Passive smoking isn't only something that people have to cope with, but plants too. This is because some plants are actually able to take up nicotine from cigarette smoke, while others that grow in contaminated soil absorb it via the roots as well. This might explain why high concentrations of nicotine are often found in spices, herbal teas and medicinal plants, despite the fact that this alkaloid is no longer permitted in insecticides. The findings are published in Agronomy for Sustainable Development.
They used peppermint plants, which contain minimal traces of nicotine, in a series of mulching and fumigation experiments. Tremendously elevated nicotine levels were detected after fumigation with cigarette smoke. Peppermint plants can also take up high concentrations of nicotine from contaminated soils evidenced after mulching with cigarette tobacco for more than nine days. The resulting nicotine concentrations were several times higher than the maximum residue levels.
Steve: In addition to the significance for the food industry, these results have a tremendous relevance for basic science: they prove that substances, such as alkaloids, can be transferred from one plant, after its death, to another. Such "horizontal transfer of natural products" sheds light on the unexplained success behind farming practices such as crop rotation and the co-cultivation of certain vegetables. It also shows how intricate and intelligent plants are.
Thursday, April 09, 2015
Quercetin Slows the Aging Process: Study
A research team from The Scripps Research Institute, Mayo Clinic and other institutions has identified a new class of drugs that in animal models dramatically slows the aging process -- alleviating symptoms of frailty, improving cardiac function and extending a healthy lifespan, according to a study in an upcoming issue of journal Aging Cell.
The scientists coined the term "senolytics" for the new class of drugs. "The prototypes of these senolytic agents have more than proven their ability to alleviate multiple characteristics associated with aging," said Mayo Clinic Professor James Kirkland, MD, PhD, senior author of the new study. "It may eventually become feasible to delay, prevent, alleviate or even reverse multiple chronic diseases and disabilities as a group, instead of just one at a time."
Senescent cells -- cells that have stopped dividing -- accumulate with age and accelerate the aging process. The team homed in on two available compounds -- the cancer drug dasatinib (sold under the trade name Sprycel®) and quercetin, a natural compound sold as a supplement that acts as an antihistamine and anti-inflammatory.
Further testing in cell culture showed these compounds do indeed selectively induce death of senescent cells. The two compounds had different strong points. Dasatinib eliminated senescent human fat cell progenitors, while quercetin was more effective against senescent human endothelial cells and mouse bone marrow stem cells. A combination of the two was most effective overall.
The compounds improved cardiovascular function and exercise endurance, reduced osteoporosis and frailty, and extended healthspan," said one of the researchers. "Remarkably, in some cases, these drugs did so with only a single course of treatment."
Bonnie: How exciting! I cannot wait until they get to the testing in humans already. Oh wait, they should screen the thousands of clients of ours who have taken quercetin over the years!
The scientists coined the term "senolytics" for the new class of drugs. "The prototypes of these senolytic agents have more than proven their ability to alleviate multiple characteristics associated with aging," said Mayo Clinic Professor James Kirkland, MD, PhD, senior author of the new study. "It may eventually become feasible to delay, prevent, alleviate or even reverse multiple chronic diseases and disabilities as a group, instead of just one at a time."
Senescent cells -- cells that have stopped dividing -- accumulate with age and accelerate the aging process. The team homed in on two available compounds -- the cancer drug dasatinib (sold under the trade name Sprycel®) and quercetin, a natural compound sold as a supplement that acts as an antihistamine and anti-inflammatory.
Further testing in cell culture showed these compounds do indeed selectively induce death of senescent cells. The two compounds had different strong points. Dasatinib eliminated senescent human fat cell progenitors, while quercetin was more effective against senescent human endothelial cells and mouse bone marrow stem cells. A combination of the two was most effective overall.
The compounds improved cardiovascular function and exercise endurance, reduced osteoporosis and frailty, and extended healthspan," said one of the researchers. "Remarkably, in some cases, these drugs did so with only a single course of treatment."
Bonnie: How exciting! I cannot wait until they get to the testing in humans already. Oh wait, they should screen the thousands of clients of ours who have taken quercetin over the years!
Wednesday, April 08, 2015
Thursday, April 02, 2015
Vitamin D level linked to depression
Low serum levels of vitamin D are associated with clinically significant symptoms of depression in otherwise healthy individuals, a new study from Psychiatry Research shows.
Making a series of assessments of healthy women during a 1-month period, investigators found that more than one third of participants had depressive symptoms, that almost half had vitamin D insufficiency, and that depressive symptoms were predicted by vitamin D levels.
Noting that vitamin D supplementation is a low-cost, simple, and low-risk intervention, the authors state, "Given the lifespan health risks associated with insufficiency, supplementation is warranted whether or not the modest role of vitamin D in depression observed here generalizes more broadly."
Making a series of assessments of healthy women during a 1-month period, investigators found that more than one third of participants had depressive symptoms, that almost half had vitamin D insufficiency, and that depressive symptoms were predicted by vitamin D levels.
Noting that vitamin D supplementation is a low-cost, simple, and low-risk intervention, the authors state, "Given the lifespan health risks associated with insufficiency, supplementation is warranted whether or not the modest role of vitamin D in depression observed here generalizes more broadly."
Like cooking shows? You'd better not read this.
Sourcing recipes online, in print and in person may be healthier than from television could shed light on marketing opportunities for food and beverage companies with healthier or better-for-you
options.
A team researchers found that of the 501 women aged 20-35 years they surveyed those who obtained recipes from cooking shows and cooked from scratch weighed an average of 11 pounds more
than those who watched television shows about food but did not often cook. In addition, the mean body mass index of cooking show viewers and doers was 27.48 compared to only 25.66 for those
who watched the shows but did not cook, according to the study published in Appetite.
This finding contradicts the common belief that cooking from scratch results in healthier eating and slimmer waistlines, but the correlation also makes sense given that many cooking shows feature high fat, indulgent meals that have excessive calories, the researchers noted.
The findings are important for food and beverage manufacturers because understanding where young women obtain information about new foods may be important when attempting to influence or shape their food preferences. Furthermore, it may be that watching a ‘healthy’ cooking show or viewing ‘health’ recipes from social media could nudge viewers toward preparing healthy meals, which could be a powerful tool for improving public health.
This was the idea behind baby carrot and fresh juice company Bolthouse Farms’ recent social media “Fruit and Veggie Takeover” campaign , which encouraged people to post about eating fruits and veggies instead of unhealthy foods.
options.
A team researchers found that of the 501 women aged 20-35 years they surveyed those who obtained recipes from cooking shows and cooked from scratch weighed an average of 11 pounds more
than those who watched television shows about food but did not often cook. In addition, the mean body mass index of cooking show viewers and doers was 27.48 compared to only 25.66 for those
who watched the shows but did not cook, according to the study published in Appetite.
This finding contradicts the common belief that cooking from scratch results in healthier eating and slimmer waistlines, but the correlation also makes sense given that many cooking shows feature high fat, indulgent meals that have excessive calories, the researchers noted.
The findings are important for food and beverage manufacturers because understanding where young women obtain information about new foods may be important when attempting to influence or shape their food preferences. Furthermore, it may be that watching a ‘healthy’ cooking show or viewing ‘health’ recipes from social media could nudge viewers toward preparing healthy meals, which could be a powerful tool for improving public health.
This was the idea behind baby carrot and fresh juice company Bolthouse Farms’ recent social media “Fruit and Veggie Takeover” campaign , which encouraged people to post about eating fruits and veggies instead of unhealthy foods.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Pregnant Women: How Vit D Deficiency Can Harm Your Unborn Child
Findings from a recent study in Pediatrics demonstrate:
- An association of vitamin D deficiency with respiratory disease is due to an impact on lung development.
- A significant association with language development at ages 5 and 10 years. The risk of having a child with clinically significant language impairment was increased by nearly twofold in women with the lowest vitamin D levels at 18 weeks' gestation compared with those in the highest percentage of the 25-OH-D distribution.
- An increased risk for high scores in early adulthood on the Attention Switching subscale of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient for children of vitamin D-deficient mothers.
- A significant predictive relationship between lower maternal vitamin D status and eating disorder risk in female offspring.
- A significant association between maternal vitamin D deficiency and lower peak bone mass in offspring at 20 years. Total body bone mineral content was reduced by 2.7% and total body bone mineral density was reduced by 1.7% compared with children of vitamin D-sufficient mothers.
Which Blood Type Has the Highest Diabetes Risk?
A study of more than 80,000 women has uncovered different risks of developing type 2 diabetes associated with different blood groups, with the biggest difference a 35% increased risk of type 2 diabetes found in those with group B+. Published in Diabetologia, researchers found that compared with women with group O blood, women with group A were 10% more likely to develop T2D, AB group was 17% more likely, and those with group B 21% more likely.
Bonnie: Because group B's cannot handle corn properly, and it is endemic the western diet, I am not surprised it led the group.
Bonnie: Because group B's cannot handle corn properly, and it is endemic the western diet, I am not surprised it led the group.
Coffee and mortality risk
Despite the rising consumption of coffee worldwide, few studies have assessed the association of coffee intake with mortality including total and major causes of death. A study in the March issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition investigated the association between habitual coffee drinking and mortality from all causes, cancer, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, respiratory disease, injuries, and other causes of death in a large-scale, population-based cohort study in Japan.
The results showed an reduced association between coffee intake and total mortality in both men and women. Total death in subjects who consumed coffee compared with those who never drank coffee were The strongest association seen were in those drinking 3–4 cups/day and more than 5 cups/day.
Specifically, coffee was reduced mortality from heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and respiratory disease.
Bonnie: Sorry folks, black coffee only!
The results showed an reduced association between coffee intake and total mortality in both men and women. Total death in subjects who consumed coffee compared with those who never drank coffee were The strongest association seen were in those drinking 3–4 cups/day and more than 5 cups/day.
Specifically, coffee was reduced mortality from heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and respiratory disease.
Bonnie: Sorry folks, black coffee only!
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Iodine recommended for all multi prenatals through lactation
Endocrinology groups are applauding a new recommendation from a dietary-supplement trade association that calls for iodine supplementation in all prenatal vitamins prescribed for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
In addition, the public health committee of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) recently published a statement reiterating the ATA recommendation that women take a daily multivitamin containing 150 mg of iodine during prepregnancy, pregnancy, and lactation. The statement also warns of the potential risks of excess iodine consumption and exposure, particularly through the use of unregulated kelp supplements.
