Research Review February 2009

Vitamin D Deficiency May Increase Risk For Cesarean Section
This study, conducted in a hospital in Boston, looked at the vitamin D (serum 25(OH)D) status of newborns and their mothers and correlated these findings with incidence of cesarean section relative to vaginal deliveries. Results of the study showed that women with deficiency of vitamin D were at almost four times the risk for having a C-section when compared to the mothers with sufficient vitamin D levels.

Dr.M's Opine: It is interesting to note that the current US cesarean birth rate is at 30.2%, an all-time high. Vitamin D levels depend on a number of factors, particularly a diet rich in natural fats and oils and exposure to a moderate amount of sunshine. Low fat diets and diets containing hydrogenated fats and oils promote vitamin D deficiency.

Reference: Association Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Primary Cesarean Section. Merewood A, Mehta SD, Chen TC, Bauchner H, Holick MF. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Dec 23. [Epub ahead of print]

Sunshine Prevents Cancer
Research published in the medical journal Cancer finds that exposure to sunlight decreases cancer risk. People living in northern areas of the US have risk for many cancers that is nearly twice as high for some cancers when compared to people living in the southwest, where sun exposure is highest.

An inverse correlation was found between cancer mortality and exposure to ultraviolet B light. The body synthesizes vitamin D in response to exposure to ultraviolet B. Thirteen types of cancer showed this correlation with the strongest links to breast, colon,
and ovarian cancer. Other cancers that appear to be related to the absence of sun exposure are bladder, uterine, esophageal, rectal, and stomach cancers.

Dr.M's Opine: Research has also shown that vitamin D also prevents osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and the depression associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Exposure to twenty minutes of sunshine a day decreases breast cancer risk. Food sources of vitamin D are fish, sardines, eggs, beef and cheese. A tablespoon of cod liver oil a day is an excellent supplemental source of vitamin D.

Reference: An estimate of premature cancer mortality in the U. S. due to inadequate doses of solar ultraviolet-B radiation. Grant WB. Cancer 2002; 94:1867-75.

Food May Be A Better Source Of Nutrients Than Supplements
Oranges may provide better antioxidant protection than vitamin C tablets. In a study where subjects were given either orange juice, vitamin C fortified water, or sugar water, the subjects drinking the orange juice showed better protection from oxidation (free radical damage) when exposed to the free radical, hydrogen peroxide, than the vitamin C fortified water group.

Dr.M's Opine: The food in your diet is still your best overall and general source of nutrients. Supplements are intended to supplement your diet.

Reference: Orange juice vs vitamin C: effect on hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage in mononuclear blood cells. Serena Guarnieri, Patrizia Risoand, Marisa Porrini; British Journal of Nutrition (2007), 97: 639-643.

Zinc Prevents Arteriosclerosis From High Cholesterol
Rabbits on a high cholesterol diet along with zinc supplementation showed significantly lower arteriosclerotic changes than the high cholesterol, zinc unsupported group. The benefit was confirmed despite no change in cholesterol levels in the zinc supplemented
group.

Dr.M's Opine: Refined foods are low in zinc. Refer to the Zinc Taste Test section of  the Home Test chapter of the Choosing Health Workbook for more information on zinc and to understand the critical role that zinc plays in your health. To find out what foods
to make sure are in your diet to get enough zinc look to the “How To Balance Your Body With Foods” chapter of the workbook.

Reference: Zinc supplementation inhibits lipid peroxidation and the development of atherosclerosis in rabbits fed a high cholesterol diet. Jenner A, Ren M, Rajendran R, Ning P, Huat BT, Watt F; Free Radic Biol Med. 2007 Feb 15;42(4):559-66.

A Little Common Sense In Diagnosis Goes a Long Way
An interesting story about how an observant doctor can get to a diagnosis more efficiently than a lot of high-tech testing.

Mythical Diseases And The Pharmaceutical Industry
As the pharmaceutical industry makes up diseases, their profits go up. Here is a voice of reason by a renowned and respected psychiatrist.

Organic Fruit Higher in Nutrients
A study of organic compared to conventionally grown kiwi fruit showed that the organically grown fruit had higher mineral content, ascorbic acid, and total phenol content. Phenols are important antioxidant compounds that prevent the damage that otherwise occurs in you body’s cells from oxygen (free) radicals produced during metabolism.

Dr.M's Opine: This is consistent with other studies. Organic foods are more nutrient dense and free of pesticides, fertilizer residues, and genetic modification. And, controlling the rate of oxidation in your body is probably the single most scientifically validated method of the damage and inflammation related to free radicals and the increased rate of biological aging and incidence of degenerative diseases associated with it. To understand the role of antioxidants more and to learn a strategy for controlling it,
look to the Choosing Health workbook (see Oxidata Test in the Home Test chapter of the workbook).

Reference: A comparative study of composition and postharvest performance of organically and conventionally grown kiwifruits. Maria L Amodio, Giancarlo Colelli, Janine K Hasey, Adel A Kader; Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture; Volume 87, Issue 7, Pages 1228 – 1236.

 Genetically Modified Foods Cause Liver and Kidney Damage
A recent study showed signs of liver and kidney damage in rats feed genetically modified corn. According to the researchers, “… with the present data it cannot be concluded that GM corn MON863 is a safe product.”

Dr.M's Opine: The real impetus behind GMO foods is not to produce better foods; it’s to produce better profits!

Reference: New Analysis of a Rat Feeding Study with a Genetically Modified Maize Reveals Signs of Hepatorenal Toxicity. Gilles-Eric Séralini, Dominique Cellier, and Joël
Spiroux de Vendomois; Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; Volume 52, Number 4 / May, 2007.