Archive for the 'Medical News Bits' Category

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The DANGER of Taking Antioxidants…BEWARE!

May 8, 2007

23349167291.jpgScience is ever-changing. One study should not make one take a pill just because it shows the drug to be beneficial. Any research should be carefully done and reviewed and if published in a reputable peer reviewed journal then its worth a second look!

The story about antioxidants and their benefits is one controversy. You may have heard a lot already about the benefits and side effects of Vitamins E and C but what is really the real score?  So before grabbing these vitamins… take to consider the facts below: 

The results of this study came from a meta-analysis of 68 randomized trials with a total of 232,606 patients published in the February 28 issue of JAMA.

  • Vitamin C does not appear to be detrimental but it is not beneficial either.  It likewise did not decrease or increase  mortality.
  • Trials of selenium showed it to be neither of benefit nor harm.

But the most striking results that I want readers to take note is that:

…. Vitamins A and E actually increased the risk for mortality whether it is used alone or in combination….

These data only point to one thing:

…That people should NOT take these over the counter supplements marketed as anti-oxidant vitamins in an effort to prevent illness…because…THEY DON’T!

…And as the usual cliche… we should instead” eat a balanced diet and take regular exercise“… as full proof to healthy living with NO SHORTCUTS…because…

Being Healthy Requires No Shortcuts!

Posted in General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Truth About Herbs | 3 Comments »

Are Eggs Healthy To Eat?

May 2, 2007

4069335754.jpgI just received a comment from Nick regarding my post on ” Can I Eat Eggs Everyday” (My most popular post!) and I guess based on the many comments I received, we continue to have mixed beliefs on whether to eat eggs daily or its unsafe to do so because of the risk of heart disease.

So far, I agree with Nick that not a lot of prospective studies have been done to look at eggs per se and heart disease but rather its the relationship between the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol and heart disease that we all know exists.

Here’s a timely article from the Harvard Medical Letter  on the Myths and Facts of Egg Nutrition and Health:

Fact: Eggs are a good source of nutrients. One egg contains 6 grams of protein and some healthful unsaturated fats. Eggs are also a good source of choline, which has been linked with preserving memory, and lutein and zeaxanthin, which may protect against vision loss.

Fact: Eggs have a lot of cholesterol. The average large egg contains 212 milligrams of cholesterol. As foods go, that’s quite a bit, rivaled only by single servings of liver, shrimp, and duck meat.

Myth: All that cholesterol goes straight to your bloodstream and then into your arteries. Not so. For most people, only a small amount of the cholesterol in food passes into the blood. Saturated and trans fats have much bigger effects on blood cholesterol levels.

Myth: Eating eggs is bad for your heart. The only large study to look at the impact of egg consumption on heart disease—not on cholesterol levels or other intermediaries—found no connection between the two.

In people with diabetes, though, egg-a-day eaters were a bit more likely to have developed heart disease than those who rarely ate eggs.If you like eggs, eating one a day should be okay, especially if you cut back on saturated and trans fats. Other ways to enjoy eggs without worrying about cholesterol include not eating the yolk, which contains all the cholesterol, or using pourable egg whites or yolk-free egg substitutes.

There you go: if you want to eat eggs daily: cut back on other sources of fat. It’s the yolk that’s rich in cholestrol so use it sparingly and instead enjoy the egg whites!

The Controversy Continues…..

Read My Other Related Posts:

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips, Tips To Protect Your Heart | 6 Comments »

Losing Weight By Managing HUNGER

April 30, 2007

imagesrt.jpgOf the many diet fads that are out today… probably the one that I believe has the best physiological basis is limiting intake by preventing hunger.  And of the different foods that we eat, we seldom select which of the many can make us feel full faster without necessarily putting us off balance in weight!

In one study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the lead author Dr Susan Holt established a satiety index. Taking similar portions of popular foods with the same amount of calories… then compare them with a slice of white bread, giving it a rank of 100.  The popular oatmeal ( which I eat every morning) has a high satiety level at 209.  The yummy doughnut on the other hand ranked 68. A similar calorie serving of boiled potatoes ranked highest at 323,  while French fries score just 116.

The above study shows that with the same amount of calories, eating a bowl of oatmeal already makes you feel full.  BUT you need to eat 3 to 4 doughnuts or 2 packs of french fries to reach your satiety level!  But how many calories have you accumulated?

