THE GOOD LIFE LETTER

[Guest guest]

My Great Uncle Richard was quite a guy,

 

In the late 60s, before the fitness crazes of the

70s took hold, he was obsessed with exercise.

 

A thin, rake-like figure, he used to run circuits

around the park near our house in Oxfordshire.

 

We kids used to find it hilarious because he was an

unnatural runner, taking such tiny, quick steps that

he hardly seemed to move... like he was on a

treadmill. Women with prams used to lap him!

 

But, bless him, it kept him fit for the next two

decades.

 

Which was why it was so shocking when he died of a

heart-attack the age of 61.

 

How could a fit man with low body-fat, low cholesterol

and an exercise habit die so relatively young?

 

You may find the answer shocking...

 

 

The truth about heart disease

 

 

Recent studies have uncovered what seems to be the

REAL culprit behind 50% of cardiovascular, heart

and stroke problems.

 

And it's none of the usual suspects. Not fat. Not

lack of exercise. And not even cholesterol.

 

According to research published in the British Medical

Journal, homocysteine is THE BIGGEST THREAT to our

heart's good health.

 

A study at the department of cardiology in Southampton

General Hospital trawled through 92 studies that

focussed on homocysteine levels in over 20,000 patients -

an incredible number when it comes to looking at stats.

 

I won't bore you with the pages of reports I ploughed

through, but in a nutshell, high homocysteine levels

are a strong indicator that heart problems are present.

 

But, as always, I am the bearer of good news.

 

Homocysteine levels can be brought down quickly and

easily (and without spending a fortune), using a

combination of nutritional supplements. Here's what

to do...

 

** Get your homocysteine levels checked out. Under 8

is good. Under 7 is even better.

 

** Studies (reported in the British Medical Journal)

have shown that vitamins B6 and B12, together with

folic acid, help lower homocysteine levels. So make

sure you eat foods rich in these substances.

 

For folic acid, liver is absolutely the best source,

plus spinach, brocolli, asparagus, beetroot, banana,

oranges and peaches.

 

For B12, eat liver beef, chicken, pork, fish, eggs,

milk, cheese and yoghurt. For B6 eat whole grain cereals,

breads, liver, avocados, spinach, green beans, bananas,

fish, poultry, meats, nuts, potatoes, green leafy

vegetables.

 

** Boost your intake of these substances with supplements.

Folic acid and B 12 can be taken daily between 500 to

1000mcg each, and for B6 try 50 - 100mg.

 

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When you can have too much iron

------

 

I've always liked the sound of getting more iron into

your system. Back when I was playing rugby regularly

(and when I was slimmer too!), I thought packing your

body with iron would make me stronger and tougher. After

all, if it worked for Popeye it could work for me.

 

But in a recent study in the Journal of the American

Medical Association shows that high iron levels can be

bad for you. In fact, if they get too high, it could

lead to diabetes.

 

Here's what happens. If your iron levels are too strong,

they throw a spanner in your body works and tamper with

the way your organs function. This in turn can interfere

with your body's use of insulin - a hormone needed to

convert blood sugar into energy. Diabetes develops when

the body doesn't produce enough insulin, or if the insulin

isn't used properly.

 

So here's my advice...

 

Make sure your ferritin levels are checked out regularly.

Ferritin is a protein that indicates the levels of iron in

your body. Now, if your levels are high, it may be

hereditary. If this is the case, chances are if you'd have

felt any negative effects by now, and your doctor would

have put you on a suitable treatment by now.

 

But some studies have suggested high levels can be caused

by consuming large amounts high-dose iron pills. So, unless

you've been prescribed high-dose iron pills, AVOID THEM.

Better to bolster your blood iron though natural diet.

 

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Stronti-what?? I'd never heard of this mineral, but it

could halt osteoporosis in its tracks!

-----------------------------

 

Studies show that an amazing mineral - strontium - could be

the most effective weapon against osteoporosis. An article in

The New England Journal of Medicine shows that 2 grams of

strontium ranelate taken every day (together with a course of

Vitamin D - yep... that's more fish oil for you!) reduced

fractures by a huge 49% over the course of a year!

 

Pretty impressive stuff. But it gets better.

 

Over a longer period of time, strontium increased bone

mineral density by 14.4% in the lumbar spine, and 8.3% in

the hip. All of this, and no nasty side effects!

 

However, strontium ranelate is a man-made compound

produced in labs by those mysterious men in white coats.

And as you know, The Good Life Letter advocates the use

of natural substances wherever possible.

 

So I had a search around for an alternative - and I think

I've found one.

 

It's called Osteo-vi-min - a blend of naturally occurring

strontium, calcium, magnesium and a whole host of minerals

and substances known to help build bone strength.

 

There's a whole load of stuff about this on the web, and

I urge you to take a look at it. One or two voices have

aired concerns about taking strontium and calcium at the

same time (as far as I can see it's not a health warning -

more that the addition of calcium deadens the effect of the

strontium), but take a look for yourself.

 

And as always, consult your doctor as and ask his opinion

before embarking on ANY course of remedies or treatments.

 

That's it for now. I've just got time for a cup of tea and

some cake before I pick the kids up from school. I should

really go for a jog, but...

 

Until next time,

 

Yours,

 

 

Ray Collins

The Good Life Letter