Play it safe – earn immunity! Part 3

What is Procydin?

Simply put, it is an extremely powerful antioxidant that scavenges- literally meaning to search for, collect and eliminate - free radicals. When the damage of free radicals is limited, the body is able to fight off auto-immune diseases and to utilise nutrients optimally.

Research has proved over and over that the most effective way of protecting the body from free radical damage is to take antioxidants. Completely natural and organic, Procydin is a combination of grape seed extract and pine bark, enclosed in easy-to-take capsules.

Procydin is a special blend of highly concentrated bioflavonoids called proanthocyanidins. This blend improves the blood circulation, strengthens the immune system and helps the body reduce the damage caused by free radicals. It is completely safe and non-toxic and can be taken in combination with any medication. It is also absolutely safe for children and pregnant women.

Procydin has a three-way action:

• It helps the body resist the damage caused by free radicals and helps cells to repair themselves.

• It enhances the ability of collagen - which occurs in the cartilage, capillaries,

arteries and veins - to repair itself, thereby preventing degeneration and hardening or calcification of the artery walls and degeneration of cartilage.

• It has an anti-inflammatory effect.

Who will benefit most from Procvdin?

There is not a man, woman or child who will not benefit, in the long run, from a good antioxidant like Procydin.

The sad fact of modern day life is that our food is often nutrient-poor and does not provide us with our full daily requirement of antioxidants. And as is often the case with our drinking water, our food could also be full of chemicals and additives. We are continually exposed to industrial, domestic and commercial pollution and first- or second-hand cigarette smoke. We lead extremely stressful lives, thereby depleting our bodies' reserves of nutrients. But above all, the majority of us don't follow a carefully balanced diet! Add to that the fact that most of us have not been physically active for years - I mean physically active as in having enjoyable, regular exercise in the open, fresh air, which is one of the most effective ways of counteracting free radical damage.

Because the fight against obesity has been my life's task, I am painfully aware of the fact that at least 60% of our population are overweight. I also happen to know why: we simply do not follow a healthy, varied and balanced diet and we don't do enough exercise in the fresh air. And by now it is common knowledge that obesity is the one disease that opens the door to so many of those auto-immune diseases.

Therefore, if you are even slightly overweight, which means you fall in the 'prevention-is-better-than-cure' category, you will benefit most from Procydin. Believe me, that 'little extra weight' could make you a walking time bomb.

People who suffer from diabetes, arthritis and cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, yuppie flu, allergies, asthma, food intolerances and lupus will benefit enormously from Procydin.

If you do not suffer from any of these diseases and your weight is normal, but you want to reduce your chances of suffering from any of them in the future, you also need Procydin. And yes, if you want to keep (or improve) your looks, Procydin improves the texture of your skin tremendously.

How will Prodycin help me control my weight?

Quite simply by improving your general health. A body that functions at optimum capacity does not have unreasonable food cravings, feels fit and wants to move, and all of these combine to instill a sense of well-being and optimism. That is what contributes to successful weight loss and maintaining it afterwards.

Play it safe – earn immunity!

Anyone who follows the Survivor show on television will know how importantimmunity is But the difference between playing Survivor and actual physical survival lies in the fact that you have to provide your body with immunity and not merely play a game to avoid being voted out.

In today's stressed-out concrete jungles the body is in constant baffle to earn itself immunity. And the odds are stacked against it-odds known as free radicals.

When I think of free radicals, I immediately think Procydin. The whole world is agog about this remarkable supplement that restores physical immunity.

But what exactly does it do, you might ask. Well, tales of miraculous recoveries abound - from heart attacks to rheumatoid arthritis, yuppie flu to emphysema, hypertension, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, high cholesterol and a long list of other lifestyle-related (auto-immune) diseases. They are called auto-immune diseases because they involve the immune system, the body's first line of defence against disease. Auto-immune diseases develop when the immune system goes awry during an onslaught of free radicals and begins to destroy healthy cells. Obviously this becomes easier when the immune system is weak. One of the reasons for a weakened immune system is age - it simply becomes less effective as we grow older. But it is also affected by genetic make-up, stress, unhealthy lifestyle, antibiotics, unhealthy foods and toxins in the environment.

Although there has been extensive press coverage of the merits of Procydin, many overweight people don't read these reports, because they believe they couldn't possibly be suffering from any of the diseases discussed in the articles. It follows that they don't quite understand how this miracle supplement works. We know that most obese people feel like normal folk (just a little overweight perhaps) who simply want to lead a fit and healthy life (and, please God, shed a few extra kilos!). All they really want is a body that doesn't embarrass or inconvenience them.

