Looking for your meal ticket to health?  You might be wise to go for some omega-3 fatty acids served up with a side of antioxidants. The good news is, it can be as tasty as it is healthy — think grilled salmon and vegetables, drizzled with olive oil and accompanied by a nice glass of red wine.

“People who eat a plant-based diet are the healthiest people on the planet,” says Katherine Tallmadge, MA, RA, LD, an American Dietetic Association spokeswoman. “Eat at least five cups of fruits and vegetables every day.  Use olive oil instead of butter. Eat plenty of seafood. These are nutrition recommendations that won’t change.”

What is changing is our understanding of how nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants are responsible for the health-promoting properties of functional foods — and what you can do to maximize their effectiveness.

Antioxidants: Vitamins, Flavonoids, and Minerals

Plant foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds are your best bet to obtain disease-fighting antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E, the mineral selenium, and flavonoids.

The protective benefits of antioxidants seem to stem from their ability to protect your cells from dangerous free radicals, which you are exposed to as the result of natural processes and pollutants in the environment.

When it comes to cancer-fighting properties of the nutrients in a balanced diet, the whole may be more than the sum of its parts. Many scientists now believe that food synergy, or the way nutrients in the different foods you eat interact with one another, may be responsible for the health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

“An important result of research in recent years is less emphasis on any single nutrient, or even any group of a few nutrients, in preventing cancer, with more support for the way that a balanced, plant-based diet provides a bounty of nutrients and compounds that seem to work together to protect us against cancer,” says Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN, and nutrition advisor to the American Institute for Cancer Research.

“Research shows that much of the antioxidant power of a healthy plant-based diet comes not from the traditional vitamins we focus on, but from a wide range of phytochemicals … these compounds seem to work best together, not on their own.”

The benefits you get from eating a diet rich in functional foods loaded with antioxidants go far beyond fighting cancer.

Tallmadge says that people who eat foods rich in antioxidants have many health advantages, including:

• less cancer
• lower inflammation levels
• lower heart disease risk
• less Alzheimer’s and dementia 

For the most protection, you should try to eat a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, including garlic and onion, tomatoes, watermelon, leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, blueberries, carrots, and bell peppers.

Beverages like tea, coffee, and red wine also contain antioxidants that may offer protection against many diseases, including diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease.

Omega-3 Fats: Fish Oil for Heart Health

Omega-3 fatty acids are some of the promising functional foods when it comes to your heart health.  A landmark 2006 study of the effects of fish on human health demonstrated that a modest intake of fish reduces the risk of dying from a heart attack by a whopping 36%.

“There is certainly enough evidence now to indicate that eating fish once or twice per week, choosing from a variety of fish, confers a benefit as strong or stronger than any other food for cardiovascular health,” says the study’s co-author Dariush Mozaffarian, co-director of the Program in Cardiovascular Epidemiology at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health.

The heart-health benefits seem to be greatest with the consumption of two particular omega-3 fatty acids that are found mainly in oily fish — eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).  Choose oily, cold-water fish species like salmon, trout, and herring to get the most omega-3s.

What about the mercury in fish?  For most people, it’s more dangerous to avoid eating omega-3 fats than to consume the amount of mercury in most commonly eaten fish species.  The EPA and FDA suggests a limit of 12 ounces (2 average meals) of fish a week for special populations, including women who are or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children. Those groups should avoid fish highest in mercury, such as shark, swordfish, and tilefish. 

Fish isn’t the only source of health-boosting omega-3s. You can also find the healthy fats in walnuts, canola oil, and flaxseed.  The omega-3s from plant-based sources, which contain alpha linolenic acid (ALA), may also have cardiovascular benefits, but the evidence is not as strong.

Regardless, all functional foods containing omega-3 fatty acids are thought to boost your health in a variety of ways by lessening inflammation levels in your body.  In the last few years, consuming diets rich in omega-3 fats have been touted for reducing the risk of Type-1 diabetes and, they may even improve your mood.

Getting the Most from Functional Foods

Researchers are now looking into the bioavailability of nutrients to learn how much of the antioxidants and omega-3 fats we eat are available for our bodies to use.

For now, here are a few tips for you to get the most out of the functional foods you eat:

• Try to buy produce that has been picked at full ripeness and maximum color, an indication of the presence of flavonoids.
• Cook your vegetables in as little water as possible to minimize the amount of nutrients lost in the cooking process.
• Aim to eat fish one to two times each week, and choose from a variety of species, emphasizing cold-water fish.
• Make sure you eat fat-soluble antioxidants like lycopene and vitamins A and E, with a little fat, such as olive oil, to help your body absorb the valuable nutrients.

All too often, by the time a person goes on vacation they are too wiped-out to enjoy it. Sometimes they even get sick. When the body gets depleted, the adrenal glands get overworked and the immune system goes down. When the immune system goes down we become a susceptible host to the local pathogen du jour. The body can get depleted in many ways, but let’s review three of the most common:

• Psychological Stress
• Pain and Inflammation
• Blood Sugar Imbalances

Psychological Stress

This is the type of stress that we are most familiar with. When we feel “stressed out” we are usually referring to something (or many things) that has mentally and emotionally drained us. This type of stress activates the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system and produces the fight-or-flight response. This important response is not meant to continue indefinitely, so if this type of stress continues unchecked, the system falls short on its ability to keep up with the demand and fatigue ensues. 

Pain and Inflammation

Most people think of muscle pain and joint inflammation. When these imbalances are in a chronic state they can be especially draining on the system. But there are other sources of pain and inflammation which may be less familiar but in some cases are more severe to the body. Oxidative stress is a process by which free radicals attack DNA. Free radical are generated by smoking, excess sugar intake, excess physical and emotional stress, heavy metal toxins (mercury, lead, iron, etc.), radiation (x-rays, UV, etc.), trans fats (hydrogenated oils), certain drugs, chronic infection (gut pathogens, gingivitis, etc.). Free radicals are believed to play a role in more than sixty different health conditions, including the aging process, cancer, and heart disease.

Blood Sugar Imbalances

Insulin causes fat storage. Insulin causes fat storage. Insulin causes fat storage. When excess insulin is secreted in response to excess sugar consumption, the blood sugar (glucose) is stored in fat cells. Normally, the glucose is used by the cells of the body and mostly stored in the muscles and the liver. But when there is more than the body can use, insulin forces fat cells to take in blood lipids called triglycerides and fat cells grow. Our daily energy is very dependent upon our blood sugar balance. If our blood sugar is too low we can become mentally and physically fatigued. Low blood sugar can come from either skipping meals or making unhealthy food choices like sweets, pastries, or any refined and processed flour product (such as breads, pastas, cookies, chips, and crackers that are not 100% whole grain).

So now that we have discussed some of the common causes of a lack of energy, let’s talk about ways to get healthy healthy energy levels that will truly keep you going all day long with no jittery feelings or the inevitable crash?

Adaptogens

Borrowing from long traditional uses and strong clinical science, certain herbal adaptogens and other traditional herbs have been shown to decrease symptoms of fatigue, stress, anxiety, neuralgia, depression, and sore muscles. Adaptogens are also known to increase stamina and enhance physical performance.

What is an adaptogen? In 1947, Dr. Nikolai Lazaren defined an adaptogen, “as an agent that allows the body to counter adverse physical, chemical, or biological stressors by raising nonspecific resistance toward such stress, thus allowing the organism to ‘adapt’ to the stressful circumstance.” This definition still holds true for today, but now also includes an ability to balance endocrine hormones and the immune system. Here is a list of the most effective adrenal adaptogens:

Maca
For around 2000 years Maca has been an important traditional food and medicinal plant in its native growing region. It is regarded as a highly nutritious food and as a medicine that enhances strength and endurance and also may act as an aphrodisiac. During Spanish colonization maca was used as currency.

Eleutherococcus senticosus
Eleuthero use dates back 2,000 years, according to Chinese medicine records. Referred to as ci wu jia in Chinese medicine, it was used to prevent respiratory tract infections, colds and flu. It was also believed to provide energy and vitality. Eleuthero has been shown to enhance mental acuity and physical endurance without the letdown that comes with caffeinated products. Research has shown that eleuthero improves the use of oxygen by the exercising muscle. This means that a person is able to maintain aerobic exercise longer and recover from workouts more quickly. It is also useful when the adrenal glands are depleted as it may help alleviate symptoms of fatigue and stress.

Cordyceps
In ancient China, cordyceps was used in the Emperor’s palace and was considered to have ginseng-like properties. A number of studies indicate that cordyceps may have an immuno-enhancing and antioxidant effects. It was also reported that cordyceps has demonstrated an ability to increase energy and endurance as well as reduce the onset of exercise-related fatigue. Some athletes who participate in endurance exercise events, such as distance running, swimming, cycling, adventure racing, etc., rather than sprinting, weight-lifting, etc. notice an improvement in exercise capacity and tolerance from supplementing with cordyceps.

