Cabernet Sauvignon and the 99-Percent Brain

This New Year’s Eve, would you like a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon to prevent Alzheimer’s disease? Several months ago I suggested that this might be a good practice to stop the ravages of this disease. But was it questionable advice?

Researchers at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital spiked the drinking water of several female mice with Cabernet Sauvignon for seven months. Another group was given just water. Both groups were then placed in a maze. They discovered that the Cabernet Sauvignon mice found their way out of the maze quicker than teetotaler mice. I couldn’t resist sending this news to wine lovers.

Now another study shows I’d better take another look at the effects of alcohol on the brain. Carol Ann Paul, a researcher at Wellesley College in Wellesley, Mass., reported to the American Academy of Neurology in Boston that a small amount of alcohol is good for the heart, but it decreases total brain volume.

Paul and her associates analyzed MRI brain scans on 1,839 patients ages 34 to 88. They were classified in categories as non-drinkers, former drinkers, low drinkers (one to seven drinks per week), moderate drinkers (eight to 14 drinks per week) and high drinkers (more than 14 drinks per week).

The result? Researchers found that the more alcohol people consume on a regular basis, the smaller their brain volume. Paul reports that brain volume decreased 0.25 percent for every increase in the drinking categories. This meant that for heavy drinkers who consumed 14 or more drinks a week, brain volume decreased 1.6 percent.

Brain shrinkage was greater in female than in male drinkers. And the largest change was in women in their 70s who were still heavy drinkers. This is not a surprise since women’s bodies react differently to alcohol. They absorb it faster. It’s for this reason that women are advised to drink less alcohol than men.

Dr. James Garbutt, professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, says, “This study corroborates a building story about the detrimental effects of alcohol on the brain.”

This was hardly the news I wanted to hear, particularly on New Year’s Eve. Since I qualify as being a moderate drinker, I’m more than casually interested in this report. In fact, according to this study I’ve lost about 1 percent of my brain’s volume. This sounds like a small amount, but we also know that as we age we lose brain volume, so the loss starts to add up over the years.

But what effect has a loss of 1 percent of brain volume have on one’s intelligence? Neither Dr. Garbutt nor Carol Paul provides the answer to this question. So it leaves moderate drinkers in a bit of a quandary. Do you gamble on the Cabernet Sauvignon mice test that you’re smarter than teetotalers? Or do you agree with Carol Paul and worry about being left with a 99-percent brain?

For me, it’s an easy decision. I’m still going to enjoy a cocktail at the end of the day and on New Year’s Eve a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. There are over 20 world studies that show moderate drinkers live longer than teetotalers or excessive drinkers.

Alcohol oils the blood, increases good cholesterol, and dilates arteries, making a fatal blood clot less likely. Let’s also not forget the calming effect of alcohol after the turmoil of the day. Besides, the more I see of pharmaceutical prescriptions and their complications, the more I’m convinced that the therapeutic effects of alcohol in moderation are hard to beat.

But I’ll continue to drink alcohol just as porcupines make love: very, very carefully. The last thing I need while writing this column is a decrease in the size of my brain. In fact, this column may provide ready ammunition to those who believe I’m already afflicted with cerebral atrophy. Due to past columns questioning the value of mammography and fluoridation of water, there are many who proclaim me a fraud or who urge editors to “Fire the idiot!”

So on this New Year’s Eve, my thanks to editors who haven’t done so yet. And to all readers, I wish the best for 2009.

Dr. Gifford-Jones is a medical journalist with a private medical practice in Toronto.
Dr. Gifford-Jones’s Web site

Last Updated
Dec 28, 2008

Stem Cell Medicine - Are there more possibilities for umbilical cord blood?

During the past few years, in many clinics stem cell treatment has become almost routine. Umbilical cord blood cells are harvested and used to grow new cells for the treatment and possible repair of many organ diseases.

“Umbilical cord blood is a valuable stem cell source. It must be harvested immediately after birth and be specifically stored to be of use in the treatment of an illness,” said Dr. Susanne Engel-Hoemke, the press contact for the Nabelschnurblutbank [Umbilical Cord Blood Bank] Stellacure, in Germany’s Hamburg-Eppendorf.

Epoch Times (ET): Many people are under the impression that stem cell treatment in Germany is controversial and not wholly sanctioned. What is really happening?

Dr. Engel-Hoemke (Dr. EH): Discussions about the controversial topic abound. There is a difference between stem cells from adults and those from embryos. The negative opinions are related to the embryonic cells that are created a few days after conception—when the first cell divisions occur. Basic research is done with those cells. We do not use those for therapeutic applications. But German stem cell laws have enabled us to conduct a certain amount of [treatment] research with these cells. Ethical constraints forbid the use of bone marrow and umbilical cord blood on human beings.

ET: Which treatments make use of stem cell therapy today?

Dr. EH: Bone marrow stem cells have been utilized since the 1950s. For the most part, they are primarily used for diseases of the lymph nodes and tumors like bone cancer, and for eye and kidney tumors following chemotherapy. The treatments serve to generate new blood.

Umbilical cord blood, harvested immediately after birth, is also increasingly being used. To date, approximately 100 children have received their own umbilical cord blood as a remedy for brain injuries following birth, to combat type 1 diabetes, and for specific bone marrow illnesses. That does not sound like a large number, but the children whose parents had stored umbilical cord blood are still quite young and fortunately do not have [other] debilitating illnesses.

ET: What lies ahead for future stem cell applications?

Dr. EH: Uses in the practice of regenerative medicine are of particular interest. At stake here is the chance to regenerate destroyed organs and tissue. One’s own cells are preferred, because they largely prevent rejection symptoms. I am talking here of heart attack, stroke, illnesses of the nervous system, type 1 diabetes, and even liver diseases. For example, we have successfully treated several children who suffered from type 1 diabetes. Stem cells prevent further cell destruction in the pancreas. Concurrently, researchers are busy growing new pancreatic cells from fresh cells to aid in the regeneration of the organ.

ET: Since when has Nabelschnurblutbank Stellacure in Hamburg offered their services?

Dr. EH: We became licensed in mid-2006 to harvest and store umbilical cord blood and have offered our services since January 2007. Storage is with the blood bank DRK Baden-Wuerttemberg-Hessen in Frankfurt. Between the two there is great cooperation. We rely on decades-old records and the experience of the blood bank and thus offer parents a high-quality cell product. We also utilize the expansion of the public umbilical cord bank in Mannheim, which the DRK has managed since 1996.

ET: What do you tell expectant parents when they become your clients?

Dr. EH: The chance to store their children’s own stem cells is a treatment option for possible conditions that occur later in life. One has insured a treatment option for the growing child, but hopes at the same time this step will not be necessary. The contract lasts for 21 years, after which the adult child can decide if the umbilical cord ought to be stored further. I am convinced that by then it is a given [to continue storage].

ET: Thank you very much, Dr. Engel-Hoemke!


Last Updated
Nov 24, 2008

Peppermint Oil for IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition characterized by symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, bloating, gas, and altered bowel habits. In conventional medicine, there is no real consensus on what causes IBS.

IBS could be termed a “diagnosis of exclusion.” In other words, it’s the diagnosis that individuals end up with when tests have revealed there’s no conventional explanation for the symptoms (such as inflammatory bowel disease).
Underlying Causes of IBS

My experience in practice has led me to believe that IBS usually does have one or more specific underlying causes—it’s just that these tend not to be tested for or are not recognized by conventional medicine. I find the top two causes of this condition are food sensitivity and an imbalance in the organisms that inhabit the gut.

Despite conventional medicine’s generally poor understanding of IBS, certain strategies do exist for its treatment. For example, some health professionals will advise that individuals with IBS increase their intake of fiber. In practice, I’ve found that this makes many patients worse.

