• Eating the right Food Determines your Health

    Eating the right Food Determines your Health

    April 13, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

    CNN had an interview with Dr. Leana Wen about the fact that eating the right food determines your health. Dr. Wen is a wellness expert, an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at George Washington University. How much does the quality of food we eat influence our health? There are detailed studies … [Read More...]

  • Regular Exercise Makes you 9 years younger

    Regular Exercise Makes you 9 years younger

    March 30, 2024 by · 2 Comments

    A recent publication noted that regular exercise makes you 9 years younger. The researchers meant that the biological age is 9 years younger than your chronological age. They went one step further and proved that regular exercise elongates your telomeres, which is why people who exercise regularly live longer. … [Read More...]

  • New Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Disease

    New Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Disease

    March 16, 2024 by · Comments Off on 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

    March 2, 2024 by · Comments Off on 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

    February 17, 2024 by · 1 Comment

    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

    February 4, 2024 by · Comments Off on 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...]

    Oct
    01
    2005

    Early Treatment For Stuttering Children Is Better

    By | Health

    Stuttering is a frustrating problem for kids and their parents, and about 5% of all preschoolers are found to stutter. The onset of the problem usually occurs between the ages 3 and 4. Opinions about intervention have been divided so far. Some voices called for early treatment, but there was no research to back up a better success rate. Others suggested that kids would outgrow the problem and it was early enough to seek treatment, if the stuttering persisted once the children were entering school.
    Researchers tested a new behavioral program (the Lidcombe program) to establish whether early treatment intervention would show a better success rate as opposed to natural recovery. They conducted a study in which 54 children in the age group of 3 and 4 years were enrolled. All of them had a stuttering problem. 29 of them received the Lidcombe program, and 25 were a control group who did not receive the program.

    At the end of the study the children of the control group had reduced their stuttering by 43 %, but only 15% had reached a minimum level of stuttering. The results of the children who had received the Lidcombe program were impressive: they had reduced their stuttering by 77%, and over half of them (52%) had reached a minimum level of stuttering.
    The experts concluded that the Lidcombe approach is more successful than the normal discovery, and initiating the program early is crucial for the following reasons: it works best in preschoolers.

    Early Treatment For Stuttering Children Is Better

    Early Treatment For Stuttering Children Is Better

    Also it is more beneficial to intervene early, as in school a child with a stuttering problem has to face frustration and social problems among classmates.

    Reference: BMJ 2005; 331:659 (24 September)

    Last edited December 6, 2012

    Oct
    01
    2005

    Mindless Snacking Makes You Fat

    By | Nutrition

    Eating healthy and exercising is considered the key to healthy lifestyle and also thought to be a reliable way to natural weight loss. There seem to be other aspects that matter, according to some thought provoking research that comes out of the Food and Brand Lab at the University of Illinois.
    One of the lab’s more recent experiments looked at mindless eating: people snack totally oblivious to the fact that they are not really hungry. The researchers looked at the most common venue for this habit and investigated 158 moviegoers in Philadelphia with an average age of 28.7 years. They gave them 120g pails and 240 g pails of fresh and stale popcorn. Those who received the large size pails consumed more popcorn (45.3 % more when it was fresh and 33.6 % more of the old and stale product.) When it comes to overeating, the researchers suggest, that portion size is more important than taste! The study appeared in the September/October edition of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. It also confirms the results of similar research. One member of a family who had been given a bulky 900g bag of candy to munch on during a film reported, that between four people they consumed a pound-and-a-half of M&Ms during the show. They just could not stop!
    The shape of drinking glasses can also fool even veteran bar tenders. The “vertical-horizontal illusion” is an innate human sensory deficiency, and people think that a tall, skinny glass holds more than a squat tumbler, even though they both hold the same volume.

    Mindless Snacking Makes You Fat

    Mindless Snacking Makes You Fat

    The founder of the Food and Brand Lab, Professor Brian Wansink, PhD is aiming his research at helping consumers to become more responsible in eating small quantities of more nutritious foods.

