How Sugar Accelerates Aging

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a complex group of compounds formed when sugar reacts with amino acids. This can occur both in the food you eat, and inside your body itself. There is mounting evidence that AGEs may be implicated in the development of the chronic degenerative diseases of aging, including cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes.

Several studies have shown that restriction of the consumption of AGEs can lead to an increased lifespan in animal models.

According to a paper that summarizes recent research on AGEs:

 “... [T]he data are supportive that endogenous AGEs are associated with declining organ functioning. It appears that dietary AGEs may also be related ... As of today, restriction of dietary intake of AGEs and exercise has been shown to safely reduce circulating AGEs, with further reduction in oxidative stress and inflammatory markers.”
Sources:

  Nutrients December 2010; 2(12): 1247–1265 

About Dr Kevin Lau
Dr Kevin Lau DC is the founder of Health In Your Hands, a series of tools for Scoliosis prevention and treatment. The set includes his book Your Plan for Natural Scoliosis Prevention and Treatment, a companion Scoliosis Exercises for Prevention and Correction DVD and the innovative new iPhone application ScolioTrack. Dr Kevin Lau is a graduate in Doctor of Chiropractic from RMIT University in Melbourne Australia and Masters in Holistic Nutrition. He is a member of International Society On Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT), the leading international society on conservative treatment of spinal deformities. In 2006 I was awarded the "Best Health-care Provider Awards" by the largest Newspaper publication in Singapore on October 18 2006 as well as being interviewed on Primetime Channel News Asia as well as other TV and Radio. For more information on Dr Kevin Lau, watch his interviews or get a free sneak peek of his book, go to: http://www.hiyh.info.

New Study Shows Powerful Tool to Increase Your Stem Cells

Researchers have determined that exercise affects the behavior of your muscle stem cells.  This finding could lead to new techniques to rehabilitate injured muscle, or to prevent or restore age-related muscle loss.

It has long been known that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in skeletal muscle are an important part of the muscle repair process.  The scientists discovered that MSCs in muscle are very responsive to mechanical strain.

According to Fight Aging:

“They witnessed MSC accumulation in muscle of mice after vigorous exercise ... Preliminary data suggest MSCs become deficient in muscle with age. The team hopes to develop a combinatorial therapy that utilizes molecular and stem-cell-based strategies to prevent age-related muscle loss.”

Sources:

  Fight Aging February 7, 2012 

Simple Diet Change that Can Massively Improve Your Brain Function

A group of psychiatric and medical conditions, previously thought to be separate ailments, could all be signs of one illness, which is sometimes called Affective Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  Forms of ASD include such problems as major depressive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bulimia nervosa, cataplexy, dysthymic disorder, fibromyalgia, generalized anxiety disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and social phobia.

A few years ago, a study sought to test the hypothesis that ASD, taken as a single entity, would aggregate in families and could therefore most likely be viewed as one illness with multiple forms.

According to the study:

“Affective spectrum disorder aggregates strongly in families ... These results suggest that forms of ASD may share heritable pathophysiologic features.”

But a further look into the science behind ASD shows that heredity is not the only factor at work.  For example, patients with normal body composition rarely have these brain dysfunction symptoms, but patients with excessive body fat almost always have them, and they tend to worsen over time.  And in particular, the triggers of the disorder appear to be excessive fructose and simple carbohydrates, especially grains.

Excessive fructose leads to insulin resistance and then magnified glucose spikes following meals.  Over time, these repeated spikes can affect the chemistry of your brain, resulting in up to 20 brain dysfunction symptoms, as well as the loss of your brain’s ability to auto-regulate fat.  Dr. William Wilson has therefor taken to calling the disease Carbohydrate Associated Reversible Brain syndrome (CARB Syndrome).  Using this model, he has developed a single treatment protocol which has proven effective for a variety of ailments, including obesity, type II diabetes, some forms of depression, PTSD, autism, eating disorders, fibromyalgia, IBS, interstitial cystitis, anxiety disorders, insomnia, and ADHD.

Sources:

  Archives of General Psychiatry 2003; 60: 170-177 

One of Biggest Medical Frauds Ever?

This episode of 60 Minutes details one of the biggest medical research frauds ever.  Anil Potti's research at Duke University was touted as a revolution in cancer research.  But his work was found not just to be wrong, but actually fraudulent -- a blatant deception foisted upon desperate, dying patients.

