Archive for the 'Medical News Bits' Category

The Baby And The Ultrasound

August 8, 2006

 imagesdfg.jpg Getting an ultrasound to know the sex of a baby is really for FUN!  The use of ultrasound for entertainment became a big media event when Tom Cruise bought one for his pregnant wife.  The FDA advisory strongly discourages this un-official use of the ultrasound for keepsakes and other non medical purposes.

One study I found intriguing that may change how we look at ultrasound in pregnancy was recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.  The study showed that brain development in mice was apparently affected by ultrasound exposure.  A great number of brain cells failed to develop and if they grow…they were scattered in an incorrect manner.  Can one imagine the impact of this development if we are talking about a human fetus?  What was important in the findings was that the number of affected cells increased with longer exposure!

More research need to be done especially on the effect of ultrasound in humans…But for now…

This should be a Wake Up Call : to newly weds and new moms to

….abandon the use of ultrasound

for the benefit of entertainment!…

Knowing The Sex Of The Baby

Is A Matter Of Time!

If You Are Obese…Check Your Prostate!

August 4, 2006

19207111352.jpgBenign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) is a common dilemma among men. A recent article from the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology, July 2006 issue showed that there is a relationship between ones weight and that person’s risk to have an enlarged prostate.  BPH is a condition that leads to difficulty in urination with symptoms ranging from urgency, discomfort, to incomplete voiding.

The study showed that of the men with enlarged prostates, majority were heavier and had a higher age-adjusted body mass index (BMI) than men without enlarged prostates. It was estimated that for each 1-point rise in BMI was associated with a 0.41 cubic centimeter increase in prostate volume.  Such that very obese men were especially likely to have an enlarged prostate, with 3.5-times the risk compared with their normal-weight counterparts.

In the same study, diabetics were more than twice as likely to have prostate enlargement compared with men without diabetes such that those with elevated glucose had 3-times the risk of having an enlarged prostate. The clinical implication of this study is that with the current epidemic of obesity and diabetes, this finding will have a definite impact in the rising prevalence of BPH.

So Guys… Another reason for us to take care of our weight!

Lose Weight, Control Your Sugar

Or Else…

Are Artificial Sweeteners Safe?

August 2, 2006

2383658624.jpg This fact sheet on sugar substitutes was recently published in the US FDA July issue titled: No Calories…Sweet!

In a recent survey done among users of sugar substitute, the primary reasons for using these products is “to stay in overall better health” in 73% of the respondents and “to eat or drink healthier foods and beverages” in 68% of those surveyed.

There are so far five FDA-approved sugar substitutes namely aspartame, acesulfame K, neotame, saccharin and sucralose. As stated clearly, the FDA notes that “For each of the approved sweeteners, the typical amount used by U.S. consumers is well within designated ‘acceptable daily intake levels (ADI),’ or levels that can be consumed safely every day over a lifetime.“

Furthermore the FDA further emphasized the benefits of using these products: “Artificial sweeteners can help consumers cut down on calories and control weight, help to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, and potentially prevent cavities.” 

Likewise, as an endocrinologist, I usually recommend to my patients to control calories with sugar-free and light foods and beverages, with exercise, as very effective ways to help them control or lose weight without necessarily feeling deprived!

Lastly, in terms of safety issue: both the US FDA and the European Food Safety Authority have come up with the same conclusion: Aspartame is safe until proven otherwise by scientific data. 

No Calories…Really Sweet!

Check Your Numbers: Are You Obese?

August 2, 2006

2459156720.jpg We’ve been talking about the risks of obesity.  We know the prevalence is increasing worldwide.  We know the reasons… But Are We Obese?

Body Mass Index is one simple way to determine if you’re overweight or already obese.  It can be calculated as follows: Weight in Kg divided by your Height in centimeters times 2. Try computing your BMI and see where you belong.

