May 2010

CDC advice on contraception for women with weight-loss surgery, medical conditions ATLANTA — U.S. health officials have for the first time released contraception safety guidelines for more than one million women who have had weight-loss surgery or have certain medical conditions.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, released Friday, say it's safe for women with medical conditions to use most contraceptives.

But the CDC issued some warnings, including some concerning birth control pills, the most popular form of contraception for American women. The pill may be less effective for women who have had one kind of weight-loss surgery because the procedure may leave them less able to absorb the active ingredient.

Another warning: Some women with inflammatory bowel disease have a higher risk of blood clots. Those women generally should not use the estrogen-containing form of the pill, which may further increase their risk.

The CDC borrowed from international guidelines, but also wrote new advice for women with certain conditions more common in the United States, such as inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

CDC officials say women should talk to their doctors with questions about contraception.

About half of U.S. pregnancies are unintended, according to CDC statistics.

Many doctors may have felt uncomfortable prescribing contraception to women with some of these conditions, said Dr. Herbert Peterson, a University of North Carolina professor of maternal and child health.

But the new guidelines should answer doctors' questions about potential risks from certain forms of birth control. That, in turn, may make it easier for more women to get birth control, added Peterson, who led a panel of experts that helped CDC write the guidelines.

Online CDC

source: cdc.gov

Drinking fountains shortage 'bad for child health'

Children's Food Campaign finds 11% of parks have fountain, and claims children turning to sugary drinks as a result

Erected by philanthropists in the 19th century to improve the nation's health and give thirsty workers an alternative to ale, public drinking fountains used to be a common feature of cities.

But now their numbers have dwindled to such a degree that campaigners fear children are turning to tooth-rotting sugary drinks instead of drinking water.

Researchers for the Children's Food Campaign, part of the Sustain alliance, say just 11% of 140 parks visited had a drinking fountain; of those only two-thirds had fountains that were working and just eight had all their fountains in operation. Yet the survey found a majority of people happy to use drinking fountains.

Starting a campaign for drinking water in all public green spaces, the group says fountains are crucial in encouraging people to buy fewer bottles of mineral water, and for reducing waste plastic and carbon emissions from transporting water.

Backed by Friends of the Earth, the BMA, and the National Union of Teachers, the group is calling on local authorities to install and repair fountains.

The group's Christine Haigh said: "Health professionals say water is the best thing for children to drink yet we make it hard by failing to provide fountains in parks. Drinking fountains are a cheap, easy way of improving public health … the Victorians were way ahead of us on this."

Christine Blower, general secretary of the NUT, said: "It is tragic that even in the handful of parks that have drinking fountains so few are actually working, meaning that children can turn to expensive and unhealthy sugary drinks."Friends of the Earth's executive director, Andy Atkins, said: "Refilling a re-usable bottle at a drinking fountain is an easy way for all of us to minimise waste and cut our carbon footprints."

In London, the Metropolitan Free Drinking Fountain Association paved the way with water provision in 1859 erecting a public drinking fountain at the boundary wall of St Sepulchre's church on Snow Hill. As philanthropists saw the importance of the work and began to contribute funds, fountains sprang up around the city, and within 11 years there were 140. Later the temperance movement put up many of the fountains near pubs.

Peter Brown, chair of the Fountain Society, put the demise of fountains down to the cost of their maintenance and a mistaken belief, begun when bottled water first arrived about 20 years ago, that drinking water was less safe. Both these notions had to be overcome as climate change became an increasingly pressing issue, he said. "The Victorians had it absolutely right. The obvious answer is to have more drinking fountains."

source: guardian

What does marijuana do to the growing brain? An Allstate Insurance advertisement suggests that teenagers are missing part of their brain.

And while any parent can probably say that is true, Great Falls neurological surgeon Paul Gorsuch said there is scientific evidence that shows that your brain is not fully developed until you are in your early 20s, usually around age 23.

"While the overall size of the brain does not change much during adolescence, relative amounts of different components, nerve connections, nerve growth, and brain chemical transmitters are all maturing," Gorsuch said.

The frontal cortex of the brain is where all these changes are happening. It's the last brain region to fully develop. This scientific evidence explains a lot about teenager's behaviors, because the frontal cortex is responsible for executive functions including logic, decision making, abstract reasoning, evaluating options, weighing probabilities and determining risks.

If you change the development of your frontal lobes, it is likely those abilities you have will be diminished from what you might have been, but much has gone unproven, explained Gorsuch.

When a person smokes marijuana, the chemical binds to special cannabanoid receptors, many of which are in the frontal cortex of the brain.

When the drug locks to the receptor, it creates a series of complex reactions.

"Any chemical that has an effect on our brain — sugar, narcotics, nicotine, the cannabinoids in marijuana, adrenaline — create that effect by binding or docking to a receptor," Gorsuch said. "In the case of narcotics, one of the ultimate results is that we may 'feel' less pain."

Cannabanoid receptors are present in the body at only 14 days gestation, which means they are crucial for telling nerves where to go, what to make, what to do and what to connect to, Gorsuch said.

"Basic science says that these are important in how the brain develops," he said.

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Brush your teeth twice a day to prevent heart problems

Brushing your teeth twice a day could save you from a heart attack.

Scientists say those who fail to keep their teeth clean have a higher chance of suffering heart problems.

It is well established that having gum disease makes you more prone to heart disease, but this is the first time a link has been made with brushing habits.

A study found that those who never or rarely brush their teeth are 70 per cent more likely to suffer heart disease than those who brush twice a day.

Previously, researchers have found that poor dental hygiene and bleeding gums can allow up to 700 types of bacteria to get into the bloodstream, increasing the risk of a heart attack regardless of how healthy the person is.

Bacteria entering the bloodstream may activate the immune system, making artery walls inflamed and narrowed, or attach directly to fatty deposits already present in the arteries, causing further narrowing.

In the latest study, researchers from University College London analysed data for more than 11,000 people with an average age of 50 taking part in the Scottish Health Survey.

Participants were asked how often they visited their dentist and how often they brushed their teeth, and medical histories were taken.

Just over six out of ten (62 per cent) visited their dentist every six months while 71 per cent said they brushed their teeth twice a day.

Over the next eight years, there were 555 cases of serious heart problems, of which 170 were fatal, says a report published online in the British Medical Journal.

The experts found that those who never or rarely brushed their teeth were 70 per cent more likely to suffer heart disease than those who brushed twice a day.

This held true even when factors likely to influence the results, such as obesity and smoking, were taken into account. Poor oral-hygiene was also linked to low-grade inflammation in the blood.

Researcher Professor Richard Watt said: 'Our results confirmed and further strengthened the suggested association between oral hygiene and the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Furthermore inflammatory markers were significantly associated with a very simple measure of poor oral health behaviour.

'Future experimental studies will be needed to confirm whether the observed association between oral health behaviour and cardiovascular-disease is in fact causal or merely a risk marker.'

Professor Damien Walmsley, scientific adviser to the British Dental Association, said: 'There are several studies linking a wide range of health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and even dementia, to poor oral health.

'However, further research is necessary to confirm whether these findings are just coincidental or have a definite cause and effect.

'Whatever the true position is, we can say with certainty that if people-brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, visit the dentist regularly and restrict sugary snacks to mealtimes, this will go a long way towards keeping their teeth and gums in a healthy state for life.'

First it was ghastly orange fake tan. Now Peaches Geldof has continued her Hollywood make-over with a set of blindingly white teeth.

Miss Geldof, 21, debuted her dazzling new gnashers in London on Wednesday night -fittingly, at a launch for Ray-Ban sunglasses.

A dental expert said it appeared she was using veneers, where a thin layer of porcelain is placed over the existing teeth.

These can cost around £9,000 and last for up to ten years. The socialite, who was also sporting an unusual medieval-style chain headdress, was in the UK for a short visit.

She has been staying in Los Angeles where she is trying to launch her career and is dating American actor and director Eli Roth.

source: dailymail

Healthy Diet Foods That Enhances Digestion At Night

The type of food which enhances digestion at night time is what you call as night foods. These are foods that grow either underground or under water. There are only few foods that re listed because dinner must be a lighter meal.

Tips

Seafoods: Consists of abalone, all fish except trout, lobster, scallop, shrimp.

Vegetables: artichoke, asparagus, bamboo shoots, beets,celery root, dulce, garlic, ginger root, kelp, leek, lotus root, mushrooms, onions, parsnips, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, sea cucumber, sweet potatoes, turnip, water chestnuts, yams.

Fruits: pineapple, prickly pear cactus

Oils: garlic oil, ghee, peanut oil

Nuts: peanuts

Brown rice is also considered as a neutral food which can be eaten all day. All mushrooms, asparagus and potatoes really require cooking to avoid it's toxicity.

Below are the lists of food that you can eat at night:

Eat cereal and drink milk

Raw veggies or fresh fruits like banana or strawberry

Yogurts that are low in fat

Cranberry juice

Stay away from processed canned food

Oatmeal or a slice of two whole grain or wheat bread about 33gms.

