Child Rearing: Delaying Cereal in Diet May Increase Allergy Risk

By Nicholas Bakalar, NY Times

Waiting to expose a baby to cereal grains until after the age of 6 months may increase the risk that the infant will become allergic to wheat, a new study suggests. Researchers followed 1,612 children from birth until an average age of about 4½. The prevalence of wheat allergy among the 958 children exposed to cereal grains before 6 months was 0.41 percent. But among the 654 who were not exposed to grains before that age, it was 1.8 percent, more than four times as high. Of the 16 children who developed the allergy, 12 had not received cereal grains until they were older than 6 months.

The authors conclude that the age at which a baby first tastes cereal is significant. "The common sense out there is that delaying the introduction of cereals would be beneficial," said Jill M. Norris, the senior author of the study and a professor of epidemiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. "But actually it may not protect against allergies."

The results, published in the June issue of Pediatrics, held true after controlling for the presence of other allergies and for a family history of allergy. The scientists are unsure of the reason for the findings, but they suggest that immune tolerance develops in a specific time interval, and not later, or that larger portions given to older children may provoke allergy rather than tolerance. "This is something to consider when making decisions about infant diet," Dr. Norris said.

Bonnie - We've already seen this before. This is a ridiculous study - are we going to give wheat to a 4 month old child who cannot digest it? This is an association study. What was the amount of grain give? Also, how do we know that parents did not avoid giving their child wheat or other grains because someone in the family had evidenced problems with it. So, of course, if there was a family history of grain intolerance, there would be an increased amount of those children reacting no matter when they introduced it!

The only accurate research study would be to randomly sample children who had no family history of grain intolerance. Then, give the exact same grains and amounts to them before 6 months and after 6 months to see what hapens.

New advice on blood-pressure drug

A class of drugs called beta-blockers should no longer be used as routine to treat high blood pressure, says the NHS drugs watchdog for England and Wales. Other drugs are better at treating the condition, also known as hypertension, which affects 40% of adults, it says.

The guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence says using beta-blockers can also increase the risk of diabetes. But patients on the drugs are urged to keep taking them until seeing their GP.

The guidance, developed in conjunction with the British Hypertension Society, is an update of NICE guidance published in 2004 - but only the section on drugs for managing hypertension has been republished.

The drugs are also used to treat heart failure and angina and should still be used for these problems.

But NICE now says the evidence suggests they perform less well than other drugs in treating high blood pressure, particularly in the elderly, and there is increasing evidence that they carry an "unacceptable risk" of provoking type 2 diabetes.

NEW RECOMMENDATIONS

• In patients under 55, first drug should be an ACE inhibitor, followed by a calcium channel blocker or a diuretic, then all three.
  
  
• In patients over 55, or black patients, first choice should be a calcium channel blocker or diuretic, followed by an ACE inhibitor, and then all three if necessary.
  
  
• Beta-blockers should no longer be used for hypertension except in patients who need them for other reasons such as heart failure.

Bonnie - keep in mind that these are recommendations for British citizens. Although, it couldn't hurt to discuss these new guidelines with your physician.

Why our milk costs so much.

This story is by our favorite writer on the USDA - Andrew Martin at the Washington Bureau of the Chicago Tribune, June 26, 2006

Here's something to sour your next trip to the grocery store.

Chicago-area consumers are charged more for milk than consumers in all but a handful of urban markets, according to statistics maintained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Chicago was the most expensive market in the nation for whole milk in 2005, averaging $3.96 a gallon. In comparison, a gallon of milk in Carbondale, Ill., just five hours away, was among the cheapest in the nation last year, averaging $2.68 for whole milk and $2.55 for 2 percent.

It might seem that Chicago would have a competitive advantage over other cities when it comes to milk because the second-biggest repository of milk in the nation--Wisconsin--is just up the road.

But not much makes sense when it comes to milk pricing in the United States. The marketplace has been warped by consolidation and outdated federal regulations that even the Justice Department describes as "archaic and inefficient." There are fewer milk bottlers and fewer grocery store chains to sell the milk.

Who profits?

Based on industry and USDA statistics, it isn't the dairy farmers.

Dairies do not sell raw milk directly on the market; they are represented by cooperatives that collect the milk and find a place to sell it, balancing the ebbs and flows between production and demand. Once they sell it, they send payment to the farmers.

Last year, dairy farmers in Wisconsin received about $1.34 a gallon for raw milk, which translates to about 34 percent of what Chicago consumers spent on whole milk. Nationwide, dairy farmers received an average of about 39 percent of what consumers paid for whole milk.

