Sepsis, Cancer, Acute Illness and Intravenous Vitamin C - A First-Time Medical Conference!

Two days ago I interviewed Dr. Jeanne Drisko, MD from University of Kansas Medical Center and Director of their Integrative Medicine Department on their upcoming, first-ever, conference on the use of"Intravenous Vitamin C" in cancer, sepsis and acute illness. I have provided the speaker schedule and their probable topics below, along with peer review scientific references on their work with vitamin C, cancer, sepsis and acute illness. (Listen to my previous ALL my podcasts with Dr. Drisko on Intravenous Vitamin C and Cancer).

What makes this conference unique, aside from it being the first-ever conference focused strictly on intravenous vitamin C and acute illness, is that it also includes research on intravenous vitamin C's role in reducing the severity of sepsis in the intensive care unit. A medical problem that results in organ failure and death. This is the work of Dr. Alpha Fowler head of the pulmonary medicine division at Virginia Commonwealth University, and critical care specialist who has studied sepsis for 2 decades (see my Expert Interview with Dr. Fowler on his study of sepsis and vitamin C). I believe his work is the "100th" monkey of vitamin C research. What I mean by this even though, as you will see below, there is ample scientific evidence that intravenous vitamin C has some benefit as an adjunctive cancer therapy, Dr. Fowler and colleagues research will show that intravenous vitamin C has benefits in severe, life threatening, in-hospital illness and I believe intravenous vitamin C's use in other conditions will be more easily studied and benefits confirm. I have always believed that intravenous nutrients, vitamin C included, will have their most powerful benefit when given IV for acute illness like sepsis, viral infections, pneumonias, poisonings, insect and animal bits, hepatitis, severe burns, trauma, etc. Some day the work of Dr. Frederick Klenner, MD from the 1940s to 70s will be confirmed for many severe illnesses.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Mark Levine from the National Institutes of Health on many aspects of the use of high dose intravenous vitamin C in acute illness and especially cancer. This is not fringe, alternative medicine. This is cutting edge, progressive, science-based "real medicine."

Listen to my podcast with Dr. Drisko (Here). Share it with people you love, or your health care provider. This is powerful, well researched medicine, using a very cheap, non-patentable compound (vitamin C) that given intravenously could save thousands, if not millions of lives, and reduce human suffering significantly and medical expenditures.

Kirk’s YouTube overview of his interview with Jeanne Drisko, MD (7:23)
"Intravenous Vitamin C - Integrative Therapies" a first-time conference sponsored by the University of Kansas Medical Center Department of Integrative Medicine and the University of Kansas Medical Center Continuing Education and Professional Development will be held on September 30 - October 1, 2016. (See Conference Flyer). You can register online at www.KUMC.edu/VitaminC .

This conference will focus on the science and clinical use of intravenous vitamin C as an adjunctive cancer treatment along with chemo and radiation therapies, and discuss research on its safe and beneficial use in treating and preventive sepsis in the ICU setting.

The following is the list of speakers over the two day conference and medical references supporting their topic of discussion and their work.

Friday, September 30, 2016

Qi Chen, Ph.D. (8:30 a.m. ) “High-dose parenteral ascorbate enchanced chemosensitivity of ovarian cancer and reduced toxicity of chemotherapy. Science Translational Medicine. 2014, 6, 222ra18.” “Pharmacologic doses of ascorbate act as a pro-oxidant and decrease growth of aggressive tumor xenografts in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2008; 105 (32): 11105-9.

Lewis Cantley, M.D. (9:30 a.m.) “Vitamin C selectively kills KRAS and BRAF mutant colorectal cancer cells by targeting GAPDH.” Science. 2015 Dec 11;350(6266):1391-6.

Daniel Monti, M.D. (11:00 a.m.) “Synergistic effects of ascorbate and sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma: New insights into ascorbate cytotoxicity.” Free Radic Biol Med. 2016 Jun;95:308-22.” “Phase I evaluation of intravenous ascorbic acid in combination with gemcitabine and erlotinib in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.” PLoS One. 2012;7(1):e29794.”

