2008 Featured Archives
2008/2007 Weekly/Monthly Archives:
Featured InfoMedLinks
Monday December 22 - December 28, 2008
The Mediterranean Diet and Incidence of Hypertension: The Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) Study. (Am J Epidemiol. 2008) “These results suggest that adhering to a Mediterranean-type diet could contribute to the prevention of age-related changes in blood pressure.”
[Considerable comorbidity in overweight adults: results from the Utrecht Health Project] (Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2008) “CONCLUSION: Overweight was associated with a broad range of physical and mental health conditions and a reduced health-related quality of life. Routine measurement of BMI upon entering a primary care practice is relatively simple and may contribute to the identification of individuals at high risk of comorbidity.”
Autism And Schizophrenia Share Common Origin, Review Suggests “Ploeger's research reveals that in the period between 20 and 40 days after fertilisation, the embryo is highly susceptible to disruptions. In this period, early organogenesis, there is a lot of interaction between the different parts of the body. If something goes wrong with a given part of the body, it greatly influences the development of other parts of the body. As people with schizophrenia and autism frequently have physical abnormalities to body parts formed during early organogenesis, Ploeger concluded that the foundation for these psychiatric disorders is laid very early during pregnancy. The existence of a relationship between unhealthy behaviour during pregnancy and the subsequent development of schizophrenia and autism in the child was already known. However, Ploeger's hypothesis that the early organogenesis stage is the most critical, is new. Ploeger bases her hypothesis on an extensive study of scientific literature in this area. She often had to make use of related studies; although a lot of research has been done into prenatal influences on the development of schizophrenia and autism, little is known about the influence that the period between 20 to 40 days after fertilisation has. … Ploeger advises women to stop risky behaviour such as smoking, medicine use and stressful activities before they even become pregnant. If you only start to live healthily once you know that you are pregnant, the basis for a disrupted development of your child could already have been laid.”
A Walk In The Park A Day Keeps Mental Fatigue Away “The authors suggest that urban environments provide a relatively complex and often confusing pattern of stimulation, which requires effort to sort out and interpret. Natural environments, by contrast, offer a more coherent (and often more aesthetic) pattern of stimulation that, far from requiring effort, are often experienced as restful. Thus being in the context of nature is effortless, permitting us to replenish our capacity to attend and thus having a restorative effect on our mental abilities.”
New study links diet to heart failure risk “After accounting for factors that impact heart failure risk such as calorie intake, lifestyle, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high blood, the researchers found lower heart failure risk associated with greater intake of whole grains, and higher risk associated with greater amounts of eggs and high fat dairy.”
'Painful legacy' of heart attack “One in five people recovering from a heart attack is still having chest pain a year afterwards, a US study suggests. The journal Archives of Internal Medicine reported some suffered angina every day, despite bypass surgery. ... The questionnaires revealed that those most likely to have chest pain were younger men who had undergone heart bypass operations, or men who smoked or had depressive symptoms.”
First Trimester Smoking Linked To Oral Clefts “Oral clefts are one of the most common birth defects. Closure of the lip occurs about 5 weeks into pregnancy, followed by closure of the palate at week 9. If this does not happen, a cleft lip and/or cleft palate are the result, requiring surgery. The researchers wanted to see if smoking or exposure to passive smoking play a role in these defects and whether genes influence the oral cleft risk through the way toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke are processed.”
Peripheral Artery Disease: Pain When Walking Can Be Reduced With Moderate Exercise, Study Suggests “Approximately 20% of us will suffer from this peripheral artery disease (PAD) once we are 65 or over, and with risk factors including smoking, diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure it is on the rise. Surgical intervention can sometimes help, but the prognosis is not good. … The authors predict that a suitable exercise programme would delay the onset of pain and increase mobility for people suffering with PAD. “Our findings raise the potential that new collateral vessels, that can develop in patients with PAD who are physically active, will function effectively to help minimize the consequences of the original vascular obstruction.” commented Dr Terjung.”
Epilepsy Drugs Get Suicide Risk Warning
Large waist size a good predictor of stroke risk “A large waist circumference, which is known to raise the risk of cardiovascular disease, may also raise the risk of stroke or mini-stroke, researchers from Germany report. A large waistline seems to be a better indicator of a person's risk for suffering a stroke or mini-stroke, also known as "transient ischemic attack" or TIA, than a person's overall body weight, they report. “
Caffeine Has Greater Effect On Men, And Starts Only Ten Minutes After Consumption
High blood pressure in middle age is associated with a future decline in activities of daily living. NIPPON DATA80. (J Hum Hypertens. 2008)
Incident Hypercholesterolemia in Relation to Changes in Vigorous Physical Activity. (Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2008) “Conclusions: The odds for hypercholesterolemia 1) decrease in runners who increase their running mileage and 2) decline in association with the higher dose of vigorous activity even in the absence of any change in exercise. These effects are associated in part to the runners' BMI.”
Colonoscopy Significantly Reduces Death From Left-sided Colon Cancer But Not From Right-sided “The researchers suggest several reasons why colonoscopy may be less effective in preventing death from right-sided colorectal cancer. First, some colonoscopies considered "complete" may not evaluate the entire right colon. Second, bowel preparation may be worse in the right colon. Third, right and left colonic cancers and polyps may differ biologically. Right-sided growths may be less likely to have a fleshy stalk and are occasionally flat, which makes them harder to identify and remove, or they may grow more rapidly.”
Bad parents 'widen ability gap' “Prof Waldfogel said her findings were "very concerning because with children starting out at school so unequal, it's very difficult to imagine they will end school on an equal footing". She said what surprised her the most was the extent to which the way children were parented and how they were influenced by their home learning environment had an impact on their ability to learn once they reached school. The researchers looked at only how parenting affected children's ability levels in the US. Here, between a third and half of the gap between low and middle income groups were to due to factors related to parenting and the home environment, rather than income itself, she said. These included, for example, how sensitive and responsive a parent was to their child's needs, whether they read to the child and whether they took them on outings. “
Sleep gives brain disease warning “Physically "acting out" dreams when asleep could be an early warning sign of dementia or Parkinson's disease. Canadian researchers studied 93 people with "REM sleep behaviour disorder", which can involve punching or kicking out while dreaming. The Neurology study found more than a quarter were diagnosed with a degenerative brain condition over the next five years. … Dr Sorensen said: "People with Lewy body dementia often have vivid nightmares, restless sleep and hallucinations - this study suggests that people with the disease may experience sleep disorders years before their other symptoms develop.“
Even a tiny bit of flab raises heart failure risk “"The lean and active group had the lowest risk and the obese and inactive group had the highest risk," Kenchaiah said in a telephone interview. "As far as vigorous physical activity is concerned, even if somebody said they exercised one to three times per month — which is a very low level of exercise — they had an 18 percent reduction in the risk of heart failure after accounting for all other established risk factors," Kenchaiah added. The benefit of exercise in cutting heart failure risk was seen in lean, overweight and obese men, the researchers found. But regardless of the level of activity, higher body mass index also meant higher heart failure risk. “
Vitamin D Deficit in Pregnancy Tied to Caesarean Risk: Women with deficiency at time of delivery had almost 4 times the odds, study says “He noted that previous research has linked vitamin D deficiency with proximal muscle weakness and suboptimal muscle performance and strength, which may help explain the findings.“
Most Kids With Type 1 Diabetes Lack Vitamin D “Almost 75 percent of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes have insufficient levels of vitamin D, researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston report. A deficit in vitamin D can lead to bone problems later in life, especially among those with type 1 diabetes. While vitamin D is usually gotten from exposure to sunlight or from the diet, researchers suggest that supplements are needed to boost vitamin D levels. … Whether or not supplementing vitamin D would prevent all diabetes-related bone disease in diabetic children, the practice makes sense, particularly in light of a recent American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation doubling the intake of vitamin D for all children, Katz said. "All children should get ample vitamin D, at least 400 IU daily, from some combination of sun exposure, dairy products, and/or supplements," Katz said. "Those at high risk of deficiency, but not all children, should have levels monitored."”
Monday December 15 - December 21, 2008
Cigarette smoking and risk of atrial fibrillation: the Rotterdam Study. (Am Heart J. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: The results of this prospective, population-based study show that current and former smoking of cigarettes are associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation.”
Asthma at 8 years of age in children born by cesarean section. (Thorax. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Children born by cesarean section have a higher risk of asthma than those born by vaginal delivery, particularly children of allergic parents. Cesarean section increases the risk for sensitization to common allergens, in children with non-allergic parents only.”
Smoking Ups Colon Cancer Risk “Smoking increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer by about 18% and the risk of dying from the malignancy by about 25%, according to the study, which was published in the Dec. 17 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. "Smoking is significantly associated with colorectal cancer incidence and mortality," said the study's lead author, Edoardo Botteri, a biostatistician in the division of epidemiology and biostatistics at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, Italy. “
Melamine Triggers Recall of Cocoa from Canada “Yet another company has recalled some food products because of possible melamine contamination. This time it's gourmet cocoa products imported from Canada and distributed nationwide to Big Lots and Shopko stores. On Friday, Dorsey Marketing Inc. (DMI) of Ville St. Laurent, Quebec, Canada, recalled three G&J Gourmet Market cocoa products because they may contain melamine. One of the potentially tainted products was even marketed as a stocking stuffer. … This is the second time this week melamine contamination has triggered a recall. Just a few days ago, Interfood Shareholding Company of Vietnam recalled four varieties of Wonderfarm biscuits because they were tainted with melamine. … That contamination is blamed for the deaths of at least six babies in China and the illnesses of thousands of other infants. Doctors say melamine can cause kidney stones and lead to kidney failure. China's melamine-tainted milk scandal has since spread from infant formula to dozens of other food products sold around the world, including candy, coffee, and pretzels. Melamine is also blamed for the deaths and illnesses of thousands of dogs and cats in the United States in 2007.““
Cancer even deadlier for people with diabetes “People with diabetes who get cancer are about 40 percent more likely to die in the years following the diagnosis than cancer patients who are not diabetics, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. … The findings suggest that for diabetics who are diagnosed with cancer, it may be vitally important to do what is necessary to get their diabetes under control for the sake of improving cancer survival, the researchers said. … Looking at some specific types of cancer, the research showed a 76 percent higher risk of death for women with cancer of the uterus and a 61 percent higher risk of death for breast cancer if they also had diabetes. For colorectal cancer, there was a 32 percent higher risk of death for diabetics. … Diabetes may predispose a person to cancer complications, or patients and doctors may pay less attention to diabetes once cancer is diagnosed, the researchers said. "Maybe the patients are paying a price for ignoring diabetes in the immediate (cancer) treatment stage and at later points," Brancati said. In addition, some cancer therapies -- especially steroid medications used in many cancer treatments -- can cause blood sugar levels to go even higher, Brancati said.”
Caregiving May Lengthen Life “Brown believes that the decreased risk of death comes from physiological benefits from caregiving instead of psychological ones. The authors suggest that stress regulation may play a role in this benefit. Helping others is associated with a release of oxytocin, a hormone that may help buffer the effects of stress, Brown explained. Kennedy said the survival benefit is likely caused by both physiological and psychological factors.“
Elective Early Deliveries Pose Risks for Babies
Childhood Obesity May Cause Thyroid Problems “Studies have found that thyroid disorders can lead to obesity, but a new Italian study suggests that obesity may cause thyroid dysfunction in some cases. "Our study shows that alterations in thyroid function and structure are common in obese children, and we may have uncovered the link," study author Dr. Giorgio Radetti, of the Regional Hospital of Bolzano, said in an Endocrine Society news release. "We found an association between body mass and thyroid hormone levels, which suggests that fat excess may have a role in thyroid tissue modification."“
High Pesticide Levels Found In Fruit-based Drinks In Some Countries Outside United States “In the first worldwide study of pesticides in fruit-based soft drinks, researchers in Spain are reporting relatively high levels of pesticides in drinks in some countries, especially the United Kingdom and Spain. Drinks sampled from the United States, however, had relatively low levels, the researchers note. … Scientists are increasingly concerned about the possible impact of pesticide-containing fruit juices on the health of children, who tend to consume large amounts of such soft drinks, they add.”
Does A Younger Dad Mean A Healthier Child?
Obesity All In Your Head? Brain Genes Associated With Increased Body Mass
Balance exercises reduce seniors' risk of falling “Combined findings from multiple studies indicate that exercise programs, especially those that include balance training, do reduce falls among elderly people. Examples of successful falls prevention programs include "Tai Chi and home-based or group-based exercise prescribed by a health professional," Dr. Catherine Sherrington told Reuters Health. On the other hand, walking programs did not appear to have much effect in preventing falls, Sherrington and her colleagues report in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. … The researchers surmise that walking may expose older people to a greater risk of falling or, in time-limited programs, may take the place of time spent on more effective balance training. Strength training alone may not effectively reduce falls, the investigators note, since "impaired balance is a stronger risk factor for falls than poor muscle strength."”
Clinical characteristics of childhood Lyme neuroborreliosis in an endemic area of northern Europe (Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases 2008) “The most common clinical presentations were symptoms of mild meningitis (75%) and/or facial nerve palsy (69%). Radicular pain was present in only 10 children. In all but 5 children, laboratory signs of meningitis were present. Erythema migrans preceded the neurological symptoms in only 27% of the children. In conclusion, we have found that in an endemic area of northern Europe, meningitis is present in the majority of children with neuroborreliosis, and that symptoms of a mild meningitis or facial nerve palsy are the most common presentations.”
ACL repair often unnecessary: study “Most people who tear the main ligament responsible for stabilizing the knee do not need surgery to rebuild it, according to a study in which researchers compared surgery to physical therapy. "Our research showed that reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which is quite common, is not a prerequisite for restoring muscle function," Dr. Eva Ageberg of Lund University, Sweden, told Reuters Health. She and her colleagues note that about half of Swedish patients who rupture the ligament undergo reconstructive surgery, while 90 percent of US patients do. People who injure the ACL lose stability in the knee, boosting their risk of developing osteoarthritis. But despite widespread use of ACL reconstructive surgery, there is no evidence that patients who have the operations are any less likely to develop osteoarthritis.“
Obesity 'set before age of five' “Compared to children in the 1980s, today's youngsters are fatter and most of their excess weight gain happens before school age, they will say. This suggests initiatives to prevent childhood obesity should be started before school, suggest the authors. “
Onset Of Parkinson's Disease May Be Signalled By A Fading Sense Of Smell “Many individuals with Parkinson's disease are able to recall losing their sense of smell well before the onset of more commonly recognized symptoms such as tremors, impaired dexterity, speech problems, memory loss and decreased cognitive ability.”
Ten Medical Reasons To Exercise: What Does Exercise Really Do For Us?
Scientists find link between inflamed gums and heart disease “The next person who reminds you to floss might be your cardiologist instead of your dentist. Scientists have known for some time that a protein associated with inflammation (called CRP) is elevated in people who are at risk for heart disease. But where's the inflammation coming from? A new research study by Italian and U.K. scientists published online in The FASEB Journal shows that infected gums may be one place. Indeed, proper dental hygiene should reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, stroke and heart disease independently of other measures, such as managing cholesterol. "It has been long suspected that atherosclerosis is an inflammatory process, and that periodontal disease plays a role in atherosclerosis," said Mario Clerici, M.D., a senior researcher on the study. "Our study suggests that this is the case, and indicates that something as simple as taking good care of your teeth and gums can greatly reduce your risk of developing serious diseases." “
Smoking and Colorectal Cancer (JAMA. 2008) “Conclusion Cigarette smoking is significantly associated with colorectal cancer incidence and mortality. “
Arthritis Patients Remain at 50% Higher Risk of CVD Death
This Case Couldn't Wait Six Months “"I'm going to be blunt," he told the Nelsons, according to Jason's recollection. "Your son does not have asthma. He's had a heart attack and is in heart failure, and he's going to have surgery within 24 hours." Matthew had "cardiac asthma," wheezing associated with heart failure. The seizure he'd had during circumcision was actually a heart attack, Nelson said.”
Monday December 8 - December 14, 2008
Melamine Found in Walgreens Chocolate Bars “Melamine has surfaced in samples of chocolate bars that were sold with teddy bears at Walgreens drug stores nationwide. The national pharmacy chain is now recalling 173 of those products — approximately 9-inch high Dressy Teddy Bears that come with 4-oz. chocolate bars--because of the contamination.”
Physical inactivity tied to headache risk “The findings suggest that a lack of exercise may be a risk factor for developing non-migraine headaches -- and that exercise is a challenge for people already suffering from any form of head pain.“
Panic attacks linked to heart disease “Heart disease is more common in patients with panic attacks than in the general population, British investigators have found. The risk is particularly high among patients below the age of 50, who are also more likely to experience a heart attack.”
Arsenic Exposure through Drinking Water and its Effect on Pregnancy Outcome in Bengali Women. (Arh Hig Rada Toksikol. 2008)
One In Three U.K. Adults Will Be Obese By 2012
38 Percent Of Adults And 12 Percent Of Children Use Complementary And Alternative Medicine, Government Survey Shows “The most commonly used CAM therapies among U.S. adults were: 1. Nonvitamin, nonmineral, natural products (17.7 percent) Most common: fish oil/omega 3/DHA, glucosamine, echinacea, flaxseed oil or pills, and ginseng*** 2. Deep breathing exercises (12.7 percent) 3. Meditation (9.4 percent) 4. Chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation (8.6 percent) 5. Massage (8.3 percent) 6. Yoga (6.1 percent). Adults used CAM most often to treat pain including back pain or problems, neck pain or problems, joint pain or stiffness/other joint condition, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Adult use of CAM therapies for head or chest colds showed a marked decrease from 2002 to 2007 (9.5 percent in 2002 to 2.0 percent in 2007).”
Lack Of Vitamin D Causes Weight Gain And Stunts Growth In Girls
Boy-girl Bullying In Middle Grades More Common Than Previously Thought
Exercise Helps Overweight Children Reduce Anger Expression “The finding fits with evidence that exercise reduces depression and anxiety in children and with what's considered common knowledge that exercise helps adults manage anger, she said. It also gives parents and other caregivers another reason to get and keep children moving. "I think it's reasonable to encourage children to exercise for a lot of good reasons," said Dr. Davis whose research on overweight children has shown regular physical activity not only reduces fatness but improves cognition and reduces insulin resistance – which can lead to diabetes. "I think if teachers could see that exercise helps kids control their behavior and get along, they would be the top proponents of physical activity for kids," said Dr. Davis, noting that other studies suggests overweight children are more likely to be bullies and to be bullied. High levels of anger and hostility have been associated with delinquency in children, cardiovascular disease in adults and metabolic syndrome - which can lead to heart attack, stroke and diabetes - in adolescents.“
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation Effects on Weight and Appetite in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease: The Omega-3 Alzheimer's Disease Study. (J Am Geriatr Soc. 2008) “CONCLUSION: A DHA-enriched Omega-3 FA supplement may positively affect weight and appetite in patients with mild to moderate AD. Not carrying the APOEepsilon4 allele and high DHA were independently associated with weight gain.”
FDA Panel Urges Restrictions on 2 Asthma Drugs
"Doctor, will that x-ray harm my unborn child?" (CMAJ. 2008)
Positive association between the course of vitamin D intake and bone mineral density at 36 years in men. (Bone. 2008)
Average Dementia Survival: 4.5 Years “The average survival time for people diagnosed with dementia is about four and a half years, new research shows. Those diagnosed before age 70 typically live for a decade or longer. … Overall, women lived slightly longer than men after a diagnosis of dementia -- around 4.6 years vs. 4.1 years. And frailer patients died sooner than healthier ones. But being married, living at home, and even degree of mental decline were not found to have a big impact on survival. … "Functional ability was a much better marker of how close someone was to death than cognitive decline."
Effect of a Mediterranean Diet Supplemented With Nuts on Metabolic Syndrome Status (Arch Intern Med. 2008) “Conclusion A traditional MedDiet enriched with nuts could be a useful tool in the management of the MetS.”
Radiation dose awareness leads to more pediatric referrals for ultrasound and MRI
Higher levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are associated with a lower incidence of multiple sclerosis only in women (Multiple Sclerosis 2008)
Effect of Physical Activity on Breast Cancer Risk: Findings of the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study (Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 2008) “Conclusions: Our analysis provided evidence that physical activity decreased the risk of breast cancer. Walking for 1 hour per day and undertaking additional weekly exercise both seemed to be protective against breast cancer, regardless of menopausal status or BMI.”
Pesticide/environmental exposures and Parkinson's disease in East Texas. (J Agromedicine. 2008) “In summary, this study demonstrates an increased risk of PD associated with organic pesticides such as rotenone and certain other pesticides and environmental exposures in this population.”
[Cobalamin deficiency: Neurological aspects in 27 cases.] (Rev Neurol (Paris). 2008) “DISCUSSION: The findings in this series highlight the frequency of autonomic dysfunction sometimes revealing cobalamin deficiency with a fast and good response to vitamin replacement and the frequency of neurological disorders following decompensation triggered by general anesthesia using nitrous oxide in patients with latent cobalamin deficiency.”
Too Little Vitamin D Puts Heart at Risk “Getting too little vitamin D may be an underappreciated heart disease risk factor that's actually easy to fix. Researchers say a growing body of evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of heart disease and is linked to other, well-known heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. For example, several large studies have shown that people with low vitamin D levels were twice as likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or other heart-related event during follow-up, compared with those with higher vitamin D levels. “
Exercise Eases Depression and Heart Disease
Older Adults Who Exercise Boost Blood Flow in Brain “Older adults who exercise regularly have increased blood flow and more small blood vessels in the brain, a new study shows.”
Cold sores 'an Alzheimer's risk' “Catching a cold sore puts you at risk of Alzheimer's disease, mounting evidence suggests. The herpes virus behind cold sores is a major cause of the protein plaques that accumulate in the brains of people with Alzheimer's, scientists have shown. “
Monday December 1 - December 7, 2008
Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Incident Atrial Fibrillation in Women (JAMA. 2008) “Among healthy middle-aged women, consumption of up to 2 alcoholic beverages per day was not associated with an increased risk of incident atrial fibrillation. Heavier consumption of 2 or more drinks per day, however, was associated with a small but statistically significant increased risk of atrial fibrillation.”
The Hydration Influence on the Risk of Stroke (THIRST) Study. (Neurocrit Care. 2008) “OBJECTIVE: There is a decreased sensation of thirst and often dehydration among the elderly population. It is unclear whether it represents a contributing factor for cerebral ischemic events. … CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack have high plasma osmolality levels, suggestive of volume depletion. This seems to be an early phenomenon and possibly a contributing factor to cerebral ischemia.”
Position statement on vitamin D “The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that an adequate amount of vitamin D should be obtained from a healthy diet that includes foods naturally rich in vitamin D, foods/beverages fortified with vitamin D, and/or vitamin D supplements; it should not be obtained from unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.”
Aggressive drug marketing may endanger people “Quicker drug approvals and sophisticated marketing campaigns may be putting more patients at risk of dangerous side effects but the same techniques might be put to use to protect them, a researcher argued on Tuesday. New U.S. Food and Drug Administration procedures have clearly sped up some drug approvals, said Dr. David Kao of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. For example, Merck & Co Inc's anti-inflammatory drug Vioxx, or rofecoxib, had been tried by 20 million patients before it was withdrawn in 2004 because of its heart dangers. Writing in the British Medical Journal, Kao said the 1992 Prescription Drug User Fee Act, or PDUFA, which authorizes fees from companies to beef up the FDA and speed drug approvals, cut the time needed to review a new drug from 33.6 months during 1979-86 to 16 months by the 1997-2002 period. … New drugs are usually tested on a few thousand people at most, with rarer side-effects becoming evident only when they are used in the wider population. Watching for these effects is called post-approval surveillance. "We just have very poor post-approval surveillance now," Kao said. "People are going to want new drugs and it is going to be impossible to guarantee their safety before a lot of people get them."”
Apple or pear shape is not main culprit to heart woes -- it's liver fat “For years, pear-shaped people who carry weight in the thighs and backside have been told they are at lower risk for high blood pressure and heart disease than apple-shaped people who carry fat in the abdomen. But new findings from nutrition researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggest body-shape comparisons don't completely explain risk. In two studies, they report excess liver fat appears to be the real key to insulin resistance, cholesterol abnormalities and other problems that contribute to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Having too much fat stored in the liver is known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. "Since obesity is so much more common now, both in adults and in children, we are seeing a corresponding increase in the incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease," says senior investigator Samuel Klein, M.D., the Danforth Professor of Medicine and Nutritional Science. "That can lead to serious liver disorders such as cirrhosis in extreme cases, but more often it tends to have metabolic consequences."“
Gallstones a risk factor for colon tumors “The rate of colorectal adenoma was 29.6 percent in gallstone patients, significantly higher than the 17.7 percent rate in subjects with normal gallbladders. Only 15.9 percent of patients who had their gallbladders removed developed colorectal adenomas, which was not significantly different from patients without gallstones. On final analysis, gallstones increased the risk of colorectal adenomas by 57 percent. “
Antioxidants Are Unlikely To Prevent Aging, Study Suggests “"Superoxide" free radicals – oxygen molecules that have an imbalance of electrons to protons – are generated in the body through natural processes such as metabolism. These free radicals can cause oxidation in the body, analogous to rust when iron is exposed to oxygen. Biological systems, such as the human body, are usually able to restrict or repair this damage. In 1956, Denham Harman proposed the theory that aging is caused by an accumulation of molecular damage caused by "oxidative stress", the action of reactive forms of oxygen, such as superoxide, on cells. This theory has dominated the field of aging research for over fifty years. But now, a study published online today in the journal Genes & Development suggests that this theory is probably incorrect and that superoxide is not a major cause of aging. … "A healthy, balanced diet is very important for reducing the risk of developing many diseases associated with old age, such as cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis," he says. "But there is no clear evidence that dietary antioxidants can slow or prevent aging. There is even less evidence to support the claims of most anti-aging products." “
Mobile Phones Affect Memory In Laboratory Animals, Swedish Study Finds “Henrietta Nittby and her, supervisor Professor Leif Salford, believe that the findings may be related to the team's earlier findings, that is, that microwave radiation from cell phones can affect the so-called blood-brain barrier. This is a barrier that protects the brain by preventing substances circulating in the blood from penetrating into the brain tissue and damaging nerve cells. Leif Salford and his associates have previously found that albumin, a protein that functions as a transport molecule in the blood, leaks into brain tissue when laboratory animals are exposed to mobile phone radiation. The research team also found certain nerve damage in the form of damaged nerve cells in the cerebral cortex and in the hippocampus, the memory center of the brain. Albumin leakage occurs directly after radiation, while the nerve damage occurs only later, after four to eight weeks. Moreover, they have discovered alterations in the activity of a large number of genes, not in individual genes but in groups that are functionally related. "We now see that things happen to the brains of lab animals after cell phone radiation. The next step is to try to understand why this happens," says Henrietta Nittby. She has a cell phone herself, but never holds it to her ear, using hands-free equipment instead.”
Food body says 'avoid Irish pork' “Pork from the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland should not be eaten due to contamination fears, the Food Standards Agency has said. The advice follows the Irish government's recall of pork products made in the Republic since September. Dioxins were found in pigs thought to have eaten contaminated feed on 56 farms - nine in Northern Ireland. “
Mercury Tarnishes Louisiana Fish
Depression in elderly tied to heart disease “Older people who are depressed are much more likely to develop a dangerous type of internal body fat — the kind that can lead to diabetes and heart disease — than people who are not depressed, a disturbing new study found. The connection goes beyond obesity and suggests some biological link between a person's mental state and fat that collects around the internal organs, scientists said. "For the depressed public, it should be another reason to take one's symptoms seriously and look for treatment," said study co-author Stephen Kritchevsky, director of the Sticht Center on Aging at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. People with depression were twice as likely as others to gain visceral fat — the kind that surrounds internal organs and often shows up as belly fat. It raises the risk for heart disease and diabetes. Previous research has linked depression with those same health problems. Some researchers believe depression triggers high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which promotes visceral fat. The cortisol connection may explain the findings, Kritchevsky said.”
Report: Vermont Is Healthiest State “Vermont is the healthiest state and Louisiana the unhealthiest, according to the "America's Health Rankings 2008" list.”
Hypoallergenic Dogs and Dog Allergies: FAQ
New doctors still too tired for safety “Doctors-in-training are still too exhausted, says a new U.S. report that calls on hospitals to let them have a nap. Regulations that capped the working hours of bleary-eyed young doctors came just five years ago, limiting them to about 80 hours a week. … Rebecca Sadun of the American Medical Student Association said the recommendations are "unambiguously a step in the right direction." She said the 2003 limits have proven to be insufficient because the current 30-hour shifts do not enable residents to remain at a high level of functioning throughout. Sadun, a medical student at University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine, added that her association hears many accounts from residents about how the current 80-hour work weeks in reality are 100-hour work weeks, with school administrators insisting that residents fill out time logs dishonestly.”
Group: Soft Plastic Toys Are Health Risk “A consumer watchdog group is urging parents to avoid buying soft plastic toys this holiday season because of a risk that the toys may contain toxic chemicals. Toys containing the chemicals, called phthalates, can no longer be manufactured or imported after February 2009, according to a product safety law that passed Congress over the summer. But the group says the Consumer Product Safety Commission is allowing the toy industry to circumvent the law. The agency wrote a letter last week telling manufacturers they can still sell their existing stocks of phthalate-containing toys even after the ban takes effect in February.“
Dangers in Your Backyard: A New Cause of Diabetes “The study found PCBs may be the newest risk factors for diabetes in adults between the ages of 35 to 54, regardless of their race, obesity, family history or gender. The people who live near the plant had levels four times greater than those who don't live here – and had two to four times greater risk of getting diabetes.”
Feed a cold, feed a fever: Research shows calorie cut makes it harder to fight flu “"If you are exposed to a new strain of influenza, to which your body has not made adequate antibodies to protect you from infection, your body must rely on cells that will kill the virus," Gardner said. "The natural killer cells are important in controlling the early stages of virus infection, because they act quickly once they encounter virus-infected cells. Our studies show that calorically restricted mice have increased susceptibility to influenza, and their bodies are not prepared to produce the amount of natural killer cells needed to combat the stress of fighting an infection." “
Pregnant Indians risk passing diabetes to babies “Up to 15 percent of pregnant women in India are developing diabetes, raising the risk of their children developing the disease, said experts on Sunday, who blamed factors including malnutrition. Experts at a diabetes summit in Chennai in southern India said genetics, a sedentary lifestyle, as well as women simply being undernourished and unable to cope with pregnancy, were the main reasons for the high rate of diabetes in pregnancy. "If a young girl is healthy, she produces eggs that are appropriately nourished," Chittaranjan Yajnik, director of the diabetes unit at King Edward Memorial Hospital in Pune, India, told Reuters in an interview.“
"Striking" Difference in Quality of CABG Across US Hospitals “Culler told heartwire: "Clearly, people have previously shown that some hospitals are better than other hospitals, and this research supports that. What we have found different is that the difference seems to matter by gender." He added: "What's stunning is that 75% of the observed deaths of either male or female Medicare beneficiaries treated in tier 4 hospitals could be avoided if tier 4 hospitals improved their performance to the average performance of top-tier hospitals."”
Eating eggs when pregnant affects breast cancer in offspring “"Our study provides additional support for the notion that choline is an important nutrient that has to be considered when dietary guidelines are developed," said Krzysztof Blusztajn, Ph.D., Professor of Pathology at Boston University and the study's senior researcher. "We hope it will be possible to develop nutritional guidelines for pregnant women that ensure the good health of their offspring well into old age." “
1 in 5 Young Adults Has Personality Disorder “Almost one in five young American adults has a personality disorder that interferes with everyday life, and even more abuse alcohol or drugs, researchers reported Monday in the most extensive study of its kind. The disorders include problems such as obsessive or compulsive tendencies and anti-social behavior that can sometimes lead to violence. “
Young Gymnasts Facing Broad Range of New Injuries “Injuries to gymnasts' bones -- especially the growing portions -- are well known, but previously unseen damage to the wrists and knuckles, including necrosis -- or "early death" -- of the bones of the knuckles has been found, according to a study expected to be presented Monday at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, in Chicago. … "We were surprised to be looking at injuries every step down the hand, all the way from the radius to the small bones in the wrist and on to the ends of the finger bones at the knuckles," Dwek said. "These types of injuries are likely to develop into early osteoarthritis." “
The Mediterranean Diet and Incidence of Hypertension: The Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) Study. (Am J Epidemiol. 2008) “These results suggest that adhering to a Mediterranean-type diet could contribute to the prevention of age-related changes in blood pressure.”
Cell Phones Risky During Pregnancy?
Women Smokers Lose 14.5 Years Off Life Span
Monday November 24 - November 30, 2008
Some Melamine in Infant Formula is OK, FDA Says: Agency reverses course after declaring chemical unsafe “The FDA's Stephen Sundlof, head of the food safety division, says the agency draws a distinction between food products containing trace amounts of melamine and products containing trace amounts of cyanuric acid, a melamine by-product. Separately, he says, trace amounts of the chemicals cause no harm. However, when the two chemicals are combined they cause crystals that can lead to kidney damage. No amounts of the two chemicals together, he said, will be allowed in infant formula.”
Fish oil in the treatment of dyslipidemia. (Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Obesity 2008)
Kids From Juvenile Justice System 7 Times More Likely To Commit Criminal Acts, Study Finds
U.S. 'Not Getting What We Pay For' “As much as half of the $2.3 trillion spent today does nothing to improve health, he says. Not only is American health care inefficient and wasteful, says Kaiser Permanente chief executive George Halvorson, much of it is dangerous. … The United States today devotes 16 percent of its gross domestic product to medical care, more per capita than any other nation in the world. Yet numerous measures indicate the country lags in overall health: It ranks 29th in infant mortality, 48th in life expectancy and 19th out of 19 industrialized nations in preventable deaths. One way to reconfigure health spending is to shift large sums into prevention and wellness, said Reed Tuckson, a physician and executive vice president at UnitedHealth Group in Minneapolis. The idea is to tackle the handful of preventable, chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes that account for 75 percent of health-care costs. Each year, for example, the United States spends $450 billion treating heart and artery disease. The "good news," Tuckson said, is that former certain killers such as heart attacks, strokes and aneurysms can now be treated. But the price -- of maintenance drugs, ongoing tests and procedures such as stents -- is high. It would be wiser, he argued, to attack underlying problems such as smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.”
Smoking during pregnancy associated with artery damage in children
Prevalence of Hypovitaminosis D in Cardiovascular Diseases (from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001 to 2004). (Am J Cardiol. 2008) “In conclusion, hypovitaminosis D was highly prevalent in US adults with CVDs, particularly those with both coronary heart disease and heart failure.”
Physical Activity and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer: Effect Modification by Breast Cancer Subtypes and Effective Periods in Life. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2008) “These findings suggest that leisure-time PA after menopause may reduce postmenopausal breast cancer risk at least in part via hormonal pathways and not solely by changing body composition. Inactive postmenopausal women should be encouraged to become physically active even later in life.”
Gum disease tied to worse mental function “People with gingivitis (gum disease) have worse mental function than their peers whose gums are in better shape, a new analysis of US data shows. The findings raise the possibility that system-wide inflammation due to gum disease could have harmful effects on brain function. However, because the study only looked at a single time point it could not gauge whether or not there is a causal relationship between oral health and cognitive performance. Older people with bad teeth are more likely to have dementia and cognitive impairment, Dr. Robert Stewart of the Institute of Psychiatry in London and colleagues note, but it isn't known whether a similar relationship is present in younger people, and whether factors that can affect both dental health and mental function such as heart disease, high blood pressure or smoking may be involved.”
Cushing's Syndrome Induced by Misuse of Moderate- to High-Potency Topical Corticosteroids (December). (Ann Pharmacother. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Continuous use of moderate- to high-potency topical corticosteroids over several months can contribute to Cushing's syndrome. Growth and development as well as cortisol levels should be monitored in children on long-term topical corticosteroid treatment.”
Calls for national infant formula recall spread “While proclaiming that the very low concentrations detected of melamine and a similar compound called cyanuric acid pose no health danger to infants, the FDA has maintained it is unable to identify any exposure level of melamine in infant formula "that does not raise public health concerns." Further complicating the situation was inaccurate data that FDA released to The Associated Press, which was first to disclose the formulas' brand names and other details in an investigative report Tuesday. A spreadsheet the AP obtained from the FDA under a Freedom of Information Act request stated that Mead Johnson's Infant Formula Powder, Enfamil LIPIL with Iron contained traces of melamine. On Wednesday, FDA spokeswoman Judy Leon said that spreadsheet contained an error — that the FDA had incorrectly switched the names of the Mead Johnson product with Nestle's Good Start Supreme Infant Formula with Iron. That meant, Leon said, that the Nestle's Good Start had melamine while Mead Johnson's Enfamil had traces of cyanuric acid. The FDA said last month that the toxicity of cyanuric acid is under study, but that in the meantime it is "prudent" to assume that its potency is equal to that of melamine. Problems with melamine-spiked formula surfaced this fall in China, where unscrupulous manufacturers intentionally dumped it into watered-down milk to falsely elevate protein levels. The concentrations in China were as much as 2,500 parts per million — about 10,000 times greater than what the FDA found in the U.S. “
Five ways to avoid germs while traveling
'Meat intake cut' on cancer fears “The cancer prevention report highlighted the evidence for the potential dangers of processed meat, but also pointed to other elements of diet and lifestyle which could either reduce or increase cancer risk. A quarter of those questioned in the online survey said they had tried to eat more fruits and vegetables as a result of media coverage of the report, while 18% of people said they were making more effort to watch their weight, after the report described evidence linking excess weight to six forms of cancer. Heavy consumption of red meat has already been linked to bowel cancer, and 11% of those asked said they had been trying to cut down. “
Estrogen therapy could be dangerous for women with existing heart risk “Hormone therapy could accentuate certain pre-existing heart disease risk factors and a heart health evaluation should become the norm when considering estrogen replacement, new research suggests. The research also showed that in women without existing atherosclerosis, hormone therapy use included some positive effects on lipids but also some negative effects related to heart health, said MaryFran Sowers, lead researcher and professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. The U-M study came about, Sowers said, in trying to explain what's behind the so-called timing hypothesis. The timing hypothesis suggests that if a woman implements a hormone therapy program within six years of her final menstrual period, this narrow window is enough to deter heart disease from developing with the onset of menopause. But the U-M findings suggest that explanation isn't quite so simple, Sowers said. Even within the six-year window, there were negative aspects related to heart disease. While the positive outcomes on HDL and LDL cholesterol levels were observed, Sowers said, researchers also saw negative outcomes in terms of the inflammation process---which can be related to heart disease. “
Germ Alert: Steer Clear of Flatbed Chicken Trucks
Is There Evidence of a Relationship between Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Prostate Cancer? Findings of a Literature Review. (Eur Urol. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Available data suggest that epidemiologic and pathologic links exist between BPH and PCa. Evidence of links between the conditions and contributory factors may offer common preventative strategies for BPH and PCa and common therapeutic approaches to their management.”
FAQ: Melamine in U.S. Baby Formula “Which brands of U.S. baby formula contain melamine? According to the Associated Press, FDA tests detected trace amounts of melamine in Mead Johnson's Infant Formula Powder, Enfamil LIPIL with Iron. Melamine levels in the product were very low: about 0.14 parts per million. The deliberately contaminated baby formula in China contained over 250 parts per million of melamine -- at least two thousand times higher than the U.S. contamination. The AP report also said the FDA detected cyanuric acid in tests of Nestle's Good Start Supreme Infant Formula with Iron, at about 0.25 parts per million -- again, some thousand-fold less than in Chinese formula. In addition, the AP report said that while the FDA tests came up negative, Similac maker Abbott Laboratories said some company tests did find traces of melamine, at concentrations below 0.05 parts per million. These three manufacturers -- Mead Johnson, Nestle, and Abbott -- make more than 90% of the baby formula sold in the U.S.”
Change in Heart Rate Over Time Predicts Mortality “They found that in a cohort of healthy policemen, HR at rest and its change over five years were both predictors of death, independent of the standard cardiovascular risk factors. Those whose HR rose by more than three beats per minute (bpm) over this time period had an almost 20% increased mortality risk compared with men whose HR remained unchanged.”
Brain Abnormalities That May Play Key Role In ADHD Revealed By Novel Imaging Technique “In this study, the initial volume analysis revealed boys with ADHD had significantly smaller basal ganglia volumes compared with typically-developing boys. Moving beyond the standard volume analysis, the LDDMM revealed shape abnormalities in several regions of the basal ganglia. Comparison of the standard volume and LDDMM analysis of girls with ADHD and their typically developing peers failed to reveal any significant volume or shape differences. The multiple shape differences found in boys with ADHD suggests that the disorder may not be associated with abnormalities in one specific neural circuit. Rather, it appears the disorder involves abnormalities in parallel circuits, including circuits important for the control of complex behavior and more basic motor responses, such as hitting the brake pedal when a traffic light turns yellow. Findings revealing abnormalities in circuits important for basic motor response control may be crucial to understanding why children with ADHD have difficulty suppressing impulsive actions.”
The Toxicity Of Wildfire Smoke
Cancer risk over building products “The Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia called on the ACCC to extend testing to imported flat-pack furniture. It commissioned independent tests of flat-pack furniture purchased from supermarkets and hardware stores, and found three of the four Chinese products failed Australian limits for formaldehyde. The association's general manager, Simon Dorries, said it was a "grave oversight" for the ACCC to ignore flat-pack furniture and shelving. "Furniture that emits high levels of formaldehyde, especially nursery and children's furniture, is a very serious health risk," he said.”
FDA finds traces of melamine in US infant formula “Traces of the industrial chemical melamine have been detected in samples of top-selling U.S. infant formula, but federal regulators insist the products are safe. The Food and Drug Administration said last month it was unable to identify any melamine exposure level as safe for infants, but a top official said it would be a "dangerous overreaction" for parents to stop feeding infant formula to babies who depend on it. "The levels that we are detecting are extremely low," said Dr. Stephen Sundlof, director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. "They should not be changing the diet. If they've been feeding a particular product, they should continue to feed that product. That's in the best interest of the baby." Melamine is the chemical found in Chinese infant formula — in far larger concentrations — that has been blamed for killing at least three babies and making at least 50,000 others ill.“
Contribution of Obesity and Abdominal Fat Mass to Risk of Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attacks (Stroke. 2008) “Conclusions— Markers of abdominal adiposity showed a graded and significant association with risk of stroke/TIA, independent of other vascular risk factors. Waist circumference and related ratios can better predict cerebrovascular events than BMI.”
Increased Stroke Risk Is Related to a Binge Drinking Habit (Stroke. 2008) “Conclusions— This study found that a pattern of binge drinking is an independent risk factor for all strokes and ischemic stroke. “
Monday November 17 - November 23, 2008
Fish Oil, But Not Flaxseed Oil, Decreases Inflammation and Prevents Pressure Overload-Induced Cardiac Dysfunction. (Cardiovasc Res. 2008) “CONCLUSION Dietary supplementation with omega-3PUFA derived from fish, but not from vegetable sources, increased plasma adiponectin, suppressed inflammation and prevented cardiac remodeling and dysfunction under pressure overload conditions.”
Hairspray linked to birth defect “Boys born to women exposed to hairspray in the workplace may have a higher risk of being born with a genital defect. Imperial College London scientists talked to women who had babies with hypospadias, where the urinary tract is found away from the penis. They reported that hairspray exposure more than doubled the risk. The study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, said it was too early to say for certain that hairspray was the cause. “
Is It A Mini-stroke? Three Clinical Features Identified To Avoid Misdiagnosis Of Transient Ischemic Attacks “The researchers were able to identify three clinical features that, together, correctly classified 79 percent of the cases. "Speed of onset, we found, was the strongest indicator of a TIA. I typically ask my patients if their symptoms came on like lightning, within seconds," Prabhakaran said. "With other neurological problems that can mimic a TIA – migraines or seizures, for example – symptoms take more than a minute to manifest themselves." The researchers found that a TIA was unlikely if a patient reported nonspecific symptoms, such as lightheadedness, tightness in the chest or stomach upset, along with the neurological dysfunction. A TIA was also unlikely if the patient had a history of similar episodes where a TIA was ruled out. "It's important not to miss a diagnosis of TIA, as these attacks can be harbingers of stroke and patients need to be treated," Prabhakaran said. "But at the same time, we don't want to overdiagnose TIAs. Overdiagnosis subjects patients to the risks of unnecessary and potentially dangerous medications and tests, and leaves their actual condition untreated or inadequately managed." “
Primary Breast Cancer in Men: Clinical, Imaging, and Pathologic Findings in 57 Patients. (AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2008) “CONCLUSION: Breast cancer in men characteristically presents as an irregular subareolar mass with spiculated or indistinct margins on mammography and can be associated with calcifications and gynecomastia. Sonography has a role in regional staging of lymph nodes.”
[The risk of cancer in the Netherlands] (Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2008) “RESULTS: One out of every 2.3 newborn males (43.9%) and one out of every 2.6 newborn females (38.1%) in the Netherlands will develop cancer sometime during their life. The risk of developing cancer before the age of 80 is 35.9% for newborn males and 30.2% for newborn females. Women run the greatest risk of developing breast cancer (almost 13%). 50-year-old women have a risk of almost 3% of being diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 60. Men have the greatest risk of a diagnosis of prostate cancer (almost 10%). The risk for a 50-year-old man of being diagnosed with prostate cancer within the subsequent 10 years however is less than 1%.”
Vitamin D Insufficiency Linked to Increased Body Fat
Nearly 1 in 3 Asthma Cases May Be Misdiagnosed “Almost one in three adults who've been told they have asthma may not have the chronic airway disease, new Canadian research claims.”
Broccoli May Lower Lung Cancer Risk In Smokers “Among smokers, the protective effect of cruciferous vegetable intake ranged from a 20 percent reduction in risk to a 55 percent reduction in risk depending on the type of vegetable consumed and the duration and intensity of smoking. For example, among current smokers, only the consumption of raw cruciferous vegetables was associated with risk reduction of lung cancer. No significant results were found for consumption of vegetables in general and fruits. Researchers further divided their findings by four subtypes of lung cancer and found the strongest risk reduction among patients with squamous or small-cell carcinoma. These two subtypes are more strongly associated with heavy smoking.“
Antioxidants Can Reduce The Toxic Effects Of Lead, Study Suggests “The control group was only subjected to purified water, the drinking water for the second group was contaminated with lead, the drinking water for the third group was also contaminated with lead, but the mice were also treated with antioxidants (zinc, vitamins A,C, E and B6) and the fourth group was just treated with the antioxidants and uncontaminated water. The research stemmed from the belief that the main cause of the toxicity of lead is the oxidative stress, an imbalance between the antioxidants and the free radicals present in an organism, leading to an excess of free radicals and a consequent destruction of tissues. The results have concluded that such alterations, measured by evaluating various biochemical changes in the brain of the baby mice, diminish in subjects subjected to lead and treated with antioxidants, almost reaching the levels of the control group. The symptoms of lead poisoning were also drastically reduced, reinforcing the theory that administering antioxidants could be a very effective therapy.”
Low vitamin D linked to sudden cardiac death “Vitamin D deficiency is associated with heart dysfunction, sudden cardiac death, and death due to heart failure, German researchers report. An association between vitamin D deficiency and heart trouble is physiologically plausible, the researchers note. For example, vitamin D is known to affect contractility of the heart.“
Brain Imaging Study Supports The 'Cognitive Reserve' Hypothesis “"Education interacts with Alzheimer disease pathological burden such that a greater pathological burden is required to show an effect on cognition among persons with more education."”
Tainted meats point to superbug C. diff in food “Songer detected C. diff in every type of meat he tested, including uncooked ground beef, pork and turkey; pork sausage and chorizo; and ready-to-eat products including beef summer sausage and pork braunschweiger, a spreadable liver sausage luncheon meat. He collected 88 samples of retail packaged meats bought from large chain stores near Tucson on three occasions during a two-month period in 2006. Earlier analysis indicated that about 30 percent of samples showed C. diff, but that percentage increased under closer review, Songer said. Thirty-seven of the samples, or nearly 42 percent, showed evidence of C. diff, including about 40 percent of the cooked products and nearly 48 percent of the ready-to-eat products.”
The epidemic of overmedication “Here's what I learned: The use of multiple, often unnecessary medications — especially among older people — is an entrenched, escalating, frightening, and mostly unexamined problem in modern health care. Although medications can ease many conditions, multiple-drug use often exacerbates existing ailments and causes troubling side effects that are treated with yet more drugs. Many doctors, researchers, and pharmacists I talked to agree. "Overmedication is a true epidemic," says Armon B. Neel Jr., PharmD, a clinical pharmacist in Georgia who evaluates medication plans for private and nursing home clients. "It's completely out of hand."”
Family History Raises Breast Cancer Risk “Women with a strong family history of breast cancer who do not have genes associated with increased risk of the disease have a fourfold greater chance of developing it than the average woman, new research indicates. The finding may help doctors detect breast cancer earlier in high-risk women and lead to more and earlier preventive treatments, says the University of Toronto's Steven Narod, MD, senior author of the study. Women with several blood relatives who have breast cancer have been known for years to be at higher risk themselves, Narod tells WebMD.“
Monday November 10 - November 16, 2008
Traffic-related air pollution and asthma onset in children: a prospective cohort study with individual exposure measurement. (Environ Health Perspect. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, markers of traffic-related air pollution were associated with the onset of asthma. The risks observed suggest that air pollution exposure contributes to new-onset asthma.”
Vitamin C Lowers Levels Of Inflammation Biomarker Considered Predictor Of Heart Disease “A new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, adds to the evidence that vitamin C supplements can lower concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), a central biomarker of inflammation that has been shown to be a powerful predictor of heart disease and diabetes. The same study found no benefit from daily doses of vitamin E, another antioxidant.”
Is regular exercise a friend or foe of the aging immune system? A systematic review. (Clin J Sport Med. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Overall, in healthy older adults, regular, particularly aerobic, exercise appears to be a friend of the immune system, helping to offset diminished adaptive responses and chronic inflammation. The possibility exists that particularly strenuous exercise may cause acute immunologic changes, such as diminished NK cell activity, which could predispose to infection in certain individuals. However, given the possible benefits of regular exercise on the immune system and the many definite benefits on other systems, the evidence presented here should not dissuade practitioners from suggesting regular exercise to otherwise healthy older adults.”
Amyloid Deposits Found in More Than 20% of Cognitively Normal Seniors “"I see this as good news, bad news," Dr. Klunk told Medscape Neurology. The good news is that scientists are at a point where they can now screen people and detect amyloid in time to intervene with therapy. The bad news is that there isn't yet a proven therapy. "And as we sit here today, if we treat only people who have symptomatic Alzheimer's disease, we're already 10 years behind the pathology," he said. “
Lack of Eye Contact May Predict Level of Social Disability in Two-Year Olds with Autism “Toddlers with autism preferred looking at the mouth during these video clips, while developmentally delayed and healthy toddlers looked more often at the eyes. Furthermore, for toddlers with autism, lower levels of fixation on the actresses’ eyes in the videos were associated with greater social impairment in everyday life.”
