A Combination of Magnesium, Zinc, Vitamin C and Vitamin E lower Blood Pressure in Diabetics

Type 2 diabetic patients were split into four groups in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Group 1 was given 200mg of magnesium and 30mg of zinc, Group 2 received vitamin C 200mg and vitamin E 150mg, Group 3 received all four supplements, vitamins C and E, plus zinc and magnesium, and Group 4 received a placebo, all daily for 3 months. In Group 3 receiving all 4 supplements, the blood pressure reading decreased significantly with an 8 point average drop in systolic blood pressure (the top figure) and a 6 point drop in the diastolic blood pressure (the bottom reading), and the level of lipid peroxidation also fell - lipid peroxidation is a strong risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. There were no significant changes in the other three groups in blood pressure or lipid peroxidation. The study is published in the June 2004 issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.

Commentary by Jerry Hickey, R.Ph.

This is strong evidence that nutrients do not act in an isolated form but work in conjunction affecting a cycle of events.

Heavy Computer Use may Damage the Eye if Nearsighted

Researchers at Toho University School of Medicine in Tokyo evaluated 10,000 individuals in Japan during a regular check up for any connection between computer use and eye damage. They found that people who were nearsighted who spent a great deal of time on the computer may experience damage to the optic nerve and have a greater risk of developing glaucoma. The study is published in the December 2004 issue of the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

High Doses of Steroid Drugs Greatly Increase the Risk of Heart Disease

Taking high doses of steroid drugs (e.g. Medrol, Prednisone, Decadron, and Prednisolone) is tied to increased risk of heart disease, heart failure, heart attack, and stroke according to this major study. Steroids are used to treat inflammation and are often prescribed for asthma, arthritis, Crohn's disease, colitis, and autoimmune diseases. Well-known side effects include a round face (Moon Face- Jerry Lewis has suffered from this effect), elevations of blood pressure, increased eye pressure, bone loss, mood disturbances, diabetes, and obesity, an inability to fight infection, sodium and water retention, and many other side effects. Data was pooled from 68,781 individuals on these drugs, and 82,202 non-steroid users. Heart disease was 2.5 times higher in people using high-dose steroids versus non-users (high dose was considered to be equivalent to 7.5mg of Prednisolone each day). The study is published in the November 16th, 2004 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.