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All the latest research and recommendations on how to enjoy a longer, healthier and more productive and energetic life.
In this issue:
Healthier Heart to Go 'Green' |
Looking
for medical advice?
Call our free Nutrition and Allergy HOTLINE, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings between 5 and 6 pm to speak with one of our board-certified physicians at (856) 424-0707. To navigate drmagaziner.com use the apple links at the bottom of the page. |
Heart
Health
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Healthier Heart Magnesium, recommended at optimal levels, may be one of the most important minerals you can take to help stave off various afflictions throughout life. It is a required nutrient for over 300 enzymatic reactions and plays a significant role in muscle relaxation, nerve conduction, and other cellular processes. Not surprisingly, magnesium deficiency is associated with a wide variety of chronic degenerative ailments from asthma to Parkinson's disease -- but nowhere are its effects more insidious than in coronary artery disease. On average, only about 25% of Americans actually consume the U.S. recommended daily allowance for magnesium. Deficiency has been noted in cases of ischemic heart disease, acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and ventricular tachycardia (rapid heart rate). Post-mortem analysis has shown magnesium deficiency in cases of sudden cardiac death as well. Magnesium supplementation has also demonstrated the ability to reduce triglycerides and atherosclerosis. In addition, magnesium has been shown to significantly lower LDL (bad cholesterol) while raising HDL (good cholesterol) in patients with high cholesterol. Magnesium also relaxes the blood-vessel wall, resulting in lower blood pressure. Magnesium is abundant in healthy foods such as leafy greens, nuts, and fish. As you can see, this mineral is important for health, especially in those with elevated blood pressure or heart disease. For more information on the benefits of this wonderful nutrient, read Total Health Handbook and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Living Longer and Healthier by Dr. Allan Magaziner and the newly released Self-Care Anywhere by Dr. Scott Greenberg. |
to Go 'Green' As advocates of healthy diets -- especially those full of green leafy vegetables -- Doctors Magaziner and Greenberg are especially pleased to report on the results of new study in the Archives of Internal Medicine reinforcing the importance of these veggies in reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study examined the levels of folic acid in patients who died from heart attacks or strokes. Folic acid is a member of the B vitamin family that is plentiful in green vegetables. The researchers from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Bethesda, Md., found that among participants without diabetes, death from CVD was 2.64 times more likely in individuals with the lowest intake of serum folate when compared to those with highest intake. Even after adjustment for CVD risk factors such as smoking, family history of CVD, and high cholesterol, the risk of death was still 2.28 times greater in participants with the lowest folate intake. Folate, in conjunction with B6 and B12, benefits the healthy heart in reducing levels of homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine have been found to be a contributing factor in the development of vessel wall injury and atherosclerosis - both predecessors to CVD. Perhaps, instead of milk, new health advertisements should read: Got Spinach?
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Important
women's health issues in the news
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A twenty-year study of nurses has shown that hormone replacement consisting of synthetic estrogen and progestin increased the incidence of stroke by 45% according to a recent report in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The researchers found, however, that women who took replacement therapy with estrogen alone had a lower risk of developing strokes. While hormone replacement therapy with estrogen and progesterone has been associated with decreasing the risk of a heart attack, the researchers postulated that the increased risk of stroke might be caused by a tendency to develop blood clots while taking synthetic progestins. Many women take synthetic hormone replacement and need be aware of all possible risks. We believe that effective and safe natural hormone replacement can offer the benefits of protection against heart attacks, strokes, osteoporosis, and menopausal symptoms with less risks of side effects. |
A recent study of Swedish women published in the New England Journal of Medicine has shown a positive correlation between caffeine intake and the risk of a first-trimester miscarriage. Among nonsmokers, women who ingested 100-300 mg of caffeine had a 1.3 times greater risk and those who consumed 300-500 mg had a 1.4 times greater risk of miscarriage. The greatest risk was found in those ingesting over 500 mg of caffeine each day. These individuals had over twice the chance of a first-trimester miscarriage. Ask yourself how much caffeine you consume in one day, and you may be surprised. Coffee contains over 135 mg. in 8 ounces (when was the last time anyone had just 8 ounces of coffee) and Excedrin contains 100 mg in each tablet. While teas and sodas have less caffeine, a 12-ounce serving still contains 75 mg. of this potent stimulant. If you are attempting to become pregnant, keep a conscious count of your caffeine intake resulting from coffee, soda, and tea consumption. |
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Scientists at the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii and Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, offer more evidence that a long-term diet rich in soy can be linked to a reduced risk of breast cancer - as much as 50 percent in some cases. The researchers measured isoflavone levels in the urine of women from Shanghai, China, to determine how much soy they consumed. Isoflavones are water-soluble compounds that are particularly abundant in soy, but only occur in trace amounts in other plants. Women with the highest isoflavone levels "experienced a 50 percent decrease in risk to develop breast cancer" compared to those with the lowest levels, according to Adrian Franke, Ph.D., a professor at the Cancer Research Center. Franke and Wei Zheng, M.D., Ph.D., a professor at Vanderbilt's Medical Center, were the lead researchers for the study. The study appears to underscore the need for women to include soy in their diet consistently, beginning as early as their teenage years. Based on this data, Franke feels that a diet that includes routine and long-term use of soy is key to reducing the risk of cancer. These findings support a potential preventive effect against breast cancer achieved by soy consumption in populations that include it habitually in their diet. The versatile soybean is used in a wide range of foods and beverages, including tofu, miso, soy milk, soy butter, veggie burgers, soy nuts and tempeh. For soy starters, try refrigerated soy milk in your morning cereal instead of cow's milk. |
DISCLAIMER: The items in this newsletter are intended for informational purposes only. Nothing in this newsletter is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis and advice.
Magaziner Center
for Wellness & Anti-Aging Medicine
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Road, Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08003
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Copyright © 2000, by Dr. Allan Magaziner, D.O.