Large Waist Can Almost Double Your Risk Of Premature Death, Says Europe-wide Study “The study provides strong evidence that storing excess fat around the waist poses a significant health risk, even in people not considered to be overweight or obese. It suggests that doctors should measure a patient's waistline and their hips as well as their body mass index as part of standard health checks, according to the researchers, from Imperial College London, the German Institute of Human Nutrition, and other research institutions across Europe.”
Fatty Diet During Pregnancy Makes New Cells In Fetal Brain That Cause Early Onset Obesity “A study in rats shows that exposure to a high-fat diet during pregnancy produces permanent changes in the offspring's brain that lead to overeating and obesity early in life, according to new research by Rockefeller University scientists.”
Unusual Use Of Toys In Infancy A Clue To Later Autism “Studying a group of children at high risk for developing autism, the researchers found that those eventually diagnosed with the disorder were more likely to spin, repetitively rotate, stare at and look out of the corners of their eyes at simple objects, including a baby bottle and a rattle, as early as 12 months of age.”
Symptoms Persist as Bipolar Children Grow Up “The study adds to mounting evidence for the legitimacy of the diagnosis of BD in children, and reflects the “field’s continuing efforts to nurture developmental conceptualizations of psychiatric illnesses,” notes Leibenluft. The results are consistent with a 2006 study by Geller and colleagues, which found that child and adult forms of BD occurred within the same families. In taking stock of what has been learned about pediatric BP over the past couple of decades, Leibenluft points to a growing consensus that “unequivocal,” classic BD occurs in youth – albeit with continuing debate about whether children with persistent, severe irritability, but without distinct episodes of mania, should be assigned the BD diagnosis. There is also consensus that children with BD are severely impaired, with frequent relapses and other apparent psychopathology.”
Simple Exercise in Children Yields Long-Term Skeletal Benefit “Recent studies funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) have shown that jumping exercises for just one school year in early childhood can trigger increases in bone mineral density (BMD) that are sustained for several years. The studies demonstrate the value of even simple high impact activities – like jumping – on BMD, while providing added support for the notion that the bone mass attained in youth can be an important determinant of lifelong skeletal health.”
6 toxins that lurk in your home
Childhood Obesity and Depression: Connection between these Growing Problems in Growing Children. (Int J Child Health Hum Dev. 2008) “Obesity and depression are diagnosed differently in children compared to adults. Depression criteria include depressed mood, anhedonia, fatigue, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, thoughts of death, as well as changes in sleep, appetite, or psychomotor activity. Problems with sleep, appetite, and psychomotor activity can occur in either direction, i.e. individuals may experience insomnia or hypersomnia; anorexia or increased appetite; psychomotor retardation or agitation. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV text revised (DSM IV TR) criteria for a major depressive episode stipulate that five of nine possible depression criteria must be present for most of the time over a two week period, must be present most of the time, one of the criteria must include either depressed mood or diminished interest or pleasure (anhedonia), and the symptoms must be a change from prior functioning. There are two differences in how depression is diagnosed in youths compared with adults. Mood may be irritable, instead of depressed or anhedonic, and youths may meet symptom criteria if they fail to make expected gains in growth rather than experience weight loss from decreased appetite. In younger children diagnosis is challenging because of difficulty eliciting internalizing symptoms (e.g. feelings of hopelessness or guilt).”
Adolescent girls most at risk of getting an STD
Study: Deadly Stomach Bug More Common Than Thought “The germ, Clostridium difficile, is resistant to some antibiotics and has become a regular menace in hospitals and nursing homes. Doctors say it plays a role in hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations each year, and that number has been growing. The latest study estimates that more than 7,100 hospital patients are infected with it on any given day. That number is between 6.5 and 20 times greater than previous estimates, according to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. … The most dangerous form is spread by spores in feces, and the spores are difficult to kill with most conventional household cleaners or antibacterial soap.”
Fat Kids Found to Have Arteries of 45-Year-Olds “"Even at this young age of 10, you can have children who have got arterial stiffness who are comparable to 30- and 40-year-olds," he said. Dr. Michael Schloss, a New York University heart disease prevention specialist, said the evidence shows obesity is more than a cosmetic issue for children. "If you've seen what's on the menu for most school lunches, these findings are no surprise," he said. "The time has come to seriously deal with the issue of childhood obesity and physical inactivity on a governmental and parental level." “
Toys in Doctors’ Offices Are Germ Hotbeds “Bring your child's toys with you when visiting the pediatrician. That's the advice of University of Virginia germ hunters who found evidence of cold viruses on one in five toys tested in waiting rooms. The commercially available germ-killing wipes that are commonly used to clean the toys are "only modestly effective," says researcher Diane Pappas, MD.”
Prolonged Breast-Feeding May Improve Subsequent Lung Function “Infants who received prolonged breast-feeding have improved lung function at age 10 years vs those who are not breast-fed, according to the results of a prospective birth cohort study reported in the November 10 Online First issue of Thorax.”
Exercise is safe, improves outcomes for patients with heart failure “Researchers hypothesized that participation in an exercise program would significantly lower the incidence of death and hospitalization among patients with heart failure. But based on the protocol-specified initial analysis, exercise training produced only a modest, non-significant reduction in the primary endpoint of all-cause hospitalization or all-cause death. A planned, secondary analysis, however, that took into account the strongest clinical factors predicting hospitalization or death, found exercise to be significantly beneficial. Researchers hope the findings will finally put to rest long-held fears that exercise may be too risky for some patients. "The most important thing we found from this study is that exercise is safe for patients with heart failure, and when adjustments were made for specific baseline characteristics, it significantly improved clinical outcomes," said O'Connor. … "As the number of people affected by heart failure is expected to rise with the aging U.S. population, it is promising to know that patients can benefit from a low-risk method to improve their health." “
Tea Drinking May Help Protect Against Cognitive Impairment and Decline “Regular tea consumption was associated with lower risks for cognitive impairment and cognitive decline, according to the results of a study reported in the July issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.”
Residence Near Power Lines and Mortality From Neurodegenerative Diseases: Longitudinal Study of the Swiss Population. (Am J Epidemiol. 2008)
Monday November 3 - November 9, 2008
Centenarian Offspring: Start Healthier and Stay Healthier (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2008) “CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that centenarian offspring retain some important cardiovascular advantages over time over similarly aged referent cohort subjects. These findings reinforce the notion that there may be physiological reasons that longevity runs in families and that centenarian offspring are more likely to age in better cardiovascular health and with a lower mortality than their peers.”
Effect of diet and exercise intervention on the growth of prostate epithelial cells (Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 2008) “Epidemiological studies suggest a positive association between nutrient intake, hyperinsulinemia and risk of Benign prostatic hyperplasis (BPH). … The results of this study indicate that a low-fat, high-fiber diet and daily exercise lowers insulin and reduces growth of prostate primary epithelial cells and suggests that lifestyle may be an important factor in the development or progression of BPH.”
Low Potassium Linked To High Blood Pressure “Previous studies, including the landmark “Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension” study (DASH), have linked potassium deficiency to high blood pressure. The new results support this conclusion, and provide important new data on the relationship between potassium and blood pressure in a sample that was 50% African American. "Our study included a high percentage of African-Americans, who are known to consume the lowest amounts of potassium in the diet," according to Dr. Hedayati.”
Bullies May Enjoy Seeing Others In Pain “"Aggressive adolescents showed a specific and very strong activation of the amygdala and ventral striatum (an area that responds to feeling rewarded) when watching pain inflicted on others, which suggested that they enjoyed watching pain," he said. Unlike the control group, the youth with conduct disorder did not activate the area of the brain involved in self-regulation (the medial prefrontal cortex and the temporoparietal junction).”
Head Injury in Young Kids May Predict ADHD Diagnosis “Very young children who sustain a head injury may be more likely to be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) later, researchers report. The head injury is not a cause of ADHD, but rather a result of excessive risk-taking, according to the paper published in the Nov. 8 online edition of the British Medical Journal.”
Falls Are Leading Cause of Injury to Seniors “According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, one in every three Americans older than 65 experiences a fall, making it the leading cause of injuries to seniors.”
'Superbugs' On The Rise In Canadian Hospitals, New Study Shows “Since the first survey was conducted, the rates of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) have more than doubled across Canada, from 2.0 to 5.2 per 1,000 hospital admissions. Another deadly bacterium, VRE (Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus), was found in 77 per cent more hospitals in the 2005 survey than in 1999.”
Moms' Smoking Linked To Increased Risk Of Birth Defects “The damaging effects of smoking and smoke exposure can be seen at any age. Pediatricians have even noted these negative effects in various stages of infant development. The consequences of maternal smoke exposure during pregnancy can range from higher rates of prematurity to increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome.”
Premature births 'are increasing' “Tommy's says there are a number of risk factors which may lead to premature birth including maternal smoking, infections in the womb, twin or triplet pregnancies. Being a teenage or older mother is also linked to increased risk, as is being underweight. Babies can also be delivered prematurely if doctors decide the health of the mother or baby is at risk, perhaps because the mother has developed pre-eclampsia or if the baby is abnormally small. “
How Chronic Inflammation Can Lead To Stomach Cancer “Stomach (gastric) cancer is the second (after lung cancer) most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide with 900,000 deaths this year. Stomach cancer is much more common in South America, Japan, Korea and Iceland than in the United States, which represents just two percent (25,500) cases of all new stomach cancer diagnosed yearly. It is associated with a diet that is high in salt and low in fruits and vegetables, as well as with smoking, and is more common in men. Infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the main risk factor in about 80 percent or more of stomach cancers. H. pylori is typically acquired in childhood through person to person transmission, and the bacterium lives within the stomach just above the stomach cells, where it induces a mild inflammatory response known as gastritis. H. pylori infection is generally associated with low socioeconomic status and poor hygiene. New H. pylori infection is gradually disappearing from most industrialized countries such as the United States and is now seen predominantly in underdeveloped countries, particularly in Asia and South America. H. pylori infection can lead to both stomach cancer and stomach ulcers but in the vast majority (more than 80 percent) of infected people, it causes no health problems.”
Migraine in Postmenopausal Women and the Risk of Invasive Breast Cancer (Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 2008) “Conclusions: These data suggest that a history of migraine is associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer, particularly among ER+/PR+ ductal and lobular carcinomas. Because this is the first study to address an association between migraine history and breast cancer risk, additional studies are needed to confirm this finding.”
Higher dietary flavone, flavonol, and catechin intakes are associated with less of an increase in BMI over time in women: a longitudinal analysis from the Netherlands Cohort Study (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2008) “Conclusion: Our results suggest that flavonoid intake may contribute to maintaining body weight in the general female population. “
Association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and oxidative stress (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2008) “Conclusions:The association between the Mediterranean diet and plasma oxidative stress is robust and is not confounded by genetic or shared environmental factors. Decreased oxidative stress is a plausible mechanism linking the Mediterranean diet to reduced cardiovascular disease risk.”
Visceral fat amount is associated with carotid atherosclerosis even in type 2 diabetic men with a normal waist circumference. (Int J Obes (Lond). 2008)
Warning over untested web 'cures' “Leading medical experts are warning patients against using untested remedies advertised on the internet which, they say, sell "false hope". The group, backed by charity Sense About Science, says vulnerable people are being increasingly exploited by the online promotion of such treatments. Many untested remedies are expensive and do not work, and are often based on "unreliable" evidence, the experts say. A new guide has been published to help patients recognise bogus treatments. Sense About Science says there are now hundreds of websites offering hope to people who are desperate for a cure. Many online adverts and chat-room conversations testify to the "incredible" benefits of new medicines and treatments, often selling the empty promise of curing the incurable, the charity says. “
Wider cholesterol drug use may save lives “People with low cholesterol and no big risk for heart disease dramatically lowered their chances of dying or having a heart attack if they took the cholesterol pill Crestor, a large study found. The results, reported Sunday at an American Heart Association conference, were hailed as a watershed event in heart disease prevention. Doctors said the study might lead as many as 7 million more Americans to consider taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, sold as Crestor, Lipitor, Zocor or in generic form. … However, some doctors urged caution. Crestor gave clear benefit in the study, but so few heart attacks and deaths occurred among these low-risk people that treating everyone like them in the United States could cost up to $9 billion a year — "a difficult sell," one expert said. About 120 people would have to take Crestor for two years to prevent a single heart attack, stroke or death, said Stanford University cardiologist Dr. Mark Hlatky. He wrote an editorial accompanying the study published online by the New England Journal of Medicine. "Everybody likes the idea of prevention. We need to slow down and ask how many people are we going to be treating with drugs for the rest of their lives to prevent heart disease, versus a lot of other things we're not doing" to improve health, Hlatky said.”
Chronic Particulate Exposure, Mortality, and Coronary Heart Disease in the Nurses’ Health Study (American Journal of Epidemiology 2008) “In this population, increases in such exposures were associated with increases in all-cause and CHD mortality. Never smokers with higher body mass indexes were at greatest risk of fatal CHD.”
Monday October 27 - November 2, 2008
Grapes May Aid A Bunch Of Heart Risk Factors, Animal Study Finds “In all, after 18 weeks, the rats that received the grape-enriched diet powder had lower blood pressure, better heart function, reduced inflammation throughout their bodies, and fewer signs of heart muscle damage than the rats that ate the same salty diet but didn't receive grapes. The rats that received the blood-pressure medicine, hydrazine, along with a salty diet also had lower blood pressure, but their hearts were not protected from damage as they were in the grape-fed group. … "The inevitable downhill sequence to hypertension and heart failure was changed by the addition of grape powder to a high-salt diet," he says. "Although there are many natural compounds in the grape powder itself that may have an effect, the things that we think are having an effect against the hypertension may be the flavanoids – either by direct antioxidant effects, by indirect effects on cell function, or both. These flavanoids are rich in all parts of the grape - skin, flesh and seed, all of which were in our powder." Bolling explains. … He notes that the popular DASH diet, which is low in salt and high in fruits and vegetables, has been proven to reduce mild high blood pressure without medication. The dose of whole table grape powder that was consumed in the study was roughly equivalent to a person eating nine human-sized servings of grapes a day. Currently, five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables are recommended as part of the DASH diet.”
Behavioral Link Between Breastfeeding And Lower Risk Of Childhood Obesity “Breastfeeding has a number of positive health benefits for baby: it can prevent ear infections and allergies, and lowers the risk of developing respiratory problems. It can also help prevent against obesity later in life, but the reason for this still isn't known.”
Methylmercury Warning “Recent studies hint that exposure to the toxic chemicals, such as methylmercury can cause harm at levels previously considered safe. A new analysis of the epidemiological evidence in the International Journal of Environment and Health, suggests that we should take a precautionary approach to this and similar compounds to protect unborn children from irreversible brain damage.”
Cancer risk over building products “THE consumer watchdog has asked hardware stores to test imported building materials for the carcinogenic chemical formaldehyde. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has sought assurances from more than 100 importers of flat timber panels -- such as particle board, medium-density fibreboard and plywood -- that the products are safe. But the ACCC can do nothing to force importers and retailers to comply with voluntary Australian Standards for formaldehyde, which is used in wood glue. “
Fears on Animal Feed Widen Food Inquiry in China “Chinese regulators said Friday that they were widening their investigation into contaminated food amid growing signs that the toxic industrial chemical melamine has leached into the nation’s animal feed supplies, posing health risks to consumers throughout the world. The announcement came after food safety tests earlier this week found that eggs produced in three provinces in China were contaminated with melamine, which is blamed for causing kidney stones and renal failure in infants. The tests have led to recalls of eggs and to consumer warnings.”
Hazardous Levels Of Metal Ions Found In Many Commercial Table Wines, Study Suggests “Potentially hazardous levels of metal ions are present in many commercially available wines. An analysis of reported levels of metals in wines from sixteen different countries found that only those from Argentina, Brazil and Italy did not pose a potential health risk owing to metals.”
Are you running yourself to death? “Researchers have identified a number of physical effects of running a marathon, including changes in immune system and kidney function. But Dr. Siege says the brunt of the damage falls exactly where you'd expect: on your muscles. As the miles pass, skeletal muscles stiffen and leak injury-signaling enzymes into the blood. … “
Frequent Urination Protects Against Bladder Cancer, Study Finds ““Although the best advice is to avoid exposure to carcinogenic agents (e.g. to stop smoking and to avoid direct contact with chemical products or pollution particles), the risk of bladder cancer could be reduced by increasing urinary frequency and drinking water. The results of the analysis indicate that those people who usually get up at night at least twice to pass urine reduced their risk of suffering from bladder cancer by 40-59%. This “protective effect” was found in both men and women and did not relate to the consumption of tobacco or the quantity of water they drank.””
Pregnant Women Consuming Flaxseed Oil Have High Risk Of Premature Birth “A study has found that the risks of a premature birth quadruple if flaxseed oil is consumed in the last two trimesters of pregnancy. … "In the general population, the average rate of premature births is 2 to 3 percent. But for women consuming flaxseed oil in their last two trimesters that number jumps up to 12 percent," says Bérard. "It's an enormous risk." The correlation existed only with flaxseed oil, yet women consuming the actual seed were unaffected. Even if more studies must be undertaken to verify these results, Bérard recommends caution when it comes to consuming flaxseed oil.”
Breast-Fed Baby May Mean Better Behaved Child “Parents of youngsters who were breast-fed as infants were less likely to report that their child had a behavior problem or psychiatric illness during the first five years of life, a new study found. And the likelihood of mental health issues decreased in proportion to the duration of breast-feeding, meaning that a child who had been breast-fed for a year was less likely to have behavior problems than a child who had been breast-fed for just two months. “
Occupational rhinitis in damp and moldy workplaces. (Am J Rhinol. 2008) “CONCLUSION: This is the first clinically investigated series on occupational rhinitis in relation to a moldy environment. Based on our findings, we conclude that molds growing in conjunction with moisture damages can induce occupational rhinitis. IgE-mediated allergy to molds was not common. Atopy and significant exposure level increased IgE sensitization to molds.”
FDA's Conclusion That Chemical Is Safe Is Flawed “The worries about BPA come from the fact that it can mimic the effects of estrogen, a powerful hormone. While the kidneys of mature children and grown-ups quickly eliminate the chemical from their bodies, newborns and infants may retain it for longer periods. Babies can be exposed to BPA through infant formula packaged in containers made with the chemical.”
Vigorous Exercise Cuts Breast Cancer Risk “Exercise cuts a woman's risk of breast cancer after menopause -- but only vigorous exercise, a National Cancer Institute study shows. Moderate exercise did not cut breast cancer risk. Vigorous exercise did, but only in women who were not overweight. However, it's possible that overweight and obese women found moderate exercise more taxing and misreported it as strenuous exercise. The findings suggest that exercise itself protects against breast cancer, regardless of whether it leads to weight loss, note Michael F. Leitzmann, MD, and colleagues at the National Cancer Institute.”
Education Protects Against Pre Alzheimer's Memory Loss
Study Shows How Breastfeeding Transfers Immunity To Babies
Intense exercise best for whittling down fat “While any type of exercise can do a body good, people who want to reshape their figures may need to boost the intensity of their workouts, a small study suggests. The study, which followed 27 middle-aged obese women, found that those who exercised at a high intensity for four months successfully shed fat from their midsections. Women who exercised at a low intensity, however, showed no such changes in body fat.”
Experts: Staph germs becoming harder to treat “Drug-resistant staph bacteria picked up in ordinary community settings are increasingly acquiring “superbug” powers and causing far more serious illnesses than they have in the past, doctors reported Monday. These widespread germs used to be easier to treat than the dangerous forms of staph found in hospitals and nursing homes. … The germ is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. People can carry it on their skin or in their noses with no symptoms and still infect others — the reason many hospitals isolate and test new patients to see if they harbor the bug.”
Effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with chronic heart failure (the GISSI-HF trial): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (The Lancet 2008) “A simple and safe treatment with n-3 PUFA can provide a small beneficial advantage in terms of mortality and admission to hospital for cardiovascular reasons in patients with heart failure in a context of usual care.”
Inflammation and Plaque Vulnerability. (Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2008) “Development of a thrombus at the site of an atherosclerotic plaque initiates abrupt arterial occlusion and is the proximate event responsible for the vast majority of acute ischemic syndromes. In nearly 75% of cases thrombus overlies a disrupted or ruptured plaque whereas the remainder of the thrombi overly an intact plaque with superficial endothelial erosion. Over the past several years, it has been recognized that plaque composition rather than plaque size or stenosis severity is important for plaque rupture and subsequent thrombosis. Ruptured plaques, and by inference, plaques prone to rupture, tend to be large in size with associated expansive arterial remodeling, thin fibrous cap with a thick or large necrotic lipid core with immuno-inflammatory cell infiltration in fibrous cap and adventitia and increased plaque neovascularity and intraplaque hemorrhage. The size of the necrotic lipid core and extent and location of plaque inflammation appear to be key factors in determining plaque instability. Inflammation and immune cell activation appears to play a key role in the loss of collagen in the fibrous cap, a prelude to fibrous cap rupture, through release of collagen degrading enzymes.”
Smoking ups aneurysm risk in women “Women who smoke are significantly more likely to experience serious problems related to abdominal aortic aneurysms compared to those who do not smoke or have quit the habit, the results of a new study indicate.”
Monday October 20 - October 26, 2008
Physical activity and breast cancer risk among pre- and postmenopausal women in the U.S. Radiologic Technologists cohort. (Cancer Causes Control. 2008)
Binge Drinking Linked to Stroke Risk
Do Cell Phones Increase Brain Cancer Risk? “Earlier this year, a Swedish research group published an epidemiologic study suggesting an increased risk of brain cancers (gliomas) as well as acoustic nerve tumors (neuromas) in people using cell phones for ten years or longer. Tumors were more likely to develop on the same side as the cell phone was used. Other studies by the same group suggested that the use of wireless handsets in cordless home phones posed the same risk. After reviewing the evidence, one author even suggested that long-term cell phone use is "more dangerous to health than smoking cigarettes." Other recent commentators have raised similar concerns. The findings are alarming in light of the exponential growth of cell phones—now including widespread use by children and teenagers. The damaging effects of ELF, if any, might be even greater in the developing brain.”
Fructose Sets Table For Weight Gain Without Warning “Eating too much fructose can induce leptin resistance, a condition that can easily lead to becoming overweight when combined with a high-fat, high-calorie diet, according to a new study with rats.”
Erectile Dysfunction Gives Early Warning Of A Heart Attack, Warns Expert “Erectile dysfunction gives a two to three year early warning of a heart attack, warns an expert on the British Medical Journal website.”
Many moms risk SIDS by sharing bed with baby “The AAP recommended in 2005 that babies from birth to age one sleep in the same room as their parents, to make it easier for mothers and fathers to monitor the child, but should not share a bed.”
Comparison of Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Vitamin D3 in Ethanol Dosing Protocols for Two Months in Elderly Hip Fracture Patients (The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2008) “Conclusions: Supplementation with vitamin D can be achieved equally well with daily, weekly, or monthly dosing frequencies. Therefore, the choice of dose frequency can be based on whichever approach will optimize an individual’s adherence with long-term vitamin D supplementation.”
Physical Decline Caused By Slow Decay Of Brain's Myelin
Education protects against Alzheimer's impact “Mentally demanding jobs and more education appear to protect people from the memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease, Italian researchers said on Monday. The findings bolster the previous research about Alzheimer's and other forms of brain impairment, said Valentina Garibotto of the San Raffaele University and Scientific Institute and the National Institute of Neuroscience in Milan, Italy. "The theory is that education and demanding jobs create a buffer against the effects of dementia on the brain, or a cognitive reserve," Garibotto said in a statement. "Their brains are able to compensate for the damage and allow them to maintain functioning in spite of damage." “
Unsponsored websites give best surgery info “If you're searching the Internet for surgery information, you may want to stick with sites run by professional medical groups and other sources free of commercial sponsors, a new study suggests. In a study that examined the quality of various surgery-related websites, researchers found that unsponsored sites generally gave more reliable information than sponsored sites did. When it came to the specific sources, sites run by professional medical groups got the highest marks, followed by government-run sites. The findings, published in the Journal of the American College of Surgery, underscore the need for consumers to consider the source when looking for online medical information. "Empowering patients with a trusted source of information will lead to better informed patients and, in turn, improved expectations of surgery outcomes," senior researcher Dr. Clifford Ko, a professor of surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles, said in a statement.“
Lead dangers still lurk in unexpected places “Lead exposure may sound like an old-fashioned health threat, like polio or scurvy. But getting a dangerous dose is more common today than you realize — thanks to sources you'd never expect, such as ceramic dishes, art supplies, and even vegetables grown in city gardens. And although average blood lead levels are way down, new research shows that even low amounts can be harmful, says Ellen Silbergeld, PhD, a professor of environmental health sciences at Johns Hopkins University. Just 4 ug/dl (micrograms per deciliter) can double your risk of a fatal heart attack or stroke, and similar levels may also cause memory loss, says Eliseo Guallar, MD, PhD, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins. “
Bottled Water No Purer Than Tap Water
Exercise Keeps Your Brain From Deteriorating “Professor Kramer notes, however, that exercise treatment is has the ability to positively influence these types of activities and processes. Research has shown that speed and sharpness of thought, or cognitive performance, can be increased by engaging in regular moderate exercise that makes a person breathless. Further, this type of exercise actually can increase the volume of brain tissue and improve the way in which the brain functions. The researchers point out that the impact of exercise is not restricted to those without progressive brain diseases - exercise has also led to improvements in the brain function of Alzheimer's disease patients. Some studies have shown that six months of aerobic exercise reversed age related brain decline and that helped the plasticity of the brains of older adults (the capacity to grow and develop). Other research has found that there is less evidence of grey matter deterioration in physically fitter adults compared to their less physically fit contemporaries.”
Alzheimer's Expert Urges Boomers To Think About Their Cognitive Health Now “While a study in the October 15, 2008 JAMA demonstrates that B vitamins do not slow cognitive decline once Alzheimer's disease has struck, there is a large body of scientific evidence showing that some nutrients may help keep the brain healthy as one ages. A leading expert thinks the time is now for Baby Boomers to look seriously at maintaining cognitive wellness. According to the Alzheimer's Association, 10 million Boomers can expect to get Alzheimer's disease as they age.”
Obesity May Raise Risk of Progression to Permanent Atrial Fibrillation “New research suggests that obesity not only increases the risk of first atrial fibrillation, it also increases the odds that paroxysmal atrial fibrillation will become permanent. "This study extends our understanding of the relationship between obesity/left atrial size and atrial fibrillation. Specifically, there was a graded risk relationship between body mass index and progression from paroxysmal to permanent atrial fibrillation, and larger left atrial size augmented the risk of such progression," Dr. Teresa S. M. Tsang and associates write.“
Smoking and Cognitive Decline Among Middle-Aged Men and Women: The Doetinchem Cohort Study. (Am J Public Health. 2008)
Occasional Smoking Still Does Damage “Even if you only sneak an occasional smoke, you are still doing damage to your arteries, a new study shows. University of Georgia researchers using ultrasound found that the arteries of otherwise young, healthy adults who smoked less than a pack a week were 36 percent less responsive to changes in blood flow than nonsmokers, even if it had been days since their last cigarette. This lack of responsiveness, known as impaired flow-mediated dilation, is an early sign of the arterial damage that typically foreshadows the development of cardiovascular disease.”
Canada Says BPA Toxic, to Ban Baby Bottles With It “Canada declared a chemical widely used in food packaging a toxic substance on Saturday and will now move to ban plastic baby bottles containing bisphenol A. The toxic classification, issued in the Canada Gazette, makes Canada the first country to classify the chemical commonly used in the lining of food cans, eyeglass lenses and hundreds of household items, as risky. "Many Canadians...have expressed their concern to me about the risks of bisphenol A in baby bottles," Environment Minister John Baird said in a statement. "Today's confirmation of our ban on BPA in baby bottles proves that our government did the right thing in taking action to protect the health and environment for all Canadians." Canada's announcement came six months after its health ministry labeled BPA as dangerous.”
'Western' Diet Is a Global Heart Risk “The INTERHEART study, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, shows that the risk of heart attack crosses geographic boundaries and correlates strongly to the so-called Western diet that favors salty snacks and fried foods, and to a lesser extent, meat. The risk, spread over five continents, is 30% higher for those who eat a Western diet, the study shows, than for those who adhere to a "prudent diet," or one rich in fruits and vegetables. An Oriental diet, which is high in tofu and other soy products, doesn't seem to lower or raise heart attack risk overall, according to the study.”
Breastfeeding cuts asthma risk “They found that children who had been breastfed for six months or more had a significantly reduced risk of developing asthma. This was particularly the case among young boys.”
Monday October 13 - October 19, 2008
Risk factors for dementia in the epidemiological study of Munguialde County (Basque Country-Spain). (BMC Neurol. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Greater age, female sex, stroke and depression increase the risk of suffering dementia, AD and VD. The relationship between depression, vascular risk factors and dementia has clear public health implications. Prevention and early treatment of vascular risk factors and depression may have an important impact in lowering the risk of dementia and could modify the natural history of the disease.”
Trigger factors in migraine patients. (Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2008) “RESULTS: Most patients showed at least one dietary trigger, fasting was the most frequent one, followed by alcohol and chocolate. Hormonal factors appeared in 53%, being the pre-menstrual period the most frequent trigger. Physical activities caused migraine in 13%, sexual activities in 2.5% and 64% reported emotional stress a trigger factor. 81% related some sleep problem as a trigger factor. Regarding environmental factors, smells were reported by 36.5%.”
Rate of entorhinal and hippocampal atrophy in incipient and mild AD: Relation to memory function. (Neurobiol Aging. 2008) “Longitudinal analyses showed that the rate of atrophy of the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus for the stable controls differed significantly from MCI participants who converted to AD and the AD groups. Furthermore, longitudinal decreases in hippocampal and entorhinal volume were related to longitudinal decline in declarative memory performance. These findings suggest that the rate of atrophy of mesial temporal lobe structures can differentiate healthy from pathological aging.”
Why Schizophrenics Smoke “When it comes to cigarettes, schizophrenics just can't seem to get enough. They're two to three times more likely to smoke than the general population, and patients have been known to puff through up to four packs a day. New research on mice may explain this behavior: Nicotine spurs the production of a key neural protein that's scarce in schizophrenics--and that may help relieve their symptoms. … Reduced levels of one such neurotransmitter, called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), characterizes the brains of schizophrenia patients. Researchers think that without the stoplight effect of GABA, signals in the schizophrenic brain overlap and get jumbled in a sort of neural traffic jam, resulting in hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and anxiety.”
Pelvic floor muscle training for prevention and treatment of urinary and faecal incontinence in antenatal and postnatal women. (Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008)
Sunlight exposure, antioxidants, and age-related macular degeneration. (Arch Ophthalmol. 2008)
Say no to antibacterial soaps “The main ingredient in most of the liquid soaps lining store shelves is triclosan, a pesticide that kills bacteria. Turns out you just need to banish germs from your hands, not kill them. Studies show that antibacterial soaps aren't more effective at preventing illness or at removing germs than good old-fashioned soap and water. In fact, antibacterial soaps may do more harm than good. There are concerns that triclosan may contribute to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It's also present in human bodies and breast milk as well as in streams. The Environmental Working Group says triclosan has been linked to developmental defects, liver toxicity, and cancer in lab studies. It also may affect thyroid and other hormones that are crucial to normal development. “
Inactive Teens at Risk for More Behavioral Problems “In adolescents, physical inactivity is associated with emotional and behavioral problems, suggests a Finnish study of more than 7,000 teenagers who took part in a survey that assessed their levels of physical activity and mental and emotional health. Boys who reported less than one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity a week had more symptoms of anxiety, withdrawal and depression than boys who were more active. Inactive girls had similar problems, and were more likely than inactive boys to also report sleep problems and rule-breaking behaviors. Both inactive boys and girls were more likely than active peers to have social and attention problems.”
Depression a predictor of death after heart attack “In people who have suffered a heart attack, depression and a high heart rate at night, while often coexistent, are independent predictors of death, according to research published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine. …According to the investigators, disturbed sleep, which is frequently reported in patients with depression, may help explain the association of nighttime elevated heart rate with mortality. There is evidence that arousals from sleep that are associated with increased heart rate may provoke events related to ischemia (restriction of the blood supply and thus oxygen to the tissues) and abnormal heart rhythms in patients with heart disease, they note.”
Does drinking alcohol shrink your brain? “People who drink alcohol -- even the moderate amounts that help prevent heart disease -- have a smaller brain volume than those who do not, according to a study in the Archives of Neurology. While a certain amount of brain shrinkage is normal with age, greater amounts in some parts of the brain have been linked to dementia. "Decline in brain volume -- estimated at 2 percent per decade -- is a natural part of aging," says Carol Ann Paul, who conducted the study when she was at the Boston University School of Public Health. She had hoped to find that alcohol might protect against such brain shrinkage. "However, we did not find the protective effect," says Paul, who is now an instructor in the neuroscience program at Wellesley College. "In fact, any level of alcohol consumption resulted in a decline in brain volume." “
Report: Some Bottled Water Not So Pure “Bottled water is widely considered to be a purer choice than tap water, but a new investigation finds that this isn't always the case. In its test of 10 best-selling brands of bottled water, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found mixtures of 38 different pollutants including bacteria, fertilizer, and industrial chemicals in some of the tested brands at levels that were similar to tap water. Several samples of Wal-Mart's Sam's Choice brand sold in California were found to exceed that state's legal limits of contaminants for bottled water. “
Prevalence of Vitamin D Insufficiency in Patients With Parkinson Disease and Alzheimer Disease (Arch Neurol. 2008) “Conclusions This report of 25(OH)D concentrations in a predominantly white PD cohort demonstrates a significantly higher prevalence of hypovitaminosis in PD vs both healthy controls and patients with AD. These data support a possible role of vitamin D insufficiency in PD. Further studies are needed to determine the factors contributing to these differences and elucidate the potential role of vitamin D in pathogenesis and clinical course of PD.”
The Effect of Smoking in Midlife on Health-Related Quality of Life in Old Age (Arch Intern Med. 2008) “Conclusions During the 26-year follow-up of this socioeconomically homogeneous male cohort, HRQoL deteriorated with an increase in daily cigarettes smoked in a dose-dependent manner. Never-smokers lived longer than heavy smokers, and their extra years were of better quality.”
High vitamin C intake is associated with lower 4-year bone loss in elderly men. (J Nutr. 2008) “These results suggest a possible protective role of vitamin C for bone health in older men.”
Death rate 70 percent lower at top hospitals “Researchers have long documented how hospitals can kill you. Blame is placed on everything from exhausted doctors and staff to antibiotic-resistant microbes. … The region with the lowest overall risk-adjusted mortality rates (that's good) was the East North Central region (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin), while the East South Central region (Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee) had the highest mortality rates (that's bad).”
Vitamin D: New Guidelines for Children: American Academy of Pediatricians Doubles Its Minimum Daily Amount of Vitamin D for Babies, Children, and Teens “The American Academy of Pediatrics has doubled its recommendation for the minimum amount of vitamin D that infants, children, and teens should get daily. The new recommendation is to get at least 400 international units (IU), according to guidelines published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in November's edition of Pediatrics. "We know that 400 international units a day is safe and it will prevent rickets," Frank R. Greer, MD, chairman of the AAP's committee on nutrition, tells WebMD. The new guidelines are especially important for breastfed babies, since breast milk isn't rich in vitamin D, notes Greer, who recommends supplements to ensure adequate vitamin D intake. Some vitamin D experts say the AAP's new vitamin D guidelines don't go far enough.“
Chinese Ginseng Blamed for Three Deaths “China has banned the sale and use of a popular brand of Siberian ginseng after the deaths of three people who had received injections of the herbal drug. At least three others are reported seriously ill. The latest crisis comes as China tries to deal with the tainted milk scandal that has caused worldwide concern. The banned ginseng was made by Wandashan Pharmaceutical, a company based in northeastern China. Chinese authorities said they had found two harmful batches of the medicine and were continuing to investigate. It's not known whether Wandashan markets its products outside of China. Symptoms found in victims of the tainted herb included feeling cold, vomiting, dropping blood pressure and coma. Besides its injectable form, the herb is also sold in capsules and in herbal teas.”
Melamine Scandal Continues to Expand “The latest products implicated in this scare are Blue Cat Flavor drinks sold in Asian markets in the United States and Oreo wafers, Snickers, and M&M's imported from China to Indonesia. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed it found melamine in Blue Cat Flavor Drinks. Based on those findings, the U.S. company that distributes the drinks has recalled all the 100 ml plastic bottles of the products. Tristar Food of New Jersey distributed the drink --which is also called Lanmao-- to Asian grocery stores nationwide. The bottles have a logo of a blue cat on the back and words "blue cat" written in Chinese in on the front. “
Monday October 6 - October 12, 2008
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and its comorbidities in women and girls: an evolving picture. (Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2008) “For some time, it has been held that women with ADHD are more likely to internalize symptoms and become anxious and depressed and to suffer emotional dysregulation than males with the disorder. Recent evidence confirms that girls with ADHD are 5.4 times more likely to be diagnosed with major depression and three times more likely to be treated for depression before their ADHD diagnosis. I also discuss eating disorders (particularly binge eating and bulimia) that recently have been linked to ADHD in girls and women. The disordered eating/ADHD connection is not difficult to understand but has important clinical and therapeutic implications that must not be overlooked.”
Occupational Exposure to Pesticides During Pregnancy and Neurobehavioral Development of Infants and Toddlers. (Epidemiology. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS:: Maternal occupation in the cut-flower industry during pregnancy may be associated with delayed neurobehavioral development of children aged 3-23 months.”
Occasional Memory Loss Tied To Lower Brain Volume “People who occasionally forget an appointment or a friend's name may have a loss of brain volume, even though they don't have memory deficits on regular tests of memory or dementia, according to a study published in the October 7, 2008, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. … The study found that in people with occasional subjective memory problems, the hippocampus was smaller than in people who had no memory problems. On average, the hippocampus had a volume of 6.7 milliliters in those with occasional subjective memory problems, compared to 7.1 milliliters in people with no memory problems. "These occasional, subjective memory complaints could be the earliest sign of problems with memory and thinking skills and we were able to discover that these subjective memory complaints were linked to smaller brain volumes.”
Daily Dose Of Ginkgo May Prevent Brain Cell Damage After Stroke, Mouse Studies Suggest “Working with genetically engineered mice, researchers at Johns Hopkins have shown that daily doses of a standardized extract from the leaves of the ginkgo tree can prevent or reduce brain damage after an induced stroke. The scientists, in a report published in Stroke, say their work lends support to other evidence that ginkgo biloba triggers a cascade of events that neutralizes free radicals known to cause cell death. "It's still a large leap from rodent brains to human brains but these results strongly suggest that further research into the protective effects of ginkgo is warranted," says lead researcher Sylvain Doré, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine. "If further work confirms what we've seen, we could theoretically recommend a daily regimen of ginkgo to people at high risk of stroke as a preventive measure against brain damage." “
Chernobyl Fallout? Plutonium Found In Swedish Soil “When a reactor in the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded in 1986 in what was then the Soviet republic of Ukraine, radioactive elements were released in the air and dispersed over the Soviet Union, Europe and even eastern portions of North America.”
Can Taking Ecstasy Once Damage Your Memory? “According to Professor Laws from the University’s School of Psychology, taking the drug just once can damage memory. In a talk entitled "Can taking ecstasy once damage your memory?", he will reveal that ecstasy users show significantly impaired memory when compared to non-ecstasy users and that the amount of ecstasy consumed is largely irrelevant. Indeed, taking the drug even just once may cause significant short and long-term memory loss. Professor Laws findings are based on the largest analysis of memory data derived from 26 studies of 600 ecstasy users."
Vitamin D From Dietary Intake and Sunlight Exposure and the Risk of Hormone-Receptor-Defined Breast Cancer (American Journal of Epidemiology 2008) “This study suggests that vitamin D is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer regardless of ER/PR status of the tumor.”
Linking Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls With Fatty Fish Consumption and Reduced Fetal Growth Among Danish Pregnant Women: A Cause for Concern? (American Journal of Epidemiology 2008) “These results support previous findings from this cohort, where fatty fish intake was inversely associated with fetal growth. Dietary recommendations often encourage weekly consumption of fatty fish. These results suggest that potential exposure to PCBs should be carefully considered before recommending such intakes among women of childbearing age.”
Potentially Toxic Flame Retardants Highest In California Households “In what may be an unintended consequence of efforts to make furniture safer and less flammable, residents of California have blood levels of potentially toxic flame retardants called PBDEs at levels nearly twice the national average, scientists from Massachusetts and California are reporting. … In the new study, Ami Zota and colleagues note that PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) are widely used as flame retardants in upholstered furniture and electronics. The materials are released into the environment as dust particles, where they can accumulate in homes as well as human blood and tissue. Although their exact effects in humans are unclear, studies in animals suggest that PBDEs may cause thyroid, developmental, and reproductive problems.”
Abdominal obesity raises dementia risk years later “Having an "apple-shaped," rather than a "pear-shaped" body at middle-age appears to increase the later-life risk of dementia, California researchers report. Moreover, the link between abdominal obesity and increased dementia risk appears to be independent of overall body weight and the presence of diabetes or cardiovascular disease, report Dr. Rachel A. Whitmer, from Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, in Oakland, and colleagues. These findings, published in the medical journal Neurology, add to increasing evidence of the dangers of abdominal obesity.“
Exposure to Air Pollution During Pregnancy May Impair Breathing in Newborn “Pregnant women who are exposed to high levels of particulate matter in the air they breathe have an increased risk of giving birth to infants with compromised respiratory status at birth, according to Swiss investigators.”
Guidelines Address Physical Activity for Individuals 6 Years and Older “Regular physical activity each week, sustained for months and years, can produce long-term health benefits. Strong evidence links regular physical activity with a lower risk for early death, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, colon and breast cancers, and depression. Regular physical activity also promotes prevention of weight gain, weight loss when combined with diet, better cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, fall prevention, and better cognitive function in older adults.”
Study Finds Bidirectional Link Between Depression and Type 2 Diabetes “First, it confirmed that symptoms of depression are associated with an increased risk for diabetes. Patients with depressive symptoms were more likely to be overweight, consume more calories, exercise less, and smoke, suggesting that some poor health behaviors associated with depression may lead to the development of diabetes, she noted. Second, the study showed that patients with treated diabetes were at increased risk of developing symptoms of depression. People with treated diabetes were more likely to have high blood pressure and protein in their urine (suggesting kidney damage from diabetes), she added. The implications are that "future studies that target individuals with elevated symptoms of depression should look at interventions that will also help them modify adverse health behaviors associated with depressive symptoms," which can complement diabetes prevention strategies, she said.”
Infection Control Guidelines Issued “The recommended practices, like vigorous hand-washing before the insertion of catheters and warnings against using razors to remove hair before surgery, do not vary in significant ways from the encyclopedic guidelines issued and revised over the last two decades by a government advisory panel. But their authors said they had been written more clearly and concisely, with advice not only on what hospitals should do, but also on what they should not, and on secondary approaches to try if first-line measures do not lower infection rates. “
A Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals (Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2008)
Older Men More Likely To Father A Child With Autistic Spectrum Disorder - Royal College Of Psychiatrists “Children born to older fathers are at increased risk of having an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), according to new research published in the October issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry. But the researchers found no link between increased maternal age and the risk of ASD.”
Smoke-exposed kids show nicotine dependence signs “Children who have never had a single puff of a cigarette may report symptoms of nicotine dependence if they've been exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke, Canadian researchers report. "I think it's very compelling," co-investigator Dr. Jennifer O'Loughlin of the Universite de Montreal in Quebec told Reuters Health. "It's just one more link in the chain that parents shouldn't be smoking in front of their kids." Previous research has shown that children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke at home or in the family car have nicotine and markers of nicotine metabolism in their urine, blood and hair, O'Loughlin and her team note in their report, published in the current issue of the journal Addictive Behaviors. One investigation showed that non-smoking children with higher concentrations of one of these markers, cotinine, in their saliva were more likely to become smokers 2 years later.”
Vitamin D deficiency makes bowel disease worse “A vitamin D deficiency can make inflammatory bowel disease more severe and worsen the quality of life for affected individuals, according to a study presented this week at the 73rd annual scientific meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology. Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, refers to a group of conditions, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, marked by chronic inflammation in the intestines, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea. A number of medications are effective for IBD, but surgical removal of a portion of the intestines is often required. People with IBD are also known to be at increased risk of developing colon cancer. Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with IBD, but whether vitamin D deficiency parallels disease severity or adversely impacts quality of life is not known, Dr. Alex Ulitsky and colleagues at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee point out in a meeting abstract. “
Cell Phones and Brain Cancer: What We Know (and Don't Know)
Drug companies: No cold meds for kids under 4 “Children under 4 should not be given over-the-counter cough and cold remedies, drug companies said Tuesday in a concession to pediatricians who doubt the drugs work in kids and worry about their safety. The voluntary changes came less than a week after federal health officials said they also saw little evidence that the drugs work, but feared that parents would give kids adult medicines if the products were taken off store shelves.”
Toddlers' Focus on Mouths vs Eyes Predicts Autism Severity “According to the study, it is well recognized that within the first week of life typical human newborns tend to focus their attention on the eyes of others. However, in children with autism, "diminished and aberrant eye contact is a lifelong hallmark of disability."”
Prenatal Anemia May Heighten Schizophrenia Risk in Offspring “Iron deficiency during pregnancy appears to be a risk factor for the development of schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) among offspring in adulthood, according to findings from a large prospective birth cohort study reported in the Archives of General Psychiatry for October. "This is another example of how an inexpensive and simple measure has the potential to prevent cases of schizophrenia and provides further support that in utero environmental factors are likely to play a considerable role in risk for schizophrenia," senior author Dr. Alan S. Brown said in correspondence with Reuters Health.“
Obesity and exercise - every bit helps “Even a very small amount of exercise goes a long way towards helping severely obese people improve their quality of life, US researchers have found. They looked at over 1,200 people taking part in a residential weight loss programme, where patients reported undertaking an average of just under one hour of exercise per week. Despite this small amount, those who were more active reported better overall quality of life, as well as improvements in their ability to perform daily tasks, such as using the stairs, getting dressed and undressed or simply moving around.”
Migraines More Frequent, Intense in Overweight Kids “The more overweight children and teens are, the more numerous and severe their headaches, according to a U.S. study. But losing weight eases the frequency and severity of the headaches, the researchers said. The study, conducted at seven pediatric headache centers, found that 34.1 percent of patients were either overweight (17.5 percent) or at risk of becoming overweight. That's similar to rates of overweight in the general child/teen population.”
Report from ASCO: Studies reveal pros and cons of breast MRI “MRI's changing status as an instrument for breast cancer diagnosis and evaluation was apparent last month at the 2008 American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting. One study suggested that MR's growing popularity for treatment planning may had led to more mastectomies, and another trial added to growing evidence about its ability to identify metastatic lymph nodes. The mastectomy findings arose from Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. Lead author Dr. Richard Bleicher, codirector of Fox Chase's breast surgery fellowship program, reported that women who received an MRI had an 80% higher chance of having a mastectomy rather than a breast-conserving lumpectomy. The findings were drawn from the medical records of 577 breast cancer patients, 130 of whom had MRIs prior to treatment. Bleicher believes the high number of false-positive findings associated with MRI may be leading to unnecessary breast removal. “
Preventing Tragedy “Kaiser researchers found that infants who slept in rooms ventilated by fans had a 72 percent lower risk of SIDS compared to infants who slept in bedrooms without fans. Using a fan appeared be most effective with infants in high-risk environments, such as those sleeping in overheated rooms or on their stomachs. Researchers hypothesized that fans may improve ventilation and decrease the chance that babies will rebreathe exhaled carbon dioxide (an explanation for SIDS known as the "stale-air hypothesis").”
Monday September 29 - October 5, 2008
Low Bone Mineral Density and Mortality in Men and Women: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Linked Mortality File. (Ann Epidemiol. 2008) “CONCLUSION: Low bone mineral density was associated with increased risk of death.”
Surgery Unneeded in Most Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis Cases “The risk of stroke has become so low for patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS), 95 percent of them would be better off receiving medical therapy rather than surgery or stenting, according to a Canadian-led study. ACS is narrowing of the carotid (neck) artery that has not yet caused a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). In the United States, one-half to two-thirds of patients who undergo revascularization surgery have no symptoms, according to background information in a University of Western Ontario new release about the study.“
Maternal Weight Gain During Pregnancy and Child Weight at Age 3 Years. (Matern Child Health J. 2008) “Conclusions Excess pregnancy weight gain is associated with increased risk of child overweight at age 3 years and its impact is greater among high and obese BMI women than it is in normal BMI women. Reducing maternal BMI in the preconception period in overweight women and preventing excessive weight gain in pregnancy for all women appear to be appropriate strategies to address the childhood obesity epidemic.”
Some U.S. cereals more than half sugar: report
Bullying Of Teenagers Online Is Common, UCLA Psychologists Report “Nearly three in four teenagers say they were bullied online at least once during a recent 12-month period, and only one in 10 reported such cyber-bullying to parents or other adults, according to a new study by UCLA psychologists.”
Top Psychiatrist Didn’t Report Drug Makers’ Pay “One of the nation’s most influential psychiatrists earned more than $2.8 million in consulting arrangements with drug makers from 2000 to 2007, failed to report at least $1.2 million of that income to his university and violated federal research rules, according to documents provided to Congressional investigators.”
Kidney decline linked to cognitive impairment “"It has long been known that advanced renal disease (i.e., dialysis) is associated with dementia or declining cognitive function," Dr. Joshua I. Barzilay, lead author of the first study, told Reuters Health. "More recently it has been demonstrated that early renal disease ... can also be associated with cognitive decline." “
Smoking Appears Linked With Risk for Poor Memory in Middle Age “"This risk is quite important considering that we are only in middle-age when cognitive decline is just starting," she noted. Evidence of this association at this age could support the hypothesis that smoking is involved in the pathogenesis of preclinical cognitive deficit and decline, which is a risk factor for later dementia, she added.”
