Antioxidants and chemoprevention‏

Remember the concept of balance. If you have enough antioxidants on board to handle the number of free radicals you are producing, your body (including the DNA nucleus of the cell) are protected. Antioxidants and their supporting nutrients also optimize your body’s natural repair system and natural immune system. So even if you have started down that road to developing a cancer, your body has the best opportunity to either repair or destroy that mutated cell.

Nutritional supplementation is the leading candidate for chemoprevention. Unlike drugs, nutritional supplements are very safe. They can also be taken for a lifetime and are relatively inexpensive. There is going to be a tremendous amount of research using high-quality nutritional supplements for the specific purpose of decreasing your risk of developing all forms of cancer.

Source: Dr. Strand Health Nuggets (newsletter@Bionutrition.org)

Pre-cancerous tumors‏

There have been several studies involving precancerous tumors that occur on the surface of the body. The next step in this multistage process is a full-blown cancer. Researchers have chosen to study cervical dysplasia, which occurs in the cervix of women and luekoplakia in men, which occurs in the mouths of tobacco chewers. It is easier to follow these kinds of precancerous tumors because they appear on the surface of the body. They have given these patients antioxidants in supplementation and then followed their progression. Depending on which study you look at, anywhere from 50 to 70% of these tumors go all the way back to normal.

This has been very encouraging to researchers because it shows that even in the later stages of cancer development the body still has the potential to repair itself if given optimal levels of antioxidants. This is leading to a new concept in medicine called chemoprevention. In other words, preventing the development of cancer is a worthy goal because of the general poor prognosis once you develop cancer. Nutritional supplements are becoming the leading candidate for chemopreventive agents.

Source: Dr. Strand Health Nuggets (newsletter@Bionutrition.org)

Vitamin C and E supplements lower diabetic retinopathy risk‏

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness. It occurs when diabetes damages tiny blood vessels inside the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye). There may be an association between the use of vitamin C and E supplements and a reduced risk of diabetic retinopathy.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined 1,353 type 2 diabetics who were diagnosed from 1993 to 1995. Data from these subjects revealed no association of diabetic retinopathy with vitamins C and E from food alone, but a decreased risk was found among those who reported long-term (> 3 years) use of vitamin C or E or multivitamin supplements. Compared to those who did not report supplement use, long-term supplement users experienced a two-fold reduction in the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.

Although there had previously been evidence of this association from in vitro, animal, and short-term research, this was the first epidemiologic study on retinopathy to show the same protective effect associated with supplemental vitamin C and vitamin E.

Source: Relation between intake of vitamins C and E and risk of diabetic retinopathy in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, Millen et al, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 79, No. 5, 865-873, May 2004

Early detection of cancer‏

Most of the success we have had in battling cancer over the past several decades is the result of diagnosing cancers earlier. This is why most physicians encourage their patients to get a mammogram, have a PSA blood test or have a colonoscopy. These tests have been designed to try to diagnose cancers earlier and have them removed before they spread. Remember once cancers have spread or advanced enough to cause symptoms, it is generally too late. Now we have had some improved success with blood-borne cancers like lymphoma and leukemia as well as tumors like testicular cancer; however, cancer deaths continue to rise.

I still would recommend that everyone consider having a colonoscopy every 5 years after the age of 50. Almost all colon cancers begin as benign polyps, which can be removed through the scope before they become cancerous. Occasionally having a mammogram after age 40 is also a good idea; however, I am not sure that an annual mammogram is the best way to go. If you have the opportunity in your area to have thermography, I would take advantage of this testing. Having a complete physical with bloodwork annually after the age of 50 is also a good idea.

Source: Dr. Strand Health Nuggets (newsletter@Bionutrition.org)

Magnesium intake and risk of type 2 diabetes

Recent research has shown a significant association between magnesium intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes.

A meta-analysis recently published in the Journal of Internal Medicine analyzed the association between magnesium intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes. The meta-analysis involved studies of magnesium intake (both from foods only and from foods and supplements) published between 1966 and 2007. Seven studies meeting the criteria were identified, and in total they included 286,668 participants and 10,912 cases. All but one study found an inverse relation between magnesium intake and risk of type 2 diabetes, and in four studies the association was statistically significant. Overall, an increase of 100 mg of magnesium per day resulted in a 15% reduction in overall risk of type 2 diabetes.

