REPORTING POINT 12-04
HEALTH NEWS
“Live healthy...live well”
by Larry Kline
SWAPA Voice Mailbox 4337/email: livehealthy-livewell@cox.net
(Past issues of “Health News” are available on my son’s website, which includes a word search engine - just go to the site with your browser and insert the key word to find past articles: http://home.earthlink.net/~candace_ball/healtharticles/frameset.htm) – LK
FARM IS NOT FINE - it is important to eat fish regularly because of its heart-healthy omega-3 fats. Salmon has become very popular as a source of these beneficial fats.
A new study has found that farmed salmon has 16 times the amount of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) compared to wild salmon. PCBs are organic pollutants thought to promote health problems, including cancer. The toxins come from plastics, waste incinerators, leaky transformers, and insecticide residues. Quite common in our environment, they are found in many foods besides fish. These toxins are found in the food pellets that the fish farmers feed to the salmon. Wild salmon also has some PCBs, too, although not nearly in the levels found in farm salmon.
One study by Indiana University found levels of PCBs in farmed salmon with levels high enough to damage the brains of fetuses and infants according to standards of the EPA, which are tougher than the FDA standards.
Even if the PCBs do cause cancer, one estimate of the risk is one extra case of cancer per 100,000 regular consumers of farmed salmon over the course of a 70-year lifetime. Given those odds, the benefits of consuming this excellent protein source far outweigh the hazards. Alternatives to farmed salmon include Pacific cod, mahi-mahi, ocean perch, Pacific halibut, haddock, flounder, sole, most shellfish, and striped bass. Many of these fish are also good sources of omega-3 fats and are low in PCBs and mercury. Virtually all canned salmon is made from wild salmon.
Finally, the farmed fish industry has recently made improvements in fish chow and has promised more. The industry has promised to continue to improve the quality of the fish chow and minimize the toxins found in the fish feed. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 4/04, Men’s Health 11/03.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ 13 - True or false: Brown sugar or raw sugar is no better for you than white.
Answer is below.
PUMP UP THE VOLUME – the current recommended vitamin E intake for those under 50 is just 15 mgs a day, but a Tufts University study says those over 50 who bump intake up to 200 mgs a day may be better able to fight off cataracts, heart problems, and Alzheimer’s disease. Men’s Health 11/03.
OBESITY INCREASES PROSTATE CANCER RISK – according to recent studies, and having it recur. The studies looked at men who already had localized prostate cancer. The researchers suggested that substances stored in body fat may promote tumor growth. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 3/04.
TWO QUICK FIXES FOR BACK PAIN – if you suffer from lower back pain, try taking your wallet out of your back pocket. Sitting on a thick billfold for long periods can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, the major nerve running through the buttocks.
Another possibility is that you may have one leg shorter than the other. Even a slight imbalance can cause the spine to curve to the short side when you walk or run. Eventually, the bend puts painful pressure on disks. A good tailor or physician can determine if this is your situation. If there is an imbalance, correct the problem with a Dr. Scholl’s type therapeutic insert or see a podiatrist for a custom-made orthotic. Men’s Health 11/03.
SPICE SLICES DIABETES RISK – a recently published international study has found that cinnamon may be a possible treatment for diabetes. A daily teaspoon or two of ground cinnamon (in capsule form) was shown to lower blood sugar, triglycerides, cholesterol levels, and prevented insulin spikes in subjects with Type 2 diabetes. Even half a teaspoon (1 gram) of cinnamon was effective, at least in the short-term.
Like other spices and herbs, cinnamon contains powerful antioxidants that may help protect the cells from free radical damage. Other studies have indicated that many culinary herbs and spices tend to have more antioxidant power than such herbs as ginkgo or feverfew. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 4/04.
THE BENNIES OF GOOD CARDIO HEALTH – a fit, athletic person with a resting heart rate (RHR) of 52 beats per minute will have about 850 million heartbeats between the ages of 30 and 60 – which include 3 hours per week at the peak exercise rate. An inactive person with a RHR of 72 might achieve 1.1 billion beat during the same 30-year span – an extra 250 million beats which could cut the lifespan by a decade.
Over the long term, exercise can slow the RHR by as many as 20 beats per minute. To get an accurate RHR, take your pulse in the morning while still lying in bed. If your heart rate is over 60, it is time to begin an aerobic exercise program. Men’s Health 11/03.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ ANSWER: True. It is all sucrose – pure empty calories. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 6/03.
BETTER PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING NEEDED – a recent study has indicated that prostate cancer may be present even among patients with normal scores on the PSA test. Most physicians agree that a PSA score above 4 may indicate cancer. However, the PSA-analysis study found cancers in 15% of those with PSA levels below 4, according to research in the New England Journal of Medicine. The risk of prostate cancer rose with increasing PSA levels.
The study’s author noted that the PSA test gives doctors few clues about which cancers will ever threaten a man’s life. High scores can be caused by many conditions, from cancer to infections or a benign swelling of the prostate gland that is common in older men.
Many of the prostate tumors found early are often slow growing and are not life threatening. Autopsy studies have found that nearly 30% of men in their 30s and 40s have prostate cancer, although they may not know it. About two-thirds of men in the 60s and 70s may have the disease.
Critics note that the PSA misses some early cancers. Earlier studies found cancers in more than 20% of men with PSA scores of 2.5 to 4. Even 17% of those with a PSA score of 1.0 or less have early prostate cancer.
Some medical experts say such findings illustrate the need for more aggressive screening and treatment. One medical group has suggested biopsies for men with PSA scores above 2.5. Other health professionals say there is no “magic” cutoff point that is completely free of risk or above that requires a biopsy.
In the meantime, be sure to have a PSA test to establish a baseline reference. Discuss the results with your physician, who will include your family history and other risk factors. There is also a cPSA test (complexed) PSA or percent-free PSA) that identifies more specifically PSA levels due to cancer. USA Today 5/27/04, Men’s Health 5/03.
OUTGROW YOUR ALLERGY – if peanuts were a childhood allergy, perhaps it may be time to be retested as an adult. According to Johns Hopkins University research, many people outgrow peanut allergies as they mature. In the university study, over half of the test subjects had completely outgrown the allergy.
A small snack of peanuts per day, especially the dry roasted type, have been shown to lower triglycerides levels by as much as 24 %, without causing weight gain. Men’s Health 11/03.
MEN VS WOMEN – HEART DISEASE – every year a quarter of a million women die of heart disease, more than the total number killed by breast cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s combined – making it the number one killer of women in America, as well as men.
From an anatomical point of view, a woman’s heart is no different from a man’s: four chambers and several ounces of muscle tissue. But the symptoms of heart disease in men and women can appear very differently. Men typically experience difficulty breathing and have chest pains that can travel up to the jaw and down the arm. Many women feel no chest sensation at all, and their symptoms are often subtle: a feeling of fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, or indigestion, back or abdominal pain, or just an odd, ill feeling.
Both men and women accumulate plaque, a buildup of fat on vessel walls, which can cause dangerous clogs in blood flow and lead to heart attack or stroke. But women often distribute these deposits in a more diffuse manner than men; instead of gathering in clumps or bulges, the plaque is spread more evenly along the vessel lining. This distinction may help explain the striking variations in the way men and women with heart disease are treated. Diagnostic tests look for blockages, but clear-cut vessel clogs don’t show up in one-third of women who have heart attacks.
Health-conscious women will know their risk factors and may be able to avoid heart disease. Genetic and family history increases the odds of the disease. Women generally will show signs of heart disease in their late 50s or their 60s, about 10 years later than their male counterparts. Most risk factors are gender blind; smoking and inactivity are the worst contributors to the disease.
Also adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease, but one-third of Americans are unaware that they are diabetic. Heart disease is also 69 percent higher in African-American women than in whites. It is estimated that unhealthy habits account for up to 82 percent of heart disease in women, which puts lifestyle interventions at the top of the list for preventive measures. This list would include stop smoking, at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week, consuming lots of fruit and vegetables and monitoring blood pressure (should be less than 120 over 80), HDL, “good” cholesterol, should be above 50, LDL cholesterol below 100.
The American Heart Association has also recommended against hormone-replacement therapy. Estrogen was prescribed to protect young women’s hearts, which is why HRT was prescribed to postmenopausal women. But the landmark Women’s Health Initiative study found that estrogen and progestin actually increased the incidence of heart disease and stroke. Newer data from a trial of estrogen alone has found no heart benefit whatsoever. HRT should not be taken solely for the purpose of preventing heart disease. Newsweek 5/10/04.
CT SCAN UPDATE – in May’s issue of Reporting Point, we analyzed CT imaging, as it is being marketed directly to consumers. There are two main types of scanners being used, the multislice CT (multidetector CT), and the older electron-beam CT. The electron-beam CT is great for visualizing the heart and coronaries alone, but the multislice CT does a better job at analyzing the rest of the organs.
The best technique, used in university hospital radiology departments, employs IV contrast, in which a dye is injected or ingested to highlight the difference between normal and abnormal tissues, making problems easier to identify. Without an IV contrast, small cancerous tumors may go undetected.
Finally, who analyzes the images is critical. Some centers use retired radiologists or ship the images to the lowest bidder for evaluation. One chain uses physician’s assistants. Insist that a board-certified radiologist read the scan.
The EBCT exam of the colon is also not recommended. If any abnormalities or polyps are discovered, a conventional colonoscopy is required, where a polyp may be removed during the procedure. The CT scan only detects about half of the tiny precancerous polyps that the traditional procedure detects. While there is no risk of colon puncture with the CT scan (a 1-in-1600 chance with a colonoscopy), the CT scan’s deficiency at detecting smaller tumors is significant, considering that colon cancer is 90% curable if caught early. The prep work for a virtual colonoscopy is identical to that of the conventional colonoscopy, so many health professionals are recommending against the CT scan of the colon in favor of the slightly invasive colonoscopy. Men’s Health 11/03.
KNEE-PAIN BASICS – sooner or later, if you are active, you will do something to traumatize your knee. Here is a very basic way to analyze the potential damage:
Symptom: you hear a pop and sense that something has snapped. The knee swells within 2 hours, there is intense pain, and the leg buckles if you try to put weight on it. This could likely be a stretched or torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), one of the two ligaments that form an “X” within the joint. A complete tear usually means surgery and 4 to 6 months of rehabilitation. For a sprain (the ligament is stretched, but not torn), it will take 4 to 12 weeks of rehabilitation, depending of the severity of the injury.
Symptom: the knee clicks, sometimes locks, hurts on stairs, and really hurts when you get up from a low chair. This could likely be a torn or worn-down meniscus, a cartilage pad in the knee joint. A worn-down meniscus can lose shock absorption. When it is damaged in an injury, pieces can get caught between bones, causing the clicking sound or causing the bones to lock in place. Small tears can sometimes repair themselves with 4 to 6 weeks of physical therapy. Larger tears can be repaired surgically, meaning 4 weeks on crutches and perhaps several weeks of rehab.
Symptom: the front of the knee hurts, and it is especially tender just below the kneecap. Climbing stairs and getting up from a chair both hurt. This could be patellar tendonitis, also called “jumper’s knee”, caused by overuse. It affects the tendon that connects the kneecap to the shinbone. If you experience knee pain while exercising, it is likely to result in tendonitis. Rest, strength and flexibility exercises, and a support worn below the knee seem to help.
Symptom: pain on the front of the knee, under or around the kneecap that becomes worse when lunging or squatting or after sitting for a long time.
This pain could be patellofemoral syndrome, also known as “runner’s knee.” Tight tendons, such as the band on the side of the leg or the muscles, especially the hamstrings, cause the kneecap to slip off track and grind against the thighbone. Untreated, this can damage the cartilage protecting the joint and may lead to osteoarthritis. Most doctors will recommend strength exercises targeting the innermost part of the quadriceps, which is usually weaker than the outer quadricep muscles, stretching, especially the hamstrings, and regular doses of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements for cartilage repair. Men’s Health 11/03.
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
Monday, November 1, 2004
Health News
REPORTING POINT 11-04
HEALTH NEWS
“Live healthy...live well”
by Larry Kline
SWAPA Voice Mailbox 4337/email: livehealthy-livewell@cox.net
(Past issues of “Health News” are available on my son’s website, which includes a word-search engine - just go to the site with your browser and insert the key word to find past articles: http://home.earthlink.net/~candace_ball/healtharticles/frameset.htm) – LK
PREGNANT? – FORGO DENTAL X-RAYS – women who have dental x-rays while pregnant might have a higher risk of delivering an underweight baby.
Previous studies linked mothers’ history of medical x-rays to a higher risk of underweight babies, which are defined as those weighing less that 5 ½ pounds at birth.
The main concern is radiation exposure may affect the thyroid gland. The researchers estimate radiation exposure based on a full-mouth x-ray results in a dose of 1.6 milligray – about the same dose passengers receive from atmospheric radiation by flying 16 round trips between New York and London. On the other hand, the radiation dose from a bitewing series of dental x-rays is equivalent to only two New York-to-London flights.
Women exposed to more than 0.4 milligray were slightly more than twice as likely to have a low birth-weight baby as women who had no dental x-rays during pregnancy.
Most health professionals believe that dental x-rays are safe as there is no direct exposure to the fetus. However, the recent data suggests that exposure to the mother’s thyroid may place the fetus at risk for lower birth-weight and possibly delay brain development in offspring. USA Today.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ 12 - True or false: Honey is more nutritious than white sugar.
Answer is below.
HOT TUB HAZARDS – hot tubs and whirlpools are very popular today. Using a hot tub requires extra vigilance to ensure that the water is kept clean and safe. The combination of warm water and human use can turn hot tubs into breeding grounds for bacteria, which can lead to mild skin irritation or to a disease as serious as Legionnaires’ Disease.
Hot tubs tend to breed pseudomonas. This bacteria, folliculitis, can cause ear infections, but the most common result is a rash, known as “hot tub buns”. While not a serious health threat, public hot tubs can be closed by health authorities if they are found to harbor pseudomonas. But waters that can breed pseudomonas are also able to produce more hazardous microbes.
Legionella bacteria occur naturally in our environment (rivers and lakes) where they are generally not a problem for humans. However, they also live in water systems associated with buildings and the workplace – hot or cold storage tanks, cooling towers, fire-fighting equipment, and spa baths. Legionella bacteria can survive at low temperatures, although they will not multiply, but it thrives in hot water. It is carried into the air on the spray from the tub. If you breathe it in, you can get a serious form of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ disease, which can be fatal. Legionella are a particular problem in spas and hot tubs because the water is at an optimum temperature for them to grow; dirt, and dead skin from the people using the tubs provide food for the bacteria to grow; the piping for the air and water circulation provide a large surface area for the bacteria to grow; and the agitated water forms aerosols and spray by which the bacteria can be inhaled.
The first major outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease caused by a hot tub occurred on a cruise ship in 1994. Over 50 people were affected with one fatality. The Centers for Disease Control investigated the incident and concluded that the large sand filter that served three individual spas was contaminated with the deadly bacteria.
Last fall, the CDC investigated a second major Legionnaires’ outbreak, caused by a consumer hot tub. The tub was in the showroom of a store in Virginia. Nobody even got into the tub, but 23 customers got Legionnaires’ disease simply by walking near it, with two of the victims dying.
To keep hot tub waters safe, chlorine is normally used for large commercial spas, while bromine is mostly used for home hot tubs. Chlorine and bromine attach themselves to harmful microbes to kill them – if there is enough chemical in the tub to accomplish this task.
Most tub owners use a test kit to measure the water quality. Using a sample from the tub and adding chemicals from the test kit that react with the water sample from the tub, the resulting colors indicate, usually, two aspects of the water quality – acidity and disinfectant levels.
The proper amount of disinfectant is supposed to keep bathers safe. But some test kits may not indicate the correct amount of disinfectant chemical available and lead to a false sense of security.
There are generally two types of test kits, DPD kits and Orthatolodine, referred to as OT kits. Many health professionals do not recommend the OT kits, as you only get five seconds to read the kit or the reading may be inaccurate. Most OT kits are made of plastic which may tend to discolor, which will distort the color of the water sample in the test chamber.
Before the cruise ship incident, the CDC recommended disinfectant levels of 3-5 parts per million (ppm) for chlorine or bromine, but they now recommend a minimum of 4 ppm as it seems legionella bacterium is less susceptible to disinfectant than other bacteria. It is recommended that commercial operators of spas and hot tubs check water samples daily, at a minimum, with more checks with heavy use and that the water be drained weekly and the whole system be disinfected.
ARE CARBS TO BE AVOIDED? – carbohydrates are the main source of calories in virtually every diet worldwide. Most carbs come from plant-based foods with dairy products being the only animal-derived foods with lots of carbs. All carbohydrates (except fiber) are transformed by the body into blood sugar (glucose) – the body’s basic fuel. There are two general types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. The simple ones are sugars: glucose and fructose from fruits and some vegetables, lactose from milk, sucrose from cane or beet sugar, and others. Many of the simple carbs are sugars added to processed foods such as sodas and cookies. Complex carbs, which are chains of sugars, consist primarily of starches, the storage form of carbohydrates in plants. Foods rich in complex carbs include grains and grain products (such as bread and pasta), beans, potatoes, corn, and some other vegetables.
The glycemic index ranks foods by how fast their carbs are digested into glucose and absorbed, and thus how rapidly and how high they cause blood sugar to rise that affects insulin levels. The higher the number, the greater the food’s effect on blood sugar. Instant rice is at the top of the glycemic index, releasing blood sugar the quickest, along with white potatoes, watermelon, raisins, carrots, pretzels, rice cakes, most breakfast cereals, crackers, and white bread. Beans and unrefined grains are generally low on the list.
Many people avoid high glycemic foods like carrots, raisins, etc, because of fear of insulin spikes in blood sugar. But these healthy foods are usually not generally eaten alone, but with meals or combined with other foods that alter the digestion and absorption of these carbs and the resultant blood sugar levels. The amount of fat, fiber, and protein consumed with the carbohydrate, along with whether the food was cooked or processed alters the blood sugar rate. Different forms of the same foods also alter the GI scale; potatoes are high on the index but are lower when consumed with meat or cheese. Mashed potatoes are even higher on the index. The riper the fruit, the higher on the index as some of the starches are converted to sugars during oxidation (ripening).
