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Friday, January 31, 2003
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By Darin Ingels, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (January 30, 2003)—Women who consume nuts or peanut butter as part of their regular diet may reduce their risk of developing type 2 (adult onset) diabetes, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (2002;288:2554–60). This study provides more evidence that type 2 diabetes may be prevented by making relatively simple dietary changes.
In this study, 83,818 female nurses from ages 30 to 55 were questioned in 1980 about their dietary habits. Frequency of nut consumption was recorded as never, less than one 1-ounce serving a week, one to four servings a week, or more than five servings a week.
During a 16-year follow-up period, women who consumed a 1-ounce serving of nuts more than five times a week had a 27% less chance of developing type 2 diabetes, compared with those who never ate nuts. Nut consumption between one and four servings per week also led to a reduction in type 2 diabetes risk, but to a lesser extent than seen with higher nut intake. Frequent consumption of peanut butter was also associated with a lower risk of developing diabetes. Concerns have been raised that, because of their high fat content, nuts could cause weight gain and increase the risk of heart disease. However, in this study, there was no significant change in body weight and no increase in the incidence of heart disease among the high nut consumers.
Type 2 diabetes has become a worldwide epidemic affecting more than 16 million people in the United States and 135 million people around the world. An estimated 300 million individuals will be affected worldwide by the year 2025. Type 2 diabetes is associated with several complications, such as heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, and circulation problems. Studies show that the risk of developing type 2 diabetes is increased by excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle. Some physicians believe that dietary factors particularly the high consumption of refined grains and sugar—may also play a significant role in the development of diabetes. The role of these dietary factors warrants further investigation.
Nuts are rich in fiber, magnesium, and many other essential nutrients. Other studies have shown that consuming fiber and magnesium can help achieve better blood sugar control. Peanuts are technically legumes (beans), but their nutritional content is similar to that of other types of nuts. Although it is not clear which components of nuts contribute to the decrease in diabetes risk, the evidence suggests that consuming nuts and peanut butter on a regular basis may help prevent a potentially devastating and life-threatening disease.
Darin Ingels, ND, MT (ASCP), received his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA. Dr. Ingels is the author of The Natural Pharmacist: Lowering Cholesterol (Prima, 1999) and Natural Treatments for High Cholesterol (Prima, 2000). He currently is in private practice at New England Family Health Associates located in Southport, CT, where he specializes in environmental medicine and allergies. Dr. Ingels is a regular contributor to Healthnotes and Healthnotes Newswire.
Copyright © 2003 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of the Healthnotes® content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Healthnotes, Inc. Healthnotes Newswire is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a healthcare professional. Healthnotes, Inc. shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Healthnotes and the Healthnotes logo are registered trademarks of Healthnotes, Inc.
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8:27:28 PM 
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By Maureen Williams, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (January 30, 2003)—A treatment program for migraine sufferers that includes exercise and relaxation therapies is more effective than conventional treatment alone, according to a new study in Headache (2002;42:845–54).
Migraine is a disorder characterized by episodes of severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and light and sound sensitivity. An estimated 30 million people in the United States suffer from migraines. This high prevalence and the significant disability associated with migraines make finding acceptable and affordable treatment a high priority.
Conventional treatment focuses on drug therapies, including nonprescription and prescription pain relievers, and medications designed to interrupt the biochemical processes that cause migraines. Most of these medications relieve migraine by restricting blood flow to the head, but their effects on blood vessels in other parts of the body can be problematic, particularly in people with heart and blood vessel diseases, people using other medications that affect blood flow, and pregnant and breast-feeding women. It is possible to become dependent on some of these medications. Furthermore, long-term frequent use of any of these medicines can result in additional headaches, known as medication overuse headaches, which are far more difficult to treat than common migraines. For these reasons, more than half of people who suffer from migraines stop seeking medical care for their headaches.
In the current study, 80 participants with migraines were randomly assigned to receive either a six-week comprehensive treatment program or standard medical care from family practice physicians. Standard medical care in this study included medications, referrals to other providers, or no treatment, while comprehensive treatment included drug therapies as needed along with exercise and relaxation therapies, two relaxing massages, and a lecture on diet. Participants were evaluated for pain and disability, quality of life, and medication use at the end of the six-week treatment period and three months later.
Pain frequency, intensity, and duration all decreased significantly after six weeks in the group receiving the comprehensive treatment program but increased slightly in the group receiving only medical treatment. In addition, the comprehensive treatment group rated their ability to function as improved by nearly 35% and their overall quality of life as improved by more than 35%, while the conventional treatment group reported slight reductions in their ability to function and in their quality of life. The improvements noted by the comprehensive treatment group were even more significant at the three-month evaluation, with ability to function increased by 51% and quality of life by 57%. Individuals who continued with their exercise program had more improvement than those who did not.
