Posts Tagged ‘Dr. Osborne’

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Vitamin D Cuts Cancer Risk in Half

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

New research shows that getting plenty of vitamin D prolongs life and improves health. Vitamin D deficiency plays a role in causing seventeen varieties of cancer, as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, and periodontal disease. (1) This does not mean that vitamin D deficiency is the only cause of these diseases. What it does mean is that vitamin D, and the many ways in which it affects a person’s health, must no longer be overlooked.

Here is a very important example: Ample intake of vitamin D (about 2,000 IU/day) can cut breast cancer incidence by half. (2) If vitamin D levels were increased worldwide, 600,000 cases of breast and other cancers could be prevented each year. Nearly 150,000 cases of cancer could be prevented in the United States alone.
A four-year study of 1,179 healthy, postmenopausal women showed that taking calcium, along with nearly three times the U.S. government’s recommendation of vitamin D3, showed a dramatic 60 percent or greater reduction in all forms of cancer. (3) Additionally, there is growing evidence that maintaining vitamin D evels in the body during the winter prevent the flu and other viral infections by strengthening the immune system (4).
How much vitamin D does the average person need? In the summer, those with at least 15 minutes of sun exposure on their skin most days should take 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 each day. In the winter, those with dark skin, or those who have little sun exposure on their skin, should take up to 4,000 IU each day. Suit your vitamin D3 supplementation to your lifestyle: those who have darker skin, are older, avoid sun exposure or live in the northern US should take the higher amounts.

Vitamin D is remarkably safe; there have been no deaths caused by the vitamin. (5) The best way to be sure you are getting the right amount is to have your doctor give you a blood test for 25-hydroxyvitamin D. If your vitamin D intake from all sources is maintaining your blood level at or near 50 ng/ml, you have a good vitamin D status. If it is more than 10% below this level, supplemental sources of vitamin D3 should be increased. People consuming only government-recommended levels of 200-400 IU/day often have blood levels considerably below 50 ng/ml. This means the government’s recommendations are too low, and should be raised immediately.

1. The Vitamin D Council, http://www.vitamindcouncil.com
2. Garland CF, Gorham ED, Mohr SB, Grant WB, Giovannucci EL, Lipkin M, Newmark H, Holick MF, Garland FC. Vitamin D and prevention of breast cancer: pooled analysis. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, 2007. Mar;103(3-5):708-11.
3. Lappe JM, Travers-Gustafson D, Davies KM, Recker RR, Heaney RP. Vitamin D and calcium supplementation reduces cancer risk: results of a randomized trial. Amer J Clin Nutrition, 2007. Vol. 85, No. 6, 1586-1591, June.
4. Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Umhau JC, Holick MF, Grant WB, Madronich S, Garland CF, Giovannucci E. Epidemic influenza and vitamin D. Epidemiol Infect, 2006. Dec;134(6):1129-40. Epub 2006 Sep 7.
5. Saul AW. Vitamin D: Deficiency, diversity and dosage. J Orthomolecular Med, 2003. Vol 18, No 3 and 4, p 194-204.

Dr. Peter Osborne, Diplomate with the American Clinical Board of NutritionDr. Osborne’s Comment…

For years dermatologists have been telling patients to avoid the sun because
exposure causes skin cancer.  However, a lack of adequate sunlight causes
vitamin D deficiency.  Vitamin D deficiency has been directly linked to multiple
types of cancer.  The truth is that humans require sunlight to maintain normal
health.  Keep in mind the following…
•  Common sense is encouraged.  Do not stay in the sun long enough to burn.
•  Typically the darker your skin, the more sunlight per day you require.
•  Remember that any sunscreen greater than SPF 8 will inhibit sunlight production of vitamin D in your skin.
•  Most windows contain screens that block UVB radiation required for vitamin D synthesis.
•  Vitamin D is very safe to take.
Have your doctor check your 25-OH D levels twice per year.  Once at the end of
Winter, and once at the beginning of Fall.  According to the leading researchers
on vitamin D, your levels should be 50 ng/ml or more.
Vitamins Are Safe
There is not even one death per year from vitamin supplementation.  (American
Journal of Emergency Medicine, Vol. 22, No. 5, September 2004.

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Eggs are OK after all!