The US Council for Responsible Medicine's new guidelines call for all dietary-supplement manufacturers and marketers to begin including at least 150 μg of iodine in all daily multivitamin/mineral supplements intended for pregnant and lactating women in the United States within the next 12 months.
In addition, the public health committee of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) recently published a statement reiterating the ATA recommendation that women take a daily multivitamin containing 150 mg of iodine during prepregnancy, pregnancy, and lactation. The statement also warns of the potential risks of excess iodine consumption and exposure, particularly through the use of unregulated kelp supplements.
The US Council for Responsible Medicine's new guidelines call for all dietary-supplement manufacturers and marketers to begin including at least 150 μg of iodine in all daily multivitamin/mineral supplements intended for pregnant and lactating women in the United States within the next 12 months.
Is Carrageenan That Bad?
According to a study in the upcoming April issue of Food and Chemical Toxicity, the common food additive carrageenan, vilified by some in the food industry, does not bind to Toll-Like-Receptor 4, does not stimulate NF-KB inflammatory responses, and is tightly bound to protein, which limits interactions with cells.
Carrageenan (CGN) is widely used in the food manufacturing industry as an additive that stabilizes and thickens food products. Standard animal safety studies in which CGN was administered in diet showed no adverse effects. However, several in vitro studies have reported that intestinal inflammation is caused by CGN and that this effect is mediated through Toll-Like-Receptor 4 (TLR4). The purpose of the study was to evaluate this issue.
The results show that CGN does not bind to TLR4 and is not cytotoxic to the HEK293 cells at the concentrations and experimental conditions tested and that CGN binds tightly to serum proteins. Thus, intestinal inflammation is not a byproduct of CGN consumption in this study.
Carrageenan (CGN) is widely used in the food manufacturing industry as an additive that stabilizes and thickens food products. Standard animal safety studies in which CGN was administered in diet showed no adverse effects. However, several in vitro studies have reported that intestinal inflammation is caused by CGN and that this effect is mediated through Toll-Like-Receptor 4 (TLR4). The purpose of the study was to evaluate this issue.
The results show that CGN does not bind to TLR4 and is not cytotoxic to the HEK293 cells at the concentrations and experimental conditions tested and that CGN binds tightly to serum proteins. Thus, intestinal inflammation is not a byproduct of CGN consumption in this study.
Greater Food Variety = Less Obesity
Consuming a wider variety of nutrient-dense foods may promote adherence to healthful dietary patterns, leading to improved dietary quality and enhanced metabolic health.
Higher-protein diets are associated with lower BMI and waist circumference and higher HDL cholesterol compared to protein intakes at RDA levels. According to a study in the March issue of The Journal of Nutrition, data suggest that Americans who consume dietary protein between 1.0 and 1.5 grams/kilogram of body weight have a lower risk of developing cardiometabolic disease.
In a second study from the same issue, greater healthful food variety was associated with lower odds of Metabolic Syndrome and some Metabolic Syndrome components in the total population. Steve: the problem is that the majority of the Standard American Diet is made up of soy, wheat, corn, and dairy, basically monolculture!
Higher-protein diets are associated with lower BMI and waist circumference and higher HDL cholesterol compared to protein intakes at RDA levels. According to a study in the March issue of The Journal of Nutrition, data suggest that Americans who consume dietary protein between 1.0 and 1.5 grams/kilogram of body weight have a lower risk of developing cardiometabolic disease.
In a second study from the same issue, greater healthful food variety was associated with lower odds of Metabolic Syndrome and some Metabolic Syndrome components in the total population. Steve: the problem is that the majority of the Standard American Diet is made up of soy, wheat, corn, and dairy, basically monolculture!
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Things that help or harm HDL
Recent data suggest that an increased level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is not protective against heart disease on its own, but sub-phenotypes of HDL are. Prior work on the effects of dietary intakes has focused largely on HDL-C. The goal of a Nutrition and Metabolism study was to identify the dietary intakes that affect HDL-related measures: HDL-C, HDL-2, HDL-3, and apoA1. Here's the results:
Given the shifting focus away from HDL-C, these first-of-its-kind data will prove valuable for future epidemiologic investigation of the role of diet and multiple HDL phenotypes in heart disease.
- Dietary folate intake was positively associated with HDL-C, HDL-3, and apoA1.
- Alcohol intake and myristic acid, a saturated fat, were each significantly associated with increased levels of all HDL-related measures studied.
- Dietary carbohydrate and iron intake were significantly associated with decreased levels of all HDL-related measures.
- Magnesium intake was positively associated with HDL-C, HDL-2, and HDL-3 levels, but not apoA1 levels
- Vitamin C was only associated with apoA1 levels.
- Dietary fiber and protein intake were both positively associated with HDL-3 levels alone.
Given the shifting focus away from HDL-C, these first-of-its-kind data will prove valuable for future epidemiologic investigation of the role of diet and multiple HDL phenotypes in heart disease.
Acidosis in adolescents
Diets rich in animal protein and cereal grains and deficient in vegetables and fruits may cause low-grade metabolic acidosis, which may impact exercise and health. Researchers in the March issue of European Journal of Clinical Nutrition hypothesized that a normal-protein diet with high amount of vegetables and fruits induces more alkaline acid–base balance compared with a high-protein, high-cereal grain diet with no vegetables and fruits and diet composition has a greater impact on acid–base balance. Hence, a high intake of vegetables and fruits increases blood and pH in young adolescents, who may be more sensitive to diet-induced acid–base changes.
Bonnie: It should come as no surprise that fruits and vegetables naturally alkalize. A diet rich and protein, high in fruit and veggies, and low gran carbs is the ideal balance.
Bonnie: It should come as no surprise that fruits and vegetables naturally alkalize. A diet rich and protein, high in fruit and veggies, and low gran carbs is the ideal balance.
Monday, March 09, 2015
Nuts Do Wonders for Teens
Eating a modest amount of nuts appears to lower the risk for teens of developing conditions that raise the chances of heart disease later in life. By "modest," investigators mean eating at least three small handfuls of nuts a week. In the study, presented at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting, nut-eating teens had less than half the risk for developing metabolic syndrome as those who did not eat nuts.
The bad news? Roughly 75 percent of U.S. teens eat no nuts, the study authors said.
The bad news? Roughly 75 percent of U.S. teens eat no nuts, the study authors said.
Thursday, March 05, 2015
Mediterranean diet cuts heart disease risk by nearly half
Adults who closely followed the Mediterranean diet were 47 percent less likely to develop heart disease over a 10-year period compared to similar adults who did not closely follow the diet, according to a study to be presented at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session in San Diego.
Among the study's participants, adherence to the Mediterranean diet was more protective than physical activity. The study, conducted in Greece, bolsters evidence from earlier studies pointing to the diet's health benefits and is the first to track 10-year heart disease risk in a general population.
The study shows that the Mediterranean diet is a beneficial intervention for all types of people--in both genders, in all age groups, and in both healthy people and those with health conditions.
Among the study's participants, adherence to the Mediterranean diet was more protective than physical activity. The study, conducted in Greece, bolsters evidence from earlier studies pointing to the diet's health benefits and is the first to track 10-year heart disease risk in a general population.
The study shows that the Mediterranean diet is a beneficial intervention for all types of people--in both genders, in all age groups, and in both healthy people and those with health conditions.
Wednesday, March 04, 2015
Tuesday, March 03, 2015
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Oat breakfast cereals may contain a common mold-related toxin
Scientists warn that oats and its products might need closer monitoring for potential mold contamination. They report in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry that some oat-based breakfast cereals in the U.S. contain a mold-related toxin called ochratoxin A (OTA) that's been linked to kidney cancer in animal studies. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is part of the World Health Organization, classifies it as a possible human carcinogen. Although the U.S. doesn't currently regulate the contaminant, the European Union has set maximum limits for OTA in food.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Baby formula poses higher arsenic risk to newborns than breast milk
In the first U.S. study of urinary arsenic in babies, researchers found that formula-fed infants had higher arsenic levels than breast-fed infants, and that breast milk itself contained very low arsenic concentrations. The findings appear Feb. 23 online in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.
The researchers measured arsenic in home tap water, urine from 72 six-week-old infants and breast milk from women. Urinary arsenic was 7.5 times lower for breast-fed than formula-fed infants. The highest tap water arsenic concentrations far exceeded the arsenic concentrations in powdered formulas, but for the majority of the study's participants, both the powder and water contributed to exposure.
The researchers measured arsenic in home tap water, urine from 72 six-week-old infants and breast milk from women. Urinary arsenic was 7.5 times lower for breast-fed than formula-fed infants. The highest tap water arsenic concentrations far exceeded the arsenic concentrations in powdered formulas, but for the majority of the study's participants, both the powder and water contributed to exposure.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Still on Synthetic HRT? Better Read This.
Taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause, even for just a few years, is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing the two most common types of ovarian cancer, according to a detailed re-analysis of all the available evidence, published in The Lancet. The findings indicate that women who use HRT for just a few years are about 40% more likely to develop ovarian cancer than women who have never taken HRT. The risk of ovarian cancer fell over time after stopping treatment, women who had used HRT for at least 5 years still had a somewhat increased risk of ovarian cancer 10 years later.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Does Your Kid Have Chronic Stomach Aches?
Aside from dietary modification, hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and probiotics are effective in the treatment of pediatric abdominal pain-related functional gastrointestinal disorders, according to research in last week's issue of Pediatrics.
Hypnotherapy included suggestions toward control and normalization of gut function, strengthening of ego, and stress reduction. Cognitive behavioral therapy focused on changing attitudes, cognition, and behavior that might improve symptoms.
Probiotics are believed to prevent overgrowth of potentially pathogenic bacteria, thereby maintaining the integrity of gut mucosa and normalizing intestinal inflammatory responses. When compared with placebo, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and the probiotic medical food VSL#3 were associated with significantly more treatment responders.
The study states that ore than 40% of children with irritable bowel syndrome and functional abdominal pain use complementary and alternative medicine.
