HRT May Cause Aggressive Breast Cancers
Hormone Pills May Spur Breast Cancer
By LINDSEY TANNER, AP Medical Writer
CHICAGO - Estrogen-progestin pills may cause an aggressive form of breast cancer and make it harder to find tumors until they have reached a later, less-curable stage, according to one of the biggest, most authoritative analyses yet.
The study is part of a run of bad news recently about the hormones routinely taken by millions of women after menopause.
“”Hopefully, it will convince women to reconsider,”" said Dr. Susan Hendrix of Wayne State University in Detroit, a co-author of the new analysis. “”We’ve got to find a better way to help women with their menopausal symptoms.”"
Some previous studies suggested breast tumors might be less aggressive in hormone users; other studies indicated the opposite. Previous research also suggested that hormones might make breast tissue more dense, hindering the detection of tumors.
To try to answer the questions more definitively, the researchers took a closer look at data from the government’s landmark Women’s Health Initiative study, which was halted last summer after it was found that estrogen-progestin pills raise the risk of heart attack, strokes and breast cancer.
While last summer’s findings led many women to stop taking hormones, an estimated 3 million women still use them, primarily to relieve hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause.
The latest findings appear in Wednesday’s Journal of the American Medical Association.
The analysis involved 16,608 women ages 50 to 79 who used either combined hormone treatment or dummy pills for an average of five years.
As of January, breast cancer had developed in 245 women who used the combined hormone treatment and in 185 women who had taken dummy pills.
Hormone users’ tumors were larger at diagnosis, 1.7 centimeters on average versus 1.5 centimeters in placebo women. Tumors had begun to spread in 25.4 percent of hormone users, compared with 16 percent of placebo women.
The researchers said this appears to mean that in women on estrogen-progestin, the tumors both grow faster
Statins
Statins
Baycol, a highly prescibed statin drug, was recalled after being linked to over 45 deaths and and innumerable adverse reactions. Immediately, we were informed this was not a problem as other similar drugs were available and were safe. Nothing could be further from the truth. All of the statins are variations on the same molecule and all have been shown to ahve the same deathly side-effects that caused Baycol to be withdrawn fromthe market. Allmost all of the people that I speak to daily who are seeking an alternative to one or the other of the statin drugs have personally experienced side effectswhich brings me to the purpose of this short article.
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To receive your free bottle of Healthy Cholesterol, just send me your comments to info@supplementspot.com. Remember, we want both your positive and negative comments on the statin drugs.
Cordyceps Study
Chinese Mushroom Improves the Fitness of Middle-aged and Elderly People October 2, 2004
Tests showed people aged between 40 and 70 who lived a sedentary lifestyle became fitter after taking an extract of the Cordyceps mushroom.
The research presented to the American Physiological Society indicated an improvement in the ability to exercise and a reduction in tiredness.
However, UK experts said scientific proof for the remedy was lacking.
The mushroom became a Chinese remedy around 1,500 years ago after herdsmen in the Himalayas noticed a significant increase in their herds’ strength and agility after eating it.
In clinical practice, people taking it feel better, but scientifically how much, we don’t know
Dr Jidong Wu It is now marketed in the West.
The performance of Chinese women athletes in setting several new records at a tournament in 1993 was due to high-altitude training and using a tonic derived from the mushroom, their coach said.
Researchers at Pharmanex in California, which produces a remedy called CordyMax, tried it out on 131 volunteers.
Some were given the remedy and some a placebo over a 12-week period.
Researchers measured exercise capacity, endurance performance and metabolic alterations before, during and after receiving the remedy or placebo. Oxygen Consumption Rises
Volume of oxygen consumption went up 5.5% in the group given the remedy, but only 2.2% in the others, suggesting an increase in aerobic capacity.
The time taken to complete a one-mile walk was reduced by 29 seconds in the CordyMax group but increased slightly in the others.
And diastolic blood pressure fell by 3.2% among people taking the remedy.
The researchers said: “”This study provides scientific evidence that CordyMax is effective in enhancing aerobic exercise capability, endurance exercise performance, and exercise metabolism and alleviating fatigue in healthy humans.”"
Dr Jidong Wu, a lecturer at Middlesex University and president of the Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said there had not been scientific trials to establish the effectiveness of the mushroom. He said: “”There are not many clinical trials which are accredited by Westerners, but according to the ancient Chinese literature it is a tonic herb. “”In clinical practice, people taking it feel better, but scientifically how much, we don’t know.”" The mushroom was thought to improve the performance of the lungs and kidneys, he said.
