Vitamins C, E Play Role in Reducing Prostate Cancer, University of Wisconsin Research Team Finds
Medical researchers at the University of Wisconsin have found that a combination of antioxidant Vitamins C and E can reduce the effect of male hormones that stimulate prostate cancer cells. A team led by Dr. George Wilding of the University of Wisconsin's Department of Medicine demonstrated in tests that Vitamin C plus Vitamin E blocked cellular activities that can lead to prostate cancer. Androgens, or male hormones such as testosterone, are necessary for normal growth and development of the prostate, the researchers said, but noted that the same androgens are also suspected of playing a role in prostate cancer.

New Study to Evaluate Effect of DHEA on Mood, Memory
Researchers are hoping to untangle the truth about DHEA, a controversial supplement available in health-food stores that has been blasted as snake oil by some physicians and heralded as a breakthrough by others. DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, is a steroid hormone that is produced in abundance by the adrenal glands during youth and early adulthood. Production of DHEA starts to decline in the late 20s and dwindles to about 5 to 10 percent of its peak level by the age of 80. Studies have shown that supplemental DHEA may decrease joint pain and fatigue, slow the aging process, bolster the immune system, lift depression and help prevent heart disease, cancer and obesity.

But many of these studies have been criticized for restricting research to animals, examining only a limited number of participants or failing to compare the results with placebo. Now researchers at the University of California at San Francisco say they hope to present more conclusive evidence of DHEA's effectiveness, or lack of it, as well as its level of safety.

Osteoporosis and Heart Disease Top List of Opportunities for Nutritional Therapy
Nutritional treatments for osteoporosis and heart disease have much greater promise for success than do those for cancer and arthritis, according to a new report from The Bowditch Group, Inc. (www.bowditchgroup.com) "Each disease represents a unique market segment. Both technical and market-related factors determine the potential for treating the disease with functional foods," says David Wheat, Ph.D., co-author of the report and president of The Bowditch Group. Functional foods provide health benefits beyond those of basic nutrition and are reshaping the food and pharmaceutical industries. Major companies active in functional foods include Abbott Laboratories, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Campbell Soup Company, Cargill, ConAgra, Danone, Dupont, General Mills, Johnson & Johnson, Kellogg, Monsanto, Nestle, Novartis, Procter & Gamble, Quaker Oats, and Unilever.

Dr. Galland's Integrated Medicine
Despite great advances in the treatment of infectious epidemics, trauma and critical care, modern medicine is failing in its mission. Childhood mortality rates around the world are rising and the major medical challenge of the twenty-first century--decreasing the burden of chronic illness and disability--is not being met. The reason lies in the faulty blueprint used to guide contemporary health care, according to Dr. Leo Galland in his latest column, "The Foundation for Integrated Medicine Supporting Health Care for the Twenty-First Century."

Natural Medicine Research Update
Over the past few years, several hormones have become available over the counter including pregnenolone, DHEA, and androstenedione. These hormones are made mostly in the adrenal glands, ovaries, testicles, brain, skin, and other organs. These hormones are also very closely related. For instance, pregnenolone is the parent of DHEA, which, in turn, is the parent of androstenedione. That is, once made in the body, or ingested as a pill, pregnenolone can be converted into DHEA, which in turn can be converted into androstenedione. Androstenedione can then be converted into testosterone and estrogens.

In this column, The Benefits and Risks of Androstenedione, Dr. Ray Sahelian explains that at this point, based on our limited knowledge of Andro, it is difficult to make any firm recommendations for its use. If you are planning to take Andro, either for its body-building potential (which is not proven), or its sex boosting effects (which not everyone notices), limit your dosage to no more than 50 mg, and take it only temporarily, that is, for a few days at a time. Have off periods of a few weeks or months between use in order to minimize any potential side effects. Supervision by a health care provider is recommended.

