7 deadly diseases that are sending people to an early grave

As a physician who has been in practice nearly a quarter of a century, I can truly relate to the statement by Dr. Myron Wentz that "we are living too short and dying too long." Over the past several years medical science and research have given us amazing breakthroughs into the understanding of these terrifying degenerative diseases.

Health Enemy #1: Heart Disease
You don't feel heart disease until you have a heart attack.... And then it's too late

* FACT: Coronary artery disease is the number one killer in North America today--accounting for over 800,000 deaths a year.

* FACT: In over 30% of patients, the first sign of heart disease is sudden death. There's no second chance, no time to say good-bye to loved ones, and no warning.

Dr. Daniel Steinberg, Professor of Medicine at the University of California at San Diego, reported in a review article in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1989, that it is the oxidation of the LDL cholesterol by excessive unstable molecules that actually starts the hardening of the arteries process. Medical literature is now showing that certain nutrient compounds can protect against unstable molecules.

Health Enemy #2: Cancer
At first, you don't feel cancer. It grows for decades undetected.... And then it explodes

* FACT: One in three people will get cancer, with one million new cases yearly.

In spite of the great advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, the eventual outcome is usually a very difficult and painful death. Medical literature is becoming more supportive of the fact that cancer develops from damage to the DNA of the cells by unstable molecules over 10 to 20 years.

Since physicians are only able to diagnose cancer in its later stages, it makes sense that we should be telling our patients to properly nutrient their bodies now to handle the excessive unstable molecules that are constantly on the attack.

Health Enemy #3: Stroke
This silent killer goes completely unnoticed until you have one.... And then the damage is done

* FACT: Approximately 500,000 people suffer from stroke every year.

Stroke strikes suddenly and usually without warning. Dr. Meir Stampfer reported in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1995 that 20-30% of all strokes in this country could be related to elevated homocysteine in the blood--a by-product of protein metabolism that is elevated in individuals that have low levels of folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12.

There have been over 40 major studies which demonstrate that homocysteine levels return to normal very quickly after folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 are given in supplementation. Needless to say, I haven't missed taking my supplemental minerals and vitamins since reading these studies.

Health Enemy #4: Diabetes
You start to lose feeling in your feet.... Then you risk losing your feet

* FACT: One in 20 people develops diabetes, resulting in 300,000 deaths annually.

Unfortunately, diabetics not only have double the risk of heart attack and stroke, but also account for over 20,000 diabetic-related amputations annually. The medical literature is showing that chromium and vitamin E significantly increase sensitivity to insulin and magnesium greatly decreases the risk of diabetic retinopathy.  Proanthocyanidins have been shown to be one of the most potent protectants of the smallest blood vessels in the body--where diabetes has its most harmful effect.

Health Enemy #5: Osteoporosis
You don't feel osteoporosis ... until your first bone is broken

* FACT: Twenty-five million North Americans suffer from osteoporosis.

Not only does osteoporosis lead to bone fractures, but also to significant pain and suffering when it involves fractures of the spine.

Osteoporosis and bone health are not just dependent on estrogen and calcium, but on a wide range of nutrients, including vitamins B6, C, D, K, folic acid, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and copper. Failure to meet one or more of these nutrient needs could result in accelerated osteoporosis. Maintaining strong and healthy bones should begin early.

Health Enemy #6: Arthritis
You feel arthritis. It creeps into your joints slowly ... until every movement becomes painful

* FACT: Over 30 million people in North America have some form of arthritis.

The countless pain and suffering from arthritis is attributable to the degeneration of our joints. Medical research has shown that fluid taken from an inflamed joint is loaded with unstable molecules. Keeping our cells healthy and protected could be a way of minimizing the painful occurrence of arthritis.

Health Enemy #7: Alzheimer's
You don't feel Alzheimer's. It silently destroys your brain cells and steals your life little by little ... until you may not know your own name

* FACT: Today over 4 million people suffer from Alzheimer's and a projected 14 million will have it by the year 2050.

Nothing gives me more fear than the thought of losing my mental capacity and essentially being trapped in my own body.

Dr. L. Frilich reported in European medical literature that he felt there was growing evidence that oxidative stress may be the main pathway leading to dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Dr. Frilich suggests nutritional supplementation in his report as a possible way to delay or prevent Alzheimer's dementia.

It is simply amazing to me to see the benefit that my patients have received by taking good quality supplements. No diet should be without them.