Alzheimer's Disease Update

Annie Sawyer, Ph. D.

Alzheimer's is a progressive and unfortunately, yet irreversible degenerative disease which symptoms tend to grow worse over time. It is named on the name of the German physician Alois Alzheimer, who first described it in 1906. It is also known under the term Senile Dementia and it is the most common degenerative disease of the advanced age. Of course its symptoms progress at different time and rates and in different patterns as the disease is a variable one (its appearance and progression of symptoms vary from one person to the other). With its progression physical problems may include loss of strength and balance, problems with the speech, breathing and swallowing, diminishing bladder and bowel control resulting eventually in terminal death.
The main pathogenesis of Alzheimer is the general failure of brain cells- the neurons. Two abnormal formations (structures) - plaques and tangles are blamed as prime suspects in damaging the human brain neurons. While plaques build between neurons and contain deposits of a protein called beta-amyloid- tangles are twisted fibers inside the dying neurons. Above all their formation is mainly localized in the hippocampus- the zone of the human brain correlated with learning and memory. Mainly the main damage is due to the interruption among neurons leading to miss-communication and progressive loss of that main human privilege. Those pathologic formations are engaging the outer layer of the human brain and involve abstract thinking, short term memory loss, rapid changes in mood, behavior and correct judgment, fundamental changes in personality, loss of initiative, memory and finely speech and breathing.
One of the leading risk factor for Alzheimer’s is the advanced age. As usual people above 65 may suffer progressively of this disease. Generally both sexes are equally vulnerable to the disease with light prevalence of women. SAD may develop as a result of a variety of other factors, as for example the amount of stress during once life, serious head injury, level of elevated aluminum toxicity (one of the most controversial and still under research hypotheses) and many others.
According to my experience, Alzheimer disease is the other figure in the puzzle of the insulin resistance, unbalanced blood sugar as it is frequently if not always following diseases as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes 2. We all know that insulin resistance appears or increases with advanced age. That can be explained easily: 1) Muscle mass declines with aging. Since muscles are the major site of insulin action- thus less muscle- less total metabolism of glucose. 2) Fat as a percent also increases with advanced age and the adipose tissue is the main producer of hormones (including cytokines- the inflammatory ones). If we measure older people body fat we will see that they all have increased percent body fat independently if they are obese, overweight or not . As a conclusion aging leads to loss of efficiency of the insulin pathways and its recognition from the reduced number of mitochondria in the human body.
Panic attacks usually involve an extreme apprehension that catastrophe is near and are often accompanied by shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pain, and sweating. They may or may not accompany Alzheimer’s disease as an independent entity, despite are not commonly described. On the other hand, they would likely be difficult to differentiate from other anxiety-related behaviors that Alzheimer's patients can have in the later stages of the disease. One must remember that during the later stages of Alzheimer's, there are a host of behavioral symptoms that a patient may manifest. These include anxiety, wandering, yelling, arguing, accusatory actions, paranoia, agitation, and others.
The exact Alzheimer’s etiopathogenesis is still under research as most of the available studies have failed to provide conclusive evidence of the exact cause and mechanism of appearance of the disease of the advanced generation.
Classic symptoms and signs of a typical Alzheimer's are:
· Gradual loss of short-term and then a long-term memory;
· Need daily reminders to do things like small chores, grocery shop, eat, take nutritional supplements;
· Forget appointments, family occasions, or holidays
· Feel “blue,” or cry more often than in the past
· Have trouble doing calculations, managing finances, or balancing the checkbook
· Show a loss of interest in activities (hobbies, reading, attending social activities)
· Need help preparing a meal, dressing, bathing, or using the bathroom?
· Get lost while driving or drive unsafely
· Have trouble finding the right words, finishing sentences, or naming people or things.
· Seem to repeat things or ask the same questions over and over
· Seem more forgetful, or have trouble with short term memory
· Confusion and daily difficulties with activities of daily living.
· Anxiety, suspiciousness, and agitation;
· Difficulty recognizing family and friends;
· Loss of appetite; weight loss;
· Loss of bladder and bowel control;
· Problems finding the right word with consequent loss of speech
· Repetitive speaking and repetitive actions;
· Serious sleep disturbances;
· General and finally total dependence on caregiver;
· Constantly irritable, agitated, suspicious, or hear or believe things that are not real;
· Wandering and/or pacing.
In modern medicine there is no single clinical test that can be used to identify Alzheimer's disease early or later on in life. A comprehensive patient evaluation includes a complete health history, physical examination, neurological and mental status assessments, and other tests, including blood and urine analysis, EKG or an imaging exam, such as CT or MRI. Despite no successful conventional treatment is yet available to fully cope with the Alzheimer's disease, there are several pharmaceutical drugs that may help delay the progression of symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease. There also drugs that may help control behavioral symptoms, such as sleeplessness, agitation, wandering, anxiety, and depression. Treating these behavioral symptoms often makes people with Alzheimer's more comfortable and makes their care easier.
Evaluating and correcting the diet and to balance the nutrition has a primary role in prevention or healing Alzheimer disease. Nutritional imbalances are the precursors to the signs and symptoms by which we detect and label (diagnose) organ system disease. Improving our eating habits towards a balanced organic nutrition and preserve to the best of our possibility the environmental exterior inputs is fundamental in restoring health. It makes sense to restore the way how we eat, exercise, live, sleep and deal with the extreme stress of our century.
Diet and Lifestyle in Alzheimer disease:
An anti-hypoglycemic diet would consist of lean meat and lots of fresh vegetables. Another key is limiting sugars and starches.
1. Eating well balanced organic diet including: meat, vegetables, fruits, whole food
2. Your food should be homemade, nicely served, provoking your appetite.
3. Find enough time to eat slowly a good balanced diet- always protein (mainly lean meat), carbs (veggies and fruits, vegetable pasta or basmati rice) and fats (good fats), beans, lentils, peas (naturally balanced food).
4. Cooking with Coconut oil, or Olive oil, Flaxseed (on salads)
5. Using fresh organic spices- Turmeric, Basil, Mint, Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Marjoram, Parsley, and Dill Weed. Spicing your foods will increase your appetite, but be careful in case of acid reflux or ulcer.
Note* Rosemary is one of the top ten herbs in your spice rack that does a lot more than flavor your chicken and roasted potatoes. It may actually help protect you from getting Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and heart disease. Aside from cooking, rosemary has a long folk use as a brain stimulant, a remedy for heart trouble, and as an antiseptic, or an insect repellent.
6. Aspartame, NutraSweet, Splenda and MSG are all called excitotoxins- and they are all in the diet soda beverages.
7. You can juice your proper juices or food. In fact you can start your breakfast with Wheat Protein, strawberry (or other fruits). You can juice carrots, celery and apple also.
8. Limit to its maximum the white sugar (including sugary foods or beverages, bars or torts). You can use Xylitol (or Stevia) instead.
9. Read labels- Food additives in your diet may be making you ill.
10. Dark chocolate- with 60%- 80% Cocoa- in moderation.
12. No ice creams, no donuts, and only whole wheat bread- 1-2 pieces per day.(Request a check up on the gluten allergy while visiting your MD).
13. Do not fry your food, only bake, steam or broil.
14. Select organic lean meat, fish (wild Alaskan salmon, halibut), turkey (without the skin) and chicken (without the skin). Do not consume shark, sword fish or tuna as it has too much mercury. Sardines in a can are a perfect choice.
15. Steam your veggies before consuming them. Eating them row can infect you with Salmonella, E. coli, or you might not digest them well.
16. Always consume proteins (meat, eggs, milk or yogurt) well balanced with vegetables, a good salad, and soups in order to help the right and daily elimination.
17. Make your breakfast a protein breakfast- for example a cup of organic raw milk or Whey protein shake with strawberry (1/2 of banana) and 1 egg inside. Do not eat more than 1 whole egg + 1-2 whites.
18. Sleep 7-8 h per night. 1 cup of row milk with ¼ of tea spoon of honey in it can help allot before sleeping. Here you can use Secretagogue Gold (perfect sleepy powder + all the trace minerals for the day).
19. Watch funny movies, and animations. Avoid depressive people or movies. Avoid socializing with depressed people. Try to laugh as frequently as you can.
20. Walk daily ½ h in the morning and ½ in the afternoon. Always use hat and glasses while walking.
21. Drink enough water in order to protect from dehydration, especially during the summer months.
22. You can drink relaxing or calming teas that are good for their antioxidant properties also (as green, white, black or fruit teas). They could help and calm down your GI, while preparing to sleep. Look for caffeine content on the label and purchase Decaf Teas only.
23. Do not take more than 1.5 mg Melatonin (before sleeping) as it can make you depressed, especially in your case.
24. List of hazardous food additives:
· Sodium nitrate
· Sodium Benzoate
· BHA and BHT
· Propyl gallate
· Trans fats
· Acesulfame-K
· Food dyes
· Olestra
· Potassium Bromate
Sources:
· Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: http://www.ahrq.gov/CLINIC/cpgsix.htm
· Alzheimer's Association: http://www.alz.org/index.asp
· Mayo Clinic: http://mayoresearch.mayo.edu/alzheimers_center/
· National Institute on Aging/National Library of Medicine: http://nihseniorhealth.gov/

If you would like to learn more on the above topic, to sign for on line or phone consultation, or to request an article written to suit your wellness business purposes, please call: (715) 392-7591; (218) 213-6167; or (218) 213-7087
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The material in this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. Thus our intentions are not to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you use the information in this newsletter without the approval of your health professional, the authors of this letter do not assume any responsibility. Copyright @ 2009, Natural Health-Wellness LLC. All rights reserved.
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Holistic Nutrition Seminar: “Enhancing health, prevention and vitality with a good nutrition”

Annie Sawyer, Ph. D.

