Senior individuals with low levels of vitamin D are more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, which increases the risk for diabetes and heart diseases.

Researchers from the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam state that insufficient amounts of vitamin D in seniors may be one of leading causes of metabolic syndrome.

The study involved 1,300 respondents (men and women) over the age of 65. A staggering 50% of all the respondents had vitamin D deficiency. Thirty-five percent of this segment of the respondents of the study had metabolic syndrome.

According to Dr. Marelise Eekhoff, co-author of the metabolic syndrome study, the findings of the study is significant because metabolic syndrome actually predisposes a person to other degenerative conditions like adult-onset/type-2 diabetes and heart problems.

Universal medical problem

In another study published in the medical journal Diabetes in the United States, it was found that 40% of elderly Chinese persons had metabolic syndrome because of the same vitamin deficiency.

In earlier animal studies, it was observed that test animals that had vitamin D deficiency had difficulty in producing and secreting insulin, which is necessary for the breakdown and utilization of blood glucose.

Dr. Eekhoff states that logically, increasing vitamin D in the body through supplementation and proper exposure to natural sunlight can help prevent metabolic syndrome and all of the medical maladies associated with the condition.

Getting enough of the vitamin

The National Academy of Sciences recommends that every person have at least 200 IU of vitamin D everyday to reduce risk of disease and to promote general wellness. For maximum benefits, 800 IU to 1000 IU can be used safely; the upper limit for vitamin D supplementation is 2000 IU everyday.

The following may cause vitamin D deficiency:

1. You don’t get enough vitamin D over a very long period of time (e.g. for years).

2. You don’t go outside to expose yourself to natural sunlight regularly.

3. Darker skins have reduced capacities to produce vitamin D.

4. Your kidneys are unable to help manufacture the vitamin naturally. This problem is more common in seniors than in younger individuals.

5. The digestive tract is unable to absorb available vitamin D in the body.

6. Obesity can also reduce the body’s capacity to use vitamin D, since fat cells leech the available vitamin D. People with a BMI of thirty or higher often have vitamin D deficiency.

Dire consequence of vitamin deficiency

What happens when you don’t have vitamin D? Here are just some of the problems associated with vitamin D deficiency:

1. Vitamin D deficiency, according to recent research, has been linked to higher risk of high blood pressure and other heart-related problems.

2. Vegetarians who shun dairy products and eggs may be at risk for vitamin D deficiency. If you are a vegan, you can easily supplement your diet with vitamin D by taking small amounts of fish liver oils.

3. The most common problem associated with not getting enough vitamin D is rickets, which cause soft bone formation and a deformed skeletal system.

4. Older adults may suffer from cognitive impairment if they lack sufficient vitamin D.

5. Children with low levels of vitamin D are predisposed to severe forms of asthma.

6. The risk for nearly all types of cancer increases with vitamin D deficiency, including breast cancer (according to one US study) and colorectal cancer.

7. Children vitamin D deficiency may suffer from slow growth.

8. According to Michael Holick MD from the Boston Medical Center, extreme vitamin D deficiency predisposes a pregnant woman to deliver via caesarean section (C-section).

9. In a study headed by researchers from the SUNY Upstate Medical University in New York, insufficient amounts of vitamin D in women can cause pelvic floor disorders and urinary incontinence.

10. Persons recovering from post-traumatic brain injury with vitamin D deficiencies are more at risk for chronic fatigue, says a study from Rijnstate Hospital in The Netherlands.

11. According to researchers from the Heart Institute of the Intermountain Medical Center, people with low levels of the vitamin are 77% likelier to die from a stroke.

12. Type 2 diabetics suffering from poor blood glucose control may be suffering from vitamin D deficiency, as well.

Sources:
nutraingredients.com
mayoclinic.com
webmd.com
webmd.com
webmd.com
webmd.com
webmd.com
sciencedaily.com
sciencedaily.com
sciencedaily.com

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A decade old drug for leukemia, Mylotarg, has been proven to cause more deaths than no leukemia treatments at all.

