Coffee Mojo and Health

May 26th, 2011

Is your love of coffee hard on your heart? And do you wonder if drinking it is helpful or hurtful? I love coffee and I love tea and want to share with you the good news that coffee, in moderation, can actually benefit your health.  Tea and coffee, the most popular beverages in the world, have been consumed for thousands of years for their alluring flavors and health benefits. Polyphenols, particularly flavonoids and phenolic acids, are of great abundance in tea and coffee and contribute a lot to their flavor and health properties.

Here are some not so well known benefits of coffee on health:

  • It was associated with a statistically significant lower risk of total stroke, cerebral infarction, and subarachnoid hemorrhage but not intracerebral hemorrhage.
  • There is evidence that habitual coffee consumption is not associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases or premature mortality among diabetic women.
  • A systematic review supports the hypothesis that habitual coffee consumption is associated with a substantially lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
  • Evidence has been accumulating that frequent consumption of coffee may reduce risk of type 2 diabetes and liver cancer.
  • Coffee consumption may lower risk of prostate cancer

Risks

Epidemiological studies suggest that consumption of boiled coffee is associated with elevated risk for cardiovascular disease. This is mainly due to the two diterpenes identified in the lipid fraction of coffee grounds, cafestol and kahweol

For adults consuming moderate amounts of coffee (3-4 cups per day providing 300-400 mg/d of caffeine), there is little evidence of health risks and some evidence of health benefits. However, some groups, including people with high blood pressure, children, adolescents, and the elderly, may be more vulnerable to the harmful effects of caffeine. In addition, evidence suggests that it may be prudent for pregnant women to limit coffee consumption to 3 cups per day providing no more than 300 mg/day of caffeine to exclude any increased probability of spontaneous abortion or impaired fetal growth.

Enjoy a cup of coffee and reap the health benefits.

Lorraine Maita, MD is an award winning physician, speaker and author of “Vibrance for Life: How to Live Younger and Healthier”. She is a consultant to corporations wanting to improve the health and productivity of employees and has a private practice in Anti Aging Medicine in Short Hills, NJ. You can live younger and healthier, buy “Vibrance for Life: How to Live Younger and Healthier” and make an appointment for a consultation at my website, How to Live Younger; Please click on Vibrance For Life to purchase my book now!

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Spring Cleaning for Your Body

May 2nd, 2011

Do you want to reboot your system and eliminate bloating, excess weight and sluggishness? If so, you need to give your system a rest from digesting processed and toxic foods and nourish your liver and gastrointestinal tract. The result will be newfound energy and clarity. Just like you weed, seed, fertilize and till your garden to prepare for planting, you can do the same for your body in order to plant seeds of health and vitality.

Many of the foods you eat have traces of herbicides, pesticides, preservatives, dyes and chemicals and processed ingredients that are not found in nature. As you age, you may not have sufficient digestive enzymes to handle the load this creates on your body. Also, exposure to antibiotics you’ve taken or antibiotics found in foods, decreases the healthy bacteria in your gut. These unnatural substances build up over time and contribute to your digestive and detoxification systems not working as efficiently as they should. Also, some foods are more likely to cause allergies or subtle effects of intolerance such as headaches, muscle aches, swelling, mucous, bloating, fatigue, lack of clarity and more. Eliminating these foods and providing nutrients to nourish the gastrointestinal tract and liver can give your system the rest and rejuvenation it needs to make you feel so much better.

• Weed out foods most likely to cause intolerance or allergy – grains with gluten, dairy and processed foods, peanuts, tree nuts such as Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, almonds and walnuts and eggs, soy and shellfish

• Seed your gut with probiotics -healthy bacteria that are essential for a healthy immune system. Choose a supplement with several types of strains of Lactobacillus, Bifidus and Saccharomyces boulardi

• Feed your body with nutrients that support growth of healthy bacteria such as fructose oligosaccharides (FOS) and aid liver detoxification such as N-cetyl cysteine, L glutamine, high antioxidant vegetable extract blend,(what is this) fiber and alpha lipoic acid. The best liver detoxifiers are dandelion, milk thistle (silymarin), artichoke leaf, and yellow dock root extract.

• Add or replace enzymes that help your digestion with supplements containing betaine, pepsin, bromelain, and pancreatin (a combination of amylase, lipase and protease).

• Eat organic, especially the “dirty dozen”: Apples, bell pepper, celery, cherries, grapes, lettuce, nectarines, peaches, pear, potato, spinach, and strawberries.