A specialist in the field of holistic nutrition and natural holistic healing, Dr. Antoaneta Sawyer has been instrumental in developing nutritional protocols educating patients and practitioners in holistic medicine based on her multiple years of experience in both-conventional and alternative medicine. She personally developed the use of holistic programs dealing with successful natural treatment protocols for several diseases starting from depression and metabolic syndrome and finishing with urinary tract infections. She continues to be an advocate for patients’ right on healthcare and health freedom. Dr Annie Sawyer graduated and board certified as an MD from the Alexander Medical University Sofia BG in 1980. She has been in private conventional medical practice since 2003, when started her holistic practice since coming to USA. Her knowledge is based on traditional and alternative medicine training, and on methods learned from renowned pioneers and practitioners in the fields of holistic medicine and healing. She has been a researcher in areas related to conventional and holistic medicine for over 25 years. She graduated summa cum laude in medicine from Alexander Medical Academy and then received her ND and PhD in Natural Health from CCNH. Her internship and residency were at the Quinn Joanna Hospital, and she is Board certified in Medicine with added qualification in internal diseases, microbiology, virology and bacterial chemotherapy.

This seminar will summarize the historical context and all the controversies surrounding good and balanced nutrition throughout the years of the appearance and development of the complementary and alternative medicine. Evidence based and methodological issues, emerging basic science models for its nature, as well as observational and efficacy trial data, will reflect its nature as well as it will offer final conclusions on what is considered a balanced holistic nutrition by CAM and by the mainstream medicine. Finally the discussion will raise questions on the underlying factors and will debate the science of nutrition. For more information or to watch online please visit: www.naturalhealth-wellness.com
Objectives: 1. Describe the CAM model and its major privileges, criticisms and impediments; 2. Choose appropriate nutritional recommendations for clients with a variety of health problems; 3. Review appropriate clinical trials and resource materials to provide the rationale and support needed for a nutritional holistic management approach to patients’ health; 4. Describe how nutritional/dietary interventions may influence various health conditions; 5. Describe current research approaches used in CAM research, including advantages and disadvantages to these approaches;
Natural Health & Wellness Center “Beyond Holistic”413 23Rd Ave East, Superior WI office: Tuesday 11/24/2009 between: 10AM-12AM

If you would like to learn more on the above topic, to sign for on line or phone consultation, or to request an article written to suit your wellness business purposes, please call: (715) 392-7591; (218) 213-6167; or (218) 213-7087
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The material in this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. Thus our intentions are not to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you use the information in this newsletter without the approval of your health professional, the authors of this letter do not assume any responsibility. Copyright @ 2009, Natural Health-Wellness LLC. All rights reserved.

How to Influence Low Testosterone?

Antoaneta Sawyer, Ph. D.

According to a late U.S. study, published May 26, 2008 in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine many men with low testosterone levels do not receive any treatment at all, due to their low socioeconomic status and missing health care coverage:
a/ low socioeconomic status
b/ missing health care coverage.
Function: The main function of the prostate is to store and secrete a clear, slightly alkaline (pH 7.29) fluid that constitutes 10-30% of the volume of the seminal fluid that, along with spermatozoa, constitutes semen. The rest of the seminal fluid is produced by the two seminal vesicles. The alkalinity of seminal fluid helps neutralize the acidity of the vaginal tract, prolonging the lifespan of sperm. The prostate also contains some smooth muscles that help expel semen during ejaculation. Prostatic secretions vary among species. They are generally composed of simple sugars, and are often slightly alkaline. In human prostatic secretions, the protein content is less than 1% and includes zinc, proteolytic enzymes, acid phosphatase, and prostate-specific antigen.
Regulation: To work properly, the prostate needs male hormones (androgens), which are responsible for male sex primary and secondary characteristics (male sexual behavior). The main male hormone is testosterone, produced mainly by the testicles. Some testosterone is very small amounts by the adrenals. However, it is the metabolite of testosterone (dihydrotestosterone) that regulates the prostate. But if you do not produce enough testosterone, you have not enough dihydrotestosterone either. It is the metabolite that can be blamed for the alopecia in male.
Androgen deficiency (or low testosterone) in elderly is a frequent phenomenon, and is due to several factors:
1/ Prostate operation (radical or partial)
2/ Undiagnosed (missing blood test) deficiency.
3/ Unrecognized (subtle or latent) form of Androgen deficiency.
4/ Unwillingness for testosterone therapy prescription.
5/ Missing health care insurance.
Blood Test: Androgen deficiency in males 40 and older who do not have established pituitary or testicular disorders other than aging, must be confirmed by at least two morning samples taken on different mornings. Androgen deficiency is confirmed by testosterone less than 8 mmol per L, or 8-15 mmol per L with high LH (greater than 1.5 times the upper limit of the eugonadal reference range for young men).
Clinical symptoms: Androgen deficiency syndrome is characterized by several symptoms like: anxiety, low libido, erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, sleep disturbance, morning tiredness, frequent anger or depression.
Erectile impotence (ED) is a common disorder and there is a strong association with cardiovascular risk factors and they should be considered in all cases of ED. It is recommended that serum testosterone be included in blood test investigations for ED along with CVD risk indices. However, androgen deficiency is an uncommon (<5%)

If you would like to learn more on the above topic, to sign for on line or phone consultation, or to request an article written to suit your wellness business purposes, please call: (715) 392-7591; (218) 213-6167; or (218) 213-7087
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The material in this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. Thus our intentions are not to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you use the information in this newsletter without the approval of your health professional, the authors of this letter do not assume any responsibility. Copyright @ 2009, Natural Health-Wellness LLC. All rights reserved.

The Main Reasons Why Some People Can’t Lose Weight...

Annie Sawyer, Ph. D.

