I am tired, I am busy, it hurts, I don't like it, it's raining, it's hot, I don't want to be a hard body, I don't have the right shoes, I walk all day at work, my weight is fine, I have to help the kids with homework, someone has to make supper... etc etc etc
I have absolutely no trouble making time for my daily exercise. I have time or stress challenges on occasion but exercise is no longer something I waffle or bargain. I have been at this regularly for ten years, after fits and starts in my teens and 20s. I now have the benefit of a learned behavior that is embedded in my psyche. There is no struggle with regard to convincing myself of the benefits – I know them, my learning curve has long since been mastered. I no longer need to approach a workout with blind faith that it will make me feel better. I don’t have to take any one’s word for it, now. So what happened? How did I get here? How do you get here?
You may start by faking it – Fake It til You Make It. Trust all the evidence around you – scientific and anecdotal. You can also remind yourself of these things –
If you do not exercise you will feel just like you did before – lethargic and unhealthy.
People seldom regret the exercise they DID (only that which they didn’t) –thanks JB
It must be a priority. Set clothes and any equipment you need or want (IPOD) out the night before – try mornings to beat things like weather, work, kids etc OR put all stuff in the car and exercise BEFORE you go home if you prefer evenings. (include your pre workout snack and your water in the things to get together)
It does take some time to get used to this, but the health benefits are just unparalleled and include physical as well as mental improvement. This is up to you and under your control. Good health does not happen by accident. Sure, some people have incredible resilience to lifestyle missteps, but you probably don’t. You must own this – your body – your health. All the incentives and motivational prompts will be wasted if you do not act…
Showing posts with label disease prevention - wellness- deirdre dingman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disease prevention - wellness- deirdre dingman. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
Cookies and Milk
Yes - I said cookies and milk - such a shock you had to read the post eh?
It is hard to believe that the Got Milk campaign has been in place for about 17 years now. It is certainly one of the most recognized promotions. Sometimes we forget that it is really a commercial intended to get people to spend money. That is right. It is not really a health campaign. Dairy products have a place in our diet and calcium is a nutrient that we need in order to keep our bones strong, however, milk is not the only source of calcium. Milk can be high in fat and calories, so fat free is the best choice. I am not anti milk and do have a cup of skim a day, along with cheese and yogurt on many days – but again, the fat free versions.
Now I have something to tell you about the next move by the National Milk Processors and I don’t want you to get upset with me. The group is teaming up with Nabisco to have a little contest. This is going to be a Got Milk and Cookies contest. I do think it is cute and I think you could be on TV or something if you win – but you have to sign up on Facebook. However… because I am Deirdre and I write this blog with all of my opinions unfiltered, radical as they may be – I have to say this. With a national obesity crisis that has our health and nutrition experts, the First Lady, a former US president AND a former US governor calling for moderation of sweets and an increase in fruits and vegetables – isn’t this kind of um…. reckless?
It is hard to believe that the Got Milk campaign has been in place for about 17 years now. It is certainly one of the most recognized promotions. Sometimes we forget that it is really a commercial intended to get people to spend money. That is right. It is not really a health campaign. Dairy products have a place in our diet and calcium is a nutrient that we need in order to keep our bones strong, however, milk is not the only source of calcium. Milk can be high in fat and calories, so fat free is the best choice. I am not anti milk and do have a cup of skim a day, along with cheese and yogurt on many days – but again, the fat free versions.
Now I have something to tell you about the next move by the National Milk Processors and I don’t want you to get upset with me. The group is teaming up with Nabisco to have a little contest. This is going to be a Got Milk and Cookies contest. I do think it is cute and I think you could be on TV or something if you win – but you have to sign up on Facebook. However… because I am Deirdre and I write this blog with all of my opinions unfiltered, radical as they may be – I have to say this. With a national obesity crisis that has our health and nutrition experts, the First Lady, a former US president AND a former US governor calling for moderation of sweets and an increase in fruits and vegetables – isn’t this kind of um…. reckless?
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Odds and Ends
Next week a guest will share her odds and ends in an entertaining tongue and cheek about yours truly - do come back for that one... until then, it's me again with notes from the week past...
Holistic Pet Food: I saw a sign directing consumers to a store which sold holistic pet food. This made me wonder what they might be selling at this store. Holistic? As in natural? So live or dead mice for cats and what, squirrels and road kill for dogs? I can’t imagine any food in a can or bag being holistic for an animal. Hey wait, WE are animals, hmmm... that's something to ponder.
Cialis: Recently I viewed a full page color ad in the Wall St Journal for this medication that for men who have medically related impotence or erectile dysfunction. I thought to myself WOW, I wonder how much that cost… the ad. I found the answer in this brochure, so you can fact check me – but it cost over 300,000 dollars!
Food Company Strategy: This was a little disconcerting. Certain food companies are marketing to developing and even underdeveloped countries with products that are sold cheaply – in very small packages. In other words, people who make just dollars a day cannot afford the same snack items that say Western countries enjoy – but can buy a ten cent (monetary equivalent) tube of yogurt. The product I read about came in 50 gram pouches and is called Dolima. I also read that in some markets the people did not like a similar product and so the makers of it added SUGAR. Oh yeah, lets make sure that even before the country obtains a middle class it is primed for an increase in diabetes cases so that we can then sell them blood glucose medications. The Dolima product is made by Danone – maker of Activia. I searched for it so I could look up the nutrition info, but could not find it. I do have my suspicions.
Colon Health: Ah, I do not remember what the product was now, but a commercial for a supplement was touting the item for Colon Health and maybe that was the name of it. A pill that had some probiotic properties and included fiber. I will tell you this because I studied it. Colon cancer is related to lifestyle and to prevent it, one is best advised to eat a plant based diet, high in fruits, vegetables and fiber and to reduce the consumption of red and processed meat. No where in the research does it say that one should take this supplement or any probiotic or fiber supplement. Also, a fecal blood test is recommended.
Shakle or Is it Shakee- I thought that the Saturday Night Live skit that had dumb bells that vibrated was a JOKE. My friends said that the product was real but I did not believe it until I saw it for myself on TV. I just , I just do not have WORDs. Lift weights okay. Slow, steady and controlled. If you buy those weights I will know and make fun of you. (when you want results and hear the words EASY – you will not get results. The ad for this stupid product of the day says that it is an Easy Six Minute Workout. Guess what you will get for that? The results of a six minute workout.)
Wasteful: I wish I could say that I am surprised that millions of dollars worth of the swine flu vaccine are going to be destroyed. They were not used. They were not needed. They are expired. I am not surprised.
Holistic Pet Food: I saw a sign directing consumers to a store which sold holistic pet food. This made me wonder what they might be selling at this store. Holistic? As in natural? So live or dead mice for cats and what, squirrels and road kill for dogs? I can’t imagine any food in a can or bag being holistic for an animal. Hey wait, WE are animals, hmmm... that's something to ponder.
Cialis: Recently I viewed a full page color ad in the Wall St Journal for this medication that for men who have medically related impotence or erectile dysfunction. I thought to myself WOW, I wonder how much that cost… the ad. I found the answer in this brochure, so you can fact check me – but it cost over 300,000 dollars!
Food Company Strategy: This was a little disconcerting. Certain food companies are marketing to developing and even underdeveloped countries with products that are sold cheaply – in very small packages. In other words, people who make just dollars a day cannot afford the same snack items that say Western countries enjoy – but can buy a ten cent (monetary equivalent) tube of yogurt. The product I read about came in 50 gram pouches and is called Dolima. I also read that in some markets the people did not like a similar product and so the makers of it added SUGAR. Oh yeah, lets make sure that even before the country obtains a middle class it is primed for an increase in diabetes cases so that we can then sell them blood glucose medications. The Dolima product is made by Danone – maker of Activia. I searched for it so I could look up the nutrition info, but could not find it. I do have my suspicions.
Colon Health: Ah, I do not remember what the product was now, but a commercial for a supplement was touting the item for Colon Health and maybe that was the name of it. A pill that had some probiotic properties and included fiber. I will tell you this because I studied it. Colon cancer is related to lifestyle and to prevent it, one is best advised to eat a plant based diet, high in fruits, vegetables and fiber and to reduce the consumption of red and processed meat. No where in the research does it say that one should take this supplement or any probiotic or fiber supplement. Also, a fecal blood test is recommended.
Shakle or Is it Shakee- I thought that the Saturday Night Live skit that had dumb bells that vibrated was a JOKE. My friends said that the product was real but I did not believe it until I saw it for myself on TV. I just , I just do not have WORDs. Lift weights okay. Slow, steady and controlled. If you buy those weights I will know and make fun of you. (when you want results and hear the words EASY – you will not get results. The ad for this stupid product of the day says that it is an Easy Six Minute Workout. Guess what you will get for that? The results of a six minute workout.)
