Data presented this past April at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research has sparked renewed interest in Selenium for prostate cancer prevention. Researchers analyzed data gathered from just over 2000 men in the 17.3 year follow up period for the Netherlands Cohort Study on diet and cancer; 898 of which were diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer during this time (1). What they discovered was that the men with the highest toenail selenium levels had a more than 60 percent lower risk for advanced prostate cancer, compared with those having the lowest toenail selenium levels. To date the studies have been conflicting, some showing benefit while others and most notably, the SELECT trial showing none (2). Many thought these results would put an end to this discussion; however one study is not all telling. A review of the SELECT study goes on to explain the many justifiable reasons for the lack of response, most interesting is the fact that selenium status in these men was higher to begin with (3). A point to consider as the men in the Netherlands Cohort Study had low to moderate selenium levels at the start of the study and low selenium is what is believed to be related to disease risk (1). So what does all the research really tell us? First, that future studies are necessary and definitely warranted. Second, that selenium supplementation probably only provides protective benefit in those that are deficient. This is the case for many nutrients however! Cancer is a complex disease with many variables to consider; in the case of prostate cancer selenium status seems to be one of them.

Back pain is one of the most common chronic pain conditions. It often has a huge impact on quality of life, causing long term suffering and debility. Many cycle through various medications in the hopes of finding some relief, often with only temporary effects and a number of unwanted side-effects. A recent study evaluating the role of magnesium in pain reduction offers a potential alternative. Eighty subjects with chronic low back and nerve pain were enrolled and split into two groups.⁽¹⁾ Forty were assigned to receive two weeks of daily Intravenous (IV) magnesium at a dose of 1gm followed by four weeks of oral magnesium at a dose of 400mg magnesium oxide/100mg magnesium glycinate twice daily. The other forty received placebo. Participants were taken off all their previous medication and put on the same regimen of Gabapentin, Amitryptiline and Celecoxib to keep consistency across the board. The results were significant reduction in pain and increased lumbar spine mobility at the six month follow up in the treatment group, with no improvement in the control group whatsoever. Several other studies also support the use of magnesium for nerve related pain.^(2,3) It is a commonly deficient mineral and often prescribed by complementary practitioners for a number of concerns including migraines, fibromyalgia and premenstrual syndrome to name a few. This recent study shines new light on a potential treatment option for a challenging condition to effectively manage. Speak to your health care practitioner to see if you may benefit from Magnesium therapy.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fatal progressive neurodegenerative disease. It is a devastating diagnosis with very few treatment options and no known cure to date so any research showing promise in treating this disease provides some semblance of hope for this group of individuals. A recent study published this past March looked at melatonin in the laboratory mouse model representing human familial ALS with the SOD1 mutation.⁽¹⁾ The study results indicate that melatonin was able to significantly delay disease onset, deterioration and mortality in the mice.⁽¹⁾ In addition to this, these researchers showed for the first time ever that disease progression in this group was associated with loss of melatonin and its receptor “melatonin receptor 1A”. A safety trial using high dose (300mg/day) rectal melatonin in 31 ALS patients was performed over a period of up to two years and showed it was safe, well tolerated with no adverse effects.⁽²⁾ This safety trial also showed that a certain circulating marker of oxidation normally found elevated in ALS patients in general, not just the SOD1 group, were normalized in this melatonin trial. Melatonin is a hormone with a number of known therapeutic actions in the body, including acting as a very potent antioxidant.⁽³⁾ This is how researchers believe it may benefit these patients. Considering its safety, tolerability profile, and the need for treatment options for ALS, why human clinical trials using melatonin aren’t underway is astonishing. Perhaps this latest study will spark the flame needed to get a trial underway.

In February of this year the result of an exciting and global healthcare impacting study were reported in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine. 7447 people who were considered at high risk for heart followed one of three plans; usual diet, Mediterranean diet pattern supplemented with olive oil, or Mediterranean diet pattern supplemented with nuts. During 4.8 years of follow-up, the Med diet plus olive oil group experienced 30% fewer cardiovascular events, and the Med diet plus nuts experienced 28% fewer cardiovascular events, compared to the usual diet group.⁽¹⁾ The study was stopped early due to how incredible these results were! It was “unethical” not to offer counselling on Mediterranean dietary pattern to people in the usual diet group.