The cooperatives that serve Wisconsin farmers receive about 22 cents for each gallon of milk sold in Chicago. That is among the most expensive in the country, according to USDA statistics. In Denver, for example, cooperatives make about 7 cents per gallon.

Once the milk is sold to a processing plant, it typically costs 70 cents to 80 cents per gallon for processing, packaging, distribution to stores and profit, said Corey Durling, a partner with the consulting firm Dairy Technomics in New Jersey. Those "non-milk costs" incurred by milk processors are not available for public review, and Durling said it was possible, though unlikely, that bottlers in the Chicago area charge higher prices.

Adding all those costs, using the higher number for "non-milk costs," the result is that Chicago supermarkets and convenience stores paid about $2.36 for a gallon of whole milk in 2005.

That means grocery stores--at least the ones charging $3.96 --made an average gross profit of $1.60 off every gallon of whole milk sold in 2005, or 40 percent of total revenue.

Chicago-area retailers appear to be making far more than the national average on milk. According to Durling, retailers usually make about 30 percent of total revenue on milk.

Major overhaul need in dealing with chronic illness

According to a new study by the Center for the Evaluative Clinical Sciences at Dartmouth Medical School, an overhaul for how the U.S. manages chronic illness is critical. This comes on the heels of a report by Medicare's trustees that the insurance program will exhaust its trust fund in 2018.

Here are some tidbits from the study:

• of the 4.7 million chronically ill Medicare enrollees in the study, $40 billion (or nearly one third of what it spent for their care over four years) could have been saved if all U.S. Hospitals practiced at the high-quality/low-cost standard set by the Salt Lake region.

• most acute care hospitals have become first-line providers of services to chronically-ill elderly, whose care would be better managed, safer, and less expensive, outside the hospital setting.

• there are no recognized evidence-based guidelines for when to hospitalize, admit to intensive care, refer to medical specialists, or for most chronic illness, when to order diagnostic or imaging tests.

• Salt Lake, UT, Rochester, MN, and Portland OR had the best quality and outcomes even they were considered low cost regions.

• chronic illness was studied because 30 to 35 percent of Medicare dollars are spent on people with these conditions during the last two years of their lives.

• the report speaks clearly to redirect resources away from acute care and invest in an infrastructure that can better coordinate and integrate care outside of hospitals, such as home health and hospice care.

Study Cites Marked Drop In FDA's Warning Letters

The number of serious "warning letters" sent by the Food and Drug Administration to drug, device and food companies has dropped by half over the past five years, leading to a situation where the agency's ability to ensure that products are being made properly has been "significantly compromised," according to a study by the Democratic staff of the House Government Reform Committee.

In addition to a drop of almost 50 percent in the number of on-site inspections at manufacturing plants, the 15-month probe found that in some cases, FDA headquarters rejected the enforcement recommendations of agency field offices despite inspectors' findings that violations had led to deaths or serious injuries.

In 32 cases, investigators found, field inspectors recommended that the FDA issue a warning letter, seize the product or seek a court injunction, but the agency sent a significantly weaker letter alerting the company to possible problems.

The inspections, warning letters and enforcement actions described in the report involve questions of whether manufacturers are following good manufacturing practices -- whether their pills, medical devices and food products are being produced in a reliably safe manner.

Courtesy of the Washington Post

Steve - we first need to keep in mind the source of the survey. This very well may be a political jab at the Republican-dominated Food & Drug Administration. Although, the numbers do speak for themselves. The agency has been devastated by continuous budget cuts and scandals, so it would not come as a surprise if this is true.

At this stage of medical history, being more vigilant about your diet and lifestyle is of the utmost importance.

Prebiotics 'cut baby's skin risk'

Adding prebiotics to formula feed can help cut the risk of babies developing a form of eczema, research suggests.

Milan's Center for Infant Nutrition found atopic dermatitis was less likely in babies given supplemented formula than those given the standard form.

Prebiotics encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) in the gut.

The study, published in Archives of Disease in Childhood, suggests they might prevent atopic dermatitis by giving a boost to the immune system.

Lead researcher Professor Guido Moro said the risk of atopic dermatitis was reduced by over 50% in the prebiotic-fed infants.

The research focused on 192 healthy children considered to be at high risk of developing allergies.

Steve - in addition, probiotics are good to add to formula, and for women who are breastfeeding, supplement with probiotics as well.

