If there were two lab tests that provided critical information about your health, wouldn’t you want to know what they are? I realize there are an enormous number of lab tests available in the ‘Prevention’ realm of health care…making it fairly easy to become overwhelmed & just do whatever!
FYI: ‘Whatever’ is NOT an option when it comes to our health. As I continue in my health studies, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that the concepts and understandings of Health, Wellness & Prevention are not completely black & white…meaning that NOT every health reference & study will have the exact same information and/or recommendations.
One of the goals in my studies has been to gather data, looking for common threads and the repetition or duplication of significant results. I also analyze the source of the information, checking for potential conflict of interest on the part of the author(s) of the studies.
There are two lab tests that continue to gain notoriety in the realm of preventive health: Homocysteine and Vitamin D3 levels. Below is basic information about them---well worth learning about!
Homocysteine:
Homocysteine is produced from methionine, an amino acid, found in normal dietary protein. Your body turns homocysteine into glutathione (the body’s most important antioxidant) and SAMe (an important ‘intelligent’ nutrient for the brain & body). If your body doesn’t have optimal amounts of B vitamins, the enzymes that turn homocysteine into these useful substances can’t to their job & homocysteine isn’t converted, causing the homocysteine level to rise to potentially dangerous levels. About 10% of the population has an inherited genetic tendency which makes them more likely to have a higher homocysteine level than the rest of the population.
When the homocysteine level rises (BAD!), the SAMe and glutathione levels fall (BAD!). As this is occurring, the rising homocysteine level causes damage to the arteries, brain & even DNA.
Studies: (Just a few of the numerous ones done…Note the dates of these studies--this is not new information!)
British Medical Journal 325:1202 (2002) & Journal of the American Medical Association 288:16, 2023-31 (2002)-- A review of 92 studies found that high a homocysteine level isn’t just associated with a higher risk, it actually causes heart disease.
New England Journal of Medicine 343:2, 135-6 (2000)-- Cancer is triggered by damaged DNA. High homocysteine levels make DNA more vulnerable to damage & harder to repair. The homocysteine level rises when tumors grow and falls when they shrink.
New England Journal of Medicine 346: 7, 476-83 (2002)--Studies are showing that if you lower homocysteine levels you can significantly lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. An elevated homocysteine level is strongly linked to neuronal damage in the brain.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 74:1, 130-36 (2001)—Homocysteine levels of 4766 men & women ages 65-67 in 1992 were measured. This group was then followed for deaths over the next 5 years, during which 162 men & 97 women died. They found (reconfirmed, actually) the relationship between heart attacks, strokes & elevated homocysteine levels as well as a strong relation between homocysteine and all causes of mortality, meaning that homocysteine is an accurate predictor of how long a person is going to live, whatever the eventual cause of death may be.
There is no ‘official’ safe level for homocysteine, but experts believe that a level below 6 units is ideal.
-->What to do?? Basic healthy dietary recommendations are highly encouraged: Eating at least 5 servings of fruits & veggies/day, cutting down on fatty meats & focusing more on fish & protein from vegetables, incorporating garlic into your daily diet (or supplement), minimizing salting of food, minimizing coffee, tea, & alcohol, stopping smoking, correcting estrogen deficiency, supplementing with a high-strength & good quality multivitamin daily AND specific homocysteine-lowering supplements, such as vitamins B2, B6, B12, folic acid, trimethyl glycine (TMG) & zinc.
Vitamin D3:
Vitamin D plays a major role in metabolism, along with muscle, cardiac, immune & neurological functions, as well as in the regulation of inflammation. As Dr. Michael Holick states in The Vitamin D Solution, “If I had to give you a single secret ingredient that could apply to the prevention—and treatment, in many cases—of heart disease, common cancers, stroke, infectious diseases from influenza to tuberculosis, type 1 and 2 diabetes, dementia, depression, insomnia, muscle weakness, joint pain, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and hypertension, it would be this: vitamin D.” Holick goes on to say that 3 out of 4 Americans are deficient in vitamin D, up from 1 out of 2 twenty years ago.
Holick presents a plan for rebuilding & maintaining optimal levels of vitamin D in 3 basic steps: Sensible sun exposure, Ensuring adequate calcium intake along with good dietary sources of vitamin D, and Supplementing.
As an aside (for clarification), the UVB rays are what stimulate the production of vitamin D. Remember it this way: UVA rays are ‘Aging’ (Bad---cause wrinkles!) and UVB rays are ‘Burning’ (Potentially burning---if exposed too long---but beneficial in sensible exposure).
The vitamin D that is made in your skin is vitamin D3. Vitamin D2 is made from yeast & is used to fortify foods & supplements & is not as effective in maintaining 25-vitamin D levels.
Studies: (Just a few of the numerous ones done…)
Neurology 62:1, 60-65 (2004): Munger, KL et al. Vitamin D intake and incidence of multiple sclerosis.