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is finally removing a leukemia drug in the market, Mylotarg, after studies showed that the drug actually caused four times more mortalities than having no treatment at all.

In addition to a higher mortality rate for patients who trusted Mylotarg, it was also found that the drug produced very little or no benefits when used as a treatment.

Deadly “fast-tracking”

This unfortunate series of events can be traced perhaps to how the drug Mylotarg was approved in the first place. A decade ago, Pfizer approached the US Food and Drug Authority with the new drug for leukemia. The FDA was then implementing a new abbreviated or “fast-track” process of approving new drugs.

Mylotarg was one of the drugs that were approved using this abbreviated approval process, which did not require extensive clinical trials. With a clinical trial that involved only 140+ patients and little other proof of effectiveness, Pfizer was given the go signal to release the drug in the international market; indeed, with dire consequences.

The dire statistics are all we need to see why Mylotarg was finally pulled from the market: 5.7% of all Mylotarg patients died after undergoing treatment. Leukemia patients who did not receive Mylotarg or any other treatment have a mortality rate of 1.4%.

Alongside the withdrawal of Mylotarg from the international market, Pfizer has also withdrawn support for an experimental new drug for osteoarthritis called Tanezumab. Tanezumab was supposed to be prescribed for pain caused by osteoarthritis. Shockingly, Tanezubam actually caused more problems for people who had osteoarthritis.

The use of the experimental drug in clinical trials led to full joint replacement procedures and worsening osteoarthritic conditions. Tanezubam was due for the final stage of testing before FDA approval. An estimated annual revenue of $100 million was expected if the drug was approved (good thing it wasn’t approved!).

What is leukemia?

Leukemia is a devastating form of cancer that target blood-producing tissues in the body, including the marrow and even the lymph nodes (collectively, the lymphatic system). There are several types of leukemia; both children and adults can suffer from the disease.

The problem usually starts when the bone marrow begins producing abnormal white blood cells – more than what the body can handle.

The body has its own system of dealing with malignant and abnormal cells. When cancer occurs, this internal system is defeated. Cells that normally commit cellular suicide become ‘immortal cells’ and ‘forget’ to die naturally, as they should to keep the balance in the body.

Some of the general symptoms of leukemia include:

• Tenderness or pain present in the bones
• Night sweats
• Petechiae or abnormal red spotting of the skin
• Person easy bleeds or easily bruises
• Lymph nodes become swollen
• Uncontrollable weight loss
• Frequently bodily infections
• Fatigue
• Bodily weakness
• Fevers
• Chills

Handling leukemia naturally

The body can be strengthened to fight off this type of cancer naturally:

1. Traditional Ayurvedic medicine recommends a diet of fruit, green salads and vegetables to combat infection in the body and to help purify the body of toxins (this is actually backed by medical science; fruits and vegetables are full of fiber, vitamins, minerals and fiber that all come together to fight off infection and restore balance in the body).

2. Leukemia patients should stay away from stressful situations. Relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation are recommended for natural strengthening of the immune and lymphatic system.

3. Leukemia patients often suffer from a type of anemia; in such cases, B-complex and iron supplements are recommended to help the body restore the iron content of red blood cells.

4. Folic acid deficiency can result from conventional treatments for leukemia, so folic acid supplementation is also important if the patient is already undergoing chemotherapy or other conventional cancer treatments.

5. During the onset of the disease and treatment, leukemia patients are often prone to infections (primarily because leukemia attacks white blood cells, the body’s natural defense).

High doses of vitamin C can help strengthen the body’s immune function. It is also an effective antioxidant, which reduces cellular damage from free radicals. Vitamin E can also be taken as a protective measure against the side effects of treatment.

6. Chlorella supplementation may be explored to increase the production of healthy blood cells. In addition to increasing healthy blood cell production, chlorella also fights off the growth of cancerous cells in the body, which is very important when a person is fighting off leukemia.

7. Garlic can help fight off infections and can also protect the body from further ravages of cancerous cells. Since leukemia patients have sensitive digestive tracts, garlic supplementation may be explored. Don’t forget to consult with your healthcare provider before trying this.

