FitSugar

Learn to Love: Miso

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 03:30:00 -0700

Starting off a sushi dinner with a steamy bowl of miso soup is a ritual I can't seem to break. The soft tofu and seaweed flavored with yummy miso makes for a comforting starter, and I'm benefiting my health to boot. While the soup is a standard on Japanese menus, there are plenty more uses for miso and a list of reasons to pick some up at the store.

Miso's high sodium content makes it an ideal salt substitute in meals. The flavor enhancer is made by fermenting soybeans with a B12-synthesizing bacteria, making it a good source of the vitamin, and one tablespoon of miso provides two grams of protein and has just 25 calories. The zinc and copper found in miso support the immune system and energy production.

You can find miso paste at many supermarkets, so pick some up and start including it in your recipes. Try using it to flavor soups, salad dressings, sauces, stir-fries, and marinades. Have you experimented with miso in your cooking?

Source

How Much Do You Know About Miso?

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Now that Fall has blown in, it makes me crave bowls of steamy, warm soup. Miso is one of my favorites, since it has a light salty flavor that you can add just about anything to.

I remember the first time I heard about miso, I knew nothing about it. So let's test your knowledge to see what you know.

Take the quiz

Is Soy Safe?

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:45:00 -0700

I have heard much talk about the connection between soy and breast cancer. I've heard eating soy can prevent breast cancer, but I've also heard that it can increase your risk, or be harmful for breast cancer patients.

First off, let's bring up the fact that soy is not some new food we just discovered. It has been eaten in many Asian cultures for thousands of years, including products such as tofu, edamame (steamed whole soybean), soymilk, and fermented soy products such as tempeh, miso, and soy sauce.

Recently, in North America, soy has become a huge hit. All these products are becoming widely available, in addition to some new ones like soy nuts, soy-based meat alternatives, soy-based beverages, soy chips, soy ice cream, soy yogurt, and soy cheese.

Soy contains phytoestrogens, a group of chemicals that act like the hormone estrogen. Estrogen is a hormone necessary for having babies, and is also involved with bone and heart health in women. Higher exposure to estrogen over a lifetime is linked with increased breast cancer risk. Therefore, you can see why people might be worried about the estrogen-like phytoestrogens in soy products.

So can phytoestrogens from soy foods affect breast cancer risk? To find out read more

Right now, there is no evidence that consuming phytoestrogens found in soy products will affect healthy women, or increase their risk of breast cancer. The American Institute for Cancer Research stresses that studies on soy and breast cancer are not conclusive, and more studies need to be conducted before any dietary recommendations can be made.

Fit's Tips: Women can help prevent breast cancer by staying healthy, by eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans, and by getting plenty of exercise and maintaining a healthy weight.

Source

Miso May Burn Belly Fat

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 03:30:00 -0800

It is National Soup Month, so says my friend YumSugar. So I thought I would tell you about a little research done on miso soup recently.

Japanese researchers found that brown seaweed, used to make miso, "stimulates a protein that causes fat oxidation and conversion of energy to heat." Translated into plain English, it helps burn fat. Belly fat to be even more specific. Well, belly fat of mice to be even more specific.

Now, I need to remind you that the findings are preliminary and no testing has been done on humans. I for one, however, will be using this as an excuse to go out for sushi and order miso soup to kick off the meal.

Many Probiotics Short on Bacteria

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:09 -0800

With claims that they improve digestion, bolster immunity, and fight acne, it's no wonder that probiotic supplements are big business. Newsweek reports that sales of these supplements have more than quadrupled in the last 10 years. I will admit, I'm a fan these friendly bacteria found in yogurt and miso, but it's the quality of the supplements that's raising eyebrows.

Many popular probiotic supplements were tested by Consumer Lab, an independent agency that monitors vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements not regularly tested by the government. The lab's findings are a bit startling. Some of the products contain as little as 13 percent of the amount of "viable bacteria" claimed on the products' labels, although most products do contain one billion organisms - the amount needed to register some health benefits.

When it comes to misleading marketing with these supplements, much of the problem stems from the fact that the term probiotics has no legal definition and can be used loosely by manufactures. Of the supplements tested, ConsumerLab ranked Advocare Probiotic Restore, GNC Nature Brand Best Super Acidophilus, and Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus as having the highest quality. You can buy a full review from Consumer Lab for $12.

Belly Fat Is Bad News For Lungs

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:00:00 -0700

Some of us carry a spare tire around our waists. Turns out it's the worst place to carry weight since diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease are linked to it. It can even lead to early death. Now there's more reason to battle the bulge - new research shows that a jiggle around your middle is also associated with impaired lung function. This type of harmful "abdominal obesity" is defined as a waist that's greater than 35 inches for women and 40 for men. Poor lung function is linked to higher rates of hospitalization and deaths from heart disease because researchers say that belly fat can get in the way of the normal functioning of your diaphragm and chest. Fat tissue also increases inflammation in the body, which can also cause health problems.

Even though your waist size may not be over 35 inches, it's a good idea to minimize your belly fat for your health's sake. For tips on how read more.

Try interval training.
Drink miso soup.
Load up on whole grains.
Get enough sleep each night.
Ditch trans fat from your diet.
Manage stress. It causes our bodies to release cortisol, and high levels been associated with increased appetite and fat production. The fat has been shown to typically deposit itself in the belly area.

