White Rice Increases Risk of Diabetes – Magnesium and Fiber Lost in Processing

The British Medical Journal recently published a study on the health effects of eating nutrient-deficient white rice.  In an analysis of several studies, the researchers found that higher white rice consumption was associated with a significantly elevated risk of type 2 diabetes. This association seems to be stronger for Asians than for Western populations. A dose-response analysis showed that for each serving per day of white rice, this consumption was associated with an 11% increase in risk of diabetes in the overall population.

Compared with minimally processed whole grains such as brown rice, white rice has a lower content of many nutrients including fiber, magnesium, vitamins, and healthy plant chemicals.  These are lost during the refining process when the outer covering is removed and brown rice is converted to white.  Some of these nutrients, especially insoluble fiber and magnesium, have been associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes in studies.  Thus, a high consumption of white rice may lead to increased risk of diabetes because of the low intake of beneficial nutrients.

Comments from the blog author Nutrition Breakthroughs:

When we eat highly processed foods, our bodies will then need to take the missing nutrients out of our tissues in order to assimilate the deficient food.  This includes fast foods, pastries, cakes, cookies, sodas, and other foods made from highly processed white flour or white sugar.  Whole grain brown rice and other whole grains are a better alternative as they retain many of their natural vitamins.

One particularly important nutrient that removed from processed foods is is magnesium — one that much of our population is deficient in.  Mildred Seelig, M.D., the leading medical researcher on magnesium says: “Many people needlessly suffer pain – including migraines and muscle cramps – because they don’t get enough magnesium.”

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center web site, inadequate magnesium also appears to reduce serotonin levels in the brain.  One study found that magnesium was just as effective as an antidepressant drug in treating depression.  In addition, researchers at Stockholm’s Karolinska Institute in Sweden reported that for every 100 milligram increase in magnesium intake, the risk of developing type-2 diabetes was decreased by 15 per cent.

Chronic insomnia is also one of the main symptoms of magnesium deficiency.  Sleep in magnesium deficiency is usually agitated with frequent nighttime awakenings. On the other hand, a high magnesium diet has been found to be associated with deeper, less interrupted sleep — from a study done at the Human Nutrition Research Center in North Dakota.

This information is brought to you by http://www.NutritionBreakthroughs.com, maker of the effective natural insomnia remedy Sleep Minerals II.  Sleep Minerals II contains powerful forms of the best known minerals for relaxation and sleep — calcium and magnesium — combined with vitamin D.  The ingredients are formulated in a softgel, which makes them more quickly absorbable than tablets or capsules.

Wendy R. of Honolulu, Hawaii says: “My friends know I’ve had chronic insomnia for a very long time. I received the Sleep Minerals II and took it and I actually slept! This thing really works. I wanted to say, its funny, but people do know I have insomnia and once in a while a co-worker will ask me how I slept.  In the past, if I ever got a good nights sleep I’d say “I slept like a baby”, but that’s the wrong analogy. Those little guys get up every two hours. I am actually beginning to sleep like an adult — a much-rested adult.”

For more information on Sleep Minerals II visit http://www.nutritionbreakthroughs.com/html/sleep_remedy_for_insomnia_help.html
————–
Credit: The British Medical Journal http://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e1454

Study Shows “Beauty Sleep” is Vital to Looking Good

If you want to look attractive and healthy, the best thing you can do is get a good night’s sleep, finds research on the website of the British Medical Journal.

For the first time, say the study authors, there is scientific backing for the concept of beauty sleep.  The study, led by John Axelsson from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, investigated the relationship between sleep and perceptions of attractiveness and health. The authors believe this research is important in today’s 24 hour society with the number of people suffering from sleep disorders and disturbed sleep on the rise.

Twenty-three participants between the ages of 18 to 31 took part in the study. They were photographed between 2pm and 3pm on two occasions, once after normal sleep and once after being deprived of sleep. Smokers were excluded from the research and no alcohol was allowed for two days prior to the experiment.

The photographs were taken in a well-lit room and the distance to the camera was fixed. During both photography sessions participants wore no make-up, had their hair loose (combed back if they had long hair) and underwent similar cleaning or shaving procedures. They were asked to have a relaxed, neutral facial expression for both photos.

Sixty-five observers, who were blinded to the sleep status of the subjects, rated the photographs for attractiveness and whether the individuals looked healthy/unhealthy or tired/not tired.

