Grab Some Health News

Occasional marijuana won't harm lungs, finds study

2012-01-10T21:13:00.002-05:00

Credit: Wikimedia commons

Researchers from University of California, San Francisco have found smoking marijuana occasionally doesn't harm the lungs. However, they also found in their study that excessive cannabis smoking does lead to lung damage.

In their study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the scientists followed 5,016 men and women who were part of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study for a period of 20 years.

Because cannabis has some of the same chemicals as cigarette tobacco, the researchers were interested in finding out if marijuana causes the type of lung damage associated with tobacco.

Fifty-four percent reported they smoked marijuana, tobacco, or both. Tobacco was smoke more often - 8 to 9 cigarettes a day compared with two or 3 episodes of marijuana use in the previous 30 days.

The authors write:

“With up to 7 joint-years of life-time exposure (e.g., 1 joint/day for 7 years or 1 joint/week for 49 years), we found no evidence that increasing exposure to marijuana adversely affects pulmonary function.”

Measurements used to test lung damage included FEV1 - the amount of air you can blow out of your lungs in one second after taking a full, deep breath, and FVC, which is the total amount of air forcibly exhaled after taking full breath in.

In the study FVC actually improved. The researchers suggest it may be from inhaling deeply that occurs with marijuana smoking that strengthens and stretches the lungs.

The research team, which was led by Mark J. Pletcher, MD, MPH, notes marijuana has benefits for controlling pain, improving mood and promoting appetite.

The finding that occasional marijuana smoking doesn't harm the lungs, might be used in support of medicinal use of cannabis to treat chronic health conditions. However, smoking pot more than 20 times a month was shown to cause a substantial decrease in FEV1 - forced exhaled (lung) volume in one-second.

Source:

Pletcher MJ, Vittinghoff E, Kalhan R, Richman J, Safford M, Sidney S, Lin F, Kertesz S. Association between marijuana exposure and pulmonary function over 20 years. JAMA 2012; 307(2): 173-81

Arizona University Scientists Develop Ebola Vaccine

2011-12-07T12:46:00.001-05:00

Credit: Wikimedia commons
Image is Ebola virus

Researchers from Arizona University have developed a vaccine against the deadly Ebola virus that works on mice.

The scientists have found a way to grow and purify the vaccine using the tobacco plant. According to the finding, reported in more detail today at EmaxHealth, the production of the vaccine is inexpensive and could be stored for extended periods without expiring.

The Ebola vaccine is different because it doesn't use a live virus, which means it doesn't require special storage for safety reasons.

The vaccine isn't used to prevent Ebola, but instead provokes the body's immune system to fight the infection.

The next step is to see if the Ebola vaccine works as well humans as it did in mice.

Fish eaters may be lowering their risk of Alzheimer’s disease

2011-11-30T19:33:00.001-05:00

Baked or broiled fish
linked to lower risk of Alzheimer's

For the first time, researchers have found a direct relationshipbetween eating baked or broiled fish and lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers from the University Of Pittsburgh MedicalCenter and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine studied 260people with no memory problems, finding that eating fish at least once a week seems to preserve graymatter in the brain.

Participants were chosen from the Cardiovascular Health Study.

Theinvestigators used the NationalCancer Institute Food Frequency Questionnaire to determine how often thestudy participants ate fish: 63 patients consumed fish on a weekly basis, and mostate fish one to four times per week.

Advanced3D MRI, using Voxel-based morphometry was used to measure the volume ofgray matter in the brain at baseline and then again 10 years later.

Theresearch team compared gray matter volume among people who ate fish, matchingthe finding with eating fish. They also adjusted the findings for age, gender,BMI, ethnicity, education and physical activity.

Whengray matter decreases, it means brain cells involved in sensory perception,muscle control, vision, hearing, memory, emotions and speech are shrinking.

Cyrus Raji,M.D., Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh said "Consuming baked orbroiled fish promotes stronger neurons in the brain's gray matter by makingthem larger and healthier. Thissimple lifestyle choice increases the brain's resistance to Alzheimer's diseaseand lowers risk for the disorder."

Fromthe study result, the scientists found eating baked or broiled fish at leastonce a week keeps brain volume intact in the hippocampal, posterior cingulateand orbital frontal cortex – areas responsible for short and long - termmemory, awareness, cognition and emotion and reward respectively.

Eatingbaked or broiled fish was also associated with heightened cognition.

"Workingmemory, which allows people to focus on tasks and commit information toshort-term memory, is one of the most important cognitive domains," Dr.Raji said.

Workingmemory is destroyed by Alzheimer's disease. We found higher levels of workingmemory in people who ate baked or broiled fish on a weekly basis, even whenaccounting for other factors…”

Thenew study supports previous findings that eating fish promotes brain health andmight lower the chances of Alzheimer’s disease.

Thestudy found eating fish at least once a week – baked or broiled – lowered the5-year risk of mild memory problems and Alzheimer’s disease five-fold. Theauthors write, “While we controlled for education in this study, other lifestyleand socio-economic factors may underlie these relationships.”

Image credit: Morguefile

Avoid jock itch, athlete’s foot and other fungus at the gym

2011-11-20T11:31:00.001-05:00

Avoid ringworm, athlete's foot, jock itch
and other fungus that can come from the gym

If you enjoy spending time at the gym, chances are you orsomeone you know has been plagued with some sort of fungus. Jock itch, ringwormand athlete’s foot are spread easily, making it important to take steps toavoid fungus at the gym.

Jock itch causes a raised, red, itchy rash in the groinarea. The medical term for jock itch, which can affect women too, is tineacruris. The best way to avoid the problem is to dry off after a workout andchange into loose clothing. Jock itch and other fungi thrive in a moistenvironment and start from sweating. Make sure you dry off completely aftershowering.

Athlete’s foot or tinea pedis is easily picked up fromwet floors at the gym. The condition usually begins with intense itchingbetween the toes. Without treatment athlete’s foot can spread; causing the skinto peel.

You can avoid athlete’s foot by wearing clean dry socks,avoiding sweaty shoes and wearing shower shoes at the gym. Make sure you washand dry your feet completely every day. After a workout; at home, take off yourshoes and let your feet air out.

Athlete’s foot can occur on the palms, fingers and heels.If it spreads to the fingernails or toenails, they can become thick, painfuland brittle.

Your doctor can prescribe medication to treat the footfungus. Look for over-the-counter treatments that contain the anti-fungal miconazole,clotrimazole, or tolnaftate .Clean your feet twice a day, drythoroughly, apply the medication and wear clean cotton socks.

Ringwormis another type of fungus that spreads easily. It can occur on the scalp orskin. Drying off well after a workout can help prevent ringworm. Don’t sharetowels or other personal items to reduce the chances of ringworm.

Toavoid bacterial infections at the gym, make sure you wipe down equipment,before and after a workout. Wash your hands before and after you exercise. Coverany cuts or scrapes with a band aide. Don’t go to the gym if you’re sick.

Fungusinfections like jock itch, athlete’s foot and ringworm aren’t dangerous, but theycan cause discomfort.

Avoidingfungal infections at the gym means paying attention to hygiene before, duringand after exercise.

Wearfresh clothing during exercise, dry yourself off thoroughly after exercise anddon loose clothing, keep your shoes clean and dry, wear shoes that cover thetoes in the shower, and if needed, seek treatment advice from your personalphysician to treat fungus infections at the first sign of rash, itching or skinchanges that can signal ringworm.

Image: Ringworm

Credit: Wikimedia commons

Women report humiliation and stress from cervical smears

2011-11-18T10:41:00.001-05:00

Women interviewed by UK
investigators say
cervical smears are humiliating
and stressful

A new investigation reveals womeninterviewed think getting a PAP (cervical smear) test is humiliating andstressful.

Researchers say a woman’sfeelings about cervical smears shouldn't be ignored, and that health careproviders should recognize and discuss expectations and anxiety women mightexperience from the tests.

In findings from University of Leicester, published in theinternational journal Family Practice,women report they aren’t always treated kindly when they have their exam todetect cancer.

In their study, the researchers found women would like a morepersonalized approach.

According to Dr Natalie Armstrong, Lecturer in SocialScience Applied to Health at the University of Leicester:

"Attitudestowards cervical smears remain something of a paradox. On one hand, screeningappears to command impressive levels of public support - as demonstrated bycampaigns to widen the eligibility criteria - but on the other hand there isconsiderable evidence suggesting that individual women find the experience ofthe screening test problematic."

Formany women, a gynecological exam is stressful and painful.

Armstronginterviewed 34 women for her paper, published in collaboration with colleaguesat Glasgow Caledonian University.

Shesays one woman stated, "It's just so cold. You go in, you take yourclothes off, she does that and I mean it's just so, it's just so degrading andembarrassing. It's just horrible."

“Womencan feel passive, helpless and vulnerable in the face of a situation where theyrisk pain and discomfort, shame and humiliation, and violation and invasion ofprivacy”, says Armstrong.

Shesays one solution may be to talk to women about their expectations during acervical PAP smear to allow them to express their feelings.

"Ignoringwomen's fears, anxieties and concerns can appear to deny the reality, or atleast the validity, of women's emotional responses.”

Womenin the study said health care professionals can seem detached and distant during exams.

Armstronghopes the finding can translate to a better experience for women undergoing theembarrassment of having a cervical smear test. Women interviewed in the University of Leicester study found the exams stressfuland humiliating.

CDC report highlights overdose deaths from prescription painkillers

2011-11-01T22:59:00.002-04:00

A new report from the CDC highlights the problem of overdose and death from prescription painkillers. According to the CDC, physicians, consumers and policy makers can act together to ensure patients receive safe pain management.

According to the finding, A large portion of overdose deaths are the result of people taking the medications recreationally. According to the CDC, in 2010, 12 million Americans over age 12 said they took painkillers in the past year just to get high, rather than for medical purposes.

The report also found more men than women die from drug overdose from prescription painkillers that include oxycodone, methadone and hyrdocodone.

Read the rest of the story at EmaxHealth.

Surgeon removes eight pound, foot long tumor from man’s liver

2011-10-23T09:14:00.000-04:00

Large liver tumor example

Man turned away by 3 surgeons

Marcus Muhich had a tumor in his liver that weighed 8 pounds and was afoot long. He had been turned down by three surgeons who said his tumor wasinoperable.

The man was ultimately referred to a surgeon at Loyola University.

It’s now been two years since Dr. Margo Shoup, chiefof the Division of Surgical Oncology at Loyola University Medical Centerremoved Mr. Muhich’s tumor. He is cancer free and calls Dr. Shoup a “miracleworker”.

The tumor was so large it was pressing against the man’s vena cava – a majorartery that supplies blood flow to the heart. Three surgeons at major academichospitals told Muhich the tumor couldn't be removed.

The cancerous liver tumor was pressing on the man’s vena cava,restricting blood flow to the heart. As a result, he was having an irregular heartbeatknown as atrial fibrillation.

The 8 pound tumor was felt by a cardiologist when Muhich sought care forhis heart rhythm disturbance.

Dr. Shoup was able to determine the cancer had not spread, even though it waslarge.

The chances of rupture of the vena cava and liver during surgery wouldhave means Muhich could bleed to death. But Dr. Shoup removed the tumor withoutcomplication.

Now the man is cancer free, his heartbeat is normal and there were nomajor surgery complications.

"The recovery was notdifficult at all," Muhich said. "It hurt very little.

It’s been two years sincethe 8 pound, foot long tumor was removed. "Sincehe has reached the two-year point without a recurrence, his prognosis isexcellent," Shoup said.

How did the man end up at LoyolaUniversity for surgery? - Sarita Gilligan, Muhich’s sister said, "Wetruly believe God sent us there."

Source: Loyola University

Image credit: Wikimedia commons

Top College Health Issues

2011-10-21T19:47:00.000-04:00

College students face a variety of potential health issues

College can have a negative effect on health

Many students find starting college has a negative effect ontheir health. Between socializing and keeping up withclasses online they become too busy to eat right or sleep well. They facenew levels of stress about tests and project deadlines. In addition, contagiousillnesses spread much faster in the relatively close quarters of collegecampuses. Students should be aware of the biggest health issues they face, andfollow the recommendations below to stay healthy.

Stress is a primary concern for college students

Stressand anxiety are primary concerns as students become anxious over grades,adjusting to a new life on campus, and making new friends. They may becomedepressed and even have suicidal thoughts. College campuses' student healthoffices can advise on how to deal with specific issues, and help students findcounseling if necessary. For any stress level, exercise helps to releaseendorphins, a feel-good hormone and stress-fighter. Even simply taking a30-minute walk a few times a week will help students relax and bear stress moreeasily.

Unhealthy Eating

Eating disorders are among the top concerns among students in all collegecampuses nationwide. Students may resort to eating to cope with high stress,avoid eating to conform to cultural expectations of body image, or may developdisordered eating because of other underlying issues. Dieting often leads toserious eating disorders, such as bulimia and anorexia, which may havelong-term health effects on young people's bodies.

Many students simply make poor food choices that lead tounhealthy weight gain. Eating sensibly is the key to preventing eating disordersand keeping healthy. Students shouldn't overindulge on junk food, but eathealthy meals three times a day.

Alcohol Abuse

Excessive drinking (particularly among underagestudents) remains a great concern as students continue to suffer alcoholpoisoning and other issues related to binge drinking. Depression and alcoholismoften go hand in hand and may become serious health concerns as young peopledevelop addictions. Excessive drinking may lead to other risky behaviors, suchas sexual violence and drunk driving. Students should never drink alcohol in anunsafe environment and avoid drinking to the point of heavy intoxication.

Illness

Sexuallytransmitted diseases may spread fast among students engaging in unsafe sex.In many cases, students become infected from casual encounters at drinkingparties. Young people should avoid sex with unfamiliar partners or at leastprotect themselves by using condoms.

Students get colds, flu, and respiratory infections in the fall that often lastuntil spring as the germs are passed around throughout the student body. Duringthe cold weather season, students are advised to get flu shots. Many campusesoffer them free of charge or at a great discount. Simple preventative measures,such as washing hands, taking vitamins, and getting adequate sleep will alsohelp boost immunity and speed recovery.

College life is stressful, no doubt about it. However, these are the best yearsfor young people to learn to be independent and to make responsible decisions.Students can enjoy the college years best by making healthy choices andavoiding health risks that can have long-term effects on their lives.

