Noble Healthy Aging

What is the True Scoop on Sunscreen? By Dr Noble

admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:20:40 +0000

Summer is coming to an end. But, let’s not be fooled into thinking it’s okay to stop wearing our sunscreen. The greatest thing you can do for your skin is to protect it from the damaging rays of the sun throughout all the seasons. However, many of us are misled in the effectiveness of our sunscreen. Actually, the EWG, a nonprofit research organization, found that only 8 percent of sunscreens evaluated for cancer and aging of the skin prevention were effective in 2010.
In addition, some compounds in the sunscreen may be contributing to toxin buildup, harming the ecosystem, allergic skin issues, hormonal imbalance and increasing our risk of skin cancer , like oxybenzone, ocintoxate, and Vit A, respectively.
Most confusing is the SPF number on the sunscreens. It has nothing to do with the damaging effects of UVA rays. The sun emits UVA (increase aging and cancer risk) and UVB rays (related to burning). Both can cause skin cancer; However, the UVA rays are the most damaging and cause wrinkles. This SPF number is only based on the UVB ray protection. There is only a one percent difference in protection between an SPF of 30 versus an SPF of 50. Also, regardless of what the bottle reads sunscreen needs to be reapplied every 2 hours when in the water and with excessive sweating. The labels can be misleading.
The UVA blockers you want to look for are, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, avobenzone or parsol 1789, and ecamsule or mexoryl SX. Creams, without added insect repellent are best. Sprays and powders may release unhealthy particles.
Of special note is that certain drugs/herbs can increase our sensitivity to the sun; such as, St. Johns Wort, certain antibiotics, and over the counter (OTC) anti-inflammatories like alleve and ibuprofen. The good news is that according to a study, found in the British Journal of Dermatology, the antioxidant lycopene in cooked tomatoes, and some fruits, like watermelon, provided skin protection when ingested.
So, please continue to wear protection. But be informed of what you are putting on your skin. You may be doing more harm than good. An excellent website to review all your products is ewg.org/2010 sunscreen.

I Can’t Lose Weight by Dr. Anjali Noble

admin — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 22:01:54 +0000

Everyone is searching for a quick fix for weight loss and there are so many proposed diets out there: Body for Life, The Macrobiotic Diet, The Abs Diet, Eating for your Blood type, The SouthBeach Diet, The 17 Day Diet, Nutri-Systems, and the new Dukan Diet, to name a few. With so many options, it can get confusing.
The newest hype is the HCG diet, which is the most concerning. This diet requires the dieter to consume a measly 500 calories per day. Proposed by Simeon in his protocol, this diet is based upon the theory that the hypothalamus is reset by the injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). This is based on the belief that the body has a set point for where it likes to be in terms of weight, and we continue to go back to that normal set point regardless of dieting attempts, making weight loss temporary. In theory, following this diet would result in a redistribution of fat from the trouble spots, resulting in the body resetting its set point to a lesser weight.
However, the HCG Diet is risky and most dieters eventually do gain back the weight. It can also cause hyperstimulation of the ovaries in women, blood clots, adrenal fatigue, and there have been cases of autoimmune issues. Some have even found hair loss and difficulty in carrying to term in subsequent pregnancies.
If we all just go back to the basics and take a look at our food addiction, stress, and lack of exercise, fiber, water, and restful sleep at night, we can address these issues in a healthy way and will be much better off in achieving our weight goals.
Unfortunately, some will continue to have weight loss issues secondary to health related problems; like toxin buildup in our systems from too many food additives and chemical laden foods, hormonal imbalances affecting our metabolic rate, food allergies, chronic inflammation, genetic issues, insulin dysregulation, overgrowth of yeast, and brain chemical issues. This is why it is important to work with a physician who can monitor your diet and weight loss progress.
So how do we get back to the basics? Here are some tips:
• Eat 4-6 small meals a day, consisting of low glycemic foods.
• Have 5 servings of high fiber fruits a day.
• Have 9 half-cup servings of vegetables a day.
• Eat lean organic meats, and healthy fats, such as omega 3 fatty acids.
• Shop for organic “colorful” foods in the perimeter of the supermarket and shy away from boxed foods with chemicals and low nutritional content. It is important to stay away from high fructose foods and additives.
• Drink enough water to equal half our body weight in ounces everyday.
• Exercise at least 1 hour for 4-6 day of the week at moderate intensity.
• Engage in strength training to maintain more muscle mass and a higher metabolic rate.
• Get a restful sleep for a minimum of 7 hours a night.
• Most importantly, find ways to cope with stressful situations in life. Reduce that everyday stress with yoga and breathing exercises!
If you feel like you have tried everything and you are still stuck, there may be other factors creating roadblocks. Have a physician check and monitor your hormone levels, including your cortisol, insulin, thyroid, estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. Even pregnanelone and melatonin levels can affect weight. Another option is to check genetic factors and food sensitivities through specialized testing. As mentioned earlier, toxin build up can also be a weight loss blocker. Toxins can be found in your everyday environment and in your everyday food consumption. Proper detoxification programs can help your body significantly reduce those toxins and help your organs to function more efficiently, consequently facilitating weight loss.
If you are making all of the right lifestyle choices, and you are still asking yourself why you cannot lose the weight, don’t just turn to a “quick fix” diet. Instead, focus on what health related factors may be contributing to it. In the end, the goal is to be healthy, prevent the diseases of aging and look and feel our best doing it.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