Water on the other hnad play a very important role in achieving satiety BUT not the water we drink with our meals.  Talking about satiety or the feeling of fullness and satisfaction, unfortunately we dont feel that with water alone!  It’s the water or volume coming from the fruits and vegetables and soup that gives us the fullness faster.  THUS, the recommendation ( which I have been advising in the past) is to start ones meal with a broth based soup to help you achieve satiety faster at a lesser calorie load!

Managing hunger in between meals with snacks can also come a long way in helping you curb that urge to eat more when your hungry. Again high in volume from fruits like apple can help achieve that satiey faster with more fiber helping you achieve fullness longer!

The key to successful weight loss is based on what you feel you are comfortable with.  It has to be a discipline or habit change that you can sustain throughout your life…to be effective and lasting!

Eating What’s Right Does Not Mean Feeling Deprived!

Posted in General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips, Weight Loss Tips | 2 Comments »

Attacking Childhood Obesity: A Major Emergency!

April 27, 2007

imagesdfghj.jpgHere are some important facts I read in the book Food Facts by Dr Brownwell on childhood obesity.  If the facts wont make you wonder what the hell are we doing to the kids…am not sure what will make us wake up to take a closer look at the health consequences of obesity in children….

  • Prevalence of childhood obesity : Increased by 3 fold in US & England; 4 fold in Australia and Egypt
  • Overweight children who develop Diabetes may have heart attacks and need Bypass surgery before they reach age 30!!!!
  • In France; obese children had stiffer arteries and unhealthy changes in the arterial lining… important early findings before they develop stroke.
  • In Canada: obese children who develop Diabetes before the age 17 were experiencing blindness, amputation and kidney failure including premature death as young adults.

Remember… parent have the responsibilities to track the weights of their children.  We are responsible for what we feed our kids.  Simply put…research has shown that…. 

  • Parents diet and exercise patterns predict the child’s likelihood of being overweight giving rise to the term: OBESIGENIC Families…

 Look around the school grounds or the shopping malls… obese parents are strolling around or eating fried chicken with their obese kids inside a fast food resto. Obese parents beget obese kids…what we eat and do is what we show our kids and they then follow what we do even if they’re wrong or unhealthy!

The good news is according to Dr Brownwell, research shows that children can be persuaded to eat healthy foods and be able to differentiate between ” persuasion” and “information”:

  • Children who watched public service announcements focusing on nutrition chose more vegetables and fruits.
  • A Canadian study showed children ages 5 to 8 picked more candy than fruit following a candy commercial but showing fruit commercials encouraged children to eat more fruits.
  • A Stanford study showed reduction in TV time decreased the frequency of meals eaten while watching resulting in effective weight control.

The above studies therefore prove that as parents we have the say as to how to shape our kids future health! My kids rooms have no cable TV as a result less viewing time to watch Nickelodeon or Cartoon network and more play time and more activities. Now that its summer, I join them in swimming and do at least 10 lapses across my pool while playing and swimming leisurely in between. I likewise do swimming competition to make them do lapses while enjoying the fun on their faces by making them win! Walking together or biking should do the same in terms of bonding and increasing activity.

Lets take care of our kids.  Obesity among our kids is now becoming a medical emergency…let’s all act together before this becomes a global pandemic!

Loving Our Kids Does Not Mean French Fries As Treats!

Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, The Truths on Obesity, Weight Loss Tips | 3 Comments »

A Way To Permanently Remain THIN

April 25, 2007

3582380440.jpgHave you experienced being envious to a friend who eats but never gets fat?  It may really be in the genes but now a new study can make this a reality if the problem is resolved early in life.  We know that by the time we drink milk… we see babies getting bigger and bigger because of the saturated fat and the high sugar content in full cream milk.  Once the habit of over feeding is in place… then the difficulty in losing the accumulated fat results when we reach adulthood.  Needless to say, the parents or the grandparents just want the babies to look fat so they can look CUTE!

29037632431.jpgIn a recent article published in the January 2007 issue of the American Journal of Physiology, incorporating LEPTIN in a baby formula resulted in subjects remaining slim with lesser chances of developing obesity related illnesses like diabetes even on a high fat meal.

Leptin, a breakthrough hormone in the field of obesity is the fat hormone that turns off hunger in the brain.  In the study, the rat subject fed with formula supplemented with leptin, remained slim even if they were fed with high fat diet!  SOUNDS GREAT! 

 This is the first study that looks so promising that incorporating leptin in a meal may hopefully mean the end to our quest to combat obesity!  It is still far from reality but again this can lead to more studies to exploit the finding and hopefully be funded to become what we hope to be reality!