Well, bingo! You've hit the jackpot with Procydin! Why? Because we 'ordinary folk' who are 'just a little overweight' are the ones most at risk to develop those dreaded lifestyle diseases, that's why!

The truth is that without realising it, you might already be developing what is called 'Syndrome X': The deadly quartet of lifestyle diseases, These diseases include insulin resistance, hypertension, obesity and dislipidemia, a formal term for abnormal blood-fat values such as having low 'good' cholesterol and high 'bad' cholesterol.

If these facts are not enough to galvanise you into action to start taking Procydin, you should also remember that you are constantly under threat of free radicals from food, water and air, which puts you firmly in the highest possible health risk bracket.

Fat trapping in perspective Part 3

Which to my mind is one of the greatest travesties ever! And I shall use this platform to say my say and hope that some really bright medical aid official reads it and tries to do something about it: you guys pay for the treatment of all diseases which may be caused by obesity, right? That includes the effects of diabetes mellitus II as well as heart bypass surgery, right? Plus all those expensive tablets to help control blood pressure, cholesterol and depression, right? Then why in the world would you not be willing to pay for the prevention (by controlling obesity) of any of these diseases, which would cost you much less than all the long-term medications? And the same goes for birth control pills. You pay for all the expenses related to pregnancy and birth, but you won't pay for a tablet to prevent all these expenses. Add to that the fact that you don't pay for nutritional supplements. But you do pay for the treatment of diseases caused by a lack of these nutrients such as fractures caused by osteoporosis! The treatment of these diseases is far more expensive and longer lasting. But you go on forking out year in and year out, right?

Just thought I'd ask. Use it, don't use it ...

But back to the reason why Xenical achieves such remarkable results. Being on the program also qualifies you to enjoy the support of a dedicated help line, excellent dietary advice in the comprehensive and free reading matter provided, as well as the fact that the manufacturers work closely with physicians to monitor and support their clients.

Don't get your hopes up too high, though! Xenical is not prescribed as a matter of course. Your doctor will have to do an evaluation to see if you fit the criteria for use They are based, inter alia, on your BMI (Body Mass Index) and your cholesterol and glucose levels.

There also happen to be a few possible side effects. They usually only come into play if the product is abused: if you eat too much fat, you will experience excessive flatulence, as well as an urgent (and usually inconvenient) need to go to the toilet and if you don't get there in time, you may well soil your pants! You could also have orange-coloured, oily and runny stools that stain your toilet bowl. As far as I'm concerned, this is excellent, because it will hopefully prevent you from abusing fat in your diet!

What are the other points to watch out for? If you are pregnant or lactating, have nutrient deficiencies, are under 18 years of age or have gallbladder complaints, you are advised against taking the product. You should also inform your medical practitioner if you are allergic to or list at or any other medicines, foods or food additives.

But here is the proviso I mentioned earlier: If you plan to use any product that inhibits your body's uptake of fat, please realise that every single one of these products (as well as other diet products such as metabolic boosters and so on) only help you lose weight provided you fulfill your side of the bargain. Yes, you still have to follow a healthy and balanced eating plan. Above all, you still have to restrict your fat intake to around 33 g per day (in other words, no more than 30% of your dailykilojoule intake should be fat kilojoules).

Then what is the point of taking it, you may ask. The point is that these products, especially Xenical, are serious medications and they or any other supplements should never, ever be abused. If you take them without addressing your lifestylehabits and existing diet, which in itself will mean you are not that serious about your weight and health issues, you will not lose weight or become healthier, for thatmatter. You will merely lose your good money, possibly harm your body and end up giving the product a bad name by saying it doesn't work. Or, if you are the decenttype, you will do the right thing and blame yourself, which will simply make you feel worse about your weight than you already do.

In the end, you have to evaluate your motivation, your intentions and your dieting history in order to establish whether you are a perpetual dieter or a desperate dieter. Radical honesty will help you arrive at the right conclusion. If the answer is yes, you are a perpetual or desperate dieter and you want to stop that syndrome permanently and you are willing to take the responsibility, then and only then should you invest in one of these products. If you are going to do it for the wrong reasons (such as having an unrealistic expectation of the products efficacy or wanting instant gratification), believe me, you will merely perpetuate your past history to your own detriment. Without any of your old habits changing, your weight will most definitely also not change. In fact, wanting these products to help you lose weight without wanting to bring your side, is a guaranteed way of ensuring that you will end up weighing much more in the long run than you weigh today. And emotionally you will feel far, far worse than you ever thought possible. So bad in fact, that you will spend the greater part of your waking moments trying to pretend that you are fat and happy!

