Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Low Glycemic Foods May Help Control Obesity

Low-glycemic meals promote a post-meal environment that is favorable for reduced food consumption.

This may be an advantage in the control of obesity and related disorders, including insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes. Low-glycemic meals produce favorable leptin and insulin responses, resulting in lower food consumption In a recent study, metabolic effects of meals with varying glycemic index (GI) were evaluated.

In a group of healthy volunteers, glucose, insulin, and leptin responses to two contrasting breakfast cereals were measured. Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells that indicates the degree of hunger to the hypothalamus of the brain. Lower leptin levels trigger a sense of satiety and decreased hunger.

Meals were provided on two separate occasions in random order after a 12-hour overnight fast, and consisted of 50 g of available carbohydrate from either Corn Flakes (Kellogg's), or Fiber One (General Mills). Blood samples were obtained at rest, and 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after eating.

The GI was calculated from the glucose response to the test meal normalized against a 50 g oral glucose load. The average GI for Corn Flakes was 125 and 49 for Fiber One. These meals were classified as high GI and low GI, respectively, and were significantly different from each other.

The insulin response following the low glycemic meal was significantly reduced compared to the high glycemic meal. The high glycemic meal significantly suppressed circulating leptin levels compared to the low glycemic meal.

Lower insulin response and higher circulating leptin levels suggest that low-glycemic meals promote a post-meal environment that is favorable for reduced food consumption; this may be advantageous in the control of obesity and related disorders including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Ann Nutr Metab 2007 Dec 10;51(6):512-518

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Pam Dunwald, R.N.
Email pamdunwald@yahoo.com
Healthy Options, ltd, LLC

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Cardiorespiratory fitness reduces the risk of death in men with Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of disorders that include abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and unhealthy cholesterol levels. Up to one in four U.S. adults has metabolic syndrome, significantly increasing their risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Fitness, regardless of body weight, can provide a strong protective effect against premature death in men with metabolic syndrome as well as healthy men.

Cardiorespiratory fitness reduces the risk of death in men with Metabolic Syndrome

In a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, over 19,000 men were recruited to determine the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and mortality risk in healthy men and those with metabolic syndrome.

The study group, which included about 3,800 men with metabolic syndrome, were evaluated for fitness and then followed for up to 17 years. Healthy men who were out of shape at the beginning of the study were three times as likely as their fit peers to die of cardiovascular disease.

While men with metabolic syndrome were 89 percent more likely than healthy men to die of heart disease over the years, men with metabolic syndrome who were unfit had twice the death rate as their fit counterparts.

According to the researchers, "This study strengthens the argument for aggressive public health campaigns aimed at increasing physical activity levels in the population." Fitness, regardless of body weight, can provide a strong protective effect against premature death in men with metabolic syndrome as well as healthy men. Arch Intern Med 2004 May 24;164(10):1092-7

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Pam Dunwald, R.N. B.S.N.
Email: pamdunwald@yahoo.com

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Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Selenium and Colorectal Cancer Risk

Selenium and colorectal cancer risk
A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute has found that selenium intake may be related to a decreased risk of colorectal cancer. Researchers combined data from three randomized trials - the Wheat Bran Fiber trial, the Polyp Prevention Trial, and the Polyp Prevention Study - which tested the effects of various nutrients for colorectal adenoma prevention among patients who had recently had an adenoma removed.

Although adenomas themselves are not cancerous, they are generally predictive of colorectal cancer incidence. Analysis of this combined data showed that the group of individuals with the highest blood selenium levels had a significantly lower likelihood of developing a new adenoma compared with those in the lowest intake group. The association between higher selenium levels and reduced adenoma recurrence supports previous research indicating that higher selenium levels may be related to a decreased risk of developing colorectal cancer.

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Pam Dunwald, R.N.
Email: pamdunwald@yahoo.com

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Higher Cholesterol Levels Associated with Minor Strokes

Dr. Ladd McNamara has shared so much valuable information on the subject of
cholesterol and statin use. Adding just a little bit more to the fine article sent
out on this forum earlier is research which was in The August 30th, 2007 edition
of the Journal Stroke.

