Category Archives: Misc.

Some health advice many of us believe to be true are actually myths. The media can also contribute to health myths by circulating conflicting and misleading health information. Finding out the truth can be difficult with all the hype. To … Continue reading →

A new study published in Diabetes Care may be a bit discriminatory towards short people. The study found that short stature, and in particular short legs, may predispose a person for Type 2 Diabetes. The study, which was conducted at … Continue reading →

Proper oral hygeine and maintenance cannot be undervalued, especially when considering results of a Japanese study reported on at the recent General Session of the International Association for Dental Research. The focus of the study was cost anaylsis for dental … Continue reading →

For many, owning a pet offers comfort and companionship. But living with pets can provide other social, psychological, and physiological benefits. Now studies report that owning a pet can help relieve depression, lessen anxiety and lower blood pressure. In one study, … Continue reading →

The US military has conducted postdeployment mental health screening, including the use of mental health services, among veterans who returned from Iraq, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Kosovo and other locations. Now research reports that about a third of all soldiers returning from … Continue reading →

Repetitive strain injury (RSI), also called repetitive stress injury, is a group of conditions resulting from overuse. The condition affects muscle, nerves, ligaments, tendons and blood flow, mostly in the arms and upper back. These tissues can be damaged, but … Continue reading →

Laparoscopic surgery, also known as minimally intrusive surgery, is commonly performed in many parts of the body, including the appendix, gall bladder and knee joint. The surgery is performed by inserting a miniaturized video camera in a tiny incision, with … Continue reading →

The field of genetically modified organism (GMO) research is booming. Now new evidence may have found a potential cancer fighting gene in a fruit. The gene was originally saught after to reduce the number of fruits produced on a tree, … Continue reading →

Americans are becoming more isolated even though living spaces are becoming smaller and the population continues to grow. How is it that the number of people in our close social circle is declining even though we are constantly in communication … Continue reading →

Meditation is often used in hospitals and academic medical centers for the treatment of a range of chronic diseases. Now, for the first time, research reports that meditation can boost immunity.
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On November 12, 2005, the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual and political leader of Tibet, spoke to neuroscientists at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in Washington, DC. He urged the scientists to continue research on meditation and how it affects brain activity. One of the studies presented at the meeting reported that meditation boosts mental performance.
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New information published in the journal Pharmocogenomics, April 2006, provides evidence that the likelihood one may develop Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may be dictated their genes.
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Until now, the hormones ghrelin, leptin and melanocortin were the known pathways that regulated appetite and body weight. Now research reports the discovery of obestatin, a new stomach hormone that may suppresses appetite and slows digestion.
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Most people are aware that mercury is a toxic substance. Specifically mercury attacks cells in the brain and gastrointestinal tract. We are cautioned to avoid eating high amounts of fish (especially tuna) that may be high in mercury. As well … Continue reading →

Statistics show that African Americans are disproportionately affected by cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, about 138,000 African Americans were diagnosed with cancer in 2005. African American (AA) men have a 20 percent higher rate of cancer and 40 … Continue reading →

The debate over adding fluoride to drinking water wages on. The earliest reports on the safety of fluoridated water found no apparent cancer risk, however much of the information began to shift in June of 2005.
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A ‘toxic’ friend is a trendy term describing a negative or destructive friend who causes problems in a friendship, such as betrayal or emotional distress. A healthy friendship requires balance, where both people’s needs are met. A toxic friendship is … Continue reading →

Food and beverage marketers are seeking healthier images to attract nutrition-conscious consumers. They are changing the marketing pitches of their highly processed products to get a share of the $44 billion a year natural and organic food business. According to … Continue reading →

