What's Hot
What's Hot
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| February 1998
How Short Are Your Chromosomes? You'd better check them out. It turns out that the longer your chromosomes are, the younger your cells are. . . at least those cells that divide. The reason you want to keep your chromosomes long is that the shorter they get, the more difficult it is for your cells to divide, which causes them to grow old and die. Chromosomes carry the genes that control your vital functions. They are kept stable by segments at both ends called telomeres, which are like the plastic tips at the end of shoe laces. Every time your cells divide, your telomeres shrink, which shortens your chromosomes and makes them less stable. A company called Geron has developed a kit to measure the length of your telomeres. Now you can find out how much your chromosomes have shrunk, and if anything can make them longer again. For further information see April 1998 Issue. —D Dye
Conquering Homocysteine: The Heart Attacker For decades, cholesterol was the culprit in our efforts to prevent heart attacks, the number one cause of death on the planet. We avoided eggs and other foods high in cholesterol, and millions of us suffered the side effects of expensive cholesterol-reducing drugs. Now, the truth is finally coming out. Although cholesterol is a player in the game, it's another chemical -- homocysteine -- that appears to be the true cause of heart attacks. Homocysteine injures our arteries, setting in motion a series of events that leads to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, the artery-blockers that underlie heart attacks and strokes. Homocysteine builds up when we eat too much animal protein, or if we don't get enough of certain vitamins. The best way to conquer homocysteine to lower your risk of heart attack is to take vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid and trimethylglycine (TMG) -- all of which fight homocysteine in different ways. You can obtain these lifesavers by themselves, or in one all-inclusive kit called Methyl Formula. For further information on Homocysteine see July 1997 Issue. Also, see our Disease Therapy Protocol on Atherosclerosis. —D Dye
The Fast-Acting Natural Antidepressant When you're feeling low, you can get a quick, safe pickup by taking SAMe (S-Adeno-sylmethionine) -- the natural antidepressant that has side benefits rather than side effects. Studies have shown that SAMe, a natural substance found in every cell of your body, is safer, more effective, and faster-acting than harsh tricyclic antidepressant drugs. Other studies have found that SAMe is good for your liver and bones as well as for your mood. When taking SAMe, make sure you also take its co-factors: vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folic acid. If you've been diagnosed with clinical depression, you should only take SAMe, (or any other antidepressant) under the care of a physician. For further information on Homocysteine see April 1997 Issue Also, see our Disease Therapy Protocol on Depression. —D Dye
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