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November 2008
In This Issue
Natural Standard provides high-quality, evidence-based
Selenium, Vitamin E
information about complementary and alternative therapies, Ineffective for Prostate
diets, exercise and nutrition. For more information, please visit Cancer Prevention
Natural Standard's
Medical Conditions Book
Available for Pre-Order
Integrated Solutions for
Selenium, Vitamin E Ineffective for
Improving Health and
Prostate Cancer Prevention
Wellness Require
Integrated Therapies
High-Fat Diet Linked to
Alzheimer's
selenium, either taken alone or together, Heavy Metals Found in
may help prevent prostate cancer. An earlyreview of the data showed that the International Wines
Hydrogen Sulfide may
Regulate Blood Pressure
Upcoming Conference:
Two trends were found: slightly more men who took vitamin E Evidence-Based CAM for
alone developed prostate cancer, and slightly more men who took selenium alone developed type 2 diabetes. However, the Purple Tomatoes
results were not statistically significant, meaning they could just Increased Lifespan of
Cancer-Prone Mice
Upcoming Webinars
More than 35,000 men aged 50 and older were taking Inside Natural Standard
supplements or placebos as part of the Selenium and Vitamin ECancer Prevention Trial (SELECT). But now the participants arebeing informed about the findings and told to stop taking their supplements.
Although the participants will no longer take the supplements, the researchers will still monitor theirhealth for the next three years.
The study was double-blinded, which means neither the researchers nor the participants knew whichsupplements (if any) they were taking. Those who want to know what supplements they were takingcan ask the doctors. But according to the researchers, the data will be more accurate if the menwait to find out until the end of the follow-up period.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI), which provided most of the funding for SELECT, is sponsoringmany other studies that are investigating the effects of different agents on prostate cancer. Theseagents include polyphenon E, green tea extract, lycopene, soy and di-indolylmethane (DIM), which isa compound found in Brassica vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower, to see if they play a rolein prostate cancer prevention.
Currently, there is a promising drug called finasteride that may help prevent prostate cancer. In2003, the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial found that finasteride reduced the risk of prostate cancerby 25 percent. However, finasteride has not been approved by the U.S. Food and DrugAdministration for this use.
For more information about integrative therapies for prostate cancer prevention, please visit Natural
Standard's Comparative Effectiveness database.
To comment on this story, please click here to enter Natural Standard's blog.
References:
1. National Cancer Institute (NCI). www.cancer.gov.
2. Natural Standard Research Collaboration: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. www.naturalstandard.com.
3. Pak RW, Lanteri VJ, Scheuch JR, et al. Review of vitamin E and selenium in the prevention of prostate cancer: implications of the selenium and vitamin E chemoprevention trial. Integr Cancer Ther. 2002 Dec;1(4):338-44. ViewAbstract Natural Standard's Medical Conditions Book Available for Pre-Order
Natural Standard's latest book, Natural Standard Medical Conditions
Reference: An Integrative Approach, is available for pre-order. The book
provides comprehensive information on more than 100 common medical
conditions.
The convenient and user-friendly organization of the book presents monographsalphabetically to help readers quickly find the information they need on thebackground, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, integrative therapies and prevention for each medicalcondition. Conventional treatments are discussed along with integrative therapies, which present afully integrated approach to patient treatment and medical practice.
Unique to this book are integrative therapies that are categorized by level of evidence: Strong, Goodand Unclear or Conflicting Scientific Evidence, as well as Fair Negative or Strong Negative ScientificEvidence. This allows clinicians to easily review available treatment options and the supportingevidence, which they can use to guide their recommendations. Many patients self-prescribe herbsand supplements, and the safety and efficacy information in these monographs is useful to educateand provide an evidence-based context for clinicians.
Each monograph ends with a section on prevention, which includes tips on how to help prevent thecondition or perhaps avoid recurrence after treatment is completed. This section presents a moremainstream perspective, a key feature for overall clinician reference.
