Archive

Health Bits and Pieces
By Michael Janson, M.D.
March 08, 2007

A recent news report noted that Girl Scout’s Cookies are now being produced with “little to no” trans fats, the byproduct of partially hydrogenated oils that increase the risks for heart disease (and probably cancer, and immune disorders). (Girl Scouts cut trans fats from cookies. Associated Press, February 23, 2007)  However, although the cookies may be labeled as containing no trans fats, regulations still allow them to contain some trans fats!  A small serving (most people probably eat more than one serving at a time) may contain half a gram of trans fats, so someone might accumulate a significant trans fat intake over a day.

In any case, while Girl Scouts use the cookies as a significant moneymaker, they are not in any way healthy.  Aside from any residual hydrogenated oils, they also contain primarily saturated fat, white flour, and plenty of refined sugar, as well as artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.  In fact, one flavor contains over two teaspoons of sugar per serving.  In others, sugar is the first ingredient.  Considering the massive and growing problem with obesity among children, perhaps the Girl Scouts could send a healthier message.  Their spokesperson says they “know they are not selling broccoli” and that their cookies are not meant to be a major part of the diet.  This does not diminish the negative effects of these harmful snacks.

A new study shows that higher intakes of Vitamin D can prevent colorectal cancer (Gorham ED, et al., “Optimal vitamin d status for colorectal cancer prevention a quantitative meta analysis,” Am J Prev Med. 2007 Mar;32(3):210-6).  This study was a meta-analysis (study of studies), pooling data from five different published studies.  Researchers found that the highest serum levels of Vitamin D were associated with a 50-percent reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer.  They estimated that the highest serum levels were correlated to a Vitamin D intake of 1000 to 2000 IU per day.  This is higher than most people get from the Sun and food sources, especially in elderly people (who do not manufacture Vitamin D efficiently), people in northern latitudes who have less sun exposure, or those who carefully avoid all sun exposure.  (Of course, excessive sun exposure is still associated with an increased risk of skin cancer.)

Elderly people tend to lose muscle strength and muscle mass, but it is possible for the elderly to build muscle with exercise.  A study of 20 women and 4 men showed that a training program of resistance exercise for 12 weeks led to a gain of 6.4 pounds of new muscle and a loss of 8.8 pounds of fat (Wieser M, Haber P, “The effects of systematic resistance training in the elderly,” Int J Sports Med. 2007 Jan;28(1):59-65).  The exercises were as effective whether they were done twice or three times a week, as long as the total number of repetitions was the same.  Average muscle strength increased 15 percent, while maximum strength went up between 26 and 38 percent, depending on the muscle group tested.  Muscle oxygen use went up 12 percent by the end of the study.  This once again shows that it is never too late to start a health program.

With age, selenium levels frequently decline, and at the same time aging is associated with worsening brain function.  A large study in France shows that loss of cognitive function is worse in those people in whom selenium levels decline the most.  Researchers followed 1389 subjects for 9 years plus follow-up evaluations (Akbaraly NT, et al., “Plasma selenium over time and cognitive decline in the elderly,” Epidemiology 2007 Jan;18(1):52-8).  Those whose selenium level in the serum declined the most had the worst cognitive decline, after accounting for other risk factors.  As selenium is an anti-oxidant cofactor (essential for the activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase), this is one further piece of evidence that oxidative damage is one contributor to loss of brain function.  Selenium is a safe supplement, and this trace mineral is often low in the diet.

An earlier report by this same research group on these subjects showed that overall mortality rates were higher in subjects with low selenium levels compared to those with higher serum selenium.  (Akbaraly NT, et al., “Selenium and mortality in the elderly: results from the EVA study,” Clin Chem. 2005 Nov;51(11):2117-23.)

Yet another study shows the danger of tobacco smoke, even for people who are not smoking.  A meta-analysis of 22 studies from around the world (USA, Canada, Europe, China, Japan, and India) shows that any workplace exposure to smoke increased the risk of lung cancer by 24 percent overall.  For those with the most exposure (bar and restaurant workers with exposure up to 30 years), the risk of lung cancer was doubled.  Second-hand smoke also increased the risk of asthma and other respiratory problems. (Stayner L, et al., “Lung cancer risk and workplace exposure to environmental tobacco smoke,” Am J Public Health. 2007 Mar;97(3):545-51.)  Previous studies have shown similar results for non-smoking spouses of smokers.  Fortunately, many places now ban workplace smoking.

Total lifetime lead exposure is related to cognitive function in the elderly.  A study of blood and bone lead levels showed that as lead concentration in bone went up, cognitive function declined, as measured by vocabulary studies, reaction times, and pattern comparison tests.  The relationship did not hold for blood lead alone, indicating that it is  lifetime exposure to lead that leads to the problem.  (Weisskopf MG, et al., “Cumulative lead exposure and cognitive performance among elderly men,” Epidemiology 2007 Jan;18(1):59-66.)  Heavy metals are associated with acute and chronic health problems, including heart disease and cancer.  Treatment with chelation therapy, such as intravenous treatment with EDTA for vascular disease or oral treatment with DMSA for toxic metal excess, is safe and effective.

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 writes and publishes a free monthly newsletter, Dr. Janson's Healthy Living, available at his website, www.drjanson.com. Dr. Janson does phone and email consults on nutrition, lifestyle, and dietary supplements. He is also a consultant for companies in natural health care. He can be reached at drjanson@drjanson.com.