Go to Health: Moving right along
Our bodies have magnificently evolved to move, but life can get in the way: computers, sedentary work, commuting, television, child-care, fatigue. Here are two ways for busy people to vary the 30 minutes of dedicated daily exercise that has been shown to reduce cardiovascular risk and keep us fit.
The Treadmill Desk—aka iPLod
Dr James Levine at the Mayo clinic disliked visiting the gym after a long workday. In his lab he is studying ‘Non-exercise Activity Thermogenesis’. He has devised a way for office workers to walk slowly on a treadmill while working on their computers or talking on the phone. His lab also has a two lane walking track that serves as a meeting room. He puts the treadmill on a very slow speed (as slow as 1 mph), which is fast enough to burn an extra 100 calories per hour, and up to 1,000 extra per day on his average 10-hour workday. Levine placed 15 obese workers on treadmills in front of computers and found they burned an extra 119 calories an hour walking at their own pace. During the course of a year, those workers could lose close to 50 pounds if they practiced healthy eating, the researchers said.
Some companies, such as Mutual of Omaha and Humana, are trying out ‘walkstations’, and finding that some employees cannot get used to them, but others find it helps their ability to focus on work. While commercially produced walkstations are expensive, some people with home offices can build their own tray holding a laptop over a treadmill. Another message from this research is that staying on your feet as much as possible during the day – even with slow walking – is beneficial for weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight. Keep moving! Here are two good websites that illustrate these strategies.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/treadmill-desk/MM00706
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/18/health/nutrition/18fitness.html
Interval Training
Interval training is alternating bursts of intense activity with intervals of lighter activity. Researchers at McMaster University in Ontario are studying whether humans can increase endurance with only a few minutes of strenuous exercise, instead of hours. They had a group of healthy college students, not athletes, ride a stationary bike at a sustainable pace for between 90 and 120 minutes. Another set of students grunted through a series of short, strenuous intervals: 20 to 30 seconds of cycling at the highest intensity the riders could stand. After resting for four minutes, the students pedaled hard again for another 20 to 30 seconds, repeating the cycle four to six times. Each of the two groups exercised three times a week. After two weeks, both groups showed almost identical increases in their endurance, even though the one group had exercised for six to nine minutes per week, and the other about five hours. Additionally, molecular changes that signal increased fitness were evident equally in both groups. People who have a chronic health condition or who haven't been exercising regularly should consult a doctor before trying interval training, and overuse injury of muscles and tendons can also be a problem. Here’ a recent website on interval training:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/can-you-get-fit-in-six-minutes-a-week/
Sadja Greenwood, MD –back issues on this blog, leave a message! no column on 7/6/09; celery & purslane on 7/13/09
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Go to Health - Omega-3 fatty acids
Go to Health – Omega-3 fatty acids
Humans have been eating aquatic animals since the beginning of our evolution. We depended on the rivers, lakes, and marshes to survive in the African heat. Some anthropologists believe we were only able to become large-brained because we regularly included fish and other aquatic animals in our diet. The beneficial fats in fish and shellfish are known as EPA and DHA (also called omega-3 fatty acids); they are made by microalgae in seawater, consumed by fish and accumulated in their fat and organs.. When we eat fish, shellfish or fish oil capsules, we experience some of the following benefits:
*Heart - a current review of 15 large studies, published in the American Journal of Nutrition, states that EPA and DHA consumption markedly reduces the risk of cardiac death. The scientists recommended establishment of a Dietary Reference Intake for EPA and DHA (250-500 mg/day) to reduce the risk of heart disease – the leading cause of death of men and women in the US and other developed countries. The mechanisms by which omega-3 fatty acids work is thought to be by suppressing irregular heart beats, decreasing clotting and inflammation, and lowering triglycerides.
*Brain - the human brain is composed of about 60% fat; studies show that omega-3 fatty acids are essential for nervous tissue growth and function. In 1996, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a study comparing the prevalence of depression across ten nations. The survey showed how the lifetime and annual rates for depression vary widely from country to country. (1.5 in every 100 adults in Taiwan experience depression in their lifetimes while the figure is 19 for every 100 adults in Beirut). A 1998 study published in The Lancet compared this data with fish consumption, finding the higher consuming populations had less depression. A 2003 study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry compared similar cross-national data, involving bipolar disorder, again finding a strong correlation between this illness and seafood consumption. Dr.Andrew Stoll, a Harvard psychiatrist, uses fish oil capsules to treat depression, bipolar disease, and anxiety, in addition to standard treatment in serious cases. His book ‘The Omega-3 Connection’ explains the use of fish oil capsules for mood stabilization in many illnesses, including post-partum depression. Pediatricians are aware that improving maternal DHA/EPA nutrition decreases the risk of poor infant and child visual and neural development. Pregnant and breast feeding mothers are often advised to include (very low mercury) fish or fish oil in their diet, and some infant formulas are now available with added omega-3s.
*Vegetarians – Vegan omega-3 capsules made from microalgae are sold in natural food stores. Walnuts, flax, pumpkin seed and purslane contain a type of fat similar to fish oil, called alpha linolenic acid. This compound is converted to EPA in the body, but the conversion is not complete. Both EPA and DHA are found in fish oil, which makes it the most desirable nutrient for omega-3s. Concern about mercury in fish makes it important to eat wisely, avoiding large fish like swordfish and shark. Look for the words ‘molecularly distilled’ on fish oil caps. Here’s a good website for avoiding both mercury and endangered species of fish:
www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/walletcard.PDF
Sadja Greenwood, MD
Humans have been eating aquatic animals since the beginning of our evolution. We depended on the rivers, lakes, and marshes to survive in the African heat. Some anthropologists believe we were only able to become large-brained because we regularly included fish and other aquatic animals in our diet. The beneficial fats in fish and shellfish are known as EPA and DHA (also called omega-3 fatty acids); they are made by microalgae in seawater, consumed by fish and accumulated in their fat and organs.. When we eat fish, shellfish or fish oil capsules, we experience some of the following benefits:
*Heart - a current review of 15 large studies, published in the American Journal of Nutrition, states that EPA and DHA consumption markedly reduces the risk of cardiac death. The scientists recommended establishment of a Dietary Reference Intake for EPA and DHA (250-500 mg/day) to reduce the risk of heart disease – the leading cause of death of men and women in the US and other developed countries. The mechanisms by which omega-3 fatty acids work is thought to be by suppressing irregular heart beats, decreasing clotting and inflammation, and lowering triglycerides.
