The US researchers have founded that eating a half serving a day of soy-based foods could be enough to significantly lower a man's sperm count. The study is the largest in humans to look at the relationship between semen quality and a plant form of the female sex hormone estrogen known as phytoestrogen, which is plentiful in soy-rich foods.
The men that consume the highest amounts of soy foods in this study had a lower sperm concentration compared to those who did not consume soy foods," according to Dr. Jorge Chavarro of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, whose study appears in the journal Human Reproduction.
They were asked how much and how often in the prior three months they had eaten soy-rich foods including: tofu, tempeh, tofu or soy sausages, bacon, burgers and mince, soy milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream, and other soy products such drinks, powders and energy bars.
Because different foods have different levels of isoflavones in them, the researchers set a standard for serving sizes of particular foods. Then they divided the men into groups according to soy consumption levels. Men in the highest group on average ate half a serving per day.
They also found the association between soy foods and lower sperm count was stronger in overweight men, which might suggest hormones are playing a role.
Men who are overweight or obese tend to have higher levels of androgen-produced estrogen. They are converting a male hormone into a female hormone in their fat. The more body fat you have, the more estrogen you produce in your fat.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Pancreatic Cancer Patients To Benefit From New Treatment Combination
Treating pancreatic cancer with a combination of chemotherapy, biotherapy and radiotherapy prior to surgery is safe and may be beneficial for patients, according to a University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) study presented at the 44th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago. In a preliminary study, physicians from the Pancreatic Cancer Center of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Cancer Centers examined the safety of combining gemcitabine with bevacizumab and radiotherapy in patients with operable pancreatic cancer. In the study, 14 patients with potentially operable tumors completed the treatment regimen. Following treatment, 10 of the patients were considered eligible for surgery. The incidence of serious adverse events following surgery was not increased in these patients, and several demonstrated significant shrinkage of their tumors before surgery.
Pre-Diabetes Must Be Treated Suitably, Doctors Insist
Diabetes experts from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists issued on Tuesday the first suggestions regarding the treatment of people with pre-diabetes, hoping to control the diabetes epidemic. At present, there are no concrete guidelines for diagnosing and dealing with pre-diabetes, a health problem in which a person’s blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not sufficiently high to be categorized as diabetes. More than 56 million Americans currently suffer from pre-diabetes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Harold Lebovitz, a professor of medicine at the division of endocrinology and metabolism/diabetes at the State University of New York Health Sciences Center at Brooklyn, explained that diabetes is the major cause of kidney failure and most blindness cases in adults, and generates approximately 60 percent of cardiovascular disorders.
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists is urging for serious measures to be taken in order to prevent pre-diabetes from progressing to advanced diabetes. The first step involves everyday life changes, such as diet and exercise and, according to Dr. Harold Lebovitz, although such lifestyle plans are expensive, the loss would be compensated with the money saved in health care.
Since there are no drug treatments authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for remedying pre-diabetes, the AACE suggests another way to get them: decrease the number at which blood sugar levels indicate diabetes. This way, people who are now classified as pre-diabetic would benefit from proper medications in order to treat their disease.Women on Antidepressants May Benefit From Viagra
Viagra's effect in women has been disappointing, but a new small study finds those on antidepressants may benefit from taking the little blue pills. The research involving 98 premenopausal women found Viagra helped with orgasm. But the benefits did not extend to other aspects of sex such as desire, researchers report in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association. "For women on antidepressants with orgasm problems, this may provide some wonderful relief," said psychologist Stanley Althof, director of the Center for Marital and Sexual Health of South Florida in West Palm Beach, who was not involved in the study. "But it will not improve their desire or arousal."
Antidepressants can interfere with sex drive and performance even as the drugs help lift crippling depression. Switching drugs or reducing the dose can help. But many people, men and women, stop taking them because of their sexual side effects.
The complaints are common. More than half the people who take antidepressants develop sexual problems, prior studies have found, especially for people taking Prozac, Paxil, Celexa and other drugs that work by increasing the chemical serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is thought to slow down orgasm, perhaps by diminishing the release of another brain chemical, dopamine. Viagra increases blood flow to sex organs.
Pfizer Inc. spokeswoman Sally Beatty said the company currently has no plans to pursue FDA approval for using its drug Viagra as a treatment for female sexual dysfunction. The company ended its internal research on Viagra for women in 2004. While Viagra was found to be safe, the results were inconclusive, Beatty said in an e-mail.
The search for a Viagra equivalent for women has been disheartening. A testosterone patch was sent back for more safety study by the Food and Drug Administration. A handheld vacuum device that increases blood flow to the clitoris does have FDA approval, and BioSante Pharmaceuticals Inc. is testing a testosterone gel called .The new Viagra findings are based on an eight-week experiment. The 98 women were using antidepressants successfully but were having sexual problems. Their average age was 37.
The new Viagra findings are based on an eight-week experiment. The 98 women were using antidepressants successfully but were having sexual problems. Their average age was 37.
Exercise May Not Treat Dementia
Exercising is a good answer for almost any disease. But, when it comes to dementia, a group of researchers say that, at the moment, physical activity is not the "perfect" answer as a treatment for elderly patients with the condition. "Physical activity may be beneficial for persons with dementia. But due to the small number of studies we have not been able to demonstrate this," said review lead author Dorothy Forbes, an associate professor with the faculty of health sciences at the University of Western Ontario, in Canada.
On the other hand, there is no evidence that physical activity is harmful either, she said.
Estimates indicate that dementia - known in the past as senility - affects about 14 percent of Americans ages 71 and older. More than one-third of Americans over 90 likely suffer from the condition, which causes forgetfulness, confusion and muddled thinking. A variety of medical conditions causes dementia, including Alzheimer"s disease and stroke.Physicians are unlikely to prescribe physical activity as a treatment for dementia patients because there is little evidence to support its value, Forbes said.
Nevertheless, exercise is not impossible for many dementia patients, who might be able to walk, swim and exercise in groups with assistance, she said.Researchers have shown that exercise can improve cognition and mental health in older adults, and some studies suggest that it could delay dementia from three to six years or reduce the risk that patients will develop cognitive problems, Forbes said.