Contaminants in Human Milk: Weighing the Risks against the Benefits of Breastfeeding “When it comes to feeding the newborn, human milk is, from an evolutionary perspective, the biological norm, the time-tested standard of care. The health benefits to the infant of breastfeeding have been amply documented; numerous studies strongly indicate significantly decreased risks of infection, allergy, asthma, arthritis, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and various cancers in both childhood and adulthood. Among the more fundamental disadvantages of not being breastfed is a loss of immunologic protection afforded by maternal colostrum, a "pre-milk" fluid secreted only during the first days after delivery, as well as numerous other bioactive factors that help protect the infant through the first two years of life, when the immune and nervous systems are incompletely developed. Nevertheless, given the tendency for persistent organic pollutants (POPs), pesticides, heavy metals, and other contaminants to accumulate in human milk, researchers and parents alike are asking whether the nursling's exposure to these pollutants might reduce or even override the health benefits.”
Melamine-Tainted Candy Found In CT “The Department of Consumer Protection warned consumers Wednesday not to eat "White Rabbit Creamy Candy," imported from China and distributed by Queensway Foods Company Inc. of Burlingame, Calif. The candy was found on several Connecticut store shelves the week of Sept. 29 by agency food safety inspectors and removed, agency Commissioner Jerry Farrell Jr. said. Tests by the Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station Laboratory have determined that the product contains melamine, he said. Melamine has been associated recently with contaminated infant formula and other milk protein-containing products in China, as well as a major pet food recall last year. The chemical is used in plastics manufacturing and as an adulterant in foods to simulate protein. Consumers who have White Rabbit candy should discard it immediately, Farrell said. Individuals who have already consumed the candy and have questions about its heath impact should consult their health-care providers, he said.”
News Media Coverage of Medication Research “Conclusion News articles reporting on medication studies often fail to report pharmaceutical company funding and frequently refer to medications by their brand names despite newspaper editors' contention that this is not the case. “
Searching for Clarity: A Primer on Medical Studies “Experts agree that there are three basic principles that underlie the search for medical truth and the use of clinical trials to obtain it. The first, says Dr. Steven Goodman, an epidemiologist and biostatistician at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, is that it is important to compare like with like. The groups you are comparing must be the same except for one factor — the one you are studying. For example, you should compare beta carotene users with people who are exactly like the beta carotene users except that they don’t take the supplement. By contrast, observational studies that ask what happens to people who act a certain way in their everyday lives rather than in an experiment are not as tightly controlled. For example, if people who eat fruits and vegetables or take beta carotene are compared with those who don’t, the two groups are quite likely to be different from the start. Fruit and vegetable eaters and vitamin takers tend to be more health-conscious in general, more likely to exercise, less likely to smoke. So scientists try to adjust for these differences with statistical modeling.”
Applying Science to Alternative Medicine “Now the federal government is working hard to raise the standards of evidence, seeking to distinguish between what is effective, useless and harmful or even dangerous.”
Logging On for a Second (or Third) Opinion “Reliance on the Internet is so prevalent, said the report’s author, Susannah Fox, the associate director at Pew, that “Google is the de facto second opinion” for patients seeking further information after a diagnosis. But paging Dr. Google can lead patients to miss a rich lode of online resources that may not yield to a simple search. Sometimes just adding a word makes all the difference. Searching for the name of a certain cancer will bring up the Wikipedia entry and several information sites from major hospitals, drug companies and other providers. Add the word “community” to that search, Ms. Fox said, and “it’s like falling into an alternate universe,” filled with sites that connect patients. As a result, said Dr. Ted Eytan, medical director for delivery systems operations improvement at the Permanente Federation, “patients aren’t learning from Web sites — they’re learning from each other.” The shift is nothing less than “the democratization of health care,” he went on, adding, “Now you can become a national expert in your bedroom.” These expanded capabilities allow people to share information easily, upending the top-down path of information between doctors and patients. Today, said Clay Shirky, an expert in the evolving online world, patients are “full-fledged actors in the system.” “
Evidence that volume of anterior medial temporal lobe is reduced in seniors destined for mild cognitive impairment. (Neurobiol Aging. 2008)
Relationship Between Frailty and Cognitive Decline in Older Mexican Americans. (J Am Geriatr Soc. 2008)
Subregional hippocampal atrophy predicts Alzheimer's dementia in the cognitively normal. (Neurobiol Aging. 2008)
Patent Foramen Ovale and Migraine (Circulation. 2008) “Conclusions— In this multiethnic, elderly, population-based cohort, PFO detected with transthoracic echocardiography and agitated saline was not associated with self-reported migraine. The causal relationship between PFO and migraine remains uncertain, and the role of PFO closure among unselected patients with migraine remains questionable.”
'Math Dyslexia' Unravelled “Research shows that many children who experience mathematical difficulties have developmental dyscalculia - a syndrome that is similar to dyslexia, a learning disability that affects a child's ability to read. Children with dyscalculia often have difficulty understanding numerical quantity. For example, they find it difficult to connect abstract symbols, such as a number, to the numerical magnitude it represents. They can't see the connection, for instance, between five fingers and the number '5'. This is similar to children with dyslexia who have difficulty connecting sounds with letters. In a recent study Ansari and graduate student Ian Holloway showed that children who are better at connecting numerical symbols and magnitudes are also those who have higher math scores.”
Cadbury pulls melamine-laced chocolate from China “British candy maker Cadbury announced a recall Monday of chocolate made in its Beijing factory after it was found to contain melamine, the industrial chemical that has sickened tens of thousands of Chinese children. The 11 recalled items were sold in parts of Asia and the Pacific, the company said in a statement. Cadbury's chocolates sold in the United States were not affected, said a spokesman for Hershey's, Cadbury's sole U.S. distributor. Meanwhile, Kraft Foods, the maker of Oreo cookies, and Mars, the maker of M&Ms and Snickers candy, questioned the findings of Indonesian tests that identified melamine in samples of their products made in China. Both Kraft Foods and Mars said they would comply with an Indonesian recall but planned to conduct their own tests and look into the possibility the tainted products were counterfeits.“
Monday September 22 - September 28, 2008
At Risk: The True and False Promises of Medical Screening “It turns out that many of the commonly recommended screening tests fall far short on this promise. They fall so far short that no one should have them without first discussing them with their doctor. If you are not convinced you will be advantaged by having the test, why bother? Let me illustrate this with three of the commonly recommended tests. I will explain why I have never let anyone check my cholesterol or my PSA, and why I have submitted to colonoscopy once, and never again. “
FDA warns of instant coffee in U.S. from China “U.S. regulators warned the public on Friday not to consume seven Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk tea products that were made in China because of concerns they may be contaminated with melamine. The Food and Drug Administration said the products were recalled by King Car Food Industrial Co Ltd "due to possible contamination with melamine." Infant formula tainted with the industrial chemical has resulted in hospitalization for thousands of Chinese babies with painful kidney stones. Four have died. Melamine, which can be used to cheat quality checks by mimicking food protein, also has been found in candy, buns and carton milk sold to other countries and regions, unleashing fear in markets already shaken by a string of "made-in-China" scandals last year.“
Learning From Mistakes Only Works After Age 12, Study Suggests “Eight-year-old children have a radically different learning strategy from twelve-year-olds and adults. Eight-year-olds learn primarily from positive feedback ('Well done!'), whereas negative feedback ('Got it wrong this time') scarcely causes any alarm bells to ring. Twelve-year-olds are better able to process negative feedback, and use it to learn from their mistakes. Adults do the same, but more efficiently. “
California Sues Baby Furniture Manufacturers: Dangerous levels of formaldehyde in cribs, changing tables, state charges “California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. has sued five baby furniture manufacturers for failing to warn consumers about the dangerous levels of formaldehyde gas emitted by their products, including cribs and changing tables. “We’re suing these companies because parents deserve to know if there’s a dangerous chemical in products for children,” Brown said. “Over the past two years, we’ve brought other actions to ensure the safety of children’s products, such as lead in toys and phthalates in baby bibs. "Increasingly, the wood and other materials in consumer products are produced globally, and the lack of tough safeguards and strict enforcement can lead to dangerous levels of exposure,” Brown added.“
Older People Who Diet Without Exercising Lose Valuable Muscle Mass “The new study also showed that when older people diet without exercising, they lose more lean muscle compared to those who exercise, said senior researcher Bret H. Goodpaster. When they combined weight loss with exercise, it nearly completely prevented the loss of lean muscle mass. The results are important because older people tend to lose muscle mass as they age and too much muscle loss may interfere with activities of daily living.”
U.S. Kids Take More Psychotropic Drugs Than Europeans “American children are three times more likely to be prescribed psychotropic medications for conditions such as ADHD and bipolar disease than European children are, a new study finds. Differences in regulatory practices and cultural beliefs about the benefit of medication for emotional and behavioral problems may explain this dramatic difference, the U.S. researchers added. "There is significantly greater use of atypical antipsychotics and SSRI-type antidepressants for child mental health treatment in U.S. than in Western Europe," said lead researcher Julie Zito, from the pharmaceutical health services research department in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Maryland. "Since most of the use is 'off-label' -- without adequate evidence of benefits and risks, close monitoring should be considered when these medications are used." “
Passive Smoking Ups Risk of PAD by 50% “Chinese researchers have reported, for the first time, a link between exposure to passive smoke and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in a cohort of women who have never smoked.”
Caffeine Experts Call For Warning Labels For Energy Drinks “Johns Hopkins scientists who have spent decades researching the effects of caffeine report that a slew of caffeinated energy drinks now on the market should carry prominent labels that note caffeine doses and warn of potential health risks for consumers.”
Boomers Should Add Muscle Before It's Too Late “Strength training can help people build muscle mass to assist in the fight against the debilitating effects of old age until they reach 80, a new study says. After that, not so much, according to the authors. The Ball State University study, sponsored by a grant from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, found that while six men in their 80s did get somewhat stronger, their whole muscle size and fiber size did not grow during a 12-week training regime. "We know that there is accelerated muscle loss as we get older," Scott Trappe, director of Ball State's Human Performance Laboratory, said in a university news release. "The best way to keep our muscles from shrinking is through resistance training, which allows our body to maintain muscle size and strength as we go through our 60s and 70s." “
Rate of entorhinal and hippocampal atrophy in incipient and mild AD: Relation to memory function (Neurobiology of Aging 2008) “Longitudinal analyses showed that the rate of atrophy of the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus for the stable controls differed significantly from MCI participants who converted to AD and the AD groups. Furthermore, longitudinal decreases in hippocampal and entorhinal volume were related to longitudinal decline in declarative memory performance. These findings suggest that the rate of atrophy of mesial temporal lobe structures can differentiate healthy from pathological aging.”
EPA Unlikely to Limit Perchlorate in Tap Water “The Environmental Protection Agency, under pressure from the White House and the Pentagon, is poised to rule as early as today that it will not set a drinking-water safety standard for perchlorate, a component of rocket fuel that has been linked to thyroid problems in pregnant women, newborns and young children across the nation. According to a near-final document obtained by The Washington Post, the EPA's "preliminary regulatory determination" -- which was extensively edited by White House officials -- marks the final step in a six-year-old battle between career EPA scientists who advocate regulating the chemical and White House and Pentagon officials who oppose it. The document estimates that up to 16.6 million Americans are exposed to perchlorate at a level many scientists consider unsafe; independent researchers, using federal and state data, put the number at 20 million to 40 million. “
Monday September 15 - September 21, 2008
[Patent foramen ovale and migraine: where is the connection?] (Neurologia. 2008)
Effect of physical activity on cognitive function in older adults at risk for Alzheimer disease: a randomized trial. (JAMA. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: In this study of adults with subjective memory impairment, a 6-month program of physical activity provided a modest improvement in cognition over an 18-month follow-up period.”
[Life expectancy and mortality in Denmark compared to Sweden. What is the effect of smoking and alcohol?] (Ugeskr Laeger. 2008) “CONCLUSION: A very substantial part of the Danish excess mortality and low life expectancy compared to Sweden can be attributed to high mortality related to alcohol and tobacco consumption. A reduction of this difference in life expectancy does not seem realistic without a reduction in the consumption of tobacco and alcohol.”
Household smoking and childhood asthma in the United States: a state-level analysis. (J Asthma. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: These results are the first to show a link between cigarette smoking in the home and childhood asthma at a state-level in the United States.”
More Impurities Showing Up In Ground Water, USGS Says “A new study by scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has found an increase in nitrate, the most common chemical contaminant in the world's ground water, including in aquifers used for drinking-water supply. Nitrate in U.S. drinking water is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency because of concerns related to infant health and possible cancer risks. Use of man-made synthetic fertilizers has steadily increased since World War II, raising the potential for increased nitrate contamination of the nation's ground water, despite efforts in recent decades to improve land-management practices. Monitoring nitrate trends in ground water through time is important in determining how quickly ground-water systems respond to changes in chemical use and best management practices.“
Cell phones can affect sperm quality, researcher says “Keeping a cell phone on talk mode in a pocket can decrease sperm quality, according to new research from the Cleveland Clinic.”
Migraine Linked To Blood Clots In Veins “Researchers do not know why migraine and venous thrombosis are linked. One theory is that the blood of people with migraine may be more prone to clotting. The study also found that people with migraine are not more likely to have hardening or narrowing of the arteries, which is contrary to a current theory. "The thinking has been that because people with migraine are more likely to have strokes and other cardiovascular problems, that they would also have more severe and early atherosclerosis," said study author Stefan Kiechl, MD, of Innsbruck Medical University in Austria. "This study is the first to use high-resolution ultrasound to examine this theory, and it provides solid evidence to refute it." “
Children Who Are Concerned About Parents Arguing Are Prone To School Problems “Children who worry about how their parents get along with each other are more likely than other children to have psychological problems. Now a new study says that children who worry a lot about conflicts between their parents are more likely to have problems in school because they have more difficulty paying attention to the tasks before them.”
Acetaminophen Linked to Allergies? Docs Say Not So Fast
China tainted milk scandal widens “The scandal of tainted dairy products in China has widened, with liquid milk now found to be contaminated. Inspectors found that 10% of liquid milk taken from three dairies was tainted with melamine. The scandal first came to light in milk powder that killed four infants and sickened more than 6,000 others. Suppliers are believed to have added melamine, a banned chemical normally used in plastics, to diluted milk to make it appear higher in protein. “
Incidental meniscal findings on knee MRI in middle-aged and elderly persons. (N Engl J Med. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Incidental meniscal findings on MRI of the knee are common in the general population and increase with increasing age.”
Healthy Tanning Beds? Experts Say No
The History of Atrial Fibrillation: The Last 100 Years (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2008)
Health moves 'halve early deaths' “By avoiding cigarettes, exercising regularly, eating healthily and keeping weight in check, 55% of early deaths from chronic diseases could be avoided. Following all four lifestyle tips could cut 44% of cancer deaths and 72% of cardiovascular deaths, the study of nearly 80,000 nurses suggests.“
Autism 'may be missed in girls' “They found the girls showed different symptoms, and fewer signs of symptoms traditionally associated with autism, such as repetitive behaviour. The researchers, who presented their work to a Royal College of Psychiatrists meeting, said this might mean cases among girls are missed.“
Bisphenol A Tied to Health Problems “For the first time, the controversial plastic chemical bisphenol A has been linked to serious health problems -- heart disease anddiabetes -- in people. Bisphenol A, also called BPA, is used in polycarbonate plastic -- hard plastic used in products including some baby bottles and refillable water bottles -- and in epoxy resins, which line some canned goods and are also in dental composites and sealants. Bisphenol A isn't found in softer plastics, such as single-serving water bottles. A new study links high urinary levels of bisphenol A to a history of heart disease or diabetes, and to abnormally high concentrations of liver enzymes. The study doesn't prove that bisphenol A caused those problems. But the findings are "disturbing," says David Schardt, MS, senior nutritionist of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The plastics industry, on the other hand, stands by bisphenol A's safety.”
Vitamin C Intake May Reduce Fracture Risk “Total and supplemental use of vitamin C — but not dietary vitamin C intake — are associated with a reduced risk for hip and nonvertebral fracture, according to research presented here on September 14 at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research 30th Annual Meeting. "We want to look at modifiable risk factors [for osteoporosis], and diet is so modifiable," coauthor and presenter Marian T. Hannan, DSc, MPH, told Medscape Diabetes & Endocrinology. "Vitamin C [intake] is highly modifiable. It's a water-soluble vitamin that's easily digested and easily absorbed.... [In addition,] there's a pathway for antioxidants inhibiting bone resorption.... There's [also] a collagen effect that's directly related to vitamin C." “
Children Drinking 100% Fruit Juice Daily May Have Better Nutrient Intake “Children ages 2 to 11 years old who consume 100% juice daily have better nutrient intake without an increased risk for overweight or obesity, according to the results of a cross-sectional study reported in the June issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. "Recent studies using national samples have shown no association between consumption of 100% fruit juice and weight," write Theresa A. Nicklas, DrPH, from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and colleagues. "The 2 objectives of this study were to determine if, in a nationally representative sample of children 2 to 11 years of age, 100% juice consumption affected (1) nutrient intake and food groups and (2) weight status." “
Osteoporosis Diet Dangers: Foods to Avoid
Second infant death in China milk scandal
Monday September 8 - September 14, 2008
Lifestyle, Not Drugs, for Preventing Type 2 Diabetes: "Gladiatorial" Debate Concludes “Lifestyle changes, not drugs, should be the main focus for preventing type 2 diabetes: that was the conclusion of a lively debate here at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes 2008 Meeting. While Dr Paul Zimmet (Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia) argued nimbly that glucose-lowering drugs could play an important role in preventing progression to diabetes, the audience, in a show of hands, ultimately voted to feed him to the lions following what both speakers, in a nod to their Roman surroundings, called a "gladiatorial debate." In defense of lifestyle interventions, Dr Nick Wareham (Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, UK), pointed to the fundamental, philosophical problem of treating patients who have no overt disease with pharmaceutical agents that have no proven benefits as preventive medications. "As a physician I know that drug therapy is hugely beneficial in certain circumstances. The question is whether it is beneficial for people who don't have a disease to be treated with drugs," Wareham said. "I do not contest the notion that this group is at risk, but I think there is a profound philosophical question we're facing: when we as physicians seek out people who don't come to us to offer them help, we'd better be damn sure that what we're doing is actually going to do so."
Tons of drugs dumped into wastewater: Discarded medications end up in drinking water, ongoing report finds “One thing is clear: The massive amount of pharmaceuticals being flushed by the health services industry is aggravating an emerging problem documented by a series of AP investigative stories — the commonplace presence of minute concentrations of pharmaceuticals in the nation's drinking water supplies, affecting at least 46 million Americans. Researchers are finding evidence that even extremely diluted concentrations of pharmaceutical residues harm fish, frogs and other aquatic species in the wild. Also, researchers report that human cells fail to grow normally in the laboratory when exposed to trace concentrations of certain drugs.”
Brush Your Teeth To Reduce The Risk Of Heart Disease “In recent years chronic infections have been associated with a disease that causes "furring" of the arteries, called atherosclerosis, which is the main cause of heart attacks. Gum disease is one of the most common infections of humans and there are now over 50 studies linking gum disease with heart disease and stroke. "A number of theories have been put forward to explain the link between oral infection and heart disease," said Professor Greg Seymour from the University of Otago Dunedin, New Zealand. "One of these is that certain proteins from bacteria initiate atherosclerosis and help it progress. We wanted to see if this is the case, so we looked at the role of heat shock proteins." … This molecular mimicry means that when the immune system reacts to oral infection, it also attacks host proteins, causing arterial disease. These findings could fundamentally change health policy, highlighting the importance of adult oral health to overall health and wellbeing: control of gum disease should be essential in reducing the risk of heart disease.”
Primary Prevention of Stroke by Healthy Lifestyle (Circulation 2008) “Conclusion—A low-risk lifestyle that is associated with a reduced risk of multiple chronic diseases also may be beneficial in the prevention of stroke, especially ischemic stroke.”
Mortality rates of community-residing adults with and without dentures (Geriatrics & Gerontology International 2008) “Conclusion: The present study suggests that dentures are one of the factors associated with mortality rates especially in female subjects with less than 10 functional teeth.”
Vitamin D May Prevent Progression of Osteoarthritis “From this study, it appears that the nature of the bone response in osteoarthritis may determine the ultimate condition of the joint. If these results are confirmed by further studies, the authors conclude, patients with osteoarthritis who have modest vitamin D intake or low blood levels may benefit from increased vitamin D intake or sunlight exposure. The findings of this study could have significant implications for the basic treatment of patients with osteoarthritis. It is important to note that while vitamin D may prevent the progression of osteoarthritis, the study mentioned above found no evidence that vitamin D prevents the disease from initially occurring in an individual.”
Pollution 'hinders heart pacing' “Air pollution from traffic hinders the heart's ability to conduct electrical signals, a study has suggested. Exposure to small particulates - tiny chemicals caused by burning fossil fuels - caused worrying changes on the heart traces of 48 heart patients. Particulate pollution is already known to increase heart attack risk. The Circulation study appears to back this up and the heart trace changes seen were characteristic of poor oxygen supply to the heart. The electrocardiograms of the 48 patients studied, who had recently been hospitalised for heart attack, unstable angina or worsening symptoms of coronary heart disease, showed unusual changes called ST-segment depression. “
Heavier People Have Heart Attacks Earlier: 12 years sooner for the most obese, new research finds “One reason for the difference is that obese people are more likely to have other risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. "But even after adjusting for those factors, just being heavy added considerable risk," Peterson said.”
A Randomized Trial of Arthroscopic Surgery for Osteoarthritis of the Knee (NEJM 2008) “Conclusions Arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee provides no additional benefit to optimized physical and medical therapy.”
Common Knee Surgery Called Unnecessary “One of the most common surgical procedures performed in the United States -- arthroscopy to treat arthritis in the knee -- is useless, researchers reported yesterday. A study involving 178 men and women found that those who underwent the surgery fared no better than those who received medication and physical therapy only. "I think we have definitive evidence that that procedure is ineffective," said Brian Feagan of the University of Western Ontario, whose findings are being published in today's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. "If it isn't effective, patients should not be undergoing it." The study marks the second time a major study has questioned the operations, which can cost about $5,000 and are done on hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. In 2002, a study found the operations were no better than a sham procedure for arthritis. A year later, based on that and other studies, Medicare stopped paying for the operations for severe arthritis of the knee, and the number of claims for the procedure plunged.”
Scratched Surfaces May Trap Bacteria During Food Processing “Abrasion, constant cleaning and impact damage can cause work surfaces to become scratched. "It is important that surfaces in a hygienic environment are kept clean. Scratches may entrap microorganisms such as Escherichia coli and protect them from being removing during cleaning," researcher Adele Packer said in a society meeting news release.”
Tears in knee cartilage common in older adults “Damage to the meniscus, a shock-absorbing cartilage in the knee, is a common finding on MRIs in middle-aged and elderly persons and, in most cases, it causes no symptoms, investigators report in The New England Journal of Medicine. According to an accompanying editorial, meniscal tears and knee pain can often coexist without the former being the cause of the latter. As such, doctors should look for other causes, such as arthritis, before contemplating surgery to address the tear.”
Prevalence of Insulin Resistance and Related Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease in Patients With Essential Hypertension. (Am J Hypertens. 2008) “Conclusions Approximately 50% of patients with essential hypertension, both treated and untreated, appear to be insulin resistant, and CVD risk factors are greatly accentuated in this subset of patients.”
Vitamin D inadequacy in French osteoporotic and osteopenic women. (Joint Bone Spine. 2008) “CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is common among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia in France.”
Beneficial effects of potassium on human health. (Physiol Plant. 2008) “Until recently, humans consumed a diet high in potassium. However, with the increasing consumption of processed food, which has potassium removed, combined with a reduction in the consumption of fruits and vegetables, there has been a large decrease in potassium intake which now, in most developed countries, averages around 70 mmol day-1, i.e. only one third of our evolutionary intake. Much evidence shows that increasing potassium intake has beneficial effects on human health. Epidemiological and clinical studies show that a high-potassium diet lowers blood pressure in individuals with both raised blood pressure and average population blood pressure. Prospective cohort studies and outcome trials show that increasing potassium intake reduces cardiovascular disease mortality. This is mainly attributable to the blood pressure-lowering effect and may also be partially because of the direct effects of potassium on the cardiovascular system. A high-potassium diet may also prevent or at least slow the progression of renal disease. An increased potassium intake lowers urinary calcium excretion and plays an important role in the management of hypercalciuria and kidney stones and is likely to decrease the risk of osteoporosis. Low serum potassium is strongly related to glucose intolerance, and increasing potassium intake may prevent the development of diabetes that occurs with prolonged treatment with thiazide diuretics.”
Low plasma eicosapentaenoic acid and depressive symptomatology are independent predictors of dementia risk (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2008) “Conclusions: A high plasma EPA concentration may decrease the risk of dementia, whereas high ratios of n–6 to n–3 fatty acids and of AA to DHA may increase the risk of dementia, especially in depressed older persons.”
Long-chain n–3 fatty acids and mortality in elderly patients (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2008) “Conclusions: Overall mortality in frail, elderly, acutely sick patients was inversely and nonlinearly associated with EPA concentrations. Approximately 25% of the population had EPA concentrations below the indicated threshold for maximal protection, suggesting that only this part of the population might have benefited from additional EPA intake. “
Changes in cognition and mortality in relation to exercise in late life: a population based study. (PLoS ONE. 2008) “Exercise is strongly associated with improving cognition. As the majority of mortality benefit of exercise is at the highest level of cognition, and declines as cognition declines, the net effect of exercise should be to improve cognition at the population level, even with more people living longer.”
Vitamin B12 Boasts Brain Benefits: Simple Dietary Changes May Help Ward Off Brain Volume Loss in Old Age “When the researchers compared the results, they found that people who had higher vitamin B12 levels were six times less likely to experience brain shrinkage compared with those who had lower levels of the vitamin in their blood. The researchers write that they were unable to investigate whether lower vitamin B12 could cause cognitive impairment by its effect on brain size. … Since the researchers did not look at whether taking vitamin B12 supplements would have an effect, it remains unknown whether they could make a difference in elderly persons at risk for brain shrinkage. "Without carrying out a clinical trial, we acknowledge that it is still not known whether B12 supplementation would actually make a difference in elderly persons at risk for brain shrinkage," Vogiatzoglou says.“
Substance Found In Fruits And Vegetables Reduces Likelihood Of The Flu “Quercetin, a close chemical relative of resveratrol, is present in a variety of fruits and vegetables, including red onions, grapes, blueberries, tea, broccoli and red wine. It has been shown to have anti-viral properties in cell culture experiments and some animal studies, but none of these studies has looked specifically at the flu. The new study was conducted using mice, but if quercetin provides a similar benefit for humans, it could help endurance athletes, soldiers and others undergoing difficult training regimens, as well as people under psychological stress, according to Davis.“
n–3 Fatty acids and health: DaVinci's code “The 3 studies conducted in elderly subjects discussed above underscore the potential importance of maintaining high dietary n–3 FA intakes throughout life. “
Monday September 1 - September 7, 2008
Periodontitis and the Risk for Non-Fatal Stroke in Korean Adults. (J Periodontol. 2008) “Conclusion: Our data suggested that periodontitis is independently associated with non-fatal stroke, and its impact seems to be greater among younger or normotensive Korean adults.”
Green tea consumption and liver disease: a systematic review (Liver International 2008) “Conclusions: An increased consumption of green tea may reduce the risk of liver disease.“
Perinatal Exposure to Brominated Flame Retardants and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Japan. (Endocr J. 2008) “These results indicate that OH-PBDEs, TBBPA, and TBP, in addition to PBDEs, PCBs, and OH-PCBs, pass through the blood-placenta barrier and are retained in the umbilical cord.”
B-vitamin Deficiency May Cause Vascular Cognitive Impairment “A deficiency of B-vitamins may cause vascular cognitive impairment, according to a new study. Researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University used an experimental model to examine the metabolic, cognitive, and microvascular effects of dietary B-vitamin deficiency.”
Nearly Half Of US Adults Will Develop Painful Knee Osteoarthritis By Age 85: Study “The study also found that a person’s lifetime risk rose as their body mass index or BMI increased, with the greatest risk found in those whose weight was normal at age 18 but were overweight or obese at 45 or older. “These results show how important weight management is for people throughout their lives,” said Dr. Joanne Jordan, principal investigator of the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project and senior study author. “Simply put, people who keep their weight within the normal range are much less likely to develop symptomatic knee osteoarthritis as they get older and thus much less likely to face the need for major surgical procedures, such as knee replacement surgery.” “
Fire Retardants Found in Children's Blood “Young children have three times the blood levels of fire-retardant chemicals as their mothers, according to a new study by the Environmental Working Group. The chemicals are routinely used in common household items such as furniture, mattresses, and electronics. The gap between mothers and their children was a surprise finding. Because of typically similar diet and exposures in the same household, "we would have expected similar levels," says Anila Jacob, MD, MPH, a senior scientist at EWG. "What we found was, kids on average had three times the levels of toxic retardants polluting their blood compared to their moms." The chemicals are hormone-disrupting and potentially hazardous, especially to young brain development, Jacob and her colleagues say. But a spokesman for the flame retardant industry countered that the levels of chemicals, known as PBDEs or polybrominated diphenyl ethers, found in the study are quite low, in the parts per billion range. “
Heavy teens run risk of severe liver damage “The American Liver Foundation and other experts estimate 2 percent to 5 percent of American children over age 5, nearly all of them obese or overweight, have the condition, called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.”
Cardiovascular effects of air pollution. (Clin Sci (Lond). 2008) “Evidence from cellular/toxicological experiments, controlled animal and human exposures and human panel studies have demonstrated several mechanisms by which particle exposure may both trigger acute events as well as prompt the chronic development of cardiovascular diseases. PM inhaled into the pulmonary tree may instigate remote cardiovascular health effects via three general pathways: instigation of systemic inflammation and/or oxidative stress, alterations in autonomic balance, and potentially by direct actions upon the vasculature of particle constituents capable of reaching the systemic circulation. In turn, these responses have been shown to trigger acute arterial vasoconstriction, endothelial dysfunction, arrhythmias and pro-coagulant/thrombotic actions. Finally, long-term exposure has been shown to enhance the chronic genesis of atherosclerosis. Although the risk to one individual at any single time point is small, given the prodigious number of people continuously exposed, PM air pollution imparts a tremendous burden to the global public health, ranking it as the 13th leading cause of morality (approx. 800,000 annual deaths).”
Who is more vulnerable to die from ozone air pollution? (Epidemiology. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the susceptibility of the elderly to die of ambient ozone and identified other vulnerable subpopulations including women, blacks, and those with atrial fibrillation. Differences in vulnerability were particularly marked in cities with lower ozone concentrations.”
Hot Flashes and Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease. Findings From the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation Heart Study. (Circulation. 2008) “Conclusions-Women with hot flashes had reduced flow-mediated dilation and greater aortic calcification. Hot flashes may mark adverse underlying vascular changes among midlife women.”
Vitamin D and living in northern latitudes--an endemic risk area for vitamin D deficiency. (Int J Circumpolar Health. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D plays a fundamental role in calcium and phosphate homeostasis. A deficiency of vitamin D has been attributed to several diseases. Since its production in the skin depends on exposure to UVB-radiation via the sunlight, the level of vitamin D is of crucial importance for the health of inhabitants who live in the Nordic latitudes where there is diminished exposure to sunlight during the winter season. Therefore, fortification or supplementation of vitamin D is necessary for most of the people living in the northern latitudes during the winter season to maintain adequate levels of circulating 25(OH)D3 to maintain optimal body function and prevent diseases.”
Noncoital Sexual Activity May Not Be "Safe" Sex “Diseases that can be transmitted through noncoital sexual activity include HIV; HSV-1; HSV-2; HPV; hepatitis A, B, and C virus; syphilis; gonorrhea; and chlamydia. Transmission of chancroid, shigellosis, salmonellosis, and other enteric infections is uncommon but possible. • Recommendations to reduce the risk for disease from noncoital sexual activity include assessment of the sexual partners, community prevalence of disease, history of STD, and patterns of barrier methods. Other recommendations are safer behaviors, abstinence, mutual monogamy, limiting partners, STD testing before sexual activity with a new partner, correct and consistent condom use, cleaning sex toys, and counseling for serodiscordant STD couples. “
Mood in pregnancy impacts early child development “Some of the harmful effects on early child development attributed to postpartum depression may be caused in part by depression during pregnancy, a UK study shows for the first time. Maternal depression during pregnancy "has a negative impact on children's cognitive development, even when postnatal (after delivery) depression has been taken into account," Dr. Toity Deave told Reuters Health. "It is widely acknowledged that postnatal depression has a negative impact on child development but this is the first study that has demonstrated that the children of women who experience low mood during pregnancy are also at risk," said Deave, from the Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, University of the West of England, Bristol. “
Jolts from heart defibrillators often precede death “They said their study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests that implantable defibrillators often merely delay the inevitable. Dr. Jeanne Poole of the University of Washington in Seattle said, "The most important thing to remember is that the defibrillators save lives," and the findings mean a defibrillator shock may be a danger signal that patients and doctors should heed. "The important message is that the first occurrence of shocks is not a random event in an otherwise stable clinical course but a sign of clinical deterioration in the underlying disease process," Drs. Jeff Healey and Stuart Connolly of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, wrote in a commentary.”
Being Tall May Raise Prostate Cancer Risk “The long and short of it is that if you're a tall or leggy man, you may have a slightly higher risk of developing prostate cancer than men of more modest height. And if you do get prostate cancer, there's a somewhat greater chance that it will be a more aggressive type. “
Study Finds Vaccine Not Linked to Autism “Dr. Marie McCormick of the Harvard School of Public Health said these results are definitive and significant. "This is the nail in the coffin," she said. "The final bit of research we were looking for to finally discredit this link between the measles vaccine and autism" is proven. But there have been dozens of studies over the years debunking a link between vaccines and autism and the controversy has still continued. The National Autism Association released a statement today calling the study "flawed" and saying that it "fell far short of what the public needs to prove safety of the MMR vaccine." “
The functional effects of physical exercise training in frail older people : a systematic review. (Sports Med. 2008) “This systematic review suggests that older adults with different levels of abilities can improve their functional performance by regular exercise training.”
Helmet law halved child bike deaths “The number of bike-related deaths among children younger than 16 fell by more than half after a Canadian bike-helmet law went into effect, a new study shows.”
Bisphenol A: Some Concerns Remain
Exercise in Prevention and Management of Cancer. “Based on this evidence it is now clear to us that exercise is a critical adjuvant therapy in the management of many cancers and will greatly enhance the therapeutic effects of traditional radiation and pharmaceutical treatments by increasing tolerance, reducing side effects, and lowering risk of chronic diseases, even those not aggravated by cancer treatment. While patients and their clinicians deal with their cancer, other chronic disease mechanisms continue unabated. Anxiety, depression, poor nutritional choices, and a counterproductive rest strategy will accelerate these processes, while a well-designed exercise program adhered to by the patient and supported by the medical and exercise professionals will effectively control and even reverse these diseases and disabilities.”
Older fathers linked with bipolar “Older fathers are more likely to have children with bipolar disorder, research suggests. The risk goes up when men are older than 29 before they start their family, and is highest if they are over 55. Increasing paternal age has already been linked with schizophrenia and autism, but not bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression. The Swedish study, in Archives of Psychiatry, suggests the risk may, in part, be explained by ageing sperm.”
The Effects of Exercise upon Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients Diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomised Controlled Trial (Int J Sports Med 2008) “Findings highlight the possibility that exercise may be an effective intervention for symptom management in patients with irritable bowel syndrome; this may be particularly the case for constipation predominant patients.”
Iron deficiency alters expression of genes implicated in Alzheimer disease pathogenesis. (Brain Res. 2008) “Our results suggest a role for neonatal iron deficiency in dysregulation of genes that may set the stage for long-term neurodegenerative disease and that this may occur through a histone modification mechanism.”
Estrogens, oral contraceptives and hormonal replacement therapy increase the incidence of cutaneous melanoma: a population-based case-control study. (Ann Oncol. 2008) “CONCLUSION: Our study suggests a cumulative dose-dependent increased risk of CM with the use of estrogens.”
Monday August 25 - August 31, 2008
Fish oil helps patients with chronic heart failure: Omega-3 pill worked slightly better than cholesterol medication, study says “Fish oil supplements may work slightly better than a popular cholesterol-reducing drug to help patients with chronic heart failure, according to new research released Sunday. Chronic heart failure is a condition that occurs when the heart becomes enlarged and cannot pump blood efficiently around the body. …. Bonow said that since cell membranes are made of fatty acids, fish oils may help to replace and strengthen those membranes with omega-3. Fish oils also are thought to increase the body's good cholesterol levels, as well as possibly stabilizing the electrical system in heart cells, to prevent abnormal heart rhythms. In contrast, statins act on the body's bad cholesterol, which may not have a big impact on heart failure. … Weaver said that guidelines in the United States would likely change to recommend that more heart patients eat more fish or take supplements. "This is a low-tech solution and could help all patients with cardiovascular problems." “
Perfume 'risk to unborn babies' “Pregnant women have been told that using perfumes or scented creams may increase the risk of unborn boys developing infertility in later life. Edinburgh University researchers claimed a crucial window between eight and 12 weeks of pregnancy determined future reproductive problems. They believe that exposure to chemicals found in cosmetics during this period may affect later sperm production. But they stressed there was not yet conclusive proof this was the case. “
Effect of T'ai Chi Chuan Training on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Dyslipidemic Patients. (J Altern Complement Med. 2008) “Conclusions: A 12-month TCC training program significantly improves aerobic capacity and CHD risk factors in patients with dyslipidemia.”
Number of teeth and mortality risk in the Baltimore longitudinal study of aging. (J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2008) “CONCLUSION: The results of this study support the notion that number of teeth is a significant and independent risk indicator for early mortality. These findings suggest that the improvement of oral health may have a positive impact on general health and may delay mortality.”
The Effects of Strength Training on Finger Strength and Hand Dexterity in Healthy Elderly Individuals. (J Appl Physiol. 2008) ) “The results suggest that strength training is an effective way to improve finger strength. It can also lead to changes in finger interaction and in performance of accurate force production tasks. Adaptations at a neural level are likely to mediate the observed effects. Overall, the data suggest that strength training can also improve the hand function of less healthy elderly subjects."
Live to 43 or 86? Depends on where you live “"Between countries we have life expectancy differences of more than 40 years. A woman in Botswana can expect to live 43 years, in Japan 86 years." “
Even Without Dementia, Mental Skills Decline Years Before Death “A number of factors may explain this terminal decline in mental skills, Thorvaldsson said. "Cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease or dementia that is too early to be detected could be factors," he said. "Increased health problems and frailty in old age often lead to inactivity, and this lack of exercise and mental stimulation could accelerate mental decline." Thorvaldsson noted that verbal abilities declined sharply in the terminal phase and did not decline significantly due to age only. "This indicates that people remain stable in their verbal abilities unless they are experiencing disease processes that also increase their mortality risk," he said. "A change in verbal ability might therefore be considered a critical marker for degeneration in health in older people." “
Trauma, PTSD Followed By Reduction In Region Of The Brain Involved With Memory ““Most people exposed to traumatic events do not develop PTSD,” Hedges said. “However, those that do may show certain changes in their brains.” The hippocampus is involved with learning and memory. More than a decade ago, neuroscientists saw the first signs that it could be smaller in some people with post-traumatic stress disorder. “
Trans fats linked to pre-cancerous colon growths “A high intake of trans fats could increase colon cancer risk, according to new research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. People who ate the most trans fatty acids were more likely to have pre-cancerous growths or polyps in their colons than those who consumed the least, Dr. Lisa C. Vinikoor of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and colleagues found. "These results provide further support for recommendations to limit consumption of trans-fatty acids," they conclude. Trans fats are formed by processing vegetable oils to increase their shelf-life, and are found in many baked goods, crackers, snacks and other packaged foods. Eating them increases levels of "bad" LDL-cholesterol, and hence heart disease risk. US food producers are now required to list the amount of trans fat contained in their products, and health authorities recommend people avoid eating trans fats entirely. “
Huge Medical Bills You Shouldn't Pay “Burdick hired two billing investigators. After demanding an itemized accounting, health care navigators Lin Osborn and Beth Morgan believe Burdick was overcharged by $40,000, for items like six surgical screws - at $1,750 each. They say overbilling is now the norm.”
Don't become a victim of medical marketing
Lead, Mercury, and Arsenic in US- and Indian-Manufactured Ayurvedic Medicines Sold via the Internet (JAMA. 2008) “Conclusion One-fifth of both US-manufactured and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines purchased via the Internet contain detectable lead, mercury, or arsenic. “
Skin Cancer May Foretell Cancers to Come “The new study, from Johns Hopkins and the Medical University of South Carolina, tracked 769 patients who had non-melanoma skin cancer -- the most common form in the United States -- and 18,405 people who had not had the illness and found that those who had skin cancer were twice as likely to develop another form. “
Media Coverage About Breast Self-Exam Misleading, Say Experts “ “"The news stories seem to suggest that this is the final word on breast self-exam, and that the practice is ineffective or even harmful," said Dr. Goldstein, senior scientist and chairman of the board at MammaCare, in Gainesville, Florida. "And that's not the case at all." … The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has kept BSE in its most recent breast cancer screening guidelines. "Despite a lack of definitive data for or against breast self-examination, breast self-examination has the potential to detect palpable breast cancer and can be recommended," the guidelines state. Several advocacy groups also continue to recommend BSE, including San Francisco–based Breast Cancer Action, which states that annual clinical breast exams by trained health professionals and breast self-exams are essential aspects of breast cancer screening. Our Bodies Ourselves, also known as the Boston Women’s Health Book Collective, a nonprofit public-interest women’s health education and advocacy organization, points out that BSE is rarely used as a sole screening method, is generally combined with clinical breast exam and mammography, and is the only detection method that women have control over with their own 2 hands. Most breast cancers are palpable and are usually discovered by the women themselves, Drs. Goldstein and Pennypacker note. When the biomedical research team at the University of Florida and MammaCare were first investigating optimal palpation procedures, they found that skill training using tactually accurate breast models with small simulated lesions enabled women and healthcare practitioners to reliably detect 3 mm breast lesions, which is 10 times smaller than the average lesion found by accident. "Published evidence documents that a large proportion of breast cancers are palpable and self-detected, that some breast cancers are mammographically invisible, that the components of effective breast self-examination are now known and validated, that the skill can be learned, and that women who learn and practice proficient breast examination possess an advantage in protecting their health and their life," they write.”
Vitamin D Deficiency May Lurk in Babies “Physicians have known for more than a century that exclusive breast-feeding may be associated with vitamin D deficiency and rickets, and that the condition is easily prevented and treated with inexpensive vitamin drops or cod liver oil. But doctors are reluctant to say anything that might discourage breast-feeding. Now some researchers are also linking vitamin D deficiency with other chronic diseases like diabetes, autoimmune disorders and even cancer, and there have been calls to include blood tests of vitamin D levels in routine checkups. “I completely support breast-feeding, and I think breast milk is the perfect food, and the healthiest way to nourish an infant,” said Dr. Catherine M. Gordon, director of the bone health program at Children’s Hospital Boston and an author of several studies on vitamin D deficiency, including Aleanie’s case. “However,” Dr. Gordon continued, “we’re finding so many mothers are vitamin D deficient themselves that the milk is therefore deficient, so many babies can’t keep their levels up. They may start their lives vitamin D deficient, and then all they’re getting is vitamin D deficient breast milk.” “
Americans Fatter in 37 States “The report's state-by-state rankings find Mississippi, West Virginia, and Alabama to be the most obese states. Colorado, Hawaii, and Connecticut are the least obese states — yet Colorado's obesity rate continues to climb toward 20% of adults, a level already surpassed by Hawaii and Connecticut. "The crisis is getting worse," Levi said at a news conference. "The 2008 report shows some states and communities have taken positive steps, but overall we are not treating the obesity epidemic with the seriousness it deserves." The most shocking figure in last year's report was that more than 30% of Mississippi adults were obese. This year, Mississippi's problem is even worse — and now Alabama and West Virginia have adult obesity rates over 30%. “
Sleep apnea as an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality: the Busselton Health Study. (Sleep. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Moderate-to-severe sleep apnea is independently associated with a large increased risk of all-cause mortality in this community-based sample.”
Monthly Featured Articles
Selections Prior To August 25, 2008:
July - August 2008
Massaging Muscles Facilitates Recovery After Exercise “The scientists have determined that immediate cyclic compression of muscles after intense exercise reduced swelling and muscle damage in a study using animals. ... After the experimental exercise and massage were performed in the study, the researchers compared the muscle tissues of all of the animals, finding that the muscles in animals receiving simulated massage had improved function, less swelling and fewer signs of inflammation than did muscles in the animals that received no massage treatment after exercise.”
Vitamin D intake and breast cancer risk: a case-control study in Italy. (Ann Oncol. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: This study adds to the existing evidence that vitamin D intake in inversely associated with breast cancer risk.”
Migraine with and without aura and risk for cardiovascular disease. (Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2008) “Although many prior studies have demonstrated increased risks in women with migraine with aura, an emerging body of evidence is showing similar risks in men. These risks are further compounded with increased migraine frequency, smoking, and the use of oral contraceptive pills. Because the overall risk for stroke and myocardial infarction in migraineurs remains relatively low, recommendations at this time are limited to the modification of cardiovascular risk factors, such as smoking cessation and the avoidance of oral contraceptive pills, especially in women suffering from migraine with aura.”
Association of Serum -Tocopherol, Retinol and Ascorbic Acid with the Risk of Cataract Development (Ann Nutr Metab 2008) “Conclusion: While this is a small-scale case study it can nonetheless be viewed as presenting support to help narrow the possibility that antioxidative agents may play a role in delaying cataract formation.”
Why a common treatment for prostate cancer ultimately fails “Understanding the effects of the androgen receptor gives physicians a toehold in efforts to develop more effective treatments for men with prostate cancer. That would be welcome news for the one of every six men who will get the disease during his lifetime. More than 28,000 men die from the disease in the United States each year, according to the American Cancer Society. Men's risk from prostate cancer is about equal to women's risk from breast cancer: Each year, about the same number of men get prostate cancer as women get breast cancer, and their risk of dying from the diseases is about equal, according to ACS. Chang's findings are most relevant for patients with advanced prostate cancer, who typically receive hormone therapy after other treatments such as surgery or radiation. With hormone therapy, physicians blunt the effects of male hormones like testosterone to bring the disease in the prostate to a halt. One form of hormone therapy works by blocking the androgen receptor. Androgen deprivation therapy is generally very effective for a year or two, but for reasons that no one has understood, the cancer ultimately returns. "When a man receives hormone therapy, initially the treatment works well, and his PSA (prostate specific antigen) level goes down," said Edward Messing, M.D., a urologist and an author of the paper. "But inevitably, the PSA will start climbing again, and that is usually the first sign that the treatment is beginning to fail. It's a sign that the cancer in the prostate is making a comeback." “
Vaccine-wary parents spark public health worry “Skeptical of government mandates and leery of feared links to disorders from asthma to autism, parents say they’re exercising their rights to protect their kids from risk. But health officials say there’s no question that the risk of vaccination is far outweighed by the benefits of inoculation, and that those who don’t immunize endanger not only their own kids, but also the collective resistance that keeps everyone else safe, too. “When more than 10 percent of a community opts out of vaccinations, it leaves the entire community at risk because germs have a greater chance of causing an epidemic,” said Dr. Ari Brown, an Austin, Texas, pediatrician who represents the American Academy of Pediatrics. Scientists worry that vaccine resisters increasingly are breaching "herd immunity," the necessary level of protection that keeps disease from spreading. When enough people in a community are immune to a disease, they provide a buffer that keeps germs from infecting those too vulnerable for vaccination, or those for whom a vaccine doesn't work or wears off. “
Health and Economic Implications of HPV Vaccination in the United States
Human Papillomavirus Vaccination — Reasons for Caution “Despite great expectations and promising results of clinical trials, we still lack sufficient evidence of an effective vaccine against cervical cancer. Several strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cervical cancer, and two vaccines directed against the currently most important oncogenic strains (i.e., the HPV-16 and HPV-18 serotypes) have been developed. That is the good news. The bad news is that the overall effect of the vaccines on cervical cancer remains unknown. As Kim and Goldie1 point out in this issue of the Journal, the real impact of HPV vaccination on cervical cancer will not be observable for decades. … With so many essential questions still unanswered, there is good reason to be cautious about introducing large-scale vaccination programs. Instead, we should concentrate on finding more solid answers through research rather than base consequential and costly decisions on yet unproven assumptions.”
Chronic lead poisoning from urban soils“"These national numbers for chronic lead poisoning are staggering but the percentage of affected children in older urban areas is much much higher than in rural areas or newer cities. The blowing soil and dust young children ingest contains large amount of lead from lead paint and leaded gasoline deposited decades ago, and from industrial contamination. In Indianapolis, we found high levels of soil contamination. Many older urban centers, have lead poisoning rates that are 5 to10 times the national average." said Filippelli, who is a biogeochemist studying environmental contamination of heavy metals and its effects on children's health. Going into neighborhoods where yards are dirt rather than grass-covered and spraying clean water with high power shower systems when tests show that soil moisture is low (usually mid-July to mid-September in Indianapolis, for example), would significantly decrease the chronic lead poisoning in children, according to Filippelli. Since contaminated dirt blows from one property to another, this cannot be done on a house by house basis but must be carried out on a regional basis. … Young children, especially those who crawl, put objects in their mouth, eat dirt, or are exposed to blowing dirt, and can consume a significant amount of lead. Children's developing digestive systems are very susceptible to lead poisoning. To a child's body, lead looks like calcium because they both have same ionic charge and size. As their neurons develop, the nervous system tries to use lead in place of calcium and the child's neural systems fail to form correctly. This impairs neural function leading to irreversibly decreased IQ and increased attention deficient issues.“
Long-term fish consumption and n-3 fatty acid intake in relation to (sudden) coronary heart disease death: the Zutphen study (European Heart Journal 2008) “Conclusion: The strength of the association between long-term fish consumption and CHD death decreased with increasing age. Fatty-fish consumption lowered sudden coronary death risk. There was no clear dose–response relationship between EPA+DHA intake and (sudden) coronary death.”
Hypercholesterolemia and prostate cancer: a hospital-based case-control study. (Cancer Causes Control. 2008) “CONCLUSION: This study adds to recent evidence that hypercholesterolemia may increase the risk of prostate cancer in white men.”
Red Bull drink lifts stroke risk: Australian study “Just one can of the popular stimulant energy drink Red Bull can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, even in young people, Australian medical researchers said on Friday. The caffeine-loaded beverage, popular with university students and adrenaline sport fans to give them "wings," caused the blood to become sticky, a precursor to cardiovascular problems such as stroke. "One hour after they drank Red Bull, (their blood systems) were no longer normal. They were abnormal like we would expect in a patient with cardiovascular disease," lead researcher Scott Willoughby, from the Cardiovascular Research Centre at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, told the Australian newspaper.”