This study is a continuation of the much older Lyon Heart Study, a study that counselled heart attack survivors on how to follow a Mediterranean dietary pattern. This older study (1999) found that people who followed a Mediterranean diet pattern (plus took all medications for heart attack survivors) were 67% less likely to suffer a cardiovascular event compared to people who took all medications yet received no diet advice.⁽²⁾ To this day, no medication has been able to match such a large magnitude of benefit for people who survived a heart attack as was achieved by counselling to follow a Mediterranean diet! Why has taken 14 years to do a follow- up study?

A quick, easy and often tasty choice, processed meat including sausage, bacon, deli meats and hot dogs are consumed on a regular basis in many households. Most people realize these are perhaps not the healthiest options but continue to consume them.A recent study might prompt some to rethink this choice. Published just this March in the BMC Medicine, scientists followed 500,000 Europeans across ten countries and found a significant link between those consuming processed meats and risk of premature death from cancer and heart disease.⁽¹⁾ The study also found that those who ate more processed meat also tended to consume a generally unhealthy diet low in fruits and vegetables as well as participated in unhealthy lifestyle choices such as smoking. What these finding do is add merit to past studies that have found links between processed meat and health concerns such as increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease as well as pancreatic and colorectal cancer. From the high sodium content, unhealthy saturated fats and cholesterol, to the nitrates and other chemical preservatives, these foods shouldn’t be consumed often. Researchers suggest that if processed meat consumption was less than 20g/day, deaths could be reduced by 3.3%. That being said you can see that reserving that bacon for weekends may be in your best interest!

Several recently published studies in the Journal Nature have brought to light a connection between salt consumption and autoimmune disease.⁽¹⁾. An immune cell called T helper 17 (TH17) has been linked to a number of auto-immune/auto-inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and lupus.⁽²⁾ This TH17 cell when activated pumps a protein into the body that is pro-inflammatory. In isolated situations, as in the case of infection, this would be a positive thing. However the inappropriate or uncontrolled activation of this protein creates an undesirable state of auto-immune disease. Although the research is still in preliminary stages, it does show that even a modest increase in salt concentration boosts activation of mouse and human TH17 in test tube studies as well as in living mouse models.^{(1, 3)} Although we know genetics plays a role in auto-immune disease researchers are discovering that environmental factors also have a huge impact on the genes, one of these factors might just be overconsumption of salt! More research needs to follow; however if you’re suffering with an auto-immune condition it may be worth considering your salt intake and making some simple adjustments.

It has received a lot of hype over the last six months or so as the latest and greatest weight loss aid. Unofficially being endorsed by Dr. Oz, it has flown off shelves in stores across the country. But does it work? Based on preliminary research and what we know about the active ingredient in Green Coffee Bean Extract(GCBE), chlorogenic acid, yes it is does have the ability to enhance weight loss but not to the extent that people may think.⁽¹⁾ As much as we’d all like to believe there is a magic pill that will do all the work for us, no such thing exists. Diet and exercise are the foundation to healthy weight loss. Various supplements, including Green Coffee Bean Extract, can be supportive and a helpful aid in the process. That being said not all GCBE are made equal. It appears to be necessary for the chlorogenic acid content to be at least 45% for it to be effective. The recommended dose is 400mg, three times a day – 30 minutes before a meal.Based on the few studies to date it appears to have minimal side effects however caution must be used especially since not enough research has been done that ensures its safety in humans.

Honey has been used for centuries as a natural home remedy for wound care such as cuts, scrapes and burns. Research over the years has confirmed its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to shorten healing time.^(1,2,3) But not all honey is created equal! Science supports its use in wound care as long as it’s the right kind. Raw Manuka honey has emerged as the ‘cream of the crop’ due to its strong antibiotic effects. Medical grade Manuka honey, known as Medihoney, has been used in hospitals in Europe, Australia and Asia for years and has been the focus of recent research. Promising clinical evidence is emerging that showcases Medihoney and its potential ability to combat a serious antibiotic resistant bacteria; MRSA, which is on the rise in hospitals across the globe. Definitely something to consider adding to the first aid kit at home! If you do, ensure to get the high quality medical grade Manuka honey. For home care use on wounds that don’t require medical attention, apply Medihoney to the full surface of a clean wound, dress and wrap with gauze; change this three times per day or as needed. Simple, natural and effective!