It is so ironic that a follow up of 652 stroke patients revealed that those with the
lowest levels of cholesterol were more likely to die than those with higher levels!

To think that lower cholesterol levels are actually found in patients who experience
major strokes vs. higher levels in patients with minor strokes.

I sent the research to Dr. McNamara who has posted it on his website and he included
the following comment:

Dr. McNamara: What this says is, the lower the cholesterol in this study the more
potentially fatal the stroke. The people with higher cholesterol levels had less severe
strokes than the people with low cholesterol levels.

Dr. Wentz has written a wonderful forward in Dr. McNamara's latest edition of the
Cholesterol Conspiracy which you can read: http://cholesterolconspiracy.blogspot.com/
It is a true scientist's explanation of the beneficial role of cholesterol.

Let's help spread the message of stroke prevention by adopting a healthy lifestyle and
using supplements that prevent LDL oxidation; Antioxidants! The Essentials and
HealthPak are loaded with the best quality antioxidants available.

In Health,

Joan Baumann

Stroke. 2007 Aug 30; Higher Total Serum Cholesterol Levels Are Associated With Less Severe Strokes and Lower All-Cause Mortality. Ten-Year Follow-Up of Ischemic Strokes in the Copenhagen Stroke Study.Olsen TS, Christensen RH, Kammersgaard LP, Andersen KK.From the Stroke Unit, Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, and the Department of Informatics and Mathematical Modeling, Section for Statistics, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Evidence of a causal relation between serum cholesterol and stroke is inconsistent. We investigated the relation between total serum cholesterol and both stroke severity and post stroke mortality to test the hypothesis that hypercholesterolemia is primarily associated with minor stroke.

METHODS: In the study, 652 unselected patients with ischemic stroke arrived at the hospital within 24 hours of stroke onset. A measure of total serum cholesterol was obtained in 513 (79%) within the 24-hour time window. Stroke severity was measured with the Scandinavian Stroke Scale (0=worst, 58=best); a full cardiovascular risk profile was established for all. Death within 10 years after stroke onset was obtained from the Danish Registry of Persons. RESULTS: Mean+/-SD age of the 513 patients was 75+/-10 years, 54% were women, and the mean+/-SD Scandinavian Stroke Scale score was 39+/-17. Serum cholesterol was inversely and almost linearly related to stroke severity: an increase of 1 mmol/L in total serum cholesterol resulted in an increase in the Scandinavian Stroke Scale score of 1.32 (95% CI, 0.28 to 2.36, P=0.013), meaning that higher cholesterol levels are associated with less severe strokes.

A survival analysis revealed an inverse linear relation between serum cholesterol and mortality, meaning that an increase of 1 mmol/L in cholesterol results in a hazard ratio of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.82 to 0.97, P=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study support the hypothesis that a higher cholesterol level favors development of minor strokes. Because of selection, therefore, major strokes are more often seen in patients with lower cholesterol levels. Post stroke mortality, therefore, is inversely related to cholesterol.

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More informaton can be found on nutritional medicine and use of supplements on Dr. Ladd's blog at: http://laddmcnamara.blogspot.com

Pam Dunwald, R.N.
Email: pamdunwald@yahoo.com

Friday, January 18, 2008

Are Meal Replacements Effective in a Weight Loss Program?

Weight control strategies that are both safe and effective are needed to reduce the rate of the current obesity epidemic.

In a recent study, people incorporating fortified meal replacements were more likely to have adequate essential nutrient intakes compared to a group following a more traditional food group diet. Dietary supplements and fortified meal replacements help ensure nutritional adequacy during energy-restricted diets for weight loss Weight control strategies that are both safe and effective are needed to reduce the rate of the current obesity epidemic.

A recent study compared the macronutrient and micronutrient levels in the foods chosen by women following two different weight reduction programs. Ninety-six generally healthy overweight or obese women randomly placed into two treatment groups: Traditional Food Group (TFG) or a Meal Replacement Group (MRG). The MRG included the use of 1-2 meal replacement drinks or bars per day.

