REPORTING POINT EXPRESS 11-02
AEROMEDICAL NEWS
Live healthy...live well”
HEALTH NEWS
by Larry Kline
SWAPA Voice Mailbox 511/email: skyguy737@cox.net
PROGESTERONE CREAMS - many manufacturers and promoters of “natural” progesterone skin creams, sold in health-food stores and drugstores without a prescription, can treat or prevent menopausal problems such as hot flashes, depression, vaginal dryness, and bone loss, as well as PMS in younger women. This progesterone has been called “natural” because it is synthesized from wild yams or soybeans and is a chemical match for progesterone produced by the ovaries. In contrast, the progesterone that is part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a synthetic form called progestin, engineered so that it can be taken in a pill and won’t break down before it enters the bloodstream.
Women who do not want to take HRT sometimes try these creams instead, and some report good effects. But studies show that these creams do not raise blood levels of progesterone enough to produce the claimed effects (even when the creams are applied at doses far higher than recommended on the labels). Most studies have found that neither natural progesterone nor progestin helps with PMS.
The creams are registered with the FDA as cosmetics, not drugs, so regulation of the contents and the claims is minimal. There is simply no way to know how much progesterone, if any, is in any of these products.
The main danger of these creams is that some women may believe they can use them as an alternative to progestin as part of HRT. Progesterone - or progestin - is a crucial part of HRT, because it counters the potential cancer-causing effects of unopposed estrogen on the uterus. The skin creams will not protect the uterus from estrogen’s effects.
Natural progesterone does come in prescription forms - orally (Prometrium), an intra-vaginal gel (Crinone), and an intrauterine device (Progestasert). These drugs may be good alternatives for progestins and have fewer side effects. One new study found that about two out of three women reported more relief from menopausal symptoms after switching to oral natural progesterone from their previous hormone replacement regimen (with progestins). An additional benefit of the natural progesterone pill is that it does not reduce estrogen’s ability to raise HDL (good) cholesterol as much as progestins. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 4/02.
COOKING WITH VIRGINS - the oil from the first pressing of olives is called extra-virgin. Its full flavor is best for dressings or dipping. Virgin olive oil is made from the second pressing, yet still gets to call itself virgin. For most cooking applications - pure olive oil works fine and it is cheaper. Olive oil is a mono-unsaturated fat and helps lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raises HDL (good) cholesterol. Men’s Health 1/02.
BUFFERED ASPIRIN - people often choose buffered or enteric-coated aspirin because they think it is safer. These special aspirin are just as likely to cause gastrointestinal bleeding as regular aspirin. Aspirin can produce a minute amount of bleeding, but when used as directed, usually not enough to be harmful. However, serious damage to the stomach lining, including ulcers, may occur, especially when people take aspirin for long periods. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 6/02.
DUDE, TRY SOME “WEED” - leafy greens are among the most nutritious foods. Dandelion greens, a common western green, are rich in beta carotene, calcium, potassium, and fiber, along with some vitamin C and iron, but minimal calories. They can be purchased at the store, or if you wish, you can harvest them yourself from your lawn. Caution: if you use pesticides, herbicides, or lawn fertilizers on your grass or nearby your lawn, stick with store bought dandelion greens. Do not pick dandelions by the roadside, either. If pets have access to your lawn, that's probably another good reason to get your greens from the store, unless you like that country flavor! Once you have a good source, dandelion greens are very versatile. If you do pick your own, pick them young, before the flowers appear or soon after. The brilliant yellow flowers are edible, too, and the petals very appetizing in a salad. Old plants can be too bitter and tough. Cut off the bottom of the stems, and wash the greens thoroughly in cold water. Use them in a green salad, or as part of a fruit salad, mixed with chopped apple, orange sections, almonds, and a vinaigrette. Steam them alone or with other greens for a side dish. Chop them and add them to a stew or a vegetable soup, as you would use spinach, being careful not to overcook. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 4/02.
LEGUMES FOR A HEALTHY HEART - legumes - podded plant foods like peas, beans, alfalfa, lentils and peanuts - can lower the risk of heart disease.
Researchers compared diets light in legumes (one serving per week) as compared to those moderately loaded with this plant food (4 servings per week). After 19 years, subjects on the latter plan had lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, fewer diagnoses of diabetes and hypertension, and a 22% reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease, the nation's No. 1 killer.
