The Multi-Tasker
Health Sciences Institute e-Alert
September 22, 2004
**************************************************************
We hope you enjoy this free e-letter from the Health
Sciences Institute e-Alert. You have received this
e-mail because you have either signed up for our
e-letter through a promotion on an affiliate website,
subscribed to one of Agora Health's print newsletters,
or visited our website and signed up there. If you're
an existing subscriber to the e-Alert, you should note
it is now being sent from a different server. Please
make sure to add this new address to your "friends"
list or to "whitelist" it if necessary. If you wish to
permanently remove yourself from this mailing list,
follow the instructions at the bottom of this page.
**************************************************************
Dear Reader,
Even if you're never ordered Exercise-in-a-Bottle from an
infomercial at 3 a.m. or stopped by the Metabolife kiosk at your
local mall, you may already be taking a supplement that can help
you lose weight.
Earlier this month, researchers for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer
Research Center in Seattle announced the results of study,
involving nearly 15,000 subjects with an average age of 55. After
following the subjects' medical histories, diets and supplement
intakes for about ten years, the Hutchinson team found four
supplements that were associated with weight reduction among
subjects who were overweight or obese at the outset of the study.
The diet-friendly supplements: multivitamins, chromium, and
vitamins B-6 and B-12.
When I read this list, I couldn't help but notice that the latter three
items are often found in high quality multivitamins. So, many
people who already take a good multivitamin may be getting an
unexpected assist in their efforts to lose weight.
But that's certainly not all they're getting. In recent months,
research has produced evidence that multivitamins enhance general
good health while providing protection from a common type of
cancer.
------------------------------------------------------------
Going long
------------------------------------------------------------
Multivitamin use over long periods has been associated with
decreased risk of colorectal cancer in previous research. So
researchers at the American Cancer Society (ACS) designed a
study to further investigate this relationship.
In 1992, ACS researchers enrolled more than 145,000 men and
women to participate in a five-year multivitamin study. All of
these subjects had also participated in the Cancer Prevention Study
II Nutrition Cohort (begun a decade earlier) in which their
multivitamin usage was recorded.
As reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology, 797 cases
of colorectal cancer were reported among the study group between
1992 and 1997. After adjusting for risk factors, researchers found
that multivitamin use that began just prior to the 1992 enrollment
was not associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer. But the
participants who had reported regular multivitamin use (4 or more
times per week) in the early 80s, fared much better: their group had
a 30 percent reduced risk of the cancer.
The researchers say that further studies are necessary to establish
clear evidence that long-term multivitamin use is associated with a
reduced risk of colorectal cancer. Also unknown is just how the
nutrients in multivitamins combine to offer protection. I'm sure
we'll see more research in this area in the future, so I'll be keeping
an eye out for those results.
------------------------------------------------------------
Multiplying the savings
------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, another 2003 study found a strong association
between general good health and multivitamin use.
The study was conducted by the Lewin Group (a healthcare
consulting firm), and funded by a subsidiary of the Wyeth
pharmaceutical company; Wyeth Consumer Healthcare, which
manufactures about 10 percent of the vitamin supplements made in
the U.S. Researchers analyzed more than 125 clinical studies and
additional scientific literature to determine the health benefits of
multivitamins, and the subsequent savings in healthcare bills for
people 65 and older.
The Lewin report was presented at a Washington, D.C. meeting
titled "Multivitamins and Public Health: Exploring the Evidence."
Researchers said that based on demonstrated multivitamin
protection from the risk of coronary artery disease, as well as
benefits to the immune system, they projected a five-year Medicare
savings of more than $1.6 billion if all U.S. citizens over the age of
65 took a daily multi.
But the actual savings could be much higher. In their calculations,
researchers didn't include expenditures associated with diabetes,
osteoporosis, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer, because, based
on the sources they used, they couldn't conclude that multivitamins
have a direct preventive effect on those health problems. (The
Lewin team didn't have access to the ACS colorectal cancer study,
which was released the same week.)
These results were put into perspective by the director of
Healthcare Finance for the Lewin Group, Allen Dobson, Ph.D.,
who told meeting attendees that in his experience, "finding any
cost savings for preventive measures is unusual and finding cost
savings of this magnitude is very rare."
------------------------------------------------------------
Supplement checklist
------------------------------------------------------------
Clearly, it makes sense to take a good multivitamin every day. It's
inexpensive, it can't do any harm, and as we've seen above, the
evidence is mounting that long-term multivitamin use may provide
a host of positive health benefits.
This isn't news to HSI members, of course. But for those of you
who may have missed some of the many vitamin tips from HSI
Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., I've collected a few of the most
important ones to help you choose the most effective multi.
* Avoid a multivitamin that's a hard pill. Dr. Spreen says, "There
are a few (read that a FEW) pill forms that break down quickly, but
they are rare. I always use capsule, powder or liquid forms
whenever possible, as they at least guarantee that the individual
gets what he swallows."
* Avoid time-release vitamins. Dr. Spreen: "I don't use time-
release forms, as you're then using a preparation deliberately
designed not to give its contents to you. I prefer to have the
individual be his own 'time-releaser' by multiple dosing throughout
the day."
* Vitamins are absorbed more efficiently when taken with meals.
Dr. Spreen: "They are better digested that way (they're food
supplements)."
* Avoid getting too much iron. Dr. Spreen: "Concerning multi-
vitamin/mineral preparations there can be one problem, and that's
iron. It's too high, in my opinion, for most everyone as it is a
known generator of free radicals in biological systems (if it's
inorganic iron as most are in supplements)."
