(HealthDay News) -- The brain circuitry that controls appetite might be wired differently in some people, and that could predispose them to obesity, California researchers suggest.
The study was conducted in rats, not humans, and yet it could ultimately lead to novel obesity treatments, said Philip Smith, director of the Office of Obesity Research at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
"It is not just about drugs that modify short-term appetite," he said, "there may be drugs that stimulate development of the appropriate neural pathways. So, it is an exciting, but very early, time in this field."
The study was published in the February issue of Cell Metabolism.
Sebastien Bouret, an assistant professor of neuroscience at the University of Southern California, and his colleagues examined neural circuits emanating from the appetite, hunger and body-weight control center of the brain -- the so-called arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH) -- in a series of rats bred to be either prone to, or resistant to, obesity.
The team found fewer neural connections projecting from the ARH in obesity-prone animals than in their leaner counterparts. Surprisingly, Bouret said, this deficiency developed very early in life, before the animals became obese, and appeared to extend into adulthood.
"Somehow, these animals are programmed to become obese," Bouret said. "The obesity is hard-wired into the brain."
When the researchers then looked at why the brains of obese rats differed from their normal-weight counterparts, they found that the neurons from obesity-prone animals were less responsive to leptin, a hormone that controls the development of these circuits, and which also signals the body's energy status and controls metabolic rate.
"This paper presumes to say, these animals must be leptin-resistant, and that is why the pathways are not developing," said Smith.
But that doesn't mean they are doomed to a life of severe obesity, said Dr. Barbara Kahn, chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, in Boston. How they live their lives also matters.
"It is important not to 'blame' the obese person or imply that he/she is responsible for being obese," Kahn noted. "Having said that, reasonable, healthy caloric restriction and a safe and sustainable program of physical activity can help limit weight gain and often bring about some degree of weight loss. In addition, healthy eating and regular exercise can reduce the complications of obesity such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease."
At the same time, she added, not everyone can wear a size 4.
"There is a certain aspect of genetics that sets somebody in a certain range of possible body weights, and then how that person lives his or her life will determine whether they are at the bottom or top of the range," she explained.
Human obesity has both genetic and environmental roots. The rats used in this study, like most humans, developed obesity when fed a high-energy diet. On a normal diet, they were heavier than normal rats, but not yet obese.
"This is quite an exciting paper," said Smith, "because it links more closely to human behavior than most rodent models we have seen."
The findings also suggest a possible therapeutic approach to combating human obesity. If drugs could be designed to influence the formation of neural circuits during development and targeted to at-risk pregnancies, Smith said, "there is a good likelihood we could have successful interventions that improve the health of the mother, and which have a major impact on disease risk for the infant, during pregnancy."
A related study from Boston University researchers in the same journal found that bulking up muscle mass can lead to a general metabolic improvement in obese individuals. "Interventions designed to increase skeletal muscle mass in at-risk human populations may prove to be critical weapons in the fight against obesity and obesity-related comorbidities, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension and cancer," an accompanying editorial stated.
More information
For more on obesity, visit the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Showing posts with label Kidney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kidney. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
Diabetes Group Backs Low-Carb Diets
(HealthDay News) -- For the first time, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has come out in support of low-carbohydrate diets for people with diabetes who want to manage their weight.
The ADA voiced its support of low-calorie or low-carbohydrate diets in its newly published 2008 clinical practice recommendations.
The recommendations are intended to help physicians guide their patients in diabetes prevention and management.
The ADA estimates that more than 20 million children and adults are living with diabetes in the United States. However, about one-third of those people have the disease but have not yet been diagnosed, according to the association.
Prior to the release of the 2008 recommendations, the ADA did not support low-carbohydrate diets for diabetes management due to a lack of evidence supporting their safety and effectiveness.
Whether a person can stick with a diet is more important than the diet's theme, according to the association. Low-carbohydrate and low-calorie diets are equally effective in helping people lose weight over a year. However, the recommendations do also include guidelines for monitoring the lipid profiles and kidney health of people who choose a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet.
The recommendations continue to support sustained, moderate weight loss and increased physical activity for people who are overweight, obese, living with diabetes or at risk for becoming diabetic.
"The risks of overweight and obesity are well-known. We recognize that people are looking for realistic ways to lose weight," Ann Albright, president of health care and education for the ADA, said in a prepared statement. "The evidence is clear that both low-carbohydrate and low-fat calorie restricted diets result in similar weight loss at one year. We're not endorsing either of these weight-loss plans over any other method of losing weight. What we want health-care providers to know is that it's important for patients to choose a plan that works for them, and that the health-care team support their patients' weight-loss efforts and provide appropriate monitoring of patients' health."
Being overweight and physically inactive both increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, according to the ADA. Being overweight or obese also make the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes more difficult. The 2008 recommendations state that all adults who are overweight and have an additional risk factor for diabetes should be tested for diabetes or pre-diabetes.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who have pre-diabetes can avoid diabetes if they lose 7 percent of their body weight and get more than 150 minutes of activity a week.
Developing and maintaining a disaster kit for diabetes self-management is also included in the new recommendations, along with revised guidelines for care of diabetes in older adults.
More information
To learn more about diabetes, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The ADA voiced its support of low-calorie or low-carbohydrate diets in its newly published 2008 clinical practice recommendations.
The recommendations are intended to help physicians guide their patients in diabetes prevention and management.
The ADA estimates that more than 20 million children and adults are living with diabetes in the United States. However, about one-third of those people have the disease but have not yet been diagnosed, according to the association.
Prior to the release of the 2008 recommendations, the ADA did not support low-carbohydrate diets for diabetes management due to a lack of evidence supporting their safety and effectiveness.
Whether a person can stick with a diet is more important than the diet's theme, according to the association. Low-carbohydrate and low-calorie diets are equally effective in helping people lose weight over a year. However, the recommendations do also include guidelines for monitoring the lipid profiles and kidney health of people who choose a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet.
The recommendations continue to support sustained, moderate weight loss and increased physical activity for people who are overweight, obese, living with diabetes or at risk for becoming diabetic.
"The risks of overweight and obesity are well-known. We recognize that people are looking for realistic ways to lose weight," Ann Albright, president of health care and education for the ADA, said in a prepared statement. "The evidence is clear that both low-carbohydrate and low-fat calorie restricted diets result in similar weight loss at one year. We're not endorsing either of these weight-loss plans over any other method of losing weight. What we want health-care providers to know is that it's important for patients to choose a plan that works for them, and that the health-care team support their patients' weight-loss efforts and provide appropriate monitoring of patients' health."
Being overweight and physically inactive both increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, according to the ADA. Being overweight or obese also make the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes more difficult. The 2008 recommendations state that all adults who are overweight and have an additional risk factor for diabetes should be tested for diabetes or pre-diabetes.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who have pre-diabetes can avoid diabetes if they lose 7 percent of their body weight and get more than 150 minutes of activity a week.
Developing and maintaining a disaster kit for diabetes self-management is also included in the new recommendations, along with revised guidelines for care of diabetes in older adults.
More information
To learn more about diabetes, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Urine Test Results Can Point to Heart Dangers
(HealthDay News) -- Even a small amount of a protein called albumin in the urine of patients with stable coronary artery disease increases their risk of cardiovascular death, say U.S. researchers.
The findings from this study of almost 3,000 patients, age 50 and older, with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) have implications for assessing and perhaps treating patients with vascular disease.
The study was published in the current issue of the journal Circulation.
Albumin is normal and necessary in blood, but its presence in urine indicates leakage in the kidney filtration system and possible damage to cells that line the kidney's blood vessels, according to background information in the study.
"We found that virtually any degree of albuminuria, even albumin below the level we call microalbuminuria, placed a patient at significantly higher risk of cardiovascular events," lead author Dr. Scott D. Solomon, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of Noninvasive Cardiology at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, said in a prepared statement.
He and his colleagues also found that the hypertension drug trandolapril (an ACE inhibitor) lowered albumin levels in patients' urine.
The findings of this study and previous research by the same team indicate that "we cardiologists need to pay more attention to kidney function in our patients, and we need to look at two aspects -- filtration and albuminuria," Solomon said.
"It is important for cardiologists to understand that these are not patients who will even come to dialysis or even necessarily see a nephrologist," he said. "But they do have mild kidney disease that puts them at increased risk for a cardiovascular event."
More information
The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has more about protein in urine.
Integrated Medicine
Educational Programs
The findings from this study of almost 3,000 patients, age 50 and older, with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) have implications for assessing and perhaps treating patients with vascular disease.
The study was published in the current issue of the journal Circulation.
Albumin is normal and necessary in blood, but its presence in urine indicates leakage in the kidney filtration system and possible damage to cells that line the kidney's blood vessels, according to background information in the study.
"We found that virtually any degree of albuminuria, even albumin below the level we call microalbuminuria, placed a patient at significantly higher risk of cardiovascular events," lead author Dr. Scott D. Solomon, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of Noninvasive Cardiology at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, said in a prepared statement.
He and his colleagues also found that the hypertension drug trandolapril (an ACE inhibitor) lowered albumin levels in patients' urine.
