Wednesday – June 25, 2008 | WELLNESS NEWS
• To Drink, or Not to Drink? Dr. Jenkins, N.D., Explains How Red Wine May Promote Better Health
• Tip of the Week: Increasing Vitamin D in Older Adults May Decrease Depression with Dr. Mayer Eisensten, M.D., J.D., M.P.H.
To Drink, or Not to Drink? Dr. Jenkins, N.D, Explains How Red Wine May Promote Better Health
According to The New York Times, research shows that red wine can be so beneficial to the longevity of a person’s health that it will put an end to the search for life extending drugs. Chicagohealers.com Practitioner Dr. Hugh A. Jenkins, N.D., explains that the benefits of drinking red wine are credited to the antioxidants it supplies to the body. These antioxidants scavenge for free radicals that cause damage to cell membranes. Wine gets the antioxidants from red grapes which control the negative effects of alcohol. However, while Dr. Jenkins supports the benefits of red wine, he does caution about the negative effects of alcohol consumption.
“The broad definition of an alcoholic is anyone who drinks periodically: weekend warrior, beer with the boys, cocktail with lunch, etc.,” Dr. Jenkins explains. “Moderate drinking is considered two or less drinks for a man and one or less drinks for a woman per day.”
Drinking more than a moderate amount of red wine can result in an increased risk of breast cancer as well as impairs the body’s ability to absorb proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals which can lead to malnutrition. With the right amount, however, the benefits of alcohol almost sky rocket over its disadvantages.
The Washington Post recently reported that people who have one drink of red wine per day have a 20 percent less chance of having a hip fracture compared to people who do not drink red wine at all. However, people who have two or more drinks per day have a 40 percent increased chance of having a hip fracture. This study suggests that people who have one drink per day have a higher bone density than those who do not drink or drink too much.
To better understand and appreciate the balance alcohol, Dr. Jenkins provides some tips to consider:
• Moderation – It is important to monitor the amount of alcohol that is being consumed on a larger scale. If a person drinks two per day, then that is a total of 730 drinks per year.
• Life Span – Drinking more than a moderate amount of alcohol can result in a decreased life span by 10-15 years. This is caused by damage to the central nervous system and the immune system.
ChicagoHealers.com Wednesday Experts
Dr. Hugh Jenkins, N.D., D.C. BTA Clinician: Naturopath & Chiropractor
Dr. Mayer Eisenstein, M.D., J.D., M.P.H.: Alternative Medicine
Tip of the Week: Increasing Vitamin D in Older Adults May Decrease Depression with Dr. Mayer Eisenstein, M.D., J.D., M.P.H.
The Archives of General Psychiatry reported in May that depression is significantly associated with lower vitamin D levels among older adults.
ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Mayer Eisenstein, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., says it is especially important to increase Vitamin D intake at an older age because as people age, the skin cannot produce Vitamin D as efficiently and the kidneys are less able to convert Vitamin D to its active hormone form.
“Vitamin D intake is easy to forget but also easy to increase,” says Dr. Eisenstein.
Dr. Eisenstein offers the following tips for increasing Vitamin D intake:
• Some Sun is Good – Limited natural sun exposure in the early morning or late afternoon is the best way to increase Vitamin D.
• Keep Fishing – Flesh of the fish proves a great boost in Vitamin D. Good options include cooked salmon, tuna fish or sardines.
• Breakfast is Important – Breakfast foods such as ready-to-eat cereal, milk and orange juice are great foods in increase Vitamin D intake and can all be eaten at the same time of day.
About ChicagoHealers.com
Chicago Healers (www.chicagohealers.com) is the nation’s pioneer prescreened integrative health care network, offering a comprehensive understanding of each practitioner’s services, approach, and philosophy. Our holistic health experts teach and advocate natural and empowered health and life choices through their practices, the media, educational events, and our website. With close to 200 practitioners and over 300 treatment services, Chicago Healers has provided nearly 400 free educational events for Chicagoans and has been featured in 300+ TV news programs and print publications. For more information, visit www.chicagohealers.com
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Erica Morisco, 312.643.2460, emorisco@paramountpr.com
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