Caveman diet found to be the best choice to control diabetes

Thursday, November 08, 2007 by: Keith Heimpel

(NewsTarget) If you watch television, you’re a modern homo sapiens, with at least one sedentary habit. Despite its unhealthy drawbacks, T.V. can be very informative, especially when keeping abreast of pop-culture. The phrase, “It’s so simple a caveman can do it,” is one such example. If you pay attention to this advertisement, you’ll also know how the caveman feels about being labeled a simpleton. Now, in the first controlled study of a Paleolithic (stone age) diet in humans, Lund University, Sweden, heralds the simple diet of the caveman as the “best choice to control diabetes 2”.

This caveman or hunter-gather diet, as it is often called, is nothing new. One of the first suggestions that following a diet similar to that of the late Paleolithic period would improve a person's health was made in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1985 by S. Boyd Eaton and Melvin Konner.

Our ancestor, the caveman was consuming fruits, vegetables, nuts, lean meats and fish over a span of 2.5 million years of human evolution, before the emergence of agriculture. The modern staples: cereals, dairy products, refined fat and sugar, have made up the bulk of our population’s calories for only 10,000 years at the most. The switch from the Paleolithic diet to our modern agrarian foods took place over a mere 2000 years, a relatively brief period of time in the history of our species.

Hunter-gatherers flourished over a 100,000 plus generation span. Agriculture was invented 500 generations ago. 10 generations have lived since the start of the industrial age. Only two generations have grown up with highly processed fast foods. In a subsequent article in 1988, Eaton puts this timeline into prospective, “The problem is that our genes don't know it, they are programming us today in much the same way they have been programming humans for at least 40,000 years. Genetically, our bodies now are virtually the same as they were then."

There are modern human populations today which never made the switch. Dr. Staffan Lindeberg, of the Department of Medicine, Lund University notes from earlier studies by his research group, “A remarkable absence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes among the traditional population of Kitava, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea, where modern agrarian-based food is unavailable.”

In their recent clinical study, the researchers have now compared 14 patients who were advised to consume a Paleolithic diet for three months with 15 patients who were recommended to follow a Mediterranean diet (considered to be the healthiest modern food choice) with whole-grain cereals, low-fat dairy products, fruits, vegetables and refined fats generally considered healthy. All participants “had increased blood sugar after carbohydrate intake (glucose intolerance), and most of them had overt diabetes type 2. In addition, all had been diagnosed with coronary heart disease.” Those in the Paleolithic group were recommended to eat lean fruits, vegetables, root vegetables and nuts, meats, fish, and to avoid grains, dairy foods and salt.

The following results are verbatim from Science Daily, which adapted them directly from a press release issued by Lund University. “The blood sugar rise in response to carbohydrate intake was markedly lower after 12 weeks in the Paleolithic group (–26%), while it barely changed in the Mediterranean group (–7%). At the end of the study, all patients in the Paleolithic group had normal blood glucose.

The improved glucose tolerance in the Paleolithic group was unrelated to changes in weight or waist circumference, although waist decreased slightly more in that group. Hence, the research group concludes that something more than caloric intake and weight loss was responsible for the improved handling of dietary carbohydrate. The main difference between the groups was a much lower intake of grains and dairy products and a higher fruit intake in the Paleolithic group. Substances in grains and dairy products have been shown to interfere with the metabolism of carbohydrates and fat in various studies.”

"If you want to prevent or treat diabetes type 2, it may be more efficient to avoid some of our modern foods than to count calories or carbohydrate," says Staffan Lindeberg.

I enjoy the Science Channel and the National Geographics Channel, especially those programs on early man. Now, I’ll look for them on the Food Network, but until then you can read more about the Paleolithic Diet at wikipedia.org.

Think about this study the next time you see that commercial.

Asprin for anti-aging? Try natto instead!

