Health News Tidbits

Health News Tidbits – February 2002

February Is Heart Health Month, So We Have Complied Recent Studies Regarding Heart Health Improvement Through Nutrition -

A recent study published in the October 30, 2001 issue of Circulation demonstrated that Vitamin C can aid patients with congestive heart failure by suppressing the signal for cell death within the blood vessel linings. The randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial with 34 patients showed markedly reduced blood vessels of apoptotic micro particles to 32% of baseline levels in those taking the Vitamin C, while the placebo had no effect.
Cardiovascular Disease occurs not just from lipid accumulation within the artery wall (only 50% of cases). Atheroclerosis is clearly an inflammatory disease also. If we can selectively modify the harmful components of inflammation in the arteries and leave the protective aspects intact, we may create new avenues for the diagnosis and management of the disease in the 50% of the patients who do not have hypercholesterolemia. Ross, R. Atherosclerosis – an inflammatory disease. NEJM 1999; 340:115-26.
There is a wealth of epidemiological data linking the dietary and supplemental intake of antioxidants with a reduction in the clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis…these results have been confirmed in recent prospective cohort studies. Diaz M, Antioxidants and atheroscleroic heart disease. NEJM 1997; 337;408-416
Preventing the oxidation of LDL may be the most powerful means of preventing cellular injury leading to atherosclerosis. Sinatra ST, DeMarco J. Free radicals, oxidative stress, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and the heart: antioxidants and other strategies to limit cardiovascular damage. Conn Med 1995;59(10):579-88
Vitamin E is the principal lipid-soluble, chain breaking antioxidant in the tissues and plasma

-Predominant antioxidant in LDL

-Long-term supplementation reduces peroxidation in LDL by as much as 40%

-400IU in men and 200IU in women decreases LDL oxidation

Conn Med 1995;59(10):579-88

75% of Cardiologists recommend 400IU of vitamin E to their patients. JAmDietAssc 2001; 101(10:1293-4)
In patients with angiographically proven symptomatic coronary atherosclerosis, a-tocopherol treatment substantially reduces the rate of non-fatal MI, with beneficial effects apparent after one year of treatment (77% risk reduction); 400-800IU/day for 510 days. Lancet 1996;347:781-786
Nurse’s Health Study - 8-year study of 87,245 female nurses free from Cardiovascular Disease and cancer at baseline showed 41% reduction in CVD risk with 200IU vitamin E supplementation for two years.
NEJM 1993;328(20):1444-9
Health Professionals Follow-up Study – 39,910 men free from CVD showed with 2 years vitamin E supplementation (400IU) was associated with 37% lower risk of CVD. NEJM 1993;328(20):1450-6
Atherosclerosis Regression Study – 156 men with previous coronary artery surgery; vitamin E (100IU) produced an angiographically demonstrable reduction in coronary artery atherosclerosis. JAMA 1995;273:1849-1854
The HOPE Study Evaluation says that vitamin E relies on other antioxidants and micronutrients to have a beneficial effect. Vitamin E may reduce MI’s, but not reduce death. NEJM 2000;342:154-160
Other nutrients are as follows:

-Mixed tocopherols as opposed to a-tocopherol: gamma is more potent, and may be depleted if just supplementing with alpha. Try to always recommend mixed tocopherols as opposed to just alpha.

-Vitamin C acts synergistically with vitamin E

-Coenzyme Q10 is in all cells and is vital to ATP production, regenerates vitamin E, prevents LDL oxidation, reduces lipoprotein(a), and prevents foam cell formation J Nutr 2000;130:2343-2348 - should not stop CoQ10 suddenly; 154 patients (one-half dying) were treated with 100-225mg CoQ10. 97% were alive at 12 months, 96% at 24 months, 95% at 36 months J Optimal Nutr 1993;2(4):264-274

-Magnesium can mediate reactions by stress hormones, favors platelet aggregating factors and increased coagulation, mediates hypertension, prevent cardiac arythmias. Low Mag may be to blame for sudden cardiac death associated with stress. J Am Coll Nutr 1994;13(5) 429-446 Approximately 80-85% of adult females and 75% of elderly males had magnesium levels below the recommended daily level. J Am Coll Nutr 1985;4(2):195-206

-Omega 3 fatty acids, preferably fish oil has multiple benefits to preventing and treating Cardiovascular Disease; fish oil is preferred because flax must be converted with vitamin B-6, and if individual lacks B-6, will not get benefit; fish oil is already converted

-B-Complex, especially B-6, B-12, and Folic Acid are essential for Homocysteine reduction and prevention; Niacin for lowering total cholesterol and triglyceride levels and raising HDL levels JAMA 1993; 269(23):3015-23. Niacin (Inositol Hexanicotinate, safer form with less side effects) 1g 3 times daily reduced Lp(a) by 36.4% Atherosclerosis 1993;101(1):61-8

-Multivitamin/mineral; Although neither dietary advice nor consumption of food estimated to contain 400mcg folate significantly increased blood folate, a pill or serving of cold breakfast cereal containing 400mcg of folic acid increased blood folate by 50%. The only sure way to achieve recommended intake of 400mcg of folic acid is to consume a multivitamin. NEJM 1998;338:1060-61.

