Top Health Stories of 2009: Alzheimer's test tops the Medscape list

A new test that may help detect Alzheimer's disease leads Medscape's list of top medical stories of 2009. The cognitive test examines 10 skills and can detect up to 93% of Alzheimer's cases, according to the Medscape report. The study was published June 10 in the British Medical Journal. Other stories making the list discuss a single screening question that may accurately identify unhealthy alcohol use, naproxen as the best Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory for heart-disease patients and the side effects of cholinesterase inhibitors in older aldults with dementia. Other stories concern a new ingrown toenail treatment, new sleep environment risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome, WHO guidelines for antiviral treatment of swine flu and other influenza and the American Academy of Pediatrics' revised guidelines for treatment of pediatric flu.

Cancer drug might help treat type 1 diabetes

There is hopeful news on the diabetes front this week. A new report in the November 25 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine says a drug used to treat cancer and rheumatoid arthritis helped type 1 diabetes patients keep producing some of their own insulin, even though the disease had destroyed some of their pancreatic beta cells. These are the cells that produce insulin. However, another researcher warned that the study does not show the drug Rituxan to be a "cure" for diabetes, but rather, a modest improvement in insulin levels. More research will be needed and it will take several years to test whether the treatment is feasible, but it's the beginning of another area of potential treatment and continued research might help lead to better control and ultimately to a cure.

Latest breast cancer screening recommendations leave women confused

Most of us had never heard of the US Preventive Services Task Force before last week, but now we expect to hear about its recommendations on breast cancer screening for many months to come. The task force recommends that women not begin getting annual mammographies until age 50 or older. Previous recommendations for screening targeted women 40 and older. Why the change and why now? Of course, it has turned into a political debate, as well as a medical one. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius distanced the Obama Administration from the decision, saying the panelists joined the Task Force during the Bush Administration. Republicans point to the Democrats saying this is an example of how the new healthcare system would compromise public health. The waters are muddy in this debate, but one thing is clear to me. Women in their 30s and 40s get breast cancer. Most of the people I know who have had breast cancer contracted it during their 30s or 40s, so why would we want to make women guinea pigs (again) for a new approach that is bound to cost some people their lives? It appears that the breast cancer movement has another cause for which it needs pink ribbons...Don't change it, if it saves lives. If women in their 30s and 40s have to pay for mammograms, lives will be lost because in the current economy, many will delay spending the money. Let's be sensible and keep the old recommendations and let this band of questionable "experts" re-evaluate their decision. If one woman dies because of this new absurdity, it's one life too many.

Friends make a positive difference

After a wonderful mini-vacation and the start of a new consulting project, I am returning to blogging about health issues feeling renewed and refreshed. I definitely recommend a long weekend with old friends as a spiritual renewal therapy. We flew to Las Vegas and enjoyed the warm desert sun, the crazy action of the casinos, the wonderful stage shows of Bette Midler, Cirque du Soleil and Donnie and Marie Osmond and the zany company of six friends whom I have known since I was 17. This is good mental health in action! But don't take my word for the benefits of good friends. An Australian study reports that among 1,500 older people studied for 10 years, those who had a large network of friends outlived those with the fewest friends by 22%, according to WebMD. That's a great result! So, I feel blessed that I have good friends who are willing to share my joys and struggles. We are already talking about our next trip together, so I guess that will add another few months to our lives, according to the study!

Diet and exercise can help prevent diabetes

A new study supports the health community's view that diet and exercise can help ward off diabetes for those who are on the brink of developing the disease. Losing weight and controlling diet can help many people avoid diabetes for years, according to a Reuters report summarizing the study. (See also blog entry of October 1.) Researchers at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease said the 10-year study of overweight people with elevated blood sugar found that those who lost a modest amount of weight lowered their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by at least a third. People over 60 showed even betterresults, cutting their risk of diabetes during the study period by almost 50 percent. The key now is to better educate the public about the risks of obesity and diabetes and to encourage prevention measures early, particularly in those people who have a genetic predisposition to the disease.

Swine flu becomes "national emergency"

President Barack Obama has declared the outbreak of H1N1 flu a national emergency. The move will allow hospitals and local governments to establish alternate sites for triage and treatment if a big wave of patients materializes at one time. The New York Times reports that people are still waiting in long lines for the H1N1 vaccine but in some locations, people are being turned away. It has also led to the cancellation of a soccer game in France after a third player on one team was diagnosed with the swine flu. Health officials said the latest move by the President had nothing to do with a vaccine shortage, but more to do with planning ahead and logistics. This is a prudent move on the part of the Administration and will help hospitals and local officials prepare a "disaster plan" before the worst wave hits the American public.

Sen. Baucus calls for health care reform, introduces legislation that could foster reform

We all have heard the horror stories of people who suffered or died because they had no health insurance. Currently, more than 46 million Americans do not have coverage. The latest unfortunate media reports on the uninsured have involved overweight or underweight infants who have been refused coverage because of their weight, even though they are perfectly healthy in every other way. This is a national disgrace that needs to change. In an online article published Oct. 21 on the web site of The New England Journal of Medicine, Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee,said doing nothing about health care policy is not an option. His committee introduced legislation on October 13, known as the America’s Healthy Future Act. An analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), said the bill would fulfill the promise to slow the growth of health care costs and to provide quality and affordable coverage. "Preserving the status quo would mean that Medicare would go broke in 2017," he said. In addition, he notes, more Americans would lose their insurance coverage and our country would have to sacrifice other priorities to spend more and more of our federal budget on health care. With his committee's legislation, there would be an increase in the percentage of Americans who have insurance to 94%, he said, adding that the legislation would reduce the federal deficit by $81 billion over the next 10 years. It might not be a perfect solution and the legislation might not attain its highest objectives, but it would be a starting point that could save more lives and begin to fix the problems that plague the health care system of the richest nation in the world. If we have money for guns and war and space missions, we should have money for healthcare and medicines for all who need it.

Autism and mercury in vaccines: new study says mercury levels in children with or without autism are similar

Autism and autism spectrum disorder is a challenging affliction affecting between 1 to 1.5 million Americans. For years, parents and health researchers have searched for a possible environmental cause of the problem that leaves many unable to communicate appropriately or make emotional connections in the same way as others. Some have suggested that the mercury used as a preservative in vaccines might be the cause of autism. So researchers wanted to examine whether kids with autism or other developmental disorders might bioaccumulate higher levels of mercury in their systems than normal kids. A University of California-Davis research team reports that, contrary to what some might have guessed, mercury blood levels were similar in children with autism and in those with normal development. The researchers looked at sources of mercury in the children's environments, such as fish consumption, use nasal sprays or earwax removal products, (which may contain mercury, and the types of vaccinations they received. They also examined dental fillings to determine whether any children had mercury-based amalgam fillings and whether they grind their teeth or chew gum. One interesting finding: children who chew gum and who have amalgam fillings had higher blood mercury levels. The researchers note that autism is a complex disease and will undoubtedly have complex causes. As of now, it doesn't appear that mercury is going to be the single reason for developmental problems. One thing is for sure. They mystery continues and more research is needed.

Regular flu vaccines now available, high risk groups start to receive swine flu shots

It's flu season again and this Autumn we face the threat of the regular seasonal flu in addition to the new 2009 H1N1 or swine flu that has reached pandemic. In most states, the regular vaccine is now available, although spot shortages have been reported in some places, such as South Florida. I'm planning to receive my regular flu shot on Friday if supplies are available. Vaccine manufacturers have focused heavily on readying the swine flu vaccine, and, as a result, the shipments of regular flu vaccines were slowed. H1N1 flu vaccines are being shipped in limited doses, so in many places it available only for the highest risk groups, such as pregnant women, young children and those with compromised immune systems or underlying diseases, and for healthcare workers. These vaccines will be available either in a nasal spray or via injection.

After the shingles, dealing with the nerve pain is the real challenge

Most of us know someone who has had the painful afflication known as shingles-- or herpes zoster virus in the medical world. More than 1 million cases are reported each year in the U.S., mostly in people over the age of 50 or in those with weakened immune systems. A reactivation of the chicken pox virus (varicella)in people who have had that virus in their younger years, Herpes zoster or shingles comes on suddenly as a painful, blistering rash, often after an event that weakens the immune system. Doctors generally prescribe an antiviral medication, such as such as acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir while the rash is active and for several days after. One of the worst side effects of shingles is post-herpetic neuralgia and its associated lingering pain that can adversely affect quality of life. For this neuralgic pain that persists after the rash disappears, doctors have had great success with the anticonsultant Neurontin (gabapentin). Some even recommend a combination of two anticonsultant drugs Neurontin (gabapentin) and Lyrica (pregabalin) both of which are approved for treatment of the condition. The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases has more detailed information about the disease. Click here.