Author: Marina Salsbury
Image credit: Morguefile

Marijuana use might double the chances of driving accidents

2011-10-09T12:43:00.001-04:00

Marijuana use linked to crashes

Marijuana use linked car accidents

Research suggests if you use marijuana you may be at twice the risk of having a motor vehicle accident, compared to people who don’t use cannabis.

Researchers at Columbia University performed a meta-analysis of nine epidemiologic studies, finding people who tested positive for marijuana were twice as likely to have a car accident. The chances of a mishap while driving increased with frequency of marijuana use and concentration of the drug in the urine.

The scientists say the finding is important because of findings from a 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health that showed over 10 million people age 12 or older had driven under the influence of an illicit drug in the year prior to the survey.

GuohuaLi, MD, DrPh, professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University's Mailman Schoolof Public Health, and senior author says the finding should be interpreted withcaution, because the research doesn’t prove cause.

Marijuana most frequently found drug linked to car crashes

Lisays, “…if the crash risk associated with marijuana is confirmed by furtherresearch, this is likely to have major implications for driving safety andpublic policy. It also would play a critical role in informing policy on theuse of medical marijuana”.

Inthe study, marijuana was the most frequently found drug detected following amotor vehicle accident. More than 11% of the general driver populationtested positive for non-alcohol drugs. In twenty-eight percent of fatalities,non-alcohol drugs were found in the urine or bloodstream of drivers.

In8 out of 9 studies, the researchers found marijuana users were more like to beinvolved in a driving accident. Li says, “…it is urgent that we betterunderstand the role of marijuana in causing car accidents”, that would haveimplications for public policy for medical marijuana. The study suggests marijuana users are twice as likely to have a driving accident, compared to non-users.

Source: Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

Image credit: Morguefile

In a down economy, nursing jobs thrive

2011-09-14T19:53:00.000-04:00

Today's economy is notthe best for many people looking for employment. If you are considering a certified nursing assistantcertification, are in school for a nursing degree, or already have a nursingdegree but have not yet found a job, you may be wondering if available nursingjobs decreasing.

Although some hospitals and clinics areexperiencing budget cuts like many other organizations, even in the worst oftimes, healthcare positions are always a priority.

ABC news hasreported that there is a dire need for nurses, so much so that larger sign-onbonuses are often offered. A huge portion of the population needs health care at any given time. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, X-ray technicians,and others will be able to find employment within the range of theirprofession.

Hospitals, clinics andnursing homes are trying to cut costs in order to stay in business, but theyare required to have a specific number of required personnel on duty at alltimes in order to pass their standardization and certification requirements.

Asa nurse, there are many different departments available to work in, such aspediatrics, emergency room, intensive care, cardiac care, geriatrics and manyothers. If you are willing to accept work in any department, you will have amuch better chance of finding employment. Taking extra classes to further yourcredentials is also always a good decision when trying to make yourself moremarketable.

With the baby boomergeneration getting to the retirement age, there will likely be even more of ademand for healthcare employees. Also, as this generation ages, there will be recurrent medical issues to handle.

The AmericanAssociation of Colleges of Nursing shows a portion of some of the concernsin the health care field. Nurses, on average, now earn more than $62,000 peryear.

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics states that the average salary in theUnited States is only approximately $36,000. In fact, it is expected that theUnited States will be short by approximately 300,000 nurses by the year 2015.That is definitely a good sign for nursing students in school today.

The numberof nursing students at this point is not even close in keeping up with thatdemand. The job growthprojection chart, into the year 2018, shows that four out of the top ninejobs are in the health care profession. There is still a need for nurses. Infact some facilities are in such dire need of nurses that they are recruitingnurses from India and China.

Nurses who are workingtoday are beginning to age and nearing retirement age, which on average is 47.3years old. There are a higher number of older nurses employed than those underthe age of 30. There will not be enough nurses to replace those nearingretirement. Historically, nursing has been a female profession. That has beenchanging, likely because of the wide array of other professional opportunitiesavailable to women.

One of the major problemsfor the shortage of nursing students to fill the growing demand is the lack ofavailability of slots in nursing schools. Because of this, in 2007, over 40,000qualified nursing applicants were turned away.

Nurses holding a master’s degreecould be teaching at the university level. However, they earn more in clinicalpractice than they would at a teaching facility. Thanks to somenon-profit groups, scholarships and subsidized money is being offered to nursesto remain at the teaching level while still allowing them to continue withresearch. Some nurses are moving back to academics due to high stress levels in the clinical setting, helping to alleviate the shortage. shortage.

There are many otheravenues available of nursing careers, such as education facilities and government positions. Themilitary is in need of nurses. The pay may not be equal to what is paid on the“outside” but the benefits generally make up for the difference, especially ifyou make the military a career. Veteran’s hospitals, nursing homes,rehabilitation and assisted living facilities, and Alzheimer homes should alsobe considered.

Budget cuts are affectingnurse work-loads, even if not affecting the number of nurses hired. Oftentimes,higher-level positions are cut, so more of the burden falls on the nurses.There are often many stresses of working as a nurse, even if there is muchdemand for nursing positions.

Nursing jobsare not decreasing—in fact, there are nursing jobs available to anyone looking.Be ready to be flexible and be ready to work. You are definitely needed! Even in a down economy, a job in nursing is a sure bet.

Author: Elizabeth O'Malley

Bio: Elizabeth graduated with a degree in Public Health Administration before relocating with her family to Seattle.

She is currently writing, and her favorite topics include health care, work-life balance, and travel.

Synthetic compound SRT1720 helps obese mice live longer

2011-08-19T21:29:00.000-04:00

Researchers are testing the effect of a syntheticresveratrol stimulator, known as SRT1720 to see if it might treat humandiseases, reverse metabolic syndrome and help people live longer. In mousestudies, the compound did just that.

The compound has been suggested to haveanti-aging properties from past studies.

SRT1720 activates a class of enzymes known as sirtuins, which areassociated with the same positive health effects as calorie restriction.

In obese mice,scientists found improved liver, heart and pancreas function, compared to micenot given the patented compound.

The study is a collaborativeeffort of the National Institute on aging (NIA) and the drug company Sirtris, aGlaxoSmithKline company, and is published in the August18, 2011, issue of Scientific Reports.

Drugsuppresses gene pathway linked to aging

“This study hasinteresting implications for research on the biology of aging. It demonstratesthat years of healthy life can be extended in an animal model of diet-inducedobesity by a synthetic compound that modulates a gene pathway associated withaging," said NIA Director Richard J. Hodes, M.D.”

For the study,NIA researchers used one year old obese male mice, comparing the effect of SRT1720 to a control group.

The scientistsfed one group of mice a high fat diet, and the other regular foods. Both groupsreceived either a high dose of SRT1720, a low dose of SRT1720 or no SRT172.

Senior authorRafael de Cabo, Ph.D., of the Laboratory of Experimental Gerontology at the NIAsaid "As we hypothesized, SRT1720 mimics dietary restriction, moderatingmany of the harmful effects of the high-fat diet and obesity. Furthermore, we foundthat the higher dose of the compound had a stronger effect and there were nosigns of toxicity from SRT1720 even after 80 weeks of treatment.”

Mice given thecompound lived 4 percent longer than the untreated group, and 18 percent longerwith a higher dose of SRT 1720, even though they gained weight from the high-fatdiet.

Even with ahigh-fat diet, liver function remained normal in mice given the treatment. The compoundprotected the pancreas from insulin resistance.

High doseSRT1720 boosted HDL- the good - cholesterol levels in mice given a high-fatdiet. The compound decreased inflammation and prevented death of heart cells.

The researchersalso saw anti-aging effects in the liver, brain and kidneys, which they samecame from the ability of the drug to suppress gene expression that comes from ahigh-fat diet.

The drug wasstudied in 2008 for its potential for burning fat. In the study, mice weregiven a high-fat diet, but did not gain weight.

Until the more researchis done, no one knows if the SRT1720 mouse studies could apply to humans. The anti-aging,anti-obesity drug might help humans someday, but for now, the best remedy tostay young is through diet and exercise.

Second-hand smoke implicated for adolescent hearing loss

2011-07-18T19:56:00.003-04:00

Image credit: Morguefile
Secondhand smoke linked
to teen hearing loss

Secondhand (SHS) smoke has received a significant amount of attention for harming health. Now a study shows adolescents exposed to SHS are at increased risk for hearing loss, in addition to other health issues that include respiratory ailments, behavior problems and low birth weight.

The finding, published in the July issue of Archives of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals, cites statistics that 60 percent of children are exposed to secondhand smoke in the United States.

How second hand smoke leads to hearing loss in youth

The link is seen from recurrent ear infections, or otitis media. The chance of ear damage and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) increased with higher levels of exposure to secondhand smoke in adolescents studied.

The authors says hearing loss may occur from "suppression or modulation of the immune system" or from "impairment of the respiratory mucociliary apparatus" that would normally act as a defense against bacteria and infection. Without defenses, bacteria can more easily adhere to structures in the ear.

The study

The finding was extracted from data that was part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 to 2006. Researcher Anil K. Lalwani, M.D., and colleagues from NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City examined hearing loss risk factors among 1,533 individuals from 12 years to 19 years of age who were part of the study.

The study showed teens exposed to secondhand smoke were more likely to experience hearing loss affecting low and high frequencies.

Levels of cotinine, a byproduct of nicotine, correlated with higher rates of hearing loss and were measured in the bloodstream.

The study authors concluded:

"Adolescents who are exposed to SHS may need to be more closely monitored for hearing loss. In addition, they should be educated about risk factors for hearing loss, such as recreational or occupational noise exposure and SHS."

The authors note the finding that secondhand smoke leads to more ear infections and hearing loss in adolescents has public health implications. Loss of hearing can have a negative impact on normal childhood growth and development.

The study is believed to be the first to link hearing loss in adolescents to secondhand smoke exposure in the U.S. If further studies support the finding, the authors say exposure to secondhand smoke might be considered a risk factor that would prompt screening for hearing loss in teens.

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2011;137:655-662.

Stored blood for transfusion becomes less safe with aging, finds new study

2011-07-17T16:39:00.008-04:00

Image Credit: Bing.com
Stored blood can cause complications, finds new study

New research shows current methods of storing blood may be unsafe. Findings from scientists at Wake Forest University and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found some complications associated with blood transfusion comes from the breakdown of red blood cells that happens during storage.

The finding means it may be necessary to find new ways to preserve blood for transfusion.

According to background information from the study, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion every two seconds.

The finding, published in the journal Circulation, found nitric oxide (NO) interacts with stored red blood cells, breaking down blood flow. For transfusion recipients, vital tissues can be damaged from blood stored for long periods of time.

Higher rates of infection risk, kidney, lung or multi-organ failure and death have been observed among patients given transfusions from blood stored for longer periods of time, leading the researchers to try to understand why.

Stored blood can restrict blood flow, leading to organ damage
Mark T. Gladwin, M.D., chief, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Pitt School of Medicine, and director of Pitt’s Vascular Medicine Institute explains:

“When blood sits for a while, some of the cells break down and release their contents, which include molecules of hemoglobin and red blood cell microparticles. These accumulate in the stored bag of blood and are transfused into the patient with the blood. In the bloodstream, the hemoglobin and microparticles bind to and destroy NO, a very important molecule that is used by the body to keep blood vessels dilated for normal blood flow.”

NO in stored blood then constricts blood flow, depriving organs of oxygen and promoting inflammation, Gladwin explains.

Daniel B. Kim–Shapiro, Ph.D., professor of physics and director of the Translational Science Center at Wake Forest said,

“Transfusion of stored blood is one of the most common medical therapies. By understanding the mechanism of the storage lesion, we can design methods to make blood transfusion safer. For example, perhaps we can restore nitric oxide activity that is lost upon transfusion, use preservation solutions that better limit the degradation of blood cells, or develop agents that scavenge free hemoglobin.”

According to current guidelines, blood can be stored up to 42 days for transfusion. The new finding suggests blood stored for transfusion may not be safe, leading to complications if inflammation and impaired oxygen to organs.

Citation:

Impaired adenosine-5′-triphosphate release from red blood cells promotes their adhesion to endothelial cells: A mechanism of hypoxemia after transfusion.; Hongmei Zhu, Rahima Zennadi, Bruce X. Xu, Jerry P. Eu, Jordan A. Torok, Marilyn J. Telen, Timothy J. McMahon.; Critical Care Medicine, 2011; DOI: 10.1097/CCM.0b013e318225754f

Duke researchers also warned of the dangers to patients from storing blood in 2007 in this video.

Study: Bigger forks stop diners from ‘pigging out’

2011-07-16T16:56:00.002-04:00

Image credit: Morguefile.com

When it comes to the battle of the bulge, new research shows simply using a bigger fork stopped restaurant diners from 'pigging out'. Using a bigger fork helped diners eat less in an experiment.

According a July 14. 2011 news release, putting a bigger bite of food on your fork leads to less eating from important visual cues that otherwise seemed to be overlooked by food consumers.

The finding, which appears in the Journal of Consumer Research, is an interesting note for women who may not find a big fork so delicate.

But for weight loss, a bigger fork gives visual cues that could help with setting goals.

The study authors, from University of Utah, Salt Lake City, write:

"The fork size provided the diners with a means to observe their goal progress. The physiological feedback of feeling full or the satiation signal comes with a time lag. In its absence diners focus on the visual cue of whether they are making any dent on the food on their plate to assess goal progress."

Why using a bigger fork to eat less makes sense

Past studies have shown dieters are often unaware of visual cues that can influence higher food consumption. Examples include using smaller plates and just putting calorie laden foods out of sight.

The current study looked at individuals eating in a restaurant. When diners had a full plate of food and a small fork, they ate more than those with large forks.

According to the authors,”… it is very important to understand how small versus large bite sizes in a meal would inﬂuence the overall quantity of food consumed.”

But when serving sizes were small, fork size had no impact on the amount of food consumed in the experiment.

In the lab, fork size had no impact on food consumption. The authors suspect the reason is the goal of satisfying hunger when eating in a restaurant may have differed from the lab study participants.

Eating too much all boils down to paying attention to hunger cues, say the authors. “Mindful eating” has received much attention as a way to lose weight and help curb the obesity epidemic.

The study, according to the authors, is proof that it’s hard for people to know how much food they’re eating. "They allow external cues, such as fork size, to determine the amount they should consume."

