Beta-carotene risks over-stated
By Neil E. Levin, CCN, DANLA

A recent journal article pointed out the widely-reported danger of smokers using beta-carotene, a natural source (provitamin) of vitamin A, as part of their multivitamins. 1 In this meta-analysis the researchers have neglected to consider pre-existing dietary and serum levels of this nutrient, making their claim to control by placebo inadequate to properly isolate this variable. In fact, this failure to determine the effects of beta-carotene at a dose-dependent plasma level – and by neglecting to measure total beta-carotene intake along with the relevant synergistic antioxidants associated with it, as opposed to simply measuring supplemental intake - raises serious questions about the validity of these results.

http://www.radiomartie.com/archives/2009.shtml

Find me and listen at the link shown above. It will be posted this afternoon and available for listening as an archived program.

More evidence that antioxidant “dangers” are exaggerated (especially beta-carotene)

By Neil E. Levin, CCN, DANLA

In a study published in 2006, cancer researchers tested daily supplementation of 400 IU of vitamins E as alpha-tocopherol along with 50,000 IU (39 mg) of beta-carotene on 540 head and neck cancer patients for three years after treatment with radiation therapies. Due to safety concerns in previous trials (which I have repeatedly criticized in previous writings, for various reasons), the beta-carotene component was discontinued during the trial. During a median 6 ½ years of follow up, 179 of the patients died.

Single antioxidants have far less power than mixtures of synergistic dietary nutrients, and both dietary and supplemental antioxidants should be considered to determine total antioxidant status before undertaking a well-designed clinical trial. Even the ability of most animals to synthesize their own vitamin C, which is not possible in humans, guinea pigs and some fruit-eating bats, affects one’s antioxidant status. The failure of most nutrient/supplement trails to consider these additional and critical variables casts most such studies in doubt, and is undoubtedly responsible for the conflicting and confusing results of so-called “gold standard” studies that are tarnished by the common failure to consider both nutrient sources and how nutrients interact.

This link takes you to the website of the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/additives.htm

“Common substances found in vaccines include:
Aluminum gels or salts of aluminum which are added as adjuvants to help the vaccine stimulate a better response to the vaccine. Adjuvants help promote an earlier, more potent response, and more persistent immune response to the vaccine.
Antibiotics which are added to some vaccines to prevent the growth of germs (bacteria) during production and storage of the vaccine.
Egg protein is found in influenza and yellow fever vaccines, which are prepared using chicken eggs. Ordinarily, persons who are able to eat eggs or egg products safely can receive these vaccines.
Formaldehyde is used to inactivate bacterial products for toxoid vaccines, (these are vaccines that use an inactive bacterial toxin to produce immunity.) It is also used to kill unwanted viruses and bacteria that might contaminate the vaccine during production.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) and 2-phenoxy-ethanol which are used as stabilizers in a few vaccines to help the vaccine remain unchanged when the vaccine is exposed to heat, light, acidity, or humidity.
Thimerosal is a mercury-containing preservative that is added to vials of vaccine that contain more than one dose to prevent contamination and growth of potentially harmful bacteria.”

Dear Leah , Do you have a list of your low carbohydrate items? Not like meat, cheese and eggs, but things that are marketed as ” Low carb” like breads, cookies and pastas? Thanks and I love Ingles it’s always a pleasure to shop there - Jill
Dear Jill, No, we don’t have a list of low carb items because…what is low carb? There is no real definition. Are you doing this for a carbohydrate counting diet for diabetes? Are you following some other diet? Do you have an amount of carbohydrates you are aiming for per day?

Writen by Sharon Owen

Generally when we eat something and it makes us feel sick or break out in hives we say “I am allergic to that”.

Food allergies produce specific reactions. The immune system releases chemicals to fight what it perceives as something bad.

Food intolerance on the other hand can make you bloated or gassy. This is one of the symptoms of IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Every thing you eat is going to change your stool to some extent. However, if you have a change in consistency or frequency or mucus in the stool you probably have a food intolerance.

The most common causes of food intolerance are dairy and wheat.

To make it a littler harder on you, as we age, we become more intolerant of foods.

Writen by Kent Pinkerton

Cystic fibrosis vest is a device used in the physical therapy treatment of cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis causes mucus secretions that are very thick. The secretions in the lungs may lead to chronic pulmonary complications such as mucus plugging, persistent infection and tissue damage. Cystic fibrosis patients require daily airway clearance therapy to reduce these complications. Cystic fibrosis vest is an airway clearance system used to reduce pulmonary complications. Physicians prescribe 10-40 minutes for vest therapy per day.

The system includes an air pulse generator, a vest, connecting tubes, power cord and a remote control.

Writen by Kevin Stith

Food restrictions for patients with liver disease are prescribed by doctors or dieticians individually. Diets depend on the cause of disease and the stage of liver disease. Other conditions of the body, such as heart problems and diabetes, also need to be taken into consideration before dieting. In general, taking meals every two hours in small quantities is ideal for patients with liver disease. This makes it easier to digest and absorb food. Diets that aim at a balance of necessary nutrients are good for a damaged liver.

Quinine is kind of dangerous (real risk of multiple organ failure). It’s basically an old folk remedy lacking validity. In fact, the FDA banned the marketing of quinine in 1994 due to its toxicity and lack of evidence that it even helps with nocturnal leg cramps. (Procedings of Baylor University Medical Center, 2003 January; 16(1): 21–26. PMCID: PMC1200805)

Since 2007, the Food and Drug Administration has recommended that quinine be prescribed only for the prevention and treatment of malaria. For nocturnal leg cramps, “better to rely instead on stretching exercises to flex the legs before bedtime,” according to the Mayo Clinic, which also recommends drinking plenty of fluids and eating foods high in potassium.