Hope and health: the Obama Promise

Last weekend on the NBC-TV late night comedy, Saturday Night Live, the writers presented a spoof of President Obama's accomplishments. As Obama, Fred Armisen checked off a "no" to solving the following problems: healthcare, job losses, Iraq, Afganistan, the economic crisis and several others. Obama received a successful yes for the "Cash for Clunkers" program. Fred did not seem to have his heart in the spoof, performing his worst imitation of Barack to date, nevertheless reflecting the quiet diappointment that seems to be creeping in among some Obama supporters. For a President who just took on the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, perhaps the public is hoping for too much too soon. If history has taught us anything, it's the realization that politics can cause progress to move at a snail's pace. This week the Nobel Prize committee decided to give politics a nudge and awarded Obama the Nobel Peace prize. Some wondered what he had done to deserve the prize. Yet the very idea of someone who is willing to listen to both sides of an issue and willing to negotiate in the true sense of the word is a major step toward some of the world's most pressing problems. Is it wrong to seek to negotiate instead of plunder? Will it become a sign of weakness, rather than strength, to want affordable healthcare for all Americans? The Nobel committee doesn't think so. But the award adds pressure to Obama's already long list of "things to do" to fulfill that hope and promise. If he does nothing else in the first year, he needs to pass some form of health care reform and it appears his Administration is committed to that objective before the year ends. The people who believed in the Obama promise and those who voted for him deserve a portion of the Peace prize. They voted for a change that would foster peace and understanding among all peoples of the planet. Perhaps the committee should have jointly awarded the prize to a host of world leaders,including the heads of North Korea, Iran, the Sudan, and China, forcing all of them to re-evaluate their political and diplomatic approaches to pressing situations and to act in the best interests of all. Just as the people of the U.S. voted for change, so too did the Nobel Prize Committee. Now we need a little patience. Let's hope Obama, given patience and support, can eventually fulfill the promise.

Older heart failure patients do better at home than in hospital, according to new study

Many of us have heard our parents tell us they want to be cared for in the comfort of their own homes, but sometimes when serious illness strikes we think they should be in a hospital setting. Well, a new study appearing in the September 28 Archives of Internal Medicine reports that older patients with decompensated congestive heart failure actually fared better at home than in a hospital setting. The study compared patients treated in a general ward in Italy with those treated at home with a doctor supervising the care. The Italian researchers suggest that the hospital setting is often a dangerous place for Seniors. While the study did not show an improved death rate for either group, it did indicate that for those treated at home it took, on average, longer for them to be readmitted. Among the group treated at home, they showed less depression and had improved nutrition and quality of life.

Babies born now could live to be 100 or more, Lancet study says

Many people dream of of living to be 100, envisioning their photo on a "Smuckers Jelly Jar" salute on NBC's Today Show of the future. But for babies born now, that dream could become a reality in the next century. Researchers at the Danish Aging Research Center at the University of Southern Denmark predict that current life expectancy rates in developed nations will continue to rise and that at least half of all babies born today will live to be 100 or more, according to HealthDayNews/U.S. News & World Report. Statistics from the study indicate that death rates among people older than 80 are still falling. Of course, the idea that many people will be living longer will present new challenges to economic and health systems. The Danish researchers suggest that if people's work weeks are shortened and they extend their working lives, some might further extend increases in life expectancy and health, while also helping the economy.

Blood glucose levels creeping upward? Exercise can help control diabetes

Low-impact excercise programs, such as tai chi,can help people better control their diabetes and lower glucose levels, according to a University of Florida study. The study showed that those who particpated in a tai chi exercise program two days a week with three days of home practice for six months significantly lowered their fasting blood glucose levels and also improved their management of the disease. Subjects also reported enhanced overall quality of life, including mental health, vitality and energy. Tai chi is an ancient form of martial arts that combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow, gentle circular movements. It uses shifts in body position and stepping in coordination with arm movements. The Tai chi program had less stress on bones and muscles than more strenuous exercise, but still had the same beneficial effects in lowering blood glucose levels. So, perhaps we should all use exercise as a preventive measure, along with careful diet choices and weight control to ward off the ravages of diabetes.

Another difference between women and men surfaces: the agony of the feet

Women won't be surprised to learn that they have more foot problems than men. There is a price to pay for loving your shoes. Years of wearing tight-fitting high heels or sandals, slippers and flip-flops with little support are beginning to take their toll on women's feet. A Boston University study in the journal Arthritis Care and Research examined more than 3300 men and women, finding a direct relationship between bad shoe choices and foot pain, according to a New York Times article. More than 60 percent of women said that in the past they generally wore high heels, pumps, sandals and slippers, all of which researchers rated as higher risk. These women had more pain in the hind foot and around the ankle and the Achilles’ tendon. Those women who made sensible shoe choices, such as sneakers, shoes with support and/or rubber soles had less foot pain than the higher risk group. Men have shown more common sense in the shoe area. The study found that fewer than 2 percent wore bad shoes. The researchers recommend that women buy shoes in the right size and width, instead of squeezing into something that looks good but doesn't fit right. This is easier said than done when you're wearing that little black dress or evening gown...but we can try during the rest of the week!

Diabetes may cause abnormal heart rhythms in women, study says

Are diabetes and atrial fibrillation linked in women? A new report in the October issue of Diabetes Care says women with diabetes may be 26% more likely than other women to develop a heart rhythm problem, according to a WebMed article. The study examined 34,000 adults who received health care through Kaiser Permanente Northwest, including 17,000 diabetes patients. Regardless of factors including age, height, weight, blood pressure and previous history of heart disease, high cholesterol and hemoglobin A1c (shows blood sugar control in recent months), women with diabetes were 26% more likely than other women to develop atrial fibrillation. For men, it was interesting that atrial fibrillation was more common in men with diabetes than in men without diabetes, but that gap disappeared when the researchers controlled for other risk factors. Why the gender gap occurs is not clear from the results of the study, but the researchers from Kaiser Permanente plan additional research to explore why women are more affected than men.

U.S. government will track side effects of swine flu vaccine

In the coming months, if you receive a swine flu vaccination and then experience a health event, such as a heart attack, stroke, fainting, respiratory distress or other similar malady, you might wonder if was related to the vaccine. Well, the U.S. government has decided to carefully track all reported potential side effects/health events that directly follow the immunization process, according to an Associated Press report. The goal is to quickly identify any rare, unusual, or "cluster" events and to explain coincidences that can cause false alarms and public uneasiness. Many of these health events would have happened with or without the swine flu shot, health experts say, especially when you are vaccinating so many people. Because this vaccination is new, there is uncertainty about its safety and side effects, so early monitoring is a good move. The monitoring includes three special programs: At Harvard Medical School, researchers will link large insurance databases that cover up to 50 million people with vaccination registries across the U.S., checking in real time to see whether vaccine recipients see a doctor in the weeks after a flu shot and why. They'll compare rates of complaints among the vaccinated and unvaccinated, said the project leader, Dr. Richard Platt, Harvard's population medicine chief. Johns Hopkins will send e-mails to at least 100,000 vaccine recipients to track how they're feeling, and register any complaints that might not trigger a doctor visit. If anything seems connected, researchers can call to follow up with detailed questions. And he Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plans to give recipientstake-home cards that tell them how to report any suspected side effects to theU.S. Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting system. These measures should help identify any adverse effect that is appearing in greater numbers than expected. In the end, however, those that receive the vaccine early are "guinea pigs" for research. Let's hope the benefit outweighs the risk because we know mass vaccinations will ultimately save lives and save serious health consequences.

Surveys indicate American public supports the 'public option' for health insurance

As the debate over a national health care plan continues, there is evidence that the American public may support a government-run insurance plan (public option) more than Congress does. A New York Times/CBS News Poll reports solid support for the public option plan that would compete with private insurers. Other surveys have found similar results, according to a New York Times article. Here's how NYT/CBS phrased the question: Would you favor or oppose the government offering everyone a government-administered health insurance plan — something like the Medicare coverage that people 65 and older get — that would compete with private insurance plans? To that question, a majority -- 65 percent -- answered they would be in favor, while 26 percent opposed and 9 percent offered no position. Yet none of the legislative proposals that include the public option would make it available to everyone. It appears that at the outset it would only be available to those who do not currently have insurance or whose employers do not meet all the criteria for employer-sponsored health plans. Most Republicans in Congress oppose a non-profit government-sponsored health plan, saying it creates "socialized medicine" and would have such an advantage that it would drive most other for-profit insurors out of business. Senator Ron Wyden, (D-0Regon) is fighting for more options that would create competition and drive down prices. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that if the nation had a public plan, at least 11 to 12 million people (just under 5 percent of the U.S. population) would sign up for it.

British researchers identify enzyme that is key to clogged arteries

Have you ever wondered why some people's arteries clog up and what really causes the process? British researchers think they have made an important discovery about the cause, according to a Queen Mary,University of London press release. They have identified an enzyme called matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP8)that they believe plays an important role in raising blood pressure and causing abnormal build-up of cells in the arteries. Of course, both factors increase the risk of heart disease. In addition to animal studies, the researchers also performed coronary angiograms to study 2,000 patients who were being tested for clogs in arteries leading to their hearts. They report that around 25 percent of these patients had a slightly different version of the gene for MMP8 and their arteries were more clogged than other patients. The research team form Queen Mary Hospital, University of London, hope their discovery will lead to new drugs to prevent high blood pressure and heart disease.

Researchers are rethinking causes of Alzheimer's disease...moving from amyloid to myelin targets

For decades, many Alzheimer's researchers have targeted the peptide amyloid beta as the toxic culprit that forms sticky plaque in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. But some researchers are now wondering if this is the wrong target. What if the disease starts much earlier, fed by a natural process? George Bartzokis, UCLA professor of psychiatry, said a better working hypothesis of Alzheimer's cause is the "myelin model," a model of the human brain that could lead to new and better therapeutic approaches, according to a UCLA news release. Myelin, the fatty sheath that coats our nerve axons, allows for efficient conduction of nerve impulses and is the key to the fast processing speeds that support our higher cognitive functions, the report says. It also helps to encode our memories.But because the human brain is myelinatd throughout our lives, it is also more vulnerable to damage. In the myelin model of Alzheimer's disease, the normal, routine maintenance and repair of myelin throughout life initiates the mechanisms that produce degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Bartzokis believes the amyloid beta may actually develop (and build up in the brain) as a result of the natural process of the repair and maintenance of myelin. He believes that the breakdown that leads to AD and other age-related brain diseases, such as Parkinson's may begin much earlier, before the formation of the protein deposits that are used to define these diseases. This new approach to studying Alzheimer's may eventually produce treatments that actually prevent AD, rather than treating the symptoms, offering new hope for the next generation that faces these brain-wasting diseases.

The ban on smoking in public places has reduced heart attacks, two studies report

When state and city governments in the U.S., Europe and Canada first proposed bans on smoking in public places, the actions sparked a debate about the rights of individuals. On the one side you had smokers who argued they should have the right to do whatever they want with their own bodies. On the other side were nonsmokers who proclaimed it wasn't fair to have no control over their exposure to second-hand smoke. Now, we're beginning to see some results from these bans. In addition to making life more bearable for nonsmokers, the ban also appears to have reaped growing health benefits. It has reduced heart attacks and perhaps, saved lives. The results of two newly published studies report that communities that have banned smoking in public places show an average reduction of 17 percent in the number of heart attacks occurring in the first year of the ban, according to a CNN report. The health benefits continued to improve year after year. For each year after the first year implementing smoking bans, smoke-free communities have an average 26 percent decline in heart attacks, compared with those areas that still allow smoking in public places. The studies appear in the journals Circulation and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. One of the researchers, Dr. David Meyers of the University of Kansas School of Medicine said a nationwide ban on smoking in public and workplaces could prevent 100,000 to 225,000 heart attacks each year in the U.S. alone. So far 32 states and many cities have laws to ban smoking in public places. These studies provide some hard statistics that other states and communities without bans cannot ignore. Say what you want about individual rights, but I'd like to enjoy my right to be saved from the effects of second-hand smoke.

Another study finds aspirin can help prevent colon cancer; may work on faulty stem cells

Aspirin may truly be the wonder drug of the ages. It reduces fever and pain and is used in small doses as an anti-clotting agent to help prevent risk factors that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Last month a study from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston reported that aspirin helped prevent colon cancer. (See my blog entry of August 11, 2009) Now another study appears to confirm those results, according to a Reuters report. British researchers report that a daily dose of aspirin can prevent colon cancer in people with a genetic disorder that increases their risk of developing the disease. One of the researchers notes that the study might also have uncovered a simple way of controlling stems cells that make tumors grow.
"We believe that aspirin may have an effect on the survival of aberrant (faulty) stem cells in the colon," Burn said, presenting his findings at the ECCO-ESMO European cancer congress in Berlin. Colorectal cancer is the second greatest cause of cancer death in the U.S. and Europe, so the findings could be significant. Some studies have suggested aspirin blocks the Cox-2 enzyme to prevent cancer, but Burn thinks aspirin hits faulty stem cells before they mutate into pre-cancerous cells. As expected, the researchers need to do more research to test out their theories about how aspirin is working to affect the stem cells.

Quick bedside test of eye movements works better than MRI for identifying stroke, new study says

In the category of things we'd like our doctors to know, we offer the following news. Researchers at Johns Hopkins and the University of Illinois report that a cheap, quick bedside check of eye movements in high-risk patients with nausea and dizziness works better than an MRI in identifying those who have had a stroke. The study of 101 patients found the bedside test of eye movements caught more strokes than the gold standard diagnostic tool of a neuroimaging MRI. The researchers want to try to repeat the results in a larger population to determine whether the bedside test can save considerable costs by eliminating the need for MRIs for many patients. Previous research had indicated that people having a stroke showed eye-movement alterations that correlate with stroke-damage to various brain areas and that these are distinct from eye-movement alterations seen with benign ear diseases. Based on those earlier results, the Johns Hopkins/Illinois research team decided to test eye movements in patients experiencing weakness and dizziness to determine whether there was any link and whether they could differentiate the stroke patients from those having other problems. Their hunch paid off with results that may save lives and significantly reduce diagnostic costs.

Alert: Spinach is in trouble again: California company recalls product due to Salmonella

ALERT/RECALL: Popeye is cringing as spinach lovers face another challnege to food safety...Ippolito International, a California distributor, is recalling two brands of bunched spinach after routine testing showed the products were contaminated with salmonella, according to an Associated Press report. Most of the cartons were packed under the "Queen Victoria" label and shipped to the following states: California, Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and British Columbia, Ontario and Manitoba in Canada. The other brand is called "Tubby" and was sold in California and New York. If you have these products in your refrigerator, toss them or return them to the store where you bought them. Let's hope early detection and notification about food contamination will help prevent illness.

New model helps predict women's postnatal depression

Early diagnosis of depression, especially for mothers who have just had babies, can often save pain, suffering, and family disruption. Now Spanish researchers have developed a model to diagnose postnatal depression, claiming the new method can predict 80% of the cases - the best result to date for this particular disorder, according to the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology. Early diagnosis would allow professional intervention to prevent postnatal depression from developing among women at risk, said Salvador Tortajada, lead author of the study and a researcher at the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), tells SINC. The researchers identified a set of risk factors including: the extent of social support for the mother, prior psychiatric problems in the family, emotional changes during the birth, neuroticism and polymorphisms in the serotonin transport gene. These are genes with high levels of expression, which can lead to an increased risk of developing the illness.

Ice cream and other fatty foods may target your brain before your hips

If you are feeling hungrier on Monday after a weekend of binging on ice cream, burgers and cheese fondues, you may want to blame your brain for sabotaging your efforts to get back on the right diet track, according to new research from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. As a result of animal studies, the researchers theorize that fat from certain foods we eat makes its way to the brain, affecting brain messages. The fat molecules cause the brain to send messages to the body’s cells, warning them to ignore the appetite-suppressing signals from leptin and insulin, hormones involved in weight regulation, the researchers say. The study said one particular type of fat, palmitic acid, which is found in butter, milk, cheese and beef, was particularly effective at jumpstarting this mechanism. The researchers said palmitic acid reduced the ability of leptin and insulin to activate their intracellular signaling cascades, so that the animals became insulin-resistant. Oleic acid, a common unsaturated fatty acid, did not show this effect. The researchers suggest that, even though these results are in animals, we limit our intake of saturated fats because it's possible that they are make us feel hungrier and eat more.

Researcher campaigns to remove trans fats from the American diet, citing health risks

A nonagenarian researcher is waging a campaign to ban trans fats from foods sold in the United States, according to a news release from the University of Illinois. Fred Kummerow, an active 94-year-old University of Illinois veterinary biosciences professor emeritus and researcher on the health effects of trans fats in the diet, filed a 3000-word petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last month, requesting the ban. Research has reported that =trans fats displace essential fatty acids linoleic acid (omega-6) and linolenic acid (omega-3), substances the body requires for various functions.Kummerow's recent research, published last month in the journal Atherosclerosis, found that trans fats also interfere with the function of a key enzyme essential to blood flow regulation. Kummerow takes issue with current food labels. He believes the FDA's requirement that trans fats be included on food labels is inadequate and misleading because anything less than one-half gram of trans fats per serving can be listed as zero grams. This means that Americans are getting the mistaken impression that their food is trans fat-free, Kummerow said. Click here to see Kummerow's full petition to the U.S. FDA.

Lower salt consumption could save US $18 billion annually in health costs, study finds

We all know that too much salt is bad for our health because it raises blood pressure, but it's also bad for our wallets. Now a new study from the RAND Corporation says lowering sodium consumption among Americans could save the country up to $18 billion annually in health costs and improve quality of life for millions of people. The study, published in the September/October edition of the Journal of Health Promotion, says meeting national sodium guidelines could reduce the number of high blood pressure cases by 11 million across the nation and extend the lives of thousands of people each year. That equates to an estimated monetary value $32 billion annually in improved quality of life. Controlling sodium intake is a small measure that individuals can take to improve their health, but it has a big impact, both physically and economically.

Diabetes Breakthrough? Researchers discover gene that is resistant to insulin

There is good news for the millions of people suffering from type 2 diabetes around the world. An international research team has discovered a new gene that could lead to better treatment of the disease, along with a better understanding of how diabetes develops, according to a news release from McGill University in Montreal. The new gene is different from other genes associated with diabetes. Called Insulin Receptor Substrate 1 (IRS1), it doesn’t affect how insulin is created in the pancreas, but rather, how the body responds to insulin already in the bloodstream, the researchers from Canada, France, the UK and Denmark said. Their fundings will be published in the journal Nature Genetics Sept. 6.

Can't Sleep? Get help now because it can damage your heart

If you are suffering from chronic insomnia, it might be a good time to see your doctor for help. Canadian researchers report that insomnia contributes to elevated blood pressure at night, which over time can damage the heart and circulatory system. Researchers in Montreal compared the 24-hour blood pressure of insomniacs compared to sound sleepers.

"Whereas blood pressure decreases in regular sleepers and gives their heart a rest, insomnia provokes higher nighttime blood pressure that can cause long-term cardiovascular risks and damage the heart," says Paula LaFranchi Université de Montréal Faculty of Medicine and researcher at the Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal Sleep Disorders Centre. The researchers caution that since blood pressure is elevated among people with insomnia, those with overt cardiac disease are particularly at risk for progression of the disease." The study appears in the current issue of the journal Sleep.

Experimental cancer pill from Roche offers new hope

Researchers reported today that an experimental cancer pill from Roche's Genentech shrank tumors in patients whose basal cell skin cancer had spread to other organs, according to a Reuters report. The results from an early stage study suggested that a new class of drugs may also have an effect on other cancers. The drug,developed in partnership with Curis Inc), shrank tumors in half of a small group of patients. The only potential problem is that at least one person has developed resistance to the drug-- known as GDC-0449-- after it helped shrink tumors from an aggressive type of childhood brain cancer called medulloblastoma. The studies, published in the New England Journal of Medicine and the journal Science, offer a first look a promising new class of drugs that block the Hedgehog signaling pathway, which involves several proteins that play a role in cell growth.

After a death in the family

Last Friday, the phone rang and a doctor told me my mom "had decided to leave us." Even though she was 95, her health in recent weeks seemed to be holding steady and she had participated in the normal activities of the day, before climbing into bed. Then a sudden wave of pain overcame her and within minutes her life ended...It's a stark reality of our journeys...that death comes in all forms. For some it is quick and peaceful...for others, long and painful. During the same week in the same funeral home, there was a 25 year- old girl who died of an infection that was a complication of a brain operation. And of course, Sen. Ted Kennedy lost his brave 15-month battle with brain cancer. Death remains a mystery to all of us here on earth...Where do we go...is our energy reused? Do we dance in clouds or float through walls or inhabit the spiritual essence of others? What is "heaven"? We grieve our loved ones, theorize about what they are doing or how they are watching over us and, somehow, the survivors gain strength from sharing the pain with others. It's an important part of our physical and spiritual health to participate in some form of remembrance of those lost. Families gather together to mourn the young or celebrate the lives of those who have been blessed with longevity...Like fragile flowers that struggle to survive a storm, we are watered with the hope that perhaps we'll meet our loved ones again somewhere beyond time and space.

Weeding out genetic defects: New study moves researchers a step closer to transferring DNA to avoid genetic diseases

Can we someday manipulate changes in DNA so that genetic diseases are a distant memory? Researchers at the Oregon Health and Science University hope they have completed the first steps to seeing this dream become a reality for many couples predisposed to genetic challenges caused by defects in their mitochondia. A new report describes an experimental procedure that someday could help couples avoid passing certain genetic diseases on to their children, according to an Associated Press report. The researchers transferred DNA between eggs from rhesus monkeys, resulting in the birth of four healthy monkeys, scientists report. The procedure still needs to address safety questions and possible ethical hurdles, but the researchers described the results as "exciting." The report appears online in the journal Nature.

Added sugar in the morning, sugar in the evening is contributing to metabolic illness, Heart Association says

Somewhere across the decades, manufacturers began to add more and more sugar and corn syrup to our soft drinks, cereals, salad dressings and processed food products. Now the American Heart Association is saying enoughy is enough, according to U.S. News and World Report. The AHA claims too many people are on sugar binges, which is helping to increase metabolic changes in the American population, contributing to obesity and diabetes. The organization is recommending an upper limit on daily consumption of sugar, saying women should consume no more than 100 calories per day of added sugars, and men should not top 150 calories per day. To illustrate what that means, let's look at the sugar content of one 12-ounce can of soda. It has 8 teaspoons or 33 grams of added sugar, which equals about 130 calories, the AHA says. So after your first soda of the day, you are already over the limit. OUCH, I am glad I switched to diet soda 30 years ago. But some of those low fat salad dressing have as much as 58 grams of added sugar and a half-cup of ketchup has 20 grams, while the barbecue sauce we're spreading on our chicken and ribs adds another 8 grams of sugar. And that granola bar is supposed to be good for you, but it also has up to 11 grams of sugar. The AHA is challenging Americans to start counting and to make modifications in their diets or risk the metabolic diseases that can lead to serious illness and, in some cases, early deaths.

U.S, FDA warns of possible liver damage from diet pills Xenical and Alli

More than a decade ago, diet pill fen-phen was pulled from the market because it was linked to heart valve problems in users. Then, a few years ago, the weight-loss drug Accomplia failed to gain approval here in the U.S. even though it is approved in parts of Europe, because it was linked to suicidal tendencies. Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Aministration is investigating the prescription weight-loss drug Xenical (Orlistat) and its over-the-counter counterpart Alli due to reports of 32 cases of possible liver damage and six cases of liver failure, according to a Newsday report. Thirty of the cases occurred outside the U.S., the FDA said. Orlistat blocks the intestines from absorbing fat when taken up to three times a day with meals, the article says. In 1999, the FDA approved Xenical for weight management in combination with a reduced-calorie diet. Alli, which contains half the dose of orlistat, was approved for nonpresription use in the U.S.in 2007.GlaxoSmithkline markets both drugs, although Roce in Swizerland manufactures Xenical. The FDA, which did not issue a public warning to the companies, will continue to follow reports closely and cautioned users to stop using it if they felt any weakness, jaundice, fever or other signs of liver injury.

FDA cracks down on ibuprofen gels for pain

If you've been feeling pain from that big workout or from a recent injury, you should think twice before using pain gels containing ibuprofen. At least eight companies have been notified that they are selling illegal pain relief ointments because the medicines have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to an Associated Press report. All of the products mix ibuprofen, the active ingredient in over-the-counter medicines such as Motrin and Advil, with other products to produce a topical ointment for pain relief. Some companies that sell these products claim their ibuprofen-based products are safer than ibuprofen pills because they don't cause stomach ulcers, but the U.S. FDA says this claim has not been substaniated. This is the latest in a series of FDA enforcement actions against companies selling bogus or dangerous products since the new FDA head Margaret Hamburg took the reins. In July, the agency warned makers of dietary supplements containing steroids warning them to pull their products from the market.

Life expectancy in U.S. reaches all time high at 77.9 years

Yes, Americans are living longer. The new average life expectancy rate in the U.S. has reached 77.9 years (2007 figures) up from 77.7 years in the prior year, according to statistics released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Both men and women gained, but women still live at least an average of five years longer (80 years) than men (75 years), according to the Reuters report. For the first time, Black males reached an average of 70 years. Over the last ten years, life expectancy has increased 1.4 years from 76.5 years in 1997 to 77.9 in 2007." The death rate per 100,000 also dropped. Heart disease and cancer accounted for 48.5 percent of all deaths in 2007. Deaths from lower respiratory illnesses, including emphysema, increased 1.7 percent. But some progress was made for other diseases. Mortality rates declined slightly for influenza and pneumonia, murder and accidents. It's surprising that the richest nation in the world does not have the highest life expectancy. In Japan, Singapore, France, Sweden, Italy, Australia and Canada, the average lifeexpectancy rates are higher.

Blood pressure drugs may offer treatment for multiple sclerosis

Sometimes existing drugs are found to be helpful for other afflictions and a new study suggests just that. German and American researchers report that the conventional blood pressure drugs in the classes known as ACE inhibitors and AT1R blockers can suppress inflammation in mice suffering from an autoimmune disease that mimics multiple sclerosis. Previous research suggests that the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) a set of messengers and receptors that regulates blood pressure also plays a decisive role in immunological processes. As a result of this encouraging data in mice, clinical trials will begin soon to determine the efficacy of ACE inhibitors in MS patients. If these blood pressure medications work to treat MS, it could mean a cheaper, safer alternative to current MS drugs.

Healthcare debate continues: AARP suffers from taking a stand

As the debate over health care reform continues, the prime organization for protecting the rights of older Americans has lost 60,000 members since July 1 over its stance on the health care overhaul, according to the Associated Press. The American Association for Retired Persons (AARP), said at least 60,000 individuals discontinued their memberships, saying they disagreed with the AARP's position on health care reform. AARP has been running ads in support of a health care overhaul and has sponsored an online forum for President Obama, but the organization says it does not support a specific bill and it will not support any plan that reduces Medicare benefits. A spokesman for the organization said it was not unusual for the 40-million strong member organization to lose members who disagree with its position on a particular issue. He said AARP gained almost 400,000 new members during the same period and that 1.5 million members renewed their membership.

Healthy diet helps avoid kidney stones

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston report that a healthy diet that includes fruit, vegetables, nuts and low-fat dairy products and limits salt, red and processed meat and sweetened beverages helps keep kidney stones away. The study was summarized in a release from the American Society of Nephrology and will appear in the next issue of the Society's journal. The study found that those subjects who adopted the components of the healthy diet had fewer kidney stones than those who had more of the "unhealthy" components. They suggest that a healthy diet might be a viable alternative to taking medicine to control kidney stones, since many of the medications cause unpleasant side effects.

Chocolate pleasure: Report says it lowers risk of death among heart attack survivors

Ah, the pleasures of a fine piece of chocolate. We're always happy to hear that something many of us love so dearly actually could have a medicinal purpose. A new study reports that among neart attack survivors, those who ate chocolate two or more times a week had a substantial reduction in the risk of death from heart disease compared with those who never ate the delectable morsels, according to an article in Agence Presse France. Previous reports suggested chocolate could help lower blood pressure, improve blood flow and also reduced the rate of heart-related deaths in healthy older men and post-menopausal women. The new study, from Sweden's Karolinska Institute, is the first to report that consuming chocolate can help ward off death for those who have already had one heart attack. So we must be on the right track to love chocolate and perhaps these studies will chase away some of the guilt involved. The report appears in the Journal of Internal Medicine.

Healthcare debate is spiraling out of control

The Obama administration thought it had a great idea when it planned a series of "Town Hall" meetings between elected officials in various states and their constituents. The intentions were honorable...involve the public in open discussions and allow them to express their concerns. What the Administration didn't bargain for was the seemingly well-organized machine that has sought to purposely disrupt these meetings and the effective use of fear tactics that have resulted in physical altercations among participants. A simple suggestion that the elderly may want to have an end of life consultation with their doctors to let their doctors know their wishes -- nothing more than a living will discussion -- has been twisted into some sort of "Nazi" plot to euthanize the old and frail. Agitators have compared Obama to Hitler, a ridiculous comparison...an African American congressman awoke yesterday to find a swastika painted on his office sign and derogatory e-mails that no person in the 21st Century should write. This direction shows that America still has many simmering problems that won't be cured by healthcare reform...The actions of the last week tend to reveal America's dirty little secret...that we haven't come as far in civil rights as we pretend we have. The nation may have to pause, take a long, hard look at the hatred and seek a "cure" for that festering wound before it can move forward with a healthcare reform package that helps every American...We need to take a step back and reform civil rights and basic human decency before we can reform healthcare policy. I am hoping we can push the genie of hate back into the bottle before it destroys the progress we have made over the last 40 years.

Another benefit of aspirin: It wards off recurrence of colon cancer, Mass General study says

Aspirin has long been dubbed the "wonder drug," and now a new study indicates another benefit in the cancer area. A study at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston reports that regular use of aspirin after the diagnosis of colorectal cancer results in a lower risk of colorectal cancer–specific and overall mortality, particularly among patients who had tumors that overexpress the enzyme COX-2. Aspirin acts as a Cox-2 inhibitor. In this subgroup, regular aspirin use was associated with a 61 percent decline in mortality rate compared with patients who used aspirin but had tumors that did not express COX-2 or had only weak expression, according to a New York Times article. This is good news for colorectal cancer patients because asprin is an inexpensive treatment, costing about a penny a pill.

Placebo effect: Why do the sugar pills work for some people?

In yesteday's blog entry, I discussed a study that reported better relief of hot flashes among the placebo group (63%) than among those taking black cohosh (34%) or red clover (57%). Why does this happen? Can the mind really alter how the body will react? Can you really feel better merely by thinking you are going to feel better? Subjects in studies don't know whether they are getting the drug, supplement or placebo, so it's up to the mind to interpret the benefits or side effects. In the HRT/supplement/placebo study from the Univeristy of Illinois and Northwestern, more subjects in the placebo group reported an average decrease in the number of hot flashes they experienced than those who were taking the supplements black cohosh or red clover. Some experts contend that the "placebo effect" is the result of flawed research. Yet, other reports have observed positive effects from placebos, particularly in studies of depression, pain and Parkinson's disease. The study of the placebo effect can lead to understanding how the brain controls bodily processes to promote healing, according to a recent article in Scientific American. The phenomenon suggests that the mind is a powerful link to wellness and that "mind over matter" should be an important component of treating some illnesses.

Studies of HRT and botanicals report HRT better for hot flashes, but worse for women's memories

Two new studies of hormone replacement therapy and botanicals suggest HRT is more effective for treating menopausal "hot" flashes, but can also have more of an adverse effect on women's memory/cognition, according to a release from the University of Illinois. The studies found the botanicals black cohosh and red clover had significantly less effect than HRT and did not work better than the placebo. However, the researchers from the University of Illinois/Chicago (UIC)reported that botanicals were safe to use with no significant differences between botanical treatments and placebo for breast and endometrial safety, liver enzymes, complete blood count, or lipid profiles. The second study from UIC and Northwestern University enrolled enrolled 66 women from the parent trial to study the effects of botanic treatments and HRT on cognitive abilities. The researchers report that none of the botanicals had either a beneficial or adverse effect on memory. The hormone therapy used in the trial, Prempro, had a slight negative impact on memory, according to the study. The bottom line is the supplements won't hurt people but the jury is still out on whether they provide any real benefits.

Finnish study finds mid-life cholesterol levels affect risk for Alzheimer's disease

A new Finnish study reports tht even borderline high total cholesterol levels in mid-live can help some people result in an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia later in life. The researchers suggest that cholesterol control must be addressed in midlife before underlying symptoms appear. They said their findings adds to the current body of evidence showing an overlap between the two dementia types in terms of risk factors, symptoms and neuropathology. As this and other studies have shown, it is never too early to address high cholesterol and to control diet and total cholesterol levels early to possibly avoid or delay AD or dementia later.

New studies show American kids are Vitamin D-deficient

Two new studies in the current issue of the journal Pediatrics report that at least 70 percent of American children and adolescents aren't getting enough vitamin D, and these kids tend to have higher blood pressure and lower levels of good cholesterol than their peers, according to a CNN report. Experts note that low vitamin D levels also may increase a child's risk of developing heart disease later in life. In a study of more than 6000 subjects, aged 1 to 21, researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, report that 7.6 million, or 9 percent, were vitamin-D deficient, and another 50.8 million, or 61 percent, had insufficient levels of the vitamin in their blood. Children with low levels of Vitamin D had higher blood pressure and lower levels of HDL or good cholesterol. In the second study, researchers from Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, exsamined 3,577 adolescents ages 12 to 19. Teens with low levels of vitamin D were more likely to display high blood pressure, high levels of blood glucose, as well as metabolic syndrome (a cluster of factors known to increase risk of heart disease) than their counterparts with adequate vitamin D in their blood. Children can get Vitamin D from some foods, but it's usually not enough, but supplements will help. The best option is to allow children to get 10 to 15 minutes of natural sunlight each day.

New HIV strain discovered in Cameroon

French researchers are reporting that a woman from the African nation of Cameroon has a new strain of HIV that may have originated from gorillas, according to the August 3 issue of Nature Medicine. The researchers said the new strain is closely related to gorilla simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVgor. They said it shows no evidence of recombination with other HIV-1 lineages and appears to be the prototype of a new HIV-1 lineage that is distinct from HIV-1 groups M, N and O. The woman has no symptoms of HIV infection, is well and it is believed she was infected by another person, not an animal. The findings suggest that gorillas as well as chimpanzees are likely sources of HIV and that the newly discovered gorilla virus is circulating among people, according to a Reuters report. In the report, the researchers propose to designate the new strain HIV-1 group P. They note that this new finding underscores the continuing importance of continuing to carefully track HIV for emerging variant strains.



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Vote on healthcare reform stalled until September

As the debate over healthcare reform intensifies, news came from Washington that the vote on a new healthcare plan would be postponed until September. A Washington Post article suggests that both sides of the issue will have to draw up new media campaigns to win support during the next two months. Last Thursday, the Post says, the Obama Administration launched advertisements about "the cost of doing nothing" via the Democtratic National Committee, the article said. On the other side of the issue, the organization Americans for Prosperity is buying better than $1 million of advertisements on a national cable television station this week to criticize the Canadian-style health care the Obama Administration's plan would allegedly institute. The Obama camp's Organizing for America group also is expected to step up its e-mail campaign to seek support for the plan. The truth is we won't really know if a national health care plan works until it is up and running for several years. There are undeniable pros and cons of such a system, but with the economy shaky and unemployment rising, Americans may be too afraid of another big government program that further increases the deficit. On the other side of the argument, the longer we wait on healthcare the more those without coverage face sure financial ruin if a catastropic event strikes their families.

Aromatherapy and stress: It really is helpful to take time to smell the flowers

Taking time to smell the flowers may prove very helpful to lowering your stress levels. New research reports that certain fragrances, such as lemon, mango, and lavender, can alter gene activity and blood chemistry in ways that lower your stress levels. Japanese researchers studied rats who were given linalool, reporting that it returned stress-elevated levels of neutrophils and lymphocytes — key parts of the immune system — to near-normal levels. Inhaling linalool also reduced the activity of more than 100 genes that go into overdrive in stressful situations. The findings of this study could aid in the development of new blood tests for identifying fragrances that can soothe stress, the researchers say.

Two studies support benefits of healthy lifestyle for heart health

A lifestyle with healthy diet, exercise and other good health measures has genuine heart benefits, according to two new studies released this week and summarized in a Boston Globe article. The first study followed about 20,000 men with the average age of 52 for about 22 years. They report that men who exercised regularly , drank only moderate amounts of alcohol, did not smoke, and ate a diet that included breakfast cereal, fruits and vegetables and had a 1 in 10 risk of developing heart failure over their lifetimes. Men who adopted none of those practices had a 1 in 5 lifetime risk of heart failure. In the second study which examined women with hypertension, in a study about women and hypertension. researchers followed more than 83,000 healthy women for 14 years in the Nurses' Health Study. They were measured on how close they came to a normal weight, daily exercise, modest drinking, and a diet high in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains but low in salt. They also took painkillers no more than once a week and took a folic acid supplement. Women who displayed all six "positive" health behaviors were 80 percent less likely to develop high blood pressure than women who followed none. Each behavior helped some, but having a normal weight made the greatest difference. It helped lower the risk of high blood pressure by 40 percent. Both research teams were from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

Johns Hopkins and Mayo Clinic top new list of best U.S. hospitals

U.S. News & World Report released its list of the nation's best hospitals yesterday. Johns Hopkins, the Mayo Clinic and UCLA Medical Center topped the list. Johns Hopkins received the highest ratings for rheumatology, urology and ear, nose and throat specialties. The Cleveland Clinic, Massachusetts General, New York Presbyterian, the University of California/Sn Francisco Medical Center and the Hospital of the University of Pennsyvania also received high marks, while Barnes Jewish Hospital/Washington University and a tie between Brigham and Women's Hospital/Boston and Duke University Medical Center rounded out the top ten. U.S. News said it ranked hospitals in 16 specialties, from cancer and heart disease to respiratory disorders and urology. A total of 4,861 hospitals were examined for this 20th annual survey. According to the publication, only 174 hospitals scored high enough to be ranked in even one of the 16 specialties. Just21 qualified for th U.S. News Honor Roll by ranking at or near the top in at least six specialties.

Changes in white matter of brain may signal dementia

Older adults suffering from memory problems are more likely to later develop thinking problems if they show signs of growing "brain rust," or small areas of brain damage, according to a Science Daily article. The study was published in the July 14, 2009, print issue of Neurology®. After49 people who began the study with no memory problems were followed for 9.5 years, the researchers found 24 participants who developed cognitive impairment or other memory problems that are precursors to Alzheimer's or dementia. In participants with the fastest rate of growth in the amount of small areas of brain damage, or white matter hyperintensities, the researchers said they were more likely to see development of permanent thinking problems that in many cases led to dementia than those with a slow rate of growth in these types of brain lesions. For each cubic centimeter (less than a quarter of a teaspoon) increase in the amount of brain lesions in the participants, there was an associated 94 percent increased risk of developing cognitive impairment. That's an incredibly high risk factor...

More bad news for hormone replacement therapy

Ever since studies several years ago linked hormone replacement therapy to an increased risk of breast cancer, many women stopped taking the treatment, and coincidentally, breast cancer rates have consistently dropped each year. Now another study links HRT to an increased risk of ovarian cancer among women who have taken the therapy, compared with those who have never taken it. And this study has similar risk reduction when women stopped taking the treatments. The HRT group had an overall 38 percent increased risk of ovarian cancer, according to a Danish report that appears in the July 15 issue of JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). The research team at Copenhagen University notes that the risk of ovarian cancer declined with longer time since last HRT use, but the risk of ovarian cancer did not differ significantly regardless of particular formulations, regimens, types of progestin or routes of administration. So once again, it appears that HRT is linked to a type of cancer and that once women stop using it, the risk declines. The researchers caution that because ovarian cancer is often fatal, doctors and patients should weigh the benefits vs. the risks accordingly.

Mixed results for omega-3 fatty acid DHA in Alzheimer's study

Some health gurus have suggested that omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in fatty fish, fish oil and in supplement form, can help ward off Alzheimer's disease (AD) but two new studies of DHA have returned mixed results, according to a release from the Alzheimer's Association. The results of the first study, conducted by the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS)and supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), did not find any benefit to taking DHA supplements in people with mild to moderate AD who took DHA for 18 months. Another study of DHA by Martek Biosciences had a positive result on one test of memory and learning, but that study was in healthy older adults, not people with AD or another dementia. The researchers presented data from both studies at the Alzheimer's Association 2009 International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD 2009) in Vienna. Early detection could be the key to tackling AD and dementia. "These two studies – and other recent Alzheimer's therapy trials – raise the possibility that treatments for Alzheimer's must be given very early in the disease for them to be truly effective," said William Thies, PhD, Chief Medical & Scientific Officer at the Alzheimer's Association. "For that to happen, we need to get much better at early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer's, in order to test therapies at earlier stages of the disease and enable earlier intervention." So, maybe older adults should start taking DHA as a preventive meaasure to keep their memories fine-tuned while they are still healthy, instead of waiting until they see the first signs of memory problems.

Perpetual diet may be the answer to longer life

Everyone knows someone who is on a perpetual diet and now new research suggests these folks who practice daily calorie reduction may be on a health track that prolongs their lives. At least that's what a study of rhesus monkeys on a restricted diet for decades has shown, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. In a study funded by the National Institutes of Health and published in a recent issue of the journal Science, results from primates showed that calorie restriction had the same benefits observed in mice, rats worms,and spiders. The researchers suggest that it might have the same effects in humans. The monkeys' risk of dying from cancer, heart disease and diabetes fell by more than two-thirds, according to the study.

"Mild caloric restriction is beneficial to everybody," Dr. Luigi Fontana, a medical professor at Washington University in St. Louis told the L.A. Times. Fontana examined people who have been practicing caloric restriction for an average of 6 1/2 years and said their heart function was equivalent to those of people 16 years younger. That's something to think about...breaking the bad habit of eating too much, too often, is the challenge facing most of us.

Rapamycin: Can it slow the aging process?

We all want to stay young and slow the natural aging process. A new drug found in South Pacific soil may eventually be the answer to many older adults' prayers. A study published in the journal Nature reports that rapamycin, a drug used in humans to prevent transplanted organ rejection, extended the lives of mice by up to 14% — even when the mice received the drug late in life. The one glitch in the findings is that rapamycin also suppresses the immune system and that could complicate its development as an anti-aging drug. Researchers are expected to continue studying the drug to see if they can separate the immune suppression from the anti-aging effect. One researcher who worked on the project said it might someday be possible to tweak rapamycin in this way, or to target the other molecules in the pathway instead. His lab is already working on these challenges.

Of mice, men and coffee...

I am returning to blogging after a few days vacation followed by the hospitalization of my mother...Will the reactions of little mice with induced Alzheimer's disease ring true for humans, too? A recent study fed the equivalent of 500 milligrams of caffeine to mice who had the same memory changes as those seen in Alzheimer's disease, according to a CBS News report and the San Francisco Chronicle. The researchers said the caffeine, roughly equivalent to five cups of coffee in humans, had a positive effect on memory and thinking actions over a two-month period. The brains of the mice receiving caffeine also showed a 50% reduction in the protein that contributes to dementia. This could mean that caffeine can reverse Alzheimer's progress, although more research is needed to obtain definitive results. The studies appeared in the July 5 online edition of the Journal of Alzheimer's Association.

Diet high in fat may increase risk of pancreatic cancer

New research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggests that a fatty diet can increase a person's risk of pancreatic cancer. The researchers reviewed surveys from more than 500,000 people and found that those eating a diet rich in saturated fats were 36 times more likely to get pancreatic cancer, according to a Xinhua wire story. For those who consumed the highest amounts of total fats, the rate of cancer was 53 percent higher for men and 23 percent higher for women, compared to participants with the lowest fat diets, ABC News said. The researchers also linked saturated fat to insulin resistance.

Women offered new breast biopsy technique

A Canadian research team has developed a new breast biopsy technique that could reduce procedure times and lessen patient discomfort and morbidity. In a study performed at Roberts Research Institute, the University of Western Ontario and London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada, the new technique used a mechanical arm to guide the needle for the biopsy and has a braking system that allows doctors to accurately place the needle and helps avoid needle motion. The study reports that biopsy success rates were greater when using our new guidance system,” said Aaron Fenster, MD, lead author of the study. “We also showed that experienced and inexperienced radiologists performed a biopsy significantly faster when using our needle guidance system,” said Dr. Fenster. The study was published in the June issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology This is good news for women facing a breast biopsy but the new guidance system still requires more testing in a clinical setting later this year before being approved for widespread use.

Drug companies are wearing white hats again after latest deal with Obama

Over the weekend, pharmaceutical companies struck a deal with the Obama administration promising to spend $80 billion over the next decade to defray the cost of drugs for senior citizens, particularly those caught in the so-called "donut hole," and paying part of the costs of Obama's health legislation. President Obama said on Monday that the agreement was "a significant breakthrough on the road to health care reform, one that will make a difference in the lives of many older Americans." The deal is contingent upon Congress passing a comprehensive health care bill, which is currently encountering strong opposition from Republicans, according to an Associated Press report. The AP said the drug industry has traditionally been aligned with Republicans in Congress, so the industry's decision to strike a deal with the White House and Democrats in Congress could have been a calculated move in to head off more costly demands as the legislation heads to draft form.

Father's Day Reminders: Check your health

Happy Father's Day to all our fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers and men who care for children. And while we're thanking them for taking care of us, perhaps we can remind them to take care of themselves by checking their blood pressure and blood glucose levels, controlling their diets and alcohol consumption, eliminating smoking, and checking for colon and prostate cancer as scheduled. Statistics show that men are more likely to put off routine checkups and ignore symptoms of a health problem than women, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). They are more likely to smoke, drink and engage in risky or dangerous behaviors that can threaten health. Men are also less likely to have a regular doctor, HHS said. However, the women in their lives can help them reach better health outcomes through education and awareness. Women obtain health information from doctors, the television, the Internet, and printed materials and pass it on to the men in their lives. It's a good practice to discuss health matters with our significant others so that we prevent illnesses or control them in the earliest stages.

FDA warns against adverse effect of Zicam products

I took a few days off this week but the consumer health news kept on flowing...This time the focus is on a common over-the-counter medicine used to fight congestion from colds. On June 16, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to consumers to stop using three zinc-based nasal spray products marketed by Matrixx as homeopathic cold remedies because they are associated with the loss of the sense of smell (anosmia). This adverse effect can be be long-lasting or permanent, according to the FDA alert, and affects quality of life and the ability to detect dangerous odors, such as gases and smoke. The FDA says it has received more than 130 reports of the loss of the sense of smell reportedly associated with the use of three products: Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, and a now discontinued product called Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size. News reports indicate that the company settled hundreds of lawsuits over the same ill effect in 2006. The agency advises any consumers who have experienced problems with their senses of smell after using Zicam products to contact their doctors immediately. As "homeopathic" remedies that came onto the market before 1999, the products did not need FDA approval. In addition to the FDA action this week, the Federal Trade Commission is also investigating the company regarding deceptive advertising and the Better Business Bureau had urged that Zicam advertisements be toned down, according to an Associated Press report. Other nasal spray products and homeopathic remedies will likely face increased scrutiny from both the FDA and consumers in the coming months and we've not heard the end of this story...My father lost his sense of smell years ago after using a nasal spray for only a few days...so the anecdotal evidence has been out there for years...It's unfortunate that it sometimes takes our government an entire decade to react with action that protects our health from future threats.

Red rice yeast instead of statin can reduce cholesterol, report says

As the baby boomer population ages, more people are being diagnosed with high cholesterol levels. Many doctors prescribe statins to reduce choesterol, but some patients have complained of muscle weakness and other effects from statins. Those looking for an alternative may find success with the supplement red rice yeast, used for years in Asia, according to ABC News. A new study in the Annals of Internal Medicine reports that after 12 weeks, study participants who took 1,800 mg of red rice yeast supplements saw LDL, the "bad cholesterol," drop by 27 percent. Those who did not take the red yeast rice supplements saw their LDL drop by only 6 percent. All participants were counseled on nutrition and exercise during the study. One doctor who co-authored the study said he was pleasantly surprised at the lowering effect and the fact that there were fewer side effects than expected. For those who have had problems with statins or who will not take prescription drugs, this might be an interesting alternative. The only problem is the supplement is not regulated by the FDA and, as with many other supplements, it's hard to know which brand has the most appropriate active ingredient amount, without contamination, but some Internet sites are cropping up that evaluate supplements and objectively list those that are top of the line. Beware of the sites that are just trying to hawk their own versions of the product, based on your keyword search.

Sleep more to improve your health

So many people are sleep-deprived these days due to work and family responsibilities that we can identify walking zombies in almost any setting in the U.S. Yet, research is telling us that the less we sleep the more prone we will be to obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes and that lack of proper rest can also exacerbate other diseases such as muscular sclerosis, arthritis and heart-related ailments. Apparently, a good night's sleep better regulates blood glucose levels, keeps blood pressure in check and also helps us lose more weight when we are dieting. A study in the June 8 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine reported that participants in the study with less sleep saw their blood pressure rise more than those who slept 7 or 8 hours. Just this week researchers presenting at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies said people with insomnia or those who had less than five hours had the greatest increased risk of developing diabetes, according to Science Daily. Those who slept between five and six hours a night also increased their risk of developing diabetes. It's another correctable risk, but easier said than done for many people whose life challenges just don't allow eight hours of sleep per night.

Want to lose weight? New study suggests boosting Vitamin D levels

Vitamins are in the spotlight lately, from Vitamin-enriched water and juice drinks to supplements to boost the immune system or metabolism. Now a new study suggests that Vitamin D might help us lose more weight when we are on calorie-restricted diets. Researchers at the University of Minnesota report that Vitamin D levels in the body at the start of a low-calorie diet predict weight loss success.
The researchers followed participants who had a calorie-restricted diet to see whether baseline vitamin D levels before calorie restriction had an effect on subsequent weight loss. The higher the Vitamin D level the more weight the person lost. Also, participants with higher baseline vitamin D levels lost more abdominal fat. While the researchers suggest that adding Vitamin D to a reduced-calorie diet might increase weight loss, they caution that more research is need via clinical research. The results of their study were presented at The Endocrine Society's 91st Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C...Perhaps, those of us who work in cubes or windowless offices should try to get out in the daylight sun for at least 15 minutes a day and eat more foods rich in Vitamin D, including fish, low-fat or skim milk, fortified cereal and orange juice, and mushrooms.

World Health Organization says swine flu has reached pandemic status

The World Health Organization held an emergency meeting and has declared the current swine flu outbreak a pandemic, meaning it is intensifying in at least two global regions, with an incresing number of cases being found in Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom and Chile, according to a BBC report. The swine flu has now spread to 74 countries. It's the first time in 40 years that the WHO has declared a global flu pandemic. The last one was in the late 1960s, when the Hong Kong flu killed more than 1 million people. Experts are reassuring that this outbreak currently appears to be more moderate than the last outbreak with many people reporting milder symptoms. They'll be monitoring the virus to see if it mutates in the autumn and winter to produce more serious effects. The pandemic status issued by WHO today will likely speed the production of flu vaccine and efforts to get people vaccinated before the fourth quarter of 2009. So wash your hands, get your flu shot and stay tuned. I think the preventive actions taken in various countries - closing schools and limiting gatherings where there are outbreaks -- has helped to curb the spread in some regions. At Rutgers University's graduation ceremonies, the deans dispensed with the traditional handshakes when graduates received their certificates to avoid spreading germs. Small measures add up!