Hint: When dining out, the big fork is the one next to the dinner plate. Keep it for dessert. Try it and see if you eat less food. The new study suggests it works.

Citation:

"Journal of Consumer Research; The Influence of Bite Size on Quantity of Food Consumed: A Field Study"; Arul Mishr, et al.; July 13 2011

Potential E. coli treatment developed 10 years ago

2011-06-08T09:27:00.000-04:00

E. coli treatment ignored, but developed a decade ago

Scientists from the University of Adelaide say they developed a possible treatment that could stop deadly E. coli in its tracks a decade ago that never went to clinical trial because of lack of interest from commercial sectors.

The scientists produced a probiotic that binds to E. coli and was shown to protect mice from the harmful effects of toxins produced by E. coli that is claiming lives in Europe.

E. coli can shut down the kidneys and attack blood vessels, leading to severe illness and death. Researchers Dr Adrienne Paton, Associate Professor Renato Morona and Professor James Paton infected mice with virulent strains of E. coli in 2000.

The researchers published their findings that the mice were completely protected from fatal doses of toxins that produce gastrointestinal disease in journal Nature Medicine, but no further studies were developed.

The researchers say if the probiotic had gotten the attention of investors, and proved effective in humans, lives could have been saved from the current outbreak of E. coli in addition to millions of dollars in health care costs.

Professor Paton, Director, Research Centre for Infectious Diseases at the University of Adelaide says, “The probiotic bacterium could be produced cheaply on a large scale. However, in spite of on-going attention from the scientific and medical community, there has been a lack of interest from the commercial sector in taking this product forward into clinical trials.”

The probiotic is harmless and binds to receptors in E. coli and dysentery toxins produced by the Shigella bacterium.

“Severe E. coli food poisoning outbreaks such as that currently occurring in Europe are becoming increasingly common,” said Professor Paton, Director, Research Centre for Infectious Diseases at the University of Adelaide.

Antibiotics are ineffective against deadly E. coli because they can increase the amount of toxins produced by the bacteria in the gut.

The type of probiotic engineered a decade ago that could potentially treat deadly E. coli early in the course of the disease, according to researchers, could be developed inexpensively, is recognized by the medical and scientific community, but never garnered attention from the commercial sector and never went to human clinical trials.

Source: University of Adelaide News

Coffee cuts breast cancer risk, but how is unclear

2011-05-15T12:01:00.001-04:00

Coffee cuts breast cancer risk

Conflicting study results suggest coffee might reduce the chances of breast cancer. In a new study, researchers say women who drink more than five cups of the brew daily do seem to be protected from the disease, though the reasons are unclear.

In the new study, scientists found coffee cuts the risks of antiestrogen-resistant estrogen-receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer specifically.

ER negative breast cancer prevention has been the subject of much research. Drugs like tamoxifen, known as aromatase inhibitors, target ER positive types of the disease in high risk women, making the finding especially appealing.

After adjusting for other lifestyle factors, the researchers still found coffee is protective for women who consume the beverage, compared to seldom or non-drinkers.

The scientists also noted the effect doesn't seem to be from phytoestrogens because coffee only seems to protect women from ER-negative types of the disease.

The study comes from researchers at the Karolinska Institutet who say all coffee is not the same.

In a German study, the link between coffee and lower risk of breast cancer was weaker. The study authors suspect it may have something to do with the way the brew is prepared, or the type of coffee bean.

Lifestyle factors that include weight management, smoking cessation and regular exercise reduce the chances of developing breast cancer. Now coffee can be added to the list of breast cancer prevention interventions worth considering, even though the reasons the brew protects are still unknown.

BioMed Central: doi:10.1186/bcr2879

"Coffee consumption modifies risk of estrogen-receptor negative breast cancer"

Jingmei L et al

Vitamin supplements could lead to risky health behaviors

2011-04-23T10:51:00.002-04:00

Vitamin use does
not mean better health

Supplement use linked to hedonistic behavior

Findings from researchers suggest people who use vitamin supplements tend to engage in risky health behaviors.

In a series of experiments, investigators from Taiwan found vitamins and supplements may make people feel invulnerable to health problems, leading to poor food choices and less exercise.

The study findings show vitamin supplements might work against people who were found to overindulge in hedonistic behaviors when taking supplements that they believe promoted good health.

According to Wen-Bin Chiou of National Sun Yat-Sen University, "After reviewing the literature of the prevalence of dietary supplement use, it seemed to show that use of dietary supplements is increasing, but it does not appear to be correlated with improved public health.”

He adds, "People who rely on dietary supplement use for health protection may pay a hidden price, the curse of licensed self-indulgence.”

In the study, the investigators gave everyone a placebo. Group A was instructed to take a fake multivitamin and group B was told they were given a dummy pill.

Less exercise, more buffets for supplement users

The group who thought they were taking the vitamin supplement were less inclined to exercise and tended to engage in risky health behaviors like choosing a buffet over a healthy organic meal.

The group who thought they were taking a vitamin pill also tended to walk less.

Chiou says the message is don’t rely on vitamin supplements for good health. He recommends remaining vigilant because vitamin use can work against you.

People who take vitamins may feel invulnerable to health problems, leading to poor decisions when it comes to choosing healthy food and regular exercise.

Association for Psychological Science

Image credit: Morgue File

Rising PSA no indication for biopsy, prostate cancer

2011-04-09T10:54:00.000-04:00

High PSA velocity no predictor of prostate cancer risk

Researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center say a sudden rise in PSA (prostate specific antigen) level, known as PSA velocity, is not a predictor of prostate cancer, as long as the total PSA remains low and clinical exam is otherwise normal.

The scientists studied 5000 men, finding strong evidence that using PSA velocity can lead to unnecessary biopsies. The researchers say men should be cautious about consenting to a prostate biopsy when digital exam is normal but there are variations in the test.

According to Peter T. Scardino, MD, Chair of the Department of Surgery, "This study should change practice. We have previously published papers determining that PSA naturally varies from month to month and have urged men whose PSA suddenly rises to wait six weeks and repeat the test before agreeing to a needle biopsy."

Guidelines from the the National Cancer Center Network and the American Urological Association recommend that men with a rapid rise in PSA or high PSA velocity undergo biopsy even if baseline PSA is normal and there are no changes in the prostate gland with a digital rectal exam.

In the study, men with PSA of 3.0 ng/mL were either given a drug to shrink the prostate gland known as finasteride or a placebo. The researchers focused on the group given placebo. The men were followed for 7 years with yearly PSA testing. Those with a PSA level greater than 4.0 ng/mL were recommended to undergo biopsy.

The study included men from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial who were 55 years of age or older and had no history of prostate cancer, normal digital rectal exam and PSA 3.0 ng/mL or less.

At the end of the seven years, men without prostate cancer diagnosis were asked to consent to biopsy. The researchers found there was no association between results of the PSA velocity and outcomes of biopsy. The researchers found PSA testing is a better indicator for prostate cancer than PSA velocity.

JNCI J Natl Cancer Inst (2011)103 (6): 462-469.doi: 10.1093/jnci/djr028

“An Empirical Evaluation of Guidelines on Prostate-specific Antigen Velocity in Prostate Cancer Detection”

Image credit: Wikipedia commons

UA survey suggests 'fat tax' won't stop consumers

2011-04-08T19:05:00.005-04:00

Buyers are more likely to shun food
with fat warnings versus a fat tax

Overweight shoppers avoid food with fat warnings

Shoppers who reach for unhealthy fattening foods in the grocery store are less likely to purchase with a warning label than they would be if a "fat tax" is added to the price.

When researchers at the University of Alberta compared consumer buying relative to cost, to that of warning labels about what's in the food, they found consumers who are overweight were more likely to avoid unhealthy snacks with a warning.

Price no deterrent to buying unhealthy food

In the study, shoppers were asked to choose either a healthy or a fattening snack that cost between 50 cents and 2 dollars. Among 3 groups of shoppers, only those who were overweight were less likely to choose junk food if there was a warning label about the fat content.

Sean Cash, an adjunct professor of rural economy at the U of A who led the study said, "The consumers who heeded the label didn't care about the price, but responded to the warning and were much less likely to buy the snack."

He adds, "Based on the reaction of shoppers, a tax seems to be the least effective for the people you want to reach most. If you want to use the tax to change the habits of consumers, it won't be effective. A nickel here and there in tax isn't going to change behaviour in a big way."

Cash says a so called fat tax could also have unexpected outcomes. People will likely buy cheaper brands of soda, for instance or purchase in bulk to save money.

The survey that included 364 shoppers shows imposing a fat tax on junk food won't stop consumers from buying unhealthy foods. Those surveyed who were overweight avoided foods with a high fat content warning on the label that included a note they would be taxed on the item.

Two of the groups surveyed shunned both fatty and taxable junk food. The group that was overweight tended to avoid buying food that had a warning label about the high fat content. The survey suggests food tax would do little to curb consumer eating behaviors.

Source: University of Alberta

Image credit: Wikimedia commons

Video games improve upper extremity motor skills for stroke patients

2011-04-07T13:25:00.003-04:00

Video game study shows stroke
patients regain motor skills
and strength from playing

Stroke patients develop upper extremity motor skills from video games

Researchers say compared to standard therapy, stroke patients who play video games are five times more likely to regain upper body motor skills after a stoke.

According to Dr. Gustavo Saposnik, the lead author of the study and the director of the Stroke Outcomes Research Unit at St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, virtual reality gaming shows promise as a therapy for stroke patients that is affordable and fun.

Saposnik says, "Recovery of motor skill depends on neurological recovery, adaptation, and learning new strategies. Virtual reality systems drive neuroplasticity and lead to benefits in motor function improvement after stroke."

The original study from Saposnik was published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, July 2010.

A new analysis from Saposnik looked 12 existing studies on the effect of electronic games on upper extremity strength and mobility, finding the repetitiveness and challenge of video games could surpass conventional therapy after a stroke that provides only "modest" recovery and delayed effects.

The study was conducted on patients with mild to moderate stroke. Further studies are needed to see if video games can improve motor function in other groups of patients.

According to the authors, 55 to 75 percent of stroke survivors have impaired motor function in their arms. Virtual gaming could provide a fun, inexpensive and effective way to help stroke patients function better, improving quality of life.

Source: St. Michael's Hospital

UW researchers kill cancer cells with oxygen and wormwood compound

2011-04-04T21:34:00.003-04:00

Artemisinin from wormwood and pure oxygen
killed cancer cells in a UW lab study

Adding pure oxygen boosts effectiveness of naturalcompound artemisinin for killing cancer cells

University of Washington researchers studied the compound artemisininthat comes from wormwood, finding adding pure oxygen boosted the ability ofartemisinin to kill cancer cells. Scientists have been exploring theanti-cancer potential of the wormwood compound since the 1990’s.

In new research, when the scientists combined pure oxygenwith artemisinin, the growth of leukemia cells in the lab was reduced by 38percent, boosting the effect of the wormwood compound 50 percent.

Oxygen alone stopped cancer cell growth by fifteen percent,but the researchers say using high-pressure oxygen at three-and-a-half timesnormal air pressure madethe compound even more potent.

“If you combine high-pressure oxygen with artemisinin youcan get a much better curing effect,” said author Henry Lai, a UW researchprofessor of bioengineering. “We onlymeasured up to 48 hours. Over longer time periods we expect the synergisticeffects to be even more dramatic.”

The findings, reported in the journal Anticancer Research, suggest a new targetfor cancer treatment from the natural compound. The study authors noteartemisinin is inexpensive, non-injectable, and accordingto Dr. Lai, “It’s 100 times more specific than traditional chemotherapy.”

For the study, Lai place a Petri dish with cancer cells in ahyperbaric chamber for 48 hours that Washington State University Professor andco-author Raymond Quock hasbeen using to study the effect of pressurized oxygen on pain.

Lai and University of Washington colleagues developed andlicensed variant of artemisinin that is 1000 times more potent than the naturalcompound in 2004.

For clinical studies, Lai says people or animals could liein hyperbaric oxygen chambers to boost the effect of artemisinin for treatingcancer. He says he has suspected oxygen could enhance the effect of thewormwood compound since 2010 because it promotes the formation of freeradicals.

The researchers are conducting clinical trialson dogs with lymphoma using synthetic artemisinin compounds. They are also plantingcrops of artemesia to be developed as a cancer therapy and to see if it cancontrol parasites in poultry.

Cancer cells need iron to form new DNA, grow and metastasizeand artemisinin reacts with iron to form free radical compounds, making cancercells unstable. It is also used as an anti-malarial in Asia and Africa.

The natural compound artemisinin is known to kill cancercells. In the new study from University of Washington Researchers, thecombination of pure oxygen and the wormwood compound destroyed leukemia cells.Dr. Lai says the combination effect in the lab was even more pronounced for breastcancer cells.

Source: Universityof Washington

Photo credit: Wikipedia Commons

Less stress could help cancer patients

2011-04-03T12:01:00.008-04:00

Chronic stress
associated with cancer
could negatively affect outcomes

Chronic stress shortens telomeres in cancer patients

Reducing chronic stress for cancer patients could improve health outcomes. Researchers collected biological samples in 31 women diagnosed with cervical cancer, then compared two groups in a study that measured length of telomeres that are found at the end of chromosomes. Telomeres protect genetic information. Shorter length has been linked to shorter lifespan.

The findings showed enhancing quality of life with counseling sessions was associated with longer telomeres. The study also enhances understanding of the mind-body connection. Researchers at the University of California, Irvine conducted the study.

Edward Nelson, M.D., division chief of hematology/oncology at the University said, "For this study, we wanted to know if chronic stress was associated with accelerated telomere shortening in cancer patients, and if a psychosocial intervention that modulates the stress response could also modulate telomere length."

Women with cancer who were provided counseling were compared to those receiving usual care. Six session of counseling focused on enhancing health, improving relationships and sexual health was associated with telomere length that protects DNA and is linked to longevity and aging by scientists.

The scientists say the findings, presented at the 102nd annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research are preliminary, but whether or not stress reduction improves outcomes from the effect on telomere length, Nelson says there is still "no doubt" that cancer patients can benefit from psychological counseling. For more information on the study, visit EmaxHealth.

Soybean antioxidants could help fight lung cancer

2011-04-02T13:56:00.018-04:00

Soy antioxidants help destroy cancer.