One potential explanation for this concerns wheat, which is, in my experience, a common triggering factor in IBS. And when individuals are advised to consume more fiber, they almost inevitably opt for more in the way of high-fiber breakfast cereals and breads that are based on wheat.
IBS Treatments

Fiber as a treatment for IBS has been studied, and a review of the available evidence has been published in the British Medical Journal this week [1]. There are two main sorts of fiber that have been studied in this context: bran (usually from wheat) and ispaghul (derived from plantain).

Bran was not found to bring a statistically significant reduction in the risk of persistent IBS symptoms, though ispaghul (also known as psyllium) did. Ispaghul was found to reduce the risk of persistent symptoms by 22 percent.

This review also looked at other strategies for IBS, including drugs that reduce spasm in the gut wall known as “anti-spasmodic.” Twelve agents were assessed, of which only five brought statistically significant improvements in symptoms.

Curiously, some drugs licensed for use for IBS (mebeverine, for example) did not seem to have any good evidence for them. Only two agents (otilonium and hyoscine, or scopolamine) showed, according to the authors, “consistent evidence of benefit.” Of these two, the one with the best evidence appears to be hyoscine.
Peppermint Oil

One final treatment assessed by the review was peppermint oil. This folksy remedy turned out to be better than placebo, reducing risk of persistent symptoms by more than half (57 percent).

Another way the effectiveness of a treatment can be assessed is to measure the “number needed to treat” (NNT—the number of individuals that need to be treated for one to get benefit). This review found the following NNTs for the treatments they assessed:

NNT for fiber: 11

NNT for antispasmodics: 5

NNT for peppermint oil: 2.5

Of these three main approaches for IBS, peppermint oil looks like the standout winner.

My preference is still to attempt to elucidate the true underlying cause of someone’s IBS symptoms rather than merely treating the symptoms. That said, peppermint oil represents a generally safe and effective option for those looking for some symptomatic relief from IBS.

References:

1. Ford AC, et al. Effect of fiber, antispasmodics, and peppermint in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. British Medical Journal 2008; 337;a2313

Dr. John Briffa is a London-based physician and author with an interest in nutrition and natural medicine. Dr. Briffa's Web site


Last Updated
Dec 11, 2008

Happiness Is Contagious - Reuters

WASHINGTON—Happiness is contagious, researchers reported last week.
The same team that demonstrated obesity and smoking spread in networks have shown that the more happy people you know, the more likely you are yourself to be happy.

And getting connected to happy people improves a person’s own happiness, they reported in the British Medical Journal.

“What we are dealing with is an emotional stampede,” Nicholas Christakis, a professor of medical sociology at Harvard Medical School in Boston, said in a telephone interview.

Christakis and James Fowler, a political scientist at the University of California, San Diego, have been using data from 4,700 children of volunteers in the Framingham Heart Study, a giant health study begun in Framingham, Massachusetts, in 1948.

They have been analyzing a trove of facts from tracking sheets dating back to 1971, following births, marriages, death, and divorces. Volunteers also listed contact information for their closest friends, co-workers, and neighbors.

They assessed happiness using a simple, four-question test.

“People are asked how often during the past week, one, I enjoyed life, two, I was happy, three, I felt hopeful about the future, and four, I felt that I was just as good as other people,” Fowler said.

The 60 percent of people who scored highly on all four questions were rated as happy, while the rest were designated unhappy.
Connections Equal Happiness

People with the most social connection—friends, spouses, neighbors, relatives—were also the happiest, the data showed. “Each additional happy person makes you happier,” Christakis said.
“Imagine that I am connected to you and you are connected to others and others are connected to still others. It is this fabric of humanity, like an American patch quilt.”

Each person sits on a different-colored patch. “Imagine that these patches are happy and unhappy patches. Your happiness depends on what is going on in the patch around you,” Christakis said.

“It is not just happy people connecting with happy people, which they do. Above and beyond, there is this contagious process going on.”

And happiness is more contagious than unhappiness, they discovered.

“If a social contact is happy, it increases the likelihood that you are happy by 15 percent,” Fowler said. “A friend of a friend, or the friend of a spouse or a sibling, if they are happy, increases your chances by 10 percent,” he added.

A happy third-degree friend—the friend or a friend of a friend—increases a person’s chances of being happy by 6 percent.

“But every extra unhappy friend increases the likelihood that you’ll be unhappy by 7 percent,” Fowler said.

The finding is interesting, but it is useful, too, Fowler said.

“Among other benefits, happiness has been shown to have an important effect on reduced mortality, pain reduction, and improved cardiac function. So better understanding of how happiness spreads can help us learn how to promote a healthier society,” he said.

The study also fits in with other data that suggested—in 1984—that having $5,000 extra increased a person’s chances of becoming happier by about 2 percent.

“A happy friend is worth about $20,000,” Christakis said.

His team also is examining the spread of depression, loneliness, and drinking behavior.

Last Updated
Dec 12, 2008

Don’t Fire Until You See the Whites of Their Eyes

What do people fear the most? It’s often said that giving a speech tops the list. But a recent survey shows that it’s losing one’s sight. Today, with an aging population, an increasing number of people face the ultimate fear—a condition called age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that destroys vision and can even lead to blindness.

“Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes” was a command once given to British soldiers. But if these soldiers had AMD, they wouldn’t have fired a single shot. AMD destroys the macula, a tiny spot in the retina responsible for central vision.

AMD is the leading cause of blindness for those over 50 years of age and affects more people than cataracts and glaucoma combined. It affects close to 300,000 Canadians, more Canadians than those who have breast cancer, prostate cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease combined. Close to 30,000 will develop this condition in 2009, and by age 75, one in three North Americans has early signs of AMD.

The effects of vision loss are devastating because it robs patients of their independence. The decline in everyday functioning due to vision loss may lead to depression and to anxiety and despondence in a caregiver, often a family member.

There are two types of macular degeneration. The common dry type of AMD affects 90 percent of patients. Vision is decreased due to the appearance of small yellow deposits that cause thinning and dryness of the macula, a tiny spot that allows you to look someone straight in the eye.

The wet type, the most serious, strikes 10 percent of those with this disease. In this case abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula. This growth pushes the macula from its normal position, distorting and eventually destroying central vision.

Without central vision, we cannot recognize faces, see fine detail, or drive a car. In the early stages of wet AMD, patients may not notice any significant difference in their vision, particularly if only one eye is affected. But eventually straight lines appear wavy or crooked, decreasing central vision, making the central spot become blurry.

Patients may also complain of decreased color vision, increased sensitivity to light, or a dark spot in the center of the vision surrounded by a distorted image. Or there can be a combination of all these troubles.

The diagnosis of wet AMD can mean severe central vision loss and possibly even blindness in a matter of weeks or months.

We can’t control aging, but we can decrease the risk of developing AMD. For instance, make sure that your diet is rich in lutein, a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the eye from visible and ultraviolet light. Lutein is found in fruits and dark leafy vegetables. The recommended daily allowance of lutein is 6 milligrams.

There is no known cause for AMD. The strongest risk factor is age. And there’s an increased chance if there’s a family history of this disease or there has been an excessive exposure to sunlight, smoking, a diet low in antioxidants, or if you’re a woman.

High doses of vitamins A, C, E, and zinc also help to prevent macular degeneration and reduce the risk of further vision loss for those already diagnosed with this disease.

Medical consumers need to recognize the signs of AMD early enough to seek treatment before AMD severely compromises their ability to function independently. So if you start to see that your straight vision is becoming abnormal, be sure to consult your doctor.

Dr. Gifford-Jones is a medical journalist with a private medical practice in Toronto.
Dr. Gifford-Jones’s Web site

Last Updated
Dec 1, 2008

A Site for Sore Eyes - Improve eyesight naturally by the Bates method

Most people are aware that TV, regular computer use, lack of natural sunlight and lack of exercise—in fact so many aspects of modern life can be detrimental to our eyesight. Most people also think that—short of laser surgery—they will just have to bow to the inevitable: that our eyesight will get worse and worse with time. Fortunately, this is not the case.