Metabolic syndrome, the epidemic of the 21st century, is highly prevalent in today’s Western world and the number of people afflicted by its deadly consequences continues to rise. One of the major clinical features of metabolic syndrome is the so called abdominal (or visceral) obesity. Learning on how to treat the syndrome is like to address obesity in a different way. Obesity sets the stage for the metabolic syndrome which then itself increases one's chances of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and other maladies. Therefore, everyone in our society should be concerned about obesity as well as our government must take care on developing preventive programs.
Of course they are people and people. Those in whom the disorder is quite severe will accumulate fat extremely quickly, when those in whom it is moderate - will gradually increase in weight and those in whom it is mild- may be able to keep their excess weight stationary for long periods. Despite of the aggressiveness in weight loss programs and plans, based on restrictive diets, multiple drug treatment strategies, active exercise, sauna and massage techniques, the result seems temporary and very unsatisfactory. The pounds seem to come back immediately, after months and even years or as soon as the treatment programs are forgotten or relaxed. BMI is a measure of how much weight anyone carries for a given height.
Basically one is considered "overweight" when his/hers body mass index is greater than the upper range of the normal ranges. In order to meet the criterion for frank "obesity" one's BMI needs to be 30 or higher. The entity known as "morbid obesity" also known as clinically severe obesity, is defined as a BMI of greater than or equal to 40. However, one can also be labeled as morbidly obese if body mass index is 35 or higher and the individual has one or more "co morbid" conditions. The following co-morbid conditions can be formulated as metabolic syndrome (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke and cardiovascular disease). Being overweight is, alongside diabetes, a leading cause of increased cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. Hence, obesity increases chances of developing all the above risk factors.
1. Genetics and Family History: A family history that includes diabetes or diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes), hypertension, obesity, and an early heart disease greatly increases the chances that an individual will develop metabolic syndrome (Grundy et al., 2004). The obesity gene as the possible link to heart disease is studied by a team of researchers (Leyva, 1998; Hong et al., 1998; Song, Wang & Zafari, 2006).
2. Hormonal imbalances: Hormonal imbalances are usually not an isolated problem. Most of the time, they are related to stress response. Food cravings, fatigue, depression, digestive distress and many other health complaints are direct result of hormonal imbalance as a result of the daily stress (emotional, environmental, and dietary). Leptin is a hormone that works as natural appetite suppressant secreted by fat cells in the body. Its discovery in the 1990s helped researchers to start experimenting with leptin that caused mice to eat less and lose weight while this rarely happens in humans. Falling levels of this hormone, that helps the brain resist tempting foods, may explain why people who lose weight often have a hard time keeping it off. Restoring leptin to its “pre-diet” levels may reverse this problem, concluded Rosenbaum, offering a new way for dieters to finally win the weight battle. "When you lose weight you've created about the perfect storm for regaining weight," as per Rosenbaum et al. of Columbia University Medical Center in New York, whose research appears in the Journal of Clinical Investigation (2008). After a pronounced weight loss according to the author, "the metabolism not only becomes more efficient, so the body needs fewer calories, but the brain becomes more vulnerable to tasty-looking treats." Areas of the brain involved in telling not to eat seem to be less active. You are more responsive to food and you are less in control of it," as Rosenbaum stated. Recent study concludes that conditions associated with the syndrome termed “hyperandrogenism” (a medical condition characterized by excessive production and/or secretion of androgens). In young women it is often associated with glucose intoleranceand other features of the metabolic syndrome. The team proves the hypothesis that high levels of testosterone,
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and cortisol, and lowlevels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and IGF-I may be associated with metabolic syndrome in a representative cohort of olderwomen. The author’s final conclusion is that prevalenceof metabolic syndrome increases with age and although the problem seems to be multidimensional and multifactorial, age-related hormonal changes might contribute to its development in older women. From this study is becoming obvious that women who are postmenopausal face higher probabilities of developing metabolic syndrome comparatively with premenopausal women (Maggio et al., 2007; Giampapa, Pero & Zimmerman, 2004). The quality-of-life in women in postmenopausal age after receiving hormone therapy and the results from the heart and estrogen/progestin replacement are studied by another team (Hlatky, Boothroyd, Vittinghoff, Sharp & Woolley, 2002).
3. Chronic elevated stress: The human body is well-designed to handle temporary spikes of physical and emotional stress, but how much and in what way stress affects human health varies from person to person. Chronic emotional stress can dramatically increase risk of heart attack, stroke, and even cancer, as when people are stressed, their cardiovascular, nervous, hormonal and endocrine systems work in partnership to cope, provoking quick narrowing of vessels, increasing the rate of blood coagulation, causing irregular heartbeats, and building up arterial plaque. Under stress, adrenal hormones induce the release of fat and sugar into the blood to be used for immediate energy supply (Bjorntorp, 2001; Bjorntorp & Rosmond, 2000). Stress disrupts normal hormonal levels, influencing immune system strength and eating habits (Innes, Vincent & Taylor, 2007). People who are not able to handle stress show high blood sugar and decreased release of insulin from the pancreas (Viner, Mc Grath & Trudinger, 1996). Extreme emotional stress (grief, anger, worry, fear) can cause the “broken heart syndrome “(BHS), also known as cardiomyopathy (Kim, 2009; Innes et al., 2007). Depression and metabolic syndrome connection is researched by (Dunbar et al., 2008). Clots may easily block an artery already narrowed by plaque, resulting in a heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, or aortic dissection. People who practice meditation and yoga are able to control and manage stress better than those who do not practice. It is noted that people who change their total lifestyle strategy and who use stress management relaxing techniques are able to control metabolic syndrome much better than those who only change their diets. Stress management techniques can improve long-term glycemic control in Type 2 diabetes (Surwit et al., 2002).
4. Too little sleep: Research also suggests that appetite-regulating hormones are affected by sleep and that sleep deprivation could lead to weight gain. In two separate well randomized studies, people who slept five hours or less had higher levels of ghrelin - a hormone that stimulates hunger - and lower levels of the appetite-suppressing hormone leptin than those who slept eight hours per night. Prof. Cappuccio of the University of WarwickMedical School (2006)has proved that short sleep duration may also lead to obesity, through an increase of appetite via hormonal changes. The study reviewed current evidence in over 28,000 children and 15,000 adults. For both groups the researcher found that shorter sleep duration is associated with almost a two-fold increased risk of being obese. The research also suggests that those who sleep less have a greater increase in body mass index and waist circumference over time and a greater chance of becoming obese over time. In his proper words: "The 'epidemic' of obesity is paralleled by a 'silent epidemic' of reduced sleep duration with short sleep duration linked to increased risk of obesity both in adults and in children. These trends are detectable in adults as well as in children as young as 5 years." Obviously lack of sleep produces excessive secretion of ghrelin, which stimulates appetite and creates less leptin, which suppresses appetite.
The hormonal relationship and obesity is shown also in the HERS study published in JAMA(2000). The hyperinsulinemia in women has been shown in this study to stimulate the release of testosterone from the ovaries. It is a well known fact that people who are obese are suffering from this disorder regardless of whether they eat normally, excessively, or less than normal. At the same moment it is quite obvious that there are people who are constantly overeating but are free of the above disorder. It is easy to conclude that obesity in all its multiple forms is due to an abnormal damage in the hypothalamic area of the brain- a center that is the main regulatory mechanism of a hunger, thirst and the sexual desire. If your hormones are in balance, you likely sleep well, have lots of energy and a strong sex drive, and your immune system and digestive system should be functioning smoothly. However, it’s relatively easy to push your hormones off kilter, leading to an array of varied symptoms and hormone disorders including:
5. Side effects of certain drugs: The notion that metabolic syndrome can also be a result of certain drugs (corticosteroids, antidepressants, antipsychotics, protease inhibitors and antihistamines) is based on the metabolic side effects of the above drugs (Hilgers & Mann, 2008; Aronson, 2006). Two separate studies (Elliot & Meyer, 2007; Messerli, Grossman & Leonetti, 2004) provide independent results, verifying that antihypertensive therapy may lead to an increase in diabetic onset. The authors conclude thatthi?zides and beta-blockersmay significantly increase blood lipids and glucose while ACE inhibitors (ACEI) and Ca channel blockers (CCB) do less harm. Beta-blockers may promote weight gain, andthi?zides and beta-blockers are associated with an increasedincidence of diabetes, compared to CCB and ACEI. The ALLHAT study opposes previous findings that Thiazide-type diuretics are superior and more economic in preventingCVD. Thus, they shouldbe preferred as the “first-line” antihypertensive therapy despite of the diabetes onset (Wright et al., 2008).
Drug –to- drug interactions in metabolic syndrome treatment can be another reason for the “vicious” nature of the syndrome (Iacobellis, 2006). Authors of a third study disagree with the ALLHAT study conclusions, proving for a second time that diuretics are related with significant onset of metabolic syndrome and diabetes (Hilgers & Mann, 2008). Another team reportsthat their SHEP study participants are developing Type 2 diabetes,while being on treatment with chlorthalidone - a drug used to treat hypertension (Kostis et al., 2005). Thus, authors conclude that ACE inhibitors should be the first choice in case of hypertonia treatment, followed by the CCB and beta-blockers and Thiazide diuretics as last choice.

If you would like to learn more on the above topic, to sign for on line or phone consultation, or to request an article written to suit your wellness business purposes, please call: (715) 392-7591; (218) 213-6167; or (218) 213-7087
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The material in this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. Thus our intentions are not to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you use the information in this newsletter without the approval of your health professional, the authors of this letter do not assume any responsibility. Copyright @ 2009, Natural Health-Wellness LLC. All rights reserved.

The Enigma behind the Adolescent Ages

Annie Sawyer, Ph. D.