Integrative therapies have continued to gain popularity and constitute a multi-billion dollar commercialindustry. As more patients begin to try integrative approaches, it is increasingly necessary that bothpatients and clinicians have access to evidence-based information regarding these therapies. Thisbook serves as an all-inclusive reference tool for clinicians and their patients, providing the standardin evidence-based and integrative patient care.
To order a copy of the book, please click here.
Integrated Solutions for Improving Health and Wellness Require
Integrated Therapies
Business-To-Business:
Improving the health of the workforce is a primary focal point of the Consumer
Health World conference, which will take place on December 8-10, 2008 at the
Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia.
This industry-leading national conference affords Natural Standard
constituents an opportunity to network with national and international health and
business thought leaders, including HR benefit executives and health insurers
and providers, who aim to identify and implement the most effective programs for improving health For more information or to register, please visit www.consumerhealthworld.com.
Business-To-Consumer Expos:
A national schedule of consumer health and lifestyle expos. These conferences are slated to take
place in eight locations in 2008. Through a unique and powerful partnership with television stations
across the country, tens of thousands of health-conscious consumers are drawn to these expos
each day.
For a complete list of locations or for more information, please visit www.themedicalroadshow.com.
If you would like Natural Standard to post your event(s) online, please e-mail
news@naturalstandard.com.
High-Fat Diet Linked to Alzheimer's
A high-fat diet may play a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease, anew animal study suggests. A diet rich in animal fat and low in omega-3 fattyacids reportedly increased brain markers linked to Alzheimer's disease.
The researchers genetically altered mice to produce two proteins that are foundin the brains of Alzheimer's patients: tau proteins and amyloid-beta proteins.
Tau proteins prevent nerve cells (called neurons) from functioning properly,while amyloid-beta proteins have been linked to the formation of abnormaldeposits in the brain called senile plaques. The mice received either a regular diet or a high-fat dietlow in omega-3 fatty acids for nine months.
The mice that ate high-fat diets had 1.5 times more tau protein and 8.7 times more amyloid-betaprotein than mice in the control group. The high-fat diet also decreased levels of drebrin protein inthe brain, which is another sign of Alzheimer's disease.
"Our findings lead us to believe that a diet containing more omega-3s and less saturated fat couldprevent the development of Alzheimer's, at the very least among people genetically predisposed tothe disease," said lead author Dr. Frédéric Calon. "We cannot state with any certainty that what wehave observed among transgenic mice also occurs in humans, but there is no harm in eating less fatand more omega-3s," he added.
Some of the most recent research indicates that taking steps to improve heart health, such as losingweight, exercising and controlling high blood pressure and high cholesterol, may also help preventAlzheimer's disease.
In addition, strong evidence suggests that ginkgo may be beneficial in people with early-stageAlzheimer's disease. In fact, some research has shown that it may be as effective asacetylcholinesterase inhibitor drugs such as donepezil (Aricept®).
For more information about integrative therapies for Alzheimer's disease, please visit Natural
Standard's Comparative Effectiveness database.
To comment on this story, please click here to enter Natural Standard's blog.
References:
1. Julien C, Tremblay C, Phivilay A, et al. High-fat diet aggravates amyloid-beta and tau pathologies in the 3xTg-AD mouse model. Neurobiol Aging. 2008 Oct 14. View Abstract 2. Natural Standard Research Collaboration: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. www.naturalstandard.com.
3. Mazza M, Capuano A, Bria P, Mazza S. Ginkgo biloba and donepezil: a comparison in the treatment of Alzheimer's dementia in a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study. Eur J Neurol. 2006 Sep;13(9):981-5. View Abstract Heavy Metals Found in International Wines
According to scientists, red and white wines from various countries containpotentially harmful amounts of at least seven heavy metals, including vanadium,chromium, manganese, nickel, copper, zinc and lead. The authors suggest thatthese metals may pose health risks in people who consume wine frequentlyover an extended period of time.