Complimentary and Alternative Medicine
What Is Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)? What is complementary and alternative medicine? Are complementary medicine and alternative medicine different from each other? What is integrative medicine? What are the major types of complementary and alternative medicine? What is NCCAM’s role in the field of CAM? Definitions For More Information There are many terms used to describe approaches to health care that are outside the realm of conventional medicine as practiced in the United States. This fact sheet explains how the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), a component of the National Institutes of Health, defines some of the key terms used in the field of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Terms that are underlined in the text are defined at the end of this fact sheet. What is complementary and alternative medicine? Complementary and alternative medicine, as defined by NCCAM, is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.1,2 While some scientific evidence exists regarding some CAM therapies, for most there are key questions that are yet to be answered through well-designed scientific studies–questions such as whether these therapies are safe and whether they work for the diseases or medical conditions for which they are used. The list of what is considered to be CAM changes continually, as those therapies that are proven to be safe and effective become adopted into conventional health care and as new approaches to health care emerge. Top Are complementary medicine and alternative medicine different from each other? Yes, they are different. Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine. An example of a complementary therapy is using aromatherapy to help lessen a patient’s discomfort following surgery. Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. An example of an alternative therapy is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy that has been recommended by a conventional doctor. Top What is integrative medicine? Integrative medicine, as defined by NCCAM, combines mainstream medical therapies and CAM therapies for which there is some high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness. Top What are the major types of complementary and alternative medicine? NCCAM classifies CAM therapies into five categories, or domains: 1. Alternative Medical Systems Alternative medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice. Often, these systems have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical approach used in the United States. Examples of alternative medical systems that have developed in Western cultures include homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine. Examples of systems that have developed in non-Western cultures include traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. 2. Mind-Body Interventions Mind-body medicine uses a variety of techniques designed to enhance the mind’s capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms. Some techniques that were considered CAM in the past have become mainstream (for example, patient support groups and cognitive-behavioral therapy). Other mind-body techniques are still considered CAM, including meditation, prayer, mental healing, and therapies that use creative outlets such as art, music, or dance. 3. Biologically Based Therapies Biologically based therapies in CAM use substances found in nature, such as herbs, foods, and vitamins. Some examples include dietary supplements,3 herbal products, and the use of other so-called natural but as yet scientifically unproven therapies (for example, using shark cartilage to treat cancer). 4. Manipulative and Body-Based Methods Manipulative and body-based methods in CAM are based on manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body. Some examples include chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, and massage. 5. Energy Therapies Energy therapies involve the use of energy fields. They are of two types: Biofield therapies are intended to affect energy fields that purportedly surround and penetrate the human body. The existence of such fields has not yet been scientifically proven. Some forms of energy therapy manipulate biofields by applying pressure and/or manipulating the body by placing the hands in, or through, these fields. Examples include qi gong, Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch. Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies involve the unconventional use of electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternating-current or direct-current fields. Top What is NCCAM’s role in the field of CAM? NCCAM is the Federal Government’s lead agency for scientific research on CAM. NCCAM is dedicated to exploring complementary and alternative healing practices in the context of rigorous science, training CAM researchers, and disseminating authoritative information to the public and professionals. Top ——————————————————————————– Notes 1 Conventional medicine is medicine as practiced by holders of M.D. (medical doctor) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) degrees and by their allied health professionals, such as physical therapists, psychologists, and registered nurses. Other terms for conventional medicine include allopathy; Western, mainstream, orthodox, and regular medicine; and biomedicine. Some conventional medical practitioners are also practitioners of CAM. 2 Other terms for complementary and alternative medicine include unconventional, non-conventional, unproven, and irregular medicine or health care. 3 Some uses of dietary supplements have been incorporated into conventional medicine. For example, scientists have found that folic acid prevents certain birth defects and that a regimen of vitamins and zinc can slow the progression of an eye disease called age-related macular degeneration (AMD). ——————————————————————————– Definitions Acupuncture (”"AK-yoo-pungk-cher”") is a method of healing developed in China at least 2,000 years ago. Today, acupuncture describes a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques. American practices of acupuncture incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries. The acupuncture technique that has been most studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation. Aromatherapy (”"ah-roam-uh-THER-ah-py”"): involves the use of essential oils (extracts or essences) from flowers, herbs, and