Nedley Health Report

“What is the best diet for adult-onset diabetes?” This question has long been the subject of lively debate. While multiple studies have suggested a low-fat vegan diet as optimal for Type 2 diabetics, many have argued that a totally plant-based, no-sugar and low-fat diet would be difficult, if not impractical, for the average person to understand and adopt.  In a search for answers, Dr. Neal Barnard (of Washington D.C.) and colleagues studied a group of more than 100 adult-onset diabetics. The majority of study participants were on multiple medications who did not have their blood sugar under control. Dr. Barnard randomly divided the diabetics into two groups.

The first group ate the diet prescribed by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) during the study, while the second group stuck to a low-fat, vegan diet. Dieticians who fully believed in each approach explained the assigned diet to each patient to ensure that they fully understood.  The ADA diet, which allows consumption of pretty much any food in small amounts, was thought to be much easier to maintain.

The higher compliance rate for the low-fat vegan diet in Dr. Barnard’s study showed this assumption to be false. The continuous need to count grams of carbohydrates, milligrams of cholesterol, and calories discouraged many of the patients on the ADA diet, who eventually gave up and ate whatever they wanted. In contrast, the low-fat vegan diet, with its lack of carbohydrate restrictions, was actually easier to understand and comply with than the ADA diet.

Health professionals who believe in the benefits of a vegan diet and can teach adult-onset diabetics how to incorporate it may reap the following results benefit from increased blood sugar control, substantial reduction in risk of complications, a greater probability of compliance with the prescribed diet, and even long-term better weight control.  Although Dr. Barnard’s research involved a one-year study, he has now released data showing that patients can maintain the diet for a longer term (greater than 18 months) with a high degree of satisfaction. Dr. Neal Barnard's Program for Reversing Diabetes also provides some excellent advice on dealing with this deadly disease.

Bottom line: In addition to being the most effective diet for adult-onset diabetes, the low-fat vegan diet is the one patients find easiest to comply with, long-term, as well.

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Have you ever wanted to run a very successful depression recovery program in your community? The Nedley Depression Recovery Seminar is a well-researched, scientifically-based program designed to meet the needs of depressed individuals in our world today. Now the tools and knowledge you need to help others who are suffering from depression are available for the first time, through an online class.

If you have wanted to attend a “Training the Trainer” program but could not because of travel constraints, now is your opportunity to attend this 15-session training online and earn your training certificate. Learn how to help individuals in your neighborhood and community. Through this course you will learn how to:

• Identify underlying causes of depression
• Improve brain function
• Minimize depression relapse
• Overcome addictions
• Eat, live and think better
• Visualize hope, and
• Utilize valuable materials for helping your community.

For more information, please visit drnedley.com

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Finnish researchers have reported that a cluster of heart disease and diabetes risk factors known as the metabolic syndrome may be a “predisposing factor” for the development of depression. Non-depressed individuals who were found to have the metabolic syndrome at the start of the Finnish study were twice as likely to have symptoms of depression at a follow-up to the study seven years later. Components of metabolic syndrome include:

• high cholesterol
• high triglycerides
• low levels of “good” HDL cholesterol
• high blood sugar
• high blood pressure, and
• excess belly fat Excess belly fat also increases the risk of memory loss and Alzheimer’s dementia.

In a report in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry (February 2008), the researchers warned the increasing incidences of metabolic syndrome will likely result in an increase in future cases of depression as well. Bottom line: Any of the bullet-point factors of metabolic syndrome listed above increases the risk of depression, and a combination of those factors increases the risk even further.

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Hawthorn extract has a significant benefit for patients with chronic heart failure, according to researchers at the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter, UK. The researchers, who reviewed 14 scientific studies comparing Hawthorne to placebo in heart failure patients, found evidence that Hawthorn extract significantly improved the maximal workload and exercise tolerance of heart failure patients. The herb also reduced shortness of breath and fatigue, compared to placebo. Hawthorn extract extended the lives of patients with congestive heart failure by an average of four months, according to another study presented to the American College of Cardiology in 2007. The 2,681 patients, who were already receiving medical treatment, were suffering from advanced congestive heart failure. Patients who received the extract had a 20% reduction in cardiac-related deaths.