8. According to the A.P. John Institute for Cancer Research, the following can help control the growth of cancerous blood cells and manipulate the cancer-forming process: vitamin B6, parsely, vitamin D, extract of green tea, why protein, grits, calcium D-glucurate, D-limonene (can be sourced from citrus fruits), niacin, choline, selenium, perilla oil, super miraforte, resveratrol, indole-3 carbinol, melatonin, pantothenic acid, licorice root.

Sources:
articles.mercola.com
herbs2000.com
mayoclinic.com
ayurvedic-medicines.com
apjohncancerinstitute.org

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Regular intake of table sugar and fruit sugars have been linked to increased blood pressure, study says.

Based on a new study from the National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey, regular intake of table sugar or fruit sugars can increase a person’s risk of doubling his risk of dramatically increasing his systolic blood pressure above the 160 mark. Normal systolic blood pressure should be no more than 120.

Growing body of evidence

According to one of the researchers, Michael Chonchol MD from the University of Colorado in Denver, systolic blood pressure really is the determining factors when it comes to determining health outcomes.

Though more research is needed for a more conclusive statement regarding the connection between sugar intake and high blood pressure, the American Heart Association has already released a formal statement that said that an emerging body of studies is pointing at the potential lead role of sugar in high blood pressure.

As such, people should limit their intake of food with added fruit sugars or table sugar to reduce their risk of developing hypertension.

Lowering blood pressure naturally

You don’t have to be dependent all your life on heart medications. If you want to lower your blood pressure naturally today, you can do that. Follow our steps on lowering your blood pressure naturally:

1. Eat foods that are high in soluble fiber, fruits, anti-oxidant rich vegetables, low-fat dairy products (such as yogurt and skim milk) and low in saturated fat.

Limit your intake of red meats as well and limit your intake of processed foods and frozen deserts to reduce your sugar intake. It is also recommended that people reduce their intake of soda and other sugary drinks to limit your intake of corn syrup and similar sweeteners.

2. Salt intake should be no more than 2,400 milligrams daily. Check the labels of your food products at home to check just how much sodium is going into your body whenever you eat dinner or snack on a bag of chips or cookies.

Some sports drinks also have sodium added (as ‘electrolytes’). This form of sodium can also raise your blood pressure. If you think your regular diet is sodium-rich, you have to balance your body’s chemistry by adding more potassium to your diet.

Potassium-rich foods include bananas, avocado, etc. When you are doing your grocery shopping, choose low-salt alternatives to regular processed foods.

When cooking food at home, always add salt at the end of the cooking process so you would need to add only a very small amount (if it all). The healthier alternative would of course to replace salt with spices and non-salt based flavorings.

3. Exercise at least thirty minutes every day (for a total of 150 minutes of conventional/traditional exercise every week). Weight loss equivalent to 10 pounds can already produce dramatic reductions in blood pressure.

Three types of exercise are recommended for weight loss and blood pressure reduction efforts: stretching, cardiovascular exercises (also known as aerobic exercise) and strengthening exercises. Remember, there are three phases for every exercise: warm-up, conditioning and cool-down.

4. Alcohol consumption should also be reduced to two drinks everyday or less (or none!). Women should have no more than one drink per day to control blood pressure. One serving is equivalent to twelve ounces of regular beer, five ounces of wine (any type of wine) or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquors.

5. You have to lower your cholesterol level too, if you want to permanently reduce your blood pressure. You can do this by eating more fiber, exercising more and avoiding foods that have been loaded with saturated fats. You can also stock up on potent antioxidants known as polyphenols by drinking green tea. Nuts are also rich in antioxidants and can naturally lower your bad cholesterol level.

Sources:
nytimes.com
webmd.com
webmd.com
webmd.com
webmd.com
webmd.com

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Resveratrol may help diabetics overcome eye damage by preventing the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eyes.

In a recent study by researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine, it was found that resveratrol, a key compound in red wine and fresh foods such as peanuts and fresh grapes, may be able to save the diabetics from vision loss in the near future.

Published in the American Journal of Pathology, researchers stated that the compound can reverse the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eyes (in animal studies).