An aspirin a day does NOT keep the doctor away -- The fact that Dr. Roizen includes taking aspirin, which has absolutely no business being on this list is a strong indication that that he is relatively unaware of the true causes of aging. Using aspirin for heart disease has been controversial for years because aspirin is ineffective for heart disease prevention, and fraught with side effects.

A more natural and safer option is to consume natto. Natto (fermented soybeans) is a traditional Japanese food with a thousand year-old history. I have personally started to consume a serving of natto every other day. It contains nattokinase -- a powerful enzyme -- and is very high in vitamin K2, which is essential for building strong bones and promoting heart health.

One serving of natto is actually equivalent to taking eight capsules of the vitamin K2 that we sell, and it’s a fraction of the price, with far more benefits than isolated K2. Ancient Samurai consumed natto on a daily basis to increase their speed and strength. To this day, the people of Japan consume natto regularly, and live longer. That is one of the reasons I started it. It is loaded with a bacteria called bacillus subtilus that may also preclude the need to take a probiotic. I think we all should regularly consume fermented foods and natto is the one that I have chosen to eat.

Remember, even though they are soy beans they are FERMENTED so virtually every negative element associated with soy is neutralized by the fermentation process.

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Dr Lau's thoughts: Book Writing...

With my thesis on nutrition and scoliosis in the final stages of revision, I want to keep the momentum and start writing a book on Nutrition and Optimal Health. It will be a culmination of all that I have learned from overcoming my own health issues. While a lot of the theories may go against current conventional wisdom "such as eggs are good for cholesterol" and "saturated fats and cholesterol does NOT cause heart disease" I believe that in time science will eventually shine more light to these long held beliefs. Ultimately through my own journey I have discovered that truthful information heals, while deceptions in the form of symptom covering drugs and surgery kills.

Breast-Feeding is Best for a Brainy Baby

Breastfeeding your children for the first few months of life can boost their IQ by seven points, according to new research. The IQ boost works for nine out of ten children, since it is associated with a common but newly-identified "brain boosting" gene.

A link between breast milk and intelligence was first identified in 1929. Research into the subject has been frequently disputed, however, and many have argued that past research failed to take into account the mother's background and other factors.

However, two recent studies indicate that breast milk helps IQ whatever the family background. A New Zealand study looked at IQ tests and DNA samples from more than 1,000 children, and a British study examined more than 2,000 British twins. Both studies found that the IQs of breastfed children were seven points higher, if they had inherited a particular gene.

The gene, FADS2, affects the way that your body processes dietary fatty acids.

Although breastfeeding has become increasingly accepted in recent years, there is still much controversy over breastfeeding in America. Issues range from how long one should breastfeed to where it is acceptable to do. But one issue that needs no further debate is whether it is healthier to breastfeed or formula-feed your baby--overwhelmingly, the answer is breastfeed! What’s more is that breastfeeding is not only good for the baby--it’s good for mom too.

In addition to raising IQ, breastfed infants also receive added protection against:

* Heart disease
* Immune system cancers such as lymphoma
* Bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease
* Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
* Asthma and allergies
* Respiratory infections
* Eczema
* Type 1 and type 2 diabetes





Sources:

* Daily Mail November 6, 2007

High Blood Sugar Leads to Colorectal Cancer

Diabetes sufferers with high levels of insulin and glucose in their blood are also at a higher risk developing recurrent colorectal tumors. Elevated glucose levels are the greatest risk factor.

A new study has shown that elevated glucose and insulin increases the chance of tumor recurrence by anywhere from 50 percent to 240 percent!

Even slightly impaired fasting glucose (an early sign of insulin resistance) results in a significantly increased risk of recurrence for the polyps most likely to become invasive forms of cancer.

One of the major benefits of reducing grain carbohydrates is that you will reduce your insulin levels. This research provides more confirming evidence that elevated insulin levels are a major factor that contributes to the growth of all cancers. Anytime you can shift your bread, pasta, rice, cereal or bagel for a serving of vegetables you will take a huge proactive step towards preventing cancer.

