• New Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Disease

    New Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Disease

    A recent study explained that a new blood test for Alzheimer’s disease is very reliable. Specifically, it determined with 96% accuracy elevated levels of beta amyloid. It also accurately identified tau protein, another Alzheimer’s marker, with 97%. The original research study was published at JAMA … [Read More...]

  • Living with the Aging Process

    Living with the Aging Process

    The following article describes living with the aging process. Older adults undergo the process of aging between the ages of 50 and 80. This is a complex process affecting various systems parallel. There are hormone factors that are particularly prominent in women during menopause. Joints are affected by … [Read More...]

  • Ashwagandha’s Benefits

    Ashwagandha’s Benefits

    Medical news today had an article in October 2023 that reviewed ashwagandha’s benefits. I thought it would be useful to discuss this topic in an abridged version. Often things get distorted on the Internet and a reality check helps to separate facts from fiction. Ashwagandha (botanical name: Withania somnifera) is a … [Read More...]

  • Beef and Dairy May Cause Cancer and MS

    Beef and Dairy May Cause Cancer and MS

    New cancer research suggests that chronic virus particles in beef and dairy may cause cancer and MS (multiple sclerosis). The Medical journal Medscape.com had a review article that summarized this line of research. Papillomaviruses and cervical cancer Harald zur Hausen, M.D., D.Sc., a German virologist, detected … [Read More...]

  • Fasting-Mimicking Diet Is Benefitting Cardiovascular Health

    Fasting-Mimicking Diet Is Benefitting Cardiovascular Health

    A crossover study showed that a fasting-mimicking diet is benefitting cardiovascular health. This new study was done by Dr. Valter Longo et al. from the University of Southern California. It compared the effect of two diets. They were the fasting-mimicking diet versus an unrestricted diet. In other studies Dr. Longo … [Read More...]

  • Backup your New Year’s Resolutions by looking at short-term Consequences

    Backup your New Year’s Resolutions by looking at short-term Consequences

    In the New Year it pays to backup your New Year’s resolutions by looking at short-term consequences. An article in “the conversation” explains how you can keep yourself motivated to stick to healthy habits. The alternative would be to fall back into unhealthy habits, which lead to various disease conditions. … [Read More...]

    Oct
    01
    2006

    Successful Gene Therapy For Melanoma

    Scientists at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md. have developed a modality of gene therapy to treat patients with melanoma.
    The therapy alters the patients’ own lymphocytes to recognize and attack cancer cells. Dr. Steven Rosenberg and his team developed the new technique by drawing a blood sample containing normal lymphocytes from an advanced melanoma patient. Next the cells are infected with a retrovirus, which delivers genes that target specific receptors on T cells. Once the cells are infused back into the patient, these receptors attach themselves to the molecules on tumor cells and activate the lymphocytes to destroy the cancer cells. This method is called “adoptive cell transfer”. In early experiments there seemed to be little or no benefit, but researchers refined the methods and found valuable and promising aspects regarding the treatment of melanoma patients. It is crucial to administer the cells in their most active growth phase. This was shown in a group of 14 patients, where 2 terminal melanoma patients experienced cancer regression. Dr. Jeffrey Medin, head of the clinical research program in gene therapy at the Ontario Cancer Institute in Toronto agrees that this new therapy is a breakthrough as it has virtually brought terminal patients “back from the brink”. It is also exciting to see that the researchers could refine the techniques in order to create a more successful therapy. As a result the method will be more applicable to other cancers and broader populations.

    Successful Gene Therapy For Melanoma

    Successful Gene Therapy For Melanoma

    Although adoptive cell transfer has only been used in melanoma patients so far, the researchers have shown ways to engineer cells of the immune system in a similar way to attack breast, liver cancer or lung cancers.

    More information about treatment of melanoma: http://nethealthbook.com/cancer-overview/skin-cancer/melanoma/treatment-melanoma/

    Reference: The Medical Post, September 19, 2006, page 1 and 61

    Last edited November 1, 2014

    Oct
    01
    2006

    Lowering Cholesterol Aggressively Saves Lives

    A 5-year multinational prospective study (“Treating to New Targets or TNT Study” involving top cardiologists from around the world has found significant benefits in using higher doses of statins. They investigated the effects of increasing the statin concentration (a cholesterol lowering medication) and have now come to new insights how to approach the metabolic syndrome, which is the metabolic derangement associated with obesity. Of 10,001 patients aged 35–75 years with clinically proven heart disease 5,584 patients had metabolic syndrome at the same time. Half of them were put on 10 milligrams of Atorvastatin (brand name: Lipitor, made by Pfizer Inc.), the other half on 80 milligrams per day. They were followed for 5 years and many questions were asked, blood tests done and statistics kept. Of particular concern was whether survival rates and numbers of heart attacks or strokes would be different for the various groups. The major focus of interest was on people who were over weight or obese.

    As the image above shows, percentages of complications (heart attacks and strokes) were used as clear end points of cardiovascular complications to measure the response to the statin. The results showed that two subgroups of obese patients, those who have at the same time diabetes and those who don’t, were both benefitting from the higher dose of Lipitor in an equal manner (about a 30% relative reduction of risk).

    The amazing result was that dosage of the statin mattered very much. In the past it was thought that taking a pill for high cholesterol was all that mattered. However, now we know that physicians need to watch the blood level response of the bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) and titrate the abnormal levels down to a normal level by using adequate dosing. The authors came to the conclusion that metabolic syndrome patients with heart disease, and particularly those where diabetes was present at the same time, would need more intensive statin therapy (higher dosage) than patients who were only having cardiovascular disease. The new goal post for lowering the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) of 1.8 mmol/L (70 mg/dL) was recommended.

    5-Year Study Shows Further Reduction of Major Cardiovascular Complications In Patients
    (Expressed as %) With Metabolic Syndrome Using Higher Doses of Atorvastatin(P. Deedwania et al. Lancet 368, No. 9539: 919-928, Sept. 9, 2006)
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    This study showed that there was a 44% increase in absolute risk for an adverse outcome in coronary heart disease patients who also have metabolic syndrome than those without metabolic syndrome. This justifies a very aggressive treatment with Lipitor down to the new target blood values indicated above that your doctor needs to monitor. In high risk patients for heart attacks and strokes where more than 3 cardiovascular risk factors are present the patient’s outlook (longer survival) can be improved by several years. This was shown with treatment using the higher dose of Lipitor when blood levels and cardiovascular complications were compared between 5 years of treatment and the treatment results after the first year of the study.

    More information on:

    1. Treatment of a heart attack: http://nethealthbook.com/cardiovascular-disease/heart-disease/heart-attack-myocardial-infarction-or-mi/treatment-heart-attack/

    2. Metabolic syndrome and obesity: http://nethealthbook.com/hormones/metabolic-syndrome/

    Reference: The Lancet 2006; 368:919-928 (09 September 2006)

    Last edited November 1, 2014

    Sep
    01
    2006

    Suppression Of Estrogen Affects Cognitive Function

    Female patients with gynecological problems such as fibroids and endometriosis can be treated with leuprolide acetate depot (LAD) or Lupron. LAD suppresses ovarian function and decreases estrogen to the levels of postmenopause. In menopause estrogen levels show a natural drop. In this group the estrogen levels were chemically suppressed. The patients ranged in the ages 25 to 40 years of age-all of them well before the age of menopause. The researchers were able to observe the effects of estrogen on cognitive function without the brain changes associated with normal aging.
    Dr. Barbara Sherwin, PhD, professor for psychology and obstetrics at Mc Gill University in Montreal stated that previous research has shown a connection between decreased estrogen and the deterioration of verbal memory. Taking estrogen during menopause can prevent this deterioration. The current study also showed a significant decrease in working memory and scores regarding mood in the women who are taking LAD.
    Dr. Sherwin suggested also that some research points to a window of opportunity around the time of menopause where estrogen will protect.

    Suppression Of Estrogen Affects Cognitive Function

    Effects of estrogen (=E2) on the brain

    But beyond that time, such as at the age of 65 or older, estrogen treatment does not provide these benefits. As shown in the Women’s Health Initiative study it may be detrimental.

    Reference: The Medical Post, August, 22, 2006, page 45

    Comment on Nov. 13, 2012:   There is a big difference between conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and replacement of hormones with bio-identical hormones. The former (HRT) is what was proven by the Women’s Health Initiative study to be detrimental to postmenopausal women; the latter (bio-identical hormone replacement) is what a lot of European women have done for decades and what has benefitted them tremendously without side-effects whatsoever. Inform yourself and read more about treatment of menopause under this link (Nethealthbook).