Self-medication of chronic heart failure with hawthorn extract is not a good idea, however, because the herb could interact with other medications a person is taking. As a result, individuals with chronic heart failure should consult their physician before taking it. (Source: The Cochrane Library 2008)

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Breathing air polluted by heavy traffic can actually lower your child's IQ, according to a recent study released by Harvard School of Public Health in Boston. The effect on a child's brain of living in an area of heavy traffic is similar to those seen in children who have been exposed to lead, or whose mothers smoked 10 cigarettes per day while pregnant.

The Harvard study involved 202 Boston-area children, ages 8-11, who were participating in a study of maternal smoking. Researchers compared several measures of cognitive function to each child's estimated exposure to black carbon (a toxin emitted in exhaust fumes, particularly diesel fumes).

After adjusting for the affects of parental educational levels, language factors, birth weight and tobacco smoke, researchers found that heavy exposure to black carbon was linked to a 3.4-point average drop in IQ. Children who were heavily exposed to exhaust fumes also scored lower on tests of vocabulary, memory and learning. Of course, there are other respiratory-related dangers of breathing dirty air as well. Researchers in the Harvard study are questioning whether traffic exposure might cause or accelerate brain degeneration in conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Moving into the country, where the air is clean and fresh, is about the only way to protect your children from the effects of breathing polluted air. If you live in the city and are not able to relocate, try to find a house or apartment as far from the busiest streets as possible. (Source: American Journal of Epidemiology, February 1, 2008)

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Five lifestyle factors can improve the probability that a 70-year-old man will live to be 90 by as more than 12 times, according to a new study by Dr. Laurel B. Yates. The study followed nearly 2400 elderly men who were participating in the Physician's Healthy Study for a period of 25 years.

The 70-somethings who smoked, were obese, had hypertension and diabetes, and led a sedentary lifestyle had just a 4% chance of reaching age 90. In contrast, men who came down on the healthy side of those five lifestyle issues had a 54% chance of living another 20 years. While 41% of the men in the study lived to be age 90 or older, smokers were half as likely as non-smokers to reach their 90^th birthdays. Men who exercised regularly were 28% less likely to die during the study.

The longer-lived men in the study had better physical and mental function as they aged. They also developed heart disease and cancer years later than their shorter-lived peers. This study focused on men, however, it is likely that the same type of results would hold true for women. While lifestyle changes are not always easy to make, this study reinforces that the rewards are well-worth the effort. (Archives of Internal Medicine, February 11, 2008.)

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Dear Friend,

It’s hard to believe that the holidays are over, and the new year is off to a lightning start. For those of you suffering with fatigue, decreased motivation, lack of concentration or any other symptom of depression, what better year than 2008 to turn your life around?

You can get started in a few short weeks, at the next 10-day Nedley Residential Program. This session will be held at the Hampton Inn in Ardmore, Oklahoma, beginning on Friday, April 11 and ending on Monday, April 21.

Dr. Neil Nedley, in conjunction with Dr. David Miller, Don Macintosh R.N., Kelly Dulac, clinical psychologist, myself and others, will be hosting the program.

The first Nedley Residential Program was held in 2004. At that time we had 28 attendees participating in the program, including a man I’ll call Roger. Roger just called me the other day, to say he is doing very well. He also asked if I could send him a few more recipes.

“Paula,” he told me, “I’ve written down exactly how my life has changed for the better since attending the program over three years ago. I’d like to send a copy to you and Dr. Nedley”. You too could have a story to write about!

Since 2004, 97% of attendees at the Residential Program who had major depression had a significant improvement by the end of the session. In 2007 100% of attendees entering with depression in both the spring and autumn programs experienced significant documented improvement. Almost one-half of depressed participants no longer qualified as having any depression at the end of the 10-day program.

Sometimes, life seems to stay the same and time slips by. It’s not always easy to notice the evidence that things are getting worse-until it’s too late. When this happens, many people don’t have the mental or emotional strength to do anything except slide further into hopelessness.

Some try to manage their depression with medication and end up feeling physically and emotionally drained. Losing interest in things they once enjoyed, they find it more difficult to manage their emotions, work, finances and family relationships. At this point, they begin considering thoughts of worthlessness, death or suicide.