Tai Chi Program Helps Prevent Falls Among Older Adults
Arrival method, slow response often delay stroke care “Study highlights: • In a study that analyzed data on more than 15,000 stroke patients only 23 percent arrived at the hospital within two hours of symptom onset and were suitable for evaluation to receive tPA. • Those who arrived by ambulance were more than twice as likely to receive timely CT scans as those who “walked in” on their own. • Researchers said it’s important for people to recognize the symptoms of stroke and promptly call 9-1-1. Arriving at a hospital by ambulance could lead to faster stroke diagnosis and speed treatment.”
Exercise Reduces Blood Pressure... ... But too few doctors recommend it to their patients, study finds “The researchers found that only slightly more than one-third of the people with high blood pressure said their doctor had told them to increase physical activity as a way of bringing down their blood pressure. Yet, 71 percent of patients with high blood pressure saw a drop in their blood pressure when they increased their physical activity, which means that they listened when doctors told them to exercise more, according to the report. "Non-pharmacological methods such as exercising are important in improving blood pressure control on a population level as this study looked at the cross-section of the U.S. population," Halm said. Studies have shown that small changes in blood pressure -- 2 to 3 mmHg -- could result in a 25 percent to 50 percent decrease in the incidence of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, Halm said. "That would result in an annual reduction of stroke, coronary heart disease and all-cause mortality by 6 percent, 4 percent and 3 percent, respectively," he said. Exercise -- as part of a comprehensive lifestyle-modification program including weight loss, low-salt diet, diets rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats -- has beneficial effects on blood pressure, Halm said.“
Stroke Risk in Women Smokers Goes Up by Each Cigarette: There's a nine-fold increase for two packs a day, study finds “"There are four major reasons why," Meyerson added. "Smoking disrupts the cells lining the blood vessels. It increases blood fibrogen levels, which makes blood more likely to clot. It increases the stickiness of platelets, the cells that form blood clots, and it also decreases the body's natural clot-dissolving mechanism." “
Journey of a cheeseburger: A meal of chips, burgers and cola can make you feel sick. US researchers explain how and why. “Do you feel queasy after eating a cheeseburger and a carton of chips, washed down with a cola? If so, it's not your imagination. These 'foods' are playing havoc with your metabolism, say US researchers. In the hours after a meal, they produce wild swings of blood sugar, blood fats, and hormones. And they cause the body to release dangerous inflammatory chemicals that damage the walls of arteries and predispose to heart disease and stroke. Normally when you eat, enzymes in your stomach and intestine break food down into fats, protein and carbohydrates, and these are absorbed into the bloodstream. It's a slow, ordered, gradual process, say researchers from the Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, Missouri, writing in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology last month. But not if the meal is a typical takeaway. They describe what happens to the body in the hours after consuming a cheeseburger/chips/cola combo, and it's enough to make you feel distinctly off-colour. These 'foods' are highly processed, so they're quickly broken down and absorbed. They flood the bloodstream with large amounts of fats and sugars. The sugar from the soft drinks and the flour in the burger bun cause 'post-prandial hyperglycaemia': a big spike in blood sugar levels. This in turn creates a surge of insulin (whose job normally is to keep blood sugar levels from getting too high). Too much insulin is produced and it forces blood sugar levels back down again to well below normal levels (which is why you feel faint, and often hungry again, in the hours after a takeaway meal). Levels of the stress hormone cortisol are raised.”
Relieve Back Pain With Core Strength Training: Exercise may be a better option for back pain than surgery.“Back pain can be relieved by many different types of exercises. For instance, a knees-to-chest exercise can be a big help if your pain is due to spinal stenosis, a narrowing of areas in the spine that can put pressure on the nerves. That’s because lying on your back and pulling the knees to the chest for about 60 seconds opens up the disc space in the back, which relieves pressure on the nerves, says Kelly.”
Running Slows the Effects of Aging: Study Shows Older Runners Have Fewer Disabilities Than Non-Runners “"If you had to pick one thing to make people healthier as they age, it would be aerobic exercise," James Fries, MD, an emeritus professor of medicine at the medical school and the study's senior author, says in a news release.”
Alzheimer's May Be Present Decades Before It Is Diagnosed “The study findings add to others showing that individuals who will eventually develop Alzheimer's differ from those who don't many decades before. In 1996, the Nun Study found that Alzheimer's disease with onset in old age could be predicted accurately from characteristics of autobiographical essays written at an average age of 22. Other studies have shown that those who develop Alzheimer's have specific deficits on tests of memory and thinking decades before the disease is diagnosed. The fact that subtle signs of Alzheimer's appear many years before symptoms appear may be useful for predicting who is at risk of the illness and identifying individuals earlier in life who could benefit from preventive therapies.”
Important Precautionary Advice Regarding Cell Phone Use “1. Do not allow children to use a cell phone, except for emergencies. The developing organs of a fetus or child are the most likely to be sensitive to any possible effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields. 2. While communicating using your cell phone, try to keep the cell phone away from the body as much as possible. The amplitude of the electromagnetic field is one fourth the strength at a distance of two inches and fifty times lower at three feet. Whenever possible, use the speaker-phone mode or a wireless Bluetooth headset, which has less than 1/100th of the electromagnetic emission of a normal cell phone. Use of a hands-free ear piece attachment may also reduce exposures. …”
Hospitalization Linked to Increased Fracture Risk in Elderly “In the Health ABC Study, two thirds of elderly participants were admitted to a hospital during follow-up of approximately 6 years, and more than one quarter had 3 or more hospitalizations. After adjustment for age, race, and sex, hospitalization was associated with twice the risk for fracture and with more than twice the risk for hip fracture. Risk for hip fracture was increased 2.42-fold in patients with 2 hospitalizations during follow-up and 3.66-fold in those with 3 or more hospitalizations. “
Vaccines schedule for children
How to Tell When Leftovers Go Bad “For leftover food to be safe, it must be kept in what Donnelly calls the rule of four: no more than four days at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or 4 degrees centigrade. (Freezing fresh food at zero degree Fahrenheit will keep it safe indefinitely.) "About 25 percent of the refrigerators in the country are operating at a temperature that can make food unsafe," says Donnelly, citing a study commissioned by the Federal Transit Administration. "Here we're using the refrigerator as a food safety device and most people have no clue, no idea what temperature it should be." “
Stroke Risk Plummets With Healthy Lifestyle “Living a healthy lifestyle can cut your risk of stroke by about 80 percent, new research suggests. Women who pursued healthy habits -- not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and drinking moderate amounts of alcohol -- had a 79 percent reduced risk of any stroke, and an 81 percent decreased risk of ischemic stroke. Men living healthy lives cut their overall risk of stroke by 69 percent and their risk of ischemic stroke by 80 percent. An ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke, and it occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked. "We've previously found that a low-risk lifestyle was very important in preventing coronary heart disease and diabetes, and now we've also found that these healthy habits can lower your risk of stroke," said study author Stephanie Chiuve, a research associate in the department of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health.“
Pain 'linked with low vitamin D' “Low levels of the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D, may contribute to chronic pain among women, scientists believe. The link does not apply to men, suggesting hormones may be involved, according to a study published in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases said. The team from the Institute of Child Health in London said studies were now needed to see if vitamin D supplements can guard against chronic pain. About one in 10 people are affected by chronic pain at any one time in the UK. “
Reduced Disability and Mortality Among Aging Runners (Arch Intern Med. 2008) “Conclusion Vigorous exercise (running) at middle and older ages is associated with reduced disability in later life and a notable survival advantage. “
[Functional decline during hospitalization in elderly patients. Benefits of admission to the geriatrics service] (Rev Esp Geriatr Gerontol. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Functional decline during hospitalization for acute diseases is frequent among frail patients. Many modifiable clinical practices are associated with this complication. In patients at risk of delirium, admission to geriatric wards may be associated with less functional deterioration than admission to internal medicine wards.”
Physical frailty in older persons is associated with Alzheimer disease pathology (NEUROLOGY 2008) “Conclusion: Physical frailty in old age is associated with Alzheimer disease pathology in older persons with and without dementia. “
25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and the Risk of Mortality in the General Population (Arch Intern Med. 2008) “Conclusion The lowest quartile of 25(OH)D level (<17.8 ng/mL) is independently associated with all-cause mortality in the general population.“
A pilot study to isolate Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S aureus from environmental surfaces in the home. (Am J Infect Control. 2008) “MRSA was isolated from 9 of 35 homes (26%) and was found on a variety of household surfaces, including the kitchen and bathroom sinks, countertops, kitchen faucet handle, kitchen drain, dish sponge/cloth, dish towel, tub, infant high chair tray, and pet food dish. A positive correlation was indicated for the presence of a cat and the isolation of MRSA from surfaces. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown the presence of MRSA at hand-contact surfaces in healthy homes. This provides further evidence for the potential for infection transmission via inanimate surfaces and underscores the need for good hygiene practice in the home.”
Use Of Cleaning Products During Pregnancy Increases Risk Of Asthma In Young Children
Alcohol Binges Early In Pregnancy Increase Risk Of Infant Oral Clefts “The researchers found that women who consumed an average of five or more drinks per sitting were more than twice as likely than non-drinkers to have an infant with either of the two major infant oral clefts: cleft lip with or without cleft palate, or cleft palate alone. Women who drank at this level on three or more occasions during the first trimester were three times as likely to have infants born with oral clefts. "These findings reinforce the fact that women should not drink alcohol during pregnancy," said Lisa A. DeRoo, Ph.D., an epidemiologist at NIEHS and author on the study. "Prenatal exposure to alcohol, especially excessive amounts at one time, can adversely affect the fetus and may increase the risk of infant clefts." The causes of clefts are largely unknown, but both genetic predisposition and environmental factors are believed to play a role in their development. The paper appears online today as an advance access publication in the American Journal of Epidemiology.”
Aspirin administered to women at 100 mg every other day produces less platelet inhibition than aspirin administered at 81 mg per day: implications for interpreting the women's health study. (J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2008) “We observed that the degree of platelet inhibition was significantly less with aspirin 100 mg every other day compared with aspirin 81 mg daily, suggesting that results of the Women's Health Study may have underestimated both the efficacy and toxicity of aspirin as it is commonly administered. These data need to be considered when developing recommendations about the use of aspirin in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in women.”
Oily fish consumption, dietary docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid intakes, and associations with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2008) “Conclusions: Eating oily fish at least once per week compared with less than once per week was associated with a halving of the OR for NV-AMD.”
Elderly Not Getting Enough Vitamin D, Study Finds “When you don't have enough vitamin D in your system you can't absorb calcium, which is needed to maintain bone health and prevent osteoporosis, says Joseph Vande Griend, a doctor of pharmacy and assistant professor who was the lead author of the study. There is also evidence that vitamin D can help prevent falls in the elderly, Vande Griend says. Sunshine -- another way to acquire vitamin D -- would seem to provide ample opportunity for the body to make vitamin D, but seniors don't get outdoors as much as younger people, and they also may not be getting much vitamin D from foods like milk and orange juice, which are commonly fortified with the vitamin. … The government recommendation of 400 to 600 IU of vitamin D isn't enough, concluded CU researchers, who suggest elderly patients get 1,200 IU per day. Of the 80 patients studied, almost three-fourths were found to be vitamin D deficient at the beginning of the study, even though the majority were getting more than the recommended daily dose. Vande Griend says the safe upper limit for vitamin D, which is fat soluble, is about 2,000 IU per day. The 27-year- old pharmacy professor says that he takes a multivitamin and an additional 400 IU of vitamin D each day. “
Advice for Older Adults on Staying Safe in Hot Weather: Risk of Heat-Related Problems Increases with Age “A person’s risk for hyperthermia is not based only on the outside temperature — it includes the general health and lifestyle of the individual. Health factors that may increase risk include: • Age-related changes to the skin such as poor blood circulation and inefficient sweat glands. • Heart, lung and kidney diseases, as well as any illness that causes general weakness or fever. • High blood pressure or other conditions that require changes in diet. For example, people on salt-restricted diets may increase their risk. However, salt pills should not be used without first consulting a doctor. • The inability to perspire caused by medications including diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers and certain heart and blood pressure drugs. • Taking several drugs for various conditions. It is important, however, to continue to take prescribed medication and discuss possible problems with a physician. • Being substantially overweight or underweight. • Drinking alcoholic beverages. • Being dehydrated. … Here are a few tips on what to do if you suspect someone is suffering from a heat-related illness: • Get the person out of the sun and into an air-conditioned or other cool place. • Offer fluids such as water, fruit and vegetable juices, but avoid alcohol and caffeine. • Encourage the individual to shower, bathe or sponge off with cool water. • Apply a cold, wet cloth to the wrists and/or neck, places where arterial blood passes close to the surface and the cold cloths can help cool the blood. • Urge the person to lie down and rest, preferably in a cool place. “
Spices May Protect Against Consequences Of High Blood Sugar “Hargrove explained that when blood sugar levels are high, a process known as protein glycation occurs in which the sugar bonds with proteins to eventually form what are known as advanced glycation end products, also known as AGE compounds. The acronym is fitting because these compounds activate the immune system, resulting in the inflammation and tissue damage associated with aging and diabetes. The researchers found a strong and direct correlation between the phenol content of common herbs and spices and their ability to inhibit the formation of AGE compounds. Spices such as cloves and cinnamon had phenol levels that were 30 percent and 18 percent of dry weight, respectively, while herbs such as oregano and sage were eight and six percent phenol by dry weight, respectively. For comparison, blueberries – which are widely touted for their antioxidant capabilities – contain roughly five percent phenol by dry weight. … “If you set up a good herb and spice cabinet and season your food liberally, you could double or even triple the medicinal value of your meal without increasing the caloric content,” she said. She added that controlling blood sugar and the formation of AGE compounds can also decrease the risk of cardiovascular damage associated with diabetes and aging. She explained that high blood sugar accelerates heart disease partly because AGE compounds form in the blood and in the walls of blood vessels. The AGE compounds aggravate atherosclerosis, which produces cholesterol plaques.“
Overweight problems seen even in infants “In a study reported in the journal Pediatrics, overweight infants were at increased risk for developmental delays and possibly breathing problems, such as asthma. Moreover, in most cases, parents were unaware of their child's weight problem. "Although the consequences of infant and childhood excess body weight may seem to manifest in later years, this perception is inaccurate," Dr. Ron Shaoul, from Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa, Israel, and colleagues warn. "Our findings indicate a need to intervene during these critical years by adopting proper eating habits and active lifestyles," they add. “
Autistic Children Make Limited Eye Contact “Klin said that by using eye-mapping technology, it's possible that a vulnerability for autism could be identified much earlier than is currently possible. And, he said, "The earlier we are able to identify children, the better it is, because early interventions make a difference in optimizing children's outcomes." It's estimated that autism, a developmental disorder that disrupts communication and social interaction, affects about 3.4 out of every 1,000 children between the ages of 3 and 10, according to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Parents are generally the first to notice early signs of autism. The NIMH says that some known early signs that may indicate an autism spectrum disorder in a child include: • By age 1, doesn't babble, point or gesture. • Doesn't speak a single word by 16 months. • By age 2, hasn't combined two words. • Seems to lose language skills. • Interacts poorly socially. • Doesn't respond to his or her name. • Doesn't smile. • Makes poor eye contact. • Doesn't appear to know how to play with toys and may repeatedly line up toys or other objects. “
Heterosexual Infectivity of HIV Underestimated “These cofactors each increased the risk of infection by 2 to 8 transmissions per 1000 sexual contacts.”
A practical "ABCDE" approach to the metabolic syndrome. (Mayo Clin Proc. 2008) A comprehensive management plan can be assembled through an "ABCDE" approach: "A" for assessment of cardiovascular risk and aspirin therapy, "B" for blood pressure control, "C" for cholesterol management, "D" for diabetes prevention and diet therapy, and "E" for exercise therapy. This ABCDE approach provides a practical and systematic framework for encouraging metabolic syndrome recognition and for implementing a comprehensive, evidence-based management plan for the reduction of cardiovascular risk.”
Spices May Protect Against Consequences Of High Blood Sugar “Hargrove explained that when blood sugar levels are high, a process known as protein glycation occurs in which the sugar bonds with proteins to eventually form what are known as advanced glycation end products, also known as AGE compounds. The acronym is fitting because these compounds activate the immune system, resulting in the inflammation and tissue damage associated with aging and diabetes. The researchers found a strong and direct correlation between the phenol content of common herbs and spices and their ability to inhibit the formation of AGE compounds. Spices such as cloves and cinnamon had phenol levels that were 30 percent and 18 percent of dry weight, respectively, while herbs such as oregano and sage were eight and six percent phenol by dry weight, respectively. For comparison, blueberries – which are widely touted for their antioxidant capabilities – contain roughly five percent phenol by dry weight. … “If you set up a good herb and spice cabinet and season your food liberally, you could double or even triple the medicinal value of your meal without increasing the caloric content,” she said. She added that controlling blood sugar and the formation of AGE compounds can also decrease the risk of cardiovascular damage associated with diabetes and aging. She explained that high blood sugar accelerates heart disease partly because AGE compounds form in the blood and in the walls of blood vessels. The AGE compounds aggravate atherosclerosis, which produces cholesterol plaques.“
Researchers report periodontal disease independently predicts new onset diabetes “"These data add a new twist to the association and suggest that periodontal disease may be there before diabetes," said Ryan T. Demmer, PhD, MPH, associate research scientist in the Department of Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health and lead author. "We found that over two decades of follow-up, individuals who had periodontal disease were more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes later in life when compared to individuals without periodontal disease." “
The Germs Are Potent. But So Is a Kiss. “Like the better-known MRSA, VRE is a so-called multidrug-resistant organism, able to survive an assault from powerful antibiotics. Half a century ago these bugs did not exist; a decade ago they were rare; today, nearly 30 percent of the Enterococcus bacteria collected from cultures in hospitals are VRE, and 60 percent of the Staphylococcus aureus are MRSA. Their emergence is an unintended consequence of our use (and overuse) of antibiotics. Hardy organisms like MRSA evolve to withstand the drugs; then, through vectors like the unwashed hands of health care workers, they hitch a ride from patient to patient, hiding like terrorists among the natural bacteria that all humans harbor. “
Broccoli may undo diabetes damage “"Our study suggests that compounds such as sulforaphane from broccoli may help counter processes linked to the development of vascular disease in diabetes. "In future, it will be important to test if eating a diet rich in brassica vegetables has health benefits for diabetic patients. We expect that it will." Dr Iain Frame, director of research at the charity Diabetes UK, stressed that research carried out on cells in the lab was a long way from the real life situation. “
Early-Onset Dementia Is Associated with Higher Mortality (Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2008) “Patients with dementia were subdivided into 2 groups, with early- (<65 years) or late-onset dementia ( 65 years), and compared with non-demented controls of the same age range. … Dementia with Lewy bodies and vascular dementia (frequently seen at older age) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration and 'other dementias' (often found at younger age) had a six- to eightfold increased mortality risk. Conclusion: Dementia is a risk factor for death. Especially in young patients the impact of dementia on mortality is high.”
Fish consumption and risk of subclinical brain abnormalities on MRI in older adults (Neurology 2008) “Conclusions: Among older adults, modest consumption of tuna/other fish, but not fried fish, was associated with lower prevalence of subclinical infarcts and white matter abnormalities on MRI examinations. Our results add to prior evidence that suggest that dietary intake of fish with higher eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid content, and not fried fish intake, may have clinically important health benefits.”
Doctors Urged Not to Screen Elderly Men for Prostate Cancer “In a move that could lead to significant changes in medical care for older men, a national task force on Monday recommended that doctors stop screening men ages 75 and older for prostate cancer because the search for the disease in this group is causing more harm than good.”
Untreated Sleep-Disordered Breathing May Triple Risk for Mortality “SDB is a highly prevalent condition with 6% prevalence among US adults, and 17% of adults are believed to have mild or moderate SDB, with 75% of severe cases remaining undiagnosed. Although SDB has been linked to multiple morbidities such as motor vehicle crashes, suicide, and cardiovascular disease, the association with mortality has not been well studied.”
New Health Drink? Chemist Goes Nano With CoQ10 “On the other hand, CoQ10 - much of which is in the mitochondria of our cells - is essential for cellular respiration and ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production. "You wouldn't last 30 minutes without CoQ10," he said. "Thus, evolution teaches us that CoQ10 is as important as vitamin C. But who's teaching this to our aging population? Nobody." “
Unexpected Infant Deaths Associated With Use of Cough and Cold Medications (PEDIATRICS 2008) “CONCLUSIONS. Review of these infants' deaths raises concern about the role of the over-the-counter cough and cold medications in these deaths. These findings support the recommendation that such medications not be given to infants. In addition, these findings suggest that warnings on these medications "to consult a clinician" before use are not being followed by parents. Educational campaigns to decrease the use of over-the-counter cough and cold medications in infants need to be increased.”
Coronary Disease Dulls Cognitive Skills “Both men and women with a history of CHD turned up lower scores for reasoning, vocabulary and overall cognitive function when compared with people who did not have CHD. Women had added problems in verbal fluency. Men who experienced their first CHD more than a decade prior had even lower scores for reasoning, vocabulary and semantic fluency (categorizing words). The risk of declining performance in the realm of reasoning went down by about 30 percent for every five years after a diagnosis of CHD. “
June - July 2008
Total Daily Activity is Associated With Cognition in Older Persons (Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2008) “Conclusions: Objective measures of total daily physical activity were associated with a broad range of cognitive abilities in older persons. These findings support the link between physical activity and cognition in the elderly.”
Iced Teas Pose High Risk of Kidney Stones
Breastfeeding and Formula Feeding
Potassium may help lower blood pressure: studies “Research shows that boosting levels of potassium in the diet may lower a person's risk of developing high blood pressure and may decrease blood pressure in people who already have "hypertension."”
Calcium supplementation and vascular disease. (Climacteric. 2008)
Mothers from affluent neighborhoods near highways increase odds of low weight babies by 81 percent“"We found a disproportionately high association between living close to a highway and birth complications among affluent mothers," said the study's lead author, Dr. Mélissa Généreux, who completed the research at the Université de Montréal's Department of Social and Preventive Medicine. "Among affluent mothers who live within 200 metres of a highway, the odds of delivering an infant with low birth weight increase by 81 percent, while their odds of delivering a preterm baby increase by 58 percent compared to mothers who don't live anywhere close to expressways."”
Study Suggests Early-Stage Alzheimer's Patients Who Were More Fit Had Less Brain Atrophy“Exercise and physical fitness have been shown to slow age-related brain cell death in healthy older adults.”
Irish people exposed to higher level of radiation “Radon, which is the second biggest cause of lung cancer in Ireland after smoking, accounts for more than 56 per cent of radiation exposure in general and 95 per cent of radiation exposure in the workplace. This naturally-occurring radioactive gas can become trapped in pockets under buildings and seep inside through cracks in the foundations.”
Copper Fights Hospital Infections “Once you enter a hospital for care, your risk of developing a hospital-acquired infection is one in twenty. It's a common problem plaguing our nation's hospitals and the patients inside them and the consequences can be deadly. Now, why a common metal could save thousands of lives and billions of dollars. … These three individuals are part of the two million people in the United States that get hospital infections every year. One-hundred-thousand of them will die. … No one's sure why copper kills, but studies show it destroys nearly all of infection-causing microbes. "They are not coming back to life," Dr. Schmidt said. "They are dead and as they say, 'Dead microbes tell no tales.'" In Dr. Schmidt's study, copper replaces plastic components in hospital rooms like bed rails, nurse call buttons, tray tables, keyboards and mice. Cassandra Salgado, M.D., an infectious disease specialist at the Medical University of South Carolina, says copper will add another much-needed layer of protection.“
Regular Walking Protects The Masai -- Who Eat High Fat Diet -- From Cardiovascular Disease “Scientists have long been puzzled by how the Masai can avoid cardiovascular disease despite having a diet rich in animal fats. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet believe that their secret is in their regular walking.”
Regular Walking Nearly Halves Elderly Disability Risk “Older adults can decrease their risk of disability and increase their likelihood of maintaining independence by 41 percent by participating in a walking exercise program, according to a new University of Georgia study.”
Homeowners beware - kitchen countertop could be radioactive.
What’s Lurking in Your Countertop?
Home radon may have tie to childhood leukemia “Children who live in homes with high radon levels may be at increased risk for acute lymphoblastic leukemia during childhood, but not other childhood cancers, research from Denmark suggests. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a cancer of infection-fighting white blood cells. Outside of fetal exposure to X-rays and genetic conditions, the causes or risk factors associated with childhood ALL are poorly understood. Higher rates of childhood cancer, and particularly leukemia, have been observed in geographic regions with higher levels of radon -- a natural radioactive gas that emanates from soils and can concentrate inside houses.”
How Independent Are Vaccine Defenders? “The vaccine industry gives millions to the Academy of Pediatrics for conferences, grants, medical education classes and even helped build their headquarters. The totals are kept secret, but public documents reveal bits and pieces.”
Americans Cutting Back On Medical Care, Poll Finds
Low Vitamin D Levels Independent Predictor of Fatal Stroke “Low levels of vitamin D appear to be an independent predictor of fatal stroke — a finding that suggests supplementation may be a promising approach for stroke prevention. Investigators at the University of Heidelberg, in Germany, found that among individuals referred for coronary angiography, low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were more likely to suffer fatal stroke even after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, physical activity level, and calcium and parathyroid hormone levels. "Vitamin D supplementation in stroke patients has already been shown to reduce osteopenia, fractures, and falls while improving muscle strength. Apart from these beneficial effects, our results suggest that vitamin D might also directly protect against stroke," the authors write. “
California Is First State to Ban Trans Fats “Trans fat has been found in scientific studies to increase bad cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease, contribute to other diseases, such as diabetes and coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease is California’s leading cause of death. California, which supplies a great deal of the nation’s specialty crops and other goods, already has some of the toughest food restrictions in the nation, including a ban on junk food, and on trans-fats in school meals. A ban in the nation’s largest state is likely to push many national restaurant chains to alter their menus. Already, Wendy’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, the Cheesecake Factory and McDonalds have begun to move away from trans fats because of consumer concerns. “
Fragrances May Emit Potential Toxins “Fragranced laundry products and air fresheners emit dozens of different chemicals, including some regulated as toxic or hazardous under federal law, according to a new study. Yet none of the potentially toxic chemicals is listed on the product labels, according to researcher Anne C. Steinemann, PhD, a professor of civil and environmental engineering and public affairs at the University of Washington, Seattle. She says consumers should be given more information about such products. … "I didn't find a brand that didn't emit at least one toxic chemical," says Steinemann, who analyzed six different products. But her research drew protests from representatives of the industry that markets fragranced products; industry spokespeople say the products are safe when used as directed and that the chemicals are present in amounts not known to cause problems.”
Inflammation“ … persistent inflammation is associated with many chronic human conditions and diseases, including allergy, atherosclerosis, cancer, arthritis and autoimmune diseases.”
Study Sparks Uncertainty About Cardiovascular Effects of Calcium Supplements in Postmenopausal Women “The results of the study, titled "Vascular events in healthy older women receiving calcium supplementation: randomized controlled trial," suggest a link between calcium supplementation and increased rates of adverse cardiovascular events in postmenopausal women. The study's authors urge clinicians to balance this new information against the acknowledged benefits of calcium on bone health. … Although many calcium supplementation studies do not mention vascular events, the authors of this study report found three other studies that showed slight trends similar to those uncovered in the current study. The authors write, "Taken together, these four studies raise major concerns about the cardiovascular safety of calcium supplementation, particularly with respect to myocardial infarction in older postmenopausal women."”
Tough Times Prompt Patients to Skip Care
Caffeine and headaches. (Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2008) “Chronic repetitive exposures to caffeine increase the risks for development of analgesic-overuse headache, chronic daily headache, and physical dependency. Cessation of caffeine use after chronic exposures leads to a withdrawal syndrome with headache as a dominant symptom. At dosages achieved by common dietary intake, caffeine acts as a potent antagonist of central and peripheral nervous system adenosine receptors. The complex effects of caffeine on headache disorders suggest important roles for adenosine in these disorders and in the induction of caffeine dependency.”
Ambulatory blood pressure as an independent determinant of brain atrophy and cognitive function in elderly hypertension. (J Hypertens. 2008)
FDA - Agricola Zaragoza, Inc. Recalls Jalapeno Peppers Because of Possible Health Risk
Inflammation and Alzheimer's disease: possible role of periodontal diseases. (Alzheimers Dement. 2008) “Recently, chronic periodontitis has been associated with several systemic diseases including AD. In this article we review the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis and the role of inflammation in AD. In addition, we propose several potential mechanisms through which chronic periodontitis can possibly contribute to the clinical onset and progression of AD. Because chronic periodontitis is a treatable infection, it might be a readily modifiable risk factor for AD.”
Obesity 'hikes' pancreatic risk “Obese women, who carry most of their excess weight around the stomach, are 70% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, research suggests. Obesity was thought to increase the risk - but more in men than women. However, the new study, of more than 138,000 postmenopausal US women over seven years, suggests it is a significant risk factor for women too. “
Too Much, Too Little Sleep Linked to Stroke Risk: Postmenopausal women who slept more than nine hours a night had up to 70% higher risk “The risk of stroke was 14 percent higher for women who regularly slept six hours or less, compared to those sleeping seven hours a night. … Simply setting the clock to sleep an allotted amount of hours is not a solution to the problem, Wassertheil-Smoller said. "If a woman is not sleeping long enough, she can try stress reduction and other methods to get more sleep," she said. "If a woman is habitually sleeping more than nine hours, she can discuss it with her doctor. She should also act to lower the known risk factors for stroke, especially high blood pressure."
Cancer Survival Rates Vary by Country: Study Shows U.S., Japan, and France Have Highest Cancer Survival Rates “The highest survival rates were found in the U.S. for breast and prostate cancer, in Japan for colon and rectal cancers in men, and in France for colon and rectal cancers in women, Coleman's team reports. In Canada and Australia, survival was also high for most cancers. The lowest cancer survival rates for all four cancers were found in Algeria.“
Dietary Antioxidants, Fruits, and Vegetables and the Risk of Barrett's Esophagus (Am J Gastroenterol 2008) “CONCLUSION: Dietary antioxidants, fruits, and vegetables are inversely associated with the risk of BE, while no association was observed for supplement intake. Our results suggest that fruits and vegetables themselves or associated undetected confounders may influence early events in the carcinogenesis of esophageal adenocarcinoma.”
Regular self-examination or clinical examination for early detection of breast cancer (Cochrane Reviews 2008)
Leading Worldwide Cause Of Cardiovascular Disease May Be Modified By Diet “A new article indicates that an increased intake in minerals such as potassium, and possibly magnesium and calcium by dietary means may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and decrease blood pressure in people with hypertension. A high intake of these minerals in the diet may also reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Potassium, specifically, has been hypothesized as one reason for the low cardiovascular disease rates in vegetarians, as well as in populations consuming primitive diets (generous in potassium and low in sodium). In isolated societies consuming diets high in fruits and vegetables, hypertension affects only 1 percent of the population, whereas in industrialized countries which consume diets high in processed foods and large amounts of dietary sodium, 1 in 3 persons have hypertension. Americans consume double the sodium and about half of the potassium that is recommended by current guidelines.”
MRI Assessment of Hippocampal Volume Can Identify Alzheimer's Patients “Automated volumetry of the hippocampus based on magnetic resonance imaging can discriminate between Alzheimer's disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and normal aging, French researchers report in the July issue of Radiology. … Hippocampal volume was 32% smaller in AD patients and 19% smaller in MCI patients compared with controls. Hippocampal volume was 15% smaller in AD patients compared with those with amnestic MCI.”
Fruit juice tied to modest rise in diabetes risk “They found that an increase of three servings a day of whole fruit was associated with an 18 percent lower risk of type 2 diabetes, while a single additional serving of leafy green vegetables cut the risk by 9 percent. However, an additional daily serving of fruit juice increased the likelihood of developing diabetes by 18 percent. While the findings must be replicated, Bazzano said, there are plausible mechanisms by which fruit juice could increase risk. "It's a big sugar load and it comes in a liquid form which is absorbed rapidly," she noted. The findings, the study team concludes, suggest that "caution should be observed in replacing some beverages with fruit juices in an effort to provide healthier options. The same caution applies to the recommendation that 100 percent fruit juice be considered a serving of fruit as it is in the present national dietary guidelines." “
Ice or Heat - "Which Should I Apply?"
Looking For The Founatain Of Youth? Cut Your Calories, Research Suggests “Calorie restriction has long been shown to slow the aging process in rats and mice. While scientists do not know how calorie restriction affects the aging process in rodents, one popular hypothesis is that it slows aging by decreasing a thyroid hormone, triiodothyronine (T3), which then slows metabolism and tissue aging. A new study in the June 2008 issue of Rejuvenation Research, found that calorie restriction - cutting approximately 300 to 500 calories per day - had a similar biological effect in humans and, therefore, may slow the aging process.“
Sunburn Alert: UVB Does More Damage To DNA Than UVA “According to researchers from City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California, UVB light is more harmful to our skin because our bodies are less able to repair the DNA damage it causes than the damage caused by UVA light. To reach their conclusions, scientists exposed three sets of cells to UVA light, UVB light and simulated sunlight. Then they compared these cells to an unexposed control group to analyze how well these cells were able to repair the damage. In addition, they analyzed published data on the genetics involved in human skin cancers. The researchers found that cells were more easily able to repair the damage caused by the UVA light, which explains why UVA light has been perceived as "safer" than UVB light. Despite this perception, scientists and public health experts caution that UVA light can and does cause serious damage that can and does lead to skin cancer. "We know that sunlight causes skin cancer and that breakdown of the ozone layer exposes us to ever more ultraviolet radiation. This work tells us that both forms of UVA and UVB in sunlight cause damage to DNA.”
Physical activity participation may offset some of the negative impact of diabetes on cognitive function. (J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Certain types of physical activity, including light and moderate exercise, appear to be beneficial to mental function in individuals with T2 DM. Having diabetes, particularly when less well controlled, is associated with lower cognitive function scores, and physical activity participation may prevent some of the potential decline in cognition.”
Does the Leapfrog program help identify high-quality hospitals? (Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2008) “DISCUSSION: Consumers who choose hospitals identified by Leapfrog as having begun to implement patient safety practices will likely find hospitals with better process quality and lower mortality rates.”
Vitamin D Deficiency Common in Patients With Chronic Migraine “New research showing that vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with chronic migraine suggests that this patient group, like other vitamin D–deficient populations, is at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, malignancy, and other serious illnesses that have been linked to low levels of this "good-health" vitamin. … "Clinicians generally don't recognize the importance of vitamin D deficiency, and so they don't screen for it — not just in migraineurs, but in all of their patients. But it is a condition that is easily treated and may confer major, wide-ranging health benefits," he said.”
Magazine Reveals 'Best Hospitals' List (USA)
Autism Cause: Brain Development Genes? Genes Missing in Autism Needed for Learning-Triggered Brain Growth “The good news is that a surprisingly large number of these mutant genes affect the on/off switches that control experience-triggered brain development. That's much better than missing the genes themselves, says study leader Christopher A. Walsh, MD, PhD, chief of genetics at Children's Hospital Boston and an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. "We are encouraged that some of these mutations do not seem to completely remove the gene altogether, but instead disrupt its on/off switches," Walsh tells WebMD. "That does offer hope we may be able to figure out other ways of activating the gene."“
Fructose Intake Has Increased to More Than 10% of Daily Energy in US Diet
Torn ACL: Is Cadaver Tissue the Right Fix? 'Exceedingly High' Fail Rate Seen in Young Adults Who Have ACL Reconstruction Using Cadaver Tissue, Study Shows “Young, athletic patients who have surgery to repair a torn ACL in their knee could eventually need another procedure if tissue from a cadaver is used during the reconstruction. … analyzed data from 64 patients with an average age of 28 who had ACL surgery using cadaver tissue. After two years of follow up, 15 of the patient's ACL reconstructions had failed. The surgery was considered to be a failure if the patient needed a second ACL surgery or had a poor score on orthopedic-related tests.”
Cholesterol Drugs for 8-Year-Olds “We were appalled when we first heard that the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that some children as young as 8 be given drugs to reduce their cholesterol levels — and that they could end up taking these drugs for the rest of their lives. After reading the academy’s report, we are now more dismayed about what this recommendation says about children’s health. … The recommendation has provoked furious debate among pediatricians, as Tara Parker-Pope reported in Science Times on Tuesday. Critics complain that there is no evidence that giving statins to children will prevent heart attacks later in life and that there is no data on the potential side effects of taking the drugs for decades. … The academy did urge that good diets and physical exercise be tried first, but the drug recommendation has attracted the most attention. We do fear that it will open the way for drug companies to bombard anxious parents with ads promoting these and other products and increase the number of parents insisting on prescriptions for their children.”
Cholesterol Drugs Recommended for Some 8-Year-Olds
Popular Fish, Tilapia, Contains Potentially Dangerous Fatty Acid Combination “Farm-raised tilapia, one of the most highly consumed fish in America, has very low levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and, perhaps worse, very high levels of omega-6 fatty acids, according to new research from Wake Forest University School of Medicine. The researchers say the combination could be a potentially dangerous food source for some patients with heart disease, arthritis, asthma and other allergic and auto-immune diseases that are particularly vulnerable to an "exaggerated inflammatory response." Inflammation is known to cause damage to blood vessels, the heart, lung and joint tissues, skin, and the digestive tract. … They say their research revealed that farm-raised tilapia, as well as farmed catfish, "have several fatty acid characteristics that would generally be considered by the scientific community as detrimental." Tilapia has higher levels of potentially detrimental long-chain omega-6 fatty acids than 80-percent-lean hamburger, doughnuts and even pork bacon, the article says.”
Vitamin D insufficiency in a multiethnic cohort of breast cancer survivors (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2008) “Conclusions: In these breast cancer survivors, the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was high. Clinicians might consider monitoring vitamin D status in breast cancer patients, together with appropriate treatments, if necessary.”
Tea consumption and cognitive impairment and decline in older Chinese adults (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2008) “Conclusion: Regular tea consumption was associated with lower risks of cognitive impairment and decline. “
FDA Alert - Fluoroquinolone Antimicrobial Drugs “Fluoroquinolones are associated with an increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture. This risk is further increased in those over age 60, in kidney, heart, and lung transplant recipients, and with use of concomitant steroid therapy. Physicians should advise patients, at the first sign of tendon pain, swelling, or inflammation, to stop taking the fluoroquinolone, to avoid exercise and use of the affected area, and to promptly contact their doctor about changing to a non-fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drug.“
Some Exercise a Day May Keep Cancer at Bay
Human semen quality and sperm DNA damage in relation to urinary metabolites of pyrethroid insecticides. (Hum Reprod. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS We found evidence for reduced semen quality and increased sperm DNA damage in relation to urinary metabolites of pyrethroid insecticides. These findings may be of concern due to increased pyrethroid use and prevalent human exposure.”
Achilles tendinopathy in diabetes mellitus. (Foot Ankle Int. 2008) “RESULTS: The ultrasonography revealed disorganized tendon fibers in 62 of 70 (89%) patients, and calcification within the Achilles tendon in 53 (76%) patients. The Achilles tendon thickness averaged 5.0 (range, 4 to 8) mm. There was no correlation between patient age and Achilles tendon thickness (r = 0.292, p = 0.014); however, there was a trend for duration of disease and Achilles tendon disorganization (p = 0.073). The oldest patients also appeared to demonstrate a trend for more ultrasound-measured Achilles tendinopathy. There was no correlation between fasting glucose or glycosylated hemoglobin and Achilles tendon alterations. CONCLUSION: This investigation confirms structural abnormalities within the Achilles tendon of diabetic individuals that might represent biologic changes affecting the inherent stiffness that leads to increased forefoot pressure and the development of plantar forefoot ulcers. This process appears to worsen with advanced age and does not appear to be related to diabetes control.”
Diabetes forcing many amputations “Around 100 people a week in the UK have a limb amputated as a result of diabetes, a charity has claimed. Diabetes UK highlighted the statistic to raise awareness of the "life-shattering" impact of the illness. People with diabetes are 15 times more likely to need a lower limb amputation than people without the condition.”
Physical Activity and Insulin Sensitivity. The RISC Study. (Diabetes. 2008) “Conclusions: Accumulated daily physical activity is a major determinant of insulin sensitivity. Neither time spent sedentary, in light-activity, nor bouts of moderate or vigorous activity impacted on insulin sensitivity independently of total activity.”
Intake of vitamin D and risk of breast cancer-A meta-analysis. (J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2008)
Omega-3 fatty acid may guard against repeat stroke “Tanaka and colleagues say it is noteworthy that even among Japanese individuals, who have relatively high blood concentrations of EPA, "further increases in EPA concentration may lead to prevention of recurrence of stroke." The researchers note that because this trial used purified EPA instead of the fish oil used in previous studies, the preventive effects on stroke can be attributed to EPA. “
Some Seek Guidelines to Reflect Vitamin D's Benefits “A flurry of recent research indicating that Vitamin D may have a dizzying array of health benefits has reignited an intense debate over whether federal guidelines for the "sunshine vitamin" are outdated, leaving millions unnecessarily vulnerable to cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other ailments. The studies have produced evidence that low levels of Vitamin D make men more likely to have heart attacks, breast and colon cancer victims less likely to survive, kidney disease victims more likely to die, and children more likely to develop diabetes. Two other studies suggested that higher Vitamin D levels reduce the risk of dying prematurely from any cause. … But many leading experts caution that it remains premature for people to start taking large doses of Vitamin D. While the new research is provocative, experts argue that the benefits remain far from proven. Vitamin D can be toxic at high doses, and some studies suggest it could increase the risk for some health problems, experts say. No one knows what consequences might emerge from exposing millions of people to megadoses of the vitamin for long periods. … Physicians should routinely test their patients for Vitamin D deficiencies, and more people -- especially African Americans -- should take supplements and increase their exposure to the sun, they say. … The Canadian Cancer Society upped its recommendation to 1,000 units a day last year. Hollis and others believe Americans should routinely consume at least 2,000 international units a day. … Holick urges people to take 1,000 international units a day along with a multivitamin with 400 international units, as well as exposing their arms and legs to the sun for about 15 minutes several times a week. … But others have reservations. Dermatologists worry that encouraging people to get unprotected sun exposure or use tanning salons may increase the rate of skin cancer. "We're in the middle of a skin cancer epidemic," said C. William Hanke, president of the American Academy of Dermatology. "Tanning is risky and dangerous behavior. Ultraviolet light is classified as a carcinogen. We need to protect our skin. … "We call it a vitamin, but it's really a steroid," said Trevor G. Marshall, a molecular biologist at Murdoch University in Australia. "It's not something we should be playing with."
Tofu 'may raise risk of dementia' “Lead researcher Professor Eef Hogervorst said previous research had linked oestrogen therapy to a doubling of dementia risk in the over-65s. She said oestrogens - and probably phytoestrogens - tended to promote growth among cells, not necessarily a good thing in the ageing brain. Alternatively, high doses of oestrogens might promote the damage caused to cells by particles known as free radicals. A third theory is that damage is caused not by the tofu, but by formaldehyde, which is sometimes used in Indonesia as a preservative. The researchers admit that more research is required to ascertain whether the same effects are found in other ethnic groups. However, previous research has also linked high tofu consumption to an increased risk of dementia in older Japanese American men. “
Prevalence of dementia after age 90. Results from The 90+ Study (Neurology 2008) “Conclusions: In a very large sample of participants aged 90 and older, prevalence of all-cause dementia doubled every 5 years for women but not men.”
Green Tea Lowers Risk of Heart Disease: Drinking Green Tea Boosts the Health of Blood Vessels Within Minutes “Drinking green tea rapidly improves the health of the delicate cells lining the blood vessels and helps lower one's risk of heart disease. Researchers writing in the latest issue of the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation have found that people who drink green tea have better blood vessel function just 30 minutes later. Specifically, green tea improves the function of endothelial cells. Endothelial cell dysfunction plays a key role in the development of clogged arteries, a process called atherosclerosis. The finding adds to a growing body of evidence that suggests that powerful antioxidants in green tea called flavonoids may protect the heart. Other flavonoid-rich foods include red grapes, red wine, and dark chocolate. The study authors say their results are the first to show that green tea offers a short-term improvement in the health of arteries. Black tea has previously been linked to short- and long-term improvements in endothelial function.“
Vitamin D and neurocognitive dysfunction: Preventing "D"ecline? (Mol Aspects Med. 2008) “Vitamin D exhibits functional attributes that may prove neuroprotective through antioxidative mechanisms, neuronal calcium regulation, immunomodulation, enhanced nerve conduction and detoxification mechanisms. Compelling evidence supports a beneficial role for the active form of vitamin D in the developing brain as well as in adult brain function.”
Mediterranean diet: Choose this heart-healthy diet option “Key components of the Mediterranean diet include: Eating a generous amount of fruits and vegetables. Consuming healthy fats such as olive oil and canola oil. Eating small portions of nuts. Drinking red wine, in moderation, for some. Consuming very little red meat. Eating fish on a regular basis. “
Group: Effectiveness of Sunscreens Hazy “In their newly published analysis of more than 900 brand-named sunscreens, EWG researchers concluded that 7% of the products with SPF ratings of 30 or higher did not protect against UVA rays. Only 15% of the sunscreens met the group's criteria for safety and effectiveness by providing broad-spectrum sun protection (denoting protection against both UVA and UVB radiation), remaining stable in sunlight, and containing only active ingredients considered safe by the EWG. The top-selling sunscreen brands tended to be the poorest performers, with none of market leader Coppertone's sunscreen products consider to be both safe and effective by the EWG.”
Broccoli nudges genes to fight prostate cancer “Just a few more portions of broccoli each week may protect men from prostate cancer, British researchers reported on Wednesday. The researchers believe a chemical in the food sparks hundreds of genetic changes, activating some genes that fight cancer and switching off others that fuel tumors, said Richard Mithen, a biologist at Britain's Institute of Food Research.”
Mediterranean diet 'cuts cancer' “The biggest effect they found - a 9% reduction in risk - was achieved simply by eating more "unsaturated" fats such as olive oil. But just two changes - eating less red meat, and more peas, beans and lentils, cut the risk of cancer by 12%. … Their findings raised the possibility that broccoli, or other "cruciferous" vegetables, such as cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, could help prevent or slow down the disease, particularly if the man had a particular gene variant - GSTM1. Professor Richard Mithen, who led the research, published in the Public Library of Science journal, said: "Eating two or three portions of cruciferous vegetables per week, and maybe a few more if you lack the GSTM1 gene - should be encouraged." “
Fatty Foods and Memory Decline “The researchers believe fatty foods may lead to a mental decline because they can induce oxidative stress, a key factor in Alzheimer’s disease and other memory problems. The vitamins may be helping to counteract those effects because of their antioxidant properties.”
Vitamin D A Surprising Champion Of Back Pain Relief, Report Says “According to Stewart B. Leavitt, MA, PhD, editor of Pain Treatment Topics and author of the report, "our examination of the research, which included 22 clinical investigations of patients with pain, found that those with chronic back pain almost always had inadequate levels of vitamin D. When sufficient vitamin D supplementation was provided, their pain either vanished or was at least helped to a significant extent." … -- Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone health. Inadequate vitamin D intake can result in a softening of bone surfaces, or osteomalacia, that causes pain. The lower back seems to be particularly vulnerable to this effect. -- In one study of 360 patients with back pain, all of them were found to have inadequate levels of vitamin D. After taking vitamin D supplements for 3 months, symptoms were improved in 95% of the patients. All of them with the most severe vitamin D deficiencies experienced back-pain relief. -- The currently recommended adequate intake of vitamin D up to 600 IU per day is outdated and too low. According to the research, most children and adults need at least 1000 IU per day, and persons with chronic back pain would benefit from 2000 IU or more per day of supplemental vitamin D3 (also called cholecalciferol). … In conclusion, Leavitt stresses that vitamin D should not be viewed as a cure for all back pain and in all patients. It also is not necessarily a replacement for other pain treatments. "While further research would be helpful," he says, "current best evidence indicates that recommending supplemental vitamin D for patients with chronic back pain would do no harm and could do much good at little cost."”
Almonds good for digestion “Eating almonds could help improve digestive health by increasing levels of beneficial gut bacteria. As well as being high in vitamin E and other minerals, almonds are now believed to increase good bacteria in the gut.”
Mother's junk food 'harms child' “ "We always say: 'You are what you eat', but in fact it may also be true that you are what your mother ate." Of particular concern was fat gathering around the major organs, which has been implicated in the development of type II diabetes. The rats with unhealthy mothers were more likely to have this, even if they were weaned off the junk food diet. … Dr Iain Frame, of the charity Diabetes UK, warned against drawing firm conclusions from animal studies. However, he said: "This study does lend some weight to the established argument that children of mothers who have poor diets during pregnancy have a higher risk of developing diabetes and heart disease later in life." “
Fathering Autism “Hotez's feelings as a parent of an autistic child might seem unremarkable, except that he also happens to be one of the country's more prominent vaccine researchers. … "It is not one disorder; it is at least several, and there are probably hundreds," acknowledged Andrew Gerber, a Columbia University autism expert. "There are autisms-- there is an autism spectrum disorder." … Rachel's family took her to see one of the country's top autism experts when she was 2 1/2 . She received her first diagnosis: "pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified," a catchall term. The family felt adrift. Rachel was placing an extraordinary strain on everyone. There were financial worries. "Rachel was more work than all the other kids combined," Peter Hotez said. The illness brought most normal family activity to a halt. "We didn't go out to dinner for a decade." As Rachel missed developmental milestone after developmental milestone, Ann Hotez did what tens of thousands of other mothers would do in her situation: She blamed herself. She started wondering whether she had done something during her pregnancy with Rachel: Was it the tuna fish she had eaten? “
May - June 2008
Dangers in Your Backyard: A New Cause of Diabetes “The study found PCBs may be the newest risk factors for diabetes in adults between the ages of 35 to 54, regardless of their race, obesity, family history or gender. The people who live near the plant had levels four times greater than those who don't live here – and had two to four times greater risk of getting diabetes. … Another shocking discovery -- the children of parents with high PCB levels scored nine points lower in one IQ measurement than children whose parents did not have high levels of PCBs in their bodies.”