Hypnotherapy included suggestions toward control and normalization of gut function, strengthening of ego, and stress reduction. Cognitive behavioral therapy focused on changing attitudes, cognition, and behavior that might improve symptoms.
Probiotics are believed to prevent overgrowth of potentially pathogenic bacteria, thereby maintaining the integrity of gut mucosa and normalizing intestinal inflammatory responses. When compared with placebo, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and the probiotic medical food VSL#3 were associated with significantly more treatment responders.
The study states that ore than 40% of children with irritable bowel syndrome and functional abdominal pain use complementary and alternative medicine.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Cooking at high temperatures
Many of you who had their Detox Reboot Sessions may have been surprised we ask how you cook your food. Here's why. A new paper published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease provides evidence that cooking foods at high temperatures increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease. This study looked at the content of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in national diets and clinical studies comparing and compared total AGEs to Alzheimer's disease rates. They found that the higher the cooking temperature, the higher the AGE content. When your food has any sign of charring, that is the worst. Try to cook at medium of or below for everything.
Energy drinks are no good for kids
Middle-school children who consume heavily sweetened energy drinks are 66% more likely to be at risk for hyperactivity and inattention symptoms, according to a new study in Academic Pediatrics. The finding has implications for school success and lends support to existing recommendations to limit the amount of sweetened beverages schoolchildren drink. The authors also recommend that children avoid energy drinks, which in addition to high levels of sugar also often contain caffeine.
Think Thrice Before Taking Antibiotics
Researchers in the journal Gut have discovered that antibiotics have an impact on the microorganisms that live in our gut that's more broad and complex than previously known.
The findings help to better explain some of the damage these medications can do, and set the stage for new ways to study and offset those impacts.
Antibiotic use, and especially overuse, can have unwanted effects on everything from the immune system to glucose metabolism, food absorption, obesity, stress and behavior. The issues are rising in importance, since 40 percent of all adults and 70 percent of all children take one or more antibiotics every year, not to mention their use in billions of food animals.
The research also found that antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant microbes caused significant changes in mitochondrial function, which plays a major role in cell signaling, growth and energy production, and for good health they need to function properly.
This research also developed a new bioinformatics approach named "transkingdom network interrogation" to studying microbiota, which could help further speed the study of any alterations of host microbiota interactions and antibiotic impact. This could aid the search for new probiotics to help offset antibiotic effects, and conceivably lead to systems that would diagnose a person's microbiome, identify deficiencies and then address them in a precise and individual way.
Bonnie: Here's the most encouraging thing they said: healthy microbiota may also be another way to address growing problems with antibiotic resistance. Instead of trying to kill the "bad" bacteria causing an illness, a healthy and functioning microbiota may be able to outcompete the unwanted microbes and improve immune function!
The findings help to better explain some of the damage these medications can do, and set the stage for new ways to study and offset those impacts.
Antibiotic use, and especially overuse, can have unwanted effects on everything from the immune system to glucose metabolism, food absorption, obesity, stress and behavior. The issues are rising in importance, since 40 percent of all adults and 70 percent of all children take one or more antibiotics every year, not to mention their use in billions of food animals.
The research also found that antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant microbes caused significant changes in mitochondrial function, which plays a major role in cell signaling, growth and energy production, and for good health they need to function properly.
This research also developed a new bioinformatics approach named "transkingdom network interrogation" to studying microbiota, which could help further speed the study of any alterations of host microbiota interactions and antibiotic impact. This could aid the search for new probiotics to help offset antibiotic effects, and conceivably lead to systems that would diagnose a person's microbiome, identify deficiencies and then address them in a precise and individual way.
Bonnie: Here's the most encouraging thing they said: healthy microbiota may also be another way to address growing problems with antibiotic resistance. Instead of trying to kill the "bad" bacteria causing an illness, a healthy and functioning microbiota may be able to outcompete the unwanted microbes and improve immune function!
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Salicylates: the Most Universally Ignored Food Intolerance
Until this month's issue of Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, data on the effects of the category of food chemicals called salicylates was virtually non-existent. We are so pleased to see that the study not only stated that an estimated 20% of the human population has food intolerances (we think it is closer to 40%), the authors singled out salicylates as one of the top offenders because of their "pharmacologic" activity.
Order Salicylate Action Plan: the most complete guide to living with the most universally ignored food intolerance.
Order Salicylate Action Plan: the most complete guide to living with the most universally ignored food intolerance.
Monday, February 09, 2015
Coffee Linked to Lower Endometrial Cancer Risk
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20150206/coffee-linked-to-possible-lower-endometrial-cancer-risk
Saturday, February 07, 2015
Shocking study on aspartame
Direct Abstract From the April 2015 issue of journal Appetite:
Highlights
Highlights
- Prenatal exposure to aspartame can lead to higher sweet consumption in adulthood.
- Prenatal exposure to aspartame can alter lipid profile in adulthood.
- Prenatal exposure to aspartame can alter plasma glucose levels in adulthood.
Monday, February 02, 2015
Mothers of Kids With Food Allergies Want Professional Nutritional Assistance
Mothers managing the diets of children with food allergies say the role of dietary consultants should extend to emotional support and advocacy on parents' behalf with school officials and other care providers.
Heather MacKenzie, PhD, from the Graduate School, University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom, and colleagues conducted focus groups with 17 mothers (three groups of four to seven members each) who attended an allergy center for dietary advice for their food-allergic child. All had at least one consultation with a dietitian about their child's food allergy.
The researchers asked participants about their dietary advice needs and explored them using thematic analysis. They published their results in the January 2015 issue of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
The authors write that recently published guidelines from the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and the World Allergy Organization highlight the difficulty in eliminating certain foods and the potential risk to nutritional status and quality of life. They also note that few in the United Kingdom have access to an allergy-specialist dietitian, which suggests more training for specialists is needed.
Emotional Support Needed
In addition to medical support, mothers in the focus groups made it clear that they valued emotional support from dietitians who can understand the difficulties in managing an allergic child's diet. They also valued dietitians' role as an advocate and go-between with a child's school or physician.
"As the mothers describe, coping with a child's food allergy can be emotionally demanding, particularly early after diagnosis. Therefore, it may be that there is a need for dietitians to receive training on how to provide appropriate emotional support or for psychologists to be part of allergy clinics," the authors write.
The results suggest mothers value the following actions from dietary consultants or allergy clinics:
-provide food advice as soon as possible after diagnosis and review it at milestones such as change of school or adolescence;
-supplement consultations with written information such as recipes, lists of food to avoid, and alternative allergen names;
-provide checklists to help parents plan for trips to restaurants or birthday parties;
-increase training and education for dietitians and families; and
-consider providing email or on-call advice for questions between appointments.
Although the researchers asked both parents to participate in the study, only mothers consented. The authors say that although mothers tend to take more responsibility for managing their child's food allergy, it is possible that fathers would list different needs for dietary specialists.
Heather MacKenzie, PhD, from the Graduate School, University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom, and colleagues conducted focus groups with 17 mothers (three groups of four to seven members each) who attended an allergy center for dietary advice for their food-allergic child. All had at least one consultation with a dietitian about their child's food allergy.
The researchers asked participants about their dietary advice needs and explored them using thematic analysis. They published their results in the January 2015 issue of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
The authors write that recently published guidelines from the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and the World Allergy Organization highlight the difficulty in eliminating certain foods and the potential risk to nutritional status and quality of life. They also note that few in the United Kingdom have access to an allergy-specialist dietitian, which suggests more training for specialists is needed.
Emotional Support Needed
In addition to medical support, mothers in the focus groups made it clear that they valued emotional support from dietitians who can understand the difficulties in managing an allergic child's diet. They also valued dietitians' role as an advocate and go-between with a child's school or physician.
"As the mothers describe, coping with a child's food allergy can be emotionally demanding, particularly early after diagnosis. Therefore, it may be that there is a need for dietitians to receive training on how to provide appropriate emotional support or for psychologists to be part of allergy clinics," the authors write.
The results suggest mothers value the following actions from dietary consultants or allergy clinics:
-provide food advice as soon as possible after diagnosis and review it at milestones such as change of school or adolescence;
-supplement consultations with written information such as recipes, lists of food to avoid, and alternative allergen names;
-provide checklists to help parents plan for trips to restaurants or birthday parties;
-increase training and education for dietitians and families; and
-consider providing email or on-call advice for questions between appointments.
Although the researchers asked both parents to participate in the study, only mothers consented. The authors say that although mothers tend to take more responsibility for managing their child's food allergy, it is possible that fathers would list different needs for dietary specialists.
Dirty Dozen Food Additives
http://www.ewg.org/research/ewg-s-dirty-dozen-guide-food-additives?inlist=Y&utm_source=201501DDFA&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=201501DDFA
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Multis Are a Matter of the Heart
Women who used multivitamin and mineral supplements for longer than three years reduced their risk of dying of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a new study of U.S. adults (J. Nutr. 2015. Published online Jan. 7, 2015).
The study used data from more than 8, 600 subjects 40 years or older (from the NHANES III, 1988 to 1994) as well as mortality data reported by the National Death Index through 2011. They found a significant association with those who used the supplements for longer than three years compared with nonusers. This finding was largely driven by the significant association among women.
This research follows a number of studies showing multivitamins’ positive effects on heart health. In 2010, the use of multivitamins was inversely associated with heart attacks in women, especially those without a history of CVD who used the supplements for five years or longer (Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Nov;92(5):1251-6). That study included 31,000 women with no history of CVD and 2,200 women with a history of CVD aged 49 to 83 years from Sweden.
Additionally, a 2003 study from Stockholm reported Low-dose multivitamins may prevent heart attacks in subjects aged 45 to 70, and another study from the same year found multivitamins with antioxidant properties had beneficial effects on homocysteine and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation measures.
The study used data from more than 8, 600 subjects 40 years or older (from the NHANES III, 1988 to 1994) as well as mortality data reported by the National Death Index through 2011. They found a significant association with those who used the supplements for longer than three years compared with nonusers. This finding was largely driven by the significant association among women.
