|
Fast Food Lawsuits
Enhancing Longevity
Inspiration for Longevity
Health Habits for Longevity
Ask Dr. J: Fibromyalgia
In the Health News
Diet and Disease
Recipe of the Month: Potato
Salad
References
Dear Friends,
The fast food (“fast junk” in my terms)
restaurants are being attacked in the way that
tobacco companies once were—lawsuits claiming
that they are responsible for illness, activists
in schools trying to improve the diets of schoolchildren
and remove vending machines selling junk, and
widespread media coverage of these events.
One lawsuit claims that the victim’s high
cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease
are the result of eating at McDonald’s,
Burger King, Pizza Hut, and Kentucky Fried Chicken,
with no warning from the companies that there
was a risk in doing this. It seems that one
of the defenses is that everyone knows that
these products are unhealthy, so there is no
need for a warning.
Indeed, it seems that everyone should know
this, but it will be fascinating to see if the
companies mount the defense that everyone should
know that their products are unhealthy, and
therefore they are not liable.
Of course, they could take another stance,
each of them claiming that their products alone
are OK, but if someone is eating them, they
should not be eating the rest of their meals
at their competitors’ establishments. Thus,
there would be no individual restaurant that
is responsible for the illness and premature
deaths.
Lost in all this shuffle is the individual responsibility
for our own health that each of us has. And
while I am heartened to see the “perpetrator”
companies squirm, I am also aware that for people
who smoke, overeat, choose the wrong foods,
do not exercise, and lead stressful lives with
no restorative breaks, and inadequate sleep,
they are likely to run into trouble with chronic,
degenerative, and lethal diseases, as well as
everyday health problems.
However, it seems to me that the companies
are not without responsibility, especially when
it comes to addicting children to poor diet
choices through extensive advertising, and toys,
games and animated characters that promote their
products directly to children. They are also
responsible for the financial incentives they
give to schools, and the extensive lobbying
they do to prevent healthy programs from displacing
them in the school cafeterias and vending machines.
If children are addicted to sugary, fatty,
salty, fried, refined foods (and what could
represent this more than a double cheeseburger,
fries, and a shake?), this is likely to be their
diet as adults. It is just as likely that pediatricians’
offices will continue to see a dramatic rise
in the chronic diseases (diabetes, obesity,
heart disease) formerly thought to be related
to aging, but now known to be related to lifestyle.
You can take action through your lifestyle choices
to prevent, manage, and treat the chronic diseases
that are often associated with aging, and increasingly
even at younger ages. You can also do more to
enhance the years that you gain, to make them
more pleasurable, and even further extend your
life.
A recent study on positive feelings and attitudes
shows that people who have an upbeat outlook
about the aging process itself can outlive those
who view aging with fear and disdain. In the
study of 660 people over 50 years old, researchers
evaluated perceptions of aging, through survey
questionnaires. They then evaluated mortality
data among the subjects up to 23 years later
(you have to be very patient to do aging studies).
Those subjects who answered positively to statements
such as “I have as much pep as I did last
year” were the ones who lived longer, compared
to those who agreed with statements suchas “As
you get older, you are less useful,” or,
“Things keep getting worse as I get older.”
The researchers evaluated other possible influences
on aging, such as gender, socioeconomic status,
loneliness, and health, but the influence of
positive feelings were still highly significant,
and the results were not minor. The positive
subjects lived 7.5 years longer than those with
negative perceptions.
Positive attitudes affect more than the will
to live. They reduce the effects of stress on
the heart. After positive subliminal messages,
systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart
rate rise less in response to stress. Positive
feelings also improve speed and stride during
walking.
In my experience with patients, helping them
develop a positive attitude is not just a matter
of telling them how important it is. It also
requires giving them tools to work with and
ideas about improving their lives, as well as
informing them of all the positive changes they
can make in their lifestyles that will improve
the aging process.
One inspiration that I find helpful is from
The Summing Up, the autobiographical
work of the author, W. Somerset Maugham. He
said that he “looks forward to old age
without dismay...For the complete life...includes
old age as well as youth and maturity. The beauty
of the morning and the radiance of noon are
good, but it would be a very silly person who
drew the curtains and turned on the light in
order to shut out the tranquility of the evening.
Old age has its pleasures, which, though different,
are not less than the pleasures of youth...Paradoxical
as it may sound, it has more time...[aesthetic]
taste improves...[old age] is liberated from
the trammels of human egoism; free at last,
the soul delights in the passing moment, but
does not bid it stay.”
