In a previous blog entry  I drew attention to the fact that pelvic irradiation for cancer resulted in a greatly increased risk of subsequent hip fractures. (http://weblog.vitaminlady.com/blog/_archives/2005/11/25/1421442.html)

New research has resulted in facts about radiation and bone loss that may actually threaten its future as therapy. 

Dr. Moss's esteemed newsletter lays it out in detail.  As he points out, "In 1903, just a few years after the 1895 discovery of X-rays, the German surgeon Georg Clemens Perthes (1869-1927) exposed one wing of a day-old chicken to X-rays. Just 12 days later he noted that growth of the irradiated wing was retarded and that the feathers were abnormally formed. In 1905, two French scientists, Joseph Recamier and Louis Mathieu Tribondeau (1872-1918), described similar growth retardation in kittens. "

The conclusion?  "Exposing bone to radiation can result in four major types of complications: necrosis (a type of cell death), fractures, severe alterations in bone growth, and radiation-induced cancers.

Read his article here - you will need to scroll down the page a bit to access it (and when you do, my title will be explained!):

http://www.cancerdecisions.com/102906.html

I have been waiting for this shoe to drop.  It stands to reason you can't permanently suppress stomach acid (particularly when you consider that all too frequently this is the OPPOSITE of what actually needs to be done - see my article on Digestion here) without having to pay a price.

And here we have it:  a new, more virulent strain of a nasty bacterium called Clostridium difficile (C. diff for short) is becoming strangely common in patients who have been taking Zantac, Prilosec, Nexium, Pepcid and other heartburn medications of that ilk. Would you trade heartburn relief for diarrhea, vomiting, infection of the lining of the colon, and possibly deadly illness?

Consider instead Vitamin Research Products Cease Fire

Heartburn medications raise risk for C. Diff

This is a most intriguing study.  B6 is a fascinating nutrient, involved as it is in almost every metabolic function. It is easily depleted through use of alcohol and drugs, medicinal or other, and also high consumption of simple sugars.

Add to that the catch-22 loop that not only is B6 essential for the production of Hydrochloric Acid, but B6 also needs HCL to be absorbed, and you can see that  deficiencies are going to be common. In fact, using the P-5-P form of B6, which is more absorbable, is a strategy I highly recommend.

It has always stood to reason that B65 deficiencies are going to lead to trouble, since it is part of DNA synthesis, but this is the first study to actually document the process.

High daily intake of B6 cuts colon cancer risk by 58%

Knowledge of the muscle pain that sometimes occurs with statin drugs is now fairly widespread, I think.  Fewer people are suffering this side effect ignorant of the cause.

Now, however, comes word of an even graver danger: the possibility of lipitor being involved in the development of ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease, a debilitating and fatal disease of the neurological system.

Here is a detailed report.

Here is my article listing all the natural ways to address high cholesterol

Here is a listing of natural remedies that may help cholesterol balance

I feed my boys raw, but do add a little high grade kibble to one of their meals.  I thought this would  be of interest to those of you who have dogs, since it extends your field of nutritional knowledge.

If any of you utilize this scoring method, do please log in and add your results.

How to grade your dog's food: (Some brands are down at the very bottom]

  Start with a grade of 100:

  1) For every listing of "by-product", subtract 10 points
  2) For every non-specific animal source ("meat" or "poultry", meat, meal or fat) reference, subtract 10 points
  3) If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points
  4) For every grain "mill run" or non-specific grain source,subtract 5 points
  5) If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients (i.e. "ground brown rice", "brewer's rice", "rice flour" are all the same grain), subtract 5 points
  6) If the protein sources are not meat meal and there are less than 2 meats in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points
  7) If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 3 points
  8 ) If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3 points
  9) If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points
  10) If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 2 points
  11) If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points
  12) If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points
  13) If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to wheat), subtract 2 points
  14) If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to beef), subtract 1 point
  15) If it contains salt, subtract 1 point

  Extra Credit:

  1) If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points
  2) If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist, add 5 points
  3) If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points
  4) If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points
  5) If the food contains fruit, add 3 points
  6) If the food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points
  7) If the animal sources are hormone-free and   antibiotic-free, add 2 points
  8 ) If the food contains barley, add 2 points
  9) If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2 points
  10) If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point
  11) If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point
  12) For every different specific animal protein source (other than the first one; count "chicken" and "chicken meal" as only one protein source but "chicken" and "eggs" as 2 different sources), add 1   point
  13) If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point
  14) If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are pesticide-free add 1 point

