Guest guest Posted December 6, 2002 Report Share Posted December 6, 2002 HSI - Jenny Thompson <hsiweb wrote:HSI - Jenny Thompson Checking the Oil CHECKING THE OIL Health Sciences Institute e-Alert December 5, 2002 ************************************************************** Dear Reader, " Why do you not mention perilla oil as an alternative source for omega-3 fats? It has no mercury worries. " This question from an HSI member named CB arrived in response to an e-Alert I sent you last month ( " Gone Fishing " 11/13/02) about the omega-3 dilemma - that is; you can easily increase your omega-3 intake by adding fish to your diet, but the fish that contain the greatest concentrations of omega-3 (like swordfish and tuna) also contain high levels of mercury. Meanwhile, CB is absolutely right - perilla oil (derived from the Asian beefsteak plant and also known as wild sesame oil) is an excellent, mercury-free source of alpha-linolenic acid, the essential omega-3 fatty acid. In addition, studies have shown some remarkable health benefits from this " wild " oil. ----------------------------- Getting the blood flowing ----------------------------- Perilla oil is not new to HSI members, however. In an e-Alert I sent you earlier this year ( " 4...3...2...1 " 5/21/02) and a Members Alert in 1999, we told you how perilla oil may help prevent heart attacks, strokes and heart disease by lowering platelet-activating factor (PAF) and reducing the risk of blood clots. The overproduction of a substance called thromboxane A2 is another significant cause of blood clot formation. In a laboratory test using rats, the administration of perilla oil reduced the production of thromboxane A2 in just 7 days. Animal studies conducted in Japan have also shown promising results in the ability of perilla oil to inhibit cancer formation. In one study, researchers found that when perilla oil constituted 25% of total dietary fat in rats, the result was a significant beneficial effect in lowering the risk of colon cancer. Other studies have reached similar conclusions, indicating that perilla oil may help reduce the risk of breast and colon tumors, as well as kidney cancer. ----------------------------- Versatile benefits ----------------------------- In addition to cutting the risk of heart disease and enhancing the immune response against cancer, perilla oil has also been shown to promote other important health benefits such as the protection of neurons in the brain, the regulation of blood sugar and glucose metabolism, and the reduction of joint inflammation. So far, most of the studies on perilla oil have been conducted on animals, so we don't yet have clinical information about the safety of long-term intake for humans. However, perilla oil has been widely used for many years throughout Asia, sometimes just taken by the spoonful, without any association with adverse side effects. Since its recent introduction to the marketplace, many health- conscious consumers have replaced their fish or flax oil supplements with perilla oil, finding it less expensive, and a little easier on the stomach for those who experience digestive side effects from the other oils. In America, perilla oil supplements are widely available in capsule form. For best results, however, it's a good idea to not take perilla oil (or any other nutritional oils) with fiber supplements or high-fiber foods, as these can interfere with optimal absorption. And, thanks to CB for reminding me to include this healthy oil in my omega-3 mantra. Keep your questions and ideas coming. ************************************************************** ************************************************************** ....and another thing I continue to get e-mails regarding the use of the mercury- rich preservative thimerosal in vaccines for children ( " Protection Money " 12/2/02). An HSI member named John sent this important question: " Is there any way that a parent can determine whether or not the shot ABOUT to be given to one's child is from the old inventory with the high mercury content or is from a newer zero mercury batch? " Last year, under pressure from the Centers for Disease Control, the Public Health Service, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, pharmaceutical companies agreed to stop manufacturing vaccines that contain thimerosal. But while this mercury-based preservative is no longer in production, stores of vaccines that contain it are still being used. So how can a parent be sure that a vaccine doesn't contain thimerosal? Just ask. It may feel a bit uncomfortable to open the subject, but it's certainly within your rights. And any doctor worth his salt will respect your concern - especially when the long-term health of your child is at stake. Plus that, the answer should be easy to come by. Just like any medication that you might buy at your local pharmacy, a vaccine in your pediatrician's office will have a list of contents included in the packaging. But hopefully your pediatrician is conscientious enough to have already taken steps to discontinue the use of vaccines containing thimerosal. Nevertheless - be safe, and ask. And, if necessary, demand. To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson Health Sciences Institute ************************************************************** ************************************************************** Sources: " Perilla Seed " supplementwatch.com " Perilla Oil " Natural Health Consultants " Korean Beef " The Weston A. Price Foundation Copyright ©1997-2002 by www.hsibaltimore.com, L.L.C. 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