Natural Standard Blog

Natural Standard Social Networks

Join Natural Standard's social networks on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to receive live updates on product launches, new publications, job openings, upcoming events, news feeds and more.

These social media channels foster discussions about integrative medicine and present networking opportunities for students and professionals. Natural Standard's community encompasses health professionals, medical researchers and individuals who are interested in health and wellness topics.

Members are also encouraged to offer feedback about students programs, webinars and new products.

Does Debt Contribute to Obesity?

A new study suggests that serious financial debt may be associated with obesity.

To investigate the potential relationship between debt and health, researchers surveyed 949 people in Germany who were classified as “over-indebted,” because they reportedly felt it was impossible to pay off debts in a reasonable timeframe. The findings were compared to the results of a 2003 telephone survey, which included 8,318 people in Germany who were not in debt.

After adjusting for socioeconomic and health risk factors for obesity, such as gender, education, smoking and depression, the authors found that people who were over-indebted were almost twice as likely to be overweight and more than 2.5 times as likely to be obese than those who were not in debt. 

However, this study does not prove that debt causes obesity. Instead, it shows a potential association between the two conditions. The authors suggest that psychological factors may play a role in obesity if people eat to cope with the stress of financial debt. They also note that healthier foods may be more expensive. The authors also speculate that obese people may have more difficulty finding jobs or may make less money than thinner people. Therefore, additional research is warranted in this area.

In the United States, obesity is considered an epidemic. More than half of all Americans are considered overweight, and about 20 percent of children are overweight. In 2005, 140 million Americans were considered overweight or obese, according to the American Heart Association. Nearly 33 percent of Americans are considered obese, and these numbers continue to grow.

Obesity can have serious long-term effects on health. Individuals who are overweight have an increased risk of developing many life-threatening illnesses, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer. According to the American Heart Association, obesity was associated with nearly 112,000 deaths in 2005.

For more information about obesity, please visit Natural Standard’s Medical Conditions database.

Spices Used as Insecticides

 A new study presented at the American Chemical Society's 238th National Meeting suggests that the essential oil of common spices, including mint, clove, thyme and rosemary, may act as natural insecticides.

For the last 10 years, the scientists have tested the effects of various essential plant oils. The research was funded by EcoSMART®, a botanical pesticide company based in Alpharetta,Ga.

The authors found that some oils may kill pesky insects, while others may repel them. Organic farmers have already begun using natural, spice-based commercial products to help protect spinach, tomato and strawberry crops against aphids and mites.

The researchers note that there are potential pros and cons of using natural, plant-based insecticides. These products are readily available, and it is unlikely that insects will become resistant to the essential oils. They are also safer for farmers than conventional pesticides.

However, because the oils evaporate quickly and degrade rapidly in sunlight, they need to be re-applied more often than conventional insecticides. Also, spice-based insecticides are less toxic than conventional products, which means that higher concentrations may be needed to control pests. Research is underway to discover potential ways to overcome these shortcomings.  

Other studies are testing the essential oils of different plants, including lavender, basil, bergamot, patchouli oil, and at least a dozen other oils from exotic plant sources in China

For more information about insecticides please visit Natural Standard’s Environment & Global Health database.

Vegetarians and Cancer

Cancer rates are generally lower among vegetarians compared to meat eaters, but a new study suggests that this may not apply to all types of cancers.

The study included 32,403 meat eaters, 8,562 non-meat eaters who ate fish and 20,601 vegetarians. After an average of 12.2 years, 2,204 meat eaters (6.8 percent), 317 fish eaters (3.7 percent) and 829 vegetarians (4 percent) developed various types of cancer.

The findings, published in the British Journal of Cancer, suggest that the risk of developing stomach cancer, bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma may be cut by more than half in vegetarians.

The association was particularly strong for multiple myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer. Vegetarians were 75 percent less likely to develop the disease than meat eaters. In addition, vegetarians and fish eaters were about one-third less likely to develop stomach cancer than meat eaters. Although the number of stomach cancer cases was small, earlier research suggests that processed meat may contribute to the disease.

In contrast, vegetarianism was not linked to a reduced risk of colon or rectal cancer. In fact, the incidence of these cancers was slightly higher among vegetarians than meat eaters. However, this risk was not statistically significant, meaning that the higher rate may be due to chance.

Additionally, the risk of cervical cancer was significantly higher among vegetarians than meat eaters. This increased risk was similar, although not statistically significant, among fish eaters compared to meat eaters. It has been suggested, but not scientifically proven, that dietary factors may contribute to the risk of infection with the human papillomavirus, which causes many cases of cervical cancer. The authors caution that these findings are based on only 50 cervical cancer cases and may be influenced by other factors, such as cervical cancer screening.

