Archive Page 4
March 10th, 2010 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Light to moderate drinking may keep women from gaining too much weight, according to the researchers from the Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston.
In their recent 13-year study of normal-weight women younger than 50, those who drank light to moderate amounts of alcohol daily, gained less weight and had a lower risk of becoming overweight or obese than either teetotalers or those who drank too much.
These findings and conclusions are highly controversial for a number of reasons. Experts do agree that further research is needed to confirm these conclusions, but certainly the findings should not be used as a license to drink.
The fact remains that alcohol is well known to increase the risk of cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, and breast. Regular consumption of even a few drinks per week is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in women. In fact, the American Cancer Society warns that those at high risk of breast cancer may want to consider not drinking any alcohol at all.
Source reference:
Wang L, et al “Alcohol consumption, weight gain, and risk of becoming overweight in middle-aged and older women” Arch Intern Med 2010; 170(5): 453-61.
Source: “Cheers! A Drink a Day May Keep the Pounds Away”, MedPage Today, March 8, 2010
Source: “Common Questions about Diet and Cancer” from the American Cancer Society
March 9th, 2010 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Avodart (dutasteride) may both prevent prostate cancer and improve the predictive power of the blood test, PSA, according to researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. In their recent study of men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the medication was associated with a 40% lower incidence of prostate cancer diagnosis than the BPH drug tamsulosin (Flomax) in at-risk men.
Several other trials have also found similar results. The American Society of Clinical Oncology and American Urological Association recommends that healthy older men discuss this with their doctors.
About Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Source: “Prostate CA Prevention Affirmed for BPH Drug”, MedPage Today, March 07, 2010
Gomella LG, et al “Effect of dutasteride on the detection of prostate cancer in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia in the combination of dutasteride and tamsulosin (CombAT) trial” ASCO GU 2010; Abstract 28.
March 6th, 2010 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Recent attention has been focused on three commonly used, over-the counter supplements and weight loss pills which contain chromium. According to test results by Consumer Labs, a private provider of independent testing of health products, a carcinogenic form of chromium, known as hexavalent chromium, was found in three of these products that are currently on the market. (The three products in question are not listed in this article, because of copyright laws, but a list of these weight-loss supplements, along with others that did pass testing by Consumer Labs, can be obtained at Consumer Labs online).
Hexavalent chromium, or chromium (VI) is a more toxic form of chromium than the nutrient, chromium (III). It should not be found in chromium supplements, but it has occurred as a contaminant in some cases. It is known to be a human carcinogen and can cause other harmful health effects such as kidney and liver damage.
Source: “Carcinogen Found in Several Chromium Supplements (Including Some for Weight Loss)”, Consumer Labs, March 3, 2010
Source: FDA
March 5th, 2010 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability, yet most Americans don’t know the warning signs of a heart attack, according to the CDC.
“Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the “movie heart attack,” where no one doubts what’s happening, but most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help,” says the American Heart Association.
Heart attack warning signs can include one or more of the following symptoms:
- Chest discomfort. This is the most common symptom. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. Women are more likely than men to experience these symptoms, particularly back or jaw pain, as well as shortness of breath.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
- Other signs: These may include
- breaking out in a cold sweat,
- nausea/vomiting or
- lightheadedness
Chest pain is the most common symptom, but one study in the journal Chest revealed one in 12 patients do not have typical symptoms when having a heart attack. Heart-attack victims who don’t show symptoms of severe chest pain — often women, seniors or those with chronic conditions — are 10 times more likely to be misdiagnosed and also more likely to die of a heart attack.
Source: Chest 2004
March 5th, 2010 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
More and more products with unidentified and harmful ingredients are finding their way into the booming U.S. “Dietary Supplement” marketplace. They are freely advertised on the radio and TV, and are readily available online as well as on the shelves of local grocery stores, pharmacies, and health food stores across the U.S.
This booming multibillion dollar market falls under the category of “Dietary Supplements” which are vitamins, minerals, herbs and other substances meant to improve your diet or overall health. They are most often advertised as “Natural”, which can often be far from the truth.
“Natural” is an abused word which has become an effective tool of this rapidly growing industry. In fact, many of the so-called “Natural” dietary supplements on the market may not even be what they say they are on the label. Even if they are pure, they still may well have significant adverse effects or interact with commonly prescribed drugs. A good example of their potential danger is that many are well known to interact with anesthesia during surgery.
The “Dietary Supplement” market is essentially unregulated by the FDA. Unlike prescription or over-the-counter drugs, which must be tested and reviewed before they’re sold, federal laws allow the sale of untested, unreviewed, and unregistered Dietary Supplements. So a very dangerous product may be on the store shelves and in your body for quite a while before it’s even reviewed or investigated.
Herbal drugs, claiming to provide miraculous cures for common ailments such as obesity, depression, anxiety, sexual problems, menopausal symptoms, arthritis pain and many others boast safe and natural relief without any side effects. This is absolute nonsense. These supposed remedies may well have dangerous side effects that you will probably discover sooner or later.
These products line many shelves of grocery stores and pharmacies and only the manufacturer itself is responsible for determining that the claims on their labels are accurate and truthful. The products are not even registered with the FDA, and only if the FDA becomes aware of false or misleading claims will the agency take action.
On the other hand, a large number of useful and therapeutic herbal products certainly are on the market, but finding them is a challenge. Do your research before making a purchase. Consumer Labs Online is one reputable source, and your health care provider is another good reference. In fact, it’s important to inform your doctor about any supplements you’re taking. Too many patients make the mistake of assuming that anything purchased over-the-counter is okay, and there’s no point in mentioning it to their doctor.
The law which eliminated the FDA review and testing of dietary supplements was the Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act (DSHEA), which was passed in 1994. Over the years since then, serious health problems have occurred with several different dietary supplements, prompting experts to call for a change in the current law.
Many, including the FDA, are saying this law needs to be changed, but while we’re fixing that law, others are saying that the FDA itself, needs to be reformed. Many people who love their “Natural” products, express their distrust of prescription drugs, and point out that many serious errors have occurred with drugs that have been approved by the FDA. Many experts agree that this is an unfortunate trend, and chronic underfunding of the FDA is said to be a major cause of this problem.
In any event, sticking only to “Natural” products is not the solution. Try to find a health care provider you trust, and make every attempt to be educated, beware and be skeptical of claims that are too good to be true.
Source: “Overview of Dietary Supplements”, FDA
Source: Consumer Labs, “Chromium Supplements (including weight-loss formulas”, March 2010
Source: “What’s in Hydroxycut?”, Kristina Fiore, MedPage Today, May 08, 2009
Source: “Reflections on Hexavalent Chromium: Health Hazards of an Industrial Heavyweight”, Environmental Health Perspectives, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institute of Health, September 2000
Source: “New England journal endorses institute’s proposals for FDA”, BMJ. 2006 October 14; 333(7572): 772FDA
March 3rd, 2010 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
A woman’s future risk of heart disease and stroke may be associated with the number of births she has in her lifetime, say researchers from the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm.
In their large recent study, women who gave birth two times had the lowest risk of future cardiovascular disease, whereas women with no, one, or three births had about 10 percent greater risk. The risk rose to 30 percent in women with four births and almost 60 percent in women with five or more births.
Another large and well-designed study designed a completely different tool to predict a woman’s risk of suffering a future heart attack, stroke, or other major heart disease in the next 10 years. Read more
Source: American Heart Journal, February 2010
Source: “Heart disease risk tied to mom’s number of births”, Reuters, February 25, 2010
March 2nd, 2010 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
In a recent study, obese participants on low-fat diets lost more weight long term than those on a low-carb plan. In fact, those on low-carb diets had gained back nearly all their weight after three years, while those on low-fat diets continued to lose.
The reason for these findings, the researchers speculated, was that low-carb diets are more difficult to follow long term. They require drastic changes in the way people typically enjoy their food. Eating a sandwhich without the bread, for instance, is very difficult to follow long term. Whereas in low-fat diets, all food groups are allowed with certain important changes, such as switching from mayonnaise to mustard or from whole to skim milk.
Also in the study, rapid weight loss lead to rapid regains. Those who lost the most in the beginning were more likely to gain the weight back, and those who achieved weight loss by doing it in a slower manner, were more likely to keep it off.
SOURCES: M Vetter, M.D., R.D., medical director, Center for Weight and Eating Disorders, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; L Sandon, R.D., assistant professor, clinical nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas; Annals of Internal Medicine, March 2, 2010,
Source: “Low-Fat Diets Beat Low-Carb Regimen Long Term”, HealthDay, March 1, 2010
March 2nd, 2010 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
For every hour teens spend watching television, there is a 13% increased risk of low attachment to parents and a 24% increase in the risk of having low attachment to peers, according to a recent study out of New Zealand.
Source: “TV, Computers Linked to Weak Relationships”, MedPage Today, March 1, 2010
Source: Richards R, et al “Adolescent screen time and attachment to parents and peers” Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2010; 164: 258-62. 1, 2010
March 1st, 2010 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Listen to music you like for 15 to 20 minutes a day — and consider it a healthful a practice like regular exercise and a healthy diet, says Dr. Michael Miller from the Center for Preventive Cardiology, in an article by Health Day.
Involve your child in music on a daily basis, says the Nemours Foundation.
A growing body of research is pointing to the healthful benefits of listening to pleasant music. It has been found to help with such things as pain, stress, depression, intelligence, memory, and sleep to name a few.
One recent study found that soothing music was associated with a reduction in heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure in patients with coronary heart disease. And another study found that music, like laughter, may benefit heart health.
Music therapy is being used successfully with stroke patients. Finnish researchers recently found that listening to music for a few hours a day was associated with a stroke patient’s early recovery.
“Listening to music offers many benefits to children, research indicates. Musically inclined kids appear better at math and reading, have shown better focus, improved self-esteem and seem to play better with other children,” report experts in a recent article by Health Day.
Much more research needs to be done, but the healthful benefits of music are surfacing in almost every area of our lives.
Source: “Health Tip: Introduce Your Child to Music”, Health Day, March 1, 2010
Source: “Tune Up Your Health”, Health Day, January 29, 2010
Source: Michael Miller, M.D., professor, medicine, and director, Center for Preventive Cardiology, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore
Source: Aniruddh Patel, Ph.D., Esther J. Burnham senior fellow, Neurosciences Institute, San Diego
Source: Robert Zatorre, Ph.D., Montreal Neurological Institute, and professor, department of neurology and neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal
Source: Bradt J, et al “Music for stress and anxiety reduction in coronary heart disease patients” Cochrane Database of Syst Rev 2009; DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006577.pub2
February 22nd, 2010 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
The decline in breast cancer rates among women over age 50 is linked to less use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), according to Harvard Researchers. In their study of more than 350,000 women, the decline was most significant for cases of estrogen receptor-positive cancer and among affluent, white women who were most likely to have used HRT.
Source: American Journal of Public Health, February 2010
