In this issue:
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the July 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.
This month, and through October, I also want to bring attention to our annual health care conference, "Relationship: Integrating the Science and Spirit of Healing." For information on the True North conference, which is approved for 19.5 CME and nursing contact hours, visit our website.
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
Berry consumption promotes cardiovascular health.
This Finnish study of 72 middle aged subjects with cardiac risk factors revealed favorable effects of consuming 5.3 ounces (150 grams) of berries daily for 8 weeks. "Good" (HDL) cholesterol was increased. Platelets became less "sticky" (less inclined toward dangerous clotting). Systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced. (We now know that the "systolic" or "top" blood pressure value, when abnormally high is an important marker for risk of heart attack or stroke.)
Learn about this Finnish berry study
Mindfulness meditation helps people with chronic low back pain.
This University of Pittsburgh study looked at 27 men and women over 65 with longstanding low back pain. When they practiced breath-focused mindful meditation daily for 8 weeks they had less pain, better sleep, mood, attention and quality of life.
Read the Mindfulness meditation and chronic pain study
Experienced meditators appear more compassionate on functional brain MRIs.
Functional MRI studies of brain activity compared very experienced Tibetan Buddhist-type meditators and novices. Both groups of meditators put their minds in a "gentle loving kindness" mode, and received cues stimulating compassionate feelings. Specific areas of the brain reacted with high levels of activity. Novice meditators' brains were activated in the same anatomical locations but were much less active than experienced meditation practitioners. The report is highly technical.
The following Public Library of Science link must be pasted into your web browser:
http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0001897
Pomegranate juice has anti-cancer properties (especially prostate cancer)
Pomegranate juice has many anti-cancer biological actions. A team led by David Heber PhD, MD Director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, is pursuing the rigorous science to understand these actions.
Learn about the pomegranate juice research team
Pomegranate may prevent or suppress prostate cancer in part by reducing the gene expression for androgen receptors. Androgen is known to promote prostate cancer and some standard medical treatments for prostate cancer block androgen action.
See the pomegranate influence on the androgen receptor
Higher vitamin D level is associated with more aggressive prostate cancer!
Past issues of The True North Tune Up have linked to a number of studies showing vitamin D may protect from cancer. Now from the National Cancer Institute comes a study of 740 men with prostate cancer with serum measurement of their vitamin D. Among those in the higher 4/5ths of vitamin D levels, their prostate cancers had a higher score for aggressive growth. As a "case-controlled" study the NCI study represents a higher level of evidence than the epidemiological studies linked to in previous issues of the Tune Up. Vitamin D supplementation for patients with or at risk of recurrence of prostate cancer appears unwise. Undoubtedly this is not the last we'll hear about vitamin D and cancer risk. We dare say "Stay Tuned!"
Read study linking vitamin D level and prostate cancer growth
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.