Previous studies have indicated that soybean protein and dietary fiber reduce cholesterol and improves insulin resistance. Legumes are high in bean protein and water-soluble fiber; and they are rich in folate, which reduces blood levels of homocysteine, a risk factor for heart disease. They are also low in sodium and high in potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
The indication of a "significant inverse relationship between legumes intake and risk of coronary heart disease - after adjustment for established heart disease risk factors - suggests that increasing legume intake may be important part in the dietary approach to prevention of CHD" - according to a large scale, long-term investigation at Tulane University in New Orleans.
The study utilized interviews and medical records of nearly 10,000 patients, and was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Men's Fitness 3/02.
AVOIDING DEMENTIA - heavy drinking damages brain cells, but a drink or two a day may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, according to a recent Dutch study of 8,000 people over age 55. Similarly, two years ago a study of more than 3,500 Japanese-Americans over age 70 found that a drink a day can help maintain brain function. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 6/02.
From the Flight Surgeon:
"TWO CENTS’ WORTH"
(Margaret, Joe, and Mary Jane)
by Joe Battersby, D.O.
FAA Medical Examiner
(edited for this publication from America’s Flyways, 3/02 - LK)
Our office is to say the very least informal. Perhaps it’s even true that the term “informal” is a euphemism. Facts, unqualified opinions, and politically incorrect statements are all rather jumbled together. We foster an atmosphere in which there are sometimes more areas of discussion “off” rather than “on” the record. We love this and wouldn’t have it any other way. In spite of this, we manage to not have our independence breed arrogance (I hope!).
Currently there seems to be a great deal of “chatter” in our “hallowed halls” about Aviation Security Measures as they apply to passengers and flight crews. If I may (of course I can), I’d like to offer a few personal opinions.
People have fears. We may be afraid of swimming, elevators, confined spaces, public restrooms, parents, strangers, and FLYING IN AIRPLANES. After 9-11, fear of the latter type has greatly magnified as would be expected. It is obvious from reports related to us that our present security measures are inadequate and crude. In their present form, they produce resentment and anger in the minds of may of the members of our aircrews. As things stand, I must say I heartily agree with our angry crewmembers. However - reassurance of the people served must be accomplished if (aside from purely humanistic concerns) we are to continue to maintain national and international air services (read jobs).
I trust that no one who has experienced or listened to creditable reports about security measures approves of their quality. Very well. We agree we have a problem. OK, what are some of our options? OPTION ONE: we can do what psychologists call “constantly and endlessly simply restate the problem”. No good! Wastes time better used for attempts at defining the important areas of defects. OPTION TWO: we can concentrate and focus exclusively on collecting anecdotes relating to the defects and stop with this type of activity. Really sort of an extension of option one. No good if it leads nowhere. OPTION THREE: we can think up and formalize a possible solution even if (and perhaps better) we only focus on one area. My personal option three would involve aircrews and their proper identification. Badges and photo I.D.’s are no good. Too easy to fake or steal. I wouldn’t care about how “traditional” they are. Find out sho is in charge of security agt CIA’s Langley - you know thumb prints, voice prints, etc. Sell these ideas to the airline Boss for us in our company for our entry into our secure area. Does my suggestion hint that I think aircrews are of great importance and deserve special treatment? As a matter of fact, of course I do! I also think that aviation security differs from that of the Super Bowl or a nuclear power plant in certain elements of detail perhaps. Aircraft crews can and should be contributing directly to the exercise of OPTION THREE. I know some are and that others will as we continue to make progress toward better systems.
In the seven years that I’ve been writing this monthly column, my choice has been to slant the column toward aviation medical topics in a general sense. If this particular slant toward commercial airline crews puts you off a bit please feel free to substitute “my wife wants a divorce!” or “can a vasectomy have failed?” for “security measures”. The process toward solution is pretty much all the same.
Things to be thankful for:
1. Daughter Marie’s visit in January (Mary Jane)
2. Getting the time to do some fishing with Joe. (Mary Jane)
3. Cold weather (Mary Jane)
4. Dead Horse Ranch (Joe)
5. The joy of getting up early each morning and smiles (Margaret)
6. The joy of working where, how, with whom and for whom. (Joe)
Best,
Joe, Mary Jane, Margaret
