March 2005

Greetings!

Aucklanders are savouring the last glorious hot days as autumn approaches. The incentives to exercise are numerous here in summer - we have harbours and beaches all around and beautiful islands within easy reach so it is a popular outdoor playground. Getting the daily exercise quota is pretty effortless in this sort of climate, but remains essential regardless of season. Study after study continue to show that moderate exercise helps to prevent a host of chronic illnesses, from diabetes to heart disease to osteoporosis. Exercise causes the skeleton to become heavier or sturdier in response to the demands made of it. No other agent, hormonal or mineral, can do this. Bone formation is stimulated by the mechanical forces that exercise generates. The force of muscles pulling against bones promotes bone remodeling and bone formation. This effect has been repeatedly observed in athletes. So keep enjoying exercising - indoors or outdoors!

The campaigns to avoid excessive sun exposure are increasingly effective, but this raises concerns that some of us may not be getting enough vitamin D. Long winters indoors can also mean inadequate intake of the vitamin – even though you may be consuming vitamin D enriched foods. New international research indicates that obtaining the appropriate amount of vitamin D might well be the most cost-effective way to protect your bones. It may also be an immune enhancer and offer protection against cancer and heart disease. In her article Vitamin D: Startling New Research on an Old Bone Builder Dr. Susan Brown, New York nutritionist, and author of Better Bones Better Body summaries new research explaining vitamin D breakthroughs and how and why to have your own vitamin D level tested.

I have been reading a lot about issues to do with infertility lately. There are concerns that many people are rushing into invasive assisted reproduction procedures too soon – exposing themselves and their future babies to risks that are downplayed by an industry that offers so much hope but ultimately helps so few. Most of us know of someone who has had difficulty conceiving. The longer it takes the more stressful it becomes. The decision to go the assisted reproductive technology (ART) route is a big one. Only about 20 percent of women give birth to a live baby at the end of it all. For those who achieve a child this way it brings great joy of course. But for those who fail month after month, the emotional toll can be extreme. Women in particular can experience anxiety, depression, grief, self-blame, anger and loss of self esteem. The process can put enormous strain on relationships.

Meanwhile, the long-term risks for ovarian and breast cancer from IVF drug treatments are still not known. Suzanne Parisian, MD., former Chief Medical Office r of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and author of FDA Inside and Out , sent a memo last month to Californian scientists, physicians, legislators, press, and public health advocates urging that sound ethical practices be adopted regarding the manner in which eggs are extracted from women donors for stem cell research. These women are required to take the same drugs (e.g. Clomid, Pegonal and Lupron etc.) that are used in IVF and ART programmes. “….There is an unfortunate and false assumption of the public, legislators, press and physicians that all current IVF drugs have been recognized as “safe” by the FDA. That simply and sadly is not correct. The risks to …health from the stimulation drugs are not adequately known. Pharmaceutical firms have marketed drugs to physicians for IVF patients without obtaining either short or long term safety and efficacy data about their use for IVF.”

If you haven't done so already, read Barbara Seaman's great articles - one on the risks of IVF drugs and the other an overview of the history of treating infertility.

It seems the risks for babies born following ART may also have been underestimated. Recent studies reveal that babies born through these procedures are at significantly increased risk for low birth weight and major birth defects. The causes remain unknown . Read "Test-Tube-Trauma for IVF-Babies" by German medical journalist Martine Lenzen-Schulte MD

There is also good news in the fertility field. The renowned ‘preconception programme' covers all the fundamentals for a healthy pregnancy and infant. It includes a rigorous investigation of both parents' overall health profile including weight, nutrition, exercise, and then offers appropriate individual programmes including simple lifestyle changes, dietary advice, nutritional supplements, herbal treatments and fertility awareness training. There are endless wonderful success stories – for many the programme is enough for women to go on and conceive naturally.

My filmmaker friend Michelle McGregor is currently involved in the making of a documentary on traditional Maori healers and their successes with infertile couples. She has introduced me to two of New Zealand 's most famous tohunga (healers) Papa Joe and Atarangi - who command near celebrity status in the U.S. and parts of Europe . Although there is no clinical evidence yet for the effectiveness of their treatments, the anecdotal results speak for themselves. Hundreds of women flock to see them when they visit these countries and it is reported that many with unexplained infertility who have failed with conventional assisted reproductive techniques successfully conceive after treatment. Visit the website www.maorihealers.com

By the way, Michelle's most recent film Hone Tuwhare: The Return Home is moving, funny, and fabulous. It is about maori poet Hone Tuwhare - one of New Zealand 's literary greats - and was selected for the 2004 New Zealand international film festival. It is due to be screened in New York in April. See it if you can.

Warmest wishes

Gillian