Mediterranean Diet Reduces the Risk of Stomach Cancer 

In a large, prospective study it was found that those who adhered most closely to a Mediterranean diet had a 33% reduced risk of stomach cancer.  Gastric (stomach) cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the world. This adds to other research, which shows that the Mediterranean diet reduces overall cancer incidence, esp. breast and colon cancer.  The Mediterranean diet has also been shown to be associated with lowered risk of various other chronic diseases, esp. cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

The Mediterranean diet refers to "the high consumption of fruit, vegetables, cereals, legumes, nuts and seeds, fish and seafod, olive oil as the main fat souerce, moderate alcohol consumption (particularly red wine), a low-to-moderate consumption of dairy products (mainly cheese and yogurt), and a relatively low consumption of red and processed meat."  BTW, we recommend a modified Mediterranean diet in our FirstLine Therapy nutritional counseling session.

Buckland GB, Agudo A, Lujan L, et al. Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and risk of gastric adenocarcinoma within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91;381-90.




Soy Consumption was Associated with Decreased Risk of Death and with Recurrence of Breast Cancer among Breast Cancer Survivors

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (Dec 9, 2009) investigated whether soy consumption among 5042 breast cancer survivors would increase or decrease recurrence of breast cancer and mortality. There has been some worry that the isoflavones in soy, particularly genistein, have a mild estrogenic effect and might cause breast cancer cells to grow.  These women were followed for approximately four years. But this study found that the women who consumed more soy, as measured by either soy potein or soy isoflavones, had a lower risk of breast cancer recurrence and a lower risk of death. "This study suggests that moderate soy food intake is safe and potentially beneficial for women with breast cancer."

 


Soy Consumption May Reduce the Risk of Prostate Cancer

A review paper published in April 2009 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that men who consumed non-fermented soy foods (tofu and soy milk) regularly had a 26% reduced risk of prostate cancer.



Soy Consumption Reduces Hip Fractures in Women

 

A recent study in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that women who consume more soy are at lower risk for hip fractures.  Those women who consumed more soy foods, soy protein, and soy isoflavones were at 21-36% lower risk of hip fracture compared to women who consumed the least soy. The women were between 45 and 74 years of age. 

Post-menopausal women are at increased risk of hip fracture because of osteoporosis. Isoflavones (genistein and diadzein) contained in soy are considered to be phytoestrogens and are believed to play a positive role in bone strength.  By the way, Ultrameal medical food from Metagenics that we sell at the office, contains 15 grams of soy protein and 17 mg of soy isoflavones per serving. 


A new study in the Lancet demonstrates a 71% increased risk of dying from lung cancer for post-menopausal women who take hormone replacement therapy (estrogen and progestin). When you combine this with increased risk of breast cancer, heart attack, and stroke, I can't imagine any woman wanting to take HRT (hormone replacement therapy).  Are bio-identical hormones safer?  We don't know.  If you are suffering with hot flashes or other symptoms of menopause, speak to Dr. Weitz about supplements that may help, such as Estrofactors.

(Chlebowski RT, Schwartz AG, Wakelee H, et al. Estrogen plus progestin and lung cancer in postmenopausal women (Women's Health Initiative trial): a post-hoc analysis of a randomised, controlled trial. The Lancet, Early Online Publication, 20 September 2009)


Cases of Hypertension Increase Despite Better Drug Therapies

 

A paper in this week’s New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM 2009;361:878-87) describes the paradoxical fact that despite better drugs to control blood pressure, there are increasing numbers of Americans with uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure). There is an ever growing array of drugs that either singly or in combination can help to control blood pressure, from diuretics to calcium channel blockers, to ACE inhibitors, to angiotensin-receptor blockers, to beta blockers. Unfortunately, in the US , the prevalence of hypertension continues to increase due to unhealthy lifestyle choices.     

According to the author, Dr. Aram Chobanian, “Societal changes during the past 30 years have had a major negative effect on dietary habits and preferences.  The rapid growth of the fast-food industry and in the intake of commercially prepared foods has meant an increased consumption of calories, saturated fat, and salt and a reduced intake of fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates.  Daily caloric intake in adults has increased an average of 300 kcal during this period as portion sizes have grown and marketing of high-calorie, less-nutritious foods has increased.”