The Bates Method

In the late 1800s in the United States, Dr. William Bates, a respected eye surgeon, became disillusioned with his profession. If glasses aid our vision, then why are people continually prescribed stronger and stronger glasses? He was convinced that there must be a better way to deal with our eyes—and the Bates method was born. Bates is a holistic approach to seeing, integrating mind, body, and spirit. The Bates philosophy is that we have a tremendous capacity to heal ourselves, and that vision is not entirely physical—it’s also mental. According to Bates, eye defects are caused by eyestrain. Here are a couple of quick tips for relaxing the eyes.
Palming

When you’ve been on the computer all day, you haven’t had enough sleep, and you feel an ache starting to build up behind the eyes, what do you do? Well, palming is one of the best things that you could do. Take glasses off. If you can, remove contacts. Rub your palms together vigorously, to warm them up a little and cup them over your closed eyes. You shouldn’t be putting any pressure on the eyeballs, but the idea is to cut out any chinks of light. If you’re sitting down, with your elbows on the desk in front of you, prop them up with a few books if you have to, but make sure you’re not slouching, as that will restrict the blood flow. Palming is intensely relaxing. The combination of warmth and complete darkness is more relaxing to your eyes than sleep. For palming to work you need to relax, physically and mentally. If you think of it as a chore, it won’t benefit you. Think of it, instead, as a holiday for the eyes. Palming is so beneficial that you should try to fit as much in as you can—lying down in bed the last thing at night or first thing in the morning if you can’t find any other time.
Swaying or Swinging

Mothers who rock their babies to sleep know instinctively that the swaying motion is very relaxing. Bates uses this in a very precise and disciplined way to relax the eyes and nervous system.

For this exercise, you need to be standing in front of a window. Place your feet a little more than shoulder distance apart. Look out to the distance, straight ahead without staring. Staring differs greatly from healthy looking. When you stare you don’t blink, and blinking gives your mind a momentary rest. Look out directly in front, focusing on a particular building or object; sway your body and weight from one foot to the other. Do it in slow, fluid movements without jerking. Be sure to keep both feet flat on the floor. Do this for a few minutes, observing how the building opposite seems to be swaying with you. Observe colors, shapes, and sizes. Then close your eyes and continue swaying in the same rhythm. Focus on the scene in your mind’s eye. Observe that the building is now whooshing past you, in the opposite direction. You may find that your eyes start to water or stream—this is a good sign.

For more information about the Bates method, and to find out what you can do to improve your eyesight naturally see the Web site is www.seeing.org.

For details of the British Natural Eyesight Conference on October 24–26, 2008, in Hemel Hempstead, which will feature guest speakers from around the world and give guests the chance to find out about interesting NVI techniques See www.bnec.org.uk

Mastoor Khan is a freelance writer with an interest in preventive health issues.

Last Updated
Oct 22, 2008

Eating Fish Thwarts Brain Damage - Reuters Health

NEW YORK—Older adults who regularly eat fish may have a lower risk of subtle brain damage that contributes to stroke and dementia—as long as the fish isn’t fried—researchers reported recently.

In a study that followed 3,660 adults age 65 and older, Finnish researchers found that those who ate more fish were less likely to show certain “silent” brain infarcts—tiny areas of tissue that have died because of an insufficient blood supply—on an MRI scan.

The tissue damage is considered silent, or “subclinical” because it causes no obvious symptoms and can only be detected through brain scans. It can, however, raise a person’s longer-term risk of having a stroke or developing dementia.

Among older adults in the current study, those who said they ate tuna and other baked or broiled fish at least three times per week were one-quarter less likely than those who rarely ate fish to have subclinical brain infarcts at the study’s start.

Fish eaters also tended to be less likely to develop new infarcts over the next five years.

No such benefits were linked to consumption of fried fish, however, the researchers report in the journal Neurology.

While the study cannot conclusively point to the reason for the brain benefits, it’s likely that omega-3 fatty acids—healthy fats found mainly in oily fish—play a key role, according to Dr. Jyrki K. Virtanen and colleagues at the University of Kuopio.

When the researchers estimated study participants’ intake of two major omega-3 fatty acids—EPA and DHA—they found a link between higher intake and lower risk of silent brain infarcts.

In addition, the researchers note, the lack of a protective effect from fried fish may stem from the fact that foods like fish burgers and fish sticks are typically made from fish low in omega-3.

Overall, the findings add to evidence that fish rich in omega-3 fats—like salmon, mackerel and albacore tuna—may have “important health benefits,” the researchers write.

“Previous findings have shown that fish and fish oil can help prevent stroke, but this is one of the only studies that looks at fish’s effect on silent brain infarcts in healthy, older people,” Virtanen said in a written statement.

“More research is needed as to why these types of fish may have protective effects, but the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA would seem to have a major role.” Virtanen added.

Silent brain infarcts can raise a person’s risk of both stroke and cognitive decline. It’s estimated that about 20 percent of adults age 65 and up who are free of silent infarcts will develop at least one within five years.

The American Heart Association recommends that all adults strive to eat at least two fish meals per week, preferably fatty fish, for the sake of their cardiovascular health.

Source: Neurology, August 5, 2008

Last Updated
Aug 17, 2008

Garlic Can Reduce Blood Pressure By Dr. John Briffa

Garlic is an oft-touted natural remedy, particularly regarding affairs of the heart. Regular garlic consumption has been said to improve cardiovascular health. In the past, one way it was believed to improve health was its ability to reduce blood pressure.

A previous review found seven trials in which the effects of garlic (powder) were compared with placebo: Three showed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (the higher blood pressure value), while four showed a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure (the lower blood pressure value). Overall, the results indicated that garlic had genuine blood-pressure-lowering potential [1].

Since this review was published, other evidence has come to light. Recently, scientists brought the state of the science on this topic up to date with a meta-analysis, which combined the results of eleven relevant studies [2].

The results demonstrated the following: overall, a statistically significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (an average reduction of 4.6) and overall, no statistically significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure. [Blood pressure is measured in mmHg.]

The authors of this study also went on to separate out the data from individuals in studies who were deemed to have high blood pressure (blood pressure of 140/90 or higher).

In this group, the results showed a statistically significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (an average reduction of 8.4) and a statistically significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure (an average reduction of 7.3).

The authors point out that if the overall effect of garlic on blood pressure seen in the review was applied to the population as a whole, risk of cardiovascular disease and death from cardiovascular disease would be expected to fall by 8 percent to 20 percent. Perhaps it should be borne in mind that garlic might possibly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by other mechanisms as well, notably an anti-coagulant effect (garlic is a blood-thinner, like aspirin).

The dosages of garlic used in the studies on blood pressure were 600 mg to 900 mg. One of garlic’s main active ingredients is believed to be allicin. The dosages used in the studies would translate to a daily allicin dose of 3.6 mg to 5.4 mg. One single fresh clove of garlic contains 5 mg to 9 mg of allicin. For maximum effect, the garlic should be raw (uncooked).

References:

[1.] Silagy CA, et al. A meta-analysis of the effect of garlic on blood pressure.
Journal of Hypertension. 1994 Apr; 12(4): 463–8.

[2.] Ried K, et al. Effect of garlic on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders 2008, 8:13 [Epub 16th June]

Dr. John Briffa is a London-based doctor and author with an interest in nutrition and natural medicine. Dr. Briffa's Web site

Last Updated
Oct 23, 2008

Low Vitamin B Increases Hip Fracture Risk - Reuters Health

NEW YORK—Older adults who are low in B vitamins or have elevated levels of a blood protein called homocysteine may be at increased risk of suffering a hip fracture, new study findings suggest.

