Thursday, March 24, 2011

Antioxidants, Part 1 - What role do antioxidants and free radicals play in health and disease?

Antioxidants are thought to provide protection from damage to cells in the body from unstable molecules known as free radicals. Examples of antioxidants include vitamins (beta-carotene, C, E, and A) and carotenoids (lycopene and lutein). In addition, the mineral selenium, while not technically an antioxidant, is a component of important antioxidant enzymes, and is often mentioned as an antioxidant.

Free radicals are produced as a by-product of normal cell metabolism, such as when our bodies covert food into energy. They can also enter our bodies from exposure to tobacco smoke, pollution, and radiation from the sun and x-rays. When free radicals build up in cells, damage to DNA can occur. Radiation SignDamage to cellular DNA has been linked to the development of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, certain age-related disease, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, may also be influenced by free radical-induced damage. By neutralizing free radicals, antioxidants are believed to provide protection against the development or progression of these diseases. It should be noted, however, that free radicals also participate in some health-promoting activities, such as killing germs while assisting with wound healing.

Antioxidants and cancer: While the general perception among the public is that antioxidants are beneficial, research into the effect of antioxidants on cancer has been mixed. The National Cancer Institute summarized the results of the major research into the effect of beta-carotene and other antioxidants in cancer prevention as follows:

  • A 1994 cancer prevention study entitled the Alpha-Tocopherol (vitamin E)/ Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study (ATBC) demonstrated that lung cancer rates of Finnish male smokers increased significantly with beta-carotene and were not affected by vitamin E.


  • The 1996 Physicians' Health Study found no change in cancer rates associated with beta-carotene and aspirin taken by U.S. male physicians.

Antioxidants and Cardiovascular Disease: Free radicals, acting on low-Clogged Arterydensity lipoproteins (bad cholesterol), has been considered a leading cause of atherosclerosis (the development of fatty buildup in the arteries). Over time, atherosclerosis can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Clinical trials have been conducted to determine if antioxidants could prevent damage to the vessels and the development of cardiovascular disease.

As with the studies evaluating the effect of antioxidants on cancer, the results of research looking at the benefits of antioxidants in treating or preventing cardiovascular disease has not been conclusive. A review of the literature published in the journal of the American Heart Association found:
  • Ten studies that showed no effect of taking antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, and/or beta-carotene) on cardiovascular disease events (e.g. heart attack).

  • Five studies that demonstrated a protective effect against the development of heart attacks in patients with known heart disease or increased heart attack risk when taking antioxidants (vitamin E and/or vitamin C)

  • Five studies that showed an increased risk of adverse effects (e.g. stroke, progression of arterial blockage, and death from all causes) in the study group that took various antioxidants.
The conclusions drawn by the authors of this review of the literature was that "the existing scientific database does not justify routine use of antioxidant supplements for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease."

While there are a number of theoretical benefits to taking antioxidants, current research has yet to provide convincing evidence of their effectiveness. A few of the reasons for this include the specific antioxidant (or its dosage) that was being tested, the source of the antioxidant (supplements vs. food), and the specific type of disease that was being studied. Nevertheless, because of the potential benefits, many authorities continue to advise that people take antioxidants and in next week's Health Tip, we'll look at some of the best sources.


Thursday, March 17, 2011

Use of potassium iodide in radiation exposure

Radiation Sign Following the seismic events that damaged several nuclear reactors in Japan, many Americans are concerned about the possibility of exposure to radiation drifting across the Pacific Ocean with the prevailing winds. This has resulted in a buying frenzy of potassium iodide tablets, a known deterrent to certain effects of radiation on the body. In situations such as these, however, it is prudent to listen to experts monitoring radiation levels to learn the likelihood of being exposed and to understand what can and cannot be done in regard to radiation exposure.

What is potassium iodide (KI)? Potassium iodide is a salt form of iodine, whose primary function in the body is to help make thyroid hormone. Concentrated food sources of iodine include kelp (seaweed), shellfish, cow's milk, and eggs. Potassium iodide is often added to table salt to produce "iodized" salt, which serves primarily to provide a source of iodine for the body. Potassium iodide is available in tablet and liquid form. One form of potassium iodide called SSKI is used by people with emphysema as an expectorant to help loosen and break up mucus in the airways.

How does potassium iodide help with radiation exposure? With the release of gases following a nuclear accident such as occurred recently in Japan, radioactive iodine can enter the body through the lungs. Since the thyroid gland concentrates both radioactive as well as stable iodine, high levels of radiation can develop in the thyroid gland. Over time, this can lead to the development of thyroid cancer. Potassium iodide, if taken in time and at the proper dosage, can block the absorption of radioactive iodine by the thyroid and prevent cancer from occurring.

What potassium iodide does not do. There are a number of potentially damaging effects of radiation on the body. The development of thyroid cancer is only one of these. Potassium iodide provides protection only for the thyroid gland. Depending on the Pillsamount of radiation absorbed by the body, the type of radiation, the route of exposure, and the length of time a person was exposed, other adverse health effects range from skin reddening to acute radiation syndrome (ARS), which can result in death.

Is there any harm in taking potassium iodide? Potassium iodide should only be taken when the risk of exposure to radiation warrants its usage. In the case of a radiation emergency, the benefits of taking potassium iodide are believed to outweigh the risk. As with any other medication or supplement, however, adverse effects can occur with taking potassium iodide. Those people with a known allergy to iodine should not take potassium iodide. Additionally, anyone with an existing thyroid condition (Grave's disease, goiter, thyroiditis, etc.) should only take it under the guidance of a physician. Other side effects of potassium iodide include intestinal upset, rashes, and inflammation of the salivary glands.