The studies therefore help us understand that the effect of leptin in a human body may start early in life even before we are born.  In fact, feeding the hormone to pregnant rats resulted in a  animals born to remain lean even when fed a high fat diet, compared to animals born of untreated mothers suggesting the impact of leptin in the developing fetus!  The authors believe that “the difference boils down to energy expenditure. such that the offspring of leptin-treated mothers burn up more energy.”

More good news to us who love food and want to remain thin! The thought of just putting a pinch of leptin to a pound of steak of a pan of pizza seems Magic!

BUT…definitely for now… the recommendation remains: 

…eat the right food….

…..exercise daily and live positively…

Stay Healthy To Be Wealthy!

Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips, The Truths on Obesity, Weight Loss Tips | 2 Comments »

The Magic Way To Lose Weight….

April 23, 2007

3755688817.jpgThe rising obesity epidemic and the need for better and safer drugs for weight loss, has made a lot of doctors and patients in need for better alternatives.  As a result, you hear a lot of patients going after alternative forms of therapy and herbal preparations devoid of any scientific proofs and opt to try medications advertised on TV with image models like Judy Ann Santos claiming weight loss in front of all of us!

The truth of the matter is… weight loss depends solely on YOU!  One’s discipline to achieve the goal of weight loss depends solely on ones will to do it and achieve that goal.  There is no easy way out or a magic pill that will allow us to eat and yet lose weight! PERIOD! I have made some recommendations in this website that are deemed safe, effective and practical.  If you are willing to follow the rules of the game, then you should make it big time in weight loss. Am sure we all know how to lose weight BUT we just cant bring ourselves to cut the meat and the fat, or to bring ourselves outside to run or walk because the comfort of the bed and TV is so tempting match it with chips and soda! HOLA…. more fat is welcome and less energy is utilized!

The magic formula for the year 2007 if you want to lose weight big time is SURGERY!  There’s no other MAGIC way at the present time.  The only one procedure I will recommend to my patients at the present time if they are deemed candidates to it is the so called LAP BAnd.  It is now the widely accepted procedure in the US and in our country.  But IS IT SAFE?

4119225528.jpgA small pouch in the upper part of the stomach is created with a controlled and adjustable stoma, without stapling, thus limiting food intake.  A gastric band device is introduced through tiny (1cm) incisions laparoscopically without making a big cut in the abdomen and is placed around the upper part of the stomach.  The whole procedure can be done in 30 minutes to 1 hour and the band that is fitted in the stomach and be inflated or deflated reversibly.  Within 48 hours…you are discharged from the hospital.

In a recent article published in March 2007, Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases,

…a 5-year study of the safety of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) was compared to laparoscopic Roux-en Y gastric bypass (LRYGB), two bariatric surgical procedures performed in the United States for the treatment of morbid obesity. All patients undergoing LAGB received the LAP-BAND(R) System, which is the only FDA-approved adjustable implant device for individualized weight loss. found it to have a significantly fewer complications, shorter operative times, and shorter hospital stays when compared with LRYGB….

In that study the patients who were advised surgery were categorized a morbidly with either a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more or a lower BMI of 35 or more with at least one obesity-related co-morbidity, such as sleep apnea, diabetes, or hypertension. 

Weight loss from these procedure can be dramatic.  But again, you should be ready enough to stop eating once you feel full.  Since your stomach is now literally small… you feel full easily and therefore, the WANT to eat should take a back seat and the NEED to stop eating because your ” small” stomach is now full to its capacity should supersede the WANT!

A Magic Pill definitely is better…but there is still NONE available… and definitely NOT the ones advertised on TV! The ads just take advantage of the people’s despair to lose weight fast!

I still and will continuously recommend and promote the safest way to lose weight … through discipline, determination and will to eat what is right and what is healthy!

Eat Right and Bright To Stay Light!

Read My Other Related Posts:

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, The Truths on Obesity, Weight Loss Tips | 12 Comments »

Fracture: Another Reason To Be Careful With Aging…

April 3, 2007

2296240349.jpgThis weekend I attended a well organized meeting and a certification course in Osteoporosis in Singapore.  So I thought of sharing with you some new information about this condition.

Why do we worry about fractures due to osteoporosis? 

Osteoporosis is a state where your bones are thin because of poor calcium intake, an effect of menopause and aging resulting in a decrease bone strength that can lead to increase risk to fracture at low trauma.