Eat 15g or Less of This Daily to Help Slim Your Waistline

By Dr. Mercola

In today's world it's more difficult than ever to keep your weight under control, as evidenced by the fact that over 2/3 of all American adults are now overweight or obeseⁱ, as are one in three children.

Part of the blame rests with the processed food corporations that spend billions of dollars marketing unhealthy foodsⁱⁱ as "healthy choices."

So what do "naturally thin" people know that the rest don't?

David Zinczenco, editor in chief of Men's Health magazine, and Matt Goulding address this question in a recent article featured on Yahoo Healthⁱⁱⁱ, stating that most thin people tend to live by a series of "laws" that keep them from gaining excess weight.

These seven rules are simple enough that most can follow them:

1. Avoid "Dieting": By dieting, you're setting yourself up to gain more weight than ever.
2. Avoid "Fat-Free": Fat doesn't make you fat; you need fat in your diet to help you process certain nutrients.
3. Sit Down to Eat: Eating more slowly and savoring your meal boosts levels of two hormones that make you feel fuller.
4. Plan Your Meals and Snacks: Planning your responses to hunger helps you shed pounds faster.
5. Eat Protein: Those who eat moderately high levels of protein (including organic animal protein) are twice as likely to lose weight and keep it off as those who don't eat much protein.
6. Move Around: "Fit people stay fit by having fun."
7. Watch Less TV: Nearly 30 percent of people who watch more than four hours of TV a day have a BMI of 30 or higher.

(To read more about these rules, please see the original article.) I do believe Americans in particular have traded convenience for health, and that is partly visible in the list above.

Bracing and Spinal Surgery Mostly Ineffective in the Treatment of Scoliosis; Real Hope Lies Elsewhere

by Dr. Kevin Lau

The worldwide prevalence of scoliosis has been rising for the last few years.  The figures are very telling. The most recent statistics reveal that the United States has the highest number of deaths caused by scoliosis in the world (245) followed by Spain and Germany (both with 44 deaths). Putting each country's current population in the equation means that Germany has the highest percentage of deaths caused by scoliosis in the world, followed by Spain and then the United States.

This is because scoliosis is much more than having an unsightly “C” or “S” curve along the spine or experiencing excruciating back pain. If severe, scoliosis can have serious health complications such as respiratory,  cardiovascular, and neurological damage, all of which can shorten life expectancy among sufferers.

But then again the deaths attributed to scoliosis could have been caused by wrong treatments. This is what happens when the proposed solutions aggravate or worsen the very problem they're supposed to amend. The objective of mainstream scoliosis treatments is to arrest the progression of the curvature, not for the patient to end up in greater disability. The latter, however, is what is happening in a lot of cases. Instead of experiencing relief from pain and discomfort scoliotic patients end up being handicapped for life, either physically, emotionally, or both. Worse, they can even end up dead.

The Truth About Adult Scoliosis Progression

When we hear about scoliosis we generally think about the kids we knew in high school that had to wear a brace or maybe even had to deal with scoliosis surgery but we don’t often think about adults with scoliosis. The prevalence of adults with scoliosis is quite high, In this study, results indicate a scoliosis rate of 68% in a healthy adult population, with an average age of 70.5 years(1). So the reality is that 2/3 of the adult elderly population has scoliosis, a curve in their spine when viewed from the front of more than 10 degrees. According to this study and additional resources there is a very strong correlation of scoliosis to pain and dysfunction where about half of the adult scoliosis patients did have measurable social or physical limitations. There was a significant correlation between degeneration of the spine and discs and scoliosis which most likely impacts function levels of those with scoliosis especially on a segmental basis.

When dealing with scoliosis as an adult whether you had the condition from childhood or developed it later in life it seems the major concern is progression. Most adult patients especially the ‘baby boomers” are very concerned about their scoliosis getting worse. I think we have to consider the prevalence of scoliosis differs between the adolescent populations at a 3% incidence level versus the adult population having a 20% incidence level (3). In addition to the older populations of >60 being 40% and >70 year old population at 68%. So there definitely needs to be a distinction between adolescent scoliosis patients that are now adults versus later onset scoliosis induced almost entirely via environmental interaction with an effect on the lumbar spine primarily.