Source

Super Bowl Takeout: How to Order and Keep Your Resolutions

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:00:00 -0800

Super Bowl Sunday is this weekend, and I know it's supposed to be all about the game, but really, it's become all about the food. Chicken wings, pizza, seven-layer dip, chips, chili, sausages, and beer. Lots of beer. It's a cruel test for those who have started a health kick on Jan 1. It's great if you can make your own healthy snacks, but if the crowd you're with is all about ordering food, here are some tips to allow you to enjoy the party, while sticking to your resolutions.

When ordering pizza, go for thin crust, preferably one made of whole wheat. Skip the extra cheese and go for tons of veggies. If you must have meat on your pizza, go for ham instead of pepperoni or sausage since it contains less calories. Or you can always add your own turkey or chicken sausage once the pizza arrives.
If ordering wings, ask for extra carrot and celery sticks and tell them to forget the ranch or blue cheese dressing.

There are more helpful tips so read more.

If you like to order Chinese food, choose meals that contain chicken rather than beef or pork, since poultry contains less saturated fat. If they have seafood options, that's a good choice, just make sure not to order anything that's soaked in batter and deep fried. Forget the fried egg rolls, too, and go for dumplings instead (they're steamed). Order sides of extra steamed broccoli and snow peas so you can add them to your meal. Or when you order your entree, ask for added veggies. Soup may also be a good choice, especially if the broth is made with miso. Limit your sodium intake by skipping out on the added soy and hoisin sauces.

Just keep in mind that it's OK to enjoy your favorite foods, you just don't want to go overboard. If you snack over the entire four- to six-hour time span, you'll end up consuming a lot of extra calories. So grab a plate and enjoy your food at one time so you can keep track of your portion sizes.

Source

Learn to Love: Fermented Foods

FitSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Just the term "fermented foods" sounds, well a little . . . odd. Yogurt, an every day fave, is a fermented food. Add to that list the international flavors of sauerkraut, Korean kimchi, and miso. These foods all contain probiotics, lactobacilli created during the fermentation process, which have been shown to reduce breast cancer risk, protect against yeast infections, and boost immunity. They even help with the absorption of the mineral iron. Who knew that a modest bowl of miso was a probiotic powerhouse?

Source

Zinc

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:35:25 -0700

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Overview

Zinc is an essential trace mineral, so you get it through the foods you eat. Next to iron, zinc is the most common trace mineral in the body and is found in every cell. It has been used since ancient times to help heal wounds and plays an important role in the immune system, reproduction, growth, taste, vision, and smell, blood clotting, and proper insulin and thyroid function.

Zinc also has some antioxidant properties. Therefore it helps protect cells in the body from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals may contribute to the aging process as well as the development of a number of health problems, including heart disease and cancer. Antioxidants such as zinc can neutralize free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause.

Your body doesn't need a large amount of zinc; the recommended daily allowance for adults is 8 - 11 mg. A mild zinc deficiency isn't uncommon but taking a multivitamin plus eating a healthy diet should give you all the zinc you need. It's rare for people in industrialized countries to be seriously deficient in zinc. Low zinc levels are sometimes seen in the elderly, alcoholics, people with anorexia, and people on very restricted diets. People who have malabsorption syndromes, such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease, may also be deficient in zinc.

Symptoms of zinc deficiency include loss of appetite, poor growth, weight loss, lack of taste or smell, poor wound healing, skin problems (such as acne, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis), hair loss, lack of menstrual period, night blindness, white spots on the fingernails, and depression.

Zinc lessens the amount of copper your body absorbs, and high doses of zinc can cause a copper deficiency. For that reason, it is usually recommended that you take 2 mg of copper along with a zinc supplement.

Acne

Some studies suggest that taking oral zinc supplements may help improve acne. However, most studies used a high dose of zinc that could have toxic effects, and not all studies found any benefit. There is some evidence that a topical form of zinc, used in conjunction with the topical antibiotic erythromycin, might be helpful.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Zinc is often recommended to slow the progress of age-related macular degeneration, an eye disease that occurs when the macula, the part of the retina that is responsible for central vision, starts to deteriorate. A major clinical trial, the Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS1), found that people who had macular degeneration could slow its progression by taking zinc (80 mg), vitamin C (500 mg), vitamin E (400 mg), beta-carotene (15 mg), and copper (2 mg). But not all studies have found zinc to be helpful. One 2007 study found that people with macular degeneration had deposits with high levels of zinc, leading some researchers to wonder if zinc actually contributes to macular degeneration. A new study, AREDS2, is examining exactly what role zinc plays in macular degeneration.

Colds

Many people believe that taking zinc lozenges or using zinc nasal spray when they first show signs of a cold can reduce the duration and severity of symptoms, but the evidence is decidedly mixed. More and better studies are needed that examine which kinds of zinc may be effective and against which kinds of cold viruses.

Immune Response

Zinc is necessary for a healthy immune system, and people who are deficient in zinc tend to be more susceptible to a variety of infections. For that reason, zinc supplements are sometimes suggested to improve your overall immunity and ward off infections, but that may only work if you are deficient in zinc to start with.

Sickle Cell Disease

People who have sickle cell disease are often deficient in zinc. Studies suggest that taking zinc supplements may help reduce symptoms of the disease. Children who took zinc showed improvements in height and weight, and had fewer sickle-cell crises.

Stomach Ulcers

Some studies suggest that zinc may help speed the healing of gastric ulcers.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Some evidence suggests that taking zinc may cause a slight improvement in symptoms, reducing hyperactivity, impulsivity, and impaired socialization in children. However, there was no change in attention deficit symptoms, and zinc may only benefit children who are deficient to start with. Zinc may be most helpful to children with a high body mass index, low levels of free fatty acids in their blood, and low levels of zinc.