Bonnie chimes in on sports drinks

Gatorade quietly (we do not even know when) finally went from being a thirst-quenching rehydrator to a true electrolyte drink when the sodium citrate (citrtate is not an electrolyte) became sodium chloride (an electrolyte). Sodium chloride is basically table salt. Now, even the World Health Organization says it is okay to use as an electrolyte replacement for vomiting and diarrhea.

Before we get too excited about the benefits, keep in mind that most Gatorade-types have chemical additives (such as artificial colors, flavors, and artificial sweeteners) and few contain the most deficient electrolyte of all...magnesium! Without it, potassium cannot be used efficiently and energy, endurance, muscle strength, and recovery for athletic events will suffer.

Bonnie

Omega-3s may help depressive kids - pilot study

Increasing omega-3 intake from the diet or supplements may help depressive kids, reports a pilot study for the first time. Researchers from Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Israel have reported for the first time that omega-3 fatty acids could also help children suffering from depression, a condition that “may be more common than previously thought”. 28 randomly depressed children, aged between 6 and 12, received either an omega-3 fatty acids or placebo for one month. Twenty of the children completed the study.

At the end of the trial the researchers found that seven out of ten children in the omega-3 group and none of the children in the placebo group had depression score reductions of 50 per cent or more.

Belmaker and his colleagues report in the American Journal of Psychiatry (Vol 163, pp. 1098-1100) that four of the children taking the omega-3 supplements achieved remission.

More support for omega-3 calming ADHD kids

Supplements of omega-3 and omega-6 improved the attention span and hyperactivity scores of young Australians, and was rated better than the common medication Ritalin.

The study adds to a growing number of studies looking at the effect of fish oils on the behaviour and learning of kids, and reports in the UK suggest the British government may even be considering omega-3 and omega-6 food supplements in schools.

The new study from the University of South Australia recruited 132 kids with ADHD aged 7 to 12 for the randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind intervention trial.

For the first 15 weeks of study, the kids were given daily supplements of either polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6, 3000 milligrams per day), PUFAs plus multivitamins and minerals, or placebo capsules (palm oil).

After 15 weeks the placebo group crossed-over to the PUFA plus multivitamins and minerals supplement, and the other groups remained constant.

“Supplementation with PUFA over 15 weeks resulted in significant improvements compared to placebo in parent ratings of core ADHD-related behavioural and cognitive difficulties, namely inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, with medium to large effect sizes, and also in ratings of oppositional behaviour,” reported the researchers, led by Natalie Sinn.

After 30 weeks (placebo group switching to eyeq supplements) the parental ratings of behaviour improved significantly in 10 out of 14 scales.

“The fish oil groups continued to improve after taking the supplement for a further 15 weeks. According to the data the multivitamin/mineral supplement had no additional effects,” said Sinn.

The researchers also compared the effects of Ritalin to the effects observed by fish oil supplements. Using a comparison figure from a meta-analysis (CMAJ, 2001, Vol. 165, pp.1475-1488), Sinn and her co-workers calculated that the Ritalin had a total effect on the ADHD index of 0.54.

A larger effect value of 0.59 was calculated for the group that took the fish oil supplements for the whole 30 weeks, while the placebo group that switched to fish oil after 15 weeks had an effect value of 1.03.

“There is no known evidence that medication provides any benefits beyond four weeks, whereas in the present trial symptoms continued to improve after 15 weeks of supplementation,” said the South Australian team.

AHA urges limits on trans fats and makes lifestyle recommendations

The American Heart Association urged a specific limit on trans fats in the diet -- less than 1 percent of total calories.

For the first time, they also included lifestyle recommendations, such as exercise and no smoking.

In addition, they suggested rather than counting calories, people should cook with healthier oils and balance calories in the diet.

Bonnie - come again? Whoah...the AHA is really stepping out now! There is actually no safe levels of trans fat, so they are still not going as far as they should.

Now they suggest exercise and no smoking? That's big of them.

What I am actually pleased with is the fact that they mention balancing calories (even though the comment is vague), meaning proteins, carbs, and healthy fat. This is actually a major step!

FDA ruling boosts barley claims

Food companies now will be able to say their products may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, based upon scientific evdience that it can lower LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). The rule allows companies such as Kraft Foods, Quaker Foods, and General Mills sell products with whole-grain barley or dry-milled barley products attach labels saying the products "may reduce the risk of heart disease."

