Where I work we treat a lot of conditions of the gut. One of the things we have found to be successful in easing inflammatory bowel disease is fish oil. Recent research not only suggest that fish oil can reduce inflammation in the gut, such as ulcerative colitis, but can be a wonderful treatment for several other inflammatory conditions as well such as Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, lupus and other auto immune conditions. While most doctors recommend 1000mg of fish oil a day. I have found for inflammatory conditions the dosage can be much higher. Higher levels of fish oil can be given of 2000-5000mgs a day depending on the individuals needs.
When shopping around for fish oil make sure to smell the capsules, if they smell rancid then they should not be used. Look for EPA and DHA levels as well. EPA is an omega 3 fatty acid that can aid in heart and brain health, while DHA can protect the brain and ease inflammation in the body.
Some of my favorite companies are Nordic Naturals Ultima Omega, Metagenics EPA/DHA and
a new salmon oil that is cold pressed that has become available With New Chapter.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8161616.stm
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Drinking Coffee May Help Prevent Alzheimer's Disease
For those people who love coffee, as I do, and don't wish to give it up, there may be good news. According to a recent article on the BBC News site, caffeine may help prevent Alzheimer's disease.
Research on mice suffering from memory loss found that those mice that were given caffeine in their water performed better on memory tasks then those mice that did not. It is believed that the mechanism of action involves caffeine's ability to decrease inflammation in the brain and thus reduce the level of beta amyloid plaques. Beta amyloid plaques are proteins found in the brains of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Why people form beta amyloid plaques in the first place is a subject of intense research and theory, but there appears to be a higher risk of this occurring in people with blood sugar disregulation, headaches, and chronic inflammation.
Though there is speculation about the cause and possible treatments of Alzheimer's disease, there are some things we are fairly certain of. For starters, we recommend that people with blood sugar disorders, like hypoglycemia and diabetes, monitor their blood sugar regularly and make sure to eat balanced small meals throughout the day. Make sure your meals contain protein. Load up on foods high in anti-oxidants, like fresh fruits and vegetables.
For those who are sensitive to caffeine, other foods that have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body include fish oil, and the supplements turmeric, bromelain (an enzyme found in pineapples), and boswellia (commonly referred to as frankincense).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8132122.stm
Research on mice suffering from memory loss found that those mice that were given caffeine in their water performed better on memory tasks then those mice that did not. It is believed that the mechanism of action involves caffeine's ability to decrease inflammation in the brain and thus reduce the level of beta amyloid plaques. Beta amyloid plaques are proteins found in the brains of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Why people form beta amyloid plaques in the first place is a subject of intense research and theory, but there appears to be a higher risk of this occurring in people with blood sugar disregulation, headaches, and chronic inflammation.
Though there is speculation about the cause and possible treatments of Alzheimer's disease, there are some things we are fairly certain of. For starters, we recommend that people with blood sugar disorders, like hypoglycemia and diabetes, monitor their blood sugar regularly and make sure to eat balanced small meals throughout the day. Make sure your meals contain protein. Load up on foods high in anti-oxidants, like fresh fruits and vegetables.
For those who are sensitive to caffeine, other foods that have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body include fish oil, and the supplements turmeric, bromelain (an enzyme found in pineapples), and boswellia (commonly referred to as frankincense).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8132122.stm
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Green Tea May Help Prevent Prostate Cancer
Recent research has shown that several substances in green tea, known as polyphenols, may help protect men from prostate cancer. Of particular interest is a polyphenol known as polyphenon E, which acts as a powerful antioxidant inhibiting the growth of cancer.
In order to protect oneself from prostate cancer, in addition to drinking several cups of green tea every day, I would also recommend making sure that several servings of fruits and vegetables are included in your daily diet.
One of the most important things we can do to help maintain health, particularly as we age, is to increase our intake of antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that help protect the cells of the body from free radicals. Free radicals are atoms with unpaired electrons, and thus very unstable, capable of damaging the cells of the body. Antioxidants donate an electron to the free radical, thus making it a more benign substance. Free radicals can be formed in the body through natural processes like burning calories, or through exposure to ionizing radiation from sun exposure, and also as a byproduct of radiation therapy. Unfortunately, these damaged cells can later form cancer cells or simply die, leading to advanced aging.
Some vitamins, such as vitamins A, C, E, and selenium, act as antioxidants. Furthermore, there are pigments in plants, known as bio-flavanoids, that help protect the body from free radicals. We are just beginning to understand the relationship between a whole foods diet and cancer prevention.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8108831.stm
In order to protect oneself from prostate cancer, in addition to drinking several cups of green tea every day, I would also recommend making sure that several servings of fruits and vegetables are included in your daily diet.
