Results of a recent study suggest that regular consumption of dairy-based probiotics may be associated with lowered risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women. Preeclampsia is a condition during the second half of pregnancy in which high blood pressure and protein in the urine develop. The exact cause is unknown, but it can lead to complications since the only way to cure it is to give birth. Preterm labor may need to be induced in certain preeclampsia cases.

In the probiotic study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, data were analyzed from 33,399 Norwegian women. It was found that the women who regularly consumed lactobacilli-containing dairy products also had a 20 percent reduced risk in developing preeclampsia.

While this study does not prove causality, it only shows an association; studies like these pave the way for further trials investigating just what is happening here. The researchers stated, “Further strain/species-specific investigation is warranted with the use of randomized controlled trials for further evaluation of the effect of probiotics on preeclampsia.” The researchers suggested two possible explanations for probiotic benefit to preeclampsia: a possible local effect on cells surrounding the embryo, and/or an overall reduction in inflammation levels.

Taking probiotics during pregnancy has also been found to reduce belly size after pregnancy, maintain healthy blood sugar, and even help reduce later allergic illnesses. Always be sure to talk to your doctor about taking supplements during pregnancy, however. You want to be sure your doc is also on board.

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Dogs are not called “man’s best friend” for no reason. Dogs are wonderful companions, I know. I have four dogs, myself. That’s why I developed a line of supplements for dogs with Dr. Joel Murphy. I know that dogs deal with many of the same issues we do as humans. One of these issues is toxin exposure. In fact, our pets (and children, for that matter) are particularly susceptible to toxin exposure due to their close proximity to the ground, where many toxins collect.

A recent study by researchers at Indiana University analyzed levels of flame retardants in blood from 17 dogs who live primarily indoors. Flame retardants are chemicals used on carpet, upholstery, furniture, electronics, and even children’s pajamas. They collect in house dust, and can be found in just about everyone. It turns out that the dogs in the study had levels of these toxic flame retardants that were five to 10 times higher than those found in humans.

Though these levels were not as high as those found in cats, there still may be some negative health effects we don’t even know yet. If you are concerned about your dog’s exposure to toxins, consider a detox supplement that helps to support the liver. Keep household dust to a minimum with a vacuum or sweeping. This may help reduce some exposure.

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The general recommendation among conventional circles of dietary fiber intake is 25 to 30 grams per day. Those in the natural health field recommend at least 35 grams per day. I created an entire diet around this recommendation: The Fiber35 Diet.

Americans struggle to consume even the lower end of these recommendations. In fact, the average dietary fiber intake is 10 – 12 grams daily. For this reason, many people take fiber supplements as a way to increase their daily fiber intake.

Fiber has long been touted for its beneficial effects, most notably for cardiovascular support. A recent analysis of seven studies on dietary fiber intake (both from food and from supplements) has found that as fiber consumption increased, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP, a marker for inflammation related to cardiovascular disease) decreased.

Increase your daily fiber intake by adding plenty of fruits and vegetables, legumes and whole grains to your diet. If you still find it difficult to eat this much fiber, look for a fiber supplement, fiber bar, or fiber shake that can help you achieve your goal.

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The American Heart Association (AHA) released a scientific statement this week on triglycerides and cardiovascular disease. In the statement, certain lifestyle factors—diet and exercise—were considered with regard to their effects on lowering triglycerides. Almost one-third of Americans have high triglycerides. Since 1976, average triglyceride levels have risen alongside the growing epidemic of obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes, all of which can lead to cardiovascular disease. 

The AHA statement recommends the optimization of nutrition-related practices, which can result in a marked triglyceride-lowering effect ranging between 20% and 50%.  They recommend the following:

• Weight loss
• Reducing simple carbohydrates
• Increasing dietary fiber
• Eliminating trans fats
• Reducing fructose (mainly high-fructose corn syrup)
• Reducing saturated fats
• Eating a Mediterranean-style diet (high in fresh fruits and vegetables, high fiber, lean meats, healthy fats)
• Consuming marine-derived omega-3s

These recommendations are right on, and in line with what I have been recommending for years—not just for a healthy heart, but for overall health and well being. 

