Close on the heels of the publication of a study in the AMA journal Archives of Neurology linking the consumption of a Mediterranean diet to a lower risk of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease, an article published online on February 17, 2009 in the American Heart Association journal Circulation reports an association between greater adherence to a Mediterranean diet and a reduction in deaths from coronary heart disease and stroke in women.

Olive oil is a part of a typical Mediterranean diet

Teresa T. Fung of Simmons College in Boston along with colleagues at Harvard University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital evaluated data from 74,886 participants in the Nurses’ Health Study for the current analysis. Dietary questionnaires administered six times during the follow-up period were scored for adherence to the Mediterranean diet, which is characterized by a high intake of vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, legumes, fish, and monounsaturated fat, a low intake of saturated fat, red and processed meats, and moderate alcohol consumption (between 5 and 15 grams per day).

Over two decades of follow-up, 1,597 nonfatal and 794 fatal cases of coronary heart disease, and 1,480 nonfatal and 283 fatal strokes occurred. Women whose Mediterranean diet scores were in the top 20 percent of participants had a 29 percent lower adjusted risk of coronary heart disease, a 42 percent lower risk of fatal heart disease, a 13 percent lower risk of stroke, and a 31 percent lower risk of fatal stroke compared to women whose scores were among the lowest fifth. Combined coronary heart disease and stroke risk was lowered by 22 percent, and the risk of cardiovascular fatality by 39 percent, for those whose diet scores were in the top 20 percent.

Consumption of a Mediterranean diet has been associated with reductions in inflammatory markers (such as C-reactive protein), lipids and blood pressure, all of which increase cardiovascular disease risk when elevated. The beneficial effect of the diet on the vascular system may also explain the reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment observed in the Archives of Neurology study. The higher fish intake that characterizes the diet could explain, in part, the lower risk of fatal coronary heart disease events observed in the current study, since greater fish intake has been linked with a lower risk of death from heart disease.

“Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet, as reflected by a higher Alternate Mediterranean Diet Score, was associated with a lower risk of incident coronary heart disease and stroke in women,” the authors conclude. “Because this analysis is conducted in women and because it is the first report on the effects of Mediterranean diet on stroke, our results need to be replicated in other populations, especially men.”

From The Life Extension Foundation.

Findings from published scientific literature indicate that resveratrol may be the most effective plant extract for maintaining optimal health.

Image by Trish Hughes

Scientists have hypothesized that resveratrol may be a key component of the famous “French Paradox,” whereby the French traditionally were protected against heart disease despite a diet high in butter and animal fats. Resveratrol is a phytoalexin, a natural plant antibiotic which is produced by Vitis vinifera as a response to attack by molds. Because of the wide-spread use of pesticides in modern wine-making, including the practice of copper sulphation, the level of resveratrol in modern wines has plummeted. Red wine contains resveratrol, but the quantity varies depending on where the grapes are grown, the time of harvest, and other factors. In fact, usually only one to three mg resveratrol per liter of red wine is currently found, even in the most robust red wines. After years of relentless research, a standardized resveratrol extract is now available as a dietary supplement.

This whole grape extract contains a spectrum of polyphenols that are naturally contained in red wine such as proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, flavonoids, etc.

Based on studies that higher amounts of resveratrol may be beneficial, Life Extension offers a 100 mg standalone product.

We carry this product at the office. Ask about it at your next visit!

[From the Life Extension newsletter]

The October, 2008 issue of the journal Diabetes published the outcome of a study of middle-aged men and women which found that lower serum vitamin D levels were associated with an increase in the risk of developing insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar over a ten year follow up period.

Researchers at the Institute of Metabolic Science in Cambridge, England followed 524 nondiabetic participants in the Ely Study, a prospective study established in 1990. Upon enrollment, the vitamin D marker serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, serum parathyroid hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and other factors were measured, and personal health habits such as smoking status and physical activity levels were ascertained. Weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, plasma glucose, lipids, and fasting insulin were measured during the initial and ten year follow-up visits.

At the end of the follow-up period, having a higher serum vitamin D level was associated with a lower adjusted ten-year risk of elevated blood sugar, insulin resistance, and high metabolic syndrome score. An association between increased IGF-1 levels and metabolic syndrome risk observed in an earlier study was not noted in the current research.

The authors remark that the study’s findings add evidence to previously reported observations concerning vitamin D’s effect on metabolic syndrome risk. Possible mechanisms of vitamin D include direct effects on pancreatic beta cell secretory function, and indirect effects involving inflammatory processes. Additionally, insufficient vitamin D can elevate serum parathyroid hormone, which is associated with a reduction in insulin sensitivity in healthy individuals.