Using these products is supposed to enhance your dieting efforts but not constitute them, regardless of what the cute and cleverly worded advertisements and infomercials may claim!

Sooner or later you will have to believe and trust your common sense.

How fibre affects the body

The whole subject of food residue is a complicated one because of the variety of indigestible compounds and the different ways in which they influence the digestive and absorption processes in the body. In the simplest terms, dietary fibre acts in the digestive tract by binding or absorbing water and other substances, thus causing 'bulking' of the contents of the gut. It influences the speed with which food moves through the various parts of the digestive tract. However, the ways in which fibre affects digestion, absorption and the movement of food in the digestive tract are diverse, far-reaching and not always well understood. To illustrate this, fibre in the diet may affect blood sugar levels, the production of bile, the transport of cholesterol in the body and your chances of developing colon cancer. It can even affect the hormonal responses to a meal.

A variety of factors influence the effect of a particular fibre or high- fibre food. The chemical composition of the fibre, its particle size, the age of the plant source and methods used in the processing of the food, all affect the physical properties of the fibre. It is these characteristics which account for the different functions of fibre in addition to its main effect of causing in^creased bulk formation in the digestive tract.

Fibre effects are also influenced by the total composition of the meal and the amount of fibre in it. Short-term effects - for example on the blood sugar level - can be seen immediately after a person has eaten a single high-fibre meal. Long-term effects, such as lowering of blood cholesterol levels, occur only after a regular and prolonged intake of fibre. The effect of fibre in the different parts of the digestive tract (stomach, small and large intestine) also differs and may vary between individuals.

Fibre and the diseases of affluence

As already mentioned, research on dietary fibre was initially stimulated by studies which showed that population groups who follow high-fibre diets suffer far less from the 'diseases of affluence' - the medical term used to describe degenerative diseases and disorders which have been linked to a prosperous Western lifestyle. Among these are colon cancer, appendicitis, gall stones, varicose veins and constipation. Their causes are many; what has been established is that a variety of environmental factors, including dietary habits, can trigger these diseases in people who are genetically 'vulnerable' to them. This explains why they tend to run in families and why some people, even though they follow a Western lifestyle, do not develop a particular disease.

Let's look at those diseases which are known to be associated with the amount of fibre in our daily diets:

Constipation

Constipation is probably one of the most common disorders in the world and is also the cause of other diseases (see diverticular disease and colon cancer below.) It can be defined as the relatively slow movement of unduly firm waste matter through the large bowel, which results in the infrequent passing of small, hard and dry stools - often accompanied by straining.

Including enough fibre in your diet prevents constipation in various ways. Firstly, fibre is not digested in the small intestine. It therefore moves to the large bowel where it has a bulking effect, increasing the volume of the bowel content. Because it binds water, fibre prevents the absorption of water from the large bowel to some extent, ensuring that the contents remain large in volume and soft in consistency. Fibre also stimulates the growth of microbes in the large bowel, which contributes to larger, softer stools. The larger volume in the bowel stimulates peristaltic movements and eases the process of defecation so that straining is not necessary. In addition, during the partial fermentation of fibre in the large bowel by microbial enzymes, substances such as methane and hydrogen gasses, water and the short-chain fatty acids are produced. There is now convincing evidence that these acids play an important role in maintaining a healthy bowel.

Diverticular disease

It is now recognised that constipation - and the resultant increase in pressure in the colon (large bowel) because of strained bowel movements - is the underlying cause of diverticular disease. In this disorder, small, blown-out pouches or sac-like swellings (diverticula) form in the wall of the colon and project into the abdominal cavity. Inflammation of these pouches is known as diverticulitis and may cause abdominal discomfort and pain.

Diverticular disease is very common in affluent societies, especially among elderly people. The treatment of constipation with high-fibre diets will not only help prevent the development of the disease, but will also improve - and may even 'cure' - an existing condition.

Colon cancer

Although the role of diet in the development of this disease is still unclear, some scientists believe that high energy and fat and low fibre intakes are important contributing factors (see Cancer - can Your Diet Make the Difference?, page 181). The way in which fibre may protect against colon cancer is probably very complex. It is thought that the rapid movement of a bigger volume through the large bowel shortens the bowel wall's exposure time to substances which may induce cancer (carcinogens).

Because of its bulking and water-binding effects, fibre dilutes the concentration of carcinogens in the gut. It may even bind these substances and help with their excretion in the faeces. New research has showed that butyric acid, one of the short-chain fatty acids produced from fibre fermentation in the large bowel, also protects the bowel against the development of cancer. In addition, changes in colonic pH as a result of the fermentation process may be of importance.

