By Sarah A LoBisco, ND

Is it really spring?

I still see white stuff on the ground…at least in Upstate NY. 🙂

I have to admit, this month was a challenge to narrow down the Top Stories I wanted to share with you.

It seemed everywhere I looked, more confirmation linking the power of our body to heal, through nutrigenomics and lifestyle, popped up. I also came across many major health stories and important drug updates.

But, be at ease..

I’m pretty pleased with the results and I’ve even highlighted articles  that I didn’t want to get lost in the skim below:

NUTRIGENOMICS

The Fat Attack Blow Back:

The Mediterranean Diet Study

Benefits of Mediterranean Dieting

Loma Linda, CA — A Mediterranean diet supplemented with either extra virgin olive oil or mixed nuts may cut the risk of cardiovascular events by as much as 30% in subjects at high risk of developing heart disease, as compared with people advised to eat a reduced-fat diet [1].

Those are the key findings from the randomized controlled PREDIMED primary-prevention trial presented here at the International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition.

Wood, S. Mediterranean Diets Beat Low-Fat for CVD Prevention. Heartwire. February 25, 2013. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/779831?src=wnl_edit_medn_wir&uac=146852BY&spon=34

Is it all in the Olive?

Olive Oil and Gut Satiety

Olive oil is already famed for being a heart-healthy part of the Mediterranean diet. But now a new study finds that it may have a surprising benefit. Unlike low-fat food products and other natural fats, olive oil helps to regulate the sensation of feeling full after eating, which could help keep your fingers off the nibbles between meals.

Researchers from Technische Universität München (TUM) and the University of Vienna studied four different edible fats and oils: lard, butterfat, rapeseed oil and olive oil.

Over a period of three months, study participants ate 500 grams of low-fat yogurt enriched with one of the four fats or oils every day – as a supplement to their normal diet.

“Olive oil had the biggest satiety effect,” reports lead researcher Peter Schieberle of TUM. “The olive oil group showed a higher concentration of the satiety hormone serotonin in their blood. Subjectively speaking, these participants also reported that they found the olive oil yogurt very filling.”

Daily News. Always hungry? A new study says to add some olive oil to your diet. APR Relax News. March 18, 2013. http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/eats/hungry-new-study-add-olive-oil-diet-article-1.1291992#ixzz2O7tUXvlY

Or, is it in the Pasta!

Organic Tomatoes Healthier

A new study from a team of international university researchers has confirmed that organic tomatoes are not only more nutritious than their conventional counterparts: they also taste better.

• 139% higher levels of total phenolics – more than double
• 140% higher phenylalanine ammonia lyase levels – a measure of enzyme activity
• 90% higher antioxidant potency – measured by superoxide dismutase levels – a measure of free radical scavenging potential
• 72% higher yellow flavonoid content
• 57% higher levels of vitamin C
• 28% higher levels of acidity – % of citric acid
• 57% higher brix levels, which influence taste – sweetness

Adams, C. Organic Tomatoes Found to be Tastier and More Nutritious. GreenMedinfo.com. March 13, 2013. http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/organic-tomatoes-found-be-tastier-and-more-nutritious?utm_source=GreenMedInfo+Weekly&utm_campaign=0942aea915-Greenmedinfo&utm_medium=email

HEALTH

High Cost Health With Bad Results

Over-Treated

• One in four patients in a hospital is harmed in some way from a medical mistake
• An estimated 30 percent of all medical procedures, tests and medications may be unnecessary – at a cost of at least $750 billion a year
• For the past two years, the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation, one of the largest physician organizations in the US, has released reports on the most overused tests and treatments that provide limited or no benefit to the patient, or worse, causes more harm than good. The list currently includes a total of 135 different tests, procedures and treatments
• Once you’re hospitalized, you’re immediately at risk for medical errors, so one of the best safeguards is to have someone there with you. This is particularly important for pediatric patients, and the elderly. Helpful tips and questions to ask to help prevent avoidable medical errors are discussed

Mercola, J. What Hospitals Won’t Tell You and How Transparency Can Revolutionize Healthcare. Mercola.com. March 24, 2013.  http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/03/24/modern-medical-errors.aspx?e_cid=20130324_SNL_Art_1&utm_source=snl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20130324

Better Outcomes Bi-Annually for Mammograms

Women aged 50 to 74 who undergo biennial mammography have a similar risk for advanced-stage breast cancer and a lower cumulative risk for false-positive results compared with women who undergo annual mammography, according to a prospective cohort study of 934,098 women.