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

Eating eggs does not affect cholesterol and heart disease risk

supports consuming eggs in moderation after finding no
evidence that eggs increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The researchers studied the association between egg consumption and
cardiovascular disease in 21,327 participants from the Physicians’
Health Study.
The end result of the study found that egg consumption was not
associated with incident heart attack or stroke.
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Vol. 87, No. 4, 964-969, April 2008
_________________________________________________________
Dr. Osborne’s comment:
I have been an a long time supporter of the incredible edible egg.
However, eating the right type of egg is important.  Organic, free range
eggs should be the egg of choice.  Standard commercial eggs come
from hens that are cooped up in boxes and fed chemically sprayed
grains.  This changes the chemical composition of the egg.
One of the greatest misconceptions in the health industry is that eating
foods with high cholesterol will increase the risk of cardiovascular
disease.  The liver is responsible for approximately 90-95% of your
daily cholesterol production.  So eating cholesterol foods do not have
as great an impact on cholesterol as promoted.  An egg contains about
210 mg of cholesterol.
Dietary causes of increased cholesterol are the over consumption of
processed meats, grains, and sugars.  Additionally these foods have all
been shown to stimulate an immune response in the body.
Interestingly enough, these immune responses are lessened by the
formation of cholesterol.  That being said, cholesterol is increased
during times of immune distress to help the body not to hurt it.
Think about that last sentence for a minute.  If elevated cholesterol
helps the immune system, does lowering cholesterol with medications
create immune system dysfunction.  A number of studies support this
to be the case.  Additionally, a number of studies have concluded that
elevated cholesterol is not as great a risk factor for heart disease as is
promoted.  As a matter of fact, studies have proven that people with
the lowest cholesterol have a higher mortality rate (die sooner)!
Below are a number of the benefits of cholesterol
Cholesterol helps the immune system to fight infections
Cholesterol is a precursor to the hormones estrogen,
progesterone, cortisol, and testosterone.
Cholesterol allows brain cells to form synapses (bridges that help
brain cells communicate with each other.)
References:
Krumholz HM and others. Lack of association between cholesterol
and coronary heart disease mortality and morbidity and all-cause
mortality in persons older than 70 years. Journal of the American
Medical Association 272, 1335-1340, 1990
Ravnskov U. High cholesterol may protect against infections and
atherosclerosis. Quarterly Journal of Medicine 96, 927-934, 2003.
Jacobs D and others. Report of the conference on low blood
cholesterol: Mortality associations. Circulation 86, 1046–1060,
1992.

A new study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition supports consuming eggs in moderation after finding no evidence that eggs increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The researchers studied the association between egg consumption and cardiovascular disease in 21,327 participants from the Physicians’  Health Study.  The end result of the study found that egg consumption was not associated with incident heart attack or stroke.
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Vol. 87, No. 4, 964-969, April 2008.

Dr. Peter Osborne, Diplomate with the American Clinical Board of NutritionDr. Osborne’s comment:

I have been an a long time supporter of the incredible edible egg.  However, eating the right type of egg is important.  Organic, free range eggs should be the egg of choice.  Standard commercial eggs come from hens that are cooped up in boxes and fed chemically sprayed grains.  This changes the chemical composition of the egg.  One of the greatest misconceptions in the health industry is that eating foods with high cholesterol will increase the risk of cardiovascular  disease.  The liver is responsible for approximately 90-95% of your daily cholesterol production.  So eating cholesterol foods do not have as great an impact on cholesterol as promoted.  An egg contains about 210 mg of cholesterol.  Dietary causes of increased cholesterol are the over consumption of processed meats, grains, and sugars.  Additionally these foods have all been shown to stimulate an immune response in the body.  Interestingly enough, these immune responses are lessened by the formation of cholesterol.  That being said, cholesterol is increased during times of immune distress to help the body not to hurt it.

Think about that last sentence for a minute.  If elevated cholesterol helps the immune system, does lowering cholesterol with medications create immune system dysfunction.  A number of studies support this to be the case.  Additionally, a number of studies have concluded that elevated cholesterol is not as great a risk factor for heart disease as is promoted.  As a matter of fact, studies have proven that people with the lowest cholesterol have a higher mortality rate (die sooner)!

Below are a number of the benefits of cholesterol

  • Cholesterol helps the immune system to fight infections
  • Cholesterol is a precursor to the hormones estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and testosterone.
  • Cholesterol allows brain cells to form synapses (bridges that help brain cells communicate with each other.)
References:
  1. Krumholz HM and others. Lack of association between cholesterol and coronary heart disease mortality and morbidity and all-cause mortality in persons older than 70 years. Journal of the American Medical Association 272, 1335-1340, 1990.
  2. Ravnskov U. High cholesterol may protect against infections and atherosclerosis. Quarterly Journal of Medicine 96, 927-934, 2003.
  3. Jacobs D and others. Report of the conference on low blood cholesterol: Mortality associations. Circulation 86, 1046–1060, 1992.

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Common Plastics a Danger to Unborn Children..