Indifference - the biggest enemy?

Against the background of all this evidence and the educational efforts of authorities worldwide, what are the chances that in the decades to come, people will change their eating patterns to protect themselves against cancer? Unfortunately, the experts agree that these chances are slim indeed. For one thing, they say, there is no record of any population ever changing from a palatable diet high in fat to a less palatable one which is lower in fat, for health's sake.

To justify this pessimism, it has to be admitted that despite all the evidence and the urging of respected authorities such as those mentioned above, statistics show that people in Western nations are not cutting down on their food and fat intakes. In fact in many countries - such as the US and Australia - obesity is rising. South Africa is no exception in this regard, since several reports havetestified to the high frequency of obesity in our inter-ethnicpopulations, especially among women. Obviously, food consumption in prosperous Western nations - and in 'higher-class' Third World urban populations - is governed mainly by pleasurable taste and hedonisticattraction.

The Cabbage Patch Diet

There has been a lot of discussion in the media about the valuable anti-cancer properties of fruit and particularly of 'cruciferous vegetables'. These are vegetables which have four leaves at the base of the stalk in the shape of a cross - hence the name. Cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower all fall into the group. These vegetables also provide us with a large amount of fibre. Along with many other fibrous foods, cruciferous vegetables are rich in vitamins A, beta-carotene, C and E. It has recently been discovered that these vitamins act as important defence mechanisms against damage to tissues and the impairment of their function due to 'free radicals' - compounds which are produced in the everyday working of our bodies.

The vitamins, which act as 'anti-oxidants' or scavengers, tend to lessen the damaging effects of bacteria and other parasites and also have an inhibiting effect on the development of cancer and other degenerative diseases. While these findings may tempt you to rush out and stock up on multivitamins, all authoritative dietary bodies are emphatic that it is infinitely preferable to increase your vitamin intake by eating more plant foods rather than by popping pills. (This applies particularly to vitamin A, which can be toxic in large doses.)

This is borne out by the well-known experience of some populations during World War II. During that time there was a significant drop in the consumption of fat and sugar - simply because they were not freely available - and a marked increase in the intake of less refined bread and of vegetables and fruit. In the populations most affected, there were varying decreases in dental caries, obesity, diabetes, coronary heart disease, constipation and appendicitis. Admittedly there was no clear-cut evidence of a fall in diet-related cancers, perhaps because the length of time these changes were in operation was too short. But the point of this story is that once wartimerestrictions were removed, dietary patterns reverted and frequencies of all the disorders and diseases mentioned returned to their former levels - and then increased.

A recent survey by the American Cancer Society showed that 'only 15% of those polled (white persons) reported that they had made significant changes in the foods they eat because of theirunderstanding of a possible diet-cancer link'. In the Tecumeseh Diet Study (also in the United States) in which peoples' perceptions of change were assessed after a 15-year interval, there was no fall in the intakes of fats and oils. And a survey in the Netherlands indicated that only 4% of the population were consuming a 'prudent' diet.

With increasing urbanization and prosperity, energy and fat intakes are rising in Third World populations to the levels consumed by their white brothers and sisters. Simultaneously, fibre intakes are falling to levels even below those of white populations. Education among urban Third World populations has certainly created an understanding that nutritional deficiency diseases, mainly in children, such as proteinenergy-malnutrition (marasmus, kwashiorkor), can be fought by making appropriate changes, and that adult nutrition is very important in the control of tuberculosis. However, to suggest that their increasingly palatable diet, with higher intakes of animal products, should now be modified to lessen their chances of developing 'killer' diseases in later life seems like a contradiction, and is largely ignored.

In the American Cancer Society study referred to, it came to light that blacks and Hispanics were less inclined than whites to alter their diets so as to reduce their risk of getting cancer - even though these minority groups appeared to be just as aware of the link between nutrition and the reduction of cancer risk. One reason stated was that blacks and Hispanics are more likely than whites to feel that they cannot afford the required nutritious diet. (In America, brown bread costs more than white bread and breakfast cereals, vegetables and fruit are comparatively expensive.)

What are the choices?

First let's look at the choices open to you, which also happen to reflect three different 'schools of thought' on the subject of diet and cancer:

The first choice is to carry on as before, on the grounds that there is still controversy over the extent to which diet is involved in cancer development, that the changes you would have to make are huge and unacceptable, that success is not guaranteed and that in any case there is a large element of individual susceptibility.

