In this issue:
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the May 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.
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 protects from chronic disease, death, and cancer, not just bone disease
Vitamin D insufficiency appears widespread in the northern U.S. A blood test for 25 hydroxy vitamin D (the form of vitamin D measured in blood) is one of the most important screening tests. Emerging guidelines recommend the 25 hydroxy vitamin D level in blood should be above 30 nanograms per ml ("normal" has been above 10). Vitamin D at the recommended daily intake of 1000 to 2000 IU is hard to get from foods (vitamin D3 and D2 are recommended forms of the vitamin for oral intake). One would have to eat wild salmon daily according to Michael Holick MD. He reviews the complex data for the New England Journal of Medicine in the first link. The second link is Holick's lay friendly, and similarly "state-of-the-art," website for info on Vitamin D and health.
Read Dr. Michael Holick's Vitamin D Health review (PDF)
Visit Dr. Holick's website
Yoga improves quality of life and functioning for breast cancer patients
In this study of 128 New Yorkers with breast cancer, yoga practice was associated with higher quality of life scores, mood, and the practice of yoga provided a buffer to deterioration in quality of life.
Read this study on yoga and breast cancer
Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation protects the heart
This review from the respected Mayo Clinic Proceedings March 2008 concludes that everyone with, or at risk for, heart disease, should be taking at least a daily gram of Omega-3 fatty acids EPA/DHA. That amount could be obtained in the diet by eating two oily fish meals (such as blue fin tuna, atlantic salmon) weekly. The authors suggest taking the supplements frozen and/or with food to reduce possible "fishy burps". The FDA advises that children, pregnant or nursing mothers avoid mercury-concentrating species such as king mackerel, shark and swordfish.
Learn more about Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The author's cite an interesting study of 11,875 British women during their pregnancy who ate three meals of fish a week (above US FDA recommended levels set to protect from mercury exposure). Their children had better cognitive development scores. (Baseline characteristics varied so perhaps we should not put too much weight on this study.)
Read study on fish intake of British pregnant women
Daily Vitamins C and E and a multivitamin reduce the progression of Barrett's esophagus to esophageal cancer
Gastro-esophageal acid reflux disease ("GERD") and related Barrett's esophagus, which is at risk for progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma, are both on the rise in the U.S. Researchers at the University of Washington found that daily supplementation with a multivitamin, or with Vitamin C (more than 250 mg), or with vitamin E (more than 180 mg or 270 IU per day), reduced progression to cancer by 75 % over a 5 year period among 339 patients with confirmed Barrett's.
Learn about University of Washington dietary supplement study
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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.