Sources:

* Science Daily November 5, 2007

Damp Moldy Conditions Got You Down?

You may notice mold in your home by its musty smell or those unsightly spreading blotches on shower curtains, ceilings or walls. What you might not associate with mold is an emotional problem. But an article in the October issue of American Journal of Public Health makes that connection. It reports on a study that has found a link between mold in the home and an increased incidence of depression.

This association between mold and mood disorder was found by questioning six thousand adults from Germany, Italy, Switzerland and five other countries. They were asked about health and living conditions. Then their homes were visually assessed for prevalence of mold. Even when issues typically associated with depression such as overcrowding and unemployment were factored in, researchers still found more depression among those who lived in moldy homes.

In fact, the study found that among those who lived in moldy surroundings the risk for depression went up approximately 40 percent.

Lead study author Edmond D. Shenassa of Brown University School of Medicine in Rhode Island indicates that it isn’t clear whether the moldy conditions led to the development of depression, or whether people who are already depressed are less likely to combat mold in the home. He’s ready to do more work to pinpoint cause and effect.

Molds are fungi found everywhere as a natural part of the environment. To grow, mold requires water. When a home has excessive moisture these fungi can reproduce rapidly, producing millions of microscopic spores that can become airborne and cause allergies and other health problems. Vulnerable individuals, such as people with preexisting illnesses, are particularly at risk.

A study published in the September issue of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology reports that a dilute household bleach solution (1:16 bleach to water) effectively kills common mold. Researchers at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center say that dead mold can still precipitate allergic reactions, but they found the bleach solution neutralizes the mold allergens that caused reactions in their test subjects.

Processed Food, Pharmaceuticals Contribute To Declining Health

Earlier analyses, including an NIA-supported study suggests America’s obesity epidemic, which is contributing to higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension, could be threatening the decline of our health. Furthermore, some of the today’s common diseases didn’t even exist 40 years ago. In this same time frame, we have made enormous advances in medical technology: we have more doctors, more pharmaceutical drugs, and more hospitals. In conclusion, all we have to show for all this is the sickliest generation of Americans in history with ever increasing disease rates.

In the United States, our modern society is so preoccupied and overwhelmed with every day activities of living we have lost contact with what is important. Have you ever contemplated the miracle of the human body functioning in harmony with lungs breathing, heart beating, senses sensing, muscles moving, healing and regenerating itself? Few have the time to think about this until problems develop.

Up until recently people believed each subsequent generation entering into its retirement years would be in better physical shape than the preceding generation. Then in March 2007, Health and Retirement Study research published by the nonprofit National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), and supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), revealed the disturbing trend of Americans in their early to mid-50s reporting poorer health, more pain, and more trouble doing every day physical tasks than their older peers reported when they were the same age in recent years.

How can American pre-retirees be reaching retirement age in not as good health as their predecessors? Regrettably, the public is not educated enough about how our food and medical systems work together to keep us ill, thereby making money for themselves at our expense. Undesirable ingredients used in processed foods are part of the reason toward declining health in America. Disappointingly, the pharmaceuticals the medical system uses are no longer fully tested and many times contribute to further health decline instead of curing us while they become wealthy at our expense.

Curing Insomnia Without the Pills

Better sleep doesn’t have to come in a pill.

For people with chronic insomnia, studies show that simple behavioral and psychological treatments work just as well, and sometimes better, than popular medications, according to a report in The Journal of Family Practice.

The medical journal Sleep last year reported on five high-quality trials that showed cognitive behavioral therapy helped people suffering from insomnia fall asleep sooner and stay asleep longer. Another American Journal of Psychiatry analysis of 21 studies showed that behavioral treatment helped people fall asleep nearly nine minutes sooner than sleep drugs. In other measures, sleep therapy worked just as well as drugs, but without any side effects.

