Hyponatremia – The Effects of Low Blood Sodium

Hyponatremia – or low blood sodium – is a common electrolyte imbalance in people over the age of 65. This is a condition where the blood level of sodium is abnormally low.

And now, new research has revealed that even mild hyponatremia is associated with higher rates of disability, heart attacks and death. This means that low blood sodium can serve as a marker of vulnerability to age-related diseases and conditions. (1)

Sodium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the fluid levels in your body. The right balance of sodium maintains normal blood pressure and keeps your nerves and muscles working properly.

When your body’s water level rises, sodium is diluted and cells begin to swell. Fluid accumulation is a burden on the heart and the kidneys and is especially dangerous to the brain since it has almost no room to expand.

Normal blood plasma levels have a sodium measurement of 136 to 145 milliequivalents per liter. When sodium falls below 135, hyponatremia occurs. (2)

Causes of Hyponatremia

There are a number of lifestyle factors and other conditions that can bring on hyponatremia, many of which are more common in older adults. A few of them are:

• Diuretics – water pills work by excreting sodium from the body in urine
• Chronic vomiting or diarrhea – your body loses fluid and electrolytes, including sodium
• Diet – a low sodium diet combined with a high intake of water will disturb your fluid balance
• Kidney problems – kidney failure impairs the body’s ability to remove excess fluid
• Congestive heart failure – your abdomen and lower body retains fluid
• Antidepressants and pain medication – these can cause you to urinate or perspire more than usual
• Intense physical exercise – drinking too much water while taking part in long distance exercises like marathons, especially in hot weather, will dilute the sodium level of the blood (3)

A Surprising Effect of Hyponetremia

In older populations, breaking a bone is a serious health issue. A bone fracture is usually the result of a fall, but why is falling so much more prevalent in older adults? Hyponetremia may be one answer.

Falls are a major socioeconomic problem for older people – 30% of people over 65 will fall every year. This leads to bone fracture in 4-6% of cases and is a risk factor for admission to a nursing home facility. Falls are the leading cause of death and disability in this age group. (4)

A study published by the Oxford University Press identified hyponatremia as a single major risk factor for broken bones in older patients. (5)

An interesting conclusion of the study was two-fold…

1. Even mild hyponatremia influenced older people both in terms of attention and their balance since symptoms include fatigue, lethargy, confusion and muscle weakness. This leads to a higher incidence of falls.
2. Even after a fall is suffered, mild hyponatremia is not usually considered to be serious and thus goes untreated. The study found that patients were discharged from the emergency room or the orthopedic ward without the management of hyponatremia.

Researchers recommend that any senior who suffers a bone fracture as a result of a fall should have their blood level checked for low blood sodium. Future falls may be preventable if the condition of hyponetremia is addressed.

And please consult your health care provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise or supplement routine.

Sources:

1. Bourdel-Marchassona I, Laksira H, Pugeta E, “Interpreting routing biochemistry in those aged over 65 years: A time for change,” ScienceDirect.com, Feb 2, 2010
2. “Hyponatremia,” MayoClinic.com, July 14, 2009
3. “Hyponatremia,” MayoClinic.com, July 14, 2009
4. Kengnel FG, Andres C, Sattar L, Melot C, Decaux G, “Mild hyponatremia and risk of fracture in the ambulatory elderly,” oxfordjournals.org, April 4, 2008
5. Kengnel FG, Andres C, Sattar L, Melot C, Decaux G, “Mild hyponatremia and risk of fracture in the ambulatory elderly,” oxfordjournals.org, April 4, 2008

© 2010 Chesapeake Nutraceuticals

Hormone Havoc From Plastic Food Packaging

Plastic food packaging is lightweight, convenient and almost unavoidable. So the fact that it might be contaminating your food is a cause for concern. Can plastic food containers really be a health hazard?

There’s no quick and easy answer to that question. What we do know is that chemical compounds of plastic are turning up in human blood levels, so you are being exposed. That’s hardly surprising since we live in a plastic world.

Most of us start our day by squeezing toothpaste from a plastic tube onto a plastic toothbrush. Then we pour cereal into a bowl from a plastic bag and top it with milk from a plastic jug. After working all day on a plastic computer keyboard, we come home and heat up some soup from a can lined with – yes, plastic.

And then there’s quenching your thirst from plastic water bottles…

The Main Ingredient

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is the primary component of polycarbonate, the hard clear substance used in plastic food packaging. The FDA has declared BPA safe for use in plastic food containers, but numerous clinical studies are confirming that BPA is toxic. It is interesting to note that the FDA has been criticized by its own scientific advisory board for making their decision based on research funded by the plastics industry.

A Harvard study released in 2009 was the first to make a clear connection between drinking from plastic water bottles containing BPA and an increased level of BPA in the urine. This study came about almost by accident.

Karin Michels, associate professor at the School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School, noticed a lot of her students constantly swigging drinks from plastic water bottles. She warned them that they might want to limit their BPA exposure. The students wondered just how much BPA they might be getting and decided to find out.

