The WellnessWise Electronic Journal
Volume 3, Number 2; February 16, 1997


CONTENTS: 

Section I       From the Editor's Keyboard
                          What Participants Are Saying About 
                          The Lifestyle Center Of America

Section II      Science/Health Abstracts
                          Tomatoes/Cancer
                          Television/Children
                          Smoking/Pregnancy
                          Dairy Products/Diabetes

Section III     Transcripts from The WellnessWise Radio Program
                          Homocysteine and Heart Disease
                          Smokeless Tobacco

Section IV      From The Lifestyle Center of America

Section V       Parting Words
                          Subscription Information
                          Back Issues


SECTION I:

WHAT PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE LIFESTYLE CENTER OF AMERICA

"I had been on insulin for 9 years. My feet and legs were giving me major problems. The pain would never go away. It would take me 3-4 hours to fall asleep every night. I could only work half a day because of the pain. Now my feet and legs are pain free. I am off insulin and plan on getting off my oral medication too. Lifestyle Center of America has given me the tools to live a complete life again. It is truly something special." Larry M.; Aledo, TX

"I smoked for 20 years, up to a pack a day. Though I never had a physical craving for tobacco, I did have a psychological one. The Lifestyle Center of America helped me break that habit. I haven't smoked since." Kitty M.; Sulphur, OK

You or your friends can be the subjects of future success stories coming from our state of the art preventive medicine center. See details in Section IV.


SECTION II

SCIENCE/HEALTH ABSTRACTS

The following abstracts first appeared in Volume Vol. 13(2) of "Science/Health Abstracts"; copyright 1994 by Phylis A. Austin. (If you are interested in a current subscription to "Science/Health Abstracts" either e-mail <> or write to: Science/Health Abstracts, Box 319, Fort Mitchell, AL 36875.)

TOMATOES/CANCER

Tomatoes have several anti-cancer substances according to researchers at Cornell University. Tomatoes contain high concentrations of vitamin C, a known cancer-fighter. Chlorogenic and p-courmaric acids inhibit nitroso compounds, known powerful carcinogens.

Pineapples, strawberries, green peppers, and carrots also possess anti-nitroso properties. (Environmental Nutrition 17(3)1, March 1994)

TELEVISION/CHILDREN

Children who watch frightening television programs may suffer post- traumatic stress disorder. Two child psychiatrists reported that children they treated suffered from sleep problems, nightmares, fear of dark, refusal to sleep alone, high anxiety levels, panic attacks, clinging behavior, irritability, and depression following a frightening television program. (British Medical Journal 308:389- 390, February 5, 1994)

SMOKING/PREGNANCY

There have been numerous reports in the lay press of the dangers of cocaine use during pregnancy. Now researchers from Duke University School of Medicine report that cigarettes may be more harmful to the developing fetus than cocaine. Exposure to cigarettes produced a reduction in some brain nerve cells. (Journal of the American Medical Association 271(8)576-578, February 23, 1994)

DAIRY PRODUCTS/DIABETES

The early introduction of cow's milk increases an infant's risk of later developing diabetes. Earlier studies have shown a positive correlation between diabetes and per capita consumption of cow's milk.

Earlier studies have shown that prolonged breast feeding decreases the risk of later diabetes. This study suggests that the early introduction of cow's milk increases the risk, regardless of the duration of breastfeeding. (Diabetes 42:1786-1789, December 1993)

Another study showed that early cow's milk exposure may increase the risk approximately 1.5 times. (Diabetes Care 17(1)13-19, January 1994)


SECTION III

TRANSCRIPTS FROM THE WELLNESSWISE RADIO PROGRAM

(All scripts copyright 1997 by David J. DeRose, MD, MPH)


HOMOCYSTEINE AND HEART DISEASE

Can vitamins help you prevent a heart attack? I'm Dr. David DeRose. We'll look at one exciting answer in a moment on WellnessWise.

Proteins are made up of building blocks called amino acids. And there is growing evidence that one particular amino acid may increase heart disease risk. That amino acid is homocysteine.

A recent scientific report analyzed the risk of heart disease and stroke in individuals who had high cholesterol levels. The esteemed cholesterol researcher Dr. Charles Glueck and his colleagues found that individuals with high homocysteine levels--in addition to high cholesterol--had triple the risk of heart and blood vessel blockages when compared to those with high blood fats alone.

Furthermore, Dr. Glueck's team found they could usually get high homocysteine levels down to normal by giving the patients vitamin B-6 and folic acid supplements. In some cases, B-12 supplements may also be necessary to lower homocysteine levels.

This new research tells me that individuals with high blood fats should strongly consider a blood test to check their homocysteine levels. If those levels are high, treatment with B vitamins like folic acid, B-6, and B-12 may help to decrease their risk of heart disease and stroke.

For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose.

Refs.: Charles J. Glueck, MD, et al, "Evidence that homocysteine is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic patients", The American Journal of Cardiology, 75:132-136, January 15, 1995.


SMOKELESS TOBACCO

Are you unwittingly increasing your risk of cancer? I'm Dr. David DeRose. "Smokeless Tobacco" in a moment on WellnessWise.

In 1992, then Health and Human Services Secretary, Dr. Louis Sullivan stated: "it is time that smokeless tobacco take its rightful place next to cigarette smoking...as a serious health risk that must be stopped."

Dr. Sullivan's strong language seemed appropriate when you realize his statement introduced a 1992 scientific book of over 300 pages that detailed the hazards of smokeless tobacco.

The book provided statistics like the following:

Over 30,000 new cases of oral cancer occur in the United States each year. And researchers have now identified 28 different cancer causing chemicals in chewing tobacco and snuff. It is no wonder that, in general, smokeless tobacco users have several times the risk of oral cancer than non users. However, for some areas of the mouth, long term snuff use increases a person's risk of cancer by over 50 times.

The message from medical research is that there is no safe from of tobacco.

For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose.

Refs.: Smokeless Tobacco or Health: An International Perspective. Monograph 2, Smoking and tobacco Control. National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute, NIH publication number 93-3461, Sept. 1992, reprinted May 1993.


SECTION IV

FROM THE LIFESTYLE CENTER OF AMERICA

Call or e-mail today for information on special programs for reversing diabetes and high blood pressure, stopping smoking, optimizing your weight, preventing and treating heart disease (without more drugs or surgery), and a host of other specialized programs for other lifestyle- related conditions. Special pricing is still available for upcoming programs. For further details use the contact numbers below.


The Lifestyle Center of America (LCOA) is happy to sponsor the WellnessWise Electronic Journal. This e-newsletter provides a way for our Center to share its commitment to helping people deal with chronic disease without using drugs or surgery. Located midway between Oklahoma City and Dallas, our state-of-the-art facilities feature structured residential lifestyle programs that can provide a turning point in your life.

More details are found on our website at: http://www.lifestylecenter.com/. A full program packet can be ordered on line or you can call our toll free program information hotline at 1-800-596-5480. Address e-mail inquiries to drderose@brightok.net.


SECTION V

PARTING WORDS


SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

We continue to distribute The WellnessWise Electronic Journal free of charge via Internet E-mail to all subscribers. Please address subscription requests and any other correspondence to the address below.


BACK ISSUES

Back issues of WEJ are available at several sites in cyberspace. Two of the more popular sites are as follows:
     (1)
http://fermi.jhuapl.edu/wej/
     (2) http://www.social.com/health/news.html

Lifestyle Center of America Information:
     http://www.lifestylecenter.com/ or 1-800-596-5480


Send all correspondence to:

David J. DeRose, MD, MPH
Email: drderose@brightok.net