Based on these studies, magnesium intake is inversely associated with incidence of type 2 diabetes. This finding suggests that increased consumption of magnesium from supplements and foods such as whole grains, beans, nuts, and green leafy vegetables may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Source: Magnesium intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis, Larsson and Wolk, J Intern Med. 2007 Aug;262(2):208-14

Cancer a multistage process‏

Dr. Don Mallins, a biochemist form Seattle, reported a new method of identifying structural changes in the DNA of breast tissue. Dr. Mallins noted structural changes in breast tissue as he followed normal breast tissue to metastatic breast cancer in all of its developmental stages. Dr. Mallins concluded that it was oxidative stress as the root cause of damage to the DNA of breast tissue that he had observed, which eventually led to the development of breast cancer.

All cancer researchers now agree that cancer is a multistage process that usually takes decades to develop. In adults cancer can take 20 or even 30 years to develop from the initial mutation of the DNA to becoming a full-blown cancer. In children this process may progress much more rapidly because of the rapid turnover of the cells.

Source: Dr. Strand Health Nuggets (newsletter@Bionutrition.org)

The root cause of cancer — oxidative stress?‏

Researchers today all agree that cancers develop in adults over decades. You don’t just wake up one day and have cancer. It is the result of small changes that occurs over years and years. Dr. Peter Korvacic states after a major review of the medical literature:

“Of the numerous theories that have been advanced, oxidative stress is the most comprehensive, and it has stood the test of time. It can rationalize and correlate most aspects associated with the development of cancer.”

Researchers have shown that when the DNA nucleus of the cell is exposed to excessive free radicals that it can cause mutation or damage to the DNA. When this cell replicates, this mutation is carried to each newly developed cell. Then more oxidative damage can occur and this vicious cycle can continue to the point where a true cancer eventually develops.

Source: Dr. Strand Health Nuggets (newsletter@Bionutrition.org)

Whey improves insulin response in type 2 diabetics‏

In type 2 diabetics, whey added to high-GI meals may increase insulin secretion and improve blood glucose clearance after a meal. This can be of significant benefit to those with reduced insulin secretion and/or compromised blood glucose regulation.

In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers evaluated whether supplementation of high-glycemic meals (GI) with whey proteins would increase insulin secretion and improve blood glucose control in type 2 diabetics.

Subjects with type 2 diabetes were served a high-GI breakfast and lunch supplemented with whey on one day, and lean ham and lactose on another day.

When whey was included in the meal, insulin responses were significantly higher for both breakfast and lunch than when it was not included. In addition, blood glucose response was significantly reduced after lunch with the inclusion of whey.

In type 2 diabetics, whey added to high-GI meals may increase insulin secretion and improve blood glucose clearance after a meal. This can be of significant benefit to those with reduced insulin secretion and/or compromised blood glucose regulation.

Source: Effect of whey on blood glucose and insulin responses to composite breakfast and lunch meals in type 2 diabetic subjects, Frid et al, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 82, No. 1, 69-75, July 2005

Cancer — a major fear‏

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the US and Canada. There are nearly 1.5 million new cases of cancer diagnosed each year and nearly 550,000 individuals who die from cancer each and every year in the US alone. There is nothing that concerns my patients more than the concern that they may develop cancer. Since President Nixon declared war on cancer, the health care community has spent billions every year in research only to see cancer rates and deaths increase year after year.

The next several Health Nuggets will address the potential cause of cancer and give you a better understanding of the strategies necessary to decrease your risk of developing cancer. Even if you already have been diagnosed with cancer, you will be given direction on what you can do to give yourself the absolute best chance of having victory over your cancer. It is certainly a subject that interests us all.

Source: Dr. Strand Health Nuggets (newsletter@Bionutrition.org)

Healthy lifestyles can decrease all causes of inflammation‏

When you look at all the causes of inflammation of your arteries that I have detailed over the past several Health Nuggets, they all can be significantly decreased, if not eliminated, by firmly establishing healthy lifestyles. When you combine a healthy diet, modest exercise, and nutritional supplementation, you can see the following health benefits:

1. Improve Insulin Sensititivity
2. Decrease Oxidized LDL Cholesterol
3. Lower High Blood Pressure
4. Improve Cholesterol Levels
5. Decrease Risk of Diabetes
6. Lower Homocysteine Levels
7. Establish a Healthy Weight

Healthy lifestyles and becoming proactive in protecting your health is your best option to decrease your risk of heart disease or even reverse hardening of your arteries.