*Brain - the human brain is composed of about 60% fat; studies show that omega-3 fatty acids are essential for nervous tissue growth and function. In 1996, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a study comparing the prevalence of depression across ten nations. The survey showed how the lifetime and annual rates for depression vary widely from country to country. (1.5 in every 100 adults in Taiwan experience depression in their lifetimes while the figure is 19 for every 100 adults in Beirut). A 1998 study published in The Lancet compared this data with fish consumption, finding the higher consuming populations had less depression. A 2003 study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry compared similar cross-national data, involving bipolar disorder, again finding a strong correlation between this illness and seafood consumption. Dr.Andrew Stoll, a Harvard psychiatrist, uses fish oil capsules to treat depression, bipolar disease, and anxiety, in addition to standard treatment in serious cases. His book ‘The Omega-3 Connection’ explains the use of fish oil capsules for mood stabilization in many illnesses, including post-partum depression. Pediatricians are aware that improving maternal DHA/EPA nutrition decreases the risk of poor infant and child visual and neural development. Pregnant and breast feeding mothers are often advised to include (very low mercury) fish or fish oil in their diet, and some infant formulas are now available with added omega-3s.
*Vegetarians – Vegan omega-3 capsules made from microalgae are sold in natural food stores. Walnuts, flax, pumpkin seed and purslane contain a type of fat similar to fish oil, called alpha linolenic acid. This compound is converted to EPA in the body, but the conversion is not complete. Both EPA and DHA are found in fish oil, which makes it the most desirable nutrient for omega-3s. Concern about mercury in fish makes it important to eat wisely, avoiding large fish like swordfish and shark. Look for the words ‘molecularly distilled’ on fish oil caps. Here’s a good website for avoiding both mercury and endangered species of fish:
www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/walletcard.PDF
Sadja Greenwood, MD
Monday, June 15, 2009
Go to Health - Chewing Gum – some surprising benefits
Chewing gum is prohibited in many schools because it can be noisy, distracting and tends to be stuck under chairs and tables. Chewing gum has been considered impolite and ugly, especially bubble gum. Most commercial gum is made with sugar or questionable substitutes such as saccharin and aspartame. Gum chewers can develop pain in their temporomandibular joints (TMJ), especially if they chew on one side of their mouth for too long. That’s the down side. Here are some interesting benefits.
*Aid in weight loss: chewing gum vigorously (100 chews a minute) has been shown to slightly increase metabolic rate. Gum can also be an appetite suppressant. A study found that chewing gum before an afternoon snack caused people to consume 25 less snack calories. While that is not a high number, even a slight reduction in caloric intake can have significant effects in the long term. Gum can be an alternative to mindless munching. Dieters who crave sweets can chew xylitol sweetened gum after a meal to signal the end of eating. Xylitol is a form of sugar found in plants, trees, fruits and vegetables It has 40% less calories than sugar, and tastes as sweet, with no aftertaste. It may be safe for some with diabetes - check with your doctor.
*Abdominal surgery
A new study has shown that chewing gum after abdominal surgery may help in recovery. Chewing gum reduces the time for the gut to become active, lowering the incidence of obstruction of the bowel and stimulating the release of gut hormones. Furthermore, gum chewers have better chances of avoiding nausea and vomiting after the operation.
*Dental benefits: ingredients such as Xylitol and Peelu in gum may help cleaning your teeth, decreasing tooth decay and dental plaque.. The US Army puts xylitol gum in its MRE (meals ready to eat) because it blocks bacteria from producing the acids that cause tooth decay,. Xylitol also increases saliva flow, which helps neutralize any acids and provides calcium to repair any weakened areas of the teeth. Soldiers returning from combat had been showing serious amounts of dental decay. Now they are advised to chew xylitol gum for 5 minutes 3x daily.
*Memory Aid!: An English study of gum chewing showed that chewers scores were 24% -36% higher than controls on immediate and delayed word recall, and also more accurate on tests of spatial memory. Explanations for the link between recall and chewing gum are varied: Chewing gum raises the heart beat by around 3 beats per minute, increasing blood flow in the cerebral area, which could explain the improvement in such brain activity. Chewing gum while taking in information, and chewing again at the time it needs to be recalled, such as in an exam, may aid in a memory association between the action or taste of chewing gum and the information being remembered. Based on these suppositions, a Stanford student has developed a product called Think Gum, popular on campus at exam time. It contains peppermint, rosemary, ginkgo biloba, vinpocetine from periwinkle plants, the Indian herb bacopa, and guarana, a source of caffeine (10 mg per piece). Since simpler may be safer,
My advice is– try xylitol gum – found in natural food and vitamin stores..
Sadja Greenwood, MD – back issues on my blog http://sadjascolumns.blogspot.com
Chewing gum is prohibited in many schools because it can be noisy, distracting and tends to be stuck under chairs and tables. Chewing gum has been considered impolite and ugly, especially bubble gum. Most commercial gum is made with sugar or questionable substitutes such as saccharin and aspartame. Gum chewers can develop pain in their temporomandibular joints (TMJ), especially if they chew on one side of their mouth for too long. That’s the down side. Here are some interesting benefits.
