Vitamin D Shows Promise

It seems like every other day we hear about how this vitamin or that vitamin can work wonders for certain folks, either as a preventative or to assist in recovery. Vitamin D therapy, however, is showing real results.

A British study has found that middle-aged and elderly people with high levels of vitamin D reduce their risk of developing heart disease or diabetes by 43 percent.

Vitamin D also is associated with additional health benefits, including reduced risk of developing several types of cancer (breast, prostate) and promoting bone and joint health.

While our bodies manufacture vitamin D on exposure to sunshine, the levels in some northern countries are so weak during the winter months that our bodies make no vitamin D at all, meaning dietary supplements and fortified foods, such as salmon and tuna, are key.

“We found that high levels of vitamin D among middle-age and elderly populations are associated with a substantial decrease in cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome,” says study co-leader Dr. Oscar Franco, assistant professor of public health at Warwick Medical School, United Kingdom.

“Targeting vitamin D deficiency in adult populations could potentially slow the current epidemics of cardiometabolic disorders,” Franco says.

By The Numbers

Researchers at Warwick reviewed 28 studies which examined vitamin D and cardiometabolic disorders, which include cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. The 99,795 participants included men and women from many of ethnic groups.

Participants with the highest levels of vitamin D lowered their risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 33 percent, their risk of Type 2 diabetes by 55 percent, and their chances of metabolic syndrome by 51 percent when compared to those with low levels of the vitamin.

The National Institute of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements recommends adults under the age of 50 get 200 IU of vitamin D daily. Adults 50-70 should get 400 IU daily, and adults ages 71 and above should have an intake of 600 IU each day.

Closer To Home

I can say vitamin D therapy worked for me. In fact, the results were rather amazing, totally unexpected.

The first sign of something amiss was when I noticed my energy levels were not what they would normally be; I could not do household maintenance at my usual comfort level. It took me hours more to do basic physical chores, such as mowing the lawn.

After routine blood tests ordered by my doctor, it was apparent my vitamin D level was on the low side. The doctor ordered the following: one vitamin D tablet (5000 IU) a week for five weeks and a daily tablet of 1000 IU.

Within days of starting this dosing, I felt my energy levels rushing back. And, within two weeks, my normal stamina was restored. I continue to take a daily vitamin D tablet of 1000 IU with dinner and still feel fine, no side effects.

Mind over matter, or just coincidence? Will it work for everyone? I think not.

I followed up with my doctor who said he found a certain percentage of his patients were showing favorable results from vitamin D therapy. He theorized in my case that, for whatever reason, my body could no longer absorb enough vitamin D from natural sources, including sunlight.

Because of concern over skin cancer, many folks (including me) have avoided long exposure time to the sun. In addition, one’s body chemistry can change with age, so nutrients and vitamins you once absorbed easily are no longer done so.

“When we are older we may need to spend more time outdoors to stimulate the same levels of vitamin D we had when we were younger,’’ Franco says.

For me, vitamin D therapy was an interesting mix of learning and relief. Bottom line: It was an easy fix for something, I feared, was far worse. And it reminded me that sometimes the answers to problems are right in front of us!

Ken Cocuzzo

Health Reform: Cure Vs. Care

There’s a new twist in the health care debate: cure or care? Which do you think is going to cost less and is preferable: a cure for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, or caring for people after they are diagnosed with these illnesses?

It’s better medical and public policy to direct more resources toward finding a cure for diseases that cost a lot to treat, instead of relying on government insurance programs, such as Obama Care, which seeks mainly to help pay bills for people after they become ill.

This is a no-brainer, especially in a recession-drained U.S. economy struggling to increase employment, drive down debt, maintain services and improve the quality of life for Americans.

But many politicians are locked into an “old school” paradigm that focuses too much on hospitals, doctors and prescription drugs and too little on medical research and preventative care, so people will not need hospitals, doctors, or drugs.

Obviously, we need another prescription for true health care reform.

Change Status Quo

As syndicated columnist Cal Thomas notes, the pursuit of cures as a priority will be thoroughly explored in “Serious Medicine Strategy,” a forthcoming book by James Pinkerton, a former senior advisor to the Mike Huckabee for president campaign.

Pinkerton, a former Newsday columnist , asserts it’s not a failure to fund research to cure diseases that ends lives prematurely but, rather, it’s absent the commitment by political leaders to make research a priority in their speeches and policy statements.

More than 50 years ago, political and medical communities rallied and led the public to a cure for polio and the elimination of the need for “iron lungs.” This feat was the medical equivalent of walking on the moon.

One has to wonder why we can’t develop a united front to find cures for diabetes, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and other major illnesses.

Pinkerton says it’s because of the “baneful influence of the (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration and trial lawyers.

Reforms We Need

WMB believes that if the government would protect the ability of entrepreneurs and scientists to create products without the risk of being sued into oblivion, capital would come pouring into the pharmaceutical sector from global investors.

