Health News

CROSSFEED 1-97

AEROMEDICAL NEWS

HEALTH NEWS

by Larry Kline

NON-INVASIVE HEART TEST - a relatively new test can determine your risk of coronary trouble in people who show no symptoms. The test is a EBCT (electron-beam computed tomography, also known as "Ultrafast CT"). By scanning the heart at high speeds, a three-dimensional image of the heart is produced. With this image, doctors are able to measure the amount of calcium deposits that build up in coronaries, otherwise known as hardening of the arteries. EBCT scanning costs from $375 to $500 and is used in over 25 cities in the U.S. Call 214-706-1173 for more information on the procedure. Prime, Winter /1996.

USE IT OR LOSE IT - how you'll get around 30 years from now depends on how much you get around now, according to Yale University researchers. A study published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise evaluated people over 65 doing tasks such as standing on one leg and picking up small objects. The tasks were associated with various levels of mobility: basics like bathing and dressing, daily chores such as cooking and housework, and high-mobility functions like walking half a mile or carrying a 25-pound load.

Middle-aged participants (yes, you are "middle-aged!) who were highly physically active had on average 50-60 percent lower mobility and coordination loss than those who were less active or sedentary. This backs up previous studies showing that higher levels of functional ability as people age are directly related to their levels of physical activity. So if you are a couch potato now, you probably will be an old couch potato after retirement, with limited physical abilities. But the more active that you are now, the chances are that you may enjoy a healthy, active long retirement.

Healthfact No. 1 - FITNESS RIPOFFS - according to Fitness for Dummies authors Suzanne Schlosberg and Liz Neporent, here are some of the latest fitness scams:

- Spot-reducing gadgets. The only thing "waist-trimmers," "fat-reducers" or "thigh-melters" will shrink is your wallet. You cannot spot-reduce fat from the body. Proper diet and exercise will cause an overall improved body-fat ratio.

- Pseudo-science. Anyone can put "scientifically proven" on a product label.

- Celebrity endorsements. These people are paid to act like they are knowledgeable. - Infomercials. These are 30 minute commercials - Period!

- False "gods of fitness". Beware of titles like "trainer to the stars" or any other noncertifiable title.


HOW GOOD ARE YOUR EYES? - so you always breeze past the eye exam of your physicals, can spot a cop in the rear view mirror three blocks away, and can always see whether the pin is up or back on the green. But can you follow the puck in a hockey game or track a hard tennis serve into your body? The difference is "static vision"-the kind you use to read a newspaper-versus "dynamic vision," what you use to track a moving object. Well-developed dynamic vision is crucial to almost every athlete, whether he is hitting a ball, blocking a kick, throwing-up a 3-pointer, turning a fighter to engage an adversary, or trying to avoid opposite direction-12 o'clock traffic.

New research points to the fact that an athlete can significantly improve their performance if the eyes are trained - one can improve the dynamic vision through therapy.

The first step is to find a sports-vision optometrist. Therapy will measure the 12 different components of sports vision and is usually done in the office. For more information, contact the Sports Vision Section of the American Optometric Association, 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO. 63141. It may help keep flying LUVjets a non-contact sport! Prime, Winter /1996

Healthfact No. 2 - 1 out of 5 deaths in the United States are caused by tobacco use. Surgeon General's Report

PERHAPS IT'S UP TO YOU - cancer that is. According to the Harvard School of Public Health a total of 30 percent of all cancers are related to tobacco use, 30 percent are related to poor diet or obesity, and 5 percent are related to a lack of exercise. The controversial report states that perhaps only 10 percent of all cancers are genetically acquired.

NEW MILK LABELLING - the government is going to require milk to be labelled in similar language to the rest of the foods that we purchase. Gone will be terms such as "skim, 1%, or 2 %". Here's how the new rules will equate to what we use today:

Current New Calories/cup Grams fat

Skim Fat-free 80 0

1% Light 100 2.5

2% Reduced Fat 120 5.0

Milk(Whole Milk) Milk 150 8.0

Headline News 11/20/96

JUST ADD WATER - do you get enough water daily? Even if you eat the proper foods, they are of little use if you don't drink enough water. The list of benefits that come from consuming enough water is staggering:

- Water transports nutrients throughout the body and is necessary for all building functions of the body.

- It is essential for fat utilization. If it's dehydrated, the body won't release fat as an energy source.

- It is necessary for nearly every body process, including digestion, absorption, circulation and excretion.

- It regulates temperature and respiration.

- Although your body is approximately 50 to 60 percent water, you have to drink water each day to replenish what you lose from daily activity. Estimates vary as to exactly how much you need, but if you are active, it is somewhere between 64 ounces and 96 ounces a day.


Caffeinated drinks and drinks with artificial sweeteners are diuretics. To compensate for their diuretic effect, you have to drink twice as much water as you did the beverage-on top of the basic requirements. Prime, Winter/1996

"Smoking cures weight problems...eventually." Steven Wright-comedian

MASSAGE IS GOOD MEDICINE - a good massage may be preventive medicine, especially as one ages. Research suggests that a good massage boosts the immune system, which is important because immune function naturally declines with age. One study looked at 20 men with HIV who were given daily massages for one month. During the month, natural "killer cells", a vital part of immune function, as well as other immune system cells, increased considerably. The massages also significantly decreased levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Prime, Winter/1996

NOW OR LATER - when shopping for heartburn relief, you must consider whether you want rapid relief or long-lasting relief. A recent study found that antacids such as "Tums" and "Rolaids" begin helping in 30 minutes and last an hour; histamine-blockers such as "Pepcid AC" and "Tagamet" kick in after 90 minutes and last at least nine hours. But don't use the two kinds in tandem. Antacids seem to weaken the long-acting drugs. Health, 10/96.

VITAMIN C HELPS SMOKERS - one of the many negative effects of nicotine is that is contracts the blood vessels, hindering blood flow to the heart. German scientists have found that an injection of vitamin C directly into a smoker's artery caused the vessel to dilate normally. Now a study by the Boston Medical Center has found that 2,000 mgs of vitamin C has the same effect. Vitamin C, long known as an efficient antioxidant, helps eliminate free radicals. The Boston study found that free radicals can destroy the body's supply of nitric oxide, the chemical that triggers normal relaxation and dilation of the arteries. By eliminating free radicals, vitamin C stabilizes this chemical so arteries can open up and provide sufficient blood to the heart.

Additionally, much research has hailed vitamin C and A as reducing the risk of many types of cancers and heart disease by acting as antioxidants and enhancing immune function. A new study recently published in the American Journal of Epidemiology looked at the relationship between dietary intake of these antioxidants and the risk of death among meddle-aged men. The study showed that relative risk of death was 27 percent lower for those who took vitamin C alone, 20 percent lower with beta-carotene (vitamin A), and 26 percent lower for those who took a combination of the antioxidants. Researchers concluded that eating foods rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, fresh fruits, dark-green leafy vegetables, carrots, and tomatoes, reduces risk of death in middle-aged men. Prime, Winter/1996.

ZINC MAY LESSEN COLD'S SEVERITY - in tests on 100 health-clinic employees, taking zinc gluconate lozenges every two hours cut the average cold's duration almost in half, to about four days. The lozenges are marketed as "Cold-eeze". Men's Fitness 11/96.


FOOD PRIMER - there are three basic elements of a balanced diet. All foods are measured by their energy value, the calorie. Back to your freshman physics, remember the a calorie is a measure of the heat (energy) needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree C. Three classifications of nutrients that supply energy and are measured in caloric values per gram of weight are:

Carbohydrates: These supply energy in the form of sugar (glucose). The two basic kinds of carbohydrates are "simple," contained in foods such as table sugar, fruits and candies; and "complex," contained in foods such as potato, pasta, rice, and breads, Carbohydrates contain four calories per gram.