The findings of this study and previous research by the same team indicate that "we cardiologists need to pay more attention to kidney function in our patients, and we need to look at two aspects -- filtration and albuminuria," Solomon said.
"It is important for cardiologists to understand that these are not patients who will even come to dialysis or even necessarily see a nephrologist," he said. "But they do have mild kidney disease that puts them at increased risk for a cardiovascular event."
More information
The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has more about protein in urine.
Integrated Medicine
Educational Programs
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Doctor-Patient Bond Frays After Medical Mistake
(HealthDay News) -- Serious medical errors don't just affect the health of the patient, they can quickly destroy the patient's relationship with his or her doctor, too, experts say.Too often, a health care mistake causes shame and fear in the physician responsible, leading to stilted, unsatisfying conversations with -- or avoidance of -- the affected patient, say the authors of an article in the Oct. 25 New England Journal of Medicine.
All of this can quickly move patient and doctor into an adversarial or litigious position.
But that's not always necessary, said one of the article's co-authors.
"Trust is an enormously important part of medicine -- if people aren't straight with you, you do not trust them," said Dr. Tom DelBanco, a professor of general medicine and primary care at Harvard Medical School.
"So, being upfront and honest, indicating that you want to do something about what happened, makes all the difference in the world," said Delbanco, who co-wrote the article with Harvard colleague Dr. Sigall Bell.
In many cases, doctors who frankly admitted their mistake and told patients how they would safeguard against future errors avoided litigation by doing so, Delbanco said. Those doctors also maintained strong, long-lasting bonds with the patient and the patient's family.
According to Delbanco, several patients interviewed for the article (and a related film) said that, " 'We don't expect you to be perfect, everybody makes mistakes. We just want you to be honest when it happens. We can deal with that.' "
In fact, "There are now some malpractice [insurance] companies that teach doctors to be honest and open," Delbanco noted. "There is slowly growing evidence that it may actually prevent lawsuits."
Medical errors have gotten a lot more attention recently, ever since the U.S. Institute of Medicine issued its 1999 report, To Err is Human. That report estimated that the deaths of more than 100,000 Americans each year are tied to some form of medical mistake.
In the wake of such errors, doctors often feel shame and guilt, as well as fear linked to the looming threat of lawsuits. For legal reasons, "I think that doctors are very confused about what they can and cannot say" to patients after an error comes to light, Delbanco said. That includes the use of simple words such as "mistake," "error," or even "I'm sorry."
"It depends on their institutions' views, it depends on the lawyers that they may or may not talk to," Delbanco said. "Very often, they are not only confused, but depressed, because they feel like they cannot say what they really feel like saying."
People who care deeply for a patient affected by a medical mistake often shoulder their own level of guilt after the incident. "Family members, in particular, can feel extraordinary guilt," Delbanco said, and often berate themselves, thinking, " 'If I had done this, this wouldn't have happened,' 'If I had been there, I would have prevented it,' 'If only I had been more forceful, the doctor wouldn't have done this.' "
Such was the case for those close to a young man with sickle cell anemia, mentioned in the NEJM article. The unnamed patient received morphine while in the hospital -- despite a well-documented allergy to the painkiller. He slipped into kidney failure and coma soon after, and his sister said she felt as if she "failed her family in terms of 'I should have been there.' That's a guilt that everyone shares."
Doctors who acknowledge that a mistake has happened, and outline steps to prevent such mistakes going forward, can ease a lot of distress for themselves and the patient, experts say.
But, in many cases, physicians have "a lack of confidence in their communication skills -- they just aren't sure how to have these conversations," said Dr. Thomas Gallagher, associate professor of medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine, in Seattle.
Gallagher said Delbanco's and Bell's article echoes the findings of studies he has led, which revealed profound differences in the ways doctors and patients communicated after a serious medical error.
But he also believes the landscape around medical errors is changing. Already, about 30 states have enacted so-called "I'm sorry" laws, which, to a certain degree, make a doctor's apology for an error inadmissible in a court of law.
That should help ease patient-doctor conversations. But Gallagher said many of these laws still "provide very little protection for clinicians. They allow you to say 'I'm sorry,' but they don't allow you to make any expression that a mistake happened or to admit liability."
And, he said, it's not entirely clear that admitting to mistakes always wards off a lawsuit. "It's not a magic bullet," Gallagher said. "There will clearly be some cases where disclosure is what precipitates a lawsuit."
So, work remains to be done in finding strategies that allow patients and doctors to remain close even after a mistake occurs.
For his part, Delbanco said he is currently screening his film for third-year students at Harvard Medical School -- at the request of the school's dean -- to help them become better physicians. "Traditionally, there's been little coaching in this area," he said. "That's changing."
His advice to patients: If a serious medical error occurs, "be very aggressive in asking for communication. Patients should not be afraid of opening their mouths." And if that communication is not forthcoming, "Ask why and with whom can they speak?" he said.
And a hasty "I'm sorry" from a physician may not always be adequate, Delbanco added.
"Apology only means something when you show what you are going to do for that person -- and for the next person," he said. "Otherwise, they are just words."
More information
There's more on preventing medical errors at the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
New Kidney Disease Can Be Fatal
(HealthDay News) -- Kidney disease patients with a newly identified disease called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) are at increased risk of death, U.S. researchers report.
The researchers also concluded that exposure to gadolinium, a contrast agent used in MRI scans, is a significant risk factor for developing NSF, a painful and debilitating condition characterized by a thickening and hardening of the skin. It usually affects the arms and legs but can also affect internal organs. The disease can progress so rapidly that some patients are immobilized and confined to a wheelchair within weeks.
The study, led by Jonathan Kay of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, conducted skin examination of 186 kidney dialysis patients.
They found that 25 had skin changes consistent with NSF.
Within two years, 25 of the 186 patients (24 percent) had died. The death rate for those with NSF was 48 percent, compared to 20 percent for patients without the illness.
The researchers also found that 30 percent of patients exposed to gadolinium developed NSF compared to one percent of those who had not been exposed to the contrast agent.
The findings are published in the October issue of the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism.
This is the first study to examine the prevalence of NSF in dialysis patients and the first to quantify the association between NSF and gadolinium exposure. Contrast agents containing gadolinium should only be used with extreme caution in patients with chronic kidney disease, the researchers concluded. If they are exposed to gadolinium, these patients should subsequently receive regular skin examinations.
In an accompanying editorial, experts at Yale University School of Medicine noted that a U.S. federal Public Health Advisory urges caution in the use of MRI scans for kidney disease patients and prompt dialysis for those who've had scans involving gadolinium.
More information
The FDA has more about gadolinium-containing contrast agents.
The researchers also concluded that exposure to gadolinium, a contrast agent used in MRI scans, is a significant risk factor for developing NSF, a painful and debilitating condition characterized by a thickening and hardening of the skin. It usually affects the arms and legs but can also affect internal organs. The disease can progress so rapidly that some patients are immobilized and confined to a wheelchair within weeks.
The study, led by Jonathan Kay of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, conducted skin examination of 186 kidney dialysis patients.
They found that 25 had skin changes consistent with NSF.
Within two years, 25 of the 186 patients (24 percent) had died. The death rate for those with NSF was 48 percent, compared to 20 percent for patients without the illness.
The researchers also found that 30 percent of patients exposed to gadolinium developed NSF compared to one percent of those who had not been exposed to the contrast agent.
The findings are published in the October issue of the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism.
This is the first study to examine the prevalence of NSF in dialysis patients and the first to quantify the association between NSF and gadolinium exposure. Contrast agents containing gadolinium should only be used with extreme caution in patients with chronic kidney disease, the researchers concluded. If they are exposed to gadolinium, these patients should subsequently receive regular skin examinations.
In an accompanying editorial, experts at Yale University School of Medicine noted that a U.S. federal Public Health Advisory urges caution in the use of MRI scans for kidney disease patients and prompt dialysis for those who've had scans involving gadolinium.
More information
The FDA has more about gadolinium-containing contrast agents.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
New Crohn's Disease Drug Shows Promise
(HealthDay News) -- A new drug against Crohn's disease may be of real help to people who don't respond well to existing medications, two new studies show.
Certolizumab pegol, which works in a similar fashion to standard medicines, isn't on the market yet and hasn't been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Still, "it may at some time offer another option for patients," said University of Louisville associate professor of medicine Dr. Gerald W. Dryden Jr., who studies Crohn's disease and is familiar with the new research.
Crohn's disease causes inflammation in the intestines and other parts of the body. It typically causes cramps and diarrhea, and other symptoms are possible.
In the United States, young people in their 20s and 30s seem to be most susceptible, but scientists appear to be far from fully understanding the disease.
Prednisone, a steroid that dampens the immune system, is often the first line of treatment, Dryden said. In moderate-to-severe cases, doctors often turn to two drugs that appear to tinker with a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, which has also been linked to the inflammation caused by the disease.
The introduction of the first anti-TNF drug, infliximab (Remicade), revolutionized the treatment of Crohn's disease, wrote Dr. James Lewis, an associate professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania, in a commentary accompanying the two studies. Another drug, adalimumab (Humira), is now available.