Turmeric
The active constituent of turmeric is known as curcumin. Curcumin has been used for thousands of years as a safe anti-inflammatory in a variety of ailments as part of traditional Indian medicine. It has been shown to have a wide range of therapeutic actions. First, it protects against free radical damage because it is a strong antioxidant. Second, it reduces inflammation by lowering histamine levels and possibly by increasing production of natural cortisone by the adrenal glands. Third, it protects the liver from a number of toxic compounds. Fourth, it has been shown to reduce platelets from clumping together, which in turn improves circulation and may help protect against atherosclerosis. The U.S. National Institutes of Health has four clinical trials underway to study curcumin treatment for pancreatic cancer, multiple myeloma, Alzheimer’s, and colorectal cancer.

Ginseng
Panax (Asian) ginseng roots are taken orally as adaptogens, aphrodisiacs, nourishing stimulants, and in the treatment of type II diabetes, including sexual dysfunction in men.

Rhodiola rosea
The Vikings used rhodiola to enhance physical strength and endurance, and it was commonly used by many Northern peoples to treat fatigue, poor physical endurance, nervous system disorders, and infections, and to enhance fertility. Rhodiola rosea is effective for improving mood and alleviating depression. Russian research shows that it improves both physical and mental performance, reduces fatigue, and prevents high-altitude sickness. Rhodiola rosea’s effects are attributed to its ability to optimize serotonin and dopamine levels, due to monoamine oxidase inhibition and to its influence on opioid peptides such as beta-endorphins.

Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha stimulates the activation of immune system cells, such as lymphocytes. It has also been shown to inhibit inflammation and improve memory. These actions may support the traditional reputation of ashwagandha as a tonic or adaptogen - counteracting the effects of stress and generally promoting wellness.

Coenzyme Q10

I would also highly recommend Coenzyme Q10 to boost your energy. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is used by the body to transform food into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy on which the body runs. For various reasons, the supply of CoQ10 can become depleted in the body affecting the production of ATP. CoQ10 is also a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from free radicals. The key features of CoQ10 are:

• Support for the heart and entire cardiovascular system
• Antioxidant and immune enhancement
• Production of ATP, the metabolic energy on which the body runs

Evaluate Your Adrenal Hormone Supply
 
Additionally, we recommend you have an evaluation of your adrenal hormones. If you have an imbalance of your main adrenal hormones - cortisol or DHEA - your energy and sense of wellness can be affected. Depending on the results of the Adrenal Hormone Test, a therapeutic protocol can be determined that is specific to your individual needs.

Please do your part and make healthy dietary and lifestyle choices in addition to the above recommendations. Please avoid excess amounts of sugar, including sweets and any refined processed grain product, like breads, pasta, crackers, chips, cookies, etc. Choose only the 100% whole grain variety. Also, regular cardiovascular exercise has been shown to increase physical energy and improve sleep.

The survey, entitled “Healthcare Providers’ Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine,” was sent during June to thousands of physicians and other health professionals throughout the United States, with nearly 300 individuals responding.

The survey queried respondents as to what heath measures they personally hope to achieve in using some form of CAM. The results were as follows:

• Stress relief 19.0%
• Improve general health 15.6%
• Pain management 13.3%
• Improve mental alertness 11.4%
• Weight reduction / control 9.3%
• Reduce hypertension 8.2%
• Overcome insomnia 7.8%
• Lower cholesterol 5.9%
• Control diabetes 3.5%

The survey pointed out, interestingly, that only a small number of doctors (15%) believe that as complementary and alternative medicine becomes more acceptable within the healthcare field, more insurers will provide approved reimbursement. Sixty-two percent felt it was either “not too likely” or “probably unlikely” that insurance coverage will substantially increase in the foreseeable future.

Most interestingly, the survey showed one of the areas that needs more focus – the education of integrative medicine by practitioners.  The health practitioners surveyed learned about complementary and alternative medicine through various means: formal medical training (13%), seminars on holistic medicine (21%), and self-teaching or interaction with colleagues (25%). The types of alternative modalities, therapies, and treatments with which health providers were most familiar included: herbal medicine, massage therapy and reflexology, yoga and meditation, chiropractic treatment, biofeedback, and acupuncture. Other approaches with which they were less familiar included: hypnotherapy, aromatherapy, Tai Chi, and Ayurvetic medicine. 

These findings are just one of the reasons why respected organizations that educate physicians and other health care professionals on the latest findings and emerging procedures in integrative medicine practitioners are so important.  In fact, efforts like the Integrative Medical Consortium are a collaborative alliance of CAM associations is committed to advancing integrative medicine for the well-being of patients worldwide and includes American College for Advancement in Medicine, American Academy of Environmental Medicine, American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, American Holistic Medical Association, and International College of Integrative Medicine. AMARC Enterprises is excited to be working with many of those organizations through conferences and membership communication to not only keep people informed and up-to-date but also to keep ourselves aware of news and information that is disseminated so that we can pass the knowledge on to you, our readers.

Fatigue is one of the most frequent health concerns I hear about from my patients in clinical practice. Although many turn to energy drinks, which, when rich in nutrients, are a better alternative to coffee, in reality this is only a temporary solution. It’s better to find the reason behind why a person is fatigued in the first place. By eliminating each of the possible causes, the real culprit will be found.

In this article, I will describe the most common reasons for fatigue and what steps can be taken to increase energy levels once the underlying cause of the exhaustion is pinpointed.

Overt Disease

When looking into the reasons behind why a person is so tired, it’s helpful to first determine whether he or she is suffering from a disease that could be causing the fatigue. For example, in one study, all patients with heart failure complained of daily chronic fatigue.(1)

High blood pressure also is associated with increased fatigue as are autoimmune diseases and chronic infections. Therefore, it is important to undergo a thorough checkup to eliminate a specific health condition. Once specific diseases are ruled out, then the less obvious energy drainers mentioned below can be explored.

Adrenal Dysfunction

One of the first steps is to conduct a salivary hormone test (adrenal function panel). This test monitors a person’s morning, afternoon, and evening cortisol levels as well as DHEA levels in order to determine the health of the adrenal glands.

Adrenal burnout and the associated imbalance in cortisol levels is a frequent cause of fatigue. Under conditions of stress, the adrenal glands produce cortisol and other stress-related hormones. A perfectly balanced body will learn to cope with stress and return rapidly to a resting state when the stressor is eliminated. However, the capacity to cope with stress is limited, highly individualized and worsens with age. Consequently, a person’s body may not realize that a stressful event has ended and continue to produce the high levels of cortisol triggered by the event. This over production of cortisol ultimately leads to exhausted adrenals where the glands are no longer able to produce sufficient levels of this important hormone. Adrenal dysfunction may be manifested by an excess or inadequacy of cortisol and DHEA and loss of sensitivity of the hypothalamus and pituitary to the normal, inhibiting effects of these hormones.

In a recent study of 78 working subjects, researchers used a salivary test to measure the daily variations in cortisol in both the non-exhausted subjects and the exhausted subjects. The researchers found that the exhausted subjects experienced significantly lowered morning cortisol levels. In the non-exhausted subjects, the morning cortisol levels were normal.(2)

“The results would support the notion that exhaustion is associated with hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hypoactivity as assessed by salivary cortisol,” the study authors noted.

Morning cortisol levels also have been found to be lower in female chronic fatigue patients compared to controls.(3)

A salivary hormone test (adrenal function panel) can help determine whether disturbed cortisol levels are the reason behind an individual’s fatigue. When test results indicate low cortisol levels in the morning this generally is indicative of adrenal burnout, and supplementing with a formula that contains glycyrrhizic acid from licorice combined with adrenal powder and potassium can be very helpful. Glycyrrhizic acid mimics the effects of cortisol and helps burned out adrenals recover. Glycyrrhizic acid should be taken for several weeks at a time and then supplementation should stop for a period before resuming again. Individuals with high blood pressure should monitor their blood pressure daily when using licorice.

Individuals whose adrenal function panel indicates their cortisol levels are chronically elevated often find it helpful to consume a supplement that contains Relora®, a proprietary blend of an extract from Magnolia officinalis bark and an extract from Phellodendron amurense, and Sensoril®, a patented Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root and leaf extract. Each of these substances has been shown to balance cortisol levels.(4-5)

In my clinical practice I also find that SeriPhos™ is helpful in controlling elevated cortisol levels.

Mood Disorders

Fatigue and depression often present with similar symptoms. One review of the medical literature established that chronic fatigue syndrome is underdiagnosed in more than 80 percent of the people who have it and that it is often misdiagnosed as depression.(6-7)

Fatigue is often a symptom of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a depressive disorder that occurs in individuals who are sensitive to the decreased sunlight that occurs in winter. The onset of winter may lead to more severe bouts of depression that can interfere with ones ability to function at work or in the home. This reoccurring form of depression usually begins in the fall, increases through the winter holidays, and doesn’t let up until the return of spring. Symptoms of seasonal affective disorder include extreme fatigue and lack of energy, increased need for sleep, sleeping much more than usual, carbohydrate craving and increased appetite and weight gain.

Clinically, when I note that a patient’s fatigue is worse in winter and associated with “the winter blues,” I find that the use of 5-HTP, L-theanine and vitamin D3 together with maximizing outdoor time and light therapy can help significantly.

Thyroid Health

The thyroid gland is a major controller of metabolic activity in virtually every body tissue. If fatigue is accompanied by other symptoms such as weight gain, hair thinning or loss, cold hands and feet, low body temperature, depression, slower bowels and dry skin, then hypothyroidism should be suspected and testing for levels of the thyroid hormones free T3 and free T4 as well as TSH is a good approach. In fact, one of the reasons for the strong connection between depression and fatigue mentioned above may be that individuals who present with both conditions may be suffering from underactive thyroid.

Meanwhile, in individuals who exhibit fatigue along with weight loss, rapid heartbeat, and nervousness, hyperthyroidism should not be overlooked.

In addition to a complete thyroid panel, an iodine sufficiency test can help determine whether iodine status is playing a role in thyroid health and overall energy levels. Guy Abraham, MD has found, in a number of studies, that supplementing with a special combination of iodine/iodide known as Iodoral® can improve the health of both patients with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Dr. Abraham noted that whole body sufficiency for iodine was associated with a sense of overall well being, lifting of “brain fog,” feeling warmer in cold environments, increased energy, needing less sleep, achieving more in less time, experiencing regular bowel movements and improved skin complexion.(8)

Sleep

Restorative sleep is essential to optimal energy levels. Fatigued individuals should therefore look to their sleep habits as a possible cause of low energy levels. Snoring and waking frequently during the night can be an indication of sleep apnea and this issue should be addressed.

Additionally, anyone who finds it hard to fall asleep or to stay asleep, who suffers from restless legs syndrome or who wakes up with heart palpitations may have sleep issues that are causing fatigue.

One of the major causes of age-related sleep disturbances is a reduction in the amount, and alteration in the timing, of melatonin production by the pineal. Supplementation with melatonin has often been shown to ameliorate these disturbances in the sleep-wake rhythm. In a study of elderly women, 35.7 percent of investigated subjects noted an improvement in general sleep quality and in such sleep parameters as sleep initiation, the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, number of awakenings episodes, and wake time after sleep onset.(9)

In addition to improving sleep, melatonin has been shown to act directly on reducing fatigue in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.(10)

Allergies

Allergies—both allergic rhinitis and delayed food sensitivities—can be another fatigue-causing factor. Recently,

GeorgetownUniversityMedicalCenter researchers noted there is emerging evidence to suggest that food allergies appear to be an important triggering event in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.(11)

In my clinical practice, I also have noted that energy levels often increase in fatigued patients who eliminate offending foods from their diets. Consequently, I always recommend that anyone suffering from fatigue take a food allergy test for “hidden” food sensitivities. Delayed food allergies can contribute to digestive problems, body aches, headaches and symptoms typically not associated with classic allergy symptoms.

Food allergies/sensitivities also play a large role in the amount of suffering a person experiences with seasonal allergies. This is because it is the total burden on an individual’s system that ultimately determines how readily the body releases histamine and inflammatory substances that lead to many of the miserable symptoms of allergic reactions. The combined environmental and food allergen burden results in total susceptibility to succumbing to allergic symptoms.

Testing for hidden food allergies helps identify delayed IgG immunoglobulin allergens. This technology that I have used for years in my clinical practice has now been applied to home test kits, available here, that can identify reactions to 96 different foods. The results indicate low, moderate or high reactions to different foods.

Avoiding offending foods will produce dramatic results, but for times when food allergen exposure cannot be avoided, GI Cell Support, Digestive Enzymes, probiotics (Culturelle® or BioPro™) and Lectin Lock™ can help support the body’s overall health. For seasonal allergies, the combined use of bromelain, vitamin C and quercetin can provide additional support.

Nutrient Deficiencies and Environmental Toxicity

When the body is not receiving enough of a particular nutrient or is overburdened with environmental pollutants, this can take a huge toll that compromises energy levels. Therefore, in my clinical practice, I recommend all my fatigued patients take an organic acid test that also checks for environmental pollutants.

Organic acid testing, which I also routinely use to help my patients, is also available here, and is important for those seeking to fine tune or increase a supplement program’s effectiveness. The patient receives specific recommendations of vitamins, minerals, nutrients and amino acids and dosage suggestions. Depending on overall health status and medications taken, either implementation or discussion with one’s physician or nutritional supplement expert is recommended.

The clinical benefits seen when the body’s unique needs are addressed can be the difference between modest clinical results versus a significant metamorphosis. 

The organic acid test also looks for detoxification markers that provide insights into the capacity and success of the body to process and cope with an increasingly toxic environment.

Other Factors

Fatigue can be a side effect from various pharmaceuticals such as statin drugs, blood pressure medications and antidepressants so checking the cautions that accompany the prescriptions is important as are doctor-patient discussions about this topic.

Additionally, a diet overloaded with processed food, refined carbohydrates and sugar can make a person feel sluggish. Dehydration is another important factor in low energy levels. Drinking 64 ounces of water every day is essential to enhance energy levels.

Conclusion

When trying to determine the reason for fatigue, the only approach one can take is to begin eliminating potential causes. By playing detective and looking at all the factors mentioned above, the reason why a person is fatigued will likely become apparent and steps can then be taken to eliminate exhaustion.

References

1. Jasiukeviciene L, Vasiliauskas D, Kavoliūniene A, Marcinkeviciene J, Grybauskiene R, Grizas V, Tumyniene V. Evaluation of a chronic fatigue in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic heart failure. [Article in Lithuanian]. Medicina (Kaunas). 2008;44(5):366-72. 

2. Lindeberg SI, Eek F, Lindbladh E, Ostergren PO, Hansen AM, Karlson B. Exhaustion measured by the SF-36 vitality scale is associated with a flattened diurnal cortisol profile. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2008 May;33(4):471-7.

3. Nater UM, Maloney E, Boneva RS, Gurbaxani BM, Lin JM, Jones JF, Reeves WC, Heim C. Attenuated morning salivary cortisol concentrations in a population-based study of persons with chronic fatigue syndrome and well controls. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Mar;93(3):703-9.

4. LaValle J, Hawkins, E. Relora—The Natural Breakthrough to Losing Stress-Related Fat and Wrinkles.North Bergen NJ: Basic Health Publications; 2003: 16. 

5. Bhattacharya, S. et al. Anti-stress activity of sitoindosides VII and VIII, new acylsterylglucosides from Withania somnifera. Phytother Res. 1987;1: 32-37.

6. Griffith JP, Zarrouf FA. A Systematic Review of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Don’t Assume It’s Depression. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2008;10(2):120-8. 

 7. Arnold LM. Understanding fatigue in major depressive disorder and other medical disorders. Psychosomatics. 2008 May-Jun;49(3):185-90. 

 8. Abraham, GE. The safe and effective implementation of orthoiodosupplementation in medical practice. The Original Internist. 2004; 11:17-36.

9. Pawlikowski M, Kolomecka M, Wojtczak A, Karasek M. Effects of six months melatonin treatment on sleep quality and serum concentrations of estradiol, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and somatomedin C in elderly women. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2002 Apr;23 Suppl 1:17-9.

10. van Heukelom RO, Prins JB, Smits MG, Bleijenberg G. Influence of melatonin on fatigue severity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and late melatonin secretion. Eur J Neurol. 2006 Jan;13(1):55-60.

11. Bellanti JA, Sabra A, Castro HJ, Chavez JR, Malka-Rais J, de Inocencio JM. Are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome allergy related? What is fibromyalgia? Allergy Asthma Proc. 2005 Jan-Feb;26(1):19-28.

In the winter, it’s impossible to produce vitamin D from the sun if you live north of Atlanta because the sun never gets high enough in the sky for its ultraviolet B rays to penetrate the atmosphere. But summer is a great time to stock up on the nutrient. When the sun’s UV-B rays hit the skin, a reaction takes place that enables skin cells to manufacture vitamin D. If you’re fair skinned, experts say going outside for 10 minutes in the midday sun—in shorts and a tank top with no sunscreen—will give you enough radiation to produce about 10,000 international units of the vitamin. Dark-skinned individuals and the elderly also produce less vitamin D, and many folks don’t get enough of the nutrient from dietary sources like fatty fish and fortified milk.

The government’s dietary recommendations are 200 IUs a day up to age 50, 400 IUs to age 70, and 600 IUs over 70. But many experts believe that these recommendations are far too low to maintain healthful vitamin D levels. They advocate for supplementation in the winter a minimum of 2,000 IUs per day as well as a dose of daily sunshine in the summer.

The sunshine vitamin may protect against a host of diseases, including osteoporosis, heart disease, and cancers of the breast, prostate, and colon. What’s more, sunlight has other hidden benefits—like protecting against depression, insomnia, and an overactive immune system.

