Health News Tidbits

Health News Tidbits – June 2003

Hormone Therapy Doubles Risk of Dementia -
According to the 4,500 person Women's Health Initiative Memory Study, synthetic hormones double the risk of dementia in women over age 65. The Food and Drug Administration, National Institute on Aging, and National Institutes of Health confirm the findings and suggest hormones only for postmenopausal symptoms, and only for the shortest time possible. Wyeth Pharmaceutical, who produces Prempro, a synthetic progestin and estrogen medication, sponsored the study. The women took one pill per day of Prempro, and of the 61 dementia cases, 40 of the cases or 66% occurred in the women taking the hormones as opposed to 21 cases or 34% in women taking the placebo. JAMA 5/28/2003

Concern Over Recent MMR Study -
A National Institutes of Health-funded study questions the safety of the controversial MMR vaccine. The study found that the three-in-one vaccine (Mumps, Measles, Rubella) was associated with a five times greater increase in the incidence of serious neurological disorders when compared to a single jab vaccine. The numbers were taken from the US Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System between 1994-2000.
Journal International Pediatrics, Spring

Asthma Rise 'Link' to Pool Chemicals -
Chlorine in pools can react with sweat or urine to create harmful fumes which can damage lungs, and leaves children susceptible to allergens and asthma. Researchers discovered that of 226 school children who regularly attended indoor pools accumulated higher than normal lung proteins which may cause damage to cells. Children who swam most frequently had protein levels similar to people who smoke regularly. Journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine 5/28/2003

White House Pushes New Dietary Guidelines -
The White House Office of Management and Budget recommended in a letter to the departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services emphasized foods with omega-3 fats that lower the risk of heart disease and warns against eating trans-fatty acids such as hydrogenated oils, grease, shortening, which increase the risk.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/index.html

Oily Fish Prevents Heart Attacks -
Omega-3 oils in fish can stop dangerous irregular heart rhythms, according to the latest Harvard Medical School study. They examines heart cells taken from unborn rats under the microscope. They found that these cells clump together and beat simultaneously just like a real heart. They found that omega-3 oils could prevent irregular heartbeats, as well as block excessive sodium and calcium currents in the heart.
Circulation, Journal of the American Heart Association 5/27/2003

Governor Blagojevich Bans Ephedra -
Illinois became the first state to ban ephedra, an herbal supplement popularly used as an athletic performance enhancer.

Milk-Based Formula Linked to Blood Pressure -
Babies fed a dairy-based formula grew up to have higher blood pressure than breast-fed babies. Follow up from two studies starting in 1972 and 1974 confirmed that those fed the most cow's milk formula were taller but had the highest blood pressure.
Am J Clin Nutr 5/22/2003

Fish May Fight Pregnancy Depression Risk -
Eating salmon, sardines, or other fatty fish containing omega-3 fatty acids might help pregnant women avoid depression before and after childbirth. The new study analyzed 11,721 British women. The more fatty fish that was consumed during the third trimester, the less likely the women were to show signs of major depression at that time or for up to eight months after birth.
Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association

Tea Compounds May Fight Bad Breath -
According to a University of Chicago study, polyphenols found in green and black tea can block bacteria from producing compounds such as hydrogen sulfide that cause bad breath and halitosis.
Annual Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology

Quorn Linked to Asthma Attack -
A 41-year-old man with a long history of asthma, developed a severe skin reaction, including blistering, and suffered an asthma attack an hour after eating Quorn. Quorn was the only food to which he proved to be allergic. The researchers suggest the attack was probably caused by a reaction between the "mycoprotein" in Quorn and a human allergen in the patient.

Antioxidant Supplements Best to Protect Eyes -
Harvard Medical School researchers say that an antioxidant vitamin-mineral combination with vitamin E, C, beta carotene, zinc, and copper are effective in protecting the eyes against cataracts and macular degeneration. The recommendations were derived from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and were mentioned in May's Harvard Health Letter.

U.S. Moms Stop Breastfeeding Too Soon -

According to a government survey, more new mothers have started breast feeding in the U.S., but most stop sooner than health experts would like. The results showed that about 2/3 thirds had never breast fed. At six months, 27% of babies were fed some breast milk. At 12 months, the percentage dropped considerably lower. As part of the national Healthy People 2010 program, health officials aim to increase the proportion of mothers who breast feed their infants to 75% after birth, 50% at six months, and 25% at one year. U.S. Disease Control & Prevention

Calcium May Predict Heart Disease -
Electron beam coronary artery calcium scanning as a screening tool for heart disease was found to be remarkably useful. 5,635 men and women with no symptoms of heart disease were screened. Within three and a half years of having the test, 224 volunteers developed evidence of heart disease. The EBT scanning had detected high amounts of calcium deposits in 95% of these participants.
Circulation, Journal of the American Heart Association May 27, 2003

Action on Crematoria Mercury -
The British government says that 16% of all mercury emissions are created by crematoria. It is well known that mercury delivered through the air is even more dangerous than through water, food, or injection. They are looking into ways to cut emissions. One way is to remove all dental amalgams, which are made out of mercury. BBC News 5/9/2003

Acupuncture Has Fertility Boosting Benefits -
Scientists are calling for a definitive study for acupuncture as a fertility treatment, citing its numerous, promising benefits associated with increasing fertility in women. A Cornell Medical Center summary review of recent studies conclude that acupuncture increases the stimulation of increased uterine flow and fertility hormones, normalization of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, positive impact on plasma hormone levels, and lower stress hormones for infertility.
Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility

FDA Approves Several Dietary Supplement Claims -
The food and Drug Administration has approved claims for the mineral selenium and its risk reduction of certain cancers and has anticarcinogenic effects in the body. It has as well claimed that phosphatodylserine may reduce the risk of dementia in the elderly. Finally, it has said that antioxidants may reduce the risk of certain cancers.
US Dept of Health and Human Services

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