77 students switched to drinking cold beverages from stainless steel bottles for a week to flush BPA from their systems. During that week, they provided baseline urine samples. They then switched back to drinking from BPA bottles for another week. In the final analysis, urine levels of BPA had gone up by 69%. (1)

Not the Usual Toxin

BPA is not a toxin in the usual sense. Asbestos, for instance, has a clear impact on the body and leads to cancer. BPA leached into the body from plastic food packaging doesn’t translate to immediate harm. Instead, it acts like a hormone and disrupts the endocrine system. The excess estrogen activity it causes can lead to higher risk of certain cancers, birth defects, diabetes and reduced fertility. (2)

Because BPA affects the body by mimicking natural hormones, the results may not show up for years. Research will have to be conducted for decades before evidence of harm done by plastic food containers and plastic water bottles is conclusive.

Canada has decided not to wait that long. It is the first country to officially declare BPA a toxic chemical, which could lead to a ban on food-related use in the near future. Other countries, including the U.S., have adopted a “wait and see” approach. (3)

As I mentioned earlier, it would be very hard to eliminate the use of plastic from your life. But if you want to limit your personal exposure to BPA, there are a few things you can do.

• Use water bottles that are labeled BPA-free, or go back to glass.
• Don’t microwave food in plastic containers – the heat speeds up transfer of BPA into the food.
• Look for soups and milk packaged in cardboard cartons that are lined with alternate materials.
• Don’t use plastic wrap to store food.

Plastic food packaging has become part of our way of life. As to whether it stays that way, only time will tell.

Remember to consult your physician before making significant changes to your diet, supplement or exercise regimen.

Sources:

1. Daley, Beth, “Harvard study back bottle concern, says plastic used leaches bisphenol A,” The Boston Globe, May 22, 2009
2. Horton, Jennifer, “What’s BPA and do I really need a new water bottle?” HowStuffWorks.com
3. Daley, Beth, “Harvard study back bottle concern, says plastic used leaches bisphenol A,” The Boston Globe, May 22, 2009

© 2010 Chesapeake Nutraceuticals

Avocado Nutrition — Secrets to Food Combining for Health

Use this avocado nutrition information for heart healthy eating.  Using proper food combining you can boost the bioavailable nutrients in foods you may already be eating.

How about some avocado in your salad? 

It turns out that avocado nutrition offers a lot more than just good, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol to your diet.  Adding either a half or a whole avocado fruit to meals in combination with vegetable-based foods aides in carotenoid absorption. 

And why does this matter?

Carotenoids are found in fruits and vegetables in the pigment.  They’re responsible for vitamin production in the body (specifically retinol, or vitamin A) and for producing antioxidants.

Incidentally, avocado oil offers nearly the same benefits as the fruit of the avocado.

What foods you eat, and what foods you combine in a meal, matter!

So mix up a big salad with lots of colorful red and yellow peppers, carrots, and some guacamole to help your body’s immune system, reduce damage caused by free radicals, protect against heart disease and possibly even reduce the risk of cancer.

This information comes from the first intervention study showing that consumption of a fruit as a lipid source with carotenoid-rich foods enhances carotenoid absorption in humans. (1)

This is radical news!  You can turbo-boost the antioxidants in foods you’re already eating by adding in some of this great avocado nutrition to your diet! 

Pass the guacamole…

The study shows that combining avocado in meals high in carotenoids (fruits and veggies that are red, orange or yellow) can improve carotenoid absorption while offering additional nutritional benefits. 

Avocados contain many important nutrients, like vitamins, minerals, monounsaturated fatty acids and dietary fiber . . . all important to healthy eating.

What Are Lipids (And Why Should You Care)?

Fats are lipids.  They combine at the cellular level to help your body form healthy cells.  And lipids aren’t soluble in water, so you have to get them from healthy dietary fat sources (such as avocado fruits and oils, and olive oil).

For example, foods that are typical of a Mediterranean diet, such as olive oil, have also been shown to provide powerful antioxidants. (2)

Lipids’ main function?  Check out these important jobs…

• Energy storage
• Supporting cell membranes
• Hormone and vitamin support throughout your body

The fats sources you choose matter tremendously.

Butter, meat fats and dairy are saturated fats.  While fine in moderation, these fats can raise the LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) in your system.

Olive oil, avocado… these are unsaturated fats.  You still don’t want to over do too much of a good thing, but in the proper amounts, these healthy fat sources can turbo charge your diet.

Tips on Eating Healthier

When choosing an olive oil, always choose the kind labeled “extra virgin”, and “first cold pressing” for the highest quality oil.

And to get the benefits of avocado nutrition, use at least ½ an avocado or even a whole one (between 75 to 150 g).

Be sure to check with your own doctor before making changes to your diet.

Sources:

1. Carotenoid Absorption from Salad and Salsa by Humans Is Enhanced by the Addition of Avocado or Avocado Oil
   Nuray Z. Unlu, Torsten Bohn, Steven K. Clinton and Steven J. Schwartz
   The American Society for Nutritional Sciences J. Nutr. 135:431-436, March 2005
2. Evidence of postprandial absorption of olive oil phenols in humans.
   Bonanome A, Pagnan A, Caruso D, Toia A, Xamin A, Fedeli E, Berra B, Zamburlini A, Ursini F, Galli G.
   Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2000 Jun;10(3):111-20.