A spoonful of greaseless nuts and 1 banana cracker

Avoid foods that contains proteins because it would take 6 hours to consume protein in the body.

Do not sleep on an empty stomach. However, do no eat heavy meals at night because it will cause you to gain weight and pose great risk to your health and body. In that way,you will be able to maintain a healthy body and maintain your weight that you have tried to work on for a long period of time.

New Technique Fights Brain Tumors in Children

Addison Keegan, 2, who has undergone proton beam therapy for a brain tumor. (CBS)

Addison Keegan is barely 2 and already a survivor. She had emergency surgery to remove a brain tumor four months ago. Now, her parents are trying a promising treatment in hopes her tumor doesn't grow back.

"Just watching her and playing with her every day knowing we're doing what we can," said Kyle Keegan, Addison's father.

Addison was healthy, developing normally, until violent flu symptoms lead to a devastating diagnosis in February: a brain tumor, called an Ependymoma, was lodged in her brain stem. Neurosurgeons removed as much as they could and luckily, it was benign.

To kill residual tumor cells, instead of traditional radiation, Addison is undergoing "proton beam therapy," reports CNN Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a CBS News contributor.

"This is going to be the standard of the future for pediatric brain tumors," said Dr. Robert Lustig, the director of radiation oncology at the University of Pennsylvania Hosptial.

Normal radiation goes through the tumor into healthy tissue and may cause collateral damage to vision, hearing, growth and learning. Proton beam therapy delivers higher doses of radiation which stop just beyond the tumor and theoretically cause less damage to healthy brain tissue.

"We were pretty confident in our decision this was going to minimize the side effects - and that was one of our main concerns," said Kelly Keegan, Addison's mother.

The room where Addison gets her treatment has an area called the gantry. It spins 360 degrees so protons can be delivered from multiple different angles. Those protons come from the cyclotron and come through the snout. The goal is to position those beams to within one millimeter of her tumor.

It could make a big difference in Addison's brain.

"I anticipate for this little girl and many others - the less we radiate of normal brain, the better off we're going to be," said Dr. Peter Phillips with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Proton therapy has been used on adults for years. This center is the first dedicated to children. It is expensive, averaging about $100,000 - three times more than traditional radiation. It may take a decade to gather conclusive evidence it works.

"It's better for medicine if we study it over the long run - particularly with such an expensive form of technology," said Dr. Edward Halperin, the dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Louisville.

At the end of 30 treatments, Addison is bright and focused, showing no side effects.

"She's running around, just like she was - this is as good as I imagined it would be," said Kelly Keegan.

Right now, Addison's brain scan looks good. There's no residual tumor. She'll have the scans every three months, and gradually every six months and then annually to make sure her tumor hasn't returned.

The treatment is expensive - and insurance companies pay for it on a case-by-case basis. Proton therapies are covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Proton centers usually work with families to work out insurance strategies.

The most common reasons for heart failure The most common causes of heart failure are coronary artery disease, hypertension or high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Heart failure is a condition in which a problem with the structure or function of the heart impairs its ability to supply sufficient blood flow to meet the body's needs.

Common causes of heart failure include myocardial infarction and other forms of ischemic heart disease, hypertension, valvular heart ,disease,cardiomyopathy and diabetes.

Heart failure can cause a large variety of symptoms such as shortness of breath (typically worse when lying flat, which is called orthopnea), coughing, ankle swelling and reduced exercise capacity. Heart failure is often undiagnosed due to a lack of a universally agreed definition and challenges in definitive diagnosis. Treatment commonly consists of lifestyle measures (such as decreased salt intake) and medications, and sometimes devices or even surgery.

Brain Cells May Serve as Clot-Busters Researchers report that they've discovered how tiny blood vessels remove blood clots from the brain in mice -- a finding that could help scientists gain a better understanding of how to treat people who suffer from Alzheimer's disease and stroke.

Removing clots and other blockages in the brain is crucial to allow blood to flow unimpeded, since blockages can lead to a shortage of oxygen, damaged communication between nerve cells and eventual cell death.

In the new study, researchers at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine used scanning technology to examine tiny blood vessels -- known as microvessels-- in the brains of mice. They discovered that cells in the walls of the vessels restore blocked blood flow by sealing off the blockages and removing them.

The blood vessels of older mice weren't as easily able to remove the blockages in the brain.

"The reduced efficiency of this protective mechanism in the older brain and its effect on the function of nerve cells in the brain may significantly contribute to age-related cognitive decline," researcher Suzana Petanceska, of the National Institute on Aging's Division of Neuroscience, which paid for the research, said in a news release.

"This may also be part of the mechanism by which vascular risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease with age," she added.

The findings appear online May 26 in the journal Nature.

SOURCE: health.usnews

New human fuel cell powered by air, sugar Washington,: You can soon power your body, your mind, and your implants by the air you breathe and the food you eat-researchers have successfully implanted the first sugar-and-oxygen-powered biofuel cells in a living creature.

Scaled up, glucose-based biofuel cells could power implanted pacemakers and artificial kidneys, as well as other medical devices.

"This was the first time such a GBFC was successfully used in animals," Discovery News quoted Philippe Cinquin, a scientist at Joseph Fourier University in Grenoble, France, as saying.

A bio-compatible fuel cell powered by sugar and oxygen would be a huge benefit to the medical industry.

Small, surgically implanted batteries power today's internal devices.

While battery-operated devices do work, but they are large and when their energy runs out doctors have to surgically remove and replace them.

A biofuel implant would never need replacing-unless it broke - - and would take up less space inside a person's body.

As long as a person functioned the device would have a fuel source.

Other groups have tried to create similar devices in the past, but the harsh chemical and biological environment inside the body rendered them unworkable.

The new fuel cell created by the French scientists is the size of two small coins stuck together.

Both sides are made from graphite, but contain different enzymes to break apart oxygen from air and sugar from food.

When the enzymes cleave those molecules, they create a small electrical charge.

The whole fuel cell is wrapped in a clear plastic dialysis bag, which allows sugar and oxygen, dissolved in the fluid that bathes the fuel cells, to enter.

But then it imprisons the electricity-producing enzymes, a key feature that limited previous designs.

The French scientists say they're confident that within the next few years they can generate enough electricity to power more advanced devices, such as an artificial sphincter for patients who have a radical prostatectomy, or artificial kidneys for diabetics.

Apart from its small size, another advantage of a biofuel cell is its longevity, said the French scientists- an implanted biofuel cell would produce an electrical current as long as a person is ticking.

The study was published in PLoS One.

source: yahoo news

New Computer Virus May Infect Humans

Test shows possible security issues about chip use in medical devices

University of Reading researcher Mark Gasson has become the first human known to be infected by a computer virus.

The virus, infecting a chip implanted in Gasson's hand, passed into a laboratory computer. From there, the infection could have spread into other computer chips found in building access cards.

All this was intentional, in an experiment to see how simple radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips like those used for tracking animals can host and spread technological diseases.

The research from the British university shows that as implantable bionic devices such as pacemakers get more sophisticated in the years ahead, their security and the safety of the patients whose lives depend on them will become increasingly important, said Gasson.

"We should start to think of these devices as miniature computers," Gasson said. And just like everyday computers, they can get sick.

Down with disease

Gasson had a relatively simple chip implanted in the top of his left hand near his thumb last year. It emits a signal that is read by external sensors, allowing him access to the Reading laboratory and for his cell phone to operate.

He and his colleagues created a malicious code for the chip. When the lab's sensors read the code, the code inserted itself into the building computer database that governs who has access to the premises.

"The virus replicates itself through the database and potentially could copy itself onto the access cards that people use," Gasson said.

The experiment showed that implants which wirelessly communicate with other computers can infect them and vice versa.

Gasson said he knows of no instances to date of bionic devices having been contaminated by computer viruses. But the threat will grow with the number and complexity of these devices.

Besides pacemakers for people with heart trouble, other modern bionic devices include cochlear implants for the hearing impaired and deep brain stimulators — a "brain pacemaker" — for neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease.

Years ahead, this surgically implanted hardware may not only be for people with medical conditions. Bionic enhancements, much like today's cosmetic surgery, could boost memories and IQs. A side effect mentioned in cases of deep brain simulation is patients who have experienced greater creativity, Gasson said.

Wash your digital hands

To fight communicable diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi, we take precautions such as washing our hands.

To counter threats of technological agents, Gasson said we are quite accustomed to keeping our computers updated with antivirus software and exercising caution online. A similar degree of hygiene and awareness may be necessary to keep the devices in our bodies clean as well.

"I don’t think for us that (infectious technological agents) would be a particularly new concept, but implants in our bodies will make it a lot more real," Gasson told TechNewsDaily. "A denial-of-service attack on a pacemaker, if such a thing were possible, would of course be very detrimental."

source: msnbc

Bacteria May Predict Chances of Colon Cancer Presence of certain types in gut indicated higher, lower risk of disease, study finds

Researchers report that germs living in your gut could affect your risk of developing colon cancer.

The findings suggest that signs of the existence of some germs "are more frequently detected in subjects with polyps, early lesions that can develop into cancer, while other bacterial signatures are less frequently observed in such individuals," Tyler Culpepper, a University of Florida researcher, said in a news release.

Culpepper and colleagues studied 91 patients and took biopsy samples from their colons. They analyzed the bacteria in 30 people who had at least one polyp and 30 people who didn't but were of similar age and gender.

Researchers found some bacterial signatures only in those who had polyps and others only in those who didn't. Others were more common in one group or the other.

The findings suggest that future screening tests could aim to detect signs of trouble in the colon by measuring bacteria levels, Culpepper said.

The findings were scheduled to be released Tuesday at the American Society for Microbiology annual meeting in San Diego.

source: health.usnews

Block UV Rays With A Skin Healthy Diet Sunscreen and big, floppy hats might not be the only things that can help protect you from harmful rays this summer.

NY1's Kafi Drexel filed the following report.With the summer season approaching, dermatologists say certain foods can also serve up a healthy dose of sun protection for your skin.

"When you think about sun damage it affects the epidermis which is only 20 percent of the skin. That's where sunscreens work. Eighty percent of your skin is the dermis. It's what you eat that makes a big difference. All kinds of studies have demonstrated that what you eat can make a big change in the damage that you get from the sun," said UCLA Associate Professor of Dermatology Dr. Howard Murad.Murad, who also created his own skin care line, says eating foods that are rich in antioxidants can make a huge difference because they help prevent free radical damage.

Free radicals are tiny chemical particles which can break down skin cells. And when it comes to the best sources of protection, Murad says broccoli and pomegranate are king and queen. "The broccoli has all kinds of benefits. It has a sulfur containing radiant that minimizes cancer cells. We've been learning it has these other agents in it. It has vitamin C and other things that really has been proven to show that. And pomegranates are terrific.

The problem with pomegranates is that they're not generally available. The seeds are more important than anything else. So eating the pomegranate is best and maybe taking a supplement that contains pomegranate extract is next best," Murad said.Murad says foods containing lycopene, an organic pigment that is reddish in color, are also big protection boosters."Lycopene comes for example in watermelon, pink grapefruit, but tomatoes are very good.

Regular tomatoes are good but you get more lycopene when the tomato is processed. So eating a can of tomato paste is going to make a difference," Murad said. It's important to note that while all of these things may be great to add to your diet, they don't replace sunscreen or covering up to protect yourself. "You definitely need to use sunscreens as well as this.

Think of sunscreens as taking care of the top layer of your skin. But the bottom of you skin, which is connected to the rest of your body by the way has to be treated with what you eat," Murad said. You've heard of that old saying 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away.' Well eating these foods keeps the skin cancer away."

source: ny1

Veg diet gives you the much needed glow

Rather than a suntan, a vegetarian diet will help you score more with the opposite sex, claim scientists.

Soaking up the sunrays won’t make you as popular with the opposite sex, as will a healthy glow which ” a fruit and vegetable diet gives you.

Research shows the English Rose skin of model Rosie Huntington Whiteley gets temperatures rising much faster than the perma-tan of celebs like Kate Price, 32.

The study at Bristol University is the first of its kind that establishes a link between sex appeal and a healthier lifestyle.

TV babes Holly Willoughby, 29, and Louise Redknapp, 35, set the trend for healthy skin.

Excessive suntan can cause “leathering” of the skin – which is a major turn off. Instead a diet of fruit, vegetables and snacks such as cereal and salads – which Willoughby is following currently, can do wonders for your skin.

“We find people prefer the golden effect from diet, rather than the darker effect from the sun,” The Daily Star quoted Scientist Ian Stephen as saying.

A healthy amount of sun plus a vegetable and fruit-rich diet are the key to a beautiful skin.

The top fruits for skin care include melons, apricots, and grapefruit.

Best veggies are peppers, chillies and spinach.

source: TOI

Amazing Tips to Decrease Your Appetite

That's a good concern! I'm also interested in decreasing the level of my appetite. Let us first define APPETITE, it is an inherent craving or the desire to eat, any of the instinctive desires to keep up organic life.

I have a few general suggestions that might help you lessen your appetite:

1. Eat several small meals throuhout the day rather than the usual large meals.

2. You should not skip meals as this will increase hunger later in the day.

3. You should consider drinking low calorie, sugar free beverages to help curb appetite.

4. Before eating, drink plenty of water as water fills you up more.

5. Replace your dishes with a smaller dihes, this is a psychological trick that you may consider.

6. Don't drink during the meal, it can only make you eat more.

7. Eat slowly. This is a common suggestion.

8. Vegetables should take up more space on your plate than your main protein or starch because vegetables have high nutritional value, low calorie and it can make you feel fuller than proteins or starches.

9. You should restrict yourself to only one dessert a wek. Try natyre's candy as a substitute like, grapes, watermelon, strawberries, peaches and more.

10. Consider a nice ambience. Even you only have a few or a small quantity of food on the table, the experience alone is more satisfying.

Some foods to reduce appetite which you could try:

Apples have low calories and it contains pectin relieves you from hunger pangs.

Pickles are also low in calories.

Grapefruit juice due to it's sour taste that takes the craving for sweet right away.

Fiber and it's products not only reduces cholesterol could also reduce real appetite that provides bulk in the stomach.

Hoodia is a herbal plant which helps lose weight and could also lose appetite due to it's taste.

Fennel and chickweed are also herbal plants which could lessen appetite.

Green tea and Yerba matte are also effective according to some people.

Best of Luck!

Nutrients to prevent common eye diseases On one hand, common eye diseases (including cataracts, glaucoma and age related macular degeneration) are quite harmful to eye health and normal eyesight. On the other hand, the good news is that all these conditions are preventable to some extent. There are generally many tips that are recommended to prevent these eye diseases in advance. The public is highly encouraged to wear sunglasses in outdoor environments, retain moisture in the eyes, use air conditioner only in necessary conditions, put on anti-glare glasses during computer tasks, and take enough rest while reading.

All these aforementioned aspects are necessary to take good care of the eyes and maintain good eyesight. Yet another indispensable factor is nutrition. Maintaining eye health requires people to take proper nutrients. And it is also important to point out that different beneficial substances included in various foods are suitable for the prevention of specific eye diseases.

Age related macular degeneration as a leading cause of blindness is worthy of particular consideration while evaluating different nutrients. Flavenoids are believed to slow down the progression of AMD effectively. This kind of nutrient can also reduce high blood pressure. Good sources of this substance include organic tomatoes, apples and tea.

As for cataracts patients, it is necessary to take foods that are rich in riboflavin. This nutrient is beneficial to good vision and offers protection against cataracts. Good sources of riboflavin include milk, thick yogurt, soft goat’s cheese, almonds, muesli, wheat germ, and eggs, Marmite or Vegemite and so on. Since riboflavin is sensitive to sunlight, milk and diary products should be kept away from sunlight exposure.

A third eye disease is glaucoma. Antioxidants contained in blueberries, bilberries and other dark berries are widely recommended by doctors for the treatment of glaucoma and sight problems caused by diabetes. Bilberries can strengthen blood vessels and improve the flow of blood to the eyes.

source: newyorknewsbreak

How Constant Stress Can Affect Your Heart

You have many deadlines to meet, shuttling your kids to and from their many activities, or living a daily life crammed with more than you could possibly achieve in one day. Let's face it -- you're stressed.

In some cases, a little bit of stress every once in a while can be a good thing. It keeps us on our toes and gives us that little bit of motivation to achieve many things off of our "to do" list. But if this persists on a prolonged basis, and it is causing you a lot of mental anguish, chances are that it could be damaging your health, too.

Studies have shown that chronic stress can have an impact on many aspects of your health -- including your heart health. And when coupled with high cholesterol levels, this can be the perfect recipe for heart disease if not properly addressed. In fact, studies examining the effects of chronic stress on heart health have found that it can have an impact on cholesterol, too. People who cope with stress better appear to have higher levels of -- our good cholesterol that helps to protect us against heart disease.

So, if you're reading this and are currently feeling stressed, take a little bit of time out to read about how stress can affect your heart health. You're learn a little about how stress affects the body and ways you can lower stress in your everyday life.

source: about

Exercise improves cancer patients' quality of life

Exercise as a regular part of a comprehensive care plan for patients with breast and prostate cancer [abnormal cells that divide without control, which can invade nearby tissues or spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. ] not only improves their emotional outlook and quality of life, but also helps combat the profound fatigue and weakness they experience during cancer treatment
, finds a new study.

People undergoing cancer [abnormal cells that divide without control, which can invade nearby tissues or spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. ] treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy often complain of various negative effects such as loss of physical function, weariness, nausea, depression [a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity] and anxiety.