  94-100+ = A
  86-93 = B
  78-85 = C
  70-77 = D
  69 = F

  Here are some foods that have already been scored.  (Not by me, but by other users. I have been advised that the score for the HundenFlocken is incorrect)

  Dog Food scores:
  Authority Harvest Baked / Score 116 A+
  Bil-Jac Select / Score 68 F
  Canidae / Score 112 A+
  Chicken Soup Senior / Score 115 A+
  Diamond Maintenance / Score 64 F
  Diamond Lamb Meal & Rice / Score 92 B
  Diamond Large Breed 60+ Formula / Score 99 A
  Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Ultra Premium /   Score 122 A+
  Dick Van Patten's Duck and Potato / Score 106 A+
  Foundations / Score 106 A+
  Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) by Solid Gold / Score   93 D
  Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium / Score 73 D
  Innova Dog / Score 114 A+
  Innova Evo / Score 114 A+
  Kirkland Signature Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables /
  Score 110 A+
  Nutrisource Lamb and Rice / Score 87 B
  Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy / Score 87 B
  Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice / Score 23 F
  ProPlan Natural Turkey & Barley / Score 103 A+
  Purina Beneful / Score 17 F
  Purina Dog / Score 62 F
  Purina Come-n-Get It / Score 16 F
  Royal Canin Bulldog / Score 100 A+
  Royal Canin Natural Blend Adult / Score 106 A+
  Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice / Score 97 A
  Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+ / Score 63 F
  Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies / Score 69 F
  Wellness Super5 Mix Chicken / Score 110 A+
  Wolfking Adult Dog (bison) by Solid Gold / Score 97 A

Jealous of my infallible reputation, the first thing I did when I read this study was check my article on Healthy Diet to make SURE walnuts were prominently featured.  I am glad to report that indeed, they are.

This study suggests that walnuts may be an even more important part of the Mediterranean diet than olive oil, as far as cardiovascular health is concerned.

So whatever else you reach for postprandially, add a handful of these little treasures!

New Study Shows Eating Walnuts Protects Heart Against Short-Term Damage From Saturated Fat

Jealous of my infallible reputation, the first thing I did when I read this study was check my article on Healthy Diet to make SURE walnuts were prominently featured.  I am glad to report that indeed, they are.

This study suggests that walnuts may be an even more important part of the Mediterranean diet than olive oil, as far as cardiovascular health is concerned.

So whatever else you reach for postprandially, add a handful of these little treasures!

New Study Shows Eating Walnuts Protects Heart Against Short-Term Damage From Saturated Fat

I don't suppose the soda industry needed more bad news, with sales falling like rocks, but here it is:

if you are female, the more cola you drink, the higher your risk for osteoporosis.

There had to be more bad news, you know - it simply flies in the face of nature to slake ones thirst not with pure water, but with sugary chemical liquid. 

It would not surprise me to learn as a corollary to this study, that for our adolescents to drink pop is to interfere with the formation of strong bones they need for their future.  But that is pure speculation.

Cola raises women's risk for osteoporosis

I will be gone from today (Tuesday Oct 3rd) until next Monday to the annual East Coast Convention.  There may be some delays in answering personal questions during that time, but I promise I will catch up with everyone when I get back.

I will again be driving my prized bright red Camaro with the VTMNLDY plates, so if you see me - Honk!

On the IRONY front - I just ran spell check on this entry, and the program does not recognize my American car, "Camaro" as a word:  it suggests I replace it with "Camry ".

I feel obliged to point out that although it looks like an extravagant muscle car, it cruises at 1500 revs at 70 MPH, and gets a whopping 27 - 29 miles to the gallon on the highway.

Of course, in those weird Yankee States to the East of me - can you believe the speed limit on the Interstates is sometimes 50?? Sigh!  Much self-restraint required.

This study of tumors in young children suggests that waiting until you are pregnant, and then suddenly deciding to get healthy, is not the best strategy for protecting your Baby.

Already being healthy, and doing things that support your health on a regular basis: such as eating a good diet and taking a multi-vitamin, may serve to protect infants against edulloblastoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the brain. 

Maternal Supplementation with Multivitamins May Lower Risk of Certain Brain Tumors in Children

When even the Government is taking an interest in the health benefits of multi-vitamins, this simple step is one that should be taken by everyone.  It protects not only our children, but we ourselves benefit into old age.

Health Benefits of a Multi-Vitamin

Check out our selection of MULTI-VITAMINS here