Nutrition in the News
Page 2

ALPHA LIPOIC ACID REDUCES DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

Pain and/or loss of sensation in the feet and legs is a complication of diabetes. The heart is sometime also affected. 328 patients with diabetic neuropathy of either the limbs or the heart were administered 600 to 800 mg of alpha-lipoic acid daily.

• The authors state in conclusion that alpha-lipoic acid is "safe and effective in reducing symptoms of diabetic neuropathy."

Although alpha-lipoic acid was given intravenously in this study, it is known to also be well absorbed by mouth.

Ziegler D, Gries FA. Alpha-lipoic acid in treatment of peripheral and cardiac autonomic neuropathy. Diabetes, 1997; 46:S62-S66.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

VITAMIN E  AND BETA CAROTENE REDUCE PROSTATE CANCER.

29,133 male smokes aged 50 to 69 years in Finland were studied for 5 to 8 years. They were given supplements with 50 mg vitamin E and/or 20 mg beta carotene daily.

The vitamin E supplemented men experienced:

• 32% decrease in the incidence of prostate cancer.
• 41% decrease in mortality from prostate cancer.

Beta carotene administered without vitamin E actually increased the incidence and death rate from prostate cancer. A similar study of lung cancer previously showed this same adverse effect from beta carotene when given by itself to smokers. But, when combined with vitamin E, beta carotene was very beneficial as described above. Beta carotene should be only used in combination with vitamin E and other antioxidants. Vitamins work together in harmony and are best taken with a broad spectrum multiple formula to achieve full benefit.

Heinonen OP, Albanes D, Virtamo J, et al. Prostate cancer and supplementation with alpha-tocopherol and beta carotene: incidence and mortality in a controlled trial. J Natl Cancer Inst 1998 Mar 18;90(6):440-446.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY COMMON, EVEN WITH RDA INTAKES.

"Hypovitaminosis D is common. . .including those with intakes exceeding the recommended daily allowance and without apparent risk factors. . ."

"Inadequate vitamin D status is an important public health problem, which could be easily addressed by adequate vitamin D intake."

Thomas MK, Lloyd-Jones DM, Thadhani RI, et al. Hypovitaminosis D in medical patients. N Engl J Med 1998 Mar 19;338(12):777-783.

Jacques PF, Felson DT, Tucker KL, Mahnken B, et al. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D and its determinants in an elderly population sample. Am J Clin Nutr 1997 Oct;66(4):929-936.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TAURINE IMPROVES HEART FUNCTION

Taurine is an amino acid, nutritional supplement. Twenty-four patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) were given 2 gm TAURINE daily by mouth.

CHF score (lower numbers are better):

BEFORE

7.3 before treatment -- functional class IV (New York Heart Association, NYHA)

AFTER

4.4 after treatment -- functional class III

Azuma J, Hasegawa H, Sawamura A, et al. Therapy of congestive heart failure with orally administered taurine. Clin Ther 1983;5(4):398-408.

 

Go To Page 1

BACK TO NUTRITION MAIN PAGE