© 2010 Chesapeake Nutraceuticals

Attention! Use These Anti-Inflammation Diet Tips to Reduce Joint Inflammation

An anti-inflammation diet, high in beta-cryptoxanthin (a powerful dietary carotenoid) can protect against oxidation, a condition which can lead to joint inflammation associated with polyarthritis. (1)

Mom told you to eat your veggies, and she said you should eat fruit for dessert.  Did you listen?

If you did, chances are you aren’t suffering from an inflammatory disease called Inflammatory Polyarthritis (IP), a disease defined by two or more inflamed joint groups over a significant period of time.

There are a lot of great fruits and vegetables to choose from.  But for an anti-inflammation diet, I can make some definite suggestions.

Choose These Antioxidant Rich Foods

If you do suffer from chronic inflammation, you’ll want to choose foods high in antioxidants, such as red, orange and yellow veggies and fruits (2).  These include . . .

• Tangerines
• Oranges
• Carrots
• Peaches
• Papayas
• Persimons
• Pumpkin
• Squash
• Red peppers

Red, yellow and orange veggies and fruits are high in a dietary carotenoid (a naturally occurring substance) called beta-cryptoxanthin.  High intake of this special substance has been linked to lower free-radical damage, which in turn is associated with a lower risk of developing inflammatory disorders (such as inflammatory polyarthritis).

Beta-cryptoxanthin is converted by the body to retinol (vitamin A) which is essential for normal growth and physical development as well as immune system function. 

Carotenoids in general (beta-cryptoxanthin is only one of many) inhibit fat oxidation in the body, which helps relieve inflammation associated with arthritis.

In fact, just one glass of fresh orange juice a day can help! (1)

How to Reduce Joint Inflammation

Participants in a study, men and women between the ages of 45 to 74 years old, who ate lower quantities of fruits and vegetables (and vitamin C) were shown to have a more than threefold chance of developing inflammatory polyarthritis. (3)

The study concluded that patients with polyarthritis generally were those who ate fewer fruits and vegetables.

So plan to follow this anti-inflammation diet.  It is very simple to put into practice.  Add more fresh red, orange and yellow colored fruit to your diet, and eat more fresh vegetables in the same color group.  Easy.

For those wondering about what other foods to include in your anti-inflammation diet, here’s a cautionary word.  A final study I want to tell you about shows an association between red meat and development of inflammatory polyarthritis. (4)

This study shows an apparent connection between consumption of red meat and developing joint inflammation.  Subjects who ate the highest levels of red meat and meat protein as well as the lowest vitamin C intake than other subjects in the study were consistently more likely to have IP.

Incidentally, the patients in the study who ate a lot of red meat were also more likely to be smokers.  More cautions!

So if you suffer from chronic inflammation in your joints, try making some dietary changes.  Eat less red meat (less beef), and eat more red, orange and yellow veggies.  Add fruit to at least one meal a day.

You may find that you get relief from this simple plan. 

Enjoy your new anti-inflammation diet!  And enjoy the benefits in your joints!

Of course, your dietary needs may vary.  Please ask your doctor before making any major changes to your own diet, exercise or supplement routine.

Sources:

1. Dietary beta-cryptoxanthin and inflammatory polyarthritis: results from a population-based prospective study.
   Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Aug;82(2):451-5.
2. http://www.pbhfoundation.org/pulse/research/pic/phytolist/betacryptoxanthin.php
3. Vitamin C and the risk of developing inflammatory polyarthritis: prospective nested case-control study.
   Pattison DJ, Silman AJ, Goodson NJ, Lunt M, Bunn D, Luben R, Welch A, Bingham S, Khaw KT, Day N, Symmons DP.
   Arthritis Research Campaign, Epidemiology Unit, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
4. Dietary risk factors for the development of inflammatory polyarthritis: evidence for a role of high level of red meat consumption.
   Pattison DJ, Symmons DP, Lunt M, Welch A, Luben R, Bingham SA, Khaw KT, Day NE, Silman AJ.
   Arthritis Rheum. 2004 Dec;50(12):3745-7.

© 2010 Chesapeake Nutraceuticals

Immunity – One of the Newly Discovered Benefits of Vitamin D

We usually think of vitamin D in connection with strong bones but the benefits of vitamin D appear to be much more far-reaching. A new study shows that vitamin D can support the immune system and help prevent colds and flu.

Researchers teamed up to conduct a large national study on Vitamin D and respiratory infections. Investigators researched the benefits of vitamin D from several locations: the University of Colorado Denver, Massachusetts General Hospital and Children’s Hospital Boston.

The resulting study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, was the largest and most representative of the U.S. population done on the connection between vitamin D and immunity.

