When Dr. Earl Mindell first came out with the health benefits related to soy, the medical establishment gave no credence to his findings. In fact, when he first published "The Vitamin Bible" 25 years ago, and a later book "The Soy Miracle," he was frequently criticized by mainstream physicians and health practitioners for championing the use of nutritional supplements.
Since that time, in study after study after study, soy has been proving to be the miracle that Dr. Mindell first claimed.
However, a recent scientific statement by the American Heart Association (AHA) in one journal "Circulation" concluded that soy had little effect on cholesterol levels, and raised doubts about health claims associated with soy.
Dr. Frank Sacks, a member of the AHA panel, reportedly said in January: "It's really clear that isoflavones don't contribute anything to cardiovascular benefits."
But a new study, published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (Vol. 91, pp. 2209-2213), reports that high blood levels of daidzein were associated with favourable lipoprotein profiles. (In other words, "increasing levels of daidzein, an isoflavone found in soy, have been linked to significant improvements in cholesterol levels and could boost heart health.")
If its findings are reproduced in future studies, they might lead to a re-evaluation of the science that led AHA to its conclusion.
What is truly interesting is that much of the health supporting evidence for soy comes from independent research that is not even remotely connected to Dr. Mindell or any of his products.
Sometimes it's tough to be a trail-blazer leading the way on issues relating to health and wellness.
Thankfully, Dr. Mindell didn't quit.
About Dr. Earl Mindell: Dr. Earl Mindell is a registered Pharmacist, Master Herbalist, with a Ph.D. in Nutrition, and the author of over 30 books dealing specifically with nutrition. He's often referred throughout the world as the "Father of the Nutrition Movement" and appears on more than 300 shows per year, such as CNN Live, Oprah, and more. He is also an highly sought after public speaker for several organizations, including the United Nations, as an authority on anti-aging, nutrition and wellness.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Anti-cancer activity of xanthohumol hops not really great news for beer drinkers
The anti-cancer activity of xanthohumol (which is found in hops) was first discovered around 10 years ago by a team at Oregon State University in the US according to this article.
However, there's no reason for beer drinkers to get excited yet.
"Beer is the major dietary source of xanthohumol, but the average content of xanthohumol in beer may not be high enough to produce a significant inhibitory effect on benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in humans," writes lead author Emily Colgate.
She also stated that a person would have to drink more than 17 beers to consume the same amount found effective in the study.
"Nevertheless, xanthohumol can be isolated from hops in large quantities and be examined further for its use as a dietary supplement for the prevention of BPH or prostate cancer in humans," said Colgate.
The Oregon State researchers also conclude, "Animal toxicity studies provide evidence that xanthohumol may not be harmful to humans but further safety and efficacy studies in vivo are needed before xanthohumol can be recommended as a human dietary supplement for BPH or prostate cancer."
However, there's no reason for beer drinkers to get excited yet.
"Beer is the major dietary source of xanthohumol, but the average content of xanthohumol in beer may not be high enough to produce a significant inhibitory effect on benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in humans," writes lead author Emily Colgate.
She also stated that a person would have to drink more than 17 beers to consume the same amount found effective in the study.
"Nevertheless, xanthohumol can be isolated from hops in large quantities and be examined further for its use as a dietary supplement for the prevention of BPH or prostate cancer in humans," said Colgate.
The Oregon State researchers also conclude, "Animal toxicity studies provide evidence that xanthohumol may not be harmful to humans but further safety and efficacy studies in vivo are needed before xanthohumol can be recommended as a human dietary supplement for BPH or prostate cancer."
Reducing exercise-induced pain and damage in muscles
If drinking cherry juice could reduce the pain and damage in muscles
induced by exercise (according to one recent study) then one really has to wonder how powerful drinking a little goji juice can be.
You see, the goji berry of true Himalayan origin now has 72 independent clinical studies -- not company sponsored -- all supporting its health-giving benefits (a surprisingly wide range of health benefits) and independent study of this remarkable berry is ongoing... whereas the recent cherry juice study from the Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Vermont was "sponsored by US-based company Cherrypharm" -- a company that makes a tart form of cherry juice which is target-marketed at athletes.
Personally, I prefer independent studies. How about you?
induced by exercise (according to one recent study) then one really has to wonder how powerful drinking a little goji juice can be.
You see, the goji berry of true Himalayan origin now has 72 independent clinical studies -- not company sponsored -- all supporting its health-giving benefits (a surprisingly wide range of health benefits) and independent study of this remarkable berry is ongoing... whereas the recent cherry juice study from the Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Vermont was "sponsored by US-based company Cherrypharm" -- a company that makes a tart form of cherry juice which is target-marketed at athletes.
Personally, I prefer independent studies. How about you?
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Dangers of Chlorine in Pools
It's summertime here in the USA -- which for many families also means time in the pool. Pool safety may take on a new meaning for most after reading this brief article regarding the dangers of chlorine in USA pools.
Think about this a moment: chlorine provides the "C" in deadly PCB, and it is the source of the "chloro" in ozone-destroying chlorofluorocarbons. And chlorine is a key ingredient in many of the world's nastiest poisons, including Agent Orange and DDT.
We've found some excellent advice on one Doctor's site that may help this pool season. Click to read "Dangers of Chlorine in USA Pools"
Think about this a moment: chlorine provides the "C" in deadly PCB, and it is the source of the "chloro" in ozone-destroying chlorofluorocarbons. And chlorine is a key ingredient in many of the world's nastiest poisons, including Agent Orange and DDT.
We've found some excellent advice on one Doctor's site that may help this pool season. Click to read "Dangers of Chlorine in USA Pools"
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