I read an article in the NY Times a few months ago reporting that nitrates had been found to have a beneficial effect on blood flow, with people eating nitrates having fewer heart attacks, for example. As it turns out, nitrates can enter and be used in the nitric oxide cycle, one of the functions of which is to enlarge blood vessels to allow better blood flow (as an aside, nitroglycerin tablets and viagra-like drugs pour into the same pathway). I usually look into the original research of these kinds of articles, but didn't for this one. But I have never found the NY Times to report lie/science, though it is sometimes lost in translation in their attempt to make sure everyone can understand it.

Any way, I remember thinking that it would be so ironic if the good effects on blood pressure, etc that eating Atkins has is due to the nitrates in food that have gotten such a bad rap. I still avoid nitrates when I can, but in light of the nitric oxide info, I don't feel so bad about eating my brown and serve sausages in the morning.

Well, if nothing else, this way of eating has taught me to keep an open mind about food. How the body interacts with food is not fully understood, contrary to what people lead you to believe.

I took a class back when I was at the university called "The philosophy of science". A very odd class, only taught once every 4 years, and only 9 other students were in it. One of the key things I took away from that course is that many things taken as fact have little or no science behind them, that they are often just things agreed upon by a larger group because it seemed liked common sense at the time.

From what i understand, the good doctor advises against excessive intake of nitrates due to some research that indicated a link between them and cancer. Now I don't know how these were conducted, so I can't speak to their validity, but the big C is something worth paying attention to.

Oh, and your trust in the New York times, weren't they the ones who published the article about Atkins going low fat? Don't trust any one news source completely.

Thanks for the info though!
--nw

I don't know about that specific article, but have read a series of diet articles that are headed along a continuum towards the truth as we low carbers know it. There is a big industry war going on so in that context, the paper is almost revolutionary. There's stuff on the web that makes me go primate.

Compared to the other "newspapers" around here, the Times is by far the best. I do pick up a Wallstreet Journal or Christian Science Monitor sometimes too at a store nearby. And when I'm traveling, the Wahington Post and other locals creep in. Am I revealing myself to be a newspaper junkie? I never get news from TV (though would love to get Al Jazeera). TV news really is almost useless since the FCC changed rules in the 80's, just entertainment. Plus by reading the paper I can skip over the diverting trivia of who got shot or who's getting married, for example, and read what politicos are doing to me and my family, what company is defrauding me, the collapse of the dollar, the trade deficit and which countries own our huge debt (ie. are now able to tell our country where to get off and do whatever they want economically).

With science now it is especially scary since I have *never* seen it so politicized! It is truly mind-boggling what people will say to push some pork their state's way or get re-elected. And it works! I especially like the cattle rancher in Kansas (I believe) who is getting heat for wanting to test all his cattle for mad cow so he can open the Japanese market for himself (Japan tests every cow). Sounds like a good business man to me. But the department of aggie along with every other government dept remotely connected are giving him grief. Yup, they are worried about the meat I'm eating.

Nitrite Improves Blood Flow

http://www.usmedicine.com/dailyNews.cfm?dailyID=183

Scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have determined that nitrite, a common small ion, or salt, in blood, can improve blood flow by opening blood vessels. This increases oxygen in the blood and makes it a potential new treatment for diseases, such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, sickle cell disease, and leg vascular problems.

The study also describes a newly discovered function for the hemoglobin molecule, itself, perhaps the most studied protein in human history. The new study demonstrates that when hemoglobin releases its oxygen in regions of the body with low oxygen, such as organs, or high metabolism, it can then convert nitrite to nitric oxide, which is known to dilate blood vessels.

The results of the study were published in the December 2003 issue of Nature Medicine.

"The importance of this work is that no one considered this molecule to have any significant function, and it is relatively abundant in the bloodstream," said Dr. Mark Gladwin, senior investigator in Critical Care Medicine Department of the NIH Clinical Center and an author of the article.

Nitrite levels have been shown to be low in patients with high blood pressure.

Dr. Gladwin and co-author Dr. Richard Cannon, III, in the Cardiovascular Branch of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), studied 18 healthy volunteers who were enrolled in a physiological study. They were infused with sodium nitrite to determine whether nitrite affects blood flow. They showed that blood flow increased by 175 per cent.

"We saw huge improvement in blood flow," said Dr. Gladwin. "Nitrite helps get more blood to regions of the body with low oxygen, such as kidneys, the heart, the brain and muscles. This has potential as a new therapy that was previously overlooked. It's a powder sitting on the shelf and everyone has it."

Dr. Gladwin warns, however, that at high concentrations it can be toxic and clinical trials, now in progress at NIH, are required to establish its clinical usefulness in various diseases.

Gotbeer,

And are these the same 'nitrites' used in bacon and pepperoni etc.that we are advised to not consume?

Val

Well, you ought to know by now about the medical headlines. One day thay tell you something will kill you, the next day they recommend having some every day. Red Wine, aspirin, nitrite, blah, blah, blah...

It's even possible that pop medical news is good for you, in smallish doses!

I think the easiest way to sort through all these claims is to use this logic : if it's found in nature and was part of our ancestral diet, it's likely good. If it's man-made or if it has been concentrated or refined to unatural levels from something found in nature, then be weary.

In a word, yes.

Well, sort of, but not really. Actually, the additive most authors warn us about is nitrate vs nitrite (NO3 vs NO2). Nitrite (or amyl-nitrite) is known as a recreational drug called a popper. Both nitrite and nitrate are used as heart medications. The food additive is sodium nitrate (and also sodium nitrite is used, I believe). Here are a couple of links to the Medical and food usages.

Nitrates alone have been almost universally replaced by, or supplemented with, nitrites:

Curing & Smoking

Nitrates and Nitrites

http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/cure_s...s_nitrites.html

These curing ingredients are required to achieve the characteristic flavor, color and stability of cured meat. Nitrate and nitrite are converted to nitric oxide by microorganisms and combine with the meat pigment myoglobin to give the cured meat color. However, more importantly, nitrite provides protection against the growth of botulism-producing organisms, acts to retard rancidity and stabilizes the flavor of the cured meat.

Extreme Cautions must be exercised in adding nitrate or nitrite to meat, since too much of either of these ingredients can be toxic to humans. In using these materials never use more than called for in the recipe. A little is enough. Federal regulations permit a maximum addition of 2.75 ounces of sodium or potassium nitrate per 100 pounds of chopped meat, and 0.25 ounce sodium or potassium nitrite per 100 pounds of chopped meat. Potassium nitrate (saltpeter) was the salt historically used for curing. However, sodium nitrite alone, or in combination with nitrate, has largely replaced the straight nitrate cure.

Quote:

'though would love to get Al Jazeera'

I don't think you would. I had it for 8 years - it's all in Arabic.