Three isoflavones in soy make lung cancer tumors more amenable to radiation treatment

Researchers say genistein in soy is known to help fight lung cancer. New research shows three isoflavones make it harder for cancer cells to survive. The effect of the antioxidants could boost the effect of radiation cancer treatment.

The scientists used human cancer cell lines to study the impact of genistein, daidzein and glycitein in soybeans on cancer cells They found the isoflavones are even more potent than genistein that has been used in clinical trial in pill form as a pretreatment for cancer therapy.

The scientists studied soy in A549 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. They say soy damages DNA in cancer cells, making them easier to destroy with radiation.

The findings are important because soy is a non-toxic way to treat cancer and won't harm healthy tissue.

The study was conducted by Wayne State University's School of Medicine and the Karmanos Cancer Institute and published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology,

Soy sensitizes cancer cells so they can be destroyed by radiation and also provides antioxidants to protect healthy tissue.

You can read more detailed study information at Emaxhealth.com.

Coffee and fatty food dangerous for blood sugar levels

2011-04-02T13:26:00.009-04:00

Coffee with a high fat meal raises
blood sugar levels and can
harm organs.

Researchers find coffee and a fast food meal causes dangerous spikes in blood sugar.

In the new study, researchers found a 65 percent increase in blood sugar levels in men who consumed a specially made lipid (fatty) cocktail, followed by caffeine and a sugar drink.

The reason say scientists from University of Guelph, is because saturated fat disrupts communication between the gut and the pancreas that release insulin.

Normally, blood sugar is cleared from the body and delivered to muscles for energy, but eating a high fat diet blunts the effect of hormones in the gastrointestinal tract. The effect lasts for hours and can harm body organs. The effect is worse when coffee with caffeine is added.

Researcher Marie-Soleil Beaudoin explains, "Ultimately we have found that fat and caffeinated coffee are impairing the communication between the gut and the pancreas, which could be playing a role in why participants couldn't clear the sugar from their blood as easily."

The scientists say coffee is already known to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. The new study shows coffee combined with a high fat meal raises blood sugar levels on par with patients who have the disease.

Beaudoin suggests decaffeinated coffee is a better choice for cutting the chances of diabetes and keeping blood sugar levels normal, in addition to avoiding saturated high fat foods. The findings are published in the Journal of Nutrition. You can read more details of the study at Emaxhealth.com.

Common sleep medicine puts older adults at risk for night time falls, confusion

2011-01-13T23:32:00.005-05:00

Elders given zolpidem for sleep
were found to be at
high risk for falls and cognitive
decline in a study.

A popular medicine that helps older adults sleep can cause harm warn researchers.

The commonly prescribed medication, zolpidem, sold under the brand names Ambien, Zolpimist, Edluar, Hypogen, Somidem and Iveda, was found in a study to increase the chances of falls and cognitive decline in elders.

Researchers found that 58 percent of older adults and 27 percent of the young adults studied experienced loss of balance after awakening, 2 hours after falling asleep.

The study included 25 healthy adults who were assessed using a technique known as the “tandem walk” that involves placing one foot in front of the other on a 16-foot-long, six-inch-wide beam on the floor using normal step length.

When the participants were not given any medication, none of them fell off the six-inch wide beam.

Kenneth Wright, lead study author at University of Colorado, Boulder says,

"The balance impairments of older adults taking zolpidem were clinically significant and the cognitive impairments were more than twice as large compared to the same older adults taking placebos, This suggests to us that sleep medication produces significant safety risks."

He explains that sleep alone leads to grogginess that can impair walking and increase fall risk. In the study, zolpidem also impaired memory in addition to enhancing sleep inertia.

The researchers say the findings are important given the statistics that 30 percent of hospitalizations among elders over 65 are from falls. In a previous study, the researchers found subjects who took no sleep medications at all were cognitively impaired after being awakened from 8 hours of sleep.

One explanation for the difference in fall risk between older and younger subjects given zolpidem could be in the dosing. Older study participants were given the recommended 5 mg dose. For younger subjects, 10 mg is the normally prescribed dose.

"One of the goals of this study was to understand the risk of this sleep medication and of sleep inertia on human safety and cognition and to educate adults and health care workers about potential problems," said Wright. "We are not suggesting that sleep medications should not be used, because they have their place in terms of the treatment of insomnia."

Wright says a solution to reduce the chances of falls among elders from sleep medication is to install bedside commodes. He explains insomnia can also lead to falls. In the study, 25 percent of older adults failed the tandem walking balance test. The new study shows sleep medication leads to fall risk and cognitive decline in elders who frequently take medications for insomnia.

Journal of the American Geriatric Society: DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.03229.x

Consumers willing to pay for predictive health risk tests

2011-01-09T15:40:00.000-05:00

A national study shows consumers are willing to pay for genetic tests to predict disease.

Researchers at Tufts Medical Center conducted a study showing that most consumers are willing to pay out of pocket to find out if they are at risk for diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's disease, or arthritis.

The findings, published the in journal Health Economics, found 76 percent of people surveyed would be willing to spend $300 to $600 for predictive health tests.

Peter J. Neumann, ScD, director of the Center for the Evaluation of Value and Risk in Health at the Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies at Tufts Medical Center says:

"This study brings us a step closer to understanding people's preferences and motivations for wanting a diagnostic test, even if it has no bearing on subsequent medical treatment. While we have to proceed cautiously in this area, given that tests have costs and risks as well as benefits, our study suggests that many people value information—both for its own sake and because they will adjust lifestyle and behavior choices accordingly."

Among the 1463 respondents who indicated their willingness to pay for health risk tests, the greatest interest was in prostate cancer screening (87 percent). Eighty-one percent indicated they would pay for knowing their risk of breast cancer, 79 percent for arthritis and 72 percent would want to know the chances of developing Alzheimer's disease.

The study participants were asked how much they would pay for the tests that assess individual disease risk based on genetic testing, whether they would take an test that might be "imperfect", and their willingness to pay for a "perfectly accurate" health risk test.

The researchers also asked the respondents about socioeconomic and health status, attitudes about risk factors and what they might do if they received a positive test result.

The results showed those with higher income were willing to pay more. Consumers also said they would pay for tests related to more serious disease, such as cancer.

Respondents indicated if they had a positive test result they would prioritize their lives and change behaviors that included, spending more time with loved ones (51%), putting their finances in order (48%), or traveling more (31%).

Twenty-four percent of those surveyed said they would not take a genetic test for predicting future disease. Others less inclined to do so included women with higher education levels and individuals who practice healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Those who didn't want to have such a test said it was due to cost, inability to prevent disease and the idea that they didn't want to live with the knowledge they might be at risk.

"By taking into account all implications of these tests— including the risks, costs, potential cost offsets, and the value they have outside of medical outcomes—we can build better policies and make better decisions about coverage and reimbursement, so that we may more accurately reflect patient preferences and appropriate uses of societal resources," says Neumann.

A number of clinical laboratories offer genetic testing to help consumers understand disease risk factors. The national survey shows 76 percent of those surveyed would pay for tests that could predict risk factors for the four diseases studied - prostate cancer, breast cancer, arthritis and Alzheimer's disease.

Health Economics, December 2010: doi: 10.1002/hec.1704

Alcoholism and Obesity Share Same Risk Factors

2010-12-31T17:49:00.000-05:00

Addiction researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis say alcoholism puts people at risk for obesity, also noting the association between the two has become more pronounced in recent years.

The report that appears in the Archives of General Psychiatry was conducted by Richard A. Grucza, MD and colleagues who say individuals with a family history of alcoholism have an elevated obesity risk. In addition, that risk seems to be growing. The association is especially strong for women.

Food and Alcohol Addiction Occur in Same Area of the Brain

Grucza says it might be that food and alcohol addiction occur in the same area of the brain stimulated by foods that weren’t always available.

He explains “Much of what we eat nowadays contains more calories than the food we ate in the 1970s and 1980s, but it also contains the sorts of calories — particularly a combination of sugar, salt and fat — that appeal to what are commonly called the reward centers in the brain.”

Data for the study came from the National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey conducted in 1991 and 1992 and the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions conducted in 2001 and 2002 that included almost 80,000 people between the two surveys.

Grucza says, in 2001 and 2002, women with a family history of alcoholism were 49 percent more likely to be obese than those without a family history. “We also noticed a relationship in men, but it was not as striking in men as in women.” He says that perhaps people substitute one addiction for another, explaining why alcoholism and obesity risk factors are shared.

Though there is no conclusion as to why obesity and alcoholism are linked, Grucza says it’s probably as simple as a change in food environment. People who are addicted to food are also likely to have addictive tendencies toward alcohol. He also notes alcoholism does not cause obesity and that usually the opposite occurs.

Washington University in St. Louis

Drunk and Drugged Drivers tops 20 Percent in some States

2010-12-09T14:02:00.000-05:00

New data shows, in the last year, the number of drunk or drugged drivers topped 20 percent in some states. The findings, from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), revealed 4.3 percent of individuals over age 16 drove under the influence of non-prescribed drugs in the past year and 13.2 percent drove under the influence of alcohol.

Number of Impaired Drivers Varies by State
Some states fared worse than others when it came to the number of impaired drivers on the road. Wisconsin and North Dakota had the highest number of drunk drivers - 23.7 and 22.4 percent respectively. The highest number of drugged drivers were found in Rhode Island (7.8%) and Vermont (6.6%).

Utah and Mississippi had the fewest number of drunk drivers and Iowa and New Jersey had lower numbers of drivers under the influence of illicit drugs.

The 16 to 25 age group were most inclined to drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Started at age 26 the rates were much lower.

Even though the statistics seem bleak, the study showed drunk driving has declined in the past few years, from 14.6 percent to 13.2 percent. Driving under the influence of drugs has declined from 4.8 percent to 4.3 percent.

“Thousands of people die each year as a result of drunk and drugged driving, and the lives of thousands of family members and friends left behind are forever scarred,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. “Some progress has been made in reducing the levels of drunk and drugged driving through education, enhanced law enforcement and public outreach efforts. However, the nation must continue to work to prevent this menace and confront these dangerous drivers in an aggressive way.”

Data for the study comes from National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) that includes responses 423,000 respondents aged 16 or over, collected 2002 to 2005 and 2006 to 2009.

Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy says, “This new data adds to other emerging research revealing that there is an alarmingly high percentage of Americans on our roadways with drugs in their system. At a time when drug use is on the rise, it is crucial that communities act today to address the threat of drugged driving as we work to employ more targeted enforcement and develop better tools to detect the presence of drugs among drivers.”

The new findings show there are about 40 million Americans who admit to driving while impaired each year.

Liberal Political Views Linked to Specific Gene Variant

2010-10-30T13:54:00.000-04:00

New research shows a specific gene variant may play a role in liberal political views. Scientists from University of California, San Diego, and Harvard University say it is a combination of social interaction during adolescence and a specific gene variant that influences liberal thinking and political views.

The findings are the first to find a relationship between genes and political thinking. The scientists examined 2000 subjects from The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. They looked at social networks and matched genetic information, finding a variant of the DRD4 gene leads to novelty seeking behavior and liberalism.

Liberal Thinkers Have more Active Social Life during Adolescence

The DRD4 gene is a dopamine receptor - a chemical that controls movement, emotional response, and the ability to experience pleasure and pain. Dopamine has previously been linked to more liberal personality traits.

James H. Fowler, professor of political science and medical genetics at UC San Diego.and his colleagues hypothesized liberal thinkers have more friends during adolescence, exposing them to a variety of cultures and viewpoints. The result is more liberal thinking in adulthood.

Fowler says "it is the crucial interaction of two factors – the genetic predisposition and the environmental condition of having many friends in adolescence – that is associated with being more liberal."

The interaction between biology and environment is something Fowler hopes "more scholars will begin to explore." He concludes social environment cannot totally explain political attitudes. Liberal political views seem to come from a combination of social and environmental factors and is now linked to a specific variant of the DRD4 "liberal gene".

The Journal of Politics (2010), 72: 1189-1198 Cambridge University Press
doi: 10.1017/S0022381610000617

Dementia Becoming Harder to Detect

2010-10-22T13:44:00.003-04:00

Swedish researchers say 70 year olds are smarter than they used to be, making it more difficult to detect dementia. Scientists who have been studying 70 year olds for years say it's becoming harder to determine who will develop dementia in later years using current screening methods.

Even though the incidence of dementia has remained unchanged, the scientists say tests that measure memory, speed, language, logic and spatial awareness..."worked well for the group of 70-year-olds born in 1901-02, the same tests didn't offer any clues about who will develop dementia in the later generation of 70-year-olds born in 1930."

The researchers had been following a large population of 70 year olds as part of the H70 study. When they compared test results of 70 year olds born in 1930; examined in 2000, the researchers found they performed better in the intelligence tests than study participants examined in 1971 and born in 1901 and 1902.

Health Care, Advanced Technology Makes 70 year olds Smarter

Part of the reason for the findings could be "better pre- and neonatal care, better nutrition, higher quality of education, better treatment of high blood pressure and other vascular diseases, and not least the higher intellectual requirements of today's society, where access to advanced technology, television and the Internet has become part of everyday life," explains Simona Sacuiu, resident in psychiatry at Sahlgrenska University Hospital and medical researcher.

"That's why it's important for people with memory problems to receive a thorough examination," explains Dr. Sacuiu. "If we are to identify dementia effectively at an early stage, we need good tools that include psychometric tests. However, these must constantly be adapted to new generations, as older people are performing better and better in standardised psychometric tests."

The study found that dementia is as common as it was 30 years ago, The research found memory was the only predictor of dementia in the H70 study, but far from many developed the disease. The findings suggest dementia is more difficult to detect because 70 years olds today are smarter than their predecessors.

NEUROLOGY 2010;75:779-785

Muscle could Improve Survival for Kidney Disease Patients

2010-10-16T11:43:00.001-04:00

New research suggests dialysis patients with muscle mass live longer. The findings suggest using weights to build muscle, or taking medications to improve lean muscle mass might improve survival for patients with kidney failure.

Researchers looked at the effect of lean muscle mass versus higher body mass index (BMI) among 792 dialysis patients. Past studies have shown that patients with increased BMI live longer, but did not differentiate between muscle and fat mass.

The study, conducted by Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh MD, PhD (Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center) and his colleagues, measured patients' mid-arm muscle circumference (a measure of lean mass) and triceps skinfold (a measure of fat mass) over a 5-year period.

