Guest guest Posted August 4, 2003 Report Share Posted August 4, 2003 Sun, 3 Aug 2003 22:44:28 -0500 HSI - Jenny Thompson Chew On This Chew On This Health Sciences Institute e-Alert August 4, 2003 ************************************************************** Dear Reader, Brushing your teeth could save your life. That may sound like an exaggeration, but it's not. Especially if your teeth and gums are cleaned on a regular basis by a dental hygienist. In the e-Alert " Revealing the Matrix " (5/21/03) I told you how good oral hygiene has been shown to help prevent pneumonia, the disease responsible for more than 60,000 fatalities each year. According to studies published in the Journal of Periodontology and the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, bacteria that develop along the gum line often accumulate in the throat. When your immune system is not performing at an optimal level, this can create respiratory problems such as pneumonia. The health of your teeth and gums may also have a direct effect on the health of your heart. This isn't really news - since the late 90's we've seen growing evidence that periodontal disease (an advanced form of gum inflammation) may be linked to an increased risk of heart disease. But research now shows that in addition to diligent brushing and flossing, using supplements of an important amino acid could provide another very effective defense against periodontal disease, and, in turn, pneumonia and heart disease. ----------------------------- Down in the crevice ----------------------------- A recent study conducted at the University of Birmingham in the UK examined 20 subjects - 10 with healthy gums, and 10 with advanced gum disease. From each subject, researchers took samples of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), a fluid within the gums that is routinely released from the crevices under the teeth. All of the subjects with healthy gums were shown to have high levels of the antioxidant glutathione, while the subjects with periodontal disease had substantially lower levels of glutathione. When blood serum levels were tested for glutathione, the same disparity was recorded for the two groups. The fact that this study tested for glutathione (as opposed to any number of other antioxidants) is significant. In the e- Alert " The Workhorse " (1/9/03) we took an in-depth look at glutathione - an enormously effective antioxidant found in every cell of the body, most notably in immune system cells. Glutathione has not only been shown to protect against disease, but may also protect other antioxidants (such as vitamins C and E) from oxidizing, prolonging and enhancing their effectiveness. ----------------------------- Which came first... ? ----------------------------- But while the UK study results would indicate that boosting glutathione levels might help prevent and control periodontal disease, other questions remain. The researchers wondered, for instance, if lower levels of glutathione directly contribute to gum disease, or if free radicals, produced by gum disease inflammation, depletes the stores of glutathione. The answer may very likely be " yes " on both counts, but we'll have to wait for further research before we have definitive answers. The word that jumps out here is, " inflammation. " A 1997 study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill revealed that patients with advanced gum disease, who had also suffered heart attacks, all showed significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) than heart attack survivors who did not have gum disease. This isn't a surprise, inasmuch as we've seen before that elevated CRP is a key marker for inflammation. But it does establish further evidence linking periodontal disease and heart disease. In the e-Alert " Burst of Inflammation " (11/21/02), I told you about a study that showed how the levels of C-reactive protein have been recognized as an important marker of heart disease risk. Taken together, these studies add further circumstantial evidence to a cycle of cause and effect that goes like this: A low level of the antioxidant glutathione may be associated with periodontal disease; periodontal disease is characterized by inflammation; inflammation brings up CRP levels; elevated CRP levels may indicate a risk of heart disease; a risk of heart disease may be reduced by an increased intake of antioxidants; and elevated levels of the antioxidant glutathione may help prevent periodontal disease. Is anybody else a little dizzy? ----------------------------- Protection & prevention ----------------------------- Later this year the final results are due from a major National Institutes of Health study about the connection between periodontal health and heart disease. In the meantime, the UK study offers promising evidence that antioxidants (and specifically glutathione) may prove to be an important defense against periodontal disease. So, what's the best way to raise glutathione levels? One way NOT to do it is by oral supplement. Taking glutathione orally is regarded as ineffective because the molecules are too big to pass through the intestinal walls to the blood stream. There is, however, an important amino acid I've told you about in previous e-Alerts, called N-acetylcysteine (NAC) that gives a powerful boost to your body's natural production of glutathione. Supplements of NAC are available in health food stores and through Internet providers. The typical dosage ranges from 250-600 mg daily, unless a specific problem (such as bronchitis) calls for higher dosage. (As always, consult with your doctor or health care provider before taking a new supplement - especially in high doses.) The food sources that deliver glutathione precursors are meats and fresh fruits and vegetables. But even with a diet high in the proteins that supply glutathione amino acids, one of those amino acids - cysteine - is more difficult than the others to come by. A natural food component with high concentrations of glutathione precursors (including cysteine) is milk-serum-protein concentrate - more simply known as whey. If you've been diagnosed with periodontal disease, or if you're currently undergoing treatment for it, share this information with all of your health care providers - physician, dentist, periodontist - knowing that an important key to both gum and heart health may be as simple as enhancing your production of glutathione and increasing your intake of other antioxidants. ************************************************************** ... and another thing Want to boost the effectiveness of one of the most critical vitamins in your diet? In last week's e-Alert " Icing the Pizza " (7/30/03), HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., gave us a mini-seminar on the different types of vitamin E. He mentioned in passing that the effect of vitamin E is enhanced with an additional supplement of the mineral selenium. So what would be the ideal daily dosage of these two supplements for the optimal combined effect? Here are Dr. Spreen's guidelines for vitamin E and selenium intake: " The 'standard' is usually 400 iu (international units) of vitamin E and 200 mcg (micrograms) of selenium for general antioxidant protection. In athletes or in the presence of heart disease I'd take people higher than that. You can get too much selenium, and I'd always stay under 1,000 mcg (personally I never went above 400 mcg). " Vitamin E is so non-toxic that the dose is difficult to determine. Heart disease patients can go up to 2,400 iu or higher (though technically 'iu' only exists relative to the alpha form, not the other forms). " Finally, those starting out with vitamin E should begin with small amounts and work up. Occasionally the nutrient can be so stimulating to the heart muscle that there can be a transient increase in blood pressure, so your health care practitioner should monitor. " My thanks to Dr. Spreen for rounding out our mini-seminar on Vitamin E. To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson Health Sciences Institute ************************************************************** Sources: " Glutathione In Gingival Crevicular Fluid and its Relation to Local Antioxidant Capacity in Periodontal Health and Disease " Journal of Clinical Pathology, Molecular Pathology, 2002;55:367-373; mp.bmjjournals.com " Antioxidants Missing in Mouths with Gum Disease " Alison McCook, Reuters Health, 11/26/02, reuters.com " New Research Finds Link Between Gum Disease, Acute Heart Attacks " David Williamson, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 11/8/00, unc.edu/news " Periodontal Disease Index " Family Gentle Dental Care, dentalgentlecare.com/gum_disease Copyright ©1997-2003 by www.hsibaltimore.com, L.L.C. The e-Alert may not be posted on commercial sites without written permission. ************************************************************** Before you hit reply to send us a question or request, please click here http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/questions.html ************************************************************** ************************************************************** If you'd like to participate in the HSI Forum, search past e-Alerts and products or you're an HSI member and would like to search past articles, visit http://www.hsibaltimore.com ************************************************************** To learn more about HSI, call (203) 699-4416 or visit http://www.agora-inc.com/reports/HSI/WHSID618/home.cfm. ************************************************************** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2003 Report Share Posted December 4, 2003 Thu, 4 Dec 2003 07:58:48 -0500 HSI - Jenny Thompson Chew On This Chew On This Health Sciences Institute e-Alert December 4, 2003 ************************************************************** Dear Reader, Enzymes are vitally important for all the functions of your body, beginning with every bite of food you eat. And right there is where most of the problems start. Fortunately there are simple steps you can take to help improve your enzyme deficiencies. And the first two steps could hardly be easier. ---------------------------- Cooked & swallowed ---------------------------- Enzymes are proteins required to facilitate every chemical interaction in the body. In fact, none of the metabolic functions of the body (such as the utilization of vitamins and minerals) would ever occur without enzymes. Unfortunately, most people who follow a western diet virtually starve their bodies of enzymes by eating processed or cooked foods almost exclusively. When food is heated at a sustained temperature of more than 120 degrees, all enzymes are destroyed. Enzymes in saliva help the cause, but most people don't chew their food well enough to properly start off the digestive process. So most of the food we eat reaches the stomach without the benefit of enzymes, which means it's not properly pre-digested. Then the trouble starts. To compensate for the lack of pre-digestion, stomach