Wasteful: I wish I could say that I am surprised that millions of dollars worth of the swine flu vaccine are going to be destroyed. They were not used. They were not needed. They are expired. I am not surprised.
Monday, May 31, 2010
COPD lite
My first intention for tonight, as I mentioned last night, was to repost my Saturday COPD post. However, I had an encounter with an accidental editor - my Mom. Yesterday she mentioned that she read my blog - "long - boy that was long - it just went on and on, I finally gave up." OUCH. I said that yes it was and I knew it was, but I had read over 100 pages of stuff so I had to get it out there. Then I asked Mom a few carefully worded questions to see if my main points were absorbed, and ah - NO, they were not. This is, of course, a reflection of the writer, not the reader - so that being said - please DO read the whole post if this is an issue that you may be at risk for, know someone who may be at risk for it, or have an educational role in your life. Otherwise - my main points are:
COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. This condition is usually found after a person has entered a more serious stage. Signs at the time will be shortness of breath, especially with activity and sometimes a chronic cough. Anytime you have cough with phlegm, sputum, gook - see a doctor. It could be acute bronchitis - or chronic. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are considered to be COPD.
A person with COPD has trouble breathing and this difficulty is not completely resolved with a medicine called a bronchodilator. COPD can lead to significant lung changes - scarring, swelling, mucus entrapment, inflammation, destruction, increased volume and collapse.
The risk factors, in order of most causes to least:
tobacco smoke
indoor air pollution from heating or cooking with biomass fuels -
coal, straw, dung, wood
work related chemical and gas exposures
infections - esp from the adenoids
gender can play a role as well
genes
All of us lose some amount of lung function over time - we have a lung age that is based on years of life and gender - that lung age is what a lung function test will compare to. COPD is diagnosed through clinical exam and especially through spirometry -
The spirometry test and the diagnosis includes two values. When one blows into this device the first thing it measures is FEVone - or the amount of air you can force out in one second. The second measure is FVC or the amount you can blow out - completely - your total expiration.
The FEVone is divided by the FVC and that score is what defines COPD. If it is less than .70 it can indicate the disease. The second measure determines the stage of COPD. The FEVone is compared to FEVone of people similar to you who are healthy. Having 80% or less of that predicted value is stage one. Having between 50-80% is stage two and so on.
Treatment exists for COPD. The most important thing is to stop any exposure to the cause - tobacco smoke, fuels, chemicals. It is also important to prevent worsening conditions - so disease monitoring and medication management are important.
I am going to stop now. References and links are in the previous post which was linked earlier.
COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. This condition is usually found after a person has entered a more serious stage. Signs at the time will be shortness of breath, especially with activity and sometimes a chronic cough. Anytime you have cough with phlegm, sputum, gook - see a doctor. It could be acute bronchitis - or chronic. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are considered to be COPD.
A person with COPD has trouble breathing and this difficulty is not completely resolved with a medicine called a bronchodilator. COPD can lead to significant lung changes - scarring, swelling, mucus entrapment, inflammation, destruction, increased volume and collapse.
The risk factors, in order of most causes to least:
tobacco smoke
indoor air pollution from heating or cooking with biomass fuels -
coal, straw, dung, wood
work related chemical and gas exposures
infections - esp from the adenoids
gender can play a role as well
genes
All of us lose some amount of lung function over time - we have a lung age that is based on years of life and gender - that lung age is what a lung function test will compare to. COPD is diagnosed through clinical exam and especially through spirometry -
The spirometry test and the diagnosis includes two values. When one blows into this device the first thing it measures is FEVone - or the amount of air you can force out in one second. The second measure is FVC or the amount you can blow out - completely - your total expiration.
The FEVone is divided by the FVC and that score is what defines COPD. If it is less than .70 it can indicate the disease. The second measure determines the stage of COPD. The FEVone is compared to FEVone of people similar to you who are healthy. Having 80% or less of that predicted value is stage one. Having between 50-80% is stage two and so on.
Treatment exists for COPD. The most important thing is to stop any exposure to the cause - tobacco smoke, fuels, chemicals. It is also important to prevent worsening conditions - so disease monitoring and medication management are important.
I am going to stop now. References and links are in the previous post which was linked earlier.
Monday, May 24, 2010
The Meat of the Matter
The red meat association with colon cancer has gained acceptance in the public health community in the last few years. The most established causal link is related to processed meats and eating meats that have been grilled at extremely high temperatures as in both cases chemical agents are created and are hazardous to the body. With colon cancer there is also a synergistic effect with a diet low in fibrous foods. There does continue to be some debate over colon cancer causation.
What has been less challenged is the deleterious effect of saturated fat in red meat, especially in regards to heart disease. A study recently published in the journal of the American Heart Association found that consumption of red meat itself did not correlate to new cases of coronary heart disease. However, there WAS a significant relationship between processed meats and heart disease and possibly diabetes as well. The concern is related to both nitrates and sodium. A high salt diet, especially as it can lead to hypertension, is damaging to artery walls and that damage - inflammation for example, can lead to plaque buildup. Processed meats include lunch meat, bacon and sausage. What did not bear out as a risk factor was eating a steak for example. However, saturated fat does increase caloric density. For that reason, serving size and frequency of consumption must be moderated. The serving size is 3-4 ounces and the frequency is just a few days a week at most. Saturated fat is a problem as is overconsumption of any nutrient which can lead to obesity and the host of problems that involves.
Take home message is that though red meat intake may not be as severe a threat as once thought, it is still something that should be moderated.
The research was one that reviewed over 20 other studies for outcomes based on the food histories of the persons involved. It is not a controlled experiment or clinical trial so the force of the conclusion is somewhat diluted. You can see the abstract of the study here.
Remember also that the AHA has many great resources on its website, including guidance to prevent heart disease in what it calls the Simple Seven.
What has been less challenged is the deleterious effect of saturated fat in red meat, especially in regards to heart disease. A study recently published in the journal of the American Heart Association found that consumption of red meat itself did not correlate to new cases of coronary heart disease. However, there WAS a significant relationship between processed meats and heart disease and possibly diabetes as well. The concern is related to both nitrates and sodium. A high salt diet, especially as it can lead to hypertension, is damaging to artery walls and that damage - inflammation for example, can lead to plaque buildup. Processed meats include lunch meat, bacon and sausage. What did not bear out as a risk factor was eating a steak for example. However, saturated fat does increase caloric density. For that reason, serving size and frequency of consumption must be moderated. The serving size is 3-4 ounces and the frequency is just a few days a week at most. Saturated fat is a problem as is overconsumption of any nutrient which can lead to obesity and the host of problems that involves.
Take home message is that though red meat intake may not be as severe a threat as once thought, it is still something that should be moderated.
The research was one that reviewed over 20 other studies for outcomes based on the food histories of the persons involved. It is not a controlled experiment or clinical trial so the force of the conclusion is somewhat diluted. You can see the abstract of the study here.
Remember also that the AHA has many great resources on its website, including guidance to prevent heart disease in what it calls the Simple Seven.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Odds and ends
Time for protean night - here are a few points to ponder, in brief:
One Nation Overweight: That is the title of the CNBC special that aired last week and encores tonight at ten. I have not had a chance to view it, but it is on my list. Tonight of course is also the series finale of LOST - of which I am a fan. Here is a link about the CNBC special in case you are interested. You should be interested.
Avandia Troubles: Avandia, also known as rosiglitazone, is a drug used for the management of diabetes. It is a drug that, when working properly, would make a diabetics system respond more effectively to existing or endogenous insulin. The drug has come under fire in the last year or two because there are cardiovascular risk factors that some - including the advocacy group Public Citizen - find far too severe and frequent for comfort. I agree that the drug should not be used and agree with the assertion that there are safer medicines that are effective. The EU has not banned its use, nor has the USA - however, the FDA has requested additional trials on the drug - which others have also spoke out against. Interestingly, there is a lack of volunteers and at least one site has had to stop their study. It caught my attention as it was my career affiliated WFU School of Medicine.
Beef Costs: HMM - Fast food restaurants are said to be pushing chicken these days. Not so much for your health unfortunately but because beef prices are rising and chicken prices are not. Reading in the WSJ this week, companies expressed reluctance at raising the price of burgers so instead they were promoting chicken and other menu items in the hopes that customers would not order as many burgers. What caught my attention was a discrepancy between lean and not lean beef. I imagine that 90% lean beef or hamburger was more expensive than 50% lean to begin with - still the extra extra lean is now up less of a percentage than the 50% which, again according to the WSJ, is at its highest since 1995.
