free radical damage. But, as time wears on, we lose stem cells along with the ability to heal and regenerate new tissue, which is part of what we call aging. Now new research has shown that we can rejuvenate adult tissue stem cells, which can help to reverse and reduce aging in tissues where those stem cells reside.

One group of researchers did extensive work with a formula that combined polyphenols from blueberry and green tea, along with carnosine, and vitamin D. This nutritive formula increased the proliferation of adult stem cells in humans, protected the stem cells from free radical damage, and resulted in improved cognitive and memory functions in animal models (as a result of enhanced brain stem cell proliferation).

In another study, a supplement containing green tea, astragalus, goji berry extracts, ellagic acid, and vitamin D, fermented with a Lactobacillus probiotic species, was given to human subjects twice daily for 2 weeks. From the first day, and throughout the study, researchers detected significant increases in circulating bone marrow stem cells.

And, a rat study supplemented the animals early in life with a high blueberry diet, which they found, prevented bone loss (osteoporosis) at menopause. It was determined that the high polyphenol content of the blueberries stimulated bone-forming stem cells to mature into active bone-mineralizing cells.

We see here how eating quality foods, and taking certain supplements, can clearly contribute to health and longevity. So consume plenty of blueberries, goji berries, and green tea, along with supplemental vitamin D and astragalus (found in our ImmuneStart product). As well, consume foods that are high in ellagic acid, which include pomegranate, blackberries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, pecans and walnuts.

Bickford PC, Tan J, Shytle RD, et al. Nutraceuticals synergistically promote proliferation of human stem cells. Stem Cells Dev. 2006;15(1):118-23. http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=30053

Viewing

In this 6 minute video from the author of The One-Minute Workout, Dr. Gibala looks at a variety of studies in order to support his case that when it comes to exercise, intensity matters more than the amount of time spent exercising.

Exercise and Health--Does Intensity Matter? Martin Gibala, MD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnergrGg7xw

Reading

READING

THE ONE-MINUTE WORKOUT by Martin Gibala

Finally, the solution to the #1 reason we don’t exercise: time. Everyone has one minute.

“A decade ago, Martin Gibala was a young researcher in the field of exercise physiology—with little time to exercise. That critical point in his career launched a passion for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), allowing him to stay in shape with just a few minutes of hard effort. It also prompted Gibala to conduct experiments that helped launch the exploding science of ultralow-volume exercise. 

His work demonstrates that very short, intense bursts of exercise may be the most potent form of workout available. Gibala busts myths (“it’s only for really fit people”), explains astonishing science (“intensity trumps duration”), lays out time-saving life hacks (“exercise snacking”), and describes the fascinating health-promoting value of HIIT (for preventing and reversing disease). Gibala’s latest study found that sedentary people derived the fitness benefits of 150 minutes of traditional endurance training with an interval protocol that involved 80 percent less time and just three minutes of hard exercise per week. Including the eight best basic interval workouts as well as four microworkouts customized for individual needs and preferences, The One-Minute Workout solves the number-one reason we don’t exercise: lack of time.”

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/533236/the-one-minute-workout-by-martin-gibala-with-christopher-shulgan/9780399183669/