Luncheon Panel Discussion: Lewis Cantley, Keynote Speaker Mark Levine, Qi Chen, Dan Monti – Moderator Jeanne Drisko

Mark Levine, M.D. (1:00 p.m. Keynote Speaker) - “Synergistic effects of ascorbate and sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma: New insights into ascorbate cytotoxicity.” Free Radic Biol Med. 2016 Jun;95:308-22.; “Low Red Blood Cell Vitamin C Concentrations Induce Red Blood Cell Fragility: A Link to Diabetes Via Glucose, Glucose Transporters, and Dehydroascorbic Acid.” EBioMedicine. 2015 Oct 3;2(11):1735-50.; Vitamin C: the known, the unknown, and Goldilocks. Oral Dis. 2016 Jan 25. doi: 10.1111/odi.12446. [Epub ahead of print]; “Antitumor effect of pharmacologic ascorbate in the B16 murine melanoma model.” Free Radic Biol Med. 2015 Oct;87:193-203.; “High-dose ascorbate with low-dose amphotericin B attenuates severity of disease in a model of the reappearance of candidemia during sepsis in the mouse.”  Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2015 Aug  1;309(3):R223-34.“High-dose parenteral ascorbate enhanced chemosensitivity of ovarian cancer and reduced toxicity of chemotherapy.” Sci Transl Med. 2014 Feb 5;6(222):222ra18; “The human sodium-dependent ascorbic acid transporters SLC23A1 and SLC23A2 do not mediate ascorbic acid release in the proximal renal epithelial cell.” Physiol Rep. 2013 Nov;1(6):e00136; “Parenteral ascorbate as a cancer therapeutic: a reassessment based on pharmacokinetics.” Antioxid Redox Signal. 2013 Dec 10;19(17):2141-56; “Standard-dose vs high-dose multivitamin supplements for HIV.” JAMA. 2013 Feb 13;309(6):545-6.; “Pharmacological ascorbate with gemcitabine for the control of metastatic and node-positive pancreatic cancer (PACMAN): results from a phase I clinical trial.” Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2013 Mar;71(3):765-75.; “Ascorbic acid kills Epstein-Barr virus positive Burkitt lymphoma cells and Epstein-Barr virus transformed B-cells in vitro, but not in vivo.” Leuk Lymphoma. 2013 May;54(5):1069-78.;”Vitamin C in mouse and human red blood cells: an HPLC assay.” Anal Biochem. 2012 Jul 15;426(2):109-17.; “Vitamin C: a concentration-function approach yields pharmacology and therapeutic discoveries.” Adv Nutr. 2011 Mar;2(2):78-88.; “Phase I evaluation of intravenous ascorbic acid in combination with gemcitabine and erlotinib in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.” PLoS One. 2012;7(1):e29794.; “Pharmacologic ascorbate synergizes with gemcitabine in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer.” Free Radic Biol Med. 2011 Jun 1;50(11):1610-9.; “Vitamin C: intravenous use by complementary and alternative medicine practitioners and adverse effects.” PLoS One. 2010 Jul 7;5(7):e11414. “Pharmacological ascorbic acid suppresses syngeneic tumor growth and metastases in hormone-refractory prostate cancer.” In Vivo. 2010 May-Jun;24(3):249-55.

Jeanne Drisko, M.D. (2:30 p.m. – Topic: " 'Clinical Pearls' and practical application of administering intravenous vitamin C in the clinical setting. “High-dose parenteral ascorbate enhanced chemosensitivity of ovarian cancer and reduced toxicity of chemotherapy.” Sci Transl Med. 2014 Feb 5;6(222):222ra18.; “Pharmacological ascorbate induces cytotoxicity in prostate cancer cells through ATP depletion and induction of autophagy.” Anticancer Drugs. 2012 Apr;23(4):437-44. (Listen to ALL my other podcasts with Dr. Drisko on Intravenous Vitamin C and Cancer)

Alpha Fowler, M.D. (3:30 p.m. -– Topic: Use of Vitamin C in Sepsis) Phase I safety trial of intravenous ascorbic acid in patients with severe sepsis J Transl Med. 2014; 12: 32. (Expert Interview with Dr. Fowler)

Ramesh Nataragan, Ph.D. (4:30 p.m. - Topic: How Vitamin C Works in the Septic Patient): “Ascorbate-dependent vasopressor synthesis: a rationale for vitamin C administration in severe sepsis and septic shock?” Crit Care. 2015 Nov 27;19:418.

Saturday, October 1, 2016

Joseph Cullen, M.D. (8:30 a.m.) “Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer with Pharmacological Ascorbate.” Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2015;16(9):759-70. 51302

Gary Buettner, Ph.D. (9:30 am.) “Ascorbic acid: chemistry, biology and the treatment of cancer.” Biochim Biophys Acta (2012) 1826(2):443–57.