Nicorette Mini Lozenge: Goodness talk about confusion. The first is that the commercial seen on TV for this product is ridiculous. I make this claim based on the fact that the few people I have surveyed who have seen it, did NOT know what the message or the product was. One of my "smokers" explained it to me - but other "smokers" whom I explained it to said that they did not get it until just that minute when I explained it. So you can see the commercial on line - fairly I saw it only once on TV and missed the start. [If you do NOT immediately know what is being sold - somebody wasted a lot of money. Seriously - are you ever NOT sure what Cialis and Viagra commercials are about?] Anyway, I went to the Nicorette Mini Lozenge website where I became more confused. The website claims that it is the first lozenge from Nicorette - technically true - the standard nicotine lozenge is Commit. GlaxoSmithKline, however, produces BOTH. So why is it a mini lozenge? I thought it would be a smaller dose, but the website only notes the 2 and 4 mg versions - same as Commit. I guess they just encase the nicotine in a smaller lozenge. Weird. I recall that on the commercial the quitter tossed back the lozenges like they were a bunch of Chicklets. That would not be good. I should watch this commercial again. BTW, I emailed a GSK representative on Friday - so we will see what he has to say. [ah yes, I did review the ad - and I didn't miss the beginning after all - but now I do notice that the guy only flips one lozenge into his mouth - good to know] ALSO - I am not saying that nicotine replacement therapy doesn't work - it does help many people to quit.
Fewer isn't Less: Sorry - I know I have said it before but it was on my little notepad so I am compelled. I must have heard the commercial again this week- for Alleve. Just because you take a medicine less times a day ( or in fewer pills) does NOT mean you are taking in less medicine. And it is always WISE to take the smallest possible dose that is effective for your issue. I just want you to think about that when your hear that two pills of one drug is less than four of another. The drug mentioned here lasts 12 hours, not four - that is true - but the two pills are possibly a higher dose of medicine..
One Nation Overweight: That is the title of the CNBC special that aired last week and encores tonight at ten. I have not had a chance to view it, but it is on my list. Tonight of course is also the series finale of LOST - of which I am a fan. Here is a link about the CNBC special in case you are interested. You should be interested.
Avandia Troubles: Avandia, also known as rosiglitazone, is a drug used for the management of diabetes. It is a drug that, when working properly, would make a diabetics system respond more effectively to existing or endogenous insulin. The drug has come under fire in the last year or two because there are cardiovascular risk factors that some - including the advocacy group Public Citizen - find far too severe and frequent for comfort. I agree that the drug should not be used and agree with the assertion that there are safer medicines that are effective. The EU has not banned its use, nor has the USA - however, the FDA has requested additional trials on the drug - which others have also spoke out against. Interestingly, there is a lack of volunteers and at least one site has had to stop their study. It caught my attention as it was my career affiliated WFU School of Medicine.
Beef Costs: HMM - Fast food restaurants are said to be pushing chicken these days. Not so much for your health unfortunately but because beef prices are rising and chicken prices are not. Reading in the WSJ this week, companies expressed reluctance at raising the price of burgers so instead they were promoting chicken and other menu items in the hopes that customers would not order as many burgers. What caught my attention was a discrepancy between lean and not lean beef. I imagine that 90% lean beef or hamburger was more expensive than 50% lean to begin with - still the extra extra lean is now up less of a percentage than the 50% which, again according to the WSJ, is at its highest since 1995.
Nicorette Mini Lozenge: Goodness talk about confusion. The first is that the commercial seen on TV for this product is ridiculous. I make this claim based on the fact that the few people I have surveyed who have seen it, did NOT know what the message or the product was. One of my "smokers" explained it to me - but other "smokers" whom I explained it to said that they did not get it until just that minute when I explained it. So you can see the commercial on line - fairly I saw it only once on TV and missed the start. [If you do NOT immediately know what is being sold - somebody wasted a lot of money. Seriously - are you ever NOT sure what Cialis and Viagra commercials are about?] Anyway, I went to the Nicorette Mini Lozenge website where I became more confused. The website claims that it is the first lozenge from Nicorette - technically true - the standard nicotine lozenge is Commit. GlaxoSmithKline, however, produces BOTH. So why is it a mini lozenge? I thought it would be a smaller dose, but the website only notes the 2 and 4 mg versions - same as Commit. I guess they just encase the nicotine in a smaller lozenge. Weird. I recall that on the commercial the quitter tossed back the lozenges like they were a bunch of Chicklets. That would not be good. I should watch this commercial again. BTW, I emailed a GSK representative on Friday - so we will see what he has to say. [ah yes, I did review the ad - and I didn't miss the beginning after all - but now I do notice that the guy only flips one lozenge into his mouth - good to know] ALSO - I am not saying that nicotine replacement therapy doesn't work - it does help many people to quit.
Fewer isn't Less: Sorry - I know I have said it before but it was on my little notepad so I am compelled. I must have heard the commercial again this week- for Alleve. Just because you take a medicine less times a day ( or in fewer pills) does NOT mean you are taking in less medicine. And it is always WISE to take the smallest possible dose that is effective for your issue. I just want you to think about that when your hear that two pills of one drug is less than four of another. The drug mentioned here lasts 12 hours, not four - that is true - but the two pills are possibly a higher dose of medicine..
Saturday, May 22, 2010
When Probing is a Good Thing
Ouch – In this case however, the probing does not involve physical contact. Instead, I am referring to the actions of both the FDA and the House Energy and Commerce Committee. These two separate groups have responded (finally) to the growing existence and marketing of personal genetic testing kits. Some have been available over the Internet for about a year and one in particular, a kit sold by Pathway Genomics, was slated for distribution through some big name pharmacies. (well, big box drug stores is really what Walgreen and CVS are – don’t you think?)
The FDA requested information on these kits at about the same time which, thank goodness, got the attention of the company big wigs who decided to wait before putting the products on their shelves.
The tests, which are saliva tests, cost about 20 to 30 dollars to purchase, but the actual diagnostics and results could cost an additional 80 to 250 according to an article written by J Corbett Dooren in the WSJ.
The tests might supply a person with information on genetic risk for disease, on passing on diseases through procreation (you know the whole blue eye, brown eye recessive gene thing!) and possibly, information on which type of disease a person has – in order for tailored medications to be prescribed. That last one is definitely one you would ask your oncologist to order and review – it isn’t the best do it yourself idea you might have! I believe I did a blog post on this new form of tailored treatment – but it is far from mainstream and no provider is going to tailor your treatment based on a home test.
Otherwise, there are genetic counselors for family planning and for goodness sakes; your risk for disease is almost always based on environment and your interaction with it. When the President’s Cancer Panel report came out recently both within the text and in publicly aired discussions among experts , it was said that 1 percent of disease is solely based on genes. It is almost always a multifactorial disease process. No matter what test you take or what kind of faith you want to put into it – taking care of yourself through healthful eating and near daily exercise is the MOST effective way to prevent disease (along with protective factors, like not smoking, avoiding pollution, wearing sunscreen etc). Is it a 100% guarantee against any disease – NO – but the thing is, the side effects – sore muscles from time to time and angst at passing over cupcakes and chips most days – well , that ain’t NOTHING compared to the side effects associated with pills, fad diets, supplements and the like.
The FDA is reviewing these products to verify accuracy and to make sure that the marketing by the companies is accurate. The house panel is rightfully concerned about the data. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, usually referred to as HIPAA, became law in order to protect the medical records of persons and I imagine the government is concerned with personal identity and the un chartered waters of DNA collection as well as the protection of health information.
The FDA requested information on these kits at about the same time which, thank goodness, got the attention of the company big wigs who decided to wait before putting the products on their shelves.
The tests, which are saliva tests, cost about 20 to 30 dollars to purchase, but the actual diagnostics and results could cost an additional 80 to 250 according to an article written by J Corbett Dooren in the WSJ.
The tests might supply a person with information on genetic risk for disease, on passing on diseases through procreation (you know the whole blue eye, brown eye recessive gene thing!) and possibly, information on which type of disease a person has – in order for tailored medications to be prescribed. That last one is definitely one you would ask your oncologist to order and review – it isn’t the best do it yourself idea you might have! I believe I did a blog post on this new form of tailored treatment – but it is far from mainstream and no provider is going to tailor your treatment based on a home test.
Otherwise, there are genetic counselors for family planning and for goodness sakes; your risk for disease is almost always based on environment and your interaction with it. When the President’s Cancer Panel report came out recently both within the text and in publicly aired discussions among experts , it was said that 1 percent of disease is solely based on genes. It is almost always a multifactorial disease process. No matter what test you take or what kind of faith you want to put into it – taking care of yourself through healthful eating and near daily exercise is the MOST effective way to prevent disease (along with protective factors, like not smoking, avoiding pollution, wearing sunscreen etc). Is it a 100% guarantee against any disease – NO – but the thing is, the side effects – sore muscles from time to time and angst at passing over cupcakes and chips most days – well , that ain’t NOTHING compared to the side effects associated with pills, fad diets, supplements and the like.