Recent research indicates that portion size is more directly related to insulin spikes because of the rapid release of blood sugar.
Carbohydrates provide the basic sources of energy for the body along with beneficial phytochemicals, fiber, and nutrients. Some foods that are high on the GI scale should be avoided, like white bread. However, there is no reason to avoid all foods high on the index – many are very nutritious, such as carrots.
Choose foods rich in fiber and unrefined complex carbohydrates – fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. They are nutritious, filling, and relatively low in calories. Many are also low on the glycemic index. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 12/03.
WATER FOODS – much information in the media implores the reader to drink water – at least 8 glasses a day, to ensure proper hydration. However, there are other ways to get the required amount of water daily – by eating plenty of low-calorie fruits and vegetables that serve just as well for hydrating the body and can easily be carried with you, even when on a long trip. It is possible to get up to half of your daily water requirement via food.
WATERMELON: a fat-free, low-calorie energy boost, watermelon contains vitamins A, B-6, and C, and high concentrations of lycopene, which may help reduce prostate cancer risk.
APPLES: perfect to carry in a food bag on a trip, they do not require refrigeration and keep well. Apples boost energy and are fat-free and water-rich. The phytonutrients in apples help fight the effects of LDL (bad) cholesterol.
CELERY: virtually absent of calories, celery contains potassium and vitamin C.
GRAPEFRUIT: high in fiber and vitamins A and C, grapefruit is also fat- and cholesterol-free.
GRAPES: grapes have phytochemicals such as resveratrol, which has been shown to fight breast, liver, and colon cancers. Tennis 1/04.
FIRST, IT WAS THE HATS TO GO… - according to a new study, wearing a tie could increase the risk of glaucoma, a condition that can lead to irreversible blindness. Researchers at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary found that wearing a tight necktie for just 3 minutes could increase pressure within the eyes enough to raise the risk of glaucoma.
The tighter the necktie, the more the tie constricts the jugular vein, increasing pressure in the blood vessels leading to the eyes.
To avoid this problem, the researchers suggest wearing a tie loose enough so that you can stick two fingers between your neck and the collar. Men’s Health 11/03.
CHRONIC HEARTBURN? – if you suffer from chronic heartburn (esophageal reflux) at night, try sleeping on your left side. This position will keep the acidic contents of the stomach below the juncture with the lower esophagus, thus reducing acid backup into the esophagus. Elevating the headboard by at least six inches can also reduce heartburn – wooden blocks or phone books can work well. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 4/04.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ ANSWER: False. Honey has no nutritional advantages over other sweeteners. Some honey contains small amounts of antioxidants but not enough to matter. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 6/03.
IS IT REALLY A “BEER” BELLY – people who drink beer are no more likely to have a beer belly than those who do not drink beer, according to a study conducted in the Czech Republic, which is the country with the highest per capita beer consumption. Most studies have found that alcoholic beverages are no more likely to cause weight gain than other caloric beverages and that drinkers are no more likely to be obese than nondrinkers. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 3/04.
LEAFY RELIEF – according to a new study from the Harvard School of Public Health, eating foods high in magnesium like spinach, oat bran, and beans may reduce the risk of diabetes.
The researchers found over the course of a 12-year study that the subjects with the lowest magnesium intake had up to a 30% greater risk of the disease than those with the highest levels of magnesium in their diet. Men’s Fitness 4/04.
LIGHT YOUR FIRE? – candles are causing more fires than ever, accounting for 4% of all American home fires in recent years, up from 1% in 1980, and accounting for about 100 deaths a year. The main reason is that candle sales have increased dramatically in the 1990s, with 4 out of 10 candle fires occurring when burning candles are left unattended. Half of these fires occur in the bedroom. Candles also release pollutants into the air. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 3/04.
BEER MAY REDUCE COLON CANCER RISK – according to a study published in the International Journal of Cancer, drinking beer may reduce the risk of colon cancer by up to 22%. Japanese researchers gave a group of rats already in the early stages of colon cancer beer and found that the beer appeared to protect DNA against cellular damage, thereby slowing the growth of cancer cells. Men’s Fitness 4/04.
HEALTH NEWS
“Live healthy...live well”
by Larry Kline
SWAPA Voice Mailbox 4337/email: livehealthy-livewell@cox.net
(Past issues of “Health News” are available on my son’s website, which includes a word-search engine - just go to the site with your browser and insert the key word to find past articles: http://home.earthlink.net/~candace_ball/healtharticles/frameset.htm) – LK
PREGNANT? – FORGO DENTAL X-RAYS – women who have dental x-rays while pregnant might have a higher risk of delivering an underweight baby.
Previous studies linked mothers’ history of medical x-rays to a higher risk of underweight babies, which are defined as those weighing less that 5 ½ pounds at birth.
The main concern is radiation exposure may affect the thyroid gland. The researchers estimate radiation exposure based on a full-mouth x-ray results in a dose of 1.6 milligray – about the same dose passengers receive from atmospheric radiation by flying 16 round trips between New York and London. On the other hand, the radiation dose from a bitewing series of dental x-rays is equivalent to only two New York-to-London flights.
Women exposed to more than 0.4 milligray were slightly more than twice as likely to have a low birth-weight baby as women who had no dental x-rays during pregnancy.
Most health professionals believe that dental x-rays are safe as there is no direct exposure to the fetus. However, the recent data suggests that exposure to the mother’s thyroid may place the fetus at risk for lower birth-weight and possibly delay brain development in offspring. USA Today.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ 12 - True or false: Honey is more nutritious than white sugar.
Answer is below.
HOT TUB HAZARDS – hot tubs and whirlpools are very popular today. Using a hot tub requires extra vigilance to ensure that the water is kept clean and safe. The combination of warm water and human use can turn hot tubs into breeding grounds for bacteria, which can lead to mild skin irritation or to a disease as serious as Legionnaires’ Disease.
Hot tubs tend to breed pseudomonas. This bacteria, folliculitis, can cause ear infections, but the most common result is a rash, known as “hot tub buns”. While not a serious health threat, public hot tubs can be closed by health authorities if they are found to harbor pseudomonas. But waters that can breed pseudomonas are also able to produce more hazardous microbes.
Legionella bacteria occur naturally in our environment (rivers and lakes) where they are generally not a problem for humans. However, they also live in water systems associated with buildings and the workplace – hot or cold storage tanks, cooling towers, fire-fighting equipment, and spa baths. Legionella bacteria can survive at low temperatures, although they will not multiply, but it thrives in hot water. It is carried into the air on the spray from the tub. If you breathe it in, you can get a serious form of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ disease, which can be fatal. Legionella are a particular problem in spas and hot tubs because the water is at an optimum temperature for them to grow; dirt, and dead skin from the people using the tubs provide food for the bacteria to grow; the piping for the air and water circulation provide a large surface area for the bacteria to grow; and the agitated water forms aerosols and spray by which the bacteria can be inhaled.
The first major outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease caused by a hot tub occurred on a cruise ship in 1994. Over 50 people were affected with one fatality. The Centers for Disease Control investigated the incident and concluded that the large sand filter that served three individual spas was contaminated with the deadly bacteria.
Last fall, the CDC investigated a second major Legionnaires’ outbreak, caused by a consumer hot tub. The tub was in the showroom of a store in Virginia. Nobody even got into the tub, but 23 customers got Legionnaires’ disease simply by walking near it, with two of the victims dying.
To keep hot tub waters safe, chlorine is normally used for large commercial spas, while bromine is mostly used for home hot tubs. Chlorine and bromine attach themselves to harmful microbes to kill them – if there is enough chemical in the tub to accomplish this task.
Most tub owners use a test kit to measure the water quality. Using a sample from the tub and adding chemicals from the test kit that react with the water sample from the tub, the resulting colors indicate, usually, two aspects of the water quality – acidity and disinfectant levels.
The proper amount of disinfectant is supposed to keep bathers safe. But some test kits may not indicate the correct amount of disinfectant chemical available and lead to a false sense of security.
There are generally two types of test kits, DPD kits and Orthatolodine, referred to as OT kits. Many health professionals do not recommend the OT kits, as you only get five seconds to read the kit or the reading may be inaccurate. Most OT kits are made of plastic which may tend to discolor, which will distort the color of the water sample in the test chamber.
Before the cruise ship incident, the CDC recommended disinfectant levels of 3-5 parts per million (ppm) for chlorine or bromine, but they now recommend a minimum of 4 ppm as it seems legionella bacterium is less susceptible to disinfectant than other bacteria. It is recommended that commercial operators of spas and hot tubs check water samples daily, at a minimum, with more checks with heavy use and that the water be drained weekly and the whole system be disinfected.
ARE CARBS TO BE AVOIDED? – carbohydrates are the main source of calories in virtually every diet worldwide. Most carbs come from plant-based foods with dairy products being the only animal-derived foods with lots of carbs. All carbohydrates (except fiber) are transformed by the body into blood sugar (glucose) – the body’s basic fuel. There are two general types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. The simple ones are sugars: glucose and fructose from fruits and some vegetables, lactose from milk, sucrose from cane or beet sugar, and others. Many of the simple carbs are sugars added to processed foods such as sodas and cookies. Complex carbs, which are chains of sugars, consist primarily of starches, the storage form of carbohydrates in plants. Foods rich in complex carbs include grains and grain products (such as bread and pasta), beans, potatoes, corn, and some other vegetables.
The glycemic index ranks foods by how fast their carbs are digested into glucose and absorbed, and thus how rapidly and how high they cause blood sugar to rise that affects insulin levels. The higher the number, the greater the food’s effect on blood sugar. Instant rice is at the top of the glycemic index, releasing blood sugar the quickest, along with white potatoes, watermelon, raisins, carrots, pretzels, rice cakes, most breakfast cereals, crackers, and white bread. Beans and unrefined grains are generally low on the list.
Many people avoid high glycemic foods like carrots, raisins, etc, because of fear of insulin spikes in blood sugar. But these healthy foods are usually not generally eaten alone, but with meals or combined with other foods that alter the digestion and absorption of these carbs and the resultant blood sugar levels. The amount of fat, fiber, and protein consumed with the carbohydrate, along with whether the food was cooked or processed alters the blood sugar rate. Different forms of the same foods also alter the GI scale; potatoes are high on the index but are lower when consumed with meat or cheese. Mashed potatoes are even higher on the index. The riper the fruit, the higher on the index as some of the starches are converted to sugars during oxidation (ripening).
Recent research indicates that portion size is more directly related to insulin spikes because of the rapid release of blood sugar.
Carbohydrates provide the basic sources of energy for the body along with beneficial phytochemicals, fiber, and nutrients. Some foods that are high on the GI scale should be avoided, like white bread. However, there is no reason to avoid all foods high on the index – many are very nutritious, such as carrots.
Choose foods rich in fiber and unrefined complex carbohydrates – fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. They are nutritious, filling, and relatively low in calories. Many are also low on the glycemic index. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 12/03.
WATER FOODS – much information in the media implores the reader to drink water – at least 8 glasses a day, to ensure proper hydration. However, there are other ways to get the required amount of water daily – by eating plenty of low-calorie fruits and vegetables that serve just as well for hydrating the body and can easily be carried with you, even when on a long trip. It is possible to get up to half of your daily water requirement via food.
WATERMELON: a fat-free, low-calorie energy boost, watermelon contains vitamins A, B-6, and C, and high concentrations of lycopene, which may help reduce prostate cancer risk.
APPLES: perfect to carry in a food bag on a trip, they do not require refrigeration and keep well. Apples boost energy and are fat-free and water-rich. The phytonutrients in apples help fight the effects of LDL (bad) cholesterol.
CELERY: virtually absent of calories, celery contains potassium and vitamin C.
GRAPEFRUIT: high in fiber and vitamins A and C, grapefruit is also fat- and cholesterol-free.
GRAPES: grapes have phytochemicals such as resveratrol, which has been shown to fight breast, liver, and colon cancers. Tennis 1/04.
FIRST, IT WAS THE HATS TO GO… - according to a new study, wearing a tie could increase the risk of glaucoma, a condition that can lead to irreversible blindness. Researchers at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary found that wearing a tight necktie for just 3 minutes could increase pressure within the eyes enough to raise the risk of glaucoma.
The tighter the necktie, the more the tie constricts the jugular vein, increasing pressure in the blood vessels leading to the eyes.
To avoid this problem, the researchers suggest wearing a tie loose enough so that you can stick two fingers between your neck and the collar. Men’s Health 11/03.
CHRONIC HEARTBURN? – if you suffer from chronic heartburn (esophageal reflux) at night, try sleeping on your left side. This position will keep the acidic contents of the stomach below the juncture with the lower esophagus, thus reducing acid backup into the esophagus. Elevating the headboard by at least six inches can also reduce heartburn – wooden blocks or phone books can work well. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 4/04.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ ANSWER: False. Honey has no nutritional advantages over other sweeteners. Some honey contains small amounts of antioxidants but not enough to matter. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 6/03.
IS IT REALLY A “BEER” BELLY – people who drink beer are no more likely to have a beer belly than those who do not drink beer, according to a study conducted in the Czech Republic, which is the country with the highest per capita beer consumption. Most studies have found that alcoholic beverages are no more likely to cause weight gain than other caloric beverages and that drinkers are no more likely to be obese than nondrinkers. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 3/04.
LEAFY RELIEF – according to a new study from the Harvard School of Public Health, eating foods high in magnesium like spinach, oat bran, and beans may reduce the risk of diabetes.
The researchers found over the course of a 12-year study that the subjects with the lowest magnesium intake had up to a 30% greater risk of the disease than those with the highest levels of magnesium in their diet. Men’s Fitness 4/04.
LIGHT YOUR FIRE? – candles are causing more fires than ever, accounting for 4% of all American home fires in recent years, up from 1% in 1980, and accounting for about 100 deaths a year. The main reason is that candle sales have increased dramatically in the 1990s, with 4 out of 10 candle fires occurring when burning candles are left unattended. Half of these fires occur in the bedroom. Candles also release pollutants into the air. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 3/04.
BEER MAY REDUCE COLON CANCER RISK – according to a study published in the International Journal of Cancer, drinking beer may reduce the risk of colon cancer by up to 22%. Japanese researchers gave a group of rats already in the early stages of colon cancer beer and found that the beer appeared to protect DNA against cellular damage, thereby slowing the growth of cancer cells. Men’s Fitness 4/04.
Friday, October 1, 2004
Health News
REPORTING POINT 10-04
HEALTH NEWS
“Live healthy...live well”
by Larry Kline
SWAPA Voice Mailbox 4337/email: livehealthy-livewell@cox.net
(Past issues of “Health News” are available on my son’s website, which includes a word-search engine - just go to the site with your browser and insert the key word to find past articles: http://home.earthlink.net/~candace_ball/healtharticles/frameset.htm) – LK
DON’T SKIP BREAKFAST – a recent Harvard study has added to the growing body of evidence that eating breakfast every day reduces risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease by 35 to 50 percent.
Eating breakfast daily, especially whole-grain cereals and fruits, may help keep the body’s metabolism and hormones at optimal levels for controlling appetite and minimizing disease risk. Men’s Health 6/03.
VITAMINS REDUCE INFECTION RISK – subjects with type-2 diabetes who began eating more vitamin-rich foods reduced their risk of minor infections by 75 percent. Men’s Health 6/03.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ #11 – to select the best tasting, most nutritious oranges or grapefruits:
a) avoid any with green-tinged skin.
b) select the largest and most expensive
c) make sure the fruit feels heavy for its size
Answer is below.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ ANSWER: c) A fruit that is hefty for its size means more juice and usually more flavor. A green-tinged fruit will be just as ripe as any. Warm nighttime temperatures before the fruit is picked are responsible for green tinge. Sometimes expensive fruits are best, but smaller ones can be just as nutritious. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 6/03.
TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING?
by Chris Crockett RD, CNSD
Vitamins are organic compounds essential for body growth, maintenance, and function. They are very important for the metabolism of nutrients and provision of energy. Vitamin supplements are easy to obtain and can be beneficial, especially if your diet isn’t as well balanced as you would like. Before you start taking vitamin supplements, however, you should be aware that some vitamins can be toxic in high doses.
There are two types of vitamins, water-soluble and fat-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins rarely are toxic as they have limited storage in the body and excess vitamins are usually excreted in the urine. Fat-soluble vitamins, however, are stored in the fatty tissues and leave the body very slowly. These can build up to toxic levels over a relatively short period of time. Here are some guidelines for use of the fat-soluble vitamins:
Vitamin A (retinol)
Function: promotes healthy skin, hair, nails, teeth and glands; acts as an antioxidant
RDI (recommended daily intake): 5,000 IU
Food Sources: fish liver oils, egg yolks, butter, cream. Beta-carotenes, found in dark green and orange vegetables, are precursors for A and are converted to retinol in the body
Signs of Deficiency: night blindness, itchy eyes, teeth and gum disorders, increased susceptibility to colds and infections, dry skin, sinus problems, acne, poor appetite, fatigue, hair loss and chronic headaches
Toxic Dose: acute: children, 300,000 I.U.’s; adults, 1 million I.U.’s = increased intra-cranial pressure and death
Chronic: 50,000 to 100,000 I.U.’s over several weeks. Signs of Toxicity: liver and kidney dysfunction, swelling over long bones, rough scaly skin, bone and joint pain, decalcification of long bones, headaches, double vision, birth defects, vomiting, and reduced Vitamin K absorption
Note: beta-carotene is not toxic in high levels except skin may turn orange
Vitamin D
Function: promotes healthy bone and teeth formation, calcium and phosphorus absorption, and is necessary for nerve and thyroid function
RDI: 400 IU
Food Sources: egg yolks, liver, fish, fortified milk
Signs of Deficiency: soft bones and teeth, tooth decay, gum disease, impaired nutrient metabolism, increased nervousness, muscular weakness, diarrhea, eczema, psoriasis, increase stiffness and arthritic symptoms, rickets (resulting in deformed bones)
Toxic Dose: 40,000 IU for children and 100,000 IU for adults
Signs of Toxicity: loss of appetite, weight loss, calcification of the soft tissues, weakness, irritability, kidney stones, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, impaired renal function, reduced vitamin K absorption
Vitamin E
Function: acts as an antioxidant, retards blood clotting, promotes good blood circulation, prostate health, capillary maintenance, healthy hair, skin, and lungs, essential in reproduction and aids in reducing LDL
RDI: 30 IU
Food Sources: vegetable seed oil, margarines, green leafy vegetables.