Karla Kerlikowske, MD, a professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco, and a staff physician in the General Internal Medicine Section at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, California, and colleagues published their findings online March 18 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The researchers analyzed data collected from 11,474 women with breast cancer and 922,624 women without cancer who underwent mammography from January 1994 to December 2008 at community mammography facilities that participate in the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium mammography registries.

Brown, T. Biennial Mammography Better Than Annual for Women 50 to 74. Medscape Medical News. March 18, 2013. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/780957?src=wnl_edit_medn_wir&uac=146852BY&spon=34

DRUG UPDATES

Hormone Replacement Guidelines Update

Key Conclusions

• The benefits of MHT outweigh the risks for the treatment of symptoms associated with menopause if prescribed before the age of 60 years or within 10 years after menopause.
• MHT may prevent osteoporosis-related fractures in at-risk women before the age of 60 years or within 10 years after menopause.
• Review of randomized clinical trials and observational data shows that MHT using standard-dose monotherapy with estrogen may decrease coronary heart disease and all-cause mortality in women younger than 60 years and within 10 years of menopause.
• Oral MHT increases the risk for venous thromboembolism and ischemic stroke, but the absolute risk is rare in women younger than 60 years.
• Increased risk for breast cancer may be a concern with combination MHT using estrogen and progesterone and may be related to duration of use. The risk is small and decreases after treatment is discontinued.
• Use of custom-compounded bioidentical hormone therapy is not recommended.
• MHT should not be used in women who have a history of breast cancer.

Garcia, J. Hormone Replacement: Timing Is Everything Say New Guidelines. Medscape Medical News. March 14, 2013. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/780862?src=wnl_edit_medn_wir&uac=146852BY&spon=34

Fish Oil Vs. Aspirin

“We were able to produce by chemical synthesis both resolvin D3 and aspirin-triggered resolvin D3 in pure form, which allowed us to establish their complete structures and biological activities,” added Dr. Petasis. (Cell 2013)  When given to mice or administered to human cells, resolvin D3 from DHA and aspirin exerted extremely potent inflammation-ending effects.

And when human cells were exposed to both versions of resolvin D3, they exerted even greater anti-inflammatory effects than either one alone.  As he said, “With this new information, investigators will now also be able to study the pro-resolving and anti-inflammatory actions of resolvin D3 in other systems.” (Cell 2013) ….

Can omega-3 DHA be the basis of a better, safer alternative to aspirin?

At the 2012 Boston meeting we attended, Dr. Serhan noted that DHA is hundreds of times more effective at producing resolvins, compared with aspirin.  This does not mean that eating a milligram of DHA has the analgesic or anti-inflammatory power as taking a milligram of aspirin.…

Such DHA-derived drugs should be far safer than aspirin, which kills hundreds of thousands of Americans annually via gastric bleeding.  Aspirin can also produce adverse side effects in people with high blood pressure, a family history of stroke, stomach ulcers, and liver or kidney problems.

Weatherby, C. Aspirin Mimics a Fishy Omega 3s. Vital Choice Newsletter. March 14, 2013. http://www.vitalchoice.com/shop/pc/articlesView.asp?id=2002&utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Aspirin+Mimics+Fishy+Omega-3&utm_content=03%2F14%2F2013&utm_campaign=Aspirin+Mimics+Omega-3+%E2%9C%AF+FREE+Bonuses+%E2%9C%AF+NEW%3A+Dr.+Gottfried+Hormone+Cure+Pack+%E2%9C%AF++Recipe+Video%3A+Calamari+%E2%9C%AF+MORE

Cell. Aspirin and omega-3 fatty acids work together to fight inflammation. February 21, 2013. Accessed at http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-02/cp-aao021313.php

More Noteworthy Headlines to Skim

NUTRIGENOMICS

THE HONORABLE MENTION:

How Resveratrol Works

Resveratrol, a compound found most famously in grapes and red wine, seems to ward off several age-related diseases. However, its mechanism of action has been elusive. Researchers have now found a direct molecular target for the compound. The finding may lead to drugs that can prevent certain age-related health problems.