This research follows a number of studies showing multivitamins’ positive effects on heart health. In 2010, the use of multivitamins was inversely associated with heart attacks in women, especially those without a history of CVD who used the supplements for five years or longer (Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Nov;92(5):1251-6). That study included 31,000 women with no history of CVD and 2,200 women with a history of CVD aged 49 to 83 years from Sweden.
Additionally, a 2003 study from Stockholm reported Low-dose multivitamins may prevent heart attacks in subjects aged 45 to 70, and another study from the same year found multivitamins with antioxidant properties had beneficial effects on homocysteine and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation measures.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Alert for Corn Sensitive Individuals
Whole Foods now uses modified food starch in all of their prepared foods that contain mayonnaise. They use a product called JUST MAYO that contains modified food starch derived from corn. Anyone that has sensitivities to corn needs to avoid these products. Many of our clients have gotten ill after eating these.
As always, please note that if you see a product with modified food starch and it is gluten-free, it is derived from corn. Other modified food starch products can be derived from waxy maize, wheat, or potatoes. The FDA now does require that if the modified food starch is from wheat, it must be on the label.
And this is not the first time Whole Foods has ruined their prepared foods for large swaths of people. Much of their hot food contains yeast extract (hidden monosodium glutamate) and corn-derivatives such as dextrose.
As always, please note that if you see a product with modified food starch and it is gluten-free, it is derived from corn. Other modified food starch products can be derived from waxy maize, wheat, or potatoes. The FDA now does require that if the modified food starch is from wheat, it must be on the label.
And this is not the first time Whole Foods has ruined their prepared foods for large swaths of people. Much of their hot food contains yeast extract (hidden monosodium glutamate) and corn-derivatives such as dextrose.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Mercury Exposure from Fish May Not Matter?
New findings from research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition provide further evidence that the benefits of fish consumption on prenatal development may offset the risks associated with mercury exposure. The researchers suggest that the nutrients found in fish have properties that protect the brain from the potential toxic effects of the chemical.
Three decades of research in the Seychelles have consistently shown that high levels of fish consumption by pregnant mothers -- an average of 12 meals per week -- do not produce developmental problems in their children. In fact, the omega-3 content may also actively counteract the damage that mercury causes in the brain.
Children of mothers with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids performed better on certain tests. One of the mechanisms by which mercury inflicts its damage is through oxidation and inflammation and this has led the researchers to speculate that not only does omega-3 provide more benefit in terms of brain development, but that these compounds may also counteract the negative effects of mercury. Alternatively, children of mothers with relatively higher levels of omega-6 fatty acids did poorer on tests designed to measure motor skills.
Steve: You need to choose fish for supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Unfortunately, farmed-raised fish is not going to cut it. Opt for wild-caught whenever possible.
Three decades of research in the Seychelles have consistently shown that high levels of fish consumption by pregnant mothers -- an average of 12 meals per week -- do not produce developmental problems in their children. In fact, the omega-3 content may also actively counteract the damage that mercury causes in the brain.
Children of mothers with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids performed better on certain tests. One of the mechanisms by which mercury inflicts its damage is through oxidation and inflammation and this has led the researchers to speculate that not only does omega-3 provide more benefit in terms of brain development, but that these compounds may also counteract the negative effects of mercury. Alternatively, children of mothers with relatively higher levels of omega-6 fatty acids did poorer on tests designed to measure motor skills.
Steve: You need to choose fish for supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Unfortunately, farmed-raised fish is not going to cut it. Opt for wild-caught whenever possible.
How Much Do You Pay for Bloodwork?
Bloodwork Costly For Some Even With Insurance
Right now, most of us are thinking about scheduling wellness visits with our health professionals. If you see Bonnie, you know that bloodwork is an important part of the visit.
The problem? If you have a high deductible, your out-of-pocket cost can be prohibitive. Even if insurance covers most of the bloodwork, the lab inflates the prices so much that your co-pay is even steep.
The solution? We have used a local lab for over 20 years that does our entire bloodwork panel for a VERY reasonable price.
The benefits? You do not have to go through your physician. While you do pay for the bloodwork out-of-pocket, you can use an FSA or HSA credit card. You can self-submit a claim to insurance for potential reimbursement.
Contact us for details if this is seems like an attractive option for you.
Right now, most of us are thinking about scheduling wellness visits with our health professionals. If you see Bonnie, you know that bloodwork is an important part of the visit.
The problem? If you have a high deductible, your out-of-pocket cost can be prohibitive. Even if insurance covers most of the bloodwork, the lab inflates the prices so much that your co-pay is even steep.
The solution? We have used a local lab for over 20 years that does our entire bloodwork panel for a VERY reasonable price.
The benefits? You do not have to go through your physician. While you do pay for the bloodwork out-of-pocket, you can use an FSA or HSA credit card. You can self-submit a claim to insurance for potential reimbursement.
Contact us for details if this is seems like an attractive option for you.
OTC, Prescription Meds Linked to Dementia
A large study from yesterday's JAMA Internal Medicine links a significantly increased risk for developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, to taking commonly used medications with anticholinergic effects at higher doses or for a longer time. Many older people take these medications, which include nonprescription diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
It is the first study to show a dose response: linking more risk for developing dementia to higher use of anticholinergic medications. And it is also the first to suggest that dementia risk linked to anticholinergic medications may persist -- and may not be reversible even years after people stop taking these drugs.
The most commonly used medications in the study were tricyclic antidepressants like doxepin (Sinequan), first-generation antihistamines like chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), and antimuscarinics for bladder control like oxybutynin (Ditropan).
Bonnie: This latest study is a prime example of the important implications for people taking medications -- and for those prescribing medications for older patients."
Anticholinergic-type drugs that block a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Here's a list of medications with anticholinergic effects.
It is the first study to show a dose response: linking more risk for developing dementia to higher use of anticholinergic medications. And it is also the first to suggest that dementia risk linked to anticholinergic medications may persist -- and may not be reversible even years after people stop taking these drugs.
The most commonly used medications in the study were tricyclic antidepressants like doxepin (Sinequan), first-generation antihistamines like chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), and antimuscarinics for bladder control like oxybutynin (Ditropan).
Bonnie: This latest study is a prime example of the important implications for people taking medications -- and for those prescribing medications for older patients."
Anticholinergic-type drugs that block a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Here's a list of medications with anticholinergic effects.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Natural treatment for menstrual cramps
Primary dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps) is common among young women and results in their incapacitation. It can be accompanied by various symptoms that can disrupt their lives. The aim of a Pain Management Nursing study was to compare the effect of ginger, zinc sulfate, and placebo on the severity of primary dysmenorrhea in young women.
The first group received ginger capsules, the second group received zinc sulfate capsules, and the third group received placebo capsules. All participants took them for four days, from the day before the commencement of menstruation to the third day of their menstrual bleeding. The severity of dysmenorrhea was assessed every 24 hours.
The severity of pain was significantly different between, before, and after the intervention in both the ginger and the zinc sulfate groups. Compared with the placebo receiving group, participants receiving ginger and zinc sulfate reported more alleviation of pain during the intervention. Ginger and zinc sulfate had similar positive effects.
The first group received ginger capsules, the second group received zinc sulfate capsules, and the third group received placebo capsules. All participants took them for four days, from the day before the commencement of menstruation to the third day of their menstrual bleeding. The severity of dysmenorrhea was assessed every 24 hours.
The severity of pain was significantly different between, before, and after the intervention in both the ginger and the zinc sulfate groups. Compared with the placebo receiving group, participants receiving ginger and zinc sulfate reported more alleviation of pain during the intervention. Ginger and zinc sulfate had similar positive effects.
What farmers are abandoning wheat for...
U.S. farmers are ripping out wheat and planting more sorghum. Farmers harvest sorghum from South Dakota to Texas, the biggest producer. The crop can be grown on lower-quality soils because it performs better in warm, dry conditions than corn or soybeans. After drought expanded through the U.S. Great Plains two years ago, farmers probably planted several hundred thousand more acres than estimated by the USDA as they abandoned wheat. American production is usually exported, used in animal feed, biofuel or food products. As much as 35 percent of the domestic harvest is used in ethanol production. However, with the popularity of gluten-free products, sorghum is appearing in more food products.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Daily Value Is Misleading
The “Daily Value” printed on every Supplement Facts and Nutrition Facts panel on every supplement, is actually the minimum amount of a nutrient needed in order to prevent a deficiency disease from manifesting. In other words, nutrients really do prevent disease.
This runs counter to the prevailing regulations around dietary supplements, which by law are not allowed to “prevent, cure, treat” disease. To do so is reserved only for pharmaceutical drugs. That’s why every supplement box has the same warning box: “This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.”
The truth is, in the case of vitamin C, 90mg/day is the Daily Value. That means you need a minimum of 90mg/day in order to not succumb to the vitamin C-deficiency disease called scurvy.
In the 18th century, British sailors received the epithet “limeys.” This is because they would pack limes on their ships. They didn’t know it was vitamin C, but by eating limes, they would not get the blistering lips of other sea-faring folk.
A recent study in Science Reports, found vitamin C can help prevent the risk of another disease: lung cancer. Researchers found those people with the highest vitamin C intake had the lowest risk of lung cancer. Specifically, the risk of lung cancer decreased 7 percent for every 100mg/day increase in the intake of vitamin C.
This runs counter to the prevailing regulations around dietary supplements, which by law are not allowed to “prevent, cure, treat” disease. To do so is reserved only for pharmaceutical drugs. That’s why every supplement box has the same warning box: “This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.”
The truth is, in the case of vitamin C, 90mg/day is the Daily Value. That means you need a minimum of 90mg/day in order to not succumb to the vitamin C-deficiency disease called scurvy.
In the 18th century, British sailors received the epithet “limeys.” This is because they would pack limes on their ships. They didn’t know it was vitamin C, but by eating limes, they would not get the blistering lips of other sea-faring folk.
A recent study in Science Reports, found vitamin C can help prevent the risk of another disease: lung cancer. Researchers found those people with the highest vitamin C intake had the lowest risk of lung cancer. Specifically, the risk of lung cancer decreased 7 percent for every 100mg/day increase in the intake of vitamin C.
Saving Babies' Lives
Fortifying grain foods with the B vitamin folic acid has saved about 1,300 babies every year from being born with serious birth defects of the brain and spine known as neural tube defects (NTDs), according to new data published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in its publication Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). The number of babies born in the United States with these conditions has declined by 35 percent since 1998.
