December 2008
VitaminC lowers heart disease risk factor
A new study led by researchers at the
|
|
| For some, the effect of taking vitamin C is comparable to taking statin drugs. |
But
Vitamin C and CRP
Block’s own studyshows that for healthy, non-smoking adults with an elevated level of CRP, adaily dose of vitamin C lowered levels of the inflammation bio-marker after twomonths compared with those who took a placebo. However, participants who didnot start out with elevated CRP levels saw no benefit from vitamin Csupplementation.
"This is an important distinction; treatment withvitamin C is ineffective in persons whose levels of CRP are less than 1milligram per liter, but very effective for those with higher levels,"said Block. "Grouping people with elevated CRP levels with those who havelower levels [as in the Boston study] can mask the effects of vitamin C. Commonsense suggests, and our study confirms, that biomarkers are only likely to bereduced if they are not already low."
Benefit similar to drug
The researchers said that for people with elevated CRPlevels, the amount of CRP reduction achieved by taking vitamin C supplements inthis study is comparable to that in many other studies of cholesterol-loweringdrugs called statins.
"This finding of an effect of vitamin C is importantbecause it shows in a carefully conducted randomized, controlled trial that forpeople with moderately elevated levels of inflammation, vitamin C may be ableto reduce CRP as much as statins have done in otherstudies," said Block.
In the UC Berkeley study on
"Major studies have found that the level of CRP inthe body predicts future risk of cardiovascular disease, including myocardialinfarction, stroke and peripheral artery disease, as well as diabetes,"said Block. "Some believe CRP to be as important a predictor of futureheart problems as high levels of LDL and low levels of HDL cholesterol."
Source:
Ginkgo improves dementia symptoms
Two recent studies support earlier research on the use of
|
|
| Seniors with dementia scored better on memory tests and had other improvements. |
In the first, researchers from
In a second study by German researchers, 404 patientswith mild to moderate dementia (333 with Alzheimer's disease and 71 withvascular dementia) supplemented with the same type and dose of
Source: Wien Med Wochenschr
Vitamin D over winter protects the heart
The temperature might not be the only thing plummetingthis winter. Many people also will experience a decrease in their vitamin Dlevels, which can play a role in heart disease, according to a new reviewarticle.
|
|
| Low vitamin D may be a factor in heart disease, says researcher. |
Vitamin D deficiency results in part from reducedexposure to sunlight, which is common during cold weather months when days areshorter and more time is spent indoors. "Chronic vitamin D deficiency maybe a culprit in heart disease, high blood pressure and metabolicsyndrome," says Sue Penckofer, PhD, RN, studyauthor and professor at
Penckofer uncovered anumber of studies that linked vitamin D deficiency to heart disease. Thesestudies found rates of severe disease or death may be 30 to 50% higher amongsun-deprived individuals with heart disease. Penckoferand colleagues concluded that diet alone is not sufficient to manage vitamin Dlevels. Treatment options to correct this level, such as vitamin D supplements,may decrease the risk of severe disease or death from cardiovascular disorders.
"Most physicians do not routinely test for vitamin Ddeficiency," said Penckofer. "However, mostexperts would agree that adults at risk for heart disease and others whoexperience fatigue joint pain or depression should have their
Source:
Can green tea prevent diabetes?
American researchers from the Medical College of Georgiawere startled to find that a compound found in green tea could slow or evenprevent the development of type 1 diabetes in mice.
|
|
| Daily green tea consumption may cut disease levels by up to one-third. |
Dr. Stephen D. Hsu and colleagues tested the effects ofgreen tea's main antioxidant known as EGCG in lab mice with type
"Our study focused on Sjogren'ssyndrome, so learning that EGCG also can prevent and delay insulin-dependenttype 1 diabetes was a big surprise," Hsu said.
The study bolsters earlier research showing EGCG can helpprevent autoimmune disease, the researchers conclude.
In a 2006 study, researchers looked at 17,413 men andwomen in 25 communities across
Researchers found that the more green tea and coffeeparticipants drank, the less likely they were to get diabetes. People who dranksix cups or more of
Sources: Life Sciences, Oct 24, 2008;Ann Intern Med, 144:554-562, 2006
Peppermint oil, fibre aid IBS
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) affects up to 20% of allCanadians - predominantly women - and is characterized by abdominal pain and discomfortalong with changes in bowel function, diarrhea, constipation or both.
|
|
| Researchers found peppermint oil significantly helpful in 40% of cases. |
While some IBS drugs have been pulled from the marketover safety concerns or lack of effectiveness, Canadian researchers now reportthat older treatments, including
"This systematic review and meta-analysis has shownthat fibre, antispasmodics and peppermint oil are allmore effective than placebo in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome,"the study's authors wrote.
Peppermint oil seemed to be the most promising based onthe number needed to treat. Based on the combined data, the researchersestimated that one in 2.5 patients would get significant relief of symptoms iftreated with peppermint oil, compared to one in five patients takingantispasmodics and one in 11 patients taking fibre.
The beneficial effect of fibreseemed to be limited to
Source: CBC News, Nov 14, 2008
Vital veggie for smokers?
The cancer preventive properties of broccoli and othercruciferous vegetables appear to work specifically in smokers, according toresearch from the Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Cruciferous vegetables havebeen shown to be protective in numerous studies, but this is the firstcomprehensive study that showed a protective benefit in smokers, specificallyin former smokers, according to lead author Li Tang, PhD.
|
|
| |
"Broccoli is not a therapeutic drug, but for smokerswho believe they cannot quit nor do anything about their risk, this issomething positive," Tang said. "People who quit smoking willdefinitely benefit more from intake of cruciferous vegetables."
Li and colleagues conducted a hospital-based,case-controlled study with lung cancer cases and controls matched on smokingstatus. The study included all commonly consumed cruciferous vegetables, andalso considered raw versus cooked form. Researchers performed statisticalcalculations to take into account smoking status, duration and intensity.
Among smokers, the protective effect of cruciferousvegetable intake ranged from a 20% reduction in risk to a 55% reduction in riskdepending on the type of vegetable consumed and the duration and intensity ofsmoking. For example, among current smokers, only the consumption of rawcruciferous vegetables was associated with risk reduction of lung cancer. Nosignificant results were found for consumption of vegetables in general andfruits.
Researchers further divided their findings by foursubtypes of lung cancer and found the strongest risk reduction among patientswith squamous or small-cell carcinoma. These twosubtypes are more strongly associated with heavy smoking.
"These findings are not strong enough to make apublic health recommendation yet," said Li. "However, strongbiological evidence supports this observation. These findings, along withothers, indicate cruciferous vegetables may play a more important role incancer prevention among people exposed to cigarette-smoking."
In another study this year, US scientists found that a
Source: American Association for CancerResearch, Nov 18, 2008; BBC News, Sept 12, 2008