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009
Commonly used plastics compound effects fetuses and
children…
A chemical used in the production of polycarbonate plastics, bisphenol
A (BPA), is raising concern over its effects in fetuses and children,
according to a draft report from the NIH.  The report, from the
National Toxicology Program, concludes that BPA presents “some
concern” that exposure of fetuses and children “can cause changes in
behavior and the brain, prostate gland, mammary gland, and the age
at which females attain puberty.” The report cites “negligible concern”
that BPA exposure leads to birth defects.  Polycarbonate plastics are
used in, among other things, bottles for water and infant formula or
breast milk. The draft report says that infants and children have the
highest intakes of BPA in the population.  The Canadian government
may declare the compound toxic as early as this week, an anonymous
source told the New York Times.
Dr. Osborne’s Comment…
Another example of how we over expose ourselves and our children
to compounds that have damaging health effects.  In the last issue,
we discussed diacetyl in popcorn as a compound in artificial butters
that can contribute to lung disease.  This however, is a much greater
problem, as we are surrounded by polycarbonate plastics.  More than
6 billion tons are put out each year.  They are used in storage and
drinking containers as well as a number of polymers and resins used
in industrial processing.  I find it alarming that baby bottles and food
containers contain BPA as this chemical is a known estrogen mimicker.
Why is this dangerous?  Estrogen can bring about long term
hormonal changes.  BPA has been shown to contribute to abnormal
behaviour and hyperactivity in children, brain damage, abnormal
sexual behaviour, early puberty, and reproductive abnormalities.
Protect yourself:
1. Try to avoid exposure by eliminating the use of these plastics.
2.  Support your body’s ability to protect and detoxify itself.
Exercise regularly to stimulate sweating as well as the flow of
blood and lymph fluids to help your body rid itself of toxins on a
regular basis.
Breathe!  Proper breathing can help increase oxygen into your
tissues supporting your overall metabolism.
Eat a diet rich in healthy meats, nuts, seeds, beans, fresh fruits
and vegetables and devoid of processed dairy, sugar, and grain
based foods.
Maintain adequate hydration.  Water is a catalyst for your
body’s ability to eliminate toxic substances.
Plastic bottles contain toxic BPAA chemical used in the production of polycarbonate plastics, bisphenol A (BPA), is raising concern over its effects in fetuses and children,  according to a draft report from the NIH.  The report, from the National Toxicology Program, concludes that BPA presents “some concern” that exposure of fetuses and children “can cause changes in behavior and the brain, prostate gland, mammary gland, and the age at which females attain puberty.” The report cites “negligible concern” that BPA exposure leads to birth defects.  Polycarbonate plastics are used in, among other things, bottles for water and infant formula or breast milk. The draft report says that infants and children have the highest intakes of BPA in the population.  The Canadian government may declare the compound toxic as early as this week, an anonymous source told the New York Times.

Dr. Peter Osborne, Diplomate with the American Clinical Board of NutritionDr. Osborne’s Comment…

Another example of how we over expose ourselves and our children to compounds that have damaging health effects.  In the last issue, we discussed diacetyl in popcorn as a compound in artificial butters that can contribute to lung disease.  This however, is a much greater problem, as we are surrounded by polycarbonate plastics.  More than 6 billion tons are put out each year.  They are used in storage and drinking containers as well as a number of polymers and resins used in industrial processing.  I find it alarming that baby bottles and food containers contain BPA as this chemical is a known estrogen mimicker.  Why is this dangerous?  Estrogen can bring about long term hormonal changes.  BPA has been shown to contribute to abnormal behaviour and hyperactivity in children, brain damage, abnormal sexual behaviour, early puberty, and reproductive abnormalities.

Protect yourself:

  1. Try to avoid exposure by eliminating the use of these plastics.
  2. Support your body’s ability to protect and detoxify itself.  Exercise regularly to stimulate sweating as well as the flow of blood and lymph fluids to help your body rid itself of toxins on a regular basis.
  3. Breathe!  Proper breathing can help increase oxygen into your tissues supporting your overall metabolism.
  4. Eat a diet rich in healthy meats, nuts, seeds, beans, fresh fruits and vegetables and devoid of processed dairy, sugar, and grain based foods.
  5. Maintain adequate hydration.  Water is a catalyst for your body’s ability to eliminate toxic substances.

