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Lowering Heart Disease Death Risk |
More Support for Multivitamins in Lowering Heart Disease Death Risk
By Dr. Reginald B. Cherry, M.D.
Wed, Aug. 26 2009
Long-term regular use of a multivitamin may reduce the risk of dying from heart disease by 16%, and vitamin E use was associated with a 28% decrease in risk, according to a new study.
The new study, from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center at the University of Washington, looked at 77,719 Washington State residents from 50-76 years old.
The results showed that the use of multivitamins was associated with a 16% decreased risk of death from Cardiovascular Disease. Intakes of vitamin E over 215 milligrams per day over the course of ten years were also associated with a 28% reduction in the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
Although the debate has gone back and forth over the use of multivitamins, even the medical profession has gotten behind their benefits.
An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association stated, “Insufficient vitamin intake is the cause of chronic disease…Evidence shows that suboptimal levels, even those well above levels for sufficiency syndromes, are risk factors for chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis….A large portion of the general population is at increased risk for this reason.”
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Salvage Therapy Trial for Erectile Dysfunction |
Salvage Therapy Trial for Erectile Dysfunction Using Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors and Vitamin E
Kondoh N, Higuchi Y, Maruyama T, Nojima M, Yamamoto S, Shima H
Friday, 27 February 2009
Vitamin E can improve the efficacy of PDE-5 inhibitors Viagra, Cialis and Levitra
Salvage therapy trial for erectile dysfunction using phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors and vitamin E: preliminary report. We report our initial experience with salvage therapy for low responders to PDE-5 inhibitors by adding vitamin E. Of 89 patients with ED who visited our clinic between January 2004 to August 2006, 9 were unable to obtain a full response to a PDE-5 inhibitor and included in the present study. After providing informed consent, each was given 300 mg per day of alpha-tocopherol at least 1 month and completed IIEF-5 questionnaires to assess its efficacy while also taking a PDE-5 inhibitor. With alpha-tocopherol administration, the average IIEF-5 score increased from 13.8 +/- 3.2 to 17.1 +/- 3.6. Four of seven patients who completed the questionnaire each time showed improved IIEF-5 scores, with a maximum elevation of 9 points. Further, eight of the nine patients experienced favourable subjective changes, the majority being increased penile rigidity. The present clinical trial results are, to our knowledge, the first known to show the effects of vitamin E for enhancing the efficacy of a PDE-5 inhibitor.
Department of Urology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan |
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Nutritional Supplementation |
The case for nutritional supplementation
by Lilian Mavridara
September 5, 2009
The case for nutritional supplementation is a sensitive topic as it is generally believed that we can obtain what we nutritiously need like vitamins and minerals from the food we eat, especially fruits and vegetables. However, the following factors need to be taken into consideration in this discussion:
Even though it is recommended that we consume 5-9 servings of veggies and fruits per day, most people fail to meet this requirement. Even for those that come close, it is important to remember that soil depletion and genetically modified crops lack nutrients. "The USDA surveyed 16,000 Americans and found that not one person obtained 100% of essential nutrients such as magnesium, vitamin E, and zinc. Similarly, children and adolescents did not obtain enough essential nutrients such as folate, vitamin C, and calcium."
Increased pollution in air, water and food, over-prescription of drugs and increased stress levels, cause for free radical production and oxidative stress. Knowing that oxidative stress is the main cause of low-grade inflammation and chronic degenerative diseases, there is a need for extra supply of anti-oxidants and other nutrients. For example, to obtain the recommended 400 International Units (IU) of vitamin E every day, you would have to consume 72.6 cups of spinach or 28.8 pounds, 7.5 cups of almonds or 2.3 pounds, 3.6 cups Safflower oil or 1.7 pounds.
Our bodies are exceptionally intelligent and can function and produce what is needed. However, our immunity and self-defense are built up by cellular nutrition and where one or more minerals, enzymes, proteins, or amino acids are missing, these functions will be affected. In addition, people that have greater stress levels, compromised immune systems, predisposition for certain illnesses, kids, elders and pregnant women will also need extra supplementation.
The future of health lies in prevention through adopting healthy lifestyles including well balanced diet, high quality nutritional supplementation, quality water, exercise and positive outlook.
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Vitamin E is no one-trick pony!
by Rosie Shelley
August 29th, 2009
Vitamin E is no one-trick pony: the revered nutritionist Adelle Davis describes it as the ‘Guardian Angel’ that protects and enhances other vitamins and fatty acids, blood cells and proteins, hormones, and organs such as the liver and kidneys.
In fact she says that ‘Vitamin E is unique in playing a role in a wider variety of body functions than almost any other nutrient’, and modern research suggests that it may play a role in the prevention or treatment of a raft of common problems.
They include acne, Alzheimer’s disease, anaemia, angina, asthma, atherosclerosis, bladder cancer, blood clots, breast cancer, bruising (easily), burns, cataracts, diabetes, epilepsy, fatigue (after light exertion), fibrocystic breast disease, gallstones, gout, Graves’ disease, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, infertility, irritable bowel disorder, low sex drive, macular degeneration, menopause, migraine, miscarriages, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, muscle weakness, oral cancers, osteoarthritis, Parkinson’s disease, peptic ulcers, PMS, prostate cancer, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, scarring, slow wound healing, strokes, varicose veins and viral diseases.
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