John Hoffer, M.D. (10:30 a.m.) “A simple method for plasma total vitamin C analysis suitable for routine clinical laboratory use” Nutr J. 2015; 15: 40. “High-Dose Vitamin C Promotes Regression of Multiple Pulmonary Metastases Originating from Hepatocellular Carcinoma”Yonsei Med J. 2015 September 1; 56(5): 1449–1452. “High-Dose Intravenous Vitamin C Combined with Cytotoxic chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Cancer: A Phase I-II Clinical Trial”  PLoS One. 2015; 10(4): e0120228. “Is There a Role for Oral or Intravenous Ascorbate (Vitamin C) in Treating Patients With Cancer? A Systematic Review,” Oncologist. 2015 February; 20(2): 210–223.

Be and Stay Well,

Kirk

You may call Kirk Hamilton PA-C Monday thru Friday 8-9 a.m. PST at 916-489-4400 for brief medical questions at Health Associates Medical Group. (for information about Health Associates go to KwikerMedical.com and StayingHealthyToday.com)

Sign up for Kirk's "Healthy Living Tips" Here!

Heart Disease Reversal and Much More with the Ornish Lifestyle Program

I was researching the Ornish Program online because I am going to make a visit this
thursday to the Dr. Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease at UCLA Health in
Los Angeles.

The Ornish Program differs from the one you have heard me talk about, and I visited
last year, the heart reversal program of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn (Prevent and Reverse
Heart Disease), in that it has 3 other aspects besides just a low fat, mainly plant-based
diet approach (though Dr. Ornish includes fish oil and some non-fat dairy foods) and
those are exercise, stress management, and love and support.

Take a few minutes to watch Dr. Ornish review each one of these aspects of his
program because this approach has not only been scientifically proven to reverse
heart disease, like Dr. Esselstyn's, but also to increase telomeres (longevity) and benefits
prostate cancer, reduce cancer risk by changing your genes within months, creates
successful weight loss and can reverse diabetes, high blood pressure and depression.

Look on the side bar and click on each of the aspects of the program to watch the video.
   
    The Proven Program
   
    The Research (my favorite :-)!)
   
    Nutrition
  
    Fitness
   
    Stress Management
   
    Love & Support
   
 
That's right! One comprehensive lifestyle pattern, cures or improves multiple diseases.

Each video is only 3-4 minutes and done very well. You need to know this is possible.

Share with a loved one.

Be and Stay Well,

Kirk

You can call me for "brief" medical questions 8-9 a.m. PST Monday thru Friday
916-489-4400KwikerMedical.com   StayingHealthyToday.com 

Blueberries for Your Blood Pressure...How Simple is That!

Forty-eight postmenopausal women with pre- and stage 1-hypertension who consumed 22 grams of freeze-dried blueberry powder or 22 g of a control powder after 8 weeks systolic and diastolic blood pressures and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity were significantly lower, and nitric oxide levels significantly higher than at baseline levels in the blueberry powder, whereas there were no changes in the control group. Blueberry’s benefit may be from increasing nitric oxide production.

“Daily blueberry consumption improves blood pressure and arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women with pre- and stage 1-hypertension: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.” J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015 Mar;115(3):369-77. 51294 Bahram H. Arjmandi, PhD, RD, Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, 412 Sandels Bldg, Tallahassee, FL 32306. barjmandi@fsu.edu

Kirk's Comment: How simple is this! Eating less than a 1/4 cup of blueberry powder daily(I don't know how many blueberries that is?) reduced blood pressure, the stiffness in the arteries, and increased the most important and protective chemical to our blood vessels nitric oxide. For men and women this can mean lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of heart disease because nitric oxide is protective of that precious single layer of our inner arteries called the "endothelium". If you're a "lucky" guy eating blueberries daily might help with your erections because the Viagra-type drugs work by keeping more nitric oxide around in that "small artery" you know where!....Eat your blue berries...everyone! Not just post-menopausal women. Also, the anthocyanins in dark berries protect our eyes against macular degeneration, the number one cause of vision loss in the elderly!....And they taste good!

You may call Kirk Hamilton PA-C Monday thru Friday 8-9 a.m. PST at 916-489-4400 for brief medical questions at Health Associates Medical Group. (KwikerMedical.com) To listen to more of Kirk's podcasts go to StayingHealthyToday.com and you can sign up for Kirk's Free Health Letter HERE.