"It is less clear if physical activity manages or improves other symptoms among persons with a diagnosis of dementia," she said. The review appears in the latest issue of The Cochrane Library, a publication of The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research.
While evidence from animal research indicates that physical activity could be a useful treatment for dementia, the review authors only found four studies that examined the effects of exercise in humans.
Two of the studies were not included in the analysis because the reviewers could not get details from the original study authors. Both of the remaining studies were small and only included Alzheimer disease patients. One looked at just 11 patients; the other examined 134, but many of those did not complete their exercise regimens.
Still, the researchers in the latter study found that those who did exercise seemed to do better at handling the tasks of daily living.While there is little research supporting physical activity as a helpful treatment for elderly people with dementia, there is no evidence that it is harmful, Forbes said.Drinking tea may be good for your bones
Good news for elderly womens who drink tea more often. A new study shows elderly women who drank tea had higher bone density in their hips and less bone loss than women who didn't drink tea. Researchers say the results confirm previous studies that have suggested drinking tea may protect against bone loss and osteoporosis.In the study, Australian researchers surveyed 275 women between the ages of 70 and 85 who were participating in a larger five-year study of calcium supplements and osteoporosis about how much black and green tea (but not herbal teas) they drank. Bone density measurements of the hip were also taken at the beginning and end of the five-year study. The results, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, showed that women who were regular tea drinkers had higher bone density in two sites in the hip compared with non-tea drinkers. The bone mineral density in tea drinkers was higher than in non-tea drinkers. Tea drinkers also had less loss of bone density over a four-year period compared with non-tea drinkers. These results took into account factors such as smoking history and use of calcium supplements.Researchers say more research is needed to determine how drinking tea affects bone density. Previous studies have suggested that phytochemicals in tea, such as flavonoids, may be responsible for the protective effect against bone loss due to their estrogen-like properties.
Herbal medicine chaos a recipe for risk
MILLIONS of Australian consumers who buy natural health products to relieve ailments including arthritis, depression, stress and fatigue may be unwittingly buying inferior and ineffective substitutes which are a waste of money.
A lack of universal regulations in the alternative and complementary medicine sector — an industry that generates up to $3 billion a year — means that consumers are at risk of unscrupulous marketing by companies and from rogue or unqualified practitioners, the Federal Government has been warned.
Jon Wardle, a naturopath and researcher in the school of population health at Queensland University, says people have no guarantee that the natural health products they are buying are what the labels claim them to be.He says such products — including vitamins and minerals, herbal, Chinese and homeopathic medicines and nutritional supplements — vary in quality and their active ingredients often are substituted by cheaper, less effective alternatives.
In a report to federal parliamentary health secretary Senator Jan McLucas, Mr Wardle says "consumers may be purchasing ineffective and poor-quality products whilst under the impression they are … a legitimate product".
In the past decade, 62 deaths in Australia have been linked to complementary and alternative health treatments and an average of 400 adverse reactions a year are reported to the Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee. These adverse outcomes are usually the result of people mixing alternative health remedies with prescribed pharmaceutical medications, often without their doctor's knowledge.
His report calls for the registration of practitioners and for natural health products to be assessed like conventional drugs, with tests for efficacy, standardised product and possible contamination.
He cites the following examples of how people are being misled:
- Naturopaths know that Namibian devil's claw, used to treat arthritis, rheumatism and other conditions, is far more effective than the cheaper Angolan variety, yet the Angolan blend accounts for almost half of all Australian imports.
One form of glucosamine is superior to the other two varieties available in Australian health stores, supermarkets and pharmacies, yet half of the supplements on sale are of the cheaper, less useful variety.
- A Canadian study of St John's wort, used for depression, found that of 54 commercially available brands, only two had levels of the active ingredient that were within 10% of that stated on their labels.
Mr Wardle said that while Australia had one of the world's best complementary and alternative medicine practitioner education standards, the current regulatory mess "rendered this achievement worthless" because anyone could practise, whether trained or not.
His call for greater restrictions on and monitoring of natural health products and practitioners echoes the concern of Ken Harvey, from LaTrobe University's school of public health, who wrote in The Medical Journal of Australia earlier this year that consumers were not being protected sufficiently under the current "weak" regulatory system.
Dr Harvey and his co-authors found the national complaints system for complementary medicine to be overloaded, under-resourced and slow. They say "marked variations of chemical constituents" existed in products labelled as containing the same amounts of a herb.
Australia's biggest consumer group, Choice, also wants complementary medicines — more than 16,000 are listed — to be evaluated in the same way as pharmaceutical drugs, which require more scrutiny.
However, Complementary Healthcare Council of Australia executive director Dr Wendy Morrow rejects the need for a system overhaul, saying natural health products are low risk and already face regulations. She concedes the complaints process could improve.
She says the amount of active substances in herbal products can vary due to the region in which the plant is grown and the climatic conditions at the time. And with some herbs, such as St John's wort, there is uncertainty about which plant element provides the health benefit.
Food diaries in helping lose weight
Keeping a track what you eat can help you lossing weight. Keeping a food diary -- a detailed account of what you eat and drink and the calories it packs -- is a powerful tool in helping people lose weight. Thus, it makes easy to control calories. For those who are working on weight loss, just writing down everything you eat is a pretty powerful technique of loosing weight. It helps us to monitor from where the extra calories are coming from, and then develop more specific plans to deal with those situations.
Many of us are trying various measures for weight reduction but this is what i liked most because whatever we are loosing through vigorous exercises can be regained soon after taking more calories.
External electronic medical devices may malfunction during x-rays
FDA informed healthcare professionals of the possibility that x-rays used during CT examinations may cause some implanted and external electronic medical devices to malfunction. Most patients with electronic medical devices undergo CT scans without any adverse consequences. However, the Agency has received a small number of reports of adverse events in which CT scans may have interfered with electronic medical devices, including pacemakers, defibrillators, neurostimulators, and implanted or externally worn drug infusion pumps. FDA is continuing to investigate the issue and is working with the manufacturer to raise awareness in the healthcare community. See the FDA Public Health Notification for a description of adverse event reports and recommendations regarding reducing the potential risk to patients.
