The Alternative Medicine & Natural Health Newsletter
is sponsored by
ALTERNATIVE HEALTH INSURANCE SERVICES.

Since 1985, Alternative Health Insurance Services has helped businesses and individuals find the best value in health insurance with an emphasis on coverage for alternative medicine and natural therapies. Please visit www.AlternativeInsurance.com to learn about options for your personal or group health insurance.

April 2006

Welcome to the March 2006 edition of our newsletter.

Our goal is to provide you with information and articles that are of interest to you and may be of value to you.  Information we include is gathered from a variety of publications. 

If you have not read our previous newsletters, they are also posted on our website.

A Message from Steve Gorman, Founder of Alternative Health Insurance Services:

The natural and organic foods industry has grown tremendously since I first worked as a sales representative for a Southern California organic foods distributor in 1973.  True organic products were very limited then and licensed/credentialed practitioners of natural therapies were rare.

Today, most of the major grocery chains have their own "private label" organic products and Wal-Mart has just announced that they will have doubled their organic offerings over the next couple of weeks.  As the top U.S. grocery seller, Wal-Mart is already No. 1 in organic milk sales.

While the trend of larger, more mass market oriented organic retailers creates a greater demand and guaranteed sales, which encourage more producers and farmers to grow organically, many of the smaller retailers with higher standards are being hurt.  As "organic" becomes more mass produced, I am concerned about how standards will be maintained as larger corporate entities gain more control over the industry.

As the production and distribution of organic products becomes more "mass market", not only will the independent natural foods retailers feel the pain, but so will the wholesale distributors and smaller manufacturers who are not acquired by the larger companies.

Innovation and integrity in the natural/organic foods marketplace has been maintained by the presence of people who believe in, live, and care about this lifestyle and I hope people will continue to support those businesses.

I hope you find our newsletters to be of value.

UC Davis Study Shows Grape Seed Extract May Be Effective in Reducing Blood Pressure
[2006/03/28][Polyphenolics]
One month study was done on 24 male and female patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome indicates that supplementation with new patent-pending grape seed extract developed and made by Polyphenolics correlates with reduced blood pressure and at higher concentrations, a drop in serum oxidized LDL cholesterol levels was observed.

Study Shows Rice Bran Lowers Blood Pressure In Rats
[2006/03/03][American Chemical Society]
Study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry describes work of Japanese researchers which demonstrated that adding rice bran to the diets of hypertensive, stroke-prone rats lowered the animals' systolic blood pressure by about 20 percent and, via the same mechanism, inhibited angiotensin-1 converting enzyme, or ACE.

Beta-carotene May help Lung Function
According to a Reuters Health article citing research published in the April issue of the journal Thorax, French researchers examined 1,194 adults fed 20 to 44, measuring lung function at the outset as well as blood levels of vitamins A and E. Lung function was gauged with an FEV1 score -- the amount of air a person can forcefully exhale in one second, and those with higher blood levels of beta-carotene at the start of the study showed a smaller dip in FEV1 scores over the next 8 years. Among heavy smokers, the researchers observed that higher levels of both beta-carotene and vitamin E were related to a slower decline in lung function.
Internet Resources:
Reuters Health Article
Abstract in Thorax

Mega-dose Vitamin C Re-examined by Cancer Researchers
According to an article on CBC News citing research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, high dose vitamin C consumption might have an impact on survival with advanced cancer, observing three cases where the high dose use correlated with extremely long survival times.
Internet Resources:
Article on CBC News
Case Research in the Canadian Medical Association Journal  

More evidence of green tea's brain benefits
Green tea catechins may improve reference and working-memory related learning ability, say research from Japan, adding to claims that green tea can help ward off Alzheimer's... Read

Green tea extract may help oxygen flow to tissues
Green tea extract could improves oxygen flow to tissues deprived of adequate supply, claims new research from South Korea... Read

Tea's brain health benefit link gets more support
Both green and black tea could protect against age-related diseases like Alzheimer's, says a new study, adding yet more support to the benefits of tea extract on brain health... Read

Red cabbage could cut Alzehimer's risk
In a new study red cabbage was seen to reduce the build-up of certain plaques in the brain that could cause Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia that costs the UK an estimated at £15 billion ... Read

Healthy eyes linked to healthy diet and lifestyle
A healthy diet containing plenty of antioxidants and fish can reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), says a new study from Harvard Medical School... Read

A recent laboratory study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that strawberries may play a role in slowing the progression of breast and colon cancers, according to a release from the California Strawberry Commission. Researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences found strawberry extracts appeared to slow the growth of breast and colon cancer cells in vitro. In another study last year, published in the same journal, researchers found that plant compounds found in abundance in strawberries could bring about the self-destruction of cancer cells. Strawberries have also been proven to have the second highest level of antioxidants among the most popular fruit and vegetables, the commission said.