Those at risk to this state includes: thin built, postmenopausal, a family history of osteoporosis ( look at your mom- check if she is hunched back already) especially above the age of 60 plus a previous history of fracture…  If you have any of the above, then be careful and be aware because complications arising from this disease can be prevented.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation has the following facts:

  • The rate of hip fractures is two to three times higher in women than men

  • The one year mortality following a hip fracture is nearly twice as high  for men as for women.  It is estimated that 10-20% die within 6 months after a hip fracture!

  • A woman’s risk of hip fracture is equal to her combined risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer.

  • An average of 24 percent of hip fracture patients aged 50 and over die in the year following their fracture.

  • One in five of those who were ambulatory before their hip fracture requires long-term care afterward.

  • At six months after a hip fracture, only 15 percent of hip fracture patients can walk across a room unaided.

  • 1 in 5 will end up in nursing homes for chronic care!

BUT remember… not just hip fractures, but also the more prevalent vertebral fractures are also linked with an increased risk of death… a progressine increase in excess mortality in the next 5 years.  And a previous fracture predicts ones risk to further fractures.  Therefore addressing a fracture as a disease rather than as a consequence of aging is of paramount importance to prevent complications and death!

We are so aware of the risk to die due to breast cancer but take note: ones lifetime risk to die with an osteoporotic fracture is similar to that of having a breast cancer! 

The GOOD NEWS is: we have ways to help! The meeting emphasized the availability now of drugs that not only help prevent further bone loss due to aging but to those with spinal deformities already and have lost height… we now have the availability of durgs to prevent further bone loss but more importantly we now have a product called Teriperatide that also can BUILD bone!

Maintain Your Bone Health For Long Life!

Read My Other Related Posts:

Posted in Health Facts on Osteoporosis, Medical News Bits | 2 Comments »

The Health Benefits of Soya…

March 28, 2007

Go to fullsize imageAlternative food choices other than meat or poultry include the use of soya to produce meat/poultry like dishes which are now becoming very popular among vegetarians.  These dishes really look like the popular meat balls and taste like meat BUT devoid of the bad add ons of the accumulated fat in eating meat. 

 In a recent study published in Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, April 2007 , ingestion of black soya beans resulted in health benefits which included a significant weight loss, and more importantly the lowering of cholesterol levels which as a result can produce a better metabolic profile that may include better insulin action and therefore a possible prevention of diabetes.

In that study, the researchers at Hanyang University, allowed 32 rats to gorge on a fatty diet, supplemented with various levels of black soya. The results showed that, after two weeks, “those getting 10% of their energy from black soya had gained half as much weight as those in the control group. Total blood cholesterol fell by 25% and LDL (so-called ‘bad’) cholesterol fell by 60% in the rats in the 10% group.”

This study really presents the good side of a soya based meal.  Not only is it a good alternative to a protein rich meat meal but is also an important component of a balanced meal that is not only low in fat but also high in fibre and a very good source of complex carbohydrates.

Let’s Enjoy “meat” Without The Fat!

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Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips, The Diabetes Facts, The Truths on Obesity | 48 Comments »

The Importance of Flossing

March 3, 2007

2955575324.jpgPeriodontal disease is a very common condition among my diabetic patients.  It has been shown that severe periodontitis can affect 0.5% to 1.0% of the adult population, with as many as 80% of adult population having some form of periodontal disease.   It is therefore a must that care of our teeth and gums should start from the young especially with the recent finding of an association between teeth problem and the heart!

Several cohort and case-control studies have already shown that periodontitis is associated with endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.  Suggesting that inflammation of the gums can actually be a factor that can lead to long term damage to the heart as well.  As a result… now we know why Flossing is important as part of our daily oral hygiene.  By preventing gum and teeth problem, we can therefore reduce our risk for heart disease. 

In a recent study published in March 1, 2007 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, this important showed that  “At six months, those subjects who had intensive treatment of the periodontitis, which included flossing…  was associated with reduced indexes of periodontal disease severity and significantly better endothelial function.”  The improvement was associated with lower levels of infllammatory markers which are markers also known to be associated with higher risk of heart disease. It is important to note that endothelial function is a marker of how healthy one’s heart and vessels are.  Any improvement in endothelial function means a good effect on the heart and the vessels.

As more information and studies have proven that heart disease is due to low grade inflammation… simple disease affecting the mouth which is easily preventable should therefore be addressed because low grade inflammation involving the gums and teeth can have a major impact in our risk for heart disease.

When was your last visit to your dentist?