Herpes simplex

Topical preparations of zinc have shown benefit in relieving symptoms and preventing recurrences of oral herpes lesions (canker sores).

HIV/AIDS

Zinc deficiency is common in people with HIV (even before symptoms appear) or AIDS. In people with AIDS, low levels of zinc may be a result of poor absorption, medications, and loss of this important nutrient through vomiting or diarrhea. Zinc deficiency leads to increased susceptibility to infection in people with AIDS (called an opportunistic infection). Some studies show that HIV positive people who take zinc have fewer infections, gain more weight, and have a better immune system response. But not all studies agree, and one even suggests that taking zinc may be associated with higher death rates. If you have HIV or AIDS, talk to your doctor before taking zinc or any supplement.

Wilson's Disease

Some early research suggests that zinc may be beneficial in treating Wilson's disease, a condition which causes copper to build up in the body. Because zinc lessens the body's absorption of copper, it may help reduce levels of copper in people with Wilson's disease.

Other

Other conditions may increase the need for zinc or affect how your body absorbs or uses this mineral. It is not known, however, whether taking zinc will help treat any of these conditions:

Acrodermatitis enteropathica (a skin disorder due to an inherited inability to absorb zinc properly)
Alcoholism
Cirrhosis (liver disease)
Kidney disease
Celiac disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease)
High blood pressure
Pancreatic conditions
Pregnancy

Dietary Sources

Your body absorbs 20 - 40% of the zinc present in food. Zinc from animal foods like red meat, fish, and poultry is more readily absorbed by the body than zinc from plant foods. Zinc is best absorbed when taken with a meal that contains protein.

The best sources of zinc are oysters (richest source), red meats, poultry, cheese (ricotta, Swiss, gouda), shrimp, crab, and other shellfish. Other good, though less easily absorbed, sources of zinc include legumes (especially lima beans, black-eyed peas, pinto beans, soybeans, peanuts), whole grains, miso, tofu, brewer's yeast, cooked greens, mushrooms, green beans, tahini, and pumpkin, and sunflower seeds.

Available Forms

Zinc is available in several forms. Zinc sulfate is the least expensive form, but it is the least easily absorbed and may cause stomach upset.

More easily absorbed forms of zinc are zinc picolinate, zinc citrate, zinc acetate, zinc glycerate, and zinc monomethionine. If zinc sulfate causes stomach irritation, you can try another form, such as zinc citrate.

The amount of elemental zinc is listed on the product label (usually 30 - 50 mg). To determine the amount to take in supplement form, remember that you get about 10 - 15 mg from food.

Zinc lozenges, used for treating colds, are available in most drug stores. There are also nasal sprays developed to reduce nasal and sinus congestion. Nasal gels seem to work better than the spray.

How to Take It

You should take zinc with water or juice. However, if zinc causes stomach upset, it can be taken with meals. Don't take zinc at the same time as iron or calcium supplements.

A strong relationship exists between zinc and copper. Too much of one can cause a deficiency in the other. Long-term use of zinc (including zinc in a multivitamin) should be accompanied by copper.

Do not give zinc supplements to a child without talking to your doctor.

Daily intake of dietary zinc (according to the U.S. recommended dietary allowances) are listed below:

Pediatric

Infants birth to 6 months: 2 mg (AI)
Infants 7 - 12 months: 3 mg (RDA)
Children 1 - 3 years: 3 mg (RDA)
Children 4 - 8 years: 5 mg (RDA)
Children 9 - 13 years: 8 mg (RDA)
Males 14 - 18 years: 11 mg (RDA)
Females 14 - 18 years: 9 mg (RDA)

Adult

Males 19 years and older: 11 mg (RDA)
Females 19 years and older: 8 mg (RDA)
Pregnant females 14 - 18 years: 12 mg (RDA)
Pregnant females 19 years and older: 11 mg (RDA)
Breastfeeding females 14 - 18 years: 13 mg (RDA)
Breastfeeding females 19 years and older: 12 mg (RDA)

Therapeutic ranges (elemental zinc):

Men: 30 - 60 mg daily
Women: 30 - 45 mg daily

You should not take high doses of zinc for more than a few days unless your doctor tells you to. Talk to your doctor before taking more than 40 mg of zinc per day.

Precautions

Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, you should take dietary supplements only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.

Research has shown that less than 40 mg a day is a safe amount to take over time, but researchers are not sure what happens if more is taken over a long period.

Common side effects of zinc include stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, and a metallic taste in the mouth. High doses of zinc can cause dizziness, headache, drowsiness, increased sweating, loss of muscle coordination, alcohol intolerance, hallucinations, and anemia.

Very high doses of zinc may actually weaken immune function. High doses of zinc may also lower HDL ("good") cholesterol and raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol.

Possible Interactions

If you are being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use zinc without first talking to your health care provider.

Amiloride (Midamor) -- Amiloride is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) that may increase the levels of zinc in your blood. Do not take zinc supplements if you take amiloride.