The FDA is reviewing these products to verify accuracy and to make sure that the marketing by the companies is accurate. The house panel is rightfully concerned about the data. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, usually referred to as HIPAA, became law in order to protect the medical records of persons and I imagine the government is concerned with personal identity and the un chartered waters of DNA collection as well as the protection of health information.
Monday, May 10, 2010
that which leads elsewhere
My intention was to inform you about a study conducted by the CDC to be published in the American Cancer Society journal, Cancer. The gist of the study is that the costs for treating cancer that have risen have not been the sole burden of the patient. This is not what we routinely hear in the news. Indeed, I know people who would be adamant in saying that the research is faulty. The report states that there are less out of pocket costs to patients, more coverage by private insurers and CMS, and less money spent on in patient care and high cost drugs. Bear in mind that some newer treatments have been introduced since the study period. What caught my eye in the AP article was that cancer is responsible for 5% of US medical costs. That's all? I wondered what was the disease for which we spent the most money. As I searched for more about this study I also ran across someone else's blog post on the same story and so abandoned my original idea.
Thus this blog post is really about the high cost of treating chronic disease in the USA. Cancer is considered a chronic disease - which is something right there isn't it! A chronic disease is one that is considered incurable and lasting. These include diabetes, hypertension, cancer, heart disease and asthma. Most chronic disease can be prevented through personal action. I found a nice two page primer on this issue published by the CDC and I am sharing that information with you in this post. Accordingly, just short of half the country has at least one chronic disease. Though these disease conditions use the most health care dollars, I did not see a breakdown of the percentages.
I was about to give up - ha ha - like that ever happens- when I googled my way to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website. There is SO much information there. I could come up with the percentages I sought if it hadn't gotten so late on me. Instead, I am going to link you to one of their tables where they list the disease conditions and break down the expenses by type and amount, i.e. in patient care, drugs, etc. You will see that cancer is first, followed by treatment for traumas, and then the many manifestations of heart disease and the several other chronic disease states.
As a matter of fact, I am going to use my prerogative and make this a TWO PART post because there is a lot to explore on that website.... tune in tomorrow then :)
Thus this blog post is really about the high cost of treating chronic disease in the USA. Cancer is considered a chronic disease - which is something right there isn't it! A chronic disease is one that is considered incurable and lasting. These include diabetes, hypertension, cancer, heart disease and asthma. Most chronic disease can be prevented through personal action. I found a nice two page primer on this issue published by the CDC and I am sharing that information with you in this post. Accordingly, just short of half the country has at least one chronic disease. Though these disease conditions use the most health care dollars, I did not see a breakdown of the percentages.
I was about to give up - ha ha - like that ever happens- when I googled my way to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website. There is SO much information there. I could come up with the percentages I sought if it hadn't gotten so late on me. Instead, I am going to link you to one of their tables where they list the disease conditions and break down the expenses by type and amount, i.e. in patient care, drugs, etc. You will see that cancer is first, followed by treatment for traumas, and then the many manifestations of heart disease and the several other chronic disease states.
As a matter of fact, I am going to use my prerogative and make this a TWO PART post because there is a lot to explore on that website.... tune in tomorrow then :)
Monday, February 8, 2010
Myth Buster
Yes, I think I should rename myself and this blog - we have been taking on a lot of myth busting over the years, and there is no end in sight. I like it though. I like it when science is used to prove or disprove a concept, especially when I know that misinformed or misled persons are spending their money on products that will not help them and may harm them.
Today the story is protein- powders, shakes, bars and supplements.
The truth is that muscle's gain power, strength and endurance when they are pushed too far in a workout and then repair themselves during the rest or recovery phase. It is also truth that the rebuilding is only possible with the use of protein. What is also truth, but not well known, is that you have enough of that protein already. At least the persons that are reading this blog and the persons who are spending money on gym memberships, fitness equipment and work out gear - those, them, us, me - we are not starving and really only starving people lack protein.
Even someone who practices body building for competition is unlikely to need supplementation. The best source of protein is FOOD. Most persons need about half their body weight in pounds in grams of protein a day. I know that sounds confusing, but a 150 pound person needs 75 grams of protein.
Good sources of protein include dairy products (and nonfat products have just as much protein as full fat ones so don't even try that excuse!), lean meats, legumes (beans and nuts), some vegetables, whole grains and fish. Look at your labels tomorrow just for the heck of it. Track your protein. You are not deprived. Even vegetarians get ample protein.
Several studies have been conducted that show that even athletes do not need protein from nonfood sources and that most people who take them are doing so because a coach, personal trainer, or TV spokesperson suggested it. Most trainers do not know that the body does not need more protein than this .5g/lb of weight.
Two other things need to be said about this. One is that the protein bars, shakes and powders bring in a lot of calories and usually people do not take the protein as a replacement product but as a supplement or in addition to - their regular intake. Another point to consider is that too much protein can indeed harm the body because of the extra work the kidneys must do to process it.
The upshot, in my simple and blunt opinion, is that the protein push is a scam that costs you - at the least it costs you money and calories and at the most, -kidney damage. What we really need more of is the activity that challenges the muscles not the protein that repairs them.
(of course there are persons with specific medical conditions who would be advised by licensed nutritionists and physicians on supplementation - but the rest of us - when in doubt, leave it out)
Research: journal Nutrition January 2010
also, the Canadian Sport Centre Dietary Study
and
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 2008
More info: http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/vsk/protein_myth.html
Today the story is protein- powders, shakes, bars and supplements.
The truth is that muscle's gain power, strength and endurance when they are pushed too far in a workout and then repair themselves during the rest or recovery phase. It is also truth that the rebuilding is only possible with the use of protein. What is also truth, but not well known, is that you have enough of that protein already. At least the persons that are reading this blog and the persons who are spending money on gym memberships, fitness equipment and work out gear - those, them, us, me - we are not starving and really only starving people lack protein.
Even someone who practices body building for competition is unlikely to need supplementation. The best source of protein is FOOD. Most persons need about half their body weight in pounds in grams of protein a day. I know that sounds confusing, but a 150 pound person needs 75 grams of protein.
Good sources of protein include dairy products (and nonfat products have just as much protein as full fat ones so don't even try that excuse!), lean meats, legumes (beans and nuts), some vegetables, whole grains and fish. Look at your labels tomorrow just for the heck of it. Track your protein. You are not deprived. Even vegetarians get ample protein.
Several studies have been conducted that show that even athletes do not need protein from nonfood sources and that most people who take them are doing so because a coach, personal trainer, or TV spokesperson suggested it. Most trainers do not know that the body does not need more protein than this .5g/lb of weight.
Two other things need to be said about this. One is that the protein bars, shakes and powders bring in a lot of calories and usually people do not take the protein as a replacement product but as a supplement or in addition to - their regular intake. Another point to consider is that too much protein can indeed harm the body because of the extra work the kidneys must do to process it.
The upshot, in my simple and blunt opinion, is that the protein push is a scam that costs you - at the least it costs you money and calories and at the most, -kidney damage. What we really need more of is the activity that challenges the muscles not the protein that repairs them.
(of course there are persons with specific medical conditions who would be advised by licensed nutritionists and physicians on supplementation - but the rest of us - when in doubt, leave it out)
Research: journal Nutrition January 2010
also, the Canadian Sport Centre Dietary Study
and
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 2008
More info: http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/vsk/protein_myth.html
Thursday, January 28, 2010
One Point to Ponder
If Lance Armstrong did NOT use any performance enhancing drugs, why is he in so many print and web advertisements encouraging US to use performance enhancing supplements?
Thursday, January 21, 2010
MOVE it
In past posts I have warned about prolonged sitting. I discussed it more in the concept of travel, by car or plane. The concern is that sitting for long periods can promote the formation of blood clots in your veins that can travel to your lungs or elsewhere and cause you to have a stroke, possibly a fatal one. I am an active person, but still choose to get up at least once an hour and when I fly, I choose the aisle seat for that reason. That was all true months ago. I have also found that if I do my cardio exercise early in the morning, but spend most of the rest of the day doing office work, then I feel stiff and sluggish and in need of more cardio at the end of the day.
Now research separate from DVT studies is available to explain some of this. My body is telling me something and the something is that even active people need to be on their feet every hour or two or else they risk adverse health outcomes. I have no doubt that the science is valid. What I want to point out is that several state and national wellness campaigns have been telling us to get moving for years. Florida had the "How Many Steps Have You Taken Today?," campaign, but it is the NC one that I think said it better. Their slogan was, "Eat Smart Move More." That is what we ALL need to do, and according to research, we need to do the eating and the moving all through the day not at one or even two bursts, for exercise and not in three large meals, when it comes to eating, but five or six smaller ones.
The information offered in the AP article involved an analysis of several studies and included research from several countries including the UK, Canada and USA. The concern is that people who spend most of their days sitting, whether they exercise daily or not, are more likely to be obese, to have heart attacks and to die from any cause than people who do not spend long periods of time sitting. You may be wondering what "long" means. The experts studying the data haven't determined the exact threshold but absolutely less than four hours. Again, I say every hour. Stand up, stretch, take a few steps and a few deep breaths, because it also helps you mentally and you will be more productive.
I decided to see if NC still had their program going and they DO! The website looks awesome and has many tools that you can use to Eat Smart Move More and Weigh Less, if you need to that is !
Saturday, December 26, 2009
What if We Listened
Last week an article came across my "virtual" desk regarding outcomes for persons who actually follow the recommendations made by our health experts - all of them. Well, that is telling isn't it. ALL of them is really just three things!
Keep your weight down
Be physically active (most days of the week)
Do not smoke
That is IT people, three simple steps to tip the odds in your favor - the odds of having a long, healthy, active life...........
Earlier this month the study was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. The research involved only men, and so the conclusion can only be offered for men, but you will get the general idea. Men who were able to meet all three of the above directives had almost 60% less coronary heart disease "events" and a stunning 77% LESS risk of dying from heart disease. (so what, well heart disease is the number one killer in the USA)
It is damn impressive and a good motivator for all of us. But I have to tell you that the reason the article stayed in my thoughts wasn't because of the benefits this simple lifestyle could offer but because of the number of persons who actually were active, normal weight and didn't smoke - Americans who can boast this accomplishment make up 4% or LESS of the population..
People! This is just not okay.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Odds and Ends
It is the Sunday before the Christian Christmas Holiday and a good portion of America just experienced a snowfall. Actually, they are calling it the Blizzard of 2009. The Country's capital had a record or near record accumulation and I cannot help but think of my Dad, or his spirit anyways, at Arlington Cemetery amongst all the snow. Here in Florida, we had the rain that moved up the east coast to become that blizzard. It is certainly cooler than usual here, but I risk a backlash if I complain!
I did gather quite a page of odds and ends for this week, so without further ado:
Tobacco and Furniture Factories: I heard a story on NPR this week regarding a town in NC that had its furniture factory close. Many skilled workers were out of a job and out of an industry. They were attending a local community college to learn new skills. The town, Lenoir, was home to a new Google enterprise and the furniture workers were learning about computer programming with the hope of being hired by Google. Google had actually purchased the furniture factory building. I was excited about this because I have long said how smart it would be if tobacco farmers switched crops, if the field workers learned to care for and harvest them and tobacco factories were modified to process the new crop. I still feel this is a possibility and have hope yet that the fields will grow a crop that can be used for alternative fuels. (NC happens to have tobacco fields and factories too)
Cell Phones: This week CNN ran a story about the possible risks from using cell phones. This is not knew news and hearing about it again startled me. Why were they bringing it back up? I wrote about this in a blog in 2008 http://yourhealtheducator.blogspot.com/#uds-search-results. Surely Dr. Gupta didn't just now find out about it. Seriously, the issue of SAR is the same as before and some devices emit more of this non ionizing radiation than others ( a heat that the scientists are not in consensus about with regard to harm, but it is not the same radiation we get from XRAYS), and the concern is life time use of these devices, esp. because some people allow very young children to have cell phones. I know that when I heard about this over a year ago, I changed my cell phone for one that had a lower SAR (specific absorption rate) and then forgot all about it. Unfortunately, a few weeks before Sanjay announced on CNN that the worst emitter of SAR was a black berry curve, I bought one. So anyways, this to me is just more support for texting.
Looking Young is MORE than It's Cracked Up to Be: I saw this article last week, but didn't have a chance to read it. The headline teaser was that people who look younger than their chronological age actually have increased longevity and better health than those who do not. WELL now - I am consistently thought to be younger than I am - which can be embarrassing, but ... living longer, yes sir, that is my goal! So I made time to read further. The actual research comes out of Denmark and involved twins that were over age 70. There were 1800 pairs of them and volunteers judged the ages. The twins were tracked over the next seven years. The twin that was guessed at a younger than actual age did live longer. Now the scientists hypothesize that people who look young may have longer telomeres which are biomarkers of aging. They tend to get shorter over our lifespan - long story - not for an O&E post.
Health is Wealth: Indeed I would agree with that short sentence. What I didn't like was that I saw this sentiment on a car. Yes, one of those screen advertisements. It actually said Health AND Wealth "in a bottle." No No NO, health comes from what you consume and what you do and there is no shortcut from a concoction in a bottle or pill.
That's 8 Pills! There is a commercial comparing two OTC pain medications. One is a lower dose and the label says something like 2 pills every for to six hours for x days. The other pill has a higher dose of medicine and THUS less pills are needed. The actors in the ad are aghast, that is 8 pills. Well, really - you should take the lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of time and if you don't have the option of taking a smaller dose and forgoing the second pill, then you just might be taking more medicine than you need - not less!
Cancer Tests: Also on CNN this week - a possible new test to see who is at risk for skin and lung cancers. It sounds awesome because we really don't have a good screen for either of those. However, it will not be ready for some time. So as the doctor, probably Sanjay again, was reporting this, the news anchor asked, "So if melanoma runs in your family or if you are a smoker, what can you do in the meantime?" ARE YOU KIDDING ME? That is what I said to the TV. Did he REALLY just ask that question? Okay, I'll TELL YOU. Don't Smoke and Use Sunscreen....
Oh, my gosh, there was more - but I am beat. Take Good Care Now...
Deirdre
I did gather quite a page of odds and ends for this week, so without further ado:
Tobacco and Furniture Factories: I heard a story on NPR this week regarding a town in NC that had its furniture factory close. Many skilled workers were out of a job and out of an industry. They were attending a local community college to learn new skills. The town, Lenoir, was home to a new Google enterprise and the furniture workers were learning about computer programming with the hope of being hired by Google. Google had actually purchased the furniture factory building. I was excited about this because I have long said how smart it would be if tobacco farmers switched crops, if the field workers learned to care for and harvest them and tobacco factories were modified to process the new crop. I still feel this is a possibility and have hope yet that the fields will grow a crop that can be used for alternative fuels. (NC happens to have tobacco fields and factories too)
Cell Phones: This week CNN ran a story about the possible risks from using cell phones. This is not knew news and hearing about it again startled me. Why were they bringing it back up? I wrote about this in a blog in 2008 http://yourhealtheducator.blogspot.com/#uds-search-results. Surely Dr. Gupta didn't just now find out about it. Seriously, the issue of SAR is the same as before and some devices emit more of this non ionizing radiation than others ( a heat that the scientists are not in consensus about with regard to harm, but it is not the same radiation we get from XRAYS), and the concern is life time use of these devices, esp. because some people allow very young children to have cell phones. I know that when I heard about this over a year ago, I changed my cell phone for one that had a lower SAR (specific absorption rate) and then forgot all about it. Unfortunately, a few weeks before Sanjay announced on CNN that the worst emitter of SAR was a black berry curve, I bought one. So anyways, this to me is just more support for texting.
Looking Young is MORE than It's Cracked Up to Be: I saw this article last week, but didn't have a chance to read it. The headline teaser was that people who look younger than their chronological age actually have increased longevity and better health than those who do not. WELL now - I am consistently thought to be younger than I am - which can be embarrassing, but ... living longer, yes sir, that is my goal! So I made time to read further. The actual research comes out of Denmark and involved twins that were over age 70. There were 1800 pairs of them and volunteers judged the ages. The twins were tracked over the next seven years. The twin that was guessed at a younger than actual age did live longer. Now the scientists hypothesize that people who look young may have longer telomeres which are biomarkers of aging. They tend to get shorter over our lifespan - long story - not for an O&E post.
Health is Wealth: Indeed I would agree with that short sentence. What I didn't like was that I saw this sentiment on a car. Yes, one of those screen advertisements. It actually said Health AND Wealth "in a bottle." No No NO, health comes from what you consume and what you do and there is no shortcut from a concoction in a bottle or pill.
That's 8 Pills! There is a commercial comparing two OTC pain medications. One is a lower dose and the label says something like 2 pills every for to six hours for x days. The other pill has a higher dose of medicine and THUS less pills are needed. The actors in the ad are aghast, that is 8 pills. Well, really - you should take the lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of time and if you don't have the option of taking a smaller dose and forgoing the second pill, then you just might be taking more medicine than you need - not less!
