Folic acid may be in such abundance in the modern person’s diet that many risk folic acid overdose, even pregnant women. Lack of folic acid can cause anemia common to pregnancy and some other types of anemia. It is also thought to be an antioxidant, or cancer-preventer, because folate is a chemical required by cells to manufacture new cells and prevent existing cells from dying. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate. Folate is found in foods while folic acid is found in multivitamin supplements and vitamin-fortified foods, however, the human body cannot absorb large quantities of folic acid.

Although folic acid overdose is not readily apparent, a recent study suggests that over time it can damage the immune system. This study also suggests that the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reduce its daily recommended dose and make food companies stop adding folic acid to grain-based foods. According to the study, folic acid build up can prevent the growth of cells in the body’s immune system. (‘The extremely slow and variable activity of dihydrofolate reductase in human liver and its implications for high folic acid intake.’ Stephen W. Bailey and June E. Ayling. ‘Proceedings of the Natural Academy of Sciences in the United States of America.’ 24 Aug. 2009.)

The FDA is considered to be the worldwide authority on vitamins and nutrients. The FDA claims that adults over 18 years old need 0.4 milligrams of folic acid. Pregnant women need 0.6 milligrams while nursing women need 0.5 milligrams. These are minute amounts because the body digests folic acid and folate very slowly. However, some breakfast cereals contain 0.5 milligrams of folic acid in just one serving. This makes it very easy for anyone to overdose.

Warning for Patients Taking Anti-Seizure Drugs

The FDA notes that any patient taking anti-convulsant or anti-seizure drugs needs to be keenly aware of the dangers of folic acid overdose. There is some evidence from a 1999 study that too much folic acid can trigger seizures in patients taking anti-seizure medications. Although once thought to be the exclusive drug for epileptics and brain injury patients, many doctors prescribe anti-seizure medications for other ailments such as migraines. (‘Folic Acid’. In: Shils M, Olson J, Shike M, Ross AC, ed. ‘Nutrition in Health and Disease’. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1999.)

Natural Sources of Folate

The FDA claims that the best natural sources of folate are leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, dried beans, peanuts and beef liver. Frozen vegetables have the same amount of folate as fresh vegetables. Fruit juices, especially those that have not been watered down, are also good sources of folate. Fortunately, these foods are also high in other nutrients such as vitamin C, the B-complex vitamins and fiber.

However, because American diets were so lacking in fruits, vegetables and dried beans, in 1996 the FDA recommended that folic acid be added to various convenience foods such as breakfast cereals, rice, pasta, wheat flour and sliced bread. However, the FDA appears to have exposed the population to even worse health complications. Other countries often rely upon the FDA to establish their dietary standards and also allowed folic acid to be added to multiple food products.

For many years, the FDA and medical science believed that it was impossible to overdose on folic acid because it was a water-soluble nutrient. It was thought that any excess folic acid would be simply filtered out through the kidneys via the urine. But the 2009 study has cast serious doubts on that assumption. Now, it is believed that the kidneys do not in fact easily filter out folic acid. The FDA and manufacturers of folic acid nutritional supplements now recommend that any patient with a kidney disorder should avoid folic acid.  They also claim that anyone who develops side effects such as nervousness or painful diarrhea should contact a doctor. This may be a sign of an allergic reaction.

Who Needs to Stay Away From Folic Acid

The following groups of patients should contact their doctors before taking folic acid supplements and check the food labels of the products they purchase to see if they contain folic acid:

*Patients taking anti-seizure medications

*Patients taking the tetracycline antibiotics

*Patients taking barbiturates

*Cancer or arthritis patients taking methotrexate

*Diabetic patients taking metaformin (to help stabilize blood sugar)

*Most patients with a kidney disorder

*Alcoholics with liver and/or kidney damage

*Patients with anemia (unless prescribed folic acid by a physician)

*Anyone with an allergic reaction to folic acid

Eating foods naturally rich in folate should not harm these groups of individuals. Patients on liquid diets may require meal replacement powders or liquids with folate based upon their doctor’s recommendation.

Wise Folic Acid Use

Considering the risks of folic acid overdose, it makes sense to not take folic acid supplements or eat foods artificially enriched with folic acid unless instructed to by a doctor. Completely eliminating folate from the diet is not recommended because this can lead to anemia, sores on the tongue, digestive problems and slow a child’s growth rate.

Pregnant women are still advised to take a folic acid supplement or eat folic-acid enriched foods if they do not have access to foods with natural folate. Pregnant women denied folate during their pregnancies often have premature babies or full-term babies with low birth weights.  Pregnant women should not attempt to self-medicate with folic acid or any other type of antioxidant or nutritional supplement without talking to a doctor, gynecologist or obstetrician.

Alcoholics that do not yet have liver or kidney damage often need folic acid supplements or folic acid-enriched foods because the amounts of alcohol they consume make their bodies unable to absorb folate.

Unless a patient falls into these categories, they should avoid folic acid supplementation.

Smokers not only often look older than non-smokers; their bodies are aging faster as well. This is the finding of several medical studies focusing upon the physical effects of tobacco smoke on the human body. It is commonly known that smoking contributes to heart disease and lung cancer, but some smokers believe that they can circumvent these problems through diet and exercise. But there is no escaping the accelerated aging of the cells in their bodies.

Some of the more obvious effects of smoking include more hair loss in men and premature skin wrinkling in both sexes. Smoking also slows down the body’s circulatory system. With the heart unable to easily send nutrient-rich blood throughout the body, many parts of the body suffer. These include skin, hair, sexual performance and the ability to move fingers and toes. The heart and lungs work harder to compensate, but they cannot work sufficiently hard enough to counter these symptoms.

Although many medical studies have focused upon smoking’s effect on the circulatory system, one of the most dramatic was reported in ‘Effects of smoking on the heart and peripheral circulation.’ J. Trap-Jensen; ‘American Heart Journal’, Jan. 1988. In a test conducted by Fredericksburg Hospital, tobacco smoke was specifically shown to increase heart rate and blood pressure. As a result, typical blood pressure medications such as beta-blockers do not work well for smokers, unless they stop smoking.

