Vitamin D: Deficiency Linked to Disease

 Last year, Dr. Michael Holick, an endocrinologist from Boston University Medical Center, wrote a wonderful review article in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine on vitamin D deficiency and also on the incredible benefits of this nutrient. Dr. Holick has published widely on the benefits of vitamin D. In fact, another article of his appeared in the June 11, 2008 edition of Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. It revealed how vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide health problem, indicating that lack of sun exposure and vitamin D deficiency have been linked to many serious diseases, including infectious disease, cardiovascular disease, auto-immune disorders and deadly cancers.

Dr. Holick also presented an amazing statistic that estimated how the risk of developing colon-rectal, breast and prostate cancer can be decreased by 30 to 50% through either increasing vitamin D intake to at least 1,000 IU per day, or increasing sun exposure to raise vitamin D levels above 30 ng/ml. He also noted that recent studies suggest women who are vitamin D deficient have over a 250% increased risk of developing colon-rectal cancer, and that women who ingest 1,500 mg a day of calcium along with 1,100 IU of vitamin D3 for four years reduce their risk of developing cancer by more than 60%.

Omega-3 Foods May Lower Eye Disease Risk 

High intake of fatty acid associated with reduction of both early and late AMD

Consuming fish and other foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of severe vision loss in elderly people. 

Australian researchers reviewed nine published studies that included a total of 88,974 participants, including 3,203 people with AMD. The combined findings from the studies suggest that a high dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a 38 percent reduced risk of late (advanced) AMD, and that eating fish twice a week is associated with a reduced risk of both early and late AMD. 

Smoking Tied to Memory Loss in Middle Age

But experts say the findings don't account for overall health factors and intelligence

Middle-aged smokers are more prone to memory problems than their non-smoking peers, a new French study suggests. 

While smoking is a recognized health hazard, there has been some debate on its effect on dementia, the study authors said. 

"Dementia is rare among middle-aged people, but cognitive function at this age in closely related to dementia," said lead researcher Severine Sabia, of the Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale in Villejuif, France. "Our results show that smoking is associated with poorer cognition and decline over five years.

Low Vitamin D Levels May Boost Men's Heart Attack Risk

Findings suggest current dietary requirements need to be increased

Vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of heart attack in men, says a U.S. study. 

Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, analyzed medical records and blood samples from 454 men, aged 40 to 75, who had a nonfatal heart attack or fatal heart disease, and compared them to 900 men who had no history of cardiovascular disease. 

Getting Calcium If You're Lactose Intolerant

Here's a list of alternatives

People with lactose intolerance should restrict their intake of dairy foods and other sources of lactose, which include foods containing whey; curds; milk by-products; dry milk solids; and nonfat dry milk powder. 

 Red yeast rice extract XZK cuts risk of dying after heart attack

A form of fermented rice used as a herbal remedy and a colouring agent in food has shown remarkable results in patients who have suffered heart attacks.

Red yeast rice cut the risk of dying from a second heart attack by almost a third, and the risk of a non-fatal heart attack by almost two thirds, a trial in 5,000 people in China showed.

The results sound incredible but the trial was well-conducted and large, and the findings highly statistically significant.

Prevent Mold in the Home

 Rid the area of moisture 

Mold is a tiny fungus that can grow inside the home and cause allergies and other health problems. 

The University of Virginia Health System offers these suggestions to help keep mold out of your home:

Resveratrol: Powerful Anti-aging Nutrient

Resveratrol is in the news again. In a study released earlier this week, researchers reported that resveratrol, a natural compound found in red wine, may protect the heart against effects of the aging process. In this study, mice were given supplemental resveratrol starting at the midportion of their life until old age. It was found that in these mice, genetic activity changed in a way that was similar to mice fed a caloric restricted diet. As I discussed in my newsletter from two weeks ago, caloric restriction appears to extend life span by up to about 30% in various animal species.

According to Dr. Tomas Prolla, a University of Wisconsin professor of genetics who helped lead the study, researchers found that resveratrol supplemented to these mice blocked a decline in heart function typically associated with aging. This is a very exciting study! Resveratrol appears to be one of the most powerful anti-aging nutrients ever discovered. Whether it extends lifespan in humans is yet to be proven, but studies published in the medical literature regarding red wine and humans indicate that health benefits are very likely for both resveratrol and red wine polyphenols.

Sunlight, Vitamin D May Cut Kids' Diabetes Risk

Type 1 disease less prevalent in populations living nearer equator, study finds

Adequate sun exposure and vitamin D levels may play an important role in helping to prevent type 1 diabetes in children, a new study suggests. 

Keep GERD (Gastroesophogeal reflux disease) Under Control

Treatment can prevent complications

Gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when a valve in the esophagus opens spontaneously, and stomach contents rise up into the esophagus. It can be controlled with a doctor's treatment plan, which is likely to include medication. 

Serious complications can result if the condition is left untreated. Here's a partial list, courtesy of the U.S. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: