Healthy living newsletter December 8, 2004 - Health & Productivity Revitalizer, Mellanie True Hills

Issue Date: December 8, 2004
Publisher: Mellanie True Hills, The Health & Productivity Revitalizer

The Healthy Living News cuts through all the health clutter and overwhelming hype to bring you news to optimize your life, your health, and your work.

1. More news from the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions (as promised in the last issue)

At the AHA Scientific Sessions, Johns Hopkins researchers reported that high doses of vitamin E can increase your risk of death. You've probably heard that in numerous news stories. But there's a lot more to the story.

After studying a number of clinical trials conducted over the past decade, the researchers concluded that people who took more than 400 IUs of Vitamin E per day were 10% more likely to die of heart disease. Those taking just 200 IUs weren't at higher risk. There's more information about this study.

These findings outraged many scientists and nutritionists, who launched fierce attacks on the study methodology since most previous studies indicated the opposite—that vitamin E can help reduce heart disease risk. In fact, a new study just coming out of Israel (published in Diabetes Care) indicates that about 40% of diabetics--those with a specific blood protein called haptoglobin 2-2—can reduce their heart disease risk by—you guessed it—taking 400 IUs of vitamin E daily. Other studies have indicated that vitamins E and C--both antioxidants--protect against Alzheimer's as well.

Since the Johns Hopkins study received so much media coverage, sales of high-dose Vitamin E supplements have plummeted 20%. The industry isn't taking this lying down—the Dietary Supplement Information Bureau has launched a web site, where you can find out their side of the controversy.

What should YOU do? The indications are that a daily dosage of 200 IUs is probably safe, and since the study methodology is under fire and there are many studies indicating that 400 IUs can protect you from heart and other diseases, taking 400 IUs is probably still advisable. If you're taking more, you may want to decrease your dose. Discuss it with your doctor, especially if you're on blood thinners, as reported in A Woman's Guide to Saving Her Own Life:

Those on Coumadin, a blood thinner, should steer clear of the usual recommendation to take Vitamin E due to the potential for clotting problems and excessive bleeding. Those taking Plavix, full-strength aspirin, or an anti-inflammatory may also be at risk.

One of the most heartening findings presented came out of a clinical trial for a medicine called BiDil. Frighteningly, African Americans ages 45-64 suffer two and a half times the death rate from heart disease as other groups. Recent research pegged this to African Americans' bodies not producing as much nitric oxide, which the body uses for heart function and to deal with stress. BiDil is a combination medication designed to increase the body's nitric oxide production. Clinical trials produced a 43% reduction in cardiac deaths and a 33% reduction in hospitalizations among African American heart patients.

Now we know that increasing nitric oxide production can save lives—let's hope that opens the door for research into dietary ways to increase nitric oxide production and thus spare African Americans from this huge disparity in heart disease risk.

Another study further confirms what we mentioned here previously, that exposure to air pollution can increase your cardiovascular disease risk (heart disease and stroke) because of the damage it does to your arteries, especially from long-term exposure. It's similar to the impact that smoking has on the body. In this study, the strongest impact was for women age 60 and over. Read more.

a) Decrease consumption of red meat to decrease the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, an immune disease that attacks the joints (not to be confused with the more common osteoarthritis, caused by wear and tear of the joints). The study, done at the University of Manchester in the UK, found that those who ate the most red meat (58 g/day or more) and took less vitamin C had twice the risk of those who ate 26 g/day or less of red meat.

b) Citrus fruits contain limonoids, which have been found in the lab to stop cancer cell formation, to stop cancer cell growth, and to kill cancer cells. Limonoids are only found in citrus fruits.

c) Dark leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collards, contain two antioxidants--lutein and zeaxanthin--that help protect eyes from the damage by UV light that can lead to cataracts. These antioxidants provided ten times the benefit to the eyes as vitamin E.

Reader Debbie Mrazek calls the Healthy Living News e-zine Priceless. While you're thinking about it—right now—please forward this to others for whom it could be "Priceless."

If you've received this from someone else, you can ensure that you get your own copy every other week by signing up now (on this page). You'll thank yourself. And thanks to those of you who forward this regularly to others (such as K.B. at the Texas Department of Insurance).

