Billion Dollar Baby

[Guest guest]

" HSI - Jenny Thompson " <hsiresearch

HSI e-Alert - Billion Dollar Baby

Thu, 12 Jan 2006 06:50:00 -0500

 

 

 

 

HSI e-Alert - Billion Dollar Baby

 

Health Sciences Institute e-Alert

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

January 12, 2006

 

 

Dear Reader,

 

Would you like to save a few billion dollars?

 

Unfortunately I'm not talking about a few billion in savings for you

and me personally. (To save that kind of money we'd have to own our

own oil companies.) But according to a new study, you and I and others

could help the U.S. save billions in health care costs over the next

five years.

 

And even though your share of the savings might be modest, your

personal share of wellness could be quite significant.

 

----------

Five year plan

----------

 

There are special interests in the mainstream medical community that

have no motivation whatsoever to lower the cost of health care. Let's

face it, as medical bills rise, someone out there is getting very

wealthy. This e-Alert isn't for them. It's for you and me, our

neighbors, friends and family. In other words, this is for anyone

who's concerned about the astonishing and steady increase in the cost

of health care.

 

Last year, researchers at the Lewin Group (a health care consulting

and research firm) were commissioned by the Dietary Supplement

Education Alliance (DSEA) to estimate the potential health care

savings that might result if all Americans over the age of 65

regularly took these two supplements for five years:

 

* Omega-3 fatty acids (1,800 mg per day)

* A combination of lutein and zeaxanthin (6-10 mg per day)

 

Based on the known cardiovascular benefits associated with omega-3

supplements that contain EPA and DHA, the Lewin team offered a

" conservative " estimate that reduced physician fees and

hospitalizations would result in more than $3 billion in savings over

five years.

 

And based on the proven vision benefits of lutein and zeaxanthin

supplements, researchers estimated that more than 98,000 seniors would

avoid age-related vision loss, fractures associated with vision loss,

and dependence on nursing facilities. The resulting health care

savings might be as much as $2.5 billion over five years.

 

----------

Closer than the eye

----------

 

The Lewin research is very promising, but if the economic advantage of

omega-3 intake was based strictly on heart health benefits, I think

their estimate for overall health care savings might actually be quite

low. When EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docohexaenoic acid) are

combined, these two essential fatty acids have been shown to

contribute to the prevention of heart disease, depression, Alzheimer's

disease, arthritis, influenza, hyperactivity, and even some forms of

cancer.

 

Dark meat fish and fish oil supplements are the best sources of

omega-3 with EPA and DHA.

 

As for lutein and zeaxanthin, they're the only dietary carotenoids

present in the lens of the eye. Previous studies have indicated that a

sufficient intake of these nutrients may protect the lens and reduce

the risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration, the two

leading forms of age-related vision loss.

 

Lutein and zeaxanthin are key components of a phytochemical called

xanthophylls, a powerful antioxidant that has the unique

characteristic of being able to cross the blood brain barrier more

easily than most other antioxidants. (The blood brain barrier is a

protective mechanism that prevents illness from spreading to

neurologically sensitive areas, but it also stops many beneficial

substances from getting through and protecting those areas.)

 

Good food sources of xanthophylls include corn, kiwi, red seedless

grapes, orange-colored peppers, spinach, celery, Brussels sprouts,

scallions, broccoli and squash.

 

 

 

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

 

....and another thing

 

Looking for a good New Year motivator? I'll give you two.

 

If you've resolved to get more exercise this year, here are two points

that might help motivate you keep on track.

 

Point One:

 

A study from Northwestern University that followed the exercise habits

of more than 4,400 men and women for up to 15 years found that those

who remained fit were far less likely to develop type 2 diabetes and

high blood pressure; two conditions that often lead to a variety of

health problems and chronic diseases.

 

The results of this study are not surprising, of course. But I was

impressed by a comment from the lead researcher of the study, Dr.

Mercedes Carnethon, who singled out this important point for BBC News:

" The development of risk factors for heart disease and stroke isn't

just the natural result of aging. "

 

Exactly so. None of the infirmities that so many regard as " just part

of getting older " should be thought of as inevitable. With balanced

nutrition and regular exercise, poor health is not an inevitable part

of aging.

 

Point Two:

 

In an American Heart Association (AHA) review of more than 40 studies

on the effects of exercise on heart health, researchers concluded that

heart disease can be prevented and blood pressure can be lowered with

regular exercise.

 

Again, this is no surprise. But the report on the study offered an

insight into the fact that most doctors are trained to simply treat

heart problems, not prevent them. So their first reaction will likely

be to reach for the prescription pad and to talk to you about exercise

second (if at all).

 

One of the AHA members who participated in the study slyly noted that

when talking to physicians, drug sales representatives don't talk

about exercise instead of drugs (obviously), even though the review

shows that exercise often works just as well as drugs to address heart

issues.

 

To Your Good Health,

 

Jenny Thompson

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Sources:

 

" Supplements Reduce Health Care Costs, Shows Study "

NutraIngredients-USA, 11/3/05, nutraingredients-usa.com

" Exercise Prescriptions " Family Health Matters, 12/26/03

" Keeping Fit has Long-Term Benefit " BBC News, 12/17/03, news.bbc.co.uk

 

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