In this issue:

Help For Raynaud's Syndrome The Benefits of Broccoli Get Hooked on Fish Vitamin E and Heart Disease Melatonin Facilitates Tranquilizer Withdrawal

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THE BENEFITS OF BROCCOLI          In a recent survey, patients said that they would eat broccoli once a week if it added five years to their lives. While no specific studies have been done to prove that we can prolong our lives by eating broccoli, there is every reason to believe it will make us healthier and less prone to life-threatening disease. In addition to having high amounts of vitamin C, folate, calcium, and vitamin K. broccoli contains a class of chemical compounds called isothiocyanates, which have been shown to reduce the incidence of colon cancer.        To give youself a power punch of cancer-fighting nutrients and antioxidants, we recommend that you include broccoli and other green vegetables in your daily diet..

HELP FOR RAYNAUD'S SYNDROME       Raynaud's syndrome is a blood-vessel disorder affecting between 2 and 20% of all adults, but which is 10 times more common in women than men.  Raynaud's is characterized by disruption in blood flow to the fingers or toes, resulting in cold extremities, numbness, pain and a bluish hue to the skin.        There is some indication that this condition involves an abnormality of the production and inactivation of nitric oxide, which is a potent dilator of blood vessels. The latest evidence shows that nitric oxide reduces the symptoms of Raynaud's syndrome. Researchers at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London had success in treating this syndrome with a gel which helped the body to produce more nitric oxide.       At the Magaziner Center, we have used the amino acid arginine, which produces similar results and has helped our patients who suffer from Raynaud's.  If you have this condition, please consult one of our physicians for further information about relieving its symptoms.

GET HOOKED ON FISH         A recent study from the Ocean Nutrition Society revealed that most Americans are not eating enough cold-water fish.  Cold-water fish are very important sources of the long chain Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.  Omega-3 fatty acids have been beneficial in treating various diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, arthritis, and allergies.       These fatty acids are especially effective at reducing  inflammation throughout the body. The highest sources of Omega-3 fatty acids are found in salmon, cod, mackerel, sardines, halibut and tuna.  Try to eat a few servings of fish each week for optimal heart health.

 

VITAMIN E AND HEART DISEASE       Vitamin E is already known as one of the most potent antioxidants in helping to reduce free-radical damage. Mounting evidence now indicates that this vitamin is also effective in preventing heart disease. A recent study completed at Harvard University indicated that the nation's health-care expenditures could be reduced by over $7 billion if the population took supplemental vitamin E every day.        Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and should be used with a water-soluble vitamin such as vitamin C to optimize its benefits. There is an ongoing study now looking at the advantages of taking vitamin E combined with vitamin C for heart disease. I believe the results of this research will show the combination to be even more beneficial than taking vitamin E alone. But in whatever form you take it, vitamin E represents an economical and effective therapy to reduce your free-radical burden.

MELATONIN FACILITATES TRANQUILIZER WITHDRAWAL       Researchers at Tel Aviv University recently reported that two milligrams of controlled-release melatonin given two hours before bedtime was very effective in helping people withdraw from benzodiazepine medications and improve the quality of their sleep.       Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Valium, and Ativan are commonly used for their tranquilizing effect, but are sometimes overly sedating and can also contribute to dizziness, a disturbed sleep pattern, weakness, and confusion.  At the end of six weeks, three-quarters of the patients studied who were using melatonin had successfully discontinued the use of these medications and reported good sleep quality.       Melatonin is a natural hormone released by the pineal gland that helps control the sleep-wake cycle. Unfortunately, as we age the natural production of melatonin decreases.  If you decide to try melatonin, we recommend that you start with a low dose, generally 0.5-1.5 milligrams before bedtime.