The specific lifestyle changes that were mentioned in this article as having efficacy for reducing blood pressure are:

1. weight control
2. exercise
3. restrict sodium and increase potassium
4. moderation of alcohol intake
5. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension eating plan (the DASH diet)



PROBIOTICS REDUCE FLUS AND COLDS IN CHILDREN

 

A new study in the journal Pediatrics found that supplementing children 3 to 5 years of age for 6 months with both Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis (healthy bacteria also known as probiotics) twice per day had a dramatic effect on reducing both the incidence and the duration of cold and flu symptoms.  Fever incidence was reduced by 72.7%, coughing incidence by 62.1%, running nose 58.8%. Fever, coughing, and rhinorrhea incidence were reduced by 48%. Antibiotic use was reduced by 84.2%. Children who were supplemented with one of these probiotics but not both had significant benefit but not as great as with both.  These are shockingly dramatic positive benefits and this was a double-blind, pacebo-controlled study, which means it had a fairly high level of scientific validity.  [Both of these are found in Metagenics UltraFlora Plus, which comes in both powder and capsules that can be poured into food or drink.]

 


                    F as in Fat 2009



A report entitled F as in Fat 2009: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America was released by the the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation on July 1, 2009.  This report demonstrated that obesity rates increased in 23 states across the US and did not decrease in a single state. It also showed that the number of overweight or obese children is above 30% in 30 states. This report can be accessed at:  http://healthy americans.org/reports/obesity2009/.  

Adult obesity rates now exceed 25% in 31 states, with Mississippi having the highest rate at 32.5%. 44.4% of children in Mississippi are overweight or obese.  The rate of childhood obesity across the United States has tripled since 1980.

The current economic recession/depression is likely to exacerbate the obesity problem, since junk food is cheap and healthy food is expensive.  And prices of fruits and vegetables have been rising. In addition, rates of depression, anxiety and stress have been rising and these are linked to obesity rates.

This report made recommendations for addressing obesity within health reform that include:




Green Tea Extract Inhibits Prostate Cancer Growth

Green tea extract, aka, epigallocatechin gallate, slows the growth of prostate cancer. When men with prostate cancer took 4 capsules per day of green tea extract (equivalent of drinking 12 cups of green tea per day, levels of proteins that are associated with the growth and spread of prostate cancer (hepatocyte growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and prostate specific antigen) fell significantly. This was reported online 6/19/2009 in the journal Cancer Prevention Research.  

As if there weren't enough reasons for men to eat a lower glycemic diet, here's one more:

Post-meal surges in blood sugar can cut a man's level of circulating testosterone by about a quarter, new research shows. This study was presented  at The Endocrine Society's annual meeting in Washington, D.C..  It involved men with normal blood sugar, men with impaired blood sugar levels (pre-diabetes) and men with type 2 diabetes. Each of the men drank a sugary solution (75 grams of pure glucose), which typically triggers a spike in blood sugar levels. They then had their testosterone levels tested. The researchers found that, regardless of whether the men had diabetes or not, blood levels of testosterone dropped by as much as 25 percent after they drank the sugary drink. This trend continued for more than two hours after the glucose was ingested. 



The following is from one of our satisfied patients who recently received First Line Therapy nutritional counseling:


Three and a half months ago, I decided that it was important for me to do something about my weight, and more importantly about my poor health.  For the first time in my life, and at 47, I was over weight, lethargic, unmotivated, dependant upon pills to allow me to go to the bathroom, dehydrated, experiencing high cholesterol, and easily winded when walking more than a block.  I know myself well, and knew that if I was going to get it together, I would have to find someone to assist me. I called Dr. Ben, and he agreed to help me.  Three months ago we began our journey. 

During my first session Dr. Ben weighed me, measured my body fat, and asked me lots of questions.  Most importantly he wanted to know my goals.  Dr. Ben then introduced me to First Line Therapy Nutritional Program.  He told me that if I keep to the program that we would create together, I would be guaranteed positive results. 

Three months later Dr. Ben’s guarantee was fulfilled. I feel phenomenal and I look great. I’ve dropped my body fat percentage, increased muscle mass, and lowered my cholesterol.  My energy level is great, I’m hydrated, motivated, and have a pep in my step.  My friends look at me and ask about my weight loss.  I’m proud to share with them my three month journey with Dr. Ben.  This program has taught me how to eat, what to eat, when to eat, and how much exercise to do. I now have the skills needed to live the rest of my life, not on a diet, but eating well and feeling great. 

