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LE Magazine December 2002
Studies
from throughout the world that can help you live
longer
December 2002 Table of
Contents
1. Coenzyme
Q10, ginkgo and fibromyalgia
A study evaluated whether anecdotal claims of benefits from
coenzyme Q10 and ginkgo in those with fibromyalgia could be
substantiated. Participants received 200 mg of coenzyme Q10
and 200 mg of ginkgo biloba extract daily for 84 days. Their
quality of life was evaluated by well-validated questionnaires
that measured seven different subjective responses, after 4, 8
and 12 weeks. The quality of life scores showed progressive
improvement during the study period and at its completion.
There was a significant difference of scores from the start to
the end. In the self-rating criteria, 64% claimed to be
better, compared to 9% feeling worse. Any adverse effects were
noted as being minor. Thus, coenzyme Q10, and ginkgo biloba
improved the quality of life of those with fibromyalgia.
JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL
RESEARCH, 2002, Vol 30, Iss 2, pp 195-199
2. Fertility
and life span
A study found a link between longevity and the time of life
a woman gives birth. The relationship between fertility and
postmenopausal longevity was investigated in 1,635 women who
lived past the age of 50. The study found that if a woman
gives birth later in life, her life expectancy increases
slightly. Life extension was linked to late births. Mothers
who are 50 years old have a 38% decrease in mortality and an
increase in remaining life of 3.93 years for every 10-fold
decrease in the age of their youngest child. This amount of
gain in remaining life expectancy would apply to a mother at
age 50 with a two-year-old child as compared with a mother
with a 20-year-old. The study also found evidence for the
existence of vulnerable periods in human life tied to
reproduction and aging that are characterized by phases of
greater mortality. Thus, it was shown that giving birth later
in life enhances female longevity.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES
A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES, 2002, Vol 57, Iss
5, pp B202-B206
3. New
warning label for Tamoxifen
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex), a common drug used to treat and
prevent breast cancer has been linked to uterine cancer, blood
clots and the risk of stroke. The FDA now requires a warning
to this effect on the product label. The drug had also been
linked to endometrial cancer, but now there is a risk of a
rare and even more aggressive, usually malignant type of
uterine cancer called sarcoma. The new FDA-required label
states, however, that the benefits of tamoxifen outweigh its
risks in women who already have breast cancer. The potential
risk should thus be carefully considered on an individual
basis for women seeking to reduce the risk of developing
cancer.
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
June 2002
4. Carnosine
and exercise performance
Carnosine may play a role in improving and increasing
exercise performance. A study examined 11 healthy men during
high-intensity exercise for concentration of carnosine in
their skeletal muscle. Performance was measured when sprinting
30 seconds at a time on an exercise cycle. Carnosine was able
to significantly buffer the acid-base balance in the skeletal
muscles, which becomes unbalanced by the overproduction of
hydrogen ions occurring in association with the build-up of
lactic acid during high-intensity exercise. A significant
association was demonstrated between the carnosine
concentration and the composition of fast twitch type muscle
fibers. The levels of carnosine were significantly related to
the average expendable muscle power during the 30 seconds of
sprinting, especially in the final 10 seconds. Thus, boosting
carnosine levels could contribute to the improvement of
high-intensity exercise performance.
Jpn J Physiol 2002
Apr;52(2):199-205
5. DHEA and
immune function
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) can improve the function of
an immune system that is suppressed due to shock from
excessive bleeding. A study looked at immune cells affected by
the loss of blood, such as lymphocytes (CD4(+), CD8(+),
natural killer cells (NK), and macrophages in the blood of
mice. Blood loss was associated with a rapid increase in NK
cells. Twenty-four hours after resuscitation, there was an
increase in the death of macrophages, as well as an increased
CD4/CD8 ratio, and a decreased number of circulating CD8
immune cells. Mice then received 20 mg/kg of DHEA or placebo
(saline). DHEA was found to normalize the process of cell
death, as well as improve the circulation of the immune system
cells. Thus, DHEA was shown to be effective in improving the
functioning of the immune system after excessive bleeding.
Intensive Care Med 2002
Jul;28(7):963-8
6. Inflammation and diabetes
Research has suggested that inflammation may affect
susceptibility to and predict the risk of type 2 diabetes. A
study examined whether the markers of inflammation precede and
predict development of diabetes. Diabetes can result when
insulin is not correctly utilized by the body. This can lead
to excessively high blood sugar levels that can increase the
risk of blindness and kidney disease. One theory is that food
causes the body's inflammatory response. Obese people may have
a continuing problem with inflammation. The body may respond
to this inflammation by blocking the proper function of
insulin, which in turn leads to the development of diabetes.