The authors conclude that more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between vegetarianism and cancer risk.

For more information about vegetarianism, please visit Natural Standard’s Health & Wellness database.

Is Pollution Linked to Liver Disease?

A new study suggests that environmental pollution may be associated with liver disease in the United States. The new data supports earlier evidence linking liver disease to highly exposed chemical workers.

The researchers analyzed data from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). NHANES is a large nationally representative survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, a part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The researchers examined the potential association between long-term, low-level exposure to 111 common pollutants (including lead, mercury, PCBs and pesticides) and unexplained liver disease in adults. The specific pollutants were detectable in at least 60 percent of the 4,500 study participants. Liver injury was indicated in people with elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) liver enzyme levels.

"Our study found that greater than one in three U.S. adults had liver disease, even after excluding those with traditional risk factors such as alcoholism and viral hepatitis," Matthew Cave, MD, assistant professor, department of medicine, division of gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Louisville, said in a statement. "Our study shows that some of these cases may be attributable to environmental pollution, even after adjusting for obesity, which is another major risk factor for liver disease."

However, this study does not prove that environmental pollution causes liver disease. It only suggests that they may be associated with each other.

The researchers plan to study the potential additive effects of environmental pollutants on liver disease in children and adults with risk factors, including obesity, viral hepatitis and alcoholism.

The study was presented during Digestive Disease Week® 2009 (DDW®), an international gathering of physicians and researchers in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery.

For more information about environmental pollution, please visit Natural Standard's Environmental Resources database.

State of the Air Report

The American Lung Association released its State of the Air: 2009 Report this month. The 10th annual report states that air pollution has significantly improved in some areas of the country, but major cities still have significant problems with pollutants.

In urban areas, ozone gas is one of the biggest causes of air pollution. While the ozone layer in the Earth’s upper atmosphere helps defend against the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays, ground-level ozone (called ozone pollution) can have harmful effects on human health and the environment. Ozone pollution occurs when sunlight combines with nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbons, which are produced by vehicles and factories.

In March 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted stricter standards for ozone pollution. Based on these new standards, about 58 percent of Americans, or 175.4 million people, live in counties with unhealthy levels of ozone pollution.

Some major cities, such as Los Angeles and Houston, reported improvements in ozone pollution. However, 16 of the 25 most polluted cities (including Charlotte, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Cincinnati) experienced a worsening in pollution over the last year.

Particle pollution is also a health threat to many Americans. Particulate matter air pollutants are a mixture of very small particles and liquid droplets that occur in many shapes and sizes. Although nine of the most polluted cities reported decreases in their average annual particle pollution, 12 cities reported increases. About 47 million U.S. residents live in areas with unhealthy levels of particle pollution. Over time, exposure to these particles may increase the risk of asthma, lung damage and premature death.

The American Lung Association also provided suggestions for reducing indoor and outdoor air pollution. The organization encourages individuals to drive less, use less electricity, burn less wood or trash and support state and local efforts to reduce air pollution.

For more information about air pollution, please visit Natural Standard’s Environmental Resources database.

Drugs Found in Fish

Researchers have found that fish living near waste water treatment plants in urban areas contained trace amounts of chemicals, including drugs used to treat allergies, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and mood disorders.

Pharmaceuticals enter waste water when people excrete medications or when chemicals are poured down the drain. Most conventional sewage plants do not remove these residues, leading to contamination in the treated waste water.

In the study, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), researchers collected fish from rivers that receive treated sewage in Chicago, IL, Dallas, TX, Orlando,FL, Phoenix, AZ and West Chester, PA. They tested the fish for 24 different drugs and 12 chemicals found in personal care products. They compared their results to fish from the Gila River in New Mexico, which contains clean, unpolluted water.

Trace amounts of seven drugs and two soap scent chemicals were detected in fish from all of the city rivers, and some fish had multiple pharmaceuticals in their livers. The fish from New Mexico did not contain any of the drugs or chemicals tested.

The amount of drugs and chemicals found in the fish was minute. However, studies have shown that diluted concentrations can harm many aquatic animals, including fish and frogs.

In response to these study results, the EPA plans to expand similar research to include more than 150 areas nationwide. The agency also plans to study the potential long-term effects of humans consuming trace amounts of pharmaceuticals.

For more information about pollution, please visit Natural Standard's Environmental Resources database.

Mercury Detected in Products Containing High-Fructose Corn Syrup

Two new studies suggest that some foods and drinks made with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) may contain detectable levels of mercury, a toxic metal historically used as an antimicrobial.

Mercury is a neurotoxin, and high levels of exposure can damage the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and immune system. Infants and young children are especially vulnerable to mercury toxicity.

