Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is a vital component of membrane phospholipids and nucleotides, both of which provide energy and serve as components of DNA, RNA, and phosphorylated intermediates in cellular signaling. Most living organisms need some Pi to survive, but a diet high in Pi may contribute to lung cancer, according to an animal study reported in the January 2009 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. The new study by Myung-Haing Cho and colleagues at Seoul National University finds that dietary Pi levels equivalent to those typically found in the modern Western diet were linked with increased lung tumor growth and progression in mice. “The study is the first to demonstrate that dietary phosphates alter the course of cancer in a relevant animal model,” says coauthor George Beck, an assistant professor of endocrinology at Emory University. Cho and colleagues cite surveys showing that the amount of Pi added to processed foods and beverages increased by about 1 7% between 1 983 and 1993 and may have continued to increase since that time. Pi occurs naturally in foods including cow’s milk, soy products, corn, wheat, eggs, legumes, and chocolate, and food manufacturers also add Pi to many products - including soft drinks, baked goods, cheese products, ice cream, candy, ketchup, mayonnaise, hot dogs, processed meats, and frozen pizzas - to improve water retention and texture.The researchers selected KrraiM mice to study the effects of dietary Pi on lung tumors. K-ras is the most frequendy mutated gene in human tumors, and K-raiA[ mutations result in aggressive tumors that resemble non-small cell lung cancer in humans. According to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts & Figures 2008, non-small cell lung cancer accounts for 87% of all lung cancer cases. One- monm-old mice were fed a lower-Pi diet containing 0.5% phosphorus or a higher-Pi diet containing 1 .0% phosphorus (Beck says the latter reflects a moderately elevated yet normal human intake). After 1 mondi, mice on the higher-Pi diet had twice as many tumors overall as those on the lower-Pi diet and moreover showed a near 3-fold increase in tumors larger man 1.5 mm in diameter (an arbitrary measure chosen to indicate ease of detection).

Changes were also seen at the molecular level. Higher Pi intake was associated with a 3-fold increase in the activity of Akt kinase (a cell-signaling protein that aids tumor growth and makes cancer cells resistant to anticancer therapies) and a doubling in the amount of NPT-2b (a phosphate transport protein). The higher-Pi diet also lowered levels of tumor suppressors including PTEN.

Nevertheless, Beck believes it’s too soon to sound the alarm about Pi-rich foods. “We need to show similar changes in humans before telling people to limit dietary Pi,” he cautions. Such studies should track long-term dietary habits to see if low- and high-Pi intakes relate to lung cancer incidence in human populations. “It would also be interesting to test whether low-Pi diets make existing cancer drugs more effective,” Beck adds.

John Heffner, a pulmonary and critical care physician and director of medical education at Providence Pordand Medical Center, says the findings could shed light on questions such as why some smokers develop lung cancer later than others or not at all. HefFher agrees that it’s premature to cut back on Pi-containing food additives or to limit intake of foods that are naturally high in the mineral. “Before warning the public,” he says, “the Food and Drug Administration should review the increase in dietary Pi in light of studies like this.” -Carol Potera

Copyright National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Mar 2009

(c) 2009 Environmental Health Perspectives. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

Product: AgroLabs Superberry Upgrade with Resveratrol anti-aging fruit drink, $16.99 for 16 fluid ounces at CVS, Costco, Walmart and Walgreens.Key ingredients: concentrated fruit juices (including blueberry, chokeberry, apple, elderberry, black currant, acai, Concord grape, white grape, mangosteen, goji, cranberry and pear), aloe vera gel juice, a blend of grape skin extract, green tea leaf extract and grape seed extract, and a blend of aloe vera polysaccharde extract, ginseng tea extract and gingko biloba extract.

The pitch: Reap the benefits of cellular anti-aging, revitalized hair, skin and nails, all-day energy, and antioxidants that scavenge free radicals.

Pros: A 2008 study supported in part by the National Institute on Aging found that resveratrol prevented age-related and obesity-related cardiovascular decline in mice. Italian scientists obtained the first positive result of resveratrol supplementation in a vertebrate in 2006, when they found it increased the median life span of a short-lived fish by 56 percent.

A French study published in the journal Cell in November 2006 reported that mice fed resveratrol for 15 weeks had better treadmill endurance than those not given the supplement. Ongoing research on plant antioxidants shows promise in preventing cancer, aging, heart disease and other conditions. A Cornell University study in the Jan. 31, 2008, Journal of Food Science found that antioxidants in fruit _ especially apples _ can protect against neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s.