The body’s homocysteine levels are known to go up when B vitamin levels are depleted. However, in the new study, researchers found that homocysteine and certain B vitamins were each independently linked to hip fracture risk.

Among more than 1,000 elderly men and women, those who were deficient in vitamin B12 were 60 percent more likely than those with normal levels to sustain a hip fracture over four years. A similar risk was seen among those deficient in vitamin B6.

When the researchers looked at homocysteine levels, they found that men and women with high levels were 50 percent to 70 percent more likely to suffer a hip fracture—even when their B vitamin levels were taken into account.

“We’ve seen evidence in the past that high homocysteine is associated with elevated risk of hip fractures,” lead investigator Dr. Robert R. McLean said in an interview. However, he added, it has been “hard to disentangle whether low vitamin B status is a causal mechanism or whether high homocysteine is a causal mechanism.”

He and his colleagues report these latest findings in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Lab research suggests that B vitamins play a role in maintaining bone density, and studies have linked low blood levels of the vitamins with low bone mass.

Consistent with this, McLean and his colleagues found that as study participants’ B6 levels declined, their bone loss accelerated, on average.

In contrast, although homocysteine was related to hip fracture risk, it was not related to bone loss. For now, it’s not clear why the protein is linked to hip fractures, the researchers say.

Diet changes and vitamin supplements are “easy and effective methods” for controlling B vitamin and homocysteine levels, McLean and his colleagues note. The current findings, they say, suggest that such measures should be studied as “potential novel measures” for preventing bone fractures.

However, McLean said, “I think that it’s still too early to tell people to start taking their B vitamins to prevent fractures. We need clinical trial evidence to give us a better picture of what’s really going on.”

Vitamin B6 is found in foods like potatoes, bananas, beans, and fortified cereals; vitamin B12 is found mainly in meat, fish, and poultry.

Source: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, June 2008

Last Updated
Jul 8, 2008

Green Tea Protects Against Heart Disease - Reuters

A few cups of green tea each day may help prevent heart disease, Greek researchers said this month.

A study published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation showed further evidence of the potential health benefits from a brew already linked to a reduced risk of a range of cancers and other conditions.

The study showed that green tea improves blood flow and the ability of arteries to relax, said Charalambos Vlachopoulos, a cardiologist at the Athens Medical School in Greece who worked on the study.

Other studies have shown that black tea also has benefits for cardiovascular health.

The Greek team said they believed green tea might be even better because it had higher quantities of beneficial compounds called flavonoids—some of which are lost in the oxidation process that black tea undergoes.

Flavonoids are also found in cocoa, tomatoes, and grapes.

“A couple of cups a day would probably be a good dose for people,” Vlachopoulos said. “This is the first study to show these effects for green tea.”

The researchers gave 14 healthy volunteers either green tea, diluted caffeine, or hot water on three separate occasions and then measured the function of endothelial cells lining the circulatory system.

These cells help relax arteries and ease blood flow.

“What is important is these effects are evident fairly rapidly, within 30 minutes,” Vlachopoulos said.

The measurements taken 30, 90, and 120 minutes following consumption showed an almost immediate benefit among people who had drunk green tea, he said.

Heart disease is the world’s leading cause of death. It is caused by fatty deposits that harden and block arteries, high blood pressure, which damages blood vessels, and other factors.

While the researchers looked only at a short-term impact, Vlachopolous said the team’s not-yet-published studies suggest the protection is long-lasting.

“Green tea is consumed less in the Western world than black tea, but it could be more beneficial because of the way it seems to improve [circulatory] function,” he said.

Last Updated
Jul 12, 2008

The ‘Overweight’ Are Not Risking Their Lives

The body mass index (BMI) has for a long time been the standard measurement used to determine whether someone’s weight is “healthy” or not. A BMI of 25 or more is generally regarded as “unhealthy.” (BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kg by the square of someone’s height in meters.)

The suggestion is that there are somehow mortal dangers from having a BMI in this range. However, good, hard measures of health (like risk of death) show that individuals who are labeled “overweight” according to the BMI enjoy at least as good health, if not better, than those traditionally labeled as “healthy” (that is, having a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9).

The largest body of evidence regarding the non-hazards of being overweight come from the United States. Do they translate to other parts of the world?

In a study published recently in the International Journal of Epidemiology, the association between BMI and overall risk of death was assessed in a group of almost 76,000 individuals from a rural Indian population (Kerala state, South India). These individuals were monitored over nearly a decade.

Here are the results for men, using a body-mass index of 18.5 to 22.9 as a reference point:

BMI of less than 16: Risk of mortality increased by 26 percent
BMI 16 to 18.4: No statistically significant relationship with risk of death
BMI 23.0 to 24.9: No statistically significant relationship with risk of death
BMI 25 to 27.4: No statistically significant relationship with risk of death
BMI greater than 27.5: No statistically significant relationship with risk of death

Results for women were similar.

Low body weight is associated with an increased risk of death. But, here again, it seems that being “overweight” does not put individuals at heightened risk of death.

Better measures of health status and risk of death appear to be waist circumference and the waist-to-hip ratio.

References:

Sauvaget C, et al. Body mass index, weight change, and mortality risk in a prospective study in India. International Journal of Epidemiology 2008 37: 990–1004
Dr. John Briffa is a London-based physician and author with an interest in nutrition and natural medicine.
Dr. Briffa's Web site

Last Updated
Nov 13, 2008

Good Habit of the Week - Homemade food By Tysan Lerner

There has been a recent trend that suggests healthy lunch ideas you can get at a fast-food chain. Although fast-food chains are making a great effort to appeal to more people by incorporating so called healthy options into their menus, their understanding of the existing healthy guidelines is perhaps a bit too superficial.

For one point of view, breaking up the energy and chemical makeup of our dietary needs makes perfect sense, but in such a highly polluted world, where we have traveled far from nature and into the land of scientifically “improving” our food products, it is time for us to really think before eating. Think about where the food was produced, how it was produced, what has been added to it, and how far it is from its natural state. Otherwise, we will continue killing ourselves slowly.

For example, you can get lower fat, lower calorie, and a variety of food groups at those fast-food restaurants, but are they healthy? If you have dairy filled with residues of growth hormones, antibiotics, sugar, preservatives, and dyes, is it still good for you? If you have all wheat-based carbohydrates that are highly processed and stripped of their nutrients, and preserved for unlimited “freshness,” will it still feed your body’s nutritional needs? If you have meat or poultry that has been fed food it’s not supposed to eat, and held in toxic environments making it prone to illness and psychosis, is that meat product still healthy because it is grilled instead of fried?

The Epoch Times has been investigating the poisoning of our food products imported from China. Upon reading that babies have been hospitalized or killed by tainted infant formula, and a number of snacks have been recalled because they’ve been tainted with melamine, one must think twice before deciding what to eat.

This poisoned food is a dramatic and immediate threat to our health, but over the years, we have greatly incorporated a slew of poisons into our bodies. This week, try eating homemade, non-processed foods that are preservative free, organic, free-range, growth hormone, and antibiotic free. Despite the higher cost for meats and dairy, you may find yourself ultimately spending less and eating less.


Last Updated
Nov 17, 2008

Music for Your Heart

WASHINGTON—Songs that make our hearts soar can make them stronger too, U.S. researchers reported last week.

They found that when people listened to their favorite music, their blood vessels dilated in much the same way as when laughing or taking blood-pressure medications.

“We have a pretty impressive effect,” said Dr. Michael Miller, director of preventive cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.

“Blood vessel diameter improved,” he said in a telephone interview. “The vessel opened up pretty significantly. You can see the vessels opening up with other activities such as exercise.”

When blood vessels open more, blood flows more smoothly and is less likely to form the blood clots that cause heart attacks and strokes. Elastic vessels also resist the hardening activity of atherosclerosis.

“We are not saying … not to exercise but to add this to an overall program of heart health,” said Miller, who presented his findings to a meeting of the American Heart Association in New Orleans.