Going Strong at Age 96 - How to Do It By Someone Who Is!

I recently did a interview (podcast) with a long-time family friend, Dorothy Rossi, who is "PowerAging" at age 96. Dorothy lives alone in the same ranch house she has always lived in since she was born in the beautiful Napa Valley three miles away from her house. She, along with her son who lives nearby, run the 24 acre ranch that has chicken (egg business, pear, walnut and prune trees, and vineyards which keeps Dorothy busy from dawn till dusk.

I wanted to interview Dorothy because sometimes the research ideas on health and successful aging that I share get a little "dry!" But just reviewing Dorothy's typical day, and hearing her so clearly say it, is so instructive on how to really live many of the principles I share from the research that I do.

So below is a summary of a typical day. A review of some of "living principles" that she believes in and links to my YouTube overview of her interview, and her actual interview that I did with her recently.

Listening to Dorothy, then realizing she is 96, to me is inspiring and incredibly instructive. It puts any "Anti-Aging" research into perspective. I also included links to two of my favorite short YouTubes (video 1, 2 ) on the Okinawan Centenarians that I show at almost every talk I give. Again, the centenarians (100 year-olds) can say/show in 3 minutes, more about how to live long, healthy functional lives until the day we die than volumes of medical journals...Enjoy!

Real Life "Longevity Tips" – Being Independent, Healthy and Going Strong at Age 96 (29:51)
Kirk’s YouTube overview of his interview with Dorothy Rossi (6:59)

..........

Dorothy works close to 6 hours per day of vigorous physical labor on the ranch.

Dorothy recently "aced" her written drivers license test at the age of 96 and she drives her 1990 Mercedes with confidence to places as far away as an hour and a half to shop!

She feels she does what she wants to do and has no physical limitations. Her health is good. She has hypertension (takes one medication), some reduction in vision, knee arthritis and she she doesn't remember names very well at times but these ailments don't stop her from doing much of anything.

Many of her friends have passed so all her friends now are younger than she is. Visitors come by 2-3 times per week for maybe an hour each to visit.

She goes to mass the majority of Sundays and she pray. She has incredible gratitude for all she has.

She says she just mentally thinks through her stresses. She is sad that her son who helps her on the ranch has Parkinson's disease.

Dorothy's Thoughts for a Happy, Long Life

1. Don't take medication (she doesn't believe in vitamins either).
2. Be happy in your living environment (she loves where she lives and has her family close, though they don't live with her).
3. Lots of physical exercise (not in a gym if you can help it, but outside working).

Dorothy's Daily Schedule:
5:00 a.m. - She awakens before the alarm clock and then does chores, including taking care of her cats and her chickens. She has been doing the egg business 30 plus years. She has a cup of coffee and reads the paper for 30-40 minutes.

8:00 a.m. - She has plain oatmeal, with "8 raisins" and some whole milk.

8:30 am - 12:00 pm Does physical work on the ranch.

12:00 p.m. - Lunch is her biggest meal. Always lots of fresh vegetables (steamed). Likes swiss chard and spinach. Every other she has her meats (chicken, fish, Italian sausage, etc.). The alternating days she has a pasta, polenta, dumpings or gnocchi. She has 4 oz of homemade red wine each day.

1-4:30 p.m. -  She works around the range. Physical work.

5:00 p.m. - Watches the news and has a lighter dinner with salad, vegetable cream soup. Uses water from steaming vegetables for soups. Has tuna fish or egg salad sandwiches. For dessert peanut butter and apple, cottage cheese with fruit.

She reads after dinner.

9:00 p.m. - She is in bed and family and friends know not to call.

Listen and learn from someone who is living what we need to do more of in this country (and the world), to live independently and functionally until the end of our lives, not only to reduce suffering and improve quality of life, but save our health care systems and economies that are being overburden by an unhealthy, over-medicated, health-care consuming, aging population.

Simple lessons learned by example and common sense are many times more valuable than all the "Ivory Tower" research in the world!

Watch these two "Awesome" YouTubes on the Okinawan Centenarians!

Secrets of a Long Life in Okinawa (3:00)
Western Diet: Killer in Okinawa (3:44)

Be and Stay Well,

Kirk

You may call Kirk Hamilton PA-C Monday thru Friday 8-9 a.m. PST at 916-489-4400 for brief medical questions at Health Associates Medical Group. (KwikerMedical.com) To listen to more of Kirk's podcasts go to StayingHealthyToday.com and you can sign up for Kirk's Free Health Letter HERE.