Signs of Deficiency: heart muscle weakness, high cholesterol, impotence, sterility, menstrual problems, phlebitis (inflammation of the veins of the legs) varicose veins, atherosclerosis, hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells), and skeletal muscle dystrophy
Toxic Doses: 1000 – 3000 IU with chronic intake (over 7 weeks)
Signs of Toxicity: prolonged clotting time, diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, intestinal cramps, liver failure, headaches, double vision, reduces vitamin K absorption
Vitamin K
Function: promotes blood coagulation, healthy liver, bile absorption, and enhances cell longevity
RDI: 80 mcg
Food Sources: seaweed, green tea, greens, green leafy vegetables, lentils
Signs of Deficiency: prolonged clotting time, bruising, bleeding, prolonged menstruation, miscarriage
Toxic Doses: only the synthetic form of Vitamin K3 has been shown to be toxic at 10 mg per day in infants
Signs of Toxicity: hemolytic anemia, liver damage, jaundice,
Water-Soluble Vitamins
Although toxicity for water-soluble vitamins is not as common, some vitamins should be avoided in excess:
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): doses of over 300-500 mg/day = sensory loss, lower limb numbness, nerve damage, loss of reflexes. Chronic doses of over 2000 mg/day may cause damage that could take years to recover from or may be irreversible)
Niacin: doses of 1000 mg/day = flushing, gastric irritation, elevated liver enzymes, jaundice, and increased blood glucose
Vitamin C: doses of 1000 to 2000 mg/day over several months may lead to increased risk of kidney stones, flatulence, and diarrhea
General Guidelines
Eat a well balanced diet that includes 5 servings of fruit and vegetables/day.
If unable to eat a well balanced diet, supplement the diet with a multivitamin that meets the RDI (recommended dietary intake) allowances
Check the amount of vitamins that you are getting in ALL of the supplements you take. You may come up with a larger number than you expected.
NOT JUST FOR WOMEN – osteoporosis can also afflict men. It is estimated that 2 million American men have osteoporosis compared to at least 8 million women and 3 million are on the verge of developing it. One-third of all hip fractures occur in men. Bone loss in men usually occurs more slowly than in women and at later ages. By age 70, men will have lost one-seventh of their bone mass. This loss does not usually produce symptoms in men until age 75 and older. So men, too, should take steps to prevent bone loss – consume adequate vitamin D, calcium, and other minerals, do weight-bearing exercise, and quit smoking
Also limit the intake of vitamin A since it can weaken bones. Studies have shown that large amounts of vitamin A (consuming more than 6,600 IU of vitamin A) increase the risk of fractures for both men and women. It appears that the problem is supplements. If you take a multivitamin, be sure that it contains no more than 5,000 IU of vitamin A and at least 40% of this should be in the form of beta-carotene (the label will indicate “50% as beta-carotene” under vitamin A). Beta-carotene is safe for your bones. Do not take cod liver oil and rarely eat liver, which are the richest food sources, and check labels on highly fortified breakfast cereals. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 5/03.
SUGAR ALCOHOLS – found in many food products labeled “sugarless,”, include sorbitol, manitol, xylitol, and isomalt. Many of these occur naturally in fruits and vegetables – sorbitol in berries, xylitol in lettuce and strawberries, for example. Their chemical structure is similar to sugar and also to alcohol.
Sugar alcohols have fewer calories per gram than sugar because the body does not absorb them well. They do raise blood sugar somewhat and have to be counted as carbohydrates in a diabetic diet. But sugar alcohols are absorbed into the bloodstream more slowly than sugar.
Most sugar alcohols taste less sweet than sucrose (table sugar), except xylitol, which is just as sweet. Sugar alcohols are less likely to promote tooth decay because mouth bacteria process them less readily. Xylitol even seems to suppress mouth bacteria, thus helping to prevent tooth decay. Xylitol can be found in some Orbit chewing gums. Over consumption of sugar alcohols can cause diarrhea, gas and cramps. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 5/03.
VITAMIN E TO KEEP YOU SHARP – there are many antioxidants, but natural vitamin E appears to be the best at retaining cognitive ability. Studies indicate that older people with the highest cognitive function were those who had taken vitamin E regularly.
The benefits of vitamin E may stem not only from its antioxidant value but research in France indicates that people with higher vitamin E levels had significantly more free-flowing carotid arteries, which are the main arteries supplying the brain. Men’s Fitness 9/02.
WATER LOWERS HEART DISEASE RISK – drinking lots of water can significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, according to researchers at Loma Linda University in California.
Staying hydrated is apparently as important to the cardiovascular system as diet, exercise, and avoiding tobacco.
The researchers found that healthy subjects who drank 5 or more glasses of water a day have only half the risk (or less) of fatal coronary heart disease, compared with those who drink less than two glasses a day. The results indicate that several independent risk factors for CHD, such as levels of whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, hematocrit and fibrinogen, can be elevated by dehydration.
These results were valid only for water consumption; soft drinks, coffee, or alcoholic beverages did not yield the same results.
There appears to be a benefit, at least for heart healthy people, when the majority of fluids consumed are plain water and not from sodas. Water thins the blood, while other fluids draw water out of the blood to aid in their digestion. The report concludes that proper hydration could save tens of thousands of lives each year with minimal cost or effort. If other follow-on studies verify these findings, this would be the cheapest and simplest method of preventing coronary heart disease. Men’s Fitness 9/02.
SHUDDUP AND DRIVE! – using a cell phone when driving significantly increases the chances of getting into a serious accident.
Canadian researchers found that the risk of collisions resulting in driver injury rose by 38 percent overall for those using cell phones. The amount of time spent on the cell phone made a big difference; light users had similar safety rates as nonusers while heavy users more than doubled their accident risk.
Another study found that using a cell phone while driving corresponded to a 16 percent higher risk of an at-fault collision. Men’s Fitness 9/02.
GREEN TEA BURNS FAT – all green and black tea is brewed from the same plant; black tea leaves are fermented while green tea leaves are steamed and dried right after harvesting. This gives green tea a different chemical composition, including more catechin polyphenols, chemicals that act both as an antioxidant and as a metabolism booster. Green tea has about 27 percent catechins, while black tea has just 4 percent and herbal teas have none).
Swiss researchers found that subjects who consumed green tea extract with every meal had a 4 percent increase in energy expenditure over the next 24 hours, a boost the scientists attributed to the combination of catechins and caffeine. While this doesn’t sound like a large difference, if energy expenditure and food consumption remain constant, this increase in metabolic rate could yield a loss of almost nine pounds over the course of one year. The researchers also found that tea encourages the body to burn fat rather than carbohydrates.
It is best to avoid adding milk to tea as the milk seems to reduce the tea’s antioxidant potential as milk proteins affect the body’s absorption of polyphenol chemicals.
Green tea has about half the caffeine of a cup of coffee. Bottled green tea does not appear to have the same beneficial properties of brewed green tea.
Supplemental green tea extract does appear to have health benefits, but consult with a physician before starting to take these supplements.
One potent antioxidant, EGCG (epogallocatechin gallate) has the greatest impact on metabolic increase. Men’s Fitness 9/02
From the Flight Surgeon:
"NEWER SURGERY TRIES TO GET AN ‘EYE RIGHT’"
by Joe Battersby, D.O.
FAA Medical Examiner
(insert picture of Joe here, please-LK)
(Margaret, Joe, and Mary Jane)
(edited for this publication from ”America’s Flyways,” 2/04-LK)
Some of our guys have been reading about new attempts to improve distant vision and have asked us about them. LASIK has been around for enough time for us to come up with some pretty solid numbers concerning the effectiveness of this procedure – i.e., depending upon the degree of myopia.
Sixty percent of those requiring a “glasses” correction of less than 7 diopters and 45 percent those with 7 diopters or more went to 20/20 uncorrected – not bad scores! So much for LASIK except to note that about 3 percent of cases are “flops” for various reasons. Proof again that “nothing is perfect!” The only F.A.A. requirements are stability of correction, meeting standards, of course, and no “flare or glare” problems. The F.A.A. approves LASIK procedures.
Now for the new stuff. PRK, CK, Intra-corneal rings and Peaky Intra-corneal Lenses. Never mind what the Food and Drug Administration thinks in terms of these new procedures. The F.A.A. strikes all the above except PRK. Since I love to snow readers with medical jargon, PRK stands for Photorefractive Keratotomy. PRK has some problems, but is OK with the F.A.A. The bottom line? – same as always. Stay away from Docs that feel some need to be the “first with the latest.” If you have any questions check with your corner AME, ALPA, SWAPA, or AOPA medical departments! That way you’ll avoid career problems before they arise. “See” you around.
Best,
Joe
HEALTH NEWS
“Live healthy...live well”
by Larry Kline
SWAPA Voice Mailbox 4337/email: livehealthy-livewell@cox.net
(Past issues of “Health News” are available on my son’s website, which includes a word-search engine - just go to the site with your browser and insert the key word to find past articles: http://home.earthlink.net/~candace_ball/healtharticles/frameset.htm) – LK
DON’T SKIP BREAKFAST – a recent Harvard study has added to the growing body of evidence that eating breakfast every day reduces risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease by 35 to 50 percent.
Eating breakfast daily, especially whole-grain cereals and fruits, may help keep the body’s metabolism and hormones at optimal levels for controlling appetite and minimizing disease risk. Men’s Health 6/03.
VITAMINS REDUCE INFECTION RISK – subjects with type-2 diabetes who began eating more vitamin-rich foods reduced their risk of minor infections by 75 percent. Men’s Health 6/03.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ #11 – to select the best tasting, most nutritious oranges or grapefruits:
a) avoid any with green-tinged skin.
b) select the largest and most expensive
c) make sure the fruit feels heavy for its size
Answer is below.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ ANSWER: c) A fruit that is hefty for its size means more juice and usually more flavor. A green-tinged fruit will be just as ripe as any. Warm nighttime temperatures before the fruit is picked are responsible for green tinge. Sometimes expensive fruits are best, but smaller ones can be just as nutritious. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 6/03.
TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING?
by Chris Crockett RD, CNSD
Vitamins are organic compounds essential for body growth, maintenance, and function. They are very important for the metabolism of nutrients and provision of energy. Vitamin supplements are easy to obtain and can be beneficial, especially if your diet isn’t as well balanced as you would like. Before you start taking vitamin supplements, however, you should be aware that some vitamins can be toxic in high doses.
There are two types of vitamins, water-soluble and fat-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins rarely are toxic as they have limited storage in the body and excess vitamins are usually excreted in the urine. Fat-soluble vitamins, however, are stored in the fatty tissues and leave the body very slowly. These can build up to toxic levels over a relatively short period of time. Here are some guidelines for use of the fat-soluble vitamins:
Vitamin A (retinol)
Function: promotes healthy skin, hair, nails, teeth and glands; acts as an antioxidant
RDI (recommended daily intake): 5,000 IU
Food Sources: fish liver oils, egg yolks, butter, cream. Beta-carotenes, found in dark green and orange vegetables, are precursors for A and are converted to retinol in the body
Signs of Deficiency: night blindness, itchy eyes, teeth and gum disorders, increased susceptibility to colds and infections, dry skin, sinus problems, acne, poor appetite, fatigue, hair loss and chronic headaches
Toxic Dose: acute: children, 300,000 I.U.’s; adults, 1 million I.U.’s = increased intra-cranial pressure and death
Chronic: 50,000 to 100,000 I.U.’s over several weeks. Signs of Toxicity: liver and kidney dysfunction, swelling over long bones, rough scaly skin, bone and joint pain, decalcification of long bones, headaches, double vision, birth defects, vomiting, and reduced Vitamin K absorption
Note: beta-carotene is not toxic in high levels except skin may turn orange
Vitamin D
Function: promotes healthy bone and teeth formation, calcium and phosphorus absorption, and is necessary for nerve and thyroid function
RDI: 400 IU
Food Sources: egg yolks, liver, fish, fortified milk
Signs of Deficiency: soft bones and teeth, tooth decay, gum disease, impaired nutrient metabolism, increased nervousness, muscular weakness, diarrhea, eczema, psoriasis, increase stiffness and arthritic symptoms, rickets (resulting in deformed bones)
Toxic Dose: 40,000 IU for children and 100,000 IU for adults
Signs of Toxicity: loss of appetite, weight loss, calcification of the soft tissues, weakness, irritability, kidney stones, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, impaired renal function, reduced vitamin K absorption
Vitamin E
Function: acts as an antioxidant, retards blood clotting, promotes good blood circulation, prostate health, capillary maintenance, healthy hair, skin, and lungs, essential in reproduction and aids in reducing LDL
RDI: 30 IU
Food Sources: vegetable seed oil, margarines, green leafy vegetables.
Signs of Deficiency: heart muscle weakness, high cholesterol, impotence, sterility, menstrual problems, phlebitis (inflammation of the veins of the legs) varicose veins, atherosclerosis, hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells), and skeletal muscle dystrophy
Toxic Doses: 1000 – 3000 IU with chronic intake (over 7 weeks)
Signs of Toxicity: prolonged clotting time, diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, intestinal cramps, liver failure, headaches, double vision, reduces vitamin K absorption
Vitamin K
Function: promotes blood coagulation, healthy liver, bile absorption, and enhances cell longevity
RDI: 80 mcg
Food Sources: seaweed, green tea, greens, green leafy vegetables, lentils
Signs of Deficiency: prolonged clotting time, bruising, bleeding, prolonged menstruation, miscarriage
Toxic Doses: only the synthetic form of Vitamin K3 has been shown to be toxic at 10 mg per day in infants
Signs of Toxicity: hemolytic anemia, liver damage, jaundice,
Water-Soluble Vitamins
Although toxicity for water-soluble vitamins is not as common, some vitamins should be avoided in excess:
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): doses of over 300-500 mg/day = sensory loss, lower limb numbness, nerve damage, loss of reflexes. Chronic doses of over 2000 mg/day may cause damage that could take years to recover from or may be irreversible)
Niacin: doses of 1000 mg/day = flushing, gastric irritation, elevated liver enzymes, jaundice, and increased blood glucose
Vitamin C: doses of 1000 to 2000 mg/day over several months may lead to increased risk of kidney stones, flatulence, and diarrhea
General Guidelines
Eat a well balanced diet that includes 5 servings of fruit and vegetables/day.
If unable to eat a well balanced diet, supplement the diet with a multivitamin that meets the RDI (recommended dietary intake) allowances
Check the amount of vitamins that you are getting in ALL of the supplements you take. You may come up with a larger number than you expected.
NOT JUST FOR WOMEN – osteoporosis can also afflict men. It is estimated that 2 million American men have osteoporosis compared to at least 8 million women and 3 million are on the verge of developing it. One-third of all hip fractures occur in men. Bone loss in men usually occurs more slowly than in women and at later ages. By age 70, men will have lost one-seventh of their bone mass. This loss does not usually produce symptoms in men until age 75 and older. So men, too, should take steps to prevent bone loss – consume adequate vitamin D, calcium, and other minerals, do weight-bearing exercise, and quit smoking
Also limit the intake of vitamin A since it can weaken bones. Studies have shown that large amounts of vitamin A (consuming more than 6,600 IU of vitamin A) increase the risk of fractures for both men and women. It appears that the problem is supplements. If you take a multivitamin, be sure that it contains no more than 5,000 IU of vitamin A and at least 40% of this should be in the form of beta-carotene (the label will indicate “50% as beta-carotene” under vitamin A). Beta-carotene is safe for your bones. Do not take cod liver oil and rarely eat liver, which are the richest food sources, and check labels on highly fortified breakfast cereals. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 5/03.
SUGAR ALCOHOLS – found in many food products labeled “sugarless,”, include sorbitol, manitol, xylitol, and isomalt. Many of these occur naturally in fruits and vegetables – sorbitol in berries, xylitol in lettuce and strawberries, for example. Their chemical structure is similar to sugar and also to alcohol.
Sugar alcohols have fewer calories per gram than sugar because the body does not absorb them well. They do raise blood sugar somewhat and have to be counted as carbohydrates in a diabetic diet. But sugar alcohols are absorbed into the bloodstream more slowly than sugar.
Most sugar alcohols taste less sweet than sucrose (table sugar), except xylitol, which is just as sweet. Sugar alcohols are less likely to promote tooth decay because mouth bacteria process them less readily. Xylitol even seems to suppress mouth bacteria, thus helping to prevent tooth decay. Xylitol can be found in some Orbit chewing gums. Over consumption of sugar alcohols can cause diarrhea, gas and cramps. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 5/03.
VITAMIN E TO KEEP YOU SHARP – there are many antioxidants, but natural vitamin E appears to be the best at retaining cognitive ability. Studies indicate that older people with the highest cognitive function were those who had taken vitamin E regularly.
The benefits of vitamin E may stem not only from its antioxidant value but research in France indicates that people with higher vitamin E levels had significantly more free-flowing carotid arteries, which are the main arteries supplying the brain. Men’s Fitness 9/02.
WATER LOWERS HEART DISEASE RISK – drinking lots of water can significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, according to researchers at Loma Linda University in California.
Staying hydrated is apparently as important to the cardiovascular system as diet, exercise, and avoiding tobacco.
The researchers found that healthy subjects who drank 5 or more glasses of water a day have only half the risk (or less) of fatal coronary heart disease, compared with those who drink less than two glasses a day. The results indicate that several independent risk factors for CHD, such as levels of whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, hematocrit and fibrinogen, can be elevated by dehydration.
These results were valid only for water consumption; soft drinks, coffee, or alcoholic beverages did not yield the same results.
There appears to be a benefit, at least for heart healthy people, when the majority of fluids consumed are plain water and not from sodas. Water thins the blood, while other fluids draw water out of the blood to aid in their digestion. The report concludes that proper hydration could save tens of thousands of lives each year with minimal cost or effort. If other follow-on studies verify these findings, this would be the cheapest and simplest method of preventing coronary heart disease. Men’s Fitness 9/02.
