Page 42
The Willner Window Product Reference Catalog, Fall 2016
Since 1911
•
Willner Chemists: The Nutritional Supplement Professionals
Most vitamin D muscle studies have
focused on older adults, but this review of
seven studies covered 310 men and
women aged 22 to 32. Participants in the
studies took a placebo or vitamin D in
doses of 4,000 IU per day up to 60,000
IU per week, and lasted from four weeks
to six months.
Overall compared to placebo, those tak-
ing vitamin D saw greater improvements
in upper and lower limb muscle strength.
The average level of vitamin D at the start
of all the studies was 12.3 nanograms per
milliliter of blood (ng/mL); below the 20
ng/mL doctors believe is the minimum
adequate level.
Reference: Journal of Science and Medicine
in Sport; 2015, Vol. 18, No. 5, 570-80
The pharmacists and nutritionists at Willner
Chemists can help you select the proper
vitamin D supplement for your needs.
Magnesium Protects Arteries
Magnesium is one of the most important
nutrients but is often overlooked.
Deficiencies are common, even in devel-
oped countries. Signs of deficiency are
increased blood pressure, reduced glucose
tolerance and nerve excitability.
Most of us who take one a day multivita-
mins, don’t realize that the magnesium
content is usually insufficient. Others who
worry about their bones might take a calci-
um supplement rather than calcium with
magnesium. The standard dose for magne-
sium supplementation is 200-400mg.
Choosing products that have higher mag-
nesium content might require swallowing
more pills, but the benefits, as this study
shows, are worth the trouble. Absorption is
another concern, so the form of magne-
sium can make a difference. For best
absorption use magnesium citrate or mag-
nesium bisgycinate (chelated), or magne-
sium malate. High doses of magnesium can
cause loosening of the bowel so start slow-
ly. Magnesium bisglycinate or chelated
magnesium is the best tolerated. Avoid
Magnesium oxide as it’s more likely to irri-
tate the bowel and absorption is poor.
Some samples of magnesium supplements
are:
Magnesium is an essential dietary miner-
al, and the second most prevalent elec-
trolyte in
the human body. Magnesium deficiencies
are common in developed countries. A
deficiency increases blood pressure,
reduces glucose tolerance and causes neu-
ral excitation.
Magnesium deficiencies are common in
the western diet because grains are poor
sources of magnesium. Other prominent
sources of magnesium, like nuts and leafy
vegetables, are not eaten as often. It is pos-
sible to fix a magnesium deficiency through
dietary changes. If magnesium is supple-
mented to attenuate a deficiency, it acts as
a sedative, reducing blood pressure and
improving insulin sensitivity.
Maintaining healthy magnesium levels is
also associated with a protective effect
against depression and ADHD.
Additional Comments from Sam Forbes, CN
C
alcium can build up on artery walls, rais-
ing chances for heart disease, high blood
pressure, and type 2 diabetes. Earlier studies
found a link between low levels of magne-
sium and calcium buildup in coronary arter-
ies in those with chronic kidney disease, but
doctors wanted to know more about magne-
sium and calcium buildup in healthy people.
In this study, doctors measured magnesium
levels in 1,276 men and women who were
free from symptoms of cardiovascular dis-
ease. Compared to those with the lowest lev-
els, those with the highest circulating levels of
magnesium were 48 percent less likely to
have high blood pressure, 69 percent less
likely to have type 2 diabetes, and 42 per-
cent less likely to have calcium buildup in
coronary arteries.
Reference: Nutrition Journal; 2016, Vol. 15,
No. 22, Published Online
Some Examples of
Magnesium Supplements:
Magnesium Optimizer (Jarrow Formulas)
100 Tablets - Product Code: 38052
Magnesium Malate (Source Naturals)
90 Tablets - Product Code: 23936
Chelated Magnesium 200 (BlueBonnet)
60 Vcaps - Product Code: 45034
Magnesium Citrate (Solgar)
60 Tablets - Product Code: 13367
D
octors believe it is the type of fiber-vis-
cous soluble fiber-in barley that is
responsible for its health benefits. As we
pointed out elsewhere in this
catalog/newsletter, there are two types of
fiber. It is the water-soluble type that seems
to be most effective in lowering cholesterol.
Barley contains that type of fiber, present as
beta-glucans. Examples of other water solu-
ble fiber supplements include oat bran, guar
gum, and psyllium seed husk.
Researchers in this review analyzed find-
ings from 14 studies covering 615 people
who took barley beta-glucan for at least three
weeks. Participants were average age 47,
slightly overweight, with most having high
cholesterol.
Overall, people who consumed 6.5 grams
to 6.9 grams per day of barley beta-glucan
for at least four weeks saw LDL cholesterol
decline an average of 0.25 micromoles per
liter of blood, and other non-HDL choles-
terol decline by 0.31 micromoles per liter.
Reference: European Journal of Clinical
Nutrition; June, 2016, Published Online
Barley Beta-
Glucan Lowered
Cholesterol
Folic Acid Supplements Lowered
Chances of Colon Cancer
Folic acid is the synthetic form of
folate, an essential B vitamin. This study
clearly shows that folic acid does raise tis-
sue folate levels. However, a small per-
centage of the population carries a genet-
ic defect that prevents them from pro-
ducing the enzyme that converts folic
acid and folate to the active form, L-5-
methyltetrahydrofolate, or 5-MTHF.
Those individuals may be prone to some
health conditions, particularly elevated
homocysteine. Elevated homocysteine is
a risk factor for cardiovascular disease,
stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.
Fortunately 5-MTHF is available as a sup-
plement and is often called Methylfolate.
Studies comparing 5-MTHF and folic acid
have found that the two compounds
have comparable physiological activity.
Intake of 5-MTHF may have advantages
over intake of folic acid. 5-MTHF reduces
the potential for masking hematological
symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Also, 5-MTHF may be associated with a
reduced interaction with drugs that such
as methotrexate. Many manufacturers
now carry 5-MTHF as well as folic acid
and are sold at Willner Chemists.
Additional Comments
from Sam Forbes, CN
Nutrient May Protect DNA
I
n this study, doctors gave 600 mcg of folic
acid per day or a placebo to 20 men and
women in their mid-60’s who had non-
cancerous colon polyps discovered during
their first colonoscopy. People with low levels
of folate—which is the form folic acid takes
in the body—are more likely to develop
colorectal cancer, doctors said.
After six months, while there was no
change for placebo, those who had taken
folic acid saw folate levels increase in the
tissue cells lining the colon, and a decrease in
signs of DNA damage.
In a second important finding, folate levels
were also higher in the tissue cells next to the
former polyp sites, making them less likely to
develop mutations that could lead to cancer,
doctors said.
Reference: Journal of Nutrition; May, 2016,
Vol. 146, No. 5, 933-9
Here are some products to choose from
at Willner Chemists:
METHYLFOLATE 400 MCG BY JARROW,
60 Vcaps - Product Code: 61325
METHYLFOLATE 800 MCG
BY COUNTRY LIFE,
60 Lozenges - Product Code: 65088
FOLATE METAFOLIN 1000 MCG
BY SOLGAR
60 Tablets - Product Code: 63334