Vitamin Angel Alliance Announces Plan to Stop Childhood Blindness Due to Vitamin A Deficiency Worldwide by 2020
Non-profit Vitamin Angel Alliance has announced its goal to stop childhood blindness resulting from vitamin A deficiency across the globe by the year 2020, by providing basic vitamin A nutritional supplements to the tens of millions of children living in extreme poverty that are at risk of going blind or dying due to vitamin A deficiency.
Internet Resources:
Press Release on NPIcenter
Vitamin Angel Alliance Website

Ginseng may improve survival and quality of life after a diagnosis of breast cancer
According to an article on News-medical.net citing research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, US researchers, in an epidemiological study, have examined data form the Shanghai Breast Cancer Study, which has followed 1,455 breast cancer patients in Shanghai since 1996, to determine whether there was any correlation between ginseng use nad survival as well as quality of life post diagnosis. According to the article, before diagnosis, 27.4% reported using ginseng regularly. After diagnosis, that percentage jumped to 62.8%, with those using ginseng having significant improvements in obth survival and quality of life.
Internet Resources:
Article on News-medical.net

Fruit and veg may cut adult asthma risk
A diet rich in vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots and leafy vegetables, could cut the risk of adult asthma by about 20 per cent, says new research... Read

New Study Suggests Link Between Tocotrienol and Inhibition of Cancer Cell Proliferation - Anti-Angiogenic Activity
Research published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communication, (2006 (339), 949-955) suggests that tocotrienols may act as potent anti-cancer agents by inhibiting pol lambda and angiogenesis.
Internet Resources:
Press Release on NPIcenter

Major WHO Study Concludes Calcium Supplements Can Reduce Complications During Pregnancy
[2006/03/10][American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ]
Study published in the March issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology involved Over 8300 women with low dietary calcium (<600 mg/day, about half of that recommended during pregnancy),and results indicate that when subject supplemented with 1.5g of a calcium supplement per day, incidence of preeclamsia was not significantly reduced, but other severe complications and severe gestational hypertension were significantly lower.

Ginger may prevent diabetic kidney damage - animal study
Ginger could help protect against kidney damage, a condition said to threaten one in three diabetics, if the results of an animal study published in Food Chemistry are also seen in humans... Read

Pepper extract could stop prostate cancer growth
Capsaicin, the compound that gives red pepper its heat, could stop the spread of prostate cancer, claims a new study... Read

Study Indicates Herbal Formula Silences Peanut Allergy in Mice
According to a Retuers Health article citing research from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology's annual meeting, treatment of peanut allergic mice with an undescribed Chinese herbal formula known as FAHF-2 completely blocks peanut-induced allergic reactions for up to 6 months following therapy and full protection is restored following a second course of FAHF-2.
Internet Resources:
Reuters Health Article

Cholesterol-lowering foods - the sum greater than the parts?
A combination of foods like soy, plant sterols, almonds and viscous fibres, could reduce LDL-cholesterol levels by 20 per cent, and work better together than independently, says a new study... Read

Vitamin E - the need for perspective
Conflicting reports of vitamin E benefits are confusing consumers, and may be convincing some to unnecessarily cut supplements from their diets... Read

More support that dairy could reduce colorectal cancer risk
A diet rich in dairy products could cut the risk of colorectal cancer by half, an effect that is not due solely to calcium, reports a Swedish study... Read

Vitamin C could reduce inflammation
A diet rich in sources of vitamin C could cut the level of markers for inflammation by 45 per cent, says a new study... Read

Natural Insomnia Remedies
Sleep is just as important to optimal health as diet and exercise. Although it's common to have the occasional sleepless night, insomnia is the lack of sleep on a regular basis. This is a new article about remedies for insomnia, such as valerian, melatonin, kava, relaxation techniques, diet, aromatherapy, light, music, feng shui, Ayurvedic medicine, and much more...read more

