Your Health News at BAMI.us

Dizziness Linked with Poor Bone Health

Low bone mineral density may be associated with a disorder that causes dizziness, according to Korean researchers.  Benign positional vertigo is an inner ear disorder that results in the sudden onset of dizziness, spinning, or vertigo when moving the head.  In this recent study, people with osteopenia had double the risk of benign positional vertigo, and those with osteoporosis had triple the risk of the condition, which was unrelated to head trauma or other known causes.

Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for 44 million Americans and is known as the “silent disease”. It is a silent disease in that it progresses insidiously and painlessly up until the first symptom, which is usually a broken bone.  Unfortunately by then, most of the damage has been done.  Early detection and prevention of osteoporosis is vital. (Image courtesy of Merck Source.com)

Both men and women over age 50 are at risk. One-half of all women and one-fourth of all men over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their remaining lifetime. This occurs despite the fact that osteoporosis can be prevented and treated.  

Read more about the prevention, detection, and treatment of Osteoporosis

Source: Jeong S-H, et al “Osteopenia and osteoporosis in idiopathic benign positional vertigo” Neurology 2009; 72: 1069-1076.

Source: “Dizziness Linked to Bone Health” MedPage Today, March 23, 2009

Two Important Steps to Slow the Progression of Heart Disease

The combination of normal systolic blood pressure and very low LDL cholesterol levels, provide the most benefit in slowing the progression of atherosclerotic plaque build up in the wall of the coronary arteries, according to Cleveland Clinic researchers. 

Normal systolic blood pressure is defined as 120 mm Hg or less (the top number on the BP reading), and very low LDL cholesterol level is defined as 70 mg/dL or less.

In the illustration to the right, the red blood vessels on the surface of the heart are the coronary arteries.  Good blood flow through these arteries is critical to the normal functioning of the heart muscle. However, the coronary arteries are often the source of signficant disease. In fact, coronary heart disease is America’s No. 1 killer.

Throughout life, beginning in childhood, there is a gradual build up of cholesterol and other substances on the inner lining of an artery referred to as atherosclerotic plaques. Over time, these plaques can harden and narrow an artery enough to slow or even block blood flow. Atherosclerotic plaques are often unstable and can rupture into the vessel causing a blood clot to form.  This can result in a sudden blockage of an artery and is often the process by which people experience heart attacks or strokes.  In some people, the first sign of atherosclerosis might be a heart attack or even sudden death. 

Read more: 

• Disease of the Coronary Arteries: (coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease)
• High Blood Pressure
• Cholesterol
• Cardiac Anatomy

Source: Chhatriwalla A, et al “Low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and blood pressure and progression of coronary atherosclerosis” J Am Coll Cardiol 2009; 53: 1110-1115.
Source: “Lowering BP and LDL Cholesterol in Tandem Slows Atherosclerosis” MedPage Today, March 23, 2009

Red Meat Again Linked with Cancer and Heart Disease

Too many burgers, steaks and hot dogs may shorten your life, according to researchers from the National Cancer Institute. In a recent large prospective study, investigators found that eating more red and processed meat is associated with an increased risk of mortality, particularly from cancer and cardiovascular causes.  On the other hand, white meat had a small protective effect against total and cancer mortality.

Source: Sinha R, et al “Meat intake and mortality” Arch Intern Med 2009; 169(6): 562-71.
Source: “Red Meat Associated With Increased Mortality Risk” MedPage Today, March 23, 2009

OTC Weight-Loss Drugs Exposed by the FDA

Today’s store shelves are lined with weight-loss products containing undeclared and potentially unsafe active ingredients, according to recent findings by the FDA.   Marketed as “dietary supplements” that claim to be “natural” or contain only “herbal” ingredients, many of the over-the-counter, weight-loss products found in America’s local health food stores, beauty salons, as well as grocery and drug stores, illegally contain potentially dangerous prescription drugs such as antidepressants, diuretics, antiseizure drugs and appetite suppressants, according to the FDA. 

Recently, the FDA has recalled 72 of these products which contain the following illegal ingredients:

• sibutramine (An appetite  suppressant, sibutramine works by increasing the activity of certain chemicals, called norepinephrine and serotonin, in the brain. The FDA found sibutramine in many products at levels much higher than the maximum daily dosage for the prescription drug, Meridia, the only FDA-approved drug product containing sibutramine. Especially at excessive doses, sibutramine can have many serious side effects such as high blood pressure, increased heart rate, cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, rapidly changing moods, anxiety and depression),
• phenolphthalein (has been a common active ingredient in laxatives but is now being removed from the market because of concerns over carcinogenicity).
• fenproporex (a stimulant which is an amphetamine derivative, used as an appetite suppressant),
• fluoxetine (Prozac, a prescription antidepressant),
• bumetanide (Bumex, a strong prescriptions diurectic which can cause a lethal electrolyte imbalance if not monitored),
• furosemide (Lasix, a strong prescription diuretic which can cause a lethal electrolyte imbalance if not monitored),
• rimonabant (an appetite suppressant which is illegal in the U.S. because of the risk of serious neurological disease such as severe psychiatric problems and even suicide. It is also thought to promote the development of neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system such as Multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease)
• cetilistat (an investigational drug, similar to orlistat)
• phenytoin (Dilantin, antiseizure drug), and

Potential health risks posed by the tainted products include high blood pressure, seizures, tachycardia, palpitations, lethal electrolyte imbalances, heart attack, stroke, severe psychiatric problems, suicide and cancer.

The FDA recall began in December of 2008 with 25 products, and the FDA said it will continue to update the list as necessary. As of March 20, 2009 the following drugs have been recalled by the FDA:

• 2 Day Diet — sibutramine
• 2 Day Diet Slim Advance — sibutramine
• 2x Powerful Slimming — sibutramine
• 3 Day Diet — sibutramine
• 3 Days Fit — sibutramine
• 3x Slimming Power — sibutramine, phenytoin
• 5x Imelda Perfect Slimming — sibutramine
• 7 Day Herbal Slim — sibutramine
• 7 Days Diet — sibutramine
• 7 Diet — sibutramine
• 7 Diet Day/Night Formula — sibutramine
• 8 Factor Diet — sibutramine, phenolphthalein
• Eight Factor Diet — sibutramine
• 21 Double Slim — sibutramine
• 24 Hours Diet — sibutramine, phenolphthalein
• 999 Fitness Essence — sibutramine
• BioEmagrecim — fenproporex, fluoxetine, furosemide
• Body Creator — sibutramine
• Body Shaping — sibutramine
• Body Slimming — sibutramine
• Cosmo Slim — sibutramine
• Extrim Plus — sibutramine, phenytoin
• vExtrim Plus 24 Hour Reburn — sibutramine
• Fasting Diet — sibutramine
• Fatloss Slimming — sibutramine, phenolphthalein
• GMP — sibutramine
• Herbal Xenicol — cetilistat
• Imelda Fat Reducer — sibutramine
• Imelda Perfect Slim — sibutramine, phenolphthalein
• JM Fat Reducer — sibutramine
• Lida DaiDaihua — sibutramine
• Meili — sibutramine
• Meizitang — sibutramine
• Miaozi MeiMiaoQianZiJiaoNang — sibutramine
• Miaozi Slim Capsules — sibutramine
• Natural Model — sibutramine
• Perfect Slim — sibutramine
• Perfect Slim 5x — sibutramine, phenolphthalein
• Perfect Slim Up — sibutramine
• Phyto Shape — rimonabant
• Powerful Slim — sibutramine
• ProSlim Plus — sibutramine
• Reduce Weihgt — sibutramine
• Royal Slimming Formula — sibutramine, phenolphthalein
• Sana Plus — sibutramine
• Slim 3 in 1 — sibutramine
• Slim 3 in 1 Extra Slim Formula — sibutramine
• Slim 3 in 1 Extra Slim Waist Formula — sibutramine
• Slim 3 in 1 M18 Royal Diet — sibutramine
• Slim 3 in 1 Slim Formula — sibutramine
• Slim Burn — sibutramine
• Slim Express 4 in 1 — sibutramine
• Slim Express 360 — sibutramine
• Slim Fast — sibutramine
• Slim Tech — sibutramine
• Slim Up — sibutramine
• Slim Waist Formula — sibutramine
• Slim Waistline — sibutramine
• Slimbionic — sibutramine
• Sliminate — sibutramine
• Slimming Formula — sibutramine
• Somotrim — sibutramine
• Starcaps — bumetanide
• Super Fat Burner — sibutramine
• Superslim — sibutramine, phenolphthalein
• Super Slimming — sibutramine
• Trim 2 Plus — sibutramine
• Triple Slim — sibutramine
• Venom Hyperdrive 3.0 — sibutramine
• Waist Strength Formula — sibutramine
• Xsvelten — sibutramine
• Zhen de Shou — sibutramine, phenolphthalein

The herbal market is a booming, and rapidly growing, multimillion dollar industry yet many herbal manufacturers make false claims regarding the effectiveness of their products. Just because it’s advertised on the radio, TV or available on the store shelf, doesn’t mean that it’s safe.  There are no Federal quality controls for herbal and dietary supplements and there is a lack of consistency in dose and quality of many products that appear on the market. In other words, the label may not necessarily match the ingredients. Furthermore, most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for safety or interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods.