SHUDDUP AND DRIVE! – using a cell phone when driving significantly increases the chances of getting into a serious accident.
Canadian researchers found that the risk of collisions resulting in driver injury rose by 38 percent overall for those using cell phones. The amount of time spent on the cell phone made a big difference; light users had similar safety rates as nonusers while heavy users more than doubled their accident risk.
Another study found that using a cell phone while driving corresponded to a 16 percent higher risk of an at-fault collision. Men’s Fitness 9/02.
GREEN TEA BURNS FAT – all green and black tea is brewed from the same plant; black tea leaves are fermented while green tea leaves are steamed and dried right after harvesting. This gives green tea a different chemical composition, including more catechin polyphenols, chemicals that act both as an antioxidant and as a metabolism booster. Green tea has about 27 percent catechins, while black tea has just 4 percent and herbal teas have none).
Swiss researchers found that subjects who consumed green tea extract with every meal had a 4 percent increase in energy expenditure over the next 24 hours, a boost the scientists attributed to the combination of catechins and caffeine. While this doesn’t sound like a large difference, if energy expenditure and food consumption remain constant, this increase in metabolic rate could yield a loss of almost nine pounds over the course of one year. The researchers also found that tea encourages the body to burn fat rather than carbohydrates.
It is best to avoid adding milk to tea as the milk seems to reduce the tea’s antioxidant potential as milk proteins affect the body’s absorption of polyphenol chemicals.
Green tea has about half the caffeine of a cup of coffee. Bottled green tea does not appear to have the same beneficial properties of brewed green tea.
Supplemental green tea extract does appear to have health benefits, but consult with a physician before starting to take these supplements.
One potent antioxidant, EGCG (epogallocatechin gallate) has the greatest impact on metabolic increase. Men’s Fitness 9/02
From the Flight Surgeon:
"NEWER SURGERY TRIES TO GET AN ‘EYE RIGHT’"
by Joe Battersby, D.O.
FAA Medical Examiner
(insert picture of Joe here, please-LK)
(Margaret, Joe, and Mary Jane)
(edited for this publication from ”America’s Flyways,” 2/04-LK)
Some of our guys have been reading about new attempts to improve distant vision and have asked us about them. LASIK has been around for enough time for us to come up with some pretty solid numbers concerning the effectiveness of this procedure – i.e., depending upon the degree of myopia.
Sixty percent of those requiring a “glasses” correction of less than 7 diopters and 45 percent those with 7 diopters or more went to 20/20 uncorrected – not bad scores! So much for LASIK except to note that about 3 percent of cases are “flops” for various reasons. Proof again that “nothing is perfect!” The only F.A.A. requirements are stability of correction, meeting standards, of course, and no “flare or glare” problems. The F.A.A. approves LASIK procedures.
Now for the new stuff. PRK, CK, Intra-corneal rings and Peaky Intra-corneal Lenses. Never mind what the Food and Drug Administration thinks in terms of these new procedures. The F.A.A. strikes all the above except PRK. Since I love to snow readers with medical jargon, PRK stands for Photorefractive Keratotomy. PRK has some problems, but is OK with the F.A.A. The bottom line? – same as always. Stay away from Docs that feel some need to be the “first with the latest.” If you have any questions check with your corner AME, ALPA, SWAPA, or AOPA medical departments! That way you’ll avoid career problems before they arise. “See” you around.
Best,
Joe
Wednesday, September 1, 2004
Health News
REPORTING POINT 09-04
HEALTH NEWS
"Live healthy...live well"
by Larry Kline
SWAPA Voice Mailbox 4337/email: livehealthy-livewell@cox.net
(Past issues of “Health News” are available on my son’s website, which includes a word-search engine - just go to the site with your browser and insert the key word to find past articles: http://home.earthlink.net/~candace_ball/healtharticles/frameset.htm) - LK
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ 10 - True or false: seven-grain and other multi-grain breads are a better choice than plain whole-wheat bread. Answer is below.
MERCURY CONTAMINATION IN FOOD
by Chris Crockett RD, CNSD
(Registered dietician Chris Crockett has agreed to contribute periodic articles concerning health matters to Reporting Point – LK)
Mercury is a heavy metal that is considered toxic to humans in varying amounts. Generally, the population is exposed to mercury from contaminated water, soil, and food The amounts of exposure has not been significant except in rare instances, i.e., past use of mercury in the manufacture of felt hats in the early 1900s, which led to the term Mad Hatter, or the ingestion of wheat and barley seed treated with an alkyl mercury fungicide in Iraq in 1972 that led to a major outbreak of poisoning with many fatalities. These are rare and not a common concern for the general public. It has been noted, however, that increased levels of mercury have been found in fish, and with chronic consumption, these levels can be toxic to humans, especially to those who are most susceptible such as small children or a fetus. This article will give a summary of how mercury can affect the human body, symptoms of toxicity, where contaminants may be found, and how to adjust your diet to avoid excess intake.
How does mercury affect the body?
Mercury is described as a neurotoxin, which means it affects the central nervous system. It may enter nerve cells and interfere with basic cell processes including the reduction of protein synthesis, reduction of antioxidants, and increased oxidative stress. It may be inhaled as a vapor (very quick acting and very toxic) or by slower methods where the mercury is accumulated via ingestion or skin contact.
What are the symptoms of mercury poisoning?
Symptoms vary with form of mercury, vapor or elemental, and degree of exposure. They may include the following:
Psychological Disturbances: Irritability, fits of anger, memory loss, depression, anxiety, shyness, decline in intellect, attention deficit, insomnia, and loss of self-control.
Oral Cavity Disorders: Bleeding gums, ulcers of gums, sores in mouth, change in gum pigment, foul breath, presence of a metallic taste, teeth loss, drooling, numbness and tingling of lips, mouth, and tongue.
Gastrointestinal Effects: Stomach pain, diarrhea, and bleeding.
Systemic Effects: Irregular heartbeat, heart attack, changes in blood pressure and pulse, chest pain, vision and hearing loss, and kidney damage.
Neurological: Headaches, dizziness, ringing in ears, tremors in hands, feet, eyelids and tongue, paralysis, and death.
Respiratory: Cough, pneumonia, and emphysema.
Immunological: Swollen lymph nodes in neck, sinusitis, and asthma.
Endocrine: Cold, clammy hands and feet, excessive perspiration, muscle weakness, edema, joint pain, weight loss, discoloration of nails, hair loss, and peeling of skin on hands and feet.
*Mercury exposure to a fetus can result in profound mental retardation, cerebral palsy, seizures, spasticity, ear and eye damage, and tremors. Note: Mercury can be passed to a child in breast milk.
Although air and soil contaminated with mercury are present over a wide range of areas, aside from industrial accidents, the main concern for the general public is chronic exposure from food sources that include the following:
The main source of mercury exposure in food is from fish that have been in contaminated water. Some amount of mercury has been found in all major fishing areas. The larger the fish and a fish that eats smaller fish means there has been more time for accumulation of mercury into the body of that fish. The following list gives an average of the amounts of mercury found in specific types of fish. These will vary depending on location found.
*Levels in the body will accumulate with chronic ingestion.
*Levels increase with frying and breading of fish.
Levels are indicated by PPM (parts per million)
*HIGHEST LEVELS IN FISH AND SHELLFISH
Mackerel (Gulf of Mexico) .73
Shark .99
Swordfish .97
Tilefish (Gulf of Mexico) 1.45
**MODERATE LEVELS
Orange Roughy .56
Grouper .55
Marlin .49
Halibut .26
Lobster (North American) .31
Fresh or frozen tuna .38
Canned albacore tuna .35
Bass (saltwater) .27
Snapper .19
Canned light tuna .12
Cod .11
Other sources of food contamination may be found in Chinese herbal preparations such as: An Gong Niu Huang Wan, Da Huo Luo Wan, Dendrobium Monliforme Night Sight pills, Niu Huange Chiang Ya Wan, Ta Hu Lo Tan, and Tsai Tsao Wan. Indian and Mexican folk medications containing mercury include: Crème de Belleza-Manning, Tainan, Ping-tong, and Sin-chu.
How do you treat Mercury Poisoning?
Unfortunately, by the time symptoms appear, permanent damage may have already occurred; so avoiding contamination is the best method. Mercury may take a year to make a significant decline in the body; loss is via urine, GI tract, and hair and skin loss. This is why women who think they “may” become pregnant should watch their diet closely at least a year before conceiving.
Chelation therapy (adding chemicals which bind with mercury) is used with very toxic levels. Some studies (Furst, 2002) indicate that selenium (avoid intake of over 200 IU/day) may help reduce the effects of chronic mercury ingestion. Food sources include (highest) raw kidney, cooked liver and liverwurst, sunflower seeds, oysters, shrimp, and snapper; (moderate) most beef and pork, cereals, garlic, and molasses. Alpha-lipoic acid (found naturally in kidney, heart, and liver as well as peas, brussel sprouts, and rice bran) also helps as an anti-oxidant to reduce the damage done by mercury. A study done in the Amazon (Passos, 2003) showed that of women who ate equal amounts of a high fish diet and those eating tropical fruit had much lower levels of mercury present in their bodies. This was attributed to the presence of phytochemicals and fiber in the tropical fruit.
Guidelines:
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a statement in March 2004 with the following recommendations: Fish and shellfish contain high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids and are an important part of the diet. Nearly all fish contain some mercury. Women who may become pregnant or who are nursing and small children should especially watch their diets and follow three main rules:
Do not eat shark, swordfish, King mackerel, or tilefish.
Eat up to 12 ounces a week of fish or shellfish low in mercury, i.e., shrimp, salmon, pollock, catfish, and canned light tuna.
Albacore tuna is higher in mercury. Choose 6 ounces or less per week.
It is also advisable to check with authorities in local fishing areas for possible mercury contamination of fish in those areas. Adding foods that are high in antioxidants (i.e., 5 servings of various colored fruits and vegetables daily) may also be beneficial in reducing damage from mercury.
INFOMERCIAL EXERCISE MACHINES - there are many exercise devices sold on television, usually accompanied with much hype. Consumer Reports analyzed these products and came away with the following analysis:
AEROBIC DEVICES:
Treadclimber by Nautilus - excellent for aerobic exercise, but expensive.
Tony Little Gazelle Free-Style Elite - biking or walking provides the same or better benefits for less money.
STRENGTH TRAINERS:
Bowflex Power Pro - effective, but pricey. More compact and easier to move than a home gym with metal weights.
Crossbow by Weider - effective for weight training, costs less than Bowflex, but may have quality-control problems.
Total Gym XL - easy to use, versatile. A viable strength training alternative, especially for users with low to moderate fitness, but pricey.
Gyrotonic Transformer 1500 - can boost strength and flexibility but expensive for what you get.
Body by Jake Total Body Trainer - OK for less-fit exercisers, but not much value for the money.
ABDOMINAL DEVICES:
None of the devices tested (Body Dome, Ab Swing, Emson Smart Abs) were recommended. Simple crunches or crunches on a Swiss ball gave a better workout than any of these infomercial abdominal devices.
BUN AND THIGH DEVICES:
None of the devices tested (Body by Jake Bun and Thigh Rocker, and Bun and Thigh Max) were recommended by Consumer Reports. Consumer Reports 1/04.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ ANSWER: False. Plain whole-wheat bread is 100% whole-wheat - unrefined with all the nutrients and fiber intact. Multi-grain breads usually contain small amounts of various grains - not all of them whole grains. The first ingredient listed is often wheat flour, i.e., refined wheat (white) flour. To be sure you are getting a whole-grain product, check the first ingredient on the label. It should be a whole grain of some kind, not "enriched wheat flour." Also check the nutritional label for fiber content - 2 to 3 grams of fiber per slice is likely to be whole grain. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 6/03.
JUST ONE FATTY MEAL CAN HURT – the heart is a very efficient organ. If its usual suppliers of blood among the coronary arteries are blocked for any reason, the surrounding vessels compensate by expanding and maintaining supply according to demand. This shift in arterial supply is called the coronary flow reserve.
It isn’t a only a lifetime of unhealthy eating that can cause the damage, but research now indicates that just one unhealthy meal can lead to heart damage.
Researchers at Osaka City University in Japan found that test subjects that consumed a 1,200 calorie shake containing 100 grams of fat, the approximate equivalent of a pizza or double cheeseburger and large fries, had an 18 percent decrease in the coronary flow reserve, and levels of triglycerides, a blood fat, jumped 155 percent.
In a report published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the scientists concluded that high-fat meals may be detrimental to coronary microcirculation and that just one meal may cause significant coronary damage. Men’s Fitness 7/02.
HEARTBURN AND GERD – when you swallow food or liquid, it passes down the esophagus toward the stomach where a tight muscular ring encircles the esophagus. The purpose of the muscle is to relax when we swallow allowing the stomach to fill. When not necessary, the muscle tightens up serving its secondary function of preventing stomach contents from backing up past the esophagus, acting like a one-way check valve.
Occasionally, after consuming a heavy meal, a burp allows some stomach contents to back up, leaving a foul, strong taste in the mouth. This happens because the burp’s pressure is greater than the muscles ability to restrict flow in the “wrong” direction.
When this “backwash” occurs regularly, it may be diagnosed as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.
GERD may be treated by prescription drugs that may slow stomach acid production. Those victims who are obese may also receive relief by losing weight, which seems to ease the backpressure on the muscles of the esophagus. Certain foods may aggravate GERD. Also raising the head when sleeping may ease symptoms of GERD. Avoiding large meals within 3 hours of bedtime may also provide relief.
If left untreated, GERD can lead to ulcerations that may eventually develop into cancer. AFN 3/31/04.
HEALTH NEWS
"Live healthy...live well"
by Larry Kline
SWAPA Voice Mailbox 4337/email: livehealthy-livewell@cox.net
(Past issues of “Health News” are available on my son’s website, which includes a word-search engine - just go to the site with your browser and insert the key word to find past articles: http://home.earthlink.net/~candace_ball/healtharticles/frameset.htm) - LK
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ 10 - True or false: seven-grain and other multi-grain breads are a better choice than plain whole-wheat bread. Answer is below.
MERCURY CONTAMINATION IN FOOD
by Chris Crockett RD, CNSD
(Registered dietician Chris Crockett has agreed to contribute periodic articles concerning health matters to Reporting Point – LK)
Mercury is a heavy metal that is considered toxic to humans in varying amounts. Generally, the population is exposed to mercury from contaminated water, soil, and food The amounts of exposure has not been significant except in rare instances, i.e., past use of mercury in the manufacture of felt hats in the early 1900s, which led to the term Mad Hatter, or the ingestion of wheat and barley seed treated with an alkyl mercury fungicide in Iraq in 1972 that led to a major outbreak of poisoning with many fatalities. These are rare and not a common concern for the general public. It has been noted, however, that increased levels of mercury have been found in fish, and with chronic consumption, these levels can be toxic to humans, especially to those who are most susceptible such as small children or a fetus. This article will give a summary of how mercury can affect the human body, symptoms of toxicity, where contaminants may be found, and how to adjust your diet to avoid excess intake.
How does mercury affect the body?
Mercury is described as a neurotoxin, which means it affects the central nervous system. It may enter nerve cells and interfere with basic cell processes including the reduction of protein synthesis, reduction of antioxidants, and increased oxidative stress. It may be inhaled as a vapor (very quick acting and very toxic) or by slower methods where the mercury is accumulated via ingestion or skin contact.
What are the symptoms of mercury poisoning?
Symptoms vary with form of mercury, vapor or elemental, and degree of exposure. They may include the following:
Psychological Disturbances: Irritability, fits of anger, memory loss, depression, anxiety, shyness, decline in intellect, attention deficit, insomnia, and loss of self-control.
Oral Cavity Disorders: Bleeding gums, ulcers of gums, sores in mouth, change in gum pigment, foul breath, presence of a metallic taste, teeth loss, drooling, numbness and tingling of lips, mouth, and tongue.
Gastrointestinal Effects: Stomach pain, diarrhea, and bleeding.
Systemic Effects: Irregular heartbeat, heart attack, changes in blood pressure and pulse, chest pain, vision and hearing loss, and kidney damage.
Neurological: Headaches, dizziness, ringing in ears, tremors in hands, feet, eyelids and tongue, paralysis, and death.
Respiratory: Cough, pneumonia, and emphysema.
Immunological: Swollen lymph nodes in neck, sinusitis, and asthma.
Endocrine: Cold, clammy hands and feet, excessive perspiration, muscle weakness, edema, joint pain, weight loss, discoloration of nails, hair loss, and peeling of skin on hands and feet.
*Mercury exposure to a fetus can result in profound mental retardation, cerebral palsy, seizures, spasticity, ear and eye damage, and tremors. Note: Mercury can be passed to a child in breast milk.
Although air and soil contaminated with mercury are present over a wide range of areas, aside from industrial accidents, the main concern for the general public is chronic exposure from food sources that include the following:
The main source of mercury exposure in food is from fish that have been in contaminated water. Some amount of mercury has been found in all major fishing areas. The larger the fish and a fish that eats smaller fish means there has been more time for accumulation of mercury into the body of that fish. The following list gives an average of the amounts of mercury found in specific types of fish. These will vary depending on location found.
*Levels in the body will accumulate with chronic ingestion.
*Levels increase with frying and breading of fish.
Levels are indicated by PPM (parts per million)
*HIGHEST LEVELS IN FISH AND SHELLFISH
Mackerel (Gulf of Mexico) .73
Shark .99
Swordfish .97
Tilefish (Gulf of Mexico) 1.45
**MODERATE LEVELS
Orange Roughy .56
Grouper .55
Marlin .49
Halibut .26
Lobster (North American) .31
Fresh or frozen tuna .38
Canned albacore tuna .35
Bass (saltwater) .27
Snapper .19
Canned light tuna .12
Cod .11
Other sources of food contamination may be found in Chinese herbal preparations such as: An Gong Niu Huang Wan, Da Huo Luo Wan, Dendrobium Monliforme Night Sight pills, Niu Huange Chiang Ya Wan, Ta Hu Lo Tan, and Tsai Tsao Wan. Indian and Mexican folk medications containing mercury include: Crème de Belleza-Manning, Tainan, Ping-tong, and Sin-chu.
