Blood Tests (Part II)

Action to take

When you have your annual physical, include blood testing for fibrinogen,
homocystine, Hemoglobin A1C, and possibly C-reactive protein.

Why

I normally focus on what I know best—what it takes mentally to grow young
and live with purpose. Sometimes, news about physical health issues is so noteworthy
that I address it as well. The research source that I have grown to trust the most
for health news is the nonprofit organization, the Life Extension Foundation.
It has a history of championing causes ten years before mainstream medicine
and federal agencies acknowledge the problem or remedy.

Everyone agrees that exercise and good nutrition are vital to cardiovascular health.
For the past decade, cardiologists have focused on cholesterol in the battle against
heart disease—initially on total cholesterol and later on keeping HDL high and LDL low.
 
The Life Extension Foundation’s research indicates several factors foster cardiovascular
problems and cholesterol probably isn’t the most important factor–certainly not the
preeminent factor. One factor that causes a lot of problems is homocystine.
Homocystine is an amino acid found primarily in meat. Some people’s bodies
are more effective than other’s in breaking down homocystine. When homocystine
accumulates, it causes arteriosclerosis, even when cholesterol levels are normal.

A few decades ago homocystine testing was very expensive and could only be
performed in a few dozen research labs. Now it is a routine test but most
physicians haven’t added it to annual checkups. As the research on homocystine
damage accumulates, physicians have lowered recommended levels from
less than 11 to less than 7umol/L. When compared with <7, the risk of stoke
increases 26% at 7-9, 31% 9-11, and 74% above 11. Homocystine also
appears to contribute to developing Alzheimer’s disease. Fortunately, homocystine
levels usually abate with reduced meat consumption and/or with a combination of
Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, folic acid, and trimethylglycine (TMG or betaine).

Increasingly researchers are finding the two processes that contribute the most
to cardiovascular problems are inflammation and erratic blood sugar levels.
The C-reactive protein test is emerging as an effective marker for early stage
cardiovascular problems in people who have not shown symptoms.
A fasting blood sugar level gives a snapshot of blood sugar levels on a given day.
The A1C test, however, is the best measure of blood sugar level stability over a several
week time period. Thus it is an excellent test for early stages of diabetes.
Testing fibrinogen, homocystine, Hemoglobin A1C, and possibly C-reactive protein
levels in an annual physical may catch a problem early and help prevent serious disability.

Quotes

The best doctors in the world are Dr. Diet, Dr. Quiet, and Dr. Merryman.
~Swift

Humor

After talking with the intern, the woman started screaming hysterically and
ran down the hall. An older doctor stopped and asked her what the problem was.
She explained and he marched down the hall and grilled the young doctor,
“What’s the matter with you? Mrs. Terry is 63 years old and you told her she’s pregnant?”
The new doctor smiled smugly and said, “Cured her hiccups though, didn’t it?”

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Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey is keynote speaker and author of the Oprah-featured book, Defy Aging and 52 baby steps to Grow Young. The books and his Reverse Aging anti-aging hypnosis CDs comprise his anti-aging system.

Preventing Diabetes

Action to take

Just say no to the bread served before meals and follow
the other eating habit tweaks described below.

Why

Most Americans are aware of the obesity epidemic but most haven’t caught on
to its sister–the diabetes epidemic. U.S. diabetes rates are soaring due largely to
our eating habits, sedentary lifestyle, and living long enough for our habits to haunt us.

At about 250,000 American deaths a year, diabetes directly causes far fewer deaths
than heart disease or cancer. It’s pervasive profile, however, makes for a very compromised life.
It often causes:
–loss of vision
–male impotency
–fatigue
–increased sores and infections that are slow to heal
–dry sensitive skin
–bladder control problems
–heart and cardiovascular problems
–kidney damage which in extreme cases requires dialysis
–numbing and tingling in hands and feet.

Because diabetes impairs blood circulation to legs and feet, foot tissue
can literally die and turn black. Every year thousands of diabetic Americans
have to have a foot or leg amputated. I even saw one patient who
not only lost his legs but his penis as well.

I know that just reading the about the devastating effects of diabetes
isn’t going to get many (including myself) to adopt an ideal diet.
Rather I am interested in little tweaks in our eating habits that
give lots of leverage.

Type 2 (adult onset) diabetes accounts for 90-95% of the 21 million Americans with diabetes.
The three keys to prevention are:
1. don’t become obese
2. go easy on the junk foods
3. keep stable blood sugar levels

Let’s focus on stable blood sugar levels. When you eat a simple carbohydrate,
such as white bread, your body quickly converts it to glucose and your
blood sugar level spikes. This brings a surge of energy and perhaps nervousness.
About an hour later the surge wears off, your blood sugar level plummets,
and you feel tired and hungry.

These five tweaks can keep blood sugar levels stable and prevent Type 2 diabetes:
1. Eat food with protein, fat, or fiber (e.g., nuts, olives, salad, vegetables, fruit)
before eating any high glycemic index food
2. Go easy on the bread (bagels, etc.) and try to stick to 100% whole wheat or whole grain bread.
3. When eating high glycemic index foods limit yourself to modest portions.
4. Try to graze with several mini meals or snacks spaced through the day
as opposed to three meals with one or two of them being large meals.
5. Increase the fiber in your diet or take a fiber supplement. Fiber slows the
conversion of food to sugar and decreases calorie absorption. (It also helps colon
health and prevents constipation.)

So here is your test. You are at a restaurant and the waiter brings a basket of bread.
How many pieces do you eat? The best answer is none or you at least
you have an appetizer with protein or fat first. Restaurants serve rolls
to give people something to do and something to eat while waiting for their food.
The glycemic surge keeps customers feeling good, but isn’t good for their health.

Most Type 2 diabetes can be prevented. Often Type 2 diabetes can be
reversed (“cured”) with weight loss and improved eating habits. A few tweaks
in eating habits can make a huge difference in the long-term quality of your life.

Quotes

1 in 3 Americans born after 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime.
~The American Diabetes Association

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Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey is keynote speaker and author of the Oprah-featured book, Defy Aging and 52 baby steps to Grow Young. The books and his Reverse Aging anti-aging hypnosis CDs comprise his anti-aging system.