Current recommendations. A few days ago, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission released the following statement, "Given the thousands of miles between the two countries, Hawaii, Alaska, the U.S. Territories and the U.S. West Coast are not expected to experience any harmful levels of radioactivity." With that in mind, most authorities believe that taking potassium iodide is unnecessary at this time.

Since the situation in Japan is still unfolding, we need to remain vigilant regarding the potential for radiation exposure. For more information on the effort by the U.S. government to monitor radiation levels and inform the general public, go to the Environmental Protection Agency's sites: Japan Nuclear Emergency:
Frequently Asked Questions
or RadNet.

If you have any questions about the radiation and the use of Potassium Iodide, please log into your account and send us your question. We are glad to help.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (Silent Reflux)



How would you suspect that you could have LPR?
  • Hoarseness

  • A "lump" in the throat

  • Trouble swallowing

  • Chronic cough

  • Thick or excessive throat mucous

  • Chronic throat clearing

period, measuring the amount of acid that enters the throat.


  1. If you use tobacco, quit.




  5. Avoid tight clothing, especially around the waist.

  6. If needed, lose weight.


  8. Avoid alcoholic beverages, particularly in the evening.




Wednesday, March 9, 2011

How well do popular supplements work for treating colds?

The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory system. On average, children have six to eight colds per year, and adults have two to four. The common cold places a heavy burden on society, accounting for
approximately 40% of time taken off work and millions of days of school missed by children each year. While medical science has yet to develop a cure for the common cold, many people take a variety of supplements in the hopes that they will shorten the duration of the illness. The most popular of these supplements are zinc, vitamin C, and Echinacea.

Let's look at some of the scientific evidence of the effectiveness of these supplements. Much of this information comes from the Cochran Group, an international network of scientists who compile the work of several researchers into larger studies known as "metanalyses". By pooling data from a number of well-conducted studies, more robust and accurate conclusions can be drawn.

Athletic ShoesZinc is commonly sold as a natural medicine for colds in tablet, lozenge, and liquid form. It is thought to decrease the ability of cold viruses to grow on or bind to the lining of the nose. While the results of studies have gone back and forth over the years regarding zinc's effectiveness in treating colds, a recent Cochran analysis supports the evidence for zinc supplementation in treating colds. After pooling the results of several well-conducted studies, the following conclusions were drawn:

  1. If started within 24 hours of the onset of cold symptoms, zinc supplementation was found to reduce the duration of colds by about a day on average.

  2. People taking zinc were around half as likely to have symptoms after a week and had less severe symptoms than people taking a placebo.

  3. When continued for at least five months, taking zinc supplements reduced the number of colds that developed, school absenteeism, and prescription of antibiotics in

Because the dosages and duration of treatment with zinc varied across the various studies evaluated, it was impossible for the authors to specify a particular dosage or treatment period that appeared to be most effective. Furthermore, the authors warned that there was a potential for zinc supplementation to cause side effects, such as nausea. In 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers to stop using intranasal zinc products (zinc-containing homeopathic cold remedies), because of reports of anosmia (loss of smell).

Athletic ShoesExcluding vitamins and minerals, Echinacea is one of the most commonly used natural supplements. Advocates say that it is can boost the immune system and has antiviral properties, such as preventing colds. However, two 2006 metanalyses evaluating this natural remedy drew conflicting conclusions. In the first analysis, extracts of Echinacea were found to be effective in preventing cold symptoms if someone had been clinically inoculated with the cold virus. The second, a Cochrane Systematic Review, found no evidence that Echinacea was any better than a placebo at preventing the common cold. Three clinical trials funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine found no benefit from Echinacea for preventing or treating colds. Echinacea products vary widely, with different preparations using different species of the plant as well a different plant parts. The final word on the effectiveness of this supplement awaits further research.

Athletic ShoesVitamin C is an important micronutrient and antioxidant. The role of vitamin C in the prevention and treatment of the common cold has been a subject of controversy for decades. Nevertheless, it is widely used as both a preventive as well as therapeutic supplement. A 2007 analysis of results from 30 clinical trials involving 11,350 participants found that taking vitamin C regularly (200 milligrams or more daily) found that:
  1. When taken after a cold starts, vitamin C supplements did not make a cold shorter or less severe.

  2. When taken on a daily basis as a preventive measure, vitamin C could slightly shorten the duration of a cold. In other words, the average adult who suffers with a cold for 12 days a year would still suffer for 11 days a year if that person took a high dose of vitamin C every day during that year.

  3. Vitamin C supplementation could be justified in people exposed to brief periods of severe physical exercise (e.g. running a marathon) or to cold environments. In those people, taking vitamin C appeared to cut their risk of catching a cold in half.
Since the final word regarding these and other supplementsin the treatment of the common cold is still not clear, a better approach would be to prevent the cold from developing in the first place. The best methods for doing so appear to be "behavioral" in nature, such as washing your hands regularly, getting plenty of rest, limiting exposure to people with colds, and avoiding touching your nose or eyes with potentially contaminated hands.

If you have any questions about the prevention of colds, please log into your account and send us your question. We are glad to help.