Guest guest Posted October 9, 2003 Report Share Posted October 9, 2003 Thu, 9 Oct 2003 15:55:51 -0500 HSI - Jenny Thompson Air Time Air Time Health Sciences Institute e-Alert October 9, 2003 ************************************************************** Dear Reader, When NBC News correspondent David Bloom died of a pulmonary embolism while covering the invasion of Baghdad last April, the term " deep vein thrombosis " (DVT) suddenly leapt into the headlines and public consciousness. DVT is caused by sitting in a constricted space for long periods. Most of us will never find ourselves living and sleeping for several days in an armored vehicle as David Bloom was. But every day, airline passengers who find themselves sitting in a cramped seat during a long flight experience the very sort of stresses that can prompt blood clotting in the legs. By some estimates, as many as 100,000 airline passengers may die from complications associated with DVT every year. Now deep vein thrombosis is in the news again with the research results of a natural product that may help prevent DVT. And contrary to some reports you may have seen, there are a number of natural and effective options for coping with this problem. But perhaps the most effective prevention is this: Knowing the risks and the warning signs of DVT. ----------------------------- Soy & pine bark ----------------------------- Described as a " natural non-toxic nutraceutical, " Flite Tabs is a new product that claims to prevent DVT through a combination of fermented soybean extract and pine bark extract. These active ingredients were recently tested by a team of UK and Italian researchers. Nearly 200 subjects in good health were recruited for the study. Their average age was 49, and an equal number of men and women participated. Ninety-four subjects took Flite Tabs previous to 7-hour, trans-Atlantic flights between New York and London. A control group of 92 subjects received a placebo. The legs of all subjects were measured before and after the flights, and ultrasound was used to detect blood clotting. Results showed that none of the subjects in the Flite Tabs group had evidence of blood clots, none experienced any leg swelling, and 15 percent actually showed a decrease in swelling. But in the control group, 5 subjects developed DVT, 2 had superficial thrombosis, and leg swelling increased in 12 percent of the group. According to the study (published in the current issue of the journal Angiology), " There were no major complaints or side effects, " in the Flite Tabs group. ----------------------------- Some fish with a little lemon ----------------------------- A close reading of the study shows that the two active ingredients of Flite Tabs - nattokinase and pycnogenol - are natural treatments that we've told you about in previous HSI Members Alerts. Nattokinase is an enzyme isolated from a Japanese food called natto, made from boiled and fermented soybeans. The Japanese have consumed natto for centuries, using it to promote good cardiovascular health. In more than 15 studies (including two human trials) nattokinase has been shown to prevent and dissolve blood clots and may also help prevent hardened arteries, heart attack, stroke, angina, and senility. Pycnogenol (extracted from French maritime pine bark) is a natural anti-inflammatory that has been shown to benefit the cardiovascular system. In the July 1998 Members Alert, we compared pycnogenol's powerful antioxidant qualities to two of the antioxidant all-stars: glutathione and coenzyme Q10. But these two botanicals are by no means your only defense against DVT. Writing in her Health eTips e-letter, Amanda Ross (Managing Editor of Dr. Jonathan V. Wright's Nutrition & Healing newsletter), pointed out that Dr. Wright has recommended " taking 1 tablespoon of cod-liver oil daily, along with 400 IU of vitamin E (as mixed tocopherols) " to help prevent blood clots - including those that might be triggered by DVT. In addition, Dr. Wright also recommends three herbs: * Horse Chestnut - shown to be effective for patients with circulatory problems associated with varicose veins * Butcher's broom - another key herb for the veins * Ginkgo - shown to generally help circulation Garlic is also an effective blood thinner that may reduce clotting. And Japanese research has shown that two substances in lemon juice - citric acid and lemon polyphenol - may help prevent DVT by improving blood circulation. So when your flight attendant offers you something to drink, ask if they have lemonade, or order your drink with a large slice of fresh lemon. ----------------------------- Simple precautions ----------------------------- One of the most important things to be aware of with DVT is that it can strike healthy people who have no previous cardiovascular problems. In fact, people who work out regularly are at somewhat greater risk of DVT complications because they tend to have low resting pulse, which may help prompt DVT during