So for Better Breath and Healthier Heart…

Make Sure You Floss… and Visit Your Dentist!

Read My Other Related Posts:

  1. How To Prevent Bad Breath

  2. The Harm of Being Obese, Having Bad Breath and Gum Disease

 

Posted in General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Tips To Protect Your Heart | 3 Comments »

Can Coffee Help Prevent Diabetes?

February 19, 2007

3584165971.jpg

On Why I Drink Coffee Everyday…… 

I start seeing patients and doing my thyroid biopsy procedures at 7:00AM.  I do this so I can finish my work early and be home at 3:00PM.  By doing so, I have more time to do other things… for myself… like exercise, doing repairs in the house and other stuff like banks, etc. and the most important part…to have time with my kids!

To keep me active throughout the day, I usually have my coffee beside me. I like caffee latte but with skim milk rather than full cream milk.  No added cream and other fancy frostings because they add up the calories in your coffee.   Likewise I use it to trick my body and tummy that I am putting something in it to keep it from growling for food! As a result  it keeps me from being hungry in between meals.  Another trick that I use to maintain my weight! To my luck, a recent study showed that indeed coffee can help reduce one’s weight.

But what became more interesting with coffee are the studies showing that coffee intake can help lower ones risk to develop diabetes.  This should be GREAT!  You see, my mother is a diabetic, I have 2 siblings who are now prediabetics… so the risk is high for me to become one!  Therefore I follow my own recommendation to everyone: I have to keep fit by making sure I take care of what I eat and be physically active.  The beneficial effect of coffee on ones risk to develop diabetes is a PLUS!  Meaning I am not drinking coffee to prevent diabetes but since I enjoy it every morning, the results of several studies that it can prevent diabetes is an extra benefit to me. 

  • Increased coffee consumption appears to be associated with a decreasing risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to findings of a prospective study of Finnish men and women published in JAMA 2004;291:1213-1219
  • The recent ARIC Study involving 12,000 individuals, showed a significant reduction in the risk of developing diabetes with coffee consumption published in American Journal of Epidimeology in Sept of 2006.
  • The Harvard study based on data collected from >80,0oo female nurses published in Diabetes Care in 2006 showed a 50% reduction in the risk of developing diabetes…  The same institution in their earlier study likewise showed that Men who drink six or more cups of coffee a day were less than half as likely to develop diabetes compared with nondrinkers. While drinking four to six cups helps cut their risk cut by 29%
  • In a recent prospective study among 28,000 postmenopausal published in Archives of Internal Medicine in 2006, coffee consumption was associated with >20% reduction in risk to develop diabetes.

Dr Hu of Harvard Medical School did a systematic review of all proofs regarding coffee and his conclusion was:

Habitual consumption of coffee indeed can lower ones risk for developing diabetes.  And the reduction can be as much as 35% for inidividual taking more than 6 cups a day.

There you go… now you know why I have a cup of coffee on my table while seeing my patients.  And why I prefer drinking coffee than any other beverage: less calories, filling and lessens my chance to become a diabetic!

Another Good News For Coffee Lovers!

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Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips, The Diabetes Facts, Weight Loss Tips | 18 Comments »

The Truth Behind The Antiperspirant and Breast Cancer Link

February 7, 2007

3370060387.jpgThe first time I heard about this controversy was around the time a friend developed breast cancer.  She tried blaming it on her underarm deodorant.  I cant imagine not using one after a bath as part of one’s hygienic routines.  But now comes this rumor of a possible link between our daily use of an antiperspirant and breast cancer.  Apparently the compound Aluminum present in antiperspirant and not in deodorant is the culprit.  But are these claims true or just  a myth?

The truth of the matter is that few clinical studies in humans have addressed the issue. 

  • The American Cancer Society has this to say: ” a carefully-designed epidemiologic study of this issue published in 2002 compared 813 women with breast cancer and 793 women without the disease found no relationship between breast cancer risk and antiperspirant use, deodorant use, or underarm shaving.”
  • Likewise in a recent report released by the  National Cancer Institute, the institution concluded that “no conclusive research” exists linking the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants to breast cancer.

Whew… what a relief.  This controversy tells us one thing.  This baseless rumor in the internet started it all.  So before we believe in anything written on print or on-line… it is better to confirm based only on pure scientific basis and nothing else!  The two major institutions with cancer experts on board say it all!

Now We Can Remain Odor Free With Our Arms UP !