Results showed that people with the lowest levels of vitamin D in their blood had significantly more cases of cold and flu. Risks were even higher among those who have chronic respiratory problems like asthma and emphysema. Low levels of vitamin D made them particularly susceptible. (1)

Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms Can Be Subtle

You may be inclined to take some extra vitamin C to protect against colds, but evidence is building that vitamin D plays an important role as well. It makes sense when you think about it. Cold and flu season is during the winter months – just when natural vitamin D levels are lower. The “sunshine” vitamin is in shorter supply, highlighting the effect of vitamin D deficiency symptoms.

Well known vitamin D deficiency symptoms are rickets in children (lack of bone mineralization leading to deformities), and osteomalacia – a similar condition in adults.

Other symptoms are more subtle… muscle aches, muscle weakness and bone pain. These conditions may not be severe at first and don’t necessarily cause you to think of vitamin D deficiency symptoms – but they just might be.(2)

Foods With Vitamin D Versus Sunshine

Besides sun exposure, vitamin D is present in food. Foods with vitamin D include dairy products like cheese, butter and cream. Also fish, fish liver oils, egg yolks, oysters and margarine.

Unfortunately, it is hard to raise blood levels of vitamin D with diet alone, so many foods are fortified with vitamin D to boost dietary levels. All milk in the United States is fortified with vitamin D as are a lot of cereals and grain products to make it easier for you to get the benefits of vitamin D.

Since it is hard to get what you need from foods with vitamin D, sunshine remains the best natural source. 10-15 minutes of sun exposure, three times a week, is recommended as a minimum. And that’s without sunscreen – which inhibits vitamin D production.

Getting even this amount of sun might be a challenge in the winter in northern climates or for seniors who may be housebound. And believe it or not, it’s becoming a concern for children who spend more time secluded with television and computers than playing outside.

More Reasons for Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms

Besides lack of sun exposure and eating enough foods with vitamin D, a few other things can come into play. For instance:

• A strict vegetarian diet – most food sources of vitamin D are animal based
• Milk allergies – dairy products are a common source of vitamin D
• Dark skin – more melanin in the skin reduces its ability to make vitamin D from sunlight
• Aging – as people age, their kidneys become less able to convert vitamin D to the usable form in the body
• Obesity – vitamin D is absorbed from the blood into fat cells, but those with a body mass index of 30 or higher tend to have lower levels of vitamin D
• Digestive disorders – if the ability of the intestines to absorb is compromised, the benefits of  vitamin D are lost. This happens in Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis and malabsorption disorders. (3)

All of these factors together make for a population that is suffering from vitamin D deficiency.

Better Immunity Means Fewer Respiratory Problems

As new studies are revealing, the benefits of vitamin D include better immunity. A survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics polled almost 19,000 adults and adolescents. It involved a physical exam and blood analysis.

Those who had the lowest levels of vitamin D – less than 10 nanograms per milliliter of blood – were 40% more likely to have had a respiratory infection than those whose level of vitamin D was 30ng/ml or higher. This held true year round, regardless of traditional cold and flu season.

Patients with cardio obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who were deficient in vitamin D had twice as many respiratory infections. Asthma patients with low vitamin D fared the worst – they had five times as many respiratory infections.

Dr. Carlos Camargo, senior author of the study, pointed out, “A respiratory infection in someone with otherwise healthy lungs usually causes a few days of relatively mild symptoms, but respiratory infections in individuals with an underlying lung disease can cause serious attacks of asthma or COPD that may require urgent office visits, emergency department visits or hospitalizations. So the impact of preventing infections in these patients could be very large.” (4)

Boost your own immunity with a little sunshine – in moderation – to take advantage of the benefits of vitamin D.

Before you make any changes to your own diet, exercise or supplement routine, please consult with your personal physician.

Sources:

1. Ginde AA, Liu MC, Camargo CA, Demographic Differences and Trends of Vitamin D Insufficiency in the US Population, 1988-2004, Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(6):626-632
2. Vogin G, “Vitamin D Deficiency,” WebMD.com, July 13, 2009
3. Vogin G, “Vitamin D Deficiency,” WebMD.com, July 13, 2009
4. “Vitamin D Boosts Immunity, Prevents Colds, Flu: Study,” MedIndia.net, Feb 24, 2009

© 2010 Chesapeake Nutraceuticals

An Anti Inflammatory Diet for Long Term Health

No, it’s not a weight loss diet. You won’t drop 10 pounds in 10 days. But an anti inflammatory diet can add years to your life because it’s an eating plan proven to fight disease. It can also keep you younger, longer, by reducing inflammation in the body.

Inflammation is part of your body’s defense response. Anything from a bug bite to a virus to a broken bone will provoke an inflammatory response. Cells and chemicals are sent to the damaged area to start making repairs. And in a few days, healing has begun and inflammation dies down.

Chronic inflammation is different. It’s the same inflammatory response, but it never quiets down. It gets the immune system off balance, constantly calling for repair and ends up damaging healthy tissue. This false state of constant alert can happen as a result of stress, lack of (or too much) exercise and most of all – poor diet.

That’s why an anti inflammatory diet can calm things down. And it’s the ideal thing to do because chronic inflammation is now linked to many illnesses, including heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

Just What is an Anti Inflammatory Diet?