trees to promote health and well-being. Ayurveda (”"ah-yur-VAY-dah”") is a CAM alternative medical system that has been practiced primarily in the Indian subcontinent for 5,000 years. Ayurveda includes diet and herbal remedies and emphasizes the use of body, mind, and spirit in disease prevention and treatment. Chiropractic (”"kie-roh-PRAC-tic”") is a CAM alternative medical system. It focuses on the relationship between bodily structure (primarily that of the spine) and function, and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. Chiropractors use manipulative therapy as an integral treatment tool. Dietary supplements. Congress defined the term “”dietary supplement”" in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. A dietary supplement is a product (other than tobacco) taken by mouth that contains a “”dietary ingredient”" intended to supplement the diet. Dietary ingredients may include vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, and substances such as enzymes, organ tissues, and metabolites. Dietary supplements come in many forms, including extracts, concentrates, tablets, capsules, gel caps, liquids, and powders. They have special requirements for labeling. Under DSHEA, dietary supplements are considered foods, not drugs. Electromagnetic fields (EMFs, also called electric and magnetic fields) are invisible lines of force that surround all electrical devices. The Earth also produces EMFs; electric fields are produced when there is thunderstorm activity, and magnetic fields are believed to be produced by electric currents flowing at the Earth’s core. Homeopathic (”"home-ee-oh-PATH-ic”") medicine is a CAM alternative medical system. In homeopathic medicine, there is a belief that “”like cures like,”" meaning that small, highly diluted quantities of medicinal substances are given to cure symptoms, when the same substances given at higher or more concentrated doses would actually cause those symptoms. Massage (”"muh-SAHJ”") therapists manipulate muscle and connective tissue to enhance function of those tissues and promote relaxation and well-being. Naturopathic (”"nay-chur-o-PATH-ic”") medicine, or naturopathy, is a CAM alternative medical system. Naturopathic medicine proposes that there is a healing power in the body that establishes, maintains, and restores health. Practitioners work with the patient with a goal of supporting this power, through treatments such as nutrition and lifestyle counseling, dietary supplements, medicinal plants, exercise, homeopathy, and treatments from traditional Chinese medicine. Osteopathic (”"ahs-tee-oh-PATH-ic”") medicine is a form of conventional medicine that, in part, emphasizes diseases arising in the musculoskeletal system. There is an underlying belief that all of the body’s systems work together, and disturbances in one system may affect function elsewhere in the body. Some osteopathic physicians practice osteopathic manipulation, a full-body system of hands-on techniques to alleviate pain, restore function, and promote health and well-being. Qi gong (”"chee-GUNG”") is a component of traditional Chinese medicine that combines movement, meditation, and regulation of breathing to enhance the flow of qi (an ancient term given to what is believed to be vital energy) in the body, improve blood circulation, and enhance immune function. Reiki (”"RAY-kee”") is a Japanese word representing Universal Life Energy. Reiki is based on the belief that when spiritual energy is channeled through a Reiki practitioner, the patient’s spirit is healed, which in turn heals the physical body. Therapeutic Touch is derived from an ancient technique called laying-on of hands. It is based on the premise that it is the healing force of the therapist that affects the patient’s recovery; healing is promoted when the body’s energies are in balance; and, by passing their hands over the patient, healers can identify energy imbalances. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the current name for an ancient system of health care from China. TCM is based on a concept of balanced qi (pronounced “”chee”"), or vital energy, that is believed to flow throughout the body. Qi is proposed to regulate a person’s spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical balance and to be influenced by the opposing forces of yin (negative energy) and yang (positive energy). Disease is proposed to result from the flow of qi being disrupted and yin and yang becoming imbalanced. Among the components of TCM are herbal and nutritional therapy, restorative physical exercises, meditation, acupuncture, and remedial massage. Top For More Information Sources of NCCAM Information NCCAM Clearinghouse Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226 International: 301-519-3153 TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615 E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov Web site: nccam.nih.gov Address: NCCAM Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 7923, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-7923 Fax: 1-866-464-3616 Fax-on-Demand service: 1-888-644-6226 The NCCAM Clearinghouse provides information on CAM and on NCCAM. Servics include fact sheets, other publications, and searches of Federal databases of scientific and medical literature. The Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, or referrals to practitioners. Sources of Information on Dietary Supplements Office of Dietary Supplements, NIH Web site: ods.od.nih.gov E-mail: ods@nih.gov ODS supports research and disseminates research results on dietary supplements. It produces the International Bibliographic Information on Dietary Supplements (IBIDS) database on the Web, which contains abstracts of peer-reviewed scientific literature on dietary supplements. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Web site: www.cfsan.fda.gov Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-723-3366 Information includes “”Tips for the Savvy Supplement User: Making Informed Decisions and Evaluating Information”" (www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-savvy.html) and updated safety information on supplements (www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-warn.html). If you have experienced an adverse effect from a supplement, you can report it to the FDA’s MedWatch program, which collects and monitors such information (1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch). This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.