Retinal damage was reduced when the blood vessel growth was regulated. According to Dr. Rajendra Apte, this is a very novel way of looking at resveratrol because for many years, laymen and scientists studied and used resveratrol for its heart-healthy benefits and antioxidant content.

The study

While many people are confident of resveratrol’s ability to protect the heart and slow aging, few have looked at this compound for its ability to protect the eyes, especially in the face of age-related macular degeneration and type 2 diabetes-related eye damage.

Rajte’s study involved using lasers on the retinas of laboratory mice. The laser treatment encouraged the growth of additional blood vessels in the eyes of the animal subjects. When the abnormal vessels began to form, the mice were regular feedings of resveratrol.

The researchers observed that resveratrol was able to slow down the current growth of the blood vessels as well as inhibit further formation of additional blood vessels. The beneficial effects of the compound was identified in the chemical pathway eEF2.

While there was a measure of success in animal trials, Rajte added that the doses that were given to the mice were much higher than what was found in numerous bottles of regular red wine. Because of this, Dr. Rajte noted that if this approach was used on humans, then resveratrol must be given in its complete/full form in order to work effectively. I personally recommend Nature’s Way, because that’s the brand of resveratrol supplement I use.

Other benefits of taking resveratrol

Resveratrol can be sourced from fresh food, red wine and supplements. If you want a fuller dose and more convenient packaging, supplements are of course a good choice.

Three to five half-servings of red wine per week are also good. Don’t overdo it though; excessive use of alcohol is bad for the health. But as for resveratrol, the more you can get, the better the results. If you can get at least 2,000 milligrams per day, you are that much closer to reaping the full benefits of the compound.

And here are some other reasons to love resveratrol:

• It is a natural anti-inflammatory agent, which may help individuals with chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, etc.

• Resveratrol also has been studied for its direct, anti-viral activities.

• Resveratrol has been reported to have anti-cancer properties. In addition to its antioxidant activities, resveratrol also initiates the death of cancerous cells. The problem with cancer cells is that they literally forget how to naturally die – which makes the abnormal cells malignant and dangerous to the human body. Resveratrol takes care of this problem by triggering natural cell death called apoptosis.

• Resveratrol may also be useful in combating Alzheimer’s disease by protecting the body’s nerves from physical damage and build-up of plaque.

• In addition to eye health, resveratrol can also help diabetics by improving cell sensitivity to insulin. Insulin production is not always the main problem with many type-2 diabetics; sometimes, the diabetics are producing enough insulin but the body’s cells are not responding to the natural insulin, which causes a host of problems.

• If you want something to aid in weight loss, forget hyped-up supplements – take resveratrol instead. According to studies, this compound can help people lose weight by initiating caloric restriction in the body.

• Resveratrol may also help reduce the incidence of breast cancer by inhibiting the interaction between the female hormone estrogen and the human DNA, according to a study performed by researchers from the University of Nebraska.

• According to an animal study from the University of South Florida, resveratrol may help people suffering from fatty liver by enhancing fat metabolism in this vital organ.

Sources:
nutraingredients.com
webmd.com
webmd.com
webmd.com
webmd.com
webmd.com

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Two articles, with Open Access (OA) to the full text (PDF):

Putative cancer stem cells in malignant pleural mesothelioma show resistance to cisplatin and pemetrexed, Int J Oncol 2010(Aug); 37(2): 437-44. [PubMed citation].

Possible involvement of stem-like populations with elevated ALDH1 in sarcomas for chemotherapeutic drug resistance, Oncol Rep 2010(Aug); 24(2): 501-5. [PubMed citation].

Comment about these journals:

Spandidos Publications publishes six journals. Of these six, two are: International Journal of Oncology (2009 Impact Factor: 2.4) and Oncology Reports (2009 Impact Factor: 1.6). This publisher provides a hybrid open access option. The Information for Authors for all six journals includes, at the bottom of the page, this information: “Should authors prefer or require their article to be freely available as soon as it has been published, they may request open access immediately upon publication for a fee of EUR 450.”