It is thought that certain prescription drugs that lower blood
sugar can reduce certain inflammatory markers by 20% to 40%
after six weeks, and may reduce the risk of developing
diabetes. In the study, they found a 70% higher risk of
developing diabetes with those who had the highest level of
one marker, sialic acid. A total of four inflammatory markers
(including C-reactive protein and interleukin-6) were
associated with an approximately 2 to 3-fold higher risk of
developing diabetes. The inflammatory response may help
explain why obesity can lead to diabetes.
Lancet 1999 May
15;353(9165):1649-52
Note: Mild chronic inflammation has
already been linked to Alzheimer's disease, several forms of
cancer, as well as heart attacks and strokes. Apparently, it
is also a risk for type 2 diabetes. Fish oil is probably the
strongest supplement we can take to lower inflammation, but we
must also moderate our intake of omega-6 oils (most vegetable
oils, beef), which can increase inflammation.
7. CoQ10,
vitamin E and energy metabolism
Antioxidants, CoQ10 and vitamin E have a potential positive
effect on lowered energy metabolism. An inherited disease,
such as Friedreich's ataxia, caused by a gene mutation, may
affect heart and muscle tissue metabolism. This gene mutation
has been shown to reduce the activity of a certain
mitochondrial protein. A deficit of this protein is associated
with the buildup of iron in the mitochondria, increased
sensitivity to free radicals, a deficit in activities related
to respiration, and the impairment of energy metabolism in the
heart and skeletal muscle. Recent pilot studies, demonstrating
the positive effects of supplementation with CoQ10 and vitamin
E on reduced energy metabolism, encourage the use of larger
trials to confirm the results.
Free Radic Res 2002
Apr;36(4):461-6
8. Carnitine,
CoQ10, taurine and heart function
Carnitine, CoQ10 and taurine may improve the functioning of
the heart in congestive heart failure. A study determined
whether supplementation would result in higher nutrient levels
in the heart, and thus improve the function of the pumping
action of the left chamber. Carnitine, CoQ10 and taurine are
substances known to influence mitochondrial function and cell
calcium. In the study, 41 participants had prior coronary
bypass surgery, where the risk of death has been shown to be
related to the volume of blood in the left chamber of the
heart after contraction. After supplementation, the levels of
CoQ10, taurine and carnitine in the blood were significantly
higher than in the placebo group (138.17 vs. 56.67, 13.12 vs.
7.91, and 1735.4 vs. 1237.6, respectively). In the placebo
group the diastolic volume in the left chamber of the heart
rose by 10 ml. However, for those who took the nutritional
supplement there was a drop of -7.5 ml of blood. Thus, diet
supplementation with CoQ10, taurine and carnitine replenishes
essential heart nutrients, improves functioning in those with
heart dysfunction, and might improve the results of bypass
surgery.
Am Heart J 2002
Jun;143(6):1092-100
9. Passive
smoking and your cat
Passive smoking has been found to affect cats as much as it
does humans. Passive smoke from a household of smokers raises
the risk of your cat acquiring feline lymphoma, which kills
75% of cats within a year. The results of the study of 180
cats at a veterinary hospital showed that there was more than
double the risk of developing this disease in cats exposed to
second-hand smoke, and a three-fold risk for exposure of five
years or more. Lymphoma is the most common tumor in cats.
Thus, second-hand smoke may be endangering the life of your
cat.
Am J Epidemiol 2002 Aug
1;156(3):268-73
10. Melatonin and life span
Melatonin has been shown to significantly increase the life
span of the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster). According to
the free radical theory of aging, proposed by Dr. Denham
Harmon in 1954, free radicals are involved in the production
of changes in cellular metabolism that lead to a
time-dependent functional decline in all living beings. A
study determined whether long-term melatonin supplementation
could prevent free radical damage, and slow the aging process.
The results showed that melatonin, added daily to the diet,
significantly increased the flies' life span. The flies with
the added melatonin lived 81.5 days compared to 61.2 days in
the control group, representing a 33.2% increase in total life
span in the melatonin group! There was also a 19.3% increase
in time before the onset of death, and a 13.5% increase in
average life span. Melatonin also increased the flies'
resistance to toxicity brought on by an herbicide. In
addition, there was also resistance to a high stress
temperature level (96.8 F). Thus, melatonin may potentially
slow the aging process in humans by means of its free radical
scavenging properties.