Next, there is the stance of the 'activists' who believe that the evidence available is very convincing, that major changes are needed and that they can be put into practice. If you take this approach, you will find a good deal of support in the marketplace, since food products with a low energy or fat content and/or which are high in fibre are becoming more readily available.

Many in this activist group take the holistic approach to avoiding disease, in other words, they believe that we should improve our diets so as to protect ourselves against all diet-related 'killers', not only cancer. Sir Richard Doll, a well-known British medical statistician, expressed this attitude in his 1982 Harveian Oration in London on 'Prospects for Prevention', when he urged:

'...whether the object is to avoid cancer, coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, diverticulitis, duodenal ulcer or constipation ... the type of diet least likely to cause disease is one that provides a high proportion of calories in whole grain cereals, vegetables and fruit; provides most of its animal protein in fish and poultry; limits the intake of fats and if oils are to be used, gives preference to liquid vegetable oils; includes very little dairy produce, eggs and refined sugar; and is sufficiently restricted in amounts not to cause obesity'.

The third group recognizes the truth of the evidence put forward and accepts that dietary changes are required. But their view is that what is needed is simply to eat less and to practice moderation, even to the extent of cutting out alcohol and rich foods. This was the attitude taken by Hippocrates, Galen, Moses Maimonides and numerous other great physician-philosophers of the past.

The bottom line

Firstly, in spite of what might be regarded as a pessimistic tone to this chapter, it must be emphasised that what has been given here is an overview. The results of research may certainly give the experts good cause to be pessimistic - but remember that they deal in statistics. As in so many areas of life, if you as an individual are motivated enough to make the necessary changes, you can make the difference - to yourself and possibly to your family. In fact, considering the wealth of information now available, the prospect of taking individual avoiding action has never been better!

A diet which supplies 25% of energy from fat, and which contains 30g of fibre on a daily basis can certainly be formulated and could, with determined effort, become your personal norm. To do this you will probably have to eat far more of cereal products (which include whole grain breads, unrefined rice and breakfast cereals) and increase your vegetable and fruit intake considerably. You may also have to combat conservatism, inertia and lack of conviction and get used to a 'less palatable' diet - at least until you begin to enjoy foods that are closer to the way nature intended them to be!

It is important to realise that our eating habits are just that - habits - which we have learned and are capable of 'unlearning' if necessary. We don't come into the world craving over-refined breads, fried foods or creamy desserts; our tastes are developed from an early age in our own homes (which is why parents have a particularly important responsibility to guide the development of those tastes). A child who is regularly given white bread sandwiches and sweets for school lunches will probably always regard wholewheat bread and fresh fruit as hard work - yet getting into the habit of eating these and other unrefined foods will undoubtedly put him or her on a healthier nutritional path for life.

In conclusion, the take-home anti-cancer message could be reduced to simply this:

'Stop smoking; eat moderately; eat plenty of plant foods; and seek medical help early'.

Points to ponder

• Recently, there have been major reductions in the occurrence of a number of common diseases, including strokes and coronary heart disease. The full reasons are not known. Hence, it is conceivable that decreases could occur in some cancers, again for reasons not altogether understood. For example, there has already been a major fall in stomach cancer and in some childhood cancers.
• Individuals differ tremendously in their susceptibility to diseases. Obviously, if a parent had colon cancer, or a mother or sister had breast cancer, then the chances of getting such cancers are increased. However, because of differences in the ways people respond to cancer-producing substances, protection against the disease may not require too much avoiding action by a section of the community. This means that even partial reduction in the risk factors mentioned could put some people in a less vulnerable position.
• The dietary and non-dietary measures for the avoidance of cancer are exactly the same as those urged for the avoidance of coronary heart disease and other important diseases. So by following a low fat, high fibre diet you will in any case be protecting yourself against other 'killer' diseases.
• The field of alternative medicine may well produce some useful guidelines for fighting cancer in the future. Already the question is being asked: Are there 'non-orthodox' methods to prevent cancer, or to treat it, or even to cure it? Some interesting recommendations have been made, for example in the diets put forward by Kelley, by Gerson and by Forbes. These diets are largely or wholly vegetarian, with much of the plant food being eaten raw. There are encouraging case- histories which record the arrest and even regression of tumours, but none of the programmes described have been subjected to any form of controlled trial. At present enormous amounts of money are spent on trials in the treatment of various diseases, especially coronary heart disease. Perhaps some money should be devoted to investigating cases of possible 'alternative' cures for cancer. Even the validation of a small number of individual cases would be of great value, bearing in mind the formidable nature of the disease.