Weighing the Costs of a CT Scan’s Look Inside the Heart “CT scans, which are typically billed at $500 to $1,500, have never been proved in large medical studies to be better than older or cheaper tests. And they expose patients to large doses of radiation, equivalent to at least several hundred X-rays, creating a small but real cancer risk. Dr. Rosenblatt worried that he and other doctors in his clinic would feel pressure to give scans to people who might not need them in order to pay for the equipment, which uses a series of X-rays to produce a composite picture of a beating heart. “If you have ownership of the machine,” he later recalled, “you’re going to want to utilize the machine.” He said no to the offer. … Some medical experts say the American devotion to the newest, most expensive technology is an important reason that the United States spends much more on health care than other industrialized nations — more than $2.2 trillion in 2007, an estimated $7,500 a person, about twice the average in other countries — without providing better care. No one knows exactly how much money is spent on unnecessary care. But a Rand Corporation study estimated that one-third or more of the care that patients in this country receive could be of little value. If that is so, hundreds of billions of dollars each year are being wasted on superfluous treatments. … But others — like artificial spinal disks, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars to implant but have not been shown to reduce back pain in many patients, and Vytorin, a new cholesterol drug that costs 20 times as much as older medicines but has not been proved superior — have been criticized for not justifying their costs. And sometimes, the new technologies prove harmful. Physicians were stunned, for example, when clinical trials showed last year that expensive anemia medicines might actually hasten death in kidney and cancer patients. Such drugs are used more widely in the United States than elsewhere. … Once the F.D.A. approves a test or device, Medicare rarely demands evidence that it benefits patients before agreeing to pay for it. But last year, Medicare officials raised questions about the benefits of CT heart scans and said it would demand more studies before paying for them. But after heavy lobbying by cardiologists, Medicare backed down. Private insurers, while initially reluctant to pay for the tests, are also covering them. … Cardiologists who oppose wide use of the scans agree that they can sometimes find dangerous blockages that require immediate surgery in asymptomatic patients. But they said such cases are extremely rare — not common enough to justify using the scans routinely, given their cost and radiation risks. … Even cardiologists who think the CT scans are overused say they may one day prove valuable. If manufacturers can produce scanners that can determine which plaques are stable and which are likely to rupture, the machines could revolutionize the treatment of heart disease. Patients found to be at low risk might be able to avoid taking medicine entirely, while others would be given intensive treatment. … Based on a reporter’s notes about the duration of the scan and the power output reported by the scanner, Dr. Brenner of the Center for Radiological Research estimated that Mr. Franks had received 21 millisieverts of radiation — even more than a typical test, equal to about 1,050 conventional chest X-rays. … “The biggest problem we have with radiation is that the doses are cumulative and additive,” Dr. Brindis said. “So the concept of doing serial CT testing on asymptomatic patients, I think, is abhorrent. I cannot justify that.” … And so CT angiograms seem destined to continue, in ever greater numbers. “Once the train leaves the station, once the technology gets on the marketplace, we don’t get the evidence,” said Dr. Redberg, the University of California, San Francisco, cardiologist. “We’re spending a lot of money on technology of unclear benefit and risk.””
Should Doctors Be 'Selling' Drugs For The Pharmaceutical Industry? “Pharmaceutical companies regularly sponsor leading specialists with "generous fees to peddle influence" and promote drugs to the profession and the public, writes Moynihan. Drug companies will pay influential doctors up to $400 an hour to act as key opinion leaders, and some doctors earn more than $25,000 a year in advisory fees. Kimberly Elliot, a former award-winning drug company sales representative interviewed by Moynihan, reveals that drug companies desperately need key opinion leaders in order for doctors to believe what they are saying and prescribe their products, because drug representatives are often not believed. Essentially, she says, key opinion leaders are just salespeople. “
Why Diesel Particulates Cause Cardiovascular Disease “A lowered capacity to dissolve blood clots was observed, together with an impaired ability of blood vessels to expand. The most important finding, however, was that after exposure to diesel exhaust patients evinced EKG signs that were consistent with a shortage of oxygen in the heart muscle. This effect was general, that is, not limited to any particular blood vessel in the heart, and it was observed despite the fact that the patients were fully stable in their coronary artery disease and were under optimal medical treatment. The dissertation clarifies previously unknown mechanisms that can explain why air pollution in particulate form causes heart attacks, stroke, and increased mortality. It shows that diesel exhaust cause a rapid deterioration of the function of blood vessels that persists as long as 24 hours after exposure. The EKG findings in heart patients indicate acute heart effects that are consistent with increased risk of heart attack in connection with exposure to traffic.“
A 10% Prevalence of Silent Stroke Found in "Healthy" Adults “In addition to the prevalence data, the investigators also found that stroke risk factors, including hypertension, elevated plasma homocysteine, carotid stenosis, and increased carotid artery intimal medial thickness, are also significantly associated with silent infarcts. Another, somewhat surprising, finding, said Dr. Seshadri, was a significant link between atrial fibrillation (AF) and SCI, with the data revealing that AF increased the risk for prevalent SCI more than 2-fold. According to Dr. Seshadri, this finding may be an indication that AF is a simultaneous outcome, rather than a cause of SCI. "While it is possible that tiny emboli resulting from atrial fibrillation may be causing these silent infarcts, it is probable that some of the risk factors for AF are the same as those for SCI. Therefore, it may be that atrial fibrillation is a marker for silent infarcts, rather than a cause, and that the 2 conditions are occurring together," she said. … Among the 10.7% of study subjects who had MRI evidence of silent infarcts, 84% had a single lesion, most commonly located in the basal ganglia (52%). One-third of the lesions were subcortical, and 10% were cortical lesions. According to the study, the aggregate FSRP score was significantly associated with prevalent SCI. Of the FRSP variables, AF, hypertension, and systolic blood pressure were all associated with an increased risk for silent infarct.“
Effects of Antihypertensive Drug Treatment on the Risk of Dementia and Cognitive Impairment (Pharmacotherapy. 2008) “Four randomized, placebo-controlled trials were conducted regarding treatment with antihypertensive drugs and incidence of cognitive impairment and/or dementia. Two of the four studies found that antihypertensive drugs significantly reduced the risk of dementia. However, the other two did not find a significant difference between use of antihypertensive drugs or placebo and the incidence of dementia. The antihypertensive drug classes that showed a significant reduction were ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, thiazide diuretics, and dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers. The randomized, placebo-controlled trials were limited by a high differential dropout rate in both treatment and placebo groups and the use of various definitions of dementia and cognitive impairment. Increasing evidence has indicated that ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics are beneficial in reducing dementia risk compared with other antihypertensive drug classes”
Early Intervention in a Patient With Parkinson's Disease
Water “Remember, fluid comes in a variety of forms, including the water in solid foods. Many fruits, vegetables and soups are at least 80 percent water, so they can count toward your daily intake. Milk, diet sodas, unsweetened carbonated waters, most herbal teas, decaffeinated teas and decaf coffee can substitute, cup-for-cup, for pure water. The same is no true of fruit juices and sugar-sweetened drinks. Although theses other beverages still count as fluid sources, there sugar content can slow down your body's water absorption. Finally, don't count coffee or alcohol as a water substitute: Caffeine is a mild diuretic (a substance that helps remove water from the body via urine). This makes coffee and other caffeinated beverages poor sources of water.”
Water may be suspect in tainted tomatoes “Too big of a temperature difference can make a tomato literally suck water inside the fruit through the scar where its stem used to be. If salmonella happens to be lurking on the skin, that is one way it can penetrate and, if the tomato is not eaten right away, have time to multiply. That does not mean people should not wash their tomatoes — they should, just probably not in cold water.“
Drinking less reduces overactive bladder symptoms “For people with overactive bladder problems, cutting fluid intake by 25 percent can improves symptoms substantially, new research from the UK shows. An overactive bladder causes a person to urinate frequently, often urgently. There may or may not be some leakage because of the urgency. Bladder infections, bladder cancer and bladder stones can produce the same symptoms, Dr. Hashim Hashim, one of the study's authors, told Reuters Health, so these conditions must be ruled out before a diagnosis of overactive bladder can be made. … The standard recommendation for fluid intake for a 70 kilogram (150 pound) person is 1.6 liters (54 ounces), Hashim said, but many people forget that fruit and vegetables contain a substantial amount of water; people typically take in 300 to 500 milliliters (10 to 17 ounces) of liquid from food daily. People with overactive bladder who are drinking more than a liter of fluids may want to try reducing their fluid intake by 25 percent, he advised, but anyone who is drinking less than a liter should not. Drinking too little can cause the urine to become overly concentrated, he explained, which can also be irritating to the bladder.”
Safety checklist for ops launched “Its primary aim is to target the three biggest cause of mortality in surgery - preventable infections, preventable complication from bleeding, and safety in anesthesia. It includes six basic steps in care, including verifying that it is the correct patient, ensuring equipment is not left inside the patient, and administering an antibiotic before making an incision - which cuts the risk of infection by half. Preliminary results from patients at eight pilot sites - including London, Seattle and Toronto - indicate that the checklist has nearly doubled the likelihood that patients will receive proven standards of surgical care, leading to a significant cut in complications and deaths. The study, published in the Lancet, found that before the checklist was used there was a 64% chance that at least one of the procedures was forgotten - with no difference between rich and developing countries. “
Deadly Infections in Hospitals “Deadly infections are on the upswing in hospitals around the world. Overcrowding and understaffing may be at least partially to blame.”
How strong is the association between abdominal obesity and the incidence of type 2 diabetes? (Int J Clin Pract. 2008) “Conclusions: There is a strong association between measures reflecting abdominal obesity and the development of type 2 diabetes. Reducing WC may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.”
Calcium Supplementation May Reduce Fracture Risk
Use of corticosteroids in treating infectious diseases. (Arch Intern Med. 2008)
Independent Association of Low Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D Levels With All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality (Arch Intern Med. 2008) “Conclusions Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels are independently associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. A causal relationship has yet to be proved by intervention trials using vitamin D.”
Hair Dye May Increase the Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma “"Personal use of hair dye may play a role in the risk of NHL, particularly for follicular lymphoma and CLL/SLL," the authors conclude. "Our study also indicates that although the risk associated with personal hair-dye use was observed mainly among women who started using hair dyes before 1980, the risk was not limited to those women." “
Whole grain intake and cardiovascular disease: A meta-analysis (Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases 2008) “There is a consistent, inverse association between dietary whole grains and incident cardiovascular disease in epidemiological cohort studies. In light of this evidence, policy-makers, scientists, and clinicians should redouble efforts to incorporate clear messages on the beneficial effects of whole grains into public health and clinical practice endeavors.”
Hypertension: Just Focus on Systolic Pressure in Over-50s “They point out that while systolic pressure rises with age, diastolic pressure increases until around age 50 and falls thereafter. "The use of diastolic pressure for diagnosis and risk stratification in our aging populations has thus become illogical," Williams et al state. They note that clinical trials and national surveys have consistently shown that systolic pressure is much more difficult to control than is diastolic pressure, with control rates for diastolic pressure approaching 100% but lagging at less than 50% for systolic pressure. "Thus, targeting diastolic pressure leaves most patients with uncontrolled systolic pressure. By contrast, if the focus of our treatment were on systolic pressure, there would hardly ever be a circumstance when diastolic pressure was not controlled," they observe. …The authors report that the risk of cardiovascular disease rises continuously as systolic pressure increases from 115 mm Hg, and most national and international guidelines advocate a target for systolic pressure treatment of below 140 mm Hg, and below 130 mm Hg for patients with diabetes and those at increased cardiovascular risk.“
Vitamin D and Sunlight: Strategies for Cancer Prevention and Other Health Benefits. (Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2008) “Recent studies suggested that women who are vitamin D deficient have a 253% increased risk for developing colorectal cancer, and women who ingested 1500 mg/d calcium and 1100 IU/d vitamin D3 for 4 yr reduced risk for developing cancer by >60%.”
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Chronic abdominal pain in children. (Aust Fam Physician. 2008) “Chronic abdominal pain (CAP) refers to pain that has been present continuously – or occurring at least on a weekly basis when intermittent – for a minimum period of 2 months.1 It is a description not a diagnosis, and can be due to a functional disorder or organic disease. A functional disorder is one in which symptoms of disease occur in the absence of objective evidence for an organic process. Organic disease and functional disorders can coexist.1”
Memory Loss Linked To Common Sleep Disorder “Sleep apnea occurs when a blocked airway repeatedly halts the sleeper's breathing, resulting in loud bursts of snoring and chronic daytime fatigue. Memory loss and difficulty focusing are also common complaints. Prior studies have linked the disorder to a higher risk of stroke, heart disease and diabetes. "Our findings demonstrate that impaired breathing during sleep can lead to a serious brain injury that disrupts memory and thinking," said principal investigator Ronald Harper, a distinguished professor of neurobiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.“
Bad Bugs Pictures Slideshow: Identify Bugs and Their Bites
Mediterranean Diet Rich in Olive Oil and Walnuts Protects Against Oxidative Damage “Olive oil, a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acids, is a main component of the Mediterranean diet, and virgin olive oil retains all the lipophilic components of the fruit and phenolic compounds with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, said Covas. Tree nuts, which are common to the Mediterranean diet, also have a favorable fatty acid profile and are a rich source of nutrients and other bioactive compounds, such as fiber, phytosterols, folic acid, and antioxidants, which may beneficially influence the risk for CHD, she told heartwire. … A previous study demonstrated that the Mediterranean diet can independently reduce the risk for total mortality as well as mortality related to coronary heart disease, all cardiovascular causes, and cancer. The diet was even more effective in reducing mortality when combined with other healthy behaviors. …The current study demonstrates that the Mediterranean diet can improve the degree of lipoprotein oxidation vs a low-fat diet among older patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease. “
Further Evidence Supports Vitamin-D-Deficiency Link to CHD “Hypovitaminosis D, especially at levels less than 30 ng/mL, is associated with an increased risk for MI in men. • Vitamin D is likely to exert its effect on the risk for cardiovascular disease via vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, inflammation, vascular calcification, the renin-angiotensin system, and blood pressure.”
Top 5 lifestyle changes to reduce cholesterol
Scepticism regarding common sense “While I agree that considerable scepticism is required in the interpretation of EBM and the clinical trials upon which it is based, I submit that common sense requires at least as much scepticism in its implementation. … I further assert that any intervention, complementary and alternative medicine or otherwise, that has not been proven effective in a well-designed trial remains in the same category as over zealous phlebotomy and hormone replacement therapy. That is not to say it cannot possibly be effective, but we must also consider the possibility that its use might be based entirely on the impression of a pattern that isn’t really there, just like a shape perceived in the clouds.”
Evidence-based common sense? “Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is the popular term, all too loosely used, to validate claims made by various health practitioners, educators, authors, researchers, and pharmaceutical company representatives about the benefits and limitations of drug use and clinical management of disease. According to Marchevsky’s Critical Appraisal of Medical Literature, EBM aims to "de-emphasize intuition, unsystematic clinical experience, and pathophysiological rationale as sufficient grounds for clinical decision making."1 Certainly, if all research were truly randomized, blinded, and free from any bias, then such a rigorous, scientific approach might offer a reliable source of clinical advancement. The reality, however, is that bias, competing interests, and misinterpretation (or manipulation) of data are all rampant in our medical literature and continuing medical education. It is thus the important responsibility of the clinician reader to interpret such medical literature with a discerning eye, a healthy scepticism, and both feet firmly grounded in their own common-sense intelligence. … Does chronically reducing stomach acid, or even treating H pylori infections with antacids, make sense? The question must arise—have the "evidenced-based" recommendations for PPIs really proven themselves to be best practice? … Examples of common sense being forsaken in clinical practice abound. … Evidence-based medicine and the research that supports it are essential aspects of determining best clinical practice as our medicine continues to change and evolve. And yet our experience has shown that EBM is not sufficient in and of itself. We do not live or practise in a laboratory, nor within the boundaries of double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. We live in a real world with patients who are also people. We are the inheritors of traditions and histories in medicine from which we should have grown and learned. Placebo effects, human bias, research politics, competing interests, and subjective interpretation are plain realities of any research and can easily blur definitive conclusions.”
Most Strokes After TIA Occur Within 90 Days “Sixty percent of strokes seen after a transient ischemic attack (TIA) in patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease occur within 90 days of the index event, according to a report in the Archives of Neurology for June. Moreover, the risk of an early stroke after a TIA is comparable to the risk seen after a prior stroke.”
Smoking link to hearing loss risk “Smoking and obesity could both cause permanent hearing damage, say scientists. Either could threaten blood flow to the ear, they say, with damage levels clearly linked to the level of obesity or the length of a smoking habit. However, the Antwerp University-led study found that high levels of work noise remained the biggest risk. “
New Guidelines For Treating Resistant Hypertension “"Older age and obesity are two of the strongest risk factors associated with resistant hypertension and unfortunately, with an aging and increasing heavy population, we can anticipate resistant hypertension becoming more and more common," he said. "And people need to recognize the importance of blood pressure control. Persons with resistant hypertension are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes." Calhoun and colleagues emphasize in the statement that effective use of diuretics is essential for treatment of resistant hypertension. Calhoun said they recommend that a long-acting diuretic be part of the treatment regimen of all patients with resistant hypertension in order reduce fluid retention and thereby blood pressure.”
Bad Lyme Bug Spreading: Virulent Strain of Lyme Disease Spreading in U.S., Europe“Qiu and Luft note that the rise of a more virulent Lyme spirochete isn't the whole story. People get the infection from the bite of a deer tick. As suburbs encroach on rural areas, and as more homes are built near forests, more people are at risk of tick bites. Increased exposure to ticks accounts for most of the increase in Lyme disease. Qiu and colleagues found that the ospC type A strain is the most widespread strain in the U.S. It's also widespread in Europe. That was a surprise, as Lyme disease spirochetes in Europe are spread by different ticks and harbored by different animal hosts than in the U.S.“
Good Oral Hygiene May Protect Against Heart Infections: Daily care of teeth, gums keeps risk of bacterial disease in valves at bay “Taking good care of teeth and gums may be crucial in preventing heart valve infection, a U.S. study finds. Researchers examined whether daily dental activities such as brushing were as likely as major dental procedures such as tooth extraction to cause infective endocarditis (IE), a dangerous infection of the lining of the heart or heart valve that can occur when bacteria enter the bloodstream.“
Vigorous Exercise Can Help Seniors Avoid Disability “Healthy seniors who are physically active and exercise for more than 60 minutes each week can lessen their chances of disability as they age, finds a new long-term study.”
Drinking Tap Water Disinfected With Chlorine May Harm Fetus, Study Suggests
Waist Circumference and Mortality (American Journal of Epidemiology 2008) “The finding that persons with a normal BMI but a large waist circumference had a higher mortality risk in this study suggests that increased waist circumference should be considered a risk factor for mortality, in addition to BMI.”
Bad Bacteria Lurk In Highway Rest Stops “Researchers collected swab samples from places people normally touch in public bathrooms, such as restroom door handles, toilet stall handles, toilet flush handles, sink handles, towel dispenser handles, and blow dryer handles, at travel and rest stops along major interstate highways in the Southwest. Their results showed the presence of many different bacteria, such as staph bacteria and E. coli. MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus), a difficult to treat type of staph that can cause potentially life-threatening infection, was found in 10 of the 47 samples taken”
Germicidal Wipes Can Spread Bacteria “Researchers Jean-Yves Maillard, PhD, Gareth Williams, PhD, and colleagues observed hospital staffers as they used the wipes to disinfect hospital rooms. "We saw that there was a tendency to use one wipe on consecutive surfaces, such as bed rails, computer monitors, and keyboards," Williams tells WebMD. The researchers used the wipes in this way in laboratory tests designed to measure their ability to remove and kill the bacteria that cause staph infections, including MRSA. While most of the wipes tested did remove large numbers of bacteria from contaminated surfaces, they also commonly transferred live bacteria to uncontaminated surfaces when used in more than one place. Even some wipes that claimed to kill bacteria were found to transfer live bacteria from one surface to another, the researchers report. "Many of the wipes were effective, but the message is that they have to be used properly," Williams says. That means using one swipe per wipe on a single surface, Maillard tells WebMD.“
Risk Of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Increased By Smoking During Pregnancy
Walking Helps Lower Blood Pressure
Forget fad diets. Get the facts on weight loss
Mercury Low in Wild and Farmed Salmon “Levels of mercury and other trace metals in both wild and farmed salmon taken from Canadian waters were found to be well below those considered safe, a new study shows. Total mercury levels in the wild salmon tested were three times higher than in farmed, but total mercury intake from both types of fish was found to be lower than from many other foods.“
Low-Salt Diet May Not Be Best for Heart “The study, published online in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, doesn't confirm that a low-salt diet itself is bad for the heart. But it does say that people who eat the least salt suffer from the highest rates of death from cardiac disease. "Our findings suggest that one cannot simply assume, without evidence, that lower salt diets 'can't hurt,' " Cohen said. … Overall, Sesso said, research about the hazards of salt remains mixed. "Patients with normal blood pressure can continue to consume salt, but in moderation and keeping in mind that it is the entire dietary portfolio that matters most." “
Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency Among Healthy Infants and Toddlers (Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2008) “Conclusions Suboptimal vitamin D status is common among otherwise healthy young children. Predictors of vitamin D status vary in infants vs toddlers, information that is important to consider in the care of these young patients. One-third of vitamin D–deficient participants exhibited demineralization, highlighting the deleterious skeletal effects of this condition.”
April - May 2008
Birth Weight and Gestational Age Characteristics of Children With Autism, Including a Comparison With Other Developmental Disabilities (PEDIATRICS 2008) “In multivariate analyses, birth weight of <2500 g and preterm birth at <33 weeks' gestation were associated with an approximately twofold increased risk for autism, although the magnitude of risk from these factors varied according to gender (higher in girls) and autism subgroup (higher for autism accompanied by other developmental disabilities). For example, a significant fourfold increased risk was observed in low birth weight girls for autism accompanied by mental retardation, whereas there was no significantly increased risk observed in low birth weight boys for autism alone.”
Outdoor Swimming Pools and the Risks of Asthma and Allergies during Adolescence. (Eur Respir J. 2008) “Odds for asthma were significantly increased among adolescents with total serum IgE above 25 kIU.l(-1), on average by one to two units for each 100 hours-increase in pool attendance. Use of residential outdoor pools was also associated with higher risks of elevated exhaled nitric oxide and sensitization to cat or house-dust mite allergens.Outdoor chlorinated pools attendance is associated with higher risks of asthma, airways inflammation and some respiratory allergies.”
Physical Activity Is Associated with Risk Factors for Chronic Disease across Adult Women's Life Cycle. (J Am Diet Assoc. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these results indicate that younger age and greater physical activity, despite age, are associated with fewer risk factors for chronic disease, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.”
Exercise Cuts Cancer Death In Men “Men who exercise often are less likely to die from cancer than those who don't exercise, according to a new study from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet.”
Fruits, Vegetables And Teas May Protect Smokers From Lung Cancer, Researchers Report “UCLA researchers found that smokers who ingested high levels of natural chemicals called flavonoids in their diet had a lower risk of developing lung cancer, an important finding since more than 90 percent of lung cancers are caused by tobacco smoking.“
Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Infants May Increase Later Risk for Serious Infections “A previous study found that passive smoking during pregnancy and childhood can damage pulmonary function in children, with a greater effect noted for maternal smoking during pregnancy. • In the current study, SHS exposure within 3 meters increased the risk for all hospitalizations, hospitalizations related to any infection, and hospitalizations related to unintentional injuries. SHS within 3 meters was not significantly associated with the risk for hospitalization for respiratory tract infection. “
Prenatal fish intake benefits kids' brains “"Our finding that the benefit of fish intake is strengthened with adjustment for mercury levels suggests that if mercury contamination were not present, the cognitive benefits of fish would be greater," Oken and her team explain. "Maternal consumption of fish lower in mercury and reduced environmental mercury contamination would allow for stronger benefits of fish intake." “
Lead Shrinks Kids' Brains: Lead-Linked Brain Loss Permanent; Boys Especially Vulnerable “Lead shrinks children's brains, a long-term study strongly suggests. The damage is permanent. The findings come from the Cincinnati Lead Study, which recruited pregnant women living in neighborhoods with historically high rates of childhood lead poisoning. The study measured kids' lead exposures throughout childhood and then gave 157 of them MRI brain scans when they were 19 to 24 years old. None of the kids in the study had lead poisoning, according to the researchers. University of Cincinnati spectroscopist Kim M. Cecil, PhD, and colleagues found that the more lead a person had in his or her blood as a child, the more certain parts of their brains shrank.”
Vitamin C supplementation lowers serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides: a meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials (Journal of Chiropractic Medicine 2008) “Supplementation with at least 500 mg/d of vitamin C, for a minimum of 4 weeks, can result in a significant decrease in serum LDL cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. However, there was a nonsignificant elevation of serum HDL cholesterol.”
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Higher Serum Vitamin D(3) Levels Are Associated with Better Cognitive Test Performance in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease. (Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2008) “Conclusions: These data support the idea that a relationship exists between vitamin D status and cognition in patients with probable AD. However, given the cross-sectional design of this study, no causality can be concluded. Further prospective studies are needed to specify the contribution of vitamin D status to the onset and course of cognitive decline and AD.”
Selenium to Prevent Recurrence of Colorectal Polyps
Exercising In The City? Don't Get Exhaust-ed; Take It Inside “In addition to fine particulates -- which are emitted by the diesel engines of trucks and buses -- the two most significant environmental culprits are carbon monoxide and ozone, Dr. Crystal says. Carbon monoxide arises from cigarette smoke and automobile exhaust. It has a tremendous ability to force oxygen out of our circulatory system -- it combines with hemoglobin 200 times faster than oxygen. Overexposure may lead to headache, dizziness, confusion, and dangerous increases in body temperature. Ozone, which is a large component of the smog found in cities like Los Angeles and New York, results from the interaction of sunlight and chemicals found in car exhaust. Ozone adversely affects a person's breathing pattern and causes the airways in the lungs to become smaller and more resistant to oxygen exchange. Because of ozone, a person working out has difficulty taking deep breaths, and has to breathe faster. As a result, the exercise becomes more stressful and difficult.”
Male Painters Exposed To Fertility Damaging Chemicals “Men working as painters and decorators who are exposed to glycol ethers are more likely to have poor semen quality, according to research carried out by scientists from the Universities of Sheffield and Manchester. ... Glycol ethers are widely used in many products including water-based paints - a product used by many painters and decorators.”
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Lifestyle Changes Can Keep Diabetes at Bay for 14 Years “Diet and exercise programs for people at high risk for developing diabetes, when followed for six years, can actually delay the development of diabetes for 14 years after the programs end, a new report finds.”
Risk-reducing effect of education in Alzheimer's disease. (Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Education had a consistently protective effect on the risk of developing clinical AD in a dose-dependent manner in both men and women, and in all age groups, also when adjusting for the number of APOE epsilon4 alleles. Male gender was protective, probably at least in part because of a higher educational level.”
Supplement Your Knowledge of Vitamin D “How much vitamin D do I need? The current recommended daily dose of vitamin D is 200 IU for people up to age 50, 400 IU for people aged 51 to 70, and 600 IU for people over age 70. That's not enough, Boston University vitamin D expert Michael Holick, MD, PhD, tells WebMD. Holick recommends a dose of 1,000 IU a day of vitamin D for both infants and adults -- unless they're getting plenty of safe sun exposure. In 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that breastfed infants receive 400 IU of vitamin D every day until they are weaned and drink at least 1 liter of vitamin D-fortified formula or whole milk each day. The AAP also recommends 400 IU/day of vitamin D for children and teens who drink less than a liter of vitamin D-fortified milk per day. The Vitamin D Council recommends that healthy adults take 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily -- more if they get little or no sun exposure.”
Can Celery Help Cut Brain Inflammation? “A compound found in celery and green peppers may help protect against inflammatory brain conditions. The compound, called luteolin, is a potent antioxidant known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Luteolin belongs to a family of plant molecules called flavonoids, which are found in various vegetables, fruits, and beverages, including chamomile tea. Researchers have rigorously studied the potential health effects of flavonoids for more than a decade. Previous studies have shown that flavonoids can help counter dementia caused by brain inflammation.“
Effect of infarcts on dementia in the Baltimore longitudinal study of aging. (Ann Neurol. 2008) “INTERPRETATION: Cerebrovascular disease is a significant and potentially preventable cause of dementia in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Burden and location of infarcts are significantly associated with cognitive decline.”
Fruit Juice Consumption Not Related To Overweight In Children, Study Suggests “ "The findings that the consumption of 100% juice by children and adolescents is not associated with overweight is very important since 100% fruit juices are nutrient dense and their consumption represents an excellent way to help children meet the dietary guidelines for Americans.”
Home Blood-Pressure Monitoring Recommended “The home monitoring recommendations open the door to a totally new way of controlling blood pressure, Oparil said.“
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Healthy living 'can add 14 years'“Taking exercise, not drinking too much alcohol, eating enough fruit and vegetables and not smoking can add up to 14 years to your life, a study says.”
Meta-analysis of long-term mobile phone use and the association with brain tumours. (Int J Oncol. 2008) “We conclude that this meta-analysis gave a consistent pattern of an association between mobile phone use and ipsilateral glioma and acoustic neuroma using >/=10-years latency period.”
Antiflea Pet Shampoos with Pyrethrin May Play a Role in Autism “Compared with mothers of typically developing children, mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders were twice as likely to report that they had shampooed their pets with pyrethrin-containing antiflea/antitick shampoos around the time of their pregnancy, in a Californian case-control study that looked at household pesticide use.”
Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular dysfunction and the benefits of exercise: From vessels to neurons. (Exp Gerontol. 2008) “We conclude that, next to upholding neuronal plasticity, regular exercise may counteract AD pathophysiology by building a vascular reserve.”
CDC: Watch Out for Pool Parasites
Markers of B-vitamin deficiency and frailty in older women. (J Nutr Health Aging. 2008) “Conclusions: These results suggest that vitamin B12 deficiency may contribute to the frailty syndrome in community-dwelling older women.”
Vigorous Exercise, Fitness and Incident Hypertension, High Cholesterol, and Diabetes. (Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2008) “Conclusions: Higher cardiorespiratory fitness reduces the odds for hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes, independent of physical activity and is an important risk factor separate from physical activity.”
Faster Tumor Growth Rate Proof Younger Women Need Yearly Mammograms
Relationship between Low Ultraviolet B Irradiance and Higher Breast Cancer Risk in 107 Countries (The Breast Journal 2008)
Low Levels of Vitamin D Spell Trouble for Breast Cancer Patients “Women with breast cancer who have a vitamin D deficiency at the time of diagnosis are more likely to have a recurrence or to die from their disease, a new study shows. Surprisingly, the researchers also found that only 24 percent of the patients had adequate levels of vitamin D when they were diagnosed. “
Migraine Medications May Cause 'Serotonin Syndrome': Rare disorder can lead to muscle spasms, fever, sweating and nausea, study finds “Serotonin syndrome occurs when there is too much of the neurotransmitter serotonin, often because more than one medication that affects serotonin levels has been taken, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include mental status changes, overactive reflexes, muscle spasms, fever, uncoordinated movements, heavy sweating and nausea or vomiting. People with migraine headaches may be especially at risk, because medications taken to prevent migraines from occurring -- such as Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro and Prozac -- are from a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and they make serotonin more available in brain cells, called neurons. Additionally, the medications used to treat an oncoming or active migraine, such as Imitrex, Zomig, Frova, Maxalt and Axert, are from a class of medications known as triptans, which are selective serotonin receptor agonists, and can also make serotonin more available in your body. Other medications, such as older antidepressants, can also increase the levels of serotonin. “
A 22-year Prospective Study of Fish, n-3 Fatty Acid Intake, and Colorectal Cancer Risk in Men (Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 2008) “Conclusions: Our results from this long-term prospective study suggest that intakes of fish and long-chain n-3 fatty acids from fish may decrease the risk for colorectal cancer.”
Vitamin D protects cells from stress that can lead to cancer “By inducing a specific gene to increase expression of a key enzyme, vitamin D protects healthy prostate cells from the damage and injuries that can lead to cancer, University of Rochester Medical Center researchers report.”
Without TV ads, restless legs may take a hike “Restless legs syndrome leapt into public consciousness thanks to a multi-million-dollar advertising campaign by drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline. Now that the FDA has approved generic versions of Requip, attention to the disorder is likely to fade, experts say. … Television ads touting ropinirole hydrochloride, a drug originally used to treat Parkinson’s disease, sent jittery patients to doctors’ offices to demand the brand name medication called Requip. … But the possible change heartens critics who cite restless legs syndrome as a prime example of “disease mongering,” in which promoters such as drug companies deliberately enlarge the market for a product by convincing people that they’re sick and need treatment. … Schwartz and her husband, Dr. Steven Woloshin, also at Dartmouth, say that drug company promotions, combined with uncritical media reporting, have exaggerated the prevalence of restless legs syndrome and led to over-diagnosis and over-treatment with powerful brain-altering drugs. If the generic switch leads to fewer ads, that should decrease patient demand for diagnosis and treatment, leaving only the most serious sufferers to weigh the benefits of the drugs against the risks of potentially severe side effects. … “There’s such a huge placebo effect,” Schwarz said. … At the same time, the side effects of the drugs can be considerable. Patients taking the drugs were about 35 percent more likely to withdraw from trials because of problems than those taking the placebo, the study showed. The biggest problems included debilitating nausea, dizziness and falling asleep during daily activities. Other studies have shown the drugs can cause compulsions such as gambling or sexual promiscuity. … For many patients, however, the medications provide significant relief from a debilitating condition, said Zee. “In my opinion, in general, the benefits outweigh the risks,” she said. “Now, you have to individualize. If they’re so bad with the disease, most of these side effects won’t matter.” “
Prenatal and Postnatal Exposure to Cell Phone Use and Behavioral Problems in Children. (Epidemiology. 2008) "CONCLUSIONS:: Exposure to cell phones prenatally-and, to a lesser degree, postnatally-was associated with behavioral difficulties such as emotional and hyperactivity problems around the age of school entry. These associations may be noncausal and may be due to unmeasured confounding. If real, they would be of public health concern given the widespread use of this technology."
Physical activity lower breast cancer risk "Premenopausal women who spend much of their leisure time in physical activities, especially during adolescence and early adulthood, are less likely to develop breast cancer than their more sedentary counterparts, according to a report in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Prior research has linked physical activity with a reduced risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women, but whether this also applies to younger premenopausal women was unclear, lead author Dr. Sonia S. Maruti, from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, and colleagues explain."
Non-small cell lung cancer: epidemiology, risk factors, treatment, and survivorship. (Mayo Clin Proc. 2008) “Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for 85% of all lung cancer cases in the United States. After the initial diagnosis, accurate staging of non-small cell lung cancer using computed tomography or positron emission tomography is crucial for determining appropriate therapy. When feasible, surgical resection remains the single most consistent and successful option for cure. However, close to 70% of patients with lung cancer present with locally advanced or metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. Chemotherapy is beneficial for patients with metastatic disease, and the administration of concurrent chemotherapy and radiation is indicated for stage III lung cancer.”
One In Five Rooms Is 'Highly Contaminated' With Hidden Mold “They report that almost one in five rooms studied with no visible mould was in fact “highly contaminated” by fungus which could aggravate conditions such as asthma. The study also found that bedrooms and living rooms were no less contaminated than bathrooms and kitchens – “hidden” fungus was not only airborne but found in carpets and soft furnishings, and behind wallpaper, and was often colourless and odourless. … The researchers found that significant factors in levels of contamination were structure, such as lack of ventilation or a ground floor apartment, or accidental damage, such as water damage.”
Fixing Up 'This Old House' May Increase Exposure To Lead In Young
Vascular benefits of stopping smoking are rapid “People who quit smoking will see a rapid decline in the risk of death from coronary heart disease (CHD) and other vascular disorders, a new analysis of the Nurses' Health Study shows [1]. And although the study participants were all women, lead author Dr Stacey Kenfield (Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA) told heartwire: "We feel that we can generalize our findings to men who have a similar smoking profile."”
Doctors Should Not Prescribe Antibiotics To Treat Adults With Rhinosinusitis “According to the authors, this means that antibiotics often are ineffective to treating acute rhinosinusitis symptoms. "The implication for primary care is that antibiotics offer little benefit for patients with acute rhinosinusitis-like complaints. Common clinical signs and symptoms cannot identify a subgroup for which treatment is clearly justified, given the cost, events, and bacterial resistance associated with antibiotic use. Antibiotics are not justified even if a patient reports symptoms for longer than 7-10 days." … The authors conclude with advice for physicians. "Although our results do not apply to children or patients with a suppressed immune system, they should reassure physicians that only watchful waiting and symptomatic relief are warranted for almost all adult patients with acute rhinosinusitis-like complaints." “
Physical activity and dementia risk in the elderly: Findings from a prospective Italian study (NEUROLOGY 2008) “Conclusions: In this cohort, physical activity is associated with a lower risk of vascular dementia but not of Alzheimer disease. Further research is needed about the biologic mechanisms operating between physical activity and cognition.”
Depression Is Associated With Decreased 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Increased Parathyroid Hormone Levels in Older Adults (Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008) “Conclusion The results of this large population-based study show an association of depression status and severity with decreased serum 25(OH)D levels and increased serum PTH levels in older individuals.”
Developing the evidence for evidence-based practice “In this issue of CMAJ, Deshauer and colleagues1 note that most (93%) trials of drugs for the treatment of depression last less than 6 months (typically 6–8 weeks); indeed, most are conducted for registration purposes by industry. Despite the widely accepted view that depression is chronic or recurrent, longer-term efficacy and effectiveness studies are few and far between. Thus, when asked by patients about the pros and cons of longer-term treatment, we have little evidence with which to respond. Clinical trials are complex, costly and time consuming. They can be roughly divided into "efficacy" trials and "effectiveness" trials. The former are usually designed to have the highest internal validity, thereby ensuring that differences between treatment groups are entirely attributable to the study treatments (e.g., drug v. placebo). These trials typically look for a signal that the treatment is better than placebo and establish safety and tolerability. Effectiveness trials (sometimes called practical or management trials) are more inclusive of patient groups and often use treatment conducted in routine practices rather than research-guided treatment methods. They often aim to define how the treatment performs in usual practice conditions, but these trials may also define how, for whom, when or in what setting a treatment is to be recommended. Effectiveness trials include a broad assessment of effectiveness, including outcomes such as daily function, quality of life and health care utilization, whereas efficacy trials typically focus on symptoms. … Defining how, when, for whom and in what settings available treatments are best, and how safe and effective new treatments are in representative practice (T2 research) cannot be the sole responsibility of industry. Why not? Because such research will potentially limit the use of a new drug or create data for counter-marketing by competitors. Companies logically want to control study designs to protect their products. Who can blame them? Indeed, even if these studies are well designed and executed, doubt may remain about the findings, given the source of funding. Independent sources of funding (e.g., government and foundations) are needed if we are serious about putting real evidence into evidence-based medicine. Definitive, generalizable studies that involve "real world" patients given treatment under clinically feasible conditions and that use both registries and randomization are needed to better inform us about patient safety, provide evidence for clinical decision-making and improve outcomes. Without such studies, clinical decision-making will remain the art of medicine rather than the science it should be. “
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for unipolar depression: a systematic review of classic long-term randomized controlled trials (CMAJ 2008) “Interpretation: There is a lack of classic randomized controlled trials of serotonin reuptake inhibitors lasting more than 1 year for the treatment of depression. The results of our systematic review support current recommendations for 6–8 months of antidepressant treatment following initial recovery but provide no guidance for longer treatment.”
The Vitamin That Could Add Years to Your Life “D seems to be particularly relevant to a cellular yardstick of aging called a telomere. These "end caps" on your chromosomes get shorter and shorter with age, but having high blood levels of vitamin D seems to help ensure longer telomeres. That's a good thing, because when telomeres get really short and disappear, cells stop dividing and start to die. Translation: You age and become more vulnerable to disease.”
Watch what you touch: A bad germ gets worse “C. diff has long been a common, usually benign bug associated with simple, easily treated diarrhea in older patients in hospitals and nursing homes. About 3 percent of healthy adults harbor the bacteria with no problem. But overuse of antibiotics has allowed the germ to develop resistance in recent years, doctors said, creating the toxic new type that stumps traditional treatment. … About 90 percent of CDAD cases occur in patients who've used antibiotics recently, especially fluroquinolines such as the popular drug Cipro. The resistance allows the C. diff bacteria to take over and flourish. Consequences can range from severe diarrhea to colitis and toxic megacolon, a condition that can lead to shock and death. … “The biggest problem in our hospitals is that they are filthy dirty,” said Dr. Alfonso Torress-Cook, an epidemiologist who says he adopted practices that cut C. diff infections by 90 percent at his acute rehabilitation center in Orange County, Calif. "If we start cleaning the environment, the infection will take care of itself," he added. Interventions can range from ultra-violet light targeted to kill C. diff germs to silver-infused flooring and antimicrobial curtains aimed at resisting the bugs.“
Fast-Food Liver Damage Can Be Reversed, Experts Say “ “There’s strong evidence now that a fast-food type of diet – high in fat and sugar, the kind of diet many Americans subsist on – can cause significant damage to your liver and have extremely serious consequences for your health,” says Brent Tetri, M.D., professor of internal medicine at the Saint Louis University Liver Center and one of the country’s leading experts on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. “The good news is that most people can undo this damage if they change their diet and they keep physically active,” Tetri says. “If they don’t, however, they are asking for trouble.” Particularly alarming, says Tetri, is that physicians are starting to see children and teenagers with cirrhosis, a serious liver disease once seen mostly in adults with a history of alcohol abuse or hepatitis C. Tetri suspects this is because many kids today eat far too much fast food or junk food and get far too little exercise – the kind of behaviors that can lead to liver damage.”
Even the Insured Feel the Strain of Health Costs (USA) “Since the recession of 2001, the employee’s average cost of an annual health care premium for family coverage has nearly doubled — to $3,300, up from $1,800 — while incomes have come nowhere close to keeping up. Factor in other out-of-pocket medical costs, and the portion of the average American household’s income that goes toward health care has risen about 12 percent, according to the consulting and accounting firm Deloitte, and is now approaching one-fifth of the average household’s spending. In a recent survey by Deloitte’s health research center, only 7 percent of people said they felt financially prepared for their future health care needs.”
Associations Between Vitamin D Status and Pain in Older Adults: The Invecchiare in Chianti Study (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2008) “CONCLUSION: Lower concentrations of 25(OH)D are associated with significant back pain in older women but not men. Because vitamin D deficiency and chronic pain are fairly prevalent in older adults, these findings suggest it may be worthwhile to query older adults about their pain and screen older women with significant back pain for vitamin D deficiency.”
Low Systolic Blood Pressure Associated With Prevalent Dementia and Alzheimer's “Ms. Fujikami added: ‘Basically, the question now is, what's the optimal blood pressure in very, very late life — over 80 years old? In midlife, hypertension can lead to higher rates of dementia. In late life, should we treat them? Are we overtreating them and causing dementia in late life? That's a question that's on everyone's mind.’ “
March - April 2008
Regular Exercise Through Middle Age May Delay Biological Aging “"Regular exercise substantially reduces the risks of obesity, maturity onset diabetes mellitus, hypertension, myocardial infarction, some forms of stroke, several forms of cancer and osteoporosis, not only in middle age but also during the retirement years," Dr. Shephard concludes. "It is also helpful in rehabilitation following such critical incidents as a myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure. Regular aerobic exercise may have some impact on the likelihood of becoming blind because of a reduced risk of maturity onset diabetes mellitus, and catastrophic falls are less likely if regular aerobic exercise maintains muscle power, balance and coordination." “
Water: How much should you drink every day?
Beware Of Doctors And Nurses Wearing Wristwatches: They Could Be Potential Sources Of Hospital-acquired Infection “According to a study conducted by A.R. Jeans, R.C. Read and colleagues (Sheffield University, UK), presented at the 18th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Barcelona, healthcare workers who wear wristwatches are more likely to be contaminated by Staphylococcus aureus.”
Easy health care access for all becoming a thing of the past “One 2007 study says nearly one in five Americans - 56 million people - don't have ready access to primary health care because of local shortages of primary care doctors. The report - entitled "Access Denied: A Look at American's Medically Disenfranchised" - found that lack of access isn't just a consequence of being poor and uninsured. Instead, most Americans who don't have access to a primary care doctor actually do have health insurance. Even doctors themselves are not immune to the problem of finding a doctor: Prescott's Dr. Roger Jenkins said that after he switched health insurers himself, he had to find a new doctor because his old one wouldn't accept the new insurance.”
Migraine Frequency Linked With Women's Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease “New research shows women who have weekly migraine are significantly more likely to have a stroke than those with fewer migraines or no migraine at all, but those with lower migraine frequency may face increased risk of heart attacks.”
Otitis in infancy may affect hearing for years “Infection of the middle ear compartment, called otitis media, in babies can affect the way their brains process sounds years after the initial infection, according to a recent report from India. Infancy is a time when the brain rapidly develops the ability to sort out and respond to input from the five senses. If these external stimuli are blunted or absent, however, the appropriate brain development can be impaired. Even otitis media of a short duration "in the first year of life can cause long-standing auditory processing deficits," Sandeep Maruthy from the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing in Mysore told Reuters Health. … If the finding holds true in studies of children followed for several years, Maruthy added, it would call for measures "to reduce the chances of auditory deprivation during the active episodes of otitis media." This might mean, for example, "speaking closer to the child or being louder while speaking to the child so as to compensate for the reduced hearing sensitivity." “
Vitamin D Important In Brain Development And Function “Vitamin D has long been known to promote healthy bones by regulating calcium levels in the body. Lack of sufficient vitamin D in very young children results in rickets, which can be easily prevented by vitamin D supplements. Only recently the scientific community has become aware of a much broader role for vitamin D. For example, we now know that, in addition to its role in maintaining bone health, vitamin D is involved in differentiation of tissues during development and in proper functioning of the immune system. … Vitamin D is present in only a few foods (e.g., fatty fish), and is also added to fortified milk, but our supply typically comes mostly from exposure to ultraviolet rays (UV) in sunlight. UV from the sun converts a biochemical in the skin to vitamin D, which is then metabolized to calcitriol, its active form and an important hormone. Formation of vitamin D by UV can be 6 times more efficient in light skin than dark skin, which is an important cause of the known widespread vitamin D deficiency among African Americans living in northern latitudes. Dark skin has been selected during evolution because it protects against the burning UV rays of the sun in the tropics. … Many vitamin D experts advise that the currently recommended level of vitamin D intake is much too low and should be raised to protect against bone fractures and possibly cancer in addition to rickets (2). Indeed, even using present guidelines, too many Americans have low vitamin D blood levels. McCann & Ames propose that, despite uncertainty regarding all of the deleterious effects of vitamin D inadequacy, the evidence overall indicates that supplementation, which is both inexpensive and prudent, is warranted for groups whose vitamin D status is exceptionally low, particularly nursing infants, the elderly, and African Americans (e.g., see (3)).”
Large waist may raise death risk for women “Women with large bellies may die earlier of heart disease and cancer than other women, regardless of their weight, a large U.S. study suggests. The findings, reported in the medical journal Circulation, add to evidence that when it comes to health risks, overall weight is not as important as where a person carries the fat.”
Aerobic exercise may shield aging brain “Keeping the heart fit with aerobic exercise may also boost older adults' brainpower, a research review suggests. In an analysis of pooled data from previous clinical trials, researchers in the Netherlands found that when healthy adults older than 55 improved their fitness through aerobic exercise, there was also often an improvement in memory, attention or other mental abilities. … "Improvements in cognition as a result of improvements in cardiovascular fitness are being explained by improvements in cerebral blood flow, leading to increased brain metabolism which, in turn, stimulates the production of neurotransmitters and formation of new synapses," Angevaren explained.”
[Clearance, persistence and recurrence of HPV infection.] (Gynecol Obstet Fertil. 2008) “The longitudinal studies show that "recurrent" HPV infections offer no evidence that the recurrent episode is correlated with reemergence of the same strain or another strain of the same genotype (wild or variant), but the sequential detection of other HPV type is common. The studies offer no evidence of competition between HPV types but frequently show an increased risk of acquisition of new HPV types in patients already infected compared with those who are HPV-negative.”
Estimates of Chlamydia trachomatis Infections Among Men: United States. (Sex Transm Dis. 2008)
Children Playing With Poison: Arsenic Exposure From CCA-treated Wood (Journal for Nurse Practitioners. 2008)
Common Medications May Harm Memory in Older People “Common medications known as anticholinergic drugs — used to treat ulcers, stomach cramps, motion sickness, Parkinson's disease and urinary incontinence — may cause older people to lose their thinking skills more quickly than seniors who don't take the medicines, new research suggests.”
Alzheimer's Starts Earlier For Heavy Drinkers, Smokers “Researchers found that people who were heavy drinkers developed Alzheimer's 4.8 years earlier than those who were not heavy drinkers. Heavy smokers developed the disease 2.3 years sooner than people who were not heavy smokers. People with APOE-4 developed the disease three years sooner than those without the gene variant. Adding the risk factors together led to earlier onset of the disease. People who had all three risk factors developed the disease 8.5 years earlier than those with none of the risk factors. The 17 people in the study with all three risk factors developed Alzheimer's at an average age of 68.5 years; the 374 people with none of the three risk factors developed the disease at an average age of 77 years.”
Canada Takes Steps to Ban Most Plastic Baby Bottles“The Canadian government moved Friday to ban polycarbonate infant bottles, the most popular variety on the market, after it officially declared one of their chemical ingredients toxic.”
In war against dust mites, there’s no winning “Live dust mites aren't the real problem. Their waste and decaying bodies contain a protein that mixes with household dust and becomes airborne, triggering wheezing, sneezing, watery eyes and runny noses in mite-sensitive people. … In 54 trials involving more than 3,000 patients, the most widely recommended treatments to reduce dust mites had no effect on the symptoms of asthma sufferers, researchers in Denmark found. Dust mites are tiny organisms that thrive in the company of humans, feasting on dead skin cells and nesting in soft, dust-collecting places such as bedding, carpets and cloth-covered furniture. “Chemical and physical methods aimed at reducing exposure to house dust mite allergens cannot be recommended,” wrote Dr. Peter Gotzsche, director of the Nordic Cochrane Center in Copenhagen. … That recommendation drew the ire of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, whose members routinely advise the criticized techniques. The Denmark study is “myopic,” said Mike Tringale, the asthma advocacy agency’s director of external affairs. It focused only on studies of dust mites, instead of the range of possible household allergens. “There’s not one cause of the problem and there’s not one solution,” said Tringale. He added that the review was incomplete and omitted studies that showed limiting dust mites improves asthma symptoms, a charge that Gotzsche denied. “
Intake of Fruit, Vegetables, and Fruit Juices and Risk of Diabetes in Women. (Diabetes Care. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of green leafy vegetables and fruit was associated with a lower hazard of DM, whereas consumption of fruit juices may be associated with an increased hazard among women.”
Menopausal Complaints Are Associated With Cardiovascular Risk Factors. (Hypertension. 2008) “Results were similar for complaints of night sweating. The findings support the view that menopausal complaints are associated with a less favorable cardiovascular risk profile. These findings substantiate the view that differences in the presence of menopausal symptoms as a reason for using hormone therapy could explain discrepant findings between observational research and trials.”