In the first study, published by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), researchers collected HFCS samples from 55 products rich in HFCS.

Of the 55 products tested, 17 (or nearly 31 percent) had detectable levels of mercury. These products include:

• Quaker Oatmeal To Go Bars: 350 parts per trillion (ppt)
  
• Jack Daniel's Barbecue Sauce (Heinz): 300ppt
• Hershey's Chocolate Syrup: 257ppt
• Kraft Original Barbecue Sauce: 200ppt
• Nutri-Grain Strawberry Cereal Bars: 180ppt
• Manwich Gold Sloppy Joe: 150ppt
• Market Pantry Grape Jelly: 130ppt
• Smucker's Strawberry Jelly: 100ppt
• Pop-Tarts Frosted Blueberry: 100ppt
• Hunt's Tomato Ketchup: 87ppt
• Wish-Bone Western Sweet & Smooth Dressing: 72ppt
• Coca-Cola Classic: 62ppt
• Yoplait Strawberry Yogurt: 60ppt
• Berry Minute Maid Punch: 40ppt
• Yoo-hoo Chocolate Drink: 30ppt
• Nesquik Chocolate Milk: 30ppt
• Kemps Fat Free Chocolate Milk: 30ppt

However, the results are limited because the authors only tested one sample of each product. In addition, the type of mercury present in the samples is unknown. The lab only tested for total mercury levels, not methylmercury (typically found in seafood) or other specific types of mercury. The authors also noted that although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a "reference dose" for methylmercury, there is currently no such standard for total mercury. Therefore, it is unclear how, if at all, these detected levels would affect human health.

Although the study does not prove that HFCS is the source of the mercury, the authors note that mercury can be used to make caustic soda. Yet, Audrae Erickson, president of the Corn Refiners Association, released a statement saying that this technology is no longer used in the United States.

In the second study, published in Environmental Health, researchers found detectable levels of mercury in nine of 20 samples of commercial HFCS. This study also did not specify the form of mercury present in the HFCS.

The Corn Refiners Association questions the relevancy of this trial. "This study appears to be based on outdated information of dubious significance," according to a public statement released by Erickson. "Our industry has used mercury-free versions of the two re-agents mentioned in the study, hydrochloric acid and caustic soda, for several years. These mercury-free re-agents perform important functions, including adjusting pH balances."

Additional studies are needed to fully understand the possible link between HFCS and mercury as well as how this contamination may affect human health.

For more information about mercury, please visit Natural Standard's Environmental Resources database.

Bisphenol Controversy Continues

A preliminary study calls into question what is known about bisphenol A (BPA) exposure and how it is removed from the body. BPA is a chemical commonly used in hardened plastics and is often found in baby bottles, water bottles and eyeglass lenses.

Based on early evidence, researchers suspect that humans are primarily exposed to BPA from food and that the chemical is eliminated from the body in about 24 hours.

However, this latest study suggests that BPA may also be present in other sources and/or remain in the body’s fat tissues. The researchers analyzed data on 1,469 adults living in the United States from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The CDC researchers recorded the participants fasting BPA levels and collected dietary information. Although the participants fasted before having their BPA levels measured, they were allowed to drink water, black coffee and diet soda. 

The authors of this recent study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, compared the participants’ BPA levels to the length of their fasting period. They hypothesized that people who fasted longer would have lower BPA levels. However, the researchers discovered that participants who fasted only had moderately lower BPA levels than those who had just eaten.

According to the authors, these results suggest that BPA may come from sources other than food, such as water. They also suggest that BPA may enter fat tissue, where it would be released more slowly.

However, the results of this study are limited and open to interpretation. Additional studies are needed to understand how BPA exposure occurs and how it is removed from the body.  

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains that BPA is safe, despite early evidence that may be associated with an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. Canada banned BPA from plastic baby bottles in October 2008.

Natural Standard Launches New Database: Environmental Resources

As the green movement continues to gain momentum, a growing number of businesses, schools and communities are supporting sustainable practices and promoting ecological awareness. As a contribution to this global cause, Natural Standard recently launched a new database: Environmental Resources.

The database offers hundreds of educational resources about many environmental issues such as climate change, solar power, sustainable living and much more.

These peer-reviewed, evidence-based monographs highlight how environmental issues impact human, animal and/or plant health. For example, individuals can learn the answers to the following questions:

• What types of air pollutants may increase the risk of lung cancer?
  
• Does organic food have health benefits?
  
• Is vegetarianism safe during pregnancy?

The monographs also discuss environmental applications of ongoing research. For instance, those interested in genetically modified foods can learn how scientists are engineering bananas to produce human vaccines against infectious diseases.

To access the Environmental Resources database, please click here.