The Mysteries of Intelligence Unraveled

Antoaneta Sawyer, Ph.D.

A new article, that unraveled the “mysteries of intelligence”, appeared in this week issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (Sanberg, Young, & Glascher, 2010).

The study aimed to pinpoint areas that are responsible for the human general intelligence, while inferred results that were based on the absence of a brain tissue. It's not a particular part of the brain (frontal or parietal), nor is it the strength or the speed of the above neuronal connections, or other features as total brain volume, that make us all smart or intelligent.

"General intelligence relies on the connection between the frontal and the parietal parts of the brain. It actually relies on a specific network inside the brain, and this is the connections between the gray matter, or cell bodies, and the white matter, or connecting fibers between neurons," concluded Jan Glascher, (the leading author of this paper and a postdoctoral fellow, at the department of humanities and social sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena; Feb. 22-26, 2010, Proceedings of the National Academies of Science)
The topic of general intelligence has always been deeply controversial. The authors of this study diagrammed 241 patients who had some sort of brain lesions and had them take IQ tests after diagramming the location of their lesions. "We took patients who had damaged parts of their brain, tested them on intelligence IQ to see where they were good and where they were bad, and then we correlated those scores across all the patients with the location of their brain lesions. That way, you can highlight the areas that are associated with reduced performance on these tests which, by the reverse inference, means these areas are really important for general intelligence."
The map that they came up with was what they expected and involved areas of the cortex as the parietal and frontal cortex. As they finally confirmed, "In the past, people have associated general intelligence very strongly with enhanced working memory capacity, so there's a close theoretical connection with that."
Finally, the researchers concluded that both (the frontal and parietal lob) are still responsible for good language skills and good mathematics. In an earlier study, the same team of investigators found that this brain network was also important for working memory, "the ability to hold a certain number of items in your mind," as authors concluded
Reference:
Sanberg, P., Young, K., and Glascher, J. (Feb. 22-26, 2010) Proceedings of the National Academies of Science)

Optimal Levels of vitamin D Reduce on Half the Chance for Cardio-Metabolic Disorders

Antoaneta Sawyer, Ph.D.