admin — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 17:36:13 +0000

Inflammation is one of the body’s natural ways of protecting itself. It includes many chemical reactions that help to fight off infections, to increase blood flow to places that need healing, and to generate pain as a signal that something is wrong with the body. Unfortunately, as with any process in the body, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. A number of medical conditions are linked to too much inflammation in the body. Some of these include:

• Alzheimer’s disease

• Asthma

• Cancer

• Chronic obstructive lung diseases (emphysema and bronchitis)

• Chronic pain

• Type 2 diabetes

• Heart disease

• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis)

• Stroke

• Diseases where the immune system attacks the body, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma

Often, people take medications to decrease inflammation. Drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin can change the body’s chemical reactions, but they are not without side effects. Research has shown that other things can decrease inflammation too. Many things we have control over, such as our stress levels, how much we exercise, and how we eat will influence how much inflammation we have in our bodies.

How we eat can affect inflammation, and certain diets are more likely to decrease pain and other symptoms of disease. Many studies have shown that people who eat certain types of foods are less likely to have the health problems listed above. Some important guidelines for people who want to eat an anti-inflammatory diet are:

1. Avoid unhealthy fats. Trans-fats and fats that are high in omega-6 fatty acids cause inflammation. These fats are found in many animal products and in any foods designed to have a long shelf life. Mono-unsaturated fats, like olive oil, are better choices. Omega-3 fats, like fish oil and flax oil, are especially good for decreasing inflammation.

2. Eat fruits and vegetables. Many studies are showing that a diet high in fruits and vegetables is good for decreasing inflammation. The more servings eaten, the better. Eight to 10 servings per day is a good goal.

3. Eat fiber. Diets high in fiber are shown to help to decrease inflammation. A good goal is about 30 grams a day, ideally from a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables

Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Pro-Inflammatory Foods List

• Foods high in omega-3 fats: Cold water fish (Mackerel, Sardines, Tuna, Salmon, Trout), Ground flax seeds, Nuts, Seeds
• Colorful Fresh Vegetables: Tomatoes, Peppers, Peas, Spinach, Kale, Parsley, Cilantro, Radishes, Carrots (raw), Celery, Onions, Garlic, Cucumbers, etc.
• Colorful Fresh Fruit: Apples, Pears, Kiwi, Oranges (not juiced), Grapefruit, Peaches, Plums, Melons, Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Currants, many others
• Foods high in fiber
• Herbs and Spices (no salt)-Ginger, Rosemary, Turmeric, Oregano, Cayenne, Clove, Nutmeg, etc)
• Green and Brown Tea

The information in this handout is for general education. Please work with your health care practitioner to use this information in the best way possible to promote your health. This handout was created by David Rakel, MD, Asst. Prof. and Director of the Integrative Medicine Program, Dept. of Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Adam Rindfleisch, M.Phil.,MD, Asst. Prof., also with the UW Integrative Medicine Program.

