Guest guest Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 " HSI - Jenny Thompson " <HSIResearch HSI e-Alert - Line of Defense Fri, 24 Jun 2005 12:05:57 -0400 HSI e-Alert - Line of Defense Health Sciences Institute e-Alert **************************************************** June 24, 2005 Dear Reader, If you live just a few miles north of Quito, Ecuador, the equator may run right through your back yard. In that case, you probably get enough daily sun exposure to qualify as one of the least vitamin D deficient people on Earth. The downside: You might easily get too much sun. Last week, in the e-Alert " No Shrinking Violet " (6/14/05), I told you about research that indicates the amount of sun exposure we need in order for the body to manufacture adequate amounts of vitamin D. And in that same e-Alert I noted the three nutrients that relieve stress to the skin (vitamins C and E, and folic acid) and could even help prevent the development of skin cancer. But for many, the time for initial precautions long passed; those sunburns they experienced as children in Ecuador, or Phoenix, or Miami, or any spot on the globe where sunshine is abundant, laid the groundwork for precancerous lesions. For these folks the nutrients mentioned above are still very important. But if another vitamin is added, there's a chance that skin cancer can still be avoided. ----------- Covering the spread ----------- When skin is damaged by occasional sunburns the stage is set for the development of actinic keratoses (AK) later in life. AK shows up as lesions that are precursors of the two most common types of cancer: nonmelanoma squamous cell or basal cell cancer. More than a million new cases of these cancers are diagnosed in the U.S. every year. But a new study demonstrates that if you're one of the millions who have AK skin damage, you may substantially lower your risk of developing skin cancer by increasing your intake of vitamin A. In the journal Clinical Cancer Research, scientists at the Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona (UA), note that a previous study conducted at UA showed that vitamin A supplements significantly reduced the risk of squamous cell skin cancer in patients with moderately severe AK. The vitamin A dose used in that study was 25,000 IU. So the UA team designed another study to test higher doses for both safety and efficacy. Nearly 130 subjects with severely sun-damaged skin on their forearms were divided into four groups to receive daily doses of 25,000, 50,000, or 75,000 IU of vitamin A, or a placebo. Biopsies were conducted on the damaged skin of each patient before the study period began, and again one year later at the end of the study. The effects of vitamin A supplementation were dramatic: * Placebo subjects: 25 percent had less skin damage when their pre-test and post-test biopsies were compared * 25,000 IU subjects: 65 percent had less skin damage * 50,000 IU subjects: 81 percent had less skin damage * 75,000 IU subjects: 79 percent had less skin damage Needless to say, the researchers concluded that 50,000 IU of vitamin A is the maximum daily dose required for the most effective protection for sun-damaged skin. No significant toxic reactions were reported in any of the four groups. ----------- It's an A thing ----------- Vitamin A is essential to the health of your eyes, bones, skin and immune system. Growth and healing also benefit from the antioxidants that this key vitamin supplies. Here are some vitamin A basics: * Fruits and vegetables with orange and yellow coloring, and green leafy vegetables contain beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A * The body poorly converts beta-carotene into vitamin A * The best source of vitamin A is animal products, such as eggs and liver * Cod liver oil is an excellent natural source of vitamin A * The problems with vitamin A toxicity are associated with supplements of synthetic vitamin A taken in high doses Studies show that smokers with a high intake of beta-carotene are at greater risk of developing lung cancer. As for just about everyone else, it's almost impossible to overdo vitamin A consumption, according to HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D. In fact, Dr. Spreen tells me there are only about two-dozen recorded cases of people who took too much vitamin A and suffered any distress whatsoever. Dr. Spreen suggests that 10,000 IU of beta-carotene vitamin A per day is adequate for most people. If you have questions about vitamin A, consult with your doctor or a dependable nutritionist to determine a dosage that's right for you. **************************************************** ....and another thing Green tea has become a Big Kahuna of alternative health care in the past few years. But if you love your black tea and just don't want to give it up, don't be concerned that you're making an unhealthy choice. The American Journal of Cardiology has published a study from Japan's Osaka City University, in which researchers used ultrasound technology to examine the effects of black tea on coronary blood flow. Ten male subjects drank either black tea or a beverage infused with caffeine. Those who drank black tea had a significant increase in coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) about two hours after tea time, compared to the men who drank the caffeinated beverage. A good CFVR profile indicates that the heart is healthy enough to respond well when increased blood flow is required. The researchers believe that black tea flavonoids may help promote elasticity in the lining of blood vessels. In spite of the modest size of the study, the Osaka researchers were confident enough in their findings to state: " Acute black tea consumption improves coronary vessel function, as determined by CFVR. " I'm not sure " acute " was exactly the right word here - possibly something was lost in translation. Let's just say it appears that regular consumption of black tea may help keep your blood vessels young and springy. To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson Health Sciences Institute **************************************************** Sources: " Safety and Efficacy of Dose-Intensive Oral Vitamin A in Subjects with Sun-Damaged Skin " Clinical Cancer Research, Vol. 10, No. 6, 3/15/04, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov " Vitamin A: Natural Skin Repair from Sun Damage " Maureen Williams, ND, Healthnotes Newswire, 6/24/04, pccnaturalmarkets.com " Black Tea Increases Coronary Flow Velocity Reserve in Healthy Male Subjects " American Journal of Cardiology, Vol. 93, No. 11, 6/1/04, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov " Black Tea May Help Get Blood Circulating " Amy Norton, Reuters Health, 6/23/04, reutershealth.com ****************** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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