Annals of Epidemiology 19:7, 468-83 (Jul 2009) Garland, CF et al. Vitamin D for cancer prevention: Global perspective.
Archives of Internal Medicine 168:11, 1174-80 (2008) Giovannucci, E et al. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and risk of myocardial infarction in men.
New England Journal of Medicine 354:21, 2285 (2006) Terris, S. Calcium plus vitamin D and the risk of fractures.
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention 13:9, 1502-8 (2004) Feskanich, JM et al. Plasma vitamin D metabolites and risk of colorectal cancer in women.
The only test for vitamin D status is 25-vitamin D or “serum 25(OH)D.” The recommended zone of healthy 25-vitamin D: 40-60 nanograms/ml.
-->What to do? Unless you’re one of those who can get daily (or near daily) sensible sun exposure & not living in a northern location, Dr. Holick has found that healthy adults taking 1000 IU of vitamin D/day usually reach their peak blood level within 5-6 weeks.
One more thing…Remember that just taking a vitamin D supplement or a good B complex supplement isn’t the entire picture. NEVER forget the importance of the basics that should be in place every day in our lives: a quality Multivitamin/mineral supplement, good quality water, quality sleep, heart-pumping exercise…these provide the foundation for good health---but you knew that, right? :)
Blessings on your health!
Sana
References:
Holford, P: The New Optimum Nutrition Bible: 2004, Crossing Press
Holick, M: The Vitamin D Solution: 2010, Plume Press
Monday, May 23, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Game On! Eye of the Tiger---Whatever It Takes!
I have a certain group of amazing friends who are an inspiration to me on a daily basis. They vary in age, in gender, in hair color, in size…pretty variable I would say…except they all have two things in common: they have a diagnosis of cancer—and they are fighters. You may know some of them…I know I am so blessed by knowing them!
I’ve learned so much from them. I sincerely hope I’ve been a good friend… and possibly shared some beneficial information with them. I’m also blessed with an amazing faculty with great wisdom & insight to bless me on my journey to a PhD in Holistic Health. My reasons for pursuing further education at this point in my life are not because I’m bored…definitely not! The need for sound research in Integrative Medicine practices for cancer prevention, support during conventional cancer treatments, natural cancer treatments, and ‘after-cancer’ treatments has become of great interest to me---with the ultimate goal of getting solid, non-biased information out ‘to the masses’ so they can make educated decisions instead of agreeing to questionable treatments out of fear or pressure.
Several things have become clear to me over the past few years. As you read this short list, I hope that you will gain greater insight into the challenges of those you know who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis and be better able to support & encourage them. I say this most humbly, since I have not walked in their shoes…
Point #1: A diagnosis of cancer is not a death sentence---it’s a diagnosis---and we all know there are many diagnoses out there, like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and congestive heart failure, to name just a very few. I think most of us would acknowledge that our reaction to someone we know telling us that they were just diagnosed with cancer is usually quite different to someone we know telling us that they have one of the other diagnoses listed above. Question to ask ourselves: How can I best respond to this in a positive & supportive way?
Point #2: A person’s mindset is critically important throughout life---and becomes even more so in times of crises and challenges. For many people their faith also plays a significant role in their mindset. Question to ask ourselves: How can I be of help in this area?
Point #3: When a diagnosis of cancer is made, one way of ‘dealing’ with the challenge is to consider the treatment plan like going into training for an intense athletic event (ie. a marathon), which may involve several hours every day. That’s because there’s more to fighting cancer than going for chemotherapy treatments or radiation. Similarly, there’s more to fighting diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis… (insert diagnosis here) than taking a medication or giving ourselves an injection. Other factors that need to be addressed include nutrition, water intake, sleep and exercise. Imagine how well a diabetic would do if they didn’t make lifestyle changes (including diet & exercise) after being diagnosed with either Type I or Type II diabetes---not very well! Question to ask ourselves: How would I support this friend/family member if they just told me they were going into training for a marathon (instead of starting chemo treatments)?
Point #4: There are so many sound, researched integrative medicine options available that can be incorporated into any and all treatment plans. These options may provide relief of chemo side effects, support the liver, and enhance the effects of other treatments, along with many other positive results. Health care providers are NOT dictators of anyone’s health and should NOT be making statements like, “No, that won’t work”---or “No, I don’t want you to do that” unless they have sound documentation to back up their statement (which would not include a biased study by a pharmaceutical company). Question to ask ourselves: How can we best support our friend/family member in this education process & not let our personal advice/judgment take over?
Point #5: Once the wonderful words ‘remission of cancer’ are heard, the training/challenge is NOT over. Think about it, when a diabetic hears their blood sugar is in the normal range, do they just ‘forget about it’ and go back to their former lifestyle habits? I hope not! Keeping up with healthy lifestyle habits are CRITICAL for long-term success in maintaining the best health possible. Question to ask ourselves: How can we encourage them in this healthy lifestyle journey?