The behavioral strategies for better sleep are deceptively simple, and that’s one reason why many people don’t believe they can make a difference. One of the most effective methods is stimulus control. This means not watching television, eating or reading in bed. Don’t go to bed until you are sleepy. Get up at the same time every day, and don’t nap during the day. If you are unable to sleep, get out of bed after 15 minutes and do something relaxing, but avoid stimulating activity and thoughts.

So-called sleep hygiene is also part of sleep therapy. This includes regular exercise, adding light-proof blinds to your bedroom to keep it dark and making sure the bed and room temperatures are comfortable. Eat regular meals, don’t go to bed hungry and limit beverages, particularly alcohol and caffeinated drinks, around bedtime.

Finally, don’t try too hard to fall asleep, and turn the clock around so you can’t see it. Watching time pass is one of the worst things to do when you’re trying to fall asleep.

It may be hard to believe, but studies show these simple steps really do make a meaningful difference for people with sleep problems. These interventions are based on the notion that thoughts and behaviors can “hyper-arouse” the central nervous system and deregulate sleep cycles, resulting in chronic insomnia, reports Family Practice.

If these steps don’t work, talk to your doctor about a referral to a sleep therapist, who can also teach you additional relaxation techniques to help bring on sleep. Sometimes, a therapist might work with you to reset your sleep-wake schedule, a more involved process whereby patients adjust their bedtime each night over the course of a few weeks.

Thousands of Future Doctors Say No to Big Pharma

About 90 percent of the pharmaceutical industry’s $21 billion marketing budget is directed at physicians, according to JAMA. There are more than 90,000 pharmaceutical representatives that visit U.S. physicians, providing free lunches, gifts, marketing paraphernalia and free medication samples. These enticements are designed to influence doctors to prescribe more drugs and more expensive drugs and have often become a substitute for objective medical evidence.

Launched in 2002, AMSA’s PharmFree Campaign encourages medical schools and academic medical centers to develop policies that limit the access of pharmaceutical company representatives to their campuses and prohibit medical students and physicians from accepting gifts of any kind from these representatives. In May 2007, AMSA released its PharmFree Scorecard, which was a first-of-it’s-kind ranking of medical schools according to their pharmaceutical influence policies. Of all the medical schools in the United States, five received a grade of “A,” which translates into comprehensive school policy that restricts pharmaceutical representatives to both the medical school campus and its academic medical centers. Forty schools received an “F” for their lack of policy.
Sources:

* American Medical Student Association

Are Artificial Joint Makers Bribing Doctors?

The hips and knees are synthetic, but it's real money changing hands. Five makers of artificial joints have paid more than $200 million this year to doctors and hospitals, often the same ones who are deciding which company's joints to buy, according to an Associated Press calculation of disclosures required this week by a settlement with federal prosecutors.

The five companies were scrutinized by the U.S. attorney's office in New Jersey over allegations they gave money and trips to surgeons who used their products. Four of them -- Biomet Inc., DePuy Orthopaedics Inc., Smith & Nephew Inc. and Zimmer Holdings Inc. -- had their charges dropped when they paid a total of $310 million in fines and agreed to monitoring in a settlement announced in September. The fifth company, Stryker Corp., was never charged and paid no fines but agreed to disclose its payments.
Sources:

