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You won't believe what's bad for you now...
09 September 2005
I watched in horror as Lara edged the fork towards her mouth...
'Nooooooooo...' I shouted in slow motion, as I hurled myself across the dining room table, grabbed the fork from her hand, and landed catlike on the floor.
I'd just saved Lara's life. Another second and I'd have been too late...
Because I'd just stopped her from eating a mouthful of chicken, a source of that wellknown 'killer' vitamin - Vitamin B6.
All right, this is a made up scenario (especially the idea of me landing catlike... hoglike is more accurate). But there's one bit I didn't make up...
Apparently Vitamin B6 is now BAD for you.
In fact, according to a new study, too much can kill you.
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This week's panic
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That's right folks another panic has hit the headlines this week.
According to every paper under the sun, high doses of B vitamins could be bad for you, especially heart patients.
Norwegian scientists have shown that folic acid and vitamin B6 can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease by 20%, if you already suffer from heart problems.
WHAT?!
I could have sworn that dozens of previous studies said that folic acid and vitamin B6 could help prevent heart disease and strokes.
And a quick check on the Internet shows I'm right.
An overwhelming number of studies and sources state that a deficiency of vitamin B6, folic acid, or vitamin B12 may increase your level of homocysteine. And as healthconscious folk like us know, homocysteine isn't something you want to encourage.
High levels of homocysteine are related to a higher risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease.
In fact, it was only a few weeks ago that I suggested eating foods rich in vitamin B6 and going to your doctor's to get your homocysteine levels checked out!
But now they're saying avoid vitamin B6!
It's enough to give you a heart attack!
Here's my view on it.
This study that caused such a furore in the papers this week is just ONE study. And it's one study against numerous other studies that 'prove' the exact opposite.
So, as always, it's best to use common sense (I haven't got much of my own so I borrow Lara's), and carry on looking after your body, and your health, by eating good, natural, wholesome foods, by taking some exercise and by avoiding manmade drugs and supplements where possible.
Personally, I think it's best to keep homocysteine levels down, and that means including folic acid and vitamin B6 in your diet.
Salmon, tuna fish, pork, chicken, bananas, beans are all great natural sources.
And if you're feeling like a naughty treat, peanut butter is an excellent source as well.
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My love affair with a peer of the realm
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Don't tell Lara or the kids, but I think I've fallen for Earl Baldwin of Bewdley.
Why?
Because he's doing everything he can to make sure the government oppose the EU's plan to outlaw thousands of supplements and cause the collapse of health food shops.
Basically, he believes we should have full access to whatever vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements we want.
Here, here... as they say in the House of Lords.
Because if the EU have their way, perfectly healthy substances such as broccoli and garlic could be banned! I'm serious - they're insisting that both foods undergo full medical tests.
How ridiculous is that.
Well, here's another fantastic natural substance - one that helps protect you against diabetes.
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I'm sure the EU won't like it.
In fact, I'd better get my skates on and tell you about this amazing little substance before I'm outlawed...!
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The star-shaped flower that's beating diabetes
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Borage oil is derived from the seeds of the borage plant, a blue star-shaped flower that grows throughout Europe.
Borage oil, also known as starflower oil and borage seed oil, is a rich source of the polyunsaturated fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).
And it's this marvellous substance that's causing so much excitement.
GLA is an acid that most of us can produce ourselves. An enzyme acts on the naturally occurring linoeic acid, causing GLA to be produced. But in some people, a faulty metabolism means that this transformation never occurs... and this could cause all sorts of problems.
You see GLA is one of our most potent internal regulators, and when it's absent, it can allow diseases such as diabetes, asthma, cystic fibrosis and multiple sclerosis to take hold.
Which is why borage oil is considered such a find.
According to a study released in the Journal of Diabetes Care, supplementation with GLA has shown promise in the reversal of diabetic neuropathy (a condition where the nerves degenerate and symptoms of pain and numbness kick in).
This seems like a real breakthrough, so talk to your doctor about this as soon as possible.
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Why buying 70s-style leggings could keep your memory sharp forever
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Okay, here's the definitive guide to eternal youth.
I know it's true because, scientists have said so.
Ah... yes... they also say vitamin B6 is dangerous, don't they?
Well, this is a different group of scientists, so that's OK.
Besides, what they say makes a lot of sense.
There are 5 simple rules that will help keep your brain active and healthy:
- A healthy diet. Broadly speaking, avoid processed foods and eat fruit, vegetables, lean red meat and poultry and plenty of fish. If you find this too tricky or difficult to fit into a busy schedule, make it easier for yourself. For example, get a juicer like I did! I promise you you'll soon swear by them.
- Mental stimulation. Sharpen that pencil and tackle those crosswords and Su Doku puzzles. Keep stretching yourself and making your mind work. Don't let it go rusty.
- Keep company. Apparently being social and mixing with others is a vital ingredient to a long life. Studies show that people deprived of social stimulation cut years off their life. So whatever else you do, get out there and mix! Even it's perching on a bar stool (my favourite type of mixing) or popping down the shops and exchanging a few words with the newsagent.
- Relax. We've looked at the problems of stress before, but maybe sitting cross-legged and meditating isn't everyone's cup of tea. To tell you the truth, I'd have trouble even one leg crossed. Instead, just make sure you have 10 minutes at the beginning and end of each day alone, to just let your mind drift.
And last but not least - aerobic exercise.
Not jogging, or going down the gym, or using weights... but specifically (and unavoidably I'm afraid) aerobic exercise.
Maybe Lara will lend me one of her leotards.
Because research has shown aerobic exercise is vital in maintaining brain function as the body ages.
In one study, over-60s who exercised over a three-year period exhibited none of the usual mental decline in that time.
In another study, test subjects obtained mental improvements after just four months of a moderate aerobic training programme.
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'For the over-50s, exercise is a sort of wonder-drug that makes you more mentally agile, less forgetful and delays the loss of sharpness that would otherwise happen,' according to a Professor Robertson who led one of the studies.
Why oh why did it have to be aerobics?
I'm tempted to wait until a study shows that 'watching rugby vigorously' reverses ageing. Then I'll be the healthiest man on the planet!
That's it for today. Have a splendid weekend, and I'll be back before you know it.
Warmest regards,
Ray Collins
The Good Life Letter
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