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Well, some studies in the
National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health
in Pub Med actually archived some information on nutrition and
health. Wow!
Medicine has studied
nutrition for many years. Somehow, however, it has gotten relegated
to the periphery. If we can’t prove it, then it doesn’t exist. This
is the new maxim of life in medicine. Strange, but we can’t prove
how aspirin works or the antidepressants or many other prescription
drugs.
Medicine has developed into
two camps i.e. the MDs and the DOs. The philosophy of each branch of
medicine is very different. Let me try to explain before I go onto
other areas of nutrition. MDs philosophy is geared to looking at the
symptoms of the “disease” and treating the symptoms. DOs look at the
cause and try to treat the cause of the symptoms. As a DO I have
that difference in philosophy!
Back to nutrition! We know
about vitamins and minerals. Much has been studied about these
substances. However, no major research on vitamins or minerals has
been done because of lack of available funding. We know that they
are essential as we learned this the hard way. Much about vitamins
and minerals and their necessity was learned from humans(babies) who
did not receive adequate nutrition from baby formula when it first
came out. My heavens were those mothers mad!
Nutritional mechanisms that
influence cardiovascular disease are finally being studied. In a study done in Italy at
the Institute of Cardiology at the University Cardiology Division,
and Center of Excellence of Aging published in the American Journal
of Nutrition 2006 Feb;83(2)421S-426S they stated in part “…there is
now evidence, both epidemiologic and clinical, of the beneficial
effects of n-3 fatty acids….either as part of a normal low-fat diet
or as supplements, these fatty acids are now recommended to prevent
cardiovascular disease.” “Although age, sex and genetics are
important unmodifiable risk factors, most new cases of acute
myocardial infarctions today can be predicted by the presence and
level of 9 risk(or cardioprotective )factors that can easily be
assessed and, most importantly, modified. These risk factors are the
same in almost every geographic region and in every racial/ ethnic
group worldwide and are consistent in men and women.”
Does nutrition have a role
in peripheral vascular disease? From the department of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology in Granada
Spain (British Journal of
Nutrition, 2006, Feb;95(2):217-29) come an answer. Gee! We went
outside of the country again to find out the answer. While the study
is limited the answer is positive. “There is appreciable evidence
that demonstrates the beneficial effects of certain nutrients and
dietary habits in the prevention of CVD (cardiovascular
disease)…..”
Evidence of nutritional
benefits in prolonging wellness was studied. A recent article in the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2006 Feb;83 (2):410S-414S
stated that “…nutrient deficiency diseases are giving way to energy
imbalances, and links between diet and chronic disease are becoming
clearer. The global demographic, epidemiologic and nutrition
transitions are dramatic and point to an urgent need to focus on
preventive approaches in health care….To effect changes in
lifestyles to optimize health as we age, health care providers need
to consider all the lifestyle and environmental factors contributing
to suboptimal eating and lifestyle patterns.”
Also published recently in
the American Journal of Nutrition 2006 Feb;83 (2)415S-420S was an
article called “Starting down the right path: nutrition connections
with chronic diseases of later life.” In that article it is stated
that “…Good evidence exists that early nutrition affects key risk
factors for chronic degenerative diseases of middle and later life,
such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. The influence of
nutrition on health status and morbidity supports primary, secondary
and tertiary prevention of disease and intervention strategies at
each point in the process…to enable people to live well for longer,
while minimizing chronic disability. Starting down the right path
with appropriate nutrition and staying on it by eating well are
important components of health aging.”
Is there a way to find out
what we are missing in life nutritionally? Yes, there is an answer
with simple blood testing. Hair analysis has been used previously
but really is outdated by the current blood tests. Hair analysis
also shows ancient history and not current history. It is as if we
were looking at tree rings.
Simple blood tests can show
any patient , healthy, sick or simply wanting to stay healthy, what
we are missing, have too much of or simply could improve the balance
in our systems. Ask us at To Life! About these tests when you come
in as a patient. We have believed and preached healthy nutrition for
many, many years.
Will your insurance pay to
keep your healthy? Maybe and maybe not. Do you need to pay to keep
yourself healthy? The answer is becoming more and more YES. Your
insurance company pays for disease treatment. Remember, treatment is
ex post facto. Nutrition is before the fact. There is a
difference.
“Live long and
prosper”-Spock!
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