Good dietary habits, exercise and a healthy lifestyle are things we’ve always endorsed as an excellent foundation for any health plan. Now such recommendations have been reinforced by the latest research from the American Institute for Cancer Research.  At the group’s 11th annual conference, scientists cited compounds found in broccoli and broccoli sprouts, oranges, horseradish, mustard and both green and chamomile teas that can inhibit a wide variety of cancer-promoting reactions.  They noted that herbs such as feverfew, rosemary, and tumeric have an anti-inflammatory effect that slows tumor growth.  Even St. John's wort contains these inflammatory blockers.

You can use this information to enhance your own health by making  sure to eat a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables each day.  They will provide you with many of the cancer-fighting agents that were discussed at this scientific conference.  For more information on this topic, reference the excellent books written by our doctors: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Living Longer and Healthier and Total Health Handbook by Dr. Allan Magaziner and Self Care Anywhere by Dr. Scott Greenberg. 

Irregular Heartbeat and Diet Linked 

New research from the heart journal Circulation has proven the role of diet in preventing the most lethal form of heart rhythm irregularities, ventricular fibrillation.  In ventricular fibrillation, commonly referred to as V fib, the pumping chambers of the heart that supply blood to the lungs and the body quiver in an uncoordinated, chaotic manner, leading to death.  However, after studying over 5,000 French men for over 22 years, researchers have discovered the role that free fatty acids play in sudden cardiac death from arrhythmia.  The men who had the highest levels of free fatty acids had the highest risk of death -- a 30 percent greater chance than those with the lowest levels of these fats. Increasing Omega-3 fatty acids in the diet, which come from fatty fish, flax, or canola oil, and decreasing the intake of Omega-6 fatty acids, found in plant seed oils (corn, safflower, sunflower), is a way to reduce the risk of sudden death.  By reducing fried food content and eating more whole grains, it is possible to obtain an ideal ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids of 1:1.  In addition to diet, a number of other factors including cigarette use, fasting, diabetes, and thyroid imbalance can trigger the release of fatty acids from adipose tissue.  Take control of your life and reduce your risk. 

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Fat Supplement Successful in Trimming Men's Waistlines

Many people are seeking an effective supplement to help them lose weight.  While diet and exercise should be the primary focuses of any weight-loss program, a small study published in the International Journal of Obesity suggests that obese men who consume conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplements for four weeks may lose a significant amount of fat around their waists. The subjects, 24 obese, middle-aged men received either 4.2 grams per day of CLA supplements or a placebo for four weeks. At the conclusion of the study, those who took CLA showed a significant reduction in abdominal girth as compared to those receiving placeboes.

It should be noted, however that CLA, found mostly in butter, has been shown to decrease levels of the good cholesterol HDL.  Therefore, it should be used with caution by people with high cholesterol or a history of heart disease.

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A recent study published in Circulation demonstrated that patients who undergo coronary bypass surgery soon after a heart attack have an increased risk of suffering a stroke, suggesting there may be a price to pay for this aggressive treatment of heart disease.

According to the study, people who had bypass surgery within two weeks of being hospitalized were twice as likely to have a stroke as those who had later bypasses.  The early bypass patients were four times more likely to have a stroke than those who did not have any heart surgery.  Fatalities occurred in one fifth of those who suffered a stroke.

During bypass surgery blood clots can form, circulation can be compromised and bleeding can ensue. Such factors can contribute to the chance of stroke from aggressive bypass in a high-risk heart attack patient.

Bypass surgery, with its inherent risks, can aid in restoring blood flow to a damaged heart.  But at what cost to the patient does this occur?  By "bypassing" a blocked vessel, we may be helping a small part of the heart without solving the underlying vascular dysfunction.

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Men and women with a devastating autoimmune disease are finding a better quality of life by taking a dietary supplement known for its muscle-building qualities. DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is naturally produced by the adrenal glands and has been found to improve the health of people with lupus, a debilitating, chronic, autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the skin, joints, connective tissue and kidneys.  While the cause for lupus is said to be unknown, several of our patients with autoimmune disease such as lupus have tested positive for chronic bacterial, fungal, and viral infections.

These infections may hyperstimulate the body's immune system, causing the destruction of its own tissues. No drugs to treat the disease have been developed in more than 40 years.  In traditional medical practices, steroids and anti-malaria drugs are used to reduce inflammation and control rashes.  But steroids can have very powerful side effects such as mood changes, depression and muscle atrophy.  By contrast, clinical trials have shown this drug (DHEA) has very few minor side effects," notes Ellen Ignatius, vice president of education and science information for the Lupus Foundation.

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Scientists are now attempting to develop a pill to reduce the risk of lung cancer in those who just can't quit  smoking.  The formula is a synthetic derivative of sulfur compounds found in broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower.  While this sounds most fascinating, the mechanism of how such a pill would accomplish its goal is quite simple - it aids natural liver detoxification.  Sulfur compounds found in the above-mentioned vegetables stimulate liver enzymes and proteins so they can accelerate clearance of harmful smoke chemicals like benzene and benzpyrene.  At least 70 percent of the 40,000 chemicals found in smoke are known carcinogens.

In spite of such a development, smoking will remain a highly addictive and deadly habit.  Even if we are able to reduce the risk of cancer, smokers still face the threat of severe lung injury in the form of emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma.  If you or a loved one still smokes, consider stopping.  If you have tried gums, patches, and pills to no avail, perhaps it is time to try such methods as hypnosis and ear acupuncture.

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