Cons: While research shows promise for a connection between resveratrol and life span extension in yeast, worms and mice, there is no published evidence in scientific literature showing those benefits for normal-weight animals or humans. The long-term safety of resveratrol has not been evaluated in humans; some studies suggest it could stimulate breast cancer cells and slow healing. Because resveratrol is rapidly metabolized in intestines and liver, only trace amounts make it into the blood when it’s taken orally.

Research into antioxidants also has been confined largely to animals. The December 2007 issue of Molecular Pharmaceutics warned that consumer demand for supplements with phytochemicals (antioxidants) found in fruits and vegetables has outpaced scientific knowledge of the actual health benefits. The Food and Drug Administration has prohibited manufacturers from claiming that consuming their antioxidant products will reduce disease risk.

Bottom line: The health benefits of resveratrol and antioxidants seem promising, but researchers still have much to learn before they can be recommended for human use. For now, stick to eating foods rich in antioxidants including wild blueberries, red beans, cranberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries.

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(Contact Jodi Mailander Farrell: jmailander(AT)MiamiHerald.com)

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(c) 2009, The Miami Herald.

Visit The Miami Herald Web edition on the World Wide Web at http://www.herald.com/

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The Zacharias Ganey Health Institute was a lifesaver for Becky Bailey. Bailey, 43, was working full time at a law firm and had moved back into her parents’ home to care for them at night. Her weight had ballooned to more than 300 pounds, she was on six medications, and she was addicted to Burger King, she said.She told her doctor she intended to retire at age 55 and travel. He gave her the news that she wouldn’t make it to retirement unless she made substantial changes in her health.

“I needed something I couldn’t weenie out of, and a friend recommended Zacharias,” said Bailey, who had tried gyms and weight- loss programs such as Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig. “It sounded like ‘The Biggest Loser.’ You work with your group; the trainers really motivate you; it’s a community here.”

Since joining the institute in the Ginter Park area of Richmond last March, Bailey has lost 105 pounds and is no longer on medication for high blood pressure or Type 2 diabetes.

Find solutions that work

Those are exactly the results intended by Dr. Madge Zacharias, who founded the institute with a former partner in 2002 and began offering weight management programs in 2003. The institute works with clients who are overweight or have diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis or fibromyalgia.

Zacharias was a pediatrician in the Richmond area for 13 years before she turned her attention to the obesity problem in America.

“My focus is to change people’s lives,” she said.

Seventy percent of the institute’s clients are between the ages of 40 and 65. “We have a reputation for getting people off medication, getting backs and knees strong again. People come in thinking they are supposed to be tired forever,” said Zacharias. They’ve been told their problems are genetic, so they can’t do anything. But there’s a huge number of things you can do through proper eating, exercising, the way you train, your lifestyle.”

Focus on long-term change

Mary-Jane Zacharias Ganey, director of operations, said, “We’re about long-term change. Couples are the most successful in getting and staying fit, said Ganey, because they live in the same house and can offer encouragement and support. The institute follows that model by pairing clients with a buddy and with group exercise sessions. “You’re never alone here,” said Ganey. “With a group, you can stick with it. You swap recipes; you meet after work; you have moral support.”

On a recent Saturday morning at Zacharias Ganey Health Institute, everyone was welcomed by name and with a smile. The sense of camaraderie and fun was apparent. Two hundred people entered the Make It Personal 10-week course in January, and most of them were training on cardio equipment or with weights.

“This is a very structured program,” said Zacharias. It includes initial assessment and measurement, cardio-respiratory testing, 90- minute medical lectures each week, support in meal planning, and supervised training sessions. Cost for an individual is $685 - two participants from the same household pay $1,200.

Many who complete the 10-week course choose to stay, with a Make It Personal Continuation Membership. Still others, including neighborhood residents, make Zacharias Ganey their fitness club - it offers a full range of yoga, pilates, cycling and aerobic classes, and water classes in the warm therapeutic pool. (The institute is located in the former Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Hospital.)

Interest level is high

“Look for a class that’s fun,” said Wendy Reardon. “Until I came here 3 1/2 years ago, I dropped out of every class. My only regret is I didn’t know about this place earlier.”

Vera Gospodnetic, a retired architect, drives in from Goochland County to come to the Zacharias Ganey institute. “I had lower back pain and came for weight lifting and just out of curiosity. Once I got here and saw this wonderful group, I just kept coming. It gives me a feeling I’ve done something for myself. I sleep better; I don’t have a problem with my spine.”