Bodily Luxuries

The body does not need hair, good skin or all its digits in order to survive. When stressed by smoking, the body responds as if under attack. It jettisons ‘luxury’ items such as hair or libido to conserve blood and nutrients for the inner organs. According to a 2007 study conducted by the New Hair Institute in Los Angeles, it is relatively simple to spot men who smoke–they will generally be bald. (‘Association of androgenetic alopecia and smoking and its prevalence among Asian men: A community based survey.’ Lin-Hui Su, MD, et al; ‘Archives of Dermatology’, Nov. 2007.)

The study looked at 740 Taiwanese men aged 40 – 91 and found the ones that exhibited male pattern baldness were chronic smokers. Androgenetic alopecia or AGA male pattern baldness is thought to be passed through the genes, but smoking seems to hasten the triggering of the genes thought to be connected with hair loss. The study authors conclude that smoking’s negative effect upon blood circulation precludes vital nutrients from reaching the scalp and hair follicles, causing them to prematurely die.

Hair loss may be the least of a smoking man’s concerns, according to Oxford University’s Dr. Catherine Hood. Because smokers have problems with blood circulation, they often have issues achieving and maintaining an erection. Erections require a quick flow of blood into small vessels to achieve the desired effect. Dr. Hood states that the easiest way for a man to regain his libido is to quit smoking.

Premature Cell Death

It is true that non-smokers die every day. One of the non-smoking groups that die due to premature aging is sufferers of Werner’s syndrome. However, patients with advanced emphysema due to smoking also showed many of the same symptoms as those patients with Werner’s syndrome. And, like smokers, Werner’s patients tended to die of secondary causes such as heart disease. Medical researchers at the University of Iowa decided to determine if there was a correlation.

Werner’s syndrome is caused be a gene mutation which significantly reduces the body’s ability to make a protein known as WRN, which helps cells repair themselves. Cells were taken from the lungs of Werner’s patients, smokers and emphysema patients. The emphysema patients’ cells did not have the WRN protein, similar to the cells of Werner’s syndrome patients.

Although the mutation was not exactly the same as that which causes Werner’s syndrome, researchers noted that previously healthy cells stopped trying to repair themselves, grow or divide in the normal manner of healthy cells. (See ‘Cigarette Smoke Induces Cellular Senescence via Werner’s Syndrome Protein Down-regulation.’ Toru Nyunoya, et al.; ‘American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Magazine’, Feb. 6, 2009.) The University of Iowa plans to continue studies comparing smoking to Werner’s syndrome.

Smoking: Slow Suicide

With all of the medical information available today, a case can be reasonably made that smokers are consciously either trying to commit suicide or are thrill-seekers that accept the concept of premature death. Although middle-aged men and women who have smoked for decades may well find it very difficult to quit, what about the legions of teenagers that pick up their first cigarette and cannot relate to scientific evidence?

If a teenager or youth held a gun to their heads, adults would rush to remove the risk.  Although tobacco smoking does not kill as quickly as a gun, it will eventually kill that teen, although exactly when is most likely to be a matter of the individual’s genetic makeup, access to a varied diet and regular exercise regimen. Children that begin smoking may do so out of depression or even a latent desire to kill themselves. But adults that continue to smoke – even after burying friends and family members that smoked – may also have a death wish.

A three-year study done at the University of Mississippi showed that the brain reacts to tobacco smoke in a reaction similar to the brain on antidepressants. (‘Effects of Long-Term Cigarette Smoking on the Human Locus Coeruleus’; G. Ordway, PhD, et al.; Archives of General Psychiatry; Sept. 2001.) Just exactly what chemicals trigger the brain’s reaction is unclear. But what is clear is that depressed smokers may find smoking reinforces their depression. A smoker is depressed, smokes, feels better, and smokes again. However, feeling better is an illusion.

Conclusion

Smoking may provide short-term benefits, but the physical consequences are too great. The body’s circulatory system slows down, baldness and wrinkling occurs as well as premature cell aging.

The differences between men and women are not simply fodder for stand-up comedians, but a matter of serious concern for the health care industry. The male and female bodies have different nutritional needs, have different reactions to medications and are prone to different illnesses. In a world of skyrocketing medical costs, understanding the physical differences between men and women may help cash-strapped subsidized health systems and confused consumers to allocate their resources more wisely.

Women need to pay particularly attention to these differences because many medical conventions are based upon the incorrect assumption that men and women are physically similar. Women need to pay more attention to other areas of health where they are most vulnerable – not just their breasts and reproductive organs. According to the American Heart Association, the leading cause of death in American women is heart disease, which kills an average of 50,000 more women than men per year.

Women also all too often receive the short end of the stick with respect to obtaining the health care they need, according to a 2009 report by the World Health Organization (WHO). Although death rates are equal for both sexes in early childhood, there is a marked difference in death or illness rates for girls over the age of nine as opposed to boys. Not only do more women die as a result of sexually transmitted diseases, but they also suffered more burns (generally due to the fact that women are traditionally the ones responsible for cooking).

The Vices

In ancient times, smoking and drinking was reserved for sacred or significant social rituals because access to tobacco or alcohol was limited. Now, everyone has easy access to tobacco and alcohol.  What was once sacred has now become a vice. Research shows that men can tolerate smoking and alcohol use better than women. Although in an ideal world no one would use tobacco or alcohol, many societies consider their use normal for both men and women.

According to America’s National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), women can get drunk much faster than men and therefore become addicted to alcohol much faster than men. Women can also get ‘high’ or ‘stoned’ on illegal drugs faster than men and can also become addicted to those substances much faster than men. This suggests that women must avoid or severely restrict their use of drugs and alcohol, because they are more at risk than men of becoming addicts and dying as a result of their addiction.