Miller’s team tested 10 healthy, non-smoking men and women, who were told to bring their favorite music.

They spent half an hour listening to the recordings and half an hour listening to music they said made them feel anxious while the researchers did ultrasound tests designed to show blood vessel function.

Compared to their normal baseline measurements, blood vessel diameter increased 26 percent on average when the volunteers heard their joyful music. Listening to music they disliked—in most cases in this group, heavy metal—narrowed blood vessels by 6 percent, Miller said.

Miller said he came up with the idea after discovering the laughter caused blood to literally flow more smoothly.

“I asked myself what other things make us feel real good, besides calories from dark chocolate, of course. Music came to mind. ... It makes me feel real good,” he said.

Most of the volunteers chose country music, but Miller said the style is not so important as what pleases each individual.

Reuters
Last Updated Nov 18, 2008

Honey Heals Burns

Honey can heal mild to moderate burns, a recent systematic review by Cochrane Researchers has concluded. It might be useful as an alternative to traditional wound dressings in treating burns.

“We’re treating these results with caution, but it looks like honey can help speed up healing in some burns,” says lead researcher Dr. Andrew Jull, of the Clinical Trials Research Unit at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, in a statement.

Honey has been used in wound treatment since ancient times. But why honey has such a good effect and the underlying mechanisms are unknown.

While honey may help the body remove dead tissue and provide a favorable environment for the growth of new, healthy tissue, current interest in medicinal honey focuses mostly on its antibacterial effects.

In the Cochrane review, researchers brought together data from 19 clinical trials involving 2,554 patients with a range of different wounds. Honey was more effective in reducing healing time compared to some gauze and film dressings that are often used to treat moderate burns.

However, the researchers were unable to show any clear benefits for the healing of grazes, lacerations, surgical wounds, or leg ulcers. They don’t advise using honey to treat other types of wounds.

“Health services should invest in treatments that have been shown to work,” says Dr Jull.
“But we will keep monitoring new research to try and establish the effect of honey.”

Reference:
Jull AB, Rodgers A, Walker N Honey as a topical treatment for wounds. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 4.

Last Updated Nov 1, 2008

Workout for Brain Just a Few Clicks Away

CHICAGO—Searching the Internet may help middle-aged and older adults keep their memories sharp, U.S. researchers said Oct. 14.

Researchers at the University of California Los Angeles studied people doing Web searches while their brain activity was recorded with functional magnetic resonance imaging scans.

“What we saw was people who had Internet experience used more of their brain during the search,” Dr. Gary Small, a UCLA expert on aging, said in a telephone interview.

“This suggests that just searching on the Internet may train the brain—that it may keep it active and healthy,” said Small, whose research appears in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

Many studies have found that challenging mental activities such as puzzles can help preserve brain function, but few have looked at what role the Internet might play.

“This is the first time anyone has simulated an Internet search task while scanning the brain,” Small said.

His team studied 24 normal volunteers between the ages of 55 and 76. Half were experienced at searching the Internet and the other half had no Web experience. Otherwise, the groups were similar in age, gender, and education.

Both groups were asked to do Internet searches and book reading tasks while their brain activity was monitored.

“We found that in reading the book task, the visual cortex—the part of the brain that controls reading and language—was activated,” Small said.

“In doing the Internet search task, there was much greater activity, but only in the Internet-savvy group.”

He said it appears that people who are familiar with the Internet can engage in a much deeper level of brain activity.

“There is something about Internet searching where we can gauge it to a level that we find challenging,” Small said.

Activities that keep the brain engaged can preserve brain health and thinking ability.

Small thinks learning to do Internet searches may be one of those activities.

“It tells us we probably can teach an old brain new Internet tricks,” he said.

Last Updated Oct 22, 2008

Tai Chi Helps Cut Pain of Knee Arthritis

WASHINGTON—The traditional Chinese form of exercise known as tai chi can help reduce pain and physical impairment in people who have knee arthritis, researchers said on Saturday.

In their study, one group of people in their 60s with severe knee osteoarthritis performed tai chi for an hour twice a week for 12 weeks while a similar group did the same amount of conventional stretching exercises over the same period.

Those who did tai chi experienced greater pain reduction, less depression, and improvements in physical function and overall health, researchers led by Dr. Chenchen Wang of Tufts Medical Center in Boston reported at a meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in San Francisco.

"Tai chi mind-body exercise appears to provide an important approach for self-care and self-management for knee (osteoarthritis)," Wang said in a statement.

The study provided the latest evidence that tai chi may offer benefits for people with arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation advocacy group recommends it for improving the quality of life of people with arthritis.

Tai chi is a form of exercise developed in China centuries ago. With tai chi, a person slowly performs a series of postures or movements that are low impact and put little stress on the muscles and joints. It can improve muscle function, balance, and flexibility.

Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, develops when cartilage in the joints of the body wears down over time. It is incurable and worsens over time. Osteoarthritis in the knee can cause chronic pain when a person stands or walks.

Forty people took part in the study, and Wang said the findings should be confirmed in a larger study. Those who took part in the study had knee osteoarthritis for about a decade.

Last Updated Oct 26, 2008

Some Cereals More Than Half Sugar

WASHINGTON—Some breakfast cereals marketed to U.S. children are more than half sugar by weight and many get only fair scores on nutritional value, Consumer Reports said on Oct. 1.

A serving of 11 popular cereals, including Kellogg’s Honey Smacks, carries as much sugar as a glazed doughnut, the consumer group found.

And some brands have more sugar when formulated for the U.S. market than the same brands have when sold in other countries.

Post Golden Crisp, made by Kraft Foods Inc., and Kellogg’s Honey Smacks are more than 50 percent sugar by weight, the group said, while nine brands are at least 40 percent sugar.

The most healthful brands are Cheerios, with three grams of fiber per serving and one gram of sugar, Kix, and Honey Nut Cheerios, all made by General Mills; and Life, made by PepsiCo Inc.’s Quaker Oats unit.

“Be sure to read the product labels, and choose cereals that are high in fiber and low in sugar. …” Gayle Williams, deputy editor of Consumer Reports Health, said in a statement.

Honey Smacks has 15 grams of sugar and just one gram of fiber per serving while Kellogg’s Corn Pops has 12 grams of sugar and no fiber.

Consumer Reports studied how 91 children aged 6 to 16 poured their cereal and found they served themselves about 50 to 65 percent more on average than the suggested serving size for three of the four tested cereals.

Consumers International, which publishes Consumer Reports, said it would ask the World Health Organization to develop international guidelines restricting advertising and marketing of foods high in sugar to children.

However, the group noted that breakfast cereal can be a healthful meal and said adults and children alike who eat breakfast have better overall nutrition, fewer weight problems, and better cognitive performance throughout the day.

Kellogg said it was working to make its food more nutritious. Last Updated
Oct 4, 2008

Low-Carb Diet Lowers Insulin Levels

While not all dietary approaches are applicable or beneficial to everyone, there are some, I think, that generally hold true. Here’s one: If you want a long, healthy life, do what you can to ensure stability of blood sugar and insulin levels.

What this usually means in practice is the regular eating of foods that tend not to disrupt blood sugar (and therefore insulin) levels, such as meat, fish, eggs, green vegetables, certain fruits (for example, apples, berries), beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds.

What this diet is generally devoid of, you may notice, is foods containing refined sugar and starchy carbs such as bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, and breakfast cereals. The primal diet above is often dubbed a low-carb diet on the basis that it contains considerably less carbohydrate compared to the starch-rich diet so often advocated (and eaten) these days. Some people even recommend such a starch-rich diet for diabetics, even though carbohydrate is the specific dietary element that diabetics have difficulty handling.

