Resveratrol

“What is resveratrol? I know it’s what makes wine good for you but what IS it?”

Resveratrol is a protective substance, or phytoalexin, that plants produce when they are attacked by fungi, bacteria and other organisms. It’s found in the skin of red grapes and, as you know, survives the winemaking process to be also present in bottled wines.

In respect to human health, resveratrol is interesting because it seems to be part of the reason that the so-called Mediterranean diet is linked to longer, healthier lives. Some experiments with a special short-lived fish known scientifically as Nothobranchius furzeri found that by giving these fish resveratrol scientists could extend their lives dramatically.

And not only did resveratrol make the fish live longer; it also kept them mentally sharp for much longer and reduced neurofibrillary degeneration in their brains.

Other studies have suggested that moderate intake of red wine might be linked to lower rates of some kinds of cancer and lower rates of some form of heart disease. A few studies have even suggested that the resveratrol in wine may even help people have healthier immune systems than non-drinkers.

Now, obviously, no one is recommending that everyone run out and start drinking. And “moderately” means just under a glass of wine per day for women and fewer than 2 glasses per day for men.

And, of course, the only person who should really tell you if wine is appropriate for you is your own doctor. Ask him if the resveratrol offered by a glass of wine would be right for you.

References:

Valenzano, D., et al. (2009). Resveratrol and the pharmacology of aging: a new vertebrate model to validate an old molecule. Cell Cycle.

Valenzano, D., et al. (2006). Resveratrol prolongs lifespan and retards the onset of age-related markers in a short-lived vertebrate. Current Biology.

Pervaiz, S., et al. (2009). Resveratrol: Its Biological Targets and Functional Activity. Antioxidants and Redox Signaling.

Cell Phone Elbow

“Is cell phone elbow really real or is this just one of those made up diseases to sell us more meds?”

Unfortunately, this one is real. Medically, it’s known as cubital tunnel syndrome and affects the nerve that runs under your elbow. What’s happening in “cell phone elbow” is that people are holding their cell phones to their ears for too long a time. In that particular position, the nerve gets stretched, the blood supply gets cut off and the nerves in the ring and pinkie fingers sort of “short circuit”.

The name “cell phone elbow” may be new but the condition itself isn’t. Truck drivers and others who prop themselves on their elbows while sitting for long periods can develop this syndrome. Even people who sleep with their elbows tucked under their heads can sometimes notice the effects. Basically any activity that has your elbow bent at more than 90 degrees puts you at risk.

In very severe cases, people need surgery to repair the damage but doctors say most of us just need to switch hands once in a while or use a headset when talking on the phone.

Morgellons

“What is Morgellons?”

Morgellons (or Mogellons disease or Morgellons syndrome) is a very interesting topic because, depending upon whom you ask, it’s either a psychiatric disorder identified decades ago or a brand new disease not yet fully understood.

It was named in 2002 by a biologist named Mary Leitao after her preschooler began to complain of having “bugs” in his skin. According to Leitao’s account of things, she then begin examining sores on her son’s face and found unidentifiable multi-color fibers in the sores.

Convinced that her son had some as yet-unidentified medical condition—and frustrated by what she felt was the dismissive attitude of her son’s doctors—she formed and named the Morgellons Research Foundation.

Today, her organization claims to have cases of Morgellons from all 50 states and more than a dozen other countries.

What Scientists Say About Morgellons

Because all the symptoms of Morgellons can also be attributed to known medical conditions, there is much debate about what Morgellons actually is and whether it should be classified as a medical condition at all. Many medical experts feel it’s nothing more than a form of delusion involving non-existent parasites.

Other scientists believe that because nearly all Morgellons cases are self-diagnosed, patients are looking for a newer, trendier labels for old skin conditions like scabies, allergic reactions or eczema. Still other have postulated that some cases may be related to bacterial infections.

So, is Morgellons really real? The CDC would like to know and has funded a study to answer that very question.

References:

Lustig, A., et al. (2009). Morgellons disease as internet meme. Psychosomatics.

Savely, V., et al. (2006). The mystery of Morgellons disease: infection or delusion? American Journal of Clinical Dermatology.

Brain Plaque

“Is brain plaque real?”

Yes, it is, although it has little in common with the plaque found on your teeth and gums.

The “plaque” doctors talk about when they talk about plaque in the brain is known as amyloid plaque and it is a sticky protein buildup on the outside of nerve cells. They are one of two abnormalities doctors look for before they make a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease. (The other is something known as neurofibrillary tangles.)

No one really understands why these plaques can exist in the brain for years without causing symptoms of Alzheimer’s or why they cause such problems in the brain. The protein they’re made of is actually found throughout the rest of the body.

One theory says that the protein, for some reason, forms a substance known as beta amyloid. Beta amyloid is toxic to brain neurons. Exactly why is unknown although it may be related to how the neurons react to too much calcium.

One thing doctors do know is that some people are genetically programmed to get rid of these plaques better than others. Scientists know that a specific gene is liked to Alzheimer’s and they believe that this gene may make some kind of a chemical that protects the beta amyloid from being destroyed.