Basically, it’s a diet that minimizes processed and fast foods and includes as many fresh foods as possible. Not exactly breaking news. The Mediterranean-style diet is a good example.

Individual foods are not really the focus. The overall pattern is more important. But knowing the difference between inflammatory foods and anti inflammatory foods can help you shift the balance. Here’s a quick overview:

Inflammatory foods – foods high in sugar like cake, candy and cookies; corn syrup; processed snack foods like crackers and  chips; processed meats like bologna and hot dogs; fast foods; fried foods; refined carbohydrates.

Anti inflammatory foods – fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, fatty fish, nuts, fresh spices, green tea.

Just remember, you never have to say never. Eliminate inflammatory foods you can live without and moderate the rest. Splurge on anti inflammatory foods you love and work as many others as you can into your diet. It will boost your body’s defense system and fight off disease.
And even though I said earlier that this is not a weight loss diet, you may notice some pounds dropping off.

The Science Behind the Anti Inflammatory Diet

As always, the scientific evidence (not popular opinion) is what prompts me to share health news with you. And some interesting research backs up the importance of an anti inflammatory diet.

A recent study tested male endurance athletes to see if removing foods high in carotenoids (yellow and orange ones like carrots and apricots) from their diets would restrict antioxidant levels in their blood and have an effect of inflammation. Endurance exercise prompts an inflammatory response, so this was an obvious way to trigger and measure inflammation.

The athletes were put through two experimental trials two weeks apart. They followed their usual diet on the first trial. In the second trial they were tested after a diet of restricted beta carotene. This meant limiting carotenoid by not eating fresh fruits and vegetables.

On the restricted diet, athletes not only showed more markers of inflammation upon testing, they perceived the same amount of exercise to be harder and take more effort. (1)

Another study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society bears this out. Three groups of non-smoking men were fed a diet of either low, medium or high amounts of fruits and vegetables – anti inflammatory foods – for four weeks. They were then tested for blood levels of C-reactive protein, an indication of inflammation.

Blood levels of vitamin C, E and carotenoids were also measured.

At the end of four weeks, those who ate the high amounts of fruits and vegetables had no change in vitamin C and E levels. But carotenoid levels were much higher. This corresponded with a significant drop in C-reactive protein in the blood. Researchers concluded that the carotenoid in the anti inflammatory foods (the fruits and vegetables), reduced the inflammation response in the body. (2)

Of course your mother told you all along you need to eat your fruits and vegetables. Now you know why. An anti inflammatory diet is an easy, enjoyable way to protect your health.

Please, remember to consult your personal physician before making changes to your diet, exercise or supplement routine.

1. Plunkett GA, Callister R, Watson TA, Garg ML, “Dietary antioxidant restriction affects the inflammatory response in athletes,” Br J Nutr: 1-6
2. Watzl G, Kulling SE, Moseneder J, Bath SW, Bub A, “A 4-wk intervention with high intake of carotenoid-rich vegetables and fruit reduces plasma C-reactive protein in healthy, non-smoking men,” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 82, No 5, 1052-1058, Nov 2005

© 2009 Chesapeake Nutraceuticals

Genetic Testing – A Setup for Discrimination?

It’s hailed as “personalized medicine.” It’s genetic testing and the future is here.

Scientists look at it as the doorway to life-saving health care.

Most Americans are afraid it will be damning information that will rob them of insurance benefits and lead to economic disaster.

A Double-Edged Sword

We all have a genetic profile. Locked in our genes are clues to medical conditions we have inherited or may develop in the future. Unlocking those clues could help us treat or prevent disease before it even starts.

But as enticing as the idea is, there’s a dark side. Once you are diagnosed with a genetic predisposition for a particular disease, how do you protect that information? What if your employer or insurer finds out?

Technically you are protected by law. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) was signed into law on May 21, 2008. But there have been cases of discrimination. Employers are increasingly hard-pressed to cover rising health care costs and some look for ways to screen out the employees most likely to get sick.

One instance involved the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. They were sued by the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) for secretly testing the blood of employees who had filed worker’s compensation claims for carpal-tunnel syndrome. They were looking for a genetic cause for the symptoms. The case was settled out of court in 2002. (1)

Another instance involved Eddy Curry, who played center for the Chicago Bulls in 2005. When he refused a genetic test to see if he had a predisposition for a heart ailment, he was traded to the New York Knicks.

Curry’s attorney, Alan Milstein, said, “Think about what’s at stake here…as far as DNA testing, we’re just at the beginning of that universe. Pretty soon, though, we’ll know whether someone is predisposed to cancer, alcoholism, obesity, baldness and who knows what else. Hand that information to an employer,” he added, “and imagine the implications. If the NBA were to get away with it, what about everyone else in this country looking for a job.” (2)

The Genetic Underground

Many people who want to take advantage of genetic testing do so with their own money. Fearful of coming under scrutiny of insurers, they spend hundreds, even thousands on DNA testing. Then they swear their doctors to secrecy – or don’t confide the results to them at all.

