Monthly Archives: January 2007

Never Thought I’d See the Day, but I’m Glad I Did!

If you had told me yesterday that oil giant Exxon-Mobil would begin discussions about how to become a better environmental citizen, especially in addressing the issue of global warming, I would have told you to stop hitting the bottle. Well, surprise surprise, in an article from MSNBC.com they did just that. The company announced they would no longer fund global-warming sceptics and would begin to seriously address their responsibilities when it comes to global warming.

Now I’m under no illusion that this was not just done out of the goodness of their hearts but any move to lower gree-house gases is a step in the right direction. I’m not one to go out and tell everyone to sell their cars and ride bicycles instead but we do need to do our part to help stem the tide. Still, when a behemoth like Exxon starts changing (and we’ll see if they really do), then a very good thing has happened. This is a two thumbs up day for the good guys.

Nutrition News for the Week

Folic Acid Supplementation and Cardiovascular Disease: A Meta-Analysis – In this study the authors found no conclusive evidence that folic acid supplementation reduced cardiovascular disease because they steadfastly refuse to understand or address the concept of biochemical individuality. While the population as a whole may not show statistically significant benefits, individuals with certain characteristics may show massive reductions in cardiovascular disease by supplementing folic acid. Another reason why scientific research into nutritional supplementation is so poor.

Leading an Active Lifestyle Substantially Lowers the Risk of Future Coronary Heart Disease in Apparently Healthy Men and Women – From the University of the Obvious, these authors conclude that an active lifestyle equates to a healthier one. Also, they determined the sky was blue and the oceans are wet.

Drinking Coffee May Lower Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma – For you coffee drinkers out there (caffeinated only) it seems that 28 cups a week reduced the risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by 60% over 2 cup a day drinkers. Still, that much coffee will demineralize you and potentially cause a whole lot of other health problems.

L-Carnitine Attenuates Oxidative Stress in Hypertensive Rats – As if we needed more research showing the enormous benefits to L-Carnitine supplementation, this study clearly illustrates the benefits both cardiovascularly and hepatically (liver) of the use of this remarkable nutrient.

Mixture of Micronutrients May Enhance Immunity in Healthy Persons, While Bovine Colostrum Concentrate Found to Have No Such Effect – In this study we see that adding vitamins C and E, beta carotene (A) and zinc improved immune function while bovine colostrum did not. While the benefits were small, it seems to be another reason to take a good broad spectrum multimineral/vitamin supplement every day.

Supplementation with Melatonin May Benefit Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome – In this somewhat small study, it looks like melatonin supplementation may have a number of benefits to IBS patients, especially in improving their quality of life.

Consumption of Fructose May Lead to Elevated Triglyceride and Glucose Concentrations – High-fructose corn syrup is a food item I would love to see banned from our store shelves right after trans fats and this study suggested that this sweetener may increase the risk for coronary heart disease. We should all make a concerted effort to stop buying products containing high-fructose corn syrup.

Supplementation with Ginkgo biloba May Protect Against Ovarian Cancer – This study showed a major reduction in the risk of developing ovarian cancer among regular ginkgo biloba users and non-users. The reduction was 67% which is quite staggering. If your a women concerned about ovarian cancer, start taking ginkgo today.

Omega-6 Fatty Acids May Stimulate and Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Inhibit Prostate Cancer Growth – Since the western diet is high in Omega-6 fatty acids (despite the insane ravings of a so-called expert in the field of fatty acids), this study makes the case that we need to seriously change our dietary patterns to reduce men’s risk of developing prostate cancer. Regular Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may be very beneficial in reducing the risk of developing this common cancer.

Do We Really Need 8 hours Continuous Sleep? Maybe Not!!!

All of have been told over and over and over that we need eight hours of continuous sleep every night as adults (more for kids and certainly teenagers). The pharmaceutical industry keeps telling us we need drugs like AmbienR, SonataR, or LunestaR to get that full nights sleep or the alternative health industry keeps pushing melatonin or herbs like valerian to get the “needed” 8 straight hours of sleep. What if we didn’t need eight consecutive hours of sleep or if doing that may not be in our best interests health or brain wise?

Well guess what?  According to a book by Dr. A. Roger Ekrich a professor of History at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University called At Day’s Close: Night in Times Past, our ancestors did not sleep through the night but actually had  two sleep periods appropriately called first and second sleep. Before artificial lighting, people would go to sleep shortly after sunset for a few hours and then wake up. They might do chores, have sex with their mates, or visit with family and friends. After a couple of hours, they would go back to bed and start their second sleep. Of course this historical perspective alone wouldn’t mean much if except that other research seems to back this idea up.

Dr. Thomas A. Wehr, a one-time sleep researcher for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) found that if given the chance, modern people would follow the same routine as their forbearers. According to an article published in the magazine Scientific American Mind, “Modern humans may be unique among animals in the extent to which they consolidate sleep.” Waking up during the night may not be abnormal at all; it may be a very normal thing to do. Instead of treating it as a disease or syndrome, maybe we need to imbrace this occurence and do as our ancestors did and make the time between our first and second sleep a period of quite contemplation, work, sex or reading (a more modern pastime).

One profound thing to take out of this is that maybe what we think is abnormal really isn’t. We may be out there treating diseases and syndromes not because they will negatively affect us, but because someone saw a market out there to sell into or because of our unwillingness to take time out of our busy schedules to do what is best for ourselves. We want a pill or a “magic elixir” to take our troubles away. Why exercise and stretch our leg muscles or take some extra magnesium when we can call it Restless Leg Syndrome, take RequipR or MirapexR and we’ll take care of it for you. America, the land of instant pudding.