WMB suggests opponents to Obama Care pick up on this strategy of cures before care. Instead, most politicians almost are singularly focused on repealing the entire health care “reform” law.

The health care package should be repealed, or at least experience an extreme makeover; Obama Care law doesn’t cure anyone of anything. Finding cures for diseases helps people live longer, and it’s cost-efficient for our society.

Consider all the money that has been saved by no longer having to treat victims of polio, smallpox and tuberculosis. Imagine the savings when a cure is eventually found for cancer!

Additionally, the retirement age could easily be raised since older people could work longer and live more vigorous and productive lives. More tax-generating citizens can help fuel the economy.

Sure, there are many promising research programs under way, ranging from stem cell research to genetic engineering. Researchers need to focus on diseases we are closest to curing and prioritize accordingly.

The question remains: Would you rather be healthy and fit and live a long life, or be taken care of in your illness by a government health system that sees you as a burden and is constantly trying to reduce care and lower costs?

The problem is that once a nation has made a wrong turn, it is difficult, if not impossible, to reverse the course.

WMB believes America still has time to make the right choices and move in the direction of cures. Now, all we need is decisive political leadership to provide the pathway for a much more productive society, with a better quality of life for its citizens.

This post is by TechMan, WMB co-author who blogs about trends, issues and ideas affecting business, industry, technology and consumers. If you like this post, please share it.

Kids: You Are What You Eat

Cupcakes, potato chips, cookies and other junk foods are going to find their way into your child’s mouth sooner or later. And, of course, there’s readily available unhealthy fast-food loaded with salt and filler ingredients. Still, if left up to most kids, they’ll choose to eat anything made of either pizza or pasta.

With children returning to the classroom, what they eat for meals and snacks will be critical not only to their scholastic success now but their future health as adults.

That is more the reason to make sure the meals they are served are packed with foods rich in nutrients and vitamins, according to Rachel Beller, founder of the Beller Nutritional Institute in Beverly Hills, CA.

The mother of four and expert in eating for disease prevention recently made recommendations for her top choices of true bite-for-bite nutritional powerhouses. And more important, these are the types of foods most kids are actually likely to eat.

With that in mind, WMB offers the following selection of things you should consider adding to your supermarket list:

BLUEBERRIES

This fruit is rated one of the healthiest foods because it is an antioxidant. New research suggests that they protect against heart disease but also are likely responsible for improving brain function. Blueberries also help reduce visceral or “toxic” belly fat; a type of fat that is likely related to obesity and metabolic dysfunction.

Ways to get them into kids’ diet is to include them on top of cereal or use them in pancakes. They also can be tossed into a bowl with granola and milk, and also are used on top of salad or in desserts. Healthy ice pops can be created by freezing a blend of whipped-up blueberries, yogurt and honey.

SOY

“Whole soy foods are an excellent source of lean protein and have potent anti-cancer benefits,” according to Beller, who also is a spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society and a contributor to the Women’s Intervention Nutrition Study as a researcher at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and the Director of Nutritional Oncology Research and Counseling at the John Wayne Cancer Institute.

“Tofu is great for young girls because it has a protective effect as their bodies and breasts (tissue) are developing – which lasts into adulthood,” Beller says.

One way to get tofu into their diet is to dice and toss tofu into stir-fries or soups and use the silken variety as a substitute for yogurt in fruit smoothies.

Kids also can snack on lightly boiled and salted soybeans, and they can have fun popping them (edamame) out of their shells.

TOMATOES

Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, a substance that fights against many cancers. And, cooking tomatoes actually makes them healthier since that releases the lycopene.

Another helpful hint is to use oils, like olive oil, in combination with tomatoes since it helps the body absorb its nutrients.

Obvious ways to introduce tomatoes into your child’s diet is with pizza or pasta sauces.
Or, tomatoes can be added to meatballs or meatloaf if it needs to be disguised. Also, a bowl of chili or salsa (for dipping) are good sources if they like hot foods.

YOGURT

Low-fat yogurt contains healthy bacterial known to boost immunity and aid in the digestion process. It has two or three times the amount of protein and has less sugar than regular yogurt.

Yogurt can be topped with honey or maple syrup or other sweetener to lower the glycemic index. This will help to regulate the child’s blood sugar and energy level so that it doesn’t spike and then crash after breakfast. Agave syrup also is highly recommended for this purpose.

CABBAGE

Cabbage has a mild flavor and crunch that children like better than the customary salad greens. Further, vegetables like cabbage have phyto-nutrients, and are known to lower the risk for many types of cancer as well as improve the digestive system.

This food also helps to clear harmful toxins from the body by triggering the release of enzymes. One way to get cabbage into your children’s diet: shred and toss it into Asian noodle dishes.

SALMON

Salmon contains heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids which are also known to increase brain development, fend off depression, and have superb anti-inflammatory results.

The wild salmon is lower in mercury and higher in omega-3s.

The best way to get children to eat salmon is to pair it with foods they already like. This food can be glazed with orange juice or with teriyaki sauce. It also can be served a salmon cakes, or burger or in salads (mashed and mixed with low-fat mayonnaise).