Adolescence is one of the most dramatic and challenging periods in one’s life span. It represents the stage of rapid growth and gradual transition (biological, cognitive, psychological and behavioral) from a childhood to adulthood. In general that is a period, during which a growth spurt proceeds in distal-proximal direction, weight increases, hormones are secreted and puberty starts, primary and secondary sexual characteristics appear, and fertility is achieved, many mental and psychological changes start to take place. That is the stage of growth and development that occurs from age 11 to 21- a period which is marked by profound changes that take place before the child reaches adulthood.
One of the developmental huge crisis of late adolescence, common with the senile ages is the dilemma to separate “selfishness” versus “self-fullness”, intimacy versus isolation, and to learn to care for ourselves as much as we care for others. Carol Gilligan postulates that “when we are self-full, true to our perceptions, needs and opinions, we do not have to worry about being selfish. With the risk to disappoint others in their expectations, we must see beyond the obsessive need to please people constantly, allowing others to find their proper strengths. She asserts that we have to hear our inner voice, and to always remember that where true self-fullness is lacking, selfishness, instead of love and charity, appears.
During this stage of development, children complete puberty (sexual maturation) and reach their physical growth. In general an adolescent’s weight doubles and height increases by 20 percent by the time they reach adulthood. Children start developing important social, emotional and cognitive (intellectual) skills, and strive toward welfare, independence and complete autonomy. That is the stage when they become and feel mature, capable, and enough smart to take private decisions in order to build their independency. Generally girls are experiencing characteristic of the onset of puberty two/ three years before boys.
Stages and aspects of the adolescent years: Adolescence is a time frame for carrying out crucial developmental tasks: becoming physically and sexually mature; acquiring skills needed to carry out adult roles; gaining increased autonomy from parents; and realigning social ties with members of both the same and the opposite gender representatives. The second decade of life is a time of dramatic change: and a period of rapid physical growth, endocrine (hormone) changes, cognitive development and increasing analytic capability, and of primary and secondary sex characteristics appearance. That is also a period of a significant emotional growth, a time of self-exploration and increased independence with active participation in social commitment.
There are three stages: early (age 11 to 13), middle (age 14 to 18) and late period (age 19 to 21) of adolescent growth. Each one of them is marked by distinct characteristics of growth and development, while the exact time frame for physical growth and sexual maturation may also vary among adolescents. The normal range of onset is ages 8 to 14 in females and ages 9 to 15 in males, with female onset of puberty two/ three years before boys.
There is also an early or delayed onset of puberty that is observed in both sexes (males and females). Generally, boys who mature early are fare better than late bloomers. Because they are taller and more muscular than their age-mates, they may be more confident, more popular, and more successful both in the classroom and on the playing field. In contrast, late-maturing boys have a poorer self-image, poorer school performance, and lower educational aspirations and expectations (Dorn et al., 1988; Litt, 1995). Early onset shows quick physical changes what the girls feels as a privilege. By the early 20s they are more equilibrated, than the girls with late onset. Delay puberty is when in girls, no breast development is observed by 13 years, or no menarche by 3 years after breast development (or by 16) and in boys, no testicular enlargement by 14 years.
Factors: Although predictable, the sequence and the timing of the pubertal changes are extremely variable. Environment, gender and heredity makeup, nutrition, stress, stress and family relationships, the amount of exercise and physical activity as well as the appearance of various diseases can affect the rate and the timing at which adolescents develop and reach their puberty. Family, and environmental factors are the stronger and maybe the most important factors for adolescent growth. We have also to consider the cultural- traditional, social class and standard of living, the climate and the geographic area differences too. Other factors despite secondary are not less important as for example: peer groups, neighborhood, school and workplace, and the broader socioeconomic relationships that have all been shown to influence adolescent developmental outcomes, although it is less clear if these factors influence pubertal development.
Timing: Adolescence does not have a distinct onset and offset, and there is significant variation among individuals in the timing of puberty. For example in the United States, the onset of puberty occurs earlier than in previous years. Over the last 150 years, girls' sexual maturation, measured by the age of the first menarche, is occurring at younger ages- by at least two to three years. In the nineteenth century, the average age at which girls reached menarche was approximately 15y old. Improved diets and more effective public health preventive measures are the reasons for the early onset.

Of course there is variation in both the onset and the tempo of puberty. It can affect their physical development with the tendency they to be shorter and heavier, their behavior is with higher rates of conduct disorders, while their emotional development with higher rates of depression, eating disorders, suicide and low self-esteem. The youngest, most mature children are those at greatest risk for delinquency. Early-maturing boys also appear to have higher rates of delinquency (Graber et al., 1997; Rutter & Smith, 1995).
A review of the literature shows that researchers observe different effects of stress at different stages of puberty (Susman et al., 1989). Her conclusions are that stress does not trigger puberty, but it does modulate the timing of puberty. She also shows that different effects of stress can reflect on different stages of puberty, for example, stress appears to delay maturation for young adolescents but to precipitate puberty for older adolescents. According to her, it makes sense that stress would delay maturation because stress hormones tend to suppress reproductive hormones.
Mechanism of regulation: Puberty is a result of the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal- adrenal axis that culminates in maturation, which in turn interacts with the social environment. According to late researchers the brain growth continues during the adolescence, with the proliferation of glial cells, which nourish the neurons, and the process of myelination precedes what permits faster processing of the neuronal impulses. These changes in the brain are likely to stimulate cognitive growth and development, including the abstract way of thinking and analytical skills in youngsters. Wrongly enough scientists of the last century thought that changes associated with adolescence were almost entirely dictated by biological influences. Now, over the last two decades, when the knowledge has expended significantly, scientists know well that parents, service providers, and social institutions can promote healthy development and intervene effectively when problems arise.
Hormones and their effect on adolescence: From endocrine perspective of view, the reproductive maturation is a byproduct of hormonal changes occurring during this period of development, after the stimulation from the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. Although the neuroanatomical and biology mechanisms of that age are generally well postulated, the modern theories are that the onset of puberty is a result of interactions between hormonal levels and social connections- the so called biosocial model. Researchers suggest that gonad hormones (gonadotropins) and adrenal hormones influence adolescent behavior, being affected by social interactions, and they may also play an important role in regulating the above onset (i.e. Shirtcliff). According to her adolescent behavior is influenced by complex interactions between the biological and social connections.
Challenges and dangers: One of the important insights into adolescence in the past decade is the profound influence of settings on adolescents' behavior and development. Until recently, research conducted to understand adolescent behavior, particularly risk-related behaviors, focused on the individual characteristics of teenagers and their families. In 1993, the NRC conducted a study that took a critical look at how families, communities, and other institutions are serving the needs of youth in the United States. This study concluded that adolescents depend not only on their families, but also on the neighborhoods in which they live, the schools that they attend the health care system, and the workplace from which they learn a wide range of important skills. If sufficiently enriched, all of these settings and social institutions in concert can help teenagers successfully make the transition from childhood to adulthood.
Family income is perhaps the single most important factor in determining the settings in which adolescents spend their lives.
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and social opportunities that are linked to them are largely controlled by income; a family's income and employment status decide its access to health care services and strongly influence the quality of those services (National Research Council, 1993).
Opportunities for advanced education and training and entry into the workforce are also closely linked to family income. Moreover, income is a powerful influence in shaping what is arguably the most important setting, the family. At this point in time, the evidence is clear--persistent poverty exacts a significant price on adolescents' health, development, educational attainment, and socioeconomic potential, even though the causal relationships are not well understood in all cases.
Emotional/Social Changes: "raging hormones" continue to be a popular explanation for the aggression, and sexual activity associated with adolescence (Litt, 1995). Intense conflict between adolescents and their parents is often considered an unavoidable consequence of adolescence (Petersen, 1988). However, this assumption is not supported by scientific evidence.
Mental/Cognitive Changes: Studies show that, in contrast to children and adults, the most common causes of mortality among adolescents are associated with social, environmental, and behavioral factors rather than genetic, congenital, or biological diseases. Diseases observed in adolescent age are: ADD, BDD, depression, suicidal thoughts etc
Drugs, tobacco and alcohol abuse: Indeed, many of today's adolescents are using alcohol and other drugs, engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse, and are both victims and perpetrators of violence, which puts them at increased risk for a wide range of developmental and health-related problems, including morbidity and mortality. It is important to note that the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among adolescents are entirely preventable. Although relatively small, a significant number of adolescents also experience morbidity and mortality associated with genetic and congenital disorders (such as cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and cerebral palsy), cancer, and infectious diseases that affect their development, behavior, and well-being.

If you would like to learn more on the above topic, to sign for on line or phone consultation, or to request an article written to suit your wellness business purposes, please call: (715) 392-7591; (218) 213-6167; or (218) 213-7087
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The material in this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. Thus our intentions are not to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you use the information in this newsletter without the approval of your health professional, the authors of this letter do not assume any responsibility. Copyright @ 2009, Natural Health-Wellness LLC. All rights reserved.

Understanding the Mind/ Body Model

Annie Sawyer, Ph. D.