According to experts, exercise enhances fitness and muscular strength and uplifts mood and self esteem, besides reducing the dependency on extra supplements to counter the side effects.

Lead author of the study, Eleanor M. Walker, MD, Department of Radiation Oncology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan stated, "Using exercise as an approach to cancer care has the potential to benefit patients both physically and psychologically, as well as mitigate treatment side effects.

"Plus, exercise is a great alternative to patients combating fatigue and nausea who are considering using supplements which may interfere with medications and chemotherapy they're taking during cancer treatment."

The unique program ExCITE
In order to evaluate the impact of exercise on cancer patients, the researchers developed a unique program called ExCITE (Exercise and Cancer Integrative Therapies and Education).

As a part of the program, experts worked with the patients receiving cancer treatments by designing individualized exercise ventures.

A group of about 20 prostate cancer patients and 30 breast cancer patients aged between 35 to 80 years were selected. Some of the patients opted for exercising at home, while others chose to go to Henry Ford's fitness centers.

At the start of the study, the endurance and exercise capacity, muscle strength, bone density, metabolic and blood samples were obtained of all the participants.

The same information was once again taken at the end of the study.

The diet and physical regimes were coordinated on the basis of stamina, exercise tolerances, weight, health and type of cancer treatment.

Acupuncture was advised for patients who experienced hot flashes, pain, nausea/vomiting, insomnia and neuropathy due to the cancer treatment.

The study tracked the patients’ exercise routine during treatment and for 1-year following completion of cancer treatment.

Observations by the researchers
The investigators noted that weariness, memory loss and nausea the common side effects linked to cancer treatments decreased significantly by regular exercises, while some reported experiencing no adverse effects.

Cheryl Fallen of Gross Pointe Park, Michigan, who took part in the ExCITE program stated, "Overall, the program makes you feel better about yourself. It's a positive support for cancer patients, and I really think it's allowed me to be more productive during my treatment."

The design and intervention methods of the study will be presented on June 7 at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

sourceL themedguru

The Real Story Behind Cell Phones And Brain Cancer The long awaited World Health Organization Interphone study of more than 5,000 brain tumors that occurred between 2000-2004 and cell phone use failed to deliver a knock-out punch. This thirteen country report found what every study that has ever examined people who have used phones for a decades or more has determined-- top users of cell phones had a doubled risk of malignant tumors of the brain.

When looking at all those in their study who had used cell phones to make one call a week for six months or more, compared to those who used cell phones less no such risk was evident. This is unsurprising.

The story behind the story needs to be told. First of all, although the news reports so far do not acknowledge this fact, Interphone is not the only study to find an increased risk in brain tumors with prolonged cell phone use.

All studies that have been able to examine people a decade after heavy use began have found increased risk of brain tumors. Second the Interphone study completely ignored the fact that there is a growing experimental literature showing that pulsed microwave-like radiation from modern cell phones disrupts living cells and causes our DNA to become unstable -- signs of cancer and other chronic disease.

Third, the Interphone study was delayed close to six years, while authors debated how to present their results. Completed in 2004 and promised by 2005, publication was delayed til now.

Read Full Story

source: huffingtonpost

Alzheimer's disease to cost U.S. more than $20 trillion in next 40 years A new report from the Alzheimer’s Association, “Changing the Trajectory of Alzheimer’s Disease: A National Imperative” shows that in the absence of disease-modifying treatments, the cumulative costs of care for people with Alzheimer’s from 2010 to 2050 will exceed $20 trillion, in today’s dollars.

The report, which examines the current trajectory of Alzheimer’s based on a model developed by the Lewin Group for the Alzheimer’s Association, also shows that the number of Americans age 65 and older who have this condition will increase from the 5.1 million today to 13.5 million by mid-century.

“We know that Alzheimer’s disease is not just ‘a little memory loss’- it is a national crisis that grows worse by the day,” said Harry Johns, President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association. “Alzheimer’s not only poses a significant threat to millions of families, but also drives tremendous costs for government programs like Medicare and Medicaid.”

Total costs of care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease by all payers will soar from $172 billion in 2010 to more than $1 trillion in 2050, with Medicare costs increasing more than 600 percent, from $88 billion today to $627 billion in 2050. During the same time period, Medicaid costs will soar 400 percent, from $34 billion to $178 billion. One factor driving the exploding costs by 2050 is that nearly half (48 percent) of the projected 13.5 million people with Alzheimer’s will be in the severe stage of the disease – when more expensive, intensive around-the-clock care is often necessary.

Changing the Current Trajectory

The new report is not all bad news, however, as it shows that Medicare and Medicaid can achieve dramatic savings – and lives could be significantly improved – with even incremental treatment improvements. Based on the same Lewin Group model, the report explores two alternate scenarios: one in which a disease-modifying treatment could delay the onset of Alzheimer’s by five years, and another in which a hypothetical treatment could slow the progression of this condition.

“Today, there are no treatments that can prevent, delay, slow or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease,” said Johns. “While the ultimate goal is a treatment that can completely prevent or cure Alzheimer’s, we can now see that even modest improvements can have a huge impact.”

Impact of a Hypothetical Treatment Delaying Onset: A treatment breakthrough that delays the onset of Alzheimer’s by five years – similar, perhaps, to the effect of anti-cholesterol drugs on preventing heart disease – would result in an immediate and long-lasting reduction in the number of Americans with this condition and the cost of their care. A breakthrough that delays onset by five years and begins to show its effect in 2015 would decrease the total number of Americans age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s from 5.6 million to 4 million in 2020.

Assuming the breakthrough occurred in 2015:

The number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s would be reduced by 5.8 million in 2050 – 43% of the 13.5 million Americans who would have been expected to have the condition in that year would be free of the conditions.

In 2050, the number of people in the severe stage would also be much smaller with the treatment breakthrough – 3.5 million instead of the expected 6.5 million.

Annual Medicare savings compared to current trends would be $33 billion in 2020 and climb to $283 billion by mid-century, while annual Medicaid savings would increase from $9 billion in 2020 to $79 billion in 2050.

Impact of Hypothetical Treatment Slowing Progression: A treatment breakthrough that slowed disease progression – much as we have managed to do with HIV/AIDS and several cancers – would result in far fewer people with Alzheimer’s disease in 2050 in the severe stage when care demands and costs are greatest. Assuming the breakthrough occurred in 2015:

In 2020, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease in the severe stage would drop from 2.4 million to 1.1 million. In 2050, the number of people in the severe stage would decline from an expected 6.5 million to 1.2 million.

Annual Medicare savings compared to current trends would be $20 billion in 2020 and jump to $118 billion in 2050, while Medicaid savings would be $14 billion in 2020 and $62 billion in 2050.

Addressing the Chronic Underinvestment in Research

Ultimately solving the Alzheimer crisis will mean addressing the chronic underinvestment in research. This forecast of a rapidly aging population and dramatic rise in the number of Alzheimer cases in the coming years should catapult the government into action.

“Given the magnitude and the impact of this disease, the government’s response to this burgeoning crisis has been stunningly neglectful,” said Johns. “Alzheimer’s is an unfolding natural disaster. The federal government has sent a token response and has no plan. Immediate and substantial research investments are required to avoid an even more disastrous future for American families and already overwhelmed state and federal budgets,” continued Johns. “For the human effects and the country’s fiscal future, we must change the trajectory of the Alzheimer crisis.”

“The impact of Alzheimer’s disease - both in terms of lives affected and costs of care – is staggering. As government leaders contend with the best approaches to rein in Medicare and Medicaid costs, we know Alzheimer’s will place a massive strain on an already overburdened health care system,” said Robert J. Egge, Vice President of Public Policy for the Alzheimer’s Association. “This report highlights that while we strive for the ideal – a treatment that completely prevents or cures Alzheimer’s disease – even more modest, disease-modifying treatments would provide substantial benefits to families and contribute to the solvency of Medicare and Medicaid.”

The Association is working to enact critical legislation to address these issues. The National Alzheimer’s Project Act creates a National Alzheimer’s Project Office and an inter-agency Advisory Council responsible for developing a national plan to overcome the Alzheimer crisis. Drawing on the expertise residing in various government agencies as well as individuals living with the disease, caregivers, providers and other stakeholders, this office would provide strategic planning and coordination for the fight against Alzheimer’s across the federal government as a whole, touching on a broad array of issues from research to care to support.

source: echopress

How Red Meat Affect Your Health

Cardiologists are always warning patients to refrain from eating a lot of meat, as it is probably not the best thing for heart health.

However, a recent study suggests it all depends on the type of meat one consumes. Publishing their study online in the journal Circulation, the researchers from Harvard report eating processed meats like bologna, sausage and bacon raise a person’s risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, the analysis indicates consumption of unprocessed meat like port, beef and lamb, does not increase the risk for either of these health problems.