About 3,000 pregnancies in the U.S. still are affected by NTDs annually. The March of Dimes says that even with fortified grain products, many women still may not be getting enough folic acid. The organization urges all women to take vitamins containing folic acid, but only about one-third of women do.
Bonnie: The results of this study are extra special to me because I helped the March of Dimes roll out one of the most successful public health campaigns in modern history.
About 3,000 pregnancies in the U.S. still are affected by NTDs annually. The March of Dimes says that even with fortified grain products, many women still may not be getting enough folic acid. The organization urges all women to take vitamins containing folic acid, but only about one-third of women do.
Bonnie: The results of this study are extra special to me because I helped the March of Dimes roll out one of the most successful public health campaigns in modern history.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Food Supply Not Consistent With Dietary Guidance
"The US food system is primarily an economic enterprise, with far-reaching health, environmental, and social effects. A key data source for evaluating the many effects of the food system, including the overall quality and extent to which it provides the basic elements of a healthful diet, is the Food Availability Data System.
The objective of the present study was to update earlier research that evaluated the extent to which the US food supply aligns with the most recent federal dietary guidance, using the current Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) and food supply data extending through 2010. The HEI-2010 was applied to 40 years of food supply data (1970-2010) to examine trends in the overall food supply as well as specific components related to a healthy diet, such as fruits and vegetables. The HEI-2010 overall summary score hovered around half of optimal for all years evaluated, with an increase from 48 points in 1970 to 55 points (out of a possible 100 points) in 2010. Fluctuations in scores for most individual components did not lead to sustained trends. Our study continues to demonstrate sizable gaps between federal dietary guidance and the food supply.
This disconnect is troublesome within a context of high rates of diet-related chronic diseases among the population and suggests the need for continual monitoring of the quality of the food supply. Moving toward a food system that is more conducive to healthy eating requires consideration of a range of factors that influence food supply and demand." Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 1/2015
The objective of the present study was to update earlier research that evaluated the extent to which the US food supply aligns with the most recent federal dietary guidance, using the current Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) and food supply data extending through 2010. The HEI-2010 was applied to 40 years of food supply data (1970-2010) to examine trends in the overall food supply as well as specific components related to a healthy diet, such as fruits and vegetables. The HEI-2010 overall summary score hovered around half of optimal for all years evaluated, with an increase from 48 points in 1970 to 55 points (out of a possible 100 points) in 2010. Fluctuations in scores for most individual components did not lead to sustained trends. Our study continues to demonstrate sizable gaps between federal dietary guidance and the food supply.
This disconnect is troublesome within a context of high rates of diet-related chronic diseases among the population and suggests the need for continual monitoring of the quality of the food supply. Moving toward a food system that is more conducive to healthy eating requires consideration of a range of factors that influence food supply and demand." Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 1/2015
What precedes memory loss
Depression and behavioral changes may occur before memory declines in people who will go on to develop Alzheimer's disease, according to new research in Neurology.
Researchers have known that many people with Alzheimer's experience depression, irritability, apathy and appetite loss but had not recognized how early these symptoms appear. Pinpointing the origins of these symptoms could be important to fully understanding Alzheimer's effects on the brain and finding ways to counteract them.
All of the participants were cognitively normal at the start, but over the course of the study, 1,218 of them developed dementia. Those who developed dementia during the study were more likely to have mood and behavioral changes first. For example, four years into the study, 30 percent of those who would go on to develop dementia had developed depression. In comparison, after the same period of time, only 15 percent of those who did not develop dementia during the study had become depressed. In addition, those who would go on to develop dementia were more than 12 times as likely to have delusions than those who did not develop dementia.
Researchers have known that many people with Alzheimer's experience depression, irritability, apathy and appetite loss but had not recognized how early these symptoms appear. Pinpointing the origins of these symptoms could be important to fully understanding Alzheimer's effects on the brain and finding ways to counteract them.
All of the participants were cognitively normal at the start, but over the course of the study, 1,218 of them developed dementia. Those who developed dementia during the study were more likely to have mood and behavioral changes first. For example, four years into the study, 30 percent of those who would go on to develop dementia had developed depression. In comparison, after the same period of time, only 15 percent of those who did not develop dementia during the study had become depressed. In addition, those who would go on to develop dementia were more than 12 times as likely to have delusions than those who did not develop dementia.
If you like swimming in pools, don't read this
A new study from journal Environmental Science and Technology Letters suggests pharmaceuticals and chemicals from personal care products end up in swimming pools, possibly interacting with chlorine to produce disinfection byproducts with unknown properties and health effects.
Chlorination is used primarily to prevent pathogenic microorganisms from growing. Previous research has shown that many constituents of urine including urea, uric acid, and amino acids, interact with chlorine to produce potentially hazardous disinfection byproducts in swimming pools. However, chemicals from pharmaceuticals and personal care products, or PPCPs, also could be interacting with chlorine, producing potentially harmful byproducts.
Of the 32 chemicals investigated, the researchers detected three: N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, known as DEET, the active ingredient in insect repellants; caffeine; and tri(2-chloroethyl)-phosphate (TCEP), a flame retardant. Because there are literally thousands of pharmaceuticals, this is just a small subset of compounds that could be present in swimming pools.
Bonnie: There is no way of getting around it. The amount of pathogens and toxicity you are exposed to in a pool, especially public pool, is astonishgly high
Chlorination is used primarily to prevent pathogenic microorganisms from growing. Previous research has shown that many constituents of urine including urea, uric acid, and amino acids, interact with chlorine to produce potentially hazardous disinfection byproducts in swimming pools. However, chemicals from pharmaceuticals and personal care products, or PPCPs, also could be interacting with chlorine, producing potentially harmful byproducts.
Of the 32 chemicals investigated, the researchers detected three: N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, known as DEET, the active ingredient in insect repellants; caffeine; and tri(2-chloroethyl)-phosphate (TCEP), a flame retardant. Because there are literally thousands of pharmaceuticals, this is just a small subset of compounds that could be present in swimming pools.
Bonnie: There is no way of getting around it. The amount of pathogens and toxicity you are exposed to in a pool, especially public pool, is astonishgly high
Monday, January 12, 2015
PPIs no benefit to crying infants
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), given to crying infants with the thinking that the discomfort of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) explains the babies' tears, do not decrease crying or irritability, according to a systematic review.
Dorota Gieruszczak-Bialek, MD, from the Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland, and colleagues report the findings of their review online December 30 in the Journal of Pediatrics.
In July 2104, Dr Gieruszczak-Bialek and colleagues searched two registries and three databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) for randomized controlled trials involving infants with GER or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that examined the effectiveness of PPIs. The systematic review identified 176 trials. Most were characterized by some researcher financial conflict, including support by PPI manufacturers, authors employed by PPI manufacturers, or authors with stock in companies that produce PPIs, Dr Gieruszczak-Bialek and coauthors note.
The authors included five placebo-controlled trials, each involving infants younger than 1 year with signs and symptoms of GERD, in their review. Crying or irritability was the primary outcome in two of the trials: a randomized clinical trial/crossover study of 30 infants aged 3 to 12 months conducted in Australia and a multicenter study of 162 infants aged 1 to 11 months at general pediatric clinics in the United States and Poland. The second of these two trials found that serious adverse events (lower respiratory tract infections) occurred more frequently in infants taking lansoprazole, 0.2 to 1.5 mg/kg per day, for 4 weeks. "Although a wide CI [confidence interval] around the effect calls for caution, the finding is important in light of other observations documenting that the administration of PPIs is not without risk," Dr Gieruszczak-Bialek and colleagues write.
All five trials examined the effectiveness of varying doses of esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, or pantoprazole and used "reliable methods," such as video monitoring, a validated cry diary, or questionnaires to document crying and fussiness.
"Some trials showed a decrease in crying/irritability from baseline to the end of the intervention; a similar effect was observed in the control group. However, no significant differences between the study groups were observed. The data do not support the use of PPIs to decrease infant crying and irritability," the researchers write.
According to the National Institutes of Health, GER is common among infants; about half of infants younger than 3 months spit up multiple times per day. By age 14 months, many healthy infants no longer spit up.
The authors note that the evidence base remains limited, yet conclude that "[e]ven if further studies confirm that PPIs offer some benefit, the risks of these drugs, specifically increased risk of gastrointestinal and/or respiratory tract infections, may outweigh the benefits."
Dorota Gieruszczak-Bialek, MD, from the Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland, and colleagues report the findings of their review online December 30 in the Journal of Pediatrics.
In July 2104, Dr Gieruszczak-Bialek and colleagues searched two registries and three databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) for randomized controlled trials involving infants with GER or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that examined the effectiveness of PPIs. The systematic review identified 176 trials. Most were characterized by some researcher financial conflict, including support by PPI manufacturers, authors employed by PPI manufacturers, or authors with stock in companies that produce PPIs, Dr Gieruszczak-Bialek and coauthors note.
The authors included five placebo-controlled trials, each involving infants younger than 1 year with signs and symptoms of GERD, in their review. Crying or irritability was the primary outcome in two of the trials: a randomized clinical trial/crossover study of 30 infants aged 3 to 12 months conducted in Australia and a multicenter study of 162 infants aged 1 to 11 months at general pediatric clinics in the United States and Poland. The second of these two trials found that serious adverse events (lower respiratory tract infections) occurred more frequently in infants taking lansoprazole, 0.2 to 1.5 mg/kg per day, for 4 weeks. "Although a wide CI [confidence interval] around the effect calls for caution, the finding is important in light of other observations documenting that the administration of PPIs is not without risk," Dr Gieruszczak-Bialek and colleagues write.
All five trials examined the effectiveness of varying doses of esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, or pantoprazole and used "reliable methods," such as video monitoring, a validated cry diary, or questionnaires to document crying and fussiness.
"Some trials showed a decrease in crying/irritability from baseline to the end of the intervention; a similar effect was observed in the control group. However, no significant differences between the study groups were observed. The data do not support the use of PPIs to decrease infant crying and irritability," the researchers write.
According to the National Institutes of Health, GER is common among infants; about half of infants younger than 3 months spit up multiple times per day. By age 14 months, many healthy infants no longer spit up.