• Fatty Meats: Steaks, Chops, Hamburger
• Butter, Margarine, Most Cooking and Omega-6 Vegetable Oils: Including Soybean, Corn, Safflower, Sunflower, Peanut, Cottonseed Oils and many others
• All Grain Fed Meats, Farm Raised Fish
• All Fried Foods
• All Dairy Products, Milk and Eggs
• High Fructose Corn Syrup, HFCS
• Simple Carbohydrates: Sugars, Pasta, Rice, Potatoes, Breads, Pastries
• Artificial Sweeteners

• Artificial flavors and colors
• Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Addictive Habits

The Best Breast Test

admin — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:37:52 +0000

The Best Breast Test

The Promise of Thermography: A guest article from the leading voice in women’s holistic health
by Christiane Northrup, M.D.

Every year when Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) comes around I am a saddened and surprised that thermography hasn’t become more popular.

Part of this is my mindset. I’d rather focus on breast health and ways to prevent breast cancer at the cellular level than put the emphasis on testing and retesting until you finally do find something to poke, prod, cut out, or radiate.

That’s why I’ve renamed October Breast Health Awareness Month.

I understand that mammography has been the gold standard for years. Doctors are the most familiar with this test, and many believe that a mammogram is the best test for detecting breast cancer early. But it’s not.

Studies show that a thermogram identifies precancerous or cancerous cells earlier, produces unambiguous results, which cuts down on additional testing—and it doesn’t hurt the body. Isn’t this what women really want?

I recently discussed thermography with my colleague Philip Getson, D.O. Dr. Getson has been a medical thermographer since 1982.

As you may know, thermography is a form of thermal (infrared) imaging. Dr. Getson explains how thermography works this way:
“It is widely acknowledged that cancers, even in their earliest stages, need nutrients to maintain or accelerate their growth. In order to facilitate this process, blood vessels are caused to remain open, inactive blood vessels are activated, and new ones are formed through a process known as neoangiogenesis.
“This vascular process causes an increase in surface temperature in the affected regions, which can be viewed with infrared imaging cameras. Additionally, the newly formed or activated blood vessels have a distinct appearance, which thermography can detect.”

Heat is an indication that inflammation exists, and typically inflammation is present in precancerous and cancerous cells, too. (It’s also present in torn muscles and ligaments as well as arthritic joints, which thermography can also detect.)

Thermography’s accuracy and reliability is remarkable, too. In the 1970’s and 1980’s, a great deal of research was conducted on thermography.

In 1981, Michel Gautherie, Ph.D., and his colleagues reported on a ten-year study, which found that an abnormal thermogram was ten times more significant as a future risk indicator for breast cancer than having a history of breast cancer in your family. [1]

Early detection
The most promising aspect of thermography is its ability to spot anomalies years before mammography. Using the same data from the ten-year study, researchers H. Spitalier and D. Giruaud determined that thermography alone was the first alarm in 60 percent of the cases of women who were eventually diagnosed with cancer. [2]

Dr. Getson adds, “Since thermal imaging detects changes at the cellular level, studies suggest that this test can detect activity eight to ten years before any other test. This makes it unique in that it affords us the opportunity to view changes before the actual formation of the tumor.

Studies have shown that by the time a tumor has grown to sufficient size to be detectable by physical examination or mammography, it has in fact been growing for about seven years achieving more than twenty-five doublings of the malignant cell colony.

At 90 days there are two cells, at one year there are16 cells, and at five years there are 1,048,576 cells—an amount that is still undetectable by a mammogram.” (At 8 years, there are almost 4 billion cells.)