EHP Update – January 2007

Here is a review of the major articles in this months issue of the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

Pilot Study of Urinary Biomarkers of Phytoestrogens, Phthalates, and Phenols in Girls – While this study does not link serious health issues with these ubiquitous chemicals, it does show that many young girls have measurable amounts of these hormonally active toxins. Very disturbing indeed.

Maternal Fish Consumption, Mercury Levels, and Risk of Preterm Delivery – In this landmark study, it was shown that there is a relationship between mercury and the risk of pre-term delivery. Even with low- to moderate-exposure, there was a relationship. The researchers tracked pregnant women’s fish intake from canned, sport caught and fresh purchased. The worst offender was canned fish. If you are pregnant, please do not eat canned fish or any predatory species such as shark or swordfish. If you need (and you do) Omega-3 fatty acids, take supplements.

Environmental Estrogens Induce Mast Cell Degranulation and Enhance IgE-Mediated Release of Allergic Mediators – In an interesting study, researchers suggest that environmental estrogens like DDT, PCBs, bisphenol A and others, may promote allergic reactions in humans. More evidence that these toxins need banning.

A Case-Control Analysis of Exposure to Traffic and Acute Myocardial Infarction – Pollution from automobile and truck traffic is once again linked to an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease and heart attack. If you live near heavy traffic, test for solvents through US Biotek, then use the Bio-ClarityTM Report from Health Director through your health care provider to come up with a detoxification protocol. Your heart will love you for it.

Increased Rate of Hospitalization for Diabetes and Residential Proximity of Hazardous Waste Sites – These researchers found a statistically significant relationship between diabetes hospitalizations and proximity to toxic waste dumps.

Potential Risks Associated with the Proposed Widespread Use of Tamiflu – Because of the fear of a viral pandemic, the World Health Organization suggested stockpiling hundreds of millions of doses of Tamiflu, an anti-retroviral drug. These authors believe that we need to be aware that because the drug does not easily degrade, if that many doses were to be taken, humans would eventually excrete the active ingredient which will then make its way to the environment. The risk is if birds ingest the drug and begin to breed Tamiflu resistant strains of viruses. This could have horrendous ramifications for people worldwide.

Hair Manganese and Hyperactive Behaviors: Pilot Study of School-Age Children Exposed through Tap Water – My fellow researcher and author, Robert Crayhon, has been a strong opponent of supplements containing the mineral manganese. After reviewing this paper, which shows a relationship between exposure to manganese and hyperactivity, I am becoming more and more convinced of the correctness of his position. I know of a couple who have taken so much manganese over the years that have exhibited very odd, almost psychotic behavior because of it. I suggest that everyone have their water tested through Doctor’s Data for this and other heavy metals and trace minerals.

First Nutrition Update of 2007

Long-Term Supplementation with Zinc May Exert a Beneficial Effect – This study was done on the effects of zinc on macular degeneration. While somewhat poorly designed, this study does seem to suggest once again that zinc supplementation is beneficial in preventing macular degeneration.

Inadequate Intake of Vitamins and Minerals May Lead to Mitochondrial Decay and Degenerative Diseases of Aging – Basically, Dr. Bruce Ames, on of the world’s foremost biochemists shows that nutritional supplementation is critical in slowing down the aging process. His opening comment in the abstract says: “Inadequate dietary intakes of vitamins and minerals are widespread, most likely due to excessive consumption of energy-rich, micronutrient-poor, refined food. Inadequate intakes may result in chronic metabolic disruption, including mitochondrial decay.”

Supplementation with Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Benefit Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis – Another excellent study showing the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation.  Remember to get your fatty acids from a reliable source (e-mail me for more info at schauss at carbonbased dot com).

Effects of Folic Acid Supplementation on the Development of Breast Cancer – This provocative study suggests that excessive folic acid supplementation may increase the risk of breast cancer. This finding may be why green tea has been found to be beneficial in breast cancer prevention as it blocks a folic acid enzyme.

Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Serum Markers of Cardiovascular Disease – This review suggests that the major cardiovascular marker benefited from Omega-3 fatty acids is triglycerides. This fat went down an average of 27 mg/dL which was quite significant. HDL, LDL and total cholesterol showed far less change.

Use of Cod Liver Oil Inversely Associated with Symptoms of Depression – Maybe Mom was right in telling you to take your cod liver oil. The authors of this study conclude, “The findings indicate that regular use of cod liver oil is negatively associated with high levels of depressive symptoms in the general population.”

Elevated Homocysteine Levels Associated with Erectile Dysfunction – Instead of taking expensive drugs to improve erectile dysfunction, maybe taking B-complex nutrients in order to lower homocysteine is a better idea.

Vitamin E Supplementation May Benefit Athletes – This study suggested that athletes would benefit greatly from additional vitamin E supplementation. I would further suggest that they would have seen better results if they used a mixture of gamma- as well as alpha-tocopherol.

Turmeric Supplementation Holds Potential for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis – The more I look into tumeric and circumin, the more I believe in these herbs in the treatment and control of inflammatory disorders. After my Achilles tendon surgery, I have had great results with tumeric and circumin.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Prevent Sudden Death – In this remarkable study, it was determined that Omega-3 fatty acids are more beneficial than many other, more traditional treatments and medical devices. The authors said that: “Based on central values of candidacy and efficacy, raising omega-3 fatty acid levels would have about eight times the impact of distributing AEDs (automated external defibrillators) and two times the impact of implanting ICDs. Raising omega-3 fatty acid levels would also reduce the rates of sudden death among the subpopulation that does not qualify for ICDs (implanter cardioverter defibrillators).”

Please go to www.Vitasearch.com to get more details and the full information about all the studies in today’s blog.