Linda Vahdat, director of breast cancer research at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, estimates that 20% of her patients pay cash for DNA testing to avoid submitting insurance claims. Dr. Kenneth Offit, in the genetics service at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, says the same thing. He says that fear of discrimination is the number one reason people cancel their appointments. (3)

A woman who prefers to be known only as Mary has taken matters into her own hands. She had herself tested for hemochromatosis, a genetic condition in which the body retains too much iron. The usual treatment is to have a unit of blood removed twice a week. But since she isn’t even telling her doctor her results, she is planning to become a frequent blood donor. (4)

Federal Law Versus Insurance Fears

The EEOC includes genetic testing as a “disability” in the Americans with Disabilities Act to provide protection against discrimination, but this interpretation has not been tested in the courts. President Clinton banned genetic discrimination in the federal workplace by executive order in 2000.

The law also prohibits insurers who provide group coverage for more than 50 people from denying an applicant because of a health factor or genetic information. However, the insurer can restrict benefits or charge higher premiums. (5)

Insurers often deny that they require testing or ask prospective customers about genetic tests. Mohit Ghose, spokesperson for America’s Health Insurance Plans (who provide benefits for 200 million Americans) calls it “an anecdotal fear.” But a study by the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute determined otherwise. In 7 out of 92 cases, underwriters said they would deny coverage or add restrictions and higher premiums due to genetic test results. (6)

Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, summed it up well. She commented that we are at the intersection of science and civil rights, adding that protecting Americans by not letting insurers use genetic testing against them will constitute “one of the first major new civil rights of the new century.” (7)

Time will tell how the science of genetics plays out.

Please consult your personal physician before making changes to your diet, exercise or supplement routine.

1. Harmon, Amy, “Insurance Fears Lead Many to Shun DNA Tests,” New York Times, Feb 24, 2008
2. Litke, Jim, “Curry’s DNA fight with Bulls ‘bigger than sports world,” Associated Press, Sep 29, 2005
3. Harmon, Amy, “Insurance Fears Lead Many to Shun DNA Tests,” New York Times, Feb 24, 2008
4. Harmon, Amy, “Insurance Fears Lead Many to Shun DNA Tests,” New York Times, Feb 24, 2008
5. Johnson, Alissa, “Plunging Into the Gene Pool,” State Legislatures Magazine, March 2007
6. Harmon, Amy, “Insurance Fears Lead Many to Shun DNA Tests,” New York Times, Feb 24, 2008
7. Terry, Sharon, “Genetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers,” liebertonline.com, Dec 2009, 13(6): 709-710

© 2009 Chesapeake Nutraceuticals

Flavonoids – the Secret of Weight Loss Foods

Are you wondering if there are natural weight loss foods? Well, there are. And their secret ingredient is flavonoids.

Flavonoids are chemical compounds found in plant-based foods. There are hundreds of them and they are known to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer because of their antioxidant activity.

Now it appears they fight fat as well, so they really are weight loss foods.

The Best Weight Loss Plan Includes Plenty of Flavonoids

A number of studies have documented the effect of flavonoids on fat. The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry reported that fat cells exposed to certain flavonoids led to lower levels of an enzyme that forms triglycerides – fat in the blood. Researchers believe that flavonoids can improve the symptoms of metabolic syndrome. (1)

Another study used a flavonoid from citrus, called naringenin, to prevent obesity in mice. Two groups of mice were fed a high fat (western) diet to trigger symptoms of metabolic syndrome. One group was supplemented with naringenin, which completely normalized their glucose metabolism. It was determined that naringenin genetically reprogrammed the liver to burn up excess fat instead of storing it.

Lead researcher Murray Huff commented, “What was unique about the study was that the effects were independent of caloric intake, meaning the mice ate exactly the same amount of food and the same amount of fat. There was no suppression of appetite or decreased food intake. Furthermore, the marked obesity that develops in these mice was completely prevented by naringenin.” (2)

These same results were obtained previously in a 14 year assessment called the Netherlands Cohort Study. Researchers tracked the association between 3 flavonoid subgroups and BMI (body mass index) in 4280 men and women aged 55-69 at the start of the study. Women who had the highest intake of flavonoids had a significantly lower increase in BMI than the women who had the lowest intake of flavonoids. (3)

Interestingly, there were no differences among the men. The study concluded that flavonoid intake may contribute to maintaining body weight in the general female population. Could this be a secret weapon for women?

At any rate, it seems the best weight loss plan includes weight loss foods high in flavonoids.

Common Dietary Flavonoids

What are these weight loss foods? Here’s a brief overview of some of the most common ones:

• Anthocyanidins – red, blue and purple berries; red and purple grapes; red wine
• Catechins – teas (particularly green and white), grapes, berries, apples, chocolate
• Theaflavins – teas (particularly black and oolong)
• Flavanones – citrus fruits and juices
• Flavonols – yellow onions, scallions, kale, broccoli, apples, berries, tea
• Flavones – parsley, thyme, celery, hot peppers
• Isoflavones – soybeans, soy foods, legumes (4)

Include as many of these weight loss foods in your diet as you can to create the best weight loss plan that will work naturally. The bonus is the disease fighting power you’ll get from all the antioxidants.