The importance of vit D supplementation is without doubt obtaining the global media attention in the latest times. One of the reason for this huge media attention is the already discovered ‘vit D pandemic deficiency’ common not only for the Nordic latitudes, but also in California where the daily sunshine is a constant factor. The state of hyperparathyroidism is recently found to be secondary to Vitamin D3 deficiency.
Is vit D deficiency a common phenomena?
Vitamin D deficiencies are common among those with chronic degenerative diseases, bulimia or anorexia nervosa, alcoholism, people who have resection or operation of their thyroid glands, overactive parathyroid glands, vegetarians, people with chronic degenerative disease and general nutritional deficiencies. There seems to be overwhelming evidence that shows vit D3 deficiency, and research is now working to prove how much of vit D3 additional supplementation actually works to prevent osteoporosis. It is already proven that an 8th week of daily supplementation may resolve any vit D 3 deficiency. The only correct and reasonable way to supplement with vit D is a serum and urine tests that are both useful in learning more about all of the individual vit D body levels. The parathyroid gland is responsible for maintaining well balanced calcium levels, which is vital for proper functioning of the muscular and nervous systems. One latest study found that insufficient levels of immune cells were produced in the thymus glands of laboratory animals with vitamin D deficiencies.
What is the correct vit D form?
Vitamin D refers to two separate precursors-D3 (cholecalciferol), and D2 (ergocalciferol). The vit D, produced in the skin on exposure to UVB radiation (290 to 320 nm), is known to be more bioactive. Both D3 and D2 precursors are hydroxylated in the liver and kidneys to form 25- hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH] D)-the non-active 'storage' form, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]2D)-the biologically active form that is tightly controlled by the body. Vitamin D that is mostly manufactured in the kidneys is called 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D, while the other vit D known as 25-hydrovitamin D is manufactured in the liver. The parathyroid hormone produced by the parathyroid glands localized just around the thyroid gland may affect the 1,25 - dihydroxyvitamin D status also. As multiple studies suggest that Vit.D3 (cholecalciferol) is more effective than Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) one must look for supplements clearly labeled as Vit.D3 - cholecalciferol.
Is vit. D a vitamin or a hormone?
Vitamin D is actually a type of neurohormone that circulates in blood and signals to the human cells through a specific receptor. It is produced in large amounts as a result of sun exposure, and is available in much smaller amounts from dietary sources. In chronic inflammation, vitamin D also balances immune response to avoid a dangerous pro-inflammatory response. Scientists are now claiming that genes activated by vitamin D have been part of the now-human genome for sixty million years. If all proven in the future, it will mean the vitamin D genes are absolutely crucial for our survival.
Chemistry
The vitamin D that is mostly manufactured in the kidneys is called 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D, while the 25-hydrovitamin D form is manufactured in the liver. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 (25 [OH] D3) is produced in the liver by 25-hydroxylation of cholecalciferol (Vit D3), although other tissues (intestine, kidney) might perform the same hydroxylation also. This hormonally regulated steroid stimulates the intestinal absorption of both calcium and phosphorus and it also stimulates bone resorption and mineralization thereby preventing the development of rickets in children and osteomalacia in elderly.
Optimum Dose
There is quite of a controversy surrounding the optimum levels of Vit D3 supplementation. Latest studies suggest that the current RDA/DV of vitamin D (200 IU for individuals under age 50, 400 IU for those between the ages of 50 and 70, and 600 IU for those over the age of 70) may not be adequate. In fact, optimal levels are between 2,000 and 4,000 IU per day and many scientists are now questioning this level and calling for the upper limit to be increased to levels as high as 10,000 IU. Despite, most of the authors suggest the use of vit D3 of 1000 IU-2000 IU on a daily basis. I consider this dose on the safer side, as vit D3 can be also toxic.
Blood tests
Vitamin D tests are used to determine if osteomalacia, osteoporosis, or bone malformation is occurring as a result of a deficiency or excess of vitamin D. They are also used to determine effectiveness of treatment when vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, and/or magnesium supplementation is prescribed. Since vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and is absorbed from the intestine like a fat, vitamin D tests are sometimes used to monitor individuals with diseases that interfere with fat absorption, such as cystic fibrosis and Crohn’s disease, to assure that they have adequate amounts of vit D.
The standard blood test is called "serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3", or 24(OH) D for short. The above test assesses blood levels of vit D3. Another- urinary test calculates the ratio of urinary calcium to urinary creatinine, and that ratio should be less than 0.37. Ratios that are consistently above 0.37 indicate excess urinary calcium. The only correct and reasonable way to supplement with vit D is through a serum and urine tests that are both useful in learning more about all of the individual vit D body levels.
You must also know that most of the MDs measure 25-hydroxyvitamin D, as it exists for much longer (T1/2) period of time (a pharmacokinetic parameter) in the bloodstream. According to me it will be a smart idea to have a complete and accurate picture of both (25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1.25-dihydroxyviramin D) levels studied. The parathyroid hormone produced by your parathyroid glands localized just around the thyroid gland may affect your 1, 25- dihydroxy vitamin D status.
What is the best way to supplement vit D?
The best and maybe the safest way to supplement with vit D3 is through whole body exposure for at approximately 15-20 minutes to the sun at peak sun times during the summer (between 10AM-4PM). In this amount of time at peak sun, skin is able to produce approximately 10,000 IU of Vit D3. No additional Vit D3 is produced in longer exposure. The amount of vit D3 corresponding of 10,000 IU is produced prior to any sunburn pinkness. In the Nordic latitudes, even 15-20 minutes of peak sun exposure may be difficult to be obtained on a daily basis, so supplementation may be the only way to cope with the problem. It seems likely that physiological vitamin D intakes will result in a higher relative risk for kidney stones for people on modern American diets (low potassium, low magnesium, high refined carbohydrates, high sodas, and a high acid residue). You may lower your risk of kidney stones by remaining vitamin D deficient, but then you raise your risk of dying from many other diseases.
What is vit D3 used for?
The versatility of vit D3 can be explained with the following:
1. Vit D3 works for healthy bones and teeth. It is necessary for the maintenance of healthy calcium and phosphorous levels in the body. Calcium, the main structural element in bones and teeth, can only be absorbed by the body when vitamin D is present.Vit D also assists the body in the transport of calcium through the bloodstream, and assists in calcium absorption.
2. Vit D3 is responsible for muscle vigor and strength protection. It’s also believed that vit D3 may contribute to increased muscle strength, by improving body balance and reducing risk of falls among elderly. 2 separate studies found that low vitamin D may be deadly for older adults as fractures are a frequent reason for mortality especially in older women.
3. Vit D3 is a powerful “immune modulator”. Several clinical studies suggested the importance of Vit D3 in improving immunity response and mainly its effects as “immune modulator”. We already know that several vitamins have important immunomodulating effects, by reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokines while increasing levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Recently-published research data revealed that vit D can stimulate the innate immune system and to prevent of influenza virus A (H1N1) by turning on antimicrobial peptides, known as “cathelicidins” (LL-37) that have been found to have broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. New studies suggested that despite bacteria are developing resistance by creating “beta-lactamases” and “cephalosporinases” (enzymes) towards the broad spectrum antibiotics (penicillin’s and cephalosporin’s)-it is quite unusual for them to develop resistance to the above mentioned peptides throughout producing specific proteases. The main effect of vit D 3 is to help to prevent immune system from overreacting in case if pathologically stimulated and to be stimulated in case if naturally inhibited. This is the definition of an immune modulator.
4. Vit D3 may help in cancer prevention. Recent studies suggest Vit D3 supplementation may promote up to a 77% reduction of cancer incidence and to prevent from more than 18 types of cancers, even the most deadly ones as colon, ovarian and pancreatic cancer.
5. Vit D3 may play a role in autoimmune disease prevention. Supplementation with vit D 3 may be contraindicated in certain diseases including sarcoidosis, lupus, polymyositis and other autoimmune diseases. Symptoms of rosacea may be also overly stimulated. Thus a consultation with health provider is an absolute must especially in case of autoimmune disease.
6. Vit D3 is an insulin secretion modifier. I have done 15 years of research on metabolic syndrome and found that Vit D3 is the Hollywood-star in "metabolic syndrome" prevention and healing. It is also helpful in obesity, diabetes prevention and treatment according several studies.
7. Vit D3 has general anti-inflammatory effect. Vitamin D3 has been implicated to be the vitamin "immune modulator". It is playing an important role in various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases like: diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Vitamin D prevents all the natural immune response from over-reacting to an antigen as well as reduces general chronic inflammation. It appears to suppress the immune response in cases when pathologically elevated or to increase it when naturally inhibited by an illness. This way vit D is one of the most popular natural immune modulators known in practice.
8. Vit D 3 can participate in skin treatment. Several clinical studies suggest that Vit D3 plays an important role in skin treatment. Latest clinical trial of oral and topical Vitamin D3 in acne, eczema and atopic dermatitis are showing positive results of vit D3 in various skin diseases. Vitamin D was also proven to improve melanoma survival and general survival.
9. Vit D3 is needed for vision support. Few studies suggest that Vitamin D3 also plays an important role in antimicrobial protection of the eyes and their surrounding muscles and tissues.
10. Vit D3 is good for heart disease protection help and blood pressure regulation. An article published in Progress Biophysics Molecular Biology (2006) indicated that vitamin D can help maintain healthy blood pressure, blood sugar and overall cellular health. Vitamin D deficiency in younger women has been found with an increased risk of hypertonia (elevated blood pressure).
11. Vit D3 is a good brain optimizer. Several clinical studies in adults have found significant associations between higher vitamin D levels and better intellectual functioning and short memory improvement. At the same moment, a recent report found high incidence of vitamin D deficiency among younger individuals with intellectual disabilities.
12. Vitamin D3 is the wonder vitamin that is working as a pro-metabolic hormone and immunomodulator, despite it is officially termed a vitamin. I have always believed and stated in most of my previous articles that if there is a vitamin that must be used by older adults that is Vit D3. I also call it the “anti-metabolic” vitamin as there are multiple studies that are showing weight loss and strong metabolic improvement in case of chronic use. In a recent systematic review and meta-analysis, middle aged and elderly people who had high levels of vitamin D3 cut their risk of developing heart disease or elevated blood sugar nearly in 50 percent (Parker et al., 2010). Researchers from the University of Warwick evaluated 28 separate studies involving almost 100,000 men and women across different ethnic groups. The data revealed a significant association between high levels of vitamin D and dramatically decreased risk of both cardiac and metabolic syndrome and its consequences- hypertonia, obesity, gout, kidney failure, Alzheimer disease, etc. Compared to those with low levels, men and women who had high levels of vitamin D had a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease by about 33%, elevated blood sugar by 55% and metabolic syndrome by over 50%. Cardiovascular disease is currently the leading cause of death, worldwide. But according to lead author Dr. Oscar Franco, "Targeting vitamin D deficiency in adult populations could potentially slow the current epidemics of cardiometabolic disorders." I suggest that most adults check their vit D levels and to add it in case if deficient. Generally a dose between 1,000-2,000 is completely safe but you must proceed checking up your levels and to even add a dose of 4,000 IU if needed. I personally take 2,000 during the winter and do not use any in the summer, but I do have always optimal blood levels of this vital nutrient. Note* Please note that the road between vit D deficiency and Vit D intoxication is quite narrow and must be recognized as eventual possibility what requests a proper blood test follow up. People with kidney failure or with other chronic degerenerative diseases as well as the advance aged must be very careful while supplementing with this vitamin.
Enjoy the YouTube lecture of Michael Holick, MD, PhD at the University of California San Diego on vit D:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq1t9WqOD-0&feature=player_embedded
If you would like to learn more on the above topic, please call and require a personal consultation: (715) 392-7591; (218) 213-6167; or (218) 213-7087
References:
Parker, J., Hashmi, O., Dutton, D., Mavrodaris, A., Stranges, S, Kandala, N. B. et al. (2010). Levels of vitamin D and cardiometabolic disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Maturitas, 65, 225-36.

