| ###"Good" Cholesterol Cuts Cancer Risk
By Dr. David Blyweiss on 04/13/2011
Cardiologists have known for years that high levels of HDL—the so-called “good” cholesterol—helps protect against atherosclerosis and heart attack. Now there’s evidence that this beneficial blood fat may also help lower the risk of cancer.
The new study by researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine found that each 10-point increase in HDL cholesterol corresponded to a 36 percent decrease in a person's risk of developing cancer. The study, which appears in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, looked at data from 24 clinical trials that included nearly 150,000 healthy people. The relationship between higher HDL levels and lower cancer incidence not only persisted throughout all of the studies; it became even stronger after adjusting for demographics and other risk factors. Guidelines say that men and women should keep their HDL over 40 and 50 mg/dL, respectively, though everyone should shoot to maintain levels above 60 mg/dL.
How HDL affects cancer risk is still a mystery. It may boost the immune system's ability to fight precancerous lesions and cancerous tumors lurking in the body. It may also indicate a healthier lifestyle that has an overall preventive effect since people who exercise regularly, have a healthy diet, and don't smoke tend to have higher levels of HDL.
Another possibility is that HDL has antioxidant properties that neutralize chemical compounds in the body that contribute to cancer by damaging cells. A third explanation is that HDL may reduce inflammation, which is associated with both heart disease and cancer. Whatever the reason it’s clear that the higher your HDL levels, the better.
Raising HDL cholesterol isn’t quite as easy as lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol. There are no magic bullets and statin drugs do nothing to increase your levels. The best way to support healthy HDL levels is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. That means eating right and getting plenty of exercise.
Foods high in monounsaturated fats (such as olive oil, nuts, and the oils in many salad dressings) seem to boost HDL. It’s likely that foods high in omega-3 fatty acids (such as cold-water fish) do so as well. Saturated fats, the kind in meat and dairy foods, are likely to drive up harmful LDL, so take this opportunity to cut way back. (Although there is admittedly some debate about this and more information is being uncovered everyday.) Worst of all are trans-fatty acids. These foods can do exactly the opposite of what you want, lowering HDL while raising LDL.
It’s also important to cut down on simple carbs. People on high-carb diets full of pasta, bread and sugar—even those who exercise frequently—tend to have lower HDL levels than those who eat plenty of protein and good fats along with veggies and whole grains. A British study showed that people with high HDL levels tend to focus on slower-burning carbs, such as beans and fruit.
Exercise is also key. One Georgetown University study found increased HDL in people who ran several miles a week or took part in four moderate 30-minute sessions of any aerobic activity. Another two-month trial showed that women who took cycling (spin) classes three times a week also experienced a significant increase in their HDL levels.
If you suffer from very low HDL levels, consider niacin, a B vitamin that can increase HDL by as much as 35 percent. It’s worth noting that niacin also decreases your LDL, lipoprotein(a) and triglyceride levels. Niacin comes in several forms—immediate release, slow-release, extended-release and non-flushing varieties. While most people prefer a non-flushing niacin supplement (the kind that prevents your skin from temporarily turning warm and red), it isn’t the most effective. Slow and extended-release supplements also carry other concerns, mainly liver toxicity. But immediate release niacin, also called “crystalline” niacin, is both safe and effective. Start with one dose of 250 mg. taken at bedtime. To reduce flushing, take your niacin with 800 to 1,000 mg. of stinging nettles.
Finally, if you smoke—quit. Nothing lowers HDL levels faster than smoking. The good news is if you stop smoking, no matter how long or how much you've smoked, your risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer starts to drop almost immediately. Combined with niacin and the other healthy lifestyle changes I’ve discussed, you should start to see your HDL levels start to steadily improve—a sure sign that you are on the right track.
References:
Brooks EL. Niacin's role in the statin era. Expert Opinions in Pharmacotherapy. 2010 Jun 22.
Jafri H. Baseline and on-treatment high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the risk of cancer in randomized controlled trials of lipid-altering therapy,” American College of Cardiology. 2010;55:2846-2854.
Stasiulis A. Aerobic exercise-induced changes in body composition and blood lipids in young women. Medicina (Kaunas) . 2010;46:129-134
###One Overlooked Nutrient to Help Prevent Cancer
By Dr. David Blyweiss on 04/08/2011
It’s been ignored for decades. So much so that it’s been nicknamed the “forgotten vitamin.” But now doctors are finally realizing this nutrient’s amazing health benefits—from building strong bones to protecting against cancer. It can even reverse atherosclerosis!
And yet, many Americans lack sufficient levels of this critical vitamin.
So what is this mystery nutrient It’s vitamin K. And if it’s not on your radar, you aren’t alone. It hasn’t gotten the media hype that vitamin D has, and yet I believe that it’s just as important.
This powerful nutrient is the missing link in the prevention of calcium deposits in the arteries. Research shows that vitamin K escorts calcium out of the blood so it can be used to build bone and teeth. But when there’s not enough Vitamin K circulating in the blood, calcium is picked up by soft tissue all through the body.