The authors note that the evidence base remains limited, yet conclude that "[e]ven if further studies confirm that PPIs offer some benefit, the risks of these drugs, specifically increased risk of gastrointestinal and/or respiratory tract infections, may outweigh the benefits."
Imaginary Weight Loss Pill?
Salk researchers have developed an entirely new type of pill that tricks the body into thinking it has consumed calories, causing it to burn fat. The compound effectively stopped weight gain, lowered cholesterol, controlled blood sugar and minimized inflammation in mice, making it an excellent candidate for a rapid transition into human clinical trials.
Unlike most diet pills on the market, this new pill, called fexaramine, doesn't dissolve into the blood like appetite suppressants or caffeine-based diet drugs, but remains in the intestines, causing fewer side effects.
"This pill is like an imaginary meal," says Ronald Evans, director of Salk's Gene Expression Laboratory and senior author of the new paper, published January 5, 2014 in Nature Medicine. "It sends out the same signals that normally happen when you eat a lot of food, so the body starts clearing out space to store it. But there are no calories and no change in appetite."
In the United States, more than a third of adults are obese and 29.1 million people have diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Both obesity and diabetes lead to an increase in health spending, a greater risk of health complications and a shorter lifespan.
Evans' laboratory has spent nearly two decades studying the farensoid X receptor (FXR), a protein that plays a role in how the body releases bile acids from the liver, digests food and stores fats and sugars. The human body turns on FXR at the beginning of a meal, Evans and others have shown, to prepare for an influx of food. FXR not only triggers the release of bile acids for digestion, but also changes blood sugar levels and causes the body to burn some fats in preparation for the incoming meal.
Pharmaceutical companies aiming to treat obesity, diabetes, liver disease and other metabolic conditions have developed systemic drugs that activate FXR, turning on many pathways that FXR controls. But these drugs affect several organs and come with side effects. Evans wondered whether switching on FXR only in the intestines -- rather than the intestines, liver, kidneys and adrenal glands all at once -- might have a different outcome. "When you eat, you have to quickly activate a series of responses all throughout the body," says Evans. "And the reality is that the very first responder for all this is the intestine."
Evans and his colleagues developed the fexaramine compound by departing from the drug scaffold that most pharmaceutical companies typically pursue when targeting FXR. "It turns out that when we administer this orally, it only acts in the gut," explains Michael Downes, a senior staff scientist at Salk and co-corresponding author of the new work. Giving one such drug in a daily pill form that only reaches the intestines -- without transporting into the bloodstream that would carry the drug throughout the body -- not only curtails side effects but also made the compound better at stopping weight gain.
When the group gave obese mice a daily pill of fexaramine for five weeks, the mice stopped gaining weight, lost fat and had lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels than untreated mice. In addition, the mice had a rise in body temperature -- which signals metabolism ramping up -- and some deposits of white fat in their bodies converted into a healthier, energy-burning beige form of the tissue. Even the collection of bacteria in the guts of mice shifted when they received the drug, although what those changes mean isn't clear yet.
So, why does fexaramine in the intestines work even better than drugs that simultaneously activate FXR throughout the body? Evans thinks it has to do with the natural order in which the body's molecular pathways normally responds to a meal.
"The body's response to a meal is like a relay race, and if you tell all the runners to go at the same time, you'll never pass the baton," says Evans. "We've learned how to trigger the first runner so that the rest of the events happen in a natural order."
Since fexaramine doesn't reach the bloodstream, it is also likely safer in humans than other FXR-targeting drugs, the researchers hypothesize. They're already working to set up human clinical trials to test the effectiveness of fexaramine to treat obesity and metabolic disease. Ideally the drug, administered under a doctor's guidance, would work in conjunction with diet and lifestyle changes, similar to weight-loss surgeries or other obesity or diabetes drugs.
Unlike most diet pills on the market, this new pill, called fexaramine, doesn't dissolve into the blood like appetite suppressants or caffeine-based diet drugs, but remains in the intestines, causing fewer side effects.
"This pill is like an imaginary meal," says Ronald Evans, director of Salk's Gene Expression Laboratory and senior author of the new paper, published January 5, 2014 in Nature Medicine. "It sends out the same signals that normally happen when you eat a lot of food, so the body starts clearing out space to store it. But there are no calories and no change in appetite."
In the United States, more than a third of adults are obese and 29.1 million people have diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Both obesity and diabetes lead to an increase in health spending, a greater risk of health complications and a shorter lifespan.
Evans' laboratory has spent nearly two decades studying the farensoid X receptor (FXR), a protein that plays a role in how the body releases bile acids from the liver, digests food and stores fats and sugars. The human body turns on FXR at the beginning of a meal, Evans and others have shown, to prepare for an influx of food. FXR not only triggers the release of bile acids for digestion, but also changes blood sugar levels and causes the body to burn some fats in preparation for the incoming meal.
Pharmaceutical companies aiming to treat obesity, diabetes, liver disease and other metabolic conditions have developed systemic drugs that activate FXR, turning on many pathways that FXR controls. But these drugs affect several organs and come with side effects. Evans wondered whether switching on FXR only in the intestines -- rather than the intestines, liver, kidneys and adrenal glands all at once -- might have a different outcome. "When you eat, you have to quickly activate a series of responses all throughout the body," says Evans. "And the reality is that the very first responder for all this is the intestine."
Evans and his colleagues developed the fexaramine compound by departing from the drug scaffold that most pharmaceutical companies typically pursue when targeting FXR. "It turns out that when we administer this orally, it only acts in the gut," explains Michael Downes, a senior staff scientist at Salk and co-corresponding author of the new work. Giving one such drug in a daily pill form that only reaches the intestines -- without transporting into the bloodstream that would carry the drug throughout the body -- not only curtails side effects but also made the compound better at stopping weight gain.
When the group gave obese mice a daily pill of fexaramine for five weeks, the mice stopped gaining weight, lost fat and had lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels than untreated mice. In addition, the mice had a rise in body temperature -- which signals metabolism ramping up -- and some deposits of white fat in their bodies converted into a healthier, energy-burning beige form of the tissue. Even the collection of bacteria in the guts of mice shifted when they received the drug, although what those changes mean isn't clear yet.
So, why does fexaramine in the intestines work even better than drugs that simultaneously activate FXR throughout the body? Evans thinks it has to do with the natural order in which the body's molecular pathways normally responds to a meal.
"The body's response to a meal is like a relay race, and if you tell all the runners to go at the same time, you'll never pass the baton," says Evans. "We've learned how to trigger the first runner so that the rest of the events happen in a natural order."
Since fexaramine doesn't reach the bloodstream, it is also likely safer in humans than other FXR-targeting drugs, the researchers hypothesize. They're already working to set up human clinical trials to test the effectiveness of fexaramine to treat obesity and metabolic disease. Ideally the drug, administered under a doctor's guidance, would work in conjunction with diet and lifestyle changes, similar to weight-loss surgeries or other obesity or diabetes drugs.
Thursday, January 08, 2015
Read This Before You Get a Colonoscopy
Bowel cleaning that uses two separate smaller dosages of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution appears to introduce fewer alterations to the intestinal microbiota than a bowel cleanse with a single, larger dose of MoviPrep (Salix). The split-dose protocol has also been shown in previous studies to be effective for bowel cleansing before colonoscopy.
The results of the gut microbiome study appeared in Gut.
In general, bowel cleaning resulted in a 31-fold decrease in microbial load. Approximately one quarter (22%) of participants experienced a marked alteration in the community composition of their microbiota after bowel cleansing. The shift in the microbial community was larger in the single-dose protocol than in the double-dose protocol.
Although the gut microbiome recovered to baseline after both protocols, the recovery was more rapid in the double-dose protocol than the single-dose protocol. Patients who received the larger, single dose of polyethylene glycol required as long as 1 month to recover their gut microbiome.
The investigators noted that some of the bacterial species that were enriched after bowel cleansing were similar to those associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Moreover, patients with irritable bowel syndrome have elevated levels of fecal serine proteases, which are believed to increase intestinal permeability and possibly lead to visceral hypersensitivity.
The results of the gut microbiome study appeared in Gut.
In general, bowel cleaning resulted in a 31-fold decrease in microbial load. Approximately one quarter (22%) of participants experienced a marked alteration in the community composition of their microbiota after bowel cleansing. The shift in the microbial community was larger in the single-dose protocol than in the double-dose protocol.
Although the gut microbiome recovered to baseline after both protocols, the recovery was more rapid in the double-dose protocol than the single-dose protocol. Patients who received the larger, single dose of polyethylene glycol required as long as 1 month to recover their gut microbiome.
The investigators noted that some of the bacterial species that were enriched after bowel cleansing were similar to those associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Moreover, patients with irritable bowel syndrome have elevated levels of fecal serine proteases, which are believed to increase intestinal permeability and possibly lead to visceral hypersensitivity.
Avocado does it again
According to the American Heart Association, eating one avocado a day as part of a heart healthy, cholesterol-lowering moderate-fat diet can help improve bad cholesterol levels in overweight and obese individuals, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Researchers evaluated the effect avocados had on traditional and novel cardiovascular risk factors by replacing saturated fatty acids from an average American diet with unsaturated fatty acids from avocados.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) -- the so called 'bad cholesterol' -- was 13.5 mg/dL lower after consuming the moderate fat diet that included an avocado.
Several additional blood measurements were also more favorable after the avocado diet versus the other two cholesterol-lowering diets as well: total cholesterol, triglycerides, small dense LDL, non-HDL cholesterol, and others.
Bonnie: It's about time the AHA got with the program!
Researchers evaluated the effect avocados had on traditional and novel cardiovascular risk factors by replacing saturated fatty acids from an average American diet with unsaturated fatty acids from avocados.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) -- the so called 'bad cholesterol' -- was 13.5 mg/dL lower after consuming the moderate fat diet that included an avocado.
Several additional blood measurements were also more favorable after the avocado diet versus the other two cholesterol-lowering diets as well: total cholesterol, triglycerides, small dense LDL, non-HDL cholesterol, and others.
Bonnie: It's about time the AHA got with the program!
Tuesday, January 06, 2015
Do Autoimmune Diseases Begin in the Gut?