According to the Mind/Body model of health/ illness there are multitude of factors as: Psychosocial factors, Psycho Neuro Immunological factors, Biopsychosocial Factors, Genetics and Inheritance, Health habits and Life style, Emotional state, Amount of social support and Environment. The power of belief- the mind/body model emphasizes that beliefs influence health and well- being. For example our beliefs affect how we do comply with medical treatment- if we do not belief in the treatment; there is a strong possibility that we will not be influenced positively.
The placebo effect has 3 components:
1/ the belief of the client;
2/ the belief of the health practitioner;
3/ the relationship client/health practitioner.
When these 3 are positive, even a placebo effect has 37% chance to work as well as an active medicine. As much we will belief in our surgeon, as better the result would be.
The mind /body approach to health requires our active participation-by making life changes, loosing weight, stopping smoking etc. All the above are correlated with our belief that we can make the above changes and that they will positively help our health and well-being.
The mind/ body model recognizes that our thoughts and emotions have direct influence on our health.
Specific behaviors contribute to illness- exercise, tobacco use, the use of drugs can affect our recovery from disease.
Psychological and emotional reactions directly affect the physiological state of our body. When we have calm, peaceful thoughts, we tend to have equilibrated emotional reaction and equal physiological one and when we are angry or frustrated we become emotionally aroused, and consequently our physiological reactions are dramatic. We know that stress-induced physiological reactions when repeated or prolonged, can contribute to serious illness.
Psychosocial factors on the human body and their influence on health- Disability and pathology are symptoms of deeper problems; disease is the end product of malfunctioning systems. Poverty is still considered the number one problem linked with poor public health around the world.
Psycho Neuro Immunology factors are the interactions between Mind / Nervous System/Immune Systems. Psycho Neuro Immunology can help us to establish a bridge between the material (biological and physiological) factors and "non-material" (societal, economical, political) factors that affect health and disease. The Nervous System, the brain in particular, is at the center of those interactions. It is the principal link between the mind (or the mental state) and the body's immune system. Physical symptoms are influenced by thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. And conversely, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by physical symptoms.
Psycho Neuro Immunology gives us a physiological basis upon which we can build the mechanisms of how social interactions, or the lack there of, can affect health, for instance. Stress correlates with the socio-economic status and the well-being. Certain economic systems can even promote a disease while healthy economy is a healthy society.
Biopsychosocial Factors-integrate the psychosocial, biological and behavioral catalysts on health. These factors affect, via stress, the Neuroendocrine and Immune Systems, which in turn determine disease vulnerability and progression. It is true that is strongly related to heart disease, especially among people of low socio-economic status. Poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and alcohol abuse can contribute to many illnesses. Also, loneliness and social isolation have been linked to increased morbidity and mortality. The Biopsychosocial Factors are more comprehensive, and will thus help us in our approach to the problem of mind, society and wellness
Main mechanism- the conductors of health/ illness are the NeuroEndocrine and Immune Systems, and their effects on the rest of the body. Environmental events that are challenging, uncontrollable or unpredictable activate the body's stress or "fight-or-flight" response. This response triggers physiological and behavioral changes in taxing or threatening situations. The Sympathetic Nervous System promotes the release of hormones that affect both- the Nervous and Immune Systems. A key hormone corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) produced in the hypothalamus it unites the stress and immune responses. CRH causes the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), which triggers the adrenal glands to make Cortisol. The HPA axis and its key hormone Cortisol, are major components of the NeuroEndocrine stress response.
Cortisol is a steroid hormone that increases the rate and strength of heart contractions, and it is also an immunosuppressor, immunoregulator and anti-inflammatory agent. This is a key point, because this arousal is thought to be a mechanism by which the stress response affects health. It causes an increasing "wear and tear” on bodily systems, and damage to arteries, neural systems, and organ systems, and reducing resistance to pathogenesis. This emphasizes the inter-dependence of the nervous and immune systems, and indicates that the malfunction of their regulating mechanisms can have serious consequences on health. Therefore, stress can have negative outcomes on health by dampening the functioning of the immune system and increasing the body's susceptibility to infections and diseases. The regulation of the immune system by the neurohormonal stress system provides a biological basis for understanding how stress might affect these diseases. It is upon this basis that we will develop the understanding of how psychosocial stress promotes pathology. For example, the feeling of loneliness in humans is associated with an adrenaline-like pattern of activation of the stress response and high blood pressure.
Cognitive Restructuring is a process of changing subconscious thoughts. The technique called “cognitive restructuring" helps us to change the automatism we do think and react. It provides a way to learn to recognize negative automatic thoughts and irrational beliefs, and to make us aware of how they affect our physical condition and psychical behavior. The goal is to help people overcome faulty thinking errors by bringing them to a level of conscious awareness of their incorrect programming. Focusing on negative thoughts can affect our mood, leading to a headache or on the contrary- the headache can affect our mood and this in turn can affect our thoughts and behavior. Cognitive restructuring does not deny negative feelings or distress- there are many things in our lives over which it is appropriate to react with a dose of negativism, anger or frustration. The above is a constructive reaction of our body and mind that helps to take decisions and to survive in the above “flight or fight” situation. But if we emphasize predominantly on anxiety, depression, guilt, or anger- the above emotions are becoming extremely malignant on our physic and psychic. Governed by strong emotions the mind becomes a filter, letting into conscious awareness only those thoughts that reinforce the above mood and negative thoughts. Negative thoughts leads to pain, illnesses, cancer and heart problems due to the fact that they are always powerful and persistent.
Cognitive restructuring in cognitive therapy of learning to refute cognitive distortions or fundamental "faulty thinking," with the goal of replacing one's irrational, counter-factual beliefs with more accurate and beneficial ones. People who are perfectionists hold themselves to very high, even unrealistic, standards. They are vulnerable to making the selective attention error and focusing on what is negative while ignoring or devaluing what is positive. Because their standards are higher than are reasonable, and because they manage to ignore what is positive, instead focusing on what is negative, they will end up failing to meet them a fair portion of the time, and will feel bad about that failure. People whose expectations are more reasonable and fewer perfectionists are likely to meet their expectations more often and to feel comparatively better. The cognitive restructuring theory holds that your own unrealistic beliefs are directly responsible for generating dysfunctional emotions and their resultant behaviors, like stress, depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal, and that we humans can be rid of such emotions and their effects by dismantling the beliefs that give them life. If we set unachievable goals a fear of failure results. Cognitive restructuring then advises to change such irrational beliefs and substitute more rational ones:
This is accomplished by leading the subject to:
· Gain awareness of detrimental thought habits
· Identify your automatic thoughts in specific situations
· Stop
· Breathe
· Reflect and ask yourself: What is going on here? Why am I so distressed? Am I late, or I am just racing against time? Is it really a crisis, if I am late? If I am late, what is the worst thing that will happen? Will worrying about it help?
· Start the process of automatic thinking
· Learn to challenge your thoughts
· Substitute life-enhancing thoughts and beliefs
The rationale used in cognitive restructuring attempts to strengthen the client's belief that 1) 'self-talk' can influence performance, and 2) in particular self-defeating thoughts or negative self-statements can cause emotional distress and interfere with performance, a process that then repeats again in a cycle.
· Each person has two minds- the conscious and the subconscious. The conscious mind belongs to you, but your subconscious belongs to your early environment and those who raised you.
· Much of who you are hasn't much to do with you. Negative Programming is the cause of low self-respect, distorted thinking and self-defeating thoughts and behaviors.
· The negative circumstances in your life are not all your fault. You are only responsible for your actions.
· You may not have control over your subconscious mind, but you do over your conscious mind. Each person knows right from wrong. To become a criminal is your choice and to become better person is again your choice. Select between the two choices.
· Life isn't fair. If you don't stop what you are doing, life will get harder and harder.
· Much of life is based on perception or belief and not necessarily the truth. You are many times better than you think you are. The more you learn about yourself- the happier you will be.
· You can change who you are by changing what you are doing regardless of your circumstances. Life is what you make of it. If you are not successful and happy it is your fault.

If you would like to learn more on the above topic, to sign for on line or phone consultation, or to request an article written to suit your wellness business purposes, please call: (715) 392-7591; (218) 213-6167; or (218) 213-7087
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The material in this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. Thus our intentions are not to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you use the information in this newsletter without the approval of your health professional, the authors of this letter do not assume any responsibility. Copyright @ 2009, Natural Health-Wellness LLC. All rights reserved.

How to keep your memory alert?

Antoaneta Sawyer, Ph. D.

Many people take extremely deeply the loss of a loved one. Recently I had a question from a patient of mine who lost her mom, what provoked me to write on the type of mental state and physical health connection. We all know how important the mental state is. People who have a positive outlook on life, who engage in positive thinking, and are always cheerful have higher degrees of different immunoglobulin’s (mainly the Ig A and Ig G).