No Deaths from Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids or Herbs

Gregory Sawyer, D.C.

There was not even one death caused by a dietary supplement in 2008, according to the most recent information collected by the U.S. National Poison Data System (OMNS, January 19, 2010). Poison Control Statistics Prove Supplements' Safety. The new 174-page annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers, published in the journal Clinical Toxicology, shows zero deaths from multiple vitamins; zero deaths from any of the B vitamins; zero deaths from vitamins A, C, D, or E; and zero deaths from any other vitamin. Additionally, there were no deaths whatsoever from any amino acid or herbal product. This means no deaths at all from black cohosh, echinacea, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, kava kava, St. John's wort, valerian, yohimbe, Asian medicines, ayurvedic medicines, or any other botanical. There were zero deaths from creatine, blue-green algae, glucosamine, chondroitin, melatonin, or any homeopathic remedies.
Furthermore, there were zero deaths in 2008 from any dietary mineral supplement. This means there were no fatalities from calcium, magnesium, chromium, zinc, colloidal silver, selenium, iron, or multimineral supplements. Two children died as a result of medical use of the antacid sodium bicarbonate. The other "Electrolyte and Mineral" category death was due to a man accidentally drinking sodium hydroxide, a highly toxic degreaser and drain-opener. No man, woman or child died from nutritional supplements. Period. 61 poison centers provide coast-to-coast data for the U.S. National Poison Data System, which is then reviewed by 29 medical and clinical toxicologists. NPDS, the authors write, is "one of the few real-time national surveillance systems in existence, providing a model public health surveillance system for all types of exposures, public health event identification, resilience response and situational awareness tracking."
Over half of the U.S. population takes daily nutritional supplements. Even if each of those people took only one single tablet daily, that makes 154,000,000 individual doses per day, for a total of over 56 billion doses annually. Since many persons take more than just one vitamin or mineral tablet, actual consumption is considerably higher, and the safety of nutritional supplements is all the more remarkable. If nutritional supplements are allegedly so "dangerous," as the FDA and news media so often claim, then where are the bodies? Those who wonder if the media are biased against vitamins may consider this: how many television stations, newspapers, magazines, and medical journals have reported that no one dies from nutritional supplements?
Reference:
Bronstein, A.C., Spyker, D.A., Cantilena, L.R. Jr, Green, J.L., Rumack, B.H., Giffin, S.L. 2008 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers' National Poison Data System (NPDS): 26th Annual Report. Clinical Toxicology (2009). 47, 911-1084.
Republished from the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, January 19, 2010