Data from 20 large studies on meat and health were looked at, with researchers finding there was a 42% and 19% risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes associated with processed meats, respectively. Red meat was found to have no significant effects. Processed meat and red meat were found to have approximately the same amount of saturated fat and cholesterol, even so, the researchers said processed meat with four times more sodium and 50% more nitrate preservatives than the red meat, had an adverse effect on heart disease and diabetes, compared with fat.

Studies have associated heavy consumption of red meat with a shorter life, a higher risk of diabetes, colon cancer, and cardiovascular disease. But, it does not mean one has to eliminate red meat from one’s diet in pursuit of better health.

However, the meat industry views the matter differently, with the American Meat Institute Foundation (AIMF) saying meat was a rich source of iron, protein, zinc and amino acids, the keys to good health. According to the AMIF, this is just one of many studies to demonstrate processed meat is a healthy part of a balanced diet.

source: topnews.ae

What You Must Know Before You Detox Many cultures around the world and throughout history have known and practiced the art of detoxification as a form of enhanced cleansing of the body – and also the mind. By contrast, practitioners of Western medicine have not yet come to a universal consensus over the actual health benefits or potential dangers of detoxing. Skeptics argue that the natural propensities of the human body are self-sufficient enough to eliminate toxins without outside help. But there is also a growing trend in today's medical community that is more open to acknowledge the benefits of pro-active detoxification.

While it is true that the body is equipped with a highly capable detoxification system that can handle a great deal of toxic assaults, it is also clear that the amounts of toxins we all are exposed to every day are increasingly pushing our natural defenses to the limit.

So, given the sheer onslaught of environmental and diet-related abuse, supporting the body's natural detoxification processes with a little extra help now and then makes sense.

Unfortunately, many commercial detox programs promise quick fixes and are sold as detox and weight loss packages. Most of these are not only ineffective, especially for weight loss, they can be counterproductive and some are simply not safe. The removal of toxins from the body should never be hurried or forced by "magic potions" of doubtful origin, whether they are made from herbs, pharmaceuticals or any other chemicals.

Generally speaking, proper detoxification should help the body to restore its optimal health and vitality by strengthening its natural cleansing and healing processes – nothing more.

I would also warn against fasting in combination with detoxing. The primary purpose of enhanced cleansing from toxins is to promote healing and recovery. Weight loss may result incidentally, but it should not be the predominant motivation. In cases where a patient's body has become severely weakened or depleted, I recommend to begin treatment with a highly nutrient-dense diet, not fasting.

Particularly people who suffer from diabetes, liver-, kidney- or heart disease and are on respective medications, are strongly advised to consult with their physicians to avoid sabotaging their medical treatments. Even when there are no such concerns, potentially negative side-effects on the metabolism, which may be thrown off balance by sudden dietary changes, must be considered and monitored accordingly.

Detoxification from the inside out

The body has a number of ways to rid itself of toxins naturally. In a normal detoxification process, the liver filters toxins from the blood stream; the kidneys flush these out and eliminate them through the urine; the lungs bring not only fresh oxygen to the blood, they also work as a purifier by releasing carbon dioxide; digestive by-products and other toxic substances are neutralized through the bacteria in the intestines and removed as waste through the bowels; toxins are also disposed of by the skin through sweating. All of these natural detoxification mechanisms work together for the single purpose of the body's continuous self-cleansing.

Liver

The liver's many complex functions are essential for the body's health. Foremost, the liver is in charge of removing toxins from the blood. It also plays a major role in the digestive process and stores glycogen and other essential nutrients. It is an amazing organ that can handle a lot of abuse and regenerate itself, even when it gets severely damaged – to a point.

There are countless toxins present in our environment and work places, like asbestos, lead, mercury, pesticides, polycarbonate (PCB), polypropylene (PP) and other chemicals we encounter every day, including chlorine in our tab water, which are known to be carcinogenic.

Alcohol abuse, excessive caffeine consumption, processed and fatty foods, medications and prescription drugs as well as the exposure to environmental hazards can all cause liver damage. Continuously elevated levels of toxins can lead to live-threatening deterioration of the organ in form of fibrosis, cirrhosis or cancer.

The liver thrives on a wholesome, balanced diet. Eating plenty of organically grown produce is especially recommended, because it is free of toxins from pesticides and fertilizers. In addition, many vegetables have what is known as an "alkalizing effect," which is beneficial for the liver's health. By contrast, the "aciditive effect" from processed foods with high levels of refined sugar can be quite detrimental.

Kidneys

Through the kidneys, waste and toxins are "filtered" from the blood. Symptoms of elevated presence of toxins in the kidneys are reduced urination, dark and cloudy coloring of urine and urinary-tract infections.

The best way to support the kidneys is to stay hydrated. Our kidneys function best on lots of water and other healthy fluids, such as diluted fruit drinks or herbal teas. Although the need for hydration may vary, depending on temperature, climate, altitude and other factors, it is advised that adults drink eight to ten 8-ounce glasses of water over the course of a day. Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, on the other hand, are diuretic and contribute to dehydration.

Another significant stressor on the kidneys is salt. Excessive intake of sodium, which is commonly present in processed foods, can not only inhibit the kidneys' normal functions, it can also cause permanent damage. On the other hand, increasing the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables and reducing fatty and processed foods can benefit kidney functions.

Lungs

Through breathing, the lungs bring oxygen to the blood stream and release carbon dioxide back into the air. Exposure to pollutants in the environment from chemicals, fumes, smoke, dust, pollen, etc. can cause serious harm over time and lead to allergies, asthma, bronchitis and also lung cancer.

It is a well-known fact that smoking constitutes a health hazard in many ways, but for the lungs, it is especially dangerous. Other environmental health threats may be less obvious, but they can be equally as destructive.

While there is no specific treatment to help detoxifying the lungs, getting some clean fresh air is always a good idea. Besides that, there are some herbal therapies specifically geared toward the lungs' health. For example, ginger is widely considered a lung tonic. However, before you use any medical (as opposed to culinary) herbs for the purpose of detoxification or any other therapeutic reasons, you should always consult with your physician about possible, unwanted side-effects.

Intestines

Through the gastrointestinal tract or digestive system the body absorbs nutrients and eliminates waste. These functions can easily become inhibited by unbalanced nutrition and other lifestyle factors. A diet that is dominated by processed foods with high levels of sugar, salt, fat, chemicals and pollutants can disrupt the normal digestive process. And so can mental and emotional disturbances, like stress, anxiety and exhaustion.

Typical symptoms include gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas and also skin reactions. Short term, a few dietary adjustments can take care of many of these problems, if the body is otherwise healthy.

Chronic constipation can be both a symptom as well as a cause of toxicity in the GI tract. If toxins in the waste are not eliminated in a timely manner, they can become absorbed back in the system, causing potentially more harm the second time around.

One of the simplest and most efficient ways to help eliminate waste is to drink lots of water. Foods that are naturally high in fiber, like fruits, vegetables, beans, etc. can help to promote waste elimination and have therefore a detoxifying effect. It is important to replenish the bacteria in the intestine with live culture yogurt or kefir, after completion of a detox regimen.

Skin

The skin is our largest organ. It plays a vital role in the natural detoxification process. In fact, the body constantly eliminates toxins through sweat. Enhanced sweating from intense physical activity or sauna and steam bath visits is highly recommended. In addition, skin brushing can be very beneficial, not only to remove dead skin cells, but also to stimulate blood and lymph circulation.

The right approach to detoxification always depends on the state of health of the individual candidate. For some, a few simple diet- and lifestyle changes will suffice, others may require major intervention efforts. In most cases, however, I recommend to take small steps to give the body time to make gradual improvements. The best detoxification program is the one that you keep up every day, that becomes a routine and eventually turns into a lifetime of healthy living.

Timi Gustafson R.D. is a clinical dietitian and author of "The Healthy Diner – How to Eat Right and Still Have Fun®,."

source: blog.seattlepi

Infertility Drugs Raise Autism Risk?

A pregnant woman undergoes an exam in this undated photo. Children whose mothers took fertility drugs were almost twice as likely to have autism, according to a new study.

Children whose mothers took fertility drugs were almost twice as likely to have autism, according to a new study.

But though the idea of a possible link drew attention among many autism experts, many warned issues may emerge in the details of the study, which have yet to be published.

The study, conducted by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and presented Wednesday at the International Meeting for Autism Research in Philadelphia, found that autism was nearly twice as common among children of women who were treated with the ovulation-inducing medicines than women who did not suffer from infertility.

Researchers asked 111 women taking part in the Nurses' Health Study II who had a child with an autism spectrum disorder about their history of fertility problems and use of ovulation-inducing medicines.

About 34 percent of moms with an autistic child had used fertility drugs compared to about 24 percent of around 3,900 mothers without an autistic child, according to the research. Nearly 47 percent of moms of autistic kids reported infertility, compared to about 33 percent of the other mothers. And, according to the study, the longer women reported being treated for infertility, the higher the chances were that their child had an autism spectrum disorder.