This is especially risky when it occurs in the delicate endothelial tissue that lines the walls of your arteries. The tissue can calcify, causing the arteries to clog up. This significantly boosts the risk of atherosclerosis and heart attack.
A recent study involving 564 post-menopausal women showed that biologically active vitamin K2 (menaquinone) reverses the buildup of deadly plaque.(1) And an earlier study of more than 4,800 men and women confirmed that getting enough vitamin K prevents aortic calcification and coronary heart disease (CHD).(2)
But vitamin K benefits more than just your arteries.
Low intake of vitamin K interferes with normal bone development. It also increases the risk of broken bones and osteoporosis. Both Dutch and Japanese researchers have used 45 mg of vitamin K daily to treat and successfully reverse osteoporosis in women.(3)
Vitamin K also reduces bone loss caused by cortisone, blood-thinning drugs, menopause and diabetes.
Researchers are also taking a hard look at evidence suggesting vitamin K can prevent and even treat certain types of cancer. In fact, the nutrient causes leukemia cells to self destruct in a process known as apoptosis.
Vitamin K has also proven effective in lowering the risk of liver cancer. In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, people at high risk for liver cancer were given supplemental K and compared to a group that didn’t receive the nutrient. Less than 10% of the people receiving K developed liver cancer while 47% of those in the control group developed the devastating disease.(4)
Since many of us don’t get enough vitamin K in the foods we eat, I think it’s important that everyone take a supplement. But not all vitamin K supplements are created equally.
There are two main forms of vitamin K:
•K1 – phylloquinone, also called phytonadione
•K2 – menaquinone-7
Most of the studies that have been done on the benefits of vitamin K have found it is vitamin K2, not K1, which really packs a therapeutic punch. And that’s why K2 is my pick for patients in need of this vital nutrient.
For prevention, take 45 to 100 mcg of K2 once a day. If you’re at high risk for arterial disease, I recommend 500 mcg daily. To reverse osteoporosis, you can take 1,000 mcg of vitamin K2 in combination with calcium, magnesium and vitamin D3.
Just be aware that if you take the blood-thinning drug Coumadin, it’s important to ask your physician to prescribe an anticoagulant that doesn’t interfere with vitamin K2.
If that can’t be done, ask if you can safely take a low-dose (45 mcg) vitamin K2 supplement.
References:
1. Beulens JW. High dietary menaquinone intake is associated with reduced coronary calcification. Atherosclerosis. 2009;203:489-493.
2. Geleijnse JM. Dietary intake of menaquinone is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease: the Rotterdam Study. Journal of Nutrition. 2004; 134: 3100-3105.
3. Koitaya N. “Effect of low dose vitamin K2 (MK-4) supplementation on bio-indices in postmenopausal Japanese women,” Journal of Nutritional Sciences and Vitaminology (Tokyo). 2009;55:15-21.
4. Habu D. Role of Vitamin K2 in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in women with viral cirrhosis of the liver. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2004;292:358-361.
###Fight Cancer, Eye Disease, and Cholesterol All With One Drink
By Dr. David Blyweiss on 05/19/2011
Several years ago, you couldn’t turn around without seeing yet another story about green tea. Since then, the media has shifted its focus to newer compounds like pomegranate, acai and vitamin D. But, while these are all worthy of our attention, we shouldn’t forget about the amazing health benefits green tea has to offer.
Most of these benefits of green tea can be traced back to two basic constituents: a family of antioxidants called catechins, which includes epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), and an amino acid known as L-theanine. EGCG and the other antioxidants in green tea protect against cell damage caused by oxidation. As a result, it lowers the risk of a number of different types of cancer. One way it does this, according to researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center, is by binding to a protein called HSP90. This jams an important gene-damaging mechanism that can lead to the formation of cancer cells.
Tea may also help stymie cancer development by interacting with toxin-neutralizing enzymes in the liver and by encouraging apoptosis, a process that causes cells to die when their useful life is over. But EGCG’s talents extend well beyond cancer. This potent polyphenol also supports healthy cholesterol levels and protects the arteries against free radical damage.
L-theanine is an amino acid and is the other primary compound in green tea. It has neurotransmitter-like effects, and can improve mental focus and foster relaxation. Clinical trials show that L-theanine creates this sense of calm approximately 30 to 40 minutes after ingestion via at least two different mechanisms.
First, this amino acid directly stimulates the production of alpha brain waves, creating a state of deep relaxation and mental alertness similar to what is achieved through meditation. Second, L-theanine is involved in the formation of the inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma amino butyric acid (GABA). GABA influences the levels of two other neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin, producing the key relaxation effect.
L-theanine also has a significant effect on the release or reduction of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. This results in improved memory and learning ability. L-theanine may also influence emotions due to its effects on the increased release of dopamine. L-theanine also reduces brain serotonin concentration by either curtailing serotonin synthesis or increasing its degradation in the brain.