The problem? They can both cause side effects. Also, "none of the currently available medications are effective at inducing remission in all patients," Lewis said in an interview. "Even the most effective medications typically induce a sustained remission in well less than 50 percent of patients."
That forces many patients to turn to surgery.
Enter the new drug, certolizumab pegol, which is being developed by the pharmaceutical company UCB Pharma. The company helped pay for the two new studies, which are published in the July 19 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
In one of the studies, 668 patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease received 400 milligrams of the injectable drug three times over four weeks. Those who responded were assigned to more of the drug or a placebo.
According to the team led by Dr. Stefan Schreiber of Christian Albrechts University in Kiel, Germany, 48 percent of patients who showed an early response to the drug were still in remission in the 26th week after staying on the drug. In comparison, just 29 percent of patients who responded to the drug early but were then assigned to a placebo later went into remission.
In the other study, this time led by Dr. William Sandborn of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., 662 patients took the drug or a placebo three times over a four-week period and then once every four weeks. Patients had a better short-term result if they took the drug, but the long-term remission rates were nearly identical between the two groups.
In other words, the two studies of the same drug produced somewhat different results. Still, commentary author Lewis wrote that they suggest that the drug is an "effective therapy."
If approved, the drug would offer an alternative to the two existing similar drugs, he said. "It appears that patients who lose response to or become intolerant of one anti-TNF medication may respond to another anti-TNF medication. Thus, we may ultimately see patients switching between the different anti-TNF medications."
Dryden, the University of Louisville professor, said that the new drug's convenience may appeal to patients. It may need to be injected only once every month, a procedure that could be done at home, compared to other drugs that must be administered more often, he said.
According to Lewis, it's unlikely that studies will measure the new drug and the two old ones against each other, meaning they may end up being prescribed based on their perceived effectiveness, cost, and ease of use.
More information
Learn more about Crohn's disease from the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Certolizumab pegol, which works in a similar fashion to standard medicines, isn't on the market yet and hasn't been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Still, "it may at some time offer another option for patients," said University of Louisville associate professor of medicine Dr. Gerald W. Dryden Jr., who studies Crohn's disease and is familiar with the new research.
Crohn's disease causes inflammation in the intestines and other parts of the body. It typically causes cramps and diarrhea, and other symptoms are possible.
In the United States, young people in their 20s and 30s seem to be most susceptible, but scientists appear to be far from fully understanding the disease.
Prednisone, a steroid that dampens the immune system, is often the first line of treatment, Dryden said. In moderate-to-severe cases, doctors often turn to two drugs that appear to tinker with a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, which has also been linked to the inflammation caused by the disease.
The introduction of the first anti-TNF drug, infliximab (Remicade), revolutionized the treatment of Crohn's disease, wrote Dr. James Lewis, an associate professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania, in a commentary accompanying the two studies. Another drug, adalimumab (Humira), is now available.
The problem? They can both cause side effects. Also, "none of the currently available medications are effective at inducing remission in all patients," Lewis said in an interview. "Even the most effective medications typically induce a sustained remission in well less than 50 percent of patients."
That forces many patients to turn to surgery.
Enter the new drug, certolizumab pegol, which is being developed by the pharmaceutical company UCB Pharma. The company helped pay for the two new studies, which are published in the July 19 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
In one of the studies, 668 patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease received 400 milligrams of the injectable drug three times over four weeks. Those who responded were assigned to more of the drug or a placebo.
According to the team led by Dr. Stefan Schreiber of Christian Albrechts University in Kiel, Germany, 48 percent of patients who showed an early response to the drug were still in remission in the 26th week after staying on the drug. In comparison, just 29 percent of patients who responded to the drug early but were then assigned to a placebo later went into remission.
In the other study, this time led by Dr. William Sandborn of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., 662 patients took the drug or a placebo three times over a four-week period and then once every four weeks. Patients had a better short-term result if they took the drug, but the long-term remission rates were nearly identical between the two groups.
In other words, the two studies of the same drug produced somewhat different results. Still, commentary author Lewis wrote that they suggest that the drug is an "effective therapy."
If approved, the drug would offer an alternative to the two existing similar drugs, he said. "It appears that patients who lose response to or become intolerant of one anti-TNF medication may respond to another anti-TNF medication. Thus, we may ultimately see patients switching between the different anti-TNF medications."
Dryden, the University of Louisville professor, said that the new drug's convenience may appeal to patients. It may need to be injected only once every month, a procedure that could be done at home, compared to other drugs that must be administered more often, he said.
According to Lewis, it's unlikely that studies will measure the new drug and the two old ones against each other, meaning they may end up being prescribed based on their perceived effectiveness, cost, and ease of use.
More information
Learn more about Crohn's disease from the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Dads' Parenting Style Influences Childhood Obesity
(HealthDay News) -- Fathers' parenting styles have a major influence on children's weight, says an Australian study that looked at almost 5,000 children, ages 4-5, and their parents.
The researchers found that fathers with permissive (no limits on their children) or disengaged parenting styles were more likely to have overweight or obese children, while fathers with a consistent (clear limits, following through with instructions, etc.) style were less likely to have children with a higher body mass index (BMI).
There was no association between the mothers' parenting styles and children's weight, said the study authors from the Centre for Community Child Health (CCCH) at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, and the Murdoch Children's Research Institute.
The findings were to be presented this weekend at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies, in Toronto.
"This study of a large cross section of Australian preschoolers has, for the first time, suggested that fathers could be at the frontline in preventing early childhood obesity. Mothers are often blamed for their children's obesity, but this study suggests that for more effective prevention, perhaps we should focus on the whole family," Melissa Wake, an associate professor at CCCH, said in a prepared statement.
"Given the importance of the family unit in a child's preschool years, and its influence on their nutrition and physical activity levels, it is timely to look at the parenting roles of both parents and the impact they have on a child's tendency to be overweight or obese," Wake said.
She noted that more than 60 percent of the fathers and more than 40 percent of the mothers in the study were overweight or obese.
More information
The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases offers advice for parents on healthy eating and physical activity for children.
The researchers found that fathers with permissive (no limits on their children) or disengaged parenting styles were more likely to have overweight or obese children, while fathers with a consistent (clear limits, following through with instructions, etc.) style were less likely to have children with a higher body mass index (BMI).
There was no association between the mothers' parenting styles and children's weight, said the study authors from the Centre for Community Child Health (CCCH) at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, and the Murdoch Children's Research Institute.
The findings were to be presented this weekend at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies, in Toronto.
"This study of a large cross section of Australian preschoolers has, for the first time, suggested that fathers could be at the frontline in preventing early childhood obesity. Mothers are often blamed for their children's obesity, but this study suggests that for more effective prevention, perhaps we should focus on the whole family," Melissa Wake, an associate professor at CCCH, said in a prepared statement.
"Given the importance of the family unit in a child's preschool years, and its influence on their nutrition and physical activity levels, it is timely to look at the parenting roles of both parents and the impact they have on a child's tendency to be overweight or obese," Wake said.
She noted that more than 60 percent of the fathers and more than 40 percent of the mothers in the study were overweight or obese.
More information
The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases offers advice for parents on healthy eating and physical activity for children.
Certain ACE Inhibitors Cut Elderly Dementia Risk
(HealthDay News) -- Certain types of ACE inhibitor hypertension drugs may help cut the risk of dementia in older adults, say researchers at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
They analyzed data from the long-term Cardiovascular Health Study of almost 5,900 people over age 65 in the United States.
The researchers found that "centrally acting" ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors may help reduce inflammation that might contribute to dementia.
Centrally acting ACE inhibitors are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and reach the brain.
"For older adults who are going to take an ACE inhibitor for blood pressure control, it makes sense for their doctors to prescribe one that goes into the brain," lead researcher Dr. Kaycee Sink, an assistant professor of internal medicine/gerontology, said in a prepared statement.
She and her colleagues found that for each year that people took centrally acting ACE inhibitors, they had a 50 percent lower rate of mental decline than people taking other kinds of hypertension drugs.
Mental decline was measured using the Modified Mini-Mental State Exam, which evaluates memory, language, abstract reasoning and other cognitive functions.
"These results suggest that there is more to treating blood pressure than achieving a goal of 140/80," Sink said. "Which drug you choose for blood pressure can have broader implications. We know that ACE inhibitors protect against heart failure and kidney failure, and now there is evidence that some of them may also protect against dementia."
The study was expected to be presented this weekend at the annual meeting of the American Geriatrics Society, in Seattle.
More information
The American Medical Association has more about dementia.
They analyzed data from the long-term Cardiovascular Health Study of almost 5,900 people over age 65 in the United States.
The researchers found that "centrally acting" ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors may help reduce inflammation that might contribute to dementia.
Centrally acting ACE inhibitors are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and reach the brain.
"For older adults who are going to take an ACE inhibitor for blood pressure control, it makes sense for their doctors to prescribe one that goes into the brain," lead researcher Dr. Kaycee Sink, an assistant professor of internal medicine/gerontology, said in a prepared statement.
She and her colleagues found that for each year that people took centrally acting ACE inhibitors, they had a 50 percent lower rate of mental decline than people taking other kinds of hypertension drugs.
Mental decline was measured using the Modified Mini-Mental State Exam, which evaluates memory, language, abstract reasoning and other cognitive functions.
"These results suggest that there is more to treating blood pressure than achieving a goal of 140/80," Sink said. "Which drug you choose for blood pressure can have broader implications. We know that ACE inhibitors protect against heart failure and kidney failure, and now there is evidence that some of them may also protect against dementia."
The study was expected to be presented this weekend at the annual meeting of the American Geriatrics Society, in Seattle.
More information
The American Medical Association has more about dementia.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
New Spirit Naturals Products utilize only the purest Organic Ingredients
New Spirit Naturals Products utilize only the purest Organic Ingredients (whenever available) in their product formulations. All of the product links will take you to the website of http://www.dreddy-clinic.com/ . From there, you can make your shopping selections from a wide variety of nutritional supplements and products. Follow the special ordering instructions below.
Special Ordering Instructions In order to use the Shopping Cart checkout feature from New Spirit Naturals, you must also enter the following referral information at the bottom of the address / shipping form: http://www.dreddy-clinic.com/ 
Green Magic - superfood containing 17 of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet to provide a convienent, good tasting way to obtain full spectrum nutrition on a daily basis.
For a Complete description of product ingredients, information and ordering: http://www.dredd-clinic.com/
Guardian Greens is a powerful blood and brain food with phyto-nutrients targeted toward support of the immune system and its associated internal organs including, the brain, liver, kidneys, spleen, gall bladder, stomach and intestinal tract, pancreas, blood, and nerves. Ingredients: Phosphatidylserine ,Ginkgo Biloba, Spirulina, Chlorella, Dunaleilla, Alfalfa Juice Powder, Red Beet Juice Powder, Rhubarb Juice Powder, Black Currant Powder, Red Clover Tops, Parsley Greens, Dandelion Greens , Watercress Greens, Milk Thistle Powder and Burdock Root Powder.
For a Complete description of product ingredients, information and ordering: http://www.dreddy-clinic.com/
ORAC - Anti-oxidant Formula - composed of all natural food concentrates - a powerful anti-oxidant formular for energy, anti-aging, and cellular protection. Oxygen Radical Absorbence Capacity (ORAC), measures the antioxidant power of foods and nutritional supplements. Use ORAC+ daily to reverse cellular damage caused by free-radicals . You can dramatically slow-down the aging process (anti-aging) by combatting free radical activity with antioxidants. ORAC+ provides powerful anti-oxidants with a biosynergistic blend of natural fruit powders, fruit extracts, polyphenol concentrates, grape, and red wine extracts. ORAC+ combats free radical activity with its anti-oxidants to slow down the body's aging process.
For a Complete description of product ingredients, information and ordering: http://www.dreddy-clinic.com/
Alpha Greens - is nature's alkalizer, contains organically grown alfalfa grass juice, alfalfa leaf powder, wheat grass juice, barley grass juice, and kamut grass juice to help cleanse and detoxify the body. Alpha Greens will contribute greatly to the alkaline reserves and in helping to keep the acid/alkaline balance in the body.
All our food extracts are grown organically, high in the mountains on an ancient volcanic lakebed surrounded by snow packed peaks. These farms are hundreds of miles from the nearest polluting industries. A special drying process guarantees a low temperature and gentle preservation of all phyto-nutrients.
For a Complete description of product ingredients, information and ordering: http://www.dreddy-clinic.com/
Three Treasures Teas - these traditional Chinese herbal therapeutic formulas are in the form of delicious teas that provide concentrated healing power to restore vitality and promote longevity. Common health issues are addressed by these 16 different formulas: Liver Chi, Phyto-Soy, Kidney Enhancer, Vitality, Perfect Balance, ChoLess, Longevity, Energizing, Aller-ease, Echinacea Complex, Jubilee, Memory Enhancer, Therapeutica, Meta Slim I, Meta-Slim II, and Magic Fruit. To enjoy these healthy teas, simply squeeze a dropper of tea concentrate into a glass of hot water and stir. For a Complete description of product ingredients, information and ordering: http://www.dreddy-clinic.com/
Omega-Omega - is a rich source of essential fatty acids, and particularily Omega-3, a key Essential Fatty Acid. Omega-Omega contains: organic unrefined flax oil, organic unrefined pumpkin seed oil, organic unrefined borage oil, organic flax seed powder, Evening Primrose oil, and natural mixed tocopherols.
For a Complete description of product ingredients, information and ordering:
Special Ordering Instructions In order to use the Shopping Cart checkout feature from New Spirit Naturals, you must also enter the following referral information at the bottom of the address / shipping form: http://www.dreddy-clinic.com/
There is also an entry field requesting your 4-digit E-Center ID Number. That field is left blank.
Green Magic - superfood containing 17 of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet to provide a convienent, good tasting way to obtain full spectrum nutrition on a daily basis. The micro-algaes, cereal grass juice powders, sea vegetables, enzymes, anti-oxidants, phyto-nutrients, and probiotics in Green Magic provide the nutrients your body needs to support its' natural capability for rejuvenation. Ingredients: Spirulina, Chlorella, De-oiled Lecithin, Barley and Wheat Grass Juice Powder, Kamut Grass Juice Powder, Rice Kernel Membrane, High Pectin Apple Fiber, Icelandic Kelp and Nova Scotia Dulse, Co-enzyme Q-10, Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD), Royal Jelly, Jerusalem Artichoke Flour (JAF), Lactobacillus Acidophilus Bifidus Bacterium
For a Complete description of product ingredients, information and ordering: http://www.dredd-clinic.com/
Guardian Greens is a powerful blood and brain food with phyto-nutrients targeted toward support of the immune system and its associated internal organs including, the brain, liver, kidneys, spleen, gall bladder, stomach and intestinal tract, pancreas, blood, and nerves. Ingredients: Phosphatidylserine ,Ginkgo Biloba, Spirulina, Chlorella, Dunaleilla, Alfalfa Juice Powder, Red Beet Juice Powder, Rhubarb Juice Powder, Black Currant Powder, Red Clover Tops, Parsley Greens, Dandelion Greens , Watercress Greens, Milk Thistle Powder and Burdock Root Powder. For a Complete description of product ingredients, information and ordering: http://www.dreddy-clinic.com/
ORAC - Anti-oxidant Formula - composed of all natural food concentrates - a powerful anti-oxidant formular for energy, anti-aging, and cellular protection. Oxygen Radical Absorbence Capacity (ORAC), measures the antioxidant power of foods and nutritional supplements. Use ORAC+ daily to reverse cellular damage caused by free-radicals . You can dramatically slow-down the aging process (anti-aging) by combatting free radical activity with antioxidants. ORAC+ provides powerful anti-oxidants with a biosynergistic blend of natural fruit powders, fruit extracts, polyphenol concentrates, grape, and red wine extracts. ORAC+ combats free radical activity with its anti-oxidants to slow down the body's aging process.For a Complete description of product ingredients, information and ordering: http://www.dreddy-clinic.com/
Alpha Greens - is nature's alkalizer, contains organically grown alfalfa grass juice, alfalfa leaf powder, wheat grass juice, barley grass juice, and kamut grass juice to help cleanse and detoxify the body. Alpha Greens will contribute greatly to the alkaline reserves and in helping to keep the acid/alkaline balance in the body.All our food extracts are grown organically, high in the mountains on an ancient volcanic lakebed surrounded by snow packed peaks. These farms are hundreds of miles from the nearest polluting industries. A special drying process guarantees a low temperature and gentle preservation of all phyto-nutrients.
For a Complete description of product ingredients, information and ordering: http://www.dreddy-clinic.com/
Three Treasures Teas - these traditional Chinese herbal therapeutic formulas are in the form of delicious teas that provide concentrated healing power to restore vitality and promote longevity. Common health issues are addressed by these 16 different formulas: Liver Chi, Phyto-Soy, Kidney Enhancer, Vitality, Perfect Balance, ChoLess, Longevity, Energizing, Aller-ease, Echinacea Complex, Jubilee, Memory Enhancer, Therapeutica, Meta Slim I, Meta-Slim II, and Magic Fruit. To enjoy these healthy teas, simply squeeze a dropper of tea concentrate into a glass of hot water and stir. For a Complete description of product ingredients, information and ordering: http://www.dreddy-clinic.com/ Omega-Omega - is a rich source of essential fatty acids, and particularily Omega-3, a key Essential Fatty Acid. Omega-Omega contains: organic unrefined flax oil, organic unrefined pumpkin seed oil, organic unrefined borage oil, organic flax seed powder, Evening Primrose oil, and natural mixed tocopherols.For a Complete description of product ingredients, information and ordering:
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Mistletoe Injection Linked to Tumor-Like Growth
(HealthDay News) -- Adding a new twist to the debate over the value of mistletoe as an alternative cancer treatment, British doctors are reporting the case of a patient whose consumption of an extract from the Christmas decoration led to a tumor-like growth.