People can develop a variety of metabolic diseases as they age, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. In animal studies, severely restricting calories can help prevent these diseases. Over the last decade, scientists have found that resveratrol mimics calorie restriction in some ways. It seems to affect the activity of proteins called sirtuins. Sirtuins control several biological pathways and are known to be involved in the aging process.

Recent studies uncovered intermediate steps between resveratrol and sirtuins. A key step in this pathway is an enzyme called AMPK, which regulates energy levels in the cell. However, the link between resveratrol and AMPK has been a mystery. To investigate, a research team led by Dr. Jay H. Chung of NIH’s National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) set out to find resveratrol’s target. Their study appeared in the February 3, 2012, issue of Cell.

The researchers methodically traced metabolic activity in cells treated with resveratrol. They were able to identify an enzyme called PDE4 in the skeletal muscle as the principal target for the health benefits of resveratrol. Resveratrol inhibits PDE4, which raises levels of an important cell signaling molecule called cAMP. Levels of cAMP normally rise when cells get the signal that blood glucose levels are low. Resveratrol thus activates one of the same biochemical pathways as a low-calorie diet. This pathway ultimately activates AMPK and sirtuins.

National Institute of Health. Scientists Find Target for Resveratrol. NIH Research Matters. February 13, 2013. http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/february2012/02132012resveratrol.htm

Another Reason to Eat Your Greens-Balances Satiety

Swedish researchers have discovered that thylakoids—the membrane-enclosed photosynthetic “pouches” inside the chloroplasts of green leaves—trigger satiety signals in humans. In essence, thylakoids are a naturally occurring appetite suppressant that can help people regulate food intake, prevent weight gain, and promote weight loss.

Lauren Brandstadter . Thylakoids in Leafy Greens May Help Regulate Appetite . Holistic Primary Care UpShots. Vol. 14, No. 1. Spring, 2013 . http://holisticprimarycare.net/topics/topics-h-n/nutrition-a-lifestyle/1463-thylakoids-in-leafy-greens-may-help-regulate-appetite

Green Tea and Coffee Linked to Lower Heart Risk

In the 1 066 718 person-years of follow-up, we documented the incidence of strokes (n=3425) and coronary heart disease (n=910). Compared with seldom drinking green tea, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of all strokes were 0.86 (0.78–0.95) and 0.80 (0.73–0.89) in green tea 2 to 3 and ?4 cups/d, respectively. Higher green tea consumption was associated with inverse risks of CVD and strokes subtypes. Compared with seldom drinking coffee, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of all strokes were 0.89 (0.80–0.99), 0.80 (0.72–0.90), and 0.81 (0.72–0.91) for coffee 3 to 6 times/week and 1 and ?2 times/day, respectively. Coffee consumption was associated with an inverse risk of CVD and cerebral infarction. Higher green tea or coffee consumption reduced the risks of CVD and stroke subtypes (especially in intracerebral hemorrhage, P for interaction between green tea and coffee=0.04). None of the significant association was observed in coronary heart disease.

Conclusions—Higher green tea and coffee consumption were inversely associated with risk of CVD and stroke in general population.

Kukobo, Y. et al. The Impact of Green Tea and Coffee Consumption on the Reduced Risk of Stroke Incidence in Japanese Population: The Japan Public Health Center-Based Study Cohort (abstract). STROKEAHA.111.677500 Published online before print March 14, 2013, doi: 10.1161/?STROKEAHA.111.677500.