Studies over the past 30 years have consistently found that behavioral therapies, primarily relaxation training and stress reduction, effectively reduce migraine and another type of headache known as tension headache. A review of these studies revealed that behavioral therapies consistently reduced migraine and tension headaches between 35% and 50%. Few studies, however, have compared behavioral therapies with conventional treatment. One such study found that the combination of behavioral and drug therapies was more effective than drug therapies alone in treating medication overuse headache. The current study shows that a comprehensive treatment program is also a better approach for treating uncomplicated migraine. Furthermore, participants in this study found that exercise therapy was the most important aspect of their treatment.
Dietary approaches, such as limiting foods high in the amino acid tyramine and identifying and avoiding allergenic foods, are helpful for some people with migraines. Although participants in the comprehensive treatment group were given a lecture on diet, the authors did not describe the type of dietary advice given, and did not attribute the reduction in migraines to any specific dietary changes.
Other natural approaches to preventing and treating migraines include supplementing with nutrients such as magnesium, riboflavin, and coenzyme Q10. The herb feverfew has also been shown to reduce the recurrence rate of migraines.
Maureen Williams, ND, received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Seattle, WA. She has a private practice in Quechee, Vermont, and does extensive work with traditional herbal medicine in Guatemala and Honduras. Dr. Williams is a regular contributor to Healthnotes Newswire.
Copyright © 2003 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of the Healthnotes® content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Healthnotes, Inc. Healthnotes Newswire is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a healthcare professional. Healthnotes, Inc. shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Healthnotes and the Healthnotes logo are registered trademarks of Healthnotes, Inc.
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8:25:33 PM
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By Darin Ingels, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (January 30, 2003)—Obese men and women who consume foods high in diglycerides as part of a calorie-restricted diet may increase their chances of successful weight loss, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2002;76:1230–6). While other studies have shown that high fat consumption can lead to weight gain, the findings of this study show that some types of dietary fat may actually enhance weight loss and reduce body fat when used in conjunction with a low-calorie diet.
Obesity, a growing problem in Western cultures, is associated with many health risks, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, gallbladder disease, and some forms of cancer. More than 55% of all adults and 16% of all children in the United States are overweight or obese. Studies suggest that certain dietary factors may be important contributors to the rise in obesity, particularly saturated fat, trans-fatty acids, and simple carbohydrates (such as refined sugar).
In the study, 79 obese men and women from ages 19 to 75 were assigned to incorporate specific food products that contained high amounts of diglycerides (from rapeseed oil, also known as Canola oil) or triglycerides (from rapeseed, soybean, and safflower oils) in their diets for 24 weeks. All participants were put on a low-calorie diet that contained 30% to 35% of energy as fat, 45% to 50% of energy as carbohydrate, and 15% to 20% of energy as protein. Measurements of body weight, total fat mass, and abdominal fat were recorded initially and periodically throughout the study.
Body weight and total fat mass decreased significantly in the group consuming diglycerides by almost 4% and 8%, respectively, compared with those consuming triglycerides. A trend toward a drop in abdominal fat mass was observed in the diglyceride group but did not reach statistical significance. Although a decrease in body weight and total fat mass were observed in the group consuming triglycerides, the results were more significant in the diglyceride group. No significant side effects were reported in either treatment group.
Diglycerides and triglycerides are fats made from combining a glycerol molecule to long chain fatty acids. The difference between the two fats is the number of fatty acid chains bound to the glycerol, with diglycerides containing two fatty acid chains and triglycerides containing three. Diglycerides are natural components of edible oils that are found in low amounts in all vegetable oils. They are also used in small quantities in some foods as an emulsifier, such as mayonnaise and margarine. However, the amount of diglycerides in these foods is considerably less than the amount used in this study. Triglycerides are the most common form of fat found in food, especially vegetable oils, butter, whole milk, and most meat products. Enova, the specific product used in this study, will be available in the United States in January 2003 and is expected to be available in local grocery stores. Enova is a rapeseed oil product that is manufactured to contain high amounts of diglycerides that are not normally found in regular rapeseed oil.
Darin Ingels, ND, MT (ASCP), received his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA. Dr. Ingels is the author of The Natural Pharmacist: Lowering Cholesterol (Prima, 1999) and Natural Treatments for High Cholesterol (Prima, 2000). He currently is in private practice at New England Family Health Associates located in Southport, CT, where he specializes in environmental medicine and allergies. Dr. Ingels is a regular contributor to Healthnotes and Healthnotes Newswire.
Copyright © 2003 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of the Healthnotes® content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Healthnotes, Inc. Healthnotes Newswire is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a healthcare professional. Healthnotes, Inc. shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Healthnotes and the Healthnotes logo are registered trademarks of Healthnotes, Inc.
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8:24:12 PM
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CranioSacral Therapy relies on extremely tender, supportive hands-on contact, accompanied by a sincere intention to assist the patient in any way possible. The therapist serves as a facilitator to the patient's own healing processes. In my experience, this delicate, caring approach is highly welcomed by the majority of AIDS patients.
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12:19:05 PM
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© Copyright
2003
Rick@Leaders.net.
Last update:
2/5/2003; 2:57:36 PM.
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