The statement made a point of talking about the importance of marine-based omega-3s.  Here’s a quote:

“Non–marine-based PUFAs [like canola, flaxseed, walnuts] have not demonstrated consistent reductions in triglycerides; this may reflect very low conversion rates of alpha-linolenic acid [ALA]…to the active triglyceride-lowering omega-3 compounds EPA and DHA.”

While ALA is a great source of omega-3s, it takes many complex steps in the body to convert it to the heart-healthy DHA and EPA, which are naturally found in fish oil.  Further, they state:

“Because the amount needed for significant triglyceride lowering (2 to 4 g) is difficult to attain through diet alone on a daily basis, supplementation with capsules may be needed.”

That’s why I recommend fish oil supplements—it’s not easy to get all that EPA and DHA from eating fish alone.  And then you have to worry about the contaminants found in fish… (that’s another blog).

I know that for a while now, the AHA has been recommending EPA and DHA fish oil for high triglycerides.  It’s nice to see this statement together with other recommendations for supporting heart health.  Cardiovascular disease is such a huge problem in this country, and it can largely be avoided by incorporating the lifestyle changes mentioned above. 

Right on AHA!

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A very interesting study was just published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine documenting the association between high dietary fiber intake and lower risk of dying from some of the most common killers—heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. This was a huge study with over 388,000 participants aged 50 to 71.

The nine-year study looked at dietary fiber intake and found men’s intake ranged from 13 to 29 grams per day, and women’s fiber intake from 11 to 26 grams per day. Over a nine-year period, those who had the highest intake of fiber (29.4 grams in men and 25.8 grams in women) had a 22 percent lower risk of dying from certain diseases than those participants who consumed the lowest levels of fiber. Subjects with the highest daily intake of fiber were at lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and infectious and respiratory disease compared with the lower fiber intake group.

Researchers noted that fiber “has been hypothesized to lower the risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, obesity, and premature death because it is known to:

• Improve laxation by increasing bulk and reducing transit time of feces through the bowel;
• Increase excretion of bile acid, estrogen, and fecal procarcinogens and carcinogens by binding to them;
• Lower serum cholesterol levels;
• Slow glucose absorption and improve insulin sensitivity;
• Lower blood pressure;
• Promote weight loss;
• Inhibit lipid peroxidation; and
• Have anti-inflammatory properties.”

I recommend at least 35 grams of fiber daily for those very reasons noted above. High daily intake of fiber has so many health benefits. Unfortunately, however, the average American only consumes between 10 and 15 grams daily— and that’s not nearly enough.

It can be difficult to obtain 35 grams of fiber from the diet, so fiber supplements are a great way to increase fiber intake. In addition, consuming plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables (and fewer bad fats, refined grains and sugars) will help to boost your daily fiber intake.

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Since we are moving into winter, it would be wise for everyone to be mindful of their vitamin D status. We now know that vitamin D affects close to 2,000 genes that have to do with immunity and inflammation. The best vitamin D test to have done is the blood 25 (OH) vitamin D level. A level less than 30 ng/mL is inadequate. Though the Lab Corp normal range is 32 – 100 ng/mL, an optimum level would be 50 – 70 ng/mL. Generally, a prescription is needed for the test, but ZRT Lab and Life Extension offer the test directly without prescription. Out of pocket cost for the test at Lab Corp (with prescription) is $85, and Life Extension and ZRT tests cost a little over $60. With a prescription, insurance may cover some portion of the cost.

The latest data from around the U.S. suggests that more than 90 percent of dark-skinned people (African-Americans, Hispanics and Asians) have vitamin D levels less than 30 ng/mL. What’s more, over 75 percent of the Caucasian population also have levels less than 30 ng/mL. Further, this rate of low vitamin D has doubled in the U.S. in the last ten years.1 The primary reasons seem to be obesity (vitamin D stored in fat is not available), sun-phobia and excess use of sunscreen (this is because we have been told by medical authorities to avoid sun exposure and/or use plenty of sunscreen), and air pollution (which blocks UVB light necessary for the conversion of vitamin D).

