Guest guest Posted May 20, 2003 Report Share Posted May 20, 2003 Tue, 20 May 2003 15:00:01 -0500 HSI - Jenny Thompson The Mighty Mite The Mighty Mite Health Sciences Institute e-Alert May 20, 2003 ************************************************************** Dear Reader, I recently saw an amusing t-shirt with these words across the front: " On a cellular level I'm really quite busy. " It's funny, of course, because it's true - even the most sedentary and lethargic person is teeming with activity on a cellular level. Unfortunately, as we grow older our cellular activity reduces considerably. The mitochondria that serve as cellular powerplants, processing the nutrients and oxygen that feed the cells, begin shutting down and often become impaired by toxins or disease. The results range from the typical signs of aging to chronic and debilitating diseases. A new study shows just how troublesome this problem can be. But fortunately there are simple steps we can take to prevent the breakdown and loss of vitally important mitochondria. ----------------------------- Get on up ----------------------------- Disorders sometimes associated with mitochondrial dysfunction include chronic fatigue syndrome, dementia, cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease), and kidney ailments. To that list we can now add type 2 diabetes. Knowing that the accumulation of fat in liver and muscle tissue is an accurate predictor of insulin resistance (a precursor of type 2 diabetes), a team of scientists at Yale University School of Medicine used non-invasive scans to examine the muscles and livers of 29 people. Subjects were made up of two groups: 13 were between the ages of 18 and 39, and 16 were between the ages of 61 to 84. All subjects were healthy and showed no signs of pre-diabetic conditions such as excessive body weight. Results showed that the group of older subjects not only had a higher accumulation of fat in their liver and muscle tissue than the younger group, but also an average of 40 percent lower metabolic activity of the mitochondria. This is significant because one of the key jobs of mitochondria is to convert both fatty acids and glucose into energy. The Yale researchers' conclusion - that a lack of the mitochondria necessary to burn fat promotes a lowered sensitivity to insulin - leads to this practical advice: get up and exercise. Because studies have shown that regular physical activity stimulates and even increases the amount of mitochondria within your cells. So the sedentary and lethargic may be quite active on a cellular level, but they can easily increase that much- needed activity and do their cellular health a big favor by taking a walk, doing some housework, or just getting up and stretching on a regular basis. ----------------------------- 1 + 1 ----------------------------- In addition to physical activity, there are supplements that can help keep the mitochondria plentiful and lively. For instance, many of the benefits of the amino acid acetyl L-carnitine (ALC) - such as the protection of brain nerve cells from degeneration - are attributed to its stimulating effects on the mitochondria. Unfortunately, some research has shown that ALC can increase oxidative stress. But a study from the University of California at Berkley that I told you about last year ( " What Made These Rats Do the Macarena? " 3/12/02) found that combining ALC with alpha lipoic acid (ALA) not only eliminates the concerns about oxidative stress, but also magnifies ALC's anti-aging effects. The results of that study suggest that ALC and ALA supplements support the health of mitochondria, resulting in a boost to the metabolism that may even improve memory while fighting oxidative stress. In that earlier e-Alert I told you that the usual recommended dosage for ALC is 250 mg to 2 grams daily, and 100 to 600 mg of ALA. Both supplements are widely available through vitamin suppliers and health food stores. ----------------------------- We've got the beet ----------------------------- In the July 2001 HSI Members Alert we told you about another supplement called Body Oxygen that also benefits mitochondria. This unique formulation combines beet juice (a proven mitochondria stimulator) with yeast cells that allow the nutrients in the juice to permeate the mitochondrial membrane. According to the research of Dr. Siegfried Wolz, the German physician who developed Body Oxygen, his formula can increase the amount of mitochondria by up to 25 percent. This claim has been backed up by a European trial that showed Body Oxygen effectively increased cellular respiration (oxygenation) in a study of 20,000 cancer patients. The author of that study, Dr. Serge Jurasunas, believes that a daily dosage of Body Oxygen may help prevent and treat the disorders caused by decreased mitochondria. You can find more information about Body Oxygen at bodyoxygen.com. Even though it seems that a combination of ALC, ALA, and Body Oxygen may go a long way toward improving the health of your mitochondria and overall cellular activity, I think the easiest and most economical step, suggested by the Yale research, is the best place to start. That is: with exercise. Perhaps the most common recurring message we see in study after study is the significant