Green Tea Extract Found Beneficial in Uterine Fibroids

Antoaneta Sawyer, Ph.D.

Uterine fibroids are believed to affect at least 40% of the American Women in pre or perimenopausal age. They may provoke unexpected heavy bleeding, pressure effects on other organs, fertility concerns, bleeding with huge amount of coagulum, anemia, fatigue due to energy depleting- all of which have large impacts on a woman’s health. The uterine benign fibroids are called leiomyomas and can be on times a difficult condition to treat. Surgical hysterectomy is on times the only radical option to eliminate this problem. Uterine fibroids are more common in women over 40, and this may be related to changes in hormonal mediators or hormonal disbalance during the pre or postmenopause, after so many years of constant exposure to estrogen, progesterone and androgens.
There are multiple factors that are known to promote fibroid formation. Some of the factors which are currently known to promote growth of fibroids are periods of excess estrogen, when there is insufficient progesterone to balance out the estrogens. The amount of environmental chemicals toxins both, environmental or “in home” that are known under the common term “xenoestrogens” can also mimic the estrogenic effects in the human body. The prevalence of testosterone in postmenopausal age in women is found as another important factor for uterine fibroids formation. The conversion of an enzyme called "aromatase" (which converts androgens to estrogens) is also involved in the above fibroid pathogenesis. Recently it was proven that even progesterone is equally responsible as promoter in fibroid formation. Fibroids of the uterus were found to contain both progesterone and estrogen receptors which are either up or down in the period of menstruation. Obesity, metabolic syndrome with consequent fat liver cirrhosis are also connected with the frequency of uterine fibroid formation.
The main problem is that despite rarely, the benign leiomyoma can metastasize in one of the most non-differentiated and malignant type of sarcoma (a type of a cancer of smooth muscle origin) that is called similarly leiomyosarcoma. The main symptoms are an unusual heavy bleeding (even postmenopausal), abdominal pain or tension, and huge amount of coagulum in the blood. Leiomyosarcomas are clinically treated only throughout surgery, as they are relatively or absolutely radiation or chemotherapy resistant. The only treatment is immediate surgery and the stage of the sarcoma speaks volumes on the future of women survival. When the sarcoma is “in situ” the rate of survival is 10-15 years or more. In case of advanced stage- a six months of survival rate is frequently seen in the literature. One of their main features of leiomyosarcomas is that they can stay dormant (latent) for years and to attack the body for a second time with another secondary (metastatic) sarcoma from retroperitoneal origin, colon cancer, etc. This time they are unusually malignant and almost impossible to cure.
A new study (2010) from the Centre for Women’s Health Research at Meharry Medical College concludes that EGCG (a green tea extract) may induce apoptosis (cell death) and reduce proliferation of uterine fibroid cells by affecting gene expression. This is the second study from this college on the same topic, while the first was released in 2008. The mechanism behind the green tea extract was done in line with recent research indicating that uterine fibroids are correlated with genetic factors in gene expression, evidence for which was examined in a review from the National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS), and the Comparative Pathology Group. The EGCG from green tea was shown to significantly decrease the expression of the several genes: PCNA, CDK4, and BCL2 proven to promote growth of fibroids, as well as increased the expression of the gene BAX (which promotes cell degeneration) in a “dose-dependent” pattern.
Green tea has also a well known thermogenic (fat burning) effect according to multiple other studies similarly to caffeine, so it may be helpful for women with fibroids from this standpoint as well. Controversially, coffee was found to increase the uterine and breast fibroids, despite of its thermogenic effect. Although no conclusions can be made for humans as results in animals cannot be directly extrapolated in human, human trials under a start-up phase. Obviously, we cannot predict, or our expectations should not be as huge, that green tea extract would be able to shrink already well developed and large fibroids, but to expect that fibroids in a start up phase will be influenced is quite admissible.
References:
Arslan, A., Gold, L.I., Mittal, K.,Ting-Chung Suen, T-Ch.,Belitskaya-Levy, I., Moon-Shong Tang, M-Sh., and Toniolo. P.(2005). Gene expression studies provide clues to the pathogenesis of uterine leiomyoma: new evidence and a systematic review. Human Reproduction, 20, 852–63.
Dulloo, A. G., Seydoux, J., Girardier, L., Chantre, P. Vandermander, J.( 2000). Green tea and thermogenesis: interactions between catechin-polyphenols, caffeine and sympathetic activity. Int-J-Obes-Relat-Metab-Disord. 24, 252-8.
Nagata, C., Kabuto, M., and Shimizu, H. (1998). Association of coffee, green tea, and caffeine intakes with serum concentrations of estradiol and sex hormone-binding globulin in premenopausal Japanese Women. Nutr Cancer 30, 21-4
Sumitani, H., Shozu, M., Segawa, T., Murakami, K., Yang, H. J., Shimada, K., et al. (2000). In situestrogen synthesized by aromatase P450 in uterine leiomyoma cells promotes cell growth probably via an autocrine/intracrine mechanism. Endocrinology, 141, 3852–61.
Wu A, et al. (1999). Meta-analysis: Dietary Fat Intake, Serum Estrogen Levels, and the Risk of Breast Cancer. J Nat Cancer Inst. 91, 492-4, 529-34.
Yamamoto, T., Takamori, K, and Okada, H. (1984). Estrogen biosynthesis in leiomyoma and myometrium of the uterus. Horm Metab Res, 16, 678–9.
Zhang D, Al-Hendy M, Richard-Davis G, Montgomery-Rice V, Rajaratnam V, Al-Hendy A. 2009. Antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of epigallocatechin gallate on human leiomyoma cells. Fertil Steril. Oct 2009. Epub ahead of print.
If you would like to learn more on the above topic, to request an on line or by phone alternative consultation, or a newly written article that can suit your 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.