There is a very detailed and respectable study that was recently done regarding progression rates with scoliosis in the adult population (2). The truth is that scoliosis does progress in adulthood. Not only does it progress but it has a somewhat predictable nature to it based on where the curve is located or type of scoliosis. Lumbar and thoracolumbar single curves progress with the highest rate approximately 1.64 degrees per year, so a 10 year span would result in a 16 degree progression, WOW! whereas double major curves have the lowest rate of progression at .82 degrees per year or 8 degrees per decade. These progression statistics were based on very specific parameters. The patients observed in this study were separated into two very distinct groups, Type a double major curves and Type B single lumbar or thoracolumbar curves.

The double major group (type A) was often diagnosed in adolescence and in this particular study started being monitored at a mean age of 24 with a mean cobb angle measurement of 37 degrees (range 22° to 52° ). The single lumbar/thoracolumbar group (type B) began initial monitoring much later at a mean age of 46 with a mean cobb angle of only 20° (range 3° to 35°). The most significant difference between the two different scoliosis types was menopause. Type B single lumbar curves had a significant deterioration and progressed at a faster rate following menopause.

So when discussing whether or not scoliosis progresses in adulthood we have to make an initial distinction between the type of scoliosis that a patient has either adolescent scoliosis generally double major curves or adult onset scoliosis of the lumbar spine. If it is adult onset scoliosis of the lumbar spine then there are certain characteristics to look for and to monitor. If you are female then obviously menopause is a big component of the progression and all proactive steps available should be taken to prevent a big swing of the scoliosis in the wrong direction causing more dysfunction and pain in later years. Considering the progression is correlated and often caused by the rotation in the lumbar spine with adult onset scoliosis this needs to be a major component of the monitoring and scoliosis treatment process.

The adolescent double major has a lower progression rate and is not linked to menopausal deterioration but certainly should not be neglected based on a “ it’s not as bad” mentality, it still will worsen without any intervention and cause undo spinal dysfunction and pain. Interestingly the rotation in this scoliosis type appears to be secondary and a direct result of progression.

The progression of adult scoliosis is linear and therefore can be used to establish an individual prognosis and potentially generate treatment plan to accommodate each type and level of scoliosis.


Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2005 May 1;30(9):1082-5.

Adult scoliosis: prevalence, SF-36, and nutritional parameters in an elderly volunteer population.

Natural history of progressive adult scoliosis.

Marty-Poumarat C, Scattin L, Marpeau M, Garreau de Loubresse C, Aegerter P.

Spine 2007 May 15;32(11):1227-34; discussion 1235.

Adult Lumbar Scoliosis: Underreported on Lumbar MR Scans

Z. Anwara, E. Zana, S.K. Gujara, D.M. Sciubbaa, L.H. Riley IIIa, Z.L. Gokaslana and D.M. Yousema

Published online before print January 6, 2010, doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A1962 AJNR 2010 31: 832-837

About Dr Kevin Lau

Dr Kevin Lau DC is the founder of Health In Your Hands, a series of tools for Scoliosis prevention and treatment. The set includes his book Your Plan for Natural Scoliosis Prevention and Treatment, a companion Scoliosis Exercises for Prevention and Correction DVD and the innovative new iPhone application ScolioTrack. Dr Kevin Lau is a graduate in Doctor of Chiropractic from RMIT University in Melbourne Australia and Masters in Holistic Nutrition. He is a member of International Society On Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT), the leading international society on conservative treatment of spinal deformities. In 2006 I was awarded the "Best Health-care Provider Awards" by the largest Newspaper publication in Singapore on October 18 2006 as well as being interviewed on Primetime Channel News Asia as well as other TV and Radio. For more information on Dr Kevin Lau, watch his interviews or get a free sneak peek of his book, go to: http://www.hiyh.info.

The ineffectiveness of Scoliosis Bracing

By Dr Kevin Lau

Scoliosis is known by the curvature of a person’s spine. The areas commonly afflicted are the middle or side bones of the spine. Scoliosis can be discovered at birth, while in the womb the bones of the spine fail to form properly or the ribs fuse together leading to congenital scoliosis. The condition poses minimal risk to infants and young children of both genders.

Neuromuscular scoliosis refers to muscle problems such as poor muscle control, muscle weaknesses and muscle paralysis caused by certain diseases (spina bifida, muscular dystrophy and polio). Idiopathic scoliosis has no cause and is frequently observed in adolescents, the majority being young girls. The spinal curves worsen as adolescents grow. The braces are less helpful to overweight patients afflicted with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Treatment varies according to the cause of the scoliosis, the size and location on the spine and the growth rate of the patient. For curves between 24 to 40 degrees in adolescents, body braces are advised by doctors to stop the advancement of spine curving. Boston Brace, Milwaukee Brace, Wilmington Brace and Charleston Brace are the different types of braces. Each brace has an individual function and the patients’ health care provider has to choose the most suitable one for the patient.

