There has been a lot of buzz lately about the benefits of drinking coconut water. So what is all the fuss about? In this month’s blog we take a look at what coconut water is and what it can do for you.

What is coconut water?

Coconut water is the clear liquid inside young coconuts. It is biologically pure and sterile, and rich in amino acids, proteins, vitamins and minerals. The water is said to have a similar chemical analysis to our own intercellular fluid and was given to soldiers intravenously as an emergency blood replacement during World War II. Coconut water is full of electrolytes, making it a refreshing, healthy drink. It contains no fat and is very low in kilojoules, most of which come from the natural sugars present in coconut water. In addition to water and sugar, coconut water also contains amino acids and minerals such as potassium and magnesium – minerals (electrolytes) that are commonly added to sports drinks to keep you well hydrated.

What is the difference between coconut water and coconut milk or cream?

Coconut milk is made by grinding up coconut meat and pressing out the liquid. Like the coconut meat itself, coconut milk is very high in fat and, therefore, kilojoules. However, the fats from coconuts are made up from medium chain fatty acids, which have been found to be more easily digested and utilised by the body. Research has shown that a diet rich in medium chain fatty acids can result in an increase in energy, a rise in metabolism, an increase in kilojoules burned, a decrease in food consumption, lower body fat mass and reduced body weight.

Why should you drink coconut water?

Basically, coconut water is like a natural sports drink. Like sports drinks, it contains water, simple carbohydrates and minerals (or electrolytes). Because coconut water has a similar composition to our cellular fluid it is perfect as a naturally rehydrating drink – giving your body a natural energy source, as well as all it needs to stay hydrated and minimise cramping. After a workout coconut water replenishes and rehydrates you to speed up your recovery time.

Coconut water may also help to keep both your heart and your kidneys in good health. Consuming foods or beverages rich in potassium, including coconut water, may help reduce the risk of hypertension and stroke. Also, diets high in potassium, magnesium, and fluids are thought to reduce the risk of kidney stones – so it’s not surprising that coconut water, high in all three, is reported to help prevent or resolve kidney stones.

Considering all that coconut water provides your body with, it is hardly surprising that it has gained a reputation as the ULTIMATE hydration drink. So, the next time you go to the gym make sure to bring a couple of bottles of refreshing, delicious coconut water along with you.

Maca (Lepidium peruvianum chacon) is a herb that is native to Peru. It has traditionally been used to increase stamina, energy and sexual function – earning it the nickname of “Peruvian ginseng” even though it is not a member of the ginseng family. It is now believed that Maca’s primary benefits are obtained through it helping the body to keep the endocrine (hormone) system in balance.

Because of this understanding, Maca has become popular with those wanting to:

• Maintain good energy levels
• Balance male or female fertility
• Help women achieve good health during menopause
• Maintain healthy libido and sexual function in both men and women

Since becoming commercially available, Maca has gained increasing popularity for maintaining sexual wellbeing in both men and women.  In a 2008 study, conducted by CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, researchers found that Maca may help alleviate sexual dysfunction caused by use of selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (or SSRIs – a class of medications used in treatment of depression). The study involved 20 people with depression, all of whom were experiencing SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction. Results revealed that Maca may also help improve libido.

Maca has also shown great promise in assisting with male reproductive health.  One small study looked at the effect of four months of treatment with Maca tablets on semen quality in nine adult men.  Treatment with Maca resulted in increased semen volume, sperm count, and sperm motility.

If you are looking for a fantastic, natural way to keep your hormones healthy, we are now stocking Clinicians MACA Men’s Performance.  This great new product provides you with pure, organic Maca powder in every capsule.  Available through both our online store  and our Christchurch-based retail store  – where our knowledgeable and friendly staff will answer any questions you may have.  

Ivingia gobonensis, commonly known as African mango or bush mango is a tree that is native to the rainforests of Western Africa.  The fruit, bark and seeds of the African mango have been highly valued for centuries by the local peoples as both food and medicine.  The seeds are incredibly nutritious and were traditionally used by tribesman on long hunting trips to ward off hunger.