Use Food as Your Best Remedy (Part I)

Antoaneta Sawyer, Ph.D.

The statement that “food is your best remedy” and it can help you fighting any disease is not a big breakthrough discovery, but a well known rule of the thumb, already recognized by anyone. It is a well known fact that Mother Nature is one of the most natural ways to heal acute and chronic degenerative diseases from centuries ago. Whole life exposures to environmental contaminants may disrupt your health and produce physical and physiological alterations predisposing to a disease and disability later in life. These risks are modified by the rate of a chronic daily stress and the social environment - factors that support the need for an early intervention or prevention of exposures. While it is important to eat well and to protect yourself from environmental and at home toxins, you also need to adjust your individual needs and habits, as you age. Due to the advanced aging, we naturally face a significant decrease of saliva production, general glandular production and digestion decline, leading to significant changes in our bud receptors-so we are tending to eat smaller amount of food or small portions.
Seemingly we are on the verge of a revolution in medicine - understanding the causes, healing the body/mind/spirit in unit, and ultimately preventing the causes of accelerated degenerative aging. Unfortunately, medical revolution only happens if we will be able to spend the amount of time and finances to do the research in holistic wellness, prevention and anti-aging. Nearly every day, researchers publish articles that show how foods we eat can help us fight the disease. The remarkable power of small microscopic substances known as "phytonutrients" can help prevent illnesses to the road of achieving an optimal health. You have maybe heard terms as quercetin, lycopen, ellagic acid, alpha and beta-carotene, resveratrol, sulphorane and many others that are included in the above term. Nowadays, more than 9,000 phytonutrients are recognized and well studied and documented in the scientific research and literature. Some of them balance your hormones, while others modulate the immune response, preventing infections, still others combat the environmental toxins. Most of the phytonutrients function as antioxidants fighting the free radicals of oxidation (unstable oxygen molecules).
Oats are well known to lower elevated cholesterol because of the dietary fiber they contain. Apples contain powerful phytonutrients, that in one study of 40,000 women, associated pectin and quercetin in the apples with a 13-22 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease while improving lung function, reducing the risk of asthma and obstructive pulmonary disease. Resveratrol is already recognized as one of the antidiabetic and longevity factor that is also known as a heart disease preventive. The reason behind its mechanism of action is that resveratrol can help make VLDL less sticky to the artery walls preventing heart attacks and strokes. Berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries) contain a substance - "ellagic acid" that is a powerful booster and holistic fighter of cancer-causing chemicals in your body. Beta-carotene (found in green and orange foods as carrots, mangoes, oranges, broccoli abd dark green vegetables and fruits) is one of the best protective phytochemicals for your skin and heart. Allicin in garlic is the best natural antibiotic substance ever known. It is also a natural reducer of elevated cholesterol and triglycerides helping in cases as obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus. There are literature data that garlic may also work as natural stomach and colon degenerative (cancer) preventive agent. The family of vit B is extremely important for a graceful anti-aging and longevity. With the usual decline of stomach secretion the level of absorption of vit B12 is converting in an issue. And in fact Vit B12 is frequently baldy absorbed in older old people. It is due to a specific “intrinsic” factor that is naturally declining with the advanced age (especially in case of frequent use of antacids). Despite red meat and clams can supply us with the amount of B12 needed, most of the people above the age of fifteen are still seriously B12 depleted. Chickpeas and baked potatoes can supply with less than the half of DV of vit B 6, while pinto beans, asparagus, green leafy vegetables and whole grains can deliver the amount of Folate (Folic acid) needed.
Acerola cherry is a small cherry-like form of a fruit that is working as powerful antioxidant. It is growing in the Caribbean and Latin America. It is rich in vit C even more than citrus fruits (oranges, pineapple, or cantaloupe). I lived in Cuba for 4 years and enjoyed this fruit to my best. It is lightly tart and acid but incredible tasty and juicy. My mom could always make a huge jar of acerola syrup that could finish in no time, especially after being cooled in the fridge. It was proved in a recent study that by getting 200 mg of vit C on a daily basis is linked to better immunity and skin, and shorter duration of any cold and flu. Vit C can build connective tissue and collagen, and it strengthens bones and teeth, participating also in wounds healing.
Antioxidants in fruits and veggies cannot stop the formation of free radicals with advanced aging, but they can help reducing free radicals damage. Just a grapefruit glass or orange juice may provide at around 100 percent of your Daily Value (DV) of vit C. Beta carotene in deep green or orange fruits and veggies is the second step of your best antioxidant prevention. One sweet potato or a piece of pumpkin or a large carrot can offer between 12-15 mg of beta-carotene that is doubling the amount of recommended one. Vit E can be delivered either by early morning oats breakfast or from a handful of roasted but unsalted almonds. The anticancer properties of fruits and vegetables are replicating their antioxidant ability. Glutathione is one of the best anti-aging compound, ‘master” antioxidant and free radical scavenger that supports healing, longevity, detoxification and pain relief. It also works to help improve mental functions, increase energy and vigor, improve concentration, permit increased exercise, and improve heart and lung function. Unfortunately, glutathione begins to decline by 10% to 15% per decade starting at the age of twenty as multiple factors can add to the depletion of a person's level of glutathione. Between the main of them are: stress, extensive exercise, bacterial or viral infection, injury and environmental toxins. Reduced glutathione levels result in greater vulnerability to cellular damage, accelerated aging, a weakened resistance to various inflammatory degenerative diseases, including heart disease, cancer, arthritis, and many others. You can make your own just by supplying your body with several glutathione precursors.
What you can do in order to maintain good Body Health...
Cleanse and eliminate toxins that have built up over the years
Remove harmful waste from your system
Regulate your body metabolism
Consume foods rich in Omega oils and Antioxidants
Balance your diet
Add soluble and insoluble fiber
Increase protection from disease because of antioxidants
Promote Cardiovascular and Digestive Health
Add Whey Protein that promotes healthy body tissues and increases your immunity
You may also want to consider:
Barberry Root (bark): May improve digestion, and to clear harmful bacteria from the intestines.
Chromium & Vanadium: Regulate blood sugar; Stimulate metabolism; Decrease Insulin resistance and Increase feeling of alertness.
Panax Ginseng: May improve energy supply and to influence the immune system.
Polygonum Cuspidatum: May improve appearance of skin when it binds with oxygen.
Cocoa seed: May improve blood flow and circulation .
Ginger Root Extract: May reduce levels of LDL cholesterol (or “bad cholesterol”).
Mangosteen extract: May reduce appetite and to purify blood.
Grape Seed extract: May reduce high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Rhubarb Root Extract: Cleanses intestines, stomach, and colon.
Buckthorn (bark): Hydrates and removes toxins.
Cascara Sagrada (bark): Causes body to drive out waste .
Echinacea: Stimulates the T- killers as part of the immune system.
Fennel Seed: Helps digestion.
Parsley: Reduces water retention.
Red Clover Leaf: Stimulates liver and gall bladder and alleviates constipation.
N-Acetyl L-cysteine-Increases the secretion of glutathione in the body.
N-Acetyl- L- tyrosine: Intensifies metabolism and detoxifies the body systems.
If you would like to learn more on the above topic, to request an on line or by phone alternative consultation, or a newly written article that can suit your 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.