There are many products on the market that contain these ingredients in powders and capsules, however the quality of the supplements can make a difference. A body cleanse does not mean eliciting diarrhea and it does not mean fasting. Cleansing means decreasing irritants and toxins going into your body, enhancing their elimination and supporting your body with nutrients to heal. But, be sure to choose high quality supplements that support both the liver and gastrointestinal tract and consult with your healthcare provider regarding the products that are most appropriate for you.

Lorraine Maita, MD is an award winning physician, speaker and author of “Vibrance for Life: How to Live Younger and Healthier”. She is a consultant to corporations wanting to improve the health and productivity of employees and has a private practice in Anti Aging Medicine in Short Hills, NJ. You can live younger and healthier, buy “Vibrance for Life: How to Live Younger and Healthier” and make an appointment for a consultation at my website, How to Live Younger; Please click on Vibrance For Life to purchase my book now!

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Good News for Hormone Replacement Therapy

April 25th, 2011

News flash! You can safely get rid of your hot flashes! Estrogen is not so bad after all. A study in JAMA Journal of the American Medical Association April 2011 found that estrogen alone had a reduced risk of breast cancer and their risk of stroke declined after stopping the medication.

There is so much confusion regarding hormone replacement therapy. When evaluating the studies, consider a few things. The type of hormone (synthetic versus bioidentical), the route of administration (oral, transdermal or through the skin or other), the age when started and other therapies. These are just a few considerations.

Eating health aides longevity

Eating health aides longevity

This study cited in the media was done on women with hysterectomies using oral synthetic estrogen alone without any synthetic progestin. They began using the hormone in there 50’s. There were 3 important findings:
• The first one is when you stop taking oral synthetic hormone therapy the increased risk of stroke and blood clots in the legs and lungs go down and so does the benefits on decreased hip fracture. Note: only oral estrogen produces blood clots and increases risk of stroke. Bioidentical estrogen given through the skin does not increase stroke or cardiovascular disease risk.
• The second major finding was a decreased risk of breast cancer. When we followed for another four years, that decreased risk of breast cancer persisted, so that, over the entire follow-up period, we saw a 23 percent decreased risk of breast cancer. Note: it was the oral, synthetic progestin that was implicated in increasing the risk of breast cancer.
• The third finding is that the risks and benefits of hormone therapy differ importantly by age for several types of chronic disease, heart attacks, colorectal cancer, death and then overall chronic diseases are lower among women taking hormone therapy in their 50s compared to placebo, but among women in their 70s, they actually had higher rates of all these conditions if they were taking estrogen alone vs. placebo. Note: In the Women’s Health Initiative study the average age of women studied was 63 and most were 10 years post menopause.

So if you are considering hormone replacement therapy, keep in mind the differences in type, route of administration and age when you begin taking them. Discuss all of your options with a physician knowledgeable in bioidentical hormones to determine the most appropriate treatment given your age, risk factors and state of health.

Lorraine Maita, MD is an award winning physician, speaker and author of “Vibrance for Life: How to Live Younger and Healthier”. She is a consultant to corporations wanting to improve the health and productivity of employees and has a private practice in Anti Aging Medicine in Short Hills, NJ.

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What is Co Q 10?

April 18th, 2011

Coenzyme Q 10, otherwise known as CoQ10 or ubiquinone is an important nutrient for energy production and is a potent antioxidant that guards against oxidation of lipids. It resides in the membrane of the mitochondria of every cell in your body. Your mitochondria are like furnaces that burn fuel and produce energy. Co Q 10 is that essential ingredient like the spark that ignites the wood in a fireplace; you can’t burn fuel without it. It keeps the fires going. If you have issues with energy, consider supplementing with CoQ10.

Co Q 10

Co Q 10

Co Q 10 deficiency can occur if you have inadequate intake or internal production or increased use. Your levels decrease with age, drugs like beta- blockers, and statins for lowering cholesterol, as well as sun exposure. Many other nutrients are needed to produce CoQ 10, therefore, nutrient deficiency can affect your internal production, Only small amounts are available from food such as chicken and beef so consider taking a supplement.