My journey to weight Loss
Now i have joined the gym, which has became inevitable as i keep on gaining weight due to lack of exercise and physical activity. Keep in mind that obesity is the mother of all diseases, so check it before it become uncontrollable.
Here is the exercise schedule for 1st week:
DAY 1
- Jogging-------------- (Slow speed) ============= 2 set of 5 min.
- Jogging---------------(Moderate speed)========= 3 set of 5 min.
- Jogging---------------(Fast Speed)============= 2 set of 5 min.
- Cross Training============================ 2 set of 50 reps.
- Alternate Leg raises========================= 3 set of 20.
- Sit ups=================================== 3 set of 20.
- Single Leg side raises========================= 3 set of 20.
Alternate with
DAY2
- Cycling -------------(Slow speed)================== 2 set of 5 min.
- Cycling--------------(Moderate speed)============== 3 set of 5 min.
- Cycling--------------(Fast Speed)================= 2 set of 5 min.
- Crunches=================================== 4 set of 20
- Super Crunches============================== 3 set of 20.
- Hyper Ext.================================= 3 set of 20.
Diabetic drivers warned of road dangers
POLICE issued a life and death warning today after a string of road smashes involving diabetic drivers.The head of Cleveland Police’s road policing unit gave the warning to drivers with diabetes on Teesside and urged them to follow advice every time they get behind the wheel.
Acting Inspector Gary Hatton, of the road policing unit, said it could prove fatal if a diabetic becomes hypoglycaemic - when blood sugar levels drop - while in charge of a motor vehicle.He said: “We have had several collisions recently involving drivers with diabetes. I want to remind people of general rules to follow when taking to the road.
“It’s vital that drivers with diabetes follow the advice given by Diabetes UK for their own safety and for the safety of other road users.”Diabetics are warned that whether driving or not they should always carry some form of glucose - such as a sugary non-diet drink or glucose tablets - in their pocket or handbag.
They are also urged to keep glucose tablets and snacks in the car.The symptoms of hypoglycaemia may include hunger, sweating, shakiness, palpitations, faintness, dizziness, nausea or a headache. Sometimes sufferers may notice double vision or tingling around the lips.Diabetes UK offers the following advice to people with diabetes:
Don’t drive for more than two hours without having a snack.Don’t delay or miss a meal or snack.Check your blood glucose before you drive. If you stop for a break, check it again.If you feel like you are going hypo, stop driving as soon as it is safe to do so.
You can’t predict traffic jams but you can pre-empt them by carrying snacks and glucose tablets just in case.A spokesman for Diabetes UK said: “They should also avoid long or stressful trips if they are tired and consult their doctor or specialist if they are concerned.”
People with diabetes should not drive if they have just started taking insulin and their diabetes is not yet properly controlled.Anyone who has difficulty recognising the early symptoms of hypoglycaemia should avoid getting behind the wheel.
Diabetes makes people more vulnerable to TB
Diabetes is a mother of all diseases. This fact is again well established after a study which confirmed that diabetes sufferes are more prone to develope Tuberculosis. Diabetes makes a person about three times as likely to develop tuberculosis, and it may be to blame for more than 10 percent of TB cases in India and China, this is what researchers.
There is evidence that diabetes predisposes people to TB infection and impairs their ability to respond to infection, Murray said. Tuberculosis is spread from one person to another when someone with active TB disease coughs or sneezes.
The findings indicate global TB control efforts might benefit from giving extra attention to diabetics when dealing with people with latent TB infections, the researchers said.
There is evidence that diabetes predisposes people to TB infection and impairs their ability to respond to infection, Murray said. Tuberculosis is spread from one person to another when someone with active TB disease coughs or sneezes.
The findings indicate global TB control efforts might benefit from giving extra attention to diabetics when dealing with people with latent TB infections, the researchers said.
Foods to Avoid to prevent Osteoporosis
Salt Is Bad for the Bone
Salt can pose a great obstacle to a sturdy skeleton. Research has found that postmenopausal women with a high-salt diet lose more bone minerals than other women of the same age. Studies shown that regular table salt, not simply sodium, causes calcium loss, weakening bones with time. Getting the recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D every day helps offset bone loss from salt.
Salt can pose a great obstacle to a sturdy skeleton. Research has found that postmenopausal women with a high-salt diet lose more bone minerals than other women of the same age. Studies shown that regular table salt, not simply sodium, causes calcium loss, weakening bones with time. Getting the recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D every day helps offset bone loss from salt.
- Adults up to age 50 require 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily -- the equivalent of three 8-ounce glasses of milk.
- Older adults need 1,200 milligrams of daily calcium – about half a glass more of milk.
Good sources of vitamin D are natural sunlight and from fortified milk, egg yolks, saltwater fish, liver, and supplements.
Of all the dangers to bone, salt is perhaps the hardest to curb. Salt shows up in nearly all processed foods, including whole grain breads, breakfast cereals, and fast foods. If you think you can’t lower your salt sufficiently, eat plenty of potassium-rich foods, such as bananas, tomatoes, and orange juice. Potassium may help decrease the loss of calcium.
Soft drinks
Many soft drinks and certain other carbonated soft drinks contain phosphoric acid, which can increase calcium excretion in your urine. And nearly all soft drinks lack calcium. That combination spells trouble for women at risk of osteoporosis.
Caffeine
Caffeine leaches calcium from bones, sapping their strength.
You lose about 6 milligrams of calcium for every 100 milligrams of caffeine ingested.
Although tea also contains caffeine, studies suggest it does not harm, and probably helps, bone density in older women, regardless of whether they add milk to the beverage. Researchers think that tea contains plant compounds that protect bone.
“Triple Whammy” effect
You may have seen the term “triple whammy” referred to in recent literature. The term describes a phenomenon in which a combination of frequently used medications, Ace- Inhibitors (ACE-I) or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs, including aspirin) and/or diuretics, results in impaired renal function.