Deadly GI Bacteria on the Rise

Antoaneta Sawyer, Ph.D.

You may already know that hospital infections are still a huge problem around the globe and that on times they represent one of leading causes of hospital mortality. Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic, spore-forming bacillus and one of the most serious causes of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) that can lead to the so called “pseudo membranous” colitis. That is a severe infection of the colon, often resulting from eradication of the normal gut flora by antibiotic or group of antibiotics.
One must know that C. difficile bacteria, are normal residents in the human body and the danger of them appears when the bacteria overpopulate the beneficial resident- Lactobacillus spp. and Biffidobacteria spp. C. Diff. overpopulation is harmful due to the bacterial toxins that can cause bloating, constipation, and diarrhea with abdominal pain, which may become severe. Latent symptoms often mimic some flu-like symptoms to a profuse diarrhea (colitis) and life-threatening inflammation of the colon. Often, it can be cured simply by discontinuing the antibiotics responsible for its appearance.
The bacterium is deadly due to the fact that is astonishingly “antibiotic resistant.” Often called C. difficile or just abbreviated “C. Diff” this anaerobic bacterium rises when broad-spectrum or combinations of antibiotics are overused, as a consequence of cancer chemotherapy or serious inflection treatments. Unfortunately, there are just few antibiotics or combinations of antibiotics left to be successfully applied in clinical practice in order to fight the above “deadly” infection. During my practice as a physician and later as a Ph.D. in anaerobic microbiology, I have seen so many death cases of Clostridium difficile that I started to study the conventional and alternative approaches for its complete eradication. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year in the United States, C. difficile is responsible for tens of thousands of diarrhea cases and at least 5,000 deaths.
How Clostridium difficile infections do appear?
Clostridium difficile is a normal resident of the human body. The massive use of antibiotics can wipe out normal (residential) beneficial bacteria, allowing pathogenic and toxic infections to flourish. During my time as a physician doctors prescribed antibiotics like water and I cannot blame them as I did just absolutely the same. We must excuse physicians as they studied only conventional medicine modalities and do not know preventive alternative techniques and modalities.

