Unemployment can pose an increased risk for asthma and divorce or breaking up with a long-term partner seems to increase chances of developing the disease among women. And now German researchers recently reported that neurotic character traits definitely play a key role in asthma development as well. This summary follows a more-than-eight-year study involving more than 5,000 adult men and women. The investigators defined "neurotic" as the habit of worrying a lot or being prone to frequent emotional ups and downs. The study started with more than 4,500 individuals all of whom were asthma-free, but during more than eight-years of follow up, 63 of them (two percent) developed the disorder. The investigators found that highly neurotic individuals were three times as likely to develop asthma as those who were less neurotic. What's more, breaking off a life partnership, such as marriage, more than doubled the risk of asthma. Earlier evidence from animal studies has shown that chronic stress alters hormone levels, which can inflame airways making it difficult to breathe. The German team suggested that neurotic character traits may have the same effects but added that the "physiological mechanisms by which personality, stress and emotions might influence the development or course of asthma are still not well known." The study was published in the October, 2009, issue of Allergy.
My take? Asthma wouldn't be the first disease to demonstrate a strong mind-body component. In essence, this study's findings are good news. If confirmed, they would appear to offer a way to lower the incidence risk and manage asthma with mind-body techniques rather than with drugs.
Moving Forward
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Vitamin D, Heart Disease and Stroke
Add this to the benefits of vitamin D: a study from Finland suggests that the higher your levels of "D," the lower your risks for heart disease and stroke. The Finish researchers measured vitamin D blood levels in 2,817 men and 3,402 women (average age 49) and followed the participants for 27 years. During that time, 480 men and 453 women died from heart disease or stroke. The researchers found that those with the lowest levels of "D" had a risk of dying from heart attack and stroke that was 25 percent greater than it was among those with the highest vitamin D levels. They also observed that the risk of death from stroke was twice as high among participants with the lowest levels of vitamin D than it was among those with the highest levels. Despite these findings, the investigators noted that more study will be needed to determine whether low levels of vitamin D contribute directly to heart attack or stroke. The study was published in the Oct. 15, 2009, issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology.
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Cutting Down on Salt May Bolster Bones
That's the word from Australian researchers who found that middle-aged women following a low-salt diet to control high blood pressure excreted less calcium than women on a high carbohydrate, low-fat diet. The investigators suggested that the change in urinary excretion of calcium could benefit bones in the long term. For the study, 92 women aged between 45 and 75 with signs of hypertension were randomly assigned to a low-sodium diet or a high-carb, low-fat diet. Both programs provided the women with 800 mg of dietary calcium daily. After 14 weeks, the researchers found that women on the low sodium diet were excreting 26 percent less sodium than they had at the outset and that levels of excreted calcium also dropped. More study will be needed to determine if a low-sodium diet actually slows bone loss. The study was published in the October, 2009, issue of the British Journal of Nutrition.
Exercises for Your Bones
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Potatoes with Kale
Kale is a leafy green vegetable that is too often used only as a garnish in restaurants. It is actually quite tasty and nutritious. Kale develops a lively flavor if stir-fried or sautéed just until the leaves turn bright green. Choose kale that is dark green, avoiding leaves that are wilted or yellow. They round this dish out with their starchy presence. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner - you can prepare the potatoes in advance and add the kale just before mealtime.
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Food as Medicine
Kale is among the most nutrient-dense foods in common use, and is an especially rich source of vitamins K, A and C. Kale is a very good source of calcium and is a member of the cancer-protective family of cruciferous vegetables. Perhaps everybody's favorite vegetable, potatoes provide some vitamin C and potassium.
Healthy Aging Tip
Courtesy of Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging
Healthy Holiday Food: Sweet Potatoes. A Thanksgiving tradition, sweet potatoes are available year-round and should be a staple in any healthy kitchen. A universally appealing root vegetable, sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamins A and C - natural antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals. Sweet potatoes have moist orange or yellow flesh, and are wonderful mashed, served as hot air cooked fries, or simply baked on their own. When choosing, look for ones free of blemishes and cracks, and don't worry if they are misshapen - it does not affect the taste.
Featured Discussion:
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What's New
AzCIM: Prostate Cancer Course
Online - duration: one hour
The experts and faculty at the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine (AzCIM) have created this highly informative and interactive one-hour online course for anyone interested to learn more about prostate cancer. We encourage you to talk with your primary care provider, urologist, and/or oncologist if you have additional questions. Although this course is primarily intended for men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, we also discuss risk factors, screening, and preventive measures that can help you or a loved one. Registration information.
Evolution of Psychotherapy
December 9-13 - Anaheim, California
Dr. Weil will be part of the sixth Evolution of Psychotherapy conference in Anaheim this year. He will present a pre-conference on healthy aging and a keynote address. Learn more: Evolution of Psychotherapy.
Integrative Mental Health Conference
March 22-24, 2010 - Phoenix, Arizona
This conference, sponsored by the Arizona Health Sciences Center at the University of Arizona and presented by the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, is the first conference of its kind to assemble leaders in integrative mental health (IMH), creating a new field and framework with which to promote mental wellbeing. Registration information.
7th Annual Nutrition & Health Conference
May 10-12, 2010 - Atlanta, Georgia
Nutrition and Health: State of the Science and Clinical Applications conference is the premier nutrition conference for health professionals in the U.S. Co-presented by the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, the conference assembles internationally-recognized researchers, clinicians, educators, and chefs, all of whose work focuses on the interface between nutrition and healthful living. Save the date! Registration details coming soon.
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