Bonnie - barley can also be a digestive aid. My concern is that if barley (which contains gluten) is added to many foods, there will be more foods that gluten-intolerant individuals will need to avoid.

In addition, as these huge food companies have done in the past, they will attach the healthy labels to products that may contain barley, but also contain myriad ingredients that lessen or render barley's positive effects useless (such as added sugars, saturated fats, etc.). For instance, it would not surprise me to see Oreo's containing barley touting the heart-healthy effect. Stay tuned...

Energy drinks fueling concerns

For every parent or grandparent, this is a must read. The energy drink sector is growing rapidly and targeting children and young adults. Many of these products are dangerous and addicitve.

Free registration may be required to access this New York Times article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/19/health/healthspecial/19drinks.html

Stress may be causing infertility in women

Research presented at the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology found that simple talk therapies can reverse the effect of stress and boost a woman's chances of becoming pregnant. The study also said that women with hectic jobs are those most at risk for stress-induced fertility. 16 women who were normal weight but had not had a period for six months were found to have high levels of cortisol, a hormone linked to stress. Eight of the women were given cognitive behavorial treatment and the rest no treatment. Twenty weeks later, 80% of those given therapy had started ovulating again compared with 25% in the other group. Two months later two of the women became pregnant.

Steve - larger studies are needed here for medical legimitimacy, but we do not need to see anymore. It works! We have helped so many women get pregnant with counseling, and of course, dietary/lifestyle change.

Fish farming with antibiotics under scrutiny

As was the case with chicken and beef, the fish industry is now being targeted for the overuse of antibiotics at fish farms. Misuse could protmote bacterial resistance leading to the evolution of resistant strains of bacteria in humans as well as the fish themselves.

Why do they have to use antibiotics on fish? For the same reasons they use them in mass-produced domesticated animal farms. The premises are dirty, fetid environments that are a breeding ground for disease and pathogens. Fish are not meant to be bred in farmed environments where the water is contaminated with waste and chemicals, they are overfed grain foods and animal byproducts that is completely different from their natural diet, and the fish are in such great numbers and in such close quarters that they can barely swim. As this is not a natural environment, the fish are more prone to disease and sickness.

Choose wild caught whenever possible until the farmed fish industry cleans itself up, literally!

Steve

Glut of positive research - highlights

With so much research coming out lately with regard to diet and nutrients, we thought we would encapsulate several:

• A new study published in the June 17 edition of the Journal of European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry shows a significant reduction of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children after supplementing with 1 mg. for every kilogram of body weight of Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all), an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, everyday for one month. In the randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study, Pycnogenol helped reduce hyperactivity and improve attention, concentration and motor-visual coordination in 61 children with ADHD. Participants who took placebo showed
  no significant improvement in these scores.

• A study published in this month’s issue of Angiology shows that supplementation with the pine bark extract Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all) improves blood flow to the muscles which speeds recovery after physical exercise. The study of 113 participants demonstrated that Pycnogenol significantly reduces muscular pain and cramps in athletes and healthy, normal individuals.

• A Mayo Clinic study involved 50 fibromyalgia patients enrolled in a randomized, controlled trial to determine if acupuncture improved their symptoms. Symptoms of patients who received acupuncture significantly improved compared with the control group, according to the study published in the June issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

• In the June 2006 issue of the European Journal of Cancer Prevention, researchers measured enterolactone (the bioactive lignan metabolite in humans) and genistein levels in 220 premenopausal women and 237 age-matched controls. The researchers noted a decrease in pre-menopausal breast cancer risk in tandem with increased concentrations of plasma enterolactone. There was no such significant association noted with genistein (a phytoestrogen in soy), and the study authors concluded that “Using biomarkers of phytoestrogen intake, we confirmed the strong inverse association between enterolactone and premenopausal breast cancer risk as found with dietary intake estimates." Lignans are commonly found in foods such as flaxseed.

• Folic acid supplements may prevent cancer progression and promote regression of disease, according to a new study. Published in the July 15, 2006 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the small study found that 31 of 43 patients with the precancerous laryngeal lesion called leucoplakia demonstrated 50 percent or greater reduction in the lesion size after six months of taking folate supplements. In 12 of 31 responders, there was no evidence of the original lesion. Folate levels in the patients' blood also increased significantly from baseline while homocysteine levels decreased significantly. This study provides data to support the hypothesis that folate insufficiency is a risk factor for cancer progression.
  