Cancer Tests: Also on CNN this week - a possible new test to see who is at risk for skin and lung cancers. It sounds awesome because we really don't have a good screen for either of those. However, it will not be ready for some time. So as the doctor, probably Sanjay again, was reporting this, the news anchor asked, "So if melanoma runs in your family or if you are a smoker, what can you do in the meantime?" ARE YOU KIDDING ME? That is what I said to the TV. Did he REALLY just ask that question? Okay, I'll TELL YOU. Don't Smoke and Use Sunscreen....
Oh, my gosh, there was more - but I am beat. Take Good Care Now...
Deirdre
Friday, December 18, 2009
Is Salt More of a Threat After All?
In reviewing research out of Italy and published in the British Medical Journal BMJ, I began to doubt myself or my recent post.
The research involves the analyses of about 14 different studies that included measure of salt intake and the outcomes of stroke or cardiovascular disease. The studies are not the gold standard type that we like, nor could they really be, but the analyses of them is pretty tight.
The scientists and statisticians found that salt intake, which they measured in grams, is associated with higher risks for both of the above outcomes. Remember from a recent post that the sodium content is 40%, and so when they say 6 g of salt it equals about 2300 mg of sodium. The researchers say that most diets have upwards of 10g of salt per day (WOW) and that 10g a day puts a person at an amplified risk of stroke death and CVD diagnosis. The report I read in Medscape stated that for every additional 3 grams of salt we consume, our risk of heart disease rises by 6 percent.
My big question is this: Does that mean that we have a higher risk of getting hypertension and then the adverse outcomes, or is it regardless of a HTN diagnosis. That is a pretty important question as not everyone who consumes above 6g of salt a day gets or has high blood pressure.
Also I learned in the article by Susan Jeffrey that one of every strokes leads to death where as one in every five cases of heart disease leads to death. I didn't realize that so many strokes resulted in death, however, in some instances it might be the better outcome.
My curiosity did get the better of me, i.e. if the increase in salt led to the stroke or if the increase in salt led to the HTN that then led to the stroke. So I looked up the research myself.
Wow, this stuff can get confusing. I need more education! Anyways, the authors of the study do call it a direct link between intake and stroke or CVD but they also talk about HTN and obesity etc as factors for stroke and heart disease. It was said in the research article that about 62% of strokes ARE in those with HTN and almost 50 % of CVD cases are associated with HTN. Still, the research did find some cases of increase without the diagnosis of high blood pressure which gives weight to efforts for overall reductions in salt intake.
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/reprint/339/nov24_1/b4567
Keep in mind however that the scientists are presenting this data not for individual behavior change but for changes in the food industry that will have population wide effects to save millions of lives.
The research involves the analyses of about 14 different studies that included measure of salt intake and the outcomes of stroke or cardiovascular disease. The studies are not the gold standard type that we like, nor could they really be, but the analyses of them is pretty tight.
The scientists and statisticians found that salt intake, which they measured in grams, is associated with higher risks for both of the above outcomes. Remember from a recent post that the sodium content is 40%, and so when they say 6 g of salt it equals about 2300 mg of sodium. The researchers say that most diets have upwards of 10g of salt per day (WOW) and that 10g a day puts a person at an amplified risk of stroke death and CVD diagnosis. The report I read in Medscape stated that for every additional 3 grams of salt we consume, our risk of heart disease rises by 6 percent.
My big question is this: Does that mean that we have a higher risk of getting hypertension and then the adverse outcomes, or is it regardless of a HTN diagnosis. That is a pretty important question as not everyone who consumes above 6g of salt a day gets or has high blood pressure.
Also I learned in the article by Susan Jeffrey that one of every strokes leads to death where as one in every five cases of heart disease leads to death. I didn't realize that so many strokes resulted in death, however, in some instances it might be the better outcome.
My curiosity did get the better of me, i.e. if the increase in salt led to the stroke or if the increase in salt led to the HTN that then led to the stroke. So I looked up the research myself.
Wow, this stuff can get confusing. I need more education! Anyways, the authors of the study do call it a direct link between intake and stroke or CVD but they also talk about HTN and obesity etc as factors for stroke and heart disease. It was said in the research article that about 62% of strokes ARE in those with HTN and almost 50 % of CVD cases are associated with HTN. Still, the research did find some cases of increase without the diagnosis of high blood pressure which gives weight to efforts for overall reductions in salt intake.
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/reprint/339/nov24_1/b4567
Keep in mind however that the scientists are presenting this data not for individual behavior change but for changes in the food industry that will have population wide effects to save millions of lives.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
What Cleaning Your Plate Gets You
I was reading an article about research that was recently published in Biomed Central Public Health Journal. In the Reuters piece by Kate Kelland, the US was said to have a severe obesity problem.
The research wasn't about the USA however, it was about obesity in Africa! I grew up in America in the 70s . There were plenty of commercials showing starving children from countries like Ethiopia, sometimes accompanied by a plump Sally Struthers. And I can tell you that many of my peers and I were frequently admonished to clean our plates because of those starving children. Well, the clean plates - often meat and potatoes, gave rise to a serious problem in this country.
In fact, I have come to tell people who still have that clean plate mentality, that whether or not they eat that (whatever it may be - brownies or cookies someone brought to the office, or the other 600 calories of their 1200 calorie restaurant meal) whether they eat it or not there will still be starving people.
In a uncomfortable twist of fate, undernutrition is now superseded by overnutrition as a leading cause of death in the world. And in at least seven African countries, obesity in the POOR has risen at an alarming rate. The cause is the type of food that they are eating. It is fast and cheap and full of saturated fat and sugar.
This is considered a crisis as obesity is a cause of heart disease, diabetes and cancer. More affluent countries with these problems, i.e the US and the UK, are in a panic over the health care needs of the obese, and we have a health care system that is pretty decent. For the most part, African countries do not have the infrastructure, supplies, facilities or persons to handle the consequences of obesity.
The research wasn't about the USA however, it was about obesity in Africa! I grew up in America in the 70s . There were plenty of commercials showing starving children from countries like Ethiopia, sometimes accompanied by a plump Sally Struthers. And I can tell you that many of my peers and I were frequently admonished to clean our plates because of those starving children. Well, the clean plates - often meat and potatoes, gave rise to a serious problem in this country.
In fact, I have come to tell people who still have that clean plate mentality, that whether or not they eat that (whatever it may be - brownies or cookies someone brought to the office, or the other 600 calories of their 1200 calorie restaurant meal) whether they eat it or not there will still be starving people.
In a uncomfortable twist of fate, undernutrition is now superseded by overnutrition as a leading cause of death in the world. And in at least seven African countries, obesity in the POOR has risen at an alarming rate. The cause is the type of food that they are eating. It is fast and cheap and full of saturated fat and sugar.
This is considered a crisis as obesity is a cause of heart disease, diabetes and cancer. More affluent countries with these problems, i.e the US and the UK, are in a panic over the health care needs of the obese, and we have a health care system that is pretty decent. For the most part, African countries do not have the infrastructure, supplies, facilities or persons to handle the consequences of obesity.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Odds and Ends
Tamiflu - an email came out this week from the nonprofit organization Public Citizen noting some research that the benefits of using Tamiflu in reducing duration, symptoms and severity of the flu is highly exaggerated by the makers of the medicine, Roche. In fact, the headline was Scamiflu - pretty funny that.
Juicers - I have heard commercials for juicers recently. I imagine that this is due to it being the holiday season. The ads are misleading in that you get the impression that juicers are really healthy. Sure making your own juice has got to be better than buying juice, but that isn't the point. Eating fruit is the healthiest option. Fruit contains fiber along with fructose and drinking juice without fiber " in its natural state" is not so wise a thing to do. You consume more calories and more simple sugar.
Fosomax - At a conference this week, some positive words were offered in regards to oral bisphosphonates like Fosomax. Two separate studies, retrospective, have shown that women who have taken these drugs for at least one year have less incidence of breast cancer than women who have not taken them. This is not a clinical study however, so no conclusion can be drawn. It is probable that people will be enrolled in a study in the future in which some are given an oral bisphosphonate and others placebo and those people followed over time. The results of the studies have not yet been published or evaluated by the medical community. The drugs do have a history of being effective in preventing bone loss, but concerns about side effects have also been raised.
Peanut Butter - I just have to say, because it is a passion - even mission - of mine, to have all the world eat Smucker's All Natural Peanut Butter, or at least that type of peanut butter - why would anyone NOT. Just remember that the peanut butter of your childhood is not good enough for your kids and not good enough for you. If the ingredient list is long and unpronounceable, it is NOT wholesome. Peanuts contain good, heart healthy fats (so reduced fat is not needed). Buy a brand that contains peanuts - or peanuts and salt - PERIOD. Trust me, the added oils are not needed and your daily dose of Omega 3s should be in grams not milligrams... Just trust me....