CASA administrator Susan Foster, one of the authors of ‘Women under the Influence’ (Johns Hopkins University Press; 2006), claims that the effects of drugs and alcohol are double for a woman’s body than for a man’s. Women need to look at one drink as two drinks, as one cigarette as two cigarettes and even one painkiller pill as two. It was once thought that women became drunk faster only because they weighed less than men, but body weight is no longer considered a significant factor to the CASA. Tests conducted on men and women of the same weight showed that women still became drunk or high faster than men. Just why this happens is not known, but the prevailing theory is that a woman’s digestive system cannot create the same amount of ethanol-absorbing enzymes that men can.

Mental Illness

Women are up to three times more prone to suffering from major depression than men. The WHO estimates that every year, at least 73 million women experience a major depressive episode. This high number is only partially due to the stress of childbirth. The WHO estimates post-partum depression only makes up 13% of those 73 million depressed women. Depression is a world-wide mental illness, although it is often not termed as such in Asian countries such as India, according to ‘Depression and How to Survive It’ (1994) by Spike Milligan and psychiatrist Anthony W. Clare. Depressed women in those countries instead complain of chronic pains.

One of the greatest risks of mental illness is that the patient will try to commit suicide. According to the television documentary series ‘This Emotional Life’, women make more attempts to commit suicide than men, but men are more ‘successful’ at killing themselves. The theory is that men prefer very sudden, active means of suicide such as with self-inflicted gunshot wounds while women prefer a passive form of death, such as a drug overdose. Interestingly, men that have recently divorced are the most prone to suicide.

Both men and women try to self-medicate through abusing legal or illegal drugs, tobacco or alcohol. This then complicates matters more for the women since they can become addicted to their ‘medicines’ more readily than men. Women hampered by alcohol or drugs may be more prone to easily preventable injuries, such as those caused by drunk driving. Removing the stigma attached to sufferers of mental illness would be an excellent step toward encouraging those with mental illness to obtain help rather than turn to drugs or alcohol.

In Conclusion

Although for many years the medical community has assumed that men and women are mostly alike, recent evidence points out that men and women have different health needs. The medical community needs to address the different ways in which men and women react to medications or are more prone to certain illnesses. The Society for Women’s Health Research suggests more long-term large clinical studies need to be done focusing on women’s health rather than men’s. The WHO suggests allocating more money to women’s health issues such as sexually transmitted diseases and clinical depression.

The international health care community needs to focus more on prevention of costly and potentially lethal illnesses in both women and men to reserve dwindling money and personnel for the truly needy. But the individual also needs to take the responsibility of preventing their own illnesses and addictions, whether they are men, women or hermaphrodites. No one should assume that men and women respond similarly to medications, pollutants or medical care.

There is no one single daily recommended allowance of iron for everyone at all stages of their lives. Because of this fact, many consumers may think that they should take the same amount of iron that they have always taken or take the same amount as a friend or relative. This may not be enough to suit their particular nutritional needs – or it may be too much. Fortunately, there are many sources of dietary iron and no withdrawal symptoms to if a patient discovers that he or she is consuming too much iron.

America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) publishes a chart breaking down the differences in the daily recommended dosage of iron:

*Males over 19: 8 milligrams

*Male vegetarians: 14 mg

*Females 19 – 50: 18 mg

*Female vegetarians: 32 mg

*Females over 50: 8 mg

*Pregnant women: 27 mg

*Nursing women: 10 mg

*Newborns to 6 months: 0.27 mg

*Babies 7 – 12 months: 11 mg

*Children 1 – 3 years: 7 mg

*Children 4 – 8: 10 mg

*Children 9 – 13: 8 mg

*Children 14 – 19: 10 mg

This is only a rough guideline. Patients with particular illnesses, women with exceptionally heavy periods, individuals with vitamin C deficiencies or individuals who habitually consume beverages like tea that interfere with the body’s absorption may require a doctor to determine their daily levels. Some trial and error may be needed.

Why Bother with Iron?

Iron performs several functions in the body. Most importantly, it helps blood transport oxygen throughout the body. This is why it can be found in just about every cell of the human body. Oxygen and other chemicals help the cell absorb glucose (blood sugar), the cell’s fuel. Iron is also thought to play a significant role in the human immune system and in brain function. Although very few individuals can attract a magnet, all healthy individuals have minute portions of iron in their cells.

Patients with iron anemia (also called iron poor blood) feel exhausted all the time, despite how much sleep and exercise they obtain. Their skin is often pale or more pale than usual. They may feel as if a weight is on their lungs and complain of being faint or short of breath. Without the proper amounts of oxygen traveling through the bloodstream, the body does not have sufficient energy to work at maximum efficiency. Life for the iron anemic is dreary and overwhelming because of the fatigue. It takes a tremendous effort to even accomplish simple tasks.

Symptoms of iron anemia are very similar to those of other chronic conditions such as clinical depression and thyroid problems. Taking extra dietary iron will not help these conditions and will unnecessarily prolong the patient’s suffering. This is why it is important for anyone with these symptoms to go to a doctor for a blood test to obtain a proper diagnosis. Without a proper diagnosis, there cannot be proper treatment.

What is Dietary Iron?

Dietary iron is comprised of proteins and comes in two types called heme (found in hemoglobin in the blood) and non-heme (found in myoglobin, found in muscles and bones.) Dietary iron is marketed under the name ferrous sulfate, which is easily available in multivitamin supplements or iron sulfate supplements. But it is also abundant in multiple food sources. Vitamin C has been shown to help the body absorb iron more efficiently, thus eating foods rich in vitamin C or taking vitamin C supplements is highly recommended.

A common misconception is that meat is the superior source of iron from food. Larger quantities of iron can be found in similar size portions of porridge, oats and vitamin-fortified breakfast cereals. Iron may also be found in many vegetables, milk, eggs, beans, nuts, whole grains and some starchy foods such as grits. Many meal replacement powders, liquids and bars contain iron. Some beverages such as tap water may also contain ferrous sulfate.