Protein: This is necessary for growth and repair of body tissues. Examples of these foods are poultry, beef, fish and eggs. It's the single most important nutrient because it is found in every cell of our body. Protein contains four calories per gram.

Fats: Fats are separated into two categories; saturated (meats, dairy and lard), and unsaturated (vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, fish). The unsaturated fats contain essential fatty acids and are cholesterol-free. Saturated fats contain cholesterol, and require moderation in consumption because of their link to heart disease. All fats are potentially slow-release energy sources. Fats contain nine calories per gram. Prime, Winter/1996.

FITNESS DEFINED - there are five aspects to total fitness. Forget preoccupation with weight, or trendy diets. "Fitness is composed of...strength, cardiovascular, kinesthetic, mental, and nutrition..." says Steve Ilg, one of the top athletic trainers in the country, whose training approach aims to incorporate all aspects of an individual's health and lifestyle.

Strength and cardio are obvious; kinesthetic fitness includes flexibility and the ability to move laterally; mental fitness involves focus, discipline, and stress management; and proper nutrition supplies the body with the necessary materials to fuel and maintain health.

"The emphasis on exercising for fitness is good because otherwise many people tend to quit when they realize they're never going to have a perfect body" says Susan Yankovski, M.D., director of the Obesity and Eating Disorders Program for the National Institutes of Health. You may never attain the perfect body, but you can make the most with what you have and enjoy a healthy, happy lifestyle. Men's Fitness 12/96

THE HERBAL MEDICINE CHEST: Saw Palmetto

This herb is derived from the dark berries of a small southeastern United States palm tree. It was traditionally used as an aphrodisiac and to tone the male reproductive system by American Indians and early settlers. Later, naturopathic physicians used the berries in the treatment of prostate disorders. European studies confirmed an effect on male sex hormones, and an extract has exhibited positive clinical results in treating enlargement of the prostate They discovered that it was the fat and sterol portion of the berry , found in the oil, that was responsible for the effects in the treatment of enlarged prostates. It is also used as an expectorant to treat respiratory complaints such as colds, coughs, and bronchitis. Saw Palmetto contains polysaccharides with potential immune-boosting effects. It is sold as tablets, concentrated drops, extracts, and tinctures.


Nearly 60% of men between the ages of 40 and 60 years have an enlarged prostate gland. This condition is known in the medical community as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is believed to be caused by an accumulation of the male sex hormone testosterone in the prostate. Once within the prostate, testosterone is converted to an even more potent compound dihydrotestosterone. This compound causes cells to multiply excessively and eventually causes the prostate to enlarge. The fat soluble substances in Saw Palmetto berries have been proven to prevent the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. This enables dihydrotestosterone to be broken down and excreted by the body. The Healthy Cell News, Fall/Winter 1996 and Natural Health Handbook/1996.

"JAWS" AS A CANCER CURE? - sharks don't get cancer, so some researchers have been investigating the possibility that the animal's cartilage can treat human cancers. Studies done on rabbits have shown that powdered shark cartilage in controlled-release pellets prevented the growth of new blood vessels that could nourish tumor growth, and anecdotal reports have recounted dramatic responses to shark-cartilage therapy.

FDA-approved clinical trials are in progress. Many scientists question whether the active proteins that supposedly inhibit tumor growth can be absorbed by the human body when taken in an oral supplement. Meanwhile, shark cartilage is sold in health-food stores. If you try the supplement before the FDA report, choose those without added sugar and that have not been sterilized with ethylene oxide, a potential carcinogen. Cancer Smart newsletter

DHEA - THE PROMISE AND THE FACTS - DHEA is a hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex. It circulates in the bloodstream in quantities thousands of times greater than any other hormone in the body. Because it is structurally similar to other hormones, DHEA acts as a raw material from which the body can produce other hormones, such as testosterone, estrogen, and cortisone, as needed.