Part of the rationale for a carb-controlled diet in diabetics comes from the fact that the less carbohydrates one eats, the lower the blood sugar level will tend to be. And at the risk of stating the obvious, this is of clear merit for diabetics whose prime ambition might be to keep blood sugar levels under control.

However, another important part of the rationale for eating a low or lower carbohydrate diet is that it demands less insulin to be secreted by the body’s pancreas. Generally speaking, the less insulin someone secretes, the less likely they are to suffer from insulin resistance (when the body’s ability to respond to insulin’s blood sugar lowering effects is blunted). Also, less insulin means less likelihood that the cells in the pancreas responsible for secreting insulin—the beta cells—will become exhausted.

Basically, the more insulin someone secretes over time, the more likely they are to suffer from a lack of insulin or an inability to respond to it appropriately. This is a situation many type 2 diabetics can find themselves in, particularly, logic dictates, if they eat a diet replete with carbohydrates, including starchy ones.

Of course this concept of controlling carb intake is not just relevant for diabetics, but also for those who would prefer not to develop diabetes. I was therefore interested to read a recent study that tested the effects of low-carb and low fat (and higher-carb) diets in a group of obese adolescents aged 12 to 18. This 12-week long study showed that these diets performed similarly well with regard to changes in measures such as body mass index and body fat percentage.

On the other hand, the low carbohydrate diet out-performed the low fat one in two critical areas. Firstly, insulin levels were lower in those eating a lower-carb diet. The researchers also used an assessment known as the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA), which is used to measure the extent to which an individual is suffering from insulin resistance and beta-cell exhaustion. Here too, the low-carbers faired better.

In short, after just three months on a lower-carb diet, adolescents saw improvements in their biochemistry, which would, generally speaking, put them at reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes over time. This evidence is in line with other research that has found that the consumption of blood sugar-disruptive carbohydrate is associated with an increased risk of diabetes.

References:

Demol S, et al. Low-carbohydrate (low and high-fat) versus high-carbohydrate, low-fat diets in the treatment of obesity in adolescents. Acta Paediatrica. 2008 Sep 29. [Epub ahead of print]

Dr. John Briffa is a London-based physician and author with an interest in nutrition and natural medicine. Dr. Briffa's Web site

Last Updated Oct 29, 2008

Low GI Diet Protects Eyes

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of loss of vision in adults.

Last year, I wrote about a study that found a link between eating a diet relatively disruptive for blood sugar levels (a high-glycemic index diet) and increased risk of AMD. The authors of this study concluded that eating a low-glycemic index (GI) diet would perhaps eliminate 20 percent of cases of AMD.

I was interested to read a recent study that has replicated this finding. This particular research, conducted in Australia, assessed the relationship between dietary GI and risk of AMD over 10 years in a group of almost 2,000 people [1].

The results of this research showed that compared to individuals consuming lower-GI diets, those consuming the highest-GI diets were at a 77 percent increased risk of developing AMD. These findings are very much in line with those reported in the study from last year.

Eating a low-GI diet means eating a diet mainly of meat, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, green vegetables, beans, lentils, and certain fruits such as apples and berries. My advice would be to limit grains, most bread, and many breakfast cereals. They are particularly disruptive to blood sugar and insulin levels when eaten in quantity.

This recent Australian research also looked at the relationship between cereal fiber intake and AMD risk. As the intake of these foodstuffs went up, risk of AMD generally went down. However, even in the individuals eating the most, the risk of AMD was not significantly lower statistically than those eating the least.

This should not be too surprising given that many grains can be quite disruptive to glucose and insulin levels, including some that are quite high in fiber (for example, whole-grain bread).

There are plenty of good reasons for eating a diet of relatively low-GI foods, including, most likely, a reduced risk of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and maybe some forms of cancer too. We now have evidence that suggests a lower-GI diet may help to protect against AMD and preserve vision as we age.

References:

1. Kaushik S, et al. Dietary glycemic index and the risk of age-related macular degeneration. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2008; 88(4): 1104–1110

Dr. John Briffa is a London-based physician and author with an interest in nutrition and natural medicine. Dr. Briffa's Web site

Last Updated
Nov 6, 2008

Can MSG Cause Obesity?

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a food ingredient that is used to enhance flavor and palatability. It is the glutamate—the amino acid part—of the MSG molecule that does the job in this respect. MSG (and other sources of glutamate) can be found in a wide range of processed foods with the blessing of our governments and food agencies.

However, there has been lingering concern that glutamate might have some adverse effects on health, paralleling the effects of the artificial sweetener aspartame.One concern about aspartame has been that, despite being virtually devoid of calories, it might be contributing to the burden of overweight and obesity. It seems that aspartame can stimulate appetite.Some have leveled a charge that MSG may promote weight gain on the basis of experiments that showing it has this unwanted side effect in animals. However, until recently, the relationship between MSG consumption and weight gain had not been assessed in humans.That changed on the publication of a study this month in the journal Obesity [1].

The study, conducted in China, assessed the relationship between MSG consumption and body mass index (BMI) in 752 men and women aged 40 to 59. The researchers divided the participants in this study into three bands, according to MSG consumption. Compared to those in the lowest consumption band, those in the highest were found to be 2.75 times more likely to have a BMI of more than 25.This link between MSG consumption and increased body weight may have many explanations. The two obvious ones are that MSG somehow led individuals to consume more food or be less active. However, in this study, the authors accounted for these potential factors, which means that the link between MSG consumption and increased body weight appears to be independent of these factors.

The suggestion here is that MSG, the glutamate part, may have one or more metabolic effects in the body that might predispose consumers to weight gain. As it happens, administering MSG to animals has been shown to induce various changes that promote fat accumulation, including suppression of fat breakdown (lipolysis) [2]. The free, full-text version of this study is linked to below, which details other effects of MSG that might affect body weight in the long term.What is required now is for more work to be done to assess what effects MSG might have on human physiology that might cause weight gain. If one of the most commonly used food additives does indeed have the potential to cause weight gain, then it’s only right that we should know.

References:1. He K, et al. Association of Monosodium Glutamate Intake With Overweight in Chinese Adults: The INTERMAP Study. Obesity 2008; 16(8): 1875–18802. Dolnikoff M, et al. Decreased lipolysis and enhanced glycerol and glucose utilization by adipose tissue prior to development of obesity in monosodium glutamate (MSG) treated-rats. International Journal of Obesity Related Metabolic Disorders 2001; 25(3): 426–33

Dr. John Briffa is a London-based physician and author with an interest in nutrition and natural medicine. Dr. Briffa's Web site

Last UpdatedOct 23, 2008

Breast-Feeding Helps Moms to Lose Weight

NEW YORK—New moms may be better able to return to their pre-pregnancy weight by exclusively breast-feeding their infants, according to new research.“The practice of exclusive breast-feeding helps mothers lose the weight accumulated during pregnancy and do that faster compared to those who don’t practice exclusive breast-feeding,”

Dr. Alex Kojo Anderson, of the University of Georgia in Athens, told Reuters Health.Anderson and colleagues compared pre-pregnancy and at-delivery weight, with weight at 12 weeks after delivery, among 24 mothers, aged 19 to 42 years. Seventeen of these new moms exclusively breast-fed their infants, while nine mothers mixed-fed their infants, using formula or a combination of formula and breast milk.According to the findings, published online in the International Breast-feeding Journal, during the first 4 weeks after delivery, mothers in the mixed-feeding group lost more of their at-delivery weight than did mothers who exclusively breast-fed.

However, from 8 to 12 weeks, this trend reversed.When Anderson’s team compared the women’s post-pregnancy weight loss according to their pre-pregnancy weight, mothers who exclusively breast-fed lost more weight at 2-, 4, 8-, and 12-weeks after delivery than did mothers in the mixed-feeding group.This weight loss trend was evident in spite of the greater caloric intake and lower activity level among breast-feeding mothers, compared with mixed-feeding mothers, the investigators found.Moreover, “the trend in percent body fat loss was statistically significant among exclusive breast-feeding mothers and not the other group of mothers,” Anderson added.“

Our results provide further evidence that exclusive breast-feeding promotes greater weight loss than mixed feeding among mothers even in the early postpartum period,” Anderson and colleagues say. Encouraging mothers to exclusively breastfeed their infants is one way to help these women avoid becoming overweight or obese, they conclude.