Avoiding Iron Overdose

The human body is not an efficient absorber of iron. On average, the body only absorbs 10% of the iron it consumes. But iron overload is possible and can bring debilitating symptoms.  Clifford S. Spanierman, MD of Lutheran General Hospital and a specialist in pediatrics and emergency medicine, estimates iron toxicity to be a major factor in the deaths of children under six years old. Dr. Spanierman speculates that children may take iron supplements in the mistaken belief that they are sweets.

Symptoms of iron overdose are dramatic, often including copious amounts of diarrhea and vomiting. Dr. Spanierman reports that if a patient can stay conscious and get to a hospital, the patient has an excellent chance of surviving. But if the patient becomes unconscious, the chances of recovery are very slim. In extreme cases, blood transfusions are needed in order to quickly clean the excess iron from the body. Dr. Spanierman added that women over 65 were also prone to iron overdose because they were not aware that their iron needs drop significantly after the completion of menopause.

A good general rule to avoid iron overdose is to avoid taking an iron supplement if not instructed to by a physician. Because of the dangers of iron overdose, it is never a good idea to self-diagnose one’s health problems.

Conclusion

Individuals can suffer if they do not have enough iron or die if they consume too much. Iron is easily available in the modern diet through natural foods, nutritional supplements and iron-fortified foods. Never guess as to the amount of iron to consume. Consult a physician with any questions.

Numerous medical studies in the last ten years indicate that omega-3 plays an important but still mysterious role in decreasing an individual’s risk of developing a depressive disorder such as post-partum depression. Omega-3 is a fatty acid primarily found in oily fish like mackerel and krill, and to a lesser extent in certain nuts and plants such as algae. This is not to be confused with omega-6, which does not seem to have any beneficial effects upon depression. This adds to omega-3′s already impressive reputation for helping to lower blood pressure and prevent heart disease.

Omega-3 cannot be manufactured by the body, so it must be consumed through eating certain foods or using supplements. One advantage is that omega-3 can be added to a depressive patient’s diet without negative interactions with that person’s medications. Science is still trying to isolate the ‘magic’ ingredient in omega-3, but the leading candidate is eicosapentaenoic acid (EPH.)

What is Depression

Depressive disorders are not to be confused with feelings of sadness or grief. Individuals suffering from depression experience these feelings as a chronic condition. Depression manifests in physical symptoms such as insomnia or chronic pain. Indeed, it is a potentially deadly condition because of the heightened risk of suicide or the tendency to self-medicate with illegal drugs and alcohol. Although there are numerous antidepressants available, they will not work for approximately one in five patients, according to ‘Shock: the Healing Power of Electroconvulsive Therapy’ (Avery; 2006.)

Patients upset with the side effects of prescription medications and resistant to shock therapy may obtain some relief through a dietary supplement of omega-3. Individuals who suspect that they are suffering from depression should seek medical intervention as soon as possible. Depression can affect those of any age, any ethnicity, any income bracket and gender. Any loved ones of a depressive should encourage them to go to a doctor. America’s National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) notes that one common symptom of depression is the patient’s firm belief that he or she cannot be helped.

Not a Magic Bullet

Patients with any chronic medical condition such as depression should ask their doctor’s advice before taking omega-3 supplements or multivitamin supplements containing omega-3. The Mayo Clinic states that there have not been sufficient studies conducted to definitively recommend omega-3 for depression, however it does acknowledge that initial studies have been impressive.  Highlights include:

*A 1999 study of 30 patients with bipolar disorder done by Harvard University which concluded that the group taking fish oil showed the greatest improvement. (‘ Omega 3 Fatty Acids in Bipolar Disorder’, A.L. Stoll, et al.; ‘Archives of General Psychiatry’; May, 1999.)

*A 2006 study showed that omega-3 fatty acid helped improve the symptoms of 28 children from six to 12 years of age with major depression. (‘Omega-3 Treatment of Childhood Depression: A Controlled, Double-Blind Pilot Study’; H. Nemets, MD, et al.; ‘The American Journal of Psychiatry’; June 2006.)

*A study of 987 volunteers showed that omega-3 demonstrated excellent results for coronary heart disease patients in the prevention of depression. (‘Association between Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Depressive Symptoms among Patients with Established Coronary Artery Disease: Data from the Heart and Soul Study’. Ali, et al.; Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 2009.)

What about Eating Fish?

Natural sources of omega-3 are plummeting while demand for the oil increases. The highest concentration of omega-3 is found in fish such as tuna, mackerel, krill, and salmon. When the American Heart Association recommended that individuals eat fish at least two times a week for heart health, demands upon the already overstrained fish populations put many species at risk of extinction. Scientists with the University of Alberta have predicted wild salmon in Canada will be extinct by 2018. Fish such as mackerel often contain mercury because they are continually exposed to pollutants in the ocean.

Because of the increasing scarcity of fish and the questionable health of the available fish, consumers are turning to alternative sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Vegetarians and vegans obtain supplementation through walnuts, pumpkin seeds, soybeans and green vegetables, but it is wise to seek additional supplementation.

The Future of Omega-3

Conventional medical science has already seen the benefits omega-3 provides to the heart. Studies show that individuals with depression often show improvement when omega-3 fatty acids are introduced into their diets. Furthermore, many individuals consume too much omega-6, which may interfere with the body’s ability to absorb omega-3. But when consumed in the correct ratio, omega-6 does not interfere with the health benefits of its sister fatty acid. Science is still determining what that correct ratio should be, but one study suggests it should be 2.5 parts omega-6 to one part omega-3 (‘The importance of the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids.’ A.P. Simopoulis; ‘Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy’; Oct. 2002.)

With more studies strengthening the link between omega-3 and relieving depression, there will be more pressure on pharmaceutical companies to create a synthetic version to replace the world’s dwindling fish stocks. Fish contain the largest sources of omega-3 because they consume algae and other oily fish. This concentrates the level of omega-3 in their bodies. Until synthetic fish oil is manufactured, patients should consider vegetarian sources of omega-3 as well as other therapies for depression. Since depressives also are prone to chronic illnesses such as heart conditions, omega-3 may also help to prevent heart disease from developing in these high-risk patients.

