Berberine has a history of usage in traditional Chinese medicine. Research evidence shows that berberine could support health in many ways, including heart disease, cholesterol-lowering, preventing obesity, preventing atherosclerotic disease, preventing cognitive degeneration. Berberine is available as a supplement to manage various disease conditions. However, it is mainly used as a supplement to promote healthy cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and cardiovascular health.

Biologically, berberine has been shown to provide many beneficial bioactivities against several disease conditions, such as microbial infections, inflammation, certain cancers, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, depression, and metabolic dysfunctions.

User reviews of the benefits of berberine in human health

User reviews on the use of berberine supplements show a rating of 4.1 out of 5, with the overall satisfaction that the supplement worked for them, and that it is easy to use. The health conditions most reported with the use included diabetes, Polycystic ovary syndrome, weight loss, and high cholesterol. However, a minority with negative reviews reported side effects such as increased blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, bloating, anxiety, and constipation.

The beneficial effect of berberine in diabetes Miletus

The incidence of type 2 diabetes continues to increase worldwide, making every effort towards managing the disease outside of conventional medical care a welcome approach.

Beneficial effect of berberine on High blood pressure

Hypertension represents the highest risk factor for disease. Due to the asymptomatic nature of hypertension, patients often decline treatment due to hypertension and sometimes turn to alternative therapies including lifestyle and herbs. One such popular therapy is the use of berberine.

Benefits of berberine in Obesity

Obesity is a chronic disease that is characterised by abnormal accumulation of fat. The global prevalence of obesity is rapidly increasing and is of great public health concern. Obesity increases a person’s risk for diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disorders, infertility, certain cancers, and psychological and social disorders.

Therefore, approaches to address the global concern need to be explored.

Berberine and high cholesterol

Nutritional approaches involving the use of supplements accompanied by improved dietary habits and lifestyle are becoming increasingly acceptable methods for the control of high cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood. The body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, however, high levels of cholesterol lead to an increased risk of heart disease through the deposits of fatty substances in the blood vessels.

Berberine and polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance condition in women resulting in the production of higher-than-normal amounts of male hormones, skipping of menstrual periods and difficulty in falling pregnant. Berberine has been found helpful for women having PCOS.

Beneficial effect of berberine on Cancer

Cancer is a disease that results from cellular changes caused by the uncontrolled growth and division of cells. Therapeutic strategies are constantly improving and they include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, stem cell transplantation, and precision medicine. The use of berberine has been indicated as having potential in the management of cancer.

Benefits of berberine on gut health

The gut or digestive tract (starting from the mouth through the intestine, the large colon through the anus) is more than a simple body system of one long tube for food to pass through, be absorbed, and excreted. The gut is comprised of an array of microbes, that dictate the state of health including the immune system, mental health, autoimmune diseases, mood, skin conditions and more. Berberine is of great help in enhancing the gut health.

Berberine and inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s response to trigger an immune reaction. Inflammation does not always indicate that there is an infection, however, an infection can cause inflammation. Health experts believe that inflammation may contribute to chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

Benefits of berberine in bacterial infection

Disease-causing bacteria may get access into the body, thereafter, multiply rapidly and cause infections. Some of the common infections include the general signs and symptoms of infection such as swollen lymph nodes, skin swelling, soreness, headache, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting abdominal pain etc. The use of berberine has also been found useful in reducing the symptoms of bacterial infections.

Berberine’s numerous bioactive actions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, anti-mutagenic, anti-diabetic, and lipid-lowering represent a great contribution to its clinical efficacy. Berberine is marketed in capsules for therapeutic use.

Conclusion

The health benefits of berberine are well documented in the literature. Many credible research studies establish the use of berberine in enhancing the health outcome in certain chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases, high cholesterol, inflammation etc. Nevertheless, the use of supplements should be done with caution. Berberine is not an exception. Always discuss with your doctor to confirm if it is good for you. The fact that a supplement is good and works for people does not mean it will work for everyone.

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Forms of Vitamin K

Vitamin K exists in 2 forms, and they are vitamin K1 and vitamin K2. Vitamin K1, also known as phylloquinone, is mostly found in plant foods such as leafy green vegetables and vegetable oils. Vitamin K1 makes up about 75–90% of all vitamin K that humans consume. Vitamin K2 is found in fermented foods such as cheese, and animal products such as meats and eggs. Also, vitamin K2 is produced by gut bacteria.

Recent findings regarding vitamin K

Findings from recent research involving more than 53,000 Danish adults suggest that foods containing vitamin K may help to protect against cardiovascular disease. The research further investigates the activities of the two different forms of vitamin K. The participants were followed for an average of 21 years and their hospitalizations for heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease were traced.