    More information about food intake and changing eating habits: http://nethealthbook.com/health-nutrition-and-fitness/weight-loss-and-diet/changing-eating-habits/

    Reference: National Review of Medicine, September 15,2005, page 1,5

    Last edited October 29, 2014

    Oct
    01
    2005

    More Education Needed About Ovarian Cancer

    By | Cancer

    Campaigns that inform about breast cancer are abundant in the media, but the one cancer which may be the most fatal of gynecologic cancers is silently at work, killing more than 60% of women diagnosed – ovarian cancer.
    It is also the cancer women know shockingly little about, and most women cannot identify its symptoms. Dr. Barbara Vanderhyden from the University of Ottawa, Canada confirmed in a study, that there are a lot of misconceptions about the disease. One in three women falsely believe that a Pap test screens for ovarian cancer. Remarkably, 12% of Canadian women claim that they have never heard about the disease, and only 35% consider themselves well informed. Even more problematically, women 50 years and older-those with the highest risk for ovarian cancer- are significantly less likely to be aware of their risk for disease than their younger counterparts. 71% of women think that ovarian cancer mainly affects women under 50 years of age.
    In the view of the findings that 96% of the women could not identify a combination of the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer, it is of great importance that more education and information is needed. Women as well as their health care providers have to be vigilant about early warning signs and symptoms. The most common warning signs and symptoms for ovarian cancer are bloating, abdominal pain, changes in urinary frequency, weight fluctuation and nausea.

    More Education Needed About Ovarian Cancer

    More Education Needed About Ovarian Cancer

    Diagnostic tests involve a bimanual examination by a physician, which is needed for all women, including those who did have a previous hysterectomy. The other test to consider would be an abdominal ultrasound.

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

    Reference: The Medical Post, September20, 2005, page 47

    Last edited October 29, 2014

    Oct
    01
    2005

    Olive Oil Combats Inflammation

    By | Health, Nutrition, Prevention

    The health benefits of the Mediterranean diet have received a lot of positive press, and so far the benefits have been credited to fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as olive oil. It has been pointed out that the bioflavonoids in fruit and vegetables are the positive forces at work. Also, the monounsaturated fatty acids of olive oil are part of a heart healthy diet.
    Researchers from the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Galveston, Texas have found yet another piece of evidence that olive oil has positive effects on heart health. They have found a natural occurring chemical in extra-virgin olive oil which they named oleocanthal. This substance is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, a so-called COX inhibitor. The pharmacological action is the same as in the anti-inflammatory ibuprofen.

    Dr. Gary Beauchamp (PhD) stated, “Some of the health-related effects of the Mediterranean diet may be due to the anti-COX activity of oleocanthal from premium olive oils”.

    More information about the concept of inflammation being at the root of many diseases: http://nethealthbook.com/about/overview/

    Reference: The Medical Post, September13, 2005, page5

    Olive Oil Combats Inflammation

    Olive Oil Combats Inflammation

    Last edited October 29, 2014

    Sep
    01
    2005

    Environmental Toxins Harmful For Generations To Come

    By | Cancer, Health, Men's Health, Women’s Diseases

    It is a known fact that exposure to toxic substances during pregnancy can cause birth defects.
    Investigators at the Center For Reproductive Biology of the University of Washington in Seattle examined the consequences of environmental toxins, which are also known as endocrine disruptors in their research. Dr. Michael K. Skinner led the study. The research team worked with rats, and they noticed that it was not only the first generation that was affected, but the effect persisted for as many as four generations later The substance they used in the experiment was either vinclozolin, an antiandrogenic compound commonly used as a pesticide in vineyards or methoxychlor, an estrogenic DDT replacement. Both pesticides are endocrine disruptors, as they interfere with the normal functioning of reproductive hormones. It was no surprise that ninety percent of male offspring that had been born to the exposed females had low sperm counts and reduced fertility.
    The unexpected result showed up in the next generation. If these offspring were mated to unexposed females, they still had low sperm counts and reduced fertility. The effect persisted-completely unexpectedly- through all generations tested without further pesticide exposure. The researchers concluded that the toxins affected inheritance by altering patterns of DNA in the germ line. Genetic changes that are passed on for generations to come might play a role in more frequently occurring diseases such as breast cancer and prostate disease, as they may not be caused by genetic mutations.

    Environmental Toxins Harmful For Generations To Come

    Environmental Toxins Harmful For Generations To Come

    This is also the first report that shows the menacing ability of an environmental factor to reprogram the germ line and promote a transgenerational disease pattern.

