Health News Tidbits

Health News Tidbits – March 2004

Vitamin D's Importance in Preventing Disease Should Not be Overlooked -
Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of many common and serious diseases. For example, Type 1 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis risk may be reduced with proper vitamin D intake. A recent review study mentions that because very few foods naturally contain vitamin D, sunlight supplies most of our vitamin D requirement. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is the metabolite that should be measured in the blood to determine vitamin D status. Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in infants who are solely breastfed and who do not receive vitamin D supplementation and in adults of all ages who have increased skin pigmentation or who always wear sun protection or limit outdoor activities. According to the author of this review, in absence of exposure to sunlight, a minimum of 1000IU is required to maintain a healthy concentration of vitamin D in the blood.
Am J Clin Nutr, Vol.79, No.3, 362-371, March 2004

Low Vitamin C May Up Asthma Risk -
A 4,000 child survey showed that those with asthma had lower blood levels of vitamin C than children with healthy lungs.
American Journal Epidemiology, 2/15/2004

Antioxidants Linked to Lower Asthma Risk -
A 6,153 survey of youths four to sixteen years old have shown that increases of antioxidants' beta-carotene, vitamin C, and the trace mineral selenium were associated with a significantly lower risk of asthma prevalence.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 2/1/2004

Adenoidectomy for Ear Infections Not Effective -
Adenoidectomy, the first surgical treatment of children aged 10 to 24 months with recurrent acute ear infections, is not effective in preventing further episodes. It cannot be recommended as the primary method of prophylaxis according to the researchers of this 180 participant study.
British Medical Journal, Volume 328, 2/28/2004

Fiber Reduces Heart Disease Risk -
The fiber content in fruit, vegetables, and grains help to prevent heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels. Researchers said participants in the study who eat 10 grams fiber daily reduce their risk of heart attack by 14% and their risk of dying from coronary heart disease by 27%.
Archives of Internal Medicine February 2004

Chicken Pox Vaccine Loses Effectiveness Over Time -
According to a new study, the effectiveness of the chicken pox vaccine decreases significantly after one year (97% to 84%). If the CDC requires a booster shot, that would bring the number of required vaccine shots in Illinois to 20.
JAMA. 2004 Feb 18;291(7):851-5

Antibiotics, Cancer Linked -
A new study of 10,000 women showed those who used the most antibiotics - more than 25 prescriptions, or took the drugs for at least 501 days - faced double the risk of developing breast cancer over an average of about 17 years, compared to women who did not use the drugs. JAMA 2/17/04

Antioxidants May Protect Against Diabetes -
A group of Finnish researchers found that people who ate diets that contained the most vitamin E were thirty percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who consumed the least amount of vitamin E. The same results were found with those consuming large amount of carotenoids, a group of compounds that produce red, yellow, and orange colors in fruits and vegetables.
Diabetes Care, February 2004

High Fever May Be Good for a Baby -
A few bouts of fever at a very young age can ensure better health later in childhood. Children who suffer from fevers 99 degrees or more before their first birthdays are far less likely to develop asthma and allergies later in childhood. These findings support the theory that unless children's immune systems fight infections early on, they can cause allergic reactions and asthma later on.
J Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2/10/04

Testosterone Levels May be Connected to Depression -
According to researchers, low levels of the hormone testosterone in elderly men have a four-fold chance of developing depression as compared with those whose testosterone levels are normal. Greater improvements in mood have been observed among certain patient groups when they receive testosterone in combination with antidepressant therapy compared with drug treatments alone. Archives of General Psychiatry, February 2004

Fruit and Vegetable intake an Indicator for Bone Size -
High fruit and vegetable intakes have beneficial effects on the bone area of the radius and whole body in early pubertal girls. The lower urinary calcium output associated with higher fruit and vegetable intakes may be a modulating factor.
Am J Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 79, No. 2, 311-317, February 2004

CDC Vaccine Data Links Mercury to Autism -
A large study under review from the CDC's own Vaccine Safety Datalink concludes children are 27-times more likely to develop autism after exposure to three thimersol-containing vaccines, than those who received thimersol-free versions. Dr. Mark Geier, the lead investigator in the discovery, will discuss their CDC data in front of a Institute of Medicine panel. National Autism Association

New Study Explains How Thimersol-Containing Vaccines Can Cause Childhood Neurologic Disorders -
Researchers examined the impact of exposure to a variety of substances that interrupt nerve development on a process critical to normal development, known as methylation. If methylation is interrupted, the ability to learn and pay attention would naturally be impaired. The researchers say that the dramatic rise in autism and ADHD cases over the last few decades can be blamed on mercury poisoning due to vaccine-related thimersol exposure.
Molecular Psychiatry, April 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

CDC Says Carbs to Blame for Rising Calorie Intake -

According to a federal study, Americans, especially women, are consuming far more calories than they did three decades ago. The increasingly dreaded carbohydrates food group is to blame. The percentage of daily calories that came from carbohydrates, rose to 51.6% from 45.4% in women, and to 49 percent from 42.4 percent in men since 1971. CDC.gov 2/6/04

HRT Trial Halted for Unacceptable Cancer risk -
Scandinavian scientists have halted a study of the effect of hormone replacement therapy for women with a history of breast cancer. Their early results showed an "unacceptably high" risk of recurrence. The Lancet 2/5/04

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