Health News Tidbits

Health News Tidbits – April 2004

Lauded "Super Dose" Statin Study Details -
A new Harvard study testing statin medication therapy on 4,162 patients who had been hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome were impressive. Two groups that were given high doses of Lipitor and Pravachol showed lower cholesterol levels (more so in the Lipitor than Pravachol). But before we follow the "experts" advice to double the dose you are currently taking and increase the amount of Americans who take statin medication (from 18 million currently to a projected 36 million), we need to look at the fine print. What will not be mentioned in the media coverage is that 30 percent of the participants in each group dropped out do too an adverse event. The study was only over a two year period, which is a short time to consider long-term effects of drugs which you are supposed to take for the rest of your life. There was also no control group who received a placebo (which is considered the gold standard). The study was funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb, the maker of Pravachol. Interestingly enough, when it became apparent that Lipitor showed better results than the Pravachol, Squibb released a safety issue that did not appear in the study: liver enzymes were elevated in 3.3 percent of the Lipitor group and 1.1 percent in the Pravachol group. When liver enzymes rise, patients must be advised to stop taking the drug or reduce the dose.
New England Journal of Medicine, April 2004

Pycnogenol Aids Type 2 Diabetes -
Patients with mild type 2 diabetes, subscribing to a regular diet and exercise program, were able to significantly lower their glucose levels when they supplemented with 50-200 mg of Pycnogenol (French maritime pine tree bark extract).
Diabetes Care, March 2004

Conventional Medicine is the Leading Cause of Death in the United States -
In an impressive review of the quality of "government-approved" medicine, the nonprofit organization Nutrition Institute of America has released startling findings indicating that conventional medicine is the "leading cause of death" in the United States. Every statistic is validated by published, peer-reviewed scientific studies. The estimated total number of iatrogenic deaths - deaths induced inadvertently by a physician or surgeon or by medical treatment or diagnostic procedure - in the US annually is 783,936. The next leading cause of death is heart disease (699,697) and cancer (553,251). http://www.nutritioninstituteofamerica.org/research/DeathByMedicine/DeathByMedicine1.htm

Walnuts Improve Artery Health -
Compared with the Meditteranean diet, a diet that included the equivalent of 8-13 walnuts for four weeks, increased endothelium-dependent vasodilatation by 64 percent and reduced levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 by 20 percent. In addition, as in previous studies, the walnuts decreased total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, 3/23/2004

Exercise Improves Cancer Survival & Reduces Cancer Risk -
According to research presented at the 95th Annual American Association for Cancer, several studies say moderate exercise such as ordinary activities like walking or performing household chores can reduce risk of endometrial and breast cancers by as much as 30 to 40 percent.

Chronic Sinusitis Found to be Immune Disorder -
According to the University of Buffalo and Mayo Clinic, chronic sinusitis is an immune disorder caused by fungus. Common airborne fungi lodge in the mucus lining of the sinuses in most people, but initiate immune response only in individuals prone to chronic sinusitis. The immune response causes the fungi to be attacked, which leads to damage of the sinus membranes, resulting in full-blown symptoms.
Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology 3/23/2004

Fructose Sweetener Linked to Obesity Rise -
Researchers at Louisiana State University's Biomedical Research Center have found evidence between a rapid rise in obesity and a corn product used to sweeten soft drinks and food since the 1970's. There evidence is that high fructose corn sweeteners do not trigger responses in hormones that regulate energy use and appetite, thus making fructose more likely to be converted into fat.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, April 2004

Low Vitamin B-12 Can Cause Bone Loss -
Older women (over the age of 64) with lower levels of vitamin B-12 are more likely to experience rapid bone loss. Out of the 83 women in this study, those with the lowest levels of B-12 experienced dramatic and rapid hip bone loss compared with women with higher levels of B-12.
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, March 2004;89(3):1217-21