In an accompanying editorial, Robert Scragg of the University of Auckland in New Zealand asks the question, “Are we ready for a prevention trial?” In light of the dramatically rising diabetes rates worldwide and the mounting evidence for a role of vitamin D in the prevention of the disease, well-designed clinical trials involving vitamin D supplementation are needed to confirm vitamin D’s possible protective benefits. Dr Scragg notes that the dose of vitamin D administered in these trials needs to be at least 2,000 international units per day in order to raise serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels above 80 nanomoles per liter, a level at which diabetes risk is lowest. “If well-designed trials are carried out and confirm a protective effect from vitamin D, it could be used by the general population as a simple and cheap solution to help prevent the diabetes epidemic,” he concludes.

To learn more about Vitamin D and the role it plays in your body, visit the Life Extension Foundation.

Stumble It!

Many of the patients at this office are 50 or older, and naturally worry about the effects that aging has on their body, particularly their eyesight. Below is an excerpt from an article on protecting your eyes from age-related damage:

“By the age of 65 years, nearly one-third of adults will experience age-related damage to their eyesight. The leading cause of age-related central blindness is macular degeneration, which can rob us of the ability to read and see fine details. Cataracts are a frequent cause of damage to the crystalline lens of the eye, and can result in blindness.

Age-associated vision loss is not inevitable. In fact, nutrients like lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin provide critical antioxidant and light-filtering properties to the eye lens and macula—structures essential for clear vision. Not only do these nutrients guard against vision loss—growing evidence suggests they also protect against other ailments such as cancer and cognitive decline.

Although deteriorating vision is often accepted as an inevitable part of aging, we’re learning today that this does not have to happen. A remarkable number of clinical studies are teaching us how the most common causes of age-related vision loss can be prevented—if we take prompt action.

Scientists are finding that deficiencies in certain plant-derived compounds can cause vision to degrade over time. To understand just how these nutrients produce their benefits, let’s take a look at how humans usually lose their vision with age. Two major culprits are age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Both are potentially preventable if early action is taken. Nutrients like meso-zeaxanthin may even help reverse the most common form of blindness afflicting aging eyes.”

To read the rest of this article by Julius G. Goepp, MD, visit the Life Extension Foundation!

According to Jin Shin Jyutsu, Inc., the purpose of Jin Shin Jyutsu is to release the tensions that cause various physical symptoms. The body contains energy pathways that feed life into all cells. When one or more of these paths become blocked, the damming effect can lead to discomfort or pain. Jin Shin Jyutsu, like acupuncture and acupressure, reharmonizes and balances the energy flows.

The acronym for remembering the attitudes associated with each finger is “Get rid of Worry FAST.” W is for Worry (thumb), F for Fear (index), A for Anger (middle), S for Sadness (ring), and T for Trying To (little).

For each attitude, there is a “quickie” hold and a longer sequence. The “quickie” hold involves holding one finger with the fingers of the other hand. For example, to hold the left thumb, wrap all four fingers of your right hand around your left thumb. The longer sequence is a combination of fingers that you hold one after the other. For example, the longer sequence for Worry is to hold the thumb, then hold the middle finger, then hold the little finger.

How long should you hold a finger? If you have plenty of time, hold each finger until you feel a pulse arrive in the finger. If a finger is already pulsing strongly when you first touch it, hold the finger until the pulse calms down. Another way to hold the fingers is simply to hold each finger for two or more breaths. You will find this very meditative and relaxing. Holding individual fingers and the finger mudras before falling asleep is an excellent practice.

The ten fingers are said to regulate 14,400 functions within the body. The different ways of holding the fingers influence the body on a variety of levels, but they are all effective. Choose a style that feels most comfortable and satisfying to you.

Worry: The “quickie” is to hold the thumb. The sequence is thumb, middle, little finger.

• Additional benefits: for depression, hate, obsession, anxiety, self-protection, to revitalize physical fatigue, for the back of the head, breathing, and digestive discomforts.

Fear: The “quickie” is to hold the index finger. The sequence is thumb, index, little finger.

• Additional benefits: for timidity, mental confusion, depression, perfectionism, criticism, frustration, digestive issues, elimination, wrist, elbow, and upper arm discomforts.

Anger: The “quickie” is to hold the middle finger. The sequence is little, ring, middle finger.

• Additional benefits: for feeling cowardly, irritable, indecisive, unstable, not alert, overly emotional, general fatigue, eye issues, forehead discomforts.

Sadness/Grief: The “quickie” is to hold the ring finger. The sequence is thumb, index, middle, ring finger.

• Additional benefits: for negative feelings, common sense, excess mucus, breathing, ear discomforts.

Trying To/Pretense (cover-up): The “quickie” is to hold the little finger. The sequence is little, ring finger.

• Additional benefits: for “crying on the inside and laughing on the outside,” feeling insecure, nervous, confused, issues of “why am I here,” calms nerves, aids bloating.

Click the links for the original article and more information about jin shin jyutsu.