Cut Sugar and Supplements -- and Live 15 Years Longer?

re: Cut Sugar and Supplements -- and Live 15 Years Longer?

Linda N — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 20:05:38 GMT

I agree with the poster who noted that the media with big Pharma are pushing hard promulgating antioxidants don't work well. Also worms are not people, as someone else pointed out, and to say that we should avoid supplementation is absurd. I too believe this sounds just like more clap trap of from those pushing the Codex agenda. Most people who take supplements also eat a whole food's diet and I for one think the combination is unbeatable. Top notch environmental physician and researcher, Sherry Rogers gives us all the biochemical reasons we need to justify antioxidant supplementation. Anyone interested in real science on this just get all of her books. Also, for a look at a study IN HUMANS, that supports supplementation, see the following article.

Study Shows Vitamin "Pill-Poppers" Are Healthier

(OMNS November 2, 2007) New research indicates that NOT taking supplements may be harmful to your health, and that a single daily multi-vitamin is inadequate. A study of hundreds of persons who take a number of different dietary supplements has found that the more supplements they take, the better their health is. The study authors reported that a "greater degree of supplement use was associated with more favorable concentrations of serum homocysteine, C-reactive protein, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides, as well as lower risk of prevalent elevated blood pressure and diabetes.".....

It is especially significant that the supplement-takers consumed a lot of tablets every day, not merely a multivitamin. More than half of them took, in addition to a multivitamin/mineral, extra "B-complex, vitamin C, carotenoids, vitamin E, calcium with vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, lecithin, alfalfa, coenzyme Q10 with resveratrol, glucosamine, and an herbal immune supplement....The study was published October 24 in the peer-reviewed Nutrition Journal. See: www.nutritionj.com/.../1475-2891-6-30.pdf .

re: Cut Sugar and Supplements -- and Live 15 Years Longer?

Bob42 — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 16:16:41 GMT

In researching the issue of supplements I found the following web site to be very useful: http://ods.od.nih.gov/

re: Cut Sugar and Supplements -- and Live 15 Years Longer?

Bob42 — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 15:22:24 GMT

HELP!!! There is a lot of information out there on nutritional supplements including this site, some with good objective data and others (most) just worthless marketing hype. And now I read here that supplements could harm you. What is the truth?

Part of the problem is that there seems to be no tests to determine what you need and in what amounts. The strategy seems to be just start taking stuff and see what works. But how do I know if it works? I took vitamins for some time and could not discern any difference so I quit. After all why spend the money for these supplements only to have them pass through into the sewer system.

re: Cut Sugar and Supplements -- and Live 15 Years Longer?

TexDawn — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:05:35 GMT

I have a thought on the whole wheat issue. We all know that food isn't as nutritious as is was 100 yrs ago, but could monoculture have actually removed something from wheat that used to help us digest it? Some micronutrient that no longer exsists in modern wheat? And this is why gluten intolerance is becoming so common?

re: Cut Sugar and Supplements -- and Live 15 Years Longer?

NZSimon — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 19:13:29 GMT

However I believe it is certainly good advice to make use of dietary antioxidants when you body may be exposed to situations (living in city for a short period after living in country i.e. higher exposure to pollutants than would normally be found in country environment) which it normally wouldn’t or during an adaptive process involving some extremes (e.g. training for your first ultra marathon). This ideally provides support for the body without taking over its own adaptive process. What is not really considered by the worm study is the multiple and varied sources of external and internal stressors to the body…so indeed Joe Bloggs may be exposed to hundreds of toxins…have his own work stress on top of that and then exercise like a madman. In this case a little extra support could help.

Out of all of this it is important to know how complex and multifactoral oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species and antioxidants are. In fact some ROS appear critical for some processes in the body. Sometimes antioxidants act as pro-oxidants too e.g. vitamin C…quite useful I think if I have a cold/flu to deal with as Psych 101 has alluded to.