Although many experts cautioned that the study was based on a questionnaire form administered to mothers of children with autism, and that the details of the study have not yet been published, the question about an ostensible link between infertility drugs and autism interested many autism experts.

"This study adds to a growing body of findings suggesting that reproductive assistive technologies are associated with increased risk for less optimal outcomes in babies," said Geraldine Dawson, chief scientific officer of Autism Speaks. "The risk, however, is still relatively small and this should be reassuring to women who are using these drugs."

source: abcnews.go

Why men get liver cancer more often than women Washington, DC: A new research may help explain why men get liver cancer more often than women.

The study, conducted by University of Rochester researchers, shows a direct link between the androgen receptor, which is more active in men, and the hepatitis B virus as it relates to the deadly cancer.

Study co-author Chawnshang Chang, the George Hoyt Whipple Distinguished Professor of Pathology at the University of Rochester Medical Center, and colleagues, showed that the androgen receptor (AR), a protein that mediates male sex hormones, promotes liver cancer when hepatitis B is present by altering DNA replication of the virus.

Chang's laboratory created a mouse model for HBV-induced liver cancer and reported that knocking out AR suppressed the HBV-induced cancer.

The identification of the AR pathway is a potential new treatment target that could translate to the clinic.

"Our study is the first in vivo evidence to demonstrate a direct connection between HBV-induced liver cancer and the AR. This is important because so far most work has focused on eliminating total serum androgen levels, a type of therapy that has shown little success," Chang said.

The study is published May 19, 2010, in Science Translational Medicine, a new journal from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, AAAS.

source: dna

Men with ED are more likely to suffer heart problems Individuals suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED) may also want to consider getting a cholesterol test, as recent studies have shown a link between ED and coronary artery disease.

Research showed that ED is a common precursor for heart disease, and that men with impotency will often experience heart problems within 3 to 5 years of developing the condition.

Due to this research, doctors around the world are encouraging men with these problems to have their heart health examined to help avoid possibly preventable problems.

Dr Graham Jackson, a cardiologist who participated in an international council that recommended heart testing, said that the process that leads to ED may be the same as the one leading to more serious heart conditions.

"It has been suggested that because the arteries supplying the penis are smaller than those supplying the heart, they will be affected by reduced blood flow - a major cause of ED - before the symptoms of coronary artery disease develop," he said.

The council cited studies that suggest men with ED are up to 60 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack.

source: privatemdlabs

Why Is a Pill to Prevent Breast Cancer So Hard to Swallow? Cancer prevention is built around screening. In screening, the hope is to catch cancer at an earlier stage than it would be found otherwise and increase options for treatment and chances of cure. But what if instead we could prevent cancer from developing altogether?

I met Mrs. TR in clinic for the first time last week. At 72, she looked great. As she bounced from the examining table to the chair next to me, she told me how busy her life was. Though she retired from nursing years ago, she helps out in her church every day of the week except Saturday and has 10 grandchildren and great-grandchildren she spends her evenings with.

Mrs. TR was referred to me by a breast surgeon after her previous primary care doctor passed away. She didn't have a history of breast cancer herself, but had a strong family history. One of her sisters died of metastatic breast cancer, diagnosed at age 58; a second sister passed at age 70 of an unknown cancer. In reviewing her record, I was impressed at how aggressive her screening regimen was. She received a mammogram and a breast MRI every year and was evaluated by a breast surgeon twice per year. "I'm really scared about getting cancer and want to do everything to make sure I don't get it," she explained.

When she said this, my mind immediately jumped to tamoxifen. Unlike screening, which can only detect breast cancer earlier, tamoxifen can actually prevent breast cancer from developing. Used for years for the treatment of breast cancer, tamoxifen has now been tested and approved by the FDA for the breast cancer prevention (called chemoprevention). Remarkably, studies show that in women at increased risk tamoxifen and its cousin raloxifene prevent 50 percent of invasive breast cancers.

Mrs. TR didn't recall ever being counseled about tamoxifen before. Unlike screening, breast cancer chemoprevention has not received widespread attention and usage. If you were to ask a room full of women whether we have a pill that prevents breast cancer, I suspect many would say no; they would be surprised to learn that for well over a decade we have had not one but two medications that taken daily safely cut a woman's risk of developing breast cancer by half. On the other side of equation, primary care doctors have been gun shy about recommending these medications, largely because they don't have much experience prescribing them (this, of course, is a circular argument), despite the fact that counseling women at high risk of breast cancer about tamoxifen is supported by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

The benefit of tamoxifen varies with a woman's risk of the disease - the greater the risk of breast cancer, the greater the benefit. Similar to the Framingham risk calculator for heart disease, scientists have created "risk calculators" that allow doctors to estimate a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. To calculate Mrs. TR's risk, I went to the the National Cancer Institute website (http://www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool/). After inputting information about her age, race, family history, and menstrual history I found out that she has a 4.8% risk of breast cancer over the next 5 years and a lifetime risk of 11.7%. I told Mrs. TR that she had a 1 in 10 chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime and that tamoxifen would reduce this risk to 1 in 20. Then I explained the risks of the medication. Because it blocks the effects of estrogen, tamoxifen can cause symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes. More rarely, tamoxifen increases the risk of blood clots similar to oral contraceptives and the risk of uterine cancer. These risks are not small, I noted, and must be balanced against the potential benefits of therapy.

Despite her assertion that she wanted to do everything possible to prevent breast cancer, Mrs. TR balked at tamoxifen. The idea of taking a medication, especially one that had potential for serious side effects, for a disease she might never get was untenable to her. Looking at her other medications - a statin, two blood pressure-lowering medications, and three vitamins - I was caught off guard by this reasoning. Dyslipidemia isn't itself a life-threatening disease; she was taking a cholesterol-lowering medication every day to reduce her risk of heart disease. Statins furthermore are not without side effects; though rare, they have been associated with serious medical conditions such as rhabdomyolysis and liver failure. Likewise, though elevated blood pressures may itself sometimes cause health problems, doctors treat hypertension primarily to reduce cardiovascular disease. And vitamins, except for vitamin D, are largely unproven in her age group, yet they too are a pill one must take every day.

In the end, Mrs. TR agreed to be referred to our high-risk breast cancer clinic for further counseling about chemoprevention. It is certainly not my intent to get her on tamoxifen therapy. It is drug not without cost and harm, and in the end it is her choice to make. However, given her keen desire to prevent breast cancer, I was struck that she would be willing to bear the risk, cost, and inconvenience of cholesterol-lowering medications and antihypertensives to prevent a disease she is at no higher risk of than most women her age and yet not be interested in a medication to prevent breast cancer, a disease she is at increased risk of. Moreover, she is pursuing an aggressive screening regimen for breast cancer, one that is not well proven, carries its own risks, and that at best will identify breast cancer earlier than it would be found otherwise.

Mrs. TR is not alone. Support for tamoxifen in breast cancer prevention is bafflingly low amongst both doctors and patients, though it is routinely used for treatment. There is a pill out there to prevent breast cancer - it's just that most women are finding it hard to swallow.

- Shantanu Nundy, M.D.

source: psychologytoday

Focus on healthy eating, not counting calories

Healthy eating is not about strict adherence to a specific diet philosophy, staying unrealistically thin or depriving yourself of the foods you love. Neither is it about counting every calorie you take in, unless you must lose weight under the supervision of a physician or dietician to save your life.

Foot Solutions

What does make sense, and what should be the focus of healthy eating, is making changes in your eating habits that make you feel good, have more energy and reduce the risk of diseases associated with obesity.

There is a plethora of information offered through the media including reality TV, advertisements and the Internet that focuses on excessive exercising, counting calories, eating only specific foods or avoiding certain foods altogether to get or keep the body you've always wanted.

Supposedly, following these ploys conveys to others that you have a healthy lifestyle - but at what cost and sacrifice? If you truly need to shed a few pounds on your way to being healthier, then please consider some sound basic guidelines as you set out on your quest.

Simplify.

Instead of stressing over counting calories or measuring portion sizes, think in terms of color, variety or freshness. Focus on adding more fruits and vegetables to dishes you love.

If you consider including fresh produce in your cooking and selecting them as your snack of choice, you will reduce your cravings for less-healthy foods because you will already be full. It is also sound advice to fill half of your dinner plate with veggies.

Consider "how" you eat.

It is important to slow down and think about food as nourishment rather than just something to gulp down in between meetings or on the way to pick up kids.

Ways to slow down include eating with others whenever possible, taking time to chew your food and enjoy mealtimes, listen to your body to see if you are eating everything on your plate out of habit or are you really still hungry, and eat a healthy breakfast with smaller meals throughout the day.

Water - a vital part of a healthy diet.

Water makes up about 75 percent of our bodies and helps flush our systems of waste products and toxins. We may believe we are drinking enough "liquids" but consider that caffeinated beverages, in particular, actually cause the body to lose water.

Fresh fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, contain plenty of water and can help with hydration, especially when you are looking for an alternative to your eighth glass of water for the day.