Declan Naughton and Andrea Petróczi from Kingston University, South WestLondon, did not measure the amounts of metals in wine. Instead, they analyzed data published in scientific journals.
After collecting the data, they estimated the potential safety of 15 wines from Europe, SouthAmerica and the Middle East by calculating their target hazard quotients (THQs). The THQ formula,developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is used to estimate the potentialrisks associated with long-term exposure to environmental pollutants. A THQ score below one isconsidered safe.
"The THQ is a risk assessment designed to avoid underestimation. It therefore incorporates severalassumptions, such as maximum absorption of ingested metal ions and lifetime exposures. Incontrast, bolus dosing (e.g., drinking) and cross effects with other potential toxins (e.g., alcohol) arenot accounted for, nor are the effects on the elderly, the young or those with a clinical condition," theauthors wrote.
Italy, Brazil and Argentina produced wines that had safe levels of heavy metals. However, winesfrom Hungary and Slovakia each had a total THQ level above 350, while wine from the remaining 10countries, including France, Austria, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Greece, Czech Republic, Jordan,Macedonia and Serbia, each had a total THQ value above 100.
Although drinking red wine in moderation has been linked to positive effects on the heart, the authorscaution that the heavy metal contaminants may diminish possible health benefits. The heavy metalsmay act as pro-oxidants, possibly canceling out the positive antioxidant effects of the wine.
For more information about the antioxidant compounds found in wine, please visit Natural
Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.
To comment on this story, please click here to enter Natural Standard's blog.
References:
1. Natural Standard Research Collaboration: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. www.naturalstandard.com.
2. Naughton D, Petroczi A. Heavy metal ions in wines: meta-analysis of target hazard quotients reveal health risks.
Chemistry Central Journal 2008, 2:22 (30 October 2008). View Abstract Hydrogen Sulfide may Regulate Blood Pressure
Researchers have discovered that hydrogen sulfide, a common gas that smellslike rotten eggs, may help regulate blood pressure.
The researchers tested two groups of mice. One group was geneticallymodified so that they were unable to make an enzyme called cystathioninegamma-lyase (CSE). Researchers suspected that CSE controls the productionof hydrogen sulfide. The second group of mice was not genetically altered.
The genetically modified mice could not produce hydrogen sulfide. These mice also experiencedincreases in blood pressure and diminished blood vessel relaxation. But when the scientistssupplemented these mice with hydrogen sulfide, their blood pressure dropped. The authors concluded that hydrogen sulfide may help regulate blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels.
Many foods, including garlic, onions and broccoli, are high in sulfur, which can be used to makehydrogen sulfide in the body. In fact, several early studies have shown that garlic and onion maylower blood pressure in humans. Although promising, additional studies are needed to confirm thesefindings.
For more information about high blood pressure, please visit Natural Standard's Medical
Conditions database.
To comment on this story, please click here to enter Natural Standard's blog.
References:
1. Natural Standard Research Collaboration: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. www.naturalstandard.com.
2. Yang G, Wu L, Jiang B, Yang W, Qi J, Cao K, Meng Q, Mustafa AK, Mu W, Zhang S, Snyder SH, Wang R. H2S as a physiologic vasorelaxant: hypertension in mice with deletion of cystathionine gamma-lyase. Science. 2008 Oct24;322(5901):587-90. View Abstract Upcoming Conference: Evidence-Based CAM for Cancer
People who are interested in learning about cancer are invited to attend the 2ndAnnual Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Cancer TherapiesConference.
The meeting, co-sponsored by the Annie Appleseed Project and Breast CancerNetwork of Strength, South Florida (formerly Y-Me), will take place January8-10, 2009, at the Palm Beach Airport Hilton in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Last year's meeting featured 20 speakers and nearly 200 attendees, including patients, advocates,families, integrative oncologists, acupuncturists, nutritionists, dietitians, yoga instructors,homeopaths, naturopaths and herbalists.