*Aid in weight loss: chewing gum vigorously (100 chews a minute) has been shown to slightly increase metabolic rate. Gum can also be an appetite suppressant. A study found that chewing gum before an afternoon snack caused people to consume 25 less snack calories. While that is not a high number, even a slight reduction in caloric intake can have significant effects in the long term. Gum can be an alternative to mindless munching. Dieters who crave sweets can chew xylitol sweetened gum after a meal to signal the end of eating. Xylitol is a form of sugar found in plants, trees, fruits and vegetables It has 40% less calories than sugar, and tastes as sweet, with no aftertaste. It may be safe for some with diabetes - check with your doctor.
*Abdominal surgery
A new study has shown that chewing gum after abdominal surgery may help in recovery. Chewing gum reduces the time for the gut to become active, lowering the incidence of obstruction of the bowel and stimulating the release of gut hormones. Furthermore, gum chewers have better chances of avoiding nausea and vomiting after the operation.
*Dental benefits: ingredients such as Xylitol and Peelu in gum may help cleaning your teeth, decreasing tooth decay and dental plaque.. The US Army puts xylitol gum in its MRE (meals ready to eat) because it blocks bacteria from producing the acids that cause tooth decay,. Xylitol also increases saliva flow, which helps neutralize any acids and provides calcium to repair any weakened areas of the teeth. Soldiers returning from combat had been showing serious amounts of dental decay. Now they are advised to chew xylitol gum for 5 minutes 3x daily.
*Memory Aid!: An English study of gum chewing showed that chewers scores were 24% -36% higher than controls on immediate and delayed word recall, and also more accurate on tests of spatial memory. Explanations for the link between recall and chewing gum are varied: Chewing gum raises the heart beat by around 3 beats per minute, increasing blood flow in the cerebral area, which could explain the improvement in such brain activity. Chewing gum while taking in information, and chewing again at the time it needs to be recalled, such as in an exam, may aid in a memory association between the action or taste of chewing gum and the information being remembered. Based on these suppositions, a Stanford student has developed a product called Think Gum, popular on campus at exam time. It contains peppermint, rosemary, ginkgo biloba, vinpocetine from periwinkle plants, the Indian herb bacopa, and guarana, a source of caffeine (10 mg per piece). Since simpler may be safer,
My advice is– try xylitol gum – found in natural food and vitamin stores..
Sadja Greenwood, MD – back issues on my blog http://sadjascolumns.blogspot.com
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Mifepristone (RU486), the medical abortion pill
Go to Health – Mifepristone – the Medical Abortion pill – RU486
Women have been using herbs, poisons, soap solutions, sticks and pointed roots for millennia to try to get rid of an unwanted pregnancy. Illegal, unsafe abortion is a nightmare for women and their health-care providers. Surgical abortion, legal in the US since 1973 (since 1969 in California) has made the process safe, effective and much less traumatic.
In the 1980’s, French doctors began to work on a pill that would induce abortion – it was licensed there in 1988 and called RU486, or mifepristone (Mfp). In the US, it underwent clinical trials in the 1990’s and was approved in 2000. It is legal and available in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Guam and Puerto Rico.
Medical abortion with Mfp can be used as soon as a woman confirms that she is pregnant, and up to 8-9 weeks from the beginning of her last menstrual period. It is most effective if done early. The pills are effective about 95% of the time. In 3% to 5% of cases women will need a suction abortion due to continued pregnancy, prolonged or excessive bleeding.
Mfp works by blocking the action of progesterone, a hormone needed for the continuation of pregnancy. After taking the Mfp pills, in a clinic or doctor’s office, the woman is given a medicine called misoprostol (MSP) to use in a few days. MSP is taken by mouth or inserted into the vagina – clinics differ in their instructions on this. It causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy, often with bleeding that resembles a heavy, crampy period. Infection is a rare side effect of medical and surgical abortions. Women should always be under the care of their clinic or doctor while undergoing an abortion and should follow instructions carefully.
The University of California San Francisco has a helpful website explaining the procedure and comparing medical and surgical abortions: http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/edu/abortion.html
Medical Abortion with Mfp is legal throughout Europe (not in Ireland and Poland), and in many Asian countries including India, China, Vietnam and Japan. In Africa, only South Africa and Tunisia allow abortions. In Latin America abortion is legal only in Cuba and Mexico City. The World Health Organization estimates that 21% of all pregnancies in Latin America end in unsafe abortions. MSP, which causes strong uterine contractions, is available over the counter in many areas, sold as Cytotec, a drug designed for preventing stomach ulcers. It is widely used – without Mfp - by women seeking abortion, with very little information on how to use it or handle problems of heavy bleeding, cramping or infection.
The recent murder of Dr George Tiller, a doctor who performed late abortions in Kansas, is a terrible reminder of the passions on both sides of the abortion debate. I had an abortion when it was illegal in this country; I took care of women after illegal abortions, and I performed many thousands of legal procedures. My conclusions – keep it safe and legal; remember contraception.
Sadja Greenwood, MD
Women have been using herbs, poisons, soap solutions, sticks and pointed roots for millennia to try to get rid of an unwanted pregnancy. Illegal, unsafe abortion is a nightmare for women and their health-care providers. Surgical abortion, legal in the US since 1973 (since 1969 in California) has made the process safe, effective and much less traumatic.
In the 1980’s, French doctors began to work on a pill that would induce abortion – it was licensed there in 1988 and called RU486, or mifepristone (Mfp). In the US, it underwent clinical trials in the 1990’s and was approved in 2000. It is legal and available in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Guam and Puerto Rico.
Medical abortion with Mfp can be used as soon as a woman confirms that she is pregnant, and up to 8-9 weeks from the beginning of her last menstrual period. It is most effective if done early. The pills are effective about 95% of the time. In 3% to 5% of cases women will need a suction abortion due to continued pregnancy, prolonged or excessive bleeding.
Mfp works by blocking the action of progesterone, a hormone needed for the continuation of pregnancy. After taking the Mfp pills, in a clinic or doctor’s office, the woman is given a medicine called misoprostol (MSP) to use in a few days. MSP is taken by mouth or inserted into the vagina – clinics differ in their instructions on this. It causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy, often with bleeding that resembles a heavy, crampy period. Infection is a rare side effect of medical and surgical abortions. Women should always be under the care of their clinic or doctor while undergoing an abortion and should follow instructions carefully.