Perhaps, as you are reading this letter, you recognize these symptoms in a neighbor, family member, or even yourself. Now is your opportunity to jumpstart Dr. Nedley’s 20-week program by coming to the residential Depression Recovery Program. There is only one Nedley Residential program scheduled in 2008.

Please give me a call toll-free at 1-888-778-4445 and let’s discuss the help that is available by attending a 10-day Nedley Residential Program Others have experienced dramatic improvements in their mental performance, family relationships, and level of personal accomplishment as a result of attending this program. Why not you?

Sincerely,

Paula Reiter
Nedley Depression Recovery Programs Director

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An assessment designed by Dr. Neil Nedley, M.D., to measure level of depression, anxiety, emotional intelligence (EQ) and brain “hits” (factors which may lead to depression or anxiety) has just been made available to be taken online.

“Previously we had to have the tests sent here, grade them, and return the results,” says Dr. Nedley. “This process was quite time-consuming, with the many factors and complicated scoring involved.”

During the past few months, the Nedley Health Solutions team has worked with computer programmers to develop a solution capable of scoring the test.

“With the custom website software we recently developed, people can now take the test anonymously and see the results immediately online,” says Dr. Nedley.

Dr. Nedley, an internal medicine physician, became interested in treating depression when he realized that 25% of patients who came to see him were depressed, and that depression was linked to many of their physical ailments. Combining his medical knowledge with proven natural remedies and a practical approach, Dr. Nedley developed a “20-week turnaround”. He authored the best-selling book, Depression: The Way Out, and lectures extensively on the topic.

Results of this well-rounded program have been extremely promising. Since 2004, 97% of attendees at Dr. Nedley’s 10-day Residential Depression Recovery Program who came with major depression had a significant improvement by the end of the session. Almost one-half of depressed participants no longer qualified as having any depression at the end of the 10-day program. Seminars utilizing Dr. Nedley’s materials have been presented around the world, in addition to a home study DVD course available online.

One of the tools in Dr. Nedley’s depression-fighting arsenal is a 75-question assessment, which, in addition to measuring the level of depression, also identifies brain “hit” areas which are likely contributing to the condition.

“When an individual has four or more of these ten hit areas,” Dr. Nedley explains, “they are likely to be depressed.” Understanding the underlying factors causing depression is the first step towards combating the disease.”

The test also measures anxiety level, which is closely related to depression, and emotional intelligence (EQ). Raising EQ can help prevent or even treat depression.

“Studies have shown that emotional intelligence (EQ) is more important to a person’s success than IQ,” says Dr. Nedley. “The good news is that while IQ doesn’t generally change once a person reaches adulthood, EQ can be raised.”
Resources developed by Dr. Nedley have been helpful to many in improving overall health, overcoming depression and bettering mental performance. Dr. Nedley also authored the book Proof Positive, and a new book is set for release this year, “The Lost Art of Thinking: 30 Strategies to Achieve Peak Mental Performance”.

Dr. Nedley recommends that individuals take the EQ-Depression-Anxiety test, which is available at drnedley.com, as a tool to measure progress in working to raise EQ, reduce anxiety levels or depression.

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"This seminar has been most enlightening, because I have learned to work on several different areas of health and wellness at the same time. From a nutrition standpoint, I now know what foods to eat more of to get the vitamins and minerals that are essential for my mental well being. And, also what foods and beverages to avoid.

Nutritionally, I have so many bad habits, that it is going to take more time to reach all my goals. But I have made major strides, and I feel hopeful that in time, I can achieve all the nutritional goals that I have set for myself.

I am listening to a lot more music these days, I am walking more, getting more sunlight, I am laughing more with friends and family, I am reading nutrition labels more, etc. I plan on keeping my textbook on depression on my nightstand in my bedroom so I can scan through it on a regular basis. I also want to share with others my new found knowledge, in the hopes of helping others. This is also part of my healing.

In closing, I just want to thank each and every one of you (who held the seminar where she attended, and at Nedley Health Solutions). This has been such an enlightening experience! I have learned more in the last two months of seminars than I have in countless professional counseling sessions spread out over many years. I don't think that I need professional counseling anymore!

WM

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"Thanks so much for everything. I am doing so much better and I am enjoying my holidays better than ever. I plan to keep up with the program. Thanks so much."

KE

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