Health 'Shocks' Diminish Wealth More Later In Life ““If you have a chronic health condition, it diminishes your wealth throughout your life. And if you get a health shock, it diminishes your wealth even more,” Lee said. “Though over time the costs associated with that shock may decrease, that illness will still deflate your wealth continuously thereafter.” To Lee, this research demonstrates how costly healthcare is to Americans, even if they have Medicare coverage. Medicare typically pays a little over half of someone’s medical bills, and seniors -- most of whom are living on a fixed income -- are forced to make up the difference by dipping into their savings. Add to that the fact that Americans are living longer, and the cost of healthcare keeps increasing. Even if seniors can recover physically from a health shock, they can’t recover financially.“
Dose response relationship between physical activity and mental health: The Scottish Health Survey (Br J Sports Med 2008) “Conclusion: Mental health benefits were observed at a minimal level of at least 20 minutes per week of any physical activity, although a dose-response pattern was demonstrated with greater risk reduction for activity at a higher volume and/or intensity.”
The Internet gives patients control over their doctors “There's been a revolution in how we relate to doctors. Patients are no longer passive subjects but health care consumers. Doctors have been demoted from healers to "providers." I have one friend who didn't like the specialist assigned to a family member, so, as he put it, he "fired" the doctor (by insisting the hospital find another one). … In the Internet age, ordinary people can inform themselves about virtually any health issue. Of course, a bank manager or high school teacher who is diagnosed with colon cancer isn't going to become an expert on the disease overnight, but he or she could learn enough, in short order, to ask the surgeon useful questions. If I were diagnosed with cancer on a Friday, you can bet that by Monday I'd know what my options were and the risks associated with them; what new surgical procedures were being developed; what drug trials were taking place, and where; what institutions had the best reputations for treating the illness. In the old days, civilians did not have easy access to such information. The spread of health literacy has eroded the power imbalance in the patient-doctor relationship.“
Hypovitaminosis D: a stealthy epidemic that requires treatment. (Geriatrics. 2008) “Increasing evidence strongly supports the benefits of vitamin D supplementation and also reveals that present recommendations are inadequate, especially for older individuals. Although additional studies are still needed to further optimize diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, physicians should consider prescribing cholecalciferol - at least 2000 international units (IU) per day - to all elderly patients. Oral cholecalciferol supplementation at that level is inexpensive, safe, and effective, and has great potential to improve the quality of life of the elderly.”
STD symptoms: 7 STDs and common symptoms
Egg consumption in relation to cardiovascular disease and mortality: the Physicians' Health Study (Am J Clin Nutr 2008) “Conclusions: Infrequent egg consumption does not seem to influence the risk of CVD in male physicians. In addition, egg consumption was positively related to mortality, more strongly so in diabetic subjects, in the study population. “
Consumption of Raw Cruciferous Vegetables is Inversely Associated with Bladder Cancer Risk (Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 2008) “These data suggest that cruciferous vegetables, when consumed raw, may reduce the risk of bladder cancer, an effect consistent with the role of dietary isothiocyanates as chemopreventive agents against bladder cancer.”
Sunbed use 'puts lives at risk' “Research suggests people who start using sunbeds under the age of 35 increase their risk of malignant melanoma by 75%. … the intensity of some UV rays from sunbeds can be as much as 15 times higher than that of the midday sun. Repeated exposure to UV damages the DNA in skin cells, which increases the risk of skin cancer and makes skin age faster. … "You can't always see the damage that UV does straight away. It builds up over time. But every time you use a sunbed you are harming your skin and increasing your risk of skin cancer." “
Let's Work It Out: Helping Young Children Address Teasing and Bullying (Eric 2008) “School is not a friendly, welcoming place for a child who is teased and bullied. A child who is worried about what's going to happen to her or him at school will have trouble concentrating, begin to dislike school, and may want to avoid going altogether. Children who are teased and bullied often develop physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomachaches. Emotionally, they can become sad, withdrawn, anxious, and depressed. In a classroom, teasing and bullying create a climate that makes it hard to teach and even harder to learn. However, by establishing a classroom environment that fosters respect, kindness, and cooperation, and by engaging in a proactive curriculum to prevent teasing and bullying, teachers can make school a friendly, welcoming place for all children.”
Drugs that don't work: a tough pill to swallow “The situation has renewed debate about the ways drugs are tested and approved in the U.S. and whether they’re being released to market too soon. It also has raised doubts about the FDA’s practice of accepting “surrogate endpoints” for drug approval. Instead of relying on ultimate outcomes — a reduction in heart attacks or strokes, for instance, or a decrease in deaths — many studies measure a drug’s effectiveness by using interim markers, such as decreasing blood pressure levels or lowering LDL cholesterol. The FDA long has allowed use of such markers because waiting for the results of large-scale outcome trials would cost too much and take too long, possibly delaying life-saving advances for millions of people, said Dr. Robert Temple, director of the agency’s office of medical policy. But the practice has been called into question by the surprises of recent research, said Dr. Nortin M. Hadler, a professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina. “In our zeal to do modern medicine ... we’ve managed to lose our way,” he said. “We’ve forgotten to ask: ‘Does this matter to the patient?’” “
Physical activity and cancer prevention : pathways and targets for intervention. (Sports Med. 2008)
Watchful Waiting May Be Appropriate for Some Women With HPV “"These data suggest that, when possible, a patient with a normal cytology and initial positive HPV result should be managed with watchful waiting because a 12-month follow-up can safely exclude more than 50% of infections as transient," the study authors conclude. "Treatment of young women who have less than CIN3+ histopathology risks complications with uncertain benefit. Once type-specific HPV infections can be reliably detected by well-validated assays, new screening and management guidelines will need to be developed that incorporate these natural history data." “
Ex-drug salesman: We lured docs with gifts: Companies recruit ‘beautiful people’ as reps “We all want to think that our doctors prescribe pain pills for our aching backs because it’s what we need, and not because a charming ex-cheerleader turned drug company sales rep has invited him to a Red Sox [team stats] game. But, according to a former drug salesman, that second scenario may be closer to the truth. “We were the beautiful people,” Shahram Ahari, a former Eli Lilly “drug detailer,” told a group of Boston University medical students last week. … The group contends that aggressive marketing to physicians by pharmaceutical companies creates conflicts of interest in the medical profession and raises questions about the appropriateness of treatment choices. Many blame drug companies’ aggressive marketing efforts for a portion of the rise in health-care costs, because physicians are swayed into prescribing newer, more expensive medicines instead of older, less expensive brands. To push their products, Ahari said, drug companies hire former models, cheerleaders and athletes to promote the new drugs to doctors. His co-workers, he said, “were all beautiful, vivacious and fun,” but none of them had more than a high-school level science education. Still, each day, they’d visit scores of medical offices, armed with gifts for the doctors, their staff and their family members, and samples of the drugs they were pushing. When they weren’t treating the entire office to lunch, or handing out free tickets to sporting events, they’d wine and dine the doctors. Ahari said he was allowed to spend $60,000 a year on meals.“
25 Shocking Facts About the Pharmaceutical Industry
Mom's fish intake may boost child's brain power “Preschoolers whose mothers regularly ate low-mercury fish during pregnancy may have sharper minds than their peers, a study suggests. Researchers found that among 341 3-year-olds, those whose mothers ate more than two servings of fish per week during pregnancy generally performed better on tests of verbal, visual and motor development. On the other hand, tests scores were lower among preschoolers whose mothers had relatively high mercury levels in their blood during pregnancy.“
Lots of water 'is little benefit' “UK experts say research which finds drinking lots of water does little to improve health should not discourage people from topping up regularly. A scientific review by the University of Pennsylvania said some people, such as athletes, may need to drink a lot. But they found little evidence that flushing out toxins through drinking copious amounts improved health. … Dr Dan Negoianu, and Dr Stanley Goldfarb, writing the the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, say that while dehydration can be harmful, there is scant evidence that large amounts of water offer any benefits. In fact, they said, there was no evidence supporting the standard US recommendation of "8x8" - eight glasses, each containing eight ounces of water (a total of 1.8litres), a day. They wrote: "There is no clear evidence of benefit from drinking increased amounts of water. "Although we wish we could demolish all of the urban myths found on the Internet regarding the benefits of supplemental water ingestion, we concede there is also no clear evidence of lack of benefit. "In fact, there is simply a lack of evidence in general." Looking at other scientific papers revealed that while drinking more water did effect the rate at which various substances were cleared by the kidney, there was no suggestion that this led to any actual health benefits. “
Advice on Water Doesn't Hold Water “"Drink when you're thirsty," said Goldfarb. "That's the way your body is designed." “
February - March 2008
Eating Causes Stress, But Antioxidants Can Help “The scientists found that the antioxidant capacity of volunteers' blood plasma samples declined after eating a test meal that lacked antioxidants. But the scientists also found, for the first time, that consuming grapes with that same test meal prevented the decline in plasma antioxidant capacity of the volunteers during the first two hours following the test meal—the time digestion is the most rapid. Prior, based at the ARS-funded Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in Little Rock, Ark., noted that omitting antioxidant-rich foods from meals could lead to cellular damage by free radicals. Such damage is thought to increase risk of atherosclerosis, cancer and other diseases.“
Pesticide Parkinson's link strong “"What we noticed in our research was that recreational pesticide use in the home and garden was more of a source of exposure than occupational use." “
Optimal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels for multiple health outcomes. (Adv Exp Med Biol. 2008) “An intake of no less than 1000 IU (25 mcg) of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) per day for all adults may bring at least 50% of the population up to 75 nmol/l. Thus, higher doses of vitamin D are needed to bring most individuals into the desired range. While estimates suggest that 2000 IU vitamin D3 per day may successfully and safely achieve this goal, the implications of 2000 IU or higher doses for the total adult population need to be addressed in future studies.”
Singulair (montelukast) “[Posted 03/27/2008] FDA informed healthcare professionals and patients of the Agency's investigation of the possible association between the use of Singulair and behavior/mood changes, suicidality (suicidal thinking and behavior) and suicide. Singulair is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used to treat asthma and the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, and to prevent exercise-induced asthma. Patients should not stop taking Singulair before talking to their doctor if they have questions about the new information.”
Central obesity and increased risk of dementia more than three decades later (Neurology 2008) “Conclusions: Central obesity in midlife increases risk of dementia independent of diabetes and cardiovascular comorbidities. Fifty percent of adults have central obesity; therefore, mechanisms linking central obesity to dementia need to be unveiled.”
Study Links Middle-Age Belly Fat to Dementia “People who have big bellies in their 40s are much more likely to get Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia in their 70s, according to new research that links the middle-aged spread to a fading mind for the first time. The study of more than 6,000 people found that the more fat they had in their guts in their early to mid-40s, the greater their chances of becoming forgetful and confused and showing other signs of senility as they aged. Those who had the most expansive midsections faced more than twice the risk of the leanest. … The research is the latest evidence that fat in the abdomen is the most dangerous kind. Previous studies have linked an apple-shaped physique to a greater propensity for diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Researchers suspect that belly fat cells are the worst because of their proximity to major organs. They ooze noxious chemicals, stoking inflammation, constricting blood vessels and triggering other processes that may also damage brain cells. "There is a lot of work out there that suggests that the fat wrapped around your inner organs is much more metabolically active than other types of fat right under the skin," Whitmer said. "It's pumping out toxic substances. It's very potent toxic fat." “
Sticker shock a side effect of cancer remedies “Drug prices are a growing issue for every disease, especially for people who are uninsured. But cancer sticker shock is hitting hard now, as a list of more advanced biotech drugs have made treatment rounds costing $100,000, or even more, no longer a rarity. Also, patients are living longer, good news but meaning they need treatment for longer periods. The cost of cancer care is rising 15 percent a year, Lichter notes. Make no mistake: Some of these newer drugs have greatly helped some patients — Gleevec, for example, has revolutionized care for a type of leukemia — and the prices reflect manufacturers’ years of research and development investment. Also, drug companies do donate a certain amount of medication to prescription-assistance programs that provide them for free to patients who otherwise couldn’t pay. Since 2005, nearly 5 million people — cancer patients and people with other diseases — have been matched to such programs through the drug industry’s “Partnership for Prescription Assistance.” “
High Blood Pressure Runs in Families “The age at which high blood pressure was detected in the parents was important, Wang said. "What we found was that if parents have hypertension early, their children have a significantly higher risk of developing hypertension at an early age," he said. "If the parents develop hypertension at the age of 55 or earlier, the lifetime risk for the children is seven-fold higher than normal." The lesson for young adults is that they should pay attention to their parents' blood pressure, Wang said. "They should tell themselves that if their parents develop high blood pressure early, they should pay more attention to their health," he noted.“
Experimental: High-Dose Folic Acid Pretreatment Blunts Cardiac Dysfunction During Ischemia Coupled to Maintenance of High-Energy Phosphates and Reduces Postreperfusion Injury (Circulation 2008) “Background—The B vitamin folic acid (FA) is important to mitochondrial protein and nucleic acid synthesis, is an antioxidant, and enhances nitric oxide synthase activity. Here, we tested whether FA reduces myocardial ischemic dysfunction and postreperfusion injury. … Conclusions—FA pretreatment blunts myocardial dysfunction during ischemia and ameliorates postreperfusion injury. This is coupled to preservation of high-energy phosphates, reducing subsequent reactive oxygen species generation, eNOS-uncoupling, and postreperfusion cell death.”
Long-term effects of asthma medications in children. (Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008) “RECENT FINDINGS: The literature is replete with studies demonstrating the immediate profound effects of inhaled corticosteroids on symptom control, reduction in morbidity and mortality rates, improvement in lung function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and inflammatory markers. Recent evidence supports that even this most effective class of medication does not alter the progression of recurrent wheeze to asthma, and that its effects on decline in lung function are limited. The lack of evidence supporting the superiority of lower dose inhaled corticosteroids combined with a long-acting beta-agonist over a full dose inhaled corticosteroid with respect to long-term efficacy measures and growth effects suggests that monotherapy with acceptable inhaled corticosteroid dose is the preferred treatment in children with mild to moderate persistent asthma.”
Abdominal Obesity and the Risk of All-Cause, Cardiovascular, and Cancer Mortality. Sixteen Years of Follow-Up in US Women (Circulation 2008) “Conclusions—Anthropometric measures of abdominal adiposity were strongly and positively associated with all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality independently of body mass index. Elevated waist circumference was associated with significantly increased CVD mortality even among normal-weight women.”
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Diagnosis and treatment of dementia: 1. Risk assessment and primary prevention of Alzheimer disease. (CMAJ. 2008)
Diesel Exhaust Exposure Early in Life Doubles Asthma Risk “Infants younger than 1 year who live within 400 m of a source of diesel exhaust have double the risk for persistent allergic wheeze by the age of 3 years than infants who live farther away. If the living environment also has a high risk for indoor allergens, this risk is more than 4-fold higher.”
The value of ambulatory blood pressure in older adults: the Dublin outcome study (Age and Ageing 2008) “Conclusions: ambulatory measurement of BP is superior to clinic measurement in predicting cardiovascular mortality in elderly subjects. Night-time BP is the strongest predictor of outcome in this age group.”
New Insights Into the Comorbidity Between ADHD and Major Depression in Adolescent and Young Adult Females. (Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 2008) Results: Females with ADHD had a 2.5 times higher risk for MD at adolescent follow-up compared with control females, adjusting for psychiatric comorbidity. MD in females with ADHD was associated with an earlier age at onset, greater than twice the duration, more severe depression-associated impairment, a higher rate of suicidality, and a greater likelihood of requiring psychiatric hospitalization than MD in control girls. Parental MD and proband mania were significant predictors of MD among females with ADHD, independently of other predictors.”
Research on consequences: Hyperactive girls face problems as adults“"Our study suggests that girls with chronic hyperactivity and physical aggression in childhood should be targeted by intensive prevention programmes in elementary school, because they are more likely to have serious adjustment problems later in life,” cautioned Dr. Fontaine. “Programmes targeting only physical aggression may be missing a significant proportion of at-risk girls. In fact, our results suggest that targeting hyperactive behaviour will include the vast majority of aggressive girls.” “
Migraine Intervention With STARFlex Technology (MIST) Trial (Circulation. 2008) “Conclusions— This trial confirmed the high prevalence of right-to-left shunts in patients with migraine with aura. Although no significant effect was found for primary or secondary end points, the exploratory analysis supports further investigation. The robust design of this study has served as the model for larger trials that are currently underway in the United States and Europe.”
Patent Foramen Ovale and Migraine Headaches “That I'm not crowing is less a function of my humility than it is simple puzzlement over what the heck is really going on. It seems to me that it is nearly impossible to figure out whether this trial was negative principally because PFOs have nothing to do with migraines (as I suspect), or because of incredibly inept handling of the data (as the ex-principle investigator alleges). Whatever the reason, anyone with migraines whose doctor wants them to have off-label PFO closure should keep two things in mind: 1) The best information that we have to date is that PFO closure does no good. 2) In the MIST trial, PFO closure was not as benign a procedure as the investigators and the sponsor had hoped. Five of the 65 patients having PFO closure experienced significant complications, three of which could potentially be lethal (though none died). That's a pretty high risk for a procedure that has no measurable benefit. As a migraine sufferer (and a cardiologist) myself, this is one potential therapy I'm crossing off my list at least for the time being. “
Women with ADHD more impaired than men “More women (75 percent) had combined-type ADHD than did men (62 percent). Women also had higher scores on measures of anxiety and depression and had more sleep problems. Poor temper control, mood volatility, and emotional over-reactivity were more common in women (37 percent) than in men (29 percent). In contrast to results of studies involving children, "women were more impaired than men on ADHD scales in our study," the investigators conclude. Moreover, continued Reimherr, "these symptoms -- depression, temper control problems, feelings of tension, and over-reacting to life stresses -- might cause a doctor to miss the diagnosis of ADHD ... We feel that this will lead to problems in treatment for such women." “
Sunnier mood for menopausal women: study “Menopause might sap energy and damage the sex drive of older women but the effect on mood and stress levels is positive, new studies show. Menopause is often blamed for increased emotional, physical and sexual dissatisfaction as women age, but researchers presenting findings at a women's mental health conference in Melbourne say the news is not all bad. "In fact it's quite good," said Professor Lorraine Dennerstein, a psychiatrist at the University of Melbourne, told delegates. "We found that women's overall mood actually lifts as they go through the transition, a fact that is really not widely known at all." …Post-menopausal women are not necessarily happier however. Research shows happiness in later life depends on each individual's attitude to ageing, feelings for their partner, the level of daily hassles they deal with and their general disposition earlier in life.“
Is the deficiency of vitamin b(12) related to oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in Parkinson's patients? (CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2008)
Hypertension and Exposure to Noise Near Airports: the HYENA Study. (Environ Health Perspect. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate excess risks of hypertension related to long-term noise exposure, primarily for night-time aircraft noise and daily average road traffic noise.”
Adult ADHD Is Common Among Patients in Anxiety-Disorders Clinic “Symptoms of hyperactivity in children with ADHD (squirming, fidgeting, inability to stay seated, running and climbing excessively, inability to play and work quietly, talking excessively) translate into different symptoms in adults (workaholic tendencies, being overscheduled and overwhelmed, self-selecting very active jobs, constantly active, talking excessively). • Similarly, symptoms of impulsivity in children (blurting out answers, not waiting his or her turn, intruding on or interrupting others) manifest differently in adults (low frustration tolerance, short temper, quitting jobs abruptly, ending relationships, driving too fast, addictive" personality). • Finally, symptoms of inattention differ in children with ADHD (difficulty in sustaining attention, not listening, not following through, inability to organize, losing important items, easily distractible, forgetful) vs adults with ADHD (showing incredible procrastination, slow, inefficient, very poor time-management skills, very disorganized) “
Flu symptoms self-assessment: Do you have the flu?
Help Reduce Your Risk Of Dementia, Protect Your Brain From Injury, Canada “ "Research is finding more and more evidence that there is an increased risk for developing dementia among those who have experienced brain injuries, especially repeated concussions," says Scott Dudgeon, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Canada. "Therefore, no matter what your age, protecting your head is a crucial part of taking care of your brain." “
Repeated Similar News Article: Toxin Found In Leading Organic Brands “The reason the toxin is present is because it is a byproduct of ethoxylation, a process that the OCA describes as "a cheap short-cut companies use to provide mildness to harsh ingredients". Ethoxylation uses the petrochemical Ethylene Oxide and produces 1,4-Dioxane as a byproduct. OCA reports that 1,4-Dioxane is in the list of known cancer causing chemicals that is published every year by the Governor of California under the state's proposition 65 (the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986). The OCA said that 1,4-Dioxane has "no place" in "natural" or "organic" branded personal care products. According to the group, the California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classes 1,4-Dioxane as a leading contaminant of groundwater and suspects it to be a kidney toxicant, neurotoxicant and respiratory toxicant. … Steinman recommended consumers wishing to buy organic products check that they contain ingredients certified under the USDA National Organic Program. The OCA said all the USDA Certified brands tested in their study were 1,4-Dioxane-free, including Dr. Bronner's, Sensibility Soaps (Nourish), and Terressentials. They also found that all German Natural BDIH certified brands they tested were also free of the toxin, including Aubrey Organics and Dr. Hauschka. The OCA commented that unfortunately most personal care products sold in health food stores that claim to be "organic" contain ingredients that are not certified under the USDA National Organic Program. They contain only "cheap water extracts of organic herbs and maybe a few other token organic ingredients for organic veneer," said the OCA in their press statement. The main ingredient in such products, said the association, is conventional manmande cleansers and conditioning chemicals, made partly using petrochemicals. Market surveys show that consumers are prepared to pay more for products branded as "natural" or "organic", said the OCA. But they are not expecting them to contain petrochemical-modified ingredients or toxin like 1,4-Dioxane.”
10 Million Baby Boomers Face Alzheimer's, Report Predicts “The age of highest risk for Alzheimer's starts at 65, McConnell said. "Some of these people are already developing the disease, and those numbers are just going to increase dramatically over the next several decades," he added. This is going to have a huge impact on baby boomers' lives, their families, and the nation's health-care system, McConnell said. “
Polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides and neurodevelopment. (Curr Opin Pediatr. 2008) “SUMMARY: Exposures to polychlorinated biphenyls, dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane/dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene and hexachlorobenzene are likely detrimental to neurodevelopment. Effective control of exposure is complicated by variable exposure sources and variable contaminant levels in food, particularly fish, for which it is important to balance the risk of contaminants with nutritional benefits.”
Well, Well, Well: A few more words about statins risks “John Carey, in the Jan 17 Business Week cover story, reports that a large, government-funded clinical trial on cholesterol-lowering medications showed no statistically significant reduction in mortality risk at all. There’s more. Experts like Dr Rodney A Hayward, professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan, are now saying that current evidence supports ignoring LDL cholesterol completely when assessing heart disease risk. Even Pfizer’s own numbers (with the help of a little math by John Carey) tell us that for 99 out of 100 people taking Lipitor there is no measurable benefit—and that’s based on an industry-sponsored trial, one which used carefully selected patients with multiple risk factors, which likely explains the findings of the government study showing no significant benefit at all. … Where statins do help, they help not so much because they successfully lower cholesterol levels, but very likely because they also reduce inflammation, which is a somewhat different problem, and one that so-called unproven alternative approaches specialize in. The sad victory of those bent on convincing us that alternative ways of achieving heart health are ineffective is that too many of our mothers and fathers now have, thanks to the supposedly life-saving statins, experienced Alzheimer-like memory losses, muscle losses significant enough to make walking past the mailbox a chore, and feeling young and amorous a very dim memory. Yet, almost unbelievably, some are still calling for wider use of statins. “
Cruciferous vegetables, the GSTP1 Ile105Val genetic polymorphism, and breast cancer risk. (Am J Clin Nutr. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Cruciferous vegetable intake consistent with high isothiocyanate exposure may reduce breast cancer risk. Cruciferous vegetable intake also may ameliorate the effects of the GSTP1 genotype.”
Become an Optimist -- Live Longer “The Yale study claims that a good attitude helps keep your heart pumping and your feet tapping an additional 7.6 years on average. An optimistic outlook adds more years to your life than low blood pressure (4 years or less), low cholesterol (4 years or less), a healthy weight (1 to 3 years) and regular exercise (1 to 3 years). "These Are the Good Old Days" The Yale study suggests that people who believe negative stereotypes about growing old may face a reduced life expectancy. If you think old people are frail and sickly, you'll probably see yourself as frail and sickly when you get old. “
Toxin Found in 'Natural,' 'Organic' Items “Some major brands of shampoo, shower gel and dish soap marketed as "natural" or "organic" contain small amounts of a potentially dangerous chemical, according to a report released yesterday by the Organic Consumers Association. The OCA, which represents consumers and manufacturers in the natural and organic foods industry, said an independent lab's tests of more than 100 personal-care products sold in natural-food stores found trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane in 46 products. The petroleum-based solvent, which causes cancer in animals, is not added to the items but appears as a byproduct of manufacturing. Some of the products tested had the U.S. Department of Agriculture organic seal, and none of those contained 1,4-dioxane. “
Carcinogenic 1,4-Dioxane Found in Leading "Organic" Brand Personal Care Products
Could foods help prevent ovarian cancer? Flavonoids found in tea, veggies, fruits and beans could lower risk “A new study suggests that diets high in certain flavonoid compounds found in vegetables, fruits, beans and tea may significantly lower a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer. Flavonoids are a large family of antioxidant compounds known as phytochemicals. They are part of a plant’s natural defense system that helps the plant fight off disease and infection. Lowered disease risk Research suggests these compounds could help prevent a variety of diseases in humans — including cancer — by protecting cells from DNA damage. Scientists believe some flavonoids may also deter cancer development by helping to regulate cell growth and fight inflammation or by changing hormone levels.“
Breast cancer may be deadlier in heavy women “A dangerous type of breast cancer, known as inflammatory breast cancer, was seen in 45 percent of obese patients, compared with 30 percent of overweight patients and 15 percent of patients of healthy weight. “The more obese a patient is, the more aggressive the disease,” said Dr. Massimo Cristofanilli of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, who led the study.“
Epidemiology of Multiple Sclerosis: From Risk Factors to Prevention (Semin Neurol 2008) “ … vitamin D status, infection with the Epstein-Barr virus, and cigarette smoking are emerging as the most consistent predictors of MS risk.”
Lower back pain and bladder dysfunction “Herniation of an intervertebral disc is generally the result of degeneration of the disc. The inner nucleus herniates through the ruptured outside (annulus fibrosus) of the disc. The herniated tissue causes compression of dorsal roots in the spinal canal, which can result in pain, changed reflexes, and sensory and motor loss.5 The level of the herniation relates to the symptoms (table).5 In most cases lumbar herniations are at the level of L4-L5 or L5-S1. Herniation of the intervertebral disc mainly affects men aged 40-50.”
PSA Test not Best for Prostate Cancer “They say this shows that the correlation between PSA and positive biopsy rate no longer holds true.”
If both parents have Alzheimer's, your risk soars “Counting all 297 of these adult offspring regardless of age, 23 percent already had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, with the disease diagnosed on average at age 66, the researchers found. Bird said that compares to the roughly one in 10 chance that the average person will develop the disease. “
Many Patients Can Reach LDL Cholesterol Goal Through Dietary Changes Alone, Study Shows “"Although some patients may already be eating a relatively healthy diet, medical nutrition therapy can increase patient's knowledge of 'cardioprotective foods' and assist them in individualizing the guidelines to fit their preferences and lifestyle," says Weintraub. A significant number of patients reduced the fat in their diets to less than 30 percent of calories, as recommended for a heart health. Many participants also lost weight and/or increased the number of days each week on which they exercised for 30 minutes or more.”
Media Perpetuates Unsubstantiated Chemical Imbalance Theory Of Depression, Study Shows “The theory that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance is often presented in the media as fact even though there is little scientific evidence to support it, according to a new study co-authored by a Florida State University visiting lecturer. … The Society article builds on the pair's 2005 study, which focused on pharmaceutical advertisements that claim depression is caused by an imbalance of serotonin -- an imbalance the drug companies say can be corrected by a class of antidepressants called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). "The chemical imbalance theory, which was formulated in the 1960s, was based on the observation that mood could be artificially altered with drugs, rather than direct observation of any chemical imbalances," Leo said. "Since then there has been no direct evidence to confirm the theory and a significant number of findings cast doubt on the theory." The researchers said the popularity of the theory is in large part based on the presumed efficacy of the SSRIs, but they say that several large studies now cast doubt on this efficacy. … "Patients might make different choices about the use of medications and possibly use alternative approaches to their distress if they were fully informed," Lacasse said. "We believe the media can play a positive role by ensuring that their mental health reporting is congruent with scientific literature."”
Comorbidity of Psychiatric Disorders and Parental Psychiatric Disorder of ADHD Children. (J Atten Disord. 2008) “Discussion: The clinical sample of ADHD children typically had at least one other psychiatric disorder, usually oppositional defiant disorder in boys and anxiety disorders in girls. The most common psychiatric disorder in the parents was mood disorder.”
Drug Tied to China Had Contaminant, F.D.A. Says “Federal drug regulators said Wednesday that a critical blood thinner that had been linked to at least 19 deaths and whose raw components were produced in China contained a possibly counterfeit ingredient that mimicked the real drug.”
MRSA 'Superbug' Becoming More Resistant
Pesticides may be hidden danger to child IQ “Household pesticides may cause some of the intellectual development problems in children previously associated with lead, an Australian toxicologist says. In a commentary available online in the journal Science of the Total Environment, Professor Brian Gulson says there is no question lead has a detrimental effect on children's intellectual development. But the Macquarie University researcher says several studies have shown similar effects in children exposed to low levels of organophosphate pesticides. “
Knockout head injuries found to cause loss of brain tissue “A blow to the head that knocks a person unconscious can result in widespread loss of brain tissue, Canadian researchers said on Monday, explaining why some people who suffer head injuries are never quite the same. The more severe the injury, the more brain tissue is lost, they said. "There is more damage and it is more widespread than we had expected," said Dr. Brian Levine of the Rotman Research Institute and the University of Toronto, whose study appears in the journal Neurology. Levine studied brain scans taken from 69 traumatic brain injury patients whose head injuries ranged from mild to moderate or severe. The researchers used high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging or MRI to study changes in brain volume a year after the injury. “
School Breakfast Fuels Kids' Imagination “School breakfast provides the necessary fuel to start a day of learning and achievement, providing 25 percent of the recommended daily allowance of protein, calcium, iron, vitamins A and C and calories and meeting the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Research has shown that children who eat breakfast at school: - Score better in standardized tests - Have fewer health issues - Behave better in class Furthermore, research indicates that kids who skip breakfast rarely make up for missed nutrients later in the day so skipping breakfast could also affect students' performance in after-school activities.”
January - February 2008
America’s 50 Best Hospitals – Healthgrades
Children's Under-achievement Could Be Down To Poor Working Memory “Children who under-achieve at school may just have poor working memory rather than low intelligence according to researchers who have produced the world's first tool to assess memory capacity in the classroom. The researchers from Durham University, who surveyed over three thousand children, found that ten per cent of school children across all age ranges suffer from poor working memory seriously affecting their learning. … However, the researchers identified that poor working memory is rarely identified by teachers, who often describe children with this problem as inattentive or as having lower levels of intelligence. … Working memory is the ability to hold information in your head and manipulate it mentally. You use this mental workspace when adding up two numbers spoken to you by someone else without being able to use pen and paper or a calculator. Children at school need this memory on a daily basis for a variety of tasks such as following teachers' instructions or remembering sentences they have been asked to write down. … ‘Currently, children are not identified and assessed for working memory within a classroom setting. Early identification of these children will be a major step towards addressing under-achievement. It will mean teachers can adapt their methods to help the children's learning before they fall too far behind their peers.’ “
Non-Toxic Tots: Parents Pay Dearly for Safety “Last summer, the Centreville couple started looking for an organic crib mattress because they wanted to avoid exposing their daughter, Samantha, now 8 months old, to potentially harmful flame-retardant chemicals used in mattress filling. Then "it all sort of snowballed," Cunningham said. She and her husband now use cloth diapers because they are concerned about chemicals that help make disposable diapers absorbent and about the impact of diapers on landfills. They painted the nursery with a special kind of paint that is formulated so it doesn't release harmful gases. The couple would have kept going until every item in the nursery met their standards, but given that the prices for organic furnishings can be 15 to 20 percent higher than conventional ones and 50 to 100 percent higher for clothing, the couple decided to spend the bulk of their budget on the things the baby would be in contact with for the most hours each day. They bought a $500 handmade crib from Oregon coated in a non-toxic wax finish and a $230 crib mattress made of organic cotton and wool.”
Male Exposure To Toxins Could Harm Generations Of Offspring, Link To Infertility “Scientists claim that men who smoke, drink heavily or are exposed to pesticides while trying for a baby could harm generations of offspring. Researchers said animal studies showed abnormalities caused by environmental toxins were caused by genetic changes that were passed on through generations. Smoking, drinking alcohol and cocaine were found to cause chemical changes to semen Dr Cynthia Daniels of Rutgers University, said: "If I were a young man I would not drink heavily and I would not be smoking two packs of cigarettes per day while trying to conceive a child." “
Tooth Loss and Subsequent Disability and Mortality in Old Age (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2008) “CONCLUSION: Tooth loss is independently associated with onset of disability and mortality in old age. The findings indicate that tooth loss may be an early indicator of accelerated aging.”
Omega-3 Pills for Stroke: A Fish Story? Study Shows Supplements Flounder in Preventing Stroke; Fish Diet May Be Better “Fish oil supplements don't pack the same stroke-preventive punch as a diet rich in fish, a new study suggests. Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish and some plant and nut oils, such as olive and walnut, has been shown to lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. Several public health organizations have recommended that people eat more oily fish, such as salmon and tuna.“
Dietary Intake of Dairy Products, Calcium, and Vitamin D and the Risk of Hypertension in Middle-Aged and Older Women (Hypertension. 2008) “Our study found that intakes of low-fat dairy products, calcium, and vitamin D were each inversely associated with risk of hypertension in middle-aged and older women, suggesting their potential roles in the primary prevention of hypertension and cardiovascular complications.”
Slow Walking Speed Predicts Stroke Risk in Postmenopausal Women “Slow walking speed was found to be a strong predictor of an increased risk for incident ischemic stroke among postmenopausal women independent of other established risk factors for stroke, according to the results of a study reported in the February 21 Online First issue of Stroke.”
Crowded Cribs Linked to Baby Deaths “To reduce risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome, parents should place babies on their back in a crib that meets current safety standards, the agency said. Among other incidents of death in cribs, babies became trapped when the mattress was ill-fitting, CPSC said. Old, broken and modified cribs should not be used, and parents should never allow a gap larger than two fingers at any point between the sides of the crib and mattress, the agency advised. The agency said there were 36 deaths over the same period relating to baby baths and bath seats. All occurred when caregivers left the baby unattended. In many instances, babies slipped out of bath seats, fell out of baby seats or tipped forward or sideways into the water. At no time, even for a few seconds, should babies be left unattended in the tub, Vallese said. Deaths involving playpens also were high, with many resulting from the use of soft bedding. “
Study: Spanking May Lead to Sexual Problems Later “Children whose parents spank them or otherwise inflict physical punishment may be more likely to have sexual problems later, according to research to be presented Thursday to the American Psychological Association. … Gershoff says that though many children have been spanked (85 percent in one 2007 survey), problems may depend on how they process the spanking. "They may internalize that to mean that in loving relationships sometimes there's pain or physical aggression," she says. Another possible lesson is that "whoever is stronger and has more power can overpower the other person and use physical aggression to control the other person's behavior." But linking sexual problems with spanking is a "big leap," says human-sexuality researcher John DeLamater of the University of Wisconsin. "It's probably one of many elements that might contribute to sex problems or risky sex, but it's a long leap." Most children who are spanked escape from long-term harm, says Straus, 81, a sociology professor who says he occasionally spanked his own children but later became a staunch critic of spanking. His work on violence in families is regarded as landmark research. “
Antidepressants No Better Than Placebo? Study Shows Only Most Depressed Patients Benefit; Expert Is Critical of Study's Method “A study suggesting the widely prescribed antidepressantsProzac, Paxil, and Effexor work no better than placebo for most patients who take them does not present an accurate picture of the research as a whole, a leading depression expert says. The research analysis included published and previously unpublished data submitted to the FDA by the manufacturers of the three drugs, as well as a fourth, Serzone, which is no longer sold in the U.S. The researchers concluded that when taken as a whole, the data showed that only a small group of the most severely depressed patients benefited from taking one of the antidepressants. Antidepressants vs. Placebo For less severely depressed patients, the antidepressants were found to work no better than placebos, leading the researchers to conclude that most patients who take antidepressants probably shouldn't be on them. The findings are published in the February issue of the journal PLoS Medicine. “
Mom's cleaning products tied to kids' wheezing “Children exposed to cleaning products and other household chemicals before or after birth may be at increased risk of breathing problems, results of a study published Wednesday hint. British researchers found that young children whose mothers frequently used household chemicals during pregnancy were at greater risk of wheezing than their peers. The more often their mothers used products like bleach, disinfectants, glass cleaner and insect sprays, the greater the children's odds of developing a wheezing problem by age 7. The findings, published in the European Respiratory Journal, do not prove that household chemicals directly caused the children's lung problems.“
How should patients with an overactive bladder manipulate their fluid intake? (BJU Int. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS Fluid manipulation is a cheap, noninvasive and easy way to help control the symptoms of OAB. Patients have difficulty in either decreasing or increasing their fluid input by 50%. Patients can now be told to expect a significant improvement in urgency, frequency and nocturia episodes if they reduce their fluid input by 25%.”
Serum Selenium Levels and All-Cause, Cancer, and Cardiovascular Mortality Among US Adults (Arch Intern Med. 2008) “Conclusions In a representative sample of the US population, we found a nonlinear association between serum selenium levels and all-cause and cancer mortality. Increasing serum selenium levels were associated with decreased mortality up to 130 ng/mL. Our study, however, raises the concern that higher serum selenium levels may be associated with increased mortality.”
Pfizer to End Lipitor Ads by Jarvik “ … the campaign had come under scrutiny from a Congressional committee that is examining consumer drug advertising and has asked whether the ads misrepresented Dr. Jarvik and his credentials. Although he has a medical degree, Dr. Jarvik is not a cardiologist and is not licensed to practice medicine. One television ad depicted Dr. Jarvik as an accomplished rower gliding across a mountain lake, but the ad used a body double for the doctor, who apparently does not row. … The committee has also contacted at least one former colleague of Dr. Jarvik’s who contended that he was not the actual inventor of the artificial heart, as stated in the ads. In a letter to Pfizer in August 2006, three former colleagues of Dr. Jarvik’s at the University of Utah complained that the ads erroneously identified Dr. Jarvik as “inventor of the artificial heart.” That distinction, they said, should go to Dr. Jarvik’s mentor, Dr. Willem J. Kolff, and his associate, Dr. Tetsuzo Akutsu.”
Greater intake of vitamins B6 and B12 spares gray matter in healthy elderly: A voxel-based morphometry study. (Brain Res. 2008) “In the VBM analysis, we found that adults with greater vitamin B6 intake had greater gray matter volume along the medial wall, anterior cingulate cortex, medial parietal cortex, middle temporal gyrus, and superior frontal gyrus, whereas people with greater B12 intake had greater volume in the left and right superior parietal sulcus. These effects were driven by vitamin supplementation and were negated when only examining vitamin intake from diet. Folate had no effect on brain volume. Furthermore, there was no relationship between vitamins B6, B12, or folate intake on global brain volume measures, indicating that VBM methods are more sensitive for detecting localized differences in gray matter volume than global measures. These results are discussed in relation to a growing literature on vitamin intake on age-related neurocognitive deterioration.”
Exercise To Avoid Gallstones, New Research Suggests “Previous observational studies have suggested that people who are physically fit have fewer gallstones and lower cholesterol, but laboratory studies had not confirmed the link.”
Adulthood Lifetime Physical Activity and Breast Cancer. (Epidemiology. 2008) “Women who increased their recreational activity in their 50s had significantly reduced risk, with those in the highest tertile of change being at a 27% lower risk. CONCLUSIONS:: Leisure-time moderate-to-vigorous activities reduce breast cancer risk irrespective of underlying host characteristics.”
Daytime dozing 'stroke warning' “Regular unintentional daytime dozing may be an early warning sign of stroke in elderly people, say US researchers. For those who had a habit of nodding off, the risk of stroke was two to four times higher than for those who never fell asleep in the day, a study found. … "Sleep apnoea is a risk factor for stroke and in Mediterranean countries the siesta is associated with a little bit of an increased daytime risk of stroke." He explained that patients with sleep apnoea had increased blood pressure levels during the night. One other potential cause for the findings could be previous undiagnosed minor strokes causing damage to the brain and leading to more sleepiness during the day, he said. "What we really encourage is that all patients who have breaks in sleeping in the night should have sleep apnoea screening." Around 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke every year.”
Naps, Mammograms May Predict Stroke Risk “What do mammograms, blood-sugar tests and daytime dozing have in common? All may offer clues that someone is headed for a stroke, new studies suggest. Higher stroke risk was seen in women with artery buildups accidentally revealed by mammograms, in non-diabetics starting to have insulin problems, and in older people who tend to nod off a lot. People should not panic if they have one of these signs. But if grandma falls asleep in front of the TV all the time, it may be worth checking to see if she has a sleep disorder raising her risk of stroke, doctors say. “
Study: Moderate Exercise Cuts Stroke Risk “Being merely moderately fit - walking briskly half an hour a day - can lower the risk of having a stroke, according to a new study whose findings apply to women as well as men. … In its stroke prevention guidelines, the American Stroke Association recommends at least 30 minutes of physical activity of moderate intensity on most days of the week. The new study "is certainly consistent with all of the recommendations that we already have in place," said Dr. Larry Goldstein, a spokesman for the group and director of the Stroke Center at Duke University.”
Warning: Expert at UH adds obesity to side effects of lead exposure “Scientists know exposure to low levels of lead can result in learning disabilities, hearing loss, language impairments and vision loss, but a newly discovered side effect may be adult-onset obesity in men, according to a University of Houston professor.”
Can niacin lower your cholesterol? “On average, niacin can lower LDL ("bad" ) cholesterol levels by 10-25 percent. The statins and other lipid-lowering drugs can do better, but niacin outshines them all for lowering triglyceride levels and raising HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. Niacin is the granddaddy of cholesterol-lowering drugs.”
Lights at night tied to breast cancer “Scientists have known for years that rats raised in cages where lights are left on for much of the night have higher cancer rates than those allowed to sleep in darkness. And epidemiological studies of nurses, flight attendants and others who work at night have found breast-cancer rates 60 percent above normal, even when other factors such as differences in diet are accounted for.”
Music 'can aid stroke recovery' “Mr Sarkamo said: "Other research has shown that during the first weeks and months after stroke, the patients typically spend about three-quarters of their time each day in non-therapeutic activities, mostly in their rooms, inactive and without interaction, even although this time-window is ideal for rehabilitative training from the point of view of brain plasticity. "Our research shows for the first time that listening to music during this crucial period can enhance cognitive recovery and prevent negative mood, and it has the advantage that it is cheap and easy to organise." However, he admitted that further work was needed to confirm the study, and that it should not be assumed that music therapy would work all patients. He said: "Rather than an alternative, music listening should be considered as an addition to other active forms of therapy, such as speech therapy or neuropsychological rehabilitation." “
New push sticks hospitals with cost of errors “It's a new way to push for patient safety: Don't pay hospitals when they commit certain errors. Medicare will start hitting hospitals where it hurts in October, and other insurers are hot on the trail. … lessening of a big indignity: Today, one in four hospitalized patients is outfitted with a urinary catheter. The tubes trigger more than half a million urinary tract infections a year, the most common hospital-caused infection. Yet many patients don't even need catheters — they're an automatic precaution after certain surgeries — and many who do have them for days longer than necessary. Why? The University of Michigan reported the first national study of catheter practices last month, finding nearly half of hospitals don't even keep track of who gets one. Fewer than one in 10 hospitals does a daily check to see if the catheter is still needed, a simple but proven infection-reducing system. … With those infections topping Medicare's do-not-pay list, Gordon says hospitals already are beginning to get choosier about who needs catheters, and to yank them faster. Even when a hospital makes a preventable error, it still can be reimbursed for the extra treatment that patient will now require. Some errors can add $10,000 to $100,000 to the cost of a patient's stay. Beginning Oct. 1, Medicare no longer will pay those extra-care costs for eight preventable hospital errors, including catheter-caused urinary tract infections, injuries from falls, and leaving objects in the body after surgery. Nor can hospitals bill the injured patient for those extra costs. Next year, Medicare will add three more errors to the no-pay list; ventilator-caused pneumonia and drug-resistant staph infections are top candidates.“
Deadly Dose: Pharmacy Error Kills Infant: Reporter: Hospital's Pharmacy Run Like a 'Temp Agency'
Physical exercise at midlife and risk of dementia three decades later: a population-based study of Swedish twins. (J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2008) “Conclusions. Exercise at midlife may reduce the odds of dementia in older adulthood, suggesting that exercise interventions should be explored as a potential strategy for delaying disease onset.”
Lead contamination of inexpensive plastic jewelry. (Sci Total Environ. 2008) “Coatings obtained by scraping individual beads contained 3.5-23% lead, which far exceeds the US regulatory limit of 0.06% lead in paints on items intended for children. Our results demonstrate that plastic jewelry items merit the attention of public health and consumer protection agencies seeking to limit the exposure of children to lead.”
Heavy Cell Phone Use Linked To Cancer, Study Suggests “Those who used a cell phone heavily on the side of the head where the tumor developed were found to have an increased risk of about 50% for developing a tumor of the main salivary gland (parotid), compared to those who did not use cell phones. The fact that the study was done on an Israeli population is significant. Says Sadetzki, "Unlike people in other countries, Israelis were quick to adopt cell phone technology and have continued to be exceptionally heavy users. Therefore, the amount of exposure to radiofrequency radiation found in this study has been higher than in previous cell phone studies. … Sadetzki predicts that, over time, the greatest effects will be found in heavy users and children. … She recommends that people use hands-free devices at all times, and when talking, hold the phone away from one's body. Less frequent calls, shorter in duration, should also have some preventative effect. While she appreciates the ease of communication that cell phones allow between parents and their children, Sadetzki says that parents need to consider at what age their children start using them. Parents should be vigilant about their children's using speakers or hands-free devices, and about limiting the number of calls and amount of time their children spend on the phone. “
Childhood weight tied to adult health problems “When it comes to waist circumference and body mass index (BMI), children who have above average measurements appear to be at increased risk of developing the metabolic syndrome as adults. Conversely, children who are below average on these measurements, may have a life-long advantage because "they can safely be predicted not to develop the metabolic syndrome as adults," Dr. Shumei S. Sun told Reuters Health.“
Commonly cited website quality criteria are not effective at identifying inaccurate online information about breast cancer. (Cancer. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Most breast cancer information that consumers are likely to encounter online is accurate. However, commonly cited quality criteria do not identify inaccurate information. Webpages that contain information about CAM are relatively likely to contain inaccurate statements. Consumers searching for health information online should still consult a clinician before taking action.”
Triglycerides Linked to Coronary Disease Risk “A new study showing that high levels of triglycerides were strong predictors of cardiac trouble strengthens the case for including measurement of the blood fats in prevention programs. "Triglycerides traditionally have been viewed as second-class citizens," said Dr. Michael Miller, director of preventive cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center and lead author of the report in the Feb. 12 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.. "LDL cholesterol has always taken center stage. We know that LDL is intimately involved in bringing cholesterol to scavenger cells, which deposit them to form plaques in the arteries. This study shows that triglycerides in and of themselves are also lipids to blame." “
Can Artificial Sweeteners Increase Weight? “It may sound counterintuitive, but replacing sugar with reduced- and no-calorie sweeteners may make weight control harder, a small animal study shows. Rats in the Purdue University study that were fed regular feed and yogurt sweetened with no-calorie saccharin took in more total calories and gained more weight than rats fed regular feed and yogurt sweetened with sugar. Researchers speculate that over time, reduced-calorie sweeteners like saccharin, aspartame, and sucralose condition the body to no longer associate sweetness with calories, thereby disrupting its ability to accurately assess caloric intake. This disruption may, in turn, lead to overeating, they note.”
Relationship between body mass index and gray matter volume in 1,428 healthy individuals. (Obesity (Silver Spring). 2008) “DISCUSSION: Global loss and regional alterations in gray matter volume occur in obese male subjects, suggesting that male subjects with a high BMI are at greater risk for future declines in cognition or other brain functions.”
Teenage Fathers Are More Likely To Have Babies Affected By Birth Problems Than Fathers Over 40 “"Although the increased relative risks for most outcomes were small, the magnitude of the risks to society could be huge, given the number of births worldwide, if the increases we found are truly attributable to paternal age." “
Close Ties Between Parents And Babies Yield Benefits For Preschoolers “Having close ties with parents is obviously good for preschoolers, but what does that really mean? It means that the preschoolers are better able to control their own behavior by showing patience, deliberation, restraint, and even maturity. That's the finding of a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Iowa. … The researchers also explored how mutually responsive relationships between mothers and children worked. When mothers and babies develop this closeness in the first two years, the study found, mothers don't need to use forceful discipline later to get their children to do what they ask and refrain from other behaviors. And in turn, subtle control on the part of the mothers leads to better, more compliant, and more self-regulated behavior when the children are at preschool age.”
Consumption Of Fruits May Reduce Risk Of Alzheimer's Disease “… found that the phenolic phytochemicals of the fruits prevented neurotoxicity on the cells. Among the three fruits, apples contained the highest content of protective antioxidants, followed by bananas then oranges. … antioxidants in the major fresh fruits consumed in the United States and Korea protected neuronal cells from oxidative stress… Additional consumption of fresh fruits such as apple, banana, and orange may be beneficial to improve effects in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.” “
Study: Chemical Released More Quickly With Boiling Liquids; Risk to People Not Clear “Pouring boiling liquid into reusable water bottles or baby bottles made of polycarbonate plastic causes a much faster release of the estrogen-mimicking chemical bisphenol A, new research shows. University of Cincinnati researchers reported that exposure to boiling water caused polycarbonate drinking bottles to release bisphenol A (BPA) up to 55 times more rapidly than exposure to cool or temperate water.“
A meal of chips, burgers and cola can make you feel sick. US researchers explain how and why. “These 'foods' are highly processed, so they're quickly broken down and absorbed. They flood the bloodstream with large amounts of fats and sugars. The sugar from the soft drinks and the flour in the burger bun cause 'post-prandial hyperglycaemia': a big spike in blood sugar levels. This in turn creates a surge of insulin (whose job normally is to keep blood sugar levels from getting too high). Too much insulin is produced and it forces blood sugar levels back down again to well below normal levels (which is why you feel faint, and often hungry again, in the hours after a takeaway meal). Levels of the stress hormone cortisol are raised. The large amounts of saturated fats from the fries, the ground beef, bacon, and cheese flood the bloodstream with triglycerides and fatty acids that interfere with insulin and raise the blood sugar further.“
Diabetes Study Partially Halted After Deaths “For decades, researchers believed that if people with diabetes lowered their blood sugar to normal levels, they would no longer be at high risk of dying from heart disease. But a major federal study of more than 10,000 middle-aged and older people with Type 2 diabetes has found that lowering blood sugar actually increased their risk of death, researchers reported Wednesday. The researchers announced that they were abruptly halting that part of the study, whose surprising results call into question how the disease, which affects 21 million Americans, should be managed. The study’s investigators emphasized that patients should still consult with their doctors before considering changing their medications.”