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Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits | 8 Comments »

Red Meat and Breast Cancer

January 19, 2007

3763834536.jpgBeef or Pork… are the main stays in most of the meals being served worldwide.  That’s the reason why Mc Donalds can be found anywhere in the world.  From kids to adults… we all love the burger.   

But while going through my journals, I came across this article published recently in the November Issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.  This time, the association between red meat and breast cancer was analyzed and I thought since breast cancer is one dreaded but “curable” cancer nowadays is to share with you this tip to hopefully lower your risk to develop it and share this information to your wives or mothers and sisters.

The study involved the 90,659 women,  who participated in the Nurses’ Health Study II.  During the 12 years of follow-up, around 1,021 women developed invasive breast cancer.

Women who ate around 2 servings of red meat per day were more likely to develop estrogen-positive and progesterone-positive breast cancer ( 97% more)  than those who ate red meat only three or fewer servings per week.

What types of Red meats were the culprits?  The usual red meats we love…. including hamburger,beef or pork as a main dish, anda variety of processed meats.

Again… to prevent any ilness, we modify factors that can be changed in our lifestyle,  And dietary factors are one modifiable culprits of a disease.  It  requires both knowledge and discipline in our food choices to be successful.  It boils down to one’s determination to prevent a disease and a goal to remain fit through an active and healthy lifestyle.

Remember it’s the Sacrifice and the Determination that can lead us to Success….whether in business or in health….

So for your next meal….

Fish… Anyone?   

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Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips | 2 Comments »

Is Chromium Good For You?

January 16, 2007

2922756499.jpgChromium as a metal is known but not as a supplement or a health drug.  The reports of chromium and improvement in sugar control started with a chinese publication and since then more reports of its benefits have been studied.  I see a lot of patients asking my opinion on this supplement and so far the best summary I’ve read was recently published in the January 2007 issue of Harvard Men’s Health Watch.

  • Chromium and cholesterol. With such scattered scientific information, it’s too early to recommend chromium supplements for cholesterol. But there may be an exception to that rule when it comes to low HDL (good) cholesterol. The best ways to boost HDL levels are lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet. But if those don’t help, chromium may be worth a try. Some clinical trials have reported a benefit.
  • Chromium and heart disease. A new study reports a link between chromium levels and heart attack risk: the lower the levels, the higher the risk. The association of low chromium and heart attacks was unrelated to diabetes or diet.
  • Chromium and diabetes. Chromium influences insulin action and glucose metabolism. However, studies have yielded conflicting results. The American Diabetes Association states that “at present, benefit from chromium supplements has not been conclusively demonstrated.” It’s an invitation for more scientific study.
  • Chromium and weight loss. Despite the popularity of chromium picolinate as a diet aid, scientists agree that chromium supplements are not effective in producing sustained weight loss.

Sources of natural dietary chromium includes: whole grains, nuts, broccoli, and green beans.  All are healthy and worth munching while benefiting your good cholesterol, improve your heart disease risk and hopefully lower the blood sugar level.

My advise for now is…2393097542.jpggo for the natural sources of chromium… stay away from the supplements as we dont know yet the exact dose that will provide you of the necessary benefits.

Be Informed…Eat Right!

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Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, The Diabetes Facts | 10 Comments »

The Risk of Being ANGRY….

January 8, 2007

4030644144.jpgYou woke up early in the morning… ate your breakfast hoping for a nice day at work only to find out that nothing has been done right!  The sudden surge of cathecolamines causes the feeling of heat that eventually results into anger…  Now… hold on… calm down… and take a deep breath!  Because Anger can be bad for your health!

A recent webcast form the American Heart Association Scientific Session showed a study funded by the National Institute of Health that ” acute episodes of anger may cause potentially fatal heart rhythm disturbances.”

This study involved more than 30 medical centers around the United States and patients were asked about their lifestyle habits and medical histories.  These are patients who have implanted defibrillator and were then asked to record anytime they receive a shock and to record circumstances during that episode.

  • 3.2 times more likely for irregular heart rate if pt is moderately angry, as compared to periods of no anger
  • 16.7-fold increased risk of having the arryhthmia if participants were very angry and furious.

In conclusion, the authors have this to say….“Our results suggest that emotions, particularly anger, can trigger dangerous rhythm disturbances.”  And therefore can be fatal!

“Next time you are about to blow up… ask yourself this question … 

Is the Cause of Anger Worth The Risk?

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Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits | 8 Comments »

How To Prevent Wrinkles….