So I think that it is easier to choose when and when not to use antioxidant supplements (or simply a natural equivalent e.g. a cup of blackcurrants or tea) by firstly a) tidying up the diet to raw, non-processed natural foods according to your metabolic type b) assessing the ones own unique health challenges and individual environmental factors, c) get a good understanding of the typical challenges you will experience to your health and d) have someone you can seek reliable advice from and discuss health concepts with (e.g. Dr Mercola ? )…Then articles such as the worm one will be more of a “ that’s another interesting piece in the puzzle” as oppose to an “uh oh”.

re: Cut Sugar and Supplements -- and Live 15 Years Longer?

NZSimon — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 19:10:09 GMT

would not live as long. If they haven’t tested the ability of the worm to live a longer life using the antioxidants rather than own body’s antioxidants, I think they would be being a bit premature in their conclusions. However valid points were raised by the study.

I am not surprised by the conclusion that the antioxidants down-regulate the production of the worm's own system of antioxidants (enzymes such as catalase and non-enzymes such as glutathione)…This idea indeed has been about for some time. This doesn’t mean however that antioxidants in the diet are bad for you it just reduces the stimulus for your body to produce a lot of its own enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants… The point really is that we just need to think about how we will make use of extra or supplementary sources of antioxidants. I don't believe that the worm study is suggesting that we discontinue our use of antioxidants (despite what the authors might say), I think it merely raises our awareness of how, when and what to use and of course why. Taking a single supplement for a result without considering the multiple factors involved in the health process and necessity for a personalized approach is the same problem found in conventional medicine. Indeed it would be ludicrous to suggest to discontinue the intake of antioxidants...there would go pretty much all of our natural food supply (fruit, vegetables, meat etc) i.e. anything with flavonoids, vitamin A, C and E, selenium, fish oils, to name a few. I think what the article leads us to consider is that the widespread use of supplements without the reflection and guidance as to the best way to use them might be a problem…as is the same with any nutrient. When we exercise we increase our rate of ROS production but this is normally accounted for by our own body’s antioxidant network. Like the worm study suggests, when the body is exposed to extra ROS (as with exercise) it appears to adapt by up-regulating enzymes etc...

re: Cut Sugar and Supplements -- and Live 15 Years Longer?

NZSimon — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 19:08:55 GMT

The topic of antioxidant effects in the body is of great interest to me and something i like reading about. The effect of glucose in human health has also provided a lot of debate and in my own experience especially has proved a very good backer of the 'in moderation' and 'in the way nature designed it' dietary philosophy.

Firstly, a valid point has been raised regarding the issue of making a comparison between worms and humans ... Genetically, i am told by someone who is more knowledgable than me on the topic, we are remarkably similar to many animals and therefore as a crude starting point it is not entirely flawed to make such comparisons. Ethically (and as a person who respects our planet’s other guests) I don’t favour animal studies and of course to validate the worm study a human study would be needed which probably would be unethical also.To get a few more of my own questions answered i attempted to retrieve the article that we are commenting on to see if the full text would provide more clarity. Unfortunately the journal it is in is one of the few i don't have access to; perhaps someone who does could have a look because rarely does an abstract give the full picture. The questions I have are:1)What was the study measure of ROS i.e. biomarker?

2)How do they link the reduction of glucose availability to the formation of ROS and oxidative stress resistance? 3)What antioxidants and vitamins were used and how were they linked to the prevention of lifespan? i.e. was it just linked to down-regulation of the worms antioxidants.4) How did reduction in glucose availability increase ROS (one guess would be an increase reliance on other energy sources and thus oxidative metabolic pathways)?5)Finally, and most importantly, did they actually measure if taking the antioxidants affected the lifespan of the worms or did they just suggest that because certain antioxidants in the worm did not up regulate because of supplementation with dietary antioxidants, that the worm

re: Cut Sugar and Supplements -- and Live 15 Years Longer?

perrysims — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 17:28:12 GMT

It is ridiculous to even mention the result of a glucose/worm research without knowing the parameters of the research. How did you reach to the conclusion that supplements are dangerous without scrutinizing the work of one researcher. 90% of these one shot researches are worthless at worst and flawed at best in terms of gleaning a conclusion. So, please do not carelessly publicize these flawed researches as a premise for reaching to a sweeping conclusion.

re: Cut Sugar and Supplements -- and Live 15 Years Longer?

miles shaler — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 11:30:32 GMT

anything ingested that has had its natural biological energy removed is a long term poison to your body.