Today, women are encouraged to get a mammogram, so they can find their breast cancer as early as possible.

With thermography as your regular screening tool, it’s likely that you would have the opportunity to make adjustments to your diet, beliefs, and lifestyle to transform your cells before they became cancerous. Talk about true prevention.

Clearer results, fewer additional tests
To many, it felt like the world was set on its ear when, in November 2009, the United States Preventative Services Task Force said it recommended that women begin regular mammograms at 50 instead of 40 and that mammograms are needed every two years instead of annually between the ages of 50 and 74.

Some women felt this was a way for the insurance companies to save money, but I cheered these new guidelines. (For more information read “The New Mammography Guidelines.”

The Task Force concluded that the risk of additional and unnecessary testing far outweighed the benefits of annual mammograms—and I couldn’t agree more.

Ten years ago, Danish researchers Ole Olsen and Peter Gotzsche concluded, after analyzing data from seven studies, that mammograms often led to needless treatments and were linked to a 20 percent increase in mastectomies, many of which were unnecessary. [3]

Dr. Getson expounded, “According to the 1998 Merck Manual, for every case of breast cancer diagnosed each year, five to ten women will undergo a painful breast biopsy. This means that if a woman has an annual mammogram for ten years, she has a 50 percent chance of having a breast biopsy.”

Thermography is a particularly good choice for younger breasts, which tend to be denser. It doesn’t identify fibrocystic tissue, breast implants, or scars as needing further investigation. It’s also good at detecting changes in the cells in the arm pit area, an area that mammography isn’t always good at screening.

Perhaps even more exciting is that a thermogram can help a woman diagnosed with ductal carconoma in situ (DCIS) decide, along with her health practitioners, whether she requires aggressive or conservative treatment. If you’ve ever had an unnecessary biopsy or been scared by a false positive result on a mammogram, please consider getting a thermogram and using it in conjunction with the mammogram to figure our your treatment options.

It doesn’t hurt
It’s ironic that the test women are using for prevention may be causing the very problem they’re trying to avoid in the first place!

Another reason the United States Preventative Services Task Force reversed its aggressive mammogram guidelines was because of the exposure to radiation. It’s well known that excessive doses of radiation can increase your risk of cancer. [4] And this doesn’t even touch on the harm done to the body from unnecessary biopsies, lumpectomies, mastectomies, chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and so forth.

Thermography is very safe—it’s even safe for pregnant and nursing women! It’s merely an image of the heat of your body.

Unlike a mammogram, a thermogram doesn’t hurt! Just about everyone who’s ever had a mammogram has complained about how painful it is.

The first time you get a mammogram can be quite a shock. Who knew a breast could be flattened like that? Well, the pain isn’t in your imagination. The pressure that the mammogram machine puts on each breast when it’s being compressed is equivalent to putting a 50-pound weight on your breast.

Adverse Effects of Prescription Drugs

admin — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 19:00:59 +0000

The Potentially Adverse Effects of Prescription Drugs -

Functional Medicine Discovering dangers of prescription drugs after they have been marketed to the medical community and public is common. Generally, 51% of FDA-approved drugs have serious adverse effects not detected prior to approval. Each year prescription drugs injure 1.5 million people so severely they require hospitalization. In addition, prescription drugs cause 100,000 deaths annually. With these numbers, how can the public be protected from dangerous drugs? A recent study in JAMA examined the incidence of serious and fatal adverse drug reactions (ADR) in hospital patients. An ADR is any harmful, unintended, or undesired effect of a drug. This definition does not include drug abuse nor intentional or accidental drug overdose. The results of this study were conclusive: the rate of severe and deadly adverse drug reactions in U.S. hospitals was found to be extremely high-high enough that ADRs ranked fourth, after heart disease, cancer, and stroke, as a leading cause of death in the U.S. Despite FDA attempts to incorporate various drug safety measures prior to approving prescription drugs, they often overlook potentially dangerous effects. The use of prescription drugs is often crucial; however, in order to avoid potentially harmful side effects and drug-interactions, natural remedies should be incorporated whenever possible. Herbal therapies and nutritional supplements may support the relief of many health problems without the harmful effects of prescription drugs.

