Does Red Wine Protect the Cardiovascular System?

The 'French paradox' rears its ugly head again. The reasoning goes something like this: French people eat more saturated animal fat than any other affluent nation, and have the second-lowest rate of coronary heart disease (only after Japan, which has a much higher stroke rate than France). French people drink red wine. Therefore, red wine must be protecting them against the artery-clogging yogurt, beef and butter.

The latest study to fall into this myth was published in the AJCN recently (1). Investigators showed that 1/3 bottle of red wine per day for 21 days increased blood flow in forearm vessels of healthy volunteers, which they interpreted as "enhanced vascular endothelial function"*. The novel finding in this paper is that red wine consumption increases the migration of certain cells into blood vessels that are thought to maintain and repair the vessels. There were no control groups for comparison, neither abstainers nor a group drinking a different type of alcohol.

The investigators then went on to speculate that the various antioxidant polyphenols in red wine, such as the trendy molecule resveratrol, could be involved. Even though you have to give animals 500 bottles' worth of resveratrol per day to see any effect. But there's another little problem with this hypothesis...

Ethanol-- plain old alcohol. You could drink a 40 oz bottle of malt liquor every night and it would probably do the exact same thing.

No matter what the source, alcohol consumption is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease out to about 3-4 drinks per day, after which the risk goes back up (2, 3)**. The association is not trivial-- up to a 62% lower risk associated with alcohol use. Controlled trials have shown that alcohol, regardless of the source, increases HDL cholesterol and reduces the tendency to clot (4).

Should we all start downing three drinks a day? Not so fast. Although alcohol does probably decrease heart attack risk, the effect on total mortality is equivocal. That's because it increases the risk of cancers and accidents. Alcohol is a drug, and my opinion is that like all drugs, overall it will not benefit the health of a person with an otherwise good diet and lifestyle. That being said, it's enjoyable, so I have no problem with drinking it in moderation. Just don't think you're doing it for your health.

So does red wine decrease the risk of having a heart attack? Yes, just as effectively as malt liquor. It's not the antioxidants and resveratrol, it's the ethanol. The reason the French avoid heart attacks is not because of some fancy compound in their wine that protects them from a high saturated fat intake. It's because they have preserved their diet traditions to a greater degree than most industrialized nations.

I do think it's interesting to speculate about why alcohol (probably) reduces heart attack risk. As far as I know, the mechanism is unknown. Could it be because it relaxes us? I'm going to ponder that over a glass of whiskey...


* It may well represent an improvement of endothelial function, but that's an assumption on the part of the investigators. It belongs in the discussion section, if anywhere, and not in the results section.

** The first study is really interesting. For once, I see no evidence of "healthy user bias". Rates of healthy behaviors were virtually identical across quintiles of alcohol intake. This gives me a much higher degree of confidence in the results.

The Great Flame

Flame stitch

I had a meeting with a client yesterday and I had to post these pictures of this amazing ottoman in a flame stitch that her grandfather, a renowned designer in his time, covered in a beautiful fabric with colors that are out of sight! . This material is exquisite and she just literally pulled it out of a storage unit the family keeps. It has one small moth hole but other than pure perfection. It makes my heart go pitter patter!

I heart you!

Sweet Potatoes

We can measure the nutrient and toxin content of a food, and debate the health effects of each of its constituents until we're out of breath. But in the end, we still won't have a very accurate prediction of the health effects of that food. The question we need to answer is this one: has this food sustained healthy traditional cultures?

I'm currently reading a great book edited by Drs. Hugh Trowell and Denis Burkitt, titled Western Diseases: Their Emergence and Prevention. It's a compilation of chapters describing the diet and health of traditional populations around the world as they modernize.

The book contains a chapter on Papua New Guinea highlanders. Here's a description of their diet:

A diet survey was undertaken involving 90 subjects, in which all food consumed by each individual was weighed over a period of seven consecutive days. Sweet potato supplied over 90 percent of their total food intake, while non-tuberous vegetables accounted for less than 5 percent of the food consumed and the intake of meat was negligible... Extensive herds of pigs are maintained and, during exchange ceremonies, large amounts of pork are consumed.

They ate no salt. Their calories were almost entirely supplied by sweet potatoes, with occasional feasts on pork.

How was their health? Like many non-industrial societies, they had a high infant/child mortality rate, such that 43 percent of children died before growing old enough to marry. Surprisingly, protein deficiency was rare. No obvious malnutrition was observed in this population, although iodine-deficiency cretinism occurs in some highlands populations:

Young adults were well built and physically fit and had normal levels of haemoglobin and serum albumin. Further, adult females showed no evidence of malnutrition in spite of the demands by repeated cycles of pregnancy and lactation. On the basis of American standards (Society of Actuaries, 1959), both sexes were close to 100 percent standard weight in their twenties.