COCOA

Cocoa is a very healthy food because it has one of the highest concentrations of flavonoids, a compound known to improve blood pressure, heart and oral health.

Pure cocoa is not processed with alkali since it will generally remove the flavonoids. Cocoa can be sprinkled onto pancakes, waffles or French toast. You also can dunk strawberries in it.

BLACK BEANS

Beller says the darker they are, the better for you. “They also help to guard against heart disease and high cholesterol,’’ she says. “This is a problem for both adults and children.”

Nachos or quesadillas can be made with black beans, cheese, and salsa. Another hit with children are black-bean veggie burgers, or a whipped up black-bean hummus.

BASIL

Basil also is loaded with antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, potassium and calcium and also can aid in the digestion process. Some research even indicates it can help with headaches.

Basil can be sprinkled over chicken breasts or served with pasta. If children don’t like the appearance, it can be blended in sauces, soups, and even in hamburgers or meatballs.

CINNAMON

Research shows that this spice can help regulate blood sugar and minimize early morning fatigue, according to Beller.

Cinnamon can be sprinkled onto oatmeal, pancakes, or cold cereal. It also can be added to a muffin, or quick-bread recipes. Cinnamon also can be sprinkled on popcorn, or served with cocoa.

We at WMB believe these “super-foods” can make a difference to your child’s health, now and in the critical development years ahead. These special foods also pertain to adults and can lay the foundation for a long and healthy life.

This post is by TechMan, WMB co-author who blogs about trends, issues and ideas affecting business, industry, technology and consumers. If you like this post, please share it with family, friends and colleagues!

Value Of Vitamins Overstated?

Scientific studies are casting doubts about vitamins serving as the cure-all for a variety of human ailments. Especially at issue is the benefit of mega-doses.

About a week ago, a clinical trial study concluded vitamins E and C had no effect on cancer rates for men. Another study found no effect on heart disease.

And further, a trial last month on vitamin E and selenium’s impact on prostate cancer was postponed because of concern about harmful effects. Doctors also recently reported that vitamin C protects both cancerous and healthy cells.

Vitamins, such as B12, supplement the elderly; folic acid helps women; and calcium and Vitamin D for women over 65 are beneficial.

But more than a decade of research is concluding that taking large doses of vitamins provides no general benefit.

Good & Bad Points of Vitamins

Scientists in March concluded children who take vitamin D may reduce the effect of Type 1 diabetes when they reach adulthood by as much as 30 percent.

Health expert, Dr. John Briffa, says the study is “another piece in the ever-growing body of evidence linking vitamin D and sunlight with benefits for health and disease-protection in both adults and children.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics in October recommended that young children and babies get more vitamin D to help prevent Parkinson’s disease and other disorders. The AAP recommends infants take double the amount of vitamin D previously recommended.

But other recent studies have suggested vitamins and supplements are ineffective, or even possibly harmful. The makers of the popular multivitamin supplement Airborne agreed to a $23.3 million class-action settlement for claiming the product cures and prevents colds.

An April review by the Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark of 67 health studies found that ingesting vitamins A and E and the supplement beta-carotene might actually raise the risk of premature death.

The Guardian, a UK newspaper, reports “vitamin A was linked to a 16 percent increased risk of dying, beta-carotene to a 7 percent increased risk, and vitamin E to a 4 percent increased risk.”

The New York Times notes researchers have been reporting on the negative effects of vitamins for more than a decade.

A 1994 study in Finland found that beta-carotene increased the incidence of lung cancer in smokers, and vitamin users among workers exposed to asbestos demonstrated an increase for lung cancer and death from heart disease.

Find Facts Before Dosing

In response to the latest news about vitamins E and C, Ginger Marks of The National Ledger concludes that people who are confused about the health benefits of supplements should consult a medical professional.

“Many believe that vitamins are a cure-all and help protect against lousy eating and exercise habits,’’ Marks says. “Consult your doctor; find out how much you should be eating, what particular vitamins you should be taking, and exercise. Don’t spend your money on anything without doing the research.”

If you are wondering how to maintain your health without taking supplements, Fran Berkoff of the Toronto Sun recommends to readers that the vitamins found naturally in foods are always best.

“While some of the studies question the value of taking supplements, none so far question the value of eating foods rich in these antioxidants,’’ Berkoff says. “The benefit of a rich diet in these compounds may be that they act in combination with other ingredients that are naturally found in foods.”

For instance, it may include other vitamins, minerals, natural plant chemicals and fiber. And, it may be this synergistic effect that provides you with the positive antioxidant benefit, Berkoff says.

We at WMB believe many people may want to give up taking vitamins altogether because of the conflicting information over effectiveness.

By referencing Web guides to dietary supplements and consulting with your physician, you should be able to sort fact from fiction and come up with a dietary plan that boosts your chances at achieving optimal health.

This post is by TechMan, WMB co-author who blogs about trends, ideas, issues affecting business, industry, technology and consumers.