Health News Tidbits

Health News Tidbits – January 2003

Garlic Compound Effective Against Superbug -
Allicin, a compound that occurs naturally in garlic, is highly effective against MRSA, the antibiotic-resistant 'superbug' responsible for an increasing number of deaths in hospitals. Interscience Congress of Antimicrobial Agents in Chemotherapy, 12/12/2002

Celebrex Not as Safe for Ulcers As Once Thought -
Celebrex, Vioxx, and Bextra, with sales exceeding $6 billion, and heavily advertised as being safer for arthritis patients based on earlier research that found fewer ulcers and other gastrointestinal complications than older anti-inflammatories, was recently shown to be no safer than older anti-inflammatories gastrointestinally. In addition, neither medication protected as many patients from dangerous kidney complications as past studies showed. New England Journal of Medicine, 12/26/02

Small Amounts of Fish Benefits Heart -
Based on a Harvard study of over 43,000 health professionals, eating fish just one to three times monthly is enough to reduce the risk of strokes in men by 43%. The benefit is believed to come from omage-3 fatty acids, which are found in most fish. JAMA 12/25/2002

Acute Liver Failure Most Commonly Related to Acetaminophen Overdose -
According to a study that appeared in the December 17 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, unintentional acetaminophen overdose is the most common cause of liver failure in the United States, in which 73% of the cases were women. The FDA has recently recommended stronger warning labels on over-the-counter pain medications and cough and cold remedies containing acetaminophen.

Study Links Chemical to Sperm Damage -
Everyday exposure to a chemical called Phthalates, used to preserve many cosmetics and softeners like those used in baby toys may contribute to sperm damage, according to a study by Harvard researchers published in a government journal. Last month, the U.S. Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel, an industry-sponsored watchdog, sparked fury from environmental lobbyists when it voted to allow the continued use of phthalates in perfumes and beauty products. The European Union has banned their use in some products, including baby toys. Journal Environmental Health Perspectives, 12/9/2002

Phytosterols Can Lower 'Bad' LDL Cholesterol Levels -
A review study of numerous studies done on phytosterols, specific plant compounds, shows that they are effective in reducing "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LD) by about 105 on average. Annual Review of Nutrition, 2002;22:533-549

Review Study on Ginkgo Shows Promise for Cognitive Functions in Elderly -
According to a scientific review of 33 clinical trials, funded by the Alzheimer Society and Oxford University, and published in the prestigious Cochrane Collaboration, gingko biloba shows promising evidence of improvement in cognition and function and appears to be safe. Council for Responsible Nutrition

Tooth Loss May Increase the Risk of Stroke -

Adding more evidence to the link between gum (periodontal) disease, and the risk of stroke and heart disease, tooth loss may increase stroke risk by as much as 74%. What's unique about this study is that it shows an association between tooth loss and stroke above and beyond gum disease. The study reviewed 41,380 men involved in the Health professional's Follow-Up study. Men with 17-24 teeth had a 50% higher risk, and increased to 74% among men with 11 to 16 teeth. Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association

Scientist Says Junk Food Causes Acne -
Professor Loren Cordain of Colorado State University studied native tribes of Papua New Guinea and Paraguay, whose diets contain no "junk food," and found not a single case of acne. High glycemic foods such as breads, cakes, sugars, and soft drinks boost insulin, which elevates growth and hormones, thus stimulating an overproduction of oil and skin cells in pores. Those clogged pores feed bacteria that form blemishes. Archives of Dermatology, December

Grape-Seed Extract Helps Speed Up Wound Recovery -
Grape-seed extract was found to help the body make more of a compound used to regenerate damaged blood vessels, and also increased the amount of free radicals in the wound site, which can clear potentially pathogenic bacteria from a wound. the study was done on mice and human skin cells. Journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine

Dietary 'Portfolio' Eating Plan Can Reduce Cholesterol as Much as Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs -
According to a study in December's Metabolism, a diet incorporating heart-healthy foods, including almonds, plant sterols, soy protein, and viscous fibers (such as oats) may reduce LDL cholesterol levels by 29% and the LDL/HDL ratio by 26%.

Pill Alert for Cancer Risk Women -
A study looking at 2,600 women on the Pill, suggests that women at high risk for breast cancer (based on genetic testing of BRCA 1 gene) increase their chances by 33-42% of developing the disease by taking the contraceptive pill for at least five years. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, December

Warning Over Mercury Levels in Some Fish -
A New England Journal of Medicine study comments that certain fish (such as marlin, swordfish, and tuna) who are less-fatty (than salmon or sardine) and have longer lives, are apt to have higher than normal mercury levels, which may pose a health danger. Suggestions are to limit intake to a few times monthly of these kinds of fish.

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