Bromelain Fun

Bromelain belongs to a group of protein digesting enzymes obtained commercially from the fruit or stem of pineapple. Fruit bromelain and stem bromelainare prepared differently and they contain different enzymatic composition. “Bromelain” refers usually to the “stem bromelain.” Bromelain is a mixture of different thiol endopeptidases and other components like phosphatase, glucosidase, peroxidase, cellulase, escharase, and several protease inhibitors. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that bromelain exhibits various fibrinolytic, antiedematous, antithrombotic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Bromelain is considerably absorbable in the body without losing its proteolytic activity and without producing any major side effects. Bromelain accounts for many therapeutic benefits like the treatment of angina pectoris, bronchitis, sinusitis, surgical trauma, and thrombophlebitis, debridement of wounds, and enhanced absorption of drugs, particularly antibiotics. It also relieves osteoarthritis, diarrhea, and various cardiovascular disorders. Bromelain also possesses some anticancerous activities and promotes apoptotic cell death. This paper reviews the important properties and therapeutic applications of bromelain, along with the possible mode of action.

Rajendra Pavan, Sapna Jain, Shraddha, and Ajay Kumar*. Properties and Therapeutic Application of Bromelain: A Review. Biotechnol Res Int. 2012; 2012: 976203. Published online 2012 December 10. doi:  10.1155/2012/976203. PMCID: PMC3529416

More Happy Chocolate News

Chocolate comes from cocoa beans — the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree — which, along with other plants like tea, are high in flavanols. These abundant phenolic plant compounds have marked antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and are thought to be responsible for much of the health benefit ascribed to chocolate consumption. Keep in mind that overly processed chocolate — most of the candy aisle — often contains added sugar and saturated fatty acids, which offset cocoa’s health benefits. So stick with dark, flavanol-rich varieties.

Bret S. Stetka. 7 Health Benefits of Chocolate. Medscape. February 6, 2013. http://www.medscape.com/features/slideshow/chocolate?src=wnl_edit_medn_wir&spon=34#2

The Power that BEETs Everything

Besides a potent source of nitric oxide which is essential for healthy dilation of blood vessels and increase oxygenation efficacy in endurance sports, beets are also antimicrobial and antiviral. Other benefits include:

• Liver Damage: A 2006 study found that beet root has significant dose-dependent liver-protective properties against the chemical carbontetrachloride.[vii] More recently, research has found that it also protects against N-nitrosodiethylamine associated liver damage.[viii]
• Cardiovascular Disease: While the “LDL cholesterol is bad” myth is almost imbecilic in its simplicity, those looking for ways to modulate the lipid ratio naturally in favor of the medical establishment’s largely drug-company drafted lipid guidelines can rest assured that beet can help. A 2000 study found beet fiber was capable of simultaneously increasing HDL and lowering LDL levels; perhaps far more impressive, the study also found close to a 30% reduction in cholesterol plaque accumulation in the aorta of those animals fed beet fiber.[ix]
• Radiation Exposure: Compounds found in beets known as betalains have been found to reduce toxicity associated with gamma radiation exposure.[x]
• Cancer: Beetroot juice has been found to reduce adverse effects caused by DMBA, a chemical associated with mammary cancer risk.[xi] Beetroot has also been found to exhibit anti-cancer properties in prostate cancer cell lines at toxicity levels far lower than chemo-agents such as doxorubicin.[xii]

Ji, S. BEET Your Way Back To A Healthier Body. GreenMedInfo.com. March 20th 2013. http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/beet-your-way-back-healthier-body?utm_source=GreenMedInfo+Weekly&utm_campaign=096bab636a-Greenmedinfo&utm_medium=email

You Say Tomato?

..Other Studies Have Also Shown Organic Fruits and Veggies Are More Nutritious

Previous research has also shown there can be a nutritional difference between organic- and conventionally-grown vegetables. For example, a 2003 study in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry² found that organic foods are better for fighting cancer. And in 2005, scientists found that, compared to rats that ate conventional diets, organically fed rats experienced various health benefits. Rats that ate organic or minimally fertilized diets had:

• Improved immune system status
• Better sleeping habits
• Less weight and were slimmer than rats fed other diets
• Higher vitamin E content in their blood (for organically fed rats)

Other studies assessing the nutritional composition and difference between organic and conventional produce include:

• A 2010 study conducted by PloS ONE³ (partially funded by the USDA), which found organic strawberries to be more nutrient-rich than non-organic strawberries
• In 2009, the American Association for the Advancement of Science featured a presentation on soil health and its impact on food quality.^{4, 5} Conclusion: Healthy soil leads to higher levels of nutrients in crops
• Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted their own behavioral study that found higher risk of ADHD in children with higher levels of organophospates (pesticides)⁶

But perhaps one of the best studies out there on the benefits of organic versus conventionally-grown foods is the 2007 Quality Low Input Food Project⁷ — a $25-million study into organic food, and the largest of its kind. The researchers grew fruit and vegetables, and raised cattle, on adjacent organic and non-organic sites, and discovered that:

• Organic fruit and vegetables contain up to 40 percent more antioxidants
• Organic produce had higher levels of beneficial minerals like iron and zinc
• Milk from organic herds contained up to 90 percent more antioxidants

Mercola, J. Organic Tomatoes, While Smaller, are More Nutritious than Conventional Counterpart, Study Shows. Mercola.com. March 25, 2013. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/03/25/organic-tomatoes.aspx?e_cid=20130325_DNL_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20130325

The Health of Deemed “Bad Fats”

On the other hand, Ms. Morell points out the critical roles that saturated fats play in the body, including:

• Make up 50% of cell membranes
• Help the body put calcium in the bones
• Lower Lp(a), a marker for heart disease
• Protect the liver from alcohol and other poisons
• Are required for lung and kidney function
• Enhance the immune system
• Work together with essential fatty acids
• Support the body’s detoxification mechanisms

King, M. Are the Government’s Dietary Guidelines Making Us Obese? GreenMedinfo.com. 2/25/13. http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/are-governments-dietary-guidelines-making-us-obese

Processed Meats the Culprit?

EPIC Data

The new data come from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study, involving 10 countries and almost half a million men and women. It was published online today in BMC Medicine.

Of note, say the authors, while a signal of increased mortality was seen among the highest consumers of red meat in general, the risk for red meat was much lower that that of processed meats and lost statistical significance after correction for measurement error. With the same adjustments and corrections, high processed-meat consumption was associated with an 18% greater risk of all-cause mortality.

Wood, S. Processed Meats, but Not Red Meat, Linked With CV Deaths. Medscape: Heartwire. March 7, 2013. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/780412?src=wnl_edit_medn_wir&uac=146852BY&spon=34

Not only are we affecting our health by what we read but also their emotions. Processed foods and sugar create addictive cycles and anxiety and can make the genes for various diseases read unfavorably.

HEALTH

Choosing Wisely

No fewer than 12 of the guidelines issued as part of the “Choosing Wisely” campaign of the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation caution physicians that asymptomatic patients probably do not need a given treatment. A few examples follow, along with the society that recommended them:

• Don’t screen for carotid artery stenosis in asymptomatic adult patients (American Academy of Family Physicians).
• Don’t automatically use computed tomography scans to evaluate children’s minor head injuries (American Academy of Pediatrics).
• When prescribing medication for most people aged 65 years and older who have type 2 diabetes, avoid attempting to achieve tight glycemic control (American Geriatrics Society).
• Don’t routinely order imaging tests for patients without symptoms or signs of significant eye disease (American Academy of Ophthalmology).
• Don’t screen for ovarian cancer in asymptomatic women at average risk (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists).
• Avoid using stress echocardiograms on asymptomatic patients who meet “low-risk” scoring criteria for coronary disease (American Society of Echocardiography).

Lowes, R. ‘Choosing Wisely’ Targets 90 More Dubious Tests, Therapies. Medscape Medical News. Feb 21, 2013. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/779700?src=wnl_edit_specol&uac=146852BY

Prostate Cancer Treatment Not Support Survival But Trumps Fertility and Urinary Issues, Study Says

Patients undergoing prostatectomy were more likely to have urinary incontinence than were those undergoing radiotherapy at 2 years (odds ratio, 6.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.92 to 20.29) and 5 years (odds ratio, 5.10; 95% CI, 2.29 to 11.36). However, no significant between-group difference in the odds of urinary incontinence was noted at 15 years. ….