Most of the patients attending general practices in our country were on a such a combination of medications, potentially leading to renal dysfunction. Two mechanisms are thought to primarily be involved in the pathogenesis of renal dysfunction and the “triple whammy” effect. Drugs that impact the renin-angiotensin system, as well as NSAIDs, decrease afferent arteriolar vasodilation. Diuretics decrease plasma volume. Synergistically, these mechanisms can lead to decreased renal blood flow and subsequent renal dysfunction.
The elderly are thought to be more susceptible to the “triple whammy” effect due to a decreasing glomerular filtration rate, as well as decreased compensatory abilities. Age and pre-existing renal impairment are the most likely factors to increase the risk of developing such adverse effects. Treatment considerations for this population may include the use of acetaminophen or opioids over NSAID for pain relief, low doses and slow titration of loop agents when diuresis is necessary, and cautious use of potassiumsparing diuretics in patients already receiving angiotensin agents in combination with NSAIDs.
The elderly are thought to be more susceptible to the “triple whammy” effect due to a decreasing glomerular filtration rate, as well as decreased compensatory abilities. Age and pre-existing renal impairment are the most likely factors to increase the risk of developing such adverse effects. Treatment considerations for this population may include the use of acetaminophen or opioids over NSAID for pain relief, low doses and slow titration of loop agents when diuresis is necessary, and cautious use of potassiumsparing diuretics in patients already receiving angiotensin agents in combination with NSAIDs.
Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak
FDA has warned consumers nationwide concerning the outbreak of Salmonella serotype Saintpaul.
Although epidemiological and other evidence continues to have a strong association with certain raw tomatoes, a recent case control study and disease cluster information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that not only tomatoes, but also raw jalapeno and serrano peppers may be linked to illnesses in this continuing outbreak.
FDA has also advised people in high risk populations such as elderly persons, infants and people with impaired immune systems to avoid eating raw jalapeno and raw serrano peppers.
Although epidemiological and other evidence continues to have a strong association with certain raw tomatoes, a recent case control study and disease cluster information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that not only tomatoes, but also raw jalapeno and serrano peppers may be linked to illnesses in this continuing outbreak.
FDA has also advised people in high risk populations such as elderly persons, infants and people with impaired immune systems to avoid eating raw jalapeno and raw serrano peppers.
Antiepileptic Medications Increased Risk of Suicide
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new information about an increased risk of suicide in patients taking antiepileptic medications to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, migraines, and other conditions.
The FDA analyzed 199 placebo-controlled studies of 11 antiepileptic medications and determined that taking these medications significantly increased the risk of suicide. An estimated 2.1 per 100 (95% CI: 0.7, 4.2) more patients in the drug treatment group experienced suicidal behavior or ideation than in the placebo treatment groups (0.43% of patients taking an antiepileptic medication compared to 0.22% of patients taking placebo)2. The 11 antiepileptic medications analyzed were carbamazapine (Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), gabapentin (Neurontin), lamotrigine (Lamictal), levetiracetam (Keppra), oxcarbazapine (Trileptal), pregabalin (Lyrica), tiagabine (Gabitril), topiramate (Topamax), valproate (Depakote), and zonisamide (Zonegran).
The FDA reported that increased suicidal thoughts and behaviors were observed after 1 week of starting an antiepileptic medication and continued to at least 24 weeks, the longest time period any trial was conducted. Of the 199 studies analyzed, four patients taking an antiepileptic medication committed suicide, and no patients taking a placebo committed suicide. No differences in suicide risk were seen between medication groups.
The FDA analyzed 199 placebo-controlled studies of 11 antiepileptic medications and determined that taking these medications significantly increased the risk of suicide. An estimated 2.1 per 100 (95% CI: 0.7, 4.2) more patients in the drug treatment group experienced suicidal behavior or ideation than in the placebo treatment groups (0.43% of patients taking an antiepileptic medication compared to 0.22% of patients taking placebo)2. The 11 antiepileptic medications analyzed were carbamazapine (Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), gabapentin (Neurontin), lamotrigine (Lamictal), levetiracetam (Keppra), oxcarbazapine (Trileptal), pregabalin (Lyrica), tiagabine (Gabitril), topiramate (Topamax), valproate (Depakote), and zonisamide (Zonegran).
The FDA reported that increased suicidal thoughts and behaviors were observed after 1 week of starting an antiepileptic medication and continued to at least 24 weeks, the longest time period any trial was conducted. Of the 199 studies analyzed, four patients taking an antiepileptic medication committed suicide, and no patients taking a placebo committed suicide. No differences in suicide risk were seen between medication groups.
Alternative therapies up close
The touted cures couldn't be more outlandish: To relieve stress and other mind-related disorders, try a walnut-based remedy, because the walnut, after all, looks like the brain. For those suffering from cancer, inject fermented mistletoe extract into the body because mistletoe bears a striking resemblance to malignant tumours. As ridiculous as these remedies are, and despite the fact that there is not a shred of evidence that they actually work, millions of people around the world swear by such alternative therapies.In Trick or Treatment, British authors Simon Singh and Edzard Ernst expose the false claims and profiteering of alternative medicine while sounding the alarm about the dangers of many of the therapies.
The authors are well-suited for the task: Singh is an acclaimed science writer with a PhD in particle physics, while Ernst is an MD, as well as a PhD in the field of blood research. What's more, Ernst is a professor of complementary medicine who used to believe in the efficacy of homeopathy until his scientific studies proved to him otherwise.Keeping open minds, the authors combed through the results of hundreds of clinical trials on alternative therapies (walnuts and mistletoe included) to determine whether any live up to the hype.
From homeopathy and acupuncture to chiropractic and herbal medicine, alternative health care has grown into an $80-billion-a-year industry. Sadly, with the exception of perhaps massage therapy, they found that much of alternative medicine doesn't work beyond the placebo effect."In general, the global multi-billion-(dollar) alternative medicine industry is failing to deliver the sort of health benefits that it claims to offer," they write. "Therefore millions of patients are wasting their money and risking their health by turning towards a snake-oil industry."
But what about the ancient Chinese system of acupuncture? Surely a treatment that has been endorsed by the World Health Organization is more than just quackery?