    More information on environmental toxins: https://www.askdrray.com/protecting-yourself-from-environmental-toxins/

    Reference: Parkhurst Exchange Volume 13,Number 6, August 2005, page 33

    Last edited October 29, 2014

    Sep
    01
    2005

    Getting Ready For Ragweed Allergies Is Important

    By | Allergies, Asthma, Eye Diseases

    Allergies are often associated with watery eyes and sneezing, and in commercials that promote over-the counter anti-allergy pills (antihistamines) the effects are shown as merely bothersome. The commercials are often amusing. The facts for the allergy sufferer are neither amusing nor are allergies a minor bother. They have to be taken serious, as they can affect the quality of life and even be potentially life threatening. A very common plant that can be the culprit for serious allergies is ragweed. Two varieties of the plant are accounting for the worst problems, Ambrosia trifida and Ambrosia artemisiifolia. People who are sensitized to the pollen of ragweed have the most severe symptoms in the months of August to October. Nasal congestion, sneezing, a constantly runny nose and itchiness of eyes, nose and throat are the problems that are encountered by the patient, but asthma can be the more serious consequence. The quality of life in the peak season of ragweed shows significant deterioration for allergy sufferers, as nasal congestion alone is linked to poor sleep quality which in turn leads to decreased productivity at work or in school. A skin rash can be another form of an allergic reaction. It is the less common form of ragweed allergy, but left untreated it becomes chronic and progressively worse. Other herbal products (chamomile and arnica), which may be used as compresses and as an ontment, can cross-react with ragweed exposure and produce a skin rash or dermatitis. Adults are more affected than children, and people with outdoor occupation (farmers, gardeners, harvesters, carpenters) are the group most at risk. Unfortunately, ragweed particles are very small and very light, which makes it very difficult to avoid them in the peak season, but there are measures one can take to avoid exposure.

    Getting Ready For Ragweed Allergies Is Important

    Getting Ready For Ragweed Allergies Is Important

    The peak time of pollen exposure is in the middle of the day, and it is a good idea to keep the windows closed to prevent large amounts of pollen from drifting into your home. The use of an air conditioner in the car or at home can be helpful. After spending time outdoors it can be helpful to change into fresh clothes and perhaps even take a shower. Drying clothes on the laundry line in peak season should be avoided, as they are prone to collect large amounts of pollen.

    Getting Ready For Ragweed Allergies Is Important1

    Ragweed Blossoms Late In The Season

    Timing vacations to leave ragweed-infested areas for other parts of the country can also help. It is also important to take action as soon as symptoms are present. Letting things take their course, will just have a snowball effect. An allergist can do patch tests to determine whether there is a reaction to ragweed. If ragweed dermatitis is present, it has to be treated early on to avoid the difficult to treat chronic state, in which a lower UV threshold is also part of the condition. Decongestants may help with nasal congestion, but unfortunately they tend to cause side effects, such as sleeplessness and a rapid heart beat. The physician can point out the most effective antihistamine to the patient, and intranasal cortico steroids (INCS) may be preferable over oral antihistamines. Newer INCS medications have shown to provide quick control of nasal symptoms, and they can actually minimize the emergence of symptoms, if they are started before the ragweed season begins in mid summer.

    More info about asthma: http://nethealthbook.com/lung-disease/asthma-introduction/

    Reference: Allergy & Asthma, Summer 2005, page 4-9, page 13-16

    Last edited October 29, 2014

    Sep
    01
    2005

    No Relationship Between Allergies And Cancer

    By | Allergies, Cancer, Health

    Two opposite opinions have been voiced. There is the sinister threat that people who are prone to allergies are also at risk for coming down with cancer, because their immune system is constantly in overdrive. The opposite rumoring has also been heard: people with an overactive immune system and allergies have a built-in protection against cancer, because their immune system is in a constant state of vigilance.
    Researchers from the Karolinska Hospital and Institute in Sweden made a point to examine these opposed hypotheses in a study that involved 70,136 patients between the years 1988 and 2000.

    All these patients were tested for allergic disease and the results were linked with data from the Swedish Cancer Registry. The total number of cancers found was what could be expected in the general population. In addition this large epidemiological study performed specific analysis for cancer of the lung, the cervix cancer, cancer of the pancreas as well as lymphoma and skin cancers. The findings demonstrated that none of these cancers were independently related to allergies.

    No Relationship Between Allergies And Cancer

    No Relationship Between Allergies And Cancer

    Dr. B. Lindelöf and his research team concluded: “Our study did not support the reported decreased risk of cancer in allergic patients, nor did it support an increased risk.”