The following are the different levels of BMI in adult Asian Population based on the International Obesity Task Force for the Asia Pacific with the Waist Circumference and the corresponding Risk for Co Morbidities like Hypertension, Diabetes and Heart Disease:

                                                               Waist Circumference

                                                  < 35 inches ( men)             > 35 inches

                                                  < 31 inches ( women)        > 31 inches

Underweight  :        < 18.5                  Low                             Average

Normal Range :        >18.5 to 22.9       Average                        Increased

Overweight   :         >23 to 24.9          Increased                      Moderate

Obese I         :           25 to 29.9         Moderate                      Severe

Obese II        :          > 30                   Severe                         Very Severe

Once you know where you belong… you know what to do! Remember, the risk to develop the diseases associated with lifestyle due to bad habits is closely related to how heavy you are.  And the risk to develop obesity and its associated co-morbidities can be reversed if we act now thru lifestyle changes to include proper food choices and constant daily activites.

Know The Numbers Then Do

Something About It!

The Benefits Of Drinking MILK

August 2, 2006

3043116279.jpgA glass of milk is really a good prescription for health.  Heres why….

 For the prevention of osteoporosis, a high calcium intake is recommended especially for women. It is recommended that a daily intake of low fat milk or skim milk with 2 glasses per day can give the women sufficient levels of calcium especially if taken regularly during the premenopausal state.  Likewise other benefits of taking milk as shown in other studies showed it to lower ones risk to be overweight and develop Insulin Resistance Syndrome.

One recent observation with regard to another benefit of drinking low fat dairy product was published in the Diabetes Care, July of 2006 issue.

The study involved looking at the relationship between type 2 diabetes and dietary levels of dairy foods and calcium in 37,183 women in the Women’s Health Study.  The study then looked at a total of 1,603 women who developed diabetes during an average follow-up of 10 years.

The results were amazing: women with the highest intake of dairy foods were 21 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with the lowest intake, with an estimated 4 percent decrease in the risk for each serving per day increase in low fat dairy product. This benefit was independent of the effects of dietary calcium intake and Vitamin D.

Although these results need to be confirmed …

The Message is Clear…

Taking low fat diary products should be aggressively advised to all women of all ages because of their health benefits with regard to preserving bone health, lower ones risk to be overweight but also the potential to lower ones risk to develop diabetes in the future.  Remember… The prevalence of diabetes is now increasing at an alarming rate and the Asians in general is one race known to be at risk!

So for your breakfast or midnight snack….

Enjoy Your Skim Milk For

A Healthier You!

A Trick For Children To Lose Weight

August 2, 2006

 It’s been alarming that childhood obesity is getting to be an epidemic.  We all know why… urban sedentary lifestyle, computer games, lack of supervision and the advent of less nutritious high fat foods. But what needs to be done to combat this disease is education but most times children don’t just get the message. They find it too abstract to understand that they will become diabetics…or  hypertensives… in the future if they don’t lose weight!

An innovative approach now in the US is being done at The Learning Channel. This information was sourced from the Endocrine Today publication.

The series, Honey We’re Killing the Kids, uses state-of-the-art computer imaging intended for the parents to show them and the kids how they will look like at the age of 40 if they don’t start making diet and lifestyle changes now. The digital images are developed based on the information obtained from the parents with regard to the children’s diet, exercise habits and family medical history.

It is now known that the view of the future among these obese children is not healthy with an estimated 60 to 80% of these overweight children  becoming overweight adults, with many of the accompanying medical complications.

Here’s a graphic representation of the digital image made:

This is how the child will look like at age 40 if he continues his eating habits and sedentary lifestyle.

The show only started September of 2005 and it has so far been a hit. I am not sure when this will show in our country but definitely this is a remarkable way to educate our children because indeed ” a picture is worth a thousand words.”

Teach Your Kids A Healthy

Lifestyle…They Deserve It !

___________________________

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The Risk Of Being Obese

August 2, 2006

4143357816.jpg A recently published article on Obesity caught my attention.  We know the rising trend of obesity in America as well as in our part of the world.  We are being fed continuouly with high fat and less nutritious fast foods. In a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers looked at the patterns of morbidity and mortality (death) risk according to BMI in 90,185 women in the WHI study with an average follow-up of 7 years.

The results were alarming: compared with normal-weight women, the risk of dying was increased 12% in all women in obesity category 1, while risk was increased 86% over seven years in women in obesity category 3. This suggests that the risk of mortality from being obese is a continuum ….

“The more obese you are, the higher the likelihood of dying specifically from cardiovascular disease.”

So AGAIN… start doing something to improve your health.  Dont just sit there. Stand Up and Move.

It’s never too late to start and be more disciplined. Remember a mere 7 to 10% weight loss is more than enough to reverse majority of the metabolic defects in the body associated with obesity!

Give Yourself A Break…Be FIT!

Facts You Need To Know About Cholesterol

August 2, 2006

Go to fullsize imageCholesterol misconceptions are common. Majority of patients don’t feel any symptoms. The abnormality is only discovered if one gets a fasting blood tests. But this is one component in the blood that is most harmful to the heart and brain because any excessive level can lead to heart attack and stroke.

Some misconceptions include:

1. Foods labeled as “No Cholesterol” can be eaten as much as I want.  Majority of these products may still contain saturated fats which are harmful to the blood vessels. So don’t be fooled by marketing strategies.

2. My cholesterol level is normal so I don’t need to worry. This will depend on your risk for heart disease or if you are diabetic. A total cholesterol level alone will not determine your being healthy…make sure you get the Lipid Profile which will determine if your bad or good cholesterol levels are within the goal for your risk.

3. I need medication because my total cholesterol is > 200 mg/dl. Again this high total cholesterol may be due to a high GOOD cholesterol which is protective to the heart and therefore requires NO medication. Another scenario where a Lipid Profile should be done instead.

4. After taking my medication for three months, my doctor said my cholesterol is normal and therefore I can now stop the drug! Whew…a very common scenario but totally wrong.  Once you are diagnosed to have HYPERLIPIDEMIA or suffering from a high cholesterol state… being a metabolic disease requires chronic treatment.  Once you take the drug, your cholesterol drops but once you stop the medication… the cholesterol level rises again and the harm continues….

I hope these misconceptions of my patients will help us all to remember that….

Cholesterol is a silent participant of the Dreaded Complication we call… HEART DISEASE!

There is no age at which you need to check your cholesterol…BUT….Do so NOW if you are: obese, have high blood pressure, high blood sugar, a family history of heart disease or stroke especially at a young age.

Be on GUARD…Check Your

Cholesterol!

Is It Harmful To Use of Plastic Wrap in Microwave Cooking

August 2, 2006

Go to fullsize image I had several direct emails and 2 posted questions in my blog after writing the microwave issue.  So I thought of writing this post for all to read because one way or another… we are users of this important invention of the century.

The common question is: How about the plastic wrap or the cling wrap that we put to cover the food before cooking?  Is it carcinogenic?

The only reputable institution that I trust with concerns for public safety is the US FDA… It is true that some substances from the plastic wrapping do migrate into the food during the reheating process but the amount has been assessed to be within the margin of safety.  And this issue has been revisited several times with the same recommendation of safety up to the present.

Another substance that came up recently is the so called DEHA which is a plasticizer which makes plastics flexible.  The US FDA again has reemphasized that the levels of the plasticizer from the plastic film that might have migrated to the food and as a result consumed by the public use are well below the levels showing no toxic effect in animal studies. 

Likewise claims of plastic containing the substance called Dioxins, labeled as a “likely human carcinogen” by the Environmental Protection Agency has been assessed by the FDA and concluded that there is no evidence to support that plastic containers or films contain dioxins and can’t find any reason to suspect why they would…

Well said! and I guess this settles the issue… but as new evidence arises… definitely will keep you posted!

Here are some recommendations for using plastic covers for microwave reheating:

1. Do not use the plastic carryout containers from restaurants because they may melt or warp, which can increase the likelihood of spills and burns.

