Archive for June, 2010

The debate is ongoing although studies over the last several years have shown clearly that paying the extra buck is justified.

A recent study of Tarozzi et al, published in European Journal of Nutrition in April 2006, compared organically and commercially grown red oranges in terms of their phyto-chemical contents (phenolics, anthocyanins and ascorbic acid) and their total antioxidant activity in laboratory research. The study showed that all of the above were significantly higher in the organic oranges.
(Summary by Kasia kines, MS, CN, CNS, LDN. Kasia is a licensed nutritionist at Your Prescription for Health)

Dr. Ray Hinish’s Comments:
Chock one more up for the good guys!

The study was done based on observational studies suggesting that plasma homocysteine concentrations are inversely related to cognitive function in elderly people: certain B-vitamins are needed to prevent the level of homocysteine from increasing, and high homocysteine has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and dementia.

This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial with 276 healthy participants, 65 years old or older, with plasma Homocysteine concentrations of at least 13 mcg/L.

The daily supplements the participants received were folate (1000mcg), B12 (500mcg), and B6 (10mg). Cognition tests were performed at baseline, after 1 year, and after 2 years. The decrease in Hcy during the treatment was significant, but there were no significant differences between the vitamin and placebo groups in the cognition tests.

Dr. Ray Hinish’s Comments:

These results do not surprise me. Observational research has shown clear correlations with high homocysteine and an increased risk of cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Homocysteine is certainly not the only cause of cognitive decline, however, it likely does speed the progression. This effect likely occurs from many years of chronically elevated homocysteine and its slow poisoning effect on the body. Lowering homocysteine is not likely to benefit someone’s brain significantly over a 1-2 year period, but likely plays more of a role over 10-20 years. This is why these results do not surprise me. My fear is that the press will get a hold of this research and publish more junk about how B vitamins and lowering homocsyteine has no benefit to the body. Don’t buy into this ignorant view! Homocysteine is likely one important factor in the progression and development of many diseases including heart disease and dementia. It is not the ONLY cause to these conditions. Keep homocysteine in a healthy 5-7 range and score one more point for optimal health.

Could adding more potassium really prolong your life?

This study goes one step further than most studies on potassium salt and focuses on its effect on risk of death due to cardiovascular events. The study included 1981 veteran participants and five veteran retirement home kitchens and lasted about 31 months. Participants were given either regular table salt or potassium-enriched salt. The participants who received potassium-enriched salt lived 0.3-0.9 years longer. Even more exciting is the fact that the veterans that received the potassium salt had better quality of life as represented by significantly less money spent in patient care related to heart health problem. The study effect was most likely due to the increase of potassium and a moderate decrease in sodium intakes. (Summary by: Kasia Kines, MS, CN, CNS, LDN a nutritionist at Your Prescription for Health)

Dr. Ray Hinish’s Comments:
This is a very interesting study because it is one of the first salt intervention studies to look at risk of death due to cardiovascular events after replacement of sodium salt with potassium salt. Here is the interesting point, compared to the sodium we get from prepared, caned and refined foods, table salt makes up the significant minority of sodium intake. This is what leads me to believe that the benefits of these results come from adding extra potassium rather than decrease daily intake of sodium. The Standard American Diet (SAD) contains much more sodium and far less potassium than nature intended. There is no doubt that we have too much sodium in our diet, however, we can not ignore the fact that our diet is also potassium deplete. In addition to using potassium salt, you should also get plenty of fruits and vegetables to help balance out the sodium/potassium levels in our diet. Low sodium tomato juice is a great source of potassium. You can even get a powdered tomato concentrate that mixes with water or juice to make up the difference.