    Last edited December 6, 2012

    Sep
    01
    2006

    Prostate Cancer Recurrence Linked To Obesity

    Prostate cancer affects a significant percentage of male patients in the higher age groups. Early diagnosis and treatment has shown good success rates. Early surgery in the form of a radical prostatectomy has given patients virtually a new lease on life. Radiotherapy as an alternative form of treatment has been an option for those who could not undergo surgery. Once the treatment is completed there is reason for optimism, if the tumor could be removed in total.

    Dr. Sara Strom, PhD and research colleagues from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas analyzed findings of 873 patients over the course of 14 years with localized prostate cancer who had received external beam radiotherapy as their sole treatment. The objective was to determine, whether all patients were doing well, or whether some could be more at risk. It turned out that those with normal body weight fared best. 27% of them experienced a recurrence of the disease. Those who were overweight had recurrence rates that jumped to 55%. Those who were obese were most severely affected with recurrence rates of 99%. The researchers believe that there is a difference of tumor behavior between patients with normal body weight and those who are overweight or obese.

    Prostate Cancer Recurrence Linked To Obesity

    Prostate Cancer Recurrence Linked To Obesity

    Future studies will be needed to evaluate the relationship of obesity with dietary factors, genetic modifiers of steroid androgen metabolism, insulin and insulin like growth factors. This will clarify the underlying mechanism of action in the development of prostate cancer.

    More information about prostate cancer: http://nethealthbook.com/cancer-overview/prostate-cancer/

    Reference: The Medical Post, August 22, 2006, page 41

    Last edited November 1, 2014

    Sep
    01
    2006

    Cartoons Help Kids Deal With Pain

    Shots in early childhood are often approached with a sense of trepidation by parents. It means almost without fail, that there is crying and resistance. All the well meaning comments, that it is “only like a little mosquito bite” to get a shot at the clinic are of not much use.
    Italian researchers were able to confirm that children feel significantly less pain from blood draws when their mother was at their side. But this study from Siena, Italy also suggests that there are additional ways to distract children from pain. Sixty-nine children aged 7-12 were observed, and the study suggests that TV cartoons have an even greater power to distract youngsters from pain. Researchers took note that children whose attention was focused on a cartoon reported only one-third of the pain reported by controls of those who did not watch a cartoon.
    The practical application could be useful in labs or clinics, where children are receiving injections or may experience pain and discomfort. A funny cartoon may take some of the sting out of the dreaded shots!

    Cartoons Help Kids Deal With Pain

    Cartoons Help Kids Deal With Pain

    The study originally appeared in the August 17 online edition of Archives of Diseases in Childhood.

    More information about pain: http://nethealthbook.com/neurology-neurological-disease/pain/

    Reference: National Review of Medicine, August 30,2006, page 11

    Last edited November 1, 2014

    Sep
    01
    2006

    Food Choices Can Boost Good Cholesterol

    Dr. Andrew Pipe, a cardiologist at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, sees a lot of people with cardiovascular problems. He also has found that telling patients to “reduce their cholesterol and get the triglycerides down” is not very helpful. Dr. Pipe is aware that we are living in a world where people are constantly tempted by junk food, and it is not surprising that obesity is one of the consequences.
    It sounds daunting to a person with a lifetime of poor food habits and poor lifestyle choices to make changes. He believes that simplifying advice for healthy living can be brought down to 5 F’s for healthy living:

    -Fruit and vegetables, 3-4 each day
    -Fish, 3-4 per week
    -Fibre, 5 per day
    -Fat, 3-6 per day. Monounsaturated fats are best
    -Fast food: avoid it!

    Food Choices Can Boost Good Cholesterol

    Food Choices Can Boost Good Cholesterol

    To this list Dr. Pipe added two more Fs:
    – “Fysical” activity, 30-40 minutes per day. This may be a misspell, but it is the best way to increase your good cholesterol (HDL)
    -Fun, unlimited. Your food choices and exercise need to be enjoyable and appealing or the plan does not work in the long run.