acids are over-produced, which can cause heartburn or acid reflux. But in spite of the stomach's best efforts, food that's still not properly digested reaches the small intestine. This puts a large amount of stress on the pancreas and the endocrine system in general to provide reserves of enzymes. When this stress is repeated day after day, the pancreas suffers. According to HSI Panelist Jon Barron: " Recent studies have shown that virtually 100% of people on the typical 'western' diet have an enlarged pancreas by the time they are 40. " As I mentioned above, the first two simple steps you can take to provide your body with sufficient enzymes and assist your digestion are easy: 1) Eat plenty of whole, fresh, uncooked foods, and 2) Take care to chew your food well. But beyond these measures, there's still more you can do to boost enzyme activity in your body. ---------------------------- Fighting inflammation ---------------------------- In the December 2003 HSI Members Alert, contributing writer Jennifer Arnold explains the importance of an enzyme called Seaprose-S. Seaprose-S is a specific type of enzyme (known as proteolytic or protease) that breaks down proteins and regulates their function. This enzyme is a key to several important tasks, including the reduction of inflammation and the elimination of mucous. Studies have shown that it may also be a natural antibiotic, capable of neutralizing dangerous bacteria like streptococcus. Research about supplementation with Seaprose-S is still limited, but Jennifer uncovered several studies that show promising results: * In a placebo-controlled Italian study of 20 bronchitis patients, Seaprose-S prompted significant improvements in bronchial inflammation and the viscosity of mucous * In a study of women who had just given birth, Seaprose-S was shown to effectively help reduce swelling and congestion of episiotomy and C-section wounds within the first day of treatment * Another study showed that Seaprose-S significantly reduced the pain, edema, cramping, and skin redness associated with inflammation of the veins, which may contribute to blood clot formation * And in an animal study, Seaprose-S demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity against arthritis, edema, pleurisy, and peritonitis (inflammation of the abdomen lining) ---------------------------- What your mom said ---------------------------- And whether or not you decide to add the extra protection of a supplement, be sure to follow the instructions that so many parents have given at the dinner table over the years: " It's not a race! Chew your food! " And of course it will help considerably if you're eating uncooked tomatoes, apples, spinach, bananas, asparagus, melon, romaine lettuce, etc. ************************************************************** To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/freecopy.html Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert. ************************************************************** ... and another thing An HSI member sent me this nutritional note that could explain quite a lot... . For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting medical studies. 1. Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. 2. Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. 3. Africans drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. 4. Italians drink large amounts of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. 5. Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you. To Your Good Health and... Go Ravens! Jenny Thompson Health Sciences Institute ************************************************************** Sources: " Beat Everything From Bronchitis to Blood Clots with Panelist's All-In-One Enzyme Therapy " Jennifer Arnold, HSI Members Alert, December 2003, hsibaltimore.com Copyright ©1997-2003 by www.hsibaltimore.com, L.L.C. The e-Alert may not be posted on commercial sites without written permission. ************************************************************** Before you hit reply to send us a question or request, please visit here http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/questions.html ************************************************************** If you'd like to participate in the HSI Forum, search past e-Alerts and products or you're an HSI member and would like to search past articles, visit http://www.hsibaltimore.com ************************************************************** To learn more about HSI, call (203) 699-4416 or visit http://www.agora-inc.com/reports/HSI/WHSID618/home.cfm. ************************************************************** If you want to end your HSI e-Alert subscription or you need to change your e-mail address, please follow the instructions below. Your changes will be effective immediately. However, if you do not follow the instructions below and simply hit reply instead, we may not receive your request and cannot assure you that it will be completed. ******* To manage your e-mail subscription, use our web interface at: http://www.agoramail.net/Home.cfm?List=hsiweb Or to end your e-mail subscription, send a blank e-mail to: hsiweb_unsub To cancel or for any other subscription issues, write us at: Order Processing Center Attn: Customer Service P.O. Box 925 Frederick, MD 21705 NEW WEB MESSAGE BOARDS - JOIN HERE. Alternative Medicine Message Boards.Info http://alternative-medicine-message-boards.info Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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