Bonnie: Hey, Gastroenterologists! If you don't want to listen to us or your patients, maybe you'll listen to one of your colleagues. This piece appears on Medscape.
"My name is Dr Stephen Paget. I am the physician-in-chief emeritus at Hospital for Special Surgery, and professor of medicine at Weill Cornell School of Medicine in New York City.
Today I am going to talk about the microbiome, an extraordinary concept that is probably not well understood by most physicians but that truly defines us as people. The microbiome is those bacteria that live in various parts of our bodies, particularly the intestine. There are 100 times more genes in the bacteria inside us than each of us has as human beings. Our immune systems are defined by the microbiome and the interactions with those bacteria, almost 80% of which are not the usual bacteria that we know about.
It now has become clear that the makeup of those bacteria can define whether we are healthy or have disease. What is truly extraordinary is that we now have ways to change a person's bacterial growth and microbiome.
From Gut to Immune System
People who have persistent, antibiotic-resistant Clostridium difficile colitis are undergoing fecal transplant to enhance microbiomes that are not functioning well. Fecal transplant can be accomplished in various ways, even in pill form, to change the flora and the balance within the person's intestine, and heal them completely.
Animal models of different types of arthritis have shown that an animal that lives in a germ-free environment may not develop a certain type of arthritis. As soon as the animal is moved to an environment with specific bacteria, however, those bacteria interact with the animal's genetics and other environmental factors internally and externally to cause arthritis.
Thus, as we learn more about autoimmune diseases and types of arthritis, we have a tremendous opportunity to make a huge difference. Some scientists have shown that periodontal bacteria may play a significant role as a stimulus for rheumatoid arthritis. Similarly, intestinal bacteria play a significant role as a cause of various types of spondyloarthritis, including ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis.
This is a new world and a new age. We are coming to grips with who we are as organisms, both the organism that is visible on the outside and the organism that is inside us, with both working together in health and in disease."
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
NIH pulls children's study
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has pulled the plug on the National Children's Study (NCS), an ambitious study that would have examined the effects of environmental influences on the health and development of more than 100,000 children by following them from birth until age 21 years.
About $1.3 billion has been spent on the project since 2007, however, the NCS as currently designed is not feasible.
In a statement, James M. Perrin, MD, FAAP, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), said the decision to close the NCS is "disappointing. In our view, the NCS had the potential to help answer crucial questions about the health and development of children. We recognize, however, the significant challenges the study faced in a time of constrained public resources."
"The goals set forth in the Children's Health Act of 2000, which authorized the NCS, remain as relevant to child health today as they did 14 years ago," Dr Perrin said, and it is "essential that the United States maintain its commitment to these essential research priorities. The need for pediatric research has not diminished."
Bonnie: I am appalled that they could not find a way to make this study work. With the overall health of our children regressing, not progressing, a study like this is imperative.
About $1.3 billion has been spent on the project since 2007, however, the NCS as currently designed is not feasible.
In a statement, James M. Perrin, MD, FAAP, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), said the decision to close the NCS is "disappointing. In our view, the NCS had the potential to help answer crucial questions about the health and development of children. We recognize, however, the significant challenges the study faced in a time of constrained public resources."
"The goals set forth in the Children's Health Act of 2000, which authorized the NCS, remain as relevant to child health today as they did 14 years ago," Dr Perrin said, and it is "essential that the United States maintain its commitment to these essential research priorities. The need for pediatric research has not diminished."
Bonnie: I am appalled that they could not find a way to make this study work. With the overall health of our children regressing, not progressing, a study like this is imperative.
More Phenomenal Feats for Folic Acid
Taking folic acid before conception significantly reduces the risk of small for gestational age at birth, suggests a new study published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Being small for gestational age is associated with increased neonatal morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of chronic diseases in later life such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular disease and mental health problems, states the study.
Bonnie: Note that for at least 25% of the human population, folic acid is not enough. A genetic defect does not all those 25% to transform folic acid into absorbable folate. That is why I recommend to either:
1) Test for the MTHFR gene to rule out the defect
2) Take a quality prenatal that contains not only folic acid, but the activated form of folate to ensure absorption.
Bonnie: Note that for at least 25% of the human population, folic acid is not enough. A genetic defect does not all those 25% to transform folic acid into absorbable folate. That is why I recommend to either:
1) Test for the MTHFR gene to rule out the defect
2) Take a quality prenatal that contains not only folic acid, but the activated form of folate to ensure absorption.
Fast Food linked to school performance?
Researchers found that the more frequently children reported eating fast food in fifth grade, the lower their growth in reading, math, and science test scores by the time they reached eighth grade. Students who ate the most fast food had test score gains that were up to about 20 percent lower than those who didn't eat any fast food. The results are published online in the journal Clinical Pediatrics.
This study included about 11,740 students. They were tested in reading/literacy, mathematics and science in both fifth and eighth grades. They also completed a food consumption questionnaire in fifth grade. Fast-food consumption was quite high in these students.
Children who ate fast food four to six times per week or every day showed significantly lower gains in all three achievement areas compared to children who did not eat any fast food the week before the survey.
Children who ate fast food just one to three times a week had lower academic growth compared to non-eaters in only one subject, math.
This study included about 11,740 students. They were tested in reading/literacy, mathematics and science in both fifth and eighth grades. They also completed a food consumption questionnaire in fifth grade. Fast-food consumption was quite high in these students.
Children who ate fast food four to six times per week or every day showed significantly lower gains in all three achievement areas compared to children who did not eat any fast food the week before the survey.
Children who ate fast food just one to three times a week had lower academic growth compared to non-eaters in only one subject, math.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Be Careful What You Read Before Bed
If you curl up under the duvet with an e-book for a bedtime read then you are damaging your sleep and maybe your health.
A team from Harvard Medical School compared reading paper books and light-emitting e-readers before sleep.
They found it took longer to nod off with a back-lit e-reader, which led to poorer quality sleep and being more tired the next morning.
There has been growing concern about the dangers of light before bedtime.
Our bodies are kept in tune with the rhythm of day and night by an internal body clock, which uses light to tell the time.
But blue light, the wavelength common in smartphones, tablets and LED lighting, is able to disrupt the body clock.
Blue light in the evening can slow or prevent the production of the sleep hormone melatonin.
A team from Harvard Medical School compared reading paper books and light-emitting e-readers before sleep.
They found it took longer to nod off with a back-lit e-reader, which led to poorer quality sleep and being more tired the next morning.
There has been growing concern about the dangers of light before bedtime.
Our bodies are kept in tune with the rhythm of day and night by an internal body clock, which uses light to tell the time.
But blue light, the wavelength common in smartphones, tablets and LED lighting, is able to disrupt the body clock.
Blue light in the evening can slow or prevent the production of the sleep hormone melatonin.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Beta carotene helps with inflammation
Low-grade inflammation is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Results from a recent study in Annals of Metabolism suggest that the beta carotene status may be inversely associated with low-grade inflammation in the long term by lowering C-Reactive Protein levels. CRP is a blood marker for inflammation.
Steve: For those of you who may not know, beta carotene is a form of vitamin A found in foods like carrots and sweet potatoes.
Steve: For those of you who may not know, beta carotene is a form of vitamin A found in foods like carrots and sweet potatoes.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Lutein: The Seeing, Thinking Carotenoid
The link between the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, and visual and cognitive health throughout life is growing stronger, according to a review of the research from Tufts University in Boston. Lutein and its isomer, zeaxanthin, are taken up selectively into eye tissue. Lutein is the predominant carotenoid in human brain tissue. Lutein and zeaxanthin in neural tissue have biological functions, including antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and structural actions. In addition, lutein and zeaxanthin are protective against eye disease by absorbing damaging blue light that enters the eye. In pediatric brains, the relative contribution of lutein to the total carotenoids is twice that found in adults, accounting for more than half the concentration of total carotenoids. The greater proportion of lutein in the pediatric brain also suggests a need for lutein during neural development. In adults, higher lutein status is associated with improved cognitive function, and lutein supplementation has been shown to improve cognition.
Lutein accounts for 59% of the carotenoids in the infant’s brain, even when it is low in the diet, according to a study from Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University.
In Perspective: Lutein and zeaxanthin are two carotenoids found in dark green leafy vegetables, such as kale, spinach, chard, and collard greens. Research suggests we need at least 10 milligrams of lutein and 2 milligrams of zeaxanthin every day to protect ocular tissue from damage associated with macular degeneration and cataracts. That dosage requires at least a cup or more of dark green leafies every day, or supplement. Optimal intake for brain function has not been determined.
Lutein accounts for 59% of the carotenoids in the infant’s brain, even when it is low in the diet, according to a study from Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University.
In Perspective: Lutein and zeaxanthin are two carotenoids found in dark green leafy vegetables, such as kale, spinach, chard, and collard greens. Research suggests we need at least 10 milligrams of lutein and 2 milligrams of zeaxanthin every day to protect ocular tissue from damage associated with macular degeneration and cataracts. That dosage requires at least a cup or more of dark green leafies every day, or supplement. Optimal intake for brain function has not been determined.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Women Should Say No to Aspirin
The pros of giving healthy women regular low dose aspirin to stave off serious illness, such as cancer and heart disease, are outweighed by the cons, suggests a large study published online in the journal Heart.
Participants were randomly assigned to take either 100 mg of aspirin or a dummy tablet (placebo) every other day, to see whether aspirin curbed their risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
During the trial period, which lasted 10 years, compared with placebo, regular aspirin was linked to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, bowel cancer, and in some women, other cancers, but only marginally so.
And this slight health gain was trumped by the prevalence of internal gastrointestinal bleeding, which affected two thirds of the women taking the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
The researchers calculated that over 15 years, 29 over-65s would need to be treated with aspirin to prevent one case of cancer or heart disease/stroke.
They concluded that blanket treatment "is ineffective or harmful in the majority of women with regard to the combined risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and major gastrointestinal bleeding."
Participants were randomly assigned to take either 100 mg of aspirin or a dummy tablet (placebo) every other day, to see whether aspirin curbed their risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
During the trial period, which lasted 10 years, compared with placebo, regular aspirin was linked to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, bowel cancer, and in some women, other cancers, but only marginally so.
