Health News Tidbits

Health News Tidbits – February 2004

Flu Vaccine Useless -
The Centers for Disease Control says that the flu vaccine administered this year to millions of Americans had no or low effectiveness in treating influenza. CDC.gov 1/16/2004

Vitamin E as Macular Degeneration Preventive -
According to Johns Hopkins Researchers, the only proven formula for prevention of age-related macular degeneration is a supplement containing vitamin E (400IU), together vitamin C, beta carotene, and small amounts of zinc and copper. The study, sponsored by the National Eye Institute, shows the supplement reduces the likelihood of disease progression by 25% in patients with intermediate age-related macular degeneration. The supplement also reduced the risk of vision loss by 19% over five years in these patients.
Archives Ophthamology February 2004

Vitamin D May Protect Against Rheumatoid Arthritis -
An Iowa Women's Health Study from over 29,000 women ages 55-69 with no prior history of Rheumatoid Arthritis, suggested over 11 years of follow-up, an inverse association between both dietary and supplemental vitamin D with risk of RA. Those women who took in less than 200IU vitamin D daily had a roughly 33% increased risk for developing RA compared with those taking in more than 200IU. Researchers believe that vitamin D's positive effect on the immune system is what prevents the onset of RA Arthritis & Rheumatism, Volume 50, Issue 1, Pages 72-77

Vitamin D May Protect Against Multiple Sclerosis -
According to results from the 187,000 Nurse's Study, sponsored by Harvard School of Public Health, women who take multivitamins containing 400IU vitamin D are 40% less likely to develop multiple sclerosis than women who do not take supplements. Neurology, 1/13/2004

New Antibiotics Are Non-Existent -
With 'Superbugs' stalking hospitals and old diseases cropping up in the general population, doctors are clamoring for newer, powerful antibiotics. Some infections emerging in the wider community are even immune to vanomycin, traditionally the antibiotic of last resort. Yet, the pipeline of new treatments is drying up as drug makers - citing poor financial returns - focus instead on conditions, such as high cholesterol, where medicines are taken for years instead on one to two weeks. Simply, if a new drug cannot make annual sales of $400 to $500 million, they will not make it. Experts believe there is the potential risk, due to growing drug resistance, that there will not be any effective antibiotics available in the future.
Reuters 1/26/2004

Long-Term Use of Aspirin May be Associated With Increased Risk of Pancreatic Cancer -
Harvard Medical School researchers found women who regularly used Aspirin (two or more 325mg tablets weekly) for more than 20 years had a 58% increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared to infrequent users.
Journal of the US National Cancer Institute 1/7/2004

Acetaminophen Misuse Deadly -
Too many Americans unwittingly overdose on over-the-counter painkillers, or take the wrong ones. The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers that following directions can mean the difference between feeling better or suffering severe, even lethal, side effects. Statistics say that there are more than 56,000 emergency room visits and over 100 deaths yearly after unintentional overdoses of the drug. The FDA campaign also warns consumers that side effects such as stomach bleeding and kidney problems may occur as well with misuse. FDA.gov

Probiotics Effective in Poultry Protection -
While more poultry producers are discontinuing use of antibiotics for preventing food borne illness, they now using Probiotics to protect the public. Probiotics, healthy intestinal bacteria, is showing promise in destroying bacteria such as salmonella and campylobacter. Poultry producers are now feeding Probiotics to newly hatched chickens whose healthy intestinal bacteria takes hold before the deadly pathogens can. Poultry producers are elated with the potential of Probiotics as it is much less expensive than antibiotics. Agriculture Research January 2004

Vitamins Cut Alzheimer's Effect -
According to a Johns Hopkins study, people taking large doses of vitamin's C and E together were 78% less likely to show signs of Alzheimer's than those not taking the combination. The belief is that the vitamins combination prevents Alzheimer's by destroying molecules called free radicals, which destroy brain cells called neurons. Archives Neurology, January 2004

USA Fights WHO's Stance on Obesity -
The World Health Organization's recent stance on fighting world obesity is being met with resistance by the Bush Administration. WHO's Global Strategy on Diet, Nutrition, and Physical Activity, singles out the dangers of sugar, unhealthy fat, and salt as major triggers for obesity-related diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. The WHO's aim to limit average daily intake of added sugar to 10% of one's diet is being derailed by the Bush Administration because the Sugar Industry is the largest financial contributor to the Bush Campaign. In America, Bush's only public comment on how to fight obesity has been fitness. Many believe he has yet to mention diet for fighting obesity because he does not want to anger the food industry. The Guardian 1/20/2004

Fish Oil During Pregnancy Beneficial to Infants -
A recent study done to determine whether maternal dietary supplementation with omega 3 fish oil during pregnancy could modify immune response in infants was successful. The data suggests a significant reduction in infant allergy response after maternal supplementation of fish oil.
J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003 Dec; 112(6): 1178-84

Warning Over Caesarean Births -
A Scottish study has confirmed that women who have Caesareans may have problems getting pregnant again. This recent study echoes several recent studies claiming that doctors are now urging women to have natural births whenever possible. Just 5% of women who had a vaginal delivery in this study said they had trouble getting pregnant again compared with 19% of those who had Caesareans. British Medical Journal 1/14/2004

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

European Farmed Salmon Toxic -

Scientists warn that salmon from European fish farms is so contaminated by cancer-causing chemicals that, in the worst cases, it should not be eaten more than three times a year. In the cases of North American farmed salmon, consumers could eat one meal per month before exposing themselves to unacceptable cancer risks. Experts blame fish pellets that are fed to farmed salmon. The pellets usually compromise ground up fish, which thus transfers the toxins of their remains directly into the salmon. Journal Science, January 2004

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