An accompanying commentary suggests the case provides yet another reason to avoid using mistletoe as anything other than a holiday decoration. But an alternative medicine specialist points out that risks are inherent in conventional medicine, too.
While the plant itself is poisonous, mistletoe extracts have long been touted as an alternative cancer cure, especially in Europe and Germany. Extracts are typically given by injection and said to boost the immune system to fight tumors.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), some mistletoe studies have suggested that it has value as a cancer treatment. However, the NIH -- which has launched its own study -- said the previous research has been flawed.
In the Dec. 23-30 issue of the British Medical Journal, doctors report about the case of a 61-year-old woman who reported a tumor-like mass in her abdomen after undergoing breast cancer treatment. She had previously suffered from lymphoma.
Doctors were mystified by the mass, until the patient revealed that she had been taking under-the-skin injections of a mistletoe extract as a treatment for lymphoma.
The doctors wrote that the mass appeared to be an inflammation caused by the mistletoe treatment. The report didn't say if the woman had any further problems.
In the commentary, Dr. Edzard Ernst, of the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth and a professor of complementary medicine, wrote that mistletoe produces many other side effects, including joint pain and kidney failure.
The claim that mistletoe injections have no serious risks "is therefore misleading," wrote Ernst, who added that "the costs of regular mistletoe injections are high."
Still, it's important to put the risks into context, said Dr. Adam Perlman, executive director of the Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
"I don't think the significance of this case report should be exaggerated," he said. "There is much that we do in conventional medicine that has limited evidence and potential for harm.
The main issue here is less the risk of mistletoe and more the idea that the public needs to understand that 'alternative' medicine, in general, can have both potentially positive and negative consequences."
He added that the case points out that it's important for patients to be up front with doctors about alternative medications that they're taking.
More information
Learn more about mistletoe from the National Institutes of Health.
An accompanying commentary suggests the case provides yet another reason to avoid using mistletoe as anything other than a holiday decoration. But an alternative medicine specialist points out that risks are inherent in conventional medicine, too.
While the plant itself is poisonous, mistletoe extracts have long been touted as an alternative cancer cure, especially in Europe and Germany. Extracts are typically given by injection and said to boost the immune system to fight tumors.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), some mistletoe studies have suggested that it has value as a cancer treatment. However, the NIH -- which has launched its own study -- said the previous research has been flawed.
In the Dec. 23-30 issue of the British Medical Journal, doctors report about the case of a 61-year-old woman who reported a tumor-like mass in her abdomen after undergoing breast cancer treatment. She had previously suffered from lymphoma.
Doctors were mystified by the mass, until the patient revealed that she had been taking under-the-skin injections of a mistletoe extract as a treatment for lymphoma.
The doctors wrote that the mass appeared to be an inflammation caused by the mistletoe treatment. The report didn't say if the woman had any further problems.
In the commentary, Dr. Edzard Ernst, of the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth and a professor of complementary medicine, wrote that mistletoe produces many other side effects, including joint pain and kidney failure.
The claim that mistletoe injections have no serious risks "is therefore misleading," wrote Ernst, who added that "the costs of regular mistletoe injections are high."
Still, it's important to put the risks into context, said Dr. Adam Perlman, executive director of the Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
"I don't think the significance of this case report should be exaggerated," he said. "There is much that we do in conventional medicine that has limited evidence and potential for harm.
The main issue here is less the risk of mistletoe and more the idea that the public needs to understand that 'alternative' medicine, in general, can have both potentially positive and negative consequences."
He added that the case points out that it's important for patients to be up front with doctors about alternative medications that they're taking.
More information
Learn more about mistletoe from the National Institutes of Health.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
An End to Prostate Problems?
Breakthrough Detoxification Research Now Being Conducted
California, August 30, 2006. Prostate conditions such as prostatitis, enlarged prostate and prostate cancer are affecting men worldwide. In fact, more than 50% of all men 50 and over suffer from an enlarged prostate (Benign Prostate Hyperplasia or BPH). The problem gets worse as men age. That’s just one possible prostate condition. Another widespread affliction is prostatitis. It affects younger as well as older men.
This week, World Health Products received full Investigational Review Board (IRB) approval to conduct clinical trial on an innovative detoxifying product, Detoxamin®, in conjunction with the antibiotic, tetracycline. Pre-study trials indicate that this combination therapy will reduce or eliminate prostate problems. The study is slated to begin September 9, 2006 at the Tustin Longevity Center in Tustin, California under the direction of Rita Ellithorpe, MD, a specialist in integrative medicine.
A recent discovery has revealed a minute life form, much smaller than the smallest bacteria. It’s called nanobacteria. Many medical scientists believe these culprits cause hardening of the arteries, kidney stones and other degenerative conditions. These ultra microbes are thought to encase themselves in a shell of calcium. Researchers involved in this current study have uncovered convincing evidence pointing to nanobacteria forming calcifications or stones on the prostate. These continually growing stones are thought to cause pressure on the prostate giving rise to prostatitis and BPH. Studies suggest that calcium biofilm surrounding the nanobacteria can removed by an amino acid, EDTA, contained in a product called Detoxamin.
The nanobacteria are exposed and then destroyed by tetracycline. This one-two approach of killing the nanobacteria with tetracycline and dissolving the calcium deposits with Detoxamin is the foundation for conducting this study. There is evidence that EDTA also has beneficial results in diminishing hardening of the arteries, atherosclosis. Detoxamin also chelates or binds poisonous heavy metals within deep tissues and enables the body to easily eliminate the toxins through urine and feces. “Our clinical trial will determine if prostate calcifications will either reduce in size or be eliminated altogether. Furthermore, we will also find out if symptoms decrease or disappear,” says Larry Clapp, PhD, co-investigator and author of Prostate Health in 90 Days.
Toxic heavy metals have been implicated in many diseases of aging from Alzheimer’s, to cardiovascular disease. “I have over 500 patients with a variety of conditions in my practice that I placed on Detoxamin; the reason, because mostly everyone I have tested has a variety of heavy metal build up in their bodies. Detoxamin is a safe, effective and convenient way to remove these menacing toxins. Therefore, we eliminate the causative agents so that other therapies can work in combination and repair the damage heavy metals cause to cells, tissues and organs,” as stated by Dr. Ellithorpe, the Principle Investigator of the study. This new clinical study supports the use of combination therapy to curtail or eliminate the growing prostate problems.
California, August 30, 2006. Prostate conditions such as prostatitis, enlarged prostate and prostate cancer are affecting men worldwide. In fact, more than 50% of all men 50 and over suffer from an enlarged prostate (Benign Prostate Hyperplasia or BPH). The problem gets worse as men age. That’s just one possible prostate condition. Another widespread affliction is prostatitis. It affects younger as well as older men.
This week, World Health Products received full Investigational Review Board (IRB) approval to conduct clinical trial on an innovative detoxifying product, Detoxamin®, in conjunction with the antibiotic, tetracycline. Pre-study trials indicate that this combination therapy will reduce or eliminate prostate problems. The study is slated to begin September 9, 2006 at the Tustin Longevity Center in Tustin, California under the direction of Rita Ellithorpe, MD, a specialist in integrative medicine.
A recent discovery has revealed a minute life form, much smaller than the smallest bacteria. It’s called nanobacteria. Many medical scientists believe these culprits cause hardening of the arteries, kidney stones and other degenerative conditions. These ultra microbes are thought to encase themselves in a shell of calcium. Researchers involved in this current study have uncovered convincing evidence pointing to nanobacteria forming calcifications or stones on the prostate. These continually growing stones are thought to cause pressure on the prostate giving rise to prostatitis and BPH. Studies suggest that calcium biofilm surrounding the nanobacteria can removed by an amino acid, EDTA, contained in a product called Detoxamin.
The nanobacteria are exposed and then destroyed by tetracycline. This one-two approach of killing the nanobacteria with tetracycline and dissolving the calcium deposits with Detoxamin is the foundation for conducting this study. There is evidence that EDTA also has beneficial results in diminishing hardening of the arteries, atherosclosis. Detoxamin also chelates or binds poisonous heavy metals within deep tissues and enables the body to easily eliminate the toxins through urine and feces. “Our clinical trial will determine if prostate calcifications will either reduce in size or be eliminated altogether. Furthermore, we will also find out if symptoms decrease or disappear,” says Larry Clapp, PhD, co-investigator and author of Prostate Health in 90 Days.
Toxic heavy metals have been implicated in many diseases of aging from Alzheimer’s, to cardiovascular disease. “I have over 500 patients with a variety of conditions in my practice that I placed on Detoxamin; the reason, because mostly everyone I have tested has a variety of heavy metal build up in their bodies. Detoxamin is a safe, effective and convenient way to remove these menacing toxins. Therefore, we eliminate the causative agents so that other therapies can work in combination and repair the damage heavy metals cause to cells, tissues and organs,” as stated by Dr. Ellithorpe, the Principle Investigator of the study. This new clinical study supports the use of combination therapy to curtail or eliminate the growing prostate problems.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Many Nephrologists Unprepared to Make End-of-Life Decisions
(HealthDay News) -- More than half of nephrologists report feeling unprepared to make the decision to stop dialysis in kidney-disease patients nearing the end of their life, new research finds.In a study in the November issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, researchers from the University of Alberta, in Edmonton, Canada, and colleagues surveyed 360 American and Canadian nephrologists about their role in end-of-life decision-making.