The authors reveal how the WHO endorsement was highly politicized and has since been discredited. They cite the latest scientific papers that show that acupuncture is useless for the treatment of addiction, Bell's palsy, stroke rehabilitation and many other ailments it purports to heal. Studies have demonstrated that it is somewhat effective for pain and nausea, but the authors suggest that many conventional drugs do a better job. And they warn that acupuncture is not without risk: there have been cases of accidental lung punctures and of patients contracting hepatitis from needles that were not sterilized.
Homeopathy doesn't fare any better. Based on the premise of "like cures like," homeopathic medicines are supposed to contain infinitesimal traces of active ingredients. But the authors argue quite persuasively that these medicines are nothing more than expensive sugar pills. Again, they warn that some patients with serious illness might be endangering their lives if they take homeopathic medicines to the exclusion of proven conventional treatments.
The sections on chiropractic and herbal medicine - which, incidentally, relate a number of Canadian case studies - are equally damning. The authors tell the story of Laurie Mathiason, a young woman from Saskatoon who died of a ruptured vertebral artery following a chiropractic neck manipulation. And they relate the case of Charlene Dorcy, a Vancouver woman who suffered from severe depression and paranoid schizophrenia. Even though she had been responding well to one of her medications, Dorcy switched to St. John's wort.
Although the herbal medicine has been shown to be effective in the treatment of mild to moderate depression, it's not appropriate for severe depression or schizophrenia and can interfere with other drugs. Several weeks after taking St. John's wort, Dorcy drove her two children to an abandoned quarry, shot them to death and then gave herself up to police.
(The authors also evaluate 36 other alternative therapies - from the Indian Ayurvedic tradition to colonic irrigation - in an easy-to-read appendix. The observations are mostly negative.)
Despite their brilliant and often amusing critique of alternative therapies, the authors nonetheless fail to recognize the irony of how mainstream medicine has contributed to the problem. The authors are quick to blame the news media for trumpeting alternative therapies, as 60 Minutes did in a piece on shark cartilage. They accuse universities of lowering their academic standards by offering programs in homeopathy, and they criticize governments for neglecting to regulate the industry.
But aside from a half-page mention of the rudeness and arrogance of some doctors, Singh and Ernst don't address how shady practices in modern medicine are driving many people to alternative therapies. No cases are reported about conflicts of interest among physicians, falsified medical research or how drug companies have systematically withheld negative results of some of their studies. Given the continuing paternalistic attitude by the medical establishment and its lack of transparency, some people could be forgiven for turning to alternative therapies.
However, before doing so, people who look favourably onQ-rings, crystals and magnet therapy should read Trick or Treatment. Its dissection of the industry should make them think twice about popping a homeopathic pill.
An apple a day, keeps Metabolic syndrome away
Now a days due to the rapid emergence of Metabolic syndrome,it has became very essential to educate the people about their Lifestyle and to know about the risk factors of Metabolic syndrome.
Therefore studies has been done in order to control the syndrome and it has been founded that apples are very essential in overcoming Metabolic Syndrome. Apple’s usefulness and soul-freshening effects have been acknowledged by centuries and that’s why they say ‘An apple a day, keeps doctor away’
A new research suggests that adults, who eat apples, take apple juice and applesauce, have an identically lesser risk of metabolic syndrome that is a group of health problems that are associated to many chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It has also been founded that adults who take apples and apple products have smaller waistlines, lower blood pressure and lesser risk for developing what is known as the metabolic syndrome.
Therefore studies has been done in order to control the syndrome and it has been founded that apples are very essential in overcoming Metabolic Syndrome. Apple’s usefulness and soul-freshening effects have been acknowledged by centuries and that’s why they say ‘An apple a day, keeps doctor away’
A new research suggests that adults, who eat apples, take apple juice and applesauce, have an identically lesser risk of metabolic syndrome that is a group of health problems that are associated to many chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It has also been founded that adults who take apples and apple products have smaller waistlines, lower blood pressure and lesser risk for developing what is known as the metabolic syndrome.
Can you believe:Man weighing 800 Pounds
But it has miraclous weight loss but how it was possible see the video.
Hazardous Wastes
A hazardous waste is one that can cause or contribute to death or illness or that threatens human health or the environment when improperly managed.
Hazardous wastes are divided into four types: reactive, flammable, toxic, and corrosive. A reactive waste tends to react spontaneously or to react vigorously with air or water. A flammable waste burns readily on ignition, presenting a fire hazard. A toxic waste contains or releases toxic substances in quantities sufficient to pose a hazard to human health or to the environment.
A corrosive waste is one that requires special containers because it corrodes conventional container materials. The best way to handle hazardous wastes is not to produce them in the first place. This is a major focus of green chemistry processes. If a hazardous waste cannot be used or incinerated or treated to render it less hazardous, it must be stored in a secure landfill.The best technology at present for treating organic wastes, including chlorinated compounds, is incineration. Scientists have identified microorganisms that degrade hydrocarbons such as those in gasoline. Perhaps biodegradation will be the way of the future.
Hazardous wastes are divided into four types: reactive, flammable, toxic, and corrosive. A reactive waste tends to react spontaneously or to react vigorously with air or water. A flammable waste burns readily on ignition, presenting a fire hazard. A toxic waste contains or releases toxic substances in quantities sufficient to pose a hazard to human health or to the environment.
A corrosive waste is one that requires special containers because it corrodes conventional container materials. The best way to handle hazardous wastes is not to produce them in the first place. This is a major focus of green chemistry processes. If a hazardous waste cannot be used or incinerated or treated to render it less hazardous, it must be stored in a secure landfill.The best technology at present for treating organic wastes, including chlorinated compounds, is incineration. Scientists have identified microorganisms that degrade hydrocarbons such as those in gasoline. Perhaps biodegradation will be the way of the future.
Anticarcinogens
Antioxidant vitamins are believed to protect against some forms of cancer, and the food additive butylated hydroxtoluene (BHT) may give protection against stomach cancer. Certain vitamins also have been shown to have anticarcinogenic effects.
Antioxidant Vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A) are thought to have anticancer properties.
A diet rich in cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprous, kale, and cauliflower) has been shown to reduce the incidence of cancer both in animals and in human population groups.