As if we didn't need other reasons to take care of our health, a study done by the Lance Armstrong Foundation provides even more compelling evidence. The study found that cancer survivors face serious issues beyond the medical impact of their disease.

A key issue was the financial impact. Many mentioned job-related concerns, such as demotions at work or lack of advancement, and 43% experienced a decrease in income as a result of having cancer. One quarter of them went into debt because of their cancer, and of those, 39% had more than $10,000 in debt as a result of their disease. These findings apply to many other diseases as well.

Bottom line: While you can't necessarily prevent all diseases, you can prevent many of them. Knowing what to do (what to eat, what not to eat, knowing how to best work with your doctor, etc.) can significantly increase your chances of avoiding serious diseases. As you move into the new year, please resolve to assess your health first and make permanent changes where needed. Doing so may save your health, your life, and your finances.

If you still have a few names left on your gift list, here are some ideas for healthy gifts for them.

For those confused by all the health hype out there...cut through the clutter with this book. It can save your life. What better gift can you give?

Take advantage of our SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFER—give yourself the gift of good health, at $10 off the regular price, and order additional copies for all the women on your gift list at HALF OFF the regular price. Order now, while you're thinking about it.

For e-zine subscribers who order by midnight Friday night (12/10), I'll enter you in a drawing where two of you will receive a gift certificate for a coaching session with Mellanie ($200 value)—give it to yourself or to someone on your gift list. (E-zine subscribers who have already ordered are already entered.) Get your order in before it's too late.

As I'm writing this e-zine, the following endorsement for the book and my story just came in...

Mellanie shared her life-altering and near-death experience with ATW (Alliance of Technology and Women). Many of ATW's members resemble her former road warrior profile. When hearing her story, facial expressions quickly changed from polite interest to identification and recognition of the parallels to their own lives. Interest shifted to active listening and participation, and ultimately action. On a personal note, my mother recently experienced what Mellanie did. Heart disease can strike ANY woman. As a holiday gift to yourself, invest in the information necessary to potentially save your own life or that of a loved one.
--Lisa McNew, CEO, ATW

From the Healthy Travel Network, the Travel Fit Kit includes exercise bands and a workout CD to help you maintain peak performance on the road in the privacy of your hotel room. This works at home, too. On sale for $14.95.

One of my favorites is Achieve Your Chosen Weight, which was one of my secrets to losing 85+ pounds this past year. (Hint: Be really careful about giving this to anyone on your list, other than yourself.)

Your Final Breakthrough is available from Nightingale-Conant. I've set up a special page from which you can take advantage of a $20 off promotion if your order is $59.95 or more, and get free shipping if your total is $59.95 or more.

d) Journey to the Wild Divine—for those who love games or cool gadgets, or could just use some de-stressing

My friend, Jim Sterne, introduced this to me—he's always the first to spot really cool stuff! It's a computer adventure game that's also a mind-body awareness tool. You progress through the game using the power of your thoughts, feelings, breath, and awareness. At $159.95, it's more expensive than the other items on this list, but is really cool!

Here's hoping these holiday gift ideas help you handle the rest of your gift list with ease.

If you need more ideas for de-stressing your holidays, take a look at these past articles:

In wrapping up this issue, it's my hope that you're planning to take some time away from your work over the holidays. After all, studies continue to show that frequent vacations lower your risk of dying from heart disease by as much as 30%.

I'll be off for a few weeks myself during the holidays (yup, gotta walk the talk), so this is the last Healthy Living e-zine for 2004. I'll be back in January to help you create health and longevity in 2005.

Wishing you, and your loved ones, Happy Holidays filled with love, health, and peace of mind. Enjoy your holidays!

Mellanie True Hills
The Health & Productivity Revitalizer
Speaker, author, consultant, and coach revitalizing health and productivity
Author of A Woman's Guide to Saving Her Own Life: The HEART Program for Health and Longevity - read the first two chapters

PPS. You may reprint this article in your publication or company newsletter by including attribution, copyright, and contact information. Please send us a copy. Thanks.

Our Newest Sites: