Guest guest Posted February 10, 2007 Report Share Posted February 10, 2007 Note: forwarded message attached. HSI e-Alert - Wound Up Health Sciences Institute e-Alert **************************************************** February 09, 2007 Why am I getting this? **************************************************** I hope yesterday's e-alert on Zyflamend and vitamin D was informative. I wanted to remind you to please add our email address, HSIResearch, to your address book. It's the only way to ensure the e-Alert is delivered to your inbox. **************************************************** Dear Reader, At HSI we strongly believe that aging should not be equated with "winding down." On the contrary - except for cases where chronic disorders exist, there's no reason to accept anything less than optimal health and vitality in our later years. Nevertheless, many older people simply accept fatigue, frequent infections or lapses of attention as normal signs of aging. In fact, these conditions are typical symptoms of anemia, which is a somewhat common disorder among the elderly. But underestimating anemia or simply dismissing it as a part of the aging process can lead to more serious problems, as revealed in a study from Wake Forest University. ----------- Getting physical ----------- Researchers at Wake Forest designed a study to see if anemia in older subjects increases the risk of decline in physical function. More than 1,140 subjects were recruited, all over the age of 71. Anemia was identified by using criteria established by the World Health Organization (WHO): hemoglobin concentration below 13 g/dl (grams per deciliter) for men, and below 12 g/dl for women. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells, and anemia is defined as having a low number of red blood cells. These cells are crucial for carrying oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body. As the Wake Forest team reported in the American Journal of Medicine, the physical performance of each subject was followed for a period of four years. Subjects were assessed with a standing balance test, a timed 2.4-meter walk, and a timed test of five chair rises. After adjusting for general health status and demographic features, the data revealed these results: Overall, anemia was associated with greater decline in physical performance, compared to subjects who were not anemic Decline in physical performance was noted even among anemic subjects who were completely free of diseases associated with anemia (such as kidney failure and cancer) Subjects with borderline anemia (one g/dl above the WHO criteria) also had greater physical decline compared to subjects with normal hemoglobin levels This study confirms a potential crisis that many doctors simply don't recognize: Anemia in older patients is an independent risk factor for physical decline. ----------- The auto-pilot solution ----------- Because anemia has long been associated with iron deficiency, many health care professionals will simply recommend an iron supplement for anemia and leave it at that. For instance, a recent study that looked at iron deficiency and immune function in 72 older women found that low iron levels may compromise immunity, making anemic patients vulnerable to infections. The lead researcher of that University of Pennsylvania study commented that a planned follow up study would examine the effect of iron supplements on iron deficient subjects with impaired immunity. I admit that sounds like a logical progression, and I'll be interested in seeing the results. But reaching for the supplements may not be the best idea in this case, because iron can cause problems in high doses. In the e-Alert, "Women of Iron" (5/11/04), HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., noted that the RDA of iron is far too high. As he explained: "Even if you were proven to have anemia, I wouldn't treat it with inorganic iron. The mineral is too reactive in the body when it is not insulated from the system by being encased within the heme structure of hemoglobin. Free radical formation from free iron is just too much of a threat." Dietary sources of heme iron come exclusively from red meat, fish, pork, and poultry, with beef liver and chicken liver having the highest amounts of iron. An additional intake of vitamin C can also help the body absorb iron. ----------- Not to be taken lightly ----------- The two primary causes of anemia are iron-poor blood (often triggered by menstruation or internal bleeding), and a deficiency in two critical vitamins: folic acid and vitamin B-12. Getting good amounts of these nutrients is especially important for seniors because as we age our ability to absorb vitamins from food diminishes. Consequently, our tendency to develop anemia rises. Anemia is easily diagnosed with a typical blood test, so ask your doctor to check your next blood test for a reading of your hemoglobin level - especially if you're feeling unusually fatigued. If you do have an anemic condition, the next step is to find out the cause. But if your doctor downplays anemia's importance, or if he recommends a prescription drug, seek a second opinion from a doctor who's knowledgeable about the nutritional problems that can cause an anemic condition. **************************************************** Black-Listed Cancer Treatment Could Save Your Life! The key to stopping many cancers has been around for over 30 years. Yet it has been banned by the very agency designed to protect your health—the FDA. A German research scientist discovered a natural formula that could prevent and even cure cancer. Her findings, which were barred from the medical journals, are now finally available in an updated English translation. Learn more about this incredible black-listed formula visit: http://www1.youreletters.com/t/489549/2577399/776297/0/ **************************************************** To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit: http://www.hsiealert.com/freecopy.html Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert. **************************************************** ....and another thing Margarine or butter? If you answered "butter," I've got some information that will make you glad you did. Last week an HSI member sent me an e-mail that had been forwarded multiple times, but appears to have originated from L. Eugene Arnold, M.Ed., M.D.; a Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at Ohio State University. Here's what Dr. Arnold writes: "Do you know the difference between margarine and butter? Both have the same amount of calories. Butter is slightly higher in saturated fats at 8 grams compared to 5 grams. Eating margarine can increase heart disease in women by 53% over eating the same amount of butter, according to a recent Harvard Medical Study. Eating butter increases the absorption of many other nutrients in other foods. Butter has many nutritional benefits where margarine has a few only because they are added! For most people, butter tastes better than margarine and it can enhance the flavors of other foods. (The best flavor claim margarine can make in ads is that it tastes the same as butter.) Butter has been around for centuries where margarine has been around for less than 100 years. "And now, for Margarine... Very high in trans fatty acids. Triple risk of coronary heart disease. Increases total cholesterol and LDL (this is the bad cholesterol) Lowers HDL cholesterol, (the good cholesterol). Increases the risk of cancers by up to five fold. Lowers quality of breast milk. Decreases immune response. Decreases insulin response. "And here is the part that is very interesting! Margarine is but ONE MOLECULE away from being PLASTIC. This fact alone was enough to have me avoiding margarine for life and anything else that is hydrogenated (this means hydrogen is added, changing the molecular structure of the substance). "You can try this yourself: purchase a tub of margarine and leave it in your garage or shaded area. Within a couple of days you will note a couple of things: no flies, not even those pesky fruit flies will go near it (that should tell you something) It does not rot or smell differently. Nothing will grow on it - not even those teeny weeny microorganisms will not find a home to grow. Why? Because it is nearly plastic. Would you melt your Tupperware and spread that on your toast? "Share This With Your Friends - (Butter them up.) "Additional info: Children who eat butter or drink whole milk with butterfat have better resistance to infection. "P.S. This was not sponsored by the dairy industry." I've heard some of these facts before, but some of them were new to me, so I asked HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., for his take on the list, and he didn't hesitate: "Absolutely true. The guy's read my book. In it, I call margarine 'plastic butter.' It's very, very bad stuff. I cheat and have to drink city water sometimes. But I try never to do that with margarine." The book that Dr. Spreen refers to is his "Nutritionally Incorrect: Why the American Diet is Dangerous and How to Defend Yourself" (Woodland Publishing). Plastic butter! Will you ever go within ten feet of margarine again? To your good health, Jenny Thompson Health Sciences Institute **************************************************** BEFORE YOU TAKE YOUR NEXT BATHROOM BREAK... This amazing new 4-Phyto alternative could be the answer to prostate health FAST FOREVER... Succeed with an all-natural solution Strengthen your sex glands instead of sabotaging your manhood Promote healthy urinary flow Armor your prostate Keep reading: http://www1.youreletters.com/t/489549/2577399/776298/0/ **************************************************** To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit: http://www.hsiealert.com/freecopy.html Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert. **************************************************** Tap into the minds of other health-conscious readers like yourself at the new HSI health forum: http://www.healthiertalk.com Sources: "Anemia and Decline in Physical Performance Among Older Persons" American Journal of Medicine" Vol. 115, No. 2, 8/1/03, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov "Immune Function is Impaired in Iron-Deficient, Homebound, Older Women" American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 79, No. 3, March 2004, ajcn.org "Unrecognized Iron Deficiency Can Impair Immunity in Older Women" News-Medical 9/29/04, news-medical.net "Elderly Should Consider Iron Supplementation" NutraIngredients.com, 9/30/04, nutraingredients.com **************************************************** Copyright ©1997-2005 by www.hsibaltimore.com, L.L.C. 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However, if you do not follow the instructions below and simply hit reply instead, we may not receive your request and cannot assure you that it will be completed. **************************************************** Please note: We sent this e-mail to: kellykebby because you d to this service. Manage your subscription: To end your HSI e-Alert subscription...visit this address: http://www.ezimages.net/remove/index.cfm?memberid=2577399 To change your e-mail address...visit this address: http://www.agoramail.net/changeEmail.cfm?id=2577399 To manage your subscription by mail or for any other subscription issues, write us at: Order Processing Center Attn: Customer Service P.O. Box 925 Frederick, MD 21705 USA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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