So, to answer your question, brain plaque is very real. To find out more about amyloid plaques and their role in Alzheimer’s talk to your primary care physician. He or she can explain this far better than I and can give you the medical advice that’s right for you.

Sole Therapy

“What is sole therapy?”

Sole therapy—or sol therapy—is just another term for drinking salt water as a way to “cleanse” your system. Don’t be fooled by slick marketing and chemical double-speak.

At the end of the day, sole (or sol) therapy is just your run-of-the-mill, ordinary salt water flush.

Currently, the biggest advocates of this quack therapy seem to be non-medical “authors” on various mass publishing sites. (Yes, we’re picking on the “mommy bloggers” again.) How absurd does this “information” get? Well, take a look at some of the ailments sol therapy cures—and we found all these in just one article:

• Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema
• Warts & Herpes
• Arthritis
• Muscle soreness

And this new miracle cure can also prevent diseases. For example:

• Gall bladder & Kidney stones
• Mucus plaque

And if that’s not amazing enough, by mixing yourself an especially large vat of the stuff and floating around in it you can “active your self healing powers”.

The Truth Is …

Honestly and truly, I do not know how people get away with claiming such nonsense. The fact of the matter is, it doesn’t matter how “perfectly balanced” the water/salt ratio is, it’s still just salt water. It’s not “another dimension” or “similar to amniotic fluid”. Nor will it “pass right through” your body without being absorbed.

At the end of the day, this is just another way to sell you an expensive sea salt and another way for an non-medically-trained writer to make an extra buck from ad “clicks”. There’s no science behind it and no licensed medical professional I’ve ever spoken to has ever been willing to endorse such stupidity. And that’s the truth.

References:

Lambson, L. (2009). The Healing Benefits of Sole. Retrieved May 1, 2009 from brighthub.com.

American BlueGreen, LLC. (2009). Sole Power. Retrieved May 1, 2009 from americanbluegreen.com.

Update on Tue, July 12, 2011 by Lisa Barger

At some point, Lisa Lambson’s article “The Healing Benefits of Sole” was removed from the site hosting it. We apologize for the inconvenience to our readers.

Herbs, Swine Flu & Your Immune System

“Are there any herbs that might strengthen your immune system against swine flu?”

Because swine flu is such a new virus there haven’t been any scientific studies but, yes, there are herbs that have been proven to stimulate the immune system and “fight” other strains of cold and flu. Obviously, no herb, supplement or other “natural” product will replace common sense and common sense dictates that avoiding the flu in the first place should be your first priority. That means taking precautions like washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your eyes and nose. Remember, 80% of all flu infections are spread through direct contact so hygiene is a must..

But, if you’d like a little more insurance, here are some herbal products to consider:

Echinacea

Several studies have found echinacea an effective immune stimulant. A 2009 study from Iran found it actually exerted such an anti-viral effect that it may actually prevent recurrent HSV-1, or herpes simplex virus type-1. Now, obviously, herpes is not the same virus that causes the flu but this was just the latest in a string of studies that suggest that echinacea might just help prepare the immune system for a viral infection.

Echinacea is not often sold dried but the current standard “dose” is a daily equivalent of 900 mg of the dried root. Ask a qualified herbalist to recommend a tincture that will give you an appropriate amount of the herb.

Garlic

The other major anti-viral herb that is readily available is garlic. It also has demonstrated the ability to prevent cold and flu symptoms. The current recommended “dose” of fresh, raw garlic is 4 g per day.

One easy way to take garlic is to mince a clove then mix it with about a teaspoon or so of honey. This masks the taste a bit and helps knock out some of the “burn”. (Keep in mind that garlic has to be chopped or minced to be effective.) It will not in any way reduce the effectiveness of the garlic.

St. Johns Wort

Another herb that may help fight flu is St. John’s wort. The evidence for this herb isn’t quite as strong as it is for garlic or echinacea but a few studies suggest that it may have anti-viral properties.

St. Johns wort is almost always sold in tincture form and is often labeled according to its hypericin level. The current recommend “dose” is a daily intake of 0.2-1.0 mg of total hypericins.

Warnings, Cautions & (Once Again) Common Sense

Remember, despite what a lot of my “natural” peers claim, no herb is perfectly safe and no herb is safe for everyone. Each one of these herbs has the potential to interfere with a wide range of both “natural” and pharmaceutical medications. All have documented side effects.

For the best info on preventing swine flu—or preparing your immune system, just in case—skip those web sites authored by one-book-experts and get your health advice from the only person qualified to give it—your own doctor.

Dosage Information Came From:

Wichtl, M. (2003). Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals.

Blumenthal, M. (1998). The Complete German Commission E Monographs.

Studies Referenced In This Article:

Ghaemi, A., et al. (2009). Echinacea purpurea Polysaccharide Reduces the Latency Rate in Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 Infections. Intervirology.

Amagase, H., et al. (2006). Clarifying the real bioactive constituents of garlic. Journal of Nutrition.

Barnes, J., et al. (2001). St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.): a review of its chemistry, pharmacology and clinical properties. Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmacology.