Dialysis Patients with Muscle Mass 37 Percent Less Likely to Die

During the study, dialysis patients with high mid-arm muscle mass were 37 percent less likely to die. Not only did they live longer, but they also scored better on mental health tests.

Dr. Kalantar-Zadeh says more studies are needed to verify the findings, but "it is possible that interventions that can improve muscle mass or increase lean body mass can lead to better clinical outcomes and greater survival in tens of thousands of dialysis patients and probably millions of individuals with other stages of chronic kidney disease or other chronic disease states."

More research is needed to understand the complexity and underlying mechanisms between muscle mass and improved survival for patients with kidney disease, found in the study.

Clin. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol: doi:10.2215/CJN.02080310

Yoga Combats Serious Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

2010-10-16T10:19:00.002-04:00

New research shows practicing yoga can combat pain and other serious symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. In a study, the effects of yoga were compared to a group given an eight week program of gentle poses, meditation, breathing exercises and group discussions to a group of fibromyalgia patients undergoing standard therapy with medication.

The study, conducted at Oregon Health & Science University, enrolled 53 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia in an effort to determine if yoga "should be considered as a prescribed treatment and the extent to which it can be successful."

James Carson, PhD., a clinical health psychologist and an assistant professor of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine says, "Previous research suggests that the most successful treatment for fibromyalgia involves a combination of medications, physical exercise and development of coping skills." The current study focused specifically on yoga.

The group assigned yoga kept a diary throughout the study. Questionnaires and physical exam were used to evaluate pain, stiffness, fatigue, poor sleep and memory, depression and anxiety and balance before and after the study.

Yoga reduced fibromyalgia pain, fatigue and depression after 8 weeks

The study revealed that yoga had a significant impact for reducing pain, fatigue and depression associated with fibromyalgia.

Compared to the group receiving standard medical therapy, participants given an 8 week program of yoga experienced a 24 percent reduction in pain, 30 percent reduction in fatigue, and depression was reduced by 42 percent.

Carson noted "One likely reason for the apparent success of this study therapy was the strong commitment shown by the study subjects. Attendance at the classes was good as was most participants' willingness to practice yoga while at home."

As a result of their studies the Oregon Health and State University researchers plan to offer teaching to U.S. and Canadian yoga teachers next June, focused on helping individuals with chronic pain. Previous research from OSHU showed that yoga can also help cancer pain. The new findings show yoga could be beneficial for combating serious symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.

Oregon Health & Science University

Survey Finds Marijuana not a Gateway for Teen Drug use

2010-09-04T13:42:00.002-04:00

Researchers find that that pot smoking among teens is not a gateway that leads to harder drug use. Instead, policy makers should focus on other factors found in a survey that influence teen drug use, that include race, ethnicity, stress and unemployment

The biggest predictor of illicit drug use among teens was found to be race and ethnicity, according to research from University of New Hampshire. Pot smoking and use of illicit drugs among teens fades with lower stress levels, found from a survey of 1,286 young adults.

Gateway to Harder Drugs from Marijuana Short-Lived

By age 21, the risk of marijuana's gateway effect to harder drugs subsides. The researchers say, “While marijuana use may serve as a gateway to other illicit drug use in adolescence, our results indicate that the effect may be short-lived, subsiding by age 21.

Interestingly, age emerges as a protective status above and beyond the other life statuses and conditions considered here. We find that respondents ‘age out’ of marijuana’s gateway effect regardless of early teen stress exposure or education, work, or family statuses.”

Ethnicity, rather than prior use of marijuana was found to be the biggest predictor of other illicit drug use among adolescents.

Non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics and African Americans were most likely to use harder drugs. The highest incidence was among Non-Hispanic whites. The survey responders were Miami-Dade public school attendees in the 1990s.

The researchers say the notion that marijuana use among adolescents leads to hard drug use is "overblown". UNH associate professors of sociology Karen Van Gundy and Cesar Rebellon conducted the study.

One way to protect teens from drug use through employment. “Employment in young adulthood can protect people by ‘closing’ the marijuana gateway, so over-criminalizing youth marijuana use might create more serious problems if it interferes with later employment opportunities,” Van Gundy says.

The strongest predictor of illicit drug use among teens was race and ethnicity. Stress and younger age were also found to predict adolescent use of other illicit drugs, as opposed to marijuana use.

The researchers say drug policy makers should address stress and other life factors to curb illicit drug use among youth. The gateway that triggers illicit drug use among teens is not marijuana, according to the survey findings.

Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Sept 2010: “A Life-course Perspective on the ‘Gateway Hypothesis"

Vitamin B3 antifungal properties discovered by scientists

2010-07-10T17:39:00.003-04:00

Vitamin B3 limits fungus growth, could save lives

Vitamin B3 has been found to limit fungal infections that include candida, a type of yeast infection and Aspergillus fumigata. Fungal infections can lead to death, for patients with HIV, cancer, and other diseases that compromise immunity. Researchers have discovered vitamin B3 has potent antifungal properties. Read the entire story at Emaxhealth.com

Online weight loss program from AARP open to participants

AARP has launched an online weight loss challenge called fat2fit, led by fitness expert and author Carole Carson, who lost more than 60 pounds at age 60. Joining a community of like minded individuals seeking better health through weight loss makes sense - and there are prizes. Read the rest at Emaxhealth.com

Women get more sexually active between age 27 and 45

Researchers studied three groups of women to find that between age 27 and 45 sexually activity and libido accelerate. The scientists say the reason is because fertility declines as women approach menopause, driving them to become more sexually adventurous. Read more

Promising New Drug Shrinks Some Lung Cancer Tumors

2010-06-22T19:51:00.006-04:00

Researchers say a new drug called crizotinib shows promise for treating specific types of lung cancer. In clinical trials,crizotinib reduced the size of lung cancer tumorsdramatically. Within 8 weeks of starting treatment ,lung cancer was stabilized in 87 percent of patient enrolled in Phase I/II clinical trials.

Lyudmila Bazhenova, MD, assistant clinical professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine and a member of the Moores UCSD Cancer Center says the first two trials are "encouraging", but the Phase III trials will determine if crizotinib will go to market. If so, approximately four percent of patients with a specific type of lung cancer would benefit from the drug.

Crizotinib works by inhibiting a specific enzyme present in approximately four percent of patients with NSCLC or non small cell lung carcinoma that results in the fusion of two genes - ALK and EML4 - that in turn produces an enzyme that promotes lung cancer tumor growth.

Lung cancer patients who were former light smokers, never smoked, or have the adenocarcinoma subtype of lung cancer are among the specific group of patients who might be helped by crizotinib.

In the Phase III trial researchers will compare crizotinib to standard chemotherapy. Those who fail chemotherapy will be treated with crizotinib at the end of the trial. In Phase I/II clinical trials, crizotinib reduced 57 percent of tumors in the patients studied, and after eight weeks 87 percent showed no progression of lung cancer.

Potential candidates for crizotinib treatment should call the clinical trials hotline at Moores UCSD Cancer Center at (858)822-5354. The trial will include patients with stage IV NSCLC lung cancer who have had at least one round of chemotherapy.

UC San Diego

Chronic Insominia Boosts Risk of Dying

2010-06-07T20:27:00.004-04:00

Researchers say chronic insomnia increases the chances of dying three fold compared to people who sleep well. The risk of dying remained the same regardless of the type of insomnia, a finding researchers say are important for successful insomnia treatments.

Regardless of whether study participants awakened early, had disrupted sleep and difficulty falling back asleep, trouble falling asleep or awakened frequently the chances of death were found to be 2 to 3 times higher with chronic insomnia compared to people who get enough sleep and quality sleep.

Lead author Laurel Finn, a biostatistician at the University of Wisconsin-Madison says "The most surprising result was the increased high risk for mortality among individuals with chronic insomnia versus those without insomnia. The other important finding was the non-differentiation between subtypes of insomnia with respect to mortality risk."

To find the link between chronic insomnia and increased risk of death researchers sent 2,242 study participants in the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort Study surveys in 1989, 1994 and 2000. If insomnia symptoms were reported twice the scientists designated the participant has having chronic insomnia. Social security records searched in 2010revealed 128 deaths.

It doesn't matter if you awaken early, have trouble falling alseep, or wake up frequently - chronic insomnia was still found to boost the chances of death even without other health risk factors such as heart disease, diabetes or hypertension.

The raised risk of dying from insomnia found in the study highlights the need for an emphasis on finding treatments. Finn says, "The identification of insomnia as a mortality risk factor may have clinical implications and raise the priority level for insomnia treatment."

Researchers say regardless of subtype, chronic insomnia boosts the risk of dying and was compared to individuals who have no insomnia. Chronic insomnia was found to boost the risk of death two to three times compared to individuals who fall alseep with no trouble and maintain quality, uninterrupted sleep.

American Academy of Sleep Medicine

Need Help?
FREEDOM FROM INSOMNIA

Ecopsychology of the Gulf Oil Spill and other Health News

2010-06-05T14:59:00.001-04:00

Ecopsychologist says Gulf Oil Spill Result of Disturbed Thinking
Dr. Michael J Cohen, an Ecopsychologist and program director of the Institute of Global Education suggests the gulf oil spill is the result of money addiction and exploitation of our natural resources brought about by disturbed thinking. Rather than cooperating with nature Dr. Cohen says we have become addicted to money and exploitation of our living planet. He suggests the gulf oil spill can be seen as a “terrorist sabotage-suicide act”, brought about by disturbed thinking that leads us to believe it is okay to destroy our natural environment. Emaxhealth.com

Hormone Patch Safer than Pill
Scientists say the way women taking hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal symptoms could be related to risk for cerebrovascular events such as stroke. Low dose hormone replacement therapy or HRT patches with estrogen that deliver hormones through the skin may carry a lower risk of stroke, found in a newer study. The researchers say low dose hormone replacement therapy patches may be a safer alternative for treating postmenopausal symptoms that should be further explored. Emaxhealth.com

Olive Oil in the Diet Could Prevent Breast Cancer Recurrence
Olive oil can help women with breast cancer lose weight, an important factor to prevent recurrence of the disease. Scientists compared a traditional low fat diet among 44 overweight women with body mass index of at least 25 who were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer after the age of 50 to a traditional low fat diet. Adding olive oil to the diet not only helped with weight loss, but the women with breast cancer studied also found the addition of olive oil enjoyable and suitable to the budget - they also experienced less hunger. Emaxhealth.com

Lose Belly Fat to Avoid Dementia

2010-05-23T11:11:00.003-04:00

Belly fat is consistently linked to a variety of health problems. Now researchers say too much fat in the mid-section increases our risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Research published in the Annals of Neurology warns there is a strong connection between belly fat and dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

According to Sudha Seshadri, M.D. from the Boston University School of Medicine in the US …”our data suggests a stronger connection between central obesity, particularly the visceral fat component of abdominal obesity, and risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease."

A 2005 report from the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 24.3 million people have some form of dementia. Understanding the link between belly fat and dementia could be important for finding ways to prevent 4.6 million cases that the WHO also estimates occur annually.

For the study, researchers analyzed brain MRI results among 733 participants from the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort. Average age was 60 and 70 percent were women. The scientists discovered being overweight was associated with lower brain volume. More importantly belly fat was linked to lower total brain volume and was measured using CT scans.

The link between dementia and belly fat requires more study, and the findings are preliminary. The study provides “greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying the link between obesity and dementia”, concludes Dr. Seshadri.

The strongest correlation between dementia and belly fat was found among study participants with the highest waist circumference, even in younger middle-aged adults. Losing belly fat with diet and exercise could prevent dementia, diabetes, respiratory problems, and protect from stroke, found in previous studies. Lose weight and reduce your changes of dementia by starting a simple walking program. Check with your physician before starting an exercise program, especially if you have been sedentary.

Annals of Neurology

Sleep Quality Linked to Longer Life

2010-05-01T16:44:00.001-04:00

Researchers say sleep quality may be linked to a longer life. A new study shows that 65 percent of 2,800 people who were 100 years of age and older reported good or very good sleep quality.

The study also found that health problems seemed to be associated with poor sleep quality. “Age and health conditions are the two most important factors associated with self-reported sleep quality and duration,” said principal investigator and lead author of the study Danan Gu, PhD, faculty of the Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning at Portland State University in Oregon.

The oldest adults studied, age 100 or over, were 70 percent more likely to report good sleep quality compared to younger adults, age 65 to 79. Forty six percent of study participants who reported not sleeping well also rated their health as poor.

For older adults who sleep well, the average duration was 7.5 hours a night. The study comes from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. China has the largest elderly population in the world according to the study authors.

Anxiety, economic status, and family health were all found to play a role in quality of sleep. The authors say a variety of factors relate to sleeping well.

Dr. Gu says, “The majority of healthy elders could experience satisfactory sleep quality. Sleep problems at oldest-old ages likely arise from a variety of physiological and psychosocial factors rather than aging per se.”

The researchers say sleep quality definitely leads to a longer life, but it is likely there is a link. Adults in the study age 100 and older were found to experience the best quality sleep, compared to younger adults, even after adjusting for health related conditions.

American Academy of Sleep Medicine

HPV test more sensitive than PAP smear for detecting cervical cancer lesions

2010-04-28T19:07:00.011-04:00

Findings from researchers, published in the British Medical Journal, reveal that HPV (human papillomavirus) testing is more sensitive for detecting precancerous lesions that can lead cervical cancer, compared to PAP smear. Dr Ahti Anttila at the Finnish Cancer Registry who led research says the findings that HPV testing is more sensitive than PAP smear are important for cervical cancer prevention.

In a trial of 58,282 women aged 30-60, HPV testing detected more precancerous cells than routine cytology exam performed with a traditional PAP smear.

Women were studied between 2003 and 2008 in Finland and randomly assigned to a routine PAP smear or an HPV test. For women with positive HPV testing, further screening was conducted. Traditional cancer screening using a PAP smear was inferior for detecting cervical lesions that could lead to cancer compared to HPV testing.

Over a period of five years the women were tracked. The number of pre cancerous cells (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or CIN III+)detected with HPV testing in the study was small, but the researchers concluded "considering the high probability of progression of CIN III lesions in women aged 35 years or more, our results are important for prevention of cervical cancer."

HPV is sexually transmitted and affects young women and adolescents. HPV can lead to cervical cancer, while some forms cause genital warts. Based on the high sensitivity for detecting precancerous lesions in the cervix, the researchers say gradual incorporation of HPV testing for prevention of cervical cancer is justified.