Interestingly, Maugham wrote such positive
words about aging in 1938, when he was 64 years
old. He lived another 27 years, and died in
1965, when he was 91. Such is the power of positive
feelings and attitudes.
One other benefit of positive attitudes is
that they lead you to choose healthier habits.
Once people become aware that they can favorably
influence their own aging process, those with
positive impressions of aging want to know how
to do it.
In 1997, the journal Science published articles
with a new focus of gerontology on “successful
aging,” rather than just prevention and
treatment of disease and disability. They noted
that at least two thirds of success was related
to lifestyle choices and environment, rather
than genetics.
Among other things, you need to keep physically
fit through regular exercise. This helps to
preserve bone density, muscle strength, agility,
brain function, and cardiovascular health, as
well as improving sleep, and maintaining normal
weight and healthy blood sugar levels.
Also, physical fitness gives you greater stamina
so you can be more active without exhaustion.
Maintaining muscle strength provides the physical
ability to participate in a variety of activities,
whether they are aesthetic and cultural events,
the simple pleasures of walking and gardening,
relationships, or just being able to enjoy all
of the other pleasures that life holds.
Recent studies show the importance for the
brain of fruits and vegetables, with their high
levels of many antioxidants. For example, blueberries
and cranberries contain high levels of anthocyanins,
potent protectors of brain and nerve tissue.
These antioxidant compounds are unusual in that
they are the most effective at penetrating the
nerve cell membranes, where they can protect
cognitive function and prevent Alzheimer’s
disease. In animal studies, blueberries and
cranberries in the diet helped maintain cognitive
function
Anthocyanins are also available as dietary
supplements, as are other antioxidants that
help the brain. I previously mentioned the aging
benefits of supplements of acetyl-L-carnitine
and alpha-lipoic acid, as well as N-acetyl cysteine,
vitamin C, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, and numerous
carotenoids, such as lutein and lycopene.
|
|
Q. I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
Can you tell me what foods or supplements might
help? ML, Nebraska, via Internet
A. Fibromyalgia is similar in symptoms to chronic
fatigue syndrome, but with specific muscle and
connective tissue pain (ligaments and tendons).
Pain at trigger points is common, such as the
neck, shoulders, back, and legs. It is often
accompanied by fatigue, depression, and insomnia.
You asked about food sources of serotonin,
but serotonin is made in the brain from the
amino acid tryptophan, with an intermediate
called 5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP. Eating
foods with tryptophan does not help because
other amino acids in protein compete with it
for absorption, and most of it is used to make
new proteins.
Supplements of 5-HTP can promote serotonin
production, and studies have shown that high
doses of 5-HTP can help with insomnia, depression,
and other symptoms of fibromyalgia. Typical
doses of 5-HTP would be 50 to 100 mg at bedtime
for depression and insomnia, but with fibromyalgia,
doses can range up to 600 mg daily.
Magnesium supplements (500 to 1000 mg) may
help with chronic fatigue, and SAMe (S-adenosyl
methionine), can relieve depression and may
help with fibromyalgia, if the dose is high
enough. You may have to take over 600 to 800
mg daily to benefit from SAMe.
I also recommend high-dose supplements of vitamin
C, up to 10 to 20 grams a day, and I will often
treat patients with intravenous vitamin C, magnesium,
and B-complex. You can find a doctor in your
area for intravenous treatment through the American
College for Advancement in Medicine (www.acam.org,
or 800-532-3688).
Diet can also help. Eat high amounts of vegetables,
fruits, whole grains, seeds, nuts, and beans
as the staples of your diet. Sometimes food
allergies make fibromyalgia worse, and common
ones include wheat and milk, so eliminating
them might be of value.
Q. In your last column on cholesterol and hypertension,
why did you neglect the importance of homocysteine
as a risk factor? DE, via Internet
A. It was not because I do not recognize its
importance, but there is only so much room,
and I’ve mentioned it before. Homocysteine
is an intermediate metabolite, and a high blood
level is a known risk factor for heart disease.
You can lower it by supplementing the diet with
folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. This
is one of many risk factors, and it helps to
be aware of all of them. Past newsletters cover
some of the others.
• Applying a topical
preparation of vitamin C to sun-damaged skin
can reverse some of the damage and protect skin
from the deterioration seen with aging and free-radical
exposure (Fitzpatrick RE, Rostan EF, Double-blind,
half-face study comparing topical vitamin C
and vehicle for rejuvenation of photodamage.