improvement to health that daily exercise can bring. ************************************************************** ....and another thing Water should be simple. Two hydrogen atoms, one oxygen - and that's it, you've got everything you need for one of the most basic elements on earth. But basic isn't always simple, and water is much more complex than H2O. Last week I sent you an e-Alert about the advantages of drinking distilled water ( " A La Carte " 5/14/03). And while all of those advantages are genuine, an HSI member named Irene wrote to raise this question: " I am confused about drinking distilled water, having been told in the past by a couple of different health professionals that it is excellent to drink it for about 4 - 6 weeks to detox the body but not for longer. The reason they give is that they say distilled water...contains no natural minerals and being very soft actually has a chelating effect drawing necessary minerals out of the body. I would really appreciate the opinion of HSI research on this view. " To sort out the " pure " from the " impure " on this topic, I asked HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., for his thoughts on distilled water: " Right off the bat, given the amazingly sorry state (in my opinion) of most municipal water supplies, I'd have to say that distilled water is a far superior solution (and fairly simple). If you live at the source of the river, that's lucky for you, but every town along the river below you is processing and drinking your WASTE WATER (fun thought)! I still remember flying over Knoxville, TN, and seeing 2 immense pipes dumping waste water directly into the Tennessee River. Since I lived in Chattanooga, 100 miles downstream, it gave me pause to think! " The solution, other than ozonation and ultraviolet irradiation (a European solution but more expensive), is to dump highly reactive chemicals in to kill obviously undesirable organisms (predominantly chlorine). Then add some aluminum compounds to help clarify it (yep), and some toxic waste products from the aluminum industry (ie, fluoride, ostensibly to help with our teeth, but don't get me started) and you have some neat municipal drinking water. " Give me distilled over that anytime. " Now, that said, I have to agree with the reader over the long haul. One of (by far) the most brilliant men of the recent era, Dr. Hans Nieper, (M.D. and Ph.D.) was against the long term ingestion of distilled water due to the fact that there were no minerals on board to give it a 'charge' as opposed to being pure H2O (which doesn't occur in nature). There does exist research (from more than one source) suggesting that even the intake of minerals from food doesn't make up for high-volume intake of totally mineral-free water in terms of maintaining health. For sure the final chapter isn't in yet on this issue. " The problem is, it's a Catch 22 - the simple stuff is toxic, and really pure, clean, natural water is very difficult to obtain. Everyone wants to sell spring water because they can charge more, but getting reliable stuff is tough. What do you do? " To me, reputable, (expensive), deep-well artesian spring water is the best to drink, but finding and affording it is tougher. " Maybe we should all just switch to soft drinks and beer and forget the whole thing. " I'm sure that Dr. Spreen is kidding with that last comment. (At least I think he is.) In any case, drinking distilled water is obviously a far better choice than tap water or many bottled waters, but should probably not be used as your one and only solution to the problem of contaminated water. To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson Health Sciences Institute ************************************************************** Sources: " Mitochondrial Dysfunction in the Elderly: Possible Role in Insulin Resistance " Science 2003 300: 1140-1142, sciencemag.org " Cell Changes May Explain Diabetes Risk in Elderly " Reuters Health, 5/15/03, reutershealth.com " Diabetes in the Elderly Linked to Fewer Cellular 'Power Plants' " Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research News, press release, 5/16/03, hhmi.org Copyright ©1997-2003 by www.hsibaltimore.com, L.L.C. The e-Alert may not be posted on commercial sites without written permission. ************************************************************** Before you hit reply to send us a question or request, please click here http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/questions.shtml ************************************************************** ************************************************************** If you'd like to participate in the HSI Forum, search past e-Alerts and products or you're an HSI member and would like to search past articles, visit http://www.hsibaltimore.com ************************************************************** To learn more about HSI, call (203) 699-4416 or visit http://www.agora-inc.com/reports/HSI/WHSIC313/home.cfm. ************************************************************** Gettingwell- / Vitamins, Herbs, Aminos, etc. To , e-mail to: Gettingwell- Or, go to our group site: Gettingwell The New Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo. 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