Warnings About Statins Grow Louder

There are many alternatives to statins.  Please call and make an appointment if you’d like to discuss your options! — Cathie

Researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine reviewed previous studies on the risks and benefits of statins for people at low risk of heart disease and found many of the studies were deeply flawed.

The researchers conclude, in a note to physicians: “Caution should be taken in prescribing statins for primary prevention among people at low cardiovascular risk.”

Independent researchers in the U.S. and Canada have found links between statin use and a variety of cognitive disorders ranging from depression to dementia.

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The Importance of Vitamin D

By Cathie Dunal MD, MPH: The list of Vitamin D’s impact has expanded to both physical and psychological health:

•. Lower rates of colon, lung, breast, and prostate cancer and melanoma
•. Less risk for stroke and heart attacks
•. Less risk for allergies and autoimmune disease
•. Prevents osteoporosis, through its role in assisting calcium absorption
•. Better immunity—fewer colds and flu
•. Lower risk of Alzheimer’s
•. Improved mood
•. Lower rates of multiple sclerosis.  (However, this may be a false association because the lower rates are also associated with lower latitudes and more sun—it could be due to another component of sunshine.)

How much Vitamin D should you take?………. Continue reading »

Reversing Heart Disease

Bill Clinton explained in an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer that his recent weight loss was an unintended side effect of the mostly plant-based diet he’s adopted in a bid to reverse his heart disease.

Former President Clinton revealed that the grafted vein from his heart bypass surgery had started clogging up with cholesterol. Concerned, he read several books, including Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Caldwell Esselstyn, M.D., Dr. Dean Ornish’s Programme for Reversing Heart Disease, and The China Study by researchers T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell II.

Mr. Clinton was convinced that the scientific research is converging on the notion that a plant-based diet can not only prevent, but actually reverse coronary heart disease.

Continue reading »

Dark Chocolate Health Benefits

By Alexis Wolfer: The New York Times [has] reported that chocolate, in moderation is good for your heart. In fact, women (from Sweden in this study) who ate 1 to 2 servings of dark chocolate (between two-thirds of an ounce and one ounce) each week had almost one-third fewer cases of heart failure than those who avoided the sweet stuff. They say that chocolate may lower blood pressure and that the flavonoids in cocoa may reduce blood vessel inflammation.

2010 was a good year for dark chocolate lovers — the news is full of promising research regarding its effects on heart, stress, brain & liver, not to mention tastebuds! — Dr. Cathie

BeautyBean … New York Times … Telegraph (UK) ... Daily Mail (UK) … Medical News Today

Emperor’s Black Rice

By Carina Storrs (Health.com): According to ancient Chinese legend, black rice was so rare, tasty, and nutritious that only the emperors were allowed to eat it.

Although black rice is still relatively rare, researchers are trying to bring its distinctive flavor and mix of antioxidants to the masses—or at least to a grocery store near you.

Like brown rice, black rice is full of antioxidant-rich bran, which is found in the outer layer that gets removed during the milling process to make white rice. But only black-rice bran contains the antioxidants known as anthocyanins, purple and reddish pigments—also found in blueberries, grapes and acai—that have been linked to a decreased risk of heart disease and cancer, improvements in memory, and other health benefits.

On Chicago’s North Shore, Sunset Foods carries Emperor’s Black and Red Bhutan rices, and Sea Ranch in Wilmette has  Emperor’s Black Rice– Dr. Cathie

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