The researchers found that 60 percent of the nephrologists reported not feeling well-prepared to withhold or withdraw dialysis in patients with kidney disease nearing the end of life.
"This is not surprising, given that end-of-life care is not well addressed in nephrology specialty training programs," Dr. Sara Davison, lead author of the study, said in a prepared statement.
The nephrologists who were more comfortable making end-of-life decisions tended to be older and more experienced than those who felt less comfortable.
Another key factor was awareness of the Renal Physicians Association and American Society of Nephrology's formal guidelines for end-of-life decision-making.
Seventy percent of nephrologists who were comfortable with end-of-life decision-making were familiar with the guidelines, compared with 53 percent of those who were less confident.
More information
The Family Caregiver Alliance has more about end-of-life decision-making.
Blood Pressure Is Focus of New Web Site
(HealthDay News) -- The NIHSeniorHealth Web site (www.NIHSeniorHealth.gov) now features updated information on high blood pressure, according to the U.S. National Institute on Aging.The new high blood pressure topic on the site contains information about the prevention, detection, and treatment of high blood pressure. The site was designed especially for older adults by the National Institute on Aging and the National Library of Medicine, which are part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
High blood pressure is often called the "silent killer" because most people are not aware they have it. But while it usually does not cause symptoms, high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart disease, kidney failure, and other health problems.
"High blood pressure is not a normal part of aging," said Dr. Elizabeth G. Nabel, director of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, which developed the content for the site.
"You can prevent high blood pressure by maintaining a healthy weight; being physically active every day; eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy foods; cutting down on salt and sodium; and drinking less alcohol" Nabel said. "If you have high blood pressure, you can lower it by making these lifestyle changes and, if needed, by taking medicine."
More information
The NIHSeniorHealth Web site has more about high blood pressure.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Be Skeptical About Alternative Therapies
A number of natural therapies are promoted as treatments for heart disease, but few have lived up to the marketing hype when put to the test in scientific studies. And because herbs and other nutritional supplements are not reviewed for purity or effectiveness by the FDA, you can’t be sure that what you’re buying is effective, or even that the bottle contains the substance on the label. If you take any herbal remedies, be sure to tell your doctor.
These preparations may hinder or exaggerate the effects of prescription drugs used to manage coronary artery disease. Indeed, people with heart disease are more vulnerable than most others to adverse drug interactions.
Antioxidant supplements Some people believe that antioxidant pills provide a way to counter the biological oxidation that activates unhealthy LDL and initiates atherosclerosis. But the research hasn’t panned out.
The American Heart Association in 2004 published an analysis of 15 large trials involving thousands of volunteers who didn’t know whether they were taking an antioxidant pill (either vitamin E or beta carotene) or a placebo. The result?
For the most part, there was no evidence that antioxidant therapies lessen the risk of developing or dying from coronary artery disease. Two studies even suggest that antioxidants might make matters worse. A 2001 study of people who had undergone angiography and had a stent inserted found that those who took antioxidant supplements were more likely to experience restenosis than those who did not — even though both groups were taking statins and niacin to prevent just this occurrence.
A 2002 study found that postmenopausal women on hormone replacement therapy who also took antioxidants were more likely to die than women taking only hormones. The research into antioxidants is continuing, but for the time being the best bet is to obtain these vitamins by eating a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Carnitine This amino acid is found in many foods, especially meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products. Carnitine works with several enzymes as a sort of cellular escort service, ferrying fats into the cell to generate energy and then hauling harmful by-products out for disposal.
Proponents of carnitine believe it can help the heart to generate energy more efficiently.
A handful of clinical trials suggest that taking carnitine supplements might have a modest benefit in treating angina, heart attack, and heart failure. At this point, carnitine is in the "promising but unproven" category. If standard treatments aren’t working to keep your chest pain, leg pain, or heart failure in check, talk to your doctor about adding this supplement to your current therapy.
Chelation therapy (chelation & detoxification) uses infusions, or slow injections, of a chemical known as EDTA. This process is sometimes used to remove toxic levels of lead, iron, or other metals from the body. (The chelated metals exit the body via the urine.) Chelation therapy has also been promoted as a way to cleanse the coronary arteries.
Proponents say a series of 30 or so intravenous infusions will dissolve cholesterol-filled plaque and offer a natural way to ease angina or avoid heart surgery. But so far the research hasn’t substantiated these claims. An analysis of 22 studies found that chelation improved neither objective measures like capacity for exercise nor more subjective outcomes like symptom relief and quality of life. Chelation can also have serious side effects, such as kidney failure, dangerous heart rhythms, and convulsions.
Many experts believe chelation therapy is worthless. Yet thousands of people are paying thousands of dollars each year to receive this treatment. The last word on the subject may arrive in 2007, when the results of a randomized study, involving 100 medical centers and sponsored by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, is completed.
Coenzyme Q10 This vitamin-like substance is found in almost every cell in the body, but it is most prevalent in tissues with high energy demands, such as the muscles or the heart. Many advocates of alternative medicine believe that it can strengthen the heartbeat by increasing the cellular fuel available to the heart muscle. And some small studies have suggested that it might help people with angina, heart failure, or other cardiovascular problems.
Other studies, however, report that coenzyme Q10 is of little benefit in these situations. For now, it appears that this supplement is safe, but there is no good evidence that it improves heart health.
Policosanol This product is marketed as a cholesterol fighter. Some small, short-term studies indicate that it lowers harmful LDL and raises helpful HDL levels about as well as a low-dose statin. It also appears to make blood platelets less sticky, thereby reducing the risk for blood clots.
However, almost all studies done on policosanol were carried out by a single research team in Cuba. And no one knows if taking this product will result in fewer heart attacks and strokes. Finally, some policosanol sold in the United States is made from beeswax, which may or may not have the same effects on cholesterol as the product used in the Cuban studies, which was derived from sugarcane wax. At this point, the better bet to control cholesterol is to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and take a statin if necessary.
From the Harvard Health Publications Special Health Report,
The Healthy Heart: Preventing, Detecting, and Treating Coronary Artery Disease.
Copyright 2005 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. I
llustrations by Harriet Greenfield, M.A., Scott Leighton, Michael Linkinhoker, and Ed Wiederer. All rights reserved. Written permission is required to reproduce, in any manner, in whole or in part, the material contained herein. To make a reprint request, contact Harvard Health Publications.
Used with permission of StayWell.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Health Highlights: May 23, 2006
Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay: NSAIDs Increase Risk of 1st Hospital Admission for Heart Failure
Commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) painkillers, such as ibuprofen, are associated with a slightly increased risk of first hospital admission for heart failure, says a study in the journal Heart.
The study of more than 228,660 patients concluded that there would be one extra first hospital admission for heart failure for every 1,000 people ages 60 to 84 who take NSAIDs, United Press International reported.
However, the researchers said this could increase to three additional cases per 1,000 among patients 70 and older who have chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney failure.
Overall, 14 percent of patients were taking NSAIDs at the time of their first hospital admission for heart failure, compared with 10 percent of a comparison group of randomly selected people. Half of those admitted to hospital were ages 70 to 79.
The data used in the study came from the General Practice Research Database, which contains the medical records of millions of patients of family doctors in Britain, UPI reported.
-----
Prince Charles, British Docs Differ Over Alternative Medicine
Just hours after a group of Britain's leading doctors and scientists urged the National Health Service (NHS) to stop paying for complementary health therapies, Prince Charles told a meeting of the World Health Organization in Geneva that alternative medicine should be given more prominence in mainstream health care.
In an open letter, the British doctors and scientists criticized public funding of "unproven or disproved treatments" such as homeopathy and reflexology at a time when large deficits are leading to the firing of nurses and to limited patient access to life-saving drugs, The Times of London reported.
They demanded that the NHS pay only for evidence-based therapies.
In his speech, the Prince of Wales said that an integrated, holistic approach was the best way to tackle chronic disease, rather than a "dangerously fragmented" approach that relies on what he referred to as a bio-physical treatment model, The Times reported.
He did note that modern medicine has served humanity well but he said excessive reliance on it had upset natural harmony.
"I believe there is now a desperately urgent need to address the fragile but vital balance between man and nature, through a more integrated approach where the best of the ancient is blended with the best of the modern, and I am convinced this is particularly vital when it comes to the collective health of people in all countries," Prince Charles told delegates from 192 nations.
-----
No Difference Between 2 Anemia Drugs for Cancer Patients: Report
There is no clinically significant difference in effectiveness between two drugs -- epoetin and darbepoetin -- used to manage anemia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment, says a report released Tuesday by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
The report said the two drugs show no difference in improving hemoglobin concentration or in reducing the need for transfusion. Both drugs do reduce the need for transfusion by about 20 percent, but there is no evidence that either drug, when added to cancer treatment, improves patient survival.
In addition, there are many unanswered questions about the safety and best use of both drugs, the report said.
"This report is a synthesis of studies performed so far regarding epoetin and darbepoetin, including unpublished findings as well as published reports," Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy, AHRQ director, said in a prepared statement.
"The authors have analyzed and weighed all of the evidence available in order to obtain the fairest possible understanding of these two alternative treatments for managing anemia in cancer patients. In addition, an important role for our comparative-effectiveness reviews is to identify research gaps where new evidence is needed. Their report finds that significant questions remain unanswered about both of these drugs," Clancy said.
-----
U.S. Soldiers With PTSD More Likely to Suffer Poor Health
A year after leaving Iraq, American combat soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are more likely to be in worse physical health, experience more pain, and are more likely to miss work than those who don't have PTSD, says a U.S. military survey of nearly 3,000 Iraq war veterans.
The survey found that about 17 percent of the respondents had PTSD symptoms and they were more likely than those without symptoms to report various kinds of pain -- from backaches to headaches -- and gastrointestinal problems such as indigestion and nausea, USA Today reported.
Anxiety may contribute to these physical symptoms, said Dr. Charles Hoge, chief of psychiatry and neuroscience at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Washington, D.C.
He also noted that nightmares, flashbacks and other symptoms of PTSD can interfere with sleep, resulting in a negative impact on health. About 50 percent of the soldiers who reported PTSD symptoms rated their health as fair to poor, compared with about 20 percent of soldiers with no PTSD symptoms, USA Today reported.
The findings were released Monday at an American Psychiatric Association meeting.
-----
FDA Approves Generic Version of Lexapro
The first generic version of Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate), one of the most popular prescription antidepressants, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The approval, announced Monday, gives permission to Ivax Corp. of Miami to market 5, 10, and 20 milligram doses of the drug for major depression, The Associated Press reported.
Ivax is part of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. of Israel.
The brand name Lexapro is made by New York-based Forest Laboratories Inc. Last year, Lexapro was the No. 2 antidepressant in the United States, with 29.6 million prescriptions filled and sales of $2.1 billion. The drug Zoloft was the leading antidepressant, the AP reported.
Last reviewed: 05/23/2006 Last updated: 05/23/2006
Commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) painkillers, such as ibuprofen, are associated with a slightly increased risk of first hospital admission for heart failure, says a study in the journal Heart.
The study of more than 228,660 patients concluded that there would be one extra first hospital admission for heart failure for every 1,000 people ages 60 to 84 who take NSAIDs, United Press International reported.
However, the researchers said this could increase to three additional cases per 1,000 among patients 70 and older who have chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney failure.
Overall, 14 percent of patients were taking NSAIDs at the time of their first hospital admission for heart failure, compared with 10 percent of a comparison group of randomly selected people. Half of those admitted to hospital were ages 70 to 79.
The data used in the study came from the General Practice Research Database, which contains the medical records of millions of patients of family doctors in Britain, UPI reported.
-----
Prince Charles, British Docs Differ Over Alternative Medicine
Just hours after a group of Britain's leading doctors and scientists urged the National Health Service (NHS) to stop paying for complementary health therapies, Prince Charles told a meeting of the World Health Organization in Geneva that alternative medicine should be given more prominence in mainstream health care.
In an open letter, the British doctors and scientists criticized public funding of "unproven or disproved treatments" such as homeopathy and reflexology at a time when large deficits are leading to the firing of nurses and to limited patient access to life-saving drugs, The Times of London reported.
They demanded that the NHS pay only for evidence-based therapies.
In his speech, the Prince of Wales said that an integrated, holistic approach was the best way to tackle chronic disease, rather than a "dangerously fragmented" approach that relies on what he referred to as a bio-physical treatment model, The Times reported.
He did note that modern medicine has served humanity well but he said excessive reliance on it had upset natural harmony.
"I believe there is now a desperately urgent need to address the fragile but vital balance between man and nature, through a more integrated approach where the best of the ancient is blended with the best of the modern, and I am convinced this is particularly vital when it comes to the collective health of people in all countries," Prince Charles told delegates from 192 nations.
-----
No Difference Between 2 Anemia Drugs for Cancer Patients: Report
There is no clinically significant difference in effectiveness between two drugs -- epoetin and darbepoetin -- used to manage anemia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment, says a report released Tuesday by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
The report said the two drugs show no difference in improving hemoglobin concentration or in reducing the need for transfusion. Both drugs do reduce the need for transfusion by about 20 percent, but there is no evidence that either drug, when added to cancer treatment, improves patient survival.
In addition, there are many unanswered questions about the safety and best use of both drugs, the report said.
"This report is a synthesis of studies performed so far regarding epoetin and darbepoetin, including unpublished findings as well as published reports," Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy, AHRQ director, said in a prepared statement.
"The authors have analyzed and weighed all of the evidence available in order to obtain the fairest possible understanding of these two alternative treatments for managing anemia in cancer patients. In addition, an important role for our comparative-effectiveness reviews is to identify research gaps where new evidence is needed. Their report finds that significant questions remain unanswered about both of these drugs," Clancy said.
-----
U.S. Soldiers With PTSD More Likely to Suffer Poor Health
A year after leaving Iraq, American combat soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are more likely to be in worse physical health, experience more pain, and are more likely to miss work than those who don't have PTSD, says a U.S. military survey of nearly 3,000 Iraq war veterans.
The survey found that about 17 percent of the respondents had PTSD symptoms and they were more likely than those without symptoms to report various kinds of pain -- from backaches to headaches -- and gastrointestinal problems such as indigestion and nausea, USA Today reported.
Anxiety may contribute to these physical symptoms, said Dr. Charles Hoge, chief of psychiatry and neuroscience at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Washington, D.C.
He also noted that nightmares, flashbacks and other symptoms of PTSD can interfere with sleep, resulting in a negative impact on health. About 50 percent of the soldiers who reported PTSD symptoms rated their health as fair to poor, compared with about 20 percent of soldiers with no PTSD symptoms, USA Today reported.
The findings were released Monday at an American Psychiatric Association meeting.
-----
FDA Approves Generic Version of Lexapro
The first generic version of Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate), one of the most popular prescription antidepressants, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The approval, announced Monday, gives permission to Ivax Corp. of Miami to market 5, 10, and 20 milligram doses of the drug for major depression, The Associated Press reported.
Ivax is part of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. of Israel.
The brand name Lexapro is made by New York-based Forest Laboratories Inc. Last year, Lexapro was the No. 2 antidepressant in the United States, with 29.6 million prescriptions filled and sales of $2.1 billion. The drug Zoloft was the leading antidepressant, the AP reported.
Last reviewed: 05/23/2006 Last updated: 05/23/2006
Monday, July 10, 2006
Inner Body Cleansing: Liver cleanse gallbladder cleanse bowel cleanse intestinal:
Inner Body Cleansing: Liver cleanse gallbladder cleanse bowel cleanse intestinal:"Inner-Body Cleansing Protocol”
Detox Protocol
'The significant problems we face cannot be solvedat the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.'
Albert Einstein
Full Inner-Body Cleansing Protocol:
Step 1 (Must)
Improved Diet
Parasites cleanse
Bowel cleanse
Step 2 (optional or must)
Dental cleanup
Kidney cleanse
Step3 (must)
Liver Cleanse and Gallbladder Cleanse - Liver flush!
Improved Diet
In which order am I suppose to do cleansing?
First you do Step1 for a few days or weeks, then, if you need a Step 2, you do that, or if not, you jump immediately to step 3: Liver flush.
Some people prefer to start with liver flush first, and for many average healthy people that could be just fine. But, people who have serious or chronic health problems often achieve better results when doing things Step by Step, 1 -2 - 3.
Step 1: Improved Diet & Parasites cleanse & Bowel cleanse are to start with ... almost always! as that is you insurance that cleansing will go without possible problems/reactions ... all 3 things (#1) can be done at the same time or separate, while always making sure your diet is free from foods that kill! Some people prefer to start with Liver flush, and for about 50 - 60 % of people, that seems to be OK. But, some people do need to cleanse parasites and bowel first.
Step 2: Dental cleanup is something that you are supposed to do if you are sensitive to amalgam and you still have amalgam fillings inside your mouth, or if you have root canals, or if you have cavitations as a source of infection. Read more about toxic teeth / tooth infections. And, there is one more important factor: you will need money ($$$)
The Doctors does not recommend oral Chelation as a substitute for intravenous Chelation therapy
The Doctors does not recommend oral Chelation as a substitute for intravenous Chelation therapy, however."There is a significant difference in both the rapidity and degree of benefits achieved with intravenous Chelation over any currently available oral Chelation agents," he says. "And the intravenous approach is clearly the proper choice for patients who have only a few months to get well before facing surgery r worse."
