Cancer Up in These Demographics

From eNewsletter 11/20/2024

DID YOU KNOW that 17 types of cancer, especially colorectal, have risen sharply in millennials and Gen X-ers in recent years?

While most experts blame this on rising obesity rates, you have to look deeper than that. What causes obesity is inflammation from diet. Results of a Frontiers in Nutrition study showed that a diet with higher inflammatory properties is associated with an increased risk of cancer and cancer-specific mortality. A Cleveland Clinic-funded study in NPJ Precision Oncology specifically pinpointed diet as the main driver of of young-onset colorectal cancer risk.

We need to eat food with less inflammatory properties, starting with added sugars.

To read the rest of today's issue, please go to this page.

Fish Oil and Mental Health

From eNewsletter 11/18/2024

DID YOU KNOW that there's a difference between vitamin B12 deficiency and functional vitamin B-12 deficiency?

According to a study from Journal of the American Nutrition Association, vitamin B-12 deficiency is discovered from low blood levels of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and/or methylmalonic acid. Functional deficiency is defined as high blood levels of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and/or methylmalonic acid.

Why would high levels be considered a deficiency? As we've seen for years, because of genetic predisposition, vitamin B12 may be malabsorbed and instead of being utilized at the cellular level, it just circulates in the blood, causing high levels. This is why we recommend genetic testing. Those with mutations of vitamin B12 genes can use a source such as adenosyl/hydroxy that is better absorbed.

There are caveats to the aforementioned. For those already supplementing with vitamin B12, B-complex, or high-dose multi, if you do not stop your supplements 48 hours prior to your blood draw, levels can be artificially high but does not mean you have functional deficiency.

To read the res of today's issue, please go to this page.

Prevent, Reduce Depression Naturally

From eNewsletter 11/13/2024

DID YOU KNOW that there is a way you can combine walking with mindfulness?

Mindful walking is less about the destination and more about bringing awareness to this everyday activity. Like most mindful activities, it can be performed anywhere.

To the mindful, when in a state of appreciation, the experience of early morning sunlight hitting a dirty puddle on a city street is equal to the setting sun in a mountain scene. Rather than the outing to the local store being an annoyance to be hurried through, it becomes a restorative feast of the senses. A walk to the bus stop or taking the dog out, when combined with an appreciation of the here and now, becomes a ready-made mindfulness session.

How Do You Walk Mindfully?

As you walk, pay attention to the sensations of the body. How do your feet feel? How do the other muscles of your body compensate for changes in balance? Note how your arms swing as you walk.

Become more aware of your surroundings, not just practically, but with an open mind, enjoying the immediacy of the sights, sounds, and smells. Open up your senses.

Mindful walking benefits from its simplicity and is most successful when you are in the moment. No tools or equipment are required, only somewhere to walk. And it can easily fit into your daily routine.

To read the rest of today's issue please go to this page.