The conference registration fee is $105 and includes two lunches, two small breakfasts, snacks anda reception on Thursday, January 8, 2009. Healthcare professionals may be eligible to earnContinuing Education (CE) credits.
For more information, please visit www.annieappleseedproject.org.
If you would like Natural Standard to post your event(s) online, please e-mail
news@naturalstandard.com.
Purple Tomatoes Increased Lifespan of Cancer-Prone Mice
A new study suggests that tomatoes genetically altered to be rich inantioxidants may increase the life span in mice that are predisposed to cancer.
Using genes from the snapdragon flower, researchers in Europe modifiedtomatoes so they would contain high amounts of anthocyanins, which arepowerful antioxidants commonly found in dark berries like blackberries andblueberries. The new genes also caused the tomatoes to become purple in theprocess.
Anthocyanins have been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, andage-related degenerative diseases. However, many of the most commonly eaten fruits andvegetables may not contain enough anthocyanins to gain health benefits.
Mice genetically altered to be prone to cancer ate diets rich in the purple tomatoes or a standarddiet with or without normal tomatoes. Those that ate the purple tomatoes lived significantly longer(182 days on average) than mice that ate standard diets (142 days on average).
Although the findings, published in the journal Nature Biotechnology, are promising, more studies areneeded to confirm these results.
Tomatoes naturally contain high levels of other antioxidants called lycopene and flavonoids.
Lycopene is most abundant in highly processed tomatoes. Also, cooking tomatoes in oil helps thefruit release more lycopene. Flavonoids can be water soluble and fat soluble, so eating foods withwater or fat is thought to increase the beneficial effects of these antioxidants.
For more information about tomatoes and their antioxidants, please visit Natural Standard's
Foods, Herbs & Supplements database. For more information about genetically modified foods,
please visit Natural Standard's Genomics & Proteomics database.
To comment on this story, please click here to enter Natural Standard's blog.
References:
1. Butelli E, Titta L, Giorgio M, et al. Enrichment of tomato fruit with health-promoting anthocyanins by expression of select transcription factors. Nat Biotechnol. 2008. Oct 26. View Abstract.
2. Natural Standard Research Collaboration: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. www.naturalstandard.com.
Upcoming Webinars
Natural Standard is offering a series of upcoming complimentary webinars
on integrative medicine. All webinars are recorded and archived at
www.naturalstandard.com.
Natural Standard welcomes feedback and questions about the webinar
events. To comment on a recent webinar or to suggest future webinar topics,
click here to enter Natural Standard's blog.
Diabetes: Integrativ e Care Cases
Presented by: Chief Editor Catherine Ulbricht, PharmD
November 12 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern TimeTo register, click www1.gotomeeting.com/register/530744372Attendee call in number: (616) 883-8055, access code 625-144-811 Natural Standard Database Overview
Presented by: Chief Editor Catherine Ulbricht, PharmD
November 18 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern TimeTo register, click www1.gotomeeting.com/register/909798124Attendee call in number: (641) 715-3222, access code 632-207-107 December 10 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern TimeTo register, click www1.gotomeeting.com/register/270500121Attendee call in number: (616) 883-8055, access code 644-424-903 An Innov ative Program in Applied Natural Products
Presented by: Lana Dvorkin-Camiel, PharmD
December 2 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern TimeTo register, click www1.gotomeeting.com/register/910800626Attendee call in number: (616) 883-8055, access code 458-016-977 Inside Natural Standard
Visit Natural Standard's booth
The 43rd American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear
Clinical Meeting and Exhibition will take place on December 7-11 at the Orange
County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Please visit Natural Standard
at booth #673.
W elcome!
Natural Standard would like to welcome the following Pharmd D students
from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy: Marielle Galera, Jean Gibeault, Vidhi Parikh, Daniel
Park and Karen Retsky, as well as Hieu Pham from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.
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