Blood pressure medications, ACE Inhibitors -- A class of medications called ACE inhibitors, used to treat high blood pressure, may decrease the levels of zinc in your blood. ACE inhibitors include:

Captopril (Capoten)
Benazepril (Lotensin)
Enalapril (Vasotec)
Lisinopril (Zestril)
Fosinopril (Monopril)
Ramipril (Altace)
Perindopril (Aceon)
Quinapril (Accupril)
Moexipril (Univasc)
Trandolapril (Mavik)

Antibiotics -- Zinc may decrease your body's absorption of two kinds of antibiotics, quinolones and tetracyclines. These include:

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
Ofloxacin (Floxin)
Moxifloxacin (Avelox)
Norfloxacin (Noroxin)
Gatifloxacin (Tequin)
Tetracycline
Minocycline (Minocin)
Demeclocycline (Declomycin)

However, doxycycline (Vibramycin) does not seem to interact with zinc.

Cisplatin (Platinol-AQ) -- This drug, used for chemotherapy to treat some types of cancers, may cause more zinc to be excreted in your urine. If you are undergoing chemotherapy, do not take zinc or any other supplement without talking to your oncologist.

Deferoxamine (Desferal) -- This medication, used to remove excess iron from the blood, also increases the amount of zinc that is lost in urine.

Immunosuppressant medications -- Since zinc may make the immune system stronger, it should not be taken with corticosteroids (such a prednisone), cyclosporine, or other medications intended to suppress the immune system.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -- Zinc interacts with NSAIDs and could reduce the absorption and effectiveness of these medications. Examples of NSAIDs, which help to reduce pain and inflammation, include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naprosyn (Aleve), piroxicam (Feldene), and indomethacin (Indocin).

Penicillamine -- This medication, used to treat Wilson's disease (where excess copper builds up in the brain, liver, kidney, and eyes) and rheumatoid arthritis, decreases the levels of zinc in your blood.

Thiazide diuretics (water pills) -- This class of medications lowers the amount of zinc in your blood by increasing the amount of zinc that is passed in your urine. If you take thiazide diuretics, your doctor will monitor levels of zinc and other important minerals in your blood:

Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
Hydrochlorothiazide
Chlorthalidone (Hygroton)
Indapamide (Lozol)
Metolozone (Zaroxolyn)
Polythiazide (Renese)
Quinethazone (Hydromox)
Trichlormethiazide (Metahydrin, Naqua, Diurese)

Supporting Research

Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research 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. ArchOphthalmol. 2001;119(10):1417-1436.

Al-Maroof RA, Al-Sharbatti SS. Serum zinc levels in diabetic patients and effect of zinc supplementation on glycemic control of type 2 diabetics. Saudi Med J. 2006 Mar;27(3):344-50

Altaf W, Perveen S, Rehman KU, et al. Zinc supplementation in oral rehydration solutions: experimental assessment and mechanisms of action. J Am Coll Nutr. 2002;21(1):26-32.

Anderson RA, Roussel AM, Zouari N, Mahjoub S, Matheau JM, Kerkeni A. Potential antioxidant effects of zinc and chromium supplementation in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Am Coll Nutr. 2001;20(3):212-218.

Arnold LE, Pinkham SM, Votolato N. Does zinc moderate essential fatty acid and amphetamine treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder? J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2000;10:111-117.

Baumgaertel A. Alternative and controversial treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pediatr Clin of North Am. 1999;46(5):977-992.

Bekaroglu M, Aslan Y, Gedik Y. Relationships between serum free fatty acids and zinc, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a research note. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 1996;37(2):225-227.

Belongia EA, Berg R, Liu K. A randomized trial of zinc nasal spray for the treatment of upper respiratory illness in adults. Am J Med. 2001;111(2):103-108.

Berger MM, Spertini F, Shenkin A, et al. Trace element supplementation modulates pulmonary infection rates after major burns: a doublt-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 1998;68(2):365-371.

Bilici M, Yildirim F, Kandil S, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of zinc sulfate in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2004;28:181-90.

Brignola C, Belloli C, De Simone G, et al. Zinc supplementation restores plasma concentrations of zinc and thymulin in patients with Crohn's disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1993;7:275-280.

Brion M, Lambs L, Berthon G. Metal ion-tetracycline interactions in biological fluids. Part 5. Formation of zinc complexes with tetracycline and some of its derivatives and assessment of their biological significance. Agents Actions. 1985;17:230-242.

Brouwers JR. Drug interactions with quinolone antibacterials. Drug Saf. 1992;7(4):268-281.

Cai J, Nelson KC, Wu M, Sternberg P Jr, Jones DP. Oxidative damage and protection of the RPE. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2000;19(2):205-221.

Chausmer AB. Zinc, insulin and diabetes. J Am Coll Nutr. 1998;17(2):109-115.

Cho E, Stampfer MJ, Seddon JM, et al. Prospective study of zinc intake and the risk of age-related macular degeneration. Ann Epidemiol. 2001;11(5):328-336.

Congdon NG and West KP. Nutrition and the eye. Curr Opin Opthalmol. 1999;10:464-473.

Das UN. Nutritional factors in the pathobiology of human essential hypertension. Nutrition. 2001;17(4):337-346.

Dendrinou-Samara C, Tsotsou G, Ekateriniadou E, et al. Anti-inflammatory drugs interacting with Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pt(II) metal ions. J Inorg Biochem. 1998; 71: 171-179.

Dreno B, Amblard P, Agache P, Sirot S, Litoux P. Low doses of zinc gluconate for inflammatory acne. Acta Derm Venereol. 1989;69:541-543.

Dreno B, Trossaert M, Boiteau HL, Litoux P. Zinc salts effects on granulocyte zinc concentration and chemotaxis in acne patients. Acta Dermatol Venereol. 1992;72:250-252.

