Adverse Effects of Caloric Overload

The proven anti-aging benefits of caloric restriction (CR) and the potential role of CR mimics such as resveratrol have been cited in several other articles posted to this blog. Resveratrol has been shown to elicit similar gene expression changes as actual caloric restriction, leading to a range of metabolic anti-aging benefits. The following article and link draws attention to the detrimental effects of the opposite scenario, that of caloric overload. Caloric overload triggers hormonal changes that can lead to chronic inflammation, diabetes, etc. Familiarity with these topics provides further insight to the ways in which CR mimic agents can be protective. Additional insights concern the governing role of the central nervous system (CNS) over various aspects of metabolism.

Here is an excerpt from the article that appeared in scientificblogging.com:

Calorie Overload Can Disrupt Hypothalamus And Metabolic Hormones

Eating too many calories throws critical portions of the brain out of whack, reveals a study in the journal Cell. That response in the brain's hypothalamus — the "headquarters" for maintaining energy balance — can happen even in the absence of any weight gain, according to new studies done in mice.

The brain response involves a molecular player, called IKKß/NF-?B, which is known to drive metabolic inflammation in other body tissues. The discovery suggests that treatments designed to block this pathway in the brain might fight the ever-increasing spread of obesity and related diseases, including diabetes and heart disease.

"This pathway is usually present but inactive in the brain," said Dongsheng Cai of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Cai said he isn't sure exactly why IKKß/NF-?B is there and ready to spring into action in the brain. He speculates it may have been an important element for innate immunity, the body's first line of defense against pathogenic invaders, at some time in the distant past.

"In today's society, this pathway is mobilized by a different environmental challenge — overnutrition," he said. Once activated, "the pathway leads to a number of dysfunctions, including resistance to insulin and leptin," both important metabolic hormones.

Here is the link to the full article ...

Vitamin D and Diabetes Risk

We have spoken on several occasions of the need for higher Vitamin D intakes, which holds great promise to alleviate many of the chronic and increasingly prevalent diseases of modern society. For instance, growing evidence finds an association between sub-optimal levels of Serum 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D and Diabetes risk.

The following is a summary from LEF of a recent research article appearing in the Ocotober 2008 issue of the jounal Diabetes:

Lower vitamin D levels predict increased blood sugar and insulin resistance

The October, 2008 issue of the journal Diabetes published the outcome of a study of middle-aged men and women which found that lower serum vitamin D levels were associated with an increase in the risk of developing insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar over a ten year follow up period. Researchers at the Institute of Metabolic Science in Cambridge, England followed 524 nondiabetic participants in the Ely Study, a prospective study established in 1990. Upon enrollment, the vitamin D marker serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, serum parathyroid hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and other factors were measured, and personal health habits such as smoking status and physical activity levels were ascertained. Weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, plasma glucose, lipids, and fasting insulin were measured during the initial and ten year follow-up visits. At the end of the follow-up period, having a higher serum vitamin D level was associated with a lower adjusted ten-year risk of elevated blood sugar, insulin resistance, and high metabolic syndrome score. An association between increased IGF-1 levels and metabolic syndrome risk observed in an earlier study was not noted in the current research.

For the complete article at LEF click here.

Dr. Becker Partners with Titleist Performance Institute

Dr. Becker has partnered with Titleist Performance Institute to offer golf-specific fitness services to patients and clients of WellPro Chiropractic.

Dr. Becker has been trained by Titleist to identify and resolve specific physical restrictions that may be limiting your golf potential and rendering you vulnerable to injury. He will evaluate and cover with you the cutting edge of golf health and fitness, from golf swing biomechanics, to physical screening techniques, to exercise prescriptions, to the most recent research and developments in the field of golf swing analysis.

What does all this mean to you? This means that when you schedule a golf fitness evaluation with Dr. Becker, you will be taken through various “screening” movements to help determine the major physical performance factors that are affecting your game and restricting your potential. Once this is completed, the Doctor will choose and prescribe customized drills and exercises to help eliminate these limitations from your swing, for good. He will use follow-up visits and may also utilize 2 and 3-dimensional motion and video technology to analyze performance and swing mechanics, as he charts your personal progress.