Medical reports say the scoliosis brace does not reverse the curve; instead it applies pressure at certain points to straighten the spine. The importance of the brace is that it is adjustable as the patient matures.

The standard treatment prescribed is a scoliosis brace that corrects moderate curves of 24 to 40 degrees in adolescents. This treatment is recommended despite the lack of evidence to validate its prescription and the debate is still ongoing. Though hard and elastic braces have been shown to correct spinal curvature, the research does not provide definite answers. More investigation is needed to determine conclusively if body bracing is good for scoliosis patients. 

The preference for scoliosis bracing is in small part due to subpar research on the effects of scoliosis exercise in the 1960’s to1970’s.  It is important to consider the supervision of these research studies. The participants were instructed to engage in scoliosis exercises which were not directed towards relieving scoliosis curvature or pain. The orthopedic scoliosis specialist community took the research as the basis to advocate scoliosis bracing over exercise.

Recent long-term studies published in research journals cast doubt on the usefulness of the scoliosis brace treatment, especially on its supposed ability to halt the scoliosis spine progression, preventing the patient from needing scoliosis surgery or significantly altering the condition.

At the 2010 SOSORT meeting in Montreal, a speaker presented findings that demonstrated the possible negative impact scoliosis braces may have on an individual. When scoliosis braces were used on rat tails, which are structurally similar to the human spine, the rate of disc deformity increased. Moreover, the curvature of the scoliosis spine had an elevated chance of worsening.

Scoliosis & Epigenetics

Written by Dr. A. Joshua Woggon, Copyright 2012.

"Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what no one else has thought."

-Albert Szent-Gyorgi, Nobel Prize Winner & Discoverer of Vitamin C


The role that genetics plays in the development of scoliosis remains controversial. While it cannot be disputed that scoliosis does have a familial component (people who have a family member with scoliosis are more likely to have it themselves), the fact that identical twins do not always share the disease of scoliosis emphasizes the role that other, non-genetic factors play in the development of scoliosis.

This topic was recently explored in detail by four of the most highly respected researchers in the field of scoliosis, including the foremost experts on the etiology (cause) of scoliosis, Burwell & Dangerfield, and the current editor-in-chief of the Scoliosis journal, Theodoros Grivas. The article, entitled Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), environment, exposome, and epigenetics: a molecular perspective of postnatal normal spinal growth and the etiopathogenesis of AIS with consideration of a network approach and possible implications for medical therapy, was recently published in the journal Scoliosis, and is the first research endeavor to explore the role of epigenetics in scoliosis.

Epigenetics, while as complex as genetics if not moreso, can be summarized simply as the study of the environmental factors which regulate genetic expression. Through the process of methylation, genes can be "turned on" or "turned off" in response to these factors. Thus, an individual with a family history of cancer and who is at high risk for developing cancer themselves can modify their diet & lifestyle, which will actually re-write their genetic code to reduce their chances of developing cancer.

Due to the gaps in our understanding of what causes scoliosis, the traditional approaches of bracing & surgery can only aim at treating the effects of scoliosis; most notably, Cobb angle. Bracing & scoliosis surgery are mechanical in nature; they do not involve rehabilitation of the neurological systems of the body, and they do not claim to address what caused the scoliosis to develop in the first place. They merely respond to the presence of a lateral curvature of the spine by attempting to force it back into place.

The lack of research on the causes of scoliosis is, in part, driven by the sociopolitical forces which prevail and continue to promote bracing & surgery as the only solutions. In the last decade, epigenetics has revolutionized the way in which we understand many diseases. Unfortunately, this has not been the case for scoliosis, where "there are only sporadic reports suggesting that environmental factors are at work in etiology. [E]pigenetics does not figure in any causal analysis of postnatal normal spinal growth, or in the etiopathogenesis of AIS. This reflects current scientific opinion that genetic rather than environmental factors determine the etiology of AIS in accordance with the genetic variant hypothesis of disease."

In short, there is a very real possibility that environmental forces may play a larger role in the development and progression of scoliosis than genetic factors, but due to the current dogma, this possibility is simply not being explored in the United States.