Medical Health

Folic Acid Might Promote Cancers of the Breast, Lung, and Colon

On page 59 in his book Crohn’s and Colitis: Understanding the Facts About IBD (1st edition, 20 April 2006), Dr. Hillary Steinhart (a leading Canadian physician and medical professor) states that the vitamin supplement folic acid might reduce the risk of cancer but that the evidence for this possible benefit is not conclusive. Data gathered during a large Nurses’ Health Study, 1980 to 1994, is one of the main sources for evidence supporting the use of folic acid to prevent colon cancer.

Now our scientists and news media are telling us that supplementation with folic acid might increase the risk of cancer, especially colon cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer. The May 2009 issue of Reader’s Digest presses the point that too little folate in the diet can increase the risk of cancer, while too much folic acid can also increase that risk. Folate is the natural form of the vitamin folic acid.

For additional information about the dangers of folic acid supplementation, see Laura Beil’s article “Is your breakfast giving you cancer?” in Prevention Magazine and the CBS News article “High Doses Of Folic Acid May Lead To Colon Cancer.” And also note that on page 103 in the 1st edition of his book Crohn’s and Colitis: Understanding the Facts About IBD, Dr. Hillary Steinhart points out that the prescription drug sulfasalazine “interferes with folate’s metabolism.” He says that if you are taking sulfasalazine, you will probably need to take a folic acid supplement.

I hope Dr. Steinhart brings out a new edition of his book soon. In the meantime, eat plenty of oranges and greens.

Ulcerative Colitis, Olive Oil, Sesame Oil, and Fish Oil

In his book The Anti-Inflammation Zone: Reversing the Silent Epidemic That’s Destroying Our Health, Dr. Sears tells us about the importance of pharmaceutical-grade fish oil, toasted unrefined sesame oil, and extra-virgin olive oil. Now research in Britain indicates that consuming two to three tablespoons of olive oil a day might prevent ulcerative colitis. But this conclusion remains tentative until scientists manage to replicate the results. See http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/638501.html.

Dr. Sears says to consume cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil, preferably relatively expensive brands that have a naturally peppery flavor: President’s Choice Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Tuscany has a peppery finish and seems reasonably priced. Still, you might prefer Dr. Sears’ oils. He sells his own select brand. Google it.

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They Say Vegetables Don’t Stop Cancer. I Don’t Believe It.

This week the media told us all that a new study shows that eating lots of vegetables does not “significantly” lower cancer risk. (The study indicates that vegetables might provide a very small reduction in cancer risk, but that statistic may have resulted from reporting error and bias — see Eating Vegetables Doesn’t Stop Cancer: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/eating-vegetables-doesnt-stop-cancer/.)

The cancer researchers had 142,605 men and 335,873 women report on their eating habits and lifestyles during 1992 to 2000. They then assessed the association between cancer risk and diets high in fruits and vegetables.

But it looks to me that investigating the question “Does eating five or more fruits and vegetables stop cancer?” is like asking “Does taking five or more prescription pills stop cancer?” Obviously, I would not eat a random assortment of pills as a cancer-prevention strategy (nor would I take the over-the-counter pills that happen to be on sale each week).

I drink green tea and eat lots of garlic, tomatoes, apples, berries, greens, and cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and Broccolive). Then I include a very large variety of different fruits and vegetables in my diet, and to that end I also take powered fruits and vegetables and extracts (but I don’t take just one product day after day, month after month, year after year; I rotate them): Rainbow Vibrance Super Food, Progressive Nutritional PhytoBerry, and Drinkables Liquid Fruits and Vegetables Dietary Supplement, for example.

Research on the cancer-prevention properties of fruits and vegetables continues: On January 11, 2010, Texas AgriLife Research food scientists reported that mango prevents or stops colon and breast cancer cells in the laboratory. And at least one researcher at the Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson says a “vegetable-rich diet may avert some cancers,” especially a diet full of cruciferous vegetables: cauliflower, cabbage, kohlrabi, radishes, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.

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H1N1 Swine Flu News

If your local news stations announce that H1N1 vaccinations are available at special clinics in your area, make sure you double check the facts.

This last weekend in the Phoenix, Arizona, area one news station stated that H1N1 vaccinations were available for children and pregnant women at about 15 clinics. Another evening news program provided the same information and added that individuals with underlying health conditions were also eligible.

Long line-ups at the flu clinics ensued.

But if you were able to talk to the H1N1 clinics before you took half a day to stand in line, you discovered that only children and pregnant women were eligible to receive H1N1 vaccinations. The clinics were not dispensing vaccinations to individuals with underlying health conditions (unless, of course, they were children or pregnant women).

Double check the TV news. Phone the health clinics.

Spinach, Greens, and Eye Health

My optometrist always tells me to eat lots of spinach, that studies conducted in the American Southeast indicate that individuals who eat the most greens are less likely to suffer from macular degeneration later in life. Now The State newspaper has come out with an article called “For eye health, eat spinach like Popeye,” in which they say that a half cup of spinach or three quarters of a cup of collard or turnip greens provides the 10mg of lutein that experts recommend as the daily dose necessary for eye health.

I eat spinach every day. And I take a lutein supplement every day, usually 10mg, but often 20-40mg. (I have read that lutein might also protect the skin.)

Experts say that blueberries, bilberries, vitamin E, vitamin C, and zinc also protect eyesight, and I eat blueberries and take supplements containing bilberries and blueberries, and a calcium supplement containing zinc. But I remember one of the cancer organizations saying that vitamin E and vitamin C seem to protect cancers from being destroyed by our immune systems. I therefore take low doses of vitamin C (20 mg) and vitamin E (100 IU or less) and NOT every day. See the BCcancer web site, where they say, “Water soluble vitamins in megadoses may in some cases be tumor promoters.” And see the HealthDay article “Vitamin E Supplements May Raise Lung Cancer Risk.”

Macular Degeneration and Lasik Surgery

For up-to-date news about age-related blindness and macular degeneration, see the Macular Degeneration News page, and for links to web sites, clinics, and doctors specializing in macular degeneration, see the Macular Degeneration Links page.

You will also find daily health news on the new Macular Degeneration News Blog.

lasik.lastmed.com presents the latest news pertaining to Lasik surgery and vision correction. You will find links to Lasik Vision clinics and doctors on the Lasik Laser Surgery Links page.

Increased My Vitamin D to 2000 IU Per Day

I recently read a reputable article that said that we should be taking 1500 to 2300 IU of Vitamin D each day. I think I read the article on a life extension web site: http://www.lef.org/news/.

Mayo Clinic says that the upper limit for vitamin D is 2000 IU per day. See http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-d/AN01864. In Canada, doctors often recommend 1000 IU per day as a potential cancer preventative.

Previously, I was taking 1000 to 1300 IU each day, every day, rain, snow, or shine, 365 days per year.

Cosmetics

Cosmetics is big business, as are cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures. And as the Baby Boomers retire (and that huge wave of retirement has begun) we will see a continued upswing in cosmetic, plastic surgery, and non-surgical procedures: for example, liposuction, breast surgery, facial surgery, tummy tucks, gel eye masks, and vein treatments. Why? Because the Baby Boomers are the generation that plans on staying active and young for as long as possible, and they are a generation that knows that the possibilities are mind boggling.

You are not alone. But remember, cosmetics help you look young, not stay young. Diet and exercise are more important.