The Healer Within
The technique described in Dr. Roger Jahnke's latest column, "The Abdominal Lift," is a traditional yoga practice called Uddhiyana bandha. Stand with feet at about shoulder width, bend the knees slightly, bend forward, exhale completely, brace the hands above the knees. Either lift and hold the abdomen upward against the spine or rhythmically contract and release the abdomen while maintaining the exhalation. Complete by returning to erect position and inhaling before needing to gasp.

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Keeping Fit with Dr. Wayne Westcott
You are well aware that professional football, basketball, baseball and hockey players spend a significant amount of time doing physical conditioning to enhance their sports performance. In fact, all professional athletic teams employ strength and conditioning coaches who work closely with the players in the weight training facility. Clearly, much of the performance improvement that has occurred in professional sports over the last 10-15 years is in large part due to strength trained athletes who are stronger, faster, and more injury resistant, according to Dr. Wayne Westcott in his latest column, "Can Conditioning Improve Sports Performance?.

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To read all of our bi-monthly columns visit Columns from the Experts

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Professional Referral Network
The Professional Referral Network contains searchable directories from 19 leading professional associations in complementary and integrative health care, with over 10,000 professionals. You can search for acunpunturists, homeopaths, naturopathic physicians, nutritional experts, practitioners of holistic health care, behavioral optomentrists and more. We welcome the AHMA and all of its members to our network which serves to make the leading complementary health professoinals accessible to the public.

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Medical Cybrarian Research Service
Need help in researching a difficult health issue? Want to be able to effectively search Medline and other medical databases? Need to have a professional who can do this fast and efficiently? Let an experienced medical librarian do it for you. HealthWorld Online's innovative Medical Cybrarian Service searches the Internet and and other databases, provideing you with information on diseases, treatments (alternative and/or mainstream), drugs, statistics, and patient information that is summarized for your research needs. This "Cybrarian" carefully gathers and selects bibliographic citations, points you to useful Web sites, and annotates or summarizes pages or documents that would be useful to you for reasonable fees.

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Association Network -- Hot Pick
NAOMA is the national professional membership association representing the diversity of practitioners of acupuncture and Oriental medicine across the United States. As the national clearinghouse for the profession, it provides referrals to consumers, supports state and national legislation, provides accurate information to the media and the public, distributes publications, etc.

Visit National Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance.

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Global Health Calendar -- Hot Picks

World Expo for Complementary Medicine 1999.
August 27-29, 1999. Suntec City, Singapore SINGAPORE. Contact: CPEC and Congrex Singapore - 65-438-3707

Herbal Medicine: Practice and Science - An International Conference of Herbal Medicine
Sept. 3-5, 1999. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Contact: Medi Herb Pty Ltd Phone: +61 746610700

Ecolife 99: The Fifteenth International Health Foods and Healthy Style of Living Fair
Sept 3-5, 1999. Tarnow, Krosno Poland
Contact: The Polish Society for Propagation of Healthy Foods and Healthy Style of Living
Phone: (773) 583-0402

Third Annual Natural Pharmacy East: Prescriptions for Success in the New Millennium
October 1-3, 1999. Arlington, VA USA.
Contact: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. & BioConferences International, Inc. (914) 834-3100

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice: An Evidence-Based Approach.
For physicians, nurses and other health care professionals.
October 8-9, 1999. Ann Arbor, MI USA.
Contact: University of Michigan Health System (877) 800-9887

Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Practical Applications and Evaluations.
First Annual Conference.
October 15-17, 1999. San Francisco, CA USA
Contact: Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention & Center for Alternative Medicine Research (781) 279-9887

Body & Soul - Boston
October 22-24, 1999. Boston, MA USA
Contact: New Age Publishing and Omega Institute (800) 944-1001

Natural Products Expo East: New Life Choices For The 21st Century
October 22-24, 1999. Baltimore, MD USA
Contact: New Hope Natural Media (303) 939-8440

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Editor, Healthy Update: James Strohecker Suggestions & Comments: We welcome your suggestions and comments to help us provide the highest quality service. If you are aware of late-breaking news or information that would be useful to our subscribers, please contact us at: [email protected] To subscribe to email version of Healthy Update, send email to: [email protected] and type just the word "subscribe" in the body text of the email.