Antioxidant Vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A) are thought to have anticancer properties.
A diet rich in cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprous, kale, and cauliflower) has been shown to reduce the incidence of cancer both in animals and in human population groups.
New test can assess if cancer treatment is working
A new blood test can detect changes in cancer cells, which will help doctors determine if a patient's treatment is working. Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston have found that placing just a teaspoon of blood on a device called a CTC-chip, is enough for scientists to view tumour cells circulating in the bloodstream. The cells can be counted to determine if a patient's drug therapy is working, and can be observed for mutations. "The CTC-chip opens up a whole new field of studying tumours in real time," Dr. Daniel Haber, director of the MGH Cancer Center and the study's senior author, said in a statement.
"When the device is ready for larger clinical trials, it should give us new options for measuring treatment response, defining prognostic and predictive measures, and studying the biology of blood-borne metastasis, which is the primary method by which cancer spreads and becomes lethal."
The researchers studied this test on lung cancer patients and found that it could accurately detect changes in cancer cells. Their research is published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The next area of study will be to determine the accuracy of the test by using it on patients with a variety of different cancers. If successful, doctors would be able to find out in a few days whether a patient is responding to treatment.
"If tumour genotypes don't remain static during therapy, it's essential to know exactly what you're treating at the time you are treating it," Haber said. "Biopsy samples taken at the time of diagnosis can never tell us about changes emerging during therapy or genotypic differences that may occur in different sites of the original tumour, but the CTC-chip offers the promise of noninvasive continuous monitoring."
Green Tea Lowers Risk of Heart Disease
Drinking green tea rapidly improves the health of the delicate cells lining the blood vessels and helps lower one's risk of heart disease.
Researchers writing in the latest issue of the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation have found that people who drink green tea have better blood vessel function just 30 minutes later. Specifically, green tea improves the function of endothelial cells. Endothelial cell dysfunction plays a key role in the development of clogged arteries, a process called atherosclerosis.
There is also finding of a growing body of evidence that suggests that powerful antioxidants in green tea called flavonoids may protect the heart. Other flavonoid-rich foods include red grapes, and dark chocolate. The study authors say their results are the first to show that green tea offers a short-term improvement in the health of arteries. Black tea has previously been linked to short- and long-term improvements in endothelial function.
A trial has been conducted on this and it is found after drinking green tea, the subjects experienced significantly increased artery widening (dilation), with the highest increase noted at 30 minutes. The caffeinated beverage and hot water did not produce any significant changes in the same individuals.
Researchers writing in the latest issue of the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation have found that people who drink green tea have better blood vessel function just 30 minutes later. Specifically, green tea improves the function of endothelial cells. Endothelial cell dysfunction plays a key role in the development of clogged arteries, a process called atherosclerosis.
There is also finding of a growing body of evidence that suggests that powerful antioxidants in green tea called flavonoids may protect the heart. Other flavonoid-rich foods include red grapes, and dark chocolate. The study authors say their results are the first to show that green tea offers a short-term improvement in the health of arteries. Black tea has previously been linked to short- and long-term improvements in endothelial function.
A trial has been conducted on this and it is found after drinking green tea, the subjects experienced significantly increased artery widening (dilation), with the highest increase noted at 30 minutes. The caffeinated beverage and hot water did not produce any significant changes in the same individuals.
Stop Life Stress Before It Becomes Severe
Stress has now become a inevitable part of our life. Different people handle stress differently,some take it seriously making there life worse while some take it less serious and also learn from there mistakes and look forward for other opportunities in there life.
We all know what it feels like to be overwhelmed by stress, and this site has many techniques that can effectively reduce high levels of stress to more manageable levels so you don’t suffer negative health consequences. However, the best way to manage severe stress is to prevent it, or catch it while it’s still low-grade stress and prevent it from becoming severe and chronic.
so,here are important tips that have also been recommended by the Mayo Clinic on how to manage stress day-by-day to prevent it from becoming overwhelming.
Relaxing. It’s important to keep your mind and body relaxed. Meditation, prayers.
Watch Your Body.Before you experience ulcers, and other health problems due to stress manage it in its early time.
Exercises. Practicing martial arts, jogging, lifting weights, or even a short walk can improve mood and reduce feelings of stress by increasing endorphins, lowering cortisol levels, and providing many other benefits.
Do not skip meals. A healthy diet gives you the energy to handle daily stress, and keeps your blood sugar levels stable so you don’t experience mood swings due to low blood sugar levels. Skipping meals and making poor food choices can contribute to fatigue, greater susceptibility to illness, greater feelings of stress, and a general feeling of poor health.
Keep a Positive Perspective.
We all know what it feels like to be overwhelmed by stress, and this site has many techniques that can effectively reduce high levels of stress to more manageable levels so you don’t suffer negative health consequences. However, the best way to manage severe stress is to prevent it, or catch it while it’s still low-grade stress and prevent it from becoming severe and chronic.
so,here are important tips that have also been recommended by the Mayo Clinic on how to manage stress day-by-day to prevent it from becoming overwhelming.
Relaxing. It’s important to keep your mind and body relaxed. Meditation, prayers.
Watch Your Body.Before you experience ulcers, and other health problems due to stress manage it in its early time.
Exercises. Practicing martial arts, jogging, lifting weights, or even a short walk can improve mood and reduce feelings of stress by increasing endorphins, lowering cortisol levels, and providing many other benefits.
Do not skip meals. A healthy diet gives you the energy to handle daily stress, and keeps your blood sugar levels stable so you don’t experience mood swings due to low blood sugar levels. Skipping meals and making poor food choices can contribute to fatigue, greater susceptibility to illness, greater feelings of stress, and a general feeling of poor health.
Keep a Positive Perspective.
Positive thinking can reduce stress levels
I came acsoss a great article regarding how you can change your life by positive thinking and i really get benefitted from this so you can also bring this into your life.