The observers judged the faces of sleep-deprived participants as less healthy, less attractive and more tired.  The authors conclude that the facial signals of sleep deprived people affect facial appearance and judgments of their attractiveness, health and tiredness.  Source: The British Medical Journal
———–
Comment from the blog author http://www.NutritionBreakthroughs.com

To preserve your “Beauty Sleep” and attractiveness at those times when you’re experiencing insomnia or sleeplessness, learn more about Sleep Minerals II, the effective natural sleep remedy from Nutrition Breakthroughs.  It comes in an easy to take softgel, is used by people of all ages worldwide, and contains an effective formula with calcium, magnesium and vitamin D.

Lyn K. of Los Angeles, CA. says “I’ve had chronic insomnia for some years now and had been taking other calcium products to help with my sleep.  No other insomnia remedy has worked as effectively or consistently as Sleep Minerals II.  I can count on it whenever I need help falling asleep at night or going back to sleep in the middle of the night. This is what sets it apart from the rest – it works reliably.  I call this product my “Sleep Insurance”.  It also eases my menopause symptoms, evens out my hormonal changes, and seems to put my body into a healthy balance.”

To learn more about Sleep Minerals II, visit http://www.NutritionBreakthroughs.com/html/sleep_remedy_for_insomnia_help.html

———–

Source: The British Medical Journal: http://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c6614

Study Shows Calcium and Vitamin D Keep Bones Strong after Menopause

In a recent study from the British Medical Journal, it was confirmed that taking both calcium and vitamin D together on a daily basis significantly reduces the risk of bone fractures.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, women can lose up to 20% of their bone mass in the five to seven years after menopause, making them more susceptible to osteoporosis and fractures.  In a recent study from the British Medical Journal, it was confirmed that taking both calcium and vitamin D together on a daily basis significantly reduces the risk of bone fractures.

The research was based on a review of seven controlled trials comprising almost 70,000 people throughout the U.S. and Europe. These findings are important because this is one of the few studies to show that vitamin D alone does not reduce the risk of fracture.

John Robbins, a professor of internal medicine and co-author of the study says: “What is important about this very large study is that it goes a long way toward resolving conflicting evidence about the role of vitamin D, either alone or in combination with calcium, in reducing fractures.  My earlier research in Sacramento included more than 1,000 healthy, postmenopausal women and concluded that taking calcium and vitamin D together helped them preserve bone health and prevent fractures. This latest analysis, because it incorporates so many more people, really confirms our earlier conclusions.”

The National Osteoporosis Foundation defines osteoporosis as porous bone; a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue.  This can lead to fragile bones and an increased susceptibility to fractures, especially of the hip, spine and wrist, although any bone can be affected.  The foundation estimates that 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, of which 80% are women and 20% men.

Regarding the use of calcium and vitamin D together, Robbins said: “This (recent) study supports a growing consensus that combined calcium and vitamin D is more effective than vitamin D alone in reducing a variety of fractures.  Interestingly, this combination of supplements benefits both women and men of all ages, which is not something we fully expected to find.”

In addition to strengthening bones, recent research has shown that calcium is also an effective insomnia remedy, as well as being an important agent to lower blood pressure, alleviate symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and protect against colon cancer.  More and more nutritional supplements are being formulated with calcium and vitamin D because of their wide array of benefits.

In order to prevent a magnesium deficiency, supplements should contain a 2 to 1 ratio of calcium to magnesium (twice as much calcium as magnesium). The original research on this recommended ratio appeared in 1935 in the Journal of Physiological Reviews.  In addition, a softgel form is more digestible than tablets.  Softgels that are formulated with carrier oils such as evening primrose have been shown to increase mineral absorption, reduce calcium excretion, and increase bone density.  One formula that has these qualities is Sleep Minerals II from http://www.NutritionBreakthroughs.com.

Sleep Minerals II is a unique natural insomnia remedy and bone strengthening product which maximizes calcium absorption with six forms of calcium, three forms of magnesium, boron, Vitamin D, Vitamin K and horsetail herb – all combined in a softgel with carrier oils.  Lyn K. of Los Angeles, CA. says: “I’ve had chronic insomnia for some years now and had been taking other calcium products to help with my sleep.  No other insomnia remedy has worked as effectively or consistently as Sleep Minerals II.  I can count on it whenever I need help falling asleep at night or going back to sleep in the middle of the night. This is what sets it apart from the rest – it works reliably. It also eases my menopause symptoms, evens out my hormonal changes, and seems to put my body into a healthy balance.”

The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends the following good preventive measures for maintaining bone health, including getting the daily-recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D, engaging in regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol.

Here’s to the health of your bones and to every part of you.

For more information on Sleep Minerals II, visit http://www.nutritionbreakthroughs.com/html/sleep_remedy_for_insomnia_help.html