Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Thanksgiving Schedule-Nutrition Updates

Holiday schedule is as follows: Closed on Thanksgiving Day. Open normal hours Friday and Saturday.

Nutrition News:
  • High fructose carbonated soft-drink sweetners linked to diabetes.
  • Calcium supplementation in adults over 50 can result in reduced fracture risk.
  • Pectin used in making homemade jellies may protect from prostate cancer highlighting the importance of eating fruits and vegetables.
  • Vitamin D may prevent premature death due to its ability to inhibit cancer cell proliferation, improve blood vessel function and boost the immune system.
  • Calcium and vitamin D may protect against breast cancer.
  • High homocysteine levels linked to cognitive impairment (mild) and doubles heart disease risk.
  • A household spice curcumin reduces inflammation and improves exercise performance
  • Ground flaxseed reduces hot flashes.
  • Vitamin E supplementation helps prevent venous thromboembolism.

Dangers of Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

  • PRESCRIPTION DRUGS with acetaminophen-Tylenol 2, 3 and 4, Vicodin, Lorcet, Lortab, Maxidone, Zydone, Percocet, Roxicet, Fioricet, Darvocet-N, Wygesic.
  • The leading cause of acute liver failure even at recommended doses.
  • Results in 10s of thousands of poison control costs.
  • Alcohol consumption and fasting greatly increase liver injury risk.
  • Overdoses (OD) occur frequently due to pain control efforts or combining medications with acetaminophen

PREVENTING Acetaminophen OD

  • Read your labels.
  • Avoid alcohol when taking acetaminophen
  • Avoid acetaminophen when vomiting or with loss of apetite.
  • Consider supplementing with anti-oxidants which counteract oxidant by-products and preserve glutathion which is essential for detoxifying some drugs and is depleted by acetaminophen.
  • The following can be used with acetaminophen under supervision: N-acetylcysteine (NAC), vitamine C and E, SAM-e, whey protein, milk thistle extracts (silymarin and silibinin), polyenylphosphatidlycholine.

Nutrition and Autism:

Possible causes: no single cause but a cluster involving genes, inflammation, impaired GI health, increased oxidative stress, diminished ability to neutralize toxins, autoimmune processes, decreased mitochondrial function. Other proposed are vaccine preservatives and food additives.

Integrative Approach:

  1. Dietary Modification: Healing the gut-eliminate allergenic foods, digestive enzymes, probiotics
  2. Boost anti-oxidant protection- consider multi-vitamin and mineral supplements: B6, magnesium, A, C.
  3. Enhance detoxification
  4. Support brain cell structure