Conclusions

At 15 years, no significant relative differences in disease-specific functional outcomes were observed among men undergoing prostatectomy or radiotherapy. Nonetheless, men treated for localized prostate cancer commonly had declines in all functional domains during 15 years of follow-up. (Funded by the National Cancer Institute.)

Matthew J. Resnick, M.D., Tatsuki Koyama, Ph.D., Kang-Hsien Fan, M.S., Peter C. Albertsen, M.D., Michael Goodman, M.D., M.P.H., Ann S. Hamilton, Ph.D., Richard M. Hoffman, M.D., M.P.H., Arnold L. Potosky, Ph.D., Janet L. Stanford, Ph.D., Antoinette M. Stroup, Ph.D., R. Lawrence Van Horn, Ph.D., and David F. Penson, M.D., M.P.H. Long-Term Functional Outcomes after Treatment for Localized Prostate Cancer (abstract). N Engl J Med 2013; 368:436-445. January 31, 2013DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1209978. http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1209978

Lowry, F. Prostate Cancer Tx Side-Effects Study: New 15-Year Data. Medscape Medical News > Oncology. 1/30/13. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/778498?src=wnl_edit_specol&uac=146852BY

Cancer Toxicity Under-Reported

Background Phase III randomized, clinical trials (RCTs) assess clinically important differences in end points that reflect benefit to patients. Here, we evaluate the quality of reporting of the primary end point (PE) and of toxicity in RCTs for breast cancer.

Results Of 164 included trials, 33% showed bias in reporting of the PE and 67% in the reporting of toxicity. The PE was more likely to be reported in the concluding statement of the abstract when significant differences favoring the experimental arm were shown; 59% of 92 trials with a negative PE used secondary end points to suggest benefit of experimental therapy. Only 32% of articles indicated the frequency of grade 3 and 4 toxicities in the abstract. A positive PE was associated with under-reporting of toxicity.

Conclusion Bias in reporting of outcome is common for studies with negative PEs. Reporting of toxicity is poor, especially for studies with positive PEs.

F. E. Vera-Badillo, et al. Bias in reporting of end points of efficacy and toxicity in randomized, clinical trials for women with breast cancer (abstract). Ann Oncol (2013) doi: 10.1093/annonc/mds636 First published online: January 9, 2013; http://annonc.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2013/01/04/annonc.mds636.full

USA Lags Behind in Health

The Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 (GBD 2010) has revealed that although life expectancy increased between 1990 and 2010 in the United States, health performance in the country trails that of other similar-income countries around the world.

GBD 2010 is a collaborative project led by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The research examines the causes of death and disability across age groups and sexes for 187 countries.

It shows that life expectancy in the United States increased from 75.2 years in 1990 to 78.2 years in 2010, but only 67.9 years of life were spent in good health. Regarding sex, the life expectancy of American women improved from 78.6 years in 1990 to 80.5 years in 2010, with 69.5 years of good health, whereas that for men changed from 71.7 years to 75.9 years during the same time frame, with 66.2 years of good health.

For both males and females, 5- to 9-year-olds had the greatest decrease in the all-cause mortality rate during the study period. Specifically, for males, the all-cause mortality rate decreased by 45% from 1990 to 2010. Conversely, men between the ages of 40 and 44 years experienced a small increase in all-cause mortality.