Eby GA, Halcomb WW. Ineffectiveness of zinc gluconate nasal spray and zinc orotate lozenges in common-cold treatment: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Altern Ther Health Med. 2006 Jan-Feb;12(1):34-8.

Fortes C, Forastiere F, Agabiti N, et al. The effect of zinc and vitamin A supplementation on immune response in an older population. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1998;46:19-26.

Garland ML, Hagmeyer KO. The role of zinc lozenges in treatment of the common cold. Ann Pharmacother. 1998;32:63-69.

Geerling BJ, Badart-Smook A, Stockbrügger RW, Brummer R-JM. Comprehensive nutritional status in recently diagnosed patients with inflammatory bowel disease compared with population controls. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2000;54:514-521.

Girodon F, Lombard M, Galan P, et al. Effect of micronutrient supplementation on infection in institutionalized elderly subjects: a controlled trial. Ann Nutr Metab. 1997;41(2):98-107.

Godfrey HR, Godfrey NJ, Godfrey JC, Riley D. A randomized clinical trial on the treatment of oral herpes with topical zinc oxide/glycine. Altern Ther Health Med. 2001;7(3):49-56.

Golik A, Zaidenstein R, Dishi V, et al. Effects of captopril and enalapril on zinc metabolism in hypertensive patients. J Am Coll Nutr. 1998;17:75-78.

Grahn BH, Paterson PG, Gottschall-Pass KT, Zhang Z. Zinc and the eye. J Am Coll Nutr. 2001;20(2 Suppl):106-118.

Hambridge M. Human zinc deficiency. J Nutr. 2000;130(5S suppl):1344S-1349S.

Herzberg M, Lusky A, Blonder J, Frenkel Y. The effect of estrogen replacement therapy on zinc in serum and urine. Obstet Gynecol. 1996;87(6):1035-1040.

Hines Burnham, et al, eds. Drug Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons; 2000:1295.

Hirt M, Nobel Sion, Barron E. Zinc nasal gel for the treatment of common cold symptoms: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. ENT J. 2000;79(10):778-780, 782.

Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 2001.

Intorre F, Polito A, Andriollo-Sanchez M, Azzini E, Raguzzini A, Toti E, et al. Effect of zinc supplementation on vitamin status of middle-aged and older European adults: the ZENITH study. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007 Jul 11; Epub ahead of print

Karyadi E, West CE, Schultnick W, et al. A double blind, placebo-controlled study of vitamin A and zinc supplementation in persons with tuberculosis in Indonesia: effects on clinical response and nutritional status. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002;75:720-727.

Kristal AR, Stanford JL, Cohen JH, Wicklund K, Patterson RE. Vitamin and mineral supplement use is associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer. Can Epidemiol. 1999;8(10):887-892.

Krowchuk DP. Treating acne. A practical guide. Med Clin North Am. 2000;84(4):811-828.

Lawson KA, Wright ME, Subar A, et al. Multivitamin use and risk of prostate cancer in the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2007;99:754-64.

Lengyel I, Flinn J, Peto T, Linkous D, Cano K, Bird A, et al. High concentration of zinc in sub-retinal pigment epithelial deposits. Exp Eye Res. 2007 Apr;84(4):772-780.

Li RC, Lo KN, Lam JS, et al. Effects of order of magnesium exposure on the postantibiotic effect and bactericidal activity of ciprofloxacin. J Chemother. 1999;11(4):243-247.

Lih-Brody L, Powell Sr, Collier KP, et al. Increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant defenses in mucosa of inflammatory bowel disease. Dig Dis Sci. 1996;41(10):2078-2086.

Meyer F, Galan P, Douville P, et al. Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplementation and prostate cancer prevention in the SU.VI.MAX trial. Int J Cancer. 2005;116:182-6.

Meynadier J. Efficacy and safety study of two zinc gluconate regimens in the treatment of inflammatory acne. Eur J Dermatol. 2000;10:269-273.

Miller LG. Herbal medicinals: selected clinical considerations focusing on known or potential drug-herb interactions [see comments]. Arch Intern Med. 1998;158(20):2200-2211.

Mulder TPJ, Van Der Sluys Veer A, Verspaget HW, et al. Effect of oral zinc supplementation on metallothionein and superoxide dismutase concentrations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 1994;9:472-477.

Neuvonen PJ. Interactions with the absorption of tetracyclines. Drugs. 1976;11(1):45-54.

Osendarp SJ, van Raaij JM, Darmstadt GL, Baqui AH, Hautvast JG, Fuchs GJ. Zinc supplementation during pregnancy and effects on growth and morbidity in low birthweight infants: a randomised placebo controlled trial. Lancet. 2001;357(9262):1080-1085.

Otomo S, Sasajima M, Ohzeki M, Tanaka I. Effects of D-penicillamine on vitamin B6 and metal ions in rats [in Japanese]. Nippon Yagurigaku Zasshi. 1980;76(1):1-13.

Papageorgiou PP, Chu AC. Chloroxylenol and zinc oxide containing cream (Nels cream) vs. 5% benzoyl peroxide cream in the treatment of acne vulgaris. A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2000;25:16-20.

Patrick L. Nutrients and HIV: part 2 -- vitamins A and E, zinc, B-vitamins, and magnesium. Alt Med Rev. 2000;5(1):39-51.