Co Q 10 supplementation has been used to improve the following conditions:
• Congestive heart failure
• Muscle pain from taking statin drugs
• Migraine headaches
• High blood pressure
• Periodontal disease
• Parkinsons and more

It is best absorbed in an oil base and products vary considerably in their absorption. Highly absorbable products generally cost more, however you need a lower dose to get the same effects. Get advice from a healthcare professional when purchasing and consider having a micronutrient analysis to determine if you lack CoQ 10 and the other nutrients necessary to produce it.

Lorraine Maita, MD is an award winning physician, speaker and author of “Vibrance for Life: How to Live Younger and Healthier”. She is a consultant to corporations wanting to improve the health and productivity of employees and has a private practice in Anti Aging Medicine in Short Hills, NJ.

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Benefits of Honey

April 11th, 2011

Is honey a wonderfood that can be eaten without guilt because of its health benefits? Since so many of my patients have sweet tooths and I am always asked about alternatives to sugar, I decided to do a quick literature search on the medicinal uses of honey.

Advantages of honey

Advantages of honey

The use of honey as an antibacterial used for wound care had the most articles and there are some cautions regarding the source, the impurities and the processing of honey. It is clear that honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties when applied locally. Here are some excerpts for the uses in wound care.

• Honey has antibiotic properties and was used successfully to treat diabetic foot ulcers. It is an inexpensive, moist dressing with antibacterial and tissue healing properties.
• Unlike most conventional local chemotherapeutics, honey does not lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and it may be used continuously. Among the challenging problems of using honey for medical purposes are dosage, safety, and formulation.”
• One study showed honey was effective in treating mouth ulcers that occurred after chemotherapy.
• It is being used to treat antibiotic resistant bacteria in wounds.
For cough, the literature is mixed
• A paper that reviewed the literature showed no evidence for or against the use of honey for cough
• In a study survey, parents rated honey most favorably for symptomatic relief of their child’s nocturnal cough and sleep difficulty due to upper respiratory tract infection
As an anti-inflammatory in gastroenteritis and diarrhea
• Honey added to oral rehydration solutions promoted rehydration of the body and sped recovery from vomiting and diarrhea.
Cautions:
• Honey can raise blood sugar and hemoglobin A1C levels in diabetics and can contain spores that cause botulism in infants.

While a quick search of the medical literature showed some benefits, keep in mind that honey, like any sweetener, can raise blood sugar and should be used in moderation. In its raw, unprocessed form, it has a lot of nutrients. So enjoy a little honey; it is so sweet!

Lorraine Maita, MD is an award winning physician, speaker and author of “Vibrance for Life: How to Live Younger and Healthier”. She is a consultant to corporations wanting to improve the health and productivity of employees and has a private practice in Anti Aging Medicine in Short Hills, NJ.

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Protein Powder Recall

March 29th, 2011

Protein Whey Recall

Protein Whey Recall

The protein powders you are taking to stay healthy may be making you sick. Whey protein powders manufactured by Vitalabs under various names were voluntarily recalled due to potential contamination with Salmonella. This was announced by the FDA on March 10, 2011. I continually express concerns over the quality, safety and form of supplements my readers take and advise all of you to become educated consumers. Know your companies, be sure they are pharmaceutical grade, join watchdog organizations such as Consumer Labs and get advice from a professional. Here’s why:

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems the infection can be serious and sometimes fatal. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (e.g., infected aneurysms), infections in the heart and arthritis.

The manufacturer supplied whey protein to various brands such as Dr. Bill’s Choice Whey Protein, HCG Buy Direct Whey-26 Protein, The Healthy Way Protein, Innovative Nutra Labs Nutrapure Whey Protein Isolate, Iron Mag Labs Whey Isolate Protein, Len Rossi’s Whey Protein, Nature’s Pantry Whey Protein, Northeast Ohio Endocrinology Whey Protein, Nutrition World Ultra Whey Protein, Peachtree Natural Foods Whey Protein, Sharp Labs G Booster Plus, SouthFit Supplements Whey To Go, Susan’s Essential Formulas Daily Whey Isolate Protein, Team Kattouf Whey Boost, Team Kattouf Whey Boost, Trainer’s Choice Ultra Whey, Unlimited Nutrition Athletic Protein, Vitalabs, Inc. Ultra Whey, X3 Nutrition X3 Whey, YourHCG.Com Whey Protein.

Consumers who purchased any of the affected lot numbers are urged to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund or credit. Consumers with questions may contact Vitalabs, Inc. at 1-800-241-3017, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.