Barber, J. Health Performance in US Trails Other Developed Countries. Medscape Medical News. March 6, 2013. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/780342?src=wnl_edit_medn_wir&uac=146852BY&spon=34

The Un-Health Foods of  USA

• More than 3,000 food additives — preservatives, flavorings, colors and other ingredients — are added to foods in the United States. Many of these additives are banned in other countries
• Ingredients banned in other countries yet allowed in the US include various food dyes, the fat substitute Olestra, brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate (aka brominanted flour), Azodicarbonamide, BHA, BHT, rBGH, rBST, and arsenic
• Russia has announced a ban on virtually all U.S. meat and meat product imports, effective February 11, due to the feed additive ractopamine in the meats
• In the US, ditching processed foods is your best bet to avoid potentially harmful food additives. If you live in Europe you may have more options, as you may be able to find processed foods that do not contain any synthetic additives at all

Dr. Mercola. American Foods Chockfull of Ingredients Banned in Other Countries. Mercola.com. February 27, 2013. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/02/27/us-food-products.aspx?e_cid=20130227_DNL_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20130227

Bad News for Milk—Artificial Sweeteners Now Added

Here’s yet another reason to dump dairy: The industry that produces it wants to sell you artificially sweetened milk—without any special labeling to warn you.

In a shocking—and highly controversial–petition now being considered by the FDA, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) hopes to change the definition of “milk”—and 17 other dairy products—to permit chemical sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose to be used as optional additives not listed on the product label.

What’s more, the dairy industry claims that adding stealth chemical sweeteners to its products—including whipping cream, eggnog, sweetened condensed milk, low-fat or non-fat yogurt, sour cream and half-and-half—would “promote healthy eating” and make dairy foods more enticing to kids!

Specifically, the petition states, in part:

Tana Amen. The Scary New Milk Ingredient—Artificial Sweetners. Tana’s Blog Nutrition. March 2013. http://tanaamen.com/blog/item/the-scary-new-milk-ingredient-artificial-sweeteners?category_id=9&inf_contact_key=91baf1a3f8e5d74e71fcc661e2510841bfe83149443f87c177bc16d97e0af5b6

DRUG UPDATE

Diabetic Drug Linked to Pancreatitis-Under Investigation

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is evaluating an increased risk for pancreatitis and precancerous cellular changes called pancreatic-duct metaplasia associated with incretin mimetic drugs used to treat patients with type 2 diabetes. This covers the glucagonlike peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists and the DPP-4 inhibitors, or “gliptins,” both relatively new classes of agent used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes.

In the drug-safety communication, issued today, the agency says this is in response to “unpublished new findings by a group of academic researchers,” based on examination of a small number of pancreatic-tissue specimens taken from patients after they died from unspecified causes.

Lisa Nainggolan. FDA to Examine Pancreatic-Duct Metaplasia With Incretins. News Alerts > Medscape Medical News. March 14, 2013. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/780838?src=wnl_edit_medn_wir&uac=146852BY&spon=34

Insulin Greater Risk for Death

Context: The safety of insulin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has recently undergone scrutiny.

Objective: The objective of the study was to characterize the risk of adverse events associated with glucose-lowering therapies in people with T2DM.

Conclusions: In people with T2DM, exogenous insulin therapy was associated with an increased risk of diabetes-related complications, cancer, and all-cause mortality. Differences in baseline characteristics between treatment groups should be considered when interpreting these results.

Craig J. Currie, Chris D. Poole, Marc Evans, John R. Peters and Christopher Ll. Morgan. Mortality and Other Important Diabetes-Related Outcomes With Insulin vs Other Antihyperglycemic Therapies in Type 2 Diabetes (abstract).  Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. February 2013. doi:10.1210/jc.2012-3042. http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/98/2/668

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ospemifene

Women should see their health care professional if they experience any unusual bleeding as it may be a sign of endometrial cancer or a condition that can lead to it,” the FDA said.

The drug “should be prescribed for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman,” the agency advised.

The boxed warning also states the incidence rates of thrombotic and hemorrhagic strokes (0.72 and 1.45 per 1000 women, respectively) and the incidence rate of deep vein thrombosis (1.45 per 1000 women).

Brooks, M. FDA OKs Drug for Postmenopausal Dyspareunia. FDA Approvals > Medscape Medical News. February 26, 2013. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/779916?src=wnl_edit_medn_wir&uac=146852BY&spon=34

Flu Vaccines in Elderly

This year’s influenza vaccine prevented just more than half of medical visits for the flu but was significantly less effective against influenza A among the elderly, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The findings were posted in the February 22 issue of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Some older adults may not mount an effective immune response to the influenza A (H3N2) component of this season’s vaccine, the CDC says.