Penny ME, Peerson JM, Marin RM, et al. Randomized, community-based trial of the effect of zinc supplementation, with and without other micronutrients, on the duration of persistent childhood diarrhea in Lima, Peru. J Pediatr. 1999;135(2 Pt 1):208-217.

Physicians' Desk Reference. 54th ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Co., Inc.: 2000:678-683.

Pizzorno JE, Murray MT. Textbook of Natural Medicine. New York, NY: Churchilll Livingstone. 1999:1210; 1274;1383-1384.

Prasad AS. Clinical and biochemical manifestations of zinc deficiency in human subjects. J Am Coll Nutr. 1985;4(1):65-72.

Prasad AS, Beck FW, Kaplan J, et al. Effect of zinc supplementation on incidence of infections and hospital admissions in sickle cell disease (SCD). Am J Hematol. 1999;61(3):194-202.

Prasad AS, Fitzgerald JT, Bao B, Beck FW, Chandrasekar PH. Duration of symptoms and plasma cytokine levels in patients with the common cold treated with zinc acetate. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 2000;133(4):245-252.

Pronsky Z. Food-Medication Interactions. 9th ed. Pottstown, Pa: Food-Medicine Interactions; 1995.

Sazawal S, Black RE, Jalla S, et al. Zinc supplementation reduces the incidence of acute lower respiratory infections in infants and preschool children: a double-blind, controlled trial. Pediatr. 1998;102(part 1):1-5.

Seitz HK, Poschl G, Simanowski UA. Alcohol Cancer. Recent Dev Alcohol. 1998;14:67-95.

Shah D, Sachdev HP. Effect of gestational zinc deficiency on pregnancy outcomes: summary of observation studies and zinc supplementation trials. Br J Nutr. 2001;85 Suppl 2:S101-S108.

Shanker AH, Prasad AS. Zinc and immune function: the biological basis of altered resistance to infection. Am J Clin Nutr. 1998;68(2 Suppl):447S-463S.

Shay NF, Manigan HF. Neurobiology of zinc-influenced eating behavior. J Nutr. 2000;130:1493S-1499S.

Sinclair S. Male infertility: nutritional and environmental considerations. Altern Med Rev. 2000;5(1):28-38.

Toren P, Eldar S, Sela BA, et al. Zinc deficiency in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Biol Psychiatry. 1996; 40:1308-1310.

Toyoda M, Morohashi M. An overview of topical antibiotics for acne treatment. Dermatology. 1998;196(1):130-134.

VandenLangenberg GM, Mares-Perlman JA, Klein R, Klein BE, Brady WE, Palta M. Associations between antioxidant and zinc intake and the 5-year incidence of early age-related maculopathy in the Beaver Dam Eye Study. Am J Epidemiol. 1998;148(2):204-214.

van Leeuwen R, Boekhoorn S, Vingerling JR, et al. Dietary intake of antioxidants and risk of age-related macular degeneration. JAMA. 2005;294:3101-7.

Walter RM Jr, Uriu-Hare JY, Olin KL, et al. Copper, zinc, manganese, and magnesium status and complications of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care. 1991;14(11):1050-1056.

Wong Wy, Thomas CM, Merkus JM, Zielhuis GA, Steegers-Theunissen RP. Male factor subfertility: possible causes and the impact of nutritional factors. Fertil Steril. 2000;73(3):435-442.

Zaichick VYe, Sviridova TV, Zaichick SV. Zinc in the human prostate gland: normal, hyperplastic and cancerous. Int Urol Nephrol. 1997;29(5):565-574.

Zozaya JL. Nutritional factors in high blood pressure. J Hum Hypertens. 2000;14 Suppl 1:S100-S104.

Review Date:
9/26/2007
Reviewed By:
Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D., private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

Diarrhea

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:35:25 -0700

Overview

Signs and Symptoms
What Causes It?
What to Expect at Your Provider's Office
Treatment Options
Following Up
Special Considerations
Supporting Research

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Diarrhea is an increase in the wateriness, volume, or frequency of bowel movements. Although uncomfortable, most diarrhea is not serious and will go away in a few days without treatment. See a health care provider, however, if the feces contain blood, if the diarrhea is particularly severe, or if the diarrhea lasts more than a few days. Children and elderly people should see a health care provider sooner because they are at more risk of dehydration.

Signs and Symptoms

Diarrhea is a symptom of another ailment. Symptoms you might experience with diarrhea are as follows:

Frequent need to defecate
Abdominal pain, cramping
Fever, chills, general sick feeling
Thirst
Weight loss

What Causes It?

Most diarrhea is caused by an infection (viral, bacterial, or parasitic), often from food or water. Diarrhea produces watery stools and lasts only a few days. Eating local food and drinking local water during foreign travel can result in "traveler's diarrhea." Diarrhea can also be caused by reactions to medications (including some vitamins, minerals and herbs) and ingestion of milk or dairy products by people who are lactose-intolerant. A different type of diarrhea that results in blood in the stool, accompanied by fever or abdominal pain, could be caused by intestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease or Crohn's disease, and requires a doctor's care.

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

Your health care provider will question you about your symptoms. Your provider will also check if you are dehydrated and may feel your abdomen to see if it is tender, listen to your abdomen with a stethoscope, and give you a rectal exam.

