Health Matters

Although lutein has been extensively investigated for its potential role in guarding against age-related macular degeneration, some earlier studies also have shown that a daily lutein supplement may increase the skin's natural antioxidant system and protect against damage from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. But this is the first study to investigate lutein for more specific effects on the skin.

The study included female Italian subjects ages 25 to 50. Researchers divided the subjects into different test groups and administered 10 mg of oral lutein and/or 50 ppm of lutein in a topical formulation each day for 12 weeks.

Results indicated that oral lutein supplementation increased skin hydration by 38 percent, skin elasticity by 8 percent, and the level of superficial lipids by 33 percent compared to the placebo. In keeping with its antioxidant reputation, lutein also decreased oxidation of lipids by 55 percent, indicating it could help the lipids in skin from deteriorating due to free radical damage.

Subjects who received both oral and topical lutein experienced a 60 percent increase in hydration, a 20 percent increase in elasticity and a 50 percent increase in skin lipids.

According to the researchers, a major international peer-reviewed journal has accepted an article about the study, which is expected to appear in the coming months.

Reference:
Morganti P, et. al. Clinical evidence for lutein and zeaxanthin in skin health, part 1: comparison of placebo, oral, topical and combined oral/topical xanthophylls treatments. Presented at the Beyond Beauty Conference, Paris, France, September 12, 2006.
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This IS about Crocodile feeding.. but I was surprised to see it mentions oily fish as containing thiamiase? .. I guess it has to be raw or the enzyme thiaminase is destroyed, BUT I hadn't heard of thiaminase in oily fish before
I was wondering.. what about fish oil?
The freezing and defrosting would lower B1 in any food..as does cooking.
maybe that's why fish oil doesn't agree with me.. but still doesn't explain the pimples I get from fish oil!! I don't get pimples from B1 deficiency, and thiaminase is an enzyme and therefore a protein... so fish oil should be OK.
However, they do mention Thiaminase being greater in "oily" fish..and I know someone who took fish oil (just 3 caps of 1g each a day) and noted a drop in his exercise performance; couldn't put in the "burst" at the end of a race, and took longer to recover. On stopping fish oil supps his performance recovered.
So maybe there is something about fish oil reducing B1 slightly??

"As mentioned earlier in the diet section, vitamin B1 deficiency is common in diets comprised primarily of fish. Many fish, especially oily marine species, contain high levels or thiaminase which breaks down vitamin B1 (thiamine) and renders it unavailable to the crocodile. The freezing / thawing process exacerbates this problem. Symptoms of B1 deficiency include muscle tremors and twitching, and the problem can be corrected with B1 supplements, heating fish briefly to denature the enzyme, and an improvement in the diet. Another common problem with fish diets is steatitis: necrosis of fatty tissue caused by excess polyunsaturated fatty acids which begin to oxidise when the fish are not totally fresh. Vitamin E supplement (which acts as an anti-oxidant) or an improvement in the diet to include mammals and birds can address the problem." [link]

dopamine
Vesicular dysfunction during experimental thiamine deficiency is indicated by alterations in dopamine metabolism
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The below seems to be suggesting a cause of CFS and fibromyalgia could possibly be lowered dopamine, which may possibly be due to suboptimal thiamin (B1)...
.. of course, it may not be either!

"Studies have shown that chronic stress, however, can contribute to a disruption of normal hippocampus function. The hippocampus plays a major role in pain perception and memory formation, and it is involved in controlling the production of that crucial brain neurotransmitter, dopamine. Dopamine abnormalities have been linked to "restless leg syndrome," increased pain, and feelings of self doubt, anxiety, and problems with memory formation.

If the "Dopamine Hypothesis" is correct, then it is reasonable to assume that drugs that restore normal dopamine levels and activity in the brain should have a therapeutic effect when administered to Fibromyalgia patients.

And this is where the "Dopamine Hypothesis" picks up steam. Andrew Holman, MD, recently conducted a controlled, double blind study of the drug pramipexole with several Fibromyalgia patients. Pramipexole, sold under the brand name Mirapex™, is approved for treatment for Parkinson's disease - a primary dopamine disorder. Patients experienced significant improvement in their symptoms. Another drug that affects dopamine and has been approved by the FDA as a treatment for restless legs syndrome - ropinirole - also met with remarkable success in another recent Fibromyalgia study conducted by Dr. Holman.

All told, the Dopamine Hypothesis looks promising for several reasons. It ties in nicely to the pathogenesis of the disease - that the onset of Fibromyalgia frequently occurs during times of prolonged or intense emotional or physical stress, when the hippocampus may become overworked and become dysfunctional as a result. And it ties into the fact that dopamine, which is largely regulated by the hippocampus, may cause many of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia" are lowered ? I guess the Parkinson drugs are designed to "up" dopamine? .. I need to check on these specific drugs
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