What you should know about household mold (video)
Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders in the First 3 Years of Life (Nature Clinical Practice Neurology 2008) “The age at diagnosis of ASD ranges from 3 to 6 years, but there is increasing evidence that diagnosis in the second year of life is possible in some children. Early diagnosis will lead to earlier behavior-based intervention, which is associated with improvements in core areas, such as social functioning and communication. Early detection of—and intervention to treat—ASD is crucial because it is likely to lead to an improved outcome.”
Tainted Pills From Puerto Rico Reach U.S.
HPV Causing More Oral Cancer in Men “The sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer in women is poised to become one of the leading causes of oral cancer in men, according to a new study. The HPV virus now causes as many cancers of the upper throat as tobacco and alcohol, probably due both to an increase in oral sex and the decline in smoking, researchers say.“
Double Dipping Spreads Germs “Dipping the same chip into a bowl of dip more than once has always been a questionable practice. Now, a study done at Clemson University shows that double dipping does spread germs.”
Eww! Double dipping just gross, study confirms: ‘It’s like kissing everybody at the party,’ researcher says “Last year the food microbiologist’s undergraduate students examined the effects of double dipping using volunteers, wheat crackers and several sample dips. They found that three to six double dips transferred about 10,000 bacteria from an eater’s mouth to the remaining dip sample.”
Vitamin D deficiency tied to higher blood pressure “Low blood concentrations of vitamin D may be associated with higher blood pressure in whites, indicating a risk of developing hypertension, or high blood that requires medical treatment, researchers report. However, this relationship was not noted among blacks. "Though easily corrected by taking a vitamin D supplement or having causal sunlight exposure, vitamin D insufficiency is highly prevalent in the United States," Dr. Vin Tangpricha told Reuters Health.“
Why Belly Fat Hurts the Heart “The bottom line: Visceral fat brought the most inflammation and the worst atherosclerosis.”
Baby Care Products: Possible Sources of Infant Phthalate Exposure (PEDIATRICS 2008) “CONCLUSIONS. Phthalate exposure is widespread and variable in infants. Infant exposure to lotion, powder, and shampoo were significantly associated with increased urinary concentrations of monoethyl phthalate, monomethyl phthalate, and monoisobutyl phthalate, and associations increased with the number of products used. This association was strongest in young infants, who may be more vulnerable to developmental and reproductive toxicity of phthalates given their immature metabolic system capability and increased dosage per unit body surface area.”
Gout surge blamed on sweet drinks
December - January 2008
Antiepileptic Drugs “[Posted 01/31/2008] FDA informed healthcare professionals that the Agency has analyzed reports of suicidality (suicidal behavior or ideation) from placebo-controlled clinical studies of eleven drugs used to treat epilepsy as well as psychiatric disorders, and other conditions. In the FDA's analysis, patients receiving antiepileptic drugs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal behavior or ideation (0.43%) compared to patients receiving placebo (0.22%). The increased risk of suicidal behavior and suicidal ideation was observed as early as one week after starting the antiepileptic drug and continued through 24 weeks. The results were generally consistent among the eleven drugs. The relative risk for suicidality was higher in patients with epilepsy compared to patients who were given one of the drugs in the class for psychiatric or other conditions. Healthcare professionals should closely monitor all patients currently taking or starting any antiepileptic drug for notable changes in behavior that could indicate the emergence or worsening of suicidal thoughts or behavior or depression.”
Researchers investigate links between prostate, cadmium, zinc “Cadmium exposure is a known risk factor for prostate cancer, and a new University of Rochester study suggests that zinc may offer protection against cadmium. … Cadmium exposure occurs mostly through smoking and diet, the latter as a result of fertilizer-soaked soil used for growing crops. Cadmium is also a byproduct of the industrial process used for making fungicides, batteries, pigments and coatings that protect metals from corrosion. Workers in those areas are at risk for much higher exposures. When ingested or inhaled, cadmium collects in the liver, kidneys and prostate.”
Cognitive impairment and effects on upper body strength of adults with dementia. (J Aging Phys Act. 2008) “The findings from this exploratory investigation suggest that dementia is associated with strength loss, a key contributor to functional disability; this further justifies efforts to investigate mechanisms responsible for this decay and to preserve muscle integrity by integrating physical activity interventions, notably, muscle strengthening, into the lifestyle of adults with dementia.”
Age-associated losses of brain volume predict longitudinal cognitive declines over 8 to 20 years. (Neuropsychology. 2008) “Loss of brain volume is an effective marker both for current cognitive status and for amounts and rates of previous age-related cognitive losses.”
Don't overdo the red meat “People who eat two or more servings of red meat a day are much more likely to develop conditions leading to heart disease and diabetes, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday. Eating two or more servings of meat a day increases the risk of suffering from a cluster of risk factors known as metabolic syndrome by 25 per cent compared to those who had only two servings of meat a week, the researchers reported in the journal Circulation.“
Lead Linked to Aging in Older Brains “The new work suggests long-ago lead exposure can make an aging person's brain work as if it's five years older than it really is. If that's verified by more research, it means that sharp cuts in environmental lead levels more than 20 years ago didn't stop its widespread effects. "We're trying to offer a caution that a portion of what has been called normal aging might in fact be due to ubiquitous environmental exposures like lead," says Dr. Brian Schwartz of Johns Hopkins University. "The fact that it's happening with lead is the first proof of principle that it's possible," said Schwartz, a leader in the study of lead's delayed effects. Other pollutants like mercury and pesticides may do the same thing, he said.“
Exercise Keeps You Younger, Study Finds “It all appears to boil down to the length of structures called telomeres -- which protect the DNA on the chromosomes, the researchers from King's College London wrote in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Many studies have shown telomeres get shorter over time, suggesting the cells are ageing or dying. The study, which extracted a DNA sample from their volunteers, found people who exercised more each week had longer telomeres. Exercise lowers the risk of a range of problems such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer, the researchers said. "It is not just walking around the block. It is really working up a sweat," said Tim Spector, a genetic epidemiologist who led the study, in a telephone interview. The study found people who exercised vigorously 3 hours each week had longer telomeres and were biologically 9 years younger than people who did under 15 minutes. “
Questioning the importance of LDL cholesterol: The ENHANCE fallout “The debate surrounding the ENHANCE trial took a bit of a twist this past week when attention turned to the LDL-cholesterol hypothesis, with some experts arguing that lowering LDL cholesterol to prevent clinical events is an unsophisticated premise and that other factors beyond lowering LDL cholesterol are involved. Other reports openly questioned whether this latest evidence suggests it might not be important to reduce cholesterol levels.”
Eat Your Leafy Vegetables To Decrease Your Risk Of Cataracts “Women who have higher dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin--compounds found in yellow or dark, leafy vegetables--as well as more vitamin E from food and supplements appear to have a lower risk for developing cataracts, according to a new article.”
Study Children and Cellphones, U.S. Experts Advise “"Although it is unknown whether children are more susceptible to RF exposure, they may be at increased risk because of their developing organ and tissue systems," it added. "Additionally, Specific Absorption Rates for children are likely to be higher than for adults, because exposure wavelength is closer to the whole-body resonance frequency for shorter individuals." The report also notes that children today will experience a longer period of RF field exposure from mobile phones than adults, because they will most likely start using them at an early age. Researchers should also analyze the different types of antennas for the amount of RF energy they deliver to different parts of the body.“
Pet Turtles Cause Salmonella Outbreak: Small Pet Turtles Are a Health Risk, Especially to Young Kids, Says CDC “The CDC today blamed small pet turtles for infecting at least 44 people in five states with salmonella bacteria. Salmonella infection usually causes diarrhea, which may be bloody. Serious complications and death can also occur but are rarer. Those cases, which happened since May 2007, mostly affected young kids who played with or cared for the turtles. No deaths have been linked to the salmonella outbreak. Cases were reported in California, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. "These turtles are a risk to the public and especially to young children," states the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. This isn't the first time that the CDC has warned the public that turtles (and other reptiles) can carry salmonella bacteria. But 80% of the patients in the current outbreak didn't know that. “
Exposure to maternal smoking in the first year of life interferes in breast-feeding protective effect against the onset of respiratory allergy from birth to 5 yr. (Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2008) “This study proposes a confounding effect of maternal smoking on this protection, exposed by a higher risk for present allergic symptoms until the age of 5 yr, in children exclusively breast-fed for 6 months or more, when their mothers smoked.”
Exercise Capacity and Mortality in Black and White Men (Circulation 2008) “Conclusions—Exercise capacity is a strong predictor of all-cause mortality in blacks and whites. The relationship was inverse and graded, with a similar impact on mortality outcomes for both blacks and whites.”
High Mercury Levels Are Found in Tuna Sushi ““Mercury levels in bluefin are likely to be very high regardless of location,” said Tim Fitzgerald, a marine scientist for Environmental Defense, an advocacy group that works to protect the environment and improve human health. Most of the restaurants in the survey said the tuna The Times had sampled was bluefin.”
"Ugly duckling" sign spots most malignant melanomas “Identifying pigmented moles that look different from a person's other moles -- the "ugly duckling sign" -- is a practical way to spot malignant melanoma skin cancer, doctors say. The ugly duckling model is based on the observation that moles, or "nevi," in the same individual tend to resemble one another and that malignant melanoma often deviates from the individual's mole pattern, "even in those with multiple atypical nevi, Dr. Ashfaq A. Marghoob, of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and associates explain in the Archives of Dermatology this month.“
Post-concussion depression more than emotional “Traditional structural imaging examinations, such as magnetic resonance imaging, were normal in all subjects. However a more in-depth analysis of gray matter density, showed some athletes with reduced gray matter in regions of the brain associated with memory, mood, emotional processing, and motivation and desire. And the reductions in gray matter density were proportional to the severity of the athletes' depression, Ptito reported. “
Walking an hour a week cuts colon cancer risk “While just an hour of walking a week seemed to protect against the disease, the more strenuously women exercised, the lower their risk, Dr. Kathleen Y. Wolin of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and colleagues found. "Our findings suggest that participation in lower intensity activities may be sufficient to reduce risk though more vigorous activity provides comparable or perhaps additional risk reduction," they write in the International Journal of Cancer.“
Body mass index and weight gain prior to pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (AJOG 2007) “These results suggest that weight gain within 5 years before pregnancy may increase the risk of GDM.“
Nine Secrets Health Insurers Don’t Want You to Know
CDC to Young Women: Take Folic Acid “The CDC today urged all women -- and particularly young women -- to make sure they get enough folic acid. "All women, especially younger women ages 18-24 years, need to consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily through supplements, fortified foods, or both in addition to a folate-rich diet to prevent serious birth defects" called neural tube defects, which affect the brain and spinal cord, states a CDC news release. That recommendation goes for any woman of childbearing age, even if she's not trying to conceive, since many pregnancies aren't planned. “
Identification of mold and dampness-associated respiratory morbidity in 2 schools: comparison of questionnaire survey responses to national data. (J Sch Health. 2008) “Results: Employees from both schools had excess work-related throat and lower respiratory symptoms, as well as eye, nasal, sinus, and wheezing symptoms. School B employees also had excess physician-diagnosed asthma and work-related fatigue, headache, and skin irritation. Employees in sections of the school buildings that were categorized as having greater dampness and mold contamination had more frequent upper and lower respiratory symptoms than employees working in other building sections.”
Caffeine Increases Risk of Miscarriage, Study Finds “Those women who consumed 200 milligrams of caffeine or more a day were about twice as likely to miscarry, the researchers report today on the Web site of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. That's about the amount of caffeine in two five-ounce cups of coffee, five 12-ounce cans of soda or six five-ounce cups of tea, Li said. The findings are consistent with those of earlier studies, which have found an increased risk of miscarriage from daily consumption of about 150 to 300 milligrams of caffeine, Li said. … "Avoiding [caffeine] may be even better. Consider switching to decaffeinated coffee and other decaffeinated beverages during your pregnancy," she said. "Learn to perk up instead with natural energy boosts, like a brisk walk, yoga stretches, snacking on dried fruits and nuts." “
What Are The Health Effects Of Wireless Communication Devices?
Some Wood Floor Finishes Are A Likely Source Of PCB Exposure “The likely source of the PCBs was brought to light when a resident reported using a particular floor finish, Fabulon, in the home in the 1950s and 1960s. Researchers learned that this product contained PCBs in the past from a reference book series "Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products" which was published at that time. The researchers point out that many buildings, including schools and public buildings, from this period may harbor PCB-containing floor finishes or other products. "Our findings suggest that the exposure potential posed by historic use of PCBs in building materials may be significantly underestimated," the researchers said. “
Second hand smoke, age of exposure and lung cancer risk. (Lung Cancer. 2008) “CONCLUSION: All individuals exposed to SHS have a higher risk of lung cancer. Furthermore, this study suggests that subjects first exposed before age 25 have a higher lung cancer risk compared to those for whom first exposure occurred after age 25 years.”
Fish oil supplements during pregnancy appear safe “It is safe for women to take fish oil supplements during pregnancy; they do not harm the fetus and may have beneficial effects on the child, according to a report in the Archives of Disease in Childhood--Fetal and Neonatal Edition. The few previously published studies on the effects of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC PUFAs) in full-term pregnancies have shown associations between fish oil supplements during pregnancy and improved attention and mental processing in the young children, the authors explain. … Eye and hand coordination scores were significantly higher among children in the fish oil group than among the controls, the investigators say, and correlated positively with omega-3 LC PUFA content of red blood cells in the cord blood. They were also inversely correlated with omega-6 LC PUFA. … However, an area that still requires further investigation is the possibility that relatively selective supplementation with n-3 PUFA may have detrimental effects on the fetus and infant "by displacing other essential fatty acids," they add.”
Meat intake and the risk of hypertension in middle-aged and older women. (J Hypertens. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Red meat intake was positively associated, whereas poultry intake was unassociated, with the risk of hypertension in middle-aged and older women.”
FDA to declare cold medicines too risky for babies, toddlers “Parents should not give sniffling babies and toddlers over-the-counter cough and cold medicines -- they're too risky for tots so small, the government will declare Thursday.“
Acrylamide In Food May Increase The Risk Of Breast Cancer, New Findings Suggest “The findings show a positive association between an increased acrylamide-haemoglobin level and the development of breast cancer after adjustment for smoking behaviour. The risk of breast cancer doubles with a tenfold increase in the acrylamide-haemoglobin level. A tenfold increase in the acrylamide-haemoglobin level corresponds more or less to the difference measured between the women with the lowest and highest exposure. The study also shows a stronger association for estrogen receptor positive breast cancer.”
The science behind dietary omega-3 fatty acids (CMAJ 2008)
Fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids
Air Pollution Shrinks Fetus Size, Study Suggests
Surprise -- Cholesterol May Actually Pose Benefits, Study Shows
Dementia Diagnosis Typically Means Death Within Five Years “People with dementia survive an average of four and a half years following their diagnosis, new British research shows. However, age, sex and any existing disability can alter life expectancy, according to the report in the Jan. 11 online issue of the British Medical Journal. Common socioeconomic influences, such as marital status, social class and living in a community or residential home, did not appear to have an influence on longevity, the study found. “
Addressing the health benefits and risks, involving vitamin D or skin cancer, of increased sun exposure. (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008) “These data, together with those for internal cancers and the beneficial effects of an optimal vitamin D status, indicate that increased sun exposure may lead to improved cancer prognosis and, possibly, give more positive than adverse health effects.”
10,000 steps a day not enough! “Researcher Anders Raustorp from the University of Kalmar added that the key to successful weight control was to set goals, keep a journal, and increase activity by 27% over a four-month period. The group recommends: Women aged 18-40 should do 12,000 steps per day and women 40-60 should aim for 11,000 steps per day. Women over 60 should do 8,000 per day. Men 18-50 years should do 12 000 steps per day, and men over 50 should aim for 11,000 steps per day”
A prospective study of red and processed meat intake in relation to cancer risk. (PLoS Med. 2007) “Both red and processed meat intakes were positively associated with cancers of the colorectum and lung; furthermore, red meat intake was associated with an elevated risk for cancers of the esophagus and liver.”
Meat consumption and cancer risk. (PLoS Med. 2007) “In summary, red and processed meat intake appears to be positively associated with risk of cancer of the colon and rectum, esophagus, liver, lung, and pancreas in a new, large US cohort study of 500,000 men and women. However, this study provided little support for an association with other cancer sites. Current dietary guidelines recommend selecting meats that are lean, low-fat, or fat-free [66], thus promoting limited consumption of red and processed meats. Overall, the strongest risk factors for cancer in the US are smoking and obesity [67].”
Small Lifestyle Changes Can Boost Longevity “People with four healthy lifestyle behaviors -- not smoking, physical activity, moderate alcohol consumption, and eating five servings of fruit or vegetables a day -- live an average of 14 years longer than people with none of those behaviors, a new British study contends.”
Vitamin D Deficiency and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease (Circulation 2008)
Catching some rays may lengthen your life
Maternal dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids modifies the relationship between lead levels in bone and breast milk. (J Nutr. 2008) “In conclusion, higher maternal dietary intake of PUFA may limit the transfer of lead from bone to breast milk.”
Cumulative community-level lead exposure and pulse pressure: the normative aging study. (Environ Health Perspect. 2007) “CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that lead exposure may contribute to the observed increase in pulse pressure that occurs with aging in industrialized societies. Lead accumulation may contribute to arterial aging, perhaps providing mechanistic insight into the observed association of low-level lead exposure with cardiovascular mortality.”
Supplementation of healthy volunteers with nutritionally relevant amounts of selenium increases the expression of lymphocyte protein biosynthesis genes (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2008) “Background: Selenium is incorporated into 25 selenoproteins in humans. Low dietary selenium has deleterious effects on health and may result in cancer, cardiovascular disease, and immune dysfunction. The underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Lymphocytes are a target tissue; they can be assessed in healthy persons, and their response has not been explored by using global gene expression profiling techniques. … Conclusions: Ribosomal protein and translation factor genes were up-regulated in response to increased selenium intake. We hypothesize that this up-regulation is linked to increased selenoprotein production and enhanced lymphocyte function.”
Avoiding Unnecessary CT Scans “At least one reason for the overuse of CT is certainly financial. Major insurers still pay fairly well for the scans. While it's true that advanced technology has made CT machines better, faster and more affordable over the years, the only thing that's really different now versus five years ago is that more hospitals are going bankrupt — they need to be a lot keener at making money to survive. So, for starters, they're hiring doctors: The hospital pays them a salary while billing for the services they order or perform. (Doctors in private practice, unlike hospital-employed doctors, work in but not for the hospital.) Hospital-employed docs must earn their keep. And ordering CT scans is a good way of doing that: Since the exact reasons (what we call the "indications") for ordering a CT scan in a given medical situation are often vague and fudgeable, it's hard to claim they're over-ordered. The cancer caused by a CT scan doesn't generally show up for decades — and there are all sorts of other intervening reasons why a patient would develop cancer — so no one is too scared of getting sued for ordering a CT scan. Getting sued for not ordering one is more likely. So, the people who should be the most worried about CT scans are the patients.”
Allergy, family history of autoimmune diseases, and the risk of multiple sclerosis. (Acta Neurol Scand. 2008) “CONCLUSION: Family history of other autoimmune diseases was associated with a higher MS risk, suggesting a common genetic background or shared environmental triggers. There was no clear association between personal history of allergy and risk of MS.”
Alternative medicine: Evaluate claims of treatment success “Alternative medicine treatments ranging from herbal remedies to acupuncture have become more popular as people seek greater control of their own health. But while they do give you more options, these treatments aren't always proven safe or effective. When considering any alternative treatments, be a savvy consumer. Be open-minded yet skeptical of medical claims. Many treatments, both conventional and unconventional, have risks and side effects. Alternative medicine — practices that aren't typically used in conventional medicine — is generally thought of as being used instead of conventional methods. When alternative practices are used in addition to the conventional therapies, they are called complementary medicine. Together, these treatments are sometimes referred to as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). With any alternative treatment you consider, find out if the potential benefits outweigh the risks. It's a good idea to talk to your doctor and do research on your own before trying any treatment. Be especially aware of possible side effects of herbs and dietary supplements, which can cause problems with medications — and aren't as well tested or regulated as are conventional treatments. “
Elderly at risk of memory trouble after surgery “People 60 years of age or older who undergo elective surgery may be at higher risk of lasting memory problems, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday. They said people 60 and older who have major surgeries such as joint replacements or hysterectomies are more likely to have cognitive problems after surgery. And those who do are more likely to die in the first year after their surgery. … It is not clear why some patients suffer these problems, but it may be that surgery and anesthesia cause swelling in the brain that can affect the patient's ability to learn, retain or remember information, Monk said in a statement. She said the study suggests the elderly may be predisposed to cognitive problems after major surgery. And knowing this might help doctors devise better strategies to prevent the effects of surgery and anesthesia on the aging brain.“
BSACI guidelines for the management of rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis. (Clin Exp Allergy. 2007) “Rhinosinusitis implies inflammation of the nose and sinuses which may or may not have an infective component and includes nasal polyposis. Acute rhinosinusitis lasts up to 12 weeks and resolves completely. Chronic rhinosinusitis persists over 12 weeks and may involve acute exacerbations. Rhinosinusitis is common, affecting around 15% of the population and causes significant reduction in quality of life. The diagnosis is based largely on symptoms with confirmation by nasendoscopy. Computerized tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging are abnormal in approximately one third of the population so are not recommended for routine diagnosis but should be reserved for those with acute complications, diagnostic uncertainty or failed medical therapy.”
The association between maternal smoking in pregnancy, other early life characteristics and childhood vision: the twins eye study in tasmania. (Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2007) “Conclusions: Antenatal smoking was independently associated with poor stereovision and the presence of esotropia. Poor stereoacuity may be associated with delayed age at first crawling or walking.”
UK and US 'keenest on fast food' “People in the UK and the US were the most likely to nominate "no self discipline" as the leading factor in obesity. These two nations also had the most respondents who said they would be unable to give up fast food. Some 45% in the UK agreed with the statement "I like the taste of fast food too much to give it up", while 44% of Americans said they would be unable to give up their burgers, pizzas and chicken wings. “
Some sun may guard against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma “Recreational sun exposure could help prevent a type of blood cancer involving the lymph nodes called non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), according to pooled data from 10 studies. … Sunlight exposure causes the skin to produce vitamin D, which might help explain how sunlight could be protective against NHL, Kricker and colleagues suggest. However, other factors could account for the relationship, they note, such as exercise, given that people with more recreational sun exposure would likely be more physically active.“
November - December 2007
Active smoking and the risk of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (JAMA. 2007) “CONCLUSION: Active smoking is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Future research should attempt to establish whether this association is causal and to clarify its mechanisms.”
Protective Effect of Dietary Potassium Against Vascular Injury in Salt-Sensitive Hypertension. (Hypertension. 2007) “In conclusion, high-potassium diets seems to have a protective effect against the development of vascular damage induced by salt loading mediated, at least in part, through suppression of the production of reactive oxygen species probably generated by reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase.”
Lifestyle-related factors in predementia and dementia syndromes. (Expert Rev Neurother. 2008) “At present, in older subjects, healthy diets, antioxidant supplements, the prevention of nutritional deficiencies, and moderate physical activity could be considered the first line of defense against the development and progression of predementia and dementia syndromes. However, in most cases, these were only observational studies, and results are awaited from large multicenter randomized clinical trials in older persons that may clarify the possible synergy, for example, between moderate exercise, physical activity and healthy Mediterranean diet on cognition in the elderly.”
Cellphone contact dermatitis with nickel allergy (CMAJ 2008) “Although cellphone batteries containing nickel have received much attention as an environmental concern, little has been written about the presence of nickel in cellphone cases. Nearly half of the phones we spot tested contained some free nickel. The menu buttons, decorative logos on the headsets and the metallic frames around the liquid crystal display (LCD) screens were the most common sites. There appears to be a relation between cellphone models and nickel content. Cellphones intended for rugged use, such as the Motorola i series (i580 and i870), often have rubber coating and no surface nickel. Those with more fashionable designs often have metallic accents and are more likely to contain free nickel in their casings. Cellphone use should be considered in the differential diagnosis of facial and ear contact dermatitis in individuals who are sensitive to nickel.“
The very old may benefit from L-carnitine: study “The dietary supplement L-carnitine can lessen fatigue and boost mental function in very old people, Italian researchers report. Study participants given L-carnitine also experienced significant increases in muscle mass and reductions in fat mass, Dr. Mariano Malaguarnera and colleagues from the University of Catania report in the December issue of the American Journal of Clinical nutrition. L-carnitine helps cells to produce energy from fat.“
5 MRSA 'Hot Spots': MRSA Loves Gyms, Barracks, Prisons, Schools -- and Your Nose “By far the largest epidemic is going on inside hospitals and other health care facilities. The staph bug causing these infections resists treatment with a broad range of antibiotics. Because it attacks so many people with weakened immune systems, hospital-acquired MRSA accounts for the vast majority of fatal MRSA infections. But another, unrelated strain of MRSA is circulating in communities across the U.S. This strain is resistant to first-line antibiotics. News that MRSA is now killing at least 19,000 Americans each year has focused public attention on community-acquired MRSA.“
Carbon Monoxide: A Winter Killer “The mystery poison: carbon monoxide or CO. It's a gas given off by gas furnaces, cars, charcoal grills, propane stoves, and portable generators. Every year, the CDC says, it sends at least 15,000 Americans to the emergency room. At least 439 people die of unintentional, nonfire-related carbon monoxide poisoning every year, new CDC statistics show. But that's very likely an undercount.“
FDA Warns Consumers Not to Use Super Shangai, Strong Testis, Shangai Ultra, Shangai Ultra X, Lady Shangai, and Shangai Regular (also known as Shangai Chaojimengnan) “These products, which originate in China, are being marketed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and for sexual enhancement. Although labeled as dietary supplements, these products do not qualify as dietary supplements because they contain undeclared active ingredients of FDA-approved prescription drugs for erectile dysfunction. The products are thus drugs that are illegal because they lack FDA approval. The undeclared ingredients in these products may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates. … FDA performed chemical testing of the products that revealed that Super Shangai, Strong Testis, Shangai Ultra, Shangai Ultra X, and Lady Shangai contain sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, an FDA-approved drug for erectile dysfunction. Shangai Regular, also marketed as Shangai Chaojimengnan, contains an unapproved substance with a structure similar to sildenafil that may cause similar side effects and drug interactions. Neither sildenafil nor the analog of sildenafil is listed as an ingredient on the label of any of these products.”
Fish oil capsules pack same omega-3 punch as fish “Fish oil capsules and fatty fish do an equally good job of enriching the blood and other body tissues with healthy omega-3 fatty acids, new findings suggest. … Nevertheless, Harris said, he would encourage people to eat fish rather than relying on fish oil capsules. "Fish of course brings with it proteins and minerals and other factors that are good for our health that the capsules don't bring, but we weren't able to measure any of those things," he said.”
Men Who Smoke Prone to Impotence: The greater the number of cigarettes smoked, the greater the risk, studies find “If heart disease, stroke and certain cancers haven't been reason enough for men to quit smoking, consider this: The habit also increases the risk of erectile dysfunction. In fact, emerging research shows that men with a pack-a-day habit are almost 40 percent more likely to struggle with erectile dysfunction than men who don't smoke. "Smoking delivers nicotine and other vasoconstrictors that close down the blood vessels" of the penis, explained Dr. Jack Mydlo, chairman of urology at Temple University School of Medicine and Hospital in Philadelphia.“
Culinary Shocker: Cooking Can Preserve, Boost Nutrient Content Of Vegetables “In the new study, the researchers evaluated the effects of three commonly-used Italian cooking practices — boiling, steaming, and frying — on the nutritional content of carrots, zucchini and broccoli. Boiling and steaming maintained the antioxidant compounds of the vegetables, whereas frying caused a significantly higher loss of antioxidants in comparison to the water-based cooking methods, they say. For broccoli, steaming actually increased its content of glucosinolates, a group of plant compounds touted for their cancer-fighting abilities. The findings suggest that it may be possible to select a cooking method for each vegetable that can best preserve or improve its nutritional quality, the researchers say.”
Chronic Coughs Need a Doctor's Attention “Common causes of coughing include: viral upper respiratory tract infections; asthma; nasal and sinus disease; stomach and esophageal problems; an inhaled foreign body; habit; and environmental irritants.“
Diets of Alzheimer's patients lack many nutrients “People with Alzheimer's disease eat less nutritiously than their peers without dementia, even in the early stages of the disease, new research from Canada shows. This is particularly concerning given that adequate intakes of certain nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin K, and other antioxidants, could possibly help to preserve mental function, Dr. Bryna Shatenstein of the University of Montreal and her colleagues say.”
Polycarbonate bottles raise questions
Fish Oil Prevents Alzheimer's Plaques “Why does fish oil help prevent Alzheimer's disease? Your brain needs a fish oil fatty acid to make a plaque-fighting protein, UCLA researchers find. It's known that people who get plenty of DHA, a fish oil fatty acid, have a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease, note Greg M. Cole, PhD, associate director of the UCLA Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, and colleagues. … It may be too late for people with late-stage Alzheimer's disease to get much benefit from fish oil. But Cole suggests that it may be a great help if taken at the first signs of Alzheimer's.”
Walk, Don't Run, to Prevent or Reverse Metabolic Syndrome “For overweight or obese individuals who are physically inactive, brisk walking might be the best exercise prescription for shedding excess pounds and reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome. Data from a new analysis showed that in a middle-aged at-risk physically inactive population, moderate-intensity exercise in the absence of dietary changes significantly reduced the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. "These results give a lot of credence to the fact that individuals don't necessarily have to go out and do a lot of intensive exercise to receive health benefits," senior investigator Dr William Kraus (Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC) told heartwire.“
Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke in Infancy Linked to Allergic Reactions “Children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke in early infancy have a higher incidence of allergic reactions to food and indoor inhalants …”
Sciatica from disk herniation: Medical treatment or surgery (Joint Bone Spine 2007) “Disk-related sciatica is a common disorder that resolves without surgery in 95% of patients within 1 to 12 months. Several treatment strategies designed to hasten recovery, enable a return to previous social and occupational activities, and prevent chronicization have been evaluated. … Bed rest, systemic glucocorticoid therapy, spinal manipulation, bracing, spinal traction, and physical therapy have no proven effects on the outcome of sciatica.”
Incidence and Prognosis of Transient Neurological Attacks (JAMA. 2007) “Context Transient neurological attacks (TNAs) are attacks with temporary (<24 hours) neurological symptoms. These symptoms can be focal, nonfocal, or a mixture of both. The prognostic significance of TNAs with focal symptoms (better known as transient ischemic attacks [TIAs]) is well understood. Conversely, hardly anything is known about the prognostic significance of TNAs with nonfocal or mixed symptoms. … Conclusion Patients who experience nonfocal TNAs, and especially those with mixed TNAs, have a higher risk of major vascular diseases and dementia than persons without TNA.”
Transient Neurological Attacks
Scientists Want to Find Alzheimer’s Before a Mind Fails “Studies with the dye have already found significant deposits in 20 percent to 25 percent of seemingly normal people over 65, suggesting that they may be on the way to Alzheimer’s, though only time will tell. … The disease is by no means inevitable, but among people 85 and older, about 40 percent develop Alzheimer’s and spend their so-called golden years in a thicket of confusion, ultimately becoming incontinent, mute, bedridden or forced to use a wheelchair and completely dependent on others. “It makes people wonder whether they really want to live that long,” Dr. Klunk said.“
Meat and Meat-Mutagen Intake and Pancreatic Cancer Risk in the NIH-AARP Cohort (Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 2007) "These findings support the hypothesis that meat intake, particularly meat cooked at high temperatures and associated mutagens, may play a role in pancreatic cancer development."
Green Tea Consumption and Prostate Cancer Risk in Japanese Men: A Prospective Study (American Journal of Epidemiology 2008) "Green tea may be associated with a decreased risk of advanced prostate cancer."
Sunlight Helps Put Lung Cancer in the Shade
Lack of Strong Thirst Signals Leads Elderly to Drink Too Little " Older adults don't drink enough water and become dehydrated during heat waves because their brains and bodies don't coordinate sensory signals about thirst, a new Australian study suggests."
Aspirin in Alzheimer's disease (AD2000): a randomised open-label trial (The Lancet Neurology 2008) “Although aspirin is commonly used in dementia, in patients with typical AD 2 years of treatment with low-dose aspirin has no worthwhile benefit and increases the risk of serious bleeds.”
Nasal saline for chronic sinonasal symptoms: a randomized controlled trial. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007) “CONCLUSION: Nasal irrigations performed with large volume and delivered with low positive pressure are more effective than saline sprays for treatment of chronic nasal and sinus symptoms in a community-based population.”
Uninsured More Likely to Die From Cancer Following Diagnosis: Report finds they're less likely to get screening tests, so have advanced disease “People diagnosed with cancer who don't have health insurance are more likely to die because they are less likely to get screening tests and so are typically diagnosed with advanced disease, a new study from the American Cancer Society finds. The finding proffers strong evidence that differences in cancer survival are directly related to lack of access to health care. “
A Prospective Study of Red and Processed Meat Intake in Relation to Cancer Risk. (PLoS Med. 2007) “Both red and processed meat intakes were positively associated with cancers of the colorectum and lung; furthermore, red meat intake was associated with an elevated risk for cancers of the esophagus and liver.”
Cognitive impairment in rats after long-term exposure to GSM-900 mobile phone radiation. (Bioelectromagnetics. 2007) “Our results suggest significantly reduced memory functions in rats after GSM microwave exposure …”
Cellular Phone Use and Risk of Benign and Malignant Parotid Gland Tumors A Nationwide Case-Control Study. (Am J Epidemiol. 2007) “A positive dose-response trend was found for these measurements. Based on the largest number of benign PGT patients reported to date, our results suggest an association between cellular phone use and PGTs.”
Recent evidence for adverse effects of residential proximity to traffic sources on asthma. (Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2008) “SUMMARY: There is consistent evidence that living near traffic sources is associated with asthma occurrence and exacerbations.”
Survey of Pest Infestation, Asthma, and Allergy in Low-income Housing. (J Community Health. 2008) “Eighty one percent of the apartments were found infested by cockroaches, mice, ants, spiders, or flies. … Existence of diagnosed asthmatic was positively correlated with mouse infestations.”
Long-Term Effect of Magnesium Consumption on the Risk of Symptomatic Gallstone Disease Among Men. (Am J Gastroenterol. 2007) “CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a protective role of magnesium consumption in the prevention of symptomatic gallstone disease among men.”
Gallstones are associated with carotid atherosclerosis. (Liver Int. 2007) “Conclusions: Subjects with GD exhibit greater carotid atherosclerosis, and therefore have a higher risk for stroke and myocardial infarction.”
Active surveillance for favorable risk prostate cancer: what are the results, and how safe is it? (Semin Radiat Oncol. 2008) “Active surveillance for favorable risk prostate cancer has become increasingly popular in populations in which prostate cancer screening is widespread because of evidence that prostate cancer screening results in the detection of disease that is not clinically significant in many patients (ie, untreated, would not pose a threat to health). The approach is supported by data showing that patients who fall into the category of clinically insignificant disease can be identified with reasonable accuracy and that patients who are initially classified as low risk who reclassify over time as higher risk and are treated radically are still cured in most cases.”
Car safety seats for children: rear facing for best protection. (Inj Prev. 2007)
Household Exposure to Pesticides and Risk of Childhood Hematopoietic Malignancies: The ESCALE Study (SFCE). (Environ Health Perspect. 2007) “CONCLUSION: The study findings strengthen the hypothesis that domestic use of pesticides may play a role in the etiology of childhood hematopoietic malignancies. The consistency of the findings with those of previous studies on AL raises the question of the advisability of preventing pesticide use by pregnant women.”
Food-Dependent Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis Induced by Low Dose Aspirin Therapy. (Allergol Int. 2008) “Discussion: Patients with aspirin-provoked FDEIA have been reported previously as taking ordinary doses of aspirin for reducing pain, inflammation and fever. However, in our patient, low dose aspirin therapy for reducing cardiovascular risk possibility induced FDEIA. Growing numbers of elderly people take low doses of aspirin for prevention of cerebral or myocardial infarction. Therefore, physicians should remember that aspirin consumption, even at low doses, is a risk factor for FDEIA.”
Morphologic alterations in the corpus callosum in abuse-related posttraumatic stress disorder: a preliminary study. (J Nerv Ment Dis. 2007) “These results suggest that relatively smaller areas of the posterior midbody of the corpus callosum are associated with childhood abuse related PTSD in adults; these findings are consistent with findings in children with abuse-related PTSD.”
Number of children is associated with neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease in women. (Neurobiol Aging. 2007) “CONCLUSIONS: Since the associations between number of children and neuropathology of AD were found for women only, they might reflect sex-specific mechanisms (such as variations in estrogen or luteinizing hormone levels) rather than social, economic, biological or other mechanisms common to both men and women.”
If You Don't Want To Fall Ill This Christmas, Then Share A Festive Kiss But Don't Shake Hands
Association of olfactory dysfunction with risk for future Parkinson's disease. (Ann Neurol. 2007) “INTERPRETATION: Impaired olfaction can predate clinical PD in men by at least 4 years and may be a useful screening tool to detect those at high risk for development of PD in later life.”
Association of sports activities in leisure time and incident myocardial infarction in middle-aged men and women from the general population: the MONICA/KORA Augsburg cohort study. (European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation 2007) "Conclusion: Moderate or high levels of sports activities in leisure time are associated with a significantly reduced risk of MI in women, but not men from the general population."
Childhood Obesity — The Shape of Things to Come "Without effective intervention, phase 4 of the epidemic will entail an acceleration of the obesity rate through transgenerational mechanisms. Obese children tend to be heavy in adulthood, in part because obesity-promoting habits persist. In addition, carrying excessive weight early in life may elicit irreversible biologic changes in hormonal pathways, fat cells, and the brain that increase hunger and adversely affect metabolism. Furthermore, adult obesity and its complications appear to increase the risk of obesity and its complications in offspring through nongenetic influences, a phenomenon termed perinatal programming."
3 Common Drugs Trigger Most ER Visits by Seniors "In 2004 and 2005, the blood thinner warfarin, the diabetes drug insulin and the heart drug digoxin caused about 58,000 emergency room visits a year in those 65 and older, the researchers found. The major problem is that it's hard to determine the correct dose for each drug, said study lead author Dr. Daniel Budnitz, a medical officer with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "
Brominated flame retardants in US food. (Mol Nutr Food Res. 2007)
Exercise may boost brain's natural antidepressant "They focused on a brain region known as the hippocampus, which has been implicated in mood regulation and in the brain's response to antidepressant medication. The researchers found that mice that had a week's worth of workouts on a running wheel showed altered activity in a total of 33 genes, the majority of which had never been identified before. In particular, exercise enhanced activity in the gene for a nerve growth factor known as VGF. Nerve growth factors are small proteins important in the development and maintenance of nerve cells. "
Pre-natal Alcohol Exposure Shapes Sensory Preference, Upping Odds Of Later Alcohol Use And Abuse "Young people whose mothers drank when pregnant may be more likely to abuse alcohol because, in the womb, their developing senses came to prefer its taste and smell."
Green Tea Shown To Possess Antitumor Effect In Breast Cancer
Green Tea May Protect Brain Cells Against Parkinson's Disease
Report: Many Docs Bend Ethics Beliefs "The study concluded that doctors often don't follow through on their own beliefs about protecting patients' privacy, avoiding conflicts of interest, or reporting incompetent or impaired colleagues. … one-quarter of doctors surveyed said they would refer a patient to a medical facility with which they have a financial interest. In many cases these types of referrals violate anti-kickback laws."
Common Household Chemical Could Raise Breast Cancer Risk "Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) is commonly used to soften polymers and plastics. It's found in everything from plastic pipes, vinyl floor tiles and carpet backing to lipstick. BBP has also been found to be an endocrine disruptor, which mimics the effect of hormones. Endocrine disruptors are known to damage wildlife and have also been implicated in reduced sperm counts and neurological problems in humans, the researchers said."
High-Fiber, Low-Saturated-Fat Diet May Protect Against Parkinson's Disease "A dietary pattern of high intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, fish, and poultry; low intake of saturated fat; and moderate intake of alcohol may protect against Parkinson's disease (PD), according to the results of a prospective study reported in the December issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition."
Environmental Toxins May Limit Fertility In Offspring "The study provides evidence derived from a mouse model that exposure to the compounds called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) prior to conceiving and when lactating reduces the number of eggs in the ovaries of female offspring by two-thirds. PAHs are known carcinogens and one of the most widespread organic pollutants. The compounds are found in cigarette smoke, car exhaust, fumes from wood stoves and in charred and smoked foods."
Even Low Lead Exposure Linked To ADHD
Christmas lights found with potentially unsafe levels of lead "Manufacturers do not hide the fact that lead is part of the PVC insulation that insulates Christmas light wiring. Lead is used legally to stabilize polyvinyl chloride so it does not crack or crumble with age. The lead also acts as a fire retardant. But the levels of surface lead surprised Dr. Leo Trasande, a specialist in children's environmental health at New York's Mount Sinai School of Medicine. "
Used cot mattresses as potential reservoirs of bacterial infection: nutrient availability within polyurethane foam. (J Appl Microbiol. 2007)
Body Fat Distribution and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Men and Women in the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition in Norfolk Cohort. A Population-Based Prospective Study (Circulation 2007) "Conclusions—Indices of abdominal obesity were more consistently and strongly predictive of coronary heart disease than body mass index."
Physical Activity Recommendations and Decreased Risk of Mortality (Arch Intern Med. 2007) "Conclusions Following physical activity guidelines is associated with lower risk of death. Mortality benefit may also be achieved by engaging in less than recommended activity levels."
Clinical prediction of Alzheimer disease dementia across the spectrum of mild cognitive impairment. (Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2007) "CONCLUSIONS: Even in very mildly impaired individuals who do not meet strict MCI criteria as implemented in clinical trials, the degree of cognitive impairment in daily life and performance on neuropsychological testing predict likelihood of an AD diagnosis within 5 years."
Dietary patterns and risk of dementia: the Three-City cohort study. (Neurology. 2007) "CONCLUSION: Frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables, fish, and omega-3 rich oils may decrease the risk of dementia and Alzheimer disease, especially among ApoE epsilon 4 noncarriers."
Maternal obesity is associated with younger age at obesity onset in u.s. Adolescent offspring followed into adulthood. (Obesity (Silver Spring). 2007) "Conclusions: Having an obese mother was associated with earlier age at obesity onset across all race/ethnic groups, particularly non-Hispanic blacks. Early obesity onset has important health consequences because of its association with more severe adult obesity."
Tea Consumption Is Inversely Associated With Carotid Plaques in Women. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2007)
Good physical functioning tied to lower stroke risk "Middle-aged and older adults who manage to stay agile may be less likely to suffer a stroke than their less-nimble peers, researchers reported Monday. In a study of more than 13,000 men and women, British researchers found that those who reported good physical functioning at the study's start -- having little problem climbing stairs or carrying groceries, for instance -- were less likely to have a stroke over the next seven years."
Virus Starts Like a Cold But Can Turn Into a Killer "There are 51 known strains of adenovirus, ubiquitous germs that cause many illnesses, including colds, pinkeye, bronchitis, stomach flu and a respiratory infection called boot camp flu that has long plagued soldiers. But adenovirus infections rarely have been life-threatening, especially for healthy young adults. The new adenovirus is a variant of a strain known as adenovirus 14. First identified in Holland in 1955, it has caused sporadic outbreaks in Europe and Asia. No outbreaks, however, had ever been documented in the Western Hemisphere. But then Gilbert started seeing patients like Joseph Spencer, 18, a high school varsity swimmer who was suddenly racked by fever, chills and vomiting. "
Study: Chemicals in Lipstick Can Trigger Breast Cancer "CHEMICALS found in lipstick and nail varnish could trigger breast cancer, scientists warned yesterday. A study has shown that butyl benzyl phthalate, or BBP, can interfere with the healthy development of breast tissue. Environmental campaigners yesterday called for it to be banned in the cosmetic industry, where it is used to make products glossy. The man-made substance is part of the phthalate family of chemicals, which mimic the female sex hormone oestrogen. Phthalates are widely used to soften plastics and are found in food packaging, toys, carpets and solvents."
MRSA Kills 1 in 20 Hospital Patients Who Have the Infection "One of every 20 (or 5%) of the roughly 368,600 patients treated in US hospitals in 2005 for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) died, according to the latest News and Numbers from AHRQ. Most of the patients who died of this highly dangerous antibiotic-resistant infection were elderly or low-income."
Amount of exercise, not intensity, important for BP lowering in kids
Hemorrhagic stroke in the Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels study (Neurology 2007) "Conclusions: Hemorrhagic stroke was more frequent in those treated with atorvastatin, in those with a hemorrhagic stroke as an entry event, in men, and increased with age. Those with Stage 2 hypertension at the last visit prior to the hemorrhagic stroke were also at increased risk. Treatment did not disproportionately affect the hemorrhagic stroke risk associated with these other factors. There were no relationships between hemorrhage risk and baseline low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level or recent LDL cholesterol level in treated patients."
Obesity Weakens Immune Response "Obese people find it harder to fight infections, and a weakened immune response may be to blame, suggests a new study from Boston University researchers."
Maternal smoking, alcohol drinking, and febrile convulsion. (Seizure. 2007) "CONCLUSION: These results suggest that children of mothers who both smoke and drink alcohol during pregnancy may have a higher risk for febrile convulsions."
Heart Attack Symptoms in Women — Are they Different? "Chest pain is still the most common sign of a heart attack for most women, although studies have shown that women are more likely than men to have symptoms other than chest pain or discomfort when experiencing a heart attack or other form of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) … The authors also report that women are more likely than men to experience other forms of cardiac chest pain syndromes, such as unstable angina, and they appear to report a wider range of symptoms associated with ACS. For example, women are more likely to report pain in the middle or upper back, neck, or jaw; shortness of breath; nausea or vomiting; indigestion; loss of appetite; weakness or fatigue; cough; dizziness; and palpitations."
Trail of errors led to 3 wrong brain surgeries"That was startling enough, but just as surprising was that the errors happened despite an explicit set of required operating-room precautions adopted by the medical profession a few years ago to prevent "wrong-site surgery" mistakes. Those measures include the use of checklists, "time-outs" to double-check everything is correct, and indelible markers to show the surgeon where to cut. "The problem's not going away," said Peter Angood, vice president and chief patient safety officer at the Joint Commission, an independent organization that accredits most of the nation's hospitals. "Organizations don't like to do this. It's complicated for them to do. Surgeons tend to resist it."
October - November 2007
Food Allergy Overview in Children. (Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2007) "Milk, soy, egg, wheat, and peanut allergies are common in children, whereas peanut, tree nut, fish, shell fish allergies, and allergies to fruits and vegetables are common in adults."
Use It Or Lose It: Physical Activity In Middle Age "The team found that middle-aged people who maintained a reasonable level of physical activity were less likely to become unable to walk distances, climb stairs, maintain their sense of balance, stand from a seated position with their arms folded, or sustain their hand grip as they get older."
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Protect Against Parkinson's, Study Says "Another conclusion to be drawn from this finding is that a brain containing a lot of omega-6 fatty acids may be a fertile ground for Parkinson's disease. These fatty acids, abundant in foods rich in either vegetable oil or animal fat, are already under suspicion for their role in the body's inflammatory response, cardiac disease, arthritis, and Alzheimer's. In a balanced diet, the ratio between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids should be 4 to 1. However, the average Western diet contains 10 to 20 times more omega-6's than omega-3's."
Could Closing A Hole In The Heart Lead To Migraine Headache Relief? "Earlier studies have indicated that there may be a link between a particular congenital heart anomaly, a patent foramen ovale (PFO), and migraine. Some patients – particularly those suffering from migraine with aura- have had reductions in the frequency and severity of migraines following closure of their PFO … A PFO is a small opening between two overlapping sections of tissue which form a division between the upper chambers of the heart, the right atrium and the left atrium. In the womb, this opening is present since it makes circulation more efficient for the developing fetus. After birth, the flaps normally fuse together to form a solid wall, called a septum, between the chambers. However, in about 25 percent of the population, the flaps do not fuse together. The PFO then works like a valve, staying closed most of the time but opening when certain activities cause a build up of pressure inside the chest. When opened, the PFO may permit unfiltered venous blood to cross from the right atrium to the left atrium rather than passing through the lungs. The unfiltered venous blood may contain elements that can trigger migraines in some patients."
Will Kids Outgrow ADHD? "Does this mean that my child will outgrow his ADHD symptoms by the time he's a teen? .Perhaps. "[The study] doesn't show that the brains of kids with ADHD completely 'normalize' by age 12 or so," the study's lead author, Philip Shaw, wrote in an e-mail last week. "We only looked at one aspect of brain development. Many other structural and functional brain differences persist in the brains of teens with ADHD." "While a lot of people with ADHD do improve with age, as many as two-thirds still have symptoms of the disorder which persist into adulthood," Shaw said. Among possible explanations: There may be more than one genetic variant of the disorder, or perhaps some kids with ADHD have other conditions that are responsible for their symptoms. "
Glaxo's Asthma Drugs May Harm Children, U.S. FDA Staff Says "GlaxoSmithKline Plc's asthma drugs Serevent and Advair, the company's biggest-selling medications, may have rare and deadly side effects for children, safety officials at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said."
Regular Exercise Reduces Risk Of Blood Clots, Study Suggests "Overall figures for both sexes showed that participating in sports at least once per week, regardless of the type of sport or its intensity, reduced the risk of developing a blood clot in a lung artery by 46 percent and a blood clot in a leg vein by 24 percent. … The findings also show that people who did not participate in sports were more than four-times as likely to develop a blood clot if they were obese (with a body mass index of 30 or greater) than lean (with a body mass index of less than 25)."
