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May 2004 Vol. 9 No. 5

“When you realize the value of all life,, you dwell less on what is past and concentrate more on the preservation of the future”.
Dian Fossey

 Table of Contents:Latest Marketing Techniques in the area of Supplementation
The Miracle Fat for Eczema–GLA
Obesity Surgery Leaves Many in Misery
The Best Treatment for Childhood Ear Infections: “Watchful Waiting”
Cranberry Juice for Urinary Tract Infections
Is Stretching Really Necessary or Beneficial?
Meat Consumption Raises Colon Cancer Risk
Hold the Cheese, Halt Cancer
Low-Fat Diet Boosts Immunity

Latest Marketing Techniques in the area of SupplementationThe Miracle Fat for Eczema–GLAObesity Surgery Leaves Many in MiseryThe Best Treatment for Childhood Ear Infections: “Watchful Waiting”Cranberry Juice for Urinary Tract InfectionsIs Stretching Really Necessary or Beneficial?Meat Consumption Raises Colon Cancer RiskHold the Cheese, Halt CancerLow-Fat Diet Boosts Immunity

Latest Marketing Techniques in the area of Supplementation  

Antigen infused bovine colostrum/whey extract-nicely packaged as the liquid from a pregnant cow. Whey is cows milk [part of the protein, casein being the other major protein component of cow’s milk. Bovine colostrum is made for cows-plain and simple-simple.

A bovine derived product is not the be all & end all product for human immune system.  Human colostrum is perfect for the human baby at it’s critical early development out of the womb.  That is part of the reason that baby’s breast fed develop physically & psychologically more quickly [6-9 months ahead of formula fed infants].

The Miracle Fat for Eczema–GLA   

It is thought that essential fatty acids (EFAs) play a role in the development of atopic disease. Linoleic acid (LA), part of the n-6 EFA series, is derived from food and subsequently converted into gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and longer-chain polyenes (LCPs) such as dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) and arachidonic acid (AA). Although LCPs of the n-3 EFA series can be derived from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the major source of n-3 LCPs is food.

Studies have found higher concentrations of LA and lower concentrations of LCPs in the blood of patients with atopic dermatitis (eczema). Additionally, newborns with a family history of atopic disease have been found to have lower concentrations of n-6 LCP in umbilical cord blood prior to developing atopic disease (AD). Researchers suggest that this may be due to a reduced conversion of LA into GLA and subsequent LCPs, possibly as a result of impaired activity of the enzyme linoleoyl-CoA desaturase (delta6-desaturase).

Further, other studies showed that breast milk from mothers whose infants subsequently developed AD contained less n-6 LCP than milk from mothers of unaffected infants. Recently, some brands of infant formula are being enriched with LCPs, such as GLA. Prior to this, infant formulas, unlike breast milk, contained only LA and ALA as EFAs. Several studies have looked at whether GLA supplementation in patients with AD could reduce the severity of existing eczema, however results have been inconsistent.

An additional study has found a possible role of GLA in the prevention of atopy in early life. Researchers based their suggestion on several observations: mothers of atopic infants have lower concentrations of n-6 LCP in their breast milk than mothers of non-atopic infants; the amount of EFAs in newborns is dependent on their supply while in utero and later on diet of either breast milk or infant formula; and infants who have atopic symptoms at 1 year of age have significantly lower mean concentrations of n-6 LCPs in umbilical cord blood and in serum at 1 months and 3 months of age than infants with no atopic symptoms. Moreover, prostaglandins derived from n-6 LCPs are thought to play a role in the maturation of the immune system.

Since the conversion of LA to GLA is thought to affect the rate of the total chain of conversions, supplementation with GLA in infancy might compensate for the lower n-6 LCP concentrations and therefore prevent atopy or decrease its severity in infants, especially if the mother is predisposed to AD.

Among four trials, which investigated whether GLA supplementation protects against the development of atopy in formula-fed infants with atopic mothers, one showed that GLA supplementation reduced the severity of eczema compared with a placebo.

