Newsletter - December 4, 2004

December 4, 2004 - In this Issue

Holiday portions endanger many diets
Does Vitamin E do more harm than good?
by Steve Parcell, N.D.
Mesotherapy - Dissolve fat without surgery
Stem cells offer hope for sufferers of macular degeneration
Give a "Fantastic" Gift for the Holidays
DHEA Can Decrease Abdominal Fat
World Health Organization issues warning that new flu stain could kill millions
The holiday season can be quite stressful for many people
by Marc Lanallilla
Longevity Evaluations Available at FMI
by Ardis Boyd – Practice Manger, Frontier Medical

Americans generally are clueless when it comes to proper portions, and on Thanksgiving (for example) most belly up to platters piled high with more calories and fat than an average person should eat all day.

So, how do you celebrate the harvest bounty without blowing your diet? Start by understanding the problem...

Dr. Grossman's Comments: Thanksgiving has come and gone and many of us have given ourselves permission to go off of our diets for this holiday. A one day feast is not likely to lead to significant weight gain or irreparable metabolic consequences; however, the type of thinking that allows oneself “permission” to break with your usual dietary discretion can easily lead to a long period of binge eating, particularly at this time of year. More holidays are coming … gifts of sugary sweets … and holiday parties. The “one day” permission to splurge on Thanksgiving can easily lead to a prolonged period of binge eating and weight gain. Now is the time to reign it in! Sugar and sugary treats are highly addictive. The easiest way to deal with decisions about whether to eat sweets or not is to “just say no” … don’t do it at all. That way you don’t need to decide whether to have one or two cookies or a piece of fudge. “Just say no!” It seems radical, but, in my experience, for many people who are sugar addicts (which in my opinion includes most people), the easiest answer is to avoid sweets completely. Your waistline and overall health will be the better for it.

Does Vitamin E do more harm than good?
by Steve Parcell, N.D.

Vitamin E supplements, which millions take in the hope of longer, healthier lives, may do more harm than good, researchers reported recently.

In fact, people taking high doses of vitamin E may in some cases be more likely to die earlier, although the reasons are not clear, said Dr. Edgar Miller of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, who led the study.

Dr. Parcell's Comments: In an effort to determine if vitamin E can help people live longer, researchers from Johns Hopkins University conducted a meta-analysis of 19 studies where patients took vitamin E for at least a year. Many of the patient groups were elderly and taking multiple prescription medications because they already had serious chronic diseases. After compiling all the data the researchers suggested that use of greater than 400 mg of vitamin E might be associated with a slight increased risk (5%) of death.

A meta-analysis is a way of compiling data from many different studies; the problem with this is that the character of the individual studies is lost. I believe the authors of this study are trying to alarm the public and attract attention. I also believe these sweeping and generalized “findings” are flawed in other ways. There are over 7,000 published studies on vitamin E, the majority of which indicate therapeutic benefit.

Many of the studies included in this meta-analysis actually showed a benefit from vitamin E. For example, one study in England showed that vitamin E at levels of 400 and 800 mg reduced the risk of heart attack by 75% in men who already had symptoms of heart disease. A study in patients with kidney failure found a reduced risk of heart attacks and of death from heart disease in people who were given 800 mg of vitamin E. Another of the studies found that vitamin E (400 mg) in combination with some other nutrients reduced the risk of age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in elderly people. And one study showed that a very high dose of vitamin E (2000 mg) delayed the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Should you continue to take vitamin E? Yes, according to the Institute of Medicine, a scientific advisory board, who feel the upper limit (maximum dose) for vitamin E is 1600 IU or 1000 mg. I recommend 400 IU if you are healthy and 800 IU is you have a disease such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, are an athlete, or have a personal or family history of cancer.

Mesotherapy - Dissolve fat without surgery

Mesotherapy is a medical specialty which involves tiny injections of natural plant extracts, homeopathic agents, pharmaceutical agents and vitamins into the skin to treat a variety of conditions. Mesotherapy is used to treat a variety of conditions such as localized fatty deposits, and sagging skin like that found in fat deposits beneath eyes and chin. Mesotherapy can also help reduce cellulite, and reduce localized fat deposits (spot reduction) such as “love handles”, “saddle bags” from abdomen and back of arms, and much more.

Mesotherapy has been used extensively in France for decades for spot reduction of fat deposits under the eyes, around the waist and for cellulte in the legs and buttocks. It is gaining popularity in the U.S.