Conclusion

Clinical trials for omega-3 and EPH are ongoing, however, dozens of studies conducted on 1,000 individuals have shown significant evidence in favor of a correlation between proper omega-3 consumption and optimized mental health.

If left untreated, the gum disease gingivitis may cause potentially lethal heart disease. Just how plaque from the mouth can be found inside the arteries flowing from the heart is unknown, but there is no doubt about the high correlation between untreated gingivitis and heart disease. A recent study has shown that gum disease can increase the body’s production of a chemical that may be responsible for triggering heart disease. Several medical studies have also proven that gingivitis or periodontal disease increases an individual’s risk factor for developing heart disease.

In America alone, heart disease is responsible for the deaths of approximately 450,000 individuals per year, according to the American Heart Association. With gum disease as a predictable forerunner, it may provide patients with the time they need to not only save their teeth but their hearts as well. Preventing gum disease and good dental hygiene may save thousands of lives. However, according to a 2008 report in The New York Times, if change is not instituted, 50% of all children will have cavities and find themselves on the road towards developing heart disease as adults.

The American Heart Association warns that oral hygiene is not the magic cure for heart disease. Individuals still should avoid smoking, obesity and high-fat diets; however, individuals who may be genetically predisposed to heart disease need to be especially cognizant of the relationship between oral health and cardiovascular disease. For such individuals, eliminating smoking and engaging in healthy dietary plans may not be sufficient. A strict oral hygiene regime is required.

Studying the Plaque Connection

Patients may find it difficult to accept that tartar on their teeth or under their gum lines can affect their heart health. But study after study shows that plaque in the mouth will eventually lead to plaque in the arteries. Although numerous studies have been published since the 1990s regarding the gum disease-heart disease correlation, a 2009 study at the University of Buffalo was the most dramatic. The findings were presented at the 2009 meeting of the International Association of Dental Research.

The study showed that the more bacteria in the mouth, the higher his or her chances of having a heart attack. Gingivitis is caused by organic matter like trapped food particles rotting and forming aggressive bacteria. The 2009 study examined 389 volunteers that had already suffered a heart attack. 849 others formed the control group. Each subject contributed samples of their dental plaque to be analyzed for bacteria. Those that had had heart attacks all were found to have had aggressive bacteria in their mouths.

In a 2008 interview with CNN, medical researcher Dr. Michael Kowolick of the University of Illinois described his efforts to fathom the mysteries of a chemical produced by gum disease which may trigger plaque growth and narrowing of the arteries in the circulatory system. The chemical is called high-sensitivity C-reactive-protein (hs-CRP.) Dr. Kowolick concluded that if oral hygiene is ignored, death may occur from plaque-clogged arteries. (‘Brush your teeth, save your life?’ Thom Patterson, CNN, May 15^th, 2008.)

The Good News

The good news is that gingivitis can be reversed. If gingivitis is left untreated, it progresses to periodontal and heart diseases, both of which are not reversible. Symptoms of gingivitis are painful, tender and bleeding gums. The gums may be so swollen that the teeth seem to have shrunk. Dental cleaning of the teeth and the gums can effectively remove the pockets of plaque. When dental plaque ages, it darkens to grey and produces a fetid odor.

Regular brushing, flossing and using a medicated mouth wash can also inhibit the growth of bacteria or plaque. Patients with gingivitis may experience sensitivity during the initial three weeks of a flossing routine because the gums will bleed copiously. But after this initial period, most patients’ gums begin to easily tolerate the pressure. A small price to pay for a life-saving preventative measure.

But even if a tooth has been ignored until it rots, just removing the bad tooth can decrease a patient’s chance of developing heart disease. Each rotting tooth is a cauldron of aggressive bacteria which may trigger the chain reactions that contribute to heart disease. Hopefully, patients will get their gums and teeth treated before they reach the stage of needing their teeth pulled.

Future Drugs

CNN reports that researchers at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin are working on a drug to kill aggressive plaque-causing bacteria that may be already present in the body’s blood. Studies so far show that the drug causes the blood to thin in an even more pronounced way than the drug than coumadin (Wafarin) and is therefore thus far too dangerous for human use. Dr. Kowolick criticizes any drug that can make a person susceptible to bleeding to death from even the smallest cut.

It is also unclear just how bacteria from the mouth get into the general bloodstream to begin with. Some theories claim that anything that grows in soft tissues like the gums will be absorbed into the capillaries and then the entire bloodstream. Research is still ongoing on this, and may hold the key to finding a medication to combat it.

It is unclear if this new drug will be safe enough to ever be released. Individuals should not count on a new drug coming out in the near future to cure them quickly of both gum and heart disease. The best way to reverse gingivitis is to go to the dentist and commit to a brushing and flossing routine. Parents are encouraged to help their children to develop good oral hygiene habits now that will carry on into adulthood.

Conclusion

The link between gum disease and heart disease is a protein known as hs-CRP. Just how this protein works in the bloodstream is unclear. But what is clear is that oral health is a crucial component to maintaining a healthy heart, along with not smoking and maintaining a healthy body weight. Gingivitis is reversible, but heart disease is often not.

Constipation can be quickly remedied after a visit to the doctor to rule out serious health problems, such as colorectal cancer.  Relief is often achieved with dietary changes, consuming more water and taking probiotic supplements. Chronic constipation (also known as colonic dysmotility) was once thought to be an illness of the elderly, but due to modern lifestyles, individuals of any age are susceptible to this uncomfortable condition. Some individuals are embarrassed to mention their bowel problems to their doctors, but this is a very common issue, particularly in times of stress and poor dietary plans.

Constipation varies from individual to individual. Symptoms range from not passing any stool for days to passing only small, hard ‘rabbit pellets’ and intense abdominal cramping. The belly around the navel may be distended and hard when gently prodded. Excessive flatulence may also accompany some constipated patients, while other patients have trouble passing gas –adding to their discomfort. Blood in the stool often accompanies constipation caused when an individual strains to produce bowel movements.