One of the most important things we can do to help maintain health, particularly as we age, is to increase our intake of antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that help protect the cells of the body from free radicals. Free radicals are atoms with unpaired electrons, and thus very unstable, capable of damaging the cells of the body. Antioxidants donate an electron to the free radical, thus making it a more benign substance. Free radicals can be formed in the body through natural processes like burning calories, or through exposure to ionizing radiation from sun exposure, and also as a byproduct of radiation therapy. Unfortunately, these damaged cells can later form cancer cells or simply die, leading to advanced aging.
Some vitamins, such as vitamins A, C, E, and selenium, act as antioxidants. Furthermore, there are pigments in plants, known as bio-flavanoids, that help protect the body from free radicals. We are just beginning to understand the relationship between a whole foods diet and cancer prevention.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8108831.stm
Monday, June 8, 2009
Keeping Our Eyes Healthy As We Age
One of the challenges we face as we age is the risk of degenerating eyesight. Three main types of eye problems can occur. The first is presbyopia, or farsightedness. This is where objects are hard to see close up and special glasses have to be prescribed, especially for reading. The second challenge is cataracts. One of the best ways to protect the eyes from cataracts is to simply use prescription sunglasses when outdoors in bright sunlight.
Additional measures to protect the eyes include introducing more fruits and vegetables into the diet. Antioxidants like selenium, vitamin C, Vitamin E and fish oil can also help reduce the oxidative stress produced by sun exposure. A third condition we see in aging is known as macular degeneration. In the case of macular degeneration, a part of the eye known as the macula, which is responsible for central vision, begins to degenerate leading to severe vision impairment.
Supplementation with lutein, along with antioxidants and fish oil, has also been found to be effective in the prevention of this disease. With a few simple changes in diet and lifestyle, we can do much to protect our eyes from degenerative diseases.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8088860.stm
Additional measures to protect the eyes include introducing more fruits and vegetables into the diet. Antioxidants like selenium, vitamin C, Vitamin E and fish oil can also help reduce the oxidative stress produced by sun exposure. A third condition we see in aging is known as macular degeneration. In the case of macular degeneration, a part of the eye known as the macula, which is responsible for central vision, begins to degenerate leading to severe vision impairment.
Supplementation with lutein, along with antioxidants and fish oil, has also been found to be effective in the prevention of this disease. With a few simple changes in diet and lifestyle, we can do much to protect our eyes from degenerative diseases.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8088860.stm
Friday, May 29, 2009
Childhood Diabetes Said To Double By the Year 2020
According to a report recently published by the BBC, childhood obesity is expected to double in the next twenty years. To health care professionals, these statistics, while alarming, are not surprising. Several factors have come into play that may be responsible for the rise in diabetes. Most notably, higher caloric diets packed with corn syrup and simple carbohydrates, combined with a growing population of children who no longer exercise and instead spend hours watching television, playing video games, or simply working at their computers.
The human body has evolved over millions of years to eat and move a certain way. Our bodies have evolved to eat highly nutritious foods that are low in calories but high in fiber and nutrients. Our bodies have also evolved to be physically active. Our prehistoric ancestors moved continuously throughout the day, foraging and hunting. The modern child's lifestyle is very different from the lifestyle of our ancestors. By moving away from whole natural foods and physical activity we are seeing a high cost paid in the health of our children.
We cannot ignore also that health has become a statement about education and financial resources. Poorer neighborhoods often have far more liquor stores and fast food restaurants than groceries selling fresh produce. And even when these healthier stores crop up in urban neighborhoods, the cost is often outside the price range of many poorer families. When I see people like first lady Michelle Obama encouraging the development of neighborhood farms, I am encouraged and hope that these efforts will have a nutritional impact on families who often lack the resources for affordable nutritious food.
Exercise has also become a rare commodity in the inner city. When I first moved to Los Angeles, I could not help but notice that the simple act of riding a bicycle or playing outside is, in certain neighborhoods, extremely dangerous. These factors can help us better understand how the health of an individual is the responsibility of the community at large; our city planners, our health educators, the local city councils and police. Perhaps by looking at the health of the individual as a collective effort, we can begin to move towards creating healthy cities that nurture healthy people.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8068941.stm
The human body has evolved over millions of years to eat and move a certain way. Our bodies have evolved to eat highly nutritious foods that are low in calories but high in fiber and nutrients. Our bodies have also evolved to be physically active. Our prehistoric ancestors moved continuously throughout the day, foraging and hunting. The modern child's lifestyle is very different from the lifestyle of our ancestors. By moving away from whole natural foods and physical activity we are seeing a high cost paid in the health of our children.
We cannot ignore also that health has become a statement about education and financial resources. Poorer neighborhoods often have far more liquor stores and fast food restaurants than groceries selling fresh produce. And even when these healthier stores crop up in urban neighborhoods, the cost is often outside the price range of many poorer families. When I see people like first lady Michelle Obama encouraging the development of neighborhood farms, I am encouraged and hope that these efforts will have a nutritional impact on families who often lack the resources for affordable nutritious food.
