In this issue...
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the November 2009 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. Archived prior issues of the Tune-Up may be found at www.truenorthhealthcenter.org/tune_up_archives.asp.
To your health,
B. Joseph Semmes, MD
Director of Research, True North
Diplomate, American Boards of Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine bjsemmes@truenorthhealthcenter.org
Omega 3 fish oils protect both those with known coronary artery disease and those without
Fish provides vitamin D, selenium and other nutrients in addition to omega 3 fish oils. The authors recommend one gram a day of EPA/DHA supplements for those with known heart disease and at least 250 mg per day for those without known heart disease. Experts are concerned that fish stocks are being depleted and sustainable sources of these longer-chained Omega 3 oils is needed.
Learn more about the benefits of omega 3 fish oils
B vitamin supplements may not lower cardiac risk, except when blood homocysteine is high
This Cochrane review of 5 randomized controlled trials, including more that 24,000 people, is sure to generate controversy (see below). A high blood homocysteine level has been an emerging risk factor for heart disease, and is thought to be related in large part to a genetic variation in 10% of the population. B vitamin supplementation can compensate for the slow enzyme action in that 10%. (Tests are available to identify those in the 10%.) The reviewers, who did not separate out the 10% with the genetic variation, conclude that these studies do not show a benefit of reducing bad events - heart attack, stroke, cardiac death when Homocysteine-lowering strategies are attempted.
Read more about the Cochrane review of B vitamin supplementation studies
Not surprisingly, and perhaps not objectively, the Health Food Manufacturers’ Association (HFMA) and the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA) are both disputing the Cochrane Scientific Review’s conclusion that B vitamins should not be recommended for the prevention of heart disease. HFMA spokesman Patrick Holford described the recommendation as “completely misleading.” The main reason for the review was to examine whether lowering homocysteine - a proven marker for both heart attacks and strokes – reduces risk, he said. “A lay person might reasonably assume that the people studied – 24,210 in all – had high homocysteine levels to begin with, and that they were given a cocktail of the B vitamins that are known most effectively lower homocysteine. Not so,” said Holford.
A recent study in the American Journal of Cardiology did show significantly lower all cause mortality when patients with early onset coronary artery disease AND elevated homocysteine levels (greater than 15) were treated with folate 400 micrograms per day.
Further explore the B vitamin supplementation debate
A food advisory board in the UK recently recommended the mandatory addition of folate to flour to decrease colon cancer (and cardiovascular risk).
Review the UK advisory board folate mandate
Garlic may prevent the common cold
This Cochrane review is based on only 146 volunteers who ingested garlic (180 mg allicin, about the amount in one clove) or placebo daily for 12 weeks. There were 24 cold cases among those in the garlic group vs 65 cases among the placebo group.
Read this Cochrane review on garlic
A mechanism for garlic’s suppression of an oral cancer pathway was recently described.
Read this description
Probiotics may reduce the incidence of antibiotic associated diarrhea and clostridium difficile.
A recent review concluded that taking a probiotic (live beneficial bacteria) along with antibiotics reduced adverse effects. Clostridium difficile infection of the colon, after antibiotic treatment, is a particularly common and noxious complication. More studies with standardized probiotic counts and types are still needed.
Learn about probiotics in this PubMed review
A Mediterranean diet cuts depression
People who follow a Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains and fish are less likely to become depressed. This Spanish study followed more than 11,000 people for an average 4.4 years and found that those who followed the Mediterranean diet most closely had a one third the risk of depression than those whose diet had few of the nine component foods.
The researchers worked out how close eating habits were to the Mediterranean diet based on food frequency questionnaires. A high ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids; moderate intake of alcohol and dairy foods; low intake of meat; and high intake of legumes, fruit and nuts, cereals, vegetables and fish were linked to 30% less depression.
Learn about the mediterranean diet and how it can reduce depression
Dirty Dozen" pesticide food guide from FoodNews.org
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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.