Both groups aimed to restrict energy levels to approximately 1,300 calories per day. After one year, weight loss was not significantly different between the groups, and both groups had macronutrient (Carbohydrate:Protein:Fat) ratios that were within the ranges recommended.

Both groups experienced an improved dietary pattern with respect to decreased saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, with increased total servings/day of fruits and vegetables. However, the TFG had a significantly lower dietary intake of several vitamins and minerals compared to the MRG and was at greater risk for inadequate intake.

Although both groups successfully lost weight while improving overall dietary adequacy, the group incorporating fortified meal replacements tended to have a more adequate essential nutrient intake compared to the group following a more traditional food group diet. This study supports the need to incorporate fortified foods and/or dietary supplements while following an energy- restricted diet for weight loss. Nutr J. 2007 Jun 25;6:12

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Pam Dunwald, R.N.
Email: pamdunwald@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.pamdunwald.com

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Soy-Based Low Calorie Diets More Effective at Reducing Weight and Fat Improving Favorable Blood Cholesterol Measurements

When compared to traditional low- calorie diets, soy-based low-calorie diets are more effective at reducing body weight and fat and improving favorable blood cholesterol measurements.

Effectiveness of a soy-based diet (compared with a traditional low-calorie diet) on weight loss and lipid levels in overweight adults.

The effects of a soy-based low-calorie diet on weight control, body composition, and blood lipid profiles (compared with a traditional low-calorie diet) were recently studied. Normally healthy obese adults were randomized to two groups.

The soy-based low-calorie group consumed soy protein as the only protein source, and the traditional low-calorie group consumed two-thirds animal protein and the rest plant protein. Both diets contained approximately 1200 calories and were maintained for 8 weeks.

Body weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist circumference decreased significantly in both groups. The decrease in body fat percentage in the soy group was greater than that in the traditional group. Serum total cholesterol concentrations, LDL cholesterol concentrations, and liver function parameters decreased in the soy-based group and were significantly different from measurements in the traditional diet group.

No significant change in triglycerides, HDL cholesterol levels, and fasting glucose levels was found either group. Based on these results, soy-based low-calorie diets can significantly decrease serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol concentrations and have a greater effect on reducing body fat percentage than traditional low-calorie diets. Nutrition 2007 Jul-Aug;23(7-8):551-6.

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Pam Dunwald, R.N.
Healthy Options, ltd, LLC

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Cardiovascular Benefits of Magnesium are Similar to Statin Pharmaceuticals‏

Cardiovascular benefits of magnesium are similar to statin pharmaceuticals

A review published in the October 2004 issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition has found that many cardiovascular benefits of magnesium parallel those of statin drugs.

Statins are a class of drugs commonly prescribed for individuals with elevated cholesterol levels, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The researchers discuss the fact that both statin drugs and magnesium can inactivate the enzyme responsible for the first step in cholesterol formation and improve the function of blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and provide other cardiovascular benefits.

Magnesium, however, is also involved in the activity of another enzyme known as LCAT, which helps elevate beneficial HDL cholesterol levels while reducing unhealthy LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. In addition, magnesium is necessary for the enzyme that converts linoleic acid and linolenic acid into compounds that reduce inflammation.

Furthermore, optimal levels of magnesium within the cell are a natural calcium channel blocker, which helps dilate the blood vessels. Because of its many cardiovascular benefits, relatively low cost, and good safety profile, the researchers suggest that increasing magnesium could be a viable alternative for those who cannot or choose not to take statin drugs.

Note: If you are currently taking a statin drug to lower cholesterol, do not discontinue its use except on the advice of your physician. This information is not meant to imply that magnesium supplements should replace all statin drugs. However, adequate magnesium is very important for cardiovascular health, especially for those at risk for coronary artery disease.

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Pam Dunwald, R.N.
Healthy Options, ltd, LLC