Source: A retrospective case-control study of the use of hormone-related supplements and association with breast cancer. Rebbeck TR, Troxel AB, Norman S, Bunin GR, DeMichele A, Baumgarten M, Berlin M, Schinnar R, Strom BL. Int J Cancer. 2007 Apr 1;120(7):1523-8.
Abstract: Black cohosh is one of the leading herbs used for menopausal symptoms and is extensively used throughout the world for that purpose. A recent study shows that this herb may reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by more than 60 percent in women that have used the herb. Researchers conducted an epidemiological study to see if women who consume black cohosh supplements long term have a reduced breast cancer risk. They studied 949 breast cancer cases and 1,524 controls who did not have breast cancer. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the study authors determined that the use of black cohosh was associated with a 61 percent reduction in breast cancer risk.
Commentary: The vast majority of research on black cohosh is on the German proprietary preparations most notably Remifemin. A previous study looked at the use of Remifemin in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is known to induce menopause with all the symptoms. One study using Remifemin showed that black cohosh may reduce hot flashes even in these patients while another study using a different preparation showed no decrease in hot flashes. The researchers of the current study hope that their results will encourage researchers to study black cohosh farther to see if it can help prevent breast cancer as well as to determine its safety and efficacy in patients who already have breast cancer. The most important thing about this study is the women taking black cohosh were doing so past 6 months, showing that this supplement is safe even when used past this time.
Source: Obesity Linked With Persistent And Severe Asthma. Medical News Today, 29 May 2007.
Abstract: After analyzing results of a survey of more than 3,000 adults with asthma, researchers at Emory Crawford Long Hospital have found that obese patients with asthma are more likely to have severe asthma when compared to those who are not overweight.
The results of this study were presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference in San Francisco. While there have been many studies on the association between obesity and asthma incidence, few have examined obesity and its relation to asthma severity. To further understand how obesity may impact the severity of asthma, the Emory researchers looked at the association of body mass index (BMI) to quantify a patient's body size with the following measures of severity: respiratory symptoms, healthcare utilization (emergency room visits or other unscheduled doctor visits for asthma), medication usage, missed days at work and the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) severity classification. The researchers examined data from the four-state sample of the National Asthma Survey, one of the largest diverse surveys of all asthma patients in the U.S. The survey, collected over a one-year period, consists of self-reported, physician-diagnosed patients with asthma. Their analysis showed that out of more than 3,000 patients with asthma, obese patients were 66 percent more likely to report continuous symptoms, 36 percent more likely to miss more days of work and 52 percent more likely to be classified as having either moderate or severe persistent asthma when compared to non-overweight people. The obese patients were more likely to have less education, be unemployed and be African-American.
Commentary: Obesity puts you at higher risk for disease than smoking. These results are not surprising given the increase in obesity in adults. While this study was not conducted with children, it is very important that this relationship is looked at in children as well. Obesity is one of the major causes of inflammation–which is at the heart of just about every major disease.
Inactive Kids Storing Up Illness For The Future. Medical News Today, May 29, 2007.
Abstract: A new University of Leicester study funded by the British Heart Foundation reveals that the level of physical inactivity among children today has reached epidemic levels. Researchers from England have just published one of the largest studies of physical activity levels of inner city school children. They surveyed over 3,500 pupils from five inner city secondary schools in Leicester. They identified low levels of physical activity in both South Asian and white children. For example only half the children walked to school although south Asian children were less likely to walk to school compared to white children. Furthermore, half the pupils spent 4 hours or more a day watching television or videos or playing computer games. Family history of diabetes or heart disease in parents is a risk factor for development of diabetes or heart disease in their children. However, the researchers found that children of parents with a family history of diabetes or heart disease were just as likely to have sedentary behaviors as those without a family history. The researchers explain that metabolic abnormalities precede the development of diabetes by some years and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in children often persist into adulthood. There is also evidence of increased risk of cardiovascular risk factors in children of South Asian origin compared to white children. The need to implement prevention strategies for childhood obesity is therefore a major target for the government and health care professionals. These results show that overall the physical activity levels in inner city school children are very low and parents, schools and community health providers need to address the results of these findings to reduce their future risks of developing diabetes and heart disease in children.
Commentary: While this study was conducted in England, the results would be similar if not identical in the USA. What are we waiting for? We already know that physical activity is crucial to prevent and treat obesity and overweight in children and we already know the amount of garbage children are eating is contributing to this epidemic. We also know that being overweight or obese as a child or even an adolescent puts you at great risk for heart disease at a young age. Risk factors of high blood lipids, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease are already being discovered in children. What on earth are we waiting for? Our government continues to do basically nothing. We need to take the bull by the horns and demand healthy food for our children and demand that physical education be mandatory as part of their education – just like it was when I was in grade school, junior high and high school.
Source: Resveratrol improves mitochondrial function and protects against metabolic disease by activating SIRT1 and PGC-1alpha. Lagouge M, Argmann C, et al. Cell. 2006; 127(6): 1109-22.