Outbreak of Chicken Pox in Vaccinated Children -
A study drawing from an outbreak of chicken pox at Lake Oswego Elementary School, in which 18 children infected had already been vaccinated, concludes that the immunity to chickenpox from vaccination wears off over time and lasts shorter than they had once thought. Reports found that the effectiveness of the immunity dropped from 97 percent to 84 percent in one year.
Pediatrics, March 2004; 113(3):455-459

Food Allergies Common in Kids' Skin Products -
Parents who are told to avoid exposing their allergic children to common food allergens may not be aware that certain skin care products could also put them at risk. The study done by Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago found that almost one-forth of skin care products tested contained traces of foods that many children are sensitive to, including cow's milk, wheat, hydrolyzed soy, egg, and tree nuts. The products included soaps, body washes, shampoos, creams, diaper ointments, wipes, powders, baby oils, and sunscreen.
Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy Asthma, and Immunology 3/23/2004

Moderate Alcohol Consumption Benefits Hypertension -
Men with high blood pressure who drink moderate amounts of alcohol of alcohol are less likely than nondrinkers to die of cardiovascular ailments like heart attacks and strokes. While heavy drinking can contribute to high blood pressure, 1-2 drinks of beer (12oz), wine (4oz), or spirits (1.5oz) is considered moderate. the data was taken from the prestigious, 100,000 participant Physician's Health Study. Archives of Internal Medicine March 22, 2004

Tai Chi May Ease Burden of Chronic Disease -
The review study found that practicing the traditional Chinese martial art of Tai Chi appears to offer mental and physical benefits including reducing stress and anxiety, balance and strength, cardiovascular and respiratory function, flexibility, immune function, and symptoms of arthritis.
Archives of Internal Medicine March 8, 2004

Acupuncture Effective for Chronic Headaches -
Of 401 patients given twelve acupuncture treatments over three months, 25% made fewer visits to their general practitioners due to headache pain and were absent 15% less from work due to chronic headaches than the control group receiving other treatment.
British Medical Journal, March 2004

Vitamin D Important in Prevention of Many Diseases -
A special review article was written to put into perspective the many health benefits of vitamin D in preventing diseases such as common cancers, type 1 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. This journal recommends adequate intakes for vitamin D, and, in the absence of exposure to sunlight, a minimum of 1,000IU vitamin D is required to maintain healthy levels.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 79, No.3, 362-371, March 2004

Nutritional Concepts Unveils Circle Of Health -
While many are disillusioned with the USDA's attempt at revamping the Food Pyramid, Nutritionist Bonnie C. Minsky created her own version. Entitled 'Circle of Health,' it sets the standard for healthy American eating. Based upon clinical data drawn from the general population and twenty years of private practice, Bonnie has created a colorful, practical, and modifiable nutrition recommendation chart in which all can benefit. Circle of health can be accessed online at http://www.nutritionalconcepts.com/circle.pdf

Magnesium Intake Associated With Risk of Coronary Heart Disease -

According data taken from 39,633 men in the Health-Professionals Follow-up Study, intake of magnesium may have a modest inverse association with risk of coronary heart disease. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 23, No.1, 63-70(2004)

Parent's Example Vital in Children's Eating Habits -
Parents who are not eating the recommended portions of fruits and vegetables daily, limiting sugar and trans fat content, are not setting a good example for their kids. Young children have innate likes and dislikes and can be incredibly stubborn about what they will and will not eat, but a study of the behavioral aspects of their eating habits showed parental example as a major influence.
Journal Public Health Nutrition, March 2004

Estrogen Alone Too Risky Says NIH -
The government is ending the last major study of estrogen, saying that estrogen alone is not as bad as taking it together with the hormone progestin, but it is still too risky for long-term use. The study showed that women taking estrogen alone after menopause had a significantly increased risk of stroke and possible a higher risk of dementia as well, according to The National Institutes of Health.
National Institutes of Health, March 2, 2004

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