Guest guest Posted March 24, 2004 Report Share Posted March 24, 2004 Wed, 24 Mar 2004 08:50:27 -0500 HSI - Jenny Thompson Nutritious Hues Nutritious Hues Health Sciences Institute e-Alert March 24, 2004 ************************************************************** Dear Reader, When the media talks about the obesity epidemic, the real concern is everything that comes along with obesity - the higher risk of chronic diseases, and, of course, type 2 diabetes, which can lead to a wide variety of troublesome health problems. I've received many e-mails thanking us for all the e-Alerts and Members Alerts with tips about preventing or managing the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. And today I've got some promising news about two key nutrients that may help provide strong support to any exercise and dietary program designed to cope with diabetes. ----------------------------- Colorful nutrients ----------------------------- Researchers from the National Public Health Institute in Finland devised a study to examine antioxidant intake in relation to the development of type 2 diabetes. The dietary history of more than 4,300 non-diabetic subjects - aged 40 to 69 years - was followed for 23 years. During that time, 383 cases of diabetes were diagnosed. The Finland team extracted specific data on the intake of vitamin C, vitamin E tocopherols and tocotrienols, and six carotenoids (the fat soluble nutrients that give fruits and vegetables their green, yellow, orange and red pigments). Researchers found that the highest vitamin E intake was significantly associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, compared to subjects with the lowest intake. Those with the highest intakes of a carotenoid found in oranges, papaya, bell peppers, corn and watermelon also reduced type 2 diabetes risk by more than 40 percent. No association between diabetes risk and vitamin C intake was found. As I've mentioned in previous e-Alerts, good sources of vitamin E include spinach, eggs, meat, poultry, fish, nuts and seeds, avocado, tomatoes, peaches, apples and blackberries. HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., also recommends 400 IU of vitamin E daily, as well as 200 mcg of selenium for general antioxidant protection. And while it is possible to get too much selenium, a range of 200-400 mcg daily is considered quite safe. ----------------------------- The mother of all antioxidants ----------------------------- The Finland study is significant because we already know that diabetics require more antioxidants in their diets than other people because diabetes impedes the body's ability to fight free-radicals with antioxidants. Fortunately, one of the most powerful antioxidants - alpha lipoic acid (ALA) - has been shown to be a blood-sugar- lowering agent for diabetics. In addition, ALA can create new molecules of vitamins C and E from their molecular building blocks. For this reason, it is sometimes referred to as the " mother " antioxidant. In addition, ALA can help your body better utilize coenzyme Q10 and glutathione. Many studies have demonstrated that antioxidants are most effective when several different kinds are used together. One of the factors to consider when supplementing with ALA is that it is quickly metabolized and cleared from the liver. As a result, a supplement will only cause a relatively brief rise in blood levels of ALA. Several studies have concluded that significant benefits (for all of us - not just diabetics) can result from an intake of 50 mg per day. But whatever your dosage, it's best to take lower amounts throughout the day, rather than all at once. ----------------------------- Easy does it ----------------------------- Before adding ALA to your supplement regimen I have one important word of caution. The effect of ALA on those who suffer from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) has not been specifically studied. There is, however, research showing that ALA lowers blood-sugar levels in normal, or non-diabetic, subjects as well as in those with diabetes. Our current understanding of how ALA affects blood sugar suggests that it should not be used by those with very low blood sugar, as it could further decrease blood glucose. So if you do take ALA, proceed with caution. And, as always, it's a good idea to discuss your supplement intake with your doctor or healthcare provider - especially if you're diabetic, or if low blood sugar might be an issue. ************************************************************** 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 It's a test that accurately answers one very simple question: Is there cancer present in the body? When I gave some details about a blood test called the Anti- Malignin Antibody in Serum (AMAS) in the e-Alert " Getting Specific " (3/2/04), I received quite a few e-mails asking for more information. Some wanted to know where they could find the test. Others wondered why their doctors didn't know about such a test. And one member who calls himself Rx had this straightforward question: " How effective is the AMAS test in determining prostate cancer? " According to William Campbell Douglass, M.D., the AMAS test can detect all types of cancer cells - even those that are in early development. Dr. Douglass says the test has, " an accuracy rate of greater than 95 percent. With a second test, the accuracy is greater than 99 percent. False positive (and false negative) rates are less than 1 percent. " But the test will only determine that cancer of some type is present. So to specifically answer Rx's question: A positive AMAS test would need to be combined with at least two positive PSA tests in order to determine the likelihood of prostate cancer. If your doctor hasn't heard about the AMAS test, don't be surprised. Dr. Douglass stays on top of the cutting edge of alternative medical breakthroughs that most mainstream doctors don't hear about until long after they're introduced. To find more information about the AMAS test, you can visit amascancertest.com, where you can read articles and frequently asked questions about the test, browse abstracts of clinical studies and even place an order for an AMAS test kit. To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson Health Sciences Institute ************************************************************** Sources: " Dietary Antioxidant Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes " Diabetes Care, Vol. 27, 2004, diabetesjournals.org " Antioxidants May Fight Type 2 Diabetes " NutraIngredients.com, 2/17/04, nutraingredients.com Copyright ©1997-2004 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 ************************************************************** Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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