More recently, research studies have been conducted to explore the potential health benefits of African mango.  In two randomised, placebo-controlled trials of overweight or obese people taking African mango supplements; participants in the African mango group showed improved weight loss, reduced body fat, reduced hip and waist circumference, and lowered cholesterol.  In these and other studies, results demonstrated a significant improvement in levels of body hormones that influence fat metabolism and blood sugar levels in participants taking African mango seed.

African mango seed extract has recently become commercially available in a supplement form.  Natural Health Trading’s Super African Mango 1200 has been hugely popular worldwide and is now available in New Zealand.  Each capsule of Super African Mango 1200 provides you with 600mg of African mango seed extract, so taking just two capsules daily provides the recommended dose.

The seeds utilised to make Super African Mango 1200 are harvested from both plantation and wild growing sources.  The workers involved in harvesting are paid a fair wage, and the sustainability of commercial use of African mango is monitored by the International Herbal Foundation. 

Honey is an ancient food, appearing in Indian and Egyptian writings as early as  2100BC.   Cave paintings in Spain from 7000BC show the earliest record of beekeeping, however, fosssils of honey bees date back around 150 million years!  

The report published in the latest edition of the British Nutrition foundation's Nutrition Bulletin said that women's diets are also too high in saturated fat and salt, and low in fibre, oily fish and fruits and vegetables.

In a recent media release, Michelle Palmer, Executive Director of Natural Products New Zealand says that taking supplements is a way to ensure our bodies are getting the nutrients we need.

"While fortification of food items is one way to deal to potential deficiencies, supplements can be taken by those people who need them. At different stages in their lives women need more of certain minerals. Pregnancy and menopause are two key times when our bodies need extra help," she says.

The study highlighted that 20% of women of childbearing years were low in iron, 11% were low in Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), 9% were low in magnesium and 6% had low intakes of Vitamin A.

Levels of Vitamin D, folate, calcium and Omega-3 were also found to be below recommended daily intake levels.

Dr Shaun Holt, medical advisor and researcher agrees that women might not be getting the right nutrients at the right time.

"Additional intake of folate has always been recommended around pregnancy to lower the risk of birth defects and at the other end of the spectrum, women need to be thinking about their calcium and vitamin D levels post menopause. Inadequate intake of these nutrients can lead to lower bone density and brittle bones," says Dr Holt.

"Even those women eating a balanced healthy diet may need extra supplementation at certain times in their lives."

If you are concerned about your nutrient intake, contact us and our natural healthcare professional can help you sort out what you need.

Adapted from: 'Women lacking key nutrients' by NPNZ

What are Essential Fatty acids?

Fatty acids are the building blocks of fat molecules, and essential fatty acids are fatty acids that are needed by the body, but cannot be  made by it, and so must be obtained from the diet.

What is the difference between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids?

The essential fatty acids consist of two groups of fatty acids, the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.  The number refers to the chemistry of the fat, and simply indicates the position of a double bond between carbon atoms in the fatty acid molecule.

What are omega-9 fatty acids?

Omega-9 fatty acids are considered necessary yet ‘non-essential’ because the body is generally capable of making these, as long as the omega-3 and 6 essential fatty acids are present.

What is the difference between the fatty acids such as  DHA & GLA?

In the body, fatty acid synthesis starts with two short chain essential fatty acids:

Omega-3: ALA (Alpha-linolenic acid)
and Omega-6: LA (Linoleic acid)

These two essential fatty acids are converted by the body to the other fatty acids.

What do essential fatty acids do?

Both omega-3 and -6 essential fatty acids play an important role in the production of prostaglandins, powerful hormone-like substances that regulate many important physiological processes including blood pressure and blood clotting, as well as the inflammatory and allergic responses.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids provide the precursors for the prostaglandins that are known to reduce inflammation, reduce platelet aggregation (helping to keep the blood ‘thin’) and inhibit other pro-inflammatory substances.

Essential fatty acids are also important for healthy skin and hair, nerves and cell membranes.

Clinical and research studies have shown omega-3 to be beneficial in heart and vessel health, mental health and weight management as well helping to reduce inflammation in conditions such as osteoarthritis.