**************************************************************
Banned! Why the FDA slammed the door
on nature�s best cholesterol buster�
While many Americans are popping risky and expensive statin drugs
for cholesterol control, the FDA is blocking the sale of red yeast
rice - a safe, natural source of powerful lovastatin�
Why? Because the pharmaceutical companies and the FDA have convinced
our medical establishment that costly drugs are the answer to all
our health worries - despite their dubious track record and often
- deadly side effects�
Learn how one courageous M.D. has spent his entire career proving
that nobody does it better than Mother Nature.
http://www.youreletters.com/t/60579/3786805/648581/0/
(if you can't open here use the HTML links listed below)
**************************************************************
To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit:
http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/freecopy.html
Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to
receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert.
**************************************************************
...and another thing
With autumn just around the corner, this is a perfect time to find
ways to relax and take it easy.
In the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, I came across a
study that demonstrates the positive effects that stress management
can have on levels of antibodies; the proteins produced by the
immune system to fight disease.
UK researchers recruited 43 subjects over the age of 65, who also
cared for spouses with dementia (a high-stress duty that's
associated with a vulnerability to colds and flu). Half the subjects
attended a stress management course for two months. At the
conclusion of the course, all 43 subjects were given flu shots. An
additional control group of 43 subjects was also given shots. The
subjects in this group were of the same age and relative health, but
didn't provide special care for family members.
50 percent of the stress-management group produced antibody
counts believed to be high enough to effectively protect against the
flu virus. Only 7 percent of the group that didn't take the course
produced the same high levels of antibodies. Most interesting was
the response from the control group. Less than 30 percent of that
group matched the best antibody levels of the stress-management
group.
In short: Learning how to smooth out those stressful kinks could
make for a flu-free flu season.
As the days grow shorter and we advance further into the "bug"
season, I'll keep a lookout for other research and commentary on
ways to help make your immune system a strong first line of
defense.
To Your Good Health,
Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute
**************************************************************
DRIVE OUT TOXINS AND FEEL BRAND NEW
Revolutionary new program that could end YOUR 'hopeless
hurts' forever!
If you've ever suffered terrible headaches...or
uncontrollable joint pain... If you've ever felt listless and
sapped of energy...or immobilized by colon cramps... I'll bet
you've wondered hundreds of times...WHY ME??? But it's not
just you. It's an epidemic. Millions of Americans are going
to their doctors, complaining of these symptoms, only to hear
them say 'live with it.' Don't make your body muddle through
for even one more day, Learn more about the ultimate healing
program, visit:
http://www.youreletters.com/t/60579/3786805/648582/0/
(if you can't open here use the HTML links listed below)
************************************************************
To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit:
http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/freecopya.html
Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to
receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert.
**************************************************************
Sources:
"Chromium, B Vitamins Could Reduce Middle-Aged Spread"
NutraIngredients.com, 9/14/04, nutraingredients.com
"Multivitamin Use and Colorectal Cancer Incidence in a US
Cohort: Does Timing Matter?" American Journal of Epidemiology
2003; 158:621-628, aje.oupjournals.org
"Timing Key to Multivitamin Benefits" NutraIngredients.com,
10/8/03, nutraingredients.com
"A Study of the Cost Effects of Daily Multivitamins for Older
Adults" The Lewin Group, 10/2/03, lewin.com
"Analysis: Multivitamins Good but Who Pays?" Ellen Beck,
United Press International, 10/2/03, washingtontimes.com
"New Study Finds Increased Multivitamin Use by the Elderly
Could Save Medicare $1.6 Billion" PR Newswire, 10/2/03,
prnewswire.com
"Aging: A Lesson for the Immune System" John O'Neil, The New
York Times, 9/23/03, nytimes.com
Copyright (c)1997-2004 by www.hsibaltimore.com, L.L.C.
The e-Alert may not be posted on commercial sites without
written permission.
AOL HTML links
**************************************************************
<a href="http://www.youreletters.com/t/60579/3786805/648581/0/";>Banned! Why the FDA
slammed the door on nature�s best cholesterol buster�</a>
<a href="http://www.youreletters.com/t/60579/3786805/648582/0/";>DRIVE OUT TOXINS AND
FEEL BRAND NEW</a>
************************************************************
Before you hit reply to send us a question or request,
please visit here http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/questions.html
************************************************************
If you'd like to participate in the HSI Forum, search past
e-Alerts and products or you're an HSI member and would like
to search past articles, visit http://www.hsibaltimore.com
************************************************************
To learn more about HSI, call (203) 699-4416 or visit,
http://www.youreletters.com/t/60579/3786805/297/0/
************************************************************
If you want to end your HSI e-Alert subscription or you need
to change your e-mail address, please follow theinstructions
below. Your changes will be effective immediately. However,
if you do not follow the instructions below and simply hit
reply instead, we may not receive your request and cannot
assure you that it will be completed.
************************************************************
Please note: We sent this e-mail to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
because you or someone using your e-mail address subscribed to this service.
Want to cancel? Click on this link...or copy and paste it into your browser window:
http://www.youreletters.com/u?id=3786805J&u=http://www.hsibaltimore.com&l=ealert
Address Change? Click on this link...or copy and paste it into your browser window:
http://www.agoramail.net/changeEmail.cfm?id=3786805
To cancel by mail or for any other subscription issues,
write us at:
Order Processing Center
Attn: Customer Service
P.O. Box 925
Frederick, MD 21705 USA