2. Discard and do not reuse containers that hold prepared microwavable meals.

3. Microwave-safe plastic wrap should be placed loosely over food so that steam can escape.  It is recommended that the plastic should not touch the food and that there should be at least a one-inch space between the plastic and the food during microwave reheating.

Enjoy Your Microwave

Without Guilt!

An Update On Virgin Coconut Oil

August 2, 2006

Go to fullsize image Much have been said about virgin coconut oil… you read them on newspapers, you hear great testimonies about its health benefits on radios and TV!  But what really is this oil…and the truth behind the claims regarding the therapeutic value.  If you log on to Google… it will link you to 1,400,000 sites!!!

According to some websites…”the oil comes from coconut trees that are grown organic… rich in lauric acid.” Because of the process , apparently the oil contains no trans fatty acid. It further claims “Research shows that the medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil boosts the body’s metabolism, raises body temperatures, and helps provide greater energy which can lead to weight loss.

What’s more interesting are the health related claims : oil to contain antifungal, antiviral including anti HIV and antimicrobial properties.  Likewise promoted to affect gastrointestinal problems, even as treatment for hypothyroidism and improves chronic fatigue syndrome. And the websites have lots of testimonials rather than true research oriented materials acceptable to the medical societies. 

Therefore the claims of this oil can’t be verified to warrant my recommendation with similar precautions to other herbal products being marketed as cure-all remedies.

Recently the US FDA posted in their web site demanding these coconut oil websites to stop their marketing practices of the products…

The therapeutic claims on your web site establish that the products are drugs because they are intended for use in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. The marketing of these products with these claims violates the Act section 201 (g)(1)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 USC 321(g)(1)(b)) .

Furthermore, your products are not generally recognized as safe and effective for the above referenced conditions and therefore, the products are also “new drugs” under section 201(p) of the Act [21 U.S.C. 321(p)]

FDA approves a new drug on the basis of scientific data submitted by a drug sponsor to demonstrate that the drug is safe and effective. Your products are also misbranded within the meaning of section 502(f)(1) of the Act, in that the labeling for these drugs fails to bear adequate directions for use [21 U.S.C. 352(f)(1)].

Be more Vigilant…

Can Alcohol Cause Obesity?

August 1, 2006

115026991.jpg

A common question that I get is the relationship between aclcohol and the risk to become obese.  Can drinking alchol increase once belly? 

The results came from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III involving 8000 patients published in December 2005.

  • Current alcohol drinkers who drank one or two glasses regularly but less than 5 drinks per week were significantly less likely to be obese than non drinkers and heavy drinkers.
  • Consuming more than 4 drinks or more per day increased the drinker’s risk to be obese by 46%. 

The mechanism however of the protective effect of alcohol is not known.

This result does not recommend non drinkers to drink to reduce ones risk to become obese but rather argues against a strategy of promoting complete abstention for those who regularly consume alcohol.

My recommendation if you drink… studies have shown that red wine has the advantage because of the flavanoid content like dark chocolate…

But as what we have recommended before…

Anything In Excess Is A Waste…

The Harm Of TOO MUCH TV

August 1, 2006

2374690649 Got this interesting News Bits from the Diabetes in Control, 2006 issue from the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. April 2006 on the harmful effects of too much TV among our kids.

Link Between Television and Overweight in Children is Discovered:

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and Children’s Hospital Boston found that “kids who spend more time watching television also eat more of the calorie-dense, low-nutrient foods advertised on television.”

This study provides evidence that television is effective in getting kids to eat the foods that are advertised, and this drives up their total calorie intake.” The results of the study showed that each hour of increased television viewing over baseline was associated with a total energy increase of 167 calories — just about the amount of calories in a soda or a handful of snack food.

The Lesson: One Way to Combat Obesity is to…

Limit What Your Kids

Watch on TV!!!

