Right Ratio

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" HSI - Jenny Thompson " <HSIResearch

 

Subject:Right Ratio

Tue, 19 Oct 2004 08:57:14 -0400

 

 

 

Right Ratio

 

Health Sciences Institute e-Alert

 

October 19, 2004

 

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Dear Reader,

 

Some scientists believe that the connection between being

overweight and the development of type 2 diabetes might be found

in the ratio of antioxidants to free radicals.

 

Antioxidant levels are typically low in overweight people, while

research shows that the production of free radicals may increase in

bodies that carry too much fat. This undesirable ratio lays the

groundwork for a host of health problems, and may play a key role

in the development of insulin resistance.

 

So – could a daily supplement of one of the most common

antioxidants help overweight patients avoid type 2 diabetes? That

question was tested recently by researchers at the University of

Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand.

 

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Upping the E

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We'll start by defining one of the terms used by the Otago team:

Alanine transferase (ALT) is a liver enzyme. A high level of this

enzyme is associated with diabetes risk. But excess ALT can also

indicate other serious health problems (more on that in a moment).

 

As reported in the journal Diabetes Care, the Otago researchers

recruited 80 overweight men and women whose ages ranged from

31 to 65. To test the effects of vitamin E on glucose and insulin, as

well as ALT levels, half the group received 800 IU of vitamin E

per day for three months, while the other half took a placebo. At

the end of this first phase of the study, the dosage in the vitamin E

group was increased to 1,200 IU for an additional three months.

 

At the end of the first three-month phase, both glucose and insulin

levels were considerably reduced, lowering the likelihood of

developing the insulin resistance that leads to type 2 diabetes.

Unfortunately, the reduction in glucose and insulin levels did not

remain steady through the second phase of the study. The

researchers note that although vitamin E had a positive impact on

oxidative stress, additional studies will be needed in order to clear

up the mystery of the fluctuation in glucose and insulin.

 

But the ALT level was quite a different story.

 

Throughout the full six months of the study, ALT concentrations

had a marked decline. This is significant because elevated ALT

indicates the possible onset of diabetes, as well as cancer and other

liver diseases.

 

I'll keep an eye out for further research that will, hopefully,

confirm the Otago conclusion that vitamin E protects the liver

while helping diabetics fight oxidative damage and control glucose

and insulin levels.

 

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Putting up good numbers

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Of course, this isn't the first time we've seen evidence that vitamin

E provides healthy benefit for diabetics.

 

Last year I told you about a Danish study in which vitamin E (680

IU daily) and vitamin C (1,250 mg daily) taken together reduced

concentrations of a liver protein that damages the kidneys when

it's elevated.

 

And in the e-Alert " Nutritious Hues " (3/24/04), I looked at a Finish

study that examined antioxidant intake in relation to the

development of type 2 diabetes. In that study the diets of more than

4,300 non-diabetic subjects – aged 40 to 69 years – were followed

for 23 years. During that time, the Finland team collected 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.

 

Vitamin E is well tolerated by most people. Nevertheless, diabetics

who take high doses of this vitamin should discuss its use with

their doctors.

 

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....and another thing

 

The ability of blood to coagulate can be a crucial part of survival in

cases of severe injury. But when blood clots occur at the wrong

time and at the wrong place within the body, the consequences can

be fatal.

 

In the March 2003 HSI Members Alert, we told you about

nattokinase, an enzyme that can help promote healthy circulation.

Nattokinase is derived from the traditional Japanese food called

natto (made from boiled and fermented soybeans), which has been

consumed for centuries in Japan, with the belief that it promotes

good cardiovascular health.

 

More recently, scientists have discovered that nattokinase can help

break up blood clots, reduce levels of fibrin (the protein that

accumulates inside blood vessels), and promote healthy

circulation.

 

Patients taking blood thinners should not take NattoZyme without the

supervision of a doctor. NattoZyme is also contraindicated in any

condition associated with bleeding.

 

 

To Your Good Health,

 

Jenny Thompson

Health Sciences Institute

 

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Sources:

" Effect of High-Dose Vitamin E on Insulin Resistance and

Associated Parameters in Overweight Subjects " Diabetes Care,

Vol. 27, No. 9, September 2004, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

" Vitamin E May Help Reduce Diabetes Risk " Reuters Health,

9/23/04, reutershealth.com

 

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