Archive for January, 2009
January 29th, 2009 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
The Peanut Corp. of America, found salmonella in internal tests 12 times in 2007 and 2008 but sold the products anyway, according to a recent finding by the FDA. Four strains of salmonella have been discovered at their Blakely Georgia plant which has been linked to the salmonella outbreak that has killed eight people and sickened 500 people in 43 states and Canada. Half of the people who have become ill are children.
The peanut butter and peanut butter paste manufactured at this plant are not sold in stores but are sold to other foodmakers to produce nutrition bars, crackers, cookies, cereal, ice cream, candies and dog biscuits. Kellogg and McKee Foods are two of the many manufucturers who have recalled more than 100 products made with these ingredients.
Production at the Georgia plant has been stopped and the Director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said it appears that the company violated federal law, but he could not say whether the company might face criminal charges.
Major-label peanut butter sold in jars, such as Peter Pan, Jif and Smuckers, is not suspected to be contaminated with salmonella and is considered safe. The FDA posts a daily updated list of recalled products on its website, although it has advised that any product containing peanut butter, such as cookies, crackers, cereal, ice cream, nutrition bars, candies and dog biscuits should not be eaten at the current time until it can be cleared in the ongoing nationwide salmonella outbreak. The recommendation does not apply to name-brand jars of peanut butter available in grocery stores, which have not been implicated in the rash of infections.
Source: FDA, January 28, 2009
Source: WashingtonPost.com, January 28, 2009
January 27th, 2009 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
A growing body of research is revealing that elderly with the lowest levels of Vitamin D in their blood are significantly more likely to have a higher incidence of cognitive impairment. Researchers are discovering mounting evidence for previously unsuspected roles for vitamin D in brain development and neuroprotection.
In a recent study from the University of Cambridge, British researchers recently examined the association between serum vitamin D levels and cognitive impairment in persons 65 and older. Those with the lowest levels of Vitamin D were more than twice as likely to have cognitive impairment.
A simple blood test can measure the circulating Vitamin D levels in your blood. Many doctors are now drawing blood levels of Vitamin D to to make sure patients are getting enough of this important vitamin to optimize good health. Ask your doctor about this.
Most often calcium supplements with Vitamin D are recommended by health care professionals. If calcium supplements are not needed, Vitamin D 1,000 IU is available over-the-counter, and may be recommended. Vitamin D is included in most multivitamins, but in very low strengths from 50 IU to 1,000 IU.
Read more:
via Llewellyn DJ, et al “Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and cognitive impairment” J Geriatr Psych Neurol 2009
January 24th, 2009 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
The FDA has posted an extensive list of food products subject to recall in the United States since January 2009 related to peanut butter and peanut paste recalled by Peanut Corporation of America. This list is current as of the date indicated and will be updated as new information is received.
via Recalled Foods, FDA, January 2009
January 23rd, 2009 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Overweight people lost twice as much weight during a two-week study when carbohydrates were restricted compared with calorie restriction.
In a recent study from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, two groups of subjects were assigned to either a 20 g/day low-carbohydrate diet, or a calorie-restricted diet which was decreased by 800 calories per day. Participants were encouraged to eat three regular-size meals and to consume eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.
The participants in the carbohydrate restricted group lost an average of 9.5 lb. in 2 weeks, whereas those assigned to the calorie restriction group lost an average of only 5 lbs. The researchers noted that carbohydrate restriction appeared to stimulate increased fat burning throughout the body.
This is a very interesting study, but according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, keep in mind that the recommended daily amount (DV) for total carbohydrate is 300g. This amount is recommended for a balanced daily diet that is based on 2,000 calories. A diet with less than 130 grams of carbohydrate a day can lead to the buildup of ketones (partially broken-down fats) in your blood. A buildup of ketones in your blood (called ketosis) can cause your body to produce high levels of uric acid, which is a risk factor for gout (a painful swelling of the joints) and kidney stones. Ketosis may be especially risky for pregnant women and people with diabetes or kidney disease.
The high-protein/low-carbohydrate diets have been popular, but the long-term health effects of these diets are unknown. By following a balanced eating plan, you will not have to stop eating whole classes of foods, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables—and miss the key nutrients they contain. Also, most people find it easier to stick with a diet or eating plan that includes a greater variety of foods.
January 22nd, 2009 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Certain dog biscuits, and granola, energy and nutrition bars, have been added to the growing list of product recalls because they contain peanut paste from Peanut Corporation of America. This Blakely, Ga., processing facility has been identified as the source of the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak, according to the FDA. A significant association has recently been found between infection and prepackaged peanut butter crackers with Austin and Keebler brand crackers.
As of January 20, 2009, the following products have been withdrawn or recalled, even though there has not been any known illnesses related to them:
- NutriSystem Inc. has withdrawn its peanut butter granola bars carrying lot codes TC08158A, TC08188A, TC09158A, TC09168A, TC09178A, TC11148A, and TC11178A. The products were not available for retail purchase.