The Truth About CHOCOLATE

August 1, 2006

Imagescho We’ve always wondered…Is chocolate really that bad?  But it just tastes so good that even if we are made to believe it can make us fat or it can cause pimples…we are just tempted to grab one the moment we see one! 

Experts have agreed that chocolates do not cause pimples… it’s the imbalance of hormones and subsequent skin infection that cause and exacerbate pimples! Definitely Chocolate can be ” fattening” mainly because of the saturated fat in it and if we consume a big bar …then we gain calories from it and we gain weight!  But just like any other foods… if we just take a bite or two or limit the amount we eat… we should be guilt free to enjoy chocolate!

The National Institute of Health- the research arm of the US government has embarked on a very interesting research on the benefits of eating chocolate… so to all chocoholics out there…READ!

Chocolates have the compound called FLAVANOIDS which based on preliminary data can ward off vascular diseases that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.  These flavanoids are also present in green tea, apple and red wine. The Darker the chocolate… the bitter tasting it is… the higher the flavanoids.

Does this mean…let’s all grab a dark chocolate and start munching on them while watching TV?  Of course not… mainly because we still don’t have a way to know which dark chocolates sold in the market are flavanoid rich!  In fact some branded chocolates when made,  destroy the flavanoid from the cocoa in the process of making it. Thus the end product is devoid of the substance with the health benefit.

The NIH is now conducting a huge study to test the hypothesis and if the results are rewarding…I’ll be the first one to know and share it with you.

My recommendation to my patients on eating chocolates is:

The first and the last bite of each meal are the best parts! 

Use them to take a bite or two of your chocolates. Chew on it slowly and Savor or Enjoy the taste as it melts in your mouth guilt free!

So to the Chocoholics… Remember…

Know Your Limits!

How Much Walking Can Prevent Weight Gain?

August 1, 2006

2533140067.jpgFrom the Diabetes in Control, Medical Issue published May 10, 2006 comes an alarming statistics and intriguing recommendation…

It is now estimated that approximately one-third of all children in the United States are either overweight or dangerously close to becoming so.  Erroneous Lifestyle and Habits have been shown to be the culprits. 

The Good News Is….

Walking 2000 more steps a day and reducing your calories by 100 calories per day can prevent weight gain for overweight children. The study results proves that this approach… simple, easy to do and free… can help counter the World’s Obesity Crisis.

As parents…let’s

 Take Charge and Counter This Epidemic of Obesity

The Harmless Herbs?

August 1, 2006

Imagesfg A lot of my patients are asking about whether it is safe for them to take Herbals… some are given to them by relatives working abroad. Mayo Clinic, a reputable institution posted a warning to people taking herbal supplements with the idea that… since they are herbs…they should be safe! However…be cautious, because some herbal preparations have active ingredients in them that can interact with the medications you’re presently taking and may cause harm.

Be cautious about taking an herbal

supplement if you’re currently

taking:

  1. Blood pressure medications
  2. Blood thinners like anticoagulants and anti-platelet
  3. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen
  4. Diabetes medications and
  5. Heart medications

Examples of herbal supplements that may possibly produce harmful side effects when used in combination with certain types of medications include:

  1. Black cohosh
  2. Dong quai
  3. Garlic Ginger
  4. Ginkgo Biloba and Ginseng
  5. St. John’s wort
  6. Chinese Angelica Ephedra (Ephedra sinica)
  7. Ma huang Garlic

The American College of Physicians likewise have published reports of herbal supplements causing liver toxicity and renal failure especially herbs marketed for weight loss purposes…and therefore we as primary health care providers don’t recommend herbal preparations to our patients.

So the next time you pass by a Herbal Supplement Store… remember…

Herbs Are Not Harmless…

Be Cautious!

The Many Benefits of Drinking Coffee…

August 1, 2006

3517174637.jpg On my way to attending the Annual Convention of the American College of Endocrinology in Chicago next week…am sure I’ll be offered drinks like…Coffee or Tea? while in the airport lounge or in the plane. 