Low calcium levels can cause an increase in parathyroid hormone levels, which has been associated with weight gain. Now research reports that low serum levels of vitamin D is associated with increased total body fat.
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Leptin is a hormone that helps regulate weight and appetite. Now, research reports that the administration of leptin to people who recently lost weight restored leptin to levels prior to weight loss and helped maintain weight loss.
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Waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and body mass index (BMI) mesurements are used as indicators of obesity and diabetes. Now research reports that abdominal obesity (reflected by WC) better predicts the risk of diabetes than overall obesity (reflected by BMI).
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An article published in the popular Consumer Reports magazine finds that ionizing air cleaners can expose the lungs to potentially harmful ozone levels.
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Previous studies have suggested that music may ease nonsurgical and postsurgery pain. Now a review reports that patients who listen to music after surgery may experience less pain and require less pain medicine. However, it is unclear if music helps relieve nonsurgical pain.
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Some states have passed legislation making smoked marijuana available for treating various medical conditions upon a doctor’s recommendation, although it is not an approved drug. Various studies suggest that marijuana has potential therapeutic value for pain relief, control of nausea and vomiting, and appetite stimulation. Now an Inter-Agency Advisory states that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Office of National Drug Control Policy continue to oppose the medical use of marijuana.
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A new study shows that people who use cell phones experience more distress and decreased family satisfaction.
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Because of the alarming differences of obesity and diabetes rates between African Americans and Caucasians, researchers set out to determine if in fact this is due to the degree of adipose tissue.
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In the last decade recent research has declared that a particular type of saturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, are worse for our health. Saturated fatty acids contribute to high cholesterol and heart disease as well as obesity. Trans fatty … Continue reading →

A recently published research study revealed a slightly higher incidence of major birth defects in babies conceived using In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) compared to natural conception.
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An article published in the Journal of Nutrition (2003;133(11):3778S-3784S) discussed how Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) can help prevent and treat cancer and improve the quality of life for patients.
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Biotin is a B vitamin that aids in cell growth, metabolism of macronutrients and other B vitamins, and is required for production of fatty acids. A somewhat rare inherited disorder of biotin metabolism, biotinidase deficiency has been linked to alopecia … Continue reading →

An article published in Archives of Dermatology (1998;134(11):1349-1352) showed that treatment with topical applications of essential oils may be a safe and effective treatment for patients with alopecia areata.
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Studies show that chronic sleep loss can significantly affect your health, safety, work performance, and quality of life. In fact, research reports that chronic oversleeping can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and the risk of death.
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Current research indicates that 61 percent of type 2 diabetics may have vitamin D deficiency.
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Healthy, natural, and special meal choices (including vegetarian or vegan, kosher, low cholesterol, and low sugar) are starting to appear in some airline in-flight meals. Now a review by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) rates the top airlines for the availability of healthy entrees.
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Sleep researchers have reported that sleep eating may be a side effect of the popular sleep drug, Ambien.
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Americans are becoming more and more overweight. This despite the trend towards health and wellness. The latest statistics on obesity and overweight adults and children was published in March 2006. These results can construed as quite alarming.
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UK and Australian researchers at the University of Dundee in Dundee, UK, conducted a 30-minute telephone loneliness survey of 1,289 participants in Australia, aged 18 and older. They found that over 35 percent of adults are lonely.
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The Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) published three case reports this month documenting the efficacy of using intravenous (IV) Vitamin C in patients with invasive or late stage cancer. The case reports are supported by the National Institutes for Health (NIH), the leader for cutting edge research and information about disease.
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The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a report this April that documented low folate status in chronic smokers. The low folate status may make them more susceptible to cancer.
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Current research reports that patients with severe RA have a 62 percent higher risk of developing lymphoma than those with mild RA.
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A study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (2005;294:2720-2725) reviews all reports of adverse effects from the intranasal flu vaccine received at the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), jointly operated by the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Amazingly, laboratory measurements and computerized imaging are not the only means of early cancer detection. New research shows that dogs can be trained to detect early and late stage lung and breast cancer by sniffing the breath of these patients. … Continue reading →

