Thursday, January 30, 2014
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Melatonin and prostate cancer risk
Higher levels of melatonin, a hormone involved in the sleep-wake cycle, may suggest decreased risk for developing advanced prostate cancer, according to results presented at the AACR-Prostate Cancer Foundation Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research.
Sleep loss and other factors can influence the amount of melatonin secretion or block it altogether, and health problems associated with low melatonin, disrupted sleep, and/or disruption of the circadian rhythm are broad, including a potential risk factor for cancer. The researchers found that men who had higher levels of melatonin had a 75 percent reduced risk for developing advanced prostate cancer compared with men who had lower levels of melatonin.
Sleep loss and other factors can influence the amount of melatonin secretion or block it altogether, and health problems associated with low melatonin, disrupted sleep, and/or disruption of the circadian rhythm are broad, including a potential risk factor for cancer. The researchers found that men who had higher levels of melatonin had a 75 percent reduced risk for developing advanced prostate cancer compared with men who had lower levels of melatonin.
The results require replication, but support the public health implication of the importance of maintaining a stable light-dark and sleep-wake cycle. Because melatonin levels are potentially modifiable, further studies of melatonin and prostate cancer risk and progression are warranted.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Friday, January 24, 2014
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Brown Instead of White Rice Exhibits Benefits
In the first randomized controlled trial to compare the brown and white rice in India, substituting brown rice for white rice in a population of overweight/obese individuals helped significantly reduce glucose levels and lower serum insulin.
The findings, which showed glucose cut by 20% and insulin by 60% with brown rice, were reported at the World Diabetes Conference 2013 last month.
The same research team is now conducting a study in adults with prediabetes to see whether substituting brown rice for white will help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.
The findings, which showed glucose cut by 20% and insulin by 60% with brown rice, were reported at the World Diabetes Conference 2013 last month.
The same research team is now conducting a study in adults with prediabetes to see whether substituting brown rice for white will help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Comments on New Blood Pressure Guidelines
Bonnie: In short, the panel that published in JAMA suggested major changes, including prescribing less medication for mildly high blood pressure because the evidence does not support it.
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1791497
This is why we...as consumers of medical advice...need to keep in mind that medicine is termed "the art of medicine" not the "science of medicine". When it becomes common practice to treat millions of individuals with specific parameters based upon lack of extensive research, we often harm patients. Let's look back at some conventional medical advice wisdom from the past:
Need I say more?
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1791497
This is why we...as consumers of medical advice...need to keep in mind that medicine is termed "the art of medicine" not the "science of medicine". When it becomes common practice to treat millions of individuals with specific parameters based upon lack of extensive research, we often harm patients. Let's look back at some conventional medical advice wisdom from the past:
- Bloodletting
- Radical Mastectomy
- Aggressive Prostate Surgery
- Margarine for Heart Health
- Lower Cholesterol by Lowering Amounts of Nuts, Seeds, and Avocado
Need I say more?
Search patients' DNA to prevent meds' side effects
Bonnie: Some of my clients who are salicylate sensitive cannot tolerate aspirin, period. However, for those I am not sure about, I always recommend genetic testing before taking aspirin. Most doctors do not offer this test unless asked by the patient because they either do not know about it or they think it is too much of a hassle. However, this should be standard practice as one quarter of the human population cannot tolerate aspirin. If they can open this up to all medication, we could severely curtail adverse effects.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304049704579318611915850036.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTTopStories
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304049704579318611915850036.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTTopStories
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Coffee may boost memory
Caveat: any memory benefits are wiped out when you load up your coffee with sugar! Keep it black please.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/01/13/caffeine-boosts-memory/4457591/
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/01/13/caffeine-boosts-memory/4457591/
Probiotic Drops Greatly Reduce Colicky Symptoms in Infants.
However, study partially funded by company who provided the probiotic.
http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1812293&utm_source=Silverchair%20Information%20Systems&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=JAMAPediatrics%3AOnlineFirst01%2F13%2F2014
http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1812293&utm_source=Silverchair%20Information%20Systems&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=JAMAPediatrics%3AOnlineFirst01%2F13%2F2014
Thursday, January 09, 2014
Wednesday, January 08, 2014
FTC Takes Action Against Deceptive Weight-Loss Products. Yeah!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/01/07/ftc-charges-deceptive-weight-loss-products/4354669/
We are asked frequently at this office about two of the diets in this settlement, Sensa and the HCG Diet. Our reaction has always been steadfast in vehemently opposing our clients using either of them.
We are asked frequently at this office about two of the diets in this settlement, Sensa and the HCG Diet. Our reaction has always been steadfast in vehemently opposing our clients using either of them.
Tuesday, January 07, 2014
Don't rush treatment for child cold and cough
Children's coughs and colds can last up to two or three weeks and earaches may take a week to get better. Researchers said they hope the findings help reassure both doctors and parents that respiratory symptoms can last "longer than previously appreciated" but typically don't require treatment.
In studies of children with a respiratory tract infection were treated with over-the-counter medicines, drug-free placebo pills or nothing. Researchers followed them to see when their symptoms went away. Among children with earaches, 90% were better within seven to eight days of visiting a primary care doctor or the emergency room. Most kids with the common cold were better after 15 days, while it took 25 days for almost all children with a cough to be fully recovered. Sore throats typically lasted anywhere from two to seven days.
The duration of earaches and common colds in particular was "considerably longer" than parents in the U.S. and UK are generally told, the researchers wrote in the British Medical Journal.
In studies of children with a respiratory tract infection were treated with over-the-counter medicines, drug-free placebo pills or nothing. Researchers followed them to see when their symptoms went away. Among children with earaches, 90% were better within seven to eight days of visiting a primary care doctor or the emergency room. Most kids with the common cold were better after 15 days, while it took 25 days for almost all children with a cough to be fully recovered. Sore throats typically lasted anywhere from two to seven days.
The duration of earaches and common colds in particular was "considerably longer" than parents in the U.S. and UK are generally told, the researchers wrote in the British Medical Journal.
Moreover, they stated that most children with coughs, colds and other respiratory tract infections don't need to see a doctor. With the exception of strep throat, those infections are typically caused by viruses. Viruses don't respond to antibiotics, and the drugs may cause diarrhea or other side effects among children.
There are still some situations when children with respiratory symptoms do need to see a doctor, they said. That's when their symptoms keep getting worse, or don't start slowly getting better over time as expected. Kids who are having trouble breathing or have other serious symptoms also need to go to the doctor.
There are still some situations when children with respiratory symptoms do need to see a doctor, they said. That's when their symptoms keep getting worse, or don't start slowly getting better over time as expected. Kids who are having trouble breathing or have other serious symptoms also need to go to the doctor.
Monday, January 06, 2014
Vitamin E Prevents Functional Decline in Alzheimer Disease
A study in the January 2014 issue of JAMA aimed to determine if vitamin E (alpha tocopherol), memantine, or both slow progression of mild to moderate AD in patients taking an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.
Participants received either 2000 IU/d of alpha tocopherol, 20 mg/d of memantine, the combination, or placebo.
Over the mean follow-up of 2.27 years, ADCS-ADL Inventory scores declined by 3.15 units less in the alpha tocopherol group compared with the placebo group. This change in the alpha tocopherol group translates into a delay in clinical progression of 19% per year compared with placebo or a delay of approximately 6.2 months over the follow-up period. Serious adverse event of “infections or infestations,” with greater frequencies in the memantine and combination groups compared with placebo and alpha tocopherol group.
The researchers concluded that among patients with mild to moderate AD, 2000 IU/d of alpha tocopherol compared with placebo resulted in slower functional decline. There were no significant differences in the groups receiving memantine alone or memantine plus alpha tocopherol. These findings suggest benefit of alpha tocopherol in mild to moderate AD by slowing functional decline and decreasing caregiver burden.