Stock Your Fridge With Flavonoids

The weight loss industry is big, big business. But you don’t need to depend on magic pills, cardboard food or the latest fad. The best weight loss plan available is as close as your own refrigerator. All you have to do is stock it with weight loss foods high in flavonoids. You’ll eat well, fight disease and lose weight all at the same time.

Do check with your personal physician before making changes to your diet, exercise or supplement routine.

Sources:

1. Yen GC, Hsu CL, “Effects of Flavonoids and Phenolic Acids on the Inhibition of Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes,” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Oct 17, 2007
2. University of Western Ontario (2009 July 14). Citrus-derived Flavonoid Prevents Obesity, Study Suggests. Science Daily
3. Hughes LA, Arts IC, Ambergen T, Brants HA, Dagnelie PC, Goldbohm RA, van den Brandt PA, Weijenberg MP; Netherlands Cohort Study, Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Nov; 88(5):1341-52
4. Flavonoids, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University

© 2009 Chesapeake Nutraceuticals

Metabolic Syndrome – A Pre-Malignant Condition?

Metabolic syndrome, currently defined as a collection of symptoms rather than just one particular condition, is usually associated with later development of diabetes and heart disease. But cancer?

It’s looking like cancer is part of this mix, too.

Just what is metabolic syndrome? Can it really be that serious?

An Overview of Metabolic Syndrome

Today, what we call metabolic syndrome is also known as insulin resistance. It was originally called Syndrome X. And basically, there are five risk factors considered to be metabolic syndrome symptoms. They are:

1. Abdominal obesity – having an apple shape is known to be a greater risk for heart disease than excess fat in the hips or thighs. This translates to a waist measurement of 40” or more in men and 35” or more in women.
2. High triglycerides – a type of fat found in the blood
3. Low HDL cholesterol – this is the “good” cholesterol because it helps remove cholesterol from your arteries. Low HDL is linked to heart disease.
4. High fasting blood sugar –an early sign of diabetes
5. High blood pressure – known to cause heart damage and plaque buildup (1)

Many people consider these metabolic syndrome symptoms a normal part of growing older but it’s not quite that simple. A person with metabolic syndrome is twice as likely to develop heart disease and five times as likely to develop diabetes. (2)

Almost 50 million people in the United States – 25% of the population – have metabolic syndrome due to the rise of obesity. At the current rate, it will soon overtake smoking as the number one risk factor for heart disease. (3)

The Cancer Connection

Cancer is a result of damaged cells that multiply out of control and become tumors. A new study, just released in January 2010, highlights the similarity between the cellular pattern that leads to cancer and the cellular pattern seen in metabolic syndrome. The study implies that metabolic syndrome is NOT just a collection of symptoms – it is an actual disease on its own. (4)

Individually, most of the metabolic syndrome symptoms have been linked in some way to cancer. Overweight and obesity account of 14% of cancer deaths in men and 20% in women. (5)

Other studies point to specific cancers:

• Breast cancer – it is important to note that there is no relationship between baseline metabolic syndrome and breast cancer. However, in post-menopausal women who develop metabolic syndrome 3-5 years before the diagnosis of breast cancer, there is an elevated risk of developing invasive cancer. Higher insulin levels promote cell proliferation, which is common in the development of cancer. (6)
• Colorectal cancer – a large U.S.-based study presented at the 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology concluded that those with metabolic syndrome had a whopping 75% higher risk of this cancer. (7)
• Prostate cancer – researchers looked at a 27 year study on Norwegian men and found that metabolic syndrome was a predictor of prostate cancer due to insulin resistance. (8)

In light of these studies, working to control metabolic syndrome can delay or prevent serious health problems.

A Metabolic Syndrome Diet

Metabolic syndrome is linked to your body’s metabolism and insulin levels, so an aggressive metabolic syndrome diet is needed to get insulin under better control. The food you eat always triggers insulin response in the body.

Insulin is the common denominator in all of the metabolic syndrome symptoms. Controlling it is one of the most powerful anti-disease and anti-aging things you can do.

Ingesting simple sugars and refined carbohydrates is like mainlining sugar straight into your bloodstream. For better blood sugar control, eat complex carbs, protein and healthy fats. Pay attention to the glycemic index of foods so you know what will spike your blood sugar and what will give it a steady rise without a corresponding crash.

A study published in the journal Nutrition and Metabolism showed that blood glucose and high insulin levels were improved with a low carbohydrate diet. Carbs are the main stimulus for insulin, so reducing carbs – not fat – in the diet will improve metabolic syndrome symptoms. (9)

Another study, conducted by the scientists at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, focused not on what we eat, but on how often we eat. Results showed that those who eat at irregular times more often develop metabolic syndrome.

Frequency of meals was studied in over 4,000 sixty year old men and women. The participants who rarely ate regular meals had more signs of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Professor Mai-Lis Hellenius concluded, “this study shows that the way in which we eat can also be an important health factor.” (10)

This is important information for staving off so-called “lifestyle” diseases, particularly metabolic syndrome. They are not inevitable. And they have a dietary component – the stimulation of insulin. Do what you can to control insulin and you will have a head start on preventing the diseases that can develop when insulin levels are high.