Although some advertisements for colon health products claim that individuals should have two bowel movements a day, the Mayo Clinic disagrees. Each person has their own individual number of bowel movements per day or per two days. Chronic constipation is diagnosed when a patient constantly deviates from normal, not when a patient fails to consistently pass a certain amount of stool in a 24 hour period. The following are natural remedies for chronic constipation that has not been caused by a severe illness such as multiple sclerosis.

Dietary Changes

The most effective natural remedy for chronic constipation is making changes to the diet to include less fat and more fiber. Patients should also consume as much water as they can comfortably drink. Patients should reduce consumption of dehydrating beverages such as caffeine and reduce consumption of foods made with processed white flour and sugar, which can slow down the colon muscles.

According to the Mayo Clinic, men need 35 grams of fiber per day, while women only require 25 grams. These grams can be easily incorporated into the patient’s diet. Foods that are high in fiber include:

*Fresh fruits and vegetables, especially artichokes

*Whole grains, especially bran

*Oatmeal

*Beans

*Unsalted nuts

Supplements such as probiotics can help maintain bowel regularity.  Protein powders are now commercially available with added probiotics. This can benefit professional athletes or body builders that need to consume large quantities of protein to build muscles.

The Hydration Factor

Water is used by the colon to soften stools and assist in the creation of the mucus lining which encourages the stool to move more easily through the colon. Consuming additional water is important, but patients often have a misconception that all liquids are equal. Beverages such as coffee, fizzy drinks or alcoholic beverages are dehydrating, causing the patient to urinate more liquid than they take in.

Dehydrating beverages do not have to be entirely eliminated from the diet, but for each dehydrating beverage, two glasses of water should be consumed. Herbal teas, broths and fruit juices can also add some variety to the quest for proper hydration.

Patients that are serious about treating chronic constipation also need to stop smoking. According to Princeton University, tobacco smoke not only predisposes a person to cancer but also dehydrates the body. Tobacco smoke also slows blood circulation, making needed nutrient-rich blood unable to reach all parts of the digestive system. Smoking also increases a person’s risk of developing colon cancer. One of the symptoms of colon cancer is chronic constipation.

Natural Painkillers

Treating chronic constipation by diet alone is not sufficient to relieve immediate pain. Diet can take up to two weeks to show regular benefits. It is never wise for a patient to become overly reliant upon laxatives. The laxative in essence performs the work of the colon. Over time, the colon will lose its muscle tone, which causes greater use of laxatives. Sometimes this condition is called ‘lazy bowel.’

Taking a hot bath or putting a heating pad on the area can help ease some of the muscle tension in the abdomen. Drinking hot liquids or soup can also provide temporary relief as well as needed hydration. Psyllium husk powder can also be used as a nutritional supplement or mixed into drinks. ‘Earl Mindell’s Herb Bible’ (Fireside; 1992) recommends mixing one teaspoon per cup of liquid.

If possible, clothing should be loosened to ease cramping. Although the abdomen may be painful to the touch, gentle massage can bring relief. Aromatherapy grade lotions or massage oils can be rubbed in a clockwise motion on the abdomen. Essential oil of chamomile, lavender and marjoram are natural anti-spasmodics. The scent of the oils also encourages the lungs to breathe more deeply which can assist the abdominal muscles to relax. If the abdomen is too tender to touch, rub the soles of the feet and the toes with the oils. This slight reflexology can help encourage the entire body to relax.

Conclusion

Chronic constipation is a painful condition that is caused by a variety of factors. No one should have to suffer in silence because they are embarrassed to discuss the subject with their physician. After a consultation with a doctor, diet and lifestyle changes may be all that is needed. Adding additional fiber, probiotic supplementation and increased water can help to keep stool moving comfortably through the bowel.

Once a bout of constipation is finished, the dietary and lifestyle changes should remain to help avoid future attacks. Changes such as quitting smoking and eating a high fiber diet can not only help improve bowel health, but the health of the entire body.

Individuals have long heard about the increased health benefits of regular exercise – reducing stress, helping to regulate the sleep cycle and strengthening the cardiovascular system – but may shy away from regular exercise if it is accompanied by regular painful muscle cramps. Doctors and coaches can help assuage fears of exercise-triggered muscle cramps through education about cramp prevention techniques. All patients should talk to their doctors about avoiding exercise-related cramps and injuries before starting a strenuous exercise program.

Charley horses or nocturnal leg cramps usually occur in the inner thighs, the calf, the hamstring area and the arch of the foot. The pain is sufficiently strong to awaken patients from a sound sleep. The pain often lasts for less than fifteen minutes, but that quarter of an hour seems to stretch into an eternity. The pain derives from the muscles involuntarily contracting and then refusing to relax. It is still unknown why the leg and feet muscles involuntarily contract in the first place. It is also unknown why the term ‘charley horse’ became synonymous with these painful cramps.

Who Is At Risk
Anyone is at risk for this painful condition, but Melissa Stoppler, MD claims that the groups most prone are children, the elderly, the obese, pregnant women and professional athletes. Dr. Stoppler notes that charley horses in professional athletes are more likely to occur when they are exercising, but in all of the other groups, cramps can occur hours after the exercise has stopped, especially when the individuals are endeavoring to sleep. The prevailing theories are that the body is deficient in electrolytes, water and potassium.

Another high risk group of individuals are vacationers. After sitting at a desk job for a year, they then tend to overexertion during their vacations. Some travel groups booking adventure tours, such as horse riding excursions across Mongolia, ask that all clients be sufficiently fit to spend up to eight hours in the saddle. But many vacationers may overestimate their fitness levels and painful charley horses are the result, interrupting what would otherwise be a rejuvenating vacation.

