TUMMY TROUBLES?   Proving the natural therapy treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

In a systematic review of 12 studies involving 591 patients, researchers analysed randomised controlled trials comparing fibre, antispasmodics and peppermint oil with placebo or no treatment in adults with irritable bowel syndrome. The minimum duration of therapy considered was one week, and studies needed to report a global assessment of cure or an improvement in symptoms, to be included in the review.

The researchers showed that fibre, antispasmodics, and peppermint oil were all more effective than placebo in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

So, stop putting up with the pain and discomfort because there are things out that can help! These are just three common complementary treatments used for IBS that don’t have adverse side effects and actually TREAT THE CAUSE. Just imagine how much press we would get if more research were conducted on the rest of the effective herbs and nutrients we use for this condition!

Please don’t hesitate to contact me should with any further questions you may regarding IBS or any other condition as you may be putting up with something that is can be so easily fixed.

Ford C A et al. Effect of fibre, antispasmodics, and peppermint oil in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 2008;337:a2313.

SELENIUM AND VITAMIN E FOR PROSTATE CANCER PREVENTION   Selenium and vitamin E are widely available compounds that are safe if taken in moderation, with relatively few adverse effects. The evidence in support of the antioxidants in the primary prevention of prostate cancer is promising.

The National Cancer Institute, in cooperation with the Southwest Oncology Group, reviewed the evidence for the individual antioxidant compounds under study. They have comprehensively reviewed the literature on the chemoprevention of prostate cancer with emphasis on the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium, and produced the largest prostate cancer prevention study to date: The Selenium and Vitamin E Chemoprevention Trial (SELECT).

The researchers concluded that the SELECT study will define the role of the antioxidants selenium and vitamin E in the prevention of prostate cancer, and complete data from the study will be available in 12 years.

References:

Pak RW, Lanteri VJ, Scheuch JR, Sawczuk IS. Review of vitamin E and selenium in the prevention of prostate cancer: implications of the selenium and vitamin E chemoprevention trial. Integr Cancer Ther, 2002:1(4):338–44.

FOODS HIGH IN SELENIUM

Wheat germ
Wheat bran
Whole wheat
Oat bran
Rye
Barley
Brown rice
Shitake mushrooms
Chicken and beef liver
Turkey
Brazil nuts (contains the highest amount of selenium per 100gm)
Chicken
Kelp
Herring
Crab
Lobster
Sunflower seeds
Canned tuna
Oysters
Mussels
Prawns
Garlic
Whole eggs

FOODS HIGH IN VITAMIN E

Wheat germ oil
Sunflower oil
Wheat germ
Brown rice
Almonds
Pistachio nuts
Sunflower seeds
Asparagus
Olive oil
Oatmeal
Bananas
Avocado
Walnuts
Spinach
Broccoli
Sweet potato

THE VITAMIN D ISSUE   Australia – the sun burnt country … well, not so sun burnt anymore!

When was the last time you got your vitamin D levels tested?

You may answer … I never have, it’s not that necessary is it? – I should have plenty of Vitamin D – I’m Australian – and I live in the ’sun burnt country’!

New evidence is revealing an alarming incidence of vitamin D deficiency in Australia which is ultimately leading to a number of health issues.

Cholecalciferol (D3) is a hormone precursor made in the skin in the presence of sunlight (UVR) exposure and only a few sources of vitamin D can be found naturally in food – these include oily fish (especially herrings, salmon, sardines and mackerel), egg yolks and offal, such as liver. In Australia, all margarine is fortified, as is occasionally milk.

Obviously a balance is required in the amount of personal UVR exposure. Excessive sun exposure has been associated with increased risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma/non-melanoma skin cancers, and some cataracts; however, low UVR exposure can result in vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. It has been well established that vitamin D is essential to bone health, with low levels associated with rickets, osteoporosis, and osteomalacia. Vitamin D insufficiency causes muscle weakness and may contribute to falls in the elderly, which – when associated with osteoporosis – increases the likelihood of fractures. However, more recent evidence indicates that vitamin D insufficiency might also be associated with diseases such as colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, autoimmune conditions (including multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes and irritable bowel syndrome), cardiovascular diseases, alopecia, anemia, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, sarcopaenia, pre-eclampsia, lowered mood and depression, autism, metabolic syndrome, and tuberculosis. (Van der Mei, Ponsonby AL et al 2007), (Arthur R 2007), (www.vitamindcouncil.org) Further research reveals that improving both calcium and vitamin D status in post-menopausal women substantially reduces all cancer risk. (Lappe J, Travers-Gustafson D, et al 2007).

‘The ’sun smart’ public health messages, aimed at reducing skin cancer, have been successful partly because of their simplicity. However, there is increasing awareness that any simple public health message of sun avoidance may cause harm by increasing vitamin D insufficiency’. (Van der Mei, Ponsonby AL et al 2007)

Adequate sun exposure is influenced by factors such as skin colour, latitude, time of year, wearing sunscreen and environmental pollution – not just actual time spent outside with your skin uncovered.

SO HOW MUCH SUN SHOULD YOU BE EXPOSED TO?

The Journal of Complementary Medicine states that the commonly cited figure of ≥40 nmol/L does not ensure skeletal health and the ’desirable range’ is ≥75nmol/L. This would necessitate a minimum of 800–1000IU/d. This was again grossly underestimated as a study using 4000IU/d produced serum 25-OH-D (vitamin D) levels close to but not within the desirable range. Recent studies demonstrated that 4000–10000 IU administered over six months produced no adverse effects. (Arthur R 2007) Most of us make about 20,000 units of vitamin D after about 20 minutes of summer sun. If you don’t get vitamin D the way Mother Nature intended, from sunshine, you need to take supplemental vitamin D3 cholecalciferol. Since most of us get a lot more vitamin D from sunshine than we realise, most of us need about 2,000 units a day extra. (vitamindcouncil.org)

So what is next? – A vitamin D test! – Go get one now!

Vitamin D Council www.vitamindcouncil.org

Van der Mei IA, Ponsonby A L, Engelsen O, Pasco JA, McGrath JJ, Eyles DW, Blizzard L, Dwyer T, Lucas R, Jones G ‘The High Prevalence of Vitamin D Insufficiency across Australian Populations Is Only Partly Explained by Season and Latitude’ Environ Health Perspect. 2007 August; 115(8): 1132–1139.

Lappe JM, Travers-Gustafson D, et al., ‘Vitamin D and calcium supplementation reduces cancer risk: results of a randomized trial’. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 85, No. 6, 1586-1591, June 2007.

Arthur R Vitamin D – ‘A new sun may be rising on Vitamin D’s therapeutic potential’, The Journal Of Complementary Medicine Sep/Oct 2007.