- Evening Rise Bread Co. of McCall, Idaho, has recalled peanut butter cookies and peanut butter bars sold throughout Idaho.
- Nature’s Path Organic Foods of Richmond, British Columbia, has withdrawn peanut butter-flavored Optimum Energy Bars, which carry the UPC code 058449777151 and are marked with a “best before” date of Oct. 1, 2009.
- Country Maid Inc. has recalled two-pound packages of Classic Breaks peanut butter cookie dough, which were distributed through fundraising organizations from Oct. 6, 2008 through Jan. 9 and carry the lot numbers 26208, 26308, 29808, 33808, 36508.
- Ready Pac Foods Inc. has recalled certain celery with peanut butter products sold under the Ready Pac, Trader Joe’s, and Eating Right brands and apple with peanut products sold under the Eating Right brand.
- Premier Nutrition has recalled some of its Twisted and Titan brand nutrition bars in vanilla, chocolate, peanut butter, and chocolate peanut crunch flavors.
On January 19, 2009, the FDA issued an advisory that any product containing peanut butter, such as cookies, crackers, cereal, and ice cream, should not be eaten at the current time until it can be cleared in the ongoing nationwide salmonella outbreak. The recommendation does not apply to name-brand jars of peanut butter available in grocery stores, which have not been implicated in the rash of infections.
Illustration courtesy of the CDC
via “NutriSystem Announces Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Peanut Butter Granola Bar Due to Possible Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) Contamination and Potential Health Risk“, FDA, January 21, 2009
via “PetSmart Voluntarily Recalls Grreat Choice® Dog Biscuits“, FDA, January 20, 2009
via “PetSmart Dog Biscuits Recalled Over Salmonella Concerns“, MedPage Today, January 21, 2009
January 20th, 2009 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
About the dietary supplements
GAIT is the first large-scale study in the United States to test the effects of the dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. This clinical trial tested whether glucosamine and chondroitin, used separately or in combination, reduced pain in people with knee osteoarthritis.
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are substances found naturally in the body. Glucosamine is believed to play a role in cartilage formation and repair, while Chondroitin Sulfate is thought to give cartilage its elasticity. Both supplements also have some anti-inflammatory effects that may account for the pain relief.
Both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are sold over-the-counter as dietary or nutritional supplements. They are extracted from animal tissue: glucosamine from crab, lobster or shrimp shells; and chondroitin sulfate from animal cartilage, such as tracheas or shark cartilage.
The benefit
In the GAIT study, participants who took glucosamine and chondroitin and had moderate-to-severe pain, experienced significant pain relief–about 79 percent had a 20 percent or greater reduction in pain versus about 54 percent for placebo. However, the participants in the mild pain subset who took glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, did not experience statistically significant pain relief. These findings are consistent with the results physicians report in their actual office practice where some people get pain relief, and some don’t.
While it has been speculated that glucosamine supplements may be able to help the body repair damaged cartilage, this has yet to be proven, and in the GAIT study there was in fact no slowing of loss of cartilage in patients who took glucosamine and chondroitin, together or alone. This was determined after assessing the x-ray data on 581 knees of participants in this study. More research needs to be done, but at this point, there appears to be no benefit from taking these dietary supplements, other than for pain relief in those experiencing moderate-to-severe pain.
How to take glucosamine and chondroitin
Because dietary supplements are unregulated, the quality and content of products on the store shelves may vary widely. Identical products of glucosamine and chondroitin used in the GAIT study may not be commercially available. A well-respected private laboratory, Consumer Lab.com performs independent tests on dietary supplements which it publishes online. However, these results are only available for an annual subscription fee. The National Arthritis Foundation recommends simply choosing only products sold by large, well-established companies.
If you decide to take these supplements:
- Always consult your doctor before deciding to try these supplements, and make sure that osteoarthritis is the cause of your pain.
- Consult your doctor about the proper dosage. The amount used in studies of glucosamine was 1,500 mg per day and in studies of chondroitin sulfate, 1,200 mg per day was used. Divide the daily total into three doses per day.
- You can try the supplements along with your current medications for three months. If you don’t experience any difference in your symptoms within this time, you probably will not get any relief from using the supplements. If the supplements are having a beneficial effect, continue on the supplement, but it may be possible to reduce the dose after the first few months:
- First two months: 1500 mg glucosamine and 1,200 mg chondroitin per day in three divided doses
- Next month: try reducing the dose to 1,000 mg of glucosamine and 800 mg of chondroitin, in two divided doses.
- Next month: try reducing to 500 mg glucosamine and 400 mg of chondroitin in one dose
- If symptoms return, increase to the full dosage.
- Do not stop or reduce your current prescribed medications without talking with your doctor.
- Choose products sold by large, well-established companies that can be held accountable.
- Read the product labels carefully to make sure the ingredient lists make sense to you. If you have trouble, ask your pharmacists for help.
- Recommended doses should cost about $1 to $3 per day, but most insurance companies do not cover this cost.
