Health News Tidbits

Health News Tidbits – October

Fewer Antibiotics for Kids Suggested -
Results from a study done by the Marshfield Clinic in five northern Wisconsin counties, revealed that educating doctors and parents about the risks of using antibiotics for common infections in children, can reduce such prescriptions by up to 20 percent. The study which appeared in the September issue of Pediatrics, spawned from the growing concern that antibiotics are becoming resistant to antibiotics, such as amoxicillin.

Drug Recall With Phenylpropanolamine -
While this recall was launched almost one year ago, it is worth repeating for those who may have these products in their medicine cabinets or may still be on store shelves. The ingredient Phenylpropanolamine, found in a multitude of over-the-counter medications, has been linked to bleeding in the brain among women ages 18-49, but the FDA has recommended taking the ingredient off the market completely. For a complete listing of these medications, call 800-548-3708 or go to http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ppa/default.htm.

Moderate Intake of Alcohol May Help Prevent Stroke & Cognitive Decline in the Elderly -
According to a new study in the journal Stroke, based on data collected from 3,660 adults over the age of 65 in the Cardiovascular Health Study, those who drank between one and six drinks (beer, wine, liquor) per week had a lower incidence of stroke and brain abnormalities compared with other groups, including the group that did not drink at all. However, alcohol use in all groups was associated with some degree of brain shrinkage, which has been associated with decline of memory and ability to concentrate. Also, research has not been confirmed on how moderate alcohol consumption may affect short-term memory and concentration. In addition, a significant factor in evaluating the ability to tolerate alcohol is genetic.

Antioxidants May be Better Than Antacids for Treating Reflux -
Free radicals produced by gastric acid may be more important than the acid itself in the development of reflux esophagitis, according to Korean researchers. A new finding in the August 15th issue of Gut, suggests that supplementation of antioxidants could improve both treatment and prevention of reflux esophagitis. The study done on 60 rats induced with esophagitis showed up to 60 percent lower development of lesions when treated with various doses of antioxidants.

Researchers Closer to Finding Genetic Foundations of Autism -
Scientists funded by the National Institutes of Health have identified regions of four chromosomes that appear to be linked with autism. The researchers screened the DNA of more than 150 pairs of siblings with autism. They found extremely strong evidence that two regions on chromosomes 2 and 7 contain genes that are involved with autism. These findings appeared in the September issue of the "American Journal of Human Genetics."

Study Shows Antioxidants Play Vital Role in Protecting Skin -
A recent study exploring preventing free radical damage to the skin caused by ultraviolet light, found that Vitamin C was by far the best free radical quencher. Compliments of Datamonitor

Blue Cross/ Blue Shield Estimates 1 Million Kids Use Sports-Enhancing Supplements, Drugs -
1 million youths between the ages of 12 and 17 have taken performance-enhancing supplements or drugs The survey is based on 1,787 phone interviews conducted in July 2001. The government has recently been warning the public about the danger of these supplements.

ADHD Kids May Benefit from Ginseng, Ginkgo -
In an open study published in the May issue of the Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, researchers reported that ginkgo biloba and ginseng may treat children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. A larger, placebo controlled study on these herbs will be published in the spring of 2002.

Report Finds Organic Food More Nutritious -
According to the 87 page document entitled, Organic Farming: Food Quality And Human Health, published by the Soil Association, organic food may not only be safer than conventional food, but higher in vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.

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