Some medications have also been known to trigger charley horses. According to America’s ABC News, antipsychotic drugs such as amitryptaline, diabetes drugs, prednisone and statins for high blood pressure may cause nocturnal cramping. But just why these medications produce cramps in some individuals and not others is unknown. Side effects such as nocturnal cramping should be reported to a doctor at once. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons notes that abusers of illegal drugs are also prone to uncontrollable muscle cramps.

When Cramps Attack
Although prevention is the best strategy for charley horses, there are strategies for individuals who are afflicted. ‘Women’s Health and Wellness’ (Oxmoor House, 2002), authored by the editors of Health Magazine, offer these practical suggestions for anyone suffering from a charley horse:

*Lift the leg up so the knee is going towards the chin. Use a towel or cloth as a sling under the foot to pull the leg up, if necessary.

*Massage the painful area of the leg in order to help the muscles relax. Any motion that feels comforting will do, but kneading the muscle works well for many women. Rubbing the knuckles in a circular motion into the cramp may also encourage the muscle to relax.

*Put an ice pack on the painful area.

*When the patient can put weight on the leg, walk around the room. Weight on the leg can significantly encourage the muscle to contract and relax normally.

*The next morning, wrap a warm towel or a heating pad on the sore area to help prevent another attack that evening.

Experts differ in opinions as to whether cold or heat works best on a charley horse. Although the editors of Health Magazine recommend an ice pack, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends heat.

Prevention Tips
In order to prevent charley horses, patients should spend at least ten minutes performing warm up exercises such as calf stretches or walking on one’s heels. Since potassium seems to play a significant role in muscle cramps, patients are urged to eat foods rich in potassium, such as bananas and spinach, and to take multivitamin supplements when necessary. There are some promising studies being conducted on the role of antioxidants in muscle cramp prevention as well as cancer prevention.

Dehydration is also thought to play a key role in muscle cramp development, so the patient should drink water and avoid dehydrating liquids such as alcoholic beverages, fizzy drinks or coffee. The patient should also avoid exercising during the hottest periods of the afternoon (usually from noon to 2pm). If this does not diminish the intensity and frequency of charley horses, then patients are encouraged to contact their doctors for advice. This may be a sign of nerve damage in the leg or a circulation problem.

Anyone considering going on an adventure vacation such as mountain climbing should begin a light workout routine about three months before the vacation begins. This can not only help prevent cramps, but also build stamina. Anyone prone to charley horses should keep a bottle of water and a lotion or aromatherapy massage oil by their bedsides. The lubricants can help make massaging the rock-hard muscles a bit easier. Essential oils known for their muscle relaxing properties include chamomile, patchouli and lavender.

In Conclusion
Nocturnal leg cramps are not inevitable when beginning or intensifying an exercise regime. They can be prevented through diet, massage, walking and drinking sufficient water. They can also be side effects of some medications, or drug abuse. If prevention techniques do not work, contact a doctor to discuss other options.

There are a few scientific studies that indicate that in some cases genetically modified foods (GM foods) can harm human health – which is clearly a topic of concern with this new technology. Studies strongly suggest that GM food crops may harm animals and the environment. Many of the fears about GM foods and how they may affect human health have thus far failed to materialize in the real world but there are still many actions that the agricultural industry can do to better ensure that a health crisis sparked by GM foods does not occur.

Food products routinely arrive on store shelves before they have been thoroughly tested. Since GM foods are a relatively new food source, there have been no long-term tests thus far. America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed three corn crops to be sold that later were proven to cause internal organ damage in laboratory rats. (‘A Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn Crops on Mammalian Health;’ François Roullier, et al; ‘International Journal of Biological Science’; 2009.)

Brief History

GM fruits, vegetables, grains and livestock have been available since 1994, when the company Calgene developed a longer lasting tomato called the FlavrSavr. Despite its name, the taste did not live up to the promise of the name, and hence they quickly disappeared. But many other GM crops and meats have appeared since that time. It is estimated that 89% of the soybeans grown in America are derived from genetically modified strains.

Changing the genetic traits of a crop or animal is, in itself, not unique. For centuries, farmers have favored some strains over those of another. Animals such as the Holstein cow were bred for increasing milk yield and plants were hybridized. Yellow bananas, for example, are the product of splicing one plant with another. Since bananas do not have seeds, new banana trees are created by hybridizing the parent plants. Unfortunately, the parent species are becoming rarer and wild bananas may disappear by 2050, according to the UN Food and Agriculture organization. The reason for the wild banana’s decline? Destruction of the rainforests for the purposes of growing food crops such as yellow bananas.

Growing Demand

With the world’s human population estimated to reach nine billion by 2010, scientists and farmers are concerned finding crops and livestock that can answer the growing demand for greater food productivity from the same plants and animals. Thus far GM modified foods have failed to provide higher yields. Instead, they have been modified to resist parasites, produce a different color or to be resistant to commercial pesticides.

Some scientists also claim that the problem of insufficient food lies in its distribution as opposed to crop yield. For more details, read ‘The Paradox of Plenty: Hunger in a Bountiful World’ (1999.) But animal rights activists, environmentalists and even some groups led by doctors, such as the Physicians’ Committee for Responsible Medicine, state that GM foods will ultimately fail to meet the appetite requirements of nine billion individuals if nothing is done to produce greater yields of food for humans than to feed livestock.

Animal Abuse

In the modern world, feed for livestock competes for available soil space with grain and vegetable food crops for humans. For example, the National Corn Association estimates that 80% of all corn grown in America is used to feed livestock. With a growing population placing homes and roads over fertile land, a better way is essential to conserve what little farmland remains. Groups such as the Physicians’ Committee for Responsible Medicine recommend switching to a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Some have answered the rising demand for food by genetically modifying livestock to produce larger quantities of meat. This has led to horrific animal abuse, especially evidenced in poultry farming. Because of the demand for white chicken meat, some chickens have such large breasts that they can no longer walk. In 2002, chickens were bred to inhibit the growth of feathers to make it easier for the abattoir workers. According to a National Geographic special on GM animals, this featherless breed is undergoing GM experiments in the US and Europe so as to make the birds’ breasts even larger.  Without feathers, chickens lack the ability to fend off parasites and become more prone to sunstroke or vulnerable to cold temperatures. How healthy can these chickens be by the time they finally reach the dinner table?