Recently Mayo Clinic researchers have found that this deadly stomach bacterium is on the rise in outpatient settings. As presented at the 2009 American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Meeting in San Diego, in a population-based study the researchers lead by Darrell Pardi MD found that the bacterium rises in older population and in outpatient’s cases. In total 385 cases were studied with the main purpose to show how many cases were “hospital-acquired” vs. “community-acquired” in the period 1991-2005y. Of all the studied cases, 192 were hospital-acquired and 35 were residents of nursing homes. Of these “hospital-acquired” cases, the median age of infection was 72 years, in contrast to the 158 cases that were “community-acquired” with a median age of 50 years. 35% of the hospital infections had a severe illness compared to 22% of community infections who had a severe illness. The patients with community-acquired infection were also less likely than the hospital-acquired group to have been exposed to antibiotics before their infection. Thus, many of the community-acquired infections lacked the traditional risk factors for infection, namely recent hospitalization and exposure to antibiotics. There were no differences between community- and hospital-acquired infections in terms of what patients were treated with (mainly metronidazole), not response rates and recurrence rates after treatment.
There are hundreds of kinds of bacteria found normally in the intestines. Many play beneficial roles in the body. When a patient takes an antibiotic to treat an infection, it often destroys beneficial bacteria as well as the bacteria that are causing the illness. Without enough healthy bacteria, dangerous pathogens such as C. difficile can quickly grow out of control. Once it takes hold, C. difficile can produce two virulent toxins that attack the lining of the intestine.
Fortunately, if you have to go to the hospital, you can take action on your own. In those cases I say that knowledge is true power. You can prepare yourself by taking three steps. In case if you need to learn how to protect of this deadly infection please feel free to call us at: 715-392-7591 or 218-213-7087; 218-213-6167 or by requesting a consultation by phone or at office on email: doctors@naturalhealth-wellness.com.

Reduced-Calorie Food Labeling Secrets

Antoaneta Sawyer, Ph.D.

Newspapers across USA publicize the increasing prevalence of obesity in adults and children. The best way to fight the increasing incidence of nutrition-related problems is throughout knowledge. As the obesity epidemic in our country grows and it seems that nothing can be done to stop the above process- following guidelines, reading labels, calculating calories and exercising seems to be as one of the restful if not most valuable nutritional tools. Of course reading labels is quite boring and not very interesting chore, but they still contain some information that can help us create or maintain a healthier diet. Learning to read labels offers a review of all the vitamins and minerals, overview on the total calories, including nutritional categories and "step-by-step" strategies on how to use the information in order to create an antiaging and longevity diet.
Unfortunately, restaurants and packaged foods often have more calories than stated on their labels. A new study done at Tufts University (2010) found that many so called “reduced-calorie” restaurant portions or packaged foods in the United States have more calories than indicated on their nutritional labeling. The research appeared in the January issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association (January 5, 2010). The research analyzed 29 restaurant foods and found they contained an average of 18 percent more calories than the stated on the label values. Three of the supermarket-purchased meals and seven restaurant foods contained up to twice their stated amount of calories. An added complication was that five of the studied places in that case (restaurants) provided side dishes at no extra cost, and the average amount of calories in the side dishes was greater than for the entrees they accompanied. The team also checked 10 frozen meals bought from supermarkets and found they had an average of 8 percent more calories than what was printed on the label. Susan Roberts the lead researcher of this study concluded: "These findings suggest that stated energy contents of reduced energy meals obtained from restaurants and supermarkets are not consistently accurate and, in this study, average more than measured values, especially when free side dishes were taken into account, which on average contained more energy than the entrees alone." As a director of the Energy Metabolism Laboratory at Tufts' Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, her final conclusion was that a "positive energy balance of only 5 percent per day for an individual requiring of 2,000 kcal/day could lead to a "de-novo" 10-pound weight gain in a single year and that not only could this hamper people's attempts to control their weight, but it also could reduce the potential benefit of recent policy initiatives to disseminate information on food energy content at the point of purchase."

If you would like to learn more on the above topic, to request an on line or by phone alternative consultation, or a newly written article that can suit your 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.

“Couch Potatoing” may cut years of your life

Antoaneta Sawyer, Ph.D.

Metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes mellitus are the main 21st century pandemics that increase in prevalence worldwide. Cardiovascular disease as a leading cause of death among patients with metabolic syndrome, morbid obesity and Type 2 diabetes mellitus, includes a unique form of heart failure that is independent of most of the main coronary risk factors. General lipid excess associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, and accumulation of myocardial lipids with consequent aberrations of cardiac metabolism seems likely to play the main role in a problem referred to as Lipotoxic Cardiomyopathy.