As an African American man whose family has a history of cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure, I knew that I could no longer delay in becoming healthy. I am grateful to Dr. Ben, and First Line Therapy. I would highly recommend the program to everyone.  It works!

 

Sebastian R.

Los Angeles



                                FIRST LINE THERAPY

We are getting great results with our First Line Therapy (FLT) nutritional and lifestyle counseling program.  This is an exciting, new nutrition/lifestyle program designed to help you improve your health and your body composition.  While most such programs are focused on weight only, FLT is a comprehensive Therapeutic Lifestyle Change (TLC) program, effective as a first line treatment for common, chronic health problems.  The FLT program is the perfect prescription for conditions such as obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, and many others.  It works because it addresses the underlying causes of these conditions, such as unhealthy body composition (lean mass to fat mass ratio), insulin resistance, hormone imbalance, inflammation, and other physiological issues.

Therapeutic lifestyle change (TLC) programs, like FLT, are based on the premise that many of the chronic conditions associated with aging—e.g., hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, and osteoarthritis—are not inevitable consequences of the aging process. Instead, these conditions are largely preventable simply by making sound lifestyle choices.  Symptoms that many view as signs of aging—such as low energy, poor memory, low libido, chronic pain, and weight gain—are not signs of aging, but rather signs of illness.

The FLT dietary plan uses a low-glycemic, modified Mediterranean diet, that is consistent with current research.  Low glycemic foods do not cause a spike in your blood sugar levels and do not stimulate insulin secretion. New research has shown that low-glycemic diets are more effective than low fat diets in treating obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.(3,4) Patients report less hunger, more energy, and higher compliance with the FLT diet than with commonly recommended lowfat diets. 

A percentage of patients are placed on a detoxification program, initially, to get their liver functioning at a higher level. Many Americans have fatty buildup of their liver and this decreases their liver's ability to function.  An efficient liver is necessary for removing toxins from the environment and for the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. 

The FLT program often incorporates medical foods and nutraceuticals.  Medical foods (like Ultrameal 360, Ultrainflamx, and Ultraclear Plus) are designed to address the unique nutritional needs of patients with specific health problems. Nutraceuticals provide targeted nutritional support for specific functions, such as supporting insulin sensitivity (Insinase, fish oil, EGCG, cinnamon), managing blood lipids (phytosterols, EPA/DHA, Policosinol, Bonito Peptides), slowing glucose uptake (soluble fiber, Ultraglycemx, Fenugreek), etc. Their appropriate use can improve patient compliance, enhance program effectiveness, and shorten the time it takes to achieve risk reduction goals.

FLT has been demonstrated in controlled clinical trials to be effective both in reducing bodyfat without losing muscle, and in reducing cardiovascular risk factors.(1,2)  Most other dietary programs have not.

Dr. Weitz and Ms. Amber Hoch, our Lifestyle Educator and Health Coach, are administering the FLT program.  Please make an appointment at the front desk or speak to Dr. Weitz or Amber about the program. Whether you want to lose weight, gain muscle, improve your health, or feel better, we can help you!


References:
1.  Lukaczer D, Lerman RH, Liska D, Schiltz B, Bland JS. Initial observations of a controlled trial comparing a soy and phytosterol beverage and dietary program with the American Heart Association (AHA) Step 1 dietary program. 2004 Experimental Biology meeting abstracts. The FASEB Journal: Abstract #8642.
2.  Lukaczer D, Liska DA, Lerman RH, et al.. Effect of a low glycemic index diet with soy protein and phytosterols on CVD risk factors in postmenopausal women. Nutrition. 2006;22(2):104-13.
3.  Ebbeling CB, Leidig MM, Sinclair KB, et al. Effects of an ad libitum low-glycemic load diet on cardiovascular disease risk factors in obese young adults.
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition. 2005; 81: 976 - 982.
4.  Harbis A, Perdreau S, Vincent-Baudry S, et al. Glycemic and insulinemic meal responses modulate postprandial hepatic and intestinal lipoprotein accumulation in obese, insulin-resistant subjects. Am. J. Clinical Nutrition. 2004; 80: 896 - 902.