Hyvin
A Natural Health and Wellness Blog

A drug commonly used to treat constipation in those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) was recently pulled from the market because a recent review of studies on the drug indicated an unacceptable risk of heart attack, stroke and death from drug usage. According to the HealthDay report, specialists who treat IBS were lamenting this state of affairs, stating that many patients using the drug have found relief from IBS, which can be such a disabling disorder.

I have personal experience with IBS; I feel for those suffering. I wonder how many of these patients tried natural approaches to dealing with IBS before resorting to a drug with such dangerous side effects? I wonder how many doctors provided information about the natural approaches to dealing with IBS? Approaches that offer side benefits only…and no side effects. When drugs are necessary, I’m as thankful as the next person that they’re available. But I hope the realization is expanding that we should do all we can to work with our bodies and enable them to function properly before we resort to drugs (all of which have negative side effects).

The other noteworthy thing about this news is that the drug is being removed because its risk-to-benefit profile is no longer favorable, according to the FDA. This conclusion resulted from a review of the available studies, undertaken by the maker of the drug at the request of a Swiss health agency. I admit I don’t know the details of the FDA drug approval process, but I do find it worrisome that this agency approved the same drug earlier. Either all the studies now reviewed were not available at the time of approval or they were available, but not found to be prohibitive. Either way, I don’t feel very protected, do you?

I’ve known about the role of calcium in reducing the risk of colorectal cancer for a long time. It’s confirmed by another study in the March 2007 edition of American Journal of Epidemiology. Although there were some differences between men and women, Reuters Health reports that the researchers concluded there are “protective roles for calcium, vitamin D and dairy products”. As one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers, it would seem to be a good idea to incorporate an easy preventative measure for colorectal cancer.

Did you know that being hyvin (well) is related to the cleaning products that you use in your home? I’ve known for some time that I’m sensitive to the chemicals in traditional cleaning products and that for me to be well, I have to use natural cleaners. But I’ve only recently discovered that the link between poor health and common cleaning product chemicals is widespread, and well documented!

Want some proof? I’ve just learned about this great resource, the National Institutes of Health Library of Medicine Household Products Database. What a mouthful! But what you’ll read there is a real eyeful! You can search almost any brand of cleaner you may use, or the ingredients found in the cleaners under your sink, and learn about the dangerous health effects. I looked under “Health Studies” for a couple of common household product ingredients and was shocked by what I found!

We do NOT have to expose ourselves to this toxic brew and live in a toxic, unhealthy home. And we do NOT have to compromise on cleaning product performance to get the job done with natural, safe alternatives. Are you surprised? I was. But trying is believing, as they say .

Good News! There’s new license to eat strawberries, dark chocolate, red wine, apples, pears and the like . A study in the March 2007 edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concludes that foods such as these rich in flavonoids may be linked to a reduction in heart disease risk. I’m certainly game to eat these foods with flavonoids, but I like the added assurance of daily flavonoid supplements to be sure I’m getting the beneficial levels.

Flavonoids are a class of water-soluble antioxidant compounds found in many plant-based foods and known to support capillary strength, cardiovascular health and circulation. According to the Reuters Health report of this study, it analyzed dietary patterns of postmenopausal women participating in the Iowa Women’s Health Study.

Here’s another one for the multiple health benefits of nutrients: Vitamin A consumption seems to be linked to a lower risk of stomach cancer, according to research published in the Feb. 2007 issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The Vitamin A can also be in its pre-cursor state of carotenoids for this to be true, according to the Reuters Health report of the study.

I understand why research needs to look at single nutrients and single disease states or health challenges. That’s not, of course, how the body functions, however. A smorgasbord of vitamins, minerals and fats (the good kind!) make up the raw material for the body to do everything it needs to do to maintain health. Which is why I believe so strongly in providing guaranteed sources of that smorgasbord through supplementation to be hyvin (well)!

Experts trying to prepare for the possibility of an influenza pandemic are looking at the best way to avoid airborne disease spread in hospitals. Seems like a good idea, right?

Think they’re calling for new forms of ventilation? Pumping out infected air? High-tech solutions? Nope…just open the windows.

That’s right! Retuers Health reports that researchers concluded: “Opening windows and doors maximizes natural ventilation so that the risk of airborne contagion is much lower than with costly, maintenance-requiring mechanical ventilation systems.”

Isn’t there some “old wives’ tale” about opening the windows and airing out the house? Seems like those old wives were right (again ).

My goal in maintaining this blog is to give you credible, helpful information in incorporating natural health and wellness approaches into your life. So, when a study comes along that is widely discredited, confusing and a piece of poor science, I’m reluctant to bring it to your attention.

I assume, though, that the recent Journal of the American Medical Association article concerning antioxidants and mortality rates will get a lot of attention from the popular media. Why? Because they love a good headline, whether or not it serves the public.

So – if you’ve seen press about the study and wondered about it, feel free to contact me for a thorough analysis of the study and its conclusions.

Research has demonstrated that zinc can play a life-saving role for children in the developing world. As reported in the March 17 issue of The Lancet, zinc supplementation reduced the rate of mortality and the cases of pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria. According to the HealthDay report of this research, zinc is believed to play an important role in healthy immune system function.

If zinc supplements can do that much for those with so many challenges to their immune function, I know I wouldn’t want to be without them for myself and my children!

From HealthDay News: “Even a short period of calcium and vitamin D supplementation can greatly reduce the risk of stress fractures (overuse injuries to the bone) in women, a U.S. study finds.” Conducted on female U.S. Navy recruits, the study found that 25 percent more of those getting placebos suffered stress fractures than the group taking the supplements and was reported in San Diego in February 2007 at the annual meeting of the Orthopedic Research Society.

Gonna’ join the armed forces, begin track and field workouts or otherwise increase bone usage in a big way? (spring is coming!) Take your calcium and Vitamin D supplements (the latter helps the body absorb the former, which is vital for bone formation and repair).

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released last week The State of Aging and Health in America 2007. The picture isn’t pretty. 80 percent of Americans 65 and older suffer from one chronic disease that could lead to premature death and disability (diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc.), and a full half of seniors are burdened by two chronic illnesses.

Of course, the social ramifications of these statistics are horrendous. And then there are the financial consequences. The Reuters Health report of the research cited researchers as saying: “The cost of caring for aging Americans will add 25 percent to the nation’s health care bill by 2030 unless people act now to stay healthy”. An addition we can scarcely afford.

I’m glad to see that researchers are emphasizing healthier lifestyles and prevention as key in dealing with this situation, looking specifically at physical inactivity, poor nutrition, obesity and smoking. They seem like a good place to begin. There have been many studies linking these lifestyle choices to ill health, and more are being released all the time. Consider research in the February 2007 Journal of the American Geriatrics Society concluding that “Nursing home residents with Alzheimer’s disease who participate in a moderate exercise program have a significantly slower deterioration than those who receive routine medical care.” (Reuters Health)

These age-related declines are NOT inevitable! But we DO have to be responsible for our own health and wellness. That means making informed decisions about regular exercise, supplementation and healthy eating. Doctors do not make us well. We can often, though, impact our wellness by the choices we make. Yes, it takes time, effort and self-discipline. But isn’t it totally worth it?

Also in the Feb. 2007 edition of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society is a study which found that women between the ages of 72 and 85 with completely intact mental function were less likely to have health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure (Reuters Health).

I certainly want to do all I can to live out my senior years with maximum function, both mental and physical, don’t you?