Exercise has also become a rare commodity in the inner city. When I first moved to Los Angeles, I could not help but notice that the simple act of riding a bicycle or playing outside is, in certain neighborhoods, extremely dangerous. These factors can help us better understand how the health of an individual is the responsibility of the community at large; our city planners, our health educators, the local city councils and police. Perhaps by looking at the health of the individual as a collective effort, we can begin to move towards creating healthy cities that nurture healthy people.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8068941.stm
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Where Exercise Is concerned, Moderation Appears To Be Key
Like many Americans, I have watched The Biggest Loser, and been both fascinated and impressed with how the participants are able to change their bodies so dramatically in such a short amount of time. The only problem with the show is that I don't think it demonstrates a healthy way to treat obesity. The training techniques are extreme, painful, and set up the participants up for a series of potential medical problems like exercise-related injuries down the road.
Furthermore, the exercise programs are designed as a kind of military boot camp experience that, aside from being stressful, seems like a very unpleasant way to live. And this is precisely why so many people cannot stay with these kinds of exercise programs and soon give up their gym memberships after the first week.
Research on health and longevity instead suggests that moderate exercise that is enjoyed is the most beneficial. If people truly enjoy their exercise they are more apt to stay with it. Exercise should not be extreme. In fact, extreme sports can be dangerous and lead to physical injuries that last a lifetime.
One of the greatest determining factors as to whether a person remains healthy is education. In fact, educated people consistently show better health, perhaps because educated people are more apt to eat better. They often exercise moderately while remaining active and intellectually curious well into their senior years; all traits we associate with health and longevity.
http://health.nytimes.com/ref/health/healthguide/esn-exercise-ess.html
Furthermore, the exercise programs are designed as a kind of military boot camp experience that, aside from being stressful, seems like a very unpleasant way to live. And this is precisely why so many people cannot stay with these kinds of exercise programs and soon give up their gym memberships after the first week.
Research on health and longevity instead suggests that moderate exercise that is enjoyed is the most beneficial. If people truly enjoy their exercise they are more apt to stay with it. Exercise should not be extreme. In fact, extreme sports can be dangerous and lead to physical injuries that last a lifetime.
One of the greatest determining factors as to whether a person remains healthy is education. In fact, educated people consistently show better health, perhaps because educated people are more apt to eat better. They often exercise moderately while remaining active and intellectually curious well into their senior years; all traits we associate with health and longevity.
http://health.nytimes.com/ref/health/healthguide/esn-exercise-ess.html
Link Established Between Asthma and Eczema
This evening while reading the health section of the BBC web site, I came across an article pointing to the link established between eczema and asthma. This surprised me because, within my community of Naturopathic doctors, the link had been established years ago. With eczema, which often starts at a fairly early age, we also see a link between the disease and food allergies, as we do with asthma.
Some of the most common food allergies associated with eczema include wheat, dairy, peanuts, and eggs. Removing these foods from a person's diet can be challenging, but will often yield benefits. Some of the most impressive improvements I see in my patients is when they give up dairy. Almost within a few days I begin to see improvements. With young children, I often see skin allergies begin to emerge when the child begins to eat solid foods, or if the mother is still breast-feeding, problems when the mother eats certain offending foods.
Asthma, like eczema, is often due to an external irritant. Here in Los Angeles where I practice, air quality is such that asthma has become a real problem. Efforts to remove dust from the home, such as using air filters, can help, but so can a diet that takes into account food allergies like dairy and wheat. We also recommend vitamins for support. For the skin we often will add vitamins A, E, and Selenium. For Asthma sufferers, there has been improvement seen with the addition of vitamins D and C, as well as B-vitamins, especially B12.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8055038.stm
Some of the most common food allergies associated with eczema include wheat, dairy, peanuts, and eggs. Removing these foods from a person's diet can be challenging, but will often yield benefits. Some of the most impressive improvements I see in my patients is when they give up dairy. Almost within a few days I begin to see improvements. With young children, I often see skin allergies begin to emerge when the child begins to eat solid foods, or if the mother is still breast-feeding, problems when the mother eats certain offending foods.
Asthma, like eczema, is often due to an external irritant. Here in Los Angeles where I practice, air quality is such that asthma has become a real problem. Efforts to remove dust from the home, such as using air filters, can help, but so can a diet that takes into account food allergies like dairy and wheat. We also recommend vitamins for support. For the skin we often will add vitamins A, E, and Selenium. For Asthma sufferers, there has been improvement seen with the addition of vitamins D and C, as well as B-vitamins, especially B12.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8055038.stm
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