Resveratrol Research Company Sold for $720M

Active readers of this blog will be familiar with our reports on the exciting anti-aging nutrient Resveratrol. A longevity research company actively developing two Resveratrol-based compounds was recently purchased by Glaxo Smith-Kline for $720 million dollars. For the full story from the NY Times click here.

There is no reason to wait for a drug. Resveratrol is a safe and natural substance, available as a supplement. We recommend it as a core component of our nutritional anti-aging program.

Chiropractic Can Offer Relief from Stress-Related Pain, Health Problems

Millions of Americans are suffering from stress-related pain and headaches as they find themselves struggling with tough economic times, according to a new Associated Press-AOL Health Poll.

In light of these alarming new survey results, patients may wish to consider the benefits of chiropractic care for the treatment and prevention of stress-related headaches and muscle pain, says the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).

“In today’s economy, financial problems and pressures can certainly escalate stress, which in turn can contribute to common muscle pain and headaches. It’s important not to ignore the symptoms associated with stress and anxiety,” notes ACA President Glenn Manceaux, DC. “Taking care of your health during times of personal difficulty can not only help to alleviate related aches and pains, but it also can help you feel more positive about your situation.

“If your stress-related pain is not resolving on its own, visit your doctor of chiropractic. Working in partnership with your other health care providers, your doctor of chiropractic can offer a whole-person approach to health and wellness,” Dr. Manceaux suggests.

Doctors of chiropractic provide drug-free, non-invasive treatment options for many types of pain and inflammation. For example, chronic back pain, neck pain, joint pain and headaches can often be reduced with the appropriate combination of chiropractic manipulation, rehabilitative exercises and lifestyle counseling – all of which are offered by doctors of chiropractic in a patient’s personalized treatment plan.

“Consumers also need to know that chiropractic treatment is a covered benefit in virtually all traditional insurance policies,” adds Dr. Manceaux. “As many as 87 percent of all insured American workers have coverage for chiropractic services in their existing health care plans.”

A significant amount of evidence has shown that the use of chiropractic care for certain conditions can be more effective than traditional medical care, with many patients feeling improvement shortly after their first chiropractic visit.

For more information about chiropractic care, visit the Web site of the American Chiropractic Association.

The American Chiropractic Association, based in Arlington, Va., is the largest professional association in the world representing doctors of chiropractic. The ACA provides lobbying, public relations, professional and educational opportunities for doctors of chiropractic, and offers leadership

The One Anti-Aging Trick That Works

The following article highlights the one generally accepted method to extend lifespan: calorie restriction (CR). Furthermore the article mentions the ongoing research being done with Resveratrol, mentioned in prior blog posts, as a CR mimic. Resveratrol is a natural substance, available over the counter, and very safe. We offer it in capsule form, and this nutrient is a core component of our recommended anti-aging program.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

Live Longer: The One Anti-Aging Trick That Works
By Robert Roy Britt
Published: July 8, 2008

While the quest for the proverbial Fountain of Youth is endless and typically fruitless, one method known to extend the human lifespan by up to five years has quietly become accepted among leading researchers.

The formula is simple: Eat less. It could add years to your life, several experts now say. And done in moderation, it could at least help you live a more healthy life.

The only question is: Will the average person do it?

Click here for the full article.

Resveratrol in the News

A recent article in the New York Times further highlights the ongoing research being done with Resveratrol, which was mentioned in one of our earlier blog posts. Resveratrol is a natural substance, available over the counter, and very safe. We offer it in capsule form, and this nutrient is a core component of our recommended anti-aging program.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

New Hints Seen That Red Wine May Slow Aging

By NICHOLAS WADE
Published: June 4, 2008

Red wine may be much more potent than was thought in extending human lifespan, researchers say in a new report that is likely to give impetus to the rapidly growing search for longevity drugs.

The study is based on dosing mice with resveratrol, an ingredient of some red wines.

Click here for the full article.