Participants received either 2000 IU/d of alpha tocopherol, 20 mg/d of memantine, the combination, or placebo.
Over the mean follow-up of 2.27 years, ADCS-ADL Inventory scores declined by 3.15 units less in the alpha tocopherol group compared with the placebo group. This change in the alpha tocopherol group translates into a delay in clinical progression of 19% per year compared with placebo or a delay of approximately 6.2 months over the follow-up period. Serious adverse event of “infections or infestations,” with greater frequencies in the memantine and combination groups compared with placebo and alpha tocopherol group.
The researchers concluded that among patients with mild to moderate AD, 2000 IU/d of alpha tocopherol compared with placebo resulted in slower functional decline. There were no significant differences in the groups receiving memantine alone or memantine plus alpha tocopherol. These findings suggest benefit of alpha tocopherol in mild to moderate AD by slowing functional decline and decreasing caregiver burden.
Bonnie: This is not the first study to show this improvement. However, the fact that it is in JAMA should ruffle some feathers (the anti-vitamin E camp) and allow others (like me) to be encouraged that this much-maligned vitamin is proving the doubters wrong.
Saturday, January 04, 2014
Not enough sleep? No chance of weight loss. Blood sugar issue likely.
Circadian rhythm has been shown to be related to glucose metabolism and risk of diabetes, probably through effects on energy balance. Recent genome-wide association studies identified variants in circadian rhythm–related genes associated with glucose homeostasis.
In a February American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study, the variants CRY2 rs11605924 and MTNR1B rs10830963 were genotyped in overweight or obese adults who were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 weight-loss diets that differed in their proportions of macronutrients.
In a February American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study, the variants CRY2 rs11605924 and MTNR1B rs10830963 were genotyped in overweight or obese adults who were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 weight-loss diets that differed in their proportions of macronutrients.
The data results indicate that variants in the circadian-related gene CRY2and MTNR1B may affect long-terms changes in energy expenditure by slowing it down, and dietary fat, carbohydrate intake may modify the genetic effects adversely.
European Authority Finds Aspartame Safe
http://news.yahoo.com/europe-diet-sweetener-aspartame-safe-cola-131051491--finance.html
Bonnie and Steve: We do not take anything the EFSA says at face value any longer. They have been bought out by Big Pharma and Big Food. Because of this, consumers have no access to therapeutic-dose dietary supplements in Europe. The lobbies are so powerful that they ignored a huge public outcry denouncing the supplement regulations a few years ago.
Bonnie and Steve: We do not take anything the EFSA says at face value any longer. They have been bought out by Big Pharma and Big Food. Because of this, consumers have no access to therapeutic-dose dietary supplements in Europe. The lobbies are so powerful that they ignored a huge public outcry denouncing the supplement regulations a few years ago.
Grape seed the latest plant extract to induce cancer cell death
A study published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer describes the laboratory synthesis of the most active component of grape seed extract, B2G2, and shows this synthesized compound induces the cell death known as apoptosis in prostate cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed.
The group has spent more than a decade demonstrating the anti-cancer activity of GSE in controlled, laboratory conditions. For example, previous studies have shown the GSE effectiveness against cancer cells and have also shown its mechanism of action. But until recently, they didn't know which constituent of GSE created this effect. This naturally occurring compound, GSE, is a complex mixture of polyphenols and also so far it has been unclear about the biologically active constituents of GSE against cancer cells.
The group has spent more than a decade demonstrating the anti-cancer activity of GSE in controlled, laboratory conditions. For example, previous studies have shown the GSE effectiveness against cancer cells and have also shown its mechanism of action. But until recently, they didn't know which constituent of GSE created this effect. This naturally occurring compound, GSE, is a complex mixture of polyphenols and also so far it has been unclear about the biologically active constituents of GSE against cancer cells.
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