Eat more healthy carbs and whole grains.

Healthy carbohydrates include whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables. These digest slowly keeping insulin levels stable and helping you feel full longer.

Unhealthy carbs are foods made with white flour, refined sugar, and white rice. These digest more quickly and can cause spikes in sugar levels and energy.

Include plenty of fiber.

Dietary fiber is found in plant foods - fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Fiber is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system. It also helps you feel full longer and helps maintain blood sugar levels.

Soluble fiber can dissolve in water and can also help lower blood fats - this type of fiber is found in beans, fruit and oat products.

Insoluble fiber cannot dissolve in water so it passes directly through the digestive system. It's found in whole grain products and vegetables.

Both types of fiber are important for healthy digestion.

Additional key points to keep in mind when trying to eat more healthy and maintaining a healthy weight include putting protein in perspective, adding calcium and vitamin D for strong bones, limiting sugar, salt and refined grains, and planning quick and easy meals ahead of time.

Finally, a well-stocked kitchen and a good variety of healthy snacks and recipes on hand will aid in the quest to healthy eating. It does require a certain mindset to achieve but it can be done with a bit of planning and discipline without all the hype of specialty diets or extreme fitness plans.

Kathleen Riggs is the Utah State University Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent for Iron County.

source: thespectrum

Infants Delivered By Cesarean May Be More Likely to Develop Celiac Disease Cesarean delivery is related to a higher incidence of pediatric celiac disease, according to an article published online May 17 in Pediatrics.

After birth, an infant's environment shifts from a sterile space to one colonized by bacteria. Almost immediately, microbial products and live bacteria can be seen, but only in a part of the baby's intestine. The arrival of solid food several months later establishes a complex bacterial flora throughout the entire bowel. The composition of the flora has been shown to vary significantly depending on whether the birth was vaginal or cesarean.

"Differences in the microbial flora and impaired priming of the enteric epithelial surface in individuals who are born by cesarean delivery might therefore contribute to inflammatory conditions of the intestinal mucosa later in life," write lead author Evalotte Decker, from the Department of Pediatrics, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Germany, and colleagues. "Indeed, the rate of cesarean delivery as well as the incidence of [inflammatory bowel disease] and celiac disease have increased in recent decades."

The investigators conducted a retrospective, multicenter, case-control study of 1950 pediatric patients to examine a possible relationship between inflammatory intestinal disease and cesarean delivery. From May 2008 through May 2009, 1088 of the child and adolescent subjects received treatment at gastrointestinal outpatient clinics for any 1 of the following: Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, or other gastrointestinal issues. The remaining 862 patients served as the control group.

The study authors gathered information that included the participants' disease type, method of birth, gestational age at delivery, complications after birth, and breast-feeding. Their results follow.

* Between 1991 and 2007, the rate of cesarean delivery rose from 15% to 30% (1.2% increase per year; odds ratio [OR], 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94 - 0.99; P = .015).
* A substantially greater rate of cesarean delivery was discovered in children with celiac disease (27.6% vs 17.2% for the control group; OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.18 - 2.85).
* Significant increases in cesarean delivery rates were not found in children with Crohn's disease (19.3%; OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.83 - 1.58), ulcerative colitis (15.4%; OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.55 - 1.38), or other gastrointestinal conditions (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.62 - 1.69).
* Adjusting for age, sex, complications after birth, and duration of breast-feeding using binomial logistic regression underscored the relationship between cesarean delivery and celiac disease (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.13 - 2.88; P = .014) but not Crohn's disease (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.87 - 1.84; P = .208) or ulcerative colitis (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.51 - 1.54; P = .673).

"Our results demonstrated a significant and previously undescribed association between cesarean delivery and celiac disease," the authors write. "In our study, patients with [Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis] were not more likely than healthy control subjects to be born by cesarean delivery."

The results also showed that celiac disease was related to a higher rate of breast-feeding (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.12 - 3.51) compared with the control participants (P = .015).

There were no explicitly stated limitations to the study, but the investigators did note that future studies would be strengthened by the inclusion of several additional factors, including socioeconomic status, birth order, previous cesareans, hygiene status, smoking during pregnancy, family history, genetic testing, and initial disease presentation.

The study authors also said that further research might yet reveal a relationship between cesarean delivery and more inflammatory bowel diseases. It would also be useful in corroborating their findings regarding the association between cesarean delivery and celiac disease.

"Although this association needs to be confirmed in a larger investigation, our results indicate that alterations of the intestinal flora observed after cesarean delivery might impair the establishment of the host–microbe homeostasis and intestinal mucosal integrity and contribute to the pathogenesis of enteric inflammatory diseases," the authors write.

The German Research Foundation and the German Ministry for Science and Education supported this study. The study authors have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Pediatrics. Published online May 17, 2010.

Cholesterol drug may lower risk of blood clots For individuals with poor cholesterol test results, the risk of suffering further complications like, heart disease or stroke, are elevated. However, new research suggests that a common medication prescribed to treat high cholesterol may do even more to help the problem than previously thought.

A team of researchers from the University of Connecticut found that statins, a type of medication that is currently prescribed to lower cholesterol, may also work to clear veins of dangerous fatty build-ups that can block the flow of blood.

The study's lead author, Vanjul Agarwal, said that the medication could be especially useful for people at risk for pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, two types of vein clots that can lead to heart disease and stroke.

"Statins have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. Since thrombus formation involves inflammation, statins may reduce venous thrombus formation and thus, lower the odds of developing [these conditions]," she said.

As many as 600,000 people in the U.S. may have one of these vein clot conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

source: privatemdlabs

Best defense against osteoporosis Bone up
Knowledge of how to build calcium and an action plan of diet and exercise are your best defense against osteoporosis

Throbbing hip and knee pain are signs your bones are starting to weaken. True or false?

Answer: False. Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. It’s often called the “silent thief,” because it sneaks up on you with no symptoms. Especially in the early stages, there is no pain, aching or inflammation.

“For many people, the first they know they have osteoporosis is when they get a fracture,” says Dr. Enass Rickards, chief of orthopedic surgery at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla.

Other than waiting until you break a bone, how can you determine if you have osteoporosis or are at risk of the disease?

A. There is no way to know for sure.

B. MRI

C. Bone density test

D. FRAX online questionnaire.

Answer: C and D. A bone density test (also called densitometry or DXA scan) uses special X-rays to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone. The higher the mineral content, the denser your bones. The test is easy, fast and painless, with no preparation needed. The bones tested are those most likely to break because of osteoporosis, including the lower spine, leg, hip, wrist and forearm. Your doctor will interpret your test results which are presented in T-scores, the number of units that your bone density is above or below what’s expected in a young, healthy adult of your sex.

The U.S. Preventive Service Task Force recommends a bone density test for women 65 and older; men, 70 or older, and anyone over 50 with an increased risk of osteoporosis.

You and your doctor can also assess your risk by using an online tool developed by the World Health Organization called FRAX (Fracture Assessment Risk Tool). It asks your age, sex, weight and height, along with some other information and computes your chances of suffering a major bone fracture in the next 10 years. Check it out at shef.ac.uk/frax

Who is considered at increased risk for osteoporosis?

A. Anyone with a family history of osteoporosis.

B. Anyone who has broken a bone after age 50.

C. Women who went through an early menopause.

D. People taking medications such as prednisone (a steroid), heparin (a blood thinner) and anti-seizure drugs.

E. All of the above.

Answer: E. Besides these risk factors, there are other things that can increase your chances of developing osteoporosis. These include: People with a very small and thin frame, particularly those of Caucasian or Asian race; cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption; men with low testosterone; being physically inactive; and poor nutrition and conditions that may cause malabsorption, such as celiac or Crohn’s disease.

Although about one out of every two women will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture at some point in her lifetime, osteoporosis is not just a woman’s disease. How many men are expected to suffer a broken bone due to osteoporosis?

A. One in three men.

B. One in four men.

C. One in five men.

D. One in 10 men.

Answer: C. Twenty percent of osteoporosis cases in this country are men. Men who are at higher risk for the disease include those who smoke, abuse alcohol or take steroids or are past andropause, the age when testosterone levels decline.

Approximately 90 percent of bone mass is acquired by what age?

A. By 14 in girls and 18 in boys.

B. By 18 in girls and 20 in boys.

C. By 24 in both women and men.

D. By 25 in women and 30 in men.

Answer: B. Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can help to prevent osteoporosis later in life.

“It’s important to encourage children to be as physically active as possible for the development of bone mass, along with agility and coordination,” Einhorn says.

Parents also need to make sure children get a balanced diet with adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D.

“Young girls are so worried about getting fat that they don’t get anywhere near the appropriate level of (calcium food products),” says Rickert, explaining that we’re constantly making bone and breaking it down. “As we get older, we’re breaking it down faster than we’re making it, and we need increased amounts of calcium.”

After age 35, you stand to lose 1 percent of your bone density a year.