BMJ 2010;340:c1804

Overdiagnosis of cancer focus of review

2010-04-24T21:40:00.003-04:00

An analysis of cancer diagnosis in the past 30 years related to mortality and screening for the disease shows that overdiagnosis of cancer should become a focus of the medical community. Researchers H. Gilbert Welch, M.D. and William Black, M.D., of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vt. and the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center conducted a review, finding that many cancers are diagnosed that would never require treatment.

Following a systematic review, the researchers learned that though cancer diagnosis has increased, there has been no association with mortality to account for the rising numbers. Overdiagnosis of cancer occurs from sophisticated screening tools that the researchers say could cause harm to some individuals.

The study authors write, "Whereas early detection may well help some, it undoubtedly hurts others. Often the decision about whether or not to pursue early cancer detection involves a delicate balance between benefits and harms…different individuals, even in the same situation, might reasonably make different choices."

The scientists hope to bring focus to the issue that many cancers that would never cause symptoms are overdiagnosed. CT, MRI, colonoscopy and other screening tools may be leading to insignificant reporting of cancers.

Breast cancer and prostate cancer - through mammograms and PSA testing - could be responsible for 25 and 60 percent of overdiagnosis of cancer respectively.

Patients undergoing early cancer screening tests should be advised of the potential for overdiagnosis suggest the researchers. Another way to prevent reporting of insignificant cancer findings might be to raise the threshold of reporting small tumors or incidental findings associated with cancer screening.

"It is possible that new insights from genomics will ultimately allow us to more accurately predict tumor behavior at the individual level," the authors write. "However the field has not advanced to that point yet. We must explore other clinical strategies."

Overdiagnosis of cancer can result in harm, and is the focus of the recent review. The scientists looked at five types of cancer - thyroid, prostate, kidney and breast cancer, and melanoma - finding that more cancer cases have been reported, but there has been no increase in mortality, possibly from overdiagnosis of cancer.

JCNI

Women Fail to Recognize Osteoporosis Risk Shown in Study

2010-04-04T10:22:00.007-04:00

A study shows that women questioned in 10 countries failed to recognize risk for fracture from osteoporosis. Results of the Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women (GLOW) show that among 60,000 postmenopausal women studied, only 43 percent perceived themselves at risk for fracture from osteoporosis compared to women not diagnosed with disease.

Thirty three percent of women already diagnosed with osteoporosis also failed to recognize their risk factors for fracture - a finding that researchers say is a public health concern.

"We've found that many women aren't making the connection between their risk factors and the serious consequences of fractures," said the lead author of the paper, Ethel Siris, MD, GLOW investigator and Director of the Toni Stabile Osteoporosis Center of the Columbia University Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital. "Without a clear understanding of their risks, women cannot begin to protect themselves from fracture."

The authors are asking clinicians to remain aware of women who are at high risk for bone fractures from osteoporosis. Menopause, steroid medications, low weight, rheumatoid arthritis, family history, and previous fractures can signal high risk women. Consuming three or more alcoholic beverages daily is also a risk for osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis awareness can reduce human suffering and keep health care costs down, highlighted in the study. The GLOW study shows that women studied are at risk from failure to recognize the implications of fractures that can occur from osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis International

Blackcurrants suppress allergy induced asthma

2010-03-29T21:22:00.003-04:00

A new study shows that blackcurrants can suppress inflammation in the lungs from allergy induced asthma. Blackcurrants were shown in a study to act as a natural defense against allergens to keep lung inflammation at bay.

Dr Roger Hurst who led the study says, "To find natural compounds that potentially reduce lung inflammation and complement the body's own immune response is an exciting breakthrough. Should we discover more about how this works we may eventually develop foods containing these compounds that could provide more natural alternatives to assist conventional drug treatments for asthma and even other allergic reactions." Blackcurrants contain a compound that works in conjunction with other natural immune defenses to suppress allergy induced asthma.

The study, conducted on cells from lung tissue showed that epigallocatechin in blackcurrants that differs from the antioxidant effect of anthocycanins, also found in the fruit that is also extremely high in vitamin C, and also provides a good source of potassium, phosphorus, vitamin B5 and fiber.

The scientists have also studied the effect of anthocycanins in fruit finding they also suppress inflammation.

The study, finding that blackcurrants can reduce lung inflammation in allergy induced asthma is part of Plant & Food Research's Food Innovation science platform that seeks to understand the benefits of whole fresh food that can lead to new wellness concepts.

Dr Kieran Elborough GM Science Food Innovation says, "Maintaining wellness in a natural way is a growing consumer trend that food companies recognize.” Blackcurrants can be considered a natural way to reduce lung inflammation associated with allergy induce asthma, found in the study.

Molecular Nutrition and Food Research

FDA Continues to Investigate Zocor and Reports of Muscle Damage

2010-03-20T16:08:00.008-04:00

The FDA is issuing caution about taking the prescription statin Zocor (simvastatin) at higher doses, finding so far that the cholesterol lowering medication is more likely to cause muscle damage at doses of 80 mg. The FDA is continuing to investigate Zocor and reports of muscle damage that seem to occur at higher doses.

Prescribers, as well as consumers, need to be aware of the potential fo myopathy (muscle damage) associated with statin drug use. Zocor 80 mg, used in conjunction with other medications can lead to kidney failure from rhabdomyolysis that could be fatal.

A communication from the FDA regarding muscle damage associated with Zocor use states, "the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is informing the public about an increased risk of muscle injury in patients taking the highest approved dose of the cholesterol-lowering medication, Zocor (simvastatin) 80 mg, compared to patients taking lower doses of simvastatin and possibly other drugs in the "statin" class.

Several drugs are an absoute contraindication in combination with Zocor at any dose, and include Itraconazolem Ketoconazole, Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Telithromycin, HIV protease inhibitors, and Nefazodone.

Symptoms of muscle pain, weakness, unusual fatigue, and dark or red urine can be an indication of muscle damage from Zocor.

The FDA is also clear that stopping Zocor or other statin drugs should be discussed with your physician.

Doses of Zocor that are higher than 20mg should be reduced for patients taking the heart medications Amiodarone (Pacerone) and Verapamil (Isoptin, Verelan, Verelan PM, Calan, Bosoptin, Covera-HS).

If you take Zocor and are over age 65, the risk of muscle damage is greater, and is also boosted for individuals with kidney dysfunction. The FDA says it will continue to investigate reports of muscle damage associated with Zocor. Ask you physician for a blood test that can measure serum kinase levels (CPK) if you have questions about whether simvastatin is causing muscle injury.
FDA

Noscapine Cough Syrup Ingredient Studied Further for Prostate Cancer Treatment

2010-03-20T09:08:00.012-04:00

Noscapine, an ingredient found in over the counter cough syrups, is again being studied as a treatment for prostate cancer. Researchers injected mice with prostate cancer cells. A group that was pretreated with noscapine were found to have smaller prostate cancer tumors, making the drug a promising treatment for preventing prostate cancer recurrence.

The study authors write, "Pre-treatment with noscapine confers a significant benefit compared with control in both primary tumor growth and primary tumor growth- inhibition rate and exhibits an extremely favorable tolerability profile." Dr. Barken, Founder and Medical Director of the Prostate Cancer Research and Education Foundation (PCREF) in San Diego, California, said: "PCREF is now seeking sponsorship for clinical data collection in post-surgery patients who are at high-risk of recurrence for their prostate cancer."

Prostate cancer kills 28000 men each year. Noscapine, conclude the authors, could offer a safe and effective way to prevent prostate cancer recurrence for men at high risk.

Noscapine, a non-addictive derivative of opium, is being explored further as a way to prevent recurrence of prostate cancer in men who have undergone cancer treatment.

"Based on our research so far, we believe that noscapine could be a very promising treatment to prevent recurrence in such cases due to its excellent safety record and oral bioavailability." The incidence of metastasis to the lungs was 80 percent lower in mice injected with the cough syrup ingredient, and the mice injected with prostate cancer cells experienced no weight loss compared to those not treated with noscapine.

The researchers say noscapine is a drug that needs to be further explored for prostate cancer treatment, pointing out there are "many effective treatments for this and other diseases can be selected from the vast armory of existing off-patent and unpromoted drugs."

Noscapine was first studied in the 1960's as an anti-cancer agent. It has been used in cough syrups since the 1950's. Only recently has noscapine been re-examined for it's potential role in cancer prevention. The new study shows noscapine could be a valuable for preventing prostate cancer recurrence after treatment for the disease.

Barken I et al. Anticancer Research 2010 Mar; 30(2): 399-402

Increased Numbers of Extremely Obese Children is Public Health Concern

2010-03-19T20:24:00.011-04:00

Findings from Kaiser Permanente researchers show that extreme obesity in children and adolescents is becoming prevalent, raising public health concerns about future risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other obesity related diseases that can occur in adulthood. The analysis also shows that children are becoming extremely obese at a younger age.

More than 45,000 extremely obese children were found among 710,949 children ages two to 19, enrolled in the Southern California integrated health plan in 2007 and 2008.

Corinna Koebnick, PhD, a research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Southern California's Department of Research and Evaluation in Pasadena, California says, "Children who are extremely obese may continue to be extremely obese as adults, and all the health problems associated with obesity are in these children's futures. Without major lifestyle changes, these kids face a 10 to 20 years shorter life span and will develop health problems in their twenties that we typically see in 40 - 60 year olds."

Children who are extremely obese are also likely to have siblings with higher body mass index. For the current study, extreme obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) of more than 35 kilograms/meter.

Study co-author Amy Porter, MD, a Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park pediatrician who heads the Pediatric Weight Management Initiative for Kaiser Permanente's Southern California Region says, “There is rarely one extremely obese kid in a house where everyone else is extremely healthy. It's important that everyone in the family is invested in achieving a healthier lifestyle,"

Extreme obesity in children was more common among black teenage girls and Hispanic boys. The lowest incidence of extreme obesity was found among Asian-Pacific Islanders and non-Hispanic white children.

The researchers say that without action, extreme obesity found among children will lead to adults with major health risks that include fatty liver disease, heart disease, diabetes, and earlier death. Porter says the concern about extreme obesity in children is not about appearance - "it's all about health". The research group plans to continue their studies, saying the current finding is "only the beginning".

It's important to understand that extremely obese children are likely to become obese adults. In the United States, the prevalence of childhood obesity has soared in recent years. According to information from Colorado State University, "Recent reports have reached epidemic levels, with approximately 16 percent of children, 2 to 19 years old, classified as overweight."

Healthy eating, limiting time in front of the television or computer, and regular daily activity are important for curbing the increasing rate of extreme obesity among children who will only become unhealthy adults.

The study revealed that extreme obesity is becoming more common and found among 6.4 percent of children studied. The authors say childhood obesity is a family issue that requires targeted solutions to curb the growing problem and ensuing health risks for children who are not just obese - but extremely obese.

Calcium and vitamin D combined can keep bones strong

2010-03-13T15:32:00.013-05:00

Calcium is important to prevent osteoporosis, but new research sheds light on the need for both calcium and vitamin D for strong bones. Recommended calcium intake is not currently associated with vitamin D, but the new findings suggest the importance of focusing more on the interplay between calcium and vitamin D for preventing osteoporosis.

Low levels of vitamin D found in large portions of the population may explain why boosting calcium intake is not always successful for maintaining bone density. Current recommendations for calcium intake is 1200 mg daily for adults aged 50 and older in the US, but the suggested amount varies between countries.

Researchers looked at 10,000 men and women aged 20 and older from a national survey, finding that a large number of younger and older adults have lower than recommended levels of vitamin D, of at least 75 nanomoles-per-liter (nmol/L). The low vitamin D levels found means that calcium alone is insufficient to prevent osteoporosis.

The study authors say 566 mg of clacium per day could be enough to keep bones strong for women whose vitamin D levels are adequate (more than 50 nmol/L).

Low levels of vitamin D can lead to osteoporosis and may be an important focus for prevention. Calcium and vitamin D combined can keep bones strong. Vitamin D levels were found to be inadequate in a large number of younger and older adults included in the new analysis.

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research

Hormone replacement therapy links to higher lung cancer risk

2010-03-06T21:08:00.005-05:00

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used by post menopausal women is now linked to increased risk for lung cancer. Women age 50 to 76 who take estrogen plus progestin for 10 years or more were found to have a 50 percent greater chance of developing lung cancer compared to women not using hormone replacement therapy.

Even though the risk of lung cancer is small compared to smoking, Chris Slatore, M.D., who led the study says, "Although HRT use has declined and is not recommended except for short-term treatment of menopausal symptoms, our results indicate millions of women may remain at risk of developing lung cancer."

The link between hormone replacement and lung cancer was found in a review of data from the Vitamins and Lifestyle Study in Washington State from 2000 to 2002.

Researchers followed 36,588 perimenopausal and postmenopausal participants aged 50 to 76 for six years. At the end of the observation period 344 of the participants had developed lung cancer. The results linked longer years of HRT with more advanced stages of lung cancer at time of diagnosis.

The reasons that hormone replacement therapy might increase lung cancer risk are not clear. HRT is already associated with increased risk of breast cancer, stroke, and blood clots. The researchers say it may be a combination of genetic and environment interactions responsible for the association between hormone replacement therapy and lung cancer.

Oregon Health and Science University

Stop smoking with regular exercise

2010-03-06T10:38:00.007-05:00

Smoking cessation can lead to better health, but finding ways to kick the habit can be difficult. Regular exercise can reverse some of the harmful effects of nicotine and also make it easier to stop smoking.

A study published February 22 from University of Georgia researchers and published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, revealed that exercise can reduce anxiety by twenty percent. Exercise is a natural way to reduce anxiety associated with smoking cesssation.

Smokers who exercise were also found to find cigarettes less appealing, found in a study from researchers at University of Exeter and published in the journal Addiction.

Past studies have shown that brisk walking can reduce cravings for cigarettes, as well as reducing the urge to light up from smoking cues.

University of Exeter PhD student Kate Janse Van Rensburg said: "We know that smoking-related images can be powerful triggers for smokers who are abstaining. While we are no longer faced with advertisements for cigarettes, smokers are still faced with seeing people smoking on television, in photographs or in person. We know that this makes it more difficult for them to quit." Regular exercise can combat nicotine cravings.