The Harvard Pack Test carried out on 152 consecutive subjects demonstrated a high level of physical fitness which was maintained well into middle-age. Use of a bicycle ergometer gave an estimated maximum oxygen uptake of 45.2 ml per kilogram per minute and thus confirmed the high level of cardiopulmonary fitness in this group.

Body weight decreased with age, which is typical of many non-industrial cultures and reflects declining muscle mass but continued leanness.

There was no evidence of coronary heart disease or diabetes. Average blood pressure was on the high side, but did not increase with age. Investigators administered 100 gram glucose tolerance tests and only 3.8 percent of the population had glucose readings above 160 mg/dL, compared to 21 percent of Americans. A study of 7,512 Papuans from several regions with minimal European contact indicated a diabetes prevalence of 0.1 percent, a strikingly low rate. For comparison, in 2007, 10.7 percent of American adults had diabetes (1).

I'm not claiming it's optimal to eat nothing but sweet potatoes. But this is the strongest evidence we're going to come by that sweet potatoes can be eaten in quantity as part of a healthy diet. However, I wish I knew more about the varieties this group ate. Sweet potatoes aren't necessarily sweet. Caribbean 'boniato' sweet potatoes are dry, starchy and off-white. In the US, I prefer the yellow sweet potatoes to the orange variety of sweet potato labeled 'yams', because the former are starchier and less sweet. If I could get my hands on locally grown boniatos here, I'd eat those, but boniatos are decidedly tropical.

Instead, I eat potatoes, but I'm reluctant to recommend them whole-heartedly because I don't know enough about the traditional cultures that consumed them. I believe there are some low-CHD, low-obesity African populations that eat potatoes as part of a starch-based diet, but I haven't looked into it closely enough to make any broad statements. Potatoes have some nutritional advantages over sweet potatoes (higher protein content, better amino acid profile), but also some disadvantages (lower fiber, lower in most micronutrients, toxic glycoalkaloids).

Art is Beauty

The Winner is....

 

Thank you for all your comments on the "Put a cork in it" posting. I know the ladies at Wine and Design are excited about your enthusiasm! The winner for the free session is Rachel Palmieri. Don't forget to take your bottle of wine, hopefully it will help you with your inner Picasso....Enjoy!

NC Museum of Art

I was fortunate enough to have some alone "mommy time" at the NC Museum of Art in Raleigh, NC over the weekend and I have to say it was more than I expected. I took several pictures but not many notes because I was in my place of zen. The Rodin outdoor exhibit was breathtaking! The sculptures were massive, strong and powerful. Having a minor in Art History and attending college here in Raleigh, I have spent many hours in this museum looking at paintings old and new, thinking of what to write and now all I can think is I wish I could go back to Art History class again and pay more attention.

There are still some of the same pieces of Art but they have a different light being on white walls with amazing lighting. I am so happy to live here and be able to take my children to this wonderful place.

Juame Plensa's translucent polyester sculpture, one of a series

Swanky new cafe

Chic new white leather chairs with Eero Saarinen tables

Inspiring Interior, reminds me of the illustrations done by Jeremiah Goodmon

On all my trips to the museum this piece an oil on linen by NC artist John Beerman, titled "Three Tree Two Clouds" always captures me. Obviously the picture does not do it justice but the colors are amazing.

Rodin

The great French sculptor Auguste Rodin is the highlight of the museum's opening and it is unbelievable!

Get Ready For the Summer

Vermillion

"Get Ready For The Summer"

Tunic Love

This image me think of Summer of Love

So I was in Vermillion at North Hills in Raleigh, NC doing a little tweaking and styling on the interiors front) because the ladies there definitely do not need my help on the fashion end) getting ready for their upcoming "Get Ready for Summer" trunk show starting tomorrow Wednesday May 25 continuing through Thursday May 26, 10-6. This trunk show is just in time for Memorial Day weekend, because it us upon us and do you know what you are wearing or packing? If not you might want to stop by Vermillion!

The featured items are vintage jewels from Carole Tanenbaum, tunics from Tunic Love and "watersnake" bags from Beirn bags. On top of all these fabulous well priced I might add find there will be tunics from Tory Burch and Anya Hindmarch with 15% off tomorrow.

Tunic Love

Tunic Love has affordable tunics ready for Memorial Day weekend wherever your destination may be. Chic over a swimsuit or skinny white pants you really cannot go wrong. The best part about Tunic Love is their mission statement.

1) To deliver quality and happiness (yippee if I a can buy one, is happiness to me) by using the finest quality of materials and fabrics.

2) Supporting the community and local artisans. Tunic Love's mission statement says that when "when you decide to wear Tunic Love your contribution goes directly towards supporting local communities, weavers and seamstresses who devote their entire lives to their craft."

