2010 January | pilladvised

Even Low Lead Exposure Harms the Kidneys

by Dr. Leo Galland

Even low lead exposure harms the kidneys

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have found an association between low level exposure to lead and reduced kidney function in healthy American teenagers. Although all of the teens had blood lead levels within a range generally accepted as safe, those with higher levels within that range had reduced kidney function when compared to those with lower lead levels.

The importance of these findings is that even small decreases in kidney function tend to become amplified with time and 26 million Americans currently suffer from chronic kidney disease. Continue reading »

Artificial Sweeteners, Not So Sweet

by Dr. Leo Galland

Artificial Sweeteners, Not So Sweet

It was heartening to see the editorial titled “Artificially Sweetened Beverages, Cause for Concern” in the December 8th issue of the usually conservative Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The editorial, by Dr. David Ludwig of Harvard Medical School and the Boston Children’s Hospital warns about a dietary trend that I’ve been concerned about for 30 years: the use of artificial sweeteners.¹

The Standard American Diet (SAD)

by Dr. Leo Galland

The standard American diet (SAD)

The standard American diet (SAD), with its excess of sugar, refined carbohydrates, saturated fat and trans fats, is the primary cause of obesity and diabetes. Although the American style of eating began here in the U.S., this eating pattern has spread around the world, contributing to the rise of obesity and its related conditions worldwide.

Leptin Fights Alzheimer’s Disease

by Dr. Leo Galland

Leptin Fights Alzheimer’s Disease

A study in the December 16, 2009 Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that higher levels of the hormone leptin protected people from developing Alzheimer’s disease¹. The analysis came from the famed Framingham heart study, which has been following the residents of Framingham, Massachusetts, for decades.

When they grouped people according to their sex and level of leptin, they found that among the group with the lowest leptin levels, 25% developed Alzheimer’s disease during the study period, whereas only 6% of the highest leptin group developed Alzheimer’s disease. Continue reading »

List of Healthy Food Choices

by Dr. Leo Galland

List of Healthy Food Choices

Taking care of yourself is not only about pills—the vitamins, supplements and medications that you take.

It’s also about eating right, making healthier choices for your body.

To get started, we made a list of healthy food choices—stuff that has been getting a lot of attention for its health benefits. Like the antioxidants in pomegranates, or the lycopene in tomatoes. And stuff that is easy to find in the supermarket, like apples and oranges, that are also noted for their nutritional value. It’s about fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and beverages. The list is adapted from the book The Fat Resistance Diet by Leo Galland M.D.

Aspirin and Vitamin C

by Dr. Leo Galland

Aspirin

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) has been around for over a hundred years and can be a useful drug for treating pain. Millions of people take low dose aspirin every day in an effort to prevent heart attacks or strokes. But aspirin can erode the lining of the stomach or intestines, causing internal bleeding, even at low doses.

Research on Aspirin and Vitamin C

Research studies done in Germany demonstrate that aspirin interferes with absorption of vitamin C and regular use of aspirin can deplete the gastrointestinal lining of vitamin C.