Of course to help me combat my jet lag and to keep me awake while listening to the latest research in endocrinology… I’ll be sipping my coffee… But before grabbing another cup…  and another cup… how many cups of coffee or tea per day is okay?

It has been estimated that moderate doses ( 200-300 mg) of caffeine: either from drinking coffee or tea have not been shown to be harmful…this is equivalent to drinking 2-4 cups per day which is the average number of cups we usually take.  In fact part of a diabetic meal plan is the so called free food where coffee or tea are both listed under and I usually allow my patients to enjoy 1-2 cups per day.

Aside from boosting ones alertness level, other Medical Benefits of Coffee include :

1. Lower risk of developing Diabetes by 50% as shown in the study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

2. In the Rochester Project published in Neurology, 2004, caffeine intake was associated with lower incidence and delay in the onset of Parkinson’s Disease.

3. The National Institutes of Health Study showed lower incidence of liver problems among caffeine drinkers.

These are really good news for caffeine users but more studies are needed to confirm the above findings.

One very important tip to know that you already have consumed unhealthy amounts of caffeine is when you start having the following symptoms: restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, headaches or palpitations.

Because of its ability to affect ones sleep cycle… sleep problems are usually encountered for caffeine users.  One tip to prevent disturbance in sleep is to avoid taking caffeinated drinks at least 6 to 8 hours prior to your sleeping time because it takes time for the effect of caffeine to wane off.

So the next time you grab a cup …

Be Guilt Free and ….

Enjoy Your Coffee and Tea!!!

Is DIET SODA Safe?

August 1, 2006

678543241.jpgJust like the former US President, Bill Clinton….I enjoy my Diet Soda during meals… but How Much of a Diet Coke is Safe?

I decided to write about this topic after 2 patients of mine this morning asked me the same question. It is circulated apparently that aspartame predominantly used in diet sodas has been shown to cause cancer. 

The American Diabetes Association continues to recommend aspartame as a safe substitute for sugar among diabetic patients.  With the increasing prevalence of Obesity, Diet Sodas using aspartame have zero calories and therefore do not cause weight gain.  According to the US National Cancer Institute no scientific study so far has proved that sweeteners can cause cancer among humans.  UK regulators after analysis of 500 papers came up with the same conclusion.

The Acceptable Daily Intake of aspartame which is the amount that can be taken daily throughout life without appreciable health risk has been assessed to be around 40mg/kg body weight which is equivalent to more than 14 diet sodas per day if the soda only used aspartame at maximum permitted dose.  But majority of diet sodas use a combination of sweeteners therefore the actual level of aspartame on each can is much lower.

My usual recommendation when asked about how much is enough with Diet Sodas?… is to allow my patients to enjoy at most 1 diet soda per day… to consume half of one can with their lunch and another half with their dinner…and to enjoy plain cold water or hot coffee with snacks.

Rest assured that with the endorsement of the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association supported by extensive database analysis of the safety of aspartame by the National Institute of Health ( The largest US government funding agency for research) and the US FDA, can we say….

Lets Enjoy Our Diet Soda Without Guilt!

Are You Under STRESS?

August 1, 2006

2028023021.jpg If you are undergoing “Stress” lately…here are some tips I got from the Mayo Clinic Division of Medicine that summarizes signs and symptoms to determine if you need to take time out from work and relax a little bit…

Effects of stress
On your body On your thoughts and feelings On your behavior
Chest pain Restlessness Decreased anger control, marked by sudden outbursts with little provocation
High blood pressure Irritability Increased smoking
Muscle aches, such as back and neck pain Sadness Crying spells
Grinding teeth Mood swings Job dissatisfaction
Indigestion Lack of concentration Burnout
Stomach cramping or bloating Forgetfulness
Fatigue Tendency to blame others for how you feel
Weight gain or loss Tendency to see only the negative aspects of people and situations
Skin problems, such as hives

If you have the symptoms…then

Take Charge and Recharge!