Health News Tidbits

Health News Tidbits – September 2004

Atorvastatin (Cholesterol-Lowering Statin Med) Decreases the Coenzyme Q10 in the Blood -
Researchers measured CoQ10 (essential enzyme for optimal cell function) levels in blood from 34 hypercholesterolemic subjects before and after exposure to atorvastatin calcium (80mg) for 14 and 30 days. Results showed that even brief exposure (14 days) to atorvastatin causes a marked decrease in blood CoQ10 concentration and more of a decrease at 30 days. Widespread inhibition of CoQ10 synthesis could explain the most commonly reported adverse effects of statins, especially exercise intolerance, myalgia, and myoglobinuria. Archives of Neurology 2004;61:828-829

Vitamin E Fights Infections in Elderly -
According to Tufts researchers, vitamin E supplementation has potential benefit in fighting upper respiratory tract infections such as colds in the elderly. In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled of 617 elderly, long-term care patients were given a multivitamin of 50% of the recommended daily allowance. 311 patients were given an additional 200IU vitamin E while the other 306 were given placebo. Fewer people in the vitamin E group suffered one or more upper respiratory tract infections. The vitamin E group also had a 20% less chance of catching a cold. There was no effect in lower respiratory tract infections. JAMA 8/18/04

Vioxx Increases Heart Attack Risk -
According to an FDA-financed study, patients taking Merck & Co. Inc's Vioxx arthritis drug had a 50% greater chance of heart attacks and sudden cardiac death than individuals using Pfizer Inc.'s rival Celebrex medicine. The study, taken from 1.4 million people insured by Kaiser Permanente, also found patients taking the highest recommended daily dosage of Vioxx had three times the risk of heart attack and sudden cardiac death as those not taking standard painkillers.
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 8/25/2004

Vioxx Plus Aspirin Spell Trouble for GI Tract -
Researchers claim that patients taking Aspirin and Vioxx together increases incidence of stomach ulcers 16% as opposed to those taking placebo.
Gastroenterology 8/2004

Fish Intake Reduces Atherosclerosis Risk -
Consumption of two or more servings weekly of fatty fish showed significantly reduced progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women.
Am J Clin Nutr, Vol. 80, No.3, 626-632, 9/04

Americans Not Eating Enough Produce -
According to an AC Nielsen poll of 2,472 people, more than 85% of consumers are not eating the federally recommended minimum of five servings of produce daily. Despite years of public service campaigning, the poll also showed the public does not know how many servings of produce they are supposed to eat. 60% thought eating one to four servings is enough for a healthy diet; 20% said one to two servings is enough. The government recommends two to four servings of fruit and three to five servings of vegetables daily.
Produce for Better health Foundation 8/23/04

Restoring Probiotic Bacteria Remedies Gut Disease -
Adding to the mounting evidence of the beneficial effects of Probiotics, researchers reversed many of the symptoms, especially inflammation, associated with ulcerative colitis with probiotic treatment. They found that the bowel walls of healthy people have 30 times the amount of a specific type of probiotic bacteria than in colitis patients.
Gut (future 2004 publication)

FDA to Issue New Antidepressant Warnings -
New FDA analysis backs earlier suggestions of a link between at least some antidepressants used by children and suicidal tendencies, prompting the agency to prepare new warnings which will appear on labels soon. Exactly what wording will be used and which drugs will be affected has not been settled. fda.gov

Anti-Depressant Deaths Increase -
Between 1993 and 2002, 118 people in England and Wales taking vanlafaxine (Efexor) died - 17.6 deaths per million prescriptions. Overall, there were 4,767 antidepressant deaths in the decade studied. Nearly eight out of ten were suicides.
National Audit Office of England and Wales 8/20/04

B12 May Prevent Birth Defects -
Dutch researchers measured vitamin B12 levels in blood samples from 45 mothers and their children with spina bifida and from 83 mothers and their healthy children. Mothers of the children with spina bifida had vitamin B12 levels that were 21 percent lower than those of the other mothers. With the lowest levels, the risk of spina bifida was increased more than threefold. Three percent of all new births around the world are affected with major structural birth defects, the biggest cause of infant mortality and disabilities among children in industrialized countries. Amer J Obst and Gynec 7/04

UK Vaccine Chief Funded by Vaccine Makers -
According to an expose in the Sunday Telegraph, Professor Michael Langman, the chairman of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization, which approved the new five-in-one vaccine for babies, has his university work backed financially by Merck Sharp and Dohme, the company involved in its manufacture. The Sunday Telegraph, 8/15/2004

Avocado Acts as Nutrient Booster -
Avocados allow the body to significantly absorb more heart-healthy and cancer-fighting nutrients like alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and lycopene found in fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are virtually fat-free, which may limit the body's ability to absorb some nutrients. The natural healthy fat content in the avocado increases nutrient absorption. Am J Clin Nutr 8/2004

Ex-Journal Editor Lambastes Drug Makers -
For a decade, Physician Marcia Angell served as executive editor and editor in chief of the New England Journal of Medicine, one of the most prestigious medical journals in the world. Working now as a senior lecturer at Harvard Medical School, she has written a scathing critique of the pharmaceutical industry, "The Truth About the Drug Companies: How They Deceive Us and What to Do About It." The book is to date one of the most explosive indictments on the industry, detailing how many of the drugs are grossly overpriced and not as effective as they are promoted to be.
Peter Jaret, latimes.com 8/12/04

CLA Aid Insulin Sensitivity and Inflammation in Obese Men -
Compared with the placebo, twenty five abdominally obese men receiving three grams of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) daily for three months showed decreased insulin sensitivity by 15 percent and increased inflammatory marker excretions (decreased inflammation) by 50 percent. Am J Clin Nutr, 8/ 2004

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