December 21, 2006

2957708148.jpgBeauty is pretty expensive nowadays…it’s a booming business.  Medical tourism in our country is also being promoted as a future come on for consumers with special focus on cosmetic surgery.  While sorting out news reviews, I came accross this Consumer Report article which focused on beauty and anti wrinkle creams and I found it very interesting.  Let me highlight the important facts:

  1. There is no correlation between price and effectiveness in the wrinkle creams they tested.  In fact one of the cheapest — Olay Regenerist — performed slightly better than the more expensive ones.
  2. None of the tested brands produced dramatic results in terms of reducing wrinkles.
  3. Investigators found little relationship between the active ingredients in the products and their overall performance.

The report further noted that of all the creams tested, “at $57 for the cream, lotion, or serum, Olay Regenerist was the top performing product, followed by Lancome Paris Renergie, at $176, and RoC Retin-Ox+, at $135.”  To think, one of the most expensive creams in the market, La Praire Cellular sold at $335 for a ounce of day cream was one of the worst performing products.  It therefore shows that the price has little to do with effectiveness when it comes to antiaging skin products.

The study further substantiates the benefit of daily sunscreen which actually did more to prevent new wrinkles than any the more expensive and well marketed face creams on the market.  A very good news to the husbands indeed…..

Beauty does not need to be expensive after all…

Apply Your Sunscreens Daily and Avoid Wrinkles!

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Personal Thoughts | 1 Comment »

The Benefit of a Low Carb Diet

December 13, 2006

3015962829.jpgThe fight against obesity has been pretty discouraging as no magic pill has been discovered yet that will allow people to eat whatever we like and not gain weight.  It is now known that by losing weight, one reduces the risk of obesity related illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.  The fad of low carb diet has its followers since it can really make one lose weight albeit temporarily….but arguments against low carb diets include its recommendation to increase consumption of high protein sources to include animal products which unfortunately are high in fat.  So Where does Low Carb Diet stand in terms of Health issues?

One study and so far the first study to answer this question was recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine (November 9 issue), that looked at the relationship between low carb diet and the risk of heart disease.  

The good news is …There is an association between low-carb diets and low heart disease risk!

  • The low risk is based on a high protein diet from vegetable sources and not animal products. 
  • The types and not the total amount of fat or carbohydrate have an appreciable relationship with risk of CHD.
  • Vegetable fat was associated a lower risk of risk of CHD, whereas higher dietary glycemic load typical of a high-carb diet–was strongly associated with increased heart disease risk.

The study further noted that… “when vegetable sources of fat and protein were chosen instead of animal sources, the low-carbohydrate-diet was associated with a 30% lower risk of CHD.”

So… remember… if you embrace the Low Carb Diet….

The quality of fat and carbohydrate is more important than quantity!

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips, Weight Loss Tips | 2 Comments »

Are Your Kids Watching Wrestling on TV?

December 1, 2006

Here in Cebu, we will be hosting the ASEAN summit and as a result schools will be closed for the holidays earlier.  So from Dec 8 onwards…it’s the start of a long vacation.  And from Dec 2 to 9, 23785211401.jpgmy wife and I will travel to explore South Africa…so while we’re away…our kids fortunately will be in school during the day but will be with their yayas in the afternoon.  And when these kids stay home…either they’re hooked to the computer or to the TV.  Unsupervised…we may wonder what these kids are up to.  So my son’s activities have been limited to just playing Jump Start series for Grade 1 and 2 and no internet in the computer while his TV time is also limited.  He’s into sports like soccer 3 x a week, swimming and taekwando once a week. 

2410829857.jpgConcerns arise with the kinds of TV shows and the access to internet that our kids now have.  One such TV show that can have lasting impact on our kids is professional wrestling.  In a recent study published in August issue of Pediatrics , wrestling was shown to encourage aggressive behavior in teens to include violent tendencies and carrying of weapons when they date.  It was further noted that these violent tendencies are more pronounced in girls who watch more wrestling.

Other findings in the study that is really of concern to me as a parent that I want to share with other parents include:

The results suggest that violence begets violence:

  • the more these kids are exposed to violence on TV or other media like the internet, the more likelihood that these kids will also engage in violence.

  • 184753018.jpg“women are often degraded and appear as both the victims and instigators of violence. And this has a spillover effect for teens who watch wrestling.”

  • The wrestlers talk in derogatory terms… and kids have the tendency to follow! 

  • The concept the kids understand is that watching violence on TV is acceptable and entertaining.