Given all the upsides of basking at least briefly in the summer sun, many experts now worry that public-health messages warning about skin cancer have gone overboard in getting people to cover up and seek the shade. U.S. News got in touch with Robyn Lucas, an epidemiologist at Australian National University who led a study published in the February issue of the International Journal of Epidemiology.

Her finding: Far more lives are lost to diseases caused by a lack of sunlight than to those caused by too much.

Do you think the United States and other western countries have gone too far in promoting protection from the sun?

Possibly. Sun protection messages arose in response to rapidly increasing rates of skin cancers, and they were an essential public-health message. But we now recognize that some sun exposure is important for health, at the very least, to maintain healthful vitamin D levels. (Sunscreen blocks out nearly all UV radiation.) Taking this into account, the Cancer Council of Australia has eased its sun protection message a little over the last few years and now recommends that if you’re out in the sun for relatively short periods, with a UV index less than 3, which indicates a moderate amount of UV rays hitting your area on a given day, then sunscreen and other sun protection (like hats and protective clothing) are not required. Beyond this, I believe we all need a little unprotected time in the sun during the middle hours of the day when the sun is at its highest and UV-B rays can penetrate the atmosphere.

How much sun is it safe to get without sunscreen?

It’s difficult to quantify how much since skin pigmentation affects how much radiation your skin absorbs: The darker the skin, the more it’s protected against skin cancer but the less able it is to absorb UV-B rays. It also depends on how much skin is exposed and the time of day. If you’re fair skinned and sunning yourself outside in a bathing suit at noon, you only need a few minutes without sunscreen. If you’re already tan or of Hispanic origin, you need maybe 15 to 20 minutes. Black skin may require six times the sun exposure to make the same vitamin D levels as a very fair-skinned person, but we need more research on this because the studies that have suggested this have been small. We’re starting a study later this year to establish how much skin pigmentation, clothing, sunscreen, and seasonal change affect vitamin D levels, so we should know more about all of this in the near future.

Can I make vitamin D driving in my car on a bright, sunny day on my way to work?

No. For one thing, UV radiation doesn’t penetrate glass; that’s why you can’t get a burn or tan if you’re driving with your windows closed. (The heat you feel is infrared radiation from the sun, which doesn’t have any health impact beyond making you overheated or causing sunstroke if you get an excessive amount.) Even if you’re driving in a convertible, though, you probably won’t get a good dose of UV-B rays if you’re driving in the early morning when the sun is still low in the sky. Talking a stroll during lunchtime is your best bet.

Check out AMARC’s Vitamin D3 product, which is a form of vitamin D that stays in your system longer and with more effect.

Many of these toxins are the destructive side effects of our chemical inventions, from the preservatives and additives found in foods or the contaminants in the water supply to the formaldehyde in carpets and furniture. Your body can process and eliminate some of the hordes of chemicals that enter, but the overflow gets stored in the liver, lungs, kidneys, fat cells, intestines, blood stream, and skin — which can result in chronic illnesses down the road.

Feel Fresh with a Daily Detox

Here is a full day of practices to gently detoxify your body:

1. Begin your day with gentle stretches that warm up your body and awaken your mind.

2. Make yourself some cleansing lemon tea. Simply heat up filtered water and squeeze half of a lemon in it. This will cleanse your digestive system.

3. For your detox diet, choose high fiber and organic foods, and eat more beans, brown rice, oat bran, vegetables, fruits, and chicken or turkey. The “Super Cleanse Broth” will spring you into good health. To make, simply prepare a broth from: collards, Swiss chard, kale, mustard greens, cabbage, dandelion, Brussels sprouts, daikon radish, watercress, seaweed, shitake mushrooms, cilantro, garlic, leeks, fennel, anise, ginger, and turmeric.

4. Drink your veggies in juice form! Try a terrific detox juice made with Aloe vera juice, apples, asparagus, beet greens, cabbage, carrot greens, celery, cucumbers, and parsley.

5. Soak for 20 minutes in a revitalizing herbal bath. To help draw out toxins, infuse your bath water with eucalyptus, wintergreen, peppermint, fennel, cinnamon, and epsom salts.

Herbal Therapy

Whether steeped into tea or added to your cooking, you can use these potent cleansing herbs to remove toxic build up and wastes from your body:

• Chrysanthemum flower: Traditionally used to cleanse the liver, brighten vision, and neutralize toxins - and studies show that chrysanthemum lowers blood pressure and cholesterol and balances blood sugar.

• Dandelion: Research shows that dandelion root enhances the flow of bile, improving liver conditions such as hepatitis, gallstones, and jaundice.

• Milk thistle: Extensive research has found that the major component of milk thistle extract, silymarin, has a protective and a restorative effect on the liver, stimulating the growth of new liver cells to replace old damaged cells.

• Hawthorn berry: A famous cardiovascular tonic that is chock full of antioxidants, hawthorn is used to cleanse the blood of plaque and other toxins; according to studies, it helps the body maintain healthy cholesterol and blood pressure.

• Turmeric: A common spice, turmeric speeds up the detoxification process in the whole body by increasing bile production and release, eliminating toxins like heavy metals and other chemicals.

• Seaweed: The algin in seaweed absorbs toxins from the digestive system and has been thought to absorb and remove drugs, chemicals, heavy metals, and radioactive strontium from the body. Some experts claim that seaweed’s active ingredient, sodium alginate, binds these toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing their absorption into the body.

I hope you find the ways to detoxify your whole being!

May you stay healthy, live long, and live happy!
    
 -Dr. Mao

Deep green leafy vegetables are packed with lutein, vitamin A and folate, nutrients that may help prevent colon and ovarian cancer.

• Spinach
• Kale
• Collard greens
• Arugula
• Dandelion greens

Curry

Yellow curry contains cur-cumin, a pungent spice that may help prevent melanoma and other types of cancer cells from proliferating.

Cruciferous veggies

These contain phytochemicals that may cut the risk of stomach, breast and skin cancers.

• Broccoli
• Broccoli sprouts
• Cabbage
• Bok choy
• Cauliflower
• Watercress
• Swiss chard

Berries

These fruits contain antioxidants such as polyphenols, which counteract and repair cell damage.

• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Cranberries
• Red grapes

Tomatoes

Studies suggest that having a tomato-rich diet may help lower the risk of developing both lung and stomach cancer.

The study updated research conducted by The Lewin Group in 2004 and 2005 that included a systematic literature review of the most rigorous scientific research available.

Key study findings include:
 
Calcium with vitamin D: Appropriate use of calcium with vitamin D for the Medicare population shows potential avoidance of approximately 776,000 hospitalizations for hip fractures over five years, as well as avoidance of stays in skilled nursing facilities for some proportion of patients. The five-year (2008-2012) estimated net cost associated with avoidable hospitalization for hip fracture is approximately $16.1 billion.

Folic Acid: If just 11.3 million of the 44 million American women who are of childbearing age and not taking folic acid began taking 400mcg of folic acid on a daily basis, neural tube defects could be prevented in 600 babies, saving as much as $344,700,000 in the first year. Over five years, taking into account the cost of the supplement, $1.4 billion could potentially be saved.
 
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: The estimate of the potential five-year savings in healthcare expenditures resulting from a reduction in the occurrence of coronary heart disease (CHD) among the population over age 65 through daily intake of approximately 1800 mg of omega-3 is $3.2 billion. Approximately 374,301 hospitalizations and associated physician fees due to CHD could be avoided.

Lutein with zeaxanthin: Through daily intake of 6-10 mg of lutein with zeaxanthin, it is estimated that $3.6 billion could be saved over 5 years by helping people with age related macular degeneration avoid dependency. Across the five year period, approximately 190,927 individuals could avoid the transition to dependence either in the community or a nursing facility that would accompany a loss of central vision resulting from advanced AMD.

The day will kick off with registration at 9:30am and complimentary range balls will be provided so a golfer can perfect that winning swing prior to the 11:00 start time. Individual golfer fee is $200; foursomes are $700. The event will include a 4-person scramble, a BBQ lunch, and a dinner banquet that evening replete with an exciting raffle, an auction and an awards ceremony. At the end of the dinner, a drawing will be held for a 2008 Ford Edge - tickets may be purchased from anyone at the Foundation for $100 and a maximum of only 500 tickets will be sold.

“We are grateful for the support of our sponsors, players, volunteers and other foundations who are helping to make this tournament a success,” says Dr. Albert C. Sanchez, Sr., FACR Founder. “Proceeds from events such as this provide important funding for our emergent research in cancer, and support of patients and their families around the world.”

“Through the generosity of individual donors and corporate sponsors, each year we raise significantly more money to support our goals. We are looking forward to keeping that tradition alive in 2008 and beyond.”

The Foundation for Advancement in Cancer Research was founded in 2003 by Dr. Sanchez after losing both his wife and daughter to colon cancer, in his search for more effective and less toxic cancer treatments. The mission of the FACR is to seek out promising, scientifically-validated alternative cancer treatment methods, to actively educate the public about them and to provide funding toward research and development of new treatments.

