Virtuous Vices, Ridiculed Remedies
Posted by Rebekah Lowe / Monday, December 26th, 2011
Recent research suggests women who pop vitamins die sooner than those who don’t; more chocolate means less cardiovascular disease (milk and dark varieties); cheese and diet soda are not so bad after all; those who fear dementia have a friend in java; and alcohol each day keeps the doc away. Board-certified internist Dr. Grace Keenan, medical director and CEO of Ashburn-based Nova Medical Group, says not so fast.—Natalie Kaar
| Vitamins | Chocolate | Diet Soda, Cheese | Coffee | Alcohol | |
| Recent Finding |
Female vitamin takers die sooner than those who don’t take vitamins. | Chocolate can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease (milk and dark). | Both cheese and diet soda are not so bad after all in terms of weight gain. | Java can aid in avoiding dementia. | Daily alcohol intake improves overall heath. |
| The Break- down |
“The supplements used in the study [see SOURCES below] are synthetically made—especially vitamin E and Folic acid. Synthetic vitamins are not the same as natural forms of vitamin E. Unfortunately, supplements are made differently from one company to the next; therefore, naturally made products should be used in the study. … I still recommend my patients to use multivitamins (but in natural forms only).” | “I still firmly believe that dark chocolate is fine in moderation. Milk chocolate is often high in sugar and fat content that I believe, if eaten regularly and [in] high amount, would lead to obesity, diabetes and eventually heart disease. Again, moderation is the key here!” | “Artificial sweetener in diet soda has been shown to increase the risk of weight gain and diabetes. I, personally, do not recommend my patients to consume any artificial sweeteners.” Nova Medical Group’s Dr. Teerawong Kasiolarn adds about cheese, “As far as weight gain, I believe that cheese can indirectly lead to weight gain … Eating too much saturated fat can lead to insulin resistance (as in type II diabetes) … and increase weight gain when your body cannot use insulin efficiently.” | “Coffee in moderation (one cup/day) would be fine. People should not rely on coffee to improve memory because eating a healthy whole food diet and regular exercise can do a better job. Preventing diabetes is also important since there is a link of diabetes, dementia and Alzheimer’s. Excessive caffeine causes stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, increased heart rate, palpitations, anxiety, acid reflux and insomnia to name a few.” | “I have not been convinced that in any segment of the female population that alcohol is healthy. Perhaps in a very unhealthy segment of the male population, there is a light advantage garnered to men after drinking one glass of red wine daily.” |
| Dr. Keenan Recom- mends |
Aim for natural forms of multivitamins. | OK in moderation. Dark chocolate still best. | Try to avoid any artificial sweeteners. Don’t overdo cheese. | Coffee is OK in moderation. | Light drinking may be beneficial for some men. |
Bottom Line: Moderation and sensible living pays off! Avoid chemicals and synthetic foods.
SOURCES: www.abcnews.go.com/Health/diet-supplements-harm-older-women-study/story?id=14706684; www.nytimes.com/2011/08/30/health/30prevention.html; www.news.consumerreports.org/health/2011/06/say-no-to-fries-and-chips-cheese-and-diet-soda-are-ok.html; www.news.discovery.com/human/coffee-may-ward-off-alzheimers.html; www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/wine-how-much-is-good-for-you?page=1
(December 2011)
Tags: chocolate, December, Gut Check, Natalie Kaar, Northern Virginia, Northern Virginia Magazine, NoVA, vitamins