Dr. Lam Author of
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Economy Class Syndrome
Michael Lam, MD, MPH
www.DrLam.com
Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where blood clots in the legs. It
is usually caused by a lack of leg movement, that leads to stagnation of blood
in the veins. This condition is frequently found in long staying hospitalized
patients and to an increasing degree in the long  distance
air passengers; particularly those crammed into the economy class with limited
space. It is therefore called "economy class syndrome".
DVT is a major cause of another more serious condition called Pulmonary embolism.
In such a case, the blood clot in the leg has spread and lodge itself in the
pulmonary artery. Pulmonary embolism is one fatal disease that claims the
lives of about 200,000 Americans every year.
The onset can be quite sudden, with shortness of breadth being the most common
presenting symptom.
Many research have shown that DVT is related
to a high blood level of homocysteine, an amino acid that contains
sulfur. The latter is also related to the development of atherosclerosis. A
high homocysteine level is an independent and major risk factor of cardiovascular
disease from many studies. ( If you have high homocysteine level, it can be
bought back down to normal by vitamin B6, B12, folic acid, and L-carnitine)
How well can vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) relieve DVT? At the University of Milano,
a study was where 397 patients with DVT were compared to a healthy control group
of 585. Comparison was done based on the following: -
1. Blood levels of homocysteine
2. Folic acid
3. Vitamin B6
4. Vitamin B12
After adjustments were made for the confounding variables, the following conclusions
were drawn: -
1. The probability of having DVT
was two times as high among the participants with high homocysteine level
as compared with those with lower levels.
2. No association was made between DVT incidence and blood levels of folic acid
and vitamin B12.
3. The association between low levels of vitamin B6 and an increased risk of
DVT was high. The participants with low
vitamin B6 levels (less than 33.2 nanomol/L
of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate [PLP]) had double
the risk of developing DVT than did people with PLP levels above 46.5 nanomol/L.
 Vitamin
B6 supplements had been found to inhibit platelet aggregation and prolong bleeding
time. Other natural compounds that have similar effect include vitamin E, gingko,
and fish oil. Aspirin also accomplishes the same blood thinning effect but
is associated with frequent gastric bleeding.
The take home lesson: Take
vitamin B6 as a protective insurance, starting one week before you go on a long
plane trip if you wish to prevent economy class syndrome. Taking vitamin B6
also has the added advantage in that it also protects against heart attack and
atherosclerosis.
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About The Author
Michael Lam, M.D., M.P.H., A.B.A.A.M. is a specialist in Preventive and Anti-Aging Medicine. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University, and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine, California. He also holds a Masters of Public Health degree and is Board Certification in Anti-aging Medicine by the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine. He has authored numerous articles and the following books: The Five Proven Secrets to Longevity, How to Stay Young and Live Longer, Estrogen Dominance - Hormonal Imbalance of the 21st Century, and Beating Cancer with Natural Medicine.
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© 1999-2009 Michael
Lam, M.D. All Rights Reserved.
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