The only legal OTC weight-loss product is called “Ally”.  Approved by the FDA in 2007, the active ingredient in Ally is orlistat and it helps produce weight loss by decreasing the intestinal absorption of fat. Xenical, the prescription version, was initially approved in 1999 as a drug to treat obesity, and remains on the market at twice the dose of the OTC version.

Even though orlistat (Ally) is over-the-counter and approved by the FDA, it’s important to be aware that it has significant potential side effects and can be unsafe for certain people. Fat that isn’t absorbed passes through the digestive system, causing abdominal pain, loose stools, oily flatulence, and even mild incontinence in some patients, depending on how well users comply with a low-fat diet. Also, people taking orlistat showed mild but consistent deficiencies of vitamins A, E, and beta-carotene. The drug’s label is expected to include recommendations that users take a daily multivitamin. Orlistat can also lead to hepatitis, gallstones and kidney stones. It is not for people who have problems absorbing food, or for those who have had organ transplants. Also, anyone taking blood-thinning medicines or being treated for diabetes or thyroid disease should consult a physician before using orlistat.

Despite all the research and intense motivation to find a safe diet pill, the miracle drug remains to be found.  There is no substitute for regular exercise and a reduced-calorie, low fat diet.

Read about starting an exercise program

Source: FDA
Source: MedPage Today, March 20, 2009

Exercise to the Beat of “Stayin’ Alive”

Match your stride to the old disco favorite, “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees, and this will produce a pace of roughly 100 steps per minute, according to Simon J. Marshall, Ph.D., of San Diego State University.  This is the pace needed to stay in good cardiovascular shape according to new recommendations of various government and academic health institutions.  

The Department of Health and Human Services, American Heart Association, and other organizations recommend 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, the equivalent of 30 minutes on five days per week. Walking can meet the criteria for moderate intensity exercise if the pace is brisk, approximately 100 steps per minute. 

The pace of “Stayin’ Alive” also is a good aid for those trying to learn the pace needed for CPR and has been informally recommended as a guide by the American Heart Association. 

Note: Check with your health care provider before beginning an exercise program. If you have chest pain, feel faint or light-headed, or become extremely out of breath while exercising, stop the activity at once and tell your doctor as soon as possible.

Source:  Marshall SJ, et al “Translating physical activity recommendations into a pedometer-based step goal: 3000 steps in 30 minutes” Am J Prev Med 2009.

Source: MedPage Today, March 17, 2009

Vitamin D Deficiency Linked with Increased Colds

Vitamin D deficiency appears to weaken the body’s defenses against upper respiratory infections such as colds, according to researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital. 

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 make sure patients are getting enough vitamin D to optimize good bone health and prevent chronic disease. This recent study underlines yet another reason to be sure a Vitamin D deficiency is not present. 

Learn about ways to make sure you and your family are getting enough Vitamin D. 

Source: Ginde A, et al “Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and upper respiratory tract infection in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey” Arch Intern Med 2009; 169: 384-90.

Glaucoma Drug Improves Eyelash Growth and Thickening

Eyelash growth and thickening was signficantly improved with one drop per day of a glaucoma drug in almost 80%  of participants in a recent study.   The FDA approved the prescription drug, bimatoprost, for eyelash growth late last year.

During this study by Therapeutics Clinical Research in San Diego, patients applied a single drop of glaucoma eye medication to each upper eyelid at the junction with the hair follicle. Lower eyelids were not treated. After only one week of treatment, many experienced significant improvement, although for some it took as long as eight weeks.

Investigators have found no safety issues with bimatoprost.  Fewer than 4% of patients encountered adverse events during the trial. The most common adverse events in the bimatoprost group were conjunctival hyperemia (3.6%), skin hyperpigmentation (2.9%), and ocular irritation, dry eye, and eyelid erythema (2% each).

 Source: Smith S, et al “Eyelash growth in subjects treated with bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03%; a multicenter, randomized, double-masked, vehicle-controlled parallel study” J Am Acad Dermatol 2009; 60(suppl): Abstract P406.

Source: MedPage Today, March 12, 2009