To "Wine or Not To Wine" for Your Brain and Memory?

A series of longitudinal and neuro-imaging studies in the elderly have shown that light to moderate wine consumption is neuro-protective although heavy or abusive alcohol consumption is neuro-toxic. A J-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption, cognitive dysfunction and risk of dementias is also observed for younger and middle aged consumers. There is no data to suggest that long-term light to moderate alcohol consumption aggravates age-related cognitive decline and impairment. An optimal amount of wine for neuro-protection appears to be up to 30 grams of alcohol daily. There are multiple plausible biological mechanisms for wine-derived phenolic compounds which go beyond their antioxidant activity and their ability to reduce oxidative stress.

“Wine consumption, cognitive function and dementias – A relationship?” Nutrition and Aging, 2016;3(2-4):125-137. 51289 Creina S. Stockley, The Australian Wine Research Institute, PO Box 197, Glen Osmond, South Australia 5061, Australia +61 8 83136600 / +61 8 83136601 (FAX)

Kirk’s Comment:  So many ways to answer this question. You many times hear about a 100 year-old who drinks a few high-balls per day and mentally is clear as a bell!...But...One common answer is usually one drink for females and two drinks for males per day is to be considered healthy.  With regards to wine, 10 grams of alcohol, which is said to be a drink, equals about 1/8 of a bottle of wine. So 30 grams, as mentioned above, would be 3/8s of a bottle…almost half! Though that seems like a lot to say you drink almost a half bottle of wine per night, I have many patients/couples who split a bottle of wine nightly, or at least several time per week, after a very hard day at work and/or with the kids, consumed with a late evening big meal.  This is a prescription for weight gain, poor sleep, and “foggy” thinking in the morning. I have seen more dramatic weight loss and “foggy” thinking clear-up when people who nightly consume this amount of wine go alcohol-free for a month, and, I usually try to get them to get rid of all dairy products, wheat products and sugar for that month as well (see YouTube “"Yuppie Alcoholism," Losing Weight and Lowering Your Cholesterol”    / Yuppie Alcoholism....Could This Be You?! ).

Alcohol consumption in the busy and stressful “Western Lifestyle” is different than "local" wine consumed in places like Sardinia or Acciaroli, Italy, or some Greek island where life is slower, people walk, socialize, and eat fresh, whole foods from the ocean or ground.

I believe if you have foggy thinking or memory issues stay off all alcohol for at least a month. See how your mind, weight, sleep and energy go, then have a drink or two daily, but always take breaks. Like every two months take a week or two to be entirely off alcohol so you 1) stay the “boss of it” and 2) you can see clearly what effects it has on your weight, energy, sleep and mentation…

Be and Stay Well,

Kirk

You can call me for "brief" medical questions 8-9 a.m. PST Monday thru Friday
916-489-4400        KwikerMedical.com        StayingHealthyToday.com

"Sign-Up for Kirk's "Healthy Living Tips" Here!

More on Chewing for Memory and Thinking...

Mastication (chewing) helps to maintain cognitive functions in the hippocampus, a central nervous system region vital for spatial memory and learning. There are multiple neural circuits connecting the masticatory organs and the hippocampus. Masticatory dysfunction is associated with the hippocampal morphological impairments and the hippocampus-dependent spatial memory deficits, especially in elderly. Mastication (chewing) is an effective behavior for maintaining the hippocampus-dependent cognitive performance, which deteriorates with aging. Chewing may represent a useful approach in preserving and promoting the hippocampus-dependent cognitive function in older people.

“Chewing Maintains Hippocampus-Dependent Cognitive Function.” Int J Med Sci 2015; 12(6):502-509. 51288 Huayue Chen, MD Department of Anatomy Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1194, Gifu, Japan +81 58 230 6295 / +81 58 230 6298 (FAX) huayue@gifu-u.ac.jp. Dr. Kin-ya Kubo, Seijoh University Graduate School of Health Care Studies, Tokai, 476-8588, Aichi, Japan. Email: kubo@seijoh-u.ac.jp  

Kirk's Comment: Why do I keep talking about mastication (chewing) and memory and thinking (cognition)? It is because it's so simple to do and there may be other reasons why chewing might help our memory besides stimulating the hippocampus, the area in our brain responsible for memory and learning. 1) If we have our teeth then we can chew better which can help us eat a wide variety of foods and digest and absorb our nutrients better. 2) If we have our teeth that suggests better oral health which is a reflection of total body health. 3) If we really chew our foods, that might mean we are relaxing more through our meal time, and not gulping food standing (Me!) that is half chewed up. Which could lead to all sorts of gut problems.