Side Effects
Both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have been used in Europe for several years, with few reported side effects and in most human studies, glucosamine sulfate has been well tolerated for 30 to 90 days. But these supplements are not appropriate for all forms of arthritis or for all people.
Pregnant women should not take this or anything else without asking their obstetrician. Diabetics should be especially cautious–It remains unclear if glucosamine alters blood sugar levels. Since glucosamine can be made from the shells of shrimp, crab, and other shellfish, people with shellfish allergy or iodine hypersensitivity may theoretically have an allergic reaction to glucosamine products. There are reported cases suggesting a link between glucosamine/chondroitin products and asthma exacerbations. In theory glucosamine may increase the risk of bleeding. Caution is advised in patients with bleeding disorders or taking drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding.
Side effects may include upset stomach, drowsiness, insomnia, headache, skin reactions, sun sensitivity, and nail toughening. There are rare reports of abdominal pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, flatulence (gas), constipation, heartburn, and diarrhea.
Image of the knee courtesy of the National Institute of Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
via “Questions and Answers: NIH Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial Primary Study (GAIT)”, (The University of Utah, School of Medicine coordinated this study, which was conducted at 16 rheumatology research centers across the United States.) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), January 09, 2009
via “Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate”, Arthritis Foundation
via “Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate“, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
January 20th, 2009 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Any product containing peanut butter, such as cookies, crackers, cereal, and ice cream, should not be eaten at the current time until it can be cleared in the ongoing nationwide salmonella outbreak, the FDA has advised. The recommendation does not apply to name-brand jars of peanut butter available in grocery stores, which have not been implicated in the rash of infections.
The FDA’s investigation is focusing on Peanut Corporation of America’s processing plant in Blakely, Ga., which has halted operations after health authorities in Minnesota and Connecticut detected salmonella in peanut butter produced there. The products were sent to 85 manufacturers and distributors, some of which have initiated voluntary recalls of a variety of foods believed to contain peanut butter or paste from Peanut Corporation of America.
Read about “Salmonella Food Poisoning” from Bay Area Medical Information
via FDA, January 19, 2009
via MedPage Today, January 19, 2009
January 19th, 2009 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Half of people aged 70 and older suffer from some type of chronic pain, and those who are obese are twice as likely to be affected, according to a new study from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. In this study, obese people were more likely to have pain in virtually every part of the body than were normal-weight people.
Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for three months or longer. It is known to be common among older people, but obesity will further play a role in chronic pain by adding stress to the joints, and promoting inflammation. A number of diseases caused by obesity, such as diabetes, arthritis, and depression, to name but a few, can result in chronic pain.
Obesity is like a snowball rolling down a hill, and there is no miracle cure as many scam advertisements would have you believe.
Read more:
via Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, January 2009
January 16th, 2009 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Drinking coffee in middle age was associated with a decreased risk of dementia later in life according to a new study from Finland and Sweden. Researchers found the lowest risk of dementia in the moderate coffee drinkers, or those who drank three to five cups a day. In this group, their dementia or Alzheimer’s risk was lowered by 65 per cent. Tea drinking did not appear to have any affect on the risk of dementia.
While these findings are interesting, they need to be confirmed by other studies. If you’re currently drinking three to five cups per day of coffee with no adverse effects, this is good news. But it certainly would not be advisable to increase the amount of coffee you’re drinking, based solely on this study. Not only is coffee addicting, but excessive caffeine intake can lead to a number of health problems including fast heart rate, tremors, irritable bladder, excessive urination, stomach irritation, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, anxiety, depression, and difficulty sleeping. Many drugs interact with caffeine as well. Pregnant women and people with coronary heart disease or peptic ulcers are often advised to restrict or avoid using caffeine altogether.
Contrary to the popular belief that coffee will sober you up after drinking too much alcohol, it can actually worsen the problem. A recent study found that a high caffeine energy drink mixed with vodka reduced the participants’ perception of motor coordination compared with vodka alone.
via Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, January 2009
via “Coffee may reduce risk of dementia, study suggests” CTV.ca, January 14, 2009
via “One Energy Drink, or 12 cans of Coke“, Bay Area Medical Information, September 29, 2008
January 16th, 2009 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
As a precaution, Kellogg Company has halted distribution of snack foods containing peanut paste and pulled products from store shelves. Kellogg has asked customers to avoid eating any of these products until the FDA has completed its investigation of products from Peanut Corporation of America. Salmonella has not been found in any of Kellogg’s products, and the company has not received any reports of illness.
Foods on hold are Austin and Keebler brand Toasted Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Crackers, Cheese and Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, and Peanut Butter-Chocolate Sandwich Crackers.
Kellogg uses peanut paste provided by several suppliers, including Peanut Corporation of America, which recently recalled all of the bulk peanut butter manufactured at one of its processing facilities after salmonella was found in a single sample.
According to the CDC, the common brands of peanut butter sold in retail stores have not been associated with the nationwide outbreak.
via “Kellogg Peanut Butter Snacks Taken Off Store Shelves“, MedPage Today, January 15, 2009