  
• In the first study of its kind, researchers discovered that daily folic acid supplements could improve DNA stability and reduce the risk of certain cancers linked to faults in the genetic code. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, published in the British Journal of Cancer, found that of 61 healthy volunteers receiving 1.2 mg of folic acid for 12 weeks, their measured levels of uracil were markedly reduced, thus reducing DNA damage.
  

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Highlights

From the May Issue:

Consumption of coffee is associated with reduced risk of death attributed to inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases in the Iowa Women's Health Study.

A furanocoumarin-free grapefruit juice establishes furanocoumarins as the mediators of the grapefruit juice-felodipine interaction (which affects the absorption of many mdeications).

LA Times shines on vitamin D

These are two incredible articles on the growing (it's about time) support for vitamin D in the conventional medical establishment. This may require a sign-in.

LA Times Health Section
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/

Wonder Pill, Really.
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-vitamind12jun12,1,5420197.story?coll=la-headlines-health

Catching rays? A few can do you good.
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-vitaminside12jun12,1,4086567.story?coll=la-headlines-health

The "Catching rays" article reinforces what we have been saying forever...the sun can be your friend in moderation. And, if moderate sun exposure is not an option, Cod Liver Oil is essential!

Use of Massage Therapy in Hospitals Up 30 Percent

Hospitals are incorporating massage therapy programs at a growing rate; according to a new national survey. The survey shows the number of hospitals offering massage therapy has increased by more than one third in two years. The bi-annual survey is conducted by Health Forum, a subsidiary of the American Hospital Association on behalf of the American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA) and polls hospitals across the United States on information on programs they offer, including massage therapy. Of the hospitals that have massage therapy programs, 71 percent indicate they offer massage therapy for patient stress management and comfort while more than two-thirds (67 percent) utilize massage therapy for pain management. Fifty-two percent say they provide massage for cancer patients and 67 percent offer massage to their staff for stress management.

According to the survey, hospitals also use massage therapy for: Improving mobility and movement (52 percent) Pregnant women (51 percent) Part of physical therapy regimen (50 percent) Hospice or end-of-life care (37 percent) Edema (33 percent) Infants (24 percent) Post-operative care (25 percent) Pre-operative care (17 percent) .

The effectiveness of massage therapy in alleviating the symptoms of a number of medical conditions has been demonstrated in on-going research and clinical studies. Research has shown that massage therapy can be effective in boosting the body’s immune system functioning, reducing blood pressure in stroke patients, easing post-operative pain], easing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and soothing chronic back pain better than other complementary therapies. Recent studies have also associated massage therapy with substantive relief of symptoms in cancer patients, such as pain, fatigue, stress, anxiety, nausea, and depression.

Miscellaneous Tidbits

Deep, slow breathing (six or seven breaths per minute) can help stop a hot flash. And if that does not work, try an all natural, fun alternative. Flash Fannye has 8 savvy fans to carry with you "The Coolest Accessory for the Hottest Women." Check out their website at www.flashfannye.com!

Compounds derived from avocados and soybeans are one of the hottest natural treatments for arthritis. These extracts, called unsaponifiables (ASU or FASU), have been shown to reduce inflammation, boost collagen formation in cartilage, and improve symptoms in people suffering from arthritis.

A double-blind, placebo controlled study involving patients with athritis of the knee took either 300mg or 600mg of ASU/FASU or a placebo daily. At the study's conclusion, those taking both dosages had marked reductions in pain and function. 71% of them had reduced their NSAID and analgesic intake by more then half. This is sold as a prescription drug in France.

Sobering statistics about our healthcare system

Overdosed America, by John Abramson MD, a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School, does not pull any punches:

• Our health sytem's performance is ranked 37th among the nations of the world. And when efficiency in improving citizens' health is added in, we drop to a dismal 72.

• The debacle of American health care can be laid squarely at the feet of the pharmaceutical industry, which has compromised virtually every aspect of medicine, medical education, clinical guidelines, and scientific research.

• According to national guidelines, cholesterol-lowering statin drugs are recommended for more than 40 million Americans. yet medical literature backs their use in only a limited subgroup of patients, and even then, the benefits are small. According to one of the studies suporting their use, if 100 men at very high risk of heart attack took a statin daily for two years (at a cost of $336,000), it would prevent heart attack in just one of them. The remaining 99 men would not only receive no benefit, they would also suffer adverse effects of the drugs, such as lowered production of coenzyme Q10, a critical nutrient for the heart and overall health.

• Modern medicine is now the third leading cause of death in the US, claiming about 225,000 lives each year.