- NHF members reside in these countries:
Health Bits and Pieces
By Michael Janson, M.D.
March 04, 2006
A probiotic supplement, Bifidobacterium, similar to the bacteria found in yogurt and other fermented foods, reduces the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS, or spastic colon). IBS symptoms include gas, bloating, alternating diarrhea and constipation, abdominal discomfort, and fatigue. These “friendly” bacteria help both diarrhea and constipation. Supplements also appear to reduce inflammation and restore immune balance in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), converting the pro-inflammatory state to anti-inflammatory. Inflammatory bowel disease often has the same symptoms as IBS, but also includes bleeding, fever, and malaise associated with inflammation. (O’Mahony L, et al., “Lactobacillus and bifidobacterium in irritable bowel syndrome: symptom responses and ...cytokine profiles,” Gastroenterology 2005 Mar;128(3):541-51.)
Omega-3 fatty acids prevent dry-eye syndrome (a lack of tear production leading to corneal damage), but common vegetable oils (such as corn and safflower, which contain omega-6 fats but are usually very highly processed) can more than double the risk. Among 32,470 women, the highest omega-3 intake lowered risk by 17 percent compared to the lowest intake. Tuna was specifically beneficial in this study; but by consuming tuna, you risk exposure to mercury, a toxic metal. I recommend other omega-3 sources, such as wild salmon and sardines. (Miljanovic B, et al., “Relation between dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and clinically diagnosed dry eye syndrome in women,” Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Oct;82(4):887-93).
Exercise in the elderly can reduce the risk of falling. A six-month supervised exercise program (for strength, agility, and flexibility) cut the risk in half, and the benefits lasted for a year after the program finished (Liu-Ambrose TY, et al., The beneficial effects of group-based exercises on fall risk profile and physical activity persist 1 year postintervention in older women with low bone mass: follow-up after withdrawal of exercise. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2005 Oct;53(10):1767-73.) The participants in this study were given either resistance training, agility training, or general stretching; and the reduction in falls ranged from 37 to 43 percent. Vitamin-D supplements also prevent falls. In a study of 625 residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, an initial dose of 10,000 IU of Vitamin D followed by 1000 IU daily for two years, significantly reduced falling. This was true even though their Vitamin-D levels were normal. (Flicker L, et al., “Should older people in residential care receive vitamin D to prevent falls? Results of a randomized trial,” J Am Geriatr Soc. 2005 Nov;53(11):1881-8.)
A component of green tea may help reverse or slow the progress of some leukemias. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is often a slow growing leukemia in adults. In a report on four patients with clear evidence of progression, supplements of EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) or large amounts of green tea appeared to reverse the disease. (Shanafelt TD, “Clinical effects of oral green tea extracts in four patients with low grade B-cell malignancies,” Leuk Res. 2005 Nov 30; [Epub ahead of print].) EGCG, a green tea polyphenol, can cause apoptosis (programmed cell death) in leukemic B-cells. One patient drank 8 cups of green tea per day, and others took green-tea extract in capsules. Lymph node swelling reversed in three patients.
Antacids, such as Nexium and Zantac, double or triple the risk of potentially deadly infectious diarrhea from C. dificile, a bacterium that is difficult to treat. This was shown in a study of 1672 cases and matched controls. (Dial S, et al., “Use of gastric acid-suppressive agents and the risk of community-acquired Clostridium difficile-associated disease,” JAMA 21 December 2005;294(23):2989-2995.) Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) also increased the risk of C. dificile infection, but by a smaller amount, approximately 30 percent in this study. Instead of prescription antacids, you can try licorice extract (DGL, or deglycyrrhizinated licorice) for heartburn or reflux esophagitis (GERD).
High serum cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of developing hypertension. In a study of 3110 men with no heart disease or hypertension, the subjects were followed for 14 years. Compared to subjects with the lowest cholesterol, those with the highest total cholesterol had a 23-percent higher chance of developing hypertension. Those with the highest total cholesterol relative to the HDL had a 54-percent increased risk. Men with the highest HDL had a 32-percent lower risk compared to those with the lowest HDL. (Halperin RO, et al., “Dyslipidemia and the risk of incident hypertension in men,” Hypertension 2006 Jan;47(1):45-50.) A previous study showed the same association in women.
Michael Janson, M.D., is Past President of the American College for Advancement in Medicine and the author of four books, including Dr. Janson’s New Vitamin Revolution and the User’s Guide to Heart Healthy Supplements. He has a free monthly newsletter, Dr. Janson’s Healthy Living, available at his website, www.drjanson.com, which he regularly writes and publishes while also practicing medicine in New England and Florida.