The findings showed that people with the highest amount of vitamin K₁ intakes were up to 21% less likely to be hospitalized with cardiovascular diseases compared with people who had the lowest intakes of the vitamin. On the other hand, the risk with vitamin K₂ was 14% lower. The finding regarding vitamin K2 is considered inconclusive as this vitamin exists in many different forms that act in different ways in the body.

Deficiency of vitamin K

The following signs may be associated with vitamin K deficiency:

• Bleeding from nose or gums.
• Excessive bleeding from wounds, and punctures.
• Easy bruising.
• Heavy menstrual periods.
• Bleeding from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

 Conclusion

The more beneficial form of vitamin K investigated is the one most consumed by humans. Moreover, this form of vitamin K (K1) is easily obtainable from leafy vegetables and vegetable oils. By following the healthy eating guideline of eating plenty of vegetables every day and using vegetable oils rather than solid fats, you can easily obtain an adequate amount of vitamin K1 that your body needs.

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How about vitamin D

Vitamin D is fat-soluble and exists naturally in some foods, added in fortified foods, and is available as a food supplement. Also, it is synthesized endogenously through ultraviolet rays from sunlight on the skin. The form of vitamin D obtained from food sources, supplements and sun exposure is biologically inactive. Therefore, vitamin D must be transformed into the body for it to be active. The first transformation takes place in the liver and converts vitamin D to 25-hydroxyvitamin D also called calcidiol. The second transformation takes place in the kidney and converts vitamin D to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D also called calcitriol or vitamin D3.

Research highlights on Vitamin D in colon cancer (3,4,5)

• Colon cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells that are most often linked to vitamin D deficiency.
• Vitamin D3 (Calcitriol) inhibits the spread, movement, intrusiveness and the growth of new blood vessels of colon carcinoma cells.
• Vitamin D3 promotes the separation of colon cancer cells and prepares them for destruction.
• Vitamin D3 reduces the pro-tumour effects of colon cancer.
• Vitamin D3 regulates the biology of intestinal immune cells and thereby enhancing the array of microbes in the gut.
• Vitamin D ensures the correct level of antimicrobial peptides in the secretion and maintains epithelial integrity.

Other beneficial roles of Vitamin D in colon cancer

Vitamin D3 has a wide immune regulating effect by acting on a range of immune cells. It acts as an anti-inflammatory agent by maintaining regulatory homeostatic role of the immune system against adverse situations. It acts as a repressor thereby preventing over-activation which could lead to undesirable consequences in the colon.

Vitamin D3 plays a vital role in the detoxification process in the intestine by controlling the expression of antioxidant, the enzymes involved in the catabolism of compounds including bile acids and other compounds that promote the development of colon cancer.

Dietary Vitamin D and recommended levels

The human body obtained Vitamin D through sun exposure and also from natural and fortified foods, and dietary supplements. Sun exposure, dietary vitamin D with calcium intake, and serum vitamin D concentration reduce the risk of colon cancer (4). A recent study suggests that optimal circulation of vitamin D of between 75 and 100 nmol/L concentrations is necessary for colon cancer risk reduction (5).

Sadly, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is on the increase worldwide with about half of the world’s population having a low level of vitamin D (levels below 75 nmol/L). Fortunately, 80% of the vitamin D needed by the human body can be synthesized in the presence of ultraviolet rays from sunlight. The remaining 20% can be obtained from the diet and food supplements. Foods rich in vitamin D include fatty fish such as tuna, mackerel, and salmon, beef liver and cheese. People who have inadequate exposure to sunlight such as house bound elderly and the sick need to have an adequate supply of vitamin D from the diet or food supplements.

The requirements for vitamin D are higher for adolescents, pregnant and lactating women. A recommended serum level of 75 nmol/L is the minimum vitamin D necessary to maintain good health. A supplementation of 2000IU to 5000IU/day is considered adequate to achieve and maintain the recommended serum vitamin D levels (6). A low vitamin D diet and vitamin D receptor deficiency has been shown to cause an imbalance between the types of the organism in the gut of experimental mice. This kind of imbalance in human’s natural microflora can lead to a range of ill conditions (5).

Conclusion

Evidence of the beneficial effect of vitamin D in colon cancer prevention is strong. Also, epidemiological data associate vitamin D deficiency with a higher risk of colon cancer. The indirect antitumor effect of vitamin D is credible and needs to be utilized in practice. The mechanism of vitamin D3’s protective effects against colon cancer is by acting on carcinoma cells,  immune cells and also the gut microbiota.