(Go NYG - game on!)
Juicers - I have heard commercials for juicers recently. I imagine that this is due to it being the holiday season. The ads are misleading in that you get the impression that juicers are really healthy. Sure making your own juice has got to be better than buying juice, but that isn't the point. Eating fruit is the healthiest option. Fruit contains fiber along with fructose and drinking juice without fiber " in its natural state" is not so wise a thing to do. You consume more calories and more simple sugar.
Fosomax - At a conference this week, some positive words were offered in regards to oral bisphosphonates like Fosomax. Two separate studies, retrospective, have shown that women who have taken these drugs for at least one year have less incidence of breast cancer than women who have not taken them. This is not a clinical study however, so no conclusion can be drawn. It is probable that people will be enrolled in a study in the future in which some are given an oral bisphosphonate and others placebo and those people followed over time. The results of the studies have not yet been published or evaluated by the medical community. The drugs do have a history of being effective in preventing bone loss, but concerns about side effects have also been raised.
Peanut Butter - I just have to say, because it is a passion - even mission - of mine, to have all the world eat Smucker's All Natural Peanut Butter, or at least that type of peanut butter - why would anyone NOT. Just remember that the peanut butter of your childhood is not good enough for your kids and not good enough for you. If the ingredient list is long and unpronounceable, it is NOT wholesome. Peanuts contain good, heart healthy fats (so reduced fat is not needed). Buy a brand that contains peanuts - or peanuts and salt - PERIOD. Trust me, the added oils are not needed and your daily dose of Omega 3s should be in grams not milligrams... Just trust me....
(Go NYG - game on!)
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Inventory
You have an assignment today/tonight.
Get a piece of paper and a PENCIL.
I want you to take a personal inventory of your life for the past ten years or so. Seriously - do this now. Depending on your age; young, middle or older, your lists will be different. If you are 20 today, take yourself back to when you were ten. Where were you living? Who were your friends? What grade were you in? Were your parents married to each other? Don't write any of those answers, just use that as a guide to set your stage. If you are 40, think back to 30. Where were you working? Were you in a relationship? Did you own a home? If you are 80 - were you still working at 70? How many grand kids did you have? Was your spouse still living? Did you live on your own or in a facility? Okay - you got it? That is just your starting place.
Now make a list of things that have happened in your life from then to now. Personal things, such as - graduated school, bought a car, wrecked a car, got pregnant, etc and worldly things, such as -first black President, economic boom, economic crash...etc. Make sure your list is reflective of all of life, not just bad things and maybe not just good.
Here is my example in case you are struggling. Let's see 1999 - 2009.
I : rented an apartment, bought a house, sold a house, rented an apartment
changed jobs, went back to college, changed jobs, went back to college - moved three times... moved to another state
my father died
my beloved cat died, adopted another cat, new cat ran away
hurricane Katrina, Iraq, economic crash
ended a relationship, got a new car, ran it into the ground, got a BRAND new car
ran a marathon
fell off a horse
ETC ETC
Make your list!
OKAY, now in and of itself, this is a good activity. It helps you to see that the years don't just go by with nothing to show. Life happens. Now if you are obese and have been obese and do not intend to change that - OR if you are a smoker and have been a smoker and do not intend to change that - ERASE your list.............
People who do not maintain a healthy weight and people who smoke tend to die ten years earlier than those who practice a more healthful lifestyle. [ it is NOT too late to change your ending]
Get a piece of paper and a PENCIL.
I want you to take a personal inventory of your life for the past ten years or so. Seriously - do this now. Depending on your age; young, middle or older, your lists will be different. If you are 20 today, take yourself back to when you were ten. Where were you living? Who were your friends? What grade were you in? Were your parents married to each other? Don't write any of those answers, just use that as a guide to set your stage. If you are 40, think back to 30. Where were you working? Were you in a relationship? Did you own a home? If you are 80 - were you still working at 70? How many grand kids did you have? Was your spouse still living? Did you live on your own or in a facility? Okay - you got it? That is just your starting place.
Now make a list of things that have happened in your life from then to now. Personal things, such as - graduated school, bought a car, wrecked a car, got pregnant, etc and worldly things, such as -first black President, economic boom, economic crash...etc. Make sure your list is reflective of all of life, not just bad things and maybe not just good.
Here is my example in case you are struggling. Let's see 1999 - 2009.
I : rented an apartment, bought a house, sold a house, rented an apartment
changed jobs, went back to college, changed jobs, went back to college - moved three times... moved to another state
my father died
my beloved cat died, adopted another cat, new cat ran away
hurricane Katrina, Iraq, economic crash
ended a relationship, got a new car, ran it into the ground, got a BRAND new car
ran a marathon
fell off a horse
ETC ETC
Make your list!
OKAY, now in and of itself, this is a good activity. It helps you to see that the years don't just go by with nothing to show. Life happens. Now if you are obese and have been obese and do not intend to change that - OR if you are a smoker and have been a smoker and do not intend to change that - ERASE your list.............
People who do not maintain a healthy weight and people who smoke tend to die ten years earlier than those who practice a more healthful lifestyle. [ it is NOT too late to change your ending]
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
SALT
If you are not worth your salt, well you aren't any good are you? So salt must be good.... Say what? Such blaspheme. Salt contains sodium and sodium is an essential element. About 40% of table salt is sodium, meaning a gram of salt gives us 400mg of sodium.
Most of us relate sodium to hypertension and thus to heart, kidney and cerebravascular disease. People with high blood pressure are at high risk of a brain hemorrhage or stroke. However, not everyone with hypertension got it from a high salt intake and not everyone who has HTN will see it normalize if they restrict their salt. Some people are salt sensitive and some are not. At this time, we really don't know which category anyone will be in unless they begin to have problems.
In our bodies, sodium is concentrated outside of cells. Sodium helps to regulate the amount of water inside or outside the cell. This a very important job. Electrolyte imbalances from dehydration can result in heart irregularities and even death. When water is lacking and the system (I think kidneys excrete salt which pulls the water from the cells) starts to take it from cells (which have already lost water), it takes minerals along with the water. It is a very dangerous situation.
Back to SALT. There is no population whose diet has been found to be too low in salt. Therefore there is much more concern about the upper limit than the lower (which may be about 200-500mg/day). What is really interesting is that if all is okay with your body, you do not have to worry about your salt intake at all.
Most all of our foods contain salt and too many of us add it, but the kidneys can filter out the extra sodium and even save some in case you swing the other way. The important thing to remember is to also drink enough water. Water will carry out the salt that is in your blood, by making urine. You should actually get rid of the same amount that you consume, on a daily basis. If you are concerned about water weight and salt making you swell, then what you need to do is drink MORE water, not less. You will pee it out. We do not gain any "pounds" from drinking water.
As I have been saying, it isn't clear that high salt intake causes hypertension, however it is clear that high calorie diets (which may also be high in sodium) increase obesity rates. Obesity is linked to HTN. Though not all people with high blood pressure see a reduction when salt intake is reduced, many people see an improvement when their WEIGHT is reduced. There is evidence that lower fat diets that are high in fruits, vegetables and grains, as well as fish and moderate amounts of low fat dairy are more health protective then simply restricting salt.
The higher ones blood pressure, the higher risk of death from heart disease, so do not think I am trying to minimize HTN, I am not. What health experts recommend is that everyone be mindful of their intake and try not to exceed the 2400mg a day limit on most days. There certainly is no harm in that.
Otherwise, if you do not have a history of kidney disease or hypertension in your family, eat your salt but drink your water too! Certain things will deplete your salt levels. Extreme physical activity, vomiting and diarrhea can alter your electrolyte balance. See a health care professional if dizziness, fainting and or headaches occur following these activities.
(For EH)
Most of us relate sodium to hypertension and thus to heart, kidney and cerebravascular disease. People with high blood pressure are at high risk of a brain hemorrhage or stroke. However, not everyone with hypertension got it from a high salt intake and not everyone who has HTN will see it normalize if they restrict their salt. Some people are salt sensitive and some are not. At this time, we really don't know which category anyone will be in unless they begin to have problems.
In our bodies, sodium is concentrated outside of cells. Sodium helps to regulate the amount of water inside or outside the cell. This a very important job. Electrolyte imbalances from dehydration can result in heart irregularities and even death. When water is lacking and the system (I think kidneys excrete salt which pulls the water from the cells) starts to take it from cells (which have already lost water), it takes minerals along with the water. It is a very dangerous situation.
Back to SALT. There is no population whose diet has been found to be too low in salt. Therefore there is much more concern about the upper limit than the lower (which may be about 200-500mg/day). What is really interesting is that if all is okay with your body, you do not have to worry about your salt intake at all.
Most all of our foods contain salt and too many of us add it, but the kidneys can filter out the extra sodium and even save some in case you swing the other way. The important thing to remember is to also drink enough water. Water will carry out the salt that is in your blood, by making urine. You should actually get rid of the same amount that you consume, on a daily basis. If you are concerned about water weight and salt making you swell, then what you need to do is drink MORE water, not less. You will pee it out. We do not gain any "pounds" from drinking water.
As I have been saying, it isn't clear that high salt intake causes hypertension, however it is clear that high calorie diets (which may also be high in sodium) increase obesity rates. Obesity is linked to HTN. Though not all people with high blood pressure see a reduction when salt intake is reduced, many people see an improvement when their WEIGHT is reduced. There is evidence that lower fat diets that are high in fruits, vegetables and grains, as well as fish and moderate amounts of low fat dairy are more health protective then simply restricting salt.
The higher ones blood pressure, the higher risk of death from heart disease, so do not think I am trying to minimize HTN, I am not. What health experts recommend is that everyone be mindful of their intake and try not to exceed the 2400mg a day limit on most days. There certainly is no harm in that.
Otherwise, if you do not have a history of kidney disease or hypertension in your family, eat your salt but drink your water too! Certain things will deplete your salt levels. Extreme physical activity, vomiting and diarrhea can alter your electrolyte balance. See a health care professional if dizziness, fainting and or headaches occur following these activities.
(For EH)
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Odds and Ends with a video bonus
Antioxidants in Lotion: In a popular magazine I read about using antioxidant rich lotions to aid in skin repair and made a note to myself to check that out because I did not believe that the research existed to back it up. It took me some time, but I did find an article on Medscape that actually did confirm that the lotions with certain antioxidants could be helpful. I will paste some of the particular ingredients so that you can review product labels. In reading about skin this week and just now, it was also mentioned that one should avoid any cigarette smoke, use sunscreen and watch for soaps that strip skin of oils. The following is taken from an article on research by Joseph F. Coffey, BSc, MD; Gordon E. Searles, OD, MD, MSc, FRCPC
Two types of antioxidants are available: enzymatic and nonenzymatic. The nonenzymatic type (e.g., vitamin C, alpha-tocopherol, retinol, beta-carotene, and glutathione) reduce the potential for cellular oxidative damage[19] by acting as free-radical scavengers. Enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, G-6PD, glutathione peroxidase) protect the keratinocyte by enzymatically hastening biochemical reactions.[5-9,20-23]
(vitamin A and C are also mentioned in the article)
Play 60: I have already given big kudos to the NFL for their initiative to get children active by promoting 60 minutes of physical activity (play) every day. I noticed today that the Play 60 logo was on the football field during the games. Very cool.
USF/WS: I currently live in Florida and my employer has an affiliation with the University of South Florida, so I like them! I lived most of my life in Winston Salem, NC, and I like WS too. This week it was reported that USF has created an antidepressant that may be more tolerable for persons who suffer with depression and a partnership with a WS company could lead to a billion dollar deal. I do not really like drugs, but it was cool that these two institutions connected.
More Antidepressant News: Seroquel is a medication that is FDA approved to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, both are forms of mental illness. Seroquel is linked to weight gain and new onset diabetes. I hate the drug profile. Astra Zeneca has just gotten approval from the FDA to market Seroquel XR (extended release) to treat resistant depression. That means persons who have been on other antidepressants but have not gotten better. Astra Zeneca would very much like their medication to be a first line med for depression. I hope that never happens.
Nicotine Inhalers: I got a late boarding pass for my return flight from NY and had to cross my fingers and hope that I would still get an aisle seat. I saw one quickly, next to an older woman(she had old skin) and her son. Older meaning , maybe fifty. As I was putting my bag overhead I saw the nicotine inhaler clutched in her palm. First I was glad it was not one of those ridiculous e cigarettes, second, I knew what it was from my job, third, I did not know if she was using it solely for the plane ride or if she had quit smoking. I sort of panicked before sitting down. What if she smelled of cigarette smoke? Could I handle three hours of smelling those chemicals? As soon as I sat down, I knew she didn't smoke. In fact, she had been off the cigarettes for seven months and was nearly through with her Nicotine Replacement Therapy taper.
Fish Oil: I haven't had a chance to check this out yet, but I will. If you are concerned, and you should be, that your fish oil supplement may not be pure, you can review the data on many brands at this website - Oh, yes, in the article I read it was suggested that you cut two or three of your capsules in half and squeeze the oil into a cup of water. Put the water into the freezer and see if your oil freezes. If it does it is more saturated fat than the protective Omega 3 fats in fish. I don't know about yours, by my Cooper Institute capsules cost way too much to waste with that experiment!
Hummus: This spread is made from chick peas and is usually very healthful. High in protein and often low in fat, it makes a great snack. A friend in NC, sent me a chocolate hummus recipe and I revised it and video taped it, so enjoy.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Positve Benefits?
There is a new concept, or a branch even, in the field of psychology that is referred to as positive psychology and sometimes “positivity”. As you would expect, there are those who support it and those who do not. In reading about the positivity notion as promoted by Barbara Fredrickson, I was not really convinced to take either side.
Dr. Fredrickson refers to a ratio that needs to be held in order for one to be happy, resilient and productive. She identifies 10 top positive emotions and says that one must maintain at least three of them for every negative one. For example, stress is negative and joy, serenity and love are positive. I think supporters of this make it so complicated as to be convoluted.
Yes, a person with a positive outlook who is resourceful can be resilient and thus more content and in the end healthier. Being healthier, this person would be more positive and happy. This person may flourish in life.
The alternative suggestion is that many or some people lack both inner and outer resources to make their lives more full of interest, awe and hope and it may also be true – in a way. If the theorists are saying that the resources are simply not available to some people, well, I know I felt that about too many people when I worked in psychiatry and I sincerely hope it is not true.
Even so, teaching people to find the positive and to actively change their lives is the work of someone much more patient then I.
For my personal self “positivity” has been an area of much work AND progress. I always have a Plan B and though I may fret, worry and pout about the failure of Plan A, it is only as a way of venting. I have made myself resilient (perhaps from an inner resource) and I hope that my life remains high in the number of positive emotions expressed
As I was about to post the blog, I thought I should add a link for you to read more about this. I found a website for Barbara Fredrickson which I am about to paste here, but on the page is also a two minute survey you can take to assess your 3:1 ratio, I started with the first few questions and stopped. They ask about significant emotions and how extreme you have EVER felt them – well, I have lived a lot of years in my short life and I do not think that the questions would adequately measure my true essence, so I bailed on the quiz. Just bear it in mind if you take it – it is not to my knowledge a valid, well tested, objective measure of YOU.
http://www.positivityratio.com/
What do you need to take away from today? Life is short, you are strong, make your ending positive and your daily life as pleasant as you possibly can.
Dr. Fredrickson refers to a ratio that needs to be held in order for one to be happy, resilient and productive. She identifies 10 top positive emotions and says that one must maintain at least three of them for every negative one. For example, stress is negative and joy, serenity and love are positive. I think supporters of this make it so complicated as to be convoluted.
Yes, a person with a positive outlook who is resourceful can be resilient and thus more content and in the end healthier. Being healthier, this person would be more positive and happy. This person may flourish in life.
The alternative suggestion is that many or some people lack both inner and outer resources to make their lives more full of interest, awe and hope and it may also be true – in a way. If the theorists are saying that the resources are simply not available to some people, well, I know I felt that about too many people when I worked in psychiatry and I sincerely hope it is not true.
Even so, teaching people to find the positive and to actively change their lives is the work of someone much more patient then I.
For my personal self “positivity” has been an area of much work AND progress. I always have a Plan B and though I may fret, worry and pout about the failure of Plan A, it is only as a way of venting. I have made myself resilient (perhaps from an inner resource) and I hope that my life remains high in the number of positive emotions expressed
As I was about to post the blog, I thought I should add a link for you to read more about this. I found a website for Barbara Fredrickson which I am about to paste here, but on the page is also a two minute survey you can take to assess your 3:1 ratio, I started with the first few questions and stopped. They ask about significant emotions and how extreme you have EVER felt them – well, I have lived a lot of years in my short life and I do not think that the questions would adequately measure my true essence, so I bailed on the quiz. Just bear it in mind if you take it – it is not to my knowledge a valid, well tested, objective measure of YOU.
http://www.positivityratio.com/
What do you need to take away from today? Life is short, you are strong, make your ending positive and your daily life as pleasant as you possibly can.
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