I am sure there are other reasons why chewing is good for health, but maybe the next time you are racing through a meal you can remind yourself if you slow down and chew not only are you eating for the moment, but helping your memory and thinking for a life time!

Be and Stay Well,

Kirk

You can call me for "brief" medical questions 8-9 a.m. PST Monday thru Friday
916-489-4400        KwikerMedical.com        StayingHealthyToday.com

"Sign-Up for Kirk's "Healthy Living Tips" Here!

Partner Dance, Chew Your Food and Eat Your Berries for Brain Health!

Three simple things you can do to help maintain your brain health, memory and thinking. Do Hellenic (Greek) folk dancing (probably any type of touch partner dancing will do), eat berries for their protective polyphenols, and chew your foods (keep your teeth!) to stimulate your hippocampus which helps with memory and thinking. Maybe not "smoothie it" everyday! There is something that goes along with the ability to chew your food that appears to protect brain health.

So for breakfast have those berries on your oatmeal with a cup or two of green tea both very rich in polyphenols. Take some partner, or "touching" dance classes. Or just "hug" your partner to music every night! Keep your teeth in good repair and slow down and chew your food completely for your digestion and your brain health.

“Differences in Cognitive Function Among Hellenic Folk Dancers, Exercisers and Non-exercisers” Journal Of Physical Activity, Nutrition and Rehabilitation, February 10, 2016. 51284    CONCLUSION:  In262 individuals divided into two age categories (young adults: 24-35 years old, seniors> 60 years) who did a) Greek folk dance classes b) non-dance exercise programs or were c) sedentary it was found that senior Greek folk dancers had better cognitive function than exercisers and sedentary participants of the same age. The higher cognitive function of senior folk dancers, as opposed to exercisers and non-exercisers, might be attributed to the complexity of the Hellenic folk dance as a motor task or other characteristics of this dance, such as the circular form and/or the haptic (touch) connection among the participants.

“Medicinal Effect of Nutraceutical Fruits for the Cognition and Brain Health.” Scientifica (Cairo). 2016;2016:3109254. 51285   CONCLUSION: Fruits and fruit juices for the management and prevention of brain conditions like cognitive dysfunction, headaches, stress, anxiety, hypertension, and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases are being researched by scientistsworldwide more frequently. Fruits possess various chemicals such as antioxidants and polyphenols, which reduce and balance the effects of hormones in the brain responsible for brain diseases. Natural remedies generally are cheaper, more accessible, less toxic, and easy to prepare and can positively affect mental health.

“Protective effects of berry polyphenols against age-related cognitive impairment.” Nutrition and Aging, 2016;3(2-4):89-106. 51286  CONCLUSION: Berry polyphenols improve memory and cognition and have a global effect on brain plasticity, partly through their antioxidant activity and/or their effect on neuronal signal transduction and neuroinflammation. Most polyphenols, or their key metabolites, can access the brain in sufficient concentrations. Dietary polyphenols can modulate brain health and function, and strengthen the importance of fruit consumption for a healthy aging brain and the prevention of age-related diseases. Major polyphenolic classes found in berries are flavanols, anthocyanins and stilbenes, and resveratrol.  

“The impact of mastication on cognition: Evidence for intervention and the role of adult
hippocampal neurogenesis,” Nutrition and Aging, 2015(3):115–123 51287 CONCLUSION: Adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus has been shown to affect mood, cognition, learning ability and memory. Evidence from animal and human studies suggest a causal relationship between masticatory ability and cognitive function. Experimental studies on mice and rats have consistently shown that impairing masticatory function results in physical and behavioral changes. Decreased neural stem cells proliferation in the hippocampus was seen in most of the studies found. Human population studies have shown that tooth loss and masticatory difficulty are positively correlated with having greater odds of cognitive impairment. No causal mechanism has yet been found to explain the effects of mastication on AHN. More research is needed to find out if mastication could be a health intervention to slowdown cognitive decline
in the aging population or delay the onset of diseases such as dementia.  