According to researchers, the results show an effect of GLA on the severity of AD, which indicates that GLA supplementation has a beneficial effect on the inflammatory component of AD.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition April, 2003;77(4):943-51

Obesity Surgery Leaves Many in Misery   

With her hair falling out, skin flaking, muscles wasted and frequent attacks of diarrhea and vomiting, Linda Culpepper was admitted to the hospital and immediately fed intravenously. Her diagnosis was a condition called life-threatening malnutrition, caused by complications from a past weight-loss surgery, which involved closing a majority of her stomach and shortening her small intestine. The increasing numbers of obese people have driven up the rates for weight-loss surgeries.

Soaring Weight-Loss Operation Statistics:

In the United States, 20,000 weight-loss operations were performed in 1995
In 2003, 103,000 were performed
This year, 144,00 are predicted to be performed

Researchers expressed their concerns over the operations being performed on children and teenagers and the increasing number of doctors encouraging their patients to pack on more pounds, so they could qualify for the surgery. Researchers also noted one of the biggest issues surrounded the number of doctors who were not properly trained and performing the surgeries. Because of the high risks and increased costs, some insurers made the decision to stop covering the operations. The average cost of the surgery is $30,000, however that cost could rise if serious complications surfaced during the surgery.  Also, due to the drastic changes in the digestive system, most patients required heavy counseling on how to eat properly and which vitamins to take in order to avoid malnutrition or gaining the weight back.

Reported Risks of the Surgery:

Bleeding
Blood clots
Bowel obstructions
Hernias

Severe infections caused from leaks in the abdomen area where the stomach and small intestines had been cut open and sealed or reconnected.  Research showed that almost 30 percent of the people who had undergone the surgery experienced nutritional deficiencies that led to health conditions such as anemia and bone loss. Participants of a study included 66,000 obese people, 3,328 of that number had bariatric surgery during the years of 1987 to 2001.
The study revealed that 30 days following the surgery, the death rate reached 1.9 percent. It was also discovered that those who did survive the surgery lived longer than the severely obese people who did not have the surgery.
Experts stated that most people believed the gastric bypass surgery was the solution to their weight-loss problems, however doctors warned patients who did not practice self-control that they would gain back all the weight in the next 20 years.
New York Times May 4, 2004

The Best Treatment for Childhood Ear Infections: “Watchful Waiting”  

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that mild childhood ear infections were best treated, by being left alone to clear up on their own. Two million cases of the common ear infection called otitis media with effusion are diagnosed each year in the United States and are also predicted to afflict every toddler and preschooler at some point in their lives.

The treatment recommended by experts consisted of a “watchful waiting” approach for at least a three-month period, unless the child was at risk for speech, language or learning problems.  Other experts explained the ineffectiveness of using antihistamines, decongestants, or antibiotics such as penicillin as routine management treatment options for children. Drainage tubes were also recommended as the preferred initial treatment if the child required surgery.
Pediatrics May 5, 2004;113(5)

Cranberry Juice for Urinary Tract Infections   

Women who drink cranberry juice on a daily basis might be preventing urinary tract infections. Two compounds found in cranberries might be deterring the formation of infection-causing bacteria from the lining of the urinary tract. Taken from a liquid or tablet form, the content of berries have initiated several studies since 1966 on the link with urinary tract infections.

Researchers noted that the women who were most likely to benefit from regular consumption of cranberry juice or tablets were those who were sexually active adult women with recurring urinary tract infections. Researchers stated that the women with these characteristics were likely to experience a 50 percent decrease in infection rates.

The tendency for women to chose cranberry juice as a possible preventative method for urinary tract infections is believed to be derived not only from its appealing taste, but also its use as a natural product and alternative to taking an antibiotic. Researchers suggested future studies on the effects of cranberries and their correlation to urinary tract infections. They also said the studies should involve different population groups, different doses and a comparison between the liquid and tablet forms.
Science Daily April 29, 2004

Is Stretching Really Necessary or Beneficial?   