Source: Dr. Strand Health Nuggets (newsletter@Bionutrition.org)

High glycemic index diets increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration

A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined the association between dietary glycemic index and the 10 year incidence of AMD in the Blue Mountain Eye Study population.

This was a population-based study with 3,654 participants over 49 years of age. Volunteers were examined at the beginning (1992-1994); then were reexamined after 5 years and again after 10 years.

Over 10 years, 208 of the participants developed early AMD. After adjusting for age, smoking, other risk factors, and dietary constituents, a higher average dietary glycemic index was associated with an increased 10 year risk of early AMD. Conversely, a greater consumption of cereal fiber and breads and cereals (predominantly lower glycemic index foods such as oatmeal) was associated with a reduced risk of early AMD. No relation was observed with advanced AMD.

The research suggests that a high-glycemic-index diet is a risk factor for early AMD, and low-glycemic-index foods such as oatmeal may protect against early AMD.

Source: Dietary glycemic index and the risk of age-related macular degeneration, Kaushik et al, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 88, No. 4, 1104-1110, October 2008

Heart disease remains our #1 killer‏

In 1980, heart attacks were the number one cause of death in the US and Canada. In spite of an unprecedented campaign to lower cholesterol via statin drugs over the past generation, heart attacks are still the #1 cause of death in the US, Canada, and now the industrialized world. In fact heart attacks are responsible for over 750,000 deaths in the US alone each and every year. You would think that researchers would read their own press releases and realize that heart disease is NOT the result of too much cholesterol floating around your blood stream. Instead they have come to the conclusion that we just have not lowered LDL cholesterol levels enough.

A panel of 12 cardiologists met over 2 years ago and concluded that we need to lower LDL cholesterol below 100 and some believed that it would be better if LDL cholesterol was less than 70. It should interest you that 11 of the 12 cardiologist involved in this panel according to USA Today were on the payroll of the pharmaceutical industry. How convenient. In my experience, 98% of my patients would now need to take statin drugs. The New York Times stated that we should consider putting statin drugs into our drinking water.

Source: Dr. Strand Health Nuggets (newsletter@Bionutrition.org)

Serious or Competitive Athlete Part 2 - Nutrient Timing

November 2008

This issue of the Healthy for Life Newsletter is going to focus on what type of macronutrients a serious or competitive athlete should be supplying to their body for maximum or optimal performance and when it should be consumed for optimal recovery—nutrient timing. Most individuals who are exercising are doing so to lose or control weight. In this case, it is best to just eat a healthy diet, establish a modest exercise program and provide cellular nutrition through supplementation (Healthy for Life Program located www.releasingfat.com). However, many amateur and even professional athletes are more concerned about peak or optimal performance. Therefore, in this issue you will learn how you can take advantage of the metabolic effects of exercise and nutrient timing to optimize muscle strength, growth and recovery.

Source

This newsletter has been written by Ray D. Strand, M. D. who is a family physician who has been involved in a private family practice for over 30 years. For the past 12 years, he has focused his practice on nutritional and preventive medicine. He has written several best selling books like What Your Doctor Doesn't Know about Nutritional Medicine, Death by Prescription, and Healthy for Life. He has lectured across the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Singapore on preventive and nutritional medicine. He has also appeared on many radio and television shows.

His primary focus is to guide and educate those individuals who desire to become more proactive in protecting their health or regaining their health. His "online" medical practice is located at www.drraystrand.com*** where he shares a wealth of information in regards to those healthy lifestyles that have been shown to truly protect your health or even allow you to regain your health if you have already lost it. Members of his "online" medical practice also have personal access to Dr. Strand via email and phone consults at a very reasonable fee. Members also have access to his specific nutritional recommendations for over 100 different diseases and his bi-monthly newsletter.

There is so much information that is now available on the Internet today and it is hard to know what is true and what is not. Dr. Strand's mission is to be that health care provider that you can trust.

On his website, he also shares his clinical experience along with his extensive research of the medical literature in the following forms:

* Specific Recommendations
* Healthy Lifestyles
* Newsletters
* Health Nuggets