Saw Palmetto May Improve Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia -
According to recent study in Urology 2001;58:960-5, taking a daily, standardized extract of 320 mg saw palmetto may improve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The study included 85 men over the age of 45, who scored greater than 8 on the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Of the 41 men who received the saw palmetto, their IPSS score decreased 2.2 point more than the 44 men who received the placebo. Although, there was no significant difference in sexual function and urinary flow rate.

Vitamin E Found Helpful to Treat Painful Periods -
In a new double blind study published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, short-term supplementation with vitamin E can help relieve painful menses. One hundred high school girls were randomly assigned to receive either 500IU vitamin E or placebo for five days, beginning two days before the start of menstruation. The same was repeated during the next cycle as well. Girls who took the vitamin E experienced significantly greater reduction in menstrual pain.

Folic Acid Deficiency Linked to Parkinson's Disease in Mice-
A recent finding in the January 2002 issue of the Journal of Neurochemistry, found that mice fed a diet rich in folate exhibited mild Parkinson symptoms when given moderate amounts of MPTP, a chemical that can cause Parkinson-like symptoms. Those mice who did not consume the folate-rich diet developed severe Parkinson-like symptoms when given the MPTP.

Adding Vitamin C to Certain Drugs May Help Treat Alzheimer's, Other Brain Disorders -
Drugs used to treat Alzheimer's and other brain disorders appear to enter the brain more easily when a vitamin C molecule is attached, according to a study in Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. Some drugs that have difficulty entering the brain could cross more easily when attached to a vitamin C molecule. Other diseases in which vitamin C could assist include central nervous system diseases, viral infections, brain lesions, and neurodegenerative diseases.

FAO Urges Removal of Potent Drug From Food Chain -
The United Nations World Food Body urged countries to remove the antibiotic chloramphenicol from the food chain. Most countries have banned its use, but is still showing up in livestock. The antibiotic could cause genetic damage and possibly lead to cancer.

Fatty Food Triggers Taste Buds -
A study in Physiology and Behavior 74(2001) 343-348 shows that humans can taste fat, which could indicate a sixth sense. In the study, subjects had their blood fat levels checked before and after the test, some being allowed to taste and smell the fat, others were only allowed to taste or smell, and others received no sensory stimulation at all. The study found that blood fat levels in the group that had been allowed to taste the fat rose three times more than the other groups. "This tells us that taste is the stimulus that causes the rise in blood fat levels. The taste, not smell, is what the body is responding to," says professor Richard Mattes, who led the study. If further studies confirm Mattes' findings, textbooks would have to add fat to the list of taste sensations. This could also explain why people find that fat-free foods do not taste as good as foods with fat.

Green Tea Heals Growth of Oral Cancer Cells -
New findings confirms that green tea halts the growth of new oral cancer cells, and breaks down and kills existing oral cancer cells. According to a new study in General Dentistry, the clinical, peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of General Dentistry, ingesting or swishing with green tea will introduce the tea polyphenols (antioxidants which work to remove free radicals) to the oral cancer cells lining the mouth. The green tea will not harm normal cells and will inhibit the growth and spread of cancerous cells.

Fiber-Rich Diet May Cut Women's Heart Attack Risk -
A Harvard Medical study of more than 38,000 female health professionals age 45 and older found that those who ate the most fiber--about 26 grams daily--were less likely to develop heart disease and suffer a heart attack than women with the lowest fiber intake--about 18 grams--over six years. While the reduction in risk was moderate, they support recommendations that Americans boost their consumption of fiber to 25 to 35 grams daily. Journal of the American College of Cardiology 2002;39:49-56, 57-

Prominent Professor Lauds Magnesium for Bone Health -
Robert Rude, M.D., University of Southern California Professor of Medicine, stated that magnesium may be just as important to keeping bones healthy as calcium. Studies looking at bone health and diets found that the more magnesium contained in foods eaten, the denser the bones. Rude goes on to say that many hormones that are needed for growth depend on magnesium and over 300 enzymes in the body need it to form reactions. When the body does not get enough, certain inflammatory proteins thought to encourage osteoporosis enter the blood stream. People who drink a lot of alcohol or take diuretics, and those with diabetes are especially at risk for magnesium depletion.

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