Tucker, M. Influenza Vaccine Efficacy Significantly Lower in Elderly.  Medscape Medical News. February 22, 2013. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/779816?src=wnl_edit_medn_wir&uac=146852BY&spon=34

SSNRIs Not That Great for Fibromyalgia

Compared with placebo, the selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) duloxetine (Cymbalta) and milnacipran (Savella) are slightly more likely to reduce pain in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), according to a new Cochrane meta-analysis. However, they’re not substantially superior in terms of reducing fatigue and sleep problems or in improving quality of life, and they appear to cause more adverse effects.

Anderson, P. Small Benefit of SNRIs for Fibromyalgia Pain. Medscape Medical News > Neurology. February 28, 2013. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/780070?src=wnl_edit_medn_wir&uac=146852BY&spon=34

Statins and Risk of Kidney Health

MONTREAL — Taking statins at “high-potency” dosages, with levels depending on the agent, appears to raise the adjusted risk of acute kidney injury by 34% over the first four months of treatment, compared with taking lower-dose statins, suggests an analysis[1].

In the study, from Dr Colin R Dormuth (University of British Columbia, Vancouver) and colleagues and based on data from observational cohorts predominantly in Canada but also the UK and US, the high-potency statins were rosuvastatin (Crestor, AstraZeneca) at >10 mg/day, atorvastatin at >20 mg/day, and simvastatin at >40 mg/day. Statins at other dosages were defined as “low-potency.”

Stiles, S. ‘High-Potency’ Statins Linked to Acute Kidney Injury in Analysis. Medscape: Heartwire. March 20, 2013. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/781099?src=wnl_edit_medn_wir&uac=146852BY&spon=34

HRT Increases Risk of Gallstones

Gallstone disease should be added to the list of potential adverse effects of menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the authors of a new study warn.

The highest risk for cholecystectomy was associated with oral preparations consisting of estrogen alone, Antoine Racine, MD, MSc, from the Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) and Université Paris Sud, and colleagues report in CMAJ, published online March 18.

“Other types of regimens were not associated with an increased risk,” they write.

MacReady, N. Menopausal Hormone Therapy May Raise Risk for Gallstones. Medscape Medical News. March 18, 2013. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/780938?src=wnl_edit_medn_wir&uac=146852BY&spon=34

Glucose Meter Recall

The LifeScan unit of Johnson & Johnson is voluntarily recalling almost 2 million of its OneTouch Verio blood glucose meters because they malfunction at extremely high blood glucose levels.

The recall includes 1.2 million meters sold worldwide under the brand name OneTouch Verio IQ, says LifeScan spokesperson David Detmers. Of those, 90,000 are in the United States. Also recalled are 670,000 OneTouch Verio Pro meters in Europe, and 4,900 OneTouch Verio Pro + meters used in hospitals and clinics in various markets outside the United States.

Each of the One Touch Verio models malfunction a bit differently at blood glucose levels of 1024 mg/dL and higher.

Lowes, R. OneTouch Verio IQ Blood Glucose Meters Recalled. WebMD: Diabetes Health Center. 3/26/13. http://diabetes.webmd.com/news/20130325/glucose-meter-recall?ecd=wnl_dia_032613&ctr=wnl-dia-032613_ld-stry&mb=

Peginesatide Recalled

The anemia drug peginesatide (Omontys, Affymax and Takeda Pharmaceuticals) has been voluntarily recalled by the manufacturers after reports of anaphylaxis leading to 3 deaths, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today.

The FDA approved peginesatide in March 2012 for treating anemia caused by chronic kidney disease in adult patients receiving dialysis. The injectable drug is packaged in 10-mg and 20-mg multidose vials.

Lowes, R. Peginesatide Recalled Due to Fatal Anaphylaxis. News Alerts > Medscape Medical News. February 25, 2013. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/779824?src=wnl_edit_medn_wir&uac=146852BY&spon=34

 Read more about the power of diet in mom, dad, and baby in this week’s Saratoga.com blog