Experimental Gerontology, 2002,
Vol 37, Iss 5, pp 629-638
11. Calcium
and weight loss
A high calcium diet may accelerate the rate of fat loss in
those who are overweight. Calcium plays a major role in energy
metabolism. In response to low-calcium diets, there is an
increased release of vitamin D, which stimulates the calcium
to flow into fat cells, causing fat gain. Mice respond to low
calcium diets with accelerated weight gain. When dietary
calcium is increased, vitamin D levels are suppressed. Calcium
increases the breakdown of fat and maintains heat production
during over-consumption on a high calorie diet. There is a
highly significant reduction in the odds of being obese
associated with increasing dietary calcium intake. Dairy
sources of calcium exert a strong anti-obesity effect on fat
metabolism due to the effect of other biological compounds,
indicating a role for dairy products in the control of
obesity. Thus, controlling the amount of calcium may be a
viable way of preventing and managing obesity in humans.
Journal Of The American College Of
Nutrition, 2002, Vol 21, Iss 2, pp 146S-151S
12. Tea,
inflammation and tumor growth
Black tea and green tea have been shown to inhibit
inflammation and tumor growth. A study evaluated the effect of
tea extracts on tumors in mice. The tea caused a slight
increase of the endogenous antioxidant, superoxide dismutase
(SOD), in the blood. The extracts lowered the level of
thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), a stress
marker that indicates the presence of free radical damage.
There was also an anti-inflammatory response in the mouse
paws. Both black and green teas were shown to inhibit tumor
growth and prevent metastasis. Thus, black and green tea may
inhibit inflammation, reduce free radicals and protect against
the development of cancer.
Phytotherapy Research, 2002, Vol 16,
Suppl. 1, pp S40-S44
13. Fitness
and the risk of stroke
Moderate and high level fitness reduces the risk of stroke
in men. A study examined the association between
cardiorespiratory fitness and stroke mortality in 16,878 men
(ages 40 to 87) over a 10-year period. They were given a
medical evaluation that included self-reported health habits
and a maximal treadmill exercise test. The results showed an
opposite association between cardiorespiratory fitness and
stroke mortality. The most highly fit men in this group (40%)
and moderately fit men had a 68% and a 63% lower risk of
stroke mortality, respectively, when compared with the least
fit (20%) men. Achieving a moderate to high level of
cardiorespiratory fitness may lower risk of death due to
stroke.
Medicine And Science In Sports And
Exercise, 2002, Vol 34, Iss 4, pp 592-595
14. Dietary
supplements and ovarian cancer
Studies have suggested that high levels of vitamins C and E
may protect against the risk of ovarian cancer. A study used a
food frequency questionnaire and additional questions on
supplements to ascertain participant data. The study looked at
168 cases of ovarian cancer, the results of which showed that
the highest levels of vitamins C (greater than 363 mg/day) and
E (greater than 75 mg/day) from supplements, or from a
combination of diet plus supplements, reduced the risk of
ovarian cancer by 55% and 56%, respectively. The levels of
vitamins C and E associated with the protective effect were
well above the current U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowances
(RDAs). The consumption of antioxidants from diet alone was
unrelated to risk. Thus, supplemental vitamins C and E may
reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
Nutrition And Cancer-An International
Journal, 2001, Vol 40, Iss 2, pp 92-98
15. Black
raspberries and colon cancer
A study examined the effects of black raspberries on tumors
of the colon. Animals were given diets containing 0%, 2.5%, 5%
or 10% black raspberries. The levels of a particular
biomarker, Urinary 8-OhdG (related to the degree of oxidative
DNA damage implicated in several carcinogenic processes) were
reduced by 73%, 81% and 83% respectively, for all groups. The
total number of tumors decreased by 42%, 45% and 71%,
respectively, again for all groups. Black raspberries modulate
free radical stress and thus may be effective in inhibiting
the development of colon cancer in humans.
Nutrition And Cancer-An International
Journal, 2001, Vol 40, Iss 2, pp 125-133
16. Green
tea and muscle health
Green tea extract may improve muscle health by diminishing
or delaying tissue death. A study examined whether green tea
could reduce muscle tissue death in mice with muscular
dystrophy (MS). Young mice were fed a diet for four weeks
supplemented with 0.01% or 0.05% green tea extract. The lower
dose that was tested is equal to about seven cups of green
tea/day in humans. The results showed that green tea
significantly and dose-dependently reduced cell death in the
fast-twitch long-leg muscle. There was no effect on the
slow-twitch calf muscle. Free radical stress was also
concentration-dependently decreased. Thus, green tea extract
is a potent antioxidant that may improve muscle health by
protecting tissue from free radical-induced cell death.
American Journal Of Clinical
Nutrition, 2002, Vol 75, Iss 4, pp 749-753
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