So…some possible answers for Questions to ask ourselves to encourage those we know who have a cancer diagnosis:
• My first & foremost answer is to pray for them. I realize this is a very personal aspect---though, honestly, it is at the very top of my list.
• One of the most important ways (again, in my humble opinion) to support them is to get our ‘Game Face’ on and let them know we’re there for them…NOT with looks of pity but with the ‘Eye of the Tiger’ and a ‘Whatever It Takes’ attitude.
• Think of the positive difference we could potentially make in their lives as we greet them with a smile (& ‘the ‘Eye’)…check in on them…’hang’ with them…with an attitude of, “Hey, you’ve got this”…”you’re doing everything you can do”…”you can do this”…GAME ON!>”
Let’s be that person to others---Thank you for being a blessing!
Sana
I’ve learned so much from them. I sincerely hope I’ve been a good friend… and possibly shared some beneficial information with them. I’m also blessed with an amazing faculty with great wisdom & insight to bless me on my journey to a PhD in Holistic Health. My reasons for pursuing further education at this point in my life are not because I’m bored…definitely not! The need for sound research in Integrative Medicine practices for cancer prevention, support during conventional cancer treatments, natural cancer treatments, and ‘after-cancer’ treatments has become of great interest to me---with the ultimate goal of getting solid, non-biased information out ‘to the masses’ so they can make educated decisions instead of agreeing to questionable treatments out of fear or pressure.
Several things have become clear to me over the past few years. As you read this short list, I hope that you will gain greater insight into the challenges of those you know who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis and be better able to support & encourage them. I say this most humbly, since I have not walked in their shoes…
Point #1: A diagnosis of cancer is not a death sentence---it’s a diagnosis---and we all know there are many diagnoses out there, like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and congestive heart failure, to name just a very few. I think most of us would acknowledge that our reaction to someone we know telling us that they were just diagnosed with cancer is usually quite different to someone we know telling us that they have one of the other diagnoses listed above. Question to ask ourselves: How can I best respond to this in a positive & supportive way?
Point #2: A person’s mindset is critically important throughout life---and becomes even more so in times of crises and challenges. For many people their faith also plays a significant role in their mindset. Question to ask ourselves: How can I be of help in this area?
Point #3: When a diagnosis of cancer is made, one way of ‘dealing’ with the challenge is to consider the treatment plan like going into training for an intense athletic event (ie. a marathon), which may involve several hours every day. That’s because there’s more to fighting cancer than going for chemotherapy treatments or radiation. Similarly, there’s more to fighting diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis… (insert diagnosis here) than taking a medication or giving ourselves an injection. Other factors that need to be addressed include nutrition, water intake, sleep and exercise. Imagine how well a diabetic would do if they didn’t make lifestyle changes (including diet & exercise) after being diagnosed with either Type I or Type II diabetes---not very well! Question to ask ourselves: How would I support this friend/family member if they just told me they were going into training for a marathon (instead of starting chemo treatments)?
Point #4: There are so many sound, researched integrative medicine options available that can be incorporated into any and all treatment plans. These options may provide relief of chemo side effects, support the liver, and enhance the effects of other treatments, along with many other positive results. Health care providers are NOT dictators of anyone’s health and should NOT be making statements like, “No, that won’t work”---or “No, I don’t want you to do that” unless they have sound documentation to back up their statement (which would not include a biased study by a pharmaceutical company). Question to ask ourselves: How can we best support our friend/family member in this education process & not let our personal advice/judgment take over?
Point #5: Once the wonderful words ‘remission of cancer’ are heard, the training/challenge is NOT over. Think about it, when a diabetic hears their blood sugar is in the normal range, do they just ‘forget about it’ and go back to their former lifestyle habits? I hope not! Keeping up with healthy lifestyle habits are CRITICAL for long-term success in maintaining the best health possible. Question to ask ourselves: How can we encourage them in this healthy lifestyle journey?
So…some possible answers for Questions to ask ourselves to encourage those we know who have a cancer diagnosis:
• My first & foremost answer is to pray for them. I realize this is a very personal aspect---though, honestly, it is at the very top of my list.
• One of the most important ways (again, in my humble opinion) to support them is to get our ‘Game Face’ on and let them know we’re there for them…NOT with looks of pity but with the ‘Eye of the Tiger’ and a ‘Whatever It Takes’ attitude.
• Think of the positive difference we could potentially make in their lives as we greet them with a smile (& ‘the ‘Eye’)…check in on them…’hang’ with them…with an attitude of, “Hey, you’ve got this”…”you’re doing everything you can do”…”you can do this”…GAME ON!>”
Let’s be that person to others---Thank you for being a blessing!
Sana
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