---vitamin and supplement pills are of no use-- only living organisms actually contain the natural energy that is required to make the difference you are looking for. A plant known to be beneficial can be separated into it's constituents and assumptions made about those constituents, but collect the constituents together and try to make a plant---can't be done. The vital ingredient, the biological energy, is missing, and creating it is beyond the ability of man, only nature can produce such a thing. Eating processed food is the same as poison, eating it only adds mass not energy. If you want to live as long as it was intended for you to live, wake up to this reality.

re: Cut Sugar and Supplements -- and Live 15 Years Longer?

healthisachoice — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 03:36:23 GMT

I too take issue with the study bearing any relevance with regard to people. I wholeheartedly agree that we need to limit sugar intake, but to say that we should avoid supplementation is absurd. Sounds like a codex agenda study to me.

As far as some people having wheat intolerance and others not, I think it does have to do with genes. Dr. Steve Nugent has written a book called the Genetic Key Diet, and there are others (Eat Right for your Type?). Culturally our ancestors 'bloomed where they were planted" so if we can determine who we really are, then we have a better understanding of what we can consume and utilize most effeciently. It doesn't surprise me that people of Italian descent can consume lots of pasta, just as it wouldn't surprise me for people of Asian descent to thrive on lots of rice, or Irish to not be phased by potatoes. Who but those of Eskimo descent could consume so much protein and fat without health problems?

But I still think, no matter who we are, we can benefit from natural, plant sourced vitamin and mineral supplements. The problem comes when you lump 'supplements' into one category. Synthetic vs natural plant sourced, is like rubber (aka American cheese food) to organic goat cheese. How can you lump them into the same group????

re: Cut Sugar and Supplements -- and Live 15 Years Longer?

Psych101 — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 01:03:39 GMT

I see the media is pushing hard promulgating antioxidants don't work well. All backed by big Pharma of course! What a bunch of crap! The facts and the truths are they do help and billions of medical dollars are lost each year from smart humans taking vitamins (namely antioxidants)! No human needs to ever catch a flu nor a cold and have to live with it longer than 30 minutes! Here's the dosage to cure all viruses 100% of the time provided this dose is taken within 2 hours within the onset of symptoms. I have used this cure over 30 years and I am 100% sure it works on everybody every time!

Child weighing 60 to 90 lbs needs 25 grams.

Women weighing 95 to 130 Lbs needs 3 to 3.5 grams of vitamin C within the first 2 hours of symptoms of all illnesses.

Man weighing 150 to 180 needs 4 grams.

This works 100% of the time as we have used this cure over 30 years!!!

re: Cut Sugar and Supplements -- and Live 15 Years Longer?

kfarias_203 — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 22:16:33 GMT

I just started substitute teaching at a high school where my husband teaches foreign language. I am appalled at the amount of "crap" [junk food] and sugar these kids consume. The school lunches are virtually devoid of nutrients they are so over-cooked or full of fake dairy products, they clubs sell candy and the kids have junk food machines and soda machines at their beck and call. The behaviour problems are unbelievable, I had a kid in my class [and they are allowed to do this] eat about 6 lollipops, and the teachers SELL IT TO THEM TO RAISE MONEY FOR STUFF - I am so upset over this, I just cannot believe the amount of sugar these kids ingest daily. And a disproportionate amount of the girls are just plain fat, out of shape, you name it. It's really a plague. It's no wonder they can't behave, etc. I won't even talk about the cell phones in school.....Our society has an awlful diet. I don't always get my veggies in, so I supplement with whole food vitamins, but not in large quantities, I drink coffee [organic] and wine. I don't eat sugar, or junk food. I'm 52, people say I look late 30's or early 40's.....my husband is 11 years younger than me. I work out but not overly and I drink raw milk, eat pastured meat, take omega's, enzymes and probiotics. I do the best I can an know there are no guarantees in life. I think genes play a big role as well. My mothers family have longevity.

re: Cut Sugar and Supplements -- and Live 15 Years Longer?

gc_3 — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:30:10 GMT

It's been my experience in twenty three years of practice, that Durum and or other wheat is not suitable for everyone, for biochemically, we are all different. Dr. Mercola often speaks of the adverse effects of gluten in one's diet. This has become clear in my work time and time again.