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Prevalence of mental disorder

The World Health Organisation reported that one out of four people in the world suffers from one form of mental illness at some point in their lifetime. Mental disorders rank among the leading causes of ill-health and disability globally due to the large proportion of world population suffering from various conditions of mental health (about 450 million people). In the U.S alone, nearly one out of 25 adults are affected by a serious mental illness. It is sad to know that the illnesess substantially affect the major activities and well-being of the people.

Healthy eating is beneficial to good mood; there is a strong relationship between adequate diet and mental health. Beyond what we already know, it will be of great value for you to know which nutrients are particularly of benefit in the management of certain mental disorders. Recent research has provided a clear outline on the value of specific nutrient supplement in the management of different mental disorders. The researchers investigated the benefits and safety of different nutritional supplements for mental illnesses on a larger scale. They used gold standard in research to examine 33 studies involving nearly 11000 people suffering from mental illnesses. The illnesses include stress, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Findings of the research

7. Nutritional supplements impart a beneficial effect when used to support conventional treatment. Most of the nutritional supplements assessed did not meaningfully improve mental health. However, certain supplements are effective as an additional treatment for some mental disorders.
8. The nutritional supplements assessed were considered safe on the condition that the recommended dosages and instructions were adhered to. The researchers did not observe any serious adverse effects or contraindications.
9. Omega-3 supplements; the polyunsaturated fatty acid showed a beneficial effect for depression when used as a support to conventional treatment. There was a reduction in the symptoms of depression beyond what antidepressants alone would achieve.
10. The researchers reported that Omega-3 supplements have small benefits in the management of attention-deficit / hypersensitivity disorder.
11. The use of amino acid cysteine supplement as an adjunct to conventional treatment of mood disorders and schizophrenia imparts some beneficial effect. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), as a nutritional supplement, has powerful antioxidant properties. As a result, it is used as a scavenger of free radicals. NAC is often recommended as a prospective treatment option for different disorders which results from the production of free oxygen radicals.
12. The use of folate supplements may be effective as an addition to conventional treatments for major depression and schizophrenia.
13. The use of vitamins such as vitamin E, C, or D and minerals including zinc and magnesium appeared to show no beneficial effect in the management of any mental disorder.

Call to Action

The role of nutrition in mental health is becoming increasingly recognized. It is necessary that you use evidence-based approaches in managing mental illness. This way you can help yourself and or help many people who are suffering from the illness.

As research endeavor around this subject continues, we are committed to bringing you the findings on this platform. Particularly, researchers will want to investigate better approaches as well as specific individuals who might benefit the most from the use of nutritional supplements in the management of certain mental disorders.

Conclusion

As suggested, you may not use nutritional supplements as a stand-alone therapy in the management of mental illness. However, as an adjunct to conventional treatment, nutritional supplements provide additional beneficial effects. As a result, your use of nutritional supplement adds a living hope for recovery in mental illness. Whenever you are considering the use of nutritional supplements, it is of great importance to engage credible sources. Forever living products has been a reliable source of credible nutritional supplements and has supported millions around the world for over 40 years.

I will be glad to read your comments or questions. Please feel free to share your views.

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Titanium dioxide; a widely used food additive was once considered as an inactive ingredient in human food which is non-absorbable in the human gut and therefore not harmful. The additive was known to be an insoluble compound which shows no significant absorption or tissue storage when ingested in food. However, evidence from recent research studies suggests that this additive may pose potential harm when ingested in large quantities. You may at one point or the other ask; are food additives safe for human health? The following negative effects were discovered when titanium dioxide was fed to laboratory animals in a recent study.

Alteration of gut bacterial activity

When bacteria break down food substances in the colon, an intermediate product such as short-chain fatty acid is useful in regulating immune system function and reduces inflammatory bowel disease. The short-chain fatty acids are critical inducers of immune substance for protecting mice from disease development. It was found that rats with doses of titanium dioxide had

1.   A significant reduction in the production of the metabolite short-chain fatty acid which means reduced immune protection.
2.   An increase in trimethylamine; another bacterial product linked with the development of atherosclerosis

Going by the formation of biofilm in the colon; are food additives safe?

Titanium dioxide supports the attachment of biofilm on the surface of the colon and can affect the organization of the gut bacteria and thus its function. This distortion in the gut bacterial system may cause colorectal cancer.

Alteration in the epithelial function of the colon

Titanium dioxide was found to weaken mucus production of the colon thereby disrupting the gut homeostasis; increases gut permeability to harmful bacterial and substances thereby increases the risk for disease.

Allows colon infiltration

Titanium dioxide exposes the colon to permeability and promotes inflammation of the gut environment. Inflammatory environment correlated with a decrease in the innate immune cells in the colon.