Stem cells offer hope for sufferers of macular degeneration

For the first time researchers have shown that transplanted stem cells can preserve and improve vision in eyes damaged by retinal disease...These findings hold great promise for potential treatments for people suffering from macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases,” says Michael Young, PhD, an assistant scientist at Schepens Eye Research Institute and the lead author of the study.

Give a "Fantastic" Gift for the Holidays

Dr. Grossman's latest book, Fantastic Voyage: Live Long Enough to Live Forever, coauthored with noted inventor and scientist Ray Kurzweil, explores the possibility of radical increases in human longevity that may be available within our lifetimes. It explores the awesome benefits to human health and longevity promised by the leading edge of medical science--and what you can do today to take full advantage of these startling advances.

Citing extensive research findings that sound as radical as the most speculative science fiction, Fantastic Voyage offers a program designed to slow aging and disease processes to such a degree that you should be in good health and good spirits when the more extreme life-extending and life-enhancing technologies--now in development--become available. This bridge to the future will enable those who dare to make the journey from this century to the next . . . and beyond.

As a special holiday offer available during December only, you can buy up to 10 copies of Fantastic Voyage for the special price of $13.95 each. This is 45% off of the regular price of $24.95. Fantastic Voyage makes a wonderful holiday gift.

To take advantage of this offer, call Frontier Medical Institute directly at (303) 233-4247 or toll free at (877) 548-4387 and ask for the "Fantastic" December Book Special.

DHEA Can Decrease Abdominal Fat

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a widely available dietary supplement, reduces abdominal fat and prevents insulin resistance in laboratory animals. Villareal and Holloszy enrolled 56 elderly persons in a randomized placebo-controlled trial to assess whether similar effects are seen in humans. They found significant reductions in visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat and an increase in insulin sensitivity in the participants assigned to receive DHEA compared with those assigned to receive placebo.

Dr. Grossman's Comments: Metabolic syndrome is the most underdiagnosed risk factor for cardiovascular disease and affects almost 50 million Americans. It is associated with increased abdominal fat. This study suggests supplementation with DHEA, an inexpensive hormone supplement available without a prescription in the U.S., can help decrease abdominal fat deposition and the risk of metabolic syndrome. Use of DHEA is not without risk, however, and men need to be particularly to be monitored for prostate symptoms and rising PSA levels when taking DHEA.

World Health Organization issues warning that new flu stain could kill millions

The World Health Organization has issued a dramatic warning that "bird flu" will trigger an international pandemic that could kill up to seven million people.

The influenza pandemic could occur anywhere from next week to the coming years, WHO said.

"The number of people affected will go beyond billions because between 25 percent and 30 percent will fall ill."

Pandemics occur when a completely new flu strain emerges for which humans have no immunity.

Dr. Grossman's Comments: Flu pandemics are severe outbreaks of influenza that affect large swaths of the population. There were 3 influenza pandemics during the 20th century. The worst in 1918-19 killed 500,000 in the U.S. and 20-50 million people worldwide. Pandemics typically occur when a bird flu combines with a human flu strain. The World Health Organization fears that the current bird flu in Asia will someday spread to the human population and infect BILLIONS of people resulting in millions of deaths. In future issues of this newsletter we will discuss steps you and your family can take to avoid the flu and also to help yourself should you contract it.

The holiday season can be quite stressful for many people
by Marc Lanallilla

While many people do enjoy the holiday activities during Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's, for others the season is marked by an increase in depression, alcohol and substance abuse, suicide and domestic violence.

Dr. Grossman's Comments: In Life Stress Tables that list "death of a spouse" as 100, and "change in residence" as 20, "Christmas" rates a score of 12. The holidays are stressful. We tend to create such high expectations for ourselves at this time of year that the reality of our lives not living up to our imaginary ideal can create considerable stress for many people. Parties, shopping, changes in routine, often more alcohol than usual all combine to create stress. Try to be easy on yourself this time of year. Get extra rest, eat and drink moderately, take your vitamins and remember what the holidays are really about: family, friends, "peace on earth, good will towards all."

Longevity Evaluations Available at FMI
by Ardis Boyd – Practice Manger, Frontier Medical

We are entering a new frontier of medicine wherein you can now take control of your health, discover your genetic tendencies, and make INDIVIDUALIZED lifestyle choices that will extend your life. Dr. Grossman, our medical director, developed our longevity program after working with thousands of patients from all over the world during the past 10 years. By undergoing one of our Longevity Evaluations, you will join individuals who have come to visit us from all parts of the U.S. and around the world to gain the knowledge and tools to live longer, healthier, and younger lives. You will accomplish this by undergoing a comprehensive series of the latest medical tests available.