The University of California San Francisco has a helpful website explaining the procedure and comparing medical and surgical abortions: http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/edu/abortion.html
Medical Abortion with Mfp is legal throughout Europe (not in Ireland and Poland), and in many Asian countries including India, China, Vietnam and Japan. In Africa, only South Africa and Tunisia allow abortions. In Latin America abortion is legal only in Cuba and Mexico City. The World Health Organization estimates that 21% of all pregnancies in Latin America end in unsafe abortions. MSP, which causes strong uterine contractions, is available over the counter in many areas, sold as Cytotec, a drug designed for preventing stomach ulcers. It is widely used – without Mfp - by women seeking abortion, with very little information on how to use it or handle problems of heavy bleeding, cramping or infection.
The recent murder of Dr George Tiller, a doctor who performed late abortions in Kansas, is a terrible reminder of the passions on both sides of the abortion debate. I had an abortion when it was illegal in this country; I took care of women after illegal abortions, and I performed many thousands of legal procedures. My conclusions – keep it safe and legal; remember contraception.
Sadja Greenwood, MD
Sunday, May 31, 2009
New Treatments forAlcohol Addiction
Go To Health – New Treatments for Alcohol Addiction
Doctors and nurses often use the following screening questions to find and help people with alcohol addiction:
*Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
*Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
*Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
*Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?
Answering yes to 2 or more of these questions indicates a strong possibility of problem drinking. Some reports say that 8% of the population has serious problems with alcohol, and most do not get treatment.
AA is a highly effective treatment for many people. It replaces drinking friends with the fellowship of AA members and sponsors who support sobriety and teach important coping skills. Many members consider that the 12 steps are a guide to a new way of life. Alcoholics who use drug treatments would do well to go to AA as well, for ongoing social support.
Antabuse is a drug that makes people seriously ill if they drink. As long as it is taken it is a deterrent, but it has a mixed record because it does not reduce the craving for alcohol, nor does it treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It is more widely used and more successful in Europe, with abstinence rates of 50%
Naltrexone, is used to decrease cravings for alcohol. Alcohol increases the release of brain opioids, compounds that promote a sense of pleasure. Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, blocks brain receptors for these opioids, making it easier for drinkers to remain abstinent or stop quickly in the event of a slip. Naltrexone can reduce relapse and craving for alcohol in many but not all people. It is also used in treating opiate addiction (heroin, oxycontin, et al.) and smoking. This is important, as heroin use is rising. A monthly injection of Naltrexone has been found to work better than a daily pill, at a lower overall dose. It should not be used if a person has hepatitis or cirrhosis.
Baclofen is prescribed as a muscle relaxant, and has been found to reduce cravings for alcohol. Its structure is similar to a brain neurotransmitter known as GABA, which lowers excitability and relaxes muscle tone. It decreases craving for alcohol, is helpful in withdrawal, and can be used by people with cirrhosis. Baclofen use has been popularized by Olivier Ameisen, an academic cardiologist who wrote ‘The End of My Addiction’. He recounts his recovery from being a serious alcoholic with the use of Baclofen. Trials are also underway to treat cocaine addiction with this drug.
Campral is a new drug that seems to restore chemical balance in the brain after people stop drinking; It does not help with withdrawal symptoms, but may reduce sleep disturbances. It should not be used by depressed people, who may become a suicide risk.
Genetic differences may explain why these 3 drugs are helpful for some but not all. (Pregnant and breast-feeding women should not use them.) Considering the huge personal and social dangers of alcohol abuse, they are important new medications
Sadja Greenwood. MD
Doctors and nurses often use the following screening questions to find and help people with alcohol addiction:
*Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
*Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
*Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
*Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?
Answering yes to 2 or more of these questions indicates a strong possibility of problem drinking. Some reports say that 8% of the population has serious problems with alcohol, and most do not get treatment.
AA is a highly effective treatment for many people. It replaces drinking friends with the fellowship of AA members and sponsors who support sobriety and teach important coping skills. Many members consider that the 12 steps are a guide to a new way of life. Alcoholics who use drug treatments would do well to go to AA as well, for ongoing social support.
Antabuse is a drug that makes people seriously ill if they drink. As long as it is taken it is a deterrent, but it has a mixed record because it does not reduce the craving for alcohol, nor does it treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It is more widely used and more successful in Europe, with abstinence rates of 50%
Naltrexone, is used to decrease cravings for alcohol. Alcohol increases the release of brain opioids, compounds that promote a sense of pleasure. Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, blocks brain receptors for these opioids, making it easier for drinkers to remain abstinent or stop quickly in the event of a slip. Naltrexone can reduce relapse and craving for alcohol in many but not all people. It is also used in treating opiate addiction (heroin, oxycontin, et al.) and smoking. This is important, as heroin use is rising. A monthly injection of Naltrexone has been found to work better than a daily pill, at a lower overall dose. It should not be used if a person has hepatitis or cirrhosis.
Baclofen is prescribed as a muscle relaxant, and has been found to reduce cravings for alcohol. Its structure is similar to a brain neurotransmitter known as GABA, which lowers excitability and relaxes muscle tone. It decreases craving for alcohol, is helpful in withdrawal, and can be used by people with cirrhosis. Baclofen use has been popularized by Olivier Ameisen, an academic cardiologist who wrote ‘The End of My Addiction’. He recounts his recovery from being a serious alcoholic with the use of Baclofen. Trials are also underway to treat cocaine addiction with this drug.
Campral is a new drug that seems to restore chemical balance in the brain after people stop drinking; It does not help with withdrawal symptoms, but may reduce sleep disturbances. It should not be used by depressed people, who may become a suicide risk.
Genetic differences may explain why these 3 drugs are helpful for some but not all. (Pregnant and breast-feeding women should not use them.) Considering the huge personal and social dangers of alcohol abuse, they are important new medications
Sadja Greenwood. MD
Monday, May 25, 2009
Green Tea
Go to Health – Green Tea
Archeological evidence suggests that people consumed tea leaves steeped in hot water as many as 500,000 years ago! Green tea tastes good, and is both energizing (caffeine) and calming (theanine). Recently scientists have been investigating the potential cancer preventive and therapeutic effects of green tea. The polyphenols in green tea, known as catechins, are considered to be the beneficial molecules The most active of these is known as EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). Researchers at the Medical Sciences Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison have found that EGCG has several ways in which it may be active against cancer - altering the expression of genes involved in cell growth and division, growth of new blood vessels in the cancer (angiogenesis), cancer cell death (apoptosis) and metastasis. These laboratory studies have been augmented by population-based studies in groups of people who drink a lot of green tea – mostly in China and Japan. Such studies are suggestive, but not definitive.
*Bladder Cancer – women who drank black tea and powdered green tea were less likely to get bladder cancer, and men with bladder cancer who drank green tea had a better survival rate.
*Breast Cancer - In one study of 472 women with various stages of breast cancer, researchers found that women who consumed the most green tea experienced the least spread of cancer. Women with early stages of the disease who drank at least 5 cups of tea every day before being diagnosed with cancer were less likely to suffer recurrences of the disease after completion of treatment. However, women with late stages of breast cancer experienced little or no improvement from drinking green tea. . In one very large clinical study from Japan, researchers found that drinking green tea was not associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer.
*Ovarian Cancer - In a clinical study conducted on ovarian cancer patients in China, researchers found that women who drank at least one cup of green tea per day survived longer with the disease than those who didn’t drink green tea. In fact, those who drank the most tea lived the longest.
*Prostate Cancer - Laboratory studies have found that green tea extracts prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells in test tubes. In a large clinical study conducted in Southeast China researchers found that the risk of prostate cancer declined with increasing frequency, duration and quantity of green tea consumption. However, both green and black tea extracts also stimulated genes that cause cells to be less sensitive to chemotherapy drugs. Given this potential interaction, people should not drink black and green tea (as well as extracts of these teas) while receiving chemotherapy.
Pancreatic Cancer - In one large-scale clinical study researchers compared green tea drinkers with non-drinkers and found that those who drank the most tea were significantly less likely to develop pancreatic cancer.. However, it is not clear from this population-based study whether green tea is solely responsible for reducing pancreatic cancer risk.
*Colorectal, Esophageal, Lung, Stomach Cancer -– conflicting results, including possible increased risk. Extremely hot drinks are can damage the esophagus.
Green tea extracts are also being studied for possible help with inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, alcoholic liver disease, arthritis, weight loss, dental caries, genital warts, and even prevention of cold and flu symptoms. Stay tuned for more studies.
Green tea contains 20-30 mg of caffeine per cup, compared to 100 mg in a cup of coffee; you can also make decaf green tea.. Pills containing green tea extracts are available, some without caffeine.
Sadja Greenwood, MD - back issues on my blog – http://sadjascolumns.blogspot.com
Archeological evidence suggests that people consumed tea leaves steeped in hot water as many as 500,000 years ago! Green tea tastes good, and is both energizing (caffeine) and calming (theanine). Recently scientists have been investigating the potential cancer preventive and therapeutic effects of green tea. The polyphenols in green tea, known as catechins, are considered to be the beneficial molecules The most active of these is known as EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). Researchers at the Medical Sciences Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison have found that EGCG has several ways in which it may be active against cancer - altering the expression of genes involved in cell growth and division, growth of new blood vessels in the cancer (angiogenesis), cancer cell death (apoptosis) and metastasis. These laboratory studies have been augmented by population-based studies in groups of people who drink a lot of green tea – mostly in China and Japan. Such studies are suggestive, but not definitive.
*Bladder Cancer – women who drank black tea and powdered green tea were less likely to get bladder cancer, and men with bladder cancer who drank green tea had a better survival rate.
*Breast Cancer - In one study of 472 women with various stages of breast cancer, researchers found that women who consumed the most green tea experienced the least spread of cancer. Women with early stages of the disease who drank at least 5 cups of tea every day before being diagnosed with cancer were less likely to suffer recurrences of the disease after completion of treatment. However, women with late stages of breast cancer experienced little or no improvement from drinking green tea. . In one very large clinical study from Japan, researchers found that drinking green tea was not associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer.
*Ovarian Cancer - In a clinical study conducted on ovarian cancer patients in China, researchers found that women who drank at least one cup of green tea per day survived longer with the disease than those who didn’t drink green tea. In fact, those who drank the most tea lived the longest.
*Prostate Cancer - Laboratory studies have found that green tea extracts prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells in test tubes. In a large clinical study conducted in Southeast China researchers found that the risk of prostate cancer declined with increasing frequency, duration and quantity of green tea consumption. However, both green and black tea extracts also stimulated genes that cause cells to be less sensitive to chemotherapy drugs. Given this potential interaction, people should not drink black and green tea (as well as extracts of these teas) while receiving chemotherapy.
Pancreatic Cancer - In one large-scale clinical study researchers compared green tea drinkers with non-drinkers and found that those who drank the most tea were significantly less likely to develop pancreatic cancer.. However, it is not clear from this population-based study whether green tea is solely responsible for reducing pancreatic cancer risk.
*Colorectal, Esophageal, Lung, Stomach Cancer -– conflicting results, including possible increased risk. Extremely hot drinks are can damage the esophagus.
Green tea extracts are also being studied for possible help with inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, alcoholic liver disease, arthritis, weight loss, dental caries, genital warts, and even prevention of cold and flu symptoms. Stay tuned for more studies.
Green tea contains 20-30 mg of caffeine per cup, compared to 100 mg in a cup of coffee; you can also make decaf green tea.. Pills containing green tea extracts are available, some without caffeine.
Sadja Greenwood, MD - back issues on my blog – http://sadjascolumns.blogspot.com
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Emergency Contraceotion - the Morning-After Pill
Go to Health – the morning-after pill , aka emergency contraception, Plan B
Jessica broke up with her boyfriend, and went off the birth control pill. Three months later they got back together, had a celebratory drink, and had sex without a condom.
Maria and her husband were both in school and working to support their children. When they had sex, the condom broke.
Liza went to a great party, with dancing, liquor, drugs and cute guys. She felt woozy after a drink, and had to lie down in a bedroom. She woke up to find she was being raped.
Fortunately, all these women knew about the morning-after-pill, otherwise known as Plan B , which can prevent pregnancy 89% of the time if taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex. The first pill is taken as soon as possible, and the second 12 hours later. The sooner it is taken, the more effective it is. Side effects can include nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue or headache, but in general are not severe.
Plan B contains a high dose of levonorgestrel, a progesterone-type hormone that is used in many birth control pills. It prevents pregnancy primarily by stopping ovulation (the maturation and release of eggs from the ovaries) or by preventing fertilization of the egg if ovulation has already occurred. Plan B also alters the lining of the uterus, making it less receptive to a fertilized egg.
If a woman is already pregnant, Plan B will not cause an abortion. Also, Plan B should not be used as a regular birth control method, because other methods such as the birth control pill, IUD or condoms are usually much more effective. Plan B is used in emergencies, which is why it is known as emergency contraception.
Plan B is available locally, at the West Marin Pharmacy, Safeway, or Longs. Call first to make sure it is in stock. If you are 17 or older, it is available without a prescription; younger women need a prescription from a doctor. It may be less expensive from a family planning clinic like Planned Parenthood. Men 18 and older can also buy Plan B. Women who rely on condoms, or are forgetful about the birth control pill should have Plan B immediately available in reserve, so they can use it as soon as possible after unprotected sex.
The Copper-T is an intrauterine device (IUD) that some women use for regular birth control, but you can also have it inserted up to five days after sex to prevent pregnancy. It reduces your risk of getting pregnant by more than 99%. Another advantage to the Copper-T IUD is that you can keep it in place to prevent pregnancy for up to ten years. IUDs are a good form of contraception if neither partner has a sexually transmitted disease such as gonorrhea or Chlamydia.
An excellent website for emergency contraception is ec.princeton.edu.
There is a medication that causes abortion in early pregnancy, known as Mifeprex (mifepristone, RU486), which will be described in another of these columns.
Sadja Greenwood, MD
Jessica broke up with her boyfriend, and went off the birth control pill. Three months later they got back together, had a celebratory drink, and had sex without a condom.
Maria and her husband were both in school and working to support their children. When they had sex, the condom broke.
Liza went to a great party, with dancing, liquor, drugs and cute guys. She felt woozy after a drink, and had to lie down in a bedroom. She woke up to find she was being raped.
Fortunately, all these women knew about the morning-after-pill, otherwise known as Plan B , which can prevent pregnancy 89% of the time if taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex. The first pill is taken as soon as possible, and the second 12 hours later. The sooner it is taken, the more effective it is. Side effects can include nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue or headache, but in general are not severe.
Plan B contains a high dose of levonorgestrel, a progesterone-type hormone that is used in many birth control pills. It prevents pregnancy primarily by stopping ovulation (the maturation and release of eggs from the ovaries) or by preventing fertilization of the egg if ovulation has already occurred. Plan B also alters the lining of the uterus, making it less receptive to a fertilized egg.
If a woman is already pregnant, Plan B will not cause an abortion. Also, Plan B should not be used as a regular birth control method, because other methods such as the birth control pill, IUD or condoms are usually much more effective. Plan B is used in emergencies, which is why it is known as emergency contraception.
Plan B is available locally, at the West Marin Pharmacy, Safeway, or Longs. Call first to make sure it is in stock. If you are 17 or older, it is available without a prescription; younger women need a prescription from a doctor. It may be less expensive from a family planning clinic like Planned Parenthood. Men 18 and older can also buy Plan B. Women who rely on condoms, or are forgetful about the birth control pill should have Plan B immediately available in reserve, so they can use it as soon as possible after unprotected sex.
The Copper-T is an intrauterine device (IUD) that some women use for regular birth control, but you can also have it inserted up to five days after sex to prevent pregnancy. It reduces your risk of getting pregnant by more than 99%. Another advantage to the Copper-T IUD is that you can keep it in place to prevent pregnancy for up to ten years. IUDs are a good form of contraception if neither partner has a sexually transmitted disease such as gonorrhea or Chlamydia.
An excellent website for emergency contraception is ec.princeton.edu.
There is a medication that causes abortion in early pregnancy, known as Mifeprex (mifepristone, RU486), which will be described in another of these columns.
Sadja Greenwood, MD
'Plumpynut'
Go to Health: ‘Plumpynut’
Severely malnourished children in Africa are being saved by a fortified peanut butter known as ‘Plumpynut’. It was developed by Andre Briend, a French pediatric nutritionist with WHO who saw the need for a food that was cheap to produce, ready to eat, and did not need clean water to prepare. It contains peanut paste, vegetable oil, powdered milk, sugar, vitamins and minerals, combined in a foil pouch that equals 500 calories. Peanuts contain monounsaturated fats, which are easy to digest; ‘Plumpynut’ is rich in zinc and protein, good for the immune system and muscle development. According to Doctors Without Borders, there is virtually no peanut allergy among the children they treat.
Mothers who are themselves malnourished can’t produce enough breast milk for their children, can’t afford to buy milk, and lack clean water, electricity and refrigeration.
Doctors Without Borders have been giving out packets of ‘Plumpynut’ in Niger, Malawi, Darfur, and other African countries since 2005 to children who are dramatically underweight and able to be treated as outpatients. Children love the taste and all but the weakest can feed it to themselves. In most cases, their weight gain and return to health is rapid . Please watch the remarkable results of using ‘Plumpynut’ on 60 Minutes with Anderson Cooper
www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/19/60minutes/main3386661.shtml
Doctors Without Borders
estimate there are 20 million malnourished children around the world, and only about 3% are getting foods like ‘Plumpynut’ .
You can support Doctors without Borders by calling
1-888-392-0392
Sadja Greenwood MD
Severely malnourished children in Africa are being saved by a fortified peanut butter known as ‘Plumpynut’. It was developed by Andre Briend, a French pediatric nutritionist with WHO who saw the need for a food that was cheap to produce, ready to eat, and did not need clean water to prepare. It contains peanut paste, vegetable oil, powdered milk, sugar, vitamins and minerals, combined in a foil pouch that equals 500 calories. Peanuts contain monounsaturated fats, which are easy to digest; ‘Plumpynut’ is rich in zinc and protein, good for the immune system and muscle development. According to Doctors Without Borders, there is virtually no peanut allergy among the children they treat.
Mothers who are themselves malnourished can’t produce enough breast milk for their children, can’t afford to buy milk, and lack clean water, electricity and refrigeration.
Doctors Without Borders have been giving out packets of ‘Plumpynut’ in Niger, Malawi, Darfur, and other African countries since 2005 to children who are dramatically underweight and able to be treated as outpatients. Children love the taste and all but the weakest can feed it to themselves. In most cases, their weight gain and return to health is rapid . Please watch the remarkable results of using ‘Plumpynut’ on 60 Minutes with Anderson Cooper
www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/19/60minutes/main3386661.shtml
Doctors Without Borders
estimate there are 20 million malnourished children around the world, and only about 3% are getting foods like ‘Plumpynut’ .
You can support Doctors without Borders by calling
1-888-392-0392
Sadja Greenwood MD
Methamphetamine
Go to Health: Methamphetamine
Federal surveys indicate that about 1% of the population over age 12 uses meth in a given year. A rising number of users are smoking meth rather than snorting it or taking it orally. Smoking is said to create a faster, jolting high, quicker addiction and more ill effects. A recent study by the RAND Corporation, published on the Meth Project website, computes the annual costs of meth use in the US at $23.4 billion per year. These costs include health care, drug treatment, rehab, foster care for endangered children, the criminal justice system, injuries and deaths from exploding meth labs and cleanup of the toxic waste these labs produce.
There’s a good website on the use and dangers of methamphetamine: methproject.org. The Meth Project is a large-scale prevention program aimed at reducing first-time meth use among young people through public service messaging, public policy, and community outreach. Their messages are aimed at youth, and their motto is ‘not even once’. They have been active and successful in several rural states, including Montana, Idaho, Arizona, Wyoming and Illinois. Their method is to educate the public against trying meth with TV ads, radio, billboards and murals painted by youth. If you are concerned about the dangers of meth for our youth, check it out.
Taking even small amounts of methamphetamine can result in increased wakefulness, increased physical activity, decreased appetite, increased respiration, rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and high body temperature. Long-term use leads to extreme weight loss, severe dental problems, facial scarring, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mood disturbances, and violent behavior. Users can experience paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, and delusions (for example, the sensation of insects creeping under the skin).
Dopamine is a brain chemical with effects on many body systems having to do with activation and pleasure. First time meth users can experience extreme pleasure from an outpouring of dopamine in the brain. After a number of hours, there is an unpleasant crash, leading to a desire for more meth. Repeated use leads to serious addiction; it changes brain chemistry in a way that can take years to reverse. Treatment of meth addiction is a huge problem; there are as yet no effective drugs that decrease the cravings.
Three suggestions:. Parents should know that a dangerous drug mixing meth and ecstacy called Thiz is popular among youth, and has been seen in our local towns. Read the books by David and Nic Sheff on meth addiction - Beautiful Boy and Tweak. Get your dopamine high from working out, coffee, playing music – or whatever drug-free way of being turns you on.
Sadja Greenwood, MD
Federal surveys indicate that about 1% of the population over age 12 uses meth in a given year. A rising number of users are smoking meth rather than snorting it or taking it orally. Smoking is said to create a faster, jolting high, quicker addiction and more ill effects. A recent study by the RAND Corporation, published on the Meth Project website, computes the annual costs of meth use in the US at $23.4 billion per year. These costs include health care, drug treatment, rehab, foster care for endangered children, the criminal justice system, injuries and deaths from exploding meth labs and cleanup of the toxic waste these labs produce.
There’s a good website on the use and dangers of methamphetamine: methproject.org. The Meth Project is a large-scale prevention program aimed at reducing first-time meth use among young people through public service messaging, public policy, and community outreach. Their messages are aimed at youth, and their motto is ‘not even once’. They have been active and successful in several rural states, including Montana, Idaho, Arizona, Wyoming and Illinois. Their method is to educate the public against trying meth with TV ads, radio, billboards and murals painted by youth. If you are concerned about the dangers of meth for our youth, check it out.
Taking even small amounts of methamphetamine can result in increased wakefulness, increased physical activity, decreased appetite, increased respiration, rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and high body temperature. Long-term use leads to extreme weight loss, severe dental problems, facial scarring, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mood disturbances, and violent behavior. Users can experience paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, and delusions (for example, the sensation of insects creeping under the skin).
Dopamine is a brain chemical with effects on many body systems having to do with activation and pleasure. First time meth users can experience extreme pleasure from an outpouring of dopamine in the brain. After a number of hours, there is an unpleasant crash, leading to a desire for more meth. Repeated use leads to serious addiction; it changes brain chemistry in a way that can take years to reverse. Treatment of meth addiction is a huge problem; there are as yet no effective drugs that decrease the cravings.
Three suggestions:. Parents should know that a dangerous drug mixing meth and ecstacy called Thiz is popular among youth, and has been seen in our local towns. Read the books by David and Nic Sheff on meth addiction - Beautiful Boy and Tweak. Get your dopamine high from working out, coffee, playing music – or whatever drug-free way of being turns you on.