Source: International Breastfeeding Journal, August 2008

Last UpdatedSep 24, 2008

Vitamin C Retards Bone Loss in Older Men

WASHINGTON—Your mother was right: eating fruits and vegetables is good for you. But some new research suggests her advice is good for a very long time, even into old age. It appears that older men who eat fruits and vegetables can delay the onset of brittle bone disease known as osteoporosis.

For years, doctors focused on studying osteoporosis in women only. But men are living longer than in the past, and as they age, their bones also can get brittle and break easily. Tufts University researcher Katherine Tucker explains there are parts of the body where bone loss is a particular problem.“We want to prevent hip fractures,” she says. “And the spine is another area that is really at risk of spinal compression and loss ... that reduces height over time.”Many doctors recommend people eat foods that include calcium to keep their bones strong. But in an earlier study, Tucker found that people who ate lots of fruits and vegetables had stronger bones over time than people who didn’t eat fruits and vegetables regularly.

“The fruits and vegetables provide molecules which help reduce acidity in the blood, which helps reduce bone resorption,” Tucker says. Resorption means the breaking down of bone cells to release calcium into the blood.In this follow-up study, Tucker and her colleagues recruited men whose average age was about 75 years old. Over a period of four years, the researchers used a bone scanner to make regular measurements of the men’s hips, spines, and forearms. Tucker also had the men keep detailed information about what they ate. In particular, she asked about vitamin C, because vitamin C seems to slow down bone resorption.“We were able to see that vitamin C was quite protective against bone loss over four years,” Tucker says. “It was most significant in men who also had either low calcium or low vitamin E intake.”

Tucker says low amounts of calcium in the blood is an obvious risk factor for osteoporosis. But she says it also seems vitamin C is protective for people at risk. Tucker says when people have low levels of vitamin E in their bodies; it seems like higher levels of vitamin C also make up that lack.Vitamin C is found commonly in many fruits and vegetables. But Tucker says the men with the strongest bones also had taken vitamin C supplements.

“We found that the total vitamin C was what really mattered,” she says. “But in this case, in order to see the protection from vitamin C, it was at a level that was mainly achieved from supplements.”Tucker is continuing research on which nutrients can keep bones strong, long after mother has stopped telling you to eat your vegetables.Her study is published in the Journal of Nutrition.

Editor’s Note: Vitamin D is also very important to maintain bone density.

Last UpdatedOct 23, 2008

Pomegranate Juice Health Benefits

Varieties of pomegranate juice found on grocery store shelf in Tennessee. (Sabina Kupershmidt/The Epoch Times)

A Google search for the keywords “pomegranate juice health benefits” returned over half a million entries. Putting a slight damper on this exuberance, a PubMed search (a public repository of expert-reviewed biomedical literature) returned only seven entries. This discrepancy may simply imply that there has not yet been the time or funding to launch careful studies, which generally require careful planning, years of study and large financial commitments.

However, the medical community is becoming interested in pomegranate. This can be ascribed to the fact that many of today’s diseases are due to “oxidative stress,” and pomegranate is replete with potentially beneficial antioxidants, including polyphenols, tannins, and anthocyanins. Oxidative stress in human tissues is akin to the process that is generally called rusting in metal objects, and antioxidants can prevent this process of deterioration.

For example, the pathological consequences of diabetes, atherosclerosis, and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, are partly due to oxidative damage to tissues.Beats Red Wine and Green TeaIt is significant that one of the seven PubMed entries mentioned bears the title “Comparison of antioxidant potency of commonly consumed polyphenol-rich beverages in the United States” [1]. The study concluded that the juice had the greatest antioxidant potency among 10 commonly consumed “health drinks,” including red wine and green tea. Although the authors of the study caution that their results, which were derived in a test tube, do not necessarily imply beneficial effects in a human body, there is reason to be optimistic.

Further digging into the medical literature revealed that pomegranate juice is being investigated for its effects on diabetes. A small clinical study with diabetic patients conducted in Israel, the land of pomegranates, showed beneficial effects on the cellular mediators of atherosclerosis, a common consequence of diabetes [2].A second study [3] was even more encouraging: Patients with existing ischemic coronary heart disease (making them prone to heart attacks), who consumed about 8 ounces of pomegranate juice a day for three months, experienced an improvement in their heart condition.Patients who did not receive pomegranate juice, on average, continued to worsen over the same time period.

Reassuring to diabetics who have to worry about consuming sugar-containing fruit juices, pomegranate juice consumption did not worsen indicators of the diabetic condition.Efforts are underway to determine whether pomegranate juice might be effective as a chemopreventive agent, that is, whether it might prevent cancers from starting. Animal studies and cell-culture studies indicate that pomegranate extracts have properties that put the brakes on the unlimited growth potential of cancer cells.

Pomegranate oils are even being investigated as possible skin protective agents from harmful UV rays [4].PowerhouseDr. Jack Roberts, a professor of pharmacology at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tenn., calls pomegranate juice “the powerhouse of antioxidants.” Since no adverse effects have been reported with pomegranate juice consumption, it may be a good idea to add it to the diet.

For those who would rather eat the fruit than drink the juice but are wondering how to separate the juicy, translucent red seeds from the peel and skin compartments, try this simple solution: Cut off the top and then drop the fruit into a big bowl of water, and peel it with your fingers inside the water. The peel and skin will float to the top and the seeds will sink to the bottom. Just remember, you would probably have to eat a small bucketful of pomegranates to consume the equivalent of antioxidants found in an ounce of the concentrate. Enjoy!

References:1. Comparison of antioxidant potency of commonly consumed polyphenol-rich beverages in the United States. Seeram NP, Aviram M, Zhang Y, Henning SM, Feng L, Dreher M, Heber D. 2008. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry; 56:1415–22. Epub Jan. 26.2. Rosenblat M, Hayek T, Aviram M. Anti-oxidative effects of pomegranate juice (PJ) consumption by diabetic patients on serum and on macrophages. Atherosclerosis; 2006 187(2): 363–71.3. Effects of Pomegranate Juice Consumption on Myocardial Perfusion in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease. Sumner, MD, Elliott-Eller M, Weidner G, Daubenmier JJ, Chew MH, Marlin R, Raisin CJ, and Ornish D. 2005. American Journal of Cardiology; 96:810–814.4. Pomegranate derived products for cancer chemoprevention. 2007. Syed DN, Afaq F, Mukhtar H. Seminars in Cancer Biology; 17:377–385

Dr. Kupershmidt is a research associate professor in the department of anesthesiology at Vanderbilt University. She may be contacted at sabinak@epochtimes.com

Last Updated Oct 20, 2008

Beneficial Broccoli - Especially good for COPD patients

Broccoli has shown promise in the treatment of chronic lung disease. (Louise Valentine/The Epoch Times)NEW YORK—People who suffer with the chronic breathing disorder known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may benefit from a second helping of broccoli at dinner, research published Sept.12 suggests.

COPD is a progressive lung condition that is mostly seen in smokers and former smokers. It is characterized by emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which obstructs airflow to the lungs. Dr. Shyam Biswal from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore and colleagues have found a correlation between more severe COPD and a decrease in lung concentrations of a specific protein called NRF2, which protects the lung against inflammation-related injury.