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Mainstream treatment for osteoporosis is not the answer…

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009
Mainstream treatment for osteoporosis is not the answer…
Mainstream treatments for osteoporosis shown to cause more
problems than they help.  Recent evidence links taking
bisphosphonate medications such as Actonel and Fosamax to a
number of side effects including, osteonecrosis of the jaw, atrial
fibrilation, gastrointestinal pain, and dyspepsia (indigestion).
References:
Black DM, Delmas PD, Eastell R, Reid IR, Boonen S, Cauley JA, et al.
Once-yearly zoledronic acid for treatment of postmenopausal
osteoporosis. N Engl J Med 2007;356:1809-22.
Bauer DC, et al. Upper gastrointestinal tract safety profile of
alendronate: the fracture intervention trial. Arch Intern Med.2000 Feb
28;160(4):517-25.
Bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis of the jaw: a retrospective study.
[Endocr Pract. 2007]
Nature and frequency of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of
the jaws in Australia. [J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2007]
Osteonecrosis of the jaw induced by orally administered
bisphosphonates: incidence, clinical features, predisposing factors and
treatment outcome. [Osteoporos Int. 2007
Osteonecrosis of the jaw in cancer after treatment with
bisphosphonates: incidence and risk factors. [J Clin Oncol. 2005]
Outcomes of placing dental implants in patients taking oral
bisphosphonates: a review of 115 cases. [J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2008]
Dr. Osborne’s Comment:
Medications for the treatment of osteoporosis are simply band aids
that do not address the true causes or contributing factors for the
disease.   Bisphosphonates prevent your body’s ability to get rid of
old worn out bone.  When your body is unable to remove old bone, it
cannot replace it with new bone tissue.  Although bone density
appears to improve with the use of a bone scanner, the quality of the
existing bone is compromised.  Read my report on osteoporosis to
better arm yourself with knowledge and prevent bone loss from
affecting your health.
Following these simple tips can go a long way in preventing bone loss:
Perform weight bearing exercises on a daily basis.
Eat an abundance of high quality organic or local grown fruits
and vegetables.
Eliminate refined and processed foods from your diet.
Get adequate sunlight for your skin type without the use of
sun screens as they block vitamin D synthesis.
Nutritional deficiencies
Don’t smoke or subject yourself to second hand smoke.
Strongly limit caffeine (less than 100 mg/day) and alcohol
intake.
Avoid medications that effect vitamin and mineral metabolism
such as steroids, NSAIDS, and acid lowering medications.
During your annual check ups, have your doctor perform lab
work to identify nutritional deficiencies.
Have your doctor genetically screen you for osteoporosis risk
early in life so that you can make appropriate lifestyle
modifications.

Mainstream treatments for osteoporosis shown to cause more problems than they help.

Recent evidence links taking bisphosphonate medications such as Actonel and Fosamax to a number of side effects including, osteonecrosis of the jaw, atrial fibrilation, gastrointestinal pain, and dyspepsia (indigestion).

References:

  1. Black DM, Delmas PD, Eastell R, Reid IR, Boonen S, Cauley JA, et al. Once-yearly zoledronic acid for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. N Engl J Med 2007;356:1809-22.
  2. Bauer DC, et al. Upper gastrointestinal tract safety profile of alendronate: the fracture intervention trial. Arch Intern Med.2000 Feb 28;160(4):517-25.
  3. Bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis of the jaw: a retrospective study. Endocr Pract. 2007
  4. Nature and frequency of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaws in Australia.  J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2007
  5. Osteonecrosis of the jaw induced by orally administered bisphosphonates: incidence, clinical features, predisposing factors and treatment outcome. Osteoporos Int. 2007
  6. Osteonecrosis of the jaw in cancer after treatment with bisphosphonates: incidence and risk factors. J Clin Oncol. 2005
  7. Outcomes of placing dental implants in patients taking oral bisphosphonates: a review of 115 cases. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2008

Dr. Peter Osborne, Diplomate with the American Clinical Board of NutritionDr. Osborne’s Comment:

Medications for the treatment of osteoporosis are simply band aids that do not address the true causes or contributing factors for the disease.   Bisphosphonates prevent your body’s ability to get rid of old worn out bone.  When your body is unable to remove old bone, it cannot replace it with new bone tissue.  Osteonecrosis occurs because the weakened bone in the jaw develops micro fractures.  Although bone density appears to improve with the use of a bone scanner, the quality of the existing bone is compromised.  Read my report on osteoporosis to better arm yourself with knowledge and prevent bone loss from affecting your health.

Following these simple tips can go a long way in preventing bone loss:

  • Perform weight bearing exercises on a daily basis.
  • Eat an abundance of high quality organic or local grown fruits and vegetables.
  • Eliminate refined and processed foods from your diet.
  • Get adequate sunlight for your skin type without the use of sun screens as they block vitamin D synthesis.
  • Don’t smoke or subject yourself to second hand smoke.
  • Strongly limit caffeine (less than 100 mg/day) and alcohol intake.
  • Avoid medications that effect vitamin and mineral metabolism such as steroids, NSAIDS, and acid lowering medications.
  • During your annual check ups, have your doctor perform lab work to identify nutritional deficiencies.
  • Have your doctor genetically screen you for osteoporosis risk early in life so that you can make appropriate lifestyle modifications.

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Dr. Peter Osborne on Fox News

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

Dr. Osborne was recently featured on Fox News as an expert on gluten sensitivity!

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