Stretching out before exercising has often been the recommendation of experts, however research that evaluated 60 years of stretching before exercise has found that it doesn’t cut down or prevent injuries. Sports medicine experts said that while stretching might help in the warm up process, it doesn’t necessarily help with preventing injuries. On the other hand, experts stated if you’ve endured an injury that limited your range of motion, then stretching could be an effective tool to practice before and after exercise.

Recommendations by doctors to their patients included beginning workouts slowly, then gradually picking up the pace.
The thought behind that was creating a gradual build up of blood flow to the exercising muscles. For example, if you are a runner, experts suggested starting off your workout with an easy-paced jog, then gradually increasing the pace until you get to the point where you are ready to start running.  Several studies found that exercises involving muscle strengthening of the core helped prevent sports injuries. Some of the core areas that should be focused on include the back, the abdominal muscles and the hip muscles.
Although research has shown that stretching before exercise doesn’t seem to reduce injuries, experts recommended people continue stretching until further study has been completed.
New York Times April 27, 2004

Meat Consumption Raises Colon Cancer Risk   

Harvard University has conducted studies involving tens of thousands of participants showing that regular meat consumption can raise colon cancer risk by approximately 300 percent. Late last year, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reported that the rate of breast cancer among premenopausal women who ate the most animal fat was a third higher than that of women who ate the least animal fat. A separate study, published recently in Lancet, linked diets high in saturated fat to breast cancer.

But this isn’t exactly news. As long ago as 1982, the National Research Council linked dietary habits-particularly the intake of fatty foods, such as beef-to cancer risk. Since then, other major health authorities have come out with similar findings.
The scientific literature has solidified the case against meat consumption, but ACS does little to communicate the message effectively. And by partnering with beef producers, it is shamelessly promoting the very disease it has pledged to stop.
www.pcrm.org for more information.

Hold the Cheese, Halt Cancer  

Testicular cancer is among the most common cancers in men between 20 and 45 years of age. A study from the University of Ottawa shows that a high intake of dairy products, particularly cheese, as well as baked goods and luncheon meats, may contribute to its development. Researchers collected data from 601 testicular cancer cases and 744 population-based controls from eight Canadian provinces between 1994 and 1997, examining nutrients, food groups, and particular foods using food-frequency questionnaires. It is suspected that female sex hormones found in dairy products could play a role.
Garner MJ, Birkett NJ, Johnson KC, Shatenstein B, Ghadirian P, Krewski D. Dietary risk factors for testicular carcinoma. Int J Cancer 2003;106:934-41.

A second study found that calcium may play a role in cancer development, especially for prostate cancer. As part of the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort, researchers examined the association between calcium, dairy intake, and prostate cancer incidence, asking 65,321 male participants to complete detailed questionnaires on diet, medical history, and lifestyle. Total calcium intake (from diet and supplements) was associated with modestly increased risk of prostate cancer. High dietary calcium intake was also associated with increased risk. One potential biological mechanism is that high calcium intake down-regulates 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D, which may increase cell proliferation in the prostate.
Rodriguez C, McCullough ML, Mondul AM, et al. Calcium, dairy products, and risk of prostate cancer in a prospective cohort of United States men. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2003;12:597-603.

Low-Fat Diet Boosts Immunity  

Tufts University scientists have found that, when volunteers with high cholesterol levels switched to a low-fat diet, they not only lost weight, but significantly enhanced their immunity, an important factor in cancer prevention. Ten participants were initially instructed to follow a standard American-style diet deriving 35 percent of calories from fat. Then they followed three subsequent diets: one made up of 26 percent fat, one made up of 15 percent fat, and, lastly, a 15-percent fat diet with a further reduction in calories. Each diet drove cholesterol levels down, but only the last phase was associated with marked improvement in cellular immune response.

Santos MS, Lichtenstein AH, Leka LS, Goldin B, Schaefer EJ, Meydani SN. Immunological effects of low-fat diets with and without weight loss. J Am Coll Nutr 2003;22:174-82.
Bingham SA, Day NE, Luben R, et al. Dietary fibre in food and protection against colorectal cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC): an observational study. Lancet 2003;361:1496-501.