The Beat Goes On

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" HSI - Jenny Thompson " <HSIResearch

 

The Beat Goes On

Tue, 23 Nov 2004 08:43:13 -0500

 

The Beat Goes On

 

Health Sciences Institute e-Alert

 

November 23, 2004

 

 

Dear Reader,

 

You've got the beat. That is, your heart does. But if your heartbeat

is abnormal, there's an easy dietary change that may help keep the

beats in sync.

 

Last month, in the e-Alert " Fascinatin' Rhythm " (10/25/04), I told

you about a German study that demonstrated how omega-3 fatty

acids from fish oil supplements may sharply reduce the risk of

arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) in patients who are prone to

this condition. Now a new study reveals another way to reduce the

risk of arrhythmias.

 

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Good-hearted nurses

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Arrhythmias can be triggered by a number of factors, including

diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, smoking,

drug and alcohol abuse, prescription drugs and even some herbal

supplements. There are several types of arrhythmias; some cause

only mild chest discomfort, while others prompt heart attacks and

strokes.

 

Earlier this month, researchers at the Harvard University Medical

School presented the results of a dietary survey at the annual

meeting of the American Heart Association. The Harvard team

gathered data from food intake questionnaires given to more than

76,000 women enrolled in the Nurse's Health Study. The

questionnaires were updated every four years for 16 years.

 

Researchers analyzed the data to determine the intake of foods

containing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is a precursor of

omega-3 fatty acids. The women were divided into five categories

of ALA consumption, ranging from the least intake to the most. A

daily intake of 0.7 grams was average for those in the lowest intake

group, while those in the highest averaged about 1.5 grams per

day.

 

Researchers reported these two striking conclusions:

 

* Subjects with the highest ALA intake reduced the risk of dying

due to sudden cardiac death by more than 40 percent, compared to

the lowest intake group

* Those same high-intake subjects also reduced their risk of dying

due to coronary heart disease by more than 20 percent, compared

to the lowest intake group

 

The lead author of the study, Christine M. Albert, M.D., told

NutraIngredients.com that because arrhythmias are usually to

blame for sudden cardiac death, the study supports the hypothesis

of previous research that found fish oil to protect the heart from

abnormal rhythms.

 

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Men, take note

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But alpha-linolenic acid's heart benefits don't stop at arrhythmia

control. In the e-Alert " Nutty Buddy " (6/8/04), I told you about a

Pennsylvania State University study that showed how an ALA-rich

diet may promote blood vessel resiliency while also improving

cholesterol levels.

 

So if you're ready to join that group with the highest ALA intake,

just include more of these items in your daily diet: broccoli,

Brussels sprouts, leafy green vegetables and walnuts. But the best

ALA source by far is flaxseed and especially flaxseed oil.

 

Flaxseed contains lignan, a fiber and phytoestrogen that's rich in

ALA. Lignan is believed to help remove testosterone from the

body, and studies have shown that this may assist in suppressing

the growth of prostate cancer cells. But here's where it gets tricky.

 

The lignan in flaxseed is found in the outer shell of the seeds.

When the seeds are refined into oil, only a trace of lignan ends up

in the finished product. But this same process dramatically

increases the concentration of ALA. And while some studies have

suggested that ALA may slow cancerous growth in the breast and

colon, the effect on prostate cancer is an entirely different story.

 

Out of six known studies that have examined the association

between the risk of prostate cancer and the intake of dietary ALA,

five of them found the cancer risk to increase with a high intake of

ALA. But even though flaxseeds have plenty of ALA, the content

is generally considered too low to be harmful to prostate cancer

patients.

 

There appear to be no harmful side effects for women who get high

amounts of ALA in their diets. But any man who's in a prostate

cancer risk group might be wise to avoid large daily intakes of

ALA, especially from flaxseed oil. Meanwhile, men who wish to

address the risk of prostate cancer by increasing their flaxseed

intake should first talk with their doctor or a health care provide.

 

 

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....and another thing

 

You see some interesting things when you feet are in the stirrups.

 

I'm not talking about trail riding – I'm talking about a recent

checkup from my OB/GYN. (Don't worry, that's as personal as

this is going to get.)

 

I like my doctor. He's helped me with some health issues over the

years. But he doesn't exactly embrace the concept of

complementary and alternative health care. And that is putting it

very mildly.

 

He does have a good sense of humor though. For the amusement of

his patients who have to stare at the ceiling during an exam, he's

inserted buttons in the ceiling tiles – buttons printed with funny

messages, observations, etc.

 

While reading what looked like about a hundred buttons, I noticed

that the only one with a comment on natural health care took a

decidedly negative spin. It said, " Oh yeah? Well, cyanide is all-

natural too! "

 

Good to know he's keeping an open mind.

 

To Your Good Health,

 

Jenny Thompson

Health Sciences Institute

 

**************************************************************

 

Sources:

" ALA May Protect Against Sudden Cardiac Death "

NutraIngredients.com, 11/10/04, nutraingredients.com

 

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