How do you treat Mercury Poisoning?
Unfortunately, by the time symptoms appear, permanent damage may have already occurred; so avoiding contamination is the best method. Mercury may take a year to make a significant decline in the body; loss is via urine, GI tract, and hair and skin loss. This is why women who think they “may” become pregnant should watch their diet closely at least a year before conceiving.
Chelation therapy (adding chemicals which bind with mercury) is used with very toxic levels. Some studies (Furst, 2002) indicate that selenium (avoid intake of over 200 IU/day) may help reduce the effects of chronic mercury ingestion. Food sources include (highest) raw kidney, cooked liver and liverwurst, sunflower seeds, oysters, shrimp, and snapper; (moderate) most beef and pork, cereals, garlic, and molasses. Alpha-lipoic acid (found naturally in kidney, heart, and liver as well as peas, brussel sprouts, and rice bran) also helps as an anti-oxidant to reduce the damage done by mercury. A study done in the Amazon (Passos, 2003) showed that of women who ate equal amounts of a high fish diet and those eating tropical fruit had much lower levels of mercury present in their bodies. This was attributed to the presence of phytochemicals and fiber in the tropical fruit.
Guidelines:
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a statement in March 2004 with the following recommendations: Fish and shellfish contain high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids and are an important part of the diet. Nearly all fish contain some mercury. Women who may become pregnant or who are nursing and small children should especially watch their diets and follow three main rules:
Do not eat shark, swordfish, King mackerel, or tilefish.
Eat up to 12 ounces a week of fish or shellfish low in mercury, i.e., shrimp, salmon, pollock, catfish, and canned light tuna.
Albacore tuna is higher in mercury. Choose 6 ounces or less per week.
It is also advisable to check with authorities in local fishing areas for possible mercury contamination of fish in those areas. Adding foods that are high in antioxidants (i.e., 5 servings of various colored fruits and vegetables daily) may also be beneficial in reducing damage from mercury.
INFOMERCIAL EXERCISE MACHINES - there are many exercise devices sold on television, usually accompanied with much hype. Consumer Reports analyzed these products and came away with the following analysis:
AEROBIC DEVICES:
Treadclimber by Nautilus - excellent for aerobic exercise, but expensive.
Tony Little Gazelle Free-Style Elite - biking or walking provides the same or better benefits for less money.
STRENGTH TRAINERS:
Bowflex Power Pro - effective, but pricey. More compact and easier to move than a home gym with metal weights.
Crossbow by Weider - effective for weight training, costs less than Bowflex, but may have quality-control problems.
Total Gym XL - easy to use, versatile. A viable strength training alternative, especially for users with low to moderate fitness, but pricey.
Gyrotonic Transformer 1500 - can boost strength and flexibility but expensive for what you get.
Body by Jake Total Body Trainer - OK for less-fit exercisers, but not much value for the money.
ABDOMINAL DEVICES:
None of the devices tested (Body Dome, Ab Swing, Emson Smart Abs) were recommended. Simple crunches or crunches on a Swiss ball gave a better workout than any of these infomercial abdominal devices.
BUN AND THIGH DEVICES:
None of the devices tested (Body by Jake Bun and Thigh Rocker, and Bun and Thigh Max) were recommended by Consumer Reports. Consumer Reports 1/04.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ ANSWER: False. Plain whole-wheat bread is 100% whole-wheat - unrefined with all the nutrients and fiber intact. Multi-grain breads usually contain small amounts of various grains - not all of them whole grains. The first ingredient listed is often wheat flour, i.e., refined wheat (white) flour. To be sure you are getting a whole-grain product, check the first ingredient on the label. It should be a whole grain of some kind, not "enriched wheat flour." Also check the nutritional label for fiber content - 2 to 3 grams of fiber per slice is likely to be whole grain. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 6/03.
JUST ONE FATTY MEAL CAN HURT – the heart is a very efficient organ. If its usual suppliers of blood among the coronary arteries are blocked for any reason, the surrounding vessels compensate by expanding and maintaining supply according to demand. This shift in arterial supply is called the coronary flow reserve.
It isn’t a only a lifetime of unhealthy eating that can cause the damage, but research now indicates that just one unhealthy meal can lead to heart damage.
Researchers at Osaka City University in Japan found that test subjects that consumed a 1,200 calorie shake containing 100 grams of fat, the approximate equivalent of a pizza or double cheeseburger and large fries, had an 18 percent decrease in the coronary flow reserve, and levels of triglycerides, a blood fat, jumped 155 percent.
In a report published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the scientists concluded that high-fat meals may be detrimental to coronary microcirculation and that just one meal may cause significant coronary damage. Men’s Fitness 7/02.
HEARTBURN AND GERD – when you swallow food or liquid, it passes down the esophagus toward the stomach where a tight muscular ring encircles the esophagus. The purpose of the muscle is to relax when we swallow allowing the stomach to fill. When not necessary, the muscle tightens up serving its secondary function of preventing stomach contents from backing up past the esophagus, acting like a one-way check valve.
Occasionally, after consuming a heavy meal, a burp allows some stomach contents to back up, leaving a foul, strong taste in the mouth. This happens because the burp’s pressure is greater than the muscles ability to restrict flow in the “wrong” direction.
When this “backwash” occurs regularly, it may be diagnosed as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.
GERD may be treated by prescription drugs that may slow stomach acid production. Those victims who are obese may also receive relief by losing weight, which seems to ease the backpressure on the muscles of the esophagus. Certain foods may aggravate GERD. Also raising the head when sleeping may ease symptoms of GERD. Avoiding large meals within 3 hours of bedtime may also provide relief.
If left untreated, GERD can lead to ulcerations that may eventually develop into cancer. AFN 3/31/04.
Sunday, August 1, 2004
Health News
REPORTING POINT 08-04
HEALTH NEWS
“Live healthy...live well”
by Larry Kline
SWAPA Voice Mailbox 4337/email: livehealthy-livewell@cox.net
(Past issues of “Health News” are available on my son’s website, which includes a word-search engine - just go to the site with your browser and insert the key word to find past articles: http://home.earthlink.net/~candace_ball/healtharticles/frameset.htm) - LK
SHINGLES? - if you think you may have shingles, see your doctor right away. Early treatment with antiviral drugs can minimize the pain, promote healing, and reduce the chance of complications. The first symptoms of shingles are burning pain, tingling, and extreme sensitivity in one area of skin, usually along a band on one side of the torso or buttocks and sometimes include an arm, leg, or the face. These symptoms may be accompanied with mild chills, fever, and headache. It will usually take one to three days before the skin reddens at the site and the characteristic blistering rash appears. The virus that causes shingles is a member of the herpes-virus family, the same that causes chickenpox. About 10 to 20 per cent of people who have had chickenpox develop shingles, usually after age 50. If you have not had chickenpox, you cannot get shingles. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 12/03.
HOW TO LOWER YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE - a new study by researchers at the University of Texas compared three types of drugs prescribed for hypertension and found that diuretics work best at lowering blood pressure and preventing cardiovascular events also, diuretics are the cheapest way to treat high blood pressure - 10 cents a day - compared with 78 cents per calcium channel blocker and 30 cents for each ACE inhibitor.
Diuretics are simply pills that act on the kidneys to increase urine flow. They alter the body’s distribution of sodium and water into the urine, resulting in changes in total body water and reducing blood pressure. Men’s Health 6/03.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ 9 - Tea is good for you, but which of the following are best?
a) Green tea
b) Black tea
c) Decaf tea, either green or black
d) Herb teas
Answer is below.
SHAMPOO INGREDIENTS - if you have ever wondered what certain ingredients in shampoos are suppose to do for your hair, here is a partial list and their purpose:
Ammonium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate: Clean hair and add lather.
Citric acid: Adjusts the shampoo’s pH.
Cocamide DEA, cocamido-propyl betaine, lauramide DEA: Add to the lather’s richness and volume.
DMDM Hydantoin, iodopropynyl butylcaramate, methylcholoroisothiazolinone: preservatives.
Panthenol: Added as a hair conditioner, but experts feel it is poor as a conditioner.
Propylene glycol: Keeps shampoo clear and homogenized and prevents freezing (must be applied within 5 minutes of take-off!)
Sodium chloride, ammonium chloride: Product thickeners.
Tetrasodium EDTA: Assists preservative in shampoo and removes trace metals from ingredients and hair.
Water: dissolves and dilutes.
Colorants: added to make shampoo attractive - for esthetics.
Kiwi fruit extract, passionflower extract, hydrolyzed whey protein, chamomile, aloe barbadensis extract, thiamine HCl: At the low concentrations in shampoos, these and other “natural ingredients” are mainly added to market the product, but they do little to help your hair. Consumer Reports 1/04.
CONSIDERING PROSTATE SURGERY? - weigh the surgeon’s experience when deciding which physician will perform the surgery. A study that compared the numbers of prostatectomies surgeons had performed with their outcomes found that patients of surgeons who do at least 40 such procedures a year have significantly better results than those whose surgeons do fewer procedures.
Men whose doctors had the most experience with prostatectomy were nearly half as likely to suffer postoperative complications and also had shorter hospital stays.
Asking your prospective surgeon the number of radical-prostatectomy surgeries performed in the last year and the rates of incontinence and impotence for the last 100 patients are important questions you should ask before choosing your surgeon. Men’s Health 6/03.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ ANSWER: a) and b) Both green and black tea contain enough fluoride to combat tooth decay; and both have been shown in studies to have other potential health effects, including some protection against heart disease and cancer if you drink it daily over a lifetime. Red or oolong teas probably have the same benefits. All of these teas are made from the leaf of the same plant, camellia sinensis. Decaf teas have not been studied. Herbal teas lack the beneficial compounds found in black and green teas; they lack the fluoride and probably most of the beneficial compounds. Black tea is a fermented version of green tea. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 6/03.
“THE LOW CARB CRAZE”
by Stephanie Campbell, M. Ed.
Registered Dietitian
A visit to a “fast food” Mexican restaurant was a surprise. They advertised “low carb tortillas!” A closer look showed that the tortillas were made of soy flour and indeed had only 8 grams of carbohydrate, compared to the 15 grams in a regular flour tortilla. This is just an example of how obsessed our society has become with the idea of eating low carbohydrate diets for weight reduction. In reality, the secret to weight loss still lies in eating fewer calories, whether the calories come from fat or from carbohydrates, and burning calories through exercise. Some people have had weight loss success with lower carbohydrate diets such as the Atkins diet; however there are side effects that can occur as a result of eating too little carbohydrate (carb for short!). As reported in a previous edition of SWAPA’s Health News, people with mild kidney problems can experience kidney damage from eating a lot of protein and too little carb, because the kidneys are not prepared to break down and excrete large amounts of amino acids from protein. Other problems with high protein and fat low carb diets may include increased risk for heart and gall bladder disease, rising blood pressure, osteoporosis, and gout.
The key to appropriate intake of carbohydrates lies in the type of carbohydrate you eat. There are simple carbs such as coke, candy, sugary snacks and also the lactose found in milk and the fructose found in fruits. Then there are complex carbs commonly called starches. These include breads, pasta, rice, cereal, and some vegetables such as potatoes and peas. Carbohydrates are often blamed for weight gain because they are not as filling as protein and fat and are more rapidly digested and absorbed. There may be some truth to this theory, since one would then eat more carbohydrates to feel fuller. When insulin increases in response to high blood sugar, after eating a lot of carbohydrate, it promotes fat storage. So people desiring to lose weight would want to have as low an insulin response as possible.
The key is to eat carbohydrates that have a low glycemic index. This is a controversial measurement of how high the blood sugar rises in response to a given amount of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are provided with a number, their “glycemic index,” to indicate how high the blood sugar goes up when compared to a standard such as sugar or white bread. Low glycemic carbohydrates are such things as legumes (beans), fruits, vegetables and dairy products. The South Beach Diet is based on the “glycemic index” theory. Dr. Argaston, the founder of the diet, believes that the tendency to store fat in the abdominal area is directly related to the insulin response triggered by eating a lot of carbohydrates, particularly simple carbs. He recommends eliminating all foods with carbohydrates from the diet for two weeks to reduce the cravings for sugars and then to gradually add them back in the form of complex carbohydrates. This diet is a much healthier alternative than the Atkins diet, since high fat–high cholesterol foods are not promoted.
There is a web site on the Internet for those people who would like more information about the diet, but in the opinion of most medical professionals, the South Beach Diet is successful because it is just a healthier way of eating, not a “diet” with a lot of restrictions.
THE MORE OFTEN THE BETTER – at least for your prostate. Frequent sexual activity apparently doesn’t increase the risk of developing prostate cancer and might even reduce the danger, according to a recent study of nearly 30,000 men.
Some previous studies have suggested that men who have frequent ejaculations might be more prone to prostate cancer. However, this recent research probed the sexual history of the subjects, including their frequency of ejaculation at various stages of their lives. There was no increased risk of prostate cancer with those men who ejaculated more often, and there appeared to be a decreased risk in men with the highest reported levels.
The two highest activity levels – 13 to 20 ejaculations a month, and at least 21 a month – were linked with decreased cancer risk of 14% and 33% respectively.
One theory is that frequent ejaculations help flush out cancer-causing chemicals or reduce the development of calcifications that have been linked with prostate cancer.
These latest findings are contrary to long-standing beliefs that frequent sexual activity increased the risk of prostate cancer because high sexual activity usually indicated elevated testosterone levels, which are associated with increased prostate cancer risk.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, after skin cancer. One in every six men will develop it. Wall Street Journal 4/7/04.
COENZYME Q-10 UPDATE – this popular dietary supplement is a vitamin-like compound which is taken for many disorders, including heart disease, hypertension, AIDS, asthma, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease, certain cancers, lung disease, gum disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraines, and allergies. It is also alleged to improve memory, boost immunity, and combat aging.
Discovered in 1957, CoQ-10 is also called ubiquinone because it belongs to a class of compounds known as quinines and because it is unique in living organisms, especially in the heart, liver, and kidneys. It plays a crucial role in producing energy in cells, and it acts as a powerful antioxidant.
CoQ-10 is one of the substances that tend to decline with age. But this doesn’t mean that lower levels of CoQ-10 cause disease or that supplemental CoQ-10 will combat disease or reverse the effects of aging. Some drugs, including certain cholesterol-lowering statins, beta-blockers, and antidepressants, can reduce CoQ-10 levels in the body, but there has been no evidence that this causes any adverse effects.
Most recent studies have yielded mixed results, and currently most medical professionals do not recommend supplementing with CoQ-10. If you do decide to use CoQ-10 supplements, they do appear to be safe with no adverse effects. Some lab tests indicate that CoQ-10 works well with vitamin E, and since it is a fat-soluble substance, it should be taken with a meal.
There is no proven benefit of taking CoQ-10 supplements, especially in normally healthy people. Some research in Australia has indicated that CoQ-10 may help lower blood pressure in half of older people with hypertension, and it is widely accepted in Japan as a treatment for cardiovascular disease. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 5/03.
FIBER FACTS – including a reasonable amount of fiber in the daily diet can be critical to good health and can help facilitate many bodily functions. Fiber has no nutritional value by itself, but some research indicates that it may aid in reducing colon cancer and heart disease.
Insoluble fiber (found in vegetables, wheat, and cereals) appears to fight cancer by binding to carcinogens in the intestines. Soluble fiber (found in fruits, oats, barley, and legumes) forms a gel that traps and transports cholesterol out of the body.
Adding fiber to your diet can also aid in weight loss as high-fiber foods stay in the stomach longer, slowing down the rate of digestion and keeping the blood-sugar level steady; avoiding insulin spikes. Fiber also helps the stomach feel full longer and you eat less at the next meal.
Recommendations include daily fiber consumption of 25 to 35 grams per day. Most Americans are lucky to get 12 to 15 grams per day. Ways to increase your consumption of fiber include:
-choose whole-grain cereals for breakfast, legumes (pinto, black, and kidney beans), whole grain breads, fruits, and vegetables with their skins.
-read food labels carefully to be sure that you are getting whole-grain benefits. The first word on the ingredient list should be whole, as in whole wheat, whole rye, and whole oats. Cracked wheat and popcorn also are good whole-grain sources.
If your current diet is thin on fiber, add fiber to your diet gradually and be sure to drink plenty of water. Adding fiber supplements to the diet may help, but whole foods are naturally rich in fiber and also add many beneficial vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Men’s Fitness 7/02.
Radiation Exposure in Flight Crews
Paul E. English, M.D.
(Health editor’s note; Dr. English was kind enough to evaluate numerous articles written that analyzed radiation exposure to flight crews, including the comprehensive Lufthansa study which tracked flight crews for over 20 years. His comments concerning these studies included “…I have read all the material that you dropped off. I wrote a short paragraph about sun protection. All the articles were scientifically flawed in their assumptions. Most admitted that other factors needed to be evaluated. If ionizing radiation is a problem for flight crews, it appears to be limited to myeloprolferative disorders (bone marrow). These are fast turnover cells. Other risk factors were not evaluated. I suspect the
increase of melanoma in one could likely be due to behavior i.e. increased sun
exposure i.e. beach golf, tennis etc.” Dr. Paul English.) LK
Concerns have surfaced over the last several decades concerning risks flight crews face at altitude to ionizing radiation. Some studies have suggested an increased risk for airline pilots to cancers of the lymph system, leukemia and melanoma. Other studies suggest that airline pilots are actually very healthy as a group and experience decreased incidence of all cancer types across the board when compared to the population at large. All these studies have been retrospective and did not factor other risks such as diet, hobbies and other exposures. I think it is premature to make any inferences at this point. More specific studies are in order. All radiation can potentially be injurious. What one can completely control is the amount of leisure and free time spent exposed to UV (sun). The evidence is very strong that increased exposure to the sun and tanning beds increases the risk to all skin cancer types. Summer is here and with it increased activity outdoors. Important tips to remember are: limit exposure to early morning and late afternoon (before 10am and after 4pm). Wear protective clothing when the activity allows. Hats should be broad brimmed and cover the ears and neck. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen 20-30 minutes prior to sun exposure. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours if sweating or swimming. There is no such thing as waterproof sunscreen. SPF or sun protection factor should be halved. A SPF 30 when applied by the average person is likely only to give half the protection on the label. The average person only applies half the amount needed. Using common sense and proper protection will reduce the risk for skin cancer and pre-mature aging.