For a complete list of products and lot numbers, go to the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm246790.htm

Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner familiar with supplement quality and manufacturers who subscribe to watchdog organizations and are knowledgeable about quality assurance before purchasing supplements.

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Does Potassium Iodide Protect Against Radiation?

March 22nd, 2011

Damaged nuclear reactors in Japan have set off worldwide concerns over radiation exposure, especially if you live downwind from surrounding areas or near nuclear plants. Potassium iodide, known to protect against thyroid cancer is now in short supply. Thyroid cancer rates have been reported to increase by as much as 100 fold in populations exposed to high levels of radiation and cancer begins approximately
four years after exposure. Adult treatment is only recommended at high levels of exposure; however children have very active thyroid glands and are particularly sensitive to even low levels of exposure.

Living downwind from sites of radiation leaks is particularly hazardous because particles can be inhaled. It can contaminate soil and water making crops grown on the land and animals and animal products such as milk and dairy contaminated. So exposure can be indirect.

Radiation Danger

Radiation Danger

Did you know that in the US, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) offers potassium iodide (KI) tablets at no cost to States that request it for people within 10 miles of a nuclear power plant. The stockpiles and distribution channels are the responsibility of various regulatory organizations depending on the radius from the plants.

Potassium iodide (KI) and potassium iodate (KIO3) are equally effective forms of compounds that can deliver iodine to the body. They saturate the thyroid gland with non-radioactive iodine and block the uptake of radioactive iodine. It is most effective if taken a few hours prior to exposure but can be beneficial even if taken within three hours after exposure.

These products which are sold as over-the-counter medications or as dietary supplements are not routinely tested for quality prior to sale by any government agency. While OTC products are required to be manufactured under more strict guidelines and in FDA approved facilities check with watchdog agencies or the FDA to assure you are purchasing viable product. Only three products, Iosat®, ThyroSafe®, and ThyroShield® are currently registered with the FDA as over-the-counter medications, indicating that they are manufactured under stricter regulations than the other products sold as dietary
supplements. Currently, all but 2 brands are out of stock.

Since large doses of iodide are needed to protect against thyroid cancer measured in milligrams, other iodine preparations such as tincture of iodine, iodized salt or supplements to prevent iodine deficiency are either not stable or have too small a dose to be of any use as they contain only a few hundred micrograms (1mg = 1,000 mcg).

Unfortunately, these products only protect against thyroid cancer and do nothing for the other damaging effects of radiation and late forming cancers. In contaminated areas, the best solution is evacuation. I will be contributing to relief efforts in Japan as I do for any country that suffers such devastation. If you are considering donating, choose a responsible organization to send donations.

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Many Ways to Lose Weight – HCG Diet

March 17th, 2011

Want to turn that spare tire into a six -pack? While I am a proponent of the tried and true, natural approach to a slow and steady weight loss using a healthy diet, portion control and exercise, sometimes it takes a long time and people get discouraged. Stubborn fat around the midline is one of the most common complaints I get in my anti aging medicine practice. People have a harder time losing the weight when they get older despite diet and exercise. Others come to me demoralized that after months of deprivation, they could only lose a few pounds and they just give up.

The book the “The Weight Loss Cure” popularized and resurrected the HCG diet. HCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and is a hormone used for male and female infertility. This made me very skeptical, however when colleagues of mine encouraged me to look into it, I did. While I would never call it a cure or make some of the claims in the book, when used properly in qualified candidates, it is safe and effective.

Dr. Oz did a show on it as well. He had some of the same concerns as I do. A diet such as this one that is only 500 calories a day should only be done under medical supervision. A very low calorie diet with or without HCG can be complicated and it is important to have someone to guide you and address issues as they come up. Secondly, buying homeopathic drops on the Internet can be troublesome, as you don’t know what you are getting. Only a doctor can prescribe the actual hormone made by a pharmaceutical company under strict FDA standards or compounded by reputable, highly skilled compounding pharmacists. This assures potency, purity and quality.

The controversy of whether or not it would work with or without the hormone may persist until we have better studies. Those that I read that were negative did not necessarily follow the protocol. Until that happens, I carefully monitor my patients and watch their waist waste away and put smiles on their faces. So, if you want to try the HCG diet, go to a qualified physician who can determine if it is safe for you and where you can be monitored and obtain pure, potent HCG. Waist away!

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Balding and Prostate Cancer

March 10th, 2011

Could balding be bad for you? A recent study revealed that patients with prostate cancer were twice as likely to have hair loss in their 20’s, due to androgens, that are hormones in the testosterone.

