Low Serum Levels of Selenium, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 are Associated with an Increased Risk of Disability in Activities of Daily Living in Older Women – This study from the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that those older women over the age of 65 whose B12, B6 and selenium levels were low had a higher risk of disability than those with normal levels of these key nutrients. One quote from the study that seemed to sum up things best was, “Nutritional status is one of the key factors to be considered in the development of strategies aimed at preventing or delaying the disablement process.”

Drinking Green Tea May Improve Lipid Profile in Adults – In a study conducted in Portugal, green tea consumption was shown to lower LDL cholesterol, increase HDL cholesterol and improve the total cholesterol to HDL ratio. This finding suggests that regular green tea consumption may be beneficial in lowering the risk for cardiovascular disease.

Curcumin May Reverse Negative Effects of Chronic Stress – A Chinese study found that oral administration of circumin on laboratory rats reversed the effect of chronic stress. This study was a followup to other studies that showed this herb, which is a component of curry, is beneficial in treating depression and behavioral despair. So, for those of you who are under a lot of stress (who isn’t?) maybe a visit to the local Indian restaurant might help relax you.  That or you can go down to the local health food store and get a bottle of circumin capsules.

High Dietary Intake of Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Reduce Depressive Symptoms in Older Men – This 10-year prospective cohort study found that higher dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids were associated with fewer depressive symptoms.  There are numerous studies that show the benefits of omega-3 supplementation on cardiovascular disease so the added benefits shown here are just another reason to start taking omega-3 supplements. One note of caution, just because a little bit is good (one to three grams a day) does not mean that more is better. I have seen numerous cases where people have taken too much omega-3 fatty acids and caused themselves to increase their oxidative markers which can lead to health problems down the road. Balance is more important than quantity.

No this is not going to be a blog about politics.  It is about the lack of professional journalism shown by Fox News. Check this link out about how trans fats are not really bad for you but just an example of junk science.

Are they really serious?  Trans fats being bad for you is junk science? What cave have these guys been hiding in? Trans fats have been clearly shown to be bad for your health by hundreds of peer-reviewed papers published around the world. This is a clear example of bad journalism. Shame on Fox News for publishing this garbage.

Every Monday I receive an e-mail from Tishcon Corp, a company known for making Q-Gel (a Coenzyme Q10 supplement), that summarizes recent studies relating to nutritional supplements and health.  What I will be doing every Monday from here on in is to summarize the top 4-5 studies I think are important. 

Here goes volume #1:

Vitamin D Deficiency is Associated with Worse Cognitive Function and Low Mood in Older Adults – This study suggests that vitamin D deficiency is found in the elderly who are suffering from dementia or Alzhemier’s. This is just another reason to make sure (especially in the winter) to get at least 800 i.u.’s of vitamin D a day (400 for children).

Folic Acid Supplementation May Benefit Persons Exposed to Arsenic – This study suggests that folic acid supplementation may protect you against the effects of arsenic. Another good reason to make sure you get adequate folic acid (as well as other B-vitamins) everyday.

Eating Bacon May Increase the Risk of Bladder Cancer – Because of the high levels of nitrites in bacon (and other cured meats) this study reveals that excessive bacon intake (more than 5 times a week) has been associated with an increased risk of developing bladder cancer.  Too much of a good thing can be dangerous.

Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Bone Mineral Augmentation in Adolescent Girls – The data on vitamin D keeps on coming.  Increasing vitamin D supplementation does seem to be beneficial in bone creation.

Higher Intake of Phytoestrogens During Adolescence May Lower the Risk of Adult Breast Cancer – Phytoestrogens, which are found in a number of foods seem to be quite beneficial in reducing the risk of developing breast cancer. Better to protect yourself now than wait to develop the disease later seems to be the lesson here.

Eating Nuts May Lower the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease – This study suggested that eating nuts may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, likely due to the increased levels of beneficial fatty acids. A nice place to get really high quality nuts is Jigsaw Health. 

In a shocking article (well, not to me) in the esteemed journal Archives of Internal Medicine, statin drugs didn’t seem to really make much of a difference in saving lives or preventing coronary heart disease, especially in healthy people.

For example, an analysis of seven previous trials involving nearly 43,000 adults aged 55 to 75 found that the average adult had a nearly 6 percent chance of suffering a heart attack or stroke over a 4 1/3-year period, compared with a 4 percent risk among those who took statins.

“Therefore, 60 patients would need to be treated for an average of 4.3 years to prevent one major coronary event,” the study’s author, Dr. Paaladinesh Thavendiranathan of the University of Toronto, wrote in the article.

To prevent a single stroke, 268 people would need to undergo statin treatment, and to prevent one nonfatal heart attack 61 would have to take the drugs, he added.

Moreover, statin use did not improve the overall risk of dying from cardiovascular disease or from other causes, the analysis found. 

Well, well the wonder drug is not so wonderful after all.

In a recent issue of the British journal – The New Scientist (November 4-10, 2006) they reported on a review paper written by 20 experts on the field of obesity in the International Journal of Obesity listing the top ten reasons for the epidemic of obesity.  Here they are:

1. Not Enough Sleep – While obesity causes sleep problems, the reverse seems to be the case as well. It seems that sleep deprivation may cause an alteration in metabolism which in turn causes weight gain. The answer simply seems to be, sleep more.
2. Climate Control – Our bodies have a thermoneutral zone where we like to stay which means air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter.  By keeping ourselves too close to the thermoneutral zone we use less energy. The answer here is to keep it warmer in the summer and cooler in the winter. Lose weight and save money.  A no-brainer in my mind.
3. Less smoking – Guess what? You do gain weight if you stop smoking. Still you would have to gain about 100 pounds to even the health risk from smoking. Answer, don’t smoke, the weight loss isn’t worth it.
4. Prenatal effect – Mother’s fed a high-fat diet during pregnancy are more likely to have overweight children. Conversely, if the mother was starved during pregnancy like in famines after World War II, the child is also likely to be obese. The answer is to stop the trend and eat right if you are pregnant.
5. Fat equals fecund – Overweight people have more children. Having children does make you gain weight but women who are heavier tend to have more children. If you look at reason #4 you see that the genetic component here may make a difference. Answer? see #4.
6. A little older… – Women in our society are having children later in life than ever before. People over the age of 40 are more likely to be overweight than their younger counterparts. No real answer here except that if you do want to have a child later on in life, take real good care of yourself.
7. More drugs – Is anyone surprised that a number of drugs cause weight gain? Everything from beta blockers to anticonvulsants to antipsychotics to contraceptive pills and even antihistamines can add up the pounds. The answer here is simple; don’t do drugs.  Find safer alternatives.
8. Pollution – If anyone has read my previous blogs or if you have sat in on my lectures you will know that environmental toxins have a great impact of obesity. My data has suggested that toxins can slow down resting metabolism thereby reducing energy output which can lead to weight gain. My answer to this dilemma is to detoxify yourself and reduce exposure.
9. Mature mums – Pretty much the same as #6.  A little redundant but I guess they wanted to make a point.
10. Like marrying like – Overweight people tend to marry people who are equally overweight. Add the genetic factor and you can see where this is going. No real answer here.

The bottom line is aside from eating too much and exercising too little, there are a multitude of reasons why obesity has become such a problem.  The only answer is for people to do what they can to lose weight. 

I will be posting simple, scientifically verifiable ways to increase calorie burning in the upcoming weeks.  Stay tuned.