Abstract: In a study involving 4-8 week male mice, treatment with resveratrol (RSV) was found to significantly increase aerobic capacity, improve mitochondrial function, and protect against diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. For a period of 15 weeks, male mice were fed a dose of 200 or 400 mg/kg/day (mpk) of resveratrol given either in a chow diet or high-fat diet. Plasma levels of resveratrol were dose-related, and ranged from 10 ng/ml to 120 ng/ml. Compared to controls that were not fed resveratrol, mice who received resveratrol gained less weight, which was significant in mice fed the high-fat diet. The authors discuss the effect of resveratrol on energy expenditure. Resveratrol was found to enhance adaptive thermogenesis. In mice, the majority of heat is produced by BAT (brown adipose tissue); resveratrol was found to increase larger BAT mitochondrial structures. Resveratrol was also found to increase resistance to muscle fatigue, increase muscle strength, and improve motor coordination and traction force, suggesting a beneficial effect on neuromuscular function. Fasting insulin levels were significantly reduced in resveratrol-fed mice. Glucose tolerance was also found to improve in a genetic mouse model of diabetes-obesity in animals fed resveratrol 400 mpk for 10 weeks, as compared to the same such mice not fed resveratrol. These results suggest that resveratrol may have potential to protect against weight gain and metabolic disorders.
Commentary: There continues to be excellent research on resveratrol, one of the major phenolic compounds found in red wine and red grape juice. This study is important because it demonstrates that resveratrol may enhance thermogenesis–the body’s ability to burn calories, improve insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, and improve glucose tolerance. This study also showed that this phenolic compound may also improve aspects of exercise tolerance and performance. It will be great to see if a supplement of resveratrol would have the same anti-obesity effect in humans. The levels of resveratrol that were given to the animals were quite large and would equate to about 14,000-28,000 mg being given to a 70 kg man. So clearly this would need to be repeated with a dose that would be reasonable.
Source: Vitamin D and prevention of breast cancer: pooled analysis. Garland CF, Gorham ED, et al. The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 2007; 103(3-5):708-711.
Abstract: In a pooled analysis of studies investigating the relationship between 25(OH)D levels and risk of breast cancer, persons with serum 25(OH)D levels of approximately 52 ng/ml were found to have a 50% reduced risk of breast cancer, compared to persons with serum 25(OH)D levels less than 13 ng/ml. The authors identified 2 observational studies involving 1,760 individuals for inclusion in the pooled analysis. Subjects with serum 25(OH)D levels of approximately 52 ng/ml were found to have half the risk of breast cancer, compared to subjects with 25(OH)D levels less than 13 ng/ml. The authors determined that serum 25(OH)D levels of 52 ng/ml would correspond with an intake of 4,000 IU/day vitamin D, which exceeds the National Academy of Sciences upper limit by 2,000 IU/day. Therefore, the authors conclude that, "A 25(OH)D level of 52 ng/ml could be maintained by intake of 2,000 IU/day and when appropriate, about 12 mins/day in the sun, equivalent to oral intake of 3,000 IU of Vitamin D3."
Commentary: The amount of scientific evidence linking a higher intake of vitamin D, far and above the RDI of 400-800 IU calls for a definitive change in national policy and education. Studies in adults, children and adolescents have clearly shown that the old standard for vitamin D supplementation and fortification puts you at risk for vitamin D deficiency. Measuring your blood levels of vitamin D is quite inexpensive, and you can easily have your physician measure it. An intake of 2,000 IU is generally required to even have your vitamin D levels in the normal range if you are not in the sun every day. And even if you are in the sun, the only way you can produce vitamin D is by not using any sunscreen for about 12-15 minutes per day. Since we have become sun-phobic and are using such high levels of sunscreens and being encouraged not to go in the sun, this has caused rampant vitamin D deficiency along with a national recommendation via the RDI to consume a level of vitamin D that is simply inadequate. It’s time that the public knew that they could prevent and treat numerous cancers, multiple sclerosis, immune dysfunction, bone disease including osteoporosis and osteopenia by taking higher, safer levels of vitamin D on a daily basis. It’s about the cheapest supplement you can buy. Make sure that you use vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which is the best form.
Source: Macadamia Nut Consumption Modulates Favourably Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease in Hypercholesterolemic Subjects. Garg ML, Blake RJ, et al. Lipids. 2007;42(6):583-7.
Abstract: In a study involving 17 hypercholesterolemic men, results indicate that short-term consumption of macadamia nuts may improve the risk factors for coronary artery disease. The participants received 40-90 g (1.4-3.2 ounces) of macadamia nuts daily (equivalent to 15% energy intake) for a period of 4 weeks. At intervention end, plasma lipid monounsaturated fatty acids were elevated compared to baseline. However, plasma markers of inflammation (leukotriene, LTB(4)) and oxidative stress (8-isoprostane) were significantly lower compared to baseline. Additionally, at intervention end, a 23.6% reduction in the plasma TXB(2)/PGI(2) ratio was found. Thus, the authors conclude, "This study demonstrates, for the first time, that short-term macadamia nut consumption modifies favorably the biomarkers of oxidative stress, thrombosis and inflammation, the risk factors for coronary artery disease, despite an increase in dietary fat intake."
Commentary: This study adds to the growing body of research that specific nuts such as almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, filberts, peanuts, pistachios, walnuts and macadamia nuts may substantially reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Some nuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as walnuts, while others nuts are rich in monounsaturated fats. Nuts are also a rich source of vitamin E and fiber. The amount of nuts consumed to reap this terrific benefit was small – approximately 1-3 ounces. The best type of nuts are those that are raw not roasted with additional oil, or dry roasted and not salted. I personally love organic raw almond butter. Nuts are a healthy part of an anti-inflammatory diet that includes low glycemic index foods.
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