There are three things you can do to obtain enough vitamin D:

Correct amount of sun exposure at the right time of day. UVB is available between 10 am and 3 pm (best time is 12 pm to 2 pm). Fair-skinned people may get enough UVB by exposing 25 to 50 percent of their body for 10 to 15 minutes. Darker-skinned people may need one or more hours. If your skin becomes pink (minimal erythema dose, MED) then cut your time by 50 to 75 percent. However, if you live north of Atlanta from November through March, you will not receive enough UVB due to the tilt of the earth away from the sun. Also, if you are over age 70, you have 70 percent less production of vitamin D from sun exposure. Seniors will still benefit from sun exposure but will also need to supplement with vitamin D. In addition, cloud cover can reduce vitamin D synthesis by 50 to 75 percent. On cloudy days, you can get sunburned with UVA rays, and be at risk for cancer and wrinkles, yet not receive the beneficial UVB.2

Sun lamp. High-quality sun lamps replicate natural sunshine. UVA (at 94 to 97.5 percent) and UVB (at 2.5 to 6 percent) exposure times will be basically the same as are found on an ideal day of sun exposure. If you prefer a tanning salon, make sure they use low pressure lamps (look for fluorescent tubes, not round lamps), avoid high pressure lamps which do not provide UVB rays. You may get tan, but you could also get skin damage or cancer.2

Diet and supplements. Generally speaking, everyone should supplement with vitamin D, unless you are impeccable about sun/sun lamp exposure. Infants need 400 to 1,000 iu daily, children 2,000 iu daily and adults 4,000 iu daily as a general starting point. At these doses, you could begin supplementing without a 25 (OH) vitamin D test. After two to three months of supplementation, a blood test will help adjust the dose. If you have questions or concerns, contact a healthcare practitioner who has an understanding of vitamin D. For more information go to www.vitamindcouncil.org, or read the book The Vitamin D Solution by Michael Holick PhD, MD.

Leonard Smith, M.D.
Dr. Leonard Smith is a prominent Board-Certified, general, gastrointestinal and vascular surgeon who had a successful private practice for 25 years. In addition to his active surgery practice, he also incorporated lifestyle, diet, supplementation, exercise, detoxification, and stress management into many of the therapies he would prescribe. Many of his patients with cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other serious illnesses did so well under his treatment regimes that he began to devote most of his career to foundational health care and preventive medicine.

1. J.S. Adams and M. Hewison, “Update in vitamin D.” J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Feb;95(2):471-8.

2. M.F. Holick, The Vitamin D Solution, Hudson Street Press, 2010.

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Do you know what heartburn, constipation, weight gain, high cholesterol and fatigue have in common? What about things like allergies, arthritis and even chronic disease? Well, you might be surprised to hear it, but ALL of these things are related…and guess why? Because they ALL start in the gut. Want to know more?

Join me on October 13^th at Sunflower Farmers Market in Scottsdale for a free digestive health lecture. I’m going to be talking about the link between a properly functioning digestive system and a healthy body, including how our increasingly toxic world is taking a serious toll on the natural defenses found in our gut. We’ll also talk about the natural supplements that are essential for helping you look and feel your best every day, so mark your calendar!

WHEN: Wednesday, October 13^th  7:00-9:00 p.m.

WHERE: Sunflower Farmers Market, 4402 N. Miller Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251

RSVP: 480-941-6001

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Seen the headlines lately about Omega-3s? How they’re good for your heart, your immune system, and even for helping with healthy bowel function? I say it’s about time these healthy fats are getting the recognition they deserve, especially a few you may have already heard of—ALA, EPA and DHA.