The Butterfly Effect

By 1999, GM food critics in Europe had noticed that GM food crops did not require pollination. By replacing the crops that did need the help of pollinating insects, the GM crops were essentially eliminating vital food supplies. GM food crops have been blamed for the worldwide decline of bees, crucial  pollinators for many crops as well as honey producers, though additional studies are under way.

Monarch butterflies then became the target of an investigation as to whether GM crops were killing their caterpillars. The species’ population was collapsing and dead caterpillars were being discovered in the United States. GM corn had been modified to kill corn consuming caterpillars. Monarch butterfly caterpillars do not eat corn. Adults and caterpillars rely upon milkweed. In 1999, Cornell University showed that GM corn produced minute amounts of pollen that the caterpillars were eating. Also, wind blew the corn pollen up to 60 yards away, so the pollen often landed on milkweed plants. (‘Nature’, May 1999.)

Conclusion

In the movie ‘Jurassic Park’ (1993), Dr. Ian Malcom made the statement, ‘Just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should.’ The character was discussing the cloning of dinosaurs, but this statement could also be applied to GM foods. There are too many unknowns to have this technology utilized so broadly. GM foods provide no more benefits than traditionally grown foods, but can affect the population decline of other species, such as the Monarch butterfly and the European honeybee. Needless to say the effects upon the human population are still studied.

Promising studies show that obese individuals with mild to moderate kidney disease may be able to stop the progression of the disease by losing weight, whether by diet and exercise or through surgery. These were the findings from ‘Weight loss interventions in chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis;’ Sankar Navaneethan, MD, et al.; ‘Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology’; 2009. The authors of the study stressed that more research needs to be done to determine the long-term effects on obese patients that undergo gastric bypass surgery.

The authors also stressed that weight loss was recommended only for obese patients with chronic kidney disease. But since obesity is on the rise worldwide, more and more individuals fall into this category. This study also is not intended for patients in the advanced stages of chronic kidney disease. The Mayo Clinic notes that many patients with chronic kidney disease, especially the elderly, may suddenly lose too much weight and have difficulty getting back to a healthy weight.

Study Details

The study authors looked at the data from 13 studies of obese patients with chronic kidney disease, with six studies focused upon weight loss attained the old-fashioned way (diet and exercise) and seven studies focused on obese patients that underwent gastric bypass surgery. The study found that patients that had surgery often witnessed their diseased kidney returned to a normal state. The kidney was able to filter urine significantly better than before the surgery.

The study found health benefits were achieved both through diet and exercise as well as through surgery. Both groups of patients attained lower blood pressure. Both groups were able to better handle their type 2 diabetes. Both groups were able to significantly slow the progress of kidney disease. Diseased kidneys produce urine with a protein in it called proteinuria. Protein is needed for the body. A specific protein called albumin is a crucial nutrient for blood cells. Albumin should not be present in large amounts in the urine. Proteinuria has the appearance of foam, as opposed to normal urine.

When a kidney dies, it must be immediately removed from the patient. If the patient only has one kidney to begin with, then death is certain, unless a donor kidney can be found in time. In America alone, 3,000 individuals die annually while waiting for a kidney transplant, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Transplants are not an option for many individuals with chronic kidney disease.

Why This Study Matters

Doctors would prefer that obese patients with chronic kidney disease lose weight through diet and exercise rather than through drastic surgical means. Any type of surgery is susceptible to complications, such as the risk of infection. Gastric bypass surgery is also very expensive. In America, where over 46 million individuals do not have health insurance, such surgery is out of the question for many patients. Even if the patient did have health insurance, the insurance company may decide that gastric bypass surgery is not essential to saving the patient’s life.

Meta-studies such as this one may show American health insurance companies that in some cases, gastric bypass surgery may save the kidney and the life of a kidney disease patient. It also shows why – the weight loss eases the strain on the heart that is unsuccessfully trying to pump blood to the diseased kidney. The more obese the patient, the harder the heart must work. When there is insufficient blood to nourish the kidney, the organ becomes diseased and begins to shut down.

That said, even in countries where there is socialized medicine, the study still matters. Knowing that weight loss is the key to helping obese patients with chronic kidney disease, doctors and hospitals can assess whether a patient has the time lose weight through a diet and exercise program before the kidney fails. This can eliminate some patients as candidates for gastric bypass surgery, translating into savings for the national health programs of such countries.

When Surgery is the Better Option

Obese kidney disease patients with severe type 2 diabetes may benefit the most from gastric bypass surgery. In these patients, their diabetes has contributed to the kidney damage, along with decreased blood flow. Thus, these patients may not have the energy to exercise.

Studies have also shown that obese patients may be cured of their type 2 diabetes through lap band surgery. The most remarkable was ‘Bariatric Surgery. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis;’ Buchwald H, et al.  JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association. 2004; 292:1724-1737. It looked at over 22,000 cases of obese patients with type 2 diabetes (but not necessarily kidney disease) that underwent gastric bypass surgery. 86% of patients showed marked improvement in their blood sugar levels and 76.8% of patients had their diabetes disappear altogether.

There is much about gastric bypass surgery, type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease that is not well known. But one thing is clear – many lives could be saved through access to the surgery. The surgery itself is not a magic bullet because the patient will then need to diet and exercise for the rest of his or her life to prevent regaining weight, becoming obese and diabetic once again. Chronic kidney disease is reversible in its early stages. The Mayo Clinic adds that even acute kidney failure can also be reversible if the patient is generally healthy and has a healthy heart.

In Conclusion

The best way to stop type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease is for individuals to avoid obesity in the first place. Diabetes should be a loud warning signal that the weight needs to be managed. But some individuals ignore losing weight even when diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This is not just laziness. It may be that they are too ill to exercise. In this case, gastric bypass surgery may save their lives and their kidneys.