3) Support children in need. By buying 1 tunic your purchase is matched by a gift of a basic set of clothing from Tunic Love to a child in need in the developing world.

Ladies support the cause and your closet!

Supporters of Lead Uganda came together to enjoy a fashion show and silent auction. Here is a beautiful model sporting a tunic by Tunic Love.

www.tuniclove.com

Images courtesy of Tunic Love and Vermillion

Beirn Bags

"The Watersnake Bag"

Seriously...I am getting ready to do a post on turquoise and how it is the "color" of the summer. This bag is out of sight, unfortunately I think it is sold...I will find you, ha! Not to worry there are many more in beautiful colors as seen below.

The Watersnake Jenna Hobo Bags

The story of Beirn is a mother Rita Overzat and her two daughters Ali Trier and Jenna Overzat. After a whirlwind of travels to many countries they decided to design a bag, the Watersnake as a memory to their trip to Indonesia just for themselves. After receiving positive feedback from friends and retailers in 2007 Beirn officially launched their signature "Jenna" hobo. Beirn has since evolved into a company with colorful belts, ballet flats, sandals and as well as many GORGEOUS handbags that are sold worldwide and here at our very own Vermillion.

Intervention Please!!!

 Ballet Flats

 

More Ballet Flats and Thong Sandals

Carole Tanebaum

"Vintage Collection"

Carole Tanenbaum Vintage Collection is the premiere collection of costume jewelry in North America. Carole has been collecting for over 25 years and now has a collection of 15,000 pieces dating back to the Victorian era through the 80's.. The collection available at Vermillion right now is "Poolside with Slim Aaron's" meets Palm Beach Chic. There are many whites and turquoises pieces to accent your beautiful bronzed skin for the summer and there are also pieces including earrings, brooches, necklaces and bracelets that are special occasions...glamorous!

Available at Amazon

For more information about Carole go to www.caroletanenbaum.com and you can purchase the book "Fabulous Fakes" A Passion for Vintage Costume Jewelry by Carole Tanenbaum 

Lots of beautiful baubles! It just so happens the lady of the week Sarah Jessica Parker Loves Carole Tanenbaum as does Jessica Seinfeld and some other stylish fashionistas.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Michelle Obama

Beauties Jessica Seinfeld and Sarah Jessica Parker

Photos courtesy of Carole Tanenbaum

My favorite beautiful vintage piece with matching earrings is this sweet butterfly brooch...love it!

So many options, in my hair, on a pretty jacket, you really cannot go wrong.

Stop by tomorrow and Wednesday to see some beauties, the store has never looked better and Ashley is coming off of the high of her Vermillion 5 year party...have I recovered yet?

See you there!

Anya Hindmarch tunic

An Apple A Day: And we're back

Anna Applegate Interiors

Thank you Anna for your lovely mention of Life of Style on your blog An Apple a Day.

http://www.aainteriors.blogspot.com/

Anna is a designer, based in Winston Salem, NC, with a space at Hunt & Gather here in Raleigh selling a little bit of furniture but mostly home accessories. I always love to check out what new things she has found for her booth and you should too!

Thank you again Anna!

                                 An Apple A Day: And we're back

Pastured Dairy may Prevent Heart Attacks

Not all dairy is created equal. Dairy from grain-fed and pasture-fed cows differs in a number of ways. Pastured dairy contains more fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamin K2, vitamin A, vitamin E, carotenes and omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains more conjugated linoleic acid, a fat-soluble molecule that has been under intense study due to its ability to inhibit obesity and cancer in animals. The findings in human supplementation trials have been mixed, some confirming the animal studies and others not. In feeding experiments in cows, Dr. T. R. Dhiman and colleagues found the following (1):

Cows grazing pasture and receiving no supplemental feed had 500% more conjugated linoleic acid in milk fat than cows fed typical dairy diets.

Fat from ruminants such as cows, sheep and goats is the main source of CLA in the human diet. CLA is fat-soluble. Therefore, skim milk doesn't contain any. It's also present in human body fat in proportion to dietary intake. This can come from dairy or flesh.

In a recent article from the AJCN, Dr. Liesbeth Smit and colleagues examined the level of CLA in the body fat of Costa Rican adults who had suffered a heart attack, and compared it to another group who had not (a case-control study, for the aficionados). People with the highest level of CLA in their body fat were 49% less likely to have had a heart attack, compared to those with the lowest level (2).

Since dairy was the main source of CLA in this population, the association between CLA and heart attack risk is inextricable from the other components in pastured dairy fat. In other words, CLA is simply a marker of pastured dairy fat intake in this population, and the (possible) benefit could just as easily have come from vitamin K2 or something else in the fat.