ALA (alpha lipoic acid) is an essential fatty acid, which means your body can’t produce it on its own, so we have to get it through the foods we eat—like flax seeds, canola and walnuts, and even spinach, broccoli and healthy yeast products like yogurt and kefir. Your body then converts ALA into two other really important Omega-3 fatty acids: EPA and DHA.

Thanks to experts like those at the American Heart Association, we already know that EPA and DHA are good for the heart. In fact, they already recommend at least 1g of EPA and DHA daily for people with coronary heart disease. But check this out—researchers recently found a connection between the levels of DHA and EPA in the blood and cellular aging in people with coronary heart disease.

Scientists measured the length of the telomeres in cells. Telomeres are the ends of chromosomes, which are the structures that house your DNA. What they discovered was that the longer the telomeres, the longer the lifespan of the cell, and the longer the lifespan of the person. According to the study, folks with the highest EPA and DHA levels in their bodies had the longest telomeres, which was attributed to “approximately a difference of 5 years of life”. Wow! Pretty amazing stuff, right?

Still, I’m not surprised. More and more studies prove that Omega-3 EPA and DHA (found naturally in smaller, deep-water fish like sardines, anchovies, salmon, tuna and mackerel) provide oodles of health benefits for the whole body, but it would take a whole other blog post to list them all! Suffice to say that Omega-3s are one of the most important supplements you can take every day. Just remember to look for a high-quality supplement that’s been purified to remove toxins—and here’s to adding 5 more years to your life!

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When your digestive system is out of balance, your health can suffer. And I’m not just talking about typical tummy issues like gas and bloating, constipation and irritable bowel, but all kinds of problems like fatigue, weight gain, skin problems and even anxiety. That’s right folks—everything is linked to your gut!

Want to know more? Join me on September 23^rd at Health Foods Unlimited in Centerville, Ohio for a free digestive health lecture. I’m going to be talking about the link between a properly functioning digestive system and a healthy body—including the natural supplements that are essential for helping you look and feel your best every day. Plus, if you’re one of the first 50 people to attend, you’ll receive a complimentary copy of my book Gut Solutions. See you there!

WHEN:

6:30-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 23^rd

WHERE:

Health Foods Unlimited

2250 Miamisburg Centerville Road

Centerville, OH 45459

RSVP: 937-433-5100

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Nothing makes me happier than seeing the scientific community finally start to confirm what I’ve been saying for years, that natural remedies like probiotics, fiber and Omega-3 oils provide some pretty amazing health benefits. Just thumb through the headlines and you’ll see what I mean—study after study talking about better digestion, a stronger immune system, heart health and more… it’s some pretty good stuff!

Sure, some of the information gets distorted, and a lot of companies developing products as a result of all that attention end up missing the mark entirely, but on the whole this mainstream recognition is a good thing. People are (finally) starting to pay attention to their digestive systems and are looking for natural alternatives, instead of conventional medications that often cause more side effects than the symptoms they treat.

As for probiotics, I’ve been telling folks for years that if you’re going to take just one natural supplement every day, it should be a probiotic. Establishing a healthy balance of good bacteria in your intestines (so that they greatly outnumber the bad bacteria) is absolutely crucial to your digestive health, which ultimately affects the health of your whole body. Why? Because more than 70 percent of your natural immune defenses are in your gut, folks!

Take for example a recent study that talks about how good bacteria living in the digestive tract work to “prime” the immune system, which means get it ready to fight off infections. But when you take antibiotics, this “priming” shuts down. Well, of course it does! I mean, sure antibiotics are good and sometimes we need them, but along with killing the bad bacteria we’re trying to get rid of, they also kill a lot of the good bacteria. Are you starting to see why probiotic supplements are so important?

I won’t get into the details, but basically mainstream medicine is trying to figure out just how probiotics communicate with our immune systems to improve digestion and overall health. The bottom line, though? It works. Probiotics interact with the immune system in a way that prepares the body for unwanted invaders, plain and simple, so isn’t it about time you started taking a daily dose of good bacteria? I think so!

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