It is a sad fact of life that as we age, our memory and cognitive processes change and slowly but surely deteriorate. Overall cognitive and mental functioning is a very important and vital sign for a graceful ageing. Perhaps the single and most defining characteristic of us as human beings is the manner in which our brains function. Our memory and the way in which we process information are what differentiate us, from the other living organisms. Unfortunately, as we age, we can experience a significant decline in our mental faculties. This is not surprising fact, given a lifetime of the demands we place on this vital organ (the most sensitive one to oxygen and glucose supply). As we proceed through life, we are exposed to a multitude of stressful experiences and with ageing our memory and mental capabilities progressively decline.
In order to function optimally, delicate circulatory vessels and tissues are there to nourish the brain with an abundance of oxygen and glucose than any other organ in the body. That is why the brain is considered the most “selfish" organ with the heart being the second one. The work of the brain is a pure electrochemical energy, summa sumarum or conglomerate of electrical impulses conducted by specialized molecules called “neurotransmitters". As we age, the production and the concentration of these vital neurotransmitters decreases, causing nerve impulses to become slower, unreliably weaker. Despite we take all of the above as a normal part of aging we must consider adding a unique combination of ingredients (nutritionals) for mental support that should be designed to help maintain mental clarity while supporting memory and cognitive functioning.
At the same time, in order to help preserving the gradual loss of memory and to reassure future mental support, we might need comprehensive nutritional “brain" or “memory" program and the addition of dietary formulas in a natural blend of essential nutrients, vitamins, super foods, botanicals and phytochemicals. In general I would recommend a combination of constant mental stimulation (learning a new language, taking a new degree), daily mental exercises, with supplements or drugs that have been shown to improve mental performance- like those mentioned above.
What are the main nutraceuticals that we must know?
· Ginkgo Biloba and Vinpocetine may help maintain healthy blood flow to the brain, to deliver vital nutrients, fuel and oxygen necessary to support memory and overall cognitive functioning. Vinpocetine also acts as a powerful anti-oxidant, protecting the brain from free radical damage.
· Huperzine A (an extract from Chinese Club Moss) helps to reduce the depletion of these neurotransmitters and support normal cognitive and memory function.
· Bacopa Monniera (an Ayurvedic herb) must be also presented in order to support the delicate tissues of the brain and nervous system.
· B-Complex and Vitamin C vitamins must be also added for a good Mental Support and for additional support of the nervous system, because these nutrients are easily depleted during times of stress.
· Pregnenolone must be also presented for an additional support of the nervous and circulatory systems.
· L-carnitine and N-acetyl-L carnitine (combined or not with ALA) can help memory, by improving cell's membrane fluidity, increase the amount of synapses between neurons, as well as to increase the velocity of neuron to neuron communication.
· Phosphatidyl Serine (PS) is an important phospholipid presented in all cell membranes of the body. Since Phosphatidyl Serine can only be found in very small amounts from dietary sources, 100 mg must be also added. PS plays a vital role in a multitude of processes throughout the body, including the health of the brain and nervous system, the integrity of cell membranes, and the formation of other important phospholipids. Phosphatidyl Serine is found in highest concentrations in the brain and nervous system, where it plays a distinct and separate role from Phosphatidyl Choline and is essential for nerve cell function and the production and release of neurotransmitters. It has been shown in numerous studies to help support positive mood, promote learning and concentration, help support memory and overall cognitive function and also help support the body's natural response to certain forms of stress.
· Phosphatidyl Choline (PCh) is the most abundant phospholipid in the human body- mainly found in the liver and within the brain membranes. Our bodies can produce PCh, but with aging its proper production also declines. FDA had to admit that PCh is essential, and assigned an AIV (adequate intake of daily value) providing 60mg per serving, which is more than 10% of the daily, value (550mg). PCh plays a vital role in the health of the Nervous and the cardiovascular system, being precursor of acetylcholine and sphingomyelin. As a main component in the liver tissue, it constitutes 2/3 of the liver tissues. Thus it is important for cleansing of body's waste products, and for a proper immune system, as well as for the transport and metabolism of fats and cholesterol within the human body. PCh is the only phospholipid uniquely found in brain and liver.
· Bilberry, Blueberry, Blackberry and Elderberry contain the most powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins that have been shown to help support not only the memory but also the visual regeneration of the retina, healthy circulation and antioxidant protection of the whole body.
If you would like to learn more on the above topic, to sign for on line or phone consultation, or to request an article written to suit your wellness business purposes, please call: (715) 392-7591; (218) 213-6167; or (218) 213-7087
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The material in this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. Thus our intentions are not to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you use the information in this newsletter without the approval of your health professional, the authors of this letter do not assume any responsibility. Copyright @ 2009, Natural Health-Wellness LLC. All rights reserved.

Whey Protein Builds Muscles in Elderly

Annie Sawyer, Ph. D.

I am sure that there is not a bodybuilder who doesn’t know or take a combination of whey protein and carnitine religiously and in a ratio his private trainer has prescribed for him. But I am also quite sure that there are few older old people who are informed by their GP that this combination is also working for building muscles in case of a progressive muscle loss (sarcopenia) while helping them to boost energy supply, making aging easier option.
Sarcopenia (in Greek means “poverty of flesh”) is one of the most under-recognized and under-diagnosed degenerative diseases expressed in a progressive loss of muscle mass and strength associated with advanced aging. Old age replaces muscles with fat and fibrotic (scar) tissue, that can cause weakness, progressive frailty and increased mortality. Due to the extreme muscle loss as a result of diminishing anabolic signals and increased catabolic ones (when the body is eating itself) pro-inflammatory cytokines are also secreted. And in fact in progressive aging we have acceleration of most if not all chronic degenerative diseases, followed by a decreased immune answer to banal infection. We have to remember that growth hormone and testosterone (well known anabolic hormones) are naturally diminished if not totally inhibited what can add to the above picture.
I must agree that it is a sad fact in life that the older we get, the longer it takes us to get in shape if at all. But, according to a new study from Arizona State University, having protein shake containing whey after a light workout may help to build muscle. The participants in this study (65y old and over) were divided into 2 groups that were offered a formula containing either 15 grams of whey protein, essential amino acids or a formula with non-essential amino acids. The Arizona study concluded that the group on whey protein could build muscle even in those over 65y. The main aim of this study was to compare whey protein with taking amino acid supplements separately (both, essential and non-essential amino acids), that means the scientists were looking to see if improvement came from the amino acids per se or from the whey protein. A substance called –Phenylalanine (that measures the muscle protein) was measured over the next 3 1/2 hours. Only people in the whey group experienced an increasing level of their phenylalanine levels what proved that they were the ones who had the luck to built muscle. Whey protein was proven superior in building up key muscle mass indicators. Furthermore, whey improved their insulin response compared to both the amino acid groups. So whey protein might help preserve your muscle mass as you age.
Whey is a naturally occurring protein found in cow’s milk and the highest quality form of whey is extracted and purified during the cheese-making process. Rich in essential amino acids, whey is easily digested and utilized by the body, even by older old (atrophic) individuals. The tastiest and easiest way to get muscle-building whey is in a protein shake or smoothie. There are a number of good whey powders on the market, and you can choose from unflavored, chocolate, vanilla, pina collada, berry and whatever else flavors. You can add one to two scoops to 8 ounces of water, or milk and blend in blender. To make it even tastier you can add ice cubes and blend the mixture again. The addition of half a banana, or a handful or berries, blueberries or cherries is a great version too.
What seems extremely beneficial in the case of whey protein is that whey has all the essential amino acids linked and sequenced so well that they can be easily digested and absorbed. Immediately after my research in metabolic syndrome, I published an article that due to regular whey protein intake- the insulin response may also be reversed.
Whey protein has also powerful antioxidant and immune boosting properties due to its specific arrangement or consequences of amino acids linked in a specific way. As an example, the linkage between 2 important amino acids- glutamate and cysteine is maybe one of the reasons behind the body detoxification potential while potentiating the immune system due to the natural stimulation of glutathione (known as the king antioxidant). Whey protein combined with L- carnitine can reduce more rapidly the degree of sarcopenia seen in older old age. I must also add that people who are overweight or obese should be extremely careful when adding whey or other vitamins to their daily menu ratio.
References:
Katsanos, C. S., Chinkes, D. L., Paddon-Jones, D., Zhang, X. J., Aarsland, A., & Wolfe, R. R. (2008). Whey protein ingestion in elderly persons results in greater muscle protein accrual than ingestion of its constituent essential amino acid content. Nutrition Research. 28, 651-658.
Roubenoff, R., & Hughes, V. A. (2000). Sarcopenia: Current Concepts. J Gerontol 55, 716-724
Fujita, S., & Ulfhake, B. (2005). Sarcopenia is not due to lack of regenerative drive in senescent skeletal muscle. Aging Cell, 4, 65-77

If you would like to learn more on the above topic, to sign for on line or phone consultation, or to request an article written to suit your wellness business purposes, please call: (715) 392-7591; (218) 213-6167; or (218) 213-7087
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The material in this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. Thus our intentions are not to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you use the information in this newsletter without the approval of your health professional, the authors of this letter do not assume any responsibility. Copyright @ 2009, Natural Health-Wellness LLC. All rights reserved.

Depression-Obesity Connection

Annie Sawyer, Ph. D.