To date, thousands of patients and their families have been directly supported in their fight to heal, and countless others have and will continue to benefit from the ongoing research. The Foundation is dedicated to the belief that through integration of thoughts, ideas and approaches can we lessen the devastation cancer has had on our world, winning the battle one person at a time.

“The Foundation is excited at the aspect of bringing the community together in a fun-filled, exciting atmosphere of good-hearted competition,” states Al Sanchez, Jr., FACR Executive Director. “We look forward to raising much-needed funds as we strive to give people hope and answers in their fight against this disease.”

To obtain more information about the 1st Annual Drive for a Cure tournament, please contact Tina Gomez, Events Director, at 714-713-2836. Or visit the FACR website at www.facr.org.

By Kelli Miller Stacy
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
WebMD Medical News

Scientists have discovered that a popular chemotherapy drug affects healthy brain cells long after treatment ends. It’s a finding that provides further validation to the millions of Americans who develop long-term cognitive problems after receiving the cancer-killing medication.

Many cancer survivors report short-term memory loss and difficulty concentrating during and shortly after treatment, but for some the problems linger.

Until recently, doctors told cancer patients who developed memory loss, seizures, vision problems, and dementia that their ailments — collectively dubbed “chemo brain” — resulted from treatment-related fatigue, depression, and anxiety.

While more and more scientists agree that chemotherapy drugs may negatively affect brain function in certain cancer patients, how this occurs is largely unknown. Now, researchers at the University of Rochester and Harvard Medical School have provided what could be the first evidence of a biological cause of the lingering effects of chemo brain.

Reporting in a recent issue of Journal of Biology, researcher Mark Noble, PhD, director of the University of Rochester Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute, links the drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to extensive damage among specific groups of cells in the central nervous system; 5-FU is a widely used chemotherapy drug that has been a part of America’s cancer-killing arsenal for more than 40 years. It is prescribed for those with a variety of cancers, including breast, stomach, colon, and pancreatic cancer.

For the study, Noble and colleagues performed tests on mice and in test tubes with varying doses of the cancer drug. The doses were comparable to those given to cancer patients.

After months of exposure, the drug caused considerable damage to central nervous system cells called oligodendrocytes and the dividing stem cells from which they developed.

The findings suggest that the drug directly targets oligodendrocytes. Oligodendrocytes produce myelin, the fatty substance that helps insulate and protect nerve-conducting fibers. Without adequate myelin, normal nerve signaling is disrupted.

“Our studies demonstrate that systemic treatment with 5-FU is associated with both acute and delayed toxicity reactions, outcomes that are of particular concern because of the use of this agent in the treatment of many cancers,” Noble writes.

The team’s findings parallel observations of earlier studies involving cancer survivors with cognitive difficulties in which brain scans revealed a loss of myelination.

“It is clear that, in some patients, chemotherapy appears to trigger a degenerative condition in the central nervous system,” Noble says in a news release.  “Because these treatments will clearly remain the standard of care for many years to come, it is critical that we understand their precise impact on the central nervous system, and then use this knowledge as the basis for discovering means of preventing such side effects.”

Longtime Massachusetts Democrat is likely diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, a cancer in which there has been no significant improvement in survival in 30 years

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, 76, the longtime Massachusetts Democrat has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.  Preliminary results from the biopsy revealed a malignant glioma.  The most common type of malignant glioma is called glioblastoma multiforme or “GBM.”

As reported in the New York Times published on May 21, 2008, Kennedy’s doctors have stated that “the usual course of treatment includes combinations of various forms of radiation and chemotherapy” and that “decisions regarding the best course of treatment for Senator Kennedy will be determined after further testing and analysis.”

According to published medical information, survival for patients with GBM is typically about 12 months.  Our prayers go out to Mr. Kennedy and his family.  Perhaps this unfortunate diagnosis may initiate a more global discussion on the continued lack of progress in treating malignant brain cancers.

No Progress in 30 Years

Despite the occasional pronouncements of “breakthroughs” the improvement in survival for GBM is practically zero over the last 30 years.  According to The Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States, the two year Relative Survival Rate for GBM from 1973-1994 was 8.8%.  It was 8.7% for the period 1973-2002.  The five year Relative Survival Rate for GBM from 1973-1994 was 3.4%.  It was 3.3% for the period 1973-2002.  And the ten year rate for GBM from 1973-1994 and 1973-2002 was 2.3%.  After nearly 30 years there has been essentially no improvement in survival despite the millions of dollars spent on research and treatment.

Targeted Therapies – “Disappointing”

In the last several years there has been research in the area of targeted therapies like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).  VEGF is an important signaling protein involved in the growth of blood vessels.  A theory called “anti-angiogenesis” is based on the concept that it may be possible to starve a tumor by stopping the growth of new blood vessels that feed the cancer.  While the theory is promising, in clinical practice with malignant gliomas the results to date have been disappointing.  According to a report published in March of this year in the journal Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs, “Experience with targeted therapeutics for malignant glioma has been to date disappointing. These agents are generally well tolerated, but activity is limited.”

Unconventional Thinking – Poly MVA and Antineoplastons

Has there been any progress whatsoever in treating GBM and other malignant gliomas?  There has been some intriguing results, but they have not come from leading medical centers or drug companies.

Poly MVA

Poly MVA was invented by Dr. Merrill Garnett, a biochemist.  It is a dietary supplement based on the nontoxic chemotherapeutic lipoic acid-palladium complex (LAPd).  LAPd is a liquid crystal that works in cancer cells by transferring excess electrons from membrane fatty acids to DNA via the mitochondria.  It has been used as a dietary supplement by thousands of cancer patients.  According to anecdotal reports published on websites some patients who have survived glioblastoma and other malignant brain tumors believe their use of this dietary supplement may have been partly responsible.  Are mainstream oncologists intrigued by these results?  No.  Nearly all conventional oncologists reject this dietary supplement as a potential therapeutic modality.

Dr. Burzynski’s Antineplastons

According to a National Cancer Institute Factsheet:

“Antineoplastons are a group of synthetic compounds that were originally isolated from human blood and urine by Stanislaw Burzynski, M.D., Ph.D., in Houston, Texas. Dr. Burzynski has used antineoplastons to treat patients with a variety of cancers. In 1991, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) conducted a review to evaluate the clinical responses in a group of patients treated with antineoplastons at the Burzynski Research Institute in Houston.  The medical records of seven brain tumor patients who were thought to have benefited from treatment with antineoplastons were reviewed by NCI. This did not constitute a clinical trial but, rather, was a retrospective review of medical records, called a “best case series.” The reviewers of this series found evidence of antitumor activity, and NCI proposed that formal clinical trials be conducted to further evaluate the response rate and toxicity of antineoplastons in adults with advanced brain tumors.” 

These clinical trials never occurred.  Nonetheless, the Burzynski Research Institute is conducting FDA approved clinical trials using antineoplastons for a variety of cancers.  Results in brain tumor continue to be encouraging. In a March 2006 study published in the journal Integrative Cancer Therapies, four patients with glioblastoma were treated with antineoplastons.  One of the four patients had survived (at the time of publication) more than 5 years.  The results of only four patients may not be statistically valid, but if they are validated with further results it would suggest a 5-year survival of 25% compared to 3.3% with conventional therapies. 

Are mainstream oncologists intrigued by the potential therapeutic value of antineoplastons?  No.  Nearly all oncologists reject this modality.

Conventional Oncologists Reject Unorthodox Approaches

Why do oncologists reject any potential therapy, like lipoic acid-palladium complex and Burzynski’s antineoplastons, that was not created by a major medical center or a pharmaceutical company?  There are many reasons possibly including:

1) These approaches represent fundamental shifts in thinking about how to treat brain cancer.  To understand how Poly MVA or antineoplastons may work in the human body requires a different understanding of the biochemistry of cancer and the role of our immune systems.
 
2) The experience and skills of mainstream oncologists are dictated to a large degree by what they leaned in medical school and the studies they have been involved in subsequent to their graduation.  These studies are often financed or partly financed by drug companies who focus on therapies that are easily patentable.  Chemotherapy fits this model. 

3) There may be an emotional investment.  In the case of malignant gliomas many oncologists have seen hundreds of their patients pass away.  To admit that they, the doctor, have been on the wrong path all along, maybe too tough to bear.

Whatever the reasons, the result has been no dramatic improvement in survival with GBM over decades.  Because patients who are the ultimate consumer of these therapies generally put their lives in their doctor’s hands, there is no “market demand” for thinking outside the box.  Because drug companies finance the lion’s share of research in this area, corporations continue to decide what is developed and what is not based on their own financial incentives.  Because doctors get paid regardless of whether their patients live or die there is no burning incentive for physicians to break from the status quo.  What all this means, unfortunately, is that the lack of progress will most likely continue.

But, there is hope for Mr. Kennedy and other patients diagnosed with malignant gliomas.  If you are willing to be your own best advocate and expand your universe of possible treatment modalities outside of chemo, radiation, and surgery, you may be able to blaze your own path to health as others have done.
 