Treatment Options

Drug Therapies

In many cases, diarrhea will disappear on its own. However, many drugs can treat symptoms of diarrhea. Your health care provider may suggest the following drugs for your diarrhea:

Opioid derivatives: diphenoxylate with atropine sulfate, and loperamide
Adsorbents: Bismuth salt (for traveler's diarrhea) and attapulgite
Bulk-forming medications: psyllium husk

Over the Counter

Since diarrhea is your body's way of getting rid of toxins, it's best to let it run its course. However, you may use over-the-counter anti-diarrheal remedies for convenience, including loperamide (Imodium), bismuth sub-salicylate (Pepto-Bismol), and attapulgite (Kaopectate). You should not take bismuth sub-salicylate with the herbs meadowsweet (Spirea ulmaria), white willow (Salix alba), or wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens ).

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Work with your health care provider to find remedies that are right for you.

Nutrition and Supplements

Drink plenty of liquids, and avoid solid foods, coffee, chocolate, dairy products, and strong spices. Introduce clear soup, crackers, white bread, rice, potatoes, applesauce, and bananas as diarrhea gets better.
Rice or barley water, fresh vegetable juices (especially carrot and celery), miso broth, or other clear broths help restore proper fluid and electrolyte balance. Make rice and barley water using 1 cup of raw grain to 1 quart of boiling water. Let steep for 20 minutes. Strain and drink throughout the day.
Lactobacillus acidophilus and/or bifidobacteria taken as powder or in capsules helps normalize bowel flora and may help cure your diarrhea. Take as directed. Active culture yogurt containing these probiotics may help prevent diarrhea.
A live yeast, Saccharomyces boulardii, is often used in Europe to prevent diarrheas associated with antibiotic use. Take 1 - 3 capsules per day (3 - 9 billion colony forming units). May be taken with other probiotics. Rare but serious cases of infection in seriously ill patients have been reported, so do not takeSaccraromyces boulardii without a doctor's supervision.
Bovine colostrum, the pre-milk fluid secreted by a cow's mammary glands just after giving birth, may help treat some kinds of infectious diarrhea (1,000 - 4,000 mg per day)
Glutamine (3,000 mg three times per day) is helpful in treating diarrhea that is caused by irritation of the intestinal lining.
If lactose intolerance is the cause of the diarrhea, use over-the-counter lactase enzyme supplements before consuming dairy products.

Herbs

Do not use herbs to treat diarrhea without talking to your health care provider first. If your diarrhea is caused by certain types of infections, herbal treatments could make it worse. The most common herbal remedies for diarrhea are described below. They can be used as teas unless otherwise noted. You should make teas with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 - 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 - 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 - 4 cups per day.

Astringent herbs:

Astringent herbs, such as blackberry leaf (Rubus fruticosus) or raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus), help "dry up" the mucous membranes in the intestine. Make a tea with 1 heaping tsp. per cup. Drink a ½ cup per hour. These teas are safe for children.
Carob powder (Ceratonia siliqua), which is rich in fiber, may be taken at the rate of 1.5 g per 2.2 pounds or 1 kg of body weight.Dissolve powder into a hydrating solution such as Pedialyte.
Extract of bilberry (Vaccinum myrtillus) also has astringent properties (4 g, spread over several doses). Do not take bilberry if you take blood-thinning medication.
Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatorium) is a traditional remedy for diarrhea. Usual dosage is 3 g (about 1/2 tsp.) per day.

Inflammation reducers:

Quercetin (250 - 500 mg two to four times per day)
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is usually taken as a tea. Dissolve 3 - 4 g powder (about 3 tsp.) in 1 cup hot water, strain and cool. Drink three times per day.
Marshmallow root (Althea officinalis) as cold-water tea. Soak 2 tbs. root in 1 quart of water overnight. Strain.Drink throughout the day.
Slippery elm powder (Ulmus fulva) or marshmallow root powder (Althaea officinalis). Use 1 oz. powder to 1 quart of water. Make a paste with the powder and a small amount of water. Gradually add in the rest of the water and then simmer down to 1 pint. Take 1 tsp. every 30 - 60 minutes.

Infection fighters:

Plants containing berberine can be used for infectious diarrhea. These include barberry (Berberis vulgaris) 250 - 500 mg three times per day; goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) 250 - 500 mg three times per day; and Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium ), 250 - 500 mg three times per day.

Homeopathy

Some evidence suggests that homeopathic treatment may help diarrhea. In one study, children with acute diarrhea who received an individualized homeopathic treatment for 5 days had diarrhea for significantly less time than children who had placebo. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type -- your physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate remedy for a particular individual. Some of the most effective homeopathic remedies are as follows:

Arsenicum album -- for foul-smelling diarrhea from food poisoning or traveler's diarrhea with burning sensation in the abdomen and around the anus. This remedy is most appropriate for individuals who feel exhausted yet restless and whose symptoms tend to worsen in the cold and improve with warmth. Vomiting may also occur.; Arsenicum may also be used to prevent diarrhea when traveling.
Chamomilla -- for greenish, frothy stool that smells like rotten eggs. Used primarily for children, especially those who are irritable, argumentative, and difficult to console. Chamomilla is commonly recommended for colicky or teething infants.
Calcarea carbonica -- for children who fear being in the dark or alone and who perspire heavily while sleeping. Stools may have a sour odor.
Mercurius -- for foul-smelling diarrhea that may have streaks of blood accompanied by a sensation of incomplete emptying. This remedy is most appropriate for people who tend to feel exhausted following bowel movements, experience extreme changes in body temperatures, perspire heavily, and have a thirst for cold fluids.
Podophyllum -- for explosive, gushing, painless diarrhea that becomes worse after eating or drinking. Exhaustion often follows bowel movements and the individual for whom this remedy is appropriate may experience painful cramps in lower extremities.; Podophyllum is often used in infants for diarrhea experienced from teething.
Sulphur -- for irritable and weepy children. They may have a red ring around the anus and diarrhea with the odor of rotten eggs.
Veratrum album -- for profuse, watery diarrhea accompanied by stomach cramps, bloated abdomen, vomiting, exhaustion, and chills. The diarrhea is worsened by fruit, and the individual craves cold liquids.

