Dr Ray Strand's Health Nuggets

Health Nuggets

Welcome to "Health Nuggets", which are periodic emails that have been written by Ray D. Strand, M. D. and sent from his "online" medical practice. Dr. Strand 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.

You will receive short and concise emails approximately twice each week. These "Health Nuggets" are intended to share the health benefits of taking high-quality, complete and balanced nutritional supplements. You will also receive information about what constitutes a healthy diet and exercise program. When you combine a healthy diet, along with a modest, consistent exercise program and nutritional supplementation, you give yourself the absolute best chance of protecting your health. You will find that Dr. Strand's personal guidance through these short, concise emails will certainly be valuable in helping you protect your health.

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. He will share his clinical experience along with his extensive research of the medical literature as he presents the medical evidence that demands a verdict—Should you be taking Nutritional Supplements?

N.B.

- all these health nuggets are sourced from Dr. Strand Health Nuggets (newsletter@Bionutrition.org).

- www.drraystrand.com***

Keep Your Baby Safe from Toxins in Baby Bottles

We are constantly being exposed to numerous toxic compounds from air, water, and consumer products. Young children are especially vulnerable to toxins because they have immature organ systems, high metabolic rates and are going through rapid physical development. A recent study shows that infants in the U.S. may be exposed to toxic chemicals even from their baby bottles.

Toxic Bisphenol A Leaches from Popular Baby Bottles

Two recent reports have found that six major brands of popular baby bottles leach bisphenol A, a hormone-disrupting chemical used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastic. Bisphenol A is used to make numerous plastic products soft and flexible and is also used in the linings of metal food cans. It is a developmental, neural, and reproductive toxicant that mimics estrogen and can interfere with healthy growth and body function.

The brands of baby bottles tested included products made by Evenflo, Gerber, Dr. Brown’s, and Playtex, and were purchased at major retailers such as Babies R Us, Target, Walgreens, and Walmart. Laboratory testing showed that 5-8 ng/ml (parts per billion) of bisphenol A leached from all the bottles when heated to 80 degrees C (176 degrees F.). Scientific studies have shown that bisphenol A levels as low as parts per trillion may alter cell function. Heating bottles, pouring hot liquids into them, or using them to give babies acidic or basic beverages have all been shown to increase the rate of bisphenol A leaching from bottles. The use of bisphenol A in the manufacture of baby bottles should be phased out immediately.

Sources:

Baby’s Toxic Bottle: Bisphenol A Leaching from Popular Brands of Baby Bottles, The Work Group for Safe Markets, 2008

Toxic Baby Bottles: Scientific study finds leaching chemicals in clear plastic baby bottles, Gibson, R.L, Environment California Research & Policy Center, 2007

Omega-3 fatty acids vs. statin drugs for reducing mortality risk

A recent meta-analysis (involving almost 100 clinical trials and more than 250,000 individuals) reviewed mortality risk reduction from both statin drugs and omega-3 fatty acids. The results were impressive: statins reduced overall mortality risk by 13%, while omega-3 fatty acids reduced it by a dramatic 23%.

A review published in the April 11, 2005 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine analyzed the effects of various lipid-lowering regimens on overall mortality and mortality from coronary heart disease. Researchers reviewed 97 clinical trials that included 137,140 men and women receiving treatment and 138,976 control subjects. This analysis compared the mortality risk associated with diet, lipid-lowering drugs, omega-3 fatty acids (commonly found in fish oils), and niacin.

Statins (a class of lipid-lowering drugs) and omega-3 fatty acids significantly lowered both overall and coronary heart disease mortality risk during the trial periods. When compared to controls, overall mortality risk was reduced 13 percent by statin drugs and 23 percent by omega-3 fatty acids. When the risk of mortality from heart disease alone was examined, the use of statin drugs and omega-3 fatty acids were found to lower the risk by 22 and 32 percent, respectively.

Since omega-3 fatty acids did not reduce cholesterol levels significantly, researchers suggest that protection against heart arrhythmias, in addition to known anti-inflammatory properties, may be responsible for the reduction in mortality risk.

Source: Effect of different antilipidemic agents and diets on mortality: a systematic review, Studer et al, Arch Intern Med. 2005 Apr 11;165(7):725-30

When "recent studies" contradict conventional wisdom

A recent study has generated negative headlines worldwide and caused consumers to question the efficacy and safety of antioxidant supplements. Many health professionals and nutrition experts have been highly critical of this study, and they have been quick to respond with refuting analyses and firm rebuttals.

Earlier this month, an updated meta-analysis was published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews entitled Antioxidant supplements for prevention of mortality in healthy participants and patients with various diseases. Almost immediately, scores of headlines and articles appeared stating that antioxidant vitamins were not only useless, but that they also shorten life span.

The Cochrane study is not new research. Rather, it is a slightly adjusted version of a meta-analysis published in 2007 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. That JAMA study received very stern criticism at the time of its publishing for many of its methods and conclusions, and this newer version of the study hasn't been any better received.

But unfortunately, with the onslaught of sensationalist headlines and scare tactics it is often difficult for the average person to know what to believe, and even harder to know how to defend those beliefs. To make matters worse, health professionals and physicians are often just as susceptible to these scare tactics, and many seldom get past the headlines, making it even more difficult to discuss nutrition, diet, and preventive health in a reasonable manner.

What follows are links to analyses and rebuttals of the most recent Cochrane study. A greater understanding of this and similar studies should assist you in future discussions with your contacts and health professionals.

Council For Responsible Nutrition (CRN) comments and analysis.

http://www.crnusa.org/CRNPR_08_AntioxidantStudy041608.html

http://www.crnusa.org/pdfs/CRN_Analysis_AntioxidantStudy_041608.pdf

Stephen Daniells, PhD, the science editor for NutraIngredients.com and FoodNavigator.com. Dr. Daniells received a PhD in chemistry from Queen's University of Belfast.

http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?n=84792-meta-analysis-antioxidants-randomised-clinical-trials

Health First: Notes from Dr. Wentz

The first step in leading a healthy lifestyle is awareness of the latest health information, which can allow you to make informed decisions.

USANA Founder Dr. Myron Wentz shares his expertise on the latest research to help you put your health first.