However, DHEA has many of its own unique functions. DHEA levels in the body peak around age 21 and slowly decline over the years. Men in their prime produce about 31 mgs. daily; women, about 19 mgs. DHEA production can decrease 80 to 90 percent by age 75. If you compare the DHEA levels of a healthy person to a person of the same age and sex who has a serious health problem, the healthy person will have much more DHEA. Many cancer patients and persons suffering from chronic fatigue report that their blood tests revealed that they had almost no DHEA. Stress also decreases DHEA production in the body, as does smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and birth control pill usage.

DHEA appears to be free of side effects when taken in the proper amount. But when taken in amounts greater than what the body needs, DHEA can produce several undesired effects, such as acne, facial hair on women, rapid heart beat, headaches, and sleeplessness. If any of these symptoms appear, one should immediately reduce the intake of the hormone. Most of these side effects should disappear within a few days. DHEA should be used under the care and supervision of a healthcare professional, so that blood levels of the hormone can be monitored. The younger and healthier that you are, the less you need, because your body may still be producing adequate amounts. Remember, no long-term studies have been done on humans to determine exactly what is a safe long-term dosage.


Many people are now turning to DHEA as part of an anti-aging and disease prevention program. The goal is to bring DHEA levels up to that which was produced in your prime. However, DHEA is not recommended for those under 40 years of age. Some initial studies have revealed that DHEA enhances the immune system by stimulating T lymphocytes and enhancing interleukin-2 production. It may also fight osteoporosis by improving calcium absorption. Those suffering from inflammatory diseases such as lupus and arthritis have found relief as DHEA can convert into anti-inflammatory cortisone.

DHEA is also used by those desiring to lose excess body fat. In one study, 1,600 mgs. of DHEA were divided into four doses throughout the day and given to five normal weight males. After 28 days, with diet and physical activity remaining normal, four of the five exhibited a mean body fat decrease of 31 percent with no overall weight change. This suggests that muscle mass increased. Lower and safer levels of DHEA also produced fat loss. While the results are less dramatic, they are much healthier for the body. One 50-year old subject reported losing 30 pounds gradually, while using a 50 mg. dose for over eight years.

Researchers have found that DHEA levels increase naturally in the body with regular exercise. DHEA has also been found to increase fat metabolism and decrease fat storage through thermogenesis and its effects on insulin. Finally, some preliminary research indicates that DHEA appears to inhibit the activity of an enzyme that is associated with the proliferation of cancer cells.

However, not everyone is on the DHEA bandwagon. "There is no legitimate evidence that DHEA affects aging", says Arthur G. Schwartz, PH.D., a DHEA researcher and microbiologist at Temple University. Worse, the body converts DHEA into testosterone, which could cause serious problems. Schwartz believes that long‑term supplementation of higher than 25 grams per day‑and some devotees take twice that amount‑could eventually cause heart disease and prostate cancer.

"DHEA is snake oil at this point", says Elizabeth Barrett‑Connor,M.D., professor at the University of California at San Diego and a long standing authority on the hormone. "There have been no long‑term clinical tests in people, and animal studies are meaningless‑animals don't even have DHEA."

Still proponents of the hormone are undaunted, so you can expect more hoopla about DHEA for a while. "Skiing is dangerous, and people do that," says Ray Sahelian, M.D., author of DHEA : a practical guide. "People should take the gamble if there's a good chance it might work."

"No thanks," replies Schwartz. "If DHEA could reverse aging, believe me, I'd take it. At 55, I need it." Prime, Winter/1996, Men's Health 3/97.

Naturopathic Health Care

The New Frontier for Conventional Medicine

by Karl Maerzluft

[insert Karl's article here]

From the Flight Surgeon:

"WONDER OF WONDERS!!'"

by Joe Battersby, D.O.

FAA Medical Examiner

(edited for this publication-LK)

[insert Battersby article here]

(I will fax Battersby article to you later - LK)