Women at menopause may lose even more as estrogen levels drop.

How much calcium do we need to keep our bones strong?

A. 600 milligrams per day

B. 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams per day for people under 50; 1,200 to 1,500 for anyone older than 50.

C. 2,000 milligrams per day

D. At least three 8-ounce glasses of fat-free milk per day

Answer: B. Calcium needs increase with age. With 99 percent of the body’s calcium stored in the skeleton and teeth, the main role of calcium is to help build bones and increase bone density. When the body is short on calcium, it steals the mineral from your bones.

Foods that are rich in calcium include dairy products, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, bok choy, mustard greens and collards. Also, almonds and hazelnuts are a good source of the mineral. Calcium-fortified foods, including orange juice, cereal, ice cream and soy milk, are also a good source. Supplements can help make up for the calcium you’re not getting in your diet. Calcium intake, in both food and supplements, should be divided up during the day, because the body can’t absorb large amounts of the mineral all at once.

What other natural bone-builder are many people deficient in that’s necessary for bone health?

A. Vitamin A

B. Vitamin B

C. Vitamin D

D. Antioxidants

Answer: C. Although vitamin D is produced in the skin as a result of sun exposure, a deficiency exists even here in sunny Southern California. You can get some of your vitamin D by exposing your arms and legs (not your face) sans sunscreen to the sun for about 15 minutes a day. But, an easier and dermatologically safer way of getting enough vitamin D is to take a supplement.

“We are much more vitamin D deficient than we realized, and we need higher levels (than originally thought),” says Einhorn, who recommends taking 2,000 to 5,000 international units of vitamin D-3 every day. “Vitamin D does more than just help with calcium absorption. It improves bone density, which is a direct effect of the vitamin D itself.”

Besides vitamin D and calcium, make sure your diet has sufficient amounts of some other vitamins and minerals, including: vitamin C, which boosts collagen production and helps calcium absorption; vitamin K, which activates osteocalcin, a protein critical to bone density; and magnesium, which directs calcium to the bones.

Which of these exercises is not especially beneficial to building healthy bones.

A. Walking

B. Swimming

C. Dancing

D. Strength training

Answer: B. While swimming and water aerobics have many benefits, they don’t provide the impact your bones need to slow mineral loss. Weight-bearing exercises, or performing activities with your bones supporting your weight, work directly on the bones in your legs, hips and lower spine to slow mineral loss. Because swimming is not a weight-bearing exercise, it does little to improve bone density or strength.

When you run or jump or lift weights, bones respond to the stress by producing more osteoblasts or cells that fill in bone cavities. The result is improved bone density.

Although balance training doesn’t build bones, it can help increase stability and help prevent falls.

“Weight-bearing exercise is the best, but any exercise is of some value,” Einhorn says. “Find an activity that you will do regularly. Something with intensity that also comes with pleasure.”

According to the U.S. surgeon general, you need at least 30 minutes of weight-bearing or resistance exercise most days of the week for bone health.

We usually count on medicine to help alleviate a health problem. However, for many of the 44 million Americans who have osteoporosis or are at risk for it, the latest drugs may hurt more than they help.

Bone-building drugs called bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva) can cause nausea, gastrointestinal problems and severe muscle pain in some patients. In more rare cases, extended use of the drugs can lead to deterioration of the jawbone and fractures of the thighbone.

“Because there are many side effects, these are not drugs that are easily taken,” says Mary Ellington, director of orthopedics at Sharp HealthCare.

For those osteoporosis patients who can tolerate and choose to take the drugs, the benefit seems to plateau after a while. In the future, doctors may recommend that patients “take a holiday” from these drugs after four or five years, according to Ellington.

For these reasons, some doctors are advising patients to get back to basic bone health practices instead of relying only on drugs to treat the disease.

“Drug therapy for osteoporosis can be a problem, so try to avoid it if at all possible,” says Dr. Daniel Einhorn, clinical endocrinologist at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla. “It’s much better to use nutrition and exercise (to help prevent or treat) osteoporosis.”

Because May is Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, it’s a good time to bone up on bone health and test your knowledge with our osteoporosis quiz.

source: signonsandiego

What's The Most Common Stress Symptom?

Physical and mental health experts have long known that stress lowers immunity. But there are some surprising symptoms you need to know about.

In college Sarah Jenkins was diagnosed with a mild case of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition causing gastrointestinal discomfort, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. Since then, "it's always been manageable," the now 31-year-old says, adding, "except when I’m under a lot of stress."

Indeed, in the past six months as Jenkins' personal life spun out of control, her IBS followed. During this time, she was applying to graduate school for speech pathology, taking prerequisite classes, working at two restaurants and as a tutor and trying to maintain a relationship with her boyfriend.

The result: She either was endlessly on the toilet or had constipation so bad that she could go a week or more without a bowel movement. She also had heartburn so severe she slept sitting up. "I couldn't be intimate with my boyfriend sometimes because I couldn't lie down," Jenkins says.

In varying forms, Jenkins' situation is familiar to many, especially women and particularly mothers. According to the American Psychological Association's (APA) "Stress In America" annual survey, women consistently report higher levels of stress than men. What's more, women are more likely to report physical manifestations of stress like upset stomach, muscular tension and appetite change. Among parents, mothers are more stressed than fathers--15% of moms reported high anxiety levels compared with only 3% of dads--and they are also more likely to report sleeplessness and unhealthy eating.

So why might women be more prone to stress and the accompanying physical symptoms than men? "Women carry multiple roles at once," says Elizabeth Ricanati, M.D., who heads Lifestyle 180, a wellness program at the Cleveland Clinic. "We're in the workforce, taking care of children, elderly parents, making sure the lunches are packed in the morning and taking care of the household. All that takes a toll."

Stress And Your Body
Physical and mental health experts have long known that stress lowers immunity, which can lead to many of the physical symptoms outlined above as well as emotional problems, including irritability and depression. Anyone recognizing these signs should see a doctor first to rule out organic causes like viruses.

Once the ailment is diagnosed as stress-related, then there's the question of tackling the underlying issues. Stress management can mean different things to different people. Yoga, exercise and stashing your iPhone in a drawer for the night may be beneficial, but a little bit of vegging in front of the television can be too. "It's important to have a broad view of stress management," says Stephanie Smith, Ph.D., a psychologist with the APA. "If watching Days of Our Lives at noon is relaxing for you, go with it."

That's an idea to hold on to as you look for the right lifestyle changes that can help reduce the physical symptoms.

Stressed Out Stomach
One of the most common physical manifestations of stress is IBS. Twenty percent of American adults show symptoms and most of these sufferers are women, says the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Stress can exacerbate an existing case, and can even lead a person to develop the disorder.

There are, however, stopgaps in the slippery slope of this intestinal disorder. Exercise can be an important tool in combating IBS, says Don Rockey, M.D., chief of digestive and liver diseases at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. An activity as simple as walking can help work off stressful energy and also help keep you regular. It's also important to avoid foods you know will trigger your upset stomach. For many, this can include spicy foods, caffeine and dairy.

Worrying And Your Waistline
Just as stress can cause discomfort in our gut, it can also cause it to expand. When we're stressed, we often don't take time to eat at regular intervals. So when we do eat, we eat too much or choose unhealthy options. An empty stomach can stress our bodies and our minds. "It can disrupt the body's usual regulatory cycle and that sets you up for weight gain," says Dr. Ricanati.

Sitting down and having a full breakfast accompanied by calm breathing every morning is not realistic for most, but even if you're in a hurry, you need to eat. Dr. Ricanati suggests something as simple as a yogurt in the car or an apple with a handful of nuts--healthy foods that you can take on the go that will also help you start the day thinking clearly.

Stress Is Skin Deep
The signs of stress can also show up in a place even more obvious than your waistline: your skin. If you already have a mild case of skin diseases like acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis, they can flare up when you're stressed. "Almost every skin disease except for skin cancer gets worse with stress," says Pamela Jakubowicz, M.D., a dermatologist at Montefiore Medical Center in New York.

To a lesser degree, she says, wrinkles can also be caused by stress, particularly because of the tendency to frown or furrow our brows when we're worried. But for the most part, wrinkle lines are due to sun exposure and age. To keep these physical symptoms from getting worse, Dr. Jakubowicz suggests a common sense skin routine: Drink lots of water, wear sunscreen and only use make-up with phrases like "non-comedogenic" and "non-acne-forming."

Stress Is Under Your Control
Physical symptoms such as weight gain, acne and constipation can compound the underlying stress, but "people should be optimistic," says Dr. Ricanati. "Managing stress is well within your control."

Jenkins, the IBS sufferer, recently found out that she got into grad school, which she says has helped her bouts in the bathroom. Her stomach still bothers her, though not as much, and she has taken active measures: avoiding foods she knows will upset her stomach and exercising four days a week. She's also taking time for herself, tending her garden and riding bikes with her boyfriend. Says Jenkins, "My mental outlook is better, which helps my physical being."

source: forbes

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