Broccoli contains a compound that helps stabilize NRF2 levels in the lung.Biswal and colleagues analyzed tissue samples from the lungs of smokers and former smoker with or without COPD. When compared with healthy lung tissue, COPD lung tissue showed a marked decline in the activity and concentrations of NRF2-dependent, inflammation-fighting antioxidants. This defect seen in the COPD lung appears to be associated with reduction in another protein called DJ-1, whose main function is to stabilize NRF2 and prevent its degradation. Clear signs of cell-damaging oxidative stress in the COPD lungs were also evident.In the lab, the broccoli compound sulforaphane was able to restore the antioxidant imbalance in COPD lung tissue, the researchers found.“

Future studies should target NRF2 as a novel strategy to increase antioxidant protection in the lungs and test its ability to decrease exacerbations and improve lung function in patients with COPD,” Biswal said.Increasing NRF2 “may also restore important detoxifying enzymes to counteract other effects of tobacco smoke,” Dr. Peter Barnes of the National Heart and Lung Institute in London, writes in a commentary published with the study.

This was been achieved in animals by isothiocyanate compounds, such as sulforaphane, which occurs naturally in broccoli, he explains.In a written statement, Dr. John Heffner, past president of the American Thoracic Society, commented, “mounting evidence over several decades underscores the importance of oxidant-mediated damage for the development of COPD in addition to other lung diseases. ”“This study adds greater precision to our understanding of the specific antioxidants that may protect the lung against (COPD) to allow clinical trials based on valid pathophysiologic principles,” Heffner added.

Source: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, September 2008

Last Updated Oct 16, 2008

Snoring - Some Simple Remedies

As a Doctor and a Health Coach, I find that many of my patients and clients ask me about snoring. It usually isn't THEIR snoring they're concerned about, but rather their spouse's! So in the interest of a good night's sleep for the "non-snoring" population, here are some tips to help our beloved "afflicted" ones:-

I've found snoring to be caused by a few factors, and lifestyle modification is the answer to many of them:-

1. Eating too late at night

2. Eating too much late in the day, at night before bed, and/or eating too many carbohydrates (pastas, breads, starches, etc.)

3. Sleep and exercise go hand-in-hand and if neither is balanced, you're more likely to snore. And snoring can cause a "vicious cycle" because if you're not getting enough sleep or you're only getting a poor quality of sleep you'll be less motivated to exercise because they are simply too tired; and if you haven't exercised, you'll be less likely to get into a deep, restful state of sleep to catch up.

4. Exposure to tobacco, especially commercial cigarettes, notice I said exposure... particularly when combined with the other "risk factors" I've mentioned above, can increase the chances for snoring. I've observed that even second hand smoke can increase incidences of snoring!

The GOOD news is snoring can be greatly reduced or eliminated with a few simple lifestyle changes! Hooray!

May I suggest:-

1. Start a simple exercise plan each day... walk for 15-30 minutes, the more rigorous, the better...brisk, fast paced walking is better than running, as it causes less damage to the body.

2. Eat smaller meals and eat regularly throughout the day. Don't bunch up all your food, your calories, for night time. This will produce good results for your waistline, as well!

3. Get to sleep at a regular time and create some habit to help you do that. For example, if I wanted to be asleep by 10 PM each night I would:-

a. Turn off the TV by 9:00 PM (record your favorite shows and watch them tomorrow!)

b. Drink some valerian or chamomile tea to help soothe your body and mind and ready them for sleep.

c. Read a little bit in bed.

d. Exercise during the day, which can help you fall asleep the fastest!

4. Reduce or eliminate tobacco usage.

Unfortunately, there aren't any known vitamins or supplements that will help stop snoring, however there is a new gadget out that might help you eliminate it. Check out the Nasailine Snoring Device. It comes in medium and large sizes. This unique device was innovatively designed for optimal nostril expansion, without discomfort, to help us sleep better naturally, breathe easier, snore less, and get relief from both allergy and cold symptoms. It can be used to improve physical activity by improving air intake.

Snoring should not be confused with sleep apnea, which is when someone's breathing "skips" or "pauses" during sleep. If you notice this to be the case, you should consult with a sleep doctor or sleep expert. You can read more about sleep apnea at http://www.sleepapnea.org

Dr. Brett Saks is a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (NMD), Author, Lecturer and Health Coach. Please visit him at his website, http://www.drsaks.com where you'll learn about great new Teleseminars scheduled for 2008, browse vitamins, minerals, supplements, and alternative products that support your health and well being, and find services geared toward health education and information exchanges we have all been searching for. While you're there, check out his blog, "Ask the Doctor", and his Coaching Center!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Brett_Saks

Exactly How Does a Lack of Sleep Affect the Body?

Many people that regularly skip sleeping for the recommended amount of time each night or regularly experience insomnia will find that a lack of sleep can have many negative effects on the body. Getting enough sleep rejuvenates the body and repairs the damage that is caused to the body during the normal actions of the day. When the body does not get enough rest, the damage can not be repaired and continues to get worse as each day passes.

It is important for people to understand how lack of sleep affects the body so that they will be more conscious about the effects of not getting the recommended amount of sleep each night. A lack of sleep can cause injury, loss of brain function, and even death if continued for a long period of time. The effects of a consistent lack of sleep can be very dangerous to the person and others around them. The longer the person goes without sleep, the worse the effects will be until the person collapses and becomes hospitalized or has a fatal accident.

A lack of sleep affects different parts of the body in different ways and in different degrees depending on how long the person has gone without sleep. The biggest effects of lack of sleep on the body can be seen in the brain of the person. Going without sleep for a 24 hour period can result in the person exhibiting behavior resembling drunkenness, with studies showing that people in this condition are more dangerous when driving than people that are legally drunk.

People that are suffering from a lack of sleep can experience memory lapses, decreased concentration, and hallucinations. As this continues, the person can experience depersonalization where they do not believe that they or any of the people around them are real, almost as if they feel they are living in a dream. Psychotic episodes may also appear in the person which may or may not disappear after the person has returned to a normal sleeping schedule.

A lack of sleep does not only affect the brain, but affects many other areas of the body as well. People that have gone without the proper amount of sleep for a long amount of time can experience muscle fatigue, a weakened immune system, blurred vision, headaches, and nausea. Other effects such as muscle tremors, color blindness, hyperactivity, and weight loss or gain may also occur.

Lack of sleep has been linked to many different health conditions including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and many different mental conditions. In most cases, returning to normal sleep each night can stop these conditions but in some cases, the damage is irreversible. There are many different ways that a lack of sleep can affect the body and each of the consequences of not getting enough rest at night can be dangerous to the person's health and well being.

Do you know enough about the effect of insomnia on your body? Insomnia can be treated and you can learn how now by clicking on over to http://www.Slumbertroubles.com.

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Easy Ways To Lower High Blood Pressure

I wanted to show you that there are easy ways to lower high blood pressure. A lot of people out there have this problem, but there doesn't seem to be a real concern about it. People still eat the wrong foods and refuse to do any exercise when their own doctor tells them that this what they need to do. It's sad really. The problem is that the flow of blood through the body is getting obstructed. This is caused by the bad type of cholesterol that we eat. Our arteries fill up and it gets harder for the heart to push blood through the body. Eventually this will lead to problems with the heart and cause strokes. I'm going to show you ways to lower high blood pressure that aren't as hard as you'd assume they would be.

The first thing you're going to have to do is put a plan in place to lower your cholesterol. There are many methods of doing this and it is all done through changes in the diet. I'm a big fan of consuming essential fatty acids (EFA). This means you take fish oil or flax seed oil because they will reduce it for you. Other people look for something simple. Having a bowl of cheerios every morning has been proven to reduce cholesterol. It's important to stick with something that you know you can do consistently.

One of the easiest ways to lower high blood pressure is to start doing light exercise. You don't have to act like a world class athlete when you start. As you do this consistently, you'll build up stamina. As you start getting your body into a more active and healthy state, you'll notice that the fat on your body will start to disappear, making it much easier on your heart to pump blood.

Learn How to Lower Blood Pressure.

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