A new Australian study reliesed online Jan 11 (2010) and soon to be published in Circulation, proved that living as a “couch potato” on a daily basis is quite detrimental for one’s longevity. The study collected data on the lifestyles of 8,800 healthy men and women aged 25 years and older. As a typical metabolic trial, in addition to lifestyle habits, the researchers tested participants' cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Over more than six years of follow-up, 284 people died (87 were due to cardiovascular disease and 125 from cancer).
The participants were grouped into three TV - watching categories: those who watched less than two hours a day; those who watched two to four hours a day; and those who watched more than four hours a day. Comparatively to people who watched less than two hours of television daily, those who watched more than four hours a day had a 46 percent higher risk of death from all causes and an 80 percent increased risk for CVD-related death. This association was hold regardless of other independent and common cardiovascular disease risk factors, including smoking, high blood pressure, elevated blood cholesterol, unhealthy diet, enlarged waits circumference, and leisure-time exercises.
The researchers found that each hour spent in front of the television daily was associated with:
1. 11 % increased risk of death from all causes,
2. 9 % increased risk of cancer death; and
3. 18 % increased risk of CVD-related death.
While the study was concentrated specifically on TV watching, the findings suggested that any prolonged sedentary behavior, such as sitting in front of a computer, or a desk may pose a risk to one's health. As David Dunstan Ph.D.said, ”The human body was designed to move, not to sit for extended periods of time. Technological, social, and economic changes mean that people don't move their muscles as much as they used to - consequently the levels of energy expenditure as people go about their lives continue to shrink. For many people, on a daily basis they simply shift from one chair to another - from the chair in the car to the chair in the office to the chair in front of the television."
Despite the study was done in Victoria (Australia) by the Physical Activity Laboratory at the Baker IDI Metabolism and Diabetes Institute it may be strongly implicated for the well known “American Couch Potato “life style of living also. Dunstan (the lead author of the study) stated, "The findings have serious implications for Americans and Australians when you consider that aside from sleeping, watching television is the behavior that occupies activity of four hours viewing a day, This research provides another clear link between too much sitting and death from a cardiovascular disease, cancer or mortality from all causes."
The strong correlation between obesity and a “couch potato” style of living can be easily predicted, but what the main conclusion of the above study is that even normal-weight or slightly overweight people can have blood sugar increase and dyslipidemiа problems (a decreased HDL and highly elevated LDL and triglycerides). Of course there are also few positive news coming from the above research, "that when moving muscles regularly throughout the day there are effective ways to manage normal weight and to protect against the CVD disease".
The association between TV watching and death remained unchanged even while other risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, unhealthy diet, obesity were taken into consideration. "In other words, irrespective of how much exercise you do, if you sit watching television for four hours on a daily basis you still have a substantially increased risk of early death from all causes and a much greater risk of cardiovascular disease" Dunstan stated.

Even overdoing your exercise is not much of a help as per team statements. "What we are now starting to understand is that the risks associated with sedentary behavior are not necessarily offset by doing more exercise," the author said.
As final conclusion of the above study in order to stay healthy, we need to keep on the move and to exercise regularly, purposefully, consciously, and comprehensively.

Reference:
Dunstan, D.W., Barr, E.L.M., Healy, G.N., Salmon, J., Shaw, J.E., Balkau, B., et al. (2010). Television Viewing Time and Mortality. The Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study (AusDiab). Published online before print January 11, 2010.

If you would like to learn more on the above topic, please call and require a personal consultation: (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.

Study Links Vit D Deficiency to Increased Mortality

Antoaneta Sawyer, Ph.D.

A new observational study found that inadequate levels of vit D3 may significantly increase the risk of stroke, heart disease and death rate. The Heart Institute at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City presented results of a study on vit D recommendations intake up at the AHA Scientific Conference in Orlando Florida (Nov.16, 2009). The research confirmed that low level of the above nutrient can increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, general coronary artery disease, heart failure etc.

The research was done on 27,686 men and women over the age of 50 who had no previous history of a heart disease. The patients were divided into three groups based on their Vitamin D levels – normal (over 30 ng/ml), low (15-30 ng/ml), or very low (less than 15 ng/ml). The patients were then followed to see if they developed some form of heart disease. After one year, the researchers found that people who had the lowest levels of vit D3 are; 78% more likely to die from a stroke than those with normal levels, 77% more likely to die of any disease than those with normal levels, 45% more likely to show signs of coronary artery disease than those with normal levels, and twice as likely to develop heart failure than those with normal levels. “We concluded that among patients 50 years of age or older, even a moderate deficiency of Vitamin D levels was associated with developing coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, and death," stated Heidi May, PhD, MS, an epidemiologist with the Intermountain Medical Center research team and one of the study authors.
The uniqueness of this study is explained in the association between Vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease that has not been well-established, before as per proper statement of Muhlestein, director of cardiovascular research of the Heart Institute at Intermountain Medical Center and one of the authors of this study. "Its conclusions about how we can prevent disease and provide treatment may ultimately help us save more lives." Number of studies has already proven that Vitamin D is involved in the body's regulation of calcium, which participates in bones strengthening, and as a result, its deficiency is associated with osteomalacia, osteoporosis and serious musculoskeletal disorders. Recently, studies have also linked Vit. D to the regulation of blood pressure, blood glucose control, and chronic inflammation, all of which are important risk factors related to heart disease. From these results, scientists have postulated that Vitamin D deficiency may also be linked to heart disease itself. Despite the study was only observational it proved another time that vit D is an important vitamin to supplement with. The researchers postulated, “Vit D deficiency is easily treated. If increasing levels of Vitamin D can decrease some risk associated with these cardiovascular diseases, it could have a significant public health impact. When you consider that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in America, you understand how this research can help improve the length and quality of people's lives."
Reference:
Intermountain Medical Center (2009, November 16). Inadequate levels of vitamin D may significantly increase risk of stroke, heart disease and death. Science Daily. Retrieved February 1, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2009/11/091116085038.htm

If you would like to learn more on the above topic, please call and require a personal consultation: (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.