In this issue:
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the April 2008 issue of True North's Tune-Up. We continue to emphasize "up stream" strategies for health in the areas of nutrition, mind-body, and lifestyle. Studies are from peer-reviewed scientific journals. Sometimes we show evidence that something that sounds obviously healthy like exercise, eating right, sleeping and relaxing in fact is good for us. Darwin's defender, Thomas Huxley, once said, "In science there are many beautiful ideas slain by ugly facts." We are linking these ideas to the relevant science when we can find it.
To your health,
B. Joseph Semmes, MD
Director of Research, True North
Diplomate, American Boards of Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine (ABIM) and Emergency Medicine
bjsemmes@truenorthhealthcenter.org
Vitamin D supplementation clearly decreases all-cause mortality in adults and older individuals
Vitamin D insufficiency, defined as serum levels less than 20 to 30 nanograms/ml, affects 25 to 70% of adults, especially those in darker months and northern latitudes. Prior issues of the Tune Up have linked to numerous Vitamin D studies. Now comes more support for supplementing with Vitamin D. This "meta"-analysis looked at 17 randomized controlled trials involving 57,000 patients. Vitamin D supplementation reduced mortality by 8%! Daily intakes of 800 to 1000 IU or higher, or reasonable sun exposure, are recommended.
Read Vitamin D study
Meditation improves ability to focus and mood
The highly respected Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published this study showing that even a five day practice of 20 minutes each day improved focus and mood among undergraduates.
Read about the Academy of Sciences meditation study
Exercise that improves balance is important for older people
The Cochrane Collaboration consists of leaders of the Evidence-Based Medicine movement, an effort to make sense of many, often conflicting, studies. Here they reviewed 34 studies involving more than 2800 people performing exercises such as balance training, walking, strength training, dancing and t'ai chi. Exercisers had better balance. Poor balance increases fall risk, often leading to hip fracture, loss of independence and earlier death.
Learn about the Cochrane Collaboration exercise study
Long term use of fish oil omega 3 (EPA) reduced major coronary events in people with high cholesterol
This study of more than 18,000 Japanese with high cholesterol is particularly interesting. Adding 1800 mg per day of a fish oil omega-3, called EPA, to statin therapy decreased heart attacks. Such a strategy might be even more effective in an American population that eats less fish and has more heart disease than its Japanese counterpart.
Read Japanese cholesterol study
STAY "TUNED"!
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Disclaimer:
Information provided in the True North Tune-Up is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The information and links in this e-publication are intended to provide general education on the topics listed, but you should not use the information or links to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare practitioner. True North advises you to always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health practitioner prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