Insight from the study

Findings from the study suggest that the intake of titanium dioxide is associated with small changes in bacterial integrity. Therefore, intake may not intensely reshape the human colon microbial population. This observation is further established in the fact that the doses of titanium dioxide used in the mice studies often far exceed the amount of titanium dioxide consumed by humans. However, doses of titanium dioxide over a long period could have a more intense impact.

Call to action

While research findings indicate that a considerable amount of titanium dioxide is needed to cause significant changes in the colon microflora and subsequent toxicity. This revelation is a pointer to the fact that you as an individual can control the amount of the substance that you ingest. Titanium dioxide is used in processed food such as mayonnaise, salad dressings, cake icing, candies, icing, and chewing gums and many confectioneries.

Coming back to the question; are food additives safe for human health? I would like to reiterate the healthy eating recommendation; processed foods usually high in sugar and fat are to be eaten in moderation. Such foods are not to be eaten in replacement of good mixed meal. They are not to be used as substitutes when there is a limited amount of money for food. You will be doing yourself a great deal of good by following this recommendation. This way you will be able to minimize the amount of titanium dioxide that you ingest and therefore reduce your risk for the diseases associated with this substance. The following tips can help you to be in control of your intake of this additive:

1.   Read labels when buying processed foods and get acquainted with the level of preservatives, additives that are present in the food. This knowledge will help you to know the amount of the substances you will be taking in per portion of the food and if you were to eat the food for many days in a week. Read more about the safe levels of food additives here.
2.   Use processed foods in combination with fresh foods, thereby minimizing the level of preservatives and additives as well as complementing the nutrients.
3.   Deliberately reduce the amount of processed foods intake by reducing the serving size and frequency of intake
4.   Where possible use the homemade version of processed foods. For example, you can make a nice and creamy mayonnaise at home, which can be stored in the fridge for use for one and a half weeks. What could be more fulfilling, you will be able to control your ingredients and work in the desired flavour. To make mayonnaise at home follow these simple steps.

Ingredients

Direction

Break the eggs and place into the food processor, add the ground mustard, salt, and your choice of vinegar. Turn on the food processor and process thoroughly, for about 50 seconds, until well combined. It will be slightly yellow at this time. While the blender is running, slowly add in the oil until the mixture is emulsified and thick. Ensure the oil is slowly added (up to 2 minutes total pouring time) to make room for a creamy mayonnaise. While the food processor is still running, add the lemon juice until well combined. The lemon juice in combination with the previously added vinegar imparts an excellent flavour into the mayonnaise.

Note: This recipe makes 3 cups of mayonnaise and can be kept in the fridge for up to 1 week. If you are not comfortable using raw egg as is the case with many people, you may use pasteurized eggs.

Conclusion

Research evidence suggests that the spleen, liver, and kidney are the organs where titanium dioxide may concentrate and constitute a high risk leading to the initiation of diseases and physiological changes in various organs. As a result of the recent revelations, the toxicological re-evaluation of titanium dioxide safety as food colour or additive needs to be urgently addressed. Hence, the answer to the curious question; are food additives safe? The onus is on you as an individual to be discreet in the consumption of products with titanium dioxide.

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Research findings

It has been established how eating habit that is high in foods such as red meats, high-fat milk, refined grains, processed meats, candies and carbonated drinks increase the inflammatory level. In contrast, a healthy eating pattern comprising vegetables and fruit, as well as whole grains and soybeans reduces inflammatory factors and therefore enhance bone health.

A research found that women with lower inflammatory factors were those whose dietary pattern is typical of Mediterranean Diet, Health Index Diet, and DASH diet, all of which emphasized high consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and low-fat foods, contributed to the declined inflammatory indexes in the circulation.

In a longitudinal study involving more than 160000 postmenopausal women, the higher the intake of pro-inflammatory diets such as high amounts of meats, refined grains and grain products, and sweets, the higher the risk of hip fracture.

Findings from a study suggest that the moving parts of the body, such as the leg are often prone to the undesirable effects of inflammations. The legs comprise many interdependent components such as the muscles, ligaments, bones, and articular joints all of which rely on the unified biological and mechanical manipulation of all tissues for optimal function. Therefore, the direct and indirect impact of inflammation on any of the component could have a multiplier effect that may deteriorate over time.
Many common inflammatory pathways have been traced to the causes of musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

The inflammatory constituent of the diet and muscle dysfunctions can result in dysfunctional tissue repair and imbalances leading to regulatory failure and other musculoskeletal tissue damage.

Conclusion

These findings provide evidence to the fact that healthy choices of foods protect against loss of physical functioning, especially in the adult years. This is particularly true with bone health. Be the best you can be, choose a more healthy diet, use a pro-inflammatory diet with caution, prevent bone fractures.

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