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May 2008 vol. 13 no. 5

Life Is Not A Journey to The Grave With The Intention of Arriving Safely in a Pretty & Well Preserved Body, but Rather to Skid in Broadside, Totally Worn Out & Proclaiming: “Wow What A Ride!”

Table of Contents:


Will Cocoa Soon Be Used as Medicine?

Specially formulated cocoa very well might soon be considered part of a treatment plan for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in diabetics.

According to new research, after diabetic patients drank a special high-flavonol cocoa for one month, blood vessel function went from severely impaired to normal. Flavanols are natural plant compounds also found in tea, red wine, and certain fruits and vegetables. They are responsible for cocoa’s healthful benefits.

The improvement was as large as has been observed with exercise and many common diabetic medications.

The cocoa used in this study is not sold in the supermarket.

Eurekalert May 26, 2008
Journal of the American College of Cardiology June 3, 2008; 51(22):2150-2
Journal of the American College of Cardiology June 3, 2008 Editorial


The Truth About Milk

“Raw milk” is milk in its natural state, Mark McAfee, owner of Organic Pastures Dairy, explains in this excellent article. It comes from the cow, without heat treatment or pasteurization, which is used to extend shelf life and to immobilize certain bacteria.

But people, milk, and bacteria can coexist. It is normal for milk to contain some bacteria, and human societies have been benefiting from these bacteria in milk for thousands of years. Fermented milks, for instance, have superior nutrient value and digestibility. Today these products are marketed as containing “probiotics,” as if this is something brand new.

Yet, bacteria have always existed in natural milk. In fact, bacteria:

  • Are earth’s oldest life forms
  • Are everywhere
  • Are essential for human survival
  • Comprise more than 90 percent of the cells in the human body

Public obsession with killing bacteria misdirects efforts at improving public health — because relatively few bacteria are pathogenic. By constantly sterilizing, pasteurizing, and disinfecting, the balance is actually tipped in favor of the pathogens.

It is difficult to get at the truth because so much research on milk is little more than advertising — self-interested and commercial. But you can educate yourself directly and make health choices without the intervention of so-called “experts.”

If you do, you will find that raw milk, loaded with beneficial bacteria, is the better choice.

The Rodale Institute May 15, 2008


Don’t Be Misled By Dairy Ads

According to a review of the published scientific literature, claims that low-fat dairy products or calcium can help people lose weight are untrue. Neither dairy products in general nor calcium intake promote weight loss.

Out of 49 clinical trials, 41 showed no effects of diary or calcium on weight, two showed an increase in body weight with a dairy regimen, and one showed a lower rate of weight gain. Only five showed weight loss.

An association between calcium or dairy intake and weight loss has been seen in some “observational” studies, possibly due to other factors such as increased exercise, cutting out high-calorie foods with little nutritional value, or other diet changes.

Reuters May 14, 2008


Workouts Sculpt Heart As Well As Muscles

Exercise can cause structural changes in the heart — and the changes can vary depending on the type of exercise.

Researchers found that endurance athletes showed an increase in the size of both their left and right ventricles after 90 days of team training.

However, athletes who only did strength training had excessive growth in their left ventricles, but no change at all in their right ventricle size.

In addition, the ability of the left ventricle to fully relax between beats (diastolic function) was enhanced in the endurance athletes, but it worsened in the strength trainers.

It is possible that this could point the way towards tailored recommendations for rehabilitation and recreational exercise for people with heart problems.

Reuters May 7, 2008
Journal of Applied Physiology April 2008; 104(4):1121-8


More Evidence Links Cow’s Milk to Type 1 Diabetes

A new study adds more evidence that cow’s milk proteins trigger type 1 diabetes. Marcia Goldfarb of Anatek-EP, a protein research laboratory in Portland, Maine, reports having found antibodies to bovine beta-lactoglobulin in the serum of children with diabetes. Individuals without diabetes did not have the antibody.

Type 1 diabetes is believed to be caused when antibodies destroy the insulin-producing pancreatic cells. Several studies have suggested that cow’s milk proteins may trigger the production of these dangerous antibodies. Larger studies are currently testing this theory.

Goldfarb M. Relation of time of introduction of cow milk protein to an infant and risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus. J Proteome Research 2008;7:2165-7

Breaking Medical News is a service of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, 5100 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20016, 202-686-2210. Join PCRM and receive the quarterly magazine, Good Medicine.


Training and Nutrition for Different Populations

The paddlers are women in their forties, fifties, sixties and one in her seventies I think… so aside from the perspective of nutrition for athletes, there are osteoporosis issues as there are for all women, particularly as we advance gracefully into our latter years!

As well, the kind of exercise associated with paddling can be some endurance (practices or a 2000m race) and some sprint type exercise (250 and 500 m races which include fast glycolosis, fast twitch muscle). How to prepare for practices and how to prepare for races?

For the diet it should consist of raw fresh fruits and vegetables-this of course will supply the body with much needed usable alkaline calcium, as well as other minerals.

They should seek to choose from lower glycemic index carbohydrates and spread their calories throughout the day at 3 hour intervals. Mixing fats, carbohydrates, fiber and protein with each meal.

For training. Part of their training must be for the endurance segment [it is important to mix the cardio training between biking, paddling and rowing, even brisk walking would be beneficial to mix it up].

Strength training pick rowing simulated movements that will allow no more than 15 reps for 3-4 sets mixed with shoulder exercises and some dumbbell or cable fly movements.