What is the difference between Fish oil, Flaxseed oil, Hemp oil and Evening Primrose oil?

Fish oil

Fish oil is probably the most well-known source of omega-3 fatty acids.  Most specifically it provides you with preformed EPA and DHA, the two fatty acids known to be most beneficial for brain and nerve health.  The conversion from ALA to EPA then DHA has been performed by the fish and so doesn’t need to be done by your body, making these two important fatty acids readily available.

Flaxseed Oil

One of the most concentrated vegetable sources of the omega-3 fatty acid, ALA. Flaxseed Oil provides your body with the essential fatty acid starting point it needs to make the other omega-3 fatty acids.  Flaxseed oil is especially beneficial to people following a vegetarian diet who don’t get any of this essential fatty acid from foods such as fish.

Hemp seed oil

Is also high in ALA, but a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition demonstrated results that suggested that it was less effective than flaxseed oil in providing ALA to participants.

Evening Primrose oil

Evening Primrose oil provides you with the omega-6 fatty acid, GLA which is present in very few plants.  GLA is known to be one of the beneficial omega-6 fatty acids that shares many of the functions of the omega-3 fatty acids.  People with allergies may have difficulty converting LA to GLA in their bodies, and GLA is one of the fatty acids considered beneficial allergic conditions such as eczema.

They also hold your bones together and they allow your rigid skeleton to move. Bones are connected to other bones at many different types of joint.

Our joints work extremely hard over a lifetime so it is not surprising that repeated strenuous activity involved in certain jobs and sports, and the ageing process, may affect their health and efficiency.

Genetic predisposition can also impact on joint health.

Research links joint health with three naturally-occurring ingredients, glucosamine, chondroitin and the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) found in cod liver oil and fish oil.

High Potency Joint care

KNH High Potency Joint Care is an advanced formulation of glucosamine, MSM and chondroitin sulphates combined with essential minerals and traditional herbs providing active nutrition for tired joints.

• Ginger has long been studied as a support for the immune defenses such as inflammation
• Proline is an amino acid needed for the production of collagen and cartilage. It helps keep muscles and joints flexible
• Bromelan is a natural extract from pineapple stem that has been used traditionally to support the immune system.
• Boron, manganese, selenium and zinc are essential trace minerals beneficial in supporting healthy bones and joints

New research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that tart cherries may have anti-inflammatory benefits.

The study, conducted by researchers in Michigan, found that a ‘cherry-enriched‘ diet reduced overall body inflammation, as well as inflammation at key sites related to heart disease risk.

Inflammation is a normal process that the body uses to fight off infections or help heal injury.  However, according to recent science, a chronic state of inflammation increases the risk for diseases.

“Chronic inflammation is a whole body condition that can affect overall health, especially when it comes to the heart,” said study co-author Mitch Seymour, PhD, at the University of Michigan.  “This study offers further promise that foods rich in antioxidants, such as cherries, could potentially reduce inflammation and have the potential to lower disease risk.”

In this study, at-risk obese rats were fed a cherry-enriched “Western Diet,” characterized by high fat and moderate carbohydrate – in line with the typical American diet – for 90 days.  Cherry-enriched diets, which consisted of whole tart cherry powder as 1 percent of the diet, reduced risk factors for heart disease including cholesterol, body weight, fat mass and known markers of inflammation.

A second pilot study found similar results in humans. Ten overweight or obese adults drank a 240ml glass of tart cherry juice daily for four weeks.  At the end of the trial, there were significant reductions in several markers of inflammation, in addition to lower levels of triglycerides, another key risk factor for heart disease.

Researchers say both studies are encouraging and will lead to further clinical studies in humans to explore the link between diet, inflammation and lowering disease risk.

This new study is the latest linking cherries to protection against heart disease and inflammation.  Researchers believe it’s the anthocyanins – powerful antioxidant compounds in cherries – also responsible for the fruit’s bright red color, that link cherries to reduced inflammation.

Adapted from: New Research Reinforces Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Tart Cherries