December 18, 2007 - In this Issue

A word from Dr. Grossman

Friends, these are exciting times in the world of wellness and longevity medicine. Almost every day, scholarly articles and research findings appear in the medical literature suggesting new breakthroughs and novel findings. Periodically, I would like to share some of these with you so that you too can share the excitement with me...

 

Multiple Nutritional Supplements Found to Be Beneficial to Health

A recent study compared three groups: 278 long-term users of multiple dietary supplements, 176 users of a single multivitamin/mineral supplement, and 602 non-users of supplements.

At least half of the subjects in the multiple supplement group took the following: a multivitamin/mineral including B-complex, vitamin C, E and D, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, lecithin, alfalfa, coenzyme Q10, resveratrol, glucosamine, and various herbal immune supplements. Most of the women in this group also consumed gamma linolenic acid and a probiotic supplement, while most of the men consumed zinc, garlic, saw palmetto and a soy protein supplement.

Supplement users had lower levels of homocysteine, a heart-toxic blood element with 45% of non-users having elevated homocysteine, and single supplement users a 37% risk,. Multi-supplement users had only an 11% risk. Multiple supplement users also had lower levels of C-reactive protein (a measure of inflammation), lower triglycerides and higher levels of beneficial HDL cholesterol. They also had lower blood pressure, 73% less risk of diabetes and 52% less risk of coronary heart disease. Multiple supplement users tended to describe their health status as “good or excellent” 74% more often than non-users.

See Block G, Jensen CD, et al: "Usage patterns, health, and nutritional status of long-term multiple dietary supplement users: a cross-sectional study," Nutr J, 2007; 6(1): 30.

 

Adult Cells Coaxed Into Becoming True Embryonic Stem Cells

In June 2007, two separate laboratories, one in Japan and the other in the United States, reported being able to take fully differentiated adult mouse cells and convert them into “pluripotent” stem cells very similar to embryonic stem cells (ESC).

Five months later, both the Japanese and American teams have repeated the same feat using human cells. It now appears possible to create human embryonic stem cells without destroying a human embryo, the cause of ethical and political roadblocks for many in the United States.

One problem with the current technology, however, is that in order to introduce the desired adult genes in to the embryonic stem cell, scientists needed to use a retroviral vector. And there are some fears that these retroviral vectors may have cancer-causing potential. So, even though this represents a major breakthrough, much work still needs to be done before it is available for human use in the treatment of human diseases. Nonetheless, this may represent a major breakthrough in stem cell therapy.

Takahashi K et al. Induction of pluripotent stem cells from adult human fibroblasts by defined factors. Cell 2007 Nov 20;

Yu J et al. Induced pluripotent stem cell lines derived from human somatic cells. Science 2007 Nov 20.

 

Beta Carotene Supplementation May Prevent Cognitive Decline

One of the problems with some of the recent negative studies on nutritional supplements is due to the fact that the studies were not conducted for a long enough period of time for the benefits to become manifest. A recent study was designed to look at the effects of beta carotene supplementation on cognitive decline.

In a study of male physicians, which had been going on for several decades, individuals who took beta-carotene for one year demonstrated no beneficial effect. However, among individuals who had been taking beta-carotene for an average of 18 years, improved global score on cognitive function tests were seen compared with placebo recipients.

The physician participants in the study, which was part of the Physicians’ Health Study (PHS) II, took 50 mg of beta-carotene every other day and had a lower risk for decline in cognitive function than placebo recipients. The effect was modest, but statistically significant.

Grodstein F et al. A randomized trial of beta carotene supplementation and cognitive function in men: The Physicians’ Health Study II. Arch Intern Med 2007 Nov 12; 167:2184.

Yaffe K. Antioxidants and prevention of cognitive decline: Does duration of use matter? Arch Intern Med 2007 Nov 12; 167:2167.

 

Should You Get the New Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Vaccine?

A new vaccine was introduced last year designed to prevent herpes zoster (shingles) outbreaks in seniors. This immunization is recommended for individuals over 60 years of age.

Shingles is an uncomfortable and occasionally debilitating illness, which is more common among older individuals. Before deciding whether or not to receive this immunization, it is useful to see what the probability is for prople of different age groups contracting the disease in the first place.

Among people between 60 and 70, 7 cases occurred out of every 1000 individuals. Between 70 and 80, 10 cases per thousand and between 80 and 90, there were12 cases per thousand. Translated into percentages, this translates to .7%, up to 1.2% chance of contracting shingles per year. The vaccine is estimated to work about 50% of the time that it is administered.

Yawn BP et al. A population-based study of the incidence and complication rates of herpes zoster before zoster vaccine introduction. Mayo Clin Proc 2007 Nov; 82:1341.

 

Increased Artery Stiffness Linked to a Decline In Memory and Concentration

All patients who come to Frontier Medical Institute / Grossman Wellness Center for comprehensive health evaluations undergo multiple determinations of arterial stiffness. A new machine that we’ve been using for the past six months measures pulse wave velocity (PWV). PWV provides a direct measure of arterial stiffness.

A recent study done at the University of Maryland in Baltimore was designed to show the relationship between arterial stiffness and cognitive function in people over 60 years of age. Their study showed that as the study participants aged, those individuals who experienced the greatest increases in PWV, indicating a greater increase in arterial stiffness, had a substantially greater decline in mental performance, memory and concentration.

Interestingly, other brain functions such as hand-eye coordination, speech fluency and attention were not affected. The authors conclude "Health habits such as exercise may also be critical to the maintenance of good arterial compliance, and thus, appropriate lifestyle interventions may be of benefit.” Following a healthful lifestyle with appropriate diet, exercise, stress management and supplementation will ensure that your arteries remain soft throughout life, allowing higher mental functions to remain intact as well.

 

Longevity Exams at Frontier Medical - Grossman Wellness Center

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 Exams, 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.

With best wishes for optimal health and happy holidays to all,

Terry Grossman, M.D. and all the staff at Frontier Medical Institute / Grossman Wellness Center

 

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