long periods of inactivity. Others who may be at greater risk of DVT include those who have previously experienced DVT, or have a family history of the condition; anyone who has experienced trauma to the legs; those who have recently had surgery on the legs, feet, or in the abdominal or pelvic areas, and those who may suffer from diabetes, heart or liver disease, or certain cancers, such as colon, ovarian, stomach, liver, pancreatic, or lymphatic cancers. Obese people are somewhat more inclined to develop DVT, as are those over the age of 40. In addition to those at high risk (which sounds like almost all of us), Dr. Wright points out in the December 2001 issue of Nutrition & Healing, " Anyone who travels on flights of more than a few hours duration needs to take precautions. " At the outset of long flights, many airlines now show videos warning about DVT, along with suggestions to get up and walk around now and then, and examples of simple exercises that can be done in your seat. It's also important to avoid dehydration. Dr. Wright says, " Both alcohol and coffee are diuretics and tend to dehydrate the body, so your intake of these should be modest. Instead, drink plenty of water. " And if you fit into any of the high-risk groups mentioned above, consider wearing a pair of compression stockings. After a long flight, DVT warning signs to be watchful for include: muscle pain, swelling or tenderness in the legs, and discoloration in a painful area. Sometimes these symptoms don't occur until many hours after you've arrived at your destination. Airline flights that last only a couple of hours should not present a problem for most people. But if you're planning a particularly long flight, a few simple precautions can help prevent a hospital stay and even death. ************************************************************** To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit: http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/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 If you think the marketing of drugs isn't everywhere these days, just take a look at this e-mail from an HSI member named Edward. " Help !!! This past weekend I happened to see a cartoon on T.V. 9:30 Sat. morning. The 'superhero' was yellow and red with a head that looked like a capsule (half red, half yellow). The bad guy was a germ. The stage was the human body. You guessed it, the 'good guy' was a cold pill. This was not only subliminal, they actually say he's a cold pill. The show's name is 'Drixie and Ollie' I believe. " After I brought my heart back within normal range. I started thinking how do I put an end to this blatant drug commercial for young children. I have already contacted a couple of groups that I thought my help - not much yet. I have considered a letter writing campaign to the sponsors. Any help or advice would be welcomed. At the very least, you may put it in your newsletter so people can protect their own loved ones. " Yep - it's gotten that bad. You may recall I recently told you about a British children's book featuring a character named Mr. Sneeze. The book concludes with two pages of advertising for GlaxoSmithKline allergy products. I think Edward has the right idea. When you see advertising that seems inappropriate, or even something that's simply strongly suggested as in the cartoon that Edward saw, speak up and let the powers that be know that you don't approve. And if anyone knows more about the " Drixie and Ollie " show or its producers, please post information on the forum to make other members aware. And now, if you'll allow me my own shameless plug... This weekend, the Baltimore Ravens travel to Arizona to face their former quarterback, Jeff Blake, and his new team the Arizona Cardinals. All I can say is that I hope Ray Lewis chases Blake down the same way a cold pill chases a germ, so we can all breathe easy in Baltimore. To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson Health Sciences Institute ************************************************************** Sources: " Prevention of Venous Thrombosis in Long-Haul Flights with Flite Tabs: The LONFLIT-FLITE Randomized, Controlled Trial " Angiology, 54:T1-T9, 2003 " Extract Combination may Prevent DVT " NutraIngredients.com, 10/2/03, nutraingredients.com " DVT: David Bloom's Silent Killer " USA Today, 4/11/03, usatoday.com 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 visit here http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/questions.html ************************************************************** ************************************************************** 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/WHSID618/home.cfm. ************************************************************** NEW WEB MESSAGE BOARDS - JOIN HERE. Alternative Medicine Message Boards.Info http://alternative-medicine-message-boards.info The New with improved product search Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.