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Zacharias Ganey Health Institute, 1311 Palmyra Ave., Richmond, VA 23227; www.zghealthinstitute.com

ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO

MEMO: SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT - RETIRE WELL

Originally published by Feibish; Special Correspondent.

(c) 2009 Richmond Times - Dispatch. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel Publication date: 2009-03-27Read the owner’s manual, get regular oil changes and an occasional tuneup, and a well-made car should serve you for years.

But the tons of information on how to take care of our bodies _ and new studies every day _ can confuse people on what we should do throughout life to ensure good health.

Should you get a flu shot? How often do you need a physical? At what age should you go for your first mammogram or prostate exam? And what can you do to keep your kids or elderly parents well?

Health experts, including federal officials, medical groups and doctor organizations, have created guidelines for the major stages of life: childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, middle age and old age. Check out this guide, where we answer common questions, as well as offer information on the most important health screenings, common illnesses and causes of death at various stages of life.

Think of it as an owner’s manual for your body.

EARLY CHILDHOOD

What to watch for:

Perinatal conditions and birth defects are the leading causes of death for infants. That’s why precautions should begin before birth and delivery. Pregnant women should make sure they’re on an approved regimen of prenatal vitamins, including folic acid, iron and calcium.

Health recommendations:

Vaccinations –The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that up to 56 percent of U.S. toddlers are not fully immunized. There are 11 recommended vaccines for children through age 6. Rates of infants hospitalized for whooping cough have increased since the 1980s, with about 17,000 infants hospitalized between 1999 and 2003. You can find a childhood vaccination schedule at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/child-schedule.htm.

Pediatricians — Find someone who’s board-certified. The American Board of Pediatrics can help (www.abp.org). You may want to consider someone with a subspecialty that fits your child’s health conditions _ asthma care, for example. Get referrals from friends. You may want to consider getting a family doctor, someone who can provide primary care throughout life.

Injury and accident prevention — Drowning is the second-leading cause of accidental death for ages 1 to 14, and it happens everywhere from swimming pools to bathtubs to toilets. Preventive measures include installing fencing around pools, having the kids use flotation devices and constantly supervising them in the bathroom.

ADOLESCENCE

What to watch for:

Sports injuries are common in this age group, so make sure any athletes in your household have proper safety gear, such as helmets, shinguards, elbow and knee pads, and ankle braces.

Also watch for signs of depression or other mental illnesses, as suicide is among the leading causes of death for teens.

Cancer is rare at this age, but consult a doctor about warning signs, such as unexplained pain or swelling in limbs, anemia or bone pain.

Parents also should watch for tobacco use. According to the American Lung Association, 90 percent of all smokers had their first puff before the age of 21.

Females should get screened for cervical cancer once they become sexually active; if not sexually active at this age range, then around 21.

Health recommendations:

HPV vaccine — Parents of teen girls may want to consider the human papilloma virus vaccine, which can be given to females ages 9 to 26 to protect against the strains of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer and genital warts.

Meningitis — Most colleges and universities require incoming freshmen to get the meningococcal meningitis vaccine, which prevents the serious and deadly disease spread most often through close contact.

EARLY ADULTHOOD

What to watch for:

The human immunodeficiency virus first becomes a major killer at this age, so experts recommend safer sex practices and getting tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases at least once a year.

Women should begin doing monthly breast self-exams in addition to having annual breast exams administered by a doctor.

Testicular cancer also is most common in this age group. Self-screenings and reporting to a doctor any abnormal growth or aches surrounding the testes can help prevent the spread of this cancer, which is now treatable.

Health recommendations:

The right doctor — Many people in this age group are moving from their parents’ doctor to their own, and picking a good physician to stick with you throughout your life changes is especially important. Discuss what you’re looking for with your family; rely on relatives and social networks for recommendations; and use Web sites such as healthgrades.com to add or subtract from your list. In the end, your choice may depend on which doctor is covered under your insurance.

MIDDLE AGE

What to watch for:

Chronic liver disease is a major killer in this age group. Limit alcohol consumption _ no more per day than about two drinks for men and one for women. Diabetes and heart disease also are major threats, so remember to maintain a healthy diet and engage in the federally recommended minimum of 30 minutes per day of exercise.

Health recommendations:

Physical exams — Keep up with your annual checkups. Your physician can keep track of cholesterol and blood pressure and catch potential risks for heart disease.

Prevention and screening — Women should get annual mammograms at this stage to screen for breast cancer, and men should get annual prostate-cancer screenings at around 50. Both men and women should begin getting colon-cancer screenings at age 50.