References US General Accounting Office. FDA Drug Review: Postapproval Risks, 1976-85. Washington, DC: US General Accounting Office; April 26, 1990. GAO/PEMD-90-15. Lazarou J, Pomeranz BH, Corey PN. Incidence of adverse drug reactions in hospitalized patients: a meta-analysis of prospective studies. JAMA 1998;279(15);1200-04.

Vitamin C Supports Mood

admin — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 19:57:38 +0000

A recently published study investigated the association between vitamin C and vitamin D and mood state in hospitalized patients.

This new double-blind clinical trial evaluated the effect of supplementation with vitamin C and vitamin D in hospitalized patients to determine if there was any impact on mood. Previous research has shown that vitamin D and vitamin C deficiency is associated with psychological abnormalities. In this study, subjects received 500 mg of vitamin C twice daily or 1,000 IU of vitamin D twice daily. The subjects were then evaluated for mood using a standardized questionnaire.

The results of the study found that vitamin C supplementation in acutely hospitalized patients resulted in increased vitamin C concentrations, as measured in their white blood cells. More importantly, vitamin C supplementation resulted in a 34 percent enhancement in healthy moods in these patients. Vitamin D supplementation increased plasma vitamin D levels (25-hydroxyvitamin D), but did not affect mood.

Natural Support for the Winter Blues

admin — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 19:54:38 +0000

With the shorter days and the darker, colder nights, it’s all too easy for your mood to take a tumble—and to bring your energy, focus and enjoyment of life down with it. What’s worse, it’s not just your mood that could suffer. Research shows that a gloomy disposition can have noticeable effects on everyday functions in the long run—with links to impairments in problem-solving ability, learning, memory, reasoning and even reduced overall longevity.1-5 Obviously, a sunny attitude supports more than just your state of mind—it brightens your brain and improves your body’s health, too. Even so, positivity may be hard to maintain in the darkest days of winter. However, just adding a few important nutrients can mean the difference between a cheerful mood and a negative one. For starters, increase your intake of vitamin D—also known as the sunshine vitamin. Your vitamin D levels often take a dive in the winter as days become shorter and colder, you spend less time outdoors and there is reduced sun exposure. Not surprisingly, lower serum vitamin D levels may have strong ties to melancholy—but trials show that supplementation with this vitamin is able to deliver significant improvements in mood, not just during the winter, but all year round.6-8 For best results, supplement with vitamin D3—the most bioavailable form of D, which is available now from VRP. B vitamins are another essential ally if you want to beat a case of the blues. One 12-year study showed that adults with higher diet and supplemental intake of vitamins B6 and B12 have a significantly more stable mood—and another study established the same link between folic acid and B12, with the intake of both vitamins positively supporting mood by 72 percent and 168 percent, respectively.9-10 Finally, low levels of pyridoxyl-5-phosphate (the active form of B6) have been associated with approximately double the risk of a persistent bad mood.11 The body can convert the type of vitamin B6 known as pyridoxine to P5P in the liver. Botanicals like St. John’s wort can also deliver a natural boost to your mood, with studies showing a 76 percent improvement rate after just 12 weeks of supplementation—indicating that this popular herb is a safe and effective solution for the maintenance of a more positive mood during the long winter months.12-14 Finally, it’s also essential to protect your brain’s primary neurotransmitter pathways with the natural amino acids L-tyrosine and L-phenylalanine—two building blocks of dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine that help to ensure proper cognition, clarity and mood stabilization.15 The days may be shorter, but you don’t have to let the winter doldrums keep you down…Read More at VR

STUDY SHOWS ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF RESVERATROL

admin — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 18:16:29 +0000

Researchers have investigated the physiological effects of trans-resveratrol on inflammation. Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant found in high concentrations in the skin of red grapes, red wine, and in extracts of the root and stems of the giant Knotweed plant. Previous research indicates that resveratrol activates an enzyme known as sirtuin 1, which is known to play a role in the regulation of the cell life span as well as sensitivity to insulin.