For most of us, the brain, heart and anti-cancer benefits of green tea would be enough to warrant drinking it on a regular basis. But, now researchers have discovered that the catechins in green tea just might help protect against glaucoma and other eye diseases, too. These results were from a preliminary study recently conducted at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Eye Hospital. The researchers found that the lens, retina and other tissues in the eye absorb significant amounts of green tea catechins after it is consumed. This, in turn, may protect the eyes against oxidative stress that can undermine vision.
So how much green tea do you need to drink to reap these ever-expanding health benefits Most of the studies I’ve run across are based on drinking four to 10 cups a day.
If green tea isn’t already your beverage of choice, that amount can be a bit much. In fact, most of my patients who drink green tea on a regular basis typically don’t sip more than three cups daily. Luckily, you can augment that amount by taking a whole foods green tea supplement that is standardized to contain a minimum of 40 percent catechins and 60 percent polyphenols. It’s the perfect way to ensure that you are getting all the healthy goodness green tea has to offer each and every day.
References:
Chu KO. Green Tea Catechins and Their Oxidative Protection in the Rat Eye. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2010; 58:1523.
Kim TI. l-Theanine, an amino acid in green tea, attenuates beta-amyloid-induced cognitive dysfunction and neurotoxicity: reduction in oxidative damage and inactivation of ERK/p38 kinase and NF-kappaB pathways. Free Radical Biology & Medicine. 2009;47:1601-1610.
Yin Z. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate is a novel Hsp90 inhibitor. Biochemistry. 2009;48:336-345
###5 Nutrients Give You An Edge On Cancer
By Dr. David Blyweiss on 07/30/2011
When you’re diagnosed with cancer, your options can seem both frightening and very limited.
Most conventional doctors rely on just three treatments: surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. And while all of these treatments have their place in treating cancer, supplementing with certain nutrients can boost the effectiveness of traditional treatment. More importantly, they can help reduce side effects.
The problem is most oncologists tell their patients to avoid supplements. You see they mistakenly believe that antioxidants will interfere with the way radiation and most chemotherapy drugs work.
Yet, a growing number of studies show taking high-dose antioxidants and vitamin supplements can actually give cancer patients an edge by enhancing immunity, reducing tumor size and preventing the spread of cancer cells.(1)
Here’s a rundown of 5 of the best supplements that can complement conventional cancer care:
@Curcumin - This potent curry spice affects the gene that causes cancer cells to commit suicide. That process is called apoptosis. And researchers from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Treatment Center have reported curcumin supplements also have modest benefits in the treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest types of cancer.(2)
@Fish Oil - Weight loss after cancer surgery is common and can cause problems during recovery. One study at Ohio State University found that the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in fish oil helped cancer patients maintain their weight after surgery.(3) Three other studies show fish oil can also boost immunity, prevent cancer’s spread and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
@Lycopene - Found in tomatoes, this antioxidant has been proven to prevent prostate cancer and may even help men who already have the disease. Among a group of 26 men scheduled for prostate cancer surgery, those who took 30 mg of lycopene daily for just 3 weeks showed signs that their tumors were shrinking. The men also had an average 18% drop in their PSA score.(4)
@Pycnogenol - This powerful antioxidant from the French maritime pine tree is a great addition to both chemotherapy and radiation. In a trial of 80 cancer patients who had surgery followed by either chemo or radiation, those given a daily dose of 150 mg of Pycnogenol had less nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea than those taking the placebo.
@Vitamin E - Cisplatin is a frequently used chemo drug that causes nerve damage (neuropathy) in about 90% of people. But when Italian researchers gave 68 cancer patients 400 IU of vitamin E daily, only one developed neuropathy. Better yet, the vitamin E didn’t interfere with their chemotherapy.(5)
If you are facing treatment for cancer, talk with your doctor about taking these supplemental nutritional therapies. Combined with conventional cancer care, they just might help you become a survivor instead of a victim.
Additional articles of interest:
"Good" Cholesterol Cuts Cancer Risk
One Overlooked Nutrient to Help Prevent Cancer
Fight Cancer, Eye Disease, and Cholesterol All With One Drink
References:
1. Simone C. Antioxidants and Other Nutrients Do Not Interfere With Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy and Can Increase Kill and Increase Survival, Parts 1 & 2. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2007; 13:22-28/40-47.
2. Dhillon N. Phase II trial of curcumin in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Clinical Cancer Research. 2008;14:4491-4499.
3. Weed HG. Lean body mass gain in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer treated perioperatively with a protein- and energy-dense nutritional supplement containing eicosapentaenoic acid. Head & Neck. 2010 Oct 21. [Epub ahead of print]
4. Kucuk O. Effects of lycopene supplementation in patients with localized prostate cancer. Experimental Biology and Medicine (Maywood) . 2002;227:881-885.
5. Pace A. Vitamin E neuroprotection for cisplatin neuropathy: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Neurology. 2010;74:762-766 |
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