* The Washington Post November 2, 2007

The Stem Cell and Autism Connection

What are stem cells?
Stem cells are primal cells that can divide and differentiate to
become like any other more specialized cells in your body. The three
types of stem cells are embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells and
cord blood stem cells.
Embryonic stem cells are the most controversial because they are
harvested from human embryos, while the other stem cells can be
obtained from adult tissue or from the umbilical cord and placenta of
newborn babies and their mothers without damage to them.
Why use stem cells for children with autism?
Children with autism suffer from two major conditions:
1. Hypoperfusion
2. Immune dysregulation
Hypoperfusion is decreased blood flow to the brain, meaning that the
brain does not receive enough oxygen and cannot function normally.
Any time there is not enough blood flowing to the brain, the brain
cells become inflamed and make more nitric oxide. This opens up the
cells to receive too much calcium, which damages the mitochondria
(that make the energy for cells). As a result, the brain cells die
from lack of food.
Immune dysregulation in children with autism means that their immune
systems do not respond normally to stimulation. When the body signals
to the immune system that it needs help (like when the brain becomes
inflamed) the proper immune response and subsequent healing do not
occur in children with autism.
Instead, children with autism often have continually suppressed
immune systems, chronic inflammation and suffer from autoimmune
responses.
An autoimmune response happens when your body does not recognize your
cells as your own and actually attacks the good cells. Autoimmune
disorders include Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis, in addition
to autism.
Immune dysregulation is very apparent in the gastrointestinal health
of children with autism.
Most suffer from symptoms ranging from diarrhea, gas, and bloating to
intestinal lesions and inflammation of their gastrointestinal system.
Researchers have discovered that two kinds of stem cells can
specifically address the hypoperfusion and immune dysregulation that
are characteristic of children with autism.

The Stem Cell Therapy - Autism Theory
Dr. Fabio Solano has used CD34+ stem cells from cord blood and
mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) as a successful autism treatment.
Cord blood CD34+ stem cells injected into the patient improve blood
flow to the brain, which supplies the brain with more oxygen and
results in improved central nervous system functioning.
Mesenchymal stem cells are used to heal immune dysregulation in
people with Crohn's disease and can also suppress the inflammation in
children with autism and address their fundamental immune abnormality.
Using these two kinds of stem cells together can heal both the brain
and the gut for a unique treatment that has great potential!
To learn more about the research that Dr. Leonard Smith and his
colleagues performed, go to the Journal of Translational Medicine to
read Stem Cell Therapy for Autism.

Leonard Smith, M.D., is a renowned gastrointestinal, vascular and
general surgeon as well as an expert in the use of nutrition and
natural supplementation. His research on stem cell therapy as an
autism treatment is ground breaking, but he still believes that it is
only one part of conquering the autism epidemic. Donna Gates and Dr.
Leonard Smith are teaming up to create a better solution for autism
that combines stem cell therapy with a healing Body Ecology diet and
lifestyle program.

Patricia vs. Autism
Dr. Fabio Solano regularly treats patients with CD34+ stem cells and
mesenchymal stem cells.
In fact, you can see the progress of one of his young patients on
YouTube! Patricia Cabrera is a young girl who has had successful stem
cell therapy to treat autism.
Under the supervision of Dr. Solano, her healing is remarkable, and
her verbal and interpersonal skills visibly improve. For Patricia and
other patients, stem cell therapy is an amazing solution that offers
hope for a normal life.
Is stem cell therapy a viable autism treatment?
Stem cell therapy appears to be a safe way to treat autism, though it
does take several treatments over the course of a year and may not be
covered by insurance.
Stem cell therapy does have the potential to help a large number of
children with autism; however, it is a major intervention, and
children with autism need to be healthy from the inside out.
As Dr. Smith says, "Stem cell therapy is the dessert, not the main
course," and nutrition and lifestyle should support optimal health.
Indeed, autism is a complex disorder, with complex causes. Even
doctors are not sure exactly why it happens.
I believe that a subset of children have genomic variations in their
detoxification pathways as well as serious immunologic issues. In
addition, children whose mothers had candida, viruses or heavy metal
toxins in their blood during pregnancy pass those issues on to their
children. Then, these children with already weak immunity are exposed
to toxins through vaccinations.
Exposure to candida, viral infections and heavy metals puts some
children more at risk, and with the continual environmental and
dietary toxins in our modern world, we are seeing more and more
neurological disorders in both children and adults.
To learn more about the causes of autism read
The Root Causes of Autism: A Supposed Mystery That is Not So
Mysterious
Fortunately, the human body is very flexible, and autism does not
happen to everyone. I do believe that we can heal this condition,
from the inside out.