Health News Tidbits

Health News Tidbits – November 2004

Pycnogenol Lowers Blood Sugar in Type 2 Diabetics -
A new double-blind, placebo-controlled Chinese study found that for 12 weeks, 77 type 2 diabetes patients who continued to take their anti-diabetic medication further lowered blood sugar levels and increased cardiovascular function after supplementing with 100
mg. pycnogenol, an extract of Maritime pine.
Life Sciences (75(21):2505-13)

Record number of Pool-Related Diseases in U.S. -
The number of Americans who got sick from swimming or bathing in tainted pools, spas, and other facilities jumped 21 percent to a record high during 2001 and 2002. Poor pool and spa maintenance, watershed contamination and the tendency of some people to swim while sick were among the factors that led to the rise in illnesses such as diarrhea and skin infections. About half of the recent diarrhea outbreaks were caused by Cryptosporidium, a microscopic chlorine-resistant parasite. CDC.gov

Coffee May Increase Cardiovascular Inflammation -
A Greek study of 3,000 people found that those drinking more than one cup increased the chances of cardiovascular inflammation. Researchers found that men who drank more than one cup of coffee had 30% higher levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and 3% higher white blood cell count (WBC). Women had 38% higher CRP and 4% higher WBC. CRP and WBC are the gold standard for measuring inflammation. Researchers did mention that removing coffee from your diet is not a priority compared to healthy diet and regular exercise. Amer J Clin Nutr, 10/2004

Comparison of Statins and Magnesium -
The beneficial effects of statin drugs are paralleled and complemented by those of magnesium. Statin meds lower LDL levels more sharply than do magnesium supplements, but magnesium more reliably acts to improve all aspects of dyslipidemia including raising HDL and lowering triglycerides, without the adverse effects. J Amer Coll Nutr, 10/2004

Magnesium/B6 Relaxes Hyper Children -
Researchers discovered that some hyperexcitable children have low magnesium and vitamin B6 levels. From the 52 participants (under the age of fifteen), 30 had low magnesium levels. After supplementing with 100mg of magnesium and B6 for three to twenty four weeks, each of the thirty participants restored their magnesium levels to normal. More importantly, symptoms of hyperexcitability were reduced after one to six months of treatment. J Amer Coll Nutr, 10/2004

Tea May Boost Memory -
British researchers found that green and black tea inhibited the activity of key enzymes associated with memory. The inhibited enzymes are thought to be key components in creating protein deposits found in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's. Green tea's effects lasted one week while back tea lasted one day. Phytotherapy Research, 10/2004

Vitamin D Essential for Bone Health -
One of the most neglected aspects of bone health is vitamin D intake. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorous. Although, roughly half of 1,500 postmenopausal women in a new national study at Boston University had vitamin D levels below what is considered ideal. A Columbia University study also mentioned that more than half of women currently treated for osteoporosis do not have enough vitamin D in their bodies. NYTimes.com 10/19/04, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research 10/04/2004

Scientists Finding Multiple Benefits for Vitamin D -
Based upon a 1,300-page compilation of research findings from more than 100 labs, vitamin D is exhibiting many more benefits other than bone health. Muscle strength, protection against deadly disease including multiple sclerosis (MS), diabetes, and even cancer are a few new benefits. Stanford researchers believes this is because vitamin D is a potent force in regulating cell growth, immunity, and energy metabolism. Of course, the researchers agree that most of us living in the northern hemisphere are severely lacking in adequate vitamin D intake. Sciencenews.org 10/14/04

Acupuncture Effective as Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis -
570 patients, average age 65.5 years, with osteoarthritis of the knee participated in the 26 week randomized controlled trial. All patients continued with their existing medication treatment. Patients receiving the acupuncture showed marked improvement in function and a greater decrease in pain.
American College of Rheumatology 10/17/04

Acupuncture May Ease Hay Fever -
In a German study of 52 participants with moderate hay fever, 85% of those who were administered acupuncture and chinese herbs showed overall improvements in symptoms compared to 40% with placebo. Allergy, September 2004

Apples May Ward Off Colon Cancer -
The French National Institute for Health and Medical Research found that key chemicals in apples called procyanidins reduced precancerous lesions in lab animals by half compared to those without apples in their diet. Procyanidins are polyphenols, mostly concentrated in the skin of the apple. They triggered signals that led to cell suicide, thus thwarting the growth and spread of cancer Further study in humans is forthcoming.
American Association for Cancer Research 10/19/2004

Cilantro for Food-Borne Illness? -
Cilantro contains a compound called dodecenal that is twice as potent against food-borne illnesses as commonly used antibiotics. Health & Healing, 8/2004

High Folate Lowers Women's Blood Pressure -
Women consuming 800 micrograms per day or more of folate are significantly less (29%) likely to develop high blood pressure than women consuming lesser amounts, according to the American Heart Association. All the women in this category took folate supplements.
AHA Conference on HBP Research 10/12/04

Vioxx Was OK'd for Kids -
Weeks before the bombshell dropped on Merck & Co's painkiller Vioxx, the Food and Drug Administration had approved Vioxx for children! Newsday, 10/12/04

United Nations Attack Sugar Industry -
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization is launching an investigation stemming from BBC documents that reveal the World Sugar Research Organization and International Life Sciences Institute, both funded by the sugar industry, helped pay for the Expert Consultation on Carbohydrates in Human Nutrition. This was a joint conference between the UN and the World Health Organization to look impartially at key questions, including whether sugar is detrimental to human health. The experts review was favorable to the sugar industry, which has used it to fight any suggested links between sugar and health concerns. The research meeting is being rescheduled with no benefactor funding. bbc.com 10/11/04

Tai Chi Can Help Heart Failure -
A study of thirty patients found regular classes gave patients better movement and reduced B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) levels, a measure of heart failure. Researchers hope that Tai Chi can be incorporated into cardiac treatment programs worldwide. Amer J Med 10/11/2004

Unsaturated Fat Lower Gallstone Risk -
A Mediterranean diet rich in vegetable oil, nuts, and fish may prevent gallstones. Of 45,756 men who ate more of the unsaturated fats found such foods lowered their risk of gallstones by nearly one-fifth, according to a 14-year study. Ann Int Med 10/05/04

Crestor May Harm Kidneys -
According to the consumer group Public Citizen, 29 patients who took AstraZeneca's cholesterol drug Crestor have developed kidney damage. The rate of reported kidney problems is about 75 times higher with Crestor than with all other drugs in the same class. The group has called for a ban on the medicine.
Reuters 10/29/04

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