In this new study, researchers evaluated the response of adipose (fat) cells to resveratrol. Adipose cells produce pro-inflammatory mediators known as adipokines or adipocytokines, which are partially mediated through the regulation of sirtuin 1. Some of these pro-inflammatory mediators from adipose cells include interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1). Increased production of the pro-inflammatory chemicals is seen in obese individuals.

Researchers exposed human adipose tissue in vitro, to a pro-inflammatory mediator known as IL-1beta, which resulted in increased secretion of IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 from 3 to over 7 times the normal amounts secreted. Gene expression of IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1 and PAI-1 was increased from 1.3 to 7.2-fold. When the adipose tissue cultures were treated simultaneously with resveratrol plus IL-1beta, there was a 16-36 percent reduction in the secretion of the pro-inflammatory mediators and a 25-48 percent reduction in the gene expressions for these pro-inflammatory adipokines.

In addition, IL-1beta reduced by forty percent the expression of the gene for the protein hormone secreted from fat cells, known as adiponectin. Adiponectin is important for the regulation of glucose and fatty acid metabolism. The addition of resveratrol to the adipose tissue reversed the reduction of adiponectin, which is thought to support a more balanced metabolism.

The researchers stated, “This study is the first to show anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol on adipokine expression and secretion in human adipose tissue in vitro through the SIRT1 pathway. Thus, resveratrol is hypothesized to possess beneficial effects and might improve the metabolic profile in human obesity.”

Reference:

(VITAMIN RESEARCH NEWS)

Olholm J, Paulsen SK, Cullberg KB, Richelsen B, Pedersen SB. Anti-inflammatory effect of resveratrol on adipokine expression and secretion in human adipose tissue explants. Int J Obes (Lond). 2010 Oct;34(10):1546-53.

Inflammation, Heart Disease and Stroke: The Role of C-Reactive Protein

admin — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:06:06 +0000

How does inflammation relate to heart disease and stroke risk?

“Inflammation” is the process by which the body responds to injury or an infection. Laboratory evidence and findings from clinical and population studies suggest that inflammation is important in atherosclerosis (ath”er-o-skleh-RO’sis). This is the process in which fatty deposits build up in the inner lining of arteries.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the acute phase proteins that increase during systemic inflammation. It’s been suggested that testing CRP levels in the blood may be an additional way to assess cardiovascular disease risk. A more sensitive CRP test, called a highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) assay, is available to determine heart disease risk.

The American Heart Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a joint scientific statement in 2003 on the use of inflammatory markers in clinical and public health practice. This statement was developed after systematically reviewing the evidence of association between inflammatory markers (mainly CRP) and coronary heart disease and stroke.

What’s the role of CRP in predicting recurrent cardiovascular and stroke events?

A growing number of studies have examined whether hs-CRP can predict recurrent cardiovascular disease, stroke and death in different settings. High levels of hs-CRP consistently predict recurrent coronary events in patients with unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). Higher hs-CRP levels also are associated with lower survival rates in these patients. Many studies have suggested that after adjusting for other prognostic factors, hs-CRP is useful as a risk predictor.

Studies also suggest that higher levels of hs-CRP may increase the risk that an artery will reclose after it’s been opened by balloon angioplasty. High levels of hs-CRP in the blood also seem to predict prognosis and recurrent events in patients with stroke or peripheral arterial disease.

What’s the role of hs-CRP in predicting new cardiovascular events?