Research shows the benefits of optimism and a positive frame of mind are huge: optimists enjoy better health, stronger relationships, are more productive, and experience less stress, among other things. This is because optimists tend to take more risks, and blame external circumstances if they fail, maintaining a 'try again' mindset; this makes them more likely to succeed in the future, and less upset by failure in general. Pessimists, on the other hand, tend to blame themselves when things go wrong, becoming more reluctant to try again with each negative experience in life. They begin to look at positive events in their lives as 'flukes' that have nothing to do with them, and expect the worst. In this way, optimists and pessimists both create self-fulfilling prophecies.
When you understand this, it becomes more clear how optimism and positive self-talk can impact your stress levels, as can pessimism and negative self-talk. Negative events are less stressful when you see them as 'not your fault', and less likely to recur. Similarly, positive events are even sweeter when you see them as evidence of more to come, and see yourself as the master of your own fate. Additionally, because of the difference in behavior in optimists vs. pessimists, those who habitually practice positive thinking tend to experience more success, which can add up to a less stressful life.
Once you understand your current way of seeing things, you can make a conscious effort to look at things differently as you're presented with situations. So here are the ways you can be optimists:
When something positive happens in your life, stop to analyze your thought process for a moment. Are you giving yourself due credit for making it happen? Think of all the strengths you possess and ways you contributed, both directly and indirectly, to make this event occur. For example, if you aced a test, don’t just think of how great it is that you were prepared, but also think of how your intelligence and dedication played a role.
The key to optimism is to maximize your successes and minimize your failures.
It’s beneficial to look honestly at your shortcomings so you can work on them, but focusing on your strengths can never hurt.
Always remember that virtually any failure can be a learning experience, and an important step toward your next success.
Research shows the benefits of optimism and a positive frame of mind are huge: optimists enjoy better health, stronger relationships, are more productive, and experience less stress, among other things. This is because optimists tend to take more risks, and blame external circumstances if they fail, maintaining a 'try again' mindset; this makes them more likely to succeed in the future, and less upset by failure in general. Pessimists, on the other hand, tend to blame themselves when things go wrong, becoming more reluctant to try again with each negative experience in life. They begin to look at positive events in their lives as 'flukes' that have nothing to do with them, and expect the worst. In this way, optimists and pessimists both create self-fulfilling prophecies.
When you understand this, it becomes more clear how optimism and positive self-talk can impact your stress levels, as can pessimism and negative self-talk. Negative events are less stressful when you see them as 'not your fault', and less likely to recur. Similarly, positive events are even sweeter when you see them as evidence of more to come, and see yourself as the master of your own fate. Additionally, because of the difference in behavior in optimists vs. pessimists, those who habitually practice positive thinking tend to experience more success, which can add up to a less stressful life.
Once you understand your current way of seeing things, you can make a conscious effort to look at things differently as you're presented with situations. So here are the ways you can be optimists:
When something positive happens in your life, stop to analyze your thought process for a moment. Are you giving yourself due credit for making it happen? Think of all the strengths you possess and ways you contributed, both directly and indirectly, to make this event occur. For example, if you aced a test, don’t just think of how great it is that you were prepared, but also think of how your intelligence and dedication played a role.
The key to optimism is to maximize your successes and minimize your failures.
It’s beneficial to look honestly at your shortcomings so you can work on them, but focusing on your strengths can never hurt.
Always remember that virtually any failure can be a learning experience, and an important step toward your next success.
Watermelon: A Natural Viagra
Watermelon may be a natural Viagra, says a researcher. That's because the popular summer fruit is richer than experts believed in an amino acid called citrulline, which relaxes and dilates blood vessels much like Viagra and other drugs meant to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). The amino acid citrulline is converted into the amino acid arginine, Patil says. "This is a precursor for nitric oxide, and the nitric oxide will help in blood vessel dilation."
It has been shown that that a typical 4-ounce serving of watermelon (about 10 watermelon balls) has about 150 milligrams of citrulline. But it has not been proved that how much citrulline is needed to have Viagra-like effects.
One research scolar said that Calling watermelon a natural Viagra is "clearly premature,"
The dream is the best medicine for all but who pays?
A pledge to give patients any approved medication on the basis of clinical need rather than cost risks creating an almost limitless drugs bill, the Government has been warned. Plans for a new NHS constitution, to be unveiled by the Prime Minister today, will enshrine a universal right to treatment if clinically appropriate in an attempt to end the “postcode lottery” of access to new drugs.
Experts gave warning that the pledge, one of a series of new measures in the landmark draft document, carried huge costs that could not be covered by current NHS budgets.
Publication of the new constitution comes at the start of a week of celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the NHS. It will set out a “right to expect local decisions on funding of other drugs and treatment to be made rationally following a proper consideration of the evidence”.
While the drive to reduce inequalities of access to drugs will be welcomed, health economists question how the Government will be able to devise a policy that delivers on such a pledge without punitive costs.
Roy Lilley, a former director of an NHS trust and independent health policy analyst, said: “We have to ask ourselves the question: will drugs get more complex? Yes. Will they get more expensive? Yes.
“To say that we will buy them whatever, however much they cost, you might as well give the pharmaceutical industry a blank cheque.
“It’s a huge worry. There are some fantastic drugs. I’m not saying we shouldn’t have them. But there has to be a rationale behind the use of resources. You can’t say because it’s here we’re going to buy it. That’s crazy.”
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), the watchdog that determines value for money on the NHS, can currently take up to 2½ years to decide whether to approve a drug. Ministers want this cut to a maximum of six months.
Alan Johnson, the Health Secretary, said yesterday that patients would have a universal right to approved treatments “if clinically appropriate” and might resort to legal action if they were still disappointed.
The moves are expected to generate at least £100 million worth of extra prescriptions a year, funded centrally by the Department of Health.
While patients’ groups and health economists welcomed the Government’s aims to provide quicker treatment, they said that the increasing cost and sometimes modest benefits of new drugs could not be taken out of the equation.
John Appleby, chief economist of the King’s Fund health think-tank, said: “There are cases where patients have died after being denied drugs for cancer. But these medicines often cost more than ten times NICE’s threshold for achieving one extra year of life.