Sadja Greenwood, MD
Probiotics
Go to Health! – Probiotics
Probiotics are living microscopic organisms that scientific research has shown to benefit health. Most often they are bacteria, similar or identical to the bacteria already in our intestines. The most common probiotic bacteria are Lactobacillus or Bifidobacteria, but there are many other bacterial strains that are useful for various illnesses.
We humans have more than 400 bacterial species in our guts; bacteriali numbers exceed by 10 fold the number of tissue cells in our bodies. About 70 % of the body’s immune system is found in the digestive tract, in lymphoid tissue that stores immune cells such as T and B lymphocytes, and defends against disease causing bacteria and viruses.
Research is ongoing to elucidate the effects of probiotic bacteria on the immune system. Some current uses of probiotics are for the following ailments:
*Infectious diarrhea caused by bacteria (salmonella, campylobacter, some strains of e coli) and viruses (especially rotavirus in children)
*antibiotic related diarrhea – there is evidence that taking probiotics when you start on an antibiotic may halp prevent diarrhea.
* childhood allergy - In a recent trial, Lactobacillus rhamnosus was given to pregnant women for four weeks prior to delivery, and then to newborns at high risk of allergy for six months. As a result that there was a significant reduction in early skin allergies.
,
•bladder infections in women – certain strains of e coli in the bowel are responsible for about 85% of bladder infections. Studies have shown that daily oral capsules of certain lactobacillus strains have lowered the risk of repeated bladder infections, when used with weekly insertions of capsules in the vagina.=
*Yeast and bacterial vaginal infections - (not sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea or Chlamydia) there is evidence that oral and vaginal lactobacillus can reduce the recurrence of these common problems
*recurrence of superficial bladder cancer – Japanese researchers have shown that oral capsules of certain probiotics, and the use of probiotics instilled in the bladder along with chemotherapy agents, have prevented recurrence without side effects, or prolonged the time of cancer recurrence.
*Research is ongoing in the use of probiotics for irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis.
You can easily get the benefits of probiotics by eating yogurt or other cultured milk products. Read the label to make sure that they contain ‘living cultures’. Adults who want a more concentrated form of probiotics can take them in capsules.. Choose a brand from a reputable supplement company; make sure that the capsule contains lactobacillus acidophilus, and bifidobacteria and that each capsule contains at least 3billion bacteria. Capsules should have been refrigerated, and should be refrigerated after you buy them. Since, the beneficial bacteria are only retained for days or weeks, continued use is required. Children can take probiotics; for this, confer with your child’s doctor.
Certain foods, called prebiotics, have carbohydrates that promote the growth of probiotic bacteria in the gut: bananas, berries, asparagus, garlic, whole wheat, oatmeal, barley, flaxseed, tomatoes, Jerusalem artichoke, onions and chicory, many greens ( dandelion greens, spinach, collard greens, chard, kale, mustard greens), and legumes (lentils, and beans). These are great foods that we all should be eating!
Submitted by Sadja Greenwood MD –
Probiotics are living microscopic organisms that scientific research has shown to benefit health. Most often they are bacteria, similar or identical to the bacteria already in our intestines. The most common probiotic bacteria are Lactobacillus or Bifidobacteria, but there are many other bacterial strains that are useful for various illnesses.
We humans have more than 400 bacterial species in our guts; bacteriali numbers exceed by 10 fold the number of tissue cells in our bodies. About 70 % of the body’s immune system is found in the digestive tract, in lymphoid tissue that stores immune cells such as T and B lymphocytes, and defends against disease causing bacteria and viruses.
Research is ongoing to elucidate the effects of probiotic bacteria on the immune system. Some current uses of probiotics are for the following ailments:
*Infectious diarrhea caused by bacteria (salmonella, campylobacter, some strains of e coli) and viruses (especially rotavirus in children)
*antibiotic related diarrhea – there is evidence that taking probiotics when you start on an antibiotic may halp prevent diarrhea.
* childhood allergy - In a recent trial, Lactobacillus rhamnosus was given to pregnant women for four weeks prior to delivery, and then to newborns at high risk of allergy for six months. As a result that there was a significant reduction in early skin allergies.
,
•bladder infections in women – certain strains of e coli in the bowel are responsible for about 85% of bladder infections. Studies have shown that daily oral capsules of certain lactobacillus strains have lowered the risk of repeated bladder infections, when used with weekly insertions of capsules in the vagina.=
*Yeast and bacterial vaginal infections - (not sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea or Chlamydia) there is evidence that oral and vaginal lactobacillus can reduce the recurrence of these common problems
*recurrence of superficial bladder cancer – Japanese researchers have shown that oral capsules of certain probiotics, and the use of probiotics instilled in the bladder along with chemotherapy agents, have prevented recurrence without side effects, or prolonged the time of cancer recurrence.
*Research is ongoing in the use of probiotics for irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis.
You can easily get the benefits of probiotics by eating yogurt or other cultured milk products. Read the label to make sure that they contain ‘living cultures’. Adults who want a more concentrated form of probiotics can take them in capsules.. Choose a brand from a reputable supplement company; make sure that the capsule contains lactobacillus acidophilus, and bifidobacteria and that each capsule contains at least 3billion bacteria. Capsules should have been refrigerated, and should be refrigerated after you buy them. Since, the beneficial bacteria are only retained for days or weeks, continued use is required. Children can take probiotics; for this, confer with your child’s doctor.
Certain foods, called prebiotics, have carbohydrates that promote the growth of probiotic bacteria in the gut: bananas, berries, asparagus, garlic, whole wheat, oatmeal, barley, flaxseed, tomatoes, Jerusalem artichoke, onions and chicory, many greens ( dandelion greens, spinach, collard greens, chard, kale, mustard greens), and legumes (lentils, and beans). These are great foods that we all should be eating!
Submitted by Sadja Greenwood MD –
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