This study isn't the first one to suggest that pastured dairy fat may be uniquely protective. The Rotterdam and EPIC studies found that a higher vitamin K2 intake is associated with a lower risk of heart attack, cancer and overall mortality (3, 4, 5). In the 1940s, Dr. Weston Price estimated that pastured dairy contains up to 50 times more vitamin K2 than grain-fed dairy. He summarized his findings in the classic book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration. This finding has not been repeated in recent times, but I have a little hunch that may change soon...

Vitamin K2
Cardiovascular Disease and Vitamin K2
Can Vitamin K2 Reverse Arterial Calcification?

Breakfast in Bed

Unknown image but so true

As I find myself waking up on a Saturday morning with 3 little munchkins, 2 jumping on my head barking orders, 1 crying from the crib and daddy gone for the first morning of the next 5 this is my thought for the day... ha, how true! I couldn't say it better and if I could find the darn website where I found it I would buy it, frame it and display proudly.

I have a short posting this morning because we have places to go, people to see but stay tuned because I have some great things to post and upcoming events going on this week.

Don't forget to comment on the Wine & Design posting, there are only 3 and a couple live out of town. Also if you are having a hard time becoming a follower let me know, some have told me this is the case and I need to check to the what the problem may be.

Palmer Weiss

 

I had my first look at Palmer Weiss in maybe Domino but she is a San Francisco, CA based interior designer with southern roots, raised in Charleston SC. Her designs are amazing, eclectic and out of sight and if I could choose a kitchen to sleep in here are few images of some she has in her portfolio that I would in a skinny minute! I will be featuring other works from the talented Mrs. Weiss in the future. I love her use of bold colors and her refined style.

Enjoy!

All images courtesy of www.palmerweiss.com

Malocclusion Posts Translated into German

It's nice to see on my website statistics program that Whole Health Source has a solid international following. As commonly as English is spoken throughout the world however, there are many people who do not have access to this blog due to a language barrier.

A gentleman by the name of Bertram has translated/summarized my series on the causes and prevention of malocclusion (misaligned teeth) into German. His site is OriginalHealth.net, and you can find the first post here, with links to the subsequent 8. It looks like an interesting site-- I wish I could read German. Thanks Bertram!

Put a cork in it

Bond Street Imports

As I mentioned in my last post I have two exciting new businesses that I would like to sing their praises... bravo!

Last week I had the opportunity to attend a friend/client's wine tasting event for his company Bond Street Imports at Nana's in Durham, NC.  Bond Street Imports www.bondstreetimports.com  is a company that was launched in 2005 by Eric Bowers in Charlotte, NC. Bond Street does not"view wine as juice in a bottle but rather as a work of tradition that brings people together for special occasions and provides everyday enjoyment at all levels of sophistication." Bond Street offers access to small and limited production wineries from all over the world and they are considered a boutique. Some offering less 500 cases a year.  Bond Street Imports will do private parties for your business and friends, if you are interested and in the area contact jvoltz@bondstreetimports.com. James is one of my clients, based in Raleigh, NC and knows wine almost as well as I know how to drink it so give him a call and he will set you up!  

Eric Bowers founder of Bond Street Imports

The guest speaker of the evening was Alex Gambal a UNC alum whose passion for Burgundy took him from a world of real estate to the French life of producing over 60,000 bottles of exquisite wine that can be found on tables in more than 20 countries. What a dream to follow your passion, move to France and produce some of the finest wines. I must say they were all very savory and each with a unique taste. Visit www.alexgambal.com for more information about Alex and his operation.

Alex Gambal

photos courtesy of Bond Street Imports

Elizabeth, Alex Gambal and the birthday girl Ashley Harris

with a very nice signed special bottle of Burgundy from Alex.

Wine and Design

"Uncorking your Creativity"

213 Bickett Boulevard

Raleigh, NC 27608

Emmy Preiss and Hariett Edwards Mills

These two gorgeous ladies are the talent and vision behind the newest art venture in Raleigh, NC, Wine and Design. I was able to go there for the first time for a birthday party on Sunday and fell in love! I mean really, take your own bottle of wine, pay $35 and they supply your apron, canvas, paint, brushes and anything else you may need. It is the best and you go home with your piece of art!

Our birthday girl chose brown cow because we had a private party and you can choose your own for larger groups.

My brown cow which is perfect in my son's room!

The artist's brown cow...not so bad if I do say so myself!

They have 4 artists to help and guide you through the process, because really it is meant to be fun and relaxing. "We want people to come in relax, leave all their worries at the door, and at the end of the night, be proud of something they did!" Emmy and Harriett

Check out their website for their schedule of paintings and sign-up online www.wineanddesignnc.com. They also have information about private parties, children's parties, fundraisers ad more.  

As a special gift to my followers, all comments will be raffled and a drawing will be a $35 certificate to Wine and Design. The winner will be announced on Monday the 24th!

Here are some more pics from our party, everyone did such a great job! 

The finished product...look at the herd!