And this slight health gain was trumped by the prevalence of internal gastrointestinal bleeding, which affected two thirds of the women taking the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
The researchers calculated that over 15 years, 29 over-65s would need to be treated with aspirin to prevent one case of cancer or heart disease/stroke.
They concluded that blanket treatment "is ineffective or harmful in the majority of women with regard to the combined risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and major gastrointestinal bleeding."
Tuesday, December 09, 2014
Probiotics Now Recommended for Infants
Probiotics should be consumed by pregnant and lactating women and their breast-fed infants to prevent the development of atopic dermatitis, according to recommendations that will soon be issued by the World Allergy Organization.
It will be the first time that probiotics will be recommended for allergy prevention by a medical organization. The announcement was made at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 2014.
The Guidelines for Allergic Disease Prevention are still officially under review. The first section, on probiotics, is scheduled to be released at the end of January 2015. Sections on vitamin D and prebiotics will follow.
Steve: The expected probiotic recommendations are a revelation, especially for people like us who have recommended them for decades. However, specific strains or combinations of strains need to be put in the guidelines. For example, the strains that showed the more consistent results are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
It will be the first time that probiotics will be recommended for allergy prevention by a medical organization. The announcement was made at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 2014.
The Guidelines for Allergic Disease Prevention are still officially under review. The first section, on probiotics, is scheduled to be released at the end of January 2015. Sections on vitamin D and prebiotics will follow.
Steve: The expected probiotic recommendations are a revelation, especially for people like us who have recommended them for decades. However, specific strains or combinations of strains need to be put in the guidelines. For example, the strains that showed the more consistent results are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
Monday, December 08, 2014
Thursday, December 04, 2014
Impact of Nutrition on the Aging Process
This is directly from a study in the November issue of British Journal of Nutrition
Human life expectancy has been increasing steadily for almost two centuries and is now approximately double what it was at the beginning of the Victorian era. This remarkable demographic change has been accompanied by a shift in disease prevalence so that age is now the major determinant of most common diseases. The challenge is to enhance healthy ageing and to reduce the financial and social burdens associated with chronic ill health in later life. Studies in model organisms have demonstrated that the ageing phenotype arises because of the accumulation of macromolecular damage within the cell and that the ageing process is plastic. Nutritional interventions that reduce such damage, or which enhance the organism's capacity to repair damage, lead to greater longevity and to reduced risk of age-related diseases. Dietary (energy) restriction increases lifespan in several model organisms, but it is uncertain whether it is effective in primates, including humans. However, excess energy storage leading to increased adiposity is a risk factor for premature mortality and for age-related diseases so that obesity prevention is likely to be a major public health route to healthy ageing. In addition, adherence to healthy eating patterns, such as the Mediterranean dietary pattern, is associated with longevity and reduced risk of age-related diseases.
Human life expectancy has been increasing steadily for almost two centuries and is now approximately double what it was at the beginning of the Victorian era. This remarkable demographic change has been accompanied by a shift in disease prevalence so that age is now the major determinant of most common diseases. The challenge is to enhance healthy ageing and to reduce the financial and social burdens associated with chronic ill health in later life. Studies in model organisms have demonstrated that the ageing phenotype arises because of the accumulation of macromolecular damage within the cell and that the ageing process is plastic. Nutritional interventions that reduce such damage, or which enhance the organism's capacity to repair damage, lead to greater longevity and to reduced risk of age-related diseases. Dietary (energy) restriction increases lifespan in several model organisms, but it is uncertain whether it is effective in primates, including humans. However, excess energy storage leading to increased adiposity is a risk factor for premature mortality and for age-related diseases so that obesity prevention is likely to be a major public health route to healthy ageing. In addition, adherence to healthy eating patterns, such as the Mediterranean dietary pattern, is associated with longevity and reduced risk of age-related diseases.
Cargill Can Still Call Truvia Natural
A court in Hawaii has approved a settlement between Cargill and a series of plaintiffs alleging it misled shoppers by marketing its Truvia consumer products (which contain stevia extract Reb-A and erythritol) as ‘natural’ for $6.1 million.
The lawsuits allege that Cargill misled shoppers by marketing its Truvia tabletop sweetener as ‘natural’ as the Reb-A steviol glycoside it contains is "highly chemical processed" and the bulking agent (erythritol) is “synthetically made”.
Cargill manufactures Truvia's synthetic erythritol in a patented process by first chemically extracting starch from GM corn and then converting the starch to glucose through the biochemical process of enzymatic hydrolysis. The glucose is then fermented utilizing moniliella pollinis, a yeast."
Here's the dumbfounding thing: under the settlement, Cargill does not admit liability, and still reserves the right to call Truvia a ‘natural sweetener' or 'Nature’s Calorie-Free Sweetener'. However, it has agreed to make changes to its labeling and marketing. Cargill agreed to:
The settlement was not huge victory for the plaintiffs. The settlement in this case runs contrary to the view that labeling misleads consumers by allowing 'natural' claims to continue while relegating 'substantive' labeling changes to asterisks that direct consumers to the FAQ section of Truvia’s website.
Cargill already did its job and gained huge market share with its false label claims. $6.1 million is nothing to them because they already have their shelf space and loyal customers, and at the same time forced wonderful, natural brands like Sweet Leaf off the shelves.
The lawsuits allege that Cargill misled shoppers by marketing its Truvia tabletop sweetener as ‘natural’ as the Reb-A steviol glycoside it contains is "highly chemical processed" and the bulking agent (erythritol) is “synthetically made”.
Cargill manufactures Truvia's synthetic erythritol in a patented process by first chemically extracting starch from GM corn and then converting the starch to glucose through the biochemical process of enzymatic hydrolysis. The glucose is then fermented utilizing moniliella pollinis, a yeast."
Here's the dumbfounding thing: under the settlement, Cargill does not admit liability, and still reserves the right to call Truvia a ‘natural sweetener' or 'Nature’s Calorie-Free Sweetener'. However, it has agreed to make changes to its labeling and marketing. Cargill agreed to:
- Put a notice on its label directing consumers to the Truvia website for clarification about how the ingredients are made.
- Clarify its “Nature’s Calorie-Free Sweetener” and “Truvia Natural Sweetener provides the same sweetness as two teaspoons of sugar” statements by adding an asterisk inviting consumers to look at the FAQ page of its website so they "can fully understand how the product is made and why Cargill believes it is natural".
The settlement was not huge victory for the plaintiffs. The settlement in this case runs contrary to the view that labeling misleads consumers by allowing 'natural' claims to continue while relegating 'substantive' labeling changes to asterisks that direct consumers to the FAQ section of Truvia’s website.
Cargill already did its job and gained huge market share with its false label claims. $6.1 million is nothing to them because they already have their shelf space and loyal customers, and at the same time forced wonderful, natural brands like Sweet Leaf off the shelves.
65% of the country need help with weight-loss
New weight-loss guidelines issued last year recommend behavioral treatment for 140 million American adults - 65% of the population, a new study indicates.
This is a "staggering" increase in the number of Americans for whom weight-loss therapies are recommended, researchers stated at Obesity Week 2014.
"It points to the need for public-health solutions, because it's going to be very difficult for the medical establishment to deal with this many people. We're going to have to try to do what we can on all fronts," they said.
Overweight Category Now Includes More People
The guidelines for treating individuals with excess weight that were issued last year by the American Heart Association (AHA), American College of Cardiology (ACC), and the Obesity Society (TOS) would recommend weight-loss treatment for 13% more Americans than the previous obesity-treatment guidelines issued in 1998. Overweight individuals need to have only one as opposed to two cardiovascular risk factors, and one of the risk factors could be extra girth around the waist.
Criteria for Recommending Weight-Loss Treatment in Adults
Men above age 44; women above age 54 or postmenopausal
One way to help? New physical activity guidelines examined in the most recent issue of British Journal of Sports Medicine:
Adults partook in moderate-intensity aerobic activity a minimum of 30 min on 5 days, or vigorous-intensity activity of 20 min on 3 days, each week. Compared with inactive subjects, those that met or exceeded physical activity gaining meaningful weight of was significantly lower.
This is a "staggering" increase in the number of Americans for whom weight-loss therapies are recommended, researchers stated at Obesity Week 2014.
"It points to the need for public-health solutions, because it's going to be very difficult for the medical establishment to deal with this many people. We're going to have to try to do what we can on all fronts," they said.
Overweight Category Now Includes More People
The guidelines for treating individuals with excess weight that were issued last year by the American Heart Association (AHA), American College of Cardiology (ACC), and the Obesity Society (TOS) would recommend weight-loss treatment for 13% more Americans than the previous obesity-treatment guidelines issued in 1998. Overweight individuals need to have only one as opposed to two cardiovascular risk factors, and one of the risk factors could be extra girth around the waist.
Criteria for Recommending Weight-Loss Treatment in Adults
- Obese
- Overweight or large waist plus at least 2 of 7 CVD risk factors:
- Hypertension
- Impaired fasting glucose
- Abnormal LDL cholesterol
- Low HDL cholesterol
Men above age 44; women above age 54 or postmenopausal
- Smoking
- Family history of premature CHD
- Overweight plus at least 1 of 4 CVD risk factors:
- Hypertension
- Prediabetes or diabetes
- Dyslipidemia
- Large waist
One way to help? New physical activity guidelines examined in the most recent issue of British Journal of Sports Medicine:
Adults partook in moderate-intensity aerobic activity a minimum of 30 min on 5 days, or vigorous-intensity activity of 20 min on 3 days, each week. Compared with inactive subjects, those that met or exceeded physical activity gaining meaningful weight of was significantly lower.
Calcium lowers periodontal disease risk
Researchers investigated the relationships between calcium intake and the prevalence of periodontal disease in women with a mean age of 31.5 years. Compared with the lowest group of calcium intake, the highest group was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of periodontal disease. The study appeared in November's Nutrition Journal.
Keep in mind that the ideal range of supplemental calcium intake is between 500 to 800 mg. Higher doses is dependent upon individual needs and should be taken in conjunction with a qualified health professional.
Keep in mind that the ideal range of supplemental calcium intake is between 500 to 800 mg. Higher doses is dependent upon individual needs and should be taken in conjunction with a qualified health professional.
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