Patients with COPD from smoking can also benefit from regular supervised exercise that improves quality of life.

Smoking is not only linked to lung cancer and respiratory disease. It can also increase the chances of vision loss with aging, may increase therisk for Lou Gehrig's disease, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, colon and rectal cancer, and stroke. One study also shows that inhaling your own second hand smoke leads to worse health outcomes than previously known.

Regular exercise can be a valuable tool to help with smoking cessation, but should be guided by your physician, especially if you have been sedentary. Regular exercise can help you stop smoking, but also has benefits for boosting body image and self esteem, weight loss and lower risk of chronic illness and disability.

Resources:
Environmental Health 2010,9:5doi:10.1186/1476-069X-9-5
Addiction: DOI 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02692.x
Arch Intern Med. 2010;170(4):321-331
NEUROLOGY 2009;73:1693-1698

Senate report cites previously known Avandia heart risks

2010-02-21T14:15:00.006-05:00

Avandia dangers to the heart cited in Senate report
The FDA has recently issued strong warnings about the risk of heart attack from taking drugs used to treat diabetes, including Avandia. Those warnings have existed for several years. Diabetics are already at higher risk for heart attack and heart disease because diabetes causes a lack of typical warning signs of heart attack. A Senate report cites the heart dangers of Avandia that include heart attack and heart failure. Read more

Enzyme found that keeps heart healthy
The enzyme calcineurin has been identified by researchers as a critical player in keeping the heart healthy as well as for normal heart development. In mouse studies, the enzyme was found to play a critical role in maintaining strength of heart contractions and normal heart rhythm. Read more

Marijuana for pain treatment found in first clinical trials in two decades
Researchers from California's Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR) today presented findings to the California legislature and the public that smoking marijuana has therapeutic value for treating specific pain related conditions. The studies are the first conducted on the therapeutic value of smoked cannabis in the US in more than twenty years. Read more

Study review shows Vitamin D curbs risk of heart and metabolic disorders in older adults

2010-02-17T18:24:00.005-05:00

A new review from Wartick University researchers shows that higher levels of vitamin D starting in mid-life can substantially reduce the risk cardiometabolic disorders in older individuals. The researchers found that compared to people with lower levels of vitamin D, heart disease and Type II diabetes risk drops when higher levels of vitamin D are present in the body.

Foods that are fortified with vitamin D or with high levels that include salmon, tuna and mackerel can raise vitamin D levels, potentially fending off type II diabetes and heart disease. Taking supplements of vitamin D3 can also boost vitamin D levels.

The researchers analyzed 28 studies that included 99,745 participants to find that higher levels of vitamin D yielded a 33 percent reduction in the risk of heart disease, and a 55 percent lower risk of developing Type II diabetes among men and women from various ethnicities.

The chances of developing metabolic syndrome declined by 51 percent for older adults with higher levels of vitamin D, compared to those with lower levels. Metabolic syndrome is described by the American Heart Association as a group of risk factors for disease that include:

"Abdominal obesity (excessive fat tissue in and around the abdomen)

Atherogenic dyslipidemia (blood fat disorders — high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol and high LDL cholesterol — that foster plaque buildups in artery walls)

Elevated blood pressure

Insulin resistance or glucose intolerance (the body can’t properly use insulin or blood sugar)

Prothrombotic state (e.g., high fibrinogen or plasminogen activator inhibitor–1 in the blood)

Proinflammatory state (e.g., elevated C-reactive protein in the blood) "

According to Dr Oscar Franco, Assistant Professor in Public Health at Warwick Medical School, "We found that high levels of vitamin D among middle age and elderly populations are associated with a substantial decrease in cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome".

The findings that higher levels of vitamin D could reduce heart disease risk, diabetes type II and metabolic syndrome are significant for public health. Cosume foods that are fortified with or contain vitamin D naturally, or speak with your doctor about taking vitamin D supplements to reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Anti-aging dietary cocktail explored by scientists

2010-02-13T13:59:00.003-05:00

Scientists at McMaster University have discovered a mix of ingredients found in the grocery store that they say might help keep us young. A cocktail of ingredients made from common dietary supplements available from a local supermarket were found to stop signs of aging in mice, and could lead to the development of anti-aging supplements.

The cocktail developed by the researches had powerful results that helped with common symptoms of aging including mobility, declines in cognitive function, and mortality.

The dietary cocktail that could prevent signs of aging included vitamins B1, C, D, E, acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), beta carotene, folic acid, garlic, ginger root, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, green tea extract, magnesium, melatonin, potassium, cod liver oil, and flax seed oil. The combination of ingredients that might be useful in humans was chosen because of their individual effect on five mechanisms involved in the aging process.

The researchers point out that free radical damage correlates with heart disease, stroke, Type II diabetes, many cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory and autoimmune conditions that also are linked to aging.

David Rollo, associate professor of biology at McMaster says, "For aging humans maintaining zestful living into later years may provide greater social and economic benefits than simply extending years of likely decrepitude. This study obtained a truly remarkable extension of physical function in old mice, far greater than the respectable extension of longevity that we previous documented. This holds great promise for extending the quality of life of "health span" of humans."

Research about the anti aging cocktail that could be applied to humans is ongoing. The researchers hope their findings will lead to better supplements for health and longevity. Mice given the mix of ingredients that was soaked into a piece of a bagel for consistency maintained youthful mobility well into old age compared to mice not given the dietary cocktail.

The researchers concluded that mixing the right supplement blend could get rid of common maladies associated with aging, saying the …”results provide proof of principle that complex dietary cocktails can powerfully ameliorate biomarkers of aging and modulate mechanisms considered ultimate goals for aging interventions.”

Exp. Biol. Med. 2010; 235:66-76
doi:10.1258/ebm.2009.009219

Weird but real allergies worth exploring and more

2010-01-30T11:48:00.009-05:00

20 Weird Allergies That Actually Exist
Plants, animals, and food all involve corresponding allergies with which the general populace is familiar. However, due to their very nature, it is entirely possible for humans to develop negative reactions to almost anything on the planet. Allergies are established when the immune system fires itself up over a generally harmless – if not outright helpful – stimulus, such as the aforementioned plants, animals, and food. Thinking the foreign object means to endanger the body, it launches an assault of histamines as a protective measure, resulting in numerous physical upsets ranging from itchy skin to complete anaphylactic shock. The following list compiles a few unexpected, somewhat obscure allergies and analyzes the research behind a few of the sketchier claims, leaving the reader to decide what he or she ultimately makes of it. Read more

Lead exposure strongly linked to ADHD
ADHD is suspected to be the result of genes in 70 percent of cases, and the now scientists suggest the other 30 percent is caused by lead. Individuals with ADHD have difficulty focusing, concentrating, move slowly, are easily distracted, and act impulsively. Symptoms are more common in children but can persist into adulthood. Read more

Magnesium supplement could prevent memory loss and disease
A magesium compound developed by neuroscientists at MIT and Tsinghua University in Beijing that targets the brain could help prevent memory loss associated with aging. Researchers studied the effect of the supplement magnesium-L-threonate (MgT) on rats, finding improvements in memory in both young and old rats. Boosting magnesium deficiency that affects half the population in industrialized countries could also help prevent disease. Read more

Obese children risk future heart disease and stroke shown in new study

2010-01-30T08:26:00.006-05:00

A new study confirms the potential for future heart attack and stroke for children who are obese. Researchers say the consequences of childhood obesity and risk for future heart attack start early for children.

Scientists measured inflammatory markers in the bloodstream of obese children who were otherwise healthy, comparing to lean children. They found increased levels of C-reactive protein and that were elevated ten fold compared to children who were not obese. They also found higher than normal levels of fibrinogen - substances that lead to blood clots that also increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Children may not show typical signs of metabolic syndrome that boosts risk of heart disease in adults, but the scientists say there are still indications that childhood obesity increases the risk of future heart attack and stroke from the findings of increased inflammation and abnormal fibrinogen levels found in the obese children studied.

"This new study demonstrates that the unhealthy consequences of excess body fat start very early," said Nelly Mauras, MD, of Nemours Children's Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida and senior author of the study. "Our study shows that obesity alone is linked to certain abnormalities in the blood that can predispose individuals to developing cardiovascular disease early in adulthood.

The study included 202 individuals age 7 to 18 who had no risk factors for heart disease - – 87 children with lean body mass and 115 obese children were studied to find that children who are obese risk heart disease and stroke in the future, beginning as early as age seven.

"Doctors often do not treat obesity in children now unless they have other features of the metabolic syndrome," Mauras said. "This practice should be reconsidered. Further studies are needed to offer more insight into the effects of therapeutic interventions in these children.” Daily activity and exercise combined with a healthy diet can lead to a lifetime of better health. For children who are obese, the future risk of heart disease and stroke starts early.

J Clin Endocrinol Metab .2010; 0: jc.2009-1887v1

Antioxidants in blueberry juice found to boost memory in older adults and other news

2010-01-21T20:36:00.008-05:00

Blueberry juice could provide alternative therapy for memory loss
A new study shows that drinking blueberry juice improved memory in older adults, and might be an alternative treatment for cognitive decline associated with aging, shown in a preliminary study. Seniors in their 70’s drank blueberry juice for two months and were compared to a group who drank a berry placebo beverage. The results showed that antioxidants in blueberries might improve memory by boosting neuronal signaling. Read more

Consumers over age 50 should curb iron and copper intake
Copper and iron are essential nutrients, but scientists writing in the ACS Journal warn that steps should be taken to limit intake of both for consumers over age 50. Copper and iron that builds up in the body as we get older could contribute to a variety of age related diseases. Read more

Most athletes misunderstand and misuse protein supplements
University of Montreal researchers say protein supplements used by athletes are inefficient, probably misused, and do not improve performance or recovery time. The study also shows that knowledge of energy drinks, multi-vitamins, minerals and powdered protein supplements used by high level athletes and amateurs is weak. Read more

Commonly used heart drugs could protect from Parkinson’s disease

2010-01-20T22:31:00.009-05:00

Calcium channel blockers are a class of drugs commonly used by heart patients to lower blood pressure, control heart arrhythmias and to help with healing after a heart attack. A new study shows that heart medications, specifically calcium channel blockers that cross the blood-brain barrier, can also protect from the development of Parkinson’s disease.

Calcium channel blockers known as dihydropyridines are the subclass of heart medications found to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease by 26 to 30 percent. Researchers analyzed a database that included 1,931 Parkinson's patients and 9,651 unaffected subjects, evaluating the effect of blood pressure drugs. The researchers found that only calcium channel blockers of the dihydropyridine subclass that crossed the blood-brain barrier provided protection from Parkinson’s disease.

"The key was to consider the mode of action of these drugs and whether or not they cross the blood-brain barrier," Ritz said. "Some do and some don't. We found that of all the hypertension medications taken by our study subjects, only the subset of dihydropyridine class drugs that cross into the brain, where they might be able to act on the calcium channels of neurons, provided a protective effect. This supports the idea that the mode of action of a given drug and whether it penetrates into the brain are important factors when studying drugs for neuroprotection."

Parkinson’s disease is a neuodegenerative disease that also has a hereditary component. Neurons in the brain that are important for the development of Parkinson’s disease and located in the substantia nigra have calcium channel blockers in the cell membranes, just like the heart. The heart and brain share a specific type of channel known as the L-type that make neurons function properly.

The study is the first to discover that commonly used heart medications of a specific subclass of calcium channel blockers could also provide protection from Parkinson’s disease. The heart medications could provide protection to the area of the brain known as the substantia nigra that is involved in movement control. Heart medications that protect from angina, irregular heart rhythms, and treat high blood pressure could also find a place for preventing Parksinson’s disease, pending further research. The medications can also lower blood pressure too much and could be dangerous for individuals with Parkinson's disease, making detailed studies important for patient safety.

Annals of Neurology

Treadmill training can improve gait for Parkinson's disease patients

2010-01-19T20:50:00.008-05:00

Cochrane researchers have found that walking on a treadmill can help patients with Parkinson's disease move better. Treadmill walking can improve gait and is considered a safe intervention to improve slowness of movement that accompanies Parkinson's disease.

Researchers analyzed data from 203 patients for the review. They compared the effect of treadmill training on walking speed, stride length, number of steps per minute,and walking distance to patients who did not walk on a treadmill. Individuals with Parkinson's disease who engaged in treadmill walking improved in all areas of function except steps per minute.

"Treadmill training appears to be a safe and effective way of improving gait in patients with Parkinson's disease," said lead researcher Jan Mehrholz, of the Wissenschaftliches Institut in Kreischa, Germany. "Crucially, we saw very few adverse effects or drop outs in patients given this type of rehabilitation therapy."

The findings are based on just a few studies, and caution is suggested before walking on a treadmill becomes routine therapy for improving movement in patients with Parkinson's disease.

"We also need to answer basic questions about how long the benefits last and what a good training program should consist of. For instance, how often and how long should patients train for?" Improving gait in Parkinson's disease patients could improve quality of life when used in conjunction with other traditional therapies.

Soda fountain drinks mixed with antibiotic resistant bacteria

2010-01-09T18:29:00.003-05:00

New research shows that forty eight percent of soda fountain drinks studied contained bacteria mixed in with the drinks. Most of the bacteria found in self serve soda fontain drinks were antibiotic resistant, making the findings especially disconcerting.

Researchers from Hollins University tested 90 beverages from 30 fast food soda fountains, finding coliforms (also found in feces), Chryseobacterium, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus, Stenotrophomonas, Candida, and Serratia. Most of the bacteria that came from soda fountains were resistant to 11 antibiotics tested.

The scientists are not sure how bacteria wound up growing in self serve soda fountains. One theory is that contamination was spread from dirty hands. Another possibility is that bacteria are growing in the water line that gets into the beverages.

Forty eight percent were fecal bacteria – eleven percent of the bacteria were E.coli. According to Dr. Allana Levine from Hollins University, the biggest source of bacteria in soda fountains is probably from the water lines.

Thirty soda fountains were tested in the study – 30 percent were contaminated with some sort of bacteria. Dr. Levine says, “We all have bacteria living in our bodies and in our intestines normally. It really becomes more of a problem for people who have compromised immune systems.”

Obviously we need to wash our hands, and start thinking about regulations for cleaning out the water lines in soda fountain machines says Dr. Levine.

The other option for avoiding fecal and other bacteria from soda fountains is to ask for a bottled beverage - especially given the fact that most of the bacteria from soda fountains was found to be antibiotic resistant.