Scientific studies have found that the higher the hs-CRP levels, the higher the risk of having a heart attack. In fact, the risk for heart attack in people in the upper third of hs-CRP levels has been determined to be twice that of those whose hs-CRP level is in the lower third. These prospective studies include men, women and the elderly. Studies have also found an association between sudden cardiac death, peripheral arterial disease and hs-CRP. However not all of the established cardiovascular risk factors were controlled for when the association was examined. The true independent association between hs-CRP and new cardiovascular events hasn’t yet been established.

What causes low-grade inflammation?

The major injurious factors that promote atherogenesis — cigarette smoking, hypertension, atherogenic lipoproteins, and hyperglycemia — are well established. These risk factors give rise to a variety of noxious stimuli that cause the release of chemicals and the activation of cells involved in the inflammatory process. These events are thought to contribute not only to the formation of plaque but may also contribute to its disruption resulting in the formation of a blood clot. Thus, virtually every step in atherogenesis is believed to involve substances involved in the inflammatory response and cells that are characteristic of inflammation.

In addition, there is also research that indicates an infection — possibly one caused by a bacteria or a virus — might contribute to or even cause atherosclerosis. The infectious bacteria, Chlamydia pneumoniae (klah-MID’e-ah nu-MO’ne-i), has been shown to have a significant association to atherosclerotic plaque. The herpes simplex virus has also been proposed as an initial inflammatory infectious agent in atherosclerosis.

The notion that chronic infection can lead to unsuspected disease isn’t foreign to most doctors. For example, bacterial infection with Helicobacter pylori is now known to be the major cause of stomach ulcers. The treatment for this condition now routinely includes antibiotic therapy.

Should I have my CRP level measured?

If a person’s cardiovascular risk score — judged by global risk assessment — is low (the possibility of developing cardiovascular disease is less than 10 percent in 10 years), no test is immediately warranted. If the risk score is in the intermediate range (10–20 percent in 10 years), such a test can help predict a cardiovascular or stroke event and help direct further evaluation and therapy. However, the benefits of such therapy based on this strategy remain uncertain. A person with a high risk score (greater than 20 percent in 10 years) or established heart disease or stroke should be treated intensively regardless of hs-CRP levels.

Low vitamin B Status Related to Depression in Older People

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:37:48 +0000

Background Folate, vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-12 are nutrients that coordinately orchestrate the synthesis of compounds needed for brain development and activity. For decades, researchers have documented associations between these vitamins and neurological outcomes such as depression. Moreover, the recent fortification of the US cereal grain supply with folate to reduce the risk of neural tube defects has reenergized scientific interest in this often debated relation. Using data collected in older adult residents living in neighborhoods located in Chicago’s south side, researchers at Rush University have been able to contribute additional information concerning the possibility that inadequate consumption of these vitamins may be related to depression in this at-risk population. Results of their study, as well as an editorial written by scientists at Bangor University (United Kingdom), have been published in the August 2010 issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Study Design This investigation entailed the study of 3,503 biracial adults (59% African American; mean age: 74 y) enrolled in the Chicago Health and Aging Project, an ongoing study initiated in 1993. At the beginning of the study and then every 3 y thereafter, information was collected concerning dietary intake (including nutrient supplements), symptoms of depression, sociodemographic variables, and overall health status. The researchers then statistically evaluated whether, after controlling for possible confounding factors, differences in vitamin intake were predictive of onset of depression over the course of the study.

Results The data indicated that individuals consuming the lowest amounts of vitamin B-6 and vitamin B-12 (but not folate) were also those most likely to be classified as depressed. Specifically, each additional 10 mg of vitamin B-6 or 10 µg of vitamin B-12 consumed was associated with a 2% decrease in risk of developing depression in a given year. Use of dietary supplements of vitamin B-12 and vitamin B-6 appeared to be especially important.

Conclusions The authors concluded that their results support the hypothesis that high intakes of vitamins B-6 and B-12 may protect against depression in older individuals. Of course, rigorously controlled intervention trials will need to be done to confirm this. In their accompanying piece, Seren Roberts and colleagues provide additional comments concerning the possibility that further fortification of flour may be beneficial to health, especially in this growing and at-risk population.