When a nutrient or substance shows a 50% improvement in a health marker, it is time to take notice.  Positive study results have exceeded 50% with the following nutrients or eating plans.

· Vitamin K2 In a 2007 study 4,800 subjects were followed for 10 years. Researchers found that 45 micrograms/day of natural vitamin K2 resulted in 50% decreased arterial calcification as well as a similarly decreased cardiovascular mortality risk.

· Individuals aged 70 to 90 years adhering to a Mediterranean diet and healthful lifestyle experienced a more than 50% lower rate of all-cause and cause-specific mortality.  This echoes risk reduction in younger people.

· Vitamin D is another vitamin you may have heard about lately.  One reason we recommend it is its association with reduced colorectal cancer risk. A 50% lower risk of this kind of cancer was associated with a serum vitamin D level equal to 33 ng/mL or greater.  Most people can reach this level with 2000iu per day.

· Not quite 50%, but subjects in a 2006 study who had the highest levels of  DHA  at the beginning of the study were 47% less likely to develop dementia.

These are some of the nutrients we recommend you focus on in your own supplement program in addition to a multiple vitamin, calcium and magnesium.

As sunny weather approaches, we start to think more about protecting our skin from sun and aging induced wrinkles and discoloration.

· Polypodium leucotomos, also known as Fernblock, was traditionally used by Native Americans to protect against the sun.  Modern testing has proven Fernblock to protect against UV induced sun damage when taken orally.  The active substances appear to accumulate in the skin and protect against sunburn, inflammation,  oxidative damage, and the destruction of elastic proteins in the skin.

· As we age, it is important to promote collagen production to support healthy, younger looking skin.  One way to support collagen formation is with organic silica, also known as ortosilicic acid or Biosil.  In a study with Biosil, women aged 40 to 65 were given either 10mg of Biosil or a placebo for 20 weeks.  Those taking Biosil had a 30% improvement over the placebo in the depth of micro wrinkles (the sort of wrinkles that later develop into deep wrinkles.)  Collagen production also increased by 15%.

· A process called glycosylation appears to play a major role in the aging process.  In glycosylation, sugars in the cell are cross linked to proteins, ultimately resulting in the loss of elasticity in the skin.  Several substances powerfully inhibit glycosylation, including the amino acid L-carnosine and the antioxidant alpha lipoic acid.

· A recent human clinical study showed 10mg of lutein daily increased skin hydration, elasticity and skin lipid content.

· Three months of fish oil supplementation was found to increase skin elasticity.  Fish oil is also believed to reduce sun damage by limiting sun induced inflammation.