Baldness risks

Baldness risks

While testosterone makes men, men and has many benefits, there is a dark side, especially when it is converted to (DHT) know as dihydrotestosterone. This is a very potent form of testosterone and it acts on the skin, and if in excess, may produce acne, hair loss on the scalp and hair growth everywhere else but the scalp.

DHT also stimulates the growth of prostate cells, contributing to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in many older men. In BPH, prostate cells grow and can block the outflow of urine, decreasing the ability to empty your bladder and causing men to wake up to urinate several times a night, and a weak stream making a bathroom break a long ordeal to empty their bladder. It was thought that if DHT made benign prostate cells grow, there may be a link to cancer.

Several studies looked at baldness and the risk of prostate cancer. The latest study showed that the early development of hair loss was associated with double the risk of developing prostate cancer. Another study found that men with bald spots at the top of their heads (vertex baldness) were one and a half times more likely to have prostate cancer than those without bald spots.

Herbs such as saw palmetto and stinging nettles became popular since they slow the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Medications such as finasteride (Propecia) are prescribed for male pattern baldness because it also blocks the conversion of testosterone to this potent and potentially dangerous form.

You can benefit from seeing a metabolic anti aging doctor familiar with hormone conversion. Have your DHT levels measured and find out what would be most appropriate for you. If you are on or considering testosterone replacement therapy, chrysin can be added to your prescription to decrease the amount of DHT produced. Schedule a consultation to learn about other ways to slow aging and prevent cancer, it’s never one thing.

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Tips To Whittle Your Waist Away

February 28th, 2011

Still struggling with your New Year’s resolution to lose weight? Snowed or iced in and can’t get to the gym? I will share with you tips that require little effort. These are taken from an article I wrote for Sillk Purse Women and apply to men as well. You can read it here or on their website Ten Easy Tips To Whittle Your Waist Away.

Loose those inches

Loose those inches


1. Fill Up on Fiber- Fiber makes you feel full and slows the absorption of sugar into the blood, which prevents wide swings in blood sugar that contributes to cravings and overeating. Taking a fiber supplement before you eat will help to fill your stomach sooner so you eat less at this meal and you feel less hungry at the next meal.

2. Feel Full with Fluid- Drink 8-12 ounces of water before you start your lunch or dinner. Water will help to make you feel full sooner.

3. Savvy Snacking- Eat a small, healthy snack 30-60 minutes before a meal so you won’t be ravenously hungry and overeat.

4. Slowly Savor – Chew your food thoroughly and eat slowly to start the digestive process sooner and to release the nutrients that signal your brain to stop eating. It takes a several minutes for the digestive process to start and for you to feel full and satisfied.

5. Prepare Your Portions – Put the amount of food you think you need on your plate at the start of the meal. Protein portion is the size of your palm. A serving of non starchy vegetables such as broccoli, or asparagus is about a half cup, leafy greens are a cup. Fats are a condiment such as a piece of cheese the size of your thumb, or a tablespoon of oil or enough nuts to fit into the center of the cupped palm of your hand.

6. Eat for Your Size and Activity Level- A six foot, muscle bound man who performs physical labor needs more food than a petite, 5 foot woman sitting at a computer all day. If you are training for a marathon you will need far more calories than if you do a yoga class a few days a week. Adjust your intake accordingly.

7. Eat Every 4 Hours- Eating and digesting burns calories and eating every 4 hours keeps your metabolism up and your blood sugar level.

8. White Out- White foods such as sugar, potatoes, white bread, white rice, alcohol and other processed foods raise your blood sugar quickly and insulin rises accordingly. Insulin stores fat and the higher the elevation, the more resistance you develop. Insulin resistance can give rise to metabolic syndrome characterized by lipid disorders such as high triglycerides, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

9. Watch Wine – Drinking wine and other alcoholic beverages may have some health benefits, however it adds significantly to calories and raises blood sugar quickly. A serving of wine is 5 oz, however most bars and restaurants serve larger portions so one glass may actually be 2. The same is true for other alcoholic beverages.

10. Trick Your Treats- Many people use food as a reward or a treat. Trick yourself and indulge in a non caloric treat such as playing sports, going for a massage, a walk or exercise class, or buying something to fit your new waistline.

If you are still struggling, try a doctor supervised weight loss program that takes into account your unique metabolic needs and watch your waist waste away!

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