    More info available for:

    Allergies (allergic rhinitis): http://nethealthbook.com/ear-nose-and-throat-diseases-otolaryngology-ent/nose-problems/allergic-rhinitis/

    Cancer: http://nethealthbook.com/cancer-overview/overview/

    Reference: Allergy 2005; 60: 1116-1120

    Last edited October 29, 2014

    Sep
    01
    2005

    Dark Chocolate For Lower Blood Pressure

    By | Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Nutrition

    Chocolate, as long as it is consumed in moderation, can be good for you. The beneficial ingredients are the bioflavonoids, the same substances that are also found in fruit and vegetables.
    Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg, PhD, at Tufts University in Boston reported about a study, where 20 adults with hypertension (high blood pressure) were asked to eat white chocolate or dark chocolate for 15 days. Blood pressure was reduced by an average of 12/9 mmHg with the dark chocolate. White chocolate had no effect, as blood pressures stayed the same. Dark chocolate also caused a dip in the LDL cholesterol and lowered insulin resistance.
    The reason for the benefits lies in the bioflavonoids content: dark chocolate is rich in bioflavonoids, whereas milk chocolate contains little, and white chocolate the least of the three.
    For all chocoholics this is not a ticket for a box of Belgian dark chocolates or an assortment of candy bars in one sitting.

    Dark Chocolate For Lower Blood Pressure

    Dark Chocolate For Lower Blood Pressure

    Moderation is still the key, and you may consider consuming cocoa, perhaps as a Mexican chocolate drink without the fat and without the sugar.

    References: The Medical Post, August 9, 2005, page 19

    Last edited December 7, 2012

    Sep
    01
    2005

    Father’s Age Important For Healthy Children

    By | Health, Obesity

    So far the risk for birth defects has been associated with the age of the mother: women over 35 run a higher risk of having a child with a genetic abnormality or birth defects than younger moms. Nothing much was said about the age of the father.
    An epidemiological study by Dr. Mark Walker at the Obstetrics, Maternal And Newborn Investigation (OMNI) Research Group in Ottawa took a closer look at 24,916 infants with birth defects. The incidence of birth defects was broken down by paternal age in five-year increments, after considering and adjusting for other risk factors like maternal smoking, maternal age, alcohol consumption and prenatal care.
    It turns out that the age of the father is of importance: the lowest incidence was among infants fathered by men of the age group of 25 to 29 years.

    Father's Age Important For Healthy Children

    Father’s Age Important For Healthy Children

    The risk for birth defect increased with each subsequent paternal age group. Risk was highest where the fathers were age 50 or older.

    More on birth defect (chromosomal abnormalities): http://nethealthbook.com/chromosomal-abnormalities-2/

    Reference: The Medical Post, August 9, 2005, page 17

    Last edited October 29, 2014

    Aug
    01
    2005

    Cognitive Therapy Useful For Suicide Prevention

    By | Mental Health

    A prospective study was done involving 120 adults over 18 months with evaluations at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months involving patients who had attempted to commit suicide before entering the study. The purpose of the study was to find out whether cognitive therapy could make a difference in the suicide or suicide attempt rate in the months following an attempt. Several parameters were measured using scales of hopelessness, symptom of depression, frequency of suicidal thoughts and recording repeat suicidal attempts.

    The results showed that there was a significant difference between the regular treatment group and the group where cognitive therapy was given. The subsequent suicide attempt rate in the regular treatment group was 1.97-fold higher than in the cognitive therapy group over the 18 months treatment and observation period. 76% of the cognitive therapy treated group did not attempt to commit suicide again (free of repeat suicide attempt), whereas in the regular treatment group this figure was down to 58%. At 6, 12 and 18 moths a depression assessment showed that the cognitive therapy group had a significantly lower (meaning “better”) score than the regular treatment group. This was also reflected in the statistics showing a 50% less likely rate of repeat suicide attempts in the cognitive therapy group. Feelings of hopelessness were also significantly lower in the cognitive therapy group, but interestingly enough there was no significant difference between suicidal thoughts in the cognitive therapy group versus the regular treatment group.

    Cognitive Therapy Useful For Suicide Prevention

    Cognitive Therapy Useful For Suicide Prevention

    The authors came to the conclusion that cognitive therapy is an effective treatment modality, which helps preventing further suicide attempts, in patients who recently have attempted to commit a suicide.

    More info on suicide and suicide prevention: http://nethealthbook.com/mental-illness-mental-disorders/suicide-suicide-prevention/

    Reference: JAMA. 2005;294:563-570

    Last edited October 29, 2014