OLD AGE

What to watch for:

Strokes, emphysema and bronchitis are the most common killers at this age. Do your best to prevent a stroke by lowering high blood pressure, quitting smoking and treating heart disease and diabetes. Avoiding smoking is the main thing you can do to prevent emphysema and bronchitis.

Health recommendations:

Geriatrician — Doctors who specialize in caring for seniors are hard to find but may understand your health concerns better than a general practitioner. Use healthgrades.com to find one.

Living will — Also called advance directives, living wills are legal documents that instruct others on what to do on your behalf if you are alive but unable to make decisions about your health care. Store one with a lawyer, one with close family and an electronic version at uslivingwillregistry.com (so your documents are available to hospitals nationwide if needed).

ALL AGES

Sunscreen: Use one with a SPF of at least 30. To try to prevent skin cancer and premature aging, apply daily for full protection, or at the very least, when you plan to be in the sun for an extended period of time.

Infection prevention: Simple habits are key. Wash your hands after using the bathroom, before handling food and before and after handling cuts and scrapes. Rub hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use foods by their expiration date, and wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.

Diet and fitness: Getting at least 30 minutes per day of exercise and eating a moderate, well-balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats can keep away a host of problems such as heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

Car accidents: Motor vehicle crashes kill more people younger than 33 than any other cause, according to federal health statistics. Protect yourself by always wearing a seat belt and never driving while sleepy or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

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(c) 2009 South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

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In honor of National Nutrition Month, we dietitians asked some of our co-workers to take a nutrition quiz. Most folks did pretty well. They knew that nuts are a good source of healthful monounsaturated fat, which can help lower blood cholesterol. Several guessed correctly that the most commonly eaten vegetable in the world is the potato. Not many, however, knew the recommended daily intake of dietary fiber is a whopping 25 to 38 grams a day. (Most Americans ingest far less than this goal.)After they took the quiz, some folks threw a few questions back our way. Here are some I promised to answer in this column:

_What are calcium carbonate and ascorbic acid? And why are they used to preserve those cute little packages of fresh apple slices from our local Earthbound Farm?

Calcium carbonate is the same mineral found in many calcium supplements. Ascorbic acid is another name for vitamin C _ a potent antioxidant that protects cut apples from turning brown. Together, these two nutrients help fresh apples maintain their crisp texture and color.

_Is calcium in cheese better absorbed than calcium in milk?

One study on rats found calcium in cheese was better absorbed in young rats, but not in adult rats. Humans are different, however. Studies show that we absorb the calcium in cheese and milk pretty much the same. We glean about the same amount of calcium from one cup of milk or 1.5 ounces of cheese. (Each provides about 300 milligrams of calcium.)

_What are the best absorbed sources of calcium in our diet?

Here are the stats that compare the amount of calcium present in foods and the percentage of calcium that is actually absorbed: 1 cup milk or yogurt or 1.5 ounces cheese (300 milligrams calcium; 32 percent absorbed); { cup cooked pinto or red beans (40 to 45 milligrams calcium; 25 percent absorbed); { cup cooked white beans (113 milligrams calcium; 22 percent absorbed); { cup broccoli (35 milligrams; 61 percent absorbed); { cup spinach (115 milligrams; 5 percent absorbed).

_Why the difference in calcium absorption from different foods? Two substances contained in the fiber portion of plant foods tend to interfere with the absorption of calcium in these foods. “Phytates” in beans and “oxalates” in spinach prevent much of the calcium in these foods from being absorbed into the body. It has been estimated that 5 cups of cooked red beans, 2 { cups of broccoli, or 8 cups of spinach contain the same amount of “absorbable” calcium as 1 cup of milk.

_Why do we have so many questions about calcium? I don’t know. Next question …

_Why are calcium citrate supplements absorbed more easily in the body than calcium carbonate?

Most studies have shown calcium citrate to be at least 20 percent better absorbed than calcium carbonate. Calcium citrate is an acidic form of calcium; carbonate is an alkaline form of this mineral. And since calcium needs an acidic environment to be absorbed (our stomachs produce hydrochloric acid for this purpose), calcium citrate offers an advantage.

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(Got questions? Send them to me at bquinn@chomp.org. I will answer as many as possible in this column during National Nutrition Month. Barbara Quinn is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula.)

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(c) 2009, The Monterey County Herald (Monterey, Calif.).

Visit the Monterey County Herald’s World Wide Web site at http://www.montereyherald.com/

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