Healthy by Nature radio show this week: One of the country’s favorite integrative practitioners, Constantine Kotsanis, MD will be in our studio. I’ve asked him to give us an encouraging case study and to answer your questions about cancer treatment. Annie Brandt will join us by phone. Her story (a 10-year cancer survivor and Executive Director of the Best Answer for Cancer Foundation) is fascinating. Please make note of the organizations’ impressive annual conference April 27-28 being held in Dallas. Professionals can earn Continuing Medical Education credits. (Note to consumers: to find info lectures open to you, look in the first paragraph in the purple block. The admission for the consumer sessions is just $25 for the morning or the afternoon although the website may still list earlier higher prices.) Unfortunately, statistics say that we all know someone with cancer. Please let those you know to listen to this show. Here is a directory of broadcast stations. But, of course, there is always the possibility to listen live on the internet or to the archived show. Call in during the show with questions at 1-800-281-8255.  Click here to find podcasts and show archives.
 
Study on Omega-3 Supplements and Cardiovascular Disease “Limited” and “Inaccurate”
That is the title of a response by the leading nutrition industry trade association to a recent review of studies that decided it is too soon to claim that omega-3 fats are beneficial for those who already have heart disease. The association’s response points out deficiencies in this publication: LINK. It is important to note that the authors of the study were not saying that omega-3 fats are not good for primary prevention. Their conclusion seems odd based on good news in some studies and given that, in general, whatever is good for prevention is also good as part of a treatment protocol. Besides, we know that there are many other potential benefits to omega-3’s including for prevention of cancer, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, depression, skin problems, eye problems, etc. as discussed in this article by the University of Maryland Medical Center. LINK.

 PROTEIN POWER
When we were discussing protein on the show last week, Ric asked a question by email that we were not able to fit in:

Q. “As you discuss protein, could you give your advice on a vegan or vegetarian diet. And if vegetarian, your input on dairy and eggs.”

A. There is a lot of nutritional benefit from eating more plant foods and even several vegetarian meals a week. It is an entirely different matter to become vegetarian all the time. As discussed on the show, we need all nine of the essential amino acids (components of proteins). Theoretically we can make all other amino acids used in the body from those but some people don’t make that conversion well or have a higher need for some of the so-called “non-essential” aminos. We say those are “conditionally essential”. For example, we might need extra l-glutamine to repair the gut lining.

Plants typically only supply a few amino acids. That’s why a vegetarian who ate nothing but rice cakes would die prematurely. It takes a variety of foods and some planning for a vegetarian to get the complete assortment of amino acids they need.  For example, combining beans with rice makes a more complete protein. Also, I think some folks are just genetically better prepared to be vegetarians than others. I have tried several times to be a vegetarian but became weak and tired. Here is a protein calculator that comes up with more conservative goals than the Kashi one I mentioned before: LINK. But remember that both of these are based on averages and you are not average.

Author Lierre Keith was a passionate and vocal vegetarian until she found that she could not get well on that diet. She began investigating all the nutritional, environmental, political and humanitarian justifications for vegetarianism and wrote a very interesting book “The Vegetarian Myth: Food, Justice, and Sustainability“. It calls a lot of common beliefs into question. If you are struggling with those questions, you might also be interested in two interviews I had with her: on April 2010 and May 2010.

There are various eating patterns labeled “vegetarian”. The strictest definition and most nutritionally challenging is vegan. That is a diet in which one gives up anything that ever had anything to do with an animal-for some that includes leather shoes. These folks need to really work at getting adequate protein and other nutrients, for example vitamin B12, iron and zinc.

Then there are “lacto-ovo vegetarians” meaning that they add eggs and dairy to their diet of plant foods. This relates to Ric’s question. I think eggs are great. (Those from free-range organic chickens are best.) For those who are not allergic and who digest dairy properly, I recommend organic and raw if possible. (Beyond Organic is the ultimate.)  There are also “pescatarians” who add fish to their diets. (Smaller wild fish are healthiest.)

I’ve heard people who eat eggs, dairy, fish, as well as some chicken and other meats describe themselves “vegetarian”. Those are folks who are just  not clear on the concept. We would more properly call them “flexitarian”. That plan is the easiest to manage and is what I recommend for most people. In short, get lots of vegetables, fruits and whole grains; eat eggs and a moderate amount of animal-source protein but pay careful attention to the source and quality. E.g. there are several reasons that red meat raised on grass without antibiotics and hormones is better. LINK
 
The musician, gun ownership advocate and all around colorful character, Ted Nugent once said: “Vegetarians are cool. All I eat are vegetarians – except for the occasional mountain lion steak.” (He means of course that cows, rabbits, deer, etc. are vegetarian.)

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My first book : Natural Alternatives to Nexium, Maalox, Tagamet, Prilosec & Other Acid Blockers. Subtitle: What to Use to Relieve Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and Gastric Ailments.

My latest book: Aloe Vera-Modern Science Sheds Light on an Ancient Herbal Remedy

The information contained in this newsletter has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The contents are for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.

Copyright 2012 Martie Whittekin, CCN