A study just published in the journal Endocrinology (December 2005) reveals that a chemical used in products like food cans, linings of milk containers and water pipes can disrupt processes in the developing brain.
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Researchers at Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) explored the mind body connection in senior citizens. They wanted to determine if the practice of yoga, which combines physical activity with meditation, could affect cognitive function.
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According to the National Sleep Foundation, insufficient sleep is common in the US, with many Americans getting considerably less than the recommended eight hours of sleep a night. Previous studies suggest that chronic sleep loss triggers appetite-regulating hormones, lowering the … Continue reading →

The Journal of Pediatrics recently published as study from Children’s Hospital in Pittsburg that examined the efficacy of using BMI versus waist circumference in predicting total fat, and therefore incidence of diabetes and insulin resistance.
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Researchers from Austin Texas tested the effectiveness of zinc gluconate delivered in nasal spray. They postulated that delivery of the zinc to the primary mucous secreting cells in the nose might be able to reduce symptoms and duration quicker than lozenges.
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A substance produced by sunflowers referred to as DCQA (dicaffeoyl quinic acid) is one of the only known inhibitors of an enzyme the HIV virus uses to replicate.
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U.S. drugmaker Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals Inc, manufacturer of Darvon and Darvocet prescription pain medications, has voluntarily pulled Darvon and Darvocet off the market. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has requested that drugmakers stop marketing drugs containing propoxyphene (trade name … Continue reading →

In an article published in the American Journal of the American Medical Association 2005;294:1903-1908) researchers reviewed the rate of all cause psotsurgical death among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing bariatric surgery.
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The U.S. unemployment rate has hovered for months between 9.5 and 10 percent. The historically high jobless rate and prolonged econcomic recession has created dire financial problems for many Americans. Now research reports that job loss also increases the risk … Continue reading →

A study recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005;82(4):857-865) showed that certain vitamin supplements can protect against wasting in women infected with HIV.
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Researchers examined whether there was any association between serum levels of vitamin D and gingival inflammation.
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A recent in vitro study of the chemoprotective effects of aloe was published in November, 2005. The study focused on the negative effects polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have on genetic material.
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In the study 186 patients receiving routine laparoscopic gall bladder removal surgery were randomized to receive capsaicin ointment or placebo ointment applied bilaterally to the K-D2 (P-6) acupressure point one hour before the surgery. Post operative nausea and vomiting was assessed at 6 and 24 hours.
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A study published in October 2005 documented the effects that a therapeutic back massage has on reliving stress and lowering blood pressure. The preliminary study tested the theory that the relaxation response exhibited by massage can lower blood pressure, especially when it is elevated as a stress response.
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Researchers at the VA Medical Center in the Bronx, New York conducted a study to determine the effect of two Vitamin D therapy protocols on Vitamin D levels in a small cohort of patients with chronic spinal cord injury.
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Researchers in Italy and the United States set out to determine the relationship between homocysteine levels and inflammatory markers independent of vitamin and nutritional status (to determine if inflammation alone could elevate homocysteine levels).
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A study from Hong Kong at the Queen Mary Hospital investigated the effects of Ganoderma lucidum on hemostasis, as concern had been raised that cancer patients taking Reishi for its anti-cancer and immune stimulating effects may be at increased risk for hemorrhage during or after surgery.
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Eastern practitioners have used safflower plant extracts as an analgesic for many years. The Integrative Medicine journal recently published the results of an open label trial of Safflower plant extract for pain relief.
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Sleep experts recommend that adults should get 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night for good health and optimum performance, yet many get considerably less.  Chronic insomnia is linked with accelerated aging and age-related diseases. Now research reports that … Continue reading →

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2004;79(3):372-378) demonstrated that an population of obesity-prone individuals preferred sweet and creamy foods less than the non-obese group, but any elevated response was later correlated to weight gain.
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Fibromyalgia syndrome is characterized by persistent fatigue, pain and tender points in the muscles and soft tissue. Other common symptoms include cognitive or memory problems, sleep disturbances, and irritable bowel syndrome. The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. Now research reports … Continue reading →

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that consumers should stop using certain infant and children’s Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl products. Johnson & Johnson McNeill Consumer Healthcare division in consultation with the FDA voluntarily recalled the products when … Continue reading →