Be and Stay Well,

Kirk

You can call me for "brief" medical questions 8-9 a.m. PST Monday thru Friday
916-489-4400        KwikerMedical.com        StayingHealthyToday.com

"Sign-Up for Kirk's "Healthy Living Tips" Here!

Simplest Diabetic Prevention Suggestion....Drink Water!

In 138 adults from Southwest and Southeast England increased plain water intake was significantly associated with a reduction in type 2 diabetes risk,  and for every 240-mL cup of water consumed per day, the type 2 diabetes risk score was reduced by 0.72 points. The authors conclude that increasing plain water intake is a simple and cost-effective dietary modification. “Higher plain water intake is associated with lower type 2 diabetes risk: a cross-sectional study in humans.” Nutr Res. 2015 Oct;35(10): 865-72. 51281 Dr. Angeliki Papadaki, Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom. angeliki.papadaki@bristol.ac.uk
 

Kirk's Comment: My guess is that increased water consumption reduces diabetic risk in four ways: 1) Since water is 60-65% of our body we need to consume it frequently to allow us to function properly. 2) Water consumption replaces harmful fluid intake that might lead to obesity or effect sugar control such as sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages and high calorie coffee drinks (which are really high calorie desserts!). 3) Water intake dilutes calories from solid food intake that gives us a sense of fullness without the calories (like a bowl of vegetable soup) and 4) Water consumers probably live healthier lifestyles and control their blood sugars and weight better reducing diabetes risk.

Be and Stay Well,

Kirk

You can call me for "brief" medical questions 8-9 a.m. PST Monday thru Friday
916-489-4400        KwikerMedical.com        StayingHealthyToday.com

"Sign-Up for Kirk's "Healthy Living Tips" Here!

Plant-Based Diets Proven to Be Excellent for Diabetes Treatment

This interview I did with Dr. Hana Kahleova, MD, PhD from the Diabetes Centre
Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine in Prague, Czech Republic is one of
the best, concise and simplest explanations why a whole food, plant-based diet is an
excellent treatment choice for the prevention and reversal of diabetes, and
cardiovascular disease and obesity.  An unprocessed vegetarian diet is high in fiber,
low glycemic, rich in antioxidants and should be abundant in "greens and beans!"

Start off with one plant-based meal per day! Take my "21 Day Healthy Living
Program for Busy People"  online for FREE which will guide you over a month or two
to eating mainly plant-based foods.

J Am Coll Nutr. 2015 Apr 27:1-11. [Epub ahead of print] 50846 (6/2015)

Kirk's Interview with Dr. Kahleova

Be and Stay Well,

Kirk

You can call me for "brief" medical questions 8-9 a.m. PST Monday thru Friday
916-489-4400        KwikerMedical.com        StayingHealthyToday.com

"Sign-Up for Kirk's "Healthy Living Tips" Here!

Colon Cancer Risk - It's the Processed Carbs! - Not the Whole-Food Carbs!

A high intake of high glycemic index (GI) carbohydrates increases colorectal cancer risk
while a high intake of low GI carbohydrates reduce colorectal cancer risk. High GI
carbohydrates create an excessive increase in blood glucose and insulin. Insulin stimulates
cell proliferation (growth) by direct activation of insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)
receptors, or via inhibition of IGF binding proteins, which may result in increased levels
of bioavailable IGF-1, which plays an important role in the cause of colon cancer.

A high GI diet is low in resistant starch (especially in beans) and resistant starch has
been associated with reduced postprandial insulin levels. Resistant starch is fermented
by the large intestine flora resulting in increased butyrate levels which play an important
role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis (balance) and appear to induce the selective
apoptosis (death) of colon cancer cells.

Click Here for PubMed Abstract - [Int J Cancer. 2015 Jun 15;136(12):2923-31. 50959 (11/2015)]
 
Click Here and read Kirk's Expert Interview with this researcher 

Remember unprocessed carbs are essentially grains cooked and served in a bowl,
beans, lentils, peas and root vegetables and are GOOD for you. Carbs with added oil and sugar (baked goods, chips, etc. ) are processed and generally are not good for you.

Be and Stay Well,

Kirk

You can call me (Kirk) for "brief" medical questions 8-9 a.m. PST Monday thru Friday
916-489-4400    KwikerMedical.com
You can listen to my podcasts and follow my Research at StayingHealthyToday.com 

See the "Expert Interview Archives" of more than 1200 interviews Kirk has done since 1994.

Click here and join Kirk's mailing list and receive his "Healthy Living Tips" at least each week.