Effect of 'No added salt diet' on blood pressure control and 24 hour urinary sodium excretion in mild to moderate hypertension. (BMC Cardiovascular Disorders 2007) "After 6 week of 'no added salt diet' systolic and diastolic BP significantly decreased during the day (mean decrease: 12.1 /6.8 mmhg) and at night (mean decrease: 11.1/5.9 mmhg ) which is statistically significant in comparison to control group (P 0.001 and 0.01)."
Androgen therapy for loss of desire in women: is the benefit worth the breast cancer risk? (Fertil Steril. 2007) "RESULT(S): Endogenous androgen levels are not correlated with sexual desire in population-based studies of aging women. Factors that are strongly associated with low desire include pain with sexual activity, emotional distress, life stress, and relationship conflict. The efficacy of testosterone therapy for women's desire problems is modest. Expectancy effects were not adequately controlled in randomized trials. Epidemiological findings agree that higher endogenous serum androgen levels confer increased breast cancer risk both before and after menopause. Androgenic hormonal replacement regimens also increase the risk of breast cancer. CONCLUSION(S): Testosterone supplementation should not be prescribed to women with low sexual desire unless long-term studies can demonstrate its efficacy and safety. Treatments for low sexual desire in women should address its common correlates: relationship distress, emotional distress, and dyspareunia."
Optimal vitamin d status for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. (Drugs Aging. 2007) "Vitamin D(3) (cholecalciferol) sufficiency is essential for maximising bone health. Vitamin D enhances intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus. The major source of vitamin D for both children and adults is exposure of the skin to sunlight. Season, latitude, skin pigmentation, sunscreen use, clothing and aging can dramatically influence the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin. Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D or are fortified with vitamin D. … Vitamin D sufficiency can be sustained by sensible sun exposure or ingesting at least 800-1000IU of vitamin D(3) daily. Patients being treated for osteoporosis should be adequately supplemented with calcium and vitamin D to maximise the benefit of treatment."
Aging Isn't About Slowing Down, Experts Say " 'We can teach older adults to get rid of those old beliefs that becoming sedentary is just a normal part of growing older. We can teach them that they can and should remain physically active at all ages,' lead author Dr. Catherine Sarkisian, an assistant professor of geriatrics at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, said in a prepared statement. "
Blood and popcorn "Gory films and TV programs are pulling in audiences. But violence on the screen can have lasting effects, especially on kids and adolescents."
“The news is [not] all good”: misrepresentations and inaccuracies in Australian news media reports on prostate cancer screening (The Medical Journal of Australia 2007) "Conclusions: Despite near universal lack of support for prostate cancer screening of asymptomatic men by leading international and Australian cancer control agencies, Australians are exposed to an unbalanced stream of encouragement to seek testing. This coverage includes inaccurate information which ignores scientific evidence and the general lack of expert agency support."
Sun Exposure, Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms, and Breast Cancer Risk in a Multiethnic Population (American Journal of Epidemiology 2007) "This study supports the hypothesis that sunlight exposure reduces risk of advanced breast cancer among women with light skin pigmentation."
The media and prostate cancer screening. "A particular characteristic of this debate has been the polarisation of views for and against screening to the point where, at times, constructive debate has been constrained. However, it is important to differentiate between prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, with indiscriminate testing of all men (between prescribed ages), and testing after informed consent, as recommended by peak Australian cancer control and health agencies.3-6 Apart from the fact that PSA is not a test for prostate cancer and has no threshold level providing a high sensitivity and specificity, but rather has a continuum of prostate cancer risk at all values,7 a raised PSA level often commits men to the invasive procedure of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsies. Most men presenting for TRUS biopsies have serum PSA levels of 4–10 ng/mL and do not have prostate cancer detected with extended numbers of biopsy cores."
Citizen Vigilance Leads to Toy Recalls "This week, the center released a list of 10 children’s products, like ceramic tea sets and bat and ball sets, that the center says have hazardous levels of lead. Two of the products had lead paint, and eight contained lead in vinyl material, the center said. The product commission says it is investigating these products and others found in the last week by several consumer advocacy groups."
Migraines Change the Brain "Dr. Hadjikhani notes people with migraine are more likely to suffer from other sensitivity conditions as well, such as jaw pain, back pain, and sensitive skin. This discovery could help explain why those conditions are so common in people with these debilitating headaches."
Maybe Your Kid Doesn’t Need His Tonsils Out "The investigators note most kids will outgrow the tendency to develop these problems, which means the long-term cost effectiveness of an adenotonsillectomy is negligible."
Elevated Blood Lead Concentrations in Essential Tremor: A Case-Control Study in Mersin, Turkey. (Environ Health Perspect. 2007) "CONCLUSIONS: These data replicate those of a previous study in New York and demonstrate an association between the environmental toxicant lead and a common neurologic disorder."
Even Very Low Levels Of Lead Cause Brain Damage In Children "U.S. children are exposed to lead primarily from household dust contaminated by deteriorating interior lead-based paint. In addition to toys, other potential sources include contaminated soil, imported food stored in lead-glazed pottery and certain plastic, metallic and painted products."
Vitamin D may curb type 2 diabetes risk "During a 17-year follow-up of roughly 4,000 men and women, researchers found that individuals with higher blood levels of vitamin D had a 40 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those with lower levels of this vitamin."
Vigorous exercise may ward off diabetes with age "Men who stay highly active with age may have a lower risk of developing diabetes than those who taper off their exercise levels, a study suggests. The study, of nearly 26,000 male runners, found that those who kept running at a level of roughly 5 or more miles per week were less likely to develop diabetes over the next decade. … The current findings, he writes, suggest that "vigorous exercise significantly reduces diabetes incidence, due in part to the prevention of age-related weight gain." … Despite the findings, though, he also points out that exercise need not be grueling to be health-promoting. Other studies have shown that adults with "pre-diabetes" can cut their risk of full-blown diabetes by accumulating 2.5 hours of moderate activity each week -- primarily walking. "
Migraine Tied to Thickening in Brain Area "And changes in the brain induced by repetitive migraine attacks may make sufferers more prone to suffering from other pain disorders, the researchers theorized. This would explain the high number of people with migraine who also suffer from such conditions as fibromyalgia and back pain."
TIA Linked to Substantial Risk for Major Stroke Within a Week "New research suggests that patients who experience a transient ischemic attack (TIA) are at a substantially increased risk of having a major stroke within 1 week — a finding that, researchers say, warrants treating TIA as a medical emergency."
Caloric Restriction, the Traditional Okinawan Diet, and Healthy Aging: The Diet of the World's Longest-Lived People and Its Potential Impact on Morbidity and Life Span. (Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2007) "Findings include low caloric intake and negative energy balance at younger ages, little weight gain with age, life-long low BMI, relatively high plasma DHEA levels at older ages, low risk for mortality from age-related diseases, and survival patterns consistent with extended mean and maximum life span. This study lends epidemiologic support for phenotypic benefits of CR in humans and is consistent with the well-known literature on animals with regard to CR phenotypes and healthy aging."
Sleep Problems Prevalent in Children with Asperger Syndrome "The study finds these children have a high prevalence of sleep disorders and problems going to sleep and sleep restlessness throughout the night. … Researchers report 50 percent of children with AS were reluctant to go to bed, 75 percent needed the television or a light on in the bedroom, 87 percent had difficulty getting to sleep and 75 percent fell asleep sweating. Study authors also found half of the children did not feel refreshed in the morning and 87 percent had difficulty waking up in the morning and 87 percent felt sleepy during the day."
Physical Activity in Middle-Aged Adults Reduces Risks of Functional Impairment Independent of Its Effect on Weight (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2007) "CONCLUSION: Excess bodyweight is a risk factor for impaired physical function in middle-aged and older people. Physical activity is protective of impaired physical functioning in this age group in subjects with recommended weight, overweight, and obesity. Older adults should be encouraged to engage in appropriate levels of physical activity irrespective of their weight."
Doctors and Drug Companies — Scrutinizing Influential Relationships "But physician–industry relationships can also have serious negative effects. For example, doctors with ties to industry may be more inclined than their colleagues to prescribe a brand-name drug despite the availability of a cheaper generic version. The provision of free samples may reinforce this behavior and perhaps stimulate off-label use of medications, which can pose risks for some patients. Industry relationships may stimulate the premature adoption of novel treatments, which could lead to serious health problems for patients. Industry inducements may reduce physician adherence to evidence-based practice guidelines in favor of company medications or interventions that are not recommended in independently developed guidelines. Finally, the financial rewards from industry relationships may reinforce a culture of entitlement among physicians, which could limit their ability to honestly acknowledge and manage the potential negative effects of these relationships."
Risking kids to sell fish: An ad campaign encouraging pregnant women to eat seafood is a case study in industry-driven 'research.' "… timely and accurate information is crucial for those who want to make healthy and affordable choices. … For years, the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have advised women who are pregnant, might become pregnant or are breast-feeding to eat no more than 12 ounces weekly of any type of fish or shellfish that could be high in mercury, a potent neurotoxin. … But it's hard to stop a powerful, if troubling, marketing strategy once commercial interests take over. The National Fisheries Institute… paid the travel expenses of the researchers who generated the report for the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition and gave each of them … The misleading report is a classic example of industry-driven marketing under the cloak of scientific research. Fortunately for consumers, however, the FDA and EPA have just repeated their strong stance on the dangers posed by overconsumption of certain fish, which should help derail the effort to promote sales over children's health. … And the selective repackaging of science, combined with slick marketing to sell more fish to pregnant women and women of childbearing age, show the height of corporate irresponsibility. This is one fishy marketing scheme that consumers should throw back."
One in Seven Americans Age 71 and Older Has Some Type of Dementia, NIH-Funded Study Estimates "A new analysis suggests that about 3.4 million Americans age 71 and older — one in seven people in that age group — have dementia, and 2.4 million of them have Alzheimer's disease (AD). … Five percent of people ages 71 to 79, 24.2 percent of people 80 to 89, and 37.4 percent of those 90 years or older were estimated to have some type of dementia. The estimated rate of Alzheimer's also rose greatly with older age — from 2.3 percent of people ages 71 to 79 to 18.1 percent of people 80 to 89 to 29.7 percent of those age 90 and older. The ADAMS investigators found fewer years of education and the presence of at least one APOE e4 allele, a genetic risk factor for AD, to be strong predictors of AD and other dementias."
Chemicals Flow Unchecked From China to Drug Market "Pharmaceutical ingredients exported from China are often made by chemical companies that are neither certified nor inspected by Chinese drug regulators, The New York Times has found. Because the chemical companies are not required to meet even minimal drug-manufacturing standards, there is little to stop them from exporting unapproved, adulterated or counterfeit ingredients. The substandard formulations made from those ingredients often end up in pharmacies in developing countries and for sale on the Internet, where more Americans are turning for cheap medicine. … China has an estimated 80,000 chemical companies, and the United States Food and Drug Administration does not know how many sell ingredients used in drugs consumed by Americans. "
September - October 2007
Weight Gain in Adulthood Linked to Increased Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk "Obesity predicts a higher risk for breast cancer, and this effect is probably mediated through increased production of endogenous estrogens in adipose tissue. The authors of the current study note that most research has found only a modest effect (increased risk for 1.6 or less) of obesity in the risk for breast cancer, and this risk seems to be stronger among women who do not use MHT. Moreover, most research has not found a strong link between weight loss and a reduced risk for breast cancer."
Hydration and disease. (J Am Coll Nutr. 2007) "Many diseases have multifactorial origins. There is increasing evidence that mild dehydration plays a role in the development of various morbidities. In this review, effects of hydration status on acute and chronic diseases are depicted …"
Organic Food is Safer and Healthier, Researchers Say "A EU-funded investigation into the difference between organic and ordinary farming has shown that organic foods have far more nutritional value. Up to 40 per cent more antioxidants, which scientists believe can cut the risk of heart disease and cancer, could be found in organic fruit and vegetables than in those conventionally farmed."
Sunlight may cut breast cancer risk for some women "Exposure to sunlight may reduce the risk of advanced breast cancer in women with light skin pigmentation, according to the results of a population-based study appearing in the American Journal of Epidemiology. 'We believe that sunlight helps reduce women's risk of breast cancer because the body manufactures the active form of vitamin D from exposure to sunlight,' lead author Dr. Esther M. John, from the Northern California Cancer Center in Fremont, said in a statement. 'It is possible that these effects were observed only among light-skinned women because sun exposure produces less vitamin D among women with naturally darker pigmentation.' "
Potential role of sugar (fructose) in the epidemic of hypertension, obesity and the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease. (Am J Clin Nutr. 2007) "We revisit an old hypothesis that sugar, particularly excessive fructose intake, has a critical role in the epidemic of cardiorenal disease. We also present evidence that the unique ability of fructose to induce an increase in uric acid may be a major mechanism by which fructose can cause cardiorenal disease."
NEW AAP REPORTS HELP PEDIATRICIANS IDENTIFY AND MANAGE AUTISM EARLIER "Language delays usually prompt parents to raise concerns to their child’s pediatrician – usually around 18 months of age. However, there are earlier subtle signs that if detected could lead to earlier diagnosis. These include: • not turning when the parent says the baby’s name; • not turning to look when the parent points says, “Look at…” and not pointing themselves to show parents an interesting object or event; • lack of back and forth babbling; • smiling late; and • failure to make eye contact with people. Most children, at some time during early development, form attachments with a stuffed animal, special pillow or blanket. Children with ASDs may prefer hard items (ballpoint pens, flashlight, keys, action figures, etc.). They may insist on holding the object at all times. … Early intervention is crucial for effective treatment. The report strongly advises intervention as soon as an ASD diagnosis is seriously considered rather than deferring until a definitive diagnosis is made. The child should be actively engaged in intensive intervention at least 25 hours per week, 12 months per year with a low student-to-teacher ratio allowing for sufficient one-on-one time. … Tantrums, aggressive behaviors, and self-injury are common among children with ASDs, and medical factors may cause or exacerbate these behaviors … the medical issues that some children with ASDs encounter such as seizures, gastrointestinal problems, and sleep disturbance, and provides guidance for medication management."
HPV Beats Pap as Cervical Cancer Test: HPV Test 40% Better at Detecting Precancerous Cells "In a head-to-head comparison study from Canada, DNA testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) was found to be far more accurate than traditional Pap smear testing for detecting precancerous lesions. The HPV test was nearly 40% better at detecting these lesions than the Pap test."
Higher Education Delays Dementia Onset But Is Linked to More Rapid Progression "The investigators found that each additional year of formal education delayed the time of accelerated decline on the SRT by 0.21 years. Postacceleration, the rate of memory decline was increased by 0.10 points per year for each additional year of formal education."
'Superbug' deaths could surpass AIDS "Researchers found that only about one-quarter involved hospitalized patients. However, more than half were in the health care system — people who had recently had surgery or were on kidney dialysis, for example. Open wounds and exposure to medical equipment are major ways the bug spreads. In recent years, the resistant germ has become more common in hospitals and it has been spreading through prisons, gyms and locker rooms, and in poor urban neighborhoods. … A survey earlier this year suggested that MRSA infections, including noninvasive mild forms, affect 46 out of every 1,000 U.S. hospital and nursing home patients — or as many as 5 percent. These patients are vulnerable because of open wounds and invasive medical equipment that can help the germ spread."
MRSA infection (Mayo)
'Safe' Lead Level Too High, Expert Says: Advocate Recommends Cutting Government Standard for Safe Lead Level in Half "The CDC considers lead levels in the blood above 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood to be a concern in children. But some studies have shown harmful effects in children with lead levels measured at or near the current standard."
Spending More For Lung Cancer Treatment Did Not Substantially Increase Patients' Lives "The study by Harvard University, National Cancer Institute, and National Bureau of Economic Research researchers, published in the December 1, 2007 issue of Cancer, finds that average life-expectancy rose by less than one month between 1983 and 1997, while costs rose by over $20,000 per patient. Lung cancer remains the top cause of cancer death in the United States, with an estimated 160,390 deaths expected to occur in 2007."
Obese Children Show Early Signs Of Heart Disease "Those who are overweight during childhood also have an increased risk of obesity in adulthood and are at greater risk for complications such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, because obesity increases total blood volume, which leads to extra stress on the heart."
Patients Should Ask Surgeons About Using Honey To Heal Wounds " 'Honey has a number of properties that make it effective against bacterial growth, including its high sugar content, low moisture content, gluconic acid -- which creates an acidic environment -- and hydrogen peroxide. It has also been shown to reduce inflammation and swelling.' … Studies have suggested that honey should be applied at regular intervals, from hourly to twice daily and that wounds can become sterile in three to 10 days."
CDC seeks to calm schools over ‘superbug’: Best way to fight the bacteria is simply to wash your hands, officials say "The headlines are disturbing — schools closing for disinfection, a 17-year-old dead from a drug-resistant "superbug." But health officials said on Friday it is no new emergency and the best way to deal with the bacteria is simply to wash your hands."
Early Treatment with Prednisolone or Acyclovir in Bell's Palsy (NEJM 2007) "Conclusions In patients with Bell's palsy, early treatment with prednisolone significantly improves the chances of complete recovery at 3 and 9 months. There is no evidence of a benefit of acyclovir given alone or an additional benefit of acyclovir in combination with prednisolone."
FDA warns Viagra tied to hearing loss " … in poring over FDA’s database of possible drug reactions, what struck him was these 29 reports said the hearing loss occurred within hours to two days of taking one of the drugs."
Stretch or not, You’ll be Sore " 'The data were remarkably consistent,' lead researcher Robert Herbert from the School of Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney was quoted as saying. 'The available evidence suggests that stretching before or after exercise does not prevent muscle soreness in young healthy adults.' "
Get hooked on to seafood "AUSTRALIAN children need five times more fish in their diet, an international team of nutrition and health experts says. They say a major dietary shortfall of omega-3 fatty acids is contributing to serious health problems in children."
Lifestyle changes cut breast cancer risk
Drug company ties common in med schools "Nearly two-thirds of academic leaders surveyed at U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals have financial ties to industry, illustrating how pervasive these relationships have become, researchers say. Serving as paid consultants or accepting industry money for free meals and drinks were among the most common practices reported by the heads of academic departments. Drug companies and makers of medical devices often use these connections to influence doctors to use products that aren't necessarily in the patient's best interest, said Eric Campbell, the study's lead author. He is a researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. … But they are dangerous when doctors are so beholden to the company that they withhold safety concerns or push the newest or most expensive products when they aren't necessarily best for the patient, Kassirer said."
Low Lead Exposures Can Hurt Kidneys "Even low levels of lead exposure accelerated chronic kidney disease in rats by raising their blood pressure and hastening certain kinds of cellular damage, U.S. researchers report. Previous studies in workers have found an association between lead exposure and high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), kidney disease and gout."
August - September 2007
Annual Flu Shots May Be of Little Benefit to the Elderly "In most high-income countries, one of the strategies of vaccination policy against influenza is to target people 65 years of age and older in hopes of decreasing the mortality burden of influenza. However, the apparent benefits of this strategy may have been exaggerated by frailty selection bias, in which healthier elderly are vaccinated more often than frail elderly, as well as by the use of all-cause mortality and other nonspecific trial endpoints. When these factors are considered, the authors suggest that the remaining evidence base is at present insufficient to determine the magnitude of the mortality benefit, if any, that influenza vaccination offers the elderly. Few trials demonstrating the efficacy of influenza vaccination have included elderly people, but those that have done so have indicated that clinical benefits and antibody responses decrease as age increases for individuals older than 70 years."
Indoor Air Quality "Thomas P. Lotz, RRT, MEd: There are many sources of indoor air pollution in any home. Pollutants come from building materials, furnishings, asbestos-containing insulation, wet or damp carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products. Products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care, hobbies, central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices also negatively affect indoor air quality. Combustion sources such as oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, and tobacco products are another category of pollutants. Outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution usually result in high indoor levels as well.[1]"
Periodontal disease and risk of myocardial infarction: the role of gender and smoking. (Eur J Epidemiol. 2007) "Conclusions: This study provides evidence of an association between PD and incident MI in both genders. This association appears to be independent from the possible confounding effect of smoking."
Nutritionists: Soda making Americans drink themselves fat "If you're searching for a villain in America's obesity epidemic, most nutritionists tell you to put one picture on the wanted poster: a cold, bubbly glass of soda pop. … "Liquid candy" to detractors, sweetened soft drinks are so ubiquitous that they contribute about 10 percent of the calories in the American diet, according to government data. In fact, said Dr. David Ludwig, a Harvard endocrinologist whose 2001 paper in the Lancet is widely cited by obesity researchers, sweetened drinks are the only specific food that clinical research has directly linked to weight gain."
Sports-Arena Noise Can Damage Hearing "Six minutes of sports-arena noise gives fans 81 times their daily allowable dose of noise."
Tooth loss in elderly linked to mental impairment "It's possible that people with cognitive impairment simply take worse care of their teeth, he added, but there are also mechanisms by which poor dental health itself could harm the brain. 'One message still stands regardless of what caused what,' he said. 'Particular attention may need to be paid to the health and nutrition of people with cognitive impairment because they may also have dental problems.'"
Brits 'dying not to do exercise' "Most UK adults are so unwilling to exercise that not even the threat of an early death is enough to get them off the sofa, a survey suggests. Only 38% of people questioned by YouGov said they would do more exercise if their life depended on it. … Dr David Haslam, clinical director of the National Obesity Forum, said it made for depressing reading but confirmed what had been shown in clinical trials, where even those who had a heart attack did not change their lifestyles. "Children instinctively exercise when left to their own devices, but they don't because they're stopped from doing that by the school curriculum and parents scared of child abductors and murderers lurking on every corner. "So, if it doesn't become a habit, you're not going to work hard to go against the tide and introduce it as an adult." He added that exercise could be incorporated into everyday life."
Do We Really Know What Makes Us Healthy?
Tips to build your muscle mass at any age "In August, the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association updated their physical activity guidelines, encouraging Americans to strength-train at least twice a week and work out all of the major muscle groups on top of regular cardio activity. They now recommend that adults perform eight to 12 reps of eight to 10 exercises on the chest, back, shoulders, upper legs, lower legs and arms, via either free weights, machines or weight-bearing activities. Adults 65 and older should strength-train two to three times a week, doing more reps with lighter weights, taking into account their fitness levels beforehand. "
The potential anti-inflammatory benefits of improving physical fitness in hypertension. (J Hypertens. 2007) "Hypertension is associated with an increased risk of stroke and atherosclerosis. In addition to elevated blood pressure, hypertension is characterized by neuroendocrine and immune activation, including elevated levels of C-reactive protein, inflammatory cytokines, and soluble adhesion molecules, which are predictive of morbidity and mortality outcomes. Pharmacological treatment for hypertension reduces blood pressure, but has limited effectiveness in reducing the accompanying inflammation and its associated morbidity and mortality. … Here, exercise is promoted as a potentially effective treatment for both the elevated blood pressure and chronic inflammation found in hypertension."
Survey Picks 41 Top Hospitals in U.S. "Hospitals in Oakland, Calif., Pittsburgh, Boston, and Seattle were among those singled out by the Leapfrog Group, a group started by corporations and other large employers worried about health care costs. Children's hospitals in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Detroit were also among top scorers."
More Kids Are Suffering Sports Injuries 'No single sport is specifically to blame for the increase in kids' sports injuries. Instead, experts suspect that choosing to play one sport all the time, or playing several sports all at once, are factors leading to what are called overuse injuries. … "Kids are now subject to adult schedules and organizational formats for adult-driven sports. In the past, kids directed the activities in the backyard. Where adults provide schedule and structure, kids may be pushed beyond what they would do on their own. When they play on their own, they take breaks and moderate themselves,' she said."
MDs Don't Issue Pregnancy, Drugs Warning "Doctors aren't doing a very good job of warning young women to avoid getting pregnant when they're taking prescription drugs that can cause birth defects, a new study suggests. Nearly half of the women taking the medicines didn't get counseling from their doctor about using contraceptives or other birth control measures, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center researchers found in a study of nearly 500,000 women. "
As China Roars, Pollution Reaches Deadly Extremes "Public health is reeling. Pollution has made cancer China’s leading cause of death, the Ministry of Health says. Ambient air pollution alone is blamed for hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. Nearly 500 million people lack access to safe drinking water. Chinese cities often seem wrapped in a toxic gray shroud. Only 1 percent of the country’s 560 million city dwellers breathe air considered safe by the European Union. … Environmental woes that might be considered catastrophic in some countries can seem commonplace in China: industrial cities where people rarely see the sun; children killed or sickened by lead poisoning or other types of local pollution; a coastline so swamped by algal red tides that large sections of the ocean no longer sustain marine life."
Human papillomavirus, vaccines and women's health: questions and cautions "Most HPV infections are cleared spontaneously. Recent research using available molecular detection technologies has suggested that clearance occurs within 1 year for about 70% of infected women, and within 2 years for 90%.7 Thus, HPV infection and cervical cancer must not be conflated: cervical cancer will not develop in most women who are infected with even a high-risk strain of HPV. Unfortunately, there are no data on clearance rates among girls, nor even about the actual HPV prevalence rates among youth and children, yet this is critical information for developing, and subsequently evaluating, policy proposals. … We propose a number of general recommendations that should be considered before a universal HPV vaccination program is developed and implemented (Box 1). … Individual girls and women, as well as policy-makers, can make truly informed decisions about vaccinations only when they have all the evidence, and today, there are more questions than answers."
July - August 2007
Sugary drinks may raise uric acid levels in men "High serum uric acid, they explain, has been suggested as a possible risk factor for high blood pressure, heart and vascular disease, as well as metabolic syndrome -- a cluster of risk factors, such as high blood pressure, obesity and high blood sugar levels, that together increase the likelihood of developing heart problems or diabetes."
Association of Back Pain Frequency With Mortality, Coronary Heart Events, Mobility, and Quality of Life in Elderly Women. (Spine. 2007) "CONCLUSION.: Daily back pain is associated with reduced quality of life, mobility and longevity and increased risk of coronary heart events. The adverse health effects of chronic back pain deserve greater recognition."
The Health Benefits of Tea "Indeed, tea is considered a superfood -- whether it's black, green, white, or oolong tea. All those tea types come from the same tea plant, Camellia sinensis. The leaves are simply processed differently. Green tea leaves are not fermented; they are withered and steamed. Black tea and oolong tea leaves undergo crushing and fermenting processes. All teas from the Camellia plant are rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that detoxify cell-damaging free radicals in the body. Tea has about eight to 10 times the polyphenols found in fruits and vegetables. … Catechins, a type of disease-fighting flavonoid and antioxidant, are the keys to tea's health benefits. Here's a tip: The longer you steep the tea, the more flavonoids you'll get in your brew. To get the best tea benefit, some studies suggest drinking three cups each day to cut heart disease risk. Since iced tea is diluted, it's a lighter source of flavonoids -- but it still counts! … Get a clear glass gallon-sized jar: The glass lets the sun in, and doesn't give tea any strange odors or tastes that come from plastic. Use black tea: 16 teabags to make one gallon (16 cups) of sun tea. Find a sunny spot on your patio for your sun tea jar. Let it soak up the sun's rays for about three hours. Remove tea bags."
Incident dementia in women is preceded by weight loss by at least a decade (NEUROLOGY 2007) "Conclusions: Even accounting for delays in diagnosis, weight loss precedes the diagnosis of dementia in women but not in men by several years. This loss may relate to predementia apathy, loss of initiative, and reduced olfactory function."
Older adults with low selenium have weaker muscles "Older adults with low levels of the mineral selenium may be lacking in muscle strength, a new study suggests. Researchers found that in a group of men and women age 65 and up, those with the lowest blood levels of selenium were at greatest risk of poor muscle strength around the hips, knees and hands."
Present-day uses of niacin: effects on lipid and non-lipid parameters. (Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2007) "Raising HDL-C levels with lifestyle changes and pharmacologic interventions appear to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease beyond that of lowering LDL-C alone. Niacin has a substantial HDL-C raising effect, and also may beneficially alter total cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride levels. Niacin also exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other beneficial effects on atherosclerosis. Niacin is safe and effective to use in women, in patients with diabetes mellitus and/or metabolic syndrome, and when used in combination with statins."
Fish Oil May Help Keep Inflammation at Bay "Eating fish oil, rather than vegetable oil, is a better means of managing the amount of inflammatory chemicals called prostanoids in the body, researchers report.…"
Nutritional intervention in brain aging: reducing the effects of inflammation and oxidative stress. (Subcell Biochem. 2007) "Epidemiological studies have shown that consumption of diets rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, such as those found in fruits and vegetables, may lower the risk of developing age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Research from our laboratory suggests that dietary supplementation with fruit or vegetable extracts can decrease the age-enhanced vulnerability to oxidative stress and inflammation. Additional research suggests that the polyphenolic compounds found in fruits such as blueberries may exert their beneficial effects through signal transduction and neuronal communication. Thus, nutritional intervention may exert therapeutic protection against age-related deficits and neurodegenerative diseases."
Health insurance didn’t keep cancer-stricken California woman solvent (USA health insurance issues) " 'When the illness began ... they were floored,' she said. 'They assumed incorrectly that if you have health insurance that you’re fine and that you’ll get the treatment that you’ll need and not have to mortgage the farm to pay for it.' … 'We see it all the time in our practice,' said William Shernoff, who said insurance companies often leave patients on their own to deal with medical providers who bill too much. 'None of these carriers go out of their way to help these people. They’re just looking after their own interests, and they don’t seem to have any consumer-friendly people out there trying to assist their customers. They take the first opportunity they can to get rid of any problems, especially if it’s going to cost them money.'"
Diets With High Omega-6:Omega-3 Ratios Enhance Risk for Depression, Inflammatory Disease "In a recent small study, older adults who had diets high in omega-6 fatty acids and low in omega-3 fatty acids had high levels of proinflammatory cytokines; this was especially true when they had coexisting depressive symptoms. … The group writes that in addition, the fatty acid composition of the Western diet changed "dramatically" after 1913, when refined vegetable oil, a major source of omega-6 fatty acids, entered the diet (in the form of margarine, etc), and there was also a decrease in the consumption of foods high in omega-3 fatty acid such as fish, wild game, nuts, seeds, and green, leafy vegetables. Whereas the early hunter-gatherers had a dietary omega-6:omega-3 ratio of 2:1 to 3:1, this ratio is now 15:1 to 17:1 in North America today. It is believed that these dietary changes might be related to increases in inflammatory-related diseases, including depression and cardiovascular disease, the group writes."
Diet and Fitness: A Proven Path to Heart Health "Eating healthfully and exercising regularly can sharply lower your risk of death from cardiovascular disease -- the leading cause of death in the United States -- and type 2 diabetes, a major risk factor for heart disease. That's the uplifting word from Dr. Walter Willett, chairman of the Harvard School of Public Health's department of nutrition. … suggests that better lifestyles habits could prevent 80 percent of heart disease and 90 percent of type 2 diabetes. … Willett maintains that staggering reductions in disease risk are achievable -- and with fairly modest changes. For instance, he suggests that switching from highly refined to whole grain breads and cereals is one way to improve your odds against these diseases…. He also recommends eating fish twice a week and choosing from a variety of fish, including tuna, cod and salmon; keeping red meat consumption to a minimum; and eliminating trans fats. Smokers must give up cigarettes to cut their risk for heart disease, too. And even moderate amounts of exercise can make a difference in a person's body mass index, a ratio of weight to height that is useful in assessing whether a person is at a healthy weight."
Toy Recall: What Parents Should Know
Extreme Heat Hits Elderly Harder "Due to age-related physical changes, older adults can't cool down as well as younger adults, says the American Geriatric Society's Foundation for Health in Aging. Older people may not feel as hot when temperatures are dangerously high, and they are also less likely to feel thirsty, even when they're almost dehydrated, the experts say. These and other factors mean that extreme heat can lead to serious health problems and increased risk of death for older adults."
Thermoregulation during Exercise in the Heat : Strategies for Maintaining Health and Performance. (Sports Med. 2007) "Fortunately, there are a number of strategies that athletes can use to prevent and/or reduce the dangers that are associated with exercise in the heat. In this regard, heat acclimatisation and nutritional intervention seem to be most effective. During heat acclimatisation, the temperature thresholds for both cutaneous vasodilation and the onset of sweating are lowered, which, in combination with plasma volume expansion, improve cardiovascular stability. Effective nutritional interventions include the optimisation of hydration status by the use of fluid replacement beverages. The latter should contain moderate amounts of glucose and sodium, which improve both water absorption and retention."
June - July 2007
Preventing food allergy in children
Some polyunsaturated fats may protect the colon "People with the highest level of omega-3 PUFAs in their diets had 37-percent lower odds of colorectal cancer compared with people with the lowest level. "The omega-3 fatty acids that had the strongest associations were the ones present in oily fish -- eicosapentaenoic acids and docosahexaenoic," … The odds of colorectal cancer was 41 percent lower in people with the highest docosahexaenoic intake and 37 percent lower in those with the highest eicosapentaenoic acids intake, compared with people with the lowest intake of these individual PUFAs."
The Spread of Obesity in a Large Social Network over 32 Years (NEJM 2007) "A person's chances of becoming obese increased by 57% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6 to 123) if he or she had a friend who became obese in a given interval. Among pairs of adult siblings, if one sibling became obese, the chance that the other would become obese increased by 40% (95% CI, 21 to 60). If one spouse became obese, the likelihood that the other spouse would become obese increased by 37% (95% CI, 7 to 73). … The spread of obesity in social networks appears to be a factor in the obesity epidemic. Yet the relevance of social influence also suggests that it may be possible to harness this same force to slow the spread of obesity. Network phenomena might be exploited to spread positive health behaviors,34,35,36 in part because people's perceptions of their own risk of illness may depend on the people around them.37 Smoking- and alcohol-cessation programs and weight-loss interventions that provide peer support — that is, that modify the person's social network — are more successful than those that do not.34,35,38,39 People are connected, and so their health is connected.40,41 … Conclusions Network phenomena appear to be relevant to the biologic and behavioral trait of obesity, and obesity appears to spread through social ties."
Better Grasp of Health Info May Boost Life Span "Being better able to read and understand health-related information might help you live longer, a new study finds. "Inadequate health literacy is associated with less knowledge of chronic disease and worse self-management skills for patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, asthma and heart failure," concluded a team from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago. "
Health Literacy and Mortality Among Elderly Persons (Arch Intern Med. 2007) "Background Individuals with low levels of health literacy have less health knowledge, worse self-management of chronic disease, lower use of preventive services, and worse health in cross-sectional studies. We sought to determine whether low health literacy levels independently predict overall and cause-specific mortality. … Conclusions Inadequate health literacy, as measured by reading fluency, independently predicts all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death among community-dwelling elderly persons. Reading fluency is a more powerful variable than education for examining the association between socioeconomic status and health."
Magnesium intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis (Journal of Internal Medicine 2007) "Conclusions. Magnesium intake was inversely associated with incidence of type 2 diabetes. This finding suggests that increased consumption of magnesium-rich foods such as whole grains, beans, nuts, and green leafy vegetables may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes."
FDA Renews Castleberry's Chili Warning "A list of recalled products, which includes brands such as Castleberry's, Bunker Hill, Austex, Big Y, Lowes Foods, Kroger and Piggly Wiggly, can be found at http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/castleberry.html#recall. "This is a very big recall," said David K. Elder of the FDA's Office of Regulatory Affairs. The four people known to be affected so far ate chili sauce produced during two days in May. The responsible production plant, in Augusta, Ga., produced as many as 10,000 24-can cases per day, and the cans are labeled as having a shelf life of two years."
Reducing the Population Burden of Cardiovascular Disease by Reducing Sodium Intake (Arch Intern Med. 2007) "Leading scientific organizations and governmental agencies advise limiting sodium intake to 2400 mg or less daily (approximately 6000 mg of salt). Substantial public health benefits accrue from small reductions in the population blood pressure distribution. A 1.3-g/d lower lifetime sodium intake translates into an approximately 5–mm Hg smaller rise in systolic blood pressure as individuals advance from 25 to 55 years of age, a reduction estimated to save 150 000 lives annually. With an appropriate food industry response, combined with consumer education and knowledgeable use of food labels, the average consumer should be able to choose a lower-sodium diet without inconvenience or loss of food enjoyment."
China’s not the sole source of tainted imports "Mexican cantaloupe irrigated with water from sewage-tainted rivers. Candy laced with lead. Chinese toothpaste is not the only concern for U.S. consumers wary of the health risks posed by imported goods. Producers in other developing nations are big violators of basic food safety standards, even as they woo consumers with a growing appetite for foods like pickled mangoes from India and winter-season fruits and vegetables from Mexico. … Candy makers are still major violators, making up at least 15 percent of the FDA’s June rejections for Mexico after inspectors determined that shipments were filthy, unsafe or contained pesticides. In the same month, FDA inspectors determined that four shipments of oral electrolyte solution — used to treat dehydration in children with acute diarrhea or vomiting — contained unsafe coloring and false labeling. While the products carried the name of Abbott Laboratories of Mexico, a spokeswoman for the Chicago-based company, Tracey Noe, said it had not been notified of any product rejection and noted that products are sometimes counterfeited or diverted for sale to the wrong country."
Hostility linked to artery-clogging plaque "People who seem to always be looking for a fight may find themselves at greater risk of heart disease, a new study suggests. Researchers found that adults whose spouses rated them high on the "antagonism" scale were more likely to have calcium build-up in their heart arteries, an indicator of artery-clogging plaque. The relationship was mainly apparent in older, rather than middle-aged, adults."
Study explains the physiologic benefits of diet and exercise "Insulin sends a vital signal in the body, telling cells to use sugar from the blood. When cells become less sensitive to insulin, which often happens as we age and gain weight, the body makes more insulin to compensate. For a long time, researchers thought that "more insulin signaling was good," … But this insulin is also hammering the brain, and we now think that's probably a bad thing." … Recent studies in the worm C. elegans and in fruit flies have shown that reducing insulin signaling lengthens lifespan. But in mammals, reducing insulin signaling can lead to fatal diabetes. White suspected that the key to explaining this paradox -- and to maximizing both health and longevity -- is to reduce insulin signaling only in the brain. … The easiest method, White says, is old-fashioned diet and exercise. Although obesity and sedentary lifestyles tune down the body's sensitivity to insulin, exercise tunes it back up. Furthermore, eating smaller meals keeps insulin low in the bloodstream, ensuring that less reaches the brain."
Omega-3 Fatty acids and athletics. (Curr Sports Med Rep. 2007) "Excessive radical formation and trauma during high-intensity exercise leads to an inflammatory state that is made worse by the increased amount of y-6 fatty acids in Western diets, although this can be counteracted by eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). For the majority of athletes, especially those at the leisure level, general guidelines should include EPA and DHA of about 1 to 2 g/d at a ratio of EPA:DHA of 2:1."
Social and Communication Development in Toddlers With Early and Later Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2007) "Results Social, communication, and play behavior in the early-diagnosis group differed from that in all other groups by 14 months of age."
The Toxic Republic " … tells of monstrous abuses: soy sauce bulked up with arsenic-tainted human hair; hormone-infused snack foods that grow facial hair on 6-year-old boys and breasts on 7-year-old girls; dangerous drugs fed to pigs to make their meat look better. … the first head of China's State Food and Drug Administration, was sentenced to death in May for approving fake medicines in exchange for bribes. And at the factories whose chemical melamine was implicated in at least 16 U.S. pet deaths, two managers have been jailed."
Niacin in cardiovascular prevention: mechanisms, efficacy, and safety. Hyperlipidaemia and cardiovascular disease (Current Opinion in Lipidology. 2007) "Although niacin induces insulin resistance, deterioration of glycemic control in diabetes is usually minor, and there is no evidence of increased incidence of new onset diabetes. Hepatic toxicity is common with higher doses of sustained-release niacin but rare with immediate-release and extended-release niacin at doses up to 2000 mg/day. … Summary: Recently developed understanding of the mechanisms, efficacy, and safety of niacin, along with progress in reducing the chief side effect of flushing, should enhance the use of this valuable agent for cardiovascular prevention."
May - June 2007
Fructose-Sweetened Drinks Tougher on Arteries "The type of sugar in a sugary drink may impact how healthy -- or unhealthy -- it is for arteries, a new study suggests. Fructose-sweetened drinks are more likely to provoke the development of fatty artery deposits in overweight adults than glucose-sweetened beverages, researchers say. "
Prenatal omega-3 may boost baby's brainpower "Children whose mothers get enough omega-3 fatty acid during pregnancy may have sharper problem-solving skills in infancy, a small study suggests. Researchers found that 9-month-olds whose mothers had eaten DHA-fortified bars during pregnancy performed better on a test of problem-solving abilities than infants whose mothers had not added DHA to their diets. DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid, is one of the major omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish like salmon, sardines and tuna. Because of the fat's vital role in brain development, experts recommend that pregnant women get 300 milligrams (mg) of DHA each day. However, research shows that few U.S. women meet this goal. "
Study paints picture of rampant "superbug" "People colonized with MRSA typically carry it in their nose without being symptomatic. They're at risk of passing the superbug on to others unknowingly, by wiping their nose and then touching a table that a doctor or nurse later touches, for instance. MRSA can live on surfaces for days or even weeks. … It found that 34 of every 1,000 patients in the survey had active MRSA infections and that 12 were colonized with the superbug, for a total prevalence rate of 46 per 1,000 patients. … There is considerable uncertainty about the true mortality rate associated with MRSA, however, and it may be as high as 10 percent, said Dr. Lance Peterson, director of infectious-disease research at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare in Evanston, Ill. Using the new estimates, that suggests as many as 119,000 hospital patients each year may be felled by the superbug."
Fish Oil Might Slow Prostate Cancer "According to Chen, the study suggests that diets high in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids might give men an edge against prostate cancer. But not everyone is convinced. 'Recent large reviews and meta-analyses tend to suggest no major effects of fish [intake] on cancer risk,' said Paul Terry, assistant professor in the department of epidemiology at the Emory University School of Public Health, in Atlanta. … For his part, Chen said it's important that consumers realize that not all omega-3s are created equal in terms of their potential health benefits. 'In this study, we are only referring to the long-chain form' found in oily fish, such as mackerel, herring, albacore tuna and salmon, he said. Other, shorter-chain varieties can be found in flaxseed and plant sources, but their impact, if any, on cancer is even less clear."
Cancer Treatments From the Kitchen: New research shows that flaxseed and ginseng have something to offer patients. Shark cartilage, however, comes up short. "Nutritionists and alternative-medicine practitioners alike are enamored of flaxseed. High in omega-3 fatty acids, it also has "800 times more lignan than anything else you could stick in your mouth," says Duke University cancer researcher Wendy Demark-Wahnefried. Lignan, a chemical found in the cell walls of plants, binds to testosterone in the body—and in many prostate-cancer patients, testosterone is what fuels tumor growth. Researchers have often suspected that lignan might stop prostate tumor cells from multiplying out of control. Before starting her most recent research, Demark-Wahnefried says, her team "put a man with rising [prostate-specific antigen or PSA] levels on flaxseed, and in three months his PSA had halved and his cancer cells were shrinking."
Omega-3 supplements affect Alzheimer's symptoms "Omega-3 supplements can, in certain cases, help combat the depression and agitation symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a clinical study conducted at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet. A number of epidemiological studies have shown that eating fatty fish provides a certain degree of protection against Alzheimer’s and other dementia diseases—an effect often thought attributable to the omega-3 fatty acids it contains. Some studies also suggest that omega-3 can have a therapeutic effect on some psychiatric conditions. … The team points out that no general therapeutic recommendations can be made from the results until larger studies on individuals with more pronounced neuropsychiatric symptoms are conducted."
Association of Low Bone Mineral Density With Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Use by Older Men (Arch Intern Med. 2007) "Conclusions In this population of men, BMD was lower among those reporting current SSRI use, but not among users of other antidepressants. Further research is needed to confirm this finding in light of widespread SSRI use and potentially important clinical implications."
Use of Antidepressants and Rates of Hip Bone Loss in Older Women (Arch Intern Med. 2007) "Conclusion Use of SSRIs but not TCAs is associated with an increased rate of bone loss at the hip in this cohort of older women."
Elderly may benefit from balance training "With a special training program, elderly people can learn better balance control, which may lessen their risk of falling, according to a new report. Doctors might be hesitant to recommend balance-training exercises 'that can be very challenging for their older clients,' Dr. Brian E. Maki told Reuters Health. However, 'provided proper safety measures are taken (such as wearing a safety harness), older adults are often willing and able to complete exercises that challenge their balance, such as the perturbation-based program described in our paper.' The perturbation-based balance training program developed by Maki at the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada and colleagues helps the elderly learn how to restore balance or respond by grasping a support when their center of gravity or their stance is displaced."
Drowning in germs "VICTORIAN homes and food outlets are swarming with harmful bacteria, an investigation has found. Germs are lurking on dinner tables in homes, restaurants and takeaway outlets, tests have shown. The Sunday Herald Sun conducted microbiological tests and found the dangerous E coli bacteria on tables and floors of homes, restaurants, city food outlets and suburban takeaways. This comes as the number of cases of enteric or gastrointestinal illnesses has risen in Victoria. … It is estimated that there are five million cases of food poisoning in Australia each year."
As More Toys Are Recalled, Trail Ends in China "The latest recall, announced last week, involves 1.5 million Thomas & Friends trains and rail components — about 4 percent of all those sold in the United States over the last two years by RC2 Corporation of Oak Brook, Ill. The toys were coated at a factory in China with lead paint, which can damage brain cells, especially in children. Just in the last month, a ghoulish fake eyeball toy made in China was recalled after it was found to be filled with kerosene. Sets of toy drums and a toy bear were also recalled because of lead paint, and an infant wrist rattle was recalled because of a choking hazard. … Among the toy recalls, the problem is most acute with low-price, no-brand-name toys that are often sold at dollar stores and other deep discounters, which are manufactured and sent to the United States often without the involvement of major American toy importers. Last year, China also was the source of 81 percent of the counterfeit goods seized by Customs officials at ports of entry in the United States — products that typically are not made according to the standards on the labels they are copying."
Bogus ingredients put consumers’ health at risk "American consumers are being ripped off and their health possibly put at risk because of bogus ingredients slipped into imports ranging from toothpaste to dietary supplements. Suppliers who substitute cheaper ingredients for the real thing seldom get busted because the government and private labs review few of the products flooding in. Recent bouts of bad ingredients in pet food and toothpaste showed how suppliers can fool the limited safety checks. … Multiple private labs that test supply quality have in recent years found a hodgepodge of pills lacking advertised ingredients, including chondroitin, saw palmetto, bilberry and coenzyme Q-10. Each is relatively expensive and many are supplied by China, a country with a long tradition of herbal remedies and a history of poor food safety. … Firms with a reputation for quality say they invest in finding reliable sources and even then test all the supplies because some batches will inevitably be bad. “We do this to prevent injury to our customers or surprises,” said Lon Heiner, who oversees quality control at Utah-based Nature’s Way Products, Inc. “When companies don’t do that, sooner or later they’re going to have problems. And the consequences of that have a tremendous cost.” "
April - May 2007
Traffic and outdoor air pollution levels near residences and poorly controlled asthma in adults. (Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2007) "CONCLUSIONS: Heavy traffic and high air pollution levels near residences are associated with poorly controlled asthma."
Resistance exercise reverses aging in human skeletal muscle. (PLoS ONE. 2007) "Human aging is associated with skeletal muscle atrophy and functional impairment (sarcopenia). Multiple lines of evidence suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction is a major contributor to sarcopenia. We evaluated whether healthy aging was associated with a transcriptional profile reflecting mitochondrial impairment and whether resistance exercise could reverse this signature to that approximating a younger physiological age. … We conclude that healthy older adults show evidence of mitochondrial impairment and muscle weakness, but that this can be partially reversed at the phenotypic level, and substantially reversed at the transcriptome level, following six months of resistance exercise training."
Fish oil urged for heart patients "Doctors are being advised to prescribe oily fish or omega-3 fatty acid supplements to heart attack patients. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) believes this is an effective way to cut the risk of further heart attacks. It is the first time NICE has recommended lifestyle change - alongside drugs - in guidance on preventing repeat attacks."
Diastolic Blood Pressure and Mortality in the Elderly With Cardiovascular Disease. (Hypertension. 2007) "An "optimal" diastolic pressure of 70 mm Hg in subjects with isolated systolic hypertension was found. We showed that, in the frail elderly, a value of diastolic blood pressure [less than or equal to] 60 mm Hg is associated with reduced survival, independent from large artery stiffness and left ventricular function, suggesting that more rational antihypertensive therapy, not only based on systolic pressure level, is needed."
Hot Water Wash Rids Laundry of Allergens: Study "Doing your laundry in hot water -- 60 degrees C (140 degrees F) -- kills 100 percent of allergy-causing dust mites, compared to 6.5 percent of dust mites when using warm water -- 40 degrees C (104 degrees F), South Korean researchers find. Hot water is also more effective at ridding laundry of other allergens such as dog dander and pollen, according to lead researcher Jung-Won Park of Yonsei University in Seoul. He also offered an effective alternative to using hot water -- wash laundry at a lower temperature (between 30-40 degrees C -- 86-104 degrees F), and then rinse the laundry in cold water twice, for three minutes each time."
From China to Panama, a Trail of Poisoned Medicine "The syrupy poison, diethylene glycol, is an indispensable part of the modern world, an industrial solvent and prime ingredient in some antifreeze. … Over the years, the poison has been loaded into all varieties of medicine — cough syrup, fever medication, injectable drugs — a result of counterfeiters who profit by substituting the sweet-tasting solvent for a safe, more expensive syrup, usually glycerin, commonly used in drugs, food, toothpaste and other products. … The counterfeit glycerin passed through three trading companies on three continents, yet not one of them tested the syrup to confirm what was on the label. Along the way, a certificate falsely attesting to the purity of the shipment was repeatedly altered, eliminating the name of the manufacturer and previous owner. As a result, traders bought the syrup without knowing where it came from, or who made it. With this information, the traders might have discovered — as The Times did — that the manufacturer was not certified to make pharmaceutical ingredients. An examination of the two poisoning cases last year — in Panama and earlier in China — shows how China’s safety regulations have lagged behind its growing role as low-cost supplier to the world. It also demonstrates how a poorly policed chain of traders in country after country allows counterfeit medicine to contaminate the global market."
Risks and Benefits of Exercise Reviewed in AHA Statement "A key point, said Dr. Thompson, is that doctors and allied healthcare professionals, while advocating regular physical activity, must keep in mind that some patients may not benefit from exercise. 'We always talk about the fact that exercise and physical activity has benefits, and that in adults, even if they have mild underlying heart disease or coronary atherosclerosis, the benefits of exercise outweigh the risks, and that's where most of the evidence lies,' he explained. 'But as we mention in this statement, some situations aren't improved by vigorous exercise, things like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and anomalous coronary arteries. That's pretty obvious when you think about it, but it's an addition that hasn't been made before. The simple point that some doctors and cardiologists should take from this is that there are some groups who simply don't benefit from being engaged in vigorous exercise.' "
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