Original story can be viewed at http://www.cancermonthly.com/iNP/view.asp?ID=216

New ideas are being thrown out there everyday on how to treat and prevent cancer. Interestingly enough, most of them are based on living a healthy lifestyle. Going on a detoxification diet is a newer form of disease/cancer prevention that has really taken off.

Cancer prevention is possible if you keep your body healthy and free of toxins. Eating healthily is always advisable, no matter what disease you are fighting. The reason for this is that healthy foods contain vitamins and nutrients and have properties that help your body function properly. A body that functions properly and at an efficient level stays healthier. And let’s not forget exercise. Exercise helps your body to function properly, move things along, burn fat and keeps your muscles toned. It also helps your heart and lungs work better which allows your blood to flow better and keeps waste moving through your body properly. Keeping a healthy lifestyle prepares your body to be healthy.

A detox diet helps your body organs to work at its optimal level and without obstruction. It also helps to remove toxins from your body and remove waste more efficiently. A detox program usually involves lots of fiber and water, and giving your body organs a break. Fiber helps your body to remove waste, which frees up your system to digest food better. This in return gives you more energy. Water has an overall effect on your energy levels and how your body functions. Instead of letting waste build up and causing possibly  problems, the detox diet helps remove the body of waste that frees up your colon to keep you healthy. In a nutshell, the detox diet lets your colon get back to good health in order to work optimally once again, which plays a major role in hormone release and metabolism function. A colon that is not working can diminish health very quickly.

Because many of the actual causes of cancer are unknown, it is important to become healthier in all aspects of cancer prevention because it can do so much for your health and future outlook.

As spring swings into gear, there’s no better time to give your body a healthy, fresh start! Plus, if you’re thinking about lowering your weight, “eating clean” is a great first step. Add these 10 foods to your grocery cart and you’ll get three terrific benefits: lots of super-healthy liquids to flush out the body while pouring in nutrients, fiber to keep your GI tract fit, and foods that energize cleansing enzymes in the liver, your body’s built-in detox center.

1. Green leafy vegetables  Eat them raw, throw them into a broth, add them to juices. Their chlorophyll helps swab out environmental toxins (heavy metals, pesticides) and protects the liver.

2. Lemons  You need to keep the fluids flowing to wash out the body and fresh lemonade is ideal. Its vitamin C, considered the detox vitamin, helps convert toxins into a water-soluble form that’s easily flushed away.

3. Watercress   Put a handful into salads, soups, and sandwiches. The peppery little green leaves have a diuretic effect that helps move things through your system. And cress is rich in minerals too.

4. Garlic  Add it to everything — salads, sauces, spreads. In addition to the bulb’s cardio benefits, it activates liver enzymes that help filter out junk.

5. Green tea  This antioxidant-rich brew is one of the healthiest ways to get more fluids into your system. Bonus: It contains catechins, which speed up liver activity.

6. Broccoli sprouts  Get them at your health-food store. They pack 20 to 50 times more cancer-fighting, enzyme-stimulating activity into each bite than the grown-up vegetable.

7. Sesame seeds  They’re credited with protecting liver cells from the damaging effects of alcohol and other chemicals. For a concentrated form, try tahini, the yummy sesame seed paste that’s a staple of Asian cooking.

8. Cabbage  There are two main types of detoxifying enzymes in the liver; this potent veggie helps activate both of them. Coleslaw, anyone?

9. Psyllium  A plant that’s rich in soluble fiber, like oat bran, but more versatile. It mops up toxins (cholesterol too) and helps clear them out. Stir powdered psyllium into juice to help cleanse your colon, or have psyllium-fortified Bran Buds for breakfast.

10. Fruits, fruits, fruits  They’re full of almost all the good things above: vitamin C, fiber, nutritious fluids, and all kinds of antioxidants. Besides, nothing tastes better than a ripe mango, fresh berries, or a perfect pear.

In reviewing 32 studies conducted between 1999 and 2006, senior author Cornelia (Neli) Ulrich, Ph.D., an associate member of the Hutchinson Center’s Public Health Sciences Division, and co-author Christine Velicer, Ph.D., formerly a postdoctoral fellow at the Hutchinson Center (now an epidemiologist at Merck Research Laboratory in North Wales, Pa.), found that many of the nation’s 10 million adult cancer survivors use nutritional supplements.
 
They found 64 percent to 81 percent of cancer survivors overall reported using vitamins or minerals (excluding multivitamins), whereas in the general population only 50 percent of adults reported taking dietary supplements.

Survivors of breast cancer reported the highest use (75 percent to 87 percent), whereas prostate-cancer survivors reported the least (26 percent to 35 percent). Factors associated with the highest level of supplement use overall included a higher level of education and being female.

The researchers also found that many people initiate the use of vitamins and supplements after cancer diagnosis; between 14 percent and 32 percent start taking them after learning they have cancer.

“Cancer survivors report that they hope to strengthen their immune system with supplement use or gain a sense of control and empowerment,” Ulrich said. However, many cancer survivors who use supplements do not let their doctors know; 31 percent to 68 percent of cancer patients and survivors who use supplements may not disclose this information or their doctors may fail to record it in their charts.

“This is disconcerting and suggests that many physicians may not recognize the importance of understanding whether their patients are taking supplements,” Ulrich said.

Knowing about supplement use is crucial, she continues, because of potential effects. The authors urge health care professionals to communicate openly with their patients about supplement use to determine the best course of action for the patient’s particular situation.

Editor’s Note: Physicians need to understand how supplements and other compounds can actually support and help their patients. They are in a difficult spot and many times don’t really want to know. There is much research out there supporting the use of supplements and various nutriceuticals, but for legal and medical board reasons they simply say across the board to most patients to stop using all things until their treatments are done. So the patient is left to fend for themselves and take matters into their own hands when it comes to their treatments. Case in point, look at all cancer treatments combined and the relatively low success rate they really have. There has to be a better way.

Resveratrol is known for its ability to protect plants from bacteria and fungi, while previous research has also found it helps prevent the negative effects of high-calorie diets and has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer potential.

While this study, published this month in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, looked at the way the antioxidant may aid pancreatic cancer treatment, it also contributes to the growing knowledge on the health benefits arising from ingredients of red wine.

As well as disabling the function of the cancer cells by reaching and reacting with the mitochondria (the cell’s energy source), researchers found that when they were pre-treated with resveratrol before being irradiated, it resulted in a type of cell death called apoptosis. This is an important goal of cancer therapy.

“Antioxidant research is very active and very seductive right now,” said Paul Okunieff, chief of radiation oncology at the University of Rochester Medical Centre.

“The challenge lies in finding the right concentration and how it works inside the cell. Resveratrol seems to have a therapeutic gain by making tumor cells more sensitive to radiation and making normal tissue less sensitive.”

The study

To build on such findings, Okunieff began studying resveratrol as a tumor sensitizer, which is when the link to the mitochondria was uncovered.

Researchers divided pancreatic cancer cells into two groups: cells treated without resveratrol then iodised, and ones treated with resveratrol at a relatively high dose of 50mg per ml before being iodised.

The amount of resveratrol in red wine can vary between types of grapes and growing seasons, and ranges can be as high as 30 mg per ml. But the researchers said higher doses are expected to be safe as long as a physician monitors the patient.

The study found that resveratrol reduced the function of proteins in the pancreatic cancer cell membranes responsible for pumping chemotherapy out of the cell, therefore making them more sensitive to the treatment.

Additionally, the antioxidant triggered the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing apoptosis, and depolarised the mitochondrial membranes, indicating a decrease in the cell’s potential to function.

The researchers said the discovery is important because the mitochnodria contains its own DNA and can continuously supply the cell with energy when functioning fully. Stopping the energy flow can therefore help stop cancer.

In investigating why the pancreatic cancer cells are particularly resistant to chemotherapy and therefore reactive to the inclusion of resveratrol, the team found that the natural pumping of digestive enzymes to the duodenum actually flushes out chemotherapy from pancreas cells.

But as resveratrol interferes with the cancer cells’ energy source, it also may decrease the power available to pump the treatment out of the cell.

Okunieff said: “While additional studies are needed, this research indicated that resveratrol has a promising future as part of the treatment for cancer.”

Sources

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
2008;614:179-86
“Anti-cancer effect of resveratrol is associated with induction of apoptosis via a mitochondrial pathway alignment”
Authors: Paul Okunieff, Weimin Sun, Wei Wang, Jung Kim, Shanmin Yang

Article by Laura Crowley

Cut your cancer risk
Several polyphenols - the potent antioxidants green tea’s famous for - seem to help keep cancer cells from gaining a foothold in the body, by discouraging their growth and then squelching the creation of new blood vessels that tumors need to thrive. Study after study has found that people who regularly drink green tea reduce their risk of breast, stomach, esophagus, colon, and/or prostate cancer.

Sooth your skin
Got a cut, scrape, or bite, and a little leftover green tea? Soak a cotton pad in it. The tea is a natural antiseptic that relieves itching and swelling. Try it on inflamed breakouts and blemishes, sunburns, even puffy eyelids.