    Here is a blog about slowing aging and avoiding disabilities: https://www.askdrray.com/slow-down-aging-and-prevent-disabilities/

    Reference: National Review of Medicine, August 30,2006, page 10

    Last edited November 1, 2014

    Sep
    01
    2006

    Moral Preaching Is Not Enough In AIDS Intervention

    At a recent conference of the International AIDS Society in Toronto the full spectrum of the disease was covered: science, community, activism, and people with AIDS.
    News Canada data released before the conference suggests that HIV infection remains a serious problem. There were somewhere between 2,300 and 4,500 new cases of HIV in Canada. The numbers are up from the estimated 2,100-4,000 cases that came up in 2002.
    There is one statistic that can be a source of hope: the number of deaths from the infection has shown a steep decline in the mid-90’s. This effect is largely due to the discovery and application of three-drug antiretroviral therapy. The widespread use of this therapy has also reduced the viral load, and as a result infectiousness may be reduced.
    UBC epidemiologist Dr. Evan Wood sees the encouraging development, but he emphatically spoke of the horrendous effect of AIDS. He stated, ” HIV remains the biggest threat to humanity globally.” He feels that the threat of terrorism pales in comparison to the carnage HIV results in every day. In this light it is short sighted and non-supportive of Canada’s PM, not to appear at this conference, as he had other commitments.
    This year also marks the 25th anniversary of AIDS’ discovery, but it is known that the disease was ravaging Africa at least 25 years before it first appeared in the West.
    The diagnosis of HIV infection does no longer sound like a death sentence. Things have been improving, but not fast enough, says Dr. Wood. Also one of the speakers, Bill Gates, spoke against naïve insistence on abstinence as a primary weapon in the battle against AIDS.

     

    Moral Preaching Is Not Enough In AIDS Intervention

    Moral Preaching Is Not Enough In AIDS Intervention

    Dr. Wood shared this sentiment. He stated that while the whole idea is well intended, sexuality is part of normal human behavior, and everybody knows that abstinence cannot exist forever.

    More information about AIDS: http://nethealthbook.com/infectious-disease/sexually-transmitted-disease/aids-introduction/

    Reference: National Review of Medicine, August 30,2006, page 14

    Last edited November 1, 2014

    Aug
    01
    2006

    Non-Hormone Alternative Against Hot Flashes

    Hormone replacement therapy has its positive and negative effects, and the proven risk of breast cancer has stopped many women from choosing hormone replacement for menopausal problems. Yet menopausal problems can be a source of suffering and frustration for those women who are affected. Menopausal hot flashes can be bothersome, and if they are severe, frequent and go on for years, women find it difficult to cope with this condition. Even if hormone replacement is not an option because of the risk factors, relief of those symptoms is very much needed. Herbal remedies are often not sufficient. As a result the day to day functioning of the patient is affected and even a restful night is interrupted by sweating.
    Dr. Sireesha Reddy from the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Rochester’s school of medicine and dentistry has led a study of 60 postmenopausal women. A medication called gabapentin was used in a randomized study. Three equal groups were observed: the first received gabapentin titrated to 2,400 mg per day. The second group received 0.625 mg per day of estrogen, and the third group was given a placebo. The gabapentin group and the estrogen group achieved similar results, namely a 71% reduction, versus 72% in the estrogen group. The placebo group reported a 54 % reduction of hot flashes.
    Dr. Reddy states that gabapentin against hot flashes is a good alternative. It works for patients who only have these particular problems, as it does not address other indications where estrogen is prescribed.

    Non-Hormone Alternative Against Hot Flashes

    Non-Hormone Alternative Against Hot Flashes

    Dr. Reddy also added that it might not be necessary to titrate to 2,400 mg gabapentin per day, because some women metabolize it at a higher rate than others.
    Specific side effects such as headaches and dizziness occurred more frequently in the gabapentin group, but they were not statistically significant.

    Reference: The Medical Post, July 18, 2006, page 4

    Comment on Nov. 13, 2012: This is an example of symptomatic therapy for one symptom, in this case hot flashes, but the trade-off are side effects like headaches and dizziness, which were discussed away because they were “statistically not significant”. Women in menopause have a lack of estrogen and progesterone, which is sensed by the receptors for both of these hormones throughout the woman’s body. The solution is bio-identical hormone replacement with specific hormone measurements as discussed under this link.

    Last edited December 6, 2012

    Aug
    01
    2006

    New Screening For Cardiovascular Disease

    Checking out the patient’s heart disease risk factors used to be very basic. Lifestyle questions were one aspect: was the patient smoking? Did he have a lack of exercise? Did he have a risk of heart disease in the family? The patient’s diet was analyzed and the body weight was assessed. Cholesterol and triglyceride levels were the basic labs that provided more information. The risk factor assessment, as exemplified by criteria from the Framingham study, made a lot of sense.