Always consult your own doctor before making any changes to your personal diet, exercise or supplement routine.

Sources:

1. “What is Metabolic Syndrome,” National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Erol, Adnan, “Metabolic syndrome is a real disease and premalignant state induced by oncogenic stresses to block malignant transformation,” doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2010.01.001   2 January 2010
5. Blackburn G, Metabolic Syndrome and the Onset of Cancer, The 8th Annual Postgraduate Nutrition Symposium, March 15-16, 2006, Harvard Medical School
6. Neale T, “Metabolic Syndrome Linked to Breast Cancer Risk,” MedPage Today, June 30, 2009
7. American College of Gastroenterology (2008, October 7). Metabolic Syndrome Ups Colorectal Cancer Risk. ScienceDaily
8. Haheim LL, Wisloff TF, Holme I, Nafstad P, “Metabolic Syndrome Predicts Prostate Cancer in a Cohort of Middle-aged Norwegian Men Followed for 27 Years,” American Journal of Epidemiology 2006 164(8):769-774
9. BioMed Central (2005, November 16). Low-carb Diet Better Than Low-fat Diet At Improving Metabolic Syndrome. ScienceDaily
10. Karolinska Institute (2008, July 24). Regular Meals Reduce Risk Of Developing Metabolic Syndrome, Study Shows. ScienceDaily

© 2009 Chesapeake Nutraceuticals

Stroke Treatments – Amazing New Research

Prompt stroke treatments are vital since brain damage can begin within minutes. But new research may lead to therapies that restore brain and body function well after the stroke has occurred. It could open a whole new world of stroke treatments.

A stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain gets blocked or bursts. Deprived of blood supply – which carries oxygen – the affected area of the brain starts to die. And the part of the body controlled by that area of the brain won’t work right.

That’s why you should know the signs of a stroke and act as quickly as possible if you notice them in yourself or someone around you.

Warning Signs of a Stroke

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the US, yet 40% of people cannot name even one of the warning signs of a stroke.(1) Just being familiar with stroke symptoms can make a huge difference in the outcome.

A stroke can cause:

• Blurred vision
• Drooling and trouble speaking
• Problems with balance and walking
• Severe headache different from any previous headache
• Inability to understand simple statements
• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, affecting face, arm or leg(2)

I can’t stress enough how important it is to know and recognize these stroke symptoms.

Stroke occurs in over 700,000 people per year in the United States – that’s one person every 45 seconds. Over the course of a lifetime, four out of five families are affected.(3)

The Future of Stroke Treatments

New studies have come out of the University of California that may improve and extend the scope of current stroke treatments. Presently, some treatments are only effective in the first few hours after a stroke has happened. And no drugs can help after several days.

But researcher Magda Guerra-Crespo has discovered that a small protein called transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) can repair damage long after the stroke has occurred. TGF alpha has been studied in connection with other organs, but never with stroke and the brain – until now.

Studies were conducted on rats, which exhibit stroke damage much like humans do… by losing limb function on one side of the body.

Healthy rats, when put into a cylinder, will jump up with both front legs. Rats that have had a stroke will use just one leg, favoring their weak side. When walking, the injured rats will move toward their good side.

For the trial, rats were injected with TGF alpha about a month after having a stroke – equal to about a year in humans. A month later they were hopping up in the cylinder with both legs and not favoring one side when walking. The TGF alpha rats regained 99% of lost movement compared to the untreated rats, who improved by only 30%.

Senior co-author of the study, James Fallon said, “Now we have evidence there may be therapies that can repair damage to a significant degree long after the stroke. It’s a completely unexpected and remarkable finding, and it’s worth trying in humans.”(4)

Brain Regeneration

TGF alpha appears to stimulate neuron growth in the brain. It caused stem cells to divide, which then turned into brain cells. The new brain cells traveled to the injured part of the brain and replaced neurons the stroke had destroyed. Scientists believe that the new neurons helped restore motor function.

Graduate student Darius Gleason, who worked on the study, commented, “It’s becoming more and more clear that the brain is like any other organ: It has a lot of potential to regenerate. We are just emulating nature by giving a little nudge to what the brain is trying to do itself.”(5)

This is very promising news for future stroke treatments. Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States so long term methods of dealing with the after-effects will have a major impact on both the health of individuals and their return to productivity and normal life.

As always, before you make any changes to your diet, exercise or supplement routine, please check with your personal physician.

Sources:

1. Vega J, “Interesting Facts and Statistics About Stroke,” about.com, Nov 2, 2009
2. Stroke Overview, WebMD.com
3. Stroke Statistics, TheUniversityHospital.com, University Hospital, New Jersey
4. Fitzenberger J, “New stroke therapy successful in rats: Protein completely restores motor function,” University of California – Irvine (2010 Jan 13
5. Fitzenberger J, “New stroke therapy successful in rats: Protein completely restores motor function,” University of California – Irvine (2010 Jan 13

© 2009 Chesapeake Nutraceuticals