Protect your skin
In the lab, green tea applied directly to the skin (or consumed) helps block sun-triggered skin cancer, which is why you’re seeing green tea in more and more sunscreens and moisturizers.

Steady your blood pressure
Having healthy blood pressure - meaning below 120/80 - is one thing. Keeping it that way is quite another. But people who sip just half a cup a day are almost 50 percent less likely to wind up with hypertension than non-drinkers. Credit goes to the polyphenols again (especially one known as ECGC). They help keep blood vessels from contracting and raising blood pressure.

Protect your memory, or your mom’s
Green tea may also keep the brain from turning fuzzy. Getting-up-there adults who drink at least two cups a day are half as likely to develop cognitive problems as those who drink less. Why? It appears that the tea’s big dose of antioxidants fights the free-radical damage to brain nerves seen in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Stay young
The younger and healthier your arteries are, the younger and healthier you are. So fight plaque build-up in your blood vessels, which ups the risk of heart disease and stroke, adds years to your biological age (or RealAge), and saps your energy too. How much green tea does this vital job take? About 10 ounces a day, which also deters your body from absorbing artery-clogging fat and cholesterol.

Lose weight
Oh yeah, one more thing. Turns out that green tea speeds up your body’s calorie-burning process. In the every-little-bit-counts department, this is good news!

The body’s digestive system is very complicated. And like all complex machines, it takes not one action to help keep it healthy, but a variety of actions. When the body is not cared for properly, it doesn’t eliminate well, it can’t absorb and utilize nutrients effectively, and it begins to lose its ability to function in an efficient manner. Then the breakdown begins.

In the fast-paced world of today, what we eat, when we eat it, plus the stresses of the day and our personal lifestyle habits can affect our health in subtle ways that may not be apparent until a health issue occurs. Then we usually stop and ask, “What can I do to make my body work better?” These health issues can materialize as persistent yeast infections (Candida), tiredness, allergies, very bad breath, constipation and/or diarrhea, as well as an impaired immune system resulting in recurring colds, sick days, and so on. That is when a probiotic–which literally means “for life”–enters the picture.

What can a body do?

Change your lifestyle! At AMARC, we highly recommend lifestyle change as well as daily probiotics to all our clients. Here are some tips to help you take better care of your body:

o Better food choices: Fast foods that are high in fat, low in fiber, or high in sugars should be restricted or eliminated from the diet. The gut operates best with a healthy diet of lean meats, fruits and vegetables, and unrefined grains.
o Better living habits: Limiting or eliminating alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and refined sugars from the daily diet can help the body keep a better balance. And get the eight or nine hours of sleep your body needs every night. Yes, I know that’s easier said than done! But I’m willing to bet there are ways you can get to bed earlier if you look for them hard enough, and there are ways to sleep better once you get there.
o Better stress management: We all react differently to stress, but it’s well documented that those people who have out-of-control stress in their lives seem to have more immune-system health problems than those who have learned how to deal with stress. You really can learn how to manage stress–just make the effort to seek out more information on what works.
o Better exercise habits: It’s well-documented that a regular exercise program is most important for a healthy life. This doesn’t mean you must start running marathons–it simply means that regular daily exercise is a very important factor in life and in overall health, including your gut.
o Better nutrition: Not only should you try to improve your lifestyle as suggested above, but you should also include foods and supplements that can help the gut work better. The foods and supplements that are high in probiotics are foods such as yogurts and kefirs that contain a range of probiotic bacteria, and supplements such as acidophilus. Here are some examples of these beneficial bacteria–look for them on the labels as you buy foods and supplements:
 Bifidobacterium animalis, breve, longum, and infantis found in some yogurts and kefirs.
 Lactobacillus acidophilus, casei, johnsonii, lactis, plantarum, reuteri, rhamnosus, and salivarius.

Remember, there’s no quick fix, nor is there a silver bullet. But a healthy lifestyle that includes probiotics is a great start!

1. Stop Smoking
Smoking, and breathing in secondhand smoke, are terrible for your entire body. Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemical compounds. Of these, at least 43 are known carcinogens.
 
Here are just some of the ways it wreaks havoc: Smoking causes heart disease, lung and esophageal cancer, and chronic lung disease. It contributes to cancer of the bladder, pancreas, and kidneys. Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to have problems, including babies with low birth weights, which is a leading cause of infant death.
 
In fact, smoking kills more than two times as many people as AIDS, alcohol abuse, motor vehicle accidents, homicides, drugs, and suicide combined. One out of every five deaths in America is smoking-related. On average, smokers die nearly 7 years earlier than nonsmokers!
 
Secondhand smoke is almost as deadly. Each year, because of exposure to tobacco smoke, an estimated 3,000 nonsmoking Americans die of lung cancer and 300,000 children suffer from lower respiratory tract infections. Secondhand smoke can trigger an asthma attack and aggravate symptoms in people with allergies. In addition, tobacco smoke has been shown to make asthma worse in preschool children and may even cause it.

2. Dodge Those PCBs
It takes just one exposure of less than one-millionth of a gram for immunotoxic contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury, certain pesticides, and dioxin-like substances to disrupt the immune function of innocent wildlife. Since these chemicals can stay in the environment for decades, vulnerable wildlife species have no escape from their devastation. Moreover, not only do these toxins become more concentrated as they move their way up the food chain, they can also cause life-threatening autoimmune reactions–the immune system’s inability to tell the difference between the body’s own tissues and foreign invaders.
 
So, what does this have to do with your immune system? A lot. Evidence suggests that some of these same chemicals may be putting us at risk. A few examples: In Aberdeen, N.C.–home of the Aberdeen pesticides dump–scientists found that young adults were two times more likely than nonresidents to have shingles, a painful condition caused by a herpes virus. In another study, researchers found that chlordane, a termite-killing substance, caused weaker immune responses in people who had been exposed.
 
So what can you do? Reduce your exposure as much as possible to unnecessary toxins. Stay away from cigarette smoke, excess alcohol, and illicit drugs. Buy organic produce when possible. Rinse your fruits and vegetables thoroughly to remove pesticides. Switch to natural gardening methods and stay indoors or go away when your neighbors are using pesticides. Choose cleansers, paper goods, and other products that are made with less toxic materials. Read food labels vigilantly and avoid products that contain unnecessary chemicals.

3. Avoid Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation has a powerfully detrimental effect on your immune system. The perfect example is college students who get sick after pulling all-nighters cramming for exams.
 
If you’re tired when you wake up in the morning, you’re not getting enough sleep, or maybe not enough quality sleep. Either way, your immunity is probably compromised. Poor sleep is associated with lower immune system function and reduced numbers of killer cells that fight germs. Killer cells are also the part of the immune system that combats cells that divide too rapidly, as they do in cancer. Lower their numbers and you may be at greater risk for illness.
 
Studies have shown that chronic sleep deprivation also contributes to heart disease, gastrointestinal problems, and other medical illnesses. One study on the effects of sleep deprivation showed that a group of men restricted to 4 to 6 hours of sleep per night experienced changes in hormone function and carbohydrate metabolism that mimic aging changes; the lack of sleep was making them older faster.
 
4. Release Yourself from the Stress Trap
No doubt about it, stress is an Immune Buster. The loss of a job, the death of a spouse, the breakup of a marriage–these are all examples of situations that can trigger a vigorous stress response in the body.
 
There is compelling scientific evidence that chronic stress causes a measurable decline in the immune system’s ability to fight disease. Severe and chronic stress have a direct impact on the immune system that can cause disease or change the course of a preexisting disease. For example, studies have indicated that higher levels of stress hormones lead to more rapid cancer progression.
 
Other research has shown that people who are stressed are more prone to developing cardiovascular disease. Studies show that women with cardiovascular disease who are better able to manage their stress live longer and remain healthier than women with cardiovascular disease who undergo a lot of stress and don’t know how to manage it.
 
Periods of extreme stress can result in lower natural killer cell count, sluggish “killer T” cells, and diminished macrophage activity that can amplify the immune response. In fact, widows and widowers are much more likely to get sick during the first year following the death of their spouse than their peers who have not experienced a major loss.
 
5. Adopt an Optimistic Outlook
Even subtle shades of sadness can weaken your immune system. Here’s why:
 
Studies show that pessimists who look at a half-glass of water and think that it’s half-empty don’t live as long as optimists, who see the same glass as half-full. When pessimists put a more positive spin on the calamities in their lives, they have less stress and better health. One reason for this could be that optimists take better care of themselves. It could also be due to less stress-related damage to your immune system, such as killer cells that suddenly become pacifists. In one study, cancer patients who completed a special course designed to make them more optimistic had stronger immune systems than those who maintained their woesome ways.
 
Other research supports the idea that having a negative outlook when under stress can make you and your immune system miss out. A 1998 study at UCLA found that law students who began their first semester optimistic about the experience had more helper T cells midsemester, which can amplify the immune response, and more powerful natural killer cells. The reason? They experienced events such as their grueling first year as less stressful than did their more pessimistic classmates. Researchers say that this establishes the possibility that a person’s outlook and mood when stressed might affect responses to common immune challenges such as exposure to cold viruses.