    In the meantime cardiologists are concerned that all these points are no longer sufficient in identifying individuals at risk for heart disease. Dr. Morteza Naghavi, president for the Association for the Eradication of Heart Attacks, is concerned that it is not only obesity and hypertension that bear the risk for heart attacks, but atherosclerosis. A lot of heart attacks occur in the low- and moderate risk groups. As far as he is concerned, every man aged 45-75 and every woman from 55-75 needs to be screened. We are better equipped to do something for people who have a high plaque burden (deposits in the blood vessels.) Statins are the medication of choice to help these patients.

    Screening techniques have become less invasive, as imaging technology has made large progress in recent years. The condition of the carotid artery can be assessed by ultrasound (carotid intima-media thickness or CIMT). Coronary calcification score (CACS) can be measured by CT scanner. The tests are done in a few minutes, and the cost at the most is a few hundred dollars. A patient would only be screened every five years. Screening procedures work and save lives, as demonstrated in the screening for breast cancer. The SHAPE team (The Screening for Heart Attack Prevention and Education) has calculated that the screening cost is even better than breast cancer screening. There are other tests that improve the sensitivity of traditional criteria, like the blood test for C-reactive protein, but in assessing the patient’s risk, it does make sense to go to the source of disease. The striking color image that demonstrates the atherosclerotic burden will allow the patients to see the problem with their own eyes.

    New Screening For Cardiovascular Disease

    New Screening For Cardiovascular Disease

    It may be a healing shock that has a beneficial effect on the compliance of patients. Test results of laboratory work are words, but here a picture is worth a thousand words when it comes to encourage the patient to actively work on prevention.

    More information on heart attacks: http://nethealthbook.com/cardiovascular-disease/heart-disease/heart-attack-myocardial-infarction-or-mi/

    Reference: National Review Of Medicine, July 30, 2006, page 7

    Last edited November 1, 2014

    Aug
    01
    2006

    New Aphrodisiac Nasal Spray

    Sildenafil and other phosophodiesterase-5 inhibitors(PDE-5 inhibitors) have taken the drug market by storm for erectile dysfunction. Viagra-just to name one of the drug names- has certainly enhanced the treatment possibilities for a male problem that was difficult to treat in the past. The market has had its heyday with splashy TV commercials, creating hype like seldom before. The truth remains, that any drug has also possible side effects that are not mentioned in the upbeat commercials, and patients with preexisting heart disease have experienced heart attacks. The medications for the treatment of erectile dysfunction are not recreational fun, but serious prescription drugs.
    In the meantime these drugs are facing competition from a new class of erectile dysfunction drugs, the melanocortin agonists.
    They claim to have remarkable properties due to the fact that they will not only help men but also women with a range of sexual disorders, including lack of desire. Contrary to the previous drugs they are not working through the vascular system but through the central nervous system. Through receptors in the brain area called hypothalamus, they stimulate areas of the brain associated with sexual arousal. Preliminary experiments have shown that they are increasing libido, but also help a man to get better erections.
    The melanocortin agonist closest to the market is known as bremelanotide. Previously known as PT-141, the nasal spray has been tested in about 300 men up to phase II with promising results. A study on women has been too small in numbers to give detailed results, but significantly more women reported increased libido after bremelanotide treatment as opposed to placebo. The drug’s half-life is only two hours, but women have reported effects lasting 10 to 12 hours. They also reported that the quality of their sexual encounter had improved. The older group (women over 34) responded slightly better than their younger counterparts.

    New Aphrodisiac Nasal Spray

    New Aphrodisiac Nasal Spray

    Bremelanotide still has some way to go till it will be on the market, but it is getting some positive press in magazines as the “first equal-opportunity aphrodisiac”. Palatin Technologies, the manufacturer of the drug is more cautious and does not want bremelanotide to be perceived as a leisure drug, even more so as it has not seen its approval at this point.

    National Review Of Medicine, July 30, 2006, page 11

    Comment on Nov. 13, 2012: The FDA did not approve this drug due to reports of elevated blood pressure in a minority of test subjects. However, the drug has been synthetized by other pharmaceutical companies around the globe and is actively traded in Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, the Bahamas, the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Uruguay.

    Last edited December 6, 2012