They found out that from 19.5% to 79.9% of the women in the survey used complementary therapy at least once following their diagnoses. Majority of those therapies were used on a daily basis. 73.9% of the women surveyed had low commitment to complementary therapies and those were more likely to be older and less educated compared to the women with a moderate-to-high commitment. The study clearly points to the popularity and need of adding complementary therapies to the medical therapy during breast cancer treatment.(Summary by Kasia Kines, MS, CN, CNS, LDN. Kasia is a licensed nutritionist at Your Prescription for Health. She can be reached atkasia@illnessisoptional.com)

Dr. Ray Hinish’s Comments:

In my opinion this study does not demonstrate popularity of complementary medicine, it just shows that people are scattered in their commitment to whatever therapy they are pursuing. Whenever we speak to people challenged with cancer, we always say to them that whatever therapy you choose you need to be 100% behind it. You need to believe entirely in the treatment or when the going gets tough it will be easy for you to bail emotionally and spiritually. This study says to me that people are not behind either treatment and it is this scattered devotion that causes people to fail the challenge. When it comes to cancer we do not suggest an alternative approach, we suggest a complementary approach. This is only the case if you truly understand natural medicine and agree in the healing properties of natural products. You better believe that there are benefits to natural products in complementing conventional chemotherapy and radiation. The science is there, you just need to decide to learn about it.

They found no evidence that the omega-3 fatty acid supplementation affects percentage of preterm deliveries, the rate of low-birth weight infants, the rate of preeclampsia/eclampsia, or birth weight and length. However, they did conclude that omega-3 may enhance pregnancy duration and the infant’s head circumference. (Summary by Kasia Kines, MS, CN, CNS, LDN. Kasia is a licensed nutritionist at Your Prescription for Health. She can be reached at kasia@illnessisoptional.com)

Using the DNA technology, the researchers found that heat receptors within cells can block pain receptors when temperature rises to 104°F or above. The heat seems to be able to stop the pain signal from being sent to the body. That works for about an hour. In short, apart from providing comfort, a hot water bottle can indeed alleviate that menstrual pain. Let’s not forget, though, that pain is an important messenger that we should not ignore! (Summary by Kasia Kines, MS, CN, CNS, LDN. Kasia is a licensed nutritionist at Your Prescription for Health. She can be reached atkasia@illnessisoptional.com)

Dr. Ray Hinish’s Comments: Though interesting, this just simply supports what most people already know…heat makes you feel a little better. This may also be one additional benefit of far infrared saunas which send head deep into the tissues.

The study is ongoing and is already getting attention from drug companies. Scientists are hoping to be able to manipulate the plant to remove the burning component from it so that it can be used medicinally by people with arthritis.

Dr. Ray Hinish’s Comments: Good luck in trying to remove the hot from one of nature’s hottest creations. If you do succeed, good luck in having any therapeutic effect! Look, you don’t need to wait for these researchers to fail in improving a product perfected by millions of years of evolution. Get the chili pepper in capsule and give it a try! For the scientists who are doing the research, if you can’t stand the heat just get out of the laboratory.

Environmental Protection Agency released Excessive Heat Event Guidebook this month. Once our flooding rainy weather gives way to the summer humid heat again, here is the information you need to know!

People especially at risk are over 65, infants under 1year of age, the homeless, the poor, and socially isolated people, those with mobility restrictions, on certain medications like high blood pressure, depression, insomnia, those exercising vigorously or working outdoors, those consuming alcohol.

Here are symptoms to watch:

Heat stroke: altered mental state, possible throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, 106 F or higher body temperature, rapid and strong pulse, possible unconsciousness, possible hot and dry skin, sweating. You must get to hospital immediately. A delay may be fatal.

Heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, weakness, cool skin, pale. Normal temperature possible. Other possible symptoms:: muscle cramps, fainting, vomiting, dizziness, nausea. Get out of sun,  apply cool wet cloths, sip water, if nausea starts, discontinue water intake, if vomiting continues, seek medical attention.

Heat cramps: painful muscle cramps and spasms (usually legs and abdomen), heavy sweating. Apply pressure/massage to relieve the cramps; give sips of water, if nausea starts, discontinue water intake.

On hot summer days, bear these in mind:

• Avoid dark color, heavy, tight clothes or clothes that expose a lot of skin
• Stay hydrated, especially when involved in outdoor activities
• When using alcohol, know that it limits the needed perspiration, and your awareness of need of hydration, so limit your exposure to sun and heat outdoors
• Avoid heavy meals, especially high protein, as this will increase metabolism and body heat that needs to be dissipated
• The more elevated the housing, the higher the heat, so use fans, air conditioning, and plenty of water to drink

(Summary by Kasia Kines, MS, CN, CNS, LDN. Kasia is a nutritionist at Your Prescription for Health 888-794-4325)

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