Does Vitamin D reduces colon cancer risk?
January 15, 2009
A new study has compared 1,953 colorectal cancer patients wtih 4,154 non-cancer patients for dietary histories, focused on vitamin D intake. The highest vitamin D intake was associated with a 30% lower risk of colon cancer, esp. in women. This vitamin is still the nutrient of the decade, with mostly good news about its benefits. Source: Lipworth L, Bender TJ, Rossi M, Bosetti C, Negri E, Talamini R, et al. Dietary vitamin D intake and cancers of the colon and rectum: A case-control study in Italy. Nutrition and Cancer. 2009;60:70-75.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) in high doses may reverse kidney disease
January 4, 2009
Diabetics (type II) are prone to developing serious damage to their kidneys that can lead to complete loss of kidney function and the need for dialysis and kidney transplants. A lab test that tells doctors about the earliest stages of the disease measures the loss of a protein in the urine.
A new study in a small number of diabetics who were already losing the protein in the urine has demonstrated that high dose supplementation with the water-soluble vitamin B1(thiamine) for 3 months can begin to reverse the loss of protein in the urine and potencially improve kidney function in type 2 diabetics.
This is an extremely simple step for people with diabetes to take as a measure to prevent one of the most devastating complications of diabetes. Thiamine is found in meats, yeasts, and whole grains, but any high quality multivitamin supplement or individual vitamin capsule of B1 may be able to help.
Vitamin D deficiency may increase risk of needing a C-section
January 4, 2009
A new study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reported that women with low blood levels of vitamin D were up to 4 times more likely to need an emergency C-section to deliver their baby than women with normal blood levels.
The list is growing to suggest that we have widespread problems in the U.S. and elsewhere with low vitamin D levels that increase our risks for a remarkable range of health conditions. These may range from susceptibility to the flu to Parkinson’s disease to type 1 diabetes to heart disease to osteopororis to needing C-section delivery.
Vitamin D3 is the most biologically-available form of the vitamin. You can get it from any health food store or drugstore. Experts are increasing estimates as to how much vitamin D you need to take daily, but it is a likely bet that 600-800 IU per day is safe and perhaps even not enough. Ask your doctor to test your blood levels and monitor them after you start a supplement to make sure you are getting what you need.
Food is medicine – now it’s strawberries
December 20, 2008
Unless you are allergic to strawberries (and some people are allergic and should avoid them), this fruit may be a much more pleasant way to help control your cholesterol. A recent study in the journal Metabolism (2008; 57:1636-44) reported that strawberries were essentially as good as oat bran bread in improving “good” cholesterol and lowering “bad” cholesterol. Adding them to your morning oatmeal could be a good way to add them to your diet. Even when fresh berries are not available, it is possible to find frozen berries with some, though though not necessarily all, of the same health benefits. You can also try putting frozen berries into a morning fruit smoothie along with your daily multivitamin/mineral, some protein source, and even omega-3 fish oils to get a good start to the day.
Happiness is Contagious!
December 17, 2008
Finally looked up a new research study that is written up in Time magazine and other places (British Medical Journal, December 4, 2008, online detailed publication) .
Researchers have just discovered that happiness is contagious! Really.
They found clusters of happy and unhappy people grouped together. They also had information over a 20 year period, so that they could see how the groups evolved over time. Happiness seems to move out to about 3 degrees of separation and then fade away – that is, happy people cluster with other happy people out to their friends’ friends’ friends. The properties of the social network itself seem to predict who will be happy later in time.
Homeopathic Ruta for Ligament and Tendon Injury
December 16, 2008
Homeopaths often recommend homeopathic ruta for injuries to the ligaments and tendons. Recently one of my dogs tore his anterior cruciate ligament (a common sports injury to the knee) while pivoting fast during play with another dog. He was limping badly and fell when trying to jump on the couch for several days.
I took him to the vet for a diagnosis, and he got acupuncture and some daily anti-inflammatory herbs. The risk of developing arthritis is ever-present. Then I started him on homeopathic Ruta 30c once a day for several days, and will lower that to once a week for a while.
So far, he is walking well and able to jump – though this is not recommended by the vet. Tell that to a very active and happy schnauzer mix, though!
Many studies on homeopathy for acute injury have focused on Arnica, with mixed results. The trouble is, homeopaths only use Arnica for certain types of injuries. They have hundreds of other first aid remedies that they might use, depending on the nature of the problem and the response to whatever they try. Standard clinical drug trials don’t allow adaptation of the treatment plan to the individual patient’s needs.
Licorice Derivative May Block Breast Cancer Process
December 13, 2008
A recent animal study published in the International Journal of Cancer (10/1/08) showed that a flavonoid from the bean plant licorice can lessen the growth of breast tumors. Its effects include inhibiting aromatase, an enzyme involved in promoting tumor growth. This is an encouraging finding for a possible herbal treatment to help women at risk for postmenopausal breast cancer.
Be aware, though, that excess licorice can raise sodium levels and blood pressure in people susceptible to that effect. A different type of licorice, DGL licorice, has most of the component that raises blood pressure removed. Whether or not this type of the herb would also block the breast cancer process is not yet studied.
Hibiscus tea for blood pressure
December 12, 2008
High blood pressure is a major health problem for many people in the US and other so-called “developed” countries. Many times, it is necessary to take drugs to keep blood pressure down. However, a variety of natural supplements, including nutrients such as potassium-rich foods, magnesium, and some herbs may help too.
The latest news is from an industry-sponsored study of hibiscus tea. Drinking several cups a day appears to lower blood pressure at least in the short time by around 11%, but only during the period when it is being used (J Ethnopharmacol 99;65(3):231-6).
Vitamin D – wonder “drug”?
December 10, 2008
Vitamin D is the latest nutrient to get attention from health researchers and the media. Every few days, we hear about another chronic or acute health condition that benefits from more vitamin D. The latest additions to the list include Parkinson’s disease and heart disease. Earlier ones include prevention of flu, reducing risk of osteoporosis, and perhaps lowering risk of certain cancers such as prostate or colorectal cancer.
Vitamin D3 is the more potent form. Getting enough sunlight to stimulate your own skin to manufacture the vitamin is best – but many people do not get the sun exposure any more because of sun screen blocks, indoor lives, etc.
Since you can get your vitamin D levels checked, that is something to ask your doctor to test. Then you can know for sure if your supplements are getting properly absorbed.
Who defines holistic medicine?
May 31, 2008
The field of holistic medicine can confuse newcomers and experts alike. At the most basic level, people use the term “holistic” to mean different things. Sometimes they mean that any natural product that they use instead of a drug is “holistic.” But, that may not always be a valid way to think about it.
In my opinion, “holistic” means the effects on the person as a whole matter. If a treatment improves a person’s health without causing deterioration in other aspects of health in the short term and — especially in the long term (years) — (no side effects), it is a more ideal type of holistic medicine.
It is possible to use many alternative medicine treatments in a drug-like, non-holistic way. Most drugs target a specific body part, not the whole person’s health and well-being.
Even within the field of alternative medicine, a treatment may be frontier, middle-of-the-road, or conservative. Different people often disagree on what treatments belong in any one of those broad categories. For example, where would you place acupuncture? Packages of conventional drugs used in FDA-non-approved ways for problems that are themselves controversial, e.g., to treat chronic fatigue syndrome? Prayer?
Belief systems and culture often underlie the opinions that we each hold concerning a specific type of therapy.
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