But for patients whose conditions are not as drastic, as well as for those who want to optimally safeguard themselves against free radicals and plaque buildup, our Doctors views oral Chelation as an effective, noninvasive, inexpensive choice. For many patients, memory, sight, hearing, and sense of smell improved, and most reported increased vigor.
Does it hurt?
No, it is painless. The patient reclines comfortably and is give an intravenous solution of EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) with vitamins and minerals.
Is it safe?
Yes of course. The Doctor recommends regular exercise, proper diet, tailored vitamin and nutritional supplements before starting treatments. Our Doctors discourages smoking and moderate alcohol consumption. Tests to be taken before, during, and after Chelation: Pulse, Blood pressure, Blood sugar, Kidney and organ function, Tissue minerals, if indicated.
How long does it take?
For optimal results, twenty to thirty treatments at an average of one to three per week, taking approximately three and a half hours per session.
more information about Chelation.
more discussion: Forum
· Addiction Forum · Ask the Doctors Forum · Ayurveda Forum · Ayurvedic & Thai Herbs Forum · Colon Cleansing Forum · Dental Forum · Diabetes Forum · Diet Forum · General Cleansing Forum · Hepatitis A, B. C Forum · Integrated Medicine Forum · Live Blood Analysis Forum · Ozone-Oxygen-Forum · pH - Alkaline - Acidity Forum · Weight Loss Forum
What is Chelation Therapy?
Chelation therapy is a safe and effective method for drawing toxins and metabolic wastes from the bloodstream. Chelation (pronounced key-lay-shun) (chelation & detoxification) is a chemical reaction that results in a bond being formed between a metal ion and an organic (i.e., carbon-based - made mostly of carbon) molecule.The resulting complex, metal bound to molecule, is called a "chelate" and contains one or more rings of atoms in which the metal ion is so firmly bound it cannot escape. This allows the metal ion to be transported in the same manner as a prisoner, first handcuffed, then moved from one location to another. The agent used is ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid, also known as "EDTA," sold commercially as Sodium Edetate.
EDTA is a synthetic amino acid. The usual dose is 2000-3000 mg. (adjusted to body weight, age, and kidney function) added to 500 ml. of "carrier solution" - sterile water with a mixture of vitamins and minerals. Most chelation doctors add vitamin C along with B vitamins, bicarbonate and magnesium.
The solution is infused slowly, one drop per second, and one treatment requires about three hours. The prisoner (calcium) is moved out of the body using handcuffs (EDTA). The half life of EDTA in the body is one hour; i.e., one-half is removed (filtered into the urine) after one hour, another half of what is left is removed after one more hour, etc. Within 24 hours 99% of the EDTA is gone from the body, and you are left with only the therapeutic benefit.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
What Are The Health Benefits Of Fiber?
Provided by:
Fiber is helpful to the body in many ways:
Relieving constipation and hemorrhoids
Preventing certain diseases Keeping weight under control Avoiding And Relieving Constipation
Fiber can absorb large amounts of water in the bowels, and this makes stools softer and easier to pass. Anyone starting a higher-fiber diet will notice the difference in stool bulk.
Constipation can have other causes, however, so you should consult your doctor if it is not relieved by increased fiber.
Nice To Know:
On average, it takes 39 hours in women and 31 hours in men for food to pass through the colon and out of the body. This time varies a lot from person to person, depending on personality, state of mind, and fiber intake. Usually, the effect of fiber is to speed up this process.
Preventing Certain Diseases
Getting enough fiber in the diet can lower the risk of developing certain conditions:
Heart disease. Evidence is now growing to support the notion that foods containing soluble fiber (such as oats, rye barley, and beans) can have a positive influence on cholesterol, triglycerides, and other particles in the blood that affect the development of heart disease. Some fruits and vegetables (such as citrus fruits and carrots) have been shown to have the same effect.
However, fiber can be a useful aid in reducing calorie intake.
Fiber is helpful to the body in many ways:
Relieving constipation and hemorrhoids
Fiber can absorb large amounts of water in the bowels, and this makes stools softer and easier to pass. Anyone starting a higher-fiber diet will notice the difference in stool bulk.
- In almost all cases, increasing fiber in the diet will relieve constipation within hours or days.
- Because stools are easier to pass, less straining is necessary, and this can help relieve hemorrhoids.
Constipation can have other causes, however, so you should consult your doctor if it is not relieved by increased fiber.
Nice To Know:
On average, it takes 39 hours in women and 31 hours in men for food to pass through the colon and out of the body. This time varies a lot from person to person, depending on personality, state of mind, and fiber intake. Usually, the effect of fiber is to speed up this process.
Preventing Certain Diseases
Getting enough fiber in the diet can lower the risk of developing certain conditions:
Heart disease. Evidence is now growing to support the notion that foods containing soluble fiber (such as oats, rye barley, and beans) can have a positive influence on cholesterol, triglycerides, and other particles in the blood that affect the development of heart disease. Some fruits and vegetables (such as citrus fruits and carrots) have been shown to have the same effect.
- Cancer. The passage of food through the body is speeded up when fiber is eaten. Some experts believe this may prevent harmful substances found in some foods from affecting the colon and may protect against colon cancer. (However, a recent study conducted by Harvard University concluded that eating high-fiber food did not appear to protect people from colon cancer.) Other types of cancer that are linked with overnutrition and may be prevented by a fiber-rich diet include breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer.
- Diabetes. Adding fiber to the diet helps regulate blood sugar levels, which is important in avoiding diabetes. In addition, some people with diabetes can achieve a significant reduction in their blood sugar levels and may find they can reduce their medication.
Diverticular disease. Diverticular disease is a condition in which small pouches, called diverticula, develop in the wall of the colon. In a small percentage of people, these diverticula become inflamed or infected, a condition known as diverticulitis. Diverticular disease can cause pain, diarrhea, constipation, and other problems. - Gallstones and kidney stones. Rapid digestion leads to a rapid release of glucose (sugar) into the bloodstream. To cope with this, the body has to release large amounts of insulin into the bloodstream, and this can make a person more likely to develop gallstones and kidney stones (in addition to diabetes and high cholesterol).
Keeping Weight Under Control
Foods containing plenty of fiber have more bulk than low-fiber foods. If taken in the right form at the right time and at sufficient quantities, fiber can sometimes slow the onset of hunger.
Nice To Know:
To help control your weight with fiber:
·Always try to take fiber in the natural form. For example, instead of sprinkling bran over your food, choose foods naturally high in fiber.
·Avoid foods that have been made easier to eat and digest by removal of fiber, especially sugars (including fruit juices).
·Choose foods that satisfy hunger without providing many calories, mainly vegetables and most fruits, which are rich in fiber.
Need To Know:
Some individuals claim that fiber alone can cause weight loss without the need to diet. But in fact, the only effective and safe way to lose weight is to:
- Reduce calorie intake to a safe level
- Get enough exercise to burn off excess calories
However, fiber can be a useful aid in reducing calorie intake.
Ten Super Secrets For Weight Loss$9.95  Learn the TOP SECRET Ten Super Secrets for Weight Loss |
Weight Loss Plan Kit$172.80 Includes: Oxy-Powder, Slimirex (180 Count), Weight Loss Secrets Revealed, Ten Super Secrets for Weight Loss |
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Is Mineral Water Bad for You?
Is Mineral Water Bad for You? Provided by: DrWeil.com
Q: I just love drinking mineral water. I can't seem to get enough of it. I usually drink San Pellegrino water. Is there a health risk in drinking mineral water? If not, is it healthy for you? -- Adam
A: Mineral water is an excellent drink. There's even evidence to suggest that mineral water is beneficial to health, although the body probably doesn't absorb many minerals from it. My only caution is that some mineral waters are high in sodium and should be avoided by people who have high blood pressure.
If you enjoy drinking mineral water, there's no reason to stop. The standard recommendation is to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water or water-based beverages a day, more when you exercise. Try to drink as much as you can and more than you think you need. Always drink more if you are perspiring a lot, which increases water loss.
It is possible to drink too much water. A condition called water intoxication or hyponatremia sometimes affects marathon runners or cyclists who consume large amounts of water over the course of a race. This increases blood plasma (the liquid part of blood) and dilutes the salt content of the blood at the same time that people are losing salt by sweating. The reduced availability of salt to body tissues can interfere with brain, heart, and muscle function.
If you're drinking lots of water because of excessive thirst, see your physician. Excessive thirst can be a sign of diabetes.
Andrew Weil, M.D. –Author of:
Eight Weeks to Optimum Health
Spontaneous Healing
The Natural Mind
The Marriage of the Sun and Moon
Health and Healing
Natural Health, Natural Medicine
From Chocolate to Morphine (with Winifred Rosen)
more:
Ayurvedic Medicine
Ozone Oxygen Therapy
Disease & Conditions
Colon Hydrotherapy
Diet Programs
Parasites Programs
Detoxification Program
Liver Cleansing
Liver Flush
Kidney Cleansing
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Dr. Group's Secret to Health Kit$39.94 Dr. Group's Secret to Health Kit offers simple at-home solutions for cleansing internally and externally thereby reducing toxins, restoring the body's natural healing process, and helping you achieve true health and happiness. |