Mozart sonata helps premature babies rest and grow

2010-01-09T14:57:00.006-05:00

Researchers at Tel Aviv University find that premature babies exposed to a Mozart sonata become restful and grow. Premature infants in neonatal intensive care units struggle with weight gain from underdeveloped systems. The music of Mozart was found in the new study to help premature infants become more restful, reducing metabolism, and leading to weight gain.

The pre term infants studied were exposed for thirty minutes of Mozart's music in one session. The infants, compared to those who did not hear Mozart, needed fewer calories to gain weight.

According to Dr. Dror Mandel who collaborated with Dr. Ronit Lubetzky of the Tel Aviv Medical Center, "It's not exactly clear how the music is affecting them, but it makes them calmer and less likely to be agitated."

Dr. Mandel and Dr. Lubetzky and colleagues measured the physiological effects of music by Mozart played to pre-term newborns for 30 minutes. Afterwards, measurements were taken of energy expenditure again after the music. They then measured energy expenditure when the infants were resting, finding that after hearing music the premature babies needed less energy, in turn leading to weight gain.

The scientists plan more studies to find out what other types of music can help premature babies grown and go home sooner from the hospital Prolonged hospital stays are common for infants born prematurely, and can lead to increased chances of infection and immune dysfunction later in life.

The researchers will explore types of music that the pre term infants "listen" to in the womb in hopes of establishing new clinical guidelines for neonatal intensive care units. "Medical practitioners are aware that by changing the environment, we can create a whole new treatment paradigm for babies in neonatal care," says Dr. Mandel. "That's our main goal — to improve their quality of life."

Premature infants were found to gain weight from listening to Mozart. It may be possible that other types of music can also help premature babies grow.

Tel Aviv University

Vitamin E supplements reviewed,could cause harm and other news

2010-01-03T11:38:00.009-05:00

Vitamin E study shows antioxidant could harm some people
A study conducted by researchers at Tel Aviv University, and published December 30, 2009, shows that vitamin E supplements could harm some people, and may be a waste of money. Because antioxidants in vitamins have been touted to help prevent disease, scientists reviewed available studies to see if the antioxidant could help curb heart disease. Vitamin E has been touted for preventing heart disease, but the findings show that taking vitamin E supplements might shorten quality of life by four months. Read more

Disinfectants used in hospitals creating superbugs
A new study, published from researchers at the National University of Ireland in Galway found that small amounts of disinfectants used in hospitals lead to antibiotic resistance. Scientists cultured Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the lab, exposing the bacteria to disinfectant. They found that doing so also made the bacteria resistant to the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin. Read more

Smoking cessation lowers chances of vision loss at any age
vision problems associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with smoking cessation. The study comes from researchers at UCLA who say it is never too late to quit smoking, and keeping your vision may be good incentive. Read more

Jennifer Lopez and her New Year's Eve Outfit oozes sensuality and more

2010-01-01T16:02:00.006-05:00

Jennifer Lopez New Year’s outfit shows women over forty about sexy
Jennifer Lopez wore a New Year’s outfit that clearly shows women over forty are sexy. The singer wowed the audience at Times Square with her skin tight body suit that revealed a healthy, fit and sexy physique. Jennifer Lopez and her New Year’s outfit are an inspiration for staying in shape in the New Year. Read more

Restless leg syndrome and erection problems now linked in older men
New study results published in the journal Sleep, January 1, 2010, finds a link between restless leg syndrome (RLS) and erectile dysfunction in older men. The findings were obtained from an analysis of 23,119 men who participated in the Health Professional Follow-up Study. Information about erectile dysfunction and RLS was obtained via questionnaire, finding that episodes of restless leg syndrome per month is somehow linked to higher percentages of erection problems in men who are older. Read more

Bubbly champagne has benefits for heart health
New research published in the British Journal of Nutrition concludes that two glasses of bubbly Champagne is good for heart health. Champagne, just like wine, has beneficial chemicals that lower blood pressure, and reduce risk of blood clots, when consumed moderately. Champagne facilitates delivery of nitric oxide to the blood vessels, relaxing them, and improving blood flow. Read more

Fitting into smaller jeans better than sex say some women and other news

2009-12-31T21:42:00.017-05:00

Women say skinny jeans more satisfying than sex in online poll
For 2200 British women polled, fitting into skinny jeans was revealed as more satisfying than sex. The women admitted they kept old jeans that were too small as part of a fantasy to slim down and fit back into their skinny jeans. In some cases, the women confessed their jeans lasted longer than their relationships. Read more

Popular TENS device no benefit for chronic low back pain
New guidelines have been issued by the issued by the American Academy of Neurology stating that use of TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) devices have no benefit for treating chronic low back pain. The therapy consists of applying a device to the low back that delivers electrical impulses to control pain. The units are widely used for pain control, and may work for other condition. TENS units are not shown to reduce low back pain that has persisted for more than three months.
Read more

Common pain medicine used with aspirin increases heart attack risk
Individuals who take aspirin to prevent heart attack and stroke, combined with common anti-inflammatory medications like Celebrex, may be at increased risk for the occurrence of a cardiovascular event. The new findings provide a warning to patients taking aspirin who also take anti-inflammatory medicines, known as COX2 inhibitors, coxibs, or NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) medications, that are commonly used for pain. Read more

Calorie restriction extends life of human cells, kills cancer in first study

2009-12-18T20:15:00.016-05:00

Calorie restriction

In a first study of its kind, researchers from University of Alabama have tested the benefits of calorie restriction on human lung cells. Past studies have been performed in animals, showing that restricting calories can increase lifespan.

The new study also revealed that human lung cells deprived of glucose, that were precancerous, died in large numbers, compared to cells provided with normal levels of glucose, furthering the notion that calorie restriction can help prevent and halt the spread of cancer.

For this study researchers grew precancerous cells in lab flasks. They then allowed the cells to grow for several weeks, noting that the cells deprived of glucose lived longer than normal.

Trygve Tollefsbol, Ph.D., D.O., and professor in the Department of Biology says the studies... "Further verify the potential health benefits of controlling calorie intake. Our research indicates that calorie reduction extends the lifespan of healthy human cells and aids the body's natural ability to kill off cancer-forming cells."

The researchers found two genes - telomerase that encodes an important enzyme that permits cells to divide indefinitely, and p16 that encodes a recognized protein that prevents cancer.

"Opposite effects were found for these genes in healthy cells versus precancerous cells. The healthy cells saw their telomerase rise and p16 decrease, which would explain the boost in healthy cell growth," Tollefsbol said. "The gene reactions flipped in the precancerous cells with telomerase decreasing and the anti-cancer protein p16 increasing, which would explain why these cancer-forming cells died off in large numbers." The findings have important implications about the role of calorie restriction, healthy aging and preventing age-related diseases such as cancer.

The research team hopes the current findings that calorie restriction extended lifespan at a cellular level, found in a study of human lung cells, will lead to more discoveries in different human cell types. Scientists could then develop novel approaches to extend human lifespan, and prevent age related cancer and other diseaes.

doi: 10.1096/fj.09-149328

CT scans and cancer risk analyzed

2009-12-15T11:40:00.007-05:00

Researchers have issued a new warning about CT scans and cancer. The risk of future cancer from CT scans has been analyzed, showing the potential for "tens of thousands" of cases of cancer that could occur in the future.

The analysis revealed variables in the dose of radiation delivered during CT scans in four institutions studied. Radiation doses from CT scans varies depending on what part of the body is being scanned. CT scans of the head, chest, abdomen, and pelvis pose the greatest cancer risk among the 35 to 54 year old age group.

Though the risk of cancer from CT scans is small, the authors say, because of the large number of persons exposed annually, even small risks could translate into a considerable number of future cancers."

Looking at CT scan radiation in four different institutions revealed variables that averaged 13 fold between the highest and lowest dose.

University of California researchers estimated the risk of cancer from CT scans in 1,119 patients in 2008. One in 600 men who undergo CT scan of the heart (coronary angiography) at age 40 will develop cancer, as would one in 270 women. A CT scan of the head could cause cancer in one out of 8,100 women and 11,080 men.

Radiation doses during CT scans have increased over the last two decades in efforts to obtain detailed diagnoses. The authors say clinicians need to inform patients of the risk of cancer from CT scans, and carefully weigh the risks and benefits of the tests. Unnecessary CT scans should be avoided. In order to reduce the risk of cancer from CT scans, the authors also suggest standardized radiation dosing.

CT scans performed in 2007 could result in 29,000 cases of cancer in the future, according to an estimate from Amy Berrington de González and colleagues of the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Md. Fifteen percent of cancer from common CT scans would occur in children and teens. CT scans deliver 100 times the radiation dose of a standard chest x-ray. The study analyzes variable associated with CT scans and cancer risk.

Arch Intern Med. 2009;169[22]:2049-2050

Grab Some Health News

Occasional marijuana won't harm lungs, finds study

Arizona University Scientists Develop Ebola Vaccine

Fish eaters may be lowering their risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Avoid jock itch, athlete’s foot and other fungus at the gym

Women report humiliation and stress from cervical smears

CDC report highlights overdose deaths from prescription painkillers

Surgeon removes eight pound, foot long tumor from man’s liver

Top College Health Issues

Marijuana use might double the chances of driving accidents

In a down economy, nursing jobs thrive

Synthetic compound SRT1720 helps obese mice live longer

Second-hand smoke implicated for adolescent hearing loss

How second hand smoke leads to hearing loss in youth

The study

Stored blood for transfusion becomes less safe with aging, finds new study

Study: Bigger forks stop diners from ‘pigging out’

Why using a bigger fork to eat less makes sense

Potential E. coli treatment developed 10 years ago

Coffee cuts breast cancer risk, but how is unclear

Vitamin supplements could lead to risky health behaviors

Supplement use linked to hedonistic behavior

Less exercise, more buffets for supplement users

Rising PSA no indication for biopsy, prostate cancer

High PSA velocity no predictor of prostate cancer risk

UA survey suggests 'fat tax' won't stop consumers

Overweight shoppers avoid food with fat warnings

Price no deterrent to buying unhealthy food

Video games improve upper extremity motor skills for stroke patients

Stroke patients develop upper extremity motor skills from video games

UW researchers kill cancer cells with oxygen and wormwood compound

Less stress could help cancer patients

Chronic stressassociated with cancercould negatively affect outcomes

Chronic stress shortens telomeres in cancer patients

Chronic stress shortens telomeres in cancer patients

Soybean antioxidants could help fight lung cancer

Three isoflavones in soy make lung cancer tumors more amenable to radiation treatment

Researchers say genistein in soy is known to help fight lung cancer. New research shows three isoflavones make it harder for cancer cells to survive. The effect of the antioxidants could boost the effect of radiation cancer treatment.

The scientists studied soy in A549 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. They say soy damages DNA in cancer cells, making them easier to destroy with radiation.

The findings are important because soy is a non-toxic way to treat cancer and won't harm healthy tissue.

The study was conducted by Wayne State University's School of Medicine and the Karmanos Cancer Institute and published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology,

Soy sensitizes cancer cells so they can be destroyed by radiation and also provides antioxidants to protect healthy tissue.

You can read more detailed study information at Emaxhealth.com.

Coffee and fatty food dangerous for blood sugar levels

Researchers find coffee and a fast food meal causes dangerous spikes in blood sugar.

In the new study, researchers found a 65 percent increase in blood sugar levels in men who consumed a specially made lipid (fatty) cocktail, followed by caffeine and a sugar drink.

The reason say scientists from University of Guelph, is because saturated fat disrupts communication between the gut and the pancreas that release insulin.

Normally, blood sugar is cleared from the body and delivered to muscles for energy, but eating a high fat diet blunts the effect of hormones in the gastrointestinal tract. The effect lasts for hours and can harm body organs. The effect is worse when coffee with caffeine is added.

Researcher Marie-Soleil Beaudoin explains, "Ultimately we have found that fat and caffeinated coffee are impairing the communication between the gut and the pancreas, which could be playing a role in why participants couldn't clear the sugar from their blood as easily."

The scientists say coffee is already known to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. The new study shows coffee combined with a high fat meal raises blood sugar levels on par with patients who have the disease.

Beaudoin suggests decaffeinated coffee is a better choice for cutting the chances of diabetes and keeping blood sugar levels normal, in addition to avoiding saturated high fat foods. The findings are published in the Journal of Nutrition. You can read more details of the study at Emaxhealth.com.

Common sleep medicine puts older adults at risk for night time falls, confusion

A popular medicine that helps older adults sleep can cause harm warn researchers.

The commonly prescribed medication, zolpidem, sold under the brand names Ambien, Zolpimist, Edluar, Hypogen, Somidem and Iveda, was found in a study to increase the chances of falls and cognitive decline in elders.

Consumers willing to pay for predictive health risk tests

A national study shows consumers are willing to pay for genetic tests to predict disease.

Alcoholism and Obesity Share Same Risk Factors

Food and Alcohol Addiction Occur in Same Area of the Brain

Drunk and Drugged Drivers tops 20 Percent in some States

Liberal Political Views Linked to Specific Gene Variant

Liberal Thinkers Have more Active Social Life during Adolescence

Dementia Becoming Harder to Detect

Health Care, Advanced Technology Makes 70 year olds Smarter

Muscle could Improve Survival for Kidney Disease Patients

Dialysis Patients with Muscle Mass 37 Percent Less Likely to Die

Yoga Combats Serious Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Yoga reduced fibromyalgia pain, fatigue and depression after 8 weeks

Survey Finds Marijuana not a Gateway for Teen Drug use

Vitamin B3 antifungal properties discovered by scientists

Promising New Drug Shrinks Some Lung Cancer Tumors

Chronic Insominia Boosts Risk of Dying

Ecopsychology of the Gulf Oil Spill and other Health News

Lose Belly Fat to Avoid Dementia

Sleep Quality Linked to Longer Life

HPV test more sensitive than PAP smear for detecting cervical cancer lesions

Overdiagnosis of cancer focus of review

Women Fail to Recognize Osteoporosis Risk Shown in Study

Blackcurrants suppress allergy induced asthma

FDA Continues to Investigate Zocor and Reports of Muscle Damage

Noscapine Cough Syrup Ingredient Studied Further for Prostate Cancer Treatment

Chronic stress
associated with cancer
could negatively affect outcomes