 So while we’re away either at work or on vacation… we make sure our kids know what their limits are. Likewise we make sure our helpers know what they need to monitor but a disciplined child knows that too…

Make Sure You Know Well What You’re Kids Are Into Before It’s Too Late!

Posted in Medical News Bits, Personal Thoughts | 2 Comments »

How To Boost Your Memory!

November 30, 2006

609286469.jpgI am often asked by my patients… is this pill gonna help me boost my memory?  I seem to be getting forgetful these days. Just like questions of aging… we all want the magic pill to help us preserve our youth not only in looks but in thinking as well.

Here’s a tip: Vegetables , vegetables…vegetables…. that is… if you eat three servings a day, based on a new study published in October issue of Neurology.   Interestingly, the same effect is not found in those who eat lots of fruit.

“People who consumed two or more vegetables a day had a 35 to 40 percent decrease in the decline in thinking ability over six years. That’s the equivalent of being five years younger in age.” This means…people that eat vegetables will have less problems about forgetting things necessary for daily tasks like remembering phone numbers or names of friends.

Examples of the green vegetables frequently taken in by subjects in the study included: lettuce and tossed salad, spinach, kale and collards.

It is said that the antioxidant content of vegetables may be responsible for this protective effect against damage to neurons in the brain that contribute to dementia.   Likewise previous studies have shown that consumption of healthy fats, such as the polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats found in foods such as olive oil, were similarly protective.

So the next time you eat bread…dip it in olive oil.  If you’re going to have a salad… Dr Morris the lead author recommends: putting the good fats on them, such as an oil-based salad dressing on salads, healthy-fat mayonnaise on cole slaw, and healthy-fat margarine on vegetables.   It is said that these healthy fats help absorb the vitamin E, an antioxidant that may be beneficial to the brain.

Simple tip for the whole family to follow…

Eat Your Veggies Now Before You Forget!

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips | 2 Comments »

Which Is Better: Wine or Beer?

November 28, 2006

1053017253.jpgThe so call French Paradox of wine and health started when an Irish doctor noted that chest pain was far less common in France than in Ireland.  Eventually epidemiological studies have shown that there is a comparatively low rate of heart disease in France despite a diet that includes plenty of butter and cheese.  Opinions by some experts have suggested that the benefit should come from the French passion of drinking red wine.

It is said that red wine may contain various substances in addition to alcohol that can prevent heart disease. Likewise the diet and lifestyle in France, especially the south, have much in common with other Mediterranean regions, which may account for some of the protection against heart disease.

But how about Beer? Beer is a common beverage easily available compared to wine.  Does it have any effect at all in protecting the heart?

A report from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, has shown that beverage choice makes no difference.  

In this study the drinking habits of more than 38,000 men over a 12-year period were examined. What the researchers found out is that moderate drinkers were 30-35% less likely to have had a heart attack than non-drinkers.  Likewise the reduction was observed among men who drank wine, beer, or spirits, and was similar for those who drank with meals and those who drank outside of meal time.

But remember…even for health reasons… for now…

If you dont drink…dont start. 

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Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips | 5 Comments »

The Danger of Drinking Too Much Cola?

November 23, 2006

639176267.jpgWomen who are trying to lose weight use diet sodas to fill them up without eating the right food.  As part of their regimen to lose weight, I know of some friends who can consume up to 8 cans a day.  I usually allow my patients to drink  diet soda but at a minimum of 1 can a day.  It may be less in calories but again everybody should realize that a soda contains other substances that may actually be harmful to ones body… 

Women after menopause at increased risk of bone loss and develop a disease called osteoporosis.  It is now considered a silent killer since this condition remains asymptomatic for life until such time that ones bones are so brittle and thin that a fracture happens with minimal trauma.  It is estimated that once a fracture occurs…one out of 6 will die within 6 months…most likely due to complications arising from being bedridden due to the fracture.

In a recent report published in the October issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition... regular consumption of carbonated cola drinks (>1 can a day) was shown to affect the integrity and the strength of bone such that women who drink soda daily had lower bone mass as measured by the Bone Mineral Densitometry compared to women who drink soda infrequently like < 1 can per month.  

The most likely culprits in sodas that can affect the bone are caffeine and phosphoric acid such that cola intake was associated with lower BMD at each hip site in women… and fortunately not in men.

637275227.jpgSo for those who use Diet Cokes to lose weight…take note… you may end up getting a worst disease than keeping yourself trim in a wrong way.

Take Care Of Your Bones… Limit Your Soda!

Read my Other Related Articles:

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips | 18 Comments »

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