REPORTING POINT 05-00
AEROMEDICAL NEWS
“Live healthy...live well”
HEALTH NEWS
by Larry Kline
SWAPA Voice Mailbox 511/email: lwkline@compuserve.com
IS BALDNESS AN INDICATOR OF HEART DISEASE? - Balding men have an increased risk of heart disease, according to "The Physician's Health Study" published recently in
the Archives of Internal Medicine. Risk factors such as family history, smoking, diabetes and high cholesterol levels were also evaluated in this study. Vertex‑pattern baldness seemed to carry the most risk and, indeed, might be a marker for an increased risk of heart disease, especially among men with high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels according to Gary Gerstenblith, M.D., professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins. Intelihealth.com
WATER & EXERCISE = REDUCED RECTAL CANCER RISK - according to a recent study published in the International Journal of Cancer, researchers found that male subjects who consumed the most water had a 92 percent lower risk of rectal cancer than those who drank the least water. Male subjects with the most active lifestyles had an 83 percent lower risk of rectal cancer than sedentary men. The researchers hypothesize that adequate water intake and exercise may be factors in reducing colon cancer by speeding bowel transit time, thus decreasing the time that potential carcinogens in partially digested food are in contact with the intestinal lining. Men’s Fitness 12/99.
THE BEST SUNSCREENS - always buy a sun screen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher for the best protection against ultraviolet B radiation, the kind most responsible for sunburn and tanning. There is not a lot of additional protection from higher ratings, but such sun screens may be worth buying for children or those with very fair skin. Also, chose a product with avobenzone (Parsol 1789), which protects against the widest spectrum of ultraviolet A radiation, which causes skin aging and possibly melanoma. Once hard to find, avobenzone is now used, along with UVB-screening ingredients, in 12 leading brands. Or use a product with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter, 7/99.
VITAMIN C SUPPLEMENTS MAY REDUCE HEART DISEASE RISK - a daily dose of 500 mg of vitamin C can reverse a condition that leads to heart attacks. A study published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation tracked a group of adults who all had 50 percent blockage in their blood vessels. After just 30 days, the subjects who had been given vitamin C experienced significant improvement in the lining of their blood vessels while the condition of the placebo group did not change. Men’s Fitness 11/99.
VITAMIN E MAY REDUCE RISK OF TYPE 2 DIABETES - those with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent) or those at high risk for developing it should take vitamin E supplements. Several studies have suggested that this vitamin may improve control of blood sugar, notably by enhancing the action of insulin and by affecting cell membranes. In addition, diabetics seem to be particularly prone to the “oxidative stress” caused by free radicals, which contributes to their increased risk for cardiovascular disease as well as diabetic complications. Vitamin E and other antioxidants help combat free radicals. Safe dosages are in the 400-800 IU range per day. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter, 7/99.
LOW-FAT = HIGH SPF - a low-fat diet seems to boost the body’s natural sun protection. Researchers in Texas found that people on a low-fat diet had a greatly reduced risk of developing pre-malignant growths and non-melanoma skin cancers. They believe that the low-fat diet bolsters the body’s immune system. Self, 5/97.
EAT CARBS TO BURN FAT?? - many people think that carbohydrates are the enemy of anyone trying to lose fat, but some carbs may actually increase your metabolism. A recent study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise shows that subjects who ate low-glycemic carbs three hours before a cardio workout burned 118 percent more fat and 12 percent less carbs than those who ate foods high on the glycemic index.
Besides helping the body burn more fat, low-glycemic carbs will provide a better source of energy for a longer-more efficient workout. Good low-glycemic carb choices include apples, black beans, and protein-enriched pasta. A fruit smoothie with yogurt and fat-free milk will provide a good source of low-glycemic carbohydrates and protein to fuel any workout. Try passing on the white rice, potatoes, bread, and cookies before a workout as these foods are quickly converted into blood sugars. Men’s Fitness 11/99.
PACKAGED FOODS HIDDEN DANGER - many pre-packaged foods - (margarine, puddings, crackers, cookies, potato chips, etc.) - contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Hydrogenation makes some of the unsaturated fats more saturated and also results in “trans fats” which also act like saturated fat, boosting blood cholesterol and increasing the risk of heart disease. Manufacturers hydrogenate - add hydrogen - to polyunsaturated vegetable oils in order to give them and the processed and packaged foods made from them, a more solid consistency and a longer shelf life.
Fats and saturated fats are required to be listed on the label of foods, but trans-fats are not required at this time to be listed. The trans-fats are just as hazardous to your cardiovascular health as saturated fats. Try avoiding or at least limiting products with partially-hydrogenated oils. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter, 7/99.
CANCER-FIGHTING CALCIUM - calcium, according to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine is a nutrient that has a potent anticarcinogenic effect in combating colon cancer, the third-leading cause of cancer death among Americans. Besides reducing colon cancer risk, calcium can reduce the risk of osteoporosis. But it should be noted that calcium intake along will not reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Exercising helps the body absorb the calcium, but recent studies have found that a diet heavy with protein actually weakens bones. Most American diets have so much protein, that the body breaks protein into amino acids, then uses the acids to build muscle and other tissues. Any excess protein remains in the bloodstream, causing the blood to become very acidic. The body tries to correct the acid imbalance by removing calcium from the skeleton, to neutralize the acid - high protein intake increases calcium loss. The answer seems to consume enough calcium through diet and supplements to compensate for this loss. Good sources of dietary calcium, beside dairy products, include sardines, fortified orange juice, broccoli, and almonds. Men’s Fitness, 8/99, Health, 7/99.
VITAMIN BUYING GUIDE - the most expensive vitamins may not be any better than a generic multi-vitamin. According to the University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter, you should look for a “USP” on the label, meaning that the product meets the standards of the U.S. Pharmacopeia, including a test for disintegration, and has been tested under controlled laboratory conditions. Most brand-name vitamins aren’t labeled USP, because the manufacturers either don’t want to do the tests, or prefer to guarantee the products via the brand names. Generic or store brands are more often labeled USP and are usually cheaper.
The Wellness Letter also recommends looking for 100% of the Daily Value of the following vitamins: A (some from beta carotene), B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6, B12, folic acid, and D.
The following minerals are also recommended for up to 100% of the Daily Value: copper, zinc, magnesium, iron, iodine, selenium (not more than 200 mcg), and chromium (not more than 200 mcg). Most multi-vitamins also contain tiny amounts of trace minerals such as boron, manganese, and molybdenum.
Most of the multis also contain vitamins C and E at 100 to 200% of the RDA, but this is not enough to provide the full antioxidant effects and other potential benefits of these vitamins. It is recommended that everyone consume 200 to 800 IU of vitamin E and 250 to 500 mgs of vitamin C daily.
Premenopausal women should look for 100% of the RDA of iron. Pregnant women should be sure to consume at least 400 IU of folic acid daily. This vitamin helps prevent neural tube birth defects that affect thousands of babies every year in the U.S. This vitamin is actually better absorbed by the body in supplemental form than by ingestion by food source. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter, 7/99.