Medical doctors, healthcare professionals and obesity suffers are aware of the devastating impact of obesity on afflicted individuals has on the modern Western society. This complex medical condition can contribute directly to a number of other life-threatening diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, Alzheimer disease, gout, kidney failure and even cancer. About one-third of U.S. adults and 16% of children and teens are currently obese, according to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and while it’s known that obesity increases risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke and even cancer, what is still not entirely known is what the exact metabolic syndrome cause is (CDC, 2008).
After experiencing modern scientific and technological civilization, it has become clear that existence of life on this planet may be endangered by rapid acute and chronic degeneration of human health, and that allopathic science, including its modern, materialistic approach, have been inadequate to preserve human health and well-being from such a decline. Not only internal treatments or external surgical applications, but also techniques of modern diagnosis such as blood tests and x rays are not only belated, but frequently harmful to human health (Kushi, 2006). Being overweight, alongside diabetes, elevated cholesterol levels, and an increased blood pressure, constitute the foundation of metabolic syndrome modern pandemic. Obesity increases chances of developing all of the co-morbid conditions that constitute the “deadly quartet” of the metabolic syndrome: Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol (Wilborn et al., 2005). The World Health Organization (WHO, 2009) believes that we are on the edge of a global metabolic epidemic, and that by the year 2020 obesity will be the single biggest killer on the planet.
The connection between hormones and obesity, depression-weight gain is not contemporary news anymore. The explanation of the mechanism behind this is that depression, elevated chronic stress and anxiety, can cause significant release of cortisone from the adrenal glands. Cortisone is a hormone that can cause insulin resistance at a cellular level, making the delivery of glucose into the cells difficult if not impossible. This in turn causes vicious circle of a consequent hunger and weight gain. A new study done by a team (Kivimäki et al., 2009),published in BMJ analyzed data from four medical screenings of over 4,300 British civil servants aged 35 to 55, including screenings that assessed mental health and measurement of height and weight. Prospective association between obesity and depression: evidence from the Alameda County Study is published in the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders (Roberts et al., 2003). As theory and research suggest, obesity and depression may be causally linked. A team of authors (Markowitz, Michael, Friedman, & Arent, 2008) proposed a bidirectional theoretical model identifying all the mechanisms behind the pathway “obesity-depression” and vice versa. Another research has shown that more than 50 percent of Americans increase their food intake when feeling stressed out. Comparatively with past times- people would lose their appetite, subsequently their weight in stressful situation. Nowadays with the increasing stress due to the downturn of the economy, massive lay off, decreasing our lifestyle standards, and mainly fear of the unknown are causing people to put on weight instead to shed pounds.
Cortisol, known in the literature as the “age accelerating “hormone, concomitantly increases its production from the suprarenal glands in times of stress. It promotes the aging process in general through memory loss, decreased cognitive function, interrupted sleep problems (insomnia), nervous system damage, decreased immune function, increased pro-inflammatory signaling factors (eicosanoids and interleukins), body fluid retention, elevated triglycerides, high total cholesterol, low good to bad cholesterol ratios, increased hypoglycemia (higher sugar cravings) due to increased insulin levels, insulin resistance, skin problems: wrinkles, adult acne, psoriasis, seborrhea, alopecia (hair loss) and many others. Data from a community-based study in 867 persons aged 65 years and over showed that depression combined with high levels of 24-hour urinary cortisol may increase probability of the metabolic syndrome by about 20%, and can be used for predicting the syndrome (In Chianti study, 2007). The study finally concluded that people with depression and high levels of urinary cortisol (> 111 µg) had an 84% increased probability of the metabolic syndrome compared to non-depressed people with normal cortisol levels (Vogelzangs et al., 2007).
Björntorp (2001) believes that a hyperactive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis can cause significant fat accumulation- known as the whole mark of the syndrome. The author describes cortisol binding to the glucocorticoid receptors, which are multiple in visceral fat activating the enzyme lipoprotein lipase, and inhibiting lipid mobilization, which leads to rapid accumulation of triglycerides in the visceral area. Results from the Health ABC study are suggesting that the above effects are more pronounced when combined with low levels of sex steroid hormones, which have also been associated with depression (Morsink et al., 2007). A recent trial draws the conclusion that depression is an important co-morbidity with metabolic syndrome in a general population (Dunbar et al., 2008). Ghrelin is another peptide hormone, secreted from the stomach that binds to receptors on somatotrophs and potently stimulates secretion of growth hormone. Studies on ghrelin and its role in metabolic syndrome pathogenesis are still ongoing.
The human body seems well-designed to handle temporary spikes of physical and emotional stress, but how much, in which degree and in what way stress affects human health varies from person to person. Chronic emotional stress can dramatically increase risk of heart attack, stroke, and even cancer, as when people are stressed, their cardiovascular, nervous, hormonal and endocrine systems work in partnership to cope, provoking quick narrowing of vessels, increasing the rate of blood coagulation, causing irregular heartbeats, and building up arterial plaque. As proved in two separate studies, under stress, adrenal hormones induce the release of fat and sugar into the blood to be used for immediate energy supply (Bjorntorp, 2001; Bjorntorp & Rosmond, 2000).
Stress disrupts normal hormonal levels, influencing immune system strength and eating habits (Innes, Vincent & Taylor, 2007). People who are not able to handle stress show high blood sugar and decreased release of insulin from the pancreas (Viner, Mc Grath & Trudinger, 1996). Extreme emotional stress (grief, anger, worry, fear) can cause in individuals with vulnerably low stress resistant levels the so called “broken heart syndrome “(BHS), also known under the term “Stress Cardiomyopathy”. It is a condition in which intense emotional or physical stress can cause rapid and severe heart muscle weakness. This condition can occur following a variety of elevated emotional stressors such as grief (e.g. death of a loved one), fear of being laid off, extreme anger, and even unexpected pleasant surprise. It can also occur following numerous physical stressors to the body such as stroke, seizure, difficulty breathing (such as a flare of asthma or emphysema), or significant bleeding (John Hopkins Medicine). The pattern behind the link between stress and weight gain is not just the tendency to overeat when stressed, but the fact that your body produces cortisol in response to stress, and increased cortisol causes your body to store fat. So, even if you are watching your diet, or exercise daily, stress can cause you to gain weight, passively.
Depression and metabolic syndrome connection is researched by (Dunbar et al., 2008). Clots may easily block an artery already narrowed by plaque, resulting in a heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, or aortic dissection. People who practice meditation and yoga are able to control and manage stress better than those who do not practice. It is noted that people who change their total lifestyle strategy and who use stress management relaxing techniques are able to control metabolic syndrome much better than those who only change their diets. Stress management techniques can improve long-term glycemic control in Type 2 diabetes (Surwit et al., 2002). As explained in the HERS (2002) study, the low circulating level of hormones (HGH and testosterone in particular) promotes an increase in adipose tissue bulk. This leads to free fatty acids release, which are immediately transported to the liver, consequently stimulating the production of Apo-B, containing very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). Insulin resistance leads to overproduction of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and there is also a reduced activity of peripheral lipoprotein lipase which in turn supports the accumulation of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in the circulation. Hlatky et al. (2002) teach that via the action of cholesterol ester transfer protein, triglycerides are transferred from these lipoproteins to high density lipoproteins in exchange for cholesterol esters. The enrichment of the triglyceride-rich remnant particles with cholesterol ester leads to formation of small dense LDL, known as VLDL. Moreover, because of this exchange, the level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol falls (p.595).
People with a common mental health disorder, such as anxiety or depression, are twice as likely to be obese at the final screening compared with those who had no mental health disorder symptoms. Further, the risk of weight gain and obesity was the greatest for those who had more incidences of a common mental health disorder. Above all as greater the stress, the greater the weight gain is. In this latter case, your weight gain may have nothing to do with the foods you eat or the type and amount of exercise you do, but rather with your emotional health. In fact, the more anxious people get, the more they tend to turn to sugar, fat and salt to boost their mood, albeit temporarily. This explains why boredom, lots of free time or financial stress are three major factors that drive people to overeat.Pathologic and chronic overeating, due to constant overexcitement of the Hypothalamus/ Adrenal axis, aside can cause one to gain weight in and of by itself. The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN, 2003) involved more than 2,000 women from their 40s through menopause, and they questioned them about the unhappy events in their life over the past year. It was found that the more “negative features” the women reported, the more weight they gained. The above process was strictly “peri-or pre-menopausaly” connected.
Thus, getting into a positive state of mind and having proper relaxation are two of the most important keys to good health. They can help lower cortisol levels, effectively help you reduce stress and also contribute to weight loss at the same time.
The Best Way to Fight the "Obesity-Depression" Vicious Circle is by:
1. “Self Commitment” – towalk, weight lift, exercise, meditate, do Yoga, Tai chi or Tai bo, or workout on a daily basis for at least 60-90 minutes.
2. “Self-Perseverance”: Establishing the belief that if you will commit you will succeed, especially if you will show strong perseverance.
3. “Self-Control”: Behavioral techniques as learning to read labels, listening to your inner voice, learning to cope with stress, using portion control techniques, learning to forgive and manage anger will teach you the mathematical equation of proper “self control”. One must recognize that he/she is the only responsible for everything they do and the way how they look is their proper business.