Balneotherapy

“What is balneotherapy?”

Balneotherapy is just another word for therapeutic bathing. Cold showers, hot springs, jet spas … you name it, they’re all forms of balneotherapy. The word is rooted in the Latin word balneum, which mean “bath”. It some cases, it can also refer to the use of things like sand baths or mud baths.

Studies on water therapy have produced mixed results. Some have found that any “healing” is the result of relaxation and some have found no benefit whatsoever. A few, though, have produced positive results.

A 1995 study, for example found that when patients underwent a 3-week-long combination of both drug and spa treatment for lower back pain, they had “significant” improvement. The improvement was both immediate and long-lasting. In some cases, 6 months later, some patients were still able to manage their pain with fewer medications than before.

Balneotherapy is NOT the miracle cure that some of my natural peers claim it is, though. It may help you feel better and it may help temporarily reduce the symptoms of things like PMS, fibromyalgia, arthritis and Parkinson’s disease but it is most definitely not a cure for any of them.

References:

Constant, F., et al. (1995). Effectiveness of spa therapy in chronic low back pain : a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Rheumatology Publishing.

How Much Juice Is A "Serving"?

“I read what you wrote about juicing and I have a question. If you’re making your own juice, how much do you have to drink to get a full serving of vegetables?”

Right now, 1 cup of juice—8 oz—is considered the nutritional equivalent of fresh vegetables. At least this was the amount recommended by Dr. Mark Pereira, a professor from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Pereira was one of the authors of the study I referenced in the juicing article you read.

If you think you need to drink 5 cups of juice a day—the minimum number of “servings” of vegetables and fruit you need every day—think again. Even just a single cup of juice means you have a lower risk of obesity, and probably have a lower risk of insulin resistance.

To come up with their data, Dr. Pereira and his co-author, Dr. Victor Fulgoni, looked at 5 years worth of data from the National Health and Nutrtion Examination Survey. They presented their opinions on juicing at the 2009 Experimental Biology meeting.

References:

National Center of Health Statistics. (2008). National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Best Meal Before A Workout

“What’s the best thing to eat if you’re going to work out? I’ve heard both sides.”

Right now, science says that the best meal to eat is one made up of low-gylcemic foods. In other words, avoid things like bagels, sweetened cereals and bread.

In fact, a new study coming out in the May 2009 issue of The Journal of Nutrition finds that you can actually double the amount of fat your body burns by avoiding foods that “spike” your blood sugar and sticking to foods that cause much slower rises in blood glucose levels.

The theory is that when you eat a high-glycemic food, like a bagel, you have a lot of extra sugar running through your system. Your body doesn’t need to tap into its fat stores because it’s got all the energy it needs already.

But by sticking to a low-glycemic meal, you force your body to dip into its stored fat for the energy it needs. In this particular study, the amount of fat burned was 7.4 grams vs. 3.7.

And it may also be better to eat a low-glycemic meal after exercise, too. Researchers haven’t studied this as extensively but it makes sense, doesn’t it?

Readers, do you think what you eat has made a difference in the amount of fat you burn during exercise?

References:

Stevenson, E., et al. (2009). Fat Oxidation during Exercise and Satiety during Recovery Are Increased following a Low-Glycemic Index Breakfast in Sedentary Women. Journal of Nutrition.

Wilson's Syndrome

“What is Wilson’s syndrome? My daughter-in-law has this and I’d never heard of it before.”

I’m not surprised you’ve never heard of it before because the vast majority of medical experts don’t believe it is a real medical condition. It was first described in the early 1990s by a Florida physician named Denis Wilson. Dr. Wilson claims that low thyroid function causes symptoms that include headaches, depression, memory loss, weight gain, sexual dysfunction and hair loss. He claims that it is one of the most common medical conditions in the world—1 in 10 Americans suffers from it. Naturally, it’s also one of the most commonly misdiagnosed.

In 1999, Wilson’s medical license was suspended after a patient “overdosed” on thyroid hormone and died. To date, Wilson has not met the terms of his agreement to regain his medical license and, instead, operates a pro-Wilson-Syndrome web site.

What Skeptics Say About Wilson’s Syndrome

The American Thyroid Association has this to say about Wilson’s Syndrome: The American Thyroid Association has found no scientific evidence supporting the existence of “Wilson’s syndrome.” The theory proposed to explain this condition is at odds with established facts about thyroid hormone. Diagnostic criteria for “Wilson’s syndrome” are imprecise and could lead to misdiagnosis of many other conditions.

Wilson’s Syndrome vs. Wilson’s Disease

Wilson’s syndrome is sometimes mistaken for a condition known as Wilson’s disease. This one is a very real and medically-recognized condition. It’s a genetic disorder characterized by an inability to rid the body to excess copper.

References:

Wilson, E. (1996). Wilson’s Syndrome: The Miracle of Feeling Well.

Wilson Disease Association. (2009). Retrieved from WilsonsDisease.org, April 20, 2009.

Barrett, S. (2009). Be Wary of “Fad” Diagnoses. Retrieved from Quackwatch.com, April 20, 2009.