HEALTH NEWS
“Live healthy...live well”
by Larry Kline
SWAPA Voice Mailbox 4337/email: livehealthy-livewell@cox.net
(Past issues of “Health News” are available on my son’s website, which includes a word-search engine - just go to the site with your browser and insert the key word to find past articles: http://home.earthlink.net/~candace_ball/healtharticles/frameset.htm) - LK
SHINGLES? - if you think you may have shingles, see your doctor right away. Early treatment with antiviral drugs can minimize the pain, promote healing, and reduce the chance of complications. The first symptoms of shingles are burning pain, tingling, and extreme sensitivity in one area of skin, usually along a band on one side of the torso or buttocks and sometimes include an arm, leg, or the face. These symptoms may be accompanied with mild chills, fever, and headache. It will usually take one to three days before the skin reddens at the site and the characteristic blistering rash appears. The virus that causes shingles is a member of the herpes-virus family, the same that causes chickenpox. About 10 to 20 per cent of people who have had chickenpox develop shingles, usually after age 50. If you have not had chickenpox, you cannot get shingles. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 12/03.
HOW TO LOWER YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE - a new study by researchers at the University of Texas compared three types of drugs prescribed for hypertension and found that diuretics work best at lowering blood pressure and preventing cardiovascular events also, diuretics are the cheapest way to treat high blood pressure - 10 cents a day - compared with 78 cents per calcium channel blocker and 30 cents for each ACE inhibitor.
Diuretics are simply pills that act on the kidneys to increase urine flow. They alter the body’s distribution of sodium and water into the urine, resulting in changes in total body water and reducing blood pressure. Men’s Health 6/03.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ 9 - Tea is good for you, but which of the following are best?
a) Green tea
b) Black tea
c) Decaf tea, either green or black
d) Herb teas
Answer is below.
SHAMPOO INGREDIENTS - if you have ever wondered what certain ingredients in shampoos are suppose to do for your hair, here is a partial list and their purpose:
Ammonium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate: Clean hair and add lather.
Citric acid: Adjusts the shampoo’s pH.
Cocamide DEA, cocamido-propyl betaine, lauramide DEA: Add to the lather’s richness and volume.
DMDM Hydantoin, iodopropynyl butylcaramate, methylcholoroisothiazolinone: preservatives.
Panthenol: Added as a hair conditioner, but experts feel it is poor as a conditioner.
Propylene glycol: Keeps shampoo clear and homogenized and prevents freezing (must be applied within 5 minutes of take-off!)
Sodium chloride, ammonium chloride: Product thickeners.
Tetrasodium EDTA: Assists preservative in shampoo and removes trace metals from ingredients and hair.
Water: dissolves and dilutes.
Colorants: added to make shampoo attractive - for esthetics.
Kiwi fruit extract, passionflower extract, hydrolyzed whey protein, chamomile, aloe barbadensis extract, thiamine HCl: At the low concentrations in shampoos, these and other “natural ingredients” are mainly added to market the product, but they do little to help your hair. Consumer Reports 1/04.
CONSIDERING PROSTATE SURGERY? - weigh the surgeon’s experience when deciding which physician will perform the surgery. A study that compared the numbers of prostatectomies surgeons had performed with their outcomes found that patients of surgeons who do at least 40 such procedures a year have significantly better results than those whose surgeons do fewer procedures.
Men whose doctors had the most experience with prostatectomy were nearly half as likely to suffer postoperative complications and also had shorter hospital stays.
Asking your prospective surgeon the number of radical-prostatectomy surgeries performed in the last year and the rates of incontinence and impotence for the last 100 patients are important questions you should ask before choosing your surgeon. Men’s Health 6/03.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ ANSWER: a) and b) Both green and black tea contain enough fluoride to combat tooth decay; and both have been shown in studies to have other potential health effects, including some protection against heart disease and cancer if you drink it daily over a lifetime. Red or oolong teas probably have the same benefits. All of these teas are made from the leaf of the same plant, camellia sinensis. Decaf teas have not been studied. Herbal teas lack the beneficial compounds found in black and green teas; they lack the fluoride and probably most of the beneficial compounds. Black tea is a fermented version of green tea. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 6/03.
“THE LOW CARB CRAZE”
by Stephanie Campbell, M. Ed.
Registered Dietitian
A visit to a “fast food” Mexican restaurant was a surprise. They advertised “low carb tortillas!” A closer look showed that the tortillas were made of soy flour and indeed had only 8 grams of carbohydrate, compared to the 15 grams in a regular flour tortilla. This is just an example of how obsessed our society has become with the idea of eating low carbohydrate diets for weight reduction. In reality, the secret to weight loss still lies in eating fewer calories, whether the calories come from fat or from carbohydrates, and burning calories through exercise. Some people have had weight loss success with lower carbohydrate diets such as the Atkins diet; however there are side effects that can occur as a result of eating too little carbohydrate (carb for short!). As reported in a previous edition of SWAPA’s Health News, people with mild kidney problems can experience kidney damage from eating a lot of protein and too little carb, because the kidneys are not prepared to break down and excrete large amounts of amino acids from protein. Other problems with high protein and fat low carb diets may include increased risk for heart and gall bladder disease, rising blood pressure, osteoporosis, and gout.
The key to appropriate intake of carbohydrates lies in the type of carbohydrate you eat. There are simple carbs such as coke, candy, sugary snacks and also the lactose found in milk and the fructose found in fruits. Then there are complex carbs commonly called starches. These include breads, pasta, rice, cereal, and some vegetables such as potatoes and peas. Carbohydrates are often blamed for weight gain because they are not as filling as protein and fat and are more rapidly digested and absorbed. There may be some truth to this theory, since one would then eat more carbohydrates to feel fuller. When insulin increases in response to high blood sugar, after eating a lot of carbohydrate, it promotes fat storage. So people desiring to lose weight would want to have as low an insulin response as possible.
The key is to eat carbohydrates that have a low glycemic index. This is a controversial measurement of how high the blood sugar rises in response to a given amount of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are provided with a number, their “glycemic index,” to indicate how high the blood sugar goes up when compared to a standard such as sugar or white bread. Low glycemic carbohydrates are such things as legumes (beans), fruits, vegetables and dairy products. The South Beach Diet is based on the “glycemic index” theory. Dr. Argaston, the founder of the diet, believes that the tendency to store fat in the abdominal area is directly related to the insulin response triggered by eating a lot of carbohydrates, particularly simple carbs. He recommends eliminating all foods with carbohydrates from the diet for two weeks to reduce the cravings for sugars and then to gradually add them back in the form of complex carbohydrates. This diet is a much healthier alternative than the Atkins diet, since high fat–high cholesterol foods are not promoted.
There is a web site on the Internet for those people who would like more information about the diet, but in the opinion of most medical professionals, the South Beach Diet is successful because it is just a healthier way of eating, not a “diet” with a lot of restrictions.
THE MORE OFTEN THE BETTER – at least for your prostate. Frequent sexual activity apparently doesn’t increase the risk of developing prostate cancer and might even reduce the danger, according to a recent study of nearly 30,000 men.
Some previous studies have suggested that men who have frequent ejaculations might be more prone to prostate cancer. However, this recent research probed the sexual history of the subjects, including their frequency of ejaculation at various stages of their lives. There was no increased risk of prostate cancer with those men who ejaculated more often, and there appeared to be a decreased risk in men with the highest reported levels.
The two highest activity levels – 13 to 20 ejaculations a month, and at least 21 a month – were linked with decreased cancer risk of 14% and 33% respectively.
One theory is that frequent ejaculations help flush out cancer-causing chemicals or reduce the development of calcifications that have been linked with prostate cancer.
These latest findings are contrary to long-standing beliefs that frequent sexual activity increased the risk of prostate cancer because high sexual activity usually indicated elevated testosterone levels, which are associated with increased prostate cancer risk.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, after skin cancer. One in every six men will develop it. Wall Street Journal 4/7/04.
COENZYME Q-10 UPDATE – this popular dietary supplement is a vitamin-like compound which is taken for many disorders, including heart disease, hypertension, AIDS, asthma, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease, certain cancers, lung disease, gum disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraines, and allergies. It is also alleged to improve memory, boost immunity, and combat aging.
Discovered in 1957, CoQ-10 is also called ubiquinone because it belongs to a class of compounds known as quinines and because it is unique in living organisms, especially in the heart, liver, and kidneys. It plays a crucial role in producing energy in cells, and it acts as a powerful antioxidant.
CoQ-10 is one of the substances that tend to decline with age. But this doesn’t mean that lower levels of CoQ-10 cause disease or that supplemental CoQ-10 will combat disease or reverse the effects of aging. Some drugs, including certain cholesterol-lowering statins, beta-blockers, and antidepressants, can reduce CoQ-10 levels in the body, but there has been no evidence that this causes any adverse effects.
Most recent studies have yielded mixed results, and currently most medical professionals do not recommend supplementing with CoQ-10. If you do decide to use CoQ-10 supplements, they do appear to be safe with no adverse effects. Some lab tests indicate that CoQ-10 works well with vitamin E, and since it is a fat-soluble substance, it should be taken with a meal.
There is no proven benefit of taking CoQ-10 supplements, especially in normally healthy people. Some research in Australia has indicated that CoQ-10 may help lower blood pressure in half of older people with hypertension, and it is widely accepted in Japan as a treatment for cardiovascular disease. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 5/03.
FIBER FACTS – including a reasonable amount of fiber in the daily diet can be critical to good health and can help facilitate many bodily functions. Fiber has no nutritional value by itself, but some research indicates that it may aid in reducing colon cancer and heart disease.
Insoluble fiber (found in vegetables, wheat, and cereals) appears to fight cancer by binding to carcinogens in the intestines. Soluble fiber (found in fruits, oats, barley, and legumes) forms a gel that traps and transports cholesterol out of the body.
Adding fiber to your diet can also aid in weight loss as high-fiber foods stay in the stomach longer, slowing down the rate of digestion and keeping the blood-sugar level steady; avoiding insulin spikes. Fiber also helps the stomach feel full longer and you eat less at the next meal.
Recommendations include daily fiber consumption of 25 to 35 grams per day. Most Americans are lucky to get 12 to 15 grams per day. Ways to increase your consumption of fiber include:
-choose whole-grain cereals for breakfast, legumes (pinto, black, and kidney beans), whole grain breads, fruits, and vegetables with their skins.
-read food labels carefully to be sure that you are getting whole-grain benefits. The first word on the ingredient list should be whole, as in whole wheat, whole rye, and whole oats. Cracked wheat and popcorn also are good whole-grain sources.
If your current diet is thin on fiber, add fiber to your diet gradually and be sure to drink plenty of water. Adding fiber supplements to the diet may help, but whole foods are naturally rich in fiber and also add many beneficial vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Men’s Fitness 7/02.
Radiation Exposure in Flight Crews
Paul E. English, M.D.
(Health editor’s note; Dr. English was kind enough to evaluate numerous articles written that analyzed radiation exposure to flight crews, including the comprehensive Lufthansa study which tracked flight crews for over 20 years. His comments concerning these studies included “…I have read all the material that you dropped off. I wrote a short paragraph about sun protection. All the articles were scientifically flawed in their assumptions. Most admitted that other factors needed to be evaluated. If ionizing radiation is a problem for flight crews, it appears to be limited to myeloprolferative disorders (bone marrow). These are fast turnover cells. Other risk factors were not evaluated. I suspect the
increase of melanoma in one could likely be due to behavior i.e. increased sun
exposure i.e. beach golf, tennis etc.” Dr. Paul English.) LK
Concerns have surfaced over the last several decades concerning risks flight crews face at altitude to ionizing radiation. Some studies have suggested an increased risk for airline pilots to cancers of the lymph system, leukemia and melanoma. Other studies suggest that airline pilots are actually very healthy as a group and experience decreased incidence of all cancer types across the board when compared to the population at large. All these studies have been retrospective and did not factor other risks such as diet, hobbies and other exposures. I think it is premature to make any inferences at this point. More specific studies are in order. All radiation can potentially be injurious. What one can completely control is the amount of leisure and free time spent exposed to UV (sun). The evidence is very strong that increased exposure to the sun and tanning beds increases the risk to all skin cancer types. Summer is here and with it increased activity outdoors. Important tips to remember are: limit exposure to early morning and late afternoon (before 10am and after 4pm). Wear protective clothing when the activity allows. Hats should be broad brimmed and cover the ears and neck. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen 20-30 minutes prior to sun exposure. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours if sweating or swimming. There is no such thing as waterproof sunscreen. SPF or sun protection factor should be halved. A SPF 30 when applied by the average person is likely only to give half the protection on the label. The average person only applies half the amount needed. Using common sense and proper protection will reduce the risk for skin cancer and pre-mature aging.
Thursday, July 1, 2004
Health News
REPORTING POINT 07-04
HEALTH NEWS
“Live healthy...live well”
by Larry Kline
SWAPA Voice Mailbox 4337/email: livehealthy-livewell@cox.net
(Past issues of “Health News” are available on my son’s website, which includes a word-search engine - just go to the site with your browser and insert the key word to find past articles: http://home.earthlink.net/~candace_ball/healtharticles/frameset.htm) - LK
FREQUENCY COUNTS - drinking alcohol can reduce the risk of having a heart attack, but according to a new study, it is how frequently you drink, not how much, that may be the key to avoiding heart disease. In a study of over 38,000 men, researchers found that those who drank three or four times a week were 68 percent less likely to have a heart attack than those who drank less than once a week, regardless of the type or amount of alcohol they consumed. Men’s Health 5/03.
FREQUENCY COUNTS, AGAIN - you know that hand-washing is the most effective way to minimize your risk of infection. Columbia University researchers have now tested the hands of hundreds of people for bacteria. A single washing did little to remove the microbes, the experts founds, even when the subjects used antibacterial soaps. It seems that frequent hand-washing over time drastically reduced germ counts, whether people used plain soap or antibacterial soaps. Health 11/03.
THE FRENCH CONNECTION - even though the French eat more dietary fat than Americans, they enjoy much lower rates of obesity and heart disease. French meals are 25 percent smaller than compared to American meals, and they drink much less soft drinks. Health 11/03.
MEN VS WOMEN - the top 10 leading causes of death by gender:
MEN WOMEN
1. Heart disease 1. Heart disease
2. Cancer 2. Cancer
3. Stroke 3. Stroke
4. Accidents (mostly motor vehicle) 4. Bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema
5. Bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema 5. Diabetes
6. Diabetes 6. Flu and pneumonia
7. Flu and pneumonia 7. Alzheimer’s disease
8. Suicide 8. Accidents
9. Kidney disease 9. Kidney disease
10. Liver disease and cirrhosis 10. Bacterial infection
Alcohol warning: the 4th, 8th, and 10th leading killers of men are alcohol related. Forty to 50 percent of all car fatalities are alcohol related; 50 percent of cirrhosis is due to alcohol abuse, and, according to researchers at Brown University, those that abuse alcohol are more likely to contemplate suicide.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) estimates that alcohol is involved in about 30 percent of all emergency-room visits in the United States, involved in one-third of suicides, one-half of homicides, one-half of sexual assaults, one-third of child-abuse cases, and a large portion of deaths from falls, burns, and drownings. Men’s Health 5/03.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ 8 - lycopene, a red pigment related to beta carotene, may help prevent prostate cancer, and the best source is cooked or processed tomatoes. Other sources include:
a) red chili peppers
b) pink and red grapefruit
c) watermelon
d) cherries
Answer is below.
FOLIC ACID - NOT JUST FOR MOMS - folic acid received a great deal of media attention a decade ago as a crucial nutrient for expectant mothers - critical for fetal development. New data indicates that folic acid may be just as important to men; consuming at least 400 micrograms a day can reduce the risk of colon cancer by more than 50 percent. It also assists in maintaining cardiovascular health by helping keep arteries clear, improves memory, and can aid in keeping sperm motive.
Homocysteine is manufactured in the body and high levels are thought to be a risk factor for heart disease. It has been found that three B vitamins (B6, B12, and folic acid) convert homocysteine into amino acids. A deficiency in these vitamins, especially folic acid, can cause a build up of homocysteine in the body and damage blood vessels that could lead to heart disease. Other studies have found that boosting folic acid intake improves blood vessel function in people who already have heart disease and it also lowers risk of stroke.
A high intake of folic acid also appears to play a role in reducing the risk of colon cancer. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables go along with a lower risk of colon cancer, and the folate in these foods may be one reason for the reduced risk. There is also some preliminary research that indicates a high intake of folic acid may reduce the risk of cervical cancer and, for heavy drinkers, the risk of breast cancer.
Folic acid (called folate in its natural state) is found in leafy green vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, and is usually included in most multi-vitamin supplements. Also, most grain products are now fortified with folic acid (breads and pastas). Those on high-protein/low carbohydrate diets will need to supplement to achieve the recommended daily intake of this important vitamin. Men’s Health 5/03, University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 4/03.
HIGH CHOLESTEROL? - even if you exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet, you may have higher cholesterol numbers than you like. If this is the case, consider taking Metamucil. Metamucil is the brand name for psyllium husk, a natural plant fiber. While it is used primarily as a laxative, psyllium also carries cholesterol out of the body via the digestive tract. Psyllium binds with the bile acids that form cholesterol, a process that keeps them from reabsorbing into the blood. Research has shown that people who add psyllium to their diets reduce both their total cholesterol and harmful LDL cholesterol levels by up to 15 percent, while keeping protective HDL levels intact. The FDA recommends 7 grams of psyllium a day, the amount in one tablespoon of Metamucil. Men’s Health 1/03.
LOW-DOSE ASPIRIN THERAPY - if you take low-dose aspirin to protect your heart, do not take ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin, or naproxen, such as Aleve, frequently, since these products can block the anti-clotting effect of the aspirin. Occasional use is fine, but taking ibuprofen or naproxen during the few hours before the aspirin is not recommended. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 12/03.