Natural Treatments for Depression
In any given year, nearly 20 million adults in the United States are depressed. Most people with depression do not seek treatment, although the majority can be helped by medication, therapy, and/or natural remedies. Find out all about natural remedies for depression, including St. John's wort, omega-3 fatty acids, SAM-e, vitamins, diet, light therapy, and much more...read more

Study Examines Two Forms of Vitamin E and Effect on Animal Cell Health
According to an article on News-medical.net, citing research published in the Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers at Ohio State University compared how the two most common forms of vitamin E, gamma-tocopherol and alpha-tocopherol affect the health of animal cells. According to the article, the researchers, in their mice cell study which involved treating the cells with metabolic end products (quinones) of the two tocopherols, the gamma-tocopherol quinone formed a compound which destroyed that cell by preventing proper protein folding, while the alpha-tocopherol quinone did not kill cells, nor did it interfere with protein folding.
Internet Resources:
Article on News-medical.net

Study Examines Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Mood, Personality and Behavior
According to an article on News-medical.net citing research presented Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine examined 106 healthy volunteers and found that those with lower blood levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were more likely to report mild or moderate symptoms of depression, a more negative outlook and be more impulsive than those with higher blood levels.
Internet Resources:
Article on News-medical.net

ADHD teens calmed by omega oils
Supplements of omega-3 and omega-6 oils could improve the behaviour and the attention span of teens with ADHD, say English researchers... Read

Omega-3s might stop spread of prostate cancer
Eating a diet with omega-3-rich oily fish could stop the spread of prostate cancer... Read

Study: Fish Oil for for Bowel Cancer Patients
According to a Yahoo News article citing a trial performed at Australia's Concord Hospital, researchers observed that bowel cancer patients who took fish oil with Omega 3 fatty acids respond better to chemotherapy.
Internet Resources:
Article on Yahoo News

Omega-3s Examined for Inhibition of Liver Cancer Cell Growth
According to an article on News-medical.net citing research from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma cells with the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth, while treatment with arachidonic acid had no effect. According to the article, the researchers observed that DHA treatment induced the splitting up, or cleavage, of an enzyme in the cell nucleus known as poly (ADP-Ribose) polymerase, or PARP, which is involved in repairing DNA damage, mediating apoptosis and regulating immune response. A second presented abstract involving cholangiocarcinoma tumor cells suggested again that DHA and EPA treatments resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cancer cell growth.
Internet Resources:
Article on News-medical.net

Folic acid may reduce severity of birth defects
Folic acid from fortification and supplements may reduce the severity of birth defects, as well as preventing the rate of defects, leading experts to again call for increasing fortification levels... Read

Calcium, vitamin D may lower diabetes risk
High intake of calcium and vitamin D, particularly from supplements, may lower the risk of diabetes by 33 per cent, say American scientists... Read

Alternative Health Insurance Services now includes a free benefit for our individual and group clients that provides up to 20 acupuncture and/or chiropractic visits per year with a $20 co-payment for each visit. This complimentary benefit is a bonus for doing business with us and is included with most of the health insurance plans we offer.

We have contracted with Landmark Healthplan of California, Inc. to provide a combined chiropractic and acupuncture benefit that utilizes Participating Chiropractors and Acupuncturists. A directory of these providers may be found on the Landmark website at www.LandmarkHealthcare.com or from Alternative Health Insurance Services.

Participants will have a co-payment of only $20 per visit and can receive up to 20 visits per year. Treatments must be medically necessary to treat an injury or illness. After an initial visit, subsequent visits need to be pre-authorized by Landmark. Each participant will receive a Schedule of Benefits and other materials that fully describe their benefits, limitations, and exclusions.

This benefit is being provided at no cost to California clients of Alternative Health Insurance Services who are actively participating in a permanent health insurance plan where commissions are being paid to either Alternative Health Insurance or Steve Gorman. These benefits are being provided only to each primary policyholder and their spouse/partner.

This program is only available as a complimentary benefit to clients who have purchased their health insurance plans through Alternative Health Insurance Services and can not be purchased as a "stand-alone" benefit.

NEW VISION BENEFITS are now available from America's largest provider of eyecare coverage.  Normally these benefits are only available to employees of large companies, but you can participate through our special program.  For more details, click on the Vision Benefit link on our website.