Health clinics flourish as Americans rush for treatment

Everyone's busy these days, so if you could do your shopping and get your health checkup at the same place, you might think about using one of the health clinics that has appeared recently in your local retail department store, mall or pharmacy chain. Long waits in doctors' offices or emergency rooms have left some patients frustrated and looking for another option. Kalorama Information, a market research firm, says these clinics numbered about 1,200 in 2008 with annual revenue of $545 million, But by 2013, it estimates the number of clinics will double, with revenue of about $2 billion. Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS and Rite-Aid are some of the retailers currently operating in-store health clinics, according to CNN.com. If the clinic trend continues in stores, it could redefine the market for primary care. The current attraction of these in-store health clinics is that they boast shorter wait times -- 15 minutes --and lower costs compared with the typical doctor's office. A passing fad or a new trend?...only time will tell.

Try a cup of happiness... It's good for your health

There's so much negativity in the developed world in general that people are literally making themselves sick...worrying about whether they'll inherit the family disease (cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes), sick over their credit card loans, watching their blood pressure rise as their fortunes sink in the recent stock market demise...Are we slowly killing ourselves with stress? Maybe, we all need to take a "happiness" break for a few minutes each day. Recent studies have shown that people with positive attitudes and a good circle of friends live longer and survive serious illnesses longer...people who embrace spirituality appear to survive longer...And a recent study reported that happiness was contagious, spreading through social networks. I think it's true that when you are near upbeat, positive people you feel better and perform better, although I've met a few people who refuse to embrace joy in any shape or form. We can theorize that the technological revolution has isolated us as much as it has globally connected us. We make less direct eye-to-eye contact than any other generations before us because we are staring longer at a computer or cell phone screen. Perhaps in the future, schools and businesses will be forced to offer courses that teach students and workers how to be happy and how to think in a positive, constructive way. The secret will be to find the rightinstructors to teach the courses.

Accidental discovery may revolutionize cancer treatment

Some of the more interesting discoveries in medicine, including penicillin, Viagra and Propecia, resulted unexpectedly from research focused on other objectives. Now in this week's issue of the journal Nature, researchers at McGill University and the University of Pennsylvania report unanticipated findings that a commonly prescribed diabetes treatment, metformin, increased the efficiency of the immune system's T-cells, cells that help make cancer and virus-fighting vaccines more effective. This could be great news for those fighting cancer.

The study's findings suggest a new link between the metabolic pathways deregulated in cancer and diabetes and their role in immune cell function, according to a release from McGill University. The researchers said the results suggest that common diabetic therapies that can alter cellular metabolism may enhance T-cell memory, which in turn would boost the immune system. This could lead to novel strategies for vaccine and anti-cancer therapies. The study is the first to suggest that targeting of the same metabolic pathways that play a role in diabetes can alter how well the human immune system functions.

Check out other accidental discoveries at Listverse and at PBS-TV's Nova Online

Knock Yourself Out --Deep Sedation provides better results in colonoscopy, study says

If you are going for your required colonoscopy exam, you might want to ask to be deeply sedated, instead of taking a local anesthetic or "moderate conscious sedation," as the medical community describes it. A new study summarized on Medscape.com reports that deep sedation allowed doctors to better visualize the colon and better inspect for polyps during the procedure. The researchers from the Department of Gastroenterology at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland said they were able to find significantly more polyps with deep sedation than with moderate conscious sedation(MCS), the method currently recommended in American Cancer Society Guidelines. Patients were also more satisfied with deep sedation... preferring to be out of the loop during the probing. The authors suggested during MCS doctors might be concentrating more on keeping the patient comfortable and adeuately sedated, rather than on the procedure.

Do cell phones pose distraction, adversely affect memory recall?

Ring-a-dingy-ding...We've all been distracted by the varied melodic rings of another person's cell phone - often when they should be turned off-- in a seminar, during a live performance, in a classroom, during the church sermon. (What's that? Just a minute, yes that's actually my ringtone...Sorry, what were you asking me?) Now a study from Washington University in St. Louis suggests our reaction may go beyond amusement or irritation...it may be a big enough distraction to adversely affect our memory recall.

"In any setting where people are trying to acquire knowledge and trying to retain that information in some way, a distraction that may just seem like a common annoyance to people may have a really disruptive effect on their later retention of that information," said Jill Shelton, a postdoctoral psychology fellow in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis and lead author of the study. The study appears in the Journal of Environmental Psychology

FDA review warns of liver damage risk from acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is back in the news again. A Working Group from the U.S. FDA reviewed scientific literature on the OTC drug and its effects on the liver, preparing a report for an FDA Advisory Committee meeting in late June that will examine the issue. The group's report recommends that specific action steps be implemented by FDA to reduce the occurrence of acetaminophen liver toxicity. One thing would help: teaching consumers how to read the patient package insert and to follow the directions for appropriate use...I have often heard people say that they "downed four or five Tylenol" because they had a bad headache or that they take two tablets every two hours, instead of every four hours. Others combine the pills with other acetaminophen-based products, such as a liquid Tylenol. This misuse/abuse
contributes to some of the side effects we hear reported in these reviews of reported cases of liver toxicity.

NIH study suggests late perimenopause stage may cause learning problems

As if some older women don't have enough health issues to worry about, a new study from the National Institutes of Health suggests that those just approaching menopause might have more trouble learning than women in other phases of life. The researchers studied more than 2300 women between the ages of 42 and 52 for four years and tested them for verbal memory, working memory and their speed for processing information. Study results indicated that processing speed improved with repeated testing during premenopause, early perimenopause and postmenopause. However, scores for women who were in the late perimenopause stage did not show the same degree of improvement. Improvements in processing speed during late perimenopause were only 28 percent as large as improvements observed in premenopause. The study appears in the May 26 print edition of the journal Neurology.

Plastic bottles may pose threat to humans, Harvard study says

Do plastic bottles leach enough chemicals to harm us? Some studies have raised concerns about the health effects of one component, bisphenol A, suggesting it is an endocrine disrupter, which means it can interfere with reproductive growth and development. And another study, this one from Harvard, appears to confirm that bisphenol A definitely accumulates in the human body. Participants in a Harvard study who drank from polycarbonate plastic bottles for a week had an increase of Bisphenol A in their urines that was two-thirds higher than the "washout" period during which they drank liquids only from stainless steel bottles. If you are thinking you can switch to aluminum cans for your soft drinks, you should know that most of them are lined with bisphenol A, and the chemical is also present in dental sealants, dental composites and other consumer goods, such as baby bottles and toys. One of the Harvard researchers notes that if you heat the polycarbonate bottles, as in the case of those for baby's milk, even higher bisphenol A readings would be expected.

Canada has already banned bisphenol A in its soft drink containers, and some manufacturers have voluntarily removed it from their bottles. In the U.S. it may end up being regulated on a state-by-state basis. Some states are already considering a ban on bisphenol A in toddler and children's plastic glasses and "tippy cups." The Harvard study is available for free on the website of the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

Compare drugs to improve on efficacy and reduce costs, new study says

A new study from the University of Illinois at Chicago reports that patients can get significant savings and better outcomes from their prescription drugs when doctors/health care professionals use comparative effectiveness research, that is, evaluating different options for treating a medical condition among a particular group of patients.

"Despite having the highest per capita health care expenditures in the world, the United States does not always perform well on measures of health compared with other countries," said Glen Schumock, associate professor and director of the UIC Center for Pharmacoeconomic Research. Schumock also said the medical community needs to know more about how drugs compare to one another in terms of effectiveness, safety and value. It makes sense, then, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, approved by President Obama, has set aside more than $1 billion for comparative effectiveness research.

The report appears in the online version (Volume 66, 2009) of American Journal of Health-Systems Pharmacy.

Is Change in the Air for Healthcare? Obama says yes.

President Barach Obama again displayed his audacity of hope (and boosted ours) as he announced in his weekly radio address that interest groups, such as insurance companies, drug companies, doctors and labor unions, have promised to shave trillions of dollars in savings from the health care system.

Their collaborative efforts could save families up to $2,500 in the coming years, Obama said, noting that this new approach signals that change is coming to Washington.

" I have always believed that it is better to talk than not to talk; that it is far more productive to reach over a divide than to shake your fist across it. This has been an alien notion in Washington for far too long, but we are seeing that the ways of Washington are beginning to change," Obama said.

Meanwhile, the Republican response was guarded, agreeing with President Obama that the healthcare system needs an overhaul that will provide affordable health insurance and include preventive measures, but warning against any option for government-run health insurance or replacing employer-based insurance. However, the Republican message warned about government intervention.

"A government takeover of health care will put bureaucrats in charge of health care decisions that should be made by families and doctors," Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA) said in the Republican radio and Internet address. Boustany said it would also limit healthcare options and could lead to increased taxes to pay for the system.

We have to start somewhere and the new efforts to trim costs suggests a commitment from the interest groups that offers consumers the hope that a change for the better is coming. Even a compromise suggests that the consumer gets something out of the deal!