SITTING FOR LONG PERIODS? - according to recent research, sitting for long periods of time places one at risk for an event known as deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), which are blood clots that form in the deep veins of the legs. If a clot breaks loose and reaches the lungs, it can block a pulmonary artery or one of its branches - called an embolism - potentially with fatal results. Those who are obese, smoke or sedentary are at greater risk for DVT.
Solution to minimize risk? -
1) Take an aspirin one hour before flight to inhibit blood clotting.
2) Get up one an hour and walk, if possible, as exercise increasing blood circulation.
3) While standing, do toe-raises. Also, drinking plenty of water will minimize the risk of blood clots.
Symptoms of DVT may include pain, swelling, discoloration of the affected area, and skin that is unusually warm to the touch. Men’s Health 6/03.
FRUIT FIGHTS ULCERS - in a recent study, those at risk of infection with helicobacter pylori, the germ that causes stomach ulcers and gastric cancer, had a 25 percent reduction in risk of the disease by getting the recommended 75 mgs. of vitamin C daily. One orange contains about 70 mgs. of vitamin C. These findings were only valid for Caucasian test subjects. Health 11/03.
BE A ADIPPER”, NOT A ASPREADER” - while waiting at a restaurant for your meal, ask for olive oil to dip the bread into, instead of spreading butter on it. The oil contains mostly monounsaturated fat instead of saturated fat. Researchers studied diners with the option for using either olive oil or butter with their bread found that the oil users consumed 26% more oil than butter per slice of bread, since the bread soaks up oil like a sponge, but that the diners using oil ate 23% less bread than those using butter and ended up consuming 230 fewer calories. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 12/03.
MERCURY WARNING - until recently, only pregnant women were warned away from eating fish that are high in mercury - swordfish, mackerel, and shark. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that those with the highest blood levels of mercury had about twice the heart-attack risk of those with the lowest levels.
Mercury promotes free-radical production and might also promote platelet aggregation (clotting). To get the heart-saving omega-3s minus the heart-damaging mercury, stick with salmon, tuna, and sardines. Men’s Health 5/03.
MEDICAL MYTH - PSA> 4.0 = PROSTATE CANCER - many men have heard that a PSA level of 4 or more can only mean prostate cancer. But any trauma or inflammation can cause PSA to leak into the surrounding tissue of the prostate, where it is picked up in the bloodstream. Everything from a bacterial infection to a long bicycle ride can cause a minor jump in the PSA levels of the blood.
PSA scores between 4 and 10 fall into a diagnostic gray zone, where, until recently, the only way to confirm the presence of cancer is with a biopsy. Now, doctors can follow up with a complexed PSA (cPSA) or percent-free PSA exam. These tests measure different molecular forms of PSA which is the best way to determine whether elevated PSA levels are due to cancer or a benign condition. Even if the PSA levels are 2.5, ask the urologists for a cPSA or percent-free PSA exam. Men’s Health 5/03.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ ANSWER: b) and c) Not all red foods contain lycopene, but red pigments still have healthful components. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 6/03.
BE A SUGAR “SLEUTH” - sugars are an intrinsic part of many foods. Milk contains the milk sugar lactose, and fruits contain fructose. But many processed foods have added sugars mainly in the form of high-fructose corn syrup, which is not only added to obvious products like soft drinks, but also to such products as canned ravioli. Recently, the World Health Organization recommended that a healthy diet only incorporate no more than 10 percent of total calories from sugars that are not inherently part of a food. American foods have added sugars everywhere - Yoplait’s Yumsters strawberry low-fat yogurt, while sounding healthy, contains 18 grams of sugar, more than 10 grams of this is added with the second ingredient listed as sugar and the fourth ingredient high-fructose corn syrup - another sugar source. All this added sugar to the average American diet may be contributory to the epidemic of obesity and type-2 diabetes.
Many health-conscious people try to limit their consumption of foods with added sugars, but much of the added-sugar is difficult to find as it is labeled under various names. Added sugars appear on labels under the following names:
corn syrup, high-maltose corn syrup
crystalline fructose honey lactose
dextrose invert sugar
fructose lactose
fruit-juice concentrates malt
glucose maltose
high-fructose corn syrup molasses
sucrose syrup
Consumer Reports 1/04.
MIGRAINES, PART 2 - last issue we discussed diagnosing migraines and possible cures. Some recent research by the Headache Care Center in Springfield, Missouri, found that common triggers for migraines include red wine, nuts, bright lights, chocolate, smoke, lack of sleep, irregular exercise, climate changes, and alcohol (sounds like a typical 4 day trip). If you can identify a headache’s trigger, a simple lifestyle change may relieve the problem. Men’s Health 11/03.
A LITTLE HELPS A LOT - looking good in a Speedo isn’t the only reason to exercise. Two recent studies have found that even modest amounts of low-intensity activity can safeguard the heart, even if you do not lose weight. Duke University researchers discovered that walking just a couple of miles most days of the week can protect you from heart disease and stroke. By transforming smaller, heavier (and more dangerous) cholesterol particles into larger, lighter ones that are less likely to clog the arteries.
The Cooper Clinic in Dallas determined that performing any exercise at all can help lower the levels of C-reactive protein in the blood. Health 5/03.
HEALTH NEWS
“Live healthy...live well”
by Larry Kline
SWAPA Voice Mailbox 4337/email: livehealthy-livewell@cox.net
(Past issues of “Health News” are available on my son’s website, which includes a word-search engine - just go to the site with your browser and insert the key word to find past articles: http://home.earthlink.net/~candace_ball/healtharticles/frameset.htm) - LK
FREQUENCY COUNTS - drinking alcohol can reduce the risk of having a heart attack, but according to a new study, it is how frequently you drink, not how much, that may be the key to avoiding heart disease. In a study of over 38,000 men, researchers found that those who drank three or four times a week were 68 percent less likely to have a heart attack than those who drank less than once a week, regardless of the type or amount of alcohol they consumed. Men’s Health 5/03.
FREQUENCY COUNTS, AGAIN - you know that hand-washing is the most effective way to minimize your risk of infection. Columbia University researchers have now tested the hands of hundreds of people for bacteria. A single washing did little to remove the microbes, the experts founds, even when the subjects used antibacterial soaps. It seems that frequent hand-washing over time drastically reduced germ counts, whether people used plain soap or antibacterial soaps. Health 11/03.
THE FRENCH CONNECTION - even though the French eat more dietary fat than Americans, they enjoy much lower rates of obesity and heart disease. French meals are 25 percent smaller than compared to American meals, and they drink much less soft drinks. Health 11/03.
MEN VS WOMEN - the top 10 leading causes of death by gender:
MEN WOMEN
1. Heart disease 1. Heart disease
2. Cancer 2. Cancer
3. Stroke 3. Stroke
4. Accidents (mostly motor vehicle) 4. Bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema
5. Bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema 5. Diabetes
6. Diabetes 6. Flu and pneumonia
7. Flu and pneumonia 7. Alzheimer’s disease
8. Suicide 8. Accidents
9. Kidney disease 9. Kidney disease
10. Liver disease and cirrhosis 10. Bacterial infection
Alcohol warning: the 4th, 8th, and 10th leading killers of men are alcohol related. Forty to 50 percent of all car fatalities are alcohol related; 50 percent of cirrhosis is due to alcohol abuse, and, according to researchers at Brown University, those that abuse alcohol are more likely to contemplate suicide.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) estimates that alcohol is involved in about 30 percent of all emergency-room visits in the United States, involved in one-third of suicides, one-half of homicides, one-half of sexual assaults, one-third of child-abuse cases, and a large portion of deaths from falls, burns, and drownings. Men’s Health 5/03.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ 8 - lycopene, a red pigment related to beta carotene, may help prevent prostate cancer, and the best source is cooked or processed tomatoes. Other sources include:
a) red chili peppers
b) pink and red grapefruit
c) watermelon
d) cherries
Answer is below.
FOLIC ACID - NOT JUST FOR MOMS - folic acid received a great deal of media attention a decade ago as a crucial nutrient for expectant mothers - critical for fetal development. New data indicates that folic acid may be just as important to men; consuming at least 400 micrograms a day can reduce the risk of colon cancer by more than 50 percent. It also assists in maintaining cardiovascular health by helping keep arteries clear, improves memory, and can aid in keeping sperm motive.
Homocysteine is manufactured in the body and high levels are thought to be a risk factor for heart disease. It has been found that three B vitamins (B6, B12, and folic acid) convert homocysteine into amino acids. A deficiency in these vitamins, especially folic acid, can cause a build up of homocysteine in the body and damage blood vessels that could lead to heart disease. Other studies have found that boosting folic acid intake improves blood vessel function in people who already have heart disease and it also lowers risk of stroke.
A high intake of folic acid also appears to play a role in reducing the risk of colon cancer. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables go along with a lower risk of colon cancer, and the folate in these foods may be one reason for the reduced risk. There is also some preliminary research that indicates a high intake of folic acid may reduce the risk of cervical cancer and, for heavy drinkers, the risk of breast cancer.
Folic acid (called folate in its natural state) is found in leafy green vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, and is usually included in most multi-vitamin supplements. Also, most grain products are now fortified with folic acid (breads and pastas). Those on high-protein/low carbohydrate diets will need to supplement to achieve the recommended daily intake of this important vitamin. Men’s Health 5/03, University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 4/03.
HIGH CHOLESTEROL? - even if you exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet, you may have higher cholesterol numbers than you like. If this is the case, consider taking Metamucil. Metamucil is the brand name for psyllium husk, a natural plant fiber. While it is used primarily as a laxative, psyllium also carries cholesterol out of the body via the digestive tract. Psyllium binds with the bile acids that form cholesterol, a process that keeps them from reabsorbing into the blood. Research has shown that people who add psyllium to their diets reduce both their total cholesterol and harmful LDL cholesterol levels by up to 15 percent, while keeping protective HDL levels intact. The FDA recommends 7 grams of psyllium a day, the amount in one tablespoon of Metamucil. Men’s Health 1/03.
LOW-DOSE ASPIRIN THERAPY - if you take low-dose aspirin to protect your heart, do not take ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin, or naproxen, such as Aleve, frequently, since these products can block the anti-clotting effect of the aspirin. Occasional use is fine, but taking ibuprofen or naproxen during the few hours before the aspirin is not recommended. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 12/03.
SITTING FOR LONG PERIODS? - according to recent research, sitting for long periods of time places one at risk for an event known as deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), which are blood clots that form in the deep veins of the legs. If a clot breaks loose and reaches the lungs, it can block a pulmonary artery or one of its branches - called an embolism - potentially with fatal results. Those who are obese, smoke or sedentary are at greater risk for DVT.
Solution to minimize risk? -
1) Take an aspirin one hour before flight to inhibit blood clotting.
2) Get up one an hour and walk, if possible, as exercise increasing blood circulation.
3) While standing, do toe-raises. Also, drinking plenty of water will minimize the risk of blood clots.
Symptoms of DVT may include pain, swelling, discoloration of the affected area, and skin that is unusually warm to the touch. Men’s Health 6/03.
FRUIT FIGHTS ULCERS - in a recent study, those at risk of infection with helicobacter pylori, the germ that causes stomach ulcers and gastric cancer, had a 25 percent reduction in risk of the disease by getting the recommended 75 mgs. of vitamin C daily. One orange contains about 70 mgs. of vitamin C. These findings were only valid for Caucasian test subjects. Health 11/03.
BE A ADIPPER”, NOT A ASPREADER” - while waiting at a restaurant for your meal, ask for olive oil to dip the bread into, instead of spreading butter on it. The oil contains mostly monounsaturated fat instead of saturated fat. Researchers studied diners with the option for using either olive oil or butter with their bread found that the oil users consumed 26% more oil than butter per slice of bread, since the bread soaks up oil like a sponge, but that the diners using oil ate 23% less bread than those using butter and ended up consuming 230 fewer calories. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 12/03.
MERCURY WARNING - until recently, only pregnant women were warned away from eating fish that are high in mercury - swordfish, mackerel, and shark. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that those with the highest blood levels of mercury had about twice the heart-attack risk of those with the lowest levels.
Mercury promotes free-radical production and might also promote platelet aggregation (clotting). To get the heart-saving omega-3s minus the heart-damaging mercury, stick with salmon, tuna, and sardines. Men’s Health 5/03.
MEDICAL MYTH - PSA> 4.0 = PROSTATE CANCER - many men have heard that a PSA level of 4 or more can only mean prostate cancer. But any trauma or inflammation can cause PSA to leak into the surrounding tissue of the prostate, where it is picked up in the bloodstream. Everything from a bacterial infection to a long bicycle ride can cause a minor jump in the PSA levels of the blood.
PSA scores between 4 and 10 fall into a diagnostic gray zone, where, until recently, the only way to confirm the presence of cancer is with a biopsy. Now, doctors can follow up with a complexed PSA (cPSA) or percent-free PSA exam. These tests measure different molecular forms of PSA which is the best way to determine whether elevated PSA levels are due to cancer or a benign condition. Even if the PSA levels are 2.5, ask the urologists for a cPSA or percent-free PSA exam. Men’s Health 5/03.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ ANSWER: b) and c) Not all red foods contain lycopene, but red pigments still have healthful components. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 6/03.
BE A SUGAR “SLEUTH” - sugars are an intrinsic part of many foods. Milk contains the milk sugar lactose, and fruits contain fructose. But many processed foods have added sugars mainly in the form of high-fructose corn syrup, which is not only added to obvious products like soft drinks, but also to such products as canned ravioli. Recently, the World Health Organization recommended that a healthy diet only incorporate no more than 10 percent of total calories from sugars that are not inherently part of a food. American foods have added sugars everywhere - Yoplait’s Yumsters strawberry low-fat yogurt, while sounding healthy, contains 18 grams of sugar, more than 10 grams of this is added with the second ingredient listed as sugar and the fourth ingredient high-fructose corn syrup - another sugar source. All this added sugar to the average American diet may be contributory to the epidemic of obesity and type-2 diabetes.
Many health-conscious people try to limit their consumption of foods with added sugars, but much of the added-sugar is difficult to find as it is labeled under various names. Added sugars appear on labels under the following names:
corn syrup, high-maltose corn syrup
crystalline fructose honey lactose
dextrose invert sugar
fructose lactose
fruit-juice concentrates malt
glucose maltose
high-fructose corn syrup molasses
sucrose syrup
Consumer Reports 1/04.
MIGRAINES, PART 2 - last issue we discussed diagnosing migraines and possible cures. Some recent research by the Headache Care Center in Springfield, Missouri, found that common triggers for migraines include red wine, nuts, bright lights, chocolate, smoke, lack of sleep, irregular exercise, climate changes, and alcohol (sounds like a typical 4 day trip). If you can identify a headache’s trigger, a simple lifestyle change may relieve the problem. Men’s Health 11/03.
A LITTLE HELPS A LOT - looking good in a Speedo isn’t the only reason to exercise. Two recent studies have found that even modest amounts of low-intensity activity can safeguard the heart, even if you do not lose weight. Duke University researchers discovered that walking just a couple of miles most days of the week can protect you from heart disease and stroke. By transforming smaller, heavier (and more dangerous) cholesterol particles into larger, lighter ones that are less likely to clog the arteries.
The Cooper Clinic in Dallas determined that performing any exercise at all can help lower the levels of C-reactive protein in the blood. Health 5/03.
Tuesday, June 1, 2004
Health News
REPORTING POINT 06-04
HEALTH NEWS
“Live healthy...live well”
by Larry Kline
SWAPA Voice Mailbox 4337/email: livehealthy-livewell@cox.net
(Past issues of “Health News” are available on my son’s website, which includes a word-search engine - just go to the site with your browser and insert the key word to find past articles: http://home.earthlink.net/~candace_ball/healtharticles/frameset.htm) - LK
CREATINE REVIEW - researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin recently reviewed more than 500 studies on creatine supplementation published over the past 40 years and found that men under the age of 36 who take creatine for just 2 to 3 months may be able to boost their maximum bench press by 15 pounds and their squat by 21 pounds. The researchers also found that creatine’s strength-boosting benefits taper off as you get older. Men’s Health 5/03.
CALCIUM TAKEN YOUNG CAN KEEP BONES HEALTHY - it is really important to get kids, especially girls, to consume enough calcium from milk and other sources, as it could affect their lives decades later. A recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that women who drank little or no milk in childhood and adolescence have lower bone density and, after age 50, an increased risk of fractures. Increasingly, children are drinking soda and fruit punch instead of milk, particularly in school. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 4/03.
DIAGNOSING A MIGRAINE - less than 28 million Americans who suffer from migraines are ever diagnosed. The following symptoms are 93 percent effective in diagnosing migraine headaches:
-has a headache limited your activities for a day or more in the past three months?
-do you feel nauseated when you have a headache?
-does light bother you when you have a headache?
If you have these symptoms with your headache, see your physician for help.
If you suffer from migraines, there are two new alternative, over-the-counter products that may help relieve migraine pain:
“Lightmask”: this lightly padded device lets gently pulsing light shine onto the eyes for 15 minutes. The mask may regulate an overreaction to light in the optic nerve that is believed to cause migraines. Anecdotal evaluation from testers indicated that some subjects received relief from headaches, if the headache was relatively mild. However, full-blown migraine sufferers did not receive much relief. The “Lightmask” is available at www.riobeauty.com for $65.
“AcuBead” is an adhesive strip with titanium beads placed on the earlobe that is pressed firmly against the skin to stimulate acupressure points. The “AcuBead” inventor theorizes that the pressure may cause a release of endorphins. Testers of this product did receive relief after squeezing off-and-on for half an hour. The “AcuBead” is available at drugstores for $19.99. Health 11/03, Health 5/03.
GOOD FOODS FOR YOUR PROSTATE - besides selenium being a good mineral to reduce prostate cancer risk, boron is also beneficial. Researchers at UCLA found that those taking in the most boron had a 65 percent lower risk of prostate cancer than those consuming the least. American men have one of the lowest dietary boron intakes in the world. Raisins and almonds are both high in boron.
