In this issue...
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the December 2008 issue of True North's Tune-Up on this fourth day of December. 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. Archived prior issues of the Tune-Up may be found at www.truenorthhealthcenter.org/tune_up_archives.asp. To your health, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannuka, hope you made your Hadj, Inclusively,
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
Happiness is all about sharing. In Time for the Holidays!
The data supports the premise that we are happier when we give.
Read this happiness study
People's happiness depends on the happiness of others with whom they are connected. If you live within a mile of a friend who becomes happy, their happiness increases the probability that you will become happy by 25%. Similar effects are seen in co-resident spouses (8%), siblings who live within a mile (14%), and next door neighbors (34%). This provides further justification for seeing happiness, like health, as a collective phenomenon.
View additional information about contagious happiness
Acupuncture outperforms medication in relieving chronic headaches
This review of 31 studies showed acupuncture to superior to medication at reducing both the intensity and frequency of chronic headaches.
Read this review of acupuncture studies
Consume more tea, beans, antioxidant fruits, spices and dark chocolate to prevent chronic disease
Phyto chemicals in tea offer promise in cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.
Learn more about phyto chemicals in tea
Pomegranate and berries (wild blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry) had the highest cellular antioxidant activities.
Read about Pomegranates and berries
The USDA's database on antioxidant activity is a useful and interesting database. Remember that the antioxidant activity measured in ORAC units applies to 100 grams of a nutrient. So just because cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg have skyhigh scores, remember to adjust for the small amount consumed in agiven recipe.
Among the high scorers: cabernet sauvignon, cumin, curry powder, dried basil, oregano, oregano, pears, hazelnuts (filberts), lentils, ginger root, fuji apples, cooked broccoli and DARK CHOCOLATE!
View or download the 36 page PDF (click on the "ORAC report" link)
Stress leads to inflammation and cellular aging
Chronic stressors may prematurely age the immune system. When pro-inflammatory cytokines (molecules that attract immune cells) are chronically too high, vulnerability to infection, depression and loneliness increases. Sleep deprivation and depression are associated with elevated levels of the cytokine Il-6. The anti-inflammatory role of Omega 3 fish oils, or increasing Omega 3: Omega 6 oil ratios in the diet is an intriguing area of study. Note that stress, like processed meats (see last month's Tune Up) is associated with telomere shortening, a marker of reduced longevity. Alzheimer's patient family caretakers offer a model for studying stress.
Read this study on stress and cellular aging
Supplemental Calcium and Vitamin D were not successful at preventing breast cancer in postmenopausal women
A large recent study giving women 1000 mg of elemental calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D daily was disappointing. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation did not reduce invasive breast cancer incidence in postmenopausal women. In addition, 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were not associated with subsequent breast cancer risk. These findings do not support a relationship between total vitamin D intake and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with breast cancer risk. (It is possible that the dose of vitamin D was too low.)
Read calcium and vitamin D 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.