Acupuncture

Although several studies in traditional Chinese medicine journals have reported success in treating childhood diarrhea, acupuncturists in the United States do not generally treat this condition in children. However, acupuncture may be used when conventional treatment has failed. In this case, acupuncturists would examine both the nutritional value and the "energetic" qualities of food that might be affecting digestion.

Acupuncture is also combined with conventional medicine in treating diarrhea in adults.

Acupuncturists treat people with diarrhea based on an individualized assessment of the excesses and deficiencies of qi located in various meridians. In the case of diarrhea, a qi deficiency is usually detected in the spleen meridian. As a result, acupuncture treatments often focus on strengthening this meridian. Moxibustion (a technique in which the herb mugwort is burned over specific acupuncture points) is frequently used in the treatment of diarrhea because its effect is thought to reach deeper into the body than needling alone.

Following Up

If your diarrhea does not stop in 3 - 5 days, contact your health care provider.

Special Considerations

If you are pregnant, tell your doctor. Dehydration can cause you to go into labor early. Also, the diarrhea-related spasms may cause you to have contractions. Do not take goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), barberry (Berberis vulgaris), or high doses of vitamin A if you are pregnant.

Diarrhea can be serious, even fatal, for infants and elderly people because of dehydration and the loss of electrolytes.

Supporting Research

Andreoli TE, Bennett JC, Carpenter CCJ. Cecil Essentials of Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Co; 1993:271-277.

Bartram T. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. Dorset, England: Grace Publishers; 1995:147.

Bensky D, Gamble A. Chinese Herbal Medicine. Seattle, Wash: Eastland Press; 1986:47-49.

Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, Mass: Integrative Medicine Communications; 1998:425, 464.

Berkow R. The Merck Manual of Medical Information. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories; 1997:523-525.

Carr AC, Frei B. Toward a new recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C based on antioxidant and health effects in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;69(6):1086-1107.

Dambro MR. Griffith's 5 Minute Clinical Consult. Baltimore, Md: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 1999:316-319.

Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C, et al., eds. PDR for Herbal Medicines. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Co; 1998:617-618, 621-622, 763-766, 1047-1050, 1061-1063, 1078-1079, 1103-1104, 1201-1202, 1226-1227.

Johnston CS. Recommendations for vitamin C intake. JAMA. 1999;282(22):2118-2119.

Jacobs J, Jiménez M, Malthouse S, Chapman E, Crothers D, Masuk M, Jonas WB. Homeopathic treatment of acute childhood diarrhea: results from a clinical trial in Nepal. J Altern Complement Med. 2000;6(2):131-139.

Jonas WB, Jacobs J. Healing with Homeopathy: The Doctors' Guide. New York, NY: Warner Books; 1996: 218-220.

Khin-Maung-U, Myo-Khin, Nyunt-Nyunt-Wai, et al. Clinical trial of berberine in acute watery diarrhoea. Br Med J 1985;291:1601-5.

Kollaritsch H, Holst H, Grobara P, Widermann G. Prevention of traveler's diarrhea with Saccharomyces boulardii. Results of a placebo controlled double-blind study. Fortschr Med 1993;111:152-6.

Lin Y, Zhou Z, Shen W et al. Clinical and experimental studies on shallow needling technique for treating childhood diarrhea. J Tradit Chin Med. 1993;13(2):107-114.

Loeb H, Vandenplas Y, Wursch P, Guesry P. Tannin-rich carob pod for the treatment of acute-onset diarrhea. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1989 May;8(4):480-5.

Murray MT. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements. Rocklin, Calif: Prima Publishing; 1996:431-439.

Patel AV, Rojas-Vera J, Dacke CG. Therapeutic constiuents and actions of Rubus species. Curr Med Chem. 2004 Jun;11(11):1501-12.

Saavedra J. Probiotics and infectious diarrhea. Am J Gastroenterol. 2000;95:S16-18.

Saaker SA, Casswall TH, Mahalanabis D, et al. Successful treatment of rotavirus diarrhea in children with immunoglobulin from immunized bovine colostrum. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1998;17:1149-54.

Spanier JA, Howden CW, Jones MP. A systematic review of alternative therapies in the irritable bowel syndrome. Arch Intern Med. 2003;163(3):265-74.

Stein JK, ed. Internal Medicine. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby-Year Book; 1994:436-440.

Stoller JK, Ahmad M, Longworth DL, eds. The Cleveland Clinic Intensive Review of Internal Medicine. Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins; 1998:638-643.

Su Z. Acupuncture treatment of infantile diarrhea: a report of 1050 cases. J Tradit Chin Med. 1992;12(2):120-121.

Ullman D. Homeopathic Medicine for Children and Infants. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam; 1992: 75-77.

Ullman D. The Consumer's Guide to Homeopathy. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam; 1995: 243-245.

Walker LP, Brown EH. The Alternative Pharmacy. Paramus, NJ: Prentice Hall Press; 1998:147-150.

Review Date:
6/27/2006
Reviewed By:
Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D., private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com