LifeSpan extension prize
Anti-Aging Research Prize Offered
For most of humanity’s existence the idea of living forever was a dream left only for the after-life. But in the past few years scientists and doctors have been able to identify with much greater details what exactly it is that causes aging. With this newfound knowledge came the possibility of preventing these causes. Some researchers have even been so bold as too say that humans can live forever; one researcher in particular, Aubrey De Grey, is getting people to listen.
De Grey was recently highlighted on the cover of MIT’s prestigious “”Technology Review”" magazine, and within he detailed his theory of aging and what needs to be done to end it. Although he has never actually done any laboratory research in biology, he is a computer scientist working with geneticists and considered a genius, even if he is a bit crazy at the same time. His interests led him to biogerontology, or the science of aging. De Grey believes there are seven distinct causes of aging, cellular atrophy, accumulation of cells and cellular waste, mutations in chromosomes and mitochondria, and extra protein links. All of them, he believes, have a cure, despite the fact that no cure has been developed yet. He believes time is being lost and pessimism does nothing to help make real the possibilities. He’s not alone; the Methuselah Mouse Prize has raised over $1 million dollars.
LIFESPAN EXTENSION COMPLEX™: a compound reversing aging
The goal of the M-Prize is to further the research into aging. “”If we are to bring about real regenerative therapies that will benefit not just future generations, but those of us who are alive today, we must encourage scientists to work on the problem of aging,”" De Grey said. The prize offers a reward to researchers who reach a preset milestone in either of two categories, both having to do with extending the natural lifespan of a mouse. The Longevity Prize category is offered for extending the lifespan of a single mouse beyond the previous record. Each new winner will get a percentage of the total size of the fund at the time. The Rejuvenation Prize category is offered for slowing the effects of aging, like those listed above by De Grey, in groups of mice. One of the requirements is that any treatment used on the mice must also be applicable to human physiology, the hope being that the treatment that extends a mouse’s life can have an immediate impact on human life extension research. The Methuselah Prize has already awarded one group the first Rejuvenation Prize for their work. Elderly mice were treated with calorie restriction and actually became younger, according to a DNA microanalysis. Mice that were previously barely able to walk were now sprinting in their cages. Scientists measured a 15% average life extension for all mice treated. Their theory is that the calorie restriction activates genetic markers which start the biological processes of making the mice younger. While few of us would subject ourselves to calorie restriction, Dr. Stephen Spindler, the scientist that led the project, says we won’t need to. “”Importantly, these results suggest that it should be possible to use rapid treatments with pharmaceuticals and other compounds to identify agents that mimic the rapid changes in gene expression caused by caloric restriction.”" Maybe one day we really will be able to take a magic pill and be 20 years younger… or immortal.
The M-Prize’s name was inspired by Methuselah, a patriarch in the Bible who is said to have lived to be 969 years of age.
Tea Consumption Combats Prostate Cancer
Tea Consumption Reduces the Risk of Prostate Cancer April 20, 2004 For the tea study, Susanne Henning, an associate researcher at the Center for Human Nutrition at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, assigned 20 men, all scheduled for prostate removal due to cancer, to drink either black tea, green tea or soda, five cups a day for five days before surgery.
The aim was to see if substances called polyphenols found in tea might slow prostate cancer cell growth. Other researchers have found these polyphenols induce death in cancer cells.
Green and black tea can slow down the spread of prostate cancer, while a highly touted antioxidant found in red wine, grapes and peanuts does not perform well as a cancer preventive, two new studies have found, report yahoo.com.
According to telegraph.co.uk recent animal and epidemiological studies have suggested that tea may have anti-tumour effects and, in studies of tea-drinking rats and mice, the polyphenolic components of tea were found in the prostate and other tissues.