You seem to be an individual who can tolerate pasta made with Durum Wheat and you mention regular pasta as well, which are carbs and will be treated as such by the body... not to mention the often produced mucous up against the intestinal wall, thus potentially disallowing enzymes needed activity for the break down of nutrients to be impaired.

You however are enjoying good health due to avoidance of refined white sugar and work outs etc.and carefully chosen nutrient intake... Good for you.:)))!

Blessings

Dr. Trudy

I would never disagree with your 23 years of practice, but I find it interesting that almost all of my acquaintances, who mostly follow the same eating patterns that I do, do not suffer from wheat intolerance, digestive problems, Candida, and various other ailments that seem to strike others...Does this mean that we all have super genes, or could it mean that gluten intolerance stems from a whole host of issues, including processed foods, too much inactivity, environmental allergies, and not enough fresh water to flush things out? My relatives and friends were neither blessed with super genes nor dealt a bad hand, but the only time I have ever come up against a whole host of people who really suffered from gluten intolerance where the acquaintances and friends that I met and made whilst I was living in New York and then Canada for a few years.....I wonder what that means? HIdden sugars? Genetically modified foods? Or too much Lean Cusine?? Any suggestions would be welcome!

Thanks

re: Cut Sugar and Supplements -- and Live 15 Years Longer?

Carl Forsberg — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 16:56:50 GMT

My comments on Supplements: I find this information a little bit confusing. First it pigeon holes everyone into users of sugar and pop products. I have no sugar in my house, and have not used pop products or alcohol of any kind for over ten years. My diet is 80% Raw totally vegetarian. So I do not think that this article is relevent to me or my life style. Do I need supplements? I use the FitDay web site to chart my daily intake of food and vitamins. I realize that because I am eating Vegetarian, I do not receive Vitamin D, I also do not receive enough Calcium, and Vitamin B 12, So yes, I am using a full spectrum Vitamin and Mineral supplement. I also take extra Vitamin C, Calcium, Selenium, Zinc, and Coenzyme Q10. Yes, I also take Acidophilus & Bifidus as a probotic twice daily with my morning and evening meal.

I am 70 years old, I have no car so I either walk or use my 12 speed bicycle for transportation. I am taking no medication and am not being treated for any illnesses. I am 5 ft. 11 inches tall and my weight is 165 lbs. At this point I feel I am in the best health of my entire life. If the supplements I am taking are a waste of money, then please put that in perspective for me.

re: Cut Sugar and Supplements -- and Live 15 Years Longer?

Pendelval — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:08:44 GMT

Ok, first of all, the motivations behind this study are possibly questionable...as we know there is an ongoing assault on people's rights to use nutritional supplements. HOWEVER I do think there is a valid basis for some of the issues raised by the study. BUT it is old news! Stephen Levine and others had this idea over twenty years ago! I think the book was called "antioxidant adaptation" or something.

Personally I try to cycle my supplements, I don't take a super powerful antioxidant every day because I want my body to have to produce some of its own. So I take almost all of my supplements in an irregular pattern, sometimes skipping almost all supplements for as much as a week.

The healthiest old people I know...by far...are in their 80s but seem like they are in their 60s. They live in France for part of the year and the US for part of the year. They have taken a standard multi-vitamin for decades. Also they have well water in the US and non-fluoridated water in France, so I think that is another factor in why they have not prematurely aged. They are of course very physically active, for example a couple years ago they hiked the Zion overlook trail in Colorado! They are not extremely thin, rather a "normal " weight and their diet is classically European. (they eat meat, pate, prosciutto, wine, etc, just not a lot of anything)

Agree with Patty that the problem is not glucose itself but our genetic predisposition to handling it sloppily. Remember we didn't really evolve to live past, say, 50 or so.