“In a system of finite resources you have to draw a line somewhere in terms of a drug’s effectiveness — it may add extra minutes, days, months of quality years to someone’s life but how much is enough? Perhaps the Government has decided that it can avoid bad headlines by promising greater access to drugs but it will have to look into this carefully or be braced for a surge in patient demand, with the associated costs.”
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain agreed that “better, more comprehensive access to new treatments will not be without cost”. Alan Maynard, Professor of Health Economics at the University of York, added: “Often new drugs that haven’t been approved by NICE simply aren’t cost-effective. We have to confront this issue head on, by speeding up the NICE appraisal process but also by putting pressure on pharmaceutical companies to lower their prices.”
One of the biggest “postcode lottery” disputes has been over drugs for “wet” age-related macular degeneration, which affects more than 250,000 Britons. Barbara McLaughlin, of the Royal National Institute for the Blind, said that NICE had been considering the drugs since February 2006 and that the slowness of the processes had threatened the sight of thousands of people.
Andrew Lansley, the Shadow Health Secretary, said that comparisons of access to emerging treatments between Britain and other countries was “frankly scandalous”.
“We have some of the best cancer research in the world in this country but we have among the slowest uptake of new cancer drugs. So it is not just about a postcode lottery inside the UK.”
The Department of Health said the NHS constitution would be the first of its kind in the world and would state “what patients, public and staff are entitled to expect from the NHS”. It will be presented to Parliament this afternoon as part of the year-long review of NHS services completed by Lord Darzi of Denham, the surgeon brought in as a health minister by Gordon Brown.
The Darzi review
The publication of the review will be the culmination of a process that Lord Darzi says has considered the views of 60,000 people and 2,000 medical experts. Likely proposals include:
150 new GP-led “health centres” and 100 new practices, opening 8am-8pm and offering patients appointments at surgeries near work as well as home
A shift to treatment in the community where possible, to allow more home births and more people to die at home
Hospitals expected to publish mortality rates and detailed outcomes for 50 common operations. Failing clinics will lose resources
More stroke and accident victims to be treated in specialist centres where survival rates are higher, forcing patients to travel farther but for better care
Patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes could control their own treatment budgets.
Doctor Discusses Mesothelioma Treatments
Causalgia (Sudeck's atrophy)
It is a pain syndrome that develops in the joints especially after nerve injuries. Other names include Sudeck's atrophy, Sudeck's dystrophy, algodystrophy, shoulder-hand syndrome, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
The major features are (1) pain; (2) dystrophy in involved skin, tissue, muscle, and bone; and (3) abnormal sweating and blood flow regulation in the affected area. Sometimes there is also hypertrichosis and ridging of nails. Weeks or months after myocardial infarction, this syndrome may develop in the left arm and hand ("shoulder-hand syndrome" or "Dressler's syndrome") and mimic the pain of angina pectoris.
After years of skepticism, most investigators now acknowledge the key role of the sympathetic nervous system in mediating causalgia. Destruction of the relevant sympathetic nerves often completely eliminates the pain. There is recent experimental evidence that blockade of a2-adrenoreceptors may also be helpful.
Major Factors for your gaining Weight
Weight gain is so complicated; there are so many factors that can impact your weight. It is more likely a combination of things more than just one factor. So,below are some of the major factors that are responsible for weight gain. You Might Be Gaining Weight
Because of Lack of Sleep
The body functions best when well rested. When you don't get enough sleep, your body experiences physiological stress and, biochemically, you store fat more efficiently.
When you're tired, you also don't handle stress as well, so you may reach for food as a coping mechanism. Further, you may be taking in extra calories from late-night snacking. Some people think eating might help them get back to sleep, but all it really does is add more calories to their daily total.
Symptoms that you may not be getting enough rest include fatigue, low energy levels, nodding off easily, and feeling irritable.
Strive to get eight hours of sleep each night.
Because of Stress
Stress response, whether it is 'fight-or-flight,' juggling too many responsibilities, or coping with financial pressures, triggers a biochemical process where our bodies go into survival mode," explains May. "Our bodies store fuel, slow down metabolism, and dump out chemicals [cortisol, leptin, and other hormones] which are more likely to cause obesity in the abdominal region."
Because of Medications
Some prescription drugs used to treat depression, mood disorders, seizures, migraines, blood pressure, and diabetes can cause weight gain, from a modest amount to as much as 10 pounds per month. Some steroids, hormone replacement therapy, and even oral contraceptives may also cause gradual weight creep.
Because of a Medical Condition
The most common medical condition that causes weight gain is hypothyroidism. A deficiency of thyroid hormone can decrease metabolism, causing appetite loss and weight gain.
Because of Menopause
When women go through menopause, they lose estrogen, causing their shapes to change -- usually a loss of hip and thigh weight. And they start to gain more in the middle.
Because of Lack of Sleep
The body functions best when well rested. When you don't get enough sleep, your body experiences physiological stress and, biochemically, you store fat more efficiently.
When you're tired, you also don't handle stress as well, so you may reach for food as a coping mechanism. Further, you may be taking in extra calories from late-night snacking. Some people think eating might help them get back to sleep, but all it really does is add more calories to their daily total.
Symptoms that you may not be getting enough rest include fatigue, low energy levels, nodding off easily, and feeling irritable.
Strive to get eight hours of sleep each night.
Because of Stress
Stress response, whether it is 'fight-or-flight,' juggling too many responsibilities, or coping with financial pressures, triggers a biochemical process where our bodies go into survival mode," explains May. "Our bodies store fuel, slow down metabolism, and dump out chemicals [cortisol, leptin, and other hormones] which are more likely to cause obesity in the abdominal region."
Because of Medications
Some prescription drugs used to treat depression, mood disorders, seizures, migraines, blood pressure, and diabetes can cause weight gain, from a modest amount to as much as 10 pounds per month. Some steroids, hormone replacement therapy, and even oral contraceptives may also cause gradual weight creep.
Because of a Medical Condition
The most common medical condition that causes weight gain is hypothyroidism. A deficiency of thyroid hormone can decrease metabolism, causing appetite loss and weight gain.
Because of Menopause
When women go through menopause, they lose estrogen, causing their shapes to change -- usually a loss of hip and thigh weight. And they start to gain more in the middle.
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