What should your choice of food supplements rely on?

Are manufacturers of nutritional supplements making a whole-hearted effort of documenting their products? Or do they often get away with hot air? If you browse through the web sites of Danish supplement producers it seems rather obvious that only very few are actually able to put their money where their mouth is.

What do you think of the following phrases?...... do they seem convincing to you?

• All our products are developed and manufactured in Denmark and are based on serious research results from all over the world
• When you purchase natural remedies, fish oil, vitamins or other food supplements from our range of products you can rest assured that the their content of active ingredients always complies with the most recent science.
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Dr. Yamagishi and colleagues from Japan's University of Tsukuba in a new study has used data from 6,000 middle-aged Japanese, and for the first time have been able to show that low levels of coenzyme Q10 in the blood are strongly associated to an increased risk of disabling dementia.

The researchers took the initiative to this study based on the hypothesis that because coenzyme Q10 has significant antioxidant effects, a high Q10 level ought to lower the risk of developing dementia and vice versa.

Studies on animals have previously demonstrated a potential beneficial effect of Q10 on cognitive functions, but on humans we have not previously seen clear effects of Q10 on the brain's cognitive function.

In the new study, the researchers used data from an ongoing study where the residents of a municipality had been screened for dementia, but also had their levels of Q10 in the blood measured. Out of 6000 persons the researchers selected 65 middle-aged persons with dementia who had been regularly examined at least five years before they were diagnosed with dementia. They were matched with 130 controls of similar age, sex, and data.

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Combined supplementation with chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine could help to reduce knee joint pain, stiffness, and functional disability of people with osteoarthritis, according to new research published in the top rheumatology journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

The study was a double-blind Multicenter Osteoarthritis Intervention trial called "MOVES" In total 606 patients with knee osteoarthritis and moderate-to-severe pain participated in the trial. The patients were recruited from France, Germany, Poland, and Spain. The patients were randomised to receive 400 mg condroitin sulfate (GS) plus 500 mg glucosamine hydrochloride (GLU) three times a day or 200 mg celecoxib every day for six months.

Celecoxib is an anti-inflammatory drug of the NSAID type used to treat among others the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and acute pain in adults.

The primary objective of the study was to reduce the score from a standard questionnaire called WOMAC used by health professionals to evaluate the condition of patients with osteoarthritis.

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A strong heart is vital to your health. Lack of cardiac strength is exactly what causes people with heart failure to deteriorate so rapidly. For decades, digoxin has been the most commonly used heart-strengthening drug but a recently published study has shed light a whole new heart-boosting compound that is particularly interesting because it reduces mortality, strengthens the heart, and does not appear to have side effects.

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In a new scientific study Danish researchers from Copenhagen University have demonstrated that methylated selenium compounds can regulate the body's immune system enabling it to better fight certain cancers. These selenium compounds are found in certain foods such as garlic and broccoli, but also in selenium yeast.

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A new study links thyroid disorders to female infertility. At the same time, it is known that selenium, an essential micronutrient, is required for normal functioning of the thyroid gland. Modern diets are depleted of selenium and the question is: Could selenium supplements be a good place to begin for infertile couples before embarking on expensive IVF therapy?

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