Dermatol Surg 2002 Mar;28(3):231-6). Patients
were evaluated for wrinkling, hydration, pigmentation,
and inflammation. Treated skin showed decreased
photodamage, and biopsies indicated new collagen
formation, indicating skin repair. Other topical
treatments that reduce aging include alpha-lipoic
acid and MSM. The amino acid lysine is also
essential for collagen formation.
• In addition
to smoking, blood pressure, and serum lipids,
drinking coffee is a risk factor for developing
a stroke (Isaksen J, et al., Risk factors for
aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: the Tromso
study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2002 Aug;73(2):185-7).
These researchers found that people who drank
more than 5 cups of coffee a day had a significantly
increased risk of this unusual form of stroke.
It is possible that lower amounts might also
be a problem, but not sufficiently great to
appear in statistics. One doctor not involved
with the study commented that this is not enough
data to make recommendations. I wonder if his
suggestion is to continuing drinking coffee
until you become proof of the association.
• Diets
with adequate linoleic acid (an essential fatty
acid; linolenic is the other) can reduce the
risk of stroke (Iso H, Linoleic acid, other
fatty acids, and the risk of stroke. Stroke
2002 Aug;338):2086-93). Linoleic acid is found
in corn, sunflower, and soybeans. The authors
studied over 7000 Japanese subjects. They speculated
that benefits may be due to reduced blood pressure
and platelet aggregation, or greater red cell
flexibility.
I love potatoes for their taste, texture, fiber
and vitamin C content, and their variety and
ease of preparation methods. I also like to
grow them in the garden. Start with organic
potatoes to avoid the numerous chemicals used
on commercial ones (including pesticides and
anti-sprouting agents). Clean and steam them
in 1-2 inch cubes. When they cool, fold in enough
tofu mayonnaise to coat them (I use Nayonaise),
and add minced scallions, chunks of organic
sweet peppers, fresh or frozen organic peas,
some chopped fresh spinach, a small amount of
minced parsley, and crushed peppercorns. I often
add a teaspoon of curry powder or some thyme
for variety. This is a great side dish with
a lentil stew or soup, or a summertime cold
tomato gazpacho.
NY Man Sues, Claiming
Fast Food Ruined His Health. Reuters, July 26,
2002
Levy BR, et al., Longevity
increased by positive self-perceptions of aging.
J Pers Soc Psychol 2002 Aug;83(2):261-70.
Hausdorff JM, et al., The power of ageism...reversibility
of age-related gait changes. J Am Geriatr Soc
1999 Nov;47(11):1346-9.
Levy BR, et al., Reducing cardiovascular stress
with positive self-stereotypes of aging. J Gerontol
B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2000 Jul;55(4):P205-13.
"New Geronotology" Focuses On "Successful
Aging," Not Just Disease And Disability.
Reuters, October 17, 1997
Finch CE, Tanzi RE, Genetics of aging. Science
1997 Oct 17;278(5337):407-11.
Laurin D, et al., Physical activity and risk
of cognitive impairment and dementia... Arch
Neurol 2001 Mar;58(3):498-504.
Galli RL, et al., Fruit polyphenolics and brain
aging: nutritional interventions targeting age-related
neuronal and behavioral deficits. Ann N Y Acad
Sci 2002 Apr;959:128-32.
Youdim KA, et al., Potential role of dietary
flavonoids in reducing microvascular endothelium
vulnerability to oxidative and inflammatory
insults... J Nutr Biochem 2002 May;13(5):282-288.
Martin A, et al., Stimulatory effect of vitamin
C on autophagy in glial cells. J Neurochem 2002
Aug;82(3):538-49.
Caruso I, et al., Double-blind
study of 5-hydroxytryptophan...in ...fibromyalgia
syndrome. J Int Med Res 1990 May-Jun;18(3):201-9.
Birdsall TC, 5-Hydroxytryptophan: a clinically-effective
serotonin precursor. Altern Med Rev 1998 Aug;3(4):271-80.
Puttini PS, Caruso I, Primary fibromyalgia syndrome
and 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan: a 90-day open study.
J Int Med Res 1992 Apr;20(2):182-9.
Jacobsen S, et al., Oral S-adenosylmethionine
in primary fibromyalgia... Scand J Rheumatol
1991;20(4):294-302.
|