A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that the carotenoid neoxanthin (an antioxidant) was the most effective at killing prostate cancer cells in a test tube. Spinach is a good source of this antioxidant. Men’s Health 5/03.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ 7- Flaxseeds are a good source of alpha-linolenic acid, a heart-healthy polyunsaturated fat. To get the nutritional benefits of the seeds, you should
a) toast them thoroughly
b) grind them, or else chew them very well
c) buy yellow seed, not brown ones
Answer is below.
FIGHTING FIBROIDS - as many as 70% of women will develop fibroids at some time in their lives, and 25 percent of them will experience troublesome symptoms. Fibroids can interfere with fertility, cause debilitating pain, and bring about heavy periods. They are the top three reasons women undergo hysterectomies, the most common treatment for the tumors. It has also been estimated that up to 100,000 women a year are unable to have children because of fibroids.
In the past decade, several new medical procedures have had measured success. Myomectomy, a surgical technique in which fibroids are removed while keeping the uterus intact, appeals to women who want to have children. In as many as 50 percent of cases, however, the growths come back. More recently, uterine-artery embolization (UAE) has gained popularity. In this minimally invasive procedure, small particles are injected into arteries that supply blood to fibroids, stunting the tumors’ growth. But studies published last year in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology found that UAE may be less effective than previously believed and can cause complications in women who later become pregnant.
Alternative approaches are being researched, but have not yet been embraced by traditional medicine, which still favors surgery as the primary treatment choice.
Also, new and different theories as to the origins of fibroids are surfacing. One theory believes that certain reproductive hormones, such as estrogen, may become unbalanced, causing these benign tumors to develop in and on the uterus. Besides a genetic link, traditional medicine cannot explain why some women get fibroids and others do not. Some alternative medicine practitioners believe that unhealthy foods, stress and lack of exercise and sleep may alter the female hormonal balance and lead to fibroids.
Many women will experiment with alternative approaches to fibroids. The only potentially life-threatening danger is if the bleeding is heavy and persistent and the woman becomes anemic. Some of the alternative approaches involve dietary changes, acupuncture, and herbs. Some alternative therapies suggest eating salmon, tuna, and halibut, as well as nuts, seeds, beans and tofu. Others suggest quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, exercising at least three times a week, doing yoga to lower stress, and getting regular sleep.
Some herbal supplements that have been recommended to treat fibroids include black cohosh, evening primrose oil, red raspberry, and vitex (chaste berry). Some of these herbals may be strong and potentially dangerous. Consultation with a physician should be mandatory before consuming any of these products. Health 5/03.
TEA FOR SENSITIVE TEETH - drinking tea on a regular basis may help reduce your teeth’s sensitivity to hot and cold temperature. The benefit comes from tannic acid, a compound in black tea that clogs microscopic holes in teeth. Filling these holes helps keep hot and cold liquids from irritating the roots of teeth. For people with sensitive teeth, a couple of cups of tea each day may be enough to eliminate tooth pain. Men’s Health 5/03.
THE “SILVER BULLET” OF DISEASE PREVENTION – “...there is no drug in current or prospective use that holds as much promise for sustained health as a lifetime program of physical exercise.” This is the statement by Dr. Walter Bortz, professor of Medicine at Stanford University. It reflects the understanding of researchers who are beginning to grasp the enormous benefits of exercise. One recent study at the University of Pennsylvania found that exercise actually does act on the blood vessels in a similar way that medication does. It reduces inflammation in blood vessel walls; inflammation has been identified as a key factor in hardening of the arteries, clots, and heart attacks. The researchers are not talking about just extreme exercisers receiving the exercise-benefit, but just exercising enough to get the blood flowing faster seems to reap the health benefit. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 4/03.
WASH THAT FRUIT - according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of food-poisoning outbreaks caused by eating contaminated fruits and vegetables has more than doubled in the past 10 years. Salmonella and E. coli, along with Norwalk and hepatitis A viruses can infect almost all types of fruit and vegetables. Washing these foods before eating them can prevent a very unpleasant episode. Men’s Health 5/03.
EAT MORE OFTEN TO WEIGH LESS - researchers in France studies the diets, weights, and body-mass indexes of test subjects and found that those who ate small, frequent meals were significantly thinner and healthier than those who ate larger meals just once or twice a day.
NUMBER OF MEALS/DAY AVERAGE BMI WAIST TO HIP RATIO
1-2 28.7 0.98
3 26.2 0.95
4 26.4 0.94
5 24.5 0.93
Men’s Health 5/03.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ ANSWER: b) whole seeds simply pass through the body. If you purchase whole seeds, use a spice grinder or food processor to reduce the seeds. Pre-ground seeds are more convenient, but may turn rancid faster. Store ground flaxseeds in the freezer in an air-tight container to delay oxidation of the seeds. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 6/03.
AN APPLE A DAY... - researchers at the National Public Health Institute in Helsinki, Finland, studied the diets of 60,000 men and women over a year and found that individuals who ate apples the most frequently were 12 percent less likely to die during the course of the study than those who ate the least. They also were less likely to develop the following diseases by the following amounts:
Asthma reduced risk by 48%
Type-2 diabetes reduced risk by 27%
Stroke reduced risk by 25%
Lung cancer reduced risk by 60%
Heart disease reduced risk by 29% Men’s Health 1/03.
WHAT’S THE BEEF? - besides Mad Cow dangers, should you be concerned what is in your pork chops, hamburger, and chicken wings? Many health experts and groups, including the American Medical Association and World Health Organization, and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, which represents cattle ranchers and beef producers, has begun looking into some of the farming practices of its members, including the use of growth hormones.
Of particular concern is the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in beef, pork, and poultry production. The AMA is supporting legislation that calls for more restrictions on the practice. Most animals raised for food in the United States receive regular doses of antibiotics in their feed or water, to protect them from injury and diseases they might receive while being raised in crowded, confined conditions.
Once cattle reach a certain size, they are moved from grazing fields into large pens called feedlots. Such conditions pose an increased risk of injury and illness. As a preventative measure, all of the animals, not just the sick ones, are given antibiotics.
These drugs also accelerate growth, maximizing production so that meat gets to market cheaper and faster.
According to recent medical studies, nontherapeutic dosing may exacerbate the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including such food-borne germs as salmonella and campylobacter, and also the bacteria that cause urinary-tract infections and pneumonia. This means that the once powerful antimicrobial drugs commonly prescribed for these illnesses may no longer work as well as they used to. Many once-powerful antibiotics have become less effective; Cipro, which was recommended for the anthrax scare after 9/11, has become 13% less effective in the last decade. Cipro is part of a family of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones commonly given to animals like chickens. Many researchers believe that the evidence is compelling that using antibiotics on animals contributes to resistance in humans. Human overuse is also a major factor in the resistance of bacteria to commonly-used antibiotics.
Such evidence has led the World Health Organization to repeatedly recommend that antibiotics used on humans not be prescribed to promote animal growth. Most developed countries in the world, except for Canada and the United States, restrict their use.
Health experts in the United States and abroad are also raising concerns abut growth hormones. Poultry farmers discontinued the drug’s use several decades ago. But the practice remains standard in the beef industry. To help cattle bulk up quickly with less feed, producers routinely implant a pellet into its ear that releases a continual hormonal stream.
These substances can find their way into water and soil, and residues can remain in meat. Some researchers believe that it is reasonable to make the link between the increased incidence of certain cancers, such as those of the breast and prostate, to the increased amount of estrogen-like hormones in our environment. The most common source for these substances is pesticides, plastics that shed synthetic estrogens, and the use of hormones in beef production. To date, the USDA says that hormone-treated beef is safe, provided cattle are drug-free for a given length of time before slaughter.
But the European Union has banned imported American beef for more than a decade because of concerns about growth hormone residues.
Concern about these issues is bringing more choices to supermarkets and changing the way many farmers raise animals. Organic options are available in most markets and more consumers are demanding these alternatives. Health 5/03.
HEALTH NEWS
“Live healthy...live well”
by Larry Kline
SWAPA Voice Mailbox 4337/email: livehealthy-livewell@cox.net
(Past issues of “Health News” are available on my son’s website, which includes a word-search engine - just go to the site with your browser and insert the key word to find past articles: http://home.earthlink.net/~candace_ball/healtharticles/frameset.htm) - LK
CREATINE REVIEW - researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin recently reviewed more than 500 studies on creatine supplementation published over the past 40 years and found that men under the age of 36 who take creatine for just 2 to 3 months may be able to boost their maximum bench press by 15 pounds and their squat by 21 pounds. The researchers also found that creatine’s strength-boosting benefits taper off as you get older. Men’s Health 5/03.
CALCIUM TAKEN YOUNG CAN KEEP BONES HEALTHY - it is really important to get kids, especially girls, to consume enough calcium from milk and other sources, as it could affect their lives decades later. A recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that women who drank little or no milk in childhood and adolescence have lower bone density and, after age 50, an increased risk of fractures. Increasingly, children are drinking soda and fruit punch instead of milk, particularly in school. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 4/03.
DIAGNOSING A MIGRAINE - less than 28 million Americans who suffer from migraines are ever diagnosed. The following symptoms are 93 percent effective in diagnosing migraine headaches:
-has a headache limited your activities for a day or more in the past three months?
-do you feel nauseated when you have a headache?
-does light bother you when you have a headache?
If you have these symptoms with your headache, see your physician for help.
If you suffer from migraines, there are two new alternative, over-the-counter products that may help relieve migraine pain:
“Lightmask”: this lightly padded device lets gently pulsing light shine onto the eyes for 15 minutes. The mask may regulate an overreaction to light in the optic nerve that is believed to cause migraines. Anecdotal evaluation from testers indicated that some subjects received relief from headaches, if the headache was relatively mild. However, full-blown migraine sufferers did not receive much relief. The “Lightmask” is available at www.riobeauty.com for $65.
“AcuBead” is an adhesive strip with titanium beads placed on the earlobe that is pressed firmly against the skin to stimulate acupressure points. The “AcuBead” inventor theorizes that the pressure may cause a release of endorphins. Testers of this product did receive relief after squeezing off-and-on for half an hour. The “AcuBead” is available at drugstores for $19.99. Health 11/03, Health 5/03.
GOOD FOODS FOR YOUR PROSTATE - besides selenium being a good mineral to reduce prostate cancer risk, boron is also beneficial. Researchers at UCLA found that those taking in the most boron had a 65 percent lower risk of prostate cancer than those consuming the least. American men have one of the lowest dietary boron intakes in the world. Raisins and almonds are both high in boron.
A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that the carotenoid neoxanthin (an antioxidant) was the most effective at killing prostate cancer cells in a test tube. Spinach is a good source of this antioxidant. Men’s Health 5/03.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ 7- Flaxseeds are a good source of alpha-linolenic acid, a heart-healthy polyunsaturated fat. To get the nutritional benefits of the seeds, you should
a) toast them thoroughly
b) grind them, or else chew them very well
c) buy yellow seed, not brown ones
Answer is below.
FIGHTING FIBROIDS - as many as 70% of women will develop fibroids at some time in their lives, and 25 percent of them will experience troublesome symptoms. Fibroids can interfere with fertility, cause debilitating pain, and bring about heavy periods. They are the top three reasons women undergo hysterectomies, the most common treatment for the tumors. It has also been estimated that up to 100,000 women a year are unable to have children because of fibroids.
In the past decade, several new medical procedures have had measured success. Myomectomy, a surgical technique in which fibroids are removed while keeping the uterus intact, appeals to women who want to have children. In as many as 50 percent of cases, however, the growths come back. More recently, uterine-artery embolization (UAE) has gained popularity. In this minimally invasive procedure, small particles are injected into arteries that supply blood to fibroids, stunting the tumors’ growth. But studies published last year in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology found that UAE may be less effective than previously believed and can cause complications in women who later become pregnant.
Alternative approaches are being researched, but have not yet been embraced by traditional medicine, which still favors surgery as the primary treatment choice.
Also, new and different theories as to the origins of fibroids are surfacing. One theory believes that certain reproductive hormones, such as estrogen, may become unbalanced, causing these benign tumors to develop in and on the uterus. Besides a genetic link, traditional medicine cannot explain why some women get fibroids and others do not. Some alternative medicine practitioners believe that unhealthy foods, stress and lack of exercise and sleep may alter the female hormonal balance and lead to fibroids.
Many women will experiment with alternative approaches to fibroids. The only potentially life-threatening danger is if the bleeding is heavy and persistent and the woman becomes anemic. Some of the alternative approaches involve dietary changes, acupuncture, and herbs. Some alternative therapies suggest eating salmon, tuna, and halibut, as well as nuts, seeds, beans and tofu. Others suggest quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, exercising at least three times a week, doing yoga to lower stress, and getting regular sleep.
Some herbal supplements that have been recommended to treat fibroids include black cohosh, evening primrose oil, red raspberry, and vitex (chaste berry). Some of these herbals may be strong and potentially dangerous. Consultation with a physician should be mandatory before consuming any of these products. Health 5/03.
TEA FOR SENSITIVE TEETH - drinking tea on a regular basis may help reduce your teeth’s sensitivity to hot and cold temperature. The benefit comes from tannic acid, a compound in black tea that clogs microscopic holes in teeth. Filling these holes helps keep hot and cold liquids from irritating the roots of teeth. For people with sensitive teeth, a couple of cups of tea each day may be enough to eliminate tooth pain. Men’s Health 5/03.
THE “SILVER BULLET” OF DISEASE PREVENTION – “...there is no drug in current or prospective use that holds as much promise for sustained health as a lifetime program of physical exercise.” This is the statement by Dr. Walter Bortz, professor of Medicine at Stanford University. It reflects the understanding of researchers who are beginning to grasp the enormous benefits of exercise. One recent study at the University of Pennsylvania found that exercise actually does act on the blood vessels in a similar way that medication does. It reduces inflammation in blood vessel walls; inflammation has been identified as a key factor in hardening of the arteries, clots, and heart attacks. The researchers are not talking about just extreme exercisers receiving the exercise-benefit, but just exercising enough to get the blood flowing faster seems to reap the health benefit. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 4/03.
WASH THAT FRUIT - according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of food-poisoning outbreaks caused by eating contaminated fruits and vegetables has more than doubled in the past 10 years. Salmonella and E. coli, along with Norwalk and hepatitis A viruses can infect almost all types of fruit and vegetables. Washing these foods before eating them can prevent a very unpleasant episode. Men’s Health 5/03.
EAT MORE OFTEN TO WEIGH LESS - researchers in France studies the diets, weights, and body-mass indexes of test subjects and found that those who ate small, frequent meals were significantly thinner and healthier than those who ate larger meals just once or twice a day.
NUMBER OF MEALS/DAY AVERAGE BMI WAIST TO HIP RATIO
1-2 28.7 0.98
3 26.2 0.95
4 26.4 0.94
5 24.5 0.93
Men’s Health 5/03.
NUTRITIONAL QUIZ ANSWER: b) whole seeds simply pass through the body. If you purchase whole seeds, use a spice grinder or food processor to reduce the seeds. Pre-ground seeds are more convenient, but may turn rancid faster. Store ground flaxseeds in the freezer in an air-tight container to delay oxidation of the seeds. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 6/03.
AN APPLE A DAY... - researchers at the National Public Health Institute in Helsinki, Finland, studied the diets of 60,000 men and women over a year and found that individuals who ate apples the most frequently were 12 percent less likely to die during the course of the study than those who ate the least. They also were less likely to develop the following diseases by the following amounts:
Asthma reduced risk by 48%
Type-2 diabetes reduced risk by 27%
Stroke reduced risk by 25%
Lung cancer reduced risk by 60%
Heart disease reduced risk by 29% Men’s Health 1/03.
WHAT’S THE BEEF? - besides Mad Cow dangers, should you be concerned what is in your pork chops, hamburger, and chicken wings? Many health experts and groups, including the American Medical Association and World Health Organization, and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, which represents cattle ranchers and beef producers, has begun looking into some of the farming practices of its members, including the use of growth hormones.
Of particular concern is the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in beef, pork, and poultry production. The AMA is supporting legislation that calls for more restrictions on the practice. Most animals raised for food in the United States receive regular doses of antibiotics in their feed or water, to protect them from injury and diseases they might receive while being raised in crowded, confined conditions.
Once cattle reach a certain size, they are moved from grazing fields into large pens called feedlots. Such conditions pose an increased risk of injury and illness. As a preventative measure, all of the animals, not just the sick ones, are given antibiotics.
These drugs also accelerate growth, maximizing production so that meat gets to market cheaper and faster.
According to recent medical studies, nontherapeutic dosing may exacerbate the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including such food-borne germs as salmonella and campylobacter, and also the bacteria that cause urinary-tract infections and pneumonia. This means that the once powerful antimicrobial drugs commonly prescribed for these illnesses may no longer work as well as they used to. Many once-powerful antibiotics have become less effective; Cipro, which was recommended for the anthrax scare after 9/11, has become 13% less effective in the last decade. Cipro is part of a family of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones commonly given to animals like chickens. Many researchers believe that the evidence is compelling that using antibiotics on animals contributes to resistance in humans. Human overuse is also a major factor in the resistance of bacteria to commonly-used antibiotics.
Such evidence has led the World Health Organization to repeatedly recommend that antibiotics used on humans not be prescribed to promote animal growth. Most developed countries in the world, except for Canada and the United States, restrict their use.
Health experts in the United States and abroad are also raising concerns abut growth hormones. Poultry farmers discontinued the drug’s use several decades ago. But the practice remains standard in the beef industry. To help cattle bulk up quickly with less feed, producers routinely implant a pellet into its ear that releases a continual hormonal stream.
These substances can find their way into water and soil, and residues can remain in meat. Some researchers believe that it is reasonable to make the link between the increased incidence of certain cancers, such as those of the breast and prostate, to the increased amount of estrogen-like hormones in our environment. The most common source for these substances is pesticides, plastics that shed synthetic estrogens, and the use of hormones in beef production. To date, the USDA says that hormone-treated beef is safe, provided cattle are drug-free for a given length of time before slaughter.
But the European Union has banned imported American beef for more than a decade because of concerns about growth hormone residues.
Concern about these issues is bringing more choices to supermarkets and changing the way many farmers raise animals. Organic options are available in most markets and more consumers are demanding these alternatives. Health 5/03.
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