References:
Kivimäki, M.,, Lawlor, D. A., Manoux, A. S., Batty, D. G, Ferrie, J. E., Shipley, M. J., et al. (2009). Common mental disorder and obesity: insight from four repeat measures over 19 years: prospective Whitehall II cohort study. BMJ, 339, 3765
Hlatky, A. M., Boothroyd, D., Vittinghoff, E., Sharp, P., & Wooley, A. (2002). Quality of life and depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women after receiving hormone therapy: Results from the heart and estrogen/progestin replacement STUDY (HERS Trial). The Journal of the American Medical Association, 287, 591 -597.
Kushi, L. H. (2006). Epidemiologic research on the obesity epidemic- cocio-environmental perspective. Epidemiology, 17, 131-133.
Roberts, R, E., Deleger, S., Strawbridge, W. J., Kaplan, G. A. (2003). Prospective association between obesity and depression: evidence from the Alameda County Study. International Journal of Obesity,27,514–521.
Markowitz, S., Friedman, M. A., & Arent, S. M. (2008). Understanding the Relation Between Morsink, L. F., Vogelzangs, N., Nicklas, B. J., Beekman, A. T., Satterfield, S., & Rubin, S. M. (2007). Associations between sex steroid hormone levels and depressive symptoms in elderly men and women: results from the Health ABC Study. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 32, 874-883. Obesity and Depression: Causal Mechanisms and Implications for Treatment. Clinical Psychology, 15, 1-20
Vogelzangs, N., Suthers, K., Ferrucci, L., Simonsick, E. M., Ble, A., & Schrager, M. (2007). Hypercortisolemia depression is associated with the metabolic syndrome in late-life. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 32, 151-519.
Bjorntorp, P. (2001). Do stress reactions cause abdominal obesity and co morbidities? Obesity Review, 2, 73-86
Bjorntorp, P., & Rosmond, R. (2000). The metabolic syndrome--a neuroendocrine disorder? The British Journal of Nutrition, 83, 49-57.
Innes, K. E., Vincent, H. K., & Taylor, A. G. (2007). Chronic Stress and Insulin Resistance-related Indices of Cardiovascular Disease Sisk, part 2: Potential role for Mind-Body Therapies. Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine, 13, 44-51.
Viner. R., McGrath, M., & Trudinger, P. (1996). Family stress and metabolic control in diabetes. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 74, 418-421
Surwit, S. R., Van Tilburg, A. L. M., Zucker, N., McCaskill, C. C., Parekh, P., Feinglos, N. M., et al. (2002). Stress management improves long-term glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care, 25, 30-34.
Dunbar, J. A., Reddy, P., Davis-Lameloise, N., Philpot, B., Laatikainen, T., Kilkkinen, A., et al., (2008)

Depression: an important comorbidity with metabolic syndrome in a general population. Diabetes Care 31, 2368-73.

If you would like to learn more on the above topic, to sign for on line or phone consultation, or to request an article written to suit your wellness business purposes, please call: (715) 392-7591; (218) 213-6167; or (218) 213-7087
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The material in this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. Thus our intentions are not to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you use the information in this newsletter without the approval of your health professional, the authors of this letter do not assume any responsibility. Copyright @ 2009, Natural Health-Wellness LLC. All rights reserved.

Type 2 Diabetes

Annie Sawyer, Ph. D.

Diabetes is found to be a serious metabolic disease and is taking on pandemic proportions similarly to the metabolic syndrome. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported (June 26, 2008) that the number of Americans with diabetes has grown to 24 million - a surge of more than 3 million people in the past two years. Type-2 diabetes is the one associated with metabolic syndrome and a predictor for CVD mortality (Wang et al 2007). Worldwide, over 250 million people suffer from the disease and the estimations for 2025 are depicted at a total of 380 million patients. Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome can have serious consequences on organ systems containing smooth muscle tissue. Atherosclerosis and bladder dysfunction result from the high lipid levels that occur with obesity and diabetes and can cause cell dysfunction and death, termed lipotoxicity, in various cell types (Stern et al 2004).
Diabetes mellitus is actually a group of diseases characterized by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production and action, or both, resulting in either hypoglycemia (abnormally low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (abnormally elevated concentration of glucose in the blood). Type 2 diabetes usually affects adults following a trigger as obesity, for example (Alberti et al 1998). The American Heart Association (AHA) estimates that 65% of patients with diabetes die of some form of cardiovascular disease. People with metabolic syndrome have a 5-fold greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes if not already present (Stern et al 2004). This classifies metabolic syndrome and diabetes way ahead of HIV/AIDS in morbidity and mortality terms, yet the problem is not as well recognized.
Diabetics who take dietary supplements as part of a healthy lifestyle program tend to have a better view of their personal health than those who do not supplement their diet, according to a recent study conducted by the Lewin Group. Data offered by the Dietary Supplement Education alliance (DSEA), found people who used dietary supplements reported to be in better health than the year before and that in fact approximately one third of diabetics take dietary supplements. Users of dietary formulas are more likely to be older, highly educated, with a higher income and insured. Diabetics who take supplements generally score higher on the U.S. Healthy Eating Index (USHEI) and are less likely to be heavy drinkers of alcohol (DSEA 2007, Jul 5).
Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels with aging is critical to better health promotion and metabolic syndrome prevention. High levels of blood sugar are associated with adverse affects on vision, heart and cardiovascular circulation, kidneys and nervous system. Estimates of the total number of persons with diabetes and the prevalence of diabetes in 2007 are derived from 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2004–2006 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), 2005 IHS data, and 2007 resident population estimates. It has been estimated that today 23.6 million people—7.8 percent of the population—have diabetes. Only 17.9 million people of these individuals have been diagnosed while 5.7 million people have been undiagnosed.
Heart attacks and strokes, based on general artheriosclerosis, or high blood pressure, are more common in metabolic syndrome with type 2 diabetes, due to the increased risk of blood coagulation. In all forms of diabetes, high levels of blood glucose increase the risk of the cluster of disorders what is now known under the term- diabetes-related complications: diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy and diabetic skin lesions - a possible long term complication. Similarly to metabolic syndrome - diabetes is often under diagnosed, being more likely to be viewed as one of the major complications of circulatory problems, stroke, heart disease, gout, kidney disease, retinopathy, blindness, nerve damage and even foot ulcers (Karst 2006).
Multiple studies suggest that changing behavior can affect diabetes risk. In the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study (FDPS), 522 middle-aged overweight adults with impaired glucose tolerance are randomly assigned to a control or to an intervention group. The intervention group received individualized counseling for diet, physical activity, and weight change, leading up to a 58 % reduction in risk of developing diabetes over the three-year trial (Tuomilehto et al 2001). Another DSEA study conducted by the Lewin Group (August 15, 2006) on the dietary supplementation use in people suffering of diabetes mellitus is offering a complete summary on the different supplementation formulas and their mechanism of action in diabetes patients.
Hyperglycemia:
Keeping normal levels of blood sugar is N #1 factor for prevention of metabolic syndrome. Maintaining chronic high levels of blood sugar is a guarantee to develop not only diabetes, but also obesity, dyslipidemia and high blood pressure (all abnormalities of the metabolic syndrome cluster).
Glucose levels below the threshold for diabetes- 126 mg/dl- used to be admitted as normal in past. Nowadays, even a level of 100-125 mg/dl can raise a significant risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer, and certain cancers. The government now refers to minimal elevations of glucose, known as “pre-diabetes” (impaired fasting glucose). “Thus anyone at a high risk with a sibling or a parent with diabetes, excess weight, and abdominal obesity should be tested annually for a fasting glucose” (Ford et al 2002 & Grundy et al 2005).
The authors believe that what most people do not know or recognize is the rapid “aging” effect of sugar and the bottom line is that blood sugar frequent spikes can make anyone prematurely older than his generation. When excess blood sugar reacts with proteins in the blood, advanced glycosylation end-products (AGEs) are formed what is leading to rapid glycation. As a dangerous process, glycation impairs bimolecular, cellular, organ and tissue functions leading not only to premature aging but also to rapid degenerative decline. The authors make final conclusion that “blood sugar control is of paramount importance”.

If you would like to learn more on the above topic, to sign for on line or phone consultation, or to request an article written to suit your wellness business purposes, please call: (715) 392-7591; (218) 213-6167; or (218) 213-7087
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The material in this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. Thus our intentions are not to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you use the information in this newsletter without the approval of your health professional, the authors of this letter do not assume any responsibility. Copyright @ 2009, Natural Health-Wellness LLC. All rights reserved.