6. Avoid Sedentary Lifestyles
One in four American women doesn’t exercise at all, making sedentary lifestyles even more common in women than in men. Sedentary ways have a tremendous impact on health. The benefits of exercise are so great that choosing not to exercise is like throwing away a winning lottery ticket. Millions of Americans suffer from illnesses that can be prevented or treated through exercise, including 50 million people with high blood pressure, 13.5 million with coronary heart disease, and 8 million with type 2 diabetes.
 
Studies show the dangers of a sedentary life. One study compared inactive people with those who walked briskly almost every day. Researchers found that those who didn’t walk took twice as many sick days in 4 months as those who walked.
 
Over time, you should work up to the standard recommendation of five times a week for at least 30 minutes. Experts say that it takes a half-hour of aerobic exercise to sweep white blood cells, key immune system components that are stuck on the blood vessel walls, back into circulation.
 
Moderate exercise is the key. If your exercise is too intense, it can actually suppress your immune system, which is why marathon runners often get colds after a race. What defines overexertion depends on your fitness level. Consult with your doctor to determine yours before starting an exercise program.
 
7. Avoid Social Isolation
The cost of social isolation may be higher than we think. Studies show that the fewer human connections we have at home, at work, and in the community, the more likely we are to get sick, flood our brains with anxiety-causing chemicals, and die prematurely.
 
One study in Sweden showed that those who frequented cultural events such as concerts, museum exhibits, and even ball games tended to live longer than their stay-at-home peers. The key factors could be increased social contact and reduced stress. Other studies have found that people who are isolated may live only half as long as those who have a lot of human contact. Love seems to be an immune system nutrient.
 
The good news is that these same studies also show that the more human connections we have, the more likely we are to live longer and healthier. Connectedness is the unacknowledged key to emotional and physical health. The more ties you have, the more likely you are to stay well in the first place. Researchers who monitored 276 people between the ages of 18 and 55 found that those who had six or more connections were four times better at fighting off the viruses that cause colds.
 
8. Junk the Junk Food
Combined with sedentary lives, a poor diet is estimated to kill between 310,000 and 580,000 Americans each year.   So, how bad is junk food for your immune system?
 
Experts have known for some time that when a person is malnourished, her immune system is weakened. When you restore the person to normal nutrition, her immune system improves, which is no surprise. But what they’re just learning is that when you continue to improve nutrition beyond mere adequacy, the immune system continues to improve, even in healthy people.
 
One thing that a lot of junk food has in common is excess fat. Fats, especially polyunsaturated fats, tend to suppress the immune system. Cut your total fat intake to no more than 25% of daily calories.
 
Another bad component of junk food is excess sugar. Sugar inhibits phagocytosis, the process by which viruses and bacteria are engulfed and then literally chewed up by white blood cells.

9. Arm Yourself Against Too Many Antibiotics
The cost of antibiotic resistance is high, both literally and from a health perspective. Literally, while it costs only $12,000 to treat a patient who has tuberculosis that responds to antibiotics, the cost soars to $180,000 for a patient with a multidrug-resistant strain.
 
From a health perspective, the cost of antibiotic resistance is an increase in the seriousness of disease. For example, treating a person with tuberculosis caused by a strain that is killed by antibiotics is highly effective. In contrast, between 40 and 60% of people who get antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis die.
 
The cost of misuse of antibiotics can be a weakened immune system. Researchers found that certain patients taking antibiotics had reduced levels of cytokines, the hormone messengers of the immune system. When your immune system is suppressed, you’re more likely to develop resistant bacteria or to become sick in the future.
 
Here are steps to take to use antibiotics properly:
•  Take antibiotics only for bacterial infections.
•  Take antibiotics the right way. If you are prescribed an antibiotic, it’s crucial that you take the entire course.
•  Don’t use antibiotics to try to prevent infection.
•  Don’t save or share antibiotics.
•  Avoid antibacterial hand soaps and lotions.

10. Use Laughter to Beat Stress
Researchers have found that the positive emotions associated with laughter decrease stress hormones and increase certain immune cells while activating others. In one study conducted at Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California, 10 healthy men who watched a funny video for an hour had significant increases in one particular hormone of the immune system that activates other components of the immune system.
 
So how can you add a little humor to your life? Simply find reasons to laugh. Rent a funny video; read a book of jokes. Have lunch with a friend known for her sense of humor. Lightening up can really light up your immune system.

Weight management, exercise and proper nutrition are key to reducing your risk of cancer. And the earlier in life you adopt these practices, the better off you’ll be, a recent study suggests.

Factors such as birth weight, childbearing, breast-feeding, and adult height and weight also influence cancer risk, according to the report released by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the Britain-based World Cancer Research Fund. Understanding how these factors affect cancer risk, and how to put this information to use to prevent the disease, offer promising new directions for cancer research, the study authors said.

“We need to think about cancer as the product of many long-term influences, not as something that ‘just happens,’ ” Dr. Walter J. Willett said in a prepared statement. Willett, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, was one of 21 authors of the report Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective.

“Examining the causes of cancer this way, across the entire lifetime, is called the life course approach,” he added.

The report, an analysis by scientists from around the world of more than 7,000 studies, offers 10 recommendations to help prevent cancer. They include staying lean, getting at least 30 minutes of exercise daily, limiting your intake of red meat and alcohol, informed supplementation and avoiding processed meats.

“These findings are right on,” said Colleen Doyle, director of nutrition and physical activity at the American Cancer Society. “They are consistent with our own nutrition and physical activity guidelines. They clearly put the emphasis where the emphasis needs to be, and that’s on controlling your weight.”

“This is a good-news report,” added Karen Collins, a nutrition adviser at the American Institute for Cancer Research. “If we are watching our weight, working regular physical activity into our daily life and eating a healthy balance of foods, we could prevent a third of cancers,” she said. “Extra weight is not dead weight,” she said. “It’s an active metabolic tissue that produces substances that promote the development of cancer.”

“People should take this message to be empowering,” Collins said.

The analysis of the studies found a definite link between excess fat and cancers of the esophagus, pancreas, colon and rectum, endometrium, kidney as well as breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

The risk from excess weight begins at birth, according to the report. The reason for the link between birth weight and breast cancer has to do with body fat. Excess body fat influences the body’s hormones, and these changes can make it more likely for cells to undergo the kind of abnormal growth that leads to cancer, the researchers said.

In addition, overweight girls can start menstruating at an earlier age. So, over their lifetime, they will have more menstrual cycles. This extended exposure to estrogen is associated with increased risk for premenopausal breast cancer, the report found.

Not smoking is the most important thing one can do to reduce the risk of cancer, Doyle said. But, she added, “there are estimates that obesity will overtake smoking as the leading preventable cause of death.

“It’s great to see another report that emphasizes being active, watching your weight and eating a healthy diet are not only going to help you reduce your risk of cancer but heart disease and diabetes as well,” Doyle said.

The report also found that breast-feeding can lower a mother’s risk for developing breast cancer. In addition, breast-fed infants have a lower risk of becoming overweight or obese, and this means a lower risk of developing cancer.

“The evidence is uniformly strong on breast-feeding, and the fact that it offers cancer protection to both mothers and their children is why we made breast-feeding one of our 10 Recommendations to Prevent Cancer,” Willett said.

In addition, tall people seem to have a higher risk of colorectal and postmenopausal breast cancer, according to the report.

“We found that tallness is also probably linked to increased risk for ovarian, pancreatic and premenopausal cancer as well,” Willett said. Although the association between height and cancer is convincing, tall people are not destined to get cancer, he added.

Willett noted that being at increased risk is not a guarantee that you are going to develop cancer. “Risk isn’t fate,” he said. “The evidence clearly shows that risk can be changed.”

“We wanted to point these emerging links out, because we now believe them to be more important than the scientific community, much less the public, has yet realized,” Willett added. “Whether or not we get cancer has to do with our genes and with the choices we make everyday. Our cancer risk is also influenced by our whole accumulated life experience, from conception onwards.

“Body weight and composition is a big factor,” one expert said.

“This report really reinforces the connection between being overweight or obese and the increased risk of many, if not all, cancers,” said Carolyn Lammersfeld, the national director of nutrition at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. “The majority of Americans are not aware of that connection. They are more concerned with pesticides and environmental contaminants, but obesity is a much greater risk factor,” she said.

But risks can be minimized, she added. “If you don’t have cancer, it’s never too late to try to do what you can to lower your risk,” Lammersfeld said. “In addition, cancer survivors should follow the diet and weight recommendations to prevent a return of cancer.”

The report said that people should not depend solely on dietary supplements to try to offset cancer risk — something Lammersfeld agreed with. “You can’t simply fix a crappy diet with supplements,” she said. “You need a balanced diet and specific supplements to augment your food intake, as well as atenuate the effects of the foods themselves. Also, daily exercise and a positive mental state are integral.”