They found that prostate cancer cells grew more slowly when exposed to the blood serum of men who had consumed either green or black tea for five days compared with serum collected before the men began their tea-drinking regimen.
Serum from a control group of men who drank comparable amounts of carbonated drink showed no such slowing in cancer cell proliferation.
Analysis of the prostate tissue showed a large variation in tea polyphenol content between study participants.
Tea polyphenols were found in six out of eight participants drinking green tea, seven out of seven drinking black tea, and two out of five drinking soda. The fact that two of the control participants showed polyphenols in the prostate sample might be because they were eating chocolate regularly or drinking tea before entering the study.
Chocolate does contain the polyphenols epicatechin and epicatechingallate, and the turnover rate of these polyphenols — how long they might remain in tissue — is not known. They are water-soluble and are all excreted after eight hours. The maximum concentration in plasma is after two to three hours.
Prostate cancer is one of the common cancers among males in the United States, and more than a fourth of all those patients with prostate cancer are known to use alternative therapies, including green tea. This study suggests that both black and green tea are promising natural dietary supplements useful for chemoprevention of prostate cancer, according to Dr. Henning. She plans to investigate if this effect can be enhanced by consuming larger amounts of tea polyphenols in the form of green tea extract supplement capsules, inform eurekalert.org.
“Osteoporosis, Brittle Bones and the Male
Osteoporosis and Men Marvin Ross It is a condition normally associated with postmenopausal women but osteoporosis, or brittle bones, is also seen in men. According to Dr. P. Peris of the University of Barcelona, “”Osteoporosis in men has received much less attention; however, it is increasingly recognized as a problem in clinical medicine.”" In a 1995 study published in the British Journal of Rheumatology, Peris pointed out that 30 percent of all hip fractures occur in men and that vertebral fractures are much more common in men than previously thought. The female-to-male ratio is only 2-to-1. According to Dr. Allan Gold, an endocrinologist and senior physician at the Montreal General Hospital, a recent Canadian survey found that 20 percent of men have serious bone loss in their vertebrae, and by age 70 the figure is as high as 30 percent. Gold said that “”men in their 80s have a fracture rate that is equal to women’s.”" Strong bones require the action of two cells in the body. Osteoblasts use dietary calcium and minerals to manufacture new bone, while osteoclasts clear away old bone. When the clearing-away process outpaces the formation of new bone, osteoporosis and its increased likelihood of fractures results. The main cause of osteoporosis is aging. The sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone, hold the balance between bone renewal and deterioration. Women who are entering menopause are briefed on the tools to fight osteoporosis: exercise, a calcium-rich diet, and estrogen-replacement therapy and other medications. Men in their 60s rarely receive any such medical alert even though their testosterone levels decline, and some men suffer from male menopause, or andropause. For those men and others, osteoporosis is a real risk. In addition to the decline in sex hormones, certain other medical conditions and lifestyles predispose both men and women to the dangers of osteoporosis at an earlier age than normal. Osteoporosis is classified as primary or secondary. Primary osteoporosis develops without any known risk factors, whereas secondary osteoporosis is the result of another medical condition. Men frequently have an underlying secondary cause of osteoporosis; men with such problems should be aware of the possibility of osteoporosis and take necessary preventative measures. Peris conducted one of the few studies done on the cause of osteoporosis in men and found that secondary osteoporosis was far more prevalent than primary (78 percent, as compared to 22 percent). Hypogonadism was the most frequent condition associated with secondary osteoporosis; it causes a decline in testosterone. Corticosteroid prescription medications like prednisone were a close second cause, followed by alcoholism. Other risk factors are chronic bowel disease, which may result in malabsorption of nutrients; hyperthyroidism; and smoking. Gold said that it isn’t understood how smoking contributes to the onset of the disease, but that people who smoke tend to lose more calcium than nonsmokers. Peris mentions our lack of exercise as another problem that predisposes us to osteoporosis. Exercise at any age helps to build bones; the best exercise, according to Gold, is walking up and down stairs. “”You are lifting your whole body weight, plus you are strengthening the muscles of the thighs and the underlying bone — the femur.”" Like women, men should ensure that they are getting enough calcium and vitamin D in their diets. Vitamin D is required to help absorb calcium. Men should also have a bone-density test done if they are on corticosteroids. This is a very simple, noninvasive test that measures the thickness of some of the major bones in the body. It only takes a few minutes to perform. For anyone with osteoporosis, new drugs are now available that have proven to be very effective. Dr. Gold said that a number of unpublished studies have shown that Ipriflavone is just as effective in men as it is in women. Copyright
MagnesiumFactor
The Magnesium Factor
by M.S. Seelig, MD, MPH and A. Rosanoff, PhD Avery (Penguin Group, Inc), New York, 2003 ISBN 1583331565
The front cover of the paperback edition expands on the title as follows: “”How one simple nutrient can prevent, treat and reverse high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.”" A bold claim indeed! Dr. Seelig has been studying the role of magnesium in health and disease for over 35 years. She is chair of the Magnesium Advisory Board which oversees the New York Weill Cornell Medical Center’s Magnesium Information Center. Dr. Rosanoff has been involved in the study of magnesium nutrition for the past 17 years. The authors’ thesis is as follows; (a) Magnesium deficiency is widespread and aggravated in part by its removal from many foods during processing. (b) Magnesium is involved in innumerable human biochemical processes and is directly involved in the action of more than 350 enzymes and indirectly implicated in many more. (c) Magnesium deficiency is involved in many disease states, including heart disease, hypertension, Syndrome X and diabetes. (d) Deficiency is easily corrected with rather low levels of supplementation (up to 700 mg/d) or attention to diet or both. Supplements are inexpensive, safe for almost everyone, and normally very well tolerated.
The following list of chapters provides a good indication of the scope of this book and the relevance of magnesium to health and disease: Magnesium: the mineral that combats heart disease and keeps blood vessels healthy. Metabolic Syndrome X, diabetes and magnesium. High blood pressure, salt and magnesium. Obesity, physical activity and magnesium. Fat, cholesterol and magnesium. Magnesium, stress and the Type A personality. Magnesium and genetics; family history and sex differences. Magnesium and other heart disease risk factors. Are we really low in magnesium? Do you need more magnesium? Making sure you have enough magnesium. Magnesium, the silent guardian of our hearts and arteries. In the chapter “”Making Sure You Have Enough Magnesium,”" guidance is provided on maximizing magnesium from food and water, and on selecting supplements. Guidance is also given on the appropriate ratio of magnesium to calcium intake. Many readers will find the discussion of magnesium and hypertension of particular interest, and as well, the chapter titled “”Fat, Cholesterol and Magnesium”" contains a modern discussion of this subject which is currently very relevant. Included is a section on the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory action of magnesium which includes a discussion of the similarities and differences in its action compared to the statin class of drugs which inhibits the same enzyme.
Ten appendices include a magnesium questionnaire which is provided for self-assessment of status, tables of common foods classified by magnesium content and a list of common medications that influence magnesium status. The book also contains some interesting case histories describing the almost magical effects of correcting a magnesium deficiency.
This appears to be an authoritative treatment of a very important subject, both for the layman and the health- care professional. It is up-to-date and comprehensive. The authors make a strong case that magnesium is clearly an important and often overlooked factor in some of the most serious and prevalent disorders that are encountered in the practice of medicine, in fact, frequently on a daily basis. It is probably true that not nearly enough attention is given to this essential mineral nor is there sufficient awareness of the potential role magnesium plays in a number of disease states or the need in some cases for aggressive supplementation. This book should provide a wake-up call.
Published in 2003, The Magnesium Factor includes very recent research and an extensive set of references. Unfortunately, while the references are listed by chapter, they are not cited in the text.
Probiotics, Potential in Conventional Treatment
Probiotics, Potential in Conventional Treatment December 1, 2003
Mounting scientific evidence for the therapeutic use of probiotics suggests that these products should be incorporated into conventional medical practices, concluded a recent meeting of experts in probiotics.
Continuing research reveals the significant potential for the live bacteria to improve and protect health, especially when used in co-therapy with antibiotics, the participants heard.
The conference, organised by Canadian probiotic supplier Institut Rosell-Lallemand, gathered doctors, veterinarians, nutritionists and researchers from various regions of Europe and North America. Presentations focused on the use and safety of probiotics (yeast and bacteria) and mineral enriched yeast in the prevention and treatment of dysfunctions in animals and humans. Novel approaches aiming to better understand the mechanisms involved were also discussed.
The session highlighted a need for a harmonisation of biomarkers used in studies whether to investigate the effect of probiotics in livestock, lab animals, in vitro assay systems or in human clinical trials. This was the first of the four annual meetings to combine human health and animal health topics.
Several recent studies have assessed the interest of lactic acid bacteria on infection by Helicobacter pylori (the bacteria associated to ulcers), which is a major issue for public health in several countries. A clinical trial conducted by Dr. Bielanski (Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland) demonstrated that Lacidofil probiotic may improve the Hp eradication rate and the tolerance of the anti-Hp conventional treatment.
Another study conducted in mice by Dr Johnson-Henry, Hospital of Sick Children in Toronto, showed that Lacidofil may reduce the severity of Hp gastric colonisation. Institut Rosell is also currently dedicating a part of its R&D to this area.
In the studies comparing different strains, it repeatedly observed that not all probiotics are equal. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that heat-inactivated bacteria are much less active than live cells as probiotics.
Dr David Mack, head of Gastroenterology at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, said: “I am concerned with recent reports suggesting either no effect or negative effects on gastrointestinal function with the administration of heat-killed probiotics to humans. It appears that dead bacteria may have effects in the body and not what is expected from the ingestion of live, viable bacteria.”"
The question of dose-effect relationship was also debated. A review of recent clinical probiotic studies suggests that a minimum of 10 billion CFU per day are necessary for clinically demonstrable effectiveness in the treatment of diarrhoea. However, several of the positive results presented at the meeting (Dr Bielanski from Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland and Dr Savoini, Veterinary University of Milan, Italy) were obtained with doses in the range of 1 billion CFU per day in non-diarrheal situations. The consensus was that future clinical studies on probiotics should focus on the importance of establishing effective doses.
Institut Rosell-Lallemand’s fourth Annual Scientific Exchange took place in Quebec, Canada, September 12-14.
Ginkgo Biloba & Aging
Does Ginkgo Biloba Reverse Aging? Deborah Messecar, Ph.D., R.N. Question: I read in an article that ginkgo biloba reverses aging. Is this true?
Answer:
Ginkgo biloba is an herb that has received acclaim as a memory enhancer and anti-aging product. It’s now among the ten most popular dietary supplements sold in the United States. Although it has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine for lung disorders, ginkgo extract has more recently been used in Europe and North America against the symptoms of aging. It is believed to stimulate circulation and oxygen flow to the brain, which can improve problem-solving and enhance memory. Effects of ginkgo May increase blood flow in cerebrovascular disease May improve poor circulation in the limbs Improves memory and alertness Improves communication, orientation and mobility Improves symptoms of vertigo and tinnitus
In a group of older people with mobility problems, ginkgo improved pain-free walking distance by as much as 30 percent. Long-term ginkgo use appears to reduce cardiovascular risks. It has also been shown to improve the cognitive function of Alzheimer’s Disease patients.
Differences in the production, labeling and marketing of this extract make it essential that consumers scrutinize the products they buy in order to maximize positive benefits while minimizing risks.
Editor’s Note: Our ginkgo products fully comply with these recommendations
Before purchasing a product, you should inspect the label. Manufacturers are now required to label their products with nutritional labeling that lists ingredients in descending order. Look for information on the label that indicates that a standardized extract of 24 percent ginkgo flavonglycosides and 6 percent terpenes has been used to prepare the product. The flavonoids are antioxidants. Both flavonoids and terpenes are believed to help protect brain function. Because herbal medicines are made from crude extracts of plants, look to see if there is any indication that the manufacturing process has removed any pesticides that may have been used in the plant cultivation. In addition, the product should have an expiration date.
Don’t expect to feel it right away. It may be several weeks before any effect will be noticeable. Many people also believe that it’s a good idea to give the body a rest periodically by taking some time off from using the extract, for example, by taking one month off after six months of use.
It is also important to be aware that herbal medicines can have drug interactions with other herbal preparations you may be taking, or with other over the counter or prescription medicines. For this reason, you should consult with your physician or pharmacist before taking any herbal preparation. For example, ginkgo diminishes the blood’s ability to clot. It should definitely not be taken with anticoagulants such as coumadin